the eclectic owl

Back to Blogging!

2015-10-30T16:14:00.000-05:00

I. AM. BACK. Finally decided to get back to blogging on the reg! Since I wanted to start fresh with a new name, new blog and new site, you can now find me over at kelleyblake.com.

Come visit me, say hello, send me presents, give me compliments, etc.

Is this thing on?

2015-09-25T14:36:00.000-05:00

Hello, friends. Is anyone still there? Thinking of starting this blogging thing up again. Encouraging words welcome :)

Come see Z+M on Facebook!

2014-05-27T16:22:00.000-05:00

Have you started following my new blog with my friend Maeci yet? If not, hop on over to Zelda + Madeline and follow our adventures!

Also, you'll want to like our Facebook page - once we reach 300 Facebook likes we'll be having an awesome giveaway! We're so close, so if you haven't liked us yet, please do!

Thanks to everyone for the love and support on the new blog. It's going great and we're really loving it!

New Adventure!

2014-04-22T17:00:00.000-05:00

Y'all can now find me over at the new blog my friend Maeci and I started called Zelda + Madeline!

Aptly named after our pups, of course.

I'll still occasionally post over here, but majority of the posting will be happening over there. We'll be doing a lot of the same kind of stuff I've posted about in the past: DIYs, decor ideas and tips, fashion, recipes, etc. We've already got an AWESOME DIY that Maeci made, so be sure to check it out!

You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook!

Favorites: Skincare + Haircare

2014-03-13T15:57:00.001-05:00

The weather in Montgomery has been such a tease lately. It was warm and beautiful this past weekend and now it's a little chilly - but at least the sun is shining! I feel like this winter has lasted far too long and dare I say, I'm ready for warmer temperatures! (Please remind me I said that when it's 110°F outside.)

Anyway, with all this talk about spring being around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to let y'all in on a few skincare and haircare products I've been using as part of my daily routine.

1. Rodan + Fields Redefine Daily Cleansing Mask - I have never used a product that I could visibly see results within the first few days of using it - and I could certainly see results with this one! It's a bit on the pricier side, but I will say it is hands down worth the splurge. I've been lucky in the skin department and rarely get a blemish, but as I've gotten older I've noticed my pores getting a tiny bit more visible. After only using this cleanser a little over a week, my skin is touchably softer and I can see that my pores are smaller. Don't go back and forth about buying it - JUST DO IT.

2. eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm - Several friends of mine had been raving over this lip balm and I finally gave in and bought some. Ladies, this lip balm is perfection. It's not super heavy, leaves my lips silky smooth and lasts forever. My favorite so far is the Strawberry Sorbet flavor!

3. Aveda Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother - Praise God for this hair product! I honestly don't know what I did before I found this stuff. My hair is naturally curly, thick and coarse. It makes my hair ridiculously manageable, tames fly-aways and has seemed to keep my hair a bit healthier. I use two pumps of product, apply when my hair is still wet and brush through. The bottle lasts me months (the last bottle I purchased lasted more than nine months, but I don't wash my hair every day).

4. Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream - This winter has been especially rough on my hands and since I can't afford a manicure every week (uh, wouldn't that be great?), I've been using this cuticle cream to soften my cuticles a bit. It's worked wonders!

5. Oil of Olay Complete Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin - I have been using this moisturizer since I was 14 years old (so, nearly 14 years!). I cannot stress enough how important it is to use SPF in your daily moisturizer even if you won't be in direct sunlight. The health of my skin and become even more important to me as I get older. I notice women every day who I would peg for being much older than they actually are and am stunned when I hear their actual age - and most of that has to do with the health of their skin! This stuff has been my go-to and I love it dearly. It goes on smooth, lasts forever and dries quickly without leaving me feeling sticky.

6. Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid - Another hair product I can't live without. Like I said above, I have think, coarse, curly hair and this product helps me tame it. I use one pump of the serum, rub my hands together with it and apply to my blowdried and straightened hair. It gives my hair shine and helps it lay better.

7. Lancome Creme Radiance Cleanser - This has been my every day cleanser for years! I love this stuff and even though I've been using the Rodan + Fields cleanser, I still use this as my every day cleanser. I use it to remove my eye makeup especially. You only need to use a pea-size amount and it foams up great and removes every bit of makeup from my face.

What are your go to skincare and haircare products? I'd love to know some new ones to try out!

Mastering It

2014-01-27T14:05:00.001-06:00

Remember when I talked about getting a new bed for our master bedroom? It was a toss up between a wooden four-poster style bed and an upholstered bed. But when I thought about usage and how I wanted it to be a cozy place, I ultimately knew an upholstered bed was the way to go. Insert the Ballard Designs' Camden Untufted Bed:

Dreamy, right? Well, a few months ago when I was drooling over this sucker Ballard's had this great sale - 25% off! Hello - yes, I want you in my shopping cart.

I knew I wanted a color in the greige (beige-grey) spectrum and the linen flax color was perfect! So, into my shopping cart it went and Ballard got to work making our new bed. They estimated it would be early January when it was delivered, but to my surprise it was delivered three weeks early! Yay! Here's a photo of it the day we (um, I) set it up:

{Excuse the crumpled sheets in the corner I was getting ready to put on the bed and the awful color on the walls...we're in a rental house and although it's a great place, the owner didn't have that great of color choice as far as paint goes...)

And here's a close-up of the fabric the bed is upholstered in:

I am so unbelievably happy with the bed. Great piece! Bonus: it was super easy to set up :)

Happy Monday! Do y'all shop at Ballard's? If you follow me on Instagram (@kelleyblake), you saw where I hit up the Atlanta Ballard Outlet a few weeks ago. If you have a chance to go it's worth the time!

friday funny

2013-10-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

My friend Katie sent me a link to this hilarious post. I knew I had to share :)

Layering rugs

2013-10-16T21:37:00.000-05:00

I don't know who came up with this idea of layering rugs, but when I saw it for the first time a few months ago, let me just say: My. mind. was. blown. And then my mind felt dumb for being so blown. And for it not being my idea.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Now I'm going to find a new rug to layer in one of the three rooms with rugs already in them :)

Legging weather

2013-10-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

I am beyond ready for cooler temps. Last week was a bit of a tease because when the weekend hit it was back up to 90°F. In trying to prep my closet for fall and winter, I've been getting excited about wearing dresses with tights (it's the little things). I think I'm trying to convince mother nature that it is in fact time for fall. Get it together lady.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

Here's to hoping we start seeing a little fall weather around here!

A new 'do

2013-10-07T10:51:00.000-05:00

If you follow me on Instagram (kelleyblake), you may have seen this picture from a few weeks ago. Yep, I cut about seven inches off the crazy mane I had. I'm happy to report that I'm still loving my short locks. My girl Sarrita at Amplify Salon does an amazing job! If you're in the Montgomery, Alabama, area go see her - and tell her that Kelley Lee sent you :)

On the hunt: Bed (Part 2)

2013-09-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

So yesterday I shared some of the four poster bed inspiration photos, and today I'm going to share some inspiration photos for upholstered headboards and beds. Without further ado...

via lonny mag

via sadie and stella

via aesthetic oiseau

via sarah richardson design

via centsational girl

via traditional home

via house beautiful

via anthropologie (if only...)

via zhush

What do y'all have in your homes? Do you have a preference? I'm going to search craigslist as well as go to a few of the antique stores around town so see if I have any luck! Have a happy Wednesday!

On the hunt: Beds

2013-09-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

The husband and I have been chatting recently about getting a new mattress, and of course, if I have anything to do with it we'll also be getting a new bed. So, I've been gathering some inspiration photos. I haven't narrowed down yet what kind of bed I want. I love the look of the four poster beds, but then I love the upholstered look as well.

Here are some of the four poster beds that have caught my eye...

via architectural digest

via better homes and gardens

via jenny steffens

via lonny mag

via cococozy (this bedroom. i die.)

via 6th street design school

via lonny mag

Tomorrow I'll be posting some of the photos I've collected as inspiration for upholstered headboards. Maybe I'll have my mind made up after I get through those...but let's be honest, probably not.

my new favorite lipstick

2013-08-15T11:29:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I traveled to Marietta, Georgia, to visit my mom and (of course) we went shopping. Last month, my husband's and my home was broken into and they burglars stole quite a bit of stuff - including ALL of my makeup. Uh huh. You heard that right. THEY STOLE MY MAKEUP.

So, in replenishing my stash of makeup I needed some lipstick. This led me to meeting my favorite lipstick in the world. It's true love, people.

The lipstick is Trish McEvoy in "Precious Pink." It's the perfect hue and it goes on so smooth. Growing up I was always a chapstick kind of girl, mostly because the lipsticks and lip glosses I tried always seemed too gooey or too dry. This stuff is perfect. It glides on soft and smooth and isn't too thick. At $28 a pop it isn't cheap, but it's definitely worth the extra bucks. I'm dying to try the other colors!

Have y'all tried Trish McEvoy's lipstick yet? Or any of her other products?

White Garden Stool

2013-04-03T11:13:00.002-05:00

I got my One Kings Lane e-mail this morning on their current sales and saw this darling little white garden stool which normally retails for $250 on sale for $129...

I then realized it looks nearly identical to the White Lili Punched Drum Stool from World Market which retails for only $59.99...

I've got to say that I would definitely go for the World Market version - and to boot, I actually like it a little more than the one from One Kings Lane! Plus the price isn't too bad either ;)

Which one would you choose?

Pretty in Pink

2013-03-20T11:14:00.000-05:00

The thought of having pink in the home used to instantly remind me of that awful baby pink in little girls' rooms or the rose pink that was trending during the mid-1990s. Well, not anymore people. We're now seeing these beautiful tones of pink in homes in a way that doesn't make our husbands grumble (as loudly).

I absolutely love the look of the punch of pink in these chairs' upholstery and the book on the vignette in the first photo! They are both matched with these lovely "manlier" tones that seem to balance out the girlish pink.

via the pursuit of style

via style at home

I've also seen quite a bit of pink sofas lately - a look which I am loving. As much as I would love one in our home, I don't think I could convince the husband. But I'll keep it on the back burner for a rainy day...

via pinterest

via t magazine

via design*sponge

If you don't want to take the plunge and do a piece of furniture, you can always incorporate pink into pillows or small pieces of furniture. It's a wonderful way to add color in small doses!

via southern living

via emily henderson

via inspired by charm

Since we've started moving in to our new rental house (have I mentioned that?) I have decorating on the brain. Adding pink elements into our home is definitely happening - sorry honey :)

Would y'all add pink into your home? Do you already have it? I'd love to see how you guys have decorated with pink!

Flower Power

2013-03-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Adding flowers or greenery around the house seems to cozy up any space and make it seem more alive. I love the look of flowers on a vignette or coffee table, but even adding them to a mantle or in a corner of the home is absolutely stunning.

via flourish design + style

via moth design

Since most of us don't have the funds to buy fresh flowers every week to put throughout our homes, its nice to know there are some great faux flower and plant options out there - whether its preserved boxwood, silk hydrangeas or large faux dogwood branches.

via house of turquoise

via camille styles

I especially love the look of fresh flowers or greenery on the kitchen table. It makes any space automatically feel inviting and friendly. It seems to lighten the tone of the room. A new trend I've seen: using succulents around the house - and for this lady with a black thumb I am all for that trend!

via style at home

via gracefully searching

What do you think about flowers and greenery in the home? Have you found any good faux arrangements out there?

Side thought: Is anyone else a zombie this week due to the time change? I need someone to hook me up to an IV bag full of espresso please.

Teriyaki Meatballs and Rice

2013-03-12T09:00:00.001-05:00

Last night I posted this picture on Instagram:

And a few of y'all asked for the recipe so of course I will oblige. I got the recipe from the blog Budget Bytes and followed it exactly (except I used brown rice in lieu of jasmine). It was super easy and tastes amazing! I think next time I'm going to use ground turkey to make it a bit healthier. I've actually used a few of the recipes from Budget Bytes and they have all been wonderful!

I served it with some sugar snap peas on the side, which was the perfect compliment to the dish. You could also do some roasted green beans, which would be uh-mazing. Have y'all tried any good recipes lately? What is your go-to quick weeknight meal?

Fond of Furbish

2013-03-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

A few months ago I discovered the store Furbish and can't believe I had never come across this gem of a shop before. They carry a little bit of everything: home decor items, furniture, jewelry, kitchen items, etc. I have quite a few items on my radar. Shocking, right? A girl who has more than a handful of things she wants. Well, since I can't resist - Here are some of the items that caught my eye...

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

Happy Monday, y'all!

Decorating with Blue

2013-01-29T16:06:00.001-06:00

Guys, I have a problem. I cannot decorate a room without incorporating the color blue in it. It just seems to come naturally and I can't get enough of the color.

image source unknown

via emily a. clark

Whether its a splash of the color or a strong statement, I just love the color blue in my home. Any shade will do for me.

via nick steever

via apartment therapy

via little green notebook

I love punches of teal, dashes of navy, anything blue really. Also, I stinkin' love the look of these wingback chairs + the pillow below...

via grace happens

via 6th street design school

via live breathe decor

Do you guys have a certain color your drawn to? Have you noticed a predominant color in your home? Mine is red. Just kidding.

DIY Gold Elephant

2013-01-28T09:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday! These metallic toy animals have been making their way around the blogosphere and I couldn't pass up making one for our bookcase when I saw this gray toy elephant (Roll Tide!) in the checkout aisle at Joann's...

It seemed like an easy project (and it is!), so I scooped up my supplies and went to town!

Here's what you'll need:

1 plastic toy animal
white primer spray paint
metallic gold spray paint
clear acrylic sealer

Instructions:

Begin by priming the toy on all sides. I found it best to put the toy on its back and spray with primer. Then once that has dried, turn the toy on one side, then the other and finally place it in the standing position making sure that it is dry in between movements. Once you have done one coat of primer, repeat the previous steps with a second coat of primer.

Repeat the application process with the gold spray paint, doing two coats.

Repeat the application process with the clear acrylic sealer, doing just one coat. Let it dry completely and you're done!

I'm sure this sweet little elephant will enjoy moving around the house every month when I compulsively redecorate. He looks like the type that likes to travel.

Here's to hoping this week isn't as hectic as last week!

happy friday

2013-01-25T16:02:00.000-06:00

Just some lovely words for some lovely readers. Happy Friday, y'all!

image source unknown

Before + After: Gossip Bench

2013-01-24T09:00:00.000-06:00

As a wedding gift, my grandmother gave us this antique gossip bench she got at an antique auction near their South Georgia home. I love the color of the wood and how unique this piece is - and not to mention how I will always think of my grandmother when I look at it. The only thing that needed a little updating was the fabric on the seat. It was a weird faux leather with a floral pattern.

This was an easy fix and a quick update! I picked up some fabric from Joann's (that I was originally going to use on our dining room chairs - more on that later...) and went to work. This is how the little darling looks now...

It's the perfect addition to this little corner in our house. I'm sure I'll change up the fabric again at some point, but for now I'm really liking this pop of red ikat! Here is a closer look at the fabric...

Recovering the seat of a chair or ottoman is an easy way to bring new life to a piece of furniture and it's cheap!

The DIY bug must have bit me this weekend because I did a few more projects around the house and can't wait to share them with y'all! Have you guys been up to any fun DIY's?

Recipe: Sausage Stars

2012-12-17T13:31:00.001-06:00

Not only are these sausage stars easy, they are insanely addicting! I had blogged about them before (a long, long time ago), but thought they were worth another blog post. Yes, they are that good. Yes, you will gain 5 lbs. from eating an entire pan of them. And yes, you can thank me (or yell at me) later :)

Sausage Stars

Ingredients:

1 pound sausage, cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese (do not use pre-shredded)
1 1/2 cups grated Monterrey jack cheese (do not use pre-shredded)
1 cup prepared ranch dressing mix (make sure to use the dry ranch packet)
1 can (2.25 oz) sliced olives
1/2 cup chopped red pepper
1 package fresh or frozen won ton wrappers
Vegetable oil

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.

After cooking the sausage, blot it dry with a paper towel. In a large bowl, combine sausage with cheeses, prepared ranch dressing, olives and red peppers. Set aside.

Lightly grease a mini or regular muffin tin and press one won ton wrapper in each cup. Brush won ton wrappers lightly with vegetable oil. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven.

Fill won ton wrappers with sausage mixture. Bake 5 minutes or until bubbly. Makes 4 to 5 dozen.

Bon appetit!

DIY Wooden Name Sign

2012-12-11T11:28:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago I decided to paint a sign for our foyer to give it a more personal touch. A few years ago I made a sign for my sweet friend Miranda, but never got around to making one for myself! So, a lazy Saturday presented itself and I drug out the paint and went to town.

Here is what you will need:

Piece of wood or an old sign you want to repaint
2 color of acrylic paint (or any paint will do)
Paint brushes
Computer and printer
Ball point pen
Wood stain (optional - I didn't use it on this piece)

Let's get started...

Sand the piece of wood and dust off sanded remnants. Paint the wood a solid color. I used a premixed gray acrylic paint I found at Hobby Lobby. You may need to do two coats depending on your paint color. Let it dry completely.

While the paint is drying, print out the letters needed in the font you'd like on your computer. Place them on the wood where you'd like the wording and trace the outline with a ballpoint pen, pressing down a bit to make an imprint on the wood.

Paint the traced letters with your second paint color. You may need to do two coats (I did!). Let that dry and then enjoy your finished work! If you want a more antique look, try using a wood stain on top of the completely dry paint (I've used Minwax Provincial 211 in the past). Wipe the stain on, let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it off. Ta-da!

This would be a great gift for a friend or newly married couple! Simple and heartfelt :) Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Apple Brie Panini Recipe

2012-08-16T12:05:00.001-05:00

I'm just going to go ahead and let you in on a little secret. This sandwich is life changing. Really. This sandwich will make you a better person. More in tune with God. With yourself. With others. So, I don't think it comes as any shock that I'm going to need you to make this sandwich. Amen.

Really, though, this sandwich was so simple. Just 5 ingredients (6 if you count sea salt, but let's not get all technical here). I found the initial recipe here and just adapted it to my own taste a bit. So, on with the recipe....

Apple Brie Panini

Baguette or Hoagie roll (sourdough would taste great!)

Brie (enough to cover one layer on the sandwich, 2 - 3 oz.), cut in slices

1 granny smith apple, cut in slices

handful of arugula

2 tablespoons of honey (I suggest clover or orange blossom honey)

sprinkle of coarse sea salt

Take your baguette or hoagie and slice it in half (long ways). Spread the inside of both sides of the bread with honey. On the bottom bread slice, place the sliced brie and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Then, add a layer of the sliced apples, top with arugula and add more honey to your taste. Place the top bread slice on top. Grill on a panini press or George Forman grill, making sure to grease it first. Grill 3 - 6 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bread is crispy. Bon appetit!

Note: You can also try it without grilling. It's delicious, too! But that melty brie cheese just seems to warm the soul :)