If you’ve been reading my blog since the olden days, you’ll know that discovering and trying out new coffee shops has always been a passion of mine. Scott and I met in a coffee shop back in 2006, and have been exploring new ones together ever since. Recently we tried a new-to-us coffee shop in downtown Scottsdale called Berdena’s! Tucked away on the edges of old-town, this sweet shop is super bright, is decked out in the prettiest tiles from the nearby Cement Tile Shop and their baristas make the best espresso tonics in the area.
Scott and I stopped by the shop right before New Year’s Eve for a little end of the year coffee date and some time out of the house post-holiday. We all know how strange that week between Christmas and New Year’s can be, so we felt a little outing would do us good! The shop was quite busy (although, it was a Saturday morning), but we found a corner spot and sat down to chat all things 2017 and what’s to come in the new year for us.
Berdena’s is known for their avocado toast, which Scott said was delicious! I missed out on the GF bread this time around, but will definitely be getting some next time we visit the shop. I did have a slice of potato quiche, though, and it was SO good! Word to the wise — definitely don’t skip the food the next time you’re there!
After we finished up our dishes, we took a stroll around the area to work off some of our breakfast and soak in the fresh air. Phoenix always has warm winters, but this year it has been extra toasty around here. I’ve been kind of bummed out that I haven’t been able to wear all of my knits and winter coats, but we’re heading to Seattle in just a few day and you know I’ll be wearing all the layers and coats while we’re there!
On Wednesday we’ll be landing in Seattle and heading straight for our next coffee date! We would love any suggestions for things to do, places to see, shops to visit, coffee houses to hang in, etc. in Seattle — thank you SO much in advance!
With 2018 officially on the books, a whole new decade of life is slated to come my way in t-minus fourth months! During my mid to late twenties I learned a lot about skincare, and while I’m far from being an expert, I’ve found a routine that really works for me and is something that I’m hoping to hone in on even morning during my 30’s! I actually shared my skincare routine on the blog last July, but have since added in a new step + really focused on sectioning out my morning and nighttime skincare routines. I’m really happy with my current morning routine, so I wanted to share it here, along with a few of my favorite products + a few words to the wise on a process that has left my skin feeling so bright and clean the last few months! Without further ado —
1. Cleanse! // After I’ve grabbed my iced coffee and thrown my hair up into a bun, I start my skincare routine by cleansing my face. The Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser has been my go-to for nearly a year now, and I love how it leaves my skin feeling smooth and hydrated (which is especially needed during these extra dry months in the desert).
2. Exfoliate! // Exfoliating is a relatively new step in my skincare routine and is something that has significantly help the overall look and feel of my skin! I exfoliate after I’ve cleansed my face, and before I moisturize! I recently participated in an educational session about chemical exfoliants with Glossier and learned SO much! The low-down is that exfoliating helps to shed away dead skin cells, deep clean your pores to bright your complexion, fight redness, along with breakouts, and encourages cell turnover. The process is still pretty new in my routine, but I am so excited to see the benefits of using a daily exfoliant as I head into a new year and decade of life!
3. Moisturize! // The final step in my morning skincare routine (pre-SPF, of course) is to moisturize! The Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream is my all-time favorite moisurizer! I’ve been using it for years and always find myself coming back to this product time and time again. It sinks in quickly, doesn’t have a heavy scent and always leaves my skin feeling super hydrated. I use it day and night and couldn’t recommend it enough!
And there you have it — my 3-step morning skincare routine for a combination skin gal living in the desert! And just for fun — here’s a few of my other skincare favorites that I tend to add in and out of my routine as the weather changes!
Now it’s your turn to share — what are your morning skincare must-haves? What skincare products do you swear by? Anything new that you’ve been loving lately? Do you currently use a daily exfoliant in your routine?
Hello, friends! January has this odd way of always being an in-between month for us — the post-holiday rush is over and it’s almost time to get back to work (i.e. spring market season!), but until then — Scott and I have really enjoyed taking things at a slower pace and getting back to everyday life. But with that said, we’re shaking things up next week and heading to Seattle to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary! I can’t wait to share all about our trip with you here and on Instagram while we’re taking in that PNW air, but until then — here’s a few posts + thoughts that came across my mind/caught my eye recently:
If you were to ask me what my favorite room in our home, I would easily and quickly say — our bedroom! It’s light, bright and is truly my own personal safe haven. When we moved into our house back in May of 2016, I had high hopes for this little place of ours. The very first piece of furniture we moved in was our bed, and I remember laying there during our first night in our new house thinking that we were finally home! What a feeling that was, and today it still doesn’t feel any different as I lay in bed each morning and night — continually thankful for this place where we create memories, kiss our kitties and close our eyes each night. With all that said, though, our bedroom has come along way from those first few days and weeks in #TheApplebyHome, so I wanted to share five tips for making your bedroom comfy and cozy — especially during these winter months when many of us retreat into our homes to beat the cold!
FIVE TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR BEDROOM COMFY + COZY
1. Invest in your bedding! This is my #1 tip for a reason — upgrading our bedding has made a huge change in our space and I couldn’t love our current set-up more! Our linen duvet was a bit of an investment, but was SO worth the price! Our sheets were a gift, but they’re bright, soft and affordable (from Costco)! Our pillows are from West Elm and Sezane — both of which were investment pieces, but similar styles can be found at Home Goods and Target!
2. Surround yourself with sentimental pieces! While it’s important to us to not have our bedroom feel cluttered, it’s also important to have our space be filled with sentimental pieces. Photos of loved ones, treasures from past travels, trinkets and photo strips from our dating days. It’s really those sentimental pieces that make a space feel cozy and just your own.
3. Bright and white is never a bad way to go! I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again — don’t be afraid of white bedding! It may get dirty, but you can always wash it! I’m also a big fan of white paint in bedrooms — it really helps to make a room feel bigger and full of light!
4. A tidy space leaves room to dream! Our bedroom is the first space in our home that I’ll clean, because waking up to a messy bedroom leaves me feeling all out of whack! Let me know if you’re the same!
5. Don’t forget to make it your own! At the end of the day, your bedroom is a space for you! You won’t often have guests coming to and fro, so make it a place that you enjoy and dreaming of coming home to. If bright and white isn’t your thing, make it dark and moody! If you’re in need of a spa like retreat, add in a few features that make you feel like you’re sleeping at a resort. Be true to you and every day you’ll find yourself leaving your bedroom happier than when you entered.
Does anyone else treat their bedroom like their personal safe haven? Our kitties, Peter, Boots and Shadow, are also big fans of our cozy and comfy space. You’ll often find Peter here, curled up next to a pillow with his brother, Boots, cozied up at the end of the bed. Shadow, on the other hand, is a fan of our vintage rug that sits on the floor next to Scott’s side of the bed! Anyways, I would love to hear your tips for making your bedroom your favorite space! Oh, and which side of the bed you sleep on! I always want to sleep closest to the wall, so my side sometimes rotates when we we travel, but the left side of the bed is all mine!
What a year we had! 2017 was the year of so much growth and change in the Goodson household and one that won’t soon be forgotten. I recently shared a recap of the past year on Instagram Stories, but wanted a more permanent piece to live here on the blog. So without further ado —
We started the year off with a trip to Portland, Oregon to celebrate our third wedding anniversary! We met the amazing Dawn Photo and she took photos of us on the most beautiful cliffside near the the Columbia River Gorge! We spent our days in Oregon exploring more of Portland, sipping lots coffee and taking a short road trip to Cannon Beach. It was surely the best way to start off the new year!
Once back home, we started focusing more time on our space and working to update things in house here and there. Our sweet little home is still a work in progress, but it’s surely our favorite place to be!
In February, Scott had surgery to repair a few damaged nerves in his left hand. He’s doing so much better today, and we truly couldn’t be more grateful! In March, we also had a booth at the spring Phoenix Flea — Scott’s first market back post-surgery, and it felt so great to see him back out there doing what he loves!
April was another huge month for Scott and Citizen Home Decor! Did you know that you can now find our handmade pieces all throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and Flagstaff, Arizona (along with online, of course)? Our small business continued to grow and flourish in 2017, and we sure can’t wait to see what 2018 will hold for us!
We also welcomed our dearest friend’s newest baby girl into the world in May, and had the honor of taking her photos just minutes (literally) after she was born. It’s surely an experience I’ll never, ever forget.
I was also featured in a print magazine, Luxe Design! I’ve been writing for years (I was a reporter in another life), but seeing your name in print definitely hasn’t lost its charm!
Scott and I also spent some time in San Diego, California, visiting our besties and soaking in the sand and salty air. We had the best time in SD and hope to go back again this summer!
June was a bit of a whirlwind as we prepared for our across the pond trip and worked hard on Citizen HD, but in late June we headed to Salt Lake City to celebrate the 4th of July. We had also had the chance to visit the #CentsOfStyleWall, which is just as cute as you would imagine.
July was also a huge month for Citizen Home Decor, as we were welcomed into the West Elm Local family! You can now find select Citizen HD products at the Phoenix and Scottsdale West Elm locations! Just typing that gives me butterflies!
At the end of July, Scott and I hopped the pond and headed to London, England and Paris, France for a two week European vacation! This was my first time in Europe in about ten years, and Scott’s first time ever — so it felt extra special to be experiencing these beautiful places together!
After spending a handful of days in London, we hopped on the Eurostar and headed to Paris, France! I’ll admit, going to Paris felt a bit intimidating since my French is subpar and I had a not-so-friendly experience previously in France, but truth be told it was a magical place and we had an incredible time exploring this romantic city together!
Word to the wise — never ever underestimate the power of taking a walk along the Seine River!
In August, Scott and I had some BIG news to share — our home was featured on the West Elm blog, Front + Main! It was such an honor to have our home featured and it was definitely one of those “pinch me” moments of 2017!
The month of September brought our first time as a vendor at the Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market! This three day market was a big step for our small business, and we already can’t wait for our second Junk market this coming April!
October was a busy month around here and we kicked it off by heading to South Dakota for a weekend of fall weather, exploring new cities and getting to see these beautiful autumn colors at their peek!
October also held to two very celebrations — Scott and I celebrated 11 years of love AND he turned 29 just days later! It’s crazy to think how young we were when we got together, but I truly feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to grow up and experience so much of life together during all those years before we were married. We waited over 7 years before we tied the knot, and while at the time I might have told you I wished we had gotten married sooner (we were just so in love!), today I look back and see the value in waiting all those years we did because today we are SO strong because of it!
In November, we were welcomed into the newly-formed Mezona Market family and feel so honored to have a home in this beautiful, locally owned collective shop in downtown Mesa! Here we are during the opening party, surrounded by friends and loved ones — celebrating those great days and months to come in this beautiful shop!
We also celebrated the start of our busy season with a little shoot in the cotton fields with our dear friend, Katie! Katie and I were introduced earlier this year at my full-time job and I truly couldn’t be more grateful for all the love and support she’s shown us this year! She’s also super amazing at anything she puts her mind to and is as sweet as they come!
Scott and I also celebrated another successful Small Business Saturday at Phoenix Flea! It was by far our busiest market yet and we felt so blessed to have been a part of this beautiful day for another year!
The end of November through December was a bit of a whirlwind — we sold at 10+ markets, got ready to celebrate the holidays, shot the most darling family photos with our talented friends, Kelsey and Michael, baked cookies and made fudge, celebrated Christmas with our family and friends and shared a whole lot of fun posts here on the blog! What a beautiful end of the year we had!
2017 was an incredible year in so many ways, but Scott and I sure are excited to see what 2018 will hold of us! Here’s to an amazing year, friends! We can’t wait to share all about it here with you, just as we have for the past 8+years! ECK! Here’s to 2018!
Happy New Year! When the clock dawned 12:00am last night a new year began and everything started fresh again. To kick things off around here for what’s set to be an incredible year, I wanted to share a few thoughts on winter wear! With the winter season in full swing, I find myself looking for any and all ways to stay warm and cozy during these abnormal temps we’re having here in the desert. Growing up, my mom always told me that as long as I kept my head and feet warm I would never be cold. That little piece of advice has stuck with me ever since and is something I always think about when bundling up for the day. In high school, I dawned a cozy pair of fur-lined boots almost every day during the cooler months — the nickname “Boots” was given to me during that time period and is still something I’ll respond to — just ask my longtime friends. Becuase of this, partnering up with Bearpaw & 6pm felt like a natural fit, because really — it was time you knew of my love for cozy and comfy boots!
And now that 2018 is officially here, it’s time to get working on laying the foundation for a truly wonderful year to come! Today is all about rest and relaxation, and tomorrow Scott and I go full swing back into our everyday work routines. We’ve been contemplated a lot on what we want to accomplish this year, personal and work related, and I have to say — things are really shaping up to lend their way to a beautiful year!
I hope your new year’s day is off to a great start, friends! We’re keeping this pretty cozy and spending time at home with our kitties in tow (they’ve been glued to me lately, which is SO sweet), but come sunset you can plan on finding me right here in truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen! Don’t forget to peek theseBearpaw booties if you’re in need of something cozy and comfy to start 2018 off right! Here’s to all the good that this year will bring!
If you’ve been a longtime reader of Chelsea Bird (aka Tea Talk), you might remember that I’ve always been into vintage — with clothes, accessories and home decor being my niche. When I was traveling with my folks during the summers between college semesters, I would check out each and every thrift and vintage shop in every town we went — just hoping I would find a few gems to bring home as a souvenir of the summer. And do you know what was my most sought after item? Vintage bags — Dooney & Bourke bags to be exact! I loved the classic designs, warm leathers and cross body styles, and felt SO stoked when I found a bag that ticked all of these boxes in a row. Nowadays, scoring these beautiful bags is a bit easier now that Dooney & Bourke sells their classic styles online — and I’m super excited to be partnering up with Zappos today to share more about this beauty of a bag that I recently picked up from the D&B classics line!
The idea of a having a classic style was/has always been important to me as I came into my own over the years, which is why I think I leaned so hard into those vintage threads and home decor pieces I was always on the hunt for. I’d like to think that today my style is a mix between the classic looks I sought out and the “beat to her own drum,” show-going kid I always was. Let me know if you feel the same way about yourself! And if you feel like taking a peek down memory lane, head back down in my archives to see the revolution of my style over the years — different and still the same, 8+ years later!
During my teens and into my early twenties, I was VERY into large bags — I wanted a bag that could hold everything and the kitchen sink (well, you know what I mean). I’d like to think this was in large thanks to my student days, but truthfully — I liked to carry just about everything with me at all times — notebooks, makeup, sweaters. etc. Lately, though, mini-sized bags have been my go-to and this Florentine Classic Mini Hattie Drawstring has been getting the most wear in my growing collection. It’s the perfect size to carry all of my must-haves, and has that vintage charm that is sure to bring a bit of warmth and style to any outfit.
Aside from my obsession with miniature bags, I’ve also being loving the bucket bag trend — classic, but also a bit quirky with the leather, drawstring closure. The style of this purse also reminds me a lot of one of my favorite Dooney & Bourke finds — a tiny, leather cross body that couldn’t hold much more than my keys and my phone, but had the perfect patina and cost me less than five dollars at vintage shop in Burley, Idaho! I still have that bag, and every time I see it I feel reminded of those summers I spent finding vintage goods and my own style along the way.
Now it’s your turn to share — are you into big purses or do you always reach for those smaller styles? Zappos currently has some darling Dooney & Bourke styles in stock, so be sure to head on over to their section to check out their full, classic collection! I hope ya’ll have a lovely rest of your week — I can’t believe the new year is almost here, and I’ll be back soon!
Well hello there, friends! The Christmas season has officially come and gone and Scott and I are slowly settling back into our everyday life, post-market season and all. Truth be told, the days after Christmas day always a feel a bit sad to me — the celebrations are over and the excitement has subsided. This year, though, I’m trying my best to spend the days post-holiday and pre-new year focusing on the wonderful year we had and planning for the coming year — it’s going to be a good one, folks! With all that said, though, I wanted to share a peek into a little holiday shopping date Scott and I had a few weeks back at the loveliest local shop — Camelback Flowershop!
This Phoenix-based flower shop offers a variety of home goods and the most beautiful florals you ever did see. Their style is said to be a mixture of “Modern-Industrial” and a “Flowershop-Greenhouse,” and with the recent switch to their new location — this sweet shop has everything you could need. Whether you’re in a pinch for a bundle of blooms and a thoughtful gift, or if you’re looking to bring something beautiful into your home — you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for right here in this bright and airy floral shop in the heart of Phoenix.
During our first visit to the shop’s new location, Scott and I couldn’t help but take in every inch of their beautiful space. From the thoughtfully curated local and handmade goods, to the well-loved plants that lined the aisle ways — it was hard not place everything into my basket and bring it home! Going into our visit I did, thankfully, have a little bit of a shopping list in mind — with hopes that it wouldn’t let me get too sidetracked, as I’m sure anyone could in a shop so beautiful. Among the “needs”: winter peonies and a Christmas present for my mom, and while I didn’t exactly pick out what I came in for — we did leave with a beautiful bunch of items!
The light that fills the shop just may be my favorite feature of the space! Scott and I were lucky enough to swing by during such a bright, light-filled hour before they closed up for the day, but I’m sure any hour that you were to go to their beautiful space will be just as bright and airy. Visiting Camelback Flowershop used to be a big more tough with their week-day only hours, but I was so thrilled to hear that along with their new space, their offering new weekend hours! This may or may not be good for my bank account, but I can promise you that you’ll be seeing me around this space much more often [say hi if you see me in there next time — ;)].
If you do find yourself at Camelback Flowershop on a Friday, be sure and take advantage of their #FRESHFLOWERHAPPYHOUR — with all fresh flowers being half off from 1PM-6PM or until sold out! I picked up this sweet, grab and go bundle during our time there, but I could have easily picked out a whole bundle of happy hour flowers to take home. Their selection always seems to be filled with something unique — winter peonies, dahlias, anemones and more!
Let me know if there are any other local shops you would like me to feature! It’s always great to spread the love — and it definitely takes me back to my earlier days of blogging when I shared more locally based spaces, diners, coffee shops, etc. I hope ya’ll had a wonderful holiday — Scott and I had a pretty special one this year — low-key and filled with lots of family time, happiness and delicious food! Be back soon!
The holiday weekend is here and I am SO excited to get into the Christmas spirit and spend the next few days celebrating with our family and friends! I am, though, a tad bit behind in my holiday shopping and have just a few things left to pick up before the celebrations begin! As you guys might have see on Instagram, Scott and I have spending the last few evenings selling at local holiday markets, which has been so amazing and fun — but it’s also been super chilly in Phoenix! So when the team over at Zappos reached out awhile back about styling up a cozy item from Toad&Co, a rad brand that sells items made to be worn in the chilliest of outdoors temps — I jumped at the opportunity to style up the Merino Merritt Hoodie because I knew it would keep me cozy and warm during our evenings out, and also during those days where we had a bit of time to explore and get some fresh air before the evening’s market began.
This holiday season has really been all about balance for Scott and I with all that we have going on in our day-to-day life — work, holiday markets, pop-up shops, family, etc. Sometimes it can seem a bit hard to balance it all, but we’ve learned lately that there’s nothing a quick trip out to the riverbed can’t solve. We headed to this exact place just a few days back to take in the fresh air and reconnect on all those things that really matter most this season. Needless to say, we left this spot feeling refreshed and ready to take on the busiest week we’ve had yet with Citizen HD, and truth be told — it was the best decision we made all holiday season! Well, other than those double espresso that kept us going through that very last evening! 😉
Aside from all this holiday talk, I wanted to share that the Toad&Co brand is all about every day adventure, which is totally something I strive to have in my own life. Their brand also makes socially and environmentally committed garments that are suited for the outdoor trails or hanging at your favorite local coffee shop (both of which I enjoy doing!). A portion of their sales also supports people with developmental disabilities, and 90 percent of their products are also eco-friendly. All in all, they’re a pretty amazing brand doing rad things and I’m very thankful to be able to partner with them this holiday season — especially during a time where getting outdoors has been the best escape from the busy days and months we’ve been having around here!
How are you spending the holidays this year? Celebrating with family and friends? Heading to the movies? Getting outdoors? However you’re spending the holidays, I hope you have a cozy one, friends! Cheers to the festive days ahead — don’t forget to have a little dairy-free eggnog for me! 😉
Hello there! I didn’t mean for the bit of silence around here, but geez — the days are whizzing on by and now Christmas is less than a week away! In the same vein of our DIY hot coco party, we thought it would be fun to throw together a little DIY cheese board evening for our family and friends! Curious as to how we put together this beauty? Places to shop beautiful cheese boards? Tips for easy entertaining? We got you covered, friends!
Cheese boards are those tried and true holiday “dishes” that pleases just about everyone. They can also be super colorful and really add a festive (and delicious touch) to any table! Scott and I are not only big fans of the cheese, fruit, crackers, olives, etc., that dawn the boards — but we’re also really into to the cheeseboards themselves. In fact, Scott made both of these cheeseboards just for the occasion! The one on the left has brass handles and is perfect for carrying to from, and the one on the right is the perfect piece to hang in your home and use day to day.
DIY Cheese Board Get-Together —
Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Two to three different kinds of cheeses! For our board, we had two hard cheeses (one with cranberries in it), and one soft cheese — that way there’s a bit of variety and hopefully something that everyone likes.
2. Lots of Fixin’s! Crackers, olives, grapes, blueberries, nuts, dried fruit, meats, etc! While the cheese is the main focus, the fixin’s are arguably just as important. We love a good variety around here, so don’t be afraid to include a variety of sides that will max and match well with your cheese.
4. A little holiday flare! We decided to keep things extra simple this time around and just wear festive sweaters. Encourage your guests to wear something festive — whether that be an ugly christmas sweater, a little bit of green and red — or if they’re feeling it, one of those full holiday suits they’re selling everywhere nowadays (because they are hilarious)!
5. Party guests! Gather your friends and family around for an evening of cheese, crackers, lots of fixin’s and a few fun games! Charades is a classic, but Balderdash is really fun too!
While Christmas is just around the corner and would be the perfect place to flex your charcuterie knowledge, a cheese board get-together would also be perfect for New Year’s as well! What holiday parties will you be attending in the next week or so? A white elephant party? Ornament exchange? Last minute get together with your best girlfriends? Please sign me up for all of these — I love being with the ones I love the most during the holidays! I’m also a big fan of snack foods, so don’t forget to sit me real close to the cheese and Christmas fudge! 😉
While you’re out shopping for your cheese board treats, don’t forget to keep your Gluten Free friends in mind too! All of these crackers are GF, most of which I picked up at Target — and I promise they taste just as delicious as the non-GF versions. If you do have both types of crackers at your party, though, I would suggest keeping them on separate boards — just so there’s no accidental mixing and matching for your GF friends.
And there you have it — an easy DIY cheese board that will satisfy every one of your party guests! Truth be told, I’ve definitely put together this exact spread numerous times since this day! Cheese boards feel like Christmas to me, and mixed with some holiday tunes and a sparkling drink — you have yourself a mid-afternoon snack fit for the holidays!
I hope you guys enjoyed this post and will be having your own DIY cheese board get-together with your loved ones soon! Please let me know if you’re planning on doing so! // PS Christmas is almost here and we have just two more markets with Citizen Home Decor before taking a little break for the season! Who will we be seeing tomorrow at Desoto and at Phoestivus on Thursday? Here’s to a wonderful week, my friends!
