Features – Iced Tea and Top Knots

The Fall Edit With Wayfair

Published on October 16, 2020October 19, 2020 by icedteaandtopknotsLeave a comment

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me.Fluttering from the autumn tree.” ~ Emily Brontë

I’m teaming up with Wayfair to bring you The Fall Edit, a collection of advice, inspiration, and trends for the upcoming season, starting with a Q & A between Wayfair and I:

Fall Decorating and Renovation Q & A with Iced Tea & Top Knots

Wayfair: Which fall home decor projects do you get most excited about?

Iced Tea & Top Knots: I get most excited about changing up all my pillows, blankets and flowers throughout my home for Fall.

Wayfair: Are there any design trends you are loving right now?

Iced Tea & Top Knots: I am really loving all of these and hope to implement a few where I can this Fall.

Canopy Beds
Non-white Kitchens
Floral Wallpaper
Vintage Accents
High Contrast
Velvet

Wayfair: What are a few ways people can spruce up their homes with fall decor while on a budget?

Iced Tea & Top Knots: Changing up your decor by season is definitely overwhelming sometimes because of the cost. I have found the picking up a couple new pillows, a new blanket and a new vase definitely help change up your room for the fall season while staying on a budget.

Iced Tea & Top Knots: My Wayfair Picks for Fall

Here are some of my Fall favorites:

Iced Tea & Top Knots: Design Project Highlight

At the beginning of this year, I did a revamp of my office and bedroom to start fresh and it definitely has helped me do that. I hope it inspires you to change up a space in your home. Here it is!

Where Design Meets Function: Major Appliances

For those working on home renovations this fall, you know how important it is to find the right appliances to go with your design scheme.

Iced Tea & Top Knots: Advice on Selecting Appliances:

My biggest pieces of advice for choosing appliances is do your research, measure the space you want the appliance to go in and factor in the theme of that specific room.

Wayfair is having a special appliance event from October 5-21. Scout out dream kitchen and laundry room updates including ranges, range hoods, refrigerators, beverage refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and more.

Wayfair Cozy Fall Category Staff Picks:

Bulletin Boards – For creating mood boards + showing off your kids’ artwork!
Blankets and Throws – Cozy time!
Wine Racks – To hold all of those fall reds!
Oversized Wall Mirrors – Add depth to a room – and check out your WFH outfit game!
Picture Frames – To put your favorite memories and artwork on display!

A Home full of Character: It’s All in the Details

Small home improvement changes can make a big impact. Try character-building home improvement updates like striking chandeliers, vintage-inspired ceiling medallions, upgraded lightswitch plates, ornate vent covers, and wallpaper.

Iced Tea & Top Knots: Chandelier Picks for Different Styles:

Chandeliers are one of my favorite details that help change up a room in a blink of an eye for each season. I love the added personality it gives your room.

These are some of my absolute favorites:

Thinking Ahead: Holiday Decor

While you may be finishing up your indoor or outdoor halloween decorating game, if you’re hosting for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukkah this year, you’ll probably want to start checking all the boxes on your holiday prep checklist before friends and family arrive.

Iced Tea & Top Knots: Tips for On-Point Holiday Decor:

Check Out This Fun Holiday Decorating Piece I Did With Wayfair Last Year

Some holiday decorating categories to check out on Wayfair:

Holiday Gift Ideas:

For the Chef: Toasters, Coffee Makers, and Cookware Sets

For the Entertainer: Holiday Dinnerware Sets

For the Kids: Kids Decor by Disney (and more) Characters

For the Dog Parent: Dog Ramps & Stairs

For the Coffee Lover: Holiday Themed Mug

Loungewear That Is Perfect For Relaxing

Published on June 14, 2020 by icedteaandtopknotsLeave a comment

“Sometimes it feels so good to just sit by yourself, relax and not talk to anyone.” ~ Kristen Butler

Loungewear for me is like a comfy hug that comes from clothes. I wanted to share some of my favorite loungewear that I currently own or that are on my wish list that I hope to be able to purchase soon 🙂

Hope these pieces inspire everyone to take time for oneself especially during these times we continued to be in of racial injustice as the global pandemic of COVID-19.

Nude Lounge Set From Golden Girly (can make custom sets)

Greg Sandal From Brother Vellies

Savage X Cotton Jersey Legging in Lemongrass

Ivory Mock Neck Sweater From Oji Royale

Vibrants Vibes Leisure Tee by Zelie for She

Lounge Pants From JCREW Factory (have)

Tie Dye Shorts From Target (have)

Here’s to a great day of relaxation in fun loungewear! My promise to everyone is that going forward I am going to be featuring more diverse brands that include BIPOC owned businesses. I stand with you and I love you!

~Iced Tea & Topknots

P.S. What is your favorite loungewear to relax in?

Some of my favorite black owned fashion businesses can be found here.

*image from Google images

The Summer Edit With Wayfair

Published on June 13, 2020June 13, 2020 by icedteaandtopknots2 Comments

Summer decor is one of my favorite things I look forward to every year. So I am so excited to be teaming up with Wayfair to bring you the Wayfair Summer Edit, a curated guide of design trends and recent happenings at Wayfair to help inspire you to turn your home into the perfect staycation spot – at a time when we need it most!

Design Ideas I am Loving this Season

This season, I am all about bright colors, statement pillows and anything that spruces up my outside and inside spaces for the season of Summer.

Some Top Trending Summer Decor Categories at Wayfair:

My Favorite Product Picks Right Now

Here are a few of my favorite products right now from Wayfair:

1.Broaddus Convertible Chair 2. Bungalow Rose Larbi Cotton Floor Pillow 3. Anacostia Resin Fountain with Light 4. Sirmans Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug

What Else is New at Wayfair?

How is Wayfair Responding to COVID-19?

With the help of incredible customers Wayfair has been able to raise more than $2.3 million for the Feeding America COVID-19 Response Fund. This contribution will go directly to supporting more than 200 food banks, 60,000 meal programs, and millions of Americans during this difficult time.

Read more about Wayfair’s response to COVID-19 here.

To Find Out How Wayfair Responding to Racial InJustice, read more here.

Wayfair x Kelly Clarkson Home

Wayfair recently launched Kelly Clarkson Home, a collection which Kelly curated that reflects her French country style (with a mix of glam and boho as well!).

Thanks to incredible customers, Wayfair and Kelly were able to donate a portion of profits* from Kelly Clarkson Home after its launch to Feeding America’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.

*”Profits” means net revenue minus wholesale, shipping, and other product-related costs, customer service costs, and merchant fees, plus credit card points and rebates.

Kelly’s personal favorites from Kelly Clarkson Home

Favorite Kelly Clarkson Pieces:

Page Standard Bed // Acklen Tufted Round Cocktail Ottoman //

Cheekwood Square Pouf Ottoman // Studio 3-Piece Coffee Table Set

// 3-Piece Bud Terracotta Blue and White Table Vase Set // Melody 4-Light Lantern Rectangle Chandelier

Together, Iced Tea & Top Knots and Wayfair wish you a wonderful and safe summer in a beautiful home that you love.

Small Businesses to Support

Published on April 12, 2020April 14, 2020 by icedteaandtopknotsLeave a comment

“Support the Makers”

We are going through a time of uncertainty personally and in our businesses. I know that we will get through this and we will do that by supporting one another.

A way I wanted to support was to share my favorite and my friends’ small businesses to shop right now online to help keep them going and to help keep supporting their employees.

Here they are, enjoy!

Online

Sarah Liller SF

Sidway Swim

Soul Carrier

The Flourish Market (Thanks to Anna of My Cancer Chic)

Trellis Beauty (Thanks to Anna of My Cancer Chic)

Covet SF

Lirika Matoshi (Thanks to Amanda Montell)

Love Thirteen (Thanks to Ali Levine)

Brittany Fuson

Jax Kelly

Eleventh and Wilder

For the Love of Pixie Dust

Wrigleyville Sports

Nail Polish Strips

Mobaak Aromatherapy Shoppe

Shops That Are Operating online right now (LA & OC Based Stores)

April Blooms Boutique

Polkadots & Moonbeams

Ritz Resale

Local To LA & OC :

Bean Town

Lavender & Honey

Webster’s Pharmacy

Steelhead Coffee, 3350 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803

Top 10 Self Care Gifts For You or Your The Ladies In Your Life

Published on April 3, 2020 by icedteaandtopknotsLeave a comment

“Self Care is a priority and necessity-not a luxury.”

In these uncertain times and us all being at home, Self Care now more than ever is so important. It needs to be made more of a priority that we fit into our day. Self Care will help us get through this all. Here are some of my favorite Self Care gifts to either give to yourself or to girlfriends and family (some of these work for your guy friends too). Stay Tuned for the top 10 Self Care gifts for the guys in your life next week!

Anthropologie Palo Santo and Crystal Bundle , Choices: Positivity, Clarity, Love, Protection

“Palo Santo is traditionally used for relieving common colds, flu symptoms, stress, asthma, headaches, anxiety, depression, inflammation, emotional pain and more. This Essential Oil is great for Aromatherapy and can also be used during massage work to assist in healing.”

I have made this a part of my daily routine for all of these reasons and it has continued to do wonders for me during these unfamiliar times. Both Palo Santo and crystals bring about the best energy into any room.

P.F. Candle Co. Essentials Mini Candle Set

Candles have always been a part of myself self care routine and this line of candles is one of my favorites. Candles lighten the mood and scents bring about the best memories whether it’s just reading or taking a bath while they burn, it is the best.

Olive & June’s The Everything Box

If you love doing your nails while being at home like I do, then definitely check out Olive & June’s The Everything Box and all their amazing products. Their products are 7-Free and that makes me love them even more. Their products are your at home manicures are going to make you smile. An added bonus, their owner Sarah Gibson Tuttle is awesome!

True Glow by Conair Heated Beauty Hand Mitts

This is another gift perfect for yourself or loved ones. I got these for my dad for Christmas and he loves them. They are perfect for just taking time for yourself and putting your favorite lotion or hand oil then put them in and sit for 20 minutes, makes for such a special self care moment. Also be sure to follow the directions for safety 🙂 This is definitely a gift that will put smiles all around and make for a great at home time.

Farmhouse Fresh’s 3 MEGA RADIANCE BOOSTERS IN A Box!

Face Masks are a great way to boost your skin and in turn boost your mood. During this time of unfamiliarity, giving your skin and mood a boost is important so lets mask together 🙂

Star’s Above Cozy Robe

Can never go wrong with a cozy robe whether you use it as a coat while you work or cozying up on the couch while watching your favorite show. When I think self care, a cozy robe is always on that list and makes for the perfect gift for yourself and/or friend.

Little Book of Self-Care

There are moments, especially now, that we know we want to incorporate self care into the day, but feel stuck on how to do that. This book gives you so many options on how to incorporate some self care, which I love and I have definitely given this as a gift before. May have to gift it again soon 🙂

Sephora Mini Hydration Set

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration is always key for your skin. It is a great way to take care of yourself when you incorporate a skincare that works for you. I know finding the right products, gets me excited to take time for my skin, which is great self care.

Cohorts Green Camo Print Long Sleeve Sweatshirt

The uniform for this time is a cute lounge that can also work for virtual dates and happy hours with friends, which is my newest self care must. Being cute and comfy is so fun and this lounge set below is one that is on my wishlist. When feeling cute while being comfy, that lifts your mood and creates a great self care moment.

Sedona Crescent Meditation Cushion

Meditation and breathwork are so important for staying grounded in life especially in uncertain times. We all have a different look on what meditation is whether it is using an app like Calm, painting, organizing or prayer. Whatever your way of mediation is having a meditation pillow that you can dedicate your mediation on and when you sit on it you feel that peace. I plan on gifting this to many, I know will love it.

Here is a great definition of meditation: “Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.”

Here’s to Self Care!

~Iced Tea and Top Knots

P.S. What is your favorite Self Care item?

Best At Home Spring Activities

Published on March 25, 2020 by icedteaandtopknotsLeave a comment

Quote: “Where flowers bloom so does hope.” ~Lady Bird Johnson

With Spring Time Activities being in a moment of change with everything going on right now. I first and foremost wanted to send my love and support to everyone. Stay happy and healthy!

Since we will all be spending much more time at home, here are some of my favorite at home Spring activities. Fun is in full bloom 🙂

Looking at real estate online
Cute puppy videos and photos online
Face Masks
Face Time Happy Hour with friends
Catching up on reading
Rocking Sports Gear for my work from home look
Meditation
Online Shopping, supporting small businesses
Binging on Schitts Creek on Netflix
At Home Yoga

My Favorite, Go To Spring Activities For Being At Home

Here’s to making the most of everything right now while being at home and remember, don’t lose hope and things will get better 🙂

~Iced Tea & Top Knots

P.S. What are your favorite at home activities?

How A New Space Has Created Such Calm In My Life

Published on March 7, 2020March 7, 2020 by icedteaandtopknotsLeave a comment

“Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges.” ~Bryant McGill from the @calm app

As you all know, I just redid my bedroom and office for 2020, thanks to Wayfair! This was such a great experience and so needed not just for the physical spaces, but for my mental health.

I am someone who struggles with anxiety, it was the main reason for wanting less clutter and be more at peace. Anxiety is something you may not always notice that someone is going through because it can be very internal especially for me. I have learned what creates less anxious days, it starts with my space being calming and less stuff.

Setting up my sanctuary and creative office has helped create such calm for me in life and it feels amazing. I am more hopeful now more than ever going forward in life. It feels amazing to have my own mediation corner, my nightstand with my sage and palo Santo, a bed that gives me calming sleep and an office that opens up my creative juices.

I am excited to keep creating that calm and peace everywhere in my life and to help whoever I can create calm and peace in their lives

Here is to creating the space we each need!

~Iced Tea & Top Knots

P.S. What gives you calm in your life?

Home Improvement Starts With The Details

Published on January 29, 2020 by icedteaandtopknotsLeave a comment

When it comes to home improvements, I have always thought that to really make a change and splash I would have to go big, knock down some walls and repaint every space, but that is not the case. When I was exploring Wayfair and all its amazing things, I realized making a splash with home improvements is all in the details.

Here are some of my favorite details that I look forward to adding to my different spaces! Hope it inspires you and remember we can all make a splash in our own space.

1. Ridgecrest Mountain Oakley Single Dummy Doorknob with Square Rosette // More Door Knobs 2. Georgian Hall and Closet Knob with Brookshire Trim // More Door Hardware & Accessories 3. Bamboo Varying Length Solid Flooring // More Hardwood Flooring 4. Walnut Laminate Flooring // More Laminate Flooring

1. Almonte Vintage Boho Pink/Saffron Area Rug // More Area Rugs 2. LaCrosse Room Darkening Grommet Single Curtain Panel // More Curtains & Drapes 3. Waldwick 4-Light Lantern Geometric Pendant // More Chandeliers 4. Van Nest 3-Light Kitchen Island Linear Pendant // More Pendant Lighting

Need a little home improvement help? Check out these guides from Wayfair:

How to Remove a Door Knob

Hardwood Flooring Style Guide

Flooring Options and Materials Guide

Here’s to the fun adventures of home improvement and remember it is all in the details!

~Iced Tea and Top Knots

P.S. What do you love most about doing anything that has to do with home improvements?

Where In The World Does Iced Tea and Top Knots Want To Go: Paris

Published on January 24, 2020 by icedteaandtopknotsLeave a comment

To kick off being back to posting on a regular basis, I am launching a new series, “Where In The World Does Iced Tea and Top Knots Want To Go.” For the first one, I am covering Paris, France! Ever since I was little I have always wanted to go to Paris and anytime I saw Paris on TV or in a movie it heightened my dream to go to Paris.

What really just confirmed my love of Paris was the movie ‘Midnight in Paris.’ Truly fell in love all over again with Paris and more. I have my outfits planned for each occasion and historical spot I want to visit as well as my coffee spots where I will have a tea latte and French macaroon. I can’t wait to go and that is one of my goals for 2020, go to Paris and soak up as much as I can. Here’s to the trip of my dreams. I have listed some of my favorites I have that I want to go to. See below and let me know what your favorites have been when visiting Paris.