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Served up something new for cocktail hour.

It’s all about the little changes these days that keep things fun and exciting. You feel me?

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jaceylenae, Khareem Sudlow

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I know a lot of you feel like we are rushing in to fall but can you blame me?

I’m beyond ready for a change in the season in more ways than one. And while the temps in LA aren’t showing many promises of fall quite yet, that doesn’t mean I’m not cozying up the inside of my house to reflect the rotating calendar as it flips to a new month.

Here are a few favorite pieces you can add to your home to spruce up things for the new fall season.

Spiced Pecan Pumpkin Bread Mix

I get this bread mix every year during the fall and it’s my absolute favorite. It’s super easy to make and tastes delish! Added bonus? It makes my house smell like a little slice of fall heaven. – William Sonoma, $15

Pumpkin Chai Spice Candle

Speaking of a nice smelling house, what an amazingly delicious candle by Nest. I love nothing more than a seasonal scent for the home and this one checks off all the boxes. – Nest, $42

Pretty Pumpkin Wreath

I love this wreath because it doesn’t just scream Halloween. You can put it up September – Thanksgiving to really get more bang for your buck. I also love the little twinkle lights. – Pottery Barn, $150

Checkered Doormat

One of the quickest and easiest ways to decorate your home seasonally is by switching out the doormat. I love this checkered Welcome mat. – Amazon, $50

Candlesticks

Even though I would consider candlesticks a year-round accessory for the home, if you don’t have them by now then this is the time to invest. Candlesticks set such a mood for any cocktail hour or dinner at home. The warm antique brass finish on this set are perfect to set out solo or in multiple sets. – Crate & Barrel, $18+

Plaid Dish Towels

Ahh plaid. The quintessential print for fall. I love these affordable plaid dish towels from Amazon and they’re a very easy way to splash things up in the kitchen this season. – Amazon, $8

Throw Blanket

Don’t you just love a good throw blanket? I’m pretty sure if I purchase one more that Grant might kill me. I have an obsession. – Lulu & Georgia, $198

How are you revamping little touches in your home for the upcoming season?

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If you haven’t noticed by now, we’ve been bouncing over to Lake Arrowhead a lot this summer.

Hopping on an airplane right now, especially with our 1.5 year old daughter, just doesn’t feel right to me. And I cannot believe that in the 12 years I’ve lived in Los Angeles, I only just discovered Lake Arrowhead this summer. It’s one of those places I had always heard of people traveling to, but because I was busy jetting off to Mexico, Europe and other parts of the world prior to Covid-19, I was sleeping on the amazing destination that was in my own backyard.

Lake Arrowhead is a quick 1 hour 30 minute drive from Los Angeles and it has served as an incredible escape for my family. To say that we love it there is an understatement. I grew up driving to Concan, Texas every weekend to our family house on the river. Lake Arrowhead gives me the same laid back, fun vibes and I honestly cannot get enough of this feeling that reminds me so much of my Texas roots.

The more laid back attitude you have going in to the trip, the more laid back of a trip it will be overall.

If you are an OCD planner (like I used to be) you will have to hang your planning hat at the door upon checking in. Lake Arrowhead is super duper laid back. You just kind of have to roll with the flow and everything will sort itself out.

As we have been spending a lot of time there, a lot of you have been writing in with questions about lake access, rentals and more so I thought I would do a full round-up including information you need if you’re interested in traveling to Lake Arrowhead.

Getting There

To get to this deep blue mountain lake your best bet is by car. If you are driving from Los Angeles the ride will take you about an hour and thirty minutes with no traffic. If possible, be sure to leave before 2 p.m. to beat late afternoon traffic and if you are leaving on a Friday, I’d suggest departing by noon. When you exit the freeway you will begin a twist and turn climb from the busy valley into the picturesque mountains that feel like you’ve escaped to a different world. Be sure to account for additional stops along the way up the mountain for any fellow car sick passengers or photo opportunities. There are plenty of places to pull off to the side of the road.

If you are traveling by air, the closets airport to Lake Arrowhead is Ontario International Airport. The commute from this airport is just under one hour.

Where to Stay

On our most recent trip, we stayed at this Lakefront house that I cannot recommend enough. With the heat waves that have been blowing through California, having A/C for June was imperative and most of the houses in Lake Arrowhead don’t have A/C. Not only did we sleep nice and cool, but this house has its own dock which was fantastic! The views were next level amazing and I honestly don’t have enough good things to say about the location. You can walk down the stairs and be directly on the path to walk around the lake. And because you won’t have boat access, it’s nice to have a dock to swim off of.

Here are a few additional places I’d suggest:

The Antler Lodge – wildly popular on Instagram and books in advance!

Modern A-Frame – with lake rights

Lake Front – with a dock and hot tub

North Shore

Pet Friendly Designer Retreat

and there’s always:

Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa

Also, if you’re looking for some true eye candy, be sure to check out Jenni Kayne’s absolutely gorgeous home renovation that she recently sold in Lake Arrowhead.

Lake Rules

If you are not a home owner in Lake Arrowhead you will not have access to driving a boat. So, unless you have a friend who owns a house and has a boat, I wouldn’t count on getting on the water.

There are, however, a few ways around this:

Lake Arrowhead Queen – This is a quick and easy way to get out on the water and I’ve heard it’s a really nice tour of everything there is to know about Lake Arrowhead.

McKenzie Water Ski School – Another fun option is to take a ski school class which is something we’ve done a couple of times. You can pack some beers, throw on some skis and also have your own private {small} boat to cruise around the lake on. Due to Covid-19, this option books up really quickly. They also don’t take reservations over the phone (in person only) so be sure to make a rezy as soon as you reach your destination.

Beaches – There are several public beaches around the lake but some of them have special rules due to Covid-19. When you rent a house, be sure to triple check with the home owner that you will have access to the beach. Some home owners are very nice and will walk you in with their passes, but otherwise the beaches are closed to tourists.

Where to Shop

There are plenty of options to purchase groceries in Lake Arrowhead. The first trip we made I remember we packed way too much food.

The Grapevine – a cute little wine {and cheese} shop

Pendleton – In the main village there’s a Pendleton!

The Lake House Collection – This is one of my favorite local shops to buy something extra special to remember your trip by. Next door is an adorable vintage furniture store.

 

 

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jaceylenae, Khareem Sudlow

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Do you want to wear a cozy blanket as a top but also be able to go out in public? Meet the chunky knit sweater.

I have an ever growing arsenal of sweaters, some light weight and airy, some cardigans, some chunky, but all cozy. This fall, I’m itching to bring out the chunkiest knits I can find. Wear them around the house and throw on your favorite rom-com (or get some work done), throw on some jeans and boots to run errands or grab coffee, or pair with a silk skirt and heels for a night out, the possibilities are endless.

Do I have you convinced yet? Shop my favorite {affordable} chunky knits below.

Special thank you to Amazon Fashion for partnering on this post.

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jaceylenae, Khareem Sudlow

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I have never felt more ready for a change of the season.

Even though I’m all sorts of ready for the leaves to change, the weather in Los Angeles has been hitting record highs. But that’s not stopping me from slowly starting to invest in a few stand out pieces for fall that I would be super bummed about selling out.

Insert: my new quilted jacket from Shopbop.

You guys, I love this jacket. It’s very light and oversized. I am wearing a size small but you could definitely size down if you want it to not be too boxy.

 

Outside of my new quilted jacket, I also re-upped on my trusty pair of Hunter black rain boots. I had a pretty beat up old pair that I mistakenly left on a trip last year and I’ve been so bummed about it ever since. I finally pulled the trigger on a fresh new pair recently so I will be all set for the leaves to fall and rain to pour! Just be just to order a full size down because Hunter boots run large!

What are you most excited for about fall this year?

Special thank you to Shopbop for partnering on this post.

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jaceylenae, Khareem Sudlow

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My key takeaway thus far from 2020?

Gratitude.

It’s easy to get sucked into negativity or feel the heavy weight of sadness that is pulsating through our world. Trying to combat the darkness by actively practicing gratitude for all that we have.

Be present. Hug your loved ones. Take a deep breath. What are you most grateful for on this beautiful day?

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Took a quick dip in this swimsuit I designed with Summersalt for my summer collection with them.

Use code JACEY10 for $10 towards your purchase.

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jaceylenae, Khareem Sudlow

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Another month, another list of my Amazon faves!

I can’t believe we’re already saying good bye to August. Wasn’t it just May? I had quite a few Amazon packages at my door this month, and I’m so excited to share what I ordered. Just a reminder: not all of my posts about Amazon are #Sponsored. (This post isn’t part of my partnership with Amazon). I just genuinely love sharing everything that I purchase and hearing what you guys are getting too! Be sure to leave a comment below.

Matte Black Sunnies

These sunnies are staples in my wardrobe. You’ve probably seen me wear them all over the blog and on Instagram– and they just came back in stock. Hooray! I have the shiny black and now the matte black are on their way.

Dresses for June

With the LA Heat wave in full swing, I’m putting June in a lot of sundresses like this one, this one, and this sweet little floral one!

Classic Jeans

Everyone needs a pair of the Levi’s 501’s in their wardrobe. I don’t make the rules. They’re classic, comfortable and go with just about anything. Did I mention they’re under $100?

Cozy Knit Dress

This is me manifesting Autumn weather. I cannot wait to wear this cozy knit dress out to drinks with the girls, but until then- I’ll just dance around my closet. (PS: it looks great with some biker shorts!)

June’s Newest Obsession

June is fearless, so it was only a matter of time before she started climbing on everything. I found these balance stepping stones and she’s been obsessed ever since they got delivered. They’re non-slip, great for balance and coordination, and keep her entertained!

Easy Slip Dress

I’m a sucker for a good slip dress and this cute green one checks all the right boxes. Easy, breezy and under $30- can’t go wrong.

Mini Play Center

Re: LA Heat Wave- June has been loving this mini play center for the backyard. This + water hose = the perfect day. You’ve probably seen her splashing around in this on my IG Stories!

Currently in My Cart

More Whisps

A cotton nightgown

A case for my vitamins

What’s in your cart?

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jaceylenae, Khareem Sudlow

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There are a few things in my closet that I find myself reaching for multiple times a week.

No surprise to anyone- most of them are from Amazon! They’re all easy, timeless and overall great staples to have in your wardrobe. You’ve probably seen them all over my Instagram by now, but I wanted to officially share the 6 Staples by The Drop that I can’t live without-

Fancy Feet

You’ve probably seen these flatforms all over my IG by now- that’s because I wear them constantly. They’re super comfortable and go great with everything. They’re back in stock and now I’ve got my eyes on the tan ones!

The Every Day Sweater

This sweater is such a great top. It’s super soft, and it’s got that effortless, slouchy-but-still-put-together look that makes it so easy to throw on. If you’re not into the white, it also comes in black (a classic) and a fun zebra print.

Dress’d Up

I’ve been having a drop-waisted dress moment this summer and this maxi-dress is the perfect addition to my collection. It’s light weight and breezy while still being versatile enough to dress up or dress down. Did I mention it has pockets?

 

Two Toned

These little kitten heels have been such a great addition to my closet. They’re chic, comfortable and give that extra little bit of class to any outfit you’ve got on.

 

The Perfect Cardi

Cardigans are back and I’m living for it. I’m loving wearing this one by itself as a top, but also open over a little tank or crop-top.

 

Transition Dresses

As we move into fall, I love finding ways to move summer pieces into the colder weather. This linen shirt dress is going to look great with a coat and some boots!

 

Do you have any pieces from The Drop that you love?

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jaceylenae, Khareem Sudlow

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It’s 2 p.m. and all I want to do is put on my pajamas and curl up in bed.

For the first few weeks of feeling this way, I chalked it up to Covid-19. The underlying stress and anxiety of a global pandemic are certain to cause some unwanted and unforeseen changes in our mental health. But as someone who has always had a WFH {work from home} job, I have really started to see some major red flags with my productivity and energy levels when it comes to getting my work done.

In many ways the lower production effect has been great for my life. Before my work fatigue I often found myself sitting at the desk for 20-40 hours a week which wasn’t productive either. After all, my job is to create content and share my life, not sit behind the desk all day. But lately I have been feeling so incredibly exhausted the moment I sit behind my desk that it’s resulted in e-mails being saved in a “To Reply” folder that I’ll get to later and an editorial calendar that isn’t flushed out. While I used to plan my content out month’s in advance, I’m not writing a blog post a day or two before it’s “live” date. Again, it’s the not the worst thing ever, but it’s also starting to somewhat bother me.

I am not a lazy person!

After doing a deep dive on the internet, researching the causes of what they call “work fatigue,” I came across a few interesting points that I wanted to share. I know many of you are also working from home and may be feeling similarly. And while some of us {hand raised} are used to WFH life, for a lot of you this lifestyle is still very new. But I wanted to point out that you aren’t just tired at work because work is now at home. And because work fatigue can quickly lead to burnout, it’s important to better understand how and why you may feel this way and learn how to handle it.

Understand Your Productivity Curve

Firstly, it’s important for us to all understand when we can perform work at our best. The beauty of working from home for many of us is that we don’t have a set schedule which can really open up room for improvement. Are you most productive first thing in the morning at 8 a.m. or are you more of a night owl? Before I had a child, I was a huge night owl and would get a big surge of creative energy around 5 p.m. Lately, I can barely keep my head up past 1 p.m. I now aim to get big chunks of my work done before noon and schedule any calls during that time too so I’m alert, focused and ready to rock.

Not Enough Sleep?

It’s a pretty obvious thing to say that if you are feeling fatigued it’s because you aren’t getting enough sleep. But the question to truly ask right now is if you are getting good quality sleep. I go to bed at 11 p.m. every night but I sleep as light as a feather. Even the slightest sound and I jump out of bed like a crazy person. The CDC has declared a lack of sleep a public health epidemic! If you allow yourself one or two nights of logging in some extra Zzz’s, it should make a great improvement on your work fatigue.

You Are Burned Out

Job burnout, or just being “over” your job isn’t really a medical diagnosis. However, many experts believe that other underlying conditions such as physical or emotional exhaustion can lead to feelings of loss of personal identity. Many people who experience symptoms of job burnout don’t believe their jobs are the main cause. Whatever the cause, job burnout can affect your physical and mental health. Consider how to know if you’ve got job burnout and what you can do about it.

What To Do

Work fatigue can lead to poor decision making, lower productivity and even injury. It can have a very real effect on your work and workplace {home!}. A few key take aways on how to handle:

• Consider a shift if your schedule. Pay attention to what time and days you feel most productive. If possible, strive to take two consecutive days off each week.
• Have an honest conversation with yourself and/or your superior about balancing your workload to set realistic expectations. We are in unprecedented times and most employers will be very understanding and flexible.
• Take a look at your workplace atmosphere. Do you have a designated office space? Even if it means working from the kitchen table, be sure to have a designated work space that feels nice and cool with minimal noise and vibrations.
• Do you best to log in some extra sleep. Whether it means turning off Netflix an hour earlier or asking your spouse to take the nightshift with your little ones, it’s extra important to allow your mind, body and soul to get some rest right now.

Please note: I’m not a doctor! Please check with your healthcare professional if you are struggling greatly with sleep deprivation or depression. 

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Lately I haven’t been sleeping too well.

A good night’s sleep is essential for most everything, but especially so if you’ve got a toddler to chase after. It’s recommended to get at least 7 hours of sleep, but I think there’s a difference between sleep and good sleep. I’ve been doing some research, and here are some tips to get your best sleep:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have any sleep tips? I’d love to hear them!

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With Fall right around the corner, I am so ready for cool weather.

Even though LA is in a heatwave, there have been a few cool mornings which have me reaching for my summer sweaters. Think light weight, easy to throw on and always cozy. One of the best parts about summer sweaters is how easily they can transition into Fall! Here are a few of my favorite sweaters and styles that tick all the boxes.

The Cardigan

A cardigan is really season-less. You can wear it for any weather depending on how you style it. Over a tank and shorts for warm days, and layered up for cold days.

 

Chic Striped Sweater

A striped sweater is a good idea for any time of year. You’ve probably seen me rock a striped sweater as an extra layering piece all over my Instagram the last few weeks, and I can’t wait to bring it into the Fall.

 

Sporty Pullovers

Pullovers, hoodies- they’re a transition staple, whatever you happen call them. They can be polished and put together or sporty and effortless, truly perfect transition sweater.

 

 

White Crew-Neck

I have so many variations of a white crew-neck sweater, and it’s because it just works. Just like you can’t go wrong with a basic white-tee, you can’t go wrong with a white crew-neck sweater.

 

PS: I looked everywhere for my Polo Bear sweater from Ralph Lauren and I can’t find it- but check out some similar options here.

Are you all excited for fall weather, too?

 

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jaceylenae, Khareem Sudlow