What They Carry Ft. Born On Fifth's Emily Hertz

Emily Hertz, a veteran in the fashion industry via gigs at Cosmo, Intermix and, most recently, Spanx, is the well-heeled woman behind Born on Fifth. The fashion and lifestyle blog was created as an ode to Emily’s NYC roots—she was born on Fifth Avenue on the Fifth of October, no less. More than a personal style journal, Born on Fifth highlights fashion and fitness, profiles female entrepreneurs and innovators, and features perhaps the most important person to be born on fifth: Emily’s daughter Elle, born February 5th last year. Visit bornonfifth.com or follow her on Instagram for launch info!

Excited to have Emily featured in my #WhatTheyCarry series! As I always say, you can tell a lot about a lady by how she carries herself, but also by what she carries in her bag. Let's see what this fashionista keeps in that black beauty!

• My gift to myself after eight years at Spanx was this Hermes Birkin. I got it second hand at Bella Bag, which is just down the street. I love this bag for its timeless nature…I know I’ll be able to pass it down to my daughter one day. I also read recently that Birkin bags are better investments than gold! 

• These Celine sunglasses are always in my bag…even if most of the time I forget to put them on my face (see above photo!) 

• Having a baby has definitely changed the contents of my bag a bit…I end up with spare bows like this Baby Bling headband, a favorite of ours since the material is stretchy and comfortable. 

• Elle’s in teething mode right now, so it’s important to have something for her to chew on with me at all times. This marble and wood teether is among the chicest baby items I’ve found. 

• My YSL BabyDoll mascara is really the only makeup I wear (I need a beauty tutorial…badly). I bought this one at Woo Cosmetics recently because I loved the name…turns out it’s great on my lashes. 

• I always have my cell phone on me (full disclosure: it’s typically in my hand, not my purse). Casemate makes my favorite Naked cases…though I just got a Lumee that I’m excited to try. 

• I’ve found bun cuffs are great for perfecting top knots. 

• Carrying pencils is something that I’ve started to do more recently…I have an old school calendar and penciling things in is easier than striking through if something changes (which, of course, it does). This pencil is a souvenir from a trip I took last year, to the Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc. 

• My Chanel card holder is always over-stuffed…I was given this wallet-alternative as a birthday gift a few years ago. 

• Purell makes these mini, perfect-for-purse sizes…this one is great because I can connect it to the side of my bag for quick access. Another plus: they’re easy to find at Target and Publix.

• Never know when you’re going to get something stuck in your teeth…so I like to make sure that I have a little floss on me at all times. 

• These coconut chips are my favorite snack lately…they curb that afternoon sugar craving, the healthy fat keeps me full and I often times mix almonds in this pouch to make my own little snack mix. Bonus, I love the name of the brand!

Thanks to this chic mama, Emily, for giving us a look into her classic bag. If you LOVE this series (like I do), let me know in the comments below! And if you have a blogger and/or influencer who you would like to see on here -- let me know down below, too!

Xo, 
Kel

2017: The Year of Peace

Phew. 2016 was definitely one for the books. While I wish I could say I accomplished all of my resolutions and everything went according to plan, that was far from the case. In 2016, I left my job of three years, to start a new & exciting venture. In a matter of days, 10 to be exact, I was let go. In a daze, I quickly brushed myself off and began the hunt. As a Type A, oldest child, Mom 2.0 (according to my siblings), I set a plan of attack: I would give myself until August to find a new job. Well, I guess He got a good laugh out of that one.

Here I am January 2017, and still on the hunt. While this has not been the plan I had for myself, this is His plan. 

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. -Deuteronomy 31:6

Throughout 2016, I had a peace (and still do) that is hard to explain. I know that He has something great in store for me, and I'm trusting His plan for my life. And with a new year, I can't help but feel optimistic. 

Over the holidays, my family and I started to talk about resolutions. The biggest take away from the talk was that we would be more intentional about the time we spend together, talking on the phone, or texting. Being that my brother is in Chicago (soon to be LA), I have to make more of an effort with him, since I can't see him weekly like I do with my sister and parents. 

So, here are my 5 resolutions for 2017:

• Have a monthly supper club with my mom and sister - The Boring girls love food, but with our busy schedules, it can be hard to find time to get together. With the theme of being intentional in 2017, we are planning to have a supper club once a month. Whether it be a restaurant in town or me testing out a new dish, I'm happy to already have January's date on the calendar. #BabySteps

• Get out of my comfort zone & join a women's group at Passion City Church - I've been going to PCC for a several years now, but have never joined any of the amazing groups they have to offer. At the end of 2016, they mentioned a women's mentor program, Flourish, and I knew this was the thing for me. It's a one-year program where I am matched with an older woman at our church. Excited to start the journey later this month!

• Pay it forward - Super impressed with a fellow blogger & her generous spirit, she's also a mama to three boys! #SuperMom Give her a follow on Insta!

• Cut myself some slack when it comes to working out & eating "right" - When I started to really commit to working out and eating well, I saw results. Not immediately, but they did come! For a while, I was too hard core and hard on myself. This year, I'm going to continue to lead a healthy & balanced lifestyle, but not kick myself if I want to sleep in one Saturday versus work out. Or if I'd rather have tacos & a marg versus fish & veggies.

• Be more intentional - Whether it be with making a lunch date with a friend I haven't seen in a while, talking to my brother a couple times a week on the phone, scheduling my workouts & not pressing snooze...you get the point.

As you can see, my resolutions are all over the place! But I truly feel this will be a great year, and that your situation doesn't define you. I feel so thankful for my family & friends, and can't wait to see what He has in store for me & YOU this year!

XO,

Kel 

New Year, New Group #AskTheSouthernGirls

Happy 2017, friends! With a new year comes new ventures & a revamped series. No longer will I have #AskAllise, it's now officially #AskTheSouthernGirls. Over the fall of 2016, Allise teamed up with her good friend, barre buddy & now business partner, Carrie. I'm SO excited for these ladies! Over the holidays, they threw an amazing #BusinessShower at Bartaco in Buckhead. To see how the blog has brought all these amazing women into my life, leaves me grateful beyond words. If you haven't followed this fab duo yet, head over to their Insta. *WARNING* You may start to suffer from major house envy!

Since everyone is in full on resolution/goal making/resetting mode, now is the time to start planning this month out! Whether you're a home owner or a house hunter (you've got this), Allise & Carrie have come up with 5 tips that both can & should be doing this month!

5 Things You Should Be Doing in January

Home Owners

1. Watch the weather to make sure that when the temp drops below freezing you need to keep water running at night so the pipes will not burst! Better safe than sorry!
2. File for homestead exemption. Taxes are due soon!
3. Make sure you fur babies are warm! This is not the time to leave your animals out at night!
4. Keep your pest control company on the reg, this is the time where creatures want to share your domain!
5. Call us now if you are thinking of selling in the spring! Spring market is less than 60 days away, and it's time to start preparations!!

Photography by: Shelby Steckbauer

House Hunters

1. Buy now! Don't wait until the spring to buy! Some housing markets increase upwards of 6-9% during spring and summer, so save money and buy now!
2. Interest rates are going up, so it's important to talk to your lender. If you need contacts for lenders just reach out to us and we can provide you with two or three of the top lenders in the ATL!
3. Inventory is low, so be patient!! You will find "the one!" If you find the perfect home though, act fast...like we always tell our clients "if you love it so do 100 other people!"
4. It's never too early to start your search! Why not start now?!?
5. Have fun!!! Stop for Starbucks on your hunts, turn on the fireplace while you are looking at the house, and if you're lucky enough to be our clients we will even turn our seat warmers for you!

You're welcome for adding to your already lengthily to-do list (or is that just me)! So excited for this new series! As always, feel free to comment below or send me an email. Love to hear what you need help with or questions you may have!

XO,
Kel