This episode is all about home stuff — we chat home buying, housing markets, increasing the value of your home, and more.

Cara sits down with Denver Realtor Chelsea Blankenship Harold to talk all about home values, finding a realtor that's a perfect fit, and some tips for first time home buyers. She also gives us the scoop on trying to DIY your home buy / sale and some insight into what goes into her role as a realtor.

You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify – or listen to it below!

Listen on:

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Lighting is intimidating — and for good reason: it can make or break a room.

Cara dishes on the full how-to for lighting design including why lighting can transform a room better than a coat of paint, tips for planning out the lighting in your space, and how to choose fixtures to create a vibe + set the mood for your space.

You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify – or listen to it below!

Listen on:

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Whether it's a She Shed, Zen Den, Man Cave, or just a chair that's "your spot," you each need your own physical space in your home. Today I sit down with my husband, Rich to chat about why becoming aware of the role physical space plays in your marriage dynamic is important, plus sharing some tips & lessons from our own experience when it comes to creating our own physical spaces in our home.

We also share tips for how to achieve your own personal space if you don’t have spare rooms sitting around, and how to quit fighting over that one good spot.

You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify – or listen to it below!

Listen on:

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In episode 03 it's just Cara behind the mic, chatting about the ins and outs of open concept spaces. She covers some pros and cons to help you decide if an open concept space is actually right for you.

She also dishes her best advice advice for partitioning an open concept space — including some secrets to dividing open spaces without walls

You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify – or listen to it below!

Listen on:

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Cara sits down with a scroll saw artist to talk about how to DIY gorgeous home decor & wood signs for your home using a scroll saw. We talk about why the scroll saw is an approachable power tool & why its so versatile. We also cover tips for designing a piece and how to create stick-on stencils for cutting out wood pieces. You'll learn some tips for just starting out with a scroll saw.

We also dive into how the creative process can be therapeutic and even healing, plus the deeper meaning behind making that can help make your pieces amazing.

You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify – or listen to it below!

Listen on:

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Time to talk organization. Did you just cringe? That's ok, you're gonna love this episode.

Cara sits down with a professional organizer to talk about why organization isn't perfection, how to actually cut through the overwhelm to get your sh*t together, and learn about some coping mechanisms that work for people who aren't naturally organized. You'll also hear about when it's ok to say no to waffles and why you should implement the one-touch rule. Cara also covers her favorite patio decor trend + how you can style it AND talks about how our parents opinions & style can affect our spaces as adults.

See the Shownotes HERE

Related Posts:

 The perfect gift

Gifting is an art. And you might agree, but still find yourself scrambling to find the perfect gift, whether it's because you're totally short on ideas...or just really short on time. Gifting is something that almost no one is sunning at every time they find themselves wrapping up a present.

What kind of giver are you?

From thoughtful to funny, last minute to well-planned, everyone has their own kind of gifting style.

Even if you love giving gifts or consider yourself great at it, sometimes you can find yourself drawing a blank as to what to give. Today I'm breaking down the art of gifting so that you will never be lost or rushing to find a last minute present.

You've probably heard the saying, "The manner of giving is worth more than the gift." While it's probably a balance - the gift itself should have some purpose or intention behind it - in a sense, this saying is cliche but absolutely true.

❝ the art of gifting isn't just picking out an amazing gift, it's creating an experience that conveys a feeling. ❞

How do you want your recipient to feel? This is the one and only starting point. Everything else - from the gift itself to the manner in which you give it, all comes back to this one question.

Whether you're a pro or constantly scrambling, here is everything you need to know about giving the best possible gift.

2 minute brainstorm

Take two minutes and write down everything that comes to mind. This might seem silly, but I promise it's going to help get the ideas flowing. Sit down, set a timer and let's do this.

1 Minute: What does the recipient love?

Write down everything that comes to mind - their hobbies, favorite snacks, favorite songs, favorite color or pattern, animals, favorite smell, season, dessert and drink.

1 Minute: What are some characteristics about them?

Write down personality traits, kind deeds, funny jokes, favorite memories or stories, tendencies or quirks.

With your list in hand, start thinking of gifts that express who the recipient is and are a fit for what the recipient loves.

One way to get inspired and find some great ideas is by searching on Pinterest. Type in some of the words or phrases from your brainstorm list and see where they take you.

Don't ask "what do they need?"

Ask, "What can I give that will make them feel ______" ...loved, appreciated, happy, etc.

When gifting, you're not trying to fill a material need. gifting is an expression of love and appreciation. Objects can help you express this, but the objects themselves don't make the gift. It's the intention, creativity, and uniqueness that make up the whole package.

Think about how each gift idea will make them feel, instead of just whether they'll like it / be able to use it or not.

Is it the "perfect gift?"

How do you know when you've found the perfect gift? Here are some tips to clue you in and guide you as you perfect the art of gifting and give the best possible gift.

Don't get hung up on things

Gifts don't have to be things — which may seem obvious— but this might slip your mind when you sit down to come up with some ideas.

Non-object gift ideas include experiences — like a trip, skydiving, or a wine tasting, the gift of learning — like an ecourse, book, or culinary class, the gift of surprise — like a fully planned date night or "treat-yo-self" day, or the gift of charity — like donating to a non-profit on behalf of someo...

Episode 002

I n this episode, I sit down with Annie Bloj to talk all things fashion design. We get some insider insight into how trends are set, the full process of designing a piece from sketch to rack, and what a regular day-to-day for a fashion designer looks like.

Annie shares her story and how she got started as a designer and talks about what it was like to learn how to design for a brand and ultimately, the consumer. She shares some of the non-glamorous parts of working in fashion and gives us an amazing overview of what it takes to build out a line for fashion label.

Annie has designed for Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, J. Crew, GAP, Aeropostale, New York & Company, and the Venus Williams & Sarah Jessica Parker lines just to name a few. After over 15 years in the industry, she's moved here to Denver from NYC and currently publishes a curated events calendar for all things art, culture, food, and more.

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Connect with Annie: Website / Instagram

 

Cara:                                          00:00

You're listing to the Never Skip Brunch podcast, episode number two.

 

Announcer:                      00:14          

Never Skip Brunch is a life and style dossier inspired by a casual chic style with pops of color. It's a space for women to become fearless with their style and create a beautifully lived in life. Cara Newhart brings you wellness, beauty, fashion, and lifestyle tips and tricks with amazingly brilliant guests dedicated to helping you build a beautifully lived in life. Southern raised and living in Denver. Cara Newhart is the creator of never skipped Brunch as an influencer, Cara has worked with brands like h and m, Kendra Scott, Alba Botanica Express, L'Occitane, charming Charlie, Thrillist, and hair story. She's Tequila loving, color and prints obsessed and passionate about helping others build a lived in life they love pop some champagne and join us. Here's your host, Cara Newhart.

 

Cara:                           01:10         

In this episode, I sit down with Annie to talk all things, fashion design. We get some insider insight into how the trends are set, the full process of designing a piece from sketch to rack, and what a regular day to day for a fashion designer looks like. Any shares her story and how she got started as a designer and talks about what it was like to learn how to design for a brand and ultimately the consumer. She shares some of the non glamorous parts of working in fashion and gives us an amazing overview of what it takes to build out a line for a fashion label. Any has designed for Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle, J, Crew, GAP, Aeropostale, and the Venus Williams and Sarah Jessica Parker. Lines just to name a few. After over 15 years in the industry, she's moved here to Denver from New York City and currently publishes a curated events calendar for all things, art, culture, food, fashion, and more.

 

Cara:                           02:14       

Hi Annie. Thank you so much for joining me today. So just to get started, can you share a little bit about your story and maybe when you first realized you wanted to pursue, um, a career as a fashion designer?

 

Annie:                      02:29      

Sure, sure. Gosh, I think ever since I was like four years old, I've wanted to be a fashion designer. I literally used to like sit in the corner and draw as long as I can remember and I would go to the library to read Vogue when I was little because my parents wouldn't buy me because it was two risqué and I think they thought it was pretty proba...

everyone loves brunch

very time I meet someone new and we decide to make it official via swapping IG handles, mine gets a good reaction.  After typing in @neverskipbrunch to bring up my feed, there’s the inevitable, “What an awesome name,” “Oh my goodness I love that handle,” or “How did you come up with that, it’s amazing.” I always joke that I love snacks and sleeping in, and brunch lets me do both. While I don’t disagree that I’m pretty hilarious and my handle is indeed pretty witty, there’s something deeper going on here — it’s like we all love brunch.

Seriously, brunch has gone from a hot weekend trend to a cultural staple in our society. With all the meals to meet for, coffee dates to have, or drinks to grab, why are there so many good feelings around brunch? Today, we dive into my favorite meal — and maybe yours — to discover the social phenomenon behind why we brunch.

Brunch is inherently ❝ cheerful, sociable & enticing❞ – Brunch: a Plea

The inventor of Brunch originally crafted the idea as a hangover cure — and while it’s evolved into much more, it does still excel as its original purpose. A meal that lets you get in a little extra sleep from your big night, provides a range of flavors so you can pick what you need to recover – sweet or savory, and the socially acceptable presence of libations at the table before noon – for whoever might need a little hair of the dog.

The brunch cure also has a social component:  Brunch is the antidote we need after a night out – especially when that night is spent in a crowded and loud bar making decisions on a whim and welcoming that one too many. Brunch is a social recovery, a way for us to sit and sip and connect and create a meaningful social interaction that balances out our prior evening. While of course, still getting to share and reminisce about how crazy and unforgettable it was. 

But brunch has evolved to become more than a hangover cure. It’s a cultural pillar with endless fangirls (and guys) that rally around it and brunch their heart out whenever possible – hangover or not.

 

More than  just a hangover cure

o why the brunch obsession? I think it has to do with a few things — cuisine, culture, & community. Brunch is an institution that takes the best of these and blends them into one convenient meal that gives you both a non-early morning and still leaves your evening open for plans. The formula is simple:

❝  good food + good company + fun environment + drink menu = happiness❞ 

Now, there are those out there who say they don’t like brunch — I’ve met them and they’re lying. Maybe they’ve had a bad experience or maybe they don’t like the popular brunch spots, but secretly they still love it — they just haven’t found their best brunch. Yes, I romanticize brunch, but if you somehow find that surprising just check the URL of who you’re talking to. ? If you’re a brunch-basher and you’re still here for some reason, then read on – because you can clearly be convinced.

 

The cuisine

runch food is just fun. From the wide range of sweet, savory, breakfast, and lunch selections on most brunch menus to dishes that are just plain pretty — brunch is a perfect excuse...

I t's almost time for the most important sale of the summer. If you don't know what I'm talking about, let me introduce you. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is so close - it starts July 12th!

Why is this the only sale you should care about right now?

Because it's oh so wonderful and instead of flipping through racks of picked-over pieces that are about to be out of season (aka left over summer styles) this sale is all about stocking up on some amazing fall pieces that are just now hitting stores.  

Usually retailers put things on sale because they are going out of season or they haven't sold well. This is why sale racks usually don't have the good stuff. But this sale is different. This time they're putting merchandise that is just hitting racks on sale first, then raising the price back to normal once the sale is over.

Psst...I'm hosting a $500 Nordstrom gift card giveaway that starts on July 11th and goes until the 17th - so if its then hop over to Instagram to find out how to enter. It will be on my feed and in my highlights.

HOW TO GET EARLY ACCESS

E arly access starts JULY 12th...If you're a Nordstrom Card holder. I brush off every request to sign up for a store-specific piece of plastic, but not this one. Here's why: first you can get either a credit or debit card, so you don't have to worry about going rogue and spending money you don't have.

Some of my other favorite perks are the "Notes," which are basically gift cards you get from Nordstrom through the mail or by making a purchase with your card. They currently have a special where you get a $20 note if you spend $100 they day you're approved. You also get other perks like free styling, skincare and makeup workshops. And no, I don't get paid if you sign up for the card - I seriously just love it that much.

 

S ale access starts JULY 20th...if you don't have a Nordstom Card.  You can still take advantage of some of the amazing deals if you don't have a nordstrom card, but you'll just have to wait a little bit. There's perks to shopping the sale early because a lot of the good stuff and amazing deals often sells out during the early access week from the 12th-20th.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR?

I prefer to use this sale to build my fall wardrobe and stock up on all the cute booties, jeans, sweaters, and statement pieces. I still browse the summer section since there are some deals you just can't miss, but I do this sparingly and pick pieces I know I will still love next season as well.

Here are my preview picks that I've got on my list to snag once the sale opens. So many great fall styles, adorable accessories, and beauty picks that are going to be super hard to choose between.

FIRST LOOK: SEE MY PICKS HERE

 

WHEN DOES THE SALE END?

The sale ends AUGUST 5th, then they will raise the prices on all the merchandise that's staying in stock for the fall s...