Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

This past week has been fun! Link up with Marsha and I if you also have a post today! It’s been fun because Marsha did a cute little comparison of Halara jeans and Cicy Bell jean-like pants and because I got to wear some early fall clothing! Woohoo!

I’m not sure if this is very flattering – should have tucked the shirt in to some degree but last Tuesday the weather changed from summer to fall in perfect timing with the first official day of fall and I wore my Halara barrel, Old Navy pumpkin tee, and Old Navy cardigan wtih my Adidas Sambas.

The next day we were going to a concert and I tried this on but then at the last minute remembered my new crochet long cardigan…

I wore my charcoal Halaras, Dansko Mary Janes, white J.Crew Factory blouse, and the boutique cardigan I found a month or so ago. The floral blouse above is a boutique brand blouse that I got last winter, I believe.

I wore this to Friday happy hour. It’s my consignment sleeveless sweater with a tank under, my Halara straight legs (I think this would have looked better with wide leg, maybe), my Kork Ease sandals and my new Amazon necklace. I already had the bracelet which worked well with it. The necklace was a rec from Jen.

Here is a little Cicy Bell story. I ordered a shirt that made me look like a security guard and contacted Cicy and said I wanted to return it. They said just keep it but gave me a $40 credit. Now, that’s some customer service. I chose this brown polka dot cardigan with my credit and had to pay about $25 more. Now, do I think it is worth $65 for the quality? Probably not. I am happy to have it, though, and again, A+ for customer service.

The sweater is pretty thick and warm so it will be a bit before I can actually wear it and I might have to wear it to outside events only. Lol. Or it could be like a jacket. Cicy Bell is also available on Amazon, by the way.

I’m not really a J.Jill shopper but I have been in the past. I have three pairs of capri leggings – remember wearing them with kimonos as I did? That was my jam for a bit. The material is just perfect for a wearing out legging. They are not athletic type leggings and they have no pockets. I think the pima cotton is what makes them perfect to me. So, I ordered a pair of black full length that I envision wearing like this and with a crisp white button down and flats. I ordered them in petite length and I love when I have that option.

I bought these Birkenstock lookalikes at TJ Maxx last fall. I can’t remember who told me this trick but you wear Pilates sticky socks with them and they stay on better.

I did something fun with my capsule of late summer/early fall clothing in my closet. I took a “brand inventory” to share with you. These do not include work out wear, pajamas, or home clothing – just things I would actually style for outfits to wear outside my house.

Halara: 9 – I have light wide legged, medium wide legged, another medium wash wide legged, charcoal wide legged (seen above), stripe down the side wide legged, light straight legged (seen above), dark green barrel (seen above), dark green wide legged track pants, dark pair that button and zip. All of the others are elastic waist.

J.Crew Factory – online and in store: 5 – I have ordered online and I also go in the store next to my Trader Joe’s sometimes and find something on the clearance rack.

Old Navy: 7

Target: 7

Boutique brands – Umgee, Entro from my local boutiques: 5

TJ Maxx: 5

Consignment: 2

Amazon: 2 – both are cardigans – black scallop and red

Are you surprised at my inventory? What would be your highest number if you did this?

I am so impressed with how the Halara jeans wash and hold up and how comfortable they are. I noticed they now offer a heavier weight or some sort of lining for colder weather, but for the perimenopausal/women out there, the weight is perfect to not get too hot. I did notice after wearing the light straight leg that I had scraped the back:

I must have scraped the jeans on a chair I was sitting on outside or something. If you want to try Halara, I would do a medium wash wide leg pull on. They are super flattering and I think the elastic waist (pajama jean) is what they are known for.

Link up here!

Amy

Monday, September 28, 2026

How was your weekend? Let’s link up with Sarah and Holly to share!

The star of the weekend show around here was the weather! Eddie and I started out the weekend with a gorgeous nature preserve walk…

We got some sun together after lunch…

Sunbather…

There was a rave going on at the school playground behind my house with a DJ all.day.long. It included lots of screaming to go along with Mr. DJ. I put in my air pods and used the noise cancelling feature and was happy as a clam. New trick!

I had a happy hour that afternoon with my friend Elizabeth at Captain’s Quarters and it was just perfect. I mean, it would be better if the water was blue rather than brown and if it was an ocean rather than a river, but we can’t get everything we want. I had a lemon berry fizz…

We ordered some green chili wontons which are kind of a thing around here and they are delish…

and some queso…

I went home and Tom had pad thai for dinner, but I was full. I watched this movie Friday night…

It was cute.

Saturday, I spent almost the whole day outside! I started with coffee in the morning…

and some seasonal reading material for the first weekend of fall!

EO calmly hung out with me on the patio while we waited for Lance, I mean Tom, to get back from his first ride of his new bike…

Then Tom took EO on a long walk while I did Kroger and some household chores and then we spent the rest of the day like this watching the UK game and then a couple of shows…

Lololol – True love!

We can use the patio again! We had our lunch out there and just had a really nice day. I did some reading, too, and finished this book by the end of the day yesterday. It was different and cute. I miss Emma M. Lion and am ready for volume 4!

We ordered pizza for dinner and watched Brothers with Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey.

Yesterday I vacuumed, mopped, did laundry, and then Tom and I checked out a new international grocery. It was so crowded and the line to check out was so long, so we didn’t buy anything.

I spent some more time reading in my happy place. We would’ve boated but the river is messed up again – high and full of debris from rains and storms that flow down to our area. We haven’t had much rain lately here.

Our temps were in the 70s all weekend long and I think that is my sweet spot! You can wear shorts or pants and you need a sweatshirt in the mornings and evenings! Ahhhh!

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Amy

Friday, September 25, 2026

How was your week? Mine was good! It was pretty crazy at the start of the week because Monday felt like summer and then – boom – Tuesday, the official start of fall, called for a cardigan! I celebrated by wearing my pumpkin t-shirt with it!

As usual, I have a bunch of random (usually little) favorites. I hope my favorites help you look at the little things in your life and feel happy, too. I am linking up with Andrea and Erika today, per usual.

Let’s go back to Sunday first at Tom’s side of the family gathering. There was a beautiful pool and it was so sticky hot. I got in – alone. I have no regrets. We had to get on the road back to Eddie Otis and Tom commented, “You didn’t stay in the pool for long” and I said that I had zero regrets. I cooled down and was happy on the ride home. I think I would have regretted NOT getting in! Would you have gotten in alone? Disclaimer to say that the hostess told us to bring our suits and I was invited to use the pool!

I am so thankful that this wasn’t a catastrophe. On the way to the family gathering, a car in front of us swerved and we didn’t know why. We were unfortunately unable to swerve in time to avoid hitting this rotor hub that had flown off of a truck ahead of the car. It made the loudest noise but we kept driving and Tom got under the car when we got home, and it must have just bounced up on the undercarriage of the car and didn’t appear to do any damage.

This is what it looked like:

So scary!

The new short Costco Hunter boots are great! I’m so happy to have new boots that keep my feet dry!

I had tall Hunter boots that lasted about 10 years. I finally donated them. I know this brand (unless they have gone to cheaper materials) lasts.

Eddie Otis and I did a new walk for him that included this pretty water feature:

He looks so wistful and longing but I think he is just being cautious before he gets out.

I visited a boutique that moved into a new space this week. It had lots of great stuff! Shop local!

I tried the “viral” Starbuck’s grilled cheese for myself this week. It’s really about method. Did you know that grated (freshly grated by you) cheese is the way to go? You mix your cheese with butter and garlic powder and then spread it on the inside of your sandwich and then grill. It was really good!

Ah, Emma M. Lion and I have been really close this week. It’s just delightful.

I am enjoying using my Anthropologie mug from last year! It’s so cute!

This is kind of silly and not the best for the environment, but I ordered some plastic cups with lids and straws and some tiny condiment containers. I have enjoyed using them this week for my iced coffees and electrolytes and the little cups for hummus for Tom or as you see here a few chocolate chips for him.

I don’t really care about sports. I said it. This year, I am actually enjoying watching University of Kentucky football games with Tom. I’m reading at the same time but I like this time together. There is a new young coach and he is infusing a lot of new energy so that’s fun.

Also, his mom has a cake business called “Sissy Cakes”. Her cakes were sold at my Paul’s Fruit Market and I met her at a Christmas fair last year (before he was announced to be the new coach) but now she has gotten so popular because of her son (and because the cakes are really good, but her son brought a lot of publicity) that she only sells from her own storefront now. So, that’s kind of fun! They are super moist (sorry!) bundt cakes. They come in lots of sizes.

So, maybe we shall eat the coach’s mom’s cake during the games? Heather dropped off a couple of pieces of the orange juice flavor that she had leftover from an event and I kept telling Tom to eat “Will Stein’s mom’s cake”.

I bought a mum! Eddie Otis sniffed it and then look dubious about whether his mom will keep it alive.

I am so charmed by the pumpkins with acne. They are called “knucklehead” apparently and I don’t think that’s very nice. I bought one and a white one.

Look at these weird guys – they look like they have leprosy. They are kind of cool. I didn’t get their name.

I love stalks of corn. They remind me of my Indiana roots.

Ok, I don’t want this to become a problem but hear me out…the Diet Dr. Pepper in the football can is really crispy. The plastic bottle I bought last week was meh. I have been craving a soft drink a bit and I don’t want to get in the habit. I can buy just one at Paul’s Fruit Market, a fave little market by my house.

Tom and I had a rare weeknight out to see a jazz trio. Tom originally wanted to take the whole family but Mason would be in Santa Fe and Jack works late and closes on Wednesdays so that was a little sad but we enjoyed it just the two of us.

Not sure they will stay here but they made me happy:

And I wanted to announce that it’s now been a year of “Scandinavian sleeping”. We each have our own duvet with comforter inside. It looks a bit odd but we love the complete control and ownership this arrangement has allowed! We really have glädje and lagom!

This has been a weird Friday Favorites but do you expect anything different from me?

I want to remind you to join in for Fashion Files on Tuesday and that Currently is coming up soon, too: October’s Currently will be on Wednesday, October 7 and the prompts are: Falling for, Scaring (me), Working on, Loving, and Entertaining (me).

What was a favorite of yours this week?

Amy

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Ah, fall! We just love it so much, don’t we? Let’s not think of what’s coming and try to live in the moment. What’s coming, you ask? WINTER!

I am going to use some photos from past seasons in this post, fyi.

Here are some things I hope to do this season…

Decorate for fall! Buy real or faux mums and pumpkins for porch. Decorate fall in general September 1 and add Halloween October 1 and Thanksgiving November 1.

Eat on patios now that it’s tolerable again

Enjoy apple flavors in September

Enjoy pumpkin flavors in October

Use solo stove on porch

Watch tv on porch

Entertain on porch

Play mah jong

Read some fall themed books

Watch some fall themed shows/movies

Make soup and try some new soup recipes

Make my first batch of chili

Do some hiking

Bake bread

Make some new recipes – I really enjoyed learning a bunch of new German recipes last year. Tom and I took a German cooking class, bought a German cookbook from our old German restaurant no longer in business and we really embraced the whole German theme! I haven’t decided what kind of recipes to try this year

Take lots of fall photos

Clean out and organize fall clothing

Go to fall events

Go to the pumpkin chunkin’ event/fundraiser

Make a German meal for Oktoberfest

Experiment with fall flavored coffee/cocktails

Make apple cider sangria

Fall leaf peeping on the boat

Celebrate besties’ birthdays – first bestie is September, second is October, and then mine is November

Celebrate my birthday

Celebrate Thanksgiving

What about you? What is on your fall list? Do you make one?

Amy

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

It’s Wednesday and that means it’s time for Hodgepodge with Joyce!

1. Fall arrives this week in the northern hemisphere. Does it look/feel like fall where you live?What’s something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel its officially fall? 

*If you’re answering today from the southern hemisphere feel free to sub spring for the word fall. 

It is starting to feel like fall is in the air. I noticed some leaves starting to fall a couple of weeks ago amidst the crazy September heat we had. We have had a few mornings where you can feel the hint of fall. Ahhhhh! September and October are super crazy in the world of education so last year, my first year of retirement, was a real treat. It was nice to feel like I got to enjoy fall! I enjoyed reading outside, walking more, and just stopping to smell the pumpkins – lol.

2. What’s a small daily task or chore that always seems to fall through the cracks when your schedule gets busy?

I think I would say dusting. I can get to the laundry, dishes, floors pretty well, but dusting always seems to be last.

3. What’s something you’re falling for lately? 

The Emma M. Lion series – omg! It’s what I needed. I don’t normally buy fiction books. I use my library. The last several books I’ve read have just been “mid” as the kids say. Well, I bought and started Volume 1 and I was so happy to have a book that was way more than “mid”. I proceeded to buy more in the series and request later books from the series from the library. Since I save so much money with my library, I am fine to buy some of these! I just want to savor them. Have you read her yet?

4.  Pumpkin is a popular flavor this time of year.  Are you a fan? What’s your favorite pumpkin flavored food or beverage?  

I love pumpkin! I have not bought a PSL at Starbuck’s and I never even think about Starbuck’s anymore thanks to my Chobani creamers and my frother. I have already had Chobani pumpkin spice creamer this season and I am going to make some pumpkin bread or muffins soon. I would say pumpkin bread is my favorite. I love pumpkin pie, too. I usually just have one or two slices per year.

By the way, if you are starting to think about Christmas shopping, the plug in frother would be a great gift for a coffee lover in your life.

5.What’s something you wish would never change? Explain. 

Gosh, Joyce, what a tough question. I guess I would say good old-fashioned morals and values, etiquette, and how to treat people, and how to live.

I am not sure where many are getting this anymore and it appears that many aren’t. I am worried about this. As technology evolves, I feel like we are missing the new skills to navigate said technology in the “right” way and I feel that we’ve forgotten that many things haven’t changed. If you wouldn’t say something directly to someone, don’t say it on the internet. Is it ethical to use AI to do your homework? Does anyone even care about ethics? Does your good name mean anything? I used to get into these conversations with my students when it came up. I felt that I had a powerful platform and a responsibility to use it.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Aren’t pumpkins and gourds beautiful? I really want to go crazy and buy a bunch and make a display. I would enjoy them on my back porch where I would see them the most.

What about you? How would you answer any of the questions this week?

Amy

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Well, it’s here – at least on the calendar! It is the first official day of fall as you are reading this. Last week here in Louisville, Ky we had a heat advisory, and it was so hot, muggy, and sticky on Sunday while we were at a primarily outdoor family gathering so I was done!

I’m hoping to show you some different outfits soon! I feel like I have been on repeat for the last several weeks, but that’s real life and I show you my real outfits – I swear!

Here are some ‘fits from the past week…

This consigment striped button up really needs a camisole underneath, but it was so hot that I went without. I can’t even remember where I went in it. I have on my side stripe Halaras so you’ve got the stripe on stripe.

To go see my former student’s baby, I put on this tee I bought at Old Navy for Valentine’s last year because it is cherries shaped like hearts. But I think you can enjoy cherries and hearts anytime, no? The shirt is a pale pink even though it looks white and I wore it with what have become my favorite athletic shorts – clearance Old Navy this season pink with red trim. I wish I could find more of them. They have a fun little flutter on the sides.

I wore this is meet my friend for happy hour – I have on last year’s purchase of Free People canvas mary janes, Halara light wide legged denim, and an embroidered blouse that was a TJ Maxx find in early summer this year.

I looked at my fall and winter stuff and went ahead and pulled out my fall graphic tees from Old Navy last year. I bought “Witching Hour” and one with tiny pumpkins and I wore both last week! I wore “Witching Hour” to run some Saturday mornings and then I changed into…

this dress for the celebration of life I attended Saturday afternoon with my friend for another friend’s husband. It is old Walmart Free Assembly and I wanted to wear it because it had pockets for my keys since I didn’t want to carry a bag. It was also super hot that day and this dress is made of a cool feeling fabric.

For the family gathering low country boil on Sunday I wore my Old Navy skort one last time since it’s pretty summery and the white Target blouse. I ended up changing to flip flops instead of these sandals.

I got a wild hair and decided to stop by Old Navy in person instead of placing an online order that I planned. I wanted this witch hat graphic tee. I didn’t realize it was part of the Disney collection and I am not a Disney Adult. I also didn’t realize it also had black cats and little orange and yellow doo dads. This is why shopping in person can definitely be better! It was only sale for $10.

I also grabbed this Summer Fridays t-shirt that was on sale. I think it was $8.49. I liked the light blue and thought it would look good under something.

And, I got this brown interesting shoulder tee for $7. I think I can wear it under a certain sweater I have and I am loving brown right now.

What can I say? I love a tee. The Old Navy graphic tees are cut for women and super soft. They aren’t fast fashion if I keep them for several years. I try to baby them and wash them on cold. I need to line dry them, too, I think.

What have you been wearing lately? Buying? Prepping for fall?

Join the party here!

Amy

Monday, September 21, 2026

How was your weekend? I’m linking up with Sarah and Holly to share about mine and my words will be brief because I am writing this much later than I normally do. You will see the difference between morning blogger Amy and evening blogger Amy. Some of you are thinking “finally she won’t be so wordy”.

Friday night we ate dinner at Mojito with our friends. When in Rome…you must order a mojito there. They are sooo good!

I got a grilled fish sandwich and left off most of the bread; it’s a lot!

It finally rained! Yay! It rained both Friday night and Saturday morning.

You guys – I am in a Emma M. Lion vortex and so happy about it. The wait list was too long at the library so I ordered it on Amazon. Then, I quickly ordered the next two volumes of the nine volume series. I believe the ninth comes out in February. They are written as journal entries and set in 1883. It’s a bit of a Bridgerton or Gilded Age vibe but the journal writer, Emma, is hilarious in her observations.

I made myself the most delicious breakfast burrito Saturday and browned the outside. I need to do that again!

Then, I took myself on a mission to get some food for the day and to get a graphic tee at Old Navy. I wanted the witches hat!

Then, I got dressed for a celebration of life and picked up my friend Victoria and we went together to our teaching friend’s husband’s service. We all taught together 26 years ago.

I was starving and stopped by our new Jersey Mike’s and that would be my late lunch and dinner it turned out!

I put some game day snacks/dinner together later for Tom but I couldn’t eat anything else.

We watched the UK game late because Tom was gone some of the afternoon, too.

And, Sunday morning I made Mix and Match Mama’s apple cobbler and it was a hit at the family event we took it to…

We drove about an hour and a half to Tom’s cousin’s house for a family get together.

Her house is gorgeous and overlooks Kentucky farmland and we had a low country boil…

Look how she prepped the pats of butter for the corn with the corn holders:

What a nice day!

And, look at this forecast…

I will take the rain for those temps!

I’m sorry for what I said when I was hot!

Amy

Friday, September 18, 2026

Happy Friday! How was your week? Ours was hot! We had another heat advisory, but we think this might really be the last week of heat. I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some of my favorites.

Here are my favorites in no particular order…

I have a former student who has a new baby and I got to visit this week! I took her a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel, hot coffee, iced coffee and a baby gift. I stayed for about an hour, and it was so nice to catch up, and I got to hold the baby!

I brought her my favorite diaper cream and this fall onesie.

Boy am I rusty! I hadn’t held and fed a baby this tiny probably since my youngest nephew was a baby and he is 12 now!

I enjoyed this earring combo this week. I have these little bows and I put them next to my little faux diamonds. I think I have decided not to do a third piercing because my friend’s daughter just had hers done, it got infected and she had to get an antibiotic! Also, I don’t want to sleep in the earrings.

I decided to keep the short Hunter boots that I got at Costco. I can wear them comfortably without socks and they were pretty easy to slip on.

My friend Beth gave me some of the cutest little tomatoes her husband has been growing and we picked them ourselves.

We also had a happy hour and went to a new to me place called Epiphany and I loved it.

Look at my cute drink:

And they had a choose 3 appetizer deal and we got house made pickles, bacon jam, and queso.

I am obsessed with dark green and picked up this Essie polish this week at Ulta:

I am using this and I already see a difference:

At the music festival, I must have gotten something in my eye because my eye was tearing up and my eye was red. I tossed my mascara just in case and cleaned my eyelid and corner of my eye with these for a couple of days:

I also bought this Dibs stick that I had been wanting at Ulta. It has bronzer on one side and blush on the other. I love a stick makeup.

This week I have been reading:

I’ve been watching Below Deck on Bravo, Real Housewives of New York and Salt Lake City (just started), and Dancing with the Stars but I record it and fast forward through all the talking. Did you see Ezra Frech? I watched him dance twice and cried both times. How amazing! Tom and I are watching Ted Lasso and Chad Powers, too.

Love this type of lunch I had a couple of days this week:

I loved this house in Maine from a blog I read. Check it out here!

Hot walk with EO:

And, I had another happy hour yesterday with my friend Victoria at Le Moo. We both had a good cocktail and enjoyed a little pig in a blanket and some crab dip.

It was nice to catch up!

What about you? What was a favorite of yours this week?

Amy

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Jen often does this type of post, and I felt really happy by little things in my life the other day and started my own list! They are in no particular order! I hope you enjoy this and leave me a little happy that you experienced in the comments!

My new wooden cutting board that is the perfect size and can double as a charcuterie board

One coat of Kur Londontown on my nails – or two coats! It’s called illuminating nail concealer and it’s your nails but better.

Asking Alexa to play soft jazz, coffee shop music, or something relaxing

The velvety feel of Eddie Otis’ ears

Going out in person to do my shopping instead of ordering

Froth

The smell of a struck match and my long matches in a pretty box

Ted Lasso and listening to Tom laugh while watching it on Wednesday nights when a new episode releases

Jack coming for dinner Sunday night and Facetiming with Mason and listening to their inside jokes

Tom coming home at the end of the day – Eddie Otis and I both wag our tails – lol

Watching the joy of Eddie Otis when Tom comes home

Using up what I have and not wasting

Getting a message from a former student

Eddie Otis’ silly things like carrying this cooler around

A heavy glass

What are some “little happies” you’ve experienced lately?

Amy

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

It’s Hodgepodge with Joyce day!

1. How do you define beauty? 

There’s beauty all around us. I love color and color combinations that are pleasing to the eye. I feel like I’m less hurried now and can stop and notice that beauty more now. I love when a store takes the time to make a display look nice. You don’t get that shopping online, do you? In people, beauty can be embracing who you are and what your natural looks are. I really don’t think most people who have had “work done” look very good. I also think personality makes people beautiful.

2. Have you ever taken a trip by train? If so where did you go and what did you think of the experience? If not do you have any desire to do so? Where would you like to go? (You might find inspiration here-The Best Train Trips in The World)

I love a train! My mom was from Chicago and one of the highlights of visiting her side of the family at least once a year was taking the “EL” train. My mom also planned a big Amtrak adventure for us from Chicago to Seattle when I was 12. I have taken trains in Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, England, and Scotland. I may have missed a country. I think trains are amazing and wish we still had that option more in the US.

Train Charcuterie in England:

3. Shell shocked, bombshell, bandshell, shellacking, in a nutshell, walking on eggshells…choose one and tell us why you chose it, or how it relates to your life in some way currently.

Honestly, I had to look some of these terms up! I would say “in a nutshell” since I have simplified so many things in my life. Right now, in a nutshell, I am a stay-at-home wife and dog mom.

4. Tacos, pistachios, oysters, clams, eggs…your favorite food on the list that comes in/with a shell? 

Eggs! I love eggs and like to start my day with an egg in some way. I grew up eating cereal with milk. My mom made egg casserole on holidays, though. Egg casserole continues to be a hoiday tradition.

5. Are birthdays a big deal in your house? Is your own birthday a big deal in some way? Elaborate. 

I love birthdays and celebrating the people in my life. I love my own birthday, too. I have learned to ask for what I want in terms of that day. I am not above ordering my own cake. I think birthday traditions in different countries are interesting.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Next month, the Global Writing Challenge theme is birthday so I would love to hear your traditions for yourself or for the people in your life.

Amy