Thursday, September 26, 2019

Did you see my recent post on why I love Matilda Jane brand pants here?  Are you tired of hearing about them?  Ha!  I thought I would do one more follow up and show you my collection.  I wanted to show this for my first post but my full time job got in the way – just keeping it real here!  Only three of my MJ pants were purchased full price ($59) and the rest were consignment finds.  Yes, I am lucky to live in a city with GREAT consignment stores!  Also, this was over a year a year’s time and also these are the staple of my pants wardrobe.  I don’t think I need any more at this point!  

I apologize for the wrinkles in the photos below.  I let all of them hang dry and then I use Downy wrinkle release before hanging them.  They are excellent quality and the only thing I dislike is the giant tag.  

This is the $18 new with tags consignment pair that started it all.  I have noticed this is a 2019 Pantone color of the year, too, by the way.  It is a very dark evergreen with grey notes.  They have really worked with a lot of my clothes.  All of the pants you will see below I think work for all of the seasons except for my velvet ones.  

This light moss green color hits me where a capri pant would.  I wear these the least of all of my pairs but I still like them.  These were also around $18 consignment.  

These are a little bit lighter than a navy but I have had a lot of tops that work with them.  They were from a Facebook sale and under $15.  

Another pair from my local consignment store and these are really a size small but they work.  I have found I can wear 2-3 different sizes of these and I’m going to cover the waist with a top anyway.  I really like the brown and grey combo.  

These are my two full priced pairs that I bought together.  One is just the regular material and the other is velvet.  I found that I wore them to all of my holiday events last year.

And, this is my last full price pair that I ordered most recently.  These required a hem but my tailor was able to keep the fun bottoms.  These are called the Finn.  

And, my last two were also part of the Facebook sale along with the blue ruffle.  I thought this olive green was really unique and again they had to hemmed and my tailor simply moved up the detail on the bottom.  

And, finally these also had to be hemmed and she used the same method.  These are the most casual of the bunch and I think they will be my weekend pants. I am a little embarrassed as I know I have quite the collection.  This is kind of what I do – when I like something I go all in!  But:  they make me happy, they fit great and I think they are flattering, they are great quality, I love the unique vibe, and they work with my lifestyle and my other pieces.  And, I was lucky to find some great deals on them through my consignment shopping skills and the Facebook sale I found.  

If you want to jump in, I would definitely say to just get a black ruffle pair or the black Finn pant.  Let me know if you have any questions?
Also, do you have a brand that you swear by?  I am always interested in this because I truly value quality and tried a true products.

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Thank you for following me on my new blog Instagram account!  

Happy hump day to you!  

I want to work on the areas of athleisure and night out clothing in my wardrobe.  I picked up these blush pants at a sporting goods store by Carrie Underwood – the brand Calia.  They were majorly reduced.  

Last winter I really wanted a velvet kimono from this local boutique but it was $80 so I did not get it.  Target does it again.  A New Day brand had this in the accessories section for $27.  I can still return it, but I think it will be great for holiday and winter outings.  

Here is the detail in the light.  

Last week was spirit week and this was my attempt at decades day – I went with 70s.  

My co-worker did 50s.  

This was just a typical day at school.  Another day another pair of Matilda Jane pants!  

This was my Sunday boat outfit.  

This was outdoor concert attire.  I wore my most comfortable Reef flip flops, drawstring linen shorts, and white Old Navy top because it was still going to be hot until the sun went down.

And, last outfit…

And, this week at school is jeans week to raise money for pediatric cancer.  If you are a jeans person, this is your fall uniform.  Get just a couple of pairs of jeans that fit you great and a couple of cute blouses and for simple accessory – ADVdesigns leather earrings on Etsy.  I have not talked about these clogs – I ordered them in the spring and they finally came in the summer.  They were around $20 and you get what you pay for!  They are not real leather but I guess they look o.k.!

What is your favorite?  What are you wearing this week?  

Amy 

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Before we talk shoes, I started an Instagram for the blog!  Please follow me on Instagram at Coffeeandcocktailsatthecasa!  I will follow you back!  I have a personal account but I use it mostly for Spanish with my former students.  I hope to use my new blog Instagram to connect more with my readers and with other bloggers!  

What are you wearing on your feet these days?  I keep a pedicure year round and I wear open toe shoes as long as I can.  

The front two have been my school go to shoes.  They are comfortable for teaching all day and one or the other goes with all of my outfits.  

The back two are closed toe but I will start wearing these soon, too.  I have already worn the clogs a few times – cannot say enough about them.  They are the Sofia by MIA.  The open cut out booties were a consignment find but I like the idea of cut out booties for this time of year.  

I find that most of my fall clothes have tan, mustard, olive so that works well with a brown or tan shoe.  

Any suggestions for my early fall shoe wardrobe?  

Amy 

P.S. – Follow me on Instagram if you have an account!  

Monday, September 23, 2019

How was your weekend?  Mine was pretty good!  I’m linking up today with Heather, etc.  so go there to check out other posts.  

Friday after school I enjoyed some time to myself on my new patio furniture.  As much as I believe that it’s good to go out on Friday night to maximize your weekend, we all agreed to just stay home and order pizza, so that’s what we did!  

My newly painted patio ceiling and ceiling fan.  I love this little space and even more so because I haven’t been able to use it this season!  

I was happy to start a new book!  It is so cute!  

Saturday mornings Jack has theatre now so I dropped him off and then took myself to the library for a couple books on hold and then stopped at the fabulous farmer’s market.  

I finally found my white pumpkins.  I bought two small ones for my porch.  

I came home with my library and farmer’s market finds.  

I went back out to my patio for some tea and bread with apple cider jam.  

I picked up this cookbook.  Damaris is from Louisville. 

Hub picked Jack up from theatre and took him to buy his electric guitar that he’s been saving for.  I took Mason to his friend’s house and then I got to go to Bourbon and Beyond!  

My friend and I split tacos and totchos.  

We got to hear Hall and Oates.  

Sunday morning was some work and then a boat ride with just hub and I.  This is not Starbuck’s!  

We stopped to eat and then found this shady spot and the breeze felt amazing.  I feel hints of fall in the air.  

I have a busy week ahead with two evening activities this week on top of the normal stuff.  Then the crazy of September will come to an end.  Can you believe it’s the end of September already?  

I hope you have a great Monday and thanks for reading!  I have been having trouble with comments to my blog by the way.  I have sent a message to WordPress so I’m hoping everything is back to normal.  

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

Friday, September 19, 2019

Hello Friday!  How was your week?  Mine was pretty good but hectic as I think all September weeks tend to be.  Linking up with Andrea, etc. today!  

I picked up this little apple diffuser at Trader Joes last Saturday because I have dedicated September to all things apple!  It was under $5!  

I also got this apple cider jam.  I am hoping to do something cool with this.  Stay tuned…

This scent has made my week sooooo happy.  I love it.  I think I would use it as a body wash or lotion, too, if it came in that!  

This is our favorite salad around here lately. Baby spinach, cheddar cheese cut in tiny little chunks, red onion diced, and green apple.  Hub has been using Poppyseed dressing and I have been using just a bit of EVOO.  

Also, I love my fall plates.  I bought them a few years ago at Target. 

I really want to make these Smores bars but I know I will eat too many! Chasing Sweet and Simple blog posted them but I have made them before and know how delicious they are.  

So, I am a Spanish teacher and we celebrate Day of the Dead.  I have noticed how popular the skull has become for the general public.  I found these really nice glasses at Dollar Tree.  How cute!  

Look at this!  I really want to re-create this!  I love charcuterie boards and this is just too cute for words.  

How was your week?  Any fun weekend plans?  I would love to go to Bourbon and Beyond which is a bourbon and music festival but my kids and their plans come first so we will see.  

Make it a great one!

Amy 

Thursday, September 19, 2019

O.k., here goes!  I like to be very intentional about the seasons and make sure that I take full advantage!

-Cook things with apple in September and enjoy apple scents.

-Cook things with pumpkin in October and enjoy pumpkin scents.

-Go to fall races at Churchill Downs (my fave time to go!)

-Make a new soup!

-Bake bread!

-Sit at the firepit on the river at The River House/Levee restaurant

-Take a fall leaf peeping boat ride

-Go on the Louisville Ghost Walk

-Go to an Oktoberfest 

-Decorate for Fall, Halloween, and then Thanksgiving

-Make chili and maybe go to a chili cook off

-Watch football with friends

-Drink bourbon, taste bourbon, and make bourbon drinks

-Make my apple sangria

-Do college visits

-See some plays with the whole family

What am I forgetting?  

Amy 

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Hello!  Excited to link up with The Style Six again this week!

This was Friday school outfit: 

This was Thursday school outfit:  

This was Wednesday school outfit:  Note the Walmart sleeveless blouse.

These are my fab new bee sunglasses from Amazon.  One of my fave chefs from Food Network is Damaris Phillips and she lives in Louisville.  She wore a similar pair on Instagram.  

Nail Update:  I love dip!  This is the 2 week mark.  I am definitely more of a dark color person and I have loved this sparkle.  I am hoping to get another week and a half out of it making it cost a little over $1 a day.  

I am trying to show more weekend wear.  This is what I wore to watch the UK/FL game and I am wearing UK colors.  This blouse is consignment but Target Merona brand.  And, these are HUE jeggings and I love them.  Please look for some HUE.  I got these on sale at the end of last winter for like $12 at Macys.

This is spirit week and this was tropical day.  

My co-worker beat me badly in her tropical attire!  

Did you read my Matilda Jane post yesterday?  These are the Fin pants if this is more your speed.  I love, love, love these and how unique they are.  I just got them hemmed so now you will see more of them.  

What have you been wearing lately?  

Any favorite outfits above?  

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

My long time (one year!) readers probably already know that I have a slight obsession with a certain brand…

Matilda Jane – the brand we normally think of for little girls.  

No, I do not have a daughter.  I only stumbled across this brand for women through Andrea of Momfessionals blog.  She does have a daughter.  She had a reason to shop MJ!  I thought the pants looked cute on her and she is tiny.  I am not tiny.  So, I saw her wear them on her blog and forgot about them right way, but then…

Enter one of my favorite consignment stores in Louisville – Sassy Fox.  I was in the shop a few months later (this was last fall) and they had a small rack of Matilda Jane for women with tags still on them.  I found my first pair that day and I have worn the heck out of them!  I have washed them probably 40 times!  They are a dark olive color and they are slightly cropped with a fun flowery detail on the bottom.  I think I paid $18 and the normal cost is around $59 for a pair of pants.  I get compliments every time I wear them – no joke!  

I love that they are elastic waist and super comfortable and that they are unique.  Now, they are not the right style for everyone, but the quality is superb, in my opinion.  The only thing I do not appreciate is the giant label on them but I can overlook that.  

I have found three more pairs at my consignment store for less than $20 each, bought three from a Facebook seller for less than $20 each, and then I did purchase three pairs full price.  Some of their pants are not ruffle at the bottom.  That is not the only style they have.  So, my MJ collection is pretty extensive a year after my first purchase.  

You will see me wear a pair of these pants at least once a week.  I really love them.  I may look back at photos in a few years and wonder what I was thinking, but I am o.k. with that for the enjoyment I get out of them now.  

First olive pair again:

Black pair on left (full price) and navy pair (consignment) on right:  

Light moss color cropped above.

What do you think?  Do you have any experience with this company?  

Thanks for reading,

Amy 

P.S. – I am noticing other brands doing this type of ruffle bottom and maybe it is the 70s style that is making a big comeback!  

Monday, September 16, 2019

How was your weekend?  Mine was a lot of much needed time at home with a lot of productivity and a little bit of fun!

Thursday night Jack had theater and an audition so the other three of us tried out a new restaurant and got take out for Jack.  It had a nice atmosphere.  It was upscale pub food.  The only problem.  A lady 4 tables away with no one in between us was obnoxious!  I think she was tipsy, but she was talking so loudly that it really took away from our experience.  

Friday at school was a good day, but I brought home way too much work.  I broke out my Target glasses from last year and had some wine and cooked dinner at home Friday night.  

We also had a pasta bake.  We watched two episodes of That 70s Show with our boys.  

Saturday morning Trader Joe’s runs are my favorite.  They have several apple and pumpkin products out now!  

How cute are those leaf chips?  Jack and Mason explained to me that the many edges would just kill anyone’s mouth.  I guess they won’t be enjoying the bag I bought! 

I was excited to see the Kentucky reusable bags.  So cute!  

I also had to go to Target and I forgot it was the designer collaboration with Lilly Pulitzer, etc.  I didn’t get there until about 9 so it was calm.  I didn’t see anything I couldn’t live without!  

Finally!  I finally found the acorn spice scent in the handsoap and the cleaner.  Oh. my. gosh. this smells soooooo good in my opinion.  Go get some stat!  

After lunch, Mason went to a friend’s house to play Dungeons and Dragons (yes, this is still popular – at least with some of my boys’ friends) with 3 other dudes.  Jack and I went to my good friend Dan’s house to talk all things electric guitar.  Jack is buying one and wanted to get some advice.  He looks like such a serious rocker here!  

By dinnertime everyone was back at home and the boys wanted to order pizza while their Dad and I met two other couples at BJ’s for the UK/FL football game.  I got a Kentucky mule.  If you like a Moscow mule, the Kentucky mule has bourbon instead of vodka. 

My friend got the amazing sangria with prosecco and I was kind of jealous because I normally get that.  It’s so good, too!  

Sunday morning it was in the 60s and I wore my first leggings of the season!  I sat outside with coffee for just a bit before workers came to work on our project with hub.  He has been busting his butt working along side workers the last two weekends or working solo.  I know he is exhausted.  

I did meal prep and it makes me so happy!  These are my five breakfasts.  I didn’t take a photo of my lunches, but it is the mexican quinoa from this post.  

Then, remember I told you I brought so. much. work. home?  I had to get caught up or I knew my week would stink.  

The rest of the day was laundry, more grading, and a Hallmark movie.  Mason went bowling.  We have a busy week ahead but I’m going to try to take it one day at a time!  

How about you?  

Amy 

Friday, September 13, 2019

Wow – this week went by so quickly compared to last week in my opinion!  What is it about short weeks?

I am linking up with Andrea, etc. today so go there to see some more faves!  

Also, today is my mom’s birthday!  Yes, my parents had birthdays one day apart and they were the same age.  My mom is a faithful blog reader so happy birthday to her!    She has been super strong throughout the last year.  She has a big trip coming up with her college friends and I’m really excited for her!  How cool that they are still doing things together over 50 years later, right?  

My first favorite is my new Myra bag which is available on Amazon but I bought it at a local boutique for around $40.  It is made from recycled materials and I love the unique look of it.  It has held up well this week as my purse/tote for work.  

Since it’s almost fall, I broke out my favorite fall scent only available at Soft Surroundings – online or we have a store locally.  It is called “L” and I love the unique smell.  It is kind of woodsy with tobacco flower.  I hate a super sweet smell.  This is strong and a little goes a long way.  Pro tip:  Spray a bit in your hair for the scent to last longer.  

The boys and I have added elderberry for immune support.  They are from Trader Joe’s but you can get them anywhere.  I told both of my boys about it separately and they both quoted something from Monty Python.  This happens often with twins!  They both said, “Your mother smelled of elderberries!”  Ha!  Have you heard about elderberry to ward off illnesses?  We will also get the flu shot!

This is really good!  I picked it up on a whim and I really like it.  Give me all the pumpkin spice!  I have broken my rule and enjoyed pumpkin before October!  

I also picked this up at the regular grocery for a treat and it’s really good!  

The weather was so nice last weekend but it’s been hot hot hot this week.  My boy Ernie loves being outside.

We got the patio cleaned up and put out our new furniture that has been in boxes in the garage since June!  Also, we painted the patio ceiling white.  

This is my view from the patio. The construction mess has kept me from enjoying it all summer!  That’s o.k. – I love our fall weather for patio sitting along with a beverage!  

How was your week?  Any favorites?  Any fun plans?  

My boys take the ACT but other than that I don’t really know yet what’s on tap.

Thanks for reading!

Amy