Monday, November 11, 2019

Thank you to our service men and women on this Veteran’s Day.  I am linking up with Heather, Tanya, etc. for Hello Monday!  Go here for more posts!  

Friday morning, I got a text about a Girl’s Night Out!  My two besties and I met at a newish Italian place in a strip mall called “Grassa Gramma”.  Once inside, you do not feel like you are in a suburban strip mall.  The interior is a sight to behold!  

The server starts with a toast to life that is on the house followed by some amazing ciabatta bread!

My friend’s beautiful sangria!  

I got a specialty cocktail with vodka.  The glasses are so pretty!  

We decided to split the artichoke dip with flatbread, ceasar salad, and two different types of pizzas.  

I forgot to get a photo of the salad but it was the best I have ever had in my life!  

Look at this fountain in the middle of the restaurant!  

Yes, I am wearing the same outfit from last weekend!  I swear we did not plan the burgundy and black color scheme!  My friend in the middle does have on camo  but the light makes it hard to see.  

Saturday bright and early was hair day!  

Oops – I said I wanted to go shorter, but not this short!  I will get used to it and it will grow quickly.  I love the updated color, though!  

The rest of the day was grocery, cooking soup, a dip, and a dessert, tv watching, reading, and nothing big.  It really was so nice after going, going, going.  I miss Mason so much!  We just feel lopsided around here.  Both Friday and Saturday nights I was in bed around 9.

Sunday morning was coffee, reading, meal prepping, and school work.  I have managed to get behind again and we have grades due for the 12 weeks grading period. 

What did you do this weekend?  I hope it was a great one!

Amy 

Friday, November 8, 2019

Welcome to Friday Favorites and the link up with Andrea, etc. right here!  Today I have a hodge podge for you, but coming soon – how I spent my birthday money, fall color combos, what to wear for Thanksgiving, and some gift guides/gift ideas as you start your shopping!  I am excited to work on these posts and hope you will come back and visit me.  

I definitely read more in the summer but I think it is important to read all year long.  I cannot be a happy wife, mom, teacher, etc. if I give up my favorite hobbies.  So, when do I read?  I read instead of scrolling on my phone while I am waiting, in the early evening, and mostly on weekends.  

I just finished this cute and easy read.  I liked hearing about the behind the scenes of a rennaissance faire but the book was about characters who have some baggage when they meet.  

Then, I started this.  I have had this on request at the library since this summer.  Again, another cute story about people with some baggage.  All of my books come from the library because I am on a budget and I cannot handle the book clutter that my hobby could lead to!  

Tuesday was exciting because our election day in Kentucky got people excited about exercising their voting privilege!  We had a nail biter for our governor and the candidate that had been so nasty to educators and the public education system was defeated. 

Whose hand is that?  Well, it is mine of course, but do you ever look at a body part and think when did I get that old?  

After voting I took myself to the nail salon.  It was time to get rid of OPI Malaga Wine.  This was 4.5 weeks.  

I went with Suzi and the Artic Fox by OPI.  Hope you do not tire of my nail saga.  I like to get color ideas, personally!  

This might show the color better.

I am starting to think about bedding for my new room (even though it is still not that close to being ready) and my bestie is good with decor and told me to look at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Steinmart, TJ Maxx and Home Goods, and Target to start.  

This is on sale for under $40 but I have not gotten to feel it in person.  I will not  buy anything scratchy!  The walls are going to be a light greige and I want to keep things neutral and calming.  

With the time change and the weather turning, I have been turning to all things cozy.  I have been lighting a candle in the mornings with my coffee and it makes me happy.  

These are the Starbucks mugs I collect.  This one if from our 2016 trip to Germany.  

I am loving my Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize and here is a strange close up of my eyelid.  It is a pot of creamy product and you can put a little or build up and it kind of is eyeshadow for dummies (me) like I said in my birthday gift post here.  

My son is in Prague now but here are some photos from Vienna.  They took waltz lessons in the photo below.  

I stopped into Trader Joes this week and thought you might want to see these turkeys!  I am not hosting but thought if you were they would make great table decor or place settings?  

What were your favorites this week?  

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Are you a fan of the crock pot?  Fall definitely screams crock pot season to me!  I recently took the time on a weekday morning to get this started and I wanted to share it with you.  It could not be easier!  I cannot express to you how satisfying it was to come in the door to the wonderful smells and to know that dinner was done!!!!

Grocery List:  

A pork tenderloin (I got the already seasoned kind but I added spices, too. You could also get a beef roast.)

onion (cut into large chunks)

baby carrots (I like these the best for this recipe and you just dump the bag in!)

potato chunks or little red potatoes (I had to peel and cut into large chunks because that is what I had on hand)

EVOO and whatever spices you like (I did some garlic powder, cajun, pepper, and garlic salt)

water

I lined the bottom with foil for easier clean up.  Layer in your onion, carrots, and potatoes and add roast on top.  Add EVOO, spices, and water (about a cup).  Set for 8 hours on low is my recommendation.  

I forgot to get a final product photo!  Serve with a salad or bread!

Also, this same day I had my Instacart grocery delivery and I felt like I was winning!  Ha!  Let me know if you try it!  

Amy 

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

It’s Election Day!  We are out of school today – I think it’s a Kentucky state law that we must be out because they use many schools for polling places.  Hopefully by the time you are reading this I have already voted!  

My thoughtful sister sent me a Myra bag on the left.  I have one that is a bit taller and slimmer and with mostly brown that I have talked about a few times.  This one is gorgeous with some light green and cowhide and I love it.  They are available at local boutiques and on Amazon.  They are very budget friendly and made of all recycled materials.  My sister said this was made from an old tent.  I can speak to the quality.  Check them out here!  

My friend and sister- in- law Jessica gave me something I have wanted since summer but hesitated to buy – the Brumate slim can koozie on the right in rose gold(which I love!) – I think I thought it was too expensive for a drink holder.  I had even already ordered a monogram for it from Heather!  Check out Oh My Glitter designs for your monograms.  Monogram it all, I say!  

With some of the money I got, I finally got the Charlotte Tillbury Eyes to Mesmerize in Bette.  This is like eye shadow for dummies because it shades it for you, in my opinion. I love that it is not a powder and is a creamy formula.  

My sweet friend and faithful blog reader Jessica gave me these awesome Tanologist tanning drops.  She said to put a drop in my moisturizer.  I put 4 drops and was glowing the next day – in a good way.  I had really wanted to try these and thought it was such a thoughtful gift and I don’t think I told her I wanted to try them.  

My college bestie Heather gave me these cool earrings from Versona and…

This necklace with my boys’ birthdate in Roman numerals.  I love it so much!  

I told my husband not to get me anything but dinner out because of our renovation.  My son in Europe is adding to my Starbuck’s city mugs collection and my musical theatre son learned a song in Spanish and sang it for me.  I also received some money from my mom and in-laws and I am excited to add a few new fall pieces.

I feel utterly spoiled and blessed this year.  

If you are starting your shopping list for the holidays, I think the necklace, the tanning drops, or the Myra bag would all make great gifts.  I personally love receiving Yeti cups, Tervis Tumblers, and the like.  Don’t forget about Etsy; they have such great stuff and you are helping a small business!  

I am sure I will talk gift ideas several more times!

Thanks for reading,

Amy 

Monday, November 4, 2019

My 48th birthday was Saturday and it was also the long anticipated departure date for my son’s European adventure.  He has been taking a Humanities class for a year (January-May of junior year and August-November of senior year)  to learn all about the landmarks and history of the 5 countries they are visiting.  

After the airport, our other son was at theatre for most of the day, so hub and I went to the mall to eat and look around a bit.  

Then Saturday night, a small group helped me celebrate at The Omni Hotel Speakeasy and then dinner in one of the hotel restaurants.  

The Speakeasy has bowling lanes you can rent and the atmosphere is really cool!  Outfit details coming Wednesday!  

I ordered a chicken sandwich which is kind of boring for a birthday meal, but it was really good and I took more than half home for Jack.  

This cake is from Phlen’s Bakery which is 95 years old and a local favorite and it is called a shadow cake.  My friend told hub what to order and it was spectacular!  

Sunday morning my son and his group arrived in Budapest, Hungary and this was their evening view on Sunday night.  How picture perfect!  

This is short and sweet because even though we gained an hour, I was up most of the night answering the phone tree calls when the flights landed and then calling the person below me!  I also tracked on http://www.flightaware.com.  That is a really cool site to see if flights are on time and to track progress. There were 3 flights involved so we are lucky there were no delays. 

I am not looking forward to darkness coming so early now and then the shortest day of daylight will be December 20, I think!  What about you?  I need to make more of an effort to get sunlight during the day when I can so I don’t get seasonal affective disorder.  

This is a weird week for us.  The students don’t have school today or Tuesday.  Today all of the teachers in our district have to go to a seminar downtown at a hotel and tomorrow is election day and I think it is a state law that we have to be out.  This is why the European trip falls right now – so the students don’t miss as much school.  

How was your weekend?  I hope it was great.
Come back tomorrow to see my super thoughtful gifts I received!

Amy 

Friday, November 1, 2019

How is it already November?  What a week!  I was out three nights this week which is not like me at all.  But, I was organized and had a great week!  I am linking up today with Andrea, etc.  so go right here!

Texting with teens is actually really fun and helps our relationships, I think!  

Jack asked me to do something but forgot to say “please” and mine is blue and his is the grey below.

Out of curiousity I got the Hallmark Channel app. If you are a fan I recommend it!

I did another Instacart this week. I think I’m going to continue with this instead of Kroger pick up. The website seems more user friendly to me.

Jack’s first choir concert was this week and they were so good!

I got my Pioneer Woman magazine in the mail!

And, we got a new Marshall’s near me!

How was your week?

Happy Friday!

Amy

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Happy Halloween!  It does not mean much to me anymore now that my kids are teens and it falls on a school night.  It is business as usual around here, but we will put the boys in charge of handing out candy and I will make chili and mummy dogs (hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough).  Ha!  It looks like the weather will be cold and make it a perfect chili night.  

When my boys were in elementary school I got my first pair of tall Target rain boots.  I loved them.  They lasted for a year or so and I bought another pair.  I was surprised by how much I wore them.  I wore them to walk the boys to and from school and to walk the dog.  I wore them when it was not even raining due to the wet dew on the grass or because it had rained the day before.  I wore the heck out of both pairs of $20ish boots!  

After the second pair of cheap boots bit the dust, I decided to splurge on the black matte Hunter boots I coveted.  I have them 7 years later and they still look great!  

Tip:  I bought mine at Von Maur and they are the wide calf version.  I never usuaally buy wide calf boots but the sales lady told me they were slightly shorter for shorter people or people with shorter legs.  They hit me at the perfect place.  

Tip:  Costco currently has navy and green for $89.99!  

I won a $500 Nordstrom gift card from Mix and Match Mama and Sheaffer Told Me To last December and decided to get the shorter in a fun color with part of my winnings.  

I wear them in the light snow, too.  I wear them in all 4 seasons!  

They came in super handy for the wet Derby party last year!  

So, buy the boots!  There are plenty of good brands besides Hunter, but I can definitely speak to the quality of Hunter.  You will be surprised by how much wear you get out of them and then the price per wear makes them super affordable!  

My perspective on rain most definitely changed after I had my first pair.  I was no longer upset when it rained and I almost looked forward to the rain so I could wear them.  I loved to style them with my outfits.  

I almost think this can be a metaphor for life.  If you are prepared or if you look for the silver lining, most things are not so bad.  It is all about perspective.  

Whoa – getting deep! You thought this was merely a post about rain boots!  

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

I’m linking up with The Style Six so click right here to check out some fall fashions!

My necklace is messed up but here is the Versona ruffle vest that is so soft once again.  I told you I would wear this a bunch!  Matilda Jane pants and a TJ Maxx top that is too long with my MIA Sofia clogs complete the outfit for school.  

My one of two Free People tops, MJ pants, consignment necklace and consignment Tieks were the next day school outfit for me.  

I made a trip to Target and my black monochromatic base topped by my new super soft leopard duster was my outfit of choice.  I looked at the clothing section but did not buy!  

This has been my two Saturdays in a row outfit.  Black leggings, black long top, new this season Target A New Day poncho (it is seriously a great quality) and my older leopard scarf.  My hair looked bad – sorry!  The last Saturday I wore flats and no rain jacket but this past Saturday it was a cold and rainy day.  

Saturday night out outfit:  I wore my MIA Abba Clogs (slightly higher heel and not work worthy for my feet), my Hue jeggings, my short sleeve leopard with an old Target wrap.  I was mixing seasons a bit with the light top but I tend to get overheated in crowded restaurants so it was very comfortable.  I really need a couple of nice night out blouses with jeans and some new shoes for this purpose, too.  

This past Monday after school I got a text from hub saying his work chili cook off was that day and he wanted me to go with him around 4:30.  This girl likes to plan ahead but I decided to be spontaneous and go out on a Monday!  What???  Who am I?  The weather was gorgeous.  I wore my short sleeve poncho, black capris, and open toe slides.  

There was a band and each construction company had their chili and most booths had a signature cocktail, too.  You were supposed to vote on best chili and best theme.  

His company theme was ¨Netflix and Chili¨.  It was the best theme for sure!  

Hub sat in his display.  I got a jello shot from one of the booths.  It was literally a jello shot in a shot!  

It was a lot of fun!  I am glad I said yes and we were still home by 6:30 to eat dinner with our boys!  

What have you worn lately?  Where have you been hanging out?  Ha!

Thanks for visiting me!

Amy 

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

I have a problem.  I really like buying lip colors.  I am trying to use what I have and be content with what I have – because I have plenty.  And, I always like to have something on my lips.  This fall I was wanting a fall rust/brown color but I went the drug store route to see if I really liked this color on me.  

I found Maybelline Spice For Me.  

I can top it with NYX butter gloss in Creme Brulee if I want to tone it down a bit.  

Just the Spice for Me:

Spice for Me with the butter gloss on top:  

I still love Revlon Goldpearl Plum but I was really wanting this new color and I wore it all weekend!  

Do you have any Fall colors to recommend?  Do you change it up for the seasons?  I really love a red lip with leopard print and I need to find a perfect red for me!  Any suggestions?  

Amy