Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Happy Independence Day!

If you need outfit ideas, go here!

If you need easy recipe ideas to take to a cookout or to host a cookout, go here and scroll to bottom!

Since I don’t have enough outfits to make a post for “What I Wore Wednesday” I thought I would change it up this week and tell you where I’ve been this week and where I’m planning to shop sales! 

Monday I did my usual morning routine and then left to run some errands. I had a blouse to pick up from the tailor. Do you have a tailor? I think it’s so important to mend clothes or get them out of your closet.

Then I went to meet my niece and Pia, the 17 year old German cousin,  for lunch at Zoe’s Kitchen. Do you have one near you? I ordered a Mediterranean trio bowl and it was delish! See below!

After lunch, we ventured in 3 stores. I didn’t buy anything but Pia found a shirt, a necklace, and hair things.  She is really finding some good bargains!

I left to pick up my Kroger Clicklist grocery order.  Moneysavingmom.com has been posting her Kroger deals and her free Friday downloads so I finally figured out some couponing while doing my online order.  I saved $23!  After my son and I did the unloading and putting away of all the things, I rested for a bit while watching a new to me Netflix original called “Love”. It is full of bad stuff for non-adults, so beware. Netflix is cranking stuff out like crazy and it’s pretty good! Check out the movies Kissing Booth and Set it Up. Have you watched anything lately? I watch one episode of The Office before bed because I’m just so charmed by it.

I taught my Spanish lesson to the young couple and then made spaghetti, zucchini, and bread for dinner. We feel weird with my one son at camp. The other son will have to do all the chores!

Monday night I binged on more Love, the Netflix original and then texted with son at camp when he was able.

Tuesday I did usual am routine but watched some of my DVRed Bachelorette. It’s so bad but I can’t stop – especially in the summer!

Then, my son and I picked up Pia for her first experience of a Chick Fil A breakfast eaten in the car while driving like a true American.  Ha!  She had chicken minis and hashbrowns and an iced coffee and loved it!  Then I picked up friend’s son and then went to my other friend’s house where she and her daughter were waiting.  We did a nice little nature trail.  

Then we swam in her pool to cool off.  I swam, too, and participated in some pool games.  We ordered sandwiches from Which Wich.  Note:  We don’t eat out this much normally.  During the school year, it is pretty rare but in the summer a little bit more, but not like this.  I just say “yes” more to fun and opportunities in the summer and that means being out and doing things!

We had a great day and then I did cook dinner at home for the 3 of us.  Pia is staying at my niece’s house this week.  

Are you a fan of Southern Charm on Bravo?  I am!  I love most things Bravo!  I saw these black framed and black aviators on adorable Cameran and wanted them badly but didn’t want to pay.  Imagine my surprise when my husband showed me he owns these exact glasses!  They’re mine now!  (Insert evil laugh here!)  I love sunglasses and I like to mix it up and not always wear the same ones.  

Is she also wearing lightweight leather earrings?  

4th of July sales:  O.k., people it’s time to lace up those shoes.  I’m only going to say this once.  (I will probably say it again, but you know..)  It is time to get the last of your summer wardrobe because the fall stuff is already in many stores.  It is definitely time to get a new bathing suit or anything beach or pool related because that will be gone soon.  Do you need some more summer clothing for a July or August trip?  In my part of the country, we can wear summer clothes or some summer clothes through October.  

Please make a list of what you need and don’t buy things just because they are cheap.  Here are some sales I plan to check out or I have already checked out:

American Eagle 60% off – Ladies of a certain age, you can still wear many of their things.  The quality is really good.  They have a bit of an Anthropologie vibe for way less money.

Gap 60% off sale and 40% off entire store

Loft 50% off

Old Navy up to 60% off – I’m not fooled by their “up to” language, but I will say they had some good deals when I visited a few days ago.  

Target 20% off swim

Don’t forget:  Your consignment stores are also trying to move summer merchandise to make room for fall things.  One of my consignment stores will have everything at least 25% off and up to 75% off.

If you are a Louisville local:  Clothes Mentor, Sassy Fox, Dunc’s, and Slugger Kids are my fave consignment stores.  

My Thoughts on Nordstrom Anniversary Sale:

This may surprise you but I’m not a big fan.  In case you don’t know, this is a sale for selected fall and winter items.  If there is something you absolutely love and know you will wear, it might be a good thing for you.   This year as I looked at the online catalog (Just go to Nordstrom.com and click “anniversary sale” tab), I didn’t fall in love with any items.  I went a bit crazy one year but ended up returning a few things.  I am really not ready to think about fall stuff yet, so I shopped like a drunkard. When a new season is approaching, I like to carefully inventory my “old friends” and see what holes are in my closet.  This is the time to purge any item that doesn’t feel like a long lost friend, too.  

Last but not least, are you an Amazon Primer?  Prime Day sounds pretty good, but again, make a list of what you need and see if their deals match up.  Do you have birthdays coming up?  Please don’t tell me you’re so organized that you are ready to shop for Christmas gifts!  It will soon be time to think of school supplies, dorm room necessities, and things of that nature.  Maybe Prime Day will help you out there.  If you aren’t an Amazon Primer, why not?  Amazon Instant Video, Amazon Music, and free shipping are where it’s at.  Even my most frugal friend is one!  

O.k, if you stuck with me for that long, thanks for reading!  

What sales will you hit up?  Any deals I should know about?  Got any 4th of July recipes?  (I will still have to go to the store this morning!) Any Netflix or Amazon Instant recommendations?  

Amy

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Did you see my 4th of July ideas yesterday?  If you didn’t, head here before you go to the grocery today to get ready for your celebration tomorrow.  I hope I have some ideas you can use!

O.k., today we’re going to talk about the brand Hue.  The first time I heard about this brand was on the very popular blog Sheaffer Told me To.  She highly recommended Hue leggings in black and charcoal grey.  I happily ordered them from Nordstrom and have worn them for maybe 5 seasons now.  They are still in great shape and they wash and dry perfectly. They have a wide waistband and are just a great product.  

I was in line to check out at DSW when I saw the light denim colored pair below folded up compactly with a Hue label on the wrapper.  It was spring of last year and I was wanting some light denim.  I paid for them (around $28) without trying them on and I loved them.  No one knew I was really wearing leggings, people!  They look like jeans and even have back pockets like jeans.  They are ankle length on me, but I’m sure they are meant to be capri length on non-vertically challenged people.  

Anyhow, I wore the heck out of them during the spring and summer of 2017 and even into the fall.  Winter of 2017 comes around and I am strolling through Macy’s minding my own business when I see a sale rack of Hue jean leggings/jeggings.  I see grey in my size for $18.  Twist my arm.  These came home with me.  It’s surprising how handy grey jeans are in one’s wardrobe.  They look great with black tops, white tops, burgundy tops, etc.

Finally, my third pair came into my life this May.  I was again strolling through Macy’s after finding my beloved Reef flip flops and there the white ones appeared.  My love of white jeans, white shorts, white linen pants, and all things white for summer is well documented on this space.  These were full price but maybe had a little discount at a $25ish price point.  So, now I am the proud owner of three identical pairs of Hue in light “denim”, grey, and white.  I ask people if they like my “jeans” and then I tell them my little secret.  You just pull them on.  I would say they probably run a little bit small and I always have a longer shirt on with them.  They wash and dry well, but I do line dry them because I think it saves on wear and tear.

How about Hue?  Do you own any of these magical pants?  I’m not going to lie – if a black pair comes across my path I will most likely have a 4th pair and I don’t think I will feel badly about it.  I am not really a brand snob, but I like quality and I like things to wash and wear well.  I have a list of favorite brands and Hue is definitely at the top.  Hue, Reef, Birkenstock, Lucky brand shoes, Target’s Universal Thread, American Eagle, and many more.  

Here is an Amazon link for you.  It looks like these have an ankle slit which mine don’t have and they are more expensive – maybe the slit makes them more.  I don’t get anything if you click on this link because I’m a very amateur blogger.  Ha!  If you want to visit a department store, these should be located in the hosiery section.  Let me know what you think!

Amy 

Monday, July 2, 2018

Today I’m linking up with The Blended Blog, as well as recapping my weekend and  helping you prepare for Independence Day! This could be a long one! Grab your coffee and let’s go…

TBB Asks:

1. Unfortunately we can’t work out a vacation this year for various reasons. Maybe we will be able to do a few days or a weekend?

2. I like a balance. My boys are not sit on the beach for a week kind of people, including my husband.  I really like a good mix with some history, some museums, some shopping, as well as a beach.  Any recommendations?  

3. July is the best for us.  

4.  I’ve never been on a cruise!  It’s hard to believe!  

5.  We don’t really have one.  We try to eat the local food and only eat at non-chain restaurants that we don’t have at home.

6.  Germany in 2016!  

7.  I love to pack lightly.  We only did carry on for 2 weeks in Germany, but we did have access to washing machine.

8.  I like them all, really.  They all have pros and cons.  Lately we have done dog friendly houses.  

9.  Seafood and/or the local specialties.

10.  I always seem to pick warm, but we do love Michigan in the summer and northern Germany in the summer.  

This weekend was busy!

Let’s start off with another great consignment store find – the flip flops below for $14.  

I tried a new beer – it is grapefruit flavored and was very refreshing.  We went to a pizza place Thursday night with two other couples – H and H and their husbands.  

My friend J said I needed to stop drinking so much Starbuck’s and “drink” locally so I tried this coconut mocha iceberg.  Yum!  Thanks, J!

We had a crazy time getting our German cousin here!  She finally arrived 24 hours late and we had to take this picture with Colonel Sanders, founder of KFC, in the Louisville airport.  

We dropped off this guy at his debate camp and he couldn’t wait for us to get out the door!  

After drop off, the timing worked out to meet my sister on a beautiful lake nearby and we had a nice boat ride with them.  This little gal is one of my sweet nieces.  

After we got home this sweet niece below brought Pia over for a bit to visit and talk.  She is staying with her the first week and with us the second week. 

 Sunday morning we tried a short boat ride before it got too hot.  After the boat ride I made Hawaiian ham and swiss sliders, quesadillas, chips, and tomato and mozzarella salad.  Then we had to stay in the AC so we took Pia to the mall to get her American shop on.  She scored some major deals at Old Navy – a dress for $8 and a shirt for $10.  She loved Altar’d State and scored some great 40% deals there and finally ended with some flip flops at Macy’s because she doesn’t have any.  She said she doesn’t really need them in northern Germany!  Can you imagine a life without flip flops?  I sure can’t!  I wear them into November usually.  Guess what brand I talked her into – Reef!  

Did you think I could go to all of those stores without buying something?  You’re right, she talked me into this $12 clutch from Old Navy.  I love a clutch to take to dinner.  

What are you doing for the 4th?  Many of us will host or go to a cookout, no?  I still don’t know my plans because so many plans are weather dependent.  Here are some fun ideas that really can’t be called recipes.  Just look around your grocery for inspiration.  I even found a bag of red, white, and blue baby potatoes last year in the produce department!

-blue tortilla chips and red salsa – easy!

Gather some fun plates and napkins – these are from the dollar section of Target.  I also picked up a scavenger hunt card set and a Bingo card set.  You could also make your own.  I may give these cards to my teen nieces to see if they could play with friends and Pia!  Could be fun!

I grabbed some red, white, and blue potato chips at The Fresh Market if you have one in your town.  

I also found the red, white, and blue M&Ms at Target to put in a bowl and also for the pretzel, rolo, M&M things below.

-waffle pretzels with a rolo and red and blue M&Ms – Place your pretzels on a baking sheet and put a rolo on top.  Melt at 350 for 3-5 minutes.   Take out of oven and smush an M&M on top.  Let cool in frig for one hour.

–fruit pizza – unroll 2 packs of crescent rolls and seal perforations so that you make a rectangle on a cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 8 min. or until golden brown.  Allow to cool.  Spread cream cheese store bought icing on top.  Right before serving place blueberries and strawberries and cut in squares.  

-Cobb salad with blue cheese and red tomatoes as the focal point but also add all of the traditional cobb ingredients.

Have a great week! Leave me your ideas or a comment!

Amy

Thursday, June 28, 2018

On a recent typical summer weekday I decided to add up my “savings”.

Check it out!

7 am – got up and drank two cups of coffee on my patio that I made in my Keurig instead of buying coffees at Starbuck’s

Saved $10

9 am -made myself breakfast at home instead of getting a Starbuck’s sandwich or Chick Fil A minis

Saved $5

10 am -walked and listened to a podcast instead of paying for an exercise class

Saved $15

11- went to see my friend’s new boat and helped her a bit instead of going shopping

Saved anywhere from $20-$100

12- came home and made myself lunch

Saved $10

1 pm -Watched a DVR’ed show instead of going to a movie

Saved $10

Did my nails at home

Saved $30

Read a library book

Saved $10

4 pm- Made myself a cocktail

Saved $10

Cleaned, did laundry

Saved $10 (If I had a cleaning service I guess it would be $50 a week maybe?)

Made dinner for my family

Saved $50

By my calculations I now have at least $180 saved up for a shopping trip!

Go me!

*This post was written tongue in cheek and meant to be humorous. At the same time, I think it illustrates how easy it is to spend money like a drunken sailor when you have time on your hands!  This happened to be a day that I spent $0, but of course, I purchased groceries and gas the day prior.  Hope you enjoyed it!

Amy 

Monday, June 25, 2018

How was your weekend? Mine went by fast!  

On Thursday I had a dear friend over for lunch and she brought me this adorable owl succulent holder. I love succulents and I don’t think I’ve ever told her! Love it!

This is the only Loft top I ended up keeping.  I also wore this top Saturday night with white jeans.  (Navy blue striped flutter sleeve, you have some competition!)  I ended up returning the olive and raspberry just like this because of the material.  The material was a little bit “sueded” – not sure if that’s the right term- and I thought it would show stains and not wear well.  I wore this to hub’s volleyball game Thursday night.  We ordered nachos and I had a Michelob Ultra which is my beer of the summer.  My friend H came and hung out with us for a bit, too.  

This past week was so busy.  I was up and out early every day and Friday I just could not get motivated.  It was rainy and dreary and I took my Yeti coffee cup outside.  This is the cup I use to drink my coffee from at school.  It keeps your coffee hot for hours.  There is only one problem – it doesn’t fit in my car cup holder so I can’t take it places.  I need to put wine in it but I never think to do that.  Finally I got motivated and did my Loft returns.  I went in a store near Loft called Versona and came home with a $8.99 floral top, too.

Friday afternoon I had a spiked mango lemonade and we stayed home for dinner.  I made homemade quesadillas.  

Saturday morning I used my beloved Kentucky mug.  

Then, I did my self tanning.  You all, I’m pretty tan from 3 applications of this stuff.  It looks really natural.  I found it at Kroger.  

I now have another library book I couldn’t finish.  I switched to this one below and read a little bit on Saturday.  I have read a couple of other books by this author.  I am liking it so far.  Also, I bought a new nail color.  It’s really similar to one I have that’s almost out.  I really wanted to try this Infinite Shine.  Mel of The Larson Lingo only uses this kind and swears by it. 

I have talked about this mix before.  Saturday night we were headed to my SIL’s house for her husband’s birthday party.  She asked me to make Pesto Bowtie Pasta with sundried tomatoes, artichokes, and feta.  Actually, she just said I could bring something and this is what I offered!  So, boil your bowtie pasta and toss with this packet mixed with EVOO and water, chopped artichokes, chopped sundried tomatoes and feta.  Done and done!  And, it works served hot or cold.  

The weather was great Saturday for walking and I listened to the latest Big Boo podcast. 

I folded clothes after my walk and watched my cooking shows.  I record Pioneer Woman and The Kitchen.  The Kitchen was talking about bbq.  I always get great weekly meal ideas from these sources.  After that, I made a semi homemade pizza for my boys and hub and I went to see the movie Adrift.  I liked it and he didn’t.  I don’t want to say too much in case you will see it.  It is a true story!  

This is my oldest niece again and her sweet dog at the birthday party for her Dad.  

This is the final product of my pasta.  There were beef tenderloin sandwiches, wings, Mexican layer dip, green chile dip, salad, a beautiful charcuterie spread and more!  The party was really nice and we had a great time.  We stayed until almost 10.  

Sunday we had plans to take our boys’ friend and his parents on the boat.  The weather turned out great and it wasn’t as hot.  We had a great time with them!  I made “Mermaid Juice” but it wasn’t very green so I called it “River Water” but it wasn’t quite brown enough.  The Dad gave me the idea to make a drink called “River Water” using dark rum instead.  Yes!

That’s a wrap on the weekend!  I have a lot to do this week so I need to start going to bed a little bit earlier!  I didn’t sleep great last week and it really affected my days.  

Hope you had a great weekend! 

Amy 

Friday, June 22, 2018

How was your week? I must admit I let the heat derail me from walking a couple of days. Wednesday was much better temperature wise, though.  I’m working on getting back on track.  This week has flown and what started out as a pretty open week got filled up quickly. 

What are your weekend plans? We have storm chances each day but we have a birthday party Saturday night and a boat day scheduled for Sunday so I hope the weather is on our side.  (True sign of adulthood – you talk incessantly about the weather!)  There are also more movies I want to see – so maybe an early Saturday afternoon matinee – especially if it is raining? 

Favorite #1)

I’m the guest co-host again with my friend Dan of the Fortyish podcast.  This time we talked about entertaining in your home. Listen here to episode 89 while you clean or walk or sit outside.  In the podcast, I referenced my post on entertaining that you can find here.  I was so happy that an out of town friend texted me today to tell me she threw a happy hour at her house with 12 girls!  I’m amazed she had 12 girls that could all get together the same night in the summer.  Miracles do happen!

Favorite #2)

I love saving money and/or scoring great deals. My sister pointed out that my blog posts this week have all talked about saving money!  This was not planned.  Tuesday I talked about entertaining kids this summer on a budget. Wednesday I talked about clothing and home decor for the 4th of July on a budget, and yesterday I talked about clothing for kids on a budget. Just click on the red type to go directly to those posts. I hope there will be a helpful nugget somewhere in there for you and leave me a comment or something that you do that works!  

Favorite #3)

Catching up with friends in the summer is always a goal of mine. Yesterday I had a friend over for lunch and I served a new recipe of asparagus and gruyere tart, tomato and mozzarella, salad with goat cheese, craisins, and nuts, garlic french fries, and Trader Joe’s lemon cake.  I made pineapple spritzer (non alchoholic) to drink.   One of my summer bucket list items is to learn new recipes.  I have been wanting to work more with store bought puff pastry.  It was super easy!  

Favorite #4)  

I’m still saving money by doing my own nails 2-3 times a week.  I’m back to OPI Suzi Without a Paddle.  I’m going to treat myself to a new color soon.  Leave me a new color suggestion in the comments if you have one.  I’m really into blues and whites this season.  

Favorite #5)  

This crazy niece of mine texting me from my mom’s phone for about an hour one day this week.  She is going to be in 3rd grade and is a hoot!

Favorite #6) 

My Loft order came in quicker than I thought it would.  Everything was 40% off and I got free shipping.

I think I will keep the top below but I don’t plan to wear it off the shoulder.  It is a great material but it’s a little short.  It doesn’t look like it from the photo, though!

These pants below are going back.  They are voluminous and not flattering in the stomach area.  I maybe could size down two sizes or something, but not sure if I will go to the trouble.

I didn’t realize it, but this shirt is exactly the same as the striped one.  I also ordered this in a pretty raspberry color.  Again, I don’t plan to wear this off the shoulder.  I feel like the olive and raspberry can go into fall.  They fit perfectly but they are a little bit short so I will have to try them on with jeans and different pants before I decide whether to keep them. 

I ordered a red and white striped top also.  It is really thin material and a little too long.  Go figure.  It will be going back.  

So – I will be keeping one – three tops and I’m returning the pants and the red and white stripe top.  My goal in this order was more easy tops to throw on.  It’s really a reminder that you have to try things on and you can’t go by the photos.

Have a wonderful weekend!  I can’t wait to read your Friday Favorites!  

Amy 

Thursday, June 21, 2018

I remember when I started dealing with my twin boys’ clothes.  I didn’t mind the washing, drying, and folding.  I did, however,  mind the putting away of the clothes.  I guess I could still say the same, except I don’t put their clothes away anymore now that they are 15 and perfectly capable!  

Do you know why I hated putting their clothes away?  It was because they had too many clothes for the space they had to store it in!  It was just too fun to buy coordinating or matching outfits so they had way more clothes than they could ever use.  Some of these were gifts and some were my purchases.  

So, my number 1 tip is….

1) Don’t buy too many clothes for your kids!  There are only 7 days in a week and if you are like me, you will be washing clothes more than once a week.  

2)  Now, determine what types of clothes they need and for what occasions they need to dress.  Kids grow so quickly that they may not be able to wear too many items in any one category.  

3)  Ask for hand me downs from family members or offer to pay for them (most family will not accept money).  Most people are so happy to have someone to hand things down to so they can make room for bigger sizes.  My nephew has enjoyed hand me downs from his two older cousins! 

4)  Find someone whose taste you like and ask if you can buy their outgrown clothes.  I was lucky to have a mom who had twin boys two years older than mine.  I bought their school uniforms and didn’t have to buy much more on my own.  I also bought suits that her boys outgrew.  That saved me a ton of money and they only got to wear them once. 

5)  Go to church or community sales.  If you are a consignor or a volunteer, you usually get to shop first.  These are a goldmine and are usually held in more than one season.

6)  Find your local kids consignment shops.  If you live in Louisville, Kentucky or nearby, Slugger Kids is a wonderful shop.  I have gotten like new Keens for $10.  

7)  Check out Goodwill or other thrift shops.  My sister finds a ton of good stuff there.  Last summer I found several men’s button downs for my son that likes to wear those.  

8)  Ask for clothing for gifts for your kids.  One of my sisters is good about planning ahead when her kids have a birthday coming up and have a need for a specific clothing item.  

9)  It’s garage sale season.  Kids’ clothes are often plentiful at these and many times I have seen clothing with tags.  In fact, I bought my niece a Land’s End down vest with tags for $5.  

10)  If you go to a school with uniforms like we did from kindergarten until 8th grade, schools will often have a sale.  Look for these and remember again that there are only 5 school days in a week so you don’t need more than that number of uniforms.  Like I mentioned in tip number 4, seek out a mom to buy from.

11)  This may sound bad, but my boys get new socks and underwear for Christmas and they always have.  This ensures that they get a yearly update of these items.  I also give them a couple of pieces of clothing.  I love the saying, “something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read”.  I want them to appreciate the basics in life.  I will usually put a new pair of swim trunks in their Easter basket.  

12)  I don’t have personal knowledge of this, but I know of a mom who loves Matilda Jane so she joined a MJ Facebook group and buys from other members.  

13) If you do buy new clothing try to hit the end of season sales and buy for the next year. My favorite stores for my boys were: Target, Old Navy, Children’s Place (does this still exist?), Boden, and Land’s End.

What did I forget?  What are your best tips?  

Amy