Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Here is what I have worn over the course of the last week!  I am linking up today with the ladies of The Style Six so go right here to see more fashion posts.  

School outfit:  everything is old – Old Navy plaid, leggings, TJ Maxx fringe vest, Tory Burch flats.  Comfortable and fitting for the season! 

Here I either look like an ad for Scotch tape or a little girl.  I love these soft plaid leggings that I got for under $10 several years ago, this top came from Amazon a couple of years ago, and I am wearing my suede headband. 

Saturday night out outfit consists of Target Wild Fable liquid leggings, black blouse, faux fur vest and old suede dress booties. 

School outfit:  I found this Walmart Time and True blouse for $6 at my consignment shop Clothes Mentor.  I think it looks very Matilda Jane or Anthropologie.  I do not know how it will wash so I may spot clean.  

And another school outfit with leggings, olive Amazon tunic, charcoal grey vest from TJ Maxx, and Old Navy camo scarf.  Oh, and Costco booties from last year! 

Do you have a favorite?  

Thanks for visiting me!

Amy 

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

I love velvet!  Over the last few years, I have been adding a few things to my collection.  I realize it doesn’t work year round, but I get a great deal of wear out of it from November – February.  It is such a cozy fabric and I think it adds some interest and richness to your look.  Plus, it is everywhere!  Have you noticed how popular it has become?  

Let’s get this velvet party started!  

First, I purchased this Target A New Day kimono back in maybe August or September!  Why?  Becuase last year I fell in love with a very similar one at a boutique for $70 and I couldn’t do it.  So, when I saw this for $27 I knew it was my shopping destiny.  

I struggled for a while to decide what to wear under it and then I saw a black velvet cami at Old Navy for a reasonable price and that didn’t dip too low in the front.  I am looking forward to wearing this a couple of times at the least this season and then hopefully I will still like it in the future.  What to wear on the bottom, though?  I think velvet bottoms would be too much – even for me!  

A closer look at the kimono:

I also recently bought the rust/mustard version for Thanksgiving but didn’t end up wearing it because it was colder than I predicted.  I think these are pretty timeless pieces that I can hopefully save for later.  I did wear it to school that week, though.

The next piece is also a kimono that I got on super sale at the end of the season two years ago at a local boutique.  It was $20. I like to wear it over a burgundy or blue swing dress – they both match the colors in the kimono.  

This is probably my oldest piece.  It is JC Penney Liz Claiborne and I love it so much!  It is so well made.  I love the cut of the sleeves which come to the elbow and the banded bottom hits at the right place.  They also had it in black and purple but I loved this shade of red and I thought the purple could make me look like Barney – not the look I am going for. 

This is cut like a t – shirt and from Old Navy last year.  I wore it a great deal last year. 

And here is another Old Navy from last year and it really sparkles – I bought this for New Year’s. 

And, my good old Matilda Jane velvet ruffle pants.  These can really be dressed up in my opinion. 

So, where is velvet appropriate?  I think everywhere!  I do wear it to work in the winter because I like it so much.  It can easily be dressed up with a statement necklace, a faux fur, etc.  

One of my dear blog readers has velvet leggings!  I need those!  Other than that, I think my velvet collection is complete!

Where do you stand on velvet?  Love it?  Hate it?  Don’t live in a climate conducive to velvet?  Tell me everything!!!!

Amy 

Monday, December 9, 2019

Wow – that went by quickly!  The first week back after a long break is always difficult and add to that the fact that I hadn’t meal planned, prepped or anything and by Friday I was wiped out.  I went to get my nails changed from dark grey to…

dark green.  I was really going for a very dark forest green so this isn’t exactly what I wanted.  They didn’t have exactly what I was looking for, but this is kind of fun and different for the Christmas season. 

We ordered pizza and it was so nice to stay home Friday night after a busy week for all of us.  I think I was in bed before 9:00.  That makes like three nights last week that I did that.  

Saturday we had tile workers early and we did errands, laundry, Jack did theatre, Mason did work on a scholarship application, and Tom did work on the back deck.  

Saturday night was the much anticipated reservation to eat in an igloo for Tom and I and my two best friends and their husbands.  Let me explain…

I had heard that a restaurant on top of a hotel in downtown Louisville called 8 Up would have 8 themed heated igloos for dining during the holidays.  My friend was able to book us the “fur and diamonds” igloo.  

The walkway into the igloo area:  

Our igloo – we had six people and they are supposed to hold eight. 

My two besties of 30 years – you can see the remnants of the fake snow that fell on the igloo.  I tried to dress to match the fur and diamonds theme. 

Outside of our igloo and you can see the summer themed igloo to the right of us.:

O.k., so this is like Instagram versus real life.  There was no table in the igloo so anything we ordered had to be put on the tiny coffee table or held in our laps!  This was the kale and artichoke dip. 

Everyone either got pizza or a sandwich or tomato soup. 

The service was really bad and it was very awkward to eat with the food on our laps!  We laughed about it but it was a fun experience.  The server had to unzip our igloo like a tent to bring us stuff.  I bet the employees hate the igloos!

One of my errands Saturday was the library and look what was on the shelf!  It is the sequel to Winter in Paradise which was good, but not my favorite by Elin.  But, I cannot put this one down.  I love to read on Sunday mornings with my coffee before my family is awake.  

I walked to my school’s craft fair on Sunday. 

And, I had brunch with my school friend who took early retirement and is going to move back to her hometown of Hilton Head where she will teach.  We ate at Noosh Nosh and enjoyed a mimosa.  I was talking too much and forgot to get a photo.  

Mason went to a friend’s house for the afternoon and Jack and Tom went to a play.  

Meals for the week:

Sunday – Texas Chili (below) and cornbread

Monday – Homemade mac and cheese and turkey sausage, green pepper and onion o a sheet pan

Tuesday – chicken spaghetti and Texas Toast

Wednesday – fish sticks, peas, and leftover mac and cheese 

Thursday – spaghetti 

I started following Cattlebaronincashmere on Instagram and this is a super easy chili and very different from my chili recipe.  

How was your weekend?  I hope it was great!  

Amy 

Friday, December 6, 2019

Oh Friday – especially after the first week back – I am so happy to see you!  Linking up today with Andrea, etc. so go right here!  

I have enjoyed having this festive color on my feet.  Do you keep a pedicure the whole year long?  I do.  I have a thing about feet looking presentable!  My pedicure was called Bogotá Blackberry by OPI.  

Unfortunately my sisters live 2 and 3 hours away from me.  We always have lots of laughs when we are together.  I am the oldest, by the way!  We did some shopping on Saturday after Thanksgiving.  

My dear friend that I spent Tuesday night with shopping and eating at the speakeasy is so talented and she made me this scarf!  

She also made these ornaments that I may try to turn into a garland! 

I wore this headband to school one day and it was comfortable for the whole day in case you were wondering from my post here. 

I also added this leopard one to my collection!  I thought it could jazz up a plain black top. 

I am still loving these earrings.  Click here for more information. 

What were your faves this week?  

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

Thursday, December 5, 2019

I polled my students for you!  Just a little information – they range in age from 15-18. I hope this list helps you!  I may be using it, too!  

Money

Gas gift cards

Food gift cards

Apple Air pods

Disney Plus subscription

Pop socket with car attachment

Concert or festival tickets

Ugg slides

Birkenstocks

College sports hoodie or sweatshirt (college they may go to?)

Vineyard Vines

RedBubble.com – fun stickers for water bottle, laptop

Fun socks

Cool guitar pick

Lanyards or keychains

Good pens

Fountain pen or calligraphy set

Any more suggestions you would add?  

Amy 

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

It is already Wednesday, people!  

Here is a snapshot of what I have been wearing – you have been warned that you have seen most of these before!  But, my outfits are real life.  I actually wear what you see!  

This is a silly picture that my friend and I took at the speakeasy last week.  We used their stage to take these photos when no one else was there yet.  I wore my Hue distressed dark jeggings, old booties, my burgundy top, and my fur vest.  

The next day for errands and the movies I wore my black Target A New Day mules (getting lots of use out of these!), leggings, Old Navy tunic, and vest.

Thanksgiving day was cold and dreary so I went with comfort.  Sam Eddleman boots are old, leggings, Target A New Day poncho made up the outfit. 

And, Thanksgiving Day two was Saturday and it was super rainy.  I did basically the same outfit but added the leopard scarf and Hunters.  

I am loving this lightweight tunic length from Amazon and these new square earrings I have been wearing almost every day!  

Did you see my headband post yesterday?  I really want to order this set for winter!  

So the name of the game this last week has been black leggings, long tops, and vests!  What about you?  Any favorites from my outfits above?  

Thanks for stopping by!

Amy 

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

What do you all think of the headband trend?  My black suede is new this season and it has a little knot on the top.  I also had these older headbands that I pulled out recently.  

Would you try one? 

Amy 

Monday, December 2, 2019

Wow – that went by fast!  Did you think so, too?  I am linking up today with Heather, etc. so go right here!  

Tuesday at 2:20 was the start of my break.  That night I went shopping and to dinner with my dear friend.  She suggested a speakeasy – seriously there was no sign on the door!- and you could order food from the sister restaurant below.  

Look how cool it is inside – It is called Lola’s Kitchen.  

We shared salad, gnocchi and beignets along with a cocktail.  It was soooo good and such a nice way to start the break! 

Wednesday I treated myself to a pedicure along with a grocery trip for a few more things. 

Then, we went to see Knives Out as a family and it was really good! 

Thursday was our meal at Tom’s sister’s house.  We had a nice meal and a nice afternoon together. 

Friday I put out my Christmas decor. 

Saturday we went to my hometown for dinner number 2.  First we did some shopping and stopped at a cute new coffee shop. 

We decided to have a “mashed potato” challenge where the kids judged my two sisters and my mashed potatoes from Thursday.  The kids had to blindly taste each one and then write comments and it was really funny! 

And, Sunday was a day of rest.  I seriously did nothing – or close to it.  Tom bought us a solo stove and we tried it out.  

Now I am trying to get prepared for 3 intense weeks of school stuff and holiday stuff.  

Quick PSA – I came across these for my buffalo plaid lovers.  They are 40% off making them around $59.  How cute!  Just go to the Aerosoles website and you should see the sale.  

How was your holiday?  Any highlights?  I hope it was wonderful with all of the best food and memories.  

Amy 

Friday, November 29, 2019

Do you participate in Black Friday? I do not. For most of my married life Friday was the day for our second Thanksgiving feast so I couldn’t participate even if I had wanted to.  

Sometimes I will order things on Cyber Monday. This year I am really going to try to shop locally.

I will try to shop:  

Little boutiques

Mom and pop hardware store near my house that also has unique gift items

Museum gift shops

Etsy

Not locally owned but great sources for presents:

Book store – also has toys, games, puzzles

Costco

Many years I will do a theme like slippers or blankets for all

Umbrellas make a great gift

Car kit with scraper for the winter

An experience like a play gives family something to look forward to

Membership at zoo or museum is a great gift

A few more favorites this week:

These are so good!  I may not buy them again because they were that irrestible!  

This is what $20 of popcorn looks like.  I treated my students to this while watching a movie during our short week.  It is from GFS – Gordon Food Service.  It is like a warehouse store but without a membership. 

This is really good.  It does have 150 calories but I was thinking this would make a nice afternoon winter treat on the weekends.  You put the powder in your mug and then brew the coffee on top.

This book may just be one of my favorite Shopaholic books.  It is also a good reminder before the crazy of the holiday. 

We had a beautiful day Monday and I sat outside for a bit after school. 

What were your favorites this week?  I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving or that you are still in the midst of your celebrations!

Amy 

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving to my dear readers!  I am thankful for you!

If you do end up with any leftovers, I have two ideas for you:

The Kentucky Hot Brown

4 thick slices of white bread

sliced roasted turkey

Mornay sauce – recipe below 

shredded parmesan cheese

tomato sliced in 4

8 bacon slices, cooked

Preheat oven broiler with rack 6 inches from the heat

Place bread slices on a baking sheet and broil for 1-2 minutes each side or until toasted light golden brown

Top bread with turkey.  Pour sauce over turkey and sprinkle with cheese.

Broil 6 minutes or until bubbly and remove from oven.  Top with tomato slice and bacon and serve immediately.

Mornay Sauce:  

1/2 c. butter

1/3 c. flour

3 and 1/2 cups milk

1/2 c. shred parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper 

Melt butter in saucepan over med-high heat.  Whisk in flour.  Cook, whisking constantly for 1 min.  Gradually whisk in milk.  Bring to a boil and cook down until thickened.  Whisk in cheese, and salt and pepper and you are done!  

Southwestern Turkey Soup

combine cooked and cubed or shredded turkey with:

1 12 oz. jar salsa verde

1 15 oz. can of cannellini beans, drained 

3 cups chicken broth

1 tsp. cumin

Serve with a bit of sour cream and possibly shredded Mexican cheese on top and some tortilla strips

What is your favorite thing to do with leftovers?  

Let me know if you try these!

Amy