Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Hello all!  I have a few school outfits for you, a weekend outfit, my Walmart intel, and a nail report!  What more could you ask for?  

This was an easy outfit of black Matilda Janes and my new fruit blouse from the summer.  

These are my trusty Chico’s pants, my Old Navy butterfly blouse and a consignment cardigan.  I just had the pants reinforced by my tailor because the seams were wearing out!  That $10 I spent on these 6 years ago has paid off!  

Saturday night outfit – Amazon cactus top I had hemmed and Old Navy jeans that I frayed myself (you can’t see them hems in this photo, though).

TJ Maxx top and Matilda Jane pants.

I wanted to show you my co-worker’s swing dress and kimono.  It looks so pulled together yet feels like pajamas.

Here are some blouses at a good price point from my Walmart trip this past weekend.  They are a little scratchy and I think they will remain wrinkly, though.  

These were flannel tunics and I really wanted one but  made myself wait.  They were soft.  

This is what I went to look for.  I bought the one on the right even though I think I like the one on the left better.  My decision came down to what I had that would work with it in my closet.  

I will be wearing a cardigan over it, but I think this works for those in a hot climate.  It has fall colors but will help you stay cool.  

Today is 3 weeks with my light pink dip nail polish manicure.  I want to go back within the next few days and this is what I might change to below…it won’t be exact because these aren’t dip photos.

I like this blue/grey for end of summer into early fall.

A little bit lighter…

And, then more in the grey/lavender family…

Which one is your favorite polish color?  

Any favorite outfit?  

What do you think of the Walmart clothing I showed?  

I’m so tired of my summer clothes!  I know it’s too early to break out the fall stuff, but I feel like I’ve been wearing the same stuff since April of last year – because I have!  Ha!  Are you the same?

Thanks for reading,

Amy

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

I don’t think I tried to make French toast until a few years ago.  Recently one of my sons has fallen in love with it so I like to make it for him once a week or so.  

Are you a fan?  Are you ready to hear my secret?  The secret is in the bread you use.  I discovered the Trader Joe’s brioche (a very buttery French bread) but my Kroger also carries a loaf of brioche in the deli so I think all should be able to find it.  

For 2-3 slices (double if making more and you can keep it warm in a low temp oven set at 250):

crack one egg into a shallow dish that will allow you to fit your bread in it

Add a sprinkle of cinnamon

Add a cap full of vanilla (I plan to add bourbon to this in the fall or find a vanilla bourbon!)

Pour about 1/2 cup of milk in

Using a fork, break the yolk and mix the mixture well

Heat your pan to medium low and add non stick spray and a pat of butter.

Dunk one piece of bread at a time and flip over on both sides to saturate.

Heat in your pan until golden brown on one side and then flip and do the other side.

Repeat.  

Let me know if you try it!

Amy 

Monday,  August 26, 2019

I refuse to use the exclamation point now that we are back in school.  And, a period seems to weird so my title will go punctuation-less, o.k.?  How was your weekend?  Mine was really good!  I’m linking up with Heather, etc. so go here if you want to see more weekend posts.  

Friday afternoon at 3:30 my son who is in theater and choir left for his choir retreat.  They were going to a camp about an hour away with cabins, a cafeteria, a pool, a softball field to learn new songs and to have some fun and bonding.  This is his first year to be in choir even though he is a senior and he was very excited.  

Our other son had a friend over after gaming club and they hung out and ordered pizza.  

Around 7, hub and I crossed the river by car (sadly) to meet our friends at a restaurant.  Our boat needs a part and has been out of commission for the last couple of weekends.  We went to O’Shea’s – an Irish pub – with our friends and their daughter and a friend of the daughter’s.  After some steamy hot weather last week, our weekend weather was in the low 80s and just perfect.  In fact, I don’t think we will see above 80s the rest of August.  But, September and October can be super hot in Kentucky.  

We met at college orientation when we were 18 and roomed together all through college (except when I was in Spain and doing student teaching) and then lived together for four years after college and I met my husband through her husband!  

After we ate, there was music on the river.  

This is our pedestrian bridge from Kentucky to Indiana and it gives off a light show in the evenings.  

We stayed out until about 9:30 and I was proud of myself for making it out on a Friday night two weeks in a row!  I’m so tired on Friday nights when school starts, but it really does add to your weekend to rally and do something to celebrate, you know?  

I told my son to give me a daily text while he was gone.  So, this is what I got Saturday morning. Teen boy texts look very different from teen girl texts – or so I’ve heard.

Yup – so much information in that text, right?  

Saturday I tried grocery shopping at Walmart.  I went to a nicer one that’s further away (because the one closer to me is not good)  and I also wanted to look at their clothes.  I did buy a fall top that I will show you Wednesday but other than that the quality of most of the stuff I saw was not good in my opinion.  I saw one top for almost $30.  I’m not buying a Walmart top for that price when I can go to Steinmart, Versona, or TJ Maxx.  I hope you don’t hate me for saying this – but these bloggers and influencers that are pushing Walmart clothing so hard…beware. I am not a clothing snob in the least.  I’m one of the biggest bargain hunters there is, but I need the clothing to feel nice and not scratchy and to not fall apart after one washing.  I know some people don’t live in a big city with lots of options and they rely on Walmart.  Maybe I’m just not seeing the right stuff?

After Walmart, my son and I went to the library and it was nice to spend time with him.

I took my son to the movies with his friend and they had a great time while hub and I met friends at our favorite outdoor concert venue for food trucks and British music.  

She is my other friend since I was 18 and I met her the first day of college!  We found out we are from towns only 15 minutes apart and we have been best friends ever since.  

It was another fun night.  We picked up son and friend and took him home and called it a night.  

I did my breakfast prep and lunch this week will be spinach wrap with garden veggie cream cheese and tomato and cucumber.  See my lunch ideas post from last week here.  

I pulled a chair to the front porch to sit with my fur baby because he misses his back stoop.  We had brick put on the addition all weekend long and I hope to see it finished this coming week!  

I started this and I think I’m going to like it.  I loved The Rosie Project.  

I bring a bunch of school work home at the beginning of the year and spent about 2 hours on it. I still believe in doing work on paper for those of you who hear that some classes have gone paperless.  I think they still need to write!  

I took myself to Versona just to get out of the house and just looked around.  

I also ran in to Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Kroger and then I picked up my son!  We missed him but it was apparent he didn’t miss us!  

How was your weekend?  

Hope it was great!

Amy 

Friday, August 23, 2019

I’m so glad to see you, Friday!  I’m linking up with Andrea, etc. for Friday Favorites so go right here!  

Still loving this easy dinner – Southwest Bowls.  I make it once a week, usually!  

We started the brick on the addition this week!  

This was the two week photo of my dip nails.  I’m pretty happy with it but I kind of wish I had gone with a bit darker color.  I also think lighter colors have more longevity – or look better longer at least.  I think I like it more than gel.  It seemed easier to apply.  We will see about getting it removed when I go to change colors.  I plan to try to wait at least another week – making this service cost about $1 a day.  

My boys have changed so much since freshman year.  They are way taller than me now!  I miss the American Eagle blouse I’m wearing! I loved that so much but it literally fell apart because I wore it so much; now I wish I had taken it to the tailor to repair it.  

This book is so cute!  I am almost finished.  

Yesterday I talked about my lunches.  This is what my breakfast looks like.  

One of my boys had some trouble sleeping the first couple of nights of school.  I bought these – melatonin gummies – and now both boys are taking them 30 minutes before they want to sleep and they report success.  I have heard that some use them in a kid’s version for their little ones.  

This is what my packed lunch looked like yesterday.  

After doing some serious lipstick testing this summer I really think you can’t go wrong with classic Revlon.  They are usually around $6 and their colors are beautiful and the formula is moisturizing.  

I have on a combo of “Wink for Pink” and “Blushed” .  I will be changing to more fall lip colors soon but “Blushed” will still work.  

What have your faves been this week?  

What’s on tap for you this weekend?  

Amy 

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Today’s post will be short and sweet but maybe it will give you an idea!

I have been meal prepping my breakfasts for quite awhile and I love having this stack in my refrigerator ready to go.  

I also want to give a shout to these crackers.  They are really good and I have pre-portioned them in baggies within the box.  These make a good snack with a laughing cow wedge of cheese, salsa, bean dip, etc.  They taste like a tortilla chip.  

So, I decided I needed to get better about meal prepping my lunch.  

I can have the same lunch for a whole week without really getting tired of it and then mix it up for the following week.  I only have 20 minutes for lunch so it needs to be easy to eat.  

Bean burritos:

a can of fat free refried beans mixed with about a half packet of taco seasoning and about 1/2 cup of jarred salsa (don’t use the fresh).

Spread on your tortilla and sprinkle a little cheese before rolling up.  

I keep the bean mixture in the fridge and make a fresh burrito in the morning but I think I could also freeze these.  

Heat and eat.  Yum!  

Turkey Wrap:  

Spread a laughing cow wedge and top with turkey.  Roll up and cut if you like.  Yum!  

This brand of tortilla is really good and only 1 WW point per tortilla.  

Everything I’ve talked about today is Weight Watchers friendly!  

Enjoy!

Amy 

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Hello and happy hump day!  It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for…I’m back with some “real” outfits.  But, I’m learning how to use my tripod and the photos are not that great.  After bugging my co-workers – I let three of them take turns – ha – I decided to invest in a tiny tripod from Amazon that cost $13.  So, I’m learning where to stand and how to use it.  The photos are turning out kind of grainy so I’m not sure what that’s about.  

First day of school outfit:  Love a swing dress and kimono.  This blush color is not as forgiving as a darker color, though.  

Second day outfit:  

The third day was a Friday so I went a little more casual:  

Monday of this week – started out comfy and when in doubt – choose black!  

And, yesterday:  

Here is yesterday’s outfit before I added the vest:
The lighting is poor, but now I added the same color vest:  

Then, I added my necklace, glasses, earrings, and bracelet.

If you notice in the photos this week the outfit always looks better if you add a third or a completer piece – a necklace, a light vest, etc.  

These are my new half price Danskos.  

I love that they are a metallic so I think they can work with black and brown and many other colors.  I also think they can work into fall.  

What was your favorite outfit?  

Amy 

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Have you all heard of Fashom?  It’s a styling service like Stitch Fix.  I have done Stitch Fix five or so times.  I did get maybe 2-3 nice pieces out of it but I found it hard for sizing and price point that I’m comfortable with spending.  I do know people who love these services and find great things this way.  I personally love the hunt so a styling service is not something that I really want in my life.  

I would say Fashom is a lower quality and price point service than SF.  By the way, Fashom does not know I’m writing this and I paid my $15 like everyone else!  

First, let’s start with the name “Fashom”.  When I say it I feel like I’m trying to say “fashion” but have a hunk of food in my cheek or something.  Does it mean something that I’m not aware of?  

The website/profile was very user friendly.  My stylist also took the time to look at my blog Wednesday posts to see my style.  She then sent me pictures of 7 items and I was to pick 5.  I told her I didn’t like 3 of them so she sent me some alternatives for those 3 and then I picked my 5 items.  

It arrived in a really small box and it took about 8 days from the time I filled out my profile until my box arrived.  

You get an envelope with your items and prices and a mailer to return items you don’t want to keep.  And, they called me “Beautiful” so that was nice – lol!  

As you can see, the prices are reasonable.  I like the discount and the charitable giving aspect.  If you buy all of the items they give money to an animal rescue organization.  

First was a hot pink blouse.  I loved the color but it didn’t fit me the way I would’ve liked and it’s not a material I would be drawn to. I think it wrinkles very easily and it is very thin.   

Next was a floral but the material was very polyester and it was clingy in all the wrong places.  

I was most excited about this white boho but it was short and I don’t think I’m long waisted!  The holes showed my stomach.  No thanks!  

This was a navy blue dress with lacing at the top.  The lacing was out of control (I don’t think it would have stayed the way it was meant to) and the dress was very polyester.  

This dress was made out of a very soft sweatshirt material.  I think I would’ve been sweating something fierce.  And, it was probably two sizes too big.  

No, you don’t get to see pictures because trust me, you don’t want to see them.  I sent everything back because I would rather lose $15 than pay $46 (the item I liked the most) for something to hang in my closet and not get worn.  

I put everything in the mailer and took to my UPS store.  

I think the biggest issues for me were the materials that my items were made of and the sizing.  Some items were huge and some were way too small.  

But, the service was great and I’m sure I could give this feedback to my stylist and get a better one next time but I just don’t have time to take the gamble and make another errand for myself right now.  It may be a great thing for you to try; I don’t want to deter you.  

Let me know if you’ve tried it or plan to!  

Amy 

Monday,  August 19, 2019

How was your weekend?  Mine was the perfect first weekend after starting school – a good mix of down time, fun time, and productivity.  I’m linking up with Heather, etc. so go here to see some more weekend posts.  

I am a little nervous going into my first five day week with students and know I will be exhausted by the end of it.  My strategy is to take it one day at a time and employ my weekly routines both at school and at home.  I will save those for maybe a future post – it’s kind of boring!  

So, Friday after school I came home and rested for a couple of hours but our friends asked us to meet up at a barbecue restaurant so hub came from work and I met him there.  We had some time to catch up before our friends came.  I tried a draft beer.  

We sat on the cute enclosed patio.  

We had brisket fries as a starter.  Then, our friends came and I forgot to take more photos!  We stayed until about 8 and brought food home for our boys.  They were very happy to be home and catch up.  This is the first year of high school that they don’t have any classes together.  

I watched some t.v. with one boy and went to bed.  I slept great Thursday-Saturday nights after not sleeping well the first two nights of school.  

Saturday morning I slept in until 6!  Ha!  I relaxed and read and drank coffee and then tackled Trader Joe’s.  I thought I would simply show you a photo of what I bought.  

We had a plumber come to work on our addition and I made the boys some food, did laundry, piddled around the house, stuff like that.  

Then around 2:00 I went to the mall and walked in to a fall fantasy at Anthropologie.  Capri Blue has a new pumpkin clove candle – OMG!  

I never buy anything there but I like to look!

I was on a mission:  I bought a half price pair of Danskos for school at The Walking Company and got a 10 minute neck massage.  I still wasn’t happy with my selection of “school” shoes.  

Some Fall catalogs came in the mail.  I only get a few catalogs these days.  I get so excited to see the Fall stuff!  

We ordered the boys a pizza and we went to an art gallery/music show for a bit that hub had been invited to through work.  

Then went to a new diner owned by someone we know.  

Sunday I finished the tiny bits left of these two books – highly recommend both.  

And, I started a new one – very cute so far.  It’s better than the cover makes it look – I swear!  

And, the boys had wanted to wait until they got their senior syllabi to do their shopping so we went Sunday.  They let me take photos because I said it was their last time.  

I prepped my breakfasts for the week.  I have talked about this many times but it’s a low carb egg casserole, zucchini, and turkey sausage.  

I forgot to mention I also worked on school work for a couple of hours both days!  It’s necessary at the beginning of the year.  

What did you do?  I hope you enjoyed it!  

Amy 

Friday, August 16, 2019

Fridays mean more now that school has started!  Today I will be linking up with Andrea, etc. at Momfessionals per usual so go here!  

Here are some things that made me happy this week!

First, my fun colors and patterns in my closet.  I’m just not a neutral girl.  This makes me happy.  I’m actually enjoying dressing again!  

Things got real for my senior twin boys when they went to get yearbook tux photos taken.  This is all I could sneak without being that crazy mom!  

I love my new reading glasses from Whole Foods!  What?  You don’t buy glasses at Whole Foods?  

I had some fun on the first day of school!  Wow – I am OLD! 

They sort of humored me.  This is a re-creation of their first day of kindergarten positions!  

Back to school means teacher meetings and our PTA fed us.  I tried the Fruity Pebbles donut because I’m a child!  

Our department got to go out to lunch at Noosh Nosh.  

These are pizza paddles painted (say that three times fast!) and on the wall at the restaurant – so pretty!  

And, I will leave you with some funnies.  I asked what I needed to know about them to teach them.  

Hope you had a great week and take advantage of the weekend!  

Amy 

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Do you enjoy margaritas?  Do you enjoy paying $10 for one?  Of course you don’t! 

Let’s make an easy and low cal one at home – on the rocks. 

You know what – I often think a restaurant margarita is too sweet and I truly prefer this recipe!  Hope you enjoy it, too!  

Get your favorite glass (I really like my stemless wine glass with Kentucky etched on it), your favorite tequila (this white is from Trader Joe’s and I think it’s pretty good), some true lemon or a Crystal light lemonade stick, a slice of lime, and a can of Fresca – Allow me to sing the praises of Fresca!  It works well in so many cocktails.  I don’t drink soft drinks but I do use a couple for my recipes.  

Put your lemon powder in and add a shot of tequila, stir, add your lime and squeeze it in first if you’d like, then top with your Fresca.  I only use about 1/3 of the can.  You can add more lemon to your liking or more Fresca to your liking.  YOu may be surprised about the lemon rather than lime, but it really works in this recipe in my opinion.  

Take outside to enjoy while your dog sniffs around for 10 minutes until he can find just the right spot.  

TGIF tomorrow!  

Amy