Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Did you notice my Wednesday theme is different today?  I have zero outfit pictures this week!  I will blame it on summer and lack of routine.  

Do you own any palazzo pants – flowy, non wrinkle with no need to iron, feel like you are in your pajamas pants – that are still socially acceptable?  I have a few pairs that are just that and with an elastic waist.  As a teacher, I really hate to deal with fussy clothing during my approximately 1.5 minute bathroom breaks.  Even if you aren’t a teacher, I think these are office appropriate, weekend party appropriate, meeting appropriate and so much more.  The other benefit I have found is that I can wear them in most seasons here in Kentucky.  When I start school the AC can be freezing cold and in the winter our heater is way too intense so I find that I almost have to have a seasonless school wardrobe.  I’m most comfortable in pants and a short sleeve or 3/4 length top with a third layer than can be removed.  

Here is a photo of what I’m talking about.  I really like these – I feel the pattern is seasonless (like I mentioned before) and there is both brown and black which makes them versatile.  

The ones on the left below are definitely more spring and summer.  The other ones on the right can be worn a little bit longer into fall I think.  I always get compliments when I wear these pants.  I think they really make you look “put together”.  

Tip:  I have found it makes life easier to have black in all of these pairs for easy matching to a black top.  

Tip:  I am 5’4 so I have looked in the petite section for these or looked for a cropped version that will be full length on me usually.  

I also repeat this same technique with my skirts.  You may look better in an A line skirt, a midi skirt, or a maxi skirt, so you can use any of those styles, but I think the best for my shape is a simple pencil type skirt.  All of my skirts are pull on just like the pants and they all have black in them!  

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about.  This is the LulaRoe Cassie skirt.  It doesn’t wrinkle and no ironing required.  

The one on the left is the only one new this season – from Steinmart and it’s a linen type material so does slightly wrinkle, the leopard is from Chico’s, and the black and white jaguar is another Cassie.  

So, if all of these pants and skirts have black in them, what do you wear on top?  

I have a small collection of tops that will work with these.  I like to look for interesting details – flutter sleeves, tassels, criss cross – that type of thing.  

So, I think I can safely get away with one of these pants outfits and one of these skirt outfits per week.  

This also makes your footwear easy.  I currently own the Soda wedges on the left (better for school if I’m not standing all day but pretty comfortable), Tieks flats, patent Birks.  The two on the right are possibilities that I may keep.  

They are both from Steinmart.  The first was only $25.

This one was $44.  I like the 70s clog vibe and the almost suede material could work into fall.  

I am still looking for comfortable yet stylish teacher shoes to start school.  I am very picky and I am literally standing on concrete floors for 8 hours a day, so it takes a good shoe!

Tip:  I keep multiple pairs of flip flops, Birkenstocks, etc. in my classroom so that I can switch out during the day.  

I want to hear from you!  What do you think about patterned palazzo pants and skirts with a black top and black shoes?  Could this work for your lifestyle?  

Thanks for reading!

Amy

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

I love my sunglasses collection!  Why wouldn’t I?  It’s another accessory and if you have been reading for awhile you know I love my accessories.  I also wear my sunglasses all year long.  My eyes are very sensitive to the sun.  

Are you an expensive sunglasses person or a cheap sunglasses person?  I have a mixture.  I will say that the more expensive do hold up really well and I tend to treat them more carefully – putting them in their case and not wearing them on my head.  

Here are my current favorites:  

Back left:  Classic Ray Bans in a squarish shape.  I thought this shape looked better on my face at the time but now I kind of wish I had the classic aviators.  These were a Mother’s Day gift that I picked out about 8 years ago.  

Back right:  These are really nice by Guess.  I got them for free because my husband’s work gave them a catalog to pick an item and he didn’t want anything so he let me pick.  They are silver so I only wear them with silver jewelry.
These are two years old, I think.  

Front left:  New this year from TJ Maxx.  These were $12 and I have worn these the most this summer.  The rose gold is just fun and trendy IMO.

Front right:  These are my husband’s black Ray Ban aviators from 1995!  He still had the receipt in the case which is so him – ha!  Last year I told him I wanted some of these and he said he had them.  He hasn’t worn them since we’ve known each other in 1996 (I guess that was a bad purchase on his part!).  So, I have taken them over.  

TJ Maxx rose gold:

Guess:  

Classic Ray Bans:

Black Ray Ban aviators:

What is your sunglass style?  What are your favorite brands?  

Amy 

Monday, July 29, 2019

How was your weekend?  Mine was really good!  And, let’s go back to last week, too…I had a busy but fun week – and a bit productive.  Linking up with Heather, etc. today so go right here!  On Tuesday, my son and I got to be extras in a movie!  We had to pretend we were moving him into a college dorm room!  Eek – too close to home!  It was a fun experience, though.  I will let you know when this movie comes out and also the one I got to be an extra in last February.  You may remember I had to eat a cookie in a bakery – it was rough! There is a production studio in our city that does a lot of Lifetime and Hallmark type movies so I expect these will also be on those channels!  

Here is son waiting for our scene:

Then, on Wednesday I got 3 more professional development hours for a total of 6 out of 12 needed.  The boys did two ACT tutor sessions on Tuesday and Thursday and then on Thursday for lunch I met the sweet French teacher that teaches next door to me.  There is a 20 year age difference between us but we have a lot to talk about and I just adore her.  I love having friends of varying ages – do you?

So, she is rather new to our city and I suggested this French restaurant that she hadn’t been to yet.  It’s in a strip mall and you wouldn’t think there would be a nice French restaurant there, but when you walk inside it is so cute.  

We had a rose because it’s summer!  

We split a croque madame and it was perfect.  And, I guess I forgot the photo of the creme brulee we split!  Divine!  

Thursday night my boys went to a friend’s house and hub and I ate leftovers at home.  I’m really trying to cut down on food waste around here.  

Friday my friend invited me and our other friend for lunch at her beautiful home.  She made sangria (recipe coming soon)

and pasta salad and ordered us the sandwich of our choice from her nearby sandwich shop.  I thought this was a great idea.  I ordered benedictine and bacon which is a rare treat.  Benedictine is a Kentucky thing – a green cream cheese and cucumber spread. She also made homemade chocolate dipped strawberries and had a lovely table setting.  

Friday night we all stayed in and had hot subs for dinner while watching some t.v. I had kind of wanted to go out, but everyone was tired.  

Saturday morning hub had a bike riding malfunction and I had to pick him up near the river so I brought this boy and let him swim.  I should show you a video of him jumping with perfect form from the dock to retrieve his stick.  

The rest of the day Saturday was laundry, cleaning, and me getting 6 more professional development hours for finishing up listening to 6 podcasts and answering corresponding questions!  I was so excited to get this done.  Now, unless something crazy happens, I have all 12 hours and can check that off of my summer bucket list and reduce my stress this school year.

Then, Saturday night our friends dropped their son at our house to hang with our boys while we went to an outdoor concert.  

The first group was three guys who were excellent.  They played Van Morrison, The Eagles, stuff like that.  

It was a bit hot at first but it was comfortable for the rest of the time.  

The second group was awesome, too, but in a different way.  They played more pop music but every song was one that you knew all the words to – Prince, Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, Meghan Trainor.  They had so much energy.  This picture doesn’t do it justice – there were tons of people there and several food trucks.  

And, the sunset was a sight to behold.  

Sunday morning we had our friends meet us at the boat and we did a little cruise and brunch.  I kept my phone put away and enjoyed the day!  

Then. we went as a family of four to the Quentin Tarantino film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.  I knew it was going to be long so I bought a coffee!  It kept my attention the whole time and was really good.  All four of us really liked it.  Our boys are into film, cinematography, etc. so they were pumped.  

How was your weekend?  What’s on the agenda for this week?  Soaking up the last of summer?  School supply shopping?  We are pretty set for school clothes and supplies around here – one advantage to kids getting older is that I no longer have to do the super long list of specific items.  And, we did some new clothes shopping in June.  So, I’m planning to just keep enjoying my days and checking a few more things off of my list – more decluttering, a movie by myself, a happy hour or lunch with friends – fun stuff like that.  

Thanks for visiting!

Amy

Friday, July 26, 2019

Time slow down!  Linking up today here for the regular Friday Favorites.  

Here we go…

I’m taking this chart with me to the grocery.  I think it’s cute that the “girl” watermelon is the sweeter!  

I clipped a few flowers from my hydrangea bush and put them in this big mason jar I had.  

I took a few of these on vacay but I think I will use these at home, too.  They are nail polish remover wipes – don’t think the brand matters but this is the Kroger brand.  The polish comes right off with little elbow grease.  

I ran out of my kitchen hand soap and saw this at Target.  I believe many bloggers use the Raw Sugar brand scrubs.  This is amazing and feels like a mini spa treatment each time you wash your hands!  

I got a much needed pedicure this week and choose a bright pinkish red.  But, this place has no little table or cup holder!  

I bought OPI Alpine Snow at Kroger to do my manicure at home.  I’ve been seeing some really pretty white nails lately.  Love it!  

Last week I showed you the peach Simpler Wines in a can from Trader Joe’s and this wek I tried the Rose.  It’s pretty good!  Super classy to drink wine from a can, too!  But, there can be lots of advantages – when you want to take your wine to a picnic, on a boat, to work – just kidding!

What were your favorites this week? Any fun summer weekend plans? I’m hoping to go on a boat ride, see a movie, go to an outdoor concert – gotta keep checking off my summer bucket list from yesterday!  

Make it a great one!

Amy 

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Did you create a summer list or bucket list?  I posted mine back in early June so I thought I would do a brief check – in – because my days are getting numbered!  

Celebrate end of my twin boys’ junior year – we had takeout of their choice but we didn’t celebrate in a big way.  They are so sweet and prefer my cooking to going out.  They rarely ask for anything.  I did make a point to tell them how proud I was of them when their report cards came and when they received their AP exam scores.  One took 4 AP classes and the other took 3.  

Celebrate hub’s bday – He wanted BLTS st home because our boys were recovering from wisdom teeth surgery.  He’s easy to please, too.  

Celebrate Father’s Day – He wanted to see Men in Black so we did.  The boys could finally start eating more normal foods and enjoyed some popcorn.  I didn’t anticipate how hard Father’s Day would be for me as the first one without my Dad.  I had some sweet friends reach out to me.  I need to remember to always do that, too.  

Celebrate completing my 25th year of teaching – not really but isn’t summer a reward?  Ha!  I cannot believe that I have been teaching this long.  I started at the young age of 22 and am now 47.  I only took off one semester with my babies but of course I had all of the summers and breaks.  I also had them at daycare/preschool right next to my school and could pick them up at 2:30 most days.  

Use my salt cave gift card – yes – see post here

Get regular 10 minute neck and shoulder massages at The Relax Place – no!  Why have I not done this?  

Watch Big Brother with my son that likes it – Yes!  We are enjoying this but it’s getting hard to watch.  It reinforces values while we watch and my son talks about how people shouldn’t act that way.  He’s so sweet.  

Go to my first movie alone – not yet – might do Lion King or Yesterday.  There haven’t been any chick flicks that I wanted to see!  

Take a pizza on the boat – not yet!  

Host people on the boat – This has been a bad year for boating.  We’ve only gone out 4 times due to all the rain and high water.  We did take one of our couple friends out and had brunch and that was really fun.  

Read some good books – Yes, but I’m not reading as much as I usually do.  I think it’s because my outdoor space is compromised due to my renovation and because it was either raining or hot most of the time when I did have a chance!  I prefer to read outside in the afternoons with a drink.  

Declutter – Yes, I’m happy to say that I finally got motivated.  I’m still working on this, though.  

Meet friends for coffee, brunch, lunch, happy hour – Yes!  I think I’ve told you before that night is not my most social.  I get tired early and I think I’m more fun in the daytime!  lol!  

Exercise almost every morning – Hanging my head over this one.  I have no excuse.  I have enjoyed leisurely mornings of coffee, blogs, books, t.v.

Get all professional development hours done before school starts – I am on my way.  I think I can make this happen which will lead to less stress when school starts. 

Other things I’ve done:

Outdoor concerts – 2 so far

Saw 3 movies at the theatre – 2 with whole family (MIB and Spiderman) and one with just hub (Stuber)

Tried some new recipes – Southwest bowl

Driving lessons with boys

ACT tutoring with boys

Serious college list making/visit planning with boys  (They started visiting last year)

Helped husband with renovation moving parts and picking out elements

That’s all I can think of so far!  What about you?  Have you accomplished what you wanted?  What do you still want to do? 

Amy 

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

While the rest of the world was shopping for fall and winter clothes on Nordstrom and looking for Amazon Prime deals, this girl was using her Versona gift card.  So, o.k., it wasn’t a gift card – it was a refund card without a receipt, but still I had $25 to spend that didn’t feel like MY money.  

I’m usually one to say don’t rush to the sale racks because I have made many mistakes that way – buying things only because they were cheap without much thought to if I really needed it or if it worked with my wardrobe, you know?  But, the store was starting to fill with fall and it’s 99 degrees here, so I headed to the very, very well stocked sale racks.  

Here is what came home with me:

 I did try everything on.  I hate trying things on but I  hate making returns with a greater passion. 

This blouse – silk in front, knit in back – was originally $29.99 and came home with me for $12.99 

I have been looking for a bright yellow top all summer and while this is not quite the bright shade I wanted, I still thought it could be a layering piece.  Orginal price was 24.99 and I brought it home for $10.99

This was my favorite on the hanger.  It was orginally $29.99 and it only came down to $19.99.  

And, finally, I remember seeing this fun sweater back in the winter or early spring. It was originally $39.99 and I brought it home for $6.99! 

I had been needing more short sleeve summer tops.  So, I’m happy with what I found.  

Total for all 4 items was $54 with tax and after my gift card I paid $28.  

What do you think?  

Did you order from Nordstrom or Amazon?  

I ordered zero from Nordstrom and just a couple things from Amazon that weren’t even Prime Day deals.  

Amy 

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Let’s talk about summer makeup!  I have given my face a much needed break this summer and can count on two hands and maybe one foot the number of times I’ve even bothered putting on my “face” since school let out.  

Disclaimer:  I’m not great at makeup and I’m trying to use up all the little things that I got in almost a year of Ipsy bags (Ipsy is a monthly subscription where you receive a makeup pouch with 5 items – I think it’s a great deal but I had too many pouches and wanted to use up what I had already gotten so I canceled.)

Naked 47 year old face

My current products- I pulled out all of the stops and used everything.  I don’t always do this, but I did it for our purposes today.  I don’t know if would recommend them all, but please ask if you have a specific question.  Like I said, I’m trying to use up products and pare down after my Ipsy subscription accumulation.

I started with Trader Joe’s moisturizer, followed by Pore Professional (Ipsy) which is really great if you have big pores, then I did Dr. Brand’ts undereye (Ipsy), then Cover Girl under eye concealer on the far right (looks like a lipstick), then I did Cover Girl matte (love it), Charlotte Tilbury foundation, Cover Girl pressed powder, Tarte blush (Ipsy), lined brows with Brow Benefit, Cover Girl eyeshadow, liner from Estee Lauder free palette, mascara primer, mascara in the little blue tube (Ipsy), bronzer, highlighter, lipliner, Revlon lipstick, NYX gloss.  

This took me:  

I didn’t rush and I kind of took my sweet time.  

Final product:

Slightly more socially acceptable?  The photo quality isn’t great – maybe the humidity in the bathroom?  

What products can you recommend? Is there something you just wouldn’t want to live without?

Amy 

Monday, July 22, 2019

How was your weekend?  Mine was boring but productive!  But, last week was super fun and social, so I guess I had to pay the piper.  I’m linking up with Heather, etc. so go here for other Hello Monday posts.

First, on Thursday I met my two teacher friends who are at different schools out for breakfast.  We went to Highland Morning and it was really good.  I started at my current school with these two gals 19 years ago!  We have kept in touch and I love that!  One teaches Latin and the other teaches French.  

Thursday started our heat wave!  I missed a photo of when it said 100 in my car, so you’ll have to just see 99 and take my word for it!  

Thursday night our boys were out so hub suggested I meet him on his way home from work at this place.  It is a bit nicer than the typical Mexican restaurant and it’s really good.  I had a gift card, too!  Score!  

Hub had to dress up for a work photo Friday morning and I took a picture like it was his first day of school.  He looks dapper except for his smile!  

And, then I had another breakfast date on Friday with my two bffs.  One has a crazy work schedule so we have to get together when her work allows.  We had pink mimosas!  

I went home and planned to have a quiet afternoon but my work friend texted and wanted to meet at a nearby newish brewery.  I had been wanting to go and I tried a pineapple beer.  It was really subtle and really good!  

While we were there a few teachers we know came in and we joined them and chatted for a while.  It was really fun.  I went home and the four of us just heated up leftovers.  

Also on Friday, we got our much anticipated dumpster.  I was so excited to get rid of construction scraps!  

I don’t know what got into me but Saturday morning as hub and boys were working on the dumpster, I started purging things that will need to be purged when we get to the kitchen.  It felt so good!  I immediately loaded and took it to the donation center.  

Then I did our Costco run I’ve been putting off.  I needed laundry detergent pods, tp, paper towels, dog food, and coffee.  

After that, summer Amy was worn out.  I fell into a Sex in the City marathon.  I have watched every episode and own most of the DVDs – ha!  Any other fans out there?  It is such a well done show IMO.

I cooked dinner Saturday night as hub was too worn out to go out.  We watched some tv and I was in bed early. 

I finished this cute book Sunday.  I do recommend it for a light summer read.  

I also read most of this – skimmed some of it.  If you are into decluttering or looking for motivation, it’s a great read.  I wholeheartedly agree that if you are a slave to your material possessions you are missing out on your life.  Even though I love to talk clothing, shoes, and accessories I think you might be surprised by the size of my closet.  I’m always a work in progress, though, and need to pare down even more.  

We filled the entire dumpster and got rid of the pile and by “we” I mean mostly my hub and our framer.  Now, to get the dumpster taken away so we can park in our garage again.  

So, was I wrong?  A boring but productive weekend! What about you?  I’m getting nervous as the calendar days get ticked off.  I’m still definitely in summer mode over here! 

Hope to see you back tomorrow!

Amy 

Friday, July 19, 2019

Every day is Friday for me right now!  Lol!  But the Friday Favorites link up right here is always a fun one.  I think I get my best recommendations from other bloggers!  Did you get caught up in the Prime Day and Nordstrom Anniversary sale hype?  I did not.  I ordered a couple of things from Amazon that had been in my cart but didn’t qualify for deals.  I plan today to order a couple of things from Nordstrom when it opens to the public.  A pair of black work pants caught my eye, a pair of sunglasses that is a good deal, and maybe a beauty purchase are on my agenda today.  

If you have an iphone 7 like me, you might love this recent Amazon find.  And, this is only needed if you don’t use wireless earbuds, of course.  This is really cool and lets you charge and listen with earbuds at the same time.  

I hit up my two consignment store faves this week and found this blouse by a brand I’ve only seen at Steinmart called “Democracy”.  The consignment store price was $16 – fairly high for consignment – but I knew my brand and it is high at Steinmart.  It’s the same brand as my fruit blouse here.  I paid almost $40 for that I think because I loved it so much!  I plan to wear it with my olive Target Universal Thread shorts this summer and my Matilda Janes in the fall.  I love to merely switch up my pants for shorts and vice versa.  If you wear mostly jeans in fall and winter, denim shorts are your best friend in summer.  It’s not rocket science, but I think it’s a trick that makes life easier.  

It’s a bit snug in the stomach area after vacation, but I’m hoping to depuff by making better food and drink choices now!  The struggle is real!  But, I can still return it so let me know if you think it looks bad!  

I had a favorite summer hat from Target that was lost to the Lake Michigan waves two years ago.  I replaced it with a splurge for me because I have a friend who swears by this hat brand.  I’m super happy with it if you’re in the market!  

Right after college, 7 layer Mexican dip was my signature.  People loved it.  I recently came across a new “recipe”.  Instead of just refried beans, start with this Fritos bean dip on the bottom, then layer guac, sour cream with taco seasoning mixed in, followed by cheese, tomatoes and green onions.  So good!  

If you like light lip colors, try Revlon Kiss Cushion.  I can’t read the name of this color because it’s in 1 pt. font, but my friend J had a red version of it and it looked great on her so I gave this pink a try.  The tip is spongey and you twist it to get the product out.  I think it was around $7 at Target.  I have talked soooo much about lipstick this summer!  Go here and here if you are also obsessed!  

Run, don’t walk to Trader Joe’s!  This is soooo good!  I have only tried this one – the peach- on an employee’s recommendation.  I was going to mix it with o.j. for a peach mimosa but it was so good alone!  It is light and refreshing and not too sweet with a nice little fizz.  

I can’t remember where I read about this but I love it!  I don’t even need my foundation really.  I have a summer total face makeup post coming next week even though I’m no expert.  

I bought this to go over it and I’m really liking it, too.  

And, finally, run – don’t walk – to Bath and Body for this Volcano candle dupe wallflower!  I plan to put this in my classroom to combat eau de stinky teenager when school starts!  

Well, that was random!  Come back next week to see my Amazon goods – if they work out and I can recommend them, my summer total face makeup, my week and weekend recap, and more!  

I love your comments and I’m having so much fun in this space.  So, thank you!!!!

If you missed any posts this week I did some travel tips here, what I wore on vacation here, my anniversary here, and my weekend wrap here.  

Have a wonderful weekend!  We have high heat indexes so you will find me in my basement with a sweatshirt on! 

Amy

Thursday, July 18, 2019

My anniversary was this past Monday and I didn’t want to let it slip away without dedicating a post to my marriage.  It’s hard to believe it’s been 19 years on one hand but on the other I feel like we’ve been through so much together.  Hub is a very private person without any social media, so I don’t share much about him in this space.  He is the introvert to my extrovert. I think we balance each other out pretty well, though.  He has calmed my type A tendencies and I have pushed him to take needed risks in his personal and professional life I think.  We share the same core values and sense of humor which I think is really important.  

Anyhow…

We got married in my childhood church in a very traditional ceremony.  

My dress was one of the first I tried on.  I wore one of my best friend’s veil from her wedding the previous October.  Thanks again, H – it’s beautiful!  

Looking through my album (this was pre-digital photos, of course!), the photo below with my Dad made me sad.  And, the photo on the bottom left also made me sad.  My husband’s childhood best friend died of a brain tumor a few years ago. We have also since lost both of our grandmothers.  

Our wedding party is pictured below.  I most definitely was not a bridezilla.  The bridesmaids wore camisoles from Target that were on sale for $8, skirts from Macy’s that were $20 on sale and shoes that were around $20, also.  I was really happy with that.  In fact, I picked my color scheme for the wedding based on the sale items.  They were a deep plum and silver – not my favorites, but I thought they turned out pretty well.

This was really fun below.  We were the first to use my hometown’s trolley.  We rode it from the church to the reception and hub and I hung off the back!

We did not smash cake in each other’s faces. Nope, it wasn’t even discussed.  Plus we were 28 (me) and 33 (him) and and had been to many a wedding where they had done that!  No offense if you did choose to do that but it wasn’t my idea of fun!  

I still love my wedding band and engagement ring and this was my first professional manicure.  My husband had calluses from lifting weights and it made us laugh at this photo.  He is not a ring person and you will die when you hear this – he keeps his ring on his keychain and always has!  He wears it on holidays and out to dinner with me sometimes.  Ha!  

And, two more pictures that make me happy.  The first on the top is my group of high school friends.  I just had dinner with some of them last week.  

And, the bottom one is of my Dad leading a conga line.  He started one at every wedding we went to for some crazy reason.  It became a joke!  He is followed by my high school bestie, my cousins, my sister, and a few others.  So funny!  

Now, on to the honeymoon!  

We had to be at the airport at 3 a.m. to head to Aruba!  It was a dream honeymoon.  We sunbathed on the beach, went snorkeling several times, went on a pirate ship, went on a catamaran, kayaked, rented a jeep to explore the island, had a romantic dinner on the beach.  We had so much fun and it’s a good thing because just a bit over a year later we found out we were expecting twin boys!  

Hope you enjoyed this walk down memory lane with me!  

Amy