Monday, October 22, 2018

How was your weekend?  I did very little this weekend!  It was cold and we didn’t have much we had to do so we took advantage of it.  So, it was nice to relax, but I would have liked to meet up with friends.  Hopefully we will be able to make that happen in the next couple of weekends.  

Friday after school was busy with grocery pick up and haircuts for the boys but I managed to squeeze in some crisp patio time before making dinner.  

I finished Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg and I recommend it.  This was the book club pick by this month’s hostess. 

If you are local and in need of a boat or boating accessories, go see my husband’s brother in law at Marine Sales and Service.  These little plastic cups are great for outside!

Saturday morning was lazy and included french toast for my boys.  I have perfected it.  You buy the brioche bread from Trader Joe’s and it turns out great!

I used a very old nail polish and it really is past its prime.  Wicked by Essie is the color and I like it so much I may buy a new bottle.  

After a very lazy Saturday morning, I made a Costco run.  I had been out of my all time favorite coffee and it was good to get it again.  

Saturday I also had some patio time but needed a blanket!  

I also finished this and I recommend it, too.  I had to take a break from it to finish my book club book in time for Thursday night.  I will do a post on starting a book club if you all would be interested.  I have started two.  This one has been going for almost a year.  My other one went for 4-5 years before it faded out.  

I did a special “Soup Sunday” post yesterday.  Check it out here to see the recipe for this chicken tortilla soup below.  

We have lived in our home for 18.5 years.  It is a 60s ranch and I love it, but it needed some work and still needs some work.  We have replaced doors, windows, built a free standing carriage house garage with patio off to the side, refinished the basement complete with drywalling over the paneling, added a basement bathroom, built a fence, redone the roof.  Whew!  But, our big goal has always been to build an addition on the back.  This will involve a master bedroom with bigger closets, master bath, new hall bath, mudroom, and new kitchen.  I’m really scared because I don’t like disarray and I’m worried about how long it will take and I am also conservative about the expenses.  We got started with having our back concrete steps removed and our old septic tank that is no longer used dug out.  My sweet dog missed his back porch so he had to lay next to where it was.  I thought it was funny and sent it to my hub with a caption from our dog saying, “Where’s my back porch, daddy?”

My husband built us temporary back steps in just a few hours each weekend day.  I was without back steps for only five days but I learned how much I needed them! Look at that deceiving blue sky.  It was 50 degrees!

Even though I clicklisted Friday, I had to make a run for a few items on Sunday.  I had to get a PSL!

My boys wanted to go to the bookstore and I can’t say no to a bookstore or to buying them books!  

I treated myself to two fall magazines.  

After hub finished the stairs, we went to a movie.  This time it was his pick because I picked a Simple Favor and A Star is Born the last two times we saw movies.  He really liked both of those, too.  So, Bad Times at the El Royale…he really liked this one, but I have three words for you:  slow, long, and disturbing.  It felt like a Quentin Tarantino film maybe?  Take my opinion with a grain of salt because I love comedies and rom coms the most.  My favorite movies are Pitch Perfect 1 and 2, Bridesmaids, Stepbrothers, and the like.  So… there you go!

Are we ready for another week?  I have a five day week with a field trip in the middle.  I’m taking 70 kids on two buses to a performance and to lunch.  I have 7 chaperones, 3 of which are dads which I thought was pretty cool.  

I have some posts planned:  What to wear for Halloween events, What to wear for Thanksgiving, How to start a book club, Fall Bucket List Check in and November goals, What to make for Fall Parties/Thanksgiving.  Hope that sounds good and leave me suggestions in the comments if you have other ideas.

Thanks for reading and good luck with your Monday!

Amy 

Sunday, October 21, 2018

It’s finally soup weather! Have you made your first batch? I have made one batch of chili and one failed attempt at taco soup – I didn’t like the enchilada sauce that the recipe called for. I will look for another recipe.

Yesterday I made this soup and it was delish and even better, super easy!

One carton chicken broth

Half an onion

Salsa verde – I only used half of the jar

2 cans great northern beans

Green chiles – one small can

Can of corn

Cooked, diced chicken (I used rotisserie)

Cumin

Not pictured – about a half cup of salsa in the jar – not fresh

Cook for about 20 minutes or more. I like to bring to a boil and then simmer for awhile. I also sautéed the onions before adding.

Serve with some Mexican blend shredded cheese and sour cream if desired. We also had corn bread with it.

I guess I call this chicken tortilla soup?

Let me know if you try it! I will be eating this again today!

Amy

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Remember when Liz Claiborne used to be everywhere and was quite a popular brand?  Well, maybe you don’t remember if you are younger than I am!  Last winter I stumbled upon a good find in my opinion.  Did you know you can still find the Liz Claiborne Brand at JCPenney and JCP.com? I was impressed by the quality and even better, the price on the items. 

I am not typically a JC Penney shopper, but we needed a suit for my debate team son last year.  If you need suits for your teen boys, their suit prices are unbeatable.  I think we had him in suit jacket, pants, dress shirt, and two ties for just over $100.  We didn’t know how quickly he would grow, so we only bought one and it’s still working for him this season.  Or, your husband may need suits for work.  My husband doesn’t have to dress that formally for his job.  Of course while we were trying on suits, I wandered over to the women’s section!  

It’s not a great experience for me to shop at JCP in person.  It’s at a really busy mall with slim pickings for parking and it’s just a mess inside the store.  The check outs are in weird places and the merchandise is crammed together.  But, if you can overlook that, you should check out this line of clothes.  I also had success with one item that I ordered on JCP.com last season.  While working on this post, I actually made it a point to visit the store this season.  They had some great sales, but there wasn’t anything I had to have.  Just go to the website and search by brand.  

How would I describe the Liz Claiborne brand?  They have working woman type clothes (I saw some great non wrinkle, classy looking shells for women to wear under a cardigan or a suit jacket), lounge/weekend wear, and what I would call classic with a twist/boho style items.  I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for Anthropologie vibe clothes for less!  

Item Number One from Last Season:  I really wanted a chambray shirt but button downs are often hard for me and not my most flattering look.  I was thrilled to find this partial button tunic length top.  I usually wear it with leggings and a long vest.

Item Number Two from Last Season:  This gorgeous cherry red velour ish 3/4 length sleeve top.  I wore this to my husband’s holiday party, to church on Christmas Eve, on Valentine’s Day and several other times.  I was so happy to see this when I got out my off season clothes.  It came in purple and black and I’m mad that I didn’t snag the black.  I also told my lovely hair girl/friend about this and she got two of them and wore them to death.  I didn’t get the purple because I didn’t want to look like Barney the children’s character.  My friend looks great in jewel tones so I think she went for the purple and didn’t look like Barney. 

Item Number Three and Four from Last Season:  This is from her lounge/weekend collection (still located in the store by the other clothes).  I never buy two of an item, but I bought two of these super soft, black, 3/4 length sleeve, nice flattering line down the front shirts.  Excuse the wrinkles as this was packed away in a Rubbermaid under bed tote.  I wanted decent looking lounge clothes for home that could also be acceptable for leaving the house.  I wear these with my fun printed leggings.  To be honest, I could use more than two.  

I apologize that I’m showing you items from last year, but I wanted to give you an idea of what items the brand offers.  

If you decide to check it out, let me know!

What brands work for you?  Any suggestions for me?  

My sister loves the Rock and Republic line at Kohl’s but I haven’t had any luck with it.  We are all different with different tastes, but it pays to be open minded and you can find great stuff in unexpected places!

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

Monday, October 15, 2018

Happy Monday to all!  O.k., we find ourselves in the middle of October.  Have you done your fall bucket list items?  I have savored some apple recipes and a couple of pumpkin recipes.  I have bought my fall signature scent for myself – my L perfume.  I have enjoyed my pumpkin bourbon candles.  As for the rest of my list, I need to get on it!

So, I think I have found my fall clog!  I ordered the Mia Sofia clog off of Amazon and it is the perfect heel height, the perfect color, and pretty comfortable.  I have not done the 7 hour on my feet teacher test, but I will report back.  I put them on immediately when they arrived.  

I also had some time this weekend to make my apple sangria the way I prefer.  I top it with this apple ICE sparkling drink.  I like all of my cocktails to have a fizzy note. Here is my apple cider sangria recipe:  cut up apple chunks if you want and place in bottom of glass.  Pour in one shot Fireball, one shot bourbon, about a 1/2 cup of cider and give it a good stir or shake.  Pour into a glass of ice and top with sparkling apple or gingerale.  This is an individual serving.  I make a huge batch for Thanksgiving but I just dump and don’t have an exact recipe.  

We had a crisp fall day Friday so after school I enjoyed one of my favorite fall pastimes.  Reading a good book on my patio.  I recommend this book, guys!  It’s chick lit, but well written and I’m drawn into the story of childhood friends who open a restaurant after suffering losses.  Bonus, if you are a foodie, you will enjoy the food descriptions.  

After the patio time, my husband brought home Chick Fil A for dinner which we hadn’t had in a long time so we enjoyed family time and I went to bed per usual – 9:00 p.m. I am going to bed at 9 and waking between 5-6 all seven days a week in this season of life, people. It’s sad, but true.  

Saturday morning my son had to leave the house at 7 to be at his debate tournament.  I hung out with him for a bit and then I was off the hook because I wasn’t a judge.  I did my grocery shopping, a Target run, and met my parents who were in town.  

I’m posting these pictures for laughs.  I had it in my head that I wanted a fall felt hat.  Target was a fail and I look like a park ranger.  Enjoy!  

I took my Dad to buy running shoes while my mom went to an event.  Then the non- debate son and my husband and my mom and dad and I ate lunch at McAllister’s.  Iced tea is a rare treat for me.  

My parents left us to go to a couple of stores before heading home and I talked my husband into going to the polo match (last of the season) after we visited our son at his debate tourney.  We had some tailgate charcuterie and I brought my apple sangria.  

It was so interesting to attend my first polo match.  I had asked four couple friends to join us but everyone had obligations.  I’m hoping to get some people together next season.  I wore my very old Target sweater cape thing and my only Nickel and 
Suede earrings and old booties because I thought it could be muddy.  

After the match, we picked up debate son and I made a dinner of Hawaiian ham and swiss sliders, leftovers and apple slices and carrots.  We were all tired.  My husband and I watched a really weird and disturbing movie called Suburbicon on Netflix with Matt Damon.  Has anyone seen it?  Wondering what others thought?

Sunday was cold and rainy and I did some reading, laundry, sheet changing, blogging, school work and just some tidying of the casa.

Boys had tons of homework to do so hub and I took in the movie Night School. It was cute and made me laugh several times.

I read on the patio again while it was lightly raining – my favorite. I had a hot chocolate. I made dinner, we ate, and watched some Telly.

Hope you have a great week!

Amy

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Why not build outfits around accessories? I have brown riding boots and brown cowboy boots but might upgrade mine.   I don’t have grey booties, a felt hat or brown clogs yet.

I like to do my research to see how I can wear the items I own. I’ve talked about it before but I love Pinterest for this purpose. I can usually find a way to recreate a look with things I already own.

If you are considering a purchase it’s a great way to get ideas and see if you will get your money’s worth.

Brown Riding Boots:

This is a photo from a local boutique called Tunie’s. I love the combo of orange and blue with the boots and I really think I might need the denim kimono. It’s a more comfortable way to wear a jean jacket in my opinion. Stay tuned because I may go try one on!

Other riding boot outfits that I like are below:

One photo has OTK boots but I like the brown jacket with the black monochromatic underneath.

Brown Cowboy Boots:

I have consignment boots that are a little big and a little worn. I may upgrade and have been checking out my options on Amazon.

Grey Booties:

I love the Toms booties in grey that I talked about Monday. I like the camo with grey especially.

Felt Hat:

I have looked at a couple of stores but don’t want to spend more than $20. I need to look at TJ Maxx.

Brown clogs:

I’m having trouble finding ones I like in my price range. I think they are so cool for fall.

I’m happy to have a birthday in the fall because I usually ask my husband for a fall piece to freshen up my wardrobe. I have a little wish list going on my phone and still some time to decide.  My husband likes the help and I can be sure I love my gift. We don’t go too crazy – just a pair of shoes or something like that. I usually get some money from my parents and in-laws and that is fun to use to pick something out.  

What are your thoughts on these pieces?  I’m all ears if you have any product recommendations!

Amy