Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Guys, we are so close to September!  In September it will officially be o.k. to decorate for fall!  September is apple month for me.  I like to go to an apple orchard, make apple sangria, have an apple candle (Yankee has a great one), and I tend to start wearing more fall colors.  But, where I live it can still be 90 degrees in September.  

I started reading about fall trends and then I thought I would look at my “old friends” – my fall clothes that I store in another closet.  It was like a family reunion – but not the dysfunctional kind.  It was so fun to see pieces I had forgotten about!

First, this velvet kimono can be worn over short sleeve or a tank and then long sleeves later in the winter.  I got this last winter at a little boutique called Tunie’s in Louisville for $20 on the sale rack.

One of the 2018 trends is plaid.  Does plaid ever go out of style?  I found this on Amazon last year and wore it a bunch in December.  Look at the cute buttons.  You know me, I probably didn’t spend more than $20.

I love this plaid because of the pink and blue.  I have had this Old Navy shirt for years and I have quite the collection of these lightweight vests – post coming soon on my vest collection and why I love them so much.

Tip:  Look for fall colors in sleeveless or short sleeve.  This was Anthropologie sale room several years ago and I have worn it on Thanksgiving with a skirt, riding boots, and a cardigan.

This is a mod/retro LuLaRoe perfect tee.  I wear it with skinny pants and a vest.

This is another plaid find from Amazon last year.  I wore it all winter and especially around Valentine’s day.  I like the Burberry inspired plaid.  I wore it with a black tank or top and black pants.  

Here are some of the other trends I read about: (and see photos below of things I already own)

leopard – these flats are Coach consignment from several years ago, the skirt is Chico’s sale rack

camo –  the jeans are a very subtle camo from Land’s End, the flats are also Land’s End (both are several years old)

mules -got these mules at a consignment last year and I loved the western vibe – like a cowboy boot had been cut down

I was so happy these things are still on trend.  

I also like to break out my black distressed jeans from American Eagle a few years ago(top right of photo) for weekends.  I love American Eagle jeans.  I order several pairs of short online and return what I don’t want to my local store.  They fit me great because I need the short.  

In summary, here are the trends I read about:  camo, leopard, red monochromatic, floral, mules, plaid, magenta, and fur accents.  I’m on board with all but red monochromatic. I’m not sure I could do that.  Maybe a red jumpsuit would be cute for the holidays, but not sure I could pull that off?  What trends do you plan to try?  

Tip:  I rarely order anything full price.  I do, however, like to look at the catalogs I receive or the magazines I get with fall fashions.  I take a picture of the looks I like and see what I have to recreate that look or I try to shop for a similar vibe.  

I rarely shop at Talbots, but in my twenties my only retail job was at the Talbots Surplus Store in Lexington, KY.  I was already a teacher, but I worked there summers and breaks because my good friend was a manager and I had another good friend who worked there.  As much as I love clothes, I hated working with clothes.  

I love the scallops on these booties.  I love my booties for fall and winter.  I don’t have any suede, though.  

Look how chic she looks.  I love grey and black.  I bet my good old Target might do a dupe for this poncho.  Remember to look for ponchos in the accessories sections of Target and TJ Maxx, not with the regular clothes.

I also looked at Family Circle.  

Love this look.  Do I need tall brown suede boots?  I have leather ones already.  I like her long denim skirt and her blouse.  

I don’t think I could pull off the metallic booties, but I love her jacket and her bucket bag.  Give me all the fringe and tassels.  

What do you think?  Are you ready for fall clothes?  

Amy 

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Monday, August 27, 2018

I actually don’t mind a Monday too much.  I think Tuesday might be harder.  Mondays I get to come home right after work so I try to just focus on that day alone.  Tuesday are my long day because I have meetings after work.  What about you?  

Anyway, back to Sundays.  many people get the Sunday blues on Sunday afternoons, or maybe even earlier.  I really don’t get the Sunday blues anymore.  I try to have a nice Sunday evening routine that I look forward to.  We have dinner at home (after usually eating out on Saturday night), I take my shower at night (so relaxing), and I polish my nails for the week and watch a movie I’ve taped either with my husband or by myself.  Last Sunday night it was “Bad Teacher” which I just adore.  I think it is so funny and clever.  It is from 2011, which is hard to believe, but they play it on cable tv quite a bit.  I try to get in bed no later than 10.  Sometimes I do have trouble sleeping on Sunday nights, but I’m usually o.k. to go to bed a little later because I’ve gotten more sleep on the weekend.  

If you can get your cleaning and errands done on Saturdays, then Sundays can truly be a day of rest.  Also, I almost never grocery shop on Sundays.  Or, if I do, I do it really early in the morning, so I don’t have it hanging over my head.  Plan something fun on Sundays and really enjoy the day.  Also, definitely take the time to meal prep on Sunday mornings.  I make my low carb egg casserole and my sauteed zucchini on Sunday early mornings.   I think getting a few things done will help you to have a great rest of the day on Sundays.  

This weekend: 

Friday after school I did some consignment shopping and picked up a take and bake pizza and stuff to make a good old iceberg lettuce salad with tomatoes, cucumber, cheese, croutons, and ranch dressing.  We watched a show as a family and I was in bed at 9!  

Saturday was coffee on the patio and I loved the cooler morning and I was so thankful to feel better this weekend.  I lost a whole weekend almost last weekend!  There’s nothing like being sick to make you appreciate being healthy.

I did laundry, cleaned, Trader Joe’s, read a little, watched some Food Network, made some food for my boys, just had a lazy Saturday morning and day.  We were going to boat, but it started raining.

Below:  Me happy to wear my soft Old Navy nautical sweatshirt because of the cooler morning temps with shorts and using my Happiness hand lotion in the car.  

Hub and I left the boys this meal as we were going out with friends.  This is the Trader Joe’s chicken fried rice and orange chicken over the frozen Jasmine rice if you have wanted to see what it looks like.

My cacti top came in right on time for me to wear it.  My one son has been super sweet about taking some outfit pictures for me so I can move away from mirror selfies.  I’m wearing my light denim Hue leggings, and my favorite and really only wedges of the summer from Corky’s boutique.  

We went to the monthly outdoor concert and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect as the night wore on.  

There was a crepe truck and I got a Caprese crepe.  It was good.  

The first band was really good music like Paul Simon, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Jimmy Buffet, The Eagles.  The second band below was a Beach Boys cover band.  

Sunday was a relaxing boat day. This may or may not be a mimosa.

They have replica Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria or two of the three in town. They do this every year. We took our boys several years ago to tour the replicas.

I read a bit of this on the boat. I’m really liking it. My last book was slow so I gave it a pause.

Here is this week’s meal plan:  

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Amy 

Friday, August 23, 2018

Happy Friday!  Are you planning to do something tonight even if you are exhausted?  Check out my post here for some inspiration – I hope! I talked about why you should go out on a Friday and what it can do for your weekend.  Will I take my own advice?  You’ll find out on Monday!  

I’m linking up with Andrea, etc. for Friday Favorites today. 

Number One:  It happens every year, but as soon as school starts, I get in the mood for fall.  I’m excited to fill my house with Bath and Body fall scents.  I am going to try to have my coupons with me when I go in a few weeks. Did you get the recent mailer they sent out?

Number Two:  I don’t usually buy things at the beginning of the season – I wait for sales, but I was excited to look at fall clothes in some catalogs I got this week.  Love the outfit below.  I’m planning some fall fashion posts coming up soon.  I’m ready to see my old friends – my fall clothing!

Number Three:  Having a meal plan and following it to the letter until Thursday night this week was wonderful.  It really saved me this week.  I had all of the ingredients and at 5:30, I just followed the plan.  Thursday night I did hot subs again with loaded baked potatoes.  I click listed in the morning and picked up a small load of groceries after school at 3:00.  You guys, if this is a busy season of life for you, too, please meal plan and do grocery pick up.  It is so absolutely wonderful!

Number Four:  We had some spectacular weather this week so I made time to sit outside for a bit after school. 

Number Five:  I was excited to get library notification that this book is in for me.  My library is closed on Fridays so I will put library on my list for Saturday.   Just a note about reading.  I make time for reading during the school year.  I’m almost to the point where I’m more organized and using time more efficiently at school, so I will be working less at home on school stuff.  I can’t be a good teacher if I don’t do things for myself after school and on weekends. 

Number Six:  Yes, I’m confusing.  I was just talking about fall clothing, but look at this top below.  I was looking for something with cacti all summer long and I was searching fall fashion on Amazon and this came up.  It must be a sign.  I placed an order and want to wear it to an outdoor concert Saturday night.  I figured I could get a few wears in this year.  I’m hoping I chose the size correctly after reading reviews.  I plan to wear it on my shoulders and saw a picture of it worn that way, too.  I will be sure to report back.  It was $17.  

Number Seven:  Back to fall, I love this type of top.  I have one that is a cocoa color from last year.  I wore it a ton! I am not buying fall clothing yet.  I plan to inventory what I have and make a wish list and maybe do a capsule wardrobe for fall.  

Number EIght:  Speaking of wish lists, I would love to pull off a hat like this in the fall.  Where will I wear it?  Frolicking through a pumpkin patch, wine tasting, at a polo match like on Southern Charm?  Does my real life allow for a hat like this?  One can dream!

See my Pinterest inspiration below?

This is probably what I would end up looking like!  Haha!  No offense meant toward Red Hat Society ladies! 

Lastly:  I’m ready to bring out the fall foods!  This is a great little cookbook that I got at a garage sale.  I’m bummed that I missed a big used book sale last weekend!  I still love cookbooks.  In September I like to break out the apple recipes, including my apple sangria.  In October I like to break out the pumpkin recipes.  And, in December I do a lot of chocolate peppermint coffee drinks.  It’s so fun to change with the seasons, in my opinion. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! What are your plans?  As I mentioned, I’m hoping to do an outdoor concert Saturday night and then some shopping Saturday day or maybe Friday for my Friday activity, and a boat ride on Sunday maybe?  I still need to do that boat brunch with mimosas!  Leave me a comment!  I love reading what you have to say!  

Amy

Thursday, August 23, 2018

In the south, we love our monograms! Do we have an identity crisis?  Are we afraid we will forget our names? Are we afraid someone will steal our stuff? Who knows? Who cares!

Monograms add a fun touch to clothing, accessories, notebooks, cups, and much more. I even gave my bridesmaids sterling silver monogrammed earrings to wear in my wedding and beyond.  Someone gave me earrings at a wedding shower with my future monogram.  

I usually get my monogrammed items on Etsy. I love to support small business owners and Etsy has so many choices. Check here for their monogrammed products.  

When I bought my car two years ago I decided to put a monogrammed front plate on my car. I used my married monogram that uses my husband’s first initial, my first initial, and our last initial. I think this was $8 on Etsy.

You can find tons of monogram inspiration on Pinterest.  How cute is this shirt for the holiday season?  

I added monogram stickers to my Yeti cups for a fun touch.

What do you think? Are you a fan of a monogram?

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

(linking up with JessJess today)

So, I have some teacher looks from the second through fifth days of school. Some information: I wear lots of skirts and dresses until the weather gets cooler, then I switch to wearing more pants.   I must be comfortable. Sometimes my shoes ruin my outfit but, again, I have to be comfortable.  We don’t have a dress code, per se, but in my high school teachers dress up quite a bit.  It is frowned upon to wear jeans except on spirit days.  Many of the women wear dresses and many men wear ties on a daily basis.  

This was the second day of school and I’m wearing a LulaRoe Carly dress, TJ Maxx vest from last year ($10), Dansko sandals ($20 consignment from a few years ago).

This is a pair of Chico’s capris from a consignment store, black tunic tank from Soft Surroundings sale rack last year ($10), consignment necklace ($3), and the shoes came off shortly after!  I changed to flats.  

I wasn’t feeling well on Monday so I had to wear what feels like pajamas without looking like I was wearing pajamas.  Target top, Steinmart pants, Birks.  

Finally, I wore an Old Navy swing dress, Old Navy poncho/kimono from a few years ago, Target sandals.  

And, that’s a wrap for this week!  You do not want to see my weekend wear from this past weekend, trust me!  Have a great one!

Amy 

Monday, August 20, 2018

Well, I was under the weather all weekend.  I think I had food poisoning or a stomach bug.  From Friday after school until Sunday morning, I didn’t feel very good.    

Saturday around noon my husband took me to the library and Costco.  My stomach still hurt but I was o.k.  I came home and napped and then took my boys to buy the rest of their school supplies, mainly because I thought I needed to get out.  Next door to the Office Depot is Kirkland’s.  I took some pictures for you of all of their fall stuff, but I didn’t have energy to look at prices. 

Here is the Rae Dunn collection.  

Don’t they have such cute stuff? I didn’t buy anything, but I’m glad I saw the selection.  It really made me want to decorate for fall.  

After the school supplies, the boys and I picked up McAllister’s for dinner and watched a show as a family.  I ate a baked potato and that was the only thing I had eaten since Friday night except 6 saltine crackers.  I tried to go to sleep early, but I couldn’t get much sleep because I kept getting up because I was hot and cold. I finally got up around 5 and took a shower and that helped.  I watched some news and tried to grade papers!  I bring a lot of papers home at the beginning of the year before I can get my rhythm in getting more done at school.  Also, I assigned a one page paper for all of my classes that was due Friday – so I have to grade 130 papers.  

Around 9, I had the energy to do meal prep, meal plan, and grocery.  I bought this cute meal plan notepad from TJ Maxx about a year ago.  Dinners this week will be very easy because it will be our first five day week and I’m sure I will not have much energy.  They aren’t the healthiest.  I want to get better about making dinner salads.  I’m not sure my 3 boys would think that constitutes a meal, though!  

My boys had so much homework on the first weekend of school, so Sunday afternoon, hub and I went to see this.  It was very cute.  I loved it.  My hub laughed out loud several times, too.  It is a drama, rom-com, I would say.  

The boys’ friend came over when we got back so they got to have a little fun mixed in with all of the new school year homework.  I seriously hate all of the homework that high schoolers have.  They did homework Friday night, much of the day Saturday, and much of the day Sunday.

I made my easy Sunday meal – remember my Sunday theme is sandwiches – for now at least.  I found these brioche sub buns at Kroger and then deli turkey, provolone added melted, then added tomato, lettuce, and mayo.  

And, homemade potato wedges were made.  I’m still taking it easy – I didn’t eat any popcorn at the movies.   

I started this book from the library this weekend.  

Hope you all stay healthy!  The germs are starting to spread at school already!  

Amy 

Friday, August 17, 2018

Happy Friday! I’m linking up with Momfessionals today for Friday Favorites. 

Number One:  My boys started their junior year.  How is that possible?  They were born 10 weeks early weighing 2.9 and 2.14 pounds, by the way.  That’s a story for another time, but now they are pushing 6 feet tall.  So, the fact that they are getting so old isn’t a favorite, but the young men they are becoming is a favorite.  

Number Two:  Sunday meal prep for breakfast, at least.  I have not prepped for my lunches, but it sure helps to have my breakfast done.  The boys eat cereal, but I like this low carb mixture that I started eating over a year ago.  I took a break from it this summer and really missed it.  Low carb egg casserole, turkey sausage, zuchinni, mushroom is the mixture I eat.  

Number Three:  I’m almost done with this book below and I recommend it.  It is a fun, quick read and I can’t believe I read so much this week considering school started.  The night before school started I couldn’t fall asleep, so that was when I knocked several pages out.  

Number Four:  I’m hoping to see the movie below this weekend.  The trailer looks good!

Number Five:  I bought this circular leather keychain at a local boutique, but I’m sure you can find them on Amazon or Etsy.  My SIL had one first and I liked hers.  I love it for school because you can wear it on your wrist.  I’m not a lanyard wearing teacher and we aren’t required to wear one at our school.  Plus, a lanyard would mess with my necklace game! 

Number Five:  I found my fake apples to add to my mantel decor.  

Number Six:  Are you a fan of Rae Dunn?  Today is her release at Kirkland’s.  I don’t own anything of hers yet, but I like it, and would like to.  I can’t get there until Saturday so I debated telling you about this.  Just kidding! I plan to check it out when I run some errands, but I’m worried the fall decor will start calling my name!

What are your favorites from the week?  

Any fun plans this weekend?  We have to buy some school supplies that were requested on the boys’ syllabi, clean, do laundry, food shop, meal prep, and do some school work.  I hope to do the movie I talked about and eat at a restaurant.  We might do a boat ride but it usually takes up the better part of a day.  We shall see!

Have a good one and thanks for reading!

Amy 

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Whew!  We got the first day over with and it was pretty smooth.  I never sleep well the night before though, so I was running on adrenaline.  I teach six 50 minute classes with 4 minutes between each one and a 20 minute lunch halfway through.  I was tired at the end of the day.  I didn’t cook because I decided we would do take out Mediterranean from near our house – chicken kabobs, rice, Greek salad.  Yum!

I like to wear a dress on the first day and I like to wear something new if I can.  This dress did not disappoint.  It comes in 26 different colors/patterns.  The material is super soft, it has pockets, and it has two slits on either side that go up to the knee.  I didn’t have to hem it, so that was nice too.  I think it runs true to size.  My other color is plain olive and I think that will look good in the fall.  I will have to avoid buying more.  Check them out and let me know what you think.  Amazon fashion is pretty good.  I’m afraid I won’t even leave the house before long because of Amazon.  

I can’t believe I have been doing this job for so long.  Every year seems different, though. I hope that I’m still as effective if not more effective each year.  I started at the young age of 22 and I was so naive.  I will be 47 this fall.  Time really goes by quickly.  

These are the shoes I started the day in.  I lasted about 4 hours and could’ve gone longer, but knew my feet would hurt later. These are from Amazon and by Corky’s Boutique.  They are quite comfortable, but teacher comfortable is a whole other level.  They come in camo and I was oh so tempted. What do you think?

These are the shoes I changed into.  My faux Target Birkenstocks in rose gold have been great!  

Here are my most comfortable teacher shoes. They are both by Dansko and both several years old from consignment stores.  They are kind of ugly but both pass the all day teacher test.  

Maybe it’s a sign I’m getting older, but I just can’t wear uncomfortable shoes anymore.  Even to do weekend activities I want comfortable footwear.  Last weekend on the Urban Bourbon Trail, we did about 3 hours of walking or standing. I decided to wear the gold Tieks flats because I didn’t want to get grouchy.  

What are your most comfortable shoes? I want my shoes to be cute and comfortable, but for teaching on my feet all day, I can sacrifice some degree of cuteness.

Here is my classroom all ready to go.

Here is my observation of the typical high school girl outfit:  

jeans, Birkenstocks, v-neck t-shirt with bralette showing

So, now you know.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Amy 

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Happy first day of school for students in my area!  Teachers, parents (especially parents of kindergarteners and seniors), and students are in my thoughts today.  School is such an important part of life.  May patience and kindness be shown and may everyone feel safe and secure.

I wore this outfit to run errands on Friday.  I am not really into wearing shorts out much anymore. I never go to Ross but I was nearby and popped in and this was taken in a mirror there.  Our Ross is empty!  There are only a few racks of clothing.  Needless to say, I didn’t find anything.  

I watched some Instastories on Instagram and someone talked about the second Old Navy dress below being on sale for $12.  I went in one day last week and of course, it wasn’t $12 anymore.  I think it was $22.  But, I thought the gray was a nice material called “plush luxe” that would work into fall.  The first dress was also $22 and I fell in love with the grey and yellow floral and already wore it on Saturday.  Again, I can picture this in the fall with my cognac riding boots and a cardigan, maybe.  

I pulled these pictures off of the Old Navy website so you can snag the plain dress for $10 now, I think! It also comes in a pretty bubblegum pink color.  

This is what I wore for the Urban Bourbon tasting we did on Saturday.  My friend shopped at Loft and got her shirt and necklace combined for $16.  I think this is a great time to hit Loft but I haven’t been in myself.  

Monday and Tuesday were teacher work days and I wore my white skort and blue and white stripe shirt on Monday and below is what I wore on Tuesday. We sat through meetings and it was a important to be comfortable.  I did wear shoes both days, but I forgot to keep them on in the photo!  

On Monday I saw that one of my consignment stores had gotten in a bunch of Matilda Jane clothes for women.  I have liked their knit ruffled pants for a long time, so I popped in and found these charcoal grey ankle length pants for $29(retail value of the pants is around $50-60 and these still had tags on them). I hope I can pull them off.  I don’t want to look like a little girl or a clown.  I went to my trusty Pinterest to see what women wore with them and I’m going to go for it.  

Finally, this is my first day of school outfit.  This is a long floral maxi from Amazon (brand Huskary) I talked about a few weeks ago with a white lightweight vest.  The dress has pockets!   

So, if I had to sum up my recent oufits in a few words:  flowy pants and swing dresses.  

Happy Wednesday!  Thanks for stopping by!

Amy