Friday, September 7, 2018

Short weeks usually drag for me, but this one flew by!  I think it was because I was so busy after school each day.  My son started his Tuesday/Thursday theater class and that has had me running until dinner time. It was a good week, but I’m ready for the weekend. Today I’m linking up with Andrea, etc. for Friday Favorites.

1) We got this incredible gas station by our house recently.   Trust me, I have never been excited by a gas station before.  This is a Shell Select and they have gourmet food, local products, and Ale8 Slushie machine (made in KY – similar to ginger ale), fancy donuts, these fancy bagels!, and some nice seating areas. I bought donuts and bagels for my boys’ birthday at this gas station.  Sorry for the bad lighting – it was 6:00 a.m.

2)  Do you follow any celebrities on Instagram?  I really enjoy Cameran from Southern Charm.  This made me laugh this week and no, I have not let myself have a pumpkin spice yet!

3)  I wore these for the first time this week and really liked them.  No, I do not usually put my feet up! 

4)  Look at this cute 3rd grader who is also my niece who shares my middle name!

5)  I am almost finished with this and I do recommend it. 

6)  Here is next on my list – I can’t wait to read it! 

7)  I was doing some fall inspiration searching and this is one way I plan to transition my kimonos for fall. I think the key is to look for fall colors in your kimonos.  

8)  I have quite a nice collection of blanket scarves and I love them. But, they were eating me alive, so I cut them in half (cut into two triangles) and gave the other half to my sister and I’m so much happier. I will show you what I mean in a post to come!

9)  These are Target DV.  Aren’t they cute?  I will have to check these out in the store.  

10)  I currently am without perfume.  Isn’t that sad?  I want to show you my fall favorite that I discovered last year.  It has tobacco flower among other things.  I can’t wear anything too sweet or floral because I will get a headache.  I love this “L” perfume from Soft Surroundings. (Pioneer Woman loves this store.)  I bought a small $20 one a few times last year.  I didn’t pay $75.  If you like subtle, spicy, but not cloying scents, check this one out.  

Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you back here on Monday!  

Amy

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Here is what I’m excited to pull out!

My new/used Madewell Transport Tote – I have carried it a few times, but it screams fall to me.  So excited to have a bag with no silver or gold and a black and brown combo so I can wear with both color palettes.  Are you like me in that you don’t like to mix metals?  I just feel weird if I carry a bag with tons of gold on it and I’m wearing silver jewelry and vice versa.  

My leather cuffs.  I have worn these a bit this summer, but I think they are more fall.  The leopard and red design are from Etsy ADVdesigns and the strappy one was a consignment store find.  

My leather earrings can be worn year round, but again I think they have such a fall vibe.  The left ones are a nice cognac color from Nickel and Suede and the camo ones are from ADVdesigns.  I can’t wait to wear the camo with a black top and jeans.  

Are you a bootie person?  I just feel like they are so much easier to wear than a tall boot.  I do have tall brown boots but to be honest, sometimes they make my legs hot to wear all day long.  I love the look, but I just think a bootie is more fitting for my lifestyle.  These are a TJ Maxx find from last year.  Would you believe they are Jack Rogers?  I didn’t even know they made non sandal type shoes.  I fell in love with the rosette detail and didn’t care what brand they were.  So, I was surprised when I looked inside.  I love this cognac color. 

These are going on three years old and I have worn the heck out of them.  They are Lucky Brand and are so comfortable, even for all day teaching.  These are my winter shoes on repeat.  I tend to wear more brown in the fall and then more black in the dead of winter.  Seriously, check out Lucky Brand shoes.  I also love that these have no zipper – they are slip on.  The cognac ones have a zipper.  

I was obsessed with finding clogs last winter and I played it safe and went with black on black.  I kind of wish I had gotten black on a brown bottom.  These are Lotta From Stockholm from Amazon.  They are about $40-$50.  So, these aren’t that comfortable.  It kind of feels like walking on wood.  Maybe I will continue my search for a more comfortable pair.  I love, love, love the look of clogs.  I have loved clogs since visiting Holland in 1995.  My two sisters and I clomped all around Europe in our clogs.  I remember some dudes in Italy yelling “Hi, Dutch girls” in Italian to us.  I wish I still had those clogs.  

What are your favorite fall accessories?  What do you recommend to me?  

Yes, it’s still 90 degrees here but I’m so over my summer clothes! Are you tired of me saying that?  

Have a great day and it’s almost Friday!

Amy 

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Today is a very special day!  16 years ago I became a mom times two – I have identical twin boys if you didn’t know.  To respect their privacy, I don’t post a great deal of photos or talk about them much in this space.  I leave many details of our weekends out to respect their wishes.  It’s a good thing I didn’t have this blog when they were younger, because I would’ve talked incessantly about them.

Anyway, I couldn’t let today pass without saying something.  Moms of young kids, I just want you to know that you are doing a great job – keep on keeping on.  I have had so many moments lately where I have seen my boys open doors, wait on people to enter a public door first, say please and thank you, offer assistance, and just be kind and well mannered humans.  I was never sure if my training would stick!  We plan to celebrate tonight with pizza and cookie cake and do some more on the weekend.  And, having teenagers is not bad at all – it’s a lot of fun!  

On to outfits from the last week – this was comfortable and I love black and tan.  If in doubt, throw on black and tan or black and white. Am I right? I am wearing the Tory Burch flats from my post here.  

These are my new 11.99 Versona pants and I loved them, but I don’t like my top.  I should’ve sized down.  I need to try the pants with something else.     

This was a little more casual look for Friday.  I am wearing the new Versona 13.99 kimono here.  

I forgot to take my picture wearing this but I wore this to school yesterday – Old Navy flower dress and white sweater/kimono.  

Are you ready to transition to fall clothing?  It’s hard to type that as it is high 90s here!  I am ready – I’m tired of my warm weather stuff! 

Happy hump day!

Amy 

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Did you have a nice Labor Day weekend?  I had originally planned to post on Monday and Tuesday, but I was busy having fun!  I had a really nice weekend!

Friday, we decided to do takeout.  While I waited for our food to be ready, I bought just a few groceries until I could do a bigger shopping trip. Our Thai place is in the same shopping center as our grocery store.  

Here’s our Thai takeout- yum!

Saturday’s weather was kind of rainy and cloudy.  We had been invited over to our friends’ house for lunch.  It is a nice change of pace to do lunch at friends’ house. I made these easy beef and cream cheese roll ups because my friend loves them. 

Let your cream cheese soften, spread, and roll.  I used light cream cheese. 

I also made lemon bars.  Any baking mix by this brand is great!

And, finally, I made mac and cheese. 

I brought stuff to make a purple rain cocktail. 

They had a panini maker and a make your own panini bar set up. It was lovely.  We came home at 3:00 and I read and napped.  

Then, very spur of the moment we went to another friends’ house where they had some people over for football and pizza and I took spinach and artichoke dip.  I forgot a picture of the dip and I just didn’t think to take any pictures!

We left their house around 9 and I went to bed shortly after we got home. 

Sunday morning I did our big grocery trip to hopefully last through the week.  I left wishing I had done Clicklist and the bagger shorted me some of my items – ugh!  But, I used my coupons and these checks they give you based on your purchases and I got all of these groceries for only $36. 

Later that morning, we had friends and their kids on our boat. We enjoyed some mimosas.  

We had to drop them off after a couple of hours and we went back out for a bit.  This is what the party cove looked like. 

I finished my last book and started this. 

After we got off the boat and cleaned up, we had to go to World Fest – a celebration of all of the cultures in our city with food, entertainment, crafts, etc.  One of our boys had to film it for a project and I told my students to take a selfie if they went for some bonus points, so this is my selfie. 

Monday morning, I wanted to try french toast with this bread from TJ’s.  I rarely make it, but with this bread it was amazing. 

I have something shocking to tell you – I didn’t do any Labor Day sales!  I did, however, order this Free People Top for now and into the fall.  I’m hoping the size works.  I don’t want it to be so oversized.  I ordered it in an olive green color, too.  I’m sure one will go back because I ordered two different sizes.  I love this brand, but usually won’t pay their prices. 

I ran some errands for school and the boys’ birthday, did some laundry, and did some cooking prep. 

Finally, we went to see this movie. We all really liked it.  Now, my almost 16 year olds may not be typical in their movie taste but they thought it was really well done.  I cried a few times.  Fred Rodgers was a great man who made an impact on the lives of thousands of children.  

O.k., a four day week – we’ve got this! 

Amy

Monday, September 3, 2018

Enjoy your day and come back tomorrow for a weekend wrap up!

Friday, August 31, 2018

Happy Friday! I’ve had a good week and I hope you have, too! Linking up with Andrea, etc. today for Friday Favorites.

Favorite 1)

I can’t believe I hit my 100th post this week. I started blogging in April and have posted 5 times a week with just a couple of exceptions. I thought I would run out of stuff to say by now.

Favorite 2)

Facebook memories are bittersweet. I believe this was 3rd grade, the first year they had to wear a belt with their uniforms. Look at those cuties! I have loved every stage and love being their mom so much!

Favorite 3)

I’m hoping to get my hands on the Fall edition of Pioneer Woman magazine this weekend and I may also decorate for fall. The long weekend would be a good opportunity to do so. Are you ready?

Favorite 4)

If you didn’t watch season 1 last year of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon Instant Video, run and watch it now. It’s written by the writer of Gilmore Girls – so witty. Season 2 is coming out soon. Let me know in the comments if you know the exact date!

Favorite 5)

I’m about halfway through this book and I really like it. A high powered female exec that works in the stock market is trying to balance home and work. It is chick lit but that’s my speed right now.

Favorite 6)

Did you catch my monogram post here? Southern gals love all things monogrammed.  I can’t believe I forgot my boat and tote from LL Bean in that post. I love this bag and they last for years. Mine is the large size.  I need to throw it in the wash soon.

Favorite 7)

Hooray for long weekends! I hope to boat one day and we have plans to go to dinner at friends’ house one day.  I am just happy for an extra day to relax and it comes at a great time –  3 weeks into the new school year.  I love this hat with my Louisville abbreviation.

Anyone plan to hit any Labor Day Sales? Let me know if there are any good ones!

Have a relaxing long weekend!

Amy

P.S. Check out my post about Tory Burch flats here if you missed it yesterday!

P.S.S. Check out my post about fall trends from Tuesday here if you missed it!

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Are you a fan of Tory Burch?  I am not a big name brand person or a big status symbol person, but I do like quality and I like what I like.  I love her logo.  I think it looks so cool and chic.  I was really coveting some flats about six years ago.  But, the price tag was out of my league.  I believe most of her flats start at $200 and can go up to $225ish.  I stalked and stalked and thought and thought and finally ended up with the beautiful cognac pair for around $175. I can’t remember how I justified the cost.  Maybe I had some extra money that I put toward them.  Then, I really wanted black ones.  I found them on sale for $150 and used my birthday money from my parents and in laws to buy those.  So, like I said, I have had both pairs for around six years.  My husband thinks they look like hubcaps on a “shoe” and hates them.  My husband would like for me to only wear what he calls “practical shoes”.  I hate wearing socks so flats without socks are a great option for me with jeans or work pants.  Since mine are so old, they still have the elastic backs.  I have heard the new models don’t have that feature anymore.  Many people prefer the elastic backs from what I have read.

So, are they comfortable?  Yes, they are pretty comfortable except they bother the bone under my big toe where the leather comes up on the foot a bit.  I will usually have a red spot on that area, but it’s not too bad. 

Are they worth the price tag?  Well, if you divide $175 by six years, that comes out to be $29 a year.  If you divide $150 by six years, that comes out to be $25.  Do we spend $29 or $25 on flats from Target?  Yes, we do, easily.  

I feel like these still look almost new – the black look a little bit better because you can see some scratches on the cognac toe.  These probably won’t go out of style.  They are classics.  So, I am glad I bought them and I will hang on to them for a long time, I’m sure.

Are they the most comfortable flats I own?  Definitely not.  My new consignment find Tieks are more comfortable (Retail for $199 and I got mine for $35).  

Before I found the Tieks, I found my other favorite flat.  They are Hush Puppies from Amazon.  They are wonderful.  I will still wear them along with the Tieks I think.  You can tell how much I’ve worn them.  Here is where you can find them on Amazon.  They come in 16 colors/patterns and their cognac is seriously beautiful.  The price ranges from $31.86-$88.  Why Amazon?  Don’t you hate how the price range is all over the place based on size and pattern?  

So, my recommendation to you is to buy a pair of Tory Burch as an investment if you love them and think you will wear them a lot.  This is a great use of some birthday money or maybe a department store gift card.  You can sometimes get lucky at Nordstrom Rack and find your size and the color you want.  

If you have wanted Tieks and you have some gift money, I would say they are also worth the money.  The same math would apply.  If you own them for six years at $199, that works out to be $33 a year.  

But, if you aren’t a Rockefeller and just want a nice pair of comfortable flats, I would think you would be very happy with the Hush Puppies.  

In the end, these are very personal choices.  We all value different things, we all have different clothing budgets and we all make choices every day about how to spend our hard earned money, true?  Some people are purse people.  I am not.  I do not own any designer purses and would much rather carry my Fossil tote and have some nice flats.  

Did you catch my post yesterday about doing something different on a Wednesday or taking a bit of time for yourself?  Well, I decided to go to Versona (do you have one? ) and nose around.  I just wanted to see what was out in the store for fall and I happened upon some great sales on summer stuff.  I hadn’t been in a store for the  couple of weeks since school started.  Versona now carries many of the brands that our little boutique clothing stores carry around town.  If you have a Versona, you need to check it out.  I used to go in only when I needed a specific color necklace because it’s great for that, too. 

I found these fun pants for $11.99 (original price $24.99).  Yes, they are quite summery but I think I can wear them a few times this year.  The length was perfect because they were meant to be capri, I think.  

Then, I remembered seeing this kimono about a month ago and wanting it.  It was on sale for 13.99 from $25.  I love the yellow and grey.

So, this post was all over the place?  You clicked for the Tory Burch and you got much more!  Ha!  

Thanks for reading and come back tomorrow for Friday Favorites!

Amy 

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Happy Hump Day!  I didn’t realize it, but yesterday was my 100th post!  If you missed it, check it out here.  I talked about some Fall Trends and some of my fall pieces.  

Today I’m giving you my teacher outfits from the last week and one weekend outfit.  

This is an olive swing dress, a TJ Maxx kimono, my Kendra Scott Rayne necklace, and my trusty Danskos.  Everything is at least a year old.  I forgot to take my photo until the end of the day so makeup has worn off!

These are the Matilda Jane pants I got from a consignment store for $29, a shirt I have worn the heck out of from Nordstrom.com last year (I love the color and the sleeves and it’s very soft – this type of top will be a workhorse in your wardrobe), and a TJ Maxx vest along with a stone pendant necklace I believe I bought for very cheap at Versona.  I’m wearing my Corky’s Boutique wedges and I changed into flat sandals about halfway through the day. I loved the pants.  They were super comfortable and made from a very nice material.  I actually like the sleeves with the bottom ruffle, but maybe I look crazy.  

I should have worn different pants, but I love my consignment top (a brand I hadn’t heard of – but I liked the boho vibe) and my wooden tassel necklace that was $3 at Walmart several years ago.  I also loved the grey snakeskin looking Tieks from consignment.  The pants are navy leggings from J.Jill (great place for basic staples) but I don’t think the top was quite long enough for leggings.  

This is the new cacti top and this was my Saturday night outfit.  I’m wearing my Hue leggings from my love of Hue post here and my Corky’s Boutique wedges again.  

I did wash my Cacti top because I spilled Caprese crepe on it – of course!  I decided to go ahead and wear it again on Monday to school with my mustard LulaRoe skirt and the trusty Danskos again.  I think I’m talking in the photo – oops!

Finally, I wore my Walmart pants ($9.98) from my post here when I did some exploring of Walmart clothing this summer and my Old Navy top with my brown Dansko sandals.  I need to say thank you to my great co-workers who take my photos at school and my son who took my photos at home.  

Now I’m liking up with the ladies below for What’s Up Wednesday…

What I’m loving…I’m loving the thought of fall coming up and putting August behind me.  I’m not a big fan of August.

What we’ve been up to…new school routine

What I’m dreading...nothing really right now

What I’m working on…school stuff

What I’m excited about…my boys’ 16th birthday next week and fall approaching

What I’m watching/reading…Bravo shows, Big Brother and Opening Belle (book)

What I’m listening to…Spanish music!  (for my classes)

What I’m wearing…see above!

What I’m doing this weekend…I’m hoping to do some fun stuff on my 3 day weekend but plans aren’t set yet.

What I’m looking forward to next month…getting out my fall decor and maybe adding a bit of new decor

What Else is new…I hit my 100th blog post yesterday!

A Wednesday Tip:

Because Wednesday if halfway through the week, I try to do a load of laundry so it doesn’t get too piled up by the weekend.  I also treat myself to a little shopping trip or a coffee after school.  I like to do something a little bit different and out of the routine on Wednesday.  This goes a long way toward making me happy so I don’t feel like I’m strictly living for the weekend.  

Thanks for reading!

Amy 

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 

Follow me on Bloglovin’

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