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Friday Favorites

This week has been torturous to say the least.

No one is happier than me to welcome the weekend.

Today I left the office in grandiose style…

Lionsgate Home Entertainment friday patrick swayze dirty dancing jennifer grey GIFLook out weekend… here I come!

 

Yesterday I rambled on and on about the seasons changing.

That said…

Favorite # ONE

FALL!

Tomorrow I will head upstairs and begin my search for the fall décor that I stashed away before last Christmas.  Of course that means I will have to pull out the Christmas décor to find it.

I’ll plan better next time.

What is fun about this is how I have forgotten about all of the cute decorations that I own. When I retrieve them from the closet, it will be like getting something new without spending more money! I’m looking forward to it with great anticipation!

And LB is so excited about fall

[it’s vacation time after all]

that he brought pumpkins home tonight!

And because fall means it is time for “all things pumpkin”, I am currently planning

Favorite # TWO

LB loves pumpkin!  When I mentioned finding a recipe for a PUMPKIN POUND CAKE he almost couldn’t contain himself.

A google search for pumpkin pound cake revealed…Doesn’t it look good???  We’re ALL IN!

I’m excited, LB is excited, and if I call Mama and tell her to come over once it is baked, she’ll be excited!

Speaking of excited, I made a new friend this week!

Favorite # THREE

Ann-Claude

I met her when I signed up for Trunk Club.  We chatted this past week and now I have a trunk on the way.  I’ll be sharing more about this very soon!

Looking forward to it!

on an entirely different subject…

Favorite # FOUR

Starbucks Doubleshot Espressothis is a new necessity in my life [since I can’t seem to get more than six hours of sleep per night].

I enjoyed one of these little caffeine drinks this week around 2:00PM and I will be bringing more of them to the office with me in the future!

Favorite # FIVE

Gift sets from Mary Kay…

and there are a lot of them!

The White Tea & Citrus Satin Hands® Pampering Set

The Mary Kay Eau So Cute™ Eau de Toilette

makes a fun stocking stuffer…My girls are going to be in for a surprise this year… right?

Happy Friday!

Happy Fall!

Last Day of Summer

Today is the last day of summer.

It sounds like such a sad thing, but the end of one season brings about the beginning of another.  All the seasons are good.

Although some may be more favored than others.

Several years ago I remember taking an “About Me” questionnaire which included the question “What is your favorite season?”  LB and I found that we had something in common when we both answered

“FALL”.

There is something about the way the sunlight shines with such a glow that makes you know that fall is in the air.  As the season changes, the sun sits lower in the sky.  The lower humidity and fewer clouds makes the sky seem bluer.  The days appear to be more vibrant than they were in the very hot summer months.

Although Florida will not enjoy very cool temperatures for several months, it will be apparent that fall has arrived.  This year that day will come tomorrow, September 22nd.

Although summer is known for vacations, days spent at the beach, cookouts, and relaxing by the pool, there are also many wonderful things about fall.  We can look forward to holidays and other festivities.  Comfy sweaters.  Eventually.  Bonfires and hayrides.  Warm apple cider, hot chocolate, and PUMPKIN EVERYTHING. I am looking forward to staking my happy scarecrow by the front door.

And of course there is

Fall Fashion

Now is the time to whip out your favorite cardigans and booties… all of your fall fashionable attire.  If you are stumped, like I tend to be, there are many sites you can check out to get ideas for what to wear this fall; and how to transition from summer to fall.  In the next few days, I’ll be sharing my ideas and where I find my inspiration.

 

Looking forward to it!

 

“Women who wear black lead colorful lives”

– Neiman Marcus

When I realized that I have been wearing outfits that are predominately black this week, it started me to thinking… maybe my favorite color truly is black. 

It seems like I’ve had this discussion with my sister before.

Recently I saw this on Pinterest “If your favorite color is black, you value your inner world and enjoy keeping your private life private. Only close relatives and friends are privy to your thoughts and feelings.

Articulate and at times dramatic you know how to share your point of view with conviction and authority. Drama does not mean unrestrained. You maintain self-control with ease, which enables you to control most situations as well.

Others perceive you as serious maybe to the extent of intimidating. Focusing on the details and getting things right is important to you. You are comfortable projecting an air of mysterious and guarded which can help mask moments of insecurity. People find your juxtaposition of the conventional and unconventional intriguing.”

(Source)

 Follow the I ♥ COLOR Series on Pinterest.

While some of those characteristics are true of me, my “personality color” told a different story.

An online quiz to determine the color that best matches your personality did not match me with black.

Interestingly enough the Color Personality Quiz revealed:

You are red!

“You’re passionate and full of energy, making you popular among friends. You have the ability to love deeply, and you sometimes don’t think before you put your heart and soul into your relationships. Your strong sense of ambition means you will do well in your career. This, however, is offset by a fiery temper and a lack of patience. Work hard at keeping a balance in your life and you’ll go far.”

When Wendy pointed out that I misunderstood one of the questions, I took the test again and changed that one answer.

Still Red.

I’ve been guilty in the past of click bait type tests, but I  do think its fun.

Take the Quiz.

As for my results, (HA!)  I don’t completely agree with the part about a fiery temper.  Maybe LB would have a different opinion.

As for my passion for black fashion, I have a few posts that specifically reference black including this post about little black blouses.

 

“Women who wear black lead colorful lives”

It’s true.

Guess What Day It Is

Bah-da bah-da-da-da

Every other day, every other day
Every other day of the week is fine, yeah
But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes
A-you can find me cryin´ all of the time

(Thank you to The Mamas & the Papas)

It’s hard to explain why I have such a hard time appreciating Monday.

I’m not even going there.

Take 2

It’s a new week and I am blessed!

I woke up this morning.

I am healthy.

And loved.

I have a job.

Which brings me to what I like to talk about…

What I Wore

to work today.

This is pretty cut and dry, but if you are like me and always searching for outfit ideas, here is another one to add to the list.  Today I am wearing a red sleeveless blouse.  I simply cannot remember where I found this blouse.  It may have been Forever21, but I’m not sure.

Dementia.

It has been a bit chilly in the office, so I took along a black cardigan along to keep me warm.

I’ve mentioned this scuba skirt before… or maybe the white one that is just like it.  Actually I have a fuchsia scuba skirt, too.  They all came from Forever21 and are no longer available, which is too bad.  I love them all and pair them with different blouses all the time.

My Brighton tote is a favorite

If you’re shopping for similar items, you can find these basics anywhere clothing is sold as you can see in the following examples…

Looking for a Red Blouse?  Check out these suggestions here, here, and here//similar black skirt //similar Brighton tote or maybe this Brighton tote // black sandals (similar, similar).

Shopping is a great pleasure and also therapy…

and so is a good song!

Friday Favorites

Kim says:

IT’S FRIDAY Y’ALL!

Shalita says:Apparently we have SOMETHING in common ’cause I’m dancin’ too!

And it is time to post my Friday Favorites!

Favorite # ONE

This has been a stressful week with all the drama caused by Hurricane Irma on Sunday and Monday. Luckily the generator kept the news up and running during the entire event. The channels were limited, but my favorite weatherman made it bearable.
Thank you Richard Nunn!In case you don’t know him, Richard is the one on the left.

Favorite # TWO

Hurricane Irma Cookies

On the subject of Hurricane Irma… this week’s meteorological conditions brought about some irrational behavior [as it is unlike me to binge on carbs]. However, unlike me as it was, for our mini-evacuation, I packed mostly malevolent processed products.

Reason being?  Mostly due to the ease with which these items travel and stay edible over several hours/days. Although I’m now paying the price for it, we enjoyed little sandwiches, pretzels, kettle chips, turkey jerky, and my very own homemade Hurricane Irma Chocolate Chip Cookies.

This is how I made those cookies…

Cream together:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
Add into mix, one at a time:
2 large eggs
Add:
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Combine together:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Then add to wet ingredients.
Stir in:
1/2 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 (12-ounce) bag milk chocolate chips
Bake at 375°F on a parchment lined pan for 12 minutes

And voilà… a new addition to my menu’s “Recipe” page

Favorite # THREE

Smock off the Shoulder Top

It was ordered last month, and just received a few days ago…
My new Smock off the Shoulder top from Venus comes in sizes XS – XL and is adorable!
This bohemian style blouse has alternating floral and animal prints and includes a faux tassel drawstring at the waist.
The top is smocked at the bust and shoulders and finished with trendy bell sleeves.
Just in time for fall… which is happening next week!

Favorite # FOUR

My sense of humor is more bizarre than any other I know… with the exception of my sister. Looking through some of the memes in Pinterest,  l came across a new one that I had to add to my “Very Funny” boardMaybe it was because I was so tired I couldn’t think straight, but this one made me LoL!

Favorite # FIVE

I Want My 80s

on MTV

Since LB had to work late, Elvis and I sat down in front of the tv and ended up watching classic music videos from the 80s.  When LB came home, he was happy to join in.

I remember the first time I experienced MTV.  It was 1983 and we had one of those cable TV controllers that slide from channel to channel.  The first music video I ever saw was Michael Jackson’s Thriller.  What an inauguration, right?

Tonight we have watched performances by Billy Joel, ACDC, Madonna, Debarge, Cheap Trick, Huey Lewis and the News, Aerosmith, Will Smith, Bad English and Guns & Roses.

Take me Back!

…or Down

to Paradise City!

Happy Birthday Elvis!

He is eight years old today…and has been with me since he was three months old.

Elvis is a rescue kitty.

It was December 12, 2009 and my plan was to give my oldest daughter Stephanie a kitten for Christmas.  LB and I went to the Humane Society and looked at all the adorable kitties that were living there.  Some of them were in crates; some of them were playing together in the Kitty Cabana.  As we walked into the Kitty Cabana I noticed one little black fur ball scurry behind a kitty play set. Of course I went after him.  Given the fact that he was so skittish, I was surprised that he let me pick him up.  Not only did he let me pick him up, he let me hold him close and snuggle.

I had found a winner!

We took him home.My plan was to keep him for about a week before Christmas and then take him to Stephanie on Christmas morning.

It was only a few days that he was with us and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to part with him.Exactly one week later, we went back and adopted Aymie.  She and Stephanie are inseparable.  Aymie is obviously a good sport.

She will also be 8 years old in October.

If you have a kitty in your life, you know just how special one can be.

Elvis has been on numerous trips and through several moves with me.  He tolerates no visitors and hides under the bed as soon as he is aware that company has arrived.  To most people, he seems very unsociable.
However, when he detects that his mama has arrived home, he comes running.  He then leads me to the living room for some hello-let’s-have-a-brush time.

Elvis sleeps on my bed at my feet. He is anxious for me to get up in the morning and has been known to sit by my head and pat my nose. His favorite time is when I’m sitting in my living room chair letting him sleep on my lap.  He is sleeping on my lap as I type this post.  He is just a precious little fur ball, and I’m so happy to have him in my life.

Happy Birthday Elvis!

Unexpected Discoveries

Although Irma trampled the town last night, my family members were safe in their homes;  I’ve received no reports of serious damage from them.

As I mentioned in my last post, LB had to work hurricane duty on Sunday and Monday, so I stayed with him in his office through the entire event.  It would not have been wise for him to drive home on Sunday evening and back to the office early Monday morning.

It wasn’t an easy night.

LB had purchased a very impressive High-Rise Premium Comfort Airbed by Intex.  I woke up at least three times with my head on the floor.  The other multiple times I was awakened were almost as unpleasant.

So glad last night is over!

At this time, the most we have been able to do is make a quick property check to our home and head right back to this office.  As I walked through the house earlier, checking for damage, I found a leak in the kitchen ceiling.  I found it the hard way as I hit the floor full force when I stepped into the water that was all over the kitchen floor.

Talk about unexpected!

On a happier note, during our random-family-hurricaneIrma texts, my younger daughter introduced me to a new website.  At first I was skeptical since it was presented as a picture of shirts displaying quotes from the movie Christmas Vacation:

While I’m not likely to wear a Vacation Holiday Tee, the boots in the bottom left corner caught my eye.

Amanda encouraged me to visit the site, saying “it’s a cute website mom, you would like it”.

So I Checked It Out

She was right.  I like it.  That was an unexpected discovery on a tempestuous night!

Some of the tops/tees on jane.com are displayed as outfits:

There are many other items of interest on jane.com.  At this time FALL is being promoted on the site (imagine that), there is an app to download and currently a giveaway to enter.

Some other on trend items areSo Many Tassels!  $6.99 each

and

Fall Jewelry Must Haves $9.99 each

Back Zipper Booties $29.99

and

Transitional Sling-Back Booties $21.99

And for someone at my office looking for a winter coat (you know who you are)this one is only $24.99!

 

Thank you for the recommendation Amanda!

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