Fun, Despite the Rain

Saturday morning, we awoke to rain dancing on our rooftops.  Instead of heading downtown for our standing breakfast date, Mark grabbed breakfast-to-go and brought it back to the house.  Pictured above is the view from my kitchen where I sat sipping java and relaxedly looking out at the rain. There is truly nothing better than taking time to pause, is there?

Later, we headed over to Kohl's.  I had $20 in Kohl's cash (which spends just like real money).  I bought a pair of zebra print pants (Chaps) and a Jennifer Lopez statement necklace. Afterwards, we drove out into the country to a sweet little winery, and picked up a couple of bottles of Traminette.  Despite the rain, we enjoyed the gorgeous fall foliage to and fro'.

Before heading downtown to dinner, we stopped by a local park to snap a few photos for the blog.  It was my first photo shoot in the rain.  Wind, rain, me without sunnies (it was too bright out--even with the rain)...  We, indeed, had a few good laughs... And, the day (and the photo shoot) was fun nevertheless.

Trench coat: Target

Chambray: Lauren Jeans Co. (thrifted)

Sweater: Ivy (a fave for some time now)

Jeans: Chico's

Riding Boots: Relativity

Topaz Pendant: Gifted 

Rain is forecasted for the better part of this week.  I'm pledging to have fun despite that fact, though...

How are you pledging to have fun this week?  Would love to hear about it.

Joy & peace, T.

Friday Slice O' Bliss

Fridays are fab, aren't they?  They are truly a slice o' bliss! This one is especially so... You see, I'm only in the office a half day, today, as I've gifted myself the afternoon off to bake brownies, walk outdoors and possibly even nap...

Tonight, Mark and I are enjoying an annual ritual we call "movie night."  In addition to the brownies,  I've got scads of other snacky, appetizer-like eats planned as well. Plus, we're settling in to watch several spooky movies.  Every year, we kick the viewing off with It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown--it's a lifelong favorite of mine.  My sons gifted me with a DVD of it some years ago (smile).

Blouse: Michael Kors (vintage via Etsy)

Scarf: Thrifted

Maxi Skirt: B. Moss Tailor (had this one for some time now...)

Sunnies: Target

Boots: Nine West

Bangles: Vintage and Chico's

Men's Diamond Watch: Elgin (yard sale!)

What slice o' bliss do you have planned this weekend?  Would adore hearing about it!

Joy, peace & bliss!  T.

Self Care: Stop + Drop Into a Moment...

Yesterday, I found myself feeling somewhat rushed as I dressed for work.  Not only did I have an off-site meeting to get to, I first needed to drop by my office beforehand.  Oh yes, add to that, I'd slept in a few minutes later than normal (which really didn't help the matter).

Out of the corner of my eye, though, I caught a glimpse of the early morning sky from the bathroom window.  It was the most luscious periwinkle blue imaginable.  I stopped for a few seconds to admire it. That moment of simple beauty instantly brought me back to a far more Zen state of mind.

Later, back at my office (post the day's first meeting), I (once again) found myself feeling a bit "harried."  On my calendar was an early afternoon meeting in Toledo, and I was trying to accomplish as much as I could before leaving for it.

Then, I got a text from Mark asking how my day was going.  My response was, "Feeling rushed. Very busy."  His was, "Sorry, Baby.  Take a minute to stop and smell the roses."  Hmmm... Amazing how quickly I'd forgotten that this works...

That's okay.  This time, the sentiment stuck with me (smile).  The lovely two top pics in this post are of a gorgeous tree whose berries had turned the most autumnal shade of orange imaginable.  I snapped them while enjoying their glory--a few minutes before heading into the office building where my afternoon meeting was held.

The pinker-than-pink mums were outside my own office building.  Every year, the sight of these pink mums make me smile.   Yesterday was the first time, this season, I had even noticed they were in bloom.  So, glad I took the time to do so--upon my return to Bowling Green.

What sweet moments have recently brought you joy?  Would love hearing about them!

Joy + peace, T.

On Owning Grown-up Girls' Clothing...

About a year and a half ago, I crafted a list of clothing items I someday wanted to own.  Included on that list was what I termed to be "a big girl's blazer."  Sure, I already own a few blazers--some nice ones, too.  What I mean by "a big girl's blazer" is one that's well-made--truly, an investment piece.

Then, one day last winter, while browsing a high-end boutique, I came across it: a gorgeous, big girl blazer.  It was on a clearance rack, and it was my size.

The pic, above, is of the blazer's original price tag.  Yup, I paid $35 for what had been a $325 blazer (smile).

The secret to this ever happening is that I had a pre-existing list of items (etched not only on paper--but in my mind) of those things I someday wanted to invest in.  The fact that I got an investment piece for a bargain price is due to the fact that I was more focused in on what to look for in that sweet little boutique that "fateful" day.

Blazer: Peace of Cloth

Blouse: Liz Claiborne (vintage and consigned)

Skirt: Merona (consigned)

Booties: Nine West
Belt: J Crew
Sunnies: Helix (Kohl's)

Do you have a grown-up girl's clothing list?  What's on it?  I would adore hearing about it!

Joy and peace, T.

What I'm Adoring This Month: Halloween Decor

Sunday, I spent part of the day adorning the house for a holiday that's near and dear... Yes, I'm referring to Halloween (smile).  Decorating for Halloween is an annual exercise in both creativity and personal expression--two things that feed my soul...  Thought I'd share a few picks of what I'm enjoying--most--about this year's decor...

Decorating with spooky books...

Decorating with scads of faux spider webs...

Decorating with gifted items...

My parents gave me the pumpkin queen; the pumpkin is a gift from my sister, Elaine.

Decorating with lovingly made treasures...

 My youngest son made this sly ghost in grade school.

 My oldest son made this funky pumpkin in junior high school.

My husband made this fab Halloween tree for me a few years ago!

Two Halloween faves...

The headless horseman (purchased about 20 years ago!) is paired

with a treasured antique collection of Washington Irving's stories--

including "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" 

(This book was a gift from my oldest son when he was in high school.).

My house, at night....all aglow!  

What creative and expressive joy are you savoring this month?  Would love hearing about it!  

Joy and peace, T.

Thankful for the Small Stuff...

This past Saturday morning, Mark and I ventured downtown for breakfast.  It was a gorgeous day!  Unfortunately, the light and shadows weren't as (um) cooperative as we'd have liked.  Less-than-stellar photos aside, I'm thankful for so very much... Including...

A trip to the local farmers' market to buy pumpkins 

(Yes, the front of my house has been lovingly adorned)...

The fun I had pairing stripes with polka dots (my jeans were dotted)...

 

Chambray Shirt: Lauren Ralph Lauren (thrifted)

Sweater: Liz Claiborne (a closet fave for some time now!)

Jeans: Liz Claiborne via JCP

Handbag: Marc Jacobs

Sunnies: Vera Bradley

Shoes: Candies via Kohl's

Watch: Anne Klein

Rose Gold Link Bracelet: Vintage via Etsy

An enjoyable breakfast date on a gorgeous fall Saturday morning... 

They say the secret to a great life is not sweating the small stuff.  I say, "Don't sweat the small stuff; instead, give thanks for it!"

Share with me what you are thankful for, today.  I'd love to hear about it!

Joy and peace, T.

Tips for Timeless Wardrobe Building...

I know orange and black are two colors traditionally associated with the month of October...  Pink, however, has become such a hallmark hue for this month--given its affiliation to Breast Cancer Awareness.

Pink and black are two of my favorite colors--no matter what month it is.  But, since it is October (smile), I thought it would be a great time to sport these two fab shades, together...just for the fun of it...

None of the pieces I've featured, today, are new.  The boots and tights come closest to it.  I bought them back in 2012.  My sweater is about eight years old.  The LBD (styled as a skirt) and belt were both purchased in the 90's (Yes, you read that correctly!).

The best advice I can offer about building a "timeless" wardrobe is:

• buy classic pieces you can envision yourself wearing for years to come (e.g. a fab LBD)
• more times than not, choose quality over quantity (It must be said: I rarely pay full cost for anything.)
• purchase dark hued staple items (a skirt, pair of slacks, a blazer...) in one standard color (black, brown, navy, charcoal); then add pops of brighter shades/patterns with your tops and accessories (The color I have chosen (to ground my wardrobe with) is black; although, I've recently started buying several navy pieces, too.).

 Sweater: Notations

Dress: Eddie Bauer

Belt: The Ritz

 Tights: Apt. 9 via Kohl's

Boots: Nine West

Do you love pairing pink and black? What are your tips for building a timeless wardrobe?

Joy and peace and best wishes for a wonderful weekend!  T.