What's Up Wednesday: July 2023
*****If you’re reading this in your emails please click on the blog link itself to be taken to the site. There you will see the layout properly and not miss out on anything that cannot be displayed in the email!*****
Hello dear friends & family!
What a busy month it has been and I am ever so excited that August is arriving because the count down is officially on for fall. ;)
I want to say THANK YOU to my new subscribers. It warms my heart when I get a notification that someone has subscribed to my blog - especially during these past couple of years when I haven’t been able to share much content because life hasn’t been so kind. But, alas, here I am and I am hopeful to share more content soon. I’m eagerly working on getting into a schedule now that our house renovations are subsiding. Praise the good Lord!
There are some things I want to share soon such as: home decor purchases for our previous house and eventually home decor purchases for our new home, all of the random but wonderful things I’ve been finding on Amazon, self help and fiction book reviews, recipes as I finally start cooking again in August (my goal), estate planning essentials, my typical fashion deals and steals, and all of the holiday things coming up. I can’t make any promises but there’s usually a lot of things in this noggin aching to be shared. Are there any topics you’d specifically like to see on my blog? I am open to suggestions and happy to do a little researching. You can comment below or email me, of course.
Now, onwards to this post…I am linking up to share my monthly recap of July.
What we're eating this week:
We have company staying with us this week through Thursday as well as wall paper being installed during the day(s), and then I leave town Friday morning…so it’s safe to say we’re eating out every day. Again.
But, in August I have my mind set to start cooking again for the first time since at least November. Plus, it will be the first that I’ve cooked in our new home and in the newly renovated kitchen and with the pots and pans the husband (should NOT have) purchased for me as Christmas gifts. He also doubled down to purchase and gift wrap a food preserver and a food chopper.
I was angry about these. Actually, I was REALLY angry. It was just not the right time to gift me cookware. I was in a dark place emotionally and grieving.
Bless his heart.
These retro memes have be rolling with laughter!!
Have any of your significant others given you something that infuriated you? PLEASE tell me they have and what it was. It is laughable now, but I literally left the boxes still 90% wrapped in Christmas paper in the middle of the living room for MONTHS. 😂
What I'm reminiscing about:
Younger days.
I’m headed out of town this weekend to celebrate my friend’s 40th birthday. I was twelve when I met her! Alicia was the first friend I met when I moved to Deer Park and she introduced me to my other bestie, Amanda. We’ve grown and changed through the many years and it just makes me think about all of these decades that have passed by so fast!
What I'm loving:
A few Amazon finds this year that I’m appreciating having!
1) The Apple watch charger is great to have in your purse. I just got this and used it today. My watch is a few years old now (I think) and the battery drains by the afternoon or sooner depending upon my work outs. I finally moved this from my saved items and purchased it and I’m so glad I did! *This would make a great stocking stuffer!
2) She’s Birdie personal safety alarm is something I have started carrying in my hand every time I get out of the car and I keep my finger on the tab ready to pull it. I bought one for my mom and her bestie, too. I realize that it may not prevent an attacker/robber but it also just might. Nonetheless it will alert attention to you with the siren and the flashing light (if at night). *This would make a great gift in my opinion!
3) The 3 in 1 charging station is something I didn’t quite appreciate on my nightstand but have loved having on my desk. I like that I can see my phone propped up and cant maneuver to text while it charges still. I typically plop my watch onto the top to recharge while I’m working at my desk. And the Airpod charging has been used as well. No complaints!
One more thing to add: I recently purchased these candle holders from Amazon after eyeballing them for quite some time on Crate & Barrel. I love them. But, the main thing that I’ve been loving is finding the same items for less, and that this is just one of many examples of home decor or furniture items I have found that are exactly the same on one site as another site but with prices significantly higher. And my examples have not always been to find them on Amazon either. What’s amusing to me is that the photos used will be the SAME but sold under a different name/manufacturer and at a different pricepoint.
IE: dining chairs at High Fashion Home also listed on Wayfair for less; a console table at Pottery Barn listed on another site for less; accent chairs at Burke Decor sold for less on Overstock; a bed listed at HomeSource in the Galleria area sold at Living Spaces for about 1/3 of the price.
It’s pretty amusing to me.
Amazon $48.99 vs Crate & Barrel for $104.85 - if you look at both links you’ll see some of the same photos used as well. 😅
Crate&Barrel Emmett Antique Brass Taper Candle Holders
I am a bargain shopper at heart and I am proud of it.
What we've been up to:
This past month we visited my family in Knoxville for Mammaw’s 98th birthday and I cherished the time I got to spend with my family.
The following weekend we dashed over to Aspen, Colorado, to enjoy the beauty of nature and all of the wonderful restaurants.
And thennnnn, the next weekend I took a quick trip to New Braunfels with my cousins.
In between the trips I have spent a lot of time decorating, cleaning, catching up on appointments and life, and enjoying dinners with friends. We also spent a day filming commercials for Titanium Tequila which was a lot fun!
What I'm dreading:
1) Loretta is scheduled for surgery on the 8th. She has a new suspicious mammary gland tumor we have to remove as well as some benign tumors we’ll go ahead and remove. I am so nervous for my baby girl and her recovery. 😭
2) I need to remove my step-mom’s email address from my subscriber’s list as we have closed that domain for my parents and my heart just hurts to actually do it. Perhaps this seems silly, but it’s just so final.
What I'm working on:
I am working on creating a schedule still. I feel like I say that a lot. 😁 I am working on the final details of our home renovations and decor - that never ending to-do list that the husband keeps putting off is driving me insane! I am also working on ideas for trips this fall.
What I'm excited about:
Wallpaper! I guess at this age I just need to embrace that things such as rugs, chandeliers, and wallpaper are exciting now.
I’m also looking forward to seeing my brother, sister in law, and my four beautiful nieces later this month. 🤍
What I'm watching/reading:
Watching: Hallmark Christmas has been on all month long. I’m sad it’s the last day for it today. It’s 102* F outside currently and the escapism is real over here. Grant it, I don’t sit down long enough to watch any of the shows, but I like to have it on so I can glance up and see the Christmas trees, snow, and decor.
Reading: Last month I mentioned Belle Calhoun’s book “Falling in Love on Sweetwater Lane” (see below) and I was finally able to borrow the first book to the series Mistletoe, Maine called “No Ordinary Christmas” again. I started it last month and then it had to be returned on the library app Libby and it just became available again so I started it back up. I really enjoy this author and have every intention of reading the 2nd book of the series “Summer on Blackberry Beach”.
When we headed out to Colorado I randomly grabbed a book by Emily Henry called “Happy Place”. I read the summary and decided I’d take a chance. Well, I didn’t want to put it down! Emily Henry is so witty with her humor and writing style and it wasn’t the typical "Hallmark” style of books I read so I actually didn’t know what was going to happen between the main couple and/or her other friends. THIS IS A MUST READ y’all! I have a hold placed on all of her books on my library app so I can read her books on my Kindle.
And while I was waiting on others to be available on the app, I went ahead and re-read “Love the One You’re With" by Emily Giffin. I have read and own every book she’s written but since I tend to read them immediately after a new book is released, I have easily forgotten the storyline details. So since it was available I dove right in and am so glad I re-read it.
I used my Amazon digital credits to finally purchase Jennie Allen’s book “Get Out of Your Head” that I’ve had my eye on for a year+ and started it. I’m looking forward to reading it in entirety but have put it aside to continue reading the feel-good books while I run for now.
And I did purchase Kobe Campbell’s book “Why am I Like This?” in paperback but I haven’t started it yet.
You can click this link or scroll to the top of the page and click on “Books” to view all of the self-help books I’ve read.
What I'm listening to:
I’ve started revisiting Coldplay’s album “A Head Full of Dreams” this month while driving.
What I'm wearing:
1) I am still wearing these pull on cropped pants a lot and I love how comfortable they are, how they fit, and how they feel especially in this heat.
I’m not sure why I haven’t managed to take many pics when I wear them because I truly feel fabulous in them and wear them on repeat. I actually just bought another pair as back up! I washed and hung them to try and didn’t have any issues.
2) SKORTS and skirts. Yes, skorts.
On the left: this wrap front skort is cute and classy. It fit a little loose but I don’t think I could have sized down.
On the right: this high waisted mini skort is a little short but I actually felt pretty good in it all night long without risk of exposure. It fit true to size.
I love a classic pencil skirt. It is great to have all year long. This runs true to size as well.
3) Shorts - In case you’re wondering, I am still wearing these shorts as much as possible. I washed and hang dried them, but they now need to be steamed and I just haven’t done that yet.
You can view the full outfits’ details on my LiketoKnow.It page OR email me. =)
What I'm doing this weekend:
This weekend I am escaping to Hyatt Lost Pines with Alicia and Amanda. While we’re trading heat for heat, we will be able to enjoy the pools and lazy river. I’m excited for that!
What I'm looking forward to next month:
I am looking forward to our home being a few steps closer to completion with our scheduled wallpaper installation and the second half our our new windows scheduled to be installed. It’s the little things.
What else is new:
That’s about it for now I think! I’ll be back soon. =)
What have you been up to this July? Any fun trips to share? Comment below!
XOXO
