What's Up Wednesday: August 2025
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Hello dear friends,
I am popping in on my blog site to finally* share a post of some kind. Life has been busy as usual and I haven’t spent any time working on blog stuff. I never quite find enough time to sit down to craft a post. Next month will mark the NINTH ANNIVERSARY of launching my blog in 2016 and because I am electing to pay for the site hosting/domain for another year, I figure I should make an effort to at least share some things…occasionally.
I actually started a “personal” blog post in July when I was in the zone to share a more serious topic but cannot bring myself to get back into that emotional zone to complete it just yet. I have some ideas brewing but generally speaking hope to be popping on here more often again.
So, as always…I am linking up to share my monthly recap on the last Wednesday of the month. This post will have a bit more than the usual monthly posts in the past as I haven’t shared one in quite some time.
If you’re new(er) to my blog site, this is what we recap every month:
What I’m eating this week:
This week I will be eating some salad mixes, eggs, and random leftovers from the freezer. I have “cooked” some things here and there but not a legitimate meal since it’s just me. However, I am counting down the days to when it gets a bit cooler as I have several chili recipes and slow cooker recipes I want to make again and will freeze the extras for later. You can view all of the recipes I have shared by clicking here. You can also utilize the search function at the top right of the screen to search key words for recipes.
I did make these desserts this summer which were a pretty big deal for me emotionally. I haven’t really cooked nor baked since my dad passed away in December 2022. It’s something I associate with emotions and I haven’t been ready. Anyway, it was fun and it felt good for my heart.
Recipe: Paleo Chocolate Chip Muffins
Recipe (Ingredients): Fresh Berry Trifle - I soaked the berries in prosecco (you can add sugar while they soak if you want to), baked a yellow box cake, whipped up fresh whipping cream, and layered it all in the trifle dish. Sometimes I add pudding in between the layers as well.
What I'm reminiscing about:
Last summer/August 2024. It feels like several lifetimes ago now. I had just moved into my new house and was still working on getting settled in it. I had a patio and astro turf added to the back yard. I traveled. I grieved Mammaw. I embraced a lot of changes and transitions. We celebrated Luigi’s 5th birthday. Oh, and it was really HOT outside.
What I'm loving:
Where do I begin?
I walked by this marble cutting board and round marble serving board and just stood there picking them up over and over and then putting them back down. I did not need them. I wanted them. I left with the cutting board first and then panicked that I might miss out on the round serving board and went back to buy it. I don’t know why I wanted them so badly but they’re both pretty as decor and will be highly useful if/when I entertain at my home.
I’ve also eyeballed pricey versions of brass salt and pepper grinders for years for all the houses I’ve lived in….not because I care to grind fresh salt or pepper by any means…just for decor. But, I was not willing to spend a lot of money on them. I stumbled upon these copper salt and pepper grinders for a small fraction of the price and am SO glad I snagged them. I will not be grinding anything in them, but they sure do add to a cozy, homey kitchen aesthetic.
Easy LTK Link: https://liketk.it/5maUF
Birds, apparently? I am not a bird watcher by any means, but I have recently recognized that I’ve been slowly adding various bird decor items to my home(s) through the years.
It started with a few gold peacock items like a trinket dish here, tea light candle holders there, and some throw pillow covers. I absolutely loved some bird paintings we stumbled upon at the Aspen art show and procured two pieces for the formal sitting room from that artist who just happened to live right outside of Houston. I had a free rewards from Front Gate a while back and bought the Bella bronze and marble peacock cocktail table and later snagged a beautiful gold wren atop real marble with more free rewards. I added the Aviary cocktail table from Ballard Designs somewhere along the way. When I moved into this house I knew I needed the peacock bathroom accessories from Anthropologie. Fast forward and now I have sprinkled in bird hooks in the mudroom, bird cabinet pulls, and partridge salt and pepper shakers (for decor, I do not use them for salt and pepper - no surprise!). Anyway, apparently I have a problem and I have recognized it. I’m not necessarily even into birds. I think here and there they add a hint of femininity to the home.
Easy LTK link (for most all items referenced above): https://liketk.it/5mfgT
What I've been up to:
It’s been a while since I’ve shared much so I’ll summarize. I’ve been working on DIY home projects (painting, paneling, and other minor renovations) that I will share in more detail later.
I’ve been traveling when I can escape. I’ve spent quality time with family, friends, and of course the pups. All pics are from late July’s trip to the NJ shore that fed into the rest of August’s adventures. Unfortunately, I have become quite terrible at remembering to take photos while with others and well…a lot of memories are not captured.
This year we’ve celebrated Lorenzo’s 7th birthday in February (007 Bond theme), Loretta’s 15th birthday in June (Quinceanera theme), and Luigi’s 6th birthday in August (Super Hero theme).
What I'm dreading:
More summer heat, mosquitos, and the ongoing extreme levels of dust, dust mite, and dander in the air. 😭 My allergies have been raging war.
What I'm working on:
My health and fitness, still. I’m exercising but I need to get my diet back in check. This is an ongoing battle it seems between health set backs, the single life of not cooking much, and the active social life of eating out.
Other life things and more mini home improvement projects around the house.
What I'm excited about:
I’m excited to decorate for fall! I usually start pulling things out September 1st for fall and then October 1st for Halloween. I will decorate my house and more than likely help decorate the previous house as well again this year. It will still be a steam bath outside but having my home decorated, fall scented candles burning, and fall themed jazz channels on YouTube playing on my TV help lift my mood.
What I'm watching/reading:
Watching:
I currently have a YouTube fall scene / jazz station on the TV. But, lately when I “try” to sit on the couch in the late evening with the pups I have been watching Desperate Housewives. Yes, I know that series is ancient but Amazon Prime TV fed into it when I finished Schitt’s Creek at the beginning of this year (?) and I rolled with it and am hooked. When I allow myself to veg and multi-task with my phone in hand or laptop in my lap on the couch with the pups, I have really enjoyed this show.
Reading:
I’ve been all over the place with my treadmill reading this past year+. Some of my self-help reads have been:
Some of my fiction reads have been:
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 if you are considering a topic and want a suggestion.
What I'm listening to:
I’m currently listening to an autumn evening jazz scene on YouTube. Music wise I am still enthralled by Lord Huron of course, and have added some new bands into the mix this past year as well.
What I'm wearing:
I’ve been adding more and more to my LTK profile throughout the month so you can always follow along with me there to see what outfits or home décor items I’m sharing! There are outfits on there that didn’t make it out of the house yet OR that I didn’t take a photo of when I wore it in real life.
Since I haven’t shared a post in a while, I’ll share the outfits / items I have been wearing the most lately.
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Easy LTK shopping link: fave jeans // denim corset & white pants // black sweater & white pants
I’m hooked on these jeans - in all three photos. They’re stretchy, comfy, and flattering.
Easy LTK shopping link: https://liketk.it/5dzCO mini dress // https://liketk.it/5goIU maxi dress
I love this color and I love this dress. I purchased the short version and the maxi dress version in black. The open back has been a life saver in the summer heat. These are a Free People dupes at half the price.
Easy LTK shopping link: green sundress // black striped dress // white dress
I have been shamelessly ordering from SHEIN this summer as a means to add inexpensive (and CUTE) items to my closet to help me survive the summer heat.
This green dress is an easy, inexpensive dress to throw on and go. I purchased it in three colors.
I took a chance on the striped dress as I don’t go for stripes or patterns often, and it is comfortable and great for the summer. Add a denim jacket and it’s fall ready. =)
This white dress turned out to be soft and comfortable so of course I’ve now ordered it in black. The top button can be buttoned but I left it unbuttoned like the stock photo showed it.
Easy LTK shopping link: https://liketk.it/5foAM
I was hesitant on this dress when I first ordered it and I think that’s because I first ordered it in brown to try* to branch out from black. I ended up loving the fit and ordered it in black as well. It is comfortable. The elastic top stays in place. The rushing is flattering.
Easy LTK shopping link: https://liketk.it/5goHV
I absolutely LOVE this dress. It is lined. The elastic at the top stays in place. It’s comfortable. It pairs well with heels or sandals. I have it in dark green and in grey stripes. I may need a third color…
Easy LTK shopping link: golf skirt outfit // navy dress & denim jacket // black dress & cinch jacket
I’m an athleisure girl on a day to day basis both because I exercise but also because I am typically in and out of the house with the pups and it’s hot outside.
I am crazy about this golf/tennis skirt. I like that it doesn’t flare out and therefore find it more flattering. I plan to order additional colors at some point.
I have these tank dresses in navy and black. They can be dressed up or down. Comfortable, stretchy, and ruched. I paired it with a denim jacket as well as my new lightweight black jacket crush from Old Navy. I have it both black and dark green.
Easy LTK shopping link: https://liketk.it/5hMe5
I purchased this skirt for the rodeo cookout and ended up loving it. It’s flattering, stretchy, and comfortable. It comes in several shades of denim too, like white, black, etc.
I have had these wedges for years now and they’re a FAVE. Comfortable, lightweight, and I can wear them all day without my feet hurting. They come in other colors like tan, cognac, etc.
Easy LTK shopping link: green maxi dress // denim zip up dress // denim tulip dress
I really like the styles at Vici and they have sales frequently. They have easy returns too so I never worry about trying something new with them. The light green dress is another version of the open back dresses above but an even softer material.
There are many more outfits and home decor posts that I’ve shared on my LTK page in addition to these above. You do not pay anything extra to shop through my page there and setting up your profile is FREE. I earn a small commission from the various retailers for free marketing for them at no extra cost to you.
You can view most of these details on my LiketoKnow.It page OR email me. =)
What I'm doing this weekend:
Currently I do not have much planned for the weekend. I will have the pups and my endless to-do list for around the house. This past month was rather busy socially so I’m kind of excited for a quiet weekend to catch up.
What I'm looking forward to next month:
SEPTEMBER! I am looking forward to all the fall things, travel, and many new memories to be made.
What else is new:
That’s about it for now!
How was August and the summer for you? Did you take any trips this summer? Comment below!
XOXO
