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COFFEE TALK 07.07.19 ☕️

Coffee Talk + My Daily Looks

Good morning, friends! It is a gorgeous sunny morning here in the suburbs of Philly, albeit quite warm and humid, but I’ll take it. I just got back from a short run/walk. I only lasted 30 minutes in this humidity, but it felt good to move.

I hope you’re having a good weekend. I’m all discombobulated after having the July 4th holiday in the middle of the week. I feel like I’ve had three Saturdays in a row. Plus I missed church last week due to flying home from Maine, so I’m all out of whack.

It will be good to have a typical Sunday today, and I’m excited to kick off a new week and get back into my routine.

This will be my son’s last week at camp, and judging from the condition of the laundry he has brought home each weekend, it’s been quite a good time. I don’t think I pulled out a single article of clothing from his duffle bag that wasn’t wet and muddy.

As for the girls and me, we’ve mostly been hanging out at home and enjoying the pool. I treated them each to a service at the nail salon on Friday, and that was fun, although we weren’t all together so it wasn’t exactly quality mother-daughter time.

C is going to join me at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this week when I go to pre-shop. I’ve warned her it’s a bit of a zoo, but she wants to go. I’m hoping she can actually be helpful — even if just to bounce ideas off of and get a 2nd opinion on fit and style.

Then it occurred to me that she could even model some of the clothes… I’m sure she’ll want to try some things on. We’ll have to see how that all goes. It will be fun to have company, though.

R wants no parts of it, so she’s making plans with a friend. Isn’t it funny how two girls can be so different?

In other news, I finally decided to add a table to my foyer. If you’ve been following along for a while, you may remember it was a bit of a debate. I decided to leave it alone for the time being, and all of the sudden, I decided the foyer feels empty and needs a table. So I took advantage of the Pottery Barn sale last week and ordered a pedestal table I had been looking at last year.

It arrived yesterday, and R and Paul set it up for me. They all think it’s ridiculous and prefer the foyer open, so they started laying out all their Broadway playbills like brochures at a hotel. 🤣

That’s the thing, though. What do I put on it so it does NOT feel like a hotel? I’m afraid a big floral arrangement will seal the deal, so I’m hoping to figure out something a little different. If you have ideas, lay them on me!

If you’re on Instagram, you can see it in my Story — I videoed the girls making fun of me, but I haven’t taken a proper picture yet.

Anyway, I’m going to have to cut this short and go get ready for church.

Oh before I go, I need reading recommendations. I just finished the first five books of the Seven Sisters series, and the sixth isn’t out yet.

I got a lot of good suggestions on a Facebook post a few months ago, so I’m going to look through those again if I can find that post, but if you have a good light summer read you want to recommend, drop it in the comments below.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Join The Conversation

81 Responses

  1. I’m just finishing up reading Educated by Tara Westover. Have you read that yet? It’s really good. A memoir of her life being raised by extremist, fundamentalist parents in the mountains of Idaho.
    My next book is The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane as it was recommended by a good friend.

    1. Educated and The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane are both excllent books. If you enjoy Tea Girl, Lisa See’s new book is The Island of Sea Women – equally excellent!

  2. I wouldn’t call it a light summer read, but if you like historical fiction The Pillars of the Earth is amazing. I loved it and can’t wait to read the next one.  

    1. I’m on the third one of the series. They are long reads, but so interesting, and one gets caught up in the characters’ and their lives.

  3. Bernadette, where are you? is a good read. Historic fiction wise A Marriage of Opposites is a beautiful book.

    1. A friend recommended that same book to me this week! I’m almost done with the first book in the Seven Sisters series. I really enjoyed the first one.

    2. I just finished Where the Crawdads Sing. I highly recommend it too! Now I am reading Educated and am enjoying that so far. 

  4. I highly recommend anything and everything by Karen White. I started with her Tradd Street series but her earlier and more recent books are all fun reads. She weaves some mystery with romance and her writing style is so descriptive. Most of her novels are set in SC and GA. Dreams of Falling is her current release and just went to paperback. It was on many beach read lists in 2018 when it came out. Both Karen and Jenna Bush Hager recommend Evvie Drake Starts Over. It’s Jenna’s July book club selection. 

    1. If you like Karen White, I’d recommend the books she wrote with 2 other authors- Beatriz Williams and Lauren Willig. They are The Forgotten Room and The Glass Ocean (I just finished this one- it is about the sinking of the Lusitania). They are both very good!

      1. I’ve read The Forgotten Room and loved it!! The Glass Ocean is on my list. Thanks for reminding me about it! 

    1. I just finished Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward. Very well-written! Couldn’t put it down! If you liked Where the Crawdads Sing, you’ll like this! 

    2. Yes, I loved The Address and can’t wait to read more of Fiona Davis. Try The Forgotten Room too!

  5. The humidity is a kicker, isn’t it!  Unfortunately, in our part of Georgia, we have been dealing with it for a few months.  Without much exertion and in less than 5 minutes I will have a sweaty forehead and neck.  Your story about the foyer table is funny!  And you are right, putting a floral arrangement on it would make it look like a hotel or theatre lobby.  I have to check out your Instagram.  Enjoy your new normal Sunday and having Caroline along with you at the Nordstrom Sale.  God bless!

  6. Don’t have any reads to recommend…I’m here for the foyer table.  In order to avoid the “hotel lobby” look I’d steer clear of just one floral and perhaps do a curated collection of things, more personal.   Yes, maybe one larger vase with branches or greenery, but you could also add several  stacks of nicely bound books, with framed photos perched at varying heights on books and table top, or 3 varied height candlesticks, a small collection of pottery or porcelain..mix it up and play with it. There’s some good photo ideas to be found via google.   What did we do before the internet?!?!?!

  7. Great idea to have Caroline model with you at the Nordstrom Sale,  Looking forward to seeing your try-ons.
    As far as reading, I just finished Where the Crawdads Sing.  It was so good, I really think you would enjoy it.

  8. I LOVE the PB table in your foyer!  Honestly, I would put a floral arrangement in the middle.  Personally, I’d do something with a lot of height- like some branches or an orchid arrangement.  Trader Joe’s usually has really nice orchids at a very good price.  You could place two or three in a large decorative pedestal bowl.  Another idea would be to put a large ginger jar in the middle on top of some pretty books.  My favorite home decorating blog is The Enchanted Home, I think you may lean a little more “transitional” than her style, but Google some images with her blog title and you may find some with her foyer table decorated.

  9. How fun that Caroline wants to join you at the Nordstrom sale! I think that will be a fun mother/daughter experience 🙂

    LOL about the table! I had to go look at the IG story and laughed. 

    It’s humid here to, ick. It’s supposed to break later.

  10. If you like cozy mysteries I would recommend anything by Hope Callaghan.  She has several series out. And I’m currently reading the Nosy Neighbor series by Cynthia Hickey.  They can both be laugh out loud funny.   Your Instagram story was cute!  The girls made me giggle.  The playbills were a nice touch.  Ha ha 

  11. Hi Jo-Lynne! Lovely post. I’d put a pretty colored glass dish to put our keys in on the table. Pretty yet utilitarian. 

    Here’s something crazy. This morning ( and yesterday) our household is struggling with one cat attacking the other, viciously. I guess it’s called re-directed aggression. Any advice from anyone on how to stop our female from attacking the male would be appreciated. She’s locked up in the office right now. Thanks for letting me share. My husband is at work today and this is upsetting.

    1. Regarding your cats, I’m sorry one is being challenging right now. You might want to consider using a spray bottle filled with water. I use this method with any type of undesired cat behavior, and it’s effective most of the time, particularly with the older two. The youngest cat we have isn’t as well-trained yet. Most of the time, the cats become distracted and go running as soon as they see the spray bottle in my hand. A couple of quick sprays (not the stream setting) directed up close toward their faces is all it takes. However, none of my three display vicious behavior. I consider it more of an “I’m grumpy, don’t bother me” behavior. Most of the time they get along fine. I hope things are better soon!

      1. Thank you Elizabeth. I am spraying  her when I have to when the fight erupts. This morning she instantly attacked, as soon as she was released from the room we were keeping her in. I feel so sorry for him. He is quite scared. We’re keeping them separated for now.

  12. Anything by Karen Kingsbury. Her books grab you in the first paragraph The Baxter Family series is a great place to start!

  13. I’m in the middle of “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles and LOVE it. It’s warm and so witty. Also really enjoyed “Where the Crawdads Sing,” but like this one even better!

  14. Oh, and be sure not to miss “Becoming Mrs. Lewis” by Patti Callahan–one of my all-time faves!

  15. I just started City of Girls and I already love it!  At the point of the book I’m at, the main character loves clothes and analyzing outfits. She is a seamstress!  I feel like it’s right up my alley, since I love clothes and sewing as well. Seems like the perfect summer read for me!!  Perhaps you’d like it, too!

  16. Summer of ‘69 and Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand. Great light, summer beach reads. Where The Crawdad sings is a great book too. Both ‘Summer’ and ‘Crawdad’ books are the top 2 on the bestseller list right now ☺️

  17. To Read: “Where The Crawdads Sing” and “Lilac Girls” (Read both recently for my Book Club and loved them. 

  18. I know you mentioned that you pencil in your eyebrows. I use the same product, but yours look different than mine. Please share your eyebrow routine . Thanks, Anne

  19. Any book by Dorothea Benton Frank!!!  Written about the South and always funny!  I recently read her latest, Honey Bee.  That was followed by a great read, Before We Were Yours…not always a light read but I couldn’t put it down.

  20. Hi Jo-Lynne!

    I have a suggestion for your foyer table…..a nice, inviting lamp (not too big), along with a photo of the family, again keeping it all in the scale so it does not overpower. Then maybe a very small vase of a flower or two, OR a copper/silver/or gold decorative piece instead of the flowers. Have fun!

  21. I’ve got a great new list of books to read thanks to all you ladies!!! I just read The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain. I really liked it. I’ve read several of her books and like. I also love any books by Jodi Picoult.

  22. Jo-Lynne, we have two daughters, and we often wonder how two people who are so different come from the same parents 😉 But they are best friends! I’m excited Caroline will be joining you for the NSale! 
    I also recommend Where the Crawdads Sing. Before We Were Yours, is not light, but fascinating and based on a true event. I recently read A Man Called Ove, very good read.

    1. I also highly recommend Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. I usually read at night to relax before bedtime. This book definitely didn’t make me drowsy. I didn’t want to put it down. 

  23. First…..as for your foyer, I don’t think I’d do a floral arrangement either.  I love to frame, typed out bible verses(you can pick your font and even color). You could do that in a large frame for the focal point and maybe then add family photos in varied frames around it.  Just a thought.  If you do any arrangement for more height, keep it simple….no flowers. Maybe just greenery/branches type arrangement.  Look at Crate and Barrel.  Then as for books to read, I’m reading “The Light Over London” by Julia Kelly. I’m 3/4 the way in and its been good from page one. But…. I can’t tell you how the ending will be. 🙂 I’m hoping to finish it this week.   I will give you other recommendations tomorrow. I need to go look upstairs where my books are and I’m too lazy at the moment to go up.  Ha Ha  Oh, I do know I enjoyed “Kind is the New Classy”……The Power of Living Graciously by Candace Cameron Bure.  I really like her and I enjoy her books.  

  24. Check Reese Witherspoon’s and Jenna Bush Hager’s book clubs. I’ve enjoyed several of their suggestions recently. The Cactus was great!

  25. Ha, Will be interested to hear how it goes with your daughter at the Nsale. I find when I bring Lauren to things, she wants to shop for herself, but only lasts through me trying on one thing and then she starts complaining. I’m reading “Where The Crawdad’s Sing” and it’s great and also just finished “The Lost Girls Of Paris” and “On Folly Beach” and I really liked these also. All three are very different types of books.

  26. I just finished Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour, it’s YA lit, but I really liked it. Now I’m reading You should Talk to Someone.

  27. The House on Foster Hill and The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jamie Jo Wright, both are great reads with twists you don’t see coming. Anything by Charles Martin is always 5* for me, A Long Way Gone or Send Down the Rain. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James was also a very good book. I also have recently read Up from the Waves and Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes and they were very good but have the tissues ready (p. s. they take place in Maine).

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