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Coffee Talk + What I Wore

Greetings! How is everyone’s Labor Day weekend going? Ours had a little unexpected excitement yesterday — we lost power for about six hours. It went out around 2 or 3PM and didn’t come back on until after 10PM so we had quite a chunk of time there without any electricity. Our new house is on well and septic, so it was a little more inconvenient to be without power than it was at our old house, but we managed.

Unfortunately I had planned to make a nice lasagna dinner for the family since everyone was home together for the first time in a few weeks, but we ended up doing sushi takeout when we realized the outage was going to be longer than originally expected.

So yeah, my son is home for the weekend, which is fun. I picked him up from college on Friday night in that torrential downpour, and my husband got home from a week in California on business around the same time. It was a quiet week here with just us girls, and while that was fun for a few days, I think we were all ready for the men to get home.

I wasted no time putting my husband to work. Actually, I was surprised when he offered to hang a couple of new light fixtures for me yesterday. I was going to wait a while before giving him a new task list. So now we have a new chandelier in the foyer! Here’s the view from the dining room into the living room.

I know, it’s looking pretty murky in there right now… I still want to get curtains and something to hang on the wall over the couch plus some accessories to add color, but I’ll get there eventually.

I did pick up two fall pillows at Tuesday Morning last week and plopped them on the couch, but I don’t think they help with the murky color scheme in there. My long-range plan is to replace the carpet with hardwoods and then get a pretty area rug, but all in due time!

We also hung this flush mount light in the back of the foyer by the French doors that lead to the deck, and I have another one just like it to go in the landing at the top of the stairs. Then I’m going to replace the rest of the hallway lights with this or this.

I really can’t believe we’re back to decorating with gold fixtures, but I’m liking the new softer matte gold as opposed to the shiny brass of the 80s. I’m still doing door hardware in matte black, though, and the lights in the kitchen and less formal areas of the house will be black as well. The nice thing about black and gold is they work well together, and I’m learning that mixing metals is more modern than having everything matchy-matchy. It also allows you to change things up without having to do everything all at once, which is nice.

The only other thing I’ve done this week is hang this Bon Appétit print in my kitchen. I’d been wanting something to go in that space over the desk, and we’re not ones to use a calendar or organizer there, so I bought this canvas print instead.

I hung it by myself when Paul was away, and when my 12-year-old came into the room and saw me hammering a nail into the wall, she exclaimed with a note of surprise, “See mom! You’re handy!”

Ha! That’s about as handy as I get, but I think I can manage to hammer a nail into the center of a wall.

Anyway, that’s about it for my house updates!

Since I haven’t done a What I Wore post in a while, and because just about everything is on sale this weekend, I thought I’d round up my outfits from the past few weeks.

Before we get started, I also wanted to let you know that registration for Adore Your Wardrobe course #1 starts today! I’ve written a ton over the years about this program, so rather than reinvent the wheel, I’ll just forward you to THIS POST if you want to know more.

Okay, on to what I’ve been wearing… I haven’t been taking pictures every day because most of my outfits are pretty basic and redundant — even more so than normal! It’s that time of year when everything seems old, and it’s too hot to care to reinvent my outfits, so this is what I’ve got.

What I’ve Been Wearing Lately

This is what I wore to take my daughter to her middle school open house, where she got to find her classrooms and her locker. I took the opportunity to dress up some since I knew I’d be seeing a lot of people. I figured it would be hot (and it was!) so I pulled out these old black chino shorts and paired them with this floral top from Loft.

These shorts have been my go-to “dressy shorts” for years, and they’re still available at Ann Taylor in limited sizes. I have them in both navy and black. They’re marked down to $24 and another 60% off that! For size reference, I take an 8 in these shorts. SHOP THE LOOK.

Some days are for lounge wear, so happily lounge wear can be cute! Unfortunately both of these pieces sold out, but I love them! So comfy and soft, and cute enough to wear around the house and not feel like you’re in your pajamas. SHOP THE LOOK.

And a few days later, I wore this to take my son to college and move him into his dorm. I knew we’d be carrying boxes and things, but I didn’t want to look too much like one of the students, so I opted for cropped jeans instead of jean shorts, and I kept it casual with a simple t-shirt and sandals.

These crop jeans are FINALLY on sale but the sizes are pretty depleted. If you luck out, I would recommend sizing up a full size from your largest normal size. I have them in a 30. They fit great, they’re soft but don’t bag out, and they have a nice comfortable high rise. SHOP THE LOOK.

The next day, we visited my in-laws, and I pulled on some of my old favorites — these AG jeans, which I think finally sold out, and this Fashionably Latte tee from White House Black Market. It’s a couple years old, but I hang onto it because I love the neckline, the overall fit, the quality of the material… and of course the sentiment! I wish they’d come out with more tees like this.

I wore this next outfit to church a couple weeks ago, but this is an old picture. I didn’t have time to get a picture that morning because I had tried on like 3 other outfits, and I was holding everyone up! SHOP THE LOOK.

I wore this to go to the mall one day last week. I’ve also worn this top with white jeans and navy wedge sandals. Unfortunately it sold out, but I linked a couple of cute LOFT floral tops. SHOP THE LOOK.

This here is pretty much what I live in every day. I have 3 or 4 tees and tanks and 2 pairs of denim shorts I rotate between. It’s just been too hot to care, and I spend most days at home anyway. As much as I love summer, I’m so excited for fall fashion and a reason to actually get dressed and go places, lol!!! SHOP THE LOOK.

I wore this to church last week, and my daughter snapped this picture from her lounge chair. She thought it was a bad angle, but I kind of like it. I tried to tell her it’s a real thing — Alison sometimes shoots from below to get a taller, leaner look. I’m only 5’5″ so I’ll take all the help I can get! SHOP THE LOOK.

It is tradition with a group of my good friends to go to breakfast after the kids get on the bus on the first day of school, and this year I decided to dress up a bit just for the heck of it. I’m still trying to figure out the straight crop jeans, and I’m not sure this works… what do you think?

True confessions: before we left, I chickened out and switched to skinny jeans. SHOP THE LOOK.

Finally, I wore this to go to the mall one day this week. These leopard loafers are so fun for fall, and I love that this top I bought last spring is still available. It’s a great color to carry me into fall. I also linked a short-sleeve version that’s on sale if you’re interested. I have the short-sleeved one in pink. SHOP THE LOOK.

And that’s all I’ve got!

I haven’t taken any pictures in the last few days, but today we have church so I’ll get dressed in something cute and get a mirror selfie, if nothing else.

I’m already starting to transition my closet. I’ve always used Labor Day weekend to start switching things over. I realize it’s still officially summer until September 22nd, and the weather will most likely prove that to be true, but for as long as I can remember, I’ve started gradually making the summer-to-fall wardrobe shift starting on Labor Day weekend.

I think it harkens back to the “no white after Labor Day” rule that was so ingrained in me from an early age. Even though now I eschew such archaic nonsense, I still like to start shifting my wardrobe on this weekend.

That doesn’t mean I put away all my summer clothes and start wearing sweaters and boots regardless of the weather, but I will move out my lightest summer things and start incorporating some darker colors and textures that give a nod to fall. I will also trade in my espadrilles for open toe ankle boots and things like that.

This is also the time I go through and remove everything I haven’t worn this season so I can donate or sell. I would love to have another closet sale, but I just don’t have the bandwidth for that right now so I’ll probably take a big haul to my local Clothes Mentor sometime in the next few weeks. I love how they pay you on the spot for what they keep, and they take clothes for all seasons.

Well, this turned into a book! I’ve got to get a move on. I want to keep my running streak going, and then of course I need to get ready for church. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Join The Conversation

26 Responses

  1. Love that mossy green top with the leopard shoes! I also thought the straight leg cropped jeans looked great on you! 

  2. I am SO ready for fall! Just this week I decided I was done with summer. Unfortunately, I live in Dallas…there is no point in transitioning anything. We will be in full on summer through September. Enjoying 25 days of Fall and dreaming of crisp cool days!

    1. Oh yes, it is hot in Dallas for a long time!!! Here in PA, we never know. The last few years it’s been really warm all the way through September, but some years it turns cold and stays that way. One never knows…

  3. I like your light fixture in the entrance way and other changes will come… you’ve done a lot in a little time all ready… the strait cut jeans look good I wouldn’t have changed but it’s hard to step out of our comfort zone… 

  4. I think the straight leg ankle jeans looked darling on you. Personally, I’m SO glad to see the slim straight leg pants this year. That’s ALL I bought and not sure I’ll wear any of my skinny jeans this year. 

  5. I think the straight cropped jeans are very cute on you!  I really like the shoes you chose to wear with them. I’m in need of a new pair of leopard loafers and I’ve been eyeing those Steve Madden’s.  Are they pretty comfy and TTS?  I’ve had some foot problems, as I know you have, and am curious about all day wear for work.  Although I’m at a desk the majority of the day, I still need something with a padded insole and at least a little arch support. 

    1. Hey Keena, the quality on the shoes isn’t the best — it’s not Sam Edelman quality, for example. But they’re cute and fairly comfortable. The one thing I’ll say, though, is there is no support or padding at all.

  6. Jo-Lynne 
    As usual you look so cute in all the outfits! I think the straight cropped really are flattering. I plan to do the same sort of outfit soon with my cropped jeans. Hope you have an enjoyable holiday. Like those light fixtures. You will get there on the house! You have done so much already and have a fine base to work from! I think this is when the fun starts! 

  7. My head is spinning with everything I want to comment on and share with you.  Fortunately, if I forget something, I’m the only one that will know it! 😉 Being without power over a couple of hours gets old.  We are also on well water, which is great until the power is out.  We finally took the plunge and bought a powerful enough generator that will pretty well run the house.  We had a nice ventilated wood box with a metal roof and easy access, built around it, so it can be used when needed.  The new light in your entryway is gorgeous!  Great choice!  And the fall pillows on the sofa look so nice.  Maybe y’all can have the lasagna dinner tonight!  I know y’all have two stair cases – a friend of ours has put nice and not an eye sore LED motion detected stip lights on her stairs, so that the overhead light does not have to be used every time the stairs are used.  If we had stairs, I would get them.  Thank you for elaborating some on how you have started transitioning your closet.  If time permits, I may start doing that while Larry is gone for 2 weeks.  I have a few surprise projects I want to tackle first.  You do a fabulous job at not giving any indication when Paul is away!  Down here, our extended family (friends) know that I’ll be home alone as of next Thursday, and I’m glad because if we lose power, etc., the men will ensure I am okay.  While I won’t have the regulars over for morning coffee, I anticipate seeing at least two of them every now and then.  They are helping me with some heavy lifting outside for sure.  It’s  well known that I will be well armed, that I know how to shoot, and my aim is good!  Have a blessed Sunday!

    1. Omigosh, Ginger, I laughed so hard at your last comment. You’re a hoot. Yeah, I try to keep it quiet when Paul is away. I’m not comfortable with all of the Internets knowing that I’m here alone. 🙂 Fortunately he doesn’t travel that often.

      1. I’m so glad I gave you a reason to laugh!  We don’t like the grey squirrels because they mess with the fox squirrels and eat my bird food, so I shoot them.  In the first 8 months of this year, I killed 46 of them, and 99% of them with one shot.  The guys call me Annie Oakley.

  8. GM and Happy Labor Day weekend and glad your son was home to enjoy the holiday with you. I finally bought the Sanctuary Tie sleeve top you posted in the spring because I found it on sale for $30 on the Sole Society website a few weeks ago. I loved but couldn’t pay over $50 but now that I have it, it will be a great transition fall  top to wear. Glad your taking stuff to Clothes Mentor, and I do that every few months then donate what they don’t take. 

  9. So sorry about your power sitiation! We know how hard it is to lose power. We also have our own well and septic and just lost power from Tuesday evening through Sat. 2 pm! I live in Michigan and we had 2 tornadoes go through our county. We are very fortunate to have a small generator so we didn’t lose all our food. When the power came on Sat. I was never so happy to do dishes and the laundry!! As always you look gorgeous and your house has become a HOME with all of your big and little touches! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

  10. Always amazed what you get done before church.  I literally get up, shower, eat breakfast and have coffee and its time to go out the door.  You must get up soooo early.  Our church starts at 10:15a.m. for reference. 🙂  Fun post this AM.  As for the cropped straight jeans you chickened out on going to have breakfast with friends, I think they look good and you should have worn them.  They aren’t too wide at the bottom, so looked good. Question about Wayfair.  I have never ordered from them, but it looks so convenient and everything online looks so quality, but do you ever find what you order isn’t the quality as seen or marked or damaged in any way.  I know just shopping in the store, I have to sort through to find the good items.  Like especially with bigger furniture items. I can’t imagine ordering online for those.  Loved your bedroom night stands in your guest room.  What about their return policy.  Its it good?  Do you pay for returns?  Sorry for all the questions.  Have a good day.  PS  Love hearing about your day to day living with your family and what they are up too and looking forward to the LIVE with you to come.  

    1. LOL, I get up at 5:30 and church is at 10:30, but I had the outfits and links already put in this post from earlier in the week so that helped. 🙂

      So Wayfair is awesome. I have ordered so much from them and I’ve been pleased with just about everything. I haven’t noticed any major marks or damage, but they do stand behind anything that is — I’ve read a lot of reviews on their site where people talk about them replacing things that came damaged or scratched. Shipping and returns are free so there’s no risk in trying.

      Also, when I ordered that bed for the guest room, the frame was delivered but the headboard and footboard were not, even though it said online that they had been delivered. So I went online and filled out their missing parts form, and immediately they had a whole new bed sent out. Eventually we discovered that the headboard/footboard had been delivered to the wrong house in our area, and we got it back from them but they had already thrown away the packaging, so the people at Wayfair told me to donate it to the charity of my choice since it would cost more than it was worth for them to send packing materials and pay for return shipping. I was really impressed with that whole thing, even though though the delivery got botched (which wasn’t their fault – the FedEx guy got my headboard/footboard mixed into someone else’s order.) So I’m Team Wayfair! 🙂

  11. Though I agree with the others that all the outfits look cute on you, I wonder if the straight leg jeans would look better with a tucked in shirt (or semi-tucked, as you often wear), and with ballet flats or sandals.  I love that shirt and those boots, but I feel like the blousier shirt and chunkier shoes make you look more like one straight line.  Giving a little more definition to your waistline and your ankles would change that.  I’m certainly no fashion expert (why I come here every day!), but that’s what struck me.  Anyway, have a great rest of labor day weekend!

    1. Yep, I think you’re right about that — especially the more fitted top. In theory the boots should work, but maybe a slightly lower shaft where like an inch of leg shows? Or a sock bootie style that is narrower thru the ankle.

  12. I really liked the straight jeans you changed out of.  That was a good outfit.  You look especially pretty in all those flower blouses.    I enjoy these what I wore posts.  I find myself transitioning as early as August.  Not for heavier, but the pastels I wore in spring and summer don’t look as appropriate later in the season.  

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