How To Style A Fall Top

 Burnt Orange Top For Fall

Hi everyone!  I think the first thing to do when styling a Fall top is to find a color and style that you love, then pair it with another great color, add some jewelry and voila!  I was so excited when I saw this top hanging on a rack at Hamrick's. It was one of those moments when you see an article of clothing and you just know it is meant for you! 

Now, I'm calling the color of this top burnt orange, but you may have another name for it and that's OK.  I simply adore the texture of the fabric and, especially, the slanting brown buttons on this tunic top by Southern Lady. This just gives that little extra "oomph" to the look of this top. I have another top with similar texture in a cream color and have enjoyed wearing it a lot so I know I will get lots of wear from this one.

Remember when I paired my animal print tunic with these olive pants?  Well, I just knew that the burnt orange would be a perfect match with the pants, as well. I had to see some stylings by other people on the blogs in order to understand the possibilities of matching colors with olive green and now I'm having fun finding new possibilities. I know this top will also look great with tan and dark brown pants, as well. 

Here's a closeup of the jewelry I chose to wear with this outfit. To me, gold goes perfectly with burnt orange and olive green. Both of these bracelets are stretchy and easy to wear and I so love the bracelet that has affirmations on it. It was a gift from when I was teaching and always serves to remind me to believe and achieve! 

So what am I hoping you will take away from today's post?  I hope that you will be encouraged to try color combinations that you might not think of pairing together. I hope that you will find textures and colors that you love and run with them. I hope that you will keep an eye out for clothing that just calls to you saying, "Yoo-hoo, I'm over here hanging on the rack just waiting for you to see me!" 

Hope you will take a moment to leave a comment because I love them all!  And be sure to keep an eye out for my next post when I will share some of my daily life here lately. I think it will be fun and there just might be a fun announcement for you! 

Until Next Time,

Debbie

Fashion, Food and Fall

 Sharing A Little Bit of This and That

Hello everyone! I hope that your October is off to a great start and you are beginning to enjoy some Fall colors wherever you may be. Our Fall colors are pretty muted so far and I have a suspicion that this year may not be the best color year for leaves. Anyway, in true this and that fashion, I have several items of interest to share today. First up is this new-to-me striped shirt that I purchased on Thred-Up. 

My Fall wardrobe was sadly lacking tops in the brown family so I purchased a couple recently. This top is tunic style and fits me really well. I'm already enjoying wearing it and think I will get lots of wear from it in the future. BTW, I deleted my Poshmark account and have decided if I buy used online, I will only use Thred-Up. The shipping is less on Thred-Up and, more importantly, items are returnable. Poshmark does not allow returns unless the item is not "as described" by the seller. Although the majority of my Poshmark purchases have been good, I have gotten "burned" a few times with items not fitting well, even though they were in my size range. That's really frustrating to have happen and not be able to return the items! 

Anyway, I'm enjoying the striped top very much. I will share the other brown top I purchased in another post. Before I move on to another topic, here is a pic of some leaves turning color near our driveway. See what I mean by "muted" coloring this year?

Have you jumped on board with designing charcuterie boards? They seem to be all the rage lately. We even have a local cheese shop that designs the boards for people to take and go! Mine looks pretty feeble, I know. For one thing, I'm only displaying fruit and nuts, but hey, I did it artfully!! Plus, charcuterie boards typically use a wooden board. Oh well. I thought I would give it a try. Adding some meats, cheeses, olives and breads would have added more to the arrangement. 

Now, this meal that I made recently looks really pretty on the plate and was also quite tasty as well as easy to make. It's a combination of long grain/brown rice with vegetables from a steamer bag added to white breast meat and topped with mandarin oranges. It's a complete meal on a plate with meat, veggies, grains and fruit all in one! The chicken breast I used is a pre-packaged premium white chicken by Starkist. The packages look like the tuna packages only chicken breast. I like to use these in quick meals. 

The Mr. and I took a walk around The Grove Park Inn golf course last Sunday and we snapped some photos. This is one of my favorite walks. 

As you can see, it was a gorgeous day and The Mr. did a great job capturing this pic with The Grove Park Inn in the distance. 

I always enjoy looking at the gorgeous houses that line the streets of this neighborhood. Many are historic and they are so pretty. This stone wall is just wonderful.

And, of course, I had to have my picture taken in front of my favorite house on the walk. I keep telling The Mr. that he is supposed to buy this house for me but, somehow, this just isn't happening!

And speaking of gorgeous houses, how gorgeous is this one?!  I showed this house to you in an earlier post when it was being somewhat renovated. At that time, it was yellow with white and now, as you can see, the yellow has become gray. It's such a stately home in the Montford section of Asheville. 

I do wish that the renovators had left the house yellow. I love gray and white together but I don't love the combination on this house. At the very least, I wish they had painted the porch rails white and not gray. It's just too much gray for my liking. But, they didn't consult with me did they?!

And, I guess that's where I'll leave it for this post. Except to wish each of you many blessings as Fall progresses. Be sure to leave me a comment. I love hearing from you!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

Easy To Make DIY Tiered Tray

 A Fall Single Tier Tray

Hello everyone!  I've been a bit on the lazy side about blogging this past week. I think the colder temps we have had sent me into hibernation mode! Since we are now officially into Fall I thought I would share a bit more of my Fall decor with you. Today, I am showing you how to fashion your own DIY tiered tray without going out and buying one. The one hitch is that mine is a single tier tray rather than a multi-level tray. But, if you are okay with that then you can put together this single tier tray in only a few minutes. You can let me know in the comments what you think. 

Tiered trays are all the rage right now and can be decorated for all seasons and holidays. But, they can be expensive to purchase and then one must find (or buy) all of the little decor pieces to display on them. Plus, finding a spot to display them and then store them for later isn't always easy. So, here is my easy-peasy solution. I took an empty wide ribbon spool that I had saved and covered it with Fall colored ribbon securing it at the back. 

I placed a plastic orange charger plate on top of the spool and then decorated the charger with these items that were in a $5 tiered tray starter set from Target. 

I actually tried using just a regular plate the first go round but somehow this just didn't look right. Plus, I was afraid the plate might fall and break. 

So, I picked up a couple of very inexpensive chargers at Hobby Lobby figuring I can use them for Fall table settings when not in use as a tiered tray. I realize this isn't your typical tiered tray but I think it looks good and fits the kind of look I wanted. And the pieces can be used for other decorating if I don't want to use them on this tray so that makes everything versatile. 

In other decor news, I picked up some faux white pumpkins to add to my flower arrangement that sits atop our pantry cabinet in the dining room. I really am pleased with how this arrangement turned out. 

And, I treated myself to this new pumpkin. I think it is so pretty with the white leaves on the silvery background. 

It looks pumpkin-perfect on top of this table with the blue vase on the bottom in our dining room. This table matches our foyer table in case you are wondering about the resemblance!

So, I think it's a wrap for Fall decor at our house now! Hope you got a few ideas to use or some inspiration for Fall. I can't believe how cool it has gotten so quickly. I know we will be back and forth with temps for awhile but, even so, Fall is definitely letting us know it has arrived!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

How I'm Bringing Fall Decor Inside

 It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Fall

Hello everyone!  So many bloggers are sharing how they are decorating their porches and some are sharing inside their homes. Today, I'm sharing how I'm bringing a little Fall inside with my Fall decor. I'm just loving my new Fall pumpkin and I decided to take many of my soft pumpkins and display them together. 

I used my Farm style metal bucket to display these soft pumpkins.  

And the metal bucket looks good in the living room next to the side table. You can see a few other pumpkins on top of the table. 

If you look closely, you will see a black and white houndstooth pumpkin. I created that pumpkin plus another one. 

 And here they are! The houndstooth pumpkin is made from some scrap fabric and the black and white plaid one is made from a table runner that I wasn't using and decided to sacrifice part of the fabric for a pumpkin! I must say that if you are going to try to make your own pumpkins, don't use a thick fabric! I had a really hard time fashioning a pumpkin shape from the table runner fabric. The thinner fabric of the houndstooth fabric was much easier to work with. 

You've seen my little critters before, but I wanted to show you that I added my wooden pumpkins to the arrangement. This is on the dining room table.

And this fun sign is a Dollar Store purchase. I fit it into the tobacco basket that lives on top of the curio cabinet in the corner of our dining room. 

And, I changed things up a bit on the foyer table. You have seen my favorite decorative pumpkin before along with the Hello Fall sign and the Willow Tree angel. The faux succulents are also from Dollar Tree and I think they add some nice Fall color to the table. Notice that I flipped over the ceramic planter and placed one of the succulents on top. I find that creating different heights in a tablescape adds so much interest to the look. 

And this is the wreath on our front door. We've actually had this wreath hanging in our family room for a long time and this year I decided it needed to move to the front door for Fall!

I just love how the colors of the wreath blend with the colors of the quilts hanging over our door. (Thanks, Sharon!)

The trees are starting to turn a bit where we live, how about where you live? And are you bringing a little Fall inside with some decor in your home? Be sure to let me know in the comments. I will have a little more Fall to share with you in a future post, by the way. I'm lovin' me some Fall this year!!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

How I'm Styling A Thrifted Chico's Jacket

 The Jury Is Still Out On This Jacket

Hello everyone!  Today I'm showing you how I'm styling this thrifted Chico's brown and white print jacket/top that I picked up recently at the Humane Society thrift store. I'm not sure if I like this jacket on me or not yet. The jury is still out and perhaps you can help me decide, Ok? 

It took me awhile to find a pair of pants that looked right color-wise with this jacket. Finally, I settled on these creme cords by Lands End. I wear these a lot as they are quite comfy. I feel like they blend well with the colors in the jacket. And I decided to wear the jacket over a simple short sleeve white top, but the jacket could serve as a top without another top underneath. The pattern looked pretty on the wrack but I don't know if I like it on me or not hmmm.

The pattern is so bold it's hard to see it, but I am wearing a necklace by Paparazzi with the jacket. It has brown beads mixed with silver on a silver chain. Gold would go well with this jacket also because the snaps are gold. 

Soooo...I'm still on the fence about this jacket/top. It only cost around a dollar so it's no big deal if I decide to "gift it" to someone else to enjoy. But we'll see. 

Tell me, are you on the fence about any of your clothes? And what about my jacket. What do you think about my keeping it?

Do hope you will chime in. 

Until Next Time,

Debbie 

Saturday Scriptures: Roses in the Desert

 

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

Isaiah 35:1

Some days feel like deserts don't they?  Dry and parched with no cooling breezes or refreshing water to soothe. 

Public Domain Image

But actually there is life that springs forth in deserts. Solitary though deserts may be, animals live there and even blossoms burst forth on prickly cacti. 

Isaiah 35:1 reminds us that even in the most solitary wilderness places there can be rejoicing and blossoms like roses. Something for us to think about when frustration and feelings of loneliness or despair fill our days. Blooms can burst forth where we least expect them. 

May we all feel blessed by God's blessings today

Debbie

5 Enjoyable Reads

 A Basket Full of Books To Read

Hello everyone!  I'm sharing a basket full of books with you today, some newer and some older but all books I'm currently enjoying. I've mentioned before that I tend to have several books going at once so all of the books are currently on my bedside stand. Some are brand new reads for me and some are books I have read and re-read. Perhaps you will find some new ideas for books you would like to read!

Rosamunde Pilcher is a favorite author that I have read over the years. This book is an oldie that I return to time and again because it contains short stories that are so warm and entertaining and are perfect for bedtime reading. I love short stories anyway and this book is a keeper. 

This is a new-to-me book by Ashley Brown that I am thoroughly enjoying. I first encountered Ashley Brown on the Introverts Dear website where she is a frequent writer about living life as an introvert, something near to my own heart. This book tells the story of the journey she and her husband went on trying to decide whether to have a child or not. After many years and much thought, the choice was made not to have a child and this book includes letters to an imaginary daughter giving advice, explaining their decision and much more. Being childless myself, although not by choice, I am drawn to the thoughtful writing of Ashley Brown and feel that this book would be enjoyable whether you have children or not. 

Sorry for the glare on this pic, but I'm re-reading this book which is part of the Evan Evans Mystery Series written by Rhys Bowen. You might remember that Rhys Bowen is also the author of the Molly Murphy and Her Royal Spyness mystery series. The Evan Evans series is actually my favorite of the series but I find they are hard to find. Luckily, I found this one at our local used bookstore. 

I've been looking at this book about aging with grace for awhile and I finally broke down and ordered it from Amazon. The two authors, in their 70's and 80's, use scriptures and stories of women to talk about how God's grace allows us to flourish in all times of our lives, including the older years. So far, I find the book to be comforting, reassuring and uplifting as I contemplate my own aging process. 

And, finally, this is one of my beloved Miss Read books that I return to time and again. I'm showing you the inside cover because the binding of the book doesn't show the title. There is just something about Tyler's Row that I enjoy. Perhaps it is because the main characters buy a house that has to be renovated from the inside out. I certainly can identify with going through that process and the feelings of the wife as they deal with close neighbors and deal with workman being at the house all the time. I've had lots of experience with renovation! The Miss Read books are available on Amazon and I highly recommend both the Fairacre and Thrush Green Series. 

And that's my basket of books I'm reading! What's in your reading basket right now? Hope you'll share!

Until Next Time,

Debbie