Fall Bucket List

I have some things on deck for fall, but first let's review how I did on my Summer Bucket List! When I first posted my list, I had already gone to the beach at least once , celebrated the 4th of July with friends and family, signed up for a class, and started reading books for Erin's Book Challenge. What have I done since then? 

Fix/update Mom's tablet  - check! (no pic, sorry!)

Go to the beach - check! We went to Atlantic City, and even had time to visit Lucy the Elephant on our way home! 

Attend a trivia night - check! We lost pretty terribly, but it was still fun! 

Celebrate Blue's birthday - check! We had a great time celebrating in Asbury Park for a long weekend, and then the Mountain Mommas surprised her with cake when we returned!

Enjoy a weekend getaway with mom - check! We spent a weekend in Ct with her church peeps. 

Celebrate the 4th of July - check! (Pic posted earlier, here)

Visit a fair - check! No pics for this one, but we went to a local food festival!

Check out American Dream - check!

Try some new cocktails and/or beer - check! I tried High Noon and Bud Light Selzer- hated both! 

Send care package to friend in Colorado - Check! 

Sign up for/take a class - check! I passed my Women's Leadership course at Yale :)

Read 5 books - Still working on this one! I *should* be able to finish in time!

Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to Go to an aquarium or museum or visit my friend's new apartment, but hopefully I'll get to do both soon! 

Here's what I have on deck for Fall!~

try 3 new "Fall" recipes

light fall scented candles

paint nails a fall color

decorate for fall

change over summer to winter clothes and donate the extras

go on a (weekend) getaway

enjoy a hookie spa day

finish Erin's book challenge (deadline 10/31)

check out a new winery or brewery

check out a new restaurant

have a pumpkin martini

enjoy pumpkin ice cream

12 is actually my favorite number, so I'm going to stop there. 

What do you have on deck for this season? 

10 on the 10...errr 20th: Playing Dress Up

I was trying to participate in Leslie's 10 on the 10th linkup, but I was away on vacation and she was having technical difficulties with getting the linkup live. Like her I was also having technical difficulties due to a terrible wifi signal. All that aside I still wanted to play along, so onward to the prompts!

When do you most often dress up?
Weddings. Our date nights are usually fairly low-key unless we're celebrating something, but we always do it up for weddings, BIG birthdays (like a friend's 50th),... things like that. Here I'm wearing a LOFT halter dress a sit was hot AF at our friend's wedding in Key West, Fl. a few years ago. You gotta be pretty damn special for me to put on a strapless bra! 

What makes you feel fancy and dressed up?

Heels and makeup. Changing out my purse to match my outfit. 

What does getting dressed for the day mean to you? 

Wearing clothes that are clean and not too wrinkled! I'm back in the office 5 days a week and I work in IT, so usually black or gray slacks, flats (or boots in winter), and a weather appropriate top (sleeveless with a cardigan in summer or a sweater in winter). I usually don't wear makeup, especially now with the mask mandates, and my hair is usually pulled back in a ponytail or clip because I hate having hair in my face when I'm trying to work. 

Do you wear make up every day? Do you do anything different for special or dress up occasions? 

Absolutely not! I was never big into make up, but even less so (if that's even possible) now that I have to wear a mask at work/most public spaces. For special occasions, I'll do everything but foundation (my face doesn't agree with it, usually breaking out the next day).

Eye shadow: Urban Decay Naked palette (and Urban Decay eyeshadow Primer Potion)

Eye liner: NYX slim eye pencil in black (though I also like the Rimmel Kohl pencil)

Mascara: CG Lashblast Volume or  Too Faced Better than Sex 

Blush: MAC Sheertone Shimmer in Flirt & Tease for REALLY special occasions since it's no longer available, other MAC Mineralize Blush in Love Thing

Lipstick depends on the outfit, but my two faves are Revlon's Absolutely Fabulous lipstick in Temptress (a deep red that's also no longer available) and Burt's Bees Wine Wave.

What is your skin care regimen? What issues do you address with your routine and choice of products?

I actually need to re-evaluate my skin care regimen as it switches between summer and winter to heavier creams and moisturizers. Usually I just wash with Olay (water-activated) Daily Facials cloths and moisturize with Aveeno Positively Radiant daily moisturizer. If I remember and have time, I'll add Shea Moisture Problem Skin toner. Once a week I like to use either Formula 10.0.6 Draw It All Out peel mask or kick it old-school with St. Ives Apricot facial scrub.

Describe any vintage or heirloom pieces you have. 

I have a favorite "fancy" necklace, but it only goes with one dress I own (first pic). As for heirloom pieces, I have my high school class ring (does that count? It's personalized with my signature on the inside, birthstone, tennis rackets on one side and grad year on the other), and my  grandmother's pearl necklace which I've never actually worn.  

                                            

Do you have pierced ears? If so, what age were your ears pierced? 

I do! That's basically the only jewelry I change out almost daily. I was too young to remember when they were pierced though. But I also have my nose and belly button pierced, which I got done on the same day when I was 20. 

 
Did you dress up for Halloween as a child? As an adult? Describe a favorite costume you or your children wore for Halloween. Will you be giving out candy this year?

Yes and YES! When I was a kid, I remember I was Jasmine from Aladdin for several (maybe 3?) years in a row because I loved it. As an adult I'm more into homemade costumes. Picking a favorite is hard, but I really got into Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump in 2019. I didn't have a wheelchair (thought that would be a bit much, especially for a house party), but I didn't stand at all, instead getting around on my knees if I needed to, and drew on my beard. It was also one of the most comfortable costumes ever! 

Do you have a favorite Halloween costume?

Shit Blue Said

It has been well over a year since I've shared some of the ridiculousness that has escaped from Blue's mouth, so I thought it was high time I get on that. That, and she threatened me. Kidding (kind of). Here are some gems I've remembered to write down (or screenshot). (All the blue in the screenshots are me, for reference.) 

Blue: Siri, what are the lyrics to "Home on the Range?" 

Siri: I could not find the lyrics on Apple Music.

Blue: Alexa would have found the lyrics. 

Me: Surprised we got early dismissal, it's really not that bad out.
Blue: Yeah, they are making too much out of weather these days. When I was a kid we were like "Yeah, it snows in winter."
Me: Exactly! Coddlers.
Blue: Ducking coddlers. Getting a participation trophy for "surviving the winter." 

Blue: Following Funko [Pop!] on Twitter was a poor life decision.

Me: You’re not very suave.

Blue: I’ve always been more of a Pantene girl.

Me:  Thor and dr. Jones...

Blue: Why? How?

Me: Dr. Ford in news- Harrison Ford- Indiana Jones. I’m not proud 

 

Blue: I feel like I've found religion. A constant stream of "Jesus Christ's" have been coming out of my mouth throughout the work day. 

Me: Oh, that's official then? They're not together?

Blue: I believe so. She said she can't find anything she likes.

Me: Huh

Blue: In terms of it being official? I was like well they didn't get anything notarized but it sure sounded official lol

Me: No like huh, interesting

Blue: More of a hmm than a huh... to both relationship status and "not finding anything"

so maybe a hmm and a huh

Me: Hmm means I'm thinking about it, which I'm not. I'm judging silently from the sidelines.

Me: Gmorning pumpkin

Blue: Gmorning sessy squash. May the gourd open. 

One liner of the month:  "I can’t hear so I have to read your lips, and I don’t have my readers, so stand back."

All read and approved by Blue before posting.

You can find other Shit Blue Said here: Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol.3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6, Vol. 7, Vol. 8, Vol. 9, Vol. 10

Currently: October

Two posts in two days- whaaaat! Really trying to make my comeback here guys! Here's what's currently going on over here...

Reading: The Bean Trees - Barbara Kingsolver

Watching: so happy Fall TV is back, but most excited about The Morning Show! 

Listening to: DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez - Selfish Love

Borrowing: Books! I've finally found my reading groove again after several months of being in a slump. I just got The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson from the library. It's starting pretty slow but hoping it picks up soon since I've read so many great reviews! 

Buying: Just posted about some of my recent purchases yesterday with Tanya! Lots of clearance/ off season steals, and these adorable dish towels! 

Planning: A getaway to Lake George very soon! I've never been and it's just about leaf peepin' season, so I'm very excited. If you've been and know of any places I should check out, please let me know! 

Prepping: Meals! I mean, I finally went *real* grocery shopping for the first time in about 6 months, so I'm well-stocked! So now that I'm getting back in the kitchen, what's your favorite fall recipe? I'm thinking first up may be this veggie pot pie (with cheddar biscuits) from Budget Bytes!

What's currently going on with you?

Linking up with Anne! 

Recent Purchases

Oh, hello! Apologies for the completely unplanned hiatus! I'm hoping to get back to this space more regularly going forward and promise to share some updates from the past couple of months soon, but first I had to share what I've been purchasing lately! Though "lately" is a loose term in this case... I drafted this post back in APRIL! The majority of these purchases were off the clearance rack and replacements for winter loungewear that succumbed to overuse during the pandemic. 

Old Navy

high-waisted printed leggings (x3) - $7/ea (normally $17)

thermal lounge set - $22 (normally $42 - top and bottom sold as separates) 

thermal long sleeve tee  $4 (normally $15)

flannel PJ pants - $5 (normally $20) 

long sleeve V-neck tee- $10 (normally $20)

graphic tee - $9 

slub tees (x2) - $8/ea

fuzzy socks (x2) - $3/ea

relaxed fit soft shorts - $7.50 (normally $26) (out of stock- similar) 

Kids gender-neutral sunnies - $11

Katie posted this a few months ago. I adore all things organization, so you know I added it to my cart! I'm using it under my kitchen sink, so it holds some random tools (screwdriver, hammer, blades, tape measure), and some cleaning things (rubber gloves, dish detergent pods, garbage bags, new sponges). I love being able to see and find everything more easily!

Do you buy items during the off-season for the deals? 

Linking up with Tanya!