An attitude of Gratitdue!

Since any day is a great day to count my blessings, I'm sharing my TBB Asks posts today!  This time around it's the Thanks and Giving Edition!  I kind of can't believe Thanksgiving is already around the corner.  And I get so mad when one day it's Halloween and then poof...it's Chrsitmas!!  Thanksgiving get totally forgotten in the crush.  (In all honesty though, I am totally on the Hallmark Christmas movie train!! HA!)

But back to the issue at hand...Giving thanks!!  Here are my answers to this month's questions!!

1. Have you ever kept a gratitude journal? 
I have actually...and really wished that I kept up with it. At night before bed I listed 5 things about the day I was grateful for.   I never keep up with journals or diaries....maybe I'll get back into it.

2. Hosting Thanksgiving?  I am not hosting Thanksgiving, have never and probably will never.  My sister hosts our family Thanksgiving and always does a great job.  This year though, I am once again hosting FRIENDSGIVING!  I'm glad to be bringing it back with a different group of friends then in my previous years!!  It's this Sunday and I'm really looking forward to it (but kinda wish the besties and I kept up with the tradition ourselves! Read about our very first Friendsgiving here!) And when I say hosting, I really just mean, we are using my house!!  HA!  As long as I don't cook the turkey, anyone is welcome to the use of my kitchen!

3.  Favorite food from the Thanksgiving meal?
Is it wrong to say my own Green Bean Casserole??  That is the ONE thing I make (for Thanksgiving AND CHRISTMAS) and just love!!  I really enjoy all the side dishes...more so than the turkey itself!!

4. One thing is Nature I am most grateful for...most definitely THE SUNSHINE!  It's beautiful in the sky ALL THE TIME!!  When it rises in the morning, when it sets in the evening and when I'm enjoying it all day long during those hot summer days, getting my tan on.  But all year long, I'm just a happier person when the sun is shining!

5. Pumpkin Pie?  Heck YES!!  And I really like the Costco Pumpkin Pie...go get you some!!

6. Traditional Cookbook?  Not really sure about this one! But I'll attempt to answer!  I don't really cook but when I do, most of the time, it's from this family cookbook that we girls created for our Mom on Shutterfly for her birthday a few years ago.  We all contributed recipes from it, and got our own copies.  Other than that, I'll just look online, even though, oddly enough, I have a whole shelf of cookbooks!!

7. Oven Baked or Deep Fried Turkey?
I've had both.  Lots of times we have the deep fried turkey as an appetizer and the sauce my brother in law makes for it is totally delish.  The deep friend turkey is so delish.  Maybe that why I'm more of a side dish girl!  Perhaps I fill up too much on that!

8.  Leftovers?  YES!  I enjoy leftovers!!  Often times I take the turkey, cook it in gravy and make an open face turkey sandwich/soup kinda combo!!  SO YUMMY!!

9. What is one household product you are most grateful for?
Ummmm....that would have to be my electric wine opener!!  NOT Kidding!

10. Most grateful for home cooked meals or restaurant meals?  I like this question!!
Well, I eat out most often so I am most grateful for a home cooked meal.  I enjoy eating meals that others cook, and because I didn't cook it and they are offering it to me and welcoming me into their homes to it it, I am that much more grateful for it.  My family cooks some awesome meals!!





So fun!!  Heading over to link up with TBB for TBB Asks and check out all the fabulous Thanksgiving fashion ideas from today's Fall Fashion Frenzy!  Link up too, here!!  Thanks for stopping by the blog today...I'm grateful for you!! 

Let's Talk: Fall Favorites

Am I ready for summer to end? NO, not at all!
Have I already had a fall favorite, Pumpkin Ale, YES!  Yes I have!!

While I am in not hurry for summer to come to an end, the impending school year is upon me and I know that the end is inevitable!!  So I'm taking a break from summer today and sharing some fall favorites with Erika and Andrea for their Let's Talk Series!!

There are so many things to look forward to in the Fall.  Here are a few of my faves!!

Riding Boots and Skinny Jeans!  By far my favorite part of fall!  I love wearing my riding boots are the time and love pairing them with great tops and accessories.
And wearing skinny jeans and riding boots means I don't have to shave my legs everyday!! Hallelujah!  (THAT'S definitely a favorite!!)

Crisp Air  As many of you know, summer is my absolute favorite season.  But I do love a good crisp, fall night.  The way it smells, the blardigan I can bundle up in!  Love, Love love!

Pumpkin Ale I can't say that I'm the biggest fan of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, but give me a Pumpkin Ale everyday in the Fall and I'll be your best friend.  pumpkin Ale is by far the best thing about Fall....but don't forget the cinnamon rim!!

New TV  I'm a self-proclaimed TV Head!  Fall brings brand new episodes of my favorite series and new shows to try out.  This Fall I am looking forward to This is Us on NBC, and the Kevin James show on CBS.

Autumn Wreath Candle  Come September 1st, I'm busting this candle out.  It's my favorite fall scent from Yankee Candle!  I also have to get a new Young Living scent for Fall for my diffuser!!

Football!  Over the years I have to love football.  Often on Sundays, I have it on in the background while I'm planning, doing laundry and getting ready for the new week.  Somedays I'll head over to my sister's to watch the games too!And it's a great excuse to drink beer and eat guac!!  Who wouldn't love that?!?

What are you most looking forward to this fall?  Let me know in the comments below!  Enjoy your Tuesday!!

And head on over to The Blended Blog today!  It's Wrap-up Day!  We're sharing our favorite posts from August on our personal blogs!!

A Fall Five

It was another quiet week for me...saw no one but my co-workers!  HA!!  But there's always something to reflect on.  And this week's five have a pretty fall-y theme!!  So here goes...

First things first!  My very favorite thing this week...

My very first post over at The Blended Blog!  Woo hoo!!  Check it out here! 

A few posts ago, I declared October my very own #ShopSmall month.  I've been doing well with that.  I've bought a few things from small online boutiques and this past Saturday purchased a custom sign from a cute little shop on Main Street in town that's being made as I type...I see it being a Friday fave next week!  HA!  This dress I got from @poshmygosh is definitely a new fall fave!

Speaking of my Main Steet, this past week on Main Street in my town was the annual Fall Festival.  Fun for the whole family...or a party of one such as myself!  One fun thing they have there is a chowder and chili contest amongst all the restaurants/establishments on Main Street.  For $5, you got 15 tickets to try the 15 different chilis and chowders in the contest.  Last year I went to the festival and was told about the contest too late, so when I went to some, I missed out.  This year I was prepared!!  I went right at noon, got myself some tickets and started sampling.  One thing I will say...15 is a lot!!  I think I made it through 9 or ten (and offered  the rest of my tickets to other people I met along the way)  Still a pretty great feat!!  All in all, it was a great day!  I did end up seeing a lot of school parents, but that's inevitable!  And I got a hug from a Super Hott Dad, so my day was made! LOL...Solitary Life People...Solitary Life!!  This was my ballot!

Another fun thing I got in the mail this week was my very first Pop Sugar Must have Box.  it's one of those monthly subscription boxes.  I saw it advertised on my FB page and saw that the new Mindy Kaling book was in it, so I thought I'd try it.  Super fun things in it.  Loved these Slipper Socks and the Belgian Boys StroopWaffel!

The other night I got cozy in my slipper socks and with my cup of coffee and read!  I'm loving the book...she's so funny!!  I need to get her first book!

Another fun fall thing I received in the mail this week was this!

Super Cute right?!? It's from Barn Owl Primitives.  I've bought a number of signs from them in the past and alway love what I receive!  Highly recommend!!

I suppose it was a really great mail week, huh?!?!  Have a fabulous fall weekend!!  And thanks for being a friend to the blog!!  It is so appreciated!!

Katie

Linking up this Friday with:

Erika, Andrea, and Narci for Friday Favorites 
September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey, Friday!

April and the girls for Five on Friday

Jennie for Friday Favorites

Transitioning a summer dress to Fall

I'm so excited to be participating in The Blended Blog's very first Blog Hop today!  Every Monday throughout the fall, we will be highlighting how to transition summer clothes to fall, with all sorts of items.  Those of you who "hopped" on over from Shaunacey's  blog, Welcome!  I'm so happy to have you! Today I'm sharing how to transition a summer staple, the striped dress, to fall.

So many people I know are packing away their summer clothes to get ready for these colder months.  I don't do that.  I try to buy clothes that I can wear across the seasons.  It saves money and allows me to do some mixing and matching...which is half the fun.

I wore my striped dress all summer long with sandals and my cons!

 I have a few looks in mind for fall!

First up, I'm pairing this dress with a leopard infinity scarf and riding boots. Love leopard and stripes together. This is a good "wear now" look.   I'd bring with me a mustard or maroon cardigan and throw it on if I got chilly as day turned to night.  I like this look a lot...this might have to be a fall go-to!

Next, I thought I'd wear this with my military jacket, a long necklace, and booties.

This dress is a bit on the shorter side...I'm thinking this would look cute with a cropped military jacket, too!

I am so ready for FALL!!  I hope you've gotten some great ideas about how to transition your striped dress this fall!  I'd love for you to share with me a look you might try or how you'd transition this dress in the comments below!  

And don't forget to hop on back to The Blended Blog next week to see what Sarah, Leslie, and Alison are styling!  We'll have you all set this season!

Have a great week!

Katie

HAPPY FRIENDSGIVING!!

This weekend was the inaugural Friendsgiving with my very best friends in the whole world. Actually my friends are more like family to me.  My oldest, and dearest friend Melanie and I have been friends since we were three.  When we were in high school (and I ended up going to "her" school for high school), we became best friends with Kerri. Not long after we started college, Mel and I sort of lost touch with Kerri. But as our ten year high school reunion approached in 2008, Kerri and I were recruited to plan it. So we reconnected one day over the phone to discuss the reunion.  That phone conversation lasted 4 straight hours and it was as if no time had passed. We picked up right where we left off.  Kerri and I got together shortly after that with Mel and ever since then the three of us have been inseparable once again.  We were there when Kerri was married in 2009, and Melanie and I are are Aunt Mel and Aunt Katie to Kerri's two daughters Addison and Brinleigh.  Oh and I forgot...Kerri's husband, Chris, is basically our husband too!  He probably didn't realize when he married Kerri, we came with the deal!!  HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Chris and Kerri were married in June 2009.



In September, when the four of us got together for a Halfway to St. Patty's Day bash, Kerri brought up the idea of having Friendsgiving.  So after planning for a few weeks, Saturday, November 15th was the first annual Friendsgiving at my place.


Melanie was basically the cook of the group.  She loves to cook and was super excited to attempt her first turkey!  She also made mashed potatoes and cranberries from scratch, green bean casserole, a beet salad, and pumpkin pie for dessert.  She arrived by 10 a.m. to start preparing the bird.

She  brought her Grandma's China from the 40's for us to eat on....I LOVED the table!!

Once the turkey was in and the table was set, we were able to relax and cheers to that being done with some drinks.  But that was short-lived because then we had to peel three pounds of potatoes. :)

Kerri arrived later on in the afternoon and brought with her her famous dip and made a killer batch of sweet potatoes!  We were only a group of 6...but we had enough food for 16!!

My contribution was the booze!  HA!!  I also made an Apple Dip app and a Pumpkin Dessert Dip I got from Jill at Doused in Pink!  (Thanks Jill...it was a hit!!)  And I had a bunch of fun games and crafts for the kids....basically just Addie, who's three!  I bought a few things from Oriental Trading and found a Turkey Hunt online at Bloom Designs Online, which I have to say was a HUGE HIT with her!!  After she found all twelve turkeys she got a prize!! I'm not gonna lie...I may have forgotten where I hid the last turkey...but Addie did not give up until she found it!! We also did a paper turkey craft, scratch leaves, and sticker pictures for EVERYONE!!

The dinner was fantastic and like after any Thanksgiving meal, we were all STUFFED!!  Chris played with the girls for a while, while Kerri did the dishes, Mel dried and I put away and divided up the leftovers for everyone to take home.  I bought containers and  found these super cute leftover tags from Bloom Designs online to put on them!

Here's a few more fun pics from the day!

 Photo Booth Props from The Dating Divas

According to Addie, this was this BEST. DAY. EVER!  We agree!!!  Can't wait to do it all again next year!!

An end of the night family photo!  

Without question, at the end of everyday there's only one thing I can be.....

for my family, my friends, my life, and whatever the future holds!!  I wish you all the same!

Katie


Linking up today for Manic Monday with More Pieces of Me and On the Daily Express &
Weekending with Biana and Meghan.

What I Wore: Pink Fridays Edition

During the month of October as a way to show my support and spread awareness for breast cancer, I decided I was going to make October Fridays, Pink Fridays!!  I know it's a simple and small way to show support, but it's supporting nonetheless.  So today I'm featuring the outfits I put together each week.  Some you may have seen before on the blog!

Friday, October 3rd

Wearing the boot, I pretty much wore leggings everyday!  This longer tank tunic was perfect with them.  I threw on a pink cardi and pink jeweled drop necklace to complete the look.

Friday, October 10th

This polka dot button down is one of my faves!!{similar}  I loved it paired with the hot pink crew neck and leggings (don't worry...the crotchal area was covered by a long black tank)!

Friday, October 17th

 This look was one of the many in the Fall Style Me Challenge.  I just switched up the color of the shirt to pink!  And loved how it matched my scarf pretty perfectly!

Friday, October 24th

This outfit was more understated with the light pink gingham button down under the light grey sweater but I've always loved grey and pink together.  I wore this with black pants for work then switched to jeans for the night.

Bonus Day!  School Dress Down Day Fundraiser to raise money for breast cancer!  I featured this outfit in this month's Pin-spired post {here}

Friday, October 31st

This top I wore it on Halloween.  Not very Halloween-y I know, but I went to a conference that day with about  1000 other teachers and knew it was going to be hot and stuffy, so I opted for short sleeves! This top I featured in a What I Wore Wednesday post last Spring.  It's definitely more of a spring top and looks cute with cropped pants!

I really liked the concept of Pink Fridays!  Who knew I had so much pink in my wardrobe?!?

Have a great week...have fun and look fabulous!!
Katie

Linking up today with:

Alison at Get Your Pretty On

Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy

 Because Shanna Said So

Sarah at Tucker up

Madeline at Cappuccino and Fashion

Currently carrying....

I thought it be fun to do a little What's in...."my bag" post!  I recently came across Rue La La's Handbag Style Guide online and found it so interesting!  It showed each type of bag we ladies carry these days and even had a timeline of popular bags.  As well as lots of swoon-worthy bags!

I  am not one to spend a crazy amount on my purses, just because I like to switch them up so often.  And the more expensive ones I do have are of the wristlet variety!  I'm really loving my new fall bag I got recently.  This cognac hobo from BP is the perfect carry-all for fall when I'm out an about on the weekends and shopping!

But today, I'm going to focus on my trusty work bag!  Now that I teach Library and Technology, I don't really need a dedicated "work bag" (YAY!)  but I wanted a bag that was big enough to transport any of the things I did bring home at night if need be!  According to Rue La La's Handbag Style Guide, my bag would be considered more of a satchel.  When I bought it, it came with a strap to make it a crossbody bag, but I never use it. When I have it stuffed to the gills, it's way too short to be a crossbody! I am an arm carrier anyway. I also liked this as my daily bag because it zips, which I need for walking to and from work (I live THAT close! HA!)

I get a new bag to use for work every year, but always end up going back to this one.  I bought this about two or three years ago at The Limited, and it's a fave.  I'll have it forever!

Here's a peek in my bag!

Everything is pretty big and easily accessible in the bag.  Sometimes I just throw my keys in and have to dig to the bottom to find them, but there are two side pockets that I usually put them in!

Inside I have my glasses cases, a small makeup case, a small brush, my planner (and yes, that's pretty much a student planner!!) and my old school iPod, iPad, and keys and work ID.

Most mornings before work, I'm also throwing in a water, yogurt, little bags of something for lunch, etc.  Just yesterday, it also housed a bottle of wine, my friend gave me! LOL!!  It all fits great in here! Folders fit snuggly  too!

My wallet is actually a clutch, and I kinda love that I use it as a wallet.  I got it as a gift a few years ago from my mom for my birthday.  I know some people love clutches, but I need something to hold my phone, so using this as a wallet worked best for me.  And if I run into a store for two minutes, I can just bring this and leave the rest!

Sorry I didn't photograph the inside!!

 I really liked scoping out Rue La La's Handbag Style Guide , which at the end featured a timeline of purses. It's so funny that these days, woman need the bigger bags because we now carry around lots more "stuff"!!  Which is pretty funny, because you'd think in such "techy" times, we'd have less!  Check it out too...it's an awesome resource!!

What purses and bags to you love??  Share them with me in the comments below!

Have a great day!  Happy Veterans Day to all who have and are currently serving in our military!

Katie

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