Home Goods Round-Up

I went to the Port Chester Home Goods yesterday. I really should probably call this the Home Good Chair Round-Up because there were so many great-looking side chars that jumped out at me. That and lots of really pretty holiday china. Oh and if you are starting your shopping, many fun gifts.

I loved this fuzzy grey chair. I would look so good in a family room or at a ski house..so cozy!

IMG 2396

If you have puzzle lovers in your family (we do!!) this puzzle a month set is perfect!!!

IMG 2389

There were so many fun-looking mixing bowl sets. These make great gifts with a gourmet cookie/banking mix (they had those there too)

IMG 2391

How cute are these red reindeer plates?

IMG 2392

Such a great hair calf chair. It looks so nice among the Holiday decor!!!

IMG 2395

I love these Nutcracker dinner and dessert plates.

IMG 2393

Thinking ahead but how great are these American flag plates…I’m so mad I left them behind!!!

IMG 2394

I love this chair for a bedroom..the blue is so pretty

IMG 2397

My favorite…turkey plates….

IMG 2386

It’s never too early…love those flocked trees and they were all pre-lit with LED lights…

IMG 2388

Is anyone making soup for Thanksgiving?…these bowls are adorable..

IMG 2383

Saved the best for last..love love this green zebra chair and ottoman..

IMG 2382

5 Ways To Get Your Book Club Ready for Reading Tequila Mockingbird

When you first hear Tequila Mockingbird, your mind probably goes to a drink. However, this is also a book. Yes, some people choose to enjoy them together. This book has become very popular as a fun way to examine well-known works of literature with a good drink in your hand. As it takes the literary world by storm, book clubs have even started having their members read it. That said, there are a few things you should do to prepare your book club for this spirited work. 

download 3
Image Amazon.com

1. Make the Signature Drinks

Strive to discuss one chapter each week with your club members. Then, make the signature drink from that chapter for all of your participants. 

2. Provide Snacks for Those Who Don’t Drink

It seems that author Tim Federle didn’t forget that some people don’t partake in alcoholic beverages. That means that you don’t have to worry about this being a problem in your book club. Federle provides options for snacks in most of his chapters, so you’ll be able to keep those who abstain engaged at your meeting. Plus, you can also make virgin versions of these beverages. 

3. Go Virtual or Have Members Arrange for Rides

While this is a fantastic novel to read for your book club, it does involve alcohol, a part of the charm you probably don’t want to lose. Therefore, you should take the necessary precautions to make sure your members stay safe. The best options are to go to virtual meetings while reading this book or have members arrange for a safe way to get home before the meetings start. 

4. Have Everyone Dress in Character

Each chapter in this book examines a different popular literary work. Whether you deal with diverse families or individuals, everyone can have fun at the meeting by dressing as a character. This is a great way to get people engaged with the reading and having fun. That means they will be more likely to stay with this book. Plus, it can help you create a theme for that week’s meeting. 

5. Provide Copies of the Original Literary Works So Readers Can Compare

As mentioned, this book offers a witty examination of popular literary works. To get an excellent discussion going at your meeting, try providing people with copies of the works they are looking at. If they are overly long, such as Romeo and Juliet, try providing a brief but thorough summary. These will help people get ideas flowing and start conversations. 

Tequila Mockingbird is one of the newer works on the block. But that doesn’t mean it should be discounted. In fact, it is a favorite among a diverse group. Everyone from barflies to families is reading it. Therefore, you should consider adding it to your list of upcoming reads for your book club. Remember, if you do make this an option, you should remember that it does involve alcohol. That means you are going to need to do some planning ahead. Otherwise, you could have some problems. However, by following these tips, you will be on your way to having a safe and fun club meeting. 


Book Club Monday

This week’s book club choice is L.A. Weather. It is another Reece Witherspoon pick so I was really excited to read it. And, I like the title!!! Here is the story…

FORECAST: Storm clouds are on the horizon in L.A. Weather, a fun, fast-paced novel of a Mexican-American family from the author of the #1 Los Angeles Times bestseller Esperanza’s Box of Saints

Screen Shot 2021 10 25 at 2.42.58 PM
The image was taken at Lola NY

L.A. is parched, dry as a bone, and all Oscar, the weather-obsessed patriarch of the Alvarado family, desperately wants is a little rain. He’s harboring a costly secret that distracts him from everything else. His wife, Keila, desperate for a life with a little more intimacy and a little less Weather Channel, feels she has no choice but to end their marriage. Their three daughters – Claudia, a television chef with a hard-hearted attitude; Olivia, a successful architect who suffers from gentrification guilt; and Patricia, a social media wizard who has an uncanny knack for connecting with audiences but not with her lovers – are blindsided and left questioning everything they know. Each will have to take a critical look at her own relationships and make some tough decisions along the way.

With quick wit and humor, Maria Amparo Escandón follows the Alvarado family as they wrestle with impending evacuations, secrets, deception, and betrayal, and their toughest decision yet: whether to stick together or burn it all down.

For more information or to purchase this book, click, HERE.

Refresh Your Wardrobe With Lola NY

Who needs a little something new? I have been receiving so many emails asking for a few suggestions to refresh our reader’s existing wardrobes. Maybe not an entire re-do but just a few new pieces to complete what we already have. I decided to visit Lola NY in White Plains, to check out some of their new Fall fashions. You can also shop ONLINE. The owners, Dawn and Denise have incredible taste and I love everything that they choose for their customers. Here are some of my favorites for you from Lola.

One of the easiest updates is a new sweater or blouse. The first sweater is sleeveless with the chicest shrug. It looks so great with jeans. I also love the other sweaters. I have featured the “rainbow” sweater before but this puffed sleeve version is adorable and also under $100 Also, the snake print blouse with the ruffle neck and sleeves is a MUST and yet such another great look for under $100.

EADDAC94 30B7 43D6 B78B D5FB69B5E285

Here are some really great fall blouse choices..and I had to feature the “MUST” have snake print again..it is that good. Handprint floral in fall colors are so popular right now and all of these jewel-toned options are fabulous!!!

07159CEB 0DA6 4DA3 B98C E353F3D2685E

Layering necklaces and bracelets are also a fall must…love their selections…

IMG 2311
IMG 2310

I cannot exist with a house full of readers. The shapes and colors of these are so great!!!

IMG 2308

How beautiful is that chocolate leather bag?

IMG 2307

I love how all the clothes in the shop are organized by color…

IMG 2314
IMG 2313

I have been hearing so many good things about these Letters From Juliet jeans…so glad that they have them there to try on in person

IMG 2312

If you need hoops, they have a wonderful selection…what a great gift for the holidays!!!

IMG 2315

I love this grey jean color and this sweater to match!!!

IMG 2316

More FABULOUS bags….it was hard to leave without that beautiful clutch on the top shelf…

IMG 2306

Another great bag!!!!

IMG 2320

Here is Dawn showing us one of the new arrivals…a leather blazer with an attached hood…this is so on trend!!! I just love it

IMG 2322

6 Can Chicken Tortilla Soup

Soups are a huge favorite in my house. And Tortilla Soup is no exception. I have printed a few recipes in the past but this 6 can version really caught my attention. I have previously made Tortilla Soup in the crockpot that took most of the day to finish. However, this could not be easier…25 minutes and done!!! I also like to serve this with a spoonful of greek yogurt on top.

Screen Shot 2021 10 21 at 1.52.43 PM
Image: Cooking Professionally

Adapted from Cooking Professionally

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 can (14.5 ounces) petite diced tomatoes

• 1 can (15 ounces) sweet corn, drained

• 1 large can (28 ounces) green enchilada sauce (less if you want it less spicy)

• 1 can (14 ounces) chicken broth

• 1 1/2 pound shredded chicken breast

• 1 packet taco seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Toppings:• Shredded cheese• Tortilla chips• Lime wedges

Combine all the ingredients into a large pot and boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce the heat and let simmer for 20-25 minutes.

Serve warm with shredded cheese, tortilla chips, and lime wedges, if desired.

The Sneaker Edit

Sneakers have taken center stage in all outfits lately both casual and dressy. I especially love the metallic sneaker options. I recently saw the first pair on someone with flare jeans and a cute sweater and it looked so chic. I also love the Hogan versions with the large H (9&10). They remind me of a Hermes pair. I have not really been a sneaker person but I do love the look of any of these all fall!

Screen Shot 2021 10 20 at 10.14.50 PM

ONE< TWO<THREE<FOUR<FIVE<SIX<SEVEN<EIGHT<NINE<TEN<EVELVEN<TWELVE