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
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.
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.
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!!!
Layering necklaces and bracelets are also a fall must…love their selections…
I cannot exist with a house full of readers. The shapes and colors of these are so great!!!
How beautiful is that chocolate leather bag?
I love how all the clothes in the shop are organized by color…
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
If you need hoops, they have a wonderful selection…what a great gift for the holidays!!!
I love this grey jean color and this sweater to match!!!
More FABULOUS bags….it was hard to leave without that beautiful clutch on the top shelf…
Another great bag!!!!
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
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.
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.
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!
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I am so happy to partner with Carolyn Bender of CB Lifestyle for holiday table decor.. I introduced Carolyn via a post a couple of weeks ago and highlighted her amazing tablescapes. I was in awe of how she styled all the tables on her site, esp my favorite, the colorful Ginori dishes. I could not wait until she revealed this year’s, Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving tablescapes. I have to say Carolyn did not disappoint. They are spectacular. I love the simple white and natural element table as well as the jewel tones and elements and colors from nature on the second table. If you have not already, I recommend visiting, Carolyn’s WEBSITE for inspiration or to purchase some of the items highlighted below for your own Thanksgiving table.
One of the things that I am so disappointed about is that I never learned how to needlepoint. I love seeing all the projects that my friends who do, do!!!!! Neelepointing is such a beautiful art, I really do not like to call it a hobby!!! I recently visited the cutest store in Tuckahoe called Bargello Needlepoint. All of you needlepoint lovers are going to fall hard for this gem. They have the most beautiful quality canvases from belts, to brick covers, to ornaments and so much more. There is even a Goyard style monogram cluch…OMG!!!!
The owners are two very talented, very stylish ladies, Christine and Leslie. Their passion for needlepoint shines through every little detail of their wonderful shop. They curate all of the store’s hand-painted canvas designs. They stay open for their “Stitch Night” once a week on Wednesday and invite all of their customers to come and stitch together, and learn from each other and swap tips. I went on Wednesday night to watch and learn and it was so much fun. Next time I need to start stitching myself. Both ladies promise they are working on stitching classes. I am really looking forward to signing up so stay tuned.
For more information on Bargello Needlepoint or to learn more about Lesle and Christine, click HERE!
PS In case you were wondering about the name, Bargello? The name originates from a “flame stitch” pattern found on a series of 17th century chairs in the Bargello palace in Florence, Italy.
