Saturdays on the Porch #51
Saturdays on the Porch #51 features the latest from OSH in decorating, fashion, and what I've found online from shopping to ideas!
Latest from OSH
- How to Restore a Lantern for Outdoor Use
- DIY Thrift Store Decoupage Wastebasket Makeover
- 10 Easy Spring Decor Ideas to Refresh Your Home
- Easy DIY Spring Tulip Basket Front Door Wreath
- Saturdays on the Porch #67
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Check out the most recent Saturdays on the Porch.
Saturdays on the Porch
I hope you've had a wonderful week! It's been good here. We are still getting adjusted to a truly empty nest.
Ashlyn has been by several times this week working on stripping a side table for their apartment. She's been bringing Sully with her so I can cuddle with him. I love that little kitten.
He is thriving! Right now, he does not need to lose the other eye. It looks so much better. He can see a bit out of it which is encouraging.
Ashlyn is still on the job hunt for a paralegal position. She's got some promising possibilities. Fingers crossed!
We celebrated my daughter-in-law's birthday last night with a Homemade Spaghetti Dinner and a similar cake to this. It was a wonderful evening!
This casual outfit has been on repeat for the last couple of weeks.
I live in jeans, particularly these. I've had them for several years, and they are so comfortable with the stretch.
This brand on Amazon is supposed to be the same thing. I just ordered a pair for my daughter-in-law's birthday. I gave them to her last night, and look pretty close to these and have excellent reviews. I plan to try them soon myself.
The sweater was a recent Sam's Club find. I want to get some other colors in it. I really like it. It is comfy and not itchy. It has a very slightly higher cut in the front which I like.
The necklace and ring are part of an upcoming sponsored post, but I've been wearing the single pearl necklace and ring all the time for a classic look!
I'll admit, the sneakers were a recent splurge. I love that sneakers are so in fashion now. They are comfortable and great for an on-the-go look. The brown is so great for fall and neutral colors. They do come in other colors. We plan to do more traveling being empty nesters, so I am starting to think ahead for future fashion purchases. I have gotten numerous compliments on the sneakers from strangers.
I have finally found the perfect no-show socks that are thin to wear with sneakers when you don't need a bulkier fit!
FIT TIP: The jeans are true to size in an 8 for me. I am wearing a medium in the sweater. I could probably wear a small, but prefer the cozy fit of a medium. The sneakers are true to size in a size 8,
This Week on the Blog
The Look
Here is an up-close look at the sneakers. True to size in an 8.
I have really been gravitating to neutrals lately. I tend to do that in the fall. I've been a Belk shopper since I was a kid. I've had great success ordering online. They frequently have great sales.
The jeans are from last year from Chico's. It's their girlfriend ankle fit that I like. I've linked a similar pair above right under the photo.
My leopard flats are probably 10 years old and have seen better days. The material is so scuffed now. I'm on the hunt for a replacement. When I unpacked them from my crate this week, they are starting to dry rot on the inside. So sad. I love these! They are classic and literally go with everything. I've linked a pair above from Amazon. My old ones are Nine West. These have great reviews.
Wall Mirror | Sweater | Similar Jeans | Similar Leopard Flats | Peral Necklace | Ring | Apple Watch Band
FIT TIP: I am wearing a size medium in the sweater. Chico's has special sizing. I wear a .5 across the board in their pants and jeans. Both are true to size.
This dress from Belk is giving me expensive Tuckernuck vibes for a fraction of the price. The Tuckernuck dress is gorgeous. It is a more substantial fabric and more polished, but I am happy with this dupe. It's totally the look for less. Check it out for yourself! Belk versus Tuckernuck.
I apologize for the wrinkles. I tried it on straight out of the shipping bag. I will be steaming it before wearing it.
Wall Mirror | Plaid Dress | Pearl Bracelet | Ring | Apple Watch Band
I love the stand-up ruffle collar and tie-neck. It's a dress perfect for short hair or an updo to show off the detail.
I'll wear it with these booties or my old leopard heels paired with black tights.
Other than needing a new pair of leopard flats, I'm pretty set for fall and winter. I'll be sharing more shop my closet looks with what I have.
I do have an upcoming Coldwater Creek post for you. You can see the outfit HERE.
Peepers now have progressive readers, and they don't cost an arm and a leg!!! I wanted to funky pair. Progressive readers have no-line reader strength at the bottom and transition as you go up to a clear, normal no strength vision for looking ahead. It eliminates the need to take glasses on and off constantly if you must wear readers like me to function. Progressives require adjustment. Wear them as much as you can to get used to them.
In the Kitchen
While my husband was out of town, Ashlyn came over to help me assemble the grill for his birthday. We did it in 2 hours! I was not impressed with the Lowes reviews for installation for this grill. We've had grills installed for free with them in the past with no issues. It wasn't hard at all. It really does take 2 people.
It fits nicely beside our regular Webber grill.
The Blackstone is a flat surface griddle. This was our first meal with it. It was amazing!
We do very little processed foods for meals. It is nice to have a couple of things in the freezer for those crazy nights. This was a recent Aldi purchase. They were not bad for a quick convenience meal. We each had 1 so we have 4 left in the freezer.
We paired it with this gnocchi from Aldi as well.
It was a pretty good dinner. I will say that the bag of gnocchi says 6 servings. Umm….no! We did have a little leftover that we through away, but this is what our 2 plates looked like.
Latest Reels
What I'm Reading
I love to read AND listen to books. If you are looking for a way to get more steps in with your walking…..listen to books! You will want to keep walking to listen. I also listen while doing chores around the house. I will use my earbuds while walking, While in the house I will use a Bluetooth speaker that I can carry around with me or our Alexa.
I read actual printed books as well as on Kindle. I prefer my Kindle, but it is nice to hold a real book occasionally.
I've had my Audible membership for a while, and LOVE it! It gives me one book credit per month.
Let me share with you how I read on Kindle and listen to books as well. Get yourself a library card!
Then add the LIBBY and HOOPLA apps to your phone.
I will typically check to see if a book is available there first before using my credit or buying. Using these 2 apps with your library card is FREE!!! I love FREE.
There may be a waitlist if it is a newer title or popular. That's ok. Sometimes the wait can be lengthy. If I'm not willing to wait, I will just purchase. If it is new or popular, you NEED to finish the book in the allowed checkout time. Sometimes you can renew, and sometimes you may have to get back in the queue. If that happens, when it is available again…..it will download where you left off.
Get in the habit of always carrying a book with you to get in a little extra time. That way if you are waiting at the doctor's office or to get your car serviced….you are prepared!
It was my goal to read more than 12 books last year, and I completed that task. Check out that list which has been updated with my thoughts on the books. Here is my list for 2024. This is the list of definites for the year. I have a goal of 36 books this year. I will sprinkle in lots of audiobooks as well.
- I started this book, From Scratch, from Reece Witherspoon's book club. I had not heard of it until I saw it mentioned on Instagram. I was intrigued because it is to be an upcoming Netflix series next week. Y'all, it is so good. It is a true story of a biracial couple centered in Sicily. I'm trying to finish before watching the series.
- I had started Girl, Forgotten until I put it on pause to listen to the above book.
- I don't read a lot of self-help books, but I'm enjoying Atomic Habits. I could use some help with habits. LOL!
- I have started Christmas books for the season. I have this one in my queue When Christmas Comes.
- I'm also listening to The Christmas Boutique. I didn't realize that it was a series, but I find this to be a stand-alone book that you can jump right in with. It's a must if you are into quilting.
- The Thursday Murder Club (This is a fun book)
- Just finished this with my Audible credit- Counterfeit ( I love Audible…I walk and do chores listening to books) This book gets your attention immediately. I love it!
- I just finished the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It grabs you in immediately!!! I loved this book!
- I finished reading Wrong Place, Wrong Time. I really enjoyed this one! It's such a unique storyline.
What We've Bought
- Kindle for a gift
- Small portable charger for electronics that will also start a car!
- I use the under-eye patches several times per week for about 1/2 an hour before putting on makeup.
- First set of smart bulbs and it won't be my last! I bought the same brand as my other smart plugs and exterior plugs for Christmas lights so I just have 1 app to deal with. I need to get my kids to set them up to work with Alexa which they will do!
- golf bag for a gift
- gorgeous fall loaf pan
- I know this is strange, but every pair of tennis shoes cramps the left toes on my left foot. Odd!!! I bought this shoe stretcher, it works like a charm!!!!
- stemless cocktail glasses
- Beautiful mixing glass
What Caught My Eye
- I just discovered Steve Codony on Instagram. I absolutely love his style!
- This is so cute for Halloween!
- This is another favorite Instagram account.
- Loving this outdoor space!
Thank you so much for being here today with me! I hope your weekend is joyful.
Christy has been creating content for Our Southern Home since 2012. She has been featured in numerous print and online publications. Her classic, eclectic design approach spans her home and fashion style. Christy has a way of mixing store-bought with thrift store, antique and vintage finds. As a recent empty nester, she is having fun navigating this new stage of life. Read more about Christy HERE. Be sure to subscribe below. You can also contact me HERE.
