Saturdays on the Porch #79
Saturdays on the Porch #79 is full of the latest happenings in life, fashion, books I'm reading, and home favorites.
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Check out the most recent Saturdays on the Porch.
Saturdays on the Porch
Welcome to another edition of Saturdays on the Porch! This is where I share a little peek into my week — outfits I’ve loved, what we’ve been cooking and eating, recent reads, and those everyday things that make life feel a little more beautiful.
I put together a little early fall vignette in the house with a chinoiserie lamp, a stack of favorite art books, and a vase of sunflowers. Just that simple touch instantly brightened the room and made it feel like September is around the corner.
I kept sweet, Phoebe, last week. She was sick all week and couldn't go to the sitter. She's big buddies with Cleo. Cleo wanted nothing to do with her Cheerios offering.
My best friend from college, who is from Greenville, was in town for a few weeks. She lives in Portland, Oregon, now. She and her husband stayed at Lake Keowee in their old house there. They rented it for a week, and we went up one evening for dinner. Her husband loves to cook. He made the best Beef Wellington. YUMMY! Look closely, he made a Palmetto tree in the crust!
Recently on the Blog
Lately on the blog, I've shared a couple of fun thrift store projects. If you missed them, be sure to go back and take a look — seasonal inspiration and easy ideas for everyday living.
Thrift Store Gingerbread Village
Date Night
We had a lovely date night dinner out at a new restaurant in Downtown Greenville, Stir. We went at 5 pm. Yeah, we like being early birds. We each had a drink while we waited for dinner. Each of our meals was fabulous, and we cleaned our plates! We highly recommend it. The interior is gorgeous. I felt like I was in a NYC restaurant. It was raining, but they have a unique bar that completely opens up at the front.
The Look
Let's talk pajamas. I've been sleeping hot lately…..56 catching up with me! I have been swooning over this brand of pajamas for a couple of years, but I never ordered.
Easy Pajamas for Late Summer – I found two adorable sets from Amazon: a crisp blue-and-white seersucker and a pretty floral print. Both are lightweight and perfect for these hot nights.
FIT TIP
I decided to size up in these pajamas. My typical size is a medium. I like my pajamas loose and wanted to allow for any shrinkage. I opted for a large. Yes, they are a bit big, but so happy with the sizing. I did wash before wearing. The floral is shown after washing. The seersucker is before washing. I washed on a regular cycle with cold water. I also air dried. The floral has slight rumpling, but nothing to make me pull out the steamer. There was minimal to no shrinkage.
Casual Everyday Outfit – Black linen pants paired with a vibrant orange blouse made a fun transitional look, and I love the easy fit. I wore this on a rainy date night to Stir.
Similar Linen Pieces | Beaded Necklace | Gold Sandals
FIT TIP
My linen pants are a couple of years old and from Sam's Club. The blouse is older from Madewell. I have similar linen pants and a shirt from Quince. I wear a medium in the pants and a small in the blouse.
Relaxed Neutrals – Wide-leg olive pants with a black sweater tank — simple, classic, and so comfortable.
Similar Linen Pants | Sweater Tank | Gold Paperclip Chain | Apple Watch Band
Fit Tip
I am wearing the tank in a size medium. I do not find the tank cropped on me.
Pact Gauze Pants (2 looks!) – I styled these in two ways: first with a green paisley shirt knotted at the waist, then with a textured button vest. Both felt fresh and put-together without being overdone.
Pact Pants | Sandals | Mango Blouse
Pants | Vest | Sandals | Bracelet | Bracelet | Earrings | Watchband
Fit Tip
I adore these gauze pants from Pact in this French blue color. They have a zip fly and button waist. The back is elastic. I am wearing a size medium. I probably could have worn the small, but I prefer the looser look. I did order the matching blazer in a medium. I returned it. I didn't feel like I'd get enough wear out of it. It's a boxy fit and the medium was too big. I could have exchanged for a small, but opted just to return. The Mango blouse is a medium and the vest is a small.
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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 holding a real book occasionally is nice.
I've had my Audible membership for a while, and LOVE it! It gives me one book credit per month.
Let me share how I read on Kindle and listen to books. 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. Here is an update for 2024.
- I just started Anita de Monte Laughs Last, and it’s already drawing me in. Recently I’ve finished:
- The Matchmaker
- The View from Lake Como
- The Wedding People
- The Whalebone Theatre
- I’d love to hear what you’re reading — I’m always looking for recommendations!
Natural Look Makeup
Here are a few beauty picks that have helped me keep my over-50 natural makeup routine quick and easy. I've been going with this look all summer. I'll just change up my lipsticks. Excuse the red marks on the sides of my nose. I had just taken off my heavy sunglasses. I also still have my scar from Mohs surgery a few years ago.
- DRMTLGY Physical Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 44. Universal Tint – FINALLY, I have found a tinted moisturizer that doesn't go orange at the end of the day is not too dark on my fair skin. This is the dewy finish. It also comes in a matte if you prefer that. Application Tip: I put this on after my skin care has absorbed. Then I go do something else for a while and let it set before I complete my simple makeup.
- I had been using their concealer for several years so that's why I decided to give the tinted moisturizer a go. I started with the fair color, but it was way too light on me. I now use it in medium. It only takes a small amount. It is amazing for aging skin.
- This bronzer is Beachwalk Betty is the best. I've been using it for about a month!
- Tiny amount of Demure color cream blush.
- Cream eyeshadow in Mountain Mist. A little goes a long way and takes a bit of practice. I love the grey color. It's very neutralizing on my red eyelids and natural looking. It adds a brightening look to my eyes.
- Beauty Pie is a membership site. Think Sam's Club for beauty products. I use their skin care, some makeup, and now hair care. I've been a member for 3 years. You get a cheaper membership price, but don't have to be a member to order. I love their mascara in black.
- I also use their brow gel in perfect brown.
In the Kitchen
We tried a recipe from the Barefoot Contessa Foolproof cookbook: Salmon with Melting Tomatoes. It was absolutely delicious and full of fresh, late-summer flavor. I roasted broccoli on the side and added a soft roll. Such a satisfying meal without being fussy! We've cooked this many times. I adapted it for 2 people. My hubby went nuts for the Meatloaf. I severely adapted it for 2. I used 1 pound of ground beef and a 1\4 pound of Italian sausage that I had in the freezer.
What We've Bought
- This was a major splurge! These pants are due to arrive next week. I am hoping they will be a travel workhorse pant. I'll keep you posted. You can get a decent first-time purchaser coupon by signing up for email.
- Meat thermometer
- Gourmet flaked sea salt for an Ina Garten brownie recipe. Will use this a lot.
- Hanging scarf organizer for my neck scarves.
- Smaller glass jars for our flaxseed and cat treats.
- Lided trash can for our bath because of Theo, our dog. It is small. I may move this to the guest bath and order the next size up for our bath. I love it!
- Matching toilet paper holder
- Reorder of my favorite pens. They disappear! I used my label maker to put my name on this one. Ha, ha!
- I am obsessed with getting in my steps and tracking them. I've gotten a small scratch on my Apple Watch from doing things around the house. I bought these sweatbands to wear over my watch when doing chores to protect it. My daughter thinks it's genius! LOL!
Thank you so much for being here today with me! That’s it for this week’s Saturdays on the Porch. I hope you’re savoring these last few lingering weeks of summer! Hope your weekend is joyful. XO, Christy
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.
I’m the same way with my Pentel pens! Love the outfits on you! My niece’s husband has built a lot of houses around Lake Keowee. Wonder if he built your friend’s home?
Thanks so much, Jane! Lake Keowee is so beautiful. They sold the home about a year ago, and were able to rent it for the week. It’s a fabulous ranch built in the 70s. The new owners have decorated it beautifully!