Saturdays on the Porch #81

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Check out the most recent Saturdays on the Porch.

Saturdays on the Porch

Life Lately: A Very Busy November

November has been full in every way. Earlier this month, both my husband and daughter had surgery—on the same day! Thankfully, both have recovered very well. My daughter is still out of work for now, so I’ve enjoyed extra time with her and helping around their home. I even painted their front door, and I’ll be sharing a Christmas front porch refresh of their house soon.

My mom has hosted the last two Sunday lunches, which have been such a treat. Tomorrow, I’ll be back to hosting and serving my Beefy Tortellini Soup with homemade sourdough—always a family favorite.

Recently on the Blog

Family Room Updates: Ceiling Repairs Underway

We also tackled a big home project in October—ceiling repairs in the family room due to water damage from the roof ordeal. Scaffolding, plastic sheeting, drop cloths—you name it, it was everywhere for a week! It was a big job, and it looks so much better. I'm so glad we hired this out. I actually contemplated doing it myself for maybe 5 minutes. Ha, ha!

In the Kitchen This Week

I cooked from my newest cookbook, Trust Your Gut, and made the sesame chicken with fried cauliflower rice. My husband never likes cauliflower rice—ever. But he ate this up and had no idea it wasn’t real rice! Huge win, and it will definitely be a repeat. Leftovers reheat beautifully on the stovetop and would also be great on the Blackstone.

I also seared steaks in my Smithey skillet this week—always a treat.

Cleo’s Recovery

Cleo was spayed this week. We used a little surgical suit on her the first night, but she hated it—with rips and holes to prove it by the next morning. Thankfully, she’s left her incision alone, and the extra $20 for the laser treatment from our vet was worth every penny. We ordered Theo a new bed. It was supposed to sit 24 hours before giving to your pet. Cleo was on it in under 5 minutes. Theo does love the new bed.

Decorating for Christmas

Yes, I always start decorating before Thanksgiving. My fall décor has been up since mid-August, so I’m READY for a little sparkle! I’ve been slowly working on Christmas for a couple of weeks now. All of the trees are up except our real family tree, which we’ll pick out the weekend after Thanksgiving.

This year, I’m avoiding breakable ornaments because Cleo is nearly 7 months old and a wild girl. I still may add them, but for now, it's all shatterproof!

I've added the following greenery stems from Amazon:

• Juniper Sprigs with berries
• The juniper sprigs
• More juniper

I also added these real touch greenery stems from Amazon. I purchased the set of 40. This is one pack of 10 in the ginger jar.

Bedroom Tree Project

I added a bigger tree in our bedroom this year by the fireplace. We watch TV there most nights, so I wanted to enjoy the nighttime twinkle. I placed a slim 7½-foot tree inside a 16-inch chinoiserie pot using a paint bucket + PVC pipe + concrete. It worked perfectly and isn’t permanent. I also added 2 strands of these twinkle lights to my prelit tree in the foyer and den. I love the look. My tree may no longer be available online, but this one would work and has wonderful reviews. I'll have a blog post up next week with all the DIY details. It's really easy!

Smart Home Christmas Lighting

I highly recommend these mini light outlets that work with Alexa. I can say, “Alexa, turn on the downstairs Christmas lights,” and boom—they’re on! I also use these for outdoor lights.
I’ve also been adding smart bulbs to lamps and running them on an auto schedule.

Recent Outfits

Here are a few outfits that I've worn over the last couple of months. 

Embroidered Jacket Look

Jacket | Velvet Shoes | Jeans | Necklace | Earrings

Fair Isle Cardigan Look

Jeans | Sweater | Velvet Shoes | Necklace

Quince Navy Lounge Set

Organic French Terry from Quince

Sadly, the above sweatsuit set from Quince is sold out. As soon as I got the email on it back at the end of September, I immediately ordered. I believe it came in navy and black. It is excellent and a total dupe for the Frank and Eileen set. I don't have anything by F & E, but this set is well-made! I also have the Quince dupe (sold out) for this jacket in black. I LOVE it!. I recommend signing up for Quince emails. They always notify of restocks. That's how I was able to get these 3 pieces. For reference, I am wearing a medium. You can dress this up with a scarf and ballet flats. 

Old Navy Black Set

Sweatshirt | Sweatpants

I am wearing a medium in both of these pieces. I have this set in black and tan. Mine are from last fall, but they still carry it. It's a really nice fabric. If you are in between sizes, you may want to size up. I would have liked a large in the sweatshirt, I believe. 

White Blouse & Jeans

Blouse | Leopard Belt | Jeans | Shoes

This blouse is awesome from Quince. I wear a small and medium in Quince. I will say that I struggled to find the right size in this blouse. The small was too tight in the arms. The medium was still a little snug in the arms and shoulders. The large fits looser the way I like. Size up 1/2 a size in the flats. I am a true size .5 in Chico's denim. These jeans are several years old, but so good. I linked similar. My belt is very old from Target, but I linked similar. 

Camel Sweater, Leopard Flats & Silk Scarf

Pants | Sweater | Scarf | Shoes

Ruti pants are a splurge, but those social media ads sold me. I LOVE them! They're 100% worth the price. I am in a size 8 regular. I wore them on repeat on our recent trip. 

Tan Cardigan Layered with Brown Cashmere Tee

Cashmere Short Sleeve | Jeans | Cardigan | Scarf was a gift | Shoes

Short-sleeve sweater is a medium. If I wanted a loser, I'd order a large. The cardigan is a medium and a workhorse this fall. 

LED Mask Moment

I've been using this LED mask for 2 years now. I also have the one for the neck. I sometimes wear them both together. It's a splurge, but I think worth it. I don't do Botox or fancy treatments. This is it for me, plus my skincare and sunscreen daily. They have sales going on a lot. It would make a nice Christmas gift.

A Few Favorites This Week

Birdies tan flats are true to size. I live in Birdies shoes. They are so comfortable. The jeans are older Chico's and very old Sam's Club sweater.

Bentley is enjoying the coziest leopard blanket. I have it in a size twin for a generous watching TV throw. I've had it for several years. It washes well.

My new Amazon pullover + leggings set are both in a size medium. I needed a few new pieces for walking in the mornings. Some of my leggings need replacing. No makeup…..working from home.

 This training collar for Theo has been a charm. We just have it on the setting to beep, and he has responded fabulously! It is way more dog than we need, but we love him!

What I'm Reading

• The Christmas Inn (currently listening)
• The Night She Disappeared (currently reading)
• A Little Holiday Fling (up next)
• Society of Lies

What We've Bought

• I am polishing some of my mom's old silver-plated pieces to use for the holidays.
• This queen blanket in French Oak just came in last night for our bed. It is beautiful and so cozy. Great price!
• Theo loves his new bone. It is definitely keeping him busy. It came reccomended from family, and it will last a long time.
• I really dislike heels. I have these Lifestride ones in leopard that are several years old. I finally found them in black and snagged them up for church. They are comfortable on my finicky feet. They are true to size.

Thank you so much for being here today with me! I hope your weekend is joyful. XO, Christy

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