Four Meat Chili Recipe

November 3, 2024

Happy Sunday!

Hi Pretty Ladies,

Happy November! Before we know it, Thanksgiving will be here. I hope you had a great Halloween. I spent it with a couple of girlfriends, wishing a good friend goodbye as she’ll be moving out of state in a few days. It was a fun night catching up, sharing good food, and having a couple of glasses of prosecco. My girlfriend’s home is in a neighborhood that gets trick-or-treaters, so seeing the cute littles in their costumes was fun.

Can you believe that the next day, I took down and packed up the fall and Halloween decorations and started decorating for Christmas? But I am doing it with more of a winter feeling. Fresh herbs and citrus, pinecones and greenery with candles and velvet ribbon, and pulling out my vintage green transferware. My Holiday decorations are buried in my storage this year; usually, my storage room is organized (this year, it’s packed to the brim)

With content creation as my job, I have to have our home decorated way before the season to share ideas and the season with you. Not to mention, Thanksgiving is so late this year that if I wait too long, I won’t enjoy the season. I also decorate Christmas trees for several clients, who all want theirs done before Thanksgiving, so I got a good jumpstart.

My four-meat chili recipe has been a family favorite ever since. It’s below. I also had to share some great sales you don’t want to miss and a few things you could have missed this week.

Thank your support and for being here.

Four Meat Chili Recipe:

One 1/2 pounds Ground beef

1 Cup cooked bacon chopped

1 pound Rib eye steak browned chopped

1.3-pound jalapeño cheddar sausage

3 cups of tomato sauce I use fresh tomatoes puréed

1/2 cup water

1 1/2 cup chopped onion

11/2 cup chopped bell peppers

Two tablespoons of tomato paste

Two tablespoons Kitchen Bouquet

One tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

Three teaspoons of garlic powder

One teaspoon cumin

Two garlic cloves minced

1teaspoon chili flakes

One pack chili season (I make my own)

Instructions:

Add a little olive oil and brown the steak in a hot skillet. Add fresh garlic and cook. Set aside to cool before cutting.

In the same pan, brown ground beef. Add kitchen bouquet, Worcestershire, seasonings, onion, tomato paste, and peppers. Cook on low

Meanwhile, in a crock pot, add tomato sauce and 1/2 cup water on low

Cook bacon (I cook mine in the oven). When done, let cool and cut into pieces.

Add to crockpot.

Add beef mixture to crock pot.

Cook the sausages in the same pan, then let them cool, chop, and add them to the crockpot.

Cut steak and add to crockpot, stirring as you add ingredients.

Taste and add more seasonings if you feel the dish needs a touch of salt and pepper or if you like more heat and chili powder or pepper flakes.

Let simmer on low for at least an hour ( I make it late morning and let it simmer all day.

Serve with cornbread

And chili toppings.

Chili toppings:

Shredded Cheese

Sour cream

Diced onions

Fresh tomatoes Diced

Diced green onions

Jalapeños

Fritos

Items I love to use in the Kitchen

Tap the photo below to shop:

Sales

Sale Recap

Anthropologie – 30% off Home favorites and an Extra 40% off Sale items. hop HERE

Amazon– I rounded up several best sellers and Deals. Check out my Amazon Round-up HERE.

Banana Republic -50% off everything Shop HERE

Chico’s– Sale $29 and Up Shop HERE

Colleen Rothschild– 20% off with my code: DARCY20 Shop Here

Shop More Sales Below:

: Dime Beauty Clean Products

: The Glaze

: Great Products for Legs

Dime-20% off the Entire site. My Discount code is: DARCY20 HERE

Evereve– Shop items on sale HERE

Gibsonlook– My code Gets you 40% off the entire site. Use code: DARCY40 Shop HERE

JUDE CONNALLY Use code JCDARCY for 15% off

Kut from the Kloth– Extra 20% off of the Sale with code-USE CODE: EXTRA20 Shop HERE

Levi’s- Buy two or more and get 30% off site-wide Here.

Lurch Lurch- Large sale section Here

Liquid IV– 25% off use code MEMDAY24 Here

Loft– 50% off HERE

Old Navy– Early Black Friday 50% Deals starting at $4 & Pj’s on sale HERE

T3 Hair Tools– An extensive selection of Hair tools is on sale for $49. For non-sale items, use code: DARCY20

Shop HERE

Target– Deals of the day and several $5 deals. Shop HERE

Tuckernuck– Shop the sale Items HERE

Tula -Friends and Family Sale 15% off sitewide with code DARCY15. Shop HERE

Social Threads– Take an additional 40% off several sale items

in the sale collection with code FINAL40. All sales are final. The Sale ends on 5/27. Shop HERE

Soma-Holiday sleep Sale $29 set and up Shop HERE

Spanx– Over 114 pieces 40%-70% off. Some of my favorite BEST SELLERS are at Shop HERE.

Use code DEARDARCYXSPANX for 15% off any non-sale item

Follow my Amazon and Liketoknowit storefronts.

Need more inspiration? You can Follow my Amazon Store Front HERE and Shop everything I share on my Liketoknowit shop as well HERE.

Have a beautiful day, Pretty ladies, and remember your smile is your BEST accessory.

Thank you for stopping by.

Thank you for stopping by and reading” Four Meat Chili Recipe “If you haven’t signed up for my weekly newsletter, you can do so here.

“H️elping women look and feel good at any age!”

You might also enjoy the following:

Baked potato bar and Turkey Chili Recipe

Create your crowd-pleasing chili bar

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AN AFFILIATE LINK. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. I ONLY PROMOTE BRANDS THAT I GENUINELY LOVE AND BELIEVE IN! THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!

Three little black dresses: by Jude Connally

November 1, 2024

Hello Pretty Lady,

“Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you’re willing to do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” —

“Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day!”

I am lucky to be doing what I love, and I have you, pretty ladies, to thank for that! Thank you for being here and supporting my small business. Whether with a like♥️ on social media, a comment, a DM, shopping a link, watching my stories, or reading a blog post, each helps me do what I love and share with you. I appreciate you.

Living stylishly and looking good at any age is a passion of mine. I love helping you to do the same! With the Holidays approaching, I thought I’d get a jump start and start sharing Holiday looks with you. Just in case you needed a little Holiday outfit inspiration for the upcoming party season,

Today, I am sharing Jude Connally, a newer brand to me. Let me tell you, I am in love with the quality, fit, and darling styles. I even have a 15% off code to share with you. Use JDARCY to save 15% off your purchase.

“At Jude Connally, they believe in making women feel good and look great. Their clothes are designed to fit and flatter every body type, with vibrant colors and prints that express your personality. Jude Connally is more than a clothing brand; it’s a lifestyle.”

Here are my picks for the perfect three little black dresses for you to look fabulous this party season.

Party season, the Holidays, cocktail parties, winter weddings, the theater, or even a cruise. These three little black dresses will have you looking and feeling great.

Ella Dress

#1. Ella dress stretch velvet with rhinestone details – I am in a small, head over heels for this short-sleeved- tee- shirt-inspired dress! With an easy fit, the Ella dress in velvet will be your new go-to this season. Featuring chic studded detailing on the front. Whether dressed up or down, it flawlessly combines timeless charm with modern chic.

Paired with a classic black pump, mine are Sam Edelmann, a simple and affordable clutch by Quilted Koala. You could do black for a classic and simple look or choose metallic silver for a fun, festive pop. Save 20% with code DARCY20. The jewelry is kept simple, as the rhinestones on the dress are enough sparkle—one simple rhinestone bracelet and a great simple rhinestone drop earring or even a large stud. Mine are vintage drop earrings.

Hair Tip: When you’re styling an outfit versus just wearing it, you consider what hairstyle works with the dress and flatters you and your outfit. Here, the updo works and allows the dress to shine. Sometimes, when a dress is busy, wearing hair down adds to the busyness

Franca Dress

#2. Franca Dress– Jude Ponte with feather-trimmed sleeves fits tts in and makes a statement this season with our stunning new shift dress, Franca! Featuring 3/4 sleeves with eye-catching feathered cuffs and a classic crew neckline, this chic dress combines timeless elegance with a playful twist. A must-have for your wardrobe!

Finishing this look off with a pop of color, fushia tweed shoes by Madison Masion and a velvet tulip bag by Cecelia New York

Hairstyle tip: With the simple neckline of this dress, you really can wear your hair in several ways: down and full, straight and sleek, half up, or even in a low side knot or pony. It does depend if you add an earring you want to show off as well; with this dress, you could wear a statement earring and pull your hair away from your face. (I will be doing just that as soon as I find the fushia statement earring I WANT)

Shop the look: Dress| Shoes| Bag

: Party Season Style

Maureen Dress

#3. Maureen Dress—Jude Ponte has a Halter neck and Bow detail

Step into the spotlight with our new super chic dress, Maureen! Featuring an elegant high neckline with an adjustable bow tie for added sophistication. This stunning style is a must-have for all your holiday parties, offering a perfect blend of modern elegance and festive charm! It fits true to size, and I am the size small.

I finished off the look with a pair of rock-studded Valentino pumps, which make a small statement but don’t overpower the bow detail of the dress. I took the gold stud from the shoes as inspiration for the jewelry and wore black and gold bold jewelry from Julie Vos. This perfectly finishes off the outfit.

Tip: Another important detail when styling a halter-style dress is to let the halter, and in this case, the bow detail, be the star. Wear your hair back off your shoulders, either in a chic ponytail, bun, or top knot.

Save 15% off with code JDARCY

Need more inspiration?

Need more inspiration? You can Follow my Amazon Store Front HERE and Shop everything I share on my Liketoknowit shop as well HERE

Have a beautiful day, Pretty ladies, and remember your smile is your BEST accessory.

Thank you for stopping by.

Thank you for stopping by and reading” 10 Favorite Things I Am Loving. “If you haven’t signed up for my weekly newsletter, you can do that here.

“H️elping women look and feel good at any age!”

You might also enjoy the following:

The Best Holiday Hack

Holiday Capsule with Chicos

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AN AFFILIATE LINK. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. I ONLY PROMOTE BRANDS THAT I GENUINELY LOVE AND BELIEVE IN! THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!

12 Thanksgiving Outfit Inspirations

October 29, 2024

12 Thanksgiving Outfit Inspirations

Hello Pretty Ladies,

I can’t believe we are in October’s last couple of days, and Halloween is tomorrow! How did that happen? This also means that Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, which inspired today’s blog post. 12 Thanksgiving outfit inspirations to inspire you, whether you are cooking all day and like to be cozy and comfortable, entertaining a small gathering and casual but a little elevated, or your family tradition is to get dressed up. Maybe you are somewhere in between. I have created some cute outfits that will fit all of the above.

Suzanne, Dawn, Cindy, and Stephanie, who is new to our new group, are joining me today on our monthly blog hop. Each lady will feature something related to Thanksgiving, such as a recipe, table setting, or outfit inspiration. You’ll want to ensure you head to their blogs and see what they share. I am excited to see what they share, as I know it will be fabulous, as always. I’ve linked their blogs at the end of this post. I know they would love for you also to leave a comment to show you stopped by.

Thanksgiving outfits, I am sure, will inspire you

12 Thanksgiving Outfit Inspirations from Cozy, elevated casual to dressed up. No matter how you like to spend your Thanksgiving day, I have an outfit inspiration I think you’ll love.

I posted a poll on Instagram asking what style you wore on Thanksgiving, and it was a tie for Cozy outfits and elevated casual for the most requested outfit inspirations. This didn’t surprise me, as we have become such a casual society. I know so many cook all day, have football games or head outside to play a family ball game.

I cook all day for our family, including family and friends. Please give me a good reason to get dressed up. Having a pretty table and using my china make me feel I need to dress the part. That said, I tend to dress up a little, even if it’s just a sweater and trousers or a silk blouse and trousers, which can still be comfortable. Last year, I did wear a dress. I had so many pretty clothes for the season, and it was a shame not to wear them.

Cozy Outfit inspirations

Below, you’ll find four great options for being cozy and comfortable while still looking put-together and chic. These looks are affordable and can be mixed with other items in your closet to mix and match all season long. A couple of these looks are also great for Holiday travel, as that always seems to be something people need inspo for.

I can even picture a few of these outfit looks outside playing flag football with the family!

I was styling this viral Amazon comfy, cozy, soft, oversized hoodie and baggie jogger set. Perfect for FALL, it comes in sizes Xsm to 2xl. Easy to Elevate this set with a few easy tips to look chic and comfy. Great for travel as well. I styled it on Instagram with a Coat View here.

-Hair up in a messy top knot to show off hoodie.

–Chelsea boots versus sneakers

–lippy & hoop earrings

-Bag charms on your travel bag HERE| HERE|HERE

Outfit #2 Shop the look HERE

Checkered jacket outfit HERE

Sweater Lounge set outfit number HERE

Elevated Casual Outfit Inspirations

Fall outfit inspo

Here is one of my favorite elevated casual outfits featuring pieces you can use for work wear! I find myself grabbing these pieces weekly.

My favorite go-to jeans of the season are Risen jeans. They fit and feel like premium denim at a fraction of the cost. They are under $70 and fit true to size. I am in a 27 for reference.

The mixed plaid blazer in shades of fall has been a favorite go-to for a couple of seasons now. Unfortunately, it’s unavailable, but I linked this year’s version with the same vibe, fit, and colors. It fits true to size. I got a medium so I could layer sweaters under it.

Cable sweater Turtleneck sweater by Banana Republic factory. It’s so soft, fits true to size, and is the perfect shade of camel that works with so many fall outfits. Mine is a couple of seasons old; I linked you a great option with the same vibe here.

Leopard accessories are a great way to add interest and a pop of pattern to an outfit to make it interesting. My go to Belt and these large buckle leopard kitten heals are so good, I can’t stop wearing.

Chloe tote in perfect shades of black, tan, and cream.

#6 Blue striped sweater Shop HERE

#7 Fair Isle Sweater Pink Shop HERE

#8 Shades of Blue floral sweater Shop HERE

Dressed-up Outfit inspirations

#9 Leopard Skirt outfit

It is a great way to wear a leopard skirt dressed up for the Holidays. I wore this look to church last week, as I love dressing up for church; it allows me to be creative and use pieces in my wardrobe that I love to wear yet don’t have a lot of places to wear. This Amazon finds leopard skirt fits true to size, Paired with a Black Pumiey bodysuit that also fits true to size; I love how a bodysuit is fitted and doesn’t add bulk, especially with a flowy skirt with an elastic band. Another styling must be done when wearing a bottom with an elastic band, and you must make sure you add a belt. Here, I added a wide chocolate brown belt with studs to cover the band, flatter the waist, and add interest.

A Chocolate faux leather jacket, which fits true to size, is a great “third” piece for any wardrobe. A third piece is that layering piece that adds interest and layers to an outfit, taking it from drab to fab. It’s a great tip to finish off any outfit. Here is the same Moto jacket in chocolate suede by Chicos.

Accessories

Great styling, but it comes down to adding interest with accessories. I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it: accessories finish the outfit and add interest to your style. I purchased these vintage suede Mary Jane heels with stud details over 25 years ago. I fell in love with them, and I adore them now. Mary Janes is having a big moment this year, which is one reason I tell my clients to save certain items, especially if they love them. Some older or Vintage pieces in your wardrobe keep your style from looking like everyone else. It adds character to your outfit, especially if you can bring pieces out that might be on trend again; yours will be that unique piece that stands out just a little bit more. Here is a similar pair of Mary Jane heels.

Speaking of vintage, I pulled out another piece from my archive, this great multi-chain statement bib necklace I purchased 15 or 17 years ago from Bauble Bar. It’s technically not vintage yet (something needs to be 20 years old to be labeled vintage.) This outfit would have looked great with this Julie Vos chunky chain necklace. I also love this multichain statement necklace, which made a big statement and made the outfit fabulous. Need a multichain statement necklace? I found this one HERE to finish off your look.

Julie Vos’s earrings and a ring complete the look. Shop the earrings, bracelets, and rings.

#10 Burgandy & Leopard Outfit Inspiration Shop Here

#11 Shades of Grey Outfit Shop HERE

#12 Colors of Fall outfit Shop HERE

BLOG HOP⬇️

Dawn With @partytildawn on Instagram and her Blog Party Til Dawn

Suzanne With @crazyblondelifeblog and her Blog crazyBlondeLife

Cindy With @lululoves7_and her Blog Cindyhannamblog

Stephanie with @home_has_my_Heart and her Blog is Homehasmyheart

Need more inspiration?

Need more inspiration? You can Follow my Amazon Store Front HERE and Shop everything I share on my Liketoknowit shop as well HERE

Have a beautiful day, Pretty ladies, and remember your smile is your BEST accessory.

Thank you for stopping by.

Thank you for stopping by and reading” 10 Favorite Things I Am Loving. “If you haven’t signed up for my weekly newsletter, you can do that here.

“H️elping women look and feel good at any age!”

You might also enjoy the following:

Favorite side dishes for Thanksgiving

How to create a beautiful Thanksgiving Table

Easy three ingredient Pumpkin cookies

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AN AFFILIATE LINK. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. I ONLY PROMOTE BRANDS THAT I GENUINELY LOVE AND BELIEVE IN! THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!

New Spanx Fall Wardrobe Builders

October 4, 2024

New Spanx Fall Wardrobe Builders

Hello Pretty Ladies,

Happy Friday! Today, I am headed to the Good Things Utah ABC studio in Salt Lake City to film a live “Fashion Fix Segment. I couldn’t be more excited to share the New Spanx Fall wardrobe Builders take you from the Workweek to the weekend. That will change how you look and feel in your clothing.

Spanx has done it again. When you think they can’t make clothing any better, they create new technology that changes the way you look and feel in their clothing.

It’s not your average denim and pant drop. Introducing Spanx Shape & Denim edit SPANXshape EveryWear Jeans Premium pull-on denim with built-in core shaping technology that hugs your curves, shapes your core, moves with you, and feels good.

Spanx Smooth- Style that smooth and gently hugs and enhances your figure.

*Promo code SAVE 10% off all Spanx with my CODE: DEARDARCYXSPANX

Fashion Fix Segment on ABC Good Things Utah. Stream from Anywhere HERE around 10:00 am Mnt.

Jean & Pant features

-Pull on and go

-no zipper, no buttons, and no hip pocket bulk

-crafted with premium denim

-TummyTamer Tech shapes your waist

-Strategic back pockets

-booty lift -Oh-so-comfortable

4-way stretch

– Sizing – from petite, regular, and Tall and xs to 3x

More Pant Edit Spanx Smoothing Technology

– Comfortable smoothing

light compression for s
Coresure Technology
Light compression for a smoothing effect
Leg-lengthening and hip-flattering

These smoothing pants are made of premium ponte fabric with targeted compression built-in and powered by SPANX CoreSure Tech. With comfortable 4-way stretch, these curve-hugging kick flares always provide the PerfectFit. All you have to do is pull them on. There are no zippers, buttons, or pockets (so no bulk!) at the hips—all for the ultimate smoothing effect.

Accessories:

Outfits aren’t finished until you’ve accessorized. 🙂 I’m sharing a few pieces by Julie Vos that you’ll want to add to your jewelry box this fall season. It polishes off every outfit and adds an updated classic look.

Fall Jewelry Collection The Baguette

Baguette Tennis Necklace-Baguette-cut gemstones embellished with twisted golden wire, closing with a matching toggle ring.

Hoop Baguette -Rows of baguette-cut gemstones embellished with twisted golden wire.

Baguette Tennis Bracelet– Baguette-cut gemstones embellished with twisted golden wire, closing with a matching toggle ring.

Fall Jewelry Collection The Cheval

The Cheval collection features a beautiful rectangular colored gem set in a bright gold link. It is available in four stone choices: Emerald, Clear Crystal, Black, and London Blue. This piece is the perfect finishing touch for outfits from elevated casual to workwear.

Cheval Statement Ring– A faceted rectangular gem embellished with braided golden wire on a sculpted shank with matching texture. Iridescent Emerald Green

Gold Cheval Paperclip Link Necklace-Elongated oval links textured with braided golden wire, closing with a matching toggle.

Cheval Stone Bracelet– Iridescent Emerald Green, Faceted rectangular gemstones embellished with braided golden wire and connected with matching links and toggle.

Layering Tip:

Take a buttery-soft Spanx Air Essentials sweatshirt and wear it over your shoulders for the perfect Fall Transition piece.

Outfit 1 (What I am wearing for the TV segment)

-Everywear cropped wide-leg jeans with patch pockets in Ecru med

-Everywhere cropped wide-leg jeans in raw indigo sm

– Air essential cardigan in the truffle brown med

Metallics are on trend for Fall, and these accessories perfectly complement so many Fall outfits: a Gold Madison Maison, Gold quilted loafers, and a Metallic Gold Quilted Koala Tote.

Shop the complete outfit HERE.

Outfit 2

-Everywear cropped wide-leg jeans with patch pockets in Ecru med

– Spanx Air Essentials cardigan midnight navy stripes med (unless running big or small)

Frankie 4 White leather tennis shoes with stripe detail

Shop the complete outfit HERE.

Outfit 3

The Air Essentials line is buttery soft. Some brands have tried to duplicate this fabric, but I have tried them, and no one does this fabric like Spanx. You can’t compare. It is worth every penny if it’s in your budget. (I would say the price point is comparable to Lululemon)

– Wide-leg Air Essentials in red, Wearing a size med

Air Essentials long crew red med. I’m wearing it over my shoulders to add that third piece that finishes the outfit. Size down in this tunic, as it runs big.

-Air Essentials striped boatneck tee

Shop the complete outfit HERE.

Outfit 4

-Everywhere flare jeans authentic blue -med

-Air Essentials mock neck top black stripe -med

-Air Essentials Crew neck Sweatshirt

– Leopard Kitten Heel

– Metallic Bucket bag

Shop the complete outfit HERE.

The Perfect Pant Collection

The Perfect Collection Pant This smoothing pant comes in our premium ponte fabric with targeted compression built-in and is powered by SPANX CoreSure Tech. With comfortable 4-way stretch

Ponte Cropped Wide Leg Pant—With a high-rise waist, this cropped wide-leg pant will make you feel smooth from tummy to thigh and oh-so-comfortable throughout the wide leg. There are no zippers, buttons, or pockets (so no bulk!) at the hips—all for the ultimate smoothing effect. It runs Big; I sized down.

Ponte Microflare Pant—These curve-hugging microflares always provide the PerfectFit. All you have to do is pull them on. At the hips, there are no zippers, buttons, or pockets (so no bulk!)—all for the ultimate smoothing effect. Runs long

Watch My Pant Styling video HERE.

Have a beautiful day, Pretty ladies, and remember your smile is your BEST accessory.

Thank you for stopping by.

Thank you for stopping by and reading “New Spanx Fall Wardrobe Builders.” If you haven’t signed up for my weekly newsletter, you can do so HERE.

You might also enjoy the following:

A Few Fall Favorites

Fall Trends to Refresh Your Wardrobe

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

J Crew New Fall Arrivals to Help Build Your Wardrobe

September 27, 2024

J Crew New Fall Arrivals to Help Build Your Wardrobe

Hello Pretty Ladies,

I hope your last days of September are treating you well. It’s been crazy busy around here. I wish Fall would slow down a little. The leaves are in full glory here in Utah, which is so beautiful. I want it to stay this lovely for a couple of months, not a couple of weeks!

This weekend has so many great sales, but one of my favorites is the LIKETOKNOW in-app sale. Certain brands offer sales just for those who shop using the app. My favorite is J Crew, and I am sharing my J Crew picks with you today. American Eagle, Elemis, Pink Lilly, and Pura are also available in the app. Watch my styling Video HERE.

J Crew Exclusive Sale

Sale🚨 J Crew 20% off in the Liketoknowit App sale, which Ends tomorrow

New Fall Arrivals to help build your Wardrobe

Outfit 1

Brushed cashmere T-shirt: This unforgettable sweater is unlike anything you’ve seen (or felt) before. This twist on the traditional tee features a classic crewneck and a subtly shrunken fit.

Sailor denim trousers in Rinse wash—This jean is our new denim obsession. It features heritage-inspired J.Crew crest buttons, polished patch pockets, and the same slightly flared silhouette you know and love. Shop the look HERE.

Outfit 2

Sailor slim-wide pants in stretch corduroy—Slim through the hips and thighs and roomier around the ankles, strike the perfect balance between elevated and accessible. They also have heritage-inspired patch pockets and a textured corduroy finish with a touch of stretch.

Johnny-collar sweater with ribbed trim: This is the best sweater since 1983. Its relaxed yet flattering silhouette is crafted in comfortable stretch wool fabric that’s both soft and warm.

Relaxed crewneck sweater– A beach-ready sweater knit from finely textured, lightweight cotton with a chunkier ribbed trim at the hem, cuffs, and collar. In other words, it is the perfect lightweight layer for in-between seasons.

Shop the look HERE

Outfit 3

Slim-fit double-breasted blazer in Italian bi-stretch wool blend. This style strikes the perfect balance with a modern, slightly shorter length and a classic double-breasted fit that nips in at the waist. Stretchy yet structured

Pencil skirt in croc-embossed faux leather. This modern take on the classic pencil skirt comes with a slit at the front for ease of movement and a zip at the back for a clean look. Plus, it’s crafted from faux leather with a touch of sheen and a croc-embossed finish.

Cashmere classic-fit crewneck sweater – new cashmere crewneck, updated with an even more relaxed fit, because who couldn’t use a little extra relaxation? Shop the look HERE.

Outfit 4

Brushed sweater lady jacket in leopard print—Brushed for a luxe look and feel, this polished layer looks just as good over your favorite tees, tops, and dresses as it does on its own. Plus, it is timeless and trending in our long-time favorite leopard print.

Outfit 5

Collection shrunken button-up shirt in embellished brushed cotton oxford– We took our boy-meets-girl shirt—a fitted silhouette in brushed cotton oxford fabric—and made it even more special, thanks to an embellished collar, a dazzling effect we like to think of as built-in jewelry. Shop the look HERE.

Outfit 6

Bungalow dress in drapey viscose twill—It fits true to size and feels good on the skin. It has a long sleeve and comes in several colors and patterns! Wear it belted or unbelted with boots, heels, or flats. Dress it up or down. Shop the look HERE.

Jewelry I am Loving

Pavé hoop earrings– set of three On sale for $24.50

Round cubic zirconia bezel-set tennis bracelet On sale for $46.5

Round cubic zirconia bezel-set tennis necklace On sale at $64.50

Bead hoop earrings – On sale for $14.50

Pearl ball necklaces— On sale for $44.50.We’re all about new takes on classic pearls, and this oversized pearl necklace is undoubtedly one of them.

Pearl bow necklace—$59.50 The square-shaped crystal tennis bracelet is on sale for $44.99. This fun, faux take on the diamond tennis bracelet—featuring oversized, square-shaped, faceted crystals—will kick any outfit up a notch.

Crystal and pearl chain link necklace– The easiest way to elevate an outfit. This eye-catching choker features an interlocking mix of pearls and glass crystals in the front and strands of pearls in the back for a pretty and polished touch. Shoes

Shop the jewelry below:

Shoes I am Loving

Made in Italy, the Colette buckled slingback has heels in croc-embossed leather. It is on sale in several colors and prints.

Logan crisscrossed Mary Jane ballet flats are made of snake-embossed Italian leather. They are on sale and available in four colorways.

Shop the shoes below:

Have a beautiful day, Pretty ladies, and remember your smile is your BEST accessory.

Thank you for stopping by.

Thank you for stopping by and reading “A Few Fall Favorites. You can do so here if you haven’t signed up for my weekly newsletter.

You might also enjoy the following:

A Few Fall Favorites

Fall Trends to Refresh Your Wardrobe

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

A Few Fall Favorites

September 25, 2024

FallA Few Fall Favorites

Hello Pretty Ladies,

It’s officially Fall! Wow, I think that was the fastest summer ever! I love summer and Fall—my two favorite seasons—and they seem the shortest here in Utah! Fall means my birthday month is coming. I have my Fall bucket list ready and am looking forward to crisp mornings and evenings and the stunning shades of the season.

Today, I am sharing some fall favorites for our monthly blog hop with Suzanne, Cindy, and Dawn.

I will keep this one short and sweet! Below, you will find all the fun things I want to share, including my family’s favorite recipe for this easy pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe and a few things you could have missed. (I’ll be sharing the sunflower field later next week.)

Sharing a great Fall transition outfit, you can easily style multiple ways, and I thought I would share with you two ways to style it by just switching out the 3rd piece. Here are the details:

Sale Alerts: Chicos wide-leg crop pants are $44 and perfect with a bootie. The pants fit tts. I am wearing a size 4 Chico’s size 0, which pairs perfectly with a bootie for Fall.

-Bootie is a Dolce Vida two-tone with a little Western vibe (last year), linking similar Here

-Olive button-up Amazon find

-The Amazon denim shacket jacket is slightly distressed, affordable & fits tts, and is perfect for summer to fall weather

-A necklace, a vintage horn

-Hat is by lack of color

The 2nd look is everything above, with the jacket switched out to the ivory Denim jacket by Chico’s

Shop the post below:

Fall Items below:

Shop the post below:

A family favorite recipe: Three Ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies RECIPE HERE

BLOG HOP⬇️

Dawn With @partytildawn on Instagram and her Blog Party Til Dawn

Suzanne With @crazyblondelifeblog and her Blog Crazy Blonde Life Blog

Cindy With @lululoves7_and her Blog Lulu Loves 7

Have a beautiful day, Pretty ladies, and remember your smile is your BEST accessory.

Thank you for stopping by.

Thank you for stopping by and reading” A Few Fall Favorites. “If you haven’t signed up for my weekly newsletter, you can do so here.

You might also enjoy the following:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Fall Trends to Refresh Your Wardrobe

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AN AFFILIATE LINK. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. I ONLY PROMOTE BRANDS THAT I GENUINELY LOVE AND BELIEVE IN! THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!

Affordable and Easy Coastal Tablescape

September 21, 2024

Affordable and Easy Coastal Tablescape

Hello Pretty Ladies,

Entertaining doesn’t need to be complicated or daunting. Throwing an unforgettable party doesn’t require much time or money; it just requires a little thought, creativity, and heart.”

I was so flattered to be a part of Isabella’s @confessionsofasuperager “create the life you want to love” girlfriend’s trip… let alone having the honor of creating a tablescape and charcuterie board to welcome our friends Into her home.

“There is nothing that makes me happier than sitting around the dinner table and talking until the candles are burned down.”

Isabella had mentioned a month prior or so in her stories that if she were going to create a “Dream Team” to create a dinner party for her, she would pick me to create a tablescape, her friend Marie @cocktailsinbloom to make the cocktails, and our friend Suzanne @crazyblondelifeblog to cook the meal. Talk about the ultimate flattery.

“Hospitality should have no other nature than love.”

Fast forward to when she decided to make her “dream” a reality and decided to host a girl’s trip and Make it Happen….. See, ladies, dreams do come true… with action! Of course, I was flattered and even more honored to be a part of her “dream” in the presence of such talented, loving, and beautiful souls. This was an extraordinary time shared between incredible women, and I am so blessed to be a part of building these lasting memories and friendships.

This is your sign to host a girls’ night out or plan a girl’s trip with the woman you love.

Find more tips on Entertaining and Tablescapes HERE

Tips on ways to create a fab tablescape

Tip: Use what you have and then create around that. This helps you see what you might have to fill in with and makes shopping for items you need easier.

Get creative and think of regular items that you can create something with. I used wine corks for the place cardholders; I just used a knife and cut a slit in it to hold the card. In this case, two stickers were used to create the card.

Using what you have

A little something from our garden, cutting flowers from our garden, to bring a little outside in. It is an affordable way to create a centerpiece. These sweet little vases are perfect for single steams, making a big statement for a simple centerpiece.

Flower arranging Tips:

-Always remove any leaves below the water line. Leaves in water instantly start decomposing and causing bacterial growth.

-Cut stems at an angle so they can “drink.”

– Change water every couple of days to extend blooms

My secret little shops for finding affordable treasures

I am always looking for inexpensive treasures to create pretty and affordable tablescapes and items for entertaining everywhere I go. From little boutiques to antique stores, garden centers, and even second-hand shops. It’s a great way to be inspired by a tablescape, too.

Affordable shops

Amazon has everything you need to create a beautiful table. From beautiful tablecloths to runners, placemats, napkins, silverware, glasses, dish sets, chargers, and the little extras.

Follow my Amazon storefront for my picks, inspiration boards, and ideas.

HomeGoods is a favorite place to pick up unique and affordable vases, serving pieces, stemware, and glasses. I also like looking for unique pieces I can reuse for other occasions. We found the pineapple plastic—yes, plastic dishes above—and the silverware. We also found the Coral (we got the seashell on the beach), but you can purchase bags of them at HomeGoods as well.

The Dollar Tree—The Dollar Store has been hitting it out of the park lately—fabulous chargers for $1.25 each, Affordable dishes. Above, we found these gold chargers, wooden beads with tassels, stickers I used for place cards, and mini candle votives.

Hobby Lobby—This has an excellent craft section, candles, holders, silk flowers, a party section, and a great selection of home decor for every theme. You’ll find some fun things to create with seasonal items.

Zurcher’s Party Store—I always find the little details that make the party special here, including Party supplies, theme ideas, paper goods, unique candy, serving pieces, and party favors.

How to build an accessible collection to entertain on quick notice:

Here are a few tips on what to collect or have on hand to create a beautiful tablescape and entertain easily.

White serving pieces

White china or dishes

Crystal or clear glasses and stemware

White or cream linens

White candles

Glass / Silver/ gold candlesticks

Assortment of vases

Shop some of my favorites below:

Live life stylishly and look good at any age.

Thank you for stopping by.

💕Remember, Wearing a smile is your most important accessory!

Have a beautiful rest of the week, and thank you for stopping by and reading.

“Affordable and Easy Coastal Tablescape.” If you haven’t signed up for my weekly newsletter, you can do that HERE.

This Post may contain an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. I only promote brands that I genuinely love and believe in! Thank you for the support!

You might also enjoy the following:

Pearls & Prosecco Bridal Shower

Easy Berry Lemon Tart Recipe

Halloween Decor and Party Ideas

Easy & Hearty Minestrone Soup Recipe

September 8, 2024

Happy Sunday!

Hi Pretty Ladies,

September is here, meaning Fall is officially here on the 22nd. I am soaking up the last days of summer, but I am ready for fall days ahead.! The leaves have started to turn. Here in Utah, I had my first pumpkin spice latte last weekend and added a little fall decor to our home.

Our son got married on 8/24/24. It indeed was magical and everything we hoped it would be. I shared a lot about the destination wedding on Instagram in the feed and stories; in case you missed it, I saved them to highlights] You can view a couple of posts by heading over to Instagram

I will keep this one short and sweet today! I’m sharing my favorite homemade minestrone soup recipe below, which you can make in a crockpot or on the stovetop.

Hearty Soup Recipe:

Minestrone Soup Recipe

One chicken broth

One can of crushed tomatoes

Can of water (using crushed tomatoes can)

Three diced tomatoes (I used from the garden)

One can of kidney beans (rinsed)

1 cup frozen green beans

1 cup asparagus tips (frozen)

One Cup of diced spinach

1 cup diced carrots

1 cup frozen peas

One Cup of onions (roughly)

1/2 fresh diced basil

One tablespoon of balsamic vinegar

1Tablespoon crushed garlic

Two bay leaves

One teaspoon of garlic salt

One tablespoon of rosemary (I used fresh from the garden)

2 cups of pasta (elbow macaroni or

Leave out until about 20-30 min before serving) You can also prepare it separately and scoop it into a bowl (this is great if you have a lot to freeze or have leftovers). The pasta expands and sucks up all the broth.

Add to crockpot on high for a couple of hours, then turn to low

Stirring every so often.

Salt and pepper to taste

When serving

Top with Parmesan cheese

Add meatballs for an even heartier dish. Recipe HERE

Serve with Garlic bread, garlic knots, or a fresh loaf of French baguette with salted butter.

Our favorite is my Cheater garlic bread recipe HERE.

Thank you for stopping by.

Thank you for stopping by and reading.” Easy & Hearty Minestrone Soup Recipe”

“If you haven’t signed up for my weekly newsletter, you can do that here.

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Easy Homemade Broccoli Cheese soup bowls

Three easy soups and one hearty comfort food recipe

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Life After a Hysterectomy: My Midlife Journey

September 1, 2024

Life After a Hysterectomy: My Midlife Journey

Hello Pretty Ladies,

Happy September! I can’t believe how fast August flew by. How are we almost into Fall? I decorated a little bit for Fall yesterday. Have you decorated for Fall yet? If you’ve followed me for a little bit, you know our son got married last week. I’ve been sharing our wedding week on Instagram, and I’ll share a blog post here soon. The wedding was truly magical, and we couldn’t have had a better time.

For today’s post, I am sharing a quick minor update after my Hysterectomy last year on how I get some of the nutrients my body needs in midlife. I’ve been very open about my midlife journey and shared some other posts below if you need a little catch-up.

I hope you enjoy today’s quick read, OX

Life after a Hysterectomy

It’s been almost a year since I had a hysterectomy. I’ve been open about this journey, the good, the bad, etc.

My health has been a journey, and a few of the essential items I incorporated into my diet that have helped tremendously have been… Adding a good source of probiotics, protein, fiber, calcium, greens, and collagen is essential. And a quality Supergreens powder makes it even easier to get those nutrients in. Finding a way to get it all in a smoothie (the libra in me likes a shortcut).

Earth Chimp is a vegan Protein with 1 billion probiotics (per 2 scoops), NO sugar added, NO added Salt, Nao Dairy, NO Gluten or Soy, NO GUM, and NO Erythritol.

Recipe:

I make, as directed on the bag, water ice, and I add 1/3 heavy cream

One scoop of Greens,

Scoop of Collagen

One tablespoon of flaxseed

1 Tablespoon of Chia seeds and a handful of Spinach and apple slices

Depending on the smoothie :

I’ll add peanut butter & banana, Fresh berries & carrots, and other fruits and veggies.

I use Earth Chimp chocolate, unflavored, and Vanilla

Grab the 2-pack bundle Here

I have this every day after my walk, around 11ish, as I intermittently fast!

If you want to know what greens, collagen, and supplements I take, read this blog post.

Shop the Protein powder below:

*Please note I am not a Doctor, and I am just sharing what works for me (or doesn’t) on this little midlife journey

Thank you for stopping by.

Thank you for stopping by and reading.” Life After a Hysterectomy: My Midlife Journey”

“If you haven’t signed up for my weekly newsletter, you can do that here.

You might also enjoy the following:

10 Products I use on my midlife hair

Midlife Helpers & Supplements

Midlife Skincare Routine

Fall Trends To Refresh Your Wardrobe

August 28, 2024

Fall Trends To Refresh Your Wardrobe

Good morning, Pretty Ladies,

Need a little wardrobe refresh for fall?

If you want to refresh your fall wardrobe, I’ve got some top picks that will keep you looking stylish all season long without breaking the bank! Something about the change of season makes you want to add a few new pieces to your wardrobe.

Today, I am sharing a few essential items you could add to your Fall wardrobe that work now for a tremendous summer-to-fall transition and that you’ll be able to style all through the Fall season. I always say, “A great and affordable way to stay current” is adding on-trend accessories to your wardrobe each season.

Accessories finish off the outfit while also changing its look. Have you ever noticed how you can change a basic outfit just by styling it with your accessories?

My girlfriends Cindy, Suzane, and Dawn are joining me today to share FALL for our monthly blog hop. I’ve linked them below, and you want to see what they’re sharing today, as I know it will be amazing.

Shop the collection above HERE.

Adding a few essential accessories to your wardrobe

On-trend Fall Accessories

Belts

Belts have been an accessory trend, from designer to Amazon finds, for the last few years. This fall, you’ll see even more, from thin to wide. Belts add interest, flatter your figure, draw attention to your waist, and add texture to your outfit.

Belts are for every style, whether you’re a quiet Luxury classic dresser, a girl who wears mostly work wear, jeans, a tee shirt, a dresser, or that country gal. Several cute belts are on trend this season in every shape, thickness, and style.

Here are a couple I love and a couple I’ve styled.

Shop Belts Below:

Chunky earring

The 80s-style chunky gold workwear earrings started making a comeback last year, and they’re making an even bigger statement this year.

I picked up this designer-inspired pair at the end of 22 and have been wearing them weekly ever since. I love the classic feel, yet they’re just the perfect size to wear casually with jeans and a tee, great for work wear, and great with dresses. These aren’t heavy, and the quality is fantastic for $12-14, compared to the $890-1400 designer look-alikes.

Here are a few more affordable, on-trend, chunky earrings to refresh your wardrobe.

Shop the earrings Below:

Bangle Bracelets

I’ve always been a bangle bracelet girl. I love a good arm party or arm candy stack, and bangles are a great way to add texture, color, and interest to any look for any season.

However, we are seeing them coming in strong for Fall. A great stack I’ve owned for years is my BudhaGirl all-weather bangles. I’ve enjoyed these waterproof bangles because they’re light and can be worn underwater. They also take all the guesswork out of creating a stack. You can purchase the 3/5/7/9 stack bundles.

I am a “more” kind of gal, and I adore you. Mix these bangles with your other favorite arm party bangles and bracelets.

Here’s the Budha girl bangles I own:

I’ve created a few bracelet stacks that would be perfect for the summer-fall transition and would significantly refresh your wardrobe.

Shop the Leopard Dress and Bangles HERE

Fall Necklace trend

Pendant necklaces are making a comeback. I love a suitable statement pendant. They add a longer line to your outfit, giving the illusion of length, so if you need a little height or a slimming effect, a pendant necklace does that.

I love necklace stacks, and it’s okay if you do, too. There are still a variety of ways to style them.

Other noteworthy Trends were spotted.

Pearls and Chunky bold gold pieces are also on trend and a great way to refresh your wardrobe.

Shop Lisi Lurch Bold Gold Sale HERE

Ruffle details show up on denim and blouses, and we see ruffle details on shoe bags and dresses. Denim Jacket HERE & the Ruffled Top HERE ( save 10% off on top with CODE DARCY10)

Bows, Little and big bows in a print design or an actual bow, can be seen on jewelry, shoes, bags, sweaters, dresses, and tops. This sweet detail adds a romantic, feminine touch. I am here for it!

Shop the Bow Pieces Below:

Lady’s Jackets came on the scene for Fall and Winter last year, and we see them in huge numbers this year. Ranging in prices from Amazon finds to Luxury, these cute pieces are great for dressing up jeans and a tee or perfect with slacks and pencil skirts for Fall.

Shop Ladies Jackets below:

: Mary Jane

: Leopard Pointed cap toe

: Suede Cap toe

Shop the Shoes Below :

Flats Styled from Day to Night with Ally Shoes

Wit & Wisdom

Shop the Look above HERE

Shoes

Ladylike shoes bring a touch of unexpected fancy-femme to fall’s hot denim silhouettes.

Cap-toe shoes, ballet flats, Mary Janes, pointed-toe shoes, classic loafers, and feminine details like a kitten heel with embellishments and buckle detail are some of the shoes we will see this fall. Shoes are a great way to update your look and can be affordable. Red is hot for shoes, and leopard print is some of the shoes we will see this fall.

Shop The photo above HERE.

Fall color trends

Adding Trending colors

Color trends are easy to incorporate and a great way to update your wardrobe.

Shades of green, with olive green coming in on top. There is a lot of brown. Red is still popular, but plum/Wine and Terracotta/ Pumpkin are coming in strong.

As I’ve shared before, Something about the change of season makes you want to add a few new pieces to your wardrobe. Adding color trends is an easy way you can incorporate a trend without being too “trendy” if you like me and have more of a chic, classic style and like to add a pop of whimsy or something that makes a statement. Color is a great way to incorporate something new. Whether it’s the latest accessories, shoes, a bag, or a new arrival of clothing, a trending Color can easily update some of your classic pieces.

Olive Green:

Olive green evokes space, wisdom, and compassion for humanity. It is also associated with harmony, diplomacy, and self-love.… Olive green represents the traditional color of peace.

This is a great color that pairs well with all the shades of fall; it looks preppy with navy and Chic & casual with denim.

Shades of Red:

Red is a powerful color and super fun to incorporate into your wardrobe. Everyone has a shade of red that works with their skin tone, blue or orange tones. Find the one that works for you.

I am a blue-tone red girl. Last year, I started adding red pops with my accessories: a great bag, fun bow flats, a pair of red tennis shoes, a red belt, and even a red cashmere sweater and blazer. And I must say they were some of my favorite pieces, which I’ve worn repeatedly.

They added that pop, yet worked with my classic workwear, dressed up a button-up and jeans to accessorize my summer style.

Shop this Fall transition look HERE.

Terracotta, or I Like to call it, Pumpkin.

Pumpkin is a color I love in the fall, and it pairs very well with Leopard and denim. It’s a fun color for the season but can be tricky for some skin tones to wear. Incorporating this color into your wardrobe is a great way; if it does not look great, try it with accessories or a fun pair of pants or jeans. This color is great with cream, brown, and olive green shades.

Leopard

Leopard is an all-time favorite and, in my eyes, a classic pattern that is also neutral. Whether you want to add a pop to your accessories or wear it from head to toe, leopard is a must this year.

Shop this outfit HERE.

Shop Leopard Below:

Staple colors:

The staple colors, like shades of green, camel, beige, etc., are always favorites during fall. You know I am a big fan of ivory/cream and could wear it daily. In the fall, it pairs well with everything.

4th of July Outfit Inspirations: Over 40

Amazon

Denim:

Denim is always going to be a fall staple. Last year, we saw denim on Denim looks in a strong way, and that will continue this year, as will more denim dresses, all styles of denim jeans and pants, and a variety of denim jackets in all shapes and styles.

Denim dresses in every style and lengths are a must this season

Adding a new pair of denim or two to your wardrobe isn’t wrong. Here are a few of my picks.

Metallics:

Metallics are here to stay this season. From shiny silver and gold to metallic bronzes, if it’s glossy, it will add a fun POP to any fall outfit. From accessories to denim and jackets, you’ll be seeing things glimmer.

BLOG HOP⬇️

Dawn With @partytildawn on Instagram and her Blog Party Til Dawn

Suzanne With @crazyblondelifeblog and her Blog Crazy Blonde Life Blog

Cindy With @lululoves7_and her Blog Lulu Loves 7

Have a beautiful day, Pretty ladies, and remember your smile is your BEST accessory.

Thank you for stopping by.

Thank you for stopping by and reading”10 Favorite Things I Am Loving. “If you haven’t signed up for my weekly newsletter, you can do that here.