Ramblings - Hi Sugarplum!

Welcome back to a new week, lovebugs, I hope your weekend was marvelous! Mr. SP was out of town, so the kids and I binged Friends on Netflix and ordered pizza. Two nights in a row. #oops I even sweet-talked Little Miss into a ‘slumber party’ in my bed. I hate being alone downstairs when he’s gone!! Is anyone else like that?

I’ve got a full day booked at the JCPenney Studios, recording some fun videos for their new app! Unfortunately, this one isn’t a ‘bring your daughter to work’ option. (See our Mother-Daughter Style video here). I’ll be sure to share details on the new ones when I can, but today it’s time for a big ole brain dump of what’s been rambling around my head, and life lately! And it’s kind of a doozy…I really should try to do these posts more often!!

one // With the new season, comes tons of new arrivals…but even more exciting, is the return of favorites from year’s past! I was excited to see so many of my closet staples back-in-stock…starting with this fleecey cardi-wrap! We lovingly crowned it the ‘kitten cardi’ a few years ago because it feels like being swathed in a bed of baby kittens. It’s cute worn draped open, or buttoned closed…and the love people have for it borders on cultic. It’s also on sale for under $40!

Fit Tip: It’s true to size, I wear an XS. And it’s okay to have it in more than one color.

Cardigan (available in plus size here & more colors here) | Fave Tee | Distressed Jeans | Boots (on sale!)

This cowlneck sweater tunic is a favorite with leggings and jeans, and is a soft, lightweight jersey material. I’d recommend the regular sizing for leggings, or the petite if you prefer it shorter.

Cowlneck Sweater Tunic | Knee Boots | Similar Booties | Deer Print Bag | Monogrammed Checkered Tote

I couldn’t get enough of this fleecy v-neck last year (see it styled here & here), and love it with both jeans and leggings, and worn either alone or layered over a collared shirt! They call it a sweater, but it’s really more of a thick fleecy tee.

V-Neck Sweater | My Distressed Jeans | Plum Booties | Mom’s Bootcut Jeans | Her Taupe Booties

Sweater Top | Puffer Vest | Sunglasses | Lace Bralette | Hoop Earrings

This peacoat was the deal-of-the-year…Mama SP and I both have it in black and camel! And now it’s back, on sale for under $40, and comes in the freshest blush pink shade!! Rest assured I ordered one for myself before sharing! (See it styled several ways here & here)

Fit Tip: It runs small, so size up one!

Peacoat | Bootcut Jeans | Taupe Booties

I searched high and low for over-the-knee boots last year, and could hardly believe my luck when I discovered these beauties under $100…and now they’re back! See the full style post with them here.

It’s practically poncho season, so I’ll be pulling this plaid cutie out soon! I did, however, discover it sheds, so pairing it with black isn’t ideal.

And finally, this cotton cowlneck feels like a thick t-shirt and I love it with both jeans and workout wear.

Cowlneck Tunic | Black Sneakers | White Sneakers | Monogrammed Crossbody Bag

two // School has been back in session for several weeks, but I can’t let a year go by without documenting their first day on the blog!! For those of you who’ve been following from the beginning, you’ve seen quite a few of these! (See their back-to-school style posts here & here.)

three // I have some amazingly talented friends and family, and I love celebrating their successes! Two of my favorite people recently published books, and I couldn’t be more excited or proud!! First up, my cousin Lindy Kirk…who is just the cutest person ever…is a fanatical animal-lover, and has been obsessed with rescuing dogs since birth! She just released Decoding Dogs, a fantastic guide to communicating with your pup. It’s full of real-life stories and experiences to help the human-dog relationship, and of course, written with Lindy’s trademark wit and humor.

My darling friend, Shay, released her FIFTH cookbook, Simmers, just in time for the cozy season. It’s chock-full of amazing recipes for your slow-cooker…which if you’re like me, works overtime in the Fall!

(Sidenote: Don’t let Maggie’s aloofness fool you, I totally caught her reading it last week. She even went to so far as to highlight my weak areas.)

four // We just finished binging two fantastic shows, and if you love intense drama, they are a must-watch!! Ozark stars Jason Bateman (reason enough to watch the show, #amiright?), a money-launderer who got himself in a pickle with the drug cartel. It slowed for an episode midseason, but by the end we were staying up insanely late because we couldn’t turn it off!

We also just finished Season 3 of Narcos, and I think it was the best one yet! I’m already counting down until both of these return next year! What are you watching these days? We need another show to binge! And also, what the heck did we do before Netflix?!

five // We recently started Orange Theory Fitness, and I’m equally obsessed and loathsome of it! I would not consider myself an avid fitness buff, in fact, I dislike working out a lot. Like, a lot-a lot. But I also love tacos, so there’s that. And I’m not getting any younger (chatted about that in this post), so while I appreciate being able to button my jeans, I also know consistent, real exercise is important for my overall health.

I have no discipline when it comes to working out, so classes are the only way for me, and the beauty of Orange Theory is you get full-body cardio and weights in under an hour. I curse it the entire hour, but feel amazing when it’s done. How’s that for a review? It’s also the only time my brain completely shuts off…the only thought in my head during the class is survival!

But if you’re more of an at-home exerciser, my best-girl, Angi Abercrombie, has an amazing virtual training program, including 6-weeks of top-notch exercises and meal-planning!

six // My friend Eden of Sugar & Charm has the most beautiful site, and is beyond talented when it comes to styling, parties and recipes. Visiting her site is always a visual treat, and a great resource for inspiration…like this Table Setting Guide. It’s going to come in handy with holiday season just around the corner!

seven // Remember the Porch Refresh we did this Summer with HomeGoods? Well, they flew me to NYC to recreate our space in their studio for an exciting press event. I sent them the photos of our new patio space, and their stylists combed the HomeGoods warehouse (can you even imagine the candy store that must be?!?!) looking for pieces that matched my style.

Together we replicated a (better!) version of our porch…complete with faux-brick wall and windows! Then I spent the next day showing it off to editors from every major magazine…you know, a regular Thursday. 😉

eight // I love a good Look for Less, don’t you? I adore this dress more than I can say…especially since it’s under $100! Can you believe it’s the exact dupe of this $500 version?! I’m wearing an XS, but it’s a snug fit, so if you’re busty or in-between sizes, you might want to go up one.

nine // Finally, several pieces I’ve featured lately are now on sale…including some closet and makeup favorites!

The ‘did you get lash extensions’ mascara is still 15% off…which is crazy! I totally grabbed a back-up tube…I love it so much I already have an irrational fear it will someday be discontinued. (See my recent 5 Makeup Tips for Looking Younger here.)

This off-the-shoulder sweatshirt is perfectly slouchy, without being sloppy, and is 30% off! I’m trying to tell myself I don’t need a second color, but I’m having a hard time listening. (I wear it with this bra.)

Another fun sweatshirt option, this one with cute contrasting ties, is 33% off…available in multiple colors and stripes here and here.

This turtleneck was a favorite from the Anniversary Sale, and it’s restocked and on even bigger sale! It feels like a lightweight sweatshirt and a loose turtleneck, but the kicker is the split back! I’d wear it with jeans or workout wear.

Split-Back Turtleneck | Jeans | Cognac Boots

My hands-down favorite white jeans (concealed front pockets, extra stretch, opaque enough to smooth out lumps & bumps, and comfy mid-rise!) are 30% off! I love them so much I styled an entire Five Ways around them (find it here). I recommend sizing down one, and remember I hemmed mine to ankle length.