New Target Brand - A New Day

Spent a little time browsing thru Target this weekend and loved this line

A New Day

One it has really cute stuff and two it has good prices.  Here are some of my favorites:

Plaid Coat

This coat is what drew me to the brand.  It is so cute. It is only $39.99 and comes in XS-XXL.  How great is that?

Then there is 

Quilted Jacket

The Quilted Jacket comes in 5 color options. I like them all.

Twill Anorak

The Anorak is in 4 color options and again XS- XXL - $39.99

But there's more than just coats check out these trendy tops:

$24.99 Floral Top

and

Plaid Top

Poplin Bell Sleeve

To see the whole line click here

But I  will show you just one more thing.

Ruffled Sweater

OK, that is all for now.  Check out the line yourself.  I think you will find some cute things.  Plus almost everything comes in all 6 sizes which makes it fun for everyone.

Wishing you a great week!

Gift for Readers

Today we are going to talk about a few ideas for any avid readers on your gift list.

But first, to see previous gift idea posts you can click below

Neighbor gifts
Gifts that Give Back
Gifts for Cooks
Gifts for Girls

Now on to ideas for those who love to read.

Each month I review the books I have read that month and perhaps you can find ideas there.  But here are a few of my all time favorites:

I love a good book series.  Because when a book is good you don't want it to end.  My favorite way to read a series is for several of the books to already be in print so I don't  have to wait for the next one.  Here are a few of my favorite series.

The Walk Series

The Mitford Series

Sisterchicks

Yada Yada Prayer Group

Of course, you can buy these series individually or you could give someone the whole set.

The following are all time favorites of mine.  When I have a chance to buy a gift for someone, these are often my go to books:

Redeeming Love

The Nightingale

The Traveler's Gift

When Crickets Cry

I personally think a devotional is always a great Christmas gift.  After all it is good to be equipped for the new year with a great devotional.  Here a few of my favorites:

Jesus Calling

Unlocking Belief

All in All

Now if you don't want to buy a book there are other things you could give:

Book lights

Now this next thing is ideal for someone who reads in bed.  It is like a throw for your shoulders.  And you know how I like a good throw.  But when you are sitting in bed reading with just your shoulders exposed this is ideal.

Reader's Wrap

And, of course, you can't go wrong giving a reader an opportunity to buy more books so a gift card to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million or even our new 2nd & Charles store.

Have a great weekend!

The First Signs of Fall

I am well aware that Fall doesn't officially begin until the 22nd of September but when I wake up and it is in the 50's.....I just fully jump into fall.  Fall doesn't stay around long.  So I declare it early and try to enjoy it as much as possible.  I immediately went to my Fall Board on Pinterest to get inspired.

I settled in on making these little yarn pumpkins.

Here is all you need.

Yarn, scissors, pipe cleaners and twine if you want to make it into  a garland.

You simply wrap the yarn around your hand.  The Pin said 120 times.  I thought that was a mighty plump pumpkin and opted to only wrap it 80 times.  

Then you cut a 10 inch piece of yarn and tie it around your yarn bundle.  you want to go thru your fingers capturing the front and back.

You then cut a green pipe cleaner into thirds.  Take one of those pieces and tie it onto your pumpkin, twist it together and bend it to make a stem.  

The Pin tied several onto the twine to make a pumpkin garland.  Here's how I put it together

I had some little burlap pennants and some little canvas ones that I layered together and stapled onto the twine just to add a little something extra.

This was a quick, fun and inexpensive little craft.

Pinterest people are quite creative.  Please feel free to follow me on Pinterest, if you like.  I try to pin some really fun things......and then I even try out a few and show them to you here.

After the craft I pulled out my fall bin and began decorating other areas around the house.

Some fall leaves for the front door.

Fall flowers for the dining room buffet.

including a little pumpkin painting by my youngest

Fancied up the dining room table with my fall tablecloth from William Sonoma and a glass pumpkin I found at Marshalls

These little succulent candles came from Crate and Barrel and make the perfect little napkin topper.

A few faux pumpkins and leaves by the front door.

Pumpkins and candles by the fireplace.

I got this pretty jar for my birthday in May.  Until now it has held some dainty white summer flowers.  I traded those out for some fall wheat.

Homegoods has a great selection of fall pillows.  I went there to buy some drawer organizers and I came out with these fall pillows.

And these....

And just as I was about to make it to the checkout counter, I found this plaid paper runner for $3.99. Ok, yes, get in the shopping cart.....you can come home with us too. 

It was just enough for the kitchen table.

Then I made our favorite fall snack - candy corn and dry roasted peanuts.

And lit a great candle from Bath and Body.

 

And then in a stroke of extra good fortune, I saw where Hallmark is debuting some new fall movies starting on September 23rd.  Thank you, Hallmark! Click here for the details.

Ok, Fall, I hope you enjoy your stay. I certainly will.

August Book Review -

This was a good book month for me.   I hope it was for  you as well.  Here's what I read this month.

First up, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah



I am not a late night person which apparently is when Trevor Noah is on TV but I have seen clips of him on morning talk shows.  This book is about his life in South Africa.  I, of course, am familiar with apartheid but to hear it told from someone who lived in it and through it is really interesting.  I learned all kinds of things plus it is funny.....very funny.  I will warn you he uses a lot of colorful language but in the way comedians tend to do which somehow doesn't come across as so offensive....if that makes any sense.  I really enjoyed  this book.  It has some tough parts in it but it is told from a perspective of perseverance not defeat.  I found it to be inspiring and entertaining.  Highly recommend.

Then I read The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton



During a picnic at her family’s farm in the English countryside, sixteen-year-old Laurel Nicolson witnesses a shocking crime, a crime that challenges everything she knows about her adored mother, Dorothy. Now, fifty years later, Laurel and her sisters are meeting at the farm to celebrate Dorothy’s ninetieth birthday. Realizing that this is her last chance to discover the truth about that long-ago day, 

This takes you through Laurel's quest to piece together what really happened by exploring her mom's past.  It toggles between life in the 1940's and today.  Well written and kept me interested from page one all the way to the end.  And I love the language and the phrasing used.  I cannot tell you how many times I have wanted to say " well we better to get on with it shall we" since reading this book.  I recommend this one too.  I think you will enjoy it.

I finished the month with A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman



I listened to this one as an audio book and was glad I did.  When I saw this book in stores I always read the title as A Man Called Ahhve......pronouncing the name like ahhh but it is actually pronounced like the double o sound in moon...and two syllables.....oova.  Ok, I thought that was interesting but so was the story.  I am going to be honest the first 4 chapters I thought I was not going to make it.  But I am so glad I stuck with it.  Wow. What a story.  It turned out great.  It may be one of my favorite books.  It has tons of dry humor and such interesting ways of describing people and events.  Give this one a try.  It is worth the first four chapters.

August was truly a good book month.  I am gearing up for what is hopefully a good September.

Enjoy a good book, ladies, and then share with me so I can do the same.

Take Care.