Happy Thanksgiving!

Turkey and stuffing
Giving thanks over gravy
Why won’t my jeans close?

In lieu of my usual “It’s The Little Things” today, I will be updating sporadically throughout today with things I am grateful for. I want to keep things in perspective.

My grandmother (who was the heart and soul of the family) passed away in January and today is going to be especially hard for my family. I will first travel two hours to my dad’s house, where my kids have spent the last two nights. We will prep food there (with my sister and her family) and then make our way about 1/2 a mile up the road to where my grandmother’s house is. My mom and her family will be gathered there. My heart is heavy. We will stay an hour and then go back to my dad’s house to eat.

Busy day! What are your plans? Because I feel my day will be filled with a lot of sadness, I am going to focus on the positives.

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First up, coffee. Cuban coffee to be exact. Lovely goodness! I could not and did not get out of bed without it.

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I made chocolate pie last night. I also made my husband some cranberry sauce. I believe he is the only one who likes it. Today, I will make green bean casserole.

I was also in charge of bringing the rolls and other pies. I ordered a pecan, pumpkin, and coconut creme from Marie Calendar’s. The yummy rolls were baked fresh at Great Harvest yesterday. I am grateful to be able to pick up yummy food and not mess up my kitchen making all of those things. I also am bringing wine. ‘Cause. Big grateful there. I did not even remove it from the trunk last night. I was scared I would forget it. Shudder.

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This is what I am wearing for the drive and prep work. I am grateful to have scored these Mother’s Brand Jeans on clearance. If you have not tried Mother Jeans, you are missing out. Imagine my jeans were pulled down right.

Your bum will be grateful.

I am playing around with photo apps! Bear with me!

And we’re off! I hope your day is going great! What are your plans?

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We are at my dad’s house. We are about to go outside and play a ball toss game. Here are some pictures I took on the drive to my dad’s house. Isn’t it beautiful? Look at the snow!

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Played a game with my daughter. Had fun! The kids helped made these balls by drilling holes in them with my dad.

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Then sat outside by the fire with my dad and talked for an hour with a glass of wine. So relaxing and nice. Grateful for this time.

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Making green bean casserole on the grill outside. An adventure! We should eat by 5:00!

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Turned out great! Of course, I do not eat this. Nor will I try it, but it looks yummy!

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We finished the night with pie. We will be back on the road in ten minutes. It was a very nice day spent with family. I am incredibly thankful for the one I have. I hope everyone’s day was great!

Free People Mia Ruffle Dress

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Two outfit posts in one week? What is this blog coming to. ; )

Well, tomorrow a post is going up about a charity event I went to two weeks ago. It is run by some of my lovely friends, Kathy and Mark. I wanted to show what I wore, but as hard as I tried, what I wore did not fit into the soul of that post. That post is not about me. I want it to be about the event and the cause. So, I am showing you what I wore today. Because I know my fashion friends would want to know. And I adore this dress. It is Free People’s Mia Ruffle Dress in ecru. I wanted to not ignore it.

There will be some “action” (aka me eating) shots of the dress at the event tomorrow. Please tune in to the post to see them! And to just witness a beautiful night for a beautiful cause.

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Here is the dress the way I would have worn it had it not been chilly that evening. I am wearing a medium. I paired it with my Simply Livly Turquoise Necklace. I also wore my vintage Frye cowboy boots. The event was casual. This is me doing evening casual.

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But it was chilly. I ended up wearing this citron Free People sweater over it that I purchased at Nordstrom Rack last month (I cannot find it online). My sweet mom had given me a gift card there for no reason other than that she loves me. Isn’t that so lovely? Thank you Mom! Your gift kept me warm and I think it is so pretty!

How do you do evening casual? Please tell.

A Ruffle In Time

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Having Anthropologie come out with a collection of twenty classic pieces in July that they entitled “The Archival Collection” was kind of bittersweet for me. Bitter, because I had all ready bought a couple of things and my budget was gone. But sweet, because I still had my twenty percent off code and a very generous gift card from my sister to make this purchase not as painful.

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There was only one item I wanted from the collection. Needed. And it was calling my name. The Archival Ruffle Skirt. It was love at first sight.

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I know I can carry this skirt into every season. I am showing it here with my Anthropologie Deirdre Lace Wedges. In the fall I will pair it with my brown boots and long sleeved lace shirt. It will transition nicely. I think a chambray shirt would look lovely with this, as well.

This skirt fits my old fashioned sensibilities perfectly. I love the color. I love the layers. I love the length. The material. The ruffles. It is flirty and fun. I was sure my husband would hate it. But he loves it. Yay!

I am wearing my Anthropologie Cameo Creature Locket with the giant bulldog head that I love. It also happens to be on sale now.

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The shirt was a purchase very early this year. It is a lace Free People top via Nordstrom Rack. I almost did not get this. But I am so glad that I did, because I wear it all of the time. It goes with everything.

Did you purchase an Archival item from the collection? What was it? And does it make you yearn for a time gone by?