Here's a list of some things I'm loving right now, in no particular order.
One. The pillows on my couch have seen better days. They were flat and sad-looking. I decided to join the faux fur bandwagon, and pick up some soft and cozy faux-ness. Love these. Also got a faux throw; a couple more pillows are due to arrive soon on my doorstep, just in time for the whole family to enjoy napping with one after a big Thanksgiving meal.
Two. The old pillows were a sage green and plaid to match this valence. I wanted the valence down to let in more light, and to move to a more neutral palette in my family room. It was easy to do as most of the colors in the room came from the valence and the pillows. It's so calming now. And I love seeing the tree tops through these upper windows.
Was just starting to remove these valences when I remembered to stop and get a pic! |
Three. Okay, I posted this pic on Instagram, and a few were puzzled by this trend of shelving books backwards. I was too at first. I mean, how ridiculous. How can you even know what book you're looking for?
But it was time to dust. I hadn't actually pulled the books off the shelves and dusted them for well over a year. I decided to turn a few around just to see what they looked like that way. Pretty soon I was turning most of them around. After all, I have them all sorted by category and alphabetized, so I can pretty much tell you where any book is anyway.
And it's very soothing to look at in my new neutral room.
Next time I have a big dusting I might organize them according to color, just for fun.
Four. This is the first time I've seen this shortbread in the sheep shape. Adorable!
Five. Not only have my pillows needed an upgrade, but my bras as well. I'm embarrassed to say how old they are. It was time. I kept seeing the Third Love brand advertised on my Facebook feed. I was a little leery of ordering bras online. But they do take you through a questionnaire to determine your correct size, so I took a chance.
They fit perfectly, and they're so comfortable.
Six. Binge-watching Stranger Things on Netflix.
Okay, yes, horror, supernatural, some really gruesome scenes. Not my typical series for watching. Hallmark Christmas movies are usually more my style. But we did get drawn into this series. I really liked the kids in it, but I kept thinking, where are their parents?!
Seven. On a slightly more elevated cultural level, the DSO.
A friend and I got tickets for a series of seven concerts this year at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. We just went to a performance of Romeo and Juliet. And heard an amazing pianist. Just lovely.
Eight. Subscription boxes.
I tried Blue Apron, the meal delivery service. Loved it. But really too expensive, and I felt guilty about all the packaging waste so I discontinued it. But I now have lots of great recipes from them that I can make on my own.
So now I'm trying some other subscription boxes, FabFitFun and ipsy. FabFitFun is a quarterly box of fitness gear and beauty products for $39.99 a quarter. In my first box I got a beautiful scarf, a belt, a gym bag, a jewelry organizer, some makeup and more. A couple items great for Christmas stocking stuffers.
ipsy is a makeup subscription service for $9.99/month. I got five items in my first shipment, all items I will use, and definitely worth more than $9.99. A little makeup bag I'll keep in my purse, some foundation, eyeshadow, eye pencil (love this), and something else I'm forgetting.
I will try both of these subscription services for a little while. Both allow you some choice as to what you receive and both can be cancelled any time.
And an extra bonus one. The thing I'm most loving right now, though, the thing I'm most thankful for, is that both of our sons and our daughter-in-law are coming for Thanksgiving. My mom is flying in from Colorado. With our daughter and her husband here, we will have everyone together. Since the boys can't be here for Christmas, we're putting up the tree before Thanksgiving so we can celebrate a two-in-one holiday together. Yay!
What about you? What are you loving right now?
{I never do sponsored posts; none of the brands mentioned here was sent to me for my review.}
{I never do sponsored posts; none of the brands mentioned here was sent to me for my review.}
I always like a room lined with books! But I'll probably never place mine backwards, even if I do dust under them. That in itself would be a miracle. I dust around them. Occasionally. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. The symphony and the Walker's would both be things I'd love. What I'm loving is thinking about my husband retiring, if I can talk him into it.
ReplyDeleteDeborah, I am loving your pillows and the open windows at the top where you can see the trees. I love trees! I think the most important thing for me right now is the peace of mind I have after my surgeries. It is really nice in the morning to get up knowing today is going to be a better day. I am so thankful for the little things. My family is my greatest blessing. Right now Hubby and I are on the hunt for a new sofa for our living room. It's fun looking around and I'm hoping we can find one we really like and have it delivered before Christmas. We'll see how that goes. I envy your holiday with your family! It is going to be a quiet one for us this year as our family here on the Island is going to be away so I will have to come up with some fun activities for Hubby and me to do. I always enjoy your post, Deborah. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! Hugs...Sandi
ReplyDeleteGasp! Your shortbread cookies reminded me that I have a box of shortbread cookies in my pantry! I forgot all about them. Looks like I know what I'm having with my afternoon tea. Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the mountains of NC right now! We're here...and have a gorgeous view of the mts. The air is clean and crisp...maybe just a little too cool for me but I'll add more layers! heehee! I like the idea of the subscriptions so I'll check this one out. I order from Etsy and like having a little pkg on the way now and then. Not sure if I could do that with my books though. Maybe I could try a few! heehee! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDeborah,
ReplyDeleteLove all those books!!! Love your pillows too....and I've seen those ads on FB too. Glad to hear some feedback on those bras!!! I am also due for some new ones. I haven't tried any subscription boxes but my daughter's do and they seem to love them! I'll give it a whirl in 2018! I know the happiness of having everyone together for a holiday! All my girls and son in law will be here! Loving that right now !! Enjoy your family next week!!! Xx
Your pillows look so soft and cozy. It's surprising what a difference a few new pillows can make to a room. I'm so glad your family will be all together for Thanksgiving - you must be so excited, and planning like crazy!
ReplyDelete🦃 A full house for Thanksgiving sounds like so much fun. I like the view from your transom/upper windows as well. Sounds as if you are happily puttering about in preparation for your family. 🧡
ReplyDeleteYour soft and fuzzy pillows and throw scream hygge! I'm probably the last person in the world who doesn't have Netflix (yet...) so I haven't seen Stranger Things, but it's on my to-watch list. There seems to be a subscription box service for everything these days. They have quite a number of tea subscription boxes, but I've resisted so far because I have wayyyy too many teas in my cupboard! I'm so happy to hear that your family will all be together for a Thanksgiving/Christmas joint celebration!
ReplyDeleteAh, those Walker's shortbreads are the bomb, aren't they...and surely the sheep shape make them taste better for sure! Love your fuzzy pillows! And I want to know why you didn't post a photo of your new bras! lol I thought of you over the weekend...on our way back from TN this weekend we stopped and ate breakfast at The Moose Cafe. :D Blessings, Deborah!
ReplyDeleteI loved Stranger things! I binged watched the first one and the night Season 2 came out I stayed up all night and binged watched it till finished. So I kinda actually watched the entire thing = and the interview/commentary thing in less than 3 days altogether. Yes, I am ashamed. You know they're thinking of another season? Weird, it ended. It could end. I loved it and would love more =- hope they don't mess it up though. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteLove all your furry pillows! The windows and bookshelves really do look nice! I'm loving that it is cold enough to wear sweaters again! xx Karen
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot to love in our lives, isn't there? Your new pillows look comfy. And backwards books!!! That does look really neat but I do not have enough good memory anymore to keep in my head where all the various books would be. Better keep my spines out :)
ReplyDeleteI loved reading all the things that you listed, but the window with the valence removed, letting in all that light and the sight of trees, is wonderful! With your new pillows, etc., I imagine it seems like a new room. I could go on and on with the things I am enjoying because I love simple pleasures and small luxuries. There's the Pecan Pie Coffee that I found for fall, a few new magazine subscriptions that have delightful Christmas editions, "This Is Us" on tv, and my husband just replaced an outlet that hasn't worked since our kitchen remodel a few month ago. That thrills me every day! Happy Thanksgiving
ReplyDeleteOh I really love your faux pillows! I too need to change and update mine. I am loving right now lighting candles at night and I like the way they look. It's so nice that you can all be together for Thanksgiving. I hope you have a good one. I love the tip about the sausage too and I am going to do the same as I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Julie
Love those pillows!!!! Right now I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed but plan to recoup and regroup this weekend and be ready for Thanksgiving week. Happy weekend to you!
ReplyDeleteWow, Deborah, I really like those pillows and am thinking of at least one myself, but those windows opened up are fabulous! I'm not too sure of subscription purchasing, but I just tried Grove Collaborative (household products). Not sure if I'll stay with it, but the products so far I like (and they match best pricing for items available elsewhere). Since cleaning is something we have to do and products we must have, I thought before the holidays is as good as any time. Your Thanksgiving sounds wonderful (but exhausting!). We are going to Amish country (!), as Mr. P's sister will be forfeiting hosting this year....
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your sharing about the 8 things that you love right now, it is fun sharing about our lives in the little details that make it so lovely. The pillows are perfect for Thanksgiving naps, I love your windows without the valances, I couldn't turn my books backwards haha, I've heard about third love bras and I'm glad you gave a good review I will keep that in mind. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with all the family that is coming in! Truly it is the season to be so thankful in 😊
ReplyDeleteOoh I love your soft, faux pillows, and they're such fun, too. The valance taken down must add so much more light into the room. The books turned around do add a neutral look to the bookshelves. Have a wonderful time planning and being with your whole family for Thanksgiving, Deborah! Love and hugs to you, sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun list to read. Interesting way to set your books in the shelf. Maybe it's more soothing without all those words looking at you. We're so inundated with texts and messaging, but I do get tired of words.
ReplyDeleteNot so many months ago, I had a real urge to pack away all my books except for a few top favourites. I felt like they were breathing my air ... I have enjoyed the freedom and space on my bookshelves since then. I find it most interesting that I have only gone into the boxes once or twice, once to find my Christmas novels (as I'd done this packing up job in the summertime). I still don't miss the books, but what I am finding is that I'm discovering new books for my new season. I might not have done that as quickly with the old ones still in my space (for they are treasured still) but not for right now.
We don't have valances on our studies (Rick and I each have our own room for books and computers) ... when we had nice new windows installed a couple of years ago, we only put up nice blinds. I like the clean, open feeling of no curtains and no valances.
Mmmm... there's a theme, I think.
I wish you happy days as you prepare for Christmas, I noted from your later post that your family won't be with you for the holiday, so I hope there will special gifts waiting to surprise you from the hand of the Father to fill your heart with joy anyway.
Love,
Brenda