Saturdays on the Porch #61 features the latest from OSH in decorating, fashion, and what I've found online from shopping to ideas!
Latest from OSH
- Saturdays on the Porch #61
- Saturdays on the Porch #60
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Dessert Dip
- 6 Ways to Create a Cozy Winter Home
- 12 Fiction Books to Read
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Check out the most recent Saturdays on the Porch.
Saturdays on the Porch
Happy Saturday! I've been a bit absent from the blog and social this week.
We've been finishing everything for the kitchen island remodel. Yesterday, we purchased the sink and put our deposit down on our new countertop. I can't wait to get this all done.
Pictured above is our old sink. It may be hard to tell, but the color is biscuit. It is off-white. We are changing to a white single-bowl farmhouse sink. We are using the same faucet, but I have ordered a new soap dispenser. It will be here Monday!
Perhaps the best thing to happen this week was the installation of the replacement dishwasher. We've been without a dishwasher for over 2 weeks. I know that is trivial, but you don't realize how much you miss it. Last Sunday, we celebrated Ashlyn's birthday. I insisted on not using paper for her big day. I also insisted that no one help with the dishes. We left it all for me to do on Monday morning. Y'all it took over 2 hours to wash, dry and put that all away. For some crazy reason, I found it a bit relaxing to work on this while listening to my audiobook listed below.
I have also jumped back into painting this week. Now, this is exhausting and not enjoyable. I do love listening to my audiobooks while working.
All trim in our home is being changed to Simply White in Benjamin Moore's Advance satin. This is my absolute favorite trim paint. It's also on our kitchen cabinets. It's tough and self-leveling.
I am simultaneously working on the trim in our bedroom and in Ashlyn's empty bedroom. My hubby removed the carpet last week. I have to repaint all of her woodwork in Simply White. This includes a built-in bookcase and drawers. I will then paint the walls. We have two bedrooms upstairs to completely repaint, carpet, and add furniture. This will be my big home project for the year. It's so much work!
We have always taken the stance that we try to do things for our home that we can do ourselves and save money.
Lesson In White Gold
Many of you may know this. I did not so I thought that I would share it with you.
My wedding band set is not platinum which is much more expensive. In most cases, you will have white gold which is more affordable.
I was schooled on this when we stopped by our local jewelry store to buy our daughter a gold chain for her birthday. I asked them to clean my rings while we were there. We have been using our local jewelry store for many years. It is where my diamond engagement ring was purchased over 33 years ago. I did not realize that white gold is really yellow gold with an outer plating to give the appearance of white gold.
I was shocked to learn that about every couple of years, you should have your rings rhodium plated. If you notice, your white gold will start to get a bit of a yellow look to it. I had not even noticed until the clerk pointed it out. She asked me when the last time I had had it done……ummmm never!
In my defense, my settings were redone at 25 years. I went from yellow gold to white gold. I still have my original engagement stone.
Having your rings rhodium plated will bring them back to their original white gold shine and sparkle. I picked mine up yesterday and they look amazing!
If you purchased the rings from my local store, this process was free of charge. It is $45 per ring. It is FREE if you purchased the rings from them. I did pay $45 for one ring. One of my bands was purchased a couple of years ago on a cruise.
Hope this little tip helped you! I had no clue!
The Look
I've only had one “dressed” day this week since last Sunday. I've been clad in painting clothes all week.
I wore this yesterday when we went to finalize the quartz counters, stopped by Costco, washed the car, and had lunch at Panera. It was very nice to get out!
FIT TIP: I am wearing my usual size 8 in these Birdies flats. They are the medium width, but I found these to be a bit wider than my velvet ones in the same style. I kept them and love them. The Define Me Denim is my usual size .5 from Chico's. These don't have as much stretch as the Girlfriend jeans that I usually get. They are a slimmer fit, but very flattering. I do like the straight leg style. My black sweater is from the fall. I found it at Marshall's. The one linked aboove is very similar.
You may want to check out Chico's weekend sales.
Current Sales
Ashlyn's Birthday
Last Sunday we celebrated Ashlyn's 24th birthday as a family. It was a fun evening.
She requested a new pair of Birdies flats for spring. I ordered her regular size, but I am sending them back for a 1/2 size smaller. Ashlyn has very narrow feet. They are so pretty!
She requested a bundt cake for her birthday from Nothing Bundt Cakes.
It was a beautiful and quite tasty cake. Everyone raved about it. We did the confetti.
Sully continues to thrive. He is close to 6 months old now. He was neutered 10 days ago.
In the Kitchen
I really miss Ashlyn's cooking! Tim gave her a pasta attachment for Christmas. They just used it for the first time.
Ashlyn sent me these photos. I've never made homemade pasta. She said it was an easy process.
She also made a homemade red pepper sauce with ground beef.
Doesn't this look amazing? Have you ever made homemade pasta?
What I'm Reading
I love to read AND listen to books. If you are looking for a way to get more steps in with your walking…..listen to books! You will want to keep walking to listen. I also listen while doing chores around the house. I will use my earbuds while walking, While in the house I will use a bluetooth speaker that I can carry around with me or our Alexa.
I read actual printed books as well as on Kindle. I prefer my Kindle, but it is nice to hold a real book occasionally.
I've had my Audible membership for a while, and LOVE it! It gives me one book credit per month.
Let me share with you how I read on Kindle and listen to books as well. Get yourself a library card!
Then add the LIBBY and HOOPLA apps to your phone.
I will typically check to see if a book is available there first before using my credit or buying. Using these 2 apps with your library card is FREE!!! I love FREE.
There may be a waitlist if it is a newer title or popular. That's ok. Sometimes the wait can be lengthy. If I'm not willing to wait, I will just purchase. If it is new or popular, you NEED to finish the book in the allowed checkout time. Sometimes you can renew, and sometimes you may have to get back in the queue. If that happens, when it is available again…..it will download where you left off.
Get in the habit of always carrying a book with you to get in a little extra time. That way if you are waiting at the doctor's office or to get your car serviced….you are prepared!
It is my goal to read more than 12, but these are my must-reads for the year.
- I have a list of 12 books to read physically this year (1 per month) in addition to my audiobooks. You can find the complete list here.
- My January read was Lessons in Chemistry and absolutely loved it! The setting is the early 1960s and centers around a female chemist and her navigating a man's world. It's fun with a little romance and heartache. It is so worth a read!
- I'm currently reading Not a Happy Family. This is a murder mystery. Parents are murdered, and we will be trying to solve who did it……their kids are suspects!
Recent Audio Books
- I am currently listening to the Peachtree Bluff Series and really enjoying it! I am on book 2. Here is the list in order of the series.
- Book 1: Simply South of Simple
- Book 2: The Secret of Southern Charm
- Book 3: The Southern Side of Paradise
- Book 4: Christmas in Peachtree Bluff
What We've Bought
- Julep Cream Eyeshadow Stick in Champagne Shimmer (due to deliver today)
- Julep Cream Eyeshadow Stick in Ginger Matte (due to deliver today)
- Flavored pods for our Nespresso Vertuo (linked similar machine) We have had our machine for several years.
- Thermometer to check the accuracy of our oven temp
- Cream collared sweater in small (has not arrived)
- Turtleneck sweater is due to arrive today
- Mock neck sweater is due to arrive today
- Our new kitchen sink with the bottom rack
- new soap dispenser for the kitchen matches our kitchen faucet
Thank you so much for being here today with me! I hope your weekend is joyful.
Christy has been creating content for Our Southern Home since 2012. She has been featured in numerous print and online publications. Her classic, eclectic design approach spans her home and fashion style. Christy has a way of mixing store-bought with thrift store, antique and vintage finds. As a recent empty nester, she is having fun navigating this new stage of life. Read more about Christy HERE. Be sure to subscribe below. You can also contact me HERE.
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