Exciting News, Decorating & Design, A New Brand & More! The Weekly Edit 10
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Welcome to this weeks edition of The Weekly Edit, your weekly digest featuring design, decor, fashion, beauty and links to love! Keep scrolling for some great stuff this week!
Whew, it’s been far too long! When I first started this series a couple of years ago I had all good intentions of writing a new edition on a weekly basis. Then…life and other business got in my way, and I apologize for that. But I’m here today and happy to share a few bits & pieces with you! Are you still there? Hello!
Life Events
A few months ago I had cataract surgery and everything went well. The years are moving on and I noticed that even with my glasses I was having trouble seeing to drive. My eye doctor had told me that I had the beginnings of cataracts at a previous visit so I decided to get checked out again and according to the exam it was time. As many of my friends had said, the worst part was the eye drops, so if you’re on the fence about this procedure I say go for it! The only dilemma that I’m having is that I prefer the way I look with glasses!! I’ve worn them since I was a teen and I think that they fill out my long face. So I’ve decided to get a couple pair that I already owned converted to clear glass and wear them when I feel like it. Why not? As women we wear makeup, jewelry, get our hair done, etc…so I look to glasses as just another fashion accessory!
Recently we got to spend a week at our beach home with our girls and the family really treasures those rare moments! While it was quite warm, we had Saharan dust the week that we were there and it did cool things off enough to walk the beach most mornings.
I’m super excited to finally tell you that I’m going to be a grandma…a first time grandma!! My daughter wanted me to wait until she was further along and now she is and we couldn’t be more excited for her and her husband that they are having a baby girl! Sadly they live in California and we are in Florida, but we do get together often. I know that many of you are already grandmas, so give me all of your tips!
Some sad news here is that we lost our precious 17 1/2 year old Maltese Toby a couple of months ago. Some of you may remember that we “rescued” him when he was about 7 from my father-in-law who had a stroke and had to go into memory care. Toby lived a great life with us and the other animals and we sure do miss him.
Decorating & Design
We have been sharing our Designer Spotlight series for about a year now, where the focus is on showcasing interior designers that catch our eye most weeks. You have been responding well to that so we hope to continue and you can peruse some of the designers that we have previously featured RIGHT HERE.
A New Business Brand That You Might Enjoy!
I would say that the look of this brand is English Country, which personally I adore and try to mix a few pieces into my own home. It’s called Greenrow and is a division of the Williams Sonoma brand and focuses on sustainably sourcing and fair trade policies with ethical production. I have that Gingham Linen Ruffle Tablecloth in my cart as I write this and can’t wait to use it on my dining table! Since we tend to use softer colors over here, I can also see this tablecloth being used for fall and even the Christmas season! It also comes in a Lavender Duvet Cover, which is perfect for the country decorating lover who enjoys that colorway!
While you’re over on Greenrow, check out the pleated lampshades like this one , the cotton printed quilts, their cotton garment washed throws (love these!) and…I just purchased this stunning rich looking velvet ruffle throw that will be perfect for my living room in the fall and winter months.
Some Items I Love, Have (& Sales!)
I have been purchasing home decor items from Pottery Barn for decades now, including this pair of white slipcovered sofas that we’ve had at our beach home for 20 years! While perusing today I noticed a good sale (as of this writing) and you get an extra 20% off on limited quantities. This cozy ribbed throw blanket in pastels caught my eye (great price!), these beautiful embroidered lumbar pillows (love the rich blue one!), sets of two toile shams (plum & other colors), and this year I’m picking up a couple of these cozy plush pumpkin pillows for fall that are best sellers and well…I just love them!
You may have seen the very viral Ninja Creami Ice Cream maker that seems to be the darling of everyone on YouTube and social media lately! I have one and it’s allowed me to lose a few lbs over the summer because I use it to make not only sorbet, but ice cream with no sugar added! How I’ve lost these few lbs is to use the leftovers to make a protein milkshake every morning as my breakfast. In fact, I enjoy this so much that I brought it up to our beach home on our recent week vacation! I kept it on my husband’s bathroom sink side (excuse his mess) so that I could close the door and not disturb our kids who were sleeping late 😂
The Ninja Creami isn’t a blender, so I use my Vitamix first to blend everything up. You then freeze the pint containers overnight and the next day you make the ice cream in the Ninja.
To make the sorbet, I just use fruit…either fresh, canned (in water) or frozen. Nothing more simple than that!
For the chocolate, I make several pint containers at one time using the following (blend this first): Two cups of Fairlife lowfat chocolate milk, one or two bananas, 4 or 5 pitted medjool dates, 1/2 cup fat free Fage yogurt, 2 scoops collagen powder, 2 tbs dutch alkaline cocoa and 1/4 tsp xanthun gum (natural stabilizer). For the best setting on the Ninja, I like to use Lite Ice Cream that makes a soft serve. It’s just like the ice cream you’d get in an ice cream shop and you can add mix-ins as well! Find the Ninja Creami currently on sale here. The price varies, but this is a sale and I’d grab it if you want it!
What Else
I recently joined a local gym that I’ve been meaning to join since it opened! Normally I walk about 3 1/2 miles every day, but it’s just been so hot and muggy that I decided to stop as of last week. So I joined and hired a trainer for 2x a week and will see where that brings me in my fitness regime.
My husband and I just finished watching Owning Manhattan on Netflix and found it enjoyable! I’m not one for many of the real estate shows but we like Ryan Serhant and this was well produced. Of course I (not my husband!) also streamed Bridgerton Season 3 as soon as it came out. Are you a fan?
I’m currently reading The Housemaid Is Watching (recommend!) and just finished up another of the Elin Hildebrand books, determined to finish them all!
I could go on and on, but that’s about it for now! I’d love your comments below and enjoy the rest of your week!
Is the Netflix movie Owning Manhattan, not Moving Manhattan?
Oh you are right and I’ll change that immediately
A grand baby, how exciting! And a little girl, nothing like it! So happy to hear that. I see lots of trips to California in your future! Very sorry to hear about Toby; it’s so hard to let them go because they’re family.
I really enjoyed this very newsy post and hope you continue this!
Thanks Jacki…the family is all so excited and there will definitely be lots of trips to California in our future! Appreciate your condolences very much.
Congratulations on becoming a first time Gramma !
I have 4 grandchildren, all unique & special !
Enjoy !
Thank you Linda and sounds like you are a busy, blessed grandma indeed!
I look forward to your posts for all the wonderful ideas that you share. I do have a question though, if you have a Vitamix why not make your ice cream and sorbet in it? I decided on a Vitamix because it can everything in just one appliance.
As I get older, I’m trying to pare down in all areas of my home, especially the kitchen because I had so many “gadgets” that I ended up not using that took up so much valuable space.
Thanks Rhoda! It just isn’t the same and I have made ice cream with my Vitamix. The Ninja Creami makes the texture so much better than the blender can do. We love it in more of a soft serve setting and there is an option for that as well as traditional. It’s all about the texture! I do understand about paring down, but thankfully have a walk-in pantry where I have my small appliances set up.
After cataract surgery, I missed my glasses too as I’d worn them since first grade. Mine are mostly readers, but I never have to worry about where I put them down! They cover a multitude of dark circles and wrinkles as well 🙂 Congrats on becoming a grandmother!!
It’s nice to have options Elaine and not have the need for glasses but the fashion want! YES on covering the dark circles, which without my makeup I have too. Excited for the grandmother stage of life!
Firstly, congratulations on your wonderful news on being a first time grandmother! Secondly, I am sorry to hear the sad news of the passing of your little dog, Toby. Life is certainly a mixture of great happiness and sadness. I also love the photo of you Janet in that mustard coloured blouse, your brown eyes and warm hair . I think those colours really flatter you, with or without glasses. Thank you for sharing the gorgeous tablecloth which I hope Williams and Sonoma will bring out here to Australia. Enjoy your summer and I will look forward to seeing your brown throw in your autumn and winter.
Hi Angie and thank you for reading the post! I’m so excited and it’s been wonderful helping my daughter plan for this little one. I can’t wait to meet her! I appreciate all that you’ve said and thanks for being a loyal reader! xo
Great move on the trainer – you will have a commitment and an exercise buddy to improve your fitness! It is not about motivation – it is all about discipline! Good Luck!
Thanks Marion! I’ve worked with the trainer for a week now and the gym that I’m going to offers so many options that I doubt I’ll ever get bored there. I’ll have to post some photos soon!
What a lot of news from you! Get well soon with your eyes. And it is really great that you are becoming a grandmother soon.
My kids unfortunately don’t want any children. The boys are 30 and 39 years old. I’m afraid they won’t change their mind…
I like the design of your husbands bathroom. We bought a small hause for our retirement in 10 years and I am collecting a lot of inspirations how to change it.
Wishing you the best, Heike
Heike, that’s a lot of news for sure, lol! Well this is probably the only grandchild that I will get, since my other daughter doesn’t want kids either! As a coach, she works with kids all day long and maybe that’s enough for her. Oh well. Have a nice weekend ❤️
Congratulations Janet!
I also have a baby Granddaughter this year.
An online store to check out is Elegant Baby.
My favorite baby clothes!
They also have good sales.
some of their clothes also come on wooden hangers, the presentation is lovely.
Thanks Arbie! Little girls are so fun to buy for. I didn’t have much money when my own daughters were babies, so now it will be time to spoil my granddaughter when she arrives. That store has some beautiful things…thank you for telling me about it!
Janet! I am absolutely thrilled about the news that you and hubby are about to be first time grandparents! It is the most joyous experience life has to offer and I know you will be GREAT at it! Mine have both just graduated with Masters Degrees and have started their new careers. Lots of love, Odessa.
Thanks so much Odessa…I am quite thrilled to finally become a grandma in the late fall! Congrats on your granddaughter’s successful lives ahead!xo
Congratulations on the baby news! We just became first time grandparents on July 1 to twin baby girls. There is no greater feeling than watching your daughter become a mom. Enjoy these precious moments!
Thanks Deb!! Oh yes, it’s thrilling to watch my daughter start to plan for this new life and we all can’t wait. It sounds chaotic with twins but such a blessing! xo
So nice to catch up with you Janet! CONGRATULATIONS to all of you on your upcoming grandbaby!! That’s thrilling! And congrats on your new gym membership – I’m inspired to get back to my own gym, though I’m not even close to 3 1/2 miles a day! Isn’t the world a brighter place after cataract surgery?! I couldn’t stop exclaiming how blue the sky was!! And you look lovely in your glasses. 😊 Thanks for all the newsy news. Hope you continue to have a great summer!
Thanks Barb and as you can imagine I am thrilled!! I’ll admit that after 3 days at the gym last week with my trainer I’m quite sore and staying in my pjs all day today, lol! Happy summer to you too
Congratulations on becoming a grandmother, truly a Godly blessing. I recommend that as soon as the child starts to talk to record the conversations. In time this will provide lovely memories of how the child’s voice sounded.
Also I’m so sorry about your sweet pet passing. He must have had a great life with you.
Thanks Roberta and that’s a great idea! Our Toby lived a wonderful life here indeed ❤️ Enjoy your weekend