Good morning! I hope you all had a happy and safe holiday weekend! I had a really fun birthday weekend, and today is the first day I’m officially writing to you as a 40 year old. It honestly doesn’t feel any different 😉
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Home Projects & Updates
We’re in that awkward stage around our yard. Not only have I gotten lax on watering, but some plants continue to thrive in these weird temps and others aren’t doing so hot. But, I was happy to see my verbena made a surprise re-appearance last week! The sweet potato vines basically suffocate everything else out of my planters by this time each year but the verbena fought back. It was a fun pop of color over the past week!
All of our limelight hydrangeas are slowly starting to transition to their fall color. You can see the pink is starting to take over, and soon they’ll turn into a faded burgundy color. They’re so beautiful regardless of time of year!
Last week, I finally asked Kurtis to snag a ladder for me to try and wash one of our windows in our stairwell. This one window had been driving me nuts for a few months. It looked like someone had spilled something down the front. After all that work, I got up there only to find the marks are all between the glass. Not on the interior or exterior, but between the two panes. Ugh! I’ve mentioned this before but many of the seals on our windows are already shot, but I think we’re realizing it may impact more than we initially realized!
I literally got off the ladder, walked down the half flight of stairs, and turned around to see this. Hawkeye is literally worse than a mischievous toddler at times. But he definitely keeps life interesting and fun 😉 I’m pretty sure if I wouldn’t have run back up to snag him, he wouldn’t have tried to jump in the shallow window sill.
I ordered some free window fabric samples last week and have been testing them out. Kurtis really wants automated shades in our living room and these ones we added during our fireplace renovation a few years back aren’t cutting it for us. They look good, but we don’t like having a cord (especially with the cats) and they’re a bit clunky to operate. So, I’m living with some of the samples taped up to the window to get a feel of the fabric I like best.
It’s also helpful to see them at various times of day. The one above was taken during daylight (but with all the other window coverings closed) and the one below was right before sunset. We’re leaning towards the two bottom right – I like the lighter one and Kurtis likes the darker one. I’ll keep you posted once we finalize everything!
In super surprising news, yesterday I actually did order the vanity for our guest bathroom makeover while it was on sale during buy more/save more. Now that it’s ordered, it will force me to get some calls made to tackle the other small projects we want to do in the space. But Kurtis and I *may* actually do the demo ourselves since it’s such a small area. Stay tuned!
MOOD BOARD SOURCES: Cane Vanity | Pivot Mirrors | Light Fixtures | Vanity Faucet | Faux Greenery | Paint-Dipped Vase | Towels | Beveled Subway Tile | Carrara Mosaic Tile | Memory Foam Bath Mats | Toilet | Moravian Star Light Fixture | Shower Head | Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Simply White
Top Sellers Of The Week
Following are the top sellers of the week across all of my channels. Links to each item are below the graphic.
Around Town & For Fun
Kurtis and I have still been really good about working out 4-5 days a week, almost entirely with this DVD. However, we had a few beautiful mornings last week and we opted to take a walk around our neighborhood pond. It was fun to change things up and get moving before a lot of people were even awake yet!
Kurtis took the day off work on Friday and after getting a few things done around the house, we headed out to the pool for a few hours. We followed it up with a sushi dinner date. I forced Kurtis to take a rare selfie with me, since it may be the last one of me still in my 30’s 😉 On birthday “weekend” you get whatever you want!
Saturday I received a surprise flower delivery from my sister-in-law and brother-in-law! I always forget just how much I really do love fresh flowers!
Saturday afternoon, Jill and I had a joint birthday lunch with the guys. We headed to Dante ahead of the crowds for a fun celebration. Their food is always so good, and the butterscotch budino is to die for. Our waiter even surprised with gold candles in ours, and the boys broke out in song. Haha! It was a lot of fun. We hung out at their house for a few hours since they had to relieve the babysitter. So our goddaughter Zoe got in on the birthday celebration too!
I told Kurtis I wanted my birthday to be super low-key. The weather was looking perfect for a pool day, so I told him I just wanted to brunch, veg at the pool and then go from there. I woke up to Kurtis telling me something had happened in our front yard…. Turns out my mom had shipped some decor to Jill & Nick to decorate the yard with. After we left their house Saturday night, they snuck back to ours. So much for the neighborhood not knowing my age now 😉
We went to Jams for brunch on the patio and it was so good. My cream cheese stuffed French toast deserved a photo of its own. I am not much of a breakfast food person, but this was killer. I may even have to recreate it at home some time!
We had to grab some groceries after brunch, so I told Kurtis since it was my birthday, he could grab the food while I wandered over to the home decor section 😉 I found these cute raffia pumpkins, this seagrass lamp, and this cute woven pillow. I’m hoping to have a post up for you later this week with all my favorites from the new Studio McGee line that launches next Sunday at Target! It may be even better than the first launch!
Monday was pretty low-key too. We had to run and check on an issue at one of our rental house but then grabbed some lunch afterwards on the Pitch patio. And now it’s hard to believe we’re already a full week into September!
Oddly enough, on my birthday Sunday, the temps hit 100. Today, we’re sitting at 48 degrees as I type this, and I think it may only go up a degree or two the rest of the day. Thankfully we get back to some more reasonable weather later this week, but fall is definitely making itself known around here! I may try to slowly get a head start on fall decor this week! We’re taking a fun little road trip later this month to celebrate my birthday, so I’m hoping to have my fall decor all wrapped up and ready to share with you before then!
Recent Buys & Sales
Following are some of the Labor Day Weekend Sales that are still going strong! You can see my top picks here.
- AMAZON has a number of deals sitewide. This popular no-touch digital forehead thermometer that we have is back in stock and on sale! You can shop the sale here.
- AMERICAN EAGLE is offering 30% off jeans, joggers and leggings. Plus everything in their end-of-summer sale is 25-50% off too. You can shop their site here.
- ANN TAYLOR is offering 60% off your purchase and free shipping with code LABORDAY. You can shop their site here.
- ANTHROPOLOGIE is offering an additional 25% off sale clothing, shoes & accessories (price updates in cart)! Plus, all orders ship for free today only! You can shop their site here.
- BALLARD DESIGNS is offering up to 25% off everything, plus up to 75% off clearance items. You can shop their sale here.
- BANANA REPUBLIC is offering 40% off your purchase (no code needed) plus an extra 20% off at checkout (online only). Plus get 50% off all pants, dresses and men’s button down shirts. You can also get free 2-3 day shipping on orders $150+ with code BRSHIP. You can shop their sale here.
- BROOKE & LOU is offering 20% off all artwork, furniture, mirrors and rugs with code LABORDAY for their Labor Day Weekend Sale. You can shop their site here.
- EXPRESS is offering 40-60% off everything. Plus, all jeans are 50% off! This ruffled top looks so cute for fall and the reviews are nearly perfect! You can shop their site here.
- FRONTGATE is offering up to 50% off sitewide, plus an extra savings on sale items. This is the largest sitewide discount I’ve ever seen from them! You can shop their sale here.
- GAP is offering an additional 50% off sale styles with code SALE and 40% off everything else with code SHOP. You can shop their sale here.
- J CREW is offering 40% off your purchase and an extra 70% off all sale styles with code BYESUMMER. Plus get an extra 10% off everything at checkout! As I mentioned in my Wednesday Watch List, this top (in floral) was top on my list but now I see they also offer it in two solids and the cute blue & white stripe! Decisions, decisions! You can shop their sales here.
- J CREW FACTORY is offering 70% off summer top picks, plus an extra 75% off clearance items with code GOSHOP. I’m kind of freaking out that they brought back my favorite button-collar sweatshirt in this tunic style! I didn’t think they could possibly make it better, but they did! My favorite sweater blazers are back and half off too! Also, use code BACK2FALL on any purchase over $100 and save another 20% off! You can shop their sale here.
- JOSS & MAIN is offering an additional 15% off tons of items sitewide with code TAKE15. This bed is a really great look for less option to the upholstered bed in our guest bedroom! This bed is another really gorgeous option, and the price is pretty incredible! These cute cane dining chairs (available in three colors) come in around $130 with the additional discount! You can shop their site here.
- KENDRA SCOTT is offering a rare 20% off discount sitewide! You can shop their site here.
- KIRKLAND’S is offering 15% off one regular priced item with code SAVE15 or 20% off any single harvest or Halloween item with code FALL2020. You can shop their sale here.
- MADEWELL is offering up to 50% off with code HIFALL. You can shop their sale here.
- NORDSTROM is hosting a clearance sale on 1000s of new markdowns, with savings up to 60% off! You can shop their sale items here.
- OLD NAVY is offering up to 50% off sitewide. Plus get 30% off your purchase at checkout – no code required. You can shop their sale here.
- ONE KINGS LANE is offering 20% off sitewide (prices as marked). Plus, now you can get an extra 10% off at checkout with code OKLTAKE10. I’m loving this gorgeous upholstery & iron bed. You can shop their site here.
- OVERSTOCK is offering up to 70% off 1000s of items sitewide for their Labor Day Blowout Sale! You can shop their sale here.
- POTTERY BARN is continuing their buy more, save more sale with 10-25% off your entire purchase with code SAVEMORE. If you’re considering some of their upholstered furniture, I have both a sofa review (updated this week!) and sectional review with tons of details, and there are a lot of great comments with feedback from others at the end of each! I’m contemplating snagging the cane vanity I want while it’s finally on sale and we can get the ball rolling on our guest bathroom makeover! Their XL Olive Tree that I’ve always loved is also included in the sale. You can shop their sale here.
- REJUVENATION is hosting a buy more save more sale with 20% off everything or 25% off $1500+. Discount applies in cart. I’m loving all the options and color combos for these windowpane plaid pillow covers. You can shop their sale here.
- RIFLE PAPER CO. is offering 20% off sitewide with code LABORDAY! They have the cutest AirPods and AirPods Pro cases (this is where I got mine)! You can shop their site here.
- RUGS.COM is offering up to an additional 80% off plus free shipping and returns for their Labor Day Sale! You can shop their site here.
- SEPHORA is offering up to 50% off in their Labor Day sale section! You can shop their sale here.
- SERENA & LILY is offering special pricing on living room furniture, including our raffia coffee table! Plus they have added some cute new items to their sale section. You can shop their site here.
- TARGET is offering up to 25% off home items like bedding and more! You can shop their sale here.
- TORY BURCH has added a lot of new pieces to their sale section. You can shop all of their sale items here.
- TUCKERNUCK has also added some new sale pieces that are all darling! You can shop their site here.
- VICTORIA EMERSON is offering buy one get one free this weekend so it’s a great time to stock up for yourself or to have some cute gifts on hand! I’m kind of obsessed with this gorgeous bracelet and this one looks adorable on, even though it’s a combo I would never think to pair myself! You can shop their site here.
- WAYFAIR is hosting a Labor Day Clearance Event with items marked up to 70% off! You can shop their site here.
- WEST ELM is also hosting a buy more/save more sale with 15-30% off your order with code SAVEMORE. You can shop their sale here.
- WILLIAMS SONOMA is offering 20% off tabletop, bar, and wine plus an extra 20% off clearance prices with code EXTRA. You can shop their site here.
- WILLIAMS SONOMA HOME is offering 20% off sitewide, including clearance items, with code HOME. You can shop their sale here.
- WORLD MARKET is offering up to 50% off storewide! You can shop their sale here.
I hope you all have a great week!
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Jessica says
Welcome to 40’s club! Happy Birthday!
Sarah says
Thank you so much, Jessica!
Colleen says
Happy Birthday Sarah!!
Sarah says
Thank you, Colleen!
Lynn says
Glad you had a nice relaxing birthday weekend! Seems like the weather is crazy all over the country this week. Been super hot here in California, looking forward to some fall temps….maybe by November ha ha.
Sarah says
Thank you! And it was crazy hot here too all weekend, but we’re finally getting a break for a day or two 🙂
Jeanine says
Happy Birthday! It sounds like you will be celebrating all month, which is definitely the way to go when it’s such a special milestone. We adopted two kittens and our daughter during my 40th year! I turned 60 this year, and my daughter turned 20 this past Sunday! Sadly, our sweet cats died two years ago, but my husband saw the empty nest coming and has replaced them with 6 cats:). Our daughter recently moved out, but thankfully, she’s not far away, so we were able to throw a family party for her birthday.
Sarah says
Thank you! And yes, we definitely celebrate birth”month” around here 😉 Happy belated birthday to you as well! I could totally get on board with 6 cats! Glad you were able to celebrate with your daughter too!
CJ says
Happy Birthday! I admire all the projects you and your husband tackle…wish I had your talent! Blessings to you and your family!
Sarah says
Thank you so much, CJ!
Sunny says
Happy birthday!
Just curious how you were able to purchase the SM sea grass lamp? Isn’t it part of the launch Sunday?
Sarah says
Thank you! And my store just had the lamp sitting out with the items that launched earlier this year. It was the only one so maybe it was an extra they won’t have shelf space for? I’m hoping I can snag another one once the sale goes live!
Debbee D. says
Happy, Happy Birthday Sarah! I’m trying to remember 40(I’m 57 now lol), life can fly by so enjoy!
Oh, that Hawkeye, our sweet lil ones can be so mischievous-glad you made it to the rescue 😉
Please keep us posted regarding your window treatments, I’m looking to replace mine and would love some suggestions. Especially enjoyed your post today-I’m in Denver and we had a ridiculous cold front come thru overnight.
I’m not happy seeing snow this early but I’m grateful for the moisture for our fire relief.
Thank you and Happy Day~D
Nancy says
Glad you had a good birthday weekend! Leave it to your mom for making it extra special! 😁 I remember the day 40 years ago…but you were so far away 😢 Take good care! 🤗
Linda says
Happy 40th! Glad you’re having a good bday month!
Hawkeye is so funny. He’s thinking you put the ladder there just so he could check out the windows.