Happy Halloween, friends. It has been a flurry of parent teacher conferences and Halloween preparations over here. My big plans this weekend only involve indulging in a marathon of Netflix-bingeing with my favorite quilt on our giant couch after our trick-or-treating! What about you?
Let’s talk about what is making me happy this week!
A New Coffeemaker
My coffeemaker died last week. I did everything I could to get that thing to hobble along, lovingly flushing it with vinegar periodically and caring for it. I would have to hit the power button three times to get it to brew, the water never fully went through, but then the coffee just stopped being hot. You cannot imagine my stress levels. To get up THAT early and have no HOT coffee was a travesty.
I am thankful that I can rectify this so quickly though thanks to our Amazon Prime membership. The next day I had a brand new coffeemaker sitting on my front step and I am happily having the hottest coffee with my favorite Michigan cherry coffee beans. After reading all of the reviews, I settled on this Cuisinart Grind & Brew because my last one held up so well for so long and it was still under $100.
This one is loud when it is grinding so I grind the beans at night and then turn off the grind for my morning when I program it. I no longer have to hit the power button three times to finish a brew and the ratio of beans to water is much smoother thanks to the grinder. My mornings got oh-so-much better
HOT Coffee To Go
I started volunteering at school again and I always like to take my coffee with me when I visit there and read with the kiddos.
Confession time.
My husband went to an event for some kind of prize drawing for Lexus because he has a used Lexus and gets the fliers from the dealership. He didn’t win the drawing, but he came home with a thermal mug that he said would be perfect for my coffee. And I hated it. I hate carrying around a mug that advertises a car that we got for less than my Subaru, but seems like we are part of some kind of weird exclusive club.
So I keyed it.
I did.
I know. I have issues.
I scratched the logo off, but I could still see it and I was planning to craft something out of washi tape over it because it bothered me that much.
Instead, when I went to Celestial Seasonings shop I found this amazing carafe and I snagged it for my mornings. My coffee is brutally hot (just the way I like it- I did admit to keying things!) and it has a lock on the top to doubly insure that your coffee doesn’t escape. Did I mention it vacuum seals? It’s seriously awesome and has made my mornings at school better. And now I don’t have to carry around that awful mug so…winning!
The Perfect Tote for a Petite Girl
I have been eyeing tote bags for awhile now that I could use for travel and for the errand running that I do throughout the day. We popped into Urban Outfitters this weekend because I have been eyeing this bag online forever. When I saw it, we laughed hysterically because it is as big as me. I tried to sling it over my arm, but I could have probably crawled inside it. I love the concept of the reversible vegan leather, but the bag was too big for this petite gal. I was thankful I did not add it to my Christmas list since I was not in the market for a beach tote.
I did spy though this mini tote in the corner and it is just perfect for me. The $49 price tag fits well for me since I am usually a TJ Maxx purse shopper and I plan to use this until the straps fall off.
It has a crossbody strap too that you can use when you are out running around and it sits upright when rested on a table. I mean, it really is that perfect and a far better price than most bags that look like this. I am a happy, happy girl! It goes well with my vintage Forever 21 cape I have had since the store opened in our tiny mall. May herringbone capes never go out of style. Amen.
On a personal note, I have been one proud mama this week! My daughter had her first guitar recital and she played her songs beautifully. I have never seen her more scared and then more proud than she was on this day. We have the best guitar teacher in the world and it was so fun to see all the kids play and sing so beautifully.
I went to conferences this week for both kids who truly rocked their report cards with the best grades a mom could ever hope for. More than that though, they all remarked on just what good people they are. I want to raise good people. I think the world needs more of those.
Three Things I Wore From My Fashion Capsule. I will unveil the next capsule on November 3rd to hopefully inspire you on your own fashion capsule journey. Did you read what I am learning from this project? You must! Grab more inspiration on my Fashion Capsule Pin Board and minimize that wardrobe!
Seamless Perfection Long Sleeve Tunic Dress in Black (purchased- Flourish Boutique)/The Essential Leggings in Black (owned- Flourish Boutique)/Forest Fairy Cardigan (owned- Flourish Boutique)/Nude Booties (Old Navy)/Black & Gold Necklace (owned- Flourish Boutique)/ Fitbit Bracelet (make it here!)/ Black Belt (one of those ones that came attached to something else! 😉
Chambray Shirt (owned- Flourish Boutique)/Gap Black Skirt (purchased second hand on Twice)/Camel Suede Booties (Madden Girl- DSW Shoes)/Lace Slip Skirt Extender (owned- Flourish Boutique)/ Pearl Statement Necklace (owned- Flourish Boutique)/Fitbit Bracelet (make it here!)/ Leopard Print Belt (owned- Target)
FINAL WARDROBE STEAL- Angora Blanket Sweater (owned- Flourish Boutique)/The Essential Leggings in Black (owned- Flourish Boutique)/Long Sleeve Seamless Layering Piece in Gray (owned- Flourish Boutique)/ Brown Boots (6PM– Naturalizer/Brown Belt (owned- Maurices)
3 Things YOU Loved This Week (you, lover of MomAdvice things, you!)
3 Benefits of Using Household Subscription Services
How to Make Quinoa in the Rice Cooker
7 Easy Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Appetizers
Bonus Happy! How awesome is this? My kids were simply amazed.