Everyday Style: Sleepwear

After years of rocking a sexy, stretched out unisex t shirt and old cheer leading shorts to bed, I decided it was time to find something cute to wear to bed. Also, because I usually wear a sleep mask (or goggles as they have been called) and a bite guard for TMJ, I need all the help I can get. I've fallen in love with wearing a cute little chemise (pronounced sheh - mease, take that one semester of fashion school). Target and Old Navy have some cute ones, and sometimes I'll splurge on an Anthropologie one if it's on sale.

Calypso St. Barth's for Target

Aztec Princess Chemise - Eberjey

Lace Trim Floral Chemise - Old Navy

gilligan women's chemise in sultry plum - Target

Downy Dandelion Chemise - Anthropologie

In the warmer months it's comfortable enough to just wear the chemise around the house in the morning. But in the winter, I usually throw on some yoga pants and a sweater, but I'm thinking I need these cotton thigh highs from American Apparel. Reminds me of the hunter green leg warmers I wore with my high school poms uniform.

Cotton Thigh Highs - American Apparel

And of course a sweater. Prettier than a bath robe, below are some cute ones from Old Navy, but I think a long sweater coat type would be cute too.  

Jersey Wrap Sweater - Old Navy

V neck cardigan - Old Navy

For Sale. Still.

We listed our house almost six months ago. We've cleaned the hell out of it 8 times for showings with no call backs, no re-showings, no offers. We've lowered the price by 16k, 16! I thought we'd be long gone by now. I remember arguing with Mike before we listed that we'd probably be out by July. Ha. Silly of me to think I was somehow different than all the other people whose houses won't sell. But I did think that, and part of me actually still does, still holding on to the hope that we'll be the lucky ones. Even though we lowered our price and we will take a big loss, I still think it'll happen. Do you know why I think that? Because it has to. My heart moved home when we decided to move back to Michigan and it's still there.

Waiting.

Wishing.

Dreaming.

Planning.

I wish so much that it mattered. That it mattered that all we want is to be with our families.

Sure there are other options. What about renting? Well, the problem is that the unstable economy that is forcing people like us to rent is the same economy that renters are living through. Even a well qualified gold star carrying renter can't be certain of their economic future. I'm not sure a renter would want to pay the total cost of the mortgage, taxes and condo assessment, and even if we found a renter (there has been some interest) What if we get a renter and they up and split one night, leaving us with two mortgages. Or, what if they stop paying. Don't leave, just stop. It still takes a month before you can evict someone and again we would be stuck with two mortgages.

Our six month listing is due to expire soon and I guess we'll just relist. And wait. And wish. And dream. And plan.

Meal Plan

So it's just the very beginning of fall in these parts, but I'm too excited for fall comfort food to wait for it to get really cold. For me some of the best fall comfort foods are one pot meals because they're rich and delicious, easy to do, and sides have never been my strong suite. 

Also included this time around; I tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen making more than just dinners so I thought I'd start including some other things in my meal plan, so you can see what else is cooking. Enjoy!

image via Pioneer Woman - isn't is gorgeous?

 Chicken Cacciatore

Steak with Balsamic Syrup and Goat Cheese

 Gnocchi with sausage and spinach

Corn and Poblano Soup with Crostini

 

Butter Lemon Chicken with Roasted Carrots and Beets

 

Lentils with Prosciutto

 Spaghetti Aglio Olio

 

Desserts

Bread Pudding - We took home some left over bread circles from eggs in a basket and didn't want it to go to waste.

 Peach Crisp

What's Cooking: Peach Crisp

We went to Crane's Orchard in Michigan over the weekend and came home with a bag full of sweet, delicious peaches. The car ride home was a bit treacherous for a vulnerable peach (Elf?) and a few got bruised. So with some bruised-getting-squishy peaches I had to find something to make that used up the remainder of our bounty. I was looking for a recipe for my meal plan on RealSimple.com and this recipe popped up on the screen. It seemed like a perfect end of summer dessert, so today I'm giving it a go.

This recipe will use up what I have left but I'm also digging this Peach & Lemon-Thyme Panna Cotta. Anyone have any other good peach recipes?

Everyday Style: Backpacks

Although I started my fall semester last week, the long labor day weekend and the sudden cool weather are really making it feel like "back to school" time. Although it doesn't hold the same excitement that it used to, I still enjoy this time of year. I mean who doesn't love sweaters, boots, lattes, apple picking, and pumpkins? Ahh, Fall. I usually throw a binder into my giant purse, but wouldn't it be cute to carry around a chic, adult backpack? Here are some of my picks from around the web. 

 

Striped Fleece Backpack - Poketo

Ecote Solid Canvas Backpack

Cotton Canvas School Bag - American Apparel

Cotton Duck Backpack - Baggu