At Home and Out and About

I hope y'all have had a fabulous weekend.  It's still hot here in South Florida, so I'm really struggling with "What to Wear"!  I can't help myself...to me, October means turtlenecks and vests and loafers and all those cute autumn clothes.  So even though it's still 85 degrees here in South Florida, I'm gonna wear October clothes!

Earlier in the week we had dinner at a marina.  We dined outside and it was nice and breezy near the water...I think I could have worn a turtleneck!

"Here's What I Wore"  The khaki skirt is from Target, the pink gingham blouse is by Izod, the green vest is by Lilly.  I carried my pink monogrammed Land's End tote {like I owned a yacht} and wore my pink Revas.

I really didn't get out much during the week...spent most of the time cleaning out the boxes in my garage.  Our neighborhood is hosting a garage sale soon and I'm getting rid of a lot of stuff.  I MUST downsize the loot out there.  It's a bit messy as I went through every single box!

This is "my side of the garage...I've never parked my car in there!

I have also begun to take over husband's side of the garage.  Poor thing, he can hardly get his little car in his space now days.

I wish I could show y'all the "after" photos, but until the get rid of the stuff, it's still crowded.  Neat.  But crowded.

In the evenings..."Merlot Hour" helped after my hard days of labor.

If y'all remember, last week I prepared the chicken spaghetti casseroles and sent over an extra one to my friend Lane.  Well, she returned my dish...in the Southern style.  In the South, when someone gives a gift of food, it is considered proper Southern etiquette to reciprocate with a treat when you return the empty dish.  Lord have mercy, she returned my dish with Cuban French Toast.  It was about 9 o'clock at night when her husband delivered this delicacy to us.  I just had to taste some of it.  Decadent I tell y'all!  I need to stay in the gym much longer after this.

I love this Cuban sweet, for sure!

It is important that you practice thank-you etiquette.  Last week I was speaking to my friend Miss Kara who lives in Mississippi.  Kara had just had major surgery and she mentioned that the ladies from her church were bringing over supper.  With everything else she had on her mind, she said "I must remember to place a treat in the empty dishes when I return them!"  Bless you Miss Kara...you are so Southern!

Today it was another 85 degree day, so I wore this Austin Reed blazer, blouse, and skirt to church.  Thank goodness they keep the sanctuary real chilly...so I was comfortable.  After a quick lunch at Panera, I'm home preparing a meal and treats for a supper party.

Just so y'all know, my skirt is ivory NOT white!  Y'all know I'd never wear white after Labor Day.  'Course, I do think I'm the only female in Florida who follows this rule.  Lord have mercy.

Celebrate National Thank-You Day!

The Ultimate Holiday Site...a spinoff from the Hallmark Channel, says today is National Thank-You Day!

I hope y'all will join me today in celebrating!  It's a great time to stop and recognize small acts of kindness.  There are many reasons to write a thank-you note.  This morning I will be catching up and writing a few thank-you notes.   Acknowledging a kind deed or gift are just a couple of reasons.  Writing a thank-you note shows that you are grateful for the act of kindness shown to you.  You are repaying kindness!

To be perfectly proper, thank-you notes should be written on 'monogrammed notes' or 'correspondence cards.'  Monogrammed notes are good-quality folded notepaper, white or ivory, and include a monogram {or name} on the front.  Correspondence cards, which have no fold, are made from three-ply stock, white or ivory, and measure 6 3/4 x 4 1/4 inches.  Your name is printed across the top.  Here are just a few of the pieces of my thank-you stationery wardrobe.

Monogrammed Notes...Begin writing on page 3 of the foldover card.

Monogrammed Notes...Begin writing on page 3 of the foldover card.

Correspondence Card...Begin writing on page 1

Please do not e-mail your thank-you note--that is an etiquette faux pas!  Begin your note by telling the person how thoughtful they are and how they always find the perfect gift for you.  Mention the gift and how you will use it.  Close by thanking them again.

Small children should be taught that presents are given to them as acts of kindness.  If you want your child to be thoughtful and courteous, you must train them to send thank-you notes.  

Failure to write a thank-you note is an etiquette faux pas and it will be remembered.  It is never wrong or too late to send that thank-you note!

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
~William Arthur Ward