Do you love to decorate, dress well and cook? If so, you have come to the right place. Today I am joining my pals Mary Ann and Annie for our Sunday Fab Five.
AARP Budget-Friendly Destinations
I thought you might enjoy this list of budget-friendly destinations from the AARP. Bloomington Indiana from my home state made the list. Have you been there?
“Snow-covered rolling hills and ice-covered trees transform Bloomington into an urban winter wonderland, especially around downtown’s light-strung square and historic Monroe County Courthouse. Wander iconic Kirkwood Avenue, chock-full of shops, cafés, bars, restaurants and performance venues. Indiana University’s walkable 1,900-acre campus is nearby, too, and home to one of B-town’s hidden gems: the world’s largest collection of mechanical puzzles — more than 30,000 of them — tucked inside IU’s Lilly Library.”
Tammy Kinneman Designs
Tammy Kinneman contacted me and said she would be honored if she could send me a couple of pieces of her jewelry. She was so sweet I couldn’t refuse. She has beautiful things for really reasonable prices. You saw me wearing Tammy’s beautiful pear earrings here. I will share the pretty necklace she sent me soon.
FREDDIE’S POTATO ARTICHOKE LEEK SOUP
We love the community we have found here. Freddie and John came bounding over when we purchased the house, and the former owners were still renting and introduced themselves. We instantly became friends. They served this soup on Friday night and it was delicious. I am sorry my photo didn’t do it justice.
OUTFIT OF THE WEEK
I have been on the hunt for some nice cashmere sweaters. This Vince number is now on sale at 25% off. I get compliments on these faux leather jeans from Lysee everytime I wear them. Remember if you use my link and the code Cindy20 you get 20% off. They are also having their 12 days of deals where every day one item is 50% off. I am loving these Vivaia loafers. They are also 20% off. I love this reasonable crossbody from Nordstrom, and the leopard scarf (also on sale)
SHOP OUTFIT OF THE WEEK
BALLARD DESIGNS HOW TO DECORATE
I am not sure if I have mentioned Ballard Designs How to Decorate Podcast. They are just wonderful. If you need something to listen to while driving, walking or working out, I highly recommend them. I recently caught up with several on a long walk.
Well that’s it from my desk. As always, thank you for sharing your Sunday with me and reading Do you Love to Decorate, Dress Well, and Cook. You can find all of my previous Sunday favorites here in case you want to catch up. I need to finish my Christmas shopping and wrap presents. How are you coming along with your Christmas shopping? Let’s pop over and see what Mary Ann and Annie are up to for more Sunday fun.
MOST LOVELY THINGS
CLASSIC CASUAL HOME
Cindy, what size do you take in the Lysee faux leather jeans? The black is sold out ONLY in the XS, Maybe your height and weight would help ,when you respond…but if you are so NOT mentioning your weight…maybe you’d state your usual size in jeans/pants?! Thanks!
Hi E
Dang, I have the small. I emailed you. I have no problem mentioning my weight and height Eileen Chadwick keeps reminding me to do so. I currently weigh just under 130 which is a bit high for me. I am 5’4, long-waisted with short heavy legs. Ideally (well in old age) I prefer to be between 125-28. My size hasn’t changed just my waist!
I loved your blog today, the shoes were wonderful and I need them! Your travel suggestion to Bloomington is a wonderful suggestion. One year when we were budgeting, we spend 5 days at Lake Monroe, We spent time outdoor reading and walking in the beautiful area. In the evenings we went into Bloomington for dinner and some sort of wonderful musical event. We heard a Jazz Concert at the Lily Library, saw a production of The Merry Widow, Heard John Mellancamps backup band and a concert by the great Eileen Farrell, she sang Jazz hits from the 40s. Most of these events were free. We did pay $30 for the Opera. our dinners were fabulous and unique, ethnic, vegetarian and Hoosier Cooking. Since then we meet there annually for a day or a weekend. It is also one of the most beautiful college campuses in the US.
Hi Beth
Happy Holidays! Your time on Lake Monroe sounds wonderful. When my daughter and I took the college tour we visited IU and I had forgotten how beautiful that campus is. She almost went to school there!
I have been to Bloomington. My sister and her family lived there many years ago. We went to visit and stayed for a weekend. We lived in Ohio then, and the drive was flat and boring. We didn’t get out when we went. They had kids and we had kids. So they all just wanted to play. We had other friends that lived in Kokomo. We went there to visit once too. I used to lead an exciting live. I’m retired and live in Georgia now. And I love the weather here. Mostly the summer. Not the winter rain.
Hi Pam
I had a dear friend from Kokomo when I grew up in Indiana. Georgia is such a beautiful state. I can see why you landed there.
Cindy! How cute are those loafers! And you look gorgeous in pink!
xx
Ha I only wear that shocking pink on occasion, but thank you. I have never been a pink fan but am learning to embrace Fuschia now that I have white hair.
I love all the things in the title! Yes! Great post!
My wish is that you could offer/find quality sweaters that are not cashmere for all us girls that love to dress well, but cannot wear wool/cashmere.
Hi Nancy
Thank you for reminding me of that! I will work on it. The sweater that was in my outfit of the week awhile back the Sanctuary one did not have any wool, but I will keep that in mind!
Hi Cindy,I love the outfit shown today. I’ve seen that brand of shoes advertised. Can you tell us more about them? How do they fit? Do they have arch support and, as Mary asked, I do they have room for bunions? Thank you so much.
Cindy, love those shoes…wondering if they work well if you have a bunion? Thanks for the tip about Ballard Design’s podcast..didn’t realize that was available. Christmas shopping is mostly done and the house is nearly decorated for Christmas. Off to Charleston, SC for a week so it needs to be all done!
Nice posting, Cindy. Love the outfit. Can’t wait to try the soup. Kathy
It is so awesome how friendly your neighborhood is! I love good soup. And thanks for the reminder about the Ballard podcast. They have good guests.
Hi Mary Ann
They do have great guests. I still have some catching up to do, but they are so interesting.