Happy Friday, my friends! With all the kids back to school, fall is definitely here! And it once again stirs up so many wonderful feelings, as though we are stepping back into motion after a long summer sabattical. And it feels good!

Prayers continue for all of our dear friends and family affected by the hurricanes, especially prayers for safety for those in the path of Irma. We hold you in our hearts and hope that this storm simply shifts away from harming anyone. I’ve been communicating with family members down there all week, and hear of gas shortages and traffic at a standstill as people move to safety. I can only imagine that stress and worry. May all of our brothers and sisters in that region stay safe!

Last week I introduced you to my dear sister Stacey, and I have another beautiful set of pictures of her, this week sharing a gorgeous red bohemian style top.

She purchased this top from Chantal, a Boutique in Saugatuck, Michigan. They do not have a website you can shop from, or I would link it, but their clothing is decidedly boho chic. I love this top, and she looks gorgeous in it!

Her shoes are a soft animal print loafer, in totally neutral shades, the Crescent by Matisse.

Stacey says they are very comfortable!

Her jeans are Kut from the Kloth, and they came from Evereve in a TrendSend box.

Her necklace is the Riad by Stella & Dot, using just 2 of the 3 layers.

There is something so captivating about boho chic clothing…

Its a nod to both the 19th century Romantic movement

And the spirit of the 1960’s and 70’s,

and the gypsy that lives in all of us! Thank you Stacey for adding so much beauty to Your Favorite Chapter!

I am hoping to be able to share many more Styles by Stacey in the future!

Next, this sweater set from Chicos is two pieces sold separately. The cardigan is open front, and the shell is sleeveless.

The colors were so rich, I just had to give it a try. This particular line is called “Black Label”, and is a little spendy, and they don’t carry it in all of the Chico’s. But it just looked like the essence of autumn, and I loved the happy warm tones! As it turned out, it was chilly the day we shot these photos, so that made the sweater feel absolutely perfect!

The shoulder bag is older, but here is a really cute one at a great price of $48. 

Its really nice to have a fun statement pendant necklace like this Dalilah Pendant Necklace. It’s big enough to be seen from a distance, and it has almost a tribal feel. I really like it!

I chose a darker pair of jeans, skinny jeggings from White House Black Market. They are so comfortable, and they fit like a glove!

My shoes are suede peep toe booties, mine are no longer available, but here are some that are very similar. There is something so flattering about the high shaft on these booties, they seem to make just about everything look sophisticated and feminine.

Next is a choker tee by Socialite from Nordstrom. When you click on the link, the website makes the neckline look much deeper, but I had heard it through the grapevine that its a fairly conservative fit, so I gave it a shot.

I actually really like it! The choker neck is just another little boho chic touch, reminds me of choker necklaces.

They have since sold out of the pink, but they still have 4 other lovely colors.

This tee is super soft and comfortable. My boots are Jeffrey Campbell, some of my favorites I’ve ever owned!

        

I mentioned awhile back that I am in the market for some mules. I’m still not sure if I’ve found the ones I want. But I tried 3 different pairs I am sharing with you today.

This first shoe is actually a loafer with a collapsible heel by Halogen, the Sylvia.

The shoe is extremely soft and comfortable, and the heel lays down begging you to wear it like a slide. The clerk at Nordstrom told me that is how most women wear it. It comes folded down in the box. I tried pulling the heel up to wear it, and it fit, but it seemed to slide off my heel quite easily. This is a very flat shoe, which has its pros and cons. No real support so that is a negative, but super soft.

Next are the Edelman Mules, the “Lewellyn“. These have a sleek almond shaped toe, and a decidedly chic look with the silver nail studs around it.

They are really quite comfortable, and I like the look. A little more height and support than the first pair.

Next are the TOMS mules which have a blocky heel and still a little more height.

These too are very comfortable, and I like the added height, I don’t know, what do you think? Kasey has an opinion, but it might be more about a late night snack than shoe choices!

For this last top, I have to tell you, its my favorite of this week, but when it first came to my home, I thought, “No Way”. Isn’t it funny, I can change my opinion like the wind!

This is the BP Flare Sleeve Sweater from Nordstrom, a great price point at $39!

Bell sleeves are having a moment right now, and I’m all in!

 

This sweater is super light weight and extremely comfortable! The texture of the sweater is interesting,

And I love this rich autumn color! Once again, I used that awesome necklace, The Dalilah, another piece I was afraid to wear at one point because I thought it was a little too bold… now I love it! I think I am sensing a pattern here, but the good news is that I am at least giving these things a try!

Kasey the Bloggy Doggy says, “Go big or go home, Mom!”

Finally, I wanted to share a few pictures with you from our family trip this past weekend. We went to the Traverse City area in Michigan, a favorite of our family and so many others in this part of the country.

Its a special place. It takes your breath away and wraps around your heart with golden moments forever emblazoned on your heart. My husband and I were so blessed to be able to have both our sons with us. That big hill you see in this picture, our boys always walk all the way down and then all the way back up again. Its not easy. But they do it as though it reminds them they are alive and unlimited in their potential!

They are so different in many ways and yet many common bonds… but the most beautiful thing is that they love and support each other, and truly admire what makes the other one tick. It makes life so interesting!

You know that feeling when you love someone so much its connected to the beat of your heart… that is what Troy and I feel for our sons, Jake (blonde, turning 21 in about 2 weeks) and Shane (dark hair, 26 and living in Chicago). We went to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, kayaking, jet skis, barbecue, ice cream, fudge (that is part of the up north experience!) all the things we love to do when we go up north! But the best was just being together, and I tried to savor every second, because I know how these times slip through our fingers like water.

People stay to watch the sunset, and there is an audible gasp at the beauty and then spontaneous applause. But I believe it is as much an applause for the gift of life itself. For people, and experiences, and the treasured thoughts of yesterday as well as the miracle of each tomorrow, each new sunrise and sunset bursting with potential for new hopes and dreams. And as we walk back to our cars, we are forever changed, inspired and simply grateful for our very lives.

And now we turn to a new season, and new hills to climb, new things to learn. Can you feel the energy as Autumn is ushered in with her cold temperatures snapping us to attention, “Don’t miss it! Don’t miss the beauty and colors!” And we rally and ready ourselves for the miracle all over again, but each one different, because we are ever growing and ever learning, isn’t life a wonderful thing?

Well dear friend, I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I will be back next Tuesday for another Tasty Tuesday!

Love Always,

Amy

“What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t happened yet.” ~Anne Frank