Happy Friday! The sun is shining and the skies are blue! Hoping its just as lovely for you wherever you are!

It’s a special weekend here in the United States as Monday is Memorial Day, a day we honor and remember those who have served in our armed forces down through the generations. For those of you who are serving or have someone in your family that has served in the armed forces, and to all the precious ones who have lost someone in the line of duty, please know how our hearts are so full of love and gratitude for the sacrifices you all have made. I love this country dearly and want to extend my greatest respect and heartfelt thanks to you and yours as we head into this weekend.

And, its finally here! Tomorrow, Saturday May 26 we begin The Summer Sizzler!

Ladies, for anyone that is longing to turn things around from a health perspective, we have a Facebook Group that is taking this journey together. We are committing to getting exercise back into our lives for a 100 day period beginning tomorrow and going to Labor Day Weekend. No judgement. All positivity. Yes You Can! I know it! Even if you jump in late… or half heartedly, its a place to start! Don’t worry if you can’t do every day. Even 5 minutes of activity is a victory!

This is the kindest, loveliest group of ladies you could ever meet, and each day we chime in and say what we did that day for some activity or exercise. Could be gardening. Could be walking the dog. Could be a bike ride. But we are conscientiously trying to include activity in our lives. It’s totally free, no one is selling anything. We all just want to get healthier… and my tagline is “because 100 days is going to go by one way or the other.” So if you would like to join us and start taking steps to feel better and gain some new healthy habits, jump on in! Believe me, my jeans were begging me to start, that is why I’m in it! Come join us, Ladies! Click here Summer Sizzler if you are interested.

It’s Fashion Friday! Friends don’t let friends miss a good sale! So here are the ones I picked up on, this is a great weekend to pick up some bargains!

Nordstrom has an amazing summer sale going right now, their Half Yearly Sale with up to 40% off so many great pieces you want right now!

Evereve is also having a sale, which doesn’t happen often, and if you love Evereve as much as I do, now is the time to check it out!

White House Black Market has 30% off your total purchase! Shazam! Use code 75159

Old Navy has a great sale going, 50% off tanks, tees, dresses, shorts and swim!

Anthropologie has an extra 40% off sale items.

Kohls has sales on all sorts of things plus $10 off when you spend $25 or more, use code SERVICE10, and you get Kohls Cash, $5 for every $25 you spend.

Loft has 40% off everything!!! Woot Woot! Use code LONGWKND.

Chicos has 40% off Tees, Crops, Shorts and Dresses! Plus they have taken an extra 50% off sale items!

J.Crew has 40% off – be still my heart!! Use code GETAWAY (love that code!)

Gap has up to 50% off every single thing! And an extra 20% off online no exclusions, use code “PARTY”

Banana Republic has 40% of everything!!! No Exclusions! What? Where’s my purse and car keys? Let’s Go! CODE is BRSUMMER plus free shipping over $100 code BRSHIP

Last week I got to do something I love to do! I got to hang out with my mom and sisters and niece for a day of shopping! My sister Susan Lear flew up from Florida with her daughter Megan.

We got together for a day of shopping. Susan, Megan, Mom, Stacey, Amy and Kasey (the Wonder Doggy)

So off we went to shop. Look at these pretty shoes! Steve Madden Crystal Mules (I am “thinking about them”)

Below, Susan found some cute shoes too! She is always looking for the shoe that combines style with comfort, and more and more we are seeing them (Amen!). This golden/cognac color pair is by Rockport, the Hollywood Sandal   . On Sale! $89.93! And the pewter color ones are also by Rockport, the Jordan Sandal .

Check out below these adorable Tory Burch Mules Stacey found!

At lunch, Megan lived on the edge and ordered the California Pizza Kitchen “California Club Pizza”, yes I had a slice… Delish!

We shopped and shopped, everyone found a treasure of some sort, and when I came home, I had a new tube of lipstick! But best of all, we all had lots of beautiful memories!

And now for more fashion! Its White Jeans Season! So today I am showing 3 looks for white jeans!

First up, I’m sharing it with that concept of using a solid column of color… so white on the top, and white on the bottom, with adding in contrasting color as a layer.  This is a great strategy when you don’t know what to wear. It’s a formula for success. And it gives a lengthening and slimming effect… I can use all the help I can get in that department! Hah!

My jeans are Vince Camuto with a frayed cuff at the ankle. I love the frayed look! And at $79, that is not a bad price for a really good pair of jeans with a little extra somethin somethin!

My cami is from Soma, and its longer and stretchy (sometimes stretchy is my friend… I’m working on that little inner tube around my tummy- Summer Sizzler, baby!)

My shell is this adorable black kimono by Stella & Dot, (yes they do clothes now, too!)  with lace on the sleeves and hem. It would also make an excellent swim suit cover!

My bag is one I’ve shared before, that is unfortunately sold out, but here is one that is absolutely adorable! The Tilda Crossbody

Next up, I have this adorable top from Free People. The Wind Willow.

Truth is, this is actually a mini dress… but right now, for me its best to have it be a “top”. Maybe after the Summer Sizzler I can wear it with confidence as a dress! The fabric is a gauzy light weight wonder! And the embroidery work is gorgeous! The colors of the embroidery are a light blue, a blush peach, and white. If I had a blush bag, it would be perfect!

From this angle you can see how it tapers down.

And next up, a super comfortable navy blue top by Sanctuary, the Uptown Tiered Hem Linen Tee, and it comes in 11 colors!

The short sleeve has just a little bit of puff to it, and it covers just enough of what I don’t want showing on my arms (counting on that Summer Sizzler!)

My red bag has been such a fun addition to my wardrobe! The Peony Studded Shoulder Bag by Topshop. At $60, it is a relatively painless way to add a pop of color!

I keep finding that when you wear an item that is more trim fitting, I think it helps you look a little thinner. My subconscious is usually saying, “No, go big with tons of fabric- you can hide in there!” but its absolutely the opposite- the more trim fitting makes you look trimmer. Once again, I have to pull that fashion crowbar out and open my mind a bit!

Finally, I want to take a moment to share about my Mom and Dad, Doug and Joyce Shanks. Every single square inch of my heart loves these two, so much it takes my breath away.

And these two are having their 69th Anniversary this weekend! Yes, May 27, 1949 these two love birds were joined in holy matrimony! Notice how the local paper helped share the good news of newlyweds back in that time.

They had their reception at the church. Don’t they look happy?

A few years back we had a big surprise celebration for their 65th. We will need another one next year!

And from this union… 6 children (Doug Jr, Susan, Kevin, Amy, Stacey, David), 16 grandchildren (12 grandsons, 4 granddaughters). And now the great grandchildren! Currently up to 8 great grandchildren!

And still crazy about each other!

They both grew up during the Depression and WW2, and they both knew hardship at the same time they had love and joy. My parents both love babies, and as each child was born, it was like an absolute miracle to them. And then the grandchildren came… and the love just exploded! And now great grandkids!

They are the type that won’t let someone suffer around them even if they don’t have much to spare. They believe everyone is worth extending a hand to help them up. And many people could testify to that including me. And they have laughed together and cried together. They get up each day and take another juicy bite out of life. In the tough times, they stand and keep their chin up even if a tear streams down their cheek. And in the good times they are over the moon with excitement. They truly believe that the most important thing is love. For everyone. No exclusions. On your good days and bad days. They won’t turn their back on you no matter what. That is something solid you can build a life on. Happy Anniversary to my precious Mom and Dad! I know how fortunate I am to have them and I am grateful for every single moment!

Life really is a precious gift! My wish for you this weekend is to get out there and really enjoy yourself! To enjoy the outdoors, or read a good book or see a movie. Maybe try a new recipe or a new restaurant! To take a lovely walk or call a dear old friend! But fill your weekend with sparkling moments that bless you! You my friend are worth it. And I so want you to have lots of those golden joyful moments!

We have such good things to look forward to! And I hope you take extra good care of you! I want you to have all the energy and strength you need to get out there and really enjoy your life! I’m taking a dose of this myself too, trying to get healthier so I can live with energy and gusto! Its a Must-O! (sorry I couldn’t resist!)

Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! I’ll be back Tuesday for another Tasty Tuesday!

And once again, for all of our dear families and friends with someone in our armed forces today or in years gone by, I thank you so much for your commitment, your selfless sacrifice to provide me the freedoms my husband and I and our children enjoy every single day. We can never pay back what you have so freely given. We thank you. May God bless you.

Love Always,

Amy

When you figure out love is all that matters after all, it sure makes everything else seem so small.   ~Carrie Underwood

 

Places I link up:

Jo Lynne Shane My Life and Style 

Northwest Mountain Living and Style 

Sharing A Journey

Fashion Should Be Fun  

Not Dressed As A Lamb