Happy Friday! How are you on this fine day?Have the cooler temperatures hit your area yet? They have here! And we are loving it! These seasons keep us in a constant state of change. And I love that! Our trees are just beginning to turn. I love this time of year!

I love getting out there and walking when the weather turns cool. It’s like all your body wakes up in the cold! I love that! I know I may be in a minority there, but that is ok!

Well, we kicked off our October Exercise Challenge last week, and we are off to a great start! The Sizzler October Challenge and You are cordially invited!

It’s a women’s facebook group, all levels of fitness are welcome (that works for me because until a few months ago, I had zero exercise in my life!) We each just start where we are, at our own pace! And it’s free! No strings! I promise! We aren’t selling anything! We are all just trying to get a little healthier! And when you do it with a great group of women, it’s really fun!

Can you imagine going into the holidays feeling pumped up and excited because you have already started a healthy lifestyle and you are feeling awesome? Come on and join us! We are waiting for someone just like you!

If you are interested please click here: Sizzler Challenge October 2018.

There are lots of great Columbus Day sales out there this weekend, I tried to round up some for you to help if you want to take advantage of these deals!

Anthropologie –  20% off furniture, extra 40% off sale home and sale clothing!

Banana Republic – 40% off your purchase! Woohoo!!!

Bloomingdales – 25% off items labeled “friends and family” or “Loyalists” get a $25 reward card for every $100 spent.

Chicos – extra 50% off 2 or more already reduced styles, or extra 40% off one already reduced style.

Dick’s Sporting Goods – 20% off entire purchase; many items on sale up to 50% off this weekend.

Express – 40% off everything (some exclusions)

Gap  – 40% off every single thing! Use code FALL .    Bazinga!

JCrew – 40% off your purchase including sale styles, use code BIGSALE

JJill – 25% off entire purchase or 30% off $200 or more, use code 18FALL

JCPenney – extra 25% off $100 or more OR extra 20% off under $100: Use code NOWSAVE9

Kate Spade – extra 30% off all sale styles. Use Code RAREFIND

Kohls – Extra 20% off everything, use code FOREVER plus everyone gets $10 Kohls cash for every $50 spent. 15% off all beauty.

Loft – 40% off your purchase! Use code FALLFEST

Lord & Taylor – 20% off regular and sale prices items (some exclusions) use code COLUMBUS

Luckybrand – 40% off jackets, shirts, blouses and more. 30% off fall shoes. Another 50% off sale. Its Go Time!

Macy’s – extra 20% off, use code “SAVE”; Huge shoe sale- buy 2 or more pair – 40% off; 30% off 1 pair. Women shoes use code “BIG” , Mens shoes use code “MENS”

Talbots – 30% off all tops now through 10/12… Oh Mylanta!

Vince Camuto – 25% off your entire purchase. Use code “FAMILY25”

White House Black Market – 40% off sale styles

Many thanks to my son Jake Kennedy who is also my photographer much of the time. I told him I had to snap his picture this past week when we took photos.

Photography and video are his passion. And I have to tell you, he is so kind and really fun to work with. He makes you feel great about having your photo taken. And there is nothing he won’t do for the shot. I can’t tell you how many times I have said the words “be careful Jakee!” At the end of the day when we talk about our favorite part of the day, if we were shooting photos that day, he always says, “Taking photos with you!” He would welcome if you would like to follow him on Instagram at his personal page @jacob.kennedy21 or his business page @734rocious. He is such a hard working young man, with school, 2 jobs, and he plays baseball for his school. But he still manages to help me out with these photos when he can. Thank you, Jake!

And on to the fashion for this week! It was a bit windy when we shot. So, many of the pictures had my hair whipping around like a tornado! But we got a few keepers we could use. I’m on a roll with fall and winter fashion right now. I know the temps aren’t always reflecting it, but that is what is being shown in the stores. So the pieces I share tend to sell out super fast, and I am trying to share them while you can still actually purchase them should you want to.

The fall trends are so fun this year, I’m like a kid in a candy shop! The gorgeous oranges, greens and golds are everywhere! And plaid is having a serious moment! Animal print is alive and well! Oversized chunky knit sweaters are everywhere. Slides, mules and booties are reigning supreme. And in handbags, I’m seeing bucket style bags, backpacks, and minimalist bags with incredible structured lines on them. I love it all! Ahhhh! So let’s check out the pieces I tried this week.

First, I am sharing a houndstooth double breasted topper coat by a new brand at Nordstrom “Something Navy”.

The coat is completely lined (which I love!). Notched lapels with front button closure. And I love the long lines, and little puff on the sleeves! Classic meets contemporary.

It is reasonably priced at $139 for a coat that has so much style. It is really a fun coat!

My bag is one I am loving. Its the Faux Leather Satchel by Sondra Roberts. I’m loving satchels these days, and this one has such a contemporary look with the double handles and large grommets on the ends. It has a magnetic closure on the top, and comes with a removable zip clutch inside to help you keep it all organized.

I’m wearing my new favorite black layering turtleneck by Chelsea28.

Next is an oversized turtleneck sweater by Halogen in a cheerful autumn yellow.

This sweater also comes in several other colors including a gorgeous burgundy (hold me back… temptation!)

The fabric is really soft and comfortable. I’m sensitive to itchy fabrics, and it won’t happen not even for a snapshot if its itchy. But this was quite comfortable.

I’m carrying the Izzy Faux Leather bucket bag by Chelsea28, with a removable shoulder strap, drawstring closure, and a top handle. This bag comes in some great colors. It’s a really cute bag for $49. True story, almost every time I ask Jake which bag he thinks I should use, he says, “Well I’m always going to go for that bucket bag because I just think its cool”.

And finally, I love a really comfortable casual everyday top, and this one fits the bill beautifully for fall. It’s the Bandana Peasant Top by Lucky Brand.

It’s a super soft and light weight fabric with a print that is a nod to a bandana, all things country western and this time of the harvest season.

My bag I’ve had for maybe 3 years now, but there is a version of this same bag available in a slightly smaller size. It is really cute and has 2 tones of the cognac color in one bag. It’s the mini Susan Faux Leather Tote by Sole Society, at $59.95.

My necklace is my long time favorite, the Luna by Stella & Dot. It’s a shiny silver crescent wrapped in shiny gold with a delicate gold chain. I have worn it more than any necklace I have ever owned, it is that flexible.

My jeans are my favorites, Joe’s Jeans, which come in a host of colors, and styles.

My booties are Jeffrey Campbell, over a year old and still my favorite booties in my closet. Isn’t it so nice to have a real sense about what you like?

That is one of the things I love about fashion is that there are so many choices out there. It is a form of self expression and creativity. Some people like the oldest faded blue jeans and a pair of boots they’ve worn for years. Some like very fancy clothes. Some like the most out there edgiest styles. Some like things with a multi cultural flair. Some want sweatpants and sneakers. Some only like to wear black. Some would never wear black. The different tastes and styles go on and on! Because it says something about the individual.

I love to people watch when I am out running errands. I stop and wonder, “When that lady picked out that pretty purple sweater this morning, she chose it out of everything else! That tells me something about her.” Or when you see a gentleman who has selected a jacket or sweatshirt with the name of a team or something on it, it is telling you a little story about that person!

We each are as individual as our very fingerprints. There is no one else like you anywhere! I think that is so cool! We come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. I think of my family, I have 5 siblings all as different as can be- both on the outside and the inside. And I adore every one of them! What a gift! I have 2 sons that are very unique… they love each other and really respect the differences in each other.

Sometimes I think about people who have done outstanding things. Like Michelangelo, or Mozart, or Madam Curie or Benjamin Franklin or the Wright Brothers or Albert Einstein. What if they were my neighbor? What would they have been like? My guess is they were so focused on living out their passion that they weren’t bothered by naysayers or doubters. What a cool thing to live full out living your passion! How freeing and inspiring! Just as they were born with special gifts and talents, you were too! Take a look in that mirror, my friend, and you are looking at a living, breathing masterpiece! Loved beyond comprehension, and with an amazing purpose that may move and change like the seasons, but lasts all of our days. Isn’t that exciting? There really is no retirement policy when it comes to our purpose and value and dreams here on earth!

It’s so much fun to get to know people! My son Jake says he wants to get to know as many people as he can in his life on this earth. Isn’t that an awesome goal? Because every single person is going to have their own story. It’s like an endless garden and each and every flower is different and unique and exquisitely beautiful! Or an endless library and each one is a different masterpiece! The fact that they are different from me is delightful and intriguing! I’m so glad we are all different! You were created as a one of a kind irreplaceable and precious gift to this world! And I am so glad we get to do this life together!

Well my friend, I hope you have a lovely weekend!

I’ll be back Tuesday for another Tasty Tuesday!

Love Always,

Amy

You have something special. You have greatness in you. You have the ability to do more than you could ever begin to imagine.    ~Les Brown

Places I link up:

Jodie’s Touch of Style / Ageless Style Link up

Jo Lynne Shane My Life and Style 

Sharing A Journey

Fashion Should Be Fun  

Not Dressed As A Lamb

Elegantly Dressed and Stylish

Glass of Glam