Hi Friends! Can you believe the weekend is finally here? I don’t know about you, but I am ready to have some fun!It’s been pretty cold here in Michigan. We got a snowstorm and then an ice storm and then it melted. Now we have more snow coming. But it’s all good! We are used to it!

So this next season, my son Jake has extensive school commitments and will be mostly unable to help with my photos for the blog. I am so excited for him as his journey continues in photography and video! As I have shared before, you can follow him on Instagram @jacob.kennedy21 . So, my husband Troy is stepping in to help me out in Jake’s absence! We are determined to get our photo game on! Troy used to do all my photos. So it’s Troy and Amy, the dynamic duo again! Thank you, Troy for being so patient with me and being willing to help!

Sizzlers Challenge:

You are cordially invited to a group of incredibly supportive women where we help each other get some exercise, eat a little healthier, and have a blast doing it! Come join our women’s exercise Facebook Group called Sizzlers Challenge.

No experience needed! You are the perfect addition whether you haven’t intentionally exercised in 20 years or if you are prepping for an Ironman competition!

It’s Free! We are just a group of gals helping each other out.  And it’s no pressure all encouragement all the time!

We just want to live a little healthier, and have lots of fun and community doing it! So how does it work? Well, lets say I am at home with a box of cookies and nothing to do. I go online and I see my friend Shelley tells the group she walked 2 miles today. And my friend Sandi went to a Pilates class. And my friend Regina got on her treadmill for 20 minutes. I look at the box of cookies and I put the cookies down. I get my coat and boots and put my doggy on her leash and we go walk. Even if its 15 minutes, I know they got out there and it inspires me to do the same thing!  It really works! And I sleep better! We sure would love to have you join us! If you would like to check it out, Click Here: Sizzlers Challenge

Pinterest fans– Now my blog has the Pinterest app on it, so you should be able to hover over pictures in the blog and “Pin It”. 

Weekend Sales:

Ann Taylor – 40% off select full price styles, use code LOVETOSHOP; And a super sale on the “sale” styles! 70% off 3 sale items, 60% off 2 sale items and 50% off 1 sale item! Wowza!

Banana Republic – 60%  off sale styles! Up to 40% off regular priced items. No code necessary.

Chicos – 30% off your purchase, use code 25751 (some exclusions apply)

Clarks  25% off top picks! Use code TAKE25

Dick’s Sporting Goods – 25%-50% off select outerwear, Up to 50% off select footwear

DSW – Free blanket with $39 purchase, use code GRAYBLANKET for the gray one, and BLACKBLANKET for the black one.

Gap – Up to 50% off thousands of styles. Plus, an extra 20% off your purchase, use code FRESH

Gap Factory – Up to 70% off almost everything! Plus an extra 20% off, use code STARS

JC Penney – Extra 25% off $100 or more, or extra 20% off for orders less than $100. use code SNOW

JCrew – Extra 60% off select sale styles, and 25% off full price- use code SHOPTOIT

JCrew Factory – Extra 50% off 2 Clearance styles, extra 60% off 3 clearance styles, extra 70% off 4 clearance styles, use code EVENMORE and 50% off Valentines Day Shop.

JJill –  Extra 40% off sale styles.

Kohls – Special Night Owls and Early Birds Sale- Friday 2p-Midnight (CT online), 3p-Store Close (in store) Saturday 12:01 am- 3pm (CT online); Store opening-1pm (in store)

Loft – 40-50% off your purchase! Use code YESPLEASE

Lord & Taylor – up to 75% off clearance. Additional 15% off everything (some exclusions) use code DEALS

Luckybrand – extra 40-60% off clearance

Macy’s – extra 20% off use code WINTER

Nine West -Buy 3 get 40% off, buy 2 get 30% off, buy 1 get 20% off

Old Navy – 25% off your order (online exclusive, no code needed) extra 40% off clearance in-store and online. In store, get $15 off order of $50 or more, use code SAVE

Pier 1  – 20% off use code OFF20

Talbots – 70% off markdown shoes, 60% off all other markdowns.

Target – Up to 25% off Home items. 

White House Black Market – 50% off sale styles

This week on the blog:

So we took a few shots outside and inside this week. Sometimes with the white snow, the colors are not as clear as they would be inside, (we are learning about this thing in photography called “White Balance”, which the snow can really throw things off! So we did a few of both for each outfit.

This first coat is a plaid coat by Topshop, the Piper Check Jacket.

The plaid is really interesting, with a stripe of a deep pink, and a lime green in with a black and white plaid. I really like it a lot. Super cheerful and cute. I wore a black turtleneck and black jeans, and carried a black satchel. The coat has side slit pockets… pockets are a must for me.

The coat is unlined, so if that is a deal breaker for you, you might want to know that. It has a 2 button front closure, and a sharp notched collar. I really like this coat!

My necklace is a long pendant that I’ve gotten so much use out of, the Rebel by Stella & Dot. I actually own this in both silver and gold, its a simple yet modern piece that gives a chic pizzaz to any outfit.

Next is a chunky cable turtleneck sweater by Topshop.

The color is called “brown”, but it feels more like a rust or dark pumpkin color. It’s definitely oversized, but I love it! It’s extremely warm, maybe even warmer than the coat above. And it is very soft. Not itchy in the least bit.

Here I have it with a color block scarf. Now mine is sold out, but here is another one.

Below is the same sweater, just in indoor lighting. I am wearing one layer of the Natia necklace with it. I love a longer necklace just for thick bulky sweaters like this one!

You can see above that Kasey has selected a gorgeous accessory, her new Christmas teddy bear. Stunning!

And finally, a really fun sweater by Bishop +Young, the Anthem Colorblock Shaker Sweater.

Nothing like a cheery sweater to chase the clouds away! Here I am wearing it with a graphic black/white scarf.

Can you tell I love scarves? This DKNY Scarf is on sale right now for $28.40. It is also available in red and black or blue and black.

Also, I am showing it with my black Rebecca Minkoff bag  The Regan . The bag is a buttery soft pebble grain black leather, and has whip stitched handles (which I love) and these long leather straps for a boho flair. It has a removable shoulder strap. It has the little feet on the bottom, (yes!). You can see an exterior zip pocket just large enough to hold a cell phone. Inside is a roomier zip on one side with small pocket beneath, and on the other side are two side by side deeper pockets. I love the rectangle shape, the feel, the look… I’ve shopped for awhile for a black satchel, and this bag is at a great price right now (a big win in my book!)

I’m also wearing a new black watch by Rebecca Minkoff. I have a smaller wrist, and sometimes the newer watches are so large they simply are not comfortable. I have wanted a black watch with a black face on it for some time now. This one fits perfectly and is a great price. I am a daily watch wearer, and so I am a happy camper to have this nice new slim and supple watch! I’m wearing it now as I type! It is sold out in this color combination, but they have this gorgeous watch with a tan leather strap which is absolutely stunning!

I just love a cheerful sweater like this! It can brighten up the cloudiest day!

So as we move through January, we know here in Michigan and much of the world we still have some more winter to go yet before we see spring. Winter is so many unique things… beautiful, cold, sometimes sparkling with new snow, often cloudy, shorter days and longer nights. We see our breath as we go outside, our window panes are frosted. The snow crunches under our feet. The trees and many animals seem to fall asleep, and are wrapped in a blanket of white. And on a clear night you look up at the stars and you can know that all over the world people are looking at the very same sky. We know that seasons each have a role to play and an allotted time to fulfill that role. Some seasons we may like more than others, but each one is important. Even winter.

The seasons are a reminder of our lives in many ways. We can often find ourselves thrilled with the miracle of it, we may love the adventure, be intrigued with the mystery, or maybe we are wounded or completely left wondering what happened. But just as in the winter, what we do not see is the miracle that happens right beneath our very feet. Even on the coldest day, underneath the earth is preparing for the splendor and glory of a beautiful spring. There are good days and good things ahead for all of us, no matter where you have been or what you have been through. How can it be that those little tiny buds are forming even in the coldest of times? And yet the days will get longer and the sun will shine warmer and as sure as the sun rises and sets soon new life will burst forth all around us! Such it is with the miracle of this life!

I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

I’ll be back Tuesday for another Tasty Tuesday.

Love Always,

Amy

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

 ~Thomas Chisholm from the song ‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness’

Places I link up:

Jo Lynne Shane My Life and Style 

Jodie’s Touch of Style / Ageless Style Link up

Sharing A Journey

Fashion Should Be Fun  

Not Dressed As A Lamb

Elegantly Dressed and Stylish

Glass of Glam

A Pocket Full of Polka Dots

Nifty Fifty Fabulous

The Blended Blog