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8-31-24

What I Can’t Let Go Of:

PARIS!

No, it’s not in my travel plans, but rather because of the dichotomy of Paris as a setting.

“Emily in Paris” is back!

And so are the Olympics, Paralympics that is!

I’m surprised I’m actually admitting this. I’m trusting you to not get at judgey-judgey on me.

“Emily in Paris” is a ridiculous guilty pleasure of mine!

I didn’t even realize how much I missed it until it dropped Part 1 of the 4th season.

Thank goodness the costuming is still outrageously fun. And Paris of course provides a most beautiful, scrubbed clean backdrop.

Then we have the paralympics which are heart-stopping, awe-inspiring and emotionally raw.

There is a video floating around IG that starts with wheelchair fencing and the young man reaction when he won, followed by many more snippets of seemingly impossible athletic feats.

The video marvels at the human body. True, but honestly,

I marvel more at the human spirit that pushes through all the obstacles.

Emily, Mindy, Gabriel and the others make me laugh.

But these Olympians make my jaw drop, make me wince, cheer like crazy and even cry a bit.

Such is Paris!

On the Blog This Week


blue and white table settings on round blur straw placemats with chambray napkins and white servings dishes with garden clippings for a centerpiece

Hosting Hacks With Amazing Markers

I love this trick I discovered when playing with some of my art supplies!

I have often wanted to label some napkin rings I had, or even label individual casserole dishes for a frittata bar, a pasta bar, maybe nacho bar.

I’ve wanted to label serving dishes with the heat of different salsas.

But the marking has to be smudge proof, oven proof, but yet able to clean off easily.

Is that even possible???


Grandma Approved

After 30+ years, I entered the world of newborns again!

Guess what. Babies have not changed!!!

But oh my, the baby gear!

I shared the exact products we have found to be the best for our kids and their precious little girl.

What is essential, where you can save, what is worth a splurge and what isn’t.

A baby bottle partially filled with liquid, labeled with blue tape noting dates for use, highlights must-haves for newborns. The bottle has a yellow cap and is placed on a countertop near a marker, more blue tape, a grass-style drying rack, and other countertop items.

Brief description

Remember, these tips are exclusive content for my creative community.

They will be in the Saturday newsletter emails only

(and sometimes in the FB and IG stories for my followers there).

It’s just one way I can say thank you to all those who support me time after time!

Don’t worry, you too, can become a House Mate!

Tailgates & Watch Parties

Yes, they are upon us!

And I am sooo excited to have a new treat to prepare for all the games that lie ahead.

Thanks to Jen at Midwest Life & Style, these Crispy Pizza Rolls from my Air Fryer will be on repeat all season long.

Six golden-brown pastry rolls lie scattered on a piece of newspaper on a wooden surface. Some are partially eaten, showing a red filling. Parsley is sprinkled throughout. A bowl of tomato sauce and a bowl of a different dip are in the background, next to a red-and-white napkin.

A decorative blue and white plate holds a neat row of sandwich cookies filled with cream. Surrounding the plate are a bowl of cream with a spreader, a glass jar with a drink, fresh flowers, and a checkered cloth on a light surface.

YES! please

Don’t these look fabulous?

Janine of Happy Happy Nester has done it again with these cookies full of Fall flavor but they appear so light and if that’s not enough, they also have a cream cheese filling!

Maybe, I’ll be making these to celebrate my birthday weekend!


Cute Pottery Barn Duped Bats

Lucky us, Donna at An Organized Season, came up with a great dupe of Pottery Barn’s cute bats. And it looks so easy, I can’t wait to give it a try.

But first, I knew I needed to share it with you.

We can make a whole . . . . “hey Siri, what is a group of bats called?” . . . . a whole colony of bats.

A modern kitchen stove area featuring a white tile backsplash with a geometric pattern. Three black decorative bats are mounted on the backsplash, and there is a utensil holder with various black kitchen utensils on the left side.

In honor of the long weekend (and to celebrate my birthday Yes, I was born on Labor Day. I’m pretty sure my mother found that rather spot-on) I thought I’d share some of my favorite sales going on:

Pottery Barn (a perennial favorite, but only on sale):

Up to 70% off + 20% off sale items

JSH Home Essentials (fresh, delightful treats for home, celebrations more):

Extra 50% off all sale items

J. Crew for my favorite fashions (edgy traditional):

is all 40% off this weekend + an additional 60% of sale items.

Madewell (great denim and more):

Just about everything is at least 25% off + 40% off sale items.

DSW (Hello, New Fall Boots):

Almost everything is 20% off

round image of Diane smiling next to a Signature that reads: With Joy, Diane

1 Comment

  1. Donna

    Happy belated birthday my friend! I hope it was the best one yet! Thanks for sharing my PB dupe bats, they were so fun to make!! Have a wonderful week!

    Reply

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