I was thinking about a lot of things this week, and the first initial thought I had was “I bet my kids would love…” Thinking back to the early 80’s and the days that fueled my childhood, I thought I would focus THIS Friday Fab Five on the things I loved about the 80’s and things that I am doing now to get ready for the fall baking season. Yes, I know, we are still in August, but in just one short week we will be enjoying the start of the “BERS” (SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovemBER, DecemBER). So let’s dive into a blast from the past while preparing for the future. (It sounds like I hate the present, I truly don’t, but man alive, will I be happy when I am out of Federal Jury Duty.) Here we go!
1. My Favorite Things from the 80’s
Ask me if I am buying the clothes I wore back than now: yes, yes I am. Grunge rocker tees, vintage bands, give me all the graphic tees. My favorite lately are the oversize shirts from Free People. but than again, I love everything from that place. And can we please talk about scrunchies. YES. All of them. And lastly I just ordered my favorite pair of vans ever from my younger years (they are just now made in the double deckers, which, for us short people is a HEAVEN SENT fashion trend). I’d say my fashion sense could be wrapped up in the saying “take me back to my childhood.” I have my eyes on this sweet jeans that I first saw on Jenny Keller’s Instagram, and a quick nod to Nordstroms for bringing back these sweet Jimmy-Z-like jeans.
2. The Childhood of Dreams
There were something special about summer nights as a kid. The zero social media and the long days made for the perfect canvas to for all the neighbor kids to meet at 0700 at the top of the cul-de-sac for a few games of Kick the Can and Capture the flag. We were also known to walk the creeks, make forts, hide snacks in the neighbors’ hedges and so much more. I think to my kids and how a lot of their socializing is done thru text and the more time goes on, the more toxic I believe that environment to be. My kids aren’t allowed to have certain media apps, like ever, and they have to wait until certain ages to have others but I can still wish them a childhood like mine.
The game I loved most was Kick the Can. One person and one can in the middle of a open area, the rest of the friends hiding, trying to not be seen. If you were seen to be the “guard” at the can, someone would yell “over the can on_____.” If you were caught you had to sit on the curb until one brave soul (or several if you worked as a team) would charge to the can and try to kick it before the guard jumped over it. If successful, you would free everyone that was wasting away on the curb, but if you were if unsuccessful, you joined them. We would always play late into the night unless it was Friday.
Friday was sacred for watching TGIF on television (remember television?). Growing Pains, Perfect Strangers, Family Matters and Full House were watched religiously until it was time for bed. No Tik Tok, no Facebook, no cell phones, just laughter and tree houses and forts and Coke-a-Cola. (Big sigh….) What were your favorite memories as a kid?
3. My Fall Colors for 2022
I love color. It’s not a secret at all.
My inspiration this year for my fall palette is going to be different than last year. Think pastels. What!?! I know. But sweet muted tones mixed with bold colors will make everything about the fall season magical. Here are some of the shades Ive been using to create the magic.
Baby Pink: Wilton Color Right Pink (1 drop) + Wilton Color Right Brown (smidge-1/2 drop)
Baby Orange: Chefmaster Georgia Peach (2 drops) + Chefmaster Buckeye Brown (smidge)
Burnt orange: Americolor Pumpkin (5 drops) + Chefmaster Sienna (3 drops)
Black: Chefmaster Coal (31 drops)
Gray: Americolor Gun Metal (this is a color I will ombré so the lighter shades can pair up with the bolder colors and visa versa.
Valient Violet: Americolor Eggplant (another one that’s perfect in any shade. (2-15 drops)
4. Fun Packaging Ribbon
I hit the motherload this weekend and wanted to share where I snagged a basket full of ribbon this past weekend and for all UNDER 20 dollars! Score! Hobby Lobby clearanced out so many of their bold stripes, (like the one pictured above) and they had the rest of the ribbon for 50% off. I gave my self a quick pep talk, walked thru some ideas in my head of what I might need these upcoming months and I went for it. I will be showing all these amazing finds this week in my Stories on Instagram, find my profile HERE.
Another favorite spot for ribbon is Homegoods. They don’t usually sell ribbon, so when the holiday fun comes out start checking their stationary section for ribbon. Last year they had the Martha Stewart velvet line. Last year we put out a whole LOOKBOOK of so many ways to show you how to use ribbon and different options for packaging. You can still buy it! Find it HERE. It’s really an amazing resource, complete with product numbers and dimensions!
5. What’s On the Blog
This week we showed you two ways to make Raspberry Macarons; did you see it? The sugar cookie crumble is sooo good. We highly recommend pairing it with the Raspberry. Next week we are showing you all things Toasted Marshmallow, so get ready for that! And, as always… Thanks for reading, for commenting, for loving my not so spunky self lately and for just connecting with me thru this blog. I truly love it.
I want to hear from you: a comment or review!