Living on Cloud Nine: August 2023

WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY AMAZING AUGUST

What an August Whirlwind of goodness and always a little crummy thrown in, but that's life!

The dawn of glorious Fall is upon us! This post is jam packed and I think you’ll love it!

(several of you have asked about this white top...link under "what I'm wearing" section)

1: WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS MONTH:

As you know I do cook but Krispy Kreme Pumpkin Spice Donuts, lol. And our fav: BLT's and fresh sweet corn.

2. WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT:

The Twin’s Baby Shower. It was an August 12th brunch and such a lovely day! AND LOVED SEEING FAMILY. And many of you have asked about my dress (get it HERE)

And the wonderful trip my sweet mom and I took to Mackinac Island. Read all about our trip HERE.

3: WHAT IM LOVING:

Cooler Mornings, Sunny Days and all the nature surrounding our home. AND always my sweet Stella Mae.

4: WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO:

Beside the shower, prepping bunk room for girls and shopping for Fall a bit. Such cute things at Walmart. Ordered the JEANS ($22) AND LOVE Them!! VERY AFFORDABLE pieces! The Boots are back this year, I got them in 2 colors last year and wore all the time!

Hat HERE // Flannel Jacket HERE // Jeans HERE // Hooded Top HERE // Rust Dress HERE //

Boots HERE // Dress HERE

5: WHAT I’M DREADING:

Ever having a UTI again! It was only my 3rd ever this past week BUT the burn/pain wasn't as bad as the 4 day constant excruciating side effect headaches from the antibiotic.

UGH!

AND dreading my favorite months of the year ~ Sept-Dec going waaay too fast.

6: WHAT I’M WORKING ON:

Several Things ~ Fall Decor, here is a dining room sneak peek. Adding in more rust and navy this season. But just wait until you see the front porch. You won’t believe the color scheme. I’m going with this year. Fingers and toes crossed that the nursery comes through with the color mums I need. Do you want to see a post on the indoor decor in additon to the porch?

7: WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT:

You know! The Birth of the granddaughters!

8: WHAT I’M WATCHING & READING:

Watching

Sweet Magnolias

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Reading

Drowning my TJ Newman

Get it HERE

Getting Ready to Read

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. I’ve been waiting for some good Hunger Games vibes novels and this is it! Get it HERE

9: WHAT I’M LISTENING TO:

Always Country, Classic country, 80’s and Classic Rock. Listening to Smartness and Nature

10: WHAT I’M WEARING:

Here are some lately outfits.

Jumpsuit HERE // Sandals HERE // Hat HERE // Bag HERE // Necklace set HERE

Top HERE // Jeans HERE // Boots HERE & HERE

( The top was a gift from my dear friend, Caroline)

This Air Essentials 1/2 zip below from is a favorite pullover for sure and just wait until you see the new Fall Colors. I'll share mine soon.

Use Code:

CLOUDNINEXSPANX

For 10% off

AND here is the TOP I'm wearing in the cover photo. LOVE IT!

11: WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND:

It’s Labor Day so something fun!

12: WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

As I mentioned, Decorating the Front Porch for Fall. Hoping this years vision comes to light. See the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Fall porches HERE (MY FAV), HERE and HERE! Also a boy's birthday, all the PSL's and Fall things a coming.

13: FAVORITE AMAZON FIND:

I’m always on the hunt for cute necklaces and I really like the chunky chain-link versions. I first saw Necklace on the adorable Katie from Covet on the Go and knew I had to have it. It would make a great gift because it comes packaged so sweetly!

Happy Almost September Pretty Babes!!!

LINKING-UP with Momfessionals Friday Favorites // Metamorphosis Monday // Thursday Fashion Files // Mix and Match Mama // Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Sundays on Silverado

xoxo

FRIDAY FAVORITES MACKINAC ISLAND

Happy Friday! Deviating from normal Friday Favorites again as I had another exciting thing happening with my sweet mama that I wanted to share about today. Mom and I went this week up to Mackinac Island and had the best time! If you need to cool down, that’s where you need to go, plus the most charming, laid-back relaxation time!

If you’re not familiar with Mackinac Island, it is an island in northern Michigan right before you cross the bridge to the upper peninsula. You take the ferry over from Mackinaw City, and it is all wheel charm, not a motorized vehicle on the island everything is done via horse and carriage, or you bicycle.

The Grand Hotel

The grand Hotel is the majestic building on the island that you cannot miss. It is prominent and historic and over 130 years old, but the charm and aesthetic remain the same. There are still real keys to the rooms, you dress up for dinner (5 course meal), dancing to an orchestra, and all the things that you would expect from days gone by. The decor is beautiful the setting is enchanting, and we loved every second about staying there. Of the 388 rooms, no two are alike and just look darling ours was. Even canopy beds.

Pics in the Parlor and of the Terrace Room

Our view was of the Lake and the famous Ester Williams swimming pool.

Secret Garden

The hotel grounds are so beautiful, but probably my favorite is the hidden secret garden, where in the spring there are oodles of tulips and daffodils, and then replaced by annuals in the summer to create the most beautiful display of Flowers. If you look up high at the beautiful Grand Hotel.

The Front Porch

Something else enchanting about the hotel is the front porch. It is 660 feet long and the longest porch in the world. So fun to sit out there on the rockers, relax, and people watch!

The Flowers

Oh my goodness, you thought mine and my mom’s flowers were gorgeous. You should’ve seen the ones on the island! We were in flower heaven. Most of the homes display beautiful flowers, as well as all the charming displays and baskets in town! Absolutely beautiful.

Wings of Mackinac

I love me some butterflies, so imagine walking into a tropical oasis where there are hundreds of them! Some of the prettiest butterflies I’ve ever seen! They would even land on you. The cool thing that happened is that three of them the same ombré shades as my mom’s hat,

landed on top of it, and would not fly off, lol.

Bonus: Fredrick Meijer Gardens

We knew we wouldn’t be ready to go right home after leaving the island. We had always wanted to go to the Frederik Meijer botanical gardens in Grand Rapids so that’s exactly what we did on the way home on the most beautiful day! We are members at a local botanical garden, so we were able to get in for free and they were spectacular! It’s about 50 times bigger than the one in our town so we will have to go back because we barely had a chance to see all but were able to tour the Japanese gardens and Sculpture Park.