I Am Thankful For:
No bad news at the Orthopedist
A bright blue fall sky
Comfort foods
A colorful sunset
Our beautiful new deck
Trip to the warehouse club with my husband
A small family cookout
The funny things my grandson says
Grilled rice ribeyes
A lazy Sunday
Fall nail polish colors
Buffalo wings
When my hold at the library is finally available
Hot tea with honey
Cough drops
Sleeping the morning away
As soon as the temperatures start to dip and the first signs of fall appear, I find myself craving a wardrobe refresh. I’m dreaming of cozy sweaters and stylish boots—but the weather here isn’t quite ready for all that yet. So in the meantime, I’m shopping my closet for outfits that work for this in-between season.
Look One: Casual Comfort in Overalls
These overalls have been a staple in my wardrobe since last fall. They’re incredibly comfortable—like wearing pajamas—but they look much more polished. And let’s be honest, the compliments I get when I wear them don’t hurt either! For warm early fall days, I’m pairing them with a cheerful yellow scoop-neck tee and layering on beaded necklaces, including a faux pearl pendant for a touch of elegance.
Look Two: Light Layers with a Pop of Turquoise
I love the classic combo of jeans, a tee, and a cardigan for fall. But since it’s still warm out, I’m adapting the look with straight-leg jeans, a turquoise tank, and a short-sleeved knit cardigan. I kept the jewelry simple with my favorite bee pendant necklace featuring a toggle clasp—just enough detail without feeling heavy.
Look Three: Summer Dresses, Reimagined
You may have noticed that I paired each of these looks with my Tieks in Sunset Stripe. The colorful stripes are perfect for both summer and fall, and they go with just about everything. Tieks’ flexible design, cushioned back and insole, and thick non-skid sole keep my midlife knees and feet happy—no matter where the day takes me.
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| Tieks in Sunset Stripe |
As we ease into fall, I’m finding joy in rediscovering pieces I already own and styling them in fresh, transitional ways. Each of these outfits blends comfort with personality—and my Tieks in Sunset Stripe are the perfect finishing touch. Their vibrant colors complement both summer and fall palettes, and the comfort they offer keeps me moving with ease and confidence. Whether I’m running errands or heading out for a weekend adventure, Tieks help me step into the season in style.
What's your favorite summer-to-fall transitional look?
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary pair of Tieks by Gavrieli in exchange for this post. https://tieks.com/reviews
I Am Thankful For:
New countertops are installed
The start of football season
Planning a family dinner
Fridays
Trips to the home improvement store
Butterflies
Football Sundays
Lasagna soup
The full moon
Good book club discussions
Chilly mornings
Book recommendations
The new deck passed final inspection
Early morning phone calls from my daughter and grandson
Huge new deck umbrella
Dinner outside
Slowly getting things back together
I Am Thankful For:
Frozen cherry Coke
An amazing sunset
Moving items into the new pantry
Dinner outside
Long weekends
Candy corn
A gorgeous day
Meeting the new neighbors
Family
Time with my grandsons
Seeing the first physical copy of my daughter's next book
Deck ready for inspection
Colors selected
Neat and organized shelves
My husband picking up my Rx for me
There’s something undeniably comforting about the arrival of September.
September wraps the world in a gentle kind of coziness that’s hard to resist. The mornings greet us with a crispness that invites sweaters and warm mugs. It’s the season of soft blankets, simmering soups, and the comforting scent of pumpkin spice and apple cider drifting through the air.
The pace slows just enough to let us savor the small pleasures—reading by the window, baking something sweet, or simply watching the leaves begin their quiet transformation.
What's your favorite thing about September?
Was August even real? It feels like we blinked and suddenly landed at Labor Day weekend, wondering where the month went. One minute it was Friday, August 1st, full of summer plans and sunshine, and now we’re staring down September with a pumpkin spice latte in one hand and a fall to-do list in the other. This August might just go down as the quickest month in the history of months—proof that time flies when you're in midlife.
The most read post on the blog this month was Mix, Match, and Imagine where we talked about how the fashion plates toy sparked my childhood creativity. This month we also explored why so many of us find ourselves itching and scratching through perimenopause. And, as usual, I shared bits of my gratitude journal every Thursday and a little quote each Sunday to hopefully inspire you for the week ahead.
One of the reasons August seemed to zoom past was that it was a whirlwind of remodeling, renovations, and rebuilds.
We finished installing the new cabinets in the kitchen. And by "we", I mean my husband with a teeny bit of help from me. He also put up the new over-the-range microwave. The kitchen was measured for the new countertops last week. This week we went to see and approve the slabs of granite, and they are scheduled to be installed next week.
As I write this, our deck is still under construction. And I'm hoping with every fiber of hope I can muster that it will finally - Finally - be done before the end of this week. They told us this would take about 2 weeks. It has been over 2 months now. I'm ready for it to be done so I can use this beautiful new space!
In August I finished reading: "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen. I also read "All the Colors of the Dark" by Chris Whitaker and "Legends and Lattes" by Travis Baldree. I have started reading "A Resistance of Witches" by Morgan Ryan. My husband and I are reading "Equal Rites" by Terry Pratchett. And I am listening to "Lightning Strike" by Kenneth Kent Krueger for September book club.
August had me going for my annual mammogram. My first appointment had to be rescheduled because of a power outage at the hospital. Fortunately, they were able to reschedule quickly and the images showed no changes this year. Yay!
Some of my favorite things from August include the new rocking chair set we ordered for the deck, my new glasses (I went for the progressive lenses this time - what a difference!), and the cooler temperatures we've been enjoying over the past week.
How was your August?
I Am Thankful For:
New rocking chairs for the porch
Blemish patches
My stomach feeling better
Treating myself to a coffee
Planning a creative project
A quiet evening
A morning breeze
Sunshine
Butterflies in the yard
Being loved
My husband picking up breakfast
Cheesecake
New deck furniture
A beautiful fall-like day
A short road trip
Countertop install is scheduled
I Am Thankful For:
Finally falling asleep
Mammogram done
Comfy pants
Perogi
My husband home from his work trip
Getting a lot accomplished
Weekends
A good check-up for one of my little dogs
Bear sightings
Relaxing mornings
Mammogram showed no changes
Replacement cabinets arrived
Libraries
Foggy mornings
Countertop measurements done
The dogwood leaves are beginning to change color
This post is meant to share what I have learned about menopause based on my own experience. It is in no way intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen. Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking help because of something you read on this website.
No one warned most of us that perimenopause could make our skin feel like it’s crawling. Just when we thought we had a handle on the hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep struggles, along comes the relentless itch. It’s not just dry skin—it’s that maddening, can’t-sit-still kind of itch that shows up on your arms, legs, scalp, or even in places you’d never expect. If you’ve been scratching your head (literally) wondering what’s going on, you’re definitely not alone.
Estrogen plays an important role in the production of natural oils and collagen. Dropping estrogen during perimenopause causes a reduction in collagen and oils causing thinner and drier skin.
Be gentle with your skin during this season of life. Limit the time you spend in baths or the shower and keep the water as cool as your comfort level allows. Use gentle, fragrance-free soap or cleansers. Moisturize your skin with nourishing lotions or creams with ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides. Stay well hydrated. Avoid excessive alcohol use. If the itching is severe or persistent- talk to your doctor about finding relief.
For some women, it's not just a simple itch. It's a tingling sensation - as if bugs are crawling on your skin. And yes, it is just as creepy feeling as it sounds. This sensation is a common occurrence during perimenopause, but it can be a symptom of other things - from a side effect of some medications to anxiety. So, if you are experiencing this buggy feeling, it's best to discuss it with your medical professional.
The scalp can be particularly sensitive to these changes due to the large number of oil glands in the area which become less active during perimenopause. This can cause not only an itchy scalp, but dry and brittle hair. Using a moisturizer shampoo and conditioner, avoiding sulfates and other irritating ingredients, using leave-in scalp treatments, and staying well hydrated may help to lessen these symptoms.
For many women, one of the most surprising symptoms that occurs during perimenopause is itchy ears. Declining estrogen affects the moisture levels in mucus membranes and can lead to itching in both the inner and outer ear. The skin of the ear canal is especially sensitive and all these changes can make it more prone to dryness and itching. You can try a gentle moisturizer on the outer ear area, but take care not to get it inside the ear canal. If the itching is intense or painful, talk with your doctor about lubricating ear drops, topical treatments, or other options for relief.
The persistent itchiness of perimenopause and menopause, while frustrating, is a common and manageable symptom. Listening to your body and seeking guidance when needed is key.
Have you experienced itching during perimenopause or menopause?
