Hello from San Diego! We are down here to go through my sweet departed mom’s things and to celebrate my birthday! Speaking of my birthday…I bought myself a sumptuously soft, lightweight cashmere pullover featured in this Five Faves post.
I am also showing a deluxe farm kitchen update, a good movie on television, a Fall pumpkin craft that my 92-year-old mother-in-law also implemented! And, of course, we have Cindy and Annie’s Five Faves, too. I am happy that these posts are so well-received!!
1. Martha Stewart’s Farm Kitchen Update
My hairstylist, Inna handed me the September issue of Martha Stewart Living. Have you seen it? It shows the impact of paint and a fabulous collection of copper pots. The Before isn’t bad with yellow cabinetry…
“When Martha updated a kitchen on her farm this summer, she opted for a few impactful changes over a gut renovation, adding fresh coats of paint in new colors, smarter appliances, better organization, and striking displays for some of her favorite collections.”
Martha kept the black soapstone counters.
2. What to Watch: News of The World With Tom Hanks
“Five years after the end of the Civil War, Capt. Jefferson Kyle Kidd crosses paths with a 10-year-old girl taken by the Kiowa people. Forced to return to her aunt and uncle, Kidd agrees to escort the child across the harsh and unforgiving plains of Texas.”
Howard and I thought this was good.
3. Embellished Pumpkins
Last Sunday, I was “crafting’ with pumpkins from Trader Joe’s and succulents from the garden. The moss I have on hand to use around houseplants. This is sheet moss. I also like the loose moss.
I put it on my Instagram and my mother-in-law, Earlene was inspired to do this with what she had on hand!
4. Comedian Mary Elizabeth Kelly
Do you follow her on Instagram? She cracks me up with her impersonations.
5. Soft Cashmere Pullover Sweater
This is such a soft lightweight sweater. I bought it for myself for my birthday (do you do that?). It’s got an updated cropped look with flowy arms. Comes in this floral and six solid colors…and in standard, petite, and plus sizes.
Love these flat booties and lipstick. The Gap bootcut jeans are sold out but these are similar.
You may also like Four Key Pieces To Update Your Fall Wardrobe.
Let’s check out what Cindy and Annie have for us!
CINDY HATTERSLEY DESIGN
MOST LOVELY THINGS
Happy Birthday! You certainly look fabulous. Nowhere near 65. 🙂
My husband passed away in August. The family is meeting over the first weekend in November to go through his things and give the kids a chance to take what they love of their dad’s/grandpa’s treasures.
I love the sweater. We had a couple of glimpses of autumn but are not fully committed around here in Southern California yet.
Karen
Hi Mary Ann,
Love the HAPPY BIRTHDAY sign and the cupcake and hat, what a great family you have to do this for you.
My HEART is with you on the loss of your sweet mother and going through her belongings. That is not
an easy thing to do. Both of my parents are resting in heaven and I still miss them, the good thing is I carry
them close in my heart. How nice you have wonderful siblings to help you sort through your mothers treasures.
Happy joyful belated birthday.
Your mother-in-law is really something, very talented, and that you have her in your life.
You look darling in your new birthday sweater, your entire outfit looked so cute on you.
When my sister and my daughter went thru my sweet sister’s belongings, we found her wedding dress in the hallway closet. My daughter pulled it out and asked the two of us: “What should we do with this dress?” At that very moment, the smoke alarm started blaring. We knew that our sister was telling us to keep it. After a minute, the smoke alarm quit sounding. It was very bizarre.
I still have her dress. There is a place in Dallas that takes wedding dresses and makes little dresses for infants who passed away. The babies are buried wearing the dresses. I thought that would be something my sister would approve of.
Happy belated birthday! I enjoy your posts!
Happy Belated Birthday! I love that sweater! Martha Stewart’s kitchen is spectacular with all the copper! The one thing though, I wouldn’t want to keep it nice and shiny!!
MARTHA IS SLIPPING!!!!!!
AS WE ALL DO AS WE AGE!
WE LOVED THAT TOM HANKS MOVIE TOO!
Happy Birthday Mary Ann!
You look great in your new sweater. I love to pick out my own birthday presents because then you get exactly what you want and never hurt your husband by returning his gift. That’s a brilliant choice.
I just looked at the pictures from your villa stay in Italy after the wedding. Oh, I am so jealous. That must have been a well needed break after the wedding celebration and also, after your mother’s passing this year.
I just watched “From The Vine”, on Amazon Prime. And absolutely loved it.
Then I wanted to find another light, feel good movie and fortunately found “At Middleton” with Andy Garcia. If you have not seen it yet, you need to see it. A very clever look at life and “ what could have been” in the character’s lives.
Hopefully your siblings are with you as you go through your Mom’s belongings and reminisce.
P.S. I vote for the Martha Yellow Kitchen!
Happy Birthday! Cute birthday hair and floral sweater. Very much enjoyed your crafty MIL … I see your pumpkin craft and raise you one white pumpkin. Well played. Seriously, though … Martha’s kitchen. Is it wrong to say I prefer the before? They’re both gorgeous and Martha never goes wrong. Always enjoy your weekly favs. xo
Thanks, Juliet. I liked the before kitchen too but I think the black highlights all the copper.
Happy birthday! Do you make 65 look just plane fabulous, I remember going thru our beloved
mother’s treasures with my 5 sisters so much laughter and yes a few tears.
As always your post are such a breath of fresh air especially this year with all the fires in Montana.
I just love the sweater (to me from me is one of my favorite things TeeHee) or as my sister says
no surprises no mistakes!
Did you order the sweater in a petite?
Thanks. Yes I got a petite medium.
Yes. I ordered a petite.
Happy Birthday Mary Ann! Lovely sweater on you with the cute booties. Great hairstyle with bangs…you look like a teen! Glad you had some fun moments even though it was bittersweet to divide up mom’s things.
Happy belated birthday Mary Ann! Your Mom was the sweetest, always loved seeing her in your stories and blogs. I know you all miss her. ❤️
Thanks Susan!!
The Tom Hanks movie was really good. We couldn’t wait and watched it several months ago.
Happy birthday, fellow Libra! Mine is this week, too. (And yes, I often buy myself a little something, or drop annoyingly specific hints.) 🙂
Good luck with your task this week. It’s a bittersweet job, but hopefully more the latter than the former, especially if you have siblings around to help you–and to laugh and cry with you, too.
We still have some work to do donating things but it’s good my sister and I have each other.
That’s Kim’s sweater isn’t it? I thought it was darling on kim and it is darling on you too! You always have such great suggestions for streaming. I need to write them all down. That Tom Hanks one sounds fabulous!!
What is the moss you are using? Where can I buy iy?
Happy Birthday!
I put the Amazon link above!
Love all the updates Mary Ann. I continue to enjoy your blog. Sad though that you are not coming back to Lido Isle!
Love the look of the cashmere sweater, jeans and boots. Very nice. Yes, I have seen “News of the World.” I liked it very much but anything with Tom Hanks and I’m in. The book by Paulette Jiles is great and somewhat different than the movie.
Thanks Linda!!
P.S. Happy Birthday!
Cute sweater Mary Ann! I have the that issue of Living magazine…I told my husband she must have hired help full time to polish all that copper!
I’m sure she does!!
Mary Ann!! You look stunning in your new favorite cashmere pullover! Love your hair!!
Isn’t Martha’s updated kitchen gorgeous? I love the black soapstone with the black and copper!! Can you believe that copper pot collection? gasp!
xx
Thanks Annie!!!