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Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

Rediscovering Life after Retirement

Categories: Life Style

Friday Favorites 04.2020

Friday Favorites 04.2020

 

Sweet potatoes!  Linking up with Narci, Erika and Andrea, today for my Friday Favorites, 04.2020 post.  Even though this is a weekly post for many of my blogger buddies, I’m just hoping to share my faves once a month, on the last Friday.  And so far, so good.  In case you missed it, please check out the goodies in last month’s Friday Faves, here.

Just a reminder:  Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After occasionally uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link provided I may receive a very small commission.  Thank you for your support.

Friday Favorites 04.2020

Friday Favorites 03.2020

This month’s favorites are a conglomeration of all kinds or real and virtual things.  A couple of favorite blog posts I enjoyed this week, a couple of fashion purchases inspired by some blogging fashionista friends, and some ideas that I think are pretty cool.  Let’s get started.

Favorite Organizational Product

One of my faves for this month is a thingamabob my sister Valerie bought first bought and shared with me.  A hobby cart to help me reach my winter goal of decluttering and organizing my  craft space.  Yeah, I said winter goal!  Actually did do a preliminary declutter of my craft supplies in the winter.  But got down and dirty in there this week.  And as a reward for my hard work, I ordered this cute Recollections red metal cart from Michaels.  It is currently on sale, and comes in about a half-dozen colors.

hobby cart

[source]

Have been following along with Taylor’s 52 Weeks To An Organized Home.  But we aren’t scheduled to tackle crafts until late October.  With all this free time on my hands, I hated to wait.  Besides, if this stay at home order is in place all summer, I will need to declutter and reorganize by then again anyway.

Favorite Fashion Find

During my blog reading earlier in the month, I fell in love with a look shared by Jess Jannenga at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish.  For her Turning Heads link up, Jess paired a camo skirt with a green/yellow and pink floral blouse.  I love the play between edgy and feminine, hard and soft.

Friday Favorites 04.2020

[source]

Isn’t she just stunning?  I was anxious to replicate her fabulous look.  And in the post, Jess linked to her NYDJ skirt, but it was a little beyond my budget limits.  Not to be deterred, I shopped until I found this Style & Co. camo skirt, on sale 30% off, at Macy’s.

Friday Favorites 04.2020

[source]

I have several blouses I think will work.  Which one do you like best?

Friday Favorites 04.2020
Friday Favorites 04.2020
Friday Favorites 04.2020

So will shop my closet first, before buying something new.  And then I will share my copycat look here with you.

Several Favorite Blog Posts

I have done a lot of blog reading this week. It has been uplifting for me to read about everyone’s reflections on and experiences with Covid-19.  Brings us closer together knowing we aren’t dealing with this very lonely time all alone.  Three posts this week especially resonated with me.

The first one was written by my Australian friend Deb at Deb’s World.  The title of the post is What I Heard This Week.  It made me think about the things I am hearing and not hearing during these very strange days.

Friday Favorites 04.2020

[source]

Another post that spoke to me was written by my friend Laurie at Meditations in Motion.  In her post Stubborn Hope Begin in the Dark, Laurie is very open about her struggles dealing with a feeling of panic and sense of fear that strikes her at unpredictable moments these days.  I can relate.  As I’ve shared here, Sunday and Thursday nights are my hardest times.  Not really sure why those nights in particular.  Maybe Sunday night because I am anxious about what the week will bring.  And Thursday night because I am sad for what the weekend won’t hold?

Friday Favorites 04.2020

[source]

My new friend Jennifer from My Ashes for Beauty wrote about how these days are beginning to run together.  In her post Not Just Another Day, she reminds readers to not wish their lives away by focusing only on a future once the quarantine is lifted.  Jennifer reflects on how each day is a new day, with new opportunities.  Encouragement I needed to hear.  Because I tend to forget to live in the present, in the moment.

Friday Favorites 04.2020

[source]

Favorite Act of Love

My daughter Brennyn is a neo natal nurse in Ft. Worth, Texas.  She is so dedicated to her patients and their families and works with a great group of day shift nurses who have become like family.  One of Brennyn’s closest friends is Kathryn.  And Kathryn is the subject of one of these Friday Faves.

For each holiday, Kathryn crochets hats or booties for the babies born in their unit during that special time.  And then she sets up the sweetest backdrop and, with the new parents’ permission, Kathryn photographs those precious babies.  Brennyn shared Kathryn’s Easter backdrop with me.  And then Kathryn was kind enough to send me photos of the sets for several earlier holidays.  Check these out!

Friday Favorites 04.2020
Friday Favorites 04.2020
Friday Favorites 04.2020
Friday Favorites 04.2020

Another act of love comes to us from El Paso Strong, an organization that came together after the August 3 mass shooting in our city.  The El Paso Strong website provides much information, including statistics, health orders, FAQs about the coronavirus.  And it was their recent suggestion that the city unite behind our medical professionals and first responders.  How?   By turning on lights on the exterior of their homes at 7:30 pm each Friday.  Unite with Light.

Friday Favorites 04.2020

Is something similar being done in your community?

Favorite Friday Funnies

Some of you guys find the best memes and gifs.  I must not know where to look for them!!  But stumbled across a couple of Covid-19 funnies this week.  I bet all of you have seen them already but they were new to me.  And gave me a laugh.

The DIY mask video had me rolling!  I cannot sew, although my mom did so beautifully.  She tried to teach me and I even took sewing lessons.  But none of it ‘took.’  That might be why I found this so hilarious.  It could be ME!!

We started tracking our Weight Watchers points this week.  That’s funny on its own!!  But PC was looking through the WW Connect feed and came across some great graphics about ‘AC’ – after Covid.    Of course, when I tried to find them, I couldn’t.  But came across this and thought it was cute.

After quarantine…

https://onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/a0RyKYX_460svav1.mp4

 

And I will leave you with this parting pic.

Friday Favorites 04.2020

Your Turn

What would be on this Friday Favorites 04.2020 list?  Have you been doing any on line shopping?  Found any special bargains?  Resorted to cutting your own hair yet?  Girls, mine is getting so long.  And so gray.  Sad state of affairs.

Off to change clothes so we can run.  Trying a new route today.  Hoping you have a pleasant weekend and are able to find a way to do some of the things you enjoy most…SAFELY!

Hugs and kisses,

leslie

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About Leslie Roberts Clingan

I am an aspiring blogger and children's author, wife, mother, daughter, sister, - in-law, responsible pet owner and recently retired elementary school librarian. I hope to figure out the next chapter of my life as I transition from crazy, busy work world onto totally idle retirement and now to something in-between.

Comments

  1. Nancy

    April 25, 2020 at 12:45 am

    I love Jess s style! She knows what looks good on her. I think all three blouses look good but the right one looks the best for me! Now show it is because it s a hell of a good outfit! Happy weekend!

    Reply
  2. Amy Johnson

    April 25, 2020 at 6:04 am

    I have been dying my own roots but I haven’t cut it and never will. If this goes on forever, I’ll have my daughter trim it but I guess I will have long hair for life. The only shopping I’m doing is for food and toiletries although I did buy a new pair of garden shoes as my old ones the sole came out.

    Reply
  3. Joanne Long

    April 25, 2020 at 6:56 am

    I think that any of the three blouses would work. A larger floral would be best so I would choose the blouse on the right.The video is hilarious. Happy weekend.

    Reply
  4. Joanne

    April 25, 2020 at 7:20 am

    My hair is getting quite long too so I’ve resorted to buns, pony tails, braids and more… with the help of a few clips to keep those shorter hairs in place.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 29, 2020 at 2:06 pm

      I have my hair in a pony tail today. My bangs have grown out enough that I can finally tuck them into the elastic. Wore a headband yesterday. But that, combined with the elastic on my face mask and the ear pieces on my sunglasses gave my ears a good working over. Ready to have my hair shaped up!!

      Reply
  5. jess jannenga

    April 25, 2020 at 9:05 am

    Hi Leslie,
    Love the haircut picture! My hair is getting long, you can really tell when its straight!
    Thank you so much for the feature and I am excited for you to style your camo look! That is a great skirt too! I love the colors and larger print in the one on the right. Your craft cart looks great! I have some photography projects for the Great Room I have yet to do.
    have a good weekend!
    jess xx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 25, 2020 at 9:41 pm

      I am thinking I prefer the same blouse as you do, paired with my camo skirt. But I go back and see your beautiful blouse and want one with more white and yellow. Lighter, breezier colors. Your look is just so spectacular.

      Reply
  6. Kellyann Rohr

    April 25, 2020 at 12:17 pm

    OH my goodness, that video was HYSTERICAL!!!! Ha! I totally thought she was a legit sewer and never expected her to be hilarious. My sister and I signed up for a sewing class. We bought patterns, fabric,all the notions and we thought we’d be making clothes likes no one’s business! We bailed after the first two lessons and decided to go to dinner and shop!
    Your new camo skirt is cute, cute, cute and I think the first two blouses are both my faves. I can’t wait to see you in them!
    xo,
    Kellyann

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 25, 2020 at 9:08 pm

      Ha!! Your sewing experience sounds like mine. My daughter and I bought cute little sewing kits and boxes to keep everything in, registered for a class and attended about 3 sessions but the teacher NEVER came by to help us. After the 3rd class we decided we’d rather eat Mexican and have margaritas. I kept my pattern and fabric for years but finally tossed it in a closet purge.
      Can’t wait to wear my camo skirt. Going to start wearing skirts and little tee shirt dresses like I would jeans.

      Reply
  7. Retirement Reflections

    April 25, 2020 at 5:13 pm

    Hi, Leslie – I can’t sew either. A friend sent me the “Kay Sewing Tutorial” and I also fell over laughing. Very, very funny!
    Thank you for sharing it again here!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 25, 2020 at 8:25 pm

      Isn’t that sewing tutorial so cute. She is so serious and so likable.

      Reply
  8. ShootingStarsMag

    April 25, 2020 at 5:50 pm

    I’m doing alright – definitely a lot of online shopping, which I need to stop. LOL Granted, most of it is for OTHER people so I suppose it’s not too bad. I don’t cut my hair often, so it’s doing okay, but I get my hair really thinned out when I do go, so it’s probably going to start getting really heavy soon and that’s the part I hate.

    -Lauren

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 25, 2020 at 8:25 pm

      Me, too!! Spending too much money online shopping. But what’s a girl to do???
      Wish you could give me some of the heaviness of your hair!! I used to have lots of hair but
      after baby #2, it got much finer and thinner. About to hit up baby #2, who is a all grown now,
      to trim my hair. It is too long!

      Reply
  9. Mica

    April 25, 2020 at 6:02 pm

    Jess is such a stylish lady! i love her linkup each week, and I like that you have found some cute ways to recreate her outfit. i think the third is my favourite, I really like the colour combination with the top and skirt together.

    The little setups for the babies photoshoots are so cute! i think we will see a lot more DIY photoshoots now with it being so hard to continue photography with the virus. We were booked in to do a free family photo shoot and were so looking forward to it when the rules changed and now we don’t know if we will get the chance again – obviously the place is shut so we can’t contact them, although they did let us know that we could postpone the session before they closed so maybe we will get another chance.

    Hope that you are having a lovely weekend 🙂

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 29, 2020 at 2:02 pm

      Oh, I have wanted a whole family photo shoot for years now. I think our family is probably done expanding, all the babies have been born that we are going to have, and this would be a great time to have photos done. If I can get everyone together and find a photographer, once the dust settles. Hope you are able to do you photoshoot soon.

      Reply
  10. Deb

    April 27, 2020 at 1:16 am

    You are so good at finding a bargain! Your skirt is identical to the other one, what a find. I think I prefer to look of it with the blouse on the left. But let’s see you modelling all three before we properly decide 😉
    Those photo shoot backgrounds are adorable, what a lovely idea!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 29, 2020 at 1:41 pm

      I am anxious to wear my new camo skirt out and about! Probably did not need another skirt…but at least I found a less expensive version of Jesse’s skirt. Kathryn is amazing with the photo backgrounds and adorable accessories she crochets for the babies to wear.

      Reply
  11. Dara

    April 27, 2020 at 7:15 am

    Great find on the camo skirt! Love those photo backgrounds!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 29, 2020 at 1:38 pm

      Thank you, my friend. Can’t wait to wear the skirt somewhere beside here at home!!

      Reply
  12. Morgan

    April 27, 2020 at 11:47 am

    Camo skirt is great! I like the middle outfit the best with it!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 29, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      Thank you!! I ordered a sleeveless top to wear with the camo that might be the best bet yet!

      Reply
  13. Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom

    April 27, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    I have one of those hobby carts downstairs for my sewing machine and sewing stuff. I got it at IKEA and I LOVE it!! Oh, that funny of Trump with his hair… what a hoot!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 29, 2020 at 12:07 pm

      Oh, I wish we had an IKEA close. Or maybe it is better we don’t!! Ha! I put my cart together yesterday and really like it. Now my desk top is cleared off and I can use it for blogging and devotional time.

      Reply
  14. Lysha

    April 28, 2020 at 8:41 am

    Oh that haircut picture is so disturbing! I love that camo skirt. I can’t bring myself to mix patterns like that. I am a little envious of those that do it and pull it off, but for some reason I just can’t do it. Can’t wait to see you in your combo.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 29, 2020 at 12:01 pm

      Trying hard to branch out and experiment some with pattern mixing. Bought a new top today that I think will be the best bet for the camo skirt. Stay tuned!!

      Reply
  15. Kimberly F Malkiewicz

    April 28, 2020 at 4:03 pm

    I wouldn’t feel bad about getting to a winter project in the spring–you’ll have to show us your craft room! Jess looked amazing in her skirt. I’ve had a camo skirt, but haven’t worn it with a print–I don’t have much in the way of prints. However, now it’s quite tight-boo! The mini photo booth is the sweetest thing for those little neo natal babies <3.

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 29, 2020 at 11:44 am

      Isn’t Kathryn incredible with her mini photo booth? She has the biggest heart.
      Try your camo skirt…it might surprise you! Then find a subtle pattern or some of
      your great embroidered tops to try it with.

      Reply
  16. Joanne Tracey

    April 28, 2020 at 4:31 pm

    Lots to love here. I would never think of pairing camo with floral, but that look is great. I giggled at the haircut meme too…

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 29, 2020 at 1:46 pm

      Thank you! I would not think of pairing camo with any print until I saw how darling Jess looked!!

      Reply
  17. Brennyn

    April 29, 2020 at 6:12 pm

    Mom I love you!!! You’re so fun! Thank you for featuring Kathryn!

    Reply
    • Leslie Roberts Clingan

      April 30, 2020 at 10:29 am

      I love you, my baby!! It was my pleasure to feature Kathryn. You and she are amazing nurses.

      Reply
  18. Debbie Harris

    May 1, 2020 at 4:11 am

    What a great post Leslie, full of a variety of topics and I’m so appreciative of your inclusion of my post!

    Reply
  19. Liz Klebba

    May 1, 2020 at 11:58 am

    Love the wine blouse with the camo skirt, but it’s not as springy as the middle option… Sigh. I, too, am in desperate need of a haircut. I cut Mr. CP’s hair this week, but he’s just a shade less particular than I. I’ve been experimenting with hair clips. They may just become my new best friend! I’m sorry to hear about your Thursday and Sunday miseries… I’m glad there’s a recognizable pattern; it’s more manageable when you know they will pass. Lifting you in prayer, Leslie! XO

    Reply

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In what felt like the blink of an eye, I have gone from full-time wife to my sweet husband, hands-on mom to my two beautiful daughters and elementary school librarian to a retired, empty nester with lots of time on my hands. Join me on my journey to rediscover who I am. Glad you are here...
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