Tiered Bell Sleeve T-Top with Jeans

Styling With Bells On

Hey everyone! I'm blogging with bells on today. Bell shaped sleeves, that is, that are tiered and elbow length. This comfy gray t-shirt top, that I found on the clearance rack at Stein Mart, has quickly become one of my favorite summer tops!

One issue I have with the all-so-popular bell sleeves is that if they are full length they get in the way of eating, washing hands, cleaning, etc. This top solves that issue with the shorter sleeves. The tiers are so pretty and add a feminine touch which is the "something special" that makes this top a standout. 

I'm pairing the top with my Gloria Vanderbilt boot cut jeans. These jeans have a little extra stretch which makes them quite comfortable. 

Isn't that box handbag pretty? I actually bought it at A.C. Moore to use as a makeup holder. I grabbed it to use as a prop for these photos so I would have something to hold in my hand and to add a little color. But, after seeing these photos, I think I just might carry it as a purse! This photo shoot is giving the blogger some new ideas to try!

Because this top has the pretty white pearls attached at the neckline, I don't choose to wear a necklace. I just wear earrings and my gray Paparazzi wrap bracelet. 

Have you jumped on board with bell sleeves? What do you think about this style? Hope you'll take a moment to share. And please don't forget to follow me by email, and on Google+ and Facebook. I appreciate your support so much! If you are interested in shopping a similar look, I'll add the links to similar items below. 

Have a great Friday!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

Top by Cha Cha Vente: (This one is plus size and lavender) 

Gloria Vanderbilt Jeans (Similar style)

Similar Wrap Bracelet

Tea For Two In Red, White and Blue

High Tea For The Fourth

With the 4th of July just around the corner, I decided to use red, white and blue to create a tea tray for two. 

The blue and white tea pot is a new piece I have recently added to my tea collection. It matches well with the other white and blue pieces that I already own. The tea pot and the pretty creamer were purchased from two different antique stores.

All I needed to add was my red cloths on the tray and some red carnations to create my 4th of July look. 

Cassie decided to check out the tea tray. She seems to approve of my unique way of creating a red, white and blue display!

Wish you could join Cassie and I for a spot of tea!  What are you doing to add a little 4th of July decor to your home? Hope you'll take a moment to share a comment! And, I would love for you to follow me by email so you'll never miss a post!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

Unexpected Changes and Caregiving

When Life Takes A Turn

So, after returning from a visit with my family in WV one week ago, the Mr. and I knew that another family member here was going to be having some surgery. What we didn't know is that this family member would actually end up having three surgeries in one week and that we would be spending mega hours at the hospital going back and forth between ICU and a regular room. Needless to say, it has been a very stressful week for both of us and I have had no time or energy left for blogging! So, if you've been wondering where Debbiethisandthat has been recently, that's what has been happening!

This whole experience has given the Mr. and I pause to ponder how difficult it is to be a caregiver for someone who is sick. Even though our family member was receiving excellent hospital care, there were still many things that we had to do. From visiting, to speaking with nurses and doctors, to advocating for post hospital care, to feeding our family member when she was too weak to do it on her own, to keeping family members and friends informed, the list goes on and on! We are blessed that our family member has a good place to go to for post hospital care. But, even so, we will continue to give care with visits, emotional support, errands and decision making about the future. How challenging it would be if this rehab facility was not available to us and we were trying to do it all at home, which is the plight of many folks who care for their loved ones. As I contemplate my own aging, I am hopeful that resources and help for those who need health care and health support (and who doesn't??) will be improved. My heart goes out to those who struggle on a daily basis to either be cared for themselves or to care for their loved ones and to find help doing so. 

I'm certainly not a guru on how to be a caregiver, but I am learning more and more as we go through this process. And, I am learning that self-care for the caregiver is important. Taking breaks, taking a walk, changing schedules as needed, relying on others and not trying to be super-human and doing it all is so important. It is easy to let guilt take over at times with "I should be doing more" type thinking. I am learning that it is OK to ask lots of questions and to seek help when necessary. It is OK to not be perfect. Lots of emotions come into play when a loved one is sick and it is healthy to deal with those emotions and not bury them. Like everything else in life, learning how to be a caregiver takes time and I am a work in progress. 

So, that's what has been happening in my life the last week. Tell me, what's been happening with you? I am hopeful to get back to a more routine blogging schedule as I am able. 

Until Next Time,

Debbie

Healthy Eating with Yogurt Bowls and Salmon

Two Ideas for Healthy Eating

*I am not a medical person or a dietitian. All writing/opinions are my own. These foods contain fish, nuts and dairy which some people are allergic to. 

Hey Everyone!  I'm back after taking the week off from technology while I traveled to West Virginia to see my family. It was nice to visit family and to have a break from my normal routine. Now, I'm back home and thought I would share a couple ideas with you of two great meals that are easy to prepare and also quite healthy, in my opinion. 

I was really proud of this dinner I made using fresh salmon topped with dill sauce over brown rice and green beans with almonds as a side. Salmon is a great source for protein, vitamins and minerals as well as Omega 3's. I seasoned this salmon with onion powder, black pepper and McCormick's salt free garlic and herb seasoning and baked it for approximately 25 minutes in a 425 degree oven. For the dill sauce I used Greek yogurt seasoned with a little lemon juice and, of course, dill. I have to admit that this dill sauce was not my favorite. I find Greek yogurt really tart and think the next time I make dill sauce I will use fat free sour cream instead of the Greek yogurt. If you are a fan of Greek yogurt, though, try it for the dill sauce. The green beans were the frozen kind that you can steam in the microwave. I then sauteed them in olive oil and added in the almonds which I had previously browned in a shallow pan. I am a fan of milder fish such as salmon or tilapia, and my hubby and I found this meal to be a winner!

Tired of the usual breakfast choices of eggs, pancakes and cereal?  Why not try a yogurt bowl for a change? !  I had been seeing yogurt bowls all over blogland and decided to make one of my own using some of my favorite fruits and nuts. I started with approximately one cup of my favorite Dannon Light and Fit vanilla yogurt and then added blueberries, peaches, banana slices and chopped almonds. 

I must say that this was yummo and such a nice change from the usual breakfast fare!  The fun thing about yogurt bowls is you can add any variety of toppings that you like and get really creative. Don't always feel you have to have fresh fruit either. Canned or frozen fruit works just as well as a yogurt topping. I'm thinking of adding a dusting of coconut to my next yogurt bowl. Get creative and enjoy!

Have you tried yogurt bowls or have great fish recipes?  Take a moment and share. I look forward to hearing from you! It's great to be back. I missed you!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

A Vest and Some Inspiration

A Little Bit of This and That From Debbie

(Not a sponsored or affiliate post. All writing/opinions are my own.)

So, today's post is going to cover several bases. I'm sharing a vest with you today for the fashion portion and then I'll conclude with some inspiration. Nothing like a little bit of this and that! 

Only one photo today and I have to say I'm not pleased with either the photo or the way I look, but that's the way it goes sometimes in blog land. I bought this vest awhile ago at Cracker Barrel and it looked so pretty on the rack. I think it makes me look "large" in this photo, though, and I also think I need to pair it with different colors. What do you think? Somehow, the blues don't go together well. I have another long vest that gives a more slimming appearance but this one doesn't seem to at all. I do like the pretty tan lace along the bottom of the vest. It adds a feminine touch to the overall casual look of the chambray vest. The brand is "Indigo Soul."  The vest is on sale online through Cracker Barrel and there is only one left if you are interested. I will say that it is lightweight which makes it a nice piece for warm weather wear. 

I don't know about you, but every once in  awhile I get on an "I look terrible" kick. I don't really ever like myself in photos and I can get down about how my hair looks, my weight, etc. etc. This type of thinking can be a very vicious cycle to break and usually has something to do with my overall mood at the time. During these "negative thinking" times, I turn to scriptures which remind me that looks are not really what life is all about. 

From Galatians 5: "That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original."

And, from Matthew 6: 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Source Bible Gateway)

These scriptures put my feelings in perspective in the right way and remind me that negative feelings about looks are counter productive and not necessary. I hope that if you ever experience the, "I look terrible blues," that these scriptures will be of help to you, as well. 

I will be taking a break this coming week from technology and blogging. So, this will be my last post for a week. But, don't worry, I'll be back with more of debbiethisandthat the next week!

Until Then, Have A Great Week and Many Blessings!

Debbie

Foyer Tablescape in Black and White

Black and White Table Decor For Summer

Black and white aren't typical Summer decor colors, however I got inspired today to give these colors a try on the foyer table. I have to say that I like the results!

The source of my inspiration is the lovely "Hello Summer" printable which Carol at Comfort Spring Station featured on her blog today. Although she designed the printable in color, I printed it in black and white. That got me to thinking about other black and white pieces that I own which have not been displayed in the foyer. So, this gave me a good opportunity to showcase those pieces.

This lovely pottery piece was hand-crafted by a friend. It is unique in its design. 

And, these shells were finds from my recent beach trip. So intricate and I enjoy adding more shells to my collection. The colors blend right into my black and white tablescape. 

I've been hanging on to this blackboard on canvas sign for awhile, waiting for the right time to display it. I love the sign's message and how it compliments my table display.

Soon, it will be time to pull out the red, white and blue for 4th of July table decor, but, for now, I like the simplicity of my Summertime black and white table display.

Are you changing your decor for Summer? Hope you'll take a moment to comment. And, remember, to sign up to follow by email so you never miss a post!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

Weekend Inspiration A Favorite Scripture

I can do all things through Christ who is my strength. 

Philippians 4:13

I have used this Bible verse before for devotionals, but I feel that it is one that bears repeating....and repeating....and repeating. In fact, this is a verse that I basically need to think about each and every day. Every one of us has challenges that we face on a daily basis. Some may be small challenges and some may be quite large. Only each of us knows how to categorize our challenges. Small for some people, may be quite large for others and vice versa. The key, however, is knowing that no matter what the challenges may be and whether they seem large or small to us, we know that God through Christ cares about us and our challenges and is always by our side helping us through them. Thanks be to God for this wonderful gift of God's continual presence and caring!

Blessings,

Debbie