What I'm Loving Right Now

Happy Thursday, all! Today I'm linking up with Katherine's Corner and her Thursday Favorite Things blog hop, to tell you about a few of the things I'm loving right now.

When I went to Texas right after Christmas, I knew one of my favorite destinations would be the Round Rock Outlet Mall...specifically a little shop that sells Lancome at outlet prices.  You especially score if you can find things on clearance that you really want/need, and I did!

One of those things was my Kate Winslet Golden Hat powder from the Lancome shop.

I don't use a lot of powder...too much can be aging...but I like a light dusting just to set my foundation.  I manage to grab the VERY LAST powder at a very low clearance price (I'm thinking maybe 8 dollars?), and it happened to be in a light shade just right for my skin.  I'm loving it!

Brooks Brothers "New York"

While at the mall, my sister Beverly popped into the Brooks Brothers outlet to see if they had any of their fragrance that she loves.  It's called "New York" for women.  She had bought some once at a bargain price and loved it, but she didn't have a Brooks Brothers in her area.


Well, she quickly let us know that the outlet store was selling 1 oz bottles of  the fragrance for 15 dollars! My other sister and I both bought one, and I'm loving it! It's a beautiful scent that doesn't smell like any of the    fragrances I currently have.

Temperatures have been VERY frigid here in northwest Illinois, and I have really been loving my quilted jacket from Old Navy.  I have to say, this is probably the warmest jacket I have ever owned! Also, it's shaped so it doesn't look bulky and unflattering.

I dress it up with a bright plaid scarf in shades of pink, with hot pink gloves.  But you could use just about any color of accessories.

By the way, I think I paid around 25 dollars for mine, but I noticed on the Old Navy website that it's now being clearanced for under 18 dollars!
I may have mentioned before how much I'm loving Tetley Orange and Peach Tea.  I first discovered this tea at Olive Garden, and to my dismay, I can't find it at any store.

So I ordered it online...and I'm loving it!  This smooth tea has an amazing flavor.  I usually have a cup at work and in the evening when I'm craving something fattening.  It's so satisfying and feels like such a treat.

Link up with Katherine's Corner!

Visible Monday: The 5-Dollar Old Navy Dress

Sometimes patiently scouring the clearance racks really pays off!  I was at Old Navy with my daughter on Saturday, and I found a simple blue dress for 5 dollars and some-odd cents.  It's sleeveless, but I knew it would fine with a cardigan.

So naturally I bought it, and wore it to church today with the Chinese Laundry hat I got at Ross Dress for Less for around 10 bucks at Easter earlier this year.

This picture above was taken on my back deck, which is being invaded by a gorgeous red maple tree.  Sadly, these leaves will be gone all too soon.

This dress is made of soft, comfy material.  I wore in with a black tank underneath, and a black Merona cardigan I got at Target a couple of months ago.

I REALLY need to get a full-length mirror... but just to let you know, the dress falls just below my knees.

A closer look.  As you can see, the cardigan has some pretty detailing.  I think I got the necklace at Cato a while back.

I'll leave you with a parting shot of our maple-gloried back deck.  It's been a breathtakingly gorgeous autumn, and I'll be sad to see these leaves go!

I'm participating in Visible Monday, hosted by Not Dead Yet Style...click on the icon to find out more!

High Five for Friday!

For the first time, I'm participating in High Five for Friday, hosted by Lauren at From My Grey Desk.  I found out about this bloghop from Kate Bryan's The Small Things Blog.  Kate is a lovely young woman who does amazing hair tutorials.  Check her out if you haven't already!

Oh, and don't forget to enter my give-away for the chance to win a gorgeous top from Soft Surroundings...more on that below!

So here we go!

1.Yay for good deals at Old Navy! I'm in love with these earrings, because I'm a sucker for all things Paris.  I even have a whole board on Pinterest dedicated to Paris!  Are these earrings not the cutest?  And the black top I got for $9.49!

2.  The weather here in Northwest Illinois has been just about perfect all week.  One day when I was out and about I snapped some pictures of the fall colors that are just beginning to emerge.  This house just looked so pretty, I had to take a pic of it.

3.  I'm loving the return of my favorite TV shows!  Fringe returns tonight... Person of Interest was AMAZING last night...and Once Upon a Time comes back Sunday night!

Josh Dallas plays Prince Charming

4.  I'm planning to get out my fall decorations this weekend and dress the house up for autumn!

5.  High five for my Soft Surroundings give-away!  Go here to enter to win this beautiful Vintage Ruffle Top...I have it in cornflower blue and absolutely love it.  It retails for 79.00 but it can be YOURS for free!

Click on the icon below to participate in High Five for Friday!