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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Friday Favorites, Shay ·

Friday Favorites!


Hey! Hey! Hey!  It’s Fri-day!
Woohoo!  This first week of school has kicked our hineys, and we need a weekend.  We are all so TIRED!  My kids are not used to their back to school schedule yet…TGIF!
Today, I’m linking up with my favorite girls Narci, Andrea and Erika and sharing some of my Friday Favorites with you!
When I posted this picture of us at the Louvre earlier in the week, I had several people ask me about my shoes.  These are the Go Walks that I’m always talking about!!  I cannot even begin to tell you how comfy they are and if you’re going on a trip anytime soon that involves walking, these shoes are for you.  In Paris, we walked 7 to 9 miles a day and my feet never once hurt (and no blisters either!). 
If you have a Disney trip planned, these will save your life :).  I wear mine around our neighborhood every day (walking the kids to and from school, taking my kids out on their bikes and such).  I love how they’re super simple to just slip on and you don’t need socks.  #ilovethese   My grey ones are new…up until recently, I’ve been wearing these pink ones…
…that I bought about three years ago.  I wore them so much that I bought the grey pair too (this past July) for our new trip.  Pink, grey…it doesn’t matter.  They’re both so comfortable!

This was me on the first day of school on Monday…wearing my Smith necklace and my Kensington necklace :). I have an Ashby necklace too…but since the big kids were headed off to school, I wore their names.  I love these little necklaces so much!  I bought my mom one for Christmas that says Lovie and my mother-in-law one that says Nanny (their grandma names).  These guys make great gifts :).

I have a confession to make.  Only my friends and family know this.
I am secretly an 80 year old woman trapped inside this 33 year old body.
You’re shocked, right?!
My girlfriends and my parents would all tell you that I am a very old soul.  Something else you might not know about me…but there is ALWAYS music playing in our house.  Always.  I turn it on right when I wake up (4:20 am) and don’t shut it off until 9:00 pm when I’m about to sit down and watch TV before bed.  I don’t just turn on any music…I only turn on standards.  (Now, you see why I’m obsessed with Michael Buble right…he sings standards.)
So, on Wednesday, when I confessed to be listening to Nat King Cole, I had many of you tell me that you’re old souls too. #oldsoulsunite 
If you’re like me and you’re an old soul, you should also be listening to these two guys sing standards.  First…
…Rod Stewart has five standard albums plus a greatest hits version and I may or may not have them all in CD form…and on iTunes.  Look them up on iTunes!  All of his standard albums are labeled The Great American Songbook 1-5 plus that Greatest Hits album.  You’ll love them all.  Annnnnnd…if you love them, then you’ll also love this guy…

…Steve Tyrell.  He produced all of the Rod Stewart standard albums plus…he’s the one who did all of the music for Father of the Bride.  He’s amazing.  I may or may not listen to his channel on Pandora every single day when I turn on my standards throughout my house.  You old souls are going to thank me :).

Speaking of my post on Wednesday…three cheers for this plaid shirt and my new booties too…

…and, I went online and ordered these jeans…because well, as you can see, the shorts just aren’t going to cut it this fall ;).  

Well, I’ve mentioned this before, so you guys know my cousin Casey owns her own bow boutique (hence the fab bows my girls are always wearing), and look what she gave me on Wednesday!  Burlap bows for fall!  
I need a moment.
I mean…how cute are they?!?!
So, to see the burlap bows, plus holiday bows, plus every single bow you’ve ever seen Kensington or Ashby wear (they wear XL Jumbo size), click here for One Stop Bow Shop’s website.  My cousin is a mama to two girls (Paisley and Penley) and like the sweetest person EVER!  Plus, her team makes the best bows :).

Tuesday’s post on Back to School Slow Cooker Suppers was a BIG hit, so if you missed it…
…you can see it here.  Life is simple when you use your slow cooker to make supper.
And…if you’re a big butternut squash person like me…or if you like sneaking veggies into your family’s food (like me!), then you’ll love this…

…my Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese.

My kiddos had no idea they were eating squash.  #momwin

Happy Friday!  I hope you have the best weekend!

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Comments

  1. Kimberly says

    Hahaha – I think I share your taste in music. I'm wondering if it is too soon to start listening to my favorite Neil Diamond Christmas CD? 🙂 I love butternut squash – I never thought to add it to mac & cheese. Looks amazing!

    Kimberly
    Very European

  3. Not A Mom says

    Obsessed with those necklaces, I could definitely see how those would be great gifts {gotta remember this for the holidays!}. I am loving those shoes, I need some good walking shoes and those booties #DYING!

    Linds @ Not A Mom

  5. Jamie Allen says

    we're amazon prime members and all the albums you mentioned {except nat king cole} are included in our membership aka free aka i just downloaded them onto my amazon music app. i love my blue sketcher go walks! make great memories this weekend.

  6. Cat W says

    Oh that slowcooker series looks awesome! I feel so ahead of the game when I get dinner into the crock pot and I know it will be done when I need it. Going to check it out now!

  9. Eileen says

    Love my Go Walks! I wear them everywhere and have also done lots of sightseeing in them. Most. Comfortable. Shoe. Ever! Can't wait to try the Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese.

  11. Denise Panetta says

    I love my Go Walks …. I bought the leopard pair and a shiny printed silver pair (I have a total of 5 pairs)…. I get so many compliments on them. They are life savers when we go down to Key West every winter! I also have downloaded all of Rod Stewarts albums of the old songs and also bought for my mother-in-law. I have not missed a Rod Stewart concert since I was 16! Total of 39 years seeing him in concert (in the Detroit area)!

  12. Robyn Marrie says

    Soul sisters we are! I love my Go Walks! I am also an Old Soul! Besides the old songs, I also listen to talk radio and follow the politics. We're around the same age I think. 2 Tom-thumbs up for Old Souls??

    • Stacy P. says

      We were in London in the winter (super rainy) and I took my Hunter boots and they were really great. But if you don't like that feeling, what about the Sperry Duck boots or Sam Edleman short boots? Those are cute and not as "rain boot-y" as Hunters. Just a thought. Have a wonderful trip!!

    • Laura says

      Have you tried the Hunter Packable Tour rain boots? They look the same as the standard Hunter wellingtons but weigh half as much. They also bend / fold for packing purposes 🙂 I bought them for everyday wear because the normal Hunters were too heavy for me, but they'd be great for a trip, too!

  14. Mix and Match Mama says

    I would wear my Hunter Wellington rain boots. That's my honest suggestion. So sorry! I know you said no rain boots…but they're comfy and keep your feet dry, so that's what I suggest. Have so much fun!!

  15. Jami says

    I used to think Toms were the most comfortable shoes until I tried Go Walks. I gave pink and grey and they will both be packed for Disney in 34 days 🙂
    Also, I think you could totally rock the booties with shorts. I seen someone once and she rocked it but I've been too afraid to try.

  18. Keri says

    Loooove Rod Stewart! Many moons ago my brother found one of his CD's in the park and I wore that thing out and about 5 years ago my friend burned me a new one. Haha.

  19. Sara Fehrenbacher says

    I have a lighter shade of grey Go Walks and I love them! At first I was weary because they aren't the most fashionable things I've ever seen, but after wearing them on our trip to NYC this past May, I just LOVE them! They are so light and comfy. I also love that they can be worn without socks, so my feet don't feel hot all day like they would if I were wearing tennis shoes.

    I noticed you recommended to wear Hunter rain boots for a rainy trip. Do you wear them in the winter? If so, do you recommend the fleece inserts that can go in them? I'm debating between a good pair of rain boots, or just a pair of boots for snow now that it's fall, and after fall, winter sneaks up quick here in Southern Indiana!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      It's a term used when describing popular songs recorded back in the 40s and 50s (like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald music). A lot of people (like Michael Buble) record them today too.

  23. Bri's Blog Journal says

    I bought the Go Walks for my Orlando trip after seeing your rec for them on the blog. Most comfortable shoe ever. I did 12 hours days at Universal and Orlando and my feet never hurt unlike the previous year when I wore my Nike's. I've been telling all my nurse friends about them. One friend actually tried mine own last night and said, it's like walking on clouds!

  25. The Queen says

    I instantly stopped reading – turned on Pandora and created a Steve Tyrell station. #oldsoulsindeed I'm always laughing because my friends kids are all "Shake it Off" and mine know all the words to every Sinatra song!

  27. Megan says

    I have those gray go walks too!! I bought them last year when I was huge and pregnant and had low back pain. They fixed all of it. No more back pain. AMAZING! I wore them all over Seattle on our vacation (7months pregnant) Best shoes ever!

  28. Wendy says

    Go Walks!!! Love, love, love them!! Walmart also had some this summer and I bought them on whim and they are equally as awesome. I think they are Danskin!

  31. Lindsay at Lindsay'sSweetWorld says

    I spy my boys Rod and Steve!! I still can't get over the fact that there's someone else out there who is my age and is as obsessed with this music as much as I am. #KindredSpirit

    Seriously, Rod's first songbook album is my top most played album in iTunes, and I never NEVER get tired of it. If I had to move to a desert island and I could only take one album to listen to for the rest of my life, it would probably be that one.

  34. Bekah Bruce says

    I am an old soul too. Probably why I relate to you so well. Love your music choices. And those necklaces are what I gift my coaches! Love them! Love that they layer; love all the ways and options to wear them. And AMEN!!!! For your fall back to school crock pot dinners!!! <3

  35. V @ X-tremely V says

    Can I just say yes to it all! I think you and Erika sold me on picking up some Sketchers! Now to decide on what color! lol! Oh, I so need a little girl to put those bows on! I love them! Praying someday that dream will come true 🙂

    Happy Friday Shay!

  36. Rebecca says

    I'm a 40 year old, old soul too! Standards have always been my favorite music style! I may be the only one to complain about my sketcher go walks – I like them a lot & they are really comfy, but after 12 hours at Disneyland my feet hurt! They probably started hurting after 9 hours. My two small outer toes hurt a lot bc that's where they rubbed! I didn't size down a half size like many people suggest either. They are still good for walking, maybe not just that much for me. I got the breast cancer edition of the gray color you have & love that color combo!

  37. Tiffany Bagalini says

    Go Walks huh? I've never tried them and JUST purchased a pair of Nike Free's for an upcoming Disneyland trip. Now I'm wondering if I should get a pair Go Walks????

  39. Meghan Moellman says

    Those burlap bows are SO cute! So fabulous for fall! (; and I totally bought some of the Go Walks after you & Erika recommended them last year- they're the best for walking around with the kiddos! Thanks again!

  40. JenM says

    I have a question about the Sketchers. I have plantar fasciitis and my one foot always hurts. I hate wearing sneakers in the warm weather and have been looking for something more lightweight. For all of you who say they are super comfortable, I was wondering if any of you normally have foot troubles, and if so how they fare for you?
    I have had this foot pain since right before a Disney trip 2 years ago. I was in tears by the end of the day every day we were there. We are going again in a few months. Any other recommendations in particular for people with aching feet I would love to hear.

    • Dina says

      I have plantar fascitis too and I used to come home crying every day. Horrible pain in right foot. Bought these and night and day difference! Seriously a must try! When we were in NYC I walked miles and no pain. I bought bunch of different colors. All I wear!! Definitely a must try!

  42. KC says

    I've been listening to Steve Tyrell since you recommended him! Had to come back to this post and share another guy with you that my sister in law recently introduced me to: Seth MacFarlane- he's pretty great, too- same classic/standard style.