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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

Everyday Life ·

This & That Thursday!


Happy happy Thursday, friends!

Today’s post is short and sweet because…

…SALLY HEPWORTH IS COMING TO TOWN TODAY!!!!!!

Oh my gosh, I’m so excited to finally meet her in person!!!!

If you are one of the sweet, sweet blog readers who is coming out today to meet her and you have any questions about parking, dinner, logistics, etc, leave a comment, and I’ll try to answer as many as I can.  I will see you all out there this afternoon/early evening with some of my friends as we welcome Sally to our cozy little town square.  If you haven’t read any of Sally’s books…YOU SHOULD!  I’ve read and reviewed them all:

THE SECRETS OF MIDWIVES
THE THINGS WE KEEP
THE MOTHER’S PROMISE
THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR
THE MOTHER-IN-LAW
THE GOOD SISTER

I just finished reading her latest book, THE YOUNGER WIFE, which I’ll be reviewing in this month’s book review (out later this month).  I know what you’re going to ask me…which one should I read first?  Well, if you go back above and read my book reviews, I gush about every single one of them because I LOVE THEM ALL!  You really cannot go wrong with any of her books, and since they all stand alone, feel free to read them in any order.  These books are always PG-ish (never R) too for those of you who worry about ratings.  You guys, tonight is going to be EPIC, and I can hardly wait!!!!

In the meantime…a few more random things for your Thursday.

I bought these wedges the other day and LOVE THEM!  You girls, they’re so COMFY and CUTE!!!  They run TTS and come in SIX different colors too!  (I bought them in the color tortilla.)

The day they arrived last week, I opened them, tried them on, loved them, snapped this picture and wore them to dinner that night (with my chambray shirt which is now 34% off!  I bought it in a size 2.).

And then…

…I wore them again to church on Sunday with my dress and denim jacket.  Love, love, love for spring and summer!

Okay, this next thing is super random, but I would LOVE your feedback on…

…here’s the deal, I’ve started and stopped a dozen shows this year.  Nothing in my normal feeds can keep my interest.  I love having a little something to watch during my lunch or while I fold laundry, but I legit cannot find anything.  I’ve heard several people lately mention Brit Box…and I’m intrigued.  If you have feedback, please share!

Last but not least today…

…just in time for Easter, I’ve round up all of my Easter recipes including sweet…

9 Easy Easter Sides

…and savory in one post HERE.

Okay, I’m off, friends!!!  I hope to see many of you in McKinney today to meet Sally with me!!! xo

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Comments

  2. Alison says

    Wow! I’m so jealous and excited for you to meet and be with Sally!! I love her books, and your reviews have created that love. I hope you guys have the best time! I wish I lived closer to visit; but Georgia is a little too far to drive, unfortunately.

    • Lisa says

      Britbox is worth it if you love classic British TV. Call the Midwife, Absolutely Fabulous, Blackadder to start with. Also, Cold Feet is another classic British show that is fantastic. I think that is on Amazon…

      I am Scottish and grew up on this stuff so maybe I am a bit biased lol

      • jennibell says

        Oh, wow!! I’m soooooo surprised. I loved that show when it was out. . . the family dynamics seem to be something that you would really like. Oh well. . .sometimes you just can’t get “in the mood” (I’m like that with books. . .then go back to them in a year or two and devour them). I’ve got nothing for Brit Box but my inlaws love it 🙂

  5. Nicky says

    We’ve been using BritBox in South Africa for a few months. There’s usually some good, more current stuff like Line Of Duty and them some cool older stuff that we’ve either rewatched or found more applicable to our age now. Not sure about the US but it’s pretty cheap here so I don’t mind paying for it and keeping it as a back-up, if we can’t find something on Netflix etc.

  7. Carrie says

    I started reading Sally Hepworth because of your recommendations. Friends and I went and saw her in person on Tuesday in Cleveland. She could not have been more adorable. She was so very funny! I loved that she was promoting other author’s books and not just her own too. Just a super classy lady and fun night. Have a great time!

    • Austin says

      I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! Every single one is truly great. Hope your trip and book signing go well.

  12. Lauren says

    I don’t know anything about BritBox, BUT…..Call the Midwife is one of my all time favorite series I have watched (Netflix). It is sweet, it’s sad, it has bits of history….I just love it!

  13. Carole says

    Have you watched Jane the Virgin? It’s old but can’t remember if you have ever mentioned it before. It’s so good, but does have subtitles at points which makes you pay more attention. That was an issue for me at times, haha

  14. Tina says

    Even if you only watch one show on BritBox…Shetland…it would be worth it! I love, love, love Shetland. Seriously…you will want to go there after you watch this show.

  15. Aimee says

    Have a great time today!
    Brit box….
    If you like quirky mysteries (light hearted and fun):
    Miss marple
    Father brown (new one, cutest town ever)
    Rosemary and thyme
    Poroit (so good!)
    Shakespeare and hathaway
    Currently watching McDonald and Dodd
    Sister boniface
    Murder in Provence (the scenery!!)
    Want to start Why didn’t they ask evans?

  16. Mary Elliott says

    I hope you all have THE BEST time! Wish I was closer and could attend- love her books!! Enjoy this day! Happy for YOU!

  17. Leasa Zeppa says

    Page 30 Book Club gals are coming from Burleson! We pick most of our books from your book review and have read several of her books! We would love details on where to park, shop and have dinner! We are arriving around 2:00. We can’t wait to explore McKinney!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Oh my gosh! I cannot wait to meet you all!!!!! You’re going to head straight to the historic square. Sharla’s (where the signing is) is on one side and then the other restaurants all border. My suggestion is to try The Yard tonight since the weather is going to be gorgeous! You can park in the one dedicated parking garage, along the square, on the side streets leading in or one of the three parking lots right off the square.

  18. Deb says

    I’m with you on the tv series?‍♀️. We enjoyed Benjamin Franklin and are currently watching Julia on HBO. Have fun tonight

  19. K.K. says

    I REALLY wish there was a way to private jet to McKinney after work today! 🙂 I look forward to hearing about it and watching for stories online. I hope there are more of these opportunities to meet and greet with you – and/or some of your favorite authors. (Can you tell the book stuff is one of my favorite posts/podcasts?!) Have the best time!

  20. JL says

    Call the Midwife!!!! It’s the best show EVER!! Having lived in Europe (which is WAY different than visiting EU) this is very accurate and will help polish your BRIT vocabulary!!!

  21. JL says

    Call the Midwife!!!! It’s the best show EVER!! Having lived in Europe (which is WAY different than visiting EU) this is historically pretty accurate and based on a book series that you may enjoy as well!!

    • Kelly says

      I second this! Such a wonderful show! I actually have a daughter who became a labor and delivery nurse because of this show.

  22. Jen says

    I haven’t seen any of the Britbox shows that you mentioned, but I did just with Inventing Anna and loved it. Better Call Saul is also so, so good! I *might* even say that I liked it better than Breaking Bad.

  23. Kay says

    Hi Shay – I’m so excited for you today! Wish I didn’t live 300 miles away or else I’d bet there too! OK – completely random/odd question – I know you love candles and I’ve just started to use them more myself. My question is – when you leave the house to run a couple hour errand do you blow them out or feel comfortable leaving them burning? Have a wonderful afternoon!

    • Kim says

      Hi – I’m not Shay but I’m compelled to jump in and say definitely blow them out if you are leaving the house, even for a short time, or if you are going to sleep, or even if you will be in a different part of the house for a long time. We had a friend lose almost everything to an unattended candle fire (luckily no loss of human life, but tragically pet loss and serious property loss). I love candles too, but they are a true fire hazard, so only burn them if you are in the room with them. Also, that way your candles will last longer and you won’t be “wasting” them when you aren’t even there to enjoy them.

      • Charlene Cunningham says

        Totally agree with Kim. Long story but my husband got second degree burns when one flamed up and he tried to put it out. It was very close to our sheers. Our carpet got burned in places.etc.

      • Kay says

        Thanks Kim – I appreciate your comment & will definitely blow them out when I leave the house. So sorry to hear about your friends’ fire. How terrible!

  24. Pam English says

    My husband and I love British TV. We have Acorn and Brit Box and both are good but I love Acorn and watch it more. Better mysteries, drama series, esp. Aussie and New Zealand dramas and mysteries, just love them! Both are affordable so I keep both because Brit Box has more comedies that hubs likes?. Happy Easter to you and your family!

  25. VJ Corts says

    My husband and I watch a ton of British shows. I’m not sure if they are all on britbox, we watch them wherever we can find them. Endeavor, Foyle’s War, Luther, Unforgotten, All Creatures Great and Small, Around the World in 80 Days, Poldark, Sherlock, Broadchurch, Death in Paradise…just to name a few.

  26. Marilyn Giuliano says

    Hi Shay,

    I always read your blog but very rarely leave a comment. But…..in one word…..POLDARK! I loved it. So much so, that I have re-watched it a few times. I don’t know much about Britbox but I do love all England-based movies, so I will definitely look into it.

    Happy Easter! And have a great day today!

    Marilyn

  27. Mary Jane McNeill says

    I have Acorn TV and watch it ALL THE TIME. I am such an Anglophile that I’ll watch anything British!

  28. mary mathews says

    Brit box and Acorn tv are the best, IF you love british shows. there are so many great ones. my husband and i have had both of these channels for years and we re watch many of the great shows we have seen over the years. i hope you find shows to enjoy!!!!!

  29. Jessica says

    The energy here today is amazing!! Have the BEST time tonight and report back. We need ALL the details :). Ok, for shows- I’m currently binging the HBO show Starstruck and I second the Julia recommendation. Perfect for lunch/laundry folding watching.

  30. andrea in mn says

    For TV series, I LOVE all things Masterpiece Theater. If you haven’t watched “Call the Midwives” yet, I highly recommend. You can also see most all things Masterpiece Theater. Donate to PBS and you will have “passport” access to their television shows.

  31. Dawn Scheurich says

    Same with the shows, however, I happened on “Call the Midwife” and I’m hooked, except I’m now on season 11. It’s so good, especially since I LOVE British shows. If you love mysteries, my husband and I have watched several British detective shows that we loved!

  32. Sara says

    I started out with Acorn and then added Britbox. I LOVE them both!!

    Acorn is great for non-BBC British shows like Foyle’s War and international titles like Murdoch Mysteries (Canadian) and Brokenwood Mysteries (New Zealand).

    Britbox has a ton of British mysteries, dramas, reality shows (Escape to the Country, RPU/Traffic Cops) & comedies (Fawlty Towers, detectorists). You can do a one month free trial to either service to see if you like one or both.

  33. Deena says

    I don’t get Britbox but we watch Death in Paradise on our streaming service, YTTV. It’s a series about a British detective (the lead changes a few times) in a small Caribbean island. For some reason the murders don’t seem nearly as bad with the beautiful scenery and weather. Definitely some humor in it. I got Acorn for a while to watch MISS FISHER’S MURDER MYSTERIES which is about a very modern lady detective in Melborne in the 1920’s. It’s a series of books by Kerry Greenwood but they added a bit of romance with the police detective that wasn’t there in the book.