You guys, HAPPY LAST DAY OF SEPTEMBER!
Even though the weather is still crazy unseasonably warm here, the leaves are starting to turn just a bit and that 15 day forecast has given me hope that October will finally feel like fall in North Texas.
We get to enjoy a slow start to our weekend this morning, and I hope you do too! My plan is to drink an extra cup of coffee and read my book an extra few minutes before my house wakes up. Do you have a favorite Saturday morning routine? If so, I would love to hear about it.
This is my “typical/non-busy/favorite” Saturday morning routine:
1: Wake up around 6:00.
2: Make an extra big cup of coffee for my quiet time.
3: Not be in a rush to get up from my cozy chair/blanket and read a little extra of my latest novel.
4: Go for a nice long run with a new podcast episode in my AirPods.
5: Come home for another cup of coffee and to whip up something yummy for breakfast.
Speaking of which…
If you’re looking for an easy “fall” breakfast idea, you should try…
…my PUMPKIN BLENDER BREAD. You can make this recipe into muffins too!
Well, Andrew certainly got to enjoy a festive/fall week on Nantucket! He flew up to check on the house/do a few things this week and while he was there, he got to live his best “fall guy” life. I would like to say that I was super jealous, but I love him so much that it just made my heart happy to see his pics and hear about his time there…
…he had dinner one night at The Sea Grille where their sides had a “fall” flair. Hello red cabbage and squash mash?! YUM!
He took Something Natural to Cisco Beach one day for lunch…
…and then later that afternoon, he met up with his buddies to play some golf at Miacomet…
..look at those guys all wearing light jackets and pants. Never mind, I am jealous. I’m super jealous and have decided to be resentful now 😉 .
And there he goes heading back to McKinney. We sure do love this island! I know a lot of you ask about visiting in the fall, and of course, I’m not the authority on anything Nantucket, but I would say that going after October 1st looks very different than going before.
If this is your first trip, I would highly recommend going when you can really see the island and all her glory, so I would visit before October 1st. Andrew was there this week which is “Restaurant Week” and now that it’s over, so many of them close for the season as well as shops and other businesses. Of course, there will always be something amazing about Nantucket, and I’m not saying you can’t visit during the off season, but if this is your first trip, I would assume you’d want to spend your money and time when the island truly shines, so in my opinion, that would be July 1st through October 1st. (I get asked this question pretty much every single day, so this is just an FYI.)
So this happened to me this week…
…Andrew and I typically fold laundry at night while we watch a little TV, but since he was gone, I opened Netflix to find something to watch alone, saw this new show and started it.
And then binged all three episodes.
Oh my goodness, I couldn’t quit. It’s a quick watch (only 3 episodes!) and is about a real murder in London back in 1999…I was hooked.
You guys, it’s time for one of Athleta’s BIGGEST SALES OF THE YEAR and my personal favorite time to shop! You know how much I love Athleta. I’ve said it now on my blog for OVER 10 YEARS, it is hands down my very favorite brand. Everything washes and dries so well, lasts forever and fits without getting stretched out/saggy/baggy. Plus, Athleta fits women of all sizes, so no matter your build/height/size, it just works.
Right now is their MEMBERS EVENT where you can save 20% or 25% on everythingggg. A reader asked me yesterday what I was going to buy, so I thought I’d share.
Spoiler alert: everything comes in many, many colors, but as you can see, I really prefer one color…
I bought these four items (all black, hahahaha!)…
…I saved 25%…
…and it’s arriving this week! I’m so pumped!
Here is what I purchased (all in size xs, Athleta runs TTS). Just click on the image to open it up and take a look and see the new sales price:
I rounded up some other great Athleta finds on sale now too…
You can check out ATHLETA BOTTOMS…
…ATHLETA TOPS…and…
Amalfi Coast anyone?!
We would love to send you to Italy too! Did you know that Italy is our most popular European destination? We send more people there than any other country in Europe, and we would love to send YOU too! Contact us today about planning your next Italian vacation!
I had two appointments this week with a random 20 minute gap in-between, so instead of scrolling my phone, I…
…enjoyed my Starbucks coffee in the store and read from my favorite fall magazines. Am I the only one who keeps reading material with me in the car? You guys, if you don’t, you should! I find it much more relaxing and rejuvenating to read something (or do Sudoku!) rather than aimlessly scroll my phone when I’m “killing time”.
This is a very special one for me to share today!
Friends, you know Mackenzie who works for me…
…she and her hubby (and another couple) have opened a brand new coffee shop on our square…
I am SO PROUD OF THEM!!! Even though Mackenzie works full time here at our agency (and is a mom to one year old twin girls!), this coffee shop has been a labor of love for both of them for over a year now, and it’s finally open!
How gorgeous, right?! If you are in McKinney and need a great spot to sit and work or meet up with friends while also enjoying specialty coffees and baked goodies, Collective is the place!
Our square is the perfect spot for this shop, and I am so excited to watch it grow and thrive.
Here’s what they said when I asked them to share a bit about Collective Coffee:
We created Collective to be a space where everyone feels welcome. Our whole motto at Collective is “Create, Connect, Belong” and we hope each person that comes into this space feels a sense of the community we are building. We have a huge space with tons of seating and a large couch section so whether you are coming in to work or coming with your family to hang out for a bit, there’s a spot for you! We are so grateful to be in the heart of downtown McKinney and get to serve not only locals, but those that visit Downtown McKinney daily! Our Grand Opening weekend will be October 7th and we will have giveaways and tons of fun for you to check out! Until then, you can come grab a cup of coffee or tea from 8-5 Monday-Saturday and 1-5 on Sundays!
I get so excited anytime I see someone step out and create something for themselves and their family. I am thrilled for Mackenzie! I hope you all stop by and check it out yourself! She will continue working here with us, but you can stop by and say hello to her sweet hubby.
Okay, I’m off now!
Happy happy weekend, friends! I hope you have the cozies start to your October. I’ll see you Monday! xx
Elspeth says
On the weekends, i love to cozy up and read after a workout. Also I made your apple spice cookies and they were delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
http://www.Elspethsdaybyday.com
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay! I’m so happy you made those cookies! Happy Saturday!
Mandy says
Speaking of Athleta…I just bought Pranayama Restore Wrap. It is such a cozy piece to add to my wardrobe. You can dress it up or dress it down. The fabric is super soft too.
Thanks for sharing your finds too! 25% off is a great deal!
Kelly Marie Sites says
Please will you share what podcasts you love. I listen daily to stuff when I work out and drive. But am running low on good ones to listen to.
Thanks, Happy Saturday
Mix and Match Mama says
I love Shannon Ables, Emily Ley, The Office Ladies, Cynthia Thurlow, Vanessa Spina…all really great!
Emilee says
We always love a yummy breakfast on a Saturday morning – today it was French toast casserole. Enjoy your weekend!
Ramona says
Ok, I’m putting Collective Coffee on my list for local coffee shops. Love the pictures from Nantucket and Athleta! Have a great weekend!
Beth Knecht says
Thank you for the Athleta recommendations! I was going to put in an order this last week and then realized we will be at the mall this coming week, so I’m going to wait and try on some pieces in store! I will bring your recommendations with me!
Kacey says
What an amazing accomplishment for Mackenzie & her sweet family!! Collective is so my vibe. If only I didn’t live in MA!
Andrea says
Hi Shay…I’m 6 foot 4 and a size 8/10. Would love to try some Athleta but I’m so tall I worry about the fit…any feedback for us tall girls?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes!! I personally know and love women of varying sizes and Athleta is always a great fit for them. Look for their tall options! I bet you’ll be very pleasantly surprised!
hayley beck says
I’m just curious – do you have to pay for your own Athleta clothes? I feel like they should be sponsoring that (in addition to sponsoring a post)!
Mix and Match Mama says
I do pay for my own Athleta clothes! I pay for the vast, vast, vast majority of my clothing as (just like with my vacations), I always want to be authentic with how I spend my money on brands I really love and want to support.
Becky swenson says
My husband and I are heading to Nantucket on Tuesday.. I hope we won’t miss stores and restaurants being open. That would be such a bummer!!
Mix and Match Mama says
You’re catching it right on the tail end. By this Sunday, it will be significantly reduced.
Elizabeth P says
The Seasoft Steaight Leg Ankle pants are the perfect travel pants.
Kitty says
An interesting post would be about elaborating how your sweet team of mothers (of multiples!) are full time with you but also full time at home and with their other careers, side gigs, etc. It is hard to understand how y’all have 30 kids, work 2 or 3 ‘full time” jobs, and keep a home. It isn’t really realistic? Is the travel agency more of a commission thing because there is no mention of review on the internet…
Mix and Match Mama says
They work from home just like so many other fulltime mamas do. Erika blogs but outside of that, working for the travel agency is everyone’s fulltime job. All of the other ladies at my office do not work anywhere else but for me. Kiddo wise, only two of the ladies have kids at home while the other women have children in school fulltime. Just like millions of other amazing women, they work and raise families. That’s not unique to my team. How they’re each compensated is based on their positions and quite frankly, that’s personal information for them to share, not for me to put out there for the internet. I find it very hard to believe that working moms is not realistic to you. I was raised by one. This isn’t a new thing 🙂 .
jennibell says
Could you share some podcasts that you are listening to lately? Or are the all the same as you’ve mentioned before?
Mix and Match Mama says
I love Emily Ley, Cynthia Thurlow, Shannon Ables, Vanessa Spina, The Office Ladies…all happy, inspiring and informative women.
Laura Crenshaw says
So tell me your favorite Starbucks fall drinks for hot and cold beverages? I am always looking at trying a new drink!
Enjoy the family and maybe some cooler temps to reach Texas soon!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m super basic and still love the PSL. My “normal” right now though is Pike with a splash of cream and one pump of half and half (always hot drinks for me!). Kensington is really into the pumpkin chair tea latte cold.
Lisa says
Slow start weekends are THE BEST!! Not having an alarm wake me (like the other 5 days of the week), enjoying a quiet cup of coffee while reading (instead of getting ready for work) is bliss.
Lyndsey says
Any post that mentions Nantucket is my kind of post 😉
Question– are these Andrew’s “local” friends? or did he have his people meet him there? I’m always curious if people can make genuine friendships while not doing typical life together. (I say this as I am unplugged & thousands of miles away from my tribe). xx
Mix and Match Mama says
Those are our local friends. These are people we’ve met over the years (not just this last summer) who we’ve made genuine friendships with and stay in contact with even when we’re not on island. It’s so nice to have our own little community there too.
Robin says
What’s your favorite slow start Saturday running distance?
Mix and Match Mama says
If I have unlimited time, five miles is my favorite.