Tag Archives: Fall

mid-week round-up

October 2, 2019Wednesday Linksanti-vaxxers, articles, Brady Bunch, China, Fall, food and culture, Hells Angels, links, medical history, New York Times, news, opinion, round-up, YoutubeBeth Berger

Gosh. It feels like forever since I’ve posted a good ol’ mid-week round-up! What have you guys been up to? Last week I visited Savannah, GA. I mostly hung out with my adorable nephew and we also toured the Wormsloe Historic Site and attended the Savannah Jazz Festival. Hope you have a great Wednesday, and at long last I can offload some of these links I’ve been hoarding…

This is the kind of content I LIVE for.

I would love to eat at all 10 of these new restaurants.

An interesting read on American dental care and classism.

Loose leaf or NOTHING after reading this.

Meal prep for Fall.

This family married and divorced 23 times to scam the Chinese government.

Michelle Phan was YouTube’s biggest beauty star. Then she vanished.

On being raised by Hells Angels.

After watching A Very Brady Renovation, I desperately need to read this book.

‘Hangry’ is the word (& feeling) we can’t get away from.

Why it matters that ‘Emily Doe’ in the Brock Turner case is Asian-American.

Vaccine hesitancy is one of the top threats to global health. Why did it become so trendy?

P.S. Want more MWRU’s in the future? Consider supporting this blog HERE.

September Playlist

September 16, 2019PersonalFall, jams, music, playlist, September, soundtrack to my life, spotify, what I'm listening toBeth Berger

Do you want to take a peek at what I’ve been listening to lately? I’ve shared my SEPTEMBER playlist below!

Admittedly, I usually turn to podcasts when looking to fill moments of silence. But lately I’ve been trying to be a bit more balanced with what I pop into my earholes! It’s not that I don’t like music, it just takes so much work to find music I LOVE. Whereas listening to a podcast or NPR just feels like a sure thing. (Hello, yes…classic enneagram 9 here. Nice to meet ya!)

So that’s all to say, I took a lot of care to select songs that resonated with me and I plan to jam to them all month! Maybe you’ll like ’em too! Give it a listen and let me know what you think. xoxo

P.S. Pop any suggestions for my October playlist in the comments below. I’m slowly but surely expanding my repertoire beyond FM radio and old mix CD’s from a decade ago. Please and thanks!!

mid-week round-up

October 25, 2017Wednesday Linksadoption, articles, book recommendation, course recommendation, education, Fall, fight misogyny, finance, food culture, Joan Rivers, links, Lolita the Killer Whale, news, products I love, round-up, sports, TED talkBeth Berger

Hi babes! What’s going on this week? We’re experiencing a rare cold front in Miami so a big pot of chili and a movie marathon are in order. I’ve also been burning my favorite Fall candle, drinking Fall-themed coffee every morning, and I’m planning on making this pumpkin custard. Embracing all things Autumn, even though I’m in tropical Miami, has been a nice antidote to feeling sad about the lack of seasons! Hope you’re enjoying Fall, too, and here are some articles and posts I found interesting this past week…

Miami Beach Commission votes unanimously to free Lolita — but it’s not happening yet.

A year of love and struggle in a new high school.

Sorting through all the laughs Joan Rivers left behind.

Adding this to my “memoir month” reading list.

She brought down Uber’s C.E.O. What’s next?

“I got 99 problems…palsy is just one.”

CNN uncovers what could be a trafficking scheme: “The ‘orphan’ I adopted from Uganda already had a family.”

A basketball team perfectly in sync.

How to set financial goals (you can actually reach!).

Potato scraps and seasonings, rolled and deep friend, just never get old.

Elevate your influence through Instagram, YouTube, blogs, and beyond with this new course.

Don’t forget to continue applying SPF in the Fall months!

P.S. Two Finding Delight posts you may have missed — My Top 10 Skin Care Staples and Let’s Talk Personality (Tests).

My Autumn 2017 Capsule Wardrobe

September 28, 2017Fashion, Style and Designcapsule wardrobe, clothes, Fall, In my closet, minimalism, Project 333, what I wearBeth Berger

Hi friends! I finally bit the bullet and put together a Project 333 capsule wardrobe this season. I’ve written about my All Season Capsule Wardrobe, as well as how to create a 10 Piece Starter Pack, but this capsule wardrobe is a little different. Following the Project 333 guidelines it is only for Autumn and consists of 33 items. I decided to include accessories and bags but not shoes.

First, I’ll share all the pieces I chose (10 of which I’d already selected for my personal starter pack), and then at the end of the post I’ll share how I’m choosing to keep clothes interesting (without spending a ton!) while still maintaining my capsule.

Let’s start with dresses!

Notes: I have dressier options on hand for special occasions. But since I would probably only wear those once (or not at all), they don’t have to be included. These are more go-to, everyday dresses.

Dresses

Little Black Dress
Target

Maxi Skirt (+Grey Tee)
Stitch Fix

Shirt Dress
Kohl’s

Outerwear

Outerwear. When you live in South Florida you can get away with a super small amount in this category. (And I won’t have to go any warmer than this in Winter either!)

Jean Jacket
Stitch Fix

Grey Cardigan
Target

Black Cardigan
T.J. Maxx

Vest
Stitch Fix

Striped Cardigan
Stitch Fix

Bottoms

Bottoms! I’ve never been someone who feels the need to own a bunch of pants. The unpictured pair of jeans is what I’m most often sporting. But I do love a good pair of dress pants. If you’re short, Kohl’s is where it’s at for slacks.

Black Shorts
Old Navy

Jeans
Old Navy
*Forgot to take a picture…because I was wearing them, lol*

Grey Jeans
Kohl’s

Grey Slacks
Kohl’s

Black Slacks
Kohl’s

Black Leggings
Target

Tops

This is probably the biggest category in any capsule. I tried to limit my picks to the items I most often gravitate to anyways…and then narrow down based on season, matching capability, and occasion versatility.

Graphic Tee
Studio Nico

Floral Blouse
Thrifted

Black Tee
Target

Striped Shirt
Stitch Fix

Navy Silk Blouse
Stitch Fix

Patterned Silk Blouse
Kohl’s

Plaid Shirt
Forever 21

Pink Ruffle Top
Target

Navy Polka Dot Top
Gordman’s

Bags

Honestly, I have about a gajillion other bags but I rarely crack them out. These are my bare bones bag options and I really think they’re all I need.

Black Cross-Body
Tom Bihn

Backpack
Tom Bihn

Accessories

My favorite pieces for dressing up a boring outfit! Of course, jewelry is tiny and easy to access so it’s not the end of the world if I branch outside the capsule every now and again.

Watch
Thrifted

Statement Earrings
Thrifted

Statement Necklace
Forever 21

Pearl Earrings
Gifted

Everyday Necklace
H&M

Ok, so if you’ve been keeping count you’ll know we’re at 30 pieces. Which leaves us with 3 more spaces to be filled! These 3 spaces are how I keep things interesting while still maintaining my capsule. Because they are filled with an ever rotating cast of closet characters thanks to Le Tote. I signed up for Le Tote a few months ago and I absolutely LOVE IT! They send you 3-5 items (depending on the subscription you sign up for), you wear them as much as you want, send them back…and they send you more!

So last week I had a beautiful 3/4 length sleeve dress, a t-shirt with embroidered birds on the front, and a mustard yellow cross-body bag. This week? A cardigan cut like a blazer, a black turtleneck, and a dainty necklace. Mixed and matched with my capsule the outfit possibilities are endless!!!

If you’d like to try Le Tote, you can get $25 off your first month by CLICKING HERE and using promo code SHOPLT.

P.S. 7 YouTube channels you should check out for inspiration!

P.P.S. If you’re more of a one and done capsule wardrobe person (or the concept sparks your interest), you can get a checklist PDF of my 50 Piece All-Season Capsule Wardrobe right this way!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie.

October 24, 2014FoodAutumn, basic, Fall, healthy(ish) dessert, magic bullet, pumpkin, pumpkin pie hack, smoothie, whipped cream what whatBeth Berger

Fall is here!!! If you’re wanting to do the APPROPRIATE thing and celebrate with copious amounts of pumpkin, but you don’t feel like baking or schlepping for a #basic PSL, I’ve gotcha covered. Sometimes you want your Fall in the form of an afternoon post-work or post-workout pick-me-up. Sometimes you want your Fall to come from the only kitchen appliance you can be bothered to get off the couch long enough to operate. (God bless you, Magic Bullet.) I know, I know…it’s sooo typical to love pumpkin and fall and fall food and pumpkin-y tasting fall foods. But listen, the only thing #basic about this recipe are the ingredients…which you probably already have on hand. So let’s get to it!

What you’ll need…

-3/4 cup vanilla almond milk

-1/3 cup pumpkin puree

-1/3 cup Green yogurt

-1/2 banana, sliced and frozen

-as many shakes of pumpkin pie spice as ya like

if you like it sweet…

–a few drops of vanilla extract and/or

-stevia, to taste

if you wanna get jacked…

-1 scoop vanilla protein powder

if you are me…

Top with whipped cream!

and how it all comes together…

-Put all ingredients into a blender or magic bullet and give it a whir! Add ice if you like that more traditional smoothie consistency. Leave it out if you prefer a consistency more akin to a mango lassi.

-Top with whipped cream, if you’d like, and another shake of pumpkin pie spice!

❤ Happy Fall! ❤

Free-time this Fall? No need to break the bank!

September 16, 2014Every day life, How to'sAutumn, ballin on a budget, cheap hobbies, don't break the bank, Fall, free-time, spend less to live moreBeth Berger

As the weather gets a little chillier and we shift from Summer to Autumn, I’ve got penny-pinching on my mind. Summer may have seen you spending a bit more liberally (vacations, eating out, outdoor adventures) and back-to-school time can get costly as well. Looking ahead to the holidays, the next couple months can be a great time to rein it in, make some cut-backs and start saving. So, turn off those air conditioners, meal plan, host a Naked Lady party to score clothes for a new Fall look…and as for fun; here are 10 ways to spend your down-time this Fall without breaking the bank!

Sweat.

Forget the fancy gym memberships and costly classes. You can just bust a move from the comfort of your own living room. Youtube and Pinterest are fitness gold-mines! Do Erin Motz’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge. See how many reps of push-ups/sit-ups/lunges/squats/WHATEVER you can do in a row. Try to do more each day. Go upside down in a hand stand! Wanna explore? Jog in your neighborhood. Find a hiking trail nearby.

Practice.

Commit to picking back up a hobby you let fall by the way-side or finally learn the skill you’ve had the equipment for in the back of your closet for ages. Play around with that camera (even if it’s just on your iPhone…you could even sign up for an Instagram “picture a day” challenge). Bust out your craft supplies. Build something. Grow something. Dust off that violin. Teach yourself calligraphy or German or darts.

Play.

Turn off your TV, close the laptop and play a game instead. Spread out on the floor with your significant other or gather ’round the kitchen table with friends. Play Backgammon, Rummikub, Pictionary, Jenga, Chess, Trivial Pursuit or Monopoly. Got a deck of cards? Deal out Hearts, Poker, Euchre, B.S. or my always and forever favorite THIRTEEN.

Explore.

You don’t always have to strap on your hiking boots and hit the woods to have an epic adventure. Try your hand at urban exploration. Find a historic neighborhood and provide a running commentary on the architecture (even if it’s completely made up). Get lost in a gi-normous indoor flea market or antique mall. Check out abandoned buildings (don’t get arrested). See how many green-spaces, fountains, swing-sets, hot-dog stands, libraries or pedways you can walk to in one day.

Enrich.

Do a little research and find free cultural events going on in your area. Check out galleries displaying art in public places. Go to an educational lecture hosted by a school or church or non-profit. Lots of organizations love hosting free movies. Got a friend or family member in a play, concert, dance recital? See if you can peep their dress rehearsal for free. The public library is a fantastic resource. And if you live in a university town you’re golden!

Read.

Nothing says Fall like hunkering in a cozy spot with your latest page-turner. Join a book club. Start your own. Blaze through some Young Adult fiction on your e-reader. Pick up a stack of historical romance novels from the library. No one needs to know about your literary guilty pleasures.

Slurp.

Don’t shell out all your hard-earned money at Starbies. Yes, you may lose that gold status (R.I.P.) but you can learn to make your favorite hot beverages at home. If you want to drink all pumpkin everything until Christmas day…so be it.

Pamper.

Choose one evening a week to have some “you” time. Learn a new hair-style. Do face masks. Do the DIY kind, too. Give yourself a manicure.

Cheers.

Ok, so this may cost a LITTLE bit but if you have a Trader Joes we’re not talking much. Have a few friends over for a nice night in. BYO #3buckchuck. BYO #horsdouevrestoshare BYO #classyattire Set your Pandora station to whatever you like best, mingle, and let the conversation flow.

Volunteer.

Evaluate your unique gifts and skill-set and figure out ways to give back. Sign up to be a mentor. Play with puppies. Organize events. Try your hand at a radio reading service. Answer phones, ring doorbells or just listen. When you give of your time, not only are you NOT spending money, the Universe finds powerful ways to reward you. : )

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What about y’all, dear readers? How do you save money without sacrificing fun? Will you be ballin’ on a budget like me this Fall? Sending you an encouraging high-five if so! We got this!