the countdown has begun: six days before Christmas. hopefully you’ve purchased your gifts; stocked your fridges; and your family is on their way. and since we won’t see you before that big day on fridays with oscar, we thought we’d celebrate a bit early. as you know, fridays with oscar are always about comfy casual: a cozy outfit, a good meal, and of course, a cocktail to kick the weekend off right. today we’re going very cozy with comfy Christmas morning pajamas.
and if you don’t have your holiday menu planned, we’ve got you covered. i’m pulling out an old family favorite today—a recipe i’ve made for the past 25 or so odd years. my kiddos love it, and i think you will too. so sit back, relax, and let that holiday dissipate. after all, it’s Friday gang!
i don’t know about you, but Christmas morning (and day for that matter) is about lounging: lounging in pajamas. to that end, i’ve pulled this classic pajama set, turtleneck and camp socks from J.Crew. what i love about these pajamas is that, while they are Christmas-y, they’re perfectly appropriate for the entire winter season. if you’re loving them as much as i am, there are still sales and deals to be had at J.Crew, so make sure to head over there for any last minute shopping.
pajama set | turtleneck | camp socks
Christmas brunch is a staple in our house. we’ve been doing it for years, and we’ll do it again this year. if you’re looking for some last minute ideas, you’ve come to the right place. today, i’m featuring my kiddos favorite brunch dish: breakfast sausage & egg casserole.
per usual, it’s super easy to make and feeds a crowd. of course you can substitute the sausage for meat of your choice or go without. and some veggies and put your own twist on it. no matter what you do, it’s gonna be yummy. after all, how can you go wrong with an egg and cheese base.
when putting together a Christmas tablescape, i try to stick with the classics: Spode Christmas china. i’ve put my own slight twist and deviated a bit this year with some plaid placemats, holiday napkins and napkin rings from Pier 1. how are you doing your Christmas tablescape this year? let me know in the comments below. red pinecone goblets are from Williams Sonoma.
red pinecone glasses | placemats | napkin rings | napkins | spode dinnerware
i never want to overcomplicate Christmas brunch. i try to stick with the basics and/or classics. if you like a boozy brunch, then keep it simple this year with a Bloody Mary and mimosa bar. Bloody Mary’s are easy to concoct with a ready-to-serve mix like Mr. & Mrs. T and vodka. and it’s easy to set up a bar for guests that include individual servings of orange juice and champagne for Mimosa’s.
well, that’s a wrap gang! from oscar, myself, junior style, and Kelly, we’re all wishing you a wonderful holiday week. enjoy this time with good food, drink, friends and family. we’re just happy we can be a small part of your Christmas morning.
a margarita for Christmas? not quite apple cider. not quite egg nog. and not quite what you were expecting. but let’s mix things up a bit at the end of this year. ’cause if you’re feeling at all like i am, i know there’s a lot of change coming in 2020.
and change is a good thing: big or small. you may be looking to change careers. or potentially retire. you may move to a new town. or you may just change your outlook. whatever it is, you’ll be better than fine, because you’re, well, you. so let’s start small today: raise your Christmas margaritas, because here’s to fridays with oscar. and more importantly, here’s to you.
sweater | crop trouser jean | ankle boots
roasted squash is a personal favorite of mine. i’m putting a slight spin on it today by stuffing it with beef, cranberries and spices. but the recipe remains simple, straightforward and easy to make. whether you’re hosting a holiday lunch or looking for a quick bite on a Saturday afternoon, reach for this recipe.
i just love the sweet and spicy flavor combination. if you do too, or if you’re looking to break out of the holiday same old same old, make sure to check out this week’s cocktail: a blackberry margarita. the bite of the jalapenos is offset nicely by the sweetness of the blackberries. pair that with a traditional salt rim, and you’re running the full flavor spectrum.
alright gang, that’s a wrap! as we approach the holiday home stretch, remember to always take a deep breath and always give yourself a few extra minutes of alone time. if that means getting up 10 minutes earlier to enjoy a quiet moment with your cup of coffee or staying up 30 minutes later to finish The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, do it.
it’s Friday, gang! Black Friday. we hope your Thanksgiving was full of family, fun, and of course food. Thanksgiving was a real team effort over here at our house. my middle son made the potatoes, salad, and turkey. Kelly was in charge of the stuffing and put a twist on it this year: stuffing fried rice. it was all d.e.l.i.s.h. hopefully you have mountains of leftovers, and if you’re enjoying today from the comfort of your own home, we’ve got you covered. per usge, we’ve got a wonderful recipe and cocktail for you: chicken noodle soup for the soul. i’ve also compiled the top items of the month as chosen by you, my readers. so sit back and join us while you recover from your food coma.
fridays with oscar is always about the celebration of simplicity and comfort. this month, we’ve featured oversized sweaters and jackets, pullovers, and vests. today is no exception. i’m showcasing this turtleneck sweater from J.Crew. it comes in a variety of colors. if chosen vine, but if you’re looking for something more neutral, there’s one for you.
and how fabulous are these smoking slippers from Ann Taylor? they’re comfortable enough for when you’re lounging around the house and chic enough for when you’re entertaining guests. both J.Crew and Ann Taylor are having major 50% off Black Friday sales, so take this opportunity to pick up both.
turtleneck sweater | stretch wool jacket | smoking slippers | high rise pants
turtleneck sweater | stretch wool jacket | smoking slippers | high rise pants
our tablescape this week marks the transition from fall to winter—Thanksgiving to Christmas. the plaid napkins and placemats are perfect for fall harvest tablescapes but are flexible enough to make the transition into Christmas. same with these antiqued wood chargers and plates from Pier 1. decorations and place settings are investment pieces, and you want to get as much mileage out of them as possible. so when shopping for, say, fall decorations, keep an eye out for ones that can transition seamlessly into winter. similarly for all seasonal decorations.
antiqued wood charger | plaid napkins | plaid placemat | bee water glasses | bee water tumblers
i’m bringing you an old family favorite today: chicken noodle soup for the soul. it’s the perfect winter dish. super simple and unbelievably tasty. the recipe calls for rotisserie chicken. if you look, you can find organic or substitute the chicken entirely for your leftover turkey. both work great. and be sure make extras: this soup freezes and will be waiting for you if you catch a winter cold.
antiqued wood charger | plaid napkins | plaid placemat | bee water glasses | bee water tumblers
we’ve got a totally fresh and new cocktail for your this week: cranberry and ginger bourbon smash. bourbon and whiskey are great for the winter season: hot toddy anyone? today we’re pulling in the flavors from Thanksgiving—cranberry—into an old favorite: the bourbon smash. cheers!
below, i’ve aggregated your favorite items for the month of November. blazers and sweaters were a big favorite. no surprise. but some of my favorites boots and shows topped the list as well.
if you missed any of the above, make sure to check them out today. with all of the great sales going on, there’s a deal to be had. no doubt. i’m reposting my top brands and their Black Friday sales below in case you missed yesterday’s post.
Talbots: 40% off your purchase until midnight Friday
Gap: 50% off everything
Banana Republic: 50% off everything
Athleta: 20% off your purchase
J.Crew: 50% off your purchase
Ralph Lauren: 40% off when you spend $125
Boden: 30% off almost everything
Ann Taylor: 50% off everything
Tory Burch: 30% off full-price styles 60% off sale styles
Theory: 25% off $300 or more 30% off $600 or more
turtleneck sweater | stretch wool jacket | smoking slippers | high rise pants
it’s Friday gang! can you believe we made it through another week? one step closer to Thanksgiving and then the end of a decade. hard to believe, and thankfully we’re not quite there yet. instead, we’ve got a wonderful edition of fridays with oscar. we’re bringing you our usual: an entree and cocktail. and in addition, we’ve got holiday gift ideas for pets and their J.Crew loving owners.
i’ve gone and done it this Friday: a full-blown match-y match-y J.Crew outfit of the day. we hit season low temperatures in Athens this week, and to keep warm, I layered this matching turtleneck sweater with a fleece hoodie. and if you’re looking for a pair of joggers this season, check out these similar Tretorn sneakers.
fleece hoodie | straight jeans | turtleneck sweater | sneakers
when shopping at J.Crew this fall, i’ve been tracking some fun gift ideas. i’ve put them together in the slider below. make sure to check out the leopard print puffer jacket and pajama set. they’re my personal favorites, if i had to pick.
because it’s fridays with oscar, i’ve also put together a little pet gift guide for all you pet owners. check out these slippers from L.L. Bean. super comfy, and super cute. i highly recommend a pair.
fleece hoodie | straight jeans | turtleneck sweater | sneakers
when looking for a recipe this week, i stumbled upon this one: baked chicken, brussels sprouts and sweet potato. probably one of the easiest recipes i’ve put on the blog in weeks, but boy is it d.e.l.i.s.h. we generally don’t prepare our mother’s brussels sprouts anymore; there are two many fun and interesting ways to cook them.
today, we’re just gonna i) throw them in a pot with some sweet potatoes and chicken; ii) season to taste with our all purpose salt, pepper, and garlic; and iii) cook. that’s pretty much it. enjoy!
in honor of Oscar our cocktail of the week is called the saucy mutt. it’s a vodka based drink with a kick. depending on your heat tolerance, you can either go with habanero or jalapeno infused vodka. some of us are wimps over here, so we went with jalapeno.
alright, gang! that’s a wrap. stay tuned next week for a ton of holiday decoration suggestions. Kelly and I are giving you some really fun tablescape selections to inspire you well into the holiday season. in the mean time, make sure to leave Oscar and I a comment below.
fleece hoodie | straight jeans | turtleneck sweater | sneakers
it was remembering the holidays over on the blog this week. all week someone in my family shared a holiday memory with you. on Monday, Kelly remembered Thanksgiving. on Tuesday, my oldest remembered Christmas. and on Wednesday and Thursday, I remembered New Year’s and New Year’s Day. if you missed any of these posts, you’re going to want to check them out. and make sure to leave a comment and share your holiday memories!
it’s friday gang! time to take a deep breath and relax. finally. per usual, i’ve got a wonderful recipe and cocktail for you. a perfect manhattan paired with a skirt steak with chimichurri sauce. one of my daughter in-law’s, kelly’s, favorites. you’re going to love it.
it’s been another big week on the blog. we’ve rolled out a new series on YouTube: friday fives. every friday, i’ll be showcasing my 5 favorite items that week. this week, i’ve picked out 5 essential lipsticks for you. make sure to watch the video below.
we’ve talked a lot about self-care, change, and growth this week. today, i want to shift gears, just a bit, and talk about the constants in our lives—the bedrocks. for me, that’s family. as you all know, i’ve got three kiddos and a daughter-in-law. and they mean the world to me. amidst all the change that’s going on in my life, they serve as a constant reminder of what’s important, and who is always there for me.
and family isn’t always easy. it can be a bit messy (or a lot bit). but it’s worth it. when the grounds seem to be shifting around us, there’s nothing better than being able to call and confide in those that know and love us best. and really, what’s better than sitting around the table, cocktails in hand, with sharing a lifetime of family stories on a friday night.
fridays are always about contempo-casual, which is just to say “comfort”. i get a lot of questions from readers about what i wear when i’m “bumming around the house”. today’s outfit of the day is a perfect example. fall’s finally broke here (for real), so i’ve got a beautiful, oversized, cocoon sweater from Talbots. i’ve paired it with a comfy but classy pleated, silk blouse. (you can find simile ones here and here.)
sweater (Talbots) | similar blouse 1 | similar blouse 2 | similar camo pants 1 | similar camo pants 2 | driving mocs | similar belt
camo is always in, and this year is no exception. you can grab similar pants here and here. pair the whole outfit with a pair of driving mocs, and you’ve got the perfect outfit for lounging around the house or running errands.
this month, i’ve shown you several variations on a fall harvest tablescape. (see here and here.) i’m continuing with that theme today, only with a modern twist. i’ve kept with pumpkins (but see also pumpkins 2 and pumpkins), but swapped out my place mats and napkins. i keep the spirit of fall with plaid, but introduce just a touch of modern flare with black and white.
plates (Macy’s) | glasses (Macy’s) | place mates (Pier 1) | napkins (Pier 1) | pumpkins 1 | pumpkins 2 | pumpkins 3
one of kelly’s go-to recipes for entertaining a dinner crowd is skirt steak with chimichurri sauce. skirt steak is a cheap cut of meat that packs a big punch when cooked on the rarer side and paired with chimichurri. broil it or grill it, you can’t go wrong.
over the past few weeks, so many of you have wondered what happened to Ollie. well, here she is. her and Oscar are doing purrfect, and are here to share my cocktail pick of the week: the perfect manhattan.
if you’re a whiskey-rye-bourbon fan, then you’re going to love this pick. this family of liquors pairs perfectly with steak.
cocktail shaker (Pottery Barn) | coupe glasses (Williams Sonoma)
alright, gang! that’s a wrap. the weekend is here. Oscar, Ollie, and I all wish you a wonderful one. for those of you that haven’t left a comment for me this week, make sure to say “hi” below. we here at a Style at a Certain Age love nothing more to hear what’s going on in your world, even if we can’t respond to all of the comments. after all, you all are our extended virtual family. and there’s nothing more important than family.
sweater (Talbots) | similar blouse 1 | similar blouse 2 | similar camo pants 1 | similar camo pants 2 | driving mocs | similar belt
it’s friday, gang! summer is over, and fall is here. out with the old and in with the new. as an (adopted) southern woman, that means a mandatory refresh of my porches: front and back. i love the gold undertones of fall leaves that give the oranges, the reds, and the yellows their subtle but unmistakable shimmer. out go any remaining semblances of lazy summer days, and in come any and all combinations of this color palette: whether it be the fall harvest—pumpkins and cornucopias—or spooky, but always fun, Halloween skeletons.
my long time followers know that i love to decorate. i openly admit it. and i got that love from my mother. growing up, our basement was filled to the brim with decorations for every holiday and season: spring, summer, fall, and winter. and as a child, i would await the changing of the seasons in anticipation of my mother to out boxes full of decorations i hadn’t seen in a year.
my trusty gardening tools and garden clogs are back in action for planting mums in my flower boxes.
now, i don’t want to scare anyone. the holidays aren’t upon us. yet. but there’s nothing wrong with getting a little jump start in preparation for the craziness that will surely ensue. so today, instead of giving you a new recipe to try, i’m going to show you my fall porch refresh. i hope it will inspire you to pull out your box of decorations and create some memories with your (grand)kiddos.
starting with the front porch refresh, i’ve scattered a variety of mums in my planter boxes. the subtle reds and yellows provide a nice backdrop for my Pièce de résistance: a bouquet of skeletons. isn’t it fun (and a bit spooky)?
although i’ve streamlined things a bit this year, and taken a more minimalist approach, you can imagine going full-blown. for a color pop, head to your local nursery and grab some celosia or goldenrod. scatter them amongst a healthy dose of pumpkins, squash, and other harvest favorites and you’ll be feeling fall in no time. and of course, i haven’t even touched on the endless possibilities Halloween decorating affords us…
and if it’s still 91 degrees where you are, keep it breezy with this sleeveless collared top (old, similar here) and comfy joggers from Ann Taylor Loft (old, similar here and here). as for footwear, i elevated the casual look of the joggers with snake print cap toe slingbacks (old, similar here and here).
i’ve streamlined the back porch refresh this year as well: i rotated my decorative pillows, pulled out a beautiful wool blanket, and a surprisingly simple, yet elegant centerpiece for the dining table.
as soon as temperatures start to drop, the back porch will become my most trafficked room, especially now that most of my kiddos are in town.
in preparation for the many dinners and late night conversations we’ll all enjoy, i’m sitting down to try a new cocktail: a fall-inspired apple cider mojito. the crisp, minty flavor takes the edge off the sweetness of the cider—a true juxtaposition of tastes.
and although i don’t have a recipe for you this week, i’d thought i’d try something new. i’m giving you my top 4 kitchen accessories i currently can’t live without. let me know what you think in the comments below.
silicone splatter screens are great because they stay cool to the touch. this one is nice because it folds for easy use and storage.
i get a lot of use out of a fine mesh skimmer, because it serves multiple purposes. it’s perfect for skimming fine particles out of soups and sauces, and it also works great to scoop small pastas like tortellini or ravioli out of boiling water.
silicone spatulas have replaced virtually all of the wooden spoons in my kitchen. they are great because they don’t conduct heat and won’t scuff up my nonstick pans. they are also the perfect tool for getting every last drop of batter or sauce out of a pan or bowl.
peeling garlic is even more annoying than chopping garlic. but this super simple gadget makes quick work of getting your cloves peeled and ready to go.
all right gang, another week in the books. but before you go and enjoy that apple cider mojito, let me know some of your fall memories in the comment section below. did you unpack Halloween decorations with your mother or grandmother? what sites and smells do you have floating around your kitchen this time of year?
it’s friday, gang! and it’s Labor Day weekend—my favorite of the patriotic holidays. this year, i’ll be spending the holidays not only with junior style, but my oldest son and his wife too. i’m happy to report that they just moved to Athens, and we’re going to enjoy the first of many long weekends together. cheers to them! cheers to you! and most importantly, oscar and i say, “cheers to the weekend!”
as you all know, i’m a ‘less stress, more fun’ type of gal. to make everyone’s holiday weekend just a little bit easier, i wanted to share a few Labor Day hacks with you—and of course a cocktail or two—in the hopes they’ll free you up to spend more time with the ones you love.
to kick things off, let’s start with a few decorating ideas. if you’re like me, your basement (or attic) is chock full of holiday decorations: Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. why add to the clutter? there’s really no reason to run out and buy new decorations for Labor Day. let’s just recycle this year!
shorts | shirt | tank top | similar shoes | similar belt
i’m pulling out all of my old Fourth of July flags and scattering them around the house. to give things an extra pop of color, i’ll raid my holiday stash for anything red (Christmas anyone?), white or blue (and Easter?). i’ll dig for old candle holders, buttons, pencils, buckets, bins—you name it. anything (and everything) goes! and if they have stars and stripes on them, great; if not, that’s OK too.
if you have kiddos or grandkiddos running around, you’ve got to keep ‘em hydrated. and water is the best way to do that. but instead of boring ole agua, let’s serve it infused with some delicious fruits! staying true to our color palette, i’m going to throw in some frozen blueberries and strawberries—not only will the flavors add subtle hints of deliciousness, but the results look amazing too!
and to cut down on waste, instead of using plastic cups, reach for those old mason jars you’ve got lying around. they always bring an old-timey but classy touch to any table. (and i’ve got to admit, they just feel good to the touch.)
no holiday weekend would be complete without a desert. but who really wants to be slaving away in the kitchen when you can be out enjoying your guests? today, i’ve got a ‘no bake’ peanut butter cup recipe that’s as decadent and delicious as it looks.
and because today is friday’s with oscar, i’ve saved the best holiday hack for last: a Labor Day cocktail. mixing cocktails is an art that’s easy to perfect once you have the right tools. today, i’m going to give you a recipe for OC Garden Party and teach you how to muddle—the act of crushing fruit, herbs, and sugars to draw out their natural flavors.
all right, gang. i hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend with the ones you love. TGIF! oscar, ollie, junior style, my son and new daughter in-law, and i all wish each of you a lovely weekend.
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