Happy Friday, gang! It’s the first Friday of the New Year. Hard to believe we’re wrapping up the first week of 2023. Before you know it Christmas will be here. That’s how quickly time flies.
This week has been a doozy with thunderstorms all week leaving the ground saturated. Then the big one hit that dumped several inches within an hour. I had a feeling when I walked downstairs that it wouldn’t be a pretty sight.
Unfortunately, I was right. The basement was flooded with several inches of rain. Just how you want to start your day. But I have fortified that living space with polished concrete floors, water-friendly furniture (hello, metal legs), and most items are up off the ground or stored in plastic bins. Alas, my cowhide rugs will have to go in for a cleaning but honestly, things could be so much worse.
Guess who’s ready for her Friday cocktail?! I have a Gin & Tonic on deck and a favorite recipe I share every year, Chicken Noodle Soup. So let’s get the weekend started!
TL;DR
Today, it’s all about the shoes with this super fun pair from SeaVees
The shoes and my OOTD are shoppable via text- and image-widgets
Because it’s Friday, I also have a great cocktail and recipe for you
New For 2023
All images are now clickable and will redirect you to LTK where you can shop the image directly.
Sometimes, It’s Just All About The Shoes
1. Baja Slip-On Platform
(SeaVees)
Relaxed Rollneck Sweater | Sculpting Pocket Mid-Rise Boot Cut Jeans (Ann Talyor) | Baja Slip-On Platform (SeaVeas)
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2. Chicken Noodle SOup
Every year I share this easy peasy recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup. It’s just soooo good and sooooo easy to prepare. And we all know chicken noodle soup solves lots of problems! Plus, it’s comfort food. What’s better than that on a cold wintery day?!
Relaxed Rollneck Sweater | Sculpting Pocket Mid-Rise Boot Cut Jeans (Ann Talyor) | Baja Slip-On Platform (SeaVeas)
3. Gin & Tonic
The Gin & Tonic is a founding member of the highball family of cocktails. This popular drink was consumed by the British military in the mid-1850s to ward off malaria. The quinine in tonic, made from the bark of the cinchona tree, was a remedy for the disease. In true Brit style, gin soon found its way into this medicine. Hence, the Gin & Tonic.
I recommend buying the best gin your budget can afford and don’t skimp on tonic water it truly makes a difference. Today, I’m using Fentimans botanically brewed tonic water. Cheers!
Relaxed Rollneck Sweater | Sculpting Pocket Mid-Rise Boot Cut Jeans (Ann Talyor) | Baja Slip-On Platform (SeaVeas)
Fridays With Oscar
Relaxed Rollneck Sweater | Sculpting Pocket Mid-Rise Boot Cut Jeans (Ann Talyor) | Baja Slip-On Platform (SeaVeas)
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Alternative Stylings
Top/Left Board: Soft Denim Maxi Skirt (Wash Lab) | Funnel Neck Cable Knit (Pullover) | Baja Slip-On Platform (SeaVees) Right Board: Solid Pima Bateau Neck (Talbots) | The Mid-Rise Perfect Vintage Overalls (Madewell) | Baja Slip-On Platform (SeaVees)
In Case You Missed It
Every year, right about this time, we get back to wardrobe basics. Yesterday, I focused on the essential tops every woman should own. Click the title or image below to read the article.
5 Essential Tops
Weekly Playlist
Every Sunday night, we share a playlist with our weekly email subscribers. We release it to everyone else on Friday. Enjoy!
About The Author
Happy New Year, Oscar! You’re so handsome.
Sometimes? It’s OFTEN all about the shoes 🙂 As Coco said, “A woman with good shoes is never ugly.”
G&T is my husband’s go-to cocktail so thanks for that. And I’ll try your CNS recipe. I have my own but will give yours a sample.
Thanks and have a great weekend!
You will love the chicken noodle soup! Truly one of the best recipes. Happy weekend!
Beth, so sorry about the watery basement however, it appears you planned for this possible scenario through your choice of flooring and furiture. I hope all goes well in the drying out process.
Thanks, Mary! I am on the waitlist for a complete cleanup by the professionals. The week prior, many homes had burst pipes due to our freezing temps. This, too, shall pass.
Beth, I’m so sorry about your basement. Thank goodness you planned ahead. You have a wonderful, positive attitude. Along with the classy looks to inspire us, you show us how to be resilient.
Thank you and have a great weekend,
Suzanne
Thanks, Suzanne! After the basement fiasco, I went ahead and kept my facial appointment! It was time well spent and helped me get my perspective in order. Happy 2023!
Beth, your chicken noodle soup looks yummy! I too love a gin and tonic and Hendricks is my go-to brand… I prefer mine with cucumber slices!
Donna, you will love this recipe! I love your cucumber suggestion! It sounds refreshing!
Hi Beth,
I am so sorry to hear about your basement flooding. Thank goodness you thought about flooding when you remodeled and bought furniture for your lovely basement. Just wondering, have you thought about having a French drain installed to attempt to address the flooding? I know they have been successful in stopping the flooding.
Also want to tell you I just love your blog. I have followed you for years and have enjoyed every post! You are a very classy lady.
Thanks for all you do.
Maureen
Thanks, Maureen; I so appreciate your thoughtful advice! I have investigated every possible solution. I have french drains installed all around the house for the water to flow away from the structure and extra wide gutters. Even the experts are scratching their heads… Hopefully, we’ll get it figured out at some point.
I so appreciate you being here! Happy 2023!
Looking sharp Oscar!
Isn’t he a handsome boy?! Happy 2023!
Hi, Beth – I love GT’s and tried the Downton Abbey’s version with rosemary and a slice of orange peel. Nice twist on the classic – thank you for sharing!
So very sorry about your basement, Beth. I have a few suggestions, I hope will help. We live in heavy clay soil, and everyone has a covered sump pump pit in their basement. As the water table rises, it pumps the water out, and a hose directs it away from the foundation. We also have backup valves on the sewer lines, and weeping tile. Weeping tile sounds similar to the French drain. It is important not to disrupt it when landscaping, as it can become clogged and cause water to be backed up, the same as the FD. I noticed two things from earlier posts, when you were having your back yard done. Your house is lower than some of your back yard, so that might be an issue. Also brick exteriors need to be checked for cracks, caused by flood damage. You might even have an underground stream that causes your water table to be much higher during down pours. Frankly, if this is your second rodeo, I would hire an engineer to come and evaluate things. Just make sure you have a good supply of gin on hand. After my son had his ‘small leak’ evaluated, from a previous owner’s reno mistake, the building inspector missed, they had to have the entire roof replaced $$$$. It might be costly now, but if you continue to have flooding, it could silently compromise a huge portion of your structure. Hugs.