Affordable Fall Fashion Ideas, Fall Recipes, and Fall Inspiration

Pamela Lutrell in Fall Clothing For Chico's on over 50 feeling 40

Happy Reality Check Monday, ladies!  On this day, I give you affordable fall fashion ideas, fall recipes, and a little inspiration to keep our spirits high during challenging times.

FALL FASHION IDEAS

Pamela Lutrell in affordable Chico's top for fall clothing

My new “more at home life” has opened up a need in my wardrobe for simple tops that look good with denim, say fall clothing, but work in warmer climates.   When I saw this Animal Print V-neck Blouse at Chico’s recently, I immediately was drawn to the style and color…and thought this is perfect!  

It was on a recent sale making it affordable for my shopping budget.  I have only been looking for what meets the needs of my new life-style as I step forward out of a professional business life.

Pamela Lutrell in a Goodwill Find

This necklace is a Goodwill San Antonio find from the recent Goodwill Accents Boutique which recently opened in San Antonio.  I think it adds more fun to the look.

Everything else came from the closet.   Now, here is a money saving thought, women sometimes by pass……

Affordable Fall Clothing Tip on Over 50 Feeling 40

Men are much better than women to take their shoes to a cobbler for touch ups.  But, since the pandemic, it might be time we learn to care for what we already own rather than making new purchases.

Now, I need new tall boots, however, my friend Leigh Anne recently took hers to a cobbler and here is what she got back.  Beautiful new leather boots!!  Great reminder to find a cobbler near you!

Leigh Anne also shared another recipe for us this week and it is on my calendar to make for Mr. B!

FALL RECIPE

Recipe for Chicken Broccoli Ziti on over 50 Feeling 40

She found a recipe for Chicken Broccoli with whole wheat pasta and modified it slightly.  Her version is pictured here and she said that she and her husband really liked it!

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN BROCCOLI ZITI

YOU WILL NEED:

  • 3 tablespoons butter – divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil. (I will use my garlic infused olive oil…really into it right now)
  • 1 pound boneless – skinless chicken breasts, cut into ½-inch strips. or use rotisserie chicken, chicken sausage or turkey sausage. ( I like cooking with the rotisserie chicken and will probably go that route).
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt – divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper – divided
  • 1 small yellow onion – chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic – minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes – optional; or reduce to 1/8 teaspoon if sensitive to spice
  • 1 14-ounce can low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups nonfat milk – plus additional as needed. (Leigh Anne used almond milk)
  • 6 ounces dry whole wheat ziti pasta or similar pasta – such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli (about 2 1/4 cups). (I may use veggie pasta…I like it better)
  • 1 medium head broccoli – cut into florets (about 3 cups)
  • 1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts in water – drained, cut into quarters, and patted dry. (Leigh Anne left out the artichoke hearts)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice – for even more lemon flavor, add the zest also
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese – plus additional for serving
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley(I am growing Italian Parsley and will use it)

 

THE STEPS:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium high. Once the butter is melted, add the chicken and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt and black pepper. Saute until the chicken is golden on the outside and completely cooked through, about 5 minutes. With a large spoon, remove the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm. Set aside.
  • Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the onion. Cook until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Do not let the onion brown (adjust the heat as needed if it starts to brown). Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Slowly stir in the broth and milk. Bring to a boil, then add the ziti. Let the ziti boil for 5 minutes, then stir in the broccoli florets. Continue boiling until the ziti is al dente, about 5 to 7 minutes more. Stir often to make sure the ziti cooks evenly. If at any point the pasta looks too dry, splash in additional milk as needed.
  • Stir in the artichoke hearts, lemon juice, Parmesan, parsley, and reserved chicken. Taste and adjust seasoning as you like. Enjoy hot, with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and parsley as desired.

YUM!

 

FALL INSPIRATION

If all of the pandemic news is getting to you, find something…just one thing…to do every day that puts a smile on your face at home.  

My daughter took this picture of the sunset recently at her home in North Texas.  The beauty of this time of year can be appreciated all around us.

Take the time to do that…whether it is enjoying a harvest moon or dinner on the patio.  Treat yourself every day to something (one thing) that makes you smile.

I love being home more now….receive it as a blessing!

Thank you so much for being here, and make sure you always………………………………………………………………..

KEEP SMILING!!

 

AN AFFORDABLE FASHION SLIDE SHOW!

 

 

MY COMPLEXION LOVES CHAMONIX…KEEPING ME YOUTHFUL!  Currently, running a FALL SPECIAL, BUY TWO, GET TWO FREE!

Chamonix on Over 50 Feeling 40

All natural, plant-cell technology skincare

 

 

By Pamela Lutrell

Disclaimer:  I am provided gift cards to shop Goodwill San Antonio and then report what I find.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18 Comments

  1. Great outfit! Looks very flattering. Cobbler are also great for preparing leather purse zippers!

  2. I really like that top on you. The hemline is that curved line that is very flattering and the length is great. I have taken shoes in the past to get resoled and actually got him to use a thin rubber to keep from slipping ( which I do too much) and it lasts a long time. Last night in a break in the rain I went out with my camera to get a shot of the moon through the tree branches. I love looking at the moon. Sun is out this morning and it is a good day.

  3. Love the outfit on you and the necklace just adds more brightness. Love your blog so much! You are truly an inspiration to me and many other women as well. Thank you for all that you do.

  4. That blouse is so attractive on you! I don’t have the coloring for it but it is lovely. The bright color is great.

  5. You look fabulous in that outfit. Bravo! You are absolutely singing in it. I love you in deep olive too. Green seems to really flatter you, and it always looks so good with deep purple and plum :). I’ve been reading up on color analysis. I was typed a winter years ago, and while many of the winter colors worked on me, the icy ones never did. Now I am pretty sure I’m what is called a blue autumn … a more neutral version of autumn, though still with a warm base. Those colors would be perfect, but I find I prefer a sweater to a blouse. Food for thought!

  6. You might check Chico’s, Linda…they had many different designs in this color…I agree that as we age there are times we need to re-check our colors! Thanks so much.

  7. That necklace!! What a find! The whole outfit is fun, and the top kind of reminds me of camo which is a casual, current look! That necklace just adds a real statement – it’s gorgeous! Thank you for sharing the recipe. It’s good to see a recipe that doesn’t use canned soup. I’ll have to try this one now that we’re firmly in comfort food season! I like your tip about finding one thing each day to smile about. I’m sure most of us can find more than one, but it’s a good reminder to really think about this and count some blessings! I finished 7 hours of painting about 15 minutes ago, and believe me, I am smiling! Things are really taking shape (of course, I’m doing this to appeal to more buyers!) Seriously though, I’m going to remember your tip and do this each day, even on the tough ones.

  8. I was the oldest of three girls and growing up our cordovan penny loafers which were a uniform requirement at the catholic school we all attended were dropped off at the shoe maker every August to get ready for school. I wore a size 9.5 in the fourth grade (still do!!) and there was no way my father would buy me a new pair if the old ones still fit. That shoe maker always made my shoes look brand new!

  9. I’ve been hunting for someone to resole some boots for 2 years now, to no avail, although I got a tip on a possibility this spring I haven’t yet looked into. I’ve always taken my leather goods — jackets, totes, purses, boots & shoes — for repair when that option was available, but it seems as though people would rather toss out worn things & replace them than pay for repairs. That green camo blouse looks super on you, btw — the colour & V-neck are both very flattering. And thanks for the recipe. We’re both crazy about broccoli & I’m always looking for new ways to prepare it — this looks delicious. I’ll leave in the artichokes, add some diced celery & red bell pepper & toss a few toasted almonds on top 🙂

  10. Playing catch-up! Do love the top on you Pamela and do appreciate the recipe which I shall definitely try. As to shoe/boot maintenance; I always will condition them plus have taken some of my higher heels to the shoe maker to have adjusted lower. Also re a tip when storing your longer boots to encourage them to retain their shape ; a swimming pool noodle cut down to size and tucked into them, works well. -Brenda-
    Footnote: The pool noodle is made of sponge in a range of colors, about 4′ – 5′ in length, can be easily cut with an small utility knife, extremely cheap and can be even found at many $-stores.

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