Sunday Reflections
Happy Sunday, everyone! Welcome to my weekly lifestyle post called Sunday Reflections.
On this day, I reflect on the past week, and look to the week ahead…sometimes, these posts become the behind the scenes of the blog.
Sunday Reflections this week begins with my quest to find a new beauty team.
And it was easy! I am pleased with the small businesses owned by women that I discovered….actually, a entire strip center full of these.
First, I start today with my hair.
I found a wonderful stylist (Heather) and her assistant (Trinny) who touched up my color and gave me a trim.
Heather is one of the owners of Hair Parlor in Abilene and they have been in business for many years.
So, join me as I share a little of Abilene with you, and other Sunday Reflections.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: BEAUTY TOUCH UP
Moving was hard on my nails…really hard on my nails.
So, I began to call around to different nail salons, and actually I selected one from the friendliness and professionalism of the receptionist.
There was one that that was so abrupt that I actually hung up…and I rarely do that.
So, when I found one with a good voice on the phone, I said, let’s do it.
This was the Texas Nail Goddess Salon.
They showed me this collection of OPI colors that I loved.
These are my kind of colors and I will probably get a different one every two weeks for awhile.
I decided to begin with FALL-ING FOR MILAN, a lovely fall neutral.
It will take my nails a little more time to grow again, but I still have much work to do around here, so it is ok to have them short.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: REFLECTIONS FROM LAST WEEK
I was so thankful to have my friends, Karen and Leigh Ann, shop the Talbots Trunk Show and Sale for us.
Later in the week, Karen sent this photo shopping antique stores in Canton, TX.
She is wearing a Cable & Gauge knit jacket we found for her the last time we shopped together.
It was a low price…unique…very soft…and a great casual chic garment to add to her wardrobe…she is glad that we found it.
I hope to be shopping with them when I visit SA before the end of the year…we do have a good time!
We discussed Mexican Vanilla in Pamela’s Kitchen on Thursday.
The next day I walked into this Texas gift shop, called The Texas Star Trading Company, and found a new brand of Mexican vanilla!
This Mexican vanilla is from the Blue Cattle Truck Trading Company and was endorsed by Martha Stewart.
They purport it to be the best vanilla in the world made with beans from Veracruz, Mexico.
So, I bought a bottle and will give it a try.
It is also available on Amazon, but I did not pay this much for it locally.
Also, I am researching recipe apps that I can use to format them better in Pamela’s Kitchen.
Will keep you posted on this.
I know you asked to see my office, but I do have a bit more tweaking to do.
I am really enjoying working in it, but must warn you that it is not fancy at all…it is comfy…
We are not able at this time to paint every room, but hopefully in the next year may be able to.
We also do not have the budget to purchase expensive furniture.
We are utilizing pieces we brought with us and some hand me downs from family, but at this time, we need to use what we have.
So, when I do show you what I am doing at home, it will not be magazine ready…but since I am going for warm & cozy, that is all that matters for now.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: NEXT WEEK
We finally received some autumn weather and it has been glorious.
I will share with you this week how I was able to get out and about and enjoy my new community…it has been fun.
From beauty to fall fun, I hope to have much for you this week that you will enjoy.
I am finding so many ways to thank God every day and find joy in this new journey He has me on….
Look at this Psalm…David assures us that thankfulness and praise renews out youth like the eagle’s. I am in for that.
I hope you have many things to be thankful for today!
If you have any questions from Sunday Reflections, just let me know…the monkeys are still hanging around. Maybe this week I will make it to a lighting store.
Hope to see you tomorrow…until then…
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
MY LIFE HAS CERTAINLY STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN!
I love sharing my coffee with you every morning and have been doing so for several years -but have never commented! I wish you and yours many happy years in your new location and look forward to hearing all about your new home and city! I had saved your recipe for Homemade Vanilla but now can’t seem to find it-would you please post it again? Thank you!
Hi Mary Nell, It is so nice to hear from you this morning! I love the homemade vanilla but it does take six months to “cook.”
I use Buffalo Trace Bourbon over vodka in order to achieve more of the taste like Mexican vanilla. Here is the post where I first discussed it and you use six vanilla bean pods per bottle.
https://over50feeling40.com/2023/07/sunday-mornings-at-home-40.html
Sounds like everything is falling into place as you start enjoying this new chapter in life in Abilene. I’m glad you found the vanilla in a local shop. Just yesterday I ventured into a grocer that I don’t normally frequent in hopes of finding Mexican Vanilla for your cookie recipe. I found a brand called Veracruz Vainilla, yes, that’s how it is spelled on the label. It says 100% Vainilla Pura on the label, but no ingredients. Anyway, down the rabbit hole on googling Mexican Vanillas, and I’m kinda afraid to try this one. If “Blue Truck” is endorsed by Martha Stewart, I’m sold. LOL. Better safe than sorry.
I have the bottle and will try it this week..hope it is as good as they say. I agree with better to be safe than sorry, Deanna!
What an uplifting post! You are settling in!
Yes, I am…and having a lot of fun. Thanks Deborah.
Finding both a good hair and nail salon right away is remarkable. Choosing based on friendliness makes sense. Friendly and professional service usually indicates a business that treats the employees likewise. Your hair is darling and I love the shade of your nail polish. I do a home mani with a system that lasts me 2 weeks but I was able to order a very similar shade and look forward to trying it. Yesterday was a jam-packed day and I never had a chance to comment on the post. I love unique jewelry and have statement pieces that are on a bit smaller scale that I’m more comfortable wearing. IMHO they are never out of style if creative is one of of your adjectives. I see a lot of women of all ages in skinny jeans but I find they are not a great style for me as I don’t like to wear tunic tops. I kept one pair of Chico’s pull on jeggings that are as tight as some you see. I find slim fit jeans more comfortable. I’ve never owned a large handbag. I used tote bags to schlep work when I was teaching but have always preferred to carry only the necessities in my small bags. Happy Sunday. Enjoy your taste of autumn.
We too are having a great fall! Walks in the leaves, pumpkins decorating our home, baking and planted mums. Its been a glorious fall- my favorite season!
You too are blessed! Family nearby is a plus. And, with this move, finding a good hairdresser is awesome! You look great!
Joyful- that how I see you today.
I am loving the taste of autumn, Kathie. It is always good to hear from you!
zi sm feeling very joyful, Paulette…full of God’s blessings and really enjoying the new town. I will have more to share tomorrow. Your fall sounds picture-perfect!
I’m so glad your discovering such wonderful shops to meet your needs and more!! Moving a new Life begins!! I know this from moving around with dad being in the military!! Always another adventure!!
This is a military town! So we are all on adventures together…thanks Natalie.
So glad you found a stylist. Good hair days surely make a great fall day!!
Blessings
Finding a good hairstylist is very important. I know this from personal experience. I’m glad you were able to find one on your first try. Don’t be concerned about things being magazine ready. You are settling in & living a beautiful life. That’s all that counts!
Mixing old and new makes a cozy home to me. You are so fortunate to find a stylist so soon! Nail grow. I no longer wear polish at all. I emory board my own nails once a week as they grow so fast and I like them short. I also convinced my stylist to cut my hair short in a pixie cut. It has been a blessing for me to care for all summer. It requires a cut every five weeks. So easy to care for with my severely arthritic hands. Getting older isn’t for sissies but we care look stylish and put together walking the dog.
Pam, I’m so thankful to read that you are finding the services you need in your new location. Having beauty professionals you can trust is huge! Your hair looks fantastic, and you’ve inspired me to grow my bottom layer a little longer this fall/winter. I’ve been wearing one of your OPI color choices (2nd from the bottom) since spring, and find it works well with both my coloring and my wardrobe. My nail tech is on a month-long vacation, and I am really missing her at four weeks and counting. I just consolidated two storage units into one larger unit over the past week, and my nails look a lot like your “before” photo. Several of my friends are ladies I met chatting over nail appointments, and I wish you the same good fortune. Fall is a blessing in so many ways, and I’m trying to be mindful to spend time outside every day, even though we will be back in the upper 80’s/low 90’s this week. Somehow it still feels like fall, especially in the mornings. Here’s to your continued joyous transition to the Abilene community! If you ever want to head to Fort Worth for shopping and lunch, just let me know!
I have a feeling that we can make this happen…I would love to shop and lunch with you.