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I'm Laura. Welcome to Simple and Serene Living. I've worn many hats in my life on this fabulous planet; daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. This space is one of my favorite hats.
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A LIFE BREAK AND POSHMARK

Thursday, September 29, 2022

My daughter, Katy has been in the hospital since Monday night so I have been spending my days there. 

I am taking a bit of a break from posting and reading blogs.

Please keep her in your prayers.

fall

While I am away I have to ask the question, Are you a posher yet?

I am back selling on Poshmark and I am also a buyer. I have found some great buys on there.

I bought a new pair of Banana Republic pants for less than half of retail.

However, Poshmark is not just for clothes anymore. 

You will find women's, kids', and men's fashion and accessories, new personal care products, home goods, pet items, and select electronics.

If you sign up using my referral code you will receive $10 in Posh credit and once you make your first purchase I will also get $10 in Posh credit.

After you sign up using my referral code you can visit my closet or use it to shop anywhere on Poshmark.

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Poshing.

MY SMALL KITCHEN ORGANIZATION

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Some days it feels like my kitchen just keeps getting smaller. 

Take my word for the fact that if it actually gets any smaller I will not be able to squeeze in or cook.

small gallery kitchen

Mine is not a fancy kitchen like the ones I ooh and aah over on Instagram..

It's a kitchen where refrigerator art, courtesy of my grandaughter Tessa, just keeps on giving every time I open the refrigerator door and glitter floats down to the floor.

child's refrigerator art

It's a kitchen where I really do like to be able to cook some healthy meals like my favorite eggplant tomato casserole.

I continuously work on organizing it in the best way I can so that it works for me.

small kitchen organization

Having paper towels on the counter just took up too much space, so I recently purchased this magnetic paper towel holder.

magnetic paper towel holder
Amazon

To replace the Brita water pitcher I managed to knock off the counter and break a few months ago I bought this slim new Brita.

Brita water filter
Amazon

You may have noticed the glass storage jars. Mine are vintage, but I found some similar one on Amazon.

glass kitchen storage jars
Amazon

One thing I do love about my kitchen is the wall space at one end. 

I have been able to utilize it by hanging some of the things I use most.

wall hanging kitchen bars with hooks

These bars are similar to the ones that I have.

kitchen hanging bars with hooks
Amazon

As you can see there just isn't a lot of space and no natural light.

small galley kitchen

These are some of the other things I have purchased to help get me organized and to free up some space.

I love this. I use it when I need extra counter space. 

I place my cutting board on top and when I am finished it rolls up and gets tucked away in the cupboard.

roll up drainer
Amazon

Cutlery drainer.

cutlery drainer
Amazon

Perfect-sized microwave.

microwave
Amazon

Single-serve coffee maker

single serve coffee maker
Amazon

Pop in the drawer can opener.

kitchen mama can opener
Amazon

Well, I am now looking for ways to organize under my sink.

Right now everything falls out when I open the door. 

Maybe you have some suggestions.

my small kitchen organization

This post contains affiliate links

BRAIN FOG

Friday, September 23, 2022

As many of you know I have been battling trigeminal neuralgia since it relapsed in March. 

A couple of months ago I was able to get an appointment with a great neurologist and started on a medication called oxcarbazepine.

Oxcarbazepine is great, but I had to up the dosage several times and that has resulted in increased side effects. 

fog off a dock

Along with mood changes, and twitching, one of the side effects is brain fog, which has slowed me down. 

Wednesday I went to see a pain specialist who recommended I try different prescription medications.

He also told me about an over-the-counter cream to try in case my nerve is inflamed. 

I thought that sounded like a good plan rather than having a needle stuck in my cheek and numbing medication injected, which would go up to my brain. 

I feel like my brain may be numb enough on its own. 

my brain has too many tabs open

The injection will only happen if I can't tolerate other medications.

As you may have noticed I didn't write my normal Simple Pleasures Friday post.

I have spent a lot more time this past week helping Katy, as Cary and her family had a flu bug and so she had to keep away from Katy. 

That and the brain fog have slowed me down. 

tree in fog

I do have one funny story.

On my way back from the pain doctor I sort of had to drive by Trader Joe's.

I decided to run in (okay there was no running involved) and pick up three things.

Thirty minutes later I came out with $84 dollars of groceries and managed to forget two of the three things I went in for. 

I am blaming it on the brain fog. 

LEAVES OF GOLD

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

I love the cooler mornings we are having. 

Yesterday it was in the sixties, and when I went outside it felt wonderful.

It is the perfect temperature for walking or just hanging out with a cup of tea. 

leaves turning gold

As I looked up at the clear blue sky I noticed that the upper levels of the trees were turning gold.

It brought back a memory of a book I had in the 1970s called Leaves Of Gold.

Somehow over the years that book disappeared, but I remember the beautiful poems, prose, prayers, and sayings that were in the book.

leaves of gold book
Amazon

Apparently the book can still be purchased.

Seeing the first gold leaves of autumn also reminds me of a poem by Robert Frost.

Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost

Gold is fleeting.

But we must enjoy it in the moment.

For the leaves will turn gold and then they will fall away. 

This post contains affiliate links.
Just as we can only enjoy each moment that we have.

BEDROOM WALL DECOR

Thursday, September 15, 2022

 Simple Pleasures #

For me, nothing defines a space more than what you hang on your walls.

Recently I shared how I updated the hanging shelf in my bedroom.

Since then I have been adding to the other wall spaces in my bedroom.

vintage wall art

(My bedroom is very dark so I apologize for the quality of these photos.)

Today I thought I would share more of that wall.

This is the space above my bed.

wall art

In the center is a signed original oil painting that I purchased several years ago from an estate sale in Kentucky.

It is based on an oil painting titled "Whistling Boy" by Duveneck.

I believe that it may have been done by one of his students. 

I paid $10 for it and it is definitely one of my best purchases.

It is surrounded by four framed vintage butterfly prints that belonged to my mom.

Since people often ask me how I have decorated my home on a budget I plan to share more of my finds in the near future.


As we move into fall we look forward to the coziness of a new season.

Simple Inspiration

moving into fall quote

Inspiring Reads From Around The Web







Gluten-Free Blueberry Banana Muffins

Hot tea and muffins are definitely favorites of mine when cooler weather rolls around.

Whether first thing in the morning or mid-afternoon they are a perfect combination. 

I am always looking for new ways to use my overly ripe bananas and these muffins are a very tasty way to do just that. 

gluten free blueberry banana muffins

These muffins contain very little fat, so they don't even have to be a guilty pleasure.

You can find the recipe here.

If you love banana bread check out my favorite recipe here.

What I Am Watching

Have you watched Abbott Elementary?

Of my goodness, I don't think I have ever laughed so hard.

Abbott Elementary

I am currently catching up on season one on Hulu because season two starts next week.

In a world where everything seems to be bad news, this will definitely brighten up your day.

Let's Shop

Shackets From Amazon
Amazon

fall pillow covers
Amazon

fall placemats
Amazon

fall throw blanket
Amazon

fall wreath
Amazon

Yesterday I got my Omicron booster. I am doing everything I can to avoid getting covid and to help stop its spread. I hope you will consider getting your booster too.

Thank you for your visit.

More Simple Pleasures

Visit my Etsy shop for vintage and antique collectibles and printable art.

bedroom wall decor


This post contains affiliate links.

SUMMER IS WANING

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Summer is waning.

Here in Georgia, that means daytime highs are in the 80s and nighttime lows are in the upper 50s and sixties.

It is a welcome reprieve from a sweltering summer.

flowers by a picket fence

Although I like actual fall and the beautiful colors, I am not a fan of winter. 

I know it is just around the corner.

Melancholy starts to creep in as the flowers start to fade.

fading flowers of late summer

Time is passing much too quickly.

I want to wrap my arms around the summer flowers and beg them not to leave us, but they know that there is a time in nature for every season.

potted summer flowers by a brick wall

Just like nature, our lives have seasons too.

Unfortunately, we can't stop time, but we can embrace the time we have now.

So I will think longingly of the summer flowers but I will enjoy the cooler temperatures where I can get back outside to walk.

summer flowers on a picket fence

After taking a break I have reopened my Poshmark closet.

Poshmark has really evolved since I was on there before and as I need to buy a recliner I hope to use some of the money from there to help out.

If you have never shopped on Poshmark I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I know I was. 

I just bought a new pair of Banana Republic pants for $20 off retail.

If you use this link to join you will get $10 and I will get $10 when you make your first purchase.

Hope you have a great day and are able to enjoy some cooler weather.

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