Random thoughts on a sunny Saturday morning:
1. There are only six days left to sign up for my two-day online workshop next weekend. It’s ONLY $10 and it’s all about turning your blog (or social media) into an online business making a part-time or full-time income. There will be action plans and tasks and stories and laughter and JOY. All the sessions will be recorded so if you miss one you can watch it later.
All this (and MORE) for only $10.
I’d love it if you’d join me here.
2. I am trying to find a new swimsuit for water aerobics. YIKES. I want a cute one with a skirt and polka dots that tucks in your tummy. Can anyone point me in a polka-dotted direction?
3. Along with football this weekend, we are about to (re) watch one of my favorite shows of all time.
Larkrise To Candleford.
If you’ve never seen it. It is amazing.
4. I can’t wait to show you the cutest stripe project we are working on right now. We are painting stripes on a wall and having them come down and cover a table.
5. I’m also filming the cutest organization series for next week with my friend Leslie. We are going room by room and organizing everything in the space. Stay tuned.
6. It was an amazing week on the blog. We talked about my short-lived pageant career and I showed you my new office and a little bathroom makeover and I shared a love story.
And now?
Let’s see all the amazing stuff I found for us this week.
If you are closet challenged?
This is the post for you.
Here are 12 organizing ideas for a house that’s a little short on closet space.
I am thinking about trying to upholster the chair I’m sitting in.
And I found this post.
Five upholstery tips for beginners.
And this beautiful front porch.
It’s so pretty and the perfect way to transition to spring.
See the rest of the porch here.
And this amazing bread recipe.
Seriously.
And in random news:
This tiny danish cottage
The quest for the best gold spray paint
How to rent your home out for movies
This Keto pizza crust
This easy DIY
These cupcakes are so pretty
These DIY fruit pinatas
This beautiful living room (love the ceiling)
And this.
I need to show this post to my sister Whitney who made me the thistle. She might be inspired to add another thistle to my collection.
And one more for the road
I’m doing a little something different this year (let’s see if I can keep it up).
I’m sharing my top five random finds every week. Some are things I’ve tried. Some are things I’ve watched. Some are things I’ve recently bought.
Here are my top five finds for this week (along with a video where I show them to you).
- 1. The hair mask I talk about
- The hair wrap I use with the hair mask
- 2. Ted Lasso the series
- 3. The buffalo check throw
- 4. The sheets I used as curtains
- 5. The glasses I talk about
Happy random Saturday to you
disclosure: affiliate links are used on this post.
What a great week KariAnne! All your projects sound wonderful and I can't wait to catch up on the posts I missed! Hope you have a lovely weekend! Thanks for the continued inspiration in so many ways!
Thank you so much for featuring my frosted branches this week! I found a polka dot swim skirt for you: https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-tummy-control-skirt-swim-bottoms-print/id_343940?attributes=4976,43307,43325,44256,44409,44437,44967 Here is the matching top: https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-strapless-bandeau-tankini-top-swimsuit-with-removable-and-adjustable-straps-print/id_343978?attributes=44967,44093,4976&dysku=5461362
Hi, try Lands End for swimsuits, I find they have a great selection for all figure types and even carry petites. I live in Florida so I order swimsuits all year long and they stock them all year long. Good luck! Blessings, Jan
I second Lands End! They hold up so well, too!
Re: the swimsuit...you and everyone else it seems. I just spent half an hour searching for polka dot swimsuits with skirts and many were sold out. Here's one link you might investigate: https://www.alwaysforme.com/miraclesuit-pin-point-plus-size-marais-knot-front-swimdress Just a note, I've taken a water aerobics class and it was fun, but a skirt is going to balloon up every time you jump up and you don't want anything with straps that will fall off your shoulders easily either for the same reason. Good luck with the hunt!
I can't even think about trying on swimsuits! You are brave, and you look fabulous! So proud of you. This always makes me smile each Saturday. Love all the featured. Have a great weekend!
I found this cute polka dot suit at target while looking for a suit for myself. It has polka dots and a cute top. No real skirt but it is a charmer. Take a look. https://www.target.com/p/women-39-s-plus-size-v-neck-sharkbite-dot-tankini-top-kona-sol-8482-black-26w/-/A-80416238
You sure are a fountain of positive energy!! I love your gold bracelets. Did you buy them as a set? Can you provide a link?
You are so sweet! The gold beads are stretch in different sizes. You can see them here: https://bit.ly/3iiy2NP And the other bracelets are from Zara! But I don't see them on the website anymore. :( KariAnne
As a large-busted woman, I find swimsuit shopping to be very very tricky. I don't want to have this be a TMI moment, but for the sake of trying to be helpful, I will share that I am 5'5" and vary between a size 8 at my best and a size 12 and generally wear a size 10. My bust is a 36DD (with some variation based on weight gain or loss) but I never ever go below a DD cup size. I'm sure Land's End suits are well made but when I try them on, they do not fit me comfortably. I think Miraclesuit is a better option and I've had reasonably good luck with Beach House (which I have found at JC Penney). Here's a floral polka dot option: https://www.beachhouseswim.com/beach-house-lucy-twist-front-underwire-tankini-top-best-buds.html# I think Teddee had excellent advice. Another thought ... you may want to consider a higher neck suit for the class to keep body parts where you want them to stay. We live near several beaches and I like tankinis for the beach (easier when you need to use the restroom as we are there for a few hours) but a one-piece may be more practical for a class. Also, while some figure types do well with less expensive suits, I find that spending more money results in more happiness with how my suit looks and holds up.
Wavely One Piece Swimsuits for Women Tummy Control Bathing Suits Modest Skirt Ladies Swimdress Vintage Swimwear on amazon. You will love it. i bought in navy with white dots.
[…] KariAnne Wood […]
I so enjoy "Thistlekeeping" every Saturday!! So fun to see what you've found. I loved watching "Lark Rise to Candleford" too!! Miss Lane: 'It is my one weakness'. Such a nice series. Enjoy your weekend!!
KariAnne, please tell me about your bracelets. Thanks!
You are so sweet! The gold beads are stretch in different sizes. You can see them here: https://bit.ly/3iiy2NP And the other bracelets are from Zara! But I don't see them on the website anymore. :( KariAnne
Hi KariAnne! Where are you accessing Larkrise to Candlewood?
I definitely recommend LL Bean for what you are looking for! The best swimsuits I’ve ever owned!
KariAnne, So many great tips and advise this week. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Karianne, I second and third LandsEnd, not sure about dots but they have fabulous swimsuits. I love Thistlekeeping! It is so fun to see what I missed on your blog and what is interesting to you around the web
Love the weekly wrap up-thanks for everything you do!!!
There are several polka dot one piece suits here: https://www.swimsuitsforall.com/ They have great customer service and high quality suits.
I did water aerobics several years ago and loved it be sure you get a suit that doesn’t have anything that will float up during the workout. I have never heard of that show but need to check it out. Also love the idea of the five random things and am excited to go Go check those out as well. Always inspiring Karianne
Another inspirational week, KariAnne! Thanks for sharing!
Great posts...except the 5 upholstery ideas for beginners from Miss Mustard Seed did not show up ....when you try open it, you get a second copy of the “organizing idea” post from French Country Cottage.
I swear by swimsuitsforall.com for bathing suits. I’ve bought one pieces and several tankini’s. They have hundreds of styles, for every shape and size and have fit me really well ( true to size). Good luck in the water aerobics! I go to one as well, because I have fibro and osteoarthritis, it works great to give me a work out, with harming my joints more. Nice thing is it’s in a therapy heated pool. ☺️
Thank you always enjoy these and have fun watching Larkrise to Candleford, misspelled, I loved that series and when it was over i watched it again.
I'm not sure if they have skirted suits but I always find cute patterns and flattering suits at Boden. They have a great return policy so you can order a bunch if you're not sure of your size. I think Lands End and LL Bean will also have what you're looking for! Good luck!
Let us know where you find that polka dot bathing suit!
I didn't want to spend alot on a swim suit.. tried this one from amazon and Boom-- it's perfect!!! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NPTKMCT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 No polka dots, but super flattering, around $20 (what!!!!! ) So cute and flattering, I ordered a second one in another color!! :)
I agree on Lands End swimsuits. Their cotton nightgowns are amazing too - I get the short sleeved ones cuz my arms are short. You'd want to as well. Their swimsuits are awesome but they've gone down a bunch for me as far as selections the last year or two. Great Thistles this week and LOVE the idea of the last 5 things - if it helps any small business that would be truly awesome!!!!!
Ooooh, those frosted branches are gorgeous!! Good like finding a swim suit!!! xoxo
Thank you for sharing my bread recipe sweet friend! You're the best! Wish I could bring you a hot loaf of it right now!! xoxo