As most of you know I live in New York. This means that four times a year, seasons change. But there’s no greater difference than the change from Summer to Fall. Kids get ready to go back to school, white gets relegated to the back of your closet (although this isn’t such a hard and fast “rule” anymore) and the sleeveless light clothes get put away and the warmer, long sleeve clothes come out. I must admit I LOVE this change and all the newness that comes with it.
Although with the economy being what it is and gas prices being so high, it’s definitely harder for everyone to update their clothes, I still get that “rush” I associate with new things. When I was a kid in school, I loved buying new school supplies, fresh notebooks, looseleafs/binders, etc. It isn’t the idea of buying, it’s the freshness of something new.
When you have kids, they’ve outgrown so much from last season, you have to start fresh. So the past week or so I’ve been focusing on getting my girls ready for Fall. I even purchased my youngest daughter’s winter jacket. Yes, they start to sell those in August around here. But it’s so great to know it’s DONE. And I love seeing them so excited about all their new things. Even when one is trying to get away with wearing suede boots to the ultra casual, OUTDOOR, grill restaurant when it’s still 80′ outside! 
Yesterday, my Mom and I went shopping. We do this A LOT. I’m lucky to have a very close friendship like relationship with her and I choose to hang with her first, before anyone else. 
So in between the kids, we snuck in a day for ourselves. My weight has fluctuated like crazy in the last year. I don’t know about you but those “bigger” sizes or those “smaller” sizes you tuck away for “when you lose the weight” or (heaven forbid gain it back) never seem to fit the same way when you try them on a year or more later.
So I purchased a few pairs of jeans and the cutest patent penny loafers that don’t look so stuffy and traditional because they’re in really fun, funky colors. I had to choose between red, deep eggplant/purple and a fun blue. As you can tell, even if I’m no longer buying myself new school supplies, I still let myself enjoy the change of seasons in other ways.
It’s the same when I start a new book. I clean off my messy desk, put away all the papers and things associated with the finished manuscript, and pull out a new notebook and photos and things to get my excited about the next. Speaking of manuscripts if you’ve been following the counters, you’ll see LUCKY STREAK is no longer posted and LUCKY BREAK is in its place. Yes, I FINALLY FINISHED THE BOOK THAT WOULDN’T END!!!!! 
But it took so long, I need to get right to work on the next deadline.
And a quick reminder that September is around the corner and LUCKY CHARM will be available online and in stores September 30th so mark your calendars! 
:grin1: There is an excerpt online at my website and a brand new book video coming soon! No goodies or bookmarks yet but I’m working on it. 
And just wait until you see my September contest. So cute! 
But back to today’s blogging subject, “All things New” … who, like me, gets that rush going into a new season? And it doesn’t have to be “season” in the NY four seasons sense. If you have kids, you’re still going to feel that transition from summer to school, etc.? Who does the overhaul of closet and clothes, checks out what’s new, and loves the updating process? Who, like me, pours over the thick Fall magazines with all new fashion? Come on, fess up! Inquiring minds want to know.
Carly Phillips would like to take 100% credit for all her stories but the truth is, Carly’s strength is writing family, emotion, funky elderly people and animals. She couldn’t plot her way out of a paper bag, which is why she smartly found her plotmonkey pals early on in her writing career. Thanks to their support, Carly is now a NYT Bestselling author of 23 plus novels. Because writing doesn’t keep her busy enough, Carly is also a wife, a mother of one preteen and one teenage daughter, the primary care giver of her soft coated Wheaten terrier and an expert carpool mom.
3 Seductions and a Wedding
Hot Number
Play With Me
Wild For Him
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I’m not all that big into fashion, but yes, I love getting new things – jewelry (I adore Avon’s jewelry and it’s very affordable), clothes, BOOKS! It’s always that lovely rush of pleasure over getting something new.
Well ladies, today I am getting my hair chopped off, possibly 3-4 inches. I’m done with it and want a new look. If I get pics, I’ll post them at my blog. Wish me luck that any tears are all happy tears LOL.
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Good luck with the haircut Stacy.
I am not into getting new stuff as I used to be – used to love to shop. Guess getting older does that. LOL.
I am shopping for my daughter’s baby shower in a few weeks and will be doing a lot of shopping for my upcoming granddaughter and will ENJOY doing that.
I didnt realize you lived in NY. Where? I live in Suffok Cty – near MacArthur Airport – about 1 hr from NYC.
I loved Hot Property – am really into the sports books – and look forward very much to Lucky Charm. Maybe some day, you can come up with another HOT book – you never know huh? It was a great series.
Looking forward to a long weekend.
:monkee2: 
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Stacy, good luck with the haircut. I hope you love the new cut!
I’m not into fashion that much but I am into clothes. And accessories. I love accessories, especially jewelry! I’m back in the gym and toning up so I’ll most likely put off my fall clothes shopping for a few weeks. That way I can also justify it as a Happy Birthday to me present. I’m going to the Moonlight & Magnolias conference in October and plan to drive into Atlanta a day early for some “let’s spoil me” shopping at their fabulous malls.
Carly, I love your description of those loafers. Who makes them?
Count me in as another fan of the Hot Zone books, actually a fan of all your books!
Just keep writing and I’ll keep on buying!
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Satcy- the haircut will be wonderful, I just know it! I can’t wait to see it and you.
I, too, live here in NY, but outside of Albany. The leaves are already changing. It’s still warm during the day,but cool at night (the a/c’s can get taken out of the windows this weekend, I think) and the days are getting shorter.
I went shopping the other day at the Lake George Outlets and bought a bunch of new tops- I have lots of dress pants for the new job, but at the bookstore my tops consisted mostly of t-shirts, polos and tanks under shirts. I haven’t put them away yet since I need to put away the summer clothes before I unpack all the fall/winter ones.
I love fall. Next to spring it is my favorite season. I dread winter. mainly because of all the idiots on the road. I think they get stupider during the winter.
What brand are those shoes Carly? Shoe-A-holics want to know!!
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Good luck, Stacy! Haircuts are huge things. I hope you LOVE it!
The loafers are Cole Haans. Sadly for me, I have arthritis in the joint of the right foot big toe and I th ink I have to return mine
Pat – I’m Westchester county near the Westchester County Airport.
PJ – thanks for the “HOT” compliments! I think you’ll love the LUCKY books. They aren’t sports but they’re fun.
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I love fall. Not necessarily getting new clothes (I hate to shop), but I love the cool air, the cooler evenings and the sky always looks bluer to me in the fall than any other time of year. If it could stay fall for the next 6 months – just skip winter because I hate to be cold – I’d be a happy camper!
Good luck, Stacy!!!!
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As the favorite Aunt (because I have no children of my own – these girls have me wrapped around their fingers!) I am always up for shopping with my girls! We completed school shopping awhile ago (including supplies) and the girls have given me their Christmas/Hanukah lists. Shopping for them is one of my favorite pastimes! My oldest 2 nieces (24 and 14) even like shopping for me and will encourage me to get a new outfit. I have just lost 50 pounds and needed a complete new wardrobe. Many things came as hand-me-downs, which was fine, since I was in that size for such a short time. But, being with the girls and watching their excitement to even get new school pencils with their favorite “Red Sox” logo on them (sorry Carly!) is great!!
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I have a few new things I love.
I have to start with my Grand Daughter she was new this year and I am having the best year enjoying her.
I guess most of you know Zoey is a 3LB. yorkie and everyday with her is a new experience. She energetic, funny and so so loveable.
I too love the seasons. Being a New Englander Fall is so special.
From round orange balls with faces and curly stems to colorful leaves, apples and oh, those wonderful spices and scents in the kitchen.
Most of all I love a new book. Probably the reason I read so much.
New beginnings, new characters and new wonderful romances.
Then there are those happily ever afters. I can’t wait for the Lucky series Carly. Coming soon, Lucky Charm! Wow another NEW to look forward to.
Last but not least is the NEW DIET…
After this year I could use a NEW DIET….
I have tried them all. I really need a NEW DIET…
Oh let’s just not go there this sunshine filled morning..
I go to the doctor’s today and I am worried about it a bit.
I guess I better say so long for now and try to get myself
mentally ready togo.
Hugs to all!
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I got some of my new clothes when the had the tax free weekend in TN(first of Aug). I also got 3 new pairs of shoes that I can’t wait to wear, but have to wait until my left foot will fit back into a shoe. I love Cole Haan shoes, but they run a little narrow for my feet, but they sound really cute. I love to get some new clothes each season, but am fighting my weight right now, so I’m holding off buying too much. I did get a couple of sweaters to get me through the fall and my dress pants and jeans should still be ok. Might have to try some jeans on this weekend…
I can’t wait for Lucky Charm!!!
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Carly,
Being in NJ I can relate to the change of seasons. Yes the winter clothes are out. I did a lot of shopping for my daughter already but I’m sure we’ll do another trip before next Wednesday. I need to buy myself some new clothes although I don’t buy the fall mags and follow the new styles. I usually judge by what’s on the racks in the stores.
I am not a winter fan but I love the cool mornings now. They are fabulous and the fact that the highs are now high 70’s/low 80’s. It does feel great!
Can’t wait to start the Lucky books.
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I really don’t like shopping. Guess I’m atypical. Fall, though, is my absolute favorite time of year. Bright blue skies so clear and sharp they almost blind you. A crisp snap in the air. Flannel shirt, jeans, and boots. Crunchy leaves underfoot. Cool nights with hot soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner.
Carly, I’ve already pre-ordered LUCKY CHARM and can’t wait! *bounces*
I really enjoy checking the word counters to see how ya’ll are doing.
Have a great day, jungle buddies!
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Stacy, your haircut will be perfect.
I love all of the ‘thick’ fashion magazines (even though I can’t wear them myself). It dates back to when I was a teenager and getting the ‘thick’ Seventeen magazine in the mail. I used to wear out that sucker. Nothing about snuggly clothes and snuggling in the fall.
Plus, I love the getting back into the ‘routine’ of fall. By the end of the three months, I am tired of no structure (I probably take after my oldest who requires structure/routine). I believe in flexible structure in the summer. Makes my boys crazy.
I will have to look up those shoes. I need a nice pair of shoes to wear when I go to help out in the boys’ classes. I usually wear jeans and a nice sweater, but I need a nice pair of shoes, too.
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By the way, the Hot Property books are not really ’sporty’. I don’t really enjoy those types of sports and I :heart1:ed them. Sports is more of the ‘backstory’.
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I love the change of seasons as well especially the change from summer to fall because I’m a fall and winter person. Here in Colorado you can take a drive along the Million Dollar Highway and see some glorious color. There are groves and groves of aspen trees whose leaves turn gold in the fall. The mountain sides appear as though someone has poured buckets of gold along their slopes. It’s breathtaking! Here in Denver where I live the trees change also. We have an autumn ash in our backyard that I look forward to seeing its leaves change every year. They turn gold, bright red, crimson, and orange all mixed together. It is gorgeous!
Like Carly I used to love to get new school supplies as well for the simple reason that they were new. I just got my new Fall issue of Vogue and I’m slowing flipping the pages so I can savor it. It’s a treat I look forward to each year just looking at all the pretty and sometimes funky-off-the-wall makeup and fashion stuff they come up with. Any magazine that features anything fall I go for it at the newstand just because.
Then there is the fall season of my favorite television shows which I look forward to as well. Except Burn Notice and The Closer begin in the summer. I look forward to HOUSE and I was thinking of recording the new show Raising the Bar on Tivo to see what that’s about. It might just end up being Law and Order meets LA Law but I’ll wait and reserve judgement. And of course there’s CSI which I’m looking forward to watching to see how Grissom is going to leave the show and Lawrence Fishburn is going to take over his position.
THANKFULLY the DNC ends here in Denver today. Though truthfully we haven’t been affected by it because we live southwest of the city. Everything is downtown, most of it at the Pepsi Center and then Obama wanted to have his big speech at Donkey Stadium. My nephew who just started at the University of Colorado–downtown–not Boulder–waited tables over at the Buell Center the other night. He said he waited on Danny Glover, some actresses he really didn’t know, Jesse Jackson…
I will be glad when the elections are over in November. All the political stuff on television and the radio and the newspaper for the past year is like four day old fish now.
Well, enough of my ramblings. Hope everyone is having a great Thursday and are looking forward to a long weekend.
Carly, looking forward to Lucky Charm in September. I’m going to pop over to your web site and read the excerpt.
Plotmonkeys, as always, you da bomb!!
Cher
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Carly, checked out those shoes (maybe not the same ones, but they are in the same collection) and I put them in my ‘wish list’ at Nordies…TOO CUTE!!!!! I am not really one for shoes, either…
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We’re down here in rare season change country, so we don’t get to enjoy the “rush.”
We do get to share the beginning of school experience! Except when you’re the
grandmother, you don’t have to fight the shopping crowds! You just get to help
fund the shopping spree! Thank goodness !!!
Pat Cochran of Houston, TX
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Barbara-Jo, I love the Red Sox!
Thanks all I’m so glad you’re looking forward to Lucky Charm!
Stacy how’s the hair?
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For the first time ever, I’m going to have a season change from Summer to Fall here in Oregon! I’m so excited!
I haven’t shopped for Fall yet, but I know I will soon. The weather here in ORegon has been beautiful — 70’s and 80’s — and hopefully soon the leaves will start changing. That’ll be another first for me to go through!
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I love the change into fall my 3 year old will start pre school I went out today to buy “school clothes” and as for me I’m a purse fanatic so much so that a year ago to keep busy I started my own company I do mainly home parties with handbags I love when the new season bags come in I’ve been getting lots of emails from my vendors that the fall handbags are in
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Janelle…you will :heart1: the fall here….it’s been a nice, mild summer,too!
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Since moving up to MD, Fall has become my absolute favorite season. I think we’re going to have a longer one this year. Last year the leaves didn’t really change until October and they fell pretty quickly. Now the weather is already cooling, it’s just gorgeous out and I’m seeing some yellows in the woods behind my house. Can’t wait!
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I wear the same type of clothes year round—hate shopping.
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Yay! The site is back up! As for fashion… I can’t afford anything
which is bad because I need to buy new clothes. Can’t keep wearing things from high school/undergrad LOL. Some day I won’t be a student anymore.
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Sorry about our missing sidebar, everyone. Apparently, I screwed things up royally today when updating my word meter…or it’s related to problems with our server, which probably isn’t the case, but let’s say it is, okay? :giggle:
Walt, our wonderful webmaster, and his beautiful wife have been working on and we hope to get it all fixed soon!
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Today was crazy. And not in a good way. I THOUGHT I was dealing with seasonal allergies when Bailey started licking her front paw. Of course
when I get there, her front paw is not wet and she hasn’t been
licking. But a good look showed the vet something IS going on and it’s
not good. It was a very inflamed lump that is either: an infection, a
cyst, or a growth. She did two needle biopsies/cystology things trying
to draw out fluid but the area was so inflamed. Bailey was such a good
girl. She only cried when they pressed the gauze against her to stop
bleeding after. They gave her an anti inflammatory shot, an anti
biotic shot and follow up pills to start tomorrow for both. They then
wrapped her paw up to the middle of her arm in gauze and green tape.
It’s so sad. They gave me YUK to put on it, but Bailey doesn’t seem to
care about the taste, she’s still trying to lick, so I have to resort
to the E-collar. But at least she leaves it alone, much as I hate to
do this to her. They want to see her again Tues. to see if the
inflammation is better without her having access to the area and on
the meds, and then go from there. It’s a long weekend so we may not
have the results back till mid next week either. Sigh. I flat out
asked “do you think it’s malignant if it’s more than an infection” and
she said no. So here is hoping.
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Carly- I will say a prayer for Bailey. I know how much it hurts when they hurt. Mine has to go visit the dr. too as she has a lump on her tummy, but it doesn’t seem to be bothering her, only me.
Hubby is over by the Westchester County Airport all the time doing the danged power plant drills.
cher- I am with you- I want this stuff over with too.Never thought I would wish for winter months to get here, just so the whole thing is done. Then of course is the wrap up which will take weeks and then the swearing in of the winner…it never actually ends does it?
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Carly- I will say a prayer for Bailey. I know how much it hurts when they hurt. Mine has to go visit the dr. too as she has a lump on her tummy, but it doesn’t seem to be bothering her, only me.
Hubby is over by the Westchester County Airport all the time doing the danged power plant drills. We used to be at the airport until they moved the site to Hawthorne.
cher- I am with you- I want this stuff over with too.Never thought I would wish for winter months to get here, just so the whole thing is done. Then of course is the wrap up which will take weeks and then the swearing in of the winner…it never actually ends does it?