Yes, Friday!

Sporting my V-Day gift, Watch: Michael Kors

It's Friday, and it just doesn't get much better than that. I am looking forward to a super busy weekend transporting children from lock-ins, to soccer, to tee ball, and birthday parties. Maybe, just maybe....there will be time to catch up on some shows, read, and relax on Sunday.

I'm working from home today, and in between emails and phone calls I am cleaning out my closet. I started thinking about last year, and the shop fast. I feel so very grateful for my closet today, and the clothes and shoes that are in it. There are always things I will want being a lover of fashion, but once again I feel so blessed to have what I need.

The Urge to Cut

This is the cut I'm considering, thoughts??

I REALLY want to cut my hair. Having short hair for over 10 years leaves me not knowing what to do with my growing locks. Today, I used the curling wand for what I call a "beachy waves" look. But I am running out of ideas.

So, the last picture is the cut I am considering, should I go for it? Or let it grow?

Sometimes......You Get More Than Groceries at Sam's Club

Yes, sometimes you get more than what you went in for when you go to Sam's Club. Today I got hit on....by a 70 year old. But you know what, I am not complaining. It made me smile, and he seemed happy to meet a new friend. It would have been the perfect time for Ellen to use me for a laugh like this one. 

I have to give my BFF credit for this amazing Banana Republic skirt. She thrifted it for me. Isn't it one of the happiest skirts ever? Orange is my favorite. I hope you are having a super hump day!

Bird is the Word

Thanks to one of my sponsors, eShakti, I am sporting a new dress today. A dress that I absolutely adore. What makes eShakti extra special is that you can custom order clothing to fit your measurements perfectly, which is a blessing for a tall girl like me. This is something pretty great for my shawties aka shorties out there too!

I chose this dress because it mixes two styles I love the most. Classic on top, and fun print on the bottom. It even has birds on it, and what's happier than birds? Of course I have to link to one of my favorite Portlandia clips, "put a bird on it", every time I talk about bird prints. Enjoy the laugh!

Christian Fashion Week

Sumita Bhojwani, LOVED these pants!

Julia Chew Finale

Julia Chew and her designs

A favorite by Julia Chew

Another favorite by Julia Chew

Saturday night I had the pleasure of representing Top Buttons at Christian Fashion Week. Top Buttons  is a nonprofit organization purposed to be a fashion resource with a modest twist for young women. They operate on three platforms. They have an online fashion magazine which can be found at www.topbuttons.org, they speak in large and small group settings where they encourage young women and challenge their thinking on the area of self image and self-expression through fashion, and lastly they take underprivileged young women on shopping sprees and help them with wardrobe makeovers.

The evening was an absolute delight! I met new friends, and saw some amazing designs. One of my favorites was an 18 year old designer, Julia Chew. This girl has got it going ON and I will not be surprised to see her lovely and creative designs in Neiman Marcus one day. The fashion show segments ran flawlessly, and I was super impressed with the coordination of this event. I wasn't sure quite what to expect, but it was fantastic and I am looking forward to seeing this event grow!

Monday Spunk

Everyone needs a little added spunk on a Monday. This morning the coffee just wasn't doing it, so I thought I'd better wear something rad. This top is straight off the clearance rack in the juniors' department at Belk- because why should we only shop in our section? Have a great start to  your week, mine is nuts already.

Business and Pleasure

Caesar's pool, Michael Jackson ONE, Bellagio garden

In-N-Out Burger, drive through the desert, our hotel in Palm Springs

Trina Turk's first boutique, the most amazing creme brulee, Marilyn, The Hotel California

El Paseo, and sunrise drive back to Vegas

Looks from Vegas.......

to Palm springs! 

Hi! It's been a while. I just returned from a trip with my husband to Vegas and Palm Springs. He had business, and I tagged along for pleasure. A lot of firsts for me on this trip. First trip with his new company, first drive through the desert, first visit to In-N-Out Burger, and first trip to California.

We ate so well, visited with friends, and saw so many sights. The time away was needed, enjoyed, and I am SO grateful. I hope you enjoy the little picture recap of our trip above. Now, it's back to the real world with a pile of laundry waiting on me. Happy Saturday!

All Natural

Going all natural today. Aside from my gloss, I am wearing absolutely no makeup. I thought I would try the natural look, and skip a few steps in my daily routine for something new. Other than a few age spots, and a few more visible wrinkles...I have come to the conclusion that I don't mind it at all. It's actually kind of nice to take a break. Keeping in theme, I chose an outfit as close to PJ's as possible.

My home is in an all natural state as well, as you can see behind me lies the Marvel Super Hero collection and friends. I have worked from home all week, and still can't seem to keep things tidy. Laundry is backed up, I haven't made one entry in my quickbooks since May, and I have no idea what we are having for dinner. Sometimes you just have to embrace the chaos. Keeping it real!

It's a Tie!

Top & Belt: J. Crew, Skirt: Loft, Tie: Liberty of London for Target, Earrings: Topshop,
Shoes: Jessica Simpson. Bag: Michael Kors

Swiped this tie from my husband's closet. As a faithful reader of this blog, he will appreciate that.

Blackout

New Flats: ZiGi Girl, Piperlime (Clearance too!)

The inspiration for this look came from a pin that I saw on Pinterest. I am convinced that some of the best ideas are borrowed. I'm in love with my new flats, one of the pair that I bought on my post-Christmas binge, and they are still on clearance over at Piperlime if you love them too! I hope your week is off to a great start. :)

Under the Bridge

I ventured out today with the tripod and ended up under a bridge. You see, there aren't many places one can set up a camera without an audience. You should see how my photos turn out when I know someone's watching, hilarious and totally awkward.

In other news, this is a new dress. I am excited about this one because it will go miles, so many ways to style it. It took me a while to commit to purchases right after the yearlong shop fast, but in all transparency, as of late....I am seeing some old habits creep. I did some post-Christmas sale shopping in which I bought three pairs of shoes, two dresses, a sweater, two tops, a new pair of skinnies, a pair of earrings, a scarf, and I think that's it. Then I went into Ross for picture frames this week, and came out with a pair of Vince Camuto booties that I couldn't pass up because they were on clearance and the only pair.

So I admit it, I am still a sale junkie. Did I need these things, no. But I totally talk myself into sales. Part of keeping myself in check, is admitting the truth on this blog. So it's back to the budget for me, perspective gained. Happy weekend friends! :)

Floral and Fur

Busted out some fur today before the cool breeze is gone. As a Floridian, the ability to alter summer dresses to winter looks is a must. I'm finding there's happiness in layers.

Work Related

Get a good look, because this doesn't happen often. I am wearing a coat. It was in the 30s this morning in Lakeland, FL. Let's just say I won't be complaining about not being able to wear layers today. Unfortunately, we are headed back into the 80s by the end of the week so my coat won't be staying out long.

Staycation is over, and back to work I went today. Life was so crazy with all of the kids home for two weeks and no vacation trip to keep us busy. But staycation was a success minus the stomach flu in the middle. We went to parks, birthday parties, had living room parties, built tents, roller skated, created sand art, went to the movies, and more. Even though I was counting down the days until school started, I am counting down the minutes before I can go pick them up.....I guess that makes me a mom. :)

The Print Mix

It's been quite some time since an outfit post because honestly, I have been just plain bored with my limitations this winter. I haven't worn a pair of boots once. Exhibit A above: sandals in December.

Today I decided to liven things up with a mix of prints. Outfit boredom, be gone. :)

The Staycation

Along with the blessing of my husband's new job, comes the disappointment of no vacation time this holiday. This will be the first time in eight years that we won't take our post-Christmas trip to the mountains. And of coarse, this is just about the hottest winter EVER here in Florida. In effort to keep myself from getting in a slump with the change of plans, I am executing Plan B.

Plan B = Staycation.

Today, the kids and I went over to see M's new office, have lunch, and meet his co-workers. Later, we went with my mother to place flowers on my Grandfather's grave. He would have been 96 today, he passed away two years ago. You wouldn't believe the question and answer session between my 5 and 6 year olds and myself. As morbid as it sounds, it was an amazing learning opportunity for them. To brighten up the day, we opted for ice cream and laughs at Brewsters.

I have several things in mind to keep us busy and away from the house, while spending as little money as possible. As disappointing as it is to miss vacation, I feel super blessed to have been able to go for the past eight years. I keep reminding myself how fortunate we have been to travel and see things, and that really does take the sting away.

As for tomorrow, my children will be taking a trip with me to the tax collector's office to learn about renewing driver's licenses. I'm pretty sure I am going to owe them a trip to the park after that one.

Plaid is RAD!

Plaid is rad, especially when mixed with leopard. Meet my new flats, my one purchase at the annual Nordstrom Christmas party. I did good!! In other news, it was cool enough to wear tights today, and that is especially rad!

Meanwhile in Florida.....

Tank tops, skirts, and sandals.....why not when its 80 degrees outside? What's next, laying out by the pool on Christmas? I suppose the good news is I have no new winter clothes and with this weather, I don't really need them.

I am learning a lot about living in the moment right now. After going through trials, it is hard for me to stop living with a "what's going to happen next" mentality. God is showing me to trust Him, enjoy the good He is blessing us with in the now, and not get caught up in what's coming next. He will be there, just as He has always been. So, I am going to embrace the warm weather with a smile-and pray for a cool breeze until it comes. Oh, and northern friends-I will be living vicariously through your photos of layers so keep posting!

Breaks, Blessings, and Bargains

Obviously, I have been on a break. If I can be completely honest, I don't think I have worn anything close to photograph worthy since my last post. I had strep throat for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I really had a hard time bouncing back. After that, I went through about a week where I lived in my workout clothes, even if I didn't workout-just so I wouldn't have to style something. Everyone needs a break.

Before Thanksgiving, we received a huge blessing. As I mentioned my husband took a new job and was three weeks in when he got a call from a company that he had interviewed with prior. They offered him the Vice President of Sales position, and it's LOCAL! This was job number one on his list when he was looking. He is back in the industry that he loves with a wonderful company, and an amazing boss that has so much confidence in him. I am so proud. I get choked up at random times, thinking about how good God has been to us this past year, especially through the bad times. It overwhelms me to see his blessings poured out on my husband and my family.

As far as bargains, I found this top at a thrift shop. I think someone made it, because there are no tags and you can tell by the stitching. I absolutely love it! Happy weekend friends, it's good to be back!

Friday Findings

Friday finding number one was this skirt, hung beneath another and left to be forgotten. Another Target oldie, that I may have worn once. I am so glad I snapped a picture before lunch, because I now have a lovely salad dressing stain on the front, and this may be the last time I get to wear it.

I also found that I am having pre-holiday anxiety. All of the stores are playing Christmas music already and displaying holiday cheer.....and it is making me nervous. This is going to sound bad, but last year I thought I was only signing up for one year of not shopping at the holidays. I totally downsized Christmas because of my shop fast. I made homemade gifts, and we bought less. Part of me thought that by this holiday season, I would be back to waking up at 2 am on the day after Thanksgiving, hitting the malls, and happily participating in the holiday hustle and bustle. Well, not so much. Recovering from my husband's two job losses this year means that the downsizing of Christmas is going to be permanent for now. Honestly.....I think I am afraid I will miss out on something. That my kids may miss out. How crazy selfish is that of me?

Refocus CATHY!!! Get the marketers out of your head, where is your heart? 

Have I really excepted that less is more, or is that just something I felt like blogging about at the time? So here's the deal. I am vowing to remind myself of every little gift this holiday season that doesn't cost a dime. What are the gifts that my family and I have that can't be unwrapped? The gifts that can't be bought? Just maybe, this is a lifestyle change instead of a just lesson.