january closet additions

1. Coral Blouse: Target  (I can't wait to style this for spring!)       originally $20 + clearance 70% off  = $6
2. Learsi Coat: Goodwill $5
3. Dress: Goodwill $6
4. Cardigan: Target [worn here]       clearance for $12 + gift card = $0
5. Bamboo Wedges: Goodwill $6 [similar]
6. Mossimo Leather Sleeves Jacket Target  [worn here & here]      originally $39.99 + clearance 70% off = $12 + gift card = $0  

7. Herman Kay Coat: Goodwill $5
8. Shirt: Target        originally $20 + clearance 70% off = $6
Total Spent: $34
I finally kept track of my spending this month (as I plan to for the rest of the year)! I did so good, and I'm proud of myself! My husband was proud too, I made sure I showed him this post and that I got 8 new pieces for all of $34. I always tell him how lucky he is to have a thrifty wife. Most women spend $34 or more on ONE new piece!

dressing room diaries: goodwill

  Forever 21 top: I almost got this! I thought it would be cute with my white high waisted shorts.
  Lace dress $6: This dress is just like my white lace dress that I wear so much, and you bet this came home with me. This is what I'll be wearing on Valentine's <3   Forever 21 Sweater: Yeah, sometimes brands steer me to try things on... but no this just wasn't cute on.   No idea what you call this top thing, but it looked vintagey and intrigued me to try it on. It was way too small, and just not cute haha.   Gap dress: Adorable, right? See below as to why this gorgeous dress didn't come home with me and why it'll probably be stuck at the Goodwill forever.   You see that little orange sticker that says $35.99? No, that's not Gap sale price... THAT'S THE GOODWILL PRICE. Yeah, you read that right, the goodwill price!! What. the. heck?!?! Really Goodwill? I'm pretty sure NO ONE who shops at the Goodwill is going to ever pay that price. Once I saw that, I seriously thought about leaving everything and just walking out and never returning to that Goodwill ever again. This is just ridiculous. I have nothing more to say about it, or I'm going to get pissed off about it all over again. Lol.    Learsi Coat $5: This coat is seriously gorgeous! I was SO sad that it didn't fit! Guess what, I bought it anyways. I couldn't let this pretty sit at the mean ole' Goodwill.    Nine West Jacket: I grabbed this jacket to try on because I thought it might look like a utility jacket. Nope.   Herman Kay Herringbone Coat $5: Another gorgeous coat! This one fit a little better, so this will be my new winter coat! Odd Pale Sweater: I pretty much only tried this on because I knew it would be long enough to wear with leggings. It just wasn't me though. Please, I gotta know y'all's thoughts on that Gap dress priced at $35.99!!  **Update: I know the pricing wasn't a mistake because there were other name brand things special priced also. There are signs around the Goodwill that say that some items are special priced. I remember seeing an ugly Michael Kors dress priced at $29.99 and a few other things that were new with tags also priced ridiculously. ** 

snow-bo

Plaid Dress: Forever 21 $25 Cardigan: Gifted from Sista Scarf: Cotton On, gifted Fleece lined leggings: Gifted Boots: $40 Hat: Gifted Total Outfit Cost: $65
Today was supposed to be a snow day, and friends...how does one dress to play in the snow?? Help a southern out!  I feel like the bulk of this outfit looks like a hobo, but I guess I would be one chic hobo haha! I don't know if I would have normally thought to pair plaid and aztec together, but I was wearing this dress on Christmas when my sister gave me this sweater. I was absolutely in love with the sweater, so when I got cold that day, naturally it was the very first thing I grabbed. To my surprise, it didn't look too bad together! 
Unfortunately we haven't gotten any snow yet today, just sleet. I definitely keep going outside to check. No such luck. We aren't even getting as much sleet as we did on Friday. Northern friends, send me your snow!

put it in reverse

Victoria's Secret Blazer: Goodwill $5 Jessica Simpson Dress: Goodwill $6 Leggings: White House Black Market Outlet (clearance) $10 Total Outfit Cost: $21
My name twin who blogs over at A Little Bit of Wo We, is doing this thing this month she calls the "reverse 30x30." Instead of the normal 30x30 where you pick 30 items out of your closet and wear those for 30 days, she picked 30 things out of her closet that she doesn't typically wear and wears at least one of them each day.  After wearing it she decides if she wants to keep the item or to get rid of it. I wanted to participate, but I definitely don't have a whole 30 items in my closet that get neglected. ;) My reversed items are the dress and the blazer (which should be obvious since I practically wear these boots everyday). I've only worn this dress once (here). I just don't love it. I think it's a pretty dress, and I like it, but I'm kinda unsure of it still. The blazer I've had in my closet for quite some months now, and it's only been worn once (that outfit didn't make it to the blog). I think this blazer is a little boring. I feel like there's just something missing on it. I'm going to keep it though because it's the perfect fit and it's very professional looking, and ya never know, I may need to look super profesh one day? So, help me out! How should I try to style my "reversed" items?

hot n cold

Seater: H&M  (sale) $12 Tights: Target (clearance) $3 Booties: Shoe Station (clearance) $15 Vest: SheInside.com $20 Necklace: Vintage, given to me Total Outfit Cost: $50
So this is what I wore to church and lunch today, and I gotta tell ya I was BURNING up. This dang Louisiana weather is CRAZY.  Friday we had a frozen wonderland here, and it was beautiful! No snow, just frozen grass and the roads were froze over, but hey I didn't have to go to work, so that works for me! Then today it's flippin' in the 60's! What the heck!? Oh AND looks like we're supposed to have some more "winter weather" coming Monday night! Louisiana weather keeping everybody sick with it's ups and downs. I bet you didn't know, but Katy Perry actually wrote Hot N Cold for Louisiana. Yepp.

our wedding, part IV: the ceremony

part I: getting ready  part II: the bridal party  part III: the prayer

ice pellets

Sweater: Christmas gift Chambray: Bargain World Thrift Store $2 Pants: Old Navy $26 Boots: $40 Total Outfit Cost: $68 So y'all, there's talk of snow freezing here in Louisiana tomorrow. Yeah, this girl doesn't believe it.  My weather app said there'd be ice pellets, and it showed little snow flakes. They even closed school in my area. And I have to call our emergency hotline in the morning to see if I have to go to work or not. As much as I would LOVE to lay in my pajamas on my couch in front the fireplace watching Netflix all day, I just don't think it's gonna happen. I'll let y'all know though. 

my favorite casual outfit

Shirt: Walmar $12
Leggings: Target $12
Boots: $40
Necklace: Hodge Podge Thrift Store $3
Total Outfit Cost: $68

I swear I love these leggings more and more each time I wear them

Back in the ole Myspace days, remember when you used to post and answer surveys? I'll admit, other than posting countless pictures and playing with my page layout, answering surveys was one of my favorite things about Myspace. Last week, Nicole answered eleven questions about herself and posted eleven questions for everyone else to answer. It felt like Myspace all over again, except Nicole's questions were way harder than "who was the last person you kissed?" I think I'm supposed to come up with 11 questions for other's to answer, but I really like Nicole's and think you should go ahead and answer them. Plus, I'm feeling too lazy for all that. ;)

1. What is your favorite thing to do when you're feeling stressed?

     Dance. In high school (cause ya know, those are like the hardest years, ever) I'd walk into the dance studio, and all my cares and worries were completely gone. I still dance when I'm stressed, just now it's in my living room.

2. It's 2014. What invention are you still waiting for them to come out with?

    Time travel.

3. You're in control of the thermostat--at what temperature do you set it?

     73

4. If you could go back and say something to yourself, what would you say and what age would you say it to?

    Hmmm.. I really don't know.
 

5. What toppings are on your perfect pizza?

     Canadian bacon (though we all know that's just a fancy name for ham) and pineapple!

6. What was the first book that changed your life? 

      The Bible. I never actually understood why, until I actualy opened it up and began to read it. 

7. What actor/actress would play you in the movie of your life?

    Oh that's a tough one, hmmm Rachel McAdams. She can play anyone.

8. List three things you want to accomplish in the next five years:

     1. Become a mother

     2. Get promoted

     3. Learn to make my bed everyday

9. What's the last show you binge-watched?

     Law & Order and Lost. Netflix binge watching is kind-of my thing.

10. What drink or food item is your go-to guilty pleasure?

       Drink- Coffee, Food- freshly baked chocolate chip cookies (with milk, duh)

11. Do you feel that your current age fits you?

      Hmm, well at times I don't quite feel my age and others I feel way older- ha. 

black & blue

Blouse: Goowill $2.99

Skirt: Ross $7.99

Jacket: Target, gift carded

Tights: Old

LC Lauren Conrad Booties: gifted

Total Outfit Cost: $10.98

The other day I came across @uneditedlifeproject on instagram. She posts unedited pictures to show that it's ok when things aren't perfect. You can post your own unedited pictures too using #uneditedlifeproject ! Here's what she says about why she started her profile (and blog too), "to combat the social media induced depression we all feel after looking at perfect pictures and status updates." It's SO true. We can get so caught up in looking though others' pictures and blogs and get to comparing ourselves to others and think that we don't have enough and we aren't enough. That's not true at all! I'm with @uneditedlifeproject, and I want to see and show that my real life isn't at all perfect. Case #1: Look at that 2nd photo. My shirt is tucked in all funky and my skirt is gathered (& please let's not even start to mention my roots). To be honest with yall, most of my pictures I take for the blog come out this way, and I always choose the 1 or 2 pictures that my clothes (and face) actually look good in.  Let's all start being more real on our blogs. I want to see hair that isn't quite in place, wrinkly clothes, and unperfect smiles. Why? Because that's real life.

an idea

Sweater: Zara $10 Shirt: JCP (clearance) $4 Jeans: Goodwill $4.99 Boots: $40 Scarf: Target (clearance) $4 Total Outfit Cost: $62.99
 This outfit is one of my go-to formulas. Cardigan + scarf + boots = maximum comfort and style.  So y'all, I've never hosted any sort of link up, but I had an awesome idea for a one time linkup I want to host! I always see on blogs that we all want to create a closet full of items we love and items that can be worn all different ways. So why not have a linkup where you where you show off one of the most remixable items in your closet and post all the ways you've worn/ can wear it. I'd probably want a couple other bloggers to host the link up too, so there'd be even more participation. Then, we'd have all these awesome remixable closet items and how to wear them in one place! What do ya think? Would you link up and participate? Would you be interested in co-hosting the link up with me? Let me know!

mix it up: utility vest

Shirt: Forever 21 $20 Jeans: Goodwill $4.99 Vest: JCP (clearance) $4 Blowfish Booties: Marshall's $35 Belt: off of a dress Total Outfit Cost: $64.99
5 ways I've worn my utility vest: 
1 | 2(unfortunately never made it to a blog post) | 3 | 4 | 5
Linking up with: Mix it Monday

purple & navy

Shirt: Target $20

Sweater: Forever 21 $8

Pants: Forever 21 $10

Booties: JustFab $20

Scarf: Cotton On $5

Total Outfit Cost: $73

Hello and happy Thursday friends! Nope you didn't read that wrong, and no I didn't schedule this post a day late. Sure this outfit above is what I actually wore yesterday, but today is MY Thursday. You see, I started working Tuesday to Saturday now, so I have to convince myself each day that it is actually the day before.  Tomorrow is Friday, y'all! Woohooo.

leather sleeves

Jacket: Target (org. $40, but found on clearance for $12) gift carded Sweater: Old Pants: Old Navy $26 LC Booties: gifted Total Outfit Cost:  $26   What I think is cool about thrifting and bargain shopping is that I am able to try out pieces that I normally wouldn't.  When I am purchasing something full price, I think it through carefully. Sometimes even overthink it. I always want to make sure that I will get my money's worth! When I find stuff super cheap, I don't have to think about it nearly as much. For example, this jacket. I could never justify buying it full price. For $40, it's got to be something I plan to wear once a week, every week. Now for $12? Oh yes. I was willing to give it a try! I really like it, and I feel like it's a piece in my closet I'll get a pretty good amount of wear out of over a few years!