Sunday

I have been living in work out clothes and less than inspiring t'shirts and shorts lately, but come Sunday I take a little more time for ME!  I am still experimenting with my hair as it grows out and have all but abandoned the idea of getting braid extensions(not a favorite choice among my people  family!)  So, here I am with a fun style that I am enjoying at the moment and need I share the obvious that it is so easy and low maintenance?  This summer heat is absolutely disrespectful and therefore hair and wardrobe choices have to be simple. I am enjoying this dress that my sweet sister sent to me for my birthday and I have new makeup(that is a different post.)  I have been adding WOW to my outfits with my fabulous Noonday Collection jewelry.  I know I shared with you here that I signed up to become an Ambassador with Noonday back in June!  I can not tell you how this decision has changed my life!  I invite you all to check out my site to learn more about this vehicle for change and empowerment. Noonday Collection is all about building a flourishing world, where children are cherished, women are empowered, people have jobs and we are connected. Our Fall line launches tomorrow and it is absolutely breathtaking!   Tune in tomorrow on my site for all the Fall fierceness.

Feathered Fringe Earrings, People stop me on the street asking about these earrings!

Very Versatile Bracelet, Delta River Bangles(SOLD OUT) African Basket bag, treasure from Asheville, NC,  Dress, gifted from my sister, Shoes, last year

My Do' at the moment...fun, fun

I am linking up on The Pleated Poppy and please check my site for all the Fall fierceness!!

Enjoy the rest of the summer and Happy First Day of school to your kiddies!!

WIWW-Take 2

If you were here on Monday, then you already know the deal.

  If you are new, WELCOME!!

Happy Hump Day!!

 Join me at The Pleated Poppy!!

Mardi Gras Style

This weekend we shared Valentine's treats with the kids, went to soccer games, track practice, cleaned house, went to church, band rehearsal and a Mardi Gras themed party!  This was a particularly fun evening for us since both of our families hail from Texas and Louisiana where Mardi Gras is king, see what I did here?  We shared King Cake among other delicacies with our neighbors.  I was a bit disappointed to not get a slice of the cake with the baby in it!  Oh well, I guess there is always next time?
 Did you celebrate Valentine's Day or Mardi Gras?

 If so, what are your favorite things about either?

Masks here

Boyfriend blazer, sparkle tank, thrifted Boyfriend jeans, gifted booties, earned hostess jewels here
and here.

Who are these masked Mardi Gras-ers??!!

Find me here today!

Listening

It's always so great when I can spend time alone with our children individually.  It is even more special when they ask directly for time set aside to "talk" or in this case for me to "listen".  Life is so very hectic and complicated, yet fun and fulfilling all at the same time right now.  Do you all remember 7th Grade??!!  I do, and let me tell you I was not even in the same register as my girl right now.  I have to really go to a place to access my 7th Grade file to recall what it was like for me.  My girl is so together, and not in a know-it-all, I got this and you don't kinda way.  No, she is more like apart from God I can do nothing and with Him all things are possible and let's be friends because you are a safe place and I like the way you care about others too.  She is the kind of friend I wish I had growing up, especially in the turbulent tween, teen years.  So, when she asks to go chat after church because she has a lot on her plate, well Fro-yo happens!!  I won't share any of our conversation here, out of respect for her privacy, but it all went well.  We even ended our little date by taking a few shots in the backyard.  She is always taking my photos, so I suggested that she join me.  That's all for now.

 Have a wonderful week!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

Floral+Straps

I recently went to a wedding of one of my fellow running mates.  It was such a lovely day out with dear friends celebrating the union of soul mates.  I opted to wear a dress that I have in my closet that you have seen before and a pair of shoes I got over the summer.  I have to be honest and share that the shoes were not my original choice for the dress.  I became a member of one of the online shoe clubs and ordered a pair of pumps that would elevate the look.  Well, the shoes came the day of the wedding, actually before I left my driveway!! Of course there was no time to break them in, so I went with the pair you see here.  In the end, this was the wisest choice for being on my feet and doing the Cupid Shuffle!!  Unfortunately, when I got home and tried on the "perfect" shoes, they were too small. *Sigh*!!  Oh well, I'm so glad for free returns/shipping.  

What's your "fave" shoe at the moment?

  Can you do the Cupid Shuffle in them??

The Sewing Nook is still under construction, but functional.

Find me here....

Maxin' Out

I have been trying to wear what I have in my closet lately and stretch myself beyond the comfort zone.  I have good days and not so good days with this.  It's been so hot in my neck of the woods and most days I just want to hang out in my work out gear even if I am not working out.  This brings me to this skirt I have had for a few months now.  I think I have worn it 3 times?  I kept things really simple by wearing a basic v-neck t' shirt and flat sandals.  I know, so predictable right?  Well, it's a start.....

White t'shirt, black maxi skirt, wooden bangle, favorite "new" clutch and flat sandals

I'm Linking up here today!!

Fruit Stripe Redux

I maybe dating myself by admitting that my favorite gum as a kid was Fruit Stripe Gum.  It was all pow at the front end and fizz at the back end.  I fell for the let down every.single.time!! It was still such a yummy treat though, so much so that I could devour a pack in a day if left to my own devices.  So, when I ran across this striped top at my local second hand retailer, I had to snatch it up.  It instantaneously reminded me of my beloved childhood treat.

The weather was very warm today so, I decided to try out the top with boyfriend shorts, cargo jacket, wooden beads, flat sandals and my trusty tote.  This look was comfy and I felt very pulled together as I ran about town with soccer teams in tow, etc. Hence, another pose without all of me in it

Bag-Zara, Jacket-old, Striped top-Thrifted, Necklace-Thrifted/gifted, Shorts/old-Kohl's LC Lauren Conrad, Sandals-Thrifted

There you have it a smashed up thrifted, gifted and discounted outfit.  For those keeping track, that is 3 items thrifted/gifted and 3 items purchased at discounted prices= a totally on point outfit that can be worn multiple ways.  

P.S. I must say the photos don't do this top justice since you can't see the detail on the sleeve or the zipper in back!  I guess I'll have to restyle it and get photographed at a later date.

Happy HUMP Day!!

I'm linking up here....

Would You Rather?

Fave Boyfriend jeans(always in rotation), White t-old, Thrifted jkt.-Talbot's, Clutch-Clearance
Shoes-Ross, Bangles-Old

Do you ever play that game with your friends or kids....Would you rather?  My kids get me all the time and of course I go along with it not liking either choice.  Ew, like would you rather wade through a pit of month old garbage or tip toe through Poison Ivy?  Uh, neither is my reply, but I usually weigh out the consequences of the reality of my choices.  This never gets old as my kids continue to press me for my answers to questions that continue to hinge on the absurd.  So much fun!!!

This brings me to my post today as I would rather share an outfit that I would love to wear soon, than not share at all.  

How about you?

  What would you rather do?

  Happy Hump Day!

Gray's Anatomy

I sure hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Weekend?  We are home today for President's Day and we look forward to a busy, yet short week!! 

  I managed to take a few shots for this post.  This is how my outfit posts don't always work out the way I want them to.  In my head I am outside(too modest for that) with cool back drops and scenes to shoot in.  In reality, this is what you get... me in my Pale Gray bedroom in a rush to get on to the next thing.  **Sigh** one day I'll have fun, flawless photos with gorgeous backdrops.

 Any who, I am joining Two Birds today for a little fun called Inspiration Monday!!  

Leopard headband-old, Coach bag-old,/retired, top and leggings-old, Franco Sarto boots similar,
Silpada bangle-retired.

Dressed to Thrill

I ran by my local Goodwill the other day just to check in and what did I find?  A treasure of a dress that was perfect for my date night happening later on that evening.  I grabbed this dress and ran right to the fitting room to try on and I was so elated that it fit just right.  I barely had it on and already had accessorized it in my head.  Do you do that too?  Identify an article of clothing and immediately have it accessorized from jewelry to footwear in a matter of seconds?  Well, I knew that since the print was so bold, I would keep the jewelry simple and I could not wait to wear my "Christmas" boots and leggings to round everything out.  I also could have worn jeans with this, but decided otherwise on the leggings. 

Express dress-Goodwill, Belt/old-Target, Leggings/old-Target, Boots-Sam Edelman/Penny
Bracelets-Mine/Jewel Kade

My Christmas gift from Hubby

Yes, my sewing nook is coming together...another post to come.

Oh, in case you were wondering who took my pictures?  My favorite photographer was willing and able to help Mommy out.  Thanks, K!

 See, you don't always have to run out and pay full retail.  Thrifting takes time, but on occasion there is a jewel in the rough waiting to be plucked right away.  My husband and I went to a birthday party held at a favorite local restaurant in town and had the best time.  I highly recommend you dine here if you are ever in town.  I can not begin to tell you how many compliments I received from ladies I knew and ones I never met. 

 This dress will be on repeat and I might try to stretch it into Spring a bit.  Any suggestions on how I can style it going forward?

Fashion Item Friday!

Thinking Warm Thoughts....

Thinking Warm Thoughts.... by classicfunk featuring a print maxi dress

Accessorize print maxi dress
accessorize.com

GUESS t-strap shoes
macys.com

Vintage black purse
etsy.com

KENNETH JAY LANE gold plated jewelry
net-a-porter.com

Topshop earrings
topshop.com

So since it is freezing here in the "happy" South, I thought I would day dream of warm places!  How about you?  Are you thinking warm thoughts as you bundle up to venture outside?  Stay warm!

Goodbye

The school days are winding down and so am I! We have 5th grade graduation to look forward to this week and the last day of school!  I am so excited and a bit weepy at the thought of my youngest daughter going to middle school in the fall!! Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday the kids walked out of the door to greet a new school year and now they bid it farewell??!!

   It has been no shortage of fun stuff going on around here though as school comes to a close. This weekend I ran with my running group, BGR!, volunteered at church with my girls, went to a Lacrosse tournament with my oldest daughter, bummed on the porch with my hubs, went to church and a pool party to wrap our soccer season!!  This just brings us to the 3rd of June!! 

I really appreciate you all hanging in there with me and I hope to keep things moving right along during the slow, lazy summer months to come.  So, please stick around and I promise to polish and publish a few posts sitting in my draft file! 

 Have a wonderful day!

I am joining Two Birds for their Inspiration Monday!! and The Pleated Poppy

Come on over and join the fun!!

Dress-Goodwill(last summer), Hat-Street Vendor NYC, Shoes-DSW, Jacket-SJP-Bitten
Bangles-Target, Band-aid-a long, gory story!! LOL