Pretty Plaid

Hello Friends!

It's been quite a while since posting and I'm feeling withdrawals from my blog.  My apologies for the absence.  Truth be told, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with back to school, volunteering for both the school and church, exercise, and blogging.  Most of all, I felt as though I was not doing a good job at any of them, I was just trying to get the job done.

Now it's a new year, new focus and new attitude.  I'm cutting out the fat, well not all of it.  I still partake in some of my mindless television and relaxing but not as much.  A girl's gotta have her Housewives, but the reruns have got to go.  I am also learning the much needed skill of saying "No", it's harder than it sounds.

Today's outfit was inspired by a great blogger that has a knack for taking a piece from her closet and remixing in a number of different ways.  You can find her at Putting Me Together.  I love this vest as you've seen me wear it here, and I'm finding more ways to wear it.  Check it out with this fall/winter plaid trend....LOVE IT!

 

[Shirt, Vest & Jeans:  Old Navy] [Boots & Belt:  Target] [Earrings:  Forever 21]

My hubby knows my love of photography and got me a new camera for Christmas.  I LOVE it!!!!!!  BUT, I don't know how to use it.  I'm working on learning all the new bells and whistles and still need a few more accessories (love my accessories).   Stayed turned friends, the pics will only get better.

Hugs,

        Trish

Camel Blazer & Denim Duds

Hello Friends!!!!

I hope you had an amazing weekend!!!!  I had one of those weekends that seem to go on and on.  Not in a bad way, just in a way that I was surprised we fit in as much as we did.  We've sold most of the baby stuff in our house.  No more cribs, changing tables, high chairs, etc.  It's all gone and I have a little more dough to show for it :).  We also made a very large contribution to Goodwill.  I hope all of the little kids clothes, toys, baby books, etc help make another family very happy.

I do still need to whittle down my closet but I know there are some very classic pieces.  These are the pieces you keep season to season, year after year.   My camel blazer is one of those great classics.

I love the simplicity of throwing on your favorite tee and blazer and calling it good.  It's effortless, cute, fun and fashionable.  I got this inspiration from Pinterest here.  You can create the look with your favorite vintage t-shirt, collegiate shirt or even a simple white t-shirt would be adorable!

[Blazer: Old Navy] [T-Shirt: Express] [Skinny Boyfriend Jeans: Target]

 [Shoes: Payless] [Jewels: Stella & Dot]

 I'm going to sneak in a frugal find bit here.  I found these Skinny Boyfriend Jeans at Target for $12.48, among a whole rack of 50% off stuff.  They are so comfy and I love how they are a bit weathered without looking too beat up.   I will warn you.  The dark denim does bleed a bit with the first wash.  So if you run out to Target and grab a pair, don't wash it with anything that is too light.  You'll regret it!

I wore this outfit to a Friendship & Chocolate event the other night at our church.  What an amazing evening with some amazing women.  We talked about the types of friends we have in our lives.  How each type fits in our life and for different reasons.  What kind of a friend am I?  It was an evening of prayer, spirit, friendship and of course CHOCOLATE!!!!

Because it was a Chocolate event, I had to find something that was easy (busy schedule and all) and could divide amongst all of the women.  I made these truffles for the first time and it was incredibly easy and very frugal.  I haven't figured out the cost but you'll see in the ingredients that there's nothing that's too expensive.  In fact, most of this you probably already have in your pantry.

 

Chubby Hubby Truffles 

1½ cups pretzel pieces
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
Pinch of salt
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 cup milk or semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

1. Put the pretzel pieces into a resealable plastic bag and crush into very small bits (a rolling pin works great for this).

2. In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar and salt. Stir until all of the ingredients are completely blended and smooth. Add the pretzel bits to the peanut butter mixture and mix thoroughly. Add the powdered sugar and mix until completely combined.

3. Line a small baking sheet with wax paper. Using a small cookie scoop, or about 2 teaspoons worth of peanut butter mixture, gently shape into a ball with your fingertips. Place the ball on the wax paper-lined cookie sheet and repeat with the remaining peanut butter mixture. Place the baking sheet into the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes.

4. When ready to dip the truffles, microwave the chocolate chips and vegetable shortening together in a small bowl at 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until completely melted and smooth.

5. Working one at a time, dip one peanut butter-pretzel ball into the melted chocolate and use a fork to roll it around, ensuring that it is completely coated with chocolate. Let any extra chocolate drip off and place back on the wax paper-lined sheet. Repeat with all of the peanut butter-pretzel balls.

6. Return the baking sheet to the refrigerator and again chill for at least 30 minutes. Garnish with a drizzle of melted peanut butter and crushed pretzels, if desired. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

 

Inspiration for recipe:  Pinterest here

Hugs,

        Trish 

Mustard and Sequins

Hello Friends!!!!

It's Copycat Friday .....

I'm linking up with frills for thrills today.  She's expecting her first baby and has an amazing style sense.  I love her Copycat Challenge and I'm excited to put this outfit together, inspired by a look I found on Pinterest here and at Middle Child Complex .  I have had this outfit pinned for a LOOOOOONG time and love that I'm now sharing it with you.

[Tank: Gordman's] [Sweater: LOFT] [Jeans & Ballet Flats: Old Navy]

I guess you could say Mustard is the new Black, for me.  At least you'd be wondering that as much as I wear it.  As you can see, this style is so fun and effortless.  This fun hue goes with so many different colors and plays well with sequins.  Oh and I should mention that it's officially football season (of course you already know that).  My Hawkeyes are playing Saturday and this could pass as team colors....kind of.  Black & Gold are their official colors but Gray Sequins and Gold Mustard will do.

Go Hawks!!!!


Hugs,
         Trish

Dots and Stripes

Hello Friends!

Temperatures are still high and finding the patience to wait for fall is getting harder and harder.  I pulled out this fun jersey skirt, that typically I wear with a simple tank but I wanted to show a more dressed up look.  This skirt is the perfect day to night, business casual, picnic in the park, errand running piece to have in your closet.

[Skirt: Target] [Top: JCrew] [Tank: Christopher & Banks] [Shoes: Payless]

 [Sunnies: Drugstore] [Belt: Kohl's] [Brooche: Stella & Dot]

I'll be wearing this jersey skirt ultra casual today, but since we're heading to church this evening I wanted to have a look that's somewhat more appropriate for mass.  This small polka dot blouse has popped up in a previous outfit of the day, shown here.

I love this fun look of a belt with a playful flower.  I was inspired by this Ann Taylor LOFT idea shown here.  I opted not to buy a belt with a flower.  I can get much more mileage from a separate belt and brooche.  I'll keep you posted on all the ways to wear these pieces separately and together.

I should also share that this skirt was slightly discounted for me at Target.  It started at low price of $14.99, then marked down to only $10.48.  That's not a huge savings off of the original but I'm still happy as it's in the $10 range and this skirt can be dressed up, dressed down and beached out!



Hugs,
        Trish

Feeling Inspired...

Hello Friends!

 I found this fun look here and knew it was one that I had to copycat. It's so easygoing and I had all some of the pieces. Don't feel like you need to have the exact same pieces to create a look. Copycat is really about inspiration. Use it as a start and create YOUR look.

 

 

[Top & Shorts: Kohl's] [Shoes: TJMaxx] [Bag & Sunnies: Target] [Wooden Bracelet:  Unknown] 

[Cream Bracelet: Lia Sophia] [Turquoise & Coral Bangle: Stella & Dot] [Scarf: Christopher & Banks]

That little skunk that popped up in my last pic is a cute DIY from my Father-In-Law.  Once he retired, woodworking became a new hobby before starting a second career.  This little guy greets everyone that comes over.

Have a FUNTASTIC weekend!!!!!

Hugs,

        Trish

Easygoing Style

Hello Friends!

Today's outfit is inspired by one of my favorite celebrities, Reese Witherspoon.  She has such an easygoing style that could go anywhere.  Since I'm a stay-at-home mommy, I don't get to too many red carpet events.  I'm always looking for what I can wear to meet friends for lunch, volunteer at school, run around to do errands or grabbing a cup of joe.

So here's my fashionably frugal copycat of Ms. Witherspoon....

Isn't she adorable and she looks fabulous without trying too hard.

Inspired by

  [Top, Shorts, Shoes & Sunnies: Target] [Bag: Old Navy] 

[Earrings: Stella & Dot] [Bracelet: Lia Sophia]

As I was thinking about where I got each of these pieces, I started laughing.  I really do shop at Target a lot.  Let's face it, Target has come a LOOOOOOOOONG ways with fashion and their marketing is untouchable.  It's not hard to find very trendy pieces as well as timeless gems at Target. 

Hugs,

          Trish