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 

Game Day: Printed Denim Style

Hello Friends!!!!!

Game Day!!!!!  We're gearing up for the big game between two great rivals.

Hawkeyes & Cyclones!!!  To say there is a lot of energy around this game is an understatement.   Yesterday was Fry Fest, which could be described as a great big pep rally.  This huge celebration is a great way to reminisce about last year's season and get excited about this year. It's a sea of Black & Gold partying, cheering and chanting to celebrate the Hawkeyes.

Today's outfit is all about the game.  This season, printed jeans are a huge trend and I have the perfect pair to create some Hawkeye Black & Gold.  You've seen me wear these fun jeans here but I could also wear this previous outfit for a game if I wanted to break out the polka dots.

[Kimono Ponte Top & Tank: Splurge (local boutique)] [Printed Denim: CAbi]

 [Sandals: Thrifted] [Jewels: Stella & Dot]

These fun shoes are another frugal find.  This was another treasure I found while thrifting with my kiddos.  Absolutely love the wedge sandal and despite the height of the heal, they're quite comfortable.  Another great buy at a mere $4.38.  The trick to thrifting is to either really know what you love, what you need and/or know the current trends.  If you really pay attention to trends, they don't change all that much from one season to the next.  They tend to change slightly but often something from last season can go right into the next without looking like you're stuck in the 80's.  This is a great way to stretch your fashion dollar and get much more mileage out of your wardrobe.

 Until next time, have a great weekend and Go Hawks!!!!!

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

Peplum and Colored Denim

Hello Friends!!!!!

I'm breaking out the Peplum, my first time wearing this fun trend.  I know, I know, you're thinking about how this trend started clear back in spring 2012 but I was slow on this one.  I do love the flair that this style offers.  Just a little bit of feminine touch to any outfit is fun.  I paired it with a fun blue denim from Old Navy and kept the outfit simple.

 [Top: Kohl's] [Colored Denim: Old Navy] [Necklace: Target]

 [Shoes: Younkers] [Sunnies: Drugstore]

I have a little confession to share with you.  These pants are about 2 sizes too big.  Old Navy had them dirt cheap and was totally out of my size.  I thought, easy enough...I'll just wash and dry, they'll fit fine.  Right?  Not right!!!!  Although they did shrink up in the legs, the waist is still WAY too big on me.  From a far, these pants are fine but up close.....that's another story.  Don't try this yourself.  Don't buy something unless it fits!!!!!!  Period.  End of story.

Hot Pink and Animal Print

Hello Friends!

This is such a fun outfit and I'm dying to tell you about.  Run out immediately and get to both Old Navy and LOFT.  Both are having amazing deals on summer clothing that can easily transition into fall.

 

[Top: LOFT] [Cropped Pants: Old Navy] [Sunnies: Target] [Shoes: TJMaxx] [Jewels: Stella & Dot]

I'm serious, get to these stores and look for pieces that can be worn now with the heat and later layered under great jackets, sweaters and scarves.  This fall is favoring anything with animal print and jewel tones galore.  These pieces were less than $20, total!!!!!!!  This is a major frugal find.  The pants were about $10 at Old Navy and the top was $9.98 at LOFT.  I would've snatched up another pair of pants if they had them but it is on the sale rack and you know how that goes.

So have you gotten off the couch yet?  Have you looked at these stores online?  Don't wait, sales like this won't last long!!!!

Linking up with Marion Berry Style. 

 She has fun with great monthly challenges.  August challenge is the statement necklace.

Hugs,

        Trish

Polka Dot Mix-up

Hello Friends!

I have seen so many adorable outfits with polka dots lately that I was inspired to mix mine.  Both pieces are from a few seasons ago and I never thought to put them together.  Of course, as of lately, mixing prints has become the new norm.

I love the idea of small dots with big dots.  I didn't have a large dot sweater but it's just big enough to mix it well with this top.

[Top: JCrew] [Sweater: Forever 21] [Shorts: Kohl's] [Shoes: Thrifted] [Bag: Target]

 [Tank: Old Navy] [Earrings: Lia Sophia] [Sunnies: Drugstore]

I have had this bag for many years and I think it's beginning to show it's wear.  I found it to be a timeless piece that I hope to keep using for many more seasons.  I slipped in a frugal find here, one of which you've seen here before.  These adorable linen, mustard shorts were 80% off!!!!  Making them only $6.80.   Yes, please may I have another!!!

 I got another frugal find while shopping this weekend.  Tanks at Old Navy are a drop dead, shocking price of $3.50.  I wear these layering tanks with just about everything.  And of course, with such a great price, I had to pick up a few more.  I love the new jewel tones this season and found the turquoise and burgandy colors to be very rich.  They will be perfect for fall.

Hugs,

          Trish

I Got It Right!

Hello Friends!

You know that feeling when you saved something in your closet for a few years and discover there was GOOD reason for you to save it?  I do, it happened this weekend.  I was shopping at Old Navy and discovered an adorable cargo vest that looks undeniable like the one I bought from Old Navy a few years ago.  SCORE!!!!!!  It was the best feeling.  Most of the time, I save my clothes thinking I'll wear something again and again, only to find that I don't.  Well this time, I got it right!!!!

[Cargo Vest: Old Navy similar here] [Top & Necklace: Old Navy] 

[Crop Jeans: LOFT] [Shoes: Payless] [Bag: jcp] [Earrings: Lia Sophia]

Hugs,

         Trish

Preppy Pretty

Hello Friends!!!!

Oh my gosh, today's weather is unbelievable!  Not a cloud in the sky and a high of 74 degrees.  I'll take this kind of beautiful day, every day!

My kiddos first day of school is today, so we're rushing around trying to get back into the swing of things.  It was so nice out that we almost walked, but honestly, it was 50 degrees at 7am.  Just a bit chilly for them but perfect for this preppy little number I put together.  I ended up driving to school and then walked to pick them up.  It truly was a picture perfect day.

  

[Top & Pants: CAbi] [Scarf & Shoes: Old Navy] [Jacket: Kohl's] [Earrings: Stella & Dot]

I'm in the process of looking through my closet to see what pieces I already have to fit the new fall trends.  This is a new habit I'm trying out as I used to run out right away and buy fun new gems without even checking to see what I already own.  Then I'd find that I would end up buying pieces that were very similar to my existing wardrobe.  Like any new habit, I need to be patient and practice, practice, practice :)

Hugs,

        Trish