Skinny Cords are a Must

Hello Friends!

It's midweek, which means that I have a break from running kiddos to school.  No preschool on Wednesdays, yeah for me!  However, we are in swimming lessons which still has me running but not quite as early as other days.  It seems as though there really is never a day off, but I'll take it.  I love every minute of it.

[Sweater, Skinny Cords & Flats:  Old Navy] [Bag: Kohls] [Tank: Splurge] [Jewels: Stella & Dot]

I adore these skinny cords so much, I had to have them in a few colors.  They truly are the go to comfort pair of skinnies that can go with just about anything.  I've paired these with this cardigan, chambray shirt, flannel and crew neck tops.  If you haven't picked up a pair yet, get to Old Navy soon.  These cuties were a whopper deal.  This is definitely a frugal find at $9.99 in a few different colors.  Originally priced at $34.50.

Enjoy your new cords, they too are such a classic piece added to your wardrobe.  You can bet that I'll be wearing these for several years.

Hugs,

        Trish

Mustard and Lace

Hello Friends!

I hope you had a good weekend!

I did a little shopping and found some great deals at Old Navy, Target and Sears.  I know what you're thinking....Sears?  Yes, Sears.  Just like the commercial, if you've seen it.  They have adorable stuff at very affordable prices.  I love that they carry Lands End, one of my favorites for classic pieces.

 

So are you one of those that are so organized that you stash away your spring/summer pieces and switch them out for fall/winter?  I like to think of myself as an organized person but this is one task that I do not include on my list of things to do twice a year.  Here's the reason.  Many of those spring/summer pieces can be pulled into the cold months with layering.  Here's an example of my lace tank that I wear in the summer and I've remixed it for a winter style.

 [Sweater: LOFT] [Lace Tank: Kohls] [Cream Tank: Christopher & Banks]

 [Boyfriend Jeans, Boots, Belt: Target] [Jewels: Splurge]

These booties are absolutely adorable and are the most comfortable.  They almost feel like tennis shoes, not quite but close.  I love these with straight leg jeans, boot cut and with boyfriend or skinny jeans rolled.  Super cute and super frugal find.  I got these at Target at 50% off, $17.49.  Now this may not sound like such a frugal find but you should know that these are very similar to a pair at JCrew.  The JCrew MacAlister Wedge Boot is a whopping $198.00.  I'll say it again, my Target find is a frugal find!

Get Some

Hello Friends!

How ya doin' with your New Year's Resolutions?  Mine are coming along, actually I haven't really made any specific ones.  Just the same old stuff...be fit, eat healthy.  My hubby's resolution is to spend less, save more.  I'm thinkin' this was a subtle reminder of how we are living.  Thank you honey, got it!!!!

Did you workout today?  I'm on week 2 of "Jillian Micheals Ripped in 30".  So far so sweaty!!!!!  I was at Target today and you can find a number of her workouts on sale for a frugal find of $9.99.

"Transformation is not a future event." -  Jillian Michaels 

Hugs,

         Trish

CHANEL or Not

Hello Friends!

This was actually my outfit of yesterday.  I wore this outfit to church and then changed into jeans for the rest of the day.  First and foremost, now is the time to be shopping some of my favorites...
Old Navy, Gap, JCrew, and Target.  If you're wanting fall/winter style for nearly 70% off, get there quickly!   This classic, winter white coat is on sale for under $40.

I love this coat as it can be dressed up but mostly it can be worn for everyday.  Now onto my outfit of the day, uh hum, other day.  If you see me in person or on this blog, you have seen me wear this chambray shirt more times than not.  I wear it under sweaters, sweatshirts, over tanks and alone.  It truly is the most versatile piece.  I added it to this adorable CAbi sweater jacket.  This piece was an investment piece that is undeniably close to a beautiful CHANEL sweater jacket circa 1990.

via

 I know, crazy close huh?  I don't even know how much this is but the fact that it's a CHANEL sweater jacket says enough for me.  It's not in my budget.....PERIOD!!

[Sweater Jacket: CAbi] [Chambray Shirt: Old Navy] [Cafe Pant: CAbi]

 [Watch: Target] [Boots: Dress Barn] [Earrings: Lia Sophia]

Have an amazing day!

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 

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 

Rule Breaker

Hello Friends!!!!!

If you know me personally, you would probably describe me as a structured, organized and obedient type of person.  I'm not one to stray from the boundaries that are laid out and when you tell me it's a rule - I will typically obide by it.

Not today, so many may think.  Yes, that's right I'm breakin' the rules, breakin' the rules (a little something, something from Beavis and his sidekick).  How many of you still live by the rule - no white jeans/pants after Labor Day?  Not me, at least anymore.  I'm throwing that one out the window.

Why is was that a rule anyway????  Call me a rebel or call me a realist, I see no reason not to wear white after the holiday.  In fact, I've seen adorable style inspiration for fall white.  I may be putting an outfit together in the days to come.

I mentioned to you that I love colored denim and white falls right into that category.  I've worn these jeans in a previous post here.  And promise you, in addition to wearing these with many other outfits, I will also be working on a fall/winter white style. 

[Tank: Old Navy] [Colored Denim: CAbi] [Shoes: Thrifted] [Jewels: Lia Sophia] [Sunnies: Target] 

I have a few frugal finds in this post to share with you.  This fun and whimsical tank from Old Navy was on the clearance rack, originally priced at $12.94 but I paid a whopping $4.99 - uh huh, that's right I savings of over 60% off.     Love it!!!     I also love these simple, slip on sandals that I just got.  I spent the morning going to thrift shops and found all kinds of treasures.  These cutie patooty sandals  were marked $4.38 - so of course I grabbed them immediately.

My girls had a ball thrifting with me.  In the end, I hope to find some amazing deals and show you that style does not have to cost a fortune.  I also have a secret plan in place, I'll share....I want my girls to learn the value of money.  I want them to develop life long skills of budgeting, and how to save money.  

In my opinion, one of the greatest lessons in life is to understand that we all must spend less than we earn and with that, live within our means.  There, ok now I'll get off my soap box and sign off for today.

Have an amazing weekend!!!!

Linking up with  Real Girl Glam. 

  

Hugs,

        Trish

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

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

A little like Taylor Swift

Hello Friends!

For as long as I can remember, summer seems to cool off and then as soon as school starts - whamo!  The heat is on again!!!!  So today I opted for a cool summer dress and strappy sandals.  I must say that although I love these shoes with many things, I did change them.  I had errands to run today and kiddos in tow, so I opted for this summer dress along with some easy going flip flops.  I felt a little like Taylor Swift with her cute, girly dresses and casual shoes.

[Dress, Belt & Sunnies: Target] [Tank: jcp] [Shoes: TJMaxx] [Jewels: Stella & Dot]

I have a little tip to share with you!  I've been doing this for quite a while.  I have found that the regular cotton balls just don't give me enough stuff - if you know what I mean.  I use them for my eye make-up remover, nail polish remover & exfoliator.  It seemed as though I was buying the jumbo size cotton ball bag more often than I should.  You know that feeling, the bag is empty and you just bought one!!!!!  So I started breaking each one in half and wouldn't you know it, I still have enough "stuff" to do the job.  When the jumbo size is on sale, I pay $.99 for 70 jumbo.  When I break them in half, that makes my frugal beauty find......$.99 for 140.  Not too bad!

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