Casual Friday!

Hello Friends!

Happy Friday!!!!  I'm so ready for the weekend.  I'm not sure why, it may be because I haven't had a weekend free of sickness for a while.  We are all healthy and making plans to go sledding.  I guess it just feels good to make plans and get out of the house.

Today's outfit is a great one for casual Friday at the office, running errands or volunteering at the school.  I will be doing the latter.

DIY Infinity Scarf

Are you loving the infinity scarves as much as I am?  I love them but I have held off on buying one. I am just  too darn frugal in invest in one due to versatility.  I bought this traditional scarf and then gathered up the ends with a clear hair band.  I wrapped the scarf around twice and voila!  I have an infinity scarf for the day, and a traditional one for other outfits.

[Blazer & Jeans:  Old Navy] [Top & Booties:  Target] [Scarf:  Walmart]
 [Sunnies: Drugstore] [Earrings:  Stella & Dot]

Hugs,

        Trish

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!

Gettin' A Little Wild

Hello Friends!

I didn't realize my love for animal print until I really started blogging about style.  I love a hint here and there.  A little peaking out from a leather jacket.  A ballet shoe with any kind of pants and I adore it with turquoise.  Most of our leopard prints can be considered neutral because of the black, gray, white and tan.  So play with it by adding a fun colored denim or a statement necklace.

 Once again, the kiddos snuck in their toys into this shot.  I didn't even notice until I added this to my post.  Can you find the toy that doesn't belong in the picture?  

A friend that had her kiddos a few years before me, once told me something that has stuck with me for years.  My home may be messy but it is clean.  So true!!!  Anyone with kiddos can relate to having things here, there and everywhere.

[Top, Tank & Skinnies:  Old Navy] [Vest: Dress Barn] [Necklace: Purse-N-ality]

Hugs,

          Trish

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 

Lovely Lace

Hello Friends!!!!

I think we've finally turned a corner and the fall weather is upon us.  Before we get there, I wanted to share this cute outfit with you.  I wore this outfit yesterday, when the weather was in the high 80's but very comfortable.

I absolutely love this lace tank.  It's the perfect off-white, oatmeal color that works well with my skin tone.  I love how it hangs over the shell on the inside, showing the fun detail on the bottom.  This outfit is the perfect mix of cute without a lot of fuss.  Really, it's a throw on and out the door type of style.

[Lace Tank: Kohl's] [White Tank: Old Navy] [Shorts: Loft] [Sandals: Target]

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

Looking at these pics, I'm now laughing at myself.  I'm looking at all the little things that I usually hide under my deck but with kiddos and life, they don't always stay put.  My hubby (who is extremely meticulous), always tells me to be aware of my surroundings.  Wonder what he will think when he sees a watering can, the kiddos swim toys, flower pots, etc?  I'm sure he'll just shake his head and go about being meticulous with his own projects. LOL


Catch me linking up over at Real Girl Glam

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

Blue Moon

Hello Friends!!!!

So what were you thinking when you saw the title of this post?  Depending on who's reading, one might think of our Blue Moon we had a few nights ago (which I missed because I was relaxing on the couch), or thinking of the "Blue Man Group" doing something obscene?  Yikes, ok now I'm picturing it.  Hurry, think of something else!!!!!

This was a fun outfit of the day, I'm calling Blue Moon.  This great tank has some fun embellishments that my kiddos adore (camera doesn't quite pick up all the fun stuff).  They love just about anything that shines and sparkles.

[Top: Dress Barn] [Colored Denim & Ballet Flats: Old Navy]

 [Sunnies: Drugstore] [Jewels: Stella & Dot]

I love the colored denim trend and will probably find myself buying a few more colors.  Can you guess which color I'll be looking for?  Oh yeah baby, give me some mustard.  Make it spicy of course, LOL.    You've seen me wear these in a previous post here, and will continue finding new ways to wear them.  I LOVE these so much.  If you don't have a pair of colored denim, get some.  You won't regret it!

Some fun to share....

We did something that was so much fun and I can't wait to do it again.  My hubby took Tuesday off and we planned a surprise road trip to an aquarium and museum.  The girls had no idea.  We picked them up from school and told them we're going on a trip.  They had the biggest smiles, priceless!!!!

Our kiddos absolutely love road trips, I think mainly because of the snacks but also because they get to watch a DVD in the van.  It's the little things, you know!

We went out for lunch, danced to the fun music in the restaurant and then headed to the museum.  They had a ball looking at the fish, boats, and watched a 3D movie.  It was the best afternoon!  My hubby is convinced that it was the lack of planning and element of surprise that made it such a hit. Not sure of the why, but I know that I will definitely do this again.

The last pic you see in the collage is me dancing to the fun Samba music.  Kinda remind you of Elaine on "Seinfeld"?  Ok maybe not that extreme, but after looking at a series of my dancing pics, I realize just how goofy I look.  Oh well, my hubby still loves me regardless.




Hugs,
         Trish

Versatile Dress

Hello Friends!

Did you have a relaxing day off?  I may have taken time away from writing this blog and reading my various blogs but as stay-at-home mom, the day is still very much about work, work, work.  Monday is laundry day, including all the bedding.  Up early and the job is done in no time.  I'm a morning person, so I'd rather get up and get going than find myself doing it at the end of the day.  By evening, I'm tired and ready to kick my feet up and partake in one of my guilty pleasures - BLOGS, BLOGS & More BLOGS!!!!!!  I like to call it Blog Love!

 [Dress: Old Navy] [Belt: Target] [Sandals: Payless] [Jewels: Stella & Dot]

Here's an outfit that I wore while doing a little shopping with my kiddos and hubby.  I've told you that I love to wear dresses and skirts in the summer, and this was one that goes perfect with sandals and a few accessories.  I've worn this with a belt and without, with a necklace or without.  Add a scarf, and you've got yet another way to make this dress look like a different outfit.  You'll probably also see me wear this with a cardigan at some point.



Hugs,
         Trish