Lovin' Lace Four Ways

I'm so excited to be teaming up again this week with Jenna from Freckled Fashionista, Inge from This Ever Evolving Life, and Amy from Classy in the Classroom for a trend series.  This week we're covering lace. I love all of our different takes on it, which just shows how versatile it is. Make sure to check out their great blogs for their outfit details.

Today's look was one of those "I wonder....." outfits. I love ths skirt, but haven't worn it much. I really wanted to try something different with it, so I added this cobalt lace top with a teal tank underneath, then layered it with my teal cardigan and the pop of a yellow belt. I pretty happy with the casual ease of it and the fun color combo.

 

Cardigan: Target $3 (thrifted)

Top: Target $6

Skirt: ? $5 (Plato's Closet)

Necklace: Stella and Dot Juniper

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Gilded Arrow, Foundation, and Zebra

Belt: Kohl's $6

Shoes: Target $12

 

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Get Your Pretty On

Fashion and Beauty Finds

Style Spotlight: Always Maylee

I'm so excited to have Yi-chia posting this week as part of my Style Spotlight Series.  She's got amazing style and always wears the best color combinations and patterns.  Take it away, Yi-chia!

Hi everyone! I'm Yi-chia and I blog over at Always Maylee, where I talk a lot about my shopping excursions, my obsession with polka dots, and my love for wearing bright colors. I'm so honored Ginny asked me to participate in this series, so here we go!

1. Why did you decide to start blogging?

I had been reading blogs regularly for awhile and always thought it was beyond me to start my own blog. My husband encouraged me and told me that I could totally do it. Plus, he thought it'd be nice for me to talk to someone else (my readers) instead of him about my clothes (haha thanks husband!).

2. What are a few of your daily reads?

There are so many but I always have to read Because Shanna Said So, The Other Side of Gray, and For Lauren and Lauren because I've developed real friendships with these ladies. It's my way of saying hi to them on a daily basis. And then of course I totally stalk Kendi Everyday, but who doesn't, right?

3. What trends are you loving right now and what trends are you steering clear of?

Anyone who knows me or reads my blog knows that I'm obsessed with polka dots. The more the better! I'm also loving maxi skirts/dresses and peplum right now. The trend I'm steering clear of is overalls. I know they are back. I used to love them. I wore them and was the happiest little kid ever. But if I attempted to wear them again now, I'd look 12!

4. What's the best things that has come out of blogging for you?

The biggest thing would be the friendships that I have created with some really amazing ladies. Who knew I could find friends from all over that I've never even met before, but feel like I know so much about? It's truly amazing.

5. What piece of advice do you have for your fellow blogger or those thinking about starting a blog?

I know this sounds cliche, but be yourself. Don't try to compare yourself to all the other bloggers out there. If you do, you'll get overwhelmed. People will come to your blog because they like who you are and what your blog represents, not because you are similar to someone else.  Thanks for having me and I hope you all stop by Always Maylee and say hi!

Thanks Yi-chia, it was great having you here today, and readers, definitely take the time to stop by and say hi!

Pretty Florals

 I'm so loving this easy summer dress, I found it recently at Goodwill for $5 and love it paired with this JCrew cardigan I've had for like a decade and spent way too much on.  I thought I'd add a fun pop of green with this necklace.  It was a super easy-breezy look for church on Sunday and definitely an outfit I plan to wear again.

Today is my "day off," which means Grant's at daycare and Brian is at work. I reeaaallly need to spend some time cleaning. Home more = more messes. I swear I have to vacuum daily. I also need to figure out some dinners, I find myself pinning all these things thinking they look delicious only to have my husband shoot them down. Bummer. I'd be lying if I said I was going to be focused super-mom/super-wife, because I'll probably spend most of the morning drinking coffee, watching the Today Show, and looking at blogs.

Also, please vote for me in the expert shopper contest here! The top five by popular vote each get $100 and then compete for the final prize of $250! I'm competing against some pretty great girls and am in 8th place now.  I'd love your support! If you already voted you can vote again!

Cardigan: JCrew (circa 2005ish?)

Dress: Old Navy $5 (thrifted)

Necklace: Stella and Dot Jolie

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Julip, Christina Link, and Chimera

Shoes: JCrew (circa 2007ish)

Pretty Please.....

Please vote for me in the expert shopper contest here! The top five by popular vote each get $100 and then compete for the final prize of $250! I'm competing against some pretty great girls and am in 7th place now.  I'd love your support! If you already voted you can vote again!

I got a tremendous deal on this look, here's the details:

This outfit encompasses everything I love! First off, I loved this blazer at full price, but didn't want to pay the $108, well I was patient and it went on sale for $39then had an extra 40%, so I got for like $22! I'd been wanting a pair of white jeans, but couldn't seem to find any. I went into my local Goodwill and found these for $5! I'm also crazy about my Stella and Dot necklace but didn't want to spend the $128, so I had a trunk show and got it for free with my hostess rewards! Lastly is the shoes, I found them at DSW on clearance and had a $5 off coupon. There were originally $79 and I got them for $26!

Great deal, right? Please vote here! 

(Striving to Be): Super-mom Summer Series

As I said last Saturday, I've started to do some summer activities with the Granster and I've decided to share them with you all here in Blogland to help keep me accountable. : )  This week's topic was sand, and did we have fun!

Sandy Snacks: easy and delicious! Here's the recipe. It's an easy one for kids to help with and enjoy right away! Grant was able to "help" with everything; I love that he's at this age! I'm pretty sure he has one of the gummy worms in his mouth in this picture...

Sand Art: I found this pin and decided to give it a try.  Grant had a blast and the texture was such fun!  I got colored sand for like $2 at Michaels and used matching paint, but I think I could have just as easily used normal sand as well.

Sand Science Activity: I found this idea to get a big magnet and hide magnetic things in sand for Grant to find. I used the leftover sand from sand painting and magnetic letters, so it was great practice with letter recognition.  Grant loved this!  I used a coupon and got the big magnet for like $1 at Michaels.

Moon Sand: I found this pin and loved the simplicity of the "recipe," however I was not to crazy with the result.  Grant thought it was ok, but I pictured it being a cross between sand and Plato, but it was just kind of weird.  Bummer.

Sandy Dinosaur Dig:  I loved this and so did Grant.  My sister found the idea and sent it my way.  Here's the pin with the details, which I followed exactly.  Basically I got a six pack of little dinosaurs from the Dollar Tree, mixed together sand, flour, coffee grounds, and water, then folded the doughy mix around the dinosaurs and baked them for 30 minutes.  Then, I went out and hid them in Grant's sandbox.  He loved finding them and it was a pretty cool activity.

We also finally got around to putting the wheel up on Grant's playset.  We then took a ride on the "Dinosaur Train."  Choo!  Choo!

The real disappointment of the week was that we'd planned to go to this cool sand-sculpting event downtown, but it rained the entire weekend. : (  I feel so bad for those who competed.  We did get a chance to go to the Children's Museum to the Bug exhibit liked I mentioned last week.  Here's a couple pictures from that:

These are "fly" glasses, pretty silly. : )

His favorite part was the fire engine and dress up though, he went every where in the whole place wearing this costume.

Orange and Scallops? Yes, please!

Tuesday is library day with the Granster, and this is what I wore.  I was always a part of a reading program growing up and loved it! Now, I'm so glad that it's available for my son as well.  During the time at the library there's story time, a craft, show and tell, and a snack.  The kids love it and it's a great opportunity for Grant to build his literacy skills. The kids go in on their own, so that means 45 minutes of me getting to cozy up with a book of my own. : ) 

 

 I was super excited to find this top and these shorts recently at Plato's Closet.  I'm so loving the scallop trend and love the bright color.  Up until last summer I was very self-conscious about my arms and would never wear a tank top solo, but when you have a toddler whose favorite past time is playing in the park you learn to adjust your clothing or sweat to death.  I'm still not crazy about my arms, but I've come to realize there isn't one mom out there who will take the time to criticize them while they're out and about; they all have more important things to do, like enjoying the time with their own kids.  I'm glad I've come to realize this.

 



 

 

Top: Art and Co. $6 (Plato's Closet)

Shorts: Gap $5 (Plato's Closet)

Necklace: Stella and Dot Gitane

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Julip bangle, Renegade, and Target bangle

Shoes: JCrew (circa 2007ish)

Bag: Stella and Dot Metallic Ikat

Pattern Mixing with Floral and Dots

About a week ago I commented on Whitney's  blog that I thought a button down=dressy.  I love them, but during the summer a button down doesn't really make since to wear to the zoo, park, etc.  HOWEVER, when I found these shorts at Loft I immediately knew I wanted to pair them with my polka dot chambray.  Lucky for me I'm going up to work to do some summer planning with my fabulous co-workers, than I have a "blate" with a blogging friend, so I can look a little bit dressy.  Whew! What about you guys, What pieces do feel are too dressy for down time?

Also, I'm still in the running for the Chippmuck expert shopper contest. I'd love your vote, and if you already voted, you can vote again here. Thanks a ton!

Chambray: Old Navy $20

Shorts: Loft $16

Necklace: Limited $6

Belt: Kohl's $1.5

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Chimera, Julip, and Renegade

Shoes: JCrew (circa 2007)

Bag: Stella and Dot Metallic Ikat

Thursday:

Linking up with:

Look What I Got

Tre-Chic Fashion Thursdays

What I Wore to Work