My Favorite Places to Shop

If you've been following this blog for a bit i'm going to assume you like the way i dress. I'm definitely not a J.Crew type of girl, though i will occasionally take a preppy piece (like a white button up shirt) and mix it with a whole lot of....unexpectedness. 

I also keep myself on a pretty tight budget. I fully believe that you can look great without the need to spend very much at all. If you know what's going on with fashion you can easily go to a thrift store and find something that's being repeated this year or DIY yourself a nice little updated something.

And if you shop retail, than you'll be shopping the trends whether you realize it or not. 

So with that said here are my favorite places to get "my style" of clothes without spending a bunch.

1. Nordstrom Rack//My husband walked into a Nordstrom Rack one and quickly pronounced it, "A thrift store for rich people". I had to laugh because i can totally see it. Nothing is used but it sure can be a hunt as the stores are usually packed full. I've found some amazing deals there. My purple leopard print jeans for $10, or my favorite dress that fits my style to a "T". These prices are generally cheaper than Forever 21 runs now and they'll generally be better quality with more unique details.

2. H&M Divided Section//I'm pretty sure the Divided section of H&M is meant for teenagers. Some of the clothes are way too tight, short or both. But nonetheless, 90% of the time i always find something that appeals to me. I enjoy H&M as a whole but i always head for Divided first. My cropped coated blazer is from there and i've worn it so much i'm surprised it hasn't fallen apart.

3.Thrift Stores//Thrift stores are #3 rather than #1 simply because thrifting takes A LOT of time. Particularly clothing. I don't have a whole lot of free time to myself without a little kiddo attached to me (which i assume is only going to decrease with another one on the way), thus a lot of times when i do thrift i don't even try to browse through racks and racks of unsorted sized clothes. But i do love it and i have found some great things for next to nothing! A leather pencil skirt i would of never been able to afford via retail, some crazy printed pants or practically this whole outfit. Since i introduced thrifting into my life i feel like my closet really started reflecting my style as i could afford whatever appealed to me!

4.Marshalls//I really only started really visiting Marshalls last year. To be honest i didn't think their clothes were very cool or on trend. But they've either really stepped up their game or i was shopping at the wrong times because i have found some great pieces for awesome prices. We have a Marshalls that is connected to a Target and I always go into Marshall's first because 9 times out of 10 they are cheaper and have way better quality things. I couldn't believe when i found my skull print top for $14 when i've seen it sold on NastyGal for $48! Other favorites have been this white dress with zipper pockets and my cobalt blue jeans that i got for a steal.

5.Forever 21//I kind of cringe to even list Forever 21 but it seems to be a necessary evil to frugal shopping. A big selling point for me is that i can shop it online. None of my other favorites stores listed have online sites (well Nordstrom Rack kinda does but it's no where near the same). As i mentioned before, I don't always have a lot of time to shop by myself so sometimes F21 fills the void. Plus i like that i can return and actually get my money back when i shop online versus their store policy. With so much crap  stuff on their website it's pretty hard not to find that fast fashion piece missing from your wardrobe.

And that's where I'll leave it but i honestly try to remain open to all sorts of stores, especially since finding my amazing burgundy faux fur coat at JCP! I never shop there but it just goes to show you'll never know what you'll find where!

What I'm Loving: Music & TV

Hi guys! First trimester of pregnancy has been a bit rough -- i've been spending a lot of my free time in bed. But these last few days i've been feeling pretty great so i thought i would take advantage of it with a new blog post!

So without further ado....the music! (dramatic sound here)

Boy//Mutual Friends: Who doesn't love a good girl group? Even more so with a slightly confusing opposite gender band name. I first heard the song, "Little Numbers" on the radio and i was pretty, "Meh." about it. I don't love it but i won't change it. However the song, "Skin" has me hitting repeat. I just love the lyrics along with the catchy beat. Give it a try when you need to get your angsty female out. 

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down//We The Common: Sometimes i enjoy folksy music (I really like freak folk) and sometimes it comes off as too...hippy for me. >.> However in the case of Thao & The Get Down Stay Down (holy long name) i find it to be a lot of fun. My favorite song of this album is most definitely, "Holy Roller" but "We the Common" is pretty great too!

But really I'm just waiting for the new Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs album to come out. >.>

I haven't really been watching anything too groundbreaking as far as television goes. I finished my Battlestar Galactic binge awhile back and since then i haven't come across any really amazing shows. I was going to try Caprica next but i keep forgetting.

So basically i've just been watching a lot of Adventure Time. :D

I'm pretty sure Lemongrab is my favorite character. Because obviously i'm a weirdo. 

You Can Get Out of this Party Dress but You Can't Get Out of this....Skin

 Black sheer skull print shirt: Fun & Flirt by Japna  Black faux leather pants: Lauren Conrad for Kohls  White creepers: TUK

I just finished writing the descriptions of what i'm wearing and i think that is the least amount of "stuff" I've ever wore on this blog before. Only 3 pieces and no accessories? Crrrrrrazy. For me. ;)

I feel like you should know that on top of being nerdilicious i'm also quite ridiculous. Example: I bought the lipstick i'm wearing in these photos "just in case" someone took me ice skating this winter (sad fact: no one did.). Don't ask me why...i just had this image of myself gracefully ice skating with naturally rosy cheeks (ok, fine, maybe a little blush help) and this awesome, "Cherries in the Snow" lipstick. Meanwhile reality most likely would of been me looking like a clumsy fool (next sad fact: I never learned how to stop on ice skates. I just run myself into walls.) while simultaneously smearing super bright red lipstick all over my face. 

Where was i going with this again?

Oh! And then today, at Target, I got the required, "Can i help you find anything?" My response? "Yes! I'm looking for a teal colored unicorn head piggy bank!" 

Seriously though, it does exist! I saw it at a different Target and it wasn't in "the budget" (i must of been being slightly less ridiculous that day) so i didn't grab it. But i thought about it. Oh how i thought about it for weeks days after. So then i went back all determined and....they didn't have it. Crushed!

It would go perfect in my living room. Right now my living room is a disastrous mess, but i'm sure if i had a teal colored unicorn head piggy bank it would magically clean up my living room for me.

Anyways, my ridiculous nature is not a complaint about myself. I quite enjoy it and most times don't actually realize i'm being...special <3 until someone points it out to me or gives me "the look". 

Those people are obviously a lot less fun. 

All Walls are Great if the Roof Doesn't Fall

 Cropped coated blazer: H&M  Purple abstract tank top: Vera Wang for Kohls  Dark grey skinny jeans: H&M  Black faux-suede pull on boots: Target  Purple studded handbag: Marshall's  Silver spike necklace: Forever 21  Silver filigree heart necklace: Forever 21  Black chunky bracelet: Jewelmint

Oh my glob guys an outfit post! Like i mentioned before, i have a pretty good reason for my lack of wardrobe posts and i thiiiiiiiink i'll let you know about it...today! But on top of the reason it's also been FRICKIN' cold outside. Still waiting on you spring!!!!

I wore this to work on casual Friday. I am really tired of sweaters so i decided it would be a no sweater day and....i froze all day long haha. 

Alright so the reason is: I'm pregnant!!!! Greg (that's my husband) and I are expecting baby #2 early November and i could not be more excited! 

While it's too early for me to be showing, pregnancy hormones make you bloat up like you've consumed nothing but mass amounts of salt for weeks. Thus i went from having a rather expansive wardrobe to a handful of outfits that i have to repeat every week. If it would just warm up a little than i would at least have more options than i currently do. Everything depends on you spring!!!!

Also i've been really, really , really tired. And a bit nauseous but nothing too terrible. So i haven't felt like pulling myself together as much as i normally do. Today i need to go grocery shopping but i'm debating if maybe i should scrap it and take a nap instead... >.>

That Groundhog Lied

And now we've come to the part of the year where i get real tired of winter. I was doing so good! I told everyone around me, "I don't even mind snow in March! As long as it doesn't snow in April." (PLEASE no snow in April.). But, ugh. I'm so over being cold. I'll take a solid 40 degree temps for the rest of the month. I'm not picky! Just not single digits like it is currently. 

Last weekend i tried to distract myself by taking Teegan out for pizza. I live in a super tiny town (the pop. is like a little over 3,000), but we actually have an amazingly cute local pizza joint that i adore. This is my pizza. Black olives, pineapple and pepperoni. I normally go meatless but apparently i was in the mood that night. Plus i think i was trying to be kind to my husband with leftovers, since he was working and wasn't able to join us.

Teegan, however, do not enjoy "red sauce". So this is his pizza:

Peanut butter and jelly pizza! I wasn't too sure about the sound of it the first time we ordered but it's actually pretty delicious. Especially if you're a peanut butter lover. I like to eat Teegan's leftovers for breakfast.

In other news we've really been sticking around the house lately. I've been trying to budget a bit more tightly because we are in the final stages with finishing our basement. The carpet installers are coming on Monday! It'll be so awesome to have twice the house (I think. Twice the cleaning?). But it also means i'll be needing to make more big ticket purchases. Furniture. Decor. Furniture. Plus, you know, paying for that carpet. Apparently they don't give it out for free. ;)

In my fantasy world i see myself going thrifting and garage sale-ing like mad and furnishing the whole entire thing in an amazing way, super cheaply. We'll see how much of that becomes reality, eh? 

I also took this pictures of Teegan doing chores the other day in. the. kitchen.

My kitchen is the one place in my house that i'm tolerate until it ends up in a photo or video and i'm really forced to "look" at it. I want new counter tops.  Someone come and update my cabinets. We are stuck in the 1950s over here and not in a good way! :) 

But most days i'm just glad to own a home. 

Plus when we bought the house the kitchen was painted yellow. With red accents. @_@ I had that fixed. McDonald's is cool and all but i had no desire to bring one into my home. 

But now i kind of want french fries...

Cute Food: St. Patrick's Day

Well hello friends! I've been a bit absent lately and for that i do apologize. But dry your eyes! I have a good reason (i think anyway) and i will be sharing it with you at the end of the month! Are you excited? I'm excited.

If you've seen some of the bento style lunches i've made for Teegan in the past you might be aware that i love cute food. In fact i have two hard and fast rules: 

1.Cute food tastes better. 

AND

2.Mini food tastes better than regular sized food. 

Don't argue. 

Holidays pose the best excuse to whip up something extra special! So with that said, here are some adorable St. Patty's day treats i've been crushing on...

Source: iammommy.typepad.com

Who wouldn't want rainbow pancakes?! I am NOT a morning person and these would even make me smile.

Source: 2wired2tired.com via

This cupcake has cream cheese frostings which is one of the few frostings i find tolerable. I love the Lucky Charms on the top!

Source: Uploaded by user via

I would need an army of children or a party for this to get gobbled up but i just loved the idea so i had to share! Maybe you own an army of hungry children?

Source: cozyhomechronicles.blogspot.com via

And these Lucky Charms Rice Crispy Treats are the "recipe" i will mostly likely actually be doing next weekend! Super easy, cute and obviously delicious!

I hope you got some inspiration from the above! It certainly made things more colorful around here....c'mon spring!!!!! Feel free to follow me on Pinterest if the idea feels pleasing to you. 

Instagram Catch Up

I haven't done one of these in awhile because i added that little Instagram thumbnail thingy to my blog and figured you could just look at pictures there. BUT then i realized i want to talk about stuff in more detail than i do on Instagram + a majority of picture taking i do comes from my phone because.... I'm addicted to it  it's always in my hand. >.>

I had Teegan do a little outfit posing! Isn't he adorbs?! I don't know what's been going on lately but i've been seeing so many cutely dressed boys on Instagram and Vine i just had to join in the fun. Greg is not really on board with the whole skinny jeans thing but i think they're so cute. Also how do you like his crazy posing lol? Now i'm wondering how many years i have left where i still get to pick out his clothes for him... :-/

I love this picture so much i think i might get a print of it. XD 3D glasses from our, "Escape from Planet Earth" viewing. Seriously i just can't get over this picture. So great. 

In non-family news i have been hardcore playing Candy Crush Saga right now. Is anyone else into this? I love puzzle games and to prove it i'm currently on level 78 or something lol. If you don't know what it is you can play it on Facebook and/or on your iPhone. Do it. @_@

I picked up these little sushi erasers at Goodwill and they make my work area a little cuter. I always want to make my area all sorts of cute but i feel like i can't really go all out since i'm in reception and i'm not always the only person who sits there. Sad face. And then the things i choose to put on my desk might make my coworkers think i'm more insane than they already probably do (example: i think this is hilarious)

Still working on my home decor mission, i originally saw someone on Twitter tweet about finding this at a TjMaxx store and i loved it. I can't stand those "inspirational" wall art things (you know like, "peace, love, family" etc) and i felt like this was kind of the opposite of that. Plus i have claimed ice cream as my favorite food. So when i randomly came across it in Marshall's clearance section i didn't hesitate to bring it home!

If you've been hanging around this blog for awhile you're most likely aware that i love bats. I know it's not a popular opinion but i think they're really cute. I've wanted Icebat for some time but Uglydolls are so overpriced i couldn't spend $20 on a smallish stuffed animal. But then i was randomly browsing Toys "R" Us online and saw they had this guy on clearance for $6! Yay! Now he lives on my loveseat because he just happens to match perfectly with some seahorse throw pillows i made. Obviously meant to be!

 Last but not least in my home decor adventures are some more items i picked up on a Goodwill trip (i love you so much, Goodwill). These items all went in my downstairs bathroom. I was super stoked to find this Andy Warhol lips print for $2.50! I saw this exact print and frame being sold in a store last year for $50! The white sea urchin is Nate Berkus for Target. Not sure what it was doing at Goodwill already...maybe it was a return? I'm never 100% sure how the Goodwill/Target relationship works, only that i love it (feel free to explain if you know). Anyway i thought it was perfect because it was spiky and i love dressing myself in spikes. :D And the vase thing was just a pretty color. I might put a couple branches or little....lights in it? Not sure.

Alright i'm done babbling now!