Simplicity

Typically, on Friday afternoons when I get off of work, I kind of unplug from social media until Monday morning returns.  Sometimes I'll check in on Sunday afternoon if I have time, but for the most part, my weekends are crazy full of trips to the park, chasing kids around, going to church and lately, shopping for classroom supplies. So, when I finally checked in Monday morning and noticed that my little blog now has over 300 followers, I was thrilled!!

Thank you SO much for sticking around and following my little personal style journey! =)

Dress: Thrifted

Sandals: Boutique in New Orleans

Necklace: Premier Designs Jewelry

What can I saw about this sweet little dress that I thrifted a while back?  I've only worn it a handful of times. I'm really not sure why. I love its simplicity, but I tend to love layering and belting and all that jazz, so maybe that's why it rarely makes its way out of my closet.

On this particular day, however, I was craving simplicity. Everything in my life has been complex lately (in the best possible way!), so throwing on a simple dress and a chic necklace and bracelet felt like a breath of fresh air.

Do you like to keep it simple with a plain ole dress every once in a while?  Or do you like to layer and jazz up your dresses with cardis and vests and scarfs and belts? ;)

I'm linking up today with YOLO Monday, Watch What I'm Wearing, and Monday Mingle.

It's your last chance to enter to win the jewelry of your choice from Castellammare Designs!! I'll announce the winner tomorrow!

Runaway Train

Get it?  Because I'm training for a run.  I know, I know... it's not the most clever title in the world, but it was all that I could come up with!

I'm really at the very beginning stages of my half-marathon training.  I ran four miles for the first time in my life on Wednesday and it was amazing!! Okay, I lie. The run itself was not amazing. I thought I was going to die, throw up, pass out... all of the above.

Dress & Vest: Thrifted

Shoes & Belt: Target

Then, about an hour or so later when I recovered, I felt amazing! I felt thin and strong and like I could conquer the world.

Necklace & Watch: Target

Bracelet & Earrings: Premier Designs Jewelry

Starting August 6th, I'll be using Hal Higdon's half marathon training plan. My husband used Hal Higdon's plan to train for his first marathon, so I feel like I'm in good company. =)  For the first time since I had the kids, I'm getting in shape and starting to feel like the strong, fit 25-year old I was when I got married! I really hope that when school starts and my schedule changes, I'm still able to find time to train.

If you're a runner, do you follow any particular plan to train for an event?  If you're not a runner, what do you like to do for exercise? 

I'm linking up today with Casual Friday, Fashion Friday and High Five for Friday.

While you're here, drop by and enter my giveaway to win the piece of your choice from Castellammare Designs!!

Having the Time of My Life

First of all, I'm sorry I've been MIA the past few days! I appreciate you all continuing to stop by and show your support of my little blog. =)

I've been student-teaching this week and I've been swamped! I've got to say, I absolutely love getting to spend so much time with the kids each week. Since I began my student-teaching experience, I've had to fit in my time with them on my lunch breaks. 

Shirt & Dress: Thrifted

Shoes, Belt, Necklace & Watch: Target

Bracelets: Bealls

This is the first week that I've used vacation at my "real job" and gotten to spend every minute of the day at the school!

I'm literally having a blast! At the same time, I'm mentally exhausted at the end of the day.  How do you blogging teachers do it?? Pray tell!

I simply haven't had time in the mornings to photograph my outfits, much less enough brain cells left over at the end of the day to think of anything clever to write!  I promise that I'll be around towards the end of the week to see what you all are up to!

So, how do you manage? Whether you're a teacher or a mom or an employee somewhere, when do you fit in photographing your outfits and blogging and visiting other blogs and all that jazz? 

While you're here, don't forget to enter my eShakti Giveaway!

I'm linking up today with Monday Mingle and The Pleated Poppy. 



Confessions of a Thriftalholic

Okay, I have to admit something to you. I can't stay away from the thrift stores. I pass them every. single. day. on the way to work and I swear, they call to me like a baby calling for its mama. I had done really well for a long time, but it's like a disease! Once you go back, the pull is stronger than ever! lol

Last week, I went in just to browse for a few minutes and I was overwhelmed by bright spring colors everywhere! I left with a whole slew of goodies, including this bright colorblocked dress and chambray shirt!

Chambray shirt: Gap, Thrifted ($4)

Dress: Thrifted ($4)

Shoes: Target ($20)

I had literally been searching for one of these shirts at the thrift store for about a year now.  I felt like I hit the jackpot when I finally found it! =)  And I just love the cheery colors in this dress!

Silver & Turquoise Ring: c/o Blue Vanilla

Knotted Ring and Earrings: My Sister's

Bracelet: Target

Nails: Kiss Nail Dress Win your own HERE!

Are you a thrifter?  Where do you like to find good deals?

I'm linking up today with the lovely ladies behind Monday Mingle, The Pleated Poppy, and Thrifters Anonymous!

Wear it Wednesday - Who says you can't wear black & brown?

I thrifted this dress a while back (the day before my shopping ban began) and had never worn it simply because I couldn't decide what to pair it with.  I thought pairing it with a black belt and shoes seemed to boring and predictable. And let's face it . . . I don't like to be too predictable! =)  It suddenly hit me last night as I was mentally perusing my closet while lying in bed. I'll challenge all the stuffy old fashion rules and wear brown! It helped that I saw this brown belt hanging in my sis's closet yesterday. =)

Dress: Thrifted, Helping Hands Mission ($4)

Cardi & Belt: Maurices (Borrowed from Sis)

Necklace, Bracelets & Brown Ring: No Idea (Borrowed from Sis)

Boots: Shoedazzle (Birthday Gift)

Knees are kind of the most unattractive body part on the female body, wouldn't you say?

Okay, I really do own more pairs of shoes than these boot and these booties, despite wearing them over and over and over again lately, but I really reallylike them! Whenever I find something that I love, I wear the heck out of it until I tire of it.  Do y'all do that? Please, someone, tell me I'm not the only one!

Next time, I might pair this with purple accessories.  What do you think?  What would you do with this dress?

And on another note, I'm linking up with all kinds of fabulous blogs today!  Go check out all the other fabulous ladies who are dressing up! 

The Pleated Poppy 

Real Momma Real Style

Monday Mingle

Thriftaholics Anonymous