What I Wore Wednesday

I love What I Wore Wednesday and I’ve been wanting to join for quite a while. I could never seem to find a suitable place to take pictures—until now. Not the best, but better than what I was coming up with before! For those of you who don’t know, you take a picture of your outfit each day and post it to your blog. For some, it’s a way to stay accountable and not dress like a slob everyday (which is a stay-at-home-mom trap). For others, including me, it’s all about getting fashion ideas from other people!

So here is my first outfit which was inspired by J of J’s Everyday Fashion. (One of my absolute fave fashion blogs!) Her version is the totally cool, 25 year old, 5’7, Miami version. Mine is the 40 year old, 5’2, Central Illinois, mommy, snow on the ground so I went for practical boots over fashion version which is one of the reasons I’m only a little bit cool!

Sweater: Target, Shirt: Target, Skinny Cargos: Old Navy, Boots: Old Navy, Belt: Walmart (dk. brown reverses to leopard)

This is my inspiration from J.

Sweater: Old Navy, Gray shirt: Walmart, Skinny Jeans: Old Navy Sweetheart, Boots: Target, Necklace: Forever 21

Sweater: Anthropologie (gift), Shirt: Kohls, Skinny jeans: Sears, boots: Ross

Wow…I look really bow-legged in this picture. I don’t think I actually am though. Anyway, I substitute taught today, so I had to dress up a tiny bit—not that this could ever really be considered dressy.

Sweater: Target, Shirt: Target, Skirt: consignment, Tights: Walmart, Boots: Target

My Pom Pom Necklace

I saw this necklace and this tutorial from Lil Miss Momma and I figured I would give it a whirl. Partly because it was Sunday afternoon and I didn’t feel like leaving the house to buy fabric, and partly because I’m super thrifty, I decided to cut up an old T-shirt that once belonged to the boys to use for this project. I loved this shirt. I got it at a garage sale for $.25. Parker wore it a ton and then so did Jack. It looked adorable with green camo shorts. It was in the garage sale pile, but this is a much better use for it. (And I think I’m even going to use the skull/crossbones for something else!)

See above…that’s where son #2 has bitten the shirt. This happens to A LOT of his shirts. Luckily, he is the last child, so no one has to get his vampire attacked hand-me-downs.

This is a bag full of cheesy, tacky costume jewelry. Every so often, I think I should sell it on a garage sale. However, it keeps coming through for me with projects. Sure enough, I found a chain in here for this necklace.

New and Improved

I am trying to make improvements to my blog.  I’m not so sure they will be noticeable to anyone but me, but I find myself not wanting to post because Blogger drives me nuts!  This post is my experiment.

This ended up being our Christmas card picture just because I love their genuine smiles and all the Mt. Zion gear.  This was at the Homecoming parade. 

Originality

I wanted to make sure I said that my little custom name art adventure is just a little local thing I'm doing for friends (and friends of friends) and family. By no means am I a "professional" or competing with those artists out there who are much, much more talented than I. I draw tons of inspiration from blogs and etsy. I do not claim to come up with this stuff on my own at all. I usually get ideas from other places and tweak them for myself. A time or two (or 10) I've probably completely copied off someone else. However, I am ALWAYS quick to give credit where credit is due! However, if you want to copy off me, go right ahead. I'm happy to inspire--just be warned that my ideas aren't always original. ;-)

According to Jack

I blogged about this sweater that I got last week. Well, I was trying it on the other day and Jack said, "That looks like a Tracy sweater!" This is a very good thing because it means that it looks like something from Anthropologie! Then he said, "Is that a squirrel tail?" Hmmmm......that is not so good.

Outlet Mall success

My mom and I went to our outlet mall today and I scored some good deals at Old Navy and Gap.

Sweater $12.50

Cargo pants $10.50

First I bought this polka-dotty shirt. $9.80. I love this kind of shirt because I can wear it by itself in the summer or under a cardigan in the winter. I have had my eye on these since they came out but no way was I paying $24.50!

Then I decided I really like the green one.

And the other polka-dotty one.

I also bought a fleece shirt for Jack because he only likes "softies".

Gap had buy one get one free coupons, so I bought a cardigan for $15 and got a free shirt. I went back with my second coupon and bought 2 fleece pullovers (one for me and one for my mom) for $10.00.

Feeling pretty darn good about my bargains today!

Christmas Roundup

Family portrait. Can't believe how big the boys are getting--and how badly they need haircuts.
Jack made a Lego Santa and reindeer--complete with Rudolph. There are actually 10 reindeer because Santa sent a message to Jack via PNP, that he has a new reindeer.

We left cinnamon rolls, broccoli and celery for Santa and the reindeer. Along with several notes.

Blurry picture of the tree after Santa left his gifts.

After they have torn into pretty much everything and are happily examining their gifts.

Christmas is near

I made some paintings for the boys' teachers. They are 12x12 which is a fun size to use.

Decorated some cookies too. I always think it sounds like a good idea to make cut cookies, and then I start the process and 3 hours later I'm thinking, "Why did I think this was a good idea!?"

Parker and his wonderful teacher, Mrs. Brown.

A close-up of the painting.

Custom Name Art

I am "officially" painting custom name art now. I got business cards and everything--that's how you know it's the real deal! I have several orders yet to do, but these are the first three I've done. I'm trying to put a lot of detail into each one. These are all gifts, so I sure hope the recipients don't read my blog!

This one is for a dance studio.

The next two are for teachers.

Ready or Not, Here Comes Christmas!

I keep hearing all these folks talking about how they are done with their Christmas shopping or very nearly done. Ha! I haven't even started. Haven't even really given it a whole lot of thought. I think it's just my way. I always work better under pressure. Plus, I can't really think Christmas gifts until I have a Christmas tree up and that definitely does not happen until AFTER Thanksgiving. One holiday at a time for me. If I keep my holiday stuff up too long it starts to drive me batty. It makes me feel claustrophobic and cluttered. Probably because we have a relatively small house and I am an awful housekeeper and I have a TON of Christmas decor! :-)

Here is last year's tree. Hmmm.....this makes me want to get her out of the box again. All in good time, all in good time!

Missing In Action

I know I am just the worst blogger for the past 4 or more months! I find that Facebook has become a much easier way for me to communicate with my friends and family. However, I am ready to jump back into blogging!



For what it's worth, you haven't missed a whole lot! I haven't done anything wonderful to my house or come up with any great new crafty ideas. As a matter of fact, I often don't know where all my time goes. I send the boys off to school at 8:00 and the next thing I know, they are busting through the door at 3:30!



I do have several projects that I am determined to complete this winter: whole new basement on an absolute shoestring budget, finish master bedroom makeover which began well over a year ago, turn Jack's room into a big kid room (per his request), dining room re-do, both bathrooms need love....WOW, the list is bigger than I realized!



I make this solemn vow to be a better blogger!

Oh, here is the number one reason why I haven't had any time or money to do anything for our house: DISNEY WORLD! Exhausting, expensive and totally worth it!

Cardinals

It was miserably hot. And the Cards lost. Parker wouldn't hold up the sign. However, it was still a good day at the ballpark.