Veteran's Day

Gap Tunic (similar); Kohl's Scarf (similar); Old Navy Maxi Skirt (similar); Claire's Earrings (similar)

Happy Veteran's Day! J and I are celebrating by heading out to Red Robin for a free burger. Cause there's nothing that says "thank you" quite like free food.

Hope your week is fantastic so far.

Bloglovin' - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram

Weekend

Happy Sunday! How's your weekend been? Ours is busy, as always. My husband works on Saturdays, so I usually spend the day working too. Sundays are full of church, errands, and prep for the week ahead. It's usually not until Monday that we get a chance to breath! Jeremy is off work and I only have a few hours of work, so it's kind of our Saturday. 

Bruno had to sneak into a few of these photos. He's a ball of energy, but a lot of fun.

Thrifted Levi's Jacket (here)
Thrifted Floral Top (similar print)
Old Navy Maxi Skirt (similar)
Walmart Sandals (similar)

Bloglovin' - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram

Neutrals

Just bucking the spring trends and trying some neutrals on for size. I really wanted to wear this skirt and of all the tops in my wardrobe, this one felt the most appealing at the time. Sometimes basics are really the best.

Thrifted Tee (exactly); Self Made Necklace (similar); Old Navy Skirt (similar); Thrifted Flats (similar); American Eagle Bag (similar)

Speaking of basics, my new thrift obsession is basic tees. I think I've bought five of them over the last month.  They're so cute, so versatile, and so cheap. I can't resist.

I don`t really know what the balance is between minimalism and enjoyment is in my wardrobe. I like to shop. Simple fact. It`s fun, I find it relaxing, and I enjoy the challenge of finding new things to fit into my wardrobe. On the other hand, how much is too much? I love the idea of a minimalist wardrobe, but it doesn't seem terribly practical. I like clothes.

I don't want shopping to come at a detriment to our personal finances. If I was going into debt over clothes, I would know I had truly gone too far. I also don't want shopping to come before my relationship with the Lord. If I'm spending more time thinking about the next thing I want to add to my closet than I am praying and pursuing God, something is wrong. But otherwise, where is the line? Is there one?

How do you create a balanced wardrobe?

Bloglovin' - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram

Weekend Wear: Relax

Thrifted Tee, $0.99 (similar)

Thrifted Levi's Jacket, $10 (exactly)

Old Navy Maxi, $10 (similar)

Shopko Sandals (similar)

Kohl's Necklace, $3 (similar)

Oh my, thank goodness for the weekend. Life has been insane lately and I was so glad to have a chance to relax today.

Long story short...we're not buying a house. :-( The bank waited until the very last second to tell us that they actually wouldn't be able to give us a loan. Apparently that's pretty common in this post-recession economy but it was SO disappointing. 

So...now we're looking for another apartment. We had the opportunity to stay in our current one but we've been pretty miserable here so it's time to move on. Hopefully we'll be able to find a better place. I forgot how stressful apartment hunting can be. It's tough to make all those phone calls and emails and then try and pick the right one. 

Anyway...I hope you all have had a great weekend. I'm gonna go get in a few more hours of relaxation before the crazy starts all over again tomorrow!

Bloglovin' - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram

Nanny Style: Loose and Comfy

Kohl's Top, $5 on clearance (similar)

Self-made Necklace (similar)

Self-made Striped Maxi Skirt (similar)

Payless Wedges, $7 (similar)

I've been craving loose and comfortable layers this week. Maxi skirts, tee shirts, tunics... also: sandals.  It feels great to let my toes feel the cool breeze again. 

Not much else to report...we're still house hunting, the weather is still great, and I have next week off work!  Hope your week is great so far! :-)

Weekend Wear: Pink + Yellow

I promise you that there was about 10 days between this outfit and my last post.  I love this top, but I usually try hard not to wear things many days in a row. ;-)

We have been having a lot of grey days lately (I seriously think it's been about 5 days now since I've seen the sun) so a little color was in order for this otherwise dreary Sunday.

Thrifted Top, $3 (similar)

Gap Scarf, $9 on clearance (similar)

Old Navy Maxi Skirt, $10 (same, different colors)

Gap Flats, $5 on clearance (similar)

I hate to be the whiny blogger, but bear with me just this once.

This is my tired face.  This past week was pretty nuts.  I started out the week with a couple of hormone-induced migraine headaches, and of course, this is the week I signed up to volunteer 3 evenings at my church.  Then I ended up having 4 different families contact me to see if I was interested in working for them, so there was interviews, phone calls, and emails to keep track of.  Pile that on top of my regular work schedule and a string of cold, dark days, and you have a very tired Faith.  I've been spending the weekend trying to relax but I don't really feel that much better than I did on Friday.  Blah.

But, on the bright side, I have this coming Friday off work, and then I have two whole weeks off! :-) I also had a delicious lunch that included hummus, which pretty much made my weekend.  So there's that.

Now please excuse me while I go take a nice, long nap...

Rescued

Walmart Statement Necklace, $3 (similar)

JC Penney Chambray Shirt, $12 (similar)

Self Made Striped Maxi (similar)

Thrifted Boots, $5 (similar)

I rescued these boots from my giveaway pile for this look.  You can't tell in these photos, but they're super short, and I feel like they make my legs look a little stumpy.  They were totally perfect under this maxi skirt though. :-)

How was your week?  Mine was busy, but a lot of fun! My little brother was on his spring break and decided to come down and visit, so we spent the last half of our week hanging out with him.  We toured the Michigan State Capital building, took him to Five Guys and watched The Dark Knight Rises.  Fun times were had by all.

On Quality

Thrifted Levi's Jacket ($7); Old Navy Tank similar ($6); Old Navy Maxi Skirt similar ($10); Wedges via eBay similar ($20); Mockingjay Pin via Hot Topic My husband and I have been talking a lot about the quality of our clothes over the last few months and we both have come to the conclusion that most clothes that are in stores today are crap.  Things we buy at the "cheap" stores fall apart after only a season or two.  So, we've decided that as things in our respective wardrobes need replacing, we'll be doing our best to replace them with a more high quality item.  That may mean spending more, but if it'll last us years instead of months, it's worth it.  I think this will not only make our wardrobes go farther, but it will make us think more about our purchases.   And so, I'm proud to introduce the first of those purchases.  A pair of Minnetonka Moccasins purchased at DSW on clearance for $34. I've had my eye out for a deal on moccs recently since I knew they'd be coming on sale at the end of the summer.  I'm super excited to have found these great quality Minnetonka ones for a great price.  They will  be a great replacement for my brown flats, which now have holes in them. I'm also super excited that we went to two different malls yesterday and these are all I bought. :-)  Bring on the shopping reform!

Tired of Trying

Thrifted Top ($3); Old Navy Maxi ($10); Thrifted Necklace; Gap Flats ($10)

I finally got my new camera charger a few days ago so I'm back in business with the outfit posts.  Other than that, I don't really have too much to say.  I am tired.  Dead tired.  I want so badly to see my husband finally find work.  I want to have our own apartment again, buy our own groceries, sweep my own floor, and do my own dishes.  I miss my stuff.  I miss being a couple, and having our own space.  I know that this will eventually happen, but after almost 5 months it's becoming hard to remain positive.

I am not complaining.  I am just very tired.

More of this maxi skirt: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

Beachy

All Thrifted ($7 total); Faith Sandahl Photography Necklace

My husband and I took a nice scenic drive over the weekend.  This nice, comfy outfit was just what I needed for a long drive, warm beach, and a bit of shopping. :-)

Hope you are having a fabulous Independence Day!

Similar clothes:

blue clothes

Mini Vacation

Thrifted Top ($2); Self Made Skirt; Gap City Flats ($15); Thrifted Bangle ($2)

I bought the fabric for this skirt way back during a Memorial Day sale but finally got around to making it this past week.  I'm so glad I did..it's definitely the most comfortable skirt I own.  The stretchy jersey was pain to sew, but I love the way it feels.  I used this tutorial again.

Jeremy and I are headed to lower Michigan to house sit for my sister and her husband while they're away for a week.  Their adorable house is in a small town and overlooks a river.  I'm really excited...it feels like a mini vacation but we don't have to pay for our lodging. :-)  We are excited to check out some of our favorite shops (there aren't many stores here. I'd never been in an Old Navy, Gap, or Forever 21 until I moved to NY) as well as get to Holland, MI, Grand Haven, and a few other lovely locations along the lake.

More Maxis:

maxi skirt

Motivation

Walmart Tee ($5); Thrifted Skirt ($0.99); Walmart Hat ($8); Gap Flats ($15); Thrifted Belt ($2)

I took a little inspiration from this image for this month's Copy Cat Friday:

source

I love this loose, summery look!  Maxi skirts are definitely one of the best ways to look put together but still stay cool in the summer.  I'm still not completely sold on my floppy hat, but it was a fun look nonetheless. :-)

So glad for this link up this week!  Between the humidity and the crazyness that is life in general, I haven't been feeling very motivated to get dressed.

Vested

F21 Vest ($18); NOTW Tee ($10); Old Navy Maxi; Old Navy Flip Flops ($3)

I was super excited to see Kayla's pick because it meant I got to break out my new denim vest!  Vest aren't usually my thing, but after seeing the likes of Kendi and Jess rock them this summer, I was willing to try it out.  Pretty sure it's a winner. :-)

More denim vests:

denim vest

National Bike Month & Mission: Put Together

So apparently May is National Bike Month.  Which is especially cool because I just bought a bike!  We were in my old college town this last weekend visiting my grandma and my old church, when we spotted this:

Sears Floral Top; Thrifted Skirt ($4); So Flats ($9); Bike via Garage Sale ($50)

I am super excited!  It's hard to find a nice bike that fits me properly and is affordable.  This one was made in the early 50s and is in great shape with a new seat and tires.

This is when my little brother said "work it!"

My husband is all excited to fix it up for me.  It rides just fine now, but we're going to paint it and make it look pretty. :-)  I also got a cute basket and a bell for it.

Today also starts the month long Mission: Put Together!  All you need to participate is a flickr account, so hop on over and check it out!  I'll be posting my looks every day, starting with this one.  This week's challenge is "color".

Happy May! :-)

This bike is kitty approved.

Blue Skirt Floral Top

Winter Round-Up

I've been making more of an effort to analyze my outfits and see what I liked and didn't like about them.  All in a effort to make dressing easier.  And so, I present to you, my favorite outfits from winter 11/12. :)

I really loved this one.  Comfy, cozy, but still bright and fun.

This felt so classy and cute, although I would have added a belt.

The silhouette was just right here!  I love this mix of colors too.

I loved how comfy this one was, as well as the neutrals and large scarf.

Love: the silhouette, bright sweater, and mix of brown and grey.

This may have been fall, but I love the black and brown + bright scarf.

Pink and white. Loved it.

Black and pink. Also, silhouette.

Oversized comfort. Also: neutrals.

Neutrals and stripes. Also: silhouette.

So, in conclusion:

• I like neutrals.
• I like neutrals paired with a color.
• I like girly silhouettes.
• I like to be comfortable.
• I like pink.
• I like boots.

Glad we had this talk.   I feel better now. 

HAWMC - 9. Keep calm and carry on.

Today's challenge was to head to this link and make your own keep calm poster.  Here's what I came up with: