Goodwill Goods

I made a stop at the Goodwill yesterday, with some time to kill
and I found some great things!!
If you have a Goodwill in your area, you should check them out (more than once), because there could be some treasures waiting there for you...
and they could be the color of the day!
In my case, nothing was the color of the day...the elusive yellow tag was nowhere to be seen!
But, you can't beat $0.99 for books, $1.99 for kids jeans, $3.99 for tops and $5.99 for dresses. 

I apologize for the quality of this video....I am on the old camera today and it starts getting really choppy later in the video, so hang in there if you want to see what I found!
Have a great Friday!

DIY- TOMS transformation

So, I have these shoes....
(remember these from the 30/30)
that I NEVER wear,
and they get dirty sooooo easily,
and they don't clean well because of the color...
and I just can't bear to donate them....
plus nobody would want them anyway,

SO, I decided to DIY these suckers
into something a little different.
Not too too different,
just a minor facelift.
An Navy TOMS are much more easily inserted into
a summer wardrobe.
White t-shirt, cutoffs, and these....
yes please.


BEFORE:

And I just went for it.
No taping, no prep.
Just carefully and slowly started painting.


This is the size brush I opted for
but any will do.

And the paint I used was Tulip brand, SOFT fabric paint.
The SOFT part is important so it doesn't dry stiff, like regular paint would.

Yellow vs. Navy

I'm happy with my kamikaze DIY.
You never know how these things are going to turn out,
but a little paint can go a long way!
If I grow tired of these, I can always add polka dots
or stripes to them using the same Tulip Soft fabric paint
to extend their life yet again.

Happy painting!

show and tell

HAPPY THURSDAY.
I really cannot wait for this week to be over...
It is just one of "those" weeks, you know?!

Too much school,
Too much going on,
Checking out of the apartment...should be interesting,
Feeling funky.
I think the weekend will make it all go away.

SO, to take my mind off things for a minute,
I give you this totally random post about nothing important.
xo

1. I have no words for how beautiful I think these are. Seriously.

2. I am adding this to my Christmas list. I could not make this for under $100, and I think the colors are just right for our bedroom.

3. I just watched this , and I have to admit....even though it isn't the most appropriate song for a child (kinda bad), and NM isn't the best role-model (kinda out-there) I am BLOWN away. That little girl is something fierce.

4. Kinda wishes something like this would appear to hold all my fabrics so I can get my sewing space set up....

5. I think my new skincare may be working.....maybe.

6. They are priceless.






7. Pricey....but I love them. All from Anthropologie. I should seriously consider going to work for these people. Just being in the store lowers my blood pressure.







Cheers to the freakin' weekend.
-A

holla!

Hi!
Just a few random thoughts on a Wednesday night.

#1. You can't really be successful at having "bangs" when you live in Texas.
I learned that pretty much 10 minutes after I cut them a while back.
That stinks.
I really like bangs.

#2. These are especially cute to me....kinda like appealing to the 8th grade me...
but cooler.
I need to buckle down and DIY myself some of these....
they are mucho money for what they are....but I love TWINE!


#3. I have a new skincare routine that I am praying will kick my acne's butt...
You know what I mean.
I think I will now refer to my skin problems as Texas-itis..
and hopefully that goes away soon.
I really don't make a cute teenager...
really.



#4. Justin and I went and got DQ Blizzards tonight,
and totally ate them in front of our kids without sharing.
Parents of the Year.
Totally.

So glad I am back!
It's questionable as to whether or not you are as excited as I am.

xoxo,
A

ummm....are you still with me??

I would love one of these in every color...
Talk about a super functional staple.
I really love everything in this shop,
the colors,
the cuts,
easy breezy California.

My San Francisco heart hurts a little bit right now.

In other news.....

We are moving today and tomorrow,
hence why I have been so absentee....

But the cool thing is that I will have so much to share coming up...

AND you can bet your bottom dollar that etsy shop will be up and running asap
(even though I have said that before....don't hate me)

Because our new rent is a little much....but we are super duper thrilled!

Ok, off to get the keys.
xoxo

Babies, Braids, and Spandex

She is something else.
She made me a Mother, and she changed my entire universe.
She has been with me all but maybe 10 days in her entire life.
She is ready for something new, and she is starting Pre-K in 3 weeks.
I am so excited for her, and this new experience!
3 hours a day for the full school year....it's going to be awesome!



She looks so much like her Daddy, it freaks me out sometimes!


We have been playing beauty parlor a lot around here,
thanks in part to the amazing Reagan
and today we worked up a 3/4 Halo braid.
(Here's the link to the full Halo)
Paige loved it!
Riv said she looked just like a Princess....aw, sweet Riv!





And, just to throw in something "Fashion-y"
I wanted to share with you my normal workout attire.
These pieces were purchased from the oh-so-fabulous Wal-Mart
and cost about $10 each.
Thanks Lululemon....love your stuff, but don't love the
astronomical price tag for something I need 5 of....$86 for running capris, um no.
Here is my philosophy...
if you don't have things you are comfortable in
AND
feel attractive in to work out,
it is less likely that you will be pumped to go to the gym.
SO, since I don't have mega-bucks to get the designer goods
I go the Wal-Mart/Target route, and I think I look just as good.
No frump, No Granny get-up...
just me and my black stretchies getting my sweat on!
(My hobbit shoes are amazing by-the-way...not available at Wal-Mart, but I try!)



Oh, and if you want to see our weekend fun...
come on over!
xo

Happy Sunday

Happy Fathers Day!!
Lots of things to be happy about today.
Dads, painted nails, lizards, The Little Rascals movie, Risotto dinner.
Today is a good day!
Happy about finding artwork for Daddy under his pillow.

Happy about our first visitor on the 30th.

Happy about getting through 5 books and it is only June.

Happy about finding a great lemon pound cake recipe.
Read the modifications in the comments.
I added 1/2 cup of sugar, and didn't make any glaze.
We just ate ours plain with tons of fresh strawberries,
but homemade whipped cream would have been dreamy.

Happy about my legs looking reallllllly long in these heels.
camera angle helps, not gonna lie.
Trying them on for an upcoming date-night...
first one since February.
serious.

Happy about the way this smells.....
straight aromatherapy while you clean.
win/win.

Happy about making a video and getting it loaded while my kids were on the couch next to me.
Such multitasking skills today!

OOTD

I figured since it has been like 7 years,
or 4 months,
since I have done one of these
that it was time for an OOTD, or Outfit of the Day for those of you that have a
real life.

We went to the zoo this morning which requires a real outfit,
which is tricky when it is hotter that heck outside.
But this is what I pulled together, and it worked quite well.
The stripes hide any and all perspiration that was absolutely happening...
lots of perspiration down here in TX,
LOTS!

We packed some snacks
trekked around
and rested in the shade to munch and people/animal watch.
It was a great way to kill some time.




shorts: Old Navy
Tee: Shade
Sandals: WalMart
Necklace: sprinkle & dash (made by me)


It is Monday, and I have a little to-do list.

organize pantry
laundry
vacuum
new plants for patio-my rosemary died/fried
bank
paint nails....very important stuff
Jillian Michaels time

I think I will rock some workout clothes today,
just so I don't flake on Jillian.
I am liking the Ripped in 30...I am not ripped yet, but I have faith.

xo

p.s.
My kids are watching Jem (1985) right now....
which I had no idea was on tv.
I am dying inside for two reasons:
1. They LOVE it, well Paige does anyway, especially the "fashion"
2. I feel like I am 7 again...total blast from my past!
wow.
where is my Debbie Gibson Electric Youth cassette tape when I need it??

obsessed much

Happy Tuesday.

xo, A

mix & match

I have had good shopping karma in my life.

Like I just happen to stumble upon sales,
crazy good sales.

Or I just happen to find shoes at
Walmart
in my size
that I actually like.

The clouds part and a heavenly chorus sings on days like that.

(Now, I have only gone to Walmart 2 times since rolling in to San Antonio
which I like very much, but I appreciated it while we were up in WA.
It was good to me.)

I think it is great to mix and match your higher end and lower end
super-duper-great-and-cheap stuff.
Like your $2 Walmart loafers with your Calvin Klein jacket from Macy's.

Jeans: Target
Tee: Target
Jewelry and Purse: Mom
Son: Priceless, with an itchy face apparently.

For this one, I wore my favorite Walmart sandals, and kept it simple.

(These sandals are amazingly comfortable, and have held up SO well. I can't gush enough about them really. And, I get compliments on them ALL THE TIME! Nobody believes they are from WalyWorld!)

Jeans: Ross
Tee: Nordstrom Rack
Necklaces: Handmade by Me
Ring:Target

These sandals can also be seen here, with a little more color.

Jeans: Express
Tee: GAP
Cardigan: Target
Purse: Lucky Brand

The weather is warming up here,
and soon the comfort I find in throwing on jeans
will
not
be
an
option.
I am on the hunt for flattering shorts and skirts,
and dresses that are machine washable and kid friendly.
I hope the shopping gods are hearing me on this one.
Hot weather from now till October/November requires a bit of clothing!
We will see what I can come up with!

xo

just to clarify...

Hello Lovelies!!

Per your request, my daily face includes these products by Benefit
(and I threw in a few I love anyway, even though they weren't in the video)
Please note that these products were acquired when I was making a lot of money and replaced one at a time. I know they are pricey, but they work for me
and last a very long time.


You Rebel Light
(I don't use this everyday, just when I want to look
more dewy! Most days I just bare-face it!)

Hoola Bronzer
My Favorite.

Eye Bright pencil
Great for the inner corners of your eye and right under your eyebrow

Creaseless Cream Shadow
LOVE these, so easy to apply. I have the color RSVP

Dandelion Blush/Highlight
Very light and natural looking

Boiing Concealer in 02
Good coverage, a little goes a long way.

I also use the Kabuki Brush by Bare Minerals to apply my bronzer and blush.

I do have Bare Minerals products that I will use in the summer here, since it will be to hot and humid to use cream products (I am thinking...don't know for sure, but just a hunch!)

I like their products and have used them in the past, and they worked well for me.

So that is a day face in a nutshell.
Questions???

I do throw in drug store products for pretty much everything else.
And I love a good deal, so if you have a cheapie product you love,
don't keep it a secret around here...share away!!!

xo