Week 1 of Fashion it Again

Weekly roundup for my dress up everyday as I do not pay out for additional items.  It was a good week in the end, not too much temptation but enough to keep the challenge very real.  I almost bought a flash drive that was a great price on clearance for the amount of storage for the documents I had in mind but repeated to myself that I could just wait and buy an external that would be a much higher storage amount for the money I would invest into it. 

Day one:

Statement Scarf from Mrs. D, a birthday gift.

Day 2

Khaki straight legs with a teal button up and one of my favorite belts

Day 3

Basic black tee with a striped skirt

Day 4

A recent purchase, before my challenge, blouse with wide leg trousers

My shoes are amazing, they help me handle the long tax season days but ready to pull off once I sit down.  Thankfully I have an office where I can do just that and crawl into my chair.

Friday, Day 5

(Grocery shopping day)

My day started with a V neck tee, Khaki's and a basic brown woven belt

But it ended by pairing the basic black V neck tee with barely boot jeans, a white blazer and my newest scarf.

The belt gets a lot of use and I have had it since college, so a little while.

Day 6 

Sorry got too busy to turn on the computer for a photo before the crazy day started.

I wore white bermuda shorts, black t-strap sandals with a basic black tee, yes I own quite a few of the basic tee's and in different colors covered up with a pink sweater.

Then I changed my top into a button up flowered salmon colored blouse with other colors.

Day 7 

Today I worked so Khakis and a sweater it was, nothing too exciting but now I am in my pj bottoms and relaxing as it is much needed.  I did buy a pizza from a local place we love for dinner as we were both exhausted, using cash and not my bank card.

Getting closer to the goal, feeling empowered.

Also got to see some football downtown and got to treat my dad, mom and youngest siblings to the experience.

 My Saturday night outfit for day 6

Challenge Day 4

Day 2 of my no shopping challenge was hard, temptation from every angle as I had to go out and shop for our office for some redecorating that I have on deck.  One store has their furniture scattered throughout the entire building which means you are going to come across something's that should belong in your home. For me it was quatrefoil's, everywhere, art, mirrors, pillows, dog items- and I do not even have a dog but it was so awesome.  I made out without purchasing anything, not even the table I carried around the entire time as I realized that it had a funky leg while I checked out.  
Day 3 was easier as office shopping only led me to Lowe's for paint chips and counter top paint.  While at work in the evening I was too tired to care about the items that came in the check lane and cleaning up areas kept me away from the girls clothing and clearance.

I did decide to document my clothing choice for each day.  After a week or so I will post those.
26 more days to go in the first half of this challenge.

The many different quatrefoils that tempted me a few days ago.  Sorry about the burned bottom its due to my case shifting on the phone.

Fashion(ista?)

I LoVE fashion.  A LOT, would be an understatement its more like a need, must have, give it to me so I can live kind of obsession.  While I would still live and be happy without fashion it definitely makes getting dolled up so much more fun.  I like name brands but of course vintage has also become my newest favorite thing in the past couple of years.  I may not be buying Chanel, Vera Wang, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton or other high end pieces off the runways of Paris or New York but I do make sure to buy a variety that will not be lost in time or unwearable as I continue to grow up.  Rather they might be statement pieces that make me feel bold, a punch up, a fun cut to the piece or the bright colors of another with a nice collection of basics.  It just makes me happy.  After some thinking about my weakness for clothing/fashion and my desire to continue to thin out my closet of the un-used I will be taking a vacation from purchasing items for myself and gifts (which tend to be most of my spending in thinking of Christmas and birthdays, Tegan's fault for being such a cute little niece).  Even though most of my buys are bargains sometimes one just needs a break from something they like so much. Thanks to Amy who did this awhile back and blogged about her 1 month of no personal shopping, just the basic needs.  Today is Day 1.  I have deleted all email's that pertain to shopping.  I would like to make it atleast a month, September 20th but will extend to our Cruise in October.  Shopping is an extra in life, where my extra money is going and I can do without a couple weeks or months of it.  This will also help me reach some goals in other areas which is a plus.Will power, challenge accepted.  

Can you blame me?! Pieces from my wardrobe that will be reused over and over again as I fight the battle of shopping randomly.  I love so many of my pieces that I know I have the ability to mix and match in new and different ways.

Another year

I recently had a birthday and it made me feel, well, great!  Birthdays are still a challenge for me because I want to be with my parents and siblings but that’s not what happens when you live 3 hours away, have a husband, an office to be at and well I am now an adult so things have changed.  

I was so elated with the surprises Darren had in store for me.  All the things I love to have, my favorite ale with a bottle of something new to try, mini plants to have at the office (once I find a tray to hold them all), a set of quatrefoil mirrors and some workout clothing.  It’s okay to say that I am slightly spoiled but this only comes once a year. 

We had a great dinner at a restaurant on the north side of town, even sweeter that my meal ended up being free because I am on their birthday rewards program.  So free $30.00 made for a nice dinner just for myself.  Dinner included soup and salad, I added tempura fried veggies as my treat and then my main course steak with steamed rice.  It was so delicious and almost gave me a food baby so we walked around the mall to walk it down to a comfort level.  Of course I let Darren have some of my steak and he shared his tomatoes.  His meal looked just as great.

The day was filled with a few phone calls/texts, well wishes, my annual e-card from my aunt and lots of love in different forms.  But the love continued on Saturday as we spent some time driving to Michigan City for some shopping and time with my mom.  I accumulated some items I always wait to purchase until this trip as they can be pricey and mom likes to buy-some of my favorite brands and things to wear.  My baby brother got in on the shopping as well as he would be going back to school soon and of course Tegan got to pick out a “magical pink dress,” pink is her favorite color and she loves to wear dresses.  Oh how I wished the time would not pass just to walk and talk and see Tegan being silly while also being as helpful as I could be with Eze’s shopping needs and time with my mom. 

Recently I received some wonderfully wrapped gifts from Mr. & Mrs. D, a truffle bowl that I have talked about buying but never saw one that I really liked and a wonderful fluffy blanket with matching fuzzy socks in my signature color, pink.  I laughed at how great of a listener/observer my MIL is because I always wrap up in a similar blanket at their home to stay warm and take my naps as well as how I tried a truffle recipe of hers but had a bad container to display at the event.  She also sent me some additional recipes that I did not get to look at as Darren was too eager to put them in the recipe file that we were given at our wedding by her as well.  

All in all- great.  Grateful to have made it through another year, to be in such a great place in the life I have been given. 

I am not afraid of what is to come, because I am mostly stuck on today (or really trying to be) but I am ready for 30. 

Because: 

·          God has given me another day, to be loved and give love and any other support I can lend to those around me.

·          I am in the best shape of my life.  You did it 21 year old me!

·          I have a wonderful, loving, hardworking husband that brings so much laughter and light into our home.  Seriously, have you seen his perfect smile?!

·          I have evolved and am still working on myself inside and out.

·          I have an amazing support system, whatever tomorrow brings I know I will be held up by these amazing people God has blessed me with.

·          The additional adventures that have already started and hopefully a big cruise to celebrate.

Aging should not be feared but rather celebrated, its a day given by our almighty Lord to serve and love the way he loves us.  To give chances, take the unchosen route and see what he has in store for us and what we can conquer, give and do for others.  I am 29 years young, I am still growing up, learning and leaning on others around me to become a better person in this world that is not always nice.  Whatever tomorrow brings I know that I am not alone and my age only makes me better at taking on what is to come.