A Mostly Wordless Tuesday

cardi: forever 21, tank: cato, jeans: walmart, flats: shoe show

It's Tuesday.

I have nothing. I am wearing stripes with sparkles. And the inside of this top is insanely itchy. Thus in the future it will only be worn over another layer.

Linking up: WOTFTW, Plane Pretty and Sunday Style.

Chambray and Leopard: Fall Edition

jacket: cato, blouse: cato, jeans: walmart, loafers: shoe show

Happy Thursday, friends! I can't believe it is only a few days till Christmas. This month has just flown by; I don't know where it went! I am done with my shopping and have been for a while, but I am making several gifts and need to get a move on to finish them and get them under the tree. I also need to wrap all the kiddo's gifts. ;)

This is a fun outfit I wore last Sunday night to sing in our service. I continue to love these red jeans and of course you know me, the chambray and leopard had to be paired with them at some point. And I love the warm tan of the jacket with the red and blue. Oddly enough this is one of a very few pant outfits I've worn this month. I'm not sure why, but I have really been feeling the dresses and skirts lately. And having fun with my tights. ;)

Well, I'm off to the grocery store and to finish all my Christmas prep. Hope y'all are having a wonderful week.

Linking up with Diaries of a Bargainista (everything in my outfit is under $20!), Dress for the Day and This and That Thursday. 

A Basic Black Maxi Skirt

Oddly enough for such a basic piece, this maxi skirt is a bit of a closet orphan. I haven't worn it in ages. I love it and it makes me happy every time I put it on because it belonged to my beloved Grammy. Which totally cracks me up, because my Grammy was two inches shorter than I am. She had to wear it up around her ribs in order for it to not drag on the floor. ;) It is a little on the tight side around the hips, so I prefer to wear it with a longer top. And stand sideways for photos. ;) That helps. 

So, now for the challenge. Do you have any closet orphans that really qualify as basics?  Why don't you wear them?  Can you build at least 3 (although my personal number is 5) outfits with that piece?  If you are interested, whether you are doing the shopping ban or not, I would love to have you link up your closet orphan with me next Thursday. I will be building 5 outfits with this skirt.

See you next Thursday!

Linking up with Rolled Up Pretty, The Pleated Poppy and Rae Gun Wear.

Shopping Ban Thoughts

Not much to say about this outfit. I've worn it about four times now. It is super comfy while still feeling chic enough for anything. The red jeans will be on heavy rotation I'm sure as will this top which will be perfect for layering as the weather continues to cool.

So, y'all I have had something on my mind lately. It started with Peggy's post on consumerism. Then the following day I heard a message on the radio about teaching our kids to be givers rather than takers. In the same way all of the lessons in the Bible on giving are not because God wants or needs our money but because He wants us to learn to be givers rather than takers. Of course, I was nodding my head thinking about how I want my kiddo to find more joy in giving gifts and time and love than in receiving. Then I had one of those moments when I was like, 'am I leading by example?' And it totally hit me that I'm not. While it is never in large amounts because we just don't have much, I spend way too much money on myself. I have also been spending a lot of time on Go Chic or Go Home lately putting together outfits for fall and winter. And y'all, I have 407 ensembles. And I'm not even done with my inspiration photos. Clearly I have enough.

So, if one of my goals as a parent is to teach my kiddo an attitude of gratitude so to speak, then shouldn't I be living it? If I am continually buying new things, I am not modeling contentment and gratitude for what I have. And ouch, sometimes being a parent hurts. If what I teach my son isn't modeled by my life it will have little impact on him.

In light of the above and because finances are really tight right now, I am going on a shopping ban until my birthday. (December 13) My goal is learn to be content with what I have. And to spend the time I would normally spend shopping doing other more important things. Obviously replacing holey tights would be an exception, but other than that I will not be shopping (or even looking at) any clothing, shoes or accessories until mid December.

If anyone would like to join me, let me know in the comments. Maybe we can do a linky party from time to time.

Linking up with Blonde Episodes, All Things Chic and Casual Friday.

Weight Watching Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, lovelies!

Clearly it is time to get back on my diet. The hips are getting out of control again. ;) Yikes. I did love this outfit and felt reasonably fabulous in it. I mean, come on. Red jeans. Lace. Leopard shoes. How could I not feel fabulous? Right?

Y'all, I have this issue with cooler weather and my weight. Two years ago I lost about 20 pounds doing weight watchers. (In the early spring.) Then last October hubby lost his job, his grandmother passed away, we remodeled her house, moved, and I had an emergency appendectomy. Not a good fall. During the course of all this we ate a ton of fast food, I couldn't exercise, or wear anything that was remotely snug around my waist (due to the appendectomy) and promptly gained back every pound lost. So, in February, I started all over again. I couldn't find my WW stuff, so I started out doing Slim Fast and going to a boot camp class. I lost about 15 pounds. In May, hubby got me a Kindle Fire for Mother's Day (my favorite invention, ever, awesome awesome thing). And I discovered MyFitnessPal. I loved it. And happily lost another 15 pounds or so. While I didn't reach my goal weight, I was pretty pleased with my weight loss and had a ton of stuff going on this summer and so allowed a few extra calories here and there. I've now gained back about 10 pounds and refuse to let it go any further. ;) After all, I got rid of all my too big jeans. I have no choice! ;)

Anybody else out there have problems with their weight? How do you control it? Do tell!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Rae Gun Wear and Transatlantic Blonde!