Flower Child

Oh haaaay, Thursday!

We're almost to the weekend, thank goodness! Next week is my school's spring break, and I am so looking forward to a staycation with nothing to do and nowhere to be (cue the John Mayer song reference). Maybe it's just the "old lady" in me, but traveling over school breaks can become kind of exhausting. Sometimes it's just nice to relax in your own home, ya know?

In the look below, I decided to style a new dress I posted about here a few weeks back. Aside from the awesome price tag, I adore this dress because of the flowy, bohemian feel. Call me a flower child at heart, but I've always gravitated toward a laid back, hippie inspired look. I just love how effortless it feels!

I styled the dress with simple accessories: my go to black leggings, tall black boots, and a few gold embellishments to match. It's quick, easy, stylish, and comfy.

Disclaimer: Kyle took these pictures of me about ten minutes after I woke up from my afternoon nap (yes, I am still a child), so excuse my groggy eyes.

 

Floral Baby Doll Dress Similar

Black Leggings here

Black Boots Similar (HOLY good deal!)

Gold Accessories Similar

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Today, I am thankful for...

Hi, Monday. So nice for you to drop in...yet again...even though no one invited you...

But I digress. This post is about thankfulness, and gosh darn it, I'm going to be thankful on this typical Monday if it kills me.

Today I am thanking God for...

1. Kyle's new job

Today, Kyle is starting a brand new position in the town we currently live in. This job is exactly what he prefers to do with his accounting degree, is only ten minutes from our home, allows plentiful vacation days, AND includes a pay raise from his old job. We are so excited about the opportunity and know it's a blessing from God. This job will give us more time to enjoy each others' company, and I am SO thankful for that chance.

Yes, that is Kyle's thumb in the corner. We're selfie slobs!

2. The confusion of being a 20 something year old 

Yes, you read that right. I'm thankful for the confusion. When I was a kid, people told me being an adult was tough. I heard that a million times. What I didn't hear about was all the choices that surrounded you constantly. What career should you take? When should you have kids? When should you buy a home? Where should you live? Should you get a pet? Should you join a gym? What type of cable should you get? and good Lord, you are actually forced to pay money for those ugly green trash cans?! It can get pretty overwhelming. What I'm beginning to realize is that I am in an extremely transitional time in my life. There are so many choices, and I rarely know the correct route to take. God is teaching me to rely solely on him in all of my decisions; he is teaching me to have faith even when I am lost, which is pretty often!

3.  Lifelong Friends

This weekend, one of my best friends, Hannah, is celebrating her bachelorette party. I am so excited to have a girls' weekend and be reunited with some of my favorite people. Living in a new town and away from your loved ones, it's really easy to lose touch with your childhood friends. By the grace of God, I still maintain close relationships with these people despite us being five hours apart. It's been a huge blessing, and I'm incredibly thankful to have strong friendships that withstand the distance.

4. This beautiful, lovely, ah-maaaaazing sunshiney weather

Y'all, this weather is bringing me to life. I haven't felt this happy in months! I think it's really easy to get into a funk in the winter. It's too cold to really do anything outside, the weather is kind of depressing, and you spend most of your evenings bundled up in jackets and toboggans. Now that the weather has finally warmed up, Kyle and I are spending pretty much our entire weekends outdoors, and I am loving every minute of it.

Does this make me look redneck? I think this makes me look redneck.

What are you thankful for today?

My Lip Stain Obsession

Have I mentioned that I'm addicted to lip stains? Because I am. I really am.


I'm usually low key when it comes to make up, partially because I am terrible at putting it on. Ask me to do a winged liner, and prepare to fall on the floor from laughing so hard. Yes, it's that bad. When it comes to lip color, however, I tend to gravitate toward bold colors. I love to make my lips pop with a deep red or a bright pink, and with my go to lip stain brand, I can rely on it to be extra pigmented, creamy and long lasting. What's not to love?

What is this brand, you ask? Meet Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain!

Price: $2.99 at Walgreens



In the past, lip stains have always dried my lips out. Thankfully, I stumbled across the Jordana brand, and it does the exact opposite. It works as both a lip balm AND a stain, so you get that super pigmented color without the flakiness that dry lips usually bring. I've bought just about every color, but my go to color is honey love. It's the perfect neutral to throw on when you don't have time to dig for a certain color in your purse. ;) Check out the different color choices in the picture below:

What favorite lip stains do you have? I'd love to hear!

Latest Bargains

Happy Monday!

Well, kind of happy. This time change thing is for the birds. I woke up this morning feeling like I had been ran over by a truck! I'm plotting to have my entire workplace protest time change. No, totally kidding...maybe.

This past weekend, I found some awesome deals at a very unexpected place. I try to avoid clothing shopping in an effort to save money, but I couldn't help but drag (literally) my husband into Rue 21 to check out their latest deals. I know, I know, Rue 21 is definitely a teenager brand. However, they have always been my go-to place for trendy accessories and clothing at a ridiculously affordable price. And when I say ridiculous, I mean cheaper than Goodwill ridiculous.

By the time I left the store, I managed to pick up three dresses, one pair of sandals, and a pair of leopard canvas shoes. Wait until you see my total cost, y'all...

1.  Navy Striped Skater Bow Dress

Anyone who has spent more than five minutes shopping with me knows that I am a sucker for bows. I would put them on everything if I didn't look completely crazy! The nautical feel of this dress, matched with the feminine touch of the plunging bow back, made me fall in love without a second thought. I simply could not leave without it, and for the price, I didn't have to!

Regular Price: $16.99
What I paid: $5.20

Get it online here! Fair warning though - it's A LOT cheaper in stores. 

2. Polka Dot Tunic

Ok, so it's a tunic on me. I'm a bit taller than the average gal (5'7), and while I could pull it off as a dress, it's just slightly too short for my taste. If you're any smaller than me, you can absolutely rock this as a dress. My favorite thing about this look is the v-neck and pockets. Even though I paid basically nothing for it, the product looks well made and sophisticated. No complaints here!

Regular Price: $17.99
What I paid: $5.20
Available in store only

3. Floral Baby Doll Dress with Bell Sleeves

I am in loooooooove with baby doll style dresses. They are so comfy, yet so chic! With this dress, though, the colors and bell sleeves are what really sold me. I have nothing in my closet that looks anything like it, and if you've seen my closet, you know that's quite an accomplishment. It's the perfect feminine look for spring, and with its affordable price tag, I just couldn't pass it up.

Regular Price: $17.99
What I paid: $5.20
Available in store only

4. Leopard Canvas Shoes

I've been looking for a new pair of leopard shoes for the past few months. The ones I bought from Target 3 years ago were literally falling apart before my eyes, but I couldn't bear to throw them out before finding a replacement. Thankfully, I found them at Rue 21 for an awesome price!

Regular Price: $16.99
What I paid: $3.00
Available in store only

5. Gold Dusted Sandals

It's ironic - I was just telling Kyle that I needed to be on the look out for a neutral pair of sandals for spring. Fast forward about thirty seconds, I found these beauties! My favorite part about these sandals is the ankle strap. To me, it makes the sandals look a little nicer than the average pair you'd find elsewhere. And for the price? I just couldn't resist!

Regular Price: $16.99
What I paid: $3.00
Available in store only

And the total cost is...

$21.60! 

P.S. - Keep in mind this is technically a junior's store, so you'll probably need to buy a size bigger than usual in clothing.


XOXO,

Thursday Thoughts

Happy Happy Thursday! Today, I'm teaming up with Meagan from Beautiful Things for a fun link up! Enjoy!

I think...

- It's only Thursday? REALLY?

- Yesterday's weather was the biggest tease. Highs in the 70's yesterday, freezing rain today. #pityparty

- ALTHOUGH it could be worse. I went to school in Boone, NC where the weather is completely insane all year round. Insane as in, "Wow, I could literally go swimming in the mall parking lot right now." Not kidding even a little.

- New goal for this month: I will learn how to cook more than just spaghetti.

- If I have a coworker call me down ONE more time thinking I'm a student, I might go crazy. Oy.

- I just finished a book series this past weekend, and OMG, you would have thought the characters were real people. I get so sad when it all ends.

- Anyone out there getting the "it's time to have a baby" comments from family members? I don't understand! 6 months into our marriage, everyone insisted we were far too young to even think about kids. Now, one year into our marriage, people are expecting me to pop out a baby any day now. When did I cross the baby threshold, y'all?!?!

- It's only a few more weeks 'til spring and beautiful, sunshiney weather. I'm SO excited.

- Speaking of beautiful weather, I think it's high time for another adventure.


Thanks for reading!

Black & Creme

Hello, pretty people!


Is it just me, or is this week going by exceptionally slow? We basically had a two week vacation here in Atlanta due to snow, so maybe I'm acting a bit spoiled, but if today gets any longer I may start growing gray hair (yes, I tend to be dramatic).  To break away from the mundane day-to-day activities that a work week can bring, I chose to style one of my favorite tops:

I have a major love affair with anything flowy and feminine, and this sweater is all of the above! The multicolored ruffles add the perfect touch to make this top a real eye catcher. I've worn it a few times now, and I get compliments every single time. This is a great transitional sweater for winter to spring - it's warm enough to keep you cozy in the winter months, yet light enough to wear on a cool spring day. Add a statement necklace, and you're out the door with an easy, comfy, and stylish look. What's not to love? For more cute clothes at an affordable price, check out www.Brooklyn's.com!


Hope you have a {speedy} week!