Bailey in Bloom: blogger

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Monday, April 6, 2015

Bloom where you're planted

Happy Monday!

I apologize for the week long hiatus; I've been on spring break this week, and to be honest, I haven't felt like doing anything. Literally, my entire week has mostly consisted of napping, taking walks, Zumba, googling random topics, more napping, and of course, eating. What's not to love?

A few weeks ago, I picked up a new t-shirt from Kohl's (see below). I loved the look of the shirt, but what really stood out to me was the message behind it. In big, floral letters, the shirt proclaimed "bloom where you're planted." Y'all, I can't even begin to describe how applicable that saying is to my current situation. For those who don't know me that well, I graduated with a degree in English/Secondary Education from Appalachian State in North Carolina. I was really looking forward to finally having my own classroom and helping as many students as I could, both with their writing and life skills. As fate would have it, however, I was unable to find a teaching job. Instead, I was given the title of paraprofessional at a local high school. Basically, a para is a one on one for a particular student who has some sort of special need.

I've really wrestled with this title. On the one hand, I love the student I work with and feel so blessed to have this position. But I can't help but think to myself, "I worked my butt off for four long years. Why isn't it paying off?" I consistently worry about what my family and friends think of me in regard to my career, and at times, I can get down on myself about it. "I wasn't good enough for a teaching position" is an unfortunate statement that creeps into my mind more often than it should. What makes it even more difficult is the more time I go without teaching a class, the less capable I feel in that sort of position. It's a pretty vicious cycle and, if you let it, your confidence can dwindle as a result.

What I've learned (and am still learning) is that God doesn't put you in tough situations for no reason. He uses these times of confusion, frustration, and sadness to grow you into the person you're meant to be.

I don't know if I'll end up being a teacher next year. I don't know if I'll be a para, a writer, or maybe a housewife. Whatever comes my way, though, I know it is in God's plan, and I should do my best not to question it.

Tshirt, Jeans, Sandals-similar

May we all bloom no matter the season,

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

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!

Monday, March 9, 2015

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,

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

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!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Thursday Thoughts...

Happy Thursday!

Today, I'm linking up with Meagan at Beautiful Things to share a few of my random Thursday thoughts! Enjoy!

I think....

*I am SO flippin' excited to get on this cruise ship. Seriously, y'all, I'm getting to spend an entire week away from work, stress, technology, the works. I'M READY!

*The new Walking Dead episode should start working...right.meow.

*Speaking of t.v., I cannot believe Netflix aired season 3 of House of Cards for a full thirty minutes...and then took it down. #whyGod

*My coworker told me my pants looked appropriate for spring time. It's still winter...#oops

* Sushi sounds glorious right now. And chickfila. and movie theater popcorn.

*You shouldn't let your 9-5 get in the way of your dreams!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Spring Wish List

So I realize it's still winter, and the north is dealing with an INSANE snow storm right now, but I can't help but daydream about warmer weather! I'm leaving on a cruise to Mexico and Honduras in less than two weeks, so I am definitely on the lookout for spring outfits and accessories to accompany me on the trip. Here are a few pieces that I'd love to add to my closet:

1. High-Neck Halter Bikini

Get it here!

2. Floral, Flowy Romper

Get it here!

3. Boho Off the Shoulder dress

Get it here!

4. Sheer Lace Maxi

Get it here!

5. Diamond Print Joggers

Get them here!

6. Baby Doll Dress

Get it here!

7. Ankle Strap Sandals

Get them here!

Believe me, y'all, this list could go on for days. There are SO many cute things I want to get my hands on for this spring, but we will just have to wait and see...

XOXO,

Monday, February 2, 2015

The best drug store mascara EVER (that you've probably never heard of)

As a full fledged girly girl, I can admit that I have always had a major love affair with mascara. I literally can't walk into the local Walmart without walking out with a new one to try! I've found a few over the years that I loved, but the one I am about to show you is, by far, the best I've ever tried. And even better, it's a cruelty free brand! Hooray! Ladies and sassy gentlemen, may I present to you...

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara!

Price: $2.99 (no, that is not a typo!)

What I love most about this mascara is that it gives me that falsies look with little effort. One coat of mascara on each eye leaves my lashes looking so long and thick; and since I have naturally blonde lashes, the black color makes them look even more striking. It's definitely my go to eye product, both for a night on the town or when I'm just in a rush to get to work on time. And in case you were wondering, yes, it does last all day with minimal smudging! In the pictures below, I compared my drug store mascara with the well known Urban Decay Perversion mascara. For each eye, I applied only one coat. Check out the results (and excuse my awkward eyeball pictures):

Perversion


Jordana

As you can see, Jordana gives a much longer lash with its first coat. Don't get me wrong, Perversion does awesome work, too, but Jordana takes it to a new level! Check out my lashes from another angle...

Perversion

Jordana

With Perversion costing twenty two bucks and Jordana only costing three, I think I know which one will be my go-to mascara. :) You can pick it up at your local Walgreens!

What do you guys think?!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

A Pop of Red

Hooray for Thursday!

This week has gone by SO fast! I love waking up feeling like it's Tuesday and realizing you're almost done with your work week. As if this week couldn't get any better, on January 18th, Kyle and I will be celebrating our one year wedding anniversary. I can't believe how fast a year has flown by. People always tell me your first year of marriage is the hardest, but I think it was the best year of my life. We will probably celebrate by going down to Atlanta for a nice dinner and some exploring - we're saving the real celebration for our anniversary cruise next month. :)

ANYWAY, enough of the sappy stuff - The outfit below was something I paired together for an afternoon out with my hubs. It was FREEZING out, so I knew a warm, cuddly scarf was a must. The downside of those kinds of scarfs though is feeling like the rest of my outfit was drowning in it. I needed a pop of color to outshine the scarf, and my red cowboy boots were just the ticket! I actually got lots of compliments on this look, and I felt warm and stylish all day long.

Gap Polka Dot Boyfriend Blouse - Similar style here (ON SALE!)
Rampage Walden Red Boots - Peep them here (ON SALE!)
Levi's 535 Leggings - Similar style here (Style "Indigo Affection" ON SALE!)
Loose-Knit Fringe Scarf - Similar style here (ON CLEARANCE!)

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Goals for 2015

Hey everyone!

So I'm typically not one to make New Year's Resolutions - to me, if you want to change your life, you don't need a certain day of the year to make it happen. However, even I can admit the old adage of "new year, new me!" is something that really excites me nowadays! My life is wonderful in so many ways, but there will always be room for improvements. Check out a few of my goals for the new year (and no, "getting in great shape" isn't one of them!):

1. Trust God wholeheartedly

Y'all, I make a ton of mistakes when I don't ask God for help. I can't see the future or where I'll be in ten years, so why would it make sense to think I could make good decisions for my life without seeking God's wisdom? It's not possible! Though it's hard to let God have the steering wheel, I have found that I am more at peace after doing so. Relying on him has taken so much pressure off me, and I only expect even greater things to come from trusting in him.

2. Travel A LOT

I'm young, I have few responsibilities (aside from my dog and being a good wifey), and I live a very frugal lifestyle with my husband. We can afford to see the world, and now is the time to take the opportunity! Besides, if we have kids in a few years, we can kiss all the fun vacations good bye (for a while, at least). So far, we're planning to travel to Honduras, The Bahamas, Mexico, Las Vegas, Paris, and Rome. I'm definitely looking forward to putting even more places on that list as the year progresses!

3. Make Unapologetic Choices

Do you hear that? It's opinions, EVERYWHERE. Your family, friends, acquaintances - they all feel like they've earned the right to say whatever pops into their heads about your life. Though those opinions are usually valued, you cannot let them dictate how you live. Looking into the new year, my hope is that I make decisions based on the wants and needs of my own family. I'd hate to look back and realize I made major life choices based on what other people told me to do. Feeling guilty about living life our way ends now!

4. Get comfortable in my new town

I've been living outside of Atlanta for a little over a year now. Despite that, I still refer to Gastonia as "home." It's time to create a new home for myself, here in Georgia. This means getting out of my shell, making friends, and getting involved with organizations that inspire me. Of course I'll never take for granted where I came from and the friends I made while living in North Carolina, but it's time to make a new life in the here and now!

5. Make my home feel more like a home

My husband and I built our own home about a year ago. It's a huge blessing and certainly something we're proud of, but right now, it still looks like a "cookie cutter" house. The walls are white, decorations are awkwardly hung (Lord knows I'm not an interior designer), and there's a pile of unused frames and portraits sitting in our "junk room" (yes, there's a whole room). This year, I want to make our home a reflection of our taste and personalities. If that means painting the dining room bright red and having a giant elephant statue sitting in the corner, so be it! It's our home and it will be beautiful.

What are your goals this year?
XOXO,

Friday, January 2, 2015

After Christmas Bargains

Hooray for Friday!

So I've been meaning to write this post for a few days now, but I've just been so busy - being completely lazy. Seriously y'all, I've slept til noon, watched one too many Dr. Phil episodes, read books, you name it. Productivity simply was not on the to do list - until now!

On the 26th, my mom asked me to meet her and some family at a local outlet mall for some after Christmas shopping. My husband was totally confused, understandably. "You just got tons of gifts yesterday. You need to go shopping already?!" Little did hubs know, you can find the best deals the day after Christmas. And when I say good deals, I mean like I may move Christmas a week forward in our family to save all that extra cash (kidding, ~~kind of~~). Check out what I managed to snag:

1. Old Navy Terry Fleece Dress