First Day of School

Summer is my favorite season. I'm sad to be grabbing my boots and scarf because it's too cold for sandals and sleeveless tops. Hopefully we get a few more hot days before the chill sets in. In the meantime, I'm guessing this will be a pretty standard look for me and the rest of Northwest Ohio for the coming weeks as school starts and Fall blows in.

I do appreciate that the trends are moving towards minimalism--that the basics are where it's at. An updated white t-shirt and jeans is really all you need.

Jeans - Gap - $9

T-shirt - Everlane - $15

Scarf - H&M - $3

Booties - Guess via DSW - $20

Today is CJ's first day of second grade and Cassi's first day of preschool. I'm looking forward to what our second year of officially homeschooling brings. Post coming soon on how we homeschool.

On Wednesday they're feelin' fine again

Happy Hump Day ladies! This week has been fun and fulfilling, but I'm so glad I've made it halfway through and the weekend is within my grasp.

Here's a basic look that you can create yourself for under $100 (see links below)!

Leather jacket - gifted - Similar white moto jacket for $27

Scarf - H&M - $6 - Similar for $9

Jeans - Banana Republic - $6 - Similar for $20

Booties - Guess via DSW - $20 - Similar for $20

T-shirt - Gap - $3 - Similar for $15

My New Shoes

My sister-in-law-to-be gave me these cute sandals on Easter. She bought them at a thrift store to wear for her rehearsal dinner, and decided to test them out on Easter Sunday. They were too uncomfortable for her, so she passed them on to me. When it comes to shoes, the last thing I care about is comfort. She is now my new favorite sister-in-law-to-be. I love these shoes!

Shoes - Seychelles - hand-me-down

Top - J.Crew via Goodwill - $3

Jeans - H&M - $2.50

Scarf - Goodwill - $.50

Trench coat - Zara - $69

Sunnies - Banana Republic - $17

Scarves and Stripes

Jeans - Gap - $8

Top - H&M - $2

Scarf - gifted

Booties - Guess via DSW - $20

Lately I haven't had time to blog daily. The past two weeks of posts have been blogged in spurts. I just schedule the posts so that your feed doesn't get inundated all at once. My husband's shoulder surgery has made me a single mom of three four kids for the time being. Chris has been a trooper about the pain and has been as independent as possible even though he can't use the arm that had surgery, but he still needs help here and there. I'm glad to help him but will be thankful for when I can pass the baby off to him for a respite. 

I wore this to a field trip the kids and I went to last week at the Mazza Museum.

The Mazza Museum is the only one of its kind in the country. It showcases original artwork from storybook illustrators. The perfect art gallery for a child!

Even Cassi enjoyed it!

After the tour of the museum they had the children do an art craft. They cut up pieces of tissue paper and then glued it on regular paper to create an animal.

Field trips are our favorite!

The Fort Worth Stockyards

On day two of my Texas trip, Jenny took us to the Fort Worth Stockyards. Such a fun touristy place with cute little shops, museums, and restaurants.

For walking around the historic district at The Stockyards I wore:

Jacket - Florence, Italy - gifted Similar for $300

Scarf - Target - gifted Similar for $5 plus free shipping!

Top - Gap - $4 Similar for $35

Jeans - H&M - $2.50 Similar for $27

Leopard flats - Gap - $7 Similar for $20

Sunglasses - Banana Republic - $17

Of course we had to stop for cupcakes - yum!

After the Stockyards we headed to Yucatan Taco Stand for lunch where Missi and Capri spent some time bonding while I scarfed down my food and more fried plantains in garlic aioli sauce than I care to admit. 

After dinner at home I switched out the flats for heels from Target ($8 - similar for $52) and a clutch from H&M (gifted - similar for $30) before heading to Times Ten Cellars. 

I haven't been to Fort Worth in five years and hope it won't be another five years before I'm back again. Such a fun town!

Roller Skating Like It's 1985

Today the children felt much better and we decided to do something crazy - like, meet a few other homeschool moms at the roller rink. It is raining today and this is such a great activity for a rainy day. I have fond memories of roller skating at roller rinks as a child and hope my children appreciated it as much as I did.

 I even got little toddler roller skates for Cassi. She loved it!

Isn't this the coolest roller rink ever? They allow strollers!

 My new-to-me Canon DSLR arrived yesterday. I'm so excited about taking family portraits and better selfies with this baby!

Sweater - Old Navy - $7 Similar for $34

Leggings - Nordstrom - $12 Similar for $18

Booties - Target - $8 Similar for $69

Scarf - H&M - $6 Similar for $12

Addicted to Heels

My husband and I were out perusing at the mall on Monday and when I showed my husband this t-shirt he said we absolutely had to get it. I can't imagine why.

T-shirt - Express - $6 (similar)

Cardigan - Calvin Klein via Goodwill - $4 (similar)

Fleece lined leggings - Wal-Mart - $5 (similar)

Wedges - Michael Antonio - $9 (similar)

Scarf - H&M - $6 (similar and only $4 and free shipping!)

Shopping Trip

 I've been craving some serious shopping time. Since my Birthday is Wednesday, my husband decided to indulge my craving this past Saturday and take me shopping all day. We took all three children, too. The kids did great, allowing me to shop till I dropped. I scored some really great end of season deals. The first weekend in February is always my favorite time to shop for Winter clothes. H&M had jeans for $2.50, I scored a pair of nude heels at Banana Republic that were normally $128 for $22 and DSW had shoes marked down to 80% off. You'll see a few of my finds on here in the following days.

Sheer tunic top - Kohl's - $3 (what I wish I was wearing)

Scarf - Target - gifted (similar)

Jeans - JBrand via eBay (similar)

Booties - Guess via DSW - $20 (similar)

Dressing for Sub Zero Temps

How am I dealing with sub zero temps? I am wearing two pairs of leggings, one of which are fleece lined, two pairs of socks, two t-shirts under the jean jacket, snow boots, and this scarf. I'll add my puffer jacket, gloves, and hat right before stepping out the door. 

Below 0 Temps and Cabin Fever

This Winter is going to be a long one. We've been having temps at 0 with wind chills way below that, and our ten day forecast doesn't look any better. Thankfully our house is nice and warm, but looking outside at the frigid air and our quick trips in it to and from the car requires me to bundle up.

The kids have cabin fever, as do I, so we're heading over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house today . . .

Scarf - handmade by my Mom

Sweater - Calvin Klein via Goodwill - $4

Boots - Michael Antonio - $9

Leggings - Nordstrom - $12

Beaded t-shirt - Calvin Klein via Goodwill - $3.50

Baby Coos and Coated Jeans

Capri's cuddles and coos are getting cuter everyday and Cassi's girlishness has blossomed out of the baby stage completely now. I love playing "make-up" and "hair bows" with Cassi while Capri is nestled in my arms cooing and smiling. Too precious. Poor CJ is craving as much "boy" time with his Dad as he can now, and he has asked me numerous times if I wouldn't mind having another baby to give him a brother. These days are pretty special. I keep thinking that before I know it they'll be grown and gone.

Capri is three months old today. She is now drooling all over the place, so I expect a tooth is on its way. She is a very contented baby and puts up with quite a lot with her two older siblings.

And in other news, I'm loving these coated jeans. The color is easy to wear--almost a neutral, and the stiffness in the fabric is very flattering.

Top - F21 - $5

Coated jeans - Old Navy - $9

Wedge booties - Target - $7

Scarf - c/o More Than Alive

Blanket Scarves

I was maybe 14 years old when I remember walking into Macy's and seeing these tall manikins draped in pastel hued wool scarves as large as blankets. I thought they were exquisite, but never voiced my opinion. That Christmas, one of my presents was one of those scarves from my Grandma who had flown in from out of State and just so happened to shop at that same department store I had gone into for all of the Christmas gifts she got that year. Back when I was that age, however, the scarf was worn as a shawl. For many of my church dresses, I proudly draped this scarf around my shoulders and felt as feminine and romantic as I possibly could.

Years later I still pull this scarf out every Fall/Winter season. Each year I find a new way to wear it.

Today I simply tied the two ends of the scarf together and instead of double looping it around my neck like an infinity scarf, I have it draped around one shoulder and the other loop right in front. Not only does it provide a lot of warmth, but it also doubles as a nursing wrap. Win.

Scarf - State 111 via Macy's - gifted

T-shirt - Gap - $3

Cardigan - Target - $7

Jeans - J.Brand via eBay - gifted

Gold wedge booties - Michael Antonio via Urban Outfitters - $9

Recovery

It's taken me a good long week to recover from the time change, travel, and sickness that occurred in Alaska. I've been grateful that the roads have been too treacherous for driving and the weather too cold to venture out so I had every excuse to stay indoors, relax, and just focus on getting back into our routine of homeschooling.

We were supposed to head to our homeschool co-op classes today, but they were canceled due to all this melting snow (it's going to be 39 degrees today) that is now turning to ice. I'm hoping that tomorrow the roads and weather will be clear so I can finally venture out and feel like a normal person again.

In the meantime, it felt good to put on some make-up, curl my hair, and put together an outfit today.

 Infinity scarf - handmade from my Mom (similar)

Chambray shirt - Goodwill for $3 (similar on clearance for $9 at Target)

Coated jeans - Old Navy - $9 (same)

Boots - Target (girl's section) - $7 (similar)

Spring in the Winter

Yesterday got up to 58 degrees. Yes, that's right - 58 degrees in Northwest Ohio! I had to strip down to just a t-shirt with all my running around. So this morning, I started out with just this:

 The forecast is calling for snow tonight, so I added the scarf and boots and switched out the jacket for another shirt so I wouldn't be layering a jacket under a cold weather coat.

 

 

I'm feeling pretty girly in all this pink!

 

Shirts - Goodwill

Pants - Gap

Boots - DSW

Flats - Gap

Scarf - Target

Jacket - Macy's