{playing dress up}

Happy Wednesday friends!

I have an outfit to share with you today, but first I want to share a little bit about the past week and how I'm doing so far with living into my "one little word" for 2014, which is...

{You can read more about why I chose that word here.}

I'm determined for this year to be the 365 days that I become more "me" in every sense of the word. I've been spending a lot of time on my art over the past few months, which of course I love, but some other things have taken a back seat. My health being one of the most important ones.

Over the past 6 months or so I've put on probably 10 pounds through stress eating and just not exercising. I blame a lot of this on the boys starting kindergarten and our family finding a new normal. It takes me a long time to adjust to big changes and when I'm stressed I turn to food, mostly sweets and snacks, and a lot of the time late at night. I've also been drinking more soda than I would care to admit. And I've been getting a TON of tension headaches. I've just felt like crap if I'm being totally honest. 

So since the new year has started I've been treating my body better. Lots more water. Healthy snacks. Lower calorie meals. {for the most part...let's just ignore last night's pizza and wine, shall we?}

And for the past week I've started using our treadmill again.

If you follow me on Instagram this is not news to you. :) 

I've used it for five different sessions in the past week for a total of about 11 miles and I feel SO good. I'm not big on using a scale...it doesn't motivate me...but I can tell a bit of a difference in my stomach and that makes me happy and is keeping me going. 

I typically get VERY motivated for a week or so with working out and then feel so good that I take a day off which turns to a few days, then a few weeks and then....well, you get the idea. So I'm trying to keep my momentum going and right now I feel like I can do it. 

I've also been practicing my doodling, finding inspiration through books, Pinterest and other artists. And I'm reading a lot more. I recently finished two books that fueled my desire to keep working on my art...

This great quote is from The War of Art...

I love that my word for the year is in there...I might have to doodle this one and frame it. :)

So with all of those things blended together, plus trying to be more present with the boys during our time together, I feel like I'm becoming more whole and living more fully into the person I'm meant to be. 

OK...are you still with me? You'll probably notice a few more outfit postings now that I'm feeling better in my clothes too and I have one to share today. This one is my typical mix of TJ Maxx and Target with a handmade accessory thrown in...

I love this new cozy sweater I picked up at TJ Maxx before Christmas, and this Target top is the perfect tunic length to wear with skinny jeans. 

The boots are from Ebay, earrings from Starburst Studio and the ring was a gift from my sister. 

Did you choose a word for 2014? 

I would love to hear about it and how you are living into it in the comments!

XO,

{playing dress up}

So last week I was OBSESSED with figuring out what I was going to wear to the Influence Conference.

OBSESSED I tell you.

I bought new clothes and shoes and accessories.

And I was uncomfortable in about 75% of everything I wore. 

Yeah...so there's that. 

And then on Sunday I changed back into my uniform + my new amazingly comfy infinity scarf from my new friend and Influence roomie Hannah...

And all was well with the world again.

I'm kicking myself for not taking this dress to the conference. It is my favorite piece because I feel 100% comfortable in my own skin in it. But I wear it so often that I thought I would feel frumpy in it. 

I was going through my notes from the conference tonight and this phrase stuck out at me...

Do your own thing and do it well.

So if your thing is a thrifted Target dress...wear it, and wear it well, right?

Right. :)

Next time I go to a blogging conference you can be sure I'll stick to what I do well. 

{hello monday}

I was so happy this morning to wake up and feel like I had a sufficient weekend. Quality time with the boys was much needed. After working the whole weekend after their first week of school we were all aching for time together. 

So yesterday morning we snuggled...

And we visited the homeland...

where I tried on some cute dresses to wear to the Influence Conference ...

{Yes I'm going! I need to do a post on this!}

This one ^^^ was the winner...it is so cute!

And before Ben could go to sleep last night he asked me to sit and rock him. The older he gets the more willing I am to say yes to this. School has been a big adjustment for him and I know feeling the safety of my arms helps him feel secure. And it doesn't hurt me either. ;)

And finally after the boys were in bed I was reunited with Jillian...

I've been a bit unhappy with my body {specifically my everlasting baby belly} lately, so I decided I have to do something about it. The last time I did the 30 Day Shred I lost 10 pounds, and that was only doing level 1 for 20 or so days, so I know that it works. 

I'm also trying to watch my calories...drinking smoothies for breakfast, snacking on healthier things like almonds and dried fruit. {OK...I did sneak in a few Starbursts today...can't take away this girl's sweet tooth completely.}

I actually felt ready to say hello to Monday today and for that I'm grateful.

I've also had another blogger and her family in my thoughts quite a bit. Diana from Hormonal Imbalances is facing an unthinkable situation with her newborn son, Kaden. You can find out more on this Facebook page. Today at lunch I had these Sara Bareilles lyrics stuck in my head and decided to doodle them with her sweet Kaden in mind...

If you have a moment could you pray for them? For healing for Kaden and peace for their family, in whatever form that will need to look like?

What are you saying hello to today?

Linking up with..

Blair
Lisa

{hello monday}

So I had planned on doing my "hello friday" post as usual but life was just too busy, so I'm saying hello to Monday instead!

Our weekend was one big rollercoaster, filled with lots of fun moments that were equalled with frustrating ones. Can I be honest and say that so far age 5 is REALLY challenging me?

Like "I haven't lost my cool this much since they were infants" challenging?

Boy are they ever asserting their independence these days. I know some of that is good and healthy, but saying no to us at just about every request is enough to turn even more of my hair gray, and I have enough of that stuff for my age! We've been doing a lot more time outs and taking away treats/privileges than we are use to with the boys lately and it isn't any fun. 

If you have gone through this stage with your kiddos, do you have any advice to offer? I'm really not handling it as well as I would like to be. 

But enough of that debbie downer-ness...here are some highlights from our past week...


Those smiles and giggles up there {click to watch the video} are how they have been getting away with so much lately.

We took a little day trip to a mall that is about an hour away {and just happens to have a train the boys can ride}...

$12 well spent...although I don't know how much longer Dan and I will be able to fit with them all in the same car! It was quite a squeeze!

I found some great new sandals and flats on clearance at Target and DSW...

And the sandals are such a perfect match to this TJ Maxx dress I'm wearing today...

And they are SO comfy!

I also did some more doodling of course...

And finished these pendants so I could get them in the shop...

Did you know you can get a free printable of your choice with any purchase today? {wink} Just enter the printable you would like in the notes to seller at check-out!

Hope you're having a wonderful Monday friends!

Linking up with...

Wild & Precious
Lauren Elizabeth

{$50 Target Giveaway}

Who wants to win $50 to Target?

Who doesn't, right? :)

I'm teaming up with Kelley from The Grant Life and her other lovely sponsors to give one lucky gal or guy a $50 Target giftcard!

Enter to win via the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{$50 Target giveaway}

Happy Friday friends!

What better way to start off the weekend than with a giveaway, right? And this is a gooood one...

I'm so excited to be teaming up this month with my friend Kelley from The Grant Life to offer one lucky winner a $50 Target gift card!

Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{playing dress up with eShakti}

I have a special playing dress up post for you today!

Have you heard of eShakti?

They are a unique and exciting online clothing store that believes that all women have the right to wear affordable fashion. eShakti offers both design and fit customization for women size 0 through 36.

Where did the name come from? Shakti means power in Sanskrit. So, internet + Shakti = eShakti! Their store gives you the power to create clothing that is made to fit just you. You can order in traditional sizes, or you can give them your measurements and they will make a piece made to fit you exactly. 

Awesome, right?! 

When I saw this dress on their site I knew it was perfect for me. It is classic but also has the quirky touches that I like.

I absolutely love this dress...it is a beautiful shade of deep purple and so well made. I gave them my custom measurements so this dress was made just to fit my body. And I am very impressed with how perfectly it fits!

Dress c/o eShakti

One of my favorite things about this dress are the pockets...

Target boots

They are oversized and accented with buttons...such a fun addition to this piece.

I accessorized it with my own earrings and bracelet which both have the same deep purple shade...

Kohl's earrings and bracelet

eShakti just launched an adorable spring line. You can check it out here!

I was provided with this dress by eShakti but all opinions are 100% mine!

{favorite outfits of 2012}

When I decided to do a recap of my favorite outfits from 2012 I didn't realize that I would provide so much inspiration for myself.

That may sound funny but for the past few months I've been in a bit of a fashion rut, and looking back through my old posts gave me so many fresh ideas for the wardrobe I already have. It helped me to look at my closet with fresh eyes and renewed my excitement to get dressed up for work every day.

Sooo...here are my top 10 outfits from 2012...

#1

My favorite outfit of the year...of course it includes a comfy sweater, boots and my go-to Kohl's scarf...

#2

First time wearing a dress over skinny jeans...I love the feather print on this dress from Charming Charlie...

#3

Pairing a scarf with a long necklace...

#4

I really love layering over a summer dress to make it work for colder weather...this green tank dress from TJ Maxx can be worn so many ways...

#5

Another great summer dress turned winter outfit...

#6

Chambray and chevron with a little DY necklace action...

#7

Love everything about this one...and I wish my hair would look like this every day!

#8

Chambray dress from Target and one of my favorite necklaces for a great summer look...

#9

Same chambray dress with my favorite thrifted sweater for a cozy fall outfit...

#10

Mixing patterns for a casual summer look...

There you have it! I'm so glad I did this post...even if it is just to help me re-learn how to use my closet again. I learned a few things from going back through my outfits...

1. You can never go wrong with your favorite comfy outfit combination. For me it is sweater + boots + scarf.
2. Pattern mixing...don't be afraid of it!
3. Layering in the winter months can really help you use your closet to its fullest potential.
4. Staples like a chambray dress can be worn SO many ways.

I hope this has inspired you too...I'm excited for another year of playing dress up!

{The Curiosity Shoppe at Target}

There is probably a very good reason that the closest Target store to us is a 30 minute drive.

Actually more than a few good reasons...especially since I discovered their new Curiosity Shoppe line. So quirky and super affordable. Love!

Pillow - $10

Chalkboard - $15

Salad Servers - $15

Melaboo Dinner Plates - set of 4 - $12

Acrylic Tumblers - set of 4 - $8

Service Bell - $10

Considering that last one for my boys ;)

And $10 for that adorable arrow pillow? Crazy. I'm having a hard time keeping that one out of my online shopping cart.

Have you checked out the Curiosity Shoppe at Target? What are your favorite items?