Shopping My OWN Closet

You may all want to sit down for this one...I have decided that I have too many clothes that I never wear.  I know...kind of out of character for me to say such nonsense...but alas its true.  I was standing in my closet  last weekend after we got back from Florida and thought how many of my tank tops I never wear.  I have dresses that I still have yet to find an occasion to wear.  I absolutely love shopping and cannot imagine my life without it, but I decided I may be able to recreate my hobby in my very own closet.  It is epic you know!  So my new goal (for now) is to try shopping some new looks from my own closet.

This past Sunday was family dinner, and I used it as my first chance to try out my new life philosophy. I bought this blue silk tank top on ebay almost 3 years ago and I think I have worn it twice.  Cobalt blue is a big trend right now for fall.  My next idea with this top is to pair it with my blue floral pants for a fun monochromatic look...stay tuned!  Side note...if you don't own a pair of slingback platform pumps like these, you should.  I have worn these so much that I need to get the heels fixed.  They literally go with everything!

(Close up of my Godmother necklace that I wear all the time.  Missing my niece so much already!)

Top - BEBE, Similar top at Macy's by Tommy Girl 

Shorts - Loft, Really cool pair at Macy's from the MADE Fashion Week Collection

Shoes - Guess, Similar style at Lord and Taylor in silver

Same pumps as mine in nude at Macy's on sale for $52!  Great deal!

Tube Tops get Fancy

One of my favorite people, my homie Laura, was home for a week this summer recently.  We always have so much fun when we get together, and this time was no different!  A summer night bbq and dinner in Royal Oak were our visits this time.  As usual, I took the chance to dress up a little :-)  Now normally, I am not a fan of tube tops.  They feel a bit too young for me at this stage in life.  But this yellow top from The Limited is not the typical tube top.  Its silk and has some boning and ruffles in the front so its structured.  It is the kind of top that works great with jeans or skirts, dressed up or casual.  And I found it on the clearance rack, so bonus!  And it was the perfect occasion to wear my new bracelet from my Dad and Diane!  (It was a thank you gift for watching the dog...poor Jon did most of the work and only got some fancy ketchup!)

Top - The Limited, Very cute option with floral print at Sears

Jeans - J Brand from Nordstrom

Wedges - Jessica Simpson, Similar style by Steve Madden at Macy's

Bracelet - Similar styles on Etsy

Healthy Spin on Lunchables

Hello friends!  Summer is in full swing now...its almost August!  I don't know about you all, but its been one crazy busy summer so far.  The kids have been in one camp or class after another and its kept us on the go a lot of the days.  Many of those days, we had lunch in the car or at the park in between camps.  I know I would get bored with a sandwich everyday, so I try to mix things up for them too.  But, with one picky eater, its really challenging sometimes!  They both always ask me for lunchables when we go to the grocery store..but those things are SO bad for you.  I'm not even sure if the lunch meat or cheese in those is real...and it is definitely full of preservatives and chemicals they don't need to be eating.  And I am always the bad guy who says no.

So...I came up with a new version that is healthy and still fun for the kids.  I bought all the ingredients separate and then made them their own lunchables.  I started with some crackers, usually Kashi Original 7-Grain.  They have some really good gluten free options too if you prefer.  The twins love salami so I get the Applegate Organics Uncured Salami.  They are perfect because they are small enough to fit on the crackers! Cheese is the easy part, just get whatever kind your kids like best.  I buy the Horizon Organic Cheddar slices and just break them into smaller squares.  And voila...homemade, healthy, organic lunchables!  Happy lunching!!!

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Dad's Birthday Party

This past Sunday was my dad's birthday and Uncle Jeff's birthday.  They were born on the same day, five years apart.  So cool huh?  We had a great time celebrating with them!  It was such a great day, complete with laughs, tears, and some very poorly assembled ice cream sandwiches (thanks to me!).  I love that I get to spend birthdays with my dad...he's such a special dude!  Happy Birthday again Dad!!!

I finally got a picture of me wearing my new white blazer from my birthday.  Thanks to my wonderful husband for scouring the mall to find the perfect one!  I am in love with it and have worn it a bunch already.  This was the first chance I had to take a picture of it.  The weather here has been so confusing lately so getting dressed in the morning is a challenge.  I am cold in the morning and cold in the evening, but then its warmer all day.  I liked this outfit because I was never too hot or too cold.  I'm so looking forward to some actual summer dressing!

Blazer - Armani Exchange 

Sheer T-Shirt - Express, Similar style on ASOS

Silk Shorts - Paige Premium via Nordstrom Rack, Similar pair on Bluefly

Shoes - Steve Madden, Similar flats (sadly minus the red flower) at Zappos

Short Season is Upon Us

Yes friends, that is correct.  Its short season here in Michigan...hope your legs are ready.  I know I had to slap on some major self tanner so as not to blind the world.  Man, these babies haven't seen sun in awhile!  It really feels like summer when its finally warm enough for shorts.  I would not have guessed that it would be this hot before Memorial Day, but that's Michigan weather for you.  My next outfit post will probably be a sweater :-)

My wonderful mom bought me these Joe's shorts for my birthday on one of our shopping trips.  I fell in love with them right away.  They fit perfectly, which is especially hard for me to find in shorts.  I already have these marked for my 4th of July outfit!  I might wear these every week this summer...I love them that much!

(Pardon the photo of my butt...wanted to show the embroidered belt!)

T-Shirt - Ann Taylor Loft $20

Shorts - Joe's Jeans via Nordstrom Rack, Similar red cutoffs at Old Navy $17.50

Belt - Embroidered into the shorts, Similar one at Target $17

Peplum and Leopard

Happy Saturday folks!  We all made it through another week...another week closer to summer!  This outfit was my first try wearing my burgundy peplum Topshop shirt.  They now sell Topshop at Nordstrom too. The only problem...camera battery was dying so I only have one good shot to share.  I really wanted to get this top because I thought it would be great alone, or layered with a long sleeve underneath.  My bad because I ordered it too small and nothing really fits underneath without showing thru.  Thus, it has become warm weather only, for now.  I'm still working on layering it.

Top - Topshop, Similar top in coral at Piperlime, Leather look on Bluefly

Jeans - Paige Premium Denim at Nordstrom, Less $$ option at Old Navy

Shoes - Jessica Simpson, Similar pair on Zappos

P.S. GO RED WINGS!!!

Summer Temps and a Purple Tank

Thank the good Lord its finally spring/summer weather in the great state of Michigan!  I have been so anxious to wear some of my new summer gear (and old stuff too for that matter).  I found this great purple tank on the clearance rack at Kohls a couple weeks ago.  Its from the Jennifer Lopez collection...and I scored it for only $10!  I love the beading on it.  Side note...not great for holding babies because the beads are kind of scratchy on them.  My niece totally loved my metal cuff bracelet tho...makes a great baby toy!

Tank - On sale at Kohls, Other really cool options like this one on Piperlime

Jeans - Paige Denim from Nordstrom, More affordable option at Gap

Wedges - Guess from Macy's, Not many like mine but these by Lucky Brand are close

This season's Guess wedges are really cool too!

Happy Spring Shopping!!!