WIWW March 27

Here are my outfits:

1.  Meeting at Logan's school.

My grandmother's owl necklace.

2. I ended up helping at our former church coordinating a wedding this weekend.  I needed to be comfortable for the rehearsal.  Turns out I was also a little frumpy.  I can always tell when it's time for laundry.

3.  This was the wedding day.  Again, needed comfort and the ability to run around (in case anything needed fixing) but also wanted to look presentable for the guests and wedding party.  I've also learned that pockets are a must, to hold the wireless mic receiver, keys to lock the brides room and anything else required that day.

4.  I hosted a few friends over at the house.  These are 2 pieces from my first Stitch Fix.

5.  Stayed in my yoga pants all day since all we did was play, clean and laundry.

6.  I took my dad over to the new house.  I needed to confirm some of the cabinetry options.  It was really cold so I wanted to be warm but I also knew we'd be walking around a construction site so I didn't want to wear my suede boots.  (BTW, Sophie took this picture for me.)

7.  Sophie and I had some errands this morning.  I still need to get some of my clothes laundered since I didn't feel that I had much to choose from this morning.  How is it that I can do laundry everyday and still not find anything to wear?

Stitch Fix #1

I read about this online personal shopping/stylist company on another blog and decided to check it out.  It's called Stitch Fix.  You sign up, answer a bunch of questions about your sizes, preferences, style, etc.  You decide when they ship you stuff.  Then someone chooses some items for you, mails them to you and you decide which ones you want to keep, send back what you don't want.  Here's the catch...you pay a $20 stylist fee but that gets applied to any items you purchase.  You also get a discount if you buy everything in the box.  For me the other catch is most items cost more than I would normally spend but that's also a good thing.  Why, you ask? Because I can add some pieces to my wardrobe that I wouldn't buy because I wouldn't even be in the stores where they were sold.  You schedule when you get shipments, either on a regular basis (i.e. every month) or just when you say so (that's what I did).  I got my first box this week.  I have 3 days to check everything out and decide what I want to keep.

 

Inside this fairly small box was 5 items: a sweater, a cardigan, 2 tops, and a pair of earrings.

Here's the thing that completely sold me on at least trying them out.  My difficulty in shopping is trying to figure out which pieces to put together.  And if I'm not shopping for a complete outfit, but just picking something that might go with something I already have in my closet, you can forget about it.  Each clothing piece in the box came with a card that showed the item with a couple of ideas to complete it.

So I can just take the card with me when I go shopping and find pieces that will work.  Genius!  I'm thinking I might even be able to do this with things I've pinned, just print out the pinned item and take it with me.

I actually liked everything in the box but there were a couple of issues.  First, the earrings are cute and I would definitely wear them but for the price I could buy half a dozen things at Sam Moon that would be just as cute.  Second, sleeves on the cream sweater were really tight, like so tight I couldn't get them pulled up all the way.  Honestly , I think it may be a defect because I'm not "big boned" by any stretch, and yet I could barely get my hand in.  And once it was in, it felt a little like those Chinese finger handcuffs.  You know the ones that look like a woven tube, where you stick a finger in each end, but when you pull to get your finger out the tube pulls tight and your stuck.  That's what it felt like when I was trying to pull the sleeve off.

Here's my dilemma...if I buy 4 of the items it costs the same as getting the whole box (because the discount is equal to the price of the most expensive item).  Although, I don't necessarily need the earrings, I'm leaning toward just taking the whole box.  Part of the point for me was to get things I wouldn't normally buy (either because I wouldn't take the risk style-wise or price) so even the earrings fit that bill. And if I'm getting everything else (including the earrings), I might as well keep the sweater. I have a cousin who might be able to fit the sweater, or I may be able to stretch the sleeves a bit, or even sell it or donate it.

Oh, I did take some pictures of the pieces on.  The cardigan actually works with one of the tops.  Just ignore the pants.  Next time I'll actually put the items with things that work.

cardigan with the tank

 

just the tank

"gray" top that is actually brown

Obviously, I didn't a picture of the sweater on.  I had a camisole that worked under the gray/brown shirt and I thought it actually worked with the teal pants I was wearing.  I also think it would be good as a cover-up for a swimsuit I have.  I have a pair of gray skinny jeans that I think will work with the tank and cardigan. The cardigan will be easy to find other pieces to pair it with.

So, I think I've talked my self into keeping the whole box.  I'm sure you'll be seeing these items in my WIWW posts and I'll probably get another fix in a couple of months.

Accomplished: The Fridge

I decided to clean out the fridge today.  I'd like to say it's something I do regularly but let's face it I only think about it when there's something stinky in it.

I took everything out, cleaned the shelves and drawers.

I threw out anything expired (or just plain gross).  I even tried to organize the stuff when I put it back.

What I Wore Wednesday March 20

I'm starting to re-wear more outfits each week and so I don't always think to take a picture.  But the purpose of this "little experiment" for me was to put more thought into what I wear each day as well as get an idea of my style so I know what clothes to buy to update my wardrobe.

Here's some of this week's outfits:

Check out more styles at the Pleated Poppy.

Meal Plan March 18

Last week was Spring Break so we had lots of meals away from home.  I was able to stick with the plan the week before and it worked out well including some meals that used pre-cooked chicken and ground beef.

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Logan's school is starting a new program where they will serve breakfast in his classroom at the beginning of the day.  It's a free program and all we have to do is get to school 5 minutes earlier than normal.  He also buys his lunch 2-3 times a week so that takes care of so much of my menu.  Here's the plan for this week's dinners:
Sessler Salads
Chicken, Thyme and Tomatoes (I'll make extra to freeze for later.)
Mom's Salmon Patties (She's in town to help with the kids so of course, I've requested this meal.)
Freezer Crockpot meal (I have a couple left so I'm using those up.)
King Ranch Chicken (Pinned by the my friend who is sitting for me.)
We'll have a day of leftovers and also one where Paul will be in charge because I have plans.

I'm having a get together this weekend so I'll be checking my Pinterest board for some fun treats to serve.

WIWW March 13

Here are the outfits:

 I paired my mustard-y print tank with the cardigan for a change, but I didn't really like it.

Turquoise pants with a peasant blouse from Target.

 

 

 Green cords with this blouse for our trip to Legoland and Sealife.

Casual day at home.

New watch from Avon, I've worn it several times.  I wasn't sure if I had enough options for it.

 I wore my Indian top to a dinner and seminar at the adoption agency.

 Another top to go with the turquoise pants.  This is actually the same shirt I was wearing when I bought them, so I knew I had at least one top that worked with them.

Another top to wear with the mint cardigan my mom gave me for Christmas.  My sister and I did some shopping and I found some new jewelry, including a bubble necklace that I can wear the next time I wear this shirt.

 A little red and blue, with my navy nautical jacket.  The weather has been crazy, cool in the mornings then really warm in the afternoon.

Beige cords with the purple top and scarf.  That scarf is definitely getting some mileage.  This time instead of knotting it I used a ponytail holder to cinch it.

I subbed at the preschool today so I made sure I was comfortable.  The jacket was needed as I knew I'd be out on the playground part of the morning.

Meal Plan Monday March 4

So here's what we had last week.
Monday: Mexican Chicken Casserole:  This was pretty good but I may try it in the crockpot next time.  I did it as the original site had it.

Tuesday:  Paula Dean's Spaghetti Casserole:  This was okay, not much difference than regular spaghetti and sauce but a bit more work.
Wednesday:  Sessler Salad: Spinach with feta, pecans, strawberries and a strawberry vinaigrette
Thursday: CORN
Friday:  Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
Saturday:  Turkey and Cucumber Wrap:  These were actually pretty good but don't know if the kids will like them (they were Grandma's).
Sunday:  Chili (my mom's recipe):  Everyone loves this.

Here's the plan for this week at least until we go on vacation:
Maple Glazed Chicken (freezer crockpot)
Broccoli Chicken Casserole (frozen shredded chicken)
Chicken Penne Pasta
Taco Bagel Bites (frozen browned beef): This is a make and freeze recipe so we'll eat what we want then freeze the rest.

Gooey Butter Cookies

My Aunt Sadie recently visited Texas and brought these amazing cookies.

She was nice enough to share her recipe and I'm sharing it with y'all.  I decided to make them yesterday for dessert.  I have no idea how many this recipe makes since the kids were eating them as fast as I could pull them off the cookie sheets.

The Ingredients

Yep, just 3 items, oops, 4...I forgot to include the powdered sugar.  You mix the cake mix, 2 eggs, and a full tub of cool whip.  Then you drop a spoonful in some powdered sugar to coat it.  Place on a cookie sheet, than bake 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.

That's it, very simple and oh so good.  Now I will say these were very messy, the dough is more like cake batter than cookie dough.  I sprayed my cookie sheets with cooking spray but I don't know if that's necessary.  I also only put about 6 on a cookie sheet because they expand a lot.  The "official" recipe is below.  Enjoy!

Gooey Butter Cookies

1 white or yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1 tub cool whip
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix cake mix, eggs, and cool whip together.  Drop spoonfuls of dough into powdered sugar and toss or roll to coat.  Place balls on cookie sheet.  Bake 10-12 minutes, cool slightly before romoving from sheet.  Hide from others or share, your choice.

Scrapping Saturday March 2

About a year ago I bought a Smash book because it was on sale.  Wasn't sure exactly how I would use it since I'm a pretty traditional scrapbooker but I thought it might provide me some creative inspiration, trying something new.

Around my birthday, I decided I'd used the Smash book to document my life trying to separate the mommy me from the rest of me (whatever that is).  Most of the pictures I take have my kids in them and Consequently I'm in very few shots.  As with many new endeavors, my immediate buy-in loses some momentum and I didn't do much with the album for months.

 

I don't have my calendar at the moment so I've left some stuff blank until then.  I didn't have any pictures with me in them during September so I just left a blank page. Once I look at my calendar I'll add some journaling.

 

I decided now was the time.  Some habits are hard to break, so it's still chronological and I even used some calendar pockets.

 

 

Those actually will work out well.  I can write the different activities or highpoints during the month and use the pocket to put the memorabilia until I can actually glue it all in.  I used some Project Life journal cards to write lists, bullet points, stories, etc.

I didn't do a great job of keeping ticket stubs and other small stuff but I'll start watching for other things I can I add to the album.

 

I've started getting myself in front of the camera more so it was nice to be able to add those to the album.

Now that I've started the album and I can see the possibilities, I think keeping it up will be much easier.