Endearing

top: Old Navy, jeans: Charlotte Russe, sandals: Old Navy, watch: tourist shop in Gatlinburg, TN, necklace: gift from Hubs

Saturday morning, I had a meeting that called for a casual, but put together look. This is what I came up with and it was a fantastic, comfortable outfit that translated from morning meeting to evening church, and then to a much needed girls' night out with my friend, Alida. I'll talk more about my meeting at a later date, but exciting things are ahead! Woo! Alida and I went out for coffee, got junk food from the dollar store, stocked up on a giant bucket of popcorn (which we barely dented), and saw the movie, "The Family." Holy intense, Batman. These adorable shift tops are on sale for $12 at the local Old Navy, buddies. You're welcome.

My husband always captures the most endearing photos. I was doing The Carlton in the middle of our street, and... well, I have no words.

High five if you caption my crazy! Hope you're having a great week so far!

Back in the Pile + FundayMonday Link-Up

 dress and cardigan: Old Navy, oxfords: Ross

This dress has been in my "to donate" pile for ages. However, because I have no clothes (or a very minimal amount of choices) at this point in time, I rummaged through my own pile of things to get rid of for something to wear. I think it still belongs in that pile, but for a quick run to pick Sadie up from school and to the grocery store, it wasn't a total miss. This chunky cardi and my studded oxfords sort of make everything better. Big thanks to my sweet friend, Alida, for taking these photos!

Linking up with Molly and Carly.

Confessional Friday: The Missing Wardrobe

I've mentioned a few times that I "have no clothes" and I'd explain it at a later date. I touched on the subject in Monday's post, but here's a more in-depth rundown. When we planned our family vacation with my dad's extended family in June, my husband wasn't going to come. We couldn't afford to rent a van (which we'd need for two adults, two children, two dogs, and all the things for a week-long haul) AND have him lose money from not being at work. So, in an effort to raise the money we needed for traveling and cover his loss, I sold our household decorative items that weren't necessary and a ton of my clothes. NOT because anyone asked me to, but because I knew where the money-making items were in the house and I wanted, pretty much  more than anything, for my husband to get a break from work and get to spend some time with his girls (and me). Between shelving, shadow boxes, wall art, some donated items from a friend, and a hefty chunk of my wardrobe, I raised $1000 in the nick of time. 

It was SO.WORTH.IT. We had an awesome time, Hubs got to really bond with the girls, I got a little bit (reiterate: little bit) of a break because he was there to share parental duty with me. 

But, with the memories saved and the seasons changing, I'm taking a big hit with my half-missing wardrobe. I sold brand new jeans that I had yet to hem. Tags still on and everything. And I knew only clothing in good shape would make good money, so I sold some of my best things. Nothing items that I was emotionally attached to, but things I wore and things I loved... things I go to grab, now, and they aren't there. 

And I'm in this funky "nothing fits" time of life where the bulk of what I got rid of was the size that I am right now. I have maternity clothes or clothes that are XL/XXL that I bought for pregnancy and after, which hang all over me like a paper bag (not in the cute J.Crew way). And I have 10/12 bottoms and medium tops, which I'm not anywhere near right now. I just never knew how emotional I'd be about stuff and things. It's sort of embarrassing to say that I miss my clothes. But what I miss is wearing things that make me feel pretty and good and not having to rig some jeans that don't fit and layer a zillion things so you don't see lines and rolls. It's a part of me- in my nature- to dress nicely. Dress well and feel well. And right now, my emotions and my attitude feel like a moppy t-shirt and ill fitting yoga pants. 

Is it wrong to pray for a shopping fairy?

When Everyone's Watching

I'm not usually one of those people who doesn't smile in my photos, however, I felt super awkward in this extremely busy spot, downtown, this morning. I was so much more concerned with hurrying up than smiling! Sad, but true. Someone literally stopped in the MIDDLE of the road and said, "Hey, baby, I'll take your picture." I almost said, "Really? That'd be so helpful." Then, I decided that probably wasn't in my or Norah's best interest. I promise I'm happy, though. Even if you can't tell in today's pictures.

 dress: Forever21 (as skirt), tank: Maurices c/o, sandals and belt: Target, shades: NY&Co

 Y'all, it's so sad that the first thing I think of when I look at this outfit is, "I can't wait until I can wear regular bras, again!" I know there are amazing, supportive, miraculous nursing bras that make the girls look incredulous. But those bras aren't in my budget and these more affordable ones make me look like I could use some Aunt Jemima poured on the flapjacks. Lovely image to leave you with on this fine Thursday. See you tomorrow, lovelies!

What I Ate Wednesday: Add Kale!

azLeft or center justified, y'all? I cannot decide. Seriously, the things I think about...

Last night, I made a quick, delicious, and healthy dinner that I wanted to share with you! I don't have a fancy name for it, so maybe you could name it. This meal will be a staple in our house from now on. Well, except that Sadie said (and I quote), "This is disgusting. Don't make this recipe ever again." Norah double fisted it, and Hubs and I enjoyed it, so 3/4 isn't bad. Sadie'll come around.

Ingredients:
- 16 oz whole wheat spaghetti (or any shape pasta you like)
- 1 red onion, sliced thinly
- 2-4 garlic cloves, minced
- a whole bunch of kale, destemmed (I used bagged, so only had to toss some stem pieces)
- 4 roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 + 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 
1. Cook pasta in salted water to al dente, drain
2. Saute onion and garlic in 2T olive oil for 3 minutes, or until onions begin to look translucent
3. Add half of your kale and wilt completely, but don't overcook- you still want the vivid green color
4. Dump kale, onions, and garlic back into pasta pot, add pasta on top
5. Add the remainder of your kale and the diced tomatoes and wilt
6. Throw the kale and tomatoes on top of the pasta, add the other 2T of olive oil, S & P and toss
7. Serve hot and add some grated parmesan on top if you'd like!

 This has also been my go-to lunch, lately. A friend introduced me to it and I cant get enough! My version is spinach, blueberries, deli roasted turkey breast, feta, almond slices, and the dressing is really what makes it! It's Breanna's (I think...) all natural Poppy Seed dressing. And it's the full fat, real deal. So, I literally drizzle it for a hint of flavor. There is an enormous heap of spinach down there!

So, what are we naming my delicious pasta? I found a recipe that suggested the kale and tomatoes, but didn't end up following the rest, so that went out the window and I made something all my own!

Inclined to Say

I'm inclined to say a few things, today. First, my musical inclination has led me to a wonderful position, teaching music at my daughter's preschool. I teach two groups each Tuesday morning and today was, by far, the very best lesson we've had to date. We focused on movement, so I brought a tambourine and slide whistle, and the kids responded so well. *Pat on back.* I'm also inclined to say that I fit into my skinny jeans, again! But not into any of my cute tops. Actually, not sure if I still have any cute tops. Another post on that at a later date, though. Some people may think that teaching preschool music is a time for comfy clothes and ponytails, but in my heart of hearts, I truly believe that, as a teacher, it's my job to focus not only on the subject at hand, but also body awareness, confidence, image, and proper self care. I try to make a conscious effort to look nice every time I teach so that I convey these things to the children.

top: Oh Baby (yes, it's maternity- and you can totally tell because it doesn't fit properly... but I like it.)

jeans: Charlotte Russe

sandals: Target

scarf: DIY (basically, I hemmed a dress and this was part of the slip.)

 I'm still working on the outfit photo thing. I generally don't have time to go galavanting into the nethers of our city to find beautiful photo locations, nor do I have a tripod or remote. What I DO have is the hood of my car. Oh, and an almost 15 month old baby staring at me from the inside of the running car. We do the best with what we have, right, y'all? Happy Tuesday! Stay tuned for an easy, delicious, and healthy recipe for What I Ate Wednesday!

Shabby Chic Room Makeover & FundayMonday Link-Up

In my mad rush to make money for our family vacation in June, I sold pretty much all unnecessary decorative items in our bedroom. We couldn't afford for the Hubs to take an entire week off of work AND rent a van to travel to the mountains, so I raised $1000, literally, by selling "all the things." People will buy anything. Not kidding. Now, our bedroom is a blank slate. In fact, I just sold our Ikea bed frame, yesterday, and we're back on a basic metal frame. No headboard, nothing above the bed on the walls. Nothing on the walls at all, actually. I'm sure everyone is familiar with the Pinterest-frenzied door headboard. I, too, am in love with the idea. I think we'll opt for the shabbier version, though. I don't really like the clean, newly painted, mantle added door headboard. I also want to decorate in a simple, shabby-chic, cost-effective manner that won't leave me wishing I hadn't spent X amount of money on something I can totally live without. I love the idea of a simple fabric garland above the headboard and I was dreaming up some simple canvas art and fabric flower decorations for the wall across from our bed. 

I'd love white walls, because we all know that white rooms are all the rage right now. Blank, clean pallets are super easy to accessorize with pretty much anything. I'll have to go with our very neutral blue/grey that I begged for, though. I think pops of slate, orange, and yellow would look great. What to do you think of these ideas?

1. image credit - Double wooden doors

2. image credit - Single wooden door

3. image credit - Iron bed frame with wooden cabinet doors as an accent

4. image credit - Unfinished barn door

5. image credit - Fabric garland decorative piece

Linking up with Molly and Carly.

Confessional Friday

I confess:

... that I haven't done squats all week and am feeling pretty crappy about it. Back on the wagon.

... that my laziness (a quality that I really dislike in others and myself) has gotten the best of me with a sore back and all the Norah sleepless shenanigans that have been going on this week.

... that I was so nervous about how music class would go on Tuesday (the first day of school), and although it went well, it definitely didn't go as well as usual. I'll chock that up to a bunch of new students and no one being in a routine, yet.

... that I have a prayer session on Tuesday and am nervous, but excited for what God wants to bring to my attention.

... that I feel convicted to work on my friendships and start spending more quality time with the gracious, sweet, and loving friends that I've been blessed with.

... that, although I didn't do it, I wanted a cookies and cream milkshake from Chick-fil-A pretty much every day this week.

... that I cannot, I mean CANNOT, wait for bible study to begin next week!

... that I'm in this weird, in between sizes stage, where literally, nothing I own fits properly. I'm getting sick of that, but refuse to buy anything new until I reach my first goal (hopefully by Christmas!).

... that it's hard not to feel guilty that I just want a break from my life sometimes. For real, can I just have one vacation day from being me?

... that I'm looking forward to this weekend and worshipping at church!

Olive & Coral - Hopeful Goodbye

What happens when two bloggers get together for a quick photo shoot whilst their children nap/watch movies in running vehicles? This, my friends:

Well, and this.

entire outfit: Old Navy

Big thanks to Alida, of Alida Makes, for impromptu shooting my outfit. I agreed to meet her and help out with some photos of a few gorgeous wardrobe pieces that she created and, being the awesome friend that she is, Alida offered to snap some photos of me in return. Thank you, friend!
This outfit is just another mom-on-the-go, fast, easy, comfortable ensemble. I'm digging the bright coral and muted olive together. I think my pairing of bright summer shorts with a fall top was my symbolic and hopeful "Goodbye" to summer. Please, summer, just be done. You and your humidity can take a hike. For real.

linking up with Ruby Girl