7x7 Remix

So a couple weeks ago, Audrey at Putting Me Together challenged bloggers to do a 7x7 remix.  Create 7 outfits using only 7 articles of clothing, including shoes!  l;uju,hn <--That's from Koen. :)  I thought it sounded like a ton of fun, and definitely a challenge that would stretch me!  I picked out my pieces, put together my outfits, and even got photos taken!  But I didn't end up having time to blog it all in time to participate in the link-up.  Boo!  But I did have fun, and since I did all the work, I'm going to post it anyways!  Soooo, here are my 7 pieces.

Navy Tank: Old Navy

Striped Maxi Dress: Wal-Mart

Striped Tee: Old Navy

Chambray Top: JCPenney

Mint Skinnies: Kohl's

Coral Shorts: Old Navy

Sandals: Target

Outfit #1:

Necklace: GroopDealz

My first ever maxi dress!  I love it!   Throw on a statement necklace and this is about as dressed up as I get!

Outfit #2:

Maxi dress as maxi skirt!  Added my chambray top to make it more casual and a bit warmer.  (Sorry about the blurry photo!)

Outfit #3:

 

 Same great chambray top, just switched to shorts.  Perfect for taking the kids to the park!

Outfit #4:

Necklace: Gift

This tank and shorts are both brand new from Old Navy.  I NEVER would have put these colors together before starting my style discovery journey!  I've learned that I love navy and it works as a great neutral!

Outfit #5: 

Scarf: Very Jane

Of course I have to include an outfit with a scarf!  :-D  I think this is a successful attempt at pattern mixing!

Outfit #6:

Necklace: GroopDealz

Here's my striped tee again.  This time with my mint skinnies and a statement necklace.  To be perfectly honest, I think necklaces really add some *oomph* to an outfit, but in my daily life, I don't usually wear them.  When I'm hanging out at home with the kids, or out playing at the park, a large necklace is just in the way!  But if I ever get out without the kids, I do love to add that extra something special.

Outfit #7:

Necklace: GroopDealz

Umm...  changed my shirt.  Haha!  I like this combo better!

And because I can...

Outfit #8:

Took off the necklace for a more casual vibe.  And I love my chambray top as a layering piece!

And...

Outfit #9:

I swear, chambray goes with everything!  It took me a long time to jump on the train, and then find just the right top, but now I'm pretty sure I'm in for the long haul with this trend!

Looking back over these photos again, I'm realizing that I really had no idea what my style was 6-8 months ago, and it's so fun to try new things, and get dressed *mostly* every day and like what I'm wearing!

I hope you enjoyed my tardy entry into the 7x7 remix challenge!  It's so great to be able to make so many different outfits from so few pieces!

Linking up for What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy!

Faker

I suppose a real fashion blogger probably would have worn this outfit with the shirt tucked in and a belt.  I'm sure you have already figured out, though, that I am most definitely NOT a real fashion blogger.  :-D  Good thing I'm a faker, because this is how I wore it!

  Shirt: Kohl's / Shorts: Old Navy / Shoes: TOMS

I don't really have much else to say about this outfit.  I wore it.  It was comfortable.  And I haven't done an outfit post in a while, so I felt like I'd better get on it!

In some blog related news, I wanted to make sure that all ten of my followers know that Google Reader is about to disappear, and you should create a Bloglovin' account and follow me through that! :)  Cassie over at Hi Sugarplum! wrote a great post all about it!

And I made a Contact page where you can find links to my Facebook and Pinterest, as well as my email.  Let's keep in touch! 

FIVE Years

Yesterday was our sweet Lena Marie's FIFTH birthday!  We've had a fun, busy week celebrating our little princess.  Hopefully I will have time soon to go through pictures and share all about it, but for now I just want to say, Lena, you are a dream come true.  It is such an honor and a joy to be your mother.  I love you forever.

Go check out this post about the day my girl was born.  It's a pretty good story, if I do say so myself.  :)

PSA

I interrupt my blogging silence to bring you this public service announcement.  **Mamas, don't feel bad about the things that you don't do with/for your kids.**  I think there is a lot of pressure in the Mommy World to do a lot of things that just aren't necessary.  We either feel guilty and get down on ourselves if we're not doing what "everyone else" is doing, or we burn ourselves out trying to be Super Mom.  I just can't do it all.  There, I said it.  And you can't either.  It's okay.

 

My kids are not participating in the local library's reading program this summer.  Is reading good?  Yes.  Do we read at our house?  Yes.  Would the summer reading program be good for my kids?  Yes.  Heck, I have an emerging reader on my hands, who could use some extra motivation...  Do I want one more thing on my list of things I have to do?  No.  And that's that.  And it's fine.  We will read together whenever and as much as we can, and our prizes will be enjoyment, experience and time together.  That sounds better to me than a pencil or a balloon.  (Don't get me wrong, I think the summer reading program is GREAT!  We have participated in the past and probably will again, but this year it is just one plate that I am choosing not to spin.)

So if there's something you're feeling bad about not doing, STOP. :-D  Go snuggle your littles and tell them you love them.  That's enough.  YOU are enough.

{Hopefully I will be back to more regular blogging soon.  I've been busy spending time enjoying summer with the three adorable kiddos you see above.}

Faceless

We spent last Saturday morning planting our garden.  It feels so good to have that done, and I can't wait to reap what we have sown!  After lunch I took a shower and got dressed, intending to go grocery shopping later in the afternoon.  Between this, that and the other thing, I never ended up making it to the store.  In fact, I never even got around to doing my hair and makeup!  I wanted to document my outfit, but since I didn't get my face put on, this is what you get...  Ha!

Jacket: Hand-me-down /  Tee: Target / Skinnies: Old Navy / Sandals: Target

Looking at these pictures, I'm not a fan...  Oh well, like I said, I never made it out in public that day anyways! 

BUT, I do have to share, the t-shirt I'm wearing I just got on clearance for something like $6 I think.  And the sandals were 50% off, which is pretty sweet, since they are actually a current online-only item.  They must have been a return and just so happened to be in my size!  Yay Target!

Anti-Sweats

Today I'm linking up at The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday.  The point of WIWW is to get out of your yoga pants (which is what I am currently wearing!  Ha!) and put some effort into how you look.  Why?  Because it will make you feel better!  I know slapping a little makeup on and putting real clothes on makes a huge difference for me! 

Yesterday was cold, wet and windy, and felt like a sweatpants kind of day.  This outfit was my alternative to wearing head to toe fleece.  :)

 

Scarf: Very Jane / Tee: Old Navy / Sweater: JCPenney / Jeans: Old Navy / Shoes: TOMS

I purposefully bought this sweater a couple sizes big, for those days when I just want to feel comfy.  The jeans are O.L.D.  They used to be a favorite pair, and most definitely did not have holes in the knees when I bought them...  I've worn them a *few* times!  And the scarf I was actually wearing for warmth.  On June 4th.  That's just wrong.  But I was comfortable AND productive.  Yay me!

Pop of Spring

This outfit basically represents the weather around here lately... mostly dark and gray, with an occasional pop of spring. We have had SO MUCH rain, so when the sun finally peeks out, we try our best to take advantage of it.  I am so thankful for our big back yard.  What a blessing it is to have room for the kids to run off some energy!

I wasn't able to get a single picture without my little sidekick.  But that's okay, he's one of my favorite accessories.  ;-)

Tee: Old Navy; Scarf: Very Jane; Skinnies: Old Navy; Shoes: TOMS

When I got done with my photos, Koen wanted to do his own photo shoot.  It. Was. Hilarious.  I use a timer to take my photos and run back and forth over and over, so he did the same thing, even though I was taking his picture.  So funny the things kids pick up on!

Here is his "deer in the headlights" pose...

And his "happy as a clam" pose...

And of course, his "too cute for words" pose!

I ABSOLUTELY ADORE HIM!!!