Little Black Dress - 3 Ways!

*First of all, I am so frustrated with my horrible photography...  but I don't have time to redo anything, so here it is.  Ugh.*

Today I'm participating in Audrey's One Piece Many Ways link-up over at Putting Me Together.  You simply take a piece of clothing and show several different ways to wear it!  I chose the little black dress that I got the weekend before last at Forever 21.  Here it is:

 Dress: Forever 21

First up, a date night look.  Not that we get to go on those...  I purchased these funky wedges while on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic in high school.  I don't remember the last time I actually wore them, but I'll probably never get rid of them.

 

Necklace: GroopDealz / Belt: H&M / Shoes: Dominican Republic

I'm calling this next outfit my church look.  :)  As a stay at home mom, I don't really need work looks, like other bloggers!  Before discovering style blogs, I never would have thought to wear a shirt over a dress... but it totally works! 

Top: Forever 21 / Belt: Garage Sale / Flats: Target

And now for a super casual look.  Super comfortable.  I love it.  Knotting a tee is another new thing for me.  I actually think it's kind of cute!  And of course I had to throw on my beloved TOMS!

 

Tee: Forever 21 / Shoes: TOMS

I love doing these different challenges!  It's really making me look at my clothes differently!  So. Much. Fun!  :-D

Linking up: The Pleated Poppy, Because Shanna Said So, Get Your Pretty On,  Suburbs Mama

Fun Busy

Sorry I've been MIA!  Just living life over here!

The weekend before last I got to escape to the cities with my Mom, sister and niece for a girls weekend, celebrating my Mom's 60th birthday!  We drove up Saturday morning and spent the rest of the day at the Mall of America.  And let me tell you, we shopped till we dropped!  I don't even remember all the stores we hit that day.  It was my first time shopping at H & M, that I remember, and only my second or third time at Forever 21.  And I went nuts!  It was so much fun!  I'll have to gather up what I got to show you my haul!

Sunday was dedicated to the best store on earth, IKEA!  I could spend days in there and be happy as a clam.  My sister had never been, can you believe it?!  We ate some meatballs and then proceeded to fill up two regular carts and a flat cart.  We did good.

Then on Tuesday, I loaded the kids up to head to Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, to meet up with a few friends from college for a day of fun.  The weather was gorgeous and we had a blast!

And moving on to this past weekend, we had a big ole birthday party for our three kiddos.  Lena just turned 5, Eli will be 7 next month, and since Koen is a December baby, we decided to celebrate his half birthday!  It was another beautiful day and we were so blessed to get to celebrate life with so many friends and family members!

 Each of these events really could use a whole post of their own, so we'll see if I ever get around to that!  This week is pretty full, too, but I hope to do more blogging if I have a few spare minutes!  I miss it!

7x7 Remix (Take TWO!)

I had so much fun participating in the 7x7 Remix challenge last time, that I decided to do another one this month!  This time, I'm linking up over at Ma Nouvelle Mode!

I actually only ended up selecting and using 6 pieces, plus all of my shoes and accessories.  I just couldn't decide on a 7th piece that I really wanted to use, and I didn't really need it!  So here are my six pieces!

Navy Tee:  JCPenney

Striped Tee:  Old Navy

Purple Tank: Old Navy

White Shorts: Old Navy

Palm Print Shorts: Old Navy

Skinnies:  Old Navy

Oh My!  I didn't realize until now that all but one of my pieces is from Old Navy.  I swear I shop at other stores!

And now, my outfits, in no particular order!

Outfit #1:

Flip Flops: Old Navy

Super casual outfit.  You'll see these flip flops in a bunch of pictures...  I really wish I had a pair of navy TOMS!  I think this challenge helped me figure out what to buy next!  ;-)

Outfit #2:

Necklace: GroopDealz

Sandals: Old Navy

A little dressier...  :-)  (Sorry about the blurry photo...)

Outfit #3:

Flip Flops: Old Navy

Perfect for the ninety degree weather we've had all week!

Outfit #4:

Shoes: TOMS

Still absolutely in LOVE with my new TOMS!!

Outfit #5:

Scarf: Very Jane

It may be hot outside, but it sure can be cold inside!  A scarf is a nice addition to a summer outfit for those times when you step inside and someone's gone a little overboard with the air conditioning!

Outfit #6:

Flip Flops:  Old Navy

Trying out some pattern mixing again!  I like it!  Really wish I had those navy TOMS, though!  OMG, look at what I just found!!!  I think I might need these!

Outfit #7:

Scarf:  GroopDealz

Flats: Target

This outfit makes me ready for fall!

And a couple extra outfits, for good measure!

Outfit #8:

 

Shoes: TOMS 

I never would have put this outfit together without this challenge, but I think I like it!  (And again, sorry for the blurry photo...  Grr.)

Outfit #9:

Shoes: TOMS

Okay, this outfit is the same as #5, but without the scarf, and I changed my shoes.  Just had to include another picture of my awesome TOMS!

*If you want to read more about how much I love TOMS, check out this post.  And click here to save $20 off a pair for yourself!*

 This was so much fun!  I love seeing how buying the right pieces can give you so many choices for outfits!  And accessories give you even more variety!

Also linking up for WIWW! (Even though I'm a day late!)  And What We Wore.

Shorts + Tee.... and Repeat!

I haven't been taking a lot of outfit photos lately...  I've been busy, and it's been hot!  Most of my outfits have been pretty plain... a pair of cutoffs and a tee or tank...

Exhibit A:

Tee:  JCPenney / Shorts: Old Navy / Shoes: TOMS

Exhibit B:

Tee:  JCPenney / Shorts: Old Navy / Sandals: Target

Yep, exact same tee and shorts, just in different colors...  The tees I found on a clearance rack and loved the colors, so I bought both.  And I actually own the shorts in eight, yes EIGHT, different colors!  I only had two pairs of shorts at the beginning of this summer, so when I found a style that works for me (at a great price!) I kinda went hog wild!  I actually bought five in the store, then a couple weeks later ordered three more online.  Cutoffs just make sense for my stay at home mom lifestyle!

AND.....  Guess what came today?!  My new TOMS!!!  And I'm in LOVE!  They are SOOO pretty!

Don't forget, you can get a pair for yourself for $20 off, just by following this link!  You and I will both be happy if you do, because you'll have an awesome new pair of shoes, and I'll get a credit towards my next pair!  Win, win!  :-D

TOMS

You've seen my TOMS a few times around here.  I LOVE them!  So I'm going to dedicate a whole post to them!

I really wanted a pair of shoes (not sandals!) that would be comfortable and supportive for a long day of walking.  I always hate wearing tennis shoes for a day at the zoo, but don't want sore feet either!  After hearing over and over how comfortable these shoes are, from ladies like Sheaffer from Pinterest Told Me To, I decided that TOMS were just what I was looking for!  Tons of super cute styles, and my feet wouldn't hate me at the end of a long day.

I usually don't spend even close to that much on a pair of shoes, but you know what, I'm worth a splurge from time to time!  I went ahead and bought myself a pair for Mother's Day!  :-D  Since there isn't anywhere nearby to buy TOMS, I decided to take a chance and order a pair online.  After reading all sorts of reviews, I concluded that ordering a 1/2 size down from my normal shoe size would be best.  I'm usually an 8, so I ordered a 7 1/2.  I also ran to Target and picked up some cotton no show socks.  Nobody wants sweaty, stinky shoes!

 

My shoes were delivered in a week, and it was love at first sight!  They were just as gorgeous in real life as they were in the online photos!  And they're not just pretty, they really are comfortable!  I've worn them a bunch, as they look good with just about everything!  Jeans, shorts, I'd even wear them with a skirt if I had one!  Most recently, I wore them on the 4th of July to walk from our house to the fireworks.  It was about a mile each way, and I never once thought about my feet!  I love these shoes!

Actually, I love them so much, that I just ordered myself another pair!!!  They should be here on Friday!

If I haven't convinced you yet that you need a pair, hear this:  for every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS gives a pair to a child in need, in over 60 countries around the world!  One For One.

SO, now that you know that you can't live another day without a pair of TOMS, click this link for $20 off your purchase!!  You'll get a great deal, and I'll get some credit, too!  ;-)  AND, shipping is free this month!

I am in no way being compensated for this post.  I just REALLY love my TOMS, and wanted to express that love, as well as offer you a hefty discount, so you can feel the love, too!

Linking up:
What I Wore Wednesday

Independence Day

Family, parade, Subway, kiddie pool, ladder ball, sunshine, grilling, fireworks!  So blessed to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Here is what I wore! (A big thank you to my sister for taking some outdoor photos for me!  Can't wait to buy myself a tripod!)

 

Entire outfit:  Old Navy

I swear my shorts are red!

 

Red, sparkly toes!

 

Here is our parade group.  My crew and my sister's crew.  We were so blessed to find a perfect spot in the grass, under a tree!  The weather was gorgeous and the parade wasn't painfully long.  Haha!

 LOVE this picture of my sister and me!  Isn't she GORGEOUS?!!

And I sure do love these four!!!

We spent the afternoon hanging out in our backyard.  Love cuddling with my girl in the hammock!

Our town puts on THE BEST fireworks show around!

I hope you all had a fabulous 4th of July!

Linking up:
Weekend Shenanigans
What I Wore Wednesday