The Object of my Affection

So I have begun to turn my attention towards my autumn/winter wardrobe planning. I know, I know, it is still blazing hot out there, but school starts again next month and the back to school supplies are already showing up in the stores again.  But this month during my spending freeze I have been able to step back and analyze my current wardrobe and the one I want to create for the upcoming season and  I feel like I have a better handle on how I want to represent myself in the darker, colder months while still maintaining a freshness about it.

Before I realized how dressing in lighter, fresher colors really supported my sunny disposition,  I was already in love with Oleana.  Ever  since I first laid eyes on one years ago I was hopelessly smitten.  I always assumed it was my nordic heritage that drew me towards them, but I think it is also the bright colors and patterns  too.

Wouldn't this be like a breath of fresh air during the dark and dreary winter months?

Since I have always loved them, and they fit into my style statement,  I'm thinking I would like to carefully and selectively start adding them to my wardrobe, a little at a time since they are rather expensive.  But since I am in weightloss mode currently I think I will start with wristlets ~ they are much less expensive and will still fit no matter what size I am currently in.  Sure I won't be able to pair them with an Oleana sweater yet, but I can use them to jazz up other sweaters this winter. 

See the wristlets in the picture above?  They cover your hands and look so fun poking out of another sweater.  Or maybe I should buy the cute polka dot shawl.   Hmm...I will have to think about that.

Once I get to maintenance mode in my weightloss then I think I should reward myself with my first actual sweater!

Check out the fun necklaces on this one! 

Some people have their Hermes
or other luxury brands,
but mine is Oleana.

What luxury item would you love to have?

images via The Nordic Shop

Cowboy Caviar

Today is Pioneer Day in Utah ~ it's our Statehood Day when we celebrate the day the Pioneers settled the area.  I love it for many reasons but also because it means we get huge firework shows not once, but twice during July!!!

And it's a great day to break out the good ol' fashioned food like dutch oven goodies, cobblers and cowboy caviar!  {I'm not sure they really would have eaten cowboy caviar, but I like to pretend!  ~wink~wink~}

There are lots of different versions of Cowboy Caviar out there, but here is my quick and easy version of it:

Super Easy Cowboy Caviar

1-2 packages frozen Southwestern mixed vegetables, thawed

1/3 cup agave nectar {or sweetener of choice}

2/3 cup raw apple cider vinegar

tortilla chips

Place thawed vegetable mix in a bowl and pour agave and apple cider vinegar on top and mix well.  Eat with tortilla chips.  YUM!!!

See?  I told you it was easy!  You can also just make your own vegetable mix by dumping in fresh or frozen corn, black beans, and chopped bell peppers, but I like the quick and easy route most of the time!  I've also brought a frozen package or two on camping trips just because it's so easy!

Here is what the frozen package looks like that I buy:

You can also use this same veggie mix for a super quick and easy dinner burrito!

Super Quick and Easy
Southwestern Bean Burrito

1-2 packages frozen Southwestern mixed vegetables, thawed

Cheese

Tortillas

Rice, optional

Fill a tortilla with the rice {if using} and veggies {don't put the sugar/vinegar dressing on this one!  Use just the plain ol' veggies!} and top with cheese.   Warm it up til it is warm and  melty!  

Yeehaw!  Soo delicious!

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend too!

Summer Wardrobe Review

Since I haven't been shopping as much lately it has "afforded" me more time to evaluate my core wardrobe and think about the things I want or need to complete it.

Now, I'm a fairly casual mom-on-the-go.  I live in a very casual part of the country without a lot of high end shops nearby.  Not that we don't have a few, but I just have to travel a ways to get to them, and that's usually not in my busy schedule.  So here is a brief review of my casual summer wardrobe.

Pants 

I honestly don't like to wear shorts.  I'm definitely not a short-shorts kind of gal, and I feel like the longer knee lengths cut my legs at an unflattering spot.  So I go for capri's and crops {or skirts~but I'll get to that in a minute!}.  I know some people really dislike them or have pet peeves towards them, but I like them.

This summer I have been heavily relying on cropped pants/capri's in light denim, medium denim, white, and a dressy navy.  Then all you need to add is a jazzy lil' shirt, great shoes and accessories!  Here are two of this summer's favorite looks:

 Dresses and Skirts

Clearly this category needs more fun options, especially when I rely on them not only for a cooler option than capri's give, but also for church each week and when I occasionally have to run to meet with clients.  However, this has been the most challenging category for me because I have  been completely disappointed in what I've been able to find out in the stores near me because I can be rather picky about length, fabrication and design on these!  I'm about ready to commission someone to make me some in fresh colors and patterns and patterning it after my favorite {and dearly departed} black a-line skirt.

I do have a pink sundress,  a blue a-line skirt, and a white lace dress that is pretty easy to change up with a different colored sash and cardi's, but that's about it.  Pretty slim pickins in this department at the moment.  I also have a chocolate a-line skirt but I haven't wanted to wear it this summer because it just feels more like an autumn piece to me.

Shirts

Shirts are where I have a lot more fun.  I have way more shirts than I have in the pants or skirts department.  But you can wear the same pants with so many different tops and by changing up the accessories and shoes you have totally different looks.  So this and the following categories are where I tend to spend more money.

Shoes and Accessories

Shoes and accessories are both categories that have increased exponentially since I began building my new wardrobe, however I think these are the pieces that really add the frosting to the cake so to speak and help to create so many different looks.  I have enjoyed re-building my shoe and jewelery wardrobe back up and I think I am just about to the point where I won't need to buy many more pieces unless it is a truly special piece.

So after my wardrobe review I have decided that the area I really need to focus the most on is finding more appropriate dresses or skirts.  And then it will be on to creating and building my autumn wardrobe which should be a blast because that's my favorite season of all!

Always Remember

"Promise me you’ll always remember: 

you’re braver than you believe, 

stronger than you seem, 

and smarter than you think." 

~ A.A. Milne, Winne the Pooh

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I'd Like To Thank The Academy...

Since beginning this blog I have been honored on several different occasions with blog awards.  Well, recently over on the Dressing Your Truth forum I have been bestowed the title of the "Type 1 Top Model"  because I just get silly when posing in front of the camera.

We Type 1's can be quite silly it's true ~ we have a lot of fun over on the forums taking pictures of our outfits, goofing off and trying to "channel your inner ~B" {aka, ME!} as they like to say {I wish I could show you their copycat pics~they are sooo cute!  But I'm not sure they will give me permission to release them to the entire world!}   Here is how today went down:

I posted this:

Then Peggy posted these:

There are no smiley emoticons to truly express how much this cracked me up ~ I laughed so hard!!!   I seriously love being a part of the Dressing Your Truth family ~ these girls just make me laugh and give me perma-grins! And Peggy is absolutely adorable!!!

And now for the outfit deets for this Type 1 casual mom~on~the~go look {drumroll please!}:

Shirt:  Ross

Capri's:  Walmart

Shoes {can't see them, sorry! But they are a totally cute coral peep-toe flat!}:  Target {they are lighter and brighter in person}

Jewelery:  forgot to put any on before I took the picture ~ oops!

Hope you are having a fabulous day!!!

Want to get in on the fun?  Learn about the Dressing Your Truth system here.  Or just brighten my day and send me your captions for my photos!  :D  Cheers!

A Good Reminder

My friend posted this on Facebook the other day and I absolutely loved it and asked permission to repost it here for you.  Thanks for the reminder, my friend!

Why is it that so many people feel threatened by
the success, achievements, attributes, and abilities
of those around them?

We are not any LESS successful, beautiful, talented, blessed, or happy if those around us also enjoy those same things, even if they may enjoy them in larger quantities than we currently do. Life is not a competition with only a finite amount of success to be shared by the entire human race. There is not less talent available to you because someone else increases their own talent.

We should not measure ourselves against those around us and only derive satisfaction from having MORE than someone else. We don't need to keep up with the Joneses and we can ALL be happy without everyone else having to be sad. 

No matter how hard you try, there is always going to be someone more talented, richer, more beautiful, more skilled, or lucky than you are. What's wrong with that? There are also tons and tons of people equally or even less fortunate than you as well. 

Be happy with what you have, whatever it is, and do it without comparing yourself to others. That doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to better ourselves, but we don't have to feel threatened when others do the same (even when it comes easier for them). 

Our success, happiness, beauty and skills should be measured and enjoyed on an individual basis, not in comparison to the relative success, attributes, or abilities of others. There is plenty to go around! 

So the next time someone tells you about a fun vacation they are planning, just be happy for them... don't feel jealous that you aren't going there yourself or feel the need to tell them about a funner vacation you went on. If you see someone that looks especially fit or attractive, compliment them instead of feeling animosity towards them because you are somehow less attractive because they exist.

When your neighbor gets a raise at work, celebrate with him instead of complaining that you deserve a raise more than him and thinking of all the reasons why he isn't as deserving as you. And don't withhold help, support, and compliments that would benefit others. To do otherwise would be prideful and selfish. ;-) I will try to do better myself.

~ Jacom Stephens

Busy, Busy Summer!

It's been a busy week!  I've been shuttling kids back and forth from swimming lessons, having picnics and get togethers with old high school friends I haven't seen in ages {and we're still totally crazy after all these years!} and taking a day out to take some cute Cub Scouts to day camp.  I even got to get in on a little of the action with them.

Look!  I got the only pink BB gun!

I didn't hit a thing though!

I've managed to stay out of the stores though!  And I've had a lot more time to contemplate my wardrobe.  I hope to have some fun wardrobe planning posts and other stuff for you soon! 

Have a fabulous weekend!

Why I'm On A Spending Freeze

The other day I mentioned I am on a
self-imposed spending freeze.

Why am I doing this?

It's not about lack of funds.

It's about:

Gratitude ~ 
Appreciation for the things I already have.  

and

 It's about spending more mindfully.

Since changing out my wardrobe earlier this year {and ditching my mostly black wardrobe}, I realized that I was getting myself into a frequent spending and shopping habit.  It has been fun finding new pieces for my new wardrobe but I have my core wardrobe now and I realized I was shopping just to shop!  It's time to pull in the reins, break that habit, and finally fine tune and hone in on the pieces I still need to complete my wardrobe.

The only exceptions I have made are to use my Kohl's cash and DSW rewards this month.  It's either use them or lose them and I'd rather use them!  So now I just need to carefully decide what to get!

So I will use this month to create a plan for the items I still need and want.  I will also use the time to refashion a few items in my wardrobe to work better within my new style.  That should keep me busy and away from the stores for a while and hopefully will help me break the mindless shopping habit I was getting into!

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Summer Popsicles!

It is so stinkin' hot these days!

Which means...

We are now in full popsicle making mode!

I mean, really...

What's summer without popsicles???

Creamy {and Dairy Free} Tropical Pops

3 cups coconut milk {fyi ~ can be bought in a carton near the soy milks at Walmart}

2 bananas

2 peaches or nectarines

1 cup frozen mango chunks

1 tsp pure vanilla

sweetener, to taste

Combine everything in blender until nice and pureed.  Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for a few hours.  Then go enjoy in the cool shade of summer! 

This is currently one of my favorite new popsicle flavors because the coconut milk makes them so creamy!!!  YUM!!!  But I cycle through a lot of different popsicle flavorings.  A lot of times I will just throw whatever fruits I have around into some vanilla yogurt to freeze.  Sometimes I even freeze any leftover Odwalla green smoothies {those are the only "green smoothies" the toddler will currently touch!  But hey, at least its a step in the right direction!} Sometimes we just freeze fruit juice. 

There are so many combinations out there 

for tasty, refreshing summer popsicles!

I would love to hear your favorite homemade popsicle recipes!

Just My Luck!

Maybe you have already heard from other blogs, but Shabby Apple is having a sale this entire month! 20% off everything {excluding swimwear}!

Isn't that great??? 

For you it sure is! 

For me? 

Well, Shabby Apple doesn't know that
I am currently on a self-imposed spending freeze
on clothes for the month of July.  

:(

~sigh~

So, I guess I just get to dream about buying them this month.  So if I were to buy a new dress from Shabby Apple this month, these are the dresses I would love to add to my wardrobe:

Seven Seas in Seersucker

I bought a cute jewelry collection from Kohl's {don't worry, I bought them June 30th before my spending freeze! ~wink~wink~ Seriously, I did!} that has had me dreaming of a cute seersucker outfit to wear them with.

 Apt 9 jewelery at Kohls

And while I have been dreaming of something with seersucker more on the top, I think I could definitely still have some fun dressing up this dress!

~ ~ ~

Toe the Line

Maybe this chambray dress would work a little better with my latest jewelery acquisitions.  See how lovely the white is with the blue?  I am totally loving blues and whites this summer!!!

~ ~ ~

Trade Winds

White is so fresh and lovely, don't you think?  

I love the detailing on this one.

~ ~ ~

Bianca

This one is absolutely adorable too!

~ ~ ~

Cotton Candy

Now, lest you think I'm only into the blues and whites this season, I would absolutely love, love, love to have this adorable bright pop of color in my wardrobe!  It is so fun and happy!  Since I've ditched my black, I have totally begun to love playing around with color more.  Why oh why was I always wearing black, anyway???

~ ~ ~

So!

If you want in on any of these adorable dresses

Use coupon code SUMMER20 to save 20% off Site Wide! 

Then show me pictures of your cute stuff 

so I can live vicariously through you!!!

Fun in the Sun!

Summer is in full swing now! I hope you all are remembering your sunscreen and bug repellants! It's no fun to be ouchy and itchy!

I thought I'd show you my grab and go summer bags!  They are filled with sunscreens and bug spray at the ready!  All we have to do is grab a bag and run out the door!

These little cuties are hung on the inside of our coat closet door on those handy little removable 3m hooks!  Those hooks are genius I tell you!

I picked up these darling little bags a few years ago on sale at Gymboree.  They always have such fun and cute bags and purses you could use.  You could totally customize this look with whatever bags you can find to create the look you want!  You could even stencil names or monograms on some cute little bags for each member of your family!  Switch them out in the winter with each person's hats and gloves!  The sky's the limit here!

Have fun in the sun!!!

{and don't forget your sunscreen!}

Pesto Filled Tin Foil Dinner

I hope all my fellow American friends had a safe and happy Independence Day  weekend!  We sure did!  It was filled with multiple nights of fireworks, hanging out late with neighbors, birthday parties, some backyard camping and tin foil dinners!  We seriously had a blast!

I made a new tin foil dinner inspired by one from Vegetarian Times last year.  I really didn't want the standard hamburger patty with carrots and onions and {gasp!} cream of mushroom soup anymore.  I wanted something different.  Something a little healthier.  Something a little more exciting.  So I decided to make a pesto filled packet with lots of veggie goodness in it!

Pesto Filled Tin Foil Dinner

{the ingredients on some of these aren't real specific 

because it will just depend on how many packets 

you are preparing.  But don't worry ~ 

this is easy peasy lemon squeezey!!}

small new potatoes, thinly sliced

vegetable broth

12 oz package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed

2 cups fresh or frozen peas, thawed

2 medium leeks, thinly sliced, white and light green parts

jar of pesto

romano or parmesan cheese

freshly chopped basil

Lay out your tinfoil and bend up the sides to create a small bowl for your food.  Layer as many potatoes as you would like on the bottom and drizzle with a small amount of vegetable broth.  Combine the artichoke hearts, peas and leeks in a bowl and cover and mix with pesto.  Scoop as much of the pesto veggies as you would like into your packet on top of the potatoes and wrap up your tin foil packet.  Cook either on hot coals in your campfire or on a grill {or even your oven at 400} for about 25-30 minutes.  Carefully open the packet and sprinkle romano or parmesan cheese and basil on top.  Enjoy!

The artichoke hearts give the packet a nice big bite of substance that makes you not even miss the meat!  But feel free to play around with the amounts.  For instance, my daughter wanted more potatoes than artichokes so next time I will probably fill hers with more potatoes.

What fun did you have over the weekend?

At Home Workout Club: Month 7: How I Lost A Quick 10 lbs!

People seem to keep asking me if I've lost weight recently!  And while I'm so happy they think I have, or that it looks like I have, I actually haven't.  Even though I've been trying, I haven't lost a single pound in I don't know how long! 

So I've been thinking about it.  The only thing that is different is that I have new undergarments.  Yup!  I'm telling you, a new bra can do wonders!!!  So this month for the At Home Workout Club if you're following along with me, I hope you will show "the girls" some love and get some proper fitting bra's because {sing with me now!}...

..."love lifts us up where we belong"...