What I Wore.

Confession: I feel a bit silly posting this.  It doesn't help matters that I'm in my Razorback t-shirt that actually used to be Brett's and not a bit of makeup on while I'm typing this.  Have you seen the fashion posts some gals do?  I'm seriously amazed at them, each day a new styled outfit with jewelry and makeup to boot!  

Some days that's me, but not everyday.  A few days a week I dress in a tshirt or sweatshirt and jeans.  No makeup and hair in a ponytail.  Simply because as a stay-at-home-mama my job is teacher, housekeeper, cook, and laundry lady most of the time!    

I do care about how I look though and want my girls to see me making an effort.  I love to shop, just at thrift stores these days!  I have never met a pattern I didn't like and almost never wear plain colored clothes.  Over the last few weeks and months I've captured a few outfits I really liked on myself and thought I'd share! 

(since taking this I'm getting new glasses! Woohooo!)

(of course, a baby gal on my leg.  My outfit isn't complete without that!) 

Over the last few years I've been about five different sizes it feels like, with being pregnant and not pregnant, but still a little heavier.  Then last year running and eating low-cal became my hobby for a few months and I was the super skinny version of myself.  And then there's now.  I'm naturally a curvy gal and have found a healthy lifestyle I feel most comfortable with myself in.  Not super skinny, not to heavy either. Just me. 

I've also started dressing how I feel comfortable and confident…pretty even. :)  That usually means skinny jeans or leggings and plenty of layers!  I especially love pairing a dress over one of these options, seeing as I don't love my "mummy tummy" .  But it is what it is and I love the message Stacy and Clinton used to share on What Not to Wear, to dress the body you're in right now, the best way possible!  

I'm having fun finding ways to dress that I feel great in and complement my body type as well.

What about you?  Do you have fun with your clothes? 

Where do you shop? I'd love to hear!

Paper Bead Necklace {DIY}

Happy Weekend friends!  

Brett and I had our weekly at home date last night and it was so nice to feel like our evening was free enough to visit and listen to music and just be.  Without having to worry about waking up too early the next day.  Today one of our little gals is resting off a tummy ache so it's a low-key kind of day.  

I have an easy project for you that I think you'll like.

I made my own paper bead necklace and wore it yesterday (to the park even!) and was pleased with how well it held up.  It's colorful and simple to make and you probably have the supplies on hand already.  I found the idea here and just went for it.  

The necklace is made using art scraps of paper, but really any type of patterned/interesting paper would work if you don't have painted scraps laying around.  Or you could quickly paint your own paper scraps using watercolors or acrylic paint, which is what mine are painted with.  

I gathered some paintings I'd done, an old atlas page, and some Target packaging (the white paper with black dots) and cut them into long skinny strips or long skinny triangles.

I didn't get a picture of the next step :( so imagine it with me instead.  I placed the longest side of the triangle around a kitchen skewer and rolled it up a time or two.  Then I placed a bit of hot glue on the paper bead and continued rolling.  Last, add a tiny drop of glue to the very end of the triangle before giving it a final roll.  You'd follow the same process for rolling up the long strips of paper too.

Next I added a coat of ModPodge (which dries clear) over the beads and then strung them on a long string of embroidery thread.  

And that's it!  You're done and your necklace is ready to wear.

This would be fun to do with kids too,

and would make a great bracelet.

I've also thought about adding some real beads or fabric in-between the paper beads for a different look.  Maybe I'll try that next.

{This weekend I'm looking forward to getting some rest, possibly watching a movie, and painting!  How about you?|

My style.

Are you laughing already? I almost am. 

Have no fears if you suddenly thought I was going to be one of those gals who blogs about fashion regularly.  This is so not that.  But, this spring weather and the fact that I'm not dressing simply to be able to nurse a baby in public has me thinking about my clothes and what I wear again.  And for the most part, it's fun.  

 First and foremost, I am not what I would consider a highly fashionable person.  Meaning, my idea of a good time is not spending the weekend at the mall or shopping 'till I'm dropping every chance I get.  And all the girls in America probably just hung their heads in shame, lol.  But, it's just not me.  I DO like to look nice and lately I've been thinking more about my personality showing through what I wear, other than the random paint flecks that are quite often on my hands.  

I'm a mama and I adore art, in all its forms.  The two biggest parts of who I am (besides wife to my wonderful husband).  So I want my dressing to reflect that. 

The outfit above may be the totally wrong mix of things but I happen to love it so as always, don't tell me if it isn't your thing.  :) 

These outfits I all liked because they were layers and I love, love layers.  Not because I feel like I'm hiding but just because I can mix and match things.  My jewelry is very simple these days because little hands get ahold of it and things either go missing or get broken.  This owl necklace was from my sister and it is my favorite piece ever.  I wear jeans 6 days a week usually, but do like the printed jean look for spring.  I'm hoping my boots aren't too hot for wearing in the summer some. They are just now starting to get so, so comfortable. 

I usually shop at Target and thrift stores. Occasionally Old Navy.  I hardly ever pay full price for something.  We are a one income family and I will happily buy less clothes, and buy them on sale if it in anyway helps us stay on budget.  And you know what? Even if I had millions, I'd still buy my clothes on sale.  I'm convinced you can look nice without spending $200 on a dress.  

The outfit above is an example of why I like thrifting!  I can mix and match each of these pieces, and all together they cost $11.50. 

:)

 This weekend I was looking around Target and saw several dresses I loved but they were short in the front and long in the back.  I just can't quite wrap my head around that trend.  

What do you think?

Haha, and then there's this.  I didn't know if it would have been inappropriate and childish for me to wear or cool so I left it there. ( But I secretly like it. )

How are you when it comes to clothes/fashion? 

I certainly care because I think the image we project does say something about us.  

But, I'm also just as comfortable posting pics in no makeup and sloppy clothes (I frequently post IG pics of no makeup).  I'm the same Sara with or without the pretty clothes. 

But isn't it nice to feel put together?  

It's an added bonus that running has made my clothes fit fantastic this year.  

I'm hoping, praying, and believing I can keep it up. 

What do you do to feel good about your appearance?

Does it matter a little or a lot to you? 

Shopping advice?

Share away! 

I went to a Mary Kay Party! (and liked it)

Are you a makeup kind of gal?  I am most days.  I've always liked makeup but have the good (or bad) quality of being completely fine with myself without it also.  In fact, on the days we stay home all day a lot of times it's a treat to myself to not have to put it on.  I'm definitely not one of those gals that won't leave the house without it.  I do feel better with some on though..especially mascara. 

My friend from college has started selling Mary Kay makeup, which I was pretty unfamiliar with before I went to her Mary Kay party.  This is a dear friend of mine, since my college days.  She is a teacher at a local school and has started selling Mary Kay makeup in her spare time.  My twin sister hosted a party at her house and it was so much fun!  

I went, not knowing quite what to expect.  Mikayla (the gal on the left) had everything all set up so pretty and organized.  She taught us all about the skincare line first and we got to wash our faces with the best smelling, best feeling soaps and scrubs.  We also got to pamper our hands with some scrubs and lotions. What a treat for my very neglected, dry hands!

Isn't my twin sister beautiful?!   This is when she's about to get her makeup done.  Mikayla was so knowledgeable about the colors and techniques that would look best on each individual person.  

Of course, what's a party without snacks?!  We enjoyed munching on some cookies and a veggie platter with hummus in-between learning about Mary Kay products.  They have makeup, fragrances, and skin care.  After trying the foundation and skincare I can honestly say they have an awesome product! 

And the after!  I ended up ordering some eye shadow and a clear lip liner.  For now.  I loved each item in the catalogue so much I wanted to order more and plan on it in the days to come! 

If you're looking for a Mary Kay consultant, or want to have your own party with Mikayla,

you can send her an email at

mikaylanewton@marykay.com

This was such a fun break for me last weekend!  

Fabric and Bead Necklace DIY (Homespun Happiness)

How are your Homespun Happiness crafts coming?  

I am loving this series! 

Can I say that? 

I hope it doesn't sound tacky considering I'm the one WRITING the series. 

I just mean that it's been really fun for me to challenge myself to actually MAKE something at least once a week.  It doesn't have to involve 1,000 steps or fancy materials.   Just jump in and create!

This little necklace is cute and takes just a few minutes to make!  No sewing or gluing required.  My favorite kind of project.  I found this really cute polka dot fabric at our local Wal-Mart, and gathered some beads and yarn from my craft supplies.  

Next I cut the fabric into a LONG strip and placed the beads in the middle.  I twisted the fabric around the beads to hold them inside (like a piece of candy would be secured inside the wrapper) and tied the yarn around the edges.  

And that was it!  All done with a cute necklace that my girls can see and I don't have to worry about it breaking.  I "modeled" it for you in my mom clothes :) but think it would be even cuter with a simple sweater or button-up! 

(and since it's Christmas season, why not make a few for friends?)

Tulsa Girls Weekend

I was blessed, lucky, honored, thrilled, tickled pink, and ecstatic to get a girls weekend away recently.  My twin sis and best friend since college drove to Tulsa for the weekend.  

Can't you feel my excitement?! :) 

We got to stay at my friend's brother's house, which was amazing.  He was traveling/busy for the weekend and was kind enough to let us use his house.  Such generosity!  His home looked like a historic one. It was awesome (living in a historic home still sounds so charming to me) 

This is my beautiful TWIN sis.  Did you know I'm a twin?  It's always strange to me when I meet people now who didn't know me then.  And who have no idea that I'm a twin.  Then, when I was creative but less confident, had terribly short hair, and worked at Wal-Mart.  It's so nice having people who've known you for the long haul.  There's just something about good, enduring friends.  And a bonus if they're family. :) 

The girls were mortified that I made them pose in front of the Anthropologie wall but look how great their pictures are! :)  Such beauties. 

The charming house we stayed in.  We watched t.v. (one of the strangest/funniest episodes of What Not to Wear EVER), played Heads UP (an app that's like charades), ate treats, and painted our nails.  

We also shopped, shopped, shopped.  I was most proud of finding some super cute clothes at the Goodwill in Tulsa. And getting to visit Anthropologie and buying a new mug and dish towel. I sound like a contradiction-putting Goodwill and Anthro in the same sentence. 

I almost fell over from the sheer joy of the creativity in Anthro......My eyes almost couldn't take it all in. I even saw a shelf there made from a board stacked on top of two large Mason jars.  Totally just like in my kitchen.  

This weekend was just what I needed.  It was time away, clothes obsessing, food eating, picture-taking, coffee drinking, laughing, spying, shopping, fried avocado, cheesecake, 

grace.  Just the "oomph" I needed......

my energy's been recharged! 

{What do you do to recharge?}

my style.

Did you come expecting a montage of cute, stylish outfit pics?

Well, if so you came to the wrong place. :)    Something I didn't know (along with the other 10 million things) before getting pregnant was how many types and sizes of clothing I would need over the next couple of years.  Maternity clothes, "big" clothes for after having the baby, clothes that allow for nursing....I could go on.  What I'm really getting at is style has taken a back seat to function the last three years (I was pregnant again when Anna was only 8 months old, remember!)

But now, for the first time in a while I'm getting to dress for me.  Just me.  Of course I still end up looking like a dirty tablecloth after a summer picnic most evenings because Betsy Grace is at the messy baby stage.  Also, I've decided I'm a glasses gal.  I realized I was putting contacts in to only take them out a few hours later due to headaches.  That's a new thing since being a mama...my eyes are drier than normal on a daily basis (but wetter than ever when it comes to my gals, they have my heart). And really, I love my glasses so they're here to stay. "My little blogger" Brett always says. Haha. 

Something really nice and freeing about turning 30 and being a mama to two is I know exactly what I like and what I don't.  I loved this particular outfit but it was best suited for a Sunday. I usually don't wear dresses during the week.  I'm a jeans gal, every day of the week practically. 

I love patterns, bright colors, and jewelry.  

I'm loving my hair longer (it's getting a perm again in a month or so) and want to continue growing it out until I can put it in two long braids and wear fancy cowboy boots. 

I've been trying to put more effort into how I look because I do think it matters.  To me, not in the sense that it should take hours to get ready or cost a lot of money. I buy my clothes on sale, and at thrift stores a lot of times.  I think how we treat our appearance says something about us.  But, those closest to me have seen me without a single bit of makeup and my "mom clothes" on....

I guess all this is to say, it's so nice to be the same me, whether I have a "cute" outfit  on or something just thrown on.  It's also fun to give style a chance after a few years.

Where do you shop or what's your style sense these days?