Hide and Go Sleek!

You never know when a photo-op is going to hit you!  I wasn't feeling particularly inspired by my outfit,
but then Joy dropped some paper work off at the house and we laughed because we were

both wearing the same colors!

This is particularly unusual since the color of the day seemed to be red, which until last week, you could not find in my closet.  I now wear it almost every day (thanks to some shopping and really nice friends).

OK

Photo Op!

How patriotic are WE?

No need to hide when you are lookin' this cute.

 First up we have the lovely Joy wearing her signature color!



What color does red love?  Turquoise!
Well played with that necklace. 



How cute are these sandals????  And you can't see it, but her pedi is
done in red, white and silver.  It's cool!

 Next up is Lise, who apparently has been out in the sun so much that her
hair has lightened to an amazingly strange color.  Hairdresser is going to
throw a fit...girl....hunh.

Kaja HAD to get a close-up of the belt.  It's red, beaded, beautiful and cost $2.
What's not to love?

We somehow missed the pedicure on this one, but the Payless clearance shoes are nice.
Funny note about my pedi's.  I go in and tell them all these different designs to paint on my toes. 
But Joy laughs because they always do the exact same thing and it has never been close to what I ask for.

"Seriously???....those are flowers???......uhmmmm on which planet?"

 Lise's outfit:
Shirt: ATL- thrifted
Skirt: (denim-which I rarely wear) Talbots-thrifted
Belt: ? thrifted
Necklace: ATL?-thrifted
Total outfit cost (including shoes) was $20.
Joys outfit:
Shirt: Kohl's
Skirt: Gap
Shoes: Payless
Necklace: thrifted from St Mary's Thrift for $2!

So, with the big 4th of July weekend upon us, what big plans are out there?
Lise is doing a wedding at the KOA Kampground in Cherokee, NC!
Looks like I will be sending pictures of my "Kamping Kouture" and wondering why the KOA
really has to spell everything with a "K".  Of course if we all did, we could just kick the letter "C"
right out of the alphabet! LOL


So....what are YOUR plans?

Clearance Love!

 
I LOVE clearance racks. They are like a beacon in stores, aren't they? I especially love the 75% off racks at Target! I've found pretty good deals in the past. $2 jeans, $5 swimsuit top. Today was no exception. I found a pair of jeans for Leah for $4. They only had 1 pair in her size, though! I got a cute t shirt for $2 and 3 long sleeve tees for $2 each. Yes, it's 90 degrees, but I'll need those shirts come November!  AND I got a very cute navy cardi for $6!! (None of which I could find on the Target site!) I used my Target debit card to save an additional 5% and walked out of Target for less than $21! W00T!! The lady checking me out was even surprised!

Clearance racks and thrifting have ruined me for any other shopping, really. I'll see something on sale even and think, I can get that cheaper.  Are you the same?

I also love gifts from friends. Lise has given me another pair of earrings that I wonder how I lived without. She bought these on clearance, and I may or may not have been there as the devil on her shoulder telling her to get them. But she's never worn them, and didn't think she would, so she gave them to me! YAY! I've worn them 3 days in a row.  She knows me so well.

Cute, huh? Ann Taylor

This is the best pic I had of this outfit. Coral pants from Kohl's

and paisley shirt from Van Heusen.  Jake looks a little drugged,

doesn't he? LOL

Catching Up!

It seems like I've been on the go since school got out on May 21st.  So I thought I'd share with you guys all that I've been up to! (Above pic is River Street, in Savannah, at sunset!)

My daughter turned 13 in May and she wanted to spend her birthday on Tybee Island, which happens to be my most favorite place in the world! School got out on the 21st and I picked up Leah and one of her friends and we headed to Tybee, where one of my friends would meet us.  We got there just in time for the Tybee Beach Bum Parade. Picture any small town parade you've ever attended. Now, picture it with hundreds of water guns. When they say you WILL get wet, they aren't kidding. Being dry is like having a big, red target on your back! It was great fun, though!

We went to The Crab Shack for Leah's birthday. I'm not sure if she likes to go there to eat the food or PLAY with it! The weekend was great. The place we stayed in, not so much! Oy!

Playing with her food!

Me and my birthday girl! HOLY COW, she's a TEENAGER now!!

This past week, the family and I spent the week in Pigeon Forge, TN. We love Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. We've had season tickets for years now. (It's magical at Christams!) We went to Dollywood a couple of days and the weather was fabulous. Now, we are cheap and we all know that parks are not. But we always take in back packs full of water and snacks and even sandwiches. We just do not spend money on expensive park food! We really don't eat out much when we go on vacation either. We always get a house or a condo. It's been my experience that you can get a house/condo cheaper than a hotel room, and there is more room. I love VRBO. We've used it for years! The only time it has let me down was the weekend in Tybee, and I really blame that on the person who placed the ad, not VRBO. Anyway, we cook on vacation. It's sooo much cheaper.  We also did something different this time. We actually went on one of the time share things so we could get FREE tickets to the Titantic Museum and Ripley's Aquarium. It wasn't bad. They weren't high pressure. It only took 2 hours out of day. And it's really easy to say no when it's $30K! And we got FREE tickets!! Which is good, because I was not THAT impressed with Titantic. I liked it. It was fun. It was not worth $23 each, though.

 We had much more fun at the aquarium. They have PENGUINS now! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE Penguins!

We spent the day in Gatlinburg and since it was Blake's birthday week, we went to  Dick's Last Resort. Now if you've never been to Dick's, it's an experience. They are rude, crude and hilarious! And they make you wear hats and bibs. It was great!

Not my best fashion statement!

Ben also had a good time in Gatlinburg. We went to Cooter's Place, where Ben got to touch a real General Lee. (He's still 12, too!)

The only thing to make him happier? To drive it.

We were home by Friday and Saturday was Blake's 12th birthday. I picked up Lise's boys and brought them to my house where they all had a day of gaming. And boy did my sun room smell a little gamey after it was over. Phew! BOYS!  I think they all had a great time, though.

Me and my birthday boy!

I just realized that I'm wearing the same top at Leah's and Blake's birthday. Ok, that's kinda funny!!  And I also just realized that school starts back in **5** weeks!!

GWP Addict!

Hey everyone! 

So, I am addicted to Gift With Purchases!!!

I order from different places just so I can get  more for my money.  If I have to buy some eye shadow, why not get 8 other wonderful products?  I have purchased GWP's from ebay (with varied success) also. 

SO, once a month I will try to keep you up to date with some great makeup GWP's (gift with purchase).

I hope you enjoy this new feature.  If you have any others that I miss, I would to hear about them!

I have put the link with each one for your convenience.

Now, stop reading and go shopping for heavens sake (or just get the computer out and order).

Clinique at Lord&Taylor

clinique pwp

bronzing gift



 Lancome gwp

Lancome at Bon Ton

Sk8tr M0m

I love "All Dressed Up" day at the blog

No Model Lady

I usually really dress up.  But I turned myself over to the kids for ideas today.

They wanted me to be "Skater Mom".

No problem.  A little looking through the boys closet and

Voila!!



Skater Mom!



Silvery, serquined Converse? Oh yeah!
I got these out of Joy's closet.....Yay for having friends with good taste and the
same shoe size!!! woohoo!

The kids did mention that I would look waaaay cooler with tattoo's.

So I handed them markers and told them to go for it!

And I kind of like this look.

I am feeling so cool, I may just go and take this wheeled board thing for a spin.  LOL!!!

Rodeo in Roberto (Cavelli that is)

So, it is "Show Day" at horse camp and I did not have time to change clothes.  It was 100 degree's

with 100% humidity and I was sooo not dressed for hiking through the woods to the camp.  Open toed shoes and horse manure?  Not so good.  LOL

But the best thing is the jeans I am wearing.

Roberto Cavalli jeans! 

You can get these for $1,000 at Neiman Marcus all day long!

But I paid $8 at PS Too thrift store, and they were brand new!!!

They are my favorite find E V E R!

I am sure these jeans were not made for this....and I don't care!

So, here is an explanation of the next few pictures.  Kaja is amazing, but can NOT stand to have her picture taken.  I tried and tried, but no way.  So I told her I was going to tie her up and get one.  LOL

My friend Kathy grabs my camera and starts clicking away.  In the end we still didn't get Kaja's face, but we did have a lot of fun.  Except for "Sweetie Pie" the horse.  I didn't realized the rope was still attached to her.

woops.  Welcome to being me.

Kaja's friend is trying to get her to turn around.

This is as good as it gets! LOL





Ha! Gotcha Kaja!  And you are beautiful!

My little barrel racer!



One last try to get a close-up.




This is my favorite picture of the day because it shows Kaja so well.
She is so good at encouraging others and making sure everyone is having a good time.
I love you Kaja!



Of "Lillys" and Dragonflies

Hey, Blogworld!! Yes. I know. I've been MIA, and I'm sorry. I just haven't been feeling it, you know? I haven't wanted to have my picture taken. I  don't know what's been wrong with me. I just wasn't feeling it.

And I SHOULD be feeling it because Spring and Summer are my seasons! I LIVE for warm (HOT) weather. I also get a little Spring Fever and just want to play hooky from everything!  But, I'm back! I promise to try to post more. It won't be everyday, but I'll try at least a couple of times a week.

So, yesterday, Lise posted a picture of me in a cute, floral Coldwater Creek skirt that I scored at PS Too for $6. It still had the tags on it, people!  Viktoria, from Viktoria with a K,  said I looked "Lilly" inspired. Well, today I decided to actually wear some Lilly. Lilly Pulitzer, of course. I don't know if Lilly is big where you are, but it definitely is, in the South.  This skirt is another SCORE. I found this skirt, again, WITH TAGS, in a thrift store in Commerce, GA.  The tag said $119. I paid $8!! HOLY BARGAIN BATMAN!   AFTER I paid, I asked the girl if she knew what she had. (There were 2 more on the rack.) She said, No. It's just a skirt. I was like, Sweetie. It's a Lilly. You may not know what it is but those sorority girls at UGA do. Mark them up to $25 and put them on Craigslist during Rush Week! LOL

It's a reversible wrap skirt! I'll wear the other side another day.

Isn't that watch cute?! Leah found it when we went to Charming Charlie on Tuesday. I was going to be GOOD and just look, but she knows my weakness. And it is palm trees. A watch with palm trees AND a sparkly turtle?! Yes, please!

A few weeks ago, Lise brought me back the cutest dragonfly earrings from Dollywood. (In the picture above) They are like stained glass. I seriously don't know how I ever lived without these earrings. If I can't figure out what earrings are going to match, I know the dragonflies will! I think I've worn them 3 or 4 days a week since she gave them to me!!

There seems to be one other item I can't seem to live without lately. And that's my nude, thong sandals. Yes. I'm calling them thong sandals and NOT flip flops! They seem to go with EVERYTHING. And they were another score. Goodwill. $5. I don't think they'd ever been worn. The bottoms didn't look like they'd ever touched the ground. And I beat Lise to them! HA!

Got any article of clothing or piece of jewelry that you can't seem to live without?

Seeing Red!!

They say that if you're angry you are "seeing red".

But for the first time in years, I am wearing R E D and 

happy as ever!  Are you Green with envy at how cute this dress is?

I was afraid of feeling like I was wearing a tablecloth-but I am loving this.

And don't be blue, you can buy one too ($24.99)

Merona dress

Kaja's reaction to the outfit?

"You look like BBQ Barbie!!"    LOL!

And I am thinking you will be seeing me in red a lot in the future. 

I have never felt much attraction to red,

but

we have now officially fallen in love  <3 !



Dress:  Target $24.99- Go buy it!
jeggings- ATL
Red Shoes- Target $20!  You need these shoes

So, I am by my front door because there is someone there.......and....it's....
J O Y!!!
What's that Joy? You dropped by to see if I wanted to go shopping?
We are outta here!



Hey, I figured out how to write on the pictures!  And the shoes are so cute. Goodwill
And the skirt?  PS Too, Coldwater Creek with the tags still on!
Need we say more?  SCORE

It's nice to see your face around this blog!  You completely rock the pink.
By the way Joy...notice anything different about me?

Joy-OMG! You are wearing red.  I have been telling you for years to wear red.  It's about time!

LOL!  Times a-wasting and I think I hear Target calling our name!

Ladies- All I can say is that your challenge this weekend is to pick a color that you never wear.
Don't be yellow, be brave! 
Now find a way to wear it.  And have fun!

Love This!

Joyce (faithful blog friend) sent a link to a great blog.  I have been working on a tutorial of organizing the closets and love her ideas so I thought I would pass it along!

http://houseoffiftyblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-tackle-organizating-your-closet.html


Hope you enjoy it and have fun purging your closets!!!
Thanks House of Fifty!

Turn On The Brights

I put together an outfit and prance outside for the photo taking only to be met with Kaja giving me
"The Look"
And the conversation goes like this....
Me:  What is it?  
Kaja:  Y..e...a...h..  kind of.  I mean you look kind of like a beach.  And I thought you were doing this whole "new look" thing with things in your closet and trying different colors and you just look the same so I think you should go change and hurry because I don't want to be late for Horse Camp.

What was I supposed to do?  My 9 year old is taking her photography assignment very seriously. 
 And she is right!
I race inside grab lime green, turquoise and sparkle.  I am back in position within 5 Minutes!

TaDa!

Why yes, I AM in love with these glasses, thank you!
They are sassy.

Hey, Kaja...Is this more like it?
(She nods with approval and the picture taking commences)

Bright Yellow! 
From Sassy Pants consignment in
Athens- Go There!  Shop and spend
They are having a spring sale that starts today!!!
Hurry, before I get there.

Up close and personal
The scarf is from "Charming Charlies"

Thrifted shrug!  Yay!  I love sparkly things.

So, you can still look polished and fun at the same time!  Mixing brites, like any other color, is easy.
Just stay with the same tonal family and they are happy together.  Turquoise and lime green love each other
and make people happy.  The yellow purse was just a splash of sunshine!  I felt much better about my
outfit and am loving this "Thinking outside the box" with the closest.

A great thing about accessories, like here, is that I can wear the basic pieces here with lots of things.  Then spend less $$ on a few fun things to bring splashes of color:  The purse, scarf a brite tank, jewelry, etc....

Ok, so take another look at your wardrobe, and add a dash of color for a completely different feel!
And have FUN for heavens sake!!!

photography by Kaja