How are y’all doing in your year so far? I know I’ve reached the point where the newness of the homeschool year has worn off and I am starting to wonder if we can make it until Fall Break.
You guys, I've reached my upper-mid thirties.
Gulp.
Don't tell anyone, okay?
I feel as if age doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things but in life I can certainly tell that I am starting to act my age.
Like in matters of apparel. I get why my grandma, who is 92 now, insists on wearing the same style of slippers that she's worn since before I can remember...comfort.
Comfort, people, comfort.
Which often times makes it hard to be cute and stylish when you just want to crawl into some kind of ball made out of terry cloth and stay there forever.
But I can't...you know, because, kids.
Outside of being a mom I am also a director of some camps, a teacher, and a wife, so you know, there are those things.
And can we just add to it I'm also a lady on a budget?...that's right everyone, I said it. Money doesn't grow on trees over here. There's no dollar fairy in these woods. Despite my many hats we're basically a one income family and that means there are sacrifices people, Sacrifices!
What does sacrificing mean, you may ask? Well, it means I hone in on one thing to get rather than the 20 on my list of wants. It's hard. Cough, cough. Some day my old self will thank me when there's something in that retirement fund so I can buy fancy slippers like Grandma Jean.
In the meantime here are some things that I buy when I want to spruce up the old wardrobe. These are items I have purchased in the last year, here and there. But they've been total game changers for my wardrobe. Also, I may add that all of these things can really spruce up any denim jumper and they are all me-approved for doing all of the weird things that us homeschooling moms find ourselves do…from mixing chemistry projects to running kids to sports to teaching math to rolling around on the floor playing to vacuuming to…well, the list goes on and on.
Adidas leather sneakers
You guys listen, they didn’t fail us in middle school and they won’t fail us now. There are also canvas options but I went for leather because I am not Martha Stewart with an entourage of people to assist in making my sneaks look great. I know I will walk through anything and everything and the leather makes it easy to wipe clean and press on.
I have a pair of these and I’ve found that I can wear them with so many things. Tee shirts of course but sweaters, skirts, dresses, you name it. They really add a sense of fun to my outfit I wouldn’t normally have had with the clothes I wear them with and they are seriously comfortable.
Anything from Evy's Tree...seriously, anything
I have been such a fan of their clothing for years. It was only within the past two years or so that I got wise to their sales. They have these amazing garments, primarily really comfortable sweatshirt creations, that I salivate over and try to justify in my mind but most (no, all) of the time we just can’t spend over $100 for a sweatshirt.
However, their sales are amazing! If you wait and watch you can score some awesome sauce deals! For example my latest order was last month…I ordered a tee of theirs, a sweater, and an amazing sweatshirt top for under $50.
A cute bag
I love bags. I have a problem but yes, I love bags. TJ Maxx is a great place to get a great deal. Or Amazon for the beauty above which won’t break your bank and comes in a bunch of colors. Wherever you get a bag, the things to remember is to get a bag that works for you and you don’t have to break the bank to get a cute new purse.
If you need some recommendations of my faves you can read my blog all about them if you missed it.
Earrings
This is something that is so simple and yet such a game changer.
Truly, you guys!
Find some earrings and pair them with an unexpected outfit. Or buy some new ones and try those out with an outfit you are really tired of. They help to change things up and to frame your beautiful face.
Starfish Pants from Lands End
There are not many things in this life that I have one, brand specific piece I would recommend. But leggings are when I am different.
These pants are life.
One of the amazing things about these pants is the thickness of the fabric, the breathability, and the fact that they can be worn for anything…from working out to working in the office, they are just that amazing!
I wear the Starfish slim leg pants but they also have the original cut, leggings, jeans, and even crops. So comfortable!
Ladies, listen to me, I know money is tight when you’re homeschooling but it is so important to treat yourself, even if it’s something small. It helps with your sanity, it helps you to feel like the special woman you are, not just a wife and mother, with constant demands on you day in and day out.
Find a way to treat yourself!
