Thrift Style Thursday - Fringe benefits

The theme for this week's Thrift Style Thursday is fringe.  I was originally going to sit this week out as I own not a single fringed item - but then I started looking at some DIY projects online late yesterday and I found a tutorial on how to make a fringed scarf.  It was another easy DIY for my spazzy self to handle so I gave it a go and I'm actually really excited about how it turned out!

All you need to make this scarf is an old t-shirt you no longer want to wear.  You cut it off at the armpits so you have a rectangle and then take and make cuts from the bottom - as long as you want the fringe essentially - all around the shirt.  Stretch out your strips and boom.  It could not be easier to make this bad boy!  How's that for resourceful?

I also added one of my favorite pair of Minnetonka Moccasins - not thrifted, but still fringy and also one of my favorite bags that is also not thrifted, but features fringe's close cousin the tassle.  Add that to my favorite flowy maxi dress and suddenly you've got a fun boho look for early fall!  Yes I said fall.  It's coming people. Deal with it.

Dress - Cliche Mpls (from friend), Sweater - Camy Couture

Scarf - DIY by me, Bag - Urban Expressions (Lulu's)

Shoes - Minnetonka Moccasins, Bracelets - S&D 

Oliver loved my scarf too.  He loves when I wear anything that dangles over him when I pick him up or take him out of the car in his carseat.  He grabs on and won't let go.  It's adorable, I think he's learning dangly things are fun by watching the cats or something!

For other fringe-y fun, head to the other Thrift Style Thursday blogs below:

Spoolish//Sandpaper Kisses//Sincerely Miss J//Confessions of a Refashonista//

Alligator Toe//Buttons&Birdcages//Snippets With Alex//
Eclecticity//Being Zhenya//Erika's Style Diary//Sistas from Cali//

The Two Cent Chick//Lipstick And Yarn//Nuttier Than Nutella//
That Cheap Bitch//Slight Impression

Still standing

Well we've made it to Friday my friends!  It has been a week.  Sorry for my radio silence yesterday but I ended up staying home with my kiddo - teething plus catching his daddy's cold did not make for a happy baby.  We did not get any sleep on Wednesday night, so I was pretty much a zombie yesterday, there was just no way I was going to function at work.  We rested yesterday and at least got some sleep last night, so I'm back at it today.

Given the challenging week and the fact that it snowed a bit yesterday, I just needed to pull out something springy and fun to perk things up a bit, so I chose this new to me tank top that I got from Court's Crazy Closet on Instagram at the same time as the bird shirt I wore last week.  Add a sweater and boots and you're still set for winter weather, but at least I feel like it's pulling a bit towards spring.  The big news is it should get up to about 60 degrees here on Sunday - that's going to be cause for celebration around here I think!

Sweater - Mossimo, Target

Tank top - Daytripper from Court's Crazy Closet on IG

Jeans - Levi's, thrifted

Bag - Lulu's

Boots - Mossimo, Target

Necklace - gift from friend

So anyway, it was a week of all weeks, but I'm here and still standing and looking forward to a weekend to rest and relax with my baby and my hubby and hope that it's better than last weekend!  We just go one day at a time!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

The Bethie Bunch

One of my co-workers said "hey you're wearing the Brady Bunch pants today!"  These wild pants are reminiscent of something out of the 70's I suppose!  I still love them though!  Long time readers of this blog know how much I love plaid - and these pants!  

My co-worker is a good guy though.  Really I have a great team of folks to work with.  We're our own version of the Brady Bunch I suppose!  They make it easier for me to be at work and away from my baby, I think if I didn't have great folks to work with, it would be a lot harder.  My new boss is working out well too - he also is a dad to three little ones, so it's helpful that he understands when things come up with Ollie.

Sweater - Derek Heart, thrifted

Pants - No Boundaries, thrifted

Necklace - S&D

Bag - Lulu's

And our never ending winter continues, so today just called for a cozy sweater with my crazy pants.  I'm relieved we didn't get as much snow as they originally predicted!  Spring starts tomorrow - maybe we'll actually get a spring this year.  One can hope!  In Minnesota we have to always have hope!

Inspiration Monday - Summer returns

Hello everyone!  I am back again!  We had a fantastic weekend away, we couldn't have asked for better weather.  But it is very nice to be home too.  I have never appreciated my own bed more now that I'm pregnant than I ever have before, I know that much!!

I could do without coming back to work, but hey, as always, taking the sting off of that is Inspiration Monday with two birds.  Today's inspiration comes from another famous person I've never heard of - Poppy Delevigne.  Nice laid back look from her though!

I meant to do an outfit for this while I was up north, but totally forgot to pack the right things.  I was going to skip this week, but then decided, I can make this work for work.  So here we have it!

It's going to be hot and muggy later today, so I'll likely lose the sweater, at least when I'm outside.  We have been so spoiled by nice weather, this humid and hot stuff is going to be hard to take.  Summer is definitely not over yet even if the stores and coffee shops serving pumpkin lattes starting today are trying to convince us otherwise!

Tank top - Michael Kors, consignment

Sweater - Style and Co, consignment

Capris - Simply Vera, Kohls

Bag - Lulus

Sunglasses - Fun Sisters Nisswa

Sandals - Mootsie Tootsie, from cousin

Necklace - Camy Couture

Bracelets - S&D

Speaking of summer starting to dwindle down, I can't believe how much morning light we've lost in just about a week's time.  I got up early enough to go for a walk this morning and it was so dark I said, nope, going to do a workout DVD instead!  It was also a little cloudy, so outdoor pictures weren't going to work out.  Indoor ones sure are a challenge, but I do my best!

I also wanted to share a close up of my fun new sunglasses I bought up north to replace my favorite pair that I lost quite awhile ago.  And I haven't shown off a Stella and Dot arm party for awhile, so you get one of those today too.

And now I'll be making the rounds and trying to catch up with all of you!  I feel like it's been forever!  What's new in your worlds???

Be sure to head over to two birds over here for more Inspiration Monday looks!

Minty fresh

Look, I broke my blue/white streak today!  Ok, there's still some white, but the rest of the colors I decided to shake it up a bit - mint!  I haven't worn mint for a while now and decided that this cute shirt I got at Clothes Mentor during the sale last weekend needed to be worn.  It's not even a maternity top, but it sure works great as one!

It also still had it's original tags on - so I feel like I got a pretty darn good deal!  I have no complaints, I think I bought four things at that sale and only spent $24.00.  And now I'm challenging myself to get through the rest of the summer on what I've got.  I'll need some things when fall and winter hit when I'm a bit bigger, so I should save up for then!

 Shirt - Michael Kors, consignment

Shrug - LEI, thrifted

Jeans - JCP brand, JCPenney

Sandals - Merona, Target

Bag - Lulu's

Necklace - Camy Couture

Bracelet - Bead for Life

It's such an odd day - feels like Friday, but it's Wednesday.  And of course, since I have to come back on Friday, it's almost like Thursday.  So confusing.  Let's petition the US government to start observing the July 4th holiday on the first Friday of every July.  Sound good?

Moving right along

Well hello there Friday!  You sure showed up quickly this week!  I suppose it helps that I was away for the one day for my Jury Duty/Me Day.  At any rate, Friday is here and I'm quite happy.  Although our weekend is rather jam packed again, it's still nice that it's here!

Tonight will be fun, we have a barbeque/hopeful bonfire with some friends.  The weather is threatening rain later, so the bonfire may or may not happen, but I'm hopeful. Of course, this would have to be my husband's craft beer group, so there is going to be a ton of awesome beer around that I can't have, but I'm bringing myself a couple of fun sodas.  I also baked some really yummy cookies to bring along too.

 T-shirt - Express, thrifted

Sweater - Lands End

Skirt - Liz Lange, consignment

Bag - Lulu's

Necklace and bracelets - S&D

Sandals - Mootsie Tootsie, from cousin

And I have to mention, I'm officially 14 weeks pregnant now which means I'm in the coveted 2nd Trimester. A lot of women describe this as the best time of pregnancy because your energy comes back and if you were feeling sick (which thankfully, still haven't) it starts to go away.  I definitely feel more energetic - although this morning I was dragging a little, which is why I took pictures at work, running so behind.  Overall though I am waking up easier each morning!  So anyway, here's a bump picture for fun - a little fuzzy, but I think you get the idea.  Still kind of tiny, but it's coming - I definitely notice it each day!

I hope you all have wonderful weekends!  Oh and also - it's my 2nd bloggiversary on Sunday - I can't believe I've been doing this two years!  Anyway, come back for a big celebratory post on Sunday, I will also be giving shout outs to many of you who have helped fuel my fire over the last two years!

Hello sunshine!!!

Well once again, I didn't have to report for my Jury Duty.  I found out I won't have to report tomorrow either, so that's a good thing too!  And there is finally SUNSHINE!  Not hazy fake through the high clouds sun.  Real, live, beautiful sun and beautiful blue skies with only a few white puffy clouds.  And it's not blasted hot or anything.  If I could bottle today and keep it for the entire summer, I totally would!

This shirt I thrifted from the regular clothes over at Unique Thrift Store last month.  It hasn't been nice enough to wear it yet, it's sleeveless, but I decided to throw on a cardi with it today and figured it would work great. I love how blousey it is, I know it'll be a fine shirt this summer even if it isn't a maternity top.  And I can't get enough of this color right now - aqua, teal, mint, anything that shade is a total win!

Shirt - thrifted

Cardi - Arizona Jean Co, JCPenney

Pants - Anthropologie, thrifted

Necklace and earrings - Camy Couture via giveaway

Bag - Lulu's

Sandals - Mootsie Tootsie, from cousin

And of course I am loving that I can still squeeze into my favorite Anthro pants - and button them!  I'll keep wearing them with a belly band even after I can't button them anymore because they are my favorite pants ever!

Hope you all have wonderful days and that the sun is shining where you are too!

Frazzly Friday

TGIF.  That is all I have to say.  My morning has been a bit frazzled, but it seems better now.  And they promised us sun today, but it has yet to make an appearance.  Probably just as well, if it was out, I'd want to not be working!  At least I have free coffee.  Mmm, coffee.

I'm very comfy today at least.  I got these pants from a friend of mine who is pregnant with baby number three.  I wasn't sure they would fit as they're a size smaller than I buy when I'm not pregnant, but they do and they have a stretchy band in them and I'm in love.  I think they'll at least get me through the next couple of months!

Shirt - Gap, consignment

Sweater - Mossimo, Target, old

Jeans - Liz Lange, from friend

Necklace - Charming Charlie

Bag - Lulu's

Shoes - Italian Shoe Company, from cousin

Yep, I am rocking my Lulu's bag again.  I can't get enough of it.  I still want to do a separate post on it and I even tried to do a Vlog about it, but of course, I tend to ramble, so it ended up very long and not postworthy!  I'll have to see if I can do one that is shorter and more to the point!

I should mention now, I hope it's business as usual next week on the blog but there is a chance it won't be - I was summoned for Jury Duty.  Yes folks, I just might be doing my civic duty.  I get to call in at about 4:30 today to find out if I have to report on Monday and then every day will be the same thing, call in the day before and find out.  So - I don't know yet if I'll be working or not working.  It could be interesting.  I know I'm having a fairly smooth pregnancy but there is this naughty part of me that is thinking "if I pulled the Pregnancy card, would I get let out of this?".  So to make a long story short - stay tuned!  I hope to pull something together next week even if I do have to go in, you can see my courtroom style if nothing else!

Have a great weekend!!!

Bruiser

I have to say, I've been almost thankful for this cooler weather this week that has required me to wear longer sleeves - because it's allowed me to keep a very nasty bruise covered up.  If you recall last Friday when I announced my good news, I had a blue arm cuff on.  I'd had a blood draw that morning for some 1st Trimester screening type stuff.  And the tech had warned me I might bruise, but I didn't think much of it until I went to remove the arm cuff Friday night.  WORST bruise I've ever had from a blood draw.  And it's taking it's sweet time going away, though it's finally to that gross yellow stage that tells me it's finally healing up.

I guess I shouldn't be that surprised.  I have horrible veins and I'm honestly surprised they found a vein to work in the first place.  They were ready to use a vein in my hand in fact - which wouldn't have been the first time - but then liked this one in my right arm.  Mr. Monkey wonders if they went all the way through the vein or something.  All I know is, it's ugly, but at least it hasn't been sore or anything!

 Shirt - A. Byer, thrifted

Sweater - from cousin

Pants - Liz Lange Maternity, Target

Shoes - Merona, Target

Bag - Lulu's

Necklace - S&D

This won't be the last time I'll have to have blood drawn this pregnancy either, so I can only hope next time it goes a little better!  Might not be able to hide the after effects with long sleeves quite as well, because one can only hope that summer will arrive in Minnesota one of these days!

Card shark

The weather has been pretty yuck this week as I've previously mentioned.  And many nights the Pants Monkey and I just zone out to TV shows after dinner (or sometimes even while we're eating dinner - eek).  Lately though, we've been trying to break that habit and do more things together since things will be changing in a big way in a matter of months.  So last night we decided to play cards for a half hour instead of watching TV.

The only problem is our card repertoire is somewhat small.  There aren't that many two player games to begin with and the few we do know we get bored with after awhile.  I love cribbage, but sometimes I need a break or I'm making 15's in my sleep.  Last night, the Pants Monkey found the rules for 10 Card Rummy.  So we played that.  And it was a lot of fun!  We've played 5 card and 7 card Rummy before, but the rules are a little different for 10 card and also you are able to keep score too, so that also makes it more interesting.  Of course, I ended up pretty much winning which always makes it more fun too, not going to lie about that!

Dress - Motherhood Maternity via Clothes Mentor

Jacket - White House Black Market, thrifted

Bag - Lulu's

Necklace - S&D

Shoes - Rampage via DSW

We eventually had to stop because it was getting late, but we really enjoyed ourselves!  We're going to try and make this a habit.  And if summer ever gets here, we'll move our card games out to our deck at night as long as the bugs don't bite!

Do you like to play cards?  Anyone have any other good two player games they'd recommend?

Inspiration Monday - Junetober

First of all - THANK YOU all so much for the well wishes!  It's just another reason I love this community so much. I would love to thank you all in person, but it would seriously take me all day long - but just know I appreciated every single comment.  I have to say, while I intend to keep my promise of not turning this into strictly a pregnancy blog, it is such a relief to not have to keep that secret anymore!

Secondly - was anyone else's weekend too short?  Man, the time flew by this weekend.  Then again, we were pretty busy, so I suppose that is part of it!

And thirdly - it's Inspiration Monday and well - I did another "if you blink" type inspiration outfits, mostly because of the weather than anything else.  Here is Lauren Conrad in a very cute summer dress and hat.

And here is me all bundled up because it's not going to be all that warm today!  Seriously, yesterday it didn't get out of the 60's.  Today I think it's only going to be about 70.  And it's June?  Yeah, that's been the name of the game around here lately though.  We seem to be one month behind weather wise this year.  Or maybe we skipped ahead to October.  It feels almost fall like in the air!

So for anyone curious, a large majority of my clothes still fit which is pretty nice.  The good news is, I have a ton of flowy sundresses like this one that are going to allow for growth as I get bigger this summer.  And peasant tops seem to be in this year, so I've already bought a few in slightly larger sizes than normal.  I am trying to not shop too much if I can help it, or I've stuck with my consignment shops/thrift shops for anything I have bought so far.  And I did splurge on this bag.  Kind of a treat for myself after a bad day a few weeks ago.  I had seen this bag with Megan from Feathers and Freckles and I realized it just might be the perfect bag ever.  I'll talk more about it in another post though or we'd be here all day!

 Dress - VS, gift from the Pants Monkey

Sweater - LOFT, consignment

Sandals - Mootsie Tootsie, from cousin

Necklace- Bead for Life

Bag - Lulu's

I think June is going to fly by.  We have a busy schedule with our music group.  The Pants Monkey and I are also re-taking golf lessons once a week to work on our skills some more.  We're trying to somehow get ready for and find time for a garage sale.  I'm helping out a good friend and hosting a 31 Party.  And in the midst of all that, I also get to call in and see if I actually have to report for Jury Duty next week.  Yes, that's right, I was summoned.  Nothing makes you feel more like an adult than getting summoned for Jury Duty, I'll say that much!

Whew.  So there you have it.  It's all happening friends.  This baby isn't slowing this chick down, that's for sure!  For more Inspiration Monday outfits, head on over to two birds over here.