Friday Five - Summer Wish List

So, I might be considering a shopping ban for summer, but I haven't decided when/if I'll start it and not to mention, it's fun to make a summer wish list, so today's Friday Five features five items currently on my radar for summer!

I don't know why, but a blue gingham shirt is calling my name.  I've been trying to not collect as many purses and handbags, but something fun like this Stella and Dot green tote would be a fun addition to my closet.  I have so much red/peach/coral, something in green would be a fun change!  A new necklace would also be fun, one of my favorite pink floral necklaces broke (thanks to a young boy named Ollie) so this pretty one would be a good replacement!  I am still on the fence on the palazzo pants, I've tried some on a couple of times now and I might be ready to bite the bullet and go for it on these fun ones from Target.  And finally, I had a black lace skirt last summer that I loved, but it was just a bit too short and the zipper broke, so I'd like to replace it with one that is just a hair longer so I can feel a little more comfortable wearing it to work.

Summer Wishlist by bethietheboo featuring Mossimo

So, there you have it!  I'm not sure if I'll actually add any of these items to my closet or not, but if I find a good deal you just never know.  I figure my actual "no shop" summer will start after my vacation, so I have time to add these things yet.  Memorial Day sales maybe?? Have a great weekend everyone!!

Thrift Style Thursday - Gingham Style

For this week's edition of Thrift Style Thursday, Carissa from Carissa Knits suggested "Oppum Gingham Style" (did we forget about the song Gangam Style yet?  did I get it stuck in your head? You're welcome!).  I love gingham, it's one of my favorite patterns because it's so close to plaid.  I do not have that many thrifted gingham things however.  I picked the one shirt I have that is thrifted - and of course it didn't photograph well, but I promise it's gingham!

I thought it would be fun to tie it over this maxi dress I snatched up at the Blogger Garage sale last weekend.  I'm starting to really like the combination of gray and yellow, it seems to work well together.  I feel like some bright yellow is needed today.  Another gray, rainy day here in Minnesota!

Gingham shirt - Old Navy (thrifted), Dress - Old Navy (garage sale)

Sandals - Target, Necklace - Charming Charlie 

For fun, I pulled up another picture in a Throwback Thursday move - I have another thrifted gingham shirt I love, but it wouldn't be warm enough to wear it today, so I found an old blog post with it instead and pulled the picture up here.  This cute shirt is perfect in the summer, I got it at a vintage pop up sale a couple of years ago.  I am looking forward to warm days to wear this shirt soon!

What do you think of the gingham trend?  And be sure to check out how the other Thrift Style Thursday gals are rocking their gingham at their blogs listed below!

Springy gingham

Hello everyone!  Sorry for the radio silence yesterday.  Mr. Monkey got back into town late on Sunday and we both took yesterday off - he to recover from his travels, me to just spend some time with him!  We slept in and didn't really get dressed for the day until we headed out for dinner in the evening! Anyway, I'm back to the grind today.

This is the other shirt I bought last week to potentially use on the "Lemon Zest" day of the Pantone color challenge and then ended up wearing the sweater I bought instead because it was cold.  This shirt was a steal though, I picked it up for $1.49!  You can't beat it!  It's hard to tell from the photos, but it's a nice gingham print too, which is going to be awesome for spring and summer.

 Gingham shirt - Old Navy, thrifted

Cami - Old Navy

Skirt - DKNY, consignment

Sandals - Merona, Target

Necklace - Camy Couture

Bag - Lillian's Shoppes

I have to say, I'm finally starting to get the Pants Monkey more into thrifting.  Yesterday he realized he has no shorts that fit since losing a bunch of weight and decided he wanted to wear shorts since it is finally warmer out, so instead of spending a ton of money on new ones we hit up a thrift store.  He found a pair with original tags still on for only $10.  I think he's finally seeing the light!

Administrative Professionals Day

So I'm pretty sure most of you know - I am an "administrative professional".  And apparently today is Administrative Professionals Day.  So you should celebrate me!  Ok, I kid.  But if you are lucky enough to have an admin, go tell them you appreciate what they do!  My boss never remembers this day, but that's ok. She tells me pretty often how much she appreciates me!

Anyway, I thought today would be a good day for my pink pencil skirt.  Cause it's got that sexy secretary vibe or something like that!

 Gingham shirt - JCPenney

Blazer - American Eagle, thrifted

Skirt - vintage, two birds

Tights - Target

Shoes - Steve Madden, thrifted

Necklace - S&D

I have to admit, I have never been one who wants to be in charge, so I really do like having the kind of job that I do where I can stay behind the scenes.  And I'm pretty good at what I do I think.  I'm organized and I can multi-task.  Those are pretty much the biggest requirements to be an admin!  Oh yeah, and I can type like a crazy person.  Thank you Typing Class in high school!

One week down

You guys....this no shopping thing is hard this time around!  I really do not NEED anything, but man, sales are tempting me and I keep seeing things in my closet and going "how else can I wear that item?  It needs something else."  Take for example, this pink gingham shirt.  I wore it once with the sweater it was gifted to me with, but have been at a loss since then.  Of course, the more I looked around, I realized I had many options, including this blazer I haven't actually worn in quite some time.  So, in the end, I know it's best for me to keep shopping my closet.  I'm really excited about how this outfit turned out.

I feel a bit like Ellen DeGeneres in this outfit, but you know what, I love Ellen, so I don't mind.  I'm not kidding though, this gingham shirt is from JCPenney and she's been their spokesperson and I swear I've seen her wearing it on her show!

Blazer - F21

Shirt - JCPenney

Pants - Sonoma, thrifted

Bag - Coach Factory Outlet

Necklace - S&D

Shoes - Madden Girl, thrifted

At least it's one week down on the shopping ban.  I know I'll get by, and if I remind myself that I sort of did this for Lent, it makes sense, it should be a sacrifice - but as I said last week, I decided to do it for more than just Lent, I just really needed to do it.  And once I'm off the ban I just need to start taking more of a budgeted approach to my shopping, which you'd probably assume with so much thrift shopping would be pretty easy, but it does add up after awhile.  Just need to learn a good balance.

Back to the grind

Well, my extended holiday break has come to an end today.  And lucky me, I'm coming back to work with a head cold!  Hooray!  What kind of person has 10 days off, many of which were relaxing and still gets sick? Apparently me!  Oh well, at least I look cute today!  New sweater and gingham shirt from Christmas!

 Sweater - Merona, Target

Gingham shirt - JCP, JCPenney

Pants - Ann Taylor, thrifted

Necklace - Maurices

Shoes - Madden Girl, thrifted

I'm of course jealous of Mr. Monkey, he took today off.  He deserves a day for himself, but man, I wish I could have stayed at home with him today!  I think today could be a long day.  Fortunately I kept checking in on my emails while I was away from work so I don't have too many surprises to deal with today.  

The good news is, the weekend is only a couple of days today, we're already at Hump Day!  Short weeks for the win!  Onward and upward!