My Target Field experience

Well it may have taken me all week, but I'm finally getting around to doing a post about my experience at the baseball game last Friday!  We had so much fun! Again, I commented on this last Friday - we've had this beautiful outdoor ball field for several years now, but this was my first time actually getting a chance to go there in person!

The seats were AMAZING.  I was lucky to have been given tickets from a vendor through work - my boss doesn't take those kind of gifts for himself, but is happy to let his employees have them, so he gave me first dibs.  I had no idea just how awesome these seats would be, even after a friend of mine had told me how great they were.  They were in what is called the Legends Club - so these are not just your average general admission tickets.  There are tons of exclusive bars and food vendors as well as tables and chairs inside behind the glass that still gives you lots of views of the field if the weather was not good.  Thankfully it was actually pretty decent outside, so we went ahead and found our seats once we arrived - they were padded!! No sore behinds for us!  We were also lucky enough to be under an overhang that provided some nice protection from the wind.

We were to the left of home plate, between 3rd and home.  I have heard people say there really isn't a bad seat in the entire park and I do believe that is true - but I sure liked our location!  I absolutely love the city skyline in the background as well!

After the first inning was over we decided to wander around a bit in search of food and beer.  The downside for craft beer lovers like ourselves, the good beer can be hard to find.  They had some Summit at the bars which is decent, but we were hoping to find Surly.  We chose Summit though because it's "better than a poke in the eye", as the Pants Monkey would say.  The bartenders were SO friendly and personable - they make sure to call you by name.  I forgot to mention, another perk of the Legends club is that there is a person that comes around takes food and beer orders at your seat and will bring stuff to you if you want!  We didn't take advantage of that, but the gal serving our area seemed very friendly and attentive.  For dinner I had a turkey bacon wrap (I love wrap sandwiches!) and The Pants Monkey had a Cuban sandwich.  I know we didn't even come close to finding all the amazing food the field has to offer - it was easy to just stay in the area where we were.

After another couple of innings we went and bought Mr. Monkey a hat, used the restrooms (no lines!  So awesome!) and then we found Surly beer!  One of the bars up there had it after all.  So of course we had to have one.  And I decided I just had to have one of the helmet cup sundaes I used to get when I was a kid and the Pants Monkey had to have a hot dog, because you just can't not have a hotdog at a baseball game!  We were definitely in food comas after that!

Sadly, the Twins really didn't play well that evening - they didn't score once - but it was so fun to just be out on a date without the baby, sitting outside on a nice spring evening and enjoying the sites and sounds of our fine city.  I know we would never be able to afford those type of tickets regularly - but I have heard you can sometimes score deals on StubHub - especially when they aren't playing so well.  I also learned my aunt and uncle have season tickets in this area too and sometimes are looking for people to use them, so my mom planted the bug that we'd be happy to help with that on occasion!  Overall I really enjoyed my first trip to Target Field, well worth the wait!  If you ever visit Minnesota, it's a must see attraction!

Thrift Style Thursday - Animal

For this week's Thrift Style Thursday we're sharing animal print.  My brain originally went to leopard - I certainly have a bunch of it, though not all of it is thrifted.  I started thinking of other animal print ideas and went outside the box a little bit and decided to share my favorite bird shirt again - I know I've worn it a lot lately, but I still can't get enough of it!  It also is technically not from the thrift store, but an Instagram shop - but I feel that is sort of as good as thrift shopping, you're just letting someone else do it for you!

Speaking of birds and Instagram - I'm a little chicken - I set up an Instagram account to try to set up my own little shop, but I haven't done anything with it yet!  Really I have nothing to lose, if no one buys anything it's not like I'm out the money, I'm pretty much just looking to make a little cash on what I had in my closet that I am ready to send on.  I might try and get it set up soon - if I do, I'll share the info here!  It can't hurt!

 Shirt - Gap via Court's Crazy Closet on Instagram
Skirt - Old Navy
Shoes - from cousin
Necklace - Lia Sophia

I have to say, this bird print is much more spring like than leopard print would be anyway.  Like I said, I love me some leopard print, but right now I'm all about bright and happy colors too!  What is your favorite type of animal print?

Be sure to check out all the other Thrift Style Thursday participants as well!
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//Rachel's Lookbook//Muddy Flowers//
The Two Cent Chick//Lipstick And Yarn

Type A

So first off I have to say, I have jumped on the ankle pants bandwagon and I don't want to get back off!  I took a risk and ordered these off of Old Navy on a day they were having a sale and I absolutely love them!  There are some days in the spring and the summer that you just don't want to shave your legs or have bare legs for whatever reason - these are a great alternative!

It's been a bit of a hectic week so far.  I ended up off of work on Monday after getting sick on Sunday night. Moms should not be allowed to get sick I swear.  Thankfully it was short lived, but I still stayed home on Monday just to be on the safe side.  I kind of regretted that decision though after getting back yesterday. Lots going on at work right now!  I just hate missing work - I'm such a Type A, usually I don't get sick during the week, so this was rare.

Sweater - H&M, thrifted

Tank top - Gap

Pants - Old Navy

Sandals - Merona, Target

Necklace - Charming Charlie 

There is also a lot going on in my personal life in May too - I don't know how it got to be such a hectic busy month, but all of a sudden it exploded on me.  I realized - and maybe it took me getting sick to figure this out - that I needed to make some choices and kind of make sure I'm getting enough time for "me" too.  So, I have chosen to say no to a few things and I think that will help a ton.  As much as I want to be everything to everybody, sometimes that just isn't possible.  It's not easy for a Type A to admit that sometimes!

Stitch Fix Box Two

So my monthly splurge came again on Friday!  I had a blast trying the items on once again, I actually felt that all the items were spot on for fit/style for me - but I just couldn't justify the purchase of the entire box even with the discount, so spoiler alert, I only chose one item again.

AV Max Seymour Hammered Oval Hoop Earrings
These are super fun earrings and are a bit of a departure from something I'd normally wear, the price point wasn't too bad, but given that Oliver is starting to really grab at things, these aren't super practical for me right now.
Verdict - Returned

Renee C Cheli Striped Maxi Dress
Before I even tried this on I fell in love and pretty much guessed I'd be keeping it!  It is somewhat similar to another favorite maxi dress that I have, but I kind of just had to have it anyway!  You can never have too many maxi dresses, especially ones that fit well and make you feel super comfy while still feeling pretty!
Verdict - Kept

Liverpool Vinny Ankle Length Colored Skinny Jean
These jeans are really nice, they fit me much better than the pair from last month.  I really had to think hard about this one, but in the end decided I like the red jeans I already have just fine, so I decided to send these back.  Had they been a different color, I might have chosen differently.
Verdict - Returned

Sanctuary Ontario Abstract Chevron Print Tank
I was really on the fence on this one - I love the fit, the print and it would even be a decent tank top to nurse in - but the price on this one was a bit high and I just couldn't pull the trigger given that. 
Verdict - Returned

Splendid Randy Stripe Pocket Detail Knit Top
Again, really love the fit and look of this shirt....probably because I have two or three other striped tops already that are very similar.  I do love me some stripes, but I think if I had kept this one I'd have had to go to "Stripes Anonymous" support meetings.
Verdict - Returned

 

Overall I really was pleased with everything in my box this month, I would have been happy to keep everything if I had been willing to spend a little more - but I just couldn't justify it this time.  I am going to receive another box, but I'm putting off the shipment until July this time and skipping June - we'll be traveling when the next box was supposed to come and this way I can save up a little extra money in case I want everything in the next box!  

Oliver - 5 months

Wow, blink once and another month goes by! Oliver was 5 months yesterday! I will be honest - at times this past month was not my favorite - hello 4 month sleep regression - but there were plenty of fun moments too! Here's our monthly update!

Weight -17-18 pounds give or take an ounce or two.
Length - 26"

Nicknames - Buddy, Bud, Ollie, Monkey, Monkey Butt, Pumpkin, Sir, Mister, Little Man, Munchkin, The Captain, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Sleep - We definitely went through the four month sleep regression - ouch.  Instead of 3-4 hour chunks he started doing 1-2 hour chunks and not going down as nicely at night.  We're back to 2-3 hour chunks now and we did some sleep training and he is now putting himself to sleep pretty nicely.  And even when he wakes at night he is all business - eats, we change his diaper and he's back to sleep, sometimes in as little time as 15 minutes, so it doesn't feel too bad.

Eating - Same as last month, still exclusively breastfed or taking bottles of breastmilk.  We'll start baby led weaning when he seems interested in solids.

Diapers - Moved up to size 3 and hoping that's where he stays for awhile!

Clothes - 9 month to even 12 month sizes now.  The kid is just so long, he needs the bigger sizes almost for the length if nothing else.

Mood - In spite of some of the sleep issues we had, his mood hasn't been too bad.  He has days where you know his mouth is bugging him, but the darn teeth still aren't in yet.  One of my friends said it took her son 17 weeks to get his first teeth - but then a bunch came in all at once, so who knows.  So we have fussy days but we have good days too.  And we get smiles every day even if he is a little on the cranky side.

Loves - Jumping in the jumperoo, splashing in the bathtub, walks in the stroller, Taylor cat, anything with elephants, the books Brown Bear What Do You See and The Pout Pout Fish, chewing on his hands or shirt sleeve, sucking his thumb, the pretty traffic lady on the Fox 9 morning news

Dislikes - Being startled, waiting for his food (unbutton that shirt faster mommy!), being cooped up inside (me too kid), being made to sit, tummy time (he used to love it, now it seems like it frustrates him)

Milestones/what I want to remember - He has learned to sleep unswaddled and can more or less put himself to sleep now, his first Easter, going for lots of walks outside, watching him interacting more and more with his toys.

Dear Oliver,
Boy you sure pushed mommy hard this month on her patience - your nighttime sleep issues were a little bit tough to work through, but we've come out the other side and I'm so proud of you for learning how to fall asleep on your own!  I know eventually you'll be a teenager whom I can't get to stop sleeping and I am definitely not ready for those days yet, so I'm not complaining too much right now.  I love cuddling you at night and gazing into your sweet eyes when you look at me.  Your smile lights up my day when you wake up in the morning.  I love watching you play and jump in your Jumperoo, especially when you squeal with delight!  I love it too when you talk and babble and tell your stories - and even your tales of woe - your little voice is so adorable and I can't wait until you are able to form all those fun sounds into actual words.  Every day you amaze me more and more and you continue to be such a blessing to daddy and me.  We love you so much.
Love,
Mama

Take me out to the ballgame

I'm so excited - we're going to the Twins game tonight.  I have yet to go to Target Field even though it's been open for what, five years already?  Anyway, we got free tickets through my work.  I was worried we might not want to still go with how the weather has been this week, but thanks to a wonderful friend I learned that our seats are in a really nice part of the stadium that has access to nice indoor places to sit and eat and warm up, so we're going all in even if it's cold and rainy!

Shirt - Arizona Jean Co, thrifted

Jeans - American Eagle, thrifted

Shoes - consignment

Necklace - S&D 

I went super casual for work today with these comfy shoes, jeans and blue short sleeve hoodie - I think I might need to add a layer before the game though, even if we do end up inside!  Go Twins!

Thrift Style Thursday - Nautical

I'm excited to be joining up with some other very stylish ladies for the weekly series Thrift Style Thursday!  As many of you know, a good 50-75% of my wardrobe is thrifted, so this is a great group for me to join up with!  The theme for today is Nautical.  With the way the weather has been here in MN this week I almost feel like I need a boat to get around, so it fits!

Whenever I think of nautical themes, I always think of stripes.  I adore this new boatneck shirt I found at the Goodwill - the stripes are more coral than they are showing in the photos here, when I saw it I just had to have it!  You know I love my coral!

Shirt - J Crew, thrifted

Pants - Athleta, from sister in law

Scarf - two birds garage sale

Shoes - Steve Madden, thrifted 

I sure wish I could be on a boat right now enjoying a warm sunny day instead of stuck in the rainy mess that is Minnesota right now!  April showers bring May flowers - but now it's officially May, so those showers can just be on their way!!

Check out all the other Thrift Style Thursday participants as well:

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//Rachel's Lookbook//Muddy Flowers//The Two Cent Chick