Finds Under 50

tee - Target: $6

vest - thrifted: $4

belt - Forever 21: $4.80

skirt - thrifted: $6

shoes - Old Navy: $12

watch - Kohl's: $12

necklace - gift: $0

Second round of Finds Under 50! The week got a little away from me, so a little bit later than I wanted, but it's here! Same as last week, this look combines some thrift store finds with some good sales. I wouldn't be surprised if you're getting close to sick of seeing this vest. I love how vests and jackets really help finish an outfit, and this vest is good for that in these warmer months, but is versatile enough to work throughout the winter too.  At $4, it's probably been my best thrift stores investment and will continue to get a lot of use!

Lazy Sunday (A Few Days Late!)

tee: H&M, cardigan: Target, leggings: Giant Eagle (yes, Giant Eagle!), shoes: Walmart

Of course I'm a day late, but wanted to post my lazy Sunday outfit from this past weekend that was inspired by this weeks' Inspiration Monday photo from Two Birds. (Although I didn't capture the military inspired look that they did so well!) My husbands' been really into triathlons lately and he did another one on Sunday. As you know, I haven't been too active lately and I'm an awful swimmer, so I'm a spectator for these. At least this time one of my best friends was there too to cheer on her fiance. While the guys were out on the bike part of the race, we managed to get in a short run. That made me feel a little better about justifying the lazy afternoon in comfy clothes that always has to follow up race day. :)

I also just wanted to say thanks for the love from Saturday's post! I'm always so thankful for having such a supportive group of ladies check in here and share such positive thoughts! It truly makes a difference.

Some Work To Do

tee: Old Navy, belt & shoes: Target, jeans: Shopper's World

*Before you get into reading the deep stuff, I'll give you one of the few outfits I've liked lately :)

An exceptionally crappy day at work and a comment from my husband forced me to realize that I've got some self improvement to do to really truly be happy with myself. Thursday morning started off with a meeting in which I learned that the advising team I had just joined in May, working specifically with first year college students (my dream!) will be defunct by October. Did I know that was coming? Yes, our team isn't stupid and we'd picked up on some hints the past few months. Was I still devastated? Of course, and really cranky and emotional about it. I came home to a husband who simply reminded me that I still have a job doing what I had gone to school for. The fact that he wasn't jumping in and supporting my pity party got under my skin, and then he said this - you're not just mopey right now, you've been mopey for weeks now. 

Wow. I have to admit that I spent Thursday night continuing to sulk and generally being pissed off. At work, at him, kind of at everything. Once that wore off though, I got to thinking and realized he's completely right. I hate when that happens. Lately work has felt well, a little more like work than it typically does for me. I'm tired all the time, I don't typically feel good in outfits I pick out, I haven't been working out at all, and I've been making the worst choices when it comes to food. I realize that easy mac, combos, and a Diet Dr. Pepper from the bookstore is a lunch that will make you feel miserable within a few hours, but that didn't stop me. 

So now I'll try to change all those things. It started today with a short run, and plans to do the same tomorrow. Some grocery shopping happened with some reasonably healthy foods purchased, although I'll admit that the $1 mini pack of Oreos suckered me in while in line at the store. Baby steps I suppose. What tips do you have for finding little ways to incorporate some healthier habits into your daily routine? I'd love to hear them!

Finds Under 50

blazer - thrifted: $6
dress - thrifted: $5
shoes - Target: $10
bracelet - flea market: $3
watch - Kohl's: $12
belt - Kohl's: let's say $14 since that puts me at $50?
*(I've had the belt so long I can't remember the cost, but it's from Kohl's, so I'm sure I didn't pay more than that!)

It wasn't until lunch today when I was sitting in the park eating and trying to figure out what to blog about tonight that i realized just how thrifty of an outfit I planned for today. Just for fun, I've been considering a series that each week includes an outfit that I manage to put together for $50 or less, so why not make today the day I start? Although I rarely pay full price for anything, I can't remember the last time I stepped foot in a thrift store, so I thought this could be a good way to encourage myself to be a little more conscious of what I spend on items, regardless of where they came from.

Geometric

tee: Old Navy, shoes/sweater/jeans: Target

Can I still join in on Bri's Third Thursday Threads if it's Friday? I feel like that tired look in my eyes should be explanation enough for being behind. It's been a long couple of weeks at work! This tee has been one of my favorites this summer, and when I saw that the theme for this month was geometric prints, I couldn't help but wear it again. The fact that it's one of the few things I own in a geometric print didn't hurt either! Cooler weather means I had to add a sweater, and I decided that some tan on tan called for some fun shoes. And that my friends, is quite possibly the only good idea I can be credited for today. :)

Repeat

shirt: thrifted, shorts: Peebles, shoes: Kmart, bracelet: Charming Charlie

necklace: Maurices, shorts: Old Navy

I have to admit that I wore the same shirt all weekend and I don't feel bad about it. On top of that, I picked probably the coolest weekend we've had all summer to live in my shorts. I'm not a huge fan of the denim on denim combination in the first look, but just truly didn't care that day. To switch it up a little bit, because for some reason I feel like baby and wedding showers call for something other than jeans (although clearly I think denim up top is just fine!), I paired the shirt with some plain black shorts that were extremely comfortable for the 4 hour round trip home on Sunday for a good friends' baby shower. How about you - have you ever worn something two days in a row?

July Budget

Well it's that time again, time to fess up to how I did on my budget this month. In case anybody noticed, I completely skipped the June budget post! It's safe to say that I did not stick to my targeted $75 and if I had to estimate, I would say I spent a little over $100. But back to July's budget - I had only bought the dress up until the last 3 days of the month. I was starting to get really excited to brag about only spending $30 for the month, but then I found other things to buy...whomp whomp...

Black dress - $29.99 from Target: I used the excuse of July being my birthday month to pay full price for the dress. I love that its work, weekend, and special event appropriate with the right accessories. And of course it feels like wearing pajamas!

Bag - $10.48 from Target: I found myself with 2 1/2 hours to kill early last Sunday morning while waiting on my husband to finish a triathlon. I managed a 3 mile walk, to get breakfast, and enough time to wander through Target and find this deal. After reading the information about the bag online, I realized the little bag included that you can see in the front is actually for a tablet. Since I don't have one of those, I've been using it as a clutch!

Tshirt - $12.99 from Marshall's: This was completely an emotional buy. I was depressed from spending $900 on car maintenance on Monday, and needing some time to myself to sulk, I decided to stop at the Marshall's I passed on my way home. I don't quite know how someone who is upset about spending money deals with it by spending more, but I did. Thankfully I only allowed myself this one thing and in my defense I've wanted a shirt like this in awhile and it's super comfortable!

So there we have it - $53.46 for the month! Check out Fran's blog and see how everyone else did this time around. 

A Good Find

day time work look - shirt: Kohl's, sweater & shoes: Target, jeans: American Eagle

drinks after work!

This outfit picture is from last Friday - work was busy and tiring enough this week that by today I didn't have the brain power required to put together anything other than jeans, flats, and a tee. :) I found these white jeans earlier in the year after pretty much ignoring American Eagle for the past 7 years and I have to say that they're possibly my favorite pants. The fit feels perfect, they're more fun than blue jeans, and have I mentioned I found them for only $15?!