Fall Finds at Target

Hey everyone! I'm back today with some fun fall finds (like that alliteration lol?) from Target. I was there over the weekend and wanted to buy EVERYTHING. Don't worry Mark, I refrained!

One | Two | Three
Four | Five | Six
Seven | Eight

It's still pretty warm here but I'm excited to pair some long sleeved (one, four) dresses with ankle boots (soon) and then leggings and taller boots later in the year. So many cute options!

This lace-up sweatshirt is way cuter in person. I love how it will be easy to throw on for a breezy day but isn't too heavy. I am imagining it layer with a vest when it gets a little cooler as well. They had an olive green version in stores but only had large/ x-large left. Bummer!

Christmas is definitely my fave holiday to decorate for but fall is a close second. I love all the earth tones for Fall and you can't go wrong with plaid. Finding different patterned pumpkins in various sizes is one of the easiest ways to decorate for fall. Cluster them in threes and boom you're done. I have a few grouping of pumpkins in my house right now.

I change out the throw pillows on our brown couch throughout the year and the fall pillow are my fave! I have a plaid pillow, a few pumpkin pillows similar to the one pictured, and a velvet "gather" pillow. Such an easy way to change the vibe of a room.

Hope you have a wonderful day and yay for fall almost being here!!

Five on Friday

Happy Friday everyone! Can I get a hallelujah for the weekend??? I am so excited for some down time because I don't have anything planned. I'm going to work on some house stuff and then the world is my oyster. Woohoo!

Trench Coat Love

buy it here

I am on the hunt for a really great trench coat. I wanted one last season but never got around to buying one. Then I wanted one of my fave Youtubers video on styling a trench coat and I knew I had to have one lol. Dramatic yes, but they are so cute for fall! I have my eye on a few but don't love the price tag. I'll let you know if I find something better!

Nordstrom Rack Goodies

buy it here

I went to Nordstrom Rack a few weeks back and picked up this sweater. I am in LOVE with the material and how cozy it feels. The temperature is finally dropping enough to wear it at night. YAY! Plus you can't beat this $29 price tag!

buy it here

This shirt has also become a fast fave of mine as well. It's super flattering on and looks adorable with dark skinnies and ankle boots.

New Read

buy it here

I just finished the book I Found You by Lisa Jewell and I really liked it. It was a little slow in the beginning but the story takes some very interesting twists and turns. I found myself glued to it towards the end. The story is based on a man who mysteriously ends up in a seaside town and a woman, Alice, takes him in. 

The story then switches to a woman whose husband has gone missing. The two are connected but exactly how is unknown. The author does a really good job of explaining the characters in depth and giving you a good sense of who they are. I think that's why it takes so long for the story to get going, but like I said, it's worth the slow start. 

Pioneer Woman 

buy it here

During our recent move, a lot of our dishes were broken which was such a bummer. The good news is that it gave me an excuse to get some new cute ones! I found these at WalMart (not my favorite place lol) but I knew they carried the Pioneer Woman line and it's so dang cute! These dishes were under $25 and totally match my style. LOVE!

FINALLY Found a Rug

buy it here

I have been on the hunt for a runner for the entryway since we moved in. I knew I needed something pretty long but I didn't want to pay an arm and a leg for it. Thankfully my friend Emily reminded me to look on Overstock (thanks Em!) and I found this beauty. It's 12 feet long and was only $70 when I bought it because I had a coupon. It's still a great deal on Overstock though and it was delivered within a week. Love it!

Favorite Summer Purchases

Good morning everyone! I'm currently in Vegas and holy moly it's hot. I haven't lived here during the summer in 7 years so it was a little shock to my system haha. I'm happy to be spending some time with my family though. :)

Summer is well underway so I thought I would share some of my purchases so far. Here we go...

1- Jean shorts

buy them here

I am constantly in jean shorts during the summer. They are easy to throw on and go with pretty much everything. I bought this pair from the Loft this year and I'm LOVING them. They aren't too short but they are still tight enough that they don't look too mature... not trying to wear mom shorts yet. No judgement if that's your thing :) 

2- Peplum top

get it here

I was on the hunt for this top for awhile and finally found it. I originally wanted it in white but settled on this beautiful blue color. SO pretty! I love anything flowy and this is even super flattering on. My go-to way to wear it is with white jeans. 

3- Embroidered Top

buy it here

This top is super cute on and also comes in blue. I have both... whoops haha! It's just super comfy and I love the embroidered detail! 

4- Sam Edelman sandals

buy here

I have several pairs of these Gigi sandals but this color is my fave. It goes with everything!! This is a staple in my closet for sure!

5- One-piece

buy it here

I have been on the hunt for a really cute one-piece that actually fits me lol. I have a long torso so NOTHING ever fits. The back is also super adorable on this suit so I'm excited to actually wear it!

Feeling the Blues

Top row- left to right:  One  |  Two |  Three
Bottom row- left to right:  One  |  Two |  Three

I am pretty basic when it comes to my wardrobe. I love solid colors and stripes haha! There is also an abundance of blue in my closet but I just love it. I think navy blue looks good on everyone and it's so easy to pair with tan sandals or ankle boots.

I've been eyeing a lot of dresses lately because I'm ready for out typical San Diego weather to come back. It's already starting to feel like spring... hallelujah! I wanted to share some really cute things that I've found lately. Since, we aren't quite to dress weather, I would pair all of these dresses with a jean jacket. This one from Old Navy is a great price and fits really well.

The first dress on the top left is from Tobi.com and is sooo comfortable. This would be super cute with tan fringe ankle boots now and sandals in the summer. I also see this as a cute coverup for the beach.

The flowery dress is from Target and you can't go wrong with this cute print. I love the cold shoulder aspect and the cute ruffle of the sleeve too.

The bottom left is from the Loft and I got this about a month ago. I haven't worn it yet because my legs are so white lol. I need to use my R+F sunless tanner asap! I think this would be super cute dressed up a bit with fun earrings and wedges. I can't wait to wear this. Also, it's currently 40% off!

The embroidered dress has my name written all over it. I love the flowy shape of the dress but the top adds something different and fun. This is perfect for work because it has sleeves but would also be cute dressed down in some flip flops. This makes me want to go on vacation lol!

The last dress on the bottom right is also a Tobi dress. I love the inexpensive prices of their clothing but they are still pretty good quality. This dress caught my eye because of the tiered design. This is great for hiding the mid-section, without it looking like you're wearing a bag. I mean, I do love a good bag look lol but most people want to have a shape. The tie is adjustable too, so you can change the length and how much of your back is exposed.

The Perfect Pair of Shorts

Green   |   White Floral  |   Black

Cream   |  Pink  |  Blue & White stripes

Blue Floral   |   Pink Dots   |    Colorful Reef

I am constantly on the hunt for the perfect pair of shorts. I want them to be fitted but not too tight. They need to be long enough to cover my booty but not too long where they look like I'm ultra conservative. I want them to have some stretch but not get baggy. I know, I know... I'm high maintenance lol.

Anyways, I have found the perfect pair of shorts! They are the Pixie Chino shorts (3.5 in) from Old Navy. They fit really well and they hold their shape, which is important in the humidity. I also really like the Twill shorts from Old Navy, which are very similar but sit a little lower. I've linked a bunch of my fave patterns. I'm still on the hunt for a great pair of jeans shorts though. Any suggestions??

What to Pack for a Quick Weekend Trip

I am the queen of over-packing. I'm pretty sure it runs in my family because my sister, mom, and grandma all do the same thing. I just don't know what I will be in the mood to wear lol! It's not my fault! It does get annoying to pack all of those outfits though. I only wear a quarter of them and then I have to unpack it all. I've recently decided that I was going to make a change! So here is what I packed for a recent weekend to a warmer climate. :)

Shorts are a must have for the desert heat. I like the 3.5 inch shorts from Old Navy because they aren't super short (where my butt is hanging out hehe) but they also don't go down to my knees. They are a nice happy medium. I wear these black and white polka dot shorts from last season all the time. I also love these pink shorts because you can pretty much throw on any neutral colored top and they would look great. I also recently picked up these striped shorts... they are so comfy!

Right now, I'm loving this off the shoulder ruffled top. It slips up my arms quite often but if you keep your arms down it looks great lol. Also, this chambray peplum is so cute. It's the right amount of flowy so it hides any weekend over-indulgences haha :)  I try to bring tops that can be mixed and matched with a pair of jeans or other bottoms to create new outfits.

A bathing suit is obviously a must... if there is a pool or hot tub. Is it just me or is bathing suit shopping the worst thing ever?? I hate it. I know... hate is a strong word, so maybe I just despise it lol. I bought a couple suits last year and they are still in pretty good shape. I bought these adorable ruffe bottoms from Victoria's Secret, when I had lost weight before my hubby came home. Sadly, these haven't made an appearance since. How cute are they though?? Macy's has a great selection of bathing suits right now too. Sadly, I can't find my suit I bought from there last year.

I think dresses are so perfect for the warmer months. It's a whole outfit in one... what could be better? I love this jean shift dress from Old Navy. It's comfy and doesn't look too over-sized and frumpy. Plus, it barely takes up any room in my suitcase!

I love my gold flip flops from Old Navy. You can't beat the $12 price and they go with everything. I wore mine to death last year so I probably need to get a few more pairs. They don't have the gold online any more but I saw them in store last week. This mint pair is equally as adorable! I'm still loving my lace up sandals from the Gap Factory as well. Old Navy has similar options and these lave even farther up your leg. So cute!

I packed a pair of shorts and one of Mark's t-shirts for PJs. So comfy! I also brought a pair of workout clothes- leggings, and a tank that can double as a driving outfit but also is great to throw on for some exercise.  I'm loving these bottoms!

I try to only take a small amount of jewelry to save space and so I can mix and match them with different outfits. This time I took a mint, gold, and pink hassle necklace, my gold necklace from Mark, a silver cuff, and my Michael Kors rose gold watch. I put the necklaces in their own little bags and then put everything together in a small drawstring bag.

I'm planning on posting my makeup and other product must-haves soon! :)

Spring Plaid

1- Mint green dress   2- Yellow plaid shirt   3- Blue & pink trapeze tank

4- Red plaid   5- Dark blue peplum   6- V-neck romper

Last night I was with a friend and I somehow ended up on the Old Navy website. I was blown away by all the adorable spring plaid and somehow this round-up magically happened lol. I would wear every single item on this page and I can't wait to go pick up a few. The mint green dress and the plaid romper are my personal faves though.

Right now the site is having a sale on all the dresses and you can take 30 percent off your total order. Sounds good to me :)

10 Ways to Wear a Striped Shirt

I'm linking up with Karli today to share an item that is in constant rotation in my closet- a basic striped tee. I have so many striped tees, it's a little lot crazy, but they go with everything! I've listed all the different ways that I wear my go-to white and black striped shirt. Hopefully, this will help you change up your basic tee.

1- Black cropped slacks, a chunky sweater, lace- up flats, and a statement necklace

2- Workout attire: bright sports bra and black shorts

3- Leggings, plaid (tied around waist), and converse

4- Black jeans, cargo vest, long gold necklace, and black ankle boots

5- Skinny jeans, sandals, and simple jewelry: necklace (made by my very talented cousin), Michael Kors watch, and Alex and Ani bracelets.

6- Skinny jeans, bright yellow cardigan, chunky necklace, and black lace-up flats

7- Bright colored shorts, gold & tan sandals, and a long necklace

8- Jeans, black blazer, chunky necklace, and black & tan wedges

9- Army green pants, jean jacket, black sandals, and a turquoise necklace

10- Distressed boyfriend jeans, converse, and a hat

Spring Fever

The weather in San Diego has been so nice. It definitely feels like spring around here, but let's be real... when does it not?? lol. I went to Old Navy the other day and there were so many cute spring items!! Here are a some of my faves.

Gladiator sandals- I love the lace-up detail of these sandals and the neutral cognac color. These would work well with anything!

Saddle Bag- I love the look of this bag so much! It's perfectly compact and the a great neutral color for the spring. Plus, who can resist the tassel??

Striped Dress- All you need is a jean jacket and this dress is perfect to transition from San Diego's "winter" to spring.

Striped Tank & White Tank- Peplum shirts have been my thing for awhile now. I don't like the tight-fitting peplum though, I'm more into the looser, more flowy fit. I recommend getting the striped tank in a tall size (online) because it runs super short. Unless of course you like the whole belly shirt thing... me, not so much.

Old Navy is having an online sale where you can take an extra 30% off your total purchase. Just use the code "enjoy" when you check out. :) What are you eyeing for spring??

Comfy Thanksgiving Day Outfit

It's November! Can you believe it??? This year has gone by so fast! Since I am a teacher I think of years in terms of "school years" and my goodness the past 3 months have flown by with my kiddos. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I couldn't be more excited for the yummy food and good company that it brings. I've started thinking about outfits, because well that's what I do lol. I love clothes, shopping, etc. so this is super fun for me. This is my idea of the perfect comfy Thanksgiving day outfit... nothing too fancy but still a little more effort than normal.

1. This cable knit sweater is super cute and I love the "sand dune" color. It's a great neutral to pair with pretty much anything! I see it being super cute with a maroon long-sleeve underneath too!

2. I love plaid everything. I have been wearing plaids for years and I am so excited that they are still in style. This classic combo of red, blue, and white is perfect and I love it underneath a cable knit sweater! Plus it's only $19, love that.

3. These hexagon studs are simple but oh-so-polished. I never really wear earrings but these are on my wish list at the moment!

4. I love cognac/ brown riding boots. I pair them with everything, even black! If you are going for an even more laid back look the riding boot option would be perfect!

5. These jeans from the Gap would be great to pair with pretty much anything. I love that they are slightly distressed, but not overboard. Jeans are my go-to so I will def be wearing a pair on Thanksgiving.

6. Ankle booties are my jam. I love them! This pair is sooo cute and they are currently sitting in my Nordstrom shopping cart. I am so terrible at this No-spend November thing! :/ The tan color pairs great with anything and would add a more polished look to the sweater and plaid.

7. I must confess that I rarely change out my purse, unless I want to carry a clutch or a smaller cross body for the night. I wish I was one of those girls who had a purse that was coordinated with her outfit each day, but I'm not lol. If I did change it out for my Thanksgiving outfit I think this little fringe cross-body from Old Navy would be adorable. I am also loving this black and white printed clutch from Old Navy too!

What are you planning on wearing for Thanksgiving?? We keep it pretty casual but I've seen some gorgeous dresses on Nordstrom's website for those of you who get more dressed up for the occasion!

My Current Wish List

I've had my eye on several items in the past couple of weeks so I thought I would share a few... okay maybe a little more than a few :)

1. Riding Boots- I have been on the hunt for some new black riding boots and I think these are pretty perfect. I love the slouchy detail and the cute buckles. I need to make a trip to DSW to actually try them on to see if they are just as cute in person.

2. Too Faced Born This Way Foundation- I've talked about my love for this foundation in a past Five on Friday post and I am still loving it. I just need a lighter shade since I've lost all traces of a tan on my face. I got a sample of a lighter shade and it mixes pretty well with my current color.

3. Zella Leggings- I am always on the hunt for the perfect black leggings. I am super picky about them being thick enough that they won't be see-through but also not too thick to where they are hot. It doesn't get very cold in San Diego so I don't need anything super warm. I've heard great things about the Zella leggings and I want to check them out. Have any of you tried them?

4. Faux- Shearling Vest- This vest is seriously adorable! I saw it at JcPenny's the other day and should have gotten it then. I'm still contemplating whether or not I'll actually wear it lol. It's currently on sale for $49 and I have a 25% off coupon. I may just have to pick this up!

5. MAC 135 Brush- Jaclyn Hill was raving about this brush the other day in a haul video. She says it's the perfect bronzer brush and I was immediately intrigued. I have a super old brush that I use for bronzer right now and it always sheds little tiny hairs on my face when I use it. Ugh, that bothers me so much! I'm hoping to get this brush soon!

6. Lucky Wedge Booties- I've posted about these booties before and they are STILL on my radar. Last time I went to Nordstrom they were sold out :( The color is just perfect for the fall and wedges are always super comfy. Mark asked me if these were wedges or booties. I said both and he decided they should be "wooties" lol.

Activewear Inspiration

Do you ever have those days when you just want to park your butt on the couch instead of working out??? Ugh, that's so me right now! I don't know why I am so exhausted every day but the last thing I want to do is workout. I have a week of great momentum and then I go out of town and lose it! I'm putting an end to the excuses now though. I am getting back on the bandwagon and what better way to do that but to get some inspiration from a new outfit! Here is a little round-up from my athletic gear go-to... Old Navy!

Top Row: 1. Burnout Tank 2. Racerback Sports Bra, 3. Long-sleeve Go-Dry Tee

Middle Row 1. Elastic Strap Burnout Tank  2. Go-Dry Racerback Tank

Bottom Bow: 1. Bright-Colored Crops 2. Long-Sleeve Hi-Low Shirt 3. Carbon Yoga Pants

I have been wearing Old Navy's activewear for several years now and it just keeps getting better. The material of their crops and leggings are thicker than they used to be and they really hold up. I love that they sit high on my waist because the last thing you want when you're working out is to have your butt hang out lol. The tanks are super comfy and and also hold up after being washed over and over again. I love this line of activewear! What is your go-to when it comes to work out clothes??

Fall Lovin'

1. Chevron Necklace 2. Vince Camuto booties 3. Plaid Scarf 4. Bucket Bag 5. Faux Leather Jacket 6. Textured Cardigan

I love fall! I know I sound like the typical girl who squeals with delight at the thought of boots, scarves, pumpkin spice lattes, and comfy sweaters...but I can't help it! Living in San Diego doesn't give us the chance for a true fall but I can pretend, right?? Some of my favorite blogs have been posting outfit inspirations and I have been swooning over these Vince Camuto booties. They are a little expensive for my taste but seriously adorable! I follow EmilyAnnGemma (from The Sweetest Thing Blog) on Instagram and she just posted two really cute outfits with these booties. Maybe they will go on sale haha?? A girl can dream right?

I snagged these littles beauties during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and I'm super excited to wear them. I am definitely not a heel girl so booties make me feel like I'm dressing up without risking falling on my face. :) I wore the heck out of my maroon booties from Old Navy last year so I am so excited to have a more neutral color to wear this fall. Plus the zipper detail in the back is so cute and makes them easy to wear.

The chevron necklace would be a great layering piece for a basic tee and a long cardigan. Plus it's only $16! Perfect!

I saw the Bucket Bag at Old Navy last weekend and wanted to get it but for some reason I set it back down. They have a sale online right now for 25% off any amount, 30% off $75, and $35 off of $100. Maybe I will have to pick this bag up soon! It's a great neutral bag that is able to hold a ton of my junk! I tend to fill my purses with all kinds of things but lately I've been using a really small cross-body so I've had to be a minimalist. I'm ready for a bigger bag for sure!



Of course, I can't leave out the excitement I have that the Pumpkin Spice Latte is coming back! I tried a few different recipes at home this past year but they weren't as good. Can't wait to treat myself!

What are your favorite fall treats?? Any clothing items you can't wait to purchase?

Five on Friday

It's almost the weekend!! Woot woot! My dad comes in town tonight so that's exciting! Mark and my dad are going golfing and to an MMA fight later tomorrow night. My mom's uncle is refereeing the fight so a bunch of guys made the trip to San Diego to have a guys weekend. I will be spending tomorrow getting coffee and a pedicure with my friend Heidi. I love a good relaxing girls day :)

A. Liz Adventures, Carolina Charm, Hello Happiness

1. New Workout Clothes

Burnout Tank

Headband

I LOVE getting new workout clothes because it definitely makes me want to work out more often (which is always a good idea). I found a few cute tanks from Old Navy and a workout headband that I have been loving. The tank was on sale for $7 and the headband was on sale for $4. I bought one of their new sports bras but I'm going to return it because it just doesn't fit as well as the old design.  I also picked up a couple other things and I had a $15 off of $50 coupon. I love a good deal!

Tuff Athletics Printed Leggings

I also found a cute pair of patterned workout leggings at Costco for $16.99. They are super comfy and on the thicker side. I have this fear of leggings being too thin and everyone seeing my booty while I'm working out, so thank goodness these passed the test.

2. Everybody Get Walkin...

I can't get enough of this view!

The title is from the lyrics of a song that we sing at Praise & Worship at my work... it was stuck in my head as I was writing this haha. Anyways, I absolutely love to go on walks. Just being outside soaking in the sunshine, while listening to music (or as of late, an audiobook) and getting a little exercise is my idea of relaxation.  We live super close to Sunset Cliffs so I usually go on walks there but lately I have also really enjoyed walking at the Marine Core base near us. They have a track that is always empty so it's nice and quiet. I have been loving going about 30 minutes before sunset and then I walk for around an hour while listening to my audiobook. It's so peaceful. Sometimes I will do sprint intervals and then do different kinds of squats, lunges, and burpees. It's a perfect outside workout. 

3. My Sanity

I have a VERY long commute to and (especially) from school. The first week I started working there I would come home in tears because I was so exhausted from the crazy traffic. The last thing you want to do after a work day is have to slam on your breaks every two minutes because the traffic is so nuts! I finally realized that listening to talk radio or audiobooks would save my sanity (at least on the way home hehe). I have listened to so many books since then and I just finished another great one, The Other Daughter by Lauren Willig. At first I was unsure because the accent really got on my nerves but I grew to actually like the voice and to LOVE the book. I found myself listening to it while walking, getting ready in the morning, and setting up my classroom.  It's a great book about a girl named Rachel Woodley whose mother died unexpectedly. As she is gathering the items left in the home she finds something that leads her to believe her father, whom had been dead for 23 years, was actually alive. The story unveils the layers of deceit, revenge, and love as Rachel explores her past and her future.  I'll do more of a review on the book next week but if I was you I would go download it ASAP!

Amazon

4. Babies!!

Mark's cousin Laura just announced that she is pregnant and we couldn't be more excited!!! This will be the first baby in our families and we can't wait to spoil the heck out of it. Praying for a healthy pregnancy for Laura and a healthy baby girl... okay a boy will be fine too :)

5. Back to School

Today is our last day of our Inservice week before the kiddos come. I am stressed and praying that I finish everything today. I forgot how much work it is to set up a classroom from scratch. I've gone to Joann's Fabric four times in the last week and I feel they should know me by name haha. I keep going back to get more fabric, ribbon, and other extras that I didn't think about earlier in the week. I know that teaching is about way more than a classroom looking complete but I also know that the presentation of the room is the first things the parents and kids will notice. Just trying to squeeze in as much work as I can today so I don't have to come in over the weekend. I can do this!!