OOTD - Twitch


This shirt brings out all of my OCD tendencies.  I'm not gonna lie, it's hard for me to wear it in public.  The sequins get all out of order, and the only way to fix them is to individually turn the errant ones into their proper positions.  To borrow from a popular meme, ain't nobody got time for that!  But, there's always time to take pictures outside on a gorgeous spring day!








Seriously though, those sequins make my eye want to twitch.  Speaking of Twitch (...how about that completely random segue? Eh?), have you guys seen this clip of the six year old Arkansan break dancer?  How cute is he?  I was beginning to think that the only thing you'd see on TV about our state was the Duggars or taxidermy, but this clip is pretty great too!


Outfit Details:
Shirt: Eddie Bauer Outlet, $8
Jacket: gifted
Jeans: Wal-Mart, $20
Shoes: Mossimo via Plato's Closet resale, $8
Earrings: Icing by Claire's, $3

Grand Total: $39

Sensory Sunday - 4/28/13

Hey guys!  Welcome back to another installment of Sensory Sunday!  I'd hoped to get in an installment of Fair Trade Friday this weekend, but I ended up catching a nasty stomach bug on Thursday night, and have just recovered, so you'll have next weekend to look forward to hearing about even more awesome companies.  In the meantime, here's what's on my brain this week:

What I'm Listening To:

I have to thank one of my old co-workers for passing the word along on this band, An Horse.  Apparently he's seen them live before here in town, and was very impressed by how talented they are, and passed along a video of them via Facebook.  I haven't stopped listening to them since!  I'm hoping they'll roll through town again soon, I'd love to see them live as well.




What I'm Eating:

Did you guys notice the little green banner on the left side of the blog?  It's for a really cool little meal plan service called eMeals.  I'm really not a foodie, and putting together a meal plan and shopping list makes me want to pull my hair out on a weekly basis, but eMeals does it for you!  I chose the Clean Eating meal plan for our family, but there's a ton to choose from, including Classic, Slow Cooker recipes, and Simple Gourmet, with options for either two servings or family-sized meals.  There's even plans for Breakfast and Lunch, with recipes like Pepperoni and Provolone Sandwiches with Red Pepper Mayo, or Curried Quinoa Salad with Grapes and Radishes.

One of my favorite recipes I tried recently is this one:

Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin with a White Bean Arugula Salad


Pork Tenderloin:

2 - 1 lb pork tenderloins
¼ c lemon juice
3 t Dijon mustard
2 T olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 sprigs rosemary, chopped
1 bunch thyme, leaves removed, chopped
2 t kosher salt
1 t pepper

Rinse and pat dry tenderloins. Combine lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Marinate pork tenderloin for 6 - 12 hours. Heat oven to 350° F. Remove tenderloins from marinade. Discard marinade. Heat ovenproof skillet over medium high heat. Brown tenderloins on each side for 3 - 5 minutes. Place skillet in oven and continue to bake for 50 minutes.    

Arugula Salad:

2 c dry white beans, soaked overnight and rinsed
¼ c chopped red onion
4 c arugula
Juice of 1 lemon
3 T olive oil
2 t salt
1 t pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
   
Cook beans covered with fresh water for 1 hour, or until tender. Rinse and drain beans. Combine white beans, red onion and arugula. Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Toss salad lightly with dressing.


(Full disclosure, if you click through the link on the side of the blog and sign up for one of eMeals plans, I do receive a small commission, but I wouldn't recommend this service unless I loved it, don't worry!)

What's On Mah Brain:

These lyrics (from Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave) -

Seems like all I can see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then you look at this prisoner and say to me
"son stop fighting a fight that's already been won"

I am redeemed, you set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain
Now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed... I'm redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear you whisper "child lift up your head"
I remember oh God you're not done with me yet

I am redeemed, you set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain
Now I'm not who I used to be

Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me
'cause his day is long dead and gone because
I've got a new name, a new life I'm not the same
and a hope that will carry me home

I am redeemed, you set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains and
Wipe away every stain
Now I'm not who I used to be

I am redeemed you set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains and
And wipe away every stain
Now I'm not who I used to be
Oh God I'm not who I used to be
Jesus I'm not who I used to be

'Cause I am redeemed
Thank God redeemed


I couldn't fall asleep for the longest time last night, mostly because my brain wouldn't turn off.  You know those times that every regret you have just show up in your mind all at once?  Yeah, it was one of those nights, and I'm just glad I heard this song today.  Sometimes I just need an obvious reminder of the amazing things God is capable of in my life (ahem, and yours of course!).

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, I'll see you guys tomorrow!

Thrifted Pinterest - Lady

Today's Thrifted Pinterest really should be called Gifted Pinterest, because of the skirt, but I'm going to bend the rules just a little bit. I just love the pin that inspired today's outfit, and really wanted to re-create it.  The picture is just so cute and ladylike!  I'm in serious envy of the pear printed tee-shirt as well!

http://pinterest.com/pin/216806169533259915/
I remembered when I saw this picture that I had a full black skirt tucked into the back of my closet that my mom gave to me, and it hadn't been worn in a while.  So, I threw it on and piled on some rings to do my take on being 'ladylike.'






Outfit Details:
Shirt: Gap Outlet, $5
Skirt: gifted
Shoes: F21 via Plato's Closet resale, $10
Necklace: gifted
Rings: Icing by Claire's, $5 for all (old)
Headband: Wal-Mart, $3 for two (clearance)

Grand Total: $23

Kidlet Style - The Zoo!

Since I work on Saturdays, and Daddy A works during the week, we really don't get a lot of time to take family trips or outings.  So, last Friday, Daddy took off work so we could take the girls to the Tulsa Zoo.












You like Little A's 'hat?'  I forgot to attach her canopy to the carseat, and didn't pack a hat, so we had to make do with what we had!

We did have to search out the crocodiles, since that was the one animal Big A said she wanted to see.  Gotta keep her happy!



As it got into late afternoon, it seemed like it was naptime for everyone except the bears (and Little A, who was just soaking up the sights...).






So, on that note, we decided to head home, where my eldest also managed to get some needed sleep.


Outfit Details for Big A:
Jacket: Circo, $4.50
Shirt: Children's Place, $3.50
Jeans: Genuine Kids, $4.50
Shoes: Old Navy, $5.50

Grand Total: $18

All clothing and prices are from our local Once Upon A Child.

OOTD - Stolen

You guys, I have a confession.  This is my husband's shirt.


I convinced my hubbster to buy a red (almost pink...?) V-neck T-shirt online.   Suffice it to say, he took one look in the mirror when it arrived here and suddenly, I had a new shirt.  It looks better on me anyways. ;)







Outfit Details:
Shirt: Aeropostale, $4 (clearance)
Jeans: Aeropostale, $9 (clearance)
Sweater: Sears, $3 (clearance)
Shoes: Sears, $5 (clearance)
Necklace: Rue 21, $5 (clearance)
Ring: Icing by Claire's, $3 (not clearance...)

Grand Total: $29

Thrifted Pinterest - Pearl Snaps and Fringe

Today's Thrifted Pinterest is a mash-up of three different pins!  I just couldn't decide which one to feature, so I just built an outfit from all of them!  If you've been on Pinterest at least once in your life, chances are you've seen this pin:

http://pinterest.com/pin/216806169533952585/

I swear, this picture has become the maxi skirt formula.  Wearing a maxi skirt?  Wear a denim shirt/jacket with it!

I also really loved this pin, mostly because that little one is adorable!  (the skirt's pretty cute too...)

http://pinterest.com/pin/216806169533718922/

And finally, another insanely popular pin, this one a DIY:

http://pinterest.com/pin/216806169532590003/
So, what do you get when you put all these together?  Something like this:






That's right, I'm wearing pearl snaps and fringe at the same time, and I'm not even going square dancin'!

Outfit Details:
Scarf: DIY from old shirt
White Shirt: JC Penney, $5
Denim Shirt: Once Upon A Child, $2.50
Skirt: DIY from materials on hand
Shoes: F21 via Plato's Closet, $10

Grand Total: $17.50

Kidlet Style - Backyard Discoveries

Okay, so Sunday was a gorgeous day!  It would have been a crime if we hadn't soaked up every bit of sunshine we could.  So, we played with the dog...



...soaked up sunshine and 'mowed' the lawn....





...decided to go barefoot...





...and wiggle and smile....





... and bounce, bounce, BOUNCE on the trampoline...







...and even find really cool stuff, like bird eggs, ladybugs, and flowers!








FIN

Outfit Details for Big A:
Top: Old Navy, $3.50
Skirt: Children's Place, $2.25 (clearance)
Sandals: Arizona, $3.50
Sneakers: Old Navy, $5.50

Outfit Details for Little A:
Leggings/Tutu: Children's Place, $3.50
Onesie: Circo, $1.50

Grand Total: $19.75

All outfits and prices are from our local Once Upon A Child.