OOTD - The Final Funk

If you haven't noticed, my hair has been going through some changes lately!  It's actually recently gone to a more muted shade, so this is actually the last archived photo set from the "Funky Hair Days," as I just now decided to call them.  This last shade just happens to match the trim of this LBD, so it's a happy ending for the crazy hair days (for now, I haven't tried green yet, that may end up happening in the future.....maybe.).

Outfit Details:

Dress: thrifted, $0.50

Top: thrifted, $3.50

Boots: Steve Madden, thrifted, $15

Earrings: Wal-Mart, $2 (clearance)

Hair Color: Splat, Midnight Indigo

Grand Total: $21

Monday Meal Plan - Week of January 29th

Another workweek, another meal plan!  I kept things pretty simple this week, and am improvising a few meals, like this "microwave omelette" set-up I've got going on:

Basically, that's two eggs cushioned with a paper towel in a baggie, with some tomatoes, cheese, and lunch meat to mix in.  Crack the eggs, mix in the extras and microwave for 2 minutes, and voila!  Omelette in a cup.

OOTD - Onion

This outfit reminds me of Shrek.  And no, not because the shirt is green!  (although, that too)  It just reminds me of Shrek's rant about having layers, and with the cropped sweater, keyhole back top, repurposed DIY ring, patterned shoes, this is a multi-layered onion of an outfit!  {insert random joke about being awesome and not stinky here, haha}

Feature Friday - DIY Fall Decorations

If you haven't noticed, I've been finding a lot of blog content from the archives to share lately! Today's Feature Friday post is no different. I had the chance to collaborate with Ashley from BlogFrog, and then the holidays and life got in the way. So, ya'll get the bonus of some great Fall ideas to file away for next year! Don't forget to bookmark or pin this for later, I'm sure it will come in very handy in the future, since, you know, the seasons DO repeat themselves! Enjoy!Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. But, with the cooler temperatures, people often start crafting the winter decorations. We challenge you to change that this year. There are a lot of fun, fall crafts that you can display from late August until the holiday season. 

Supplies

One of the best things about fall projects is the endless supplies of materials available. You see, a fall wreath, bird feeder, herb garden, or garland can be almost any color. You will use a lot of orange and brown, but you also can use any shade of yellow, beige, tan, and hues of green. Your accessories can be made from buttons, ribbon, strips of cloth, straw, and just about anything. 

In one or two trips to the thrift store, you can collect enough handmade frames, old but interesting shirts, and any odd and end item you can think of for the kitchen. 

Below we will make a fall chalk wreath. You can buy a roll of chalkboard contact paper and any frame, tray, or board can instantly be your base.

DIY Fall Wreath

We will begin with a simple craft project. Make a chalkboard fall wreath for your home with just a few supplies. You can read more about the markers here. 

OOTD - WAAAY Back

Ya'll, I found some OLD pictures from the archives, and I really can't believe I never got around to posting them when they were taken last year.  But, there's no time like the present, right?  Plus, we can all reminisce together about the good old times when you could actually go outside without losing a limb to frostbite....

OOTD - Lu-Lu-Lula

So I have this co-worker who has gotten me hooked on Lularoe.  Like, really truly, my closet is starting to get a bit overwhelmed with the amount of adorable stretchy items. BUT, in my defense, how do you not snatch up adorable leggings that look THIS CUTE on your friend?

Monday Meal Plan - Week of January 8th

Another week, another day of my kitchen looking like this:

OOTD - Fringe Benefits

Can I take a minute to brag on my job?  I have to say, I'm completely blessed to find a job, in the car business no less, that fits my personality so well.  It definitely has it's stressful moments, but the good outweighs the bad on so many levels!  I'm just feeling all lovey-dovey about it, and had to share.  It's not usually the norm to find a group of co-workers that become close friends, a boss that tempers his high expectations with equal amounts of encouragement, and owners that push their employees to be their best while still caring about them.  I'm not passionate about the car business, but I am passionate about this one.  (And no, other than my normal paycheck, I'm not being paid to write all this.)

Plus, where else would I find awesome co-workers to take my outfit photos with an equally awesome car-lot background?

Monday Meal Plan - New Year, New Instant Pot

Guess what I got for Christmas?  I'll give you a hint, it rhymes with Instant Yacht, and it's going to get a LOT of use in our home, especially for this working mama!  So, in the spirit of the New Year, I figured I'd start up my weekly Monday Meal Plan feature, with a twist:

Since I've been working, we've entered the 'non-traditional' family spectrum.  And it's been such a good fit, and may inspire a more detailed blog post later on.  Basically, I'm the primary income provider, while my husband is the primary homemaker.   We're still not sure yet if this is permanent or temporary, but it fits well with our current season of life.  With that change comes others, as it always happens, and Andrew has been cooking and doing most of the grocery shopping.

However, whenever I decide I want to cook up a storm in one afternoon, and do my own meal prep, that also means that I end up doing my own shopping as well.  So, my weekly meal plans are only going to be listing my breakfast, lunch, and snack options for my work days, and I'll leave the dinners up to him.  I'm also not including a lot of recipes this week, since I'm kind of throwing a bunch of stuff together, but I'll list what I can for anyone that wants to follow along, throwing in some links I've found helpful as an Instant Pot beginner.

First up, the grocery list, which I made printable, with a bunch of blank spaces for any additional items you'd like to add for your own shopping trips: