Thursday, October 31, 2019

Candy Tax and Mom Style

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Hey y'all and Happy Halloween! Parents, don't forget to take the appropriate amount of candy tax (your fair share of your kid's Halloween candy haul... I mean, you did take them out to get all of that candy) tonight! My candy tax favorites are always Snickers, Sour Patch Kids (really any of their sour candy is probably going to be mine because it's my favorite), and Peanut M&M's. Candy on Halloween night is totally guilt-free, in my opinion! Lol.

Today, I'm sharing Sunday's outfit and photo session. The best part of this photo shoot was that it was directed by my seven year old, Olivia. I'm the most awkward person to photograph (just ask my husband) and I have a super hard time being serious to document my outfit. Yes, even after "fashion blogging" for the past seven years or so, I'm still super awkward... and probably always will be. It's just who I am! So, Olivia stepped in to save the day. She showed me how I should pose and thankfully my husband captured this fun moment with her!

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fall fashion, what to buy for fall, what to wear for fall, style on a budget, north carolina blogger, style blogger, mom style

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She said I nailed it! Haha! She is too cute and I love watching her personality blossom as she grows. She's such a silly, sweet, and smart little girl! 

Sunday's mom style outfit... it was one of those mornings that I had to get dressed and ready fast. Like super fast. My sweet husband let me sleep in until 8am (which I totally needed to do), however, we needed to be at church at 9am! I had to get the girls and myself ready in a short amount of time so that's when I'm thankful for a closet filled with basics (perfect for a busy momma), that easily work together. I threw on my favorite top, jeans, and leopard, of course. Fun fact: this bag is my first ever Madewell purchase and now, I'm basically a walking Madewell advertisement. I also still really love this bag and carry it at least once or twice or three times a week!

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fall fashion, what to buy for fall, what to wear for fall, style on a budget, north carolina blogger, style blogger, mom style

fall fashion, what to buy for fall, what to wear for fall, style on a budget, north carolina blogger, style blogger, mom style

fall fashion, what to buy for fall, what to wear for fall, style on a budget, north carolina blogger, style blogger, mom style

Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you have a fun day!

S H O P  T H E  P O S T:

J E A N S | similar

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Instagram Roundup .186

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Happy Wednesday! I hope you are all surviving this sugar filled week of Halloween busyness! I always forget how chaotic this week is until it gets here and I have to dress my kids up for something every single day... sometimes two different things in the same day. As crazy as it is, I'm always try to soak in all of the fun with my kids while they are little-ish. I'm just trying not to forget anything and keep the candy consumption to a reasonable amount over here! 

Today, I'm sharing my weekly Instagram Roundup, including my outfits from last week, a super cute picture of my girls in their matching outfits, and a selfie with my BFF aka my husband!

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We have had a pretty warm week here but I am so ready to have leggings, flannel, and jean jacket weather every single day! Also, these budget friendly ankle boots are such a great find. I have been wearing them so much. Super comfy!


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How cute are these outfits?! I would totally wear this! I also really love how Olivia put her own spin on this look by switching out the socks that I picked out for her. I am loving the socks peaking out of the top of her ankle boots. I'm stealing that style from my seven year old!


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I used to dread going to the antique mall with my mom when I was young. I loved hanging out with her and going shopping but I never wanted to go to the antique mall. Nevertheless, she dragged me there almost every weekend. But now, it's one of my favorite things to do! I love looking at all of the fun treasures. I got the cutest vintage, beaded clutch on one of my most recent trips!


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I shared this mug in my Five Favorites post on Monday and for good reason. It's a momma must have! I love how this mug keeps my coffee warm plus it's super cute.


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My favorite $20 leopard print dress is finally back in stock! This thing sold out in lightening speed over the summer so I was super excited to see that they brought it back. It's great for fall, too. Add a cardigan and boots... and you are good to go! I'm wearing a size small and I'm 5'5".


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It's been awhile since I've busted out of my overalls. I love this black denim pair! They are also really great for layering as the weather gets cooler.


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Last but not least, a selfie with my husband! He is usually the one behind the camera so when we finish taking pictures, I almost always grab him for a quick selfie. He's the best!


Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you have a great day!

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

What I Bought at Trader Joe's

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Hey y'all! I hope your week is off to a great start! We finally have a Trader Joe's in Greensboro! We have been driving to Winston-Salem (which is about 45-50 minutes away) to get our Trader Joe's fix for the past few years. But, now we have one so much closer and I am so super excited! I know, it's a grocery store but it's not just any grocery. They have great prices, unique products, and excellent customer service! It's just our very favorite place to shop for food. 

The new store just opened this past Thursday so we had to make a stop in over the weekend to grab some of our favorites and some new things try. I'm super nosy and I love snooping into other people's carts (I used to work at a grocery store in high school and I was always amazed at the weird combinations of things that people purchased) to see what they are buying, especially at Trader Joe's. So today, I'm going to share what I grabbed on this Trader Joe's run! 

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1. Cauliflower Gnocchi | This is one of my all-time favorite items at Trader Joe's! I love to cook it in a skillet with a little butter, salt, and pepper until it's golden brown. Such a delicious side item!

2. Plantain Chips | They are such a great, guilt free snack. I love to use them for salsa or other dips or they are also just really good all on their own.

3. Gone Bananas and Gone Berry Crazy | What better way to eat fruit than when it's been dipped in chocolate?! So yummy! I can eat a whole box at one time.

4. Avocado Tzatziki Dip | This is a new item for me so I'll report back on what I think. It sounds so good though and has great, simple ingredients. Another thing I love about TJ's!

5. Heirloom Popcorn | Another great, low guilt snack!

6. Mini Corn Tacos | This was the first time I've bought these and I haven't tried them yet so I'll report back. I'm planning to eat them for lunch with one day this week.

7. Mashed Sweet Potatoes | This was another new purchase for me and we had them as a side for dinner last night. Sweet potatoes made simple! We just added butter, stevia, and cinnamon.

8. Mandarin Orange Chicken | I had seen this orange chicken all over Instagram so I decided to give it a try. We had it for dinner on Sunday night and my girls loved it! Such a great, easy dinner idea and it's kid friendly.

9. Vegetable Fried Rice | We served the mandarin orange chicken with this vegetable fried rice. Such a yummy dinner combo! We will definitely grab it again.

10. Simpler Wines Rosè | I absolutely love bubbly wines and this is such a great one. Also, super budget friendly! It's five dollars for four cans.

11. Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Baking Mix | This was another repeat buy! We made muffins with this mix a couple of weeks ago and they were so good. My husband couldn't even tell that they were gluten free!

12. Bamba Peanut Snacks | These peanut snacks were an impulse purchase. I was intrigued! I just tried them yesterday and they were actually really good. I would definitely buy these again. A great, low calorie snack option!

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What are you favorite items to pick up at Trader Joe's?! I'd love to know!

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Monday, October 28, 2019

Five Favorites .04

style on a budget, mom style, north carolina blogger, favorite things, lifestyle blogger
Hey y'all! I hope you had a great weekend! Today, I'm sharing Five Favorites and I hope y'all love these things just as much as I do. This post includes my favorite coffee mug, the product that has changed my skin, a game changing razor, my new favorite leggings (I really need a second and a third pair because they are that good), and my go-to calorie free drink!


This mug is one is one of the items that I get the most questions about over on Instagram! Pretty much every time I share it on stories, someone asks me about it. Most of the questions ask me if it's worth it as far as the price goes and I would definitely say yes. I got it for Valentine's Day this year and I have literally used it every single day since. I pour my hot coffee into and then a coffee cube (leftover coffee that has been frozen in ice cube trays). It keeps it the perfect, drinkable temperature for hours! The other question that I often get asked about it is how I travel in the car with it. Well, I have a Honda Pilot with a center console. I simply sit it on my center console and I've never had it tip over because it's bottom heavy. You can also get a slider lid for it to help prevent any spills plus it helps your drink stay warm for a longer time. I'm a fan!



My skin went through a really, really rough season between May and September. Four months of severe eczema breakouts and super dry, sensitive skin. My skin was particularly dry on my eyelids and they were so incredibly sensitive. I had to totally switch up my skincare routine to soothe my skin so I switched to using this rosehip oil instead of any other serums that I was using previously. I use it all over my face in the morning and in the evening after cleansing. It leaves my skin feeling moisturized without being sticky or shiny. I then apply my sensitive skin moisturizer. It really helped get my face back in good condition plus it's super budget friendly! I love this stuff!



If you have been on Instagram anytime over the last few months then I'm sure you've seen a dozen or more bloggers sharing this razor. I decided to try it for myself back in August and I'm still using it every single day. It comes with the handle and two blades to start with for only nine dollars and free shipping. After the first month, you can decide how many blades you want shipped (shipping is still free) to you each month. I personally picked four blades per month and that has worked out for me perfectly. I change my blade once a week and get a great shave. This is a major upgrade to the disposable razors that I was using! 



I had seen a few bloggers share these leggings and raved about how awesome they were. Well, I had to try them out because I was in the market for some new workout leggings. Mine arrived this week and they are like nothing I have ever felt material wise. They go on easier and hold you in (without that suffocating kind of feeling). I went with the small short (I'm 5'5' but wanted some ankle breathing room for working out). These are fantastic leggings! Two thumbs up.



I am a big fan of lemonade in general but not a fan of how much sugar is in it. When I met Carrie Underwood at the Calia by Carrie event back in April, Carrie's favorite drinks and snacks were setup for us before our workout. One of the drink was this Zero Squeeze Vitamin Water. It's sweetened with stevia so it's calorie free plus it's loaded with vitamins. The best part is that it tastes really great! I drink of these everyday!


Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you have a great day!

Friday, October 25, 2019

Currently Loving .154

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Happy Friday! I hope you've had a great week! I actually was able to get five posts up this week here on the blog. Woo hoo! It's a little more tricky to squeeze time in for blogging during my work week but I made it happen this week. In case you missed it, this is what was on the blog this week:


Today, I'm sharing my weekly roundup of what I'm Currently Loving! I always have so much fun putting this post together for y'all and hunting down my favorite things.
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Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. E A R R I N G S | How pretty are these earrings?! As much as I love my big hoops, I equally love a dainty earring for everyday wear. The mother of pearl is gorgeous!



2. J E A N S | I love a good pair of high waisted jeans! I'm loving the straight leg and the busted leg on this pair. Everlane is one of my favorite places to get really great quality denim at a fair price. I always get my true size when buying jeans there.



3. W A L L E T | I've already ordered this wallet! A small wallet to carry in my small bags was high on my wish list. As soon as I saw this appear in the new arrivals, I added it to my cart. I love the size and of course, the animal print!



4. C A M I | I am really loving the color of this cami! How fun would this be under a cardigan or moto jacket?! Especially for the upcoming holidays! You could totally take a casual look up a few notches with this gorgeous, budget friendly cami.



5. T O P | I am currently adding more long sleeve tops to my closet this season and I love the style of this one. Also, it's only $10! Such a great, affordable basic.



6. S O C K S | If it's going to be cold, you might as well wear fun socks! I need this pair to wear with boots this fall and winter season. So cute!



7. C A R D I G A N | I already own this cardigan in the color called "blush" (it's more a cream in person) but I think I need a second one. I love it that much! I'm thinking about getting either this pretty shade of brown or the mauve. I sized up one size for an extra relaxed fit.



8. B O O T S | I bought this boots last year and I was so excited to see that they brought this back this season. They are such a great pair of boots! Seriously excellent quality for the great price tag. I wore this all last season and I've already worn this one. I love these boots!



Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you have a great weekend!

Thursday, October 24, 2019

High Country Day Trip

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Hey y'all! Today, I'm sharing all about our spontaneous day trip to the High Country of North Carolina. Last Saturday, we did our usual morning routine of chocolate chip pancakes for the kiddos and then got ready for the day but not really with any particular plan for the day. I really wanted to go to the mountains but we weren't planning to stay overnight since most places in that area were already booked up for the weekend. We ended up heading to Boone, North Carolina, which is a little over a two hour road trip from our house. We got there around noon and spent the next eight hours exploring the High Country! The weather this day was chilly, cloudy, and eventually, rainy but we made the best our adventure and soaked in the fresh, mountain air.

Our first stop was for food! We arrived right at lunchtime and my Internet search for great places to eat in Boone led us to The Cardinal. We had never been there before and we are always up to try something new, especially my husband. I was intrigued by this place because of the great menu and the option for a gluten free bun. I don't have a gluten allergy (well, that I specifically know of) but I do try to eat gluten free about ninety percent of the time (you'll see what I ate this day that wasn't gluten free but totally worth it) because I just feel so much better when I do.

Back to The Cardinal, my husband got a burger that was beef mixed with emu (he said it was delicious) and I got a grilled chicken sandwich with an avocado spread (also, delicious). The vibe and style of this place was super fun plus it was kid friendly! We pretty much go everywhere with our kids so finding places where they are welcomed is a must for us. They even had toys that kids could bring to the table, such as magnetic tiles! Such a great family lunch or dinner spot in Boone.

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Next, we drove down the road to Grandfather Mountain Vineyard and Winery, which is located in Banner Elk, North Carolina. We have been to this vineyard two times before and it's one of my all time favorites that I have ever visited. The views are gorgeous and the wine is amazing, too! The girls love playing in the creek and hiking with us through the vineyard. This place is a must see!

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high country day trip, north carolina day trip, nc day trip, north carolina blogger, nc bogger, what to wear for fall, style on a budget

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We were all over High Country on this day trip because after the vineyard, we headed to Blowing Rock to get treats from Blue Deer Cookies. We discovered this place last year and we had to go back! They have delicious cookies, ice cream, and the best combination, an ice cream cookie sandwich! We tried lots of fun flavor combinations, including snicker doodle with apple pie ice cream and a pumpkin cookie with pumpkin ice cream. So delicious! We also got coffee here, too. If you are ever in the area, you definitely need to check this place out for a treat!

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high country day trip, north carolina day trip, nc day trip, north carolina blogger, nc bogger, what to wear for fall, style on a budget

The rain came in the early afternoon so our plans for hiking changed since we weren't dressed for a rainy day hike. We decided to go to another winery that we love, Linville Falls Winery, which is located in Newland, North Carolina. This was a beautiful drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway from Blowing Rock. At this winery, there's also a Christmas tree farm. How fun would it be to do a wine tasting and pick out a Christmas tree all of the same spot?!
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high country day trip, north carolina day trip, nc day trip, north carolina blogger, nc bogger, what to wear for fall, style on a budget



high country day trip, north carolina day trip, nc day trip, north carolina blogger, nc bogger, what to wear for fall, style on a budget

high country day trip, north carolina day trip, nc day trip, north carolina blogger, nc bogger, what to wear for fall, style on a budget

Our last stop of the day was back in Blowing Rock for our last stop and to eat. I didn't get any great pictures at dinner but we did have a delicious dinner at Blowing Rock Ale House Restaurant. We had also been here before and we loved it, again! The food is so good. We had such a fun eight hours exploring the High Country of North Carolina! 

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you have a great day!