A good deal + #whatiwore

I have a Kohl’s right around the corner from me, but I don’t go all that often.  Mostly it’s hit or miss in the clothing/shoes department so I go when I need something, but it’s usually when I’m desperate and half the time, they don’t have what I need.

My daughter is being a typical teenager (technically not a “teen” for another 6.5 weeks, but in my mind, she’s a teen already) and being super picky with her clothes for school.  She’s still finding her style and sometimes our shopping trips are…difficult.  To be fair, sometimes she loves something and it’s a big fat N-O from me so it’s finding the middle ground that can be somewhat challenging.  She’s at that age where she’s too old for the kiddie clothes, but junior sizes are very hit or miss.  Some fitting good enough and others being WAY too big.  Well, we stopped by Kohl’s to look at backpacks, but I told her we should check out the clothes to see if any of the XS’s fit.  Considering she recently told me she would be perfectly happy with just jeans and graphic tees for school shopping…we hit the motherload in Kohl’s!

afterlightWe got these 6 tee’s plus another batman one (yes, she’s obsessed with batman right now and apparently so are the stores!).  All for $8.99 each.  She’s happy, my wallet’s happy…win-win!  Not to mention that I got $20 in Kohl’s bucks that I could redeem as early as the NEXT DAY!  Woot!

Stay with me…I’m getting to my good deal point…the Kohl’s bucks are a crucial part of my story 😉

Anywho, you can’t stop in Kohl’s without looking around because you never know when you’re going to find a good deal.  I have a pair of flats I found there 2 years ago that I LOVED and wore the heck out of, so I usually stop by the shoes just to see if there’s anything I *have* to have.  Well blogland, I was freaking ecstatic to see these babies.

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I have been loving the simple little strappy heels I’ve seen all over the fashion blogs, but most of them are 4″ heels or higher and that is taller than I wanted. These babies though?  Under 4″! The problem?  They didn’t have my size.  Boooo for big feet.  🙁

I really wanted to get them locally, but as a last resort, they were available online.  The minute I got home that night I called the next closest Kohls, but they didn’t have my size.  Then I called the only other Kohl’s that I was willing to go to.  I was on hold for 20 min, but hung up because I decided the guy must have forgotten about me so I made plans to head over there first thing the next morning.

The next morning I was up and atem, snagged a latte on my drive over and made a beeline to the shoes when I got there.  Bad news….they didn’t have my size.  Good news….I found these babies!!

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White shoes are all the rage lately, but since the fashion industry is so fickle, I was fine missing out on this trend.  I wasn’t interested in spending a lot of money on something that may be out of style next season.  However, not only were these beauties strappy like I wanted and although the heel looks tall, the small platform makes them very wearable, but the best part….they were on a big sale…originally $75, on sale for $26.

Remember the $20 in Kohl’s bucks from my purchase the day before?  Oh yes I did.  I got these shoes for $6, friends….SIX BUCKS!!  At that price they are pretty much disposable.  lol.  But I think I’ll keep them around for a little while.

Here’s how I styled them for their first night out…

2013-07-30_0001All of my clothing pieces are old.  The blazer, H&M :: jeans AND top are Jessica Simpson brand, Dillards :: jewelry, the Limited & Target :: shoes, Kohl’s :: BCBGeneration clutch, Dillards (same, but different color)

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Btw, I totally ordered the nude pair as well.  I mean, it’s pretty obvious I need BOTH, right?!  😉

Linking up with Style Elixir

Style Elixir

summer blues :: #whatiwore

2013-06-05_0001 2013-06-05_0002shirt (the Limited) :: Lucky brand jeans :: TOMS

Maxi Skirt (aka crotchless yoga pants) :: #whatiwore

I ran across this hilarious e-card on FB recently and thought, “Omg.  This is so true!” 1044381_501896206542464_931458633_n

And that’s exactly how I wore them the other day!

I put my sports bra & tank on that morning to walk the dog, but when I needed to get dressed to go out to lunch & shop, I did not want to take them off.  So….I didn’t!

This weeks outfit is part of a style challenge from Freckles in April.  Btw, how cute is that blog name?!  I’m seriously jealous I didn’t think of it.  I mean, if you read her little “about me” blurb under her pic on the left column, you could totally sub my name & photo in there!  And her name starts with a “Ka” too!

Anywho, the challenge was to take something from your inspiration board and DO IT!

Inspiration photos :: I know at least one of them is wearing flowy pants, but in both pics, they look like they’re wearing a skirt.  Hey, the goal isn’t to “copy”, it’s to put my own spin on the outfit!  😉

2013-07-08_0003img source :: img source

My spin… 2013-07-08_0001VS tank (similar,similar):: maxi skirt :: sandals (similar seen at Target & American Eagle)

2013-07-08_0002My super cute state love necklace was purchased from Hazel & Olive, but it’s not currently on their website
similar here and here
I totally love this splurge one though if I didn’t mind spending a little more and you can even have a diamond placed along the coast for your city!

Freckles in April Style Challenge
Do you love your maxi? Check out my post on how to wear a black maxi 6 ways!

military vest + boat shoes :: #whatiwore

Shopping with the kids called for a simple & effortless style.  I love throwing this vest on with an outfit. It doesn’t add a ton of warmth (which is a good thing in FL!), but it makes me feel a little more put together than I would feel otherwise.

2013-06-30_0001vest :: shirt (H&M) :: boyfriend jeans :: sperry’s

I picked up this awesome army/cargo/utility (or whatever you wanna call it) vest a couple weeks ago at Kohl’s.  I’ve had my eye out for an army type vest for a few weeks so when I tried this one on, I knew I had a winner!

photodressing room pic

Style Elixir

Printed Shorts :: #whatiwore

Sad to say, I usually keep it pretty simple when I get dressed.  Deciding what you’re going to wear is exhausting! Honestly most of the time I’m fighting the urge to throw on a pair of jeans with a t-shirt and flops so, when I wear something that isn’t that, I call it a WIN!

Even though it’s blasted hot in FL right now, I am always cold when I go inside places so if I wear shorts, I have to have something covering my arms.  This jean jacket is one of my favorite purchases this year.  I looked high and low for a jacket that was the right wash/color and fit me perfectly.  For me, this is the perfect one and it goes with EVERYTHING!  If you haven’t jumped on the jean jacket band wagon…do it now!  I spent $40 (I think.  Maybe $50, but it was worth every penny!) on this jacket and even if I never wear it again after this year, I will have gotten my money’s worth.

2013-06-19_0001printed shorts (on clearance from the Limited) :: sleeveless top & jean jacket (H&M)

My specific jacket is still being sold in stores (here anyway), but H&M is constantly changing out their inventory online so I can’t find the link for it. If you don’t have an H&M in your town, check out these great jean jacket options…

jean jackets

Madewell (not exact, but a good one) / Gap jean jacket / KUT from the Kloth jean jacket / American Eagle Outfitters jean jacket / Mossimo jean jacket

Comfy & Casual :: #whatiwore

I went out with my friend the other night and I really liked what I wore, but didn’t take a photo.  So, I recreated it virtually.

A few things I took into consideration when deciding what I wanted to wear.  1) it was raining about an hour before and I wasn’t sure if it would rain again throughout the night, 2) we were going to the movies so I needed to be covered up somewhat or I would freeze in the theatre, and 3) I wanted to be comfortable!

Casual night out

Buy me…
jean jacket (H&M) :: grey tank :: Jessica Simpson brand cropped jean (early spring purchase at Dillard’s) :: Sperry’s :: gold bracelet :: bubble necklace

life is beautiful :: #whatiwore

2013-06-04_0001sweater on clearance at Target :: jeans (old from the Limited) :: shoes, Skechers

Feeling sunny today :: #whatiwore

Honestly, I was second guessing my yellow pants purchase when I brought them home from my shopping trip, but then I put this outfit together yesterday and I can’t believe I almost took them back.  I was in a pretty good mood today and I told the kids it was because I was wearing yellow pants.  My son’s response…”you should wear yellow more often!”.  That’s my boy.  He tells it like it is.  lol.

Here in FL it’s hot as the dickens and I just can’t even think about wearing layers.  Most of the time I just want to be in a comfy sleeveless top so I imagine this outfit will get lots of wear this summer!

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yellow pants (can’t find online, but were on sale for $15 in store right NOW!) & striped tank :: H&M
earrings are old :: sandals :: yellow wrap bracelet (Target), gold ring (LOVE this ring!)

STYLELIXIR Style Sessions

Getting my groove back…

I’ve been in a bit of a funk…

slacking in exercise

slacking in eating healthy

slacking in day to day duties

Gotta.get.my.groove.back!

So, it’s 10am as I’m writing this.  I have a sick kiddo home, but hubs can stay with her so it’s pretty much going to be a normal day for me.  I was feeling good around 9:30 b/c I’d taken a kid to school, sent a load of clothes through the washer, showered and was half dressed for the gym.  Then, I sat down to write this blog post and got lost in the interwebs for a half hour…story of my life.

I feel kinda all over the place lately.  I don’t know if it’s turning 35 or the kids getting older or what, but it’s time to figure out what makes Katie tick.  I’ve spent a long time being a mom and a wife and while I am still both of those things…it’s no longer enough.  I’m longing for more.

Soooo…I’m working with a life coach/counselor to figure out what I want out of life.  And starting this week, I’m going to work harder at exercising and eating better. I feel better when I’m working out a few times a week and not eating so much junk so I’m going to the gym today and going to try to keep my food/exercise log up at myfitnesspal.com.  The food log will come and go b/c I try not to worry as much about calories as I do about eating the right foods.  Not to mention that counting calories just plain sucks.  😛

In other news…#whatiwore this past Memorial Day weekend…

hanging with the hubs
photo copy

hanging with all my siblings at the mostly non-existent Silver Springs
hello copy

Sorry for the not so great photos.  I’m trying to get better at it, but I loathe asking people to take my picture and I rarely have time to try to take a self timer photo of myself.

Mint+Seersucker :: #whatiwore

When I bought my seersucker blazer I combed the internet for ideas on how to style it.  I found this adorable outfit inspiration over at Capitol Hill Style.  Seersucker and mint…a genius combo!  I promptly tucked this photo away for use on a later date.
wear me soon

a later date…I loooved this combo on.  For accessories, I went with gold and a pop of coral.

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Mint + Seersucker