Halloween Happenings

Thought I'd share a little glimpse of our Halloween Happenings...

Sweet Caroline always wants to make sure that I get her good side.

The dining room table...

 

More of the dining room...

 

Our Halloween mantel...

 

Enter if you Dare sign I made from a thrift frame...

 

Back to murdering books...

 

Countdown chalkboard on a thrift clipboard. 

This wreath now makes it home in Newton, KS...I sold it at the Barn Sale. 

 

Halloween goodies for the kiddos...

 

All ready for the trick-or-treaters...

 

My girl & me...up to no good.

 

What a buncha nerds.

 

Teacher treats.

 

Mommy treats.

 

Packing up until next year.

Boo. 

 

What I Wore Wednesday

It's time again for a little 

What I Wore Wednesday...

this thrift Lucky Brand top is a casual fave paired with my orange corduroy blazer.

I picked up these Limited wide leg jeans at the thrift store as well.

I LOVE wide-leg jeans, as well as, flared-leg jeans.

I'm with Jennifer Garner...

can we just be over the skinny jeans already.

I have a couple of pairs, but I would gladly donate them to Goodwill if they went out of style!

My wedges are by Chinese Laundry.

I picked them up at Ross for a steal.

 

I picked this dress up at Target for my parent's 50th anniversary celebration.

I paired it with fun patterned tights & red heels for that occasion.

But, with the cooler weather...

boots are my preferred footwear.

 

 Picked up this blouse at Target on clearance & I am pairing it with ALL my sweaters.

Here I have it paired with a thrift Banana Republic cardi.

Target skinnies (because I caved)

And, my  ruffled Charlotte Russe teal suede heels.

This outfit just fell together....

I love that.

Thrift gingham blouse, black cardi, a statement necklace, boyfriend jeans, 

my new black booties that I wear

ALL.THE.TIME.

And, a fun jacket from Kohls.

Even my purse & thrifted Italian coffee cups coordinated.

 

Another Target clearance dress.  Paired with a big belt, jean jacket,

and riding boots.

 

Remember I told you I was pairing that blouse from Target with everything...

yep, I am.

Elle sweater from Kohls.

Skinnies.

Chinese Laundry shoes.

Vera Wang jewelry from Kohls.

I have been repeating a LOT of staples in my closet...

I decided to purge my closet & really streamline my clothes...

forcing me to mix & match more.

So, far....11 bags out of my closet.

And, after I wear an outfit....

I assess it.

Do I really love this?

Will I wear it again?

Is it really flattering?

Is it truly my "style"?

Whatever my "style" may be...

So, far 11 bags of clothes have NOT been my style.

 

 I picked up this purple wrap dress at a thrift store in Newton, KS.

I wasn't sure about it.

But, my friend, Gale, talked me into it.

I'm glad I splurged on this $6 Limited dress. (wink)

Paired with black boots & a grey leather jacket from Marshalls.

I'm SUPER into funky tights this year.

I found some for a STEAL at Burlington.

Like $2.99 a pair!

Compared to $14 at Target!

HOLLA!

The shoes are another find at Ross...

Love them!

 

This is an example of what I was talking about earlier...

This didn't make the cut.

The dress had become way to large.

And, I just wasn't loving the sweater any more..

So, out the door!

(or, in the bag....whatever.)

The boots are new...

they stayed. 

 

This was my pre-Halloween outfit.

I was feeling festive.

 

I get asked a LOT how I come up with my outfits...

for several months I have used "style challenges" created by IG gals

I follow.

They help me when I feel uninspired.

I feel very uninspired in the winter.

I would prefer yoga pants & hoodies.

So, I play along with these & it helps me wear ALL the clothes in my closet.

Also, I spend an afternoon on the weekend putting ALL 

my outfits together.

This past Sunday afternoon, I did the first 15 days of this challenge.

I ironed them & have them hung in my closet in order.

It makes getting ready for work 

SO.MUCH.EASIER.

Try it!

You'll be amazed.

 

Picked up this infinity cowl neck scarf at Walmart, friends!

I love it!

And, it is SOOOOOOOOO warm.

Last Friday's football game was freezing.

This helped tremendously!

 

This was day TWO of November's challenge...

Dressed Up Denim.

Thrifted Harold's jean jacket.

Shirt & denim pinstripe pants from Marshalls.

Already planned out.

Already ironed.

Easy Peasy morning....

Day THREE was 

What's New Old Navy.

Honestly, I'm not an Old Navy shopper.

But, I did pull out my thrift gingham shirt (again)

paired with a poncho sweater & scarf from Kohls.

So, there you have it...

What I Wore Wednesday.

I'd love to see what you are wearing!

Shoot me a pic via email with the deets of your outfit & I'll share it here on the blog!

justjilly@rocketmail.com

Treat Your Teacher Tuesday

Well, the Shawnee Mission North teachers should be feeling the love...

with treats two weeks in a row!

For Parent Teachers conferences, 

I decided a little Starbucks pick-me-up was in order....

I picked up coffee cups, lids & sleeves in fall colors in the Target Dollar Spot, plus a couple of boxes of Starbucks Via Latte Cafe Mocha (NOT in the Dollar Spot). 

 

I tucked the packets into the cups with some crinkle paper.

 

And, used some OLD Starbucks coffee passports & stickers that I have been

hoarding for YEARS....I think 8 to be exact (gheesh).

 

Tied the tags on with twine...

and, sent them off with the kiddos.

 

Last week was Halloween,

so, of course, we had to send a little something to celebrate!

No tricks for these teachers....only TREATS!

My homemade chocolate chip cookies!

I believe we all have special talents...

mine happens to be making exceptional chocolate chip cookies.

I can't explain it.

They just are.

When McQuiston was little and playing at friend's house,

his friend's mama asked him if he would like a cookie.

Mac asked politely, "Did my mom make it?" To which she replied, 

"No she didn't."

He then said, "No, thank  you."
We still laugh about that.

Reilly asks for cookies rather than cake every birthday.

 

I bagged the cookies up.  And, put them in boxes I picked up at Hobby Lobby 

last year after Halloween at 90% off!

Sprinkled some candy on top....

and, TA-DA!

Happy Halloween!

I hope you'll join me in 

Treat Yo' Teachers!  

Let's 

GO. BE. LOVE.

 

HOLY COW!

In my mind, I write a LOT of blog posts...a LOT!

But, somehow....

they just never make it out.  

Like ever...

It's been over a month since I blogged.

Seriously??

A month...

So, let's just catch you up with a few pictures & we'll go from there...

 There has been a LOT of this....we just celebrated Senior night & might have been a little weepy.  I'm gonna miss Mac & his amazing talents...

And, then I did this....hello, brunette.

The Gunny is still trying to adapt...and, still can't find me in a crowd.

Personally, I'm enjoying it.

It seems like less pressure.

Does that make any sense?

 

And, then we celebrated Mac's Senior homecoming with his lovely girl, Hannah.  Again, a little weepy.  It just goes too fast.

 

I had to get glasses....progressive lenses to be exact.  

The P.C. term for bi-focal.

Hello, Old Age.

 

Then I gave myself a chemical peel by misreading the directions on my new prescription of Retin A.  I succeeded in burning my face off. 

Hello, Third Degree Burns.

 

I got to tag-along to the Barn Sale in Whitewater, KS with my now "In Real Life" friend, Gale.

What fun!  She is SOOOOO stinkin' talented.  

I also got to meet Nikki & Robin from The Orange Bird Shop & Kerrie from I Married a Milkman....seriously, awesome sauce.  I had to pinch myself a couple of times.

Hello, Artsy Friends.  

I might have a slight obsession with Boom Chicka Pop...slight.  

All right, HUGE!

 

One of my fab finds at the Barn Sale.  I had one of these as a kiddo.  So, this had to come home with me.  

Hello, Memories.

 

 Spending time with these two is my favorite.  I'm blessed.  

Went to the New Theatre Restaurant with this kid & had a ball.  

 

Was blessed by a dear friend with surprise Happy Mail.  

Hello, Hope.

 

And, in case you didn't know it....the KC Royals were in the World Series.  And, we celebrated.  Or, I celebrated & the boys looked on.  

And, despite the Game 7 loss...

I am prouder than EVER to be from Kansas City.

And, so proud of those Boys in Blue. 

 

The Gunny and I spent a glorious fall afternoon at the Kansas City Zoo.

It was the best zoo experience ever...

I wonder if it had to do with not having any little ones to drag around. 

Old age & teenagers have their benefits!!

 

And, I am rebooting on The Daniel Plan.  It's been a rough month.  

But, I'm back at it.

Early morning yoga, green smoothies, time in His Word...

After work gym time...

And, the Halloween candy is 

OUT. THE. DOOR.

So, there ya have it...

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing a couple of easy Treat Your Teachers.

Happy November!