Hepburn and Houndstooth

I have been itching to go thrift-store shopping for a few weeks and I finally had the opportunity for a quick trip before an appointment this morning.  I only got to spend about half an hour in the store, which wasn’t nearly long enough.  I didn’t even get to look at men’s clothing or furniture.

I still came out with some goods!

These stereotypical vacation souvenir is so perfect!  There were two Florida plates, but I chose this one because it features the Citrus Tower, which was right near our apartment in Clermont.  We had a view of it from our balcony.  This has now sparked a new collection.  I want to collect plates from the states where either of us has lived.  Now we need Mississippi, Texas, and Missouri.  I think I’ll do Alabama too, since I was born there.  Technically, I should have Maryland, but I don’t have the best memories of that place.

Nick has decided he wants to be a soccer player when he grows up, so when I saw these like-new Umbros in his size, I knew they were coming home with me.  I mean, I had these in 7th grade!  in every color imaginable!  For Harper, a little tee in my high school’s colors.  Looks like I’m having a bout of nostalgia, right?

Speaking of nostalgia… I bought a couple of skorts!  I got this same one in white.  Now, to be clear, these are not the kind that look like shorts from behind.  These are the ones where the shorts are hidden completely.  This a total Mom item (they are even by St. John’s Bay).  But hey, I AM a mom.  These babies are super practical for crawling around on the floor with kids.  I hate shorts because of my chunky thighs, so at least I can stay comfy and a bit concealed.

You really can’t tell from the pictures, but this linen shirt (Chaps – Ralph Lauren) is the most beautiful fabric.  I absolutely love linen for summer.  I love the slit-cuff 3/4 sleeves and the amazing fit.  What sold me though was the tiny Chaps logo embroidered on the chest.  I forgot to take a pic of that, but it’s basically a little box with a C in it.  Perfect for celebrating my new last name!

This is by far my favorite find!  Perfect colors, fit, and fabric weight.  It can be worn belted or unbelted.  The belt shown is actually no belt at all.  It’s a purse strap, the only belt-like object within grabbing distance.  I don’t use it as a strap and it has now become my new belt.

Thrifting is so much fun to me.  I love the thrill of a good bargain!

Saturday, my mom and I took Nick to his first movie, plus we went to lunch and did some light shopping.  For this momentous occasion, I made shirts with iron-on transfers.  It ws a little dorky, sure, but Nick was tickled over them.

We got into Hattiesburg over an hour before Misty Island Rescue‘s starting time.  We wanted to stop by the crafter’s mecca, Hobby Lobby, but Michael’s was way closer, so we stopped there to kill time.  I was on a mission to buy supplies for my new business.  This was my first stop:

I was debating individual sheets versus bundles when I was approached by a woman.  Out of the corner of my eye, I could feel her looking me up and down.  I looked over at her and she told me her car was out of gas, she needed to get to her next job, and she needed a few dollars.  Instead of saying, “no, sorry, I don’t have it,” I made the mistake of telling her that I don’t carry cash, only cards.  She then told me how she was cleaning floors and the chemicals on her shirt were burning her skin.  She asked me to buy her one of the $2.50 t-shirts.  I said yes and while she made her selection, I took my debit card out of my purse and hurried across the store to give my mom my purse to hold.  Maybe I was being paranoid, but I didn’t know if this woman would snatch my purse and take off.  We went to the check-out where she called the cashier by her first name and then asked me if she could try one of the truffles at the register!  In shock, I agreed and paid for it too.  She then thanked me profusely, but it didn’t stop there.  She asked if I could give her a ride to Main Street (on the other side of town).  I finally put my foot down and told her that I was killing time before an appointment and had done all I could do for her.  I am not sure if this is something she does all the time (I mean, the cashier seemed familiar with her) or if she had been in here awhile trying to help to no avail.  In any case, I did my good deed for the day!

By time I got finished clothing the con artists of the world, it was time to head to the theatre.  Not before checking out with my goodies though!

Grammy bought the little capsules that “grow” into dinosaurs (more about that later).  I got this awesome journal ($1!) to carry in my purse, a strand of beads to make into a bracelet ($2.99) that matches my sheets perfectly, and a “C” applique ($.49) to gussy up a boring cardigan I have.  The koozies were $1 each.  I love the dollar section at Michael’s!

At the theatre, I let Nick carry his own ticket to the usher and he was just so excited about the whole process.  We went to the concession stand and he chose some chewy Sweetarts.

We found seats in the theatre and surprisingly, Nick did really well waiting half an hour for the movie to start.  On the other hand, a grown man behind us (I’m guessing he was mentally handicapped) talked throughout the entire movie, calling out all the character’s names and narrating everything. Nick was absolutely riveted throughout the cute movie.

After the movie, we went to Chili’s for lunch.  Nick ordered his usual, chicken crispers and fries and as usual, only ate a couple of bites, then took the leftovers home and ate like he was starved.

After lunch, we headed to Target, one of my favorite places on earth. We hit the dollar spot and got stuff we didn’t need.  My prizes:

Raleigh got a new collar for summer.  Her usual kelly green collar was faded to a nasty seafoam shade.   I actually did need the ribbon because who doesn’t need ribbon?!

I also bought a new shower curtain, which I desperately needed, but always forget to pick up. I added to my collection of Sally Hansen XTreme Wear with the color Flirt.

There were two things in Target that, true to character, I fell in love with but didn’t buy.  What can I say, I’m cheap.

This swimsuit was so cute and I was dying over it.  People, I’ve been wearing the same swimsuit for FOUR YEARS.  Yes, the elastic is stretched out and no, it doesn’t fit well anymore.  The color and style of this swimsuit was sooo me, but it was $30 and I just couldn’t go there.  The wedges?  Darling.  They were perfect.  I loved everything about them, except that they weren’t on sale.  They were so, so comfy and I wear leopard as a neutral, so I would get lots of miles out of them!

By the time we left Target, my eyes were really irritated and I could barely see.  We went to Hobby Lobby, but Nick and I stayed in the car while mom ran in for some acrylic sheets.  She came out with some things for a project I’m working on.

I plan to put the alphabet on a wall for the kids once we move into our own place. The wooden letters are from Hobby Lobby and the glittery foam Q was another find from the Target dollar spot.

When we got home from Hattiesburg, Nick wanted to play with his dinosaur capsules.  Now, when we were kids, you bought these little capsules, put them in water, and they quickly grew to a large size.  Dustin even remembers having some that grow as big as the container you put it in.  These… well, they weren’t that.  They were just like small sponges and they took forever to open up.

It was such a fantastic day, one that Nick really deserved.  He has been so good about sharing his time since Harper was born and this was really the first time I have had the opportunity to take him on a date.  Dustin and I are going to take him to see Toy Story 3 next!  Can’t wait!

I spent the entire afternoon and evening Monday braving torrential, heavy winds, and COLD.  I was on a mission for shoes.  I needed a cardigan too, but the main objective was to find the perfect shoe to match my dress.  I wanted a round or almond toe pump with at least a 3-inch heel, in black patent (to match the patent belt on my dress).  Simple, right?  Not so much.  I went to at least ten stores, including discount department stores such as Marshall’s.  I couldn’t find a single shoe I liked under $50.  I won’t bore you with all the details of how I didn’t eat all day, was cold and wet, so tired that my eyes were sunken, and I had a meltdown in Target.  Short story: I ended up in Target where I found the perfect shoe for $20.  The problem was, there was one in my size…with GUM ALL OVER IT.  Good grief.  I gave up and went home for some sleep.

Today I lowered my expectations from “perfect” to “suitable” and set out in search for shoes.  I made a quick run into Cato where I used to work.  A lot of times, I can find some great treasures in there.  There, sitting in the clearance section for $9.99 was a pair of shoes exactly like what I wanted, except in suede.  They were reasonably comfortably, wonderfully priced, and with the shiny heel to match my patent belt, I was sold!  I haven’t taken a picture of them, but these are close:

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I am in love with the cardigan I bought.  I found it in Forever 21 and I just know I’ll wear it over and over!

I am so excited to be done shopping for outfits!  I can’t wait to do a lookbook on our outfits, complete with budget breakdown!  Now I just have to get my hair cut (tomorrow!) and do my nails.

I’M GETTING MARRIED FRIDAY!!!!