5 on Friday

Happy Fri-Yay!!! I figured I would link up with Five on Friday--

---ONE--

Can I get an "Amen" to this?!  I am truly adoring the changing of leaves, cooler temps, and lots of warm bevvies!  We are so lucky to get to experience all four seasons here.  Winter may be my least favorite, but I will take it, just so we get these gorgeous autumns.



---TWO---
In my Fall Fab Fit Fun box, we received these amazing 20 minute facial masks.  They're gold. They're so awesome and I actually may try to purchase/ask for more for Christmas!  It smelled so good, felt cool and refreshing, and let me tell you…after the day we had on Monday, I NEEDED this.  {similar here}

I waited until the kids went to bed, so I didn't scare the daylights out of them…BOO!

In all seriousness though, I laid on my bed, sipping some "calming tea" and felt rejuvenated.

---THREE---

I've been looking for some over the knee flat black boots.  I love my UGGS, but I think they're too hot for right now. I want something more than a flat, but less than winter -so I am curious if anyone has tried shoes from EXPRESS?  I kind of like these, but my size is only available in stores right now.

---FOUR---
During nap time, if I don't workout, I am really trying to do something for me. Not the house. Not the kids, not the dog….me. So I'm really trying to get into this book, because I hear it will suck me in…but I'm still not there yet.  I'll keep at it though!

---FIVE--- 

I'm getting my hair done today!! I think I'm going to have him add more layers so it curls better when I part it straight… I also want it blonder. I'm crazy. I am loving the length but I think a little more around my face would help when I go to style it.  

Trendy Topic: Plaid

I have always been a fan of trends, but sometimes am hesitant to spend too much money on them, for fear they'll be out of date sooner than later.  What I've learned through the years, is to pick one or two items of a trend I like and try it out.  Today I'm talking plaid!

Plaid is something that seems to always have its moment.  I remember having adorable plaid skirts in Jr. High that my mom insisted I buy.  Looking back, even then she was helping me be a little fashionista. Thanks mom!  It seems as though as soon as the weather begins to dip here in good old upstate NY, plaid starts playing peek-a-boo around these parts.  I pulled together seven different ways you could try out plaid, or even go pull from your closet to help update your current wardrobe.

My biggest advice?  One piece of plaid per outfit.  This is definitely a pattern you don't really want to mix all together…keep your basic solid colors, and then add to it with one of these items below.

1. Blanket Scarf-  Probably my favorite trend so far! I saw these bad boys last year and new in a hot minute that I needed one!  *Frugal tip* -- I remember seeing the ZARA scarf floating around and it was like, hundreds of dollars.  Great if you have extra cash flow lying around, but for a stay at home mama and one on the way, that was not in my budget! I scoured the internet and saw one on E-bay for $13 shipped.  This year they are far more accessible, and very reasonably priced.  It's the perfect accessory to a plain tee while adding a little warmth.  The versatility is amazing, and there's really no wrong way to wear it!  I love all of the different colors and decided to add one more to my collection this year.  It's nice to wrap the babes up in too, if we're stuck outside for an extra moment and the wind picks up.  If you're looking to try out this trend in a big way, go for a blanket scarf!

2. Infinity Scarf- If you're a little intimidated by the size of a blanket scarf, or live in a warmer climate, perhaps a circle scarf would work best for you!  I love the simplicity of this scarf, as it stays put!  It's perfect if you're running around and don't want long ends of the scarf getting in the way.  It does have a bit more professional look too, I could see it paired with a classic LBD and boots for a polished feel.

3.  Basic Plaid Shirt- Seriously my go to shirt as a mama. I picked up mine from Marshall's this year in the Junior's section for about $15.  I know Target has some nice shirts too.  It's great for running errands, feeling cozy and just giving you that laid back jeans and sneaks feel.  Go with a color that you love, or that people tell you looks great on you!  If it's long enough, you could pair it with basic black leggings too.  I just think jeans and a plaid shirt are Fall perfection.

4.  Shirt Dress-  This is a trend that I want to try, but haven't yet!  I think so many women can pull this off, no matter what shape or size.  You want to avoid the "school girl look," so be sure to choose your shoes wisely. No thigh high or over the knee boots here.  I think basic booties or flats work best.  The belt is kind of a necessity too, make it skinny to cinch your waist and help flaunt your womanly curves and give shape.

5.  Poncho- I feel like this is the sister to the blanket scarf, but way less work!  You can just slip your arms right through, and you're ready to go!  No muss, no fuss.  You can dress it up with a fun hat, like below, and I really love it with the distressed denim.  Again, keep the rest of the outfit simple, as the poncho is a statement piece.  This one is from Wet Seal and such a great price!

6. Shoes- You could go dressy, like below, or find a pair of comfy flats.  Either way, it adds a little trend in your step and doesn't come off too showy.  I love these heels and think they'd be perfect for a working woman who can't really wear too much of the plaid clothing for work.  This pattern is especially great because it could take you right into the Christmas season and holiday parties!

7.  Jewelry-  Still nervous to try out plaid?  Start super small.  Find something on earrings, a watching, necklace, whatever.  Maybe you just need to try it out for size.  That how I look at things.  You don't always have to go big or go home, you can just keep it simple and some of the smallest pieces are the most noticed! Pull your hair into a high pony or a messy top knot to show them off.  I think they're adorable.

Another site to check out for plaid deals, is Jane.com.  I love this site and am not affiliated, I just love not paying full price for trendy boutique items!  That is where I ordered my second blanket scarf a few weeks back.

Mad for Plaid by jennifer-delle-fave featuring Wet Seal

I personally think it's fun to try out new styles and trends. I don't always know what to do, so I'll share in another post some of my go-to fashion icons and how I stay up to date on what's on trend.  I think the wonderful thing about fashion, is that we can all create a style all our own.  We don't have to dress one way every single day, and that's the beauty of it!  As long as you feel confident and are appropriately dressed for whatever your occasion, enjoy and have fun!  There's nothing wrong with yoga pants and old sweatshirts, but sometimes it's fun to add a little something to our wardrobes.

What's Cooking?

Kids Edition: Pumpkin Spice muffins

Of course, you don't need kids to make this simple treat.  I just thought it was the perfect way to let her get her hands messy and enjoy something she cooked up!  Brooke is loving being in the kitchen.  I remembered a few years back when this popular two ingredient muffin surfaced on Pinterest.  I decided to let her do most of the work!

This is literally all you need, and an oven:

Dump in can of pumpkin and spice cake mix.  Stir.

Keep stirring!

I may have helped her stir a little…

Since there are no eggs, I had no worries about her enjoying some "batter"

Bake at 350
12-15 minutes
Enjoy!

Even my hubby loves them!  Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.  Or even on their own.

Home Talk Tuesday: Holiday Decorations

Fall/Halloween Decor: Living with Kids Style

Keeping it light up in here!! Too much drama in the air, so I am l-o-v-i-n-g my quiet space here on the internet. Growing up, my mom always had fun holiday decorations for us to enjoy. I remember a scary witch candle, perhaps? Lots of pumpkins and some other spooky cats and decorations that hung around.  It got me so excited for whatever time of year it was, and I have carried that tradition ever since!  Each year I try to purchase one item that I love.  I haven't bought anything this year, I am going to see if there's something after Halloween that may be on sale!  But between all the beautiful fall colors and the ghosts and scary things, my house is full of silly stuff. Joe loves it and so do we.  I figured I'd share just a little how I decorated this year.

This is always my favorite room, this time of year.  The colors are warm and rich, and with this big old table Joe picked out before we met, I can feel the energy that will one day surround many family dinners!  With kids, it's a little tricky.  As much as I love an HGTV home, I want them to remember fun and silly decorations too.  So I try to keep the 'more grown up items in the dining room.

I love the purple twinkle lights! Sweet and spooky.



In the foyer, where trick-or-treaters will see, I pile all the cooky and spooky! I feel bad because some kids are really freaked out by the leg--sorry Al!

At night this looks cool, as the ghost lights are green.  I love that picture of Brookie in the pumpkins.  As you can see, this is real life: there is always this gorgeous blue blanket covering our fire place brick, unless it is lit.  It really does help with the kids, as I just can't imagine any heads being terribly bumped by it!

The back of the door, there is a giant spider…and a skull that glows when turned on.

On the front of it, hangs an adorable orange and black wreath: BOO!

Of course I have silly pumpkins strewn about, a few candle holders (no candles with littles right now) and I brought in some of our collected pine cones and threw them in a vase.  I am hoping to slather peanut butter and bird seed all over these soon for the birds and squirrels.

A little decor by the sink, while I wash many a dish…

And we are keeping the 'potty bribes' pretty in these adorable bowls, I believe I bought at The Christmas Tree Shops years ago.  It's amazing how good she's doing with CANDY CORN. Oy.

I love this little section of the kitchen.

Have you shared your holiday decor?  Do you go all out, or keep it simple? I love to see what others do each season!  

Mommy Fashion: LuLaRoe

I am really pumped to start developing newer content here on the old blog.  A sweet friend of mine, Elizabeth reached out to me and really did plant a seed within my heart.  I'm not quite ready to launch a brand new blog, but I am going to really make an effort to incorporate mommy chic on this blog.  If it's really taking off, ya never know! But like I mentioned a few posts ago, I really feel like I'm having an awakening, no not Kate Chopin style, but something that just fills some more spots I'm passionate about in my heart.  Mainly?  How to stay in style, while staying home!



When I was teaching, I didn't even think about it. I always had to keep it classy/conservative/and on a tight teaching budget.  But I always received compliments and had other teachers asking fashion advice.  Well, maybe I should run with that a little bit more!  I love fashion, but no in a crazy NYC fashion week kind of way. I love that dressing up or down can really tell a little story about a person, before she even talks!

So to start?  Over the weekend I had my first LuLaroe Pop Up Boutique.  Basically, it was a tiny little store, set up in my very own living room!  Totally failed at taking any photos of it, but there were over 600 items, ranging in little kids to extra large sizes.  Jessica was amazing to work with, and she has the cutest baby bump, and these clothes look EXTRA cute on pregos!  The material is all different, but some are so soft and stretchy, feel like pajamas, BUT are so pretty and feminine.  I just LOVE shopping from other working mommas and everything is made in the USA.  She was so organized with everything and was so sweet.  Not only does she have a full time gig, two daughters and one more baby on the way, she does this amazing business too!  It really makes me wonder if fashion is something I would really like to get into in the future…I just had so much fun!

I tried on a few pieces before my guests arrived! I am not going to lie, I loved using my bathroom, office or bedroom as a dressing room! How convenient is that?  It was very easy to allow everyone to try on different styles.

Cassie Skirt-- I love that it was fitted and had this sassy animal print!  I could see myself running to the grocery store in flats OR throwing on boots or heels, to wear out to dinner. Totally kept it.

pardon the informal pic!

Randy Tee-

I was SHOCKED at how soft and perfectly fitted this was.  I also was shocked at the size-- XXS Everything fits so differently, it's important to try on, and I loved this one so much, I didn't take it off--I wore it for the party!

Hosts get 10% off of everything and 1 free item per 10 that are sold at your party. This was my loot! I can't wait to dress up in the leggings, tunics and my adorable Ameila dress.  I even went with some silly red with black cats for Halloween.  Meow!



My new loot!

What makes it interesting is that there is no online catalog to shop from.  You kind of need to see items in person to get a feel for the fit and the material…BUT once you've tried things on, (in the comfort of your own home!) you will have a general idea of how they fit.   I think they're perfect for both working mommas and stay at home moms.  You can transition some of the plain tees with pretty jewels or layer with scarves and cardis. 

I will totally have a Summer party, for sure! I also know that I will want to buy some winter/Christmas leggings soon.  They are SO soft and very chic.

Follow Jessica on 

Instagram here-- LuLaRoeJessicaMann

Facebook-- LuLaRoebyJessicaLynn

How do you style your LuLaroe? I would love to see. Please leave a comment below!!