The Countdown to Christmas is On

I hope that you had a fun Halloween with all your little ghouls and goblins. My boys enjoyed the heck out of trick or treating even though there were a few meltdowns at the beginning. Once we got over the tantrums, the evening was really fun. We always start out as a huge group with the other kids on our street and then terrorize visit all the houses. Our neighborhood is fantastic at Halloween with decorating and just about everyone gives out candy... the boys now have enough candy to last them until next Halloween!

Me and my little skeletons. Emmett wanted to be a skeleton, so Oliver and I followed suit.

Let the mayhem fun begin!

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Now that Halloween is officially over it's time to prepare for the holidays, especially Christmas. I love Thanksgiving but I also love all the prep for Christmas so why not begin the shopping lists now. 

Budget

First off, I have a Christmas fund. Every pay period I have money automatically drafted and put into my Christmas fund which I can't access until November 1st. This works get because I save up all year so I don't end up having to run up my credit cards and worry about how I'll pay it off come January. I don't miss the small amount each pay period but it really adds up to make for a nice little budget. Pierce has one too. 

If you don't have a Christmas fund, I suggest starting one now so that next year you won't have the stress or worry of how you'll afford Christmas. Instead you can focus on the fun of giving. Which leads up to...

Deals

This is the best time of year to find some fabulous bargains. It so hard to stick to shopping for others when I see so many things I want for myself. I've got to remember that instead of buying things for myself I need to tell other people those items as I find them. I don't know why people say I'm difficult to shop for... I find things I want all the time 😋

Check weekly circulars and sign up for online sale notifications (you can always unsubscribe after the holidays). 

To me Black Friday is one of my favorite days of the year. I love going through the circulars, getting up early, and hoofing it to the stores but now I also spend a fair amount of time shopping online. A lot of the BF deals can be found online with free shipping. I try and buy the items I want online as early as possible (some are available Thanksgiving night) in order to get those items marked off my list, then I head to the store to get the in-store only deals on Black Friday. 

Also, shop now. Sometimes you can find just as good of a deal now as you can on BF. Check out sites like BFADS and Best Black Friday to prep ahead of time.

Do you Cartwheel? If I haven't said it before...  I love Target! Download the Target app and sign up for Cartwheel if you haven't done so already. Starting today they will have a daily toy deal that will be 50% off. You have to use it in the store but this is a great way to stock up on toys for the kiddos at out of this world prices. 

For example, today's Cartwheel deal is 50% off Safe Start electric scooters, making it $50.

The only issue with this is I find so many deals I can go a little overboard. I am trying hard to control myself this year since the boys don't need many toys. When I shop I scan everything through the Cartwheel app and usually have at least a few items that come up with an additional percentage off. It's so easy to use and who doesn't love saving money. Also, get a RedCard and you'll get another 5% off everything you buy at Target plus free shipping from target.com. I have the debit card so it comes directly out of my checking so they're aren't any monthly statements or finance charges. Woohoo!

Give

This past weekend I went through the boy's toys and clothes to get rid of the things they've outgrown or don't play with anymore. When it comes to the toys I let the boy's help pick out what they want to donate. It's good for them to be appreciative of what they have but also be charitable and realize that it's nice to pass along items to children who don't have as much as we do. Emmett used to want to keep everything but now he is excited to give and is enthusiastic about donating his toys. 

And a few things that made me chuckle...

Shopping Deals

Happy Friday, all! I don't know if it was just me, but this week has felt like forever but, thank the Lord, the weekend is finally here! So let's celebrate with some fabulous shopping deals. 

I don't go to JCPenney's very often but my mom had given me a $10 off $10 so I headed in and figured I would get something for the boys if nothing else... well I'm glad I did. If you are in need of workout gear you need to stop by. They have almost every workout top (excluding Nike) on sale for $5 and several of their workout capris for $10. In addition to this, you use their online coupon of $10 off $25 (code 27DEALS or scan in store). You can get three tops and a pair of capris for $16!!!! What the what!?! I picked up several shirts for myself and my mom as well as a pair of capris. The best stuff is in store but some is available online too, so head over and stock up on your workout gear. I have a couple of their Xersion brand shirts and capris, and they wash and wear well. 

Color Block Mesh Capris {$10}

Xersion Tank Top {$5 in store}

Also, going on this weekend is Loft's friends and family sale where everything in the store is 40% off! Here are I few I have in my shopping cart. Get them before they're gone!

Floral Lace Striped One-Shoulder

Villa Dress

Last, but definitely not least, J. Crew Factory has EVERYTHING 50% off, including and additional 50% off clearance with code EXTRA50. 

This adorable Scalloped Tank comes in 5 colors

Striped Pleated Shift Dress

Scallop Hem Shorts {$12.50!}

Suede Chunky Heel Sandal

This and That

It's Monday again. I hope you all survived the weekend. By the time Sunday evening rolls around I feel like I'm just trying to survive with my sanity.  It was a pretty early bedtime for all of us and now I'm feeling refreshed and ready to start a new week.

 Our weekend was pretty laid back. Emmett has been bugging me to take him to play tennis, so on Saturday we gave it a go. Wouldn't you know that as soon as we arrived he ran onto the court, fell down, and scraped down knees. I thought it was going to be over before we had even begun but Emmett pulled it together and we played. Emmett worked on serving and volleying back and forth with Pierce and I, while Oliver napped. I'm not a a good tennis player but it was fun volleying the ball back and forth with him. The playing came to an abrupt end when Pierce hit the ball into the light which ricocheted onto a sleeping Oliver. Let me just say, he did not enjoy being woken up like that. He proceeded to wail while we packed up and the entire way home. I finally got him to stop by giving him a popsicle. I've never given him one before and it made him feel better instantly. Behold, the power of the popsicle.

Look at the cute face. He's getting so big. I don't want to forget all the sweet things he does, like picking and smelling the flowers while we watch Emmett's t-ball practice.

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Do you Cartwheel?

Do you love Target? That's a stupid question... everyone loves Target. They have cute products, good quality, adorable decor, and reasonable prices. What's not to love? I can easily spend over an hour roaming the aisles checking out all the new products.
So have you heard of or used Cartwheel? It's an app that you use in store to get additional savings and it is awesome. The deals change all the time, so you need to check back often. Some deals last several weeks while others are only good for a day. You can sort by category or you can check the items in your buggy by scanning them through the app. If there is a Cartwheel deal it will pop up so you can save it. When you go to checkout, just pull up the app and click "checkout." The barcode will come up which can be scanned at the register.
Now through Saturday you can save an additional 30% off women's shirts, shorts, outerwear, and dresses when you use the app in store. That makes for some pretty awesome deals. This week is the perfect time stock up on some spring essentials like tanks and tees. They have loads of colors to choose from the quality is great.
I wanted to share a few items that will be going home with me once I get the opportunity to make it to the store this week.

Plaid Shirt Dress

Printed Crepe Tunic Dress

Lace Scallop Hem Blouse

Dark Wash High-rise Shorts

Floral Print Ruffle Romper with Overlay Dress

I also have a Target Redcard so I save an additional 5% every time I shop plus free shipping on all online orders. Love it!!!

Shop the Selfie

I've gotten some really awesome goodies in the mail lately so I though I'd share them with you. All these pieces are extremely affordable (nothing over $25!) so you won't feel guilty picking up a few for yourself. I can't wait to get the opportunities to take some proper pictures in these outfits but I couldn't wait and had to share them with you now.

This yellow floral halter is stunning with two splits in the skirt. I have a feeling this will be on repeat all spring and summer. 

Cold shoulder dress in navy with scallops, one of my favorite trends for spring!

I had to include a picture of the front and back of this blue striped criss cross back dress because it is so pretty. This dress is the perfect mix of preppy and southern... love it!

Scallops again, this time on a lightweight lbd. So fun.

Please be nice. I'm very self conscious of my thighs so I'm not comfortable seeing myself in a swimsuit but I loved the pattern of this tribal print cutout swimsuit and wanted to share. 

This v-back tassel dress will be a perfect beach coverup and the material is super soft. 

Off-the-shoulder dresses are on trend this spring. This flouncy off-shoulder dress is a cute one for trying out the trend. It's a little short and not slimming (billowy) but the style is cute. 

All these pieces come from SheIn. I read the reviews and sizing before I ordered so when I tried all these items on the fit for most was what I expected. I anticipated that the scalloped dresses would be short, and they are, but not too short. I'm 5'5.5"(5'6" on a good day) and I'm wearing a small in all the dresses. The swimsuit is a medium and it fits well, and I usually have to go up a size in swimsuits. I also ordered THIS swimsuit but I will not be keeping it or sharing a photo of me it. It was bad. Let's just say that this suit is not for moms who breastfed. It was very low cut with lots of side boob and no support. Ugh... but, considering it only cost $11, I'm not too worried about it. Overall my online deal shopping was a huge success. 

One of my favorite reasons to shop SheIn is that they office a wide variety of styles at affordable prices so I'm able to try out several different styles and trends without breaking my budget. Who doesn't love a great deal on new clothes? Happy shopping!

Stripes & Wide Leg Denim

As you can tell from my photos, I am not the most comfortable person in front of the camera. I enjoy taking other people's picture and don't mind giving them tips and direction, but when it comes to having my own photo taken I can use all the help I can get.
Doing this blog and having my photo taken has definitely made me more aware of my awkwardness in front of the camera but it's also helped me better understand what I don't like. I see a lot to criticize but occasionally I like a pose and it makes me a little giddy inside. I also enjoy the shoots because it gives me and Pierce a little time to hang out and he only gripes a little.
Now on to the pictures... I picked up this shirt and these jeans at the Gap Outlet store when they were having an awesome sale. Wide leg pants are making a come back and I love how they make your legs look longer.

shirt (in other colors) || wide leg jeans || navy wedges || purse (similar)

Gap Factory has an additional 20% your purchase with code GFSHARE and I wanted to share a few pieces that are a steal right now. 

Shirtdress - will be under $30 with the discount

Colored Slim Pant- I am a sucker for colored skinnies and these are only $13!!

Chambray Pointy Flats- I bought these too. I can't pass up an awesome flat. These will go great with shorts. 

Happy shopping!

Shopping for my Boys

As I've mentioned before I have two energetic, lovely little boys. I love them to death and love being a mom to boys but one of the downsides to having boys rather than girls would have to be the clothes. I walk through the children's section and see so many cute options for girls but then I go over to the boy's section and it's so depressing.
The boys section isn't cute or sweet or even handsome. As much as Emmett would love cartoon characters on all of his clothes, I do not. I like for them to be either classic or preppy. Even though it can be difficult, I've rounded up a few looks I think would be handsome on both my boys this spring. Everything is from Old Navy, plus if you shop online today you can get an additional 40% off kids clothes when you use the code PLAY which makes for some great prices!

Matte Sunglasses for Toddlers

Pocket Henley

Kangaroo-Pocket Jersey Pants 

Printed Poplin Shirt

Jersey-Knit Waist Cargo Shorts

Striped Lace-Up Boat Shoes

Sailboat-Print Oxford Shirt

Skinny Pop-Color Khakis

I've got several on the way to me. Now Emmett and Oliver will some cute clothes to start off their spring wardrobe. Happy shopping!

Steals & Deals

Just wanted to let ya'll in on one of my favorite sales that is going on right now! Dillard's has an additional 30% off clearance going on for cardholders today and everyone else tomorrow through Saturday. I worked at Dillard's for a year in college and another year after, and I always looked forward to this sale and I still do. Online they have some great deals, but if you have an opportunity to get into the store, you can find some really incredible prices. Here are just a few I found online. You should definitely check this sale out.

saddle bag // dress // booties // throw