The Polyvore Files | A Simple Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday, so a few days ago I decided that I would create a simple birthday outfit this week. I had envisioned my birthday being pretty low key this year, maybe taking a trip to Starbucks, then cruising around Target or the mall or something. Then picking up something to eat and just enjoying the day, no big bells and whistles. Well, that's pretty much how it ended up, except we didn't even make it to any of those places. I worked a craft show on Friday, getting up at 5 a.m. and then not getting home until 9 p.m. and I was exhausted. I left to pick up something to eat, came home, and then watched a movie I had originally set to record on the DVR.

 

I am very much into flannel right now, so I put this together with that in mind. I am sure I pick up a lot of my likes from trends that are happening, but I try to stay away from anything too trendy because like I have said before, being trendy isn't my thing. Even if I love something, I will purposely stay away from it when I start seeing everyone jumping on board with it. And honestly, I never compare to see if how I am putting my outfits together are what others would do. I just do what I like, and I LOVE this outfit, so please don't tell me if I am off track here. Just let me bask in my outfit glory.

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Flashback Friday: If Elijah Were a Girl

 

I have pretty much always thought that Elijah looked just like his big brother Jacob from the very moment he was born. As you all know, Jacob is my step son, whom I love dearly, but unfortunately the only blood relation between us lies within his little brother, Elijah. My dad handed me a stack of pictures, he had gotten from my grandfather who passed last year, and this photo of me on the left was among them. I was a little tickled to finally get to the see the side of Elijah that looks like me.

What do you think?

                    

What's in My Bag

I am definitely one of those people who feels like I will never need anything I put in my purse until the day I stop carrying it in there. I used to hate that I carried so much around because it was such a nightmare trying to find anything in a timely manner. But, I continued to lug it around, spending 10 minutes looking for my keys every day, missing calls because I couldn't get to my phone fast enough, and finding things like food, months later that were unrecognizable.

Later on, I started collecting all of these pouches from different shops, and I began using them to organize all the things. A well organized purse will change your life, I tell ya! However, even though I am organized, it doesn't stop me from going overboard when it comes to the things I "think" I need.

I just recently switched to my gray Vera Wang purse that I have had a for a couple of years. I how spacious it is and how comfortable it is to carry. I purchased it at Kohl's for a little less than $100 and have certainly gotten my money's worth out of it.I certainly don't spend that much often on a purse because that is just not something of utmost importance to me. But, the best part is, it fits all of my little pouches.

 

blue pouch: Barely Measured  //  fox pouch: FlavorPink

 

gray pinstriped pouch: Meep  //  apple & pear pouch: Jonah Bonah

yellow floral pouch: Longaberger  //  ram pouch: Barely Measured

large wallet: Billabong

small wallet: Longaberger  //  monster change purse: Zipit  //  notebook: Minted

*A lot of these items I have had for awhile, and may no longer be available.

This week you only got to see a small glimpse into my purse by seeing all of my pouches and wallets. Be sure to stop by nest week when I will dive into the madness of it all and you can see just how crazy I really am. Ha!

 

It's NaBloPoMo, which means I will be blogging every day in November. I do hope you will follow along here. 

 

                    

You are More Beautiful than You Think

I watched this video last night and couldn't help but get a little teary eyed as I sympathized with these women, over the struggles I have endured when it comes to accepting myself as God made me. Even after losing a whopping 50 pounds this year, I still wake up some days and am critical of myself. Extremely critical is closer to reality. I could sit here and talk forever about all the things I dislike about myself, but why do I do that to myself? Why is it so easier to focus on the negative, when there is so much more of the positive in me?

I have decided to take a stand in my own life and spend the next 30 days being less critical of myself and looking more toward my strengths and the physical aspects of myself that I love instead of constantly pointing out the negative. As the video affirms, other people don't see us the way we see ourselves, and that our own inner voice can be so detrimental to how we live our lives. I don't want to be the reason for my own regrets.

As I jump start this effort to put more energy into my focus on what makes me beautiful, I am going to share with you 10 things that I love about me. I would love for you to join in whether it be to share some things in the comments or to create your own post about 10 things that you love about you as well. I give you permission to brag without being judged.


Ten Things I Love About Me: 
  
1. My eyes - They are definitely green, but sometimes depending on what I wear, they can look almost a turquoise color.

2. My creativity - I love that I have a passion for so many creative outlets.

3. My clear skin - I have amazingly clear skin. Luckily, I have never had to deal with severe acne.

4. My hair - have super soft hair. It sounds crazy, but some days I can't keep my fingers out of my hair because I love how soft it is.

5. My teeth - They are straight, I have never had to wear braces, and have only had 1 major cavity my entire life.

6. My sense of humor - I love to make other people laugh.

7. My confidence - I stand up for what I believe in and I am not afraid to try new things.

8. My uniqueness - I love to be different from others. I actually enjoy finding ways to shine in my own way.

9. My determination - When I want something, I go for it and am not satisfied until I get it.

10. My high standards and values - I always give 100% and always expect the same in return.


It's NaBloPoMo, which means I will be blogging every day in November. I do hope you will follow along here. 
 

                    

My Birthday Wish List

November 30 is my birthday, so naturally I have been daydreaming about what I would love to have for my special day. I actually told everyone who knows me that I would like to have money since we are making big strides toward finally moving in 2014. But, of course, everyone loves a gift, so I have been keeping this mental list of things I would like to have. As I started to construct my list, I realized that they centered around three different activities:



A Birthday Spent Relaxing:

 

1. I am in love with everything over at Terrain, including this Fireside Throw. I don't believe in collecting anything that doesn't serve a purpose, so I tend to collect blankets because I know I can always use them. 

2. This time of year is perfect for a pair of warm slippers and these crochet slippers from Jay's Boutique remind me of a pair I used to own.

3. While I am being lazy, I might as well enjoy some tea from Necessiteas. I'll take the Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle, Cinnamon Bear, Cranberry Autumn, and EggNaughTea, if you don't mind!

4. And of course, what's a lazy day without a horror movie on the TV. The Conjuring is at the top of my list to own right now. 

A Birthday for the Blogger in Me:

5. Originally, I wanted an Erin Condren planner, but as I started looking around, I came across this fabulous Plum Paper Designs Family Planner that I love even more. With these family planners, I can use one planner for everything instead of having one for family, one for blogging, and so on.

6. Papermate Flair Pens are my absolute favorite but every time I buy them, someone steals them from me. I am down to 2 pens from my last pack, so it's definitely time for a new set. Especially if I am getting that planner. Who writes in a new planner with old pens? Am I right?

7. Blogstomp makes blogging so easy. I have been using it for a couple of days now as a trial, but would love to have the full version.

8. I have Natalie to thank for wanting this Eat, Blog, Love coffee mug from Crystal Faye so bad. I almost always have a cup of coffee with me when I blog, so this mug is perfect!

A Birthday on the Town:

9. I am totally in love with this 30 Latitude scarf and know it would go with so many different outfits. It can even be dressed up or down.

10. I have been needing a new purse and love that you can fully customize your entire bag at Better Life Bags. I think the Cindi with Bow is the perfect bag for me.

11. I have also been dying for a pair of Minnetonka mocs. I am all about comfort over anything else so these are the shoes for me. Not to mention, prices are FABULOUS!

12. And I figured, if I am gonna get all dressed up, I might as well head out to a Carolina Hurricanes hockey game with my main man! Hockey is my sport of choice every time.

So tell me, is your birthday coming up? If so, what is on your birthday wish list?