Happy Friday!! If you’ve been following along with me on social media this week, I’ve been sharing several goodies from Shein. Just a little FYI, Shein is an international company that has a huge selection and variety of clothing, shoes and accessories, mainly for women but has clothes for men and children as well. All of the items I got were good quality that I can see myself wearing for a while. I decided to make a blog post out of this because when I tried to link my items in the RewardStyle app, I could not find several of them. This way everything is in one place and linked for you to shop if you want! 🙂

For reference I am 5 feet tall, 125lbs and wear a 6.5 shoe. I normally wear a small or medium top and size 4 pants. I got a medium in everything but a large in the swimsuit because of my bust size which is a 34C.

I would also suggest reading the reviews! That really goes with any online purchases but Shein has really good ones and pictures as well.

Drawstring Pocket Blouse | Black Espadrilles | Boyfriend Jeans (Old Navy)

I love anything olive green, so when I saw this shirt I was obsessed! It’s only $10 and has a drawstring at the waist. Also, these are the most comfortable wedges I’ve ever owned and for only $22!

Flutter Sleeve Blouse | Distressed Jeans | Block Heels | Gucci Dupe Belt

I LOVE, LOVE this top! It’s so fun, but so chic. I feel like you could wear it out for date night or change into shorts for a daytime activity. Definitely worth the $15 and comes in 3 other colors!

Leopard Print Blouse | White Shorts (Old Navy) | Sandals (Walmart)

It’s everybody’s favorite print in this $9 top! Just a tad bit see-through but you can’t really tell with a nude bra or bandeau. I wore this for an afternoon outdoors but it could easily be dressed up with some black denim and heels!

Trumpet Sleeve Blouse |Belted Shorts

This is the prettiest, brightest red top! I always get compliments when I wear red, so I thought I would get at least one red item. The detailing on the sleeves just make it! I would go with your normal sizing on these shorts. I got a large and they’re a tad too big but so comfy! The belt is removable so you can go with or without it and tie it however you want!

Swimsuit | Sandals

Everyone had a fit over this fun swimsuit when I posted it on Instagram! It’s only $11 and comes in 4 other colors! I just fell in love with the color combo when I saw it!

V Neck Peplum Blouse

I am a total sucker for a peplum! This $11 cropped cutie was an instant add to cart moment for me. It is cropped, so it may not work for anyone over 5’4. The color is perfect and the material is breezy and great quality.

Hoodie | Sandals| White denim shorts

I’ve seen this hoodie so many times, like on Facebook ads and such and always wanted it so when I saw it on Shein’s website for $7 I had to have it. It’s not super warm but it’s perfect for chilly Spring and Summer nights or to just wear around the house. I am so cold natured so I’m literally always so freaking cold!!

 

Floral Scalloped Top | Colored Jeans (Old Navy) | Espadrilles (Target)

I thought this top was absolutely perfect for Spring! It’s fully lined, so not see through at all and for $9, you absolutely cannot beat it. I paired it with some colored jeans that I already had and some espadrilles but this top would go with anything…denim shorts, black shorts, jeans, you name it!

Hope you enjoyed! Any other retailers that you would like to see or blog post request, just shoot me a DM or email! I love hearing from you guys!

XOXO, Lauren

 

I have been thinking about writing something like this for a while because a week doesn’t go by where I don’t get asked, “How do you do it all?” Between being a wife, boy mom, full time employee and blogger I sometimes get pretty frazzled but I manage to get everything done and stay pretty organized. It’s a fitting time to put this out there because a few weeks ago my husband was suddenly admitted to the ICU for several days and if it wasn’t for some of the tips I’m about to show you, I would have been in a mess.

A day in the life:

This is what a typical weekday looks like:

My first alarm goes off at 4:15, then my second alarm goes off at 4:30. I finally get up at 4:45, go do my devotion then grab my phone and start catching up on Instagram engagement (responding to and giving comments) right away from the night before. After that, I post my photo for the day in the RewardStyle App so that my IG post is shoppable, then post my photo to Instagram, then to my Telegram groups. Then, it’s time to shower, dry hair, do makeup (I’m not one of those wake up and go type), iron clothes, get Caden ready and fed, drop him off at school, then I’m headed to work. Somewhere in there I chug down a cup of coffee. I normally eat avocado toast at home or something real quick in the car. I am at work until 5:00 and I have to race to get Caden from after school care by 6:00, cook dinner, make sure Caden has a bath, does his nightly reading and hope he’s in bed at a decent time.

Pretty much seems like I have absolutely no time at all to do anything but this during the day, right? I’m going to give you some life tips that help me with the day-to-day then with what I’ve learned in my short time blogging that helps me stay on track!

I LIVE BY MY PLANNER!!! Let me say that again, I LIVE BY MY PLANNER!!! GET YOU ONE and not one from Dollar Tree, I mean a good one. I use a Happy Planner and I love it.

1. I plan out my bills according to pay days. This is not an extraordinary concept but something I’ve been doing for 10+ years. I mark my pay days in my planner then write down what bills need to be paid on that day so I know exactly what’s coming out and what we will have left over. I do this ONE MONTH AHEAD!
2. I meal plan. This is HUGE! I take to Pinterest every week and look up recipes for what meat I have in my freezer, write down what other ingredients I need and I either grab it myself at Aldi or do the Walmart grocery pickup. I write down in my planner what we will have for dinner every night so I will know what meat to unthaw and that’s one less thing for me to worry about that day. I normally meal plan on Friday so I can buy what I need that weekend for the next week.
3. When I get out of the shower in the morning I always throw a load of clothes in the washing machine and if I have time I’ll unload/load the dishwasher and pick up toys, dishes, things laying around, etc so I’ll come home to a tidy house. Caden is also made to make sure his room his clean and bed is made before we leave.
4. The weekends are usually pretty busy for me as well but Saturday morning is when I do my deep house cleaning, such as mopping, before Caden gets up. Also, I have extra quiet time to just sit and drink coffee and read. Saturday is normally Mommy and Caden time. We go grocery shopping and he normally gets a toy 🙂 or we go see my family or have lunch with Daddy but that day it’s just me and my little sidekick!
5. Sunday is strictly family day. My husband is off that day so we always try to go to church and plan an afternoon activity or go out for lunch. I keep social media to a minimum and normally don’t post this day.
6. It helps being a full time employee in a job that you love and you are appreciated. I work as a lab tech in a doctor’s office for two of the best doctors I have ever had the pleasure to meet…and I have been in the medical field for a lot of years. They both know I am a blogger and are fully supportive of me but when I am at work, my job and my patients come first.

I can’t let Todd go unnoticed because he works so hard for us and supports my shopping habit 🙂 He works 12 hour shifts, so he leaves at 6:15am and doesn’t get home until almost 7pm. He also works every Saturday, and his off day every week changes so on that day he helps me with taking Caden to and from school and cleaning if I ask. Love you, babe!

SNEAK PEAK INTO MY HAPPY PLANNER!! 

DAY TO DAY

MEAL PLANNING

BLOG AND PHOTO SCHEDULE (IG FEED)

HOW DO I FIT BLOGGING INTO ALL OF THIS?

How do I fit blogging in a life where I’m already a wife, mom and full time employee? LOTS OF PLANNING!! Being a fashion blogger is not just waking up and posting a photo on Instagram and adding a catchy caption and calling it a day. There is so much more involved. Here’s how I keep it together.

1.  I shoot all of my content on the weekend. My sweet little 7 year old is quite the photographer and loves going to the gardens to take a few pictures then playing afterwards. Then on those family Sundays, my sweet hubby will take a few photos. When a have several outfits, my mom and I will take a trip and she will do them for me.
2. After I have my photos, I pick out the ones I like and edit them, then plan out my Instagram feed for that week in my planner. This way, I will wake up everyday, look and my planner and know what I’m going to post.
3. I try to have 2-3 blog post ideas in the back of my mind at a time, so I can get my thoughts together. I normally ALWAYS get a blog post out every Friday unless there is a crisis (like Todd being in ICU) but I like to be on a schedule and four posts a month is perfect, in my opinion.
4. If/when I don’t have patients at work or I am slow I will start typing out my blog posts. I have my own lab area with a computer so I utilize my downtime. I also use my downtime to catch up on responding to and leaving comments on Instagram as well as reading emails or posting in my stories.
5. I work half days on Fridays so after work, I squeeze in everything I can while Caden is at school. If I need to do any shopping, get my nails done, get my hair cut, run kid-free errands or go to a doctors appointment for myself, I do it then. This time is so important because it’s the only “me” time I get out of the entire week…a whole 3 hours, haha!!
6. Basically, it boils down to TIME MANAGEMENT. If I sat around and waited until the last minute for everything, I would fail every time and there’s no way I could accomplish what I do. I’m not a procrastinator (laundry doesn’t count) and I feel like if I use my time wisely, then I can get everything done.

If you’ve made it this far, I hope this helped you in some way, especially if you feel like you don’t have the time to start something you have a passion for. I realize waking up at 4:45am is not for everyone but I am a morning person and I have the most energy at that time. I am also extremely type A and a perfectionist which feeds my desire to always wanting to be organized. I’ve always been a driven person and a go-getter and I find it hard to relax so I function better when I’m busy. Clutter gives me extreme anxiety so that’s why I try and straighten up before I leave for work, so I don’t have to come home to a messy house. Don’t get me wrong, I do get stressed and think the world is caving in on me at times but I try to always have a positive attitude about it because it won’t last forever. Blogging is so rewarding for me, not only being able to create and share what I love but I also get to meet and develop relationships with other bloggers. It is hard work but I wouldn’t trade the life I have for the world!

XOXO, Lauren

 

CURRENTLY READING:

From Grouchy to Great Daily Devotional

Grace Not Perfection by Emily Ley

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever been at the point where you just didn’t need to spend money on clothes or didn’t have the money to spend on clothes because of a bill that was due or your child needed money for sports or some school thing? (Lord knows that costs a fortune) Admit it, we have all been there! No need to fret because I’m going to show you that you can turn even the most simple pieces into totally different looks just by changing out accessories.

I went with something simple because I assume most people have a white tee and jeans. I’m going to use a white pocket tee and black skinny jeans.

Here, I just added some leopard mules and a light brown crossbody bag to contrast the black.

This one is a little more put together, in my opinion. I added a lightweight green vest over the tee with a blush handbag, blush tassel earrings, and gold mules.

Okay, so I could live in this outfit and if you see me on the weekend, I will probably be rocking something just like this! Just add a denim jacket and some sneakers and you have got yourself a LOOK! Just add some simple silver hoop earrings or some studs if you want to wear jewelry.

Last but not least, I’ve put together a little more dressy look for you. I added some beaded earrings, my Gucci dupe belt, block heeled sandals and a clutch. Check out the clutch I found from Shein because it’s only $10 and so cute and unique! This look would also be cute with a leather moto jacket  or bomber jacket.

The personalized necklace I’m wearing in all of these photos is from The Sis Kiss. I literally wear it so much!

You don’t always have to buy something new to stay looking trendy, sometimes all you need to do is shop your closet. I forget about things I have sometimes and if you buy staple pieces like these the possibilities are endless with the ways you can wear them. I hope you enjoyed this post because these are my favorite!

Until next time,

XOXO, Lauren

I really enjoy doing these type of posts as much as my fashion posts! It makes me feel as though my blog has meaning and purpose rather than just taking photos of clothes all the time. I hope you enjoy it as much as me!

At the beginning of the year I set a goal to read “Girl, Wash Your Face” along with other goals that I did not do so well sticking to. So, I thought it would be a good idea to set monthly goals along with a book to read. It wasn’t really my intention at the start of the year to do this but it has worked out well for me and I feel like it keeps me focused and on track with my blog and my life and I really encourage you to do the same.

First I want to start out with my February goals and accomplishments. ALWAYS keep track of your accomplishments so you can see how far you have come! My goals for last month were to get a planner, which I did and I don’t know how I lived without it! Save $200, which I did, and very proud of myself for that one BTW! Read “A Simplified Life” which I did. The only thing that I did not do was do a devotion every morning and that’s mainly because of my time management problem, which I think I have sorted out now and I really did not have a devotion that I liked…problem also solved. The things that I have accomplished in this short month have been extraordinary! I have been re-posted by Target three times, Ross Dress For Less asked to share my photo, I did a Target gift card giveaway that did better than any one I’ve ever done. I met (through the giveaway) and talk to the sweetest girls everyday. I actually hit 2,375 followers and my website hit an all time high of page views and took two collaborations!  No, numbers don’t matter to me but what does matter is that 2,375 people choose to follow along with me everyday. I was also accepted into RewardStyle and actually made sales and commission (tiny commission) through LiketoKnowIt.

Let’s talk GOALS for March:

1. Save $400 towards vacation
2. Read “Grace, Not Perfection”
3. Clean out and organize all closets and cabinets
4. NO SHOPPING!! I will not be shopping for clothes, shoes or accessories this month in order to save money for our vacation in June.

Quick Book Review: A Simplified Life by Emily Ley

Really quickly, because I don’t want to spoil the book if you want to read it, I’ll break down the book. In ten chapters, she shows you ten areas of your life that can be simplified, starting with your space (where you live) then ending with your faith. You get tips on how to make life easier simply by just laying out your child’s clothes for the entire week or narrowing your kitchen cabinets down to one set of dishes. Her motto is less is more, so if you don’t have to look at clutter, you are less likely to be anxious. I don’t know about you, but clutter gives me serious anxiety and I plan on using what she says in this book as gospel. She moves on to things such as capsule wardrobes (which I’m not really a fan of) and finances and so forth. I highly recommend it if you are having trouble getting organized with your time like I was. I’m super OCD about things and think of myself as organized but with everything I have going, my time management skills were out of control. Also, getting a planner and writing things down really saved me.

As always, if you have any questions or blog post requests, just email me or shoot me a DM!

XOXO, Lauren

 

 

 

I know it’s only February but it’s time to start thinking about your Spring wardrobe! Actually, March is just a week away, then it will be Easter before we know it! In terms of fashion, Spring is my favorite season because of the colors and patterns! They are just so colorful and bright and I’m all about that! Plus, pinks and pastels look better on me than anything! HAHA!  I am so ready for warmer weather, you have no idea! So, I am going to show you my favorite pieces and Spring staples to get your closet Spring ready. Just a small disclaimer before we go any further…It’s been raining for about a month now and these are outdoor photos so please don’t judge my stringy hair and wrinkled clothes as they were carried across the gardens in a plastic bucket. Lesson learned.

BRIGHT FLORALS BLOUSES

 

Bright colors are definitely a Spring must! Add a floral print and it’s just that much better! This shirt is older but I found this one from Shein that looks almost identical and comes in three colors.

BRIGHT WHITES

In contrast to the bright florals, Spring is a time of refreshing and a white top is always classic! I used to hate wearing white becausing I thought it washed me out, but I’ve grown to love it. This white blouse is less than $10 and can be styled so many ways! I’ve paired it here with some light colored distressed denim and some neutral espadrilles.

COLORFUL STRIPES

When I think of Spring, color always comes to mind. Bright rainbow stripes are super trendy right now and will be huge this season. Not to mention they will really give your wardrobe that color boost it needs! I found this rainbow cardigan from Ross Dress for Less but I found one here similar and a sweater with the same colors! I paired my cardi here with some light colored distressed denim and white mules.

COMFY ROMPER

 

Rompers and jumpsuits are probably my favorite thing to wear! Even more than leggings because you have the top included 🙂  This romper comes in two other colors and runs a little small, so I would size up one. I love taking a dress or skirt and in this case a romper and pairing it with sneakers and these Adidas go with everything!

SWING DRESSES

Flowy swing dresses are a must have for Spring! They can be dressed up with heels or wedges or dressed down with sneakers. Throw on a cardigan when it’s cool or let your arms show…possibilities are endless! I actually snagged this floral dress on the clearance rack at Old Navy for $1.47…YES, that’s less than TWO DOLLARS! If you have not checked out the clearance section there, then it’s my duty to advise you to do so 🙂 I promise you will thank me! When people buy things online and return them in the store, they put them on the clearance rack and mark them way down, so it could be an item that’s full price on the main racks but clearance because someone returned it. I found a dress very similar from Old Navy and it’s less than $8! I’ve paired my dress with neutral espadrilles. They also come in white!

WHITE DENIM

Ok, now, I’m not one of those people that limits white denim to just Spring and Summer. I actually wear it all year long, in fact I think winter white is one of the best looks there is. I did, however feel that I needed to include it in my Spring essentials. I bought my white jeans at Ross Dress for Less a few years ago but I found these on Amazon and they got really good reviews. I paired my jeans here with white mules and this shirt another Old Navy clearance find for $2 but here is a similar one. BTW: I could not keep the wrinkles out of this shirt!!

CLASSIC BUTTON DOWN

Button down tops are great for the Spring because they can be worn under sweaters or tied at the waist but they are such a classic piece and come in so many varieties, I had to include it. I love this one because of the gingham print and pastel color!

THERMAL TOP

Thermal tops are huge this season and I can see why! They are so versatile and this one is so incredibly soft! I unbuttoned it a few times at the bottom and tied it at the waist and paired it with jeans and booties.

JUMPSUITS

Jumpsuits are probably my favorite thing to wear next to a romper! I was actually afraid to wear them for so long because I’m very petite and a lot of them are too long but now a lot of places carry petite lengths or are making them cropped. They are one piece but yet so chic. Ones that are cinched at the waist or that show off your waist are definitely more flattering. Add you some cute heels or espadrilles and some accessories and you’re good to go! I loved the color on this one because olive green goes with so much. I actually got this one a consignment shop but it’s Old Navy brand so I linked a similar one from there.

DENIM JACKET

Denim jackets are a closet staple year round, but most definitely in the Spring! Throw it over a jumpsuit, dress, or wear it over a tee and leggings (one of my faves.) Also, another favorite of mine, is denim on denim…wear it with jeans! I mean, everyone needs a denim jacket! I got this one at TJ Maxx a few years ago, but I found this one from Old Navy and it’s perfect and a best seller of theirs.

SPRING ACCESSORIES

Straw Crossbody Bag

Colorful Tassel Earrings

Knot-Front Headbands

Floppy Hat