Video: Thrift Haul #2

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Video: Thrift Haul

Happy Friday (insert happy dance here). Today I am SO excited to share this thrift haul video with you. I have been thinking about new ways to take my blog to the next level and have decided that videos are the perfect idea. Sometimes its great to see the person behind the blog. You can kind of get an idea through their writing, but it's even better to see them on camera.

Hope you have a great day and hope you enjoy the video!

     

What kind of videos would you like to see? (makeup, hair, diy projects, etc?)
Comment below with your ideas/opinions on what you would like to see!

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WHAT WE WORE WEDNESDAY.

Today is going to be one busy day! We have E's lawyer coming over at 4:30 and then our foster licensing specialist coming right after that at 5:30. I got word last week from our Case Manager that there is Foster Care Review Board Meeting scheduled for E on September 15th. The Foster Care Review Board advises the juvenile court on progress toward achieving a permanent home for a child or children involved in a dependency action and in an out-of-home placement. The well-being of these kiddos is the highest concern to these board members. I am so grateful that they can be a "voice" for them, because a huge majority of them don't have a voice. They are placed in a home with people that they have never met before and just have to adjust. I am so thankful that E has been placed with us and that she is adjusting and growing in our home with us. I am so thankful that Josh and I accepted God's calling for us to love and care for His children. Our journey so far doesn't have any words to describe it. We have been taught so much and have learned so many things along the way. Our faith has grown tremendously and we have learned what it means to really truly trust God. Fostering has been one of the best experiences of my life and I cannot wait to see what God has planned for E and for our family. Sometimes I get this feeling like I wish I could help out more and do more. I wish that I had a humongous 20 bedroom home that I could fill with these precious little kiddos...but I don't...and that's okay. Whenever I feel this way, I always hear a sweet whisper from God telling me that I am doing enough..that I am doing more than enough and that I am changing lives one child at a time. God's surprises and His blessings are always so wonderful!  I love my God so much. He is so good, so faithful, so loving and so merciful. I don't know what I would do without Him in my life. Please keep E and our family in your prayers during this time of changes and transitioning. Thank you!

(me) skirt: Nordstrom Rack // shoes: Zulily // purse: TJ Maxx // shirt: thrifted // 

sunglasses: TJ Maxx // earrings: Chicos // watch: Target // bracelet: Ettika

(e) top: thrifted // skirt: thrifted // shoes: Payless // hairclip: Dollar Tree

WHAT WE WORE WEDNESDAY AND A FOSTER CARE UPDATE.

Last week we received a letter in the mail for clothing allowance for E. It didn't have any instructions on how to obtain the clothing allowance, but had the number to our Case Manager in case we had any questions about it. I decided to call her and I am so happy that I did. We spent close to 45 minutes on the phone talking about our case. The update that she gave me was very positive. Whenever a new case is opened in the foster care system, they first establish a "case plan" or a "case time frame". It usually depends on the type of case and the age of the child. For E, we were told that her case plan was for 9 months and we have had her since April. There is a court hearing scheduled for the end of October. Since her Mom is completely out of the picture at this point, our Case Manager informed me that our case might move faster than we might expect and there is a huge possibility that the Mom's rights will be severed in the next few months and E will come up for adoption. She told me that her Mom would need to make some pretty drastic changes right now to have any chance at being able to get E and her other children back. First question she asked me was if we would be willing to adopt E. I told her if it came to that point, we would definitely want to. Then her second question came as a big surprise to me. She told me that the Grandpa who is taking care of E's brother (who is 3 years old) is not interested at all in adopting him. She then asked me, "Would you be willing to adopt both E and her younger brother?" I was speechless for a moment, but thinking about it and the possibility of that happening made me so giddy. I told her that Josh and I would need to think and pray about first, but we would definitely consider it. 
Our foster care journey has challenged our faith more times than I can count and my faith has grown in leaps and bounds because of it. Every time I become fearful or get anxiety of the unknown and what might be ahead, I lean back on the fact of who brought us here to where we are right now. Looking back, "my plan" was to already be staying at home with one of our own babies (maybe 2)...but Heavenly Father had a completely different plan for our family than what I would have ever imagined. It's been such a wonderful journey and I am so grateful that we were able and that we were willing to become foster parents. Last night as E wrapped her arms around me to cuddle in her bed, tears of joy and immense gratitude fell down my face as I held her tight. Heavenly Father truly is good and I know He is in the midst of all of this. There is something so beautiful and so wonderful about trusting in Him and trusting His plan and not our own. I have surrendered my will and my plans for His will and His plans for my life, for E and for our family. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks for reading! Hope you have a fantastic day!!

     (me) shirt: Kohls // cropped jeans: Kohls // shoes: Zulily // purse(F21): Goodwill //  bracelet: Goodwill // earrings: Forever 21 // Sunglasses: Tillys
(e) dress: Costco // shoes: Payless // purse: gift from Mom // Sunglasses: gift from my friend Lindsay  

Goodwill Goodies: $1 H&M Jeans

Okay you have to admit...a $1 pair of jeans is really something to get excited about..and you bet I was! Last week when I was shopping at Goodwill over my lunch hour, I was sifting through the jeans and came across a cute pair of H&M jeans that were in great condition. As I was holding them up to look at them, one of the Goodwill associates got over the loud speaker and said "Good afternoon Goodwill shoppers, today all blue tags are just $1.00...so find those blue tags and pay JUST $1.00"! I immediately looked at the jeans and this cute polka-dot blouse that was in my cart to see if they had blue tags. The blouse didn't, but the jeans did! Booyah! Looks like $1.00 Thursdays is going to be my Goodwill shopping day!!!

H&M Jeans: $1.00 Polka-Dot Blouse(Target) $3.99
Total Outfit Cost: $4.99

See my previous Goodwill finds HERE

Goodwill Goodies & 7 Thrifting Tips

Hello lovelies! I hope that the start to your week is fabulous and very productive. 

I am sure most of you have noticed in my outfit posts, that a majority if not all of my outfits are thrifted.

My two go-to places for finding the best items are Goodwill and SAVERS. Sometimes I can go and find

absolutely nothing at all, sometimes I find just a few items, and sometimes I hit the jackpot and come

out with a haul of goodies. Those days are my favorite! Since I love thrifting so much, I thought I would 

start sharing some of my finds with you on this little space of mine. Below are also 7 thrifting tips for you too!

 

BCBG Pink Heels (mint condition) // Purple Beaded Flower Bracelet // Mason Jar Hand Wash (never opened)
Total Spent: $10.00     1. Go regularly

Thrift stores put out new inventory daily, so it pays to go in frequently for great finds. 

I try and go at least once a week. 

2. Sale & discount days 

Find out if the Thrift store has sale/discount days were you can get a percentage off of certain items or your total purchase. My "go-to" Thrift Store on Tuesdays and Fridays are 25% each item with my rewards card. On Thursdays, its 50% off red marked tags. Score!

3. Keep an open mind

Sometimes Thrifting can be very overwhelming and you can run across items that you think wont fit or maybe a home decor piece that is a little roughed up. Don't pay attention to sizes. You can always find something that's a little to big or small that will only need minor alteration to make it work! As far as home decor there is always paint!

4. Keep a wish list of wants and needs

I have a small notebook in my purse that I keep a list of items I am on the lookout for.

5. Only buy what you really love 

I double check my finds before going through the checkout just to make sure that everything I'm purchasing I love and know I will wear it or use it. Most Thrift stores only accept exchange if you need to return something. I have made the mistake many times of not trying clothes on and getting home and having it not fit. So make sure you love it and it fits!

6. Dig...dig...dig!!

This is probably the most important tip. Thrift stores have massive amounts of "stuff"

It's not like a regular store that you can just go into, see something and buy it right away. 

For the most part most Thrift stores organize it in sections (jeans, long-sleeve tops, short-sleeve tops, dresses, skirts) but you have to dig to find the treasures. Most of the brands I find a lot of are Juicy, Banana Republic, GAP, Ann Taylor, F21, and BCBG. I pay anywhere from $3-$8 a top.

7. Look over each item and question each item before buying

Take a look at the item and make sure there are no rips, tears or stains before buying.

I also make sure that I will really wear the item I am buying. When Thrifting, I have found it to be so easy to just buy something just to buy it because its such a great deal. I don't do that anymore! Now I picture what I could wear it with and how much use I will get out of it. You don't want to buy something to have it just sit in your closet!

 

Fashion Friday Link Up: Polka-Dots Here & Polka-Dots There

If it's one thing that makes me happy, it's polka dots.. and the fact that it's Friday! (insert happy dance here) 

 

 Hat: Thrifted // Sunglasses: Tillys // Jacket: White House Black Market // Shirt: F21 (Similar) // Necklace: Groopdealz //
Shoes: PB&J Boutique // Purse: Bebe // Bracelet Set, Earrings & Ring: Forever 21 // Jeans: Thrifted

Fashion Friday Link Up Pick
My pick from last week's Fashion Friday Link Up is Ariel from Auteur Ariel   Ariel was born in Japan, currently as Senior at BYU, loves Klee Kai puppies, and is an amazing fashion blogger! Check her out if you haven't already!

Wait! Don't leave! Make sure you link up your outfit below! You might just be my pick for next Friday's link up!    

Thrift Finds

 It's dangerous having a Goodwill practically within walking distance from my work. 
Let me tell you!! Here were my finds. I still can't believe how much I saved! Wahoo!

New York & Company cardigan. This looks SO good on. I love all the different lengths at the bottom. Normally around $40-$50

Charlotte Tarantola Jacket. Normally $99 

My best find! Suit from The Limited Collection.  The jacket normally sells for $158 and the pants for $80


Estimated Total: $375
Thrifted cost: $28.87

***Be sure to check back tomorrow  for a GIVEAWAY***

Life Lately According to My Phone

*Temple with Josh

*Date night sushi style

*Girls night out to BJ's

*2 ingredient spice cake

*Cookies from some good friends

*BBQ chicken french bread pizza

*Packing to move into our new house!

*Thrifted 3 tiered stand for $1.99 (going to spray paint it and put some of my jewelry on it)

-KIMBERLY-