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 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

Fashion Friday Link-Up: My Favorite Skirt

Hello! I am so happy that it's Friday. This week has been pretty crazy to say the least.
Any fun plans for the weekend? I am working at the Phoenix Open on Saturday in the  Thunderbirds tent. I will be going around taking candid photos of the Thunderbirds and their families having a good time. I love working this event! I meet a lot of great people,  get to eat food catered by The Herb Box (sooo yummy), and get to be in the midst of  all the action that is going on. Another plus, my best friend is working right along side of me!
Okay...let's talk about this skirt that I am wearing! I'm going to be honest and tell you that I  have a lot of skirts, and when I say a lot, I mean a lot. Some hung in my closet and about 2-3  drawers full. What can I say?! I love 'em! Whenever I go shopping/thrifting, it's right to the  skirt rack. I found this skirt at TJ Maxx about a week ago and fell in love. I went there to find a cute dress or skirt. I found nothing at first, but as I was leaving I walked by a rack that I didn't  notice and there it was hanging there all pretty and bold! $12.99 and this baby was all mine! What I love most about this skirt is the fun bold flower print, it's b&w, it's stretchy, and  the length is perfect. I can't tell you how HARD it is to find skirts like this that are not short, see-through or cut off your circulation.....so when I do..you better believe I am getting it!  

 

 

Sunnies: Target // Bow Top: Thrifted // Skirt: TJ Maxx // Bracelet: Thrifted // Shoes: TJ Maxx // Purse: TJ Maxx  
  Fashion Friday Link Up Pick
My pick from last week's Fashion Friday Link Up is the Shop Freak Blog! What I love most about her outfit is her polka-dot cross body purse. So cute!  I think I might have to make a quick stop at Target! Take a peak at her blog.

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

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!