Friday 5...Fave Purchases!

Deena | Abbie | Lana | Shaunacey | Katie | Alison | Sarah

Happy Friday!!  Is is just me, or has this been THE longest week??  I am so happy Friday has finally arrived!   I've been looking forward to this post. 

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting up with some of my Blended Blog Besties in Hilton Head South Carolina...the day after a hurricane blew through!!  

Did we have adventures...right outta the gate!  A day spent in the airport, a crazy one-armed cabbie, cockroaches, oh my!!  

But enough of that crazy!!  On to the good stuff....the sun, the sand, the food, the wine, the blog fun...and most importantly, the shopping!!  And boy did we shop! It was a ton of fun!

Actually Shaunacey and I shopped a little less than the others (maybe because I spent all my money on day one!)  But then I did a thing, my usual thing...I shopped online...while Shaunacey and I were at the pool!!  Online Shopping is just my thing!!

So since we did lots of shopping,  today we're all posting our five favorite purchases from our shopping spree!! 

I actually went into shopping not needing a THING!!  But then I kinda had this problem...I pretty much purchased something from every store I entered!!  I think this is probably because, at home, I really don't shop in stores AT ALL!  All my shopping is done online.  Shopping in actual stores?!?  I kind of forgot what it was like!!  So I had a lot to chose from. (Definitely not as much as much as Abbie though, who is now my shopping idol!!  She bought ALL THE THINGS!!) 

I don't doubt, that eventually you'll see all my purchases on the blog, today I chose my top five!!  Hope you like 'em!!

Michael Kors....eeeeekkkkk!!  I don't have much Michael Kors!  But I was so excited to find these two things .  This jacket is going to be a staple...for like...ever!

This scarf is the perfect match to this coat!  And is another fave purchase! It's one I ordered online by the pool Sunday and was at my door by Thursday!  It's Stella and Dot, which Shaunacey is a Stylist for...so basically, I bought all the things!  And am now a club member!!  LOL  I love that I can wear the scarf now in the fall, but I can also wear it every other season as well!

 This was my other purchase from Michael Kors.  This fun dress is a totally cool twist on the LBD.  And was a total slurge!! But I know I'll wear this.  And the thing about shopping with these girls...  Everyone is so complimentary!  They thought it looked great on me! I'm harder on myself!  I was totally drawn to the dress and really love it!

I've decided I'm no long comfortable in photos!!  I hate the way I look in all of these!  Ugh!!

I'm not sure why I had no intention at all of ever getting pants like this, but after seeing them on Alison in Express and how go she looked in them (just to try things on mind you!), I had to try.  And since all pants were buy one get one FREE, why the hell not!!  And now I freaking love them!!  They're a little hard to see in the photo but...

My last favorite purchase was another thing I bought on a whim...and when I bought it, I had no idea it would end up being a fave, but it totally is!!  It bought this bag to use as a new work bag this year.  I realize that we're at the end of October already, but up until now, I've only been bringing my purse to work.  Granted it's a big purse but.  I just figured, "I'm spending 11 hours at this place...I'm not ever bringing anything home!  THAT was a lie I told myself!  So I'm so happy with this purchase!  And my school friends have complimented me so much on this!!  It's perfect!

My moto for the weekend was "Buy it Now, Hyperventilate Later!!  So I've be paying for these purchases and all the rest for quite sometime!  But no regrets!!  Nothing beats shopping and laughing with friends!!  Now head on over to their blogs to see what these fabulous woman bought!  They are all a bunch of supermodels that look great in everything!!

Deena | Abbie | Lana | Shaunacey | Katie | Alison | Sarah

Thanks for stopping by the blog today!  I hope your weekend is a great one!  Do a little shopping!!

I'm actually reading!

Linking up today with my bloggy buddy, Alison for her first book link up, and I'm really excited because I've been reading!  Knowing about this link-up and wanting to participate is really keeping me accountable and reading.

Today I'm going to share with you a review of The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans.  I received this book from a friend at work for Christmas.  She and I have very similar tastes when it comes to books, movies and TV, so she thought I would like this one.  I had never read this author before but he is sort of the Christmas Book guy!  He has a number of Christmas titles and new novels come out each year around Christmastime.

I did enjoy this.  It was an easy read!  And though some parts were less than realistic, I like that I was transported to someplace else for awhile, as any good book will do. I thought that plot was different, being about a struggling writer attending a writing conference,  Certainly I had never read a similar storyline.  I figured "it" out pretty early on but there was another little twist in the story, that I didn't really see coming and I liked that about it.  I would read this author again!  And might even pick up his other Christmas novels throughout the year!  Who wouldn't love a little Christmas in July!!

I'll be back in February with a few more reads!  Until then, check out the links at Reading Lately Here! and link up any books you've read this month.

What I Wore Wednesday: Challenge Week Two

Well the Summer Challenge is in full swing now! We're well into week two.  Having only highlighted the first two looks in my last post, I should have at least seven more to show you today!! I don't!!  I've skipped a few!   And since I haven't been wearing every outfit, I've mixed it up a bit. Next week when I am home and summer vacation has started, I hope to be more on target.  What I managed to put together, you'll find below!!

When we last met, it was day three!  Wednesday called for a white dress, wedges and the denim vest. You may remember me saying last week that my denim vest had yet to arrive.  It wasn't here for day three either, so I didn't wear it.  But when I returned home from work at 6 o'clock that night.  There were two packages at my door.  One was the denim vest, the other was a lace dress that I  had forgotten about buying (it took a while to get here!!) So this isn't the best pic...end of the day and all, but here's the look!!  I received many compliments on this so decided, I'll keep it!!

This isn't the true challenge outfit...just me really trying it on!  At some point, I'll dress it up and post it again.


Thursday was kimono day!!  I actually ended up wearing this on Monday minus the boyfriend shorts it called for because I was working.  But it was a dress down, so I wore jeans!  I really liked this!

Didn't realize I cut half myself off in this pic...ugh!

#SelfieFail

Friday was a super easy outfit.  Bright shorts, lace top and wedges.  Accessorized with a colorful necklace.  This necklace was all I had.  I haven't bought a bright one or one if those tassel necklaces that are in these  days!

Saturday I actually wore Sunday's look.  I thought I was wearing the right day's look but apparently I was a day ahead! I really liked this though...love me a good maxi!!  And the fact that I'm still rockin' this one from 2008 makes me happy!!  I was with my family...yay for having a photographer!

Saturday actually called for a chambray shirt and white shorts!! You'll see that on me soon!!

Sunday, I'm not gonna lie...I stayed in my pj's!  I'd been sick for a week at that point, I just rested up, not talking and trying to get better!

Monday's look I skipped out on in favor of the kimono one I highlighted above! But it was Palazzo Pants!!! YAY!!  With a flowy tank!!  I wanna say this was a repeat of a 2014 outfit.  Because I consulted the archives and this is what I wore last challenge!   {Actually last year it was paired with a white t...I guess I'm just ahead of the trends!! hahahahahahaha}

 original post

Tuesday's look was another easy one.  This was my after school outfit!!  Graphic Tee and boyfriend shorts.. I had a hard time getting the graphic so you don't get to see the Cons I wore!  And I suppose these are not boyfriend shorts...but they're shorts! So it's a win in my book!

Every challenge seems to go faster and faster!  Come back next week for the week 3 looks!  Now go check out how the rest of the Style Me Bloggers did this week!  Link up your fashion post with us, too!!   

AND DON'T FORGET THE GIVEAWAY IS STILL GOING ON!!!  ENTER BELOW!!Shoes to Shiraz | R Squared | Two Teens and Their Mama | 

Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy | A Lovely Little Wardrobe | 

Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life | Puppies and Pretties | Daily Style Finds | 

Making the Most of Everyday | She Thought She Could | Foxy's Domestic Side | 

Quilty Joy Joy |  Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After |

A Little Bit of Cheer | Nick and Nik

An InLinkz Link-up

 Puppies & Pretties // Daily Style Finds

Shoes to Shiraz // A Lovely Little Wardrobe // Making the Most of Every Day

Two Teens and Their Mama // Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

A Little Bit of Cheer // Nick + Nik // Foxy's Domestic Side // The Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life // Quilty JoyJoy

Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy // Get Your Pretty On

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a great Wednesday...Have Fun and Look Fabulous!
Katie


Linking up today too with:

Alison at Get Your Pretty On

Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy

 Because Shanna Said So

Sarah at Tucker up

Madeline at Cappuccino and Fashion

Alison at Sydney Fashion Hunter

Pampers and Pearls
Happiness at Mid Life

Back at again.... {and a GIVEAWAY!}

This year's Summer Challenge with Alison at Get Your Pretty On began Monday! And once again, I'll be linking up with my fashionista friends to share our different interpretations of each day's outfits! I must say I am so glad the challenges brought us together...but I'm even more grateful that our friendship has blossomed far beyond them.  These girls are no longer just my Challenge buddies, but some of my bloggy besties!!

It's so hard to believe it's already been a year since last Summer's Challenge!  Time flies, huh?!? Especially when you're having fun!

Since the challenge only just began, today's post will be short and sweet...so you'll have plenty of time to check out the other girls' looks!! :) And will get to the GIVEAWAY that much quicker!!

Monday's look called for patterned shorts, a flowy tank (or tee) and the denim vest, (or chambray shirt), with wedges. I didn't purchase much for this challenge at all, except for the denim vest, which I really thought long and hard about. But I found this one online at Old Navy this weekend, with an additional 30% off and free returns, so I figured, with it being under $20 bucks, I'd give it a shot. And of course the denim vest showed up on day one!! Ha! So I just switched up my look a little...with a buttoned up chambray and the patterned shorts. Ordinarily, I wouldn't wear wedges and shorts but ended up liking this look.

Please excuse the broken toes!

Chambray button down- LOFT

shorts-JCrew Factory

wedges-Nordy's

Day two was a super easy, fun look! It called for a graphic tee, bright shorts and metallic sandals.

I have tons of bright shorts and graphic tees, so I could have probably put this together in lots of combos (gotta love the JCrew Factory chnos!), but ultimately chose this. I don't get enough use out of this tee and thought it paired well with the pink shorts!

Jesus Loves This Hot Mess Tee-Be Still Clothing Co.

JCrew shorts Lots of great colors!

Last summer's metallic sandals from Target

Well there you have!!  The first 2 outfits of our 21 days!! I can't wait to see how everyone styled their looks!  Check them out and don't forget to link up with us too!!

Shoes to Shiraz | R Squared | Two Teens and Their Mama 

Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy | A Lovely Little Wardrobe

Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life | Puppies and Pretties | Daily Style Finds 

Making the Most of Everyday | She Thought She Could | Foxy's Domestic Side 

Quilty Joy Joy | Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After |A Little Bit of Cheer

Nick and Nik

An InLinkz Link-up

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!  

My style gal pals and I have teamed up for a giveaway during the Summer Challenge.
And our fearless leader of all things style challenges, Alison, is joining us!!

Enter below to win a $200 Gap Brands Gift Card...Gap, Banana, Old Navy, Athleta, OH MY!!

 Puppies & Pretties // Daily Style Finds

Shoes to Shiraz // A Lovely Little Wardrobe // Making the Most of Every Day

Two Teens and Their Mama // Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

A Little Bit of Cheer // Nick + Nik // Foxy's Domestic Side // The Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life // Quilty JoyJoy

Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy // Get Your Pretty On

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Have a great Wednesday!!
Katie

Linking up today with:

Alison at Get Your Pretty On

Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy

 Because Shanna Said So

Sarah at Tucker up

Madeline at Cappuccino and Fashion