Weekend Wrap Up/Sunday Slurge

While most people were busy with Mother's Day outings this weekend, I was busy around the house.  My mom lives out of state so I sent her a gift.  While my mother in law is local, she was out of town this weekend so we'll be celebrating next week.  Since M was working all weekend, I ended up spending my days off catching up on laundry and dealing with a doggie disaster. 

On Friday, our normally well-behaved pups decided that it would be a good idea to eat a bag of M's paintballs.  For anyone unfamiliar with paintball, it's a sport/game where people shoot each other with tiny balloons of paint.  It's pretty fun, albeit a little painful at times.  M loves it and tries to go about once a month.  Since he's goes pretty frequently, he buys paintballs in bulk and keeps a box full of bags of 500 paintballs in the laundry room. 

There must have been something particularly appetizing about the paintballs on Friday because both of our boys got into them.  Between the two of them, they ate 500 paintballs.  500 paintballs!  I got home from work on Friday and there was greenish yellow paint everywhere.  It's a good thing we close them off so that they can only go in the den, the kitchen, the half bath, and the laundry room or else the entire house would have been covered in paint. 

 The evidence.

Even though there was quite a mess, my first concern was their health.  The bag says that the paintballs can be toxic, even though they're water-based.  I called our vet and he told me what warning signs to look for and said to keep on eye on them because one way or another, that paint was going to get out of their system.  Well, about an hour after I got home, the vomiting started and it didn't stop for the rest of the evening.  Greenish yellow goo is all over our backyard right now just waiting to be washed away by a good rain.  Now if only there was the indoor equivalent of rain so I wouldn't have had to clean up inside... 

 Deacon covered in paint when I got home.

I did end up taking them to vet because they wouldn't eat, but after getting fluids and some kind of stomach medicine to absorb the chemicals, I'm happy to say they've made a full recovery.  All of my friends with kids say that after taking care of our dogs, kids will be a cinch.  I'm hoping they're right...


In honor of Mother's Day, Old Navy ran a 20% off deal online yesterday, and I took full advantage.  It put me way over my spending diet for the week but I decided to treat myself for Mother's Day.  I've clearly been a dedicated pup mom, I deserve it!  With several trips coming up, I had been eying a couple of different vacation-worthy items but I've been waiting for just the right time (ie when we've got extra cash).  Fortunately for me, that time came right when I needed some retail therapy. 


Here's what I picked up:

Lightweight Camp Shirt, $24.94 ($19.95 with coupon code).  I know, I know, I just got a couple of gingham shirts from Aeropostale but I've been lusting after the yellow and it was 20% off.  Hopefully it fits well or it will be going back. 

Printed Tank Dress, $29.94 ($23.95 with coupon code).   What's not to love about this dress?  Chevron strips?  Navy?  Amazing.  I just hope it fits.  This one is an online exclusive so I have no idea what to expect.  Fingers crossed!

Smocked-Gauze Mexicali Maxi Dress, $25 ($20 with coupon code).  I live in Florida and believe it or not, I only own one maxi dress.  Since I'm between 5'8" and 5'9", most long dresses hit me at an awkward spot well above the ankle.  Lucky for me, this dress is available in tall sizes.

Striped Racerback Tank Dress, $15 ($12 with coupon code).  I tried this dress on in the store last week and really liked it.  It's a bit short, but I plan to wear it around the house, at the pool or for quick errands.  Even at the full price it's a great deal so I couldn't pass it up with coupon code. 


Grand total: $75.90.

Now that I think about it, I probably should have picked up a new pair of shorts or two.  Oh well, there will always be another ON sale and I'm not worried about shorts selling out. 

**Diet log 5/7-5/13 final  
Amount remaining from last week -$13.04
J.Crew coral shorts - $34.65
Old Navy dresses/shirt - $75.90
Total spent - $110.55
Total Remaining - $48.04 - $110.55 = ($62.51)

Looks like I won't be shopping for next two weeks...


**Diet log 5/13-5/20
Amount remaining from last week - ($62.51)

Total spent - $0
Total Remaining for next week- $35 - $62.51 = ($27.51)

J.Crew will find it

After several Shout and OxiClean sessions, I had to call time of death for my coral shorts from Old Navy (last year).  I have no idea what I got on them, but there's a very noticeable spot on the front left leg.  Tragic!

Since I love coral and it's one of this seasons hot colors, I've been on the hunt for a replacement pair for the last two days.

Specifications: coral color (duh), not denim, 3" inseam, no fraying/distress markings

I checked (in this order):
Old Navy
J.Crew Factory
Gap
Nordstrom
Kohl's
Target
Dillards
Macy's
American Eagle
Aeropostale
J.Crew 


Old Navy has this dark coral pair, but the 5" inseam just didn't look right when I tried them on and they aren't exactly the color I'm looking for.  I've got Bermuda shorts for that long shorts look, but these were too much like "mom shorts" for me. Kohl's has a pair with a 2" inseam and they're just too darn short.  I don't know what's worse, the mom look or the teenie bopper look...


Normally, I rely on Old Navy and J.Crew Factory for my shorts because I can always count on them for fun colors in 3" inseams.  Neither had what I've been looking for, but regular J.Crew had these:

They are the Stretch Twill Short in vibrant coral and as thrilled as I was to track them down, I was even more sad to see that they aren't available in my size online.  I immediately called my local short but they didn't have any in stock.  In an act of desperation, I called J.Crew's 800 number to see if anything could be done.  That's when I was introduced to J.Crew's "We will find it" service.


If an item is out of stock online or at a given store, you can call the 800 number and tell them what style number, size, and color you're looking for and customer service will search store stock across the country for you.  Within 48 hours you'll get an email back letting you know if they've found your item or not and if they find your item, they'll ship it to you.  I took advantage of this service and I'm happy to say that a pair of vibrant coral stretch twill shorts are on their way to me right this very second. 


Thanks to a 30% off coupon, I'm paying $34.65 for these shorts.  I normally wouldn't pay that much for shorts but I got a lot of use out of my other pair of coral shorts and I wasn't able to find a comparable option that was less expensive. All in all, I'm a happy J.Crew shopper.


**Diet log 5/7-5/13
Amount remaining from last week -$13.04
J.Crew coral shorts - $34.65
Total spent - $34.65
Total Remaining - $48.04 - $34.65 = $13.39 

Overdue Weekend Wrap Up

I never knew a one year old's birthday could be so stressful!  Whew!  The party went really well and the weather could not have been more perfect.  It was great to be able to be there with such good friends as they celebrated their little boy.  I was bummed that M couldn't be there but we know that this crazy work schedule isn't permanent and it's what's best for our family right now.  As comforting as it is to know that, it's still sad that he misses so much.


Alright, on to the outfit details.  I had thought about wearing one of my new gingham shirts from Aeropostale, but I decided that they would be more appropriate for our Memorial Day weekend trip.  I'm planning to pair the pink one with navy shorts (seen below).  My shorts look black in this picture so you'll just have to trust me that they're navy. I think I'm going to hunt for some fun flip flops to wear with this outfit.  May these or these? 

I ordered this shirt in 3 different colors in both small and medium and decided to keep the mediums.  The smalls fit ok and I could button them no problem, but one wrong move and the arm seams would have split at the shoulder.  The medium is fitted enough to give me some shape but my movement isn't restricted.  For reference, I'm 5'8" tall and I wear a size small (2/4) shirt most places. 


Since I decided not to wear any of new gingham shirts to the party, I settled on this ruffled cami from Gap and coral shorts from Old navy (last year).  Unfortunately, I noticed a spot on my shorts as I was getting ready to leave so I had to change (bummer!).  Normally I would have switched to white shorts but knowing that I might get a little dirty, I opted for khaki and changed my white necklace to a coral necklace.


I didn't take any pictures at home because I thought I'd be in a ton of pictures at the party, but apparently there were only a few pictures taken and this is the only one with me in it:

Apparently I didn't time the photo very well because I'm about to put my hands on my hips and smile.  Looking at the outfit now, I'm so sad I didn't get to wear my coral shorts.  They looked so much better than the khaki.  Oh well, at least this means I can wear my coral shorts in Georgia in a few weeks without repeating an outfit!


Happy Tuesday!

**Diet log 4/30-5/6 final 
Amount remaining from last week -$1.94
Earrings and tank from Nordstrom - $23.90
Total spent - $23.90
Total Remaining - $36.94 - $23.90 = $13.04
Total remaining added to next week - $13.04

**Diet log 5/7-5/13
Amount remaining from last week -$13.04
Total spent - $0
Total Remaining - $48.04 (woohoo!) 

Finally Friday

Well kids, it's finally Friday.

I don't know why but this week has felt longer than normal.  We have a lot to look forward to in the next two months, which seems to make time go by more slowly now.  We've got trips to Georgia, St. Augustine, and Punta Canta all planned for the next 8 weeks.  Whew, it's going to be a fun summer!

Unfortunately, I didn't finalize a party outfit last night because I came home to sick a dog.  I spent the evening cleaning up after him and cooking him chicken and rice.  Not fun.

On the upside, my gingham shirts arrived from Aeropostale and I LOVE them.  It's a good thing I ordered two sizes because it turns out I did need mediums instead of smalls.  Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures tonight.  I was considering wearing the pink one with navy shorts to the party tomorrow, but I think I'd like to save that combo for our GA trip.  Since we're traveling with the couple that is throwing the party for their son, I don't think I want to wear the same outfit twice so close together.  So back to the drawing board.  Maybe I'll try the lime green one with navy shorts?  Decisions, decisions.

My pumps from Target also arrived yesterday and I'm less than thrilled with them.  I can't decided if I love or hate the heel and they're cut really high on the sides so they rub my feet in weird places.  Pics of these to come as well.  Not sure if they will be sticking around or going back. 

While I didn't have the time or energy to try on outfits and take pictures, I did have the energy to do some online shopping.  These items should be arriving at my house next week:

Stephan & Co. Gloss Rhinestone Stud Earrings from Nordstrom, $8.00.  I ordered the coral but now that I'm going back and looking at them, I think I'll order the turquoise as well. 

Stephan & Co. Enameled Post Earrings from Nordstrom, $6.00.  I ordered them in yellow, which doesn't seem to be available anymore. 

BP Print Tank from Nordstrom, $9.90.  This was on sale when I ordered it and doesn't seem to be available anymore.  It might ended up looking a little young for me but for that price I'll risk it.  I live in tank tops during the summer so I snap them up on sale wherever I can find them.  I like the simple dandelion pattern and we all know I have a thing for navy.  What's not to love?  

I know the earrings won't be really high quality, but I thought they were fun and would work great for a day at the beach or a casual afternoon with friends.  I've had a lot of luck with fun/cheap earrings from Nordstrom in the past so I'll risk it.  And hey, if they break I can take them back because Nordstrom is awesome at accepting returns. 

FYI Nordstrom.com offers free shipping all the time with no minimum purchase!  It's nice to know that if I end up ordering the turquoise studs, I won't have to pay some ridiculous amount to ship an $8.00 item.  Amazing.  Kudos to Nordstrom for their amazing customer-friendly policies!



**Diet log 4/30-5/6
Amount remaining from last week -$1.94
Earrings and tank from Nordstrom - $23.90
Total spent - $23.90
Total Remaining - $36.94 - $23.90 = $13.04

Out of my element - part 2

Ok since I know you've all been on pins and needles about this, I ended up going with the Vtech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker.  I've also picked up 3 outfits and 2 handheld toys so I think I've done well.  The outfits are Hurley and I got them on sale for next to nothing at TJ Maxx and Marshall's.  The original price tags have them at $40-$50 each but I paid less than $20 for all 3.  Booya!  Does anyone actually buy baby/toddler clothes for $50 per outfit?  Insane!

Now that that's out of the way, we're on to problem #2 regarding this birthday party: what to wear.  Like gift giving, attire is much easier to plan for baby shower.  I'd normally wear a casual but feminine sundress with dressy sandals or wedges.  Done and done.

But this is a horse of a different color.  The party will be mostly outside.  There will be children everywhere.  Children with squirt guns.  It's going to be 85 degrees outside.  It might rain.  Did I mention the children?  With squirt guns?  Yikes. 

Knowing all of this, I've been stressing over what to wear for a while now.  I want to be casual (shorts?) but still put together (wedges?).   I'm in love with navy right now so I'm planning to mix navy with either pink/coral or green with touches of white.  These are the pieces I'm planning to play around with tonight and tomorrow to find an outfit:



Bottoms:

Tops:

Shoes:

With the exception of the leather wedge sandals (available here) I already own these items so I'm not planning to spend anything.  The gingham shirts (discussed in detail here) should arrive today so I'll know tonight if they're even an option.  I'm confident I'll be able to put together something that's cute but comfortable. 

I'm probably putting way too much thought into a 1 year old's birthday party but hey, he's an awesome kid and I'm really looking forward to celebrating his big day.

  

PS if you're a Kohls shopper, I found a 20% off coupon that expires today.  Use the code SUNSHINE20 online or go here for a printable version to use in store.  Ends today (5/3) so hurry up!