My 2012 style-part 2

Alright ladies and gents: here's the big reveal!  Check out my great purchases and help me come up with further outfit ideas!  

Now remember-I was hoping to get: 1 pair of good fitting jeans, 1 top that works for school/work/casual hanging out. and 1 pair of shoes I can walk in that also look cute for approximately $100.

How do you think I did?

First-this morning I purchased the hat below from Target.com.

I am absolutely in love with hats and I really think this is a good one! Online price $9.98 (on sale) before taxes and shipping.  After: $16.43.  About the same price as it would be in store before the sale but my local store didn't have it and I adore it.

Second is a great black ANA "cocoon" sweater/cardigan from JCPenney.  On sale for $19.99 marked down from $50.00!.  I own absolutely no black cardigans of any kind so I think this is a great investment for the fall/winter months.

Third-I found a great pair of jeans also from JCPenney! The funny thing is: just yesterday when I was going through clothes that didn't fit, I got rid of a gray denim pair just like this.  I was really bummed about it because I loved them but was like "Well, if I can't wear them at least someone else can."  And lo-and-behold! I got some great gray skinny jeans from ANA for $24.99 marked down from $48.00!  A great steal and they look and feel great!

(They look like shorts here but I folded them so they'd fit in the picture.)

 Fourth-I got this wonderful pair of gray/brown moccasins from JCPenney.  Also on sale: $19.99 marked down from $39.99.  I fell in love with these the moment I laid eyes on them and they feel great! They were the last pair (in the store, not just my size!) so I nabbed them up before someone else could take them.  Definitely an awesome steal.

Grand total at JCPenney (after taxes): $71.30

Before we went to JCPenneys Derrick and I went to Ross to look for shirts.  I think Ross is a great place to get inexpensive tops for work (business casual/business) but you've really got to dig around for them.  Half the time I come out with nothing other times (like today!) I hit a jackpot.  I don't know what these pieces original prices were (since it's Ross and they're kind of like an overstock place) so I'll just list the purchased price.

This great cobalt/navy shirt has an adorable neckline (sorry you can't really see it here). Only $7.99 and fits really well! Also I thought the color works with any season and is pretty simple so can count as a basic if need be.

 Next I found this great gray top-it fits a tad loose but because of the lines and the scrunched sides (which you can't see in the picture) it looks great and now will match my gray denim AND gray shoes! I didn't plan on finding a gray outfit but it works great for basics and especially the winter months!  Purchased for: $9.99

And last and probably my favorite piece is this great patterned navy and cream top.  It fits like a luxurious glove and looks so great with my (newly) colored hair!  I also have a thing for navy and copper so that may lend itself to my love for this shirt.  Purchased price: $9.99.

Grand total at Ross (after taxes): $30.70

And the grand total for my shopping spree is: $16.43+$71.30+$30.70=$118.43.  Not bad at ALL considering I came away with 3 tops, 1 cardigan, 1 pair of jeans, 1 great hat and 1 pair of shoes.  BOTH goals accomplished!!

YAY ME!  Now I've got to find other things in my closet (and maybe do some more shopping with my next paycheck) to work with these items.

So I am asking you blog friends: got any fashion advice on how I should work these items into my everyday?  Or what I should purchase next to help complete these looks?  I am asking for YOUR help!  Remember: my fashion sense is very broad so crossing any "fashion lines" is totally acceptable and I am willing to try almost anything at least once!

Help me come up with ideas and once I get the outfit together I'll blog about it naming YOU as my inspiration!

Sound fun?

I am really looking forward to this and hope I'll get some participation!  Now get to thinking-I've got to dress for work tomorrow, lol!

XOXO,

J

My 2012 style-part 1

My clothing style is very broad. I like clothes in all areas-punk, glam, boho, hipster, preppy, etc. I find that I usually dress based on my mood when I can get away with it but I've also realized that there come certain situations where my mood doesn't/shouldn't matter in my attire.  So, for 2012 and hopefully forever I am hoping to re-vamp my wardrobe piece by piece and really wear what I've got in my closet and drawers.  I have a few good basics to start and that are easy transitions from work to casual hangout clothes.  But I need more. **NOTE: I use the term need very loosely-I am a pretty good minimalist when it comes to stuff (at least in comparison to others I know) so I use the term need to refer to what I am lacking in my wardrobe.

So today marks a good day-shopping day! I have a pretty small budget (~$100) but I plan on getting at least 1 entire outfit today.  This means (my hopes for my shopping): 1 pair of good fitting jeans, 1 top that works for school/work/casual hang-outage and shoes I can walk in that also look cute.  At least. I plan on hitting up Ross' for tops and flats so I may come out even better than expected!

I already bought this today online-on sale, versatile AND adorable!  (I have a thing for hats and plan on bringing them more into my wardrobe for 2012.) $15 after shipping and tax-I know it seems silly to ship it when there's a Target in the Boro but I already checked and our store was sold out =P  Any chance I can save moola I'll do it!

Expect part 2 later today when I show you my purchased duds and seek YOUR advice on what to pair them with!

Happy Monday and check back today for my part 2!

2012-Welcome!

2011 was good.  There were a few lows but I am glad I have lived another year and had some wonderful months in it.

I am not going to make monthly goals (at least via my blog) but I will be writing about accomplishments and such. 

I am so excited about 2012 and feel like there's a lot of awesome things coming like:

1) Both Der and I graduating college (BA and MA)
2) I turn 25!
3) I celebrate 2 years of marriage and 4 years of a relationship with my boo
4) TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL
5) Take better care of my health (mentally, physically, emotionally, etc.)

I've got more goals/resolutions but again, I want to write about them as they come.  I've got plans to do a lot and am so excited about it!!

Happy 2012 blog readers!  I look forward to writing more!

XOXOX
JeR

New Years Resolutions-Year End Recap!

Well well: looks like 2011 has come and gone and it went by so fast! I miss (most of) it already!  Remember when I made my 2011 resolutions alongside my monthly goals?  Let's see what I actually got done this year!

1) Donate more-whether it's money, clothes, time I want to do more of it. According to Der I get "donation binges" where I tear our home upside down and inside out ridding of things we no longer need/want and give them to some that do. No harm in it and I like it. I totally did this! I got rid of/gave a lot of clothes, energy, dishes, supplies, money, support, and time this year-all donating to friends, shelters, family, the community, etc.  It's very humbling and rewarding to help others and to continue to de-clutter my home.


2) Stay healthy, hopefully slimming a bit in the process. I have no real reason not to and if you read this blog you'll know what I mean. Well...I was doing well...until this summer and especially this fall with school.  A main goal for 2012 is to re-vamp all of my health stuff so we'll see what actually transpires.

3) Do well in school. I always have and don't plan on stopping. I did =]  I could have done a tad bit better but considering-I am proud.

4) Travel more-this is a big one because Der and I both love to travel. Whether we go to Florida to see the in-laws and/or Disney World, California to see Patrick and/or Der's grandparents, or Chicago (just because I really wanna go) I want to get more traveling under my belt in 2011. The only place travel won't count is to Chattanooga since I go there all of the time. Travel I/we did! We went on The Delta Queen (though I know I said I wouldn't count Chattanooga...this only counts because it is a traveling hotel that happened to be docked in Chatt. and is pretty awesome), enjoyed a little time in The Smokies, I visited my family in Oklahoma, learned a bit about Jack Daniels in Lynchburg, and checked out one of my favorite cities with my hubs!  May not be too much (or too far) for some but it was enough to get excited about and close enough that it wasn't a fortune!  I definitely want this to be another goal for 2012 (and hopefully it will be complete too!)

5) Read more-I think when I get a Kindle this may be a bit easier. Now don't get me wrong: I love a good library smelling book as much as the next person but carrying 20 books in my over-the-shoulder tote doesn't seem to make sense for my shoulders or for purpose sake. So, with the Kindle I can lightly carry around the classics (not to mention my school books) for traveling and class sake. Psssh-I ROCKED this goal! I read 35 books that were not school related!  This includes e-books (via my Kindle) and hard copies. I won't lie-this is pretty cool and something I totally want to carry over into 2012 (and every year!)



6) A photo a day project: if you're linked with me on Facebook.com, I am hoping to do a project where I take a photo a day and talk about it-traversing my year in 2011 through photos. Once I get a real camera this will be made much much easier but until then, crappy cell phone pics will have to do. 1 down, 364 to go! Oh I totally failed this, ha ha! I did about 60ish days and then just plum forgot!

7) Finish Raley home. We've lived here almost 8 months and everything isn't finished-in part due to finances, in part due to forgetfulness, lol. I want everything completed by the summer if possible, but by Dec. 31 2011 at the latest. Well-This is kind of done, LOL. The bedroom still needs some work but the rest of the place is pretty much complete!  I need to post pics....

8) Go to at least 1 concert. I'm not really concerned as to whom I'm seeing but I want to see at least one. I don't think 2010 had any for me (at least none memorable) so I'd like to remedy that. HECK YEAH! Der and I went to see RUSH!  I had wanted to go see my favorite band (Incubus) but the closest they came to Nashville was Atlanta and it was smack in the middle of the semester...maybe next time?

9) See more theater-especially since I am jonesing for it so much as of late. Whether it's professional ("Spring Awakening!") or local (MTSU) I want to see more of it. I did! I saw: MTSUs "Medea" with Kelly, saw Tonya in "Hairspray", MTSUs "RENT" with Tonya, a couple of 1 acts with Tonya and Ben at Out Front on Main, saw "Little Shop of Horrors" directed by Kelly at the high school she teaches at, and saw MTSU's original play "Lady Parts". Definitely felt good to see some theatre this year =]  I didn't see a completely professional show but maybe 2012 can remedy that.

10) Celebrate. I don't care if it's for weddings, birthdays or sheer fun-I want to jump for joy even more this year though 2010 had a LOT of that going on. Life is for living, after all. Oh-SO SO SO many celebrations were had this year! It's very incredible to realize how awesome the people in your life are and to celebrate them and their/your accomplishments. I saw people (and dogs) getting older including me, I saw friends having babies, and saw friends getting married.  I celebrated life with the passing of Clyde, Long John, and Anna. I also celebrated a 3 year relationship and 1 year of marriage with my boo. I have successfully completed 1 year of Graduate School in the journey of obtaining my Masters of Arts in Sociology.  I have helped send my best friend off to Hawaii for the NAVY and have celebrated the purchase of my sister's first home.  And duh-I celebrated holidays with great coworkers, wonderful friends and awesome family. 2011 was chucked full of amazing celebrations and I am so incredibly glad and thankful I was able to take part in all of them.

2011-You weren't bad.  You absolutely had your downs but your ups more than made up for it.  Cheers to bringing in 2012 with smiles, laughter and a lot of goals accomplished!

2012-I've got a good feeling you're going to be just as good.

December Goals-completed!

December was a whirlwind and I miss [most of] it already-it went by too fast!  Check out what I got done!

*Around the House
-Finish hanging photos. COMPLETE-I finished hanging and placing pictures (finally!) in the living room.  I love how it turned out! Now maybe one day I'll get to the bedroom, lol.
-Sew clothes needing mending. COMPLETE-all with the exception of 1 hoodie that I will need a sewing machine for.
-Mail out Christmas cards. COMPLETE-I even got the festive stamps too, ha ha!
-Put up Christmas decor. COMPLETE!  It  was nice re-arranging everything and decorating our tree. That's always one of my favorite parts.

*Celebrations (YAY!)
-Celebrate Christmas with Derrick, Kelly, Wes, Andrew, Dylan, Tonya, and Ben. COMPLETE-Duh, it was awesome!
-Celebrate the holidays at work with co-workers. COMPLETE-It was so much fun!
-Celebrate the holidays with family. COMPLETE-what a great time and busy day we had!
-Celebrate my mom's birthday. COMPLETE-although it was early because her birthday fell on a Wednesday and she would be back in the Noog for it.  When we went out on our shopping day I gave her the card we got her and bought her lunch! It was fun and I'm glad I got to celebrate a bit with her!
-Jen and mom come up for shopping and fun. COMPLETE! As always, tons of fun was had even though I was sick.
-Celebrate goodbyes with Elisa and John since they're moving to Hawaii =( COMPLETE-although I sure am going to miss them!
-Celebrate time off from work and school COMPLETE-probably the best time off I've had in a LONG time.

*School
-COMPLETE my second semester of Graduate School (1 year down baby!) COMPLETE-1 year down, 1 more to go!
-Be content with my grades, whatever they may be. COMPLETE! Everything worked out just fine =]


Well-I think this may be a first in my blog history that I have a full month with nothing but completes!  It's a nice feeling and a great way to end the year =]

Cheers December-you were fun and fast!

Family Christmas!

Christmas in my family is a big deal.  NOT because of the gifts but because of the family time we all enjoy and the memories we're making with more and more family members throughout the years.  It's really a special time and even with different beliefs, we all put that aside and get together for the day and just enjoy one another's company.  That is why I look forward to Christmas each year and this is also why it will be one of the hardest things I'll have to cope with when me move away (because at least for a few years, we won't be able to come home on every holiday like we have been these past 4 years).  I love Christmas with my family!  Let me recap you with the Christmas/family activities.

Christmas Eve, though Der and I have both been sick off and on for close to a week, we woke up at our own accord and opened our gifts and stockings from each other.  It was a lot of fun because the past few years we haven't been able to do a lot for one another for Christmas.  This year we were and even though we were sick it was still fun opening gifts, laughing and spending time together.  I forgot to take pictures (probably for the best since we were both sick)! After checking out our loot, we loaded the car up and headed to Chattanooga to spend Christmas Eve with my mom and the next day with my family!

To start Christmas day, we (the kids) got together at my mom's house in the morning and opened our gifts, drank coffee, and woke up more before getting ready to start our hectic day.

Mom's tree-it was STUFFED with gifts!

Me and my boo Christmas morning, lol.

My brother and brother in law opening gifts.  Mom played Santa and was the last in opening her gifts but she loved them! We're a pretty simple family when it comes to gifts (though the tree tells a different story!).  We mostly give/get books and some DVDs and we're all perfectly okay with that.  Christmas to my family is about family and togetherness.

So after Christmas at mom's we got ready and headed to my dad's house for Christmas with my grandparents!  It was weird because we kept saying "Clyde's house" even though Uncle Clyde is no longer with us.  My dad lives in his house now so it was kind of like Uncle Clyde was there in spirit and it really helped make that even more special.

Daddy's little tree and the gifts.

A bunch of the family just hanging out. We were waiting for the food! My grandmother's (Dot Dot) sister was coming over with all of the food-she brought stuffing, and HUGE ham, dumplings, green beans, mashed potatoes, mom brought deviled eggs, and there was so much more! We had another party to go to that evening so we didn't fill up but it was hard because it was all so delicious.

Me and my sister! I'm wearing the new top my mom bought me and actually look decent now, ha ha!

My sister, my Dot Dot, Dave, and my brother-in-law Steve.

Der, my daddy and me.

The kids with Dad! From L: Der, me, Brad, Daddy, Jen, and Steve

After Dad's we headed down the road to my Aunt's house for the annual Christmas party!  This is where my mom's side of the family all get together to eat a ton, do a dirty Santa gift exchange and take pictures.  It's a pretty laid back atmosphere and good for all of us to get together.

Just the start of the YUMMMMMMMY food everyone brought!  I made the Oreo truffles again for the party-and as expected, they were a success!

My sister and awesome cousin Lauren.

My aunt's tree and the beginnings of the dirty Santa gifts!  I forgot to take pictures during the actual game but we had a great time changing out gifts.  I got a candle set and Der got a car cleaning kit! Both great and practical gifts.

The girl cousins! From L: me, Jen, Lauren, Sara, and Haley. Jen is the oldest cousin and Haley is the youngest.  My cousin Kevin couldn't come to the party but he and his wife are expecting a baby at the end of January so once he's born he'll be the youngest.  We are all so excited to meet him!

My family. From L: Steve, Jen, Brad, Mom, me, and Der.

We took this picture really quick-Jen and Steve had to leave to go to Steve's side of the family's Christmas.  The Der, Brad and I left to go see my other grandparents before trekking back up the mountain to collapse in our merriment.

What a JOYOUS and wonderful Christmas we both had.  I feel extremely humble, blessed and happy that I have such a fantastic family to celebrate holidays with.

Oreo Truffles

I know pinterest is showing these all over the place and they are the CRAZE right now with everyone...and understandably so! They are divine and so super easy to make-great for ANY fall/winter party or get together!  If you are any kind of chocolate fan, you'll fall in love with these little bites!  I feel silly because I've made these twice in the past week and both times forgot to take pictures-oops, haha!

Check out this killer [and easy] recipe!

Oreo Truffles

Ingredients needed:
*1 pack of Oreos
*1 pack of softened cream cheese-fat free or regular works just fine.  (Make sure the cream cheese has sat out for at least 10 minutes and is soft before trying this-when it's softer it works much smoother).
*1 bag of chocolate chips (this can be any kind-I used both white chocolate and milk chocolate)
*Festive sprinkles (optional)

Supplies needed:
*1 large mixing bowl
*1 mixer-hand or automatic work just fine.  You can technically do this by hand but it would be much easier and less time consuming to use a mixer of some kind.  Call me lazy but this isn't how I like to work out my arms and spend my time, haha!
*Wax paper
*Trays (I needed 2 for this amount-both about 12"x6" baking trays)
*Rolling Pin (optional)
*1 Tablespoon (optional)
*Food processor (optional)
*Toothpicks (optional)

Directions:
Step 1-Break up entire pack of Oreos.  Using a food processor works best but you can also break them in pieces, stick the pieces in a large Ziploc baggie, and crush with a rolling pin.  The point is to get the cookies to a power like state.  Once pieces are "powder", place in a large mixing bowl (plastic bowl=not the best idea...I'll explain later).
Step 2-Place softened cream cheese in the large mixing bowl with the Oreo "powder".
Step 3-Mix Oreo "power" and cream cheese together.  You should end up with a dough like mixture.  **I say use a glass or sturdy mixing bowl because when I tried this with my flimsy plastic bowl crumbs went EVERYWHERE-on the floor, in the dog bowl, behind the counter...everywhere! So I would highly suggest using a glass or porcelain bowl to mix to avoid this mess, haha!**
Step 4- After making the "dough", pour chocolate chips into microwave safe bowl and put time on for 1 minute.  After 1 minute, stir chips and heat for 1 minute more.  After this, stir and you should have melted chocolate.  There are many other ways to melt chocolate but I find this works best when time is of the essence.  **I used both white chocolate chips and milk chocolate.  You can use whatever you want to make them taste awesome-this is the coating!**
Step 5- I used my [clean] hands but you can also use a tablespoon to scoop up/roll the dough into walnut size balls-obviously you can make these however big or small you need to but I find these are good sizes for finger desserts.
Step 6- Once balls are formed, roll/dip them into the melted chocolate.  You can utilize a toothpick, a spoon or your fingers to do this-just make sure they are completely coated in chocolate.
Step 7- Once balls are dipped in chocolate, place them on the wax paper covered trays.  Sprinkle if you wish.
Step 8- Place ball covered trays in the fridge to harden.  They need to harden or they become a gooey mess.

And that's it!  They need to chill for at least 20 minutes but they can stay overnight if you want.  Pull those puppies out, place on a serving dish and voila!  You're done! SO simple, pretty quick to make and SO SO good!  Mine came out a little messy but they more than make up for it in taste!

I hope you try this out-you'll wow your friends and not spend a lot on ingredients! Cheap and easy-why wait?!

Happy baking!
J