Bargain Beauties: Sandals

Let's face it. 

It can be quite pricey to be considered "fashionable" at times. 

However, in my opinion, 

it doesn't have to be. 

Like many these days, 

I am "poor". 

I put that in quotes because I am lucky in the sense that I don't have

to work to provide for my family. 

My husband has a good job that allows me to finish my constant college journey, 

and be a stay at home mom to our babies. 

Even though I have a comfortable place to live, 

the ability to pay our bills without concern, 

and the luxury of having a fully stocked fridge and pantry, 

when it comes to my personal wardrobe?

I have to go the cheap route. 

So, I have come up with a few thrifty ways to still look

chic, fashionable, 

and not break the bank. 

Cue the theme for this week:

BARGAIN BEAUTIES!

1. Sandals

This is one area I'm kind of nutty about. 

In my teens and early twenties, 

I would just resort to purchasing the regular flip-flops from Old Navy:

oldnavy.com

Now, I realize that these are a budget dream, 

BUT, 

my husband also pointed out that these are the same style of shoes his Marines wear to bathe in so they don't get a foot fungus from their showers. 

Plus, when its raining out, 

and you're like me and NEVER wear proper rain footwear, 

your feet get squishy, 

and you slip and squish all over the place. 

Not so attractive. 

Now, 

I realize these little spongy darlings go for a whopping price of 

$3.94,

but when you splurge just $10 more...

You can walk away with these:

oldnavy.com

In my opinion, 

these are much more chic, 

and if you think about it, 

don't you typically purchase a new pair of those $4 flip flops every season?

These nice metallic pair should last you longer, 

plus, 

the metallic option goes with

EVERYTHING. 

WIN.

AND, 

I need to add, 

sandals MUST be paired with a choice shade of nail polish. 

I prefer pink, 

with glitter. 

But to each their own. 

Happy thrifting, everyone!

Zombies!

I have a new fitness goal. 

I always told everyone who would listen (multiple times), 

that the only way I would, or could, run a 5K, 

is if something was chasing me. 

Cue the above video!

Now, I have been preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse for years, 

and how I get to refer to something that is actually happening. 

And have a reason to say, without sounding completely bat-shit cray cray, 

that I am preparing to outrun some undead. 

I'm like a kid on Christmas morning, 

that's how excited I am. 

So, along with posting the randomness of my loves (read:fashion, design, art, etc---quite a mix, huh?), 

I will also be updating everyone on my training, 

and preparation for this event!!

Which will be taking place sometime in November or December. 

We haven't signed up for the exact date yet. 

But keep in mind;

it will be interesting. 

Considering I am not a runner. 

At all. 

In fact, I really hate to run. 

I love fitness, 

but running?

Bitch, please. 

Stay tuned!

Shorts Appropriate

So part of getting older means realizing a few things you used to wear aren't exactly going to work in your life anymore. 

One of those things is

shorts. 

Or, I should clarify, 

length of shorts. 

Now, up until recently, 

I have always been the chick who likes to wear shorts shorter than I should. 

I am seriously lacking in the bootay region (as a matter a fact, my ass as never come close to being described as a bootay...),

so wearing short shorts was never really an issue. 

No inappropriate butt bulge in sight. 

High five...to me...

That was until I had my babies, 

and I started paying attention to the amount of time I spend during my day bending over to pick up my kids. 

Cue: inappropriate butt bulge. 

AND the inspiration behind this post. 

Now, to discuss the various short lengths, 

and their appropriateness. 

Level 1:

unknown Pinterest photo

 If your butt looks like this when you bend over,

or even worse, 

when you are standing, 

I don't care how old you are. 

NO. 

No No No. 

Nooooooo.

This is not ok. 

You'll have passerbys placing bets to whether you are a stripper or a hooker, 

and if you are neither...

well, my dear...

that is a situation I wouldn't wish on anyone.

Level 2:

Pinterest

This is usually the level of shortness I stick to, 

and even this is fairly short. 

I have to stop and ask myself sometimes, 

do most women in their late 20s with children wear shorts this short?

And the answer is...

I don't really care. 

Until my butt and upper legs starts looking like it got hit with a bag of nickels, 

I'm going to keep wearing shorts like this. 

Shazaam. 

Level 3:

Pinterest

This level is usually appropriate for anyone. 

And its probably the length I should consider. 

Even if you have a JLo behind, 

these should work for you. 

These allow those who like to dress more appropriate than myself

look sexy and classy. 

All at the same time. 

Win. Win. 

Level 4:

manrepeller.com

The Bermuda. 

The universally flattering short length. 

I seriously have yet to see any woman who does not look good in Bermuda shorts. 

If you are not as daring,

but are facing 100 degree weather like I have been for the last two weeks, 

these are your go-to shorts. 

I have been literally foaming at the mouth for some lace shorts...

These are kinda sorta a BIG DEAL right now, 

and I am on the hunt for some reasonably priced, 

and not too short, 

lace shorts. 

Lace shorts can be paired with a multitude of tops, shoes, etc, 

but the key to wearing lace shorts, 

at least if they are white, 

is to have them rest a little bit longer on your leg. 

That takes away the risk of diaper drama. 

I don't know about you guys, 

but

I don't ever want to be mistaken for wearing a diaper in public. 

Shorts Appropriate by ninjasandnailpolish featuring wrap jewelry

Vero Moda short shorts, $17 / ALDO high heels / Hermès clutch handbag / Alexander McQueen jewelry / Gorjana stud earrings / Oasis wrap jewelry, $46 / Friendship bracelet / Tom Ford cat eye sunglasses, $300 / Essie nail polish

5 Years

So yesterday was my anniversary. 

In the five years that my husband and I have been married, 

we have had two beautiful babies,

lived in 3 different states, 

made it through deployments and field ops, 

bought a home, 

got down with the college thing, 

and battled some insanely tough challenges. 

And we have done it in style and bad-assness.

Because we rock. 

My husband is a very private person. 

He is also incredibly brave, 

driven, 

and ambitious. 

He has never met a challenge he didn't like. 

Or backed down from a tough situation. 

We have been through a lot in 5 years, 

more so than most couples have gone through in 10, 15, even 20 years of marriage. 

I gave birth to our first daughter while he was deployed, 

moved across the country with a 6 month old, 

again with a 2 year old (and pregnant!) without him, 

and we have gone through our younger daughter's heart issues together. 

We have been apart more than we have been together, 

but I wouldn't have it any other way.

We have grown up together, persevered hardship, illness, financial and personal problems, 

and have grown stronger as a couple, and as individuals. 

Most people can attribute to the amount that my husband and I bicker. 

We are both stubborn and head-strong, 

and we like things our own way. 

Despite the numerous fights we put one another through, 

we love each other that much more. 

For the million of ways we are similar, 

its our differences that make us work as a couple. 

He gives me strength through the most challenging of times, 

and I would be lost without him. 

To my husband, love of my life, 

Happy Anniversary (yes, it was yesterday). 

I hope to experience many, many, MANY more years with you as my partner in life. 

-all images property of ninjas and nailpolish

Confidence

So how was everyone's Fourth?

Mine was easy, fun, and laid-back. 

Exactly what we needed. 

We decided to attend the local fireworks show in town, 

and were treated to a beauty pageant that happens every year for the Fourth celebration. 

My older daughter, Savannah, was in love. 

I wasn't as amused by it. 

Probably because this is the first thing I think of when I hear the word "pageant":

via

So while that is a disturbing image, 

I still humored my engrossed child, 

and paid attention more than usual to the pageant. 

I actually paid attention more to my child, and how excited she was to watch these ladies up on stage. 

They were confident, intelligent and assertive, 

and actually came off as proper role models for my little four year old princess.

So it got me thinking about how important it is to be yourself. 

Be yourself, love yourself,

and be true to who you are. 

That also goes with feeling good in your own skin. 

Part of being a true fashionista (ugh, I can't believe I used that word. I actually REALLY hate that term), 

is being comfortable in what you are wearing. 

You might be wearing the most bad-ass leather pants and 6-inch Louboutins, 

but if your tugging at it, and walking like your knees lack the ability to bend, 

you aren't going to be that attractive. 

For me, this is my most favorite outfit, and the one I feel the most comfortable in:

Please excuse the unpainted toenails (I really should know better about going out in public without a proper polish job, or posting pictures on the internet for the world to see, for that matter),

but this is my go-to summer outfit. 

White pants, loose fitting top, sandals (NOT Old Navy flip flops), and a nice piece of arm candy. 

I feel beautiful, confident, and ready to take on the day. 

The point of this long, random post is that the root of being fashionable

is to wear what you feel good in. 

The rest will start to fall into place soon after.

And when you feel good about the image you are projecting, 

you will get that confidence that makes other people go

"I want to be that girl". 

Because the most attractive feature on any woman

is confidence.

Till next time!