Author: Melissa

This past week, I had the opportunity to take part in a chat with style expert and TV personality Sam Saboura hosted by Clorox 2 called "How to Be a Recessionista: Style Tips for the Season."

So fun!!! I learned so much from him that I just have to share it all with you! So for the next few weeks, I'll be sharing his answers to my burning fashion questions.

First of all, can I just tell you how amazing it was to hear a celebrity stylist telling us to 'not splurge' and head out to our local Target or H&M? Usually, a magazine's definition of "budget" is $100 for a t-shirt – whatever! These were style tips for real women that we could really use!

Sam's number one tip on saving money on fashion? Taking care of what you have is one of the best ways to save money!! Are you like me and you end up buying new white tshirts every season (because yours got stained again) and new black shirts? (because yours are now so faded or -worse- they don't match! Non-matching black! ACK!)
Treat your stains! Spend a few pennies extra to protect your colors with Clorox 2, which fights stains and keeps them from fading and looking old. Wash your jeans inside out in cold water and with Clorox 2 to keep them from fading, then hang them to dry. Don't waste your money replacing what you already have – where's the fun is that?

Anyway, my first question to Sam: What are this seasons hottest trends?

1. bold color: bright peach/coral, reds, greens and ocean colors
Don't go crazy! Limit yourself to wearing two colors at most per outfit, maybe adding a third color with an accessory.
2. ruffles! fun!! you don't have to go all girly-girly: if you're timid, pair them with simple jeans or a fitted blazer or cardigan.
3. lightweight layering Try a long tank with a cardigan and scarf, or a jean jacket over a maxi dress
4. accessories, accessories and accessories! Accessories are an easy, inexpensive way to update your wardrobe. Plus, they're a great way to try trends without overdoing it!

So I did a little interneting and came up with these:

How cute is this cardigan from Old Navy? I love the detailing and the bold color. Adorable over a tank with a skirt or jeans – adding a funky necklace would make it even cuter!!

I'm not a real "ruffle-y" kind-a girl, but Kohls has this cute sweater that adds ruffles without feeling too frilly:
or if you're little more daring:

Sam recommends Forever 21 for accessories – and he's right! They have trendy, adorable accessories, most of which are under $10. Look at this adorable necklace for $8:

I could post the 20 other things I loved, but lets save that for another post ;-)
 

What trends are you trying this summer?

but JEEZ!!!!

Ellie's school has something EVERY SINGLE DAY that I'm supposed to go to. And next week, until the very last day of school on Wednesday.

Now I just love Ellie and love seeing what she is doing at school and all, but really! What do the poor working moms do? They must have to take the entire last month of school off to attend all the field days, parties and programs!

How about just doing a big, day-long program instead of a ton of half-hour programs?? Please??? 

Since Saturday, I've spent hours on the computer and begun pouring over piles and piles and piles of magazines….. because we've got a wedding to plan!!! Those who know me fully realize the implications of this. My husband has been rolling his eyes since we got the VERY excited, giggly, screaming phone call on Saturday night telling us… 

My sister is engaged!!

Aren't they cute?
 
WHOOPS!! Wrong picture!! Silly me! Here we go:
 
How adorable are they? Congratulations, you guys!!! We love you!

Don't you think we should all plan their wedding together? I could host surveys and we can vote on what dresses, cake and stuff, like they do on the Today show? Wouldn't that be super fun?  What do you think, sis?

We went to a restaurant over the weekend and as my kids were stealing all of the croutons out of my salad, I mentioned that I knew how to make croutons. They were thoroughly over-impressed by this. Apparently I haven't been cooking much lately or something. Next thing I know, they'll be saying things like "Wow! You can make toast?"

Homemade Croutons

 
one loaf leftover french bread, cut into small cubes
olive oil
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Drizzle bread cubes with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 15-20 minutes until toasted. Set aside to cool.

Ellie: "I'm really good at soccer. And coloring. And reading. And I'm going to be sooo good at tennis when take my lessons! Because I'm good at everything!!!!"

 Gracie: "Oh, Mama, this dress is just so 'dorable on me. I am so beautiful. And cute. I'm very, very cute."

As for Colin, we may have been a little over-enthusiastic about the walking, seeing as Colin now walks while clapping for himself saying, "YAYYYYY!!!!"

Countless falls, lots of cruising and one rather bloody fat lip later….

Did you enjoy my pity party yesterday? Wasn't that fun? On to bigger and happier things.

Today I have my annual challenge: getting my kids hair into "smooth, neat buns" for their ballet recital.

For those of you who know us, you know that my girls' hair generally looks like this:
 
Every morning, we brush, braid, spray… and within minutes, it hanging all in their faces again. It drives my mother and mother-in-law CRAZY!! Here is Grace's hair in a bun:
 

We'll see if I can manage to keep their hair looking neat for longer than 30 minutes tonight. Any tips? Axel grease? Super glue?

We have one week left to sell our house. If we don't sell, we'll have to give up the new house. We are not hopeful, since even after lowering the price, its been eleven days since we've even had a showing. It is highly unlikely someone will buy it in the next 7 days.

I'm really sad.

I know in the grand scheme of things, this is not a big deal.

I know that things happen for a reason.

I know God is in control, working all things for His purposes, and for His glory.

I know we have a wonderful home now, we don't have to move, and we're lucky to have this house.

I know it could all change in a second, we just need one buyer, and with God all things are possible.

But I still feel sad. I'm trying really hard to be accepting of this, but I'm struggling. We really felt this was what we were supposed to do. We felt confident that this decision was the right one. We felt God's hand on this process…

Were we wrong? Why did God allow us to get so far into this process, only to see it fall apart now? What are we supposed to be learning in this?