Faith, Family, and Frugality

Book Review: 936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 00:48:00 +0000

When I first saw this book, the title was intriguing. 936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting by Eryn Lynum is a book encouraging parents to invest their 936 pennies - representing the 936 weeks parents get with a child from birth to adulthood. This metaphor is carried throughout the book. Instead of "losing" or "spending" the pennies, the pennies are transferred from one jar to another as they are translated into a legacy of family time and memories. Full of stories, scripture, and questions to reflect on, this book is a guidebook for intentional parenting, intentional family time, and intentional living. It reminds families to focus on God and keep Him at the center of their moments together.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Book Review: As the Tide Comes In

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 22:49:00 +0000

A couple of months back, I had the pleasure of receiving an advance copy of the book As the Tide Comes In by Cindy Woodsmall & Erin Woodsmall. I've read a number of Cindy Woodsmall's books in the past and always enjoy her writing style. In this novel, Tara has conquered a difficult upbringing and helped to raise her young brothers. Despite her best efforts, she's faced with a tremendous tragedy that sends her away from her home to St. Simons Island in Georgia. While in Georgia, Tara deals with grief and physical injury as she discovers unexpected connections to her past. She also comes into contact with the Glynn Girls, a group of women who are long-time friends.

This book was definitely a page turner, but also extremely sad at times. Tara is disoriented as she recovers and as a result it's hard to know what is real and what is imagined in the book. Tara is embraced by the community of the island and begins to heal as she learns more about herself. Her journey is painful at times, but she perseveres in spite of the pain.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

The Blended Blog Share the Love Gift Exchange

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 21:05:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, I decided to participate in a "Share the Love" gift exchange hosted by The Blended Blog. I've done gift swaps in the past and thought this one sounded like fun! My gift exchange partner was Marie from Twin Living. She sent a fabulous package full of all kinds of goodies!

Here's a view of some of the items! My daughter loves the metallic tattoos and the cupcake notepad is a favorite of mine.

This Sephora bag was packed full of full & sample size items. My daughter and I had to try out the Origins charcoal mask.

Thank you Marie and the Blended Blog for a fun way to celebrate in February!

Sticking to a Budget at the Grocery Store

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 19:37:00 +0000

Hi all! If anyone is still reading, it's definitely been a long time. I took a little break from blogging, but have been thinking about coming back to it. Probably just a few times a month and we will see how it goes. In terms of topics, I'm not going to be reviewing many books, although I may share some book round up posts. I hope to do more posts about frugal living, thrifting, and intentional living.

To start, I thought I'd share about some changes we've made in the last several months to help keep us on budget at the grocery store. The grocery budget is an area we were consistently going over on every month. Not a lot, but enough and we also increased the category a few times, so it was something I wanted to get back under control. Here's what we've been doing:

1. Shop once a week. We only go to the grocery store once a week. We occasionally need to pick up milk, bread, or produce, but it's rare.

2. Shop the sales and use coupons. I'll be honest. I had stopped using coupons and looking for deals. It just felt like too much work! I've eased back into using some coupons and pairing those with sales when I can. I don't go crazy going from store to store. We do almost all our shopping at Meijer, but occasionally if there's a great deal at Kroger, Target, or CVS, we will go and stock up. I like Krazy Coupon Lady as my main source for deals. It keeps things simple for us, which is necessary for us to keep doing it!

3. Make a list, set a budget, and use the calculator. We spend quite a bit of time making a grocery list. We check the cabinets and check the ad. I set a dollar amount and use my calculator at the store! If I'm over the amount I'd like to spend, I put things back. We have been trying hard to use cash more often, so I only have what I need in my wallet.

4. Plan menus. We meal plan for dinners primarily. It helps me to keep on track when I know what we will be eating for the next week.

5. Be creative and cook from scratch. I'm doing more baking and sometimes we have to be creative with what we make. If we have odds and ends in the freezer or refrigerator, we might each eat something a little different that night to use up what's left.

6. Allocate a small amount of money to purchase great deals. If there's a deal on something we use often, we allocate a small portion of our monthly grocery budget to purchase these items. It's awesome to have a small stockpile on frequently used item.

7. Use store brands. We use lots of store brands and the quality is great!

So far, these strategies have been working to keep us on track. Do you have any other grocery shopping tips? I'd love to hear. Leave me a comment!

Book Review: Reading People

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 16:02:00 +0000

Today, I'm thrilled to share a review of the book Reading People by Anne Bogel. I've read Anne's blog Modern Mrs. Darcy for years. She shares lots of posts about books - perfect for a librarian like me - as well as articles about fashion/style, bullet journals (she got me started on mine with her posts!), organization, and pretty (and practical) things for the home. Combined with some lovely photos, hers is a blog I always look forward to reading. Her posts about highly sensitive people were revolutionary for me, as I had never heard the term before and realized I was one, and my daughter was too! This knowledge explained a lot about different things that had overwhelmed me during my life and also helped me to understand my daughter's personality better.

Reading People includes a chapter on highly sensitive people, as well as several other personality frameworks including Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, the Five Love Languages, and more. Some of these I've heard of and explored before, but many are new to me. Each framework is explained clearly and the real life examples related to each chapter are very valuable. This book is a great way to dive into personality and then use that knowledge about yourself and others to improve your relationships with family and friends, productivity at work, and other areas of your life.

It's launch day for Reading People! The book is available on Amazon right now and in local bookstores as well.

I received a copy of this book as a part of the launch team; all opinions are my own.

Book Review: Praying for Girls

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 00:33:00 +0000

Praying for Girls byTeri Lynne Underwood is a comprehensive guidebook of prayers and activities for girls of all ages. The book is divided into five parts with around four chapters in each part. Part 1 is Prayers for Her Identity; Part 2 is Prayers for Her Heart; Part 3 is Prayers for Her Mind; Part 4 is Prayers for Her Relationships; and Part 5 is Prayers for Her Purpose. Each chapter includes real life anecdotes from the author’s experiences with her daughter and other girls in their lives. Scriptures, sample prayers, and activities to reinforce the concepts for younger, middle, and older girls are included in each chapter.

This book is really a resource for anyone that wants to invest in girls in their lives by praying for them. It’s not the type of book you read from cover to cover, but it’s best used as a reference. It would be a great book to work through weekly or monthly, focusing one topic for prayer at a time. Another way to use it would be to use it as our girls face various issues, we could focus our prayer life in that specific area.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Book Review: High as the Heavens by Kate Breslin

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 00:55:00 +0000

I was pleased to be a part of the street team for Kate Breslin's newest book, High as the Heavens. The book is a Christian historical fiction novel set in Brussels during World War I. On the surface, Evelyn Marche is a widowed nurse, but readers quickly discover that she is involved in work as a spy for a Belgian resistance group. When a British plane crashes in the middle of a park, Evelyn is on the scene and shocked at who she finds has survived the crash. She will risk everything to help British Captain Simon Forrester escape from being executed as a spy...but why? The answers are surprising and compelling.

Told in a series of flashbacks and current events in the novel, readers learn about all that Evelyn, her family, and Simon Forrester have endured throughout the war as well as how Evelyn and Simon are connected. This book is full of twists and turns, lots of suspense, and a little romance. Evelyn and Simon rarely know who is a friend and who is a foe, and they even have difficulties trusting each other. Both must learn to trust again, both each other and God. I love how the book developed and changed these characters and put the readers right into a key time in history. I always enjoy historical fiction, because I feel that I learn something new from reading the books. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Book Review: Gathering the Threads by Cindy Woodsmall

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 19:49:00 +0000

When I was given the opportunity to be a part of the launch team for Cindy Woodsmall's newest book, Gathering the Threads, I jumped at the chance. My mom and I have both been waiting for this book which is the third in the Amish of Summer Grove trilogy. The first two books tell the story of Ariana, a young Amish woman who for twenty years was raised Amish, only to discover her biological parents were actually English instead of Amish. Book three picks up after Ariana has been out in the world for three months with her English family.

I read this book in three days. It was a great read. Very interesting and intricate as well as suspenseful at times. Nothing about the situation is easy. Ariana comes back from her time in the English world changed and the book deals with the aftermath of that. She and her family must adjust to a "new normal" as they navigate their places in each other's lives. Another factor in Ariana's life is her lifelong friend Quill, an Amish man who left to go the English world for truly noble and selfless reasons. Ariana and all the characters in the novel are faced with many decisions. I was thrilled with the conclusion of the book. I don't want to give anything away, but the book really did "gather the threads" of the multitude of story lines developed over the course of the trilogy and brought each one to a satisfying end. If you've not read the previous two novels in the series, definitely start at the beginning. Then, look for Gathering the Threads when it is released on August 15, 2017!

I received an advanced copy of this book from WaterBrook in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Book Review: Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 21:11:00 +0000

Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette is the third book in the "Out from Egypt" series by the author. The novel is Biblical historical fiction and places the reader in the time of the Hebrews wandering through the desert, waiting to enter the promised land. Alanah is a Canaanite, a tribe battling with the Hebrews. When she's discovered on the battlefield almost dead by Tobiah, he realizes it's a woman, not a man that was fighting. Tobiah brings Alanah back to camp, and quickly realizes he has to extend her his protection in a most unexpected way.

I think my favorite part of Biblical historical fiction is the way the books bring the Bible to life by adding details that help the reader to feel like they understand the situation the Hebrews were facing at this point in their journey. While the book is the third in the series and includes some characters that were in previous books, it is not necessary to read the first two books to read and follow the storyline in this one. In addition, I thought the book had interesting well-developed characters that were very human with their struggles and flaws. The book also shed some light on manna and gave some more information about that as well. Overall, this was a well-written, fast-paced book and I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Book Review: A Note Yet Unsung

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 00:49:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, I finished reading A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander. When I got the book in the mail, I was so excited because I think the cover is just stunning. It's so pretty; it made an instant impression on me and I was automatically looking forward to reading the book. Luckily, the book was just as good as the cover made it appear. While the book is the third in the Belmont Mansion series, with the exception of some overlapping characters, it is a stand alone novel.

Set in the 1870's, the reader is transported into the world of the orchestra. Despite being classically trained as a violinist in Vienna, Rebekah Carrington is unable to obtain a position in an orchestra because women are considered too fragile for such a position. She's unwilling to give up on her dream and uses her knowledge of music to gain a job working with Tate Whitcomb, the conductor of the Nashville Philharmonic. As they work together to compose and transcribe a new symphony, the secrets both of them hide are discovered. This unlikely pair turns into an unexpectedly formidable team, but can Rebekah get someone to take a chance on her as a female violinist?

As a musician, this book was one of the my favorites that I have read recently. The characters in the novel are both talented and truly human, full of flaws and insecurities. The plot takes some twists and turns that I was surprised about and incorporates more history than I initially anticipated. I would highly recommend this novel to music and historical fiction lovers!

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Book Review: Rhythms of Rest by Shelly Miller

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 19:12:00 +0000

For many years, intentional living has been our goal as a family. I read a variety of blogs and other resources that support this type of thoughtful living and decision making. I am not a big reader of nonfiction books, but when Rhythms of Rest by Shelly Miller showed up in my inbox, it sounded like something I'd like to try reading. I discovered several years ago that I am what is known as a "highly sensitive person" and my daughter is highly sensitive as well. Having opportunities to rest and recharge as well as good overall routines in place is important to both of us. During the first half of this school year (when I started this book), we were in a place of just being too busy and I was feeling the strain of that.

Enter Rhythms of Rest. The focus of the book is delving into what the Sabbath is and how we can make it a reality in our daily lives. In addition, the book discusses the benefits of Sabbath keeping and what a gift from God the concept and practice of Sabbath is. As a result of reading this book, we have made some adjustments to our Sunday routines. As church musicians, my husband and I work on Sundays, so we needed some practical steps to find rest on Sundays after our responsibilities were complete. This book is full of stories and ideas that will help anyone to find opportunities for Sabbath rest whenever they can find it. It's not just limited to Sundays. I'm looking forward to receiving the weekly "Sabbath Society" emails to keep our forward progress going in this area.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Book Review: Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 18:46:00 +0000

Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green is a Christian historical fiction novel like none I've ever read before. I finished the book a few weeks ago and it has continued to leave an impression on me. Julianne Chevalier is a midwife who was imprisoned after a women giving birth in her care died. She is branded a criminal whose only hope is exile to the French colony of Louisiana. This exit comes with a price - marriage to another prisoner. From the difficult passage to Louisiana to the untamed and unlawful lands and people Julianne finds there, her strength and faith is constantly tested. Full of mystery, sadness, suspense, danger, and intrigue, this novel is an intense journey. Julianne finds she cannot escape the mark that brands her a criminal, at least not in the eyes of people, but she can be made new through God's grace and mercy.

This book was incredibly fascinating because of its unique time period and location. I've never read a book set in the French colony of Louisiana as it was being established. The book was very thoroughly researched and readers are transported into Julianne's world. That being said, this book is gripping in its emotional intensity. As part of this realistic portrayal, the author doesn't overly sanitize the content of this book. Julianne and those traveling to Louisiana were criminals and were treated as such. The expectation for the newly married convict couples was to populate Louisiana with French colonists and guards made sure the couples did what was necessary for this to happen. The land was savage and untamed so the book included violent punishments and deaths. Julianne was a midwife, so there were descriptions of her tasks in this job as well. I don't tell readers this to discourage them from reading the book, but to make everyone aware that this book is an extremely well-written, realistic, historical fiction novel. It is one that won't be forgotten soon.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Book Review: Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 02:35:00 +0000

Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin is a Christian historical fiction book set in two different time periods in the mid to late 1800’s. Anna Nicholson is the daughter of a prominent Chicago family, seeking answers to deep questions about her life and faith after breaking off her engagement. As she thinks about her life and what she really wants, she goes to Hotel Ottawa in Holland, Michigan to regroup. There she meets Derk Vander Veen, a young worker at the hotel that is planning to go into ministry. At the same time, Geese de Jonge, Derk’s “adoptive” grandmother, is writing her story of emigrating to America from the Netherlands 50 years ago. Though painful at times, Geese understands that telling her story is important. She is shocked to realize that she and Anna may be connected and some of the most painful parts of her story may yield a sweet joy that she never anticipated.

The book Waves of Mercy is told is alternating points of view as Anna shares her thoughts and revelations and Geese writes about her story 50 years earlier. The reader anticipates the ending, which is unlikely but still joyful. Anna questions the expectations of faith and marriage for a woman in the upper class, but her questions are still relevant today. Similarly, Geese’s story is full of deep lows, but the hand of God is still evident through her journey. I think readers of Christian historical fiction will enjoy the characters in this story as they struggle to find peace and grow in their understanding of God. I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Book Review: A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 18:23:00 +0000

A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White is the third book in the Ladies of the Manor series. This Christian historical fiction book continues the saga of the coveted Fire Eyes diamonds that was started in the first two books in the series. The book series is set in the early 1900's and the story is told by interweaving the perspectives of those in the upper class as well as those in service. This title features Lord James Cayton and Lady Ella Myerston and their relationship that develops despite the peril they face in protecting the diamonds.

First of all, the cover of this book is gorgeous! Easily one of my favorites that I've read this year. Many of the reviews state that fans of Downton Abbey will enjoy this book and I definitely agree. There's a richness to the writing that really captures the characters and time period well. The book is full of intrigue, romance, and suspense plus characters that develop and change. Lord Cayton is actively trying to make himself a better person by studying the Bible and he also is a hands-on, doting father, something that would have been very rare for that time period. I think the book would be difficult to read and fully understand without reading the first two books. In addition, it is sometimes hard to keep characters and their relationships straight even after reading the first two books.

I received the book from Bethany House in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Book Review: A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 23:46:00 +0000

A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears is a Christian historical fiction novel with a very timely and relevant message for all of us to hear. Lydia King is a member of the Teaville Moral Society and she truly has a heart for the poor. She's engaged to the son of the moral society's president, despite the fact that she doesn't love him. Lydia is hiding a secret about her own poverty and how close she is to being a part of those that Teaville needs to help. Lydia has been asked to get a donation for the moral society from Nicholas Lowe, the richest man in town, but he repeatedly denies her requests, regardless of how many times she asks. Lydia and Nicholas strike a bargain that shows her more about the character and heart of Nicholas than she could have possibly imagined.

This book was well written and interesting. I enjoyed the two main characters and was intrigued by the societal expectations of women of that time period. Lydia finds herself drawn into a world she couldn't have imagined, moved by the plight of women whom she's never socialized with before. Without giving too much away, I think this book has an important message for us about the hurting and marginalized people in our world. The time period changes, but the needs of people don't change.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Summer to Fall Transitional Wardrobe: 2016 Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 02:05:00 +0000

We still have a month left of summer on the calendar, but here in Ohio, we're already feeling a bit of a weather shift. It's still quite hot and humid, but mornings and evenings are cooler. I've always had trouble with the change of season in terms of what to wear (see my 2015 transitional capsule here and some winter to spring transition tips here) so this year, I immediately recognized the need to pull together a transitional capsule.

I picked an overall color scheme of gray, black, denim/chambray, orange, green, and purple. In looking at last year's capsule, I definitely see some similarities and six of the pieces are exactly the same! Here's what in the summer to fall transitional wardrobe for 2016.

Starting with casual bottoms:

Merona nutmeg polka dot shorts*
Old Navy boyfriend jeans*
Boston Proper dark wash skinny jeans*
Sonoma medium wash skinny jeans
Stylus black skinnies
Ann Taylor LOFT denim shorts*

Work pants:

Old Navy lilac Pixie pants
Ann Taylor LOFT white crops*
Talbots tan dress pants*
Old Navy striped Pixie pants*
Gap coral dot skinny minis*
Old Navy gray Pixie pants*
St. John's Bay olive pants*
J. Crew chambray skirt*

Tops:

Merona purple print blouse*
Merona 3/4 sleeve striped tee
Mossimo gray stripe tee
Mossimo gray tee
Kiara orange chevron blouse*
The Limited fuchsia ruffle tee*
Merona dark green cap sleeve top
Merona leopard shell
Old Navy polka dot chambray*
Mossimo coral tee

I swapped out the green tee in the upper left hand picture for the floral Ann Taylor LOFT button up* in the photo above. I loved the colors; it's very lightweight, and I thrifted it for $1 at our Goodwill outlet!

Completer pieces and dresses:

Christopher and Banks olive vest*
Denim jacket
Orange cardigan*
Stylus gray cardigan
Croft and Barrow purple cardigan
Apt. 9 gray and black print dress*

Liz Claiborne chambray dress* (just thrifted, I've been looking for a chambray dress forever!!)

This capsule has a total of 32 pieces right now. This represents approximately 1/3 of my total wardrobe. I am flexible with my capsules and reserve the right to shift things in and out if something isn't working. I also have a new piece coming from Elegantees that I can't wait to share with you - it will work perfectly with this capsule! Of the 32, 20 pieces (62.5%) were purchased secondhand (or gifted from my #thriftgiving box!) from Goodwill, Schoola, Plato's Closet, garage sales etc. Five of the items were only $1 from our Goodwill outlet!!

I'm sharing my #summertofallcapsule outfits on Instagram if you're interested in checking them out!

Book Review: A Beauty Refined by Tracie Peterson

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 21:07:00 +0000

Time for a new book review! I recently finished reading A Beauty Refined by Tracie Peterson, book 2 in the Sapphire Brides series. You can see my review of book 1 in the series here. In A Beauty Refined, Phoebe Von Bergen is the daughter of a German count. She is visiting America for the first time with her father as he is buying sapphires in Helena, Montana. While at the Broadwater Hotel, Phoebe meets a lapidary (gem-cutter) named Ian Harper. Ian realizes Phoebe's father is not a truthful man, and his secrets threaten to endanger his daughter's faith in her father as well as her safety.

Set in 1907, at first glance this book is a historical romance. On a deeper level, this book contains a great deal more mystery and action than I anticipated. The cover of the book is gorgeous. I really liked reading about the food and clothing in the book; I might be weird, but I always enjoy that aspect of historical fiction.

I think my main issue with this book had to do with the plot. Obviously, novels typically contain a number of "serendipitous" events that seem unlikely to occur in real life. I felt like the main premise of the book was extremely far-fetched and so the plot of the entire book was a stretch for me. This book also contained domestic violence, so if you have any trouble reading about these scenarios, I think it's important to know there are scenes where domestic violence is described.

Overall, this was an interesting book, but not my favorite title I've read recently.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

July 2016 Clothing Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 17:41:00 +0000

It's been a couple months since my last clothing budget, and this month I did some shopping at Goodwill, garage sales, Schoola, and some retail stores. I overspent my budget for the month by about $10, but I've only spent around half of my $600 budget for the year, so I'm in pretty good shape. Here's what I bought this month:

July 2016 Clothing Budget by gracenote30 featuring wedge shoes

Goodwill:

J.Crew chambray skirt and DexFlex striped flats - $10

Garage sales:

Charlotte Russe dark red maxi skirt - $1 (NWT)
Jellypop Elsa black flats - $1 (NIB)

Target:

Denim espadrilles - $12.66
Woven tote - $5.76

Schoola:

Merona plaid button up - $5.16
Apt. 9 print blouse and Boston Proper skinny jeans - $0.75 (I ordered a pair of white jeans that were not in great shape from Schoola and they refunded the full amount of the jeans and gave me a $10 credit to spend. I was really pleased with their customer service!)

Kohl's:

2 Sonoma tanks and a pair of Sonoma skinny jeans - $10.15

The Fabulous Female:

Tagua shell earrings - $13.87 (This is a local boutique.)

Total spent: $60.35

I'm linking up with Budgeting Bloggers at Franish!

Summer 10x14 Remix: Recap!

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 21:07:00 +0000

I wrapped up my summer remix challenge last Thusday. I managed to create 14 different outfits using 10 pieces. Here's a look at my outfits;

Summer 10x14 Remix by gracenote30 on Polyvore

Overall, I enjoyed the challenge. As usual, I leaned heavily on shoes, scarves, and jewelry to make the outfits look more unique. I wore 9 different pairs of shoes over the course of 14 days. :) I would have liked a few more layering pieces - I missed my denim jacket and cardigans! I also would have liked another option or two for really hot weather. My favorite part of the challenge was knowing exactly what I was going to wear every day. I liked this so much...that I am doing a 20x21 remix for most of the month of July. It's hosted by teachthriftwear on Instagram. Check out our capsule outfits on Instagram!

Summer Style with Schoola

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 20:57:00 +0000

If you've read this blog for any length of time, it's no secret that I love thrifting and purchases that give back - purchasing with purpose is my favorite! I bought my first items from Schoola a little over a year ago and have purchased several times since then. If you're not familiar with Schoola, here's a little background: Schoola provides a unique way to fundraise for schools. People send in their new or gently used clothing to Schoola, and instead of receiving money back from those clothing items, 40% of the proceeds from items sold are donated to the school of the donor's choice. Individuals that buy from Schoola get to an environmental, ethical, and educational impact with their purchases as well.

Recently, I reached out to Schoola to collaborate on a blog post, and they graciously sent a box of goodies for myself and my daughter! Our favorite pieces from the box were perfect for festive Fourth of July looks!

My daughter fell in love with this red, white, and blue sleeveless blouse by Piper that Schoola sent her. We layered it over a red lace-trimmed tank and paired it with some jean shorts (made from Levis we got from Goodwill for $2.29). This outfit was perfect for tumbling with her dance studio at a local parade today. (You can see her tumbling in action over on my Instagram!)

This navy and cream cap sleeve top from The Limited was my favorite piece I received. I added some thrifted Old Navy boyfriend jeans, paper bead necklace from Lot2545, and denim espadrille slip ons from Target (mine were on sale for $12.50 in store). I like this top so much, that I'm using it as one of my 20 pieces in a 20x21 remix for the first three weeks of July!

Schoola tips and tricks:

Schoola runs some great promos. They often run free shipping, percentages off, etc. These promos typically do not include new with tags items.
If you do select free shipping, be aware that shipping time for that option is longer. I believe it states 14-21 days. I usually order, forget about it, and am pleasantly surprised when my items arrive. :) I'm currently waiting on an order containing white Lands' End pants and a blue and red Merona plaid button up.
There are tons of items for women, men, and kids on the site - the search feature is your friend! Restrict by size, color, item type, condition, etc. to narrow down your results.
Right now, Schoola is offering $20 off new orders when you sign up using a referral link (mine is featured in this post). I will get a $20 credit as well when you place your order.

Take a look at Schoola, and let me know what you think! I have been pleased with the condition of all the items I've purchased from them. Have you bought anything from Schoola before?

**I received clothing items from Schoola in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Book Review: From This Moment by Elizabeth Camden

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 20:31:00 +0000

From This Moment by Elizabeth Camden is another great historical fiction novel by the author. I've read some of her other books in the past and I enjoy her writing style and the way she brings history to life. The book is set in Boston in 1897. It's part mystery, part suspense, part romance, part historical fiction. Stella West is an artist. She has been in London for several years and is celebrated for her ability to illustrate. Romulus White is the partial owner of a successful scientific magazine. He's been trying to get Stella West to illustrate for the magazine for years. When Stella comes to Boston, Romulus sees his chance to get her to work for him. He has no idea that she's left London to investigate her sister's untimely death. The pair end up working as a team in several areas even though Romulus doesn't believe Stella's sister died under suspicious circumstances. The book is full of twists and turns until it arrives at a (mostly) happy ending.

I enjoyed the historical setting and context for this book. There were so many different touches that helped the reader feel a part of the time period. From the characters' excitement over finding an original Audubon book in the library and poring over its pages to the descriptions of the Boston subway construction, it is obvious this book has been well-researched. Romulus and Stella are both larger than life characters. They are strong-willed, determined, and leaders in their fields. As a result, they often find themselves clashing. In spite of this, there's definite chemistry between the two. Romance is not the central theme in the novel. Stella's investigation into her sister's death and the web of deceit she discovers is quite jarring at times. Her sister died a violent death and this is described in some detail in the book. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical fiction.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Schoola Promo - 50% Off and Free Shipping!

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 10:00:00 +0000

Schoola is one of my favorite sources for online secondhand clothing, so I had to share this great promo from them! Beginning June 20 and running through June 26, take 50% off any Schoola order, plus get free shipping with code EXPLORE. This promo is not valid on new with tags items.

Some of my favorite wardrobe staples are from Schoola including my polka dot chambray, navy gingham button up, khaki Pixie pants, brown utility jacket, and a herringbone vest. Even better, if you place an order through my referral link, for a limited time, we both get $20 off. Have you ever shopped at Schoola before? Any favorite pieces?

*The link above is my referral link, but all the items I've purchased through Schoola have been with my own money and/or affiliate credit.

Summer Closet Remix: 10 Pieces, 14 Outfits - The Pieces

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 01:42:00 +0000

If you follow me on Instagram, I tried to start my summer closet remix a couple days early. The outfits were fine, but the pieces weren't working in my brain as a capsule. This morning, when I woke up, I hopped on Polyvore because I've been waiting to see if bluehydrangea had added a new capsule wardrobe for summer - I love the capsules she creates. I wasn't disappointed because she did create a summer capsule a few days ago! With this new inspiration, I was able to put together a 10 piece capsule that feels more cohesive, versatile, and summer appropriate than the direction I was originally going.

Here are my pieces:

Coral Tee - Mossimo (Target)
Striped Skirt - Ann Taylor (Goodwill)
Peach Polka Dot Crop Pants - Gap (Plato's Closet)
Gray Pixie Pants - Old Navy (Goodwill)
Polka Dot Chambray Button Up - Old Navy (Schoola)
Floral Blouse - Liz Claiborne (JCPenney)
Boyfriend Jeans - Old Navy (Goodwill)
Gray Tee - Mossimo (Target)
Green Sleeveless Shell - Merona (Goodwill)
Khaki Pixie Pants - Old Navy (Schoola)

I'll be making 14 outfits out of these pieces. You can check out my outfits on Instagram. I'd love to have you participate with a closet remix of your own - you can use the hashtag #summer10x14remix. Leave me a comment if you're participating in the remix so I can check out your pieces and outfits! Have a wonderful weekend!

DVD Review: The League of Incredible Vegetables from FishFlix

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 11:28:00 +0000

Several weeks ago, I was contacted and asked if I'd be interested in reviewing a Christian DVD from FishFlix. I had never heard of FishFlix before, but when I checked out the site, I was impressed with the variety. I was given the option of some family-friendly Christian DVDs and when I asked my daughter she said she wanted to try a VeggieTales DVD. FishFlix sent us Veggie Tales: The League of Incredible Vegetables DVD.

The DVD arrived very quickly and we had an opportunity not long after receiving it to watch it. My daughter was home from school recovering from a sinus infection, so we enjoyed watching The League of Incredible Vegetables together. I didn't realize it, but she had already watched it before and it is one of her favorite VeggieTales movies! The movie is a fun twist on the superhero theme that is so popular right now, but it addresses the common childhood (and adult) topic of fear, Ultimately, even superheroes can't rely on their super powers, but we can all trust in the highest superpower there is - God! The movie was entertaining and had a great message. I'll definitely take a look at FishFlix in the future for family-friendly movies we can watch together.

You can get a $5 coupon to FishFlix by joining their email list at www.fishflix.com/5gift or text 5-GIFT to 44222.

I received a free DVD in exchange for this review; all opinions are my own.

Summer Closet Remix: 10 Pieces, 14 Outfits - June Mini Capsule Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Carly) — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 01:26:00 +0000

It's been awhile since I've posted much fashion-related here on the blog as I've taken most of my outfit posts over to Instagram. I still have a $50 a month clothing budget and I still love remixing and trying to make the most of my closet!

I'm not currently participating in a shopping fast, but I do belong to a Facebook group called "Let's Be Shop Free for 3" and the group members are all trying to support each other as they try to make fewer, more thoughtful purchases.

I love a good remix, so I volunteered to organize one for the group and thought I could open it up for blog and Instagram participation as well.

For this remix or mini capsule wardrobe challenge, choose 10 clothing items from your current wardrobe. Spend some time playing around with the pieces and think about what's on your schedule for the last two weeks in June. Make sure you pick pieces that you love and are comfortable in - that's key! You'll be wearing these 10 pieces for the last 14 days of June from June 17-June 30. The goal is to take 10 pieces and make 14 different outfits.

You can blog about your experience if you'd like or post about it on Instagram or in the Facebook group. If you post on Instagram use the hashtag #summer10x14remix. I will be posting about my remix primarily on Instagram, but I'm hoping to put a link up here on the blog for other bloggers to share their remix posts.

Additional Info and Resources:

Shoe and accessories are not counted in the 10 piece total - unless you really want them to. :) I want this to be fun and flexible, not stressful for anyone.
Check out my Winter 2016 mini capsule challenge, Summer 2014 remix, and Summer 2013 7x7 remix. I've also posted quite a bit about capsule wardrobes.
There are also a ton of great blogs and Instagram accounts that focus on capsule wardrobes, remixing, etc. Here are a few of my faves:

Questions? Thinking of participating? Leave me a comment and have a great weekend!!