I wish excercising self-control counted as working out!

Hello everyone! Thought I would share a few pic of my most recent thrifting adventure. I am actually at the very end of my financial rope, so I didn't end up actually purchasing anything, but good greif, it was so tough. If excercising restraint could make you buff... I'd be a body builder. There were so many great and beautiful things. 

Anyways, here's what i wore out and about the city of Rocklin ca. I did find that beachy wavy hair is a great hairstyle for trying on. Your hair never gets messed up! In fact, the messier the better, win/win! Also, this little denim dress was a secondhand find from a few days ago, I can't believe its taken me this long to take it for a spin. I'm in love with it! It'll be great when it gets cooler too with some tights. Too short for school though. This will be a church-only dress. How ironic.

I was dying over just about everything in the fitting room. Why did I even go in! The skirt on the left, and the maxi-dress underneath it were the real treasures. If they are still there on Sunday, It was meant to be. Gosh, seriously though, look at those ruffles.

I don't know if I've ever blogged about these little mocs. They aren't Minnetonka, and they are definitely not real leather. They are old lady comfort brand shoes! You would have never known! Found these babies during the winter. They are so comfy, and they were so cheap!

For those of you who follow my instagram, you saw that I finally got my June Birchbox. Super super fun subscription, and also super cheap at only $10/month! I'll be reviewing the box tomorrow. Anyways, I hope you guys are all having a great week thus far. I have a San Francisco trip scheduled with my mom for Friday. I can't even wait! I probably won't even sleep! See you soon!

A word to the wise ain't necessary

Hi Everyone!! I know it seems like cheap conversation to comment on the weather, but I have to! We Californians are not used to rain in June. At least for Sac-Joaquin Valley Californians, we're used to what's about come...104 degree weather. Anyways, you're welcome for that forecast update.

I've been saying for days now that I would post my thrifty finds, and today that word is being kept. I ventured out of my comfort zone and went to some place other than Crossroads Trading Co. or Freestyle. I live one exit down from both of those stores, so i'ts very comfy for me to shop there. Saturday, I went to Deseret Industries, a huge thrift department store run by the LDS church. I use the term departmet store very very intentionally, because it was the most beautifully organized thrift store I had ever seen. It was so clean, and color coordinated! It was awesome!

I didn't find much however, which was a bummer. But here's what I did find, and I was pretty happy with my tow. Between the pictures are my tried and true Thrifting methods. #1. Always go with your mom.

 First one was a fake one, although, I don't have nearly as good of a time when I go shopping without her. ANYWAYS! My first real tip for you, is one I actually didn't follow, and it's probably why I didn't find much.  Never go on a Saturday! If you can help it try to go during the week. Less people means more great stuff in the store. How fun is this Gingham tie-front top? It's a little Daisy-Duke...whatevs.

 Cute buttons, right?

 Next tip: Go early in the day, Kind of for the same reason you don't go on a Saturday. Mondays and Tuesdays are the best because after the busy weekend all of the new stuff gets put out. I have found great things after I get home from work, I rarely have time to go early, but when I do, I always hit the jackpot somehow. This lace top will go perfectly with a skirt I have at home. It was $2. I had to have it.

 Don't buy things that need work. Look carefully. Is there a stain? Is there a hole? Will you really actually take it to the alterations person? For me, if any of those principles apply, I hang it back up. This was a thrifting lesson my mom drove into my brain. I have broken the rule once, and that dress is still hanging in my closet waiting to be hemmed. It's so cute though! I can't bear to part with it. I'm hopeless. This wonderfully vintage bright blue lace skirt however needs no work at all! I love love love the scalloped hem.

 And last but not least, When you go thrifting, you do have to try things on, especially vintage stuff. So, don't get all cutesy and try to look hot at the thrift store. This will backfire on you. I typically wear a t-shirt dress and flip flops. In the winter I wear Jeans, T-shirt, Cardi, and slip-ons. I also highly recommend a pony-tail. If you wear a bun you will mess it up. These Vintage mushroom canisters were my real jackpot. They are metal, not ceramic, which makes them really low maintence. Unfortunately, the lids they came with smelled very very heavily of Curry, and I couldn't wash it out, so I had to throw them away, but these little guys are very happy sitting on my counter.

So, that's about it for me today. Outfit posts coming soon. I'm having lunch with my one of my dearest friends, Rachel, who I have posted about before and I'll probably be posting on that soon as well. Put sunscreen on everyone! See you soon.

How About, Life Is A Picnic...With You?

Hello Everyone! I hope you are doing well on this fine Saturday morning, Ive already been out an about for the day, and Kingdom is playing out at Raley Field for the Rivercat's Faith and Family Event, so I thought this day would be the perfect excuse to catch up on some blogging and school preparation and laundry...in order of priority!

Anyways, life has been so sweet this summer. Being a teacher has so many rewards, and one of the tangible rewards is Summer Vacation. I'ts been really nice to relax and catch up rejuvenate. I love love love being a teacher.

Also, this past week I had the divine privilege of being a speaker at a girl's retreat! It was my very first speaking engagement, and while it was small, it was HUGE in so many ways! It's awesome to see the unstoppable power of God. It was a retreat for the Senior Girls at Jim Elliot Christian High School, where I am a 2003 Alumni! It was such an honor and blessing to be able to pour back into the high school that had such a huge hand in who I am today. JECHS saved my life, really. Ugh, I'm getting teary. What a great retreat! Awesome ladies, Awesome God.

Here are a few pics from the week!

These fantastic ladies are a few of the Seniors of JECHS c/o 2014. Watch out world!

These are a few of the notes I received afterwards, If only those gals knew how they ministered to me! Making new friends is the best best best! I can't even put it into words!

While the retreat was in Santa Cruz, Nathan and I went back at the end of the week for a day trip. Santa Cruz has to be one of the best towns in all of America, not joking one bit. And in case you did notice (which you probabl didn't) I did get my hair done, this subtle ombre is by the fantastic Megan, at Salon Avanti in Stockton, CA. She's a hair magician! Also, we're obsessed with bubble tea. My favorite Milk Tea is the peach, and my favorite Snow Bubble is the Mocha. Nathan's favorite is the Green Tea. If you're into Iced Green Tea Latte at the Deathstar Starbucks, and you like Boba, you'll love it.

I am a firm believer in the power of a great one-piece, I got mine Here. I'm also a firm believer that you don't have show off all the goods to be sexy. I do have a Bikini, and I got it Here.

 The beach was packed! It was perfect day at 80 degrees. No one was having a bad day. I asked!

A little boy and his cousin Hannah decided that they were best friends with my Husband while he was out swimming in the water, it was precious. 

No better place for feet. Also, gratuitous picture of my pedicure (thanks mom!)

oh yeah, also this. He's not flexing. You're welcome. He's also not thrilled that I took this picture.

Well folks, there you have it. My week, in a nutshell. You can never have enough beach. You can never have enough California. And while my taxes dollars are being spent on things I always vote against, and the CA politicians have used to the budget surplus to raise their own inflated salaries instead of those of public school teachers, I will probably never move. I love this place too too much. Thanks Lord for the Natural beauty that is the California coast. You are the true Artist.  See you all soon!

Here We Are On The Ocean Waves Floating Away

Hi everyone!! Hope your week is going awesome thus far, mines going pretty great. Mondays have all of the sudden become my favorite day of the work-week. Why is that you ask? Well, I'll tell you! I've dropped two classes because I don't need them to graduate (boo yah!), making my day on monday last from 8-930am! Which gives me a bajillion hours to do homework, and if I dont have homework, it gives me a bajillion hours to work on this blog and shop it up! If only I could be paid to shop it up and blog it up... Hooray!!

Anyways, this is not what I decided to wear today, this is what I decided to wear on Saturday over the weekend. I wore something totally different today. But let me comment on these little boots. Nathan put these on hold for me at Freestyle, and when I saw them, I knew in that instant that I was in love...with those boots.

Little kitty is guarding me. I did some investigative work and walked around the fence to see what he was guarding me from, and there was a huge/scary black cat with a huge head! Good thing Little Kitty was there!

I love this little nesting doll necklace, I've had it for quite a few years. I dont bring her out as much as I should. She has so much character! Her face is so sweet!

 Oh yes, here is a closer view of my boots. Thanks wubby!!

 From the moment I met little kitty, I was pretty much in love. I wasn't sure if Nathan was totally sold yet, but I bought him some food and left it outside for him so if he wanted to stop by, he could have a little snack...well I had to being the food inside and here's why... a possum!! Scary! He ate every single little bit of food!! I didn't buy that catfood for him! Rude.

Well everyone, thats about it for me today. I'm thinking about doing a post on how to dress appropriately for various occasions, and why modesty is always a good idea. If you have any thoughts or questions, I would love to hear them!! Have a great day everyone. I'll see you soon!!

Madame Blueberry

Happy Saturday Everyone! Are you gearing up to celebrate America? I am, though we have to plans... Oh well. Maybe we'll just go on a 4th of July Date! I don't know why that sounds so fun... maybe a date to the lake? I'll suggest it.

Anyways we are still here in Stockton, you know, staying close to Family. And I thought that before we headed back to the Sacramento area, I'd take a few pictures for the ol' bloggy blog. My mom and I are watching a thing on the travel channel about festivals around America... did you know that there is a Hot Dog Festival in Frankfurt, Indiana? did you also know that Hot Dogs happen to be one of my most favoritist foods?! I know, healthwise, it's pretty shameful, but I dont have them very often.

Anyways, this is what I decided to wear today. I have to be completely honest, this may be the most boring outfit I have ever worn. It's just a dress and sandals. Very little actual styling going on here. HOWEVER, this dress is a great shape, and it's going to transition into fall really well, so I really like it. Isn't sad that fall fashion is already entering my mind? I should move someplace that's kind of warm and kind of cold all year long, so all my clothes get more wear... San Diego perhaps? I dream, I dream.

 What drew me to this dress was the cut and print. I bought it from Superior Thrift (it truly is superior), but it's technically from the Gap.

 My hair really growing out, I haven't worn in such a long time, I didn't realize how long it was getting! Hooray! Long hair, here I come. ALSO, I haven't seen my natural hair color since... who knows, maybe my Junior hear of high school, 10 years ago? So, it's been nice not ever having to touch it up.

Well thats about it for me everyone. It's about time fore me to get going back to Sacramento. Have great rest of your Saturday, and try to keep cool! It's supposed to get over 100 here... oh gosh. See you soon!