Petticoats and Pigtails: May 2013

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Red, White, and Blue

I hope everyone had a great, long weekend. Ours was very busy! We traveled to Tennessee and spent the weekend traveling between Bristol and Knoxville. We went to our first minor league baseball game on Fri. night and we had such a good time. Then, on Sat. my cousin got married. Everything was so beautiful and it was so nice to have my parents, both of my sisters, all of our husbands, and my brother all together. That doesn't happen very often. Sun. we went to church with our family and had a nice barbecue lunch at my grandparents' house. Nothing says Memorial Day weekend to me like some good barbecue.

Here we are at the baseball game. I'm sure my husband is super excited to be making his blog debut. Haha!

For church on Sun., I wanted to dress in patriotic colors without being too over the top.

This is what I wore...

Dress: Knox Area Rescue Mission (Target) $5.99

Polka-dot Chambray Jacket: Target $8.98

Belt: Francesca's Collections $2.50

Shoes: Gift (old)

Total: $17.47

Did y'all do anything fun this weekend?

Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our country.

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 ESV

Remembering Thomas Williams Jr. today and always.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Sewing Cabinets Turned Night Stands

A few months ago, I posted about some sewing cabinets that I found at a thrift store for $35 for both. They needed a fresh coat of paint, but I knew they had potential. Thanks to my husband, they are finally completed and in our bedroom.
Here are some AFTER pictures:

Just to remind you what the sewing cabinets looked like before they were painted...

One of the cabinets was missing the knobs, so I found 2 at an antique store for $1 each. We used Annie Sloan chalk paint in duck egg to paint them and applied a coat of clear wax.

And this is what our old "night stands" looked like...

We were using 2 of those cheap accent tables with the screw on legs. Definitely not fancy, but they served the purpose until we found something better.

One more AFTER picture...

I think this is much better!

Friday, May 17, 2013

Great Deals at Kohl's

I have really been liking shopping at Kohl's lately. I went last weekend and found some really great deal that were just too good not to share.
Here is how I got such great deals:

They have been doing Kohl's Cash a lot lately and I had $10 from a few weeks ago.
They recently started doing a rewards card (not a credit card, you just earn points). Once you finish your registration online, they will send you a $5 reward certificate.
They will also send you an additional $5 reward certificate if you sign up to receive e-mails.
I had a 20% off coupon for friends and family.
When I bought groceries a few weeks ago, the grocery store had a coupon where if you purchased a $50 gift card to one of several stores (wouldn't you know Kohl's just happened to be one of them) you got $10 off. I knew I would be buying some things from Kohl's anyway, so I went ahead and purchased the gift card.

So right off the bat, I was saving $30 plus 20% off whatever I purchased.
After I did some quick math (good thing I paid attention in 9th grade algebra), I figure out that I ended up saving 51% off of my subtotal. Plus I got another $10 in Kohl's cash.

Here is what I got and the price I figured out that I paid after all my discounts...

LC Lauren Conrad embellished top

Original price $36

On Clearance for $7.20

After discounts I paid $3.54

Peplum top

Original Price $28

On Clearance for $2.80

After discounts I paid $1.38

Colored Jeans

Original Price $44

On Clearance for $4.40

After discounts I paid $2.16

Enamel Bracelet

Original price $24

On Sale for $15.60

After discounts I paid $7.64

(It cost more than I really wanted to spend, but I have been eyeing it for a while and I think it will be perfect to stack with another bracelet I have)

Hoop Earrings

Original Price $12

On Clearance for $2.40

After discounts I paid $1.18

Rhinestone Bracelet

Original Price $30

On Clearance for $3

After discounts I paid $1.47

Lace skirt

Original Price $28

On Clearance for $5.60

I had to exchange something for this skirt so I did not get any extra discounts, but it's still a great price.

My husband got a few things and we purchased a gift, so our total was enough to earn another $10 in Kohl's cash

And that Kohl's Cash was burning a hole in my pocket so I went back this week. I also had a 15% off coupon for signing up for the reward card. I figured this out to be a total savings of 54%.

This is what I got...

Peplum top

Original Price $20

On Clearance for $4

After discounts I paid $1.84

Enamel Bracelet

Original Price $24

On Clearance for $4.80

After discounts I paid $2.21

Necklace

Original Price $18

On Clearance for $3.60

After discounts I paid $1.66

I also bought a black t-shirt for $2.76 (originally $12, on sale for $5.99) and a cell phone cover for $1.47 (originally $16, on clearance for $3.20).

I'm pretty pleased with my purchases. Have y'all found any good deals at Kohl's lately?

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Softball Anyone!?

My husband plays on our church softball team and tonight we went to his game. This is what I wore...

I found these earrings on clearance at Target yesterday and I think they are super cute!

Here is the breakdown:

Shirt: Kohl's clearance (LC Lauren Conrad) $13.60

Pants: Target clearance $5.98

Earrings: Target clearance $3.98

Shoes: Old Navy (2 years ago) $15

Total: $38.56

Have y'all found anything good at Target lately?

Birthday Season is Approaching

In our family, everyone has a summer birthday. We use this to our advantage by just throwing one party for the kids. They are too young to really have their own friends and we always have family traveling to attend, so it's just easier on everyone. I LOVE to throw parties, but it's easy to let things get out of hand. We try to save money by having a joint party. We wouldn't be able to do as much if they each had their own party. I know the years of them wanting to have their party together are limited, so I want to take advantage while I can.

Here are some pictures from last year's soiree. The theme was Dr. Seuss.

Welcome! DIY Balloon Wreath

"Stop right here and take a look. Would you please sign my book?"

DIY Banner, Kites, and Pom poms

Drink Station

I covered a shoe box with wrapping paper, put a ribbon around it, and placed the cups on top. I also attached ribbon and a Dr Seuss cut out (from the cupcake toppers) to the glass straw holder and drink dispenser with double-sided tape.

Here is the spread...

I attached tissue paper pom poms to the chandelier, but didn't get a good picture of them.

I wanted all the food to go along with the theme, so I made signs for each item.

We had:

Cat in the Hat Kabobs (Strawberry and marshmallow kabobs with chocolate dipping sauce)

Truffula Tufts (Cheese puff balls)

Hop on Pop-corn (pretty self-explanatory)

Fish in the Pot (Goldfish in a tea pot)

Lorax cookies (Nutter Butters with an icing mustache and candy eyes)

Red and blue candy buffet

Here is a better picture of the cookies and one of my signs.

Smash cakes and Cupcakes with DIY cupcake toppers

DIY Highchair Tutu

I found some party hats on clearance at target and embellished them with pom poms and a "1" and "3". Then, I let the kids decorate them with foam stickers.

I made the Cat in the Hat's top hat out of toilet paper rolls and filled them with paper shreds, coloring pages, and crayons. I printed the coloring pages off of the PBS website.

The kids have decided that they want a Micky/Minnie Mouse party this year. I better start looking for ideas and working on my DIY projects now. Anyone have any suggestions?

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my mom, mother-in-law, grandmothers, sisters...this list is getting long...and all other mothers! Thank you for everything you do. I hope everyone had a very special day.

I wanted to share the outfit that I wore to church today. It was my first attempt at pattern mixing.

Blazer: Goodwill (United Colors of Benetton) $3.99

Top: Goodwill $3.99

Skirt: Goodwill (Mossimo- still had original tags) $3.99

Belt: Francesca's Collection (clearance) $2.50

Shoes: Shoe Carnival $20 (last year)

Bracelets: Gadzooks $? (these are super old, prob like 8 years, those stores aren't even around anymore)

Total: $34.47

Saturday, May 11, 2013

A new favorite store

Now that I am feeling like myself again, I decided to check out a new thrift store. It's actually pretty close to my house. I drive by it all the time and I would always think to myself, "I should stop in there some time." I'm glad I finally did. Most things in the store are only $1. I love being able to go into a store and pick out whatever I want and not have to worry about the price.

So here are my goodies...

Please excuse these pictures. Maybe I can eventually invest in a dress form so I won't have to hang the items on the back of my closet door to show you :)

No Boundaries dress

Just needs a belt

J. Crew button up

J. Crew shorts

I think I will shorten them.

Charlotte Rouse top

Yes, those are giraffs :)

Vintage Sauci California blouse

Vintage Nicola blouse

This is a project piece. I'm not sure if I can make it work. We will see.

Vintage Chaus skirt

Another project piece. I was thinking of shortening it at first, but I really like the horse pattern and I don't want to cut that off. My mother-in-law suggested making it into a dress. I might have to test out my sewing skills.