JoaS

I try to post once a month, consistently, more if I have something worth sharing. This is the first post for April because IT'S A BIG ONE! And I couldn't share before. But now I can, so here you go: On top of learning the meaning of "sanctuary" this year--untainted and reliable--I've also been made a literal sanctuary--a place of refuge or safety. 2019 is officially the year we become a family of four! Margaret Elizabeth Hardee is scheduled to arrive in November 2019, and for obvious reasons this has eclipsed the vast majority of my thoughts, energy, and time. I literally could not think of anything else to blog about because our little gummy bear has pretty much eclipsed our lives already but it was all pretty hush hush until now. The beginning was the most difficult, but things are sort of settling now. My food aversions are STRONG. And ever changing. It's very difficult on a tight grocery budget, but will be very worth it in the long run. I...

I love shoes. It seems like there are so many great options and uses for every element and season, there's always another good reason to buy a pair. These are some of my favorite shoes I've found in the past year and intend to wear a ton this Fall. OTBT Womens Lunar Sneaker Tennis shoes are both practical and (for now) trendy. Thank goodness. Because I am not an uncomfortable shoe wearer. I have many pairs of slip on sneakers, New Balance and Adidas classics, and a pair of Asics for walking or running. These OTBT Lunar Sneakers were a huge splurge for me. I love this great floral pattern in subtle tones that's interesting but not juvenile. There is a line. I think these shoes are appropriately adorable for my age. And supportive. Which is equally important at my age, if not more so. Asymmetrical D'Orsay Open Toe Flats I. love. these. shoes. They are easily the coolest shoes I've ever owned. Like, I may not be cool enough to wear them. But I...

My absolute favorite season is Fall. I love Summer, but Fall has football, crisp breezes, pumpkins, squash, caramel apples, and my birthday. Hard to compete. I also absolutely love to wear sweatshirts and boots. I've done a teeny bit of Fall shopping this year (not that I needed a single thing) and I thought I'd share some of my favorite, and somewhat unexpected, finds. This sweater was at Walmart. Walmart . For under $15! They have several colors, and it's so. soft. Women's Tier Sleeve Sweater I also found these great staples that I've somehow been missing the past several years--a simple grey cardigan and festive plaid shirt. I couldn't find the exact shirt, but there were many from which to choose. Both under $15! Women's Open Front Cardigan   Long Sleeve Plaid Woven Shirt I also did a bit of shopping at Shein , kind of for the first time. I've ordered the odd item from them here and there over the Summer, but found my...

As a Type 2 woman--learn about energy profiling here --I am soft and subtle by nature, so I choose not to wear black, stark white, or other pure hues. They don't suit my blended coloring, so blush or taupe and grey have been my standard go-to neutrals these past few years. These are my absolute favorite shoes that I have found for those occasions that require a bit more than a comfy sandal. They are reasonably priced and have withstood the test of time and wear for me (which is admittedly less than some people as I am a much more casual person and have not proven very hard on my clothing or other belongings--very unlike my husband, which is another subject, entirely). First up,  DREAM PAIRS Women's Moda Low Heel D'Orsay Pointed Toe Pump Shoes  from Amazon I've owned more than one pair of dress heels from this brand, but these Nude Nubuck ones (pictured above, left) are my favorite. They are neutral, but still pretty bright and light. I love them for ...

My first love language is quality time, but my second is gifts. I love to get myself gifts, I love to receive gifts from others, I love unexpected blessings in the form of a free drink from Starbucks or a free medium fry from Chick-fil-a. My mom refers to this situation as a "sursis." The literal French translation is a "reprieve," but with her it was usually just a small surprise she'd leave on the end of our bed or on the kitchen table for us to find when we walked in from school. It can be a real test in restraint for me to have to go too long without picking out a gift for someone else, something for our home, or a treat for myself--usually clothes. Today, I'd like to share specifically where I tend to shop for what I consider to be quality, affordable clothing. My style has changed over the years, as have the standards and requirements for my wardrobe. Since I don't exactly have the luxury of tossing my entire closet at the conclusion of a se...