Black and Grey

I like to look good, but as a single mama my clothing budget is minimal. I find trendy tops are Wal-Mart or Target for inexpensive, while investing more in my timeless pieces, like denim and shoes. Today I'm showing a look that is straight off the racks of Meijer.

The top and jeggings are both from Meijer, while my flats and necklace both came from Wal-Mart. Sorry about the horrible selfie, I'm still trying to convince my teenager to be my photographer :)

Simple pieces, but yet I felt put together and looked decent too. I'm hoping to get some outfit photos posted this weekend so that I can share more. Today, I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

My Story

Ever since I can remember I have always loved fashion. I remember getting up at 5:30 in the morning before school just to make sure my hair and make up were done and of course the perfect outfit was picked out the night before. It was when I became a mom for the first time that I felt myself slipping. I gained a lot of weight with my pregnancy and sunk into a depression, which just resulted in even more weight gain. 

I tried maintain my style while trying to figure out how to raise a tiny human, but it became so difficult to find clothing that fit right or that wasn't completely hideous. I gave up even trying when my daughter was about six months old and from there I adopted my "mom uniform". I'm sure we are all familiar with that, it's usually some variation of sweat pants (yoga pants now days), jeans, a tee shirt or sweatshirt, and a messy ponytail. And make-up, let's not kid ourselves, I was lucky to have time to put some chap stick on. 

For fourteen years I raised babies and continued wearing my unflattering clothing. I cringe when I look at picture during that time period! It was about five years ago, when my youngest was just getting ready to start preschool, that I decided enough was enough. I went shopping at a Cato store for the first time. I wish I could find pictures of some of the things I bought during that first excursion, I can't believe what I was thinking! Shiny tops and ridiculously wide leg dress slacks, but live and learn I guess. 

I might question those purchases now, but five years ago I felt better about myself than I had a long time. It was at this time that Pinterest was really starting to become the new trend.  Like everyone else, I found myself frantically pinning all sorts of ideas, but barely giving them a second glance. Even when I would go back and look at the pictures I pinned, all of the outfits were styled on thinner girls. I told myself there was no way I could pull of the looks they were showing. My thighs were too fat, my legs too short. If there was an excuse to be found, I found it. 

The first "trendy" style that I tried was a scarf. I was so nervous to walk out of my house and into public wearing that scarf, I was convinced I was going to be made fun, accused of trying to be something or someone that I'm not. Much to my surprise I wasn't ridiculed, but COMPLIMENTED! I was pumped. That's all if took. I revisited my pins and decided that I could try some of those outfits styled on thinner models, I just had to find the stores that carried similar pieces in plus sizes. 

Lots of trial and error followed. Deb shops became my go to place for cute, trendy tops, but when it came to blue jeans I wanted a more classic look. Honestly, I'm still searching for that perfect jean, but I've had the most success purchasing Cato brand jeans.   I guess you could say the rest is history now. 

My style is definitely more on the casual side. I'm a busy mama of four kids who pull me in about 82 different directions at any given time. Comfort is key. I like classic pieces that I can mix a trendy top or shoe with, but those timeless pieces that never go out of style will forever have my heart! My goal with this blog is to hopefully help others find their style, to learn to put together outfits that can make you feel good about yourself. I'll share some of my favorite places to shop, share outfits that have been tried and true for me. Everything I'll show will be budget friendly as well! 

I'm really excited for this journey, I hope that I can inspire someone in a new way. Thanks for reading along!