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!   

what i wore, feeling blue

two outfits this week. both shades of blue. i love that i've been able to get dressed in something other than scrubs lately. 

 top and necklace: walmart

jeans: deb shops

boots: borrowed

top: deb shops

jeans: deb shops

necklace: deb shops

cami: walmart

boots: payless

i've been making more of an effort to dress in something other than jeans and a sweatshirt when running around or doing things with the kiddos. i love both these tops and those jeans are seriously the most comfortable that i own. i had a hard time finding boots that would fit around my wide calves, but payless didn't disappoint and they were reasonably priced too!

linking up over at the  lindsey

what i wore-girls night out

i wear scrubs to work, so when i get home i typically put pjs or yoga pants on, unless i have errands to run. i love when i get to dress up and go out for a bit. this outfit is something i'd wear every day if i had the choice. 

thursday night i had dinner and drinks with friends and this was my outfit. 

shirt and tank- deb shops

skinny jeans- cato fashions

necklace-meijer

linking with lindsay.

15 random things about me

1. I am a 90's music nerd. I love turning on the 90's station while I clean. I dance, I sing, I get nostalgic. And, my kids make fun of me for it. I tell them it's because they don't understand what good music is and then I cringe because I sound just like my dad when I used to question why he though Chicago or Styx were good bands.

2. I love nail polish, especially on my toes. I don't paint my nails too often during the week because it's such a hassle to redo them every day or two, but my toes are always painted. I love dark colors, reds, purples, blues.

3. Another nod to the 90's....my favorite show of all time is Beverly Hills, 90210.

4. I think I may be addicted to Pinterest (who isn't?!)

5. I used to be incredibly insecure. About my body, my abilities as a mom, about everything (I know, we've all been there). I've grown so much as a person this past year and those insecurities aren't an issue like they used to be. I love myself, my body, and I'm ever improving on those motherhood skills.

6. I absolutely hate being single. I don't hate it so much I'll settle for the first guy who looks my way, but I'm much happier being in a relationship. I'm a little envious of those who embrace and enjoy their single hood.

7. I love Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. My obsession with the two are rubbing off on my sons.

8. I hate the fact that my kids now come from a broken home, but I love that I get to be the main influence in their daily lives. It's solely up to me to teach them, shape them, help them grow. And, I love watching the little people that they are becoming.

9. I don't eat beef or pork.

10. I sleep on the left side of the bed.

11. Most nights my  4 year old son sleeps with me.

12. I hate to drive. I'm much happier in the passenger seat and I cannot wait until my kids can drive and can finally chauffeur me around.

13. I am a Seventh Day Adventist Christian. I love the Lord and I believe He is coming back for us very soon.

14. My favorite color is pink, but you wouldn't know it by looking in my closet because most of my clothes are black, red, and grey.

15.  I may be addicted to McDonald's mocha frappe.

what i wore

i'm taking the plunge. linking up for the very first time with the pleated poppy. 

shirt: Deb shops

necklace: Meijer's

shirt: Deb Shops

i've always been interested in fashion. finding the confidence to rock some of the latest trends was a HUGE leap for me. my body has always been an issue for me, but i've finally learned to be comfortable in my skin. i've learned how to dress and what works with my body type. so, i'm hoping i can be inspiration to others like those who have inspired me.

An intro

hi. i'm angie. i'm 32...wait, i think this is how i started out my dating profile. oh well, guess it works here too!

like i was saying, i'm angie. i'm 32. i'm a single mom to four amazing kids. i've been wanting to start a blog for a long time, but was never really sure what to blog about. well, i'm still not one hundred percent sure what i want to blog about, but i have some ideas. for now, i just thought i'd get the ball rolling and publish my first blog post.

i'm your pretty typical girl. i love clothes, shoes, and jewelry. i am a wanna be diy-er. i'm the mom who is at every single one of my kids sports practices and games. i hope to be able to share all of those things with who ever may stop by.

so, welcome. hope this works out for me. and thanks for stopping by!