Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow; Don't walk behind me, I may not lead; Walk beside me, and just be my friend......Albert Camus (1913-1960)

Aren't these flowers gorgeous!!!!! The backdrop is courtesy of road construction, earlier this spring they put a water line in beside this road and when they re-planted greenery this is what came up. So....for about a mile of this road you try not to get into a car accident (lots of curves in this road) while still taking in the breathtaking view. My daughter really wanted to shoot my pictures in this field. She had gone somewhere with Daddy and bookmarked this place in her head for future use. Isn't she sweet! I had not seen this place yet and so after church last night she instructed me that we must go there. It was the perfect backdrop! I know I will be using it again, not only for just my style, but I have already warned my children that we will be having a photo shoot of them this week in the flowers. Maybe I can convince my husband also...family portraits...kissing in a field of flowers...mmmmm possibilities! I have had my big DSLR camera for almost a year now and I am really tired of not knowing how to use all of the capabilities it has. I'm hoping to get out and "experiment" with my camera soon.

WHAT:
Jeans: True Religion
Tank: Gap
Cardigan: J-Crew
Boots: Frye
Bracelet: Local vendor
Belt: borrowed from husband...Levi's I think

WHERE:
Just an afternoon at the house, and then back to evening service at church.

Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have......

This morning as we were leaving for church I spotted this adorable headband sitting on the table by the door. Even though I was already feeling pretty good about the outfit I had picked out for the morning, AND I had no idea where this headband came from, I still picked it up and put it on. It felt like the icing on the cake or my cherry on top...it was PERFECT!!! I felt great, I walked into church with every ounce of confidence I own. Fast forward through Sunday School, chatting up a few ladies, and downing a couple cups of coffee, that brings us to the actual church service. I am sitting there in "our pew" right next to my mother-in-law and my 4 year old neice. Halfway through service my MIL says, Hey look Tatum, Auntie Danielle has the same headband as you do!" OMGoodness...I stole my 4 year old neices headband, wore it to church, got caught, told her it was indeed hers, AND still didn't give it back!!!! I love it too much, and I still had taken blog pics!

****SIGH....I know I have to give it back....maybe later this week...maybe..:)

WHAT:
Dress: Target
Cargigan: J- Crew
Necklace: Cookie Lee
Shoes: Steve Madden
Bag: J-Crew
Headband: Stolen from my sweet 4 year old niece!

If you don't like your own character there may be a new one ready-made and waiting for you. The snake sheds its skin with impunity, relying on the same nature which you rely on.......

Ahhh...Friday can I get a Woo-Hoo?!?
My outfit today could not be more simple but I feel so marvelous and chic in it. I absolutely adore these boots and since deciding that I can pull off the "boots over the jeans" look my only hope is that I don't live in them all winter.... that's not a promise, because seriously I'm in love with these boots!

WHAT:
Jeans:Seven for all Mankind
Blouse: Free People
Boots: Frye
Bracelet: local vendor

Where:
Wherever the breeze blows me...I hope it is somewhere fun!

No one finds life worth living; he must make it worth living......

Thank you for the encouragement yesterday, it is much appreciated. I woke up today telling myself that today would be better, I would be confident and productive. With my mind thinking it I decided to let my body know it as well and so I proved my confidence by putting on the skinny jeans and topped them with what I call my "power blouse". I named it that because when I was little it is exactly what what I would picture myself wearing under a "power suit" when I someday would work in a giant highrise building making important decisions all day long,with of course a skinny latte' in hand at all times mind you! Ok so I never made it big in the corporate world and probably never will but I still make important decisions all day that concern the lives of four very important people and so I use my "power blouse" to remind me of that.

WHAT:
Jeans: Denim of Virtue
Power Blouse: J- Crew
Belt: Thrifted
Necklace: Nordstrom
Shoes: Target
Bangles: Fred Meyer

WHERE:
Errands in town, and important duties at "my office"! chores around the house.

The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them.....

Confession...my house work is still not done!!! What is wrong with me?!?? It's a gloomy day, and I'm having a hard time getting in gear. Thrifting didn't even cheer me up!?!  EVEN THOUGH I found the most perfect plaid wool shirt, a seriously chic high waisted vintage skirt, and a jean jacket that fits like a glove all for $3!!! I think I need to start this week over, um yeah...can't do that. HMMMMM....maybe the second half of the week will be better. It better be....

My outfit is nothing special today  and so I decided to showcase my ultra cool authentic mexican bag I recieved for my birthday. Isn't it beautiful!!! The minute I opened it I was thinking solid black maxi, long and many necklaces, flats, and a denim jacket. After thrifting today I just need the solid black maxi....

WHAT:
Capri's: Citizens of Humanity....thrifted
Tank: Gap
Sweatshirt: Target
Shoes: Target
Necklace:?????

WHERE:
Chores around the house  feeling gloomy and church tonight.

***FOoD FOR THOUGHT***
I suppose I better take my own advice and turn my struggles into snuggles...HA! Could that be any cheesier? I don't think so...but seriously I need to stop marinating in my gloominess and do something about it!

*I seem to have a strange choice of words today....

The quality of your work, in the long run, is the deciding factor on how much your services are valued by the world......Orison Swett Marden (1850-1924)

Tights, tights , and more tights....I am loving the crisp air of fall and the feeling of awesome tights on my freezing legs!
Laid back day, much to my chagrin, I went to bed last night AND woke up this morning with every intention of doing a real good deep clean on the house today...it is currently 2:00pm and not much has been accomplished....SHAME!!!! I'm gonna have to bust it double time now....I hate procrastination how did I get so dang good at it...no great at it....no make that perfected the art of it...UGH!

WHAT:
Tights: Target
Belt: Thrifted
Skirt: Target
Tee: Target
Shoes: Steve Madden
Bracelet: Tiffany...gifted from Mom
Necklace: Forever 21

***FOOD FOR THOUGHT***
How is the quality of your life and it's characteristics going to be looked upon in 10, 20, 50, 100 years? What kind of mark are you leaving on the hearts and minds of those around you?

You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you..... James Allen (1864-1912)

Today I had to wear my best attempt at "I am cute, PTA isn't bad, sign up please" look. I hosted a parent meet and greet at the school this morning, and all in all it went pretty well. The best part of my day though was when I walked into the coffee shop this morning and the old guy sitting at a table having his morning cup 'o jo and reading his paper stopped, lowered his paper and said, "nice outfit". Stranger compliments are the best, especially from sweet little old guys.....

WHAT:
Shoes: Dansko
Tights: Target
Skirt: Target
Turtleneck:Banana Republic
Necklace: Nordstrom
Belt: Target

WHERE:
School function this morning and an appointment this afternoon.

Love is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction...... Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944)

The sunshine has gone and left raindrops in it's place. Thank you for all the sweet comments about my girls, they will be so thrilled when they get home. I bought this shirt a while back at goodwill for $1. It has been hanging in my closet for sometime now because I haven't had the weather to break it out. I adore this blouse, I felt like an absolute lady. I love the way I dressed it up but am having a hard time figuring out how to dress it down....any ideas?

          

WHAT:
Pants: Moda International...Victorias Secret via ebay
Tank: Gap
Blouse: thrifted..$1
Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden

WHERE:
Sunday School and Church

**DOUBLE POST**

A rainy day calls for a cozy outfit..... One staple piece of clothing that I think everyone should have is an oversized chunky sweater. I couldn't live without mine. It is almost like comfort food. While writing this post I realize that both the button up and the chunky sweater were from goodwill for $1 each too! The tank from Gap I'm wearing as an undershirt cost more than all three shirts I wore today combined!!

WHAT:
Jeans: Seven for all Mankind
Tank: Gap
Button-up: Thrifted...$1
Sweater: Thrifted...$1
Belt:???
Shoes: Dansko

Where:
No place in particular except evening service church tonight.

Following my footsteps.....

*** BONUS POST***
Double post for Saturday...I thought I would surprise post for my girls while they are at the cabin....they are so thrilled when the see themselves on a FASHION BLOG!!!!!

Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.......George Santayana (1863-1952)

Oh the gift of another gloriously beautiful day!!!

My dear husband was kind enough to take my three children up to the cabin all by himself for the weekend. I get to stay home and chill (quietly), get some projects done,(uninterrupted) and use the weekend to unwind my mind. (Lucky girl I am!) Not much to my outfit, simple and comfy, yet perfect for today.

WHAT:
Cutoffs: Seven for all Mankind
Belt: thrifted
Tank: Gap
Tee: Abercrombie
Shoes: Dansko
Bracelet: the safety pin one is a homemade gift from my daughter, the beaded one was made by a local vendor here...I actually bought it at the Alaska Zoo gift shop!

Here are a couple detail shots, what do you think....should I continue or stick with just the head to toe shots?

****SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS****
This quote grabbed me at first but when I really started thinking about it and put it into play as far as my life goes, there are so many times and areas that I had and still do have the forethought of what could be. The part I miss the boat on is that action and change have to be put into effect on MY part BEFORE I can make "what could be" a reality. I think this quote needs an addendum: I believe that what YOU do with the knowledge of what is possible, could be the beginning of happiness OR the beginning of misery. Does this make sense to any of you? What do you think?

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow......

Another gorgeous day!!!!!

Ok, so after my little confession yesterday I decided I better bring it to the table and put my money where my mouth is. I put this little ruffly floral number on and added the lace leggings and because I really wanted to do it right added the large baubles. I am LOVING it, AND I feel great in it! WOO - HOO!!
WHAT:
Dress: Target.....clearance
Legging: Target.....clearance
Necklace: Target.....clearance
bracelet: Fred Meyer.....clearance
Shoes: Steve Madden.....ebay
belt: thrifted....$1.50

WHOA...thrifty shopper today

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult....... Lucius Annaeus Seneca

What a gorgeous day it is today!!!! I LOVE this time of year......

I took a trip to goodwill yesterday, it was a treat to myself before the dentist. :) While there I found this vest. (along with a few other goodies) I think is one of those pieces that fellow shoppers have held up to their friends and mockingly said "I think you should buy this" followed by a "yeah right" and giggles. It however was too ugly for me not to snatch it up for whopping 100 pennies. I can't wait to play with it, I envision cutoff jeans and layers or maybe over a jersey dress with pearls....hmmmm the possibilities!

WHAT:
Tunic: Target
Necklaces: Nordstrom
Vest: thrifted
Shoes: Target
Leggings: Target

***SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS***
What are you holding back in your life? What is it that you really want but are afraid to reach out and grab it?

I am afraid to truly embrace who I am, what my likes, dislikes, hopes and dreams are. I am too swayed by what I think other people will think of me. I no longer want to be held back by other people....in any area of my life. Fashion included!