Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Five One-Piece Swimsuits Under $50!

Hello from the new-to-me world of stay at home motherhood! 

After finishing a big furniture rehab project (post to come), planning and throwing a bridal shower for a good friend, and doing random things all day that I swear keep me busy but have no tangible outcome, I decided it was time for my annual "one-new-swimsuit-for-the-season" search.

Early you might think? Noo..it's never too early.

But, one thing has changed this year.  
I'm finally taking the plunge into the one-piece swimsuit category.  

Not because I'm self conscious about my body or think I won't look ok in a bikini; Not because I am going to start dressing like "a mom;" but because of a thought I've had for years (that - "I feel like I'm wearing my bra and underwear in public, anyone else? no?" thought), and a video I watched about 8 months ago, that I'm sure you've seen or heard about, that finally convinced me to change how I "suited up", at least in public.

My friend and fellow-blogger Aubrey over at Parenting the Pipsqueak wrote a post about modesty last June with the video linked also, so I definitely have her to thank for indirectly showing it to me!

I'm not going to get into the modesty discussion right now, but since there are many reasons a girl needs a good one-piece, I thought I'd share some great, budget-friendly finds from the online shopping kick I was on this weekend!   (Warning: Healthy Happy Home is fa-har from a fashion blog.)  

And with that:



1.
I love the colors of this one, and the ruched halter.  And since it's J.Crew you know it's great quality.



2.
Land's End Paisley Bandeau Tunic Top 
On sale starting at $45.50!
I'm not an expert but I think tunic tops are so flattering - they totally elongate your torso, and this one also has the ruched sides which are also super flattering.





3.
Loft's Colorblock Bandeau
Originally $79.50 but their 40% Off Sale right now (4peeps is the online discount code) brings it to
$47.70!
Once again, I'm not an expert, but the white stripe totally accentuates the smallest part of her torso. Aka. it looks great.





4 .
Loft's Striped Tie Waist One-Piece
Same as above...$44.70 after you use the online discount code!
I love, love blouson / tie waist suits.  What a great idea for when you don't want the suit to be skin tight but you still want to look cute.




5. 
Old Navy's Black and White Print Swimsuit
$29.94
I'm a big fan of the halter tie, and I've "heard" that black swimsuits are in this season.






BONUS: #6.
I love the blouson tops so much, I had to add another one . It's super simple, but as shown in the picture, it goes great with a different color / patterned bottom that you probably already have, and is, say it with me, "So flattering."  

Land's End Scoopneck Blouson Tankini Top
On sale for $55.20, a tiny bit over our $50 goal, but hey - it's a staple if you ask me!  Especially for moms like me who plan on getting pregnant again and living that "secretly pregnant," look, to the early "I'm pregnant but it just look like I gained $10 lbs" look, to the "I just had a baby" look at some time or another. Just sayin. :)





I hope you like these picks, and find a great suit for this summer's beach and pool-side fun!  I'm linking up with Hallie over at Moxy Wife - now go and check out the other 5 Favorites!


Friday, April 4, 2014

7 Quick Takes - Another Re-Cap

Hello Again!

I feel like this is yet another "recap on my life since I haven't been around for a while" posts.  Let's get the show on the road.

Also linking up with Jen today!  For those of you who don't follow her, she has an awesome deal going on right now that if you pre-order her book Something Other Than God, she'll send you an e-book immediately called The Family First Creative. I'm in the middle of it and love it!  I highly recommend that you check it out!

1.

Monday was my last day at Maggie's Place, the nonprofit I've worked for since September 2007.  Crazy right?!  I have been reflecting a lot about my time there lately, and I think it's time I write about it.  At least I'll write about the first 2 years, which were by far the craziest when I was a part of the MissionCorps, living in a home with up to 8 pregnant women, newborns, and 3-4 other Corps members at one time.  I'm not sure how the story will be laid out (special posts? It's own blog? E-book?) but I'm about to embark on the process and need a public commitment to make it happen. Wish me luck! :)

2. 
I recently ran out of my everyday-use eye shadow (Covergirl Tapestry Taupe, sounds exciting I know), and have been to multiple drugstores and Targets to see if they have it. And they don't.  Not even something close enough (trialed and errored).  What the heck!  I have succumbed to buying it from Amazon.  Maybe I should buy a lifetime supply so we never have to revisit this conversation again.

As a side note, I have used this color of eye shadow since ahem..high school.  I can't give it up!  Does anyone else where the same shade of eye shadow from high school?

Anyone?

3.
Yesterday I met a few friends at a place here called The Simple Farm.  I don't know the story well yet, but a family bought a plot of land in residential Scottsdale and decided to use most of it for a small family garden / farm.  They have chickens for eggs and goats for milk and caramels that they sell, plus tons of vegetation.  It has grown so big they now have a farmers market on Thursday mornings, sustainable living and gardening classes, and they invite people to come help out on the farm in exchange for some perks.



Mia loved it!

It's the kind of place that refreshes your soul.  It makes me wish I had paid more attention all those years I grew up in South Dakota. Back then I considered myself "a city girl." HA!   I can't laugh louder at that lack of awareness.  I grew up in a town of 1300 people, with the nearest Walmart or McDonald's 60 miles away. Literally, people.  I was the furthest thing from a city girl, but I hated the smell of farm animals, or getting dirty.  Only when I went away to college and came back in the summer to help farm with my dad did I discover the richness of simple things like the cycle of life as seen on a farm. Wow I'm starting to sound weird, moving on.


4. 
One of the things at the top of my to-do list since leaving my job and having all this "free time" is finally fixing up a piece of furniture I bought 4 months ago.  It's a medium-sized entertainment center that I would like to turn into my craft supply storage in our office. (I'm a craft supply hoarder.)

Here are some before pictures:

 

My plan is to paint it and add shelves.  I pretty much have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to furniture rehab, so be sure to tune in next week to witness the epic After pics!


5. 
I know anyone who reads blogs has read this blog post, but for some reason I just found this, and read it over and over and over again to relive the awesomeness that it is.  So, in the event that you have not yet found the glory of Hyperbole and a Half, or would just like a good laugh, check out one of my favorite posts - This is Why I'll Never be an Adult.


6.
The countdown has begun for the Tegethoff Phoenix Invasion 2014!  I feel like I've told every stranger I meet that my family is coming into town for Mia's Baptism at the end of this month.  I seriously can.not.wait. My brother and sister-in-law, 2 nieces, and my parents will be here, and I have a feeling Mia will be super sad when the girls leave.  

I keep checking Groupon for Zoo or Children's Museum tickets to go on sale...if anyone has any good suggestions where to entertain (on a budget) a 5 and 7 year old in Phoenix let me know!

7.
We finally planted some bushes in our front planters a few weeks ago.  I can't wait for them to grow and fill the entire front!  It's gonna look great.  I had to convince Joel to let us get some hibiscus - they are my fave.
We fit all 13 5-gallon plants in our small-ish SUV, and off we went.

Before:

After:


Doesn't it look so much better!?

Anyway, have a great weekend everyone, and I hope the weather allows you to enjoy some fresh air!