Busy Bee

Wow, a lot has been going on the past week.  Besides a full forty hours of work, I have been canning, gardening, shopping, cleaning, and just sleeping.  Oh, and reading as well.  And though it has taken away from my time to blog, it has given me a lot to blog about.  Just so I do not forget anything, here is a list of the next few days blog topics:

1. Shopping
2. Gardening/Canning
3. Brewer Game
4. Book Review
5. Jewelry Making with Kim
6. Cleaning/Fall To Do List

As you guys know, I don't usually like to plan my blog topics ahead, but since I am behind, I am making an exception. 

ON TO TALKING ABOUT SHOPPING!!

I went to see Jess last weekend, and as always, that leads to some serious shopping on our parts.  Besides buying the canning supplies I needed, and cooking some fabulous meals, and taking a road trip to her friend's house a few towns away, we raided Platteville's Goodwill twice.  Man did we get an excellent haul too.  And I have pictures!!

I got two very cute pairs of flats for work.  The black pair is a bit more comfortable than the leopard print, but I really loved the rocker feel the leopard one had.  I really needed some new flats that weren't just running shoes so these were a great find.  And, at $4 a pair, they were a great deal.

I also grabbed a really nice blue leather coat from worthington.  Jess was eyeing it up while I was trying on some clothes.  She made me try it on and it was such a perfect fit I couldn't say no.  I always need coats in wisconsin and having this blue one will help add a little color to some of my dresses this fall.  It was $7, real leather, and my favorite color.  Oh, and did I mention, brand new, tags still on?

Next up is the green lacy sweater.  It wont really help keep me much warmer this winter, but it does help to dress up a plain tanktop.  And witha blazer over the top, or even my blue coat, it will be plenty warm. I wasn't totally sure I wanted this shirt until I tried it on with an a-line houndstooth skirt that was there.  together they looked great, and reminded me of some other clothes I  already own that I have been looking for something to wear with. And, since each were only $4, I am pretty sure I can get my money's worth out of them.

After the green sweater I went on a little green binge and bought a green sweater dress by Banana Republic and a big green sixties inspired sweater from Habitat.  I knew that Banana Republic had a little bit more expensive clothing, but I had never heard of Habitat.  When I looked them up online, a lot of their stuff seems to be pretty pricey.  Which only made the fact that both of these only cost $4 again, even better.  Both of these items have a very sixties mod feel to them, and both will be really nice this fall.  The dress will be great with a pair of leggings and the sweater looks great anytime.

I was also trying hard to find some sweaters that I could throw on over a t-shirt or tank top when the nights start getting cooler.  I went for a black drapey sweater and a really adorable green cardigan.  I am not one to really like cardigan usually.  I feel like they make me look even younger than I usually look.  The embroidery on the front is just enough that it works with nice dresses as well as jeans and a t-shirt. And if I wear it with the houndstooth skirt, I can totally rock the cute librarian look.  Hey, I have a degree in Literature, I am entitled.

I also picked up some plain t-shirts and plain long-sleeved shirts to wear around the house this winter.  I only had two long-sleeved shirts before this trip, so I bought a few.  I got some red plain shirts for work, but didn't have any luck finding some new cargo pants.  I also got a tank top that has a really cute design on it to wear under the red shirt for work.  It lets me put a little personality into my otherwise bland wardrobe there.

After the clothing was picked through, we stopped at the jewelry section and found some really great things, for really reasonable prices.  The first thing I found was this deer necklace that Jess and I thought had a Modcloth feel to it.  It was only five dollars and after some slights worries about how long it was, I have decided it is one of my new favorite pieces.  It works with pretty much anything and since I wear so much black, it really helps to add a little something to those outfits.

I also found this really neat ring that I thought also had a Modcloth feel to it.  I thought it was cute until I realized it opened like a locked, then I loved it.  I have yet to figure out what I want to put in it, but I and flipping back and forth between some pictures or something more permanent.  Maybe I will make it into some resin steampunk piece.

As we were leaving I noticed a piece of jewelry that will work perfectly with my halloween costume of Ms. Peacock.  I couldn't believe how great it is going to work.  And it was $3, so it is okay if I only wear it for that one day.  However, I really like it so I have a feeling it will be warm quite a bit more that that. And it came with earrings that /I probably won't wear again but will also work great for the ostume.  Maybe I can give them to my mom after, she would wear them.

And I saved the best for last.  I found this dress in a section that I was sure I was to big for, but when I put it on it was like putting on a second skin.  I walked out of the dressing room to show Jess and we both agreed it looked amazing and made my boobs look awesome.  We decided it was a "BAM!" dress. One of those things you can put on and no matter how crappy or icky you are feeling that day you will always feel like you look great.  I needed to fully show how great this dress looks so I took a picture of me wearing it.  It show off my curves and my small waist so perfectly it is as if it was made for me.  Now I just need to figure out somewhere to wear it.