I Was *That* Girl at Prom

I was the girl that had a curfew, the one who was afraid of her shadow, the one who didn't take chances .  

My junior year of high school, for some reason my imagination for style was absent.  I wore a simple plain black dress.  I mean the back of the dress, was amazeballs but who really sees the back?  

Don't get it twisted, if this big Mama could fit in that black dress again, I'd stuff myself in there like a hot tamale.
Oh… {sighs} to be a size nothing.

The fact that I even went to junior prom was big, my parents were quite strict. However, throughout high school they did let me go to a few proms and military balls.  {My mom still has most of my dresses}

For the most part, my style was on par but looking at my junior year prom picture... what was I doing with all that GOLD? My husband laughs and calls it my Mr. T starter set…. he's right… 
I pity the fool!



If I could turn back time {OK from Mr. T to Cher, what am I an 80's kid?} 
I'd go for a more classic look.  I'm thinking Hollywood glam! I wonder if my eldest daughter (12) will let me live vicariously through her?  She already said for her prom she's either going out to movies & dinner with her sister or wearing Chucks to prom.  I think both options are cute.

I mean who am I to say no to Chucks at prom?
I'm the girl who went with the whole Titanic theme my senior year…. 

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Yes, I wore a necklace just like that… okay, okay, in Titanic there wasn't anyone with black-blue hair. 

I would consider wearing one of these dresses from JenJenHouse.com. I love their selection.  I like the classic elegant look.  

Of course back in the day, I'm not sure if I could wear a sweetheart neckline with my dress not falling off ;) Let's just say these kiddos of mine helped me out in that department.

Just a quick fyi www.jenjenhouse.com has sponsored this post, but the picks above are my own.  

JenJenHouse, has a HUGE selection of dresses and colors sure to meet your needs.  Not sure? Go check them out, they have plenty of new arrivals. http://www.jenjenhouse.com/Prom-Dresses-c18/

Love always…. this girl

Find Your Style with Kleenex #KleenexStyle #sp

Last week I was sick… NO BUENO!
I kind of whined about it on Instagram:

 

I went through tons of tissues!

This week my daughter turned 12 years old… which again was another cause for Kleenex.  Seriously…. where does the time go?

I've been through quite a few boxes of Kleenex these past two weeks, but I still try to remain stylish :)  

To celebrate Kleenex’s 90th anniversary, they’re bringing you another innovative first: The Kleenex® Style Studio. It’s a fun, inspiring way to discover more of the Kleenex® Brand designs and products you love. And maybe even a few that’ll take you by surprise… trust me.

Check out my style:
While I blog…

In our guest room {my office} bathroom:

Do you know your Kleenex style? Check out the video below and then take the quiz to see if you can tell the difference between Catwalk or Kleenex-- you may just win a trip to NYC + $5,000 shopping cash!

This post was sponsored by Kleenex.   The pictures, cooties, and stories above were my own.

It's almost Prom, let's go Prom dress shopping...

Prom is around the corner. I know what you're thinking really... it's January!  Yes, really!  Prom is such a HUGE time for teens come senior year; besides graduating it's on almost every teen girl's mind!

Take for instance a young Miss. AO (there wasn't a K back then) who couldn’t wait to find her prom dress before senior year even began. 

Yes, I bought my senior-year prom dress the SUMMER going into my senior year of high school!   I saw the dress and had to have it!  However, that only meant while my friends were still searching… I was along for the ride.  I second-guessed myself on occasion; nonetheless I was happy with my dress.  I picked a classy, timeless dress with an open back.

I believe that classic, timeless look is exactly what prom will be this year.  I’m predicting that the cutouts and ultra daring dresses our out.  {Well, at least a girl can dream}  I see long stunning dresses, perhaps a plunging neckline as well, hopefully not too plunging and ruby red lips.

Many will be inspired a la Golden Globes and People’s Choice Awards; the classy Hollywood glam was in effect this year. 

I believe you can achieve an inspired look, without breaking the bank and making it your own.  I’m happy to introduce you to DressFirst.Com, DressFirst.com has a stunning collection of dresses for all occasions, and with prom on the horizon, this is the place to seek a stunning 2014 dress.

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I personally loved Nina Dobrev’s look.  She looked stunning without showing too much. 

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Lupita Nyong'O was breathtaking in this red gown.

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Okay, isn’t Taylor Swift always cute as button in everything she wears?

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Mila Kunis worked the red carpet in this metallic halter dress.

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Jennifer Hudson in this white dress. That’s all.

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I think this one is my favorite, Kate Beckinsale!!! This gunmetal dress is GORGEOUS.

We all cannot don Gucci or  Zuhair Murad to prom : ( but we can be inspired and I found some beautiful dresses at DressFirst.Com that reminded me of some of the recent looks this award show season.

A-Line/Princess Sweetheart Floor-Length Chiffon Prom Dress With Ruffle Beading, what I love about this dress you can choose what colors you’d like for the bodice and skirt.

The Mermaid Strapless Sweep Train Charmeuse Prom Dress With Ruffle Beading Sequins, just says HOLLYWOOD GLAM to me.

I’m thinking this Sheath Scoop Neck Sweep Train Jersey Prom Dress With Beading could be a popular look this year.

What did you wear to prom? 

 Disclosure: This is a compensated post, however rest assured the opinions and story are my own. Thanks.

Party Dress Pinning Party via ModCloth

My affiliates ModCloth would like me to tell you about their fun giveaway... 

And since there giveaway is Pinterest related, of course I'm going to share!

School’s back in session and football season is here! You know what that means – Homecoming’s next!

To celebrate this time-honored scholastic holiday, ModCloth is hosting a Party Dress Pinning Party on Pinterest! Enter by 9/12 to win one of two $250ModCloth gift certificates. 
How do you enter? Find out more on the ModCloth blog: blog.modcloth.com/2013/09/05/party-dress-pinning-party/

Most importantly, spend some quality time perusing the ModCloth homecoming dress section to find the dress of your dreams! Check them all out here:ModCloth Homecoming Dresses 

I thought I'd share some ModCloth looks I put together for homecoming inspiration

ModCloth Homecoming by mrsaok 

Which look is your style? Are you pretty in pink, dark and sultry, or bright and preppy?

I also want to remind you that there's a giveaway via the Mommy Monday Blog Hop and Homemaking With Style
This giveaway is open only to the U.S.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thrift Shopping

I'ma take your grandma's style.... 

In an effort to become more conscious in multiple domains my family and I are participating in a 365 Thrift Challenge.  We are going to try to live more consciously in regard to: our over-consumerism, our ecological footprint on this world, and our thriftiness. 

{Those shoes are my first personal thrift store purchase}

Have you ever stepped into a thrift store? You would be in awe. 
These stores are filled with hella-nice and oh-hell-no!  Seriously, we live in a world of over-consumerism, so, you are likely to find countless clothes with their original tags!  Haven't you ever purchased something you never wore or gifted but you meant to?
One particular thrift store in my area receives Target's clearanced-out goods and sales them---> DIRT CHEAP! 

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The thing is..... I am a bit of a germaphobe but I'm also a greenie {eco-friendly}.  Thankfully I know how to sanitize like a boss!  So, a thrift shopping I will go!

I want to lessen my impact- meaning I will work within what we already have (via thrift stores and consignment stores).  Most clothes we purchase come from somewhere on the other side of the world and are shipped from factory-to-factory; this process has a nasty carbon footprint.  Also why not reuse?  For the longest time I would pick-up household items from Goodwill and turn them into something new with a can of spray paint and elbow grease, but I never thought to pick-up clothes for me or the kiddos.

Thrifty Pants
Kids clothes aren't cheap especially when they {the kids} go through jeans at rapid speed, times three.  I've been able to find designer jeans in perfect condition for $3 for my kiddos.  Which, is going to save me big! At first I thought my kids were going to revolt, the thought of using 'used' clothes; this thankfully hasn't happened!

My kids have been okay with the process and probably now acquire more "designer" clothes than ever before.  We've also been able to piece together their own style, that they can create without other kiddos sporting the exact same look.  

The Fine Print
I'm a sucker for a Target Red Tag special but I'm shying away from those beautiful tags till next June!  That's right next June!  We will not buy new clothing except for: under garments, earrings, and shoes.  We are allowed to buy new clothing if we receive a gift card, or if I am reviewing something for my blog or Tots to Teens Magazine.

This is bound to be an interesting endeavor with three kiddos, my husband and I but we are determined to stick with it. 
I've started to look for thrifty blogs and I'm liking>> Looking Fly on a Dime for inspiration.  

I thought this video was kind of cute, it reminds me of my suburban Chicagoland. Check back this weekend for 4th of July pix and yummy lemonade. XO 

Help An Indecisive Sister Out!

Well for the longest time I have been considering chopping my hair off--REAL short! I usually cut my hair every two years and donate it; it's about that time! 

My daughters both cut their hair this Spring, and donated it.... 

It's mommy's turn.

This was my hair like two years ago....

I'd love for y'all to help me pick a look! 

I have a round/ovalish face and naturally curly hair, so those are some things I have to keep in mind when chopping my locks off.

I have a Pinterest board titled Considering, on the board you'll find some hairstyles I <3! I'm not sure if all the hairstyles on the board would work with my face shape.... that is why I'm asking for your opinion! 
Would you do me a huge favor and help this indecisive gal!?!
Tweet me, comment on my Pinterest board, and please comment here too, with the look you think will work for me.

Thanks!! I truly would appreciate your help.

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