Target In January

I recently went to Target. As I do. When I want to buy a mindless variety of unnecessary items.

The reason I had gone there was because in my rummaging cleaning, I found 4 gift cards totaling $100 to Target in my drawer. They were given to me over the last few months as my kids would get them as gifts and then order something off of Amazon and pay me with their Target gift cards. I didn’t mind. I knew I would use them. Or lose them. Whichever came first. I decided to get on using them before I forgot.

With the holidays just recently being over and it being the beginning of the year, a lot of us are not spending money. I wanted to show some inexpensive options Target is offering right now, in case you wanted something new, but did not want a high price tag to struggle with.

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I didn’t mean to go to the clothing section. Cross my heart. But that is where I ended up. And I saw the best shirt. Seriously. Run. Don’t walk. And go get yourself this shirt. The only sizes left in black at our Target were XS and Large. I bought a Large for myself (fits perfectly) and an XS for my daughter (now you see why they don’t mind paying me with their gift cards).

The shirt is $16.99 and so similar to the more expensive shirts in my wishlist. See here. And here. Plus, you get 5% off if you use their Target Red Debit Card. It also came in the prettiest seafoam green color. But I needed a black shirt. The back has the pretty key-hole.

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Does this remind you of anything? How about my Ruffled Hem Pullover? This was less than 1/4 of that price?! I do like my Anthropologie sweater better. The back is more detailed. But this Target sweater was a great price. At $20, this was a nobrainer and my daughter got one, too. I bought the medium in this although I think I could have even gotten a large. It matches my AG Stevies Cords perfectly.

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And this awesome poncho pullover is so cool! At $20, it is simple to throw on. It is the easiest black and white stripes. Goes with so much. It covers the bum. Another steal. Another win for Target. By the way, I have no idea what is on my thigh. I had put those pants on for the very first time five minutes prior to this pic.

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I did not buy either of these sweaters. Not at Anthropologie. Not at Target. I do not own a French Bulldog, so it wasn’t for me. There was a popback of this sweater at Anthropologie last week and I would have ended up paying the same amount as the Target price. But I didn’t need it. So I didn’t buy it.

I just have to say… Umm. I’m not sayin’ this is a blatant copy of Anthropologie’s sweater. What do you think? Wink. If you missed it at Anthropologie, Target’s copy is $20.

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Gnomes!!! Look at these little darlings. I love ’em. I want to marry them. I want to rub their cold little hard bodies all over my cheeks. I want to… Okay. Let’s quit there. $4 a piece (just the 4 crackled versions in the pot). Adorable.

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And a big one to greet folks at the door. I only wish they had two more of him.

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And a sad, sad little fellow. He looked so forlorn, I had to take him home to cheer him up. He still isn’t happy. I have a feeling he never will be. But he is a pretty color. Blue. Just like his heart.

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This awesome crockpot was marked down from $35 to $17.48. How cool is it? I cannot wait to use it!

Have you been to Target lately? Do you always walk away with more than you came for? The buyers there are doing it right!

* Some pictures shown here were taken from Target and Anthropologie’s websites.

Attending A Wedding

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My husband and I went to a wedding in September. It was beautiful. It was in wine country and just lovely. I was excited to get a chance to wear my Flounced Lace Dress from Anthropologie again. I had purchased it in March to wear to a luau. I also figured it would make a great dress to attend a wedding in.

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It was very comfortable and the color is so pretty!

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It was the wedding of one of my husband’s coworkers. As such, I had to be on my best behavior. I tend to be a wee bit crazy at parties. Don’t believe me? Aww. I would love to post some pictures as proof (which I unfortunately have), but the children… The children. Just imagine it.

So, you can kind of see why my husband was just a tad bit worried. I had been to a work engagement before. I was so very boring that later someone told my husband they did not want to offend me by drinking in front of me. Giggle.

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I believe I was the epitome of a “lady” at the wedding. I even drank. Well, alot. But I kept myself “in check.” The only thing is: They had these cheese rolls at the wedding. I want them forever. I want them as my last meal. The waitress kept sneaking me more. It was kind of awesome. And could quite possibly be the reason I felt no affects from the alcohol. And why I gained two pounds that week.

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The cake was adorable featuring miniature versions of the couple’s dogs.

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And it tasted heavenly. Of course, I was so stuffed on cheese bread, I only had one bite.

There is just something about a wedding. I cried during both of the parent’s speeches. I could imagine it was me talking to my children. This made me so sad, I stuffed more cheese bread in my mouth to feel better.

One thing that stuck with me was a part of the father of the bride’s speech. He said, “All I wish for you is that you will be happy. I do not care about fancy cars or big houses. Forget the expensive trips. Just be happy. That is all I can ask for you.”

Isn’t that all any of us can ask for?

To be happy. Why is that sometimes such a big task?

He ended his speech with, “To the death.” This almost made me spit out my cheese bread and wine. Have you ever heard that before?

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Have you been to any weddings recently? Were you on your best behavior? And, more importantly, what did you wear?

* I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!

It’s The Little Things: Le Creuset

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About seven years ago, my husband purchased my first Le Creuset piece for me for a Christmas present. It was bright green. I was in love. I use it about three times a week. It conducts heat so beautifully. I think cooking in something pretty makes cooking more fun. It also helps that Le Creuset is a functioning dream.

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Le Creuset is expensive. You can find seconds at Home Goods and on eBay. I was content with my one piece. But then at Christmastime last year, Rue La La had an amazing sale.

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The sale was on Le Creuset. If I can remember right, the pieces were around 45% off. And in the beautiful blue color that I adore. Free shipping was also part of the offer. When the boxes arrived (I ordered three pieces for my husband to give me for Christmas), the box said it cost $75 to ship! Wow! We saved a ton of money! I purchased a larger dutch oven.

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This is perfect for large roasts, pots of soup, and when I double my beef stroganoff. I use it all of the time.

I also purchased a skillet. This is the item I am not impressed with. All of my food sticks to it. Do you have a skillet like this? What am I doing wrong? I really need help with this one.

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Amazon carries Le Creuset, but you have to wait for a great price. I am watching this yellow Le Creuset pot, but I doubt it will ever reach the discount I received on my last pot.

Do you own any Le Creuset? What is your favorite recipe to cook in it?

It’s the little things: beautiful products to cook in. It truly makes cooking more fun!

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P.S. An update: last week I did a post on crushed garlic. Brynne asked me if this was was carried at Trader Joe’s. I was told in the comments by Alissa that they do carry it. I was there two days ago and snapped this picture in the frozen vegetable aisle. I was so excited to see it and also ecstatic to try the frozen chopped basil in the future. I bought some of that to try in recipes later! So, thank you Brynne for the question. And thank you Alissa for the answer. I love learning something new! : )

I shared this on Savvy Southern Style

And My Romantic Home

Estelle Dress

I realize I just blogged about the Estelle Dress from Free People. However, it recently went on sale. I figured I would show some more pictures I have of the dress while it is still available.

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I have the dress in the rust color (my husband’s favorite).

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And the blue color (my favorite). I just think it is a cool dress. It is easy. And I think it can be worn year round.

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I even tried it with a crocheted vest (Marshalls) that I have.

What has been your “easy” look this summer? Have you ever bought something in more than one color?

P.S. I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!