Bright Walls

Bright Walls 2019!!! I am so glad the city of Jackson has held this festival 2 years in a row now. You can see all of the murals from 2018 in this post. Last year I didn't go to see the art until it was complete, but this year I was so happy to make it to some of the festivities and see the artists in action! I do believe the event has grown this year, so there is so much more to see and do - food trucks, performers, kid activities, etc.... 

The new murals in this post are not complete, so I want to go back and see/photograph them again. And, because I couldn't get too close to the new murals most all of my outfit pictures here are against the existing ones. I truly hadn't planned to "theme" dress this day, but this outfit came together at the last minute as I was wanting to try the trend of graphic tee with an equally graphic skirt. 

LuLaRoe Peacock Tee - seen previously here

Anthropologie Gemstone Skirt - seen previously here



Hope you enjoy all of this eye candy! I feel that murals have really become popular these past few years. It's a great way to beautify towns, promote artists, and I know/follow so many people who seek out cool photo ops with them. 

TJ Maxx / Marshalls Finds

I LOVE shopping at stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls because you never know what you are going to find. And as you can see from my selection above, I am all about a variety of prints and colors - which makes shopping at these stores a bit easier I would say. I've had some GREAT luck this Summer so I thought I would do a recap here, along with some tips.

My most exciting find about a month ago was this Essentiel Antwerp dress that was sold at Anthropologie in 2017 for $368....... I got it for $19.99!!! It was the only one there, so who knows where it has been lost for the past two years. I remember loving this dress, and even trying it on, on the sale rack at Anthro in Chicago. Even at sale price it was still expensive. It is a long sleeved dress with the most vibrant floral print - perfect for Fall - and I can't wait to wear it and post it here soon!

This Tahari maxi dress (posted here) ranks up there as one of my favorite purchases. It was $29.99.

I just did some pattern mixing (posting soon) with this statement tie dye maxi skirt. A great piece at $12!

I found this pretty peacock tunic the same night as the Essentiel Antwerp find. It was $19.99.

 

Okay, so here's my tips:

 

1. Don't get stuck on sizes! The sizing world is messed up as it is, but especially so at stores like this. Many times, clothing will be at TJ Maxx/Marshalls because something is "off" about it and it was unable to be sold elsewhere. For reference, I am usually a Large or 12/14. So check out the sizes I actually bought in these items: Tahari maxi dress - small - due to it's stretchy jersey knit and empire style, it is more than forgiving. Tie Dye skirt - Large - the waist is elastic and I tried on all 3 sizes (S, M, L), which all fit, but took the Large because I liked how the fabric laid the best. Peacock tunic - 1X - I found this blouse in the plus section, but because I love a good flowy top I was not afraid of what the tag said. Essentiel Antwerp dress - 8 - I remember this dress being generous from trying it on years ago (I think I tried a 6 then). With there only being one dress, I had no choice but to give it a go. I still have lots of room in this, but it's amazing. So, the lesson is always try stuff on!!!

 

2. Go often and stay positive. Sometimes I will have a run of "bad luck" where I will not find a single thing when shopping at these stores for months. And then other times (like this Summer) I will have the best of luck. They are always getting new items in, so go often because quantities and sizing might be limited. Also, try multiple locations! Because of the randomness of the selection, one store might have something the other doesn't. This can be frustrating if you found something you love and you need a different size and none of the other stores around you have it (i.e. it's not like a typical department store where you can try a different store or order it online). TJ Maxx does have an online store (Marshalls doesn't) but I've found the selection to be very different than the store and you can't search by brand. But that doesn't mean there aren't some gems to find online. Anyway, back to my original point = the TJ Maxx in Jackson is pretty typical but the one in Ann Arbor has the "Runway" department so they carry higher end items.

 

3. Don't go with a specific item in mind. If you have an item, or list of items, you are looking for chances are you'd be better off at department store. You might find it at TJ Maxx/Marshalls, but I don't think I've ever had luck like that. Go to TJ Maxx/Marshalls for the unexpected surprises! That is what is fun about it and what I love!

Bad Reviews

As an avid shopper, I like reading reviews about items, especially if it is something I can't see in person. However, I also take reviews with a grain of salt because if I really love a piece, I will try to work past whatever challenges it presents. This plaid top from Anthropologie (Maeve Amelia Buttondown, purchased when extra 50% off sale was going on) is a good example of that. I don't wear plaid that often, so the colors really have to grab me in order to be interested in it (and these vibrant ones did).

First complaint is this top runs big, which is true because I am in a small here and still have room. My tips for adding definition to something that is big? Belt it, tuck it, tie it (as I did here over my dress). If it is casual over jeans, then I love a flowy top. If you are really brave you could try to shrink it in the wash/dryer or you could always have it taken in by a tailor.

Next complaint is that it is low cut. Simple solution = wear a tank under it!

I often always see people mention that an item "doesn't look like it does on the model". Well, are you a model? Don't put your expectations on a model. We have to realize how much goes into a photo shoot - clothing is also clipped in the back for a better fit, which we can't see. 

The style of this top is a bit odd because it is very lightweight fabric, but the arms are bulky because there are two drawstrings in each in which you can scrunch the arms up or leave them down. I'm still playing around with this piece, and with all the colors trying to decide on the perfect necklace. I love that it has black, blue and olive in it as those are my 3 staples for bottom pairings. I love sale shopping as it is, but if it is an odd piece that's not 100% love at first fit, then definitely wait for sale to make it worth while.

Maeve "Amelia" Buttondown : Anthropologie

Let's Talk Hair

I think I mentioned at some point that I was going to stop coloring my hair - or at least stop coloring it the same way that I have been for about 20 years (highlights + color/base breaker on roots). At least that is what I am trying to stick with. I knew the grow out process would be hard, so I wanted to come up with some ways to accessorize my hair and distract from my huge roots. Luckily, hair accessories are back in a big way. First, I am loving the oversized clips. I love mixing several together (above) or wearing at least two of the same at a time (below). 

 You don't have to go anywhere fancy to find clips either (although you can if you want to)! The Time & Tru ones are from Walmart, and all the others are from Meijer!

I am also loving thick fabric headbands! Even if I just have my hair up in a ponytail, I throw one on for a little something extra.

I ADORE the brand NamJosh which you can buy direct from or Anthropologie carries. The bead work and embroidery is amazing, but they are pricey. I watch for sales or stalk eBay/Poshmark for them, which is where I got the silver one below. For a lower priced dupe, I got the blue one below at Target. The nice thing I've found about these is they don't pinch behind your ears like the headbands of my past.

Roots are going to blend better with curly hair versus straight. I've typically always used a basic curling iron on my hair, which works best if I decide not to wash my hair that morning. I recently starting seeing bloggers I follow use a hair waver, but of course growing up with "crimpers" I was skeptical. I watched a few tutorials before committing to buying one. The trick is to use the waver for the majority of your hair (section off bottom, middle and top). Then for the top section, use the curling iron. This will give the most natural look because anyone who has used a waver knows it is hard to get right up to the roots and not have any odd marks. The waver will give tons of texture and volume under the top layer of curls.

 



Again, no need to spend a fortune on hair tools : Peacock hair dryer from TJ Maxx, Hot Tools curling iron from Meijer, Bed Head waver from Target!

Wings

 The city to our East, Jackson, is having their second annual mural fest this week. I did this post about the walls last year, and I am looking forward to seeing and posting about the new art. I've noticed that wing walls are pretty popular in most cities for photo ops, and luckily our very own Grass Lake got some wings from our local artist Bethany Stone. Bethany runs a painting studio and I've enjoyed going there for an adult class, my kids have gone to birthday parties there, and she does a project every other week at the Farmers Market that my boys have enjoyed doing.

I LOVE the colors she used here!!! Of course I had to plan a good outfit to match, and I think this LuLaRoe peacock top is perfect. This is the Randy style, which I have not tried until now. It's a great transitional piece which you could put layers over too. Paired with my favorite jeans as of late (Old Navy), and easy moccasins to slip on. 

Thanks to Bethany for gracing our town with these wings..... and I think she is doing wings at the Bright Walls fest too. I'll be sure to get a picture!

Stripes & Feathers

I've seen (and owned) a lot of peacock prints, but I don't think I have ever seen stripes and feathers mixed together. That's why when I ran across this sweater on sale a few weeks ago, I knew it would be a great piece to add to my closet. 

I love soft sweaters that you can just throw on and go! I sized up in a this a bit because I do not like clingy sweaters and I like to leave room for possible shrinkage if it has cotton in it. The stripe is a really dark navy - am I the only one who hates when I can't tell the difference between a dark navy and black?

Having a little more room, you can do a side tuck or layer a blouse under this. Loving it with dark jeans and brown flats! Linking everything below.

Embroidered Feathers Stripe Sweater : Talbots

High-Waisted Power Straight Jeans : Old Navy

Universal Thread Wenda Booties : Target



August Reads

I read my average 4 books for the month in August, so lets dive in to the details. This is a screen shot from my Goodreads account - do you use Goodreads or another app to track your reading?

 

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness, Susannah Cahalan

I found this book at a Free Little Library. Very similar to a book I read last year (This Is How I Save My Life), this is the true story of a young woman who started to have mysterious symptoms that no one could diagnose. Seizures, erratic behavior, loss of movement and speech..... but yet all tests came back negative of any answers. Susannah was lucky enough to finally get a doctor who was familiar with her case which turned out to be a rare brain infection. The unsettling thing is we will never know how many other people might have had this same infection, but were simply written off as "mental patients" when no answers could be found - no chance of recovery. I read books like this because as scary as they are, they interest me and I like to educate myself should something ever happen to me or my children. It further proves that you can't always trust the medical industry, and to always get a second (third, fourth, fifth) opinion if you feel something isn't right. I see this was made into a Netflix movie, which I would love to watch someday.

 

Before We Were Yours, Lisa Wingate

My friend Sarah gave me a pile of books, and I was excited to see this one in it. Based on true events, this is a heartbreaking story of predators who took advantage of less than fortunate families - saw opportunities to steal their children and "sell" them to rich families who wanted to adopt in the first half of the twentieth century. Rill Foss was the oldest of her siblings, tasked to watch them as her parents went to the hospital so that her mother could deliver twins. Soon after being taken, she realizes they will most likely never see their parents again. Then she has to watch as her siblings are adopted, having no idea where they went. As with many of these type of books, there are the family members in the present who search for the secrets of their Grandparents. Avery Stafford discovers her Grandma's secret - how she was able to track down her siblings later on in life and how they would get together once a year without their families knowing. If you want to learn more about what this story was based on, look up Georgia Tann and Tennessee Children's Home Society. These are hard reads and very eye opening.

 

The Most Beautiful: My Life With Prince, Mayte Garcia

I picked this book up on the $5.97 table at Meijer. I don't read a lot about celebrities, but a look inside Prince's life was too appealing to pass up. Mayte weaves the beautiful story of how she met Prince and how she first started working with him as a dancer and singer. Their love was true and real, even though they lived in the crazy world of entertainment. Their biggest heartbreak, which ended up tearing them apart rather than bringing them closer together, was the death of their newborn son. I was glad to see Mayte find happiness after their divorce with her adoptive daughter. It was interesting to learn that his death was just as much a mystery even to someone who was so close to him. This book made me want to watch Purple Rain and listen to Prince songs, so it was definitely enjoyable.

 

Where'd You Go Bernadette, Maria Semple

I borrowed this book from the library to read before seeing the movie that just came out. It was a bit hard to get into, but I enjoyed it overall. I really loved the Seattle backdrop, and could really relate to this time in Bernadette's life. Once a genius architect, she steps away from the scene and finds herself paralyzed by projects piling around her. Her sole focus is her daughter, although she's not the typical SAHM..... in fact the opposite, trying to avoid interaction with the other mothers as much as possible. Anxiety, being awkward socially, knowing you are not the same person to your partner - yep, all mid life stuff. I was able to see the movie this past Monday and I really liked it! Cate Blanchett did a fabulous job!

 

In other book to movie news, we saw "The Art of Racing in the Rain" this month too. My hubby and I read the book years ago. The movie was very enjoyable, even though it was a tear jerker.