3 Ways to Style a T-Shirt Dress

Because I needed a reason to wear real clothes, I decided to do a style session with this Target t-shirt dress. It's actually on sale today for $10.50 so with so many versatile ways to wear it, it definitely pays for itself. It comes in several other colors also. 

The first way I styled it is with a pair of statement earrings and my favorite Grayson button up tied in a knot over the dress. I added some block heels for a dressier work option, but I could totally see myself pairing it with a pair of flats too for a more casual look. 

For the next look I swapped out the earrings and added a denim vest. I've owned this vest for several years and I love being able to pair it with so much to add some texture. I slipped on a pair of sandals to complete the outfit. 

For the third look I added some Nickel & Suede earrings and tied a chambray button-up around my waist. I wore some sneakers for a super causal look. 

I can think of so many other ways to wear this dress so I am happy I bought it. I love pieces that I can wear multiple ways. What's your favorite way to style a t-shirt dress? 

Which of these three styles is your favorite?

One Month of Quarantine: What I've Learned

Yesterday marked one month of self-isolation and quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  My kids have been out of school, my husband has been working from home (I was too, before being furloughed), and Noah and I have only been out of the house for quick essential trips to the store.

During this time, this is what I've learned:

1. I've never spent so much money on groceries in my life. With 6 people in the house it is impossible to make groceries last more than a week.

2. Thank goodness for sunshine. I'm thankful we can spend some of our time outdoors. The sunshine is an instant mood booster and going for walks is a great way to get us moving. I try to get all of us out at least twice a day.

3. Kids are troopers. Through this time I don't think we have given our kids enough credit. They have had their little lives turned upside down too. Their usual structure of school and relationships has been thrown out and they have had to adjust to so much change in a short amount of time. They miss school and they miss playing with their friends. I am proud of the way my children have been handling the whole situation.

4. Americans are some creative problem-solvers. We have faced all kinds of unique challenges through this time. Hospitals are in need of PPE, Teachers are teaching from a distance, businesses are closed, etc. I have loved seeing all the stories of how everyone has found creative ways to solve all the challenges. People are sewing masks, restaurants are thinking outside of the box to serve their customers, we are using technology to help kids continue their learning and more.

5. I am over doing dishes and laundry. Anyone else?

6. I'm content with less. As a family, we used to find ourselves at Target every weekend almost. You know what happens at Target. You go in for one thing and come out spending way more. This whole situation has shown me how bad our spending habits were.

7. Self-care is so important. Spending 24/7 with your family is great and all, but it can be a lot. I have been getting up before my kids to get some alone time and it makes such a difference. During the week I use that time to get a work out in. On the weekend, I just sit with a cup of coffee and enjoy it while its still hot. Just 30 minutes is great for your mental health.

8. It is okay to give yourself a little grace. The days are long and we have so much on our plate. Whether it be the emotional burden or all the extra tasks we are adding on, it can be tough. Perfection is an illusion and it's okay to not do it all. We are all doing the best that we can.

9. It is alright to grieve. I have been on a roller coaster of emotions. I have tried to put on a brave face for my family, but some days are harder than others. I've learned that it's okay to just have a crappy day. It's okay to grieve the things that have been taken from us due to the pandemic.

10. During this time, I remain grateful. I am grateful the virus has not reached my close friends/ family members. I am grateful Noah and I still have jobs. I am grateful for the best support system anyone could ask for. The list goes on and on. This pandemic has been a great reminder that we still have so much to be grateful for.

We will all get through this. We just have to keep the faith, be kind to ourselves and others, and STAY HOME.

Quarantine and Chill: What to Watch During Corona Quarantine

Since we are self-isolating and spending more time at home, I thought I would share some of my picks for shows/movies to watch. 

On Netflix, you have to check out Tiger King. I promise you have never seen anything like it. Just when you think it's nuts, it gets even more outrageous. Another series/show to watch is Ozark. Season 3 was just released and Noah has been binging it. This is one series I need to catch up on and now that quarantine has been extended to May 30th I think I can manage it!  If you are into something more light-hearted and in the romance department, I would check out Love is Blind. It is a dating show that tests the concept of falling in love and getting engaged without ever seeing one another. 

If you have HBO, checkout Westworld. Season 3 premiered earlier this month. If you like Sci-Fi or AI, this show is right up your alley. It's one of those series that has you asking a million questions but it's really good! 

Interested in a kid-friendly movie? I took the kids (minus Mia) to see Disney's Onward when it was in the movie theatres. I didn't go into it expecting to like it that much, but it was a super cute and heart-warming movie. Because of this craziness with the corona virus, Disney + is releasing this movie early! 

One show that I cannot wait to come back is Killing Eve. I love a strong female cast and this show is so good for so many reasons. I love the love and hate relationship between the two characters and if you love crime or thriller type shows, you have to check it out! You have time to binge the first three seasons in preparation for the release of Season 4. 

I love a good show to binge or discovering a new movie. I stumbled across the movie "Yesterday" over the weekend and I really liked it. It wouldn't be a movie I'd necessary pay to watch, but it was a cute little love story with awesome Beatles music. It made me laugh too. 

My guilty pleasure shows are singing shows. I love American Idol, The Voice and Songland. If you like a feel-good makeover show, then I encourage you check out QueerEye. I love the Fab Five! 

Other great series/movies I've loved: 

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Stranger Things 

Dark

Game of Thrones

The Affair 

Outlander

Parenthood (so good!)

Curb Your Enthusiasm

The Outsider

Succession

Big Little Lies

Sharp Objects

True Detective 

What shows/movies are you guys watching?? I'd love to know! Drop some recommendations in the comments!!

My View From Home

Three weeks ago, I was starting a new job. It was my first week in the office. It also happened to be the week when everything turned upside down because of Covid-19. For weeks prior, the virus was some foreign issue most people were not paying much attention to and now it suddenly became very real.

Three weeks ago I was feeling so excited for a fresh start and I was starting to feel settled in Charlotte, but alot has happened. Self-isolation/quarantine is being extended, schools are cancelled, businesses are closed, people are dying and the impact of it all is heavy.

As each week passes I feel a little more anxious. I have been fortunate to still have a job and the ability to work from home, however that could change tomorrow. My company has been doing it's very best to protect our jobs, but business is tough so I feel like the rug could be ripped from beneath me at any point. We recently received some discouraging news with Noah's job too.

This quarantine is not a vacation. It is affecting the lives of so many. I know our family is feeling it. Like others, we are worried about the bills to pay and our 4 beautiful kids to protect. I think about the people on the front lines of this pandemic and they are risking their lives so they can try to get a handle on this. These are unprecedented and scary times.

I also feel frustrated. Frustrated at those who aren't taking this serious. The more people ignore the advice from medical professionals to adhere to self-isolating, the worse this situation will be.

There is so much we cannot control at this time. That is a very hard thing for anyone that suffers from anxiety. I try to put on a brave face and I've been doing my very best to keep my stress from showing to my kids. We are spending some great quality time together as a family, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't also terrified. I know we aren't the only families that live paycheck to paycheck. So we feel the effects immediately if one of those paychecks doesn't come. I don't share that because I am looking for help or seeking pity. I am just sharing a real concern of ours. I am also worried that every trip Noah and I make to the grocery store is adding more risk to our health and the health of our babies.

On a more positive note, our family is choosing how we respond to this situation as best we can. We choose to do our part in flattening the curve by staying home.  We choose to be kind to the grocers that are working hard to stock the shelves with the essentials to get us through this. We choose to support others when we can. We have been watching our spending because of the job situation but when we do eat out, we are picking places local to us to order from. We are choosing to not be too hard on ourselves when trying to homeschool. We are choosing to make the best of this isolation and getting outdoors as much as possible and staying connected with friends and family virtually.

Here are some photos from this weekend. The weather was so nice and warm enough to break out our mini pool. We took advantage of both Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the sunshine and splash around.

I am praying so hard for everyone. I pray that this will all be behind us soon and we can resume our lives. It definitely puts into perspective what we have taken for granted. I do miss strolling down the Target aisles, but I am very grateful that my family and friends are staying safe and are healthy. We will get through this!