the best 18 dollars i've ever spent.

i'm hoping this title perked your attention. (it may be a slight exaggeration, but still...)

i recently spent the day with my mom and quickly noticed her purse. "that's so cute!" i said, "where's it from?" to my delight, she replied, "wal mart." i gotta tell you, this is not what i expected her to say. (it looked like it was from a boutique or department store).

her purse was adorable, just the right size, and had a silk scarf tied around it. she told me she just picked it up a few weeks ago, so we made a mad dash to the nearest wal mart and picked one up for yours truly! 

the purse is actually called "the umbrella tote" if you happen to look for it at the wal mart nearest you. (it comes with a free umbrella attached! bonus!) and, in case you haven't guessed yet, it was priced just right at $18.00.   

here are a few reasons why i love it...

one---> the material is "wipeable."

two---> you can change out the scarves depending on your outfit or your mood.

three---> it stands up on it's own. (no one likes a floppy purse.)

four---> it has organizational compartments inside.

five--->it's not too big, not too small.

i'm a huge scarf fan (most of them are thrifted!) i am having so much fun switching out the scarves.
here are three different ways to tie them depending on the length:

sidenote: my mom actually bought me this purse for my birthday. but the title "the best 18 dollars my mom ever spent" sounded cheesy.

let me know if you head out to wal mart and search for this treasure! :) 

what do you stand for?

they say we stand for nothing

and there's no way we ever could.

-john mayer

{source}

{i want to be known by what i'm "for" rather than what i'm against. to spend my life recognizing and calling forth beauty, possibility & hope.}

this idea has been burning on my heart for the past week or so.

so many people spend their time & channel their energy in protest.

fighting for what they don't like or don't want to happen.

it pains me so much in and out of the religious world that so many people are known for what they hate, don't agree with and will spend their time, energy & lives fighting against.

---> but what is it that excites us, stirs us, brings us joy & delight?

i read once that it's best when working with children to tell them to do something instead of always no, and stop and don't do that.

{source}

i don't want to spend my life standing against, but i want to align myself with movement, possibility and hope. by standing for something, i will consequently fight {against} injustice. not the other way around. 

i want my DO and love and desire list to be longer than my NO and hate and never list.

to live is to choose. but to choose well you must know who you are, and what you stand for, 

where you want to go and why you want to go there.

-kofi annan

links to love.

absolutely love this art journal page. i'm having so much fun with my own!

make a vest out of a scarf. perfect. 

ok. now this rice krispie treat recipe i HAVE to try.

one of my favorite parts about fall. i have to admit, this summer has almost been too hot for me!

i love it when she makes lists of awesome DIY's.

she has so much wisdom. {and a heart of gold}. 

don't know if i'd take the time to do it, but it's really pretty.

ahh!!! i am SO excited to join in on this thrifty love exchange.

forty smoothie recipes in one place! awesome. {think i'm going to try OJ + peach +banana}.

one of my new favorite blogs.

loving lately: lipsticks.

as much as i love shopping for make up, it can be quite overwhelming. {so many promises, colors, formulas, shapes, applicators, etc.} but when i find a product i really love, naturally, i want to share it! {to save others time, energy, money, frustration, etc.} i recently picked up these three new lipsticks {based on recommendations from fellow bloggers and friends} and i love them all!

revlon just bitten kissable balm stain in lovesick. purchase here. 

i was a little skeptical of this product claiming to be a "balm" and a "stain" at the same time. but honestly, it's so true. the color lasts so long (like a stain) but glides on, leaving your lips soft and moisturized (like a balm). and this color, lovesick, is the perfect pop of pink!

wet and wild mega last lip color in purty persimmon. purchase here. 

i read this review about the wet and wild mega last lip colors and decided to try this one out. i didn't own an orangey red, so at $1.99, this was the perfect time to try this new shade! i wore this lipstick today for the first time and it lasted all afternoon. it's got the prettiest hint of orange without being too bold.

elf studio matte lip color in nearly nude. purchase here.

i asked on twitter for nude lipstick recommendations and my friend courtney told me about elf's matte nude lip color. i have been wearing so many bright lipsticks this summer that applying this nude color was shockingly light. but it's the perfect paired with a dark smoky eye. so worth the $3.00!

do you have any favorite {budget friendly} lip colors to share? 

 

thrifting haul {with video}.

i checked out the Goodwill around the corner from our new home here in Connecticut this week. wow! talk about thrifting heaven! they had such a huge selection that even after an hour, i still had more to explore. i'm sure i'll be back {very soon}. here are some of the treasures i found...enjoy!

if you missed my first video (a headscarf tutorial), you can check it out here.