30x30 under $30 remix

for a little while now, i have seen this little challenge floating around the blog world:
remixing 30 items of clothes for 30 days

at first i thought it was kind of funny and kind of impossible,
no way could i ever be that disciplined or that fashionable to pull that off!

but then i had this thought.

i still don’t think i’m fashionable at all, but i do think i’m really cheap when it comes to clothes shopping.
{and everything else for that matter}
and so i thought it might be fun to do the 30 for 30 challenge but then add in an extra element:
all outfits under $30!!

and although i’m horribly awkward at taking outfit pictures, i thought it would be a lot of fun to maybe share this challenge with all of you and share any tips that i have on dressing on a budget!

so what do you say?!
are you with me??

here we go:
my 30 items for the 30 day challenge

7 shirts

2 dresses
 3 blazers
  3 pants

4 sweaters
  4 skirts

3 tanks

4 shoes* 

and here are my rules:

1. each outfit that i wear/show will be $30 or less

2. i am not including undershirts because they are undershirts… and are just trying to help me be more modest :)

3. i reserve the right to wear different/warmer jackets/coats if the weather is colder and to not include it with my 30 items. warmth is important!

4. the little * by the shoes is because i also reserve the right to possibly wear other shoe choices.
cause let’s be real: shoes are accessories!!
you don’t really change up how you wear shoes like mixing and matching pairs.
no, no.
you just choose to wear certain ones that match the outfit like you choose certain jewelry to match.
so in my challenge, i gave myself lee-way with shoes and i don’t feel guilty about it
:)

which leads me to 5. accessories don’t count towards the 30 items or the $30 price
{though all my jewelry is really inexpensive so it would still be under $30 anyways}

and 6. i haven’t decided on how i’m going to post pictures yet. i may do it in a clump once a week instead of every day. but do know that i am sticking to it!!

 

i’m really excited about this!!
and i can’t wait to show you some of the outfits i have come up with
{some being way less than $30!}

let me know if you decide to do the challenge too!!
i’d love to see your outfits!

 

::p.s. i have actually been doing the 30x30[x30] challenge for the last few weeks, i just haven’t posted about it yet. i wanted to make sure i could actually keep up with it before i committed myself to a whole blogging world. and i’m proud to say i have! so all the pictures that i will be sharing were taken previously. just so you know :)

spruce up your gift wrapping: a guest post

Hello there lovely readers! I am Citlalli, and I am the over-caffeinated gal behind Sew Beastly. Sew Beastly is my creative business where I love to sew the day, and night away as I rock out to my music. It's a pleasure to meet you all, and I couldn't be more excited to be here today at sweet Megan's blog sharing this easy tip with you. Thanks for having me over Megan!

OK lovelies, so the holidays are approaching....that means lots of shopping, which only leads to lots of gift wrapping. I don't quite despite gift wrapping, and I try to make it a bit different and fun by experimenting with different types of wrapping material and wrapping techniques. No, I am not a champ at wrapping presents, but I have found that the simplest folds here and there on the wrapping material makes any wrapping job seem so much more unique and personalized. The tip I am sharing here today is quite simple, and it will give your wrapping job a little oomph...you don't need any special techniques or materials.
Ready? Here we go...

First, pick out your wrapping material.
*I like to use this technique with plain wrapping paper in order to keep the focus on the folds.*
I used both tissue paper, and re-purposed some packaging paper from a past delivery. {the brown paper used to fill empty spaces in packages during shipping} I went ahead and crunched it up even more to give it an extra wrinkled look.
Other great materials could be newspaper, comic strips, magazines...the possibilities are endless!!

Next...

Make even, parallel folds any width and direction you want.

Here is a look at how your paper should look once you get done with the folding part.
*Don't worry if your folds are not perfectly even, but feel free to measure where you need your folds if you need to*

Finally, wrap it up!

OK, now we are done with the wrapping part, but here are a couple more tips on how to spruce it up a bit more:
use some jute twine and wrap it around the gift both lengthwise and widthwise. Tie a pretty bow, and look at that.......Cute!

Also, if you have a sewing machine....

make some super cute tags by taking any piece of card stock and using your handy dandy sewing machine's decorative stitches. {great way to use those scraps of card stock you have lying around}

So there you have it friends, a few super easy ways to spruce up your holiday gift wrapping. These are all great ways to give your presents a more fun, personalized, and unique look.

I hope this has inspired you to use some of these tips this holiday season. I would love to hear about what you tried out, and how it turned out.

Wishing everyone awesome family time, rad gifts, and yummy food this holiday season!!

Thanks for having me over Megan! It's always a pleasure being at your lovely place!

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thank you so so much, Citlalli for your awesome tutorial!! i don't know about you guys but i SUCK at gift wrapping. so i was beyond excited when Citlalli offered to share her skills with wrapping paper. and isn't it so amazingly cute!?! i love it!!

thank you again!

now make sure you go and show here some love at her blog here.

Inspiration

this is one of my favorite hymns.

favorite line:
“As he died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,
While God is marching on!”

great message to live by!

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide

first of all,
WELCOME FOLLOWER FEST GUESTS!!!

i feel like i should introduce myself a little bit to any new readers
:)

my name is Megan Robinson and i am a wife, mommy, recent college graduate {boo-yah!}, Oreo connoisseur, #1 Arizona lover, and obsessor of all things sparkly!
I like to talk about everything from my sweet husband & chubby baby (toddler?) boy, to marriage, love and honest everyday struggles.

you can get to know me a little more here:

next,
Happy day-after-Thanksgiving!!!
i now can officially start decorating for Christmas
{which Adam is very happy about!}
and try to figure out Christmas presents!

this Christmas is kind of hard for us.
going over our finances we realized we have very little {if any} extra money for gifts.
so we have decided that we need to be very frugal & creative!

i pitched the idea to Adam that we should have a
homemade Christmas
by either making our own gifts
or {since i’m not that creative}
purchasing from small shops/businesses

so far, i think i have found some really wonderful, beautiful, & creative gift ideas for my family at reasonable prices!
but since i can’t share with you the gifts i got them, i can at least share with you some shops that i LOVE and highly recommend!!

 

Birds of Ashmae

{i want this print soooooooo bad!!!! *hint hint Adam*}
SHOP

 

From the Guest Room
 

{and she is giving away shop credit here!}
SHOP

 

Cinnamon Ink
 
 
{i cannot even begin to explain my love for this shop!}
The ENTIRE shop will be 30% OFF through Monday with coupon code "BLACKFRIDAY" at checkout.
SHOP

 

Sebastian Design 
 
{love love love}
Get a free pair of earrings shipped with any order all weekend! Just use code FREEEARRINGS at checkout!
SHOP

 

Just.Lovely.Things
 
 
{i’ve been wanting something of hers for FOREVER!!!! maybe this year??}
SHOP

 

After Nine to Five
 
 
{i love my locket!}
save 50% off on almost everything in the shop.
(excludes advertising, consulting, and blog design)
with coupon code BLACKFRIDAY.
SHOP

 

Sew Beastly
 
{dying over this!!}
use code THANKFUL to get free shipping on your beastly order!
SHOP

 

 Beck-A-Boo Crafts
 
 {can they make those in my size please??}
SHOP

 

Rhi's Designs
 
{why yes, my sister is talented, thank you very much!!}
FREE SHIPPING on all purchases for the next 25 days plus
use code BLKFRI to get a free gift with purchase!
SHOP

 

Hats N Such
 
{hilarious much??? and she makes children’s sizes!}
SHOP

 

Whimsical Poppysmic
 
{beautiful!!}
SHOP

 

Blue Eyed Owl
 
 
{please send me the whole shop. kthanks!!}
SHOP

 

Marigold Road
 
{yes please!! i just really really love headbands this year!!}
SHOP

 

Feed Your Soul Art
  
{wouldn’t this be beautiful for a nursery???}
SHOP

 

T.J. Lundin & Co.

{gorgeous!!! i love the color!}
SHOP

there are sooooooooo many more things that i love but i figured i had to limit myself in this post.

what are some things that you love this year?
do you have some wonderful & frugal gift ideas {especially for men}??
do you have a shop/small business or know of a shop/small business that you just love?
tell me about it in the comments!

 

and don’t forget!
last day to enter From the Guest Room giveaway!!

 

 

**DISCLAIMER: i was not asked to feature these shops and products. i made this list just so share my own personal love for these items. and i hope you love them too!

gratitude & love

[Holli & Jacob’s wedding, August 2011] 

i cannot fully express the gratitude that is in my heart for these two sweet boys.
today, as i reflect on all my blessings, these two are at the very top.

there is no way i would be where i am without Adam.
he is my #1 fan & biggest supporter.
it’s because of him that i graduated in the degree that i love,
that i graduated on time,
and that i pursued my biggest dreams.

i thought the day that i kneeled across the alter and covenanted to be his wife was the happiest day of my life.
but i was wrong.
today is the happiest day of my life.
not because we are doing something spectacular,
{though i love Thanksgiving feasts!}
but because we are together.
we have a life together, a home together, & our precious son together.
today & every day i’m with him is the happiest day because of what we have done and what we will do
together!

and on the day that we became man & wife, i couldn’t imagine being able to love him more than i did that day.
and i even thought that adding another family member would make my love spread too thin.
and then Elijah was born
and my love for Adam and Elijah has grown tenfold.

-----------------------------------

being a mother is honestly a lot harder than i expected
yet it is also far more rewarding than i could have ever imagined!

Elijah has made it all completely worth it.
to see him learn & grow makes my heart full.
even after he slaps me in the face & breaks my brand new necklace,
one look into his big, brown eyes with his long, curly eyelashes has me melting all over again.

i live for his kisses.
i long for his cuddles.
to see him so happy & excited to see me in the mornings, even if the day before was rough, gives me hope.

there’s times where my love physically hurts.
it is unbearable to think of losing him,
either to accidents, sickness, or even just natural growing up and moving away.
but i know that no matter what
i am always, ALWAYS his mother!!
no matter what happens.
& it brings me peace.

 

i am so grateful for these two in my life!
i love them more than anything & i cannot imagine life without them

on this Thanksgiving day, i am reminded of all of my many blessings that the Lord has seen fit to bestow upon me.
especially the blessing of my little family.

on this beautiful day,
i wish you and your families a wonderful and happy
Thanksgiving!

guest post: The Momma Bird

Hello Mrs. Robinson readers! I'm Michelle and I write over at The Momma Bird. I like to write about life, parenting, being a military spouse, educational tips, and of course my faith in God. I also have a fun little vlog that I started up recently to lighten the mood. I was so excited when Megan has the opportunity for guest blogging because I'm a huge fan, and I'm sure you are too! Anyway, I'm so very glad to be here - thank you Megan!!!

As many of you know, Megan has been writing for the Stronger Marriage Blog and I thought this would be a great time to touch base on how being in the military has effected our marriage and how we strive to keep it strong.

Having my husband in the military has taught us SO much about what it means to really be "in it" for the long haul. We have experienced 2 deployments, both times being I was pregnant. I have spent countless nights alone while he was gone on TDY's. I can't count the number of times we get an evening phone call and he has to go into work right then. Oh and did I mention that I'm not even allowed to GO into his work.

Last year, 3 months after I just had our 2nd son, we moved from West Texas to England. We moved from a place I considered "home", where our babies were born, where some of my closest friends lived, the job I loved; to a place across the pond. Neither of us had ever been to England but we knew it was where God wanted us to be.

Our marriage was tested countless times.
- moving to ENGLAND with an 18 month old & 3 month old
- living in a 1 bedroom apartment for over a month waiting for a house to become available
- adjusting to life in a different country with NO friends and NO family
- learning to live on just 1 income instead of 2 with an extra mouth to feed
- trying to figure out our place in our new jobs (jesse with a new team & focus, me being a SAHM)

But time and time again we always come out stronger. We may not be perfect. We have our fights. We get on each others nerves.

BUT

We always kiss:
-goodnight
-when we leave the house
-when we get home
-when we think of it

We always say i love you:
-before bed
-when we leave the house
-when we hang up the phone
-when we think of it

We try our best not to go to bed angry
We try out best to still do the little things

Most of all:
We know that no matter what, God is holding us together - always & forever.

Megan, thank you again - so very much - for having me!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i am so grateful to Michelle for sharing such great marriage tips for all of us! when i saw her post, i got SO excited that she chose to talk on this subject.
{i guess i just totally geek-out on marriage topics, haha!}
her advice is some that we all need to keep in mind, especially myself!
i can't imagine how hard it must be to have her husband in the military. she truly is a courageous and blessed woman to be able to stay so positive and strong!

thank YOU, Michelle, for sharing your story with us!!
we loved it!

my heart is full

i was going to write something today
but i got distracted by this little face
and i just can’t take my eyes off him!

i love this little boy more than i ever thought possible!
after all the screaming, hitting, crying, and sleepless nights, i just grow to love him more and more

my heart is so full of love & gratitude for the opportunity to raise such a sweet child of God.

seriously.
how cute is he!?!

pumpkin cream pie

i figured since it was Thanksgiving this week,
{this week!!!!!}
i would share my favorite pumpkin pie recipe

now, i have never been a huge fan of pumpkin pie unless it was completely covered in whip cream.
i mean, i would of course eat it still, but just not my favorite

SO, last year when i decided i wanted to cook my very first Thanksgiving from scratch, i decided i should probably find a good and easy pumpkin pie recipe that i actually enjoyed.

lo and behold, this is it!
and of course it’s a Martha Stewart recipe because she is amazing.

Pumpkin Cream Pie

Ingredients

• 1 Pillsbury pie crust (or other premade crust. or you can make your own but i was too afraid to try)
• 1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin puree
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for serving
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin (from a 1/4-ounce envelope)*
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

*The gelatin part might sound weird, but it helps the homemade whip cream keep its shape. You can’t taste it so no worries!

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Press a sheet of aluminum foil onto crust, draping over rim of pie plate. Bake until edge of crust is firm, about 20 minutes. Remove foil; let crust cool completely, and set aside.
2. Reduce heat to 350 degrees. Make filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, pie spice, vanilla, and salt; whisk in cream. Pour mixture into cooled crust; place pie plate on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until filling is set, about 1 hour. Let cool on a wire rack, 1 hour; refrigerate to cool completely, about 2 hours.
3. Make topping: Place 3 tablespoons cold water in a small saucepan; sprinkle with gelatin, and let soften, about 5 minutes. Place pan over very low heat; stir until gelatin dissolves. Let cool slightly. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream and sugar until very soft peaks form. While beating, slowly add gelatin mixture; continue to beat until soft peaks form.
4. With a rubber spatula, mound topping in center of chilled pie. Refrigerate at least 1 hour more (or up to 1 day). Sprinkle with more cinnamon before serving.

ENJOY!

OH! and i also made…. Potted Pumpkin Pies for a take home gift

i also found this really cute idea for a party favor here and had to try it! I used the recipe from above but then just put it in little mason jars for people to take with them.
(note: i didn’t add crust just the pie filling)
it was a hit!

you can find the directions here to make your own!

guest post: From the Guest Room + giveaway

i am so excited to have Kate guest posting on my blog today! i totally fell in love with her cute blog and shop recently and think everyone should take a minute {or two or three!} to go check it out! you won’t be sorry :)
and now here’s Kate!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Hello! I'm Kate and I write the blog From The Guest Room. I'm just thrilled to guest post for Megan today!

So, let me start by telling you a bit about me, my blog and my shop! I am married to Dustin, who I believe to be the coolest guy on earth. You can read our long drawn out love story here, it makes me laugh every time I read it and remember those days! We are adventurers by nature who found each other while venturing in Australia back in 2006. We spent three years in Colorado and now just recently moved to Nashville, Tennessee to further pursue our dreams!

Blogging all sprang into motion less then a year ago when God reminded me that I have a voice to speak into this world and into culture, to change how we look at ourselves for the better. So much of what I have learned in life comes from the 'guests' in my life and so naturally I am drawn to write about the people I meet; their lives, their careers and their social response to their sphere of influence. I also write about my life and my loves: craft & creativity, food, faith, fashion and social change. I'd love if you came for a visit and said hello!

What used to be a way that Dustin and I would fund-raise for our travels has now become my own little shop! My husband, yes you heard right, taught me how to crochet shortly after we got married and since then, I've been addicted. I love putting in a movie and curling up on the couch with some quality yarn and a crochet hook and craft away.
I just opened my shop last month and today, I am excited to give away a
$20 gift card to The Guest Room Closet.

That's not all, I'm also giving 15% off on any orders placed from now til Thanksgiving.
Simply use this code: Robinson15

Here's how to enter (Leave a comment for each!):
1. Visit The Guest Room Closet and leave a comment below including your favorite piece!
For extra entries:
2. Follow From the Guest Room blog HERE
3. Like From the Guest Room on FB HERE
4. Follow From the Guest Room on Twitter HERE
5. Follow And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson blog
6. Like Mrs. Robinson on FB HERE

Good luck! ♥, mK

-

Thanksgiving Inspiration

 

quirky

Elijah is a pretty quirky kid!
it is a lot of fun to see his little personality shining through more and more each day.

here is just a small list of his latest oddities:

1. he has to flip the light switch on & off before we leave his room.
he also will make sure i turn the humidifier off before i even get him out of bed. 
or he will whine & cry.

2. he loves to brush my hair.

3. he loves any kind of “dip” with his food.

4. both side lamps need to be on at a time.
or he will whine & cry. 

5. he has very specific seating requirements when he drinks his morning bottle.

5. he doesn’t like long sleeves and needs his jacket taken off right away when we get home.

6. we have to go outside right away after we put his shoes on.
or he will whine & cry. 

7. he really likes a clean & orderly house.
and after making a big mess, he will go around and make sure i pick everything up right.

8. he can spot balloons & suckers miles away!!
seriously. causes tantrums at the story every time.

9. he will only eat the berries of Cap’n Crunch Berries.

10. he likes his little Vtech bike to sing in Spanish rather than English.
and will whine until we change it. 

 

we love that crazy kid!!!
he definitely makes life interesting.
every day there is something different that he picks up.

so far, i feel like this is my favorite part of being a mom:
watching him learn new things.
it really just makes me beam with pride when i see him start to fold his arms for prayer
or discover how magical the rocking chair is.

i just can’t get enough of him!!
♥

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the winner of the Memories Suite giveaway is….

# 10: Amy!!
CONGRATULATIONS!
i will be emailing your shortly
:)