Outfit Of The Week......Week 1

In our house, we LOVE Jeff and Jer of STAR 96.5; we listen to them religiously and look forward to their humor and optimistic view of the world.  We love their side-kicks too....Laura, Randy and Little Tommy.  One of the things we always look foward to is Laura's $72.00 outfit of the week. 

However, recently "P", "B" and I were talking about how $72.00 isn't really a practical amount to spend for anybody who doesn't have a career....like high school and college students.  So, we decided to do something fun for this last month of summer....get ready for it.....

We decided we could put together a cute outfit for $25.00 a week.  Yes, it's true - we're sure we can do it.  So, for the next four weeks every Friday, we're going to post our own $25.00 outfit of the week.  We'll tell you exactly how much we spend; even if we go over our allotted $25.00, we'll swallow our pride and tell the gospel truth. And if we happen to have accessories from home, we'll tell that too....

Sound legit??  Okay....

"P" is going to be our first model. 

Okay, this cute summer dress came from Forever 21.  If you don't already know, they're having a killer sale right now - buy one get one free.  This dress was $10.00.  (We also got a skirt that technically was free.  You might be seeing that one of these days.)  See the adorable black shoes - well, they were on sale at a little specialty shop for....$2.00!!!!!  Yes, it's true.  They add the perfect "sass" to this outfit....and almost every other outfit I can think of.  I'm a fan of these shoes.

Here's a close up of them so you can see how truly fun they are. 
Okay, she already had the black belt - but if she didn't, I saw one just like it recently for $5.00 at Forever 21.  The necklace she borrowed from yours truly (what are mother's for) and she had the earrings as well.  If you don't already have earrings to go with it, Forever 21 sells fabulous earrings for around $4.50-$5.00. 

The grand purchase price of this outfit was $12.00!!! Whoot, whoot....but even if you bought a new belt and earrings and added them into the price you're still at $22.00.  Yay!  I love a great bargain...but remember: it's only a bargain if it doesn't look like a bargain!!

That's it for this week, love cats.  Have a nice, cool weekend!!

Slacker, slacker, slacker

Well, what can I say....I'm not going to get into the million excuses I have for being such a "blog slacker", but I am going to swear that I will turn over a new leaf!  That's right - you heard it here first.  Before I go any farther, I have to give a shout out about some of the amazing milestones that have taken place in our Hall-A-Mania world. 

First of all, HIP HIP HOORAY for "P"!  She is offically a high school graduate. It was a wonderful day filled with happiness - a day that she will remember forever.  After graduation, we had a few friends come back to the house for her favorite foods....very fun.....and then she headed out with "D" and friends for a fun-filled evening.  I'm excited for this new chapter in her life: college, roommates - all good things, and at the same time, I realize how much I'm going to miss her!!

Another great Hall moment came at the Hall Family Reunion, when "S" told us that he and "E" are expecting an "itty bitty".  Yippee....let the spoiling begin!!!! 

Everyone in the house is determined to be this baby's "favorite", so bring it on!!!! Come early 2013, we'll be welcoming a new little Hall to the gang.  Get ready for endless posts and pictures....I'm warning you now, so don't be surprised. 

Other summer fun: Stake Girl's Camp with "B"; an afternoon of waterskiing and evening ball game with good friends and Miss "B"; lots of fun family time. 

Swim Fan.....and my picture of the day....

I have to admit that I never fully appreciated swimming. Maybe because my idea of swimming has always included me flailing around in the water, but after attending numerous swim meets this year I have decided there is a real grace and art to swimming. I LOVE watching truly talented swimmers as they take their mark and at the appointed time, launch themselves into the air - back arched, toes pointed...without intending to sound overly dramatic, it's really breathtaking. Today as I sat in the burning hot sun, I couldn't even make myself move to a spot in the shade because I'd lose my prime spot and the opportunity to see these gifted kids glide at record speed as though they were on top of the water.


I was very proud of my little "B"; both her relay teams took first and the one particular event that she was DREADING completing in and was sure she was the worst person in the whole, entire world to participate in this race...she individually took 3rd. She was neck and neck with the 2nd place swimmer until the bitter end. Way to go, my little polly wog!

I know swimming takes an extraordinary amount of effort and some of the team members (who shall remain nameless) will be thrilled when the season is over, but I for one am loving it! By the way, my picture of the day is this lady who has to be close to my age and is still proclaiming her love for Edward Cullen via umbrella. :) Gotta love it!

Water Polo Comes To An End For This Year.....

Just Around The Corner.....

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

One More Birthday....The Perfect Way To Welcome Spring

We are down to our last March birthday; as it happens, she was born on the first day of spring which is so appropriate because she is and always has been a breath of fresh air. She has a way of always looking at the bright side of things and always giving people the benefit of the doubt. As stunning as she is to look at on the outside, her inside is even more beautiful. She thinks of others much more frequently than she ever thinks of herself. She is wiser than her years - and we're excited for her as she begins this new chapter of adulthood and begins to spread her wings and fly. I'm grateful to have played a small role in her life; she has taught me many more things than I have ever taught her and I find myself wondering what I will do without hearing her happy voice and seeing the glimmer in her eyes every day. When I close my eyes, I will always see you in the largest dress up hat and most sparkly dress you could find, dancing and singing your heart out and twirling around the living room. Here's to you, my adorable "P"...your future is brighter than the stars and I am so excited for you. Never forget that you are loved and adored. Happy, happy 18th birthday!!!!

Christmas Lights Always Lift My Spirits.....

I'm taking a fun little class on Thursday nights - thank you, Amy at Memory Mixer. This week we worked on putting together a page of multiple pictures; I thought of the great trip we took in December to Temple Square when we were in Utah. It's a little crazy that I'm doing Christmas pictures while I'm sitting in sunny Southern CA in 80 degree weather with my front door open. But it was such a fun evening walking from "S and E's" place down the street and even though it was bitter cold outside (yes, I've gone wimpy), it was one of my favorite memories of that trip. I love the look of all the Christmas lights in the background. But then, I'm a sucker for Christmas lights. Happy Spring, love cats. :)