Falling into Routines

Oh thank goodness, Fall is nearly here again!

My fellow Atlantans know that we have been plagued with a seriously wet summer. Usually by this time of the year, we are all desperate for cooler temperatures. This year, though, we are all just ready for some sunshine! It has rained here more already this year than our usual entire yearly average. I am pretty sure the entire city is Vitamin D deprived right now. We aren't even totally sick of the heat yet either, since the rain has kept things here pretty low-temp (knock on wood). While I am definitely ready for the cooler weather ahead, I will take some sunshine alone for a bit right now.

But of course, I hope that cooler temps are still right around the corner! There's nothing worse than hot, humid days in October!

Source: Pinterest

I can thank the season change for us starting back with serious meal planning this past weekend. Fall means back to school for the hubs, so evenings will be quiet at the homestead a few nights per week. If I don't have a menu planned for myself to cook solo, that can mean takeout orders and frequent grocery store stops. Now that we are back in regular, post-wedding, school season life mode, we are hoping to cut back on our food spending. A quick synopsis of the budgets revealed that we have been buying double the amount we normally would at the store … but somehow also eating out double as well. It doesn't take a genius (thankfully, since I am no math whiz) to realize some seriously wasted funds. Even just a few small changes can help us out here.

Polenta with Roasted Vegetables and Fontina; Source: Pinterest / Williams Sonoma

So we set a weekly budget for food at the store, as well as a weekly budget for eating out. Our "eating out" budget includes expensive lunches, too – another common side effect of not meal planning. My lunch in-town, for example, can easily be $12 if I opt for my fav Pad Thai. Ridiculous!

We are  … three (ha) days into our budget, and so far, so good. I haven't bought anything outside the budget yet, and we have a TON of food at home ready to take to work, with supplies for more meals this week. We made already BBQ in the slow cooker, and WW soup on the stove. It feels good knowing I can go home tonight and already have a dinner there waiting for me.

Even though pizza sounds divine tonight, too. That's just my hunger talking, I guess ;)

What is your Fall routine or ritual? My next step is to inch back into regular work-outs before any "winter weight" has a chance to start hanging around. With these low-humidity late summer days we are having, evening walks are my new fav!

Decorating Wish Lists

Why is it that just when you finish a home decor project, you start to get the itch to do another one?

I absolutely love the new look of our condo with the updated paint job. I sit here in the evenings and on the weekends, just looking around and thinking about how peaceful and "together" it all seems now. The grayish blue of the living room is my favorite, a dark and stormy color that lets the blacks and whites and other colors in here pop against it.

Love the late summer evening sun in the living room :)

Of course, though, now my mind also then immediately goes to the other projects I want to work on in here. I am trying to focus on one thing at a time, because that way I can save some money for just one thing rather than get overwhelmed at how much all of this will cost all together :) Here is my current priority list.

1) Area rugs -- we have gorgeous hardwood floors in here that I love. They are a pretty amber brown, and when I actually Swiffer them, they shine in the light from the windows. But to tie the new paint job up with a bow, I need some area rugs to really "finish" the dining room and living room looks. The rugs will also benefit our neighbor downstairs since the wood + concrete echoes all noise something fierce. Here are the main rug I am looking at (and awaiting a sale for!). I can't wait to add to our living room!

Image via Home Decorators Collection

I had a choice for our dining room but am wavering on it now because I think the colors and pattern might be too much when placed right next to the yellow grid one. The two rugs will need to complement each other. Here is one option from Rugs USA that comes in a 6-foot round that I think might look awesome:

Image via Rugs USA

What do you think of those two, combined with the moody grays and blues I have going on in the condo?

2) Window treatments -- we have these gorgeous 10 foot ceilings in here complete with massive bay windows in the master bedroom and the living room. The only thing I have always absolutely hated about this condo are the vertical blinds that came standard on all of the windows and the sliding patio door. They are the bane of my existence. I have to turn them this way, or that, or open or close them completely at least two to three times per day.

I really, really want some motorized shades that I can control at the flick of a button to help block out the late evening sun and any nosy neighbor eyes from other nearby buildings. Ideally, they'd be see-through enough to let in the city lights at night (one of the reasons I bought in a high rise!), or have a bottom-up feature so that the skyline is visible but not down below.

Source: Uploaded by user via World on Pinterest

The shades are the biggie, but then once those are in, I'd like to add some drapes or a box valance at the top to help highlight the height of the room.

Source: decorchick.com via Katherine on Pinterest

3) TV -- ok this isn't really a decor thing, but we need a new TV. I was a little sad to have to watch this past two weeks' worth of Olympic events on this massive boxy TV rather than a sleek flat panel. A new TV would also take up less room if we can attach it to the wall on a hinge, freeing up the corner where it currently sits for a smaller, cuter accessory to hold the TiVo and cable boxes.

 

What are the priorities on your Decor To-List right now?

  

How I Budget and Why It May Surprise You

Guess what? I write a blog about being on a budget ... but I don't actually keep a hard and fast "budget" at all.

Persona ruined? I think (and hope) not.

How do I do it? It's not by making big bucks, mind you (ha!). I have just tried to match my lifestyle with my income, roughly estimating when I need to save and when I can spend. Today, I wanted to talk a little about that, since I know so many of you come over here to learn more about "living on a budget." That can mean a lot of different things, so I wanted to share a peek into how I have been doing things in my world. It's been working for me so far, though I have aspirations to change things up a bit soon.

It started in high school, where, as a allowance-less gal, I was challenged by my parents to go out and get jobs to support all of the mall trips, movies and silly outings we planned with friends. I was lucky enough to pick up a swim coaching job that lasted me each summer through my high school graduation. I stocked that once-yearly income away into savings, kept up the money flow throughout the year with babysitting, and managed to get by just fine. I didn't make a ton, but it was enough. By early summer, when my funds were running low from the previous summer, I took up extra swim lessons and all-day babysitting jobs to make up for things.

Did I ever tell you how I lived at home for 15 months when I first graduated college? What is seen today as a totally normal progression given the horrible job market for graduates, the move home then was something not as common. I lived with my (super cool - thanks, guys) parents in the 'burbs while I juggled a long commute downtown and long hours with a social life I didn't want to let die. I was a pro at changing into workout gear on the fly (yes, I may or may not have changed in the car a few times!) and crashing at a friend's on a Friday night when the party went too late. But what was tough on my social life then came back as a big bonus in the end -- I was able to save for and buy my condo completely on my own and take that leap into the next phase of my life as an adult while being able to splurge on things I desired in the meantime, too. 

Source: bitly.com via patience on Pinterest

As an adult, I have tried to keep the mantra going. It's always been and always will be a delicate balancing act of income vs. expenses. I have always felt, though, that if you can manage those dollars that come in, however many they are, you have the choice of how to spend them.

I may not keep a budget as defined by most financial brains, but with the wedding fast approaching (4/13/13!), money has been top on our minds. We coupon and sale-shop, save a lot and are trying to spend less. Some months I cut out mani/pedis and impulse shopping. Other months, I realize I have some extra cash that could buy that new pair of heels. I try to spend roughly around the same amount at the grocery store each week, and know what clothes are within reason to purchase and which are not. We eat at home most nights and I try to bring my lunch to work at least four times per week. Most recently, I set up an extra savings fund that I won't touch until the honeymoon (a big step, hooray!). And those Chais I crave? I have long since recognized that most often what I need with those is a break from the day and a treat for my soul, so I indulge when needed :)

So that's that! I don't "budget," but I am actively aware of my expenses and savings. We have goals to increase our savings month over month as we head towards and start our new married life together, and in the meantime, we are ticking away at the mortgage and enjoying life. Right now? It works. Down the road? I'd like to become even more aware and more savvy. It helps that I am marrying a financial analyst who loves this stuff ;)

Now I'd love to hear from you -- how do you budget your life? Are you a strict budgeter with daily/weekly/monthly limits for categories of daily life, like meals, shopping and daycare? Do you ignore your budgets altogether and wing it? Are you somewhere in between, like me? Share your insights and tips!

Wedding Rentals

Remember Rent the Runway and that fabulous dress I snatched up (just for one night!) for my birthday bash two years ago?

I am a lover of RTR -- they provide great customer service, and, when you do your homework on the dresses (tip: read the reviews, they provide HUGE insight into the fit of the dress on different body types!), you are bound to get a winner.

You might think about RTR when you are planning a big event like a birthday or a cocktail party, but did you know they also have a ton of options specially selected especially for wedding events like bridal showers, formal and semi-formal weddings, bachelorette weekends ... and even white dresses for the bride herself? It's pretty awesome! Instead of feeling pressured to buy that $400 designer label dress, why not just rent it for the weekend instead for only $100? That is a Buckhead Betty on a Budget MUST.

Check out, for example, this swank short number. This would be perfect as a date to a wedding, especially one where your S.O. is in the bridal party and might be wearing a tux! Dress to the occasion!

Or how about this long number for an elegant black-tie affair? Yowza for only $125, compared to $500 retail!

I love love LOVE this short party dress for a dressy bridal shower or a day-to-night wedding. Of course, you know me, I love a good party dress, especially ones that rent for $75 instead of $440 retail, geez!

Um, as proof that this dress rocks, guess who I actually randomly recognized wearing it in the RTR reviews section? My gal pal Lowrie from college! Girl's got great taste :)  Hi, Lowrie!!

With all of the busy wedding season still under way (and my own right around the corner), I love that you can add a second dress to your order for only $25. That makes attending all of those showers and events a breeze!

This cut-out LBD would be a great dress to wear to a bachelorette party, where often the gals are asked to wear black while the bride-to-be wears white. Plus, it's only $60 to rent, $325 retail.

Lastly, say it's your own big day. Why not grab a white frock to help celebrate, either as a rehearsal dress or an exit dress? RTR is so cute - "let us be your something borrowed," aww! This Christian Siriano find is $200 to rent ... compare that to the $1,750 retail, wow!

Have you been renting from RTR? What have been your experiences? I know I have blogged about them before, so who knows what else has been upgraded since then! I'd love to hear your feedback.

Disclosure: I was in no way compensated for this post. I am just loving me some RTR these days :) 

Finding "The One"

Alrighty gals, this one's for you. Sorry men, come back later. I'll have another post for you soon :)

My first friends got married when I was 22, and it seems ages and ages ago. Since then, dozens and dozens and dozens of friends have gotten married. Did I ever ask who their photographer was? Nope. What about their DJ? Nope. Flowers? Ha.

I am was a wedding planner loser. Unlike most girls, I was not planning my wedding since I was ten years old. I had a strict "no-plan" rule until I actually got engaged. Sure, I thought about things, and noticed things I did and did not like (Bouquet toss? Nay. Open bar? Def!), but I never made notes, compared notes or talked about notes with anyone (other than Mom) until it came time to plan my own big day. Something about doing those things made me feel like I was cheating myself of the truly happy time that comes with planning your own wedding. So I made some mental notes and went about my way.

As a result, I never even knew about most wedding dress boutiques until I became engaged and started to clue in to what had been going on all around me. Many times a bridesmaid, I actually had never tagged along to dress fittings for all of those brides, so I was seriously clueless when it came to picking out my own gown. I knew what I did not like (See: Say Yes to a Different Dress), but otherwise was open to lots of different styles. I also knew that I didn't want any 10-person posse going with me to the salon like so many TV shows feature. I just needed my Mom and maybe a select other person, and we needed to hit as many places as it took to find "the one" -- the dress! 

My mom and I are both super-decisive, and so in three weekends, we visited a few select local boutiques trying on option after option. The salons and their associates were all super helpful, bringing out all of their finest. However, nothing really clicked. At one uber-cute local place, there was one dress that was a "maybe," but that wasn't good enough for me to commit on the spot.

Since I was riding the line, Mom and I decided to hit up one last spot before heading back to try on the "maybe" again. The last place we wanted to go, known for it's amazing pricing, was right up my budget-friendly alley. And gals? I am so glad we stopped in, because I totally found my dress!!!

New Natalie's is known as "one of the largest full-service salons" around, and they are not joking. This pink-colored (love!) building on Chattahoochee Avenue in West Midtown has been around for decades and have some of the best-priced design gowns you can find in town. Period. They are a no-frills salon that features rows and rows and rows of budget-friendly designer gowns that fit sizes 2 to size 30.

Fact: New Natalie's is one of the few salons in the Southeast that feature sample gowns for plus sizes - a huge win for any bride when she is hoping to try on a gown and see what it will really look like on her figure! 

What immediately struck us when we arrived for our first-of-the-day appointment (always a good spot to grab at any salon, if you can -- you get extra personalized attention!) was that the ladies were 100% there for us. Once we got the run-down of how the store was organized (by size, and by room - ask about the room with the last-chance sale items!), our lovely associate left us to browse the racks (our choice - they also will help you select gowns, if you desire). As soon as we found dresses that we liked, though, she reappeared instantly to take them off of our hands. As soon as we had collected a number of them, off I went to try them on.

Here are some of the things that New Natalie's features:

• New wedding gowns that start under $500 (yes, you read that right!)
• 800 wedding gowns from size 2 to size 30.
• 1,000+ bridesmaid samples to order from (we are checking these out tomorrow!)
• 300 headpieces, tiaras, and veils (check!)
• 12 fitting rooms and bridal consultants to assist you

You all know me. I like a good bargain, but I like it even more when you can't tell it was a good bargain. New Natalie's is like an H&M -- one of my favorite stores EVER -- in that if you are willing to look around the racks for something that catches your eye, you are going to find a winner. Your friends will be asking you which high-end boutique you found that amazing dress from, totally oblivious to how much (or how little!) you actually paid. Buckhead Betty on a Budget? You bet! The store is run by a woman from NYC, too, which only added to our comfort level there -- it just felt right for us NJ gals!

While I am keeping my dress (!!!) itself a secret (including from my bridesmaids - they hate me right now, ha!), I can tell you that it is totally what I was looking for in a dress. It's traditional meets modern, with a little bling mixed in for good measure. Designer? Yep! Amazing price? Let's just say that now I have the money to splurge on the designer pair of shoes, too ;)

So, brides-to-be, check out New Natalie's online and consider them in your hunt for your own gown. From one budget-fashionista to another, you do not, repeat, DO NOT have to spend thousands on your dress. Pick out one that suits you, and enjoy the day for every moment that it is!

Disclosure: I found my dress at New Natalie's and received some perks for writing this post, but trust me, I would have written it anyways! :)

Tie It Up With a Bow

One of the pleasures of working in an industry with a ton of women is that no occasion goes unnoticed. Whether current or former coworkers or professional (which often turn long-lasting and personal) acquaintances, we communicators know how to communicate joy! Birthdays always bring cards and tweets without reminder, engagements bring oohs and ahhs and Facebook messages galore, and in my gal-pal PR crowd, promotions are always celebrated with a drink and many hugs at the next get-together.

Last week, a fellow coworker left one evening and got a huge round of applause as he walked out the door - he was heading out on vacation and right towards the altar for his own wedding. I grinned ear to ear for him from my desk - what fun! Today, we are having a bridal shower for a gal coworker, and the office has been all a-Twitter (ha) with planning.

Wedding season sure is fun. You get to dress up and celebrate the ones you love. All you really have to do is show up with a gift in hand (or one in the mail on it's way). But imagine the issue when you arrive somewhere like here...

... ready to purchase a gift, and find that the registry item you had been eying for the happy couple has been since snatched up?

I know a lot of people are very religious about sticking to a wedding or baby registry. Sure, the couple has told you exactly what they want and need, and so you are definitely helping them out by selecting items that are within your budget range from that pre-vetted list.

But I think that's kind of boring. And you are talking to future-bride-herself, she who has been mentally lusting over registry lists since this ring went on her finger (ok, fine, before).

Don't get me wrong - I shop the registry. I pick out items from it that I would love to receive myself and see them using in their homes. But then I also shop for other items to match in and make it a complete gift from moi.

Example #1 -The Baker

This bride loves to bake, so has registered for some of the basics. A cupcake carrier and measuring cups. Awesome. I would snatch these up ...

And add to them a few more baking-related frivolities (all from the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's). You know, those additional pieces that no one registers for because they aren't totally useful, but they really actually would love to have. Leave it to me to give you those super fun "extras." 

All-season cookie cutters. A must have for wives-to-be!

A cupcake tower. Because ... well, just because. A true housewife needs this.

A pastry decorating set. Frost those cookies and cupcakes like a champ!

A pastry mat. Cut that dough the perfect width for that pie plate.

These items would combine well with the cupcake carrier - I would roll up the mat and put it inside the carrier along with the pastry set. Tie it all up with an oversized bow and your gift is set!

Example #2 - The Entertainer

This person loves to cook and have people over. Their list is full of the necessesities of a newlywed kitchen. Wine glasses, bar tool sets, fancy placemats.

What if everything is almost purchased, though? Some of us may or may not (!) wait until the wedding weekend to buy a gift, so it's a strong possibility that this could happen. That's when I like to check to see if they have specialty stemware on their list. It always surprises me that people don't register for martini glasses, for example. Those things break easily, so why not gift the new couple an artsy set of two just for them, along with some appetizer plates, a cocktail book and fun cocktail napkins? Date night for two, ready to go! These items are all from Crate and Barrel ...

These martini glasses are more flashy than the usual set a couple might register for. Great gift instead!

I love these all-season napkins. They'd go with any decor theme.

These travel plates are so fun! Add some canapes and you are set.

No one can have too many cocktail bar books. You never know when one might get splashed on!

What about you? Do you straight-registry gift, or do you do your own thing? Or are you like me, do you combo gift?

Soupy Slow Cooking

I've got a winner of a crock-pot soup for you today!

I have been rocking through the recipes in my Fix It and Forget It cookbook, which features TONS of recipes made just for a slow cooker. A lot of the recipes are similar and most often can serve simply as inspiration for you as you learn how to best throw things together for a slow cooked meal. The beauty of crock pot meals are that they are also extremely flexible beyond the variable cooking time. Don't like that vegetable? Skip it! Want a cheesier soup? Add two cans of the cheese-based condensed soup instead of one.

This recipe was just one of those meals for me. I wanted a basic minestrone soup, so I found and used a recipe for inspiration. I skipped the usual pasta and instead used the suggested barley, which kept things really low-calorie but super hearty. You could add in or substitute red kidney beans, zucchini and many other veggies.

My key to maintaining my weight during the week most often depends on healthy lunches, and soup is my go-to for a quickie lunch that fills me up. I made this crock-pot meal overnight, dealt out servings in individual containers the next morning, and took one with me for lunch while freezing the rest. Then, throughout upcoming days and weeks, I have a supply of healthy soups to grab in the morning, no defrost required. I just let the soup sit through the morning at my desk before heating the container for four-five minutes in the microwave for lunch.

Enjoy!

Minestrone Soup
Adapted from Fix It and Forget It

Source: laurenslatest.com via Gay on Pinterest

Makes six-eight lunch servings

2 boxes of Tuscany-blend chicken broth
3 carrots, peeled and diced
1 Spanish onion, chopped
4 ribs celery, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 dry barley
1 can chickpeas, drained
1 Tbsp. parsley
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. rosemary
28 oz. can diced Italian tomatoes
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low 6-8 hours or until vegetables are tender. Optional: stir in baby spinach once soup is done, and/or top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Meal Surprises & a Giveaway

In typical spring fashion, I have been trying to balance an insane social schedule with an attempt to maintain/improve my physical health. Early morning sleep-in sessions have gradually been replaced with some personal training and boot camp sessions, and any evenings I skip the usual glass of wine help the cause, too. I have a beach trip coming up at the end of the month (Congrats, Meg! Can't wait to celebrate with you!) so I have been hitting the pavement once or twice a week for a run, too, to make sure my body looks bikini-ready.

On top of all of that is the never-ending struggle to eat healthy, well-rounded meals. I have skipped out on official food tracking of late, but have been trying to keep the health mentality in mind when selecting foods and meals to make during each week.

While I am a coupon-clipper amateur, I do pride myself in finding great ways to stretch my weekly food budget, which varies from $30 up to $80 depending on how many meals we are eating at home that week. So you can imagine my glee when eMeals reached out to me to test drive their meal-planning system!

Here's a little about the system:

eMeals relies on a team of experienced meal planners, writers and editors to create
new dinner menus every week that are designed around grocery store sales, seasonal
specials and diet preferences. For as low as $5.00 per month, subscribers download a
recipe plan for the week with a matching aisle-by-aisle grocery list. The easy-to-follow
recipes usually contain fewer than seven ingredients to allow for prep times of less than
30 minutes. It also helps families stay within a predictable budget by being prepared
with a detailed list to use at the grocery store.

The eMeals program has over 30 meal plan options to choose from and provides a
consistent and reliable approach to food budgeting by factoring the weekly cost of
ingredients into each menu plan.

I got to select my meal plan of choice, which gives you options for different large grocery stores as well as nutrition level and family size. Plus it shoots out the weekly coupon and BOGO specials along with an expected budget total.

Publix Meals for Two meal plan, here we come!

I headed out this weekend to go shopping for my first list of items. This is what a plan looks like. This is a sample - the full plan is customized per week and is completely filled out just for me:

We have busy weeks with a few evenings of night school for the S.O. and usually a few nights out for yours truly. So I usually shoot to cook at least four meals at home per week. That gives us enough food for lunches and some to enjoy on leftover nights, and if we are in a bind, I usually have something in the freezer, too. This week, we are low on everything (including freezer meals) and plan to eat at home more than last week, so it's restock time!

I used my seven-day printable list from eMeals to pick out my favorite five meals for this week to pick up at the store. I just crossed of the items/meals I didn't need. The meals look really tasty, and include well-rounded sides like salads and veggies. It has some great variety (I hate getting into cooking ruts). The shopping list was supposed to cost around $60 pre-tax if I stuck to it exactly. I skipped about $10 items' worth, but then got an additional $35 of re-stock staples like cereal, salad dressing, paper towels and a Publix sub (ok, not a staple, but it was lunchtime!). I am pretty impressed with the amount of food I brought home for $90 including all that extra stuff. All of the prices were dead-on, and it was really easy to follow the list and pick out exactly what I needed. I can't wait to have these five meals this week!

Are you interested in eMeals for yourself? Well, you are in luck! eMeals is graciously giving away a three-month subscription to one of my readers! Use the Rafflecopter widget below to quickly and easily enter.



Can't wait to win? You can also sign up here for your own subscription, and use the code BLISSDOM when you register to get 15% off your plan! :)

And don't forget that you can also check out the eMeals blog for recipes, tips on how to simplify your life, organize your days and plan family fun.

Are you ready to win and save money on your weekly shopping trips?! Best of luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: eMeals partnered with bloggers such as me to help promote their meal subscription services. I received a meal plan test account from eMeals in exchange for this promotion. This post contains affiliate links. The winner of the giveaway in this program will be randomly chosen and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party.

Shoe Extravaganza & Giveaway

I am excited to share this special sale and giveaway today with you, my readers, because this gal knows a good deal when she sees one :)

Are you a fan of Ross Dress for Less? Here in Buckhead, our Ross Dress for Less store is in a great shopping strip that also has a few home goods and crafting retailers, so for a young homeowner like myself, it's a shopping haven for someone on a budget. I love swinging in every few weeks to see what new bargains are available. From couch pillows to kitchen items, Ross always has designer and brand name fashions for men, women, kids and home - all at 20-60% off compared to department stores! Yes, please!

Thanks to the lovely people at Ross, I headed over to our local store for a mini Tuesday-pick-me-up shopping trip. I had worked out beforehand, so I figured, why not reward myself? Plus, the shopping spree seemed like a better alternative than "rewarding" myself with even more Easter basket goodies ;)

Right now through April 30, Ross Dress for Less stores in the Atlanta area are holding their annual Shoe Event, where you’ll be able to find every style of shoe you and your family will need for the spring and beyond. Being a gal who can't resist a sale on shoes, I was sure to explore all that Ross had to offer. I am here to attest: they had some fantastic name brand deals.

I can't share which brands are which, but if you know me, you know these heels were right. up. my. alley. I couldn't decide if I liked the white or beige version better. Both would be cute for work or play, dressed up with summer dresses or down with skinny jeans.

I love the zip-up on the back of these name brand black patent sandals. I actually have a pair or two that look very similar to these at home. They are great for that girls night on the town, but also can be dressed down for work with a conservative outfit on top.

Boat shoes, anyone? I loved these name brand snakeskin ones. How fun! These would be great with black capris or shorts and a tan top.

All of these shoes run for $75+ at retail price, but at Ross, they were no more than $30! Other namebrands I saw ran for $130 retail and were on sale at Ross for only $50. All in all, depending on your shoe size and the store you head to, I can tell you that you are certain to find a great buy at your local Ross. 

Are you ready to go shoe shopping? Ross has been generous enough to offer one of my lucky readers a $25 gift card all your own! Enter below using the Rafflecopter widget, and I will select a winner at random. Best of luck!

On the Hunt for Basics

Why is it that the weeks leading up to a vacation are always the craziest? Luckily, I have also realized that I am my most-productive in these weeks, too, so I was an absolute mad woman with my to-do list this week, thankfully. Today, it's officially VACAY for me and I couldn't be more relaxed! Well, I do need a Diet Coke and the machine downstairs is jammed (and ate my money, the nerve), so maybe if I had that, I would be even more relaxed :) Even better, we are headed off to the unplugged basics of the mountains this weekend, and there, I will be the most relaxed. Ahhh. I can feel and hear the silence of the mountain air already!

Speaking of the basics, I had a great request from a fav reader this week about shoes. My favorite topic. She knows me too well!

The question was specifically about work-appropriate shoes for the summer, closed-toe and black or other basic colors. While I am one known to "dress down" a pair of sparkly heels for the office, a gal definitely needs the basics in her shoe wardrobe, too. Luckily I know a few options to help you all out if you are on a similar hunt. Sure, peep toe and strappy sandals may be all over the shelves for the season change, but there are other options if you know where to look.

The best news is that a basic pair of black pumps does not have to set you back $1,000 if you can't afford it.

Source: net-a-porter.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Oh, I so wish I could afford it, though...

My tricks are to stick with name brands that continuously stock the basics. These babies from Nine West are typically available at any Nine West store, and are definitely available year-round at the outlet locations. In Atlanta, try the outlet up 400, and look in the back of the store. They always have them in stock.

These have been my favorite go-to shoe for over seven years, and they are incredibly comfortable for an entire day (or night). Right now I own them in a patent black, brown leather and patent maroon (the outlet carries fun, random colors from past seasons). I take them to the cobbler regularly for taps, and then replace them every few years as the arch gets worn out and the tips are too far gone for a touch-up. Luckily, they are only around $65, so per wear, only a penny or so for me in the end!

While those have a 3.5 or 4 inch heel (my personal preference), if you need/enjoy a lower heel, Nine West has some of those too ($79).

It's important to remember, black doesn't have to mean boring. Little accents can make all the difference. These uber-professional black d'Orsay pumps from Nine West have a little extra style with the cut-out sides ($120).

I never underestimate the power of DSW or Shoe Gallery Warehouse, either. They stock the basics from multiple name brands year-round, including Jessica Simpson, Nine West and BCBG. I have a few pairs of round-toe Jessica Simpson shoes and I really like their comfort level and style. These patent black ones are budget-friendly, too! ($69)

Sometimes you can find fun basics from brands that might not be top of mind, too. These DSW finds are from Adrienne Vittadini. I can't vouch for comfort, but that bow sure is cute! These would be fun with a pair of cropped pants in 1960's style.

No matter your choice, basic black shoes can be fun and anything but basic. In the summer, I like to wear mine with bare legs, a brightly-colored dress and coordinating black accents like a thin belt or black purse. They also make the easiest outfit in the world when combined with a simple gray or black shift dress. You will be amazed at how fast you get out the door in the morning when you throw those together. Add a bright bracelet or necklace for a pop of color.

I hope this helps you all a bit on your search! If you are limited with your work shoe options, don't overlook the simplicity of black. And if you happen to find a pair just a bit too crazy for work, buy them anyways. There are weekends for a reason, after all :)

Source: theblondesalad.com via Katherine on Pinterest