My Large Thrifting Haul + Cost

So, changing gears from clearing all clutter out of my house . . . I had a very productive thrifting trip last weekend. I only visited two stores for these items. The first is the second-hand shop that's a mile from my house. The second is the children's thrift shop across town.

Total amount spent: $86, which -- admittedly -- sounds like a lot. But stay with me!

The mission: Ada's stretching to the max in her size 6 clothing lately, so I am slowly collecting sizes 7/8. Eloise needed some cold weather stuff and a few basics, since Ada and Eloise were born in different seasons.

Anyway, here's what I bought for each family member.

For Ada:

• Matilda Jane Top NWOT ($6)
• Lands End Rocket Sweatshirt ($4)
• Johnnie b Boden boatneck ($1)
• Garnet Hill Kids fleece ($4)
• Johnnie b Boden dress ($4)
• Children's Place jeans ($3)
• Dr. Martens boots ($10)
• Minnetonka moccasins ($5)
• Hanna Andersson dress NWOT -- not pictured ($3)

TOTAL: $40

For Eloise:

• Hanna Andersson fleece ($4)
• Hanna Andersson pants ($1)
• Okie Dokie shirt ($2)
• Unlabeled wool pants ($2)
• Wool polka-dot jacket NWT ($4)
• Saint James boatneck ($2)

TOTAL: $15

Also for Eloise:

• Patagonia lightweight snowsuit/bunting ($14 -- half off, so $7)
• Stonz booties NWT ($14 -- half off, so $7)

TOTAL: $14 (and these will fit next year, too -- and the snowsuit might stretch to age 3)

For Stephen:

L.L. Bean fleece shirt NWOT ($5)

TOTAL: $5

For Ashley:

• Patagonia zip layer ($6)
• Nike Dri-Fit Fleece ($6)

TOTAL: $12

More thrifting fun:

Smart + Thrifty Tips for Buying Second-Hand Clothing
FLAX + Why I Mostly Buy Second-Hand Clothing
Introvert’s Guide to Holding a Yard Sale
Frugal Accomplishments
5 FLAX Outfits // Summer Edition
All my style-related posts

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What's inside my minimalist diaper bag?

Hey, guys! Over the weekend, I shared on my Instagram that I have become a diaper backpack convert. It frees up both hands. It's easy on your back. These are important things for mamas, am I right?

Here's more about what I carry in my diaper bag.


I talk more about it in the video -- but my approach used to be ridiculously minimalist. Almost to a fault. I literally carried a single diaper and a couple wipes in my purse. Now I carry the items I need, nothing extra.

If you're interested in my bag, I bought it from the Etsy shop called UrbanPath. This shop features Huipil backpacks, bags, and other items straight from Guatemala. They remind me of the bags you can buy for a much higher price by Nena + Co. You can also find similar bags on Amazon that will ship to you via Prime ASAP (though I cannot find a backpack on there!).

What's in my bag:

• Periea -- Bag Organizer Insert
• Planet Wise -- Small Wet Bag (Jelly Jubilee)
• Planet Wise -- Zipper Sandwich Bag (Jelly Jubilee)
• Booginhead -- Zipper Bib
• Re-Play -- Recycled Utensils
• Aden + Anais -- Muslin Swaddle Blanket
• Folding Hair Brush + Mirror
• Babyganics -- Mineral-Based Sunscreen Stick
• Babyganics -- Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer
• HABA -- Wooden Rattle/Clutching Toy
• Klean Kanteen -- Kid 12-Ounce Water Bottle
• ECOHip -- Reusable Grocery Bags
• Thrive -- Travel First Aid Kit
• Huggies -- Wipes Clutch
• Burt's Bees -- Peppermint Lip Balm (the BEST!)
• Shea Moisture -- Frankincense + Myrrh Lotion
• Extra change of clothing for Eloise
• Bonnet by Sweet as April
• Bag of activities for Ada (paper, markers, jar of play-doh)
• Wallet, phone, keys, etc.

So, what do you think? Is this minimalist or not? It's definitely more than I used to carry -- but I feel like I do end up using it all when we go out to eat, for example. With the warmer weather coming up, I see long trips to the park in our future. I'll definitely need that first aid kit!

What do you carry in your diaper bag? Or do you choose not to carry one?

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Mommy + Daughter // Pink Hair

Good morning, everyone! You may have gathered on Instagram that Ada and I dyed our hair pink this weekend. What fun! Really -- I love Overtone hair coloring conditioner so much. I've gone purple, orange, grey, purple again, and now pink. Each and every time, the product impresses me.

I promised Ada that she could temporarily dye her hair pink for Valentine's day. So, I ordered a bottle of vibrant pink, waited a few days, and here's what happened.



We love the color.

I really wish mine looked exactly like Ada's.

Some major hair goals right there.

So, there you have it. Pink hair. At least for a while.

If you'd like to hear more about my thoughts on Overtone, check out my first Before/After YouTube video when I did orange. (Don't forget to subscribe while you're there!) PS: As with many of my reviews, I bought the product myself and have no affiliation with the company.

Happy Wednesday!

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Mommy Style: 1 Shirt, 5 Ways

So, I'm planning a new post on mommy style to put on this blog soon. In three words: Flowing shirts + leggings. (I just bought a pair in Volcanic Rose.) BUT! I was looking back through some of my old Writing Chapter Three posts, and I came across a few that I thought would be fun to share again. This is one of them -- about, yes, mommy style.

I bought a new flannel shirt two years ago from Target for a whopping $22 (just my price!). Here's 5 ways I styled it. Number two sort of totally makes me cringe. I'm obviously not an authority on this topic -- but I love to share what I wear (and see what others are wearing, too!). It's funny to look back on what you considered looking good a few years later, eh?

The good thing about the shirt is that it can be dressed up or down -- and it sort of feels like I’m wearing pajamas. I followed my “rule” of buying 1-2 sizes up (this time I got a large when I normally go with mediums) because I like a roomy fit for layering.

Some notes: 

// Style #1 is most representative of my everyday look. Including the wrinkle on the shirt. I just wish I could find a pair of jeans that fits this well and doesn't have holes. Sigh.

// Socks with Birkenstocks are very comfortable and warm. No, really. If you’re reluctant to jump on this trend, consider how long these shoes last. I had my pair from high school through my mid-20s. Also: Keep an eye on the sales. I got my Milanos over the summer on Amazon when they were on a reduction for less than $50.

// On the Hunter boots. Yes. I gave in after Christmas last year (on a super clearance locally only on this color, which I’d rather have been less flashy), but I’ve been surprised how useful these boots have been. In this example, they’re purely for look, but I’ve been wearing them to do yard work, trudge through mud at my photo-shoots + at the park with Ada.

// Most of the rest of these clothes are thrifted, purchased on ThredUp, or found for less than $10. ETA: I also really love Poshmark these days!

// And -- yeah, I know that leggings aren’t technically pants, but when you’re around the house and just dropping off/picking up from preschool, I don’t think it matters much.

Did you buy anything new for this season? 

What’s your criteria? 

So, that's the end of this old post. What do you think? Do you want to hear more about my CURRENT mommy-style? I'll be back with a post like that next week. For now, happy Friday!

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