What I Wore Yesterday

My mother is coming into town today, so yesterday was crazy-busy and I didn't get a chance to post.

These jeans were passed on to me by a friend who could no longer wear them...they're a size up from what I typically wear and a little too long, too. But I wanted a looser look and I wanted to cuff them anyway, so it all worked out. And aside from the fact that they kept riding down on me and I needed to pull them up, they're pretty comfy. I need to remember a belt next time!

Shirt: $5 (Old Navy)
Jeans: Hand-me-down (Old Navy, "Diva")
Shoes: $5, already had (Charlotte Russe)

What I Wore Today

There's not much to say today. It's been a rough one.

White shirt: Hand-me-down (XS mens' shirt)
Jeans: Already had (NY&Co)
Leopard Shoes: Already had (Mossimo for Target)

What I Wore

I got my red skinnies at Kohl's...they were having a fabulous clearance, I had Kohl's Cash, and a 30% off coupon...you can probably see where this is headed. So when it was all said and done, each item I purchased averaged $5 per. Not too shabby. Even though these pants weren't TECHNICALLY $5, I justify it in my mind using the average. I'm a smarty.

Blue shirt: $12 (TJ Maxx)
Red skinnies: $18.99 (Kohl's)
Shoes: $5.99 (Versona...local boutique)

What Makes Me Smile

I think any stay-at-home mom would probably say that there are times in the day that life seems incredibly monotonous, and sometimes that monotony can feel very overwhelming. Even though we know, beyond all shadow of a doubt, that our lives have meaning and purpose, I think it's easy to lose track of the big picture in the small, day-to-day struggles. The repetition of tasks that seem meaningless or pointless (we have to have clean clothes, so laundry must be done....and we do the same load, over and over and over), the repetition of the same commands or reminders to children...all of these small things add up, at times, to a mountain of discouragement.

But even though the giant of discouragement looms, we still press on.

We still keep our homes clean, because we should. We still cook, because we should. We still train children, because we must. At all costs, we must.

Adding beauty, however, is not a must. It's not a requirement to life and breath and being.

But in the middle of my everyday, I can look over to the small table between my couch and chair, and see something lovely. Something unnecessary.

And it makes me smile.

What I Made for Dessert

So we were invited over to some friends to watch the Cowboy game tonight (Monday Night Football, anyone? I know...me, neither), and we can't go empty-handed, so we asked what we could bring, and this is what my friend's husband requested.

The first time we ever went to these friends' home, I brought this particular dessert. Now I'm almost not allowed in the door unless I bring it.

This is Paula Deen's Turtle Trifle.

If you've ever tried anything that Paula Deen makes, then you'll know that this recipe is not for the faint of heart. And by "faint of heart," I mean anyone who has a heart condition. Or may have a heart condition in the future. Ok, this trifle will give you a heart condition.

Seriously. I think each serving has over 1300 calories. It's killer.

And it's KILLER GOOD.

(Here's the recipe.)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/turtle-trifle-recipe/index.html

Two things: 1) You MUST use real whipped cream, NOT whipped topping. MUST. NOT. USE. WHIPPED. TOPPING. and 2) I have never used a purchased caramel sauce. It's not that hard to make one from scratch, and the taste is far better!

Now, since each serving contains over 1300 calories, I opted to make half of the recipe and put the adults' servings into parfait dishes (pretty, right?). Usually, I use a Pampered Chef trifle bowl, and while it is SO NICE, the reality is that we don't need that much of the trifle, and there are always so many leftovers because it's JUST SO RICH that we can't finish one, even with two families of 6 eating it.  So to avoid "having" to eat it until it's gone (and I HATE WASTING FOOD), I decided not to make an entire batch. I'll bet we still have leftovers.

And if you decide to make a Turtle Trifle, I hope you have leftovers, too. And that you don't develop a heart condition.

What I Wore to Watch Football With Friends

Aqua top: Hand-me-down (Old Navy)
Sweater: $5 (Target, last year while I was pg with #4)
Jeans: Already had (Steve and Barry)
Shoes: Gift (F21)
Belt: Came with a top (birthday present, F21)

How I Fixed My Hair