Thankful Thursday

Image borrowed from Daily Cup of Couture, via Pinterest

I have to confess, sometimes (ok, a lot of the time) I have to consciously remind myself to be thankful for all I have.  It's so easy to get mentally consumed with the "wants" and "needs" and take for granted everything we already have.  I know I'm not alone with this; in fact I think our consumer/materialistic/celebrity-obsessed society perpetuates this mentality of never being satisfied with what you have.  Especially in this town.

On the one hand, striving for more can be a good thing: it's a motivator for improving ourselves and our conditions.  But if we let that be our sole focus, we miss out on appreciating and enjoying all that we really do have (and if you're reading this, you have a lot. It's all perspective.)  So I'm going to try to continue to increase my awareness of all the things I do have, and be consciously appreciative of them.  They may seem silly or hardly worth the mention, but that's exactly the point.  So many people have so little. We are so blessed to have whatever we do have.

I encourage you to do the same in your life.  It will make you happier.

Three Things I'm Thankful For Today:

1.    That I live in a dog-friendly neighborhood that is safe to walk my dog and toddler in every morning.

2.    That I can treat myself, when I want to, to yummy pastries. (I may have to try this recipe.)

Image borrowed from love, pomegranate house
 

3.  That I can start every day off with 5 minutes to myself in a hot shower.  (I would stand in there longer if I could, but we're in a drought and my toddler awaits.  What I get is good enough.)
 

What little things in life are you thankful for?
 

Dear IRS, I would like to cancel my subscription

I hope you're one of those people who got your taxes done early, and are getting a refund. I, unfortunately, am not one of those people.  I start my taxes early, then always seem to wait until the last minute to mail them in.  Though I don't wait as long when I'm getting a refund. This year is the first in many that we actually owe (and, annoyingly, a significant amount).  But for those of you who will be getting a bit back, some merchants are offering extra discounts to help you stretch that dollar and enjoy your money back.  For the rest of us, at least this way we won't feel so guilty when we spend what little money we have left. ;)

• Boston Market: buy one meal get a second free today.
• McDonalds: Big Macs and Quarter Pounders are buy one, get one for $0.01 at select locations today.
• Olive Garden: A buy one, take one deal gets customers two entrées from a select menu starting at just $12.99. Or you can claim a coupon good for $6 off a dinner for two here.
• Alloy: Use this RetailMeNot-exclusive code for 15-30% off purchase through April 30: AVDRMN.
• Ann Taylor: Today only, use GET40 to save 40% on your entire order.  Get 25% off full-priced items with the coupon code ANNT3BE, good through April 30.
• Babies'R'Us:  Use this coupon to get $8 off Pampers or Huggies value boxes of diapers, valid through April 30.
• Carter's:  Get 25 percent off purchases of $40 and up with code OKSP1514.
• Express: Use coupon code 9068 online or this coupon in store to get 15 percent off through April 30.
• Gap: Shoppers will get $25 of GapCash for every $50 spent through April 26 that can be redeemed May 13 through May 17.

For a more complete list, click here.

Wrap Me Up Pretty

Ok, so here's the reality: while I would love to look crisply attired and professionally styled at all times, that just ain't happening when trying to chase a toddler around.  What I need is simple outfits that I can put on quickly, but that still have some character and style to them. I need to look like I tried without having to actually try that hard.

That's what's so wonderful about scarves.  They are simple pieces that come in a vast variety of colors and patterns, and can instantly take the simplest outfit and add that element of style that pulls it all together.  Jeans and a T: comfy, practical, but boring.  Add a brightly colored scarf and you have instant detail and interest with no fuss.  And they're not just for cold weather anymore.  They come in a variety of light, airy fabrics that feel just as spring and summery as tanks and sundresses (both of which you can add a scarf to.)

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Additionally, they're  a functional accessory, particularly good for air travel, when you encounter a variety of temperatures and can be hot one minute and cold another.  Light scarves can provide just the right extra layer to adjust to temperature changes.

And there are so many ways you can style them, its like 20 pieces in one.  And you can easily find so many styles at very affordable prices. So its a win all around.  And who doesn't like winning? :)
 

Click this image for instructions on these looks and to visit a website dedicated to how to tie scarves
 

IG Recap

Do you ever have those moments when you think its a day earlier (or later) than it actually is? Like thinking on Wednesday that its actually Thursday?  Then you realize halfway through the day that you're off?  Such a downer when that happens.  That was me yesterday, thinking it was still Saturday. I think that's worse than the Wednesday example.
 

It came and went quickly, but we had a good weekend - hope you did too!  Little Dude got to visit both sets of grandparents, which meant mommy was not the sole entertainment for the weekend.  Had fabulous weather, hit up the park and the mall, took some good naps - what more could you ask for? ;)

If you don't follow me on Instagram, here's a little recap from last week:
 

Enjoying Easter as long as possible with these bright hydrangeas from my parents. 
 

Spring has sprung, so I've sprung out my floral capris - because the office could always use some brightening up (and so chicly accessorized by my stainless steel reusable Starbuck cup - Go Green!)
 

Documenting a quiet moment to myself, home alone before everyone else.  These moments are few and far between.
 

Letting the jacket do all the talking - comfy and bright.
 

Loving every minutes I spend with these two: Little Dude and his "big sister".
 

Friday Favorites - Check these out

Another TGIF has arrived.  For everyone headed to Coachella this weekend, have fun and be safe and stay hydrated (supposed to be in the 90s).  For the rest of us, have fun and be safe as well doing whatever fun your weekend holds.  And if you have a few minutes to browse the web, may I introduce you to a few blogs that I enjoy on a regular basis (I check them out pretty much every day as part of my Bloglovin' feed.)

• Lace and Locks - by Kim Le.  This is a fun one for me to follow and share because Kim Le is a girl I know from high school.  She is now a super talented  wedding/engagement/boudoir photographer and an entrepreneur, with her own online boutique and this style blog for petite women.  I'm about a foot taller than her, so we're dressing for different body types, but I totally appreciate her sense of style and she has great taste.
• J's Everyday Fashion - by "J".  This style blog is for most of us. Most of us have budgets, very practical, less than even 3-digit budgets.  Even with 20% off sales, most of us can't afford a $500 dress.  J takes high fashion/deisnger looks and styles her own version with affordable pieces, and she shows how she keeps to her budget and invests in versatile pieces.
• Style by Emily Henderson - by Emily Henderson.  If you ever watch HGTV then you might recognize the adorable Emily Henderson.  She has a great home makeover show that I loved.  She has a fun personality and it comes through in her design.  Her blog is fun and inspires my home décor ideas.

And to wrap up the week, a flashback Friday image to make you smile from exactly one year ago: silly faces with mom and a bald Little Dude.