Thrifty Wife Happy Life

Helping women love what they wear on a budget

A Day in the Life

by Katie Haller

I thought that it would be fun to do “a day in the life” post and share what a normal weekday is like for me as a working mom with a one-year-old.  I don’t think my life is that exciting, but maybe some of you can relate to me. 
Lately, it’s been hard for me, because Kevin has been working more, so I don’t have the extra help that I normally do during the week.  On this particular Monday that I chose to document my day, things did not go as planned at all, but that’s why it was the perfect day.  Life doesn’t always go as planned.

Here is my day…

5:00am Wake up
The alarm goes off.  I know it’s early, but I have to set it that early to give myself the time I need in the morning to get ready for the day.  On this particular morning, I got lucky, because Jack slept in a little and gave me enough time to shower.  I like to get up before him, especially on the days that Kevin works early because it’s getting harder to get ready with him up and wanting to be entertained. 
5:30am Breakfast
Time to start getting coffee and breakfast ready.  I try to eat breakfast every morning because it really helps give me the boost I need for the day.  Currently, my daily breakfast has been Grape Nuts with lots of fruit over it with almond milk and of course my morning cup of coffee. 

5:45am Jack is up
Once Jack is up he normally eats breakfast right away.  He usually eats fruit and either a waffle or cereal.  Luckily, I packed his food for school the night before.  I try my best to have his lunches prepped for the week on Sunday night, so I don’t have to worry about it during the week, on this morning I only managed to have one day packed.

6:10am Start getting myself ready
On this particular morning, Kevin had left the house before 6, so I was on my own with Jack, so I let him play in the bathroom while I did my make up.  That was a big mistake because he ended up breaking one of my bronzers all over the floor.  That cut into my morning time because I had to clean up the mess.  I try and make my morning make up routine quick and easy.  I use the same makeup every day and wear it the same.  For my hair, I quickly blow dry it.  I’ve been guilty of wearing my hair in a ponytail more than I like to, but with Jack being so busy lately, I just live with it. 

6:45am Get Jack ready
Getting my squirmy one year old ready in the morning is a challenge.  He cries, runs away from me, then I finally wrestle him down and get an outfit on him.  I try to have an idea of what he’s wearing the night before, the same way I do for myself.  Once he’s ready it’s time to finish up a few last-minute things around the house.  On this day, my dishwasher was broken, so I did a few dishes before we left.
We matched in our stripes for the day.

7:15am Take Jack to School
I take Jack to school in most mornings unless Kevin’s around to help.  He loves his school and friends, but for whatever reason, on this morning he had a case of the Mondays and was being extra clingy.  I was late for work, but I hated leaving him when he was so sad.  It was the first day he ever cried like that and he’s been going to his daycare since he was 8 weeks old.

7:30am Starbucks stop
I don’t always stop at Starbucks on my way to work.  I try to bring a cup of coffee from home, but this was a rough morning.  Plus, I got over $75 in Starbucks gift cards for Christmas, so I needed an extra cup on my way to work. My usual drink is a tall blond roast.  I like to make my gift cards last as long as they can.

7:45am Get to work 
Mondays are always busy mornings at work for me.  Lots to do in a short amount of time before the kids arrive at 8.  My preschool class keeps me super busy.  By 2:00 they leave and I get my planning time.  I like to stay in my classroom listening to calming music as I do my work in the dark.  It’s a relaxing way to end my workday. 

3:40pm Leave work
On a normal day, I try to head out of work before 3:30, but today I was running a little behind since I got there late. My drive to pick up Jack is usually filled with thoughts in my head of my day.  It’s my time to unwind and think, but oftentimes I’m anxious on my ride home because I’m excited to see Jack. 

My car is taken over by baby even when he’s not with me.
4:00pm  Home
After I pick up Jack at school we come home.  Most days I like to either take him for a walk to the park or play with his ball at home.  On this evening he wasn’t having it.  He was a little on the cranky side because his teeth were bothering him, so we settled for his favorite Youtube channel, Little Baby Bum.

4:45pm Dinner for Jack
Most day’s Jack is starving when he comes home from school.  I try to hold him off until 5, but on this day I couldn’t do it.  It’s getting harder to figure out what to feed him.  On this night he had pita and hummus, mixed veggies, peaches, cheese and chicken.  While Jack ate and I waited for Kevin to get home, I prepared his lunches for the rest of the week.  Monday is my leftover night, since I usually make dinner on Sunday.  The night before was the Superbowl so I kind of had a random mix of leftovers, so Kevin and I ate chicken, rice and veggies on a tortilla.  It was a quick and easy meal.

6:00 pm Bath time
After dinner is cleaned up, it’s time for Jack’s bath.  He loves his bath time and it usually gives me a little down time, because he’s entertained in the water.  On this particular evening, he was not himself and bath time was kind of quiet, but he was still content for me, until I wipe his face, which I save for last.

7:00 pm Jack’s bedtime
After Jack’s bath, I lotion him and get his jammies on, which he hates.  Then we play in his room for a bit and read books together.  He is finally showing interest in books and will sit through a few of his favorite stories.  I love our time together before bed.  He gets a bottle, we snuggle then he goes to sleep.  I rock him and cuddle him more than I should according to all the parenting books on getting your child to sleep through the night, but I don’t care, because sometimes after a long day apart you just need those extra snuggles. 

7:15 pm Me time

Once Jack is asleep, I finally have the time to do what I want, unfortunately, there are usually chores that need to be done and I’m so tired I just get right to bed.  If time, Kevin and I might watch some Netflix or I try to find some time to blog, but we are usually too tired.  Usually I’m asleep between 8 and 9. 
That was my day last week.  Like I said, it’s not exciting at all, but it’s my life and I don’t think I’m ever bored.  It’s not perfect, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I know one day I will look back on this day and miss it.  That always happens for me. 

Beauty on a Budget- What’s in My Makeup Bag?

by Katie Haller

I love makeup and I love trying out different products.  As I’m sure you already know, I’m a huge fan of affordable makeup.  I buy mostly drug store makeup products, with the exception of the occasional splurge or gift of higher-end makeup.  Right now, my make up bag is full of mostly Maybelline makeup.  I don’t get a chance to get over to my favorite makeup store, Ulta as much as I use to, because it’s hard to make a special trip with a baby.  That’s why most of my current makeup supply comes from the grocery store.  Today I thought that I’d go through and share the affordable makeup products that are currently in my makeup bag.

1.) Ulta Mineral Powder Foundation- I used to use Bare Mineral Foundation all the time when I was in college and I loved it, but it got too expensive for me to continue buying after college when I had lots of student loan bills to pay, that’s why I started experimenting with other foundations.  My skin has been very dry and sensitive right now, so a few weeks ago I switched over to my Ulta brand mineral makeup and ever since then, my skin seems to be improving.  I really love mineral makeup, because it’s so light and gentle on your skin.  If you’re looking for a good brand that is very comparable, but less expensive than Bare Minerals, I’d recommend Ulta’s line.

 2.) Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer- This is by far my favorite concealer!  I’ve been testing out a lot of different drug store brands and this is the best one I’ve found.  As a new mom, I don’t get the beauty rest that I used to, so this concealer is perfect for making me look fresh in the morning.  It hides the dark circles under my eyes and brightens up my face. 

3.) Maybelline FaceStudio Master Contour- I just started using this kit and I love it!  I really like the bronzer and blush colors.  I just love how it’s all in one set, I don’t need to pull out a separate blush, bronzer or highlighter.   

4.) Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette- There is not a color in this palette that I don’t like, however, the thing I always hate about big eyeshadow palettes like this is that you always run out of the colors you use the most.  That’s why I like to buy a separate eyeshadow of the color champagne fizz.  It’s the color I use the most of every day. 

5.) Maybelline Define-A-Line Eyeliner- This has been my favorite eyeliner for a while now.  I always buy the eyeliner that rolls out, instead of the kind that you have to sharpen.  I’m also afraid of liquid eyeliner because I never have any luck with it, so this is always my go-to eyeliner for any look.

6.) L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara- I always come back to this mascara, because it’s the best one that I’ve tried.  I always get sucked into trying a new mascara, and I never like it as much as this brand.  I just love the full lash look that it gives you. 

7.) L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipcolour- Carmel Latte- I’m not big on lipstick, but I had a coupon for this lipstick and I ended up picking out the perfect color for me.  I love the Carmel latte color, it’s the perfect color for winter.  It just gives my lips the perfect tint of color and it also doesn’t dry out my lips. 

8.) e.l.f Eyebrow kit- I am not big on the whole eyebrow craze.  Personally, I don’t like my eyebrows, so I just use the eyebrow kit to help fill in my brows and make them look semi-normal.  I really love this eyebrow kit for that, because it’s cheap and it gets the job done.
So that’s what’s in my makeup bag at the moment.  What’s in yours?

Baby Update- One Year Old

by Katie Haller

It’s hard for me to believe that I have a one-year-old already!  It is so true that the first year flies by.  It has been such an amazing year being Jack’s mom.  I used to get sad whenever Jack had his monthly birthdays because I wanted him to stay that little baby I held in my arms for the first time at the hospital forever, but now I’ve learned to just embrace his age because I know how fast he grows.

Jack loves his new basketball hoop he got for his birthday!

 Right now, Jack is at a great age!  He started walking right after he turned 10 months and he’s been on the go ever since!  He loves to play with balls.  Playing catch with daddy after school is a daily game for him.  He also loves music and dancing.  He is building up a pretty good vocabulary for his age.  He can say “Jack”, “mama”, “dada”, “baba” and his favorite word “no”.  He ‘s trouble and loves to get into all the cabinets in the kitchen, but he tells on himself as he does it, saying “no, no” and waving his hand around.  It’s so cute!  He also just picked up waving “bye-bye”.

Jack has a great personality, but he can be stubborn sometimes.  He is already starting to show toddler signs.  When I take something away from him he throws himself on the ground and screams.  But on the other hand, he loves to bring me a book and sit on my lap when he wants me to read to him.  He wants me to hold him all the time, which can be annoying sometimes, but I also love feeling needed by him, so I don’t mind doing things with one arm.

Jack is a great eater and eats pretty much anything that I give him.  He really loves fruits, especially strawberries and peaches.  He is also getting pretty good with a sippy cup.  I’m slowly starting to eliminate bottles.  I’m a little nervous about getting rid of them altogether because he really loves his evening bottle.  I’m ready to do away with the bottles though, I’m so sick of cleaning them and I can’t wait to be done with formula.

Running to Mommy.

He’s such a big boy now!

Jack is starting to get better at sleeping through the night.  He’s still not the best sleeper, but it’s getting much better than it was before.  I really don’t think I was prepared for the lack of sleep I would get in the first year of having a baby.  That has definitely been one of the biggest challenges for me, but I feel like my body has just adjusted to the lack of sleep and I just power through and make it work.

Overall this year has been amazing!  Even though I wish I could keep him little forever, I look forward to the next year.  I can’t wait to hear him talking more and gain independence.  I’m so grateful to be this little guy’s mom.

Making the Most of Your Non-Maternity Clothes- Casual Style

by Katie Haller

It’s hard to believe that I’m getting ready to celebrate my little guys the first birthday!  This year has just flown by!  I feel like it was just yesterday that I was pregnant and anxiously awaiting his arrival.  I have to admit that it’s nice to have my body back and not be pregnant anymore, but there are times when I really miss having that baby bump.  I had a lot of fun playing around with my wardrobe while I was pregnant, that’s why I decided to look back on a few of my maternity looks from last winter.

I recently was feeling stumped on putting together my outfits.  I was running out of ideas on how to wear my clothes.  I decided to take a look back on some of my maternity outfit posts from last year to draw some inspiration for what to wear now.  I ended up trying a few of my maternity looks on, this time without the bump, and I liked what I found.  One thing that I knew I did not want to have happened when I was done being pregnant was to have a big box of maternity clothes that I would only wear maybe one more time before getting rid of them.  So I did my best to wear what I already had in my closet by wearing non-maternity clothes.  I think I did a pretty good job of it, because I only ended up with 2 actual maternity items, the rest of my clothes I can still wear.

Here are 4 of my casual looks from last winter.  I know I’ll be repeating these looks this winter without the bump.

I’ve had this LC Lauren Conrad blouse (exact) in my closet for a while now.  It’s still one of my favorite tops and it was perfect to wear throughout my pregnancy.  Here is how I wore it when I was 7 months pregnant and how I wear it now.
This striped long jersey tank top from H&M (exact) was one of my favorite tops to wear when I was pregnant.  I couldn’t have had a better maternity top. 
I bought this grey tunic last winter at Nordstrom Rack.  It was so perfect to wear during my last month of being pregnant.  It also was my favorite top to wear after I gave birth.  I wore it a lot while I was on maternity leave when many of my tops were too tight to wear. 
I bought this mustard colored t-shirt at Target (exact) when I was 8 months pregnant.  I wore it with my favorite navy blazer from Target (similar).  These jeans are actually one of my skinniest pairs, but I wore them right up to the end of my pregnancy.  I won’t lie, they weren’t super comfortable at this point, but they looked better than my maternity jeans, so I just wore them unzipped with a belly band. 
Was anyone else able to style non-maternity clothes when they were pregnant?  I’d love to hear if you have any tips or tricks to making it work. 

Instagram Outfit Review- Winter Looks

by Katie Haller

Hey everyone!  I can’t believe that it’s February already!  Time is just flying by!  I’m sorry about the lack of post lately, but I’ve been super busy.  Ever since I went back to work after Christmas break it’s been one thing after another with doctor appointments, a sick baby, work stuff and preparing for a move.  It seems like there is always something, but hopefully this month things will start to settle down.  My family and I just moved into a new house, which was definitely a challenge to do with a baby.  It’s all worth it though because I love our new home.  It’s the perfect place for our little family!  It’s always fun to have a fresh start, but it always comes with lots of projects and of course a wish list of all the new home accessories that I want to buy.  I know that it will all get done eventually.  Until then, I can’t promise that many blog posts.  I have lots of ideas in my head of all the things that I’d like to write about, unfortunately, I’m lacking in time.  Until I can get together some time to put together some new posts, I thought that I’d do a quick round-up of my Instagram outfits.  
I have found this winter to be hard to dress for.  I think one of the problems with the winter in Las Vegas is that it’s not cold enough to wear actual warm winter clothes, but it’s still too cold to wear non-winter clothes… if that makes any sense?  The mornings have been in the ’30s, so it gets kind of hard to take an outfit selfie on my way to the car, that’s why I’ve been slacking on sharing my outfit of the day.

Here are my looks from this winter so far…

Coat- Old Navy
Sweater- Target
Jeans- Meijer
Boots- Burlington Coat Factory
Purse- Neiman Marcus Last Call
Top- Target
Jeans- Nordstrom Rack
Purse- Coach
Shoes- DSW
Top- Nordstrom Rack
Cardigan- H&M
Leggings- Forever 21
Scarf- Banana Republic Factor
Boots- Target
Sweater- Express
Necklace- Nordstrom Rack
Jeans- TJ Maxx
Purse- Neiman Marcus Last Call
Tunic- Old Navy
Jacket- Meijer
Leggings- Last Call
Shoes- Nordstrom
Sweater- Express
Jeans- Nordstrom Rack
Sweater- Meijer
Top- Target
Jeans- Target
Scarf- Old Navy
Purse- Savers
Those are my winter looks.  Hopefully, with the weather warming up a bit, I can get some more of my outfit of the day posts on Instagram soon!

Weekend Wardrobe- Casual Mom Style

by Katie Haller

It’s been so long since I last did a weekend wardrobe post.  Lately, my weekends are spent around the house and running errands.  We are moving at the end of the month, so I feel like I am just preparing myself for our move.  I also had a sick baby this weekend.  My poor little Jack had his fourth ear infection since September.  It’s so frustrating because I hate seeing him sick.  He doesn’t eat or sleep well when he’s not feeling well and it makes me sad to see.  Luckily he’s getting better.

To go along with my non-eventful life, I’ve been embracing a very casual mom style lately.  I’ve been really obsessed with a couple of my accessories from my closet that really help to dress up my casual looks.  I recently bought a pair of converse tennis shoes (here) and I’m loving them!  I’ve also been using my black satchel purse (here) that I bought this past fall.  I haven’t had a chance to use it that much, because it’s smaller than my other purses and I’m always needing to lug around a bunch of baby items.  But as Jack gets older, I’m able to run to the store without bringing all the extra diapers and bottles that I used to.

Here is what I wore…

Saturday  

Top- Target (similar)
Leggings- Forever 21 (exact)
Denim Top- Target (similar)
Scarf- Nordstrom (similar)
Sunday
Top- Nordstrom Rack (similar)
Cardigan- Macy’s (similar)
Leggings- Kohl’s (exact)
Those are my looks this weekend!  I hope everyone has a great week!

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