Thrifty Wife Happy Life

Helping women love what they wear on a budget

A Love for Stripes

by Katie Haller

I know that I’m not alone when I say that I LOVE STRIPES!  It’s no secret.  For whatever reason, the black and white pattern catches my eye every time.  But each pattern of stripes that I buy is a little different than the rest.  When I go shopping, I am so practical.  I look for clothes that I’m going to get good use out of and that can be worn over and over again.  For me, stripes are always the answer.  
I went on a fast from shopping last month.  After Memorial Day, I told myself that I wasn’t allowed to buy any new clothes for the month of June.  I made it through June, and since I’m going on vacation this weekend, I wanted to get a new dress.  I fell in love with this white dress with black stripes (SIMILAR) from TJMaxx.  I felt that the black on white stripes gave it a nautical feel that would be perfect for a beach vacation. 
 The best color to accessorize stripes with in my opinion is a cognac or camel brown.  It always makes the stripes pop.  I’ve been so light on my jewelry this summer because it’s so hot.  Unless I plan on spending the entire day in air conditioning, I usually just wear statement earrings of some sort.  I love these little teardrop earrings I found at Walmart for $2 (SIMILAR).  My necklaces tend to tarnish when I sweat behind my neck in the heat (#cheapjewelryproblems), so instead, I’ve been using my sunglasses (SIMILAR) as my neck accessory and wearing them in my shirt when they are not over my eyes.  This dress is perfect on its own, but I layered it with my thrifted denim vest (SIMILAR) for this look.  A denim vest makes for a great alternative to a denim jacket in the summer.  It gives the same look, but the sleeveless vest helps when it’s so hot out.  For shoes, I went with my favorite slip-on wedges (SIMILAR).  These shoes are so comfy, I can wear them for a full day and my feet don’t hurt.

For more stripe dresses and similar affordable options, shop the look below!

Surviving Summer with PinkBlush

by Katie Haller

This is my third summer living in Las Vegas.  I’d like to think that I’m getting used to the hot summers, but there is always some point in the summer, usually right around mid-July, that I get so sick of the heat.  I can handle the dry hot days of 105 degrees no problem, but when we get our first blast of humidity at the beginning of the monsoon season, that’s when I want to get in my car and drive to the coolest destination I can find.  Luckily next week I’ll be escaping to the beaches of California for a week, but I know that the hot humid days will be waiting for me when I get back. 

When I talk about a humid day in the desert, I’m talking about only 20% humidity, which is really nothing compared to a Midwest summer day, but it’s the heat that makes it so much worse.  I find it nearly impossible to get dressed with it hot and humid.  The easiest way for me to dress in the heat is in comfortable flowy dresses.  Anything that is loose-fitting is perfect.  
This post is part of a collaboration with PinkBlush.  As always my opinions are 100% my own. 
This navy blue ruffled bottom dress from PinkBlush is the perfect solution to dressing comfortably in the heat.  I love how flowy and lose it fits.  The back has a very cute lace-up crisscross tie on it, which I think gives it the perfect amount of detail.  I wore this dress last weekend while we hung out with my brother and sister-in-law, exploring some spots here in Las Vegas.  It was super hot, humid and cloudy that day.  Jack was acting up because he was tired, out of sorts and probably hot.  I think I would have been in a horrible mood if I wasn’t wearing this dress, but I ended up having a nice time with my family because I felt comfortable and cute in my outfit.     

PinkBlush 

To shop my dress and more comfortable summer dresses, check out PinkBlush!

Photo Shoot in the Art’s District

by Katie Haller

Hey guys! I’m so excited about today’s blog post!  A couple of weeks ago, I met up with a local Las Vegas photographer, Elissa Rangel for an outfit photoshoot.  When she contacted me to collaborate with her I was super excited.  For one, I take my own blog pictures and I thought it would be fun to work with someone who actually knows what they are doing.  And for two, I had seen Elissa’s photos on her Instagram page and I could see she had a lot of talent.  

Elissa is from California and has lived in Las Vegas for about 3 years, just like me.  She has a daughter who she often uses as a model in her photographs.  On her blog, Elissa shares some great photography tips like What to Wear to Your Photo Session and 5 Tips to Help You Take Better Pictures of Your Child (tips I desperately need!!).  Elissa also has a YouTube channel where she shares her editing techniques and photography inspiration and tips.  
I met with Elissa on a hot Saturday morning in the Art’s District in Downtown Las Vegas.  If you have never been to the Art’s District, I suggest you go.  It’s a different side of Las Vegas that most tourists never see.  No casinos, but it’s filled with vintage antique stores, pawnshops, thrift stores, brewery’s, yummy restaurants and trendy coffee shops.  Just like in many cities in America, downtown Las Vegas is being revitalized by its hipsters and artist community.  It’s really the perfect spot to take blog pictures. 
Elissa was great to work with.  She was very nice and professional.  I warned her that I was not a model.  I’m still not very comfortable with getting my picture taken, even though I share pictures of myself and my outfits all the time on my blog and social media.  Elissa made me feel very comfortable in front of the camera.  She made some suggestions and had a few visions on what kind of shots she wanted to get.  She was also opened to the ideas that I had.  
We shot 3 different outfits, which for me was very hard to narrow down.  Typically, I get an idea in my head for an outfit and I put it on when I have time and take a few quick pictures.  This photoshoot took some planning for me.  I have been trying to be resourceful with my wardrobe lately, so I told myself that I wasn’t allowed to go shopping for anything new for this posts.  I had to find pieces in my closet that I could re-wear in new ways.  I feel like the outfits were a good choice and show off my style well. 
*This post contains affiliate links, which means by clicking on and/or making a purchase through a link, I will earn a commission for this blog.  Thank you for your support!
Top– Shein (exact) || Shorts- Charlotte Russe (exact) || Sandals- Burlington Coat Factory (similar) Earrings- Target (similar) || Purse- Ross (similar) || Sunglasses-Glassesshop (similar) 
Top- Old Navy (similar) || Kimono- PinkBlush (exact) || Shorts- Charlotte Russe (similar) || Shoes- ThredUP (similar) || Purse- Last Call Neiman Marcus (similar) || Necklace- Nordstrom Rack (similar)

Dress- Express (similar) || Necklace- Nordstrom Rack (similar) || Purse- Last Call Neiman Marcus (similar)  || Shoes- Target (similar) || Earrings- Walmart (similar) Sunglasses- Glassesshop (similar)

I’m thrilled with the way these photos turned out.  I really love the urban feel of the setting.  I want to say a big thank you to Elissa for letting me be her model for the day and sharing these beautiful photos with me.  To learn more about Elissa and find out her rates, head over to her website elissarangel.com or check out her Instagram @elissarangelphotography.

Adding a Pop of Color to Your Wardrobe

by Katie Haller

I love color, but when it comes to my wardrobe, I often stick to neutral and dark colors.  I’m always drawn to black, white, browns and nudes.  That’s why I am always looking for ways to add some color to my wardrobe.  I often add in my color with accessories.  It’s the easiest way for me to add some color without overdoing it.  I love using a colorful purse to just add the pop of color I’m looking for.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means by clicking on and/or making a purchase through a link, I will earn a commission for this blog.  Thank you for your support!

I often get a lot of complements of my coral satchel purse.  It was a gift from my aunt before I moved to Las Vegas.  She said that she thought it would look perfect in the desert and she was right.  I’ve been carrying it off and on ever since I moved out to Vegas.  I love that it’s bright and it just adds that pop of color my outfits need.  I also love the classic style of this purse.  I like to find purses that have a timeless style to them.  A trendy purse can go out of style so quickly. 
Today I wanted to share some of my looks while using this purse and often some similar shopping options for you.  
 

 

So where can you find a colorful purse like mine??  Well, just like most of my wardrobe, you can’t find my exact item in stores anymore.  But you can find some similar classic colorful purses like mine.  For me, I always have good luck at stores like TJMaxx, Marshalls and Burlington Coat Factory.  Usually, you can find some decent brands with good quality for under $40.  I do love classic brands like Coach and Kate Spade and I’m a big fan of outlet shopping, so if you want to make a splurge, I recommended checking out the outlet stores.  The other two places I always find really cute purses for a decent price are Target and Charming Charlie.  Charming Charlie probably has the best selection of colors.  Below I have some colorful purses that I found for under $80. 

Weekday Wardrobe

by Katie Haller

Hey guys!  So I have been collecting a lot of outfit selfies from the last couple of months of my weekly wardrobe.  I’ve been wanting to share a big round-up of all my favorite work outfits from the year, but whenever I go to start writing the post I get so overwhelmed.  That’s why I thought I would take it slow and just share the last couple of weeks.

I take an outfit selfie before work pretty much every day that I like my outfit and sometimes that’s a lot.  Going to work in a cute outfit helps me feel good about my self and puts me in a better mood.  That’s why I love to share what I wear to help all of you get that same feeling.  I don’t love waking up at 5am and getting myself ready to be out the door by 7:15, but I do love having something to do every day.  My job is my social outlet at the moment.  It actually brightens my day when I see my other co-workers coming to work in cute outfits and telling me that they were inspired to dress a little more stylish from reading my blog.

I always like to mention that I work in a preschool classroom, so I have to keep it casual and comfortable, but I still try to stay someone stylish.  I think I may have shared this story before, but I’ll share it again.  My first job out of college was at a child care center and they had a strict dress code.  You had to wear a company polo shirt with black pants or khakis.  I hated it. (not so much the job, just the dress code.)  After that, I always asked at my interviews what the dress code is because I’m just not the uniform-wearing kind of girl.  I’ll save that for my husband.

Anyway, here are 7 outfits from the last two weeks.  A lot of my clothes are thrifted, so I will write where I bought them, what store they are from (if I know) and I will also link a similar affordable option for you! 

 Top- ThredUP– Target (SIMILAR) || Jeans- Goodwill- Hollister (SIMILAR) || Shoes- Walmart (EXACT) || Earrings- Target (SIMILAR)

 Dress- Savers- Old Navy (SIMILAR) || Jacket- Savers- Old Navy (SIMILAR) || Shoes- Walmart (EXACT)

 Top- Shein (EXACT) || Jeans- Goodwill- Hollister (SIMILAR) || Shoes- Walmart (EXACT) || Earrings- Target (SIMILAR)

 Top- Target (SIMILAR) || Skirt- TJMaxx (SIMILAR) || Shoes- Burlington Coat Factory (SIMILAR)

Top- Target (SIMILAR) || Skirt- ThredUP– Forever 21 (SIMILAR) || Shoes- Nordstrom- Converse (EXACT)

 Dress- Walmart (SIMILAR) || Top- Target (SIMILAR) || Shoes- Nordstrom- Converse (EXACT) || Necklace- Kohl’s- LC Lauren Conrad (SIMILAR)

Dress- ThredUP (SIMILAR) || Top- Savers- H&M (SIMILAR) || Shoes- Walmart (EXACT)

Hopefully, this gave you a little motivation for your wardrobe this week.  I hope everyone has a great week!!

Floral Sundress with PinkBlush

by Katie Haller

Hey guys!  So it’s already mid-June and I’m feeling like my summer laziness is really setting in.  I mentioned a few times that June is a long work month for me.  Working through the summer is never fun, but I’ve been getting new kids transferring into my classroom and old kids transferring out, which makes things a little hectic for us teachers.  My work weeks have been busy as always, but my weekends have been amazing!  

We haven’t done much, but every weekend feels like a vacation for me.  The weather this month hasn’t been as hot as the Las Vegas summer’s that I’ve experienced in the past.  We have been getting out around town and spending lots of time at the pool.  The last 2 weekends I felt like I lived in my bathing suit.  It’s also been really nice because my brother and sister-in-law just moved to Las Vegas last month.  We have been seeing them regularly and it’s been really nice.  I’m so happy to have family living in the same metro area as me.  It’s been a long time. 
Now that June is half over I can really start to get excited about next month.  I’ve been really looking forward to July for a while because we have a couple trips planned.  We are taking our first mini-family vacation with just the 3 of us and going to a resort not far from Las Vegas.  We have never stayed at an actual hotel with Jack because all our traveling since he was born has been to stay at our family’s homes.  It should be fun.  We also have a week planned with my husband’s side of the family at the ocean.  To me, there is no better summer vacation than a trip to the ocean.  
With all this excitement of the summer season going on, I’ve been super lazy lately.  I’ve been not feeling up to doing my usual weekend chore routine.  I’d rather get out of the house and enjoy the weather, than clean toilets and floors.  (I’m trying to work on my husband about getting a house cleaner for that, but we will have to see if he will give in.)  I’ve also been super lazy about cooking, but I always seem to get like that in the summer.  Pretty much all of our meals come out of a Trader Joe’s frozen meal bag, or I find something that takes under 20 minutes to make.  I promise I will get a blog post out soon on some of my favorite quick and easy meals.  The last thing I’ve been pretty lazy about this summer has been my wardrobe.  
*This post is part of a collaboration with PinkBlush.  All options are 100% my own.
Lazy style doesn’t mean that you have to look lazy while wearing it.  It just means that you don’t have to put as much effort into it.  I’ve been wearing a lot of dresses and rompers because they are easy to style and make for light laundry loads.  I’ve really been loving floral prints this summer and this ivory floral sleeveless dress from PinkBlush is the perfect lazy dress for summer.  The print on it gives it the perfect amount of style to dress it up or dress it down.  It’s so pretty, you barely need to add any accessories to it.   For this look I’m sharing today, I decided to dress it up with my strappy heels and little blush crossbody purse.  For jewelry, I kept it simple and found some simple goal pieces.   I’m planning on wearing it to work soon, so I’ll probably wear it with a denim jacket and some flats.  I figured it would be perfect to wear out for dinner while on vacation with my wedge shoes or flat sandals.  Either way, I wear it, it’s the perfect effortless summer dress. 

Want to find more summer floral dresses to add to your summer wardrobe? Check out PinkBlush! 

PinkBlush

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