Thrifty Wife Happy Life

Helping women love what they wear on a budget

Striped Button-Front Shirt

by Katie Haller

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve sat down and tried to write this blog post.  I’ve been wanting to share this look for weeks, but every time I go to write, I realize that I have something else to do before I can start.  That task usually leads to another and before I know it, I’m too tired to write.  The last few weekends have been productive, but busy.  My plan was to get a bunch of blog posts drafted and scheduled for the last couple weeks of October because I’m going to Michigan at the end of the week and I know I won’t have much time for blogging while I’m there.  That didn’t happen though.  There were just more important things to get done before our trip, plus this weekend Jack decided to boycott his naps, which is not a good thing for me.  Naptime is blog time for me on the weekends.  But finally, I have a minute.  Due to not having a nap today, Jack passed out on the living room floor at 7:30, so bedtime was a breeze tonight.  With the husband sleeping too, I can finally work on a few blog posts and plan out my life a little.  Yay!

Anyway, today I want to share this super cute Amazon find.  This black and white striped button-down tank top (Find it HERE) is the perfect tank for wearing under my cardigans this fall.  This style of top is very in style right now with the buttons and the knot at the bottom.  It was only $5 on Amazon, but I don’t have Prime, so I did have to pay for shipping.  Sometimes I get nervous when ordering really cheap clothes online, but this one turned out to be a pretty good find.  Minus the poorly sewed buttons, it’s a pretty decent top.  I bought it in a small, but I do wish I would have sized up because I do like my tops a little baggier for styling. 
I thought that this top went perfectly with my new duster cardigan (HERE) from Forever 21.  I may have mentioned before that I hate going to the mall.  It’s too time consuming and too overwhelming, that’s why I’m all about mall shopping online.  I’ve been doing almost all my shopping online lately.  So I was unsure about this cardigan at first. I wasn’t sure if I should size up or down, but I have to say that I really love it.  It’s the perfect fit and It was under $13, which for a cardigan, I think that’s a great price.  I accessorized my look with my favorite leopard clutch that everyone likes so much.  I love to mix leopard and stripes.  It’s one of my favorite combos for fall. I’m also always a fan of the peep-toed booties in the fall.  These booties are the perfect color for me. You can scroll down to get all the details on this outfit! 
*This post contains affiliate links.  By clicking on and making a purchase through a link, I will earn a small commission for this blog.  Thank you for your support. 

Shop my look

Cardigan- Forever 21 (exact) || Top- Amazon (exact) || Jeans- Old Navy- Savers (similar) || Clutch- H&M- ThredUP (similar) || Shoes- Target- ThredUP (similar) || Necklace- Nordstrom (exact) || Watch- Nordstrom Rack (similar)

The Ultimate Mom Summer Wardrobe

by Katie Haller

I know that I complain about dressing in the summer a lot because it’s so hot.  I miss jeans and layers, but there are a lot of great things about summer clothes.  For one, it’s easy to get dressed in the summer.  There are fewer pieces and less need to accessorize.  Summer clothes also keep your laundry loads smaller.  Pretty much your summer wardrobe should be cheaper and easier than your winter wardrobe.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means that by clicking on and/or making a purchase through a link, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Today I wanted to break down my favorite pieces in my summer wardrobe and share them with you.  I want this post to be a resource for all you moms out there.  I hear from so many of my friends and women I talk to that they have lost their sense of style after becoming a mom.  I think that sometimes we just get so caught up with our kids that we forget that we have other clothes in our closet beside the workout clothes.  Fashion does not have to be expensive or hard.  Sometimes it just takes a minute to think about what it takes to get your style back.  You might be surprised by how simple a summer mom wardrobe can be.

Below, I’ve broken down 4 categories in my wardrobe… dresses, tops, bottoms, and shoes. You may already have these pieces in your closet, and if you don’t, I’ve listed some affordable options for you. 

Dresses
Maxi Dress– I love a good maxi dress in the summer.  It’s so easy to throw on and go! I prefer a nice solid color maxi or a simple pattern that I can wear on repeat all summer. 

T-shirt dress– A t-shirt dress is another throw on a go dress.  It doesn’t take a lot of accessorizing, just a necklace and a pair of tennis shoes or sandals and you are good to go. It’s perfect for errand running. 

Floral Dress– I think everyone needs a little floral in the summer.  I love all the different prints out there.  It’s just so summery and fun! 

Solid Color Dress–  I’m a big fan of solid-colored dresses.  My go-to color is black, but every now and again I’ll throw in a bright color. 

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Tops

Peplum top– I love the peplum tops with the little ruffle at the bottom.  They are so fun and girly.  They are super easy to wear with jeans or shorts.  I recently found an Old Navy peplum top at Savers and so far it’s becoming one of my favorite tops for the summer. 

White Blouse– As a mom and a preschool teacher, white has always scared me, because I’m always worried about messing it up, but lately I’ve been loving my white tops.  They are so classic and go with everything. They have made their way into my summer wardrobe.

 T-shirt– As a mom, what’s better than a t-shirt?  Especially a striped t-shirt! I wear t-shirts all the time.  I really love V-necks.  You can tuck them, you can knot them or just leave them out.  Nothing is easier than wearing a comfy t-shirt and some jean shorts. 

Chambray top– I love a good chambray top.  In the summer I wear my short sleeve chambray top a lot.  It’s so cute with maxi skirts or shorts.  I can’t get enough of mine.  

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Bottoms
Denim skirt– I’m all about jean skirts this summer.  I love the lengths of them this season.  Not too short and not too long.  I love how casual a jean skirt is. 

Mid-Length skirt–  I’m loving the mid-length skirts right now.  I’m short, so my maxi skirts and dresses always need a hem or a high heal with them.  A mid-length skirt is a perfect length for me. 

Distressed jean shorts- I just bought 2 pairs of jean shorts for the summer and I love them so much.  They are so comfortable and casual.  Everyone needs a great pair of jean shorts. 

Jeans–  Even in the heat of the desert summer, I still wear jeans.  I love a good cropped pair of jeans.  If they are distressed, even better. 


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Shoes
Converse– My Converse Chuck Taylor’s are my most worn pair of shoes in my closet.  I honestly don’t know what I did before them.  I wear them with literally everything…dresses, jeans, shorts, skirts….everything!

Sandals– A good pair of classic sandals that you love should be in your wardrobe for sure.  I bought a pair of Madden Girl sandals at Burlington Coat Factory for only $10 and they are my go to sandals.  They go with everything.  

Slides–  Let’s be honest, sometimes we are too busy putting the kids’ shoes on that we almost don’t have time to put on our own shoes.  That’s why slides are the perfect mom shoe.  Just slide them right on.  They will go with everything too!


Wedge Sandals– Wedges are my favorite because they are much more comfortable than heels. They are an easy way to dress up an outfit and give you a little height too!

So there you have it.  These are all my favorite summer essentials.  So whether you’re a stay at home mom who lives in leggings, or a working mom who feels like you have no time for shopping and outfit planning, hopefully, this post can be some help for you.  I wear everything from this list.  Summer is a time to simplify your life and enjoy your family, so make your wardrobe easy and light!

Spring Shoes for Less

by Katie Haller



I am such a shoe fan.  Every time I put together a list for a new season, the number one thing I always want is shoes.  My husband, who owns only 5 pairs of shoes, cannot understand my need for new shoes.  I feel like shoes are the most important part of an outfit. 

This spring, I have my eye on lots of different shoe styles.  I love getting inspired by other blogger’s outfits on Instagram and Pinterest, but I always find their shoes are often out of my price range.  That’s why I always set off to find a dupe. In my opinion, the best place to find designer look-a-likes is good old Target.  I always find stylish shoes that are designer knock off’s for a fraction of the price of the real thing. Besides the price,  
*This post contains affiliate links, which means by clicking on and/or making a purchase through a link, I will make a small commission for this blog.  Thank you for your support!

Today, I want to help give you a guide for your spring shoe shopping. 

I love Peep toes, especially with a bootie.  I’ve been eyeing these Vince Camuto Karinta block heel booties (HERE), but with my price range being between $30-$50 per item, even with their best sale, these booties have been out of my reach.  Good thing I found an almost exact pair at Target (HERE) for only $34.99!!
While we’re talking about booties, I should mention that I also love these Vince Camuto Phandra Booties (HERE), but again I found them out of my price range.  Target has a similar pair with the same laser cuts for $33.99 (HERE).
Last summer, all I saw were espadrille wedge sandals everywhere.  I wanted a pair so bad, but I was having a hard time finding one in my price range.  The splurge pair I was looking at was the Marc Fisher LTD Adalyn Espadrille Wedges (HERE).  This year Target has an almost identical pair for only $34.99 (HERE). 
I haven’t decided how I feel about mules yet, but I couldn’t ignore this dupe. These Gucci Princetown Loafer Mules (HERE) are a beautiful pair of shoes, but not everyone can afford the $680 price tag.  Target has a pretty good dupe for only $22.99 (HERE).  I don’t know about you, but I think that’s the perfect price tag for a trendy shoe like this.
These Marc Fisher Annie Perforated Wedges (HERE) are another pair of espadrille sandals that I’ve been loving. They are beautiful, but they are also $150.  Target has a similar style for $32.99 (HERE). 
I keep wanting these nude colored sandals every year.  This might be the year I buy them.  I love this classic pair from Nine West (HERE), but personally, I think I like the ones from Target best (HERE).  
Shop the shoes!
The designer splurges


The Target look dupes for less


It’s up to you how much you want to spend on your shoes, but if you’re a shoe lover like myself, you might want to keep yourself on some sort of budget.  Hopefully this will help you find those great designer styles for less!

Happy Shopping!!

Teacher Gifts Under $40!

by Katie Haller

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I am getting really excited for Christmas.  I’m officially ready to start my shopping.  I have to say that my favorite people to shop for are Jack’s daycare teacher.  I truly appreciate everything that they do for him, so when Christmas comes, I get excited to spoil them.  Being a teacher myself, I’ve received a lot of great teacher gifts over the years.  It’s always the thought that counts and us teachers always love to be remembered. 

  This year, I’m going to try to do most of my Christmas shopping from my couch to avoid shopping the crowded stores with a toddler.  Amazon happens to be my go-to place for gifts this year, because you can find almost anything there, including great teacher gifts.  Here is a list of teacher gifts that I have my eye on this year.  Best of all, these gifts are all under $40 and most of them are under $20!!

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


One || “After School Snack” wine glass
This wine glass just cracks me up because it’s so true.  Teachers deserve to have some time to wind down from a long day with kids.  
Two || Blanket Scarf
Us teacher love our scarves!  I like to give scarves as a gift because they are easy to pick out and one size fits all.  
Three || Kate Spade bow bracelet
This was actually a teacher gift that I received from one of my students at the end of the year last year, so I just had to add it to my list.  Jewelry always makes a good gift.  It’s extra special when it comes to a student. 
Four || Apron
I love giving and getting aprons as a gift.  I always like to wear an apron while I’m cooking or cleaning in the kitchen, but it’s not something that I would buy for myself.  That’s why it’s the perfect gift. 
Five || Teacher definition makeup bag
While I was looking for a cute makeup bag, I stumbled upon this adorable teacher definition makeup bag.  This would make a great teacher gift and you could even fill it with some goodies and gift cards to go along with the gift. 
Six || Kate Spade travel coffee mug
Teachers love their morning coffee and usually, we have to be to work so early that we don’t always have time to make a stop for coffee.  That’s why a travel mug makes such a great teacher gift. 
Seven || Coach ID lanyard
I love these Coach lanyards.  They are perfect to wear every day with your work ID.  They are pretty popular with the teachers at my school.  If you happen to notice that your child’s teacher is wearing her work ID in a boring plastic lanyard, then this would make a perfect gift for them!
Eight || Knock Knock notepads
I personally love these little knock knock notepads.  They come in all different colors and sayings.  They help keep you on track.  I use them to keep me organized with work and blogging too. All teacher’s appreciate help with organization. 

Nine || Kate Spade lunch box
A lunch box is a perfect teacher gift.  Teacher’s often have short lunch breaks and we prefer to pack our lunch.  No one likes a boring lunch bag though.  That’s why a teacher would appreciate a Kate Spade lunch box like this one. 
Those are my favorite teacher gifts for this year.  Hopefully you can spoil your child’s teacher this year!

Happy Shopping!!

My Fall 2017 Wish List

by Katie Haller

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- Fall 2017 Wish List. Affordable fall essentials
It’s that time of the year again.  The days are starting to get shorter and the weather is starting to get cooler.  Season changes make me want to do some shopping.  Before I go shopping, I always like to put together a list of items that I really would like to buy.  It always helps me stay on budget and stay away from impulse buys.  Every time I make myself a list like this and post it, I normally do a good job sticking to it.

Fall fashion is my favorite!  Fall in Las Vegas starts much later than other’s, but once it cools down, the weather stays like fall weather all winter long, so my fall wardrobe is also my winter wardrobe.  This year I’m all about neutrals and layering.  The clothes I have my eye out for are very simple, but very versatile and easy to wear.  I always love a touch of leopard print in the fall and winter, so I have my eye on a couple leopard print accessories.  I’m also loving gold jewelry lately.  I’ve always worn silver, but I have my eye on some pretty gold and rose gold jewelry pieces.  As always, I can never have enough purses and shoes, so those are definitely on my list as well.
*This post contains affiliate links, which means by clicking on and/or making a purchase through a link, I will receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- Neutral fall clothes!  
One || Two || Three || Four

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- Must have shoes for fall
One || Two || Three


Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- Must have purses for fall

One || Two || Three

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- Fall jewelry essentials
One || Two || Three

Now that I have my list together, the next step is the fun part… shopping for them!  Look for my outfit posts to see what I end up buying and the great deals I find this fall!

       

Off the Shoulder Floral Dress

by Katie Haller

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- floral off the shoulder dress
Hey everyone!  I am so excited to share this dress today.  I found it a few weeks ago at Ross Dress for Less for only $8.99.  I was looking for something that was a little more trendy than most of the dresses in my closet.  I am just loving the floral print with the off the shoulder style. 

Sometimes it makes me nervous to make a trendy purchase because I always try to make the most of my clothes and re-wear them in different ways.  I’m always afraid that a statement dress like this will only be able to style in one way.  That’s why the first thing I did after buying this dress was the start to outfit plan, so I could find different ways to style it.  Today I thought I would share 2 of the looks I came up with.

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

For the first look, I wore the dress with my black wedge sandals (similar), my black satchel purse (exact) and some fun jewelry.  I figured that this look would be cute for a shower, dinner date out or even a casual wedding. 
Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- floral off the shoulder dress
Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- floral off the shoulder dress

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- floral off the shoulder dress

 For a more casual look, I styled it with my white braided sandals (exact) and my new thrift store find black tote (similar).  I figured that this would be a look I’d more likely wear this summer.
Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- floral off the shoulder dress

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- floral off the shoulder dress

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- floral off the shoulder dress

I found that it’s easy to style a dress like this.  It’s really just about switching it up with your shoes and jewelry, then you can create any kind of look you want.

 It’s not hard to find a cute off the shoulder dress right now in stores, because they are everywhere!  I linked a bunch of similar dresses that I love below.

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