Thrifty Wife Happy Life

My Closet~Weekend Wardrobe

October 4, 2014 by Katie Haller

I just love putting together a Saturday outfit. There is no dress code on a Saturday. Today was a cool, cloudy, fall day. It’s the perfect day to have no plans at all.

Here is my lazy Saturday outfit…

Checkered button down with boyfriend cardigan

Grey Sweater- Target

Checkered button-down- Target

Jeans- Old Navy

Boots- DSW

I just love this look. The checkered button-down is a new purchase. I’ve been looking for a shirt like this for a while now. When I found it in my size on clearance at Target, I had to get it. I have at least 4 of these Boyfriend Cardigans from Target. They are always a good price and they are great for layering your clothes.

This was just the perfect fall look for the weekend.

Fall Recipes~ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwich

October 2, 2014 by Katie Haller

The weekend before my husband left for his training, I let him pick anything he wanted me to make for him for dinner that week. He suggested I make him pulled pork in the crockpot. He always tells me that he loves meat from the crockpot served on bread or a tortilla (easy enough for me).

I absolutely love my crockpot. It’s the best invention ever, especially for working women. I use it as much as I can, especially during the colder months. Kevin’s request for pulled pork was simple, but he has high standards. He doesn’t like it drenched in sauce. The night before, we were watching America’s Best BBQ on Netflix. So I decided to go with what I learned on the BBQ show and make up my own pulled pork.

In a small bowl, I combined the following…

2 Tbs brown sugar

2 Tbs paprika

1 Tbs garlic powder

1 Tbs onion powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

In a separate bowl, I combined…

2 Tbs Olive Oil

2 Tbs Worcester sauce

2 Tbs Cider vinegar

After both mixtures were combined, I placed the roast in the crockpot. (I just bought a pork roast on sale at Kroger for around $5.50. You could really use any kind of pork, shoulder, loin, chops… I just went with what was on sale.) I poured the liquid mixture over the roast, then covered it in the seasoning. After that I set the timer for 10 hours and let it cook on low.

To go with the pork I created 2 sides…coleslaw and baked apples.

Baked apples are a fall favorite for me! They are super easy to make and go perfectly with pork. Here is all you need to make baked apples…

Apples (I used one granny smith, one red delicious and one gala apple on this day).

Cinnamon- 1-2 Tbs

Brown or white sugar- 1-2 Tbs

All you need to do is slice the apples, sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar on top, mix it up and bake for an hour at 375. It’s as simple as that.

My coleslaw recipe came from my Pinterest page. It was a delicious healthy coleslaw made with greek yogurt and apple cider vinegar. I definitely recommend this recipe. Check it out below!

http://cathe.com/healthy-recipecreamy-coleslaw-with-greek-yogurt-dressing

After all my side dishes were completed, I layered my pork, apples, and coleslaw on a bun to create the perfect fall pulled pork sandwich. This is definitely one recipe that you will want to try this fall! Enjoy!

Simple Sunday

September 28, 2014 by Katie Haller

I just ended the first week of being apart from my husband while he’s away at training. It hasn’t been easy for the two of us to be apart from one another for this long. This week has definitely been an adjustment for me. It’s been hard coming home to an empty house. The good news is I have a wonderful family that I have been able to spend a little extra one on one time with.

The weather this weekend was absolutely gorgeous. The sun was out and you can see just a touch of orange in the trees. It was perfect. I was able to spend some time with my mom. We spent Saturday morning hiking through a park we used to go to when I was a kid. It was fun to rediscover an old place. It was the perfect way to brighten up my long lonely week.

Here are a few pictures from the walk

Hiking Trail

Not a cloud in the sky

Walk along the lake

A sign that summer is officially over

I hope you enjoyed my Simple Sunday. What was something simple from your week that made you smile?

Shopping Finds~New Maxi Dress

September 25, 2014 by Katie Haller

The seasons are changing, so I’ve been keeping an eye out for cute new fall clothes. Usually, in the early Fall, I’m looking for cute sweaters and dresses that I can wear with a cute pair of boots. But not this year. I won’t be needing all those warm clothes when I’m living in a warm climate. With this in mind, I’ve been on the hunt for a cute maxi dress. Something that I can wear here in Michigan throughout the fall and also wear it as a summer dress.

While browsing through the clearance section at Target, I came across this pink and purple pattern maxi dress. It was only $8.98, 70% off the original price. I decided to go ahead and buy it. I really couldn’t beat the price. The dress is very simple on its own, but with the right accessories, it will be perfect for work, church or anywhere else I want to wear it. I accessorized the dress with a jean jacket, brown belt, brown wedged shoes, and a pearl necklace. I’m really loving this look. I just had to share it with all of you! What do you think?

Maxi dress with jean jacket, brown belt and pearl necklace

My closet~What I Wore This Week

September 20, 2014 by Katie Haller

As promised, I’m embracing the fall weather, starting with one of my favorite things about fall…the clothes! I’ve heard people complaining lately about the cooler days, but not me. I couldn’t wait to pull my favorite pair of boots out of the closet. I highly doubt those boots will get much use in Florida.

Here are some of my favorite fall looks from the past week.

Sunday

Black Dress- Hand-me-Down

Jean Jacket- Jessica Simpson

Leggings- Target

Scarf- Old Navy

Monday

Black Dress- Target

Purple cover-up- Express

Leggings- Target

Boots- Target

Belt- Target

Tuesday

Black Jeggings- Jessica Simpson

Jean Shirt- Target

Black Blazer- Forever 21

Red Necklace- Aldo

Leopard Flats- Old Navy

Friday

Blouse- Jessica Simpson

Red Jeans- Kohls

Black Cardigan- Macy’s

Necklace- Kohls

A Farewell to Fall

September 18, 2014 by Katie Haller

In Michigan, people always complain about the weather. They complain when it’s too cold and they complain if it’s too hot. One thing that I’ve always heard Michiganders say is that they enjoy the “season changes”. By this, I truly believe that these people are talking about Fall. (At least that’s what I mean when I say it.) That’s the only season, besides summer, that people around here really look forward to. I’ve never once heard anyone say “I’m counting down the days until winter. I just can’t wait for another polar vortex”.

Well, it looks like this may be my last fall in Michigan. My husband recently got a job at a new airline. As of right now, it looks like he will be based in Florida. We are both really excited about this new opportunity and an exciting adventure. One of the changes for me, with the relocation, will be experiencing one season year-round…..summer! I have to say, if I have to pick a season I enjoy most it would be summer, but Fall is a very close second for me. It will always have a special place in my heart. I will definitely miss this season.

There is so much to love about the fall. It slowly eases you into the cold weather with the crisp cool days and the leaves changing into beautiful colors of red and orange.

I came across this beautiful site last November while on a walk. I had to take a picture.

This year I plan to live it up throughout the Fall! I want to embrace the Fall as much as I can. From wearing my favorite fall outfits to making some delicious Fall recipes, to just enjoying the outside on a beautiful autumn day.

Look for plenty of fall post the next couple of months. Feel free to send any Fall ideas my ways as well. I will have to find ways to keep the season of Fall alive even while living surrounded by palm trees.

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