The Modest Budget: Thanksgiving Outfit (or, what to wear when you're about to stuff your face and belly with amazing food)

Happy Tuesday!

Gosh, I am so looking forward to this week... Last week was filled to the brim with math homework (bleh) and some over-due kitchen-cleaning. Jon was behind on homework too, so we didn't get a lot of time together. However, I did good when I picked him! Over the weekend, he beat me to the kitchen every morning - once to make me breakfast, and once to start the cleaning! My acts-of-service heart was singing. 😉

(Sorry for the weird pics this week... iPhone cameras aren't perfect yet! Lol)

Alright... Rule #1 for Thanksgiving: don't wear something tight. Duh!
But every year, I'm looking at my closet, thinking to myself, "what on earth is in here that won't make me feel fat when I eat 5 servings of mashed potatoes???"
C'mon... I can't be the only one!

But this year I stumbled on the solution (more like, the fashion trend slapped me in the face and I ran with it):

big sweaters!

You could just go "basic" and wear an oversized sweater with leggings and riding boots... But don't you wanna be a little more original?? Let's shake it up a bit!

(Check out my reasons for buying thrift store sweaters, 

and my 6 tips for successful thrifting!)

That's why I'm a fan of this look. Why? All I did is take a summer dress (that I wore here and here) and throw a baggy sweater over it, and leggings under it! (Because heaven knows I ain't wearin' tights on Thanksgiving day!😝) I liked the way the dress looked like a Skater Skirt underneath the sweater, too; it added some shape. (So this outfit could also be achieved with a Skater Skirt!)

Every year I've always gone to my great-aunts house with almost 50 other people, so it can get H-O-T in that house! We're shaking it up this year and going to my in-law's house, but I'm still always thinking about layers that I can take off, if crowds + ovens + full tummies are making the home extra warm.

So. My Thanksgiving outfit ingredients this year are:

1) Summer dress

2) Oversized sweater

3) Leggings

4) Over-the-boot socks (optional)

5) Boots/booties

Other outfit possibilities could be:

- Black (always slimming!)

- Basic (i.e., oversized sweater + leggings;)

- Tunic dress (I'm a total fan of this trend!)

Avoid:

- Tights

- Scarves (or bulky things around your neck that will be an obstacle to getting your food to your face)

- Tight clothes

Sweater: Hand-me-down, Target (same, <$15)

Dress: Francesca's, $40 (similar)

Boots: Target (Black Friday deals years ago) (faux suede version on sale!!)

I'm excited to be spending my favorite holiday with my in-laws this year... As a kid, Thanksgiving morning always included dragging the Christmas decorations out of the attic and decorating during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade commercials. Even though my newly-wed home still doesn't have many Christmas decorations (or room for Christmas decorations, lol!) I'm still excited to pull out my little box of Christmas lights, and then hang out at the Capra house while we spend the rest of the day eating:)

What are your Thanksgiving traditions?

Do you know what you're wearing yet?:)

Don't forget to tag your outfits on Instagram #TheModestBudget to be featured!

Linking up with some awesome parties here!

And don't miss out on the giveaway from Thursday!!!

This post does contain affiliate links where I earn a couple of cents for clicks I receive through this website, but it does not charge you as a reader:)

Counting My Blessings + A Thanksgiving Giveaway

Can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving Day?
I can't.

This will only be my and Jon's second Thanksgiving together, and I'm excited to spend it with his family this year. I'll be making my Mama's mashed potatoes (which are the best) (mainly because they mostly consist of butter) and we're just going to hang out all day and chill. I can't wait.

The Modest Budget: You Tired of Fall Things Yet?

So when does it become "basic white girl" to talk about fall? I mean, I know it's fun to talk about fall and all, but when does it become obsessive?
But on the flip-side, I feel like this is my 20th blog post about fall, and I'm totally ok with it because this fall weather is just delightful and refreshing and makes me want to do a happy dance while I wear every single sweater and scarf I own.

Since that would take way too long and be highly impractical, I decided to dress up all fall-y anyways, while I followed my mom along on some shopping errands.

How great is this bag, too??

And how could I step into Old Navy for the first time in months and NOT buy something??
Answer: I can't.
Especially when they have a sweet sale going on!
This tunic top was on sale for $11! (Peep my crazy mother;)

 I've been looking for a top like this that I could wear with jeans or leggings (i.e., it covers my booty!) and the waiting paid off. Can't wait to style this with mustard leggings (also still looking for those!) or maybe even my shark leggings!

 Anyways, with Hurricane Matthew taking our power for the entire weekend, the sale was a nice mood-booster.
Also, my mom is one of the sunshine-iest people I know, and you just can't be too glum around her for long.

 Do we actually look alike? Idk;)

Anyways, welcome to the middle of the week, hope ya'll are recovering from the stormy craziness alright!!

And scurry on over to Old Navy to get one of these tunic tops, because they're seriously FABulous.

I wanna see your new fall outfits and sale finds!!! Tag me with #TheModestBudget on Instagram!

Linking up with some awesome parties here!

The Modest Budget: Cheetah IS a Neutral + October Goals

Southern Virginia has not yet realized it's fully fall, but this light chambray top from Old Navy I bought on clearance years ago is helping bring the layers without the weather.

Chambray: Old Navy (old) (similar)
Shirt: Target (similar)
Skirt: Target (old)
Boots: Hand-me-down from a friend

I have always been a bit intimidated by cheetah, and I'm pretty sure there are only two items in my entire closet with the pattern. But those two items are two things I come back to over and over! After all... it IS a neutral!

One of them is this skater skirt I've had for years. The other are my cheetah croc flats, which you have definitely seen on my @themodestbudget Instagram! I bought them on clearance this summer with the intention of using them as house shoes (in lieu of slippers) but they were so cute + comfy that I can't resist wearing them out-and-about too. I feel like I wear them all the time!

Out for margs with a wife-to-be! 🍹👰🏼 Layering this summer tank with a super light layer is another great way to "look fall" before the weather "feels fall"! 🍁🍂🍃🌿🍃🍂How are you transitioning for fall? Tag me! #TheModestBudget

A photo posted by Casey 🌺 Capra (@themodestbudget) on Sep 14, 2016 at 5:30pm PDT

Felt the smallest whispers of fall today; I even did homework outside for a little while this morning! It put me in the mood to make some October goals; PSL in one hand and notepad in the other!

October Goals

1. Walk Daily

I feel like this is a good habit to get into in general, but it's also a great excuse to go outside for a date-like stroll with my Honey after work, or a mid-day power walk to clear my mind.

2. Run 1x/week

I really like running, but haven't gone in a while. Last week I tried to make a come-back and it felt so good! Even if I only ran 3/4 of a mile. I want to start running regularly again, but I'm also trying to take it in bite-sized pieces. I want to run because it's fun, not because I have to. It's a fun goal, not a fitness goal (I go to Boot Camp for that;)!

3. Never wake up later than 7

No explanation necessary;) But seriously, since Jon and I were waking up at 5 am every morning over the summer, we let let ourselves get lazy with our sleep schedule once we got home. It's about time to start waking up early again.

4. Finish reading Ordering Your Private World 

This book has been so good, and I can't wait to tell ya'll more about it on Thursday!

5. Officially open my online knitting shop???

Taking name suggestions! #help! Before the fall is over I would like to find a good gluten free bread recipe, too. Have ya'll found any successful GF bread recipes? What are your goals for October? Do ya'll like cheetah as much as I do?

P.S. Check out my other cheetah/chambray outfits I've been wearing this week on Instagram @TheModestBudget! 

Tag me in your budget-friendly modest outfits so I can feature you at #TheModestBudget!

Linking up with some awesome parties here!

Keeping Up with the Capra's: Farewell, Summer; Hello, Fall!

Happy Friday!

Jon and I have had a great two weeks. I really like this time of year because it's full of end-of-summer things and beginning-of-fall things.
Like....

1) Smokin' Pork

My incredible husband (who is a better cook than I am, honestly) smoked a pork shoulder for 12 hours, and let me tell you... it was uhmazing. Seriously. And because it's only two of us, it lasted us 3 days! 

Just saying, I lucked out on a man who can do amazing things with food. 

2) Kennedy Wedding

Sara and Chris had beautiful weather for their outdoor wedding (lucky ducks!;) and we had a great time.
(AND, check out the outfit! Thrift store shoes, thrift store clutch, and a F21 dress that is 3+ years old!)

3) Knitting, Knitting, Knitting

I've been knitting up a storm, and considering listing some of my work on an online knitting shop. 

I need something to do with all of these washcloths and baby blankets!

4) First Fire of the Fall

Before So.Va. got doused in three days of rain, we had an evening with just enough whispers of fall to merit a fire! It was great, even if it was short-lived.

5) Farewell, Summer!

What better way to spend the first day of Fall than at the last summer country concert of the year! Jon and I listen to Brad Paisley all the time, and his music was a part of so many of our big moments (like our first dance at the wedding, and the song we danced to when he first told me he loved me!)

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Fall Transition: 6 Cheap Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Fall (+ A Giveaway!)

What have ya'll been doing to say goodbye to summer and welcome in fall?

And don't forget to enter the Fall Essential Giveaway!! 

Linking up with More Pieces of Me, Elegantly Fashionable, & My Bows & Clothes

Fall Transition: 6 Cheap Ways to get Your Home Ready for Fall (+ A Giveaway!)

Happy First Day of Fall!!
It's been raining for four days straight this week, and the weather has still been very warm in our southern corner of VA. But even though outside feels like it is stuck in summer, doesn't mean your indoors has to feel the same!
Last fall Jon and I were still getting moved into our little college apartment and didn't get around to much decorating besides a few mums for the front porch. This year, though, I've tried to be a little more creative while staying just as cheap. Wanna know what I did?

1) Grocery Store Mini Gourds

I don't know what it is, but I think mini gourds are equally weird and adorable... which makes them one of my favorite fall decorations!

What makes them better? Harris Teeter is selling them for $0.69 each! Last year I was able to find packages of them later in the fall for a deal. But that price is so reasonable! I bought three for my kitchen table and three for my mantle, and they're subtle little touches for my favorite spots.

2) Edible Decorations

I sort of cheated on this one. But see the acorn squash assorted with the gourds on the kitchen table? Along with the tomato? Yeah, those are for dinner later this week;)

But if you're low on space like I am, don't be afraid to keep the pretty things out on the counter! Acorn squash was on sale so I snagged one knowing that I could decorate with it until we ate it.

3) Dishes as Decor?

In our Suffolk house, my mom had this fabulous wall of thrift store plate mounted on cheap plate hangers. But what made it really stand out was that she was always rearranging them or added different ones for new seasons! For Christmas she would incorporate more red and white, and fall might include darker reds and oranges.

That was exactly what I thought of when my friend bought me this adorable pie plate from the Target Dollar Section... it's just too cute to cram in a cupboard! I am now on the hunt for a plate hanger that will allow me to hang it in my kitchen for the next few months.

4) Target Dollar Section

Alright, I know I don't have to tell ya'll that the dollar section at Target was the best thing they've added to their store since Starbucks. But don't overlook their seasonal things! I've been eye-balling a few fall pillows and cute banners, but waiting until I know where I want to put them in my house first. A small, fall pillow might be just the thing your living room needs to tie in a little more fall! (I'll probably regret waiting; those Target dollar steals go quick!)

5) Candles

Ok, I'm going to talk about the Target Dollar Section for the third time, but for good reason.

I found this Blackberry Cider candle there a month ago, and I wish I had bought 6 more!!!

And the best part about candles? They don't go bad! I bought a giant fall Yankee Candle last year and only burned half of it to save the rest for this year.

So when you find those great candles for a deal? Stock up! Keep your eye out once stores start transitioning for Christmas too, because fall candles will definitely be on sale (and perfect to pack away for next year).

6) Fall Prints

I've been seeing Etsy prints everywhere. And most of them are downloads for only $5!!! You download them, print them yourself (typically customizable to whatever size you want) and hang them however, wherever. I currently have one from Rhiannon Skeens Designs, but I JUST purchased this fall print from Jessica at Sweet Little Ones Shop for fall! It is seriously so cute and only $5. But with the code 'CAPRA20' you get 20% off! (That makes the print only $4!)

Jessica's blog is great, and everything from her shop goes towards her beautiful family of 5 adopting another child. (She is also offering a FREE phone wallpaper on her blog for the next few days!)

On to the Giveaway!

Interested in some fall things that are FREE?

The winner of this giveaway will receive this fall candle, a "Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice" mug, $10 for Starbucks (maybe some real pumpkin spice?;) $50 to Shop Pink Blush, and three different dark fall shades of lipgloss!

The giveaway only lasts a week! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you have any cheap tips for adding some fall flare to your space?

What are your favorite fall essentials?

Linking up with Home of Malones, Penniless Socialite, Bright on a Budget, Lizzie in Lace, Sept-Farm, Momfessionals, My Bows & Clothes, Elegantly Fashionable, More Pieces of Me, A Savory Feast, Posh Classy Mom,  Classy Yet Trendy,  & The Red Closet Diary