Currently: Watching, Reading, Wearing... and more!

Letting ya'll have a peek into my life these days currently! And honestly, I need some help with a few of these... Like my inability to commit to a book club 😅

The Modest Budget + Lularoe Giveaway for My 23rd Birthday!

Hello, hello, hellooooo! Do I have something super fun for ya'll today!

First things first, it's my birthday! Woot. Birthdays tend to get less and less fun every year because that's just what growing up is... SO. To ramp things up a bit and celebrate, Megan and Cathryn from LuLaRoe Thomson Girls Boutique and I are teaming up for a LuLaRoe GIVEAWAY!

I got really excited when Megan and Cathryn contacted me because I have been craving a pair of LuLaRoe leggings ever since I had heard them called "butter leggings." Not kidding. Butter leggings.
But the thrifty girl in me always has trouble with online shopping! Megan and Cathryn were so sweet, though, and made everything so easy on me. And now I just might be addicted😉

The Modest Budget: Learning to Love my Pregnant Body

Hi friends!

Can you believe that 3/5 of this outfit was clearanced, thrifted, or free??

Honestly, it doesn't mean I'm not discouraged about this growing girth of mine sometimes, but a couple of cute products always brings a little boost to the self-confidence levels.

The Modest Budget: Pregnancy Meets My Fave Jeans

Hello, sweet readers!

This week has been a full one already. Monday was spent catching up the house after the weekend (like it always is) and cramming for an exam that I had on Tuesday. So here's Wednesday, and the first half of the week has flown by, leaving my fridge empty and my energy already a tad drained.

 

Shirt: Target (similar, similar) // Jacket: Forever 21 (hand-me-down) (similar) // 

Jeans: Thrifted // Shoes: Target // Bag: Sole Society (hand-me-down)

The Modest Budget: Is Target the BEST Shop for Maternity Clothes?

Welcome back to The Modest Budget! This second trimester, I honestly have NOT felt like looking cute or posing for pictures... Finding things to wear in the first and second trimester has been really hard! I'm not big enough for a lot of maternity clothes, but almost all of my every day clothes are too small. And don't get me started about how uncomfortable jeans are right now!

SO. I have been slowly trying to transition my closet into flowy clothes/maternity clothes. And where was the first place I went? Target! (no duh!)
But I'm finding that Target has YAYS and NAYS when it comes to maternity clothes, particularly with their limited in-store selection.

First Trimester Shopping Trip (transitioning to maternity clothes)

For my first trimester, I was just trying to find some tops and flowy clothes that would not cling to my growing stomach. At this point, most of my pants still fit, as long as I rubber banded them closed or wore a BeBand (which is TOTALLY worth the $19! I highly recommend one!).

(Ignore my weird face 😂)

Didn't buy: I really liked this shirt because it was really flowy and went down over the butt (which is nice for tighter pants and leggings) but it was a tad bit transparent. I try to avoid shirts that I need to wear tanks with, especially now that I know I'll be the most pregnant during the hottest months of the year.

Find the striped T here.

Did buy: So I got the black one instead of the white one. It has been such a great basic black T that can be dressed up or dressed down!

Didn't buy: This was a shirt that I didn't end up buying bc it was December and I didn't think it was super practical to buy a tank. But the fit was perfect for first trimester, and would have been great with some layers. The design on the front was so pretty, too!

Find this tank here.

Didn't buy: This is a top that I very much regret walking away from. This was not a maternity shirt either, but it was still super flowy and SO comfy! The little detail on the back was cool, and I needed more long-sleeve shirts than I thought I did. If I found this one again, I would definitely be taking it home.

Find this long-sleeve shirt here.

 Did buy: This was another great investment piece. Not only could it be layered (like I tried below) but it is really light, light enough for the spring time. My belly still has not outgrown it and it hasn't gotten too short in the front. Really excited to keep getting some wear out of these stripes!

Find a similar T here (and a $5 clearance T here!)

 Didn't buy: Again, I kind of regret this one, because I didn't think about the fact that a bunch of my cardigans have gotten worn out. I didn't get it because it didn't have any closure on the front, and I tend to get irritated with things I have to fuss with throughout the day, but I'm realizing now that those are great layers for growing bellies.

Find a similar clearance jacket here

Did buy: You may recognize this one from our baby reveal pictures! This has probably been one of my favorite early-pregnancy purchases, both because it is flowy and because this cut is pretty "in." The down side to it is that is a little shorter than I realized, which means I might out-grow it before summer truly comes, but I've already worn it a bunch.

Find this dress here and a maxi version here.

Second Trimester Shopping Trip (full-swing maternity)

I didn't document this shopping trip as well as the first, but this trip was to find some jeans and a few more shirts that fit my growing tummy. I was DESPERATE for jeans! But I had zero luck. I'll talk about that below.

 Didn't buy: This was a good top, but it felt too tight on my arms (and it was clearance, so no additional sizes). And, again, I'm trying to only get long-sleeve/winter items that are 100% perfect because I know most of my pregnancy will be in the summer. Not sure if you can tell, but this shirt also covers the bum, which is great for leggings.

Find this shirt (on clearance!) here

 Did buy: Ok, I think this is the best thing I've found from Target. This T is perfect!!! My favorite tops are v-necks, but they're hard to find at a modest v-length. But this one I can wear with out a tank underneath!! #winning. I bought the green color, but they had a bunch others not in my size. I'm going to keep looking for them, or order some more colors online (esp. the navy and the white, and possibly the black).

Find this great shirt here.

Didn't buy: Do you see those awkward-looking jeans that I'm wearing?? Ugh, horrendous. I think I tried on every pair of jeans/pants in their store, and all of them have a weird crotch area. I've run into this problem with every single pair of Target pants that I have tried on, bought, or been given. Pay attention to that if you shop at Target, because it really isn't cute.

Did buy: This dress was on clearance for $8! Woot! A pregnant friend of mine actually sent me the link to this one on clearance online, but it was $11. So I feel like I totally lucked out! It's still a little big in the belly area (hence, why I am totally pushing my stomach out to see what it will look like when it fits! 😂) but it is super lightweight and awesome for summertime. Really excited to possibly dress it up for an outdoor wedding.

Find a similar dress here.

Is Target the Best?

While Target has been my go-to for clothes for a long time, I have been super duper disappointed with their pregnancy selection. (Not that I'm mad, they are still killing it in other areas!)

They are great for the in-between stages, or when you aren't yet in full-fledged maternity clothes. But when it comes to investment pieces, like jeans, some dresses, and undergarments, Target is a little bit of a disappointed. 

So, if you're in your first trimester and looking for some clothes to hold you over, I would totally send you to Target. But for other maternity stages, I am still looking for somewhere budget-friendly to shop for some investment maternity pieces.

Have you had any luck with maternity clothes at Target?

P.S. How are you rocking your bump?? I want to see those preggo outfits! Tag me at #TheModestBudget!

Also linking up with some awesome parties here!

This post contains affiliate links where I earn a couple of cents for clicks I receive through this website.

When Pregnancy Doesn't Feel Pretty: 6 Things You Can Do

Let me tell you, I had no idea what my body was getting into when Jon and I found out we were pregnant.
As the oldest of 10, to a mother who had fabulous pregnancies, my expectations were nothing but full of excitement! I was even excited about my body growing to sustain a human, curious to see how God has created me to expand and stretch as this little gift grows inside of me.

I am discovering, however, that my ignorance about what truly goes into pregnancy has created quite a roller coaster in this second trimester. There were so many things that I didn't know! so many things no one told me!

Like, no one tells you...
That you don't actually look pregnant for a long time, just bloated.
That buying clothes during the first and second trimesters is hard and that they won't even fit for long, so why bother? just wear sweats those first several months.
That sometimes you won't like what you're body is doing.
That most times you don't feel like your pregnant body is something powerful and wonderful, something to be proud of, but it feels tired and achy and just swollen.
That, for a good chunk of your pregnancy, the only reminder that you are actually pregnant is the nausea, the exhaustion, and the fact that you can't quite button your jeans anymore.

The Modest Budget: When my Husband Shops at Field & Stream

Happy Tuesday!

I'm co-hosting with Jessica at The J Petite & the ladies at Pucker Up Style for their weekly link up!

The Modest Budget: More Thrift Sweaters + Why I Decided to Take College Slower

Welcome to Tuesday, lovely readers!

Sweater: Thrift Store // Shirt: Gap // Skirt: Target (old) // Boots: Thrift Store

Holidays, finals week, present-buying/wrapping/anticipating... December always goes by so fast!
So I find myself grabbing one of my thrift store sweaters (ya'll know how much I like my thrift store sweaters!) and a basic tee, enabling me to switch up the "bottom half" of my outfit and create variety.

This December has looked a lot different than last December (a.k.a., our first holiday season as a married couple!) but different in a lot of good ways.
For one, I've cut back on my school load, and I've only taken one class at a time this semester.
Wanna hear why? 😉

The Modest Budget: Date Day in Williamsburg

So now that Thanksgiving is over, can we start staying Merry Christmas??? 

This time of year always goes by so fast with all the holidays and celebrating. To be honest, I didn't do homework for 5 whole days (a decision I now regret, but I don't believe that homework should be given over the holidays anyways, so I was protesting) and spent the entire long weekend with Jon and family. It was wonderful having him home a couple of extra days!

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:)

The Modest Budget: Thrift Sweaters (And why you should buy them!)

Happy Election Day, everyone! Ya'll voted yet?

I know I've talked a lot about thrifting lately, (6 Tips for Successful Thrifting and featuring thrift store finds in these posts here and here) but hey, thrift stores just can't be overlooked as one of the greatest resources for college kids and budget brides.

Fall is great for thrift stores for one especially appealing reason: sweaters! 

The Modest Budget: Purchases I Don't Regret + Some Announcements!

Happy November!

Accidentally crammed so so many trends into this one outfit. Whoops!;)

The Modest Budget: 6 Fave Fashion Bloggers

Hey ladies!
Did you know Tuesdays are statistically the most productive days? Hopefully that's true today, because yesterday was not productive at all for me! The goal is to do some catch-up today.

So instead of sharing my own outfits, I wanted to share some love for these awesome fashion bloggers! These ladies are my favorite because they are authentic. They are normal women on normal budgets, and it's so fun to see what they wear.

These ladies inspire me; check them out!

Emily @ Modest Goddess

Her Instagram

Ok, this girl is my absolute favorite. While her clothes can be a little expensive sometimes, she typically gives out a lot of promo codes and discounts! I check her Instagram page all the time, and over the summer she was all about modest swimwear. It's just so encouraging and inspiring to have a "modest role model" who isn't afraid to talk about it, you know? Anyways, I highly, highly recommend her site (you should definitely follow her on Instagram!).

Lauren @ By Lauren M

Her Instagram

Lauren is based out of Richmond, and I really like how she strikes a balance between being a mom and still being trendy! She also "re-mixes" outfits, and you'll see her wear the same pieces with different types of outfits, which is a goal I have with my own closet. (And how cute is this cheetah + plaid combo??)

Kendi @ Kendi Everyday

Her Instagram

I have followed Kendi's blog since I was a teenager, and she inspired me to start blogging about outfits years ago! She also posts lifestyle tips, like one of her latest How to be a Morning Person.

Sarah @ My Bows & Clothes

Her Instagram

Sarah is a more recent blogger friend, but she has quickly become one of my favorite blogs to check. She features a lot of sales and Old Navy clothes, which makes her outfits really practical and inspirational (ya'll know I love cheap outfits that don't look cheap!!). You can tell through her blog posts that she has a heart of gold, and I can't wait to see her blog grow as she continues.

Kelly @ Rosy Outlook Blog

Her Instagram

I have just recently discovered Kelly's blog, but I find myself pinning her outfits a lot lately! I don't know her blog journey super well, but I really like her last few posts.

Elizabeth @ Lizzie in Lace

Her Instagram

Ya'll, I have never seen a girl wear so many pretty dresses. I always look forward to seeing what Liz wears each week! While I haven't bought a lot of the clothes she wears, she has inspired me to be not-so closed off to certain waistlines because her body type is similar to mine. You will love her outfits if you like feminine style!

Bonus: Rebekah @ Hello Modesty (Instagram)

Rebekah's Instagram is super pretty and she's also a modest 'grammer! #followher

I am always looking for more women to be inspired by, 

who are your favorite fashion bloggers???

Keep up with other fash bloggers who inspire my by following my Fashion Pinterest board! (peep sidebar!)

(Linking up with these parties here)

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The Modest Budget: 6 Tips for Successful Thrift Store Shopping

Thrift stores are such great resources, everybody knows that. This week I was able to find 3 work out shorts (one that was brand new!) a black pair of Gap boyfriend shorts and a chevron throw for only $12 total!!

Edited to add: The day after I posted this, I bought a dress and 4 pairs of like-new pants for $22! #thriftchamp

Thrift shops are great, not only for filling your closet on a budget, but also for finding unique pieces that can take your home or your outfit one step up.

And thrift store shopping has even become trendy! BUT...

Are you GOOD at thrift store shopping?? 

I seriously think it's a skill. One my mom is really good at! 

So today I'm sharing with you 6 tips that she has shared with me to help you take full advantage of thrift store shopping!

1. Know what you're looking for

If you're not looking for a prom dress, don't look at the prom dress section. I knew I wanted work out shorts and black shorts, so I stuck to hunting through the shorts sections. I casually flipped through the other racks, but stick to what you're looking for.
Having a list (mentally or literally) of things you know you need is a great way to snag a deal when you find it. I didn't plan on shopping that day, but I had made a mental note about shorts, so I didn't have to consider the purchase for very long.

2. Know your local thrift stores

The most important things you need to know about your local thrift stop:
a) when they restock their shelves - because there's typically only one of everything, you will find the best deals on the first or second day that those items are on the shelf! Some thrift stores are constantly shelving things, but other stores have days devoted to restocking. Know those days, and plan for them  when you're really hunting.
b) when their discount days are - I think every thrift store I've ever been to has different discounts on different days. The reason I was able to get all these shorts for so cheap was because half of them were tagged orange, and I happened to be there on their "orange day" (which made all of them 50% off!). Some places have military days, or 50% all clothing or furniture.
c) their return policy - Because every thrift store is different, pay attention to their return policy before you buy something. If you're anything like me, you're accustomed to going home and trying something on with other items in your closet before you keep it. Some thrift stores don't allow returns or exchanges, so beware!;)

3. Pay attention to the condition and washing instructions

Do you know how many times I've accidentally bought "dry clean only" items?? It's ridiculous. I'm trying to be better about reading all the labels before I buy something!
On the same note, be extra careful to inspect for stains, wear and tear on a product. Remember, it was loved before it found you; make sure it wasn't too loved!

4. A dollar for every day you wear

Find something a little bit outside of your comfort zone? A great way to think about your purchase is an item is worth $1 for every day you wear it. If it's $5: will you wear/use it 5 times? or more?? Go for it!

This can work for house things, too. This throw blanket was so cozy, and only $2.99. I have already used it on the couch three times for study nights! Which means it was money well spent. (And c'mon, how fab does it look on my chevron chair?? #chevrononchevron #chevronfordays)

Actually, this chair, the green luggage boxes, and the orange leather footrest were thrift finds, too!

5. Know what the best things to buy second hand are

The best items tend to be the ones that people get rid of because they are tired of the item or it's been outgrown, not because it's worn out. These items typically include:

- Jeans

- Skirts

- Dresses (esp formal)

- (some) Formal shoes

- House items

- Kid clothes (esp shoes and denim)

On the flip side, items that are typically worn out before their donated include:

- Basic T's & tanks

- Leggings

- Toys (except the durable, Tonka truck-type)

- Sleepwear

- Tennis shoes/flip flops

But of course, there are always exceptions! Which leads us to my final tip:

6. Don't be afraid to hunt!

Sometimes it will take a while to find what you want. Don't give up! The hunt is part of the fun. And when you finally find what you're looking for, it's going to feel so good! (For you and hopefully your wallet! ;)
I found these shorts at the end of the summer season, but for $2.50 they were a great investment for next year.

Hope these tips were helpful!

Have you found any thrift store deals lately?

What are your thrift store success tips and tricks?
Tag me with your thrift store finds on Instagram at #TheModestBudget!

Check out my Top 3 Fave Thrift Store Outfits here!

Linking up with some awesome parties here!

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!