choice 1 || choice 2 (more colors available) || choice 3 And here's how I found some of them styled via Pinterest

Alright, so we've talked about denim jackets, striped dresses, and harem pants. That leaves just two items left in this series: the classic white jacket/blazer and the (weirdly) named flippy skirt.  Because I am in the market for a couple of blazers, I thought that I could just combine all my browsing into useful information to share with all of you.

So, we know that black blazers were all the rage in the fall/winter.  Well, now you need a white one to go with that black one.  Here's what I have found lately:

h&m || forever 21 || target  I am leaning more towards the Forever 21 blazer.  I like the cut because it will still look okay on my short-torso'd body and I've always been a fan of two-button blazers.  I also like the faux pockets.  I think that adds a bit of character to a plain piece such as this. I always like to go to Pinterest and hunt down style ideas on the pieces I talk about.  It is easier for me to see how something is styled and then put my own spin on it, than to just think of something from scratch.  Very rarely do I come up with an outfit off the top of my head.  I'm usually always inspired by something I have seen and then I take it and run with it.  I believe that is the beauty in finding our own style: to be so inspired by something that we wish to recreate it in a way that suits ourselves as an individual.  Okay, so, you know I'm going to show you what I've been pinning, right? Browse my board and get I N S P I R E D! This wraps up my posts for the week since I will be out of town for a wedding!  Please be sure to follow me on Instagram (@lifenleopard) to see a sneak peak of what I wore to the wedding, how we entertained ourselves, and how well L fairs on a six hour road trip.   Then, come back here Monday to hear ALL about it! Have a great rest of the week and a fabulous weekend!

I am finally getting around to writing this post!  This week has been horrible!  It started out with me having a sore throat on Sunday morning and progressively getting worse until Wednesday morning when I could breathe through my nose again.  Then, L got sick.  She woke up Wednesday morning with that horrible barking cough that usually means croup.  This time, though, it's an upper respiratory infection.  She seems to be on the mend and now The Hubbs is feeling puny!  Lord help this mama!

So, anyway, here I am to write this post for you all and then I will go back to swigging Robitussin every four hours for this horrendous cough and spraying Lysol over every surface of my house.  The cat's are going to be pissed.

Today's key piece is something that you probably won't see me in.  I'm just not one for pants unless they are wide-legged, black, dress pants.  Seriously.  I call those my "teacher pants."  Express used to make an Editor pant (anyone else remember that?) that I just adored.  I wore them all the time when I taught.  They were so comfortable.  Anyway, I digress...(It's the Robitussin...)

The key piece that InStyle says is one to have in your closet for Spring is the Harem Pant.  Yes, yes....the Harem. Pant.

choice 1 || choice 2

They don't look bad, I just don't think they would do much for me and my curves. The tapered legs turn me off big time.  However, as I was searching around for harem pants, I did find that they can be styled casually, dressed up for work, and dressed up more for evening.  So, they are a pretty versatile pant and would be a great closet staple, if you can pull them off.

I took the liberty of pinning several ideas to my Fashion: Style Ideas board on Pinterest for you guys to look through.  You will find a lot of stuff on there!  If you like what you see, well then just, follow me! :)








That's all for today!  If you haven't liked the new Facebook page yet, you need to do that now!  The widget on the right hand side of the blog has been updated or you can just click here and then click "LIKE"!  Thanks guys!  Have a great weekend and see you next week!  Oh, and remember!  If you like what you see, please share it with your friends!  Share, tweet, and pin to your hearts content! :)

Last week I started this short series in hopes to give my readers a more budget-friendly approach to looking stylish.  I know how I feel when I see something I like in a magazine, only to be completely disappointed by the price tag.  I have always searched out budget pieces, but to those who may have to cut back a little bit or are starting over again wardrobe wise (like me)-this is definitely a series that is for you.

Happy Monday and a happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!  I thought since today was all about green anyway, I thought I may show you that you can wear green even after St. Patty's Day is over!  Yep, that's right, mint is a big color for Spring this year.  I do love the occasional pastel in my wardrobe and this color just happens to be one of my "go-to pastels".

I found a lot of pretty things when I was doing my research and I think I may have to purchase the pretty lace button up.  I don't know-we shall have to see.

pants || necklace || lace blouse skirt || purse || lace tee

A couple of weeks ago, I sat down one evening to flip through my March 2014 InStyle and I found a really cool article on the five key pieces you should have in your wardrobe for Spring.  I was really excited about some of the pieces-until I saw the price tag on them.  (Who spends $400 on a denim jacket?)  I said, "Oh no, I can create these looks for way less than that!"

And this series was born.

Over the next five weeks, I'll be showing you five key pieces for your Spring wardrobe, a couple of outfit inspirations, and some budget versions of the key piece.  Sound good?  Great!  Let's get started with this weeks key piece!

I decided to do something a bit different today since I have been thinking a lot about my Spring wardrobe.  I am basically starting from scratch, so I have been pouring over countless spring looks for the past couple of weeks.  I have had several things catch my eye and I am actually excited to shop for Spring!

When I think of Spring, I think of bright and cheery colors, so that is what I stick with, despite what the fashion gurus may say.  I am a firm believer in wearing what you love, not what a fashion mag is dictating.

I'm also a firm believer in not spending a fortune on your wardrobe.  We are a one income family with a two and a half year old-we can't afford to go out and shop at designer locations and pay full price.  It just can't happen.  This is why I shop at TJ Maxx, Marshall's,Target, Kohls, Old Navy (not their jeans), and the occasional Wal-Mart purchase makes its way in there from time to time.  Do I love looking at things from the Gap, Loft, The Limited, and J. Crew? Oh, you bet I do!  However, I have a hard time paying their prices, so I am always trying to find similar items at a cheaper price.  I've also been known to stalk items until they get cheap enough for my wallet.  Ha!

Anyway, now that I have rambled on long enough (oops!), how would you like to see my Spring faves?

The weather is warming up and people in our neighborhood are out planting flowers, bringing out the patio furniture, and hanging their door wreaths on their doors to welcome visitors.  I have seen many kinds the past couple of weeks and decided to try my hand at making my own.

This is the first wreath I have ever made, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well it turned out.  It isn't crazy fancy, but it is perfect to welcome the warm weather with.

Supplies:

• a natural grapevine wreath
• flowers of your choosing
• a wooden letter
• 5 1/2 inch squared edge burlap ribbon OR a pre-made burlap bow
• glue gun and extra sticks
• scissors
• paint (for your letter, if you wish)
• pain brush/sponge if painting 

Step One:

Step Two:

After you have painted, set the letter off to the side and out of the way to dry.  Take the wreath and give it a a good look.  Is it shaped right?  Do some twigs need to be trimmed back and smoothed out?  Go ahead and re-shape and trim your wreath to your desired look.  I used a pair of kitchen scissors to get the job done and just cut off all the scraggly vines and made it look like a perfect (but not too perfect) circle. 

Step Three:

Step Five:

Well folks, here it is!  It's Friday!  We have (almost) made it through another week!

Last week, Shawn from Awesomely Awake posted an A to Z Now list and when I read it, I thought it was a pretty good idea.  She borrowed the idea and then encouraged all of her reader's to make their own list.  I think it is a good way to center ourselves in our busy, day-to-day lives.  So, without further adieu, here is my  A to Z Now list:

April. Next month is going to be a lovely, exciting month on the blog and in our home.  I am really looking forward to all that next month holds.

Balancing. Even though I am a SAHM, there is a lot to do in a day around here.  One child, three cat's, a husband, and me.  It can get a little crazy sometimes.  I am really trying to work on balancing everything in this house with my own needs.  It is a struggle, but I am getting there.

Coloring. L has found a new love for coloring and that makes this Mommy's heart super happy.

Diet. I am holding on very tightly to my "No snacking at night" rule.  I have failed a few times, but I keep trying!

Energy.  I have felt so depleted lately.

February.  Thank goodness that month is over.  That was a trying month with all the sickness that went through this house.

Grace. I am learning how to express it and be a pillar of it.  Grace is hard sometimes.

Hair.  I miss my long hair.  I wish it would hurry up and grow back.

Inspired. This was also what Shawn had listed on her list.  However, I am started to feel more inspired daily now that I am writing more.  I have started to really see things again, which is always lovely.

Junk.  Our garage is ridiculous, seriously.  It needs an overhaul.  Soon.

Keys.  Okay, so, we have a car that doesn't require the key be placed in the ignition to start the car.  The key just has to be present in the vehicle.  I know this.  I have known this for months.  I do it all the time.  Except for today, when I had a frantic search in my pockets for the car keys to start the car.  (As in, put the key in the ignition and start the car.) I was freaking out thinking I was going to have to take L back out of the car, go back into Target, report lost keys, and then call my husband to come get L and her dumb Mom for loosing the keys to the car.  Until I saw the ignition button and those nice words, "Push to Start."  *sigh*  Thank you, Nissan.  How many heart attacks have you given people this year?

Losing it.  Yup, Mommy loses her mind daily.  It's okay.  We just go on about our business like nothing ever happened.

March.  I love March.  It is the start of a new season, new growth, new projects, new fashion, new....everything.  I love March.

No.  I am learning to say this more.  I am also dealing with L doing it.  She has mastered the head nod and the head shake, ladies and gentlemen.  It's all downhill from here. LOL!

Optometrist.  Mommy needs an eye exam and new glasses.

Peace.  Yea, stole this one too, but we all need peace.  Peace within, peace from the outside world, peace at night when the baby is sleeping.....Peace.  Good word.  Good idea.

Quiet.  It is true what they say:  If your toddler is quiet, you better go check on them.  You may find a whole box of wipes in the toilet like I did! Or, hey, you may even find a stuffed Simon from The Chipmunks head first in the toilet with the lid closed like Daddy did!

Restore.  Restore myself, restore order in our home.

Silly.  L is silly.  She encourages Mommy and Daddy to be silly, too.  Everyone wins!  We all need to be silly once in a while, don't you agree?

Tea.  I love my herbal tea.  Oh, how I love it.

Up.  I think one day, when the weather is warmer, L and I are going to go outside in the backyard, lay on a blanket, and look at the sky.  It has been a long time since I have viewed the world from the ground.

View.  I need to pick up a camera again and start changing my view of the world.

Writing.  I love that I am doing this more.  I am feeling myself start to center again after taking a really long hiatus.  I missed writing.  I missed being able to understand what I am thinking through my writing.  I have a disconnect between my thoughts and my mouth sometimes.  It is better for me to write them down.  Always has been, always will be.

Xylophone.  L has a toy one that she bangs on a lot during the day.  She get's very excited that it makes noise.  She also loves her drum. LOL!

Year.  The husband and I will have been married for a year next month!

Zoo. I can't wait to take L to the zoo soon! It will be her first trip!  

And there you have it!  I encourage you all to write your own list, too.  I feel better after doing this.  It helps me to be present in the here and now and not think about all the other things that need to be done around here.

Until next time,