Deck the halls on a dime

Living alone for the first time gives you a whole new sense of control and independence. I get to do everything my own way and on my own time. My family has always been a "wait-until-after-Thanksgiving" family as far as Christmas decor goes, and I respect it, but I love Christmas and I just simply could not contain my excitement. I told myself to wait. But how does one not go crazy when you're flooded with Christmas in every store you walk in to? I was drooling when I went in to Target last week.

But unfortunately I've got a sick pup (click here to read more on his GoFundMe) who needs lots of medical attention, which in turn means lots of money, and I also went a couple of weeks out of work, which meant I had to keep my budget super tight.

I wanted so. badly. to buy up Target and HomeGoods and clear them of their Christmas sections, but I'm a lady on an extreme budget these days, so I had to figure something else out. This year I did all of my Christmas decor shopping at, drum roll please, the Dollar Tree.

I went garland crazy. You can wrap garland anywhere and things immediately look more festive! I want to keep it on my bar cart year-round! I also threw two Christmas kitchen towels over the handle to pull it all together. (PS- the wine glass and candy canes inside it were also from the Dollar Tree!) I bought 5 strands of garland total + 2 towels + 1 box of candy canes= $8 total.

Ok let's be real- I have two huskies with endless energy and I do not have the patience for glass ornaments. They're pretty, sure. But I don't need sliced up paws and endless sweeping and frustration just because those nuts think the ornaments are more of their ball toys to toss around. I bought 6 packs of varying ornaments (I got 4 of the same gold and silver ornaments and 2 packs of red to add a little bit of color). And again, garland. It fills up the extra space and makes the tree so much shinier! 6 packs of ornaments and 2 strings of garland? $8 to decorate the tree.

These mini Christmas trees make several appearances in my house. They're so festive and for $1 each I went a little nuts and bought 4 of them. They look great on an end table, coffee table and/or kitchen table! I also bought 3 festive faux flower bunches and put them in little glass jars. $5 total. Now I won't lie and say the "home for the holidays" sign didn't come from Target- but it was from the $1, 3,5 section for only $3, bringing this table to a total of $8.

Stockings! Oh how I love to jam-pack stockings full of goodies months before Christmas. I was so thrilled that the Dollar Tree had Star Wars stockings, because it's perfect for my nerdy boyfriend. They also had stockings for pups to fulfill all of my dog-lady desires (and cats, for you crazy cat ladies!). I have yet to buy a stocking for myself, but I know my mom and dad will pull through on one for their house ;)  Stockings= $3 total.

Wine glasses!! I'm so big on wine glasses. I used to be a crazy coffee mug hoarder (I won't lie, I still am) but as soon as I was introduced to the gloriousness that is wine, I became a wine glass hoarder. I stalk HomeGoods wine glass section on the regular because they have the cutest glasses for great prices. But low and behold, the Dollar Tree had these simple yet gorgeous glasses (they've got a gold lining on the top! Ahh). I bought a few for drinking, and one to hold candy canes in on the bar cart! Four wine glasses= $4.

Obsessed with the gold rim. It takes them from simple to elegant, and they look far more expensive than $1! They even have matching coffee mugs (got those, too) and plates so you can have a gorgeous table setting if you're hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner!



And the grand total? $31 for all of this holiday gloriousness.
I did purchase a couple other things that weren't photographed, but all in all, I didn't go over $50! The Dollar Tree is your friend! While I was in HomeGoods I also made a few other purchases (a Christmas themed mug that says "Dog Mom" because that's the kind of person I am) and some gift wrap.
The Dollar Tree also provided me with 6 rolls of wrapping paper, however I will say that HomeGoods has amazing prices on gift wrap and you generally get more square feet!  And the Dollar Spot at Target is home to many cute glitter mini-trees and festive signs.

Happy budget shopping!

In Susie's Shoes 5th Anniversary!

My blog first started back in the days where Rumi Neely (fashiontoast) ruled the world and bloggers were few and far between. I was fifteen years old and I practically worshipped Rumi and thought what she was doing was the greatest thing since sliced bread (or, in her case, toast). I decided to create a blog of my own (outside of tumblr) and started posting all sorts of things- outfits posts, flat lays, outings and adventures with friends, makeup, Polyvore guides...you name it, I was attempting it.

All of a sudden, blogs started popping up everywhere. Companies would contact me left and right and I was thinking, "Holy crap. This is so. Cool."
I was constantly looking for new things to talk about and to wear, and it was great.

And then I started working every day until 10 pm. And I started college and I suddenly had to start working for my grades (who knew?). My blog posts were dwindling, but I couldn't bring myself to delete it. Just recently I realized what a huge outlet and blessing this blog had been for me and how many opportunities I have been given through it, so I started to get back into the habit of posting occasional outfits and recipes (while not letting it get too consuming).
And I thought to myself, I've been doing this a while. I wonder how long it's been?
Much to my surprise, Blogger tells me I started this old thing in June of 2010. Five years ago. 

 So I wanted to take this opportunity to post a few throwback outfits and to thank everyone who read my blog 5 years ago, everyone who just started reading it, and the all of the companies and organizations who have collaborated with me to make something great.
I am so very thankful for each and every page view, comment, and email I get from all of you!

Here's to another five years!

In Susie's Kitchen: Cheesy Enchilada Rice

I think it's time for me to be put on a Mexican food timeout. I think about chips and salsa all day and I have dreams about enchiladas. And margaritas. Always margaritas. So since I have been on such a Mexican food kick, I decided to start trying out my own (easy) Mexican dishes for dinner! This one was crazy easy and, not to toot my own horn, pretty darn good. I hate leftovers, and I ate all of these leftovers. All. Of. Them.

So like I said...dreams about enchiladas. Except I don't actually want to have to put forth the effort to make enchiladas right now so...an enchilada rice skillet that takes 25-30 min tops? My kind of enchiladas. 

Ingredients:

• 
  
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 lb chicken (I used frozen shredded chicken)
• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/4 cup onion (I used frozen onion!)
• 1 can of sweet corn, drained
• 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3/4 cup mild enchilada sauce
• 1/2 cup green enchilada sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 packet of taco seasoning
• salt & pepper to taste
• 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
• small bunch of chopped fresh cilantro
• tortilla chips (optional)
• sour cream (optional)

Cooking instructions:

• In a medium pot, boil 1.5 cups of water, then then add rice and simmer on low for about 20 minutes (could be different depending on instructions on package).
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet on med. high and add garlic, onion and chicken. Cook until chicken is browned (3-5 min).
• Stir in corn, black beans, rice, enchilada sauces, cumin, and taco seasoning. Let sit on med. low for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until heated through.
• Remove from heat and top with cheese, cilantro, crumbled tortilla chips (optional) and sour cream (optional).

Enjoy! 

Summer Chic with Madison Reed

I was just talking to some wonderful ladies over at Madison Reed, an at-home hair dye company, and we were discussing how we transition our style and beauty regimen into summer! So today's post is about what I change up to survive this inferno of a state (Texas) for the year's hottest months.
If you live in Texas, you'll know what I mean when I say that the heat is almost unbearable. Jeans and cute airy, lightweight sweaters no longer exist. We throw them out this time of year because we can't even look at something that would make us even hotter than we already are. We fight for the closest parking spot everywhere we go because we don't want to walk more than a few feet in the heat before going inside. Unless we are in a pool, the hours of 12pm-6pm are off-limits as far as being outdoors and we try our hardest to stay inside an air-conditioned building.

Such a drastic change in the weather also calls for a few other changes!

• I almost always live in a maxi skirt and crop top in the summer. It's an easy, lightweight combo that keeps me cool and doesn't show too much. 
• I generally lighten my hair a little bit, and being as frugal as I am, I always use an at-home kit.  The next color I'm going for this summer is Roma Blonde! I've been wanting something a little bit lighter and not quite as brassy. 
• If I'm not at work, I almost never wear makeup in the summer, and I leave my hair natural! I use summer months to give my hair and skin a little time off.
• I stop drinking hot coffee almost entirely (except for maybe a cup in the morning at home) and switch over to a vanilla iced coffee! 
• You can almost always find me in a sun-hat. Sometimes I'm just not feeling washing my hair and it's the perfect way to cover up my greasy hair and add an extra punch to what I'm wearing. 
• I always keep a spare bathing suit in the car. Something I have learned over the years is that it's never fun to be over at a friend's house and they are dying to swim and you don't have anything to wear. So I keep one in the car now, and it's saved me from having to drive home on several occasions.

What do you you guys do differently during the summer months? 

Check out Madison Reed's summer checklist below for ideas!

• Top- Thrifted for $1! (It's a little girl's tank that I turned into a crop top!)
• Skirt- Thrifted for $2.50!
• Shoes- Sam & Libby for Target
• Sunglasses- RayBan
• Necklace- Forever21

Valentine's Day Makeup for Under $35

Here's the thing about being a girl in your early twenties in college: you really want to have nice things (ie: clothing, jewelry, makeup) but you also really like buying coffee and greasy fast food while you attempt to study and also seriously contemplate getting a sugardaddy so you can just drop out already. Take a look at my bank account activity and you will see this: Walmart- $30, Wendy's- $7, Whataburger- $12, QuikTrip, $5, McDonald's- $5, Starbucks- $5, etc. etc. 
And I promise you that $30 at Walmart did not go to anything but Ramen (enough to feed a small army), Taki's (3 bags, please), coffee, and coffee creamer. And maybe a pack of Orbit gum if I'm feeling extra wild at the self-checkout lane.
Bottom line? I want to be cute but I want my #1-no-mustard-sub-ketchup from Whataburger way more.

And that's where my frugality comes into play. Makeup is fun but it's ridiculously expensive and the lady at the counter is going to do it way better than you ever will so you're basically dropping $60 on a foundation that you're not even sure how to apply and I find that absurd. If I spend $10 on a foundation and it doesn't work out as well as expected, then darn, that was 2 (tall) Starbucks drinks I just threw out the window. But it's really not a big deal. But you just have to experiment a little with drugstore products and I promise you you'll wind up with a couple of things that you love for a fraction of department store counter prices. And you'll look just as hot.

I threw this look together this morning in preparation for Valentine's Day in under 20 min and spent less than $35 on the total cost of all of the products.
Here's what I used:

Revlon Photoready Primer- $10
Revlon Colorstay 24hr Foundation- $10
Elf Sheer Blemish Powder- $3
Elf "Natural" Lash Kit- $1
Elf Blush/Bronzer Duo - $3
Elf Marker Eyeliner in Black- $1
Elf Lipgloss in "Michael" - $2
NYX Highlight/Contour Stick- $1
NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder- $3

Ps- my dog is obsessed with lotions and makeup and she will attempt to lick off every drop of makeup I put on my face every morning. Look at those crazy eyes. She means business.

My Vegas Style

I think at some point in their teenage years, everyone dreams about the day they turn 21. I personally have one year and two months left to go, and I've already started to make plans. But what's better than a night out on the town with friends for your 21st?
A night out in Vegas for your 21st!
I've teamed up with Vegas.com to show you some of the looks I'd put together for a day in Vegas!
I'm really big on staying comfy on a flight or during a roadtrip, so I generally plan to wear a very casual outfit and pair it with some cute kicks!
Once I'm there, I'm most likely going to head to the nearest coffee bar for some caffeine and a light lunch. Roasted Bean at Aria is the perfect stop. After lunch I'd head back to the hotel, sneak in a quick nap (who cares if you slept the whole flight?! There's always a time and a need for a nap) and then get ready for a night out! Next stop? Haze Nightclub! I'm not a big "go out" kind of person, so the fact that the nightclub is literally inside the hotel would make my life 500 times easier. If I'm going out, that's how I'm doing it.

Here's to waiting another year and two months 'til 21! And fingers crossed someone will fund a Vegas trip for me! ;)

This is #MyVegasStyle, what's yours?

xo Susie

cabin fever

As we do every couple of years, last Saturday my family set off on another trip to Wisconsin. Every time someone hears that's where I am going, I am asked one question: "But what do you actually do in Wisconsin?"
Well, in the past week I have: kissed a couple of deer, seen a circus, ridden an elephant, been to a small-town county fair, seen a demolition derby, sipped on some tasty coffee at local coffee shops, explored the forest outside our cabin and plenty more. There is never a dull moment here.
The best vacations are not ones spent on a high-end cruise or doing nothing but lounging on the beach (although those are nice), it's the ones that you get to explore with the ones you love. And that is exactly what we do in Wisconsin.

• Polkadot Overall Dress- Forever21
• Flannel Shirt- Thrifted
• Gladiator Sandals- Charlotte Russe
• Bralette- Etsy
• Bag/watch- Target

xo Susie

stressed but well-dressed//spring inspiration

Images via: tumblr, pinterest, weheartit, theglitterguide, freepeopleblog

Although we all know autumn is my favorite season, spring comes easily in a close second. I love fresh flowers (I say this while staring at a vase of dead flowers sitting across from me...oh, how nice it would be to have time to keep up with going to the market) and warm days followed by cool evenings. The effortlessness of floral sundresses, messy hair (because it's far too windy to bother), strappy wedges, iced coffee and sunglasses too large for my face keep me sane during finals madness. If you can't actually have it all together, you might as well look like it, right? It's during this time of year, when school is winding down, that I channel one of the truest sayings I've ever stumbled upon: "I may be stressed, but at least I'm well-dressed."
Last semester I took the easy way out and used my sorority-card nearly every day and donned the whole "baggy t-shirt/nike shorts/baseball cap/sneakers" look as I succumbed to college stresses. But let me tell you this: that is not what you want to look like when you run into someone you haven't seen in 5 years, or when you have a last-minute interview to conduct. I was rolling out of bed looking homeless every morning (not that most homeless folk have 5 dozen Tri Delta t-shirts...) and I always found myself in some sort of situation where I was desperately wishing I had combed my hair and put on something even moderately presentable. So I made it my mission this semester to limit my homeless-sorority-girl outfits to a minimum of 5. I'm in my last week of classes and I've only used up 2 of those outfits. Granted, it's 3am and I've got 2 finals tomorrow so I may use up my 3rd pass tomorrow, but hey...that's better than making it to all 5. I've found that keeping myself dressed well has made staying productive a heck of a lot easier. When I'm in a baggy t-shirt and leggings with no makeup, I feel comfortable enough to give up on what I'm doing and take a nap. When I'm in a dress and heels and my face is put on, I go run all my errands and then make up things to do because I want to put my outfit to good use and show it off.

So here is my advice for this spring/summer: get out of your comfy clothes and put on a proper outfit. Accomplish things. Ace that final (and pray for mine). Channel your inner Sasha Luss when you go to Walmart to get ramen. Mirror-selfie your outfit and show off how good you look.
Trust me, a good outfit can make any dull day a little brighter.

xo Susie