I bought a shirt...ooops.

Let me explain.
Last year Chris and I decided it would be a good idea for us to get a new credit card. We wanted one that we could see the benefits and wasn't a "college" credit card. 
As I was checking out at Banana Republic one chill November afternoon (it's story time, okay?) the cashier asked me if I would like to sign up for a Banana Republic credit card. Usually I am a stickler for saying no, no, no, but this time I let her explain. 
Did I mention the sales person is a friend of a friend who I highly trust?
So, after she told me all the benefits, I signed up. No annual fee, on the lower end of the interest rate scale, and awesome rewards.
Let me tell y'all what a great decision that was! Chris and I both love shopping at BR, so the rewards are perfect. We put everything we spend on the card, pay it off every month, then get rewarded with 'free money' at BR, Gap, Old Navy, and a couple other stores. 
Let me say I am in no way getting paid for this post, I am just setting up the scene for how I bought a brand new shirt without breaking my resolution of no shopping for a year. 
You see, we had $40 in rewards money to spend and Chris repeatedly said he didn't need anything, so of course I couldn't let the money expire!
I wandered into BR last week while at the mall with my brother and his friends and knew I had to find something under $40 or I could NOT buy it.  
I have really been eyeing those Gingham shirts, but that little resolution of mine is holding me back. Well not anymore, ladies! The most perfect Gingham shirt was IS on sale for $39.99. 
I know you're thinking, "but with tax that is over $40..." BUT WAIT, that's not all I have to say. For some really odd reason/blessing, the size small Gingham shirts were marked down to $32.99. SCORE!
So basically I just wrote a whole pointless post on an awesome shirt that I have yet to wear because it is still scorching hot here in good 'ole Tejas.
But actually I just wanted to let y'all know that the shirt is still on sale for $39.99! Marked down from $64.50! BR has the top in pink, lavender, and blue. 
I can't wait to pair it with a statement necklace, skinnies, and my favorite boots for fall. Now, if only Texas would leave the heat advisories in the dust and squeeze on into fall...wishful thinking. 
GET THE LOOK:

Resolution Recap: January, easy peasy

If you would have told me last year that I was not going to shop for a year I would have laughed in your face. Seriously. I was a shopaholic and put way too much effort into making sure I had the latest and greatest of fashion. 
One word I learned from that: exhausting.
At work, I sit in a room with a group of guys who wouldn't notice if I wore the same outfit every single day. I am married to a Prince who could careless what I am wearing. And only I notice when I "repeat" an outfit or shirt within a certain amount of time. Re-dic-u-lous. 
I know it has only been one month on this journey, but I have seen my heart change in so many ways. 
I am labeling the month of January as "easy peasy" because, well, it was. Thanks to two different ski trips to Colorado and a trip to Boston, I had no time or energy to shop. I spent most of January on a plane, or in another state, so shopping was the last thing on my mind.
February is now here and I still have no time or energy or desire to hit the racks and spend my hard earned dough on clothes. Instead, my energy is focused on finishing my last semester of graduate school (whoot, whoot), concentrating on the busy tax season ahead, and trying to not lose my mind.
Last year at this time I was planning a wedding, buying a house, taking a full load of graduate school, and dealing with tax season....and somehow I found plenty of time to shop. I "needed" outfits for my bridal showers, and birthday parties, and yada yada yada. Looking back I realize I was using shopping as a distraction to it all. The mall was my oasis and I was addicted.
I know that this challenge will get tough. I know it is not meant for everyone. But the positive feedback and the way God is stirring in my heart only confirms that this is the best decision I could have ever made.
Things I have learned so far: - The Aztec sweater I want/needed SO bad on December 31st is no longer on my radar.  - Saving money for our future is better than spending it on meaningless items in the present. - People still have their doubts and that keeps me driven. - I have way too many clothes. - I am less stressed worrying about keeping up with the trends and more focused on being thankful for what I already have. - I will be rockin' the bubble necklace and colored skinnes no matter how long those trends last. No shame here.
So, here's to February, month two of the challenge. May it be as easy as January and may God continually show me how to be content with what I have.
Thanks for the constant support! Chris, and our bank account, really appreciates it! 
Here are most of my daily outfits for January. Not one top/outfit was repeated. Proof that I don't need any new clothes. Follow me on IG (@sarahtuckerup) to see what I wear each day!

Come back every Tuesday for my weekly "Tune Up" on what outfits I have worn!

Linking up with Join the Gossip, Sami's Shenanigans, Still Being Molly, Life on LeRoy, and Lipgloss & Crayons!!

Tuesday Tune Up + Tip for Traveling to Boston!

Ok, I will be the first to admit that my blog is getting boring. I mean...this one time, in Tucker Up land, Sarah wrote about a variety of things like house projects, recipes, life, plus fashion and a plethora of other topics. And now, well all that dang brunette writes about is her dogs and her New Year's resolution!! Geeezzz!

I know, I know. Mondays: Weekend Wrap

Tuesdays: Tuesday Tune Up

Wednesday: WIWW

Thursday: Your one variety post of the week

Friday: Insta Friday

Can I get a bor-ringgg? 

Variety keeps people coming back, people interested, ME interested! 

To be 100% honest, I have been extremely busy and keeping this blog routine is easy, stress-less. 

I have this anxious feeling about the following happening all at once: the busy tax season approaching (February 1st to be exact), plus my last semester of graduate school, being a wife, this cute little bloggy-blog, and life in general. It is all almost overwhelming me.

I have been really great - suprisingly - lately at managing my time, which has helped ease the pain of the weight of bricks on my shoulders. 

Let me just say that I promise to keep things fresh, new, around this little space of internet. I have a fantab (is that a word? yes that is a word, duh!) recipe, closet organization tips and reveal, outfits, and tons of family pictures just waiting to make their debut from my blog vault. The problem is time.

When I have time, I don't feel like uploading pictures, editing them, downloading them, and then writing about them. I would rather love on my furbabies, and pay attention to my husband. We won't be young and kid-less forever...so now is the time to soak it all in. I choose movie dates over blogging, and a game of fetch over writing about a game of fetch. Sorry.

My rule from now on is that blog comes second to all. Second to work (this should be a given), second to homework (even though blogging is way better than organizational development and project management), second to my furbabies, and most importantly, second to my husband. The man I love and adore and whom I need to pay attention to...because he is needy...he gets it from his dad, for real, no joke. And I love giving him attention because he truly is my best friend.

With all that said, I apologize for my repetitive posts, but I PROMISE that once busy season is over in April, and I am graduated with my master's in May (happy dance!), I will be sure to have more time on my hands to dedicate to this blog without having to sacrifice time with those who deserve my attention.  

Now that that seriousness is behind us (Tuesday is way to early in the week to be that serious!) let's move onto another repetitive post, shall we?

Y'all, my NY resolution has been going amazing! God is good! I went to Target and had NO sense of urgency to go browse the clothes section. It was literally a miracle!

Here are my outfits from the last week!

Tuesday, January 15th
Scarf: Gift// Sweater: Limited// Trouser Jeans: Banana Republic// Flats: Market Days Booth

Wednesday, January 16th
Blouse: Loft// Cardigan: Target// Jacket: Target// Slacks: Banana Republic// Necklace: F21// Heels: Ross

Thursday, January 17th
Blouse: Loft// Jeans: Marshalls// Boots: Steve Madden at Dillard's

Friday, January 18th
Blouse: Target// Cardigan: Nordstrom// Jeans: Banana Republic// Flats: Target

Sunday, January 20th
Shirt: Pi Phi tee from my SIL// Boxers: Buc-ees stolen from my hubs// Slippers: I honestly have no idea...seriously...blame it on college...

Monday, January 21st
Shirt: Target// Cardigan: F21// Jeans: Marshalls// Boots: Steve Madden at Dillard's// Neckalce: Gift from Aunt

Another week down! Woo hoo! Once you see my closet you will see why I did this challenge :)

I hope each week I can bring y'all new outfits and y'all can help me mix and match the items I have! Input is highly encouraged!

Moving forward...

To add to my already cray-cray busy schedule, Chris and I are headed to Boston on Friday!! What for, you ask? Because we are young and in love and isn't that what newlyweds are supposed to do? Travel on a whim without a care in the world?!

Well that is what we are doing! 

I have never been to Boston. Chris has, but we are equally excited! We can't wait to go back in the spring and catch the Rangers whoppin' the Red Sox boo-tay :)

So here is where YOU come in. We need tips and tricks and the ins and outs of Boston!

Even though Chris has been...he is a guy...which equates to "along for the ride."

Maddie has been amaze-balls (as Giuliana Ransic would say) with emailing me tips about the city! Thanks Maddie!! You're the best!

If anyone else has anything thing to add, here is what we like to do:

Ummm we love food, and fun, and food, and ummm did I mention food?! 

Leave me a comment telling me what we MUST see on our four-day-getaway!

Have a great Tuesday!!

Linking Up with Helene!

Love you all!!

My 2013 resolution is...{it is HUGE}...

...I am not buying clothes, shoes, accessories for AN ENTIRE YEAR! No I did not fat-finger the keys, mistype something, and I am not intoxicated while writing this. I am not purchasing any of those items for the next 364 days. For realzzz.
Here are the only exceptions:
- Let's say I have a brown pair of wedges and they break...I can replace them with something similar.
- If my work, or some function requires me to have a specific item of clothing and I don't already own it, I can buy it. For example, if for some {weird} reason I need a purple collared shirt...I would have to go buy it.
- Undergarments do not count. What if I suddenly grow out of my A cup?? Ya, I went there.
-I can "swap" clothes with a friend, or accept presents for special occasions. A random Wednesday is not a special occasion. - And the final exception is if God finds 2013 the year for me to bear a child. If that happens it would truly {if ya know what I mean...} be a "God thing" and I think that gives me means to drop the challenge.  Why am I doing this?
It all started when my friend Caitlin {who will be guest posting later in the week!!} told me she was doing this challenge and it was changing her life, for the better. 
You see, I am extremely guilty of buying and wearing items once and having them sit in my closet for months, sometimes even forgetting I own that article of clothing. I "reward" myself with clothing, shoes, or accessories and the object of the reward gets lost and is in turn focused on what item I will purchase.  I spend hundreds {yikes, I hate admitting that!} of dollars a year on clothes when I have a car to pay for, a house to pay for, student loans to pay off, trips to plan, a retirement to save for...and an entire closet full of fabulous clothes in mint condition.
I am not saying this isn't going to be hard as h-e-double hockey sticks, but after talking with Caitlin. praying about it, and seeing the benefits that can come from doing this, I am ECSTATIC to be committing a year to this challenge.
Here are two of my favorite Bible verses that helped me with this decision: Matthew 6:19-21
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Luke 12:15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Personally, this is the biggest challenge I have ever taken on. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE to shop. As many women say...it is my happy place. New clothes make you feel good, happy.  Materialistic items make me giddy, I'd be lying if I said they didn't. That is why this is a challenge. I challenge myself to finding true happiness in NONmaterialistic items.
I will now ask friends out to coffee instead of to the mall. Maybe I will learn something new about them instead of focusing on which heel, or blouse, looks better. I will spend more hours at home with my husband instead of going to my "happy place." I will save more money and apply it to things that benefit my family, my husband. 
I will learn to TRULY appreciate the things I already own.
I had a moment that touched my heart about a month ago. When Chris and I were choosing our Angels from the Angel Tree at Church I had a feeling of guilt. All this little girl longed for were clothes, shoes, and jewelry. She longedddd for it, wanted it SO badly. I knew whatever I bought her would bring so much joy into her life. She would cherish the necklaces I bought her. She wouldn't wear it once and allow it to get lost in her jewelry box, as I am guilty of. She would wear her blouses until she grew out of them, or they were worn out. Most of all, she would appreciate it.
I have always loved fashion, always. I started shopping at an early age and have been blessed to be able to "reward" myself more than I should. When I told my family this was my New Year's resolution they laughed out loud, as did my husband. Their reactions show how much I shop and love clothes.
Today I was thinking. I was thinking about how I already feel like a weight is lifted off my shoulders. It is the weirdest thing, seriously. It is January 1, 2013 and I have an ENTIRE YEAR of no shopping and I feel wonderful. Knowing that no matter what birthday party, company picnic, girls night or date night out crosses my path, I know I will have an outfit for it and won't have the panic of having to go to the mall in search for an outfit I will wear one time. 
It literally makes me cringe thinking of all the money I have spent in search for that perfect outfit that only one person noticed and pictures didn't do justice. 
Now, this challenge is not for everyone. And in no way am I judging anyone! I need this for me. I want to grow to have relationships deeper than materialistic items. I want to wear my clothes out and get their full money's worth. I want to mix and match items that I never thought would work. I want to delete the 20+ emails I receive daily from clothing stores luring me in to shop for items I don't need. 
I want to dominate this challenge, and come out a better person. 
And I want to drag y'all along for my journey. I know there will be new trends this year. My closet is FULL of colored jeans. What if colored jeans go out of style and I am the only Skittle in a patch of brown M&M's? Oh well. What if my collection of bib and bubble necklaces are no longer the "it" accessory and I am left with an "outdated" look? Oh well. What if I have a wedding to go to and I already wore that fancy dress to a party the week before? Oh well.
What if I get to know my best friend's even better because we went on a walk instead of going to the mall? What if I saved enough money to pay off the minimal amount of loans I have left?
What if I get to know God better, deeper?
What if I dominate this challenge and come out with an amazing new outlook on life and what it is truly about?
Ya, that wouldn't be so bad.
I am honestly so excited to blog about this journey. What I Wore Wednesday's are now going to mean that much more because I won't be showing y'all my new items, but instead you might actually see the entirety of my closet. 
I. am. pumped.
Please pray for me and this challenge. I know I will go to the mall, go to TJ Maxx, go to Target...and it will be tempting. Please pray that I stay strong, that I learn to steer clear of temptation and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
It is now almost the end of day one...and I already feel changed. 
God is good.
Happy New Year's everyone! May 2013 be the best year yet!