Goodbye 2013!

I like the idea of looking forward not looking back in that review mirror.. However before heading into the new year there are many things I would like to look back on these past 12 months. I had a year full of ups and downs.. My life as a woman changed in March. I had a hysterectomy for me that was an emotional event. It's not that I wanted anymore kids I have a boy and girl but just knowing that it is no longer an option. It makes you feel a certain type of way. On a good note in August I started my blog after jumping on the Instagram "ootd" train earlier in the year. This has turned out to such an awesome thing for me. I get to talk about my 2 favorite subjects.. fashion and great deals! LOL . As I head into 2014 I am faced with some medical issues but I am going to focus on the positive and trust in God. My Mother always tells me to "Trust in God, he has never let us down" . Even though we didn't grow up with much... We were wealthy in our faith and love. Happy New Year friends! I believe 2014 will be the best one ever!

Favorite Looks from 2013

Such a School girl

There is something about dress that screams school girl . I feel so prim and proper in this dress . This is so my Mom.. you would have to know her. She is sweet and very conservative and how appropriate is it that she got me this dress for a Christmas gift. I met her at Jcpennys to help her pick out a gift for my sister and she had me try on some dresses for myself.. That woman knows the way to her daughters heart! I felt like a teenager again.. trying on stuff for my mom. It was a lot of fun. I love the fit of this dress and the material is nice and thick feels very expensive. I can think of various ways to style this and it's so classic I can't keep it in my rotation for years! Thanks Mom :)

Details
Dress- Jcpenny Dress
Necklace- New York and Company $6
Tights - New York and Company
Ring- Kohl's JLO Collection

High and Low Sunday

My Sunday has definitely been filled with many high and lows. So how appropriate that I would decide on a high low dress.  I love the color of this little dress and top it off with a animal print scarf and honey a little casual  Sunday look is born. Are you fashionista' s ready for Monday? I am not for sure but its coming anyway :) Hope u all have a wonderful week!

Details
Dress - Forever 21 $15
Scarf -Joe Fresh Jcpenny$8
Boots- Candies Kohls (last year)

Plaid is so Rad with these Red Boots!

These are 2 things I am loving this year... Red..and Plaid..I have been obsessed with getting a plaid skirt so when I saw this little number at Windsor I knew I had to have it. Oh the possibilites of this skirt. I can think of so many ways to style this and I can't wait to show them off. My next obsession are these Rock and Republic red booties.. I have had my eye on these for so long. I was lucky enough to get these for Christmas. Not only are these so chic they are comfortable and honey these 41 year old feet insist on comfort!  What were your fashion obsessions this year?

Details
Skirt Windsor Plaid Skirt
Booties- Rock and Republic Bootie

Sweater -old

Bracelet- Macy's - gift

Necklace-Macy's -gift

Another Holiday Look

Tis the season for parties and family gatherings and that is right up my alley. This look was from Christmas Eve and my significant other was the photograper.  My beautiful kids get a vacation from all these pics.. lol and they are overjoyed.. LOL .

I indulged in so many glasses of eggnog over the past week after I discovered Eggnog with a shot of Crown Royal... who knew this was so delicious.. and so sinful at this sametime. Well I drunk my last glass of eggnog last night and I am officially back on track on my healthy eating.

I hope you all had a very happy Holiday . Mine was filled with family and lots a love and that is exactly the way it's supposed to me.


Details
Skirt - Carson's Kensie skirt $10 . I got this while it was 50% off and a $20 coupon! Score!!
Sweater- Target Merona Sweater  $15
Shoes- Kohl's Lauren Conrad Shooties - Gift
Tights - New York and Company $8
Necklace - New York and Company $6

Nothing Like Family on Holidays

The older I get the more I realize that there is nothing like spending time with family.  The love and laughter we share on the holiday is priceless, I feel so fortunate to have such an awesome family. Every since I was a little curly byrdie I love getting dressed up for the holiday and today is no exception.  My look today were actually Christmas gifts from some important people in my life.

Details
Dress - Vera Wang Kohls
Shoes- Lauren Conrad @Kohl's
Tights -New York and Company
Necklace -Jcpenny
Bracelet-Charlotte Russe

Iii

Merry Christmas from a Byrdie

It has a been such a busy holiday season for me . Me being the bargain shopper I am I actually acted as personal shopper to some family members and friends. So I have been a busy byrdie for the month of December. I finally picked up my last gift today along with gift cards. It was just me and my baby girl a nice way to spend my morning.  Wishing all my fashionista's a very Merry Christmas :)

Outfit Details
Sweater - Jcpenny Joe Fresh $11
Shirt - Goodwill $2
Jeans - Rock and Republic  Kohl's
Boots - Candies Kohls ( last year)
Necklace - Jcpenny $5
Scarf - Carson's  Calvin Klein $9

My First Weigh In and Fun Friday Look

I know there are 2 things most women are very sensitive about are their weight and their age. I took after my Grandmother the age thing hasn't really started to bother me yet.. but weight is something that I have struggled about about my life.  I can remember in grade school we would have weigh in at school once a year . We would all stand in a line and I would pray the nurse wouldn't say my weight out loud.. I can remember the fear like it was yesterday.. So this is the first time I really have shared my weight with anyone besides Weight Watchers.   I weighed in at 170.8  and my Weight Watchers goal weight is 159 but I would actually like to get to around 155....so this Curlybyrdie has some work to do! I will weigh in every Sat and post my results here! I welcome any encourging words. 

My Friday look was a fun sporty look. I love these INC  pants from  Macys last year. I remember getting these for like $20. I  paired this with one of my favorite blazers from H and M  and my fun Friday look was born . 

Details 

Jacket-  H &M $8

Pants -MACYS $20

Top -Macys $10

Necklace- Jlo Kohls- gift

Booties-Kohls Simply Vera $25

Cheetah Style Ballerina!

Oh Wednesday.. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and that would be Friday. I am thankful that it doesn't look as glum out today. I see the sun shining making the snow look even prettier. It's amazing how the sun can brighten your mood instantly.

After buddling up for days in pants and furry boots it feels good to put on  a dress.Nothing makes me feel prettier than a dress.. I wore this one when the weather was alot nicer I paired this with my cardigan with a little jazzy gold chain on it.

I also wanted to talk about a workout that is new to me. It is called Jessica TV - Ballet Cardio.  I never workout in the morning.  I always say I can't get to the gym before I go to work.. but there is no excuse. Instead of hitting that snooze button 3 times(yea I do that).  Why can't I  get 25 mins in when I first get out of bed?  I really liked this work out and believe me I am no graceful ballerina type. I honestly felt my heart rate go up and broke a sweat.. and it wasn't a hot flash either.. LOL.  I am making it my mission to try new workouts and expand my horizons.. I may surprise myself.

Details
Dress -Kohls Cheetah dress - this dress at such a steal you can even use code XMAS30 to get an extra 30% off
Sweater - Target Cardigan- I paid $15 when it was on sale
Booties- Nine West (old)
Necklace - New York and Company $8
Bracelet- New York and Company (old)

Not waiting for the New Year

I have really fell off the healthy wagon these past few months.  There is no denying it anymore and after getting the scale and seeing a 13lb weight gain it is time I did something about it.  I know many people wait to the New Year to start there resolutions but I think now is just as good as time is any.. The way I look at it is.. that starting now means less lbs to lose!LOL

I had lost a total of 46lbs doing weight watchers... and than I feel off my gym closed in May.
I had a hysterectomy in March and I just never really fully got back to as dedicated as I was.  I have decided to challenge myself once again and even though I want to lose the 13lbs I gained I also want to lose a little bit more. My ultimate goal is to wear a bikini . I am 41 years old and have never felt confident enough to do that. So I have dedided to call this journey " Byrdie is Bikini Bound"

My first weigh in at Weight Watchers will be this Saturday and I will do something I have never done tell everyone how much I weigh and every Saturday I will publish my results ( good or bad)

Saturday Post - Face the Music Saturday

I am nervous to be this open about the thing I have been so insecure all my life. I know there are so many people that feel the same way. But if I don't face my fears now than they will control me. I am an emotional eater.. I always have been... I think it's a birth defect.. lol.. it seriously runs in my family. So please follow my journey as I attempt to get this body Bikini ready!

Sunday Scores

What a cold day it was today luckily I didn't leave the house. It honestly felt good just to chill in the comforts of home. My Sunday.scores were some beautiful jewelry items I found at Macys . These were actually Christmas gifts that I got for some family members . The first was an emerald looking set made by Charter Club. I love the classic old Hollywood look of this. Reminds me of Liz Taylor . The reg price on all 3 of these items was $105  and I snagged these for $22. The next score is a black diamond ring set in sterling silver reg $150 and I got it for $22. I hope all you fashionista's has an awesome weekend. Back to reality tomorrow: -)

Miss Prim and Proper

There is something about a white button down shirt that makes me feel so prim and proper almost like one of those old school teachers back in the day . I wanted to add something to this sweater dress to give it a little more ummph so a shirt it was. This dress was such a awesome deal at Macys.. that I just had to have it in my life.  I love a sweater dress and stripes the grey with the burgandy are an awesome combo. I hope you fashionista's are keeping warm where you are.. It is very cold here in good ole Indiana:)

Sweater Dress-    Macys $8 in store after coupon
White Shirt - Jcpenny Worthington old
Necklace - Body Central $3
Booties-Kohl's $25
Bracelet - New York and Company (old)

My JLO Dress with a litte Dash of Kardashian

I love classic white and black stripes and even more so when it's a dress.  I have had this J-lo dress for a while. I love her line at Kohl's . I love the fact that it caters to a curvy woman.. and that would definitely be me...LOL.  I added some jewelry from the Kardashian Kollection at Sears. I am in love with this bow bracelet..so cute and chic.  If I wasn't goin to work and headed out for a night on the town I would take the jacket off.  I hope you fashionista 's have a fabulous day . Let your inner diva shine today.. I give you permission! LOL

Details
Dress- Kohl's Jennifer Lopez line- $20 - last spring clearance
Jacket - H&M - $10 clearance
Booties- My favorite booties - Rock and Republic $25 last year
Necklace- Sears - Kardashian Kollection $5
Bracelet - Sears Kardashian Kollection $6

It's Black and Beige

It's another day with stripes for Curly Byrdie. As most of you can probably can tell I have a thing with stripes. I wore this dress in early fall with a faux leather jacket but I decided to make it more work friendly today.  I also wanted to talk about a email that I got yesterday that really touched me. A Jcpenny associate really gave me props about my style choices for Jcpenny. This email with positive feedback about something that I am passionate about  really turned my stressful day into a positive one. My passion is inspiring women in anyway because there are so many woman that inspire me in many areas of my life. I  hope all you beautiful women have a Wonderful Wednesday..

XOXO
Mary (Curlybyrdie)

Dress- Charlotte Russe $10
Jacket- Jcpenny - $10 last year
Necklace- New York and Company $8
Booties - DSW $25
Bracelet- Kohl's Lauren Conrad $6
Ring- H&M $1

Holiday Look Day 2 .. Winter White and Black yeah yeah yeah!

I love dressing for the holiday season.. it makes you feel so festive and pretty. It can also get expensive and you know how frugal (cheap) I am when it comes to clothes.Yesterday on my blog Red Hot and Sunday Scores I wore a beautiful red dress and Jacket that I found at such a great deal at H&M . I decided to showcase the jacket again for another holiday look. I am always about getting more bang for your buck. Back in the day I would have never worn a Summer dress in the winter and nothing cream for sure.. but these great fashionista's have changed all that. I found this lovely dress that was on clearance at Macys that was obviously spring or summer dress at such a steal. I thought the crochet material gave it such a feminine classy look and top it off with a blazer with bling and there you go .. Holiday Chic on the Cheap. I love this dress so classic . I love mixing classic with something with a little edge. I would definately wear this to church Christmas Eve or a work Christmas party. What look are you fashinista's sporting this holiday season?
Hui
Dress -Macy's  the reg price was $80 and I got this for $15
Jacket - H&M $22 reg $59
Booties -Kohl's - Rock and Republic $25
Necklace- New York and Company - $8
Earring - H&M  $.0.75( your see why I love this store!)

Holiday Look #3 - My Sugar Plum

Two of  my favorites come together in this look ...plum and midi length look. I love the richness of this color . I feel so regal and the sophistication of the midi length skirt ...what a great combination.  As you can see I added my blinged out jacket to this look as well. This is the perfect "Let's have holiday cocktail after wook look" .

Details
Skirt - H&M $12
Jacket -H&M $22
Lace Shirt - Kohl's $10
Booties - Kohl's $25
Necklace - New York and Company $8

Red Hot and Sunday Scores!

I think every woman should have a red dress during the holiday season and this H & M dress is priced just right. I loved taking pictures in this dress I almost felt like Mariah Carey on her Christmas special so festive. My lovely daughter was my photographer today and we made a day of it. At 15 this girl is wise beyong her years . Im a proud Mama.

This dress is one of my Sunday Scores. This dress is that perfect red and this dress is priced at $20 ...how could I not? My other score is also from H&M. It is this beautiful jacket with gold chain on the sleeve. I am obsessed with  this jacket. It was originally $59 and I ended up getting it for $22...now thats a score. I will be featuring this jacket on my next 2 blog post styled in different ways. I think its the perfect holiday find . I hope you fashionistas had an awesome weekend .
 
Details
Dress - H&M $20
Necklace - Macys - gift
Bracelet -Kohl's
Booties -Kohls $25
Scarf -H&M $3
Jacket -H&M $22