Budget Rewind- February 2015

Time to review my purchases from last year at this time.  February 2015 was another month of mostly maternity purchases.  These are tricky, but I think still categorizable, which apparently isn't a word.  It should be.    

Good
Target Leopard print Ona flats: $8 - I've worn these well over 8 times, and really like them!
Target Maternity White tee: $5 - just a great basic.  I've worn it quite a bit more than I've blogged it.
Old Navy Maternity skinny jeans: $28 - I wore these a lot last pregnancy, and have worn them a lot so far this one.  They are a little too big, so I actually just ordered the same ones in a size smaller.  
Old Navy Maternity black and gray leggings: $18 - These are so comfy!  I loved wearing them under dresses last year, and then for just general lounging around the house.  
Old Navy Maternity black tee: $6 - another good basic tee.  Only blogged once, but I am sure I wore it a lot.


Medium
Loft Maternity Gray quilted dress: $16 - Oh how I love the idea of this dress!  But it is slightly too big around.  I am still wearing it, but it is a little awkward.  I feel like I have to belt it, but then it gets all bunchy. I wonder if I could take it in a bit, but I haven't had time to look at that.  
Loft Maternity Chambray popover: $12 - this was another purchase that I thought I would wear nonstop.  But Loft maternity seems to run a little big, and this particular shirt gets so wrinkly.  I think it sat in my ironing pile more than it got worn.  I do think I will wear it in the coming months some.  
Christopher & Banks Red Scarf: gift - I'm still on the fence about scarves, but this is a pretty one.  

So hey, nothing too bad (or ugly) this month!  I think maternity shopping does make me focus on basics more, so there tends to be less risk of a huge mistake!

February Shopping

The end of February is here, so let's review what I bought this month (and link up).  I actually spent some money, which has been rare for the last several months!  Most of my maternity jeans from last year are a little too big, which is good, because I was about 10-15lbs lighter when I got pregnant this time.  But it's also annoying, because now I have to buy new jeans, or just constantly be hiking my current ones up, which isn't all that sustainable when I'm also lugging around a 9.5mo.  I tried these Old Navy jeans on in the store, but then looked online where they were each about $10 less and they had a promo for free shipping, so I'm waiting for them to arrive.  The shirt was a clearance find, and marked at $8, so I couldn't decide whether or not to get it. But then I figured that I don't have many summery tops that will fit when I'm 7-9mo pregnant, and it was pretty, so I decided to go for it.  And it rang up as $1.  Good decision!!


ON Maternity Skinny jeans: $18 (originally $35)
ON Maternity Boot cut jeans: $20 (originally $40)
ON Maternity coral lace yoke tee: $1 (originally $23) (similar in other colors)

And 2 things I bought a few months ago, but didn't want to confess until I had shared my pregnancy on the blog.  Last year I was due in May, so didn't have a lot of summer maternity clothing.  I grabbed both of these things on one of the big sales in November.  I think I will be very happy to have some denim shorts for this summer
Gap maternity denim shorts: $13 (originally $50) (similar)
Gap maternity gray tee: $10 (originally $30)

So for February, I officially spent $62.  Not too bad!

Carrying the Banner

About a week ago, the Newsies broadway show was in town.  I have been waiting for this for years, because well, I was OBSESSED with the movie when I was a kid.  I'm not exaggerating when I say I watched it several times a week (maybe daily) over summer break for at least a few years.  I could probably still quote most of it by heart even though I have no idea when I last watched the movie. So, you can imagine my expectations were high for the show.  And while I was watching it, I just felt very conflicted.  Apologies in advance for my crazed ramblings here.  I obviously care a little too much about this particular topic.

As a standalone show (not comparing it to the movie), I think it was pretty fantastic.  The performers were super talented, and the dancing was insane.

When I compare it to the movie, I just felt disappointed.  As with any book-to-movie type transition, they made changes.  Some of them I liked, some I didn't like but understood, and some were just unnecessary.

For example, in the movie, Jack falls in love with David's sister.  She's basically in 3 scenes.As a boy-crazy elementary kid, I didn't understand why he liked her because she barely said or did anything, but that's beside the point.  The reporter in the movie is a middle-aged guy who helps the newsies.  In the musical, they combined these parts.  So Jack's 17.  The girl is working as a reporter, so I assume she's older than that?  And the whole dynamic is different.  And then she's randomly Joe Pulitzer's daughter?  I understand why they made this change, because they wanted the love story to be more central to the plot, but I hated it.  The actress was great, and I actually loved her songs and chemistry with Jack, but I didn't like the way it changed the plot dynamic. And I hate hate hated how it made Pulitzer less of an enemy by the end.  No, Jack would never have gone to work for the paper directly.

But can anyone explain to me why they changed SO MANY of the song lyrics?  And Medda's songs were completely different!  Where's High Times, Hard Times when you need it?  Santa Fe was the first song (and then showed up several more times), which started things off on a slow note.  And the "full" version of it was a lot different than the movie version (which is fabulous, even if Christian Bale is embarrassed about this role).  Besides, if musical Jack is an artist, shouldn't he love living in New York?  Musical Jack wasn't even in the diner for King of New York!  And don't even get me started on the missing Spot Conlon quote "I object... on the ground of Brooklyn!"

And I never really thought about it, but the Newsies rally all the other child laborers in the city, and then Jack makes the deal with Pulitzer, but what happens to all the other kids?  Do they get better treatment??

Anyway, I have a lot of feelings about this particular topic, but I should probably stop ranting now.  This isn't a Broadway review blog!


Scarf: Gap
Cardigan: Gap
Belt: NY&Co
Dress: Loft Maternity
Boots: Madden

Purple Sweater

True story:  I wore this almost a month ago but didn't blog it because my pregnant belly was extra pronounced that day and I hadn't spilled the beans yet.  

This is a scarf from Letote.  I'm still sort of on the fence about scarves at the moment, but they are a good option to add some interest since I can't wear necklaces.  Plus scarves come in handy when playing peekaboo, which is currently one of Mr. Baby's favorite things.    

Sweater: Old Navy

Scarf: Letote

Jeans: Old Navy maternity (similar)
Boots: Madden (exact)

Third Thursday Blushing

It's the Third Thursday of the month, so that means I'm linking up with Bri.  The theme for February is blush.  I don't have anything in this color, mostly because it would match my skin and wash me out.  So I grabbed my palest pink item: this necklace.  

I wore it on Valentine's Day, so decided to be as cliché as possible and wear read and pink.  Mr. Baby was still not feeling the best, so John stayed home with him and I went to church by myself.  Which is why i could wear a necklace and my hairdown.  When I got home, Mr. Baby immediately achieved a death grip on the necklace and was heartbroken when I wouldn't let him play with it.  Choking hazard, buddy!!

Anyway, that's my story.  And I'm happy to report the temps are finally rising, so we may not have snow on the deck for much longer.  You know, until the inevitable March snow storm.  

Necklace: h&m

Dress: Limited

Cardigan: Old Navy

Belt: Chinese Laundry

Boots: Madden

Another Smith Again

Um, you guys? I have something to tell you.

I'm having another baby this year (it's a boy)!  We just like the first one so much, why not have another?  Here's a secret - it's a lot harder to deal with pregnancy symptoms when you already have a baby to take care of.  Last time, I could just go to bed when I got off work, and tell John to fend for himself at dinner.  Mr. Baby does not fend for himself.  So when the websites are all "sleep as much as you can."  I'm like "Yeah, okay..."  Mr. Baby was also an awesome sleeper before I got pregnant, but it's like he sensed a disturbance in the force and started fighting bedtime, and waking up more in the night.  Not cool, Mr. Baby.  It's almost like he read this advice.

The good news is that I have been feeling a little better since I made it into the second trimester, so I'm not exhausted all the time anymore.  The weird thing is that I look pregnant way sooner than I did last time, which I hear is pretty common.  I just feel enormous!

So anyway, that's my story.  Baby boy #2 arriving in July.  It's gonna be a wild summer!

Sweater: Gap outlet (similar)
Top: Loft Maternity
Jeans: Old Navy maternity (similar)
Boots: Madden (exact)

Guster Love

John and I recently went to see Guster when they were in town.  I was thinking about it, and I'm pretty sure it's the sixth time I've seen them.  As always, they put on a great show.  And I get all nostalgic about the other times I have seen them.  It's funny, but they are kind of part of the story of John and me getting together.  So if you'll indulge me (or don't, I'll never know if you stop reading now), here's some random stories about past Guster concerts and miscellany.

Summer 2004:  Ben Folds was playing in Indianapolis.  My family had just moved there and I had exactly zero friends.  I convinced my brother to drive up and we went to the concert.  A band we had never heard of was co-headlining, and I was an instant fan.  Pretty much immediately bought all of their albums and told everyone I knew to listen to them.

April 2006:  Guster played in Lincoln, where I was in college.  John and I were good friends, and I convinced him to go along.  I'm sure I had made him listen to them a fair amount by then.  (Full disclosure: I had a boyfriend at the time, but he lived out of town, and well... we didn't really like each other by that point, but I think were waiting to break up in person).

May 2006:  I was packing up to go home for the summer.  John was hanging out while I packed. I remembered that I wanted to pre-order the new album that was going to release later that summer.  John insisted that he would buy it for me.  At the time, I had no idea why, but looking back, we were obviously in love with each other.  I just still happened to have that boyfriend, who I really wasn't even talking to at that point.  Oops.  Really should have just done a phone break up.

July 2006:  After getting back to Indy, officially becoming single again, and talking to John on the phone for hours most days, he came to visit and asked me to be his girlfriend.  Well, of course!  The next day, we went downtown with the intention of attending a baseball game, but then decided to just walk around instead.   The canal is ridiculously romantic anyway, and we were just enjoying the evening strolling along being obnoxiously happy.  As we walked, we started to hear music from the nearby White River State park, so we headed that direction to see who was playing.   You'll never guess.  Okay, it's obvious by now that it was Guster.  I had no idea they were in town, or we would have gotten tickets!  But it all worked out because you can hear perfectly from outside of the venue, so we just sat on a bench and got a free concert.  It was one of the most fun coincidences ever.  And I cannot confirm or deny, but it's possible that we first said "I love you" while they were playing Diane.    

Okay, I guess that's the end of the significant moments.  Since then, John and I just go see them whenever they are nearby.  I think their 2010 stop in Omaha was one of the best concerts I've been to.   And at this most recent show, we randomly ran into 2 of my old co-workers and had fun catching up with them.

waiting for the doors to open in the freezing wind

I totally failed at taking outfit photos, which is a bummer, because I actually wore my hair down since Mr. Baby wasn't with us. (Sidenote- there were 2 little kids at the show, like 3-4 years old.  Come on, get a babysitter!  Poor little dudes looked miserable).   But if you are curious, I wore my elephant tee shirt, camel cardigan, skinny jeans, and cognac boots.  And the waitress at dinner LOVED my shirt.

 

Sweater Dress

Here's what I wore to church last week.  We didn't go yesterday because we all have colds and didn't think we should share them with anyone else.  This was another LeTote dress, which was slightly too short, but I think okay with tights.  They definitely don't expect you to be tall and somewhat modest.

Anyway, this was my last LeTote item, so I'll be done with box clothes for awhile.  Unless I have any pictures that I haven't blogged yet.  There might be one or two outfits still in line.  I'll write up a final recap at some point, and share my thoughts after subscribing for a few months.

Dress:  LeTote (similar, similar)
Coat: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: JCF (exact)

Currently February

File this one under "felt cute in it until I saw pictures."  I do think I'd like it better if my hair was down.  There's just too much torso going on!  I wore this on Saturday to get a pedicure and have lunch with friends.  Full disclosure: I wore flip flops most of the day so my toenails could dry.  It was about 50 degrees, so not too bad.  

Anyway, February is here, so it's time to link up with In Residence and Dearest Love to talk about what I'm currently up to.  

sending my last LeTote back this week.  It's been fun, but just doesn't make a whole lot of sense in my current life.

eating candy **hangs head in shame** Target got me with a sale.  Bad Andi.  

dreaming about summer.  It's been snowing for the last 24 hours or so, and while it is very pretty, I'm just ready for warmer weather so we can get out of the house more easily.  

smelling dinner.  As I write this on Tuesday evening, Mr. Baby is napping, Mr. Husband is shoveling the driveway, and dinner is in the crock-pot.    

hearting this stage of Mr. Baby's development.  He's so funny right now.  Babbling nonstop, always making silly faces, mimicking the things that we do.  He's so close to crawling, which I am excited for and also nervous about!  We need to get serious about baby proofing our house.

Sweater:  LeTote
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Target (exact without captoe)

Zoo Jacket

Friday was a pretty warm day, so Mr. Baby and I took the opportunity to go to the zoo.  I'm so glad we got an annual pass.  We've gone 4 times since October, and I love it!  There are enough indoor areas that we don't get too cold, but on the days where it is 40 or above, we can walk around a little bit and get some fresh air and sunshine, and I can stretch my legs.  Mr. Baby doesn't stretch his legs because he is so lazy and makes me push him around in a stroller.  Also he doesn't know how to walk yet.  Typical baby.

Highlights of this zoo trip:

• The tapirs are usually just laying in the mud, but they were swimming!
• We saw 2 giraffes sit down. I don't think I've ever seen that before.  Their legs go all wonky! 
• Baby orangutan!
• The big male lion was pacing back and forth.  I call him Aslan for obvious reasons.  Anyway, he winked at me.  I wish lions were for snuggling.    
• We sat in the aquarium tunnel for quite awhile.  I think that is Mr. Baby's favorite place because he can see all the different fish swimming around.  

Disappointments:

• the bears are all hiding in their caves.  It's almost like they hibernate or something.
• The gorilla building was significantly colder than outside.  We walked all the way through and saw exactly zero gorillas.  
• Mr. Baby lost his mind in the rain forest.  I guess he's scared of humidity or bats or something.  I had to carry him and hurry through.  We will have to try again.  

shout out to the random stranger who took our picture

Outfit note: this jacket is from LeTote.  I don't remember seeing it on my list when I approved the tote, so I was surprised to find it, but I really liked it.  The buttons are a little weird.  At first I thought one of them was broken, but then I realized they were all different for FASHUN reasons.  It was a perfect jacket for a moderately nice January zoo trip.  

Jacket: LeTote (exact)
Sweater: Gap (ridiculously priced option, tunic option)
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Boots: Madden (exact)