copycat 25.0

(skirt: Macys, shirt: Old Navy, shoes: JC Penney, necklace: Sears, bracelets: Forever 21, ring: Kohls)

This is it.

The end.

I think the time is right. I've been struggling to hit "publish" recently. On average, I've got 15-20 posts sitting in my drafts just waiting for a little edit and shine. But I don't even have the time to do that right now. Sorry about that. I hate when people play the I'm busy victim, it makes it sound like others aren't busy and they're the only ones. So I know you're probably stressed right now too and I hope things slow down soon. For all of us.

Thanks for linking up with us and trying this copycat linkup out. It was a fun experiment that taught us a lot. Mostly that linkups are hard and I don't like doing anything that's hard. But other lessons too.

Anyway, thanks for being here.

original website || original pin 

I loved the floral skirt with belt and tucked chambray top. But I didn't have the right belt and my skirt hit in a funny spot so I left my shirt untucked. I definitely liked the Pinterest look better and felt mine was a little too sloppy. Also, I'm wrinkly, but that's because these pictures were taken after a ten hour day and a long meeting.

What did you do this week? Show us your copycat style one more time!

Rules

-Follow Texas Lovebirds and Trusty Chucks.

-Everyone likes comments! Please visit at least one other blog and leave a comment. Find new blogs! Make new friends!

-Do not link to giveaways or your homepage, link to a specific post about your copycat style and how you made the look your own. Linkups that don't follow this rule will be deleted.
-Please link back to the post and let your readers know what's going on. You could grab a button if you'd like (hint, hint).

when may comes calling.

(sweater: Kohls, pants & shirt: Old Navy, necklace: NY & Co., watch: Kohls, bracelets: Forever 21, boots: Payless)

Aye aye aye.

I feel like things are going too fast right now. Too much to do, not enough hours in the day (although more daylight is awesome, by the way), and I'm feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Welcome to the life of a teacher in May. I'd share more, but it's really not that interesting. I'm busy, you're busy, life is busy.

The only thing that is keeping me going at this point is there are only ten more days of school. Ten more days of kids and stress and bad principals and teachers that don't do their jobs and adults that lie. I'm really hoping that there's only ten days left of my time at my current school too, but I'll let you know more about that later.

If I'm MIA, just know I'm trying to keep my head above water and eventually I'll be more successful at it. Eventually there will be more time and less stuff. It's called June.

copycat 24.0

(khakis: Kohls, t-shirt & sweater: Old Navy, flats: Target, necklaces: Forever 21, belt: Old Navy)

The weather has finally turned nicer and all the Grahams want to do is be outside. Those first few weeks when you have the freedom to be outdoors without a coat or long sleeves are so refreshing.

It almost makes me giddy.

And now I'm dreaming of hot, summer days sitting outside with a book while the girls run around in their swimsuits. I'm dreaming of margaritas and sun-kissed freckles.

I'm also dreaming about bread since I've been wheat free since this weekend, but that doesn't have much to do with summer.

Stay tuned on whether or not my summer includes lots of buttery rolls. From the oven, not mine. Because mine are pretty much guarenteed.

|| original pin || original website ||

This look just called to me. Such a pulled together and classic outfit. While I pepped mine up with some print, I would have gladly stuck to solids if I had it in my closet. Lands' End, good job with this one.

Your turn!

The Rules

-Follow Texas Lovebirds and Trusty Chucks.

-Everyone likes comments! Please visit at least one other blog and leave a comment. Find new blogs! Make new friends!
-Do not link to giveaways or your homepage, link to a specific post about your copycat style and how you made the look your own. Linkups that don't follow this rule will be deleted.
-Please link back to the post and let your readers know what's going on. You could grab a button if you'd like (hint, hint).

and then you found my blog, welcome.

(green skinnies: Kohls, shirt: Old Navy, boots: Old Navy, necklace: Forever 21)

I have the pleasure of being able to see what searches lead people to my blog. And while some of them are expected (like "trusty chucks blog"), some are not so expected. And some are quite humorous so I thought you might like a little glimpse of some of those today.

Search topics that led someone to Trusty Chucks:

peed her pants scared (every day. at least twice. welcome to my blog.)

family of four pictures in chucks (not here, but it's a good idea...)

polka dotted dresses

trusty chucks

"pooped your pants" grade (this is any grade, really)

blog girls in chucks porn pics (umm, wrong website, dude.)

chocken salad with vanilla greek yogurt (that just sounds gross)

teacher

what to wear on the first day of 6th grade (I imagine some dorky little fifth grader searching this so he/she will be ready for school in August. And that just makes me so happy.)

working at kohl's laced mentality (I've never been to that department before.)

we are friends for reminder (that sounds way too long)

strict restraint (again, probably the wrong website. weirdo.)

decorating with streamers (I found this one insulting. Streamers?! I don't party with streamers!)

hairstyles for lazy people (and this one made me proud...)

Another perk of blogging is spam comments. Spam comments are the main reason I have all my comments set to manual approval. I can delete them without everyone else seeing them, without them clogging up my post, and without weird links showing up on my blog. I'm not exactly sure the reason for spam since I don't know anyone who actually falls for their comments or clicks on their links, but some of them were worth saving.

of course like your web site but you neеd to checκ the spelling on sevеral of your poѕts. Ѕеveгal of them аre rife ωith ѕpеlling issues аnd Ӏ to find it very troublesome to inform the reality on the other hаnԁ I will defіnitelу come agaіn agаin.
(Spelling errors? I don't think so. You, on the other hand, seem to have a hard time with the English language and are randomly using Greek letters.)

Hi, its pleasant post on the topic of media print, we all be aware of media is a enormous source of information. I was wondering if you ever considered changing the structure of your website? Its very well
written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?
(This was spam for this post---which had minimal text and seven pictures. No, I do not want to change the structure of my website. But thanks for all your great advice!)

Piece of writing writing is also a excitement, if you know afterward you can write if not it is difficult to write
If you might be a teenager between 13-18 and you also notice yourself developing moobs, don't anxiety and think you're changing in a woman. In rare cases, the trouble would last around two years. Many times this is sometimes a side effect of other medications you're taking throwing off your hormone balance.
(Someone noticed I was developing MOOBS?!? This is beyond embarrassing. Also, did I just get a middle school health class lesson from someone who just called puberty "the trouble"? I want to meet this person.)

You actually make it seem so easy along with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I believe I would by no means understand.It seems too complicated and extremely large for me.
I am taking a look ahead on your subsequent submit, I'll try to get the dangle of it!
(Oh, good, you're trying to get the dangle of it...good luck, dangle!)

What would be really funny is if I got spam comments on this post. The irony would probably make me pee my pants scared.

national honesty day

(skinnies: Target, top: Forever 21 [old], cardigan: Old Navy, wedges: Target)

I really don't care about "national blah blah blah week." I find it silly.

But today is national honesty day and I'll use any excuse to tell my thoughts on things. Things that swim around in my head just bursting to come out.

Or something like that.

Honestly...I hate posting pictures of myself on my blog. If I could find someone else to wear my clothes and I could be behind the camera, I'd be happier.

Honestly...those last fifteen pounds are the absolute hardest to lose. I'm getting NO WHERE, people.

Honestly...my children are spending the night at my parents' house this weekend and it can't come fast enough. And it's only Tuesday. Geez.

Honestly...I'm feeling distant from my God and my Bible right now. It's just a feeling and I'm not acting on it, so it's no ones fault but my own. But that's where I'm at.

Honestly...I'm more tired than I've been in a long time. And I can't figure out why.

Honestly...I want someone else to find me a new job because doing it on my own isn't working. Also, I'm lazy.

Honestly...I'm in a dry spell for writing. I write whole posts in my head while I'm driving. I feel inspired and full and bursting to write. But the minute I get in front of the screen, I'm empty of all words.

Honestly...I wish summer would get here and I could be outside all the time.

Honestly...I want nothing more than to go to my favorite restuarant, Shallos, and eat a whole order of their homemade chips and ranch right now. I want to do this just as bad as I want to lose those last fifteen pounds. I am a giant contradiction.

It's national honesty day...what do you need to get off your chest today?

_______________________________________________

I announced the winner of the movie night prize pack from Thomas Nelson Publishing. Did you win?

_______________________________________________

Linking up with Passion for Fashion with Lena B, Actually.

sweatshirts, wear 'em now.

(skinnies: Target, striped sweatshirt: Target, boots: Old Navy, arrow necklace that you can't see: Forever 21)

I'm not sure whose great idea it was to make sweatshirts so awesome right now, but I'd like to take a moment to thank him/her.

Sweatshirts with skinnies, sweatshirts with skirts, sweatshirts with shorts, you really can't go wrong with a cute sweatshirt at the moment. Unless it has a hood and says something like wrestling 1998 and it's from high school and has holes in it, than I'd leave it at home in the closet.

I'm definitely in the mood for a few more of these lovelies in my closet. They just seem so comfy and simple, yet fresh and fun. Here are some sweatshirts I'm coveting right now.

|| H & M || Target || Old Navy || Gap || Kohls || Forever 21 || Nordstrom || Madewell ||

I'm definitely drawn to the more neutral colors, but there are so many options right now. I think the "Believe in Love" one from Old Navy will be mine soon.

What do you think? Which one do you like? Would you wear a sweatshirt as a more dress piece?

high five for friday

(follow along on Instagram @themarygraham)

1. If you compliment my shirt on Instagram, I might just send it to you. (Am I right, Barb??)

2. This week was long. School was rough and so was home. I don't normally have bad days or bad weeks, I can pretty much make it through anything upbeat, but dang, this week beat me down. Anybody else?

3. Did you check out the second installment in the HP + Intel: Project Runway "Pin Your Style" contest? Make sure to pin your favorite inspired looks and vote for your favorite board starting April 29th!

4. Boots and polka dot pants. Because, really, why not?

5. My reenactment of the Michael Jackson/balcony scene with my children's toys. And, again, because, really, why not??

I somehow managed to end four of the five snapshots with a question mark. Again, it's been a long week. Hope yours was better than mine! Happy Friday, friends!


Linking up with Lauren Elizabeth for High Five for Friday.

copycat 22.0

(dress: Kohls, boots: Target, necklace: Forever 21)

Sometimes all you need on a Monday is a comfortable knit dress and a necklace. It was pulled together enough to look professional, but it felt like I was in a night gown.

So a win, for sure.

The more-is-more side of me wanted to add a sweater, a belt, maybe a scarf? but I also appreciate the simplicity of a black dress and didn't want to care so much. I just wanted to put a dress on and leave.

I highly recommend it since I got lots of compliments from students on this dress. I think they'd be shocked that I bought it in the mom-section at Kohls.

Let's just keep that between us.

Thanks.

|| original pin || original website ||

The Rules

-Follow Texas Lovebirds and Trusty Chucks.
-Everyone likes comments! Please visit at least one other blog and leave a comment. Find new blogs! Make new friends!

-Do not link to giveaways or your homepage, link to a specific post about your copycat style and how you made the look your own. Linkups that don't follow this rule will be deleted.

-Please link back to the post and let your readers know what's going on. You could grab a button if you'd like (hint, hint).

 

HP + Intel: Project Runway "Pin Your Style" Contest // Travel in Style

(jeans, t-shirt, & boots: Old Navy, blazer: Kohls, bag: TJ Maxx, necklace & bracelets: Forever 21, sunglasses: c/o Firmoo)

My life motto is let's make this quick and painless. And so when it comes to traveling, I want less stuff holding me back and more time to create memories. So flying with just carry-on items appeals to me because it is less hassle and saves time.

And to make that happen, I need all my clothes to pull double-duty. And a small, sleek laptop to make being away from home stress free and staying on top of my work easy. With my small suitcase and a purse (which conveniently comes with a laptop compartment), I can get up and go in almost no time. Add in a few key pieces of clothing and I can be gone for over a week with everything I need.

Do you have some go-to pieces when you travel? Enter the HP + Intel: Project Runway Pin Your Style Contest and win great HP + Intel prizes and money to make your boards come to life (and add a few more go-to pieces to your closet!).

HP Envy 4 Touchsmart Ultrabook™
The HP + Intel + Project Runway Pin Your Style Contest

Want to participate?

Pin a photo of the HP Envy 4 Touchsmart Ultrabook™ via the Pin It button on the Pin Your Style contest page. Then, build a board that represents that week's theme. Check out the weekly Pinsetter images on the site for inspiration.

Submit your board's URL into the site to enter. Then, share your board with friends to earn the most votes!

Win prizes like an HP Envy 4 Touchsmart Ultrabook™ and a gift card to bring your style to life by getting the top votes for your board

Here's my board:

|| black blazer || blue skinnies || brown booties || peter pan collared blouse ||

|| red heels || purse/laptop bag || blue pencil skirt ||

(black skirt: Kohls, jeans: Old Navy, blue skirt: Target, blue pants: target, mint peplum top: TJ Maxx, polka dot top: Target, t-shirt: Old Navy, blazer: Kohls, Chucks: Kohls, boots: Old Navy, heels: Kohls)

Eight pieces and ten outfits (with plenty of room left in your suitcase for workout clothes & sneakers, pajamas, and all your toiletries):

These eight pieces could go further than what's pictured, there's many more combos to try. So picking similar pieces for your next trip will have you ready for work and play. What key pieces do you always take on a trip? Traveling with the HP Envy 4 Touchsmart Ultrabook makes working hard and playing hard on-the-go a breeze. 

And remember to vote for your favorite HP + Intel: Project Runway "Pin Your Style" board starting April 29th until May 12th!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

weddings by eShakti

(dress: c/o eShakti, sweater: thrifted, necklace: Forever 21, heels: JC Penney)

We've had a couple low-key summers where there weren't a lot of wedding happening. We hit a lull in our wedding rotations, if you will.

Until now.

Three weddings this summer, two for immediate family members.

And so, of course, the first thing I thought was I need new dresses!

I'm sure it should have been congrats! or let me see the ring! but it wasn't. I'll take any excuse to get a new dress, obviously.

But one of the problems I have with being so tall is that many dresses I find and love, end up being too short. Inappropriately short, if you will.

So when I saw eShakti's new spring line and learned that all their styles can be tailored to my size specifically at no extra charge, I knew where one of my new dresses was coming from.

While I picked up a classic navy dress for the wedding, brides could get some shopping done there too. eShakti now offers bridesmaids dresses for all shapes and sizes. And as always, they cover sizes 0-36 so there is something for everyone.

Now just to find a couple more dresses...

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Between now and April 25th, eShakti is running a pretty awesome special---it's the best time to buy!

DISCLOSURE: I was gifted this dress for a review, but all opinions are mine.

check out my new camera and my awesome photography skillz.

(can you even see what I'm wearing? skinnies & flats: Target, shirt: Old Navy, sweater: thrifted, sunglasses: c/o Firmoo)

Yay for new-to-me cameras that I don't know how to use. I said yesterday was the worst, but I was wrong. Really wrong.

I mean, these pictures are rockin' though so I probably don't even need to ask for help on figuring this thing out.

I like how invisible thin this setting makes me look so I'll probably keep it around.

Welcome home, sweet camera.

And you can thank Kaitlyn for the headache these pictures caused.