Things I learned while crafting this post: I can’t take a good picture to save my life. There isn’t a single room in our house that has decent lighting. Don’t take “fashion” pictures at 8pm when you are tired, all your makeup has worn off and your hair is totally flat. In other words, there is no danger of me ever turning The Diaper Diaries into a fashion blog.

BUT when you are asked to head to Sears and purchase “holiday looks”, you don’t say no despite your photgraphical challenges. Because there is nothing I love more than a shopping challenge. So this weekend armed with $75 and my favorite fashionista (Lily) I ventured to Sears to see what I could put together.

Here are my top ten favorite holiday outfits from Sears compared to splurges I could have gotten elsewhere.

1.   ok so this really isn’t a “holiday outfit” but I wore it to the Kindergarten Christmas party today with a green scarf (that didn’t make the picture because it has chocolate all over it #occupationalhazard) and thought I looked rather elf like. But I love that I can wear it all year long. {Shirt}
2. oh look. Almost the same shirt. For over double the price. SCORE!! {Shirt}
3. again, not holiday per se, but this just makes me want to snuggle by a fire. I think it would be perfect for traveling by car or by air. Or for a family Christmas. {Sweater}
4. Here is a similar look that is quite the splurge. {Sweater}
5. I have been dying to get a maxi skirt for quite some time. But haven’t really found one I love. This one I spotted and immediately grabbed hold of. I am not sure what to put on the top. Ideas? {Skirt}
6. I kind of dig the stripes on this much pricier version, but I am loving the brown in mine much more. {Skirt}
7. For quite some time I have wanted to get a sequined tank. I tried on several at Sears but this one won out. I am not sure I love it with jeans. Would black pants just be too black? I think this is the perfect tank for New Year’s Eve. {Tank}
8. See I am enjoying it with the skinny black pants. But I am not enjoying this price. {Tank}
9. And now is the point where I realize there are supposed to be 10 things, but I only have 8.
10. And now is the point where you forgive me.

Please check out Sears for all your holiday fashion needs. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what you find!

I received a gift card to purchase holiday styles from Sears as part of the Glam Trendsetter Program. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sears. This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda!

    It has been quite some time since I did a Top Ten Tuesday and today seems as good a day as any. Note: Random doesn’t even begin to cover this list.

1. I had a caramel apple martini tonight. I don’t normally do martinis but is was on special and was billed to taste like caramel apples. It did. Someone is a genius.
2. I still miss Lost. Anyone else? And as odd as this might sound I have found a show that is filling my Lost hole. Who is watching “Once Upon a Time” on Sunday nights. It makes me so very happy.
3. Chris Brown performed on the American Music Awards last night. He sings good and dances good, but will we ever be able to watch him and not think about Rhianna. My guess is no.
4. That Target ad woman is creepy. CREEPY. And I am so very annoyed with Target for opening on Thanksgiving. I want to organize a massive protest but then I remembered we needed new pillows and I hate Wal-Mart. Dang it Target. Why can’t I quit you??
5. Does anyone else use the Facebook birthday reminders as a way to unfriend people. “Oh hi, I forgot we were friends. Who are you again? Unfriend.” No? Just me? Never mind. What kind of soulless person would unfriend someone on their birthday!!!!
6. I still haven’t bought a turkey. Pretty sure that isn’t good.
7. I think I am not watching Survivor anymore. I have only missed a few seasons since it started. I am kind of sad about this turn of events, but it just isn’t holding my attention anymore. And this season has Ozzy in it. So that is just sad. Anyone else still watching?
8. My book club just finished reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and everyone should read it. It is a really powerful look into history and medical ethics. Actually that sounds a little boring, but this book is not. It is a must read.
9. I am not a big fan of Thanksgiving food. Don’t love pumpkin flavored stuff, not a fan of turkey, and that green bean casserole is just foul. but I do love me some mashed potatoes. Although call me crazy I don’t want it with gravy. I like mine mixed with corn. Anyone else?
10. I love this picture so very much. I try not to talk politics around these parts, but oh man do I love this picture.

This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda

If you are checking out my blog for the first time from Fox 17, welcome! If you are a regular reader, I had the privilege of going on Fox 17 on Monday to give my best back to school tips. I got some great feedback from my readers on Facebook and added some of my own wisdom. I will post the link in this weekend’s link roundup. But for now, here are my top ten tips for getting your family ready to head back to school (mine start back TOMORROW!!)

1. Move Up Bedtime: Get your kids back to an early bedtime and an early rise time. This is so hard when it is still really light out outside. My kids are nearly impossible to get to bed. But we try. We really, really try.
2. Re-establish Routine: Summer means pajama days. Staying outside until 9:30. Going to BBQs and skipping nap time. It is just all willy nilly. Try and get some sort of schedule going on so your kids get used to a routine.
3. This Means You Too: Yes mama. You need an early bedtime and early rise time too. Ugh. That is NOT what I wanted to hear. Or type. Or whatever. Your days of sleeping in and staying up late watching The Food Network are over. Sorry.
4. Do What You Can The Night Before: Pack the backpack. Make the lunches. Lay out the clothes. Anything you can do the night before, do it. Morning are crazy. Try and keep the crazy to a minimum.
5. Morning Routine: This year I bought chalkboard wall decals to stick to the kid’s doors. I am going to write out their morning routine on them so the kids can see what is expected of them before they come downstairs. I am desperately hoping this cuts down on the yelling up the stairs while I am frantically trying to get them out the door. Hopefully this will also cut down on the road rage as I am driving to school after leaving 10 minutes late.
6. Brush Up On Skills: Actually do this all summer. Especially if you have kids who struggle with certain subjects. Make sure you read throughout the summer. Look around for ways to do math problems that are fun and make use of everyday occurrences. That way you aren’t starting over from square one when the school year starts.
7. Don’t Forget Your Mabel’s Labels: Seriously. Get them
8. Front Load Your Summer: I know I know. Summer is almost over and you want to cram every single thing possible into the last few weeks. But while you should DEFINITELY have some fun enjoy some downtime too. Mostly so that you can do all of the above.
9. Don’t Overschedule: If I may step on my soapbox for a moment. We need to let our kids play. We need to have dinners as a family. We need to let our kids have time after school to rest and relax and unwind. Limit your kid’s after school activities. In our family they get one activity at a time. They don’t always like it but it makes our life far more manageable.
10. your Turn: MOST of American is already back to school. In Michigan we only get 3 months of gorgeous weather so we want to make the most of them. But I know many of you have awesome back to school tips. Let me hear them in the comments. Don’t be shy!!

This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda!