What to Pack on Safari in Africa

Africa has always been a dream location of mine to visit so when I had the opportunity to go, I did whatever I could to make it happen. While I didn't go to Africa with the intention of going on safari, how could you not make the time to go on one while you are there? With the combination of a humanitarian trip and a safari, the packing was something I stressed out about. There are specific baggage allowances for your travel and it can make packing interesting. Here are my tips from my experience and what I would recommend for you to pack on safari in Africa.  I've even got a few items you should leave behind so you can be sure to bring all the essentials.

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What I wore Wednesday 18

While I was on vacation I didn't do a very good job of taking pictures for What I Wore Wednesday. But we did get this sunset beach shot of my family that I thought I would share with you. So for this week, we will be doing the What I Wore Wednesday-garage sale family edition. Are you ready?

From left to right:

My son Aidan: Unionbay shirt-$1

shorts: $1

Me: Romy dress clearance $4.99

My daughter Isabella: Gap shirt-50 cents

Justice shorts: $1

My husband Mike: Polo Shirt:$1

Shorts-Abercrombie: $1

My son Owen: Gap shirt: 50 cents

shorts: $1

Total for the family: $11.99

No joke! The whole family was dressed for under $12. And we don't look half bad!

And one last show and share: One of the highlights of the trip was being able to see turtles hatch and get to release them into the ocean. Our family is still talking about it. Isn't that a cool experience?!

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What I Wore Wednesday 17

Welcome to another edition of What I Wore Wednesday-(not so much) garage sale edition. Where I link up with Lindsay at The Pleated Poppy and you get to see the great deals I score at garage sales.

This week I had less garage sale finds, and more cheap on sale finds. That's what happens when the weather turns colder and the garage sales fizzle out.

First off:

white blouse-American Eagle: 50 cents

black belt:free (came with a dress)

Jeans-Vigoss: $1

shoes: Nordstrom Rack bought years ago

Total: $1.50

I try to stay away from the mall but with a trip coming up next week, I had a few things I needed to pick up. I had a hard time passing up some of the deals.

Grey tuxedo shirt-Romy: $2.99 (new!)

sweater-Forever 21: $20 (I own several Forever 21 items, but have never bought from there before. I know why now...that store is so overwhelming to me!)

jeans-Seven: $10

grey shoes again!

The sweater makes another appearance today

sweater-Forever 21

shirt-Ann Taylor Loft: $17

Jeans-Vigoss: Nordstrom on sale

grey shoes...again

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What I Wore Wednesday 16

Sorry for the "better late than never" What I Wore Wednesday post. I know you all could not have managed without it! My computer has been struck by some virus that isn't showing up on any software scans, but is really messing with my settings. I haven't been able to blog or check Facebook (gasp!) nearly this whole week.

So with that out of the way, let's get back to our regularly scheduled programing.

Welcome to another week of What I Wore Wednesday-garage sale edition. Where I link up my garage sale finds and show you that yes, you can look hip and stylish for much less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks!

black layering shirt-Rubbish: $1

sweater: 50 cents

Jeans: homemade skinny jeans from my closet

Uggs: $3

Total: $4.50

Blue shirt: $2

Jeans: skinnys that I made (I swear the tutorial is coming!)

boots-Target

Grey and white sweater-gap:$1

scarf-50 cents

jeans-Vigoss: $1

Total: $2.50

Grey layering shirt:$1

Grey vest-Aeropostale: $2

jeans-getting a workout: from my closet

Uggs-$3
Total: $6

So there you have it! Aren't you glad you didn't miss it?!

I'm linking up here At The Pleated Poppy.

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What I Wore Wednesday 15

Welcome to another week of What I Wore Wednesday-garage sale edition. Where I show you what I wore this week and how much it cost for the outfit. Most of my clothing comes from garage sales and I must say, I think I find some pretty good stuff! I'm linking up with Lindsay over at The Pleated Poppy .

First up, my lumberjack vest

Black layering shirt-Rubbish: $1

White layering shirt-Aeropostale: 50 cents

Plaid vest: $1

Jeans-Vigoss: $1

Ugg boots: $2

Total: $5.50

I brought some clothes into Plato's closet this week. I was trying to clean out my closet, but I have a hard time doing that when instead of a shirt, I see fabric. It's so much cheaper for me to remake something using existing material than it is for me to go buy fabric. It's making it hard to part with anything.

Pink cardigan-Love on a Hanger: Free (since I sold some of my stuff)

black shirt-Gap: 50 cents

Jeans-Vigoss: Nordstrom on sale

Brown and Cream Cardigan-American Eagle: $1

Tank-Banana Republic: $1

Jeans-Silver:$1

Boots-Uggs (for real, not knock off!): $3

Total: $6

I got inspired to make my own skinny jeans. I'm totally regretting that I didn't make a tutorial! I took some of my old boot cut jeans that I never wore took them in on the sides. They don't look half bad.

Shirt-At Last: Plato's closet (free since I sold clothes)

Jeans-YMI: bought years ago on clearance at JC Penny

boots-Target: kids department (yep, I have a little foot!) $24

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What I Wore Wednesday 14

Welcome to another week of What I wore Wednesday-Garage sale edition. I did better at taking pictures this week. I found that I can't take a good picture of myself so if I can rope a kid or a hubby into doing it, I have more success. Let's get started.

This is my where's waldo in green edition.

I am always freezing during the fall and winter (I really despise the next 9 months or so of our rainy season in the Pacific Northwest) and layer, layer, layer!

Green layering shirt-Abercrombie and Fitch:50 cents

Green striped shirt-Target: $1

Jeans-Vigoss: $1

Total: $2.50

We met for a family dinner at the Spaghetti Factory before leading Youth Group.

Grey sweater-Banana Republic: 50 cents

Jeans-Vigoss: $1

Flower made by me: free

Total: $1.50

Our family spends a lot of time out in our cul-de-sac. We have become fast friends with our neighbors down the street and the kids all play together while we chat. Mike and I did not plan the whole grey and white strips thing (you can't tell, but my shirt is grey and white striped) but when Mike got home from work, and walked down the street to find us chatting, the neighbors instantly started making fun of us and had to snap this "Tolo" picture (I guess Tolo is a dance where you dress up as your date? I don't know???) as they call it. We had parent teacher conferences later that evening. Guess who changed? Hint: not me!

This is one of those "I thought it looked better than it did outfits" that I threw together.

Orange sweatshirt-Target: 50 cents

White layering shirt: Gilly Hicks-years ago

Khaki's-Abercrombie and Fitch: $1

Total: $1.50

I'm pretty sure it's time to throw these jeans in the wash now! Three times this week! Phew, they are getting a workout!

Brown sweater-Gap: 50 cents

White sweater-Target: $1

Jeans-Vigoss: $1

Total: $2.50

I'm linking up with Lindsay at the Pleated Poppy.

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What I Wore Wednesday 13

Welcome to a really lame week of What I Wore Wednesday-garage sale edition. Not quite sure what happened but I was really bad at taking pictures of my outfits this week. I did get the hubby to snap this picture before he headed out today so I wouldn't disappoint. I'm sure you all could not sleep tonight if I didn't show you what I wore!

We have three long tedious afternoons of conferences with the kids teachers this week. So this is the power outfit for kid #3's teacher conference today.

Creme tank-Ann Taylor (still had the $38 tags on it): 50 cents

7 jeans: $10 (at a pricey garage sale)

Total: $10.50

If you are dying to see what I wore in past weeks because I just did not give you enough eye candy, you can click on my WI WW side bar.

I'm linking up with Lindsey here

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What I Wore Wednesday 12

Welcome to another week of What I Wore Wednesday-Garage sale edition. Where I link up my "cheaper than a cup of coffee" outfits with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy and Morgan at Meet Virginia.

Do I look like Robin Hood in this outfit? Cuz I'm not going to lie, I sort of felt like I was going to go out stealing from the rich and giving to the poor when I wore it. I'm not totally sold on the whole skinny jean thing yet, in fact I returned this pair yesterday (they had a hole that I didn't put there in them).

Green sweater-$1

White layering shirt-Aeropostale: $1

Jeans-Nordstrom Rack: returned

Boots-Target: $24

I thought I would give the jeans another try the next day and paired them with a tank and a sweater. (sorry for the dark shot, it's getting dreary here)

Tank-Banana Republic: $1

Sweater-Hollister: $1

Jeans and boats: see above

On Monday I threw on this Star Wars shirt (I totally tried to take a close up of the shirt, but it really just looked like a boob shot, so it didn't make the cut) and some jeans.

Star Wars shirt-Junk Food: $1

black layering shirt: 25cents

Jeans-Vigoss: $1

Total: $2.25

On Tuesday I wore:
Grey layering shirt-Abercrombie and Fitch: $1

Sweater: $1

Jeans-Vigoss: $1

Total $3

And today:

Jacket-Self Esteem: $1

Tank-Banana Republic: $1

Jeans-Joes: $10

Total: $12

If you notice, I did buy some "trendier" fall pieces for my wardrobe. I failed at finding skinny jeans this summer at garage sales and I wanted some brown boots I could pair with leggings and jeans. So while most of the items in my wardrobe come from garage sales, there are some pieces that when I can't find them during the summer, I will go out and buy them.

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What I Wore Wednesday 11

Welcome to another week of What I Wore Wednesday-Garage Sale edition. I'm linking up with Lindsay at The Pleated Poppy and with Megan at Meet Virginia

First up, this amazing dress. I nearly passed it up at a garage sale this weekend when my friend Heidi told me she thought I should get it. I am glad I listened to her. It fit perfectly!

Dress:$1

Boots: Clarks bought on clearance years ago

Total: $1

I wore this hanging out at home with the kids this weekend

Grey and white sweater-Gap: $1

Jeans-Silver brand: $1

Scarf tutorial here
Total: $2

I ran some errands on Monday and this is what I wore:

Long sleeve layering shirt-Gilly Hicks: bought years ago

Cream Sweater-Target: $1

Jeans-Seven (easily becoming my favorites): $10

Total: $11

I had a school meeting so I wore

Navy button down shirt: 50 cents

Pants-American Eagle: $2

Total: $2.50

But I ran errands earlier in the day and threw on this coat

Coat-Old Navy: $1



I was trying to get better lighting for this picture so I took it in my sons room. Looks like I need to clean the mirror!
Dress-Tommy Bahama: $3
Leggings-Lucy: $7.99 (clearance!)




Some of you have asked for my garage sale tips on how to find clothes for yourself at garage sales. My first tip is: Don't be afraid to look through the clothes. I think we often get overwhelmed when we see a stack of clothes on a tarp and don't want to dig through them. Just do it. You never know what you will find. I can often tell if I will find anything by just doing a quick run through, and holding up a few items (is there women's clothing, are the clothes my size, do I like what I see so far?) if you can answer those questions with a yes then spend some time looking.

Also, another tip, ask how much they want for clothes before you start digging. I don't like to pay more than a dollar for most things, unless I love them. I get much pickier if I have to pay more, so ask first. I use this tip more on kids clothes than on women's clothing, but it does save time. If I know I don't want to buy a pair of jeans for my son for $5 at a garage sale, I won't bother looking. If the clothes are $1 a piece (or less) then I start looking.

If you have a pile of stuff, add the items up in your head first, then come up with a price you are willing to offer. Most people would rather get rid of more items than just one and are willing to make a deal. For example, I have 13 items at 50 cents a piece, I would typically go up to the seller and say I have 13 things here, would you take $5? Most of the time the seller will negotiate when you buy in bulk.

Know what brands you like and what fits you. I know that Banana Republic pants don't fit me well. I know that I can wear a kids XL in some brands and a woman's M in another. I also know my altering skills and what I am capable of making work if I like it enough. I know that Abercrombie kids clothes have a little a on their label and a big A on their adult clothing. I know popular brands and what resells in consignment shops just in case something doesn't fit you and you want to go that route and recoup your money.

Those are just a few of my tips. Feel free to send me any questions you have and I am happy to answer them. Happy shopping!

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What I Wore Wednesday 9

Welcome to another week of What I Wore Wednesday-Garage Sale edition. I sort of slacked a bit on the pictures this week, but I do have a few to share.

Isn't this Silver Coat the cutest? I got it for $4 at my neighbor's garage sale.

I paired it with my

purple sweater-$1

Seven Jeans-$10

I actually got a picture of me on the first day of school.

Grey boat neck shirt: $1

Jeans-Vigoss from Nordstrom (not from a garage sale)

Necklace: $1

Green shirt-Target: 50 cents

White layering shirt-Aeropostale: $1

Khaki's-Abercrombie and Fitch: $1

total: $2.50

It actually got really warm that afternoon, so I changed into a dress that I bought that morning at a garage sale. I actually bought it because it matched the exact shirt that my daughter wore to school that day. I was planning on using it to add a matching skirt for her...not for me! But it fit, and I thought Bella would get a kick out of being matchy matchy.

Dress-Hype (Macy's brand): $1

Grey Sweater-Ann Taylor: 50 cents
Seven Jeans: $10
Grey shoes: Nordstrom Rack (not full price, but not a garage sale either)




Linking up with Lindsay

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What I wore Wednesday 8

Welcome to another version of What I Wore Wednesday-Garage sale edition. This week, I will be throwing in some tips on how to find your own treasures at garage sales and decrease your clothing budget.

To score your own garage sale finds, it seems obvious, but you have to actually GO to garage sales. I've had lots of people say to me, that they never get any good deals at garage sales, problem is, they never go. I love garage sales, so I don't mind hitting them on Friday (with the kids) and Saturdays (by myself when I can).

Just this week I found this brand new t-shirt for me for $1. I also picked up several items that I knew had good resale value and have sold them on craigslist. Sort of like my own consignment shop. If I can buy someones trash for $2 and sell it for $50, why not? That cash from the sales is what continues to pay for my weekly trips garage saleing.

Let me start with what I wore this week:

Green gap shirt: $2

Seven Jeans: $10

(yep, designer jeans at a fraction of the cost!)

total: $12

Mustard t-shirt-Forever 21: 50 cents

Self Esteem sweatshirt blazer: 50 cents

Joes Jeans: $10

Purse: $2

Old Navy peep toe shoes: $1

Total: $14

Nordstrom brand shirt: $2

Pants-The Limited: $1

Total: $3

If you notice, especially in past posts (check it out on my side bar), I wear the same pants more often than the same shirts. Actually, you would be hard pressed to find me wearing the same outfit twice if you look at past posts. I think it happened once...go look, I dare you! In the past, I will buy more expensive jeans/pants (for me that's usually around $40 from the store, or in the case of the super garage sale I found this summer $10 for two pairs of designer jeans) because I know I will get more wear out of them, than say a more expensive shirt.

More than 90% of our whole families wardrobe is from garage sales. There are some things that you just need to buy from the store. Underwear being one of them. Workout gear or speciality sports clothing is another. If you stop me on any given day, you will usually find the whole family wearing at least one thing from a garage sale.

Case in point: this past Saturday. We were all in the backyard playing, and I stopped myself because I realized from head to toe, EVERYONE was in garage sale clothing.

Here's my Owen. He picked out his own outfit, and I wasn't digging the shirt so I only photographed the bottom half of him.

brown pants: 50 cents

Gap shoes: $1

Shirt (not shown): 25 cents

Total: $1.75

My sweet middle child, Isabella, was out sun bathing....it might have hit 68 degrees...a true Pacific North westerner!

Target brand bathing suit: $1

My hubby was even dressed in garage sale duds. He's the hardest of the bunch to find things for.

Aeropostale shirt: $1

INC jeans: $3

Total: $4

And for as long as I can, I will continue to buy my middle schoolers clothes at garage sales. I think I get some pretty cool and trendy stuff. I can usually find the brands he likes and thankfully he's got a uniform at school so he doesn't need too much.

aeropostale shirt: $1

jeans: $1

Check out these Converse shoes (yep, real converse) for 50 cents!

Total: $2.50

Not bad for a back to school outfit.

So the first step to finding great deals, stop wishing and start shopping...at garage sales!

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