Vol For Less

“Third down for what?”  That’s kinda my motto when it comes to shopping & money.  Why do all that work only to just throw it away?  Nope & nuh-uh.  Let’s do this, Coach Jones.  I.am.with.you.  Goal line thinking.  End zones = savings accounts WITH MONEY IN THEM.

New. That would be me to KMB.  New.  That would NOT be my clothing.

I am here to serve as a 5’9″ physical presence of the good that awaits you and your family when you indulge in the art of Goodwill shopping hunting.  An art?  Really, Meghan?  Well, I could say science, but I like art sooo much better.

Grab your paintbrushes, ladies.  We are about to make some masterpieces.  I thought it fitting {oh, the pun there} to bust up into Butch’s club and work some kinda magic for our Volunteers.  I used to be a public school teacher and, currently, I homeschool.  Get ready, gals.  Like the brawny orange & white clad offensive line, THEMES are gonna take you by storm.

Session One >>University of Tennessee Volunteer fashion.

You can take the classroom out of the teacher, but you CANNOT take the teacher out of the classroom.  

My family is outfitted 90% with Goodwill clothing.  Oh, so much to say.  So many questions to field.  It’s game time though, girls.  Head here.  Do some laps.  Run some sprints.  Study the film.  Me & you?  We’ll be a better team because of it.

For this proverbial 1st down, I wanted to really give the “E” for effort with regards to “E”veryday {see what I did there?} Volunteer fashion.  I mean, there are only so many places one can wear that trusty orange netted jersey.  Neyland Stadium.  Yup.  That about covers it.  And let’s not forget that the sorority girls have complete and total dibs on any/all orange & white chevron or aztec print dresses.  So there. “Push’em back.  Push’em back. Waaaay back.”

So I’m coming at you in FULL pads with the brunt force of my closet.  I’ve put together a sound play book with 4 variations of ways to be a #vfl casually at the work place, at play group or at the grocery.  Here.we.go.  

I love the skinny jean capri.  It speaks all kinds of hybrid love language to me.  Great for tall frames or shorter builds too.  These were $2.97 at my local Wal-Mart.  I wrote all about them here.  Jordache just so happened to slap some cyber high-fives in the form of a retweet on Twitter & a repost on IG right after that post.  Leopard print.  Sigh.  Paired with a solid orange peasant tee {$1.99 Goodwill}, some super swell gray booties and we are 1st & ten, girlies.

Now, I love orange.  I love orange almost as much as her 1st cousin, coral.  But, sometimes less is more. A pop of the home team can speak volumes in the stands of neutrals munching on popcorn and stuffing down Smokey Dogs.

Camo.  It’s like the trick play nobody knows about but you.  Treat it like a neutral.  I promise it’s liberating.  And kinda fun when you’re almost 40.  Shh.  These capris were scooped up at Goodwill for $3.99 {Abercrombie brand.} Guess brand denim pumps.  {$2.00 Goodwill}.  Ruffle oatmeal knit top that makes me drool on myself because I love it so much = details here. A-la-UT orange handbag {$1.00 Goodwill}.  Enter place kicker, please.  It’s up.  And.it.is.good.  

I am a scarf lover.  I also have a neck almost the length of a baby giraffe.  I call that strategic play calling.  How about you?

I love to mix Volunteer orange with an unexpected hue.  The golden yellow kinda serves like the hand on the tushie of one of  those super fantastic limber cheerleaders with the ginormous megaphones.  Those yellow shorts are the reason my bloomers-with-the-pleated-skirt can rock out around my neck.  Add a touch of go-gettum orange in a gladiator sandal and we are running through the Power T.

• shorts:  $1.25 Goodwill
• shirt:  $1.25 Goodwill
• vest:  $2.25 Goodwill
• scarf: $.10 Goodwill
• shoes: $1.99 Goodwill

Time out.  Water break it, boys.  And tell me why we have to keep the tee reserved for just jeans and shorts?  Um, we don’t.  Substitution, referee.  Baby tee is going in for the button down.

I suited her up with some white skinny jeans.  Don’t.go.there.  You obviously SEE where I stand on that south-of-the-Mason-Dixon-line rule. Added some orange patent leather wedges and a petite scalloped black patent leather belt for a touch of class.  And then DROP THE HAMMER. BUTCH >>> POLKA DOTTED blazer for the win.

• jeans:  details here.
• shoes:  $2.99 Goodwill
• polka dot blazer:  $4.00 Goodwill
• belt:  $.25 Goodwill
• tee:  $1.00 Goodwill

And this, ladies.  This is what I love to do.  I love giving my all for my family.  I love smacking that TN sign knowing that my people are provided for in a way that best serves our foursome.  I love the excitement from finding the look for less.  And knowing that the look is mine no matter what the front of the store or the magazine cover says.  Maybe the next time you’re near a Goodwill, you’ll stop and tailgate for awhile.  Vols for life, sisters.  “Third down for what?”

.mac 🙂

Have you liked Knoxville Moms Blog on Facebook?  There’s a super fun UT game day pride photo contest going on right now.  Head on over and check it out.

Looking for some time to unwind and re-charge the double A’s of motherhood?  I hope to see you at Mom’s Night Out!  Go here for details.

And for for all you butchjonesin’ for the answer to my 2 truths & 1 lie from my sweet little KMB introduction yesterday {insert Pride of the Southland’s “Rocky Top” drum roll here}, the 1 lie is…

I WAS A CHEERLEADER. 

Crazy huh? God gave me one whoppin’ dose of exhortation as a spiritual gift, and what do I do?  I play basketball & soccer all through college. As for the 2 truths, I have been in 2 car accidents in one day just 6 hours apart of one another.  Neither my fault. And neither accident led me to my last truth which would be that I have had plastic surgery.  SAY WHAT? Yup. Chin tuck:  count it.  This surgery resulted from another car accident I was in.  Again, not my fault.

Let’s just say it’s safe to say...wait. I’m not sure safe is the word we’re looking for to describe me.  Lucky. That’s more like it. 

I’m excited to get to learn more about each of you here in this great space for all things MOM!  #kmbforlifeyall