Cleaning out Your Closet in Six Easy Steps with thredUP

With spring just around the corner, I am dreaming about fun floral prints, vibrant colors and peep toe shoes! Time for a confession, I am attached to the items that live in my closet. It doesn't matter if they are shoes, handbags, tops, dresses or skirts--I love them all. I pride myself in taking exceptional care of my items; I want them to last for more than one season (even if it's from Target). However, there does come a point when it's time to tell a few items goodbye. Hence the spring closet cleanout of 2016. Saturday afternoon I spent some much needed time cleaning out my closet.

Recently,  my social media timeline has been overflowing with ladies gushing about thredUP. Naturally, I was intrigued. I ordered a free cleanout kit and waited patiently for my turn. My bag arrived a few days later and I decided it was time. Below I have listed some of my closet clean out tips. Be honest with yourself when you are answering these questions, even if it hurts a tiny bit.

1. Have you worn it in the past year? No? Next question.
2. Is the fit/cut/style still flattering on you? No? Next question.
3. Does it fit? No? Next question.
4. How does it make you feel? If you answered anything other than happy, cheerful, confident (or other positive adjectives) move on to the next question.
5. Is it less than five years old? Here's how to check, there should be a small tag with the fiber content and care. Search for the season code followed by the year. Example, Fall 2016 would read FA16. If you answered yes, next question. 
6. What's the items condition? It should be in excellent condition with no stains, holes, pilling, or signs of wear. If it meets or exceeds those standards, fold the garment and place into your thredUP bag!

thredUP has high standards when it comes to accepting items. Usually, they accept less than 40% of the items they receive. You can choose to have your items shipped back to you (for a small fee) or decide to donate the items to be recycled into new products (like carpet and pillow stuffing).

Items that are listed under $60, you will receive a payout as soon as the items are possible. The items that are listed over $60, you'll be paid for them once they sell. You can choose to have store credit, give to a cause, or transfer cash to PayPal.

I suggest that you take a look at what thredUP has to offer. Here is a $10 credit for first-time shoppers. Now, what are you waiting for? Order your clean out bag and make room for a few new spring items!

Sip Slowly & Sip Often at Café Evoke

Anymore, I find myself living for the weekend (inset praise hands emoji here). Does that mean I am a grown up? I'll be honest; adult life is hard sometimes y'all. When I think about the Saturday & Sunday, I have a few things on my to-do list:

• Catching up on laundry
• Watching a few things on Netflix or DVR
• Attending church
• Brunch

Those things are always happening, no matter what else is on my plate. If I am feeling a little spicy, I occasionally swap out the brunch for delicious Tex-Mex, pass the queso, please.  I just love having some time to chat with Jered. Over brunch, we like to catch up and talk about the upcoming week. If you can't tell, my love language is quality time. The work week can be hectic (retweet to that). I think that brunch is the perfect place to spend time with friends or family sipping on a cappuccino and chowing down on a delicious breakfast.

I want to share with you a little place in Edmond, Oklahoma that has stolen my heart. Café Evoke is best known for their bold coffee, but they also have a stellar brunch menu that you should be aware of. Each day from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. you can order off the waffle menu. My personal favorite is the Cinnamon Roll Waffle. It's a Belgian-style waffle with a cinnamon swirl, vanilla glaze, and maple syrup. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Personally, I am a latte or cappuccino girl myself. Not a coffee drinker? No worries, take your pick from chia tea, apple cider, hot chocolate, loose leaf tea or Italian soda. Before you plan your trip, take a look at the menu. You can also follow Café Evoke on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Wherever you are, I hope that you enjoy the weekend and take the time to sip slowly with the ones you love.

Find Your Favorite Piece

Last fall I made a special connection with an Etsy show owner located in Tennessee. Nate & Dana Pruitt are a husband and wife team working together creating handmade original jewelry designs. The designs are clean and straightforward, and the colors are vibrant. What's not to love? For me, it was love at first sight when my eyes came across that beautiful statement earring!

Top: J.Crew Factory || Skirt: Wooden Nickle || Belt: Kate Spade, sold out || Booties: Kate Spade (similar & on major sale) || Earrings: Piece [c/o] || Watch: Michael Kors || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || photos: In My Life Photography ||

During the month of October, Dana and I worked together highlighting "The Kayla" earring in gold and orange. These earrings are the perfect shade of Oklahoma State University orange (one of my favorite colors, duh). They have been go-to of mine for Orange Friday and game days! I love being able to find pieces of jewelry to add to my collection that is unique and different. Hear me out, I love Kendra Scott and J.Crew, but sometimes it 's nice to stand out from the crowd.

The Piece team has done it again with their latest necklace! She is a showstopper (cue Danity Kane song). Sidenote, I am mildly embarrassed that I still love that song. Anyone else want to sing along? Okay, back on track. The orange glass beads and black slab pop on a white t-shirt! All I can say is hurry up football season. Good news, we are only 197 days away, praise him!

Speaking of praise, I just want to brag on these two. Dana has a heart of gold! From now until March 14, $14 of every purchase will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. Oklahoma 4-H and Alpha Delta Pi support this philanthropy, and it's a cause that I believe in wholeheartedly! Take a moment to check out their stop. Who knows, maybe you will find your new favorite! While you are at it, follow Piece on Facebook and Instagram. PS--I am giving away this necklace right now! Hop on over to my Instagram for the details!

5 Reasons Why I Love Hello Fresh

When did grocery shopping become so much of a pain? I honestly can't remember the last time I had an enjoyable trip to Target. Between the tiny humans screaming bloody murder and the picked over produce, I just want to turn around and run out of the store as quickly possible. Then again, that's what I get for trying to grocery shop on the weekend. All I can say is thank goodness for Starbucks!

I try and cook dinner at home Monday-Friday. The weekends are when we like to go out on the town. It's amazing how much money you can save by cooking dinner at home! That's all fine and dandy, but I felt like I was making the same things over and over again. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having your signature dishes but no one wants to eat it four + times a month. Unless it's tacos or pizza, I could have those two things every single day and be totally cool with that.

Ruth, one of my coworkers, told me about Hello Fresh at the end of June. What a great idea! A box of food that comes to your doorstep with recipes included? Sign me up! I did a lot of creeping to decide which subscription box was best for Jered and me. Hello Fresh just seemed to have the more adventurous menu to choose from. Each week you have five different recipes to look over. You decide what three meals sound the best, and a week later they appear at your door. I alway try and pick one chicken, one beef or pork, and one vegetarian dish.

We have been subscribers since the beginning of July. I honestly can say that Hello Fresh has helped me:

• Gain confidence in the kitchen
• Try ingredients that I have never heard of
• Spend less time grocery shopping
• Enjoy ingredients that are in-season
• Add more vegetables to my diet

Here are a few of my favorite meals:

Cherry-Lime Rickey chicken with juniper, barley, and bok choy

Seared steak and creamy chipotle pan sauce with poblano, corn, and crispy potato hash

Shrimp taco lettuce wraps with smoky chipotle beans, charred veggies, and garlic lime crema

Lemony salmon & Cacio e Pepe linguine with green beans, burst tomatoes, and chilies

If you would like to give Hello Fresh a try, I have a coupon code just for you. Use FZ99VD to receive $40 off of your first box. Bon appétite my friends!