Mimi – Page 9 – Unlikely Martha

Fashion

$20 (and under) Classic Target Dresses for Spring

One of the things I hear a lot of when it comes to my clothing style is that I always look put together, even when I’m not trying. I attribute that to the fact that I love to build/layer on classic pieces. These Target dresses are the perfect affordable pieces for spring.

By themselves these pieces often look boring or bland if you will, but they create a clean slate to layer upon that gives off a simple yet put together look with minimal effort.

I plan to do better with providing resources for building a classic wardrobe that can span various seasons, doesn’t cost a lot, and will have you looking effortlessly put together.

We’ll start with these Target dresses. I plan on adding all of these to my spring wardrobe. I work from home so I don’t have the need to “dress” up per se, but these dresses can certainly be worn to work by layering with a blazer/cardigan/jean jacket, heels/boots/sandals/mules, tights and accessories

The beauty in all of these dresses is if you click through to the page, all of them come in a variety of colors. You can never go wrong with black, but adding a little color can move the intent from casual to a more structured look.

I figured my first segment of my new fashion series will highlight Target. I get most of my clothes there, I find their clothing affordable, and of good quality. If Target isn’t your jam, these are classic staple shift dresses that you can pick up at Gap, Old Navy, J.Crew and a plethora of other places. The idea is that the shape, and colors create the palette for you to create a base that can be accessorized to be as simple or edgy as you like! (These are affiliate links… if you click, and purchase any of these items I make a few coins!)

https://goto.target.com/o9vPY

https://goto.target.com/boKv6

https://goto.target.com/gE7Nv

https://goto.target.com/2NeJM

https://goto.target.com/rPy1j

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Feature• Gardening• Living

How to Start a Garden +My 2020 Garden Plans

Hello garden season, it’s good to see you again. It’s time to get back in the garden and I couldn’t be happier to get my hands dirty, and my little piece of heaven cleared of leaves and back in the game. If you are wondering how to start a garden, I may have a little insight for you. I don’t consider myself an expert, but the last 6 years have taught me a little something!

If you remember last year I did a complete overhaul, expanding it from this to this. I am constantly getting messages that my garden is goals, while it may be, it didn’t happen overnight.

I started back in 2015 with a few pots. I knew very little about gardening except I wanted to give it a try. Here are some tips that I gave back then.

I kept at it, and eventually moved on to 3 small raised beds in 2017, I wanted to make sure I was invested…turns out I was. I was so proud of this space, it took another 2 years of functioning here before last year’s expansion.

Now that I don’t have anywhere else to go space wise, it’s time to continue adding to my current space in terms of pots and garden decor. I’m so excited for all of the wonderful ideas I have to come to life this season.

Over the years, I’ve shared some valuable information on how to get started gardening whether it be in one pot, or twenty. Here are a few posts to get you started…don’t forget there is also YouTube university!

My 2020 Garden Plans

I’m slowly realizing beautiful gardens are built with layers, and are likely never finished. They are always changing with new inspiration, and a good structure is just the beginning.

Last year I had a huge problem with pollination, I need to add more flowers this year and I’m so excited. I’ve already started many things indoors so I can have a jump start in April.

I’m also adding a potting bench, a new longer and deeper bed, and finishing off the fence that we didn’t get to last year. I’ll be digging out the perimeter area for wildflowers and other cut flowers.

There are also plans for a small greenhouse to be done in the fall.

I. Am. HYPE.

I had a few crops hang around from the fall like these brussel sprouts and a few cabbages. I’ll let them stay until I need the space. At the rate they are going, they will be ready for harvest just in time for their eviction date…read last frost day.

I recently did a video tour of the current space, and talked more in-depth about my plans and intentions for the space. If you aren’t already following me on YouTube, hit that subscribe button…I’ll be doing weekly progress videos that may not always make it to the blog!

Are you into gardening? Can I answer any questions for you?

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for real time updates!

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Living

What I Read in January

If you missed the announcement I made last month, I’m setting out to read 100 books this year.

You heard me.

Before I made up in my mind I was going to go for the goal, I knew in order to stay on track I’d need to read at least 8.5 books a month… or somewhere in that ball park. I honestly thought it was going to be hard, but I succeeded in meeting my goal last month.

I read a total of 10 books last month, which put me ahead of the curve a bit. Of the 10, I listened to 3. While I mentioned that I would be including audio books in my goal, I have since decided I don’t want to do that.

I have nothing against audio books… not one thing. I just don’t like them. I’d rather listen to music. My attention span doesn’t like nice things, like books being read to me.

Here are the books I read in January:

“Kindred” by Octavia Butler
“Becoming Mrs. Lewis” by Patti Callahan (book club read) (audio)
“Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“Hurricanes: A Memoir” by Rick Ross (audio)
“The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson
“Ninth Ward” by Jewell Parker Rhodes
“Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves by Glory Edim
“Far From the Tree” by Robin Benway (audio)
“Caucasia” by Danzy Senna
“Heavy” by Kiese Laymon

As much as I would love to give you all an in-depth review of every book, I don’t have time. I write them as I go on GoodReads, so head over there and give me a follow if you would like my honest opinions on the books that I will read this year.

I will say HANDS DOWN my favorite book for the month was “The Warmth of Other Suns” (affiliate link) it was a story about the great migration of black individuals and families from the south to the north. I absolutely loved this book, and will be purchasing it for my own collection. My least favorite was a tie between Heavy and Americanah.

I’ll be back in a few days with my February wrap-up. If you ever want to chat with me about books, my Instagram DMs are always open!

What are you reading?

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Feature• Home• Organization

Dollar Tree Organization | How to Organize Small Items for Under $10

If left to their own vices, hairbows, makeup, earrings, and any other small pieces of our daily lives can, and will takeover our spaces if not corralled.

Any product that is small but mighty in number, I know from experience if I don’t create a dedicated space for them they have a tendency to take over and create a cluttered mess.

Please see exhibit Hair Accessory Drawer. It’s easy to just throw things into a drawer knowing that they won’t be seen. The issue comes when you need to quickly put your hands on something and find yourself sifting through a bunch of junk.

Taking a few minutes to organize your drawers will save you a lot of time in the long run. To be successful you really need to take inventory of what you need, and what you don’t. Once you are left with the necessities, you can better evaluate storage solutions that will work best for your home and your budget.

This was my daughter’s hair drawer. I had the extra space and it worked well until it didn’t. While I knew where everything was, untangling hairbows and ribbons was not the move every time I needed something.

I spent about $6 at Dollar Tree for a few bins to make some sense of the madness. The smaller baskets were 3 for $1

I corralled a few of the smaller baskets into the larger one. I did this so that on wash day if I need a variety of hair accessories to style her hair I can grab the large basket and have everything I need in one place. Here are my top 7 hair essentials that I grab from Dollar Tree, some of which are stored in these baskets.

The smaller circle bins house small black rubberbands, beads, bobby pins, knockers and ribbons.

I used the other larger square bins to hold hair clips and rollers.

Each basket is dedicated to a certain hair accessory to include, rubberbands for holding ponytails, clip blows, elastic hairbands and headbands. I use a variety of brushes and combs on her hair. The long skinny bins were perfect for holding those items.

There are so many things and areas you can organize with a similar setup. When organizing spaces that are not seen don’t be too concerned with making sure the containers are decorative. Save your money for areas that will be seen like your linen closet or pantry.

I hope this helps you see how you can use cost effective containers to create a little order in your home.

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