Tuesday, March 12, 2024

I don’t know where to shop anymore. Maybe this is a good thing. Maybe this means I should just be happy and wear what I have?

Every time I say, “Oh, I don’t shop there anymore” something happens, and I have to eat my words. Are you also like that?

I guess I’m having a hard time figuring out where I fit in with retailers lately.

Here are some favorite outfits I’ve worn lately that feel like me:

Here is a favorite Walmart.com purchase in 2024. This breton striped shirt is so well made. I say Walmart.com because I don’t go in the store and only order online. Their website is really, really bad. I have learned that I really like Free Assembly and Scoop brands from Walmart. When you see my stats below, you will see that I have had a lot of luck with this retailer in 2024!

I ordered white wide legged jeans from Chico’s and they were just too voluminous in the legs. I went in the store to return them and looked around and it just didn’t feel right to shop there. I have loved some of their pants for basics in the past, but nothing this season appealed to me at all!

I went in Old Navy to see if they had the $15 sale on a button up like they did online and they didn’t. Why are the prices so drastically different online versus in store? But, more than that, I had to get out of there. Everything looked so cheap, felt so scratchy, and just oozed fast fashion.

I am super happy with my two button ups I ordered in 2024, but shopping in the store was not pleasant! Like I said, it just felt too fast fashion for me.

I bought button ups in blue/white and pink/white online and washed them and shrunk them a bit on purpose and now I love them:

Target clothes don’t feel right now. Exception, I did buy the A New Day muscle tee in black, white, lime, and yellow. I thought it would be great for under cardigans, shirts, and even alone.

Is it me? Am I in a weird age for fashion?

Let’s look back at my January and February purchases and where I have been shopping:

Consignment: 4 items – 2 handbags, black sweater vest, black jeans

Carly Jean Los Angeles: 2 items – white kimono, blue and white boyfriend tee

Walmart: 5 items – pumpkin spice clearance sweater, striped breton, striped short sleeve sweater, navy tank swimsuit, green/white heart cardigan

Old Navy: 2 items – the blue/white button up, and the pink/white button up

Gap: 1 item – silver clogs

Dick’s Sporting Goods: 1 item – Adidas Gazelle platforms

Amazon: 3 items – fun print blouses and bright blue leggings with pockets

Marshall’s: 1 item – pink bird shirt

I like looking online and it’s so tempting to order online, but I hate returns with a passion.

I like ordering from places that have a brick and mortar to return to, but still, I don’t have unlimited time to make returns nor do I want to spend my time that way.

I have been happy with Nordstrom.com in the past and have found many great things that way! I can return to my Nordstrom Rack, which is the only Nordstrom we have.

I am super impressed with ordering from Walmart.com. They are so quick and communicative. They let you know the status of your order multiple times! This is a big plus for me. They are way better than Target.com who yanks my chain about when my orders will arrive.

Every now and again I find something at TJ Maxx or a local boutique, too.

Is it them or is it me?

Do you feel the same?

It’s like – I am a woman of a certain age with a woman-sized body, but I want to be modern, trendy but classy, and feel like myself. Does this store exist for me?

Amy

Monday, March 11, 2024

It’s the typical Hello Monday with Sarah and Holly, but also Share Our Lives with several bloggers and theme of “5 items I can’t live without”.

So, let’s get started by going back to Thursday, which is “Pre-Friday”, right?

Thursday was great because Erica brought lasagna cups for the first time in a long, long time! These are mini lasagnas made with won ton wrappers.

I met my friend Victoria for happy hour after school and she had been shopping at a boutique that was giving out free earrings with a purchase and look what she gave me! They aren’t her style, but she knows my love of fun earrings!

We had a lovely time chatting and she ordered…

eggplant rollups!

I went home and made egg roll in a bowl and fried rice for dinner, which would also be my lunch and Erica’s lunch at work on Friday.

Friday was a rainy day, but I love having my windows open and feeling the fresh air. I was feeling happy during my planning period.

I let the students play Spanish Bananagrams at the end of class.

After school I went shopping with Erica at the same boutique that was giving out the earrings because she wanted to look at some Derby attire and fascinators. We went in about four little shops and then ended at a restaurant bar for an old fashioned and my former student was our bartender!

And, wait for it. We didn’t order food, but they brought us bread and butter and it was a butter candle. You guys – a butter candle! My life is changed. You can blow it out, but why would you? The butter candle melts into the bread and it’s what dreams are made of.

Dinner was easy. My school had bought Chick Fil A box lunches for some student lunch group and there were leftovers, so this is what we had! Score! I love the bag of chips they give you.

Friday before I went to bed, I mixed up some four ingredient bread dough…

I baked it up Saturday morning:

I may have also made Jell-O shots after Tom and I did a small Kroger run.

I also went ahead and made spaghetti sauce for our dinner.

And some veg..

I met Erica and Elizabeth at a private club and we had lunch snacks before walking to the St. Paddy’s Day parade. I brought the bread, green butter I made, and the Jell-O shots.

I ran into two former students and it made my day. One is 33 now!

Erica, Elizabeth, and I together are a lot. It had been a long time and we had so much fun together.

I went home and ate spaghetti with the fam! I went to bed pretty early because I knew I had to spring forward.

Spring forward I did and Sunday was a day of lots of productivity. I also wanted to finish my Grocery Diaries for The Kitchn.

Here are my 5 things:

I did have to think about this a bit.

I love my frother and it has literally made me stop throwing away my money at Starbuck’s. I really can’t remember the last time I went there.

My Goli Ashwagandha is something I have used for almost 2 years. I chew one before bed and I even took it to the UK on my trip.

I love to pop my own popcorn in the microwave with my microwave popper and this is the spray I use along with a bit of salt. I seriously like mine better than movie theater popcorn.

I love Simply Saline and keep it in my shower. I use it every day twice a day. It is part of my routine to stay allergy symptom free. I have been using it for years.

And, finally my press ons are a newer must-have. I have now figured out to buy the petite size online. I don’t have to cut or file them (or I only have to do it a bit) and they fit my nail beds the best. Isn’t this a pretty lavender color for spring?

I can’t wait to read what everyone else says and it might be bad for my pocketbook! I am trying to not spend any money on clothing, accessories, Amazon, or anything frivolous for the next 3 weeks until spring break! I’m not sure I can do it!

Amy

Friday, March 8, 2024

Whew! It’s been a week! I haven’t slept great but I’ve been kind to myself in addition to starting some better habits for myself. Let’s dive in with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites.

My first favorite is you all and your sweet words and comments on my Ernie and Currently posts.

Thank you so much for the love you’ve shown me. It makes me tear up when I read them.

I went ahead and went to school Monday but I left plans just in case. It was good to be out of the house and busy and the students were really sweet to me.

I knew that after school would be hard so I have gone somewhere each day.

Monday:

Tuesday I ran errands – grocery pick up, spray tan, a boutique to buy a birthday gift for a friend.

I started back to the gym Monday morning at 5:30:

No picture from Tuesday!

Wednesday:

Tom loves to send me reels and some of them are recipes. He sent me this one to save your potato peelings (I was making mashed potatoes anyway), coat them in seasonings and olive oil and air fry. He loved them! We have no air fryer anymore, but are using the function on our oven, by the way.

Wednesday I met my other friend Beth at this liquor store/bar for a drink and then we…

had a second one at a restaurant next door along with some…

fried banana peppers and…

nachos.

I’ve been eating really healthy breakfasts and lunches this week – and dinners or just not eating because I’m not very hungry – so this was a nice treat. It was great to catch up, too.

Something exciting happened this week, too! Do you know of the website thekitchn.com?

They have a Grocery Diaries series that I really like reading. People say where they shop, list what they bought, and give you a week’s run down of the meals they made and ate.

I applied and I got chosen!

Here is an example of a Grocery Diaries:

I am working on it right now and I will be sure to make a blog post out of it. I’m super excited!

What were your favorites this week? I hope you had many!

Amy

Thursday, March 7, 2024

It’s Thursday and that means it’s time to link up with Kellyann and Jill for Fashion Files!

Last Wednesday I was off and I put this on for a dreary, drizzly day. It didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I was trying out platforms with these cropped wide legged jeans. I still think these jeans look the most flattering with ankles showing – with a platform sandal, a clog, or a pump.

Thursday at school we had our black history month showcase and were given t-shirts to wear. I noticed several other teachers did the yellow cardigan over it.

Friday was March 1st and it was a bit chilly, so I broke out the green hearts sweater. A note about the Adidas Gazelle platforms – the tongue is very stiff and it rubs slightly if your socks don’t come up high enough. I bought some socks that come up a bit higher to solve that problem, but I also hope that the tongue softens up.

Still wearing my coatigan as my coat:

Sunday I wore my weekend jeans – Old Navy button fly with knee holes. I also wore my Old Navy button up, my Olukai mules, and my Lily crossbody bag.

Monday for school I wore my last year Target blouse, black Umgee gauzy pants – love, and my new silver Gap mules.

Tuesday for school was “wear red for inclusion” day so I wore red pants with my last year Old Navy blouse.

Outfit Insp from Pinterest:

The color here makes me swoon! Her gazelles are a different color than mine, but she has a longer sock – see? I love how she paired them with a hot pink skirt.

The pink and green in this make me happy:

I like the idea of wearing them with all neutrals, too:

I love putting one clothing item into the Pinterest search bar! I also love doing that on Google!

And, love this – just taking a normal striped top ‘fit and adding them:

Other than the stiff tongue issue, they feel great! I really think platform sneakers have been missing from my life and now I also want some all-white ones. I like the added height they give to an outfit and to my stumps.

This is a hard time of year to get dressed for many – I am trying to embrace the green, continue layering for the varying temps throughout my day, and not rush the season – I don’t like to wear the super summery looking things yet.

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Today is Currently with Jennifer and what better way to share what I am currently loving, looking forward to, planning, wearing, and eating…

Loving

My loving section will take over most of this post! That’s a good thing, right? First of all, I am so appreciative for your kind comments on my Ernie post. They are hard for me to read right now, but you all taking the time to comment means so much to me. The last few weeks have been hard. If you have been there with an old or sick dog, you know what I mean.

I decided to channel my grief and dedicate Sunday to whatever Tom or the kids needed. Mason went to a movie with his roommate and went back to campus after spring break and Jack had plans with friends so that was good for them. They are both really sad, too, but seem to be doing ok.

Tom wanted to walk in the dog park/nature preserve first thing and of course I questioned it, but it turned out to be really cathartic and lovely.

It runs by the river and we had the place to ourselves. Tom surprised me by saying he is ready to adopt a puppy right away!

We had time to really talk and it was really good for us.

Later in the day we went to a neighborhood to walk around. We got gelato for Tom which he loves and a frozen swirl margarita for me which I love – ha. The sun was shining, and it was good to be out.

I went to school Monday and two sweet girls brought me these as a little gift:

I had several sweet messages over the weekend from students:

I had a couple of sweet friends drop things off…

My mom sent this beautiful springy arrangement, too:

These gestures made me feel so loved…

I planned to not go straight home after school Monday because I knew that would be a trigger and I had been turning down plans with friends over the last few weeks so I could hurry home.

Monday’s weather was amazing, and I was able to meet my high school friend Beth of Host It Notes on the river at Captain’s Quarters. Not bad for a Monday!

We both tried this berry fizz drink and it was really good and pretty!

I have more plans after school this week that I am looking forward to which segues into…

Looking Forward To

Spring!

These flowers recently came up:

I always feel so optimistic with the first signs of spring that Mother Nature gives us.

This weekend is the St. Patrick’s Day parade which is really fun.

Last year:

Planning

I did some meal planning and some school planning. Here is me combining my meal prep breakfast with my school stuff Monday morning. This week is back to Amy Lu chicken breakfast sausage from Costco and low carb egg casserole.

I want to make Carolina Charm’s Lucky Charms treats and give them to the students that run our copy center at school and make it so I never have to make copies!

I love rye bread and I am planning to use it this month.

I also plan to make Jen’s Irish meal!

Wearing

Well, on Monday I wanted to start the week out in green for March and it was going to be 70 degrees, so I dug out this Target top from last year – still love! I also love my black Umgee pants and my new silver clogs.

Sunday, I wore my weekend jeans – Old Navy button fly with knee holes for ventilation, Old Navy button down with a tank under, and my Olukais that are sadly too wide and hard to walk in, but I love their look. Tom wanted to shop in a store that he hadn’t been in for a long time before we walked around a neighborhood.

Eating

We have been eating pulled pork that a friend made for us and take out from Waldo’s.

Waldo’s salad with rotisserie chicken:

I had another salad Monday night but then was really sad and couldn’t eat much so I made myself a bowl of popcorn for the rest of my dinner.

And, that is what is happening around here Currently.

What about you?

I hope I wasn’t too melancholy in this post, but I also don’t want to lie to you all!

Amy

Monday, March 4, 2024

I don’t want this to be a sad post, but rather a celebration post of a wonderful furry boy who brought us 11 years of loyalty, fun, laughs, fresh air, and licks.

We truly don’t deserve dogs. We are not worthy.

So, I want to start by saying that everything happened in the best possible timing. I first told you about our boy’s cancer diagnosis in January 2023. We got an extra year plus with him. We feel so lucky for that. And it was a great year where you would hardly know he was sick. I was so scared he would pass while Mason was doing study abroad and I was scared that it also might happen in the 9 days while we were gone to pick Mason up.

Over the last month things really started declining. He wasn’t really eating and had gotten so skinny. When you saw the photo of us having a picnic on the lawn Monday it was because Ernie just couldn’t walk anymore and plopped down but seemed happy and content to be there.

We made the decision a week ago to say goodbye on Saturday. I wasn’t ready to talk about it on the blog.

Our kids were both home all week due to spring break and while that stinks for their break, it was also a gift to have them here.

Just Tom and I went, and our vet was so compassionate, and it was very peaceful and a privilege to be with our boy who brought us so much happiness.

The teeth in this position always made me laugh! I probably have at least 50 photos of this on my camera roll!

So serious sometimes:

When we went to pick Ernie out there were only two chocolates in the litter. The rest were yellow. Ernie was the calmer and the more blocky-headed of the two chocolates. We knew he was meant to be ours.

A pup cup:

Ernie was a great car rider. When he first came home with us, he walked with me to “pick up” the kids from elementary school every day. I got out of school at 2:20 and the kids at 3:50 so it was our routine. He rode with us to piano lessons once a week and I walked him while the kids were in the lesson. He went a lot of places! He was always welcome at family gatherings and he went to a few state parks for those and he vacationed at Lake Michigan a few times and at Dauhpin Island, Alabama once.

He loved the school playground behind our house and always found things to recycle and would bring them home to our recycle bin. Then he found balls to “play” with on the playground. No ball was safe!

Swimming was a big hobby and even better if best friend “Daddy” was in the water!

So Ernie’s spot was always by the back door to the house. we had a tiny little patio before the renovation, but he loved it.

Ernie was a very polite boy and would bark just once if he wanted back in the house.

This cracks me up seeing him after we ripped out the small porch. He was like, “What the heck? Where is my porch?” He made do. Ha! He didn’t have to wait long before a makeshift wooden porch was put up before the permanent one was in.

Then, he got a really good spot after the renovation where he could watch out over his backyard and school playground.

He wouldn’t let me put away the Halloween doormat that he liked so it just stayed and became faded.

He wouldn’t let me put the indoor Christmas rug away this year. Finally I gave up and put it back where it was!

He was a dog with the finer tastes in doormats.

Over the last week he seemed to want to “guard” his “brothers” at night:

Sometimes he was so close to their doors they couldn’t get out.

A very wet dewy puppy picture:

If Ernie could get wet, we would!

A snow lover for sure. This was this winter as Ernie made snow angels. I am so happy he got a good snow!

Christmas stocking gift from this year:

Of course he was in the family photos!

One of his two favorite furniture spots:

This fall was so fun watching him rolling in the leaves and taking leafy walks:

His spot:

Doing yoga with the fam:

Any time the cheese drawer opened or we opened a string cheese, Ernie came running. I probably shared 1000 string cheeses with him, one string at a time!

Boat boy:

Lake Michigan waves:

Our boy loved Christmas and his stocking, but I think he just loved the family all together in the living room, too.

His final playground walk. This is a really sad but beautiful photo to me. Tom had the idea to wheel him around and then he lifted him out to sniff around a bit.

What a face that I will never forget:

We love you so much, Ernie. Thank you for making us all better people.

Amy

Friday, March 1, 2024

Well, my first favorite is that it is March! No offense to January or February, but I just don’t like y’all much. Maybe if I weren’t a teacher I would like you more? March has its own challenges, but mentally it helps me. Daylight Savings time starts and we have had added light at night. Spring clothing abounds, I love St. Patrick’s Day and the parade, and a few more things!

I am linking up with Andrea and Erika to share a few more faves from the week!

Sunday Tom and I drove down to the river. It was really sunny but still pretty chilly so we just stayed in the car. We love living by the river, though. Any body of water is good and calms my soul!

I got a spray tan Sunday morning. I was able to unfreeze my account and pay only $10 because the month was almost over. I’m debating doing the monthly fee for March. It really helps to give me a bit of color and I was able to wear a dress to school on Monday when it was 70 degrees.

Sunday evening was fun. Jack is taking an online biochemistry of cooking class for a science grad requirement and had to do a “meat lab”. He chose chicken and had to tenderize half and not tenderize the other half. We ate it for our dinner that night after giving our test subject opinions. I stayed out of the way and let Mason help. They were talking about enjoying cooking (music to my ears) and that they want to make a whole Mediterranean meal this week. That might be happening tonight?

I have involved my kids in the kitchen since a really young age but it’s just now that they seem to be enjoying it more. Never too late!

Here is our weather from Monday!

I hurried home and Mason and I sat on the lawn with Ernie for a good two hours enjoying it.

We had a little picnic snack:

I made an Asian salmon bowl for dinner one night this week:

I gave myself a white press on mani one night:

I made pizza bowls again this week with cauliflower rice, turkey pepperoni, pizza sauce, veg and this time I added the blended cottage cheese mixture and it was really good!

My breakfast this week has been organic instant brown sugar oatmeal. Yum!

I don’t know if I’ve ever told you all of my love of cloth napkins. Love seeing them stacked up after washing:

This week has been our college kids’ spring break – so early. It’s been nice to have them home with Ernie and just nice to have them home. We have had lots of family dinners and Mason wants to re-watch New Girl, so we have done that! As a family, we are watching Sneaky Pete.

Tuesday, Mason wanted to go hiking with Tom. Tom took off and they went to Red River Gorge. Here are some photos:

I was so happy they did this. They were home by dinner and Tom was craving pizza so we ordered it. It was a nice break for me from cooking, too!

Wednesday, I took off to spend time with them after an appointment and we went to lunch at Caffee Classico, one of my faves.

We got Belgian pommes frites with dipping sauces as a starter:

And, we got paninis we couldn’t finish so we took a lot home.

It’s like an Argentinian/European cafe and it was hopping. Mason said that the old people knew what was up but the young people would like it if they knew about it. Mason was thrilled because he is a foodie.

After that, we shopped at World Market, a guitar store, a little boutique, and came home. Jack had to go teach his music lessons. It was such a nice day!

And, those are my faves from the week!

What was one of yours?

Amy

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Hi! I am linking up with Kellyann and Jill to share this week’s fashion.

Last Thursday I wore this to school:

I have on my Marshall’s bird shirt, Matilda Janes, and New Balance that I am saying bye to. They seem a bit narrow for my feet. I’ve had them for 6 years I think?

On Sunday, I finally made the decision to keep the pink Gazelles and that they were the right size. It was like 70 degrees so I wore this Target gauzy black dress with a cardigan and the new sneaks with no-show socks.

And, on Tuesday I wore them again with this outfit:

They felt great on my feet! I got lots of comments on them, too.

What have you been wearing lately?

Lots of fashion on the blog this week – February Fashion Purchases here and Spring Trends here!

Amy

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

I always get excited about a new season! I’m sure I will wear sweaters again before spring officially makes its arrival next month, but boy have we been getting a tease and that helps me know and see what I will want to be wearing.

Jo lynne Shane blog does a great job of showing up new trends so click on the red font to see what she has to say.

I like to read about trends, but then think about my lifestyle, my body type, my comfort zone, and how that trend would work for me. That is the nice thing about getting some age of you – you know yourself better.

So here are the spring trends I am embracing or planning to embrace…

Stripes – I couldn’t believe I had next to zero striped clothing when I bought this back in the late summer. It was a travel piece for the UK and it’s easy to throw on with black pants for school.

This was the one piece I had from last season. This Loft green and white stripe really spoke to me. I really like the thinner striped green and white oversized that Old Navy has, but I think I am going to be content with this.

Speaking of Old Navy, I am really happy with the blue and white and pink and white striped button ups I bought in January and have already worn them several times. I believe they are now on sale for $14!

I made my first Carly Jean Los Angeles purchase and it included this striped tee.

And, I bought this Walmart Free Assembly classic breton tee and this

Walmart Free Assembly feminine striped sweater.

So, I would say I dove right in with the striped trend!

Rattan – I love rattan!

My Coconuts by Matisse get worn quite a bit and my Target Universal Thread flat sandals were the most worn of summer 2023.

I mean I think this is what they are talking about by rattan. I could see a tote or a handbag being useful this summer, too.

Metallics – I think my fave way to do metallics is in my footwear. I’m really jumping over to silver – I have a new pair of clog/mules and some new to me silver jewelry I’m incorporating I am definitely not over my love of gold shoes; maybe I can find sandals that I like with both silver and gold!

Light gold Eurosoft on the left, new Gap silver clogs in the middle, and old Swedish gold clogs on the right:

A mid-calf denim skirt with a front slit – this is going to be hard to find the right length with my height of 5’4. I don’t want to go into Duggar territory. I mean no offense, but that’s not the look I’m going for. I have a light denim mini skirt, but I want to try the more modern longer skirts I am seeing.

Wide leg white jeans – I have straight leg and flowy white linen pants with a drawstring, but I would like a modern wide leg or maybe a cropped wider leg. This is going to be tricky because I don’t want too much fabric in the legs.

Sweater over the shoulders or my striped breton over my shoulders – Doesn’t she look so cool? She is like, “I got a text, but it can wait. I am pondering life’s mysteries while looking elegant.”

Platform sneakers – I can see myself needing, yes I said needing, white, but I did the crazy fun thing and pulled the trigger on Adidas Gazelle Platforms in pink and green. I did the 8 hour teacher test and the platform is really comfortable. I liked the added height a lot.

What trends are you ready to try? What have I forgotten?

Amy

P.S. – If you want to see what I purchased in January, click here. If you want to see what I purchased in February, click here.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Yes, I am a couple of days shy of the end of February, but I am an optimist and hoping not to buy anything else!

I bought a lot in January – let’s blame it on the long, cold month and the longing for spring?

This month, I did pretty well. I ordered and returned two things that I won’t include here.

I ordered and kept…

Two Amazon blouses recommended by Tanya:

Amazon bright color blouse ($17 at the time I bought it but now it is $25)

and Lily P. dupe pattern which was $22 after clickable coupon.

I would say both run true to size.

Walmart striped top from Free Assembly – whoa – the quality is on par with Land’s End – seriously. $18.

Walmart navy ruffle swimsuit – I started with the hot pink as I am still in love with Barbiecore. Heck, I loved it before Barbiecore was a thing. I had a hot pink swimsuit and still do but it’s really faded. It made me so happy. Rediscovering tank suits was life-changing and the hot pink worked with almost all of my coverups and just made me smile. When I received the hot pink, it was too big and I went back to get the smaller size and there was no pink. I thought navy might be nice since I usually go for black. $27.

Adidas Gazelles Platforms – First I ordered the yellow and they were so big. I have been looking at the pink/green since end of December or beginning of January and loved them so much I had an email alert set for when they came back in stock. That never happened that I know of, so I ordered the yellow because I also love yellow. When I went to re-order a full size down, they did have the pink, so I ordered it instead.

I got free shipping and $20 off for signing up for text alerts so I paid $105.

They passed the school test and I was giddy every time I looked at my feet.

The grand total:

$189 for the month

I think I did really well. I really just didn’t have much time to shop!

I would like to think I will be content for a while, but now I have to buy things to match my new shoes! Ha!

No, I am rediscovering my warmer weather stuff and that is quite fun. My old friends!

What have you bought this month?

Amy