Monday, May 1, 2023

Happy May!

It’s also Derby week so the excitement is in the air around here! Many people don’t work this week – or they just pretend to.

Here is my post last year with some recipes if you have a party or just like recipes:

https://coffeeandcocktailsatthecasa.com/2022/05/04/kentucky-derby-recipes/

Let’s go back to Thursday as I link up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday…

So, do you know who Jack Harlow is? If you have a teen they know who he is! He is from Louisville but didn’t go to my high school – he went to a high school where one of my besties teaches. His brother, however, did go to my school and was an amazing Spanish student that I got to teach for 2 years!

Anyway, I had just gotten a text from my friend with a picture of her with him so I knew he was in town and guess what…had a new album dropping the next day.

I’m teaching away (or trying to) and I hear a stampede of kids running and screaming outisde my door. Then, actually thankfully for social media my students started telling me theat they were getting messages that Jack was at my school walking through the courtyard during 3rd lunch! My class and I have 1st lunch. Sadly, my class didn’t get to see him, but as you can imagine the rest of the day that was all the kids could talk about.

I had to come back that night for Senior Honors Night and wore this:

My view:

I didn’t eat dinner until I got home and it was a zucchini lasagna bowl. Tom had to eat it alone.

Friday after school Erica and I went to the little shopping center nearby with the cute beaded jockey earrings. She didn’t get the ones below but loved them. I already have two pairs so I had to stop there. She found two other pairs to match her outfits for next week.

Then, we headed over to Boombozz for happy hour.

You can buy the green chili jam that comes with the nachos so I did!

I made cream cheese with green chili jam for Tom for a little before dinner snack.

One college kid came home to study for finals in a more quiet environment. Classes are done and now they just have finals, projects, and papers to turn in.

Saturday morning I got up pretty early because I had gone to bed so early. And, I had a list a mile long of things I had to accomplish and errands I had to run. I got some of them done that could be done at home and then I chose fun because I already had plans to meet Elizabeth for brunch at Wild Eggs. She has her throat polyp surgery Wednesday so I wanted to see her before then. I made her a little care package of some tea and soups and soft foods and I baked two loaves of banana bread and gave her one.

I just always get the farmer’s market skillet!

Then, we walked around a little market and I gor macarons, a candle I had been wanting, and some cocktail or mocktail shrubs. Do you know what that is? It is a fruit juice and vinegar combo that you add to cocktails or mocktails and the vinegar is really good for you. It tastes a little like kombucha. I got a blueberry lemon shrub and a cranberry apple shrub. It is a bottle of liquid – not a plant!

Then, Tom had charged the boat battery and washed the boat and we did a trial run.

It was pretty cold. I had on pants and a sweatshirt. The above photo is pretty special to me. When the vet told us in January that Ernie had internal bleeding, was anemic and most likely had tumors on his spleen one of my first thoughts was that he wouldn’t get to see another summer of doing what he loves. I am tearing up again thinking about it. I am sorry I keep talking about it lately but I think I get emotional with the changing of the seasons and the milestones that come wtih each of them.

Like I said recently, Ernie continues to be the same ol’ guy with just showing the signs of aging – stiffness sometimes after exercise. He continues to eat kibble, Arthrisoothe pellets (4 a day), chicken, green beans, carrots, and pumpkin.

My favorite house on the river:

We only stayed out about an hour. When we got home I made this:

I took my new candle and my shrub’tail to the patio.

I relaxed for a bit and then made myself go do a couple of the errands while putting off the rest until yesterday.

Jack then came home and brought much of his dorm stuff. We ate dinner and watched Ted Lasso. I attempted steamed cod with cajun, broccoli, and steak fries (homemade). I think the fish was not very cod because it was frozen and I probably rushed the defrosting process.

Sunday I make 8 breakfast burritos, lunch for Erica and I for Monday, did the dishes, laundry, floors, gathered up all the returns I needed to make – ugh – my friend Heather always has a car full of returns and I could not live like that. I hate returns but when doing house decor it is a necessary evil I guess.

I started a new email account this weekend with gmail and have changed my blog email to that address, too. I actually really liked “declaring email bankruptcy” since every time you make a purchase you are forever on someone’s email list! I guess I am a little worried that one of my “lost emails” will be important but I feel that they would have another way to get ahold of me.

What were your weekend highlights?

I hope you had many,

Amy

Saturday, April 29

Happy Saturday! Happy second to the last day of April! Today I am here for a rare Saturday post to link up with Jennifer for her “Share 4 Somethings”. If you are a regular reader, there will be some repeats of thoughts and photos!

Loved

This month I have loved my view from my little deck outside of my mudroom. I love my Amazon anti-gravity lounger with sunshade and this almost immediately relaxes me. I have watched less tv and read more books from this spot.

When it rains and when I need more shade, I come down to my covered patio with ceiling fans. I have not spruced up either space yet with pillows, candles, and decor. I need to get on that.

Learned

I learned how important it is to immediately come home and love on my Ernie. At the end of our after school walks I let him off lease in our yard and he does the best roll and back scratch in the grass. We had such a scare with him on January 26 when the vet told us he would not be long for this world. We brought him home and loved on him even more and that is still our plan. He seems back to normal but stiff from age from time to time.

I am continuing to learn to be content and happy with my closet. I am wearing mostly old things with a few consignment or new finds thrown in.

I am learning to be a better shopper and continuing to return things that aren’t a 10/10 for me.

If you have multiple returns, you can edit your photo with your return code to say what the item is.

Read

I read these books this month. Marlowe Banks was my least favorite and moved a bit slow. But, I liked them all!

Ate

I ate mostly at home.

Burrito bowl:

Zucchini lasagna bowl:

Big Mac Bowl:

Greek bowl with Greek potatoes:

And, for lunch I bring the same as the dinner for Erica and I and she does the same.

Doritos Tacos Loco Salad:

Erica’s Slender Kitchen Beef Bulgogi Bowl:

I am eating pretty well from Monday to Friday…unless there is cake, donuts, cookies, offered to me at school. Darned sweet tooth!

Can you share 4 somethings? Can you share 1 something?

Make the most of your Saturday!

Amy

Friday, April 28, 2023

Happy Friday! It’s time to link up with Andrea and Erika to share our favorites from the week.

But, first, I have a confession. I have been locked out/haven’t had my personal email for a week. I have my school email, of course, and that’s quite enough. Here is the long and short of it…I have kept my bellsouth.net email for far too long. Apparently it is part of yahoo, or Currently by AT&T and I also no longer have AT&T internet, cable, or cell phones in my home. So, I have not figured out how to get access back! I have actually been thinking it was time to switch email accounts and to really just declare “email bankruptcy” due to all the junk email I get. If you have suggestions, let me know!

I love a mimosa and I wanted to include this as a favorite. They are just so good and I think you can order one any time of day!

That face is a favorite! This was our Sunday Funday. He really does go along with most of my schemes.

I did it! I ordered a Lume trial kit and I really like it! I didn’t choose the best scents, maybe? I chose toasted coconut, baby powder (I smell like a bit of a diaper change – albeit a clean one), tangerine and cool cucumber. Has anyone else used it? Erica used it in Panama (the country) and said she never once stunk.

Some meals were favorites this week…

Big Mac bowl!

Burrito bowl!

A Greek bowl for lunch!

My new Urban Outfitters egg spoon rest!

My new Urban Outfitters shower curtain!

Here is how I boil eggs. I boil them, then I put ice cubes in the pan and shake, shake, shake.

I immediately peel and it works like a charm!

I ordered an $11 Amazon fascinator and I love it. A fascinator is much easier to wear than a giant Derby hat. It is on a headband.

This scent is to die for and I wish I hadn’t waited so long. There is really nothing “masculine” about it. You can find it at Target.

I also still love this one from Target! It smells so good!

Trying out Native face wash and I think I really like it!

And, this smells amazing.

Boujie new products for my new bathroom is the name of the game here…

So, sorry for the material goods being my faves this week!

What were yours?

Amy

Thursday, April 27. 2023

I really have a lot to share today – not sure if it’s all good, but I continue my streak of mostly not repeating school outfits in an effort to be content and see that I have plenty for this season! I am linking up with Jill and Kellyann for Fashion Files.

Not that you asked, but I continue to struggle with temperatures in my classroom along with footwear. I was so cold Monday at school that I seriously couldn’t get warm until dinner time at home. And, the hard cement floors are just brutal on your legs and feet.

I think this was last Thursday – I wore my new consignment hot pink short sleeved blouse, my old LulaRoe pencil skirt, a JC Penney Liz Claiborne knit cardigan and my patent Birks. I will say that my feet were happy – Birks get more and more comfortable over time. I also wore my hot pink Gucci bee earrings. The whole outfit was built around the earrings!

Thursday night I changed into my Target black gauzy dress, my MIA dupe clog sandals from Amazon, and my silk scarf headband with my Derby earrings to go to a boutique Derby open house and to dinner wtih my friend Heather.

Friday I wore jeans, butterfly blouse, old consignment cardigan and my black Amazon Essentials flip flops part of the day and my waterproof rain clogs part of the day because it was a rainy dreary day.

Friday night I changed into this to wear to dinner and a little music gig of Jack’s. I have on my Old Navy chambray blouse, my Wit and Wisdom flares from Nordstrom and my gold clogs. The flares are petite and almost too long with the clogs. Or, maybe they are too long!

This is my cold weather Saturday exercise/errand uniform that I don’t think I have ever shown. I like to wear my 7/8 pocketed leggings, a black long sleeved (I have two to choose from), and my black fleece vest. This time I threw on a black and white gingham headband.

I bought Hobby Lobby plastic sandals!

I have been loving my Kur illuminating nail concealer. It is so easy to do myself and it stays looking nice for about 5 days.

Saturday night I wore this to our friends’ house for dinner. It’s Derby season so you gotta take advantage of the ability to wear a sweater. It was a cold weekend!

Sunday I wore the same leggings and vest and added my bright blue sweater and Derby earrings. Again, I gotta get my wear out of the earrings!

Monday, it was time for school. I wore my paisley palazzo pants that are seriously 10 years old. This is how to feel like you are wearing pajamas at work. I wore an old thin black blouse and my hot pink blazer. It was very cold outside and the temp in my classroom was crazy cold. I wished I had gloves is how cold it was. I never get cold!

The cold drove my outfit for Tuesday – I repeated Sunday’s outfit but with black pants. I wore Hokas part of the day (legs and feet hurt) and then switched to black flats.

Hoping it warms back up soon, because I want to talk flip flops! I bought the gold Amazon Essentials and then added black and leopard! They were either $11 or $13 each and I think they are more comfortable than J.Crew, but look like J. Crew. Flip flops are my summer uniform shoe. You can “class up” a simple outfit with a little nicer looking flip flop.

I honestly don’t know who these pale Flintstone feet belong to and I am also not sure why I am showing you. They do run true to size. – the flip flops, that is.

Gold:

Leopard:

Black:

I still also have my new patent black Reefs:

So, that’s about it!

Do you have a favorite?

What have you been wearing?

Amy

P.S. – I took the final sale J.Crew white bathing suit to my tailor because it was too big and she told me it would be about $80 to re-size/make it smaller. So, I will take the loss; I took it to my consignment shop. Ironically, I had made $34 already so that was the exact price of the bathing suit. I kept the money there for use when I find something I want to buy so that it feels like I got it for free!

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

I am linking up with Sheaffer and Shay for the What’s Up Wednesday because it’s the last Wednesday of the month – wow, April, you went by quickly!

What We’re Eating…

I am on a Greek bowl kick again. This time I added some roasted broccoli to the typical cauliflower rice, tomatoes, cucumbers, chicken, and homemade tzatziki sauce. I didn’t have any feta, but it’s still so delicious to me.

I also made burger bowls this week. Again, this never gets old. I made a copy cat Big Mac special sauce using non-fat plain Greek yogurt.

I continue to get many of my recipes from Slender Kitchen. If you read my Costco haul post yesterday, you will see I am trying to get back to a more strict WW plan. I am tracking on my app and trying to eat better after some recent indulgences.

If you have any food or meal suggestions, let me know. I am ready to switch to more of my warm weather favorites after winter comfort foods!

What I’m Loving…

This was a splurge, but I thought it was so cute. It’s an egg spoon rest from the Urban Outfitters website. I ordered my hall bath shower curtain from them and saw this. No regrets! Did you know that Urban Outfitters has more than clothes?

She has not arrived yet, but here she is…

The first design I ordered from Amazon seemed cheap so I went back to the drawing board.

So, I hope I will be loving it when it arrives.

What I’ve Been Up To…

Picking out decor for my new hall bath! Hallelujah!

What I’m Working On…

Working on my vision for this bathroom with touches of pink. I picked up this handsoap.

I thought about pulling out the green of the shower curtain, but I decided to return this rug. It’s Opal House from Target if you like it!

Possible feathers and wall art:

Pink candles from TJ Maxx:

What I’m Excited About …

-A second bathroom on our main floor – we have a bathroom in the basement..

-College kids moving home – thus the need for the bathroom completion! They are in their last week of classes and next week is finals week. I really can’t believe we are three years of college down at this point. Next year they will be seniors. We continue to love and feel grateful for them choosing a small, liberal arts college close to home. They have both talked about the opportunities they have gotten and the fact that being close to home has been a benefit. It may not be right for everyone, but I think it was good for them to choose the same college (never rooming together, though) and a small college. Don’t overlook the private colleges because they can offer competitive scholarships and maybe need your kids more than the big schools!

-The end of my 29th year of school!

What I’m Watching/Reading …

This is really cute! I am enjoying it!

As for tv, I am watching Below Deck, Summer House, Real Housewives of New Jersey, Mrs. Maisel with my kids, Ted Lasso with Tom and the kids, and that’s about it. I am definitely reading more than tv watching in this season.

What I’m Wearing …

We went from this simple Target gauzy dress with Derby earrings on Thursday night for the 80 degree weather to

Sunday Funday’s sweater, fleece vest, leggings, and Derby earrings for the 40 degree weather!

What I’m Doing This Weekend …

There will be coffee and my candle! I am using my Volcano candle since it’s spring. I hope to make some more decor decisions as a few more things I have ordered come in, go to a local shopping center Spring open house, spend time with my friend Elizabeth, and not sure what else is coming up. Elizabeth has to have a polyp removed from her vocal cord in a week and won’t be able to talk for 7-10 days after that, so we have to talk now. I feel so bad for her. I really don’t think I could do that. Could you?

So, what’s up with you on this Wednesday?

Amy

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

I definitely have a love/hate relationship with Costco. I have sent Tom the last several times to get our paper products, dog food, and his protein shakes. But, I had cleared out freezer space and we were missing some of our freezer staples and I needed to go.

I bought these noodles again – it had been a long time so I hope I still like them. They are zero points on WW and you can use them however you would use a normal noodle in Italian dishes or you can use them with a Thai or teriyaki sauce. 6 packets come inside the box with about two servings each packet.

I prefer Boar’s Head deli turkey, but this is also pretty good. I like to make a wrap or a roll up with laughing cow cheese or mustard and a low carb tortilla.

Trying these for the first time – You can use them as a bun or toast them.

I made an open face sandwich in the air fryer and I liked it pretty well. It got kind of soggy, but I think it’s because I didn’t eat it right away. These are one WW point each.

I really like these and can’t find them at my Kroger, but they do have a smaller pack at Whole Foods. They are one WW point each.

I really like this brand of liquid egg whites more than other brands I have tried. 6 cartons come inside the box.

Regular old eggs:

They stopped carrying my chicken strips that were the best pre-cooked I had every had. I will not eat them if they are slimy. These looked very similar so I am giving them a shot. This is a great shortcut for any of my dishes that require chicken and I ideally would always have them on hand. You can cut the package apart and freeze one.

I have been using a lot of cucumbers lately in my Greek bowls and my salads.

This is the best frozen cauliflower rice. Fresh is not good in my opinion. Kroger’s frozen is in really big chunks. This is nice and fine and I really like it. 5 packages are within the big bag. I let the rice defrost on paper towels to get a lot of the moisture out and then I cook the beep out of it with a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a skillet on the stove. I use this in place of regular rice in any of my dishes where rice would be the base.

We want to eat more fish!

A bag of frozen chicken breasts in the freezer helps us when we boil chicken for Ernie or have a dish that requires chicken.

And, that’s it for food items! I did a really good job of avoiding temptations this time!

Are you a Costco person?

Amy

Monday, April 24, 2023

Welp, it’s Monday again and I am feeling like I need another day! It’s time to link up with Sarah and Holly to talk about our weekends.

Thursday night, my friend Heather and I parked and walked the tiny little old Main Street of Middletown, a suburb of Louisville.

We arrived at The Prickly Pear for their Derby open house. I have mentioned this cute little boutique mulitple times on here. I know the owner and it’s the cutest little shop. If you need a gift, this is a great place to go.

She is the one in the headband. The one taking the photo is my former student and I saw her and another former student! They had chocolate espresso martini samples and chocolate mint julep samples. Check out Ballotin whiskey.

We both found a few things to take home.

Then, we walked back down the street to Lou Vino. They have the prettiest patio and the weather was amazing. We were both so happy to be out!

Friday at school I was on my own at lunch because Erica attended a conference so I repeated my Wednesday dinner of Greek meatballs.

I came home and read and napped on the patio while it rained.

Tom and I headed to a little taqueria for dinner…

Jack had an informal jazz gumbo (type of music) gig that we went to.

I was so tired and went to bed right when I got home.

Saturday morning I made myself a potato, mushroom, and onion skillet with eggs and it was so good!

I was on a mission to start my errands/shopping early and I hit Target at 8:30. It is so nice to go early! By the time I was done, Hobby Lobby was open, and I ended my spree at TJ Maxx. I was on a mission to find decor for my new bathroom. Yes, you heard that right, my hall bathroom is pretty much done.

I got some Hobby Lobby faux Birkenstocks! They were $7!

The rest of the day I did chores, read, watched tv, showered, and piddled around.

We went to our friends’ Dan and Kara’s for dinner and the invite included Ernie! Their new puppy Willow can now be around other dogs and they had a great time together. We had burgers, sweet potato fries and broccoli and chocolate ice cream for dessert. Hi Dan! He is a loyal blog reader!

Again, I was pooped when we got home!

Sunday morning was a bit of meal prep – I only had 3 tortillas so I did two breakfast bowls. I have extra zucchini, onion, and mushroom for zucchini lasagna bowls this week.

I finished this on Friday – so cute!

And, during the weekend I started this. It is also super cute so far.

I did a grocery pick up on Saturday with all of my errands and ordered a $6 bouquet with all of my groceries. This is my first time including flowers and I guess I didn’t really know you could!

Tom and I did Costco and spent more than we ever have simply on food, drink, and maybe one toiletry item. You can feel the price increase at Costco, for sure! I might do a post on what I bought and why?

I bought these cute little cukes!

Later on in the afternoon I told Tom I needed a Sunday Funday activity so we went to Rooster’s.

It was a nice way to end the weekend, but I still needed another day!

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Amy

Friday, April 21, 2023

I had a better week this week! The weather was gorgeous after Monday, too! I did have a lot of things after school, but I managed to get outside after that.

It’s time to link up with Andrea and Erika to share some faves from the week

First of all, a Tik Tok update…I continue to post a teaching video about every other day. I am up to 203, 000 followers. I get mostly complimentary comments, but a few haters slip in. I really don’t spend any time on TT other than when I post and I read comments ocassionally. I took a break over Spring Break and I will take a break over the summer. I don’t know how much new content I can come up with after I finish all the verb tenses, grammar rules, and helpful hints. I’m not sure where it’s going! And, I have not seen a cent. I am not sure how people are making money. I’m not doing it for the money anyway.

Wednesday’s post got a great response – “Would Amy…buy this beauty product again?” Thank you! I think I will try to make this a series. Check it out here if you missed it and go back and read the comments because there are some recs!

My second Ipsy bag arrived! The pouch is cute. When I did this before, I saved all the pouches and gave them to my nieces. I filled them with pads for their first “you know what” and I got some kinda mixed responses. I might do that again and fill them with money and a few beauty items?

The products weren’t as exciting this time – a tweezer, a lip gloss, a leave in conditioner for hair, a night cream that I really like so far, and a cream highlighter.

I am on my second bottle of this type of Dawn bottle. I only buy Dawn -it’s the best. I am also using it for stains on my clothing! This no flip bottle is great!

I treated myself to a pedicure last week and got an orangey salmon. It looks more orange in this light, but it is more salmon in real life. Or, maybe it is more coral. I really like it!

I mentioned this Monday, but this would be a really great beach read for this summer!

And, I am shocked by how much I am enjoying this cute book! You guys! It’s deeper than you might think, too. It is about a pro football player and his long time girl bestie. This would also be great for a beach read. I don’t want it to end! I am sorry that I can’t remember who recommended it.

I am still loving my Kur polish. I have a white-ish and a pink-ish. I only used one coat to get this natural look and I followed it up with my Orly top coat. I might look into another color soon.

I have tried a couple of new flavors of Kroger brand seltzer and I love both lemon lime and strawberry lemonade!

Wednesday was such a gorgeous afternoon and evening. I made Greek ground chicken meatballs with brown rice, homemade tzatziki, tomatoes, cucumbers and feta. On the side I made Greek potatoes. I had a glass of red wine and asked Tom if he would be terribly offended if I ate outside. He was not at all! It was lovely! I stayed outside until almost 8 reading my book! Ahhhhh!

I have been adding bird seed to my Kroger pick up order. Did you know you can do that? Look what these greedy squirrels? did – they ripped open my bag before I could fill my feeders!

My favorite lunch of the week was when Erica made beef bulgogi bowls and even marinated cucumbers and stopped at an Asian market for the sprouts. I can do without the sprouts, but the cucumbers make this dish. I was in heaven!

And, Erica loved when I made my Doritos Tacos Locos Taco salad for lunch one day. It is iceberg, taco meat, tomatoes, shredded cheese, crushed up Doritos, Taco Bell mild taco sauce, and I made the copycat Chuy’s jalapeño ranch dip/sauce in a lightened up version with Greek yogurt.

You have probably seen this meme, but it is true! I saw it with my own eyes. The suits were super fitted and the pants were high water, no socks, with smoking loafers. Some had contrasting shoe and suit colors. One dude had a black suit, red bowtie, and red loafers. Or, they wore Air Jordans with their suits. I am super bothered by the incorrect “son’s” but I didn’t make the meme.

I left out this photo on Monday because the girls hadn’t shared it with me yet. These are two of my AP superstars.

We had Spanish Honor Society initiation this week or “Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica – SHH” and I got cookie cakes this year which were a big hit!

These kids have a 4.0 in all Spanish class and have taken Spanish 3 or above for at least 3 semesters.

The weather has been gorgeous after Monday. Monday was super windy and the wind was biting cold. Tuesday Ernie enjoyed sniffing around the baseball field. Ernie is used to being off leash quite a bit. He is really good and comes when I call him, but he never goes too far away from us. We put in so much work with him as a puppy. I really was tired during his first year of life, but it paid off big time. I did all of the morning duties with him back then.

Tom has a conspiracy theory that he has developed after listening to me complain about Kroger pick up. I often see that certain things are not available. Here is an example. I can’t get Kroger brand saltines but for $3 more I can get the name brand. This happened this week as I was adding things we needed.

He says that this is their game to get you to spend more (but why wouldn’t they want you to buy their store brand?) or to go in the store and make impulse purchases. Do you think Tom is correct? Anyway, pick up will always be a favorite for me. I think I save money by planning out what I need and not seeing things that tempt me that aren’t on my list. I could go in and look for more bargains, but I know I would also bring home things not on my list. I had to do a Monday pick up this week – Monday and Sunday are the two busiest days. You are more likely to have to wait longer or have substitutions on these days the worker told me this week.

The countdown continues…

We are in our last grading period of the year – the last 6 weeks. I have a tradition where I let them pick their own seats for the last one. I announce the day and they hurry to class that day to pick where they want to sit. It’s the little things! They hurried to class like you’ve never seen on Tuesday. And, I get to hold their new seat over their head when they are not focused, “Do you like your new seat? You wanna keep your new seat? Then, turn around and focus until I turn you loose!” You know what, though, it makes my heart happy to see the kids talking and having fun with each other again. This is what it is supposed to be like! I am so ready for summer, but I love my kids this year so much (well, most of them – there are a few little boogers) and I will miss these group dynamics. Each of my classes has their own little personality and you just never get the same mix again.

What have been your favorites this week?

I hope you had many!

Amy

Thursday, April 20, 2023

It’s Thursday and time for Fashion Files! I am linking up with Kellyann and Jill so make sure to go there to check out some other fashions.

Thursday I had to take the day off for my mammogram and I squeezed in a pedicure and a spray tan visit (I have a monthly pass for April) before a hair appointment. We can’t take half days off until next year (will be the first time in my district I think?) so I try to maximize any weekday that I have to take off for a doctor’s appointment.

I wore this flowy TJ Maxx blouse (found out that a pair of old earrings match it perfectly), jeans, and my Olukai mules.

Friday for school I wore jeans, the green blouse you are tired of looking at, and the new Clarks sandals. My feet hurt so badly. I have a line of blisters on the outer edges of each foot. I am re-selling these stat. Oh well. Can you see the difference in my hair between the first two photos?

Friday after school outfit for Mojito with Heather. I have mojito earrings on, too.

Saturday was so warm and I wore this to run to the library. The rest of the day I was in lounge clothes.

Until it was time for Prom!

Monday for school I broke out old palazzo pants that feel like jammies.

Tuesday for school I wanted to wear my new pink and white gingham headband so this whole outfit is based around that.

And, finally, I tried out an old swing dress with a button up shirt.

Do you have a favorite?

What have you been wearing?

Amy

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Welcome to the first edition of “Would Amy Wednesday”! This may be the only Wednesday it happens, but we shall see how it goes. I was thinking it could be “Would Amy… buy, try, eat, cook, read, watch, go, etc..” Give me an idea in the comments if you like this idea!

For today’s edition, we will explore the question of “Would Amy…buy these beauty products again?”

Here we go…

Benefit Starlaa

NO! It is a bronzer and I was being cheap…I think it is really just too small for me to get my brush into and after receiving my Ofra bronzing and highlighting palette from Ipsy, it just pales in comparison. I really like Benefit products, but this one is not getting used. I used to use Benefit Dallas blush.

Trader Joe’s Coconut Body Butter

NO! It is just a little too thick and the smell bothers me as the day goes on. I know lots of people really like it, but every time I use it I am not happy. I apologize if I previously recommended it, but I just didn’t know I didn’t like it back then. I have also previously recommended other Trader Joe’s beauty products but now I really only use their facial moisturizer.

Thrive Causemetics mascara

YES! I need to buy a new tube. This is the best mascara I have ever used. It is annoying to have to order it and try to get the shipping minimum, though. If you have a mascara that compares, let me know. Maybe it’s just the fact that it’s my first tubing mascara? I would really like to try some of their other products, too.

Ulta brand cream blush stick

YES! I am a big fan of cream products and you just roll the tube up a little and swipe it on your cheekbones. I love this product!

Pixi Dream-yEYE eye patches

YES! I have not tried any other brands but I really love these. I save them for when I have a party or a nice dinner to go to. They feel great if your sinuses are bothering you, too.

CeraVe moisturizing cream

HECK YES! This is like the best body lotion I have ever used. This is the first winter I have not been dry and flaky. It is the combo of Jergen’s Wet Skin in the shower and this.

Lumify brightening eye drops? As you can see, I have rubbed the label off!

YES! I need to buy a new bottle. It’s pretty amazing how nice your eyes look. Someone recently told me that their eye doctor said these are great, too.

Batiste Dry Shampoo

YES! This is the best dry shampoo I have used, albeit I have only used about 3 brands. I found mine at TJ Maxx. I also use it to “gritty up” clean hair a bit to style it.

Amazon Find: Hair Food Turmeric and Almond Oil Detangling Milk

HECK YEAH! I love the smell of this and put a bit on after every hair washing. It really does help detangle and I really like it!

I am not very brand loyal and am willing to try new things. If I want to re-purchase something, that says a lot. Tom, on the other hand, is extremely loyal with brand name foods or certain Kroger brand foods and with all of his toiletries. Example: Tom is still using Finesse shampoo and conditioner and has to order it in bulk online as you can no longer find it among the modern living people.

Did you like this post?

Any suggestions or brands for me to try?

Amy

P.S. – Lume deodorant is on its way to me so I will be sure to let you know what I think!