Wednesday, April 12, 2023

It’s been a rough start back after spring break. News of the mass shooting in downtown Louisville started coming through between first and second period on Monday. I didn’t have any details but kids kept mentioning it. Our principal asked us not to discuss it or show any news during the day. Once I got home and was able to read and watch the news I was just sick about it. Please send prayers for the families of the victims and of the police officers involved.

I had already prepared this post over Spring Break as well as yesterday’s post.

So, I really did well in March and hardly bought anything! I decided I would use Spring Break as a time to really clean out my closet and fill in a few holes and I did just that.

I wear this kind of short to bed and for lounging and saw this color of The Drop on sale on Amazon. Love them! They are very soft and the price couldn’t be beat at $13. I would like to add some more colors now that I see the quality and fit work for me!

You know I had to hit up my two favorite consignment stores over break, too, right? I didn’t have any luck at my favorite, Sassy Fox. I am getting more discriminating about what I need and what I will wear, so it’s not them, it’s me. They had tons of great stuff and I had already made some money on the stuff I brought in February. Also, they don’t put everything out at once, so I will be checking back to see what other spring stuff they have.

I did have some luck at Clothes Mentor and I was able to use my $10 off coupon, so I got the following three things for $40:

First up, I always struggle with black shoes that are comfortable enough for teaching and that I would also wear out. I found these Clarks:

I think they look like the new Birkenstock wedge sandals, too.

Second, I had always loved this style, but I have been burned by Target shoes and didn’t want to pay too much for the higher end brands. I wore these around the store for about 30 minutes and they were super comfortable. They were new with tags! I am also hoping I can wear them to a wedding in May.

And, finally, I found this blouse and thought it would work well in my spring wardrobe. I have found that I enjoy having my hot pink sweater and my hot pink blazer.

I had my eye on a pair of these adorable lightweight beaded jockey earrings as Derby month approaches. I wanted some with pink and turquoise, but I went with these because I liked the KY in the middle that the others didn’t have. These were $18 at a little boutique called Darling State of Mind.

Tanya inspired this next rabbit hole. I had been busy wearing all my long sleeved springy blouses before Spring Break, but realized I didn’t have that many short-sleeved ones. She posted this stunning green one from Target and I fell in love with the print. Green and I are having a moment!

I can always use a black one, too in the same style:

And, I loved this print when they had it in a long sleeved version years ago but I never got it. I was so happy to see this print again:

I was deciding between shoes!

Now, the black one has this type of tassel:

The green and the white floral have this type of tassel which I really like. I think it will stay looking nicer:

I was “influenced” by the Big Boo Cast and ordered these 70s sunglasses from Amazon. Let me tell you, these are your sunglasses for cloudy days. They ain’t blocking no sun, no how. But, they are cute, no?

My eyes are very sensitive and I often wear sunglasses when it’s cloudy.

Flip Flop Re-fresh time…So, I needed some black flip flops and my favorite brand are Reef. Amazon had these shiny black patents on sale for $13! I think the price has now gone up.

I also wanted gold to carry my gold metallic shoes into the next season. I think it’s great to have a metallic in your shoe wardrobe. These are Amazon Essentials brand and were also about $13.

I also ordered two more of the Amazon Essentials tanks that I wear to sleep in and around the house.

I have already worn most of my new stuff which is a good sign for me!

How do you think I did? What have you been shopping for lately?

Amy

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

I decided to do my third month of tracking my expenses. Even if you don’t enjoy being a financial voyeur, this has really been good for me. I have started one for April, but I’m not sure I will publish anymore. Let me know in the comments what you think!

March 1 – $0 spend day

March 2 – $167 Kroger, $160 Olukai mules

March 3 – $21 Goodwill, $11 Subway, $52 Mexican dinner out, $20 Amazon jewelry replacement for lost Pavoi earring :(, new necklace, new star burst earrings, ring, another new necklace, pack of necklace extenders to wear multiple lengths ($30 of this was from a survey I took for an education phd candidate?) so that is how I got it down to $20!

March 4 – $14 Target groceries – a few things I forgot that I just picked up there while doing an online return

March 5 – $59 Captain’s Quarters, $120 Venmo for bachelorette cabin weekend trip

March 6 – $100 Kroger, $20 pedicure/polish change

March 7 – $0 Spend Day

March 8 – $0 Spend Day

March 9 – $160 Kroger pick up

March 10 -Joes Older than Dirt with Eliz $18

March 11 – $33 clothes mentor, $20 pre parade drinks (paid for my friend and she paid for my dinner which was just a sandwich we split)

March 12 – $8 Old Navy socks, $68 dinner out with Jack at The Eagle after hearing his guitar teacher play, did a $40 Old Navy return (don’t ask), a $55 Athleta return (the leggings), and a $65 Target return (the black and white striped sweater and the black pants) so I actually MADE money – haha

March 13 – $0 Spend Day – did 3 Amazon returns at the UPS store totaling $80 so I actually MADE money – haha again

March 14 – $0 Spend Day

March 15 – $114 Kroger pick up, $25 wine shop, $25 in store

March 16 – $50 Red Hog, $50 Etsy gift card Kate for her birthday

March 17-18- bachelorette weekend (expenses paid ahead of time or after)

March 19- $0 Spend Day

March 20-$99 Kroger

March 21-$54 Amazon – needed a refresh of my vitamins, vitamin D, and Jordan’s Skinny Syrup, $70 fresh market

March 22-$0 Spend Day

March 23- $33 Noche, $50 birthday gift cards for niece and nephew

March 24-$40 Frankfort Ave Liquors

March 25-$114 Walmart neighborhood grocery, $1 unfreeze at SunTan City

March 26 – $26 Dollar Tree

March 27 – $0 Spend Day

March 28- $25 gift card nephew, $66 Venmo for the Bachelorette food and drink

March 29- $177 Kroger pick up

March 30-$6 Boombozz Spring Break celebratory drink with Erica, $25 gift card niece

March 31 -$30 Brunch with Victoria, $35 Walmart grocery

Totals:

No Spend Days: 7

Bachelorette Weekend: $203

Grocery: $1065 (this includes the food we feed Ernie – boiled chicken, canned green beans, canned carrots, canned pumpkin – and pretty much all of our toiletries, too. We also have household supplies in this amount.

Meals Out with Tom, family, Happy Hours: $387

Clothing: $242 (some for Jack and some for the Bachelorette thrift exchange)

Gifts: $150

Pedicure: $20

Notes: It felt like a long month! Some of the grocery expense was for the Bachelorette weekend – the things I made ahead of time.

Also, I could have forgotten a few things as I wasn’t as careful as I had been in January and February.

Here is how I did in February and January!

Amy

Monday, April 10, 2023

Hi! I’ve missed you! My break was good, though. I did post on Wednesday for the Currently link up if you didn’t see it!

Blogging is so much fun, but it’s time-consuming. I don’t spend nearly as much time as many bloggers do, but writing the posts, adding and editing the photos, and responding to comments all take a lot of time and have me looking at a screen for more time than is probably healthy. I knew I needed a break from my computer.

So, it’s been good and it also has me rejuvenated!

I thought I would do a diary-like post of what I did during my Spring Break. Hope you enjoy this!

Friday, March 31 – Brunch with Victoria at new The House of Marigold. It was what all of my bougie brunch dreams were made of and a great way to start my break. Tom was working so the day was my oyster. Victoria and I have been friends for 22 years. She used to teach next door to me but now is at a different school. We have been very good about staying in touch. For dinner, I made a new to me one pot orzo recipe for Tom and I and it was good! We started getting high winds and storms and I couldn’t sleep, unfortunately.

Saturday, April 1 – Stayed home pretty much all day except for an early morning Trader Joe’s run(it was so windy and I was worried we would lose power but we didn’t) and made German dinner and our kids were home, too. We watched one episode of Ted Lasso and a couple episodes of Daisy Jones together. We also went out and got our first DQ Blizzard of the season after dinner. Tom, Jack and I all get Heath and Mason gets M and M.

Sunday, April 2 – Went to a play on college campus while Tom did yard work. Kids stayed on campus and I went home. Then, Tom and I met our friends at Upland Brewing for dinner. We hadn’t seen Scott and Jessica for a long time so it was good to catch up.

I picked up two fun books from the library on Friday, too. I really enjoyed the little French book and found it very interesting. I am almost finished with the second book and it’s cute but predictable.

A note on Tom taking off:

Tom requested the week off a long time ago when we didn’t know what we would do this week or if we would travel. He used to only take off when we traveled, but now we know that it can be good and healthy to have time at home. He really needed this week off.

I made breakfast and lunch for us several days, but I also wanted to eat out a bit and I think we did a nice mix. We also had a nice mix of productivity and fun. He checked several things off of his list and so did I.

I was on a kick with a re-creation of the bagel sandwich I always got at our bagel place before it went out of business. You toast an everything bagel and spread garden veggie cream cheese and then add slices of cucumber and tomato and it is delish! The best everything bagels I have found are from Trader Joe’s. I keep them in the freezer and pull one out at a time.

The German meal:

I made pork schitzel with a sauce, red cabbage, and pan fried potatoes – German style.

We went to Upland Brewing Company and they have an amazing view of the Louisville skyline. I wasn’t that impressed with the food; it was fine, but I would go back for the view!

I got a salmon BLT:

My friend Jessica and I:

Her husband Scott and Tom humoring us for a photo!

Monday, April 3 – Went to see Champions in the afternoon – so good! I made us a light dinner of spinach salad with warm bacon dressing when we got home. We prefer an afternoon movie.

Tuesday, April 4 – I went consignment shopping in the morning and had some scores you will seen soon! Then, we went to dinner with our friend Eric who was home alone – his family was on vacay without him – and then to the first baseball game of the season.

I also made my first ever homemade salsa because I found my immersion blender! It looks a mess in the big bowl I used but it was really good! We had the salsa for lunch with some sandwiches.

So, back to Tuesday night before the baseball game with Eric…

We tried to go here, but it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so we went to the restaurant in front of it called La Bodeguita de Mima. It was early so we got right in without a reservation.

First baseball game of the season for the Louisville Bats (farm team for the Cincinatti Reds)…

Eric sent this pic to his family group chat and titled it “Baseball game with Mom and Dad”! Dad doesn’t smile for photos. It’s really funny that Eric ended up in the middle of us, right?

Wednesday, April 5 – I had wanted to take Tom to eat at The Bardstown Bourbon Company where I had the tour as part of Elizabeth’s Bachelorette Party.

We visited the cute downtown of Bardstown and went in some shops:

Then, we had lunch here:

Their old fashioned is amazing.

We also ran into someone we know!

We split a goat cheese beet salad:

I got the fried chicken sandwich and a glass of rose and Tom got a brisket sandwich.

We had a beautiful, but windy day and we got lucky because there was a tornado watch all day. When we got home I read outside and then the weather turned on us and we had a tornado warning along with rain and storms. The sirens went off and everything and Tom and I just watched the radar on tv. Luckily it was pretty mild and over with quickly. We didn’t lose power. Our college kids texted us that they were in basements of different buildings where they had class.

Then, we walked Ernie in the aftermath and he was in heaven!

I made lettuce wraps for dinner – yum!

And, we watched Murder Mystery 2, which was pretty darn good surprisingly!

I hadn’t slept well the night before because I think I was too hot. So, I slept like a baby Thursday night and it felt great.

Thursday, April 6 – Tom had a problem with his air pods so he asked if I wanted to go to the mall to the Apple store to speak with a genius. We went right at 10 when they opened but nothing else was open except Macy’s! The mall is a ghost town! It feels weird to go to malls in 2023.

Before we left, I had made chocolate chip cookie dough so it could be chilling. When we got home, I made the cookies in my new oven. The best I have ever made! I also had to go do a grocery pick up. Our kids came home around 4:00 for their Easter break and were very happy to find these cookies!

For lunch I made myself a salad with my leftover chicken from Wednesday’s restaurant lunch:

Jack had to leave to go sing in a church service with his college choir and I made the Tik Tok pasta but with Boursin and I also made angel hair chicken alfredo.

We watched some tv and it was early to bed for me again. I went to bed by 10 at the latest most nights of break but I did sleep in later. I needed it!

And, that is where I am going to leave you until Friday Favorites where I will recap the rest of the break which is just the Easter weekend.

Wake up! The post is over!

Amy

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Y’all knew I couldn’t stay away all week, right? I am mainly on here to announce the winner of Marie’s Lilla Rose giveaway…

She has also already emailed the winner…

Barbara (queenbibmibc)!

Congrats to Barbara!

Thank you to all of you who entered and if you didn’t win, I hope you will consider ordering one from Marie, if it’s something you need and will use, of course.

But, I also want to support my friend Jennifer and her Currently link up! If you are new to this, she chooses five present participles (language nerd!) and we fill in our responses with photos and words.

My answers are pretty much all inspired by the fact that I am on Spring Break and it’s a Staycation for me with a couple of day trips.

Loving

The blue skies, green grass, and wonderful spring weather!

Tom has the yard looking really nice! A rare front view of the casa:

And, having the time to just read and not be in a hurry.

Hoping

I can keep my spring closet pared down and organized! I did a nice little clean out on Sunday.

Playing

My kids invited me to a college play that they were not in but wanted to see and I said “yes”. It was 30 plays in 60 minutes and it was a pretty cool concept. The audience picked the order. They completed all of the plays in 60 minutes!

Needing

I am needing to make this again! I looked up a recipe for spinach salad with warm bacon dressing and it turned out amazing. I love when these are on a restaurant menu, but dare I say that mine turned out better? I cooked the red onions and mushrooms which I think helped.

Feeling

I am feeling nostaglic when I see pictures of baby Ernie pop up in my memories. He is still doing well and we are so grateful and thankful.

And, I was feeling all the feels with this movie. Tom and I both loved it. We both love Woody, too.

So, that’s what is happening Currently for me!

What about you?

Amy

Friday, March 31, 2023

Can you even believe that it is the last day of March and tomorrow is April? March went by quickly and I was fairly busy which leads to one of my favorites which I will tell you about in a minute. I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for their fun Friday Favorites link up.

My first favorite is that I have not shopped this month since this post! I think it’s a product of the month being cold, pulling out my spring stuff from last year, and just being busier and lacking time or desire to shop when I did have free time.

Another favorite is that…yesterday I turned my alarm off until April 10th! I am a morning person, but my alarm goes off way too early and I want to get up because I want to get up and not because a device is telling me to get up!

I made it to the gym 3 times and I’m counting that as a win! It was rough and I am sore.

I started watching the Diana years on The Crown. I was bored by the earlier stuff and gave it up a couple of years ago and I started back and then realized this will be nice before Charles’ coronation in May.

This is Ernie’s friend Maisie. She was out a lot this week on our walks!

Ah, it’s been sunny but still a bit of chill in the air, but one day Erica came over for a margarita. The sun felt so good!

My students made little posters of their spring break plans. It seems like fewer than maybe ever are traveling this year. And, many are going to Red River Gorge, Gatlinburg, or Pigeon Forge which are all within a few hours drive. Many are doing college visits, too. Not that many are taking big trips.

I broke out the white jeans yesterday with a very old consignment blouse from Target originally.

I was inspired by Kellyann to return anything from Amazon that isn’t just right or that I change my mind about. Many people have talked about the amber oil as a perfume and I found it way too strong.

Here is my tip if you have multiple returns at one time. Screenshot your return code and then edit and use the mark up feature to write what the item is. See the word “amber”. Maybe I am slow and you already do this!

And, to celebrate the start of spring break, Erica and I went to Boombozz after school and they had half price drinks!

And, before I go, I haven’t talked about my nails much lately, but I have been using regular polish in a pale pink color. It is my Kur polish and I think it lasts longer than my gel system. Yeah, the gel just doesn’t last that long for me. I love this Kur brand but it’s pricey. However, I am going to use up the whole bottle and how often can I say that?

I had a really good find this week. These are really good cooked in the air fryer and dressed like a normal burger. I would like to give it a Mexican spin next time.

This is a really good flavor!

Now that the weather is warming up, I am drinking out of my mason jars more. I just love to do this for some reason. I deeply care about glassware! Ha! I will judge a restaurant on its glassware and dishes.

As I type this, I have my Lilla Rose hair flexi flip in. Have you entered the giveaway? It is open until April 4th! Marie will contact you and I will announce the winner here, too, but remember I am taking a blogging break until April 10th.

I will miss you, but I think this will be good for me.

As always, thank you so much for supporting me here in this space,

Amy

Thursday, March 30, 2023

I had already posted my Tuesday post when I heard about what happened in Nashville. I really have no words. Well, I have lots of words that probably aren’t appropriate to type. So, I hadn’t planned to post yesterday and I am glad because I was not in a good state to do so. I did read a good post at Cup of Jo here, if you would also like to read it. Just click anywhere on the red type.

I am linking up with Kellyann and Jill today for Fashion Files. Yes, I do realize it seems so silly to share about what you wear and there is no good way to segue.

I am reaching for all of my long sleeved springy blouses, my new Olukai mules, and jeans lately. It’s easy and I like this look.

Here I am wearing a Target blouse from a few years ago. My jeans are also from Target in the style I have in black, darker wash, and lighter wash. I did decide to cut and fray the ones below. I feel like they looked a bit longer because they are looser. Even though I have all three in the same size, the black is the most snug and the lighter wash is the most loose. Another reason to always try things on and to not get hung up on the sizing.

I believe this is the same day – I changed into my green blouse and darker jeans to have dinner with Beth. I think you can even tell that the darker fit better?

Friday it was raining but we had the junior awards ceremony. I wore my Walmart Scoop dress from last year and changed into tan suede boots.

Friday after school to try out the new liquor store/bar I changed into my new cut and frayed lighter wash Target jeans, my Old Navy blouse, and my gold clogs.

Saturday for my father in law’s party I didn’t get a full length photo, but I wore my Target magenta little house on the prairie dress and my tan boots again.

Sunday I did a little window shopping and broke out one of my two pairs of Target cut offs. I have on a very old Costco white top.

Monday for school I wore a very old Target blouse.

Tuesday for school I wore my black Target jeans and the chambray version of the cream top in my Friday happy hour photo.

And, finally yesterday for school I wore the darker denim Target jeans again with my new TJ Maxx blouse.

See what I mean about jeans and blouses?

So, what have you been wearing?

Are you doing ok? This is some heavy stuff.

Amy

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

I must admit I wasn’t really in the market for any hair doo dads. I wear my hair straight, with a headband (second day hair!), or in a ponytail. I use a scrunchie at home for my ponytail and a plain hairtie if I wear a ponytail out.

Marie, a reader and a blogger, reached out to me about this company of which she is a rep. Click on her name and you can see some more of the Lilla Rose products. I was honest with her and said that some of them didn’t seem very “me”.

But, I did see this Flexi Sport and I was intrigued. Marie told me I could pick any color so I picked black.

Then, I saw this rainbow-ish Flexi flip and I thought it was really pretty.

Marie sent them to me a couple of weeks ago, so I have had some time to play around with them and see what I think.

The way you measure your hair for what size you need is really interesting. I have a lot of fine hair and I thought I would need the biggest size, but that was not true. Also, you can flip the clip two ways – one to hold more hair and the other to hold less. This would be good for a half up style like I have in the second picture below.

I wore my hair to school with the black Flexi Sport and didn’t touch it all day. I couldn’t believe it held my hair and I also couldn’t believe how comfortable it was. Marie said she can even sleep in it. It was really easy to use, too.

Front view:

So…

The winner of Marie’s giveaway gets a Flexi Flip or Flexi Sport of your choice (up to $25)! How cool is that!

Flexi Flips and Flexi Sports are beautiful hair clips designed by Lilla Rose. Lilla Rose makes elegant, well-made, unique hair clips, bobby pins, hair bands, sticks, and other hair accessories.

A little more information about their products from Marie:

Flexi Sports and Flexi Flips have a unique curved pin design that provides up to three different sizes in one clip. The dual pin flips to hold more or less hair depending on the hairstyle.

They will work in all kinds of hair from baby fine to super thick. They are made with music wire which makes them super strong but very flexible so you do not have to worry about headaches that you sometimes get with hair ties or the claw.They are both lightweight, super comfortable, and will not damage your hair like scrunchies and hair claws

The Flexi Flips are Made with a variety of semi-precious stones,colors, finishes and designs.The Flexi Flips will not slip and will hold your hair beautifully all day.

Flexi Sports have a silicone type rubbery covering which means they grip and will not slip. Active women love the Flexi Sport:

• Grips, no slippin
• Simple styles, not flashy
• Waterproof
• Latex free
• Cute, fun colors
• Athletes Love I
• Fits an active life
• Super lightweight
• Well-made and budget friendly.

Flexi Flips and Flexi Sports are both lifesavers for busy women or women who may struggle with fixing their hair. You can do your hair beautifully in seconds and be ready for the day.  

This giveaway is by Marie, Independent Lilla Rose Stylist and not Lilla Rose Inc.

I plan to wear mine as the weather warms up! I like to put my hair up more as it gets hotter. I think they could also look cute at the pool. If you have teen girls, I think they might really like them, too. I am noticing more teens wearing different kinds of clips and barrettes in their hair lately.

Learn more at  www.lillarose.biz/mariew/flips!

I am pretty excited to have a new hair doo dad! Thank, Marie, for my new accessories!

If you wish to enter the giveaway, click here!

Amy

Monday, March 27, 2023

It’s Monday and that means it’s time to link up with Sarah and Holly to share our weekends!

Let’s go back to Thursday…

I had not seen my friend Beth for about two months so it was time to change that. We found out that the bougie Mexican restaurant in the church (I went there for my birthday) has a really good happy hour from 4:00–6:00. The restaurant is called Noche and we arrived around 5:00. We couldn’t believe how hoppin’ it was!

Half off margarita:

Free chips and salsa and I can’t remember what the queso deal was:

I got the burrito and could only eat half. I took the other half to Mason along with all the leftover chips and queso because I saw him for a minute right after we ate.

On the way to meet Beth, I picked up two highly anticipated reads from the library:

Have you read either one?

Friday was a super easy day at school. We had junior awards ceremony and I teach a large majority of juniors. I was one of the presenters and then had basically no one in the rest of my classes as juniors could sign out immediately after the ceremony.

I was so tired, though! I went home and made myself an afternoon coffee. The wind and rain had kept me up a couple of nights and my windchime seems to really be bothering me. I think we are going to have to take it down on windy nights. Honestly, I also think I was still tired from last weekend’s shenanigans.

Around 3:00, I met Erica at a new to me place that is really cool. It is a liquor shop with a bar. It has a real industrial vibe. They sell some bagged munchies, but also allow you to bring in your own food or order food. They have live music most Friday and Saturday nights and some Thursdays, I believe.

It is called Frankfort Avenue Liquors.

They also have a party space in the back.

I am picky about my cocktails. These weren’t cheap, but I am willing to pay if it is good.

I had an espresso martini. I thought it would continue to help my tired state!

And, we both had a paper plane which they called a Clifton train. The neighborhood is called Clifton and there is a train that runs right by the bar/store. Also, we met the owner at the St. Patrick’s Day parade so I like supporting local people.

I got home around 5:30 and Tom and I walked Ernie and he was like a kid at a water park.

I took some videos, too. He was so cute!

I whipped up an Asian inspired dinner with a salad.

And, I think I went to bed around 9:00. Ain’t no tired like March teacher tired before their spring break, you know?

I got up Saturday morning and started this:

I felt super weird reading a book about an octopus, but really don’t be afraid of that. It’s about so much more. I am now almost done because I couldn’t put it down much of Saturday and Sunday and the beautiful weather Sunday meant I could read outside!

I hit the gym. It’s been awhile. My card didn’t scan at first because it was like “Oh, so you want to come see me now? Who do you think you are?”

Sun Tan City had a deal where you could unfreeze your membership for $1 so I went there after the gym. I am working the deals.

Then, I shopped at the Walmart Neighborhood grocery which is just the food section of a Walmart but probably not even as big as their food section. I think I’m gonna start shopping there more.

I put groceries away, cleaned, made sandwiches (our kids had come home), got ready and then all four of us piled in the same car – it had been awhile – to drive about an hour and a half for Tom’s Dad’s 80th surprise birthday dinner.

Tom’s Dad and sister are below. Tom’s sister did a great job of putting the guest list, meal, and details together.

You could choose hot brown:

ribeye:

or fish and chips:

She brought a Nothing Bundt Cake cake in red velvet:

Tom’s trying to smile, but now Jack isn’t:

My niece Morgan:

I didn’t get a picture with my niece Brooke, unfortunately.

Two sets of brother and sister. This is Tom’s aunt Mimi:

I think he was very touched and it was really nice. There were family members and a few close family friends. None of my photos are very good!

On the way home we had a beautiful sunset:

Sunday morning I got up and read for a couple of hours.

Then, I made breakfast burritos for the week, turkey meatballs, cauliflower rice, and banana bread. I worked on blog stuff, too. It felt nice to have time to do these things because I have been busier than normal and busier than I prefer to be.

Tom did a 2.5 hour bike ride and then our kids headed back to campus for some commitments and Tom and I took our furry kid to the very high river.

I came home and read outside and the weather was just amazing! I had on shorts and a tank top!

Then, I did go to a couple of stores but didn’t buy much. Tom did our first mow of the season.

I will be back here tomorrow, Thursday for Fashion Files, and then Friday for Faves. I am taking a very rare blogging break from Saturday, April 1 until Monday, April 10. But, then we are celebrating my 5 year anniversary of blogging! How is that possible?

Tell me something about your weekend!

Amy

Friday, March 24, 2023

Well, after today we only have 4 school days until spring break next week! Both of my sisters are off starting today! So happy for them. One is traveling and one is staying home.

I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites, of course!

Thank you for all the responses to my Guest Post by Ernie. He thinks you all are really cool and he has wagged his tail over every comment.

Thank you all also for all the comments on my Bachelorette Camp Elizabeth post.

Let’s talk about a few favorites from this week, shall we?

I love my new oven! I even tried the air fryer feature! No, it’s not convection; it’s literally air frying. Tom and I plan to get rid of the countertop air fryer when we re-do our kitchen and we will just use this.

I signed up for Ipsy again! I did it years ago and then stopped when I had accumulated so many products and little makeup pouches.

Look what I got in my first bag:

My favorite is the Yensa. I love the texture and you could simply wear this without foundation.

I also got this – it is muy bright…

Then, I couldn’t believe I got a full size Orfa…

bronzer/highlighter palette. This is gorgeous and I think it works really well!

I still love my Seint, but I am having fun playing with new stuff that I don’t have to be overwhelmed about in an Ulta or Sephora store.

I made a good Slender Kitchen dinner here:

At the bachelorette cabin, we had this brioche. I prefer the thicker Trader Joe’s brioche for French toast, but this makes a mean grilled cheese. Try it!

Try a caprese:

tomato, basil, fresh mozzarella, and a drizzle of balsamic. Restaurant quality! You would pay $15 for this in a restaurant, you feel?

This is the look of our mudroom and our hall bathroom and I don’t hate it for the future kitchen. This was in the bachelorette cabin.

Look how stinking cute! Do I need them? No! But, aren’t they cute? They are called “picnic”!

I bought these glasses from Amazon recommended by The Big Boo Podcast. They are not very darkly tinted for a super sunny day, but I like their vibe.

I really need to take down my St. Pat’s decor and put out my Easter decor. I also really want to remove anything that looks too wintery from my closet section that I pull from. I’m ready to wear springy blouses, light cardigans, and dresses. What about you?

Any favorites from the week?

Any fun weekend plans?

Amy

Thursday, March 23, 2023 – It’s 3/23/23!

It’s Thursday and time to link up with Fashion Files with Kellyann and Jill.

I will be honest and say that when the weather turned cold it was hard to care what I wore. But, then I was like, my classroom is 80 so I will still pretend it feels like spring and throw my winter coat over whatever I’m wearing.

Let’s go back to last Wednesday, because I don’t think I shared this photo last week. If I did, I apologize!

I wore my new TJ Maxx blouse – it just makes me happy to look at these colors in my closet – with my Wit and Wisdom baby flares that I ordered from Nordstrom back in the fall. I feel great in these jeans. They are a bit snug in the waist, but not uncomfortably so. I wore them with my gold clogs to start the day and changed into sneakers later on because I was proctoring a test and wanted to be quiet.

Thursday I wore my last year’s Target blouse that is floral but almost looks like little shamrocks. I wore my consignment Kut from the Kloth jeans with sneakers. I know this would have looked better with a clog or sandal with some height. Also, notice the difference between the dark and light jean. I think the dark looks much more flattering. Again, I was proctoring so I had to wear quiet shoes.

I changed into my Target Universal Thread straight slightly cropped jeans when I got home along with my gold clogs to go meet Jennifer, but we didn’t get a full body photo.

Friday was St. Patrick’s Day and I wore this to work. I have on Target jeans, New Balance sneakers, a white tank from Chico’s, and my Loft striped shirt. A lot of kids wore green so they wouldn’t get pinched.

Yes, I did wear all the green last week! I wore the same outfit, but added my bearrings (beer earrings) and switched to the gold clogs for the bourbon tour.

Then, at the cabin, we were given flannel shirts so I just switched out the striped for the flannel.

Saturday during the day I wore my rock and roll graphic tee with an Old Navy flannel over it. Then, I put my hot pink sweater over it for the thrift store wear your favorite color theme.

Back to school!

I wore this old Old Navy butterfly blouse that I love with my yellow sweater and Matilda Janes. I can’t seem to have the right black spring shoes to wear with something like this. I have to reach for my black Tieks but I wish I had something different. Footwear for teaching is really tricky.

I wore my Loft consignment blouse and red Matilda Janes and again the black flats.

And, finally, I wore black leggings, my chambray popover, a beige sweater with my rain boots because we had a “hydrologic outlook”. Did you weather app say that, too? I brought these clogs to change into, but I took the socks off.

We have a separate junior and senior prom and junior prom is this Saturday, so I thought I would leave you with my favorite prom dress. The year was 1990. This was my boyfriend Scott. He was a junior and I was a senior. Sorry, Scott, you’re on the blog now.

What have you been wearing lately?

Do you have a favorite of mine this week?

Amy