Well, yesterday gave me a taste of spring weather. It hit 60 degrees here! Erica and I walked on the track while the track team was practicing. We could also see the baseball team practicing. It felt like spring! But, alas, we do have a winter weather advisory coming tomorrow. It’s too early anyway. February is still winter.
Also, today is Groundhog Day! Will he see his shadow? Ha!
I am sure you can find so many different lists with so many different trends, but here are some I found that I will briefly talk about.
Are you trendy? I still like to study trends and try some out. Why not?
mini skirts – I think the best skirt length for me is knee length and I do have a jean mini skirt. Now, I’m not too comfortable going too mini.
gingham – love it! I could totally go for a gingham blouse.
seersucker – love it! I’m kinda in the south so we see quite a bit around here.
matching sets – I guess this means like a blazer and shorts or a sweatshirt and shorts. It looked really odd to me at first, but it is growing on me. I think I could try this if it were the right thing.
catsuits – no thank you. I need to use the restroom sometimes.
crochet – love it. I am a fan of the 70s vibe. I have seen some really cute light crochet sweaters that would go over a blouse or t-shirt.
fringe – depends on what it is. I have been known to love some fringe.
statement cutouts – this feels too much like the cold shoulder trend which was odd in my opinion. I’m not going to say never, but I will be cautious about this one for myself.
shrug sweaters – ummm, this feels very Clueless or Friends era. I guess I would have to see the modern iteration of this trend.
white– yes! I love white! But, white does not love me. I always spill something.
bras as tops – ummmm, no thank you. A bra is a bra and a top is a top.
It is time to link up with Tanya and many more to share what we bought from Amazon in January.
I bought these glasses and I really like them and they hold a ton! Anyone watched this yet? I love how Kristen Bell pours her wine. No, I do not do the same! I think there are some less pricey versions of this style.
This was a happy accident. I really like the new to me Soothe & Sleep.
Have you heard hot rollers are back? I just donated a set of very large rollers. I wanted a variety of sizes so I got this set. I don’t love the clips to hold them on and I don’t love the design to be honest. I probably should have spent out a bit more, but I picked a cheaper option.
Big, Texas hair, anyone?
Yeah, I’m not so sure.
Now, I have not styled this yet so it may go back… It is total t-shirt material so I sized up. It is really long, but I will probably tuck it.
And, same with the skirt above – I haven’t styled it yet and if it doesn’t work I will send it back.
I love this sweater! I have worn it maybe 3 times already! I sometimes think Amazon doesn’t use the real photo because I can’t see how this would ever be off the shoulder and I don’t even think the neckline is the same?
And, I wore this to school yesterday and I really like it.
Just so you know, I am very, very picky about materials and I won’t wear something that is even remotely scratchy.
Now, the next products you can find on Amazon, but I bought them in the stores.
Now, please don’t take my feminist card away, but I have information that I feel I need to share. Do not waste your money on Scrub Mommy. Scrub Daddy is way better.
I gave Mommy a chance but I recently went back to Daddy.
This is a great lip product! I learned about it from Polka Dotty Place on Instagram. It feels amazing! It is called Neutrogena Moisture Smooth Color Stick.
I use the bottom first – a pencil on one end and then a little sponge brush on the other then follow it up with the top one. Great products and won’t break the bank.
What has the blue van been bringing to your house lately? Why did that sound creepy?
It’s time for another link up with Holly and Sarah!
It is the final day of January! Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out, January!
So…where do we begin…I will begin with the fact that I had a runny nose for a few days and then the mildest sore throat for like a day and then the mildest congestion for like a day but didn’t think much of it. I got my booster shot in December, by the way. The teacher two doors down had Covid along with her two daughters on Monday so Wednesday morning before school I took a home test and it was positive. I really didn’t think it would be! Then, the teacher between the one with Covid and I texted me that she was positive! I called in sick and just did nothing basically that day. I didn’t feel that bad!
The home test:
Later that afternoon I made an appointment for the drive through testing site. I had made it almost two years with never getting tested! Ha!
I drove through Chick Fil A and picked up groceries while awaiting my results! I had 5 real nuggets and a small fry with my grilled nuggets and a small vanilla shake. You gotta do what you gotta do when you are a little under the weather. The shake sounded really good.
I got my results and it was officially positive. By the way, Tom did the same drive through about 30 minutes after me and he was negative. So, I moved out of my bedroom into another bedroom and wore a mask when Tom was home and if I needed to be fairly close to him.
I made arrangements to teach from home Thursday and Friday if I didn’t get worse. They sent my students to the library and I used Google Meet. I didn’t have tons of energy and I couldn’t have taught in person even if I was allowed, but this seemed ok.
I ordered Panera delivery for lunch and tried their new Thai chicken soup – yum – and got a mediterranean vegetable sandwich but I put it in my own low carb wrap.
A couple of kids took pictures of our class. It was cute!
They wanted to see Ernie.
Thursday was the day I felt the worst I think and I was questioning my decision to try to teach online and not just rest. But, I finished up for the day and rested the rest of the afternoon and evening.
I woke up to this on Friday and hadn’t even known it was a possibility!
I made myself a homemade bagel sandwich and started teaching.
It was cold!
In the late morning, we got word that they would be dismissing school at 11:45 so I didn’t have to teach the whole day.
So, over the time at home I had some good tv to watch.
Watch this! It is on Netflix.
And this! This is on Hulu or network tv.
And, this is on Hulu.
Friday when Tom got home I walked Ernie with him and the fresh air felt good. Ernie goes crazy in the snow. He just turned 9 this year, by the way. He still seems so energetic and I do not want to think about him getting older.
Erica had dropped off her meals on my porch that I didn’t get to eat – Meatloaf and shepherd’s pie for around 6 WW points each. So, Tom and I split those for dinner with a couple of other leftover tidbits.
I am also really into this book and I’ve been reading while not watching t.v.
And, I think these glitter manis are lasting so long…
I have been going to bed at 9 every night and really trying to get the sleep I need.
I can imagine how challenging this would be to have lot of people in the house. Tom has left everyday at 7 and come home around 6 and then I just had to be careful/wear a mask when he was home.
I woke up Saturday morning feeling great! One of my goals has been to reduce food waste and use up foods. I had some holiday foods lingering – I made a half recipe of monkey bread. For some reason, I had used one of the cans of biscuits I bought, but not the other.
And, Chex Mix with Cheerios. Did you know they have heart shapes in the regular boxes now? They have some regular o’s and then the hearts! So cute for Valentine’s Day!
And, then I ate too much of each on Saturday. Oops.
Because February 1st is coming, I want to try one of these this week but with glitter! Lol! I also plan to wear my heart clothing! And, any red and pink I own!
I wouldn’t do the hearts and the dots – just the color pattern.
Sunday morning I had a Target drive up order and I had a testing appointment at 12. It is so nice to have delivery and drive up options for times like this.
And, Sunday afternoon I got a:
Woohoo!
Tom knew I needed to get out. We went to an Irish pub called The Raven.
a Harp beer:
fries with curry:
I got a leek soup and Tom got a seafood chowder.
And, Tom wanted a Guiness chocolate cheesecake.
They also sell Irish candy so we bought these but haven’t tried them yet.
It was just what I needed. Today is back to school but I’m really happy! I have a super busy week and so much to get caught up on, too. But, I’m happy to tackle it.
Happy Friday! It’s time to link up with Andrea, Erika and many more right here!
Here is a hodge podge of things that were my faves this week when going back through my camera roll!
We went back to in person school on Monday and boy was re-entry a bit crazy. It felt like coming back again after winter break! But, it was so good to have the normal school noises and the energy of the kids. Also, we had 18 teachers out on Monday (out of 120)!
Last Friday when I had Erica and Elizabeth over my wine glass collection was embarrassing! I had my eye on these. I thought I was ordering 4, but I only got 2. They are awesome and bigger than I expected! I guess I will order 2 more!
I really like this and should have known I would because I love most Method products. I just want to clean more when I like my products.
I hate to waste WW points on creamer, but this is really good ; it is 1 point per tablespoon. I have gone back and forth about creamers because I have to have it!
I know someone recommended the show Younger to me a long time ago but I never got around to watching it. I saw it in passing on Hulu the other day and started it and it is so good! Anyone watch/watched it?
I thought I should show you the exact glitter color I am using. If you are a regular reader, you know I am on a glitter kick. It really hides any imperfections and it is just fun for this time of year? It is kinda surprising how different it looks on than in the bottle.
Above is two coats of Essie Marshmallow with one coat of OPI Cheers to Mani Years followed by an Orly top coat.
I think I want to try red for V Day? But, in the meantime, I tried my OPI Gelato on my MInd under it.
I really like it!
Check out my post from yesterday about my V Day sweaters! Yes, I am wearing them all the time now and I hope I will wear them past February!
And, this is the one my son said made me look like a Care Bear!
Monday the bathroom tile was completed! I love what we picked; I think we chose it three years ago so I was a bit worried that I would not like it anymore. Now we wait on the back ordered shower tile. We are having trouble finding a free standing double vanity. If you have suggestions on retailers, let me know. Tom is super picky and we are trying to stay within our budget = not a great combination.
I really want to drink more tea. The Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice is so good and I enjoyed a cup after school one day. It is caffeine free, which is also important to me in the afternoon. I double up on the tea bags to make it a bit stronger. If you are a tea drinker, leave me your favorite in the comments!
Another happy accident! I ordered what I thought was Dr. Teal Relax and Relief from Amazon but I got Soothe and Sleep and like it just as much!
And, I will leave you with the funniest thing I saw on the internet this week…
Hahahaha!
I hope you had lots of favorites this week! Can you believe it will be February next week?
Hello and welcome to Fashion Files here where we link up to show our style each Thursday.
Here are my real life clothes!
My vibe last week was jeans and sweaters while I taught virtually from my classroom. This is my black Amazon sweater that I bought to wear with my leopard skirt, my Target jeans, and my new sneakers. While the sweater has some pills, I have worn it and washed it (laid flat to dry) enough to recommend it. I could have gone up one size I think.
Speaking of going up one size…a sweet reader talked to me in the comments about people gravitating towards ponchos to hide (and that I shouldn’t) and that is quite true. I am not excited to wear my ponchos anymore.
So, I can’t seem to help it – I want my holiday clothing. I ordered this but in no way is it off the shoulder. I don’t even think it would be off the shoulder on anyone because the neck is just not that wide.
Here is how it fits on me:
I wore non-jeans to start this week back with students.
Here I am wearing it with jeans on Saturday:
It comes in multiple colors and at $37, it is a bit pricey for an Amazon sweater, but this also fits my theory that one needs to pay a bit more for an Amazon clothing purchase to be a worthwhile one? And, maybe this isn’t true, but it has seemed true for me.
I am happy with both of them and decided to keep both. My son did tell me I look like a Care Bear in the second one and gosh, I’m just happy that he knows all of the 80s pop culture I worked to instill in him.
I don’t know if dropped shoulders are that great for me, but on these two items I decided I didn’t care.
I know I said I was done with winter clothing, but I got bored. I needed something to show up on my doorstep, you know?
What have you been wearing lately?
Buying lately?
Do you have a favorite outfit/non-outfit from above?
It’s been awhile, so I thought I would talk products and routine today. I use the term “beauty” loosely.
The final product – a tired 50 year old woman:
One of my goals this year is to use up what I have before buying new stuff. Tom rejected the Costco shampoo and conditioner below and I don’t love it, either. But, I will try to use it and be happy.
I love this Dr. Teal’s Relax and Relief and it works well for my evening shower routine. I take my shower after dinner and wash my hair every other night. When I don’t wash my hair, I still take a “body” shower because I just like to get in my sheets “clean”. I also take a quick morning body shower every day because again “clean”. I also just find it easier to do my saline and face washing in the shower. But, I am super, super quick. Why am I using so many quotation marks?
Love, love, love both of these products! I swear by this saline spray and use it twice a day.
I am “saving” my self tanner now because I can be January pale right now. I use and love Lubriderm. It really helps with winter dry skin.
I really like these eye drops and they do make the whites of your eyes whiter. I remember when my twins were little and one of them was asked what their eye color was; he said, “white”. Bahahaha!
So, The Ordinary products are very reasonably priced, but the facial wash and the moisturizer didn’t last very long at all. I do love both of these serums, though and they will last forever. I am really new to serums. Any serum people in the house?
On the non wash the night before hair days, I use this and love it.
I use a 1.5 inch barrel regular old curling iron. I never dry my hair since I wash at night.
I curl and then use this comb and this hairspray. Sometimes if my hair is too clean, I use the Dove to help hold my style.
I clip the top hair up and curl the bottom and then do the top.
This looks really messy and I need to clean it up, but I am still loving my Seint makeup system.
You use their brush and blend all of this together!
I am loving these lip crayons lately.
I really love this blush and will apply it on top of the Seint sometimes.
It has a nice subtle shimmer.
Remember how much I love cream eye shadow and specifically Charlotte Tilbury? Well, I found that Burt’s Bees is pretty darn good and much cheaper and can be found at your local drug store. So, I do that on the lid and then line with one of the powder shadows in this set.
I love this NYX brow and I’m using Grande mascara right now but I am getting ready to try Thrive Causemetics mascara.
You can see my eyes here:
This is what I use for undereye somedays but somedays I don’t do anything. Suggestions welcome!
I’m really content with most of my products for the first time in forever! But, I always love to learn about new things, too.
What is your ride or die product? Like, if you run out you might have a panic attack product? Are you a product junkie? I wouldn’t say that I really am. I find it overwhelming to walk in Ulta and Sephora. I don’t know where to look or what to do.
I guess I could do an Eating Lately post each week, because I almost always have a new food, recipe or product to recommend! You all seem to respond to these posts. It seems that I’m not the only one trying to eat healthier!
But, first…my weight had not changed much between early November and January. At this point I had lost about 46ish pounds. I had my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, of course. And, I was not that upset. By the way, if you are new around here, I started on this journey on April 8th, 2021. I feel like even though the scale wasn’t moving that my body was changing, my face looked thinner, my attitude was changing, my energy level was changing, my mental state was changing, and so much more…you know? My goal was really just to maintain during the holidays. Also, I changed from WW Purple to WW Personal Points when they rolled out the new plan in early November. I think it took me a while to use my points in the most efficient way, if that makes sense.
So…finally, the first week of January the scale started moving! I am now down about 6 more pounds since early November for a grand total of 53 pounds!
I think the moral of that story is consistency. I stayed consistent. I kept it up. I didn’t get discouraged. So many times in the past I did give up and I did get discouraged.
And, really, the scale is just a damn number. It does not define you. I only weigh once a week. My sister only weighs once every two weeks. Some people stay off the scale totally. You do what works for YOU! You can fluctuate by 6 pounds in a day! Maybe more!
My current goals are:
-to eat 30 g of protein at each meal
-to drink half of my body weight in ounces of water
-to get quality sleep and go to bed when my body tells me it is tired even if that is earlier than I would really like it to be
-to get a cup of vegetables at most meals
-to eat less sugar
-to move my body more – right now I’m trying to do free YouTube workouts and soon Erica and I will start walking outside again.
Here are some not great photos of what I’ve been eating lately…
Also, I am not that great about recipes because I kinda go rogue. Let’s say I am giving you “ideas” and you can Google similar things?
My meal prep partner is stalled right now just like I was. She has lost around 30 pounds and wants to lose 10 more by April. I have been encouraging her to stay consistent just like she encouraged me when I was stalled.
Erica made the most delicious whole wheat linguine with chicken and broccoli and lemon cooked in chicken broth. I gave her the highest compliment I give. It is “restaurant quality”. I will be begging her to make this again!
One night for dinner I made French Onion chicken, roasted green beans, and roasted sweet potato.
Friday night for dinner I made skinny pizza dough pizza and one big breadstick. I just don’t even miss “real” pizza anymore. This recipe is just so good. Go to My Bizzy Kitchen for skinny pizza dough and your life will be changed.
I highly recommend this from Costco. My girl got engaged! We had an impromptu celebration at my house Friday after school and I already had this. I do save room in my points allowance for some wine!
Erica made the most delicious taco casserole last week. I think I’m getting the better end of the bargain here because Erica can cook! We knew we could work from home Thursday so we each took our meal prepped lunch home the day before to stay on track. Since I was home, I cut up two corn tortillas and baked them to make my own tortilla chips and they were the bomb. I will be doing that again soon! I think I did them at 350 for like 10 minutes? I need to figure that out!
I am obsessed with mushroom and onion and try to keep a container in the fridge that I throw in eggs or whatever.
I’ve also been on a red potato kick lately. I microwave and then finish them off for a couple of minutes in my skillet.
I discovered a one point tomato soup:
I made a 3 point Trader Joe’s frozen mini baguette to go with it. I take a bit of spray butter and add some garlic powder.
I also had veggie sushi from Fresh Market with the soup and breadstick. I was super hungry. Honestly, I think sometimes in my journey I needed to eat more to kickstart my metabolism. My WW app says that veggie sushi is about 9 points, but it’s worth it! I’m really trying to learn to listen to my body and not just worry about the points. There are days when you need to eat more. I found out why I was so hungry the next day if you know what I mean. If you don’t, then we will also be fine.
A favorite breakfast of an egg, an egg white, mushrooms and a turkey sausage patty.
I have not been able to find my turkey sausage links or my crumbles so I accepted this sub from Kroger Clicklist. Love them! They are 2 points a patty, but they really taste more like real sausage I think. Plus, it provides some of that protein for my goal of 30 g per meal.
Another happy Kroger accident:
I requested caramel and they gave me cookies and cream. Yum! It tastes like a melted Oreo.
It had been weeks since I had done my breakfast casserole so this past Sunday I got back to it. It is one point per serving for me with the cottage cheese, green chiles, and 6 eggs. I add whatever spices I want. The original recipe called for shredded cheese, but I honestly don’t miss it. That adds lots of points.
I bake it at 350 for 40 minutes and then make 6 portions. Yum!
This week I have 2 lunches to make and Erica has 3. I used these:
I found mine at Costco but my sis says Walmart has them. I really like them!
to make a traditional spaghetti with Laura’s lean ground beef. I added zucchini on the side because we get an extra point per cup of vegetables.
And, I did one of our favorites – AmyLu chicken, gouda, apple sausage and roasted vegetables.
Whew, that was a lot of food! I love what I am eating! I never feel deprived or hungry and when I want something I just eat it and count it and move on.
What have you eaten lately? Any recs? I would love to hear!
I didn’t do too much this weekend, but let’s go back to Friday at school. I opened up my Google Classroom for my seniors and many of them had changed their background to me. I burst out laughing. I am trying to show you without showing their names as they appear on Google Classroom!
Anyway, it was really funny and made my day. Love these kids!
My tile is down!
I really like the tile we chose. It has a linen look.
Friday night was Totino’s frozen pizza for Tom and skinny pizza dough pizza for me. I watched some Real Housewives of Miami after we ate and then crashed at 9:00!
Saturday morning I did a walking exercise video with Bruno Mars music. I liked it.
Tom and I met Erica and Elizabeth and their men at brunch.
I really am liking this salad with my eggs thing lately. I had a vegetable omelette with side salad.
Tom had the same but with different sides.
I will tell you about my new sweater Thursday in Fashion Files!
Tom and I went to Costco in the late afternoon. I hate going there but some people love it.
Tom and I had tomato soup and grilled cheese for dinner for him and random leftovers for me. Jack and Mason came home at 10:30 after a play they saw on campus. I found myself cooking food for them that late. Who am I? Then, they talked to us for a while and we ended up watching a couple of New Girl episodes!
Sunday morning all was right in the world with them asleep under my roof. I did some reading and finished this:
and started this:
Meal Prep time!
I went back to my egg casserole and it has been awhile!
Post coming tomorrow on my meal prep meals for this week!
The rest of the day was pretty lazy with some reading and some tv and then we ended the night with dinner for the four of us at home before the college kids went back.
I found out around 3:00 that our students are coming back in the building today! Yay! I will be one tired teacher, though, from pivoting and getting back in the in person routine.
I hope your Monday goes smoothly and thanks for reading!
I have said it before and I will say it again – the short weeks can fool ya! I am ready for you, Friday! I am linking up today with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favorites!
First of all, this was NOT a favorite. My Tuesday post disappeared! It had to do with me seeing it in my drafts on my WordPress app after it had published and then me trashing the draft. Poof – gone!
So, my post involved my two meal prep lunches this week. I did Buffalo dip stuffed baked potatoes and they were delish!
I topped with green onion, blue cheese, and a little bit of Mexican shredded cheese.
My other lunch was lettuce wraps. You can find lots of variations when you Google ground turkey lettuce wraps. This was not my best batch, but I will make it again I am sure!
Meal prep and good lunches are always a favorite!
So, Jack and Mason went back to college on Monday afternoon. Mason texted me Tuesday morning and said a friend he had seen on Friday while both were wearing masks tested positive. Mason got a PCR test at college and insisted on coming home because he was so worried about his roommate. Mason is about a month past the booster and I assured him that he was fine.
I gave him a home test and it was indeed negative. I convinced him to go back to campus. A day later and he got the PCR negative, too. I mean, I am glad my kids are cautious, but there is such a thing as too much.
It was definitely a favorite that Mason was negative but the drama involved – not a favorite.
Did you order your home tests? I did. Ugh. So over this.
Has anyone wondered about my bathroom project? Well, things have been happening again. We are getting the tile done tonight!
Waiting for my class to join. This person wanted us to see they were reading Harry Potter!
I saw these conversation hearts that are called End the Conversation Hearts. They are wisecracks and kinda mean.
I found them at Fresh Market. I didn’t buy them because I would be tempted.
I did buy this tomato soup there and it is really good. I will buy it again.
I had it for dinner one night and Tom had his favorite Fresh Market corn chowder.
One night I had a Boca cheeseburger.
Do you all know the bread trick? My cookies were not as soft as I like and I stuck a piece of bread in my container and it softened the cookies up.
Over the weekend, Mason wanted to make gluten free cupcakes for a GF friend.
He bought all the supplies and used this:
I took another load of donation bags out of the house this week! 8 bags gone!
I did a Valentine mantel without spending any money.
And, I had one social outing this week. Erica, Elizabeth, and I went to Cultured, our charcuterie place.
We realized it was staying light out so late and ran outside to document it.
I wore my sweater and the employees liked it.
What were your favorites this week? I hope you had many!
Today I have a fun and short post that my nieces helped me to write.
I have 6 darling nieces that are ages 22, 20, 15, 14, 13, and 11. This post is probably best suited for those of you who have girls aged 11-18 in your lives!
If you are having trouble connecting, maybe suggest a thrift store shopping spree?
Here is my panel:
These Nikes are super popular. I love the colors they chose!
Also, just so that you know, my niece Nora was diagnosed after a year of medical mysteries (including multiple ER visits and hospital stays) with something called POTS and is currently on a feeding tube that she has to wear 24/7. She is such a strong girl, but this has been such a hard year for her and her mom, my sister.
Favorite Stores:
Thrift! – I love this! I think it is so great that teens have embraced shopping second hand.
American Eagle/Aerie – I love my Aerie items. The quality is great and the price is not bad.
Forever 21 – I haven’t been in one in years.
Dry Goods – there is one at our mall and I went in several years ago. It seemed overpriced.
Aeropostale – we have one but I don’t think I’ve ever been in one.
Dick’s – I guess this is where they could get their Nikes, but also the athletic clothing is so popular.
Champion – I think we have an outlet store at our outlet mall?
Target – Yes!
They all agreed that it’s less about the brand and more about what the item is.
They love the trends of Mom jeans, belts, and cropped shirts.
They also wanted me to mention that they like natural hair with volume and they like layers.
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 