Monday, May 7, 2018

I’m linking up with The Blended Blog to answer these questions just for fun!  I’m also linking up with Hello Monday with My Glittery Heart and The Sirois Family!

1. Comedy! I love to laugh!

2. Fiction – I do like historical fiction but reading is my escape.

3. Both! I love going to the theater but home is easier.

4. Play. Breaking into song is just cheesy most of the time.

5. Dinner!

6. I don’t think I can pick a favorite book.

7. I would love a game night. It’s hard right now because our friends are still running kids around most nights but maybe in a couple of years.

8. Two truths and a lie around a campfire. Say three things about yourself and one is a lie. People have to decide which is the lie.

9. The Office, Seinfeld, Friends

10. Sitcoms today

11. Both equal

12. Twizzlers!

13. With butter

14. 3D movies make me feel a bit dizzy. I can do them but it’s not my favorite.

15. I think I like British chick lit with some history thrown in!

Weekend Recap

I had a 3 day weekend!  Friday morning I sipped my coffee and read your blogs after reading my daily Everyday Holy by Melanie Shankle, of course.  I then went to the bank, the DMV, the grocery, did a return at Loft, took boys for a haircut, and I think that’s all.  Shew!  I’m tired.  I guess work would’ve been more relaxing!  Just kidding! After lunch, I did my consignment stores without bringing anything home.  I’m getting better!  Around 3 my hub called and said he was taking off early and wanted to take the boys to Avengers Infinity War.  I opted out and instead read on the patio and prepared a light dinner of nachos and chili lime corn.  I usually do go to the movies my boys like. I have been pleasantly surprised by many like Ready Player One and Isle of Dog.  As a boy mom, I think you adapt.  I grew up in a house of all girls and wasn’t versed in anything “boy”!

I woke up Saturday morning to light rain.  I love rain when I can stay home. I took my book outside with my coffee and lit a candle because it was still a little bit dark.

I spend a lot of time out here.  I like to be outside as much as I can and this is my green view this time of year.  

After relaxing a bit, I started making preparations for a Derby party we were going to.  They provided a full bar and you could bring a dish to the communal table but most also have their own spread on a table.  I made Benedictine sandwiches (a cream cheese with cucumber and onion and a tiny drop of green food color) and Lindsay’s recipe from Bourbon Lipstick and Stilletos blog for Bourbon Brownies with Bourbon frosting.  Both turned out great! 

The party was a lot of fun but no one expected the weather that we got.  It literally rained all day long.  I was so happy that I wore my tall black rain boots.  There were women in white jeans and wedges.  I was dry and comfortable.  They had big screen tvs in several places and you could place bets in a betting window that was really a horse stall in the barn on the property!  I won $10 on one of the races.  We stayed at the party from about 1 until 7.  I was exhausted and ready to see my boys when we got home.  We picked up some fried chicken, potato wedges, and green beans for them.  Hub found a movie “The Shallows” and it sucked me in.  

Sunday I cleaned up the house, did laundry, and did Costco run.  It was beautiful out so I wanted to get outside.  I took Ernie to the river to swim and to greet his Daddy when he finished paddleboarding.

Meal Plan for this week:

I’m going to wing it!  Kids, this is the result of having too much fun over the weekend.  I’m sure I have enough stuff to throw together for dinner each night – I just didn’t plan it out and write it down this week.

This is going to be a busy five day week.  I’m excited to get it started and over because I’m stressed about a big event Tuesday.  

Hope your week is great!

Amy 

Friday, May 4, 2018

#1)  No school today and a 3 day weekend, baby!  It is Derby season in Kentucky and today is Oaks, so we have no school!  The first item on my agenda is to read all of your blogs today!  Ha!

#2)  This metallic pink tube got my attention!  It is called “Enchantress blush” and it was about $5.  New hack:  use lipliner and apply one coat of Lipsense.  Top with this and the Lipsense makes it last almost all day.  Yes, I love my Lipsense, but I like the texture of real lipstick sometimes.  Yes, I’m weird.  And, I think I have a slight problem with buying too many lip products.

Read more

Thursday, May 3, 2018

You know how frayed hems are in?  This is about the extent of my DIY ability so don’t get too excited.  I’m a shorty and need to hem many pants so I went into Old Navy and bought a pair of white jeans that fit in the waist, hips, and legs (or so I thought… more on that later*) and I took them home and cut them.   I used a pair of jeans that had a good length as my guide for one leg and then I held that up against the other leg.  Then, I threw them in the washer and dryer and they came out perfectly frayed.

This is a DIY that I can handle.  You can do jean shorts, too – JORTS!

*What is it with ON jeans becoming so loose and baggy as the day wears on?  I don’t know if I could get into the next smaller size anyway.  Why must they do this?  I can get one wear out of them and then have to wash and dry to wear again or else they are too baggy.

Anyway, don’t be afrayed!  Let me know if you like this look and if you decide to try it!

Amy

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

O.k., other teachers can relate to what I’m about to say.  We are now at the point of the school year where everything is a STRUGGLE.  It is becoming increasingly harder to get dressed in the morning.   I’m ready for shorts and swimsuits and cover ups and not fixing my hair!  This is not good because I do still have more than a month to go.  I know those of you who don’t get a summer off are cursing me under your breath.  I feel so lucky that I get a break after every year to recharge my batteries, reflect on the job I did, and just be for awhile.

But, the hard part of teaching is that during the school year, there is absolutely NO flexibility.  From August 9th-ish until June 4 this year, I can only go to the bathroom a couple of times a day.  I have 20 minutes for lunch and that includes going to the bathroom.  There is no popping out for an appointment or a lunch or an errand.  And, as a teacher, you really can’t have a bad day.  You always have to be ON.  Now, I know I’ve never had another “real” job.  I started at age 22 and now here I am many many years later.  Most of what I know about an office environment comes from “The Office” and I’m pretty sure that isn’t realistic.

I’m thankful for my summers off.  I’m thankful for a week in the spring and two weeks at Christmas, but we do work really hard when school is in session and it is very hard to take a day off.

O.k.  rant over.  I love my job, but it is that time of year!  And, I’m supposed to be talking about clothes!

Monday – I’m not sure I like this outfit.  Meh.  It was comfortable.

Tuesday – I wore an army green swing dress with this really long kimono which I promise also had army green in it.  It’s not that flattering but it was comfortable.  I’m wearing teacher Dansko sandals.  I need recommendations on teacher comfortable shoes that are in style.  I think these look clunky!

I wore my new white leather feather earrings today!  I have got to get control of my leather earring habit.  (Along with my lipstick habit)  

This is a hot pink swing dress with a white jean jacket over it and my pom pom scarf that I was going to wear on Tuesday.  I discovered the hot pink dress has a stain and I’m afraid it’s permanent.  I will try to work on it.  

Wednesday’s outfit is a magenta swing dress, a cream knit cardigan, and one of my two horse scarves.  It is Derby week in Kentucky and I like to break out my horse scarves.  They are very lightweight.  I wore my black and white one last week and this past weekend to the art fair.

Thursday is the last day of our work week so I will probably be pretty casual.  

What are your weekly clothing staples?  What do you feel the best in?  Is there a piece of clothing that you would say is the most you?  

Here are some blogs that have really helped me with my style.  

Susan After 60. 

Susan is adorable and I don’t care what your age – she explains proportions and how she makes decisions on what to buy.  I really don’t dress like she does, but I appreciate her advice.  She is not trying to be anyone but herself.  Check it out.  She is a classy lady.

Putting Me Together

This site has so many resources.  It’s clothes that real people wear.  You could seriously buy about 10 items from her resources and feel like you have plenty to wear.  

Mom Advice – Capsule Wardrobes

I love her style.  She is adorable and works within a very small capsule each season.  

I will stop there for now, but maybe this deserves a whole post of its own.  

I love clothing and putting outfits together.  I think it’s fun and it doesn’t stress me out.  As you can see above, my outfits are not perfect and I don’t always feel like it was the best I could do.  

Thanks for stopping by today!

Amy 

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Happy May Day!

I remember people getting really excited when we found out we were getting a Trader Joe’s.  Facebook posts abounded of stories of other TJ stores in other cities, products that were cherished, items that were only obtained upon visits to other cities  lucky enough to have a store.

It just so happened that I scheduled a doctor’s appointment for the day ours opened – A-choo!  I went into the food area and felt overwhelmed.  There were so many people as excited as I was.  (People, this is middle age… getting excited about a grocery store.  It’s quite sad.)

Next, I went into the wine area because, of course, I had heard of “Two Buck Chuck” wine.  It was really called Charles Shaw and I think the price had already gone up to three bucks.  It was a crisp fall day and I had just gotten beautiful cognac leather riding boots.  I was as happy as only a day off on a weekday and new boots can make a girl.  Next to me a lady was holding a bottle of red wine one moment and the next she was dropping the bottle on the floor next to my boots!  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!  I fled the store and ran to my car to begin googling how to get red wine out of leather boots.  I took off my cream Target scarf and sacrificed it in the name of the boots to wipe the wine away.  Google was not really my friend that day as I found very few answers to my query.  I can’t remember where I drove but I did call a friend who I knew would listen to my plight.  (Hi Mindy!)  As I talked on the phone I looked down and those magic boots were absorbing (I like to think they were drinking) the wine.  After a little while longer they were back to normal.  ISN’T THIS THE HAPPIEST ENDING YOU’VE HEARD IN A LONG WHILE?  Those boots served me well for about 7 years.  They have now been sent on to someone else at Goodwill.

Since that first fateful day, I have learned a few things about what to buy and when and how often to go.

If you made it through that story, you deserve some photos.

Seasonings:

Everyone talks about the Everything But the Bagel seasoning and with good reason.  This is great on eggs, avocado toast, on top of your cream cheese on your Everything Bagel… 

Don’t overlook the other spices, though. Spices are expensive at the regular grocery stores.  I have started using the Chili Lime on corn on taco night.  I love the pink himalayan salt.  I think all three of these were under $2 each.

Frozen Foods:

It’s nice to have some frozen foods on hand and these are some that I always try to have.  This Jasmine rice is amazing.  I can’t make homemade rice that tastes this good.  Inside, there are 3 packets and you just microwave them for 3 minutes.  

The fried rice is also good.  Sometimes I will serve this along with our favorite orange chicken from Costco.

Snack Foods:

I found these crepes in the freezer section and thought I would try them.  The box comes with 7 crepes and a serving size is 3 crepes.  I just had one as a sweet treat and I was pretty impressed!

These chips and corn puffs are yummy snacks.

Everyone talks about this reduced guilt guacamole made with greek yogurt.  It is seriously so good. I like it with these plantain chips.  Yum! 

Easy Meals:

Easy dinner above – pasta, jarred sauce, ground beef from my freezer, caesar salad.  Done.

I really like TJ’s baking mixes.  This is a lemon cake mix and I think it will taste like Starbuck’s lemon pound cake.  I like to keep one of these on hand if I need to bake a treat for someone or just feel like making something sweet.  My pink pen got in the way of my photo in the bottom right hand corner.  

I’m so not used to taking photos of everything.  I need major improvement in the photography department.

I hope you liked my review and please let me know what you think I should try!

Amy 

Monday, April 30, 2018

Tomorrow is May!  Oh my gosh!  April had to be the fastest month ever!

First, a recap of the weekend…

Friday after school I desperately needed to go to the grocery.  We had NO food!  We had done take out Wednesday night and Jimmy John’s Thursday night for the boys while I went to book club and had a yummy spread.  We really didn’t need to do take out again and no one wanted to go out to eat after a long day and week.  So, guess what I did… I didn’t go to the grocery!  I was a rebel and enjoyed two Bravo shows after school and then a bit of sun outside with a lo cal Jalapeño Lime Margarita and listening to 90s country on my Amazon music app.  It was in the 70s outside and there’s just something about warm weather and country music – and I’m not really what you would call a country music fan!  The songs that came on were “My Maria” by Brooks and Dunn, “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks, and “Cowboy Take Me Away” by Dixie Chicks just to name a few.  How great is that lineup?  I’m going to be repeating that station I can tell.

So, after that music and margarita, I greeted hubby and walked the pooch with him and then I went alone to our favorite take out pizza place.  While I waited I went to a little boutique and bought some earrrings I couldn’t stop thinking about that I had seen there a week ago (white leather feathers!) and some ice cream to take home.

We split a BLT wedge salad and I had an individual mushroom pizza. Yum!

So, kids, three nights in a row of not cooking is the result of poor meal planning this week. I must do better for next week.

Saturday I did get my walk in and while I walked I listened to a new to me podcast – Dax Sheppard’s Armchair Expert.  He was interviewing his wife, Kristen Bell. It was so cute!  Dax was Crosby on Parenthood.  My other favorite podcasts are The Big Boo Cast and Happier with Gretchen Rubin.  

My boys walked to school for their practice test – no, I didn’t offer to drive them and they didn’t ask me to.  I left for Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and the library.  Trader Joe’s was already packed at 8:45!  Look for my post tomorrow about my favorite products and please chime in.  I love shopping there and I love hearing what you all buy!

I stopped at the library to pick up a book that they held for me and I found this magazine in the free bin.  They have a bin where you can leave your magazines and take other ones.  Isn’t that genius?  I was so happy!

Since the sun was shining, I decided to make an iced coffee and sit outside and read before the boys came home.  I might mention that I put all the groceries away and did some laundry, too.  My friend (Hi Victoria!) taught me how to make this.  You put a little bit of instant coffee and a little bit of sugar in your cup.  Boil a little water or microwave it and then mix that together.  Add some milk (I forgot the milk in the photo) and then froth some cream on top.  I bought this little frother on Amazon several years ago.  

I made the boys a nice lunch because I thought they would want a little pampering and then hub and I went to see a new boat that his brother in law received to sell.  We got to go inside and tour it.  It has two bedrooms and two bathrooms!  I volunteered to put some decor in the boat.  I’m excited about this little project.  I am thinking nautical accents that match the blue and white of the boat.  

Lastly, we ended the day with a wonderful time spent with our friends at our 
Spanish tapas restaurant up the road.  The wife and I ordered a Swirl Margarita that has a mixture of Sangria and Margarita.  We shared many different things – patatas bravas, stuffed dates wrapped in bacon, ham and chicken croquets, empanadas, salmon, and bread with tomato.  

Sunday, my boys had to volunteer at an art fair and I had to take them there pretty early. I dropped them off and then went home to clean and finish laundry. A little later hub and I went back to the fair and met some friends to enjoy the art until the boys’ shift ended. I sat outside and read then took my kids to work on a video project. I meal prepped my breakfasts and lunches for the week and heated up leftovers for dinner. It was a nice weekend!

If you lasted this long, you deserve a decent weekly meal plan!  Ha!

Monday – pork tenderloin (pre marinated from TJ), zucchini, little roasted potatoes

Tuesday- fusili pasta with meat sauce with bread and Caesar salad

Wednesday – mojito lime chicken (using the packet I talked about), rice, beans, corn

Thursday – frozen fish, macaroni and cheese, peas, green beans for those who don’t like peas

Hope you survive your Monday!

Amy

Friday, April 27, 2018

It’s Fri-yay!

Raise your hand if you think we should only have four day weeks! Me! Me!

1. A couples date with one of our best couple friends is on the books for this weekend. I don’t think we have eaten out in about 3 weeks. We have gotten take out, but we haven’t eaten in a restaurant! We’ve just been busy. And, we haven’t been out with these friends in forever!

2. Free time to run errands is to be had this weekend. My boys will be occupied for 4 hours Saturday am and I want to knock out a walk, Trader Joe’s run, a library visit, and maybe a coffee stop. I only brave Traders on a weekend if I can get there early. It is crazy town if you go past 9ish on Saturdays! I will do a post soon on my fave products. I love reading other bloggers TJ faves. I have bought some duds there – not gonna lie. I prefer to have recommendations before buying their products. Most of what I have tried is amazing or I wouldn’t keep going back at least once a month, but there are some Kroger brands I prefer. I do Costco and TJ once a month usually and Kroger weekly.

3. I’m taking a break from salon manicures right now. This is the best top coat ever. It’s called Seche Vite. Target carries it. I’m using OPI Funny Bunny below my top coat.

4. I love my Keurig so much. I have had it for years – maybe 7? I have done the full vinegar clean out once and it has kept on brewing since then. I love Costco’s Kirkland breakfast blend. It is perfect. I can’t drink too much caffeine, though, because it makes me feel jumpy. I like to keep some decaf on hand. This Donut Shop is decent. I wish my Costco came in decaf. If anyone from Costco is reading this, please?

5. Are you noticing wrinkles on your neck or your décolletage? This product works! I was pleasantly surprised that I could see a noticeable change after only a few applications.

Bonus: I’m going to try to make Tequila Slushies or Frozeé (frozen rosé) this weekend! Which do you think I should make?

Happy weekend!

Amy

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Do you self tan? Every year in March or April I start my faux glow routine. I find the products keep getting better – easier to use and less smelly. I hated the smell of the first self tanners!

I take my shower at night and apply my self tanner after getting out of the shower. I let it dry and have never had it come off on anything. I try to do it two to three nights in a row and then maintain with the Jergens Natural Glow lotion. If I ever need my legs to look better quickly I combine the Sally Hansen leg makeup and the Bath and Body Maui glow lotion on the left. It looks great and natural!  This is from a couple of seasons ago but I think B and B has a glow lotions every year.  

I don’t mess around with the light shade but I would say if you are extremely pale to go with light. I have bought medium but plan to get dark next time. I only do my arms and legs, by the way. This is just a little color for work and play.  I’m not wearing a bathing suit yet. Read the directions and wash your hands really well after using.

My arsenal – I have had these for at least a year and they last a long time.  I really like the Jergens Instant Sun mousse and the Loreal Sublime Bronze.  I think I will buy the Loreal in dark when this runs out.  By the way, I’m cheap frugal and don’t want to spend a ton. Let me know if you love any products!

Here is an embarrassing picture of  much tanner leg after a couple of nights’ worth of self tanner.  I don’t have before photo so you will have to trust me! 

Let me know if you have a fave faux glow product or trick!

Glow Baby Glow!

Amy 

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

I love to read!  I always have!  I read real books now.  I used to read on my Kindle, but it died after a few years.  I was spending a ton of money on Kindle books because I’m a fast reader, too.   I decided to go back to library books and I’m proud to say that I have read 19 books so far in 2018 for free!  I didn’t spend a dime.  When I get a book recommendation, (usually from my blogger buds) I immediately put it into my library app and request it.  It’s great!  If you aren’t sure how to do this, go to your library in person and they will set you up.  You get an email when the book is ready for you at the library branch you choose.  I have a branch that is pretty close to my house and I probably go once a week. 

When do I have time to read?  Honestly, I would rather read than watch tv or scroll through social media.   I read more in the summer because I’m a teacher.  If you have small kids, it may not be possible to read a lot now, but once the kids are older you can take your book to the playground or the pool and you will have more time to read eventually!

I read the third Jojo Moyes book recently.

Me Before You, After You, and Still Me. I enjoyed all three but the first made me really sad. I haven’t seen the movie yet. Have you?  I enjoy books set in England.  I’m intrigued by their way of life and their manner of speaking.  

I loved The Nightingale. I had heard about it for years and I really like Kristin Hannah.  I finally got my hands on it.  It gave a different perspective to WWII.  I had just read another WWII book for book club called Lilac Girls and this was a different side to the story.  I am tapped out on WWII for awhile now, though.  Give me something lighter to read!

This was pretty good. If you like Grey’s Anatomy, I think you will like this.  It switches from present day to back in med school and there is a lot of medical jargon.  It was about relationships – book friendships and love interests.

I started up a book club in February. I was part of a book club for many years and it dissolved because people moved away and it just kind of ran its course.   I really missed it so I asked all new people and we started off with a bang in February at my house. 8 out of 9 ladies came and all read the book! Most of them were meeting for the first time and we all meshed well. March rolled around and one lady dropped out and only 4 out of 8 came. Spring sports were ramping up and many have traveling husbands so it was on them to do chauffeur duty to practices. 

We are meeting again next week for our April meeting to discuss The Last Mrs. Parrish and another member has dropped due to kids’ activities. So, now we are 7.

Next up for me are:

And

These should be ready for me at the library soon!  

What have you read recently?

Any recommendations?

Happy Reading!

Amy

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Monday – Rainy days and Mondays always get me down!  I like to wear black when it rains but add some bright colors!  Our Mondays are numbered now with only about 5 more to go.  It is supposed to rain much of this week.  Maybe it will be easier to keep the kids on task!

This is a LulaRoe perfect tee which is really a tunic, black capris, a LLR vest, and my tassel earrings.  I wore my black Hunter boots and changed into black slides at school.  I feel like this outfit looks really teacherish.  I needed to be comfortable on Monday.

I’m trying to wear everything I have in my closet for spring and if it looks bad I will donate it.  Or, if I’m not excited to wear it, it will go in the donate pile.  

Tuesday – I wore an outfit from last week that I never got to wear!  I wore the black tassel blouse with a bright yellow sweater and black ankle length pants.

Spring and summer staples: 

Clutches

Would you believe these were around $8 at a consignment store?  I like to take a clutch if I’m going out to eat or to happy hour.  These are my summer clutches.

White Shorts and Denim/Chambray shorts

These are both from Target’s new Universal Threads line.  I’m in love!  I had a hard and fast rule that I couldn’t buy any more clothes at Target – not because I’m a snob, but because I felt that the prices were too much for the quality.  I can get a “mall brand” shirt at my consignment stores for $8 and Target’s shirts seem to be at least $24 lately.  I would wash a Target shirt and it would look horrible after washing.  Also, I would tend to make impulse purchases when grabbing needed cleaning products or toiletries and I wanted to stop that practice.  I’m super happy with the quality and fit of both of these pairs of shorts.

Secret (or not so secret) Tip:  Look at Target.com for a better selection.  Order items to be picked up in store.  I just discovered this.  Genius!

Finally, I want to share some of my favorite warm weather shoes.  The only ones that are this season are the bottom right faux Birkenstocks from Target.  I wanted rose gold and these were recommended by Magnolia Mamas blog.  I love them!  I know they won’t last all season, but they are comfy and cute.  

My favorite flip flop brand of all time is Reef.  Seriously, check them out.  They are high quality and a great price for what you get.  I ordered mine on Amazon but Macy’s and other department stores carry them.  My Macy’s had them next to swimwear and not with the normal shoes, FYI.

Would you believe these Tory Burch leather slides were a consignment store find for $70ish dollars?  These are $200 sandals.  I mean, I don’t think I could pay that, but I will say these are 4 years old and have held up great.  Seriously, check out your local consignment stores.  It’s amazing what you can find!

The black pretty design are Nordstrom’s BP.  I love them and got them last year.

The back left are Hush Puppies from last year from Amazon.  So comfortable!  Yes, they still make Hush Puppies and my favorite flats are by Hush Puppies.  People, I have done the teacher test on them and they are seriously the most comfortable flats.  I have a friend who returned her Tieks and bought these instead.

Back middle are Blowfish and they are linen.  They are cute with dresses and skirts.  I have had these for 3-4 years.

Finally, back right are by Lucky brand.  I love Lucky shoes.  These were also a consignment find for $12 ish dollars a couple of years ago.  

I’m sorry these are mostly old, but it gives you an idea of the styles that I think are staples.  

What are your staples for spring and summer?  What should I add to my wardrobe this season?  

Happy Hump Day!

Amy