Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

Friday, April 21, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The countdown continues…

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

What have been your favorites this week?

I hope you had many!

Amy

Thursday, April 20, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until it was time for Prom!

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

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

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

Do you have a favorite?

What have you been wearing?

Amy

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

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

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

Here we go…

Benefit Starlaa

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

Trader Joe’s Coconut Body Butter

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

Thrive Causemetics mascara

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

Ulta brand cream blush stick

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

Pixi Dream-yEYE eye patches

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

CeraVe moisturizing cream

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

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

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

Batiste Dry Shampoo

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

Amazon Find: Hair Food Turmeric and Almond Oil Detangling Milk

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

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

Did you like this post?

Any suggestions or brands for me to try?

Amy

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

Tuesday, April 18. 2023

Are you enjoying wearing your spring clothes? I am! We are still flip flopping with our weather a bit around here, but I have gotten to wear lots of spring clothing and even shorts a couple of times.

Here are my current wardrobe goals:

Start wearing all my dresses and skirts to school. Try to rotate through all of them and if I find something I need to let go, I should do it.

Try to be content with what I have and wear what I have.

Avoid Target and Amazon clothing as much as possible. I can quit Amazon much easier, but Target just keeps luring me back in and honestly, some of my favorite pieces are from Target.

Try to shop consignment first. If I feel that I have a hole in my wardrobe, I want to look at my two consignment stores before looking elsewhere.

Now on to the point of this post:

This is not a new to me concept, nor is it that ingenious, but I got to thinking how I adapt my style for the next season. If you choose to do this, your style/clothing items won’t be the same as mine, but I bet you do this, too.

Gold clogs – I love my gold clogs. I love having a metallic in my shoe wardrobe and gold is the best for me. I have gold Birkenstocks and a gold lace up sandal. I also just purchased a gold basic flip flop. So, I am taking my gold footwear into the next season.

The label peeled off of the clogs and I probably need to use Shoe Goo and try to clean these up, by the way.

The new Amazon Essentials gold flip flop. They are super comfy and look like J.Crew quality. I have now ordered black and tortoise shell. They were $11-13 depending on the color. Amazon Essentials does it again and disregard by above goal about quitting Amazon! Ha!

Black jeans – I love black jeans and have worn mine a lot this winter. I have black cut offs that I bought at gasp – Walmart last year (along with a pink pair). I think sometimes these work better than blue denim cutoffs, depending on the outfit. I have lots of tops and blouses with black in them.

Denim jeans (this is a no brainer) – I’m sure you do this, too. Any outfit that you wear with jeans, just swap out for cut offs. Target has some seriously great options. There I go again, Target! I have two pairs, but they are both several years old. One is a bit longer and stretchier. The other has basically no stretch and are a bit lighter in color. I love both of them. Often you need to go up a size in denim shorts depending on how you want them to fit. I love the look of a long sleeved shirt or blouse with cut offs for this transitional time.

Hot pink – I have a hot pink blazer and a hot pink sweater and I get compliments when I wear them so I think it’s my color. I also have my fun tequila earrings and my newer hot pink Gucci looking bee earrings that are fun to wear with hot pink. I found a hot pink blouse at a consignment store so I will carry that look into spring.

Think about what you wore this winter. What were your work horses? How can you transition that into a spring or summer style that feels like you?

Amy

Monday, April 17, 2023

Oh, Monday, I am not ready for you! I am linking up with Sarah and Holly for the Hello Monday link up, though…

So, you know that the week after Spring Break will be a rough re-entry, but it was really rough…

I went home Friday after school, changed clothes, made avocado toast because I had had a very pitiful lunch – Erica was absent and I was on my own – lol – and then got a text from this sweet friend asking if I wanted mojitos at Mojito and of course, I said “yes”!

We stayed for about an hour and a half and then went to our respective homes for dinner plans. I got Chinese take out for us which we had not had in maybe a year? The college kids were home and we finished the last episode of Daisy Jones. OMG! So good! I didn’t really like the first two episodes, but I was glad I kept on. It’s really good if you haven’t seen it. It’s on Amazon Prime Video.

Saturday was gorgeous! I filled my bird feeders and marveled at my azaleas finally showing color…

I made a Spanish omelette around 11 and ate outside, which is always my favorite.

I just stayed around the homefront all day doing some cleaning and meal prepping and then I finally went out to the library in the afternoon and didn’t get this book:

You know how I love to show you my library’s book offerings, right? I was concerned that there are Amish bad boys. Is his lemonade spiked? His hair looks quite long. No disrespect meant to the Amish. I just enjoy the genres of literature at my library and the fact that there really is something for everyone.

Prom night! Erica was my date and we ate at a new to me Italian restaurant beforehand. I really liked it and would definitely go back!

I got ziti ala vodka:

Wake up, Amy!

I was so happy they got such a nice night for Prom! It’s fun to watch the arrivals on the front porch of the beautiful venue:

The dessert table was fancy:

It was fun! When I got home, my kids and I started Mrs. Maisel’s new season. They love this show so much!

Sunday morning it had turned cold again…

I finished this…second time reading it. I checked my library app and I had also read it in October of 2021. This would be a great beach read.

Prom ‘Fit:

Last year’s Prom ‘Fit:

October Wedding “Fit:

This dress is Kohl’s Apt. 9 that I got at a consignment shop like 10 years ago! I think I have gotten my money’s worth!

Sunday afternoon I had a little time on the covered porch in the rain:

Hot chocolate!

The afternoon/day ended with a small concert for Jack at the downtown church again. He only told us about it maybe the day or two before. This is where it is really nice that we are close and can do this!

Tell me your weekend highlight!

Amy

Friday, April 14, 2023

So, I told you I would continue/finish my Spring Break recap here with the remaining weekend days…

Did you catch my Monday post of my first part of Spring Break?

I will also share just general favorites and link up with Andrea and Erika.

Friday morning was funny. I was working on my blog and Tom was working on his work computer and I thought we looked cute across from each other. Tom says I type aggressively but I think he is just jealous of my speed.

Then, I got busy and went ahead and did my breakfast prep for the week because I knew the next two days would not be good for that. Breakfast burritos, of course!

We have kept the same metal Easter baskets with Easter eggs on them since our kids were maybe 8 or 9. I remember taking these on a Spring Break trip to Universal Studios and having them in the hotel room! This year’s basket is super lame and just food to take back to dorm, candy, and chapstick. The small basket is for Tom and I and all of them were hiding in my closet. I don’t like to buy junk and try to buy things they need like socks, but I just ran out of time this year. Do you keep the same baskets or buy new each year?

Friday I met Elizabeth for a late lunch/happy hour because we hadn’t seen each other or talked since her bachelorette weekend!

We shared some fried pickles and fries! We went to Kaelin’s 80/20 and they have some great cocktails!

I went home and was able to have dinner with the whole family because the college kids were home and that was wonderful. Now I can’t remember what we had, but I did cook!

Saturday we had been asked to help celebrate our friend Eric’s 50th at Keeneland race track. I had not been in years and it was really fun!

His wife is one of my besties, Heather:

It was hard to know what to wear because I wanted to look springy and I wanted to wear my new jockey earrings, but it had also turned pretty cool. I was very comfortable with my yellow dress with camisole underneath and my boots.

Their lovely daughter was home from college to celebrate:

Tom was there, too!

The birthday boy with a cigar:

He had some college friends and their kids there, too.

We stayed from about 12 to 5 and then headed home and on our way home I got a good look at The Kentucky Castle!

We ordered pizza and again got to eat dinner with the whole family when we got home.

I finished this and it was cute if a little predictable and slow in parts, but I liked it.

I read this in like 24 hours – OMG! Have you read it? It is spicy FYI, if that bothers you.

Easter was just the four of us and very casual but I made cinnamon rolls,

egg casserole,

ham,

green beans,

and potato casserole.

I also started this this week, but I think I’ve already read it! It’s cute so I’m still reading it for now, but I have a couple of other options that I can start.

Looking at all of my colors in my spring wardrobe has made my heart happy this week.

Over Spring Break, I dug out my coffee bean grinder and my old Mr. Coffee coffeepot.

This is the coffee that Erica uses from Trader Joe’s. She brought it to the bachelorette weekend and I thought it was so good. So, I have been enjoying grinding and my old fashioned cups of coffee!

I had a sunny patio Happy Hour with Beth on Wednesday. We got caught up on the latest in each others’ lives. We went to Boombozz.

Re-entry was hard on Monday. I wrote the remaining school days on my white board: 36. I wrote how many days until my AP exam: 21. Eek!

This is the face of a teacher who is not sure she can make it that many days – ha!

It was so nice out this week and Tom is babying his grass seed to fill in some gaps in our yard.

I supervise and make sure he is doing it right.

It’s also been a hard week with what happened in our city’s downtown on Monday. It feels like I’m supporting myself and my students emotionally when there is something like this and I don’t know if that makes sense or if I sound like I’m making it about me.

I started class on Tuesday by acknowledging what happened and just saying that if anyone needed to step out I understand and that if anyone needs supports to let me know and I would send them to the right person. I just don’t know what to say. There are no words.

On Wednesday, my school yearbook photo was delivered so I hope this made them laugh when I passed it around:

Our entire science department does something crazy for the yearbook each year, many of the math teachers do as well, and a few in my department do something. We will see if any other departments got on board when the yearbook comes out.

This weekend is Senior Prom! I always go for some of it because it is so fun to see the kids dressed up. Many of the teachers dress up, too, and go out to eat beforehand, so it can be a lot of fun!

Thanks for reading today and I hope you had lots of favorites!

Amy

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Alright, let’s link up with Kellyann and Jill and see what this ol’ gal has been wearing.

We left off with the Thursday before break when I wore my consignment NYDJ white jeans and a very old consignment Target blouse (I did show this outfit in my Friday Favorites if it looks familiar). I hope that you see how much consignment stuff is in my wardrobe and that is why I always mention it! I am not afraid to wear white jeans to work. I just don’t wear them if it’s raining. I know I will get stains and I am prepared to treat them!

Friday I wore this to have brunch with Victoria at the new House of Marigold. I would say I have gotten my money’s worth out of my Loft green floral blouse and these are my Target Universal Thread jeans. I have on MIA black clogs that are several years old. It was a rainy, dreary day and I ended up having to change into my waterproof Dansko clogs in the car.

On Sunday I wore my new Target short-sleeved green floral blouse. I talked about this in my new purchases post yesterday. It is Knox Rose brand. I am wearing another pair of the same jeans above that I cut and frayed. And, here are my gold clogs again. This is what I wore to the college play.

For dinner out, I changed shoes and added my black cardigan because it got cooler out.

Monday when it was rainy, I chose to wear my black blouse with a new headband and my waterproof Danskos.

Tuesday I wore this to go out to eat and to the baseball game. See how I wore all of my new Target blouses in a row?

Wednesday for our Bardstown trip it was really warm and windy. I was going to wear jeans but Tom came out in shorts and I decided he was right and I quickly switched to my old drawstring denim shorts from jeans. I also wore my gold Birkenstocks.

Thursday we went to the mall and it had gotten cooler. I wore leggings, a graphic tee, and a button down.

And, on Friday it was cold! I wore my horse sweater and dark jeans with gold clogs to meet Elizabeth for lunch/happy hour.

And, my Monday back to school outfit is an old LuLaRoe pencil skirt with a lemon and orange design, black blouse, and black blazer with my white leather Madewell sneakers with the green laces I put in.

Are pencil skirts out of style? Are kimonos out of style? I plan to still wear mine, so I guess it doesn’t matter.

And, Tuesday for school, I wore my old patterned pants from Loft with my new Target black short-sleeved blouse. If you love patterns on the bottom like I do, here is my tip. I try to always make sure there is black in the pattern and then I have a lot of plain black tops. If that is not possible, I try to make sure there is white in the pattern for my white tops. Since I can look more top heavy, I like a solid on top and a pattern on the bottom on me.

Do you have any favorites? I am trying to rotate through ALL of my spring clothing without repeating. I generally do this each season because I think it’s a good way to really see if you are wearing what you have.

I am also trying to be content with what I have. I have plenty!

What have you been wearing lately?

Amy

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