Unseasonal Tuesday

Good afternoon!

Before I get into today’s events, let’s start with a quick dinner recap from last night since I actually took a picture of it.

 

Turkey tacos with a side of Southwestern Black Bean & Corn Salad and some chips for dipping. If you haven’t tried this salad yet, I highly recommend you do! It’s delicious and really easy.

Breakfast this morning was also quick and easy. 2 whole eggs, 1 white, toast with margarine and grapefruit. I’ve really been craving citrus lately and this hit the spot.

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but here in the Philly metro area it is unseasonably warm. I stepped outside sans jacket only to find that I actually needed to also be sans sweater (and open the windows in the car). I’m usually the type of person that enjoys my seasons and yes, that includes winter as well. When it’s January, it should be brisk and cold. But I am certainly not minding the sunshine. I do wish it was a bit colder though. (I know, I’m weird).

 

Today I ran one major errand in the nice sunshine. I had some returns to make at Kohl’s. I rarely shop at Kohl’s mostly because it’s pretty far from my house but today I made the trip. After standing on line for about 15 minutes, I finally got my merchandise credit. $50- that I’m going to store away for when something comes up that I need. No sense in spending it now since there isn’t anything on the list.

 

After Kohl’s I had to make an emergency stop at the grocery store to pick up my latest obsession.

I don’t know why, but I can’t get enough frozen peaches. I eat them when they are still frozen and they are oh-so-good. As far as pregnancy cravings go, at least it’s a healthy one!

 

The rest of the day looks like this:

- Ordering some photos from Snapfish (There is a coupon for 99 prints for 99 cents until tomorrow!) Use code: 99Prints at checkout

- Eating a late lunch

- Doctor’s appt at 7pm

 

Hope you are having a nice day!

Does anyone else out there actually LIKE the cold weather?

Do you shop at Kohl’s?

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The Bloomingdales Gift Card

I’m not going to lie, wedding gifts rule. And even when they don’t rule, you can still exchange them for gift cards.

 

It will be 2 years in June that Joe and I have been married. And yet we still have a big Bloomingdales gift card from a few returns we made.

This gift card has come in handy for many subsequent gift exchanges since we’ve been trying to save money, and it is also getting harder to be creative after almost 9 years as a couple.

 

Occasion #1 – What should we get each other for our anniversary? Let’s just go to Bloomingdales and spend that gift card together. We can each pick something out.

 

Items Purchased on Gift Card: 0

Year Old Wedding Cake Pieces Consumed: 1

Occasion #2- What should we get each other for Christmas? Let’s just go to Bloomingdales and spend that gift card together. We can each pick something out.

Items Almost Purchased on Gift Card: 1

Today we went shopping at Bloomingdales (finally) and I actually found something I wanted. A cute pair of short Ugg boots.

 

 

I figured this is a good purchase since my current pair is worn out, and they are something that lasts a long time.

 

Unfortunately they didn’t have my size and they couldn’t order them from another store unless I wanted to pay with a credit card.

 

No worries though,  I’m currently hunting them down at Bloomingdales.com. Maybe I’ll even score a coupon code.

 

Have you ever had a gift card you just can’t seem to use?

Have you entered my Cheerios Gift Pack GIVEAWAY?

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Change in Plans

A lot of things that I had planned on today ended up changing- and hey, change is good right?

Change #1

I ended up buying actual gifts instead of gift cards (as I mentioned earlier)  because I had a good time shopping and picking things out at the stores where I was going to get gift cards. I was already there, so hey, why not!

 

Change #2

I  decided to go to the gym today instead of running. I’ve got the sniffles and I think running in the cold is going to be a challenge. Plus, I think I’m doing a long run with my running group in the morning.

 

Change #3

Instead of wearing a dress to NYE, I think I’m just going to wear jeans. We’re going to a sports bar anyway and it’s just one night. Plus my one pair of designer jeans are fitting very nicely these days and they need a night out.

 

One thing that didn’t change was what I was planning to eat for lunch. A mix plate of tofu, bulgur, tabbouleh, parsnip fries, and roasted eggplant. I wolfed this down. I was starving!

 

I know I had also promised to show you guys the good stuff I got at TJMaxx yesterday, so here ya go:

My favorite items are this cross shoulder bag, a pair of Joe’s Jeans jeggings and warm shell jacket for snowboarding.

TJ Maxx left the tag on the jacket and I can see that it’s MSRP is $120. I got it for $29! I’m heading to Vail next week (where it is currently 5 degrees) so the more layers, the better!

I ended up getting the Joe’s Jeans for $39 and I looked up the style number and it turns out they go for $128 at Saks!

The bag was another great find because it was exactly what I’ve been looking for for months!  I really wanted a lightweight bag that I can wear cross shoulder. I love my current bag, but it is so heavy and becomes a burden on my shoulder if I’m out and about for too long. This had a $65 price tag, but was only $20. Never heard of the brand before.

I’m a total Maxxinista!

 

Have you worn jeggings yet?

What items are you in need of right now?

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Normalcy

Ahh..the sweet sweet feeling of a normal day.

 

It was great to be back home when I woke up this morning. I got an early start and headed to the gym for Bootcamp.

 

Unfortunately, the instructor was sick so she cancelled class. Both Joe and I have colds too and I’m hoping that they stay dormant and just go away soon.

 

I ended up doing 45 min on the elliptical and some weights. Yep, I did weights on my own!

 

I did 2 sets of 12 of some full body stuff

Assisted Pullups

Incline Bench Pushups

Tricep Rope Pulls

Walking Lunges

Deadlifts

Situps

 

After the gym I did some cleaning and laundry and then headed to Trader Joe’s and TJ Maxx.

 

I hit the goldmine at TJMaxx! I’ll give you recap tomorrow when the lighting in my house is better for pictures.

 

In order to keep my budget in tact, I decided to return two things I got at H&M the other day.

 

GOING BACK!

YEP, YOU TOO!

As much as I like both things I don’t need them and I have other things that I can use instead of them.

 

Lunch was a delicious combo of things I bought at Trader Joe’s. It felt so great to get some fresh food (that I cooked) in my body.

 

Roasted eggplant, bulgur mixed with TJ’s Tabouleh, and baked tofu.

Dinner was Stuffed Chicken with Ricotta.

Now I’m about to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and a few frozen Andes mints.

These are my new favorite treat!

 

 

 

 

Are you a routine freak like me or can you go with the flow for a long time?

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Winter Running Gear on a Budget

Yay! The semester is officially over.

 

So……I went shopping to celebrate.

 

I actually was scoping out H&M for a NYE outfit, but things turned in a completely different direction. As I head for the dressing room with an arm full of sparkly stuff, I noticed that H&M now has an activewear line.

 

I checked out the stuff and it was NICE! And it was much more affordable then the other name brand stuff I had been looking at.

 

So here is a little fashion show, complete with a compare and contrast of what similar items are on the market.

 

Thermal Base layer (complete with strange boob lines and a "deep thought" face) – $24.95

The base layer I was previously coveting

Craft Pro – $55

A half zip top, complete with a top button cover and thumb holes- $24.95

A similar Half Zip by Asics- $70

Another half zip I had my eye on Brooks- $55

A snug fitting fleece jacket with thumb holes (this would be good if its cold but not wet outside) Can wear over a base layer or over the base layer and half zip. Originally $30, on sale for $15!

A similar thin fleece jacket- Patagonia $155 ( I realize the Patagonia is probably much higher quality)

Here is something else I’ve REALLLY been wanting for wet weather any time of year. Perfect for layering. – $20!!!

Similar all weather jacket by City Sports- $65. I really did almost buy this at one point.

 

And that’s it!

 

Total for 2 jackets, 1 base layer and a half zip – $84

Total for 2 jackets, 1 base layer and a half zip @ City Sports or similar retailer- about $325

 

Total Saved- $241!!!

 

The only thing is that now I MUST wear something I already own for New Year’s Eve. I have to have something that will suffice.

 

This evening I’ll be out doing a little x-mas shopping and visiting some family to drop off a gift.

 

Have you bought yourself anything lately?

What is your "must have" running/exercise item?

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Shape Ups are Shipping Out

Last year I kept hearing about these shoes that could help to firm and tone my butt. As much as I knew it was probably not true, I was very curious about these shoes and really started to want a pair.

 

If I’m walking around, I might as well be firming, no?

 

Slowly but surely I collected coupons for DSW, and then one day I went in and bought a pair of these Shapeups.

I knew they looked funny, but I tried to just tell myself:

"These look cute"

"No one can tell you are wearing butt firming shoes"

"No Jamie, you don’t look like a Spice Girl when you wear those shoes.

But yeah. The truth is, that although they are comfortable and my legs did feel a little workout the one day I wore them, I just can’t honestly say I will continue to wear them.

 

Also, this commercial gave me a complex.

 

So alas, I am selling these bad boys on e-bay today. Because I am really tired of my husband asking if I’m ever going to wear those $100 toning sneakers.

No, okay? No I am NOT going to ever wear them.

 

Hopefully they will find a home soon.

 

Have you ever bought something you thought you would use and then totally didn’t?

Are you an ebay’er?

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8 is great!

This morning at 6:45 am the alarm went off.

 

It’s dark and cold and it’s Saturday.

So why exactly am I waking up to go running again?

I thought about the sign I saw someone holding up during my half marathon,

"Running is all mental. And I think you’re insane."

 

The voice in my head tried to convince me to go back to bed, but somehow

(I think I had to pee) I made it out of bed and got ready to attend my second running club outing.

(Winter running gear was in order, including these cute new gloves from Target)

As you know from last week, there are a lot of fast runners in this group. It’s a bit intimidating. But I accepted that even if I end up running alone, I’m still out there and that’s all that matters.

 

(can’t always have a buddy!)

However, I ended up finding 3 ladies who were running 8 miles and they said they kept about a 9 min/mile pace. I’m in!

 

It turned out that I ended up hanging back with one woman and running with her was really comfortable. We talked, got to know each other, tackled some huge hills, and before I knew it, we were finished.

 

The best part? She thanked me for "pushing her to keep going". I could have cried. I never thought that I’d be the one to be motivating someone else to push through a run. Especially after last week’s let down..

 

After our run we went and grabbed coffee with a few other group members. It is such an eclectic and fun group, I had a blast. AND I RAN 8 miles! Pretty good feeling since I didn’t run at all this week.

 

Came home and had a delicious second breakfast. 

 

No surprises here, folks. Sandwich thin, pb flour spread and sf raspberry jelly.

Now I’m off to do a little shopping.

 

Have a great Saturday!

 

What are you up to today?

Have you ever unexpectedly motivated someone else?

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Random

Whew! I finally got some stuff done and checked off the list.

Including a shower. I feel much better now.

I headed to the gym around 5 to do a light cardio workout. I’m not doing anything major leading up the race, but I want to stay loose.

 

I did 25 min on the elliptical, and then ran an easy 10:30/min mile on the treadmill.

 

OH MY GOD. I haaaate the treadmill! It is the worst! I don’t know how you guys run on that thing. I only planned to run a mile, and when it was over, I was so happy to get off.

 

Afterwards I hit up Walmart for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I’m running low on all 3 and have guests coming this weekend.

 

Here’s what I left the store with:

Woops.

 

It is so random, but there is some method to my madness.

 

Hmm..actually I have no explanation for this. I’m known for buying random gum. (and then eating it all within 2 days)

 

Finally saw one of the polka dotted flavors of Larabar. And it was only 98 cents. I think I might eat this on race day.

I’m making a recipe with this. Probably tomorrow. Stay tuned.

A layered candle. Hazelnut Creme, Fresh Baked Muffins, and Chocolate Pound Cake. Yum. Sounds like something Jessica would make. I’ll settle for the wax version.

Dinner was not that random. Leftover tacos repurposed into a salad.

Time to go finish up a few more to-do’s. See ya tomorrow!

 

Is it hard for you to shop at Target/Walmart type stores and NOT end up buying things you don’t need?

What random things have you purchased lately?

How do you feel about the treadmill?

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Flower Power

Before I start writing this post, I’d like to observe a moment of silence for my two index toenails that are no longer with us.

 

R.I.P guys- thanks for holding up through all the miles. Foot #1 and Foot #2 will miss you.

 

On a brighter note (much brighter), I’m headed to sunny Miami, Florida on Thursday!

source

We’re going for a wedding along with a lot of our friends (most who are pictured below) so it is sure to be a blast.

I decided that I needed to pick up at least one outfit for the trip, so I headed over to the mecca that is Forever 21 today.

I ended up with 2 items. Both floral. Hmm…

Dress ($19.80)

Top ($22.80)

 

I liked the dress for Miami, the top is more of a winter going-out option but I might bring it along anyway.

I tried to take some pics of me in the outfits, but it was easier said than done. I don’t know how J from J’s Everyday Fashion does this so perfectly EVERY DAY.

Well, here I go.

 

(excuse all of the crap in the background)

Is this shirt too "old lady"?

I am really ready for some fun in the sun and also ready to see two close friends tie the knot!

Have you been to any destination weddings before?

What is the most recent clothing item you’ve purchased?

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Silly Face

Doesn’t my breakfast look like a muppet?

Fortunately it didn’t taste like one. And seriously, aren’t eggs better when someone else makes them for you? My mom whipped us up some egg whites and cheese and we both enjoyed some huge mugs of coffee and conversation.

Nothing makes breakfast more enjoyable than a good company.

Even if some of that company steals all of your eggs.

Have a great day!

What’s going on in your world today?

We’re going to go shopping at a great local food store which I’ll recap later and cooking up a fall themed simple dinner for some company tonight.

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