When you want to give up - remember

Do you ever have one of those days where you just want to throw in the towel?  Maybe it's something small, or maybe it's something big.  Maybe you just want to throw in the towel on the whole adulting thing.

Lately, I've really been struggle with just wanting to throw in the towel on most things.  I want nothing more than to eat what I want instead of making good choices.  I want to spend the evening being a couch potato instead of working out.  While I love my promotion at work and now I feel like I'm drowning there.  I want to turn my blog into something that people really like to read and recommend, but I alternate between lack of time to write and writer's block.  Basically, I just want to stop being an adult.

And then I remember.  I remember how much I love my life and all of it's craziness.  I vent to my husband who reminds me that he's always there to help and asks me what I need.

I remember how much fun it is to go clothes shopping now, and how healthy and strong I feel.  and then I reach for those veggies or go and do my workout.

I remember how much I love my job and that I am part of something bigger than myself and I find ways to help me focus more.  I learn to start delegating the more mundane, time-consuming tasks, and I remember the tricks in my toolbox to keep the stress from paralyzing me.

I remember that I need to schedule time to work on my blog.  I remember that insipation comes at hte oddest times, so having a notbook or a note taking app nearby at all times is critical.

I remember that I am blessed.  That this is the life that God has called me to.  I remember that when I lay it all before Him, that He will equip me to do the things that He has called me to do.

When I'm ready to throw in the towel and give up on being an adult, I give myself grace, pick myself up and dust myself off.  I thank the Lord for this life and then I go back to living it to the fullest - craziness and all.

Grey Pencil Skirt - What I'm Shopping for at #NSale

Today the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens up to those of us that are not Nordstrom card holders.  Thankfully they still have plenty of items available for purchase.

Right now I'm not doing much shopping.  I have all of the summer items that I need, and I'm just not ready to start thinking about fall and winter fashion yet.  I'm actually not sure that I need much this year, though I may pick up a few investment pieces.  The one item that I do know that I need is a grey pencil skirt, so that's what I just ordered.

Halogen Ponte Pencil Skirt in Heather Charcoal

This is the Ponte Pencil Skirt from Halogen in Heather Charcoal.  I ordered a petite, so I'm hoping that the length is good on it.  What I really like is the zipper detail on the back.  It's a very professional skirt, but the zipper gives it a little bit of an edginess.  I also really like the fact that it's under $40.

Here are some other options for grey pencil skirts.  They are at various price points.

The first one is the Ponte Midi Skirt by Vince Camuto in Dark Heather Grey.  It's currently on sale for $45.90.  It's a great looking skirt, but plain.

Vince Camuto Ponte Midi Skirt in Dark Heather Grey

The second one is the BOSS Vilea Plaid Stretch Wool Suit Skirt in Grey Check Fantasy.  It's currently on sale for $176.90.  I was looking for a skirt that could be worn year round, and I don't think that wool would work in the summer. 

Boss Vilea Plaid Stretch Wool Suite Skirt in Grey Check Fantasy

And finally, since I love pink and lace, here's a fun skirt that is both, the Diane Von Furstenberg Lace Pencil Skirt in Tulip Pink.  It's currently on sale for $178.90, which is a great price, but I still can't justify the purchase right now.  Oh well.

Diane Von Furstenberg Lace Pencil Skirt in Tulip Pink

Preparing for Mondays

Mondays.  Some people love them, some people hate them.  Regardless of what you think of them, for most of us they signal the start of the work week.  To help with the transition from weekend to work week go smoother, I take the time on Sunday nights to prep for Mondays.

First, I look at what I have scheduled.  Do I have any meetings scheduled that are going to impact my lunch or what time I can leave work?  Do I have any evenings appointments or plans?  Taking a look at the week on Sundays helps me better plan.  I also take a look at the weather forecast for the week.  Once I've looked at the calendar and the weather, I start to plan - at least tentatively - dinners and outfits.  Things may get changed up during the week, but having that tentative plan is a help.

The other thing that I like to do on Sundays is to treat myself.  In the evening I'll have something to drink like hot chocolate or a nice tea.  Lately, I've been having a can of Diet A&W Cream Soda (don't judge).  I'll also have a piece of really good, dark chocolate.

Then after my shower, I pamper myself.  I use a different lotion than my normal weekday one, and I do a face mask.  It's also when I use my brightening shampoo.

Lately the lotion that I've been using is this Hydrating Body Lotion from Victoria's Secret.  I love the way it smells and it leaves my skin nice and soft.

 The other week I was wandering Whole Foods before getting my hair done and I ended up picking up this Acure Brightening Facial Mask.  I really like the way my skin looks after using it, but while it's on I look like I've been on a boat in a storm tossed sea for too long.  Either that, or I'm turning into a sea monster :)

How do you prepare for Mondays?  Do you have anything special that you do?

My World

Last week was a really busy week at work - though I'm not really quite sure why.  I did have to give a training and I had a number of meetings, but so much of the week I felt like I was spinning my wheels.  Here's to hoping that this week is better.

I know that the 4th was a couple of weeks ago, but we had so much fun smoking a pork shoulder - and the leftovers are becoming part of tonight's dinner.

We also saw an amazing fireworks display.

I blogged about my PB&J overnight oatmeal a couple of weeks ago, and now I've stepped it up a notch with chocolate PB2.

I have become obsessed with this infused water.  I got the idea/recipe over at Eating Bird Food.

I love taking walks at lunchtime, and one benefit of working for a university is the interesting "scenery."  Usually that means the students, but also the Cathedral of Learning is absolutely stunning.

Finally, this past weekend we painted the shed.  Here's what it looked like before

 

And here's the after picture

What I'm Eating - Grilled Veggie Wrap

On the weekends I usually cook something that I can bring to lunch for the week - or at least 4 days worth.  This week I've bringing in the components to make a veggie wrap.

Sabra Honey Mustard

For me, honey and mustard is one of the most perfect savory combinations.  So when I saw a commercial recently for Sabra Spreads and saw that they had a honey mustard version, I knew that I had to try it.







Last weekend I grilled (okay my husband grilled) up some zucchini planks, some green pepper wedges and a couple of portabella mushrooms.  Once they were grilled and cooled, I divided them into four containers.  I also had some leftover sauteed onions that I added.  That, along with the hummas spread and some great wraps became a grilled veggie wrap.

I've really been loving these low carb wraps lately.  They're only 90 calories and really tasty and not super stiff.

I waited to assemble until I was at work and ready to eat - it's a texture thing - and they turned out really well.

Wedge Sandals

In the summertime, I pretty much live in sandals and flip flops.  Wedge sandals are my favorites to wear to work, and I have a number of different ones, including two pairs of black ones.  Wouldn't you know, they both are dying.  So yesterday I headed over to DSW to find a replacement pair.  I was impressed with the selection that they still had considering it's already July and so many stores have switched from summer items to back to school items.  

Aerosoles Wonderplush

I ended up getting these ones.  They are by Aerosoles and seem like they will be quite comfortable.

Here are some other ones that I'm liking.

 

 

Dream Girl Wedge Sandal; Elody Wedge Sandal; 

Jaylen Wedge Sandal; Caileen Wedge Sandal;

Serena Wedge Sandal; Spring Plush Wedge Sandal

Capsule Menus and PB&J Overnight Oats

A while back, Shannon Ables from The Simply Luxurious Life, did a post on a Capsule Menu.  While at first I dismissed it, the more that I thought about it, the more that I realized that I did, in fact, already do something very similar.

The idea behind a capsule menu, much like a capsule wardrobe, is to simplify cooking and eating our meals to allow the process to be less stressful, and to lessen the temptation to eat out simply because we haven’t come up with anything to eat.

As a general rule, I eat the same thing for lunch all week long.  I cook something on the weekend that serves as my lunch for the week.  It is divided into containers as soon as it is done cooking so that all I have to do in the morning is grab and go.  While that may seem strange to some, it helps me to get out the door quicker, it helps to control my calorie intake, and it saves me money.

Just as I limit what I’m going to eat for lunch for the week, I also limit my breakfast choices.  I always have packets of instant oatmeal on hand, as well as cereal that I have with Almond Milk.  Lately, however, I have been making overnight oats.

Overnight oats are quick and they are filling.  Now, you do have to be careful, as some can pack a huge amount of calories, so be mindful about what you are putting in. 

Overnight oats work will with y latest obsession too – peanut butter.  I recently discovered PB2 and

my cooking will never be the same.  It’s basically dehydrated or powdered peanut butter.  Not only doesn’t it have the calories of regular peanut butter, it is extremely easy to work with in recipes like overnight oats.

To make my PB&J overnight oats I combine regular oats, PB2 and almond milk, cover and refrigerate overnight.  Then in the morning I add either some jam or some fresh fruit.

PB&J Overnight Oats

½ cup rolled oats

2 Tablespoons PB2

½ cup unsweetened Almond Milk

Jam, Jelly or fresh fruit

1.  Combine oats and PB2 and stir to combine.
2.  Add in Almond Milk and stir until all of the oats are moistened
3.  Cover and refrigerate overnight
4.  To serve top with fruit or jam

Notes: I like to set out my oatmeal about an hour before I’m planning on eating them so that they aren’t too cold.

Quick 4th of July Table

This past weekend we went to my mom's house to celebrate Canada Day and the 4th of July, so on the actual 4th, we plan on keeping it pretty low-key.   Unfortunately, our deck doesn't have any real shade at dinner time, so we'll probably eat inside - that and it's air conditioned :)

Even though we're keeping it low key, I still want a festive table. Thankfully, I have a red tablecloth, and I'll use my blue Fiestaware dishes.  I think that I might use my white serving bowls and platters though.