Too tired to get dressed!

Way to go Red Sox! I was up very late last night watching the game and I am too tired to do much. My daughter is home with a sore throat and she is under a zillion covers on the sofa enjoying a Breaking Bad marathon, so it might be a pj day for the two of us! I slept through Barre class (damn, that is two weeks that I have missed) and tabata, but oh well. It is a happy day in Boston and I am so glad I got to see it live. 95 years is a long time to wait!

Who doesn't feel guilty when they know it is a day they usually get to the gym and they don't go? Did that makes sense, since I am so tired it is hard to tell. I am trying to get over that feeling and remember that my body could probably use the break and that one missed workout isn't going to mean the next size pants. I know that it isn't a habit and that often, life gets in the way. I am going to just eat well, even though it is Halloween, and there are three bags of candy sitting in the other room. Dinner tonight is homemade mexican egg rolls, which are the absolute best. They are a take on the chili's version, but I got the recipe from Emilybites.com and they are a little healthier and not deep fried. I think I have posted about it before, since it is one of our favorite recipes. I will cook dinner like Walter White cooks! 

I used to turn over on Thursday mornings and check my phone for the Lululemon WMTM. Now, a few things have changed that habit. First, it seems to be uploaded much later. Second, I haven't bought anything off of that in a very long time. I think this is for a few reasons. Maybe I am buying the items that I want when they come out right away because I worry that they won't be available in my size if they ever make it to WMTM. Or, the stuff on WMTM is stuff that I wouldn't buy for any reason.  A lot of items seem to make it there because they have been priced too high (coats?! or even socks? They are seriously marked down to $9, am I reading that right?) Some seem to make it there because they were just unattractive anyway or got low ratings. Another reason might be the inconsistent sizing. I used to know that I was a certain size in CRBs across the board, but now I hesitate to buy one unless I have tried it on (angel wing CRB running small?). With the return policy being what it is, I don't want to take that risk. So, here is hoping the new hire from Kmart will really be able to take control of its global merchandising and design team. They are still looking for a new CEO.

Have a fun and safe Halloween and don't eat the candy!

Sally Hansen to the rescue

Wow. This stuff is incredible!

I just touched up my Chanel manicure, because every nail looked awful, and I used this to get it to dry. My mom told me about this insta-dri top coat and as much as I hate to admit it, sometimes mother really does know best. I am shocked how quickly my nails dried! Shocked! I even put an oven mitt on after 10 minutes and no smudges at all.

Best news? CVS is having a deal where if you spend $10 on Sally Hansen, you can get $4 EB back. I think each bottle is $7.99 at my local store. You know me, always looking for a deal, so I can spend $108 on Lululemon yoga pants that should be $98. NOT.

Actually, I am thinking about buying a Nespresso machine. I have a Keurig, which is great in the morning when I am half asleep and just need something hot and caffeinated right away. But wouldn't it be nice to have a real cup of coffee in the afternoon? Anyone have a reason to talk me out of this?

Lululemon upload 10/29

WHAT IS BRUSHED? I was excited to see the new waistband pattern on the groove pants but the fabric and cut is all different? What?  This is what it says: 

why we made this

We are all about embracing change, which is why we've updated the silhouette of our Groove Pant and made it with brushed luon fabric for the upcoming cold months. It's still the pant that takes us from yoga class to the gym and everywhere in between, with a couple of small changes that we listed below.

key features

• the brushed luon fabric is wicking, feels fleecy soft against your skin and adds warmth for winter months
• we've increased the rise at the back of the waistband to help eliminate the dreaded whale tail
• we also narrowed the knee by 1" and broadened the hem sweep (the "bell") by the same amount

So, it is a heavier Luon but not full on? Is it like the old Luon? And, here is the kicker, it costs more? Even though it sounds like they cut out fabric? Basically, it is a warmer fabric. I think? I guess I have to feel this in person. I was all ready to hit purchase, and now I can't. Especially since it is over $100.  Let me know if anyone really can describe this to me. Now I am just curious. 

Otherwise, most of this is an easy pass, again. I bought the ruffle up Forme jacket when it came out early this fall and haven't worn it yet. I am going to try it on one more time and then I might get the herringbone. Or pique. Or whatever pattern it is. It is amazing to me that this got messed up. I used to think that a lot of these mistakes were just because a fantastic clothing company expanded very quickly. But, these kind of errors happen so frequently. I can't think of another company that continues to make mistake after mistake. It is a good thing that Lululemon customers are fanatics, but I would think that after a while, customers are going to start looking elsewhere. I am a stock holder and I have long held that Lululemon stock can only go up, and then stuff like this occurs. Yes, it may be minor, but it makes me wonder what is happening in corporate headquarters. 

Anyway, thanks for listening to my little rant. My daughter loved the potato soup. Huh. I'll find the link and post it, but I found it on Pinterest, of course. 

Still Pants and Keep it cozy Crew

This is what I wore to do errands today and  make a stop at my favorite place...TJ Maxx. I was actually sweating in the store. There was nothing for me today, although I did try on a lot of jeans. And they were all awful. Too tight here, too tight there, too long, too low rise. That might be why they are at TJ Maxx! I did actually fix my hair to go out, by the way, and put on lipstick.

Sucker for punishment! Time for Skinny Will pants.!

Last week I ranted a little bit about an instructor and her cuing, but what am I doing this morning? Going back for the same thing. Some days it is just easier to have someone else push me, and today is definitely one of those days. When I say punishment, though, I also mean the fact that my knee is still hurting, but I am going to go exercise anyway. The way I look at it, rather than run and really do some damage, I'm going to do step and only do a little damage. But, definitely no jumping. No. No. No.

I think folks in Boston are pretty tired this morning! I remember the last World Series and how everyone at work was a zombie. It is a good kind of zombie, though, and I am not complaining. Well, I will if they lose. So today, I could be too tired and blame it on the Red Sox. I'm sure the national tv networks have some insane reason why the games have to start so late. By the time I am ready for bed, if I am lucky, it is the 4th inning. So come on Red Sox and finish this out!

The recipes that I made yesterday are just okay. I'm waiting for dinner tonight to see what my daughter thinks. I have a feeling that they are going to go right in the trash. But chili and potato soup with corn muffins are on the menu.

It is pretty cold this morning and I dug out my Skinny Will pants in black. I also bought these in inkwell. I really, really love these pants. I love the pockets and the high waist. Since I am so short, I roll up the bottoms like a cuff, although sometimes I wear them scrunched at the bottom. The drawstring is a bit of a bother, since it adds extra to the waistline. That I could do without, since it isn't really holding anything up. But, pulling it out seems so final. Has anyone done that? I could also see putting on a pair of boots and a nice top and wearing these pants out. I can't remember the name of this tank, because I am not organized and don't save those little tags. I wish it was stamped somewhere on the garment! And with that, I'm off to start my day!

You can't out exercise a bad diet

So enough is enough now, and I am motivated and cooking, baby! I know some people like a variety in their diet, but when I get into one of these moods, I eat the same thing every day for breakfast, lunch and snacks, since I know what is healthy and easy. The quinoa is keeping me quite full and that is a great new addition to the repertoire. The big difference is dinners, and that changes nightly. I am trying a new chili recipe and a potato soup recipe this week. If I can get tomorrow's dinner cooked tonight, then I can go to a 1 1/2 power yoga class, since I am going to work on Wednesday instead. That is motivation. I can be busy and not watch the Patriots out of the corner of my eye. My daughter eats like a bird and is picky, picky, picky, so she keeps me on my toes. Anyway, I am on day 3 of this and my goal is to get a whole week of really clean eating, and that means no extra chocolate peanut butter (that is the hardest one for me!). I've also been all over Pinterest looking for some new ideas, since when this week is over, I will be pretty tired of some of these foods. What are your favorite snacks? That is the hardest one for me!

I never made it to the mall yesterday. After I realized that adding my daughter to my insurance would be an extra thousand dollars, I felt that I shouldn't really be shopping. Plus, I promised my daughter new boots for the fall and we will be going to Nordstrom on Saturday anyway. Oh well. Hopefully, the next Lululemon upload will be awful and I won't be tempted. Yeah, right.

I went to Power and Kick today. I always hate the first time I do a new Power track, since I could have gone heavier on a lot of tracks, but I just didn't know. I like the bicep track, where the arms are out wide and then staggered. I also love the dead squats, or whatever those are called. My right knee is a little painful right now. I don't know why and can't quite figure out when it hurts, but I think in a lunge position, so I took it light there. I know, the aches and pains are growing.

Here I am in my groove crops, of course, black ruffle up cool racerback tank, and faded zap energy tank. I might try on the gather and grow crops, which seem to be the replacement for the groove crops, but I can't get past the split on the calf. It looks like my calves were too big and broke the seams. But, it might be time to admit defeat.

My nails are finally back to normal! It took about 4 months to grow them out from the damage from acrylics. This is one of my favorite Chanel colors. Black Pearl.  Don't look closely, it took forever to dry and I smudged half the fingers. This bottle is about 3/4 done and very gloppy, but I have had it for a while, though. Why do Chanel colors have to be so amazing? And expensive? I'm going to continue with the clear coat daily, since that seemed to make a big difference. Yikes, I have my mother's hands. 

I know what to dip the cheesy quinoa bites into!

I actually started to reach for ranch dip, which would have been great, but I saw the laughing cow light swiss cheese in the fridge and spread it over the bites. It was really good! Clearly, I am not a food photographer by any means. Especially since you see an oval, not perfectly round, quinoa bite with a bite taken out of it! I'm just happy I thought to take a picture. Next time I make the recipe, I think I will make the cheese more like a full cup.

Another recipe that I made yesterday was No-Bake Energy Bites. Do you see a theme here? The only thing that I didn't do was make them into little bites. The big, chunky mess is in a bowl in my fridge and I am just eating a spoonful at a time. See, I saved a step there. I'm sure I got this recipe on Pinterest, and I think I even shared it here at some point. There are a lot of versions of this recipe, but this one tastes like dessert to me! One reason I don't make it too often is because it is very good and I tend to eat a lot of it. 

1 cup Oatmeal (not steel cut)

1 cup shredded coconut (mine is sweetened)

1/2 c chocolate chips

1/2 c peanut butter

1/2 c  ground flaxseed

1/3 c honey

1 t vanilla

I added a scoop of protein powder. I think this could actually have been increased as I didn't taste it at all. 

One thing to note was that it was hard to get it all mixed in. You definitely want to use a wooden spoon here. Chill in fridge for half an hour. Then you can roll into balls or be lazy like me and eat it right out of the bowl. 

Yesterday I took a trip to the Loft (Ann Taylor) and they were having such an amazing sale. I haven't been in there in years, even though there is one not five minutes from my house. I walked out with a sleeveless blouse, a great sweater and a fun necklace. Oops.  I could use some clothes that aren't Lululemon  and are not a basic black vneck tee shirt and I think I will head over to the mall today. I'm still looking for new sneakers, too. I didn't get to the gym. My daughter took her drivers test at 7 am! One more thing to worry about now! I can get my workout lugging shopping bags around!

I have been very hungry in the afternoons lately

And I have been grabbing what is easy and fast, not necessarily what is good for me. Plus, I feel like I eat the same things ALL THE TIME. I had some time while I wait for another repairman to come to my house and I don't know what came over me, but I made cheesy quinoa cakes. I had most of the ingredients on hand and found a few good recipes on Pinterest. I combined them to make my version.  I made the quinoa before I got in the shower, so it could cool enough to handle. They are pretty good, but I'm not sure what to dip them into. They definitely need something....Anyway, here is my version of the recipe:


Mix together:

2 c cooked quinoa
heaping 2/3 c shredded cheese (I used a combo of sharp cheddar and 3 cheese mexican)
3 T flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
salt and pepper

Add in:
1/2 c of Panko ( I think I could have used more, but these turned out fine. The mixture should be sticky. In fact, these totally stuck to my hands.)

Allow to sit for 5 minutes.

Heat olive oil in sauté pan and form into cakes and cook about 4 minutes per side.

Voila. Do you have your own version of this recipe? What do you use to flavor it up? I might dip it into my favorite Trader Joe's peach salsa, but I can also see a little garlic hummus or something else.

Yoga was very fun today. We did a lot of hip flexor stretches and openers, which I need so much. I like when we add in some different poses, because dare I say it, sometimes Sun Saluations over and over again get a little tedious. That was probably a bad yoga thing to say. Oh well. Happy Weekend!

I think this is my Friday outfit!

For power yoga, at least! I am wearing a Lululemon Power Y LUON tank and wunder under crops. Easy peasy. My shirt doesn't ride up in downward dog, but I do find myself adjusting this tank a lot, but that is okay. The luon version is so much better than the luon light, but I can deal with the luon light, but only in a dark color. I also decided to cut the tags on a Scuba I bought a while ago. It was past return time, so I don't know what was stopping me. I am 5 foot 1, and you can see that it is just hitting at the hip. And I'm sure I pull this down as well. I can't imagine how someone a lot taller can wear this. I really fell for this pattern, because I had sworn off scubas. Oh well. I missed the last five minutes of my yoga class on Wednesday to rush to work. I can't believe how much I miss that Savasana pose. I went to be super early last night. I think I was really emotionally drained! I got a good night sleep, so I am ready to go and I won't worry about falling asleep in class. By the way, the Chanel polish is just starting to chip at the ends and I totally forgot to put on clear the last couple of days. I think the Essie base coat really made a difference. I could totally make it to Sunday, and that would be almost a week. WOW. Does that mean I can buy some more Chanel polish? UH OH!

Too something today!

Too tired? Too worn out? Too cold? Definitely too tired to run. Even though exercise would probably be a great thing for me mentally, I think I am going to collapse on the sofa. I stayed up a little later than normal to watch the Red Sox (woo hoo)! I also knew I wouldn't get a lot of sleep because my ultrasound was scheduled for early morning. It was all good, and I have to go back in six months, but talk about emotionally draining. The staff were wonderful. The ultrasound itself didn't take that long and the tech let me watch the screen, which was good (it is my breast, after all), because if I had to go by her facial expressions, I think I would have cried. Basically, lots of cysts and dense tissue. Thank you again, damn hormones, because that can play a big part, apparently. I did have to go for two more pictures with a mammogram and I thought I knew what pain was, but these two pictures brought tears to my eyes. I mean serious, serious pain. But, it is a relief nonetheless and I am a bit wiped. 

I did wear my Lululemon groove pants and cabin long sleeve, because I figured if I was going to hang out there all day, I might as well be comfortable. Little did I know I would be half naked for most of it. The WMTM was interesting this morning....didn't they just release all of those Nice Asana jackets and colors? Hmmm.... Nope, not even tempted a little.

Here is today's laugh! 

Decision by Indecision- Power Y tank

Well, it sat on my dresser for more than two weeks, so I officially own the Power Y tank. I'm wearing it to hot yoga today since it really is the perfect tank...except for the way it fits me! Or, I should say, the way I look in it. That side pictures is a killer. Anyway, here are the photos (cringe). If only I could target the area from the bra line to the waistline. On a happier note, these are the new wunder under crops, that didn't get uploaded the other night. Of course, you can't see the waistband. You just have to take my word for it.

I really am too tired to do anything today-especially yoga, a few hours of work, and then all of the after school stuff moms get to do. I have an appointment tomorrow to get an ultrasound of my left breast. I guess I have dense tissue.  A zillion mammogram pictures later, and I have to wait. I'm not good at waiting. So that kept me up half the night. I"m sure it is nothing, but I worry nonetheless. Last time I had an ultrasound was about 17 years ago. Staying busy today helps and then I have an appointment bright and early tomorrow. No barre class for me, boo hoo. Off to the gym...

I'm waiting in the doctor's office

And I am playing Candy Crush (damn you level 91) and scrolling through Pinterest and Facebook when I see this! How perfect. 

Except for me, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich is my tortilla, Trader Joe's peach salsa, shredded cheese, and avocado. Today I added black beans and it was so good. Tomorrow I am going to sub at work and my center has become totally nut free. Uh, everything I eat has either peanut butter, almond butter or even chocolate peanut butter! I thought I could make my overnight chunky monkey oats, but nope, peanut butter. Smoothies? Some sort of nut butter. And honestly, the peanut butter bites are the best, so onto plan B. I defrosted a block of ice that is actually a one pan lasagna recipe I found on Pinterest. It was okay. I don't think I am going to make again. I am going to rush from yoga to work. Really, really rush. But I don't want to miss yoga since I know I will next week. And then rush around some more. 

So far, Chanel has held up pretty well! I'm going to go put a coat of clear on top while I am thinking of it. That means someone will need me!! Calgon!

Lululemon Upload 10/21

Well, I think I am saving some money this week, which is okay by me since I spent a crazy amount on those Keep it cozy crews. I know I won't be buying any tanks in the pretty pink color. I would think that could only look good on someone with no extra body fat or bulges. I can't imagine wearing the Power Y in that color, especially the luon light. My hats off to anyone who can wear it. By the way, what bottoms does she have one? Anyone know? 
 

I don't need any pants, so I am safe again! After wearing my new groove pants to step yesterday, I was actually considering getting another pair, but I can wait for a pattern that I "must have." 

The Live Simply jacket looks okay. I think I would have to see it in person and I certainly don't need another layer, so I am safe again!

Where I am going to need some willpower: the black and white hatha bag. Luckily a woman I work out with has the all black one, so it would be too weird for me to show up with it. And, there is a very pretty yellow long sleeve swiftly and the color looks very saturated, so it won't be see through (I hope). 

Wishlist: groove crops and wunder under crops, a top similar to cabin long sleeve, a tee shirt that isn't burnout material or see through, since I don't always want to work out in tanks. I'll keep my fingers crossed. OH, I see some new colors in the race me top, but I haven't tried it on yet and $68 is a lot of money for a new top. But, that has me interested.... I haven't seen any pictures of "real women" wearing it. It has gotten great reviews, has anyone out there tried it yet? Let me know! 

Have you ever finished a nail polish bottle?

I am so close! It's hard to tell in this photo since I shook the bottle up, but I am getting there. Plus, this is a color I wear mainly in the fall. I do think I have had this color for a few years, though, so it is time to finish it. I don't know why this is making me so happy. My daughter finished a lip gloss and she probably posted it all over twitter and instagram and snapchat. Plus, my nails are almost all grown out from having acrylic for so many years! That is what really has me thrilled. After having fabulous looking nails for years, I spent the last 4 months embarrassed to show my hands. This is not the best manicure, but that is my left hand. I'm glad I have my nails painted because I am so cold in this house that I think my nails are actually blue underneath the polish. I love nail polish since it is such an easy way to perk up an outfit or a day! I have really only used Chanel because the colors are really so wonderful and it stayed on my acrylic nails just fine. I'm waiting to see how it does with my own awful nails. I do have an Essie basecoat and a CND topcoat, so I hope that boosts the staying power. Speaking of being so cold....

Here I am again in the Lululemon keep it cozy crew. I am really not totally sold on this but it is incredible warm. I think the fleece is making it bulky (and not my own bulk, right?) I have had it on all afternoon and just can't cut those tags yet. I really did want something that I can throw on and not worry about what is underneath (no zip up hoodies). Is that a good enough excuse? 

What a difference a good instructor makes1

I took a step class today. My legs were a little tired from my run yesterday and knew that if left to my own devices, I would be lazy and not push myself. There is something to be said for peer pressure and an instructor yelling (in a good way) at you. I should say motivating. Last time I took step, which at this point was probably a few months ago, I had so much fun and got a good workout (not like kick or tabata, but tiring enough that I was looking forward to the end). There were burpees and squat jumps and a lot more than just up, up, down, down. Today's class was with a different instructor and the cuing was just off, so I spent a lot of the time looking lost. I have taken step for years and could do this in my sleep, but not today. It was pretty disappointing. So after I rode the bike for a while and then took a free ab class. I am pretty wiped now, but in a good way! I only saw half of Walking Dead, I was so tired. I feel like I finally had a good night sleep! That's why I was raring to go today.

These are my new groove pants, and of course you can't see the waistband. But I know that it is there. I look a little mermaid-like in that first, blurry picture, but I do like the flare. I know the material isn't as thick and compressive as my old pants, but they felt pretty lightweight and that was fine with me. My tank is the Track Attack, I think. These names get so confusing and I wish they were stamped somewhere in the clothes. By the way, I broke down and got the keep it cozy crew in plum. My bad. 

More pictures of the keep it cozy crew

I might break down and get this in another color. I just put it on to take this pictures I and don't want to take it off. My right hand is pointing to where it ends on me, since it is a little hard to tell in the all black outfit. SInce it is so thick and cozy, it is a little bulky. I've also got on my mod moves crop (pocket!!) that I am wearing so I can go run after I get my daughter from half way across Massachusetts. If I don't put my gym clothes on today, I will do absolutely nothing but watch the Patriots and think about going running. First, a very long drive, very early in the morning. I get mom points for this one!

This is Long sleeve faded zap Swiftly and I am listing it today on ebay. What was I thinking? 

This is what I actually am wearing out in public today. Better, but not great. 

And for your laugh of the day. I need one, since I was up late watching the Red Sox win! Yippee. Definitely too tired to do much today. 

I think I found my new wear around the house all day long shirt!

And it is a lot of money.

I just meant to run in to Lululemon and run out, but I tried on the Keep it cozy crew. Yes, it is kindof boxy and yes, it is kindof squishy (like soft neoprene sort of), but boy is it warm. And since I can't afford to heat my house this winter, I spent a small fortune on a warm and cozy top. That makes sense, right? This picture is in a size too small. I ended up getting it in black and might break down and get it in the plum. I am 5 foot 1 and while it could have been longer, it wasn't short. I do love split pea, but I felt like a traffic cone or something.

I tried on the wunder under paisley and it was pretty awful. The pattern was great, but the crops had a sort of sheen to them so it was hard to tell if it was skin showing or just a reflection. I bent over and you could see the tag to my "unmentionables," as my grandmother would say. See second picture. Yuck. Oh well. 

But, on the plus side, what I have been hoping and hoping for (no, not groove crops) is a new pair of wunder unders.  I don't know if these are to be released this week, but I came out with a new pair of crops. The front is the first picture, mostly black but for the triangles. The back has the pattern. Just tilt your head to the side to imagine. 

Some of my other impressions? The raindrop jacket looked better in person and was longer looking than I thought. Don't need another rain jacket, though. The Avenue pullover looked like a lot of material and although it would probably be warm, I don't think I could fit a coat on top of it. It looked a little koala like with the pockets. I saw the Harmonious hoodie and if it weren't wool, I would have been all over it. I tried on the karma long sleeve and it was very soft, but TIGHT. I know for a fact that I haven't gained any weight, so this is cut very slim. And a tiny bit sheer. I also tried on the full tilt, and I have the same complaint that it was very tight. You could see every seam and bulge. A little too fitted for me. 

I didn't work out today but I did clean the garage. So a little guilt, but then also some sense of accomplishment. I feel like I am getting ready to hibernate and am getting the house ready. Tomorrow, more yard work. I am making up for being lazy on summer. 

My new favorite purchase: Jo Mallone Roses Diffuser

I don't usually wear perfume, but when I do, it is Jo Mallone. And then I say to myself that I need to wear perfume more often. She has the most incredible fragrances in combinations that you might not think so great, but they all work together. When we were in New Orleans, we went to the bathroom (of course) in Saks, and they had a Jo Mallone roses diffuser that smelled so amazing everyone in the bathroom was talking about it. Well, of course I came home and ordered it. I still can't believe how much I paid for it. (Went through ebates.com though and that helped.) While I think it would be best in a small room so the scent stays inclosed, I have it near where I feed the cats in the kitchen. Every time we walk by we say that it smells so good. Yes, I could have probably bought ten cheap diffusers at Marshalls (favorite place), but this smells perfect. Like its Valentine's day and someone just sent me two dozen roses. I need to check out her other scents now. This could be a problem...