Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Have you shopped on ruelala.com yet?

You know that I love a bargain, and Lululemon is one of the few brands that I think I end up paying full price. I end up getting a ton of my clothing, jewelry and household items from ruelala.com, at amazing prices. Every day at 11 and I think also at 3 pm, they have flash sales. Some of the upcoming brands are Elizabeth and James, Patagonia, Stuart Weitzman, Yoga clothing, and Me and Ro, just to name a few this week. Some of the brands I have bought in the past are Smith knives, Hanky Panky, Bedhead pjs (I am in them right now and they are soooo cozy), John Hardy, Judith Ripka, AG jeans, Missoni, and unfortunately, the list goes on and on. There is no cost to join and with the holidays right around the corner....

This is my link so check it out!






Happy Shopping!
Oh, I have the app on my phone for when I am not near a computer.

Another quinoa recipe

I'm sorry, I have no idea where I picked up found this recipe (If it was you, let me know!)  I found it on my desk- a little scrap of paper- and I just can't remember (ugh! I'm blaming the memory loss on perimenopause).

Recipe:
1/2 c almond milk (I always use So Delicious Almond Plus- lots of protein!)
1/4 c quinoa
1/2 t vanilla
1/4 t cinnamon

Bring the above ingredients to a boil and then reduce to simmer, about 10-15 minutes.

Add 1/4 c raisins (you might have to soak in water for a while if these are hard) and 2 T almonds (whoops, totally forgot these). If it needs to be sweeter (mine did), add 1/2 T honey.

I think this is intended as a breakfast cereal, since it is hot, but it was a great pick me up just now, on a cold afternoon when it is already pitch black outside. Next time I might use dried cherries instead of raisins that I bought at Trader Joes a while ago.

I also found a avocado, spinach and kiwi smoothie recipe that I am going to try tomorrow. Fingers crossed and I'll keep you posted.

Did you break down and buy any Lululemon? I have seen some pictures of the Open your heart long sleeve and the neckline looks very open and the shirt looks very long. Being short, this could end up being a dress on me. I definitely want to try this on. I might cave on the Luon Power Y in micro macro stripe raspberry/raspberry. 

Lululemon upload 11/5

Oh, my, how can I be typing November already?

Yesterday, I went in and subbed for four hours, so no workout in the morning. Except of course, being on my feet for four hours and walking up and down a playground. Thanks to the Red Sox winning, Dunkin Donuts had a free coffee day (as long as you had the app, I think) and that was enough caffeine to get me to power yoga last night. It was lovely as it was dark out and quiet (but cold). We did a zillion hip openers, which I love, because although my hamstrings are very flexible, my hips are tight, tight, and tighter. I really need to stretch better after my weight and cardio workouts. I downloaded a page on pinterest that had a bunch of stretches that seemed designed just for me. I have to remember to use it and TAKE THE TIME!

The Lululemon upload is somewhat tempting. I know I will be near a store later this week, so I'm not going to order anything online just yet. But, something of the things that I liked:

Skinny groove pant full on luon.  This is a cross between the two most flattering pants for me, so it seems like a no brainer. Of course, I don't need another pair of pants. Has that stopped me in the past?

Yeah Yeah Yoga Tank. Definitely have to try this one on because it could be very low in the back and I don't know about support with those straps. That could be a problem.  It looks very good from the front, though. And on that perfect model it looks perfect. I'm all over that raspberry color, though.

Enfold Wrap.  Got you there. Looks like extra sleeping bag material. No, no, no.

Power Y Tank Luon. There is a fun pink striped one. I wonder why they don't carry these in the store?

Yeah Yeah Yoga Crop. I am all set with what I have but the pattern is interesting. Hope to see it on more.

Open Your Heart Long Sleeve. This could be really perfect, but it looks like it may have a very open neck, as the picture shows a layer underneath (the white?).  I'm also not entirely sure what the fabric is. Sometimes all this lingo gets a little confusing (especially since my phone rang very early this morning and woke me up much earlier than I am used to and I'm a little on the tired side. As usual!)

Calm and Cozy Pant. Yeah, drawstrings at the bottom for those of us who aren't giants! Have to see how it lays though when it is cinched.


If you try any of these on, let me know!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

I'm having one of those "why do I exercise?" moments!




Luckily, my daughter was up this morning and pushed me out the door to go to Group Kick. Once I was there, I was raring to go (it must be that time change!) and it felt good to exercise and I am so glad I went. But....

Today I am just full of doubts. I know there are tons of benefits to exercising, such as less stress, increasing longevity, improving mood, helping with aging and fighting diseases...the list goes on and on. I think what brought me down was that my weight has not changed at all. (As an aside, I am super bloated and perimenopause is the worst. My Lululemon clothes just looked awful on me. I feel like I could pop.)   I guess if I didn't exercise I would be as big as a house, and that is not a happy thought at all. So, yes, I will keep on going to the gym and hitting the weights and doing downward dog.  I guess this is my 47 year old body. Is this what aging is all about? I feel like with this last birthday, things really changed. I look a lot like my mother, which isn't a bad thing, but it is a shocking thing. I don't think I can eat any healthier than I do now, given my current lifestyle. I certainly can't eat any less, or I will fall down from hunger. I know nutrition is such a huge part of weight loss, but I'm just not able to see anything that is going to give, especially as I get older. So, that is my depressing rant. Thanks for listening. Tell me you have been there, done that! Wow, am I whiny today.

Anyway, who didn't have tears in their eyes yesterday watching Gomes and Saltalamacchia at the Boston Marathon finish line with the 2013 trophy and a 617 jersey? And that is not my stupid hormones talking!



After spending a small fortune yesterday, I am taking it easy this afternoon and cleaning my house. I want my floors to shine like the top of the Chrysler Building. How can it be dirty already? Dinner tonight is turkey meatballs, our favorite! 


Saturday, November 2, 2013

Fun at the mall!

Okay, that was as strenuous as any class I take at the gym. Why is walking and trying clothes on for 3 hours so difficult?

I did go into the Lululemon store and I saw both the pique and herringbone forme jackets. I tried the pique on and it was warm and cozy, but I felt a little like I was wearing shoulder pads from the back.  I certainly don't need another jacket, so my daughter convinced me to walk out without it. The other item I tried on was the Dhyana short sleeve. This I really had a hard time resisting. The material is soft, but a little clingy, and it fit very nicely. In fact, I thought the heathered black was nice enough to wear out with regular clothes. Alas, $58 for a short sleeve shirt is much, even for me. If it ever goes on WMTM, then I will consider it. I also felt up the groove brushed pants, and while there was definitely a thicker feel to the pants, I'm not sure I would have noticed it without being alerted to the change. Otherwise, there really wasn't a lot of new merchandise to look at or anything else that was tempting.  Looking forward to Tuesday, though!

I did stop at the Chanel counter of Macy's and paint my daughter's nails. And then totally forgot to go that way on the way out and didn't end up purchasing anything.There was a color that was very close to Vamp, which I have on my toes right now, but I can't remember the name. Maybe Accessoire?



I was going to buy that!  I liked Rose Moire, as it was a good neutral color for short nails. Darn, Darn, Darn. Macy's was also telling me about a  pre-sell of the Holiday colors, which was a gorgeous royal blue and a very black color with shimmer or glitter or something. I stopped listening when she said they were getting maybe 10 in.

I tried on clothes at Banana Republic and didn't even get undressed at Ann Taylor. Skipped J crew and got basic long sleeve cotton tee shirts at the Gap. I can't wear heavy sweaters anymore because I just sweat, sweat, sweat. Also forgot about new sneakers. Yup, I had a birthday last month and I can totally tell.

I did get my daughter an early Hanukah present! Gorgeous Frye boots! Meanwhile, I was drooling over a pair of Rag and Bone booties that cost....ready...$575. Okay, I need those knockoffs, so if anyone knows of a less expensive pair, LEAVE A COMMENT! There were some less expensive ones on the website, but wow.

Friday, November 1, 2013

My Walking Dead nail polish

Chanel Black Pearl did not last at all! I am so disappointed and I don't know if it is because the nail polish is old or what, but I think the bottle is going right in the trash. I really love that color, too. Damn. This color is really a grey-taupe-netural color and I think it is perfect for fall. In some lights, though, it looks a little drab. I miss my acrylic nails, since the polish never really chipped and I didn't have to think about it at all. I am so happy with that Sally Hansen quick dry! It does what it says it does. Of course, any smudges on my nails are user error, there was a fuzzy thing that got in the way. This is two coats, by the way.

I am definitely off to the mall tomorrow. I know that I say that quite frequently and then never get there, but tomorrow, unless there is an act of God, I must take my daughter to buy boots. And that means, of course, checking out the Chanel nail polish colors (I like Dior, too) and Lululemon. I'll be curious to see if there are any pique Forme jackets. Those sold like hotcakes (where did that expression come from?). The next set of colors look really gorgeous and I might have to start subbing at work more often to support my habit. I'm hoping everyone will be at the Red Sox parade and we will have the place to ourself! 

I have changed my breakfast! Can you believe it?

While flicking through the zillion tv channels the other afternoon, I caught the last five minutes of Katie, and there was a nutritionist talking about the best new superfoods to add to your diet. So, while playing Candy Crush, I listened with half an ear. The next day, while I was in the grocery store, low and behold, one of those superfoods jumped right out at me. Hemp seeds! For all I know, it has been on the same shelf for months and I just never noticed it. Anyway, I added a tablespoon to my oatmeal this morning and it was just fine! Am I the last to jump on this bandwagon?




Anyway, in case anyone is interested, this nutritionist said that tart cherry juice is a must have (it is powerful natural anti-inflammatory that can rival over the counter pain relievers in relieving aches and pains). I used to add a tablespoon or two to plain tap water to give it a fruity taste, but I haven't done that in ages. I wonder if that is enough or you need to drink a whole lot to get the health benefits. I guess it is good for post-recovery from an intense workout. This nutritionist also said that the other superfood, kombucha, doesn't have the medical science to back up health claims. Yet. It does deliver antioxidants (from the tea) and probiotics (from the fermentation), though. So, I might do a little more research into the tart cherry juice, but I will definitely be skipping kombucha for now. By the way, Katie said it tasted a little like apple cider vinegar. 

I only managed to eat a few pieces of candy last night, and my daughter took the leftovers to school. I was actually pretty happy with that, because I could easily sit down and munch away. I have a real chocolate problem, in case you didn't know that! Ha. How was your Halloween? 

I'm off to yoga and am still really looking forward to these classes. I'm wearing an old black Lululemon CRB, energy bra and my groove crops of course. All of these pictures that I take look the same...black, black and more black. I don't want to be in downward dog and have my shirt ride up. That is just mean. I periodically go through these stages where I love the idea of a nice colorful tank or top (and I buy it- shelf full of swiftly tanks and vee necks) and then I try it on and all I can see is my stomach sticking out. So, I think I will stick with black for the time being as I certainly feel less conscious that way. Why oh why is this pooch not going away!?! This is so frustrating, as it is all I can do to maintain this weight, let alone lose a little! Is this my 47 year old body from now on?