Monthly Archives: March 2017

Spring Obsession- Blush

I’m going crazy for pink this season, particularly blush. A few weeks ago I noticed I was instantly attracted to the color pink. I assume this was because we are currently beginning our 8^th month of winter and I was subconsciously seeking spring.

But as the rest of the world is welcoming this glorious season I see that I’m not the only one who’s crushing on pink. This key neutral is perfectly paired with navy, green even last season’s hot color-red. Here is how I’m refreshing my closet with my new obsession. incorporating

just 5 key “blush” items into my wardrobe.

It all started with a stroll through Target when I eyed this cute little clutch. My sister is the clutch queen (she inspires me to travel light) I thought Oh.. I could totally see myself stepping into spring while toting only my essentials in this cute little bag. I was surprised at how much stuff I was willing to go without just so I could carry it.
My next love affair is with these cute little booties in blush. Around these parts it’s likely I’ll still be stepping over puddles and dodging snow piles so a spring bootie is very practical. I found them on Jane.com. I’ve worn them with my olive jeggings, my wine colored slacks and they are awesome with denim.
Literally snatched this pretty cardigan up on my way to the checkout counter. Can you say impulse buy? No regrets- The best part of having a color obsession is you don’t have to over think the purchase. You know you have room in your wardrobe to make this piece work repeatedly. The cardigan is perfect over a navy blouse and I wore it with my floral cherry tunic and of course if you slip on the booties it pulls it all together.
I found this beautiful scarf while I was in Paris. I originally bought it for my sister but just couldn’t part with it. (I bought her a different one) The light feel and feminine nature of it was why I fell in love in the first place and now I’m pulling it into all my outfits. If your not able to jet over to Paris this spring to pick one up then your next best option is Amazon. I have this very classic navy blazer but when I add the soft pretty Paris scarf it doesn’t have to be all business. And it has the opposite effect when I wear it with my super comfy distressed skinny boyfriend jeans in grey wash that I picked up on sale at Maurices.
Every spring wardrobe needs a girly dress and this one fit’s my obsession perfectly. When I needed a dress for my daughter’s baby shower I found this beauty on Amazon. of course I had to hem it (short people problems) but it’s to die for comfortable and makes me feel pretty. Yep my booties and pink cardigan look great with this but I like it better with grey. The pink/grey combination is a classic elegant look and I just happen to have a short little grey sweater with pearl buttons and grey suede mules that scream Easter Party.

MEAL PREPPING… spend a little time in the kitchen so you can spend more time outside.

If your following me, you already know my love for cooking. You also know that I’m a busy gal. I’m not willing to give up one because of the other and I don’t have to when I meal prep. You might think that meal prepping is a chore you must do when your following a strict diet but I meal prep to save time; bonus yes we eat much better because of it. Plus, if you’re intimidated by cooking, I’ll share a ton of sneaky tricks that can help make assembling delicious meals a cinch.

I work 5 days a week so my meal plan is for 5-week night dinners. I like to leave the rest of the week to be spontaneous but I do keep dinner in the back of my mind when I’m shopping. I know the family will be coming over for our “Saturday Night” together and Sunday’s usually include a big lunch so I’ll want to have something on hand. We consider it a splurge to eat out and rarely do. We also travel quite a bit so If I know we won’t be around for the weekend I’ll limit buying perishables so they don’t go to waste.

Preparation is the key to success. About mid-week I’ll start thinking about next week’s meals. I will take a quick inventory of what I already have on hand which includes rummaging to the back of the freezer, checking expiration dates and pulling out what looks good. Next I’ll start reading recipes and asking the family what they’ve been craving. I’ll jot down the week’s menu and make a grocery list.

While it might not sound like the most exciting Friday night activity, I do a quick 10-minute fridge clean up. I’ll toss leftovers that have passed their prime. Check the expiration date on the milk and take stock of the staples on hand because it might look like we have catchup but the reality is someone put an empty bottle back in the fridge. I’ll pull out fruits and veggies that aren’t going to make it through another week and run them through the juicer then prep them for the freezer. Bonus… Saturday is trash day so I won’t have stinky trash piled up if I wait to do this after the garbage truck drives by.

I have this handy dry erase board on the side of the fridge; I’ve used this every week for years. This is where I write down my meal plan. I consider our week’s activities, what nights I’ll be home later than usual, what nights I’ll have a full house ect… This way I know what days I’ll want to choose the crockpot meal and what nights I’ll have time to pre-heat the oven.

I like to do my grocery shopping on Saturday. I love grocery shopping so this doesn’t feel like a punishment for me but if you hate the idea of spending your Saturday this way, pick another day. The key is being prepared before you walk through the door. A list is a must, as much as I love being in the grocery store I don’t want to have to come back. This is a once a week event. I live in rural Nevada, it’s a 15-minute drive to the store so it take up a lot of time if I must run back and get something that I’ve forgot.

Once I’m home I’ll clean and put away most of my goods. I do this because my kitchen is small and if I leave everything out for the meal prep then I have no room to prep.

Are you exhausted yet? I know this seems like a lot of work already but trust me once you’re done you’ll appreciate all the free time you will have during the week and no guilt because you stopped at a fast food chain on your way home from work.

An important part of meal prep is breaking down a recipe. I’ll read through my choices for the week a couple of times paying attention to what I can do ahead of time. Then I will grab 5 large freezer zip top bags and label them with the name of the meal, the date I plan on making it and some basic instructions. (This is perfect if something comes up and you need someone at home to get dinner started for you)

Meats- I like to prep all my meat at once then I can wash up and swap out all my cutting boards, knives and anything else I’ve use to avoid cross contamination. Slice, dice or trim then season or marinade and wrap individually then put it in your previously marked freezer bag.

Veggies- same theory goes here, I like to do it all at once then portion it out, wrap it up and put it in the bag.

You’d be surprised at the little things that take up time. I will literally portion out pasta and put it in the bag. I will do the same with seasonings, dressings and anything that could derail your meal plan. I can’t count the number of times I’ve reached for the mayo only to find out someone has used the last of it on a midnight sandwich. Portion out everything you need and put it in the bag.

I reserve an entire shelf in the fridge for my meal prep for two reasons. Everything I need is in one place and everyone else knows not to touch it. I will arrange the bags in the order I plan on using them with the last meal going in first at the back of the fridge.

If my meal plan includes a casserole and it usually does; then I’ll make the entire recipe and put it in the casserole dish, cover it and put it in the fridge.

At the end of my work day I stop and pick up my granddaughter at the sitters haul her and her gear into the house where our puppies are very enthusiastically waiting for attention. They need dinner (yeah I prepped their meal also) the baby needs a bottle (her momma made this before she left the house and it’s waiting in fridge) and I need to get dinner going. Meal prep makes this a breeze.

I put the bottle in the warmer, set out the dog bowls and grab the meal kit from the fridge. I can usually have everything in motion before the bottle is ready and then I can enjoy a little snuggle time with her while she eats. Once she’s content with a full belly I can put the finishing touches on dinner. It makes me feel like a super star when I successfully juggle all these tasks within the first hour of coming home and I’m left with plenty of evening to enjoy.

Rest Easy During the Time Change

You might think losing an hour in your day would wreak havoc on a busy gals schedule; but making these 5 adjustments helps me fool my circadian rhythm into thinking nothing’s changed.

1. Rest in a pretty place. My husband hates that I make the bed everyday. He will say.. “ugh. I just got it the way I wanted it and then you go and put it all back together.” Little does he know I’m doing him a huge favor. Crisp, clean sheets, fluffy pillows and a warm blanket are essential factors in a good nights sleep. In preparation for the time change give your bed a bit of attention. Flip the mattress, fresh sheets and change out the heavier winter bedding for something light. Give the heater a break, allow for cooler temps during the night to promote a better nights rest. Consider relocating fido or fluffy to a bed of there own. Remove any clutter from the room and go ahead and hide the remote, distract him with a little snuggle time, he will thank you for it later.

2. Anticipation. It’s not like we don’t see it coming. Clear your calendar as much as possible for the days just prior to the time change. Plan a cozy movie night for Friday, skip the cocktails and go ahead and fall asleep a little earlier than usual. The extra sleep during the days leading up to the lost hour will make all the difference as your body adjusts to getting up earlier on Monday morning. Weather permitting, get outside over the weekend and soak in some sun but don’t forget your sunblock. My favorite is

Herbalife SKIN™ Protective Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen 30 mL Aireless Pump

This is also a great time to start an A.M. exercise routine. Working out releases serotonin which plays a vital role in your sleep/wake cycle.

3. Close the curtains. It might be tempting to take advantage of that extra hour of sunlight on Sunday evening but for the first few days close the curtains and trick your body into thinking it’s bed time already. Just the right amount of daylight and dark is vital to maintaining your circadian rhythm.

4. More bathroom time. Go ahead and hang that do not disturb sign on the bathroom door. Take a bath, give yourself a facial or an at home pedi treatment. Whiten your teeth and condition your hair. All of these will help promote a sense of relaxation and allow you to fall asleep more quickly.

5. Record it. Put that DVR to good use.I know it’s tempting to stay up late and watch all your t.v shows but if your favorites don’t come on until late in the evening go ahead and hit record, you be happy you did when you get to skip over all those pesky commercials, plus you’ll want to go to bed earlier over the weekend and catch up on extra zzz’s.

Daylight savings time doesn’t have to interrupt your busy schedule. Making a few adjustments like the ones mentioned can set you up for success. Bonus… you’ll be rested and ready to enjoy those long summer nights ahead.