WIAW and other Ramblings

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I was planning a post for yesterday, but life got too crazy with work, and then a power outage. **funny story – I had been complaining on Monday about how hot it was, and it was reallllly hard to get my work done in the sweltering heat, so yesterday afternoon we finally got the air conditioner put in my room, and not 10 minutes later, the power went out due to high winds/a storm.  later, on the phone talking with my sister, she said, “Well, at least it’s a little cooler outside now, so you can open your window to sleep”…yeah, if the air conditioner wasn’t already in! :)   Very sadly, the power didn’t come back on until around 11:15 p.m. last night.  I had priority work files that needed to be send back, so I had to wait up for the power to come back on to get them sent, and of course I was tired, so no blog.***  But I slept very comfortably last night after I turned the air on for a few minutes.

Went to the chiropractor again this morning.  My back is feeling fairly good for the most part (I’d say  the pain is only a 4 out of 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the most imaginable), so I’m hoping it just continues to feel okay for this weekend.   This weekend, I am going with my sister and brother-in-law to do a concert a few hours away.

Here are some random eats:

Make your own cereal?  Yep! sweet potato spinach dip

And this is going into my meal rotation because I love it so much (my whole family does actually)

Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Seasoned Kale

How to make smashed sweet potatoes?

1. Get a VitaMix or other high-powered blender.

2. Bake/microwave sweet potatoes that are washed and any bad spots on the skins removed, but keep the peels on

3. Blend potatoes with a shake of cinnamon/a dash of milk until super creamy, using the tamper to get everything moving.

4. Scoop on plates.

How do you make the seasoned kale?

1. Tear kale into bit-sized pieces.

2. Add about 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to a frying pan.

3. Add a few handfuls of kale along with a tablespoon or so of nutritional yeast, some black peeper, and a few grinds of sea salt.

4.  Stir everything together until warmed and just slightly wilted.

5.  Serve.

In other non food-related news, I am trying to limit my use of the hair straightener this summer.  My hair is naturally curly, but I probably straighten it about 50% of the time because I sort of think it makes me look older (I know- I’m nearly 28, I should soon start to appreciate people thinking I’m younger, right?) when it’s more “tame” and sophisticated looking.  Also I have thick hair and when it’s curly it just seems like there is so much more of it than when it’s straight.  But I think the frizz and the curl pattern will actually improve if I don’t keep straightening it.  So that’s my little summer beauty goal.  Just let it be and go with the flow, and if all else fails, grab a ponytail holder :)

Saturday Savings

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Went to the store, and guess what Aldis had?  Driscoll strawberries for $0.99 a container!  I have a coupon for $2 off one, but I’ll save that for later since it’s such a good buy, so got 2 of them.  Memorial Day picnic plannings are underway..(insert evil chuckle)… no, nothing weird planned at all.  It’s just going to be my immediate family (me, my sister and her family, and our parents).  For the meat eaters – bacon-wrapped fillet mignon, hamburgers/hot dogs, for the non-meat eaters/everyone – veggie pizza on the grill; extras – coleslaw, macaroni salad, pasta salad, a green salad, possibly red beet eggs (do other people eat these or is it just a PA thing?), and strawberries for dessert.  I was thinking of different things to make, but then I just decided sometimes simple is best.

Oh, in other news?  I just got an email from Zulily – (my link is on the sidebar on the bottom right) and they’re having a Memorial Day Blowout with stuff starting at $1.99. (Warning:  I won’t be held responsible if you start wanting everything! lol  Oh, and when they have sales like this, their site can often be slow, so just an FYI).  I even saw a Coin1804 dress on there.  But stuff sells out quickly and some things are only in certain sizes.  Here are a few things that caught *my* attention:

(for less than $10?!)(Marika pants for $15!)

(for less than $5!)(for $17.49!)

pretty dress (I had a $15 credit, so I just got this for $2.99! I think I got the last one, though) (the Coin1804 dress)

Aren’t these shoes cute?  (of course not in my size) I am still on a mission to find cute and *comfortable* heels.

Well, I’ll be back on Monday or Tuesday with some yummy talk!

 

Fashion Friday + Half Tee Review

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Who else is glad it’s the weekend?  And Memorial Day weekend at that!  We are feverishly working on our kitchen/living room/dining room remodel (well, I shouldn’t say “we”..it’s really been mostly the parents, but I’ve helped here and there).  The kitchen is all done except for the countertops that will be installed in a few weeks and the light to hang over the eating bar area.  The dining room is just about done (repainted, re-ceiling tiled) and the living room I think just has 1 more coat of paint to go.  I’ll definitely have a recap post with lots of pictures when it’s finally complete.  I love seeing remodeling and how something can look completely different with just a few changes, how all of the sudden that china cabinet or that stand suddenly become like new to you all because the wallpaper is off and a fresh coat of paint make it pop… which leads me into a bit of a fashion post.. I know I am not the only person out there who wants to dress modestly.  I appreciate the human body, I just don’t want to show tooo much of it.  So usually what happens is I have to layer – a cardigan over a tank or sundress, which in the spring and especially the summer is just not practical.  Or the top that dips too low – that is remedied by a camisole underneath.  Which is fine and dandy sometimes.  But, what about those dresses or tops that are already a bit form fitting – wearing a camisole underneath just adds bulk, bulges, and unsightliness, and draws attention right to the area that is tightest (which on me is usually my hips/butt/upper thighs) which is the last thing I want to do.

Enter…

HALF TEE!

It’s such a simple concept, I’m not sure why I never thought of it.  It’s a half tee that ends right below the bra line.  It is extremely comfortable (if you know me well, you know I have a thing for touching textiles, and this definitely passed the “oh, feel this” test :) ), well made, and solves wardrobe calamities.  What’s not to love!  I was interested in trying these, so when Half Tee sent me one to review, I right away put it to the test.  I was at first thinking “for half a shirt, it should be half the price” (though their prices are good anyways!), but then I really saw how extremely versatile it really is.  It’s pretty much not only a wardrobe extender, but a wardrobe saver!  I haven’t been able to get any pictures of me wearing it yet, but I’m 100% sure you will see it in future fashion posts.  I got it in gray (surprise, surprise) and have worn it with everything from dresses, casual shirts, to workout tops if I’m a little chilly.

They have quite a few different designs and come in a good variety of colors.  They have half tee, tank, 3/4 sleeve, cap sleeve, lace long sleeve, long sleeve, turtlenecks, and tees for little girls as well.  Their website has lots of styling suggestions as well to show you how you can use yours.

So it really is a simple concept, but one that will expand your wardrobe greatly.  The only problem you’ll have is deciding which style and color to get!

HalfTee Facebook Page

HalfTee Twitter

**Bonus*** Want to get your own Half Tee for 10% off?  Enter the code leafynotbeefy10% at checkout.

*I was not sent this product in exchange for a positive review.  All opinions are honest and my own.

P.S.   Clothing blog sale is still going on here.

Clothing/Accessories Sale

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I’ve decided to get rid of some clothing that is either too big on me now (not a bad problem to have I suppose) or else just don’t wear for one reason or another.  I was going to do the Ebay thing, but thought I’d try here and let you all have first dibs.  If you’re interested in anything, email me at leafynotbeefy(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jewelry/Accessories

top left – pretty big and pretty fancy silver earrings with clear crystals; greenish ones from DYT; flower ones that are a bit hidden from Fossil; bottom ones little knots – all $2 each

lots of little charms and pink/clear beads – $2

on left – longer necklace with pink ribbon bow and bird cage with a dangling bird behind it (sorry picture didn’t capture it) nothing on the right is being sold – $2

bracelets – top one has a buckle closure and is stretchy and comfortable with little scrolly panels (click to see details) -$2; the bottom one is from 1928 and is pretty and has an antique feel to it with a pretty closure – $4

Scarves are $4 each

left – blue with multicolor threads and some gold threads, very happy! right – a darker teal blue with ruching

left – pale pink long scarf with tassels; from Echo; right – shades of green scarf from DYT store

brown and blue from Lulu’s

Clothing (prices as marked)

1.  Oh Mommy maternity top size M (fits L) has ties in the back, $2

2. Lauren Conrad top size M (love love love this, but is too big at the neckline for me), $4

3.  Lauren Conrad ruffle front cardigan with hidden buttons size M (another one I just love but is too loose) $4

4.  Down East Basics dress, never worn with tags still, size XL, a taupey gray color, $15

6. April Cornell yellow sundress, size S (fits M too) $4

7. Mossimo sheer green dot shirt with tie – love this! size S,  just don’t wear it much $2

8.  J. Jill semi-sheer top, cut on the bias I believe, looser on the top, size 6P, $3

9.  Cardigan/open sweater from Chadwicks, size M, cream with a burnt gold lines $3

10.  Down East Basics lavender dress with flower aplique on shoulder – size XL – another one that was never worn – I LOVE this, but sadly, it’s too tight in the rear, and once it fits there, it’ll be too big in the chest; $15

11.  Lightweight cardigan with attached shell, a taupey brown color with ruffles; worn once; size L, belt loops, but no belt; $3

12.  Kariza multi-wear wrap skirt (can be worn like 50 different ways or something, as skirt or dress, is reversible) worn 1 time, one size fits most; $5

13.  Kariza multi-wear wrap skirt, worn 1 time; $5 (shown with both sides)

14. Sonoma shirt size S; $2

15.  Old Navy cardigan with gold and silver sequins size M $3

16.  J. Jill lavender sweater size M; $3

17.  B. Moss ivory knit sweater; size M, never worn $4

18.  eShakti chambray denim jumper size 14 long dress *very long – It drags on the floor a good 5-6 inches on me, so probably best for someone  5’7-5’11.  The bust/rib area is more fitted and then the waist/hips are very free) worn once; $10

19.  Formal dressy gown, pale pink, size 10P, never worn (with tags) $10

20.  Formal dressy gown, pink, size 16, includes matching scarf, is a $200 gown, never worn $20

21.  Sage colored skirt, size 8 $2

22.  Ditsy purple print below the knee skirt, size 10; $2

23.  Chadwicks size M blue waterfall top; $2

24.  Massimo Dutti deep v-neck cable sweater; a light mauve color (a little lighter than pic is making it look); size M/32; only worn once; $5

25.  Daisy Fuentes size L; color is a beige/putty; $4 (this fits like a L/XL in my opinion)

26.  J Jill blouse, size M (fits like a large), purples and grays, pintuck details at the shoulders; $4

27.  Macrame LOFT dress (new with tags) I have 2  1 of these – 1 in a PM  in PS; taupe color; soft stretchy material,$10 each

28.  A little below knee length skirt in pastels size M, cut on the bias, very flowy/flirty hem, has an underslip; $4

Shoes

CL by Laundry size 8.5M, suede taupe (I got these at the store and wasn’t thinking when I tried them on – with socks! lol; and they are too big without socks for me) $10

I’ll try to keep the blog updated as things sell.  Thanks for checking them out!

Winners and Comparing

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I’ll get right to the good part – the winners of the 2 giveaways!  But before I do, I want to say a huge “THANK YOU” to those of you who took the time to vote for my Silk video.  We didn’t quite make it to the top 10, but it was a good try and I had fun doing it.

So, the winners for the Coin1804 Clothing Giveaway:

The winner of the white top:

Congratulations,  Anna!

Winner of the pink top:

Congrats, Katherine@Neon Blonde Runner!

And finally, the winner of the coupon/free product package:

Congrats, Life After Swimming!

If you see this before I get to email all of you, you can send me an email, but we’ll be in touch so I can send out your prizes.

~~~~~

So, I also wanted to talk just a tad bit about comparing.  Specifically blog comparing.  I guess it probably happens to all of us with blogs, but the temptation to compare “stats” is extremely overwhelming at times, and can be quite depressing.  You begin to question yourself… “Should I write differently” “How come so and so has a bazillion and twenty subscribers and I have 10″  “How come they get 2 million comments and I get 5″  “They have an exciting life, mine is so boring”  “They are actually fit and healthy, so they must know what they’re talking about more than I, as I’m still working on it”, and on and on it can go.  Someone asked me recently about some tips on starting a blog.  And honestly, I haven’t been at it for that long, and I for sure haven’t been that successful.  But my biggest tip (and what I am telling myself all the time right now) is try really hard not to get in the comparison rut.  Just be yourself.  Write as you, not as someone else just to get more readers.  Be honest.  Your life may be super exciting or it may be pretty boring, but either way, it’s your life and it’s okay. :)

What about you – do you ever fall prey to blog comparing?   How do you handle it?

The Death of Pretty

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I just came across this article and thought it was worthwhile sharing.  Have an amazing weekend everyone!

[source]

The Death of Pretty

Pat Archbold

December 21, 2011

This post is intended as a lament of sorts, a lament for something in the culture that is dying and may never been seen again.

Pretty, pretty is dying.

People will define pretty differently.  For the purposes of this piece, I define pretty as a mutually enriching balanced combination of beauty and projected innocence.

Once upon a time, women wanted to project an innocence.  I am not idealizing another age and I have no illusions about the virtues of our grandparents, concupiscence being what it is.  But some things were different in the back then.  First and foremost, many beautiful women, whatever the state of their souls, still wished to project a public innocence and virtue.  And that combination of beauty and innocence is what I define as pretty.

By nature, generally when men see this combination in women it brings out their better qualities, their best in fact.  That special combination of beauty and innocence, the pretty inspires men to protect and defend it.

Young women today do not seem to aspire to pretty, they prefer to be regarded as hot. Hotness is something altogether different.  When women want to be hot instead of pretty, they must view themselves in a certain way and consequently men view them differently as well.

As I said, pretty inspires men’s nobler instincts to protect and defend.  Pretty is cherished. Hotness, on the other hand, is a commodity.  Its value is temporary and must be used.  It is a consumable.

Nowhere is this pretty deficit more obvious than in our “stars,” the people we elevate as the “ideal.”  The stars of the fifties surely suffered from the same sin as do stars of today.  Stars of the fifties weren’t ideal but they pursued a public ideal different from today.

The merits of hotness over pretty is easy enough to understand, they made an entire musical about it.  Who can forget how pretty Olivia Newton John was at the beginning of Grease.  Beautiful and innocent.  But her desire to be desired leads her to throw away all that is valuable in herself in the vain hopes of getting the attention of a boy.  In the process, she destroys her innocence and thus destroys the pretty.  What we are left with is hotness.

Hotness is a consumable.  A consumable that consumes as it is consumed but brings no warmth.

Most girls don’t want to be pretty anymore even if they understand what it is.  It is ironic that 40 years of women’s liberation has succeeded only in turning women into a commodity.  Something to be used up and thrown out.

Of course men play a role in this as well, but women should know better and they once did.  Once upon a time you would hear girls talk about kind of women men date and the kind they marry.  You don’t hear things like that anymore.

But here is the real truth.  Most men prefer pretty over hot.  Even back in 6th grade I hated the “hot” Olivia Newton John and felt sorry for her that she had to debase herself in such a way.  Still do.

Our problem is that society doesn’t value innocence anymore, real or imagined.  Nobody aspires to innocence anymore.  Nobody wants to be thought of as innocent, the good girl.  They want to be hot, not pretty.

I still hope that pretty comes back, although I think it not likely any time soon.  For every Taylor Swift, there are a hundred Megan Foxs, or Lindsay Lohans, or Miley Cyruses etc.

Girls, please, bring back the pretty.

Need Your Help ~ Giveaway

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Well, the last post about the commercial my friends and I did didn’t seem to get much interest… so I thought I’d change the rules a bit.  (yep, I can do that ;) )

To enter the giveaway to get lots of really great coupons/samples/surprises (to at least include Silk coupons, coupons for free Greek yogurt, hummus,…lots of goodies!), leave a comment for EACH of the following that you do:

* Vote for the commercial

* Share the link on your Facebook

* Share the link on your Twitter

I was going to do it based on how many people you got to vote for it, but that would be pretty near impossible to know, so this should be easier.  We’re currently in 13th place and need to be in the top 10 to move on.  If we get in the top 10, Silk and House Party do the rest of the voting to determine the 3, 2, and grand prize winner.

AND, if we get in the top 10, I will draw TWO winners, so hopefully that’s even more incentive to spread the word. You have to be signed in to vote, but the process is really easy and quick, and can be done through Facebook.

I’m crossing my finger we make it!  Contest ends May 21st at midnight EST.  Only 1 vote per person.

Conscious Box and Raspberry yum!

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Last month, a company called Conscious Box sent me their April box to review.  If you’ve ever heard of those companies that send you samples of beauty items or food items for you to try out before you commit to buying larger quantities, that is what they do as well.  The box came with a hodge-podge of items, but they were all eco-friendly, including a packet of paint, flower seed balls, kettle popcorn, skin peel, detergent, cleaner, chocolate, and more.  As I am reviewing this honestly, I am not sure that it is something I would pay for, but it was very nicely put together and a really good variety of products.  Would make a nice little gift for someone who is eco-conscious.

I’m going to plant those SeedBallz soon – will be totally surprised by what comes up, as it just says wildflowers and herbs, so that’s exciting (though I wish I did know, especially b/c I don’t know if I’ll be able to tell what the herbs are, but we’ll see – hopefully it’ll be obvious to me).

*as always, this product was sent to me for review.  I was not compensated in any way to give a positive review.  This is just my honest opinion.

Yesterday, I enjoyed raspberries… ah, raspberries!  So yummy!  Driscoll‘s sent me a couple coupons, plus they were on sale at the grocery store, so I grabbed 2 boxes of raspberries.  I enjoyed them scattered on top of some pound cake with some almond milk poured on top, though just plain is sooo good too and will be how I enjoy the rest of them.  So simple.  So good.

Do you like raspberries?  What is your favorite way to eat them?

Music post (absolutely nothing food related)

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Thought I would just share some random videos that I’ve been watching a lot lately.  As some of you know, I play the harp, and hope to sometime make some cool looking professional looking videos to share, but I just adore watching other harpists play, and these are such beautiful songs.  “The Nightingale” is one of my favorites and I play it often at weddings.

and this woman (Eleanor Turner) is like my harp idol – she just plays so effortlessly, with such passion and joy!

So that was probably all extremely boring if you’re not into music.  Sorry!  But really, how often do you get to see someone play the harp?  Even though it’s seen a resurgence in recent years, it’s still a relatively obscure instrument… and yes, people do always ask if I’m an angel or if I wish I would have taken up the flute instead ;)

Promise to have a food-related post tomorrow, but in the meantime, if you haven’t entered the Coin 1804 Clothing giveaway, be sure and enter now.  Also, please take a minute to Vote for my Silk Marvelous Mornings entry!  My goal is to make it into the top 10 (currently I think I’m in 13th)  Only 1 vote per person, and you can vote through your Facebook account to make it easier.  Thanks! :)

Fashion Friday (and another giveaway)

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Are you guys getting tired of all the giveaways lately??  What, you’re not???  Okay, just checking ;)

Well, today is Friday!  I love Fridays!  So far, my day has been get up, drink a smoothie for breakfast (didn’t have some of the produce for a juice today).  It was another good one – Cherry Banana Green – I’ll share it with you soon!  Do a tiny bit of exercise (my back has been a bit touchy the past week, so I’m trying to be careful), do some work, then went to chiropractor today instead of Monday since it’s hurting more, went to the bank and then the grocery store, and now home again to work for a few more hours.  Tomorrow is a Mother-Daughter luncheon I’m going to, and I’m going to make one of ChocolateCoveredKatie’s recipe (you’ll find out which one next week).

Oh, I wanted to update you on my search for athletic shoes.  I have the most cantankerous feet in the history of feet, so I am quite shocked I actually found ones that are pretty much perfect for me.  I started out with Asics Nimbus 12 in 8W.  They seem very supportive and are really quite comfortable… they just feel big (as in bulky) and my feet got burny really quick in them.  Then I got a pair of Nike Free Run +2 from Zappos in a womens size 8.5.  These fit great with plenty of extra room at the toes and wide enough and comfy enough for me.  I wasn’t quite sure about the color.  It is a little too “loud” for me.  So I searched and searched for something less loud in the same style, and saw that Finish Line had then in mens in a grey/white/silver combo and also a new model, Nike Free 4.0 v.2 in a really nice darker grey/silver/grey combo, so I ended up getting both the Nike Free Run +2 mens in size 6.5 and the 4.0 in a mens size 7.

I really like the looks of the 4.0 the best – it seems sleek and I just like them.  But they’re just a tad bit less wide than the +2, and especially they are tighter around the top of my foot (my instep is very high).  So I’m keeping the men’s +2 (the middle picture), and everything else is going back!  Whew for free shipping and returns!!!

Now on to Fashion Friday.  Today I’m going to share about a company called Coin 1804.

(I think that next-to-last one is beautiful!!)

What does COIN 1804 stand for?

“Chic, casual, comfortable

Not your usual, but wearable.  We are all about unique concept of “cotton innovation” as “COIN” and our birthdays 18 and 04.”

They sent me a few pieces from their collection to review and to giveaway.  First up, the 2 that I am reviewing.

First the skirt:

I really like this skirt!  It is very comfortable, and has just the right amount of stretch and casual-ness about it, but can definitely be dressed up very easily too.  For reference, I got this in a size L (and would have been fine with an XL).

Second, is this unique top:

I love how it has that side tie and how it kind of just seems to drape so effortlessly.  It’s also very light (and is very sheer too, so it’s definitely one to layer).  The fit of this is good for me, and I got it in a size M.

Yep, it’s an all-grey outfit.  But I quite like the color grey, plus then I can accessorize with other colors and mix and match tops/bottoms with these pieces.

So for the giveaway, up for grabs will be these 2 items (so 2 winners).  Both are in size M, so enter accordingly.  I feel like the fit of the one top is more like a Small, so be sure and specify when you enter which top you’d like to win.

First is a henley in a pretty pink:

This is a slim-fitting top, and I think this leans towards someone who is a S, and might work for someone S/M, but definitely not M/L.

Second one is with their fox on it:

Size M.

Giveaway will end May 21st at 12 midnight EST, and is open to US only (sorry, I will be shipping these directly to you) unless you don’t mind paying for me to ship it to wherever you live.

To enter, just leave me a comment.  :)