So, we did it! We woke up at the butt crack of dawn to get in line for the Annual Goodwill Glitter Sale in Seattle. We arrived last year at 8am and were 1,000th in line so we stepped up our game in 2012 and planned on a 4am arrival figuring we’d be first in line. Well, 4am became 5am and sadly we weren’t first in line. Womp, womp. But we did manage to sit nice ‘n pretty in the low hundreds which guaranteed us entrance with the first group of thrifty shoppers. Go us!
We tucked ourselves into our camping chairs, drank warm things, gossiped and watched the sun rise over Beacon Hill. Soon enough, it was time for us to get our shop on. The layers of warm clothes came off and we walked right into the shopping chaos that is the Glitter Sale. My focus this year was on purses, scarves and, as always, jewelry. The purse area was out of control (way too many elbows being thrown for my liking) so I refocused my energy on shoes. Unfortunately, the shoes were sorted by color and not size so it was difficult to browse efficiently.
Luckily, our low entrance numbers gave us access to the coveted jewelry counter pretty quick so I teamed up with a volunteer and nosed my way through the endless amounts of sparkling goodness. I worked up a pretty good shopping sweat picking out the eye catching baubles (something about the crowd and the pressure can really get to a gal….) I ended up with 2 pairs of earrings, 1 necklace and 2 scarves. Not a crazy haul, but I got some sparkly swag that has already been incorporated into my wardrobe. So incorporated in fact, that I will have to dig it all out to take some pics so you can see exactly what I got!
I would consider myself a traditionalist when it comes to health and beauty. I’m quick to go to Bartell’s to meander their aisles for products and have no problem with a prescription or two when needed. But after 10 years of using the same stuff over and over again, I’m not seeing the results I’d like.
I’m not sure if this has to do with my age or with my face/hair/extremities getting used to what I currently use…..either way, I’ve starting looking into more holistic options in hopes that they might be able to keep me youthful, sharp and healthy š A girl can only dream, right?
Here are a few things I’ve picked up recently based on research I’ve found. Obviously, there are many opinions out there so find what works for you. *Note: I am not a professional or expert in regards to any of this. What works for me, may or may not work for you.*
Apple Cider Vinegar
A common folk remedy that seems to be the cure all for just about anything. Not sure exactly what I want to get from drinking this, but I wanted to give it a try for a few weeks. I’ve been mixing 2 t. vinegar with 1 T. organic honey, 1/4 packet of apple cider mix and hot water for my morning beverage. I’ve also heard mixing it in oj works too. I’d like to find a way to not to have to incorporate sugar with it, but I figure baby steps are better than no steps at all.
Tea Tree Oil
This is probably TMI, but I have had tinea versicolor, which is a superficial fungus in my underarms and chest area. I’ve had it for many, many years and no prescription from my dermatologist has seemed to fix it. It’s not contagious and it really doesn’t bother me, but it just ain’t pretty darn it! I’m hoping this oil mixed with olive oil will help clear it up for good.
Eucalyptus Aromatherapy
I’m a naturally a sleepy person – I seem to always run on a semi permanent level of tiredness to which no amount of coffee or exercise can fix. To keep my energy levels up at work, I’ve started spritzing eucalyptus around my office and so far, it does seem to perk me up a bit. Plus, it makes my office smell like a spa š
Organic Coconut Oil
The BF has been sick this week and I found a recipe on Pinterest for GOOT, which is suppose to be a home cold remedy that includes garlic, coconut oil and olive oil that are all blended together and slathered onto the bottoms of your feet. This sounds nuts, but I’m very curious to see if it’ll work. I’ve also read a ton of other health benefits of coconut oil so it’ll be good to have on hand for future uses. *Note: I caught his nastiness over the weekend and did apply GOOT twice and I swear it helped. I feel a million times better.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids, antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage. It also makes your smoothies turn a wicked green color if you use the powder form like I do! With all of the hype about dark green veggies, this seems right on board with that train of thought.
Chia Seeds
Rich in omega 3 fatty acids and fiber, these seeds have also been a new addition to my morning smoothie. At first I found it weird to be eating what are found on those Chia Head thingys, but I’m over that now. So far, I’ve noticed that they do seem to keep me fuller longer, which is a good start. And let’s just say, I’m um, feeling more ‘regular.’ TMI! I know, I know!
Are there any holistic remedies or supplements that you’ve found to work well? Are they all hype or is there actually more to them?
Here is my top 3 fav sites that tickled my fancy this week on ze internetz. Check ’em out!
The Every Girl is one of my new go to sites for entertainment and ideas. It covers everything from fashion to finances. Diggin’ this indoor workout idea for evenings when I don’t want to leave my cozy condo and I can always appreciate recipes for one drink, three ways. Be sure to check out their blog too.
The Pioneer Woman’s Thanksgiving recipe round up – I think I pinned half these already and can’t wait for gobble leftovers so I can make this, this and this.
This gal’s style is so fab and chic From my Grey Desk that it’s inspired me to cut down my wardrobe AND buy this skirt. I know, I know….I’m way late on the Madewell train….
Hope you all have a fierce weekend! I’ll be getting up at 4am tomorrow to hit up the Goodwill Glitter Sale with my nutty, shopaholic gal pals. Hoping to score some great deals! Pics to come…..
Once again, our weekend came and went – though the extra hour on Sunday was a nice little bonus! I’m on this new breakfast smoothie kick with my fav one being frozen mango, banana, pear, spinach, orange juice, chia seeds and spirulina. For those of you not in the know, spriulina is microscopic coiled blue-green algae that is suppose to be way good for you. I’m giving it a shot for a few weeks, we’ll see if it makes a difference…..regardless, I really dig the color – anything that green can’t be bad for you! Spinach is also a new add and I tell ya, I was a bit wary at first. But once it’s all blended up, you don’t even know it’s there.
My sis and I also made a trek down to Olympia to see my Grandma who is going in for knee surgery this week. We brought her lunch and began work on this 2,000 piece monster of a puzzle. Man, I can get down on a puzzle – it makes my brain feel real nice like. We even did a little puzzle exchange and I’ve got a lovely 1,000 piece one ready to go at home. It’s a bit of an addiction, but a good one.
And I had to throw in a pic of Miss Stella, whose doing WAY WAY better. She’s energized, she’s eating well, she’s annoying….she’s back to normal! I can’t believe I’ve got my puppy back š She’s also got her holiday photo shoot coming up with my fav pet photographer Jen Hutter. Can’t wait to get her all dolled up!
I hope you had a relaxing/fun/lazy/exciting/productive weekend!
I may pin a lot of things, but I like to think that I try a lot of them out too. What’s the point of pinning if you aren’t going to create!? There’s nothing like a Fall Pinterest Challenge via my fav blog peeps at Young House Love to make me step up my game a bit! One project? Pish-haw. How about seven!
Recently Completed Pinterest Fun:
Fixing Broken Powder Makeup
This totally works, but I couldn’t get my powder super smooth. Regardless, it works all the same but just looks a tiny bit funky. NBD.
Lowfat Shepard’s Pie
I think I hit the money with this recipe, which I slightly tweaked a bit by adding more veggies. A total crowd pleaser and low fat š We ate like Irish kings last week!
Just a few months of marination and these babies will be good to go for baking!
Homemade Vanilla
I’ve had my calendar marked since the beginning of this year to try this out. I ordered my vanilla beans online and picked up some cute glass containers from The Container Store. I can’t wait to see how these turn out in a few months! These may or may not end up being holiday gifts…….
Peanut Butter Cookies
This was a solid peanut butter cookie recipe. Super easy to follow and memorize. A key to any great cookie recipe.
Halloween Popcorn Mix
I wanted to do something easy but festive for my work peeps and I this caught my eye. My mom makes a very similar popcorn mix for Christmas so I knew this would be a hit (adding Fritos makes it an even bigger hit FYI)!
All Hallows treats! These are too easy…..
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Three ingredients you say? Sign me up! I made these super easy cake-like cookies to go along with my popcorn mix for treats for my work peeps. I like to spoil, what can I say?
Year-end photo book
This is still a work in progress, but I’d say I’m 90% of the way there. I decided to go with Shutterfly and have got my photos through the fall organized and arranged in their premade layout. I have a few open pages left in case I have some good photos over the holidays.
Things on my short list to tackle in the upcoming month:
Skinny Enchilada Lasagna
I like enchiladas, but I swear they never stay rolled for me, which is very annoying. This might solve that problem. Plus, I can make it on Sunday and it’ll feed us for most of the week. I like that, I like that a a lot.
Homemade Caramels
Besides the usual hot buttered rum that I make every year, I’d like to take a stab at making homemade caramels for gifts. My bff from college makes them with her fam and they are to DIE for. I’m hoping these will come out just as good.
Chili Bar
I’d like to host one Sunday afternoon get together and thought this would be a fun theme to try out. It looks not very labor intensive, which I can dig.
What has inspired you lately on Pinterest? Are you in full on holiday pinning mode like me and everyone else out there?
