Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

Sunday Lately 37

When did it get to be the 37th week of the year?  This is insanity.  I feel like it’s the time of the year when I’m giving up on the goals that I set for myself and saying, “Well, it’s almost the end of the year.  What’s the point?  I’ll just try harder next year.”  But any day can be next year.  You can start next year whenever you feel like it.

“You might feel sleepy. It might be tough. It could seem preferable to just sit this one out. But…Today is not over yet.” Alex Franzen is a wise woman.  And today isn’t over yet.  The year isn’t over yet.  It isn’t over yet.  Just remember that.

That’s neither here nor there.  On Wednesday, I attended a #StylishPittsburgh event at No. 14 Boutique in Lawrenceville and it was fantastic.  Everything was so chic and Pinterest-perfect.  There were cupcakes and prosecco and I got to spend the evening catching up with Marissa and I purchased the most beautiful leather jacket just in time for a spell of cool weather here.

 

Doing

I feel like I’ve been doing everything and nothing at the same time.  I’m definitely spinning my wheels with certain projects and time is slipping away from me.  Exactly why I feel like it may be semi-pointless to try to make this year’s goals happen this year.

Appreciating

There’s an opening in another department at work and I appreciate the chance to be considered for it.  And no, I’m not just saying this because my url is on my resume.  I really am thrilled to try to make the company I work for bigger and better.  And myself, too.  I realized that if I’m not learning and growing and challenging myself, then I am supremely unhappy.  I need that challenge and this is exactly what I’m looking to tackle next.

Designing

Pretty sure that 87% of the past “designing” prompts have been something about this blog.  But I really am working on a plan to beef it up and redesign it.  I want to split it into “blog” and “services” that are more clearly defined.  Right now, it’s a blog (which is fine) but I need to highlight what I offer in other areas too.

Humming

I’m writing this and listening to Fleetwood Mac.  Because why not.

Expecting

I saw a Clarity on Fire clarity gem recently that said, “Expectation is far more powerful than hope.”  Don’t hope that things will work out, expect that the results you want will happen.  Don’t hope for a good life, expect it.  I love the action in the word expect.  Sometimes it feels a little…like you just think it’ll magically fall in your lap without trying.  But it’s more powerful than hoping.  There’s action to it.  Something will happen.

What have you been up to lately?

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup with Katy, Nicole and Meghan. Use their themes or use your own. Just remember to link up with them so we can see what is happening with you lately!

Sunday Lately, 36?

I’m skipping a few weeks between Sunday Lately posts and I don’t know if I should number based on the weeks or based on what week I’m on.  So that’s why you get the ? in there.  I have no idea what day it is or what week it is half the time anymore.  I used to use that brain training app and honestly didn’t see much of a difference, but I am noticing a difference when I don’t do something cerebral.  Or maybe I’m just a little scattered with other things lately?

"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."

Anyway…onward!

Planning

I am planning a huuuuge weekend of cleaning.  Friday, September 4th was the official closing day on my father’s house, so Thursday, September 3rd was the panicked, “Oh shit we have to haul everything out of here; I don’t care where it goes, but it can’t stay here” day.  So I’ve been playing a fun game called How Much Stuff Can You Pack Into a Ford Focus.  Angelica: 10, Car: 0.

How much can you fit into a Ford Focus?

Well it ended up in my garage.  And my basement, my office, my bedroom.  Basically my house is full of things that I couldn’t bear to part with from my childhood and Christmas decorations.  My dad loves his Christmas decorations, which is ironic because I hate decorating for holidays.  I definitely didn’t get that gene.

Loving

This weather!  Yesterday morning while I was cleaning, it was warm and sunny and dry (important because I was chucking empty boxes into the driveway in victory every time I emptied one).

Yesterday afternoon, I finally caught a summer thunderstorm.  I have a covered back porch and my favorite thing to do is sit on the porch and listen to the rain.  I was moving a few things around and I got rained on, so I figured, “Hey I’m already wet, why not go play in the rain.”  So I did.

Reading

The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.  Of course.  I got sucked in.  Probably because I need a cubic shitton of some magical tidying up help.

There are some things in this book that are so useful.  Her advise for storing clothes or how she advises you to keep an item if it brings you joy and let go of those that don’t (sound life advise overall, don’tcha think?)

But there are certain things like, “Your house will tell you where to store it,” that I’m like……”Really?  Really, Marie?  It will?  Yeah okay…”

Wishing

For long weekends all the time.  I would get so much done and feel so much better.  Or I’d just be happy if I could wake up at 7am every day.  I think that’s my sweet spot.  Any earlier and I feel like a zombie.  Any later and I feel like I’ve wasted the morning (my most go get ’em time of the day).

Feeling

All the feels.  I don’t like change.  I’m not a person who can roll with the punches.  I sit there and freak out and cry and then I can think clearly and reassess.  But to reassess it on the fly?  Nope.

For example: Jonathan and I were installing a new floor in my father’s house back in January.  I was getting so worked up and frustrated that I couldn’t see or think clearly.  It wasn’t until I banged some things around, got angry, and cried a little did I get back to work with a solid plan of attack.

So I just need to throw some things around a little first, but I’ll be alright.

What have you been up to lately?

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup with Katy, Nicole and Meghan. Use their themes or use your own. Just remember to link up with them so we can see what is happening with you lately!

Budgeting Days

I went shopping again.  On a Saturday again.  And it wasn’t that bad!  I seriously never went weeks without grocery shopping like I do now.  I guess mix 2 parts being too scattered to think with 1 part being cognizant of what I’m spending, stir it up, and realize that there are ways to feed yourself without having to shop every week.

Sticking to a food budget is hard, but I love the accountability with Project:Food BudgetBut I really do appreciate the P:FB is keeping me honest and makes me really think about where I’m spending money when it comes to what I’m buying.  I’m sad to see this end.

I’ve been doing a lot of simple cooking with tomatoes, herbs, and pasta.  I’ve become addicted to a tomato pasta recipe from Jamie Oliver.  Tom Totin gifted me a cookbook when I was on his show (all episodes here!) and it stole my heart.

Jamie Oliver's summer tomato and herb pasta

My total bill at Giant Eagle this week was $36.69.  On Wednesday, even though I packed lunch, I went to Panera with my coworkers and spent $10.57 (total rip off!) which makes this week’s total $47.26/$50.

I am most excited to use up more of my zucchini, the only thing my garden is producing, and make a batch of these zucchini brownies.  There’s no oil or eggs (just bananas and apple sauce) and just a small bit of sugar (I cut down to about 1 1/4 cup), but you get deliciously tender, slightly fudgy, just a little spongy brownies.  I’m talking Stand-In-The-Kitchen-Eating-Straight-From-The-Pan good.

I also picked up some ingredients for a beef ramen.  I have the recipe from a Blue Apron box delivery and I thought I’d recreate it a little myself.  I didn’t go crazy buying weird mushrooms and miso paste, but I figure I can use what I have.  I’m also substituting broccoli rabe for bok choy because I couldn’t find a reasonably sized bok choy and I don’t like it that much to use 60 pounds of it.

How are you doing with your food budget?  Check out these budget badasses for more inspiration! Emily Levenson / McGinnis and Bean / Red Pen Mama / Seeking White Space / Gardening in High Heels / Melissa Firman / Copy & Post / Shea Lennon / Warm as Pie / Two Eggs Over Easy

Sunday Lately, 34

This week, a big truck came and took all 95% of my father’s furniture to his new apartment.  There’s still a little more to do, mostly cleaning, in the next two weeks before closing.

I also took my first Bodhi Suspension class this week at Dragonfly Pilates.  It was the most fun I’ve ever had working out.  It kicked my ass, but it was a great time.  It didn’t feel like 45-60 minutes went by.

And finally, my first #KatyMade Sub Box arrived!  It’s full off coffee goodness and the print is basically me and everything I stand for.  (September boxes are all about fangirling out, so get in on this action, like, now.)

Handmade Escapade KatyMade sub box for August is full of awesome coffee goodies!

Updating

I’ve been updating my house.  Spray painting furniture, building crap from IKEA, hanging pictures.  The walls in my house are pure plaster, so you need a drill and a big hatchet to break through.  It takes a while to get a picture hung.  My Pilates muscles will come in handy though.

Spray paint blunders

Speaking of updating, I re-wired these lamps with Jonathan’s help last night.  I finally feel confident to leave them plugged in when I’m not in the house.  I love actually being able to use them.

Reminding

It’s been a hard couple of weeks.  It helps to remind myself that it all comes to an end at some point.  As humans, we all try very hard to avoid discomfort, but sometimes it can’t be avoided.

Needing

Dude, I need a break from my break.  I took two days off last week to help my dad and I slept like a rock 2 out of the 4 nights I was off.  Hard work does a body good.

Wearing

Light jeans and tank tops.  It’s my summer uniform.  It also hasn’t been crazy-hot here with the exception of a few days, so I haven’t even turned my air conditioning on this summer.  It is glorious on my electricity bill.

Being

Quiet for the morning.  It’s a great feeling.  I suggest you try it some time soon.

What have you been up to lately?

Sunday Lately is a weekly linkup with Katy, Nicole and Meghan.  Use their themes or use your own. Just remember to link up with them so we can see what is happening with you lately!

Groceries..

Last week, I went shopping because my mom and step dad would be visiting.  I took food out of the freezer, made sure the garden was kinda producing something that we could eat, and planned out meals including sides (whoa I’m fancy, huh).

And they went out to eat every. single. night.

So I’m not shopping this week.  I’m still working off of last week’s leftovers because I can’t re-freeze something that’s already been thawed.  Fun fact: my uncle calls it “de-thawing.”  I love Pittsburgh.

Sticking to a food budget is hard, but I love the accountability with Project:Food Budget

Last week, I spent $37.88 / $50 for Project: Food Budget.

It really did help to have some meats stockpiled in the freezer because the sales at Giant Eagle were pretty meh.

It wouldn’t have even been that much if I hadn’t had to restock my chia seeds.  I know, I should really go to Trader Joe’s for chia seeds, but I didn’t have time to write a post last week let alone drive all over for little bitty seeds.  I’m okay paying a little more for convenience.

I also splurged on some Isaly’s chipped ham for my mom to take back with her.

The biggest win from the week was planning out a menu and shopping based on said menu.  The biggest fail from the week was not eating everything.  Which is weird to say.  I planned food for 3 people and ended up only feeding myself, so there was a lot of extra.

What do you do when you run into a surplus of food?

These other budgeting babes have way more meat and potatoes to their posts, so go read theirs.  Like..now. Emily Levenson / McGinnis and Bean / Red Pen Mama / Seeking White Space / Gardening in High Heels / Melissa Firman / Copy & Post / Shea Lennon / Warm as Pie / Two Eggs Over Easy

How are you doing with your budget?

"Hey, Groceries. Believe in love again." ~ Richard from Texas (Eat Pray Love)via

Also, every time I say groceries, I think of Eat. Pray. Love. and Richard from Texas calling Elizabeth Gilbert “Groceries.”  Does anyone remember why?  Help me out here.

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