A pantry post

Reading the blogs about 30 for 30 has inspired me try and shop more in my own closet.  That concept also made its way to the kitchen. Last week I posted about how the hubs and I are trying to eat the food in our pantry and/or freezer.   While I was working out I was thinking about dinner.  I pretty much think about my next meal whenever I workout.  I knew we had some crushed tomatoes and polenta, so I decided to throw something together with those ingredients.  I added can of anchovies as well (anchovies just add a nutty flavor when cooked down).

a few items from pantry

 I sauteed some onions and garlic with the anchovies then added the crushed tomatoes.  Once seasoned,  I let it simmer and moved on to prep for a salad and the dressing.  I am a huge fan of a quick balsamic vinaigrette.   I fried slices of the polenta in olive oil along with some baby portobello mushrooms.  I plated the polenta, mushrooms and topped with the sauce.  Parmesan cheese was sprinkled on everything and I then enjoyed a quick meal.   Hubs is working, so it was just me & the pups. 


served on a small plate

  

and a generous salad to round out the meal

I am not a vegetarian, but I do not consume meat with every meal.   I think I need to go find something sweet since dinner is out of the way.   And the dishes are calling me....

5 for $25

I am a sucker for this marketing.  Yes, I am referring to one of the many ways Victoria's Secret lures me and countless other shoppers into their store or website.   Who can resist five new pairs of panties for a mere $25.  I know I cannot, time and time again.   So just for fun, I am going to count how many pairs of VS panties I have.  I do go through them regularly and get rid of the older ones.   Granted, none of them are really that old.  As I was putting away the laundry I began my count.    I stopped when I got to 40, I felt there was no need to go on.   How can it be that I have so many pairs of panties?   The majorities are VS, but I  do own other brands as well.   The upside is that I could go a pretty long time without having to wash any.  

VS is having a sale - seven pairs for $25.50.  I am going to stay strong and not buy any.  Although some new undies would be much healthier and cuter in my Easter baskets.... So my belles,  have you ever counted anything in your wardrobe and been shocked?

Photos from Victoria's Secret.

Spring and things

I love the warmth of spring, which means a change in clothes as well as food.   Coats and boots will be shed until fall and heavy comfort food will be replaced with grilling (I grill out year round) and lighter fare.   I have already begun to switch out my clothes.  I am a fan of organizer Peter Walsh and how he feels about clutter.  I am trying to follow his rule that when you buy a new item, you get rid of an old one.   I have several bags of clothes to deliver to a local mission that sells everything for just a $1.   I found a bunch of things that still have the tags on.    I am even trying to clean out our freezer as well.   My husband & I decided to try and eat what we have already purchased.  It is amazing the amount of food we waste between the two of us.   I keep on thinking about Japan and their struggles.  We are so very blessed to have too much.  So many have nothing.  I am proud of the American people once again opening their wallets and donating to the relief effort.  

Gap Japan relief tee

Gap is limiting their tees to a handful of stores, so your best bet to order it online.  I am thinking about getting one for the hubs.  He is a tee shirt kind of a guy.

I hope you are enjoying the beauty of spring.  Please keep the people of Japan in your thoughts.  

Thanks to the Gap facebook page for the photo of their wonderful tees.

Still shopping for a cause

I don't know about you, but I am highly likely to purchase something if the proceeds go to a great cause.   On Tuesday, I ordered the Tory Burch & Rue La La  for Japan Relief shirt and was thrilled to see that Kate Spade would be offering a tote for Japan.  I found this out via being a fan of Kate Spade on facebook and like many others, I had fb open for a few days waiting for the link to the pre-sale.   Boy, some of the comments on fb were crazy and mean.  I think a few are trying to score a great deal and forgetting the tragic reason behind the product.   There is a  limit of four shirts on Rue La La, which I think is a smart idea ensuring that more people have a chance to order one.   I saw a posting on fb that someone bought 30 of the totes.   That is ridiculous!  If you are that gung-ho to help Japan, please make a straight donation.    

Tory Burch & Rue La La for Japan

                                       

Kate Spade Support Japan Tote

I guess I am one of the few lucky ones,  I ordered mine without any problems.  It appears they sold out quickly, not surprising given the feedback on fb.  Kate Spade posted that they will be trying to get more shipped out to stores for sale.   I feel for the folks at Kate Spade just trying to do some good,  I feel even more for the people of  Japan.    

p.s.  I have the Marimekko® tote for the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.  Another great cause!

Thank you to Rue La La and Kate Spade facebook for use of their photos.

Looking past the brand

Let me preface this post by saying that I am not a runner.   I have marathon runners in the family, but the running gene passed me by (the shopping and eating gene is for another post).   Needless to say that did not stop me from signing us up for a charity 5k race in May.   This led to the hubs stating that we needed new running shoes and off to DSW we went.   I knew the running shoes I wanted.   I love Jullian Michaels from the Biggest Loser and have seen her ads for the new, super cute K-Swiss Tubes.   I found my size in pink and proceeded to try them on.   I have worn New Balance in the past and grabbed a pair to do a little comparison.   So there I was running around the store in two different shoes (and yes, getting strange looks from other shoppers) on the verge of buying the Tubes.  I decided that I would look and see where the shoes where made.    In doing so, I immediately made up my mind.   Here is a picture of my new kicks. 

  

New Balance won me over

And the reason why

  

Sure the color may be from last season - who cares!  I am just glad that they are assembled in the USA.   I wore them yesterday while I was walking/running and saw two bald eagles.   Do you think that was a sign?