What's a girl to do?

Over the last two months I have made over 30 dozen cookies. I made them to hand out to friends and family over the holidays. I even made cute bags to put them in see:

I still love these bags! I made 50 of them for like 4 bucks!

I made ginger snaps, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies and coconut macaroons. Yummy

Well after the trip out to my sister's house in Houston, picture below is the back of my car with just the kiddos gifts in it, just had to share:

We have eaten way more than I should have. Now, my head is conflicted on what I should eat. The picture below shows what I mean:

Eat the cookies or the apple and granola bar? Hmmmm. What's a girl to do?

I will take my foot out of my mouth now...

Mr. A informed last night that no matter what my intentions were with a recent blog post about babies was I should never had said it. It came off wrong, rude and selfish and you know what as much as I hate to admit it he is right.You all do not write your blogs to entertain me, you write them to tell your story. I hope you can accept my sincere apologies.

I have since taken it down, so if you don't know what I am talking about then good and if you do and were hurt I am sorry. Really, I never meant to come off like that. I hope you all can understand it was an honest mistake.

Thanks for (hopefully) still loving me even with my lack of self control.

Now back to my regular posts...

Coming up, pictures from our trip... here is a sneak peak:

Positano Italy!

View from our balcony...

It's Getting Hot In Herrr/ Is the end of the world near?

 OK not to be a pessimist or anything but I am starting to get a bit concerned that the Myans may have had it right. Things have been going on in the world that just don't seem to be good.

First off, Egypt and the rest of the middle east has gone nuts! I think it is great to show the power of peacefull protests and I think it is great if everyone in the mid-east wants to get on thier twitter account and overthrow thier government. BUT I am a bit concerned as to where that leaves these countries after everything goes down. Like who will be running the region, if not for more dictators? Maybe George Clooney? Now that would be awesome.

Secondly, did you know we are in the midst of a solar flare???? It's like we are living in a "end of the world" movie. The news outlets all keep saying ehhh don't worry about NOAA has this covered, but I mean how exactly do they have this covered? Do they have a big bottle of sunscreen they will put over the planet? Will Ben Affleck and Bruce Willis get on a spaceship and shoot ice at the sun to cool that bitch down? I mean really how exactly am I supposed to think it is reassuring that only some GPS systems and only some planes will have to be rerouted and only some radio contact could go down?

Third, did you know earth might have two suns in 2012??? A star, supposidly really far away from here is going to explode/implode! It is losing mass and will eventually implode on itself and Earth should be able to see this bright light for a few weeks. Does anyone else feel a litte bit concerned about this whole idea of a freaking star IMPLODING!!!!??? This can't be good.

Fourth, this is supposed to be the last pope before the end of the world. For those of you that don't know I am Catholic. I get to hear all the cool and crazy Cathloic stories from family and it always weirds me out. But that is neither here nor there. Apparently a saint back in the day has predicted that this pope will be the last pope before the anti-Christ will trick us into taking over the church and then the WORLD. Seriously people I don't joke about the anti-Christ.

So with these stories and the news that Sarah Palin might run for president in 2010 plus the fact that for the first time since I have graduated college and am in the workforce I have money in my bank account, I am thinking this is The End.

Enjoy 2011 and 2012 people.


BTW - I totally hope you know this was all in good humor and not meant to freak anyone out and I don't actually think the world is coming to and end. Just think there is a lot of weird stuff going on in this crazy world.

Is it just me, or am I a total baby?

This weekend I celebrated one of my best friend's bachelorette parties. We had an amazing time, filled with dirty comments, penis straws, a party bus, stripper poles and of course "Color Me Bad". Janet, the bride, is going to be totally gorgeous on her wedding day. She is planning a fabulous wedding with so many little details that encompass who she and her fiance are as a couple. More on the party and the wedding plans later.

After the party I got to thinking about my wedding and the events leading up to my wedding. My wedding was a year of planning, thinking about every last detail I possibly could, picking the best photographer and wedding vendors I could. Worrying about everything, so much so I made myself sick. Then just like that it was just over! Like that, a switch was flipped and I was Mrs. A. I never got to really enjoy all the little details about my wedding that I loved so much. From table numbers to handmade place card holders I barely noticed them. Even when I did notice it I felt like I had to rush to do something else and then could not fully appreciate all the hard work that went into every single detail.

So I pose this question, am I being a total baby? Six months later I am still a little bummed that I did not take every moment in like I felt I should have. Is this totally normal and I should just get over myself? I had an amazing day, don't get me wrong, but I just always have this little twinge of regret that I did not slow down enough to take it all in. Another girlfriend of mine said her DOC made her take about 10 minutes with her new husband to step back and observe everything. Should every couple do this? Would it have mattered in the end?

I loved our wedding but if there was one regret it is that I did not slow down enough. From the time I got my hair done until the time I took it out with my new husband it was GO GO GO. Maybe the best thing is that I know how it feels and I can pass along the knowledge to my friends?

For now I will show you some of my favorite little details, some of these you have seen some of them are new, all of them I love:

My bouquet, I had it wrapped in fabric and lace from my mom's wedding dress. My grandma's baby ring was sewn into the flowers. 

Our dog was an adorable ring barer. 

I had our cake toppers custom made for my husband. He loves Spiderman. I loved our cake in general, even though I barely got to taste it! 

I loved the ceremony decor because it was super simple, even though I don't did not even really get a chance to take it all in. I was too busy staring at Mr. A. 

I took months finding these wine bottle table numbers. I don't really even remember what they looked like on the tables! From these pictures I can tell they looked good though! 

I don't even remember eating any of our hundreds of gummy bears! Gosh they look good now! 

I love this picture of us getting out marriage certificate signed. Seriously though, I don't remember it. 

Mr. A got me this necklace as a wedding gift. I loved it! I used his grandma's purse for the big day. 

Gosh I loved my long head table decor. I seriously spent hours coming up with this look. We probably spent a total of 10 minutes sitting at the table. 

I did not even see these! 

My sister was amazing the whole night. She got me these shoes to help with the pain in my foot. She is so sweet. 

Well there you have it. I have griped enough and now. Now looking back at everything, I have to say I had a freaking amazing wedding. I totally am a baby. I will get over myself and remember that I got to marry the best man in the world. I guess it's the big picture that matters.

Snow Day!

Something magical happened here in Austin, Texas today. It SNOWED!!!!! I know most of you are reading thins thinking well snow happens, it February Yankee girl, get over it. But it had literally been years since I had seen snow accumulated on the ground. 

My Mr. A got up at 5:30 this morning to be the first to play in it! This is why I love this man. He woke me up and took our dog out to see the snow. It was really freaking cold so at first I just watched from the window as he made snowballs by himself, and played with our dog, who by the way did not look happy about the snow. He came back up and got me and convinced me that I too should partake in the fun. We only get snow like once every 3 years here. 

We headed outside and attempted to make a snowman. After many tries it did not work, but we did make an arsenal of snowballs and tried to eat some of the snow. FYI - city snow taste like what you think it would taste like, nasty. We threw snowballs at each other and played outside before we got really really cold and headed back inside. Here is the scene outside out apartment at 5 am this morning: 

We then headed inside and warmed up and feel asleep. About an hour later I found out I had the day off! SWEET! He had to go to work still, but not before he woke me up with a huge cup of hot coco, and Nutella toast! Seriously, I love that man! 

Tahiti: Must. Go. Now.

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Who else was driven to their computers to look up flights to Tahiti last night wile watching the Bachelorette? I am totally in love with the over the water bungalows and must go there very soon. I love that the entire show was basically a post card from the island.

I secretly watch that show every week thinking these people are actually falling in love. BUT, I am super bothered by the fact the people on the show never talk like normal people. Things like "I am on a journey" "I have strong feelings" why cant they say man I am diggin' that hottie and would like to bone?

Have a great Tuesday night ladies!

Northern Girl vs. Texas Charmer

Recently in a conversation with my friend Kate, I realized that I have now lived in Austin longer than I lived in Philadelphia. It is strange but true. I am in this weird place where I am starting to identify myself more as a Texan and less and less as a true Philly girl. Honestly it is a bit sad to me that I no longer know all the new hip bars in Philly, or the places to be seen at. That I can't remember all the street names of give people directions to the best cheese steak in town. 

I have two great girlfriends back in Philadelphia and they always make me feel right at home when I come see them. But now I feel more like I am going to visit them than I am going home, you know? I know Austin now and I love Austin. I feel relaxed and at home here if it were up to me we would never move from here. I love wearing cowgirl boots, listening to country music, while saying the occasional y'all and sipping on titos tea. I still love the history and the feel of Philly but I feel like a poser when I say I am from Philadelphia now. Will I ever truly be a Texan? Will I ever really loose my Philadelphia, "I am from Philly and will cut your ass" attitude that I am so famous for? I don't know. 

The other day I was talking to my friend who lives in DC now. She was born and raised a Texan and when she first moved there I knew she what she was going through and gave her some insight. I told her the people on the east coast are harsh and have very tough exteriors but once you get to know them, once you "melt their shell" so to speak you find they are some of the kindest most loyal people ever. I think that she has discovered this and she is so happy now that she has found some friends and made a home for herself there. It immediately made me so homesick. It was like I needed a hit of some rude homeless people, I wanted to walk to work in the fog and rain, or sit on some gum on the subway. (Ahhh how I miss you Philly) 

I feel so torn between both places and know I could be totally happy anywhere I live. I guess I will always have a special place in my heart for Philadelphia, or any other place I lived. I once heard a saying, "Don't let the past dictate who you are, but let it be a part of who you become". I hope that I can always remember my tough girl attitude, and to never let anyone walk all over me while becoming the Texan wife, with fabulous longhorn game day outfits, mother with kids who get the float the river in the summers and friend that knows all the best places to buy great boots I know I want to be. 

A very profound question...

Last night while enjoying a very lovely happy hour with Amelia and Erin I was asked a very profound question by Amelia. After a minute or two of me expressing concern that I may not ever "grow" in my current position Amelia asked me what I would want to do if money was no object and I could do anything I wanted. My initial response was to say I would want to work at the White House in PR and campaigning of course! But then I realized that is what I would want to do if money and prestige was the object.

So after a few beers and some major deep thoughts I got to thinking. What would I want to do if money was no object and I could just do what I loved? I came to the conclusion that I would want to own my own bakery. I absolutely love baking and would love to have a little specialty shop here in Austin where I could sell cookies and cakes. I feel like the only people coming into a bakery are happy people, how often do you need cookies and cakes for a sad occasion? So it would be a happy, fun and creative place to work. I would want to take some baking and design courses of course, but I honestly think that would be my ideal situation. I truly believe you can not build real wealth unless you become your own boss. I would get to make money and do something I love.

If I had to have a real world job and money was not an object still I would want to be a teacher. I love the idea of helping children learn and grow and I would hope I could make kids passionate about a subject like my teachers did for me. I also LOVE the idea of being home with my family in the summers and having the same days off as them. My mom did this for us for years and I truly believe it helped mold me into the woman I am today.

So there you have it. I had a great happy hour with a new friend and an old friend. Had some beer and other bar food, and had a very enlightening conversation with myself while buzzed and laying in bed drinking tea. I would say my thirsty Thursday was a success!

"We need to tape ourselves in bed"

This is what I said last night to WF while laughing hysterically about the stupid things we say to each other while falling asleep. We defiantly do not need to tape ourselves "in bed" at all! We had about a 20 minute laugh fest about his fear of the dentist and that I should go first and tell him if the dentist hurt me or not. REALLY. Anyway moving on to the real topic.

Do any of you watch the TV show "Cougar Town"? The show is really entertaining. This week on "Cougar Town" the married couple on the show had a conversation the WF have almost every other week. It started off with the husband kissing on the neck while the wife is doing dishes. She turns and just says, "No way." He, shocked, says, "Can't I love on you?", she then says, "I know what those kisses mean and they do not mean 'I love you'"

Have you ever been folding laundry or doing dishes and the man in your life does the "romance" thing then? REALLY? Right now? Me folding laundry is getting you all hot? No, not going to happen. I was comforted by the fact that it must be a pretty common occurrence because it was on a TV show. I hope I am not alone in thinking this was a funny exchange. Maybe you had to see it?

March Madness: Yankee Style

So for those of you that do not know I moved to the Lone Star State from Philadelphia about 5 years ago. I went to Temple University in Philadelphia and I loved it. I met some great friends and in general loved living in the big city.

Well my Temple Owls will be taking on Cornell in the NCAA tournament today and I am very pumped. The last few years our basketball program has been really crappy and I am looking forward to the possibility of making in at least to the second round this year. It is great for my school but most of all it is great because I will finally have something to gloat about to all of my friends who went to UT!

I happily go to all the watch parties and wear burnt orange. I in fact have more UT stuff in my closet than I do Temple. It is shameful I know, but this year UT lost in the first round (sorry longhorns) and so I might be able to say my school is better than UT in at least one thing!

So go Owls I will be routing for you today. And if they win today I will be making my friends here in Texas wear Cherry and White on Sunday as they cheer us on! :)


UPDATE: Well we lost. That is what I get for running my mouth. At least we still have the cheese steak going for us! Go Owls anyway!

Life is Precious

Yesterday I got an email from one of my best friends from college and bridesmaid, Kate. Kate's longtime boyfriend and friend of mine Matt Sheeran is a PA state trooper. He is a great guy who has said he has always wanted to be a cop. Friday night he and his partner were hooking an abandoned vehicle up to a tow truck when he was hit by a drunk driver. He was pinned between the car and the tow truck. Matt's legs have been crushed and I don't know much more than that. I have attached a link to the latest news story so you all can read it for yourselves. 

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/022210_State_Trooper_Hurt_In_Interstate_95_Crash

This is Matt: 

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=7294286

Kate has told me Matt is stable but they are in for a two year recovery process. After seeing his interview you can see he is doing OK. He is such a good man and I am so worried about not only him but my friend Kate. I am not sure if he will even be able to go back to the force but I am sure he will want to. Please keep Kate and Matt in your thoughts and prayers as they have a very long road ahead of them. 

I have a hole in my head...

Do any of you ever have these wonderful ideas for blogs and then when you go to sit down and write them they are no longer in your head? I have this problem all the time. Like today while I was driving into work I came up with the most fantastic blog. It was not about the wedding or too much about WF. I think it was about cooking. I don't remember at all.

Shit like this happens to me all the time. Maybe tomorrow I will come up with another fantastic blog that I will not write about, until then I leave you with a whole lot of nothing.

One Sick Puppy

The last few nights WF and I have been worried sick about our dog Harry. He has been really sick and last night we gave in and took him to the animal hospital. On Tuesday during dinner we gave him a bone to chomp on while we were eating so he would not beg while we had guests over. Shortly after he started to have massive amounts of gas and diarrhea we thought maybe he got into something and it would run it's course (turns out it was the bone). Then he proceeded to have an accident in the house, which he never does. Then Wednesday night he threw up all over our bed trying to wake us up to take him outside. We felt so bad for him. WF took him out and he pooped everywhere and got sick again. So we decided if something else happened we would take him to the doctor. Well yesterday WF called me to tell me he had another accident in the house and there was blood in the poop. So he immediately took him to the hospital.

Turns out Harry had irritated his colon from all of the pooping from the bone that made him sick. He was in a lot of pain and he could not hold food down because he had thrown up so much. He is now on three medications on special dog food and is under a watch by the doctor. I was so worried about the little guy last night. We held him and snuggled him all night. He seems to be doing better. We are hoping he starts to get better later today. So very sad.

If this is what it is like to be a parent we are for sure holding off. Too much stress.

Thoughts and Thanks

 

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Ladies, I can't thank you all enough for the support and thoughts you shared with me. I have been having just one of those weeks and knowing that I have support for you really helped. Lots of ups and downs this week and I am so ready for the weekend to be here. I really need to change things up at my office and make things happen for me. I have not been happy there for a while. It is mainly because I never feel like I am going to get any new responsibility, or that anything will change (and the whole everyone is kinda mean thing too). Its frustrating. I am hoping that things will get better soon. I don't really want to leave because in theory I like what I do.

With these feelings and my concerns of being unhappy outside of wedding world I have been thinking a lot about how to make things better That being said I am going to put a one month moratorium on wedding planning (I am going to try really hard at this I promise). I am working on planning things in my life other than my wedding. I have been pretty busy at work and with wedding planning on top of that I have been letting myself become the crazy girl that has nothing else to talk about but my wedding. I need to focus on my relationship with WF and I need to focus on my relationship with my friends. If I don't improve and maintain these relationships my perfect wedding will not be worth it. Let's face it I am WAY ahead of the game when it comes to wedding planning. I can relax a bit for the next month and still make my day perfect.

So, I can not guarantee that I will not obsess about details of my wedding and breakdown and plan something but I am going to make a effort to put it on the back burner. Did any of you who planned your weddings ever feel like you had to do this?

Yankee Deep Thoughts: Walking in the "cold"

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Today I had to run over to the SFA for an appointment for the wedding (we are going over wedding layout options as I am not sold on the whole round table idea) and I actually considered driving there. It is less than 5 blocks from my office to the hotel and I was going to drive. Why? It was "cold" out! All my ladies in the north that read this should be laughing right now because it is 50 out today. In my Yankee days 50 would have been a nice spring jaunt though the city. Now, I actually considered driving 5 blocks so I would not get "cold"...really... I did this, and I am ashamed.

I deceded I would walk there and I am glad I did. I got some WW bonus points and got to wake up a bit in the cool air. It was really nice. I was one of maybe 2 people out walking downtown today. Guess I am still a little bit hard core?

Where we are going, we wont need roads...

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As we get closer to the new year I am looking back at all that has gone on in the past decade and all the ways the world has changed. I remember in junior high reading about flying cars and all the things that would be different by the time I graduated college. HA! Flying cars, the FAA would love that! I remember in politics classes talking about how America was not ready to have a black president. That was only 5 years ago. Times have changed.

So with that I started to think what has happened to me in the last 10 years. I can't believe how much has changed in my life! I would like to take a moment to go over some of the highlights:

- I graduated high school, YEA HIGH SCHOOL
- I lived on my own in college in Philadelphia, where I knew no one
- Studied in Rome for a semester and traveled Europe
- I got my first apartment in Rittenhouse Square and was so "Sex and the City"
- Worked at City Hall in Philadelphia, for the now Mayor
- Graduated from college
- I decided after a drunken talk with my sister and brother in law that I should love to Texas, and did so
- I drove cross country with my mom in my 1995 two door jeep, so much fun
- I got my first job out of college
- Bought my first car, yea Saturn! 
- I found my first love, Harry, at the SPCA and have been obsessed with him since
- I got fired from what I thought was my dream job, but ended up much better off
- I met the man of my dreams
- Got engaged
- Became and Aunt two times over
- And am generally much happier than I ever could have imagined!

All in all I am blown away with all that has happened in the last 10 years. I just can't imagine how I got so lucky to have such great people in my life. I don't know what possessed me to move to Austin when I did not have a job or anyone other than my sister. I don't know if I could do it again honestly. I love my life here and I know with my fiance at my side I could do anything. But all alone and no job? WHAT WAS I THINKING!? Guess I knew good things would come.

Other food for thought as we go into the new year, where do you think you will be in another 10 years? What do you think the world will be like. That thought blows my mind. Honestly though, I know I have so much more to offer this world and the next ten years will be great!

***I am a little sad, I lost a follower today. Am I sucking at this blog thing? 

Yankee Deep Thoughts

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 For years I was this hard core Yankee that would walk literally 3 miles to the subway in Philly and the walk to class in the rain, snow, sleet, heat or whatever mother nature threw at me. I had like 40 coats, jackets and sweaters. I would wear a hat that had some sort of snow ball puff on the top because it was piratical and would bust out the mittens with the fold down top so I could have easy access to my credit card while buying a cup of coffee from a street vendor in the freezing cold weather. Fast forward five years... and I am officially a Texan (at least when it comes to weather everything else I am still working on).

Last night it hit about 39 degrees here in beautiful Austin Texas. And that means freeze warnings, heat on and people panicking about the possibility of snow. I drove home Tuesday night freezing my butt off, it was 45 out, I can't believe I thought 45 was THAT COLD! Then I ran inside not wanting to let my dog out because it was so cold (I did by the way). I then ran back in and changed directly in to my flannel pajamas. Last night I turned the heat on and slipped into some seriously comfy Eagles sweatpants and my big Temple University hoodie I used to wear almost everyday and took a minute laugh as how "soft" I have become. I came to the following conclusion, its OK, because I genuinely like Texas and I have had so much fun living here. I resolved myself to the idea of never really having a white Christmas again but then again, who really likes to shovel the sidewalk anyway?

So I guess in 4 working on 5 years I have lost more and more of my Yankee tough exterior.  I don't like the idea of having to run my car 30 minutes before I can touch the steering wheel, and I am not a fan of my snot freezing in my nose the second I step outside in January, I like being able to feel my face after walking to the car in the Target parking lot. Ladies, I think I might be coming around to this whole not so cold winter thing you all have going on here.

Fashion Trends I Can’t Pull Off

 

In my recent quest to find great new outfits for my engagement pictures I have come to realize that I am a bit out of touch when it comes to fashion. Or maybe I am just more traditional or classic? Whatever the case is this is a post about fashion trends this Yankee can not pull off.

First on my list is Skinny Jeans.

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What the hell are these horrible abominations you people call jeans. They make me look like an upside down triangle. Seriously what is wrong with my body in that I can not put on a cute pair of skinny jeans and pair of high heals and call it a night? I tried some of these so called pencil fit jeans at J Crew the other day and immediately thought I was looking into a funhouse mirror. My whole body looked out of whack. Like someone must be fucking with me right now, because I thought I just lost 20 pounds not ate a baby. I mean really the only people that can really pull this super cute casual look off are ten foot tall models and little pixy bitches that I loath. I am sorry if you are wearing this look and pulling it off, cus I am just a hater. I just don’t get how anyone looks good in this look.

I did however try a “new” fashion trend out on Friday and totally had a “How I Met Your Mother” moment. I wore leggings and a cute dress with ballet slippers and I was Pulling. Them. Off. I worked that outfit all day. I can’t believe it took me a year to figure that outfit out. I am loving it and am already planning several other attempts at this look and might even try it with an oversized sweater and boots next week. Who knows I might go a bit CRAZY and even “belt that shit” as Jmo says.

In the mean time I am currently in my A-line skirt and sweater set with pearls and heals. Guess the fashionista in me has a bit of work to do.

Grocery Shopping Tips

So I always tell you guys how organized I am but I never really share any helpful tips. So I thought I would share my thoughts on grocery shopping. It is a task that at one point I hated and now I look forward to. I read one girls blog about this last week and though well crap I do that and more. So here is my attempt to help you all out!

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Grocery Shopping:

1. Plan out your menu. I do this every time I go shopping. I really feel it is a good way to save money and time in the end. I usually take about 30 minutes before I head out to the store to go through my fridge and pantry and see what I already have. I then look for recipes that might go with what I already have. Marking on my list any additional items I might need to buy.

2. Try a new meal. I always pick one new meal every trip to attempt. This time it was eggplant parm. I have never made it before and was always intimidated by it. But I put the items on my list and bought everything I needed.I never try something new that has lots of ingredients I would never use again. I try to use what I have while still mixing it up.

3. Go over your basics and write those down too. I used to walk around the store and just have all my basics I knew I should get. But for some reason I would end up with doubles of things or forget other items. So I take the extra minute or two to write everything down and check to make sure if I really need everything.

4. Have a plan of attack when heading into the store. I always have a budget in mind for what I can spend on food on each trip. I come in knowing that all the frill items I might want to buy (like wine and maybe hair products)will be put on the end of the check out line and if I am over my budget on things we really need I start to make cuts. Although you might annoy the check out guy a bit, you are sticking to your budget and that's never a bad thing.

5. Stick to the outside rim of the store. People always walk up and down all the isles. It is so not necessary. You just don't have to do that. Most of the time items in the isles are processed and packaged, therefore not as good for you and they cost more money. It's true! So think about what you really need from isle four before you walk down it. Look at what is listed on the isle marker and then look at your list. It will save you time and money in the end.

6. Check the dates. I always check the dates on all my dairy products. You will find that the newer stuff is in the back of the row and if you take those two extra seconds to not grab the front carton of milk you might add a week onto the shelf life of the item!

7. Use a pre-made list. I love Real Simple's grocery list. Its organized by the flow of the grocery store. So as you walk through each section of the store is will be the next section on your list. It also has space to fill in extra things you need and even reminds you to buy certain household items that I usually don't think of when I grocery shop. Like trash bags and hand soap. I got mine from WF last year for Christmas but I know he got it from Target.They have lots of these types of things out there though. Its worth the investment!

8. Write out your menu. Don't just write down the ingredients you need for your dishes on your list but then on a separate note pad write out what you planned to make. I keep mine on the fridge and it looks like a menu, then when I make it I cross it off. I also write out the cookbook I got it from and the page number. That way those days that I am like ugh I have nothing to cook, I can just look at my menu on the fridge and realize I have all the fixings to make meal A,B and C. It saves me time, money and having to think about dinner too much!

I hope these thoughts help you! They make my life easier! Let me know if any of you have any other ideas to save money and time while grocery shopping. I always like to try new things!

Miffed at Chipotle

So what's up with a $13 meal from Chipolte I had yesterday for lunch. REALLY? $13 for three tacos, chips and guac? REALLY? I just had to vent about this because I was blown away when the guy rang me up and gave me my total. I could not believe it. I am sure he knew because I made the worst face at him and stomped off. I could have gone to Taco-C and gotten that same meal for like 3 bucks. GOOD-ness.

Ahhh I feel better.