Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale Going on Now

Why is it that most of the things I like never go on sale?

Do they somehow know I will eventually cave if I want it bad enough and pay full price?!

Whatever the reason, all of the items I have bookmarked on my laptop DID NOT go on sale.

Not. a. single. one.

So I will keep on watching them...

I am a Shark

Did you know that if a shark stops moving they die?

I feel like when I stay stagnant, a part of me dies. I want to keep moving, learning, growing and existing in a way that leads to a fulfilled life.

Those sharks, aside from being terrifying, have the right idea.

But why is it that the things I love to do the most can't actually be a profession?

Well, maybe some of the things can be, but realistically making a career out of my favorite things do is very very challenging.

I like to talk, write, eat, shop, look for bargains on everything, travel and help others in any way that I can.

I got it!

I belong on the travel channel hosting some kind of show so I can reach as many people as I can and visit as many places as I can, while I eat more than my body will know what do to with.

Why did it take so long for me to discover all these things things about myself?!?

Do we have to actually go through several occupations and life experiences before it really hits us? Is it age? Maybe, but some people just know.

I have friends who are successful lawyers, doctors, teachers, producers and entrepreneurs who all started on their career paths during college or right after. They just knew what their calling was and went for it. Of course there's some people I know who thought they knew, but changed their minds after some years.

I really should have went to school for journalism. I didn't really start tapping into my 'talents' so-to-speak until last year while going through a transition.

So what am I going to do about it now?

Do all the things I love.

One day it will generate income and the hard work will pay off.

Move forward, be focused, be a SHARK.

Wallet Waster

Between moving, two weddings, family in town and feeling under the weather, it has been really hard to write the last couple of months. Things are finally slowing down and I hope to get back to writing. I am actually thinking about doing video posts in the future!

I absolutely love wallets. All kinds of them. I love them almost as much as I love handbags. I must own 20.

I know...it's RIDICULOUS.

I've become somewhat of a 'wallet collector' unbenounced to me. I swear I didn't know how bad it was until I moved a couple months ago. Actually there are A LOT things I need to get rid of, but for now I am focusing on getting rid of those wallets that might get some better use in other purses.

I use my Tory Burch Vintage Rose Gold Metallic Wristlet ALL THE TIME. I like to take it out and put my phone and car key in there when I don't want to lug my handbag around. It looks even more vintage than it should because I can't seem to switch it up to anything else. Plus I love rose gold.

They still have them available at select department stores and ToryBurch.com, but only in silver and gold.

I know I shouldn't be looking for more, but I REALLY like this black patent one shown above.

You can also use it as a clutch, though I don't think a phone would fit in there..

This one retails for $195.

Waaay more then I would actually have in there.

Processed Foods and Luna Minis

I really love Zone Bars, specifically the chocolate mint flavor.

It's the only bar that doesn't taste like a "bar" if you know what I mean and almost like a treat for me. I've tried hundreds...okay dozens of brands and flavors and I haven't found anything that has a decent balance of calories, protein, carbs and fats like my Zone Bar.

But the major problem with my favorite bar is that it is highly chemically processed and now I can't eat them as much as I would like to.

I have been more conscious recently of the foods I have been eating and trying to eliminate processed foods (almost) completely. This has proven to be quite the challenge for me.

When I first started paying attention to food labels back in 2002 after taking a nutrition class in college, I started cutting down on foods with high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. If you start looking at the foods in your pantry more you'll notice that almost everything has those two ingredients in there. That is why it is so hard to eliminate everything.

Unfortunately there are just some foods that I cannot quit, but overall I am doing better and have really been filling up my fridge with veggies and foods that need to be cooked within 3 days.

So with that said, my pantry is almost empty! Aside from protein powders, some spices, sauces and Luna Minis (more on that in a minute), that is all I have in there. Even my beloved peanut butter has to be refrigerated.

I was at Trader Joe's yesterday and wanted to raid the snack aisle like I've never eaten! But instead of going down the aisle like I normally do and feel sad, I decided not to even go down that road. It helped a little, but I still felt sad.

Why is it that the foods you know you shouldn't be eating you crave even more when you can't have them?!?

And honestly it's not really actual food I am missing, it's desserts. I love cookies, cakes, ice cream, chocolate by the ton, and milk shakes. Luckily I have never been one to indulge in fried foods or pasta, just the occasional pizza, but I sure make up for it in sweets!

I just want to make it clear that I am not eliminating processed foods to lose weight. I am doing it to feel better and treat my body well. There are so many weight loss plans that include frozen meals and I am shocked that so many people buy into these meals thinking they are going to be healthy if they eat pre-packaged foods. They may lose weight since they are taking in less calories and monitoring their food intake, but they are not healthy by any means.

I do believe in moderation and not depriving yourself. If I could just eat fruit, vegetables, fish and lean meats all the day long that would be fantastic, but a total fantasy.

I remember my mom telling me that when she moved to the US she was sick all the time. She went from eating all of her meals made from scratch to eating packaged foods since it was easy and very new to her. She suffered from headaches, stomach-aches, nausea and some weight gain. As she became more familiar with the stores and products (she couldn't read English), she started cooking again and started feeling better.

Well, I can't seem to give up protein bars completely since they are great on the run and great as a quick snack to hold you over, so I have started eating Luna Minis instead. They are 70% organic and I can pronounce almost all of the ingredients.

As for the Zone Bar, I think I can pronounce like 3 out of the 25 things listed. I really like the Luna Minis since they contain a lot less sugar than the regular size and are half the calories; not to mention pretty cute looking. The regular size is great for an actual meal replacement, but the sugar content is too high for me.

Here's a great article I found that breaks down what you shouldn't be eating. It looks like a lot and it is. This article does not in any way portray my way of eating, but I included it because it's good to use as a general guideline.

http://www.natural-health-restored.com/unhealthy-foods.html

Tiered RacerBack Maxi Dress @ Express

I really like this dress and I really like grey.

It looks effortless and simple, but you can dress it up with heels or wear some flat sandals.

It retails for $69.90, but there's always coupons available. I believe there is one for $15 off every $30 you spend right now.

Do you have a LBD?

Most of us have a little black dress that is our 'go to' dress for almost any occasion.

It fits us like a glove, it feels great and you look amazing in it.

This one is at White House Black Market for $168. It is really flattering and pretty and the reviews are great.

I don't need a new LBD, but I wish I did!

My Lessons in Practicality

I think some people were born practical. For instance, my mother. She only knows how to be practical and anything else doesn't make sense. If she can re-use it, she will; if she can re-sell it, she will; if she can give it away, she will. She is as generous as she is practical, but not cheap.

I do remember that it bothered me when I was a child since none of my friends mother's were quite like mine.

As I've learned more about her childhood, I have come to understand her ways a little bit more, not to say that I don't get annoyed here and there.

I'm wondering if my mother's super practical ways made me unpractical?

Many of you who know me, know that I am not generally practical; which is not to be confused with being frivolous; that I am not.

I have had my fair share of indulgences that weren't necessary, but when are indulges necessary??

So is there a correlation between practicality and happiness?

I suppose if you are simplifying your life and not wasting energy on negative things or wasting time by going to places you don't need to, then you have more time for yourself and others, which in turn makes you happy.

So here's my list of the changes & realizations I've made thus far-

1. I bring my own bags to the grocery store. It reduces plastic clutter and makes me feel like I am helping the environment just a little bit.

2. I spend a lot more time with my dog. He brightens the gloomiest days somehow.

3. I don't go to the movies. It's highway robbery! Well not really, but have you seen the outrageous prices..and don't even talk to me about 3D! A family of 5 can spend around $100 bucks for movies and snacks. But if that's something you really enjoy, then okay. If not, it's cheaper to buy the movie, get it on demand, at a Red Box or Netflix.

4. I have cut out processed foods in my diet by 70%. I don't know how I got to that percentage, it just sounds right. Most of the foods I buy are refrigerated and only last a few days. My pantry is the most boring and sad pantry in the world, I swear. There's protein powder (5 different kinds), almond butter, peanut butter, marinara sauce, hot sauce, unsweetened cocoa powder, chai powder and Vitamin C packets. Once in a while you can find some oatmeal and nutella! I know, I'm a wild one.

5. I started shopping in my own closet since 25% of the time I wear the same things week to week. Luckily my style is simple and classic so everything I've purchased the last several years is still in stores. I went to the mall today and looked inside a few stores I use to frequent and only found one item I liked. It's a long cotton skirt for a hundred bucks, but looked like it should have been $30 at the most so I didn't get it. I am fine if I go shopping maybe once every couple months. Okay if we're being honest, I shouldn't be shopping for at least five years. I did a lot of damage living in LA.

6. I don't go to Starbucks. That's sort of a half truth, but I brew my own coffee every night and put in the fridge before bed and then add ice for iced coffee during Summer and Spring. In the Winter and Fall I make my own in the morning as well. Starbuck's is great when I travel, when friends want to go, when I am super lazy, and when I am out of ground coffee. And recently when our super fancy Starbuck's Brewer just decided to stop working, Starbuck's it was for over a week. ThoughI am having fun making my own and buying all sorts of flavors and brands.

7. I've cut out eating at restaurants by 75%. It is better for my waistline and better for my wallet. On average we were eating out 4-5 times a week. I do miss it sometimes since it's nice to just pick something of a menu with whatever suits your mood, but cooking at home is saving even more money since you don't have to drive either!

8. I don't go the store for one or two items. I start making a list for whatever store I need things in and then go when my list is long enough or have really run out of things. We also go to Costco every 3 months and stick to our list almost always...except for the wine last time..and the golf balls.

9. I buy all of my books on sale on Amazon.com and never pay for shipping. I also just buy magazines when I travel. If I buy them just to have them around the house, I will maybe look at 10 pages and never pick it up again.

10. I don't buy things for the house that absolutely cannot be used. It is very easy to buy things to fill a large house since you can't really see the clutter. I use to buy candles like they were going out of stock and appliances that I actually thought I would use. Now I just buy a couple of candles at a time instead of keeping stock as if I were running a mini-shop. And as for appliances, who actually uses their waffle-maker, bread-maker, and panini-maker? They all sound really fun and worth the cost if you actually use it.

11. I turn off the AC downstairs when I go upstairs to sleep since it has its own control and vice versa when I am downstairs.

12. I don't buy more than one really nice handbag a year. I won't say how much I use to buy, but there is no reason to have more than 4-5 at a time. It is just not necessary since as soon as you get a new one you are highly unlikely to go back to an older one. You need a clutch for evenings, a cross-body for either travel or errands, a tote, a hobo and some kind of satchel. Most of my bags are similar in style and size so they are extremely versatile for any kind of occasion. Though I still LOVE to look.

13. I will exchange a beauty item at Sephora or Nordstrom if I didn't like it or find that I'm not using it as much as I thought. That's money just sitting there that can be applied toward a product I need and like!

14. I always ask for a discount for almost anything. If it's my birthday month, holidays, something that was hanging in the sale section that wasn't, if it's damaged in any way. And 90% of the time I get the discount. (Many items are marked up by 300% so it doesn't hurt to ask).

15. I will buy two of the same item if I know I absolutely love it. It will save me time in the long run so I don't have to go out looking again if I lose it or it wears out.

16. I am not really into any technology so I never spend money on it. If I get them as gifts I will re-gift them. My smartphone is plenty of technology for me.

17. I buy shoes that I can wear with multiple things, not just one or two outfits.

18. I split meals since I rarely eat leftovers. Portion sizes are the size of my head these days, so a couple of appetizers is usually a better size and less money. Or one meal if you are going to The Cheesecake Factory or Claim Jumper.

19. Since I like to shop for fresh fish, I will get the one that is on sale. And it's the same for Boars Head meats at the deli. They usually have some kind of turkey on sale.

20. I alternate between high-end shampoo and low-end shampoo.

And some pricey things that I just cannot give up?

Make-Up

Face Cleansers & Exfoliators

Eye Cream

Face Cream

Body Lotion

Deodorant

Sun-Block

Lip Gloss

Protein Powder

Organic Almond Butter

Chia Seeds

Hope this list helps some of you in some way. If not, then you learned a lot about me!

Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32

There are many contributing factors that lead to aging and unfortunately one of the first places you see it is around your eyes.

I started using eye creams around the age of 20, but I don't know if it did anything considering that was the time in my life I would bake in the sun for hours..sometimes with sunscreen and sometimes without.

UVA/UVA rays are the leading cause for wrinkles, discoloration, sagging, etc. While I realize that lifestyle plays into aging as well, the sun plays a much bigger role than we think.

I don't always use SPF in my daily lotion, but if it's not in there, then it is in my foundation. So I always have some sort of protection. I have been using the same eye cream during the day and night, but find that it is a bit heavy for daytime, so I thought I would try this instead. The reviews are wonderful and it's made specifically for the eye area.

Here's the description-

A rich eye-area cream that minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and enhances skin's radiance while providing exceptional protection against UVA/UVB rays. Protects the delicate eye area from UVA/UVB rays to prevent signs of premature aging. Minimizes the appearance of UV-induced fine lines and wrinkles and promotes resilient-looking skin. Concentrated cream texture defends against dryness. Contains rose apple leaf extract, an antioxidant that prevents the production of free radicals. Formulated with Light Diffusing Powder to give a brighter look to eye area skin.

Sounds great right?? I would take this with a grain of salt, but applying SPF will prevent damage in the future.

Had I known that my years of laying out on the beach and pool would catch up to me, I DEFINITELY would have done things a bit differently. And I do mean a bit since being tan when I was younger was more important than listening to your mother.

A little goes a long way in this little tube that retails for $32.50. You can find it at Nordstrom or Sephora.

To My Readers

I really want to express my appreciation to everyone that has read and continues to read my blog.

I think I would probably write it if no one ever read it, but it's truly nice to hear that people actually enjoy it.

My favorite emails are from people who get inspired to try something new or get motivated in some area of their life.

This makes me very happy.

For the rest of the year I'd like to focus on getting my blog out there a little bit more, so if you like it and want to tell your friends, family, and co-workers I would LOVE it. And if you are reading this and haven't joined...well I like new readers and if you don't want to..that's okay too.

SnAcK TiMe

I love to eat. All the time. I have breakfast for dinner and chocolate for breakfast. Not all the time. But I eat whatever, whenever.

I have never been a picky eater, mostly because I had to eat what was placed in front of me for 18 years...not a bad thing, but not necessarily good either because I haven't met a food I don't like and it's just very difficult for me to say no even when I'm not hungry.

The most important thing I have learned about eating is to exercise portion control. It really allows you to satisfy your sweet or salt cravings in small amounts and that way you don't over eat when you have meals. I know that when I get super hungry (I am mean), I go to the fridge about 1o times. That is not a good thing for me or my waistline.

I try really hard not to keep many processed foods in the house, but sometimes if I don't keep some then I end up going overboard on ice cream or cookies when I am out and about. So it's good to keep a little I think.

Here's a little list of the foods I eat in between meals:

Nuts- Almonds are my favorite and I usually make my own trailmix with dried cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips

String Cheese- Try to make it organic if you can

Carrots, Celery, or Peppers

Yogurt- It's almost always low-fat or no fat plain greek, but it can get boring so sometimes I add fruit (frozen mango chunks or berries are great) or sometimes organic cocoa powder

Turkey Slices

Tuna

Pumpkin Seeds

Hard Boiled Eggs

Luna Bars

Zone Bars- These are my backup as I really love the Chocolate Mint flavor, but these have to much stuff I can't pronounce

Barbara's Bakery Cinnamon Puffins Cereal- I try not to eat much cereal because of the additives, but this one is not too bad if I need something crunchy and sweet, you can get this at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods

Mini Whole Wheat Crackers- I get these at Trader Joe's

Popcorn- I get the white cheddar from Trader Joe's...it is SO good

Almond or Peanut Butter- I like to spread it on crackers or have it with veggies

Hummus- Trader Joe's has a great spicy flavor

Smoothies with Protein, Flaxeeds or Chia Seeds, Almond Milk or Coconut Milk and Fruit; I sometimes have this as a meal replacement and add a little bit more ingredients to like yogurt or extra fruit.

I am always looking to add to my list and I try to keep it low sugar and high protein as much as possible so please let me know if you guys have any other ideas!