1. Mrs. Casual on Instagram
WARNING: Do not — I repeat — DO NOT visit Jenn’s (otherwise known as “Mrs. Casual’s”) feed if you’re trying to curb your Target habit. She has a knack for finding the cutest clothes, and she pieces together inexpensive finds into outfits that look like you spent some serious $$$ on them.
2. Going up and down the ladder
We’ve been doing a lot of ascending and descending endurance training in that HIIT class I go to on Monday and Wednesday nights, and for the record…they’re both wonderful and terrible at the same time.
In the plus column, I feel like Wonder Woman when I’m done. On the not-so-plus column, they feel like low-key torture when you’re in the middle of them. Last night we went “down the ladder” by starting with 20 burpees (with a push-up!), followed by four approximately 200-meter laps around the gym parking lot.
Then we did 15 more burpees and three more laps, then 10 more burpees and two more laps, until finally five more burpees and one more lap to completely finish us off, and we only had seven minutes to do the whole thing… I finished just after the seven minutes expired.
I like the portability of a workout like this because you can do it basically anywhere. All you need is a timer, a sidewalk or some other flat surface where you can drop and do your burpees, and a parking lot or a cul-de-sac to do the running.
3. Having long lashes again
I quit using this stuff in May, right around the time Tabs crossed over the Rainbow Bridge (at the time, I could barely remember to brush my teeth, so a lash growth serum was not happening), and my lashes fell out and broke off from crying so much.
I’ve finally gotten it together enough to start using Lash Boost again on a nightly basis, and once again, I have long, luscious lashes… This stuff is gold.
4. Pantry organizers from Amazon
I’m currently convinced that one of the keys to life is having an organized pantry, so I’ve been purging and organizing mine because when left unchecked it becomes a kitchen-based black hole where bag clips, spice jars and everything else disappears. Case in point: I found a can of Trader Joe’s beans in there that had expired…in 2007!
If you want something to disappear into the abyss — your ex, credit card debt, mental baggage — stick it in your pantry, man!
Anyway, I’m making a list of pantry organizational doodads to keep the space nice and neat, and I have my eyes on an expandable spice organizer, which has TWO levels (IS THIS REAL LIFE?), lazy susans and expandable shelves to elevate the cans so that I can actually see what’s in there.
5. Good Food Made Simple Breakfast Burritos
I actually never eat these for breakfast, LOL! Instead, I grab one when I need a quick lunch or dinner, or whenever I just need to take the edge off a rumbly tummy.
My favorite one is the Chicken Apple Sausage, which has sausage, egg whites, cheddar cheese, roasted potatoes, salsa, peppers and scallions. The eggs are soft but not rubbery, and the sausage isn’t overly salty. It’s flavorful from the cheese and salsa, but it isn’t too spicy. Zap one in the microwave for two minutes, and you have a yummy snack.
I stock up on them when they go on sale at Target, but be warned… I’ve unknowingly bought expired food from Tar-ghay before (multiple times!), so always check the dates before putting any foodstuff in your cart.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Stephanie Smith says
July 3rd, 2019 at 11:29 amI totally understand about your pantry. I feel like you are talking about my pantry!
Karen says
July 3rd, 2019 at 12:44 pmI honestly don’t know how it got so out of control! I have to say though that the first step — cleaning everything out — was the hardest, but the most satisfying. Maybe if you’re overwhelmed start by doing one shelf, or even one section at a time?
Kim says
July 3rd, 2019 at 11:43 amI feel like Jenn and I have vastly different definitions of “casual”. HAHA! Her outfits look very put together. 🙂
Your lashes have been looking long and luscious! You have a very valid reason for taking a break. One of my besties had to say goodbye to her sweet beagle yesterday. It was quick and unexpected and, as you know, very sad. 🙁
I would have been sucking wind on that HIIT routine, too. I was tired just reading it. HAHA!
I don’t have a pantry, which I guess is a good thing. We have a room in the basement with racks for all our extras that don’t fit in the kitchen cupboards but, thankfully, we keep that quite neat. I’m sure there are some expired items, though.
Hope you have a great holiday!!!
Karen says
July 3rd, 2019 at 12:43 pmI’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s sweet beagle baby. I’m missing Tabs extra today (I just was looking at old pics of us); hopefully all the wonderful fur friends we’ve all known are hanging out together at the rainbow bridge.
Sooo this is gonna sound weird but basements kind of blow my mind. Here in the Bay Area, none of the houses I’ve ever lived in have them because of earthquakes. Basements are very rare here (and so are brick buildings). Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve actually ever been in a basement! Not that I really want to hang out in one because I don’t like small spaces, and I especially don’t like small spaces which are underground. It must be great to have that extra room though!
What are you guys doing for the Fourth?
Rachel says
July 3rd, 2019 at 11:56 amI am into lash serums so I think I should try that Rodan and Fields one, it sure works well for you! I just got a mini-haul of some summer clothes at Target, $12 shorts and $5 tees, I’m not going to tell you how many I bought of each!
Karen says
July 3rd, 2019 at 12:40 pmIt’s pricey but it works! I’m hooked (which I guess is a good and bad thing, ha ha).
I just bought some shorts from Target, and I need to get more. Did you get some Universal Thread ones?
Rachel says
July 3rd, 2019 at 2:30 pmYes the Universal Thread pull on shorts in a couple different styles and colors! And also their v-neck tees go really well with them!
Michelle says
July 3rd, 2019 at 1:15 pmOkay now you have me hooked on Mrs. Casual. Her outfits are so cute!
So I hate burpees! That workout sounds dreadful so good for you for sticking through it. I did Sydney’s HIIT with weights today and I know I will be feeling it tomorrow. LOL
I also love Lash Boost! So worth the money. It is crazy what a difference you will see.
I am also looking for yummy quick lunch ideas so I will have to check those out. Thanks for sharing!
Okay so I have purchased that two tier expandable spice shelf because our spices are a mess! Unfortunately I ended up returning it because once you expand it it is not very sturdy. So my quest for how to tidily organize my spices continues. Those expand shelves look promising though. If you find something that works please share.
Karen says
July 3rd, 2019 at 1:22 pmI know! I want to buy everything from Target that she posts. 😭 HELP ME!!!!
Burpees are indeed the devil’s work (the ones with the push-ups are the worst). They’re SUCH a good full-body move though, and that’s the only reason why I do them. Glad you were able to get in a HIIT workout today; mine is at 6 p.m. and I’m already looking forward to the carbs I’m gonna eat before and after, ha ha ha!
Oh gosh, so thank you so much for the feedback about the expandable spice shelves. That’s good to know because if something’s wobbly or rickety I don’t have the patience to deal with that nonsense. And yes, I’ll most certainly take some notes and before and after pic once I get everything in place.
What are you doing for the Fourth? We’re probably going to the beach.
Suzanne C says
July 3rd, 2019 at 1:55 pmI love having a pantry, especially after moving from so many years in a house with so little storage space. But man, you aren’t kidding about it becoming a black hole so easily! And without having the use of part of our house, the whole kitchen is chaos. Whatever nice little organization system I had in place before is now blown to bits. But the work started today, so I can deal with the three house plants, bread maker, toaster, and coffee pot covering my entire kitchen counter. (For a little while.)
If you’d like some rec’s, I can give you links to the can risers, lazy susans, and storage bins we use and like. I got them from Amazon after a lot of trial and error. (Heavy on the error.)
Karen says
July 3rd, 2019 at 1:57 pmI would LOVE recommendations, Suzanne! I think other gals here would like them, too!
Chelsea says
July 3rd, 2019 at 2:10 pmMy lashes are looking good again too! I’ve been using Nulash with great success!
I’m not the only one who’s bought expired food from Target! So annoying.
Karen says
July 3rd, 2019 at 2:31 pmNice. I hope your lashes stay long and luscious! I’m itching to try the heavy hitter, Latisse, but it’s just so pricey. Maybe one of these days!
If you ever buy yogurt at Tar-ghay be extra careful. I’ve been burned in that department once or twice!
Suzanne C says
July 3rd, 2019 at 2:20 pmWe have two of these:
https://smile.amazon.com/Copco-2555-0188-Non-Skid-Kitchen-Organizer/dp/B0036OQU56/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Copco+2555-0188+Non-Skid+3-Tier+Spice+Pantry+Kitchen+Cabinet+Organizer%2C+15-Inch%2C+White%2FGray&qid=1562188348&s=gateway&sr=8-1
This in 9″ and 12″:
https://smile.amazon.com/Lazery-Collections-Gripped-Cabinet-Turntable/dp/B0184C6AK4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Lazery+Collections+Gripped+Bottom+Cabinet+Turntable+Lazy+Susan+%289-Inch%29&qid=1562188494&s=gateway&sr=8-1
A few different sizes of these in both pantry and refrigerator (sturdy and affordable):
https://smile.amazon.com/InterDesign-70430-Refrigerator-Freezer-Container/dp/B003E1OAQC/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=InterDesign+Plastic+Portable+Deep+Storage+Bin+with+Handles+for+Organizing+Refrigerator%2C+Freezer%2C+Pantry%2C+BPA-Free%2C+8%22+x+4%22+x+14.5%22%2C+Clear&qid=1562188586&s=gateway&sr=8-3
And I keep something similar to this on the floor of the pantry for chips, crackers, etc:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Houseworks-Large-Wood-Storage-Crate/197560905
Karen says
July 3rd, 2019 at 2:28 pmYES. Thank you, Suzanne! I just bookmarked everything.
I think Marie Kondo would be proud… I can’t wait to start organizing.
Suzanne C says
July 3rd, 2019 at 6:23 pmYou’re so welcome!
Jasmin says
July 5th, 2019 at 7:25 amGreat picks- I love this kind of post!
https://jasminlen.blogspot.com/
Jasmin