Repost from Cheap Healthy Good

This is a very lengthy article that was linked from Cheap Healthy Good.  I actually read the whole thing, and if and when you have time, I think you should too.  It's great information and opinion.  As I've posted before, I really enjoy food ... from shopping for it and being surrounded by it at the Farmers' Market to cooking and eating it.  I also love to share food knowledge, both recipes and ideas on how to enjoy it more.  Food is fuel, yes, but it should be enjoyed, not just consumed in the same manner that you fill your car with gas.  With food as your fuel, the better the quality that you put in, the better it makes you feel.  And I agree with the author that the nutrients are not the only variables in the equation of how "healthy" is a particular food.  The lifestyle associated with that food matters as well.  I will gladly take my cue from the French!  (And yes, Mom, I will watch and enjoy the movie Julie and Julia that you bought me for Christmas.  It's on the docket for this week.)

Review of Essie's Winter Collection

I just had to try out my new nail polish last night.  I tried the Mint Candy Apple and the pale pink, Rock Candy.  I was disappointed at how streaky the mint is, luckily I LOVE the color.  It took 3 coats, but it looks fantastic finished.  The pale pink, however, is clear.  It's like the top coat that is used over a french manicure.  I'll probably get a lot of use out of it though.  I don't like the look of chipped polish on my fingernails, so almost clear, neutral colors are useful for daily wear.  I'm looking forward to applying the red, Lollipop, to my toenails this weekend.

Three coats of Essie Rock Candy and Mint Candy Apple with OPI base coat and top coat.

The mint is a little more saturated color in real life.

Cutest Nail Polish Ever

I bought the Essie winter colors on Amazon.  They came in today, and they're just as cute in real life as pictures.

Daytime Sparkle

I decided to shop my closet today in order to come up with an outfit that makes my new tights daytime appropriate.  Of everything I wore today, the only items I have been wearing regularly are the belt, boots and headband.

Dress: Lucky Brand

Belt: Old Navy (boys)

Under shirt: Guess (actually a cropped cardigan)

Coat: xhilaration/Target

Boots: Franco Fortini

Headband: American Apparel

Tights: xhilaration/Target

Outlet Mall Trip

Only went to Harry & David and American Apparel.  From Harry & David I picked up two new bags of coffee, cherry vanilla and peanut butter chocolate Moose Munch.  At American Apparel, I helped Julie pick out an outfit to wear out to the West Hollywood gay bars tonight.  She bought the disco pants in black, a racerback bodysuit in mint, and a black bandeau top.  I'm really excited about her outfit.  It looks amazing on her!  So trendy too!  I bought a turquoise headband and a one piece bathing suit while we were there because I just cannot resist good sales on cute stuff!

Original price: $54, I paid: $12.50!

VS Semi-annual Sale Recap

So I placed an online order and shopped in store.  I just cannot resist the deals.

I'll spare you any pictures until I lose a few pounds, but the swim suit I ordered fits and flatters!  (Almost, the bottom will look better minus a few pounds.)  I love the retro look of the top and the buttons on the bottom.

The pj's and slippers are just as cozy as expected.  I'm actually wearing them now as I write this.

All undies are cute and fun, but the bra I ordered will need returned.  Definitely was not what I was expecting.

Today I stopped in the store to pick up the free undies I had a coupon for, and lo and behold, the all the bins of clearance undies were only $2.99!  I resisted major shopping since I just ordered stuff, but I did pick up two more pairs of cute undies and a lip-gloss ring that I have been eyeing for some time now.  I was pleasantly surprised when I checked out ... my total was $5.20!!!  AND I got a free stuffed "Pink" dog.  No, I do not need a stuffed dog in a floral print, but it's cute and free.  The lip-gloss ring is super silly, but it rang up at $1.75 and it was marked $7!  I love sales.

I bought the pink ring.

So the summary of my deals: (prices include tax)

Online: spent $133.67; original prices $261.75; saved $128.08 or 48.9%; purchased 4 pairs undies, a bra, pj's, slippers, and a bikini.

In store: spent $5.20; original prices $40.06; saved $34.86 or 87%; purchased 2 pairs undies, lip-gloss ring, and a stuffed dog.

Ordering from Victoria's Secret

So last Friday I placed an order online at Victoria's Secret.  I couldn't resist combining the semi-annual sale and my Angel card rewards.  I finally got notification today that my package has shipped and is set to arrive January 13.  Wait, that's tomorrow!  I check the tracking number for UPS, and sure enough, my package was scanned in today and is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.  In all the times I've ordered from VS, it never occurred to me to see exactly where my package is coming from.  Today I had to see...it's in California, so maybe it's close by.  Turns out that "Vernon, CA" is actually in Los Angeles county.  I am so glad I had free shipping on this order!  Someone please hold me to this, but as of today, I vow never to pay shipping charges for Victoria's Secret stuff!  It barely travels 30 miles to reach me, totally not worth the $9.95 or whatever shipping costs nowadays.  Also, if the store in my mall ever tells me they can't order something, I'm going to call BS on that.  The warehouse is in the same county!

New pj's and slippers

New swimsuit

Enough with tonight's ramblings.  Hopefully I really do receive my package tomorrow, and the new swimsuit I ordered fits.  Goodnight!

Winter Salad

I think I should have made this a food blog instead of fashion, since I seem to be writing more about food than clothes!

This salad is the result of my trip to the farmer's market.

Winter Farmer's Market Salad

Recipe:
2 cups mixed winter greens (mine were spicy, definitely had arugula in there)
1 orange cut in segments
1/4 cup walnut halves toasted
2 Tbsp ginger sesame dressing (my favorite is Maple Grove Farms)

Makes 1 big serving, approximately 300 calories

Saturday Morning Routine

I love my Saturday morning routine.  I don't always get to it if I sleep in too much, but when I do, I love it. Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera and get pictures, but one day I will.  Calabasas is so beautiful.  Instead I'll use images I found online today.

The typical Saturday morning for me:

Bank of America - not very interesting I know, but a necessary stop before the farmer's market for cash.

Calabasas Farmer's Market

All images from www.cityofcalabasas.com

Today I purchased seasonal produce: sweet and juicy navel oranges, super sweet ruby red grapefruits, winter mix greens, broccoli, and carrots.  I also purchased sourdough sandwich rolls and a Rocky Roasters latte.  This is my absolute favorite farmer's market.  It's big enough to have everything I could want, but small enough that I'm not overwhelmed.  Also a great mix of organic produce, freshly prepared food, a few meat/seafood/egg vendors, flowers, ethnic foods art, and jewelry.

Blue Table

Image from Yelp

I love this cafe!  They have the best sandwiches ever.  I got the Ellen's Special - a turkey, ham, goat cheese, fig-onion jam, and garlic aioli panini.  It was so good!  The perfect ending to a good morning of errands.

Saturday Dancing

Went out dancing with my girlfriend and one of her friends.  I've worn this dress out dancing before, but I just love it.  It's flattering, easy to accessorize, and has a fun, full, twirling skirt.  No matter how many pictures like this Julie and I took, we looked just as awkward in every one.

Dress: BCBGeneration

Shoes: Hollywould for Target

Necklace: Tiffany's

New Dishes

I used the Cost Plus World Market gift card my parents gave me to purchase new dishes.  I'm so excited to have a full set of matching dishes.  I bought the simplest white dishes ever.  They're so beautiful in their potential. Food always looks most beautiful on a clean white plate, and I can mix and match them with any fun pieces I collect (like dishes on clearance at Anthropologie - I like this plate and this bowl).

Dinner plates and dessert plates with racks

Stacking mugs

Pictured are the Jumbo mugs which were out of stock at my store in white, but I will buy them later.  These are so big that I'll use them for bowls.  I also bought 9 oz mugs which look identical to these, but smaller.

New Year's Day "Good Luck" Dinner

I cooked a southern traditional New Year's Day dinner!  It took all day and was definitely not all smooth sailing, but it was fun and the results were tasty.  (Did you know Jiffy mix expires?  My first batch didn't rise at all!)  All recipes (except the cornbread) are from Paula Deen Celebrates!

Pork tenderloin, collard greens, black-eyed peas, and jalapeno cornbread

My cornbread recipe:

1 box Jiffy mix

1/3 cup milk

1 egg

1/2 can creamed corn (or 1 small can)

2 small jalapenos, seeded, devained, finely chopped

Mix all ingredients, pour into greased loaf pan.  Bake at 400F for approximately 25 minutes.

NYE Outfits

Went to the mall for some shopping, and wore the new tunic I bought at Target with the gift card I got from my grandma.  At the mall I bought the most amazing legging jeans and spent the Target gift card from my parents.  I bought "big girl sheets" aka 600 thread count (I had 250 before) and some super cute kitchen accessories - cookbook holder, spoon rest (not the whole set), and two containers (small and medium to match the large that I already have).

Trying out the self timer on my camera

Tunic: Converse One Star for Target

Leggings: American Apparel

Boots: Franco Fortini (Rack Room Shoes)

Barrette: Goody

To celebrate the new year I went to friends' house for a champagne tasting party, so I didn't get super dressed up.  I did wear new stuff though!  New jean leggings and a new shirt I bought using the Target gift card from my grandma.  My jeans will need to go back to Nordstom to be hemmed, but they worked for the night.  Also painted my toenails a cute combo of dark purple with a glittery top coat since I knew I'd kick off my shoes as soon as I got to my friends' house.

Got compliments on my make-up.  Love Benefit!

Close up of my shoes.  My favorite heels.  I've had them for years, and they're super comfortable!

Shirt: Target

Blazer: Old Navy (from high school!)

Jeans: Paige Denim

Heels: Hollywould for Target

Earrings: Farmer's Market vendor