Shopping Success

First I’d like to introduce you to the newest member of the family…and no it’s not a dog (yet)…

This past weekend was mission: “Mama needs a brand new bag!” I would like to thank the gorgeously stocked handbag department at Nordstrom, and my wonderful husband for keeping himself occupied in the Men’s section while I “wandered” around for a bit. This lovely is by B. Makowsky, and BONUS: it was on sale :)

I was really hoping for the double whammy: new purse AND sunglasses weekend…but I forgot how much I loathe sunglass shopping. I love sunglasses, but I go, try on 20-30 pairs, and call it a day. Oh well, still a successful shopping weekend.

Other than that, it was a pretty low key weekend, which is a RARE occurrence for us so it was very enjoyable.

Saturday we slept in (for me that means around 9am), and I made us some French toast! The bread was Pepperidge Farm Soft Honey Oat bread. We needed a break from the Arnold Double Protein, and this was a superb choice. It’s super soft, and a touch of sweetness :)

I used 2 eggs, skim milk, vanilla, and cinnamon for the French toast.  With banana slices and cantaloupe.  So fast and easy. 

topping options

I just stuck with my maple syrup…pure and delicious. 

Iced Cap. with lots-o-foam

After digesting, Brian and I headed out for a run to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather! We did a 4.7ish route down to a nearby pond, around the pond, and back. We stopped a few times to walk, more than I’d like lately, but his pace is faster than mine so even though I try to keep a slower pace I always end up running faster with him! I guess this is good, but does make me lose steam faster. Either way it was a gorgeous day and I did better than him anyways ;)

The various errands + Bridget’s shopping mission commenced after running (and showering…etc, of course).

Even though I had snacks after the run: nineteenth hole trail mix

and a Strawberry Oikos with Kashi Autumn Wheat

we made a trip to the S-Bucks!

His and hers Vivano Smoothies :) The strawberry and chocolate smoothies looked very pretty together…I heart Pink + Brown (they were my wedding colors after all).

Later that night we hit up Border Café to fulfill our Mexican Food craving!

Chips + salsa

Chicken + Veggie Fajitas…they have the BEST fajitas, and I always have lots of leftovers.

Sunday was pretty uneventful again, aside from a trip to visit the grandparents…and actually purchasing my purse (yeah I slept on it).

However I had a super relaxing breakfast, waking up 1+ hour earlier than the husband.

Iced cappuccino + banana oats

Other eats that day included a ripe red grapefruit, segmented.

TJ’s Reduced Guilt Brownies and some new icy treats!!

best low-fat brownies ever!

For the first time EVER, our grocery store had Coconut Milk ice cream on sale! (now by sale I mean $4.50/pint as opposed to the usual $6). They only had 3 flavors…vanilla, chocolate, and coconut so I went with the vanilla to enjoy with the impending brownies that night.

However at the end of the grocery trip I happened to notice this guy…

Unlike me to every buy 2 ice creams…but I have a mild (ok not so mild) obsession with Almonds and almond flavored…anything! This sounded like heaven.

And it was…I obviously took a little spoonful out of the container as soon as we got home. Smooth creamy base with swirls of marzipan and pockets of almond cookie!!

However I had my brownie with a smear of PB and vanilla coconut milk ice cream…SO GOOD!
                   
I was a little skeptical because the time I tried coconut milk yogurt I was grossed out, but that was more of a texture issue. Anywho, the Coconut Milk ice cream is delicious…initial taste of vanilla bean followed by a subtle coconut flavor.

Work is really interfering with my workouts this week:

Sat: 4.7ish mile run

Sunday: did some strength training at home

Monday: Body Combat – kicked my butt per usual

Tues-Wed-Thurs – nothing, various classes/work things after work…
                                         grrrrr.
Possibly a morning workout Thursday, we’ll see…I’m a newbie when it comes to working out before work.

Friday: Gym – probably a treadmill run

Anyone else just itching to buy all the adorable spring/summer clothes that are coming out NOW?  It’s such a tease…  well I did buy a dress at Target that I clearly can’t wear for another 2-3 months.

Oh Laptop, Why do you hate me so?

Well I was looking forward to a nice post last night, as I was too busy at work to get any blogging in! However when I tried turning my lap top on I saw something worse than the BSOD (blue screen of death), a black screen basically saying there was no hard drive to be found...FABULOUS!
My laptop has been acting up quite a bit lately, so I should of seen it coming. One day it just started making a grinding noise right after it started up. Brian thought it was a fan issue...well yeah guess not. This isn't the first issue like this I've had...I actually reformatted the whole thing a little over a year ago, started over, and since then it's been fine but I guess that only lasts so long?

So who knows when I'll fix this problem, I certainly can't be spending money on a new computer...there are other things more pressing...like a house, on the horizon this year so it will have to wait.

Moving on:

Sunday I had an AMAZING brunch with mom at Sel De La Terre, which is in our mall. However, my first stop was to pick up THE BEST cappuccino at the most unlikely place.

I LOVE cappuccinos...I love the foam and how the hot milk gets slightly sweet naturally and my favorite option is to add a tiny bit of almond syrup (I order 1/2 a pump of syrup). Sadly, Starbucks discontinued Almond...I almost cried, and also bought a whole bottle of the syrup before it was gone. So now my favorite cappuccino is located at:
Yep! Nordstrom's Cafe! I don't know why they are so good at foaming milk, but it's like there's a big dollop of fresh meringue on top of my cappuccino! Combined with the hint of almond syrup is heaven in a cardboard cup!

Then we walked over to the restaurant where I had one thing on my mind...french pastries!
I never order these things, but I know they have delicious ones so I had to...a warm pan au chocolate...chocolate croissant! It was warm, flaky, buttery, melty, chocolatey!! I can't even get over how good it was...such an indulgence.

My croissant and Nordstrom Cappuccino!
Last Bite!!! So sad...For my main meal, mom and ordered the exact opposite of what we got last time we had brunch here.

I went for the eggs Benny this time, with a side petit salad.
Mom had their incredible forest mushroom quiche...I'm not a huge mushroom fan (texture issue), but this is Out Of This World amazing!We both ate practically all our meal and we're pleasantly full but not over stuffed...this also kept me full all day! I almost didn't need dinner!

Mom Update: Thought I should mention she lost 10lbs!! Yay mom! I know it's the wedding that is motivating her, but that's good enough for me and hopefully she will keep it up afterwards too! We even tried a few dresses on at Lord and Taylor (I am really not a fan of classic Mother Of the Bride dresses...yuck). So we're trying to find something more elegant and classy :)

Well, only a few more items before I end this post...I have lots more to say but I'll spread it out into another post later!

Cute Product Alert!!
Very Mini!!They are bigger than chocolate chips but smaller than Hershey kisses! Adorable. Bonus points for tasting like the dehyrdated marshmallows that come in hot cocoa packets!

I added them to a little treat bag I brought to work yesterday along with some equally cute animal crackers and trail mix.Cute Little Purchase

I bought myself and roomie a set of cute mini condiment spoons at Crate and Barrel (top of picture).
The spoons are posing with the delicious roasted veggie/sausage/pasta bake she made Sunday...I packed that bowl with it for lunch yesterday...Major Yumminess!

That's enough for now :) Happy Tuesday!!