Where Shopping Is A Pleasure.

I love Publix.

Today was a long, crappy day, putting the icing on the cake of a long, crappy week. I left work and sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic for 30 minutes. Then I arrived at the daycare to learn that my little angel has been anything BUT angelic.  For like a week now.

He threw a big fat tantrum while two of his teachers talked to me about his behavior. He literally screamed the whole time. I hung on to his arm and ignored it, wondering if I should take him into the bathroom and *beat his ass, or if that was too rash … because after all, it had been a long, crappy day and I didn’t want to overreact.

Two year olds have a way of making you question your sanity.


Eventually we made it to the car. He pitched a fit the entire way to Publix. I dreaded going to the store, and would have avoided it altogether except we were completely out of diapers, toilet paper, milk, and bananas. I didn’t want to have to go first thing in the morning.

So we went.

This is the reason why I love Publix: they truly do make shopping a pleasure. In fact, when the Toddler saw the green sign up ahead he said “Pubbix!” and instantly stopped crying. He likes to ride in the cart that looks like a big green car. The employees smiled at us, oblivious to the chaos that had preceded our visit. They offered samplings of food and gave him a balloon. 

As we checked out, another meltdown began. He was hungry. I told him we would have dinner as SOON as we got home. He insisted he wanted a snack. I said no, dinner was very soon. The bag boy witnessed it all and bless him, tried to distract my son into forgetting about his hunger. And then … then. That boy loaded my groceries for me.

I have never accepted the loading service at Publix. I just prefer to do it myself. Even when I was hugely pregnant, I said no thank you. I figured there were plenty of elderly patrons who needed to be loaded up instead. I have a pride issue. But today — today I accepted.

And it was AWESOME.

* for those of you who don’t know me personally, and may not understand that “beat his ass” is just a figure of speech, I wanted to let you know that I only mean popping his butt quickly three times and that is all.  Just wanted to clear that up.

The Legging.

I’m finally embracing the legging. I really didn’t know what I was missing. They are heavenly — as least as far as comfort is concerned. However, they don’t hold in my fat properly.

Meaning … I jiggle as I walk.

I need to invest in a Spanx/Legging hybrid. I’m sure they are out there. Surely I’m not the only jiggly lady out there who wants to sport some leggings.

Shoe Failure.

We are heading to Chicago on Friday and I have a lot of prep work to do.

I went to the Galleria yesterday thinking I could easily find some cute shoes that are comfortable to walk in. I got there right at 10:00 when they opened.

I found NOTHING. Everything has already been picked over! I have decided that I want some tall, flat boots. I am hoping to find something I can wear with dresses OR jeans and I’m (hesitantly) thinking about attempting the skinny jeans-tucked-into-boots look … against my better judgment.

This is what I found out: my legs don’t fare well against boots. Period. Meaning, it’s hard to get them all the way on.

And now I’m considering … THIS. 

Double Sinks … in an instant.

This is where the miracles happen.

How did I ever operate with a single sink? I guess no matter how large of a lavatory space I have, I’m going to use all of it.

I keep thinking I need to simplify or pare down my morning routine, but I have no idea how to do this. In fact, I keep adding to it.

I continue to discover new products.

My latest discovery is Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. It’s foundation primer that is supposed to conceal lines, pores and imperfections, “in an instant.” You can see it in the picture above in the red container. It came with a “spatula” that I was supposed to use to apply it with, but I disliked that.

However … it’s 6 p.m. and my makeup hasn’t worn off yet like it normally does. I don’t look greasy, either. I think this purchase was worth the $32 I spent on it.

Best Purchase of the Month!

Remember this horrible excuse for bedding? 

If you want to know what is going on there, that was our one extra set of sheets that had the texture of paper towels, and a too-small duvet (queen size) without a cover on it.

We used to have nice bedding … before an unfortunate incident involving too much tequila.

May I present … my new, grown-up and respectable bed!

 

My husband feels like it’s too girly and I can appreciate that, but the reason why this wins the award for Best Purchase is because I bought it for $30. That’s right. The whole set. It came with a comforter, shams, and a bedskirt. And nothing is wrong with any of it!  

I just happened upon it at Walmart of all places. Normally I abhor their bedding. The best part is, I saved so much money on the comforter set that I was able to justify buying 500 thread count sheets to go with it!

The print is fun and it reminds me of a Mexican cantina. Which is really appropriate since that is where we were the night that I completely ruined our former bedding.

  
  Cheers!

I’m picky about shoes.

They have to be the right height, look good on my feet, and do that magic thing that heels do that make you look elongated and leaner than you actually are.

I don’t have the money to splurge on the kind of shoes that don’t fall apart. I buy shoes on sale and eventually, inevitably, they fall to pieces.

Here lie my beloved Steve Maddens.

I have been looking for replacement pointy-toed brown leather heels but they are impossibly hard to find. And so, sadly, I continue to wear these even though they look like THIS.

Yes, that is an actual hole in the toe of my shoe. When I wear them in the rain, my feet get wet.

I think I have a problem. Stacy and Clinton would NOT approve.