Mirror Model

I have recently taken to photographing myself in my mirror wall every morning before work. Hopefully this will motivate me to dress cuter and maybe even more professional. I dabble in between wanting to look all buttoned up or not really caring. Luckily my job allows the flexibility, though I do think a happy medium of a creative yet polished appearance is best suited to the environment. But most days I seem to only be bothered to throw on jeans (black pants if I'm feeling UBER fancy) and whatever top seems relatively work appropriate. Always a work in progress, I certainly am, but then again aren't we all? I used to be all fashion all the time, but then adulthood hit...and my style took a hit. Funny how that works.

While I would LOVE to mimic fashion blogs with professional-looking, stylized outfits and backgrounds, clearly my super infrequent posting as of late proves I'm lucky if I make time to snap a sub-par iPhone photo before running out the door. So, for the foreseeable future that's the best I can do. 

But you're not here to read this post, are you? Let's let the mirror do all the talking.

(Last-Last) Monday:

Oh, oops. I guess the mirror aspect didn't start until Tuesday. This is more of an overhead "selfie" at work kinda shot. Y'know, to get the ball rolling. Trying to show off my new shirt, but the lighting was horrific. At least my hair looked nice. That's rare-ish, lol.

Bella got in on the action, too. 

  Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, looking like a fool with your pants on the ground

Anyone but me still reference that song, even just in their head? Probably not.


She hadn't worn clothes in awhile--the horror! So natch, I had to go all out. I bought her those jeans two Christmases ago, but they're a tad too big in the waist (clearly), so I was going to exchange them for a different size. Looks like I never made the return, as I found them in a pile with the tags still on, sooo I thought I'd give them another try just for a laugh. She's so adorable. Squish Squish Squish. I mean rhinestone jeans for dogs? Really? It's so ridiculous and amazing I had to.

Tuesday:

  I'm batman.

 

at work. with dry hair. I promise I'm not orange in real life. Florescent lights are just SO flattering!

Wednesday (Halloween!):

 

                                               Hmm this turned out to be a bit of a hot mess

 

I'm a mean mean mommy. He loves clothes, but costumes make him hate his life. This was a repeat costume, but he sure makes one handsome moose. 

  She, on the other hand, loves any and all dress up. That's one proud (repeat) chicken! Repeat rooster has a much better ring to it, but she's a lady, c'mon!

Thursday:

 Ignore my weird facial expression, please.  My neighbors ended up inviting me over for wine and getting to know each other that evening. I was just glad I hadn't stripped down to pajamas yet and was wearing something cute that day. A rarity on both accounts, especially post-work! Ha. 

After all, this is my motto...

 I love that so much. TRUTH.

Friday:

At our office, Casual Monday is more appropro than Casual Friday (it's our primarily administrative day with few patients coming in), but most weeks I end up participating in both. Not that either is a far stretch from my every day choices :-x. I just feel slightly more justified, I guess!  

 

what up, Buster in the far right corner? He isn't living with me as often as I expected just yet--still working on the whole potty training thing even though he's, um, older than I want to admit! Buuut, he was happy to make an appearance this morning!

 My fave "pirate boots" as my chiro lovingly refers to them. I think they're on their last legs (ha, pun not originally intended), but I've been saying that for over a year now....can't. let. go! 

Saturday I wore the same thing as Friday (I'm a dirt bag that way. It happens pretttty often, not gonna lie) and Sunday who even knows? I just remember thinking it was not even worth iPhone documentation if that tells you anything. I don't even remember what I did Sunday now, hmm.

(This Past) Monday:

 

Again with the awkward face and sun shining in...I'm gonna have to figure out a better place to stand...

Tuesday:

 

No time for pics this morning, so this was taken late at night. Hence looking a bit haggard. Hey, two days this week I didn't immediately change into pjs upon walking in the door. That's got to be some type of record!

Wednesday (Today!): 

All my photo options from this morning were pretty douchy, so this is the best it gets, friends. I'll work on it, too.

                                       xo,

                                       Amanda

Lunches, Snacks, Desserts

I'm just gonna go ahead and lump lunch, snacks, and desserts together since I have the least pics of those. Sorry if these updates are boring, I just want to clear out my iPhone library with food pics, so we can move on to more juicy updates!

spinach & kale pie (basically spanikopita, but with kale added) & a salmon burger topped with spinach & kale (theme?) dip on one slice of sourdough--all thanks to TJ's

Trader Joe's FINALLY opened up near me (my life is nearly complete), so I've been making my way through all of their offerings. I'm surprised, so far, that a lot of the items are just okay (I've really only tried their chocolates & 2 buck chuck before, both beloved to my heart and soul), but I'm starting to get a better feel of what items are worth purchasing again (and again). So far I haven't bought any candy, but I'm getting closer to caving every time.

I think we now have just about every single place my heart has ever desired (except Moxie's chain restaurants from Canada, but I can live without those). Oh, Dallas. We've had our ups and downs, but you really have tried to make me feel happier here, haven't you? Now if we could work on building mountains and an ocean, that'd be reeeeeal nice.

Sorry. Tangent.

 

Technically this was a breakfast, but I forgot to include it and sometimes I have it for lunch. Lox on a good grain bagel. Mmmm. Even my salmon-hating Mom loves her a good lox bagel from time to time.

Greek soup! Avoglemeno or however you spell that. Lemon rice with chicken. Great for a light lunch paired with....

Delish. I need to find out if this place (Little Greek--it's a small Texas and Florida chain) sells their salad dressing. It's slightly sweet, but pairs really well with the feta and everything. Those little lumps beneath the beets are potato salad. Kind of unexpected, but works.

I'm not a huge fan of almond butter (the horror!!!), but I keep trying. I find I eat it way more if I keep it at the office.

I used to think mojo bars were just meh, but this is one of my fave bars of all time. Great new-ish flavor choice, Clif! 

Sorry Spaghetti Warehouse, but this was awful. How does one mess up a grilled chicken salad? The dressing tasted like flowers. In a bad way. And who pairs craisins with tomatoes? It was just all around bad. The sourdough bread was good, but that's about it.

 side salad with...

so-so chicken crepes. The online menu said the chicken crepes would be prepared my fave way with mushroom sauce and balsamic, but in person it said topped with a bechamel sauce and swiss cheese. Not my thing, but I tried them anyway. Still not my thing. But you can't really ever go wrong with crepes.

Mojo bar topped with almond butter. Horrific picture, but pretty satiating mid-day snack!

One half of a very large sandwich made with sourdough, reduced sodium/nitrite-free turkey, organic greens, tomato, goat cream cheese, and tj's hot & sweet mustard.

I had high hopes for this VERY EXPENSIVE bar, but it failed to deliver. In fact, it was borderline gross. Disappointing! I've found I don't really like greek yogurt products-- just the real deal. Though I'm still keeping my fingers extra crossed for a frozen greek yogurt place to open up!

Oh yeah, that's the stuff. My mom randomly wanted a cupcake when we were out together on Sunday, but I suggested Nothing Bundt Cakes instead. She kind of turned up her nose, but reluctantly agreed. After one sample she was glaaaaad she did. AMAZING. She got two.

My first "real" (from BJ's) pizookie! At first bite it was HOLY EXPLETIVES good, but after a couple bites in it just tasted like a pretty good cookie with ice cream. Weird. I still want to try the red velvet version. I hate that I love red velvet, so much food dye. But so much happiness.

TJ's kettle korn + the red/pink Mike & Ike's I separated out. Actually a really good combo!

Now we just have dinners to get through and then hopefully this weekend I can unveil the first glimpse of my house! And figure out a better way to schedule my time to at least post semi-frequently again. I don't see how so many bloggers hold down full time jobs and maintain daily posting. Phew.

xo,

Amanda

Breakfast Lately

I'm still getting settled in my house, but I have been taking (iPhone) pictures almost every day along the way. I'll have TONS of house photos to share, but let's start with meals.

Breakfast, in no particular order.

My first time having sweet egg whites. Made with stevia and cinnamon. Topped with pumpkin cream cheese. Surprisingly DELIGHTFUL.

Fancy breakfast at the Waffle House ;). Cheesy eggs with pepper, raisin toast with apple butter, and grits that I also put apple butter on. Clearly in their eyes carbs>protein

Half a pumpkin bagel with pumpkin cream cheese + stevia egg whites with pumpkin cream cheese

iced coffs with vanilla unsweetened almond milk & stevia

First time using my new Vitamix (!!!!). Smoothie + my current fave breakfast of sourdough bread lightly toasted with mashed avocado topped with an over medium egg and black pepper. YUM.

Repeat.

pumpkin spice bagel thin with pumpkin cream cheese (yay full of yellow dye x 2. I can't believe I, of all people, didn't read the ingredients TWICE) + a slightly overcooked egg beater (meh) scramble (supposed to be beloved egg whites, but the wrong container was picked up at the store) made with spinach and soy chorizo + iced coffee.

 

 Self explanatory.

 Salmon benedict, hollandaise on the side. I'm never sure if I use more sauce this way or if they just poured it on top. I didn't know the potatoes would be fried, I would have subbed fruit. But they were pretty tasty.

egg white omelet with spinach & cream cheese + breakfast potatoes

English muffin. Too bad I forgot to say no butter. Also topped with high fructose corn syrup. Aka jam.

Homemade misto.

Egg beaters, cheese, and a ripped up, leftover burger. This is called what happens before a much needed grocery trip. But it was actually much better than it looks. I was shocked too.

Well folks, that's all she wrote for now. 

Back with lunches in a bit. Or maybe dinners. I can't remember if I have any lunch pics. Hmmm....

xo,

Amanda

Is this thing on?

What up?

Long time no see.

Beach vaca has come and (sadly, long) gone....with no beach body to be found....

BECAUSE...

Well. Remember last time I checked in with you I was looking at houses? I thought they were out of my price range, but it turns out I was wrong. I considered putting in an offer on one of the ones I looked at when we last spoke, but it was JUST off the market by the time I found out I could afford it. Two houses I tried to put an offer in on, both gone just hours before I snatched them up. Things weren't looking so good.

I almost took it as a sign and put the whole house hunting thing on hold UNTIL...

Two days later an AMAZING house hit the market (in the same neighborhood as the last house I tried to put an offer in on--about one or two neighborhoods over from my parents house--which was around the area I wanted to stay in, if possible).

I was FREAKING OUT because despite being on the market only one day, people were coming in and out of the house nonstop. I wanted to scream at them all to get the hell out of MY house. But deep down, it was priced a wee bit higher than I wanted (but still comfortable enough in my juuust affordable range) and obviously highly coveted, so I thought it was a lost cause.

Only?

I put in the second offer. And It was the one she ACCEPTED!

FATE.

All the stars aligned, I was pre-qualifed asap, the inspection was *almost* flawless (as flawless as an inspection can be, especially on a 27 year old house)...everything was going almost too perfect. Too easy. Until the closing date and the official loan acceptance kept getting pushed back. And back. And back some more. I've changed my furniture delivery dates 3 times so far. I was supposed to close July 30th. I kept hearing "just 1 and a half more weeks!" Over. And Over. And Over.

But now I have a REAL, official closing date of this coming Wednesday, August 29th.

Shit's about to get real.

And I can't wait!

I'm hoping to be back to posting more regularly soon. Both eats and house pics! Lots and lots of pics. Just bare with me. This is gonna be a CRAZY time. A lot of hardships are going on too. I thought August last year was one of the worst times of my life, but this year just may be topping it in other ways. HOWEVER, becoming a homeowner, especially on my own, can't bring me down. Just trying to focus on the positive and SO so happy there is FINALLY an end in sight!

xo,
Amanda

Beach Body Day 5

The perfect trifecta. Mimosa, Water, and Coffee. Mhmm.

egg white omelet with chicken, spinach, mushroom, and cream cheese split in half. Plus about 3/4 of a biscuit with a little honey or agave (couldn't tell) plus about 1/4 of the potatoes

We ate breakfast again at Lucky's, the same place I went for the first time a couple weeks ago for a business meeting. For Father's Day I got my dad matinee tickets to see Jersey Boys at the opera house in uptown, so we made  day out of it. Because we couldn't take home leftovers we split our breakfast, except we forgot the meal comes with 2 biscuits and he also got a bagel. Oops. The biscuits weren't too good today anyway.

I felt so dehydrated when we got to the venue, but I didn't want to have to pee 10,000 times at the opera house nor pay like $5 for bottled water and I couldn't find a water fountain. When I realized the restrooms were all clear, I stuck my head under the faucet and went to town. If they have cameras in there they probably thought what a cheap ass, haha. I guess the real problem would be why would they have cameras in a public restroom, but...I digress. Of course, as soon as I came out of the bathrooms my Dad pointed to the water fountains on the wall. Oops. Round two it was!

My Dad loved Jersey Boys and was really glad I took him. We both agreed it seemed extremely long (it was 2.5 hours including intermission, so it was fairly long. But the first half, to me, felt like the entire 2.5 hrs!), but it was enjoyable the entire duration. My Dad is from New York around that time, so it especially brought up nostalgia in him.

Right before it started, they made a joke that if you planned to eat any hard candies or open any throat lozenges you might want to do that now (so it wouldn't be noisy when you fumbled to open the candies). I was like ooh good idea and gave my dad and myself a worther's original. I tried to get my Dad to give me his trash to put in my purse, but he said he was fine. BUT HE KEPT CRINKLING THE CANDY THE ENTIRE FIRST ACT OFF AND ON. It was quiet, so maybe only I noticed, but I wanted to punch him when it happened LOL. I made sure at intermission that beyotch was outta there (the wrapper, not my dad ;)).

That evening, I looked at more houses again. I thought they were all just out of my price range (except one, which I wasn't very excited about anyway), so I thought I was wasting everybody's time, but it turned out not to be a complete bust after all! The first house I want to put an offer in so badly, but it's about $13,000 over my assumed maximum budget. WHYYYYYYY???????? The kitchen counters suck and the kitchen itself is small, but otherwise I want to give the house a big hug. The wood floors downstairs were unbelievable.

 The second (affordable) house turned out to be a duplex. It's currently tenant occupied and you can tell they take no pride in the home since it's not theirs. It was okay and the side courtyard was amazing, but otherwise I wasn't overly impressed. It's not available until January 2013 anyway, which would be okay with me, but my relator said could prove some issues with getting a loan. No biggie.

 The third house was not my taste at all as is, but I could really see the potential there with a few (cheap) cosmetic changes. It's about $5,000 more than I think I should ideally spend at the top (but I'm just now working with a lender, so I may be wrong with the low interest rates out now), but it seems do-able and a great buy. The realtor said people are buying things likethat right now and you have to really jump on a house, but this one has been on the market 80 days (she's claiming houses are generally going in 20-40 days or less now in this area), so maybe I have a thinking period. I guess I won't be devastated if I lose it, but it's a great deal for the area.

 I was supposed to look at a 4th one, but they wouldn't do a Sunday showing. No biggie it was way out of my price anyway, I was just curious about it (no pics online, but the description sounded great and it was in the neighborhood I wanted). It turned out the homeowners association fees with that one were $90 a month! That's equivalent to spending $20,000 more on a house. Sheesh! No viewing for me, thanks.

Dinner was made in a rush at nearly 9 pm and I hadn't eaten or drank since breakfast (or the sink incident...)

lean ground turkey tacos with organic romaine as the shell! Love it. 

I'm still trying not to carb-up at night, but since I didn't eat much during the day I figured why not?  Vitamuffin top are always quick, easy, and tasty. It is pretty tough to leave off the slathering of peanut butter, but it still does the trick naked.

xo,
Amanda

Beach Body Day 4

Quick one.

Went to look at houses with a realtor today. The house I've been trying to get a showing of for over a week, maybe two, turned out to be a bust. I got to see it, but it went under contract before I was able to put my offer in. I missed it by 24 hours at the most, maybe even just one or two hours. Ugh. The second place we looked at was gorgeous, but I hated the neighborhood. Guess I may be staying put for awhile. Guess you never know what can go on the market at any given time, though. *fingers crossed*. I don't want to buy something just to buy something and settle, but it would be a shame to miss out on the interest rates going on now.

After looking at the houses, I went out to breakfast. I got my usual at this place: egg white omelet with spinach and cream cheese and a side of potatoes. Nom nom nom. Not the healthiest in the world, but not too bad. Plus black (stevia) coffee.

I ate about a third. Then a few hours later I ate another third or so + the english muffin half (gave the other half away).

I had an organic apple for snack. I was bad about taking pics today, but everyone can picture an apple, yes? This one was green-ish (not granny smith, a sweet one). 

For dinner I made up a delicious salad.

 

organic romaine, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, & leftover apricot chicken from olive garden last night. I tried out a new sun-dried tomato vinaigrette dressing on top that was so good.

I had a chocolate-peanut flour protein cake for dessert.

xo,

Amanda