What better day than Valentine’s to talk about a mess of stuff that I love? Of course I love all of YOU, but the group photo was too big to fit in this here collage o’crap. Oh wait, I better save the O’apostrophe words for St. Patty’s Day. Scratch that. Anyway, let’s start from the top and go clockwise, shall we?
1. Old Navy Active Padded Cami – So the first thing I want to note is that the pads are removable. THANK GOD. And once they are out, this is an AWESOME workout tank! (Also $12 right now. Score!) Lots of cute patterns and a bunch are even just $11. I read a post this week about how it is much better to have one $60 Lululemon tank top than six cheap Old Navy tank tops. And listen, I totally get that sentiment behind “quality” as a rule, I just…well disagree. Or rather, my ability to do laundry every single day disagrees and I workout a lot (AHEM) and I’m on a budget (DOUBLE AHEM.) So to that end, I say Old Navy stuff is top notch. But someday when I’m rich and my laundry gets done every day I will only have a few, quality tanks and love it. But in the meantime, I’ll love these forever and ever amen. And an honorable mention goes to this adorable tank too. I seriously can’t wait until summer workouts start!
2. Himilayan Pink Salt – I’ve had this salt in my cupboard FOREVER and just never break it out, but after reading a lot about Adrenal Fatigue and colored salts, plus seeing it show up in a few recipes I’ve made has me hooked! Plus, salt crystals are just kind of fancy feeling. I use the kind from Trader Joe’s that come in a grinder, but it’s a fun exotic thing to have on my counter top.
3. Everyone Soap – In my slow evolution toward more natural skincare, I’ve been looking for a bubble bath filled with less crap in it. I picked this up on a whim at Whole Foods, which, sidebar: Impulse Buys at Whole Foods are usually a TERRIBLE idea, because listen, no one needs to spend MORE money than they planned at Whole Foods, right? But it turns out I love this stuff! It smells exactly like one of my favorite Paleo Cookies (Might I recommend you try those immediately?)
4. The Following — I know we just talked about TV yesterday, but I saved this one by itself because I’m really digging it. Sure parts of it are completely unbelievable and contrived, but um, also: KEVIN BACON. Plus it’s just creepy enough, has some literary twists tied in that I like, so I’m in!
5. Miss Mooz Spring 2013 Collection – Listen, I don’t own a single pair of these shoes, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO. Man, they are all just fun and whimsical, but also reasonable enough that you won’t feel like you are wearing a Raver Costume. Check out the Spring 2013 Lookbook. IS IT SPRING YET?
6. Fire in My Belly by Kevin Gillespie – You know, as a self proclaimed Bravo Lover it is probably no surprise that I always have to check out the Top Chef contestant cookbooks. Honestly though, celebrity chef books don’t always move me. I am so abso-freaking-lutely in love with this cookbook though. For one, it is beautiful. It’s not full of glossy photos, instead it full of gorgeous, matte, styled but still “real-life” photos. It’s also one part memoir, which lets you get to know the Celeb Chef behind the scenes. Finally (and this is probably the most important) the recipes are a great combination of things you can see yourself making for everyday and things that would be a bit of a challenge. I like challenge in a cookbook, I just don’t like an ENTIRE cookbook of frou frou things that are going to make me feel like I am all thumbs in the kitchen. I originally got this book at the library and decided I wanted my own copy. That’s the sign of a good book.
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What’s on your Awesome Radar this month?
Some Costco’s also have the Himalayan Pink salt w/ grinder – my mom randomly found them in her Costco in Juneau, AK and flew them home as Christmas presents for my sister & I. I LOVE YOU, COSTCO.
Love my Old Navy gear. Poor and can’t afford the Lululemon stuff. Even if, I wasn’t, I don’t think I could fork over that much money for a tank top without feeling really sick to my stomach. Besides, if I have to wash the tank 5 times in one week, it will just wear out that much faster.
I am loving Nicole Krauss and Nell Freudenberger, two vastly talented writers who could be sisters, but not twins (like our eyebrows). Pick up the History of Love, Great House, Lucky Girls and The Dissident. Also loving Justified on tv and I’m afraid to start House of Cards on Netflix but think it may be the perfect way to deal with this lingering cold.
So many have recommended Nicole Krauss to me…she must be awesome! And I was literally (like 5 minutes ago) having a convo with a coworker about Justified. Guess I have to check it out! 🙂
I just picked up that exact ON tank (the maternity version tho) because it was on sale and I couldn’t justify the $$ of the lululemon one I was coveting. And yeah, when you crossfit several times a week, you just have to have some quantity.
Ahhhhh-gree! I’m just not feeling the whole “washing my tank every night” situation. And my CrossFit gear sure isn’t for re-wearing. 🙂
I’ve never gotten into Old Navy’s workout gear… I guess I just love my Calvin Klein pants (seriously make your butt look amazing) and Under Armor tank tops. Those are nice and long, cover my workout bra straps, and come in amazing fun colors. 🙂
And I’m sooo ready for spring. More snow again today here in Wisconsin. I heard birds chirping this morning though, and it totally refreshed me! I can’t wait!
I LOVE Miz Mooz shoes. That link spells trouble for my bank account.
I didn’t know that guy had a cookbook out- cool!
I love http://.glamorganicgoddess.com/ for natural beauty products. She does reviews on everything from nail polish and perfume to makeup and bath&body products. I loved Kevin from Top Chef! I’m going to have to check out his cookbook.
I have mixed emotions about expensive workout gear. I do think you pay for what you get… and I would say my under armour workout pants are definitely my favorite, but they were a gift! I enjoy hitting places like Marshalls/Ross/TJ Maxx and getting the expensive stuff for cheap!
I’m giving you a shout out on my blog tonight! So many people are asking me about the Paleo Diet after my awesome results and your website is such a great resource, especially for the Whole30 newbie. I’m so glad I found your site and I’m looking forward to sharing it 🙂
Thanks Amber! So glad you had such a great experience! I had fun following along!
Loving The Following. Kevin Bacon does a great job of playing a flawed character, I can’t wait for the next episode. Glad to hear you are a fan. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your family.
Totally agree. I’d basically watch KB in anything!
Love Miz Mooz! I have two pairs of this boot http://www.amazon.com/Miz-Mooz-Womens-Bloom-Knee-High/dp/B003EP3RBC. I got them in red first, and recently in black because I LOVE THEM so so so much. I bought myself the red pair last year as a Christmas present to myself (because I deserved them!) and have gotten so many compliments on them. They are my babies. They are comfy and pretty and the only issue I have with them is that the bottoms don’t have a ton of grip, so I can’t wear them on days when it’s icy out (but I tend to wear my winter boots on those days, and then change into them at the office). I can’t speak for any of the other styles, but if I had unlimited monies, I would own many more pairs of their boots.
Also, expensive workout gear seems like a bit of a scam to me. I mean, I want workout clothes that I feel comfortable in, that will take some abuse through the washer, and not make my cry when I buy it. Target does a great job with this. Besides, I wouldn’t spend that much money on clothing I wear to work, let alone a piece of clothing I’m going to sweat all over and make gross. I want to feel good and look put together, but whether my outfit cost $20 or $200 it won’t change my performance at all in the gym…so I don’t stress over it.