Friday Things
1. I am currently waiting for Isabelle to pop about eight teeth judging on the teething thatโs going on here. Poor girl is struggling a lot some days, and a couple of night last week, she needed extra rocking. I secretly loved thisโฆ it had been months since she fell asleep on me, and I really donโt think there is anything in the world that is so relaxing.
2. Speaking ofโฆ this made me want to snuggle a newborn all over again >> Dear Mamaโฆ
3. I cannot wait for the weather to finally break and we can get outside and play everyday. The boys love taking walks outside and playing with their bikes and ride-on toys, blowing bubbles, etc. Weโre ready for warm weather! (But not heat and humidity, I am never ready for the dog days of summer, ha!)
4. Thank you so much to everyone who left comments and emails sending condolences on the passing of my grandpap; I read each and every one and appreciate the kind words so very much. It was certainly a long handful of days, but it was wonderful to celebrate a life well-lived. xo
5. I like the premise of this article, Give Yourself the Gift of Time This Week, but please tell me if there are actually moms of young kids that can enjoy a long, leisurely shower and then allow your hair to air-dry in the sun while โyou do nothingโ? I think perhaps I was not the correct demographic for this article lol.
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6. But! On a related note, I am currently obsessed with everything Laura Vanderkam โ she has done tons of research in the area of time management and I am loving reading her blog posts, and listening to her podcast. Really wonderful, actionable information on how to maximize the time we are given each and every day.
7. I would love recommendations for your favorite cuticle oil or cream. My cuticles are insanely hideous and I could really use some semi-regular manicures, but until I make time for that, tell me your favorite ways to keep them looking kind of nice at home!
8. Also! What are your favorite things to buy at Trader Joeโs? Please share in the comments, I want to make a big list!
9. How adorable is this blind golden retriever with a new puppy who has become a little bit of a seeing-eye dog for him? Melts my heart!
10. TGIF! Sometimes Duke hangs out in our shower while we get ready for bed, silly boy :)
There are just SOOO many amazing things to try at TJโs. Here are some of my personal favorites: white cheddar puffs (a HUGE bag for just $2 and very tasty), peanut butter puffs (seems weird at first, but really yummy and just $1), their sweetened dried mandarin slices (addictive!), mango gummies (and I almost never eat gummies), their version of fig newtons (better than the originals!), and their chocolate covered orange gummy slices (in the candy section โ so good!). We donโt always get stuff from the frozen section (depending on whether or not weโre going home right away), but weโve tried several delicious things: the croissants (regular or chocolate filled), the frozen macarons, the 5 cheese philo puff, and the chipwiches (!!!). Canโt wait to hear what you think of everything!
I love Julep cuticle remover. It is a little pricier than some brands but it works better than anything I have ever tried. Their cuticle cream works well too! Itโs nice and creamy and comes in a small tube that I keep in my purse so I tend to use it more often which seems to help.
On a more somber note I have been praying for you. I adored my grandparents and I so understand the sadness of loss. May the Lord be near and comfort you. P.s.s. because of your neat blogโฆWill be trying some of these t.j. fan finds frozen mac n cheese, peanut butter cups, the suggested tortilla chips. Cant wait to try these new items. I had other items I forgot to mention, honey that comes in the cute little bearโฆits such yummy florally honey, dried capellini, vanilla ice cream, orange chicken, teriyaki chicken (both in frozen section). And Iโm relatively new to T.J. maybe a few years in. Still love my Costco๐
How fun this was..Trader Joe finds. This is mainly my sisterโs joyful place on earth, but I am a solid convert to T.Jโฆjust a late bloomer. Body butter, body butter, and more body butter. I just put some vanilla body butter on after a nice nighttime shower. Frozen chocolate croissants-amazing. The best Iโve ever had. Fresh artichokes..they are clean and the perfect size. New favorite..cheese fondue. Omg amazing. P.s. love your shower too, love your babies sweet picture in their green. Of course the doggie is beautiful looking so handsome with his beautiful coat.
Hi Michelle, first Iโm so sorry about your Grandpap. Sending prayers to you and your family.
TJs Mac and cheese in the freeze is super. The regular one is the best but I usually get the lower fat one which is very good but obviously not as good. Lol They also have new Mexican street corn flavor chips that are so delicious. I bought them on the recommendation of a staff member and my only regret is not buying more than one bag.
Trader Joeโs dark chocolate peanut butter cups!!!! ย Theyโre perfect two bites that put Reeseโs (sorry Reeseโs) to shame. Yum!๐ซ๐ฅ
First of allโฆ. I am living vicariously through your family as it reminds me of my own and my kids are no longer at home. I have 3 kids, 2 older boys and the baby (not a baby anymore!) a girl just like yours. They were born in a 3 1/2 yr. period so are all in college now! Yepโฆ.the bills are unspeakable. But the oldest is graduating in May (and then heading to grad schoolโฆ.oh well!). Anyway, I love T.J.โs and could probably go on an on but here are a few of my favorites:
Greek Yogurt Dip with Kale and Spinach; all of their dried fruits and nuts as well as freeze dried fruit; Pound + bars esp. bittersweet; Orange chicken; Frozen artichokes, corn, peas, edamame; Tomato bruschetta (non-refrigerated) and artichoke antipasto; Pizza sauce(jar); Avjar and the Eggplant spreads; Curry simmer sauce; tahini; Indian meals in vacuum pouch (tikka masala, Madras lentils etc.); cornichons; snow/snap peas in fresh produce; soft chocolate oat snack bars; bran cereal (Iโm weirdโฆ.I like bran cereal and theirs is the best!); frozen seafood blend; turkey meatballs; chocolate chip meringues; 21 seasoning salute; almond pastry (not sure the exact name but it is not the kringle); British muffins; tortillas; Ak Mak crackers; BBQ pulled chicken (refrigerated); frozen breaded tilapia fillets (great for fish sandwiches); frozen masala burgers; frozen pot stickers; frozen garlic naan; frozen scallion pancakes; marinated artichokes in jar; roasted red peppers; kalamata olives; colossal olives stuffed with garlic; chicken/shrimp fried rice (frozen); Thai fried rice (frozen); frozen tomato basil ravioli; fresh chicken sausages; white whole wheat flour (good price); cocoa powder; almond flour/meal; non aerosol olive oil spray; all purpose seasoning blend; good prices on basmati rice, both white and brownโฆ.I think that is enough for now but I could probably go on!
Hi Michelle,
I canโt believe how big your kiddies are gettingโฆand so adorable. And your fur baby!!
Regarding nails, I use something from Sephora called NAILS INC. It contains almond, argan, and rose hip oils. Itโs not oily, except while applying and is absorbed quickly and is very effective. I have very dry brittle nails and this has helped tremendously, and I love Clarins hand cream for my dry hands.
At TJs the prepared mushroom Alfredo sauce and the frozen meal of paneer tiki masala. Both are delicious for a quick meal!
Trader Joeโs has the best spinach and artichoke dip in the freezer section!
TJ buys
I buy so much salmon, my husband eats it almost every day. It comes flash frozen in a two pack. Best, healthiest version we can find.
I canโt get enough of their potstickers, love the veggie varieties for no-meat Fridays.
The red sauce gnocchi, super fast and fills up the teens, they cook it too!
Everyone raves about the cheese, but I always forget to stop there, or go back to it, people are always standing around it.
Fruit and flowers
Eggs and butters
Candy for Christmas, Easter, holidays. Giant chocolate bars for baking and eating. Smores and sponge candy, English butter fudge.
Orange chicken is really good, but I really want it without the batter.
Burritos
Love the pictures of the babes and Duke. Mine would be too scared that I was going to bathe him.
Hey. I had very bad nails at some point. Stared collagen tablets. Once a day. In the morning. Really helped.
Oh my gosh, your dog in the shower is darling. Your kids are beautiful. The best thing at Trader Joeโs that I buy constantly is the 1-pound-plus dark chocolate bar, 72% cocoa. I eat it every day. And it is only $4.50 or so? I also buy the sprouted grain cinnamon raisin bread. I donโt know all the technicalities, but apparently there is no flour and your body converts it to protein? It somehow seems better than eating regular toast. :) With my side of dark chocolate, of course. LOL. Have a relaxing weekendโฆ.I am sure it has been a tiring couple of weeks for your family.
Dog-in-showerโฆI second Joannaโs comment: Totally cute!
But, Michelle: when are you going to start showing off more of your beautiful interior decorating? Every time you post a picture, it is an automatic: โcute dog, adorable/angelic kids, too-tempting foodโฆโ but your sense of style and home architecture should not go unnoticed. The aesthetic appeal that you have created inside is BEAUTIFUL! Please consider sharing with us what that amazing eye of yours sees every day.