Friday Things
1. I am currently waiting for Isabelle to pop about eight teeth judging on the teething that’s 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 this… it had been months since she fell asleep on me, and I really don’t think there is anything in the world that is so relaxing.
2. Speaking of… this made me want to snuggle a newborn all over again >> Dear Mama…
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. We’re 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 “you do nothing”? 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 – 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 Joe’s? 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 :)
My favorite cuticle treatment is a Jordan Essentials lotion bar (or the cuticle stick which is basically the same thing in a lip balm container). The lotion bar is also good for hands which get chapped due to lots of washing of hands due to diaper changes, cooking, etc. It soaks in and doesn’t wash off like typical lotions do. I’m a consultant, so if you want, you can contact me to order, or use Consultant ID# 1243 if you order at http://www.jordanessentials.com
May I just say how very much I want your shower stall in my home? ;)
SolarOil for your cuticles!
I think what you are feeding the children while good, is making them grow up too fast. It is unbelievable how fast they are growing!!! They are so precious just as they are, but soon they will be going to college and away into the world. Stop the growth of the children please!!!!
Michelle and Family,
So sorry to hear of your Grandfathers passing. Please pass along my condolences to your family. Grandparents are a wonderful part of family life, I understand more now as I am a grandmother. Such a beautiful picture of your grandfather with his grandchild. Take care and take time for yourself.
I realize that I’m biased, but the cuticle oil from BeneYOU (formerly Jamberry) is legit. It smells amazing and lasts. Whatever you get, rub it in up to the first knuckle, not just around the nail.
I love Trader Joe’s! A few of my fav’s are: HOLD THE CONE! Mini ice cream cones – so cute and just the right nibble. I use their honey roasted sliced almond in my breakfast each morning. Their Lite Kettle Corn mini bags are a good sized snack. If you like honeycomb candy, their Sponge Candy is really good. My hubby loves their sliced sharp cheddar cheese and I love their mini brie bites. And last but not least, their body butter is the bomb! They always have coconut, but throughout the season they also have mango, pumpkin, and vanilla.
My new favorite thing a Trader Joes is their Cilantro Dressing. If you like cilantro you’ll really like this. I also get their everything crackers, everything bagel seasoning, nuts, dried fruit,flowers coconut oil products. I put a portion of the coconut oil in a tiny jar and use it to rub into my cuticles
Have you considered Jamberry cuticle oil? The kiwi hemp has a pleasant smell and has encouraged good nail growth for me. I work for a chemical company that manufactures the acrylic powder and liquids for professional manicures. Despite the eye rolls I get from coworkers regarding the “stickers” I have on my nails, I prefer Jamberry to the professional manicure. If applied carefully following their application instructions, I have a manicure that will last two weeks and will not chip. I can remove them myself without damaging my nail (also by following instructions), and if I do need a repair I can do that myself as well. No drying time needed. Unfortunately since they sold the business Jamberry apparently no longer has licensing agreements, so no more Steelers or PSU nail wraps for me. They do still allow you to create your own designs though.
The things I get every time at Trader Joe’s: Frozen brown rice, cauliflower gnocci (cook it in an air fryer!), trek trail mix, frozen chicken fried rice, riced cauliflower stir fry, hummus
I keep Burt’s Bees Goat milk hand cream in my car—it’s always when I’m driving that I realize how dry my hands and cuticles look! I like this one because it comes in a glass jar and it never seems to go bad even if it melts in the heat.
I adore Trader Joe’s! I put their Everything Bagel seasoning on everything!
I love their mini cheese dried ravioli. They make a great pasta salad.
The garlic herb pizza dough is wonderful as is their bottled pizza sauce. I also buy their frozen nan and use it for pizza.
The Thai vegetable gyoza and their gyoza dipping sauce are an amazing combination.
I’ve been loving their salad kits lately- but they never seem to have the same one available when I go back to buy more.
Trader Joe’s frozen section is truly amazing, and I’m someone who cooks everything from scratch. The Mandarin Orange Chicken is better than a Chinese restaurant! Other favorite products of mine are the Greek yogurt spinach dip, the lightened up guacamole, freeze dried fruit, nutty yogurt covered granola bars, and their Kansas city BBQ sauce. They also have really good cuts of fresh pork tenderloin, and tons of delicious sausage varieties.
If you like McDonald’s hasbrowns, the TJ hasbrowns are a much healthier version. They bake up or pan fry perfectly crisp. And if you like Almond butter, try their almond butter cups (like peanut butter cups but with almond butter). Sooooo good and not super sweet. Do your kids like yogurt smoothies? Mine do and TJ’s kefir is at a better price than my grocer. My kids love it.
And if you like to snack/dessert on cheese…their Unexpected Cheddar will knock your socks off.
I’ve used Burt’s Bees Lemon Cuticle Butter for at least 20 years.
Trader Joe’s:
I think anything from their frozen aisle is good.
medjool dates
dried fruit — cranberries, cherries, apricots
pasta (angel hair, spaghetti, bucatini, orzo, fusilli)
gnocchi (not cauliflower)
nut butters
coconut oil
almonds (meal, whole, sliced)
fire roasted red peppers
fire roasted yellow and red peppers
dried herbs/spices — much better prices than anywhere else
sweet apple chicken sausage
chicken gyoza potstickers
lemongrass chicken stix
Thai sweet chili sauce
hash brown patties
frozen chocolate (or almond) croissants
Cheese (gruyere, unexpected cheddar, triple creme brie wedge, fresh mozzarella, bocconcini)
danish kringle – they have different flavors throughout the year. My favorite is almond
mandarin orange chicken
teeny tiny avocados/avocados
frozen macarons
Greek yogurt
heavy cream
Trader Joe’s is amazing!
We get:
bags of apples (they’re nice and small)
peanut butter cups
hummus
frozen fish
fat free balsamic salad dressing
Waffle cookies
Pot stickers
Have fun
Trader Joes has an Everything Balm in a tin that I use for my cuticles. I just put it on every night. It has helped a ton as long as I use it daily.
The BEST thing at Trader Joe’s is their five cheese Greek spiral…we love it as is with wine or you can drizzle with honey and add pistachio nuts for a baklava type treat. The ids will love it as well as the adults
Can’t wait to read the TJ’s ideas in the comments! My picks are:
Honey yogurt (less sugar than many other yogurts out there!);
Freeze dried fruits, like strawberries and mango;
Turkey corn dogs (my kids love them and they just take a minute in the microwave);
Frozen quinoa duo with veggies (cooks up in 5 minutes and perfect with grilled chicken for a quick dinner);
Pizza fixings – dough, sauce and pepperoni;
Five Seed Almond Bars
Burt’s Bees Lemon Cuticle Butter is great. My hands are in and out of harsh stuff all day and my cuticles get shredded. I love the BB butter because it is alcohol free and it comes in little tins so I can keep multiples everywhere. There is one in every purse, I think. And it works.
baby snuggles are the best! Sorry about your grandfather!
TJ:
1) Pound plus bars of chocolate – perfect for baking
2) bags of lemons and tiny avocadoes
3) popcorn
4) eggs
5) herbs are way cheaper than at my grocery stores
6) sugar free organic pb
7) any kind of nuts or dried fruits – cheaper/fresher than elsewhere.
What do you get??
Trader Joe’s- I always buy the Dunkers (a chocolate chip cookie bar/stick with a chocolate coating one one side, meant (obviously) for dunking in hot chocolate, coffee, etc), and the Green Dragon Hot Sauce. My husband is obsessed with the sauce and puts it on everything
Sweet Dominic has his little had behind Isabelle’s head to support her…heart melting.
I have no clue where to begin with recommendations for TJ’s. I love that store and there are so many new products introduced on a regular basis. I know everyone will recommend the cauliflower gnocchi and they are yummy for sure but are often sold out because they are so popular.
One thing to buy for sure…the mini peanut butter cups. I chop them a bit and add them to your PB Chocolate Chip cookie recipe…they are the favorite of the teen who shovels snow for me.
Also, the 1 lb. chocolate bars are a great bargain. I use them for baking and for ganache. The bars are divided into 40 squares so I cut the bar into 5 square chunks…each of which is equal to 2 oz….and freeze them. If a recipe calls for a specific number of ounces of chocolate, I just grab what I need from the freezer.
Happy shopping…allow lots of time to just browse.
From Trader Joe’s, I always buy 2 salad dressings, Green Goddess and Turmeric Almond Butter…great for salads, marinades, dips. I love their cauliflower gnocchi also. My son adores their banana chocolate chip power muffins, which I keep in the freezer, because they go bad quickly. They had a great pumpkin salsa this past fall.
Trader Joe’s Pound Plus 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate ;imported from Belgium)bars(big) are excellent for baking etc. The bars come in bittersweet and milk varieties. I use them for almost all my baking that requires chocolate. Excellent product!!! And, I’m picky! I also love the TJ Frozen Croissants. You proof them overnight and bake. They have plain, chocolate and almond. Great when you have company and limited time ! Happy shopping:)
Here’s my list for Trader Joe’s:
Nut butter
Dried mango
Either their meatballs or turkey meatballs
Honey
Coconut oil
Low sodium veggie and chicken broth
Coconut cream yogurt
Whole wheat tortillas
Dark chocolate peanut butter cups – four stars!!!
Some of these items I can get at my regular grocery store, but usually TJ’s has better prices.
If you can find this product it will manage your cuticles beautifully!
Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle Serum, Clear [3074], 0.37 oz (Pack of 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0087B226O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ChGNCbJGHCRED
Re Trader Joes: Check out https://kirbiecravings.com/category/product-reviews/. She does a monthly or so list of what she has purchased there and how she liked what she bought. It was very helpful to me when I got to go to Trader Joes for the first time recently when I visited a city that had one. The Pancake Bread is to die for.
Thank you for the Trader Joe’s link. I love that!!!
Oh man, I could go on and on about Trader Joe’s! We love the chili lime rolled tortilla chips (but warning, they are a bit spicy!), unexpected cheddar, the Gorgonzola gnocchi! Plus the seasonal stuff is always good!
we love Trader Joe’s — I always buy their bags of lemons and arugula they’re the best. We also love their hummus, I’ve been buying Buffalo lately. My kids like the frozen mini tacos and the frozen Mac and cheese is freaking good. I only buy joe joes which are their Oreos, but we think they’re better. I always buy all my cheese and crackers there. The cheese is so cheap compared to GE. My kids also love their fresh mozzarella cheese sticks and the individual guacamole packets.
Your children look so happy, I love their shirts, hilarious!🙂