Current Spring Needs, Wants, and I Wishes

Here a few items I need, a couple I want and one I wish item. 

SHOES:

I LOVE TOMS, they are super comfortable, versatile and are linked to a good cause. I have worn out a pair of black ones last summer so I need a new pair and would also like grey. I currently own brown and navy and love those too (but get the most wear out of black). Because of my spina bifida I can't wear any shoe that doesn't have a back, so no flip flops, sandals, etc and I can't wear heals so this is a great casual/ everyday option for me. I purchase mine here

I am in love with these ol' skool New Balance 501 sneakers, these are a must have for me once I am out of a cast and walking. I always feel it is easier to exercise when you you look good and feel good in what you wear.  Get yours here

Bags:

I have two Rebecca Minkoff 5-zip mini bags and I love them, so versatile, chic, easy to wear and I have been drooling over this MAC- not the mini so it is a little larger than my others and I love the neutral color. 

The 2 mini 5-zips I have are in fuchsia/orchid and grey because they didn't have black when I went to Nordstrom to get it, so I still really want the black one. I bought both of mine at Nordstrom  here

This is my long coverted bag, I always like it but then find other bags I like more. I like the simplicity, the lightness and roominess of these Longchamp bags. 

Hair: I have had every shape, length and color pixie possible since I chopped my hair off that June, right now I am growing it out a little and would like to go back to my natural hair color with an easy, fresh cut and right now I am loving Shailene Woodley's cut, my hair is a similar color and I love how her hair is fuss-free. 

JEWELRY: 

MY ONE " IF I COULD HAVE ANYTHING I WANTED"  ITEM: I would love, love, love to have this necklace in "A" for my name "Amy" and my daughter's name "Alice" it would be perfect and I could pass it down to Alice (eventually).  I love all of Jennifer Meyer's pieces but there is no way I could afford it. Although she states she "designs for the everyday woman" which I feel that is me (I am a long term teacher, grad student, homeowner, mother, wife) there is no way I could spend almost $2000 on a necklace just for me (that would pay for two graduate classes). 

Beauty:

Spring nail polish I love.

I really want to try:

What are your spring must haves? Do you have ONE coveted item on your wish list?

MORE Changes?????

Okay, I stated in my last post that I was going through a lot of changes. The one big one is and has always been my health and weight. I have struggled since college with this and never feel happy. 

I decided to take some control and .... watch a lot of tv at night...but I did see the informercial for the Nutribullet and I caved and bought it (also it was 4:00 AM and I was on  Ambien and would have probably purchased anything). I have tried soooo many different things: baby bullet (when I made Alice's baby food), juicers, mixers, blenders and I never really found anything great. As much I like "juicing" the prep and clean up is such a pain in the ass that that alone would be enough to give it up. The other problem is that juicing actually takes out the fiber of the fruits and veggies which I disparately need.  I was doing the Herbalife shakes which was great in the summer and while working, but it became difficult to continue throughout the winter months of New England and especially now that I am home. 

When I was juicing I DID feel much better, but it was so difficult to stick with. So when I saw that this "juices" fruits and veggies without eliminating the fiber and it is much faster than my blender (150 watts vs 600watts). I looked online and Walmart had it the cheapest - so I begged my mom to pick it up (to avoid Walmart at all costs).

Here it is, you get three containers to actually mix in travel tops, lids, reciepe books the whole thing. It also takes up less than half the size of my juicer.

My first smoothie I would rate a 5/10

I used spinach, strawberries, blueberries, a frozen banana and chia seeds. I added water to the "full" line and blended. The color and consistence was a little "eh" but taste wise it was fine, good. I do love that the nutribullet is as easy to clean as my baby bullet is. 

My next attempt was using this recipe I found on Pinterest. I modified it slightly by using 1 frozen banana (instead of fresh) and adding 1/4 cup of Greek Yogurt and a 1 TBS of almond butter...

and it was delicious, seriously good (Alice even loved it). Using the almond milk gives the smoothies a MUCH better consistency than water- rated it a 9/10.

This will be tomorrows try: looks great!

Before my surgery I was already in "Project Change" and I have always LOVED Zumba and these videos are great, I can't wait until I can start back up again. If anyone is looking for a fun, high paced workout this is it. 

Also, before the surgery I looked into help with Seasonal Depression and light therapy was one of the number one healers. I bought this one from Amazon and my psychiatrist said it was the correct wattage to make a difference. I used it everyday for weeks and slowly stopped, I HAVE to start back again. 

So I keep adding positive change into my life and hoping wit will improve my self mentally, emotionally and physically. We shall see. 

CHCHCHCHCHANGES....

Back to Boston this week and so far so good, one change is I get a break from my wound vac to give my skin a break (whoo hoo) and a new PURPLE cast!! Over my 32 yrs I have had SO MANY casts and braces any there were never any fun colors or prints so I am taking full advantage now! 

During all my extra time I decided to update Alice's room from a nursery to big girl room. This meant a new bed (the one I said I wanted) from ikea, new rug, curtains, comforter, and sheets from Target and bed canopy from Amazon.com. 

My little lovely is growing up and changing sooo much soo fast it is really crazy. She is turning into such a sweet, sensitive, caring girl. 

But, still her silly self

Trying to change my thoughts and it is very difficult hopefully once I can walk, go back to work, exercise and the enjoy some sunshine things will get easier. 

Random Reads, Rants, and Wants

I have had this book (and 100 more) on my "to read" list for a while and I saw that it is the book club pick for Lauren Conrad's blog/online book club thing. I have loved Lauren since Laguna Beach and feel like I totally grew up with her. Since the book talk is next week I decided why not read it now and participate (since I never participate in anything like that). I read half the book in a few hours on my nook and it is pretty good, glad I decided to read it and will write a review when I finish. 

This is how I feel a lot of the time, but especially this week when people are super insensitive and basically have no souls.

Poor Alice fell out of her bed twice last week so we had to put up one of those ugly white mesh guard rails which is super annoying to me because I REALLY want this bed from ikea but it is crazy to get rid of perfectly good bed and spend like $300 on this one. The annoying thing is my mom has it in white so I get to look at would could have been all the time! 

We watched Frozen last weekend and this is exactly how I felt while watching the Oscars. 

So this it has been 2 weeks since my surgery and it is really starting to get to me, I can't leave my house, take a shower, walk, or do anything except recline with my leg up watching TV, reading or online. Thank GOD I should be all healed by May when it is nice out. I'm trying really hard to stay positive. 

Oh and my freakin' hair is red again , the purple is totally out! I need to make an appointment to get it done for real, but who knows when. 

What's in My Knee Scooter Basket?!

I mentioned in my last post that I am lucky enough to have this fancy ride to help me get around at home for the next few weeks, this is a life saver. 

  

Right now I am solely dependent on my knee scooter to get around and especially dependent on the basket to transfer items from one room to another as well as keep important things handy.

This is what is currently in my basket:

1. Prescriptions: Klonapin, Dilaudid, Ambien because I have anxiety, pain, and can't sleep

2. Seasonique: because one child is enough for right now (plus you only get your period once every 3 months, BEST THING EVER)

3. Aquaphor: for lips, cuticles, Alice's cheeks that get chapped- love this for everything

4. Trident Original: my favorite gum which I need to chew before bed in order to fall asleep (yup that is the ocd in me) 

5. Tylenol Precise Cream : this stuff is great, it helps elevate my back pain and smells minty, not medicinal

6.Stickers: rewards for Alice using the potty. 

7. Princess Band-Aids: for a prize when Alice goes to the potty, she likes opening them and the surprise of which princess she will get

8. Cocoa Butter: need moisturizer, always because New England winters suck (the moisture out of me)

9. Alice's lip gloss: she received these for Valentine's Day and  I need to manage the usage or it would be out of control. 

10. Lip Balm: must have, all the time (NE winters again)

11.Eczema Cream: for Alice who needs this slathered on her 24/7 or whenever she is sitting still long enough for me to slather it on her

12. Nail Treatment: I'm not using color since I am home bound so I'm using this down time to give my nails a break 

13. Benadryl: my leg (in the cast and wound site) is super itchy. 

14. Tylanol: for when I don't need heavy duty pain meds. 

15. Comb and Brush: so I can do Alice's hair in the morning. 

Well it seems most of the stuff I have in my basket is Alice related, not surprisingly. Is there anything you are surprised I don't have or something I should?  Please let me know. 

Current Favorites

1. Favorite App. The Gratitude Journal 

This journal is perfect in its simplicity. You just jot down a few things you are happy about or grateful for that day. You can add a photo and you get a quote of the day to help you reflect. I have used many journaling apps and this my favorite. 

2. New Shows:  Those Who Kill

Okay I am still pretty bitter about the canceling of The Killing and Holder will always have a special place in my heart, but this does seem to be a pretty good replacement so far. 

New Season: The Bates Motel Season 2

I binged watched the first season on Netfix and loved it so much more than I expected to and couldn't wait for the next season. I think the writing is great and seeing how a known killer (Psycho) turned into the creepy man he is. 

3. Snacks: Being home + bored + can't work out =weight gain 

so, I try to make good choices

And some times I don't..... damn you delicious greatness!

4. Favorite Kids Game: Doc McStuffins Operation

How cute is this version? Alice loves playing doctor so I bought this for her as a surprise for being so awesome at going to the potty. 

5. Favorite Pedicure: Orly Passion Fruit with a accent toe in Sally Hansens Gold Rush

Just because my foot is in a cast doesnt mean it can't look pretty. Plus I look at my toes a lot more than usual so I want something to look at that is pretty too. 

6. Ambien- thank sweet baby jesus I can sleep again thanks to this miracle drug. It has been MONTHS since I slept more than 5 hours straight. I would not widh insomnia on my worst enemy.