Saturday 27 May 2017

Last Weekend of May?!!!!

Hello Lovies!!!

Wow!! I can't believe this is the last weekend of May already!! Where has the time gone?

Home


Front Foyer Part 2


Here is the Hemnes shoe cabinet, and it has cleared all the shoe clutter quite nicely!!

Fashion


Although I like the idea of this look, I am not happy with how short this sweater is.



Verdict: Kept the skirt and blouse, but donated the sweater.

Food/Drink


New Recipe Part 2


The Asparagus and Pea Pancakes were DELICIOUS!!! These pancakes have more of a savoury flavour which I felt would be better for either a late brunch or dinner, rather than breakfast, which is what they are listed as in the cookbook. The sauce called for fat-free greek yogurt but I used low-fat sour cream instead which would probably add 1 Smart Point™ to the recipe for a total of 8 Smart
Points™rather than 7.



I served them with turkey sausages for a great savoury side! 

Favourite Things


My new obsession: Kate Spade.


Hubby got me this Kate Spade tote bag as a gift...Thanks Honey!!

Inspiration


Is it selfish to help yourself before helping others? 


Many people were raised to believe that helping yourself before others is selfish. However, according to the Oxygen Mask Theory, if you are in a plane and the oxygen masks come down due to loss of pressure, you are directed to put your oxygen mask on first before helping even your children. The premise behind this is that if you give your children oxygen first and you die of asphyxiation, your children will be without a parent. What good does that do? 

Before you can help others, you need the energy to be able to be of assistance...you need to care for yourself in order to be of help to others...NOT the other way around. 

Have a great week and see you in June!!

Remember, I am always your friend,

NJ 😘


Saturday 20 May 2017

Pampering, a recipe and a shoe cabinet, oh my!!

Hello Lovelies!!

A recipe to try, a messy foyer and leopard print are just a few of the things covered this week!

Home


Front Foyer Part 1


Right now we have two shoe racks in the foyer as well as on in the coat closet: Clutter anyone?



To remedy this, we will be buying a Hemnes shoe cabinet (come back to see it in part 2).

Fashion


Classic Print.


I love me some leopard print...it is classic, sassy and sophisticated all at once!! However, you can have too much leopard on at once...as in this scarf. I love me a scarf (actually I am addicted to them), but this one is itchy as it has weird threads to create texture.


The top I kept but I donated the scarf. 

Food/Drink


New Recipe Part 1

Recipe from Weight Watchers™ Year Round Fresh cookbook.

I can't wait to try these savoury pancakes!! Come back next week for my review of the recipe

Favourite Things


I just got this personalized bracelet from Stella & Dot.



You can personalize it yourself many different ways.

Inspiration


Self-care is not always encouraged while growing up, but it is becoming an important way to advocate for your own mental health. It can come in many ways such as a day at the spa or from doing yoga to relax your mind and pamper yourself!!

See you next week and remember...

I am always your friend.

NJ 😘

Saturday 13 May 2017

(Almost) All About Books!

Hello Lovelies!!

How was your week? I have been getting over this cold, finally!!

Home


I am currently reading this design book:



It is a little more "Shabby Chic" than I like, but its message of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" is right up my alley! I am trying to keep my consumption to a minimum, and this book has some great ideas for reusing pieces from around the house.

Fashion


Culottes, although comfortable, are too short for my short-waisted-pear body type. They make my legs look even shorter than they actually are...


However, they are great to workout in, so they have been relegated to my workout wardrobe.

Food and Drink


This week I wanted to showcase a recipe book from Weight Watchers that focuses on recipes that incorporate what foods are in season!!


I will show which recipe we start with next week.

Favourite Things


This week, my favourite thing is "The Power of Now" by Ekharte Tolle.


This book changed my life!!

I used to be so worried about the future, on top of fretting about the past. This book changed the way I thought about living. I learned that the only time I can control is NOW, and the only thing I can control is how I react to events and people in my life...but not the events or people themselves!

Inspiration


Panache Desai is one of my favourite inspirational speakers. I follow him on Facebook, and I hope to someday attend one of his talks live.



This quote is about those things we work so hard to fight or keep secret about ourselves. I have learned that the more I fight my demons, the harder they try to show themselves, and in the worst possible way and time. Do not fight or resist your thoughts or feelings...let them out into the light (in a safe place) and let them flow...you will find that they aren't as bad as you originally thought. By fighting them, they seem a lot worse than they actually are.


Thank you for visiting, and remember I am...

Always your friend,

NJ 😘

Saturday 6 May 2017

New Month, new beginnings!!

Hello Lovelies!!!

Okay we are fully into the beginning of May and a new blogging strategy!!

So lets get started!!!

Home


So I am currently working on organizing and decluttering my home. I started with an area that is constatntly an issue...my bedside dresser.

It is a pitstop for reading, relaxing, etc. However, it is often far from relaxing as it is also a pitstop for clutter.


Ideally, I want an area for reading and winding down before bed, whilst telling a story of who I am, as well as what I dream about for the future.

(Image courtesy of Pinterest)

I just need to add some framed photos and pictures and maybe some floral accents...



Fashion

The Great Closet Purge (Image #2)



So...the top, although nice, is not very comfortable and does not hit at a good spot on my hips. I do not like the top enough to hem it a half-inch.

Verdict: Donate

The skirt flows nicely from my hips and I love the de-contructed style of the exposed-seam texture. It gives the skirt visual interest that it wouldn't have otherwise.

Verdict: Keep

Food & Drink

Making a side dish the main event!!


I took a package of Knorr Sidekicks® Garlic Alfredo Spaghetti and added sautéed minced garlic, red and yellow peppers and yellow onions.


A dash of Parmesan cheese and Voilà!! A simple and easy way to take a literal Sidekick® to a main
entrée.





Favourite Thing


As you have already seen, I am thoroughly addicted to wooden watches!! I order them online from TreeHut.co (I do not do affiliate marketing).


My latest acqusition is this week's favourite thing!!

Inspiration

(Image courtesy of Google Images)

Happiness is often thought of an elusive goal, that never seems to be reached no matter how many goals we set and meet: "If I lose 50 pounds I will be happy." I once thought that losing weight was my journey towards being happy...but as it turned out, I looked great, and was miserable!! All I could think about was how many calories food I ate was..all the time!!

Ironically I am above the weight I was when I first set out on my weight loss goals, and yet I am a much happier person. Why you ask? I have learned that Happiness isn't a thing to be attained, but a choice to be made!! It is a A CHOICE YOU  CAN MAKE EACH AND EVERY DAY!!!!


Okay lovelies...let me know how you like the new weekly blog post (and daily teaser posts 😉)

Always your friend,

NJ 😘