Tag Archives: Shopping
What I Do On A Typical Vacation Day
Yesterday was the quintessential “Ami is on vacation” day. Now, you would think because I am a teacher and have an ample amount of vacation days, including the summer, that these “Ami on vacation” days would be quite common. However, the opposite is true because if I had days like this as often as I am on vacation, I would be broke!
I declared yesterday my “fun day.” I had the day to myself with no real obligations and was intent on treating myself. I had already done the bulk of my take-home schoolwork on Thursday, so truly, yesterday was stress-free and a perfect day for doing exactly what I felt like doing.
Here’s some of the highlights!
First, I went to the gym and had a great 8-mile run while reading The Hunger Games on my IPad. I am so grateful I have the ability to read and run on the treadmill without getting dizzy or anything because it is such an efficient use of time. I also lifted weights for upper body (that’s three days of weightlifting this week!).
Immediately post-run, I went to a local nail salon to get a manicure. Honestly, I probably haven’t had one of those in six years because my nails just get destroyed so quickly. I think it has a lot to do with being a teacher and writing on the chalkboard– chalk is deadly for nails! Unfortunately, even though it’s a walk-in salon, I was asked to come back in an hour. Since I had plenty o’ time, I didn’t mind and spent an hour doing errands like picking up my mom’s prescriptions, running to the grocery store for some fruit and even stopping by at my house to wash dishes! While at home, I freshened up a bit and changed out of my gym clothes before heading back to the salon.
I like to keep things simple, so I got a French manicure. Being there though inspired me to go back more often– I now vow to get a manicure once every few weeks! I love how nice my nails and hands look, and I want to keep that up. Next time, I want to try one of those gel manicures. . . anyone out there tried that type of manicure? If so, is it worth it?
After that, I headed home for lunch– I had my standard Mexican-style salad and fruit.
Immediately after lunch, I went out on an adventure. I have never been to ULTA, the beauty store, and since I am in the market for new skin products, I thought I would check it out. I didn’t end up buying anything (I was too overwhelmed by the choices!), but it least it has motivated me to do some skincare product research! I also stopped by the bookstore but left empty-handed. Once again, there were just too many choices!
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I was in the area, so a pit-stop at TJ’s was necessary (yes, this was my second grocery store trip of the day!). I just bought some produce that is unique to Trader Joe’s, like their Power Greens and shredded brussels sprouts.
Then, I stopped at my favorite clothing store– Anthropologie. I tried on at least ten items, and took home four sweaters on sale! I still spent more than I probably should have, but oh well– it was an Ami vacation day!
Finally, I stopped at my mom’s work to drop off her medicine. I chatted with her for a bit before I headed home for the night. It was only 5 when I got home, but I thought that was a perfect time to change into my pajamas and park myself on the couch to wait for the hubster to come home. The rest of the night involved dinner with the husband in front of the tv and an early bedtime.
It was such a great day!
What sorts of things do you do when you take a day for yourself? What are your favorite skincare lines?
A Great Afternoon
I would say the only weekday in which I get a little down time enabling me to spend an hour or two outside of the house, usually to shop or visit my mom, is Friday. By Friday after work, I have probably completed most of my homework for the weekend, and basically just have to worry about reviewing some materials and maybe doing some planning or correcting for my job. Yesterday was no exception– I was able to get all the necessary tasks of the day done early, leaving with me with a few hours of “me time!”
While I failed to take any pics of my afternoon adventures, I definitely had some fun. First, I went to the larger Whole Foods in Providence to stock up on some essentials. I bought a bunch of fruit ( I am still holding on to summer berries!), some dark chocolate, a few containers of my favorite pre-made quinoa salad, and the latest issue of Veg News. I actually have the last issue of Veg News still to read– I am stockpiling them for when I am done with my classes and have plenty of time for leisure reading!
Here’s a recycled pic of the quinoa salad I stocked up on and so enjoy. . . the brand is Good Neighbors, and I heart it because the whole container is a reasonable serving size and it is made of very clean ingredients! I bought three containers so I have some easy, fast lunches to take to work (served on top a mountain of greens and other veggies of course!).
Then, I moved on to my one non-food related happy place– the Providence Lululemon showroom! An email I received from them yesterday alerting me to new arrivals prompted my visit there. I ended up purchasing an adorable jacket that I cannot wait to wear:
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This is their Run Bundle Up Jacket in a grey/ivory color scheme. This is the photo they use on their website, and it features the insulated zipper-in or zipper-out layer that makes it extra snuggly. It actually doesn’t look that cute in the picture in my opinion, but believe me when I say it is adorable on.
I probably could have spent the money I dropped on this jacket elsewhere, but you know what? I work hard, and therefore, I felt like playing (or shopping) hard too!
I also tried on this Right as Rain jacket, but unfortunately it was too big, and they didn’t have the smaller size. I still have my eye on it though. . .
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I love the length of this jacket, especially how it is a bit longer in the back when compared to the front.
After I got my shop on, I then just hit up the pharmacy quickly before I called it a day. Just those few short hours of play really refreshed me. . . I ended up going home and studying for two hours for a test I don’t have until Tuesday!
So that’s how I spent my great afternoon. It actually ended up transitioning into a great evening, as my husband and I joined my sister and her family for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in her neck of the woods in nearby Massachusetts. Stay tuned, as that recap will come soon!
If you find yourself with a few extra hours, how do you unwind?
Burlington Weekend, Part 2: The Ideal Morning of Exploration
After our Best Western Breakfast (read part one of this past weekend’s adventures here!), we had a few hours to explore downtown Burlington a bit. It was seriously the most gorgeous day, and the town was bursting at the seams with people just enjoying all that the downtown area had to offer that Saturday morning.
We basically started out at the pedestrian mall, which is just an adorable strip full of shops and entertainment meant for people to be able to casually stroll around and check out the sights.
We passed by Tina’s favorite sandwich shop, The Red Onion!
We headed over to the bustling Burlington Farmer’s Market, which, sadly, puts most of Providence’s farmer’s markets to shame!
Look at the crowds!
We wandered around and I snapped just a few pics of things that caught my eye, like this sign at a fresh juice stand!
I couldn’t help but marvel at a stand that sold samosas– as you know, they are one of my absolute favorite things to order at an Indian restaurant, but unfortunately, I am not able to eat them any more due to the gluten-free thing. I can still appreciate their existence though!
When I saw a stand with this sign about raw chocolate facts, I knew I had to stop! I’m all about raw chocolate, and if I see it, I will try it!
The folks representing Wholy Cacao were really great– they told me all about their line of raw chocolates, which includes a wild chaga mushroom powder full of anti-oxidants that you can’t taste of course. I had to buy a bag. . . review to come!
After the market, we continued to walk through the pedestrian mall, and I wanted to visit a more traditional chocolate shop and Vermont institution.
I love this pic of the outside of Lake Champlain chocolates because the reflection shows how busy the mall was! We popped in. . .
and I came out with a little treat!
We visited a Lululemon showroom, though I kept my desire for a new Lululemon at bay.
And I even bought another chocolate treat at a Vermont-themed store, which I was drawn to because of this label! Review also to come!
Finally, we ended our stroll at the beautiful Burlington waterfront.
Burlington is such an amazing city. . . it was the most gorgeous day, which was ideal for the most gorgeous wedding that was to follow later that night!
Have you ever been to Burlington, Vermont?
Thayer Street Adventures Part 1: Sneakers and Sweatshirts
On Saturday afternoon, after adding some more things to my summer bucket list, I had an overwhelming urge to go shopping. I didn’t feel like driving anywhere, but fortunately, I live about a ten-minute walk away from Thayer Street in Providence, which is a little shopping/dining destination close to Brown University. It was beautiful outside, so I recruited my husband to go for a little stroll with me in order to potentially purchase a few items I have really been wanting lately.
First up, we hit City Sports in Providence. I was on a mission to find and buy a pair of shoes I have been lusting after for over two years now!
The coveted shoes? Loud, bright and colorful Nike Frees!
Since I hardly did any research, I relied a lot on the extremely knowledgable staff member, who helped me pick out the best model for me. I was debating between these two below. The ones on the left are the Nike Free Run 3 +, and the ones on the right are the Nike Free 3.0 v4. The biggest difference I noticed between the two is the Nike Free 3.0 v4 is a one piece construction that slips on your foot like a slipper. The 3+ version were more like traditional sneakers– still light but more supportive and a better fit.
I ended up going home with my first pair of Nike Frees! Finally, after years of longing, I crossed that purchase off of my bucket list. As you can probably guess, I went with the 3+ shoe (on the left)– I don’t want to go too minimalist too soon!
City Sports served me well! After that, I wanted to go to the Brown Bookstore to pick up a copy of Drop Dead Healthy (the Peanut Butter Fingers June book club selection), which is a book I want to read a la my summer bucket list. I spotted the hardcover immediately but decided I would rather download it on my I Pad than spend the 26 bucks on the book itself (I downloaded it when I got home for 13 bucks!). I decided to browse the other sections of the store itself. Every year or so, I buy myself a piece of Brown University gear, since it’s my undergrad alma mater after all, and I figured that day would be as good as any to add to my collection!
I browsed the shirt section. . .
and admired the cute Brown bears!
I fell in love with an adorable Brown University sweatshirt that even had brown and white striped patches on the elbows. My husband encouraged me to try it on. . .
and we both thought it fit perfectly! While it may be summer now and a sweatshirt is a bit unseasonable, I couldn’t leave without owning this! I plan on wearing it as I do a Lululemon– to keep me warm on cool summer nights!
After a put a dent in my (husband’s) wallet, we walked back home to drop off the shopping bags. Twenty minutes later, we headed right back to Thayer to meet some friends for dinner (recap post and restaurant review to come!)! It really is so amazing to live close to a college campus, due to all the amazing shops, restaurants and other things to do that are literally right outside your door! I thrive off of the energy that students bring to the area. Right now, we are in that weird in between time when all the regular Brown students are gone for the summer, and summer school students haven’t yet arrived on campus, leaving the area feeling a bit empty. In about a week or so though, my neighborhood will once again be swarming with eager, energetic students!
Do you enjoy hanging out in “college towns?”
If The Husband Only Knew. . .
Yesterday after school, I had a free and open afternoon to workout. . . but I hardly felt like it at all! I wasn’t tired– I just dreaded the whole go-to-the-gym, change, workout, change again process. I crafted another plan in my head– to go to shopping at Michael’s Crafts to get my mom some yarn, do some Whole Foods scouting for new and interesting foods, and hit up any other stores that tickled my fancy. I called the husband to let him know my grand plans to blow off the gym, figuring he would be proud of me for not sticking to a rigid schedule and instead throwing my workout schedules to the wind in favor of rewarding myself and my mom with the purchase of some nice things!
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I eagerly spilled the beans of my newly revised plans to the hubby, only to be greeted by a sentiment I did not expect. He told me to go to the gym.
I was shocked! Usually, he doesn’t ever encourage my going to the gym. He generally thinks I workout too much and need to take it easy more often. For as long as I remember, he always urged to ditch the gym when I felt inspired to do something else.
So why did he tell me to go? He said it would make me feel better. He could tell I needed some sort of stress relief from my school day, and rather than my blow off some steam by spending money needlessly, he told me to go the gym for a bit as it would probably relax me. When he said that, admittedly, I was a bit ticked off– I wanted confirmation that I shouldn’t go to the gym and instead I should shop, shop, shop! After all, vigorous shopping counts as exercise right?
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But, because he said it, I instantly agreed. In fact, the fact he didn’t agree with my afternoon plans gave me the energy to go to they gym since I got a teeny tiny bit worked up. And you know what. . . I had a fantastic workout and ended up busting out 7.5 miles on the treadmill (4 of which were run) and lifted weights for chest and back as well!
Geez, if the husband only knew the effect he has on my when he doesn’t agree with me. . . . I went to the gym not because he made me, but because my inner competitive self wanted to show him just what I could accomplish if I went! I ended up later bragging and rubbing my workout in his face (mature, I know).
And, of course, I did end up potentially saving lots of dough spent on foodie/clothing finds that would probably just sit in the pantry/closet for a few months!
How do unwanted comments stated by your friends/families/significant others impact you? Do they motivate you or tend to get you down?
