I've been what my husband likes to call "retired" for just over a week now. I'm not sure reality has set in as it feels as though I am just on extended paid time off. To be fair I am getting paid but that will cease come the first part of August, by which time I will need to have some sort of plan.
In the meantime I have tackled various projects over the last week: cleaned out closets and such; got stuff together for an upcoming vacation at a timeshare in San Diego (which is thankfully paid for except for food and gas); run errands for our household and my husband's business. Siena is wrapping up school so I will have responsibility over her imminently. I've got a folder of free or nearly free activities we can do this summer, everything from movies to crafts to splash pads to the library summer reading program. I did sign her up for a week long Girl Scout day camp so she can get some time away from me and have her own space.
One big task I need to tackle is health insurance. Right now the plan is to do COBRA come August, but it is mighty expensive. I'll be price shopping policies throughout the summer in the hope we can find a decent policy that's less than COBRA, and if so, make the switch once my severance runs out. I also need to think through our options in light of the ACA taking effect in January. Call me a liberal but I approve of this law (and did so well before I lost my job) and am hoping we can leverage it in some way, shape, or form.
I also get some money for education, not much, but some. I'd like to take some classes this fall but am thinking through what---I'll need to be judicious. Part of me just wants to take something interesting like literature but the practical side of me says some business classes might be a good idea.
Interestingly Jake is all in for me trying to be a stay at home mom for a while, at least 12-18 months, just to if we could make it work; f we can there are some definite benefits for our family. I'd like to give it a go as well. Yet, the practical side of me feels I should get some sort of part-time gig at a minimum. Truthfully it's all I really want and likely need. So researching that and putting out some feelers is also on my growing to-do list.
Perhaps I sound a bit delusional and naive, likely so. I assure you when I work on our budget and enter in what we spend, tracking it to what we are allotted, reality is right there, staring at me. I've learned strategic grocery shopping is now imperative' I've always been a coupon and sale shopper but I had gotten lazy. Going top Costco and just tossing whatever we see into the cart is now no longer an option. And then there are the little emergencies: our dishwasher has started making some mighty funny noises and I fear we will be purchasing a new one soon.
Throughout it all I am trying to be positive but I would be a liar if I said I do not feel lost. The structure I now put into my day is self-imposed, which is liberating, but also scary. Soon the paperwork will start showing up on my 401k, COBRA, and other items, which will really make this all seem final and real, I suppose. I think I am feeling a degree of grief over losing my job, even with the stress, panic, and anxiety I felt at work over the last four months---though I am happy to say those are dissipating, and I am working mighty hard to not have them come back, even with all the uncertainty I now feel. Obviously I'm still sorting through the emotions but am already prepping myself to move onward and forward.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Anthropologie Coralline Peplum Top {Review}
I had high hopes for Anthropologie's Coralline Peplum Top. I thought it would be a nice little item to wear with shorts as a dressed up basic. Sadly this top did not meet my expectations. I should have stayed away at the word "peplum" but the laciness drew me in.
This fit fine a L everywhere except across my chest. The body fit fine but the pictures show just how snug it was up top, where I am quite broad. A side view also shows what I can only think to call a "is she pregnant or just bloated?" look. I don't care to have people wonder, thanks.
Nevertheless the top felt substantial as it should for the price point. I could see it easily snagging on jewelry or the nails of a pooch or cat. One would need to be a tad careful wearing it. The coral accents are a nice touch which makes the top seem feminine and very springy. The top itself has a light look to it, almost cooling.
Yet when I look at these pictures all I can think is wide, wide, wide and tummy pooch, pooch, pooch. I already have enough of that with my chest, thankyouverymuch. I am sure this would work well on a slim gal, perhaps with a boyish shape.
I find myself wondering if I am aging out of Anthropologie; or, perhaps my lifestyle and body shape do not lend themselves to the brand. I do love the shoe selection but overall my spend has gone down dramatically over the last couple of years. I keep track of the items I buy and a quick filter of my spreadsheet (yes, I am a nerd) shows me very few Anthro items and not much spent. Sigh. I seem to be caught in a no-woman's zone when it comes to retailers---good for my wallet, I suppose.
This fit fine a L everywhere except across my chest. The body fit fine but the pictures show just how snug it was up top, where I am quite broad. A side view also shows what I can only think to call a "is she pregnant or just bloated?" look. I don't care to have people wonder, thanks.
Nevertheless the top felt substantial as it should for the price point. I could see it easily snagging on jewelry or the nails of a pooch or cat. One would need to be a tad careful wearing it. The coral accents are a nice touch which makes the top seem feminine and very springy. The top itself has a light look to it, almost cooling.
Yet when I look at these pictures all I can think is wide, wide, wide and tummy pooch, pooch, pooch. I already have enough of that with my chest, thankyouverymuch. I am sure this would work well on a slim gal, perhaps with a boyish shape.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Tuesday Shoesday
If I lived in a rainy climate (perhaps Seattle or Portland) I would totally rock these Veggie Garden Rain Boots. Alas I live in a very, very dry climate (but it's a dry heat!) and even during our rainy season in summer these would be far too hot to wear.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Amazon Primed
We ditched the cable and got Amazon Prime. Now the question I have is, for $79 a year...why have I not done this before?!?
In the six weeks since we have had Prime we have done the following:
In the six weeks since we have had Prime we have done the following:
- Purchased a compost tumbler, with no outrageous shipping charges.
- Purchased the cutest compost bin ever, again, no shipping and it got here the next day!
- Watched the complete Tudors series.
- Started working our way through Downton Abbey and Falling Skies.
- Siena enjoys all the kids' shows she can now access via her iPad.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
50% Off at The Limited Through 10 a.m. Monday
One of my go-to stores is The Limited. Sadly, the chain pulled up stakes here in the Old Pueblo and I must now shop online or when in other cities. Still, I can always find something to like...especially when everything is 50% off. The deal ends at 10 a.m. EST Monday.
I love both of these skirts. The one on the left also comes in a really vibrant power red. It's definitely more for work than my new, non-work lifestyle. I suppose old habits are hard to break. The one on the right could easily be dressed up for work or down for everyday wear.
Dresses. I find myself wearing a lot of them all the time, even just to run around. I feel instantly dressed up (ha!) and a cut above the usual Tucson flip-flop casual.
This Paneled Lace Overlay Dress comes in navy and ivory. Both would be perfectly appropriate at a bridal shower or some such event; the navy could be worn to a wedding. I wish I knew someone getting married this summer!
Speaking of fancy events, imagine wearing this Full Skirt Shantung Dress to an evening event. Again, I wish I had somewhere to go.
My favorite, though, is this Floral Fit and Flare Dress. I love the bright colors! I would totally wear this just out and about, to Target, Costco, wherever. I'm seriously considering it at 50% off, because that my friends is a gonga. Likely though I will seek it out at a store when on vacation in a few weeks, try it on, and perhaps sale stalk it until I can get it 50% off or more.
I love both of these skirts. The one on the left also comes in a really vibrant power red. It's definitely more for work than my new, non-work lifestyle. I suppose old habits are hard to break. The one on the right could easily be dressed up for work or down for everyday wear.
Dresses. I find myself wearing a lot of them all the time, even just to run around. I feel instantly dressed up (ha!) and a cut above the usual Tucson flip-flop casual.
This Paneled Lace Overlay Dress comes in navy and ivory. Both would be perfectly appropriate at a bridal shower or some such event; the navy could be worn to a wedding. I wish I knew someone getting married this summer!
Speaking of fancy events, imagine wearing this Full Skirt Shantung Dress to an evening event. Again, I wish I had somewhere to go.
My favorite, though, is this Floral Fit and Flare Dress. I love the bright colors! I would totally wear this just out and about, to Target, Costco, wherever. I'm seriously considering it at 50% off, because that my friends is a gonga. Likely though I will seek it out at a store when on vacation in a few weeks, try it on, and perhaps sale stalk it until I can get it 50% off or more.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
To BB or CC, That is the Question
Siena and I hit the mall this weekend to utilize some Victoria's Secret free item/free $10 coupons. While there we popped into Sephora because a.) Siena loves girly stores, and b.) I was drawn in by the somewhat bewildering display of BB and CC Creams.
Am I missing something? Have I been under a rock? I am just not cool or trendy anymore because i feel I just sort of figured out what BB cream is (or isn't) and now there is CC Cream.
I am not sure I understand how these "creams" are not just new versions of tinted moisturizers or primers on steroids. Nevertheless I was curious.
I focused primarily on Smashbox because I am familiar with the brand and understand how their color charts are a bit wacky. I am always a Light in their face products. The BB Cream felt like a tinted moisturizer and frankly did not seem to cover much---likely because it is light, and I assume it is buildable.
The CC Cream had me very intrigued because it was $3 more and promised to work on dark spots. The Smashbox version seemed a bit thicker than its BB sister. The coverage seemed better, though the internets tell me BB is supposed to have more coverage than CC. Of course, in my particular Sephora it is almost impossible to tell since the lighting is absolutely awful, so much so the SAs ask if you want to check how things look outside the store, in the mall, where the lighting is more natural. Seriously.
Well. Before I plunk down $$ on some fancy-shmancy foundation (or whatever BB and CC Creams are) I asked if I could get a small sample to try the next day, on my clean face, at home. The SA told me I could just apply it in store, or she could do it for me and I could go out into the mall to check if I liked it. I said perhaps you are missing my question---I'd like to try it at home and see if I like it, applying it myself. She said again, I can apply it for you. I said perhaps you do not want me to try the product? I was so confused. I thought Sephora did give out small samples of products, like in those little tiny pots?
Flustered, I left the store, not sure if I should BB, CC, or none of the above. On the way out I noticed Clinique now has a CC Cream. I already use the brand's Even Better foundation, which is fairly lightweight and color correcting, plus is supposed to help fade dark spots, too. I would have asked the SA the difference but I wasn't confident I'd get any real help. Sigh.
Am I missing something? Have I been under a rock? I am just not cool or trendy anymore because i feel I just sort of figured out what BB cream is (or isn't) and now there is CC Cream.
I am not sure I understand how these "creams" are not just new versions of tinted moisturizers or primers on steroids. Nevertheless I was curious.
I focused primarily on Smashbox because I am familiar with the brand and understand how their color charts are a bit wacky. I am always a Light in their face products. The BB Cream felt like a tinted moisturizer and frankly did not seem to cover much---likely because it is light, and I assume it is buildable.
The CC Cream had me very intrigued because it was $3 more and promised to work on dark spots. The Smashbox version seemed a bit thicker than its BB sister. The coverage seemed better, though the internets tell me BB is supposed to have more coverage than CC. Of course, in my particular Sephora it is almost impossible to tell since the lighting is absolutely awful, so much so the SAs ask if you want to check how things look outside the store, in the mall, where the lighting is more natural. Seriously.
Well. Before I plunk down $$ on some fancy-shmancy foundation (or whatever BB and CC Creams are) I asked if I could get a small sample to try the next day, on my clean face, at home. The SA told me I could just apply it in store, or she could do it for me and I could go out into the mall to check if I liked it. I said perhaps you are missing my question---I'd like to try it at home and see if I like it, applying it myself. She said again, I can apply it for you. I said perhaps you do not want me to try the product? I was so confused. I thought Sephora did give out small samples of products, like in those little tiny pots?
Flustered, I left the store, not sure if I should BB, CC, or none of the above. On the way out I noticed Clinique now has a CC Cream. I already use the brand's Even Better foundation, which is fairly lightweight and color correcting, plus is supposed to help fade dark spots, too. I would have asked the SA the difference but I wasn't confident I'd get any real help. Sigh.
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