Friday Follow-Up | Better

Elizabeth Suzann Florence Pants (size large, petite from an early release) | gift from ES to review
Lauren Manoogian alpaca sweater (sold out)
Vince Warren sneakers
Marsell Dritta 4 bag – link goes to a larger version

Wearing/Buying

So many thoughts on getting dressed and wardrobe management going through my head this week LOL – I’m really pleased that I’m getting better at it. Finally.  At 45.

I don’t want to work so hard to make things work for me anymore, so I’m getting rid of quite a few things from my own wardrobe; you may have noticed some things popping up here and there on Slowre.  Next up, my Han Starnes alpaca sweater.  It is just too big on me, and too difficult to wear.  I was wearing it at home, instead of this Lauren Manoogian sweater until I just finally made the decision that it’s not working for me.  And I’d love for it to find a new home before winter’s totally over.

I’m also not giving into pressure as much as I used to when it comes to outfits, clothing, etc.  Before, I might have kept something based on comments or opinions from others (ahem, I mean YOU GUYS!! LOL) about how great it looked on me, or whatever.  Now, not so much.  I know, everyone loved the ES cecilia pants on me, and thought there was “nothing wrong with them,” but they just didn’t fit my calves right, and as much as I wanted them to, or tried to ignore it, they didn’t work for me.  So I sold them.  I’m learning more about what I want to wear as I get older, and I don’t want to wear things I have to fuss with.   I DO NOT LIKE FUSSINESS.

Finally, I’m getting better at not falling in love with things so much that I can’t return them, even if I love the IDEA of a thing.  Case in point, the Rag & Bone denim skirt (which is now on sale FYI, and it was a great skirt, very cool, but better for someone without such substantial hips).  I think I got a size too small to begin with, but when I put it on I remember why denim pencil skirts aren’t great for my body.  I would have liked it to work though, because with my calf issues in jeans, what better way to wear denim than a skirt?? I sent it back immediately though to avoid getting stuck in the trap I’ve been in so many times before that I keep trying it and thinking about it, and end up just keeping it because…momentum…

Oh, and I’ve been carrying less stuff in my bag this week in an effort to see if I can do without some things and try a smaller bag again, and I think I might be ready.  I won’t use a very small bag all the time, but I’d like to at least have that option when I want to.  I also need something I can stick in my suitcase when I travel and pull out at my destination to use, so I don’t have to use the backpack I travel with.  Stay tuned for developments on that front…haha…

Reading/Watching

Hearing this story this morning made my day, maybe my year.  I got goosebumps and it made me happier than anything has in a very long time 😉  FYI, the set up made me roll my eyes (I heard it as part of Morning Edition on NPR) because it is a “valentine’s” story but I promise it’s worth a listen/watch/read.

Nothing can top that. And anyway, I haven’t read or watched anything very interesting lately.

Doing

I made these “blondies” I found randomly last weekend (I don’t remember where(, and they are really good!  Now, I have to qualify that by saying that I’ve “redefined” my sweet tooth so that I am perfectly happy with barely sweet things, and fine with “healthy” tasting baked goods LOL.  These definitely taste “healthy” and are not very sweet – I think you could add more maple syrup if you wanted to, the almond butter doesn’t have much in it, in fact, the recipe was developed “in partnership” with Justin’s, so they had to use it, but next time I’ll use regular almond butter and more maple syrup instead of buying special almond butter.  It is good though.

I specifically like these with some espresso around 12:30 – 1 when I’m getting a little hungry again and need a pick me up.

Golden Girl Blondies

Yields up to 16 squares

Ingredients

1 cup almond meal

2 15-oz. cans of organic garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas), rinsed and drained

3/4 cup natural Justin’s Maple Almond Butter

1 Tbsp unrefined coconut oil

1 tsp organic vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/3 cup Grade B maple syrup

1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 tsp baking soda

Directions

1. In a powerful blender, add all ingredients and blend into a well-mixed batter.

2. Pour all ingredients into a 8-inch brownie pan, lined with parchment and sprayed with oil.

3. Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool, serve, and devour!

What’s going on with you? What do you have planned this weekend? Has anyone received their Elizabeth Suzann from the latest release yet??

Happy Weekend!!