Swap Shop Swat

My sister was in town this past week to finish some registry stuff for her wedding this fall. She came in early on Monday, instead of Tuesday  and when she called me to tell me, I was already out of the house at Ikea. My friend texted me to see if I wanted to go and I really didn’t need anything at Ikea since I am without my own place but I am up for anything to get me out of the house. We went to Salad Creations to nourish before the big shopping trip . I was so happy to see they have Salad Creations here because I wasn’t sure if they were just a NC thing. But on the same note, I was also bummed because I had a punch card and threw it out when I moved. I told the cashier this (because she had a look on her face that said “Tell me a story!”) and she ended up giving me double stamps that day because she felt bad for me—score! I got the Thai Crunch salad and was in love with the modern bowl it was served in.

The salad was great and believe it or not, that was the junior portion. I never get the salads on the menu there, I just create my own with whatever I’m feeling that day but I will definitely get this salad next time I go.  All about the asian persuasion, even if in salad form. So we went to Ikea and we all know how that goes, walking around, stopping to stare at every single thing and then being duped into thinking I could actually do some of the stuff they have on display such as their gorgeous kitchens. Like Target, Ikea sang its siren song to me and I got a few items I wasn’t planning on but everything was super cheap and I only ended up spending $15!

I got home and my sister said she was craving some lettuce wraps from PF Changs. I’ve only been to PF Chang’s a couple of times before but heard they had a great happy hour deal in the bar area. We made our way in and it was empty but I guess you can expect that for a Monday night. The PF Chang’s in Boca was smaller than any other Chang’s I have been in and kept wondering where the rest of the restaurant was. They do have a little patio area to the side though. Their special runs from 4p to 6p in the bar area alone and includes beer, wine, specialty drinks and appetizers.

I got the hot and spicy wontons and  pork tacos while my sister got the chicken lettuce wraps. The service kinda blew considering the place was empty but I can deal with crappy service in exchange for cheap food. Never would I have imagined the pork tacos would be good at asian fusion restaurant but rock on with your bad self Changs!
Afterwards we went to Macy’s to work on my sisters registry. The only thing that displeases me more than a rude salesperson is a rude salesperson who is supposed to be happy for those getting married or having a baby but is bitter instead. The girl we were working with was a complete beezy and seemed inconvenienced that she had to help us. My sister and I are a pretty fun bunch, especially after two beers. so I’m not sure what her beef was. And I’ve officially decided that after helping her pick out items for her registry, I need to get married. I want gifts like waffle makers, cake pans, a nice coffee maker and other goodies. I guess companionship and love would be nice also but I could really clean house with registering for stuff. Or I can just pull a Carrie Bradshaw and instead of shoes, I could register for food processors?

While perusing the different items in the housewares section, I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw this

Tuesday was going to be a long one so I woke up early and went for a quick bike ride. Once I got presentable and looked like a lady, my sister, mom and I made our way to the Swap Shop.  Theknot.com message board recommended going there for flowers on the cheap so that was the main mission….if we could get there that is. The Swap Shop is located in an *ahem* less than desirable part of Fort Lauderdale. When we pulled off I95, we saw multiple intersections barricaded off by the police. Add three helicopters in the air flying around us and I started to have Goodfellas flashbacks. But once I remember I only had Advil PM on me and can be narcissistic at times, I felt relieved that they couldn’t be after me. Turns out that there was a robbery and a shooting at a check cashing business (see, less than desirable part of town) so the SWAT team was called in. After a lovely ride through a quite sketchy neighborhood, we got to the Swap Shop. And if I thought that neighborhood was sketchy, I was wrong. The Swap Shop was sketchy with a capital “S”! Scary Swap Shop Swat—say that three times fast! My dad and I used to go once a month when I was younger and I never remembered it being that sketch. But then again, I was young, naïve and not quite jaded. My mom, sister and I made out way through the outside flea market where all the junk is then went inside through the food court. We made the mistake of not using the restroom before hand so we had to use theirs. It smelled like funk, bad cheese and cabbage. I had to squat, which I very rarely do and was afraid to touch anything in fear that I would develop open sores all over me. And of course there was no soap in there because that would make some sense. Good thing I always have a couple of hand sanitizers on me! We finally found the flower people which we were right next to the produce stands outside.

We looked at a fewer different florists they turned out to be more than half the price that she found online. My favorite was the dyed orchid I found because fuchsia and turquoise are two of my favorite colors.

 

There was also this interesting, little food stand there.

I feel compelled to try it when I have nothing to do for a few days, just in case I get food poisoning. Something about swap shop seafood just doesn’t sit well with me.I made my way over to the produce stands right after.

I found some interesting stuff and when I went to three different stands to ask what this was, I got three different answers
*Soft and sweet
*Apple
*(Grunt)  followed by something said in Haitian

If any of you knows this or wants to grunt at me as well, please hook a sister up, I‘m curious now. I found really cheap buys, like really cheap all of this for $4.25 so I was a happy gal!

With prices like that, they are close to knocking off my beloved Charlotte hippies from their pedestal. We’ll always have produce, dear hippies.

What exotic fruits or produce have you tried?

Where would your dream wedding registry be?

Clearly Fresh Bags

Last month, the kind people at Clearly Fresh Bags sent me some of their re-closeable zip up bags to try.

From their website : “Clearly Fresh® bags are large clear zip bags (12” X 14”), with a breathable 3 inch square membrane on one side. Each pack contains 10 bags. These bags enable you to keep your fruits and vegetables fresher longer for less waste and more savings. Its large size, allows you to store an entire bunch of bananas or a whole head of lettuce with room to spare. PLUS the bags are re-closeable and recyclable.”

(source)

Seeing that I buy produce on the weekly and try to keep it as long as possible, I was interested in trying these out. I tried them in my last few weeks in Charlotte and oddly enough bought a bunch of produce the day it came in the mail.

Lasts up to 50% longer? Count me in! I took them out of their package and they looked just like the gallon bags that you find in the supermarket

But still, would they really differ? How could a bag be different? At least they are not elusive, they let you know right on their packaging

The first thing that I tried was kale. I love how kale is so cheap yet so good for you not to mention versatile. I wish more produce was like this!

Oops, I overestimated how much it would hold

I separated the kale and put a bunch into the Clearly Fresh bags then another bunch into the bag from the supermarket

Because I was in the process of moving, separating from my dog for a month and everything in between, I don’t have pictures. However, I did take notes since I am good like that. I checked each bag after a week and they were both still crisp. After almost two weeks, the kale in the supermarket bag was beginning to wilt and go limp. However, as Clearly Fresh’s packaging states with it’s 50% longer, the kale was still crisp and fully green in color. Score!

I also tried this out with eggplant. I always seem to forgot about eggplant when I have it on hand which results in me wasting money which results in me getting pissed off because I loathe wasting money.

I ended up using both eggplants within the week but they were both fresh and not too tender. Another score!

You can buy these on their website for $3.99 for a 10 pack. After using them with the kale and eggplant, I would buy these again. The only thing I didn’t like was they were a bit difficult to close when the bags got wet after I put washed produce in them. Thanks Clearly Fresh for sending me these to try out on my own-I’m a fan!

Do you buy only what you need or do you have a specific list when shopping when it comes to produce? I like to frequent farmers markets in the summertime and often buy more than planned. My main problem is using all that I can in a short amount of time which sometimes gets redundant with salads, stir fry’s and such.

Killing time

 The last few days I’ve been killing time. A majority of my furniture is gone and I am without cable so I keep watching the same dvd’s over and over again. I have two dvds on me and it’s getting quite old. And not like it’s movies or anything, it’s old Seinfeld dvd’s that I’ve already seen a million times. I’m just waiting for Thursday to get here so I can move the last of my stuff out of my house and be done with this place. That being said, prepare for an ultra boring post. I’m so bored, I don’t even want to think and attempt to be whitty…..the horror.

And you know what?

I  miss my dog.

It’s so lonely here without him, I can’t imagine not having a dog. I will be sitting on the couch, playing with my laptop expecting to see him right by my side. I even reach down to pet him but end up petting the couch which is a bit weird. But it my defense, it is microfiber and quite comfy.

Sigh, that was his last time on the blue couch. I’ve become crazy dog lady in the fact that in the past few days when I’m out and about I stop and want to pet and say hi to every dog I see the continue to tell them how much I miss my dog. Wtf am I gonna do when Linky goes to the other side?? I’m a wreck right now. They *may* have been incident at the DMV this morning as well. I was renewing my registration and the employee helping me had a picture of a white chihuahua in her cube. I asked her if her dog was full chihuahua, she said yes and I told her about dropping Lincoln off this weekend. She was all “Oh you poor thing” and I started to tear up and felt the tears coming. I held them back but I was that girl at the DMV—the girl crying about her dog because she misses him. Not crying about the fact that I don’t know where I’m moving. what I’m doing with my life, the fact that I’m going to be living with my parents for a few months but no-crying over Lincoln.

But I know he is having a  good time at grandma and popi’s house. He is a bit skiddish though so I’m hoping their yelling and screaming isn’t scaring him.

I took this picture when my dad and I  pulled into Starbucks the other day in Georgia. My mom stayed with Lincoln while we went to lunch since she wasn’t hungry. I was about to pee my pants from laughing when taking this picture, they look like a duo on the run or something. My mom doesn’t look that crazy usually so please disregard.

On the way home from dropping him off with the parentals, I cried and cried. I would stop, someone would call and ask me what I was doing then I would start crying again. But it was my shortest drive I’ve had in awhile compared to my trips to Florida and Indianapolis.

I reconnected with my old friend, Twizzlers.

I used to be addicted to these things and all of a sudden had a craving for them when we were at Wal-Mart in Commerce, GA on Friday night. The Wal-Mart was the place to be and we even got to see some drag races (with way too many confederate flags for my liking) in the parking lot.

I marveled at the goodies I snagged at the buffet at the Comfort Suites. Snagging stuff is one of the many reasons why I insist on carrying around a big purse everywhere I go. You never know what you’re going to run into it.

Also marveled at the price of gas in South Carolina

I’ve been cooling down with fro yo. When did TCBY get all trendy and jump on the self serve bus? I love it. My friend got mini chocolate raspberry truffles. I could have had an entire bowl of that alone. I got the orange crème and tar flavor and it was a great combination for a hot day.

I’ve been packing my balls off…..I don’t even know if that makes sense or not? I’ve been cleaning out my kitchen and going through the rest of the contents in my kitchen. Which has led to some interesting concoctions like this meal of raw cabbage and red pepper tossed in red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, black pepper and salt topped with cooked pork loin. Funky? Yes. Surprisingly tasty yes? All this cabbage have me worrying that my bm’s are going to turn purple? Double yes.

I’ve been hitting up the gym each day mixing up cardio and strength training. I wish I could love cardio but I just don’t. I’ve been struggling to do 30 minutes consecutively while when I lift, feel like I can do it for hours on end. I was missing Lincoln last night and went for a  2.5 mile walk. I don’t know what I was thinking since it was sweltering outside but it felt good and it was a peaceful night. I got to walk through areas of my neighborhood I rarely walk through and check out the houses. Who knew walking burned as many calories as the elliptical?

And because I don’t have enough stress of moving cities, missing my dog and giving away all my stuff, I now have to deal with a damaged car. It was all my fault and just happy I didn’t get into an actual accident.  I was pulling into my friends driveway on Sunday and hit a metal squirrel sitting on a tree stump. The squirrel flew about six feet and that little db tore this part of the car apart (I have no clue what the technical name is since I’m not a car person). What gets me though is that I put in a claim to my insurance company and I have a $500 deductible for collision. I went to a few different body shops today and turns out it will be less than $200 to fix it so I canceled my claim as soon as I found that out. My insurance company was going to cover a rental car while it’s being fixed but the place I found with a reasonable rate told me that can get it done on Wednesday morning so I won’t have to postpone my trip. Hooray! Damn you insurance companies and your scam!

Meh. On one hand I’m happy I got my car inspected last week but on the other hand I’m not too excited with having one more thing to deal with on my last week here. 

Oi, this was a boring post, apologies friends. I keep waking up at 4am, am without dog, cable and tomorrow will be without furniture so I’m sure I will be a real treat for the next few days.

Please tell something exciting going on in your life!

Do you prefer cardio or strength training?

Proud Tiffany

For the past week I’ve been humming or singing the line “Left a good job in the city” from Proud Mary (The Tina Turner one of course, not the CCR one. Speaking of which, whats Tina Turner been up to these days?)  I would say it’s an appropriate song to have in my head since I did have a good job in the city and as you know, I left it.  I threw deuces at corporate America and just left…..and it feels good.

My last day at work was actually a good day. I didn’t get any going away cakes or lunch from my co-workers but I did get three free drinks from Starbucks.

I had to say goodbye to my Starbucks crew since I won’t be going Uptown anymore. Pay for parking? Hell no. I will just learn to love the Starbucks crew at the one near my house. It took me awhile to get in good with the baristas at the one in my building so now I am going to have to work double time to establish report in two months. Time to bring out the witty remarks and quips!

I stopped by my hippies to say goodbye to them and collect some produce for the weekend.

But turns out they set up at different farmers markets in the area so I will get to see them again! That’s what I call winning!

I got some free samples from the Trident girls working the corner at the intersection my office is located

I came back to find a note from one of my coworkers on my whiteboard

Teardrop. I’m really going to miss my co-workers.

Then I was instantly inspired on where to go for lunch—sushi of course! I went by myself since everyone seemed to be really busy (I guess with me not having work to do, forgot what that was like?) I went to RuSan’s for their $9.99 sushi buffet. RuSan’s is questionable, so much that one of my friends calls their sushi McSushi since it all seems to be fried and all the sushi chefs are from south of the border. When I walked in, the place was bumping for lunch time and knew I made the right selection of where to go. For $9.99, I could get a couple of plates and have a sushi food baby sitting in my tummy.

And sit in my belly it did. And now in a “I think I have food poisoning” kind of way but more so in a satisfied way. It’s a great place to stop by if you’re looking for a quick fix.  I sat around the rest of the afternoon going for walks and reading at my desk. My manager was in a meeting so I couldn’t just scoot. I had to set up my voicemail and give him my badge so I wouldn’t have access to my building further. Because if I could go anywhere in the world, it would be work, not Europe.

Sigh, look at that 25-year-old girl with such hope and aspiration.

Then the fun began! And by that I mean happy hour! Well, after work drinks since happy hour in North Carolina is illegal. Instead of limiting it to a few hours in the afternoon, NC is baller and allows all day drink specials. So I say blame the government if people are drunk all day! 

I need some crackers with my cheese

I declined on the car bombs

PBR ring

 Good times had by all! I can’t believe it’s over though. I keep wondering what’s going to happen on Monday–am I going to wake up early like I always do and get ready for work until I realize that there is no work? Then when we were out last night, it dawned on me I’m employed–eeks! I haven’t been unemployed since I was 25 so this is going to be a major adjustment for me and have to brush up on my interviewing skills. It was difficult saying good-bye to people though and some even snuck out without saying bye–what’s up with that?? It’s my party and you will say good-bye when I tell you to, thank you. I started to get teary eyed when telling people how much I would miss them and how I wasn’t going to see them again at the office. Every emotion was coming out, it was ridiculous. I just hope this leap of faith I’m taking works out in my favor because even though I know this is what’s best for me right now, I go back and forth when it comes to confidence in myself. It has to work out, right?

After all those drinks last night, I’m feeling quite ripe. I got home went to bed and then woke up at 3A and been up ever since. I don’t know why I didn’t get a nap in this afternoon but I just wasn’t tired so I’m waiting to fall asleep as I’m typing.

Do you socialize with your co-workers outside of work or do you keep things professional?

Do you want the real answer or the fake one?

Today was yet another hellacious day at work. We had three people off and it’s month end, which is always the busiest day of the month for us. My phone was ringing non stop, my email box was never empty and I was just struggling to stay on top of everything all day along with helping others on my team. People would call me and ask how I was doing since they knew about our understaffed team for the day and I would just reply “Do you want the real answer or the fake one?” Of course everyone wanted both answers

Fake answer- “I’m super fabulous!”

Real answer- “I want to crawl into a fetal position with a bottle of wine”

But it’s all over with (for now) and I can go in this wknd and catch up on things. Okay and get some time and a half-pay in the meantime (which will be going towards Lincoln’s boarding in a few wks when I go to Phoenix or some snazzy digs for me!)

The day started off questionable, I slept in late (yay!) but woke up to a text from my ex boyfriend from college (boo!)

I found my “Keep Austin Weird” mug that I got four years ago when I visited for a weekend. I loved Austin so much and would love to go back. Sso if any of you ever want to me to stay with you, let me know, will be over ASAP and I will bring Trader Joe’s goodies since you have the Whole Foods mothership!

I think I was going for overeasy eggs but it was kind of a fail in that aspect but still tasty.

I mixed it up (pun intended) with a Venti shaken Iced Green Tea.Lemonade with two splendas—tasty as well! I didn’t know refills of these were only $.55, when did that happen??

As busy as it as this morning (understatement of the year), I forced myself to take a short lunch break and visit my hippies and stop by Chick Fil A to buy a pakcet of their Fat Free Honey Mustard. This stuff is laced with southern goodness crack. I wish they would start selling it in stores because I will walk to Chick Fil A and offer to buy a few packets but they give it to me for free. Then I feel bad about it since they are always so nice about it and say “My pleasure”, which is what I totally to say to people at work when I am super busy and it’s more in a facetious tone

All that produce for $6, I love my hippies!

With that, I had a BIG salad for lunch with romaine, mushrooms, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, ham, onion and tuna salad with my beloved fat free honey mustard. Seriously, if you haven’t tried their FF honey mustard, please do-it’s out of this world!

Anyone remember that tv show? I used to love watching it and dearly miss the fashion of the late 80’s

A late afternoon sugar rush is always necessary on a bad day. Swedish fish are the bane of my existence.

By the time I got off work, I had zero mental energy. I just wanted to get home, change into my comfy clothes and zone out. After reading Monique’s post about having home-made take out the other night, I knew that was going to be the meal plan for the night!

My favorite Trader Joe’s product of ALL time—Mandarin Orange Chicken. If you haven’t tried this, it really does taste like something you would get when eating out (if not better)

While that was baking, I cooked up some quinoa and red pepper, onion and zucchini…..and voila—home made take out!

Hope everyone’s weekend is off to a great start! I took a huge nap after dinner so I am all out of whack time wise right now.