what could justify this purchase....

So while i've been procrastinating my last minute studying for my boards exam... i decided to take a glance at the nordstrom's sandals (they sent me an email, obviously they had concern that i had not looked yet). I click on "flats" as i'm not a big fan of heels in the summer so i always get a dressy flat sandal (as oppose to my vast day havaianas collection). I notice some nice choices to choose from. I get kind of excited for my feet they enjoy new summer sandals. And then i see these...



Ok... are they cute. Absolutely. Are they well made? They are from burberry so absolutely.

But here is the thing. Would i pay 550 dollars for them? I don't know... first of all they are flats. More specifically flat sandals. I thought i was out of control with my spending for considering sandals in the 95-185 range.

So then i got to thinking... what does it take to justify a 550$ sandal? I know myself, and one day i will fall in love with a 550 sandal. And i'll to need to know.

clear skin? me?

I love the gym, watch what i eat and practically never wear the same shirt out at night if i can help it. But skin care for me has been a hassle. I have frequented more dermatologists then i can count... but none have ever fixed my mild acne or a cyst on my chin. In fact they have really just dried out my skin. I've even tried home remedies. Example: the gel of an advil... not smart.

While in connecticut this week i kept looking at my skin... i realized from afar my skin had improved but i had a horrible complexion and the texture of my skin looks unhealthy.

I've never really LOVED facials, any time i'd gone for a facial (once a year if that), i had never felt as though my skin felt so different i couldn't wait to go back in a month or two. So i decieded to try some place new... it is well known for all of its services... considered a bit of a snooty place but always provides wonderful services.

Plus they could get me in at 1 oclock- skip ahead 3 hours i'm laying there and it begins. Me and Facial Lady make friends... here and there she discusses the product line they use Repechage. It was all natural with seaweed, cucumber, antioxidants, blah blah blah. Oh... and it wouldn't dry my skin out like the medication i used to be on... hmmmm.

Cut to the chase FL breaks the news to me, i could really use the "10 step four layer facial with deep pore cleansing... for 125$." She would even show me how to care for me skin afterwards. I can't say no can i?

So i get the 10 step...deep pore... whatever facial. FL goes through the routine: massage, steamer, squeezing, different masks (minimal talking!). That last 1000 layer seaweed mask comes off and i'm a new women. Not only did it feel great... it looked great. So she takes me outside... picks out new cleansing mouse, astringent and deep pore cleanser (these are not comparable price to my neutrogena products).

So i think to myself one pair of jeans is more then this facial... that cute new splendid dress i just got is more then the products. I take care of my body and always buy great clothes... isn't it time i treated my skin to the same standards?

It's been less then 24 hours but my skin is still smooth... even after my intense spin class at 6am, i am feeling hopeful!

ok fine i plan my wedding

not that is is going to happen any time soon... but ooooo wouldn't this be a great location?

http://www.crossedkeys.com/

which way to life satisfaction?

Boston bride (BB) and I are bff's. I will be there on her big day dressed walking down the aisle in a tee length navy blue dress (she PROMISES i will be able to wear it again)- cheering her and boston groom on.

So i read her post today regarding her wishes to be a stay at home mom raising her kids. Nothing of a shock to me- i know one day she will be a great super soccer mom.

But it got me thinking... this whole growing up thing is not as easy as i thought though. Three years ago the future seemed so easy and open. Graduate from college (check) graduate from grad school (check) pass the boards (in progress) get a good job (check).

But now what? Do i want to get married? absolutely... but not right now. Me and boyfriend are not exactly ready for that life changing step (he has a year of grad school left).

I guess what i have been wondering is what path do i choose so that i have some type of life satisfaction? I think what i fear the most is just going through the motions of life... getting stuck in a rut.

So for now i am focusing on being great at what i do... and when you work with children with autism that is NOT easy. But that is really just a 8am to 4:30pm job. In college i felt like i was always running to one thing to another and i felt fulfilled. And i could list out the things i wanted to do "after college"... but thinking and doing are very different.

I guess finding direction isn't so easy when your not sure where exactly you want to go. Even though i don't share her dream to settle down with a family right now... i wish i shared her ability to know what i want and go ahead and do it.

cocopops

i have a new love. cocopop's. They are fresh made rice cakes. I found them at a local food store by my house, they are similar to stew leonard's own kind but with a liiiittle fluffier taste. Like in stew leanard's they POP out of a machine that is on display to watch. It is entertaining.

These are NOT the Coco Pops of my youth... these are snacks that if i had children i would be FINE with them eating. Actually... drip a bit of chocolate on them... go ahead. Want to know why? Cause it is literally like eating air with a little crunch. Nutritional Info (sorry for size i have NOOOO clue how to save a copy of my screen as a picture):

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 cake/piece

Amount per Serving

• Calories 16 Calories from Fat 0

% Daily Value *

• Total Fat 0g 0%
• Saturated Fat 0g 0%
• Monounsaturated Fat 0g
• Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
• Trans Fat 0g
• Cholesterol 0mg 0%
• Sodium 20mg 1%
• Potassium 0mg 0%
• Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
• Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
• Sugars 0g
• Protein 0g 0%

• Vitamin A0%
• Vitamin C0%
• Calcium0%
• Iron0%
• Vitamin D0%

Est. Percent of Calories from:

Fat 0.0% Carbs 100.0%

Protein 0.0%

Ok fine there is no fiber... no protein, but there is some sodium and carbs. But remember it is just a quick snack when you want to eat for the sake of eating.

Anyways i like to eat for the love of chewing food (its a sensory thing). I am a compulsive eater, so in order for me not to weight 300 pounds i trrrrryyyy to surround myself with healthy snacks all day. For instance today i snacked on blueberries, an orange, cocopop's, banana and a handful of wheat thins. But that is because i started this week DETERMINED to un-do my wrong doings of last week. I even got the grandma semi on board with the plan (she made broccoli, marinated chicken breast and a salad tonight score one for me!). In no way would i live off of these. They almost fill in for that chip craving that you get late at night.

Plus look how cute the machine is:

POP! enjoy.

i was tagged...

BostonBride tagged me in a photo/blog game... the rules were go to your 4th photo folder on your comp- upload the 4th photo in that folder and provide an explanation!

sooo here is my photo:

Explanation: I actually lived in San Francisco this summer. This was taken one morning when i woke up reeeeeally early to run the Golden Gate Bridge.The morning fog was still there for the start of the run (this picture was taken beforei had gotten to the actual bridge) you could not even see the top parts of the bridge! However by the time i turned around and got back to the San Fran side- it was a beautiful sunny day. A nice treat for my hard work.

I wont officially "tag" anyone but anyone who has not been "tagged" consider yourself tagged!

gym euphoria?

To say i was moody last week was an understatement. I was moody, grumpy, feeling sorry for myself and a big brat. Monday night spin? No thank you i think i will lay on the couch and watch TV. Overall i went to the gym for a total of 30 minutes... i ate everything within arm range. Example: I went to a serve yourself buffet type lunch place... got mac-and-cheese, pot stickers, onion rings and sesame chicken all in one container. I eat none of those things on a regular basis.

Then the weekend came and i ate like i was visiting new york... possibly forgetting the boston bride was the visiting new yorker.

Saturday night getting dressed was miserable. I apparently don't own any large plastic garbage bags because that seemed the only outfit that was appropriate for my imaginary love handles and pot belly. None the less... even while we where socializing at a friends apartment i still continued to eat everything in sight.

It had to end. Sunday morning i went food shopping- stocking up on fruits and veggies. Then while everyone else was watching the big game... i went to the big gym. I will admit it, i had to push myself to finish my work out. However when i left the gym i sat down in my car and found myself singing along to Beyonce. At this point i realized going to the gym really does jump start my mood. Going to the gym really does make me mentally healthy too.

NOTE TO SELF: when feeling grumpy don't skip the gym... 7:30 spin class here i come!

ooo a post regarding spinning to come