sometimes the wait is long

If I recall correctly, shortly after we moved from Iola (town of 900) to Madison (city of 240,000) my mom took me to Hilldale Mall. I was having trouble making friends and she might have been trying to ease the pain of the change with some retail therapy. We shopped a store that carried LeSportsac. I had never heard nor seen of said brand but thought their stuff was pretty cool. There's nothing much fancy about nylon but the bags all had many pockets making them easy to organize (I loved me some organizo even back then). But the price...WHOA! I was roughly thirteen and even I knew they were crazy expensive...and for nylon! 

On a recent thrift trip, again with mom, I found a LeSportsac bag at the Goodwill and this time it was affordable. Best part? I threw it in the washer and it came out shiny new! (Maybe they're on to something with this nylon business.) Just imagine the appreciation I have for my LeSportsac after waiting almost 25 years to get one! Amen!!

I like to change purses but the process is painful when you carry a little something for everyone. If you ask this thrifty mama, most purse organizers are grossly overpriced. For under five dollars I decides to give this one a whirl. 

The quality is what you'd expect for the price but it makes changing purses a breeeeeze. As in less than 30 seconds. It's even a bit cheaper now than when I bought it and doing it over I think I'd get the pretty blue.

On the same Goodwill trip, I scored some grey skinny jeans. Sheaffer over at Pinterest Told Me To said I should start wearing grey, black, and brown and these skinnies are just what I was looking for!

Ann Taylor LOFT Cowlneck Tunic $3.99

LeSportsac Bag $4.99 (holla!)

Buffalo Skinny Jeans $6.99

**Check the brand (and $avings) out here.**

Payless Faux Suede Biker-ish Boots $20 (clearance)

Outfit Total: $35.97

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

MACKanese monday

My middle little has a gift for making up words. He uses them so confidently that it's impossible his creations are intentional. He believes these words as real as "awesome" or "amazing". The words are usually adjectives but he doesn't discriminate. His name is Mack so we've named his collection "Mackanese".

If I were a good mama I'd have all his words written down along with the definitions but a list I do not have. While memory serves, I'll share with you on MACKanese monday. I dare you not copy:)

fernisheral
/fir·nish·ril/
adjective

1. super awesome
2. incredibly cool
3. AMAZING!

Mack: "Mom, Annie Weesa's cookies are FERNISHERAL!"

He's so right. Best cookies on the planet!

i love this hand

His other one, too. They're the littlest of all my hands...and likely will be until he catches up to his brothers. I've had an unusual facination with all my boys' hands about this age. It's the time right before they change, overnight it seems, from baby to little boy hands. He's a whole three fingers as of February and remnants of baby are seemingly long gone but I can still see them in the way he tucks his thumb in and curls his fingers around it while he sleeps. I know from experience that it changes while I'm not looking, while I'm too busy cleaning the house, while I'm asking him to be patient and wait for my attention a moment longer.

Although we spent last week, Spring Break Week, visiting doctors and trying to squeeze fun into slivers of forced opportunity, today I am thankful for the pause my sickness is giving me. A gifted opportunity to take them in...quietly...for as long as they'll let me. If I'm lucky I'll be a witness this time...the last time. If I'm smart I'll act sick more often.

irony

It's the first day of spring break...enough said.

jeggings &...whaaat?!

I need better lighting. I think that'll be my husband's portable construction lamps. Those won't even look weird stored in our bedroom. Not.at.all.

These jeggings are the real deal. Totally stretchy fake denim, faux pockets and all ('cept for the back where Vera did it up right). What ever else would you pair them with but a classic turtleneck sweater and trendy wedge sneakers. Of course! I'm still not sure it works but I sure did sport it for a whole day.

Lands' End Turtleneck Sweater (hand-me-down from mom) $free

Mossimo Long & Lean Tank (Target) $7

Vera Wang Jeggings (Goodwill-half off!) $1.98

Exhilaration Wedge Sneakers (Target-last season) $20

Outfit Total: $28.98

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

breakfast cookies

My better half has told me three times in as many days that today, "Tuesday I'll be outta breakfast cookies." He follows that sentence with a nice qualifier: "Not that you need to hurry up and make more...I'm just letting you know 'cuz you always tell me to let you know." And I do; he's right. Lucky for him I take his persistent announcements as compliments!

The original recipe is a hand-me-down from my mom and she borrowed it from Martha. We've changed a few things...made it our own. You can find our version at the end of this post.

Baking Tips:
♥ always double the vanilla
♥ let cookies "rest" a few minutes before transfering to a cooling rack
♥ take cookies out of oven right before you think they're done (while they're still a bit glossy on top)...any later and they're probably burnt.

Baking Question:
♥ What is the difference between pure vanilla extract and imitation vanilla extract? I've used both and can not figure it...other than the HUGE price difference!


BREAKFAST COOKIES

Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups packed dark-brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons vanilla (already doubled)
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup raw almonds, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup raisins or currants
1/2 cup mixed dried berries
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup chopped dried pineapple

Directions:
Preheat a convection oven to 325 degrees or a conventional oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with Silpat (parchment paper, if you must;); set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together flours, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until light and fluffy. Add brown sugar and mix until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix just to combine.

With the mixer on low, slowly add flour mixture and mix until well combined. Add oats, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, coconut, raisins, mixed berries, cherries, and pineapple; mix to combine.

Form dough into fist size balls. Place on prepared baking sheets and slightly smoosh. Transfer to oven and bake until golden and firm but still a bit glossy, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool for several minutes on baking rack.

if wishes were horses...

...beggars would ride.

Dear Cowgirl Boots:

I have coveted you for far too long.

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I have mentally worn you with so many outfits it's not even funny.

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Unfortunately, my taste always exceeds my budget.

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I have no trouble spending $60 for you to ride on my kiddos piggies...

...but when it comes to my own you're a luxury item stealing from other needs.

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So I will wait for you.

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Patiently. Because that is my word of the year; and last year.

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And I know I will find you at a thrift store or garage sale, perfectly distressed and broken in.

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Thanks, for making me practice what I preach, Cowgirl Boots. I love you more for it.

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One more thing, if you could find it in your heart to be resting next to a black maxi skirt, that would be crazy amazing!

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Truly yours,
Carrie the Coveter

still sweater season in WI

Yesterday was a balmy 62°.  Today the high will be 30° and it's ca-razy windy. The weather this time of year is a tease...annoying. Yesterday, birds and people were whistling spring songs while they frolicked outside. Today the same people and the trees are groaning, loudly protesting the return of Wisconsin's perpetual winter. Forget about the spring leggings and ballet flats you wore yesterday; today we're back to sweaters and Uggs 'round these parts.

Shawl Sweater (brand unknown - Goodwill) $3.99

Lands' End Pleated Boatneck Longsleeve Shirt (Company Store) $5

Old Navy Tami (in tall for added length) $5

Distressed Decree Jeans (JC Penney) $11

Outfit Total: $24.99

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.