Breakfast, Dressing, Thrifting, Keeping it All Together

 

I try to start each day off with a healthy breakfast.  You can do this for less than it costs to by an egg sandwich breakfast through fast food. My one-egg omelet starts with an organic, farm raised, cage-free egg.  Those are pricey, at a little less than 50 cents each. Egg prices will likely skyrocket with bird flu, so who knows how much they will eventually cost.  For the filling, I use some hash brown potato shreds, a few edamame beans, spinach and cheddar cheese. Refried beans are great too!  I always try to use some sort of legume for fiber.  Coffee generally comes from the jars I save from the weekend.  Bread is whatever is on hand -- today it was the bottom half of a hamburger bun, which I got for our dinner on Sunday.  Cost for this was under a buck -- making it healthier and more economical than fast food.

Getting dressed is also about wardrobe maintenance.  Mostly, my shirts are worn multiple times before being washed.  They are freshened up with a spritz of equal parts water and vodka, then an airing overnight.  To keep them looking fresh, I iron them before putting them away.  The blue shirt was 99 cents and when I got it home, I found the side seam was torn. It was an easy fix with my sewing machine.  The plaid shirt was a 99 cent find this week.  It had a stain on the pocket, which I was able to get out.  I layered it today over a leopard print by Christopher Banks, which I got back in my outlet mall shopping days for something like three bucks.  I like layering prints, and I think it works.  To make it easier, I do the layering on the hanger, then put them on!

Of course, I must offer a few comments on jewelry.  First, this wedding set is moissanite, so it looks much more expensive that it really was.  My bracelets make use of my magnetic clasps, and for extra security, I fastened them both together.  When I plan on sorting through racks of clothes, I want to be sure my jewelry doesn't fall off.  For my other rings, the pave one on my index finger is white zircon.  It's a great diamond alternative.  It is a natural stone that doesn't grow very large, so it's rare to see one over 1/2 carat.  The big ring is black spinel.  It's not opaque like black onyx, but it also isn't too sparkly -- even if people want you to think it can pass as a black diamond, I don't think it does.  The white/clear stones on the ring are white topaz. Many think that stone is a diamond alternative too, but I don't buy it if I can help it. I think it has a tendency to cloud up and isn't as brilliant as a white zircon, moissanite, or lab created white sapphire.  Those are the stones to buy if you want sparkle. A white topaz, not so much.

This is how it all came together.  Since it wasn't super cold, I was able to wear a vest instead of a winter coat.  Maybe it's not too easy to see, but I keep a loose-leaf ring on my purse and hang my gloves from it. I sew little rings into them so I can slide them on.  This prevents me from losing one and ending up with a useless orphan!

I shopped at Amvets, planning to look at their domestic wares.  I always check out their purse section and see if I can find some cashmere. Turns out I found a sweater for three bucks, a pull-over for the young lady I am trying to outfit, a leather backpack, and blue nylon cross-body.  Both of the bags fit the bill for me because I can carry what I need while I am walking the dog.  

A specific mission was accomplished. I wanted two inexpensive small glasses to hold match sticks.  I paid under a buck for both of these.

I did not expect to find these violet/pink leaf dishes.  Four bucks for the pair.  My violet dining room walls are hard to match.  If I can find anything cool in purple, I buy it!  These are not microwave or oven safe, but you can use them to serve food.

I spend time every day, dealing with domestic situations created by my sweet dog. That means re-making the bed multiple times a day.  Setting the couch back to order. Again and again. Now that Frankie and Tommy are in bed, I can take the couch covers off to wash. I'll also vacuum. Everything will get put back together before I go to bed.  Who knows how long everything will stay together tomorrow?