Deal of the Day

I spent this week searching for a swimsuit for my oldest. Not surprisingly, everything in the stores is already Back to School and Halloween. Nary a swimsuit in sight.

I really liked these from Garnet Hill, but just can't seem to cough up the $52 for a swimsuit for a child.

My oldest is especially hard to shop for since she is nearly 13 but still in children's sizes. We are looking for something grown-up but modest. Something adorable but teenager-y.

Enter TJMaxx. We found the perfect suit. The blue matches her eyes. Please note the original store tag: $97.

I suppose there are those who will pay $97 for a children's Juicy Couture swimsuit. I was happy to pay $20.

I think she's pretty happy too.

Live and in Person

Super cute, no? (the shirt, I mean.)

Let's Get it Started

Today I began my 12 week training for my half-marathon in October. I ran 4 miles of intervals in my brand spanking new Mizuno Waveriders.

Cleaning the House

Tuesdays we clean the main level, spotless. Vacuum, Scrub, Shine, Dust, Organize.

I love my house clean. It gives me peace. It makes me happy.

Then, I went upstairs which was clean yesterday. This is what I saw:







I was reading my scriptures today and came across this. It is exactly how I feel about trying to keep my house clean. In parenthesis I added the words to liken the scriptures unto myself:

Alma 56:16-17 "Yea, and (I was) depressed in body as well as in spirit, for (I) had fought valiantly by day and toiled by night to maintain (my home); and thus (I) had suffered great afflictions of every kind. And now (I am ) determined to conquer this place or die."

Family Stuff

Utah finale. www.carie-list.blogspot.com

Gift Idea

A dear friend gave me this years ago - at least 5 or 6. It is a large cosmetics travel bag made from terry cloth from Pottery Barn. She had my name stitched on it in hot pink. I have loved it and used it with every time we've travelled.

Family Stuff

www.carie-list.blogspot.com

Two Shirts

These two lovely tops on are on their way to me:


(I got the blue one in white/red.)

Downeast has some particularly cute stuff as of late.

Huge Problem, Need Help

I am getting tiny holes in our cotton t-shirts. Random holes, in all sorts of place. In the front, in the back, on a sleeve, near a seam. Sometimes one single hole, sometimes a small group of holes. In my kid's clothes and in my clothes.

It is driving me crazy! The only commonality is the holes tend to stick to the expensive shirts: abercrombie, hollister, jcrew, gap etc. (of course.)

So far, I have ruled out:

My washer and dryer. There is nothing for the clothes to snag on in the washer or dryer. They have been thoroughly examined by a professional and he is as baffled as I am.

No sign of moths.

Beyond that . . . I have no idea. Bad detergent? Some other sort of bug?

I am just beside myself and burning through t-shirts left and right. ANY suggestions?

Family Stuff

www.carie-list.blogspot.com

Peace, Love, Happiness

My oldest has decided she is into the hippie look. I thought these tops from Heritage 1981 would be cute for her. (I highly doubt we will buy them since she always opts for the trusty t-shirt instead of anything woven. Still cute none the less.)

I was quite pleased for find this shirt for her while in Provo.

Backpack, Backpack

We are already on the downhill side of summer. School starts in a month! It just doesn't seem possible.

We have began to look at backpacks. My youngest is going to Kindergarten and is excited to have her very first backpack. I liked these at Old Navy. (Her favorite is the hearts.)



But we also like these from Gap.


My middle two boys are thinking they need something new also. Here are the meager offerings in the boys department.

Old Navy:


Gap:


My oldest is planning on reusing one of her bags from yesteryear. Especially once I told her if we didn't have to buy a new bag, there would be more money to spend on clothes.

New Recipe Book

While I was in Utah, I got this recipe book. My dear friend Amy recommended it to me. She is the one to listen to when it comes to recipes, she can cook. You can order one for yourself here, via the Make a Wish foundation.

I am so excited to try the new recipes, they all look so delicious, especially the salads.

Barefoot Contessa Grilled Lemon Chicken

My friend Amy made this for me when we came to dinner. Both my family and my sister's gave it a hearty approval. It is so good, I have to share.

3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 lemons)
3/4 cup good olive oil
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. fresh black pepper
1 TBSP. minced fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp. dried)
2 lbs. boneless chicken breasts.

Marinade and Grill.