1// smoothies. after being out of a smoothie routine, i’m back in one. they’re my favorite way to get a whole bunch of raw greens into the boys early in the day so that the pressure’s off come dinner time when everyone’s tired, and they’re less likely to go along with the broccoli on the table. (that said, i still over veggies–virtually every dinner–cause they need to know what vegetables in their real form look like!) one of their favorites right now is frozen banana, spinach, a good splash of milk, a squirt of honey, a big scoop of peanut butter, and a handful of ice. sooooo good. (tip: freeze your fresh baby spinach and pull it out whenever you make a smoothie; it keeps its nutrients best that way, and then you’re not throwing away old spinach… something i was always doing! my friend janis did this the other day and i proclaimed her a genius!)
2// this wallet for father’s day. simple, perfect, slim, and personalized. i think it’d make such a good gift. (do you know what you’re doing for father’s day yet?)
3// can we talk about our menstrual cycles? it certainly feels okay to me, and this is my blog, so i guess we’re doing it. my mom bought my sisters and i a diva cup about a year ago after reading one too many terrible things about tampons and how not awesome they are for you (same woman who used to give enemas when we were little and sick, so naturally, a diva cup is a gift she gives. i love you, mom.). i tried it once, didn’t like it very much, and then it just sat in my drawer. well–last period, i was like, “hell, i’m giving this thing a try again.” i read some message boards about fitting it properly and one user said to flip it inside out if it didn’t fit right, didn’t stay in properly. so i did that and what do you know… so much better! now, i’m not someone who suffers from awful cramps or pms symptoms in general, but what i do get is a heavy, uncomfortable feeling in my whole pelvis area day one of my period, almost always. wearing this on day one (which i never thought i could do because that’s when it’s heaviest) pretty much eliminated it altogether. i couldn’t believe it. also… minimal leakage! if you’re on the fence, try it! and think about flipping it inside out if it doesn’t work right. you can get yours here. (there’s a million other cups these days (this quiz is supposed to help you figure out one right for you), and they all fit a little differently, so don’t give up if one doesn’t work right. and let me just say i am psyched to save money on tampons, not have the trouble of using them, and also minimize waste!)
4// this top is so pretty. hot damn. sometimes i think if i had to live in one brand the rest of my life it might be free people. (what? you don’t think about being forced to wear one brand and one brand only for the rest of your life and what that would be? weird.) (p.s. these shoes are on sale. i linked to them several weeks ago because they were so beautiful, and in case you’ve had your eye on them since…. saaaale!)
5// rosé from trader joe’s! my friends. have you seen their rosé selection??? have you had the honors? not only is it extensive, but the price point! here’s a few to get you started. (do you have a favorite?)
i lovvvve that top! free people is always perfect. i’m on a smoothie kick too- maybe its a warm weather thing?
xo, brittany
pretty summer dresses on my blog today!
http://www.notablob.com
So, what is it about the diva cup that makes those heavy, uncomfortable pains go away? I had a friend tell me this too but I just don’t get it! How does it do that?
I NEED a trader joes closer. Seriously. I always buy out the wine section, esp. the roses when i’m near one. Grocery store wine selections cover like everything BUT rose. And prosecco, while I’m at it. I can’t find one for less than $15 … unless I’m at trader joes.
I have been using a diva cup for years. It’s life changing (and money saving!) I also started taking a multi-vitamin for pms and I never have cramps anymore and my wackiness is way more in control than it was before I started taking. Apparently women are deficient in VB and magnesium (especially post having babies). Also- that spinach tip is great- no more throwing away rotting bags of spinach- (I actually buy the power greens blend at TJs). Any specific method for freezing?
yes! my sister mentioned taking magnesium and how it’s made all symptoms disappear if she does so during her period.
as for freezing–i literally just put the whole bag of spinach in the freezer… just as is!
I prefer the Meluna cup. They have different sizes and grasping shapes and they offer cups without color. Sometimes that heavy feeling in your pelvis is exacerbated by having a dry tampon in. I believe your uterus gets a little swollen in the early days of your period. And with the heavier flow you’re changing tampons more frequently giving you more opportunities with a dry tampon. Menstral cups are really awesome when you find the right size for your body.
aaaamen to free people forever and smoothies! i’d say those two thins would definitely be staples in my dream island paradise life. 🙂
Yay for getting back into smoothies! I’m always up for one, yum!!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
I live in one of those states where they don’t sell alcohol in grocery store’s so I can’t get wine from Trader Joe’s and it makes me so mad! I know first world problems.
Also, the menstrual cups have been REALLY interesting to me lately as my tampons have been so uncomfortable (and I keep reading they are terrible for me). I swear after having my second kid, my insides switched around and tampons don’t stay in the same (does that even make sense?) I would love to give a cup the go, but I am so nervous!
Lastly, nothing makes me happier than getting some spinach-packed smoothies into my kid’s stomachs in the morning. It’s like this one TINNNNYYY thing where I feel like a winner as a parent for those 5 minutes. And yes, I just throw my bag of spinach or kale in the fridge and pick it apart when I need it. Life-changing, right?
this is the second time I’ve read about the Diva cup and I am SO intrigued. I decided after I use up my tampon stash I’m going to go for it. Really interesting about the tip of turning it inside out. Also the quiz was fascinating and I screen-shotted my answer (which means when my husband is scrolling through photos of the boys he is going to be like WTF?!)
How did I not know that I could freeze spinach!?! Amazing. There will forevermore be a container of frozen spinach in my freezer. Thank you. 🙂
Yay, Diva Cup! I made the switch a couple years ago and haven’t looked back. Once you get the hang of putting it in, it’s so easy! I just had my first child though, so I guess that means I’ll have to buy a new one in the bigger size, according to their instructions.
I have a lunette cup, and I love it! It leaks very very little, and totally does make the pain, etc less. I think it’s a combo of tampons sucking, and the slight pressure helping with the pain (although I don’t really feel it when it’s in). Love.