Trader Joe's FAVES

Hi Friends...welcome!  Thought I would talk about one of our favorite subjects today and that is....TRADER JOE's!  Who's with me?

I don't frequent Trader Joe's....I go probably once per quarter or so...but when I do, I stock up on many faves and also try a few new items each time too.

Thought I would share my recent TJ's haul and hear what your thoughts are on these products and any others you may recommend!

Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower

This is an awesome snack, app or even meal.  The first time Rob and I shared this was at a restaurant called Burton's.  It was love at first bite!  I was psyched when I saw that TJ's carries a brand too so we could make it at home

Mahi Mahi Burgers

We have been enjoying these for years...we throw them on the grill for a nice summer burger- also a nice break from traditional beef or chicken!

 Cauliflower Gnocchi

The original one we tried- always love them...they really fake you out!

 Fun Snacks

Those Cornbread Crisps are deadly friends...we first tried them with the Autumn Harvest Salsa that TJ's sold in the fall..that snack is pure perfection.  The salsa is seasonal so when I snagged this bag recently, I also decided to try this mango salsa for a change...we shall see..has anyone tried it?

 The Greek Yogurt Dips are the newest rage because they are so much better for us than traditional dips so I snagged a couple....

and we are obsessed with all things "Everything Bagel" flavored so we snagged a dip AND the smoked salmon seasoned in this flavor FTW!

and then who could resist the flavored almonds at TJ's?  I stocked up for our summer fun- Truffle Marcona, Chile Lime and Sesame Honey!

Radishes?

Well I have been searching high and low for watermelon radishes but they are not anywhere as of yet...I grabbed this colorful bag of radishes to tide us over in the meantime...great on salads and on a charcuterie board for a pop of color and crunch

Curry Chicken Salad

This new little gem is delish- what great flavors!

Wine

I rarely pick up my wine at TJ's but snagged this bad boy for our "Virtual Wine Club" last week. 

What are you Trader Joe's Faves?  What else should we try?

How To Work Effectively From Home

Hi Friends!  I know many of you are new to working-from-home, given the current state of affairs.  Some of us have been doing this for years.  I believe you either love it or you hate it but either way, we do what we have to do! 

I have been fortunate that over the last 12 years, I have been able to work a few days/week from home.  Being a Recruiter, we can really do our jobs from anywhere...we just need a phone and a computer and we are good to go!

Truth be told, I enjoy my time in my office as I feed off my colleagues and love to hear the various conversations- I always want to be learning and growing and my office time gives me that benefit.

Nevertheless, I LOVE my days working from home!  There is nothing like getting your little one on the bus or enjoying a snack or a story together in between work.  These days, it is all from home and I crave that balance again.  These days can be too much to handle sometimes but keeping it all in prospective and know this is temporary.  So trying to soak up these days as I can while my girls are 11 and 6....before you know it they will be out in the big world...ok anyway let's not get ahead of ourselves.

I thought I would put together a few tips for you on how to work effectively from home.  You can take whatever you  may need or want.  These are just things that have worked for me over the last 12 + years and I think, by now, I have a proven track record as I not only get my job done but I have also had to hit various sales numbers over the years and I make sure I am doing everything I can to make that happen so here we go!

Oh yeah...and this has always been my mantra....in recruiting...sales....working with clients...what I practice always...

Ok....here are some tips...what has worked for me...

Dedicated Space

This is my little slice of heaven....I LOVE my desk...my office...it is where I get my work done and also have my decompression time and watch my favorite shows at night and on the weekends!  The 2nd shot is the view my girls and hubby see- I usually look up and ask yes??  Diana does the best impressions of me working...she makes us laugh :)

Anyway, you need a dedicated space to work and be productive- the kitchen table or living room couch just aren't ideal...you need your sacred space for focus and productivity.  Find a quiet corner- do what you have to do to make a dedicated work space.

Calendar/Planner

Staying organized is KEY!  Through blogging, I have learned about all kinds of planners and calendars.  A popular brand in the blogging world is Erin Condren planners.  

I know two of my besties who would love these as they still love paper calendars.  The rest of us are more "high tech" if that is what you can call it.  I started using Microsoft Office for work several years back.  It wasn't until I joined Willmott that I truly embraced the Office Calendar app.  I put EVERYTHING in this calendar- business calls, meetings, reminders as well as all of my personal reminders.  It is so helpful to have everything at my finger tips and in one place!  I love that the same calendar is on my laptop AND my phone- can access it anywhere!  This has been the key for me to be able to stay organized.

Technology

 I would be lost without my phone and my pc and nowadays, Zoom too!  If you have the right technology, you won't stress about it and you won't even think about it...you can just get to work and the best technology will enhance your work and not be a hindrance.

Self-Drive/Self-Motivation

I saved the best for last because I believe this is the most important component of all.  If you are not self-disciplined, self-driven or self-motivated than working-from-home may not be for you.  You really have to set your daily goals, decide what you want to accomplish and make it happen when no one is standing over you.  I love this.  I love meeting and exceeding my goals and feeling accomplishment at the end of my work day!  It fuels me to keep going...keep facing rejection...and keep striving to make the best placements ever.

Do you ever work from home?  Any tips you would like to share?  Would love to hear what works for all of you too!

Hello Monday and Hello Week 8 of Quarantine

Hi Friends...how did you all make out this weekend?  The weather was finally beautiful here in New England so we took full advantage!  It definitely helps the spirits for sure!

Here is what our little weekend looked like....

Friday night, after a successful trip to Trader Joe's (more on that later this week), we enjoyed takeout from 603 Brewery- if you are local, I highly recommend.  The girls shared a Mac N Cheese and Chicken Tender dinner and Rob and I shared the Pulled Pork and Veggie Dinner- thumbs up all around!

Then, Rob did a FB live concert with his band mate Kevin and it was amazing...I actually multi-tasked and while watching and listening to them play, I participated in our Virtual Windham Wine Club with some of my fave ladies- ha! 

 and the wine I brought to our tasting was a little gem I picked up at TJ's by Francis Ford Coppola called "Director's Cut". It was a cab and it was great!  

On Saturday, it finally felt like Spring!  I binge-watched one of my favorite shows of all time "Smash" while waiting for Diana to wake up ;)

  (If you love theater/Broadway/musicals, this is a must see and according to some of our friends from that world VERY realistic)

Once Diana was up, we headed out for a very long walk...it felt so good to finally feel warm again!!

Later on, we cooked on the grill and then Daddy headed out for a guys night, bonfire at a friends (sitting 6 feet apart) and the girls and I got cozy

Yesterday, it was another beautiful day!  Diana and I decided to hit Griffin Park for our walk and it was crowded!  I think everyone is climbing the walls at this point- eek!  We walked for two miles and then picked up protein shakes at The Nutrition Corner- supported another small business.

The girls got to ride bikes and play outside quite a bit while Daddy did some yard work.

I got to see my besties for the first time in awhile.  BA had us over to sit by her pool....6 feet apart as you will see in the photo below (her hubby is a State Trooper and made sure we were being compliant)

  

It was so nice to catch up and chat...and yes made me a little sad...just want to hug my people....so I will leave you with this meme...

Have a great week friends!

Linking up with Heather and the crew HERE for Hello Monday

Friday Favorites (Quarantine Week 7 Edition)

Wrapping up Week 7 here of Quarantine...next Friday we will be able to say that we have made it through 2 months of quarantine...home schooling and working from home....wow...anyway...sharing some glimpses of joy from our week and linking up with the lovely ladies, as always, HERE

Kendra Scott

I always love Kendra Scott.  I am partial to her Rayne Pendant in a variety of colors!  Well right now, the company is giving back to various COVID-19 charities including Feeding America.  Check out some of their work HERE and have fun shopping!  I snagged some awesome Mother's Day gifts for my mom and a few gifts for my besties' birthdays!

Yeti

Another bonus from a trip to Whole Foods was their variety of Yeti products.  I snagged this one...don't you just love the color and the size?  It is perfect for keeping drinks cold for hours on end!  Hope to really enjoy this, this summer!

Extended Remote Learning

This really isn't a fave but we should be grateful that we have the capabilities.  On Wednesday at noon, we got in line at Eva's school.  We turned in all of her completed work from the last 6 weeks and picked up her work for the remainder of the school year = 7 weeks.  We got to say hello to her teacher and wave and watch her silliness but it made all of us so sad...it is very hard to remain positive all the time during this time...we are mourning so much and remembering how lucky we were :(

Signs

My friend from one of my prayer groups, Kristen, has a passion for painting and just started making these adorable signs.  Aren't they just perfect for summer?

Virtual Book Club

Hey....we didn't let the damn virus cancel book club...we made the most of it with Zoom last night and it was so good for the soul...everyone always agrees after these Zoom calls, however, that it does bring you joy but then it makes you so sad afterwards...you just want to see your people in person...give them a hug and share quality time- ugh- anyway- brought me an hour of joy last night anyway!

and last but not least...best for last.....

Have I mentioned that I LOVE my town?

Have a wonderful weekend friends