The Best Things I've Bought on Amazon This Year

I hate how much I love Amazon, but its convenience, prime shipping, and low prices make it hard to beat. I’ve had some major Amazon wins this year and felt inclined to share with the class. I’ve rounded up 15 purchases from 2021, so far, that I couldn’t recommend more.

Milk Frother // It works as well as the Nespresso one and is less than half the price.

Teva Midfoam Fray Sandals // I wear mine with dresses, athleisure, to the lake etc, Tevas are back!

Sun Bum spf 30 sunscreen // I swear by this sunscreen and have yet to get burned while using it the past two summers.

EltaMD UV Clear spf 46 // I wear this on my face every day. FYI the clear is considered clean, the tinted is not.

Polarized Sunglasses // I’ve turned a handful of friends on to these glasses. They come in other colors, but I love the light brown/blonde color. My favorite part is they hold your hair back when you push up on your head - ha!

Gray Shoulder Pad Tank Top // Just a great go-to top. I often wear it with the gold chain necklace also linked.

Translucent Neon Pink PopSocket // I have the new iPhone max and it is so heavy I feel like I’m getting arthritis in my wrists. I’m bringing the PopSocket back to relieve some tension. #firstworldproblems

Clear iPhone12 pro max case // Sign me up for a $10 phone case.

Simple Modern 28oz Tumbler // The viral Amazon cup is worth the hype and an Oklahoma-based company!

Smiley Face Trucker Hat // If you are patient unlike me, I suggest you order from small business Hats by Madi! I was impatient and wanted a fun trucker hat for the lake this weekend and found this one on Amazon.

Gold Medallion Chain Necklace // I wear it every day and get so many inquiring minds about this piece. Best $17 necklace.

Black Ribbed Seamless Set // LOL at this distorted model, but I love this set, I’m in a medium.

Black Ribbed Crop Tank Top // Great with biker shorts for working out. Comes in a million colors, I’m in a large for a slightly looser fit and length that hits right above my belly button.

Neoprene Tote Bag // I’ve been looking for a new work bag and this knock-off of the popular $$ one may be it!

Every Single Moment // A devotional to help pray for your future marriage written by one of my favorites, Stephanie May Wilson.

I rec ‘em, I love ‘em, I use ‘em on the daily. A reminder that you can always shop my Amazon shop by clicking here, using the link in my Instagram bio, or clicking on the shop tab at the top of my site. Questions about an item featured? Ask away below or in my DMs. Bless you Amazon and your quick shipping speeds and snazzy affordable pricing. Now go shop local… ;)

Annie

I Tried Every Trader Joe's Salad Kit and Want You To Know My Favorite

Okay so maybe not every salad kit. I suppose Caesar salad and coleslaw would fall into the “salad kit” category, but those seemed like a cop-out. I also omitted the saute kits. I limited this research to the tall skinny (do you know what I mean?) salad kits intended to be more of a meal or hefty side. I tried a majority of their current offerings. The only one I didn’t try was the Peanut and Crispy Noodle Salad Kit, because of #peanutallergy.

First, a few tips for eating Trader Joe’s salad kits. Tip #1, I recommend tossing the pre-packaged dressing. They give you way too much to dress the amount of the salad in the bag. Salads are typically a healthy option, but the salad dressing can make a salad go from good to bad, quick. Every dressing I saw in these kits had sugar in them. Not that I don’t eat sugar, but I don’t want to expend my sugar consumption in a salad dressing. A little olive and vinegar is all you need. I noted how I dressed each salad as I reviewed them.

Tip #2, beef them up with extra greens. I brought these salads for lunch most days and they are the perfect amount to get 2 servings out of one bag. At $2.99 to $3.99 a bag, a $2 or less lunch is a win. However, I would add to their volume by buying an extra bag of spinach to make the salad a little bigger.

Tip #3, add protein/healthy fats. These are all great with avocado, some shredded rotisserie chicken, chopped up turkey burger, chicken sausage, shrimp, salmon, you name it.

Sesame Crunch Chopped Salad Kit
bok choy, savoy cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, sesame sticks, cashews and nori seaweed flakes with toasted sesame ginger vinaigrette

This kit was surprising. The flavors were bolder than I thought and the nori seaweed flakes gave it an interesting kick. I would buy again, but it wasn’t my favorite. It would be a good green addition to an Asian meal. For instance, paired alongside TJs coveted Mandarin Orange Chicken or potstickers.

I added avocado and used coconut aminos to dress my salad.

Southwestern Chopped Salad Kit
green cabbage, romaine, cotija cheese, roasted pepitas, tortilla strips, green onion, cilantro and a southwest avocado dressing

This salad is a Trader Joe’s staple and comes up on several lists for the top items to try at TJs. My friend Maddie who inspired this whole blog post told me it was her favorite, but wanted me to research the other options out there to help her break out of her routine of buying this same salad every time. For good reason, it’s great and would make for a great side dish to Tex Mex or barbecue.

I added avocado and used salsa for the dressing! It would be great with shredded chicken, grilled shrimp or taco meat.

Tahini, Pepita & Apricot Slaw Kit
shredded carrots, broccoli stalks, green cabbage & kale with a tahini orange dressing

You had me at tahini. I stinking love tahini. Even though the only tahini part of this salad was in the dressing…which I threw away. The apricot was also the subtle star of this salad show.

I didn’t have any tahini but I 100% would have done a drizzle of apple cider vinegar and tahini if I had it. Instead, I did apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, and olive oil. With it being a slaw and having stiffer vegetables, it needed a thicker creamier dressing to break through them, than just a vinaigrette. I added avocado too of course.

Veggies & Greens Salad Kit
crisp & crunchy blend of veggies including cauliflower & Brussels sprouts with radcchio, kale, dried pear crumbles, pistachios & honey ginger dressing

This salad was an underdog that came out being one of my favorites. It seemed underwhelming with a name like “veggies & greens,” but I was pleasantly surprised. I had forgotten about the dried pear and thought it was dried ginger (which I love). Either way, it was the perfect sweet note. The pistachios were salty and roasted. I wish there were more.

I ate this with avocado and made a simple dressing of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. This is my go-to dressing. Like I mentioned above, this too needed a thicker dressing with all of the stiff greens. I even heated this salad up for 30 seconds in the microwave. May sound weird, but I kind of enjoy eating salads warm and it too helped break down the stiff greens a bit. This would make an excellent easy side dish or with a piece of grilled salmon over the top.

Organic Mediterranean Style Salad Kit
Romaine lettuce, shredded broccoli stalks, radicchio, celery, seasoned flatbread strips, feta cheese, dried tomatoes and roasted chickpeas with a red wine vinaigrette.

This is in rotation as one of my favorite Trader Joe’s Salad Kits! I love greek salads and Mediterranean food in general. The dried tomatoes were a fun surprise and the seasoned flatbread added just a little crunch without being carb-heavy.

Yellow Curry Chopped Salad
Mixed cabbage and carrots with naan chips, cashews, golden raisins & yellow curry ginger lime vinaigrette.

I love a curry moment and had bigger expectations for this salad that what delivered. I actually didn’t toss the dressing that came with this salad, but I did only drizzle a tiny amount. I wanted that good curry flavor, however it lent way more sweet than rich and spicy and savory like I want from curry. The naan chips were also hard as a rock and not quite what I was wanting.

Lemony Arugula Basil Salad Kit
Arugula, rainbow ribbon carrots, almonds and parmesan cheese with a basil lemon vinaigrette.

This is one of the more versatile TJs salad kit. It may be my all time favorite. It’s the perfect base for an entree salad if you beef it up with avocado, and more veggies. I love it as an easy side dish for pan seared salmon.

Buffalo Ranch Chopped Salad
Green cabbage, romaine lettuce, cauliflower stalks, celery, kale, carrots & blue cheese crumbles with a buffalo ranch dressing.

I am not usually a buffalo or a ranch girl when it comes to flavors, but I wanted to give all salad kits a fair shot. I tried the dressing on this salad and it was not for me, so I set it aside and drizzled this with a little barbecue sauce. Delicious honestly, but I love barbecue sauce. Some shredded chicken, extra carrots, and chopped celery would be great added to this salad. If you are a buffalo aficionado, some crock-pot chicken shredded with buffalo sauce would be awesome here.

Suggestions on what my next Trader Joe’s quest should be? Chips? (after lent of course because I gave up these little kryptonites) Dip? Frozen food?

Annie

updated 8/24/20

6 Money Saving Tips

Update November 2020: This post was written in November of 2019. It’s crazy to read this and see how almost all of these tips haven’t translated to the current state we are in due to the global pandemic. Most people are still working from home, working out in their living room, grocery store samples are now obsolete, events have gone virtual or to distanced outdoor spaces, and many restaurants and bars are still closed.

Despite the significant change in our everyday lives, I’ve still managed to get a little swirly with my spending and I’m in major need of a “No Spend November.” With the always expensive holiday season looming, it’s time to reign it in. Scroll to tip #6 for how I plan to approach spending this month. This means being thriftier on how much I spend on groceries to make meals at home, ordering a hot water and bringing a tea bag with me if I meet friends for coffee (any coffee shop with give you hot water for free), zero retail purchases on myself (blessed to have my Rent the Runway membership comped this month!!), and only spending on shopping if it’s for gifts for others.

Note* I do have a trip to California planned in a couple of weeks. I will be spending on food and drinks there, but going to attempt to not go overboard while still enjoying myself!

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1. Make coffee at home or at the office. This pops up on about every list, but it’s for good reason. Coffee shops jack up the price on even a single bag of tea. If you crave a latte or matcha, spend a little money on the front end buy buying a milk frother and/or fancy kinds of milk or flavorings to save money on the back end.

2. Work a few shifts at your favorite workout studio. Studio fitness is expensive, there is no good way around it. Most studios have front desk positions or I know some yoga studios that allow you to clean the room in exchange for free classes. I’ve taken on two (very) early morning shifts at my favorite pilates studio. I work before my day with my full-time job starts, I get to work out for free and bonus, get paid some extra cash!

3. Samples. Ha, I can’t believe I’m writing this but it is one of my pro tips. I’m a sucker for free samples. They are one of my ultimate guilty pleasures. Sometimes when hunger strikes in the afternoon and I need a little snack, I make a round at Eatzi’s, Central Market or Whole Foods for a few free samples. I then walk out of the store with a look on my face like “darn, you didn’t have what I needed,” and leave without purchasing anything. This isn’t the most morally correct advice, but I spend enough money at grocery stores, I feel fine about swiping some few samples here and there.

4. Attend free events. If you live in a big city there are free events happening everywhere you turn. Especially this time of year. Christmas lights will be going up soon and you can’t put a price on driving around looking at lights (for free!!). Bonus if you make hot chocolate at home to take with you instead of spending $6 at Starbucks. Check with your local Lululemon, Athleta or Outdoor Voices and see if they are putting on free workout classes. Or check your city guides/websites for a list of events. In Dallas, I stalk Dallasites 101’s Instagram and subscribe to their newsletter to get info on fun and free events going on around me! And bonus, often when you attend these kinds of free events, they are typically handing out other freebies or swag of sorts!

5. Drink at home. Ordering drinks at dinner automatically doubles or triples your tab. Try inviting friends over for a glass of Two Buck Chuck at your house before then head to dinner out. I also got in a habit of ordering a Topo Chico while on Whole30. Since you can’t drink on W30, I would eat out and still want a little something with my meal. Ordering sparkling water still has a cost attached to it, but it’s much cheaper than a cocktail.

6. Join me in No Spend November. I need accountability, so I’m asking you to join me in a no spending month. NSP excludes groceries, a few meals out (aiming for only 3 a week), and holiday shopping for others. I have officially deleted the Amazon app off my phone (my kryptonite), I’m not allowing any retail purchases to be spent on myself, and trying to limit my eating/drinking out to only a few times a week. Will you join me?

Do you have any budget saving tips? Any and all are welcome, let me know!

Annie

2 Easy Hair Tricks I Learned From My Stylist

Keep reading for how to get instant volume and wave.

I have always had straight (pretty flat) blonde hair. I’m terrible and only get my hair cut about once a year. And I’ve mentioned it here before, but outside of one other time getting it professionally done, my sister has always highlighted my hair…from a box.

My color was starting to get drab and muted and the box wasn’t cutting it anymore. Right after I moved to Dallas I was on a walk with a friend who lives down here and her color honestly just looked really good. I got her hair stylist’s number and immediately booked an appointment. Three days later I was sitting in her kitchen on a Sunday night (pretty sweet deal) getting my hair balayaged. I went with the balayage instead of highlights because it is more of a subtle ombré. It grows out with your hair so you only have to color about 1-2 times a year. Music to my annual haircut ears!

Not only did I love my color, but I walked away with two tips from my new stylist that are too easy and good not to share.

I use Shimmer Lights purple shampoo 1-2 times a week to keep my blonde hair it’s brightest shade.

1. Use a purple shampoo

   Blonde colored treated hair can often take on a gold/yellow hue after time. To keep your blonde color a bright and more silver/white hue, incorporate a purple shampoo into your routine. I use Shimmer Lights purple shampoo, per my stylists recommendation. Use it once a week or as needed. My stylist also suggested using it on a Friday or Saturday night before an event or going out. It gives you hair and your confidence an instant boost!

2. Wear your hair in a bun with bobby pins after blowdrying

   For instant volume and wave, twist your hair into a high bun after you blow dry it. Using just three bobby pins, I twist my bone straight hair up into a bun loosely secured. Then let it sit while you finish getting ready. When you let the pins down, your hair will have a subtle wave and some extra volume without a crease. I also do this while I sleep. I used to use a silk scrunchy, but the bobby pins leave my hair up out of my face without creasing it.

Do you have any quick tips you swear by?

Annie

The 5 Best Places I Went My First Week In Dallas

Hi from Dallas, TX. I’ve officially been here a week. It’s only been 7 days, but I have hit the ground hard on sights, restaurants, coffee shops, and my favorite, grocery stores. I will be working day-to-day from a co-working space starting next week, so I took advantage of my extra flexibility this week to bounce around from coffee shops. I also have a great little community already in place here, so I loved spending my first few days meeting up with different friends for dinner, workout classes, long walks and coffee dates.

Without further ado, here are the 5 best places I made it to my first week in Dallas (typing this reminded me of “the fast 5 stories that you need to hear…” The Morning Toast anyone??).

Beverly’s Bistro & Bar
Beverly’s opened in March, and it has been on my radar from the moment I decided to move. I did dinner with two friends here, and even on a Tuesday it was hustling and bustling. Oh wait maybe only in Oklahoma are restaurants dead on a Tuesday… It’s decor and branding hint at The Beverly Hills Hotel, but the food leans more french and jewish inspired.

Once in town, I caught wind of mixed reviews, however we loved every minute of it. Our order included an Aperol spritz and a spicy mezcal cocktail to start. The burrata with pea pesto and radish and lemony shishito peppers (a special) to start. The catch of the day (red snapper) and chicken schnitzel with fries for the entrees. And key lime pie to end.

Verbena Parlor + Social House
Vebena is toxin-free, fume-free, nail bar & cafe located in Uptown. They have a cafe/coffee shop in the front area with a nail salon in the back. It’s aesthetic and fumes are not like your average nail salon. I went for a matcha, but I can’t wait to go back for a manicure.

I met Molly of Molly on the Move here for coffee yesterday. Her blog has been my self proclaimed guide to Dallas! Molly and I met back in the fall and her energy is hard to not be friends with. She recently went full time with blogging so she gets the remote life. We met at Verbena to catch up and work a bit. The cafe space has a handful of tables and multiple outlets.

Katy Trail Ice House
This is a bit basic as it is a Dallas staple, but I had never been until this past weekend. It seemed fitting to kick off my first weekend in town with a Summer Beer (Blue Moon, Deep Eddy Lemon and lemonade) at one of the best patios in Dallas. Katy Trail Ice House is a beer garden and restaurant located right off the well-known Katy Trail. It was packed with 20-somethings having themselves a Saturday.

Central Market
I moved to the holy land of grocery stores. And I couldn’t be happier about it. I went to Central Market twice this past week purely for fun with no list in hand. I walked the aisles over and over sampling all the things (the bread!!). I walked out with simply a case of Waterloo and protein bars, but I can’t wait to stock up on specialty dips and cheeses and their homemade tortillas.

Honor Bar
Another “basic” choice, but a Dallas staple located in Highland Park Village. Honor Bar is a Hillstone concept so you know it’s going to be good and to the point food. They also have my favorite salad on the menu, so I will be back sooner rather than later. Especially since they gave me a gift card after having a small run in with peanut oil (Oops for them, worked out for me. Disclosure I was fine)!

Mom and dad and I had dinner here last Friday while they were still in town. We had just finished unpacking and getting me moved in. We enjoyed a really good meal and good conversation. I see more great nights at Honor Bar in my future.

Cheers to these honorable mentiones. SculptHouse, Class Studios, and The Katy Trail for working out, Javier’s, Little Katana, and The Porch for dining, Halcyon and La La Land Kind Cafe for coffee and Royal Blue Grocery for you guessed it, groceries.

I have a long list of Dallas spots to make it to, but I’m open to all suggestions. Drop your DFW recs in the comments!

Annie