To my horror I discovered that the kids don’t go back to school till Tuesday! I thought I had my routine back tomorrow! Don’t get me wrong we’ve had an amazing break – but 2 weeks is plenty thanks. Of course the other issue at stake is the fact that Atlanta is due to get temperatures of -10 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday – yes I said Fahrenheit! This means that school may be out anyway due to severe weather – God help me. I will not complain about the cold, especially as I am currently watching the NFL playoffs – Green Bay are at home and the stadium is full – talk about risking frostbite! I’m not kidding when I tell you they are Arctic conditions.
We did venture out yesterday before the cold arrives. It was one of those lovely spontaneous outings. We mooched around a couple of boutiques and furniture stores and then took the kids for ice cream – even when it’s cold they won’t refuse it! I suggested our initial destination, a fabulous mid-century modern furniture store in Inman Park called City Issue. I mentioned a long time ago that I was looking out for my perfect vanity. Well before the holidays I noticed a desk on their Facebook page. I’d long ago realized that anything described as a ‘vanity’ or ‘dressing table’ was going to be too ornate for my tastes. A contemporary, slim line desk seemed the perfect option – if I could find one. Well after a teeny, tiny bit of ummming and ahhing this beautiful Danish masterpiece is now mine. I am in love with her. I love the fact that she has been used before, and I like to imagine that love letters were once written on her. I’m using an IKEA chair till I find the perfect partner for her – but I quite like the contrast of the wood with perspex.
After arranging my new love and organizing the drawers it was time to eat. I want to share my brilliant new gadget with you. As you know I’m trying the Paleo diet – I’m really enjoying cooking so much, but I do miss pasta and rice sometimes. My rice substitute is ground cauliflower (blend it), fried with onions – it is delicious. As for pasta I’ve tried spaghetti squash but there is a lot of prep required. Today I used my spiral vegetable cutter to make noodles from zucchini/courgette – it worked a treat!! I LOVE it! It comes with 3 blades and lets you cut ribbons too. I made a thai shrimp curry using them – just throw them in at the end so they don’t get soggy. DELICIOUS!
My final recent acquisition is the Conair InfinitPro spin air brush. Many of my UK blogging friends have raved about the Babyliss Big Hair version – most recently Trea. For the life of me I couldn’t find it anywhere here. Then I realized it is branded differently – Conair own Babyliss and here it is called the Conair InfinitiPro spin air brush. I do as Trea does – I dry my hair with my ghd dryer till it is about 80% dry and then use the spin brush. It catches hold of my hair nicely and works a treat on my shorter length hair giving me lovely smooth locks. I highly recommend it – my only criticism is that it seems quite loud after the quietness of my ghd dryer – but the price point is significantly different too!
So there we go – a vanity, a vegetable slicer and a hair styler – and like I said none of them can be worn so I’ve not broken any shopping rules yet – though admittedly I’m still trying to determine what those rules are for 2014 – I cannot subscribe to any kind of total abstinence.
Here’s my outfit from yesterday. I bought the Only jeans back in the sale from ASOS before the Holidays. I was trying to resist, but a couple of the AllWornOutBlog.com girls (here and here) and Avril all looked amazing in them, so I resisted no more.
Boots – Petrol Rag & Bone Newbury boots (similar here) // Jeans – Only from ASOS (on sale) // Tank – H&M // Grey sweatshirt – ASOS // Jacket – M&S (old – similar here) // Scarf – Zara (old)
Today I used the InfiitiPro spin brush and hopefully you can see how much smoother and less curly my hair looks.
Sneakers – Converse (similar here) // Leggings – H&M (old) // Dress – ASOS (on sale)
So now to watch the end of the football and do some menu planning for next week. Let’s hope we don’t get iced in as I might have to crack the wine open in desperation!
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Poppy's Style 
As a result of your IG pic of the vegetable cutter, I located it n Amazon and bought it. I’ve been looking for something to make veggie pasta and you pic made it look pretty easy and good! Thank you! I’m sitting at home, in Milwaukee, WI, watching the football game and bracing for cold. I may join you(virtually) for that wine tomorrow!!!
It is pretty easy to use and clean – especially after zucchini. You might have to use a bit of elbow grease to do a potato – the softer the veg the easier it is for sure! It’s freezing here today – I so want to get out of the house but may just hunker down for the day:)
Jeans look fab, how does the sizes fit? Usually I would buy a 27 inch but they only have 28 inch on asos, so I am hoping they comeup small.
Mine are 28″ Diane – they do come up small – I’m a 27″ in Hudson but they definitely have more give. They should work a treat on you! xx
Love that vanity desk….it’s gorgeous! You have doen well to get some great practical items on sale!!
You look simply super in the trainers and tunic outfit xx
I’m so happy – the desk technically wasn’t on sale – but we did negotiate a little on price so I still feel I got a deal that I will cherish forever! I was so comfy in the dress and leggings yesterday – it’s my favorite kind of outfit for the weekend! xx
Ooh, the vanity is gorgeous. It looks very stylish with the perspex chair. Your courgette ribbons look delicious too. Stay warm and safe Joanna, love Liz xx
Thanks Liz – I am chuffed with it! I just bought some drawer organizers for it so all my make up is nicely stored! xx
I’m SO excited you got these jeans also – more inspiration for me to style them. I’ve been playing it a bit safe with them up to now – never thought to wear them with grey and leopard – looks lovely. Maybe we should have them as the uniform for our meet up?!
Also – I’m following the diet with interest as I have another friend doing it and I’d heard all about the cauliflower rice and courgette pasta from her. Looks fab and so healthy.
And I’ve expressed my love for the vanity unit already…gorgeous and I think the perspex chair is perfect with it – doesn’t take away from the beauty of the wood x
Really – I was worried I was stealing your style:) I love them – they are fun to wear – to be honest I just wear them like regular denim jeans so don’t worry too much about what I pair them with. The tummy already feels less bloated – I am craving a choccy biscuit right now though!!!
Love those jeans on you Joanna & your hair looks fab with the Conair Spin Brush. I have been tempted to try one but was worried my hair would be too short, looks like I’ll have to add it to the list now!!! Jane xx
Yes – I was even looking at curling tongues today to try something different – there are so many different diameters though! xx
Only catching up on the blogs now, thanks for the mention! I have these jeans too, although I’ve forgotten about them the past few wks, so thanks for the reminder! Hair is looking stunning, and got so long Joanna! Can’t believe I’ve lived without the big hair for so long! X
It is growing like weeds – thankfully – though I now want it long enough to put some curl in it! xx
I am loving your hair – it looks wonderful. Hmm, I’m going to have to buy the BBH, aren’t I?!
Oh thank you! It has been remarkably easy to grow it – I want to get it over my collar now though! Yes the BBH works – it’s fun to use too:) xx
Fab post! Loving your new vanity & I also love the perspex chair with it! Now you are selling the Big Hiar to me! I think I need to get one next pay day! Ax