Feathering My Nest at College

My campus nest is for workdays, not overnights. This morning, Figgy and Dan suggested a few places to work out of the home. I've had trouble focusing in my office, and I work more productively in a shared space. I had already considered these and ruled them out.

1. Upper Montclair Starbucks. I know too many people coming in and out. Not a private office. Plus, memories of completing a very stressful writer's test on deadline there, at night. Just under the wire.
2. Java Love on Bellevue Avenue. It has many fans, but the tabletops are small and I wouldn't feel comfortable staying too long. Can't spread out with my accoutrements: Kate Spade pink Filofax, Lilly Pulitzer laptop case, Stashers bag.
3. Cedar Bean's Coffee in Cedar Grove. Too far to drive and the menu is not really my cup of coffee.
4. Clifton Public Library, Allwood branch. Dan loves working there and is there right now, but IDK, it just doesn't grab me.
5. Montclair Public Libraries. The one on Bellevue has charm and history, but not too much workspace, and it feels like just me and middle schoolers in the afternoon. I should be working on a geography report. (Do they still even teach geography?) The main branch, like Clifton, just doesn't grab me as a workspace. But I am grateful to have two fine public libraries in town with a trove of books, and they co-host important festivals, speakers and events.
6. Mercado on Valley Road. Good food but laptop limit windows and also, most people are there to talk and socialize, not work.

Figgy reminded me about the Montclair State University Library, so here I am. It was a hell of a steep hill to walk on campus but I did it. So that's an added benefit, about 40 min. round-trip walk for slow walker me. I got a latte at the new college Starbucks next-door and then sat outside at the tables to make work calls/set up interviews and eat my packed lunch. I didn't want to offend coffee lovers with the smell of lox. Look at my bowls, I love them:

I shopped Food52.com for 20 percent off spring refresh items for our home using code SPRUCEDUP but I think the code expired now. I saved a lot but most of all, found great style in the shop (spring wreath fresh from a farm in California, half-moon-shaped woven doormat, streamlined dish rack designed in Japan and garden gloves). I loved the set of small nesting bowls on 52 but that aqua (Sea Glass Swirl) one pictured on their site was not included in the set, and is so pretty. So I went to the source, Golden Rabbit Enamelware, and ordered this set of nesting bowls in Modern Monet. Dishwasher-safe. It helps that I grilled zucchini on the stove last night, so it was ready to go, along with rice and the fish.

I also went on my Zoom support group meeting at 7 a.m.! to start my day right. So I am feeling better, inch by inch. More productive, more purpose.

Step by step, dream by dream, goal by goal, one day at a time.

Treats That Are Not Candy

Omigosh, so beautiful. I didn’t see this bracelet at Pink Bungalow* in Montclair today, but here is the description from an online shop: 

PowerBeads by Jen Blessed Mother Blue Agate Paired with Silver Hammered Fleur-de-Lis Charm

Blessed Mother blue agate! Wow, love the name and the look.

I am a nature fan, but also a material girl. It’s a paradox. My latest material purchases include:

1. Pretty lace underwear (on sale). I weathered the pandemic without much lace.

2. Organic coffee beans with notes of dark chocolate in the roast, from Red Rooster Coffee in Floyd, Virginia. I think I noticed the brand in New Bern, North Carolina when Skippy and I drove back from Florida in summer 2021 and stopped to see her friend, but I’m not sure. Also: Since I have written about coffee, I received a press sample and liked it. I just placed my first order on the website. Good coffee is my life.

3. Chopped pecans and whole walnuts, to top yogurt or cottage cheese. Nuts are expensive, a treat I don’t take for granted.

4. A string of beautiful beads on a bracelet from PowerBeads by Jen. The pretty spheres I chose are opalite and the tag says CALMING/PEACE/ACCEPTING CHANGE. Oh yes, accepting change. That’s my mantra.  (One regret: The shop only had one size, average--I still love mine, and it’s stretchy, but I see on shop link above that I could have held out and ordered a large online.)

Good night.

*Ah, Montclair. Economically diverse, but also home to shops with enthralling storybook names, such as:

-Blueberry Lane (closed, shoes, accessories, lovely)

-Moss & More  (fairy-tale-like garden/plant shop)

-The Little Daisy Bake Shop (nut-free, dreamy)

-Tory Janes (closed; I loved that shoe/accessory source)

-Speakeasy Vintage (no longer but wonderful treasure trove hidden upstairs)

If you know Montclair, pls. LMK if I missed some!

Notes from a Coffee Nut

Above: I wrote about cold brew coffee makers for the Reader’s Digest website.

As I’ve noted here before, as I put down the sweet treats, I’ve been picking up more and more coffee. I happened to have an excellent decaf cappuccino this afternoon at Da Pepo in Montclair. Never mind that my lunch companion was a moody teen in a flannel shirt and black jeans--the coffee was a great cap on our lunch.

A good cold brew is a gift from the heavens. (TBT, a lot of the appeal for me is stirring in a good amount of fresh whole milk, like from the little jug* I bought today at Whole Foods. I went with Skipper to get a back-to-school water bottle--she chose sleek black--and snacks, including seaweed packs, chocolate quinoa, applesauce squeeze packets and fruit-filled cereal bars.)

*Jolly quart jug, "gently pasteurized." Dan told me to stop getting raw, unpasteurized milk (the kind I was loving in Maine) because it might not be safe. IDK. Check https://www.familyfarmsteaddairy.com.

Anyway, here is the cold brew story link:

https://www.rd.com/list/cold-brew-coffee-makers/

Soon time to go to bed, alarm set, dreaming of tomorrow morning’s brew.

Good night.

New York City Style Holds up in Thursday Downpour

Above: LoveShackFancy store on Madison Avenue--a street that is a living museum of style shops.

Sis is my museum mentor. (Dan is another.) She is a fan of The Frick Collection of art, temporarily relocated to the building that housed the Whitney Museum--at Madison Avenue and 75th Street. 

She got us two tickets to the Frick Madison. Enlightening. History, beauty, masterful skill. Ornate gold frames, blue and white urns, sculptures, marble-topped tables. Paintings of impressive height and width. You would need a mansion with big rooms to display them.

Above: We saw this painting....Rembrandt, Self-Portrait, 1658.

The Montclair-based Decamp bus line to NYC suspended its by-then-phantom buses in August. The #66 careen up and down Valley Road for months, empty--people were working from home, not commuting on buses that were previously packed at rush hour. And in the summer, they took (safe) vacations. The New Jersey Transit train line has been up and running, but since the pandemic hit, I have only gone into NYC by car:

• In the fall, when Dan and I drove in to meet our friends Celia and Greg for Saturday sushi dinner near Stuyvesant Town.
• In December 2020, when I drove Skippy in with two friends one evening to window shop and see holiday decor as only NYC can do it. (Skip’s two young friends are Jewish, and we even saw a donut menorah and, on the Upper East Side, the moving, mobile Mitzvah Tank.)
• In February, when Sis and I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and got corned beef sandwiches and best pickles to go at Katz’s Deli.
• Today.

Sis and I sat outside in the street at Serafina--plastic tent, heat lamp above each table, plexiglass barriers, masked wait staff--and talked about our beloved city over ravioli with porcini mushroom sauce (me) and salad with steak (she). We talked and ate as the rain poured outside.

Our city isn’t the same, and that’s no surprise. We miss the passion, the pulse, the crowds, the hustle and bustle. I miss seeing people of all ages chasing the best of the best--writers, models, actors, hotdog vendors, artists, comedians, dancers, singers, editors, reporters, ballerinas, chefs, makeup artists, doctors, scientists, bookstore owners, tailors, designers, salespeople, baristas, fashionistas, coffee roasters, sandwich makers, cookie bakers--with a fire in their bellies and their hearts. 

I hope our beloved city comes back full swing.

Fun sightings today:

1. LOVESHACKFANCY store on Madison Avenue. I’ve seen the brand in collaborations on Aerin.com but was exited to see the shop. Wow. We walked in and a young man was styling the final details for a bridal shower in the store this evening. The tables looked so beautiful--with LoveShack pink floral linen tablecloths, pink china, exquisite flower bouquets and pink iced cookies. Glass jars filled with pretty pink candies and pink-foil-wrapped Hershey's Kisses. The other store locations are in Newport Beach, CA; Palm Beach, FL; Sag Harbor, NY, etc. So glad I went in here, and got less frivolous Sis to enter, too! The hand towels and the candle in a teacup--so lovely.
2. MEPHISTO. Stylish, comfortable shoes--flat or not, sneakers, Mary Jane styles, sandals--made in France. So pretty. Cork inside. Going back! Really nice. I'm behind the curve, not walking on Madison Avenue to window-shop and wish, as I used to. I am behind on knowing my fashion labels.
3. JOE COFFEE. Served in the Frick Madison cafe. But my parking meter was going to run out and I didn’t want to risk a ticket (I paid $10.75 twice, for two maximum two-hour blocks of time). It smelled very good; the large lattes/capps in cups and saucers looked great. I like the blue packaging/logo.
   
   
   
4. DIPTYQUE (pronounced DIP-TEEK). Luxury French fragrance and sensibility via Madison Avenue outposts, and several other NYC locations. Sis had been eyeing a scent for her bday--I paid for about a third of it. They gift-wrap beautifully. And we attended a virtual Sniffapalooza Diptyque event from our homes that entitled us to a solid perfume in pretty case with any purchase.

Eyes closing. I drove us back to Sis’s in Connecticut and I’m sleeping over tonight. Good night.

Up in Dark for Quick Walk

Coffee image cribbed from Newsweek.com coffee (+ cancer) story, which I have not read. (Note to Celia and Dan: Another news story about what coffee can and can't do.)

Here is the link I like:

https://medium.com/the-innovation/what-successful-employees-do-every-morning-7c3d64b19abd

I'm not sure I can make a habit of waiting 30 min after wakeup for morning coffee, or that I can (ever) limit it to one cup per day*, but I hope to take a quick walk every morning before Punchy's schoolday starts at 7:50 a.m.

I like the advice in this short article.

Have a good one. 

*In my efforts to skirt sweets, I have embraced coffee. And the foodie in me loves it--searching out craft blends, organic half and half, cute cups etc. Coffee is my friend now, about 2 cups in the morning and one in the afternoon. That's a lot for someone who never liked coffee much (until Starbucks hit NYC in the late 1990s, and lured me in with whipped cream, caramel syrup and that trendy cup, plus dark chocolate dipped graham crackers, which I know from a press tour were originally made by exquisite Lake Champlain Chocolates in Vermont!).

Trying to Raise a Healthy Eater--When I Remember

 

This photo popped up in files on my laptop. It's from Punchy's first Thanksgiving in Maine after coming back to live with us at age 6 1/2. IDK why the flurries are moving, but I love that effect. I think it really was snowing that day. Punchy looks so cute but gosh, I look tired and I don't like my hair. Oh well, can't change the past.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET 

Items of interest

On Saturday morning, I took Punch for a quick sweep of the

Montclair Farmers' Market

• Ester's Treats--I preordered 2 generously sized vegan empanadas and 2 large, freshly made veggie burgers ($23) to try out for Figgy and Dan. Long, socially distanced line at Ester's table. Punch chose a brownie, a muffin and 2 smallish cookies. I put the muff and cookies in freezer. Total, $33.
• Pickle Licious, 1 quart crunchy new pickles, $8 + $1 tip jar, $9. 
• Coffee beans--Fair Trade and they smell sooooo good, one pound, $15. I really haven't been buying coffee out much anymore--between the pandemic, the price, the tip and the cup/lid wasting, I've been mostly brewing at home. I like to grind and brew the best beans, and enjoy with half and half or organic whole milk.
• Valley Shepherd Creamery, quart of chocolate milk, $4.
• Spoon Me Soups, large frozen Thai carrot coconut soup, I think $13.
• Microgreens, $5 for a tray of broccoli sprouts. Punch remembered loving how they were served on the avocado toast at Joyist....she put them on that and in a fruit smoothie. 

Bridging the Gap with Groceries--and 2 Luxuries

Images above: Roger and Julia, the husband and wife who own Vesta Chocolate, and the shop itself. They roast their own beans, sourced from the Dominican Republic.

On Saturday, October 3, I spent $255 at Kings, then $35 at 212 Salon & Day Spa (all careful Covid protocols in place) to get my hair blown out by Christina, plus $10 in tips for shampoo lady and stylist. To cap it off, a rare treat these days--the perfect small hot mocha, about 8 ounces, from Vesta Chocolate. I'm steering clear of chocolate, but hope that might be okay once a weekend. It is a carefully crafted treat; the mochas from Starbucks and other places pale in comparison. Cost: about $6.30.

The.perfect.mocha. Figgy also likes it made with oat milk.

I want to list the groceries, since the bill was over $250. As I wrote the other day, we are between payments here. Dan and I made a list of what we needed in one grocery trip to bridge the gap. For example: We have pizza dough in the freezer, and red sauce in jars, but needed mozzarella, both regular and vegan shreds, for a weeknight dinner. Some things here were wanted, not needed. I put those in pink. I also forgot to get one thing--tofu. I think I did pretty well. I got what we needed for a number of meals--raviol, quesadillas, pizza, steak, soup, roasted vegs. I'm curious--how does this look to you, what I got for the money?

1. Shredded mozzarella, BOGO.
2. Shredded mozzarella (second pack free).
3. Vegan mozzarella-style shreds.
4. First jar of artichoke hearts.
5. Second jar of artichoke hearts.
6. Piece of Portherhouse steak, on sale, to stretch through 3 meals for one person.
7. First bag of spinach-ricotta ravioli.
8. Second bag of spinach-ricotta ravioli.
9. Presliced deli provolone.
10. Presliced deli ham.
11. Bread Alone peasant bread, one loaf.
12. Vermont wheat bread, one loaf.
13. Pint organic half and half.
14. Pint organic heavy cream to whip for berry table Sunday. (I usually don't spring for Horizon brand, in the red carton. It was $6.79!! But I have to say it was delicious, whipped to pretty peaks without a pinch of sugar or drop of vanilla. Honestly, it tasted like a sweet treat from the farm and had the palest hint of meadow yellow.)
15. Large Cabot Greek yogurt.
16. Large Friendship cottage cheese.
17. Bag of Lil Snappers Honeycrisp "kid-size" apples, on sale.
18. First bag fresh Brussels sprouts.
19. Second bag fresh Brussels sprouts.
20. Third bag fresh Brussels sprouts.
21. Frozen Ezekiel English muffins.
22. Pound Land O'Lakes butter.
23. EVOO cooking spray.
24. Pack fresh mushrooms
25. Second pack fresh mushrooms.
26. Third pack fresh mushrooms.
27. Berry jam, BOGO.
28. Second berry jam, free.
29. Toothpaste.
30. Pack of 1-oz, 100-calorie Cape Cod potato chip snack bags.
31. Bananas.
32. First can Amy's organic soup.
33. Second can Amy's organic soup.
34. Third can Amy's organic soup.
35. Fourth can Amy's organic soup.
36. Kings hazelnut coffee, deep sale.
37. Huge can Chock full o'Nuts coffee, $2 off.
38. Box of Capri Sun juice pouches.
39. Half-gallon fresh apple cider.
40. Pack of Gotham lettuce leaves for sandwiches.
41. Wet dog food x5.
42. Pack of whole-wheat tortillas.
43. Dozen cage-free eggs.

Have a good day. 

Better Days

TCOY

1. Eating healthfully and it feels good. Planning 3 meals and bedtime snack every day. Today is Day 3. Sweet corn on the cob, Girlfriend Chicken sautéed by Punch, oatmeal, salmon. Excellent coffee from Kicking Horse beans roasted in Canada--via Kings.
2. Walked around block with Sug when Punch got a bit crazy.
3. Watching my flower seeds and bulbs sprout. Looking at Figgy's beautiful collection of succulents in her room.
4. Nap.
5. Talked to my friend Sianne for parenting support [our girls are good friends].

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Instacart, Kings, with $10 credit because they keep getting my banana order wrong, with tip, $88.45. Includes lamb chops, garlic, feta, half and half, veggie burgers, brioche buns, more Kicking Horse coffee beans, vegan Provolone-style cheese, sliced Swiss cheese, chilled pickles [I'm finicky about pickles and got big dill spears the other day that I don't like, but family does], 2 Lady Mitchum gel deodorants and I forget what else.....
• Sweet Laurel, beautiful rose candle and paleo/vegan chocolate chips, steep shipping from sweet, dreamy California shop I'm eager to visit one day, $81. Very clear link here between out-of-control behavior from Punch and my effort to soothe myself with shopping.

Total daily spend: $169.45.

Ongoing monthly spend as of May 20: $2,191.71.

Avg daily spend: $109.59.

Still definitely high, shopping for comfort, to support small businesses and to avoid going to grocery stores--and to make healthy meals.

Keep an eye on/compare to previous months:

April: Total monthly spend: $2,143.19.
Avg daily spend: $71.44.

March--the effect of coronavirus quarantine and not working in NYC for now

Total monthly spend as of March 31: $1,916.15.

Avg daily spend: $61.81.

February

Total monthly spend as of Feb. 29: $2,480.34.
Avg daily spend: $85.53.

The Coffee in the Brooks Brothers Suit

Sadly, I think I missed these festive cups. But will be on the lookout.
Image from Brooks Brothers Red Fleece Cafe.

I've walked by the Red Fleece Cafe at Brooks Brothers on Madison Avenue with interest and curiosity this winter as I've trudged back to the Port Authority after workdays.

I've dangled it as an idea for Sis.

Today I wrangled my friend Celia into going.

It was nice. Celia got some fancy maple latte in the signature red cup and saucer; it was dusted with nutmeg so fragrant and sit-by-the-fireplace cozy, I could smell it. [Red Fleece does not have a fireplace.]

They brew Stumptown Coffee. I got a large golden latte [with turmeric] and it was excellent, with a thick, creamy cap that I spooned up with a little silver spoon. My sandwich was, well--a sandwich. Nothing too tailored or upscale about it, but it was fine. Not buttoned up, no crisp lettuce collar. It was chicken on white. No extra starch.

I would def go back, not just for those lattes but for a fat vegan PB cookie to bring Figgy, a high-end dark chocolate bar or a plated meal. The kitchen was closed when we arrived. Also: Looked like a nice space to work on one’s laptop.

I always love to see our dear, smart friend Celia, especially in a stylish New York City setting.

Good night.

Info from HERE: "The Man in the Brooks Brothers Shirt" was the title of a 1942 short story by Mary McCarthy. The title is famous, but the story itself is less so. The Brooks Brothers company used the theme in ads, changing it to "The Man in the Brooks Brothers Suit."

I love Mary McCarthy's Memories of a Catholic Girlhood. I read her Brooks Brothers Shirt story once, about a man on a train, but want to read it again.

TCOY

1. Walked over 1 hour in NYC.
2. Accessorized, applied makeup. Wore trendy ribbed sweater I got on sale Friday at Le Willow.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• 4 bus tickets, $30.60
• Starbucks, $3.
• Red Fleece Cafe, with tip, about $22.
• Grand Central Food Market, groceries--large container good, crunchy pickles; guacamole; hummus; handmade rosemary crackers; spaghetti squash with tomato sauce; 4 plump wrapped rolls for family dinner [2 lobster, 1 Thai shrimp, 1 curried shrimp]; good deli liverwurst; pint Hudson Valley half and half, $77.79. Spent too much. 
• Neuhaus Chocolate, shipped in weekly from Belgium, said Lemon, the nice young salesperson. 4 small jewel-shaped dark chocolates, 2 dark truffles, 1 extra filled chocolate that Lemon threw in for Punchy--and she loved it, $10.97.

total daily spend: $144.36.

ongoing monthly spend as of Jan. 14: $1,823.49.

avg daily spend: $130.25.

COMPARE TO LAST 5 MONTHS:

december 2019 [Christmas and all that entails]

total monthly spend as of Dec. 31: $3,998.16. 

avg daily spend: $128.97. 

Total spend for November (30 days): $2,979.03. 

Average daily spend: $99.30. 

__________________________________________________________________

TOTAL SPEND FOR OCTOBER (31 DAYS): $2,495.36.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $80.49.

_____________________________________________________________________

TOTAL SPEND FOR SEPTEMBER (30 DAYS): $2,214.43.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $73.81.

___________________________________________________________________________

TOTAL SPEND FOR AUGUST (31 DAYS/PLUS VACAY IN HERE): $2,895.06. ⬆️

AUGUST AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $93.39.  ⬆️

Good Night to You

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Vault Coffee in Mystic, CT, after we stopped at a Mobil station nearby for gas, $3.76 plus jar tip, so $5.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $5.

Ongoing spend for month as of October 14: $974.64.
Average daily spend: $69.62. 

COMPARE TO TWO PRIOR MONTHS:

TOTAL SPEND FOR SEPTEMBER (30 DAYS): $2,214.43.🍎⬇️

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $73.81.🍎⬇️

TOTAL SPEND FOR AUGUST (31 DAYS): $2,895.06. ⬆️

AUGUST AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $93.39.  ⬆️

Feast or Famine

One of my freelance writing paychecks was delayed....so glad it came Thursday, so I could pay dr. bill and also! Get 15 yoga classes on sale for $285. That is a big chunk to spend, but I have 8 months to use them and hope to go at least weekly. The 5-class card is $125, so $25 per class. With this sale, $19 per class. Big savings.

TCOY

1. Ground some of my Irving Farm beans, made French press coffee.
2. Joe's 8 a.m. yoga class. Down dogs, stretches, tree poses, lunges, cat/cows--and of course, my favorite, shavasana [resting pose at end]. So glad I got there.
3. Sidestepped world's best donuts at Montclair Bread Co. and got breakfast sandwich on wheat roll and cold brew coffee, served with coffee ice cubes.
4. Walked to women's group meeting. It was nurturing and important. Went wrong way, so got longer walk in.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Uber to yoga, plus tip, $10.61.
• Yoga Mechanics, 15-class card sale plus $1 charity donation, $286. Investment in my sanity, posture, grace and strength.
• Montclair Bread Company, $10.85.
• Tip for delivery at women's group, $4.
• Uber from town plus tip, $9.80.
• CVS, went for Rx, got other things, you know the story by now. Including Cooking Light special smoothies issue [the chocolate and coffee smoothies look so good!]; Aveeno stress relief shower wash; 2 Clif Bars; dog food; and 2 Endangered Species 72 percent dark chocolate bars, $49.89.
• Sandwich Theory, Avocado Dream sandwich to bring Fig at work but without the excellent Provolone and pesto, since she is vegan. With tip, $9.73.
• Maggie's Organics, best and softest clothing from company in Michigan, much of it on sale, plus something for Dan, with free shipping, $106.60. This includes a skirt, pink ruched top, espresso colored scoop-neck top and Dan gift. 

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $487.48.

RUNNING TOTAL FOR MONTH AS OF JUNE 15: $2,466.68.

AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $164.44.

MONEY THOUGHTS: Big June spends include LillyPulitzer.com dress, tech sleeve 
for laptop, market tote, $154; Vamp salon cut, color and shampoo product, $271; 
gift, $80; Ubers while our only car was in shop for 4 days; 
Joyist, school morning, $37; teachers' toasts tickets, $74; 
teachers' gift contribution, $40; Aerin sale at Williams-Sonoma, $78; blowout 
June 14, $45; 15-class yoga pass, $285; Maggie's Organics, 3 items clothing plus Dan,
$107; Local Coffee, beans plus etc., $31; CVS good sunscreen sale plus, $79; Aveda
lipstick, $24.

KEEPING AN EYE ON PAST MONTHS

MAY TOTAL SPEND: $2,348.24.

MAY AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $75.75. 

APRIL TOTAL SPEND: $3,634.28.

APRIL AVERAGE DAILY SPEND: $121.14.

Monday Catch up

TCOY

1. Walked in and out of town.
2. Talked to Sis and my cousin Lin [they were together, missed them].
3. Ate healthfully. Oatmeal with apricots and walnuts; hard-boiled egg; and Ezekiel toast for bkfst. Ample Buddha Bowl with baby spinach, roasted beets and chickpeas, delicious tahini dressing and hard-boiled egg for lunch.
4. Wrote with fervor at Joyist, met my deadline. My friend Rach was next to me writing for part of the afternoon, too.
5. Women's spiritual group. Very good nourishment.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Joyist, organic latte, free; Buddha Bowl; delicious avocado toast with tender baby greens and a drizzle of fine olive oil; and organic cappuccino, free. Total, $24. And so ended my week as a proud, card-carrying member of the Joyist unlimited coffee club. I made a modest pledge to support women in business and this was my reward. Loved it! From Monday through Monday, I had these organic coffee drinks: 2 cappuccinos; 2 lattes; 2 cold brews, one with coconut milk; 2 chocolate lattes [no refined sugar, syrup made from dates and cocoa], and 2 chocolate lattes made with oat milk. By 4 p.m., I could not finish that last fine cappuccino. #IloveJoyist
• Print shop to get copy of 20+ page document in town, $4.50.
• Sandwich Theory, I was sitting editing by hand for an hour there after copy shop closed, so wanted to buy something. Got container of tomato, basil and baby mozzarella salad to bring Dan, $6.70.

TOTAL DAILY SPEND: $35.20.
MONTHLY SPEND AS OF APRIL 8: $1,379.40.
AVERAGE DAILY SPEND SO FAR THIS MONTH: $172.42.

Big April spends so far, 8 days into the month:

Lamp, $79; luxe hand cream, $55; Giotto dinner to go + artichokes, $46; dog groomer/beauty salon, $75; vet for hamster, $157; necklace repair, $128; blowout, $55; Over the Moon, bday gifts for friend + book for me, $60; Kings groceries, $132; liquor store, $32. Steep subtotal of $764.

MONEY THOUGHTS: I really liked that prepaid unlimited coffee card. I also like the print shop in town, affordable and friendly; I only go occasionally. I need many more days with spends like this [of $35 or lower] to bring down my average daily spend for the month. We are hosting Easter dinner, so that could be a fairly big grocery bill, and hair maintenance is a lot. This Thursday night is a big fundraiser for Punchy's school. Dan and I got early-bird tickets for $90! each last month [didn't include in my log] but then there are raffles and auctions, etc. I challenge myself to bring down the daily average day by day. I also want to make a donation to an important cause and have been holding off.

Digging into April

Busy with work assignments for two magazines....

Tricky to job hunt and meet writing deadlines, but balancing as best I can when I can....

Drove with my friend Rach to lovely Chatham, NJ to pick up her repaired car....couldn't resist checking out a highly rated coffee place/gluten-free bakery in nearby Short Hills. Squirrel & the Bee Grainless Bake Shop was a 10 min. drive from the garage.

As always, fun to explore another town or neighborhood.

Signing off early here, but not from my work.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Starbucks app, grande iced Mango Dragonfruit Refreshers beverage for Punch, free with rewards earned on app.
• Joyist, nice organic latte with fabulously thick, spoonable foam on top, free. That's because in February, I signed up for the fundraiser to support women-owned businesses and paid $40 for a week of unlimited coffee. I'm entitled to as many cups as I can drink for 7 days, and have a cool card that says so.
• Squirrel & the Bee, book called Wheat Belly, by William Davis, MD--I want to read about this, since I often think I have a baker's white flour belly. The book also includes some great-looking recipes for GF baked goods that I look forward to trying. With tax, $14.96.
• Same place, breakfast sandwich for me and pack of delicious vegan, chocolate-covered Sweet Potato Bee Bites that Fig, Rach & I loved. Together, w $1 tip, $16.50.
• I don't think I'm going to include this in my monthly total....but maybe I should, since I did include Sugar's vet visits last month...Fig and Punch have Mochi, that tiny hand-me-down hamster they love, and he developed a lot of bald spots....the vet appt, counting meds and bloodwork, was $187.19. Vet thinks he has ringworm. Oh hell, I guess I will be scrupulous and include it. But we intend to collect some money from both girls for this astronomical fee for a baby fur puff. So when we do, will subtract from here. Ok, Fig quick-paid me $30 day later so I'm reducing our vet payment to $157.19 so far.
• Parking meters, Short Hills and Montclair, $3.25.
• Raymond's, classic club sandwich and large ice water plus $3 tip, $18.46.

DAILY TOTAL: $210.36.
MONTHLY SPEND AS OF APRIL 2:  $235.02.
AVERAGE DAILY SPEND SO FAR THIS MONTH: $117.51.

Top 10: Navigating the Cape in March

Look how pretty. I drove from Eastham to Highland Light in North Truro with Dad and young Figgy
when it was being moved back from the eroding coast. Anne and I
saw it in the dark tonight, with the supermoon hanging close and bright. PHOTO LINK.

I'm getting sick, but Anne packed Tylenol. I don't like getting sick up here--especially since we only have three days/two nights. I also don’t want to give my friend the unwanted gift of a cold.

We leave our cottage on Bayberry Lane tomorrow by 8:30 a.m. I guess I shouldn't be surprised to feel feverish, since at Punchy's bday sleepover Saturday night, one of the girls had chills and shivers, a sore throat and a fever of 101. Her Dad had to come get her.

Anyway, we had a great day and had nice treats and saw so much beauty:

1. Sunbird in Orleans for breakfast....Anne had been there, but I never had...I liked the coconut milk steamer with turmeric and ginger. I've heard a lot about golden milk, but this was my first taste.
2. Another thrift shop....Anne loves thrift shops....I got 3 books.
3. Very short walk on bike path, just because we were near it.
4. Hot Chocolate Sparrow.....my pal is true to her Frozen Mocha Sparrow...I got a pound of single origin Ethiopian beans for my French press; a gift for Sis; and a bag of pink-foil-wrapped dark chocolate hearts for my girls. I want to get Dan something.
5. Best.lobster.roll.ever at Mac's Seafood on Route 6 in Eastham. Six ounces of tender meat picked from the shell, served warm, on buttered brioche roll with lemon wedge to squeeze. SOOOO good. I asked the young man who made it about the popularity of the classic mayo-style vs this buttery lobster roll and he said the mayo one is much more popular here. Not for me!
6. The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary! Peace, nature, fresh air, birdsong, pine-needle-strewn paths, large turtles basking in the sun. Plump turkeys hogging at the bird feeders. Our whole ritual of checking in at the desk as proud members, quickly scanning the gift shop inventory, looking for wildlife on the trails.
7. A Truro bay beach where you climb up the sandy bluff and then down, and can see the hook of the Cape narrowing and extending right to Provincetown, Pilgrim Tower and all. #amazing perspective
8. Farm stand outside a house on our drive back...one dozen Wellfleet eggs [shells are pale blue, brown and white], $7. Wood box to pay by honor system. I look forward to eating the eggs at home.
9. Tonight, the supermoon...brighter and closer....we drove to see it at Highland Light, the old lighthouse, and also at Long Nook Beach...pretty moonlight shimmering on the water...
10. We love this cottage, such a great price in March of $94 per night, but would cost a lot in season, since Truro is high on the desired list....We only paid $140 each for total stay, including $60 cleaning fee and $31.99 service fee. The cottage has everything, from tea bags to clean towels....I opened my bedroom window to breathe the air through the screen.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Sunbird, delicious bacon and egg breakfast sandwich and $1 jar tip, $9.56.
• Sunbird, ginger-turmeric steamer to go, $4.82 and $1.18 jar tip, $6.
• Thrift shop, 3 books, $3.
• Hot Chocolate Sparrow, coffee beans plus gifts for Sis and girls, about $33.50.
• Cottage Street Bakery, Monster Bar [oats, PB, choc chips--small portion] plus $1 jar tip, $4.05. 
• Mac's Seafood, lobster roll, $22.99, and container of excellent kale salad, $27.38 plus $1 jar tip, $28.38.
• Dozen Cape Cod eggs from farm stand, $7.
• My half of fee for two nights in cottage, $140.

DAILY TOTAL: $231.49.

RUNNING TOTAL FOR MONTH AS OF MARCH 20: $3245.81.

SO FAR, THAT'S AN AVERAGE DAILY SPEND OF: $162.29.

MONEY THOUGHT: Nature is free, and a top lobster roll is priceless. Splurge. Yum. [They have 4 or 6 oz. version; I got the larger one.] Renting a house or hotel costs money, but going off-season is great.

Prayers & Promises

TCOY

1. I went to the doctor and got blood taken for routine panel.
2. Talked to Rachael.
3. Talked to my Sis.
4. Got ashes with Punch at 4 p.m. Ash Wednesday service. We saw some nice friends there. Prayed for a very important intention/blessing/wish/hope.
5. Ate healthy foods, including plain yogurt, big salad, chicken, baked yam and, for snack, walnuts.
6. Planning short Cape getaway this month with my friend Anne. We both miss it!

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Starbucks app. Sometimes we let Punch [and ourselves] sleep later and drive her to school. We send in a Starbucks mobile order and she runs in and gets it, and eats her egg, bacon and Gouda sandwich in the back seat. She got that + tall drink and protein lunch box. $13.70.
• Starbucks app on way home. Used my free reward to get big Chicken & Quinoa Salad for free [would have been $9.01 with tax] + a PB protein bar to leave in back seat of car for Punch later. $3.63.
• Kings, for pint of organic half + half to have with my French press City of Saints coffee [bought beans yesterday]. $3.49.
• Went to CVS to refill Punch's monthly Rx and while I waited 30 minutes, got groceries, many on sale. Filled cart with 1/2 gallon Horizon organic whole milk; walnuts; pint coffee ice cream for Punch; Kleenex; big petroleum jelly [for removing makeup and for lips]; 8-pack AAA batteries; 6-pack AA batteries; 12-pack dog food; Hallmark bday card; and a special issue of a magazine that I need for work purposes [price was sky-high $12.99]. Total $72.77.

DAILY TOTAL: $93.59.

RUNNING TOTAL FOR MONTH OF MARCH AS OF MARCH 6: $663.38.
SO FAR, THAT'S AN AVERAGE DAILY SPEND OF: $110.56. THE HAIRCUT DROVE IT UP.
SOBERING MONEY THOUGHT: I've written many times that my parents were frugal. They both grew up without extra money. I don't think I felt deprived, but maybe in terms of sweet treats. I don't know if my mother felt deprived, either--we didn't talk about that. She owned some elegant things. A single pearl ring Dad bought her before they were engaged. An elegant gold charm bracelet. Some fine perfumes. A mink stole. But when she was dying of cancer in 1982/1983, my Dad must have told her to go buy nice things? I don't know, just speculating. I just know that she had a new hot pink Shetland wool crewneck sweater. And something else, but I can't remember what. So: Did part of me get the idea that you shouldn't wait until you are dying of cancer to buy the best things? That you might as well get them while you are healthy, strong and alive? 

Good Day

I rose by 6:10 to open the door for the 7 a.m. support group. Good meeting. Helpful.

Got my hair cut, always a pampering treat with blowout by Danielle, who also does editorial and advertising work.

Saw my friend Rach for lovely coffee.

Moved on a step with a staff position I would love to have.

Kept my Private Benjamin appointment.

Made healthy chicken cutlets piccata, with Rach's shortcut skillet recipe.

Good night.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

• Vamp Hair Studio, haircut, which I get every 3 months. $120 plus tips, $151.
• Jar of moisturizing body butter made by Nico at Vamp, $10.
• CVS, mascara and shampoo, both with coupons to trim prices, about $8.
• Joyist, used my free punch for lunch. Then hazelnut energy bites, $7.
• Coffee shop tip [Rach had treated for drinks], $2, and bag of upscale City of Saints coffee beans, $21.19.
• Kings, two large cans of white beans to make white bean mash, another great Rachael recipe, $2.50.

$ TODAY: $199.69.

ONGOING TOTAL FOR MARCH: $569.79.

Staring Down the February Spend

TOTAL FEBRUARY SPEND OUT OF POCKET: $3,159.25.

Now this is just my spending for the month of February by debit card, cash or check. Yes, I know it is very high. I want to look it in the eye. It doesn't include our mortgage, health insurance, car insurance, child care or family prescriptions, which add up to a lot.

Dan does grocery shopping, coffee drinking and gas-tank filling, too, with the card in his wallet. He does not spend frivolously, but is generous. [He booked our wedding anniversary overnight splurge in NYC; he even had the bus tickets, so I didn't list those here.]

I would love to get some feedback--where can you trim spending, or are you pretty frugal and sensible already?

Being a trend watcher and shopper at heart, there's a part of me that would like to tell you about luxury items I love that would quickly add up. I have not purchased the wants below. I'm listing them here in a feeble effort to justify how easily it would be to spend $2,800 on...nothing necessary, but everything beautiful.

• Hermès Twilly silk scarf. $170.
• Something from trendy Alice + Olivia brand, preferably a sweater, and I don't even know if the size L would fit me on top, $300+.
• Sleek tights, bottoms and shapewear from Commando, $300+.
• Trip to Bermuda, just because it's on my bucket list and I've never been. JetBlue says $102 one way today, so $250 round trip with fees, plus let's say $2,000 for 5 nights hotel, food/high tea [I hear everything is  pricey there] and shopping? $2,250.

DREAM TOTAL: $3,020.

BREAKING IT DOWN 
The 7 categories in green, below, add up to $2,805.68. I must have left some numbers dangling somewhere....for instance, a $50 co-pay at the dermatologist, but this gives me a good view. 

• I see that beauty products and jewelry jack up the spend. No surprise there. [In February, I didn't buy shoes, and bought only one item of clothing.] The beauty salon category for March will be high, because I get my hair cut every three months and tomorrow is the day.
• I see how Kings and Whole Foods are big-ticket places, though I have been good about getting what's on sale at Kings.  
• I already know I spend a lot feeding Punch outside the home--as I mentioned, her ADHD meds suppress her appetite on schooldays, so she is often hungry when we are together in town, such as after her weekly therapy appointment. I like her to eat when she is hungry. Frequently, a friend of hers is with us. I can find a way to trim here, but....we are pressed for time, or I'm too tired to cook before 7 p.m. gymnastics, etc.
• That Starbucks app is dangerous, the way they dangle rewards, etc. And I don't even like the coffee. I tend to get Punch food or drinks there.
• I think I can trim all four bullets listed above. But I stand by my spends at Joyist, because everything is healthy and organic, tips are included in all prices, and after 9 punches on your card, your 10th item [anything on the menu] is free.

1. GROCERIES [SUBTOTALS BELOW], $732.09.
KINGS: $216.91.
SHOPRITE: $39.92.   
WHOLE FOODS: $346.02.
CVS, milk, cereal, dried fruit, nuts, etc.: $129.24.

2. FOOD AND DRINK OUTSIDE THE HOME, OR DELIVERED 
[SUBTOTALS BELOW], $359.44.
STARBUCKS [APP]: $38.27.
DINING OUT, ME, INCLUDING JOYIST: $165.89.
COFFEE, IN ADDITION TO STARBUCKS: $73.94.
BAKERIES + SNACKS: $41.32.
PIZZA DELIVERY: $42.17.

3. PUNCHY [SUBTOTALS BELOW], $363.47.
GYMNASTICS AND SOCCER CLOTHING FOR PUNCH: $99.97.
FEEDING PUNCH + PALS [SOMETIMES W. ME + FIG] AWAY FROM HOME: $263.50.

4. BEAUTY/STYLE [SUBTOTALS BELOW], $588.23.
ACCESSORIES/JEWELRY: $178.05.
BEAUTY SALON FOR PUNCH + ME: $185.
HIGH-END BEAUTY PRODUCTS: $189.99.
CLOTHING/ME: $35.19.

5. DONATIONS [SUBTOTALS BELOW], $165.50.
CHARITABLE DONATIONS: $104.
SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS: $61.50.

6. CARDS & GIFTS [SUBTOTALS BELOW], $225.89.
GIFTS, mostly gift cards: $161.
HALLMARK CARDS: $64.89.

7. MISCELLANEOUS [SUBTOTALS BELOW], $371.06.
GASOLINE: $15.
CAR REPAIR/MAINTENANCE: $25.
PARKING FEES + TICKETS: $37.70.
BUS TO NYC/UBER IN TOWN: $34.93.
CANDLE: $19.19.
SUNDRIES: $101.65.
MAGAZINES: ABOUT $32. [Eating Well special issue; LIFE Mary Poppins special issue; small Taste of Home slow cooker magazine]
BOOKS: $80.
READING GLASSES/PEEPERS BRAND: $25.59.

TCOY

1. Hot bath.
2. Walked around NYC, and enjoyed it, as always. [Was in town to meet Sis at NYU Langone; she had a mammo-related procedure. I pray all is well; I think it is.]
3. Arranged to have Elaine get Punch off schoolbus so that I could be there for my Sis.
4. Cuban coffee; that tasted good.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET

Wow, so glad I found this in NYC. It is 10 cents less on Amazon--$9.89--but
the shipping is $16.50!

• Round trip bus from my corner to NYC, two tickets from ten-trip pack, $13.90.
• Biggest rip-off. I think I paid $6.49 for a single slice of pizza w topping in the Port Authority! Captive audience waiting for Greyhounds, etc. I wanted to eat lunch before walking to East Side around 2 p.m. All I could think is, maybe they charge so much because their rent must be superhigh with that large space. $6.49.
• Cuban coffee, $4.
• Grand Central Market after I walked Sis to her train. I love that market. Murray's, big 24-oz bag granola, $9.99; 8-oz. jar Velvet Bees honey butter, $9.99; and blackberry jam parfait with plain yogurt, $5.99=$25.97. Eli Zabar Bread, 12-oz bag of 8 small brioche rolls, $7.50; and two raisin pecan rolls, $1.95 each=$11.40. Total, $37.37.

DAILY TOTAL: $61.76.

ONGOING MARCH TOTAL: $370.10.