Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Getting Back In The Groove

Hey guys! I hope all is well. It is raining out right now and cold and gross. One of those days you just wish you could stay in bed and be a lazy ass. But alas there is no rest for the weary. I'm here today with  a grocery haul, a staple meal and a little bit of a victory.


I went to Trader Joe's yesterday morning and grabbed a few staple items. I got two bags of the chickenless strips because it doesn't hurt to have extra I guess. I also got romaine, a cucumber, some potatoes, an avocado, shredded and baby carrots, grape tomatoes, and some soft Gingerbread Oat Bars (!!!) that appear to be vegan from the ingredients (I hope I didn't overlook anything).


I also picked up some hummus from the Mediterranean store and stuffed grape leaves from a different grocery store… because obviously we have to go to 600 stores to get a week's worth of groceries, ha! These stuffed grape leaves are actually really good though so I don't mind the extra trip.


It's fitting that my first meal that I'm posting here is a staple meal of mine. This is lunch for today. I'm hoping to photograph a few more meals to post later in the week for you.

If you read my last blog over at nerdyonlongisland.blogspot.com you'll know I had a little bit of fail trying to sell jewelry at a street fair. For those of you that didn't see that I basically had my display taken out by someone else's unweighted tent before the fair even started. I lost a lot of stock, part of my display broke and the chains were tangled and knotted. I tucked my tail between my legs, shed quite a few tears and left. After that I basically had no desire to do any more fairs and was stuck with tons of jewelry.

About two weeks ago I received an e-mail from the organization that put on the street fair about an INDOOR Holiday Craft and Gift Fair being held on November 27. I decided that I was just going to do it and sent in my table fee and was set to participate. Last Sunday I packed up my car at 7:30 am and headed over. I had to make a few changes to accommodate the smaller space but I'm so happy with how my table looked (considering that part of my original display broke)


It wasn't extravagant but it looked nice. I was so happy with it. And most importantly I was really proud of myself. I don't exactly have a ton of confidence in myself and my abilities (which is something I'm working on) and the disaster from last time knocked the wind out of me. I still picked myself up and did it and I'm really glad I did. The fair wasn't really all that successful business wise and none of the vendors had a great day in terms of sales but it was a really big first step.

So there you have it! I hope that you all enjoyed your weekend. I am really excited because next week (Thursday) I will be heading to Florida to visit my friend. I really need this vacation after the busy wedding season. I'm a bit burned out and I am excited to have a few days of fun with my friend. I will be posting before then but I will also try my best to document what I can while I'm there!

Thank you all so much again for coming over here with me. I really appreciate you! <3

8 comments:

Beverlee said...

Soft gingerbread? I gotta go to Trader Joe's after I go to the grocery store, Whole Foods and my local Persian market ;). You totally called that one! I love how you set up your table - it just screams "You HAVE to come over here and see this cool jewelry!" I'm really proud that you overcame your previous bad experience; it could have been so easy to blow it off altogether and give up but you didn't. I hope there are many more venues you can showcase your talent :)

Hillary said...

I need those gingerbread bars in my life!
It's so nice to see your lunch!!! That really is a staple meal! I love stuffed grape leaves so much.
Your table looks really nice. I don't think it needs to be fancy, your beautiful jewelry speaks for itself! But it looks organized, and professional! I agree with Beverlee, I am super proud of you too. It's hard to not let nerves and fear take over! Hugs and high fives all around! Have so much fun in Florida!!

Sarah said...

Right?! I feel like I spend a full day grocery shopping sometimes. I guess it is worth it when you have a fully stocked kitchen to make whatever you want during the week.

Thank you so much! I was really glad I decided to do it. It was difficult to overcome the disappointment of the last one and while this one was disappointing business-wise, it was a personal victory for me.

Sarah said...

I keep forgetting that I have the gingerbread bars, I have to try one soon!

Haha thanks, I figured it would be appropriate that it is the first meal I post here.

Thank you so much, I was really happy with how it came out. Thanks again for you support, I hope that you are feeling better! Less than a week until Florida, I can't wait!

Ingrid said...

What a beautiful display of your jewelry!! I'm so glad you took the risk and participated in another event. I would definitely feel reluctant and defeated after your last experience; you are my hero for putting yourself out there again!

Every time I'm in TJ's, I pick up an extra something out of worry they'll stop carrying it. Colorado is such a paleo state, I wonder how many veg folk are purchasing!

Have a fantastic time in FL! I know you always have a great time, and this time won't disappoint, I'm certain!

Vegan In The VI said...

What an excellent post! I always appreciate when you take advantage of goodies I cant get anymore at TJ's and get a warm fuzzy seeing you still pack the same lunch you did back in the days of your first blog.

That is pretty major to set up a stand at the fair. Maybe you didnt sell much, but the connections and ideas make up for it.

Have fun in Florida. Post on what you cook and the sweets you buy!

Sarah said...

Aww thank you so much Ingrid! I am proud of myself for putting myself back out there!

I know, I've had things disappear too! I also hoard candy cane Joe Joe's because they are seasonal, ha!

Thank you! I can't wait!

Sarah said...

Thank you so much! Reading this made me really happy. I'm so glad you are liking the posts.

I am definitely proud that I did it and especially proud that I did it by myself. It was a big step for me.

Thank you! I'm so excited! I will definitely try to get lots of pictures!