 Hi gang, Can you believe it's already Thursday? This week seems to have just flown by! Today's my birthday so it's going to be a busy one. I had company this week and we stayed up late watching the annual meteor shower, eating and laughing! I haven't posted much this month because well, we were too busy enjoying life. Here are a few highlights of Augusts adventures (so far) and some of my birthday goodies:  So much Vegan goodness! We feasted!  Crappy Iphone Moon Picture...from one late night meteor watching.  Early gift to myself! You can never has too much storage and for TWO TB this was a STEAL! Read more about it here:   Even the desert greened up nicely!   Was surprised with these lovely birthday flowers :D   Love them!  And any excuse to make vegan cookies...  And more... (These are oatmeal chocolate chip) I have about a 100 more pictures (a lot of food, lol) but it's time to go do the next "thing" - I promise to post again really soon. The External hard drive is an affiliate link, but I really wanted to share that good price with you. My Mac Book Pro is FULL and that was a life saver...
Okay I'm off to brunch, speak soon! 
Happy Tuesday!
I hope you have some wonderful plans for today. We are in for a super hot day with temps 104'F / 40C #YIKES! I used to like warm days...they were perfect for laying by the pool or on the beach - a thrilling science fiction novel in one hand and ice cold beer in the other. #GoodTimes But sun worshipping isn't "my thing" anymore. The older I get, the more I care about my skin and more importantly the damage the sun has already done. As someone who laid out in an attempt to tan my pale nordic body I woke up one day and thought, "Maybe it's too late?!" Meaning too much damage had been done. But you know I'm not one to just roll over and accept 'fate' - So now I'm on a mission to both protect my skin from any further damage and also turn back the clock. I'm currently doing some personal research on all things skincare. There have been so many scientific advances in the field of cosmetics and skincare lately that it can be very overwhelming...Where do you even start? 
(A small sample of my current collection.) I'm also searching Amazon for other highly rated/recommended products.
These are some of the best sellers on Amazon and over the course of the next few months I will be trying vegan products out and reviewing for you.
My current (body) sunscreen is Banana Boat Dry Balance Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50. Gone are the days of greasy, oily sunscreen! This lotion drys to a nice matte finish and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth. I apply this before gardening, hiking or driving. You will need to reapply every two hours, but it is really working so far. (I've been using since about the 3rd of May.) 
Looks and feels more like "normal" lotion, not heavy or greasy.
This post does continue affiliate links, and I may receive a small commission of any sales. I only promote the products I use/feel are good values for you. By clicking the link it doesn't change the price of the product, but it does helps to support the cost of the blog. (So thank you!)
Also thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read my posts. I have a few new book reviews that should be out this week and some new vegan recipes, so do stop in again. Speak soon!  This is Part 3 of the Roswell Trip  Hi Travel Family, My last day in Roswell was tempered with cooler weather and a bit of shopping. We visited the Alien Invasion and ate impossible burgers from Burger King. Read part 1 and 2 and also overview of Roswell here from an older post. Most of the shops are on Main Street and easy to find. Call before you visit though, as not everything is open. Also most people have masks on and are social distancing. New Mexico is taking things seriously, so be prepared before you visit.  Even these guys are staying 6 feet apart.  We did a bit of shopping at the Alien Invasion. Its is a funky T-shirt shop. It has well made T-shirts (not your 2 for $20 set) and alien giftware. You can get something for everyone on your list here and spend as much or as little as you like (See pictures below). They also encourage pictures, so if you want some instagram snaps stop inside.     It's across the street from the UFO Museum.   Inside the shop...                From there we walked around a bit...    Love the street lamps...   We didn't go into the soap shop, I couldn't handle the smell.  See ya next time! Hi, I'm behind schedule today, so let's jump right in. I know what some other vegans are eating during the quarantine and it ranges from junk/comfort food to obsessive immunity builders, with lots of detox/cleanses thrown in for good measure. We went more "middle of the road" at my house. There is some vegan "junk" but also lots of greens and veggies. We really didn't change the way we ate all that much, expect for trying new things when the store was running low on food. Here is this weeks produce/food haul:  Opps! You can't see it all...  Quick video for better view. I ended up with:
I haven't been posting many food pictures lately because we are eating the same old thing. I do make a desert about every other day though instead of weekly like normal.  Stri fry :D  Cold Chickpea and Bean Salad  Oatmeal Blueberry cookies #YUM  I wash these petite potatoes, cut them in half, toss with olive oil and herbs/seasoning and roast @ 400' OMG they are so good!  Tofu, Cacao no-bake cheesecake...  The sweet potatoes I peel, toss with olive oil and chili powder and bake for about 1/2 an hour. OMG - serve with hummus or ketchup. I will attempt to post more food pictures soon, plus I have book reviews to write up, too. Right now the weather is perfect and I want to be outside.  The flowers are blooming and I'm ready for tea on the patio- Catch you later~
 Happy Thursday! It’s a chilly, rainy morning here in Central New Mexico. I thought we were going to beat the rain on our morning walk, but it started just as we got to about the halfway point! But all this rain equals amazing Spring flowers so I'm not complaining. There's lots to talk about this morning, so I'm just going to dive right in with another book review.  Thursday Short Review:
Deception Point by Dan Brown
This review contains affiliate links, but I never post about anything I don't love. Okay now I'm off to tackle the laundry and put on a pot of coffee. Have a great day! 
Happy Sunday!
I'm getting a late start this morning because I slept in. It was after 9:00 before I had my first coffee. Of course, the fact that I stayed up till 2:30 chatting on WhatsApp had nothing to do with it, lol. 
But regardless, it's a gorgeous day here and I'm going for a lovely, long walk this morning. But before I go run off, I thought I would knock out a few more book reviews, lol. I'm so far behind, that I really should be writing 10 at a time, lol - but we both know thats not going to happen. Today we will have to make do with two, instead.
Yesterday, while I was trolling for books on Amazon I noticed there was an Expanse novella that I hadn't read yet, so I scooped it up. Auberon came out in November 2019 and I have no idea how I missed it then? Oh yeah - I remember now, I was busy writing my book, lol. 
Sunday Short Review:
Auberon (An Expanse Novella) By James S.A. Corey
If you read the The Churn novella, you were given insight into Amos Burton and the Baltimore criminals. Erich from this novella is a main character in Auberon and his story is worth catching up on. Also read my review of Book One in this series here. Saturday Short Review II: The Churn: An Expanse Novella (The Expanse) By James S.A. Corey
I have paid links in this post, but trust me, I only make a small fee off them and never write about anything I don't personally love.
Okay I'm off for that walk now. Have a great Sunday!  This post contains affiliate links- Hi Travel Family! This week I'm planning a three day weekend/get together for late January at my place. I have about a million and one things to do, but I'm so excited! I was looking for a gold, glitzy type theme for our get-together, but wasn't finding much except some NYE type stuff. And this party will be weeks after....The stores are putting out Valentine's Day decoration already and thats not the theme I was going for. #Fail It is almost impossible to find party ware that isn't aimed at small children or birthdays. I need something elegant, not too pricey and simple. Is that asking too much? When I didn't find anything in town I turned to trusty Amazon and they didn't disappoint. I will show you the plates/cutlery when they arrive, (they were Prime so it will be soon, lol) and I also found some cute, fun little extras I can add to the goodie bags too! Like this:  AND ITS ON SALE! Beginning Jan 1, 2019, You can Save 15.0% on select products from Smart Tart Design with promo code 15QUITTER, through 1/30 while supplies last. (Cute, right?) AND I found a coupon code I can share with you! Hit the link to see other cool stuff they have on offer. I'm also thinking of decorating with something like this:  It will look cute, but not too Christmas-y. I also found a code for it! Save 55.0% on select products from WED with promo code 55BKKMPD, through 1/3 while supplies last. Click here to take a closer look. Thank you Amazon, for saving the day for this event! I'm also looking at making the guest room a bit more "homey" and less "spare room - throw unwanted junk in here" lol, which is the current theme. So I've bought some plants and a few pictures and was looking for a nice duvet to dress it up some. I found a good deal on a 3 piece Duvet Cover:  I love the all white look. I think it looks uber clean and modern. This code will save up to 50% off on this cute set!
So all in all it's been a very productive day! I'm still not finished, but I feel like I am at least making progress. Expect another post when everything arrives - and if you want to use the codes, get on it! They are all limited time deals - some of them don't start until Jan- click each to read the start/end date. Catch you later~  Carcassonne, France Hello Travel Family! Hope you're having a wonderful winter day! I was digging around on an external drive looking for business files and found these pictures from a sunny day in France. How was this four years ago??  Carcassonne is easily accessed by Train from Spain or by Ryan Air from the UK. The first time I flew over Carcassonne I knew I had to go explore! Reading about the fortified town is one thing, seeing it from the air is another!  The Cite at night is breathtaking!  Full of many hidden gems!  If you are at a loss as to where to go in the south of France (and want to avoid the trite American tourist destinations), I suggest Carcassonne. "Since the pre-Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne now stands. In its present form it is an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, with its massive defences encircling the castle and the surrounding buildings, its streets and its fine Gothic cathedral. Carcassonne is also of exceptional importance because of the lengthy restoration campaign undertaken by Viollet-le-Duc, one of the founders of the modern science of conservation." read more  The Medieval City is beyond impressive.  From there you can rent a car and explore further the countryside,  Out driving-- eating and shopping in small markets to.. #FrenchThings I'm missing France and all things French right now. From the wonderful food to the good friends I have made there. I love Paris, because who doesn't? But I also adore the beauty of nature and the friendliness of the people in the south of France.  Too pretty for weather... Hence the (null)  This trip we stayed three months and yes, I cried when we left. I love how clear the water was! We stayed in a three story gite, right beside the river and could look out the window and see the fish swimming by! We were also less than a block from cafes and shops. It was a prefect holiday and I cannot wait to go back!
 Yes, it's VEGAN leather! Hi there lovely reader, How are you? Are you as excited about winter travel as I am? Probably or you wouldn't be here. Until I can hop on the next train, plane or boat I'm at home working away to pay for all those upcoming adventures. So being I haven't done one of these "whats in my bag" posts in a long time I thought I would overshare with you today. (I did a What's in "My Shopping Bag" in 2016. If you want to go back down memory lane.) I actually changed out my trusty black bag for a more "fall vibe" this week. What do you think? It's a vegan leather bag from Vince Camuto I received from FFF. (I think it was in the autumn box, which I don't think I've even reviewed yet? ) Opps! I really like this vegan leather bag. I find it roomy, without being bulky. One downside is that it doesn't have a snap. A snap would make it perfect.   Pretty. no?  See? It needs a snap.  So how much stuff do you pack into your work bag? I usually have files or notes, depending on what meeting I'm going to or what I'm doing that day. Other than that I try to keep my load to a minimum.  So of course I have my Mac and art supplies....  But also a lot more...  I carry cords, a charger and ear buds. You probably do the same.  Plus external hard drive, a hair clip, pens, lipstick, lip balm, a mala and a tigers eye bracelet. The jewelry is for when I need to look more put together. They match most of what I wear day-to-day and can dress up my outfit if I suddenly have a meeting that requires me to look more professional. Same goes for the lipstick. The jewelry is from www.Serenityreikiclinic.com as are the small bags. I use them to corral the small items. I also carry a sketchpad and copic pens and assorted pencils.  So I can make art anytime!  Everyone usually asks about the earbuds...  Wireless is soooo nice! So thats currently all that's in my work bag. Half the time I don't even bother with carrying a purse. I just add my wallet and keys to this bag and off I go.
So tell me, what 'must have' essential am I missing? Or what is the one thing you can't live without in your bag? I'd love to here. Until then~  Not Guilty about much actually, lol - but the blogging challenge continues. This is a tough one, cause I really don't feel guilty about much. I work hard and live my life the way I want so I'm not really guilty about anything. #TrueStory I don't "cheat" as a vegan. I eat 80/20 healthy, plant based. I don't consume sugar, drink or smoke. I haven't had a Starbucks in so long I can't remember when?! So yep, I'm pretty boring and not guilty at all. Probably my number one guilty pleasure right now is too much online shopping.  #AnotherTrueStory But its my money and I work hard for it...so I'm not guilty at all. Lately I've been buying winter clothes, art supplies, vegan make up, stuff for the new house and of course stuff for my son.  Random purchase for the house.  Random sampling of beauty products, lol  Newest box.  Even though this kinda counts as online shopping, subscription boxes are another of my weaknesses. I'm currently receiving Vegancuts, Sketchbox, and Fab Fit Fun + add ons and up-sells on all of them. I stopped the beauty mask monthly box just because I wasn't using the masks fast enough. Now that I'm about out of masks I will restart that subscription. So compared to most people I know, thats not many at all.  Vegancuts  Good amount of random vegan snacks delivered to my door.  My TBR (To Be Read) pile of books is getting pretty low... so I'm not feeling guilty about that at all. If anything I feel like I need to make an effort to find more books. #Yikes!  And you? What are your guilty pleasures? Are you overspending or over indulging? Or are you like me and not guilty about it?
Tune in tomorrow as the blogging challenge continues~ |
Author Welcome to my (I used to travel) blog, my healthy Vegan lifestyle blog and my life! It's a lot, but it's my passions and I just love to write about it. Here I share tips, stories and photos from my adventures and life. This is the place where people can find daily inspiration to travel and motivation to live healthier lives and laugh a bit too! 
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