Category: Lifestyle

November Reading Wrap Up | Books I Read Last Month

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! December is here, and that means it is time to share with you the books I read last month. In this November Reading Wrap Up I will share a mini review of each book I completed. I began this series on the blog last month (see that post HERE), and I really enjoy sharing my reading with you in this format. My reading has definitely slowed down during this part of the year, but I still managed to read three books in November.

Help support my blog when you shop using the included Amazon affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera [BUY]

Goodreads: ★★★★

My Thoughts: They Both Die at the End is a young adult science fiction novel that takes place in our world, but with the twist that you receive a phone call letting you know when it is your death day. Main characters Rufus and Mateo received the fateful call, and decide to spend their last day of life together after meeting on the Last Friend App. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was sweet and emotional, and I think the relationship between Rufus and Mateo developed in a natural way. While Silvera’s first book, More Happy Than Not, is still my favorite of his, this one is very well done and I’m glad I gave it a read.

 

Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism by Melanie Joy, PhD [BUY]

Goodreads: ★★★★★

My Thoughts: This nonfiction book is one I think everyone should read. As the title suggests, this book introduces the reader to the concept of carnism, the invisible belief system that conditions people to eat certain animals. Joy does an incredible job of writing a book that is easy to read, but extremely informational. I learned a lot about the psychology of eating meat, especially in the United States. This book is well-researched, and provides the reader with the hard facts that are hidden by the factory farm industry. Plus, it is great that the author is not preachy – she simply wants the truth to be known and gives realistic tips on how to overcome what we’ve been taught to believe about meat.

 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid [BUY]

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

My Thoughts: After hearing great things about this book, I finally picked up The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in November. This novel tells the story of famous Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo. Now at the end of her life, she is ready to tell the truth of her seven marriages in a biography she is mysteriously giving to low-ranking journalist, Monique Grant. I completed this book in a few days, as Evelyn’s story is very captivating. She is one of those characters that I despise because of all the horrible things she has done, but still care for because of all she’s been through. If you are looking for a complex and entertaining novel that explores love in a new way, I highly recommend this book. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo also contains many diverse elements, such as biracial and bisexual representation.

What did you read in November? Let me know in the comments!

Follow my reading on Instagram! You can find my #Bookstagram HERE.

 

5 Kitchen Gadgets that Actually Work | Affordable Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you five kitchen gadgets that actually work. With holiday shopping season now in full swing, I wanted to give you some stocking stuffer ideas. I have used and loved all of the kitchen gadgets featured in this post today, and think anyone who enjoys cooking, or who is looking to learn cooking, will enjoy them as well. What’s better is that all of these products are super affordable and under $15.00 each!

This post includes affiliate links. All images are courtesy of Amazon or The Container Store. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

1. Silicone Garlic Peeler – Set of Two for $5.99 [BUY]

This silicone tube is so amazing at peeling garlic! Simply chop off the end of a garlic clove, stick it in the tube, and roll it on the counter. The clove is peeled in seconds, and it works every time! I got mine at Daiso, but you can easily score one on Amazon. I use a ton of garlic in my cooking, and this has cut down on a lot of peeling time for me. Plus, this is small enough to tuck into any kitchen drawer.

 

 

2. Jarkey – $4.99 [BUY]

My mom got me a JarKey for Christmas a few years ago, and I absolutely love using it! This handy little tool opens any jar for you with ease. Simply place it on the edge of a jar and gently push down until you hear a pop. Your jar will then open without any struggle on your part. You no longer need a grip, nor will you stick a jar under warm water to loosen the cover. I honestly get so excited to use my JarKey, and highly recommend it!

 

 

3. Veggetti Vegetable Spiralizer – $8.59 [BUY]

The next product is another one I was gifted by my mom a few years ago, and that is the Veggett! Yes, this is an As Seen on TV product, but it truly works. This mini vegetable spiralizer easily creates noodles out of your favorite vegetables. Whether you’re looking for a pasta alternative, or simply want to spiralize veggies for your salad, this Veggetti is awesome to have on hand. I love the small, compact size of this spiralizer, as it is easy to store as opposed to the larger models from competitor brands.

 

 

4. OXO Good Grips Pro Y-Peeler – $12.99 [BUY]

This is by far the best vegetable peeler I’ve ever used! Not only does the wide grip fit well in my hand, but the blade works flawlessly. The blade is stainless steel, and it can be replaced in the future should it wear out completely. Plus, this peeler is dishwasher safe! While there are more affordable peelers on the market, I think it’s worth the few extra dollars for this one!

 

 

 

 

5. OXO Good Grips Water Bottle Cleaning Set – $9.95 [BUY]

I love using reusable water bottles and coffee mugs, but they can be really difficult to hand wash. When my nephew was born, I noticed that my brother and sister-in-law had special brushes to clean his baby bottles. Sure enough, there are brushes for all size bottles! This particular set comes with three different attachments, so you can easy clean any shape and size bottle. Pair this fun brush set with a reusable water bottle, and it makes a nice gift!

 

 

That wraps up my top five kitchen gadgets that actually work! I hope this post introduced you to some new products, whether you are grabbing them for a stocking stuffer gift or for yourself. As always, I would love to hear from you in the comments! What are your favorite kitchen gadgets?! I love trying out new tools that help save me time and energy whilst cooking!

The Best Black Friday Sales for Bookworms | 2017 Black Friday Sale Roundup

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I am excited to share with you the best Black Friday sales for bookworms! I absolutely love shopping for books during the holiday season. Not only do books make amazing Christmas gifts, but I also love cuddling up with a book myself during the wintertime. I scoured the web for the best Black Friday deals on books to make your shopping easier!

This post includes affiliate and referral links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

1. Book of the Month Club – [SHOP]

Image courtesy of Book of the Month

My favorite subscription service is Book of the Month Club, and I think it makes the perfect holiday gift! Readers get to choose from five book selections each month, so you never get stuck with a book you won’t enjoy. Plus, each book is a new release in a beautiful hardcover edition.

From November 24 to November 26, 2017, use code GIFTBOTM to get $10.00 off a 6 or 12-month gift subscription. You can also shop Cyber Monday on November 27, 2017, and use code 2FORYOU to get two months for just $7.50 each plus a free tote bag!

 

2. Target – [SHOP]

Image courtesy of Target

If you are heading into Target for some Black Friday shopping, make sure to check out the book section! According to the store’s circular, books will be 50% off the publisher’s list price! That is an absolutely incredible deal, especially if you are looking to purchase some new releases. Target will also be offering free shipping on its website during the Black Friday sale.

 

 

 

3. Book Outlet – [SHOP]

Image courtesy of Book Outlet

If you are looking to purchase a bunch of books for a really low price, Book Outlet is the best! As the name suggests, this is an online outlet store for books. Books are always 50-90% off the publisher’s retail price, but during Black Friday the entire website will be an additional 30% off with no exclusions! The sale runs from November 23 at 10:00am EST to November 28 at 10:00am EST. Make sure to fill your carts fast, as books tend to sell out quickly! Book Outlet is by far my favorite online store for discount books.

 

 

4. Barnes & Noble – [SHOP]

Image courtesy of Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble always has a handful of great deals during Black Friday weekend. I think the most exciting part of the sale is the availability of special signed editions. Head in-store to purchase signed books by dozens of acclaimed and celebrity authors. Some of the authors include Fredrik Backman, Miyam Bialik, Chelsea Clinton, Neil Gaiman, and many more. Giving a special signed book is an amazing holiday gift, and makes a wonderful edition to any bookshelf!

5. Amazon – [SHOP]

Image courtesy of Amazon

Last but not least, Amazon will have several deals on books this Black Friday. Many of the offers will be flash sales, meaning that they are live for a limited period of time and only a specific quantity is available. I recommend keeping an eye on the Books section on the website to see which deals are upcoming so you can plan your purchases! In past years, Amazon also offered special coupon codes for books. For example, last year there was a $10.00 off $25.00 coupon. I will update this blog post if a coupon becomes available this year!

UPDATE: This year’s Amazon code is GIFTBOOK17 for $5.00 off print book purchases over $20.00.

That concludes my 2017 Black Friday Roundup for the best book sales! I hope you found this post helpful is you are shopping for a bookworm this holiday season, or if you are simply grabbing some new titles for your own bookshelf. As always, don’t forget to check out local independent bookshops to see what they have available! It’s important to support small businesses as well if you are able.

What is your favorite bookstore?! Let me know in the comments!

2017 Oh, Hello Stationery Co. Black Friday Sale + Gift Guide

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you Black Friday Sale information and a Gift Guide for one of my favorite small businesses, Oh, Hello Stationery Co. I’ve purchased from this brand for over two years now, and I love supporting shop owners Kayla and Alex. Not only are all of their products designed by them, but the customer service is fantastic. I think it is really important to support small businesses, especially during the holiday season. Oh, Hello is the perfect place to grab a gift for everyone on your list, and on Black Friday you can get more bang for your buck!

This post contains affiliate links. All images are courtesy of Oh, Hello Stationery Co. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Black Friday Sale Information

Here is a run down of Oh, Hello’s Black Friday Sale. The sale runs from Friday, November 24, 2017, through Sunday, November 26, 2017, on the brand’s website HERE. If you make one of the first 100 orders, you can use the code EARLYBIRD to get 25% off the entire website, and you will also get a pack of freebie stickers. All other orders can use the code BLACKFRIDAY for 15% off throughout the weekend.

Gift Guide

Oh, Hello Stationery Co. is known for its planner stickers, but there are so many great gift options available. I’ve combed through the website and picked out my top ten favorites. Please keep in mind that I have not tried out all of these items personally, but after being a regular customer of Oh Hello’s over a long period of time I feel comfortable sharing these gift ideas with you!

1. Beauty and the Book Enamel Pins – $8.75 [BUY]

Enamel pins are extremely trendy right now, and they make amazing stocking stuffers. Oh, Hello offers a wide variety of adorable pins, but my favorite is the Beauty and the Book design. I keep mine on my bookshelf as a decoration, but it can be worn on a jacket, hat, backpack, or simply displayed on a bulletin board. If you have a friend who loves reading, this is an amazing gift!

 

2. Autumn Love Pencil Case – $12.95 [BUY]

I am a huge fan of the Oh, Hello pouches. I personally own a makeup bag (see my full review HERE), but I think the pencil cases are great for anyone! They are made of a neoprene material and are extremely sturdy. Plus, you can personalize each case at no additional cost. I love the Autumn Love design, but there are several cute patterns available.

 

3. Personalized World’s Greatest Mom Floral Mug – $16.97 [BUY]

Who doesn’t love getting a mug for Christmas? Pair it with some coffee or hot chocolate and you’ve created a wonderful, custom gift! I own an Oh, Hello mug and absolutely love it. Once again, there are a variety of styles from which to choose, but I think the World’s Greatest Mom design is very beautiful.

 

 

4. Doughnut Traveler’s Notebook Bundle – $18.95 [BUY]

Traveler’s Notebooks are all the rage right now, and Oh, Hello carries its own line in both the A6 and B6 sizes. I think this doughnut themed set makes a great gift. You can pair it with a pen or notebook cover as well!

 

 

 

5. Monthly Planner Sticker Subscription – Starts at $19.96 [BUY]

Picking out a gift for the planner lover in your life can be really difficult. Why not make things easy with a sticker subscription? Each month’s kit comes with a 7-sheet sticker kit, roll of washi tape, greeting card, and surprise bonus item. Each kit is beautiful and sure to make your planner buddy smile!

 

 

6. Greeting Card Sampler Pack – $24.99 [BUY]

A nice stationery set is always a wonderful gift. Oh, Hello creates fun and witty cards that they hand-cut and print themselves. This 12-piece set includes a variety of cards for events throughout the year.

 

 

 

 

7. Washi Tape Grab Bag – $5.97 [BUY]

If you have a friend that loves washi tape, a grab bag is the way to go! Each grab bag comes with 4-5 random rolls of washi that is amazing quality. I’ve used several rolls of Oh, Hello washi and highly recommend it. The designs are always beautiful!

 

 

 

8. Customizable Navy Whimsical Floral Planner Case – $24.95 [BUY]

If you have a friend that is always on the go, a planner case is a great gift option. Each planner case is made with the same neoprene material as the pencil case. They measure 12″ x 9.5″ and fit an Erin Condren planner with room to spare. There are many designs available, but my favorite is this floral pattern. You can also get the case personalized for no extra charge.

 

 

9. Customizable Row of Books Clipboard – $17.75 [BUY]

Looking for a unique teacher gift? Grab a customizable clipboard! Not only does this keep paperwork in check, but it doubles as a dry erase board! I’m in love with this Row of Books design since I love reading.

 

 

 

10. Shoot for the Stars Coin Purse – $5.95 [BUY]

Last but not least is this adorable coin purse! This reminds me of the pouch I used to carry around in college for my dorm keys and student ID. It measures 5″ x 3″ x 1/8″ and has a heavy duty zipper. The coin purse makes an excellent stocking stuffer, and you can even slip a gift card inside as an added treat!

 

 

That wraps up my 2017 Gift Guide for Oh, Hello Stationery Co.! I hope this introduced you to a new small business, or helped give you holiday shopping inspiration. If you miss the Black Friday Sale, you can use my coupon code POLISH15 for 15% off any order at any time.

What is your favorite Oh, Hello product? Let me know in the comments!

PerfectlyFree Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert in Caramel Café | Vegan Ice Cream Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I have a review of a new-to-me variety of vegan ice cream from the brand PerfectlyFree. I love to look through the ice cream case at the grocery store to see if there are any new vegan ice creams available, and I spotted the PerfectlyFree line right next to Ben & Jerry’s. I love to try any vegan product, but I got really excited when I saw the price tag for this brand. Each pint was on sale for $2.50! That is about half the price of Ben & Jerry’s, so I knew I had to try it. I grabbed the flavor Caramel Café and got to tasting!

PerfectlyFree is a brand that is focused on providing products that are Big 8 Allergy-Friendly. Thus, if you are allergic to dairy, gluten, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, egg, fish, or shellfish, you are able to enjoy this non-dairy frozen dessert. Of course, I love that it is vegan friendly! PerfectlyFree has three flavors of ice cream: Strawberry Sundae, Caramel Café, and Fudge Swirl. I decided to grab Caramel Café since it can be difficult to find caramel products that are vegan.

Here is a look at Caramel Café. As you can see, you get a ton of caramel mixed in with the vanilla ice cream! As for how the ice cream tastes, I think it is delicious! The texture is really nice and creamy, and it definitely tastes very much like traditional ice cream. I did find this flavor to be very sweet, so keep that in mind if you are not into sugary treats. Otherwise, I cannot think of anything about this ice cream that I did not like! I even repurchased it again because I enjoyed it so much. If you are looking for a more affordable vegan ice cream, I think PerfectlyFree is a great one to try.

All in all, I’m so glad I decided to try the PerfectlyFree Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert in Caramel Café. So many of the vegan ice creams available are quite expensive, and this brand allows me to satisfy my sweet tooth without going over my grocery budget. I also love that the PerfectlyFree flavors are quite simple, so I can add in my own toppings if I so choose. I hope the brand will release even more flavors in the future!

What’s your favorite vegan ice cream? Let me know in the comments!

 

My Top 5 Vegan Leather Fashion Items

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I thought it would be fun to share with you some of my favorite vegan leather fashion items. I absolutely love leather when it comes to clothing and accessories, and I think it’s amazing that there are so many faux leather options out there! Before I was vegan I did own many real leather handbags and pairs of shoes. While I liked each piece, the leather wore out quite quickly and required a lot of care if I wanted it to look nice for a long period of time. Not only is faux leather often much more affordable than real leather, but I’ve had amazing luck with the wear of vegan leather, too. Here are my top five vegan leather fashion items!

This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Image courtesy of DSW.com

G by GUESS Brittain Combat Boot [BUY]

The newest addition to my wardrobe is this pair of boots from DSW. I recently found out that G by GUESS offers faux leather boots, and I love this particular style. These boots are very comfortable, and they go with any outfit from jeans to dresses. Plus, they are quite affordable at just $59.99 at DSW. This will be my go-to pair of boots this fall and winter!

Image courtesy of express.com

Express (Minus the) Leather Double Peplum Jacket [BUY]

One of the oldest vegan leather items in my closet is an amazing jacket from Express. I purchased this jacket in 2015, and cannot believe how well it has lasted over time. This vegan leather jacket is perfect for the fall and winter months, and I like to pair it with a plaid blanket scarf and black beanie hat. I’ve even taken this jacket in my suitcase several times, and it still looks almost new! While the retail price is $128.00, Express often offers coupons and sales. Nonetheless, I think this jacket is worth the investment seeing as I’m going on my third fall with it.

Image courtesy of forever21.com

Forever 21 Pebbled Faux Leather Wallet [BUY]

Another faux leather item that I’ve used and loved for years is a wallet from Forever 21. Back in law school I interned at a fashion company, and it was frowned upon to use products from competitor brands. I ended up buying this wallet as a replacement for the branded one I owned, and I’ve used it ever since! I cannot believe that a vegan leather wallet I paid less than $15.00 for has lasted me almost three years now. It has just started showing signs of wear, and it is the only wallet I’ve used! I highly recommend it!

 

Image courtesy of jcpenney.com

Liz Claiborne Mini Tuxedo Satchel [BUY]

As I mentioned at the start of this post, I used to love using leather handbags. One of my favorites was a Michael Kors satchel. Once I went vegan, I wasn’t comfortable using that bag anymore, so I sold it on ThredUp and purchased this faux leather bag at JCPenney. I’ve used this bag for about five months now, and really enjoy it. The material feels just like the real leather I used to use, but it is man made instead. Of course, the bag is also really affordable since it is sold at JCPenney. With sales and coupons I got this bag for under $30.00!

Image courtesy of jcpenney.com

Arizona Lexie Bootie [BUY]

Last but not least is another item from JCPenney. I purchased a pair of wedge booties last year, and absolutely love them! The Lexie bootie is made from faux suede, and features a 3-inch heel. I love that these booties are very comfortable to wear since they are wedges. They can also go with many different outfits, and are extremely affordable with a regular price of $59.00. As always, make sure to take advantage of the sales and coupons offered at JCPenney!

That wraps up my favorite vegan leather fashion pieces! I hope this post introduced you to some new faux leather items or clothing brands. If you love leather, but want to go vegan, it’s really easy to find affordable options from a variety of retailers! You can also grab THIS pin from PETA that lets others know your leather is fake if that makes you more comfortable.

What is your favorite faux leather fashion piece? Let me know in the comments!

October Reading Wrap Up | Books I Read Last Month

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! It’s been a while since I shared any book reviews with you on the blog. I thought I would jump back in by doing a quick wrap-up of the three books I read last month in October. My reading has definitely slowed down a bit in the latter half of the year as I’ve focused on other things during my spare time. That being said, I did manage to read three books in October, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on them with you. Make sure to let me know in the comments if you enjoy these reading wrap-up posts, or if you prefer full length book reviews.

Help support my blog when you shop using the included Amazon affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart [BUY]

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

My Thoughts: I absolutely loved E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars, and had high hopes for Genuine Fraud. This young adult mystery novel follows Jule, a teenager on the run. I really liked how the story is told backwards in this novel. That was a unique take on a mystery, and I found the writing to be very well done. However, I was a bit disappointed with this book. While I can appreciate an open ending, Genuine Fraud lacked a true conclusion. The book also ended without much character development for Jule. I’m glad I read this book, as it was truly a creepy mystery for Halloween season, but I would only recommend it if the synopsis really calls to you.

We’ll Always Have Summer (Summer #3) by Jenny Han [BUY]

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

My Thoughts: I absolutely fell in love with the Summer series by Jenny Han. I finished up the third book this month, and I’m really happy with how the story came to a close. This series follows a girl named Isabel (Belly, for short), and her time spent at Cousins Beach with her family and family friends each summer. Readers get to grow up with Belly as she learns to navigate love, loss, and life. I felt a strong connection to these books, and know I will return to them again in the future. This series is often criticized for reading too juvenile, but I disagree with that and find the stories show great depth. If you’ve considered reading this series in the past, I highly recommend it!

Warcross (Warcross #1) by Marie Lu [BUY]

Goodreads: ★★★★

My Thoughts: I picked up Warcross this month after hearing so many good things about it from other readers online. This young adult science fiction book takes place in a not-so-distant future where a virtual reality game called Warcross has taken over the world. Our protagonist is Emika Chen, a bounty hunter who accidentally hacks into the game during the championship’s opening ceremony. Emika is then hired by the creator of Warcross to help find a mysterious figure who is altering the game. I thought this book was imaginative and a lot of fun. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, but I’m still very much looking forward to the sequel. If you like science fiction with a hint of romance, Warcross is a great choice!

What did you read in October? Let me know in the comments!

Follow my reading on Instagram! You can find my #Bookstagram HERE.

 

Vegan Recipes I’ve Tried and Loved | Fall Dinner Ideas

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I am excited to continue on with my series where I share with you vegan recipes I’ve tried and loved. It can be really time consuming to search for the perfect recipe online. In fact, I comb through dozens of recipes before I find one that I hope will work for me! Today I’m saving you some time and sharing four fall dinner recipes I highly recommend. Each of these recipes is simple to make, but absolutely delicious. I still consider myself to be a beginner cook, so if I find these recipes manageable, there is a very good change you will, too. Let me share these vegan recipes that are perfect for fall with you!

Easy, Healthy Vegetarian Lentil Soup Recipe [LINK]

I haven’t always been a big fan on lentils, but I definitely want to find new ways to enjoy them since they are an amazing source of plant-based protein and other vitamins and minerals. I began with this super easy soup from The Spruce. If you are new to making soup, this is a great place to start. There are less than ten ingredients, and the recipe is easy to customize as well. I found this lentil soup to be very tasty!

 

Curried Potato & Lentil Soup (1-Pot!) Recipe [LINK]

I then kicked my lentil game up a notch by trying this amazing soup from Minimalist Baker. This curry-flavored soup is still quite simple to make, but it is so flavorful and packed with amazing fall foods. I left out the ginger and coconut sugar, and used sweet potatoes and green kale. I cannot stress how delicious this soup is! I highly recommend trying this if you are looking for a unique soup that is a bit on the spicier side.

Easy Chickpea Curry Recipe [LINK]

Another curry dish that I’m loving lately is from the website Say Yes. My sister-in-law shared this recipe with me, and it is an easy dinner to whip together in a short amount of time. As per my sister-in-law’s suggestion, I add about one cup of coconut milk to the curry recipe. I did use dried ginger the first time I made this, but I’m going to skip that step in the future. I’m not a huge fan of ginger, and this dish can easily go without it and still be very flavorful. I served the curry over Indian style rice (my favorite is Kasmati from RiceSelect). I really love this dinner, and it also heats up really well for leftovers. Throw in some different veggies each night to keep it interesting!

Spaghetti Squash with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce Recipe [LINK]

Last but not least is this amazing spaghetti squash dish from the blog Lean Green Nutrition Fiend. I love anything pumpkin based in the fall, and this was a fun new way to eat it! I would describe this dish as a plant-based macaroni and cheese. I, of course, made the recipe using Nutritional Yeast instead of cow’s cheese, and I left out the red pepper flakes. This isn’t a recipe I would make all the time since it has a very distinctive flavor, but I will definitely be making it again at some point. If you’re looking for a festive autumn dish, this is perfect!

That wraps up my four vegan dinner recommendations for the fall season. I hope you discovered a new yummy meal to make! I will have another blog post very soon featuring all of the sweet treats I’ve tried lately, so make sure to follow my blog to see when that goes live. As always, if you try one of these recipes, please tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter so I can see your creation!

What is your favorite fall food? Let me know in the comments!

This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Yogurt Alternative Review | Strawberry

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I have a review of a vegan yogurt from the brand So Delicious. I will be honest with you – I have never liked eating yogurt, but I wanted to give the vegan variety a try to see if it tastes different. I had a coupon for So Delicious, and I decided to grab the Coconut Milk Yogurt Alternative in the flavor Strawberry to try. Let me share my thoughts on this product with all of you!

The So Delicious yogurt is coconut milk based. I was quite surprised to find that this container has less than one gram of protein, but 15 grams of sugar. That’s quite disappointing! I know many people enjoy eating traditional yogurt for breakfast because it is high in protein, but this one does not pack the same about of nutrients at all. I am glad to see that the yogurt does have 20% each of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

I picked up the strawberry flavor of yogurt. As soon as I opened the package I smelled that distinctive yogurt smell. Keeping in mind that I did not eat much yogurt as a non-vegan, I find this So Delicious Yogurt Alternative to taste exactly like traditional yogurt. The strawberry flavor is nice, and the consistency is the same as non-vegan yogurt. Unfortunately, that means I personally do not like this product, but I am glad that vegans who do love yogurt will not have to miss out on a favorite food!

Overall, I’m quite impressed that the So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Yogurt Alternative tastes just like traditional yogurt. I do wish it contained much more protein and a bit less sugar, but if you are a yogurt lover who wants to go vegan, this is a great option for you! You can learn more about this product on the So Delicious website HERE. I’m glad I tried out this product even though I ended up not liking it much. It’s always fun seeing how a vegan alternative compares to the traditional option!

Have you tried a vegan yogurt? Let me know in the comments!

 

My KonMari Journey | Decluttering Paperwork

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! My KonMari journey continues today with a chat about my experience decluttering paperwork. After dealing with my book collection (see that post HERE), I was ready to tackle some items with which I did not have an emotional connection. While I do own a lot of papers that I consider sentimental, such as letters, cards, and photos, I am saving all of those paper memorabilia items for the end of my KonMari journey when I go through the sentimental category. The paperwork I will be discussing today includes all of the boring stuff – bills and statements, manuals, newspaper and magazine clippings, schoolwork, etc. Let’s talk about decluttering paperwork and how this process went for me!

This blog post will not contain any photographs of my actual paperwork as I wanted to ensure any confidential information was kept private. I do apologize that I cannot share more of this decluttering process with you, but I still wanted to share my thoughts on decluttering papers.

Here’s what my file tote looks like!
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When I placed all of my paperwork into one large pile through which to sort, I had two piles of old schoolwork, two piles of miscellaneous papers, and one plastic file bin half filled with old papers. I started with all of the papers that were not school related, and found it very easy to weed through them. Marie Kondo recommends keeping only those papers for which there is a clear purpose. She also says it is important to keep a pending box for all of those papers that require your attention, such as bills that need to be paid, recipes you want to try, and cards to bring to the post office. This pending box allows you to keep sorting through your paperwork without attempting to complete any tasks that may interrupt the process. However, it is important to set a date to go through your pending box and complete all of the needed paperwork so it doesn’t sit uncompleted forever.

I couldn’t believe how easy it was to declutter my papers! I had tons of paperwork from when I first applied to college. That was ten years ago now! Why did I originally keep all of the informational brochures and various letters from each school? I separated all of the papers I was discarding into a pile that needed to be shredded and a pile to recycle. After going through all of the papers, I could fit all of them into about one-third of the plastic file tote! This leaves me plenty of space for future tax years, and I might even get a storage box that is half the size once my tidying campaign is over.

When it came to my schoolwork, I did break Marie Kondo’s rules a little bit. She recommends getting rid of all your old coursework, but I decided to keep some of it because I only graduated from law school a couple years ago and am still in the early stages of my career. That being said, I did pay careful attention to what I was keeping and what I could easily recycle. This process took a long time, but in the end my two piles were reduced to one. I even ended up with a spare storage crate!

All in all, tidying papers was much easier than I expected. It took me a total of three hours and forty-three minutes to declutter my paperwork, but the time went by quickly and it was very easy to feel what sparked joy. I recognize that my starting pile of papers was probably smaller than the average person’s, but that is because I only have my papers to deal with and I’m still quite young. Nonetheless, I think tidying your papers will be much easier than you think if you follow the KonMari method! As always, feel free to divide the paperwork category into smaller categories that work for you so you do not get overwhelmed.

How do you store paperwork? Let me know in the comments!