three things i’m packing

I’m headed back to Philadelphia today for one last visit before we move and banging out this post in record speed before I get on the road.  I had such a great time on my last trip, I’m worried that the bar has been set a little too high. I’m driving down instead of taking the train so I am relying on Podcasts instead of magazines.  I’ve got all my faves – Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me, This American Life, The Moth, and TED Talks all lined up and ready to go.

Yesterday I hit the T&T’s in preparation for my trip.  That’s the holy duo of Target and TJMaxx where I troll clearance racks for ridiculous deals.  And since I’m not buying any home decor these days, my wardrobe is benefitting from my perceived need for summer frocks.  It’s very easy to justify another purchase under the guise of moving is so stressful, I’m a single parent (albeit temporarily), I need to be cute for the 36 hours a week I do see my husband.  I mean we are talking $10 clearance items here not splurges on The Row.  And even those add up.  But this post is supposed to be about three things I’m packing for the weekend.  I’ll highlight my clearance shopping habits some other day.

1) Aveeno Naturals Protect & Hydrate lotion spf 50.  This was somewhat of an impulse buy when I was picking up sunscreen for the boys (looking at a lot of sun and heat in New England this weekend – a scorcha).  I put sunscreen on my face daily but not on my neck and chest.  I’m hoping that this new product will help me get in the habit of protecting my aging skin which I can’t ignore much longer.  Turning into one giant sun spot. This better work Aveeno.

2) Justin’s Milk Chocolate Almond Candy Bars.  They had me with their individual packets of almond butter, but now I’m hook, line and sinker for Justin’s Candy Bars.  I try not to eat a ton of candy and thanks to high fructose corn syrup there is very little that I can eat.  Heath & Skor are the exceptions, but they don’t offer me any actual energy.  This almond bar is basically like a Snickers with almonds and the ingredients list doesn’t read like a science lab inventory.  Yesterday during my T&T shopping excursion I could feel my stamina waning and reached for one of these.  It carried me through at least eight more clearance racks and two more rounds in the dressing room.  They’re packed for Philadelphia because there’s nothing worse than an impending crash when you’re walking around the city.

3) Tocca Aqua Profumata Amalfi.  I haven’t worn a scent in years but have been thinking about trying out a new one.  I am a big fan of Jo Malone and wore Grapefruit back in ’04  and Orange Blossom at my wedding (which was almost 10 years ago, so yes it’s been awhile).  Then I saw this Tocca scent which is a very light, perfumed water on clearance for $10 at TJMaxx and figured what the heck.  It’s very light and summery and low commitment.  And the bottle is pretty.  And it’s Tocca which is Italian and glamorous and romantic in a sensible sort of way.

Stay cool this weekend.  Did I mention that I’m dying to see Before Midnight??!?!  It’s one of those movies that could be incredibly touching and way too close to home – my favorite kind.   But it doesn’t open near me until June 7th, just enough time to catch Before Sunrise and Before Sunset on Amazon Prime Video.