It all started with an iced strawberry latte...

Higher Grounds (this cute coffeeshop in Freeport) had me at "Iced Strawberry Delight!"  Just the name made my heart go pitter patter...

The ingredients:  vanilla (there's nothing wrong with vanilla), strawberry (it's summer, afterall), and havelnut.  Granted - I do realize that this beverage probably contained more sugar than I have consumed in the past MONTH...and did I stop and ask myself, "Is this beneficial for me?"  The truth would've been NO!  NO, THIS IS NOT HEALTHY!  But the reality...I only see Sara once a month and I have been sooo good that I did not feel in the least bit guilty about enjoying this summer-ish iced beverage.  It cost me a pretty penny.  And I am happy to report, I no longer make it a point to stop for coffee multiple times during the week.  Since I started at the District (almost 2 years ago), I have enjoyed the fresh brewed coffee at work.  We have a BUNN machine there.  And that fine piece of equipment brews coffee like none-other.  I would even say, it brews coffee better than my deceased coffeemaker...and well, you know how I felt about him. 

After purchasing our coffee splurge, we headed out for the subdivision garage sales.  Sara found many more treasures than her trusty sidekick...but no worries, I did purchase a couple items.  I was looking for purses, totes, and shoes.  I found a pair of black heels...well, TECHNICALLY Sara tried them one and I saw how super-cute they were.  They didn't quite fit her feet so she handed them over...reluctantly...but she did hand them over.  :)  What a good friend.  Oh - and did I mention they were black?  She and I both have a thing for black shoes...her more-so than yours truly...but I don't get me wrong, I love a good pair of black shoes.

As the humidity level went up, we decided to go to the Goodwill and enjoy some air conditioning.  We perused every rack.  I had about a dozen things I tried on...but only LOVED two items -- a long, green, big button-up the front, long-sleeved green wool sweater from Anne Taylor's collection.  I love her Loft.  :)  I love it LOTS at the thrift.  My second item purchased was a lime green and white sundress - perfect for work or to wear downtown on Friday to the outdoor market and free movie.  (Anyone game?)  I did try on a brown dress from Dress Barn that was utterly-delightful...however I felt that it was too dressy for church.  It was brown v-neck with camoflauging around the waist (it had an extra band of material).  It was knee length with a swingy skirt.  It was beautiful however I didn't love it.  I tried it on and thought, If I had some place special to wear a dress like this, I would totally buy this....I just can't shove you in my closet and leave you there.  It's wrong.  You belong on someone fabulous!  And that fabulous girl was not me.  I did observe a moment of silence when we parted ways.  I believe Sara observed it too. 

We determined that we needed lunch.  Too quote Sara, "After we try this on, I must take sustenance." 

We left the thrift and enjoyed lunch at Culver's.  For me, there's something sooo addictive about their cashew chicken salad.  It is lettuce, snap peas, cashews, cheese, chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, and raspberry vinegarette.  Well - guess what?  I put all of those items on my grocery list.  I am going to copy their recipe and probably have enough for a week!!!! 

After nourishment, we went to Twice As Nice.  It's a cute thrift store nestled in downtown Freeport.  This was my second trip there.  My first trip there was last summer....and I still remember purchasing these super cute red heels that made Sara sooo jealous.  :)  Jealous in a good way...  Anywho -- I forgot that they don't have carts...so I had to carry around 8 (or so) skirts, a couple dresses, and some tops...it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.

Rosie was parked at Higher Grounds.  We retunred only to lament the fact that the coffeeshop closed at 3 p.m.  You see, we had to learn that lesson the hard way last summer during our fun day out in honor of Sara's birthday!  We now know. 

My trip back to Rockford was uneventful and rather boring.  I did find a house that sold farm fresh eggs!!!  Yeah!!!  There's something soo wonderful about having yolks that are actually the color of yolks and not pale yellow...

Upon returning to the city, I felt kind of sluggish and chalked-it-up to the heat and humidity and perhaps all the bad stuff I have consumed in the past 24 hours...so I got out my gym bag and headed to the gym.  Unhappy to be there, my hour eliptical time went by surprisingly fast.  I figured because I was sulky that it would drag on and on and on and on...but it didn't. 

After working-out, I had to run into Target -- thankfully I did not see a single soul that I knew.  It's funny - I can run into Target or Woodman's when I look decent and presentable and not see a single soul I know.  Other times I run in after working-out...and I am not looking presentable or delightful and I see 3 or 4 people I know...Murphy's Law, I guess. 

Thankfully no one was at Target...

I was unable to leave Target without a small container of plain, unsalted cashews.  I told myself, "You are buying these for the salad..."  But let me just stop right there -- I wasn't.  I was buying them because cashews are the new dark chocolate for me.  And I have to be careful that I don't consume my body weight in them.  I mean over the course of my lifetime -- that would be fine.  But in one week...not a good idea. 

While rummaging through my wallet in search of my debit card, I saw my $10 coupon for Kohl's.  (Thank you, co-worker O'Mine!)  Since the coupon expired today, I ran in and bought a cute purple t-shirt.  It's kind of dressy-ish...and it cost me...Are you ready for this?  You'd better sit down.  A whopping 44 cents.  I must say - that's way better than the thrift prices plus the shirt is brand new.  Thanks a bunch, fabulous co-worker!!!!  I love it when she gets those coupons in the mail because she doesn't ever go to said store so she is always passing them off to me.  Normally I purchase accessories but I wasn't feeling accessories tonight...infact I was kind of tired by the time I worked-out and ran through Target. 

Soooo here it is 10 p.m.  What a great Saturday!