Frugal Fashionista Files: Mint Watch(es)

Let me start off by saying that I LOVE the color mint. That may be the biggest understatement of the week because I think my love is bordering on obsession. Mint is such a classic color, so cool and refreshing much like a mint mojito or a peppermint patty or a piece of spearmint gum. I’ve been scooping up lots of clothing and accessory items in this lovely hue recently and I haven’t limited it to just mint – I love all of its cousins too! There’s seafoam, honeydew, aquamarine, teal, turquoise…sigh…
Anyways, on to the fashionista files I mentioned in the title of this here blog post. The frugal fashionista files to be precise. I was on Pinterest back in May and pinned this adorable Anthropologie watch.

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I. was. in. love.

Wanted, needed and had to have it! But alas, it was on backorder till the end of July. And it was coming in at around $70-$75 with shipping. Not too bad for a watch but still. So I decided to hold off on the Anthro watch, settling instead for gazing longingly at it through my computer screen and wishing I could find one to call my own.

Enter Tar-jay. (Another obsession of mine to be honest). On a biz trip in June I was in the Tampa area and needed to kill some time before my flight home. So I did some shopping and came upon this fun double-banded watch in a lovely seafoam hue.

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At a mere $10 bucks, it’s great for adding some color to a casual outfit. Even with this new addition I was wishing I could find a chunky mint watch like the Anthro watch. So I did some poking around online and low-and-behold, Target had another mint watch in their midst!

This bad-mama-jama here.

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Sold out online (at the time) I was a patient gal, hitting up the watch section every time I needed to get something at the bulls-eye store. Patience paid off and I brought home my new baby on Tuesday!! For a mere $12.99.

Oh. Yeah.

So for $25 bucks I was able to add not one but TWO new mint-hued accessories to my wardrobe! Great deal and as it is only the beginning of July, 3 weeks before I would have even seen the Anthro watch arrive at my door. *does a happy dance*

Berry Delicious

Fresh berries. They’re delectable in pies, crumbles and cobblers. Simply delightful with fresh whipped cream or with my latest favorite, vanilla greek yogurt, dolloped on top. They also happen to be perfectly tasty all by themselves, freshly washed and straight out of the colander. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries are of course the well-known and common supermarket staple but there are a variety of others waiting to whet your pallet. Golden raspberries, boysenberries, acai berries, gogi berries and of course snozzberries if you’re familiar with Willy Wonka ;)

Not only are they tasty to eat but they’re great for you too. Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, they're also low in calories and blueberries are even considered a SUPERfood! In celebration of berries and all that is good in the world, I give you an easy and delicious berry recipe perfect for summer!

Blueberry Crisp - serves 8

Have it:
For the Filling
6 c. (3 pints) fresh blueberries
1/2 c. sugar
1 tbs. cornstarch
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp. coarse salt

For the Topping
3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant or quick-cooking)
1/2 c. chopped nuts, such as almonds
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. coarse salt
6 tbs. unsalted butter, softened
1/3 c. sugar

Do it:
1. Preheat oven to 375. Make the filling by mixing the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and salt in a bowl. Transfer to an 8-inch square baking dish.

2. Make the topping - in a medium bowl, stir together flour, oats, nuts, baking powder and salt. With an electric mixer (I use my KitchenAid - love it!) on medium speed, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir flour mixture into butter. Using your hands, squeeze topping pieces together to form clumps.

3. Sprinkle topping evenly over filling. Bake until filling is bubbling in the center and topping is golden brown, about 1 hour. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy alone or with ice cream or frozen yogurt (try out my new fav Atheno's frozen greek yogurt!).

Close up of the bubbly-goodness!

There you have it - a delicious and easy dessert that is low on prepwork but big on flavor! You could even do with another varietal of berry or a mix of berries. Yummers.

Source: Martha Stewart via People Magazine from her new cookbook Martha's American Food.