Hello, hello! How’s the week going for you?
Ours is just flying on by over here. I can’t believe we leave for Florida tomorrow! Eek!
Before I get too intro-happy, lets move on to this week’s installment of What I Ate Wednesday.
And for those of you who don’t really care to see what I ate yesterday, you can scroll right down to the casual summer camp bargain shopping I threw into the middle of it all. (I’m sneaky like that.)
Thanks to Jenn for another week of hosting!
What I Ate (and Bought) Wednesday Tuesday
Breakfast started with a favorite from the freezer section.
Sorry for the blurriness there… apparently I don’t have as steady of a hand as I lead on. This one’s slightly better.
Van’s Organic Blueberry Waffles and almond butter sprinkled in hemp hearts seeds.
I didn’t get a chance for a snack before I was out the door to meet a lovely friend from church at her home for lunch. She absolutely spoiled me with delicious, healthy eats!
She greeted me with the most refreshing summer infused water she called flat tummy water via Step Into My Green World.
I could drink twenty glasses of it a day. It was so unbelievably fresh!
Flat Tummy Water: 6-8 cups water, 1 Tbsp. grated ginger, 1 sliced cucumber, 1 sliced lemon, 1/3 cup mint leaves.
Let the infused mixture sit overnight and enjoy!
We chatted for a couple of hours while she put together an amazing salad combination I have to try again at home.
Mixed greens, diced chicken, avocado, and goat cheese drizzled in balsamic vinegar.
I have a feeling this is just the beginning of many more homemade lunches to come. Thanks again, Pam!
As soon as I left her house, I was on a mission to find new (extremely) casual summer clothes. I honestly can’t even remember the last time I purchased even a tank top since moving up north. (That dang Polar Vortex took all of my money!)
Scott and I will be working at a summer camp with our former church in Orlando for a week, so it was time for me to pack and invest in something other than my daisy dukes from high school.
Missions like this always call for a TJMaxx or Marshalls stop, which is usually a total hit or miss. Lucky for me, this time it was a hit.
But first… what do you even pack to wear and look “staff-worthy” at a summer camp in hot, sunny Florida?
Shorts? Tanks? Summer dresses? Activewear?
My goal was to find items that could cross over into more than one category, and I started with three dry-fit active tops that could easy dub as regular tanks with jean shorts.
The top two are from a new-to-me (adorable) yoga line called 90 Degree By Reflex. I’m pretty sure I could have gotten this Highlighter Power Flex Tank in every color at the low Marshalls price of $9.99.
Oh hey, amazing Reebok Slim Sport Tank find on the bottom for $12.99. (Similar, similar, similar.)
I was in dire need of a few pairs of shorts I could wear around pastors and not blush, and was quite happy with these limelight yellow Tommy Hilfiger shorts for $24 and printed Dalia City Fit shorts for $16.99. (Similar to both.)
(Anddd goodbye, twenties…)
I had some essentials, but I really needed a spruce up in the ol’ plain tees and tanks department, so I gave Old Navy a shot.
It looks like I went crazy here… but I literally spent under $70. For everything you see below. #winning
First, I found the standards that every girl needs in her closet at $7.50 each.
(Vintage V-neck tees + neutral Perfect Rib-Knit tanks.)
Then I picked up two things I didn’t actually need, but couldn’t pass up at $12 each. Okay, maybe I needed the shorts.
(The Diva Cut-off shorts + Slub-Knit Henley Tank.)
And finally, I finished with a couple of tanks I couldn’t possibly pass up for the price. Have you ever noticed the bottom shelf on a lot of their display tables? Price Drop City, ya’ll.
(Perfect Pop-Color tanks for $4.49 + $1.47.)
Seriously though.
I got the one on the right for $1.47.
And, in true summer camp tradition, I couldn’t leave the store without my 2 for $5 flip-flops.
So I guess that’s a start for packing, right?
I haven’t bought that much at once in a very long time, but it was all very much needed and appreciated. And when you consider the price I got everything for, I don’t feel as bad.
I mean, when you think about it… that’s what I usually spend on a trip to Whole Foods. So there’s that.
Anyways, back to the eats! Where were we?
After I got home around 5 p.m., I reached for yet another Van’s find for a snack.
Van’s Gluten-Free Blueberry & PB Snack Bar
Followed by a small bowl of green grapes.
Soon after, we started thinking about dinner and I got embarrassingly excited when Scott said he’d bake chicken. I’m horrible at cooking chicken, so he usually tackles that while I whip up the sides.
After clean up, we took a break from working on our respective to-do’s and took Roadie with us in the car for a coffee run to Bean and Leaf Cafe.
I got a dirty chai tea latte that tasted strong and wonderful.
Don’t judge… there was a lot to get done!
I plan to pop back in this afternoon, but that all depends on how today goes. Either way, thanks for stopping in for What I Ate and Bought Wednesday. Apparently. Have a great one!
• If you liked this WIAW post, head on over to Peas & Crayons to check out plenty others, or even link your own!
• Also, you can always find my latest What I Ate Wednesday posts by exploring the “WIAW” tag on the right hand sidebar.
Questions of the Day
• What are some of your favorite stores for casual bargain shopping?
• What is one inspirational meal, snack or drink idea you’ve enjoyed this week? (Feel free to link it below!)

Old Navy is awesome! I always hated the store when I was younger, but over the last few years I have been able to find some great stuff and am always getting emails with all their discounts and bargains! I really love their Active line too!
Yes! I just started receiving the emails. Love their active line as well!
Cute finds! I love TJ Maxx when I don’t mind ‘hunting’ because I always find gems like these! Most of my bathing suit cover- ups are from there and they have cheap fitness equipment, too!
Love the bathing suit cover-ups! I was so tempted to branch out there… maybe next time!
Wow your dinner looked sooo good! And the clothes are awesome. Such good prices!
Thanks, have to give most of the credit to the hubs for the blackened chicken. It was delicious!
Awesome finds! TJ Maxx is one of my favorites, but I don’t get to Marshalls very often.
I had to go shorts shopping this summer when I realized I was past the 3 inch inseam phase of my life. Goodbye twenties, for sure!
Ha, yup. Just had that realization this summer. It’s a sad, sad day for the fringed cut-offs I’ve been sporting for ten years. 😉
I love Old Navy! I’m on my way to Gordman’s tomorrow, which is another store similar to TJ Maxx, but they actually have maternity clothes. And this mama-to-be’s in need of a few maxi dresses/skirts and shorts, since it’s getting so hot here.
I’ve never heard of Gordman’s! Great to know if I ever stumble upon one. Maxi dresses are my fav!
I love shopping for deals and Old Navy is a good one for easy summer clothes. That’s so fun you’re going to work at a summer camp.
Ha, I know! I’m excited though. Scott is emceeing… it should be quite entertaining! 😉
Old Navy is great for the basics, especially when they’re having one of their awesome sales. You got some cute stuff! I especially love the shorts you found at Marshall’s! TJMaxx and Marshall’s are awesome too. I went in to TJMaxx yesterday to look at some home decor stuff and I couldn’t help but walk through their clothes section. I found looooads of stuff I wanted! But, I resisted. Ahhhh!
Your dinner looks delicious! Cooking chicken always intimidates me too. I’m always worried I’m going to cook it too long and dry it out or not cook it long enough. I was pretty proud of myself last night though. I grilled some chicken on the barbecue all by myself, and it came out perrrrfect! Win! 🙂
You found amazing deals! I always love seeing what people buy when they go shopping!
I love TJ Maxx and Marshalls! You’re right, their stuff are pretty hit and miss but I have been fortunate to find some really great workout gear as well. The home and kitchen section at TJ Maxx is amazing! I have found some really great quality kitchenware there and saved tons of money!
I was WONDERING if 90 degrees by flex was sold at Marshall’s here in the states, because my blog-friend in Ontario Canada did a workout haul recently, and she pulled some amazing pieces from that line. I went hunting for it at TJ maxx but maybe Marshalls is the spot to go? Love your clothing choices!
I am definitely going to try that Flat Tummy Water. It sounds so refreshing, and it has been super hot here!!
It’s amazing on those hot summer days!
Oh wow! That’s really not bad, you’ve got A LOT for what you paid. I could also use a few workout tops. I guess I know where I am going tonight haha! That water looks super good. If you want to see more fun recipes for flavoured water check out my post from last week http://candiesandcrunches.com/2014/06/10/hydration-in-summer-making-it-fun-tasty-with-these-4-flavored-water-recipes/ I haven’t tried them all yet, but I am pretty darn excited haha! xoxo Olena
Yeah I definitely lucked out with the 90 Degree line! Thanks for sharing the flavored water recipes 🙂