PSSA: Sanuk yoga mat flip flops

Unlike most ladies in the universe, I don't enjoy shoe shopping very much. I like shoes but shopping for them is a huge pain since I have wide feet and only a narrow selection of shoes fit my feet (haha, get it?) :oP Even for running shoes, I really only find Nike and New Balance comfortable. Imagine the difficulties of finding a comfy pair of flats or heels! Maybe it's my feet or just my shoe-discomfort-tolerence level... but I've never owned a comfortable pair of flip flops (that I could withstand walking long distances with). Until now.

A couple weeks ago, Amanda of Kevin [&] Amanda posted about her five favorite summer things.  Number one was Sanuk Yoga Mat Flip Flops.

(Source)

I was intrigued. Flip flops with a footbed made from yoga mats. I had contemplated getting some Rainbows since people seem to swear by them and wear them like comfy shoes. But shelling out ~$45 for a pair of flip flops (considering I did not consider myself even remotely a flip flop person) seemed like a lot.

After a quick search online showed these Sanuk flip flops to be about ~$23 ($20-25 depending on color, retails $30) and reading some reviews, I decided to give them a try since I cannot walk with Old Navy ones for more than like 8 minutes (they hurt!) and a more sturdy pair from Target, the footbed was rather not soft.

I found them cheapest on Amazon (esp if you have Prime's free 2-day shipping) and ordered a pair of Sanuk Women's Yoga Mat Flip Flop in brown.  Brown because it was 1) a trial run with a shoe I was ordering online (this has resulted in uncomfortable purchases before), 2) brown was slightly cheaper than the black pair and the top of the straps looked dark enough to be wardrobe compatible.

In Brown!  (Source)

I LOVE THEM.  They don't hurt my feet for the mile walk to the train station!  (Though I've recently developed a small blistering feeling -- it's not one though -- under my right foot on my return walk home, but that's probably just me and not a problem with the flip flop.  Especially since it's only on the right foot.)  After two days of owning them, I sent my mom a pair and she loves them too!  They will probably be everyone's birthday/Christmas present this year.  :oP  They have a men's version which they call Beer Cozy. haha.  I'm sure it's the same material but more manly sounding.  :oP

A note on the size.  They don't come in half sizes.  I'm normally a 7.5 so I decided to order a size 8, since that's what I've been doing for other flip flop purchases and I would've hated for my toes to hang out or touch the ground when walking!  The size 8's are fine and dandy but sometimes there is some excess flip-flop at the top (too long).  (By sometimes I mean if my foot isn't pushed all the way in the "thong" part.)  Next time I might try a size 7.

Sanuk also has other "models" in their yoga mat line.  The strap on the one I've been talking about, the "classic," is kind of thick.  Probably more comfortable but maybe not as delicately pretty for "going out in a pretty dress" (or something).  You can check out all their other kinds of yoga mat flip flops here.  The brand as a whole also makes other non-flip-flop material sandals and "sidewalk surfers" which look like cloth loafers?  Shoelace-less cloth Keds?  I don't know, you can check it out yourself.  :]

Have you tried Sanuk yoga mat flip flops?  Are you going to now?  :D  If you do, let me know how you like them!


Disclaimer: Sanuk has no idea who I am and I just wanted to preach some magical flip flop goodness!  Especially for anyone like me who have yet (until now) to find a pair of comfy flip flops.
                                          

Baby gifts!

Baby gifts for other people of course.  :oP

My pastor back home, his lovely wife (who did the girls' hair for our wedding), and our flower girl Haley (who's like way bigger now!) just had a new baby boy!  So my latest project was this!

I thought about it and in hindsight realized a football (since the dad loves football) would've been more appropriate with the "jersey" onesie than ducky, but... ducky was what I had.  (And ducky seems child friendly!  :oP)

Can you see where our inspiration came from?  :-D

It was all just a blank onesie and some iron-on transfer sheets.  Much like the totes I made my bridesmaids.  :]  Design.  Print.  Cut.  Iron "canvas" (in this case, a little green onesie).  Iron.  And voilà!  :D  (If it's a shirt, make sure you wash and dry your it first so it's pre-shrunk.)

Remember not to use steam!

With the iron-on transfers!  Let cool before you peel off.

Ta-da!!  :]

I've been working on a few more designs that may make their debut with whoever has a child next.  GO!  :oP

            

                                                      

Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

Late last summer I discovered the wonders of the Pioneer Woman. The site is pretty cool since it has recipes, photography tips, home & garden stuff, homeschooling, her ramblings/thoughts, etc. Last fall I posted about one of her recipes I tried making and also in very small font about her story in which she documents how she met her husband, the Marlboro Man. She started sharing the story chapter by chapter on her blog, and then it turned into a book. :] The online version (scroll down to the bottom for chapter 1) goes up until the wedding and the book, The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels--A Love Story, which I just finished reading last night, goes through to the birth of their first child.

It was a fun, sweet read so I definitely recommend it.  :]  I actually particularly enjoyed it since it made me think of when I met Tim (ok, maybe fast forward to when I liked him, haha) and our journey from then to now.  :]  Through time, relationships change and people often transition out of that "honeymoon phase" of needing to inhale each other all the time to a comfortable existence.  I think that's when the marriage part really kicks in of putting effort into the relationship to keep it new and interesting.

I think Tim and I are sort of riding both, which I think is a great place to be.  :]  Some days are still shiny and new, and others are more comfortable where we sort of do our own things.  I think these days people get bored when the shiny and new part tapers off, when the thrill and excitment of dating wears off a bit --- they want out or sadly, try looking for that thrill elsewhere.  :(

That's why date nights are so important!  Don't get too comfortable, try new things!  There have been many date nights when we go out that I kinda just go out in whatever I'm wearing for the day.  :oP  I don't think Tim actually minds but when I think about it, wouldn't it be more fun if I put in a little more effort and got dressed up a little?  It's so easy to think of how the other person doesn't do things for you anymore (how come he doesn't bring me flowers anymore?  how come he doesn't leave me little notes or send me emails telling me he misses me as often like when we were dating?) and not realize how we've become lazy as well.  I understand that when a relationship matures, we can't always expect the attentive-dating-actions, but from time to time... WHY NOT?  :D

It makes those thoughtful moments extra sweet, and don't you love to see really old couples, like grandmas and grandpas who still look at each other like they're in love?  (This may be rare in old Asian couples.  haha)
                  

Just a Dream

Today I discovered another YouTube sensation, Sam Tsui... actually through Tyler Ward! Tyler mentioned something about a collaboration and of course, seeing an Asian name I googled who Sam was.

I think is one of his latest songs and I LOVE IT. You can also download the instrumental track for free (under description). Which I'm pretty sure I'll be playing on my next commute!

Doesn't he look mixed to you?  There isn't too much information on him out there (that I could find, and my Google skills aren't too shabby.  Especially for the purposes of stalking finding information) but I'm pretty sure he's not all Chinese --- though Wikipedia says he's Chinese American.

I'm sure the collab between Tyler and Sam will be amazing, so I'll post that when it comes out.  :oP
                        

A weekend in Ithaca

What a busy summer!  We had about a week to be normal after our out of town friendsies left before our trip up to Ithaca!  Whoo old stomping grounds.  :oP  Joe & Kelly got married and we got to see some old friends!

We drove up to Ithaca last Friday, and immediately joined some friends to watch, "As You Like It" at Shakespeare in the Plantations!  Then we went to a late dinner with Neela at Just a Taste, a tapas restaurant that was a must-go-to on our list this visit!  It's a bit spendy but it basically was Tim's favorite restaurant in Ithaca.  :]

On Saturday, some friends threw a pancake and morning breakfast for those from out of town (and local folks) so it was great seeing everyone!  Breakfast + friends = great combo!  Then Tim and I went to Target to get some wrapping paper and ran into the BRIDE!  haha.  She apparently ran out of make up and was grabbing some with her sister!  It was quite funny as she also had a book she borrowed from Tim like a year and half ago in her car, so Tim was able to get his book back.  On her wedding day.  Then we went back to our friend's apartment where we were crashing for the weekend to get ready for the wedding!

Congratulations Joe & Kelly!

She wore that smile from the moment those doors opened to the end of the night.

The receiption hall!  Cute little place called the Hathaway House.

Me and my Tim  :]

There was a two hour reception before the groom and bride arrived, and here's their first dance!  (A bit grainy since we were delegated to the "friends in the back" section.  :oP

Tim and me with the bride and groom!

Yay friends!!

On Sunday, Tim and I went to church and then go to chill out the rest of the day.  We went to Walmart (haha), Wegmans (yay Wegmans!!), and then hung out at Ithaca Falls for a little while since the weather was so nice!

Ithaca Falls

Game night!!  When we were in Ithaca we obviously hosted and attending a good many game nights.  :oP  So of course there had to be a game night!  This was right before we left so this is only like... 1/3 of the people that were there.

It then POURED for most of our drive back to Boston!  Especially when I was driving.  But sunshine peaked out near the end and we made it home safely!  It was fun but tiring as so many trips are.  :]  It was fun to see old friends and how... even though a few of us came "back" from new places in life, it more or less felt the same.  :]  Even with the new babies and significant others!
                                          

Best of Betty Crocker 2011!

It was only this past January I posted Best of Betty Crocker 2010 recipes, but now 2011 is out!  Well, at least summer and spring.  I guess fall and winter don't yield as many cute, colorful recipes!  (Or... just that fall and winter 2011 haven't happened yet.  :D)  I should probably be less of a slacker and share some recipes I've been using lately!  Especially the dessert stuff!

Pages 1-11

Pages 12-23

Hope you find THE RECIPES useful!

                                                            

The fire works

Hi!  I've been such a slacker with this blogging business.  I really should be cleaning the house instead at this very moment!  If I could just... download posts directly from my brain... to here... that would be great.  Someone work on that!  :oP

This past July 4th weekend was a fun and exciting one because we had out of town guests!  Yahoooo!  Tim's childhood friendsies (high school still counts as childhood?) Nathan and Joel spent the weekend here and we went on great adventures!

Breakfast at Henrietta's Kitchen!  The Shorts like breakfast so we ate breakfast a lot.  :oP

Sam Adams Brewery Tour!  I've been wanting to go for awhile!

Analyzing it.

At Fanueil Hall for a mock Town Hall meeting.  Don't they look special?  :oP

A galatic game of Twilight Imperium!  Oh my!  It's like a 6 hour board game.  The daddy of board games, I call it.  I played out of love.  AND I WON!!!  Yeeeah!

They were deep in strategizing thought even during break time.

Hot pot at Shabu-Ya!

We down to the MIT area/Charles River to see the fireworks!

There was other adventuring like frozen yogurt, cannolis, lots more eating, lots of walking, the Harvard Natural History Museum (free b/c of BofA's Museum on Us!), visting Copley Square and Fenway, etc!  I always try to find a few things to do with out-of-town guests that we ourselves haven't done before because downtown, the Freedom Trail, and Fanueil Hall are not very exciting the 8th time around. 

What did you do for the fourth of July?