I woke up bright and early this morning because I had a a meeting with the bakery owner. She was out when I dropped off my application on Monday, so I called to see if I could go back and chat with her for a little bit (proactivity!). I started off my day with a cup o’ [72% decaf] Joe in my AIM mug, while Google-reading and Twittering.
I swear AIM taught me how to type 
…and gossip with friends.
Everyone eats with their Garmin next to them on the kitchen table, right?
***
Before I knew it, it was time to GO! I can be such a slow poke in the morning. Thus, I had to whip up breakfast in a NANA-second (Ha. Ha.).
Strawberry-Nana No-Bake Baked Oatmeal with yogurt.
For this batch of No-bake Baked Oatmeal, I added 1/4 of a mashed banana to the batter. I also experimented with egg whites from a carton. I got worried because the egg whites weren’t as goopy (compared to egg whites from whole eggs), but it worked well.
I tried microwaving them a little bit longer before transferring to the pan (~45 seconds). That way they would be more ‘cooked’ on the inside –> a more baked-like finish product.
Looks peaceful. Unfortunately, I had to wolf this baby down.
My please-hire-me outfit. A headless shot because I was too nervous to smile for the camera (or maybe I was too ashamed of my dirty mirror + room!).
Okay, here it is…my eeps-I’m-so-nervous face.
The bakery. So duuurn cute.
I know your fingers and toes must be cramping by now but you’ll have to keep them crossed for another week or two…or three? Hmmm.
***
On the way home, I stopped by HomeGoods (AKA Wonderland) to make good use of the trip and to soothe my soul. If you are not familiar with HomeGoods, it’s a store by the same company as Marshall’s and TJ Maxx (name brand products for much cheaper) but it’s all home stuff!
….like dishes and cookware!
I found some leaf plates <–my favorite!
Halloween stuff already!? Look at this precious little guy.
Could I brush my fruits ‘n’ veggies with this?
A tea pot on clearance for $5!! Doesn’t it kinda look like my tea pot from Target?
Londontown.
Mmm hmm! Tell it sistah!
The murmuring of ‘I want…I need…I must have‘ went on for a good 50 minutes as I weaved in and out of the aisles.
I wasn’t planning on spending a whole lotta money but I just couldn’t walk away empty handed. I just couldn’t.
So? What did I buy?!
A good reminder to eat mindfully .
Okay, duh! I wasn’t passing up on this deal. Oh no siree.
It even comes with a plate. Two birds with one stone.
A leaf bowl.
And the adorable cupcake/muffin holder. I think I can bake with this too, although I don’t think I will!
Guess how much I spent?
$21 buckeroos. Not too shabby, right?
***
Also, speaking of leaf plates, pumpkin, and all things FALL….who remembers my obsession (<–one of my most favorite posts ever) with Starbucks Pumpkin Spice [Crack-Laced] Lattes? I think that’s what I’m looking forward to most of all this fall.
If you weren’t around back then…long story short, I would get a venti P.S. latte/coffee every time I made the trip to and from school.
Speaking of school, boy am I glad I’m not going back there this week! I smile every time I remember that I graduated and will not be making the trek back to Durham this year.
HALLELUJAHHHH!
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Good luck Allie! They will be lucky to have you!!!
I want to go to Home Goods so much right now!
Time always slips away from me like that too. I’m hoping the job works out for ya!!!
LOVE Home Goods. I could seriously spend way too much money there. Awesome finds you got.
Your no-bake-oatmeal is like Jenna’s (ELR) pancake version I think. Looks pretty.
Sweet potato butter? Please send immediately to
Mrs Shanna, like Banana
1156 Some Street in California
NorCal, CA
Thanks
I LOVE HomeGoods! So much fun stuff at great prices — I definitely get sucked into buying too much when I’m there.
Go bakery job!!! What kind of work was it for?
I would LOVE to work in a bakery. Good luck!!
Home Goods is my heaven. I haven’t been there in a while, because I always walk out with something I don’t necessarily need.
I could spent hours in a store like that! And I smile everytime I see halloween stuff in stores already!
Same goes for Christmas whenever it gets a bit closer.
And fingers & toes still crossed for you!
Great changes to the blog – the rotating photos are lovely! That leaf bowl is cute as well.
AIM really did teach me how to type! hahaha Well, at least it made me a LOT faster.
Wow, I’m jealous of the cute stuff. I gotta make a stop there at some point… I think there’s a few of em in Southern CA. Good luck w/the bakery… maybe an AllieBar bribe would have been beneficial.
P.S. Sweet potato butter (in your pic) and Fall lattes = <3
this post made me so happy! i just went to a Home Goods store here in Los Angeles and definitely had to pry myself away from all the amazing dish wear! I am soooo excited as well for the Holiday Lattes! Hand’s down one of the best parts of fall and winter! Do you know when they come out?
Okay, LOVE your HomeGoods pics and the goodies you came home with are spectacular!! I had no idea they had so much kitchenware!!
And pumpkin spice lattes. YES PLEASE. Can’t wait!!!! FALL, come quickly!!!!!
I was in TJ Maxx the other day and spent like an hour back in the kitchen and home section! I wish there was a HomeGoods around, though, because I’m actually in the market for a cheap update to my dinnerware.
Katy–
No idea! Hopefully SOON!
Hope your talk with the bakery owner went well! I’m sure it did. You should have brought some Alliebars to impress them!
I love all your new stuff but I also LOVE those black and white plates you posted pictures of. I have seen ones with the Eiffel Tower on it too and I wanted them so bad but could only find them online for mucho dollars! Dang.
Pumpkin spice latte’s come out August 31rst.
GOOD LUCK with the bakery! Yes, I’m cramping, and yes I have been sent to a mental hospital multiple times because my eyes are constantly crossed, but I REALLY hope you get the job!
i love how you reminded me to eat mindfully as i am stuffing my face with my dinner because i am STARVING!!
Good luck with the job – I hope you get it!!!
I hope your meeting with the bakery went well!
We have a store like that here and I’m obsessed with it! I love all those cute dishes you got!
I’ve got my fingers crossed for you. And my toes!
We have a similar store here called Christmas Tree Place (but it’s not very Christmasy) and it’s just like this. I LOVE this store and it’s the only place I can find Mighty Maple Peanut Butter. So random that you can find Peanut Butter, Pumpkin Butter, Cookie Jars and Greeting Cards, all in the same store. But I see why you and I love it so much!
Stacey–
SHUTUP are you serious!?!? That’s next week!!
I don’t think you have any appreciation for how fortunate you were to go to a school like Duke.
Kelly–
I’m very grateful for my education but at the same time I’m very glad to be done with school. I was under a lot of stress there and 4 years was enough.
omg. i LOVE shopping for home stuff too! especially cute useful things. letting me loose at ikea would NOT be a good idea.
good luck with the job!
Fingers crossed for you!! I feel like there’s no one more qualified for a bakery job.
Just saw your tweet about the commenter….I can absolutely relate to not loving a prestigious school. I transferred after my freshman year of college at Carnegie Mellon because I was stressing myself out so much. College is supposed to be the “best four years of your life,” but I feel like some people just don’t love it as much as others!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks AIM taught them how to type! People ask me what “method” of typing I learned in school and my response is usually something to the affect of “Uhhh … AOL?”
omg you got your first pumpkin spice latte of the season!!! so so good! and homegoods, girl I cannot go out of there empty handed that store is addicting!! i love all the gadgets and cute things they have in there! i got the best mugs around valentines day time tat are heart shaped!
the bakery is SO cute! fingers crossed!!
I love your HomeGoods pics — that place is the best!
When I quickly read the end of your post I thought OMG the pumpkin spice lattes are back already???? Hahaha — you sure got me excited!
Eee! HomeGoods is truly a Wonderland! I guess I need to hit them up soon so that I can expand my teapot collection:)
Good luck, Allie! I just found your blog, and I can’t wait to catch up! I love Home Goods; I could definitely do some damage there.
Loooove your finds!!! And crossing my fingers for you
Pumpkin spice lattes are AMAZING.
I was reading Cooking Light (August 2010) today and saw this article on yogurt and it reminded me of you…thought i would share
Yogurt and Lactose Intolerance: People with mild lactose intolerance usually tolerate yogurt because the live active cultures break down much of the lactose into glucose and galactose—simple sugars that are easier to digest.
Sarah–
Thanks for sharing! I do find yogurt easier to digest. Ice cream is most definitely the WORST offender.
your hair is B=E=A=UTIFUL. i envy you
dont let comments bring you down or make you feel bad!! everyone leads such a unique life full of different experiences for different reasons.
anyways, wishing you the best of luck!!!
tons of love
becca
Cute pink sweater : )
& how do you make 72% decaf!?
OMG, seriously. I am looking forward to the pumpkin spiced latte too.
it’s so ridiculosly stupid how excited I am. It’ll burn a hole in my wallet though. crossing the fingers for the bakery job.
Homegoods should pay you for your advertising…I think they are going to see an increase in sales throughout the country this weekend.
~~~~~~~~Sending luck vibes your way. ~~~~~~~~~~~
How fun that someone else is in love with the Pumpkin Spice…I’m not a coffee drinker…so I endulge in a Pumpkin Spice CHAI Latte. The first one of the season is just like a unicorn in a cup. I’m giddy!
I LOVE the pumpkin spice latte! And, I’ve never been to a Home Goods and now I need to find one, like, STAT! Love all the goodies for $21!!!
I just made your no-bake oatmeal for breakfast this morning and it was absolutely fabulous
I love the recipe so thank you!
I want to go shopping for dishes now too!
What a great little store! I love the “relax” and “breathe” plates. i want them!!!
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