Necessities

My American purchases I never knew I needed:

FLAT sparkly work shoes.

Unless I need to wear heels (height = confidence and power – my friend T taught be this) I will be wearing these gems to the office.

Where I will be STANDING.

My office chair is rarely in use. My European walking / moving / standing all day self cannot sit 8 hours a day. I am short. My desk is tall. My hands reach the keyboard just fine.

SWIFFER!

I seriously don’t know how the European world survives without this single most efficient cleaning tool.

$3.99 are you out of your mind?

This impulse Ikea purchase has been invaluable. When moving back I was bound and determined not to collect “stuff.” However, I do need to pack my work lunch and store my leftovers. Thank you Sweden for your 17 piece green plastic-ware set that matches my olive and cherry painting.

Ripped in … seriously?

I am easing back into my running game. I wake extra early to workout before I hit the office and I am working Jillian into the mix.

I fell in love with Jillian through her podcast. We became good friends (along with Janice) on our walks around Madrid. I must say I love the short – straight forward – no thinking – no nonsense workout video. Go ahead Jillian, you have 30 days.

Chocolate!

This is not American – and is actually a staple in my Spanish life too. This.exact.chocolate. Some things translate to every country and every continent. The darker the better.

And one thing I DON’T need: New work pants.

Let’s take a look – Avert your eyes from the sparkle and focus on the pencil pants:

Allow me to explain:

Yes, yes I did. Thanks to my mother’s sewing expertise [and patience - because teaching me to sew is definitely test in patience] I made my wide-legged trousers into cropped pencil pants.

• 1. Turn wide pants inside out.
• 2. Lay a pair of pencil pants on top and pin the wide pants where you want the new seam to be.
• 3. Using a sewing machine – sew the new seam.
• 4. Try on the pants to make sure your calves will fit.
• 5. If happy, cut off the excess fabric.
• 6. Pin pants at the bottom for new hem length.
• 7. Sew straight around the bottom.
• 8. Turn pants right-side-out and wear to work the next day with sparkle shoes.

** If you have questions see the above diagram. [Because that will clearly answer all your questions.]

I have to admit I am pretty pleased with myself. Only two weeks back and I am upping my fashion game, sewing my own clothes, and efficiently working towards really clean floors. Oh, and I’m only 18 days away from that ripped bod.