Oh, Trader Joe’s, why do you tempt me with your pretty packaging and your delectable treats? The other day, I was buying some flowers…only flowers….and I merrily made my way to the cashier. My eyes landed on this:
First of all, the graphics, the colors: who can resist? But let’s get to the real selling point here – dark chocolate and marshmallows. That combination is simply a siren call that I can’t ignore, no matter how I try. Yes, I know. I had vowed to cut out all sugary treats from my daily food intake less than 24 hours before this particular item caught my eye. (We won’t mention all the sugary treats that are regularly in the rehearsal break room. No, let’s not go there.)
I succumbed. I limit myself to one or two a day. That shows some self-control, doesn’t it?
And now, Trader Joe’s, you have tempted me anew:
Oh lordy. But wait, let me plead my case! Spinach. Kale. Greek Yogurt. All things that are good for you. And it’s Reduced Guilt! See? 50% Less Fat.
You can hardly blame me.
And sitting at my desk reading your blogs while dipping a cracker or two into that dip? Perfect.
In other news: I rarely buy decorating magazines anymore. Nine times out of ten, the content is either less than inspiring or I’ve already seen it on someone’s blog. But I do buy Flea Market Style because I love that style and I live that style. The homes and rooms the editors choose to highlight are always fresh and new and full of quirky, wonderful ideas.
So I bought the newest edition the other day. It sat around the apartment for at least 5 days before I opened it last night as I read in bed. I came upon an article called “My Favorite Vintage Find” with the subtitle “Our readers spill the shopping beans on the antiques malls, flea markets, and vintage shops where they scored big.” It’s the kind of article I usually skim over, as it lists things state-by-state. But suddenly my eyes lighted on “Use Other Stair” metal sign and I thought, ‘Someone else has a sign like that?’ before I realized it was me!
I had completely forgotten about submitting that idea. As I never heard anything back from FMS, the whole thing went right out of my head.
That’s the sign. (Photo from the original post about my find. Pre-new camera.)
It was rather a fun surprise! Thanks, Flea Market Style!
Happy Tuesday.
That is a wonderful surprise. I like that magazine too. I’ll look for your spot.
I was watching the news and they had a spot about store brands, how they are as good as name brands. And they listed some that were actually better. In almost every category Trader Joe’s brand was better. And then I clicked on your blog and there you were eating Trader Joe’s. I almost giggled when I noticed the time of the posting. Looks like you posted it just a few minutes before the news story came on. You are ahead of your time. Not by much, just a few minutes, but hey, you are still ahead of your time.
Linda
Hey, at least I’m ahead of my time on something!
I love that sign. How amazing that you just happened to buy the magazine and there was your entry.
I also love the carpet on your stairs. Love how you alternate the red and blue. How do you keep them in place? Are they nailed down? I’ve never seen any like that.
Enjoy the chocolate covered marshmallows. I’d skip the spinach dip though! ; (
nancyr
They are nailed down with carpet tacks. The spinach dip is pretty tasty, Nancy!
Claudia, I Love this post! and I actually was led to a post I hadn’t read so win win! I Love Chocolate covered marshmallows, And as you well know No fat in the creamy delicious mallow part and all goodness in the dark chocolate! once again I say W/W! -Judy A-
Now I feel better about the whole thing, Judy!
I love Flea Market Style but have been trying not to buy it. How fun that your sign was mentioned. Oh and Trader Joe’s is so bad….they have the best and most tempting things in there. Maybe I’ll stop by today, I need a treat to get through this next week!
hugs,
Linda
Since it’s only published quarterly, I feel okay about buying it, Linda.
Cool!
Thanks!
What a fun surprise to see your tip in the magazine. Love the whimsy of it on your stairs.
Little treats are good for the soul. Or so I tell myself. Enjoy them!
I am, Lorrie, I am!
Great surprise! Congrats…you are published! As far as Trader Joe’s goes…I’ve never been. But, now that I know about that dip and the chocolate covered marshmallows, I will go there soon! ;)
Well, I’ve been published before but I knew about those ahead of time, this was a complete surprise!
I bought that magazine too! Most magazines any more have so little real content in them but this one, I did buy the other day!
I’d have never read that section, though so how neat that you did! :)
I almost didn’t read it myself, Debra!
Ok, now shall look for that magazine. I, too, have cut back on the magazines. It seems as if they just rotate stuff from one year to the next and all of the rooms look the same as in other magazines. Add that the magazines are months behind the blogs and well…I do not get as many as I used to.
Trader Joe’s is dangerous. Chocolate! Wine!! Flowers!!! Misc. Magic!!!!
:-D
I hardly ever buy a magazine anymore, Teresa.
I just recently tried that dip from Trader Joe’s and really liked it. They have an interesting selection. I also went bananas over the Balela. I don’t know if you’ve tried it. It’s almost like a cold salad with chick peas, black beans and veggies in a tangy vinaigrette. I was going to try to duplicate it by guessing at the amounts of the ingredients listed, and then I found a recipe online that did it for me! It’s fantastic alone or spooned onto crackers or small rounds of Italian bread.
This is so neat that you found your sign published! I’ve bought the magazine before and I remember that I liked the format. Another good one to try since this is your style is HGTV magazine. Oh! The tips and ideas they have are incredible!
XO,
Jane
I also love the Balela, Jane. I have some here right now. I love anything with chickpeas!
Congratulations on being published!! Isn’t that funny that you didn’t even know it was in there? When I got my RH with the article about Miss Begonia, it sit here for days because I thought it was the next month’s issue she was in. So, I was shocked when I finally sit down to read and found her in there. Oh well……
Judy
When I was previously published, I knew about it ahead of time and was anxiously awaiting the issue. In this case, I had no idea, so it was a lovely surprise!
Well..unlike the other Nancy I would rather eat the spinach/kale dip than the marshmallows..Flea Market Style is one of my favorite magazines also..Can’t wait to check out the article about your sign..I also think it is amusing on the stairs as those are the only stairs you have..lol
It makes us laugh, Nancy!
Well, now there will be no living with you, will there Claudia? Too funny! That is one of the magazines I enjoy looking at as well and referring back to over time, so I will have to find that latest issue. And now that I have a Trader Joe’s a half mile (!!!!!) away from me I can sneak out and get some of the goodies they’ve hooked me on since we have moved to CA. I admit to hoarding their hazelnut shortbread cookies…. Ann
I have to enjoy this TJ’s while I can because when I get home, the nearest one is an hour away!
Mmm! Have to tell you a funny story Claudia. My friend Catherine was preparing for an evening garden party and asked me for ideas about the food. I told her it would be fun to have a small bonfire and make s’mores. “What are s’mores?” she asked. Of course, the Brits don’t really know, don’t have graham crackers. So she ordered a ton of marshmallows and chocolate and graham crackers for the party, we had several each and she packed me off with at least another month’s supply of s’more ingredients. So I guess you could say I lucked out, but on the other hand, it’s going to be some hard work-outing to get rid of the extra calories. But how do you limit yourself to one s’more/day…lol. Love your sign. My favourite sign in my house is a brass sign on the front porch which looks like a heritage home sign and says, “on this day, in 1787, absolutely nothing happened”. Robert bought it for me as a reminder that I cause drama…me? :)
Oh, I love, love s’mores! Enjoy, Veronica! That’s a great story. Also love the sign!
I think you deserve a tiny yummy chocolate everyday.
Hugs to you sister,
Mere
Hugs to you, sister. Miss you.
Congrats you are famous.
Or infamous!
Ha! that is funny. You just happened upon it in your reading.
Of course I thought your sign was funny too. Back when T.H. and I were having babies… we also had his 2 older girls living with us…6 kids! whew!!! Anyway– we lived in a huge house about 20 minutes from here and it had 2 stair wells, we hardly used the back ones– they were creepy.
But you my funny friend– take the cake on your “use other stairs’ trickery. :)
Pat
Trickery is my middle name, Pat!
HI Claudia, love your sign! Haven’t seen that magazine previously, but will look for it — looks great. And, as far as Trader Joe’s goes, I always, always, always end up buying many more things than I go in to get. It’s a dangerous store for me – lol. I’ll have to look for the spinach and kale dip — sounds great (I just made a pizza the other week with caramelized onions, garlic and wilted kale). I’ve walked past the dark chocolate marshmallows 3 times so far, but I think I will succumb. My husband won’t eat them, but I have several girlfriends coming in for a long weekend — they sound like a perfect treat!!
Oh go for it, Vera! They are really, really good!
Ah yes, the “love/hate” relationship I have with Trader Joe’s. I was there yesterday afternoon and passed up the marshmallows and went straight to the Fleur de Sel caramel sauce !!!!!! I have been known to eat this stuff straight from the jar. And if it’s zapped in the microwave for 15 seconds…….it’s heavenly!!!!
So happy to hear you are in FMS. I haven’t received my copy yet and now I’m really anxious to get it.
Enjoy the marshmallows,
Vanessa
Uh oh… you’ve given me another idea, Vanessa!
Claudia!
I thought I was the only one who “save” my magazines! I bought mine a week ago so I could look forward to reading it when we went on vacation. It’s the exact same magazine (plus a few others) lol Knowing it was waiting for me was fun.
That sign is perfect! Keep on postin’ you have the greatest ideas.
Clara
Thanks so much for your kind words, Clara!
You know how much I love TJ’s…you’re not telling me anything new about all their tempting items! ;-) Guess it’s a good thing I don’t like marshmallows. Have you ever had their dark chocolate covered pretzel thins? Wow. I keep them in my fridge – they’re even better cold. Brian and I both love that kale yogurt dip. I’ve purchased that flea market magazine a time or two. Now I just look at it at B&N since it’s so expensive. Very cool that your tip was posted in the magazine!
The pretzel thins sound awfully good, Melanie. Another treat I’ll have to investigate!
I know, that magazine is expensive, but since I don’t buy any others, I figured I could get away with this one.
That is so cool! I love that sign too and I love your beautiful staircase.
Thank you, Sandy!
Oh Yummy! I love most dips and I especially love any shaped marshmallow covered in chocolate. What a nice surprise about you sign too.
Those marshmallows covered in chocolate are really, really good, Sue!
My only lament about Trader Joe’s is that they are not in Canada…sigh. I don’t cross border shop, but a friend brought me some very tempting chocolate bars from there..very tempting.
Congrats on the note in your fav magazine, it’s a really cute one.
Jen
The marshmallows remind me of a book I read awhile back that talked about Mallomars. Your sign is great – how exciting to see your name in print!