Summer Dreams

I don't know about anyone else, but this winter is starting to drag! While I love a good snowy cold winter, I am starting to get antsy for warmer weather. Lately, Alaska has had warmer temperatures than the Midwest for the past few weeks! Today, I am dreaming of warm sunshine, icy cold drinks and delicious cookouts by the pool. Here is what I'd wear...

Swimsuit-Target, Cover-Athleta, Hat-Neiman Marcus, Necklace-Loft

Most Magical Day Ever

I can't believe how the time has flown since October! I can honestly say that being married is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my life so far. Brian and I were blown away by the magic in our wedding video by Rewind Documentaries! It's so beautiful! Enjoy!

Photo by bobbi + mike

Easy Balsamic Veggie's and Chicken For a Week

To succeed at eating healthy, you have to plan and prepare. I have found the best way to eat healthy and stick to it, is to prepare and pre-cook my lunches and snacks. Every Sunday, I cook up a huge batch of chicken or fish and veggies for me and the hubby's lunches for the week. I also make hard boiled eggs and chop up carrots for snacks. Otherwise, it's so easy to cave in and make an unhealthy lunch or snack choice  (3 o'clock donuts and coffee cravings anyone?). Below is my basic recipe for veggies and chicken, have fun with it and mix up your veggie choices, seasonings and protein. Just make sure to avoid fattening sauces, glazes and high sodium condiments.

Balsamic Chicken and Veggies For a Week 

(Amount is for two people and makes enough for 5 lunches)

2-3 Pounds chicken breast 

3 Zucchini

3 Summer squashes 

1 Large onion

1 Container cherry tomatoes 

1 Carton mushrooms  

Balsamic vinegar and olive oil to taste 

Salt to taste 

Pepper to taste 

Wash the veggies and cut them into quarters. Place the veggies in a 9x13 glass pan and season with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Place the chicken on top of the veggies and season with salt and pepper. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake at 400 degrees for one hour. 

Best Face Wash Ever

To say I have sensitive skin is an understatement. Literally just looking at my skin the wrong way causes it to break out. What I eat causes it to break out, sleeping with my hand on my face at night causes me to have a massive breakout. Basically anything and everything causes me to have a skin melt down! As you can imagine, I am beyond picky about what I will use on my face. Currently, I use the skin care line Arcona for all of my face products as I have had the best success with their products. However, I ran out of my normal face wash awhile ago and I didn't have time to make it to the spa to pick up some more. Out of desperation, I picked up Olay Foaming Face Wash--Sensitive Skin at the drugstore. I washed my face with it a couple of times and waited for the disastrous results. But surprisingly, my skin was soft, smooth and was actually improving! I have been using it for a month now and my skin is looking great. Who would have thought? While this face wash can tend to leave a slight residue, my dry skin doesn't mind at all. It's nice to have a cheaper face wash option that I don't have to run to the spa to pick up!

What I Am Wearing Today

Michael Kors Watch, Sweater by Gap, Jeans by Urban Outfitters, Necklace by Anthropology, Denim Shirt by Nordstroms

Sick Day

I don't get sick very often, but when I do, it takes me out big time! Such has been the story of my life for the past week, what started out as an innocent sneeze has turned into what I am now calling "the beast". Sore throat, cough and packed sinuses have kept me on my back for the better part of three days. While I adore my sweatpants, couch and blanket, I think my poor husband is getting tired of waiting on me hand and foot (thanks hubby!). So in an effort to be productive and change out of my sweatpants today I made my "show must go on" tea. When I was a theater major in college, I drank this stuff by the gallon when I was sick and I had to perform. It's extremely soothing and gives you the boost you need to function while sick!

"Show Must Go On" Tea

• Tea of your choice (however strong or weak you like it) I prefer a strong Earl Grey
• Juice of 1/2 lemon if you are having issues with coughing or about 1/3 cup fresh pineapple juice for sore throat 
• 2 tablespoons honey 

Brew your tea and add the above ingredients. Now put that sucker in a thermos and go!

Pursuing A Dream

Big exciting news on the blog today! After lots of thinking, dreaming, praying and planning, I have officially jumped into pursuing my dream career! I will be taking my background in communication and be getting further education in nutrition to help sharpen my skills and take it from a love, to a profession. To be able to fully focus on my dream, I have left my current full time job to pursue this journey.  Is it terrifying? Yes. Do I sometimes have a heart attack thinking about the cost and sacrifice this will take? Yes. Is it insanely exciting and a dream come true? Yes yes yes!!!


What does this mean for the blog?  Well you can expect more activity for one! I will have more time to dedicate to my recently neglected blog. So buckle your seat belts folks, you’re going to get an earful ( or would it be an eyeful?)! However, if nutrition isn't your thing and you are getting ready to eliminate my blog from your line up, have no fear! I will still be blogging about my other loves as well ( fashion, fitness and beauty products)!

Are you ready to jump in with me on this crazy adventure?

Cabin Fever!

A huge snow storm swept through the Midwest Sunday bringing sub zero temperatures and more than a foot of snow. This has kept me and the hubby stuck in our apartment for the past few days. After awhile, this can make you go bonkers! To help banish my cabin fever ( anyone else remember that song "Cabin Fever" from the Muppet movie, "Muppet Treasure Island"? If not, refresh your memory here), I had an online shopping bonanza! Below are a few items that I am crushing over.

1. Eye Makeup 2. Top 3. Glasses 4. Lipstick 5. Jacket

Happy New Year!

Sparkler from our wedding-photo by bobbi + mike

I can't believe it's 2014! I have to admit, it was a little hard to let go of 2013. It was a great year, I married my best friend, moved into a new apartment, and I really feel I began to come into my own as a young adult. Today I sat down to write out my resolutions for 2014, and while I have a few ( very exciting!) aspirations and goals, I really want to make sure I experience life this next year. And that's what it’s really about, isn't it? When a year is over, we don't remember the checklists we accomplished, we remember how we felt.

I am going to embrace this next year in a way I never have. I am going to spend less time checking off lists and worrying about bills and futures and 401k's. I am going to act my age ( I am only 24 for goodness sake) and spend less time trying to be a "grown up" . This year I am promising myself that I will spend more time exploring, loving, laughing and listening to my inner self. I will spend more time enjoying the little things in every day and not get bogged down by the big picture.

You’ve been great 2013, but I have a feeling 2014 just might be the best year yet!

Happy New Year everyone!  

How My iPhone Sees My Life

A little something to warm you up on this cold day, enjoy a few pictures from Brian and I's trip to the Bahamas last week!

Best Day Ever

One of the best days of my life was my wedding day in October. Our amazing photographers Bobbie and Mike, captured our day perfectly! Check out the amazing blog post they did about our wedding.

Below is one of my favorites...

Power Puff

The minute I get done with a workout, I am always looking for something to eat. Typically, I will have some raw veggies and hummus, but most times I want something bad for me, like a giant piece of chocolate cake or a cookie or that oooey goooey brownie staring at me in my companies break room. Heck, if I am really desperate, those nasty powdered donuts start to look pretty appetizing!

This was my life every time I would work out until I tasted these incredible power puff balls. They hit all of my cravings, sweet, salty and gooey. I can eat one or two of these without destroying the work I put in during my sweat fest.


If you are looking to splurge a little, I would highly suggest adding Nuttella to these bad boys. Pure heaven.

Recipe and picture from here

 

Vegan Power Puffs Recipe

4 cups puffed millet cereal
2/3 cup raisins
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup peanuts, chopped (or nut of choice)
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)
1 cup brown rice syrup
1-2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
salt if desired

1) In a medium bowl mix the cereal, raisins, cranberries, nuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.

2) In a small saucepan combine the peanut butter and brown rice syrup. Cook over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally until warm and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and salt if desired. Pour over cereal the mixture and stir until thoroughly coated.

3) Wait until cooled slightly, the peanut butter mixture can get very hot, then mold into balls (the size of golf balls). Transfer mixture to a cookie sheet to continue cooling. Tip – it helps to dampen hands, this mix can get very sticky.

This recipe makes 36 to 40 Vegan Power Puffs.
Nutrition Facts for 36 Power Puffs: Calories: 112.8, Total Fat: 5.5 g, Total Carbs: 14.5 g, Protein: 2.8 g

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day remembering what they are thankful for! I know I have so much to be thankful for this year, the wedding, my amazing husband, health, family and happiness!

How cute would this look with any outfit today?

What I Am Cooking For Thanksgiving

Every holiday/birthday or general family assembly since I was a teenager, I am always asked to make my deviled eggs. You might say they have a cult following within my family.In an effort to achieve perfection, I have experimented with so many different ingredients (anchovies anyone?) and techniques that I feel I can confidently say, I have mastered the basic deviled egg! Below is my base recipe.

From Food Network

Ingredients 

 

12 eggs
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons yellow mustard
2 teaspoons sweet relish
Salt
Pepper
Paprika, for dusting

Directions

Place eggs in a large wide saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil for 12 minutes.* Remove eggs and and cool in refrigerator. Remove shells from eggs and slice in half lengthwise. Separate egg yolks and place into a bowl. Place whites on a separate plate. Add mayo, mustard, relish and salt and pepper, to taste, to yolks and mash together with a fork until creamy and smooth.* Using a large star tip and resealable plastic bag, pipe the yolk mixture back into each egg, enough to fill yolk holes completely. Dust tops with paprika. Refrigerate.* 

*Tip 1-To get the perfect hard boiled egg, boil them for one minute at a rolling boil and then remove from heat. Let them sit for 45 minutes until cool.

*Tip 2- Use about 2 tablespoons cream cheese in the mixture, this will make the consistency smooth.

*Tip 3-Chop up real pickles for the relish, using the pre-chopped neon green stuff makes your mixture way too runny!

*Tip 4- Adding a dash of garlic powder makes all the difference.

*Tip 5- Ideally you will want your eggs to sit in the fridge for about 45 minutes before you serve them to give them time to set.

*Tip 6- Use Miracle Whip, not mayo. Trust me.

Fun fact-Did you know that the deviled egg can be seen in recipes as far back as ancient Rome?

What I Am Wearing To Thanksgiving Dinner

1. Tights 2. Boots 3.) Sweater 4.) Necklace 5.) Boot Socks 6.) Head Wrap

Addiction Alert!

Over the weekend, the hubby and I went shopping for some furniture and holiday items at World Market. While I expected to find the usual suspects of cute pillows, curtains and furniture, I didn't expect to find a hidden treasure trove of necklaces, scarves and headbands! The poor hubby had to endure at least 40 minutes of me pawing through the racks of unique and versatile accessories.

Once I emerged, I found the most versatile necklace that goes with every sweater I own...

And I also found this extremely flattering headband. Hello holiday outfits!  

Buy it here

Extra bonus, more than half of the necklaces they had were beaded strands without any metal, and if you are allergic to nickle/cheap metal like I am, this was a huge "buy every necklace they have in stock" moment!

Shhh! It's One Of My Best Kept Secrets!

Ambre Essence

I love my perfumes, every season one of the first things I purchase is a new fragrance. Fruity in the summer, warm and  rich in the fall, spicy in the winter and crisp and clean in the spring. That being said, I have smelled allot of perfumes and sometimes I have an issue with how strong fragrances are, they can overpower you and give you a crazy headache. As such, I had been searching for that understated subtle fragrance for what felt like forever,until a few months ago. While in my favorite local boutique, I saw these tiny bottles filled with oil from Ambre Blends. While finishing my purchase, I mindlessly decided to try the Ambre Essence on and...

Oh. My. Goodness.

I fell head over heels in love with fragrances made from essential oils. Subtle and rich, the fragrance rolled on like butter and made me smell fabulous in an earthy, understated, "I just roll out of bed smelling like this" way. It also made the skin on my wrists so soft. And the best part? No headache, and I didn't knock anyone over as I walked by.

Needless to say, I was obsessed. However, I wasn't obsessed with the price. While I will agree that
fragrances made with essential oils last longer than your normal fragrance, the price was still a little steep. But then, one glorious day at Whole Foods, I found a knockoff that smells exactly like my beloved Ambre Essence! Persian Garden by Kuumba Made is an almost exact match and is a fraction of the price. The only downside to Persian Garden is that I notice the fragrance doesn't last as long as the Ambre Essence and the oils feel a little greasy compared to the Ambre Essence. But hey, when I need to stay on a budget, the Persian Garden is my go to fix.

Persian Garden

So there you have it, one of my best kept secrets is that I wear Persian Garden most days instead of Ambre Essence and most folks can never tell the difference. 

**Disclaimer, I do not work for Ambre Blends or Kuumba Made. These observations are purely my own.**

Fall Loves...

1 ASOS Jeans 2 Mug 3 Boots 4 Bag 5 Necklace 6 Watch 7 Hat

Holy Guacamole Batman!

I am obsessed with guacamole. I love all variety's and will eat it all day long. It's everything a dip should be, creamy, bright and full of flavor. And hey it's good for you so you can chow down without feeling too bad. Over the weekend we had a spontaneous family cookout for the holiday so I whipped up my fastest and easiest guacamole recipe. Seriously, you could be blind folded in a dark room filled with rabid raccoon's and still make this in under 5 minutes.

You Need: 

3 Ripe tomatoes
4 Avocados
2 Teaspoons minced garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
Sea salt to taste

Go!

Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit. Take a spoon and empty all that avocado-y goodness into a bowl. Then mash the life out of it until smooth. Add the juice of the lemon, garlic and salt to taste. 

Finally, add your tomato and onion and gently stir,stir, stir.  

Give it a quick taste to make sure it's edible, then... 

TA DA! Deliciousness.

 Quick Tip:

When you buy your avocados, make sure you check the top for ripeness. Trust me, it will save you time and heartbreak.

Remove the stem at the top of the avocado and check the color. Dark brown is BAAAD! You want your avocados to have a light green top.

   

How My iPhone Sees My Life

Curtain Patterns

Reception Menu Tasting

New Rug

Obnoxious Selfie