On My Radar

Started school this week, so far so good. Glad I made the right decision to attend MU for grad school. The campus is huge and I am getting used to the 1.5 mile trek to my linear modeling class twice a week. Wish this heat, 99 degree temps- plus heat index, would subside. We had a fairly enjoyable summer and the past two weeks have been unbearable. Can't wait to walk to class when the leaves are falling..

Fantasy Football! So excited to find myself in another league this year. I enjoy football immensely and after last season's 3rd place finish, I am ready for another season. My competitive side takes over and I start religiously watching stats, the Bleacher Report, and trash talking other's teams.

Nova Scotia Lox on bagels. I was craving smoked salmon slices for a few weeks. I found presliced packs at Trader Joes and Lucky's Market. I have been toasting sesame bagels, topping them with cream cheese, onion slices, a tomato slice, and lox. Freaking amazing. I have a serious obsession.

Distressed Jeans. (Not a fan of the boyfriend jeans but loving the distressed pants fall look) Nordstroms has some amazing pairs, I am wanting black and dark blue.

Have a great weekend! The boyfriend is in town, so I will be MIA

XOXO

Veggie Filled Omelette

 I love eggs. I hate egg yolk unless scrambled. My eggs of choice that I eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner always have a ton of veggies. The more color the better. So here is a typical meal for me with some of my favorite vegetables..

Ingredients all chopped: from left to right: asparagus, cilantro, spinach, onion, and tomato

1. I like to use a pad of butter in a frying pan 

2.  add the onion and asparagus to let them cook for about two minutes

3. add cilantro and spinach and immediately add three eggs (already mixed together) 

4. add tomatoes 

5. I like to flip my omelette and then using my spatula cut into quarters

6. add a little salt and pepper 

Enjoy. 

XOXO

Losing a few lbs..

I am fully supportive of self acceptance but here are few of my helpful tips for a losing a few pounds. I do not and have never participated in fad diets, although juicing has done wonders for my dad. I believe in portion control, clean eating, and an active lifestyle. I am definitely not perfect, I have a secret love affair with fast food. But thanks to the Citadel, I am great about portion control and having an active lifestyle. When I feel a little unhappy with my body, I hit the gym and do these few steps:

1. Working Out
Whether running, walking, interval training, etc. Getting 45 minutes of physical activity a day is important for your mind, soul, and body. If I want to lose a few pounds, I focus on lightweight weights and not bulking up. Running, rowing, and stairmasters are your best friend.

2. Go vegetarian.
When I want to lose weight this is my 'go to'. I will go vegetarian two or three times a week. This does not mean vegan or starving myself. I just eat small meals of vegetables for lunch, snack, and dinner. I might mix in a starch. I try not to use any spices, dressings, dips, etc. You're just adding calories and undermining the purpose of the meal plan.

3. Cut out alcohol.
People who drink their calories amaze me. Try and find a drink that is low in calories like a gin and tonic. Not a cocktail with a plethora of alcohol and mixers. And limit your drinks to two a week if you can't cut it out completely. I rarely drink but if I am feeling bloated or retaining extra water, I sure as hell will not be drinking to retain more.

4. Take the stairs
Do not take the elevator unless you are in a sky rise. There is nothing wrong with walking a few flights of stairs and if you're feeling wild, take two at a time.

5. Cut out desserts
I don't believe that each meal requires dessert. There is nothing wrong with skipping desserts and only having them on rare occasion.

6. Do not choose anything 'diet'
You are just drinking or eating more chemicals and it's not healthy for your liver and kidneys. And eating 'diet' foods do not help you lose weight.

Hope these helped

XOXO

August Ipsy Bag

1. Dr. Brandt (Pores No More Pore Refiner) 
This velvety formula absorbs excess oil, minimizes pores, blurs fine lines and is resistant to sweat and humidity. I tested this on my hand and I really liked it! 

2. Urban Decay Perversion Mascara 
Urban Decay's ultra-creamy, lengthening and volumizing mascara features triple-black pigments and a deeply nourishing ingredient blend. Perversion Mascara gets you sexy in one stroke, yet it won’t quit until you say when. 

3. J. Cat Flying Solo Eye Shadow - Shade: Half Naked 

4. Jersey Shore Sun Mongongo Lip Condition 
Slather on this balm for soft lips all year long. Mongongo oil has hydrating, regenerating and restructuring properties and offers a unique protection from UV and environmental pollutants in skin applications. Mongongo oil is rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc, cooper and anti-oxidants. 
(LOVE THIS!!)

5. Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk 
Klorane Dry shampoo with oat milk gently revives hair, ridding it of excess dirt, oil, build-up and odor while leaving hair soft, clean and full of volume. 
(So far, this has been amazing!)

I love Ipsy and I have been a subscriber for almost a year! For $10 a month, this is my favorite package in the mail! 

XOXO

Fall Lust List

Sharing a few things on my list of "get it when you can afford it"..

H&M Double Breasted Jacket $39.95 

Target Intarsia Pullover Sweater $22.99

Forever 21 Plaid Bow Headwrap $3.80 

Mindy Mae's Market Double Hooded Sweatshirt $49.99 

My Absolute Favorite- J. Crew Herringbone Novelty Quilted Puffer Vest $108

Can't wait to get these fall favorites!

XOXO

Is it fall yet?

As August is finally picking up speed, I am getting giddily excited for fall and winter. Flannels, vests, riding boots..Yes Please! The cooler temperatures are almost upon us, and I cannot wait! I'm not a summer girl. Sure, the pool and the tan are great. But the constant humidity, stifling heat, mosquitoes (insects in general), and the constant need to shave my legs are just annoying. I practically count down the days from June 1st until school starts again.. If its a cold, rainy or even snowy, day, then I am ecstatic. I'm sure I will be regretting this post in the dead of winter and constant snowfall but until then... I just want to wear my plaid, drink pumpkin spice lattes, and go to the zoo. Is that too much to ask?!

Happy August

XOXO

Lilly Pulitzer Sale!! Monday 8/18/14

Don't forget to set your clocks for the After Party (Sale) that happens once a year on Lilly Pulitzer's website!! It opens at 8 a.m. eastern time but the site ALWAYS crashes so here are a few tips:

1. Make your account before tomorrow morning. It makes the shipping and billing go a little more smoothly so you don't lose something in your cart because you didn't get your info in fast enough.

2. REFRESH. REFRESH. REFRESH! The site always crashes..

3. Prioritize your 'must haves' first and do not fill up your bag with multiple items, buy each as quickly as possible.

Good Luck! And happy shopping!!

XOXO

PS. Shout out to my readers from Poland!! My mother's paternal side is from Poland! I tend to take after that side of my family.

Goody Two-Shoes

I was recently at a party with friends when I was called a goody two-shoes. Not quick on my return, I agreed and said "I am! It's horrible!" Of course my best friend chimed in, a one liner about a guy in middle school... To be honest I completely forgot about. But the "goody-two shoes" comment was definitely an insult and not a nice comment made. As I was driving home, replaying the night and few other things this person had said, I thought "wow" that was definitely an attack on my character. If I was being immature, I would say "No, I am not!" And proceed to list all the reason or things I have done to negate being a goody-goody. But the thing is, I have made mistakes and definitely judgement errors, but I don't parade them around for people to see. My parents and immediate family are more than enough to know my shortcomings. Have I honestly ever smoked a cigarette or done a drug before? No, never. I made a promise to my brother when I was younger that I would not, and I honor that promise to this day. I don't really drink because alcohol makes me sleepy. It's no fun to be out and falling asleep at the table after a glass of wine. I never slept around. I went to college and then grad school. Now I am a doctoral program and working for the government. If doing something with my life is being a goody-goody and not making too many mistakes on the way then GUILTY. I should never have to feel embarrassed or ashamed for being who I am.

I like being me. Sorry I'm not sorry. 

XOXO

Relationship Series: I love you for...

I love you for:

• The way you look at me
• The way you take notes in your phone of the things I mention that I like (I know what you are doing)
• The way you put my insecurities to sleep
• Your never-ending trust
• The way you say mushy lovey things because you know it makes me uncomfortable
• The way you give me compliments when you know I can’t take them seriously
• The Brita you bought me when I was explaining how horrible the Columbia water is for human consumption (Toxicologist problems)
• The Valentine’s Day gifts you got me, no one has ever been that intuitive
• The fact that we can walk into a Barnes and Noble and see each other an hour later with a stack of books already a few chapters in (Best dates ever)
• The “good morning” texts every morning for the past 8 months, you haven’t skipped a day yet.
• The military jargon that you use when we talk that I love and miss so dearly
• Itineraries. The end all of any trip we have taken together. We work better on schedules.
• Your love of soccer and accepting that it is not my first choice of sports.
• Making an effort every day to tell me how much I mean to you.
• Flying across the country and now, half a country to see me.
• Losing at all our wrestling matches because I am obviously the superior wrestler. And no, I do not cheat. (ish)
• Your obsession with Bread Co. and bread in general.
• Putting up with my constant chatter, my judgmental side, and my controlling side (to name a few)
• Our shared love of travel, need for new sights, hiking, and anything outdoors (minus camping, you’ll never win)
• The stack of historical books and three fiction novels all over your place.
• Telling me that I’m beautiful when my hair is wet, I have no makeup on, and I am in sweatpants. I don’t believe you but it’s still sweet.
• I love you for continuing to blow me away every day with how amazing you are.  I love you for all the adventures we will embark on together…

XOXO

Trader Joe's Lunches

I take my lunch every day and eat at my desk. This has been a routine for the past two months. For the most part, my colleagues do the same thing. Sometimes I have an early lunch and other times it can be a little later than I would like. I’m not really good with getting up early to make my lunches so I rely on Trader Joe's for my meals. If I am not eating a frozen meal, I have a salad, or am reheating dinner for the previous night. I have a few Trader Joe's favorites that are healthy, packed with veggies, and deliciously amazing! It also helps that most of these meals cost $1.99. If I went out for lunch each day that would probably be $50 a week. But because I bring my lunches, it costs me maybe $12 a week. Because there is no Trader Joe's in Columbia, when I am home on weekends, I stock up and fill up a cooler to bring back with me to keep everything cold. Here are a few of my favorite lunch options:

Chicken Chile Verde Burritos $2.99

This is half the price of the regular Mac N Cheese but that's because it's half the amount. The regular is huge and I can rarely finish it so it's nice to have a cheaper and small option when I'm not as hungry. $1.99

Huge, HUGE, huge portion!! Its noodles topped with shredded gouda, havarti, cheddar, and swiss that when heated melted for the most amazing meal! $2.99

I love this pasta with pesto and veggies. It has cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and yellow bell peppers. Seriously amazing! So filling and its only $1.99. 

My lunch today! This tortellini with cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and red bell peppers, ricotta, and spinach. So delicious!! And again, $1.99 

Enjoy the frozen food section of Trader Joe's. I'll be there Sunday!

XOXO

My almost finished Apartment!

Welcome to my apartment! It's got a ways to go but it's been fun this past week setting everything up...

XOXO

Apartment Week: Bedding!

I was a little hesitant when I saw the peach throw pillows and wasn't too sure they would work with my bedding. I wanted white bedding and my mom found this set on sale 60% off at Dillards. It is reversible and at first I thought it was navy but it is actually black. The shams and the comforter are both outlined with black. The bird pillow was/ is my obsession. I found it at Marshalls and bought it immediately. I wanted to basically build my whole bed set around the pillow. I think the whole set marries really well. 

Bedding: Studio D (Dillards) 

Shams: Studio D (Dillards)

Peach Throw Pillows (Dillards) 

Bird pillow (Marshalls)

Lamp (Lowes) 

Fake hydrangeas and vase (Hobby Lobby) 

Monogrammed Hat on bedpost (Marley Lilly) 

Candle in Mimosa (Rewined Candles) 

XOXO 

Apartment Week: Color Schemes

I have been struggling with finding the right color combinations for sections of my apartment. Although I have a studio, I wanted to separate the “living room” from the “bedroom” section. Thus I have slightly different color schemes for each. My “bedroom” section is white furniture with white bedding and accent throw pillows. I found the bird pillow at a Marshalls and wanted to build the whole bed set around it. I am still debating on the peach pillows but for now, they will do. (They have removable covers which help immensely if/ when I redecorate) I like the idea of white bedding with a pop. I’m looking to invest in a more down comforter for the winter, but until then. My living room couch is a coffee tan color. I wanted to do an Americana theme but I have settled for the coffee tan color, whites, and red accents. The side tables and coffee table being white, I needed a little pop. I found the red throw pillows at Walmart for $5 each but I couldn’t find any oversized and comfy white pillows I liked. So I was researching online and found the no-sew DIY pillow covers. They are interchangeable and I made for half the price thanks to Hobby Lobby coupons and discounts. Now I have three white pillows with different prints, two red accent pillows, and I am debating on throwing in another pillow. (Picture to the right is a preview of my apartment)  I am also excited to make plaid covers for Christmas time and just pop off the white ones and switch. I also have two throws I want draped over my couch, giving it a very homey feel. I still haven’t found a rug that I love and with the wood floors, I feel like I need one. So that will be my next project. I’m planning a trip to Kansas City once their Ikea opens so hopefully I find one!

Here is the link to the DIY pillow cover tutorial (for someone not crafty, this was super easy!)

http://purposedlyreinvented.com/how-to-make-a-no-sew-pillow-cover/

If you are looking for great color combinations for decorating, check out Design-Seeds.

http://design-seeds.com/

Have fun!

XOXO

Easy Pasta Dinner

I like to peruse through the food & drink section of Pinterest to get ideas for meals and parties. Most of my "new" recipes come from my "Pilates? I thought you meant pies and lattes" food board on Pinterest. When you are on a budget, thank you grad school, it makes for cheap and easy meals to be a priority. I found this pasta recipe a few months ago and it has become a normal occurrence. This tomato basil pasta is one of the easiest and most delicious recipe. My mom's garden is growing like crazy, and so I was able to walk outside and clip a few basil leaves and grab a few tomatoes. I normally use the tomato juices, olive oil, and garlic to cook the pasta. Tonight I was lazy and just boiled the pasta and drained it. I then threw in the diced tomatoes, basil, and garlic. After letting it simmer for an hour, (I was swimming...) I shredded fresh Parmesan to top it off on my plate.

Happy Eating, 

XOXO

Apartment Week: Pantry Checklist

Now I won’t be stocking up on ALL of these items but this gives me a pretty good idea of what I need in my cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer. 

I know I am stocking up this week! 

XOXO

Update: Basically didn't buy ANY of this until yesterday. Big fail on my part! 

Apartment Week! Kitchen Essentials Checklist

Making lists is kind of my thing. I have lists everywhere and then when I lose my list, I make a new one. The cycle repeats. I have had running lists of everything I need for the apartment for months, slowly checking off each. There were things I wanted vs things that I needed. I think it was Christmas my sophomore year of college when I got my first pots and pans set. It had not been opened and has been sitting in my closet patiently awaiting my first place on my own. The Christmas of my first year of grad school, I got my KitchenAid from a friend. Honestly, my pride and joy. You know you’ve made it when you have a beautiful white KitchenAid sitting on your counter for the world to see. It’s so pretty.  But here is a list of the essentials of a kitchen and a few extras. Just to get you started… I’m sure I am forgetting something and I will be running to Target soon enough.

Tools:

Strainer

Whisk

Grater

Can Opener

Spatulas

Timer

Tongs

Wooden Spoons (slotted, non-slotted)

Potato Peeler

Pizza Wheel (or you can always use a large knife)

Garlic Press (*I’m lazy)

Cutting Boards

Knives:

Bread knife

Chef’s knife

Paring knife

Steak knives 

Knife Sharpener

Bakeware: 

Casserole Dish (small, medium)

Cookie Sheets (I have three or four)

Cooling rack

Meatloaf pan

Mixing Bowls (the more the merrier)

Muffin pan (1 large or 2 small)

9 or 10 inch pie plate

1 Large mixing bowl

9 x 12 casserole pan

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Cookware:

Large frying pan

Large pasta pot

4 qt sauce pan

2 qt sauce pan

Small sauté pan

Lids for all of the above

Tea kettle (Screaming kind is the best!)

Bar:

Beer Coozies

Champagne Flutes

Bottle Opener

Shaker

Tall Beer Glasses

Wine Glasses- Red, White

Glassware:

6 coffee cups (with saucer)

2-3 travel mugs

High ball glasses

Drinking glasses

Tumbler

Carafe

Serving:

Bowls (large, medium)

Flatware

Pie wedge

Pitcher

Platters

Salad bowl

Serving spoons

Serving tray

Dishware:

Soup bowls

Salad plates (6-8)

Dinner plates (6-8)

Dessert plates (6-8)

Silverware (buy a set with extras)

Miscellaneous:

Aluminum foil

Food containers with lids

Qt freezer bags

Gal Freezer bags

Napkins

Napkin holder

Paper towels

Paper towel holder

Sandwhich bags

Spice rack- spices

Brita water pitcher

Wax paper

Saran wrap

Scissors

Vase

Cleaning Supplies:

Baking soda

Bleach

Scrub brush

Dish detergent

Disinfectant wipes

Wood floor cleaner

Swiffer

Trash bags

Vinegar

Glass cleaner

409 cleaning spray

Small Appliances:

Keurig

Crock Pot

Hand Mixer

KitchenAid

Toaster

Linens:

Tea towels

Wash cloths

Drying towels

Placemats

Oven mits

Pot holders

Unpacking all week! 

XOXO

New Haircut!

Two inches off the front and three off the back with some thinning and layering. I'm obsessed! If you live in St. Louis, Ginger Bay Salon and Spa has been my place seven years and I have never been disappointed. Not only do you get a head massage before your cut, they are just amazing! I had Miranda today and loved her cut so much I made an appointment in November with her! I love getting my hair done! 

Happy Saturday!

XOXO

Haircut!

I haven’t had a hair cut in 8 months. Yes, I said 8 MONTHS. Partially because I have been busy, my hair stylist is super busy, and I couldn’t afford to pay the $80 for the services when groceries were more important. Well, I finally had it, called my salon, and made an appointment for tomorrow and since its last minute not with my stylist. My hair is getting really long, is in desperate need of trim, and no matter the amount of “no heat this week” I do, will save it. I have long, coarse, thick hair. It’s naturally curly and wavy when air dried and the slightest humidity has me starring in the Lion King. I don’t plan on doing anything crazy, just long layering to take out some of the weight and about two or three inches off. Last December, I needed a change and I stupidly got a side bang. It wasn’t bad, it was a great cut. But I regretted it after a week and had to wait for it to grow out and get out of my eyes. I have also had a pixie cut for a year. My military college shaves your head to an inch or two inch long hair. So to save my long locks- I had it done early before I reported and donated my hair. 14 inches off later, I had a Twiggy-esque haircut. It was pretty fierce when styled correctly. But it also took me years to grow out upon finishing my first year of college and being allowed to grow it out. (Citadel problems) Although I will never go inch to 2 inches short again, I will be cutting it off in November after the Marine Corps ball. So to give y’all a little bit of a hair history, this is my hair from senior year of high school (2007-2008) to now.. 

(Senior Year of HS)

(That time I went brunette for a study abroad in the Panama Canal above right) 

(Senior Year)

(Grad School)

(last weekend)

Wait until Saturday for my next selfie with my new hair cut from Ginger Bay Salon and Spa! 

AHHHH way too excited!

XOXO

Copying {Jestine's Kitchen Onion and Pickled Cucumber Salad}

I have been on the hunt for a great copy of Justine's Kitchen, a restaurant down in Charleston, "table pickles." Also known as onion and pickled cucumber salad, since the cucumbers are still fresh. I found a few recipes on Pinterest and after a few Google searches, also found a few knockoff recipes. They are so amazing, I could eat them all day!! My mom's garden is growing like crazy, so after one night of picking cucumbers and washing 15, I decided to try the different recipes. This was the closest, and also my dad's favorite- he said it was closest to his late mom's.





Onion and Pickled Cucumber Salad:

Ingredients:
2-3 cucumbers, thinly sliced (you can peal them, I prefer not to)
1/2 vidalia onion, sliced in rings
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup vinegar (White)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
1/8 teaspoon pepper

(1 tsp of dried herbs optional- dill, basil, etc, I did not use any)

Directions: Cut up cucumbers and onions, add to mason jar, add additional ingredients, cover with lid. shake.
Refrigerate and enjoy!!

So yummy! 

XOXO