Sunday, April 29, 2012

100th post of 2012


This is my 100th post of 2012! I can't believe I've already made it to 100 this year. Last year I started in March and totaled 114 posts in 2011. I've been blogging almost daily since February and the writing is just flying by. I even made added an About page last week. Check it out if you're interested in learning more about me and why I like to blog.

This photo is making me crave birthday cake. How tasty does that look? I haven't even breakfast yet and this photo is making me want something sweet!

THANK YOU for reading my blog! I truly appreciate all of your comments, questions, and feedback. 
Here's to 100!

xo

Saturday, April 28, 2012

yellow in photos

I got my Nikon DSLR camera two Christmases ago, and the photo quality is great! I'm still learning how to use it, and I often use the very convenient Auto setting... (Don't worry, I'm taking a photography class this fall!) So far, the camera basically does most of the work for me. One of my favorite aspects of the high quality photos is the color! Blue skies look magnificent and yellow just pops.

Here are three unedited photos that show how great yellow looks!
This photo opportunity was too tempting to pass up! A fire hydrant is basically a bland item on the street, but on the sunny day, I just had to get a shot of it because it is yellow.
I took this at The Colosseum in Rome! This was a random, tiny little sign.

One of the guys from GIF sleeping on a ferry bench...he is going to KILL me if he ever sees this photo on here!

I'm excited to take the photography class in the fall and get more great photos! On the manual setting. Hopefully. We'll see! 

xo

Friday, April 27, 2012

sleep: catching Zs

I'm writing this after taking a nice nap at the foot of my bed where the sun shines in through the window. While the temperature isn't as high as last weekend's heatwave, it was nice to still be inside and feeling the warm heat through the window. Sun + sleep = recipe for a mood booster! Sun not only boosts your mood, but sleep makes you feel less cranky and more energized. That's why summer naps outside are some of my favorite :)
Is this what you feel like? You may need more sleep.

However, we can't always choose to get as much sleep as we want. When things get busy, it seems like there are not enough hours in the day. (Midterms week, anyone?) Sleep is usually the first thing to get crossed off the list. I understand just as much as anyone that it is sometimes hard to get enough sleep. But I do know that sleep is so important! Why?

It's essential. Your body needs it to function properly.
It makes you happy! Or, at least, less cranky.
It aids in memorization. Your brain memorizes things throughout the day during sleep, so getting a full night's sleep before a test ensures that you will recall information far easier than running on only a few hours. (Or none!)
It keeps you slim. Sleep is the only way, other than food, that your body can get energy. That infamous midnight stomach growl? Your body is actually telling you you need sleep, but since you're not letting your body sleep, its last "survival" resort is extra calories. (The word "calorie" = energy, get it?!) It is a known fact that being overweight or obese can sometimes be a more extreme outcome of getting no sleep.
Getting enough sleep could make you THIS happy and relaxed!

The reasons above are just a few I know off the top of my head. If you're interested in learning more about the benefits of sleep, check out this article! It explains why sleep is important for other things too, like creativity, athletic performance, lowering stress, and emotional stability!

And, if you just can't get a full night's rest, check out this site - sleepyti.me - to calculate the perfect time to go to bed or wake up. It measures time in sleep cycles so you can at least feel well-rested if you can't get in those eight hours!

Have sweet dreams this weekend!

xo

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

"digital" florals

Shorts: Nasty Gal Tank, bracelets, earrings: Nordstrom Sandals: my mom's closet Sunglasses: American Eagle

It was pretty warm again today, so I pulled out these floral shorts again - this time without the tights and boots! I love warm weather. "Digital" florals have been on the fashion-radar for a some time now and the trend has exploded this spring.

It has taken me a little while to warm up to the digital floral trend, seeing as some patterns remind me of the curtains from my old house in the '90s. They're not as bad as I originally thought, though. I have found some great pieces that are updated and more modern! Below are a few digital floral items to try out if you like the trend. (I think the skirt is gorgeous!)


Do you like the digital florals trend? Is it a trend to stay, or should it have stayed in the past all along? Would you wear any of the pieces above? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

xo

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

olive & gold

Jacket: Arden B Shirt: Macy's Shorts: Rock & Republic Watch: Michael Kors Bracelets: F21 Shoes: Sperry Ring: Nordstrom

I was going to take this photo outside on this gorgeous, sunny day, but I forgot my camera at home! I took a photo inside instead and was happy this I got a decent photo on the first shot. I have to go to work in a few minutes! Super fast post today.

About the outfit - I like using olive as a neutral but enjoy how it still adds a bit of subtle color. Of course, I add some shine with the sparkles on the tank, accessories, and soft gold metallic shoes, but wear simple denim shorts to not make the outfit over the top.

Happy Tuesday!

xo


Sunday, April 22, 2012

white on white

Tank: Free People Shorts: H&M Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs Shoes: Sperry Necklace: Subdued Firenze Watch: Michael Kors Bracelets: F21 Bandeau: Brandy Melville

Today it is 80 degrees and SUNNY! Sun is my favorite weather and I could not be happier right now. A few friends and I went to a late breakfast at an Italian restaurant (a few photos to come) and it was so great. Florentine eggs benedict, iced mochas, and good conversation. The restaurant we went to had garage doors that open up. The sunshine poured in on this nice day. What a great start to a Sunday/SUNday. Get it? Bad joke? Haha?

I decided to wear as summery of an outfit I could pull together in five minutes. I chose this lacy hi-low shirt from Free People. The back of the tank has cool wooden beads sewn onto it. Simple white denim shorts and gold accessories finished off the outfit. I wore a black bandeau because the tank is a little baggy. Now I'm going head out and spend the rest of the day outside!

Here's the back of the shirt - you can kind of see the wooden beaded detail! This photo was taken on Elba Island in Italy...ahh the days. :)

xo

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Thomas Hammer

Thomas Hammer, a local coffee roaster, has ten shops in the inland northwest area. We have one in our business school on campus and I often treat myself to an iced mocha when I have class in the building. My other favorite treats are the white chocolate covered espresso beans and the OMG Bar (a peanut butter bar with a chocolate layer on top). Yum! 

While the coffee alone is amazing, the marketing is just as good! They use funny statements that capture the brand's personality well.


I laughed out loud the first time I saw this coffee mug! I like the play on words.

Another funny mug.

Other Thomas Hammer lines I like are, "Helps Straight Think You" and "You Won't Regret This In The Morning."

The creativity of the marketing makes me like the brand even more than I already do!

xo

Friday, April 20, 2012

highlighters

I am a visual person when it comes to organization. I like to have all of my lists laid out and color coded if possible. Each of my classes has a different designated highlighter color in my planner, and the same goes for work and other activities outside of school. Color coding is a visual way to look at how much needs to get done for certain things.

Here are some great highlighter options. My preferred brand is Sharpie, but there are some other good highlighter brands too!

Sharpie 27145 Sharpie Accent 12-Pack Pocket Style Highlighter (1-Card)
Simple. To the point. Extra colors in case the first one dries out. I bought a pack of these this school year and they are wonderful.
I got a 2-pack of these recently. They are great for highlighting notes! The small Post-It flags are very convenient and I am currently sticking them in some library books I am using for a research paper. The Post-Its will bookmark the page and won't leave a rip when I take them out to return the books.
Lilly Pulitzer (left) and Jonathan Adler (right) brand highlighters! The fun prints will brighten up the un-lively task of taking notes.

I found these Dylan's Candy Bar highlighters on the same website as the Pulitzer and Adler ones above. These highlighters not only come in fun prints, but are scented too! It's like the grown-up version of Mr. Sketch Scented Markers.

Highlighters are a great way to color code notes, lists, calendars, and schedules. They're also fun to have on hand if you go to a neon or black light party! ;)
Enjoy the rest of the semester!

xo

Thursday, April 19, 2012

PINK backpack

Didn't realize someone was watching The Princess Diaries on the TV behind me till I saw this photo, ha!
I got this PINK backpack last weekend! Yes, it's from Victoria's Secret PINK, but the color isn't just pink - it's PINK! When I saw the bright pink color I knew I just had to get it. Pink is one of my favorite colors. Are you getting sick of how many times I've used "pink" so far in this post?!

....Pink!

Okay, I'll try to tone it down.
 I love the brightness of the neon color and plan on wearing it a lot this summer. It is fun bag to take to the lake and other casual summer activities. It's probably a little too dressed-down to wear with the heels (I didn't wear it out that night), but it works with so many other outfits! I even wore it to class because it is tall enough to fit my books.
Blurry photo :(

PINK! 

Okay, now I'm done.

xo

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

low-calorie snacks

Snacking is often strategic or mindless. Strategic snacking would be having a light amount of food to tide you over till your next meal, and mindless would be snacking too heavily, or, just to snack. There are times when I fall into both categories. Sometimes I have an apple (45 calories) with a slice of cheese (80 calories) for a quick and filling 125 calorie snack. Sometimes I have an apple with cheese, then some slices of turkey lunch meat, then tortilla chips, then a cookie ... and my snack becomes mindless. I usually only mindlessly snack when I am bored, hurried, or stressed. It's a habit I'm trying to break, and I know I'm not alone!


Here are some healthy, low-calorie snack ideas!

Fruit - fruits and vegetables already contain water, so that means extra hydration when you snack on some! Apples and bananas are great for throwing in your bag on your way out the door. I also like to make my own fruit salad with strawberries, cantaloupe, grapes, and pineapple. I slice it beforehand and put it in a clear container. When I open the fridge, it seems like a lot less work to have fruit because it is already washed and cut up. I also don't have to feel like I need to throw away the rest if I don't finish it.
Some ideas: Strawberries, watermelon, pears, apples, cantaloupe, pineapple, grapes, blueberries mixed with yogurt, fruit smoothie
Raw Veggies - I bought a small-ish sized bag of baby carrots at one of the places to eat on campus recently. The whole bag of carrots was only 35 calories but packed with nutrients and the water carrots already contain. I only had half of the bag before it filled me up! This was healthy food that my body will use for fuel for only 17.5 calories - it beats eating a handful of chocolate covered pretzels (approx. 220 calories) that my body won't use for fuel and will leave me still hungry.
Some ideas: bell peppers with hummus, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, cooked corn, baked asparagus sprinkled with parmesean cheese, Romaine salad mix (I eat it plain for a quick, crunchy, snack)
Nuts and Nut Butters - Nuts are high in the good fats. Just a handful of nuts will give you a protein and energy boost. Nut butters are also a wonderful way to add taste. Spread a nut butter on whole grain bread for a sandwich or toast, on apple slices, sliced celery, or whole grain crackers.
Some ideas: cashews, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower butter, pecans
Proteins - There are plenty of ways to sneak protein into snacks. We covered nuts and nut butters above, but there are also other protein options! Greek Yogurt is filled with protein and tastes great mixed with berries. Turkey slices are light and filling - make a lettuce wrap by rolling a sheet of lettuce around a few slices of turkey, a bit of cheese, and mustard. Half of a low-calorie protein smoothie is another way to add protein. (For the kind I make, a whole one is a meal replacement for me. So try half for a snack!)
Some ideas: lettuce wraps with lunch meat, yogurt, nuts and nut butters, cheese, rice and beans, avocado spread on a whole wheat English muffin

Last but not least ... water! Water isn't food, but your body needs it every day to be hydrated and function properly!

I hope this gives you some ideas for smart snacking! Try your best to eat the nutrients your body really craves, and don't get too carried away with counting calories. This is quality over quantity. Listen to your body to see if you are actually hungry or are just snacking just to snack. Doing so will keep your body fueled and performing at its best!

Have any more tips? Feel free to add yours below!

xo

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

3 great street style looks from Lookbook

Lookbook is a great site to browse for cool, fashion-foward street style inspiration as well as amazing photography. Here are a few of my favorite looks I found today!
The jacket makes the simple black outfit so interesting! The pup is cute, too.

A great way to wear colored denim. The shoes are so unique!

That zebra bag is amazing! I really like that shade of orange with the electric blue on the bag.

xo



Monday, April 16, 2012

local coffee shops

There is something so cozy and refreshing about local coffee shops. Don't get me wrong, Starbucks is great, but it doesn't quite have the charm that local places do. Once a week, me and a few friends grab lunch off campus. Since we usually need to be doing homework - and spend hours doing so - we often choose a little cafe instead of a sit-down restaurant.

To be honest...I kind of like coffee from local places better than Starbucks. But shh! Don't tell them I said that!
I used to not drink coffee until earlier this school year. The taste never appealed to me and since I don't like warm drinks (I know it's weird - I don't like tea or hot chocolate either) I never had the urge to give iced coffee a go. However one day, I was tired and wanted a caffeine boost, so a friend told me to get an iced mocha. The chocolate and milk would help balance out the bitter coffee taste.

To keep my new-found love of iced mochas (nonfat, no whip cream, please) from turning into a daily - not to mention expensive - addiction, I try to limit myself to only a few a week.

A few of my favorite local coffee shops/cafes/bakeries/whatever you'd call it nearby are Rockwood Bakery, Rocket Bakery (they're different), and Service Station. 

Service Station has a fireplace and in the winter we would pull up our chairs next to it and watch the snow fall out the window. 

Rocket has some of the best sandwiches I've had in a long time. 
Rockwood doesn't have wi-fi so it's really nice to do homework there. I'll bring my laptop with the Internet pages I'll need already opened so I don't get distracted with blogs, email, Twitter, and Facebook! It's nice because I'm very productive when that happens.

I'm already looking forward to this week's meetup with my friends at a local place!

xo

Sunday, April 15, 2012

scallops!

Scalloped hems are another trend popping up this spring. I think scallops are girly and fun and am excited to possibly get something scalloped when I go shopping this season. 

Here is an "outfit" I put together with a scalloped shirt I adore:


Here are some other great scalloped options!


I like the sleeves on this dress - perfect for the semi-warm-semi-chilly weather of spring!
This tank takes on a bohemian flair with intricate lace and subtle colors.
The red color of this shirt is simple yet makes a statement.
The black and white detailing on this dress have a unique, '60s modern feel.
This dress is also black and white, but the structure is totally different! I like how the scallops are layered and the dress is fitted.

xo

Friday, April 13, 2012

3 bustiers and how to wear them

Bustier tops are climbing up the trend latter this spring! With the crop top in full swing, bustier tops (sometimes called bralets) are being worn in many different ways - with hi-low skirts, high-waisted shorts, colored denim...there are plenty of options! As always, the lovely Topshop is ahead of the curve and presents plenty of fashion-forward bustier tops. Here are three bustier tops from Topshop that I adore:
One rule about bustiers: always wear them with a high-waisted bottom! The idea is to show a hint of midriff without exposing your whole stomach. Also keep this in mind when deciding where to wear them: a date with your boyfriend or a summer afternoon getting froyo with friends is fine, but to class or a work event may not be.

Here are three outfit options to wear with the bustiers above:

This look is so glam and just fierce!! The skirt and top both have exposed frontal zippers and wild prints. These shoes are just spectacular, and the watch is structured and cool. Infuse a hint of sweetness with a floral ring, and the outfit is complete! Just add some confidence and prepare to get double-takes on the street from your fab outfit!

This outfit incorporates so many trends. The bustier top alone is ultra trendy, but the high-waisted hi-low skirt adds another fashion-forward element. Cat eye sunglasses shade your eyes from the sun while looking mysterious, and the filigree bracelet makes for an intricate, yet simple, accessory. I have two shoe options for this outfit. The straw flats would be great if you'd wear this outfit in the sun all day, or say, to a festival. The green wedges punch up the outfit and add some unexpected color!

This look is something I would totally wear. I love the girly floral print in the bustier and the pink stripes on the shorts. The pink stripes play off the pink flowers in the top, which shows that there is no need to fear 
mixing patterns! Neutral Sperrys keep the look casual and comfortable, and the necklace and ring add some extra dazzle. Top it off with a fedora to finish the look!

Which outfit option if your favorite? Would you wear a bustier this summer? How do you feel about the trend? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

xo