Livin' in Color

So the grad. party was an all around good time. Looking back on the night, I can't help but think about how my personality has changed. In the past I was always a black and white type of person. But over the past few months (post-grad), I've encountered so many changes that it would be impossible to think so extremely...black...white--good thing too, because I look ravishing in colors other than black, like coral for example ;) Anyway, back to the point I've been trying to make. At the party I ran into friends/acquaintances I haven't seen in years--and you know what? I liked them. All of them. Which makes me think...why did I pass such harsh judgements on people in the past? Why did I shut myself off from so many great people that surrounded me? I am completely different than my high school self (thank God!) and so much happier post-grad than I ever could have imaged.

By the way, I'm wearing: Maxi dress: Marshalls // Wedges: Dolce Vita for Target // Belt: Borrowed/stolen from Mom // Watch: Michael Kors

Here's to living a beautiful life! 

The Party

I need some help! Tomorrow is my friend K's graduation party and I have no idea what to get her; to make matters worse, I'm on a limited budget (aren't we all). Oh, and it's also her twin sister's grad party too (do I get her something as well?). Ah! What to do. WHAT. TO. DO. Any ideas--pretty, cheap, thoughtful...all three qualities wrapped into a little white box with a red ribbon would be wonderful :)

Another party I am attending this weekend--the arm party! I had one this week and let me tell you, it's hard typing and banging away on a keyboard all day with a massive arm party--I think this trend is perfect for the weekend though; no unnecessary bits of writing, no periods of silence only to be disrupted by the bang of my bangles against a desk or keyboard. Yes, this weekend is perfect for an arm party...I quite like this one...

Via

Grad. gift ideas?

Do you love arm parties too? 

Yes, I call them arm parties :)

WIAW *happy dance*

I finally remembered to take pictures of all (okay, most) of my food *happy dance,* so now I can truly be a WIAW girl like the rest of the lovely ladies over at Peas and Crayons! Here's the break down:

Snacks also included: 2 granny smith apples, some raspberries, yogurt and 1 cup puffins original cereal. 

My appetite has been out of control lately; but I keep reminding myself that since I am working out so much, I need to constantly refuel.

So excited for my rest day tomorrow--DEEP BREATH :)

Purple, Print...no not together

Morning all! Another work week grind, don't you just love it? Despite my 4:30am wake up, to hit the gym at 5, to make the train at 7, to get to work at 8:45, to work until 6ish, get home around 7:30pm; I'm pretty energetic. What is making me happy this morning?

• New leopard print canvas tote bag from the GAP ($10 on sale at the outlets)
• New sandals (minor wedge heel...nothin' serious people--my feet got torn up last week because of my *enter twitter hashtag* #supercuteshoes) from BASS Outfitters...also on sale :)
• Finally got a pedi this weekend and love the color--Essie Lilacism 

What's making you happy this morning? Or today? 

Tell me, tell me, tell me <3

Eggy Oats & Pushing Yourself

Good morning! It is certainly a beautiful one--sunny skies, soft breeze--praying for a little drop in temperature though (high of 108 F yesterday, WHAT?!) Any who, after reading tons of blogs like Feeding Brain and Body and Running with Spoons, I was really craving some eggy-ish oats. I wanted an egg white omelet this morning, but needed my oat fix too so what did I do? Scrambled some egg whites, placed it over hot oats, added in the fixings (freshest blueberries EVER, chunky peanut butter, grape preserves, sliced nanner, half a bottle some cinnamon) and blam! Best. Breakfast. Ever. Repeat every day for the rest of my life?

As for pushing "yourself" which, really just means myself. I think it's become really hard for me to balance working so many hours and having a social life. It's just that I'm tired after a week of waking up at 4:50am for the gym, commuting to the city, working 8:45am-6ishpm, and getting home past 7:30pm...it's just a long day. Once it's the weekend all I want to do is go to the gym, eat until my stomach explodes, lay on a lounge chair, and spend copious amounts of time strolling through Target/Marshalls/Whole Foods. But...I (and you) need to push ourselves if we're in this "rut." Being around people is healthy and necessary and just FUN, so freakin' do it, okay? I will too :)

Do you like egg/whites in your oats?

Any advice for busting out of this work-rut?

Love you all, sorry I've been away for a while--for all that want to know: Teen Vogue wasn't as cool as I hoped, oh well! 

WIWIA + WIW

Home-girl is tired...let me tell you. I am still getting used to working so many hours--it's truly exhausting (but I'm sure you guys know all about that...I'm just whining, sorry!) Anyway, I wish I took pictures of my food for WIAW. Obviously that didn't happen AGAIN (bad blogger). However, I am changing it up this week (sorry Jenn) and doing a remix on the standard WIAW, this is the WIWIA (what I wish I ate). Since I'm short-changing everyone this week (okay, 3rd week in a row, I suck) I am going to add in a WIW (what I wore), free of charge, do you love me again?

So WIWIA? 

(Please note: I did not take any of the pictures for the food portion of this post but I am crediting them :)

Breakfast: Hot oats a la Running with Spoons

Lunch: Salad Beast via A Knack for Nutrition

Dinner: Pesto Veggie Manicotti by our very own Peas and Crayons 

As for WIW: this what I wore to a recent event in NYC

(taken by a friend--Instagram on her iPhone)

Shorts: J. Crew

Wedge Booties: Bass Outfitters

Pocket t-shirt: GAP

Chambray button-down: Bass Outfitters

Necklace: Calvin Klein 

Watch: Michael Kors

I'm heading to bed...okay, maybe after I eat one of these and read a few chapters of Summer in the South by Cathy Holton.

Woke Up Wanting Pancakes...

But since I woke up at 4:30 a.m. in order to get a 40 minute cardio session and 30 minute lift (arms today) in, I sadly couldn't partake in any kind of pancake party. I have been dying to try out this recipe that I found at Tone It Up and I will definitely be making these pancakes for dinner tonight. Hopefully my pancakes will look as delicious as the ones pictured below...I'll snap some quick shots tonight!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup egg whites
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (organic rice protein or whey)- visit your local nutrition store or wholefoods!
• 1/2 banana (mashed)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbs flaxseed
• Add a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries after the above ingredients are mixed together.

Directions:

Pour into a pan that has been sprayed with olive oil cooking spray- heat on medium.  Cook one side until you see the little bubbles... just like cooking any pancake! Flip over (careful!) and cook on the other size until the middle is done (peek inside with a fork). Top with two sliced strawberries and optional powdered stevia. ENJOY your protein pancakes!  :)  If you need more carbohydrates, you may add 1-tbs agave or organic maple syrup on top.

Side note: Would anyone want to start seeing some of my work-outfits? I know I originally started blogging with a fashion-focus...healthy living blogging just took over my life, not that I'm complaining ;) Just figured I'd ask. Have a great day everyone.

What I Learned...

1. Anything that I deem "bad" at first can and will eventually turn around if I find a way to turn negatives into positives
2. After a lack of hot oats for 5 days strait NOTHING tasted better than breakfast this morning
3. Not writing every single thing I eat a day is so liberating, I can't even describe this feeling...
4. Having a shoe named after me will be pretty darn cool (more details to come in the near future)
5. Being promised 2 FREE pairs of shoes from an awesome designer is the cherry on the top of a perfect Friday
6. Working is truly not "work" if I love every second of what I'm doing...and do not even want to go home early on a Friday
7. I will feel like a major BAMF when I get to visit Teen Vogue next Friday :)

Learn anything this work week?

I'm off to the gym, then doing a major TJ's grocery haul, working ALL day, and I couldn't be happier about it!

If I can make it to the beach too, my life will be complete...oh, and a pedicure would be nice! Any color recommendations?

Ziplock Bags Full of Food...oh, and Some Fashion

Due to my recent hectic life I have been forced to transport my food as follows:

Breakfast: Dannon Light and Fit yogurt, Granny Smith apple, Red seedless grapes, 1c. Puffins original flavor, water

 

Lunch: Sandwich- Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Spinach leaves, 100cal flat bread, Granny Smith apple, Nature Valley granola bar, Diet Raspberry Snapple

Don't make fun...zip-lock bags have feelings too :)

BTW: Check out my last post for some great snacking/packing food ideas in the comments section!

So despite the fact that I haven't had hot oats in 4 days...major, major :( aka sad face, I have seen some really cool stuff! I'll leave you with pictures because I can't keep my eyes open...my tweets say it all.

I'm deliriously exhausted (but oh so happy with how things are turning out!) 

One look I saw at Première Vision Preview New York!

Another look from Première Vision Preview New York

Spring shoes from the Nicole Shoes collection--I visited the showroom

Fall 2012 Oxfords by Nicole Shoes

Thanks a Million!

I just wanted to pop in quick and send a huge thank you towards anyone that read and commented on my last post! This week has been a whirlwind so far and I think everyone is 100% right--with tons of planning and patience, I will adjust to my new schedule. So, I was negligent again in taking pictures for WIAW...and believe me, I'm really upset about it--second week in a row that I'm missing it :( This is what I'm going to do, I'm linking you all to Jenn's page Peas and Crayons so you can still see some great eats (even if they're not mine!)

While your all here...I need some help! What are great foods to pack for a long commute? I need breakfast, snacks, and lunch! Any good pack-and-go products out there? I am looking for food/meals to create that require little/no prep time! Also, there is a major need for fullness because I have been a hungry beast lately! Thanks again for the other day, I hope everyone gets over the hump that is hump day! I'm gonna slap a smile on my face and make today an good excellent day! Hey, you see that sun?? *happy dance*

The Balancing Act

How do you balance everything going on in your life? How can you connect with friends and family, date and work on a potential relationship, work full time, eat healthily, exercise, and still have "ME" time? I feel like I'm drowning right now in obligations and responsibilities...maybe this is truly what growing up feels like.

I am going to try and post regularly but just thinking about my new schedule is making my head hurt. Wish me luck! I'm off to enjoy a chocolaty and frosty treat even though I didn't make it to the gym today which, also puts me in a less than stellar mood :( Ah, trying to slap a smile on my face.

Did/do you have trouble making the adjustment from college-kid to working-adult? How do balance everything in your life?

Hey, It's Okay...

• to eat a bag of microwaved popcorn only to go back for seconds on a rainy Friday night (...and then declare that you are swearing it off forever...again)

• to spend an entire day reading your Nook Book color (right now: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer)
• to stand outside for a few minutes when it's drizzling to feel the rain hit your face
• to wear the same jean shorts until they are too stretched out and you get "saggy butt" (or you spill something on them)
• to drive all the way to Whole Foods just because you need some more xanthan gum
• to visit the same Marshalls three days in a row, in hope that you missed something hiding in the racks the day before
• to almost get "misty-eyed" when your blender mysteriously stops working
•  to drink two protein packed smoothies a day, just because you want NEED some chocolatey-frostiness-in-a-cup
• (recipe: 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1c. vanilla Almond Breeze, ~1 spoon of xanthan gum, 1 packet of stevia, 2c. ice, 1/4c. water AND BLEND :)
• to realize that focusing on yourself doesn't make you selfish, it makes you smart
• to dance in your car...even at stoplights
• to read seventeen magazine, even if you're in your twenties :)

Can I get an amen? AMEN!

Have a great weekend!

Strait Nookin' It

I don't know about you guys, but I am exhausted. My body and brain need a major time out this weekend. Funny, right? Didn't we just have a 3-day weekend? Oh well. I'm starting my 2nd job on Monday so I need this entire weekend to build up my strength. Next week I can hit the ground runnin'...and I better have time to fit in a run or two, or three :) So... my weekend will consist of tons of pool time, a Nook Book Color loaded with free books (thank you public library e book program!) and bottomless cups of delicious chocolate frostiness! What are your weekend plans? Anyone else need some downtime?

No Pumkin, Only Applesauce

Everyone has problems, right? Let me tell you about two problems that I have, I can't find peanut flour OR canned pumpkin. Now in the grand scheme of things I know these things aren't a big deal (not in the slightest) but I've been playing around with different breakfast combination's in my head and NEED these two items. As food enthusiasts I know you all know what I'm talking about--you have this craving, an anticipation of a certain taste on your tongue (don't make that raunchy, people!) and you need it, ASAPNow! So where are you lovely people getting your canned pumpkin and peanut flour...not at Trader Joe's, not at Whole Foods, not at Stop & Shop--oh Gosh, where the heck are these things? Please share!

Anyway, due to the lack of peanut flour and canned pumpkin in my life I decided to experiment with applesauce. So I made my normal hot oats and added in about a 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce with a packet of truvia and nuked it for about a minute. Then threw in the basic berries, peanut butter, grape preserves, banana, cinnamon and voila...hot apple oats :)

It was delicious-- so make it, savor every bite, spread the word!

On an unrelated note, I have a question about lifting (figured I'd throw it out to my lovely bloggy friends). I have been lifting a few times (mostly arms so far), and I have weird chest-aches. Can you pull something in your chest? Did I strain something? Did I lift too much weight? Have you ever experienced this? Help me quick before I misdiagnose myself on Web MD!

East Coast Hoppin'

So due to my traveling from RI to NY yesterday I didn't take pictures of my food for WIAW..but it's still so much fun to play, so head over to Peas and Crayons and show the world what you're scarfing down lately :) For me, it's oatmeal, peanut butter, carrots, and veggie burgers!

So, I'm still exhausted from my weekend. It was so much fun seeing all of my friends and visiting new places (new restaurants/bars in NYC, Mohegan Sun Casino in CT and Block Island, RI). Instead of ranting and raving about what I did, I'll share some more pictures, since who doesn't love to look at pictures. And if you're as tired as me from this weekend, I'll make reading/viewing this post a little easier--haha, don't ya love me? Also, I'm attaching links to everything in case I peaked your interest!

Greek food at Kefi and drinks at the Blue Donkey (both on the Upper West Side)

Dinner at Big Bubba's BBQ and a concert at Mohegan Sun in CT (check here for concert schedules)

Day trip to Block Island, RI (ferry schedule here, and tourism site here)

It's Wednesday...how do you get through "hump" day?

NYC to BI

Whew! I made it through the weekend. I just got home a few hours ago and even though I am EXHAUSTED I wanted to touch base...and give you a little preview into my weekend. I went from NYC to Mohegan Sun to Block Island, RI in less than 48 hours. More to come tomorrow and thank you to my newest followers :) I hope everyone had a wonderful and memorable 4th of July/Canada day weekend!

At Kefi, a cute Greek restaurant in NYC with Christina.

(Free) Ryan Cabrera concert at Mohegan Sun Casino.

The rowdiness/epicness that is BI, RI.

4th Fever

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Canada day/4th of July weekend :) I'm signing off until Tuesday. I'm heading to Rhode Island and seeing all of my friends from school. Although it's only been a little over a month since we have all been together, it feels like a lifetime. I can't wait to head to Block Island, have a lemonade-chrystal-light-vodka (or two), and dance on the ferry boat! Oh, and seeing Ryan Cabrera tomorrow night won't be too horrible (prepare for tons of tweets).

Hey Ray, should we bring our yard glasses a la Senor Frogs?

Have a safe and wonderful weekend! What are your plans?!

The bugs.

Hi, everyone! It's finally Friday and I am so excited for this upcoming weekend--a Ryan Cabrera concert with my best friend, a trip to RI and Block Island for the 4th? Happiest girl in the world award goes to...Me!

Sandwich thin, spinach leaves, low-fat cheese, cherry tomatoes, veggie meat-less balls, salsa (in substitute for tomato sauce)

I wanted to thank Sarah at Feeding Brain and Body for giving me the Amazing Blogger award--love you girl! (PS: Have you tried making her egguffins? They're yummy in yo' tummy!) I'll get to those bloggy questions later but I wanted to bring up something quick. I got two bugs...the lifting bug and the cooking bug. It was only a matter of time before I caught on to both--I read so many cooking/fitness blogs now that it would be impossible not to. I lifted for the first time yesterday and damn, ladies. I give you all a ton of credit because my upper body is hating on me right now. But I'm going back for some leg action today, is lifting as addicting as I think it is? Also, dabbling in the kitchen, I decided to create a healthy pizza, because I was craving some Italiano :)
On to the amazing blogger questions:

Tagging:

Meri-Goes-Round

A Picture A Day

BrittFit

ForgottenBeast

Sweet Cheeks

(hopefully you guys haven't been tagged yet!)