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?

Peanut Butter Oats

I have been so inspired by food blogs recently. Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries constantly dares me to try new foods and eat what I truly want (aka intuitive eating) & Chelsey @ Clean Eating Chelsey shows me that variety and unconventional approaches really do pay off and bring unsuspectingly amazing results (aka grilled chocolate & banana muffins). I never really explained my food journey (mostly because I type-casted this blog as a style blog so early on) but I have always struggled with my weight (since middle school). About a year ago I joined Weight Watchers which, helped me get to where I am now, but in a way the program ruined me. I keep track of food/activity "points" in my head and find it hard to break into new routines with nutrition & fitness. Well, yesterday I threw out my little weight watchers notebook (with my detailed food entries and corresponding point values) and decided that by following bloggers like Chelsey and Megan (and a ton of other great ladies) I will keep track of the healthy foods I eat, but only to monitor my variety, not to "tally" my intake.

With all that said, I forced myself to do something completely different for breakfast today. I made Peanut Butter Oats! 

1 Cinnamon Oatmeal pack // 1/2 Banana // 1 spoonful of chunky peanut butter // 1 spoonful of grape jelly // a few shakes of cinnamon

The oats were filling & melty-gooey (word?) and I will definitely be trying this again. It was weird to eat something much less voluminous (I am a portion eater, the bigger the better in my mind) but I was more filled eating this than my usual breakfast :)

Do you guys have any healthy food/exercise blogs you follow? Please leave them below! Happy Sunday!

I promised NEW

Last night I went to New York City with a few of my friends and had an amazing time. Although I got home around 4(ish) I still woke up at 8:30am because of my darn internal alarm clock. I ended up eating breakfast and hitting the gym for some much needed cardio; I find that sweating out alcohol is the only way for me to feel 100% after I spend the night drinking. So without further ado: my lunch!

Whole Wheat Wrap // Dr. Pragers Veggie Burger // 1 Slice low-fat cheese // Trader Joes Spicy Salsa // Spinach leaves // Handful of carrots

Oh and my post-gym sweaty self!

I'll be back with an actual outfit post tomorrow :)

Oh Saturday...

1. Stop and smell the roses...because they do smell quite lovely
2. Go for a run...and dance while doing so (with bejeweled headphones)
3. Make your own feather earrings (I like this DIY version)
4. Sport a coral-colored pout
5. Hit the town at night...and tote a studded clutch

I'm off to enjoy my day and get myself ready because...formal's tonight! 

Need Some Motivation?

You know those days when you just feel crummy? It's as if the sun could be shining, you have you favorite pair of shoes on, and you just got a cute text message from a guy you like/date/etc.--but it doesn't matter. I've kind of felt this way lately; maybe it's my upcoming graduation, stress in applying/finding a "real" job and trying to figure myself out in the process but I am spent...emotionally spent. When I was flipping though the April issue of SHAPE magazine I found an article about how to be your own cheerleader. I have been noticing a lot of bloggers like myself have been stressed about upcoming graduations, projects, events, etc...so this may be the perfect time to pep all of us up! Here are the steps:

1. ID your strengths: the article tells us to write down 3-4 emotional and physical things about ourselves that we love. This is usually pretty hard for me (most people would agree, I think). Anyway, I think emotionally I am very genuine and observant, physically I think I have a strong body (thanks to the gym) and long, wavy hair.
2. Give your wardrobe a makeover: it is suggested that we highlight our assets and figure out what works for me. This is a funny one; I always think that I dress my body correctly, but I have been noticing (since I read this article) that I tend to hide behind baggy clothes a lot--there's a difference between the tom-boy look and swimming in my clothes. Perfect time for some spring cleaning. I am definitely going to donate my unwanted clothes to a charity bin (find a Salvation Army location here).
3. Make your heart pound: without a given, exercise can do so much for a person--even though some days I want to just say, "get away from me treadmill!" usually after a cardio session I feel so much better.

I'm hoping all of these things get me out of my little "funk." Maybe they will help you too--having great friends and outlets to vent your frustrations is always good and looking/doing things that make you happy and remind you of happy times is always key--with that said, here are some pictures from my Spring Break cruise to the Bahamas!

 Enjoy the sunshine!

Rachael & I on the Norwegian Jewel: taken before dinner

Nicole, Sydney, Rachael, Elora, Me--on Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas

The ladies and I in Nassau, Bahamas!

Elora and I on the boat: last full day at sea

My 1st Award

I am sending a big THANK YOU out to Mimi from Aesthetic Lounge (check out her blog for some BIG APPLE fashion inspiration, plus she is the sweetest person ever!)

She awarded me the Stylish Blogger Award and the Versatile Blogger Award!! Thanks again Girl!

 

So 7 things about me, here we go...

1. I drink a Diet Raspberry or Peach Snapple every morning
2. I wouldn't be able to function with out my MacBook Pro
3. BRAVO is my favorite TV channel (I need my reality show fixes!)
4. I live in my Sperry Top-Siders
5. I make To-Do lists like it's my job (multiple lists on the same day usually!)
6. I love running: it is the one time I can do something without my brain working on overdrive (plus the endorphin rush is great..."exercise gives you endorphins and endorphins make you happy...happy people just don't kill their husbands...they just don't!")
7. I have been hard-core lusting over the Louis Vuitton Large Noe Drawstring Bucket Purse

I am awarding the following bloggers both awards for being inspiring, hilarious, and beautiful women!

C.W.F.H.L, cornflake dreams, Dani Alexandra, Fashion Meets Food, in staley's atmosphere, {long distance loving}, page sixxx

The Rules:

- Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your blog

- Post 7 things about yourself

- Award 7 recently discovered bloggers

- Contact these bloggers and let them know they've received the award(s)

Fashion Blogger Hits the Mall

So yesterday I hit the Providence Place mall with my roommate S. We decided that we needed some retail therapy since boys make us crazy. Girl time at the mall is definitely the best medicine for confused and breaking hearts. I wanted to go to Forever21 and Nordstroms so that is exactly what I did. While I fawned over all the expensive and beautiful items in Nordstroms, I reminded myself that I do not have unlimited funds and if I do buy the $200 Steve Madden combat boots, I will not be eating for the remainder of the month. While I did realize that Halloween is approaching and it is likely I can subsist on candy, my inner health guru reminded me that I need carrots, apples, and veggie burgers, and the boots will have to wait until I am rich and fabulous! I bought earrings and a bracelet at the BP for Nordstroms section (young adult clothes that are so much cheaper than the contemporary line but still cute!)

For my mall adventure I wore my black stretchy Forever21 leggings that I always post about as a base. On top of that I wore a long sleeve gray Kenzie t-shirt that I got at Marshalls for $10 (great purchase). I wore a Charlotte Russe denim vest on top of that (borrowed from my dear friend S, thanks again!) and brown Minnetonka moccasins. The outfit was very comfortable which is great when shopping at a mall because you are constantly trying clothes on (well at least me and S always play dress up!)

I love the mall, there is something about it: the shiny glass windows calling my name, sale signs, tons of beautiful colors and draped fabrics, I don't know but it is love. I just hate spending money which I why I came up with a rule for myself. Everything that I buy I must think of ways I will use it. If I can not come up with 3 different ways then I CAN NOT, I repeat CAN NOT buy the item!

The day was really fun and much needed. I spent a lovely evening with my friends as well and now I am hanging out, lazy Sunday style. Although, today me and my roommate E went apple picking with our sorority sisters! It was really fun, we got some great Suncrisp apples (if you do not know what they are, get them and eat them immediately!) Hope everyone had a great weekend! Enjoy the rest of the day!

PS: Does anyone freak out about not exercising every day? I know this is a fashion blog but I figured I'd ask. You know strong fashion sense, strong body, strong mind? It's my mentality on life. Let me know!