Acquired Tastes

Project: Food Budget // Month 3

2012-01-05T08:00:00.010-05:00

This is my review of my December food budgeting and goals for January! For more information on this project, please take a look at Emily's Custom Made Blog!

If you remember November was out of control coming in at $719 and so eased up a little on my goal for December, putting it at $550.

For December, I came in at $635.18, not too shabby if I do say so myself! Considering it includes a birthday dinner (at Morton's no less) that I thought maybe I would take out since it technically was kinda a gift... and also a dinner I paid for when my family was in town. They did pay for quite a few of my dinners out though - and there were also a lot of family dinners attended with lots of leftovers!

I somehow did a dinner party in there and also made a double batch of crockpot mac and cheese for a work potluck that everyone RAVED about - which maybe me feel good, even though it was just this recipe tweaked a bit.

I also must mention I was gifted 2 cases of Christmas wine (that I gave a lot of as gifts) and I also had a Christmas party where people brought tons of extra drinks - so I think that helped a lot in my booze spending area.

I think I did better this month because I was eating so much rich food going out and to parties that I ate very little otherwise - and it was mostly vegetables or soups because I was just so full!!

For January, I am really planning on buckling down and eating at home more, although we will see how that goes! I am also trying to keep up the monthly dinner party and hopefully this month I can attend the Kaya Prix Fixe Vegetarian dinner again! I am setting my budget for this month at $500.

Wanna see how everyone else in the project did this week?

Other Bloggers Participating in the Project:

Project: Food Budget // Month 2

2011-12-08T08:00:00.001-05:00

This is my review of my November food budgeting and goals for December! For more information on this project, please take a look at Emily's Custom Made Blog!

Ok, November was out of control. I knew it was half way through the month but it's been kinda an up in the air month with everything so I just let it go. I am almost embarrassed to post this though.

I spent $719 this month on groceries, eating out, and alcohol/bars. Wow. Yeah.

Early in the month I went to a fun wine event where we had the opportunity to buy some special local (and amazing!) wine but it was pretty pricey. I still have 2 out of 3 of the bottles I bought awaiting special occasions! I went to a fun and delicious prix fixe vegetarian dinner with a friend. I wasn't able to go home for Thanksgiving so I decided to have my own feast - a friend drove all the way here to visit and I showed her a great time!

What could I have done better? I'm honestly not sure! I really enjoyed the dinner parties I went to and hosted and I definitely wouldn't give up the wine or the vegetarian dinner! I did grab Qdoba for lunch ($6 burrito is pretty budget friendly!) a few times and probably spent a little more than I should have out at the bar, so I will try to watch those things in December.

I can already tell by my spending for this month, there is no way I am making the $400 I was shooting for in previous months. For December I think I am going to shoot for $550 total for the month, a happy medium.

How do you save money during the holidays? I looove hosting parties and it can really add up with the wines and cheeses!

Wanna see how everyone else in the project did this week?

Other Bloggers Participating in the Project:

xox, b

Project Food Budget 2.0

Ignition Nutrition

A Nice Heart and a White Suit

Because Hobbies Happen

Primary Focus Health Coaching

Chicken Tender

Fresh...A New Chapter

Chandeleah

Monthly Twitter Roundup - November

2011-12-06T08:00:00.001-05:00

I have quite a bit of fun over on Twitter! I love finding new people to follow, so I would love it if you would follow me and let me know you found me through my blog and I will be sure to follow back!!

I love sharing interesting articles, motivating quotes, pretty and/or funny pictures, and just other generally great stuff!

However, I know some people don't have time for all that twittering or just don't get it, so I thought I would share the best tweets from the month on my blog as well!

Wow, so where did November go? And where did I go? As evidenced by my lack of posting (and that I am posting this on the late date of December 6th) I have been super busy! Lots of working which sure takes a bite out of my blogging time and then really making an effort to hang out with friends left me with almost zero face-to-screen time - but hey, that was one of my goals for November right?

Anyway, what have I been up to? Celebrating my new job, hosting a dinner party (and another one this month!), week time dinner dates with old and new friends, and a whole lot of Thanksgiving fun! November was a great month for me!

And on twitter...

View my "Monthly Twitter Roundup - November Edition" on my blog!

What have you been up to this past month? Any awesome links or tweets that you saw?

Original image source: Grant MacDonald

Christmas Gift Guide {Repost}

2011-11-22T08:56:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year (again!) when the stores are way too crowded and you have to come up with things to give people who seem to already have everything... or everything they want is WAY out of your price range.

Well, hopefully some of my gift suggestions will be helpful. I plan on doing another post soon with some homemade items that are always a hit! I try to keep most of my gifts under $50
by combining a lot of small stuff that I know people will like.

The best way to find out what your friends and family would love for you to get for them is to listen. Listen to them year-round and when they say something they really want/need - write it down in your planner or journal or where ever. It really makes things easier later on.

I've separated the gifts into two categories. Obviously some of the things you will give your boyfriend/fiancee/husband will not be things you would want to give your dad. But some things will overlap. And it differs from family to family; I know some girls my age who could give their moms lingerie, but not me.

Girlfriend/Sister/Mom Gifts:

OPI/Essie Nail polish in a shade they desire
Sexy underwear - Hanky Panky has some great one and they are one size fits all
Gift certificate for a facial/massage
Cocktail ring - the J.Crew Starburst ring is really cute!
Pedicure or manicure gift certificate at their salon of choice
Yankee candle - my favorite scent is Sweet Pea
Planner - the Moleskine weekly pocket planner is my absolute favorite
Coat from Forever 21 - usually priced around $50, a fun wardrobe addition
Pretty calender - I like to pick ones with cool, big pictures on one side so when you are done with it you can use the pictures to decorate your walls - one like this or this would be ideal
Luxe hair products - get some of their favorite premium brand shampoo, conditioner, Fekkai glossing cream (makes your hair the silkiest it will ever be!), or Ojon rub-out dry cleanser (to prolong time in between blow-outs)
Roll-on or travel size bottle of their favorite perfume
Coach cashmere-lined leather gloves
Boxed set of her favorite TV shows
Sephora scent sampler - perfect gift for the girl who still hasn't found her perfume
Cute top/dress from Forever 21 - when in doubt just buy a medium, their sizing is all pretty much the same
Gift certificate for mystic tanning sessions
Stationary - it can be a great gift - some places to look: high end - Mrs. John L Strong, medium - Crane & Co, cheaper (but still nice) Papyrus
Burberry headband - dresses up any outfit
Anthropologie earrings
Great books - either pick something you've read and know know they will love - or get something fun with great advice: Emily Post's Etiquette, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, or Kevyn Aucoin's Making Faces
Gift certificate to favorite clothing store

In general, I like to receive gifts that are things I want, but are out of my price range. For example, I love premium hair products like the Fekkai Technician line, but at $32.50 a bottle, I would much rather get TRESseme and save the extra bucks for essentials.

This also covers the issue of giving gift cards - some people disagree with gift card giving - why not just give money? They can see how much you're spending on them anyway. Well, whenever I receive cash, I deposit it into my bank account and then I usually spend it on groceries or gas - the whole point of a gift is to give something they will really like. I like gift cards - just make sure they have easy access to the store and it's somewhere they like to shop.

Boyfriend/Brother/Dad Gifts:

Boxers - they always seem to need more of these, some places to look: high end - Ralph Lauren, medium - Gap, cheaper - Old Navy
Luggage pieces - I've found a lot of guys don't have a good garment bag - some of these are great
Dress socks - look at Marshall's or TJ Maxx
A new game for their chosen game system (or a fancy controller)
Tickets to a sporting event or concert they would love to go to
Boxed set of his favorite TV shows
Nice dress shirts - just look at what they have in the closet and pick more - most of the men I know don't like too much change
Ties - buy one you like so then he'll have at least one ;)
Collectors set of their favorite liquor
Gift certificate to Lowes/Home Depot
Cologne you like - ah, the power scent can have over a woman...
Humidor with a few cigars
Gift certificate to a local brewery - look for one that does beer flights, that's always fun

Everyone Gifts (good to keep on hand in case of unexpected gift givers):

Baked Goods (cupcakes, cookies, brownies - Betty Crocker Triple Chunk are the best)
iTunes Gift Card
Favorite bottle of wine

Happy hunting! Also, presentation is almost as important as the gift. The most interesting you make the set up - the more fun it is. Think Bridget's gifts (she coordinated her gift to the playmate of the year to match her dress) on the Girls Next Door.

{this is a repost from several years ago - I think it's still pretty relevant though and hopefully helpful! I plan on doing a few more Christmas posts in the next few weeks!}

Amazing Vegetarian Chili {in the Crockpot!}

2011-11-15T09:01:00.001-05:00

I looove my Crockpot. So. Much.

There really is nothing better than throwing a bunch of random stuff in there in the morning, and coming home to an amazing smelling house, and a warm, delicious (and healthy!) meal waiting for you.

And as a bonus, this recipe takes less than 10 minutes to put together - and most of that time is just opening cans! You really can't beat it!

Ingredients:

2 cans black beans (or you can sub dry beans to save $$)
2 cans kidney beans
2 cans pinto beans
2 cans fire-roasted tomatoes
2 small cans of green chilis
1 bag of frozen mixed peppers + some onion (I really like the pre-chopped frozen stuff)
2 packs of tempeh
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
2 veggie broth cubes + water to fill the crock pot (or veggie stock)
1 Tbsp olive oil

Directions:

Drain and rinse the beans. Combine everything into a large crockpot. Crumble the tempeh in and mix everything up. Turn the crockpot on. If you need it fairly fast (like 8 hours) put it on high, if you can wait longer (and believe me, it will be better) put it on low for like 12-18 hours.

I will say that all this stuff filled my crockpot to the brim, so you may want to reduce the amount of beans (although I really like the even ratio of the 3 types). The amazing thing about vegan recipes in the crockpot is that they are never really uncooked, but the longer you go, the more the flavors meld and the thicker the texture. Mmmmm.

This is one of the best vegetarian chilis I have ever had, although I will say it's pretty spicy. If you don't like spicy, reduce the chili powder.

I also recommend freezing the leftovers in individual portions - waaaay better than those Lean Cuisines everyone brings to work.

First Day {Outfit Post}

2011-11-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hurray for the first day on the job! I went shopping Sunday, cause I kinda felt like it was the first day of school and I needed that perrrrrfect outfit.

Cardigan: LOFT, Skirt: LOFT, Top & Tights: Target, Belt: Banana, Flats: Naturalizer, Necklace: Gifted

I hit up Ann Taylor LOFT looking for an awesome skirt and found this one. And because they were offering 30% off everything if you bought a sweater, I had to get that too - so another cardigan it was (I mean really, twist my arm)!

I felt great in this outfit and I loved the way it matched my Linkin Park After Dark nails.

And a tip for the first day on the job: always flats. You never know how many tours you are going to have to go on, how far you will have to walk to lunch, or if you may have to practice a fire drill. You just never know.

{Sorry for the weird hand and eyes, my camera remote was disagreeable. Also, as a little side note on picture quality and why I do these: I feel like for one thing, the longer I do them, the better I will get at it, and two, this really does help my self-esteem in a weird way - just putting it out there and letting that be that. I wrote more about it in my first outfit post along with a terrible picture - but really cute outfit - so I am improving!}

Simply Delicious Baked Brie {Local Flavor}

2011-11-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

This baked brie recipe may be famous in my group of friends - it's definitely requested at every single girl's wine night, I know that for sure!

This recipe is super simple and yet still decadent and sophisticated - and majorly delicious - so it is perfect for any gathering where you will have access to an oven.

Also, the most difficult part of this is the technique so I took a few extra pics to demonstrate.

Ingredients:

Small wheel of brie - the 7 oz size is great
Pilsbury Crescent seamless dough sheet (you can also use the regular Crescent rolls, but you will need to seal the seams by pinching the perforations together)
Butter or spray to grease foil

Optional Fillings:

Honey (I used some amazing truffle honey)
Jam/jelly
Brown sugar
Chutney

Tools:

Foil
Baking sheet

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375.

Roll out Crescent dough. Place fillings in the middle and layer the brie on top.

Fold the sides up over the brie. This time I folded each side up and sealed them together and then folded the others up together.

Take off any extra dough. Flip over onto greased foil, so the flat side is up. I usually fold the sides of the foil up, so that it is does leak, it is contained in the foil "boat."

Bake for about 20-30 minutes until the dough is browned.

Serve on a plate surrounded with crackers.

So good!

I've made baked brie with pyhllo dough before - much more difficult and it's really easy for the cheese and fillings to start leak out.

Project: Food Budget // Month 1

2011-11-03T08:41:00.000-04:00

This is my review of my October food budgeting and goals for November! For more information on this project, please take a look at Emily's Custom Made Blog!

After juggling receipts for about a week, I decided that the easiest thing for me to do was to sign up for a Mint.com account and track my spending that way. I would check in every few days and see where I was at - and it's also helpful for tracking other spending!

For the month of October I budgeted $400 - but it was a really odd month for me. I spent almost 2 weeks in Tennessee, partially staying with a friend (++ food costs) and partially staying with my parents (no food costs). I also wasn't going to start the project until after my first post went up, but on Mint.com it was simply easier to do the whole month so it included a pricey grocery trip and a wine re-stock I hadn't counted on.

So how did I do? I ended up coming in over budget at $506.97, but I wasn't trying super hard, and with my hectic schedule, I am pretty pleased.

As shown below, I spent more on booze and restaurants than on groceries which is not the way I want things to be.

With my recent good news, and my November goal of getting into a routine, I am sure things will even out a bit more and I will be able to settle down - and maybe actually cook something other than macaroni and cheese!!

Wanna see how everyone else in the project did this week?

Other Bloggers Participating in the Project:

Celebrate! {Outfit Post}

2011-11-02T09:00:00.001-04:00

Last night I went out with one of my girlfriends and we celebrated my new job!

Cardigan: Yag Couture, Tank: Target, Skirt: Isy & Peeps, Tights: Walmart, Flats: Naturalizer, Necklace: Francesca's

I may look tired in this pic, it's cause I am. I had a super fun night with friends celebrating my employment! We went to two of my favorite restaurants and then visited with a friend I hadn't seen in months. All in all, a very good night.

I bought this skirt on a whim when I was leaving my old job because of my discount, and I haven't worn it ever, until tonight. Well, I kinda love it. It's a nice length and it's comfy and high-waisted just like I like.

I think this is an awesome work-appropriate skirt and I am excited to wear it for my new job! Now I just need to overhaul the rest of my closet...

November Intentions

2011-11-01T16:47:00.000-04:00

Well, it seems November is already starting out very well as I am soon to join the ranks of the employed!

Original Source: Cape Cod Cyclist

Before this delightful news, I was contemplating how I was going to make my goals for November. I came up with scenarios such as making categories for if I get a job and if I don't... but looks like that is no longer an issue!

Some intentions for the month of November:

Activity:

Work up a sweat daily - this includes me prepping to start running again (and skiing!) by doing lots of lunges, squats, warrior poses, chair poses, and walking! I did awesome with my yoga challenge in September and felt amazing - but then I kinda let it all slip in October with traveling, colder weather, and shorter days. I feel so much better when I am active but I really let things go and then my momentum went kaput. I would really like to bring this back and maybe even start saving up for a treadmill.

Time Usage & Media Consumption:

In October I seemed to fritter away a lot of my time watching tv and playing on the internet. This month I want to be much more mindful of the media I consume and how I am using my time. I found this great article from Zen Habits about simplifying your life and being particular with how you spend your time is one of the key components.

Spreading My Roots:

I have been having this feeling very recently that I have been living my life with one foot out the door, not 100% committed to anything. It's a really weird feeling and I want to work on this. I would like to fix up some things in the house that have always bothered me but seemed like too much effort. I would like to branch out and try and make some friends of my own here in Pittsburgh. I want to explore some new hobbies and maybe take some classes locally. I want to improve upon my existing relationships and try and work out the kinks they may have. I would really like to throw a few dinner parties and maybe even a Thanksgiving get-together!

Get Into A Routine:

One of the things I have missed the most about having a job is the routine-ness that comes with it - I am looking forward to creating some solid morning and evening routines that help me get things done, like working out, meal prepping, walking, journaling, and all the things that seem to get lost in the shuffle.

What about you? Anything you would like to work on in November?

{And also, thank you to Caiti for the post that inspired me to write this today!}

Monthly Twitter Roundup - October

2011-10-31T09:00:00.000-04:00

I have quite a bit of fun over on Twitter! I love finding new people to follow, so I would love it if you would follow me and let me know you found me through my blog and I will be sure to follow back!!

I love sharing interesting articles, motivating quotes, pretty and/or funny pictures, and just other generally great stuff!

However, I know some people don't have time for all that twittering or just don't get it, so I thought I would share the best tweets from the month on my blog as well!

This month was more traveling! Which has been fun... the weather has also gotten so cold! I've mostly been hanging around with the fam, visiting friends, and lounging around the house reading! I am really enjoying some of my favorite TV shows coming back, like Dexter and Walking Dead, and also the new show Homeland. It's been good lazing around, but I'm excited to make November a bit more... well, productive.

Also, it looks like Storify (the thing I use to make these...) has changed some and I'm not sure I like it. Also, almost none of the twitter picture services are working :( Oh well! I promise I am tweeting lots of pics though - especially since I got a new smart phone!!

What have you been up to this past month? Any awesome links or tweets that you saw?

Project Mac & Cheese // Part 2

2011-10-27T13:39:00.000-04:00

So you may be thinking, how is my macaroni and cheese project going? Well, it's kinda stuck.... on one recipe.

I have been absolutely loving (!) that recipe I used last time except I haven't been baking it (cause that kinda sucked). I have tweaked it in all sorts of ways.

The project is still a work in progress though!

This is what I have been doing so far. It is a combination of the VOD Panera recipe, the Panera recipe they listed on their blog, Smitten Kitchen's Martha's mac and cheese, and a few of my own tweaks.

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
4 Tbsp butter
4 Tbsp flour (can use whole wheat pastry)
4 oz American cheese
4 - 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp mustard powder
1/8 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 - 1 tsp salt
1 box of pasta (I like cavatappi, can use whole wheat or other if you prefer)

Directions:

Boil the water and cook pasta according to the instructions.

Melt the butter in a large sauce pan and when it begins to bubble add the flour. Cook for 1 minute. Slowly add the milk and cream while stirring.

After 5-10 minutes, the sauce will thicken. Add the spices and cheeses and stir until blended. Mix with the pasta and serve!

Easy and quick!

Variations:

I've tried adding Gruyere cheese, which I like, but it makes the sauce a bit less smooth. I am in the process of trying all different types of cheeses!

I've used whole wheat and regular ingredients and both are tasty although as usual, whole wheat is a little more, well, wheaty.

I've used all skim milk, some skim, all whole, and half whole and half cream as directed. That's the best, although if you add more cheese, less fatty milk balances it out.

I am still learning and working on it, so any suggestions are appreciated!!

I think if I want to bake it, I need to make more sauce so it dries out less... hmmm.... and the project continues!

On Handling Things {Inspiring Words}

2011-10-26T11:13:00.002-04:00

"Life gives us what we can handle,

& we can handle what life gives us."

To me this quote is all about strength and knowing that things aren't too much. That we will all be okay.

The other night on the Virtual Book Club chat about Spirit Junkie, we were talking about how people come into our lives for a reason, and by thinking of them like that - as "assignments" - and thinking of what we can learn from things, rather than just trying to cope with them, we are in a much more positive situation.

I talk a lot about how mindset can really affect your happiness and it is true. Another sentiment mentioned from the book was that pain is caused by our thoughts.

Now when I am feeling down and hurt, I try and remember that quote - that I can handle it - and by thinking negatively, I am only causing myself pain.

What do you think about this? I thought the book club chat was awesome though! Some really great ideas floating around!

Lynn's Cheesecake Recipe {Local Flavor}

2011-10-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

This cheesecake recipe is the one I have been eating my whole life - and I can say with certainty, it is the best cheesecake in the world. And not just cause it's my mom's go-to recipe. Ok, well, maybe.

It is a cream cheese and egg cheesecake (not the ricotta variety that I know some people love) and I think it is the perfect blend of not-tooooo-sweet and creamy.

Ingredients:

Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
(+ another 1/2 cup for the springform pan)

Filling:
3 8 oz packages of cream cheese
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Strawberry Topping:
2 16oz packages of frozen strawberries
1/2 tsp cornstarch
1/4 cup water

Supplies:
Springform pan
Hand or stand mixer
Several mixing bowls
Medium sauce pan

Directions:

Pre-heat the oven to 350.

Start with the crust: Use the butter to coat the spring form pan. Combine the rest of the crust ingredients and with fingers, push into a crust on the pan.

Next, make the filling: Soften the cream cheese. Beat the egg whites until stiff, and then blend in the sugar. Combine with the cream cheese and add the vanilla extract.

Pour into the crust and pan evenly, and bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes (possibly more) depending on your oven. Check at a few intervals. It will be done when the surface cracks and is very slightly browned - a toothpick should come out semi-clean.

While the cheesecake is baking, make the topping: combine cornstarch and water. Heat frozen strawberries in a pan on the stove until they boil. Add cornstarch mixture to create a thick, strawberry topping.

After the cheesecake is finished, add the topping. Refrigerate overnight.

This cheesecake recipe came from a contest my mom and her friends had when she was about my age for the best cheesecake recipe, and this was the winner! My mom adds that this is not a Southern cheesecake recipe as it was from her very close potter friend who was from New Jersey.

I must also say that this recipe is fantastic leftover for breakfast...

Do you like cheesecake? I am pretty picky about it and most recipes I think are pretty meh after having this one my whole life!

Clarisonic Face Brush Review {Product Picks}

2011-10-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

I heard a lot of things about the Clarisonic Face Brush and I eventually decided to take the plunge and get one.

Source: Clarisonic

My reasons for trying it out were this:

I love my Sonicare (and the Clarisonic is made by the same company) toothbrush SO much
There are tons of good reviews from other bloggers
They tout amazing results (reducing fine lines and decreasing pore size)
The idea that I could use this with any cleanser - so maybe I could switch to a more natural face cleanser without having any acne {I love the Patricia Wexler Acne line but am trying to use more natural products}

I've been using my Clarisonic (which I bought at Sephora because of their amazing return policy) for about 2 months now, and I must say that everything that has been said about it is true! I love it!

When you are using it, it feels a little unusual, but nice. It has a sort of warming, vibrating feeling. It automatically goes for 1 minute - and then you are done! I actually think I spend less time washing my face with the Clarisonic!

Immediately after I use it, regardless of what face wash I use, my skin looks glowy, almost the same as after having a facial. And my face feels very fresh!

Long term, my skin texture has gotten better and while I don't know about reducing wrinkles or pore size, I can definitely say that my skin reminds me of how it used to look back when I was in high school.

I have been using it with a few different face washes, but no wins so far (still love my Patricia Wexler Exfoliating Acne cleanser the best). I've also been using it in conjunction with my argan oil, and I would have to say that my skin has never been better!

I bought the Mia because other than the body brush ability and the dock, I couldn't see any difference between the models, and the price difference is significant. I believe they just dropped the price to $119 (I paid $149) so now there is really no reason not to try it out!

Clarisonic Reviews Elsewhere:

Beauty Bets' Clarisonic: Must-Have or Total Myth?
Cheap Chicas: Me and My Clarisonic Mia
Fitnessista's Clarisonic Review
Gala Darling and Miss NM Brittany Toll's Recommendation (skip to the bottom of the interview for product recs)

{As a side note, I have been thinking about my product reviews, and while getting free stuff would be awesome, I think it changes how the product is perceived by the reviewer. Many bloggers say they would buy the free thing anyway, but I have my doubts. So far I have never gotten anything free for being a blogger, but in the future, if I was offered in exchange for a review, I wouldn't do it.

I was thinking the best way to deal with this is to accept an additional product to the one I bought (and love!) and to give it away or maybe give a promo code? What do you all think of sponsored product reviews, etc?}

Also, if you have tried the Clarisonic what do you think?

On Stress {Inspiring Words}

2011-10-18T16:04:00.000-04:00

Source: 126

"It is how people respond to stress

that determines whether they will profit from misfortune

or be miserable."

- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Sometimes it is so hard to accept things as they are and not stress and worry about them. I have a tendency to create all kinds of wild stories in my mind about everything, including the whys, hows, ifs, ands, and buts of any negative situation, but really, this isn't productive at all and just allows me to wallow.

Instead of thinking about how bad things are, how worried we are, or all the things that could go wrong, it is so much better to just let negative things be as they are. Grow stronger from them. Learn. Relax. Everything will be alright.

Finally Fall {Outfit Post}

2011-10-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

I was going to write about how happy I am for the crisp chill in the air and the beautiful colors gracing the trees, but instead I am going to tell you that my mom took about 62 pictures of me with my (new!!!) iPhone before we just decided to use one from the very beginning.

Cardigan F21, Tank F21, Skirt Target, Tights Target, Flats Naturalizer, Belt "Vintage" (my moms)

Yeah. It was fun and while about 75% of them were super blurry, some of them were down-right hilarious and definitely gave us some good laughs.

I like this outfit a lot because it shows an example of re-mixing summer items to be suitable for fall wear. This skirt is something that is good during the summer, but it transitions well because it also has some deep fall colors. Also, with tights it is a bit more length appropriate since I don't like wearing skirts at the hip.

I am very much enjoying this beautiful weather here at home in Tennessee!!

Must Watch // The Walking Dead

2011-10-14T13:03:00.001-04:00

Can I tell you about how excited I am for this Sunday? Why? Because The Walking Dead season 2 is beginning.

Source: Netflix

The series premiered last Halloween on AMC and the first season is currently available on Netflix Instant and on Demand - so watch it quick before Sunday night's season 2 premiere!!

The Walking Dead is a post-apocalyptic zombie story based on the comic book series. The show features Sheriff Rick Grimes, who wakes in a hospital after the state of Georgia, and presumably, the rest of the world, has been overrun by zombies. What follows is not a zombie shock-you-out-of-your-seat tale, it is a story about people: how they band together, how they help each other (and sometimes don't), and the way they react in a new and very difficult reality.

Source: AMC

I am not a fan of the type of horror that gets cheap scares through ominous music with loud punctuations and quick shots, and this is not that. In fact, I would argue that The Walking Dead isn't even really horror at all, although there are some quite gruesome and really realistic images (major props to the make-up special effects on this show - just take a look at that make-up above!!) as well as some terrible situations that get deep into your mind.

I strongly recommend watching this show!

Source: AMC

The new season premieres this Sunday at 9pm!

Some other places talking about the Walking Dead:

NY Mag Vulture Recaps (that don't really like the show, but are interesting to read)
Entertainment Weekly Recaps
LA Times Walking Dead Showtracker
Walking Dead Recaps on Vanity Fair
Esquire Walking Dead Recaps

And also: how to be a zombie for Halloween!!

Healthy Living for a Happy Body (and Everything Else)

2011-10-13T13:50:00.000-04:00

In trying to live our best lives, one of the most important things we can do is to take care of ourselves and two major components of that are (1) eating good, whole foods and (2) moving our bodies.

I have noticed that when I eat with no care for balance (read: lots of chips, desserts, and cheese) and when I sit around all day indoors, my skin feels different, my body feels different, and most importantly of all, my mind feels different. It becomes so easy to fall into that rut of giving your body poor fuel and not using it, and then wonder why you have no motivation to do anything and your brain feels totally hazy. Our bodies are just like cars, if you don't give them the right gas, or you just let them sit for weeks, they won't work properly.

In an effort to get my mind right and get motivated to do these two things I like to keep this idea of a Happy Body at the forefront. When I am choosing breakfast, I ask myself, how will this make my body feel? I think the Happy Body idea is awesome, because sometimes a cupcake is exactly what will make your body happy. But sometimes it is also a big bowl of spinach and a sweaty yoga class.

Some things I have learned about eating for a Happy Body:

Food:

Source: Ashley

It's all about balance, day by day, meal by meal. I try to balance each meal with veggies/fruits, lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats. This is what works the best for me. I try to eat a vegetable and/or fruit at every meal.

I try to buy foods with the least ingredients (nothing I can't recognize), and if possible, make stuff from scratch in bulk for the freezer.

Frozen veggies and fruits are my friends! They can be more fresh than the produce at the store because they are frozen at their peak. Also, they last much longer so they don't spoil, a lot of times they are already chopped up so less prep time, and in some cases, can be much less expensive than fresh!

I try to avoid anything processed - this includes white sugar. To me processed means that the food has had something done to it that I couldn't replicate at home with the right equipment. Obviously there is a grey area with this one.

I have an organic pecking order: meats (which I don't eat, but buy for others), then all animal products, then the dirty dozen. I try to stick to this but it can be really difficult.

Local food is great! This year I joined a CSA and I try to buy local dairy products from Whole Foods. I am looking forward to finding some good Farmer's Markets for next year.

If I am craving something that I know doesn't make my body happy in general, I try to get the best version of it possible. Haagen Dazs only for me!

I have slowly learned what food I have sensitivities to and I avoid them 99% of the time. No more popcorn or fake cheese powder.

Activity:

Source: Sara Williamson

I like to sweat most days. It makes my skin feel so much better, not to mention the rest of me.

I walk as much as I can, especially outdoors. Mandatory walks with my dog twice a day! Getting outside is so great for so many things like clearing your mind, helping your sleep by adjusting your circadian rhythms, and improving your mood (especially by getting some vitamin :D).

I don't do exercise that I don't like. The gym isn't for me, so I don't go there. If it makes me miserable, then it's not contributing to my Happy Body goal.

I have the things that I do regularly, but it is always nice to change it up and try a new class or activity, especially with a friend!

I think of my regular activities as hobbies, not as mandatory exercise. I look forward to my yoga classes because it is my hobby and it makes me feel amazing. It's all about the mindset.

Overall, the main thing I try to do is not over-think it and just be "normal" (no weird diet foods, food journaling, or crazy menu modification at restaurants). I spent so much time thinking about dieting throughout my life that I would much rather just be enjoying myself while treating myself right. I try to follow these guidelines of things that I know work for me, but if I can't or don't feel like it, I try not to get down on myself. After all, this is all about being happy!!

Is there anything you do to help you feel your best? Anything I left out that you think is important?

On Green Grass {Inspiring Words}

2011-10-12T12:54:00.000-04:00

Source: Dawn Endico

"The grass isn’t greener on the other side,
it’s greener where you water it."

- Unknown

I think this sentiment is a difficult one for most of us - at least I know it is for me. I spend more time that I care to admit thinking about how great other peoples lives are. It's something I've tried hard to stop doing, because really we never really know what is going on with others, and also because we all have our own paths, but I still catch myself following those worn mental pathways of jealousy.

The idea behind this quote is a great one: put effort into who you are and the things you care about.

{And thanks to Betsy for the link to this quote.}

Going to an Interview {Outfit Post}

2011-10-07T10:00:00.000-04:00

Don't you hate when you have an interview and you cannot figure the life of you what to wear? Yeah, me too. But! I think I've pretty much got it down pat.

Tulle Dress, J Crew Cardigan, Target Tights (reversable!), thrifted SM mary-janes, Longchamp bag, gifted necklace

This is what I wore (which I know, is quite similar to another recent post) to a business casual interview. I always aim for a few things in my interview outfits:

Sweat concealing. I am a nervous sweater and there is nothing worse than getting home and realizing I have gigantic pit stains. Blech!
Comfortable. Seriously, I don't want my tight pants restricting my breathing, I will probably already be uncomfortable enough. (And a side note on this: I never wear pants anymore. I almost never wear pants on a day-to-day basis - unless they are leggings - so why would I wear them to an interview?) And heels? Definitely not too high, they may decide they want to give you a tour of the whole building!
Dressier than what most people wear to work there, but not so dressy that you stick out like a sore thumb.
Memorable and personal. All black is kinda a no-go for me; I want them to remember me! Also, I want to wear something I like that shows my personality, because if they don't like me for that, then I'm probably a bad fit anyway.

I love this dress for interviews (while I do wish it was 1-2 inches longer - it looks longer in real life than in the picture) because it is conservative while still interesting, it has sleeves, and the material is good-quality and thick. I paired this with my necklace my friend gave me (personality!) and my green cardigan (memorable!), some charcoal tights, and my comfy patent mary-janes.

If the interview was a bit more formal (I did have the inside scoop from a friend - which I recommend! Try to find out what people usually wear there if you can), I would have switched out the cardigan for one of a more neutral color, or a blazer.

Do you have any tips for what you wear to interviews? I remember my first few as a graduate wearing a stuffy suit that was so uncomfortable - never again!

Project: Food Budget // Week 1

2011-10-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

It was around this time last year when my food budget was totally out of control. I went to the grocery about 3 times a week (sometimes more) always spending at least $50 a pop. That's how I ended up spending almost $800 a month on food.

In January, I decided to start saving, with the idea of a new car in mind. Well, it was a real blessing since I got laid off and was able to use those savings for my France trip!

This coming year I am participating in Emily's food budget challenge. Hopefully, I will be able to stick to my specified budget (which will be a little more structured than what I did before) and even learn something in the process!

A few things about my food buying situation:

I grocery shop for 2.
My usual way of limiting grocery spending is by limiting my trips to the store. I also have been known to revert to not cooking much at all, or just scrounging around in the freezer and pantry for odd left-over items.
I subscribed to a CSA over the summer, and it could even go until November, but it has been paid in full. I figured it out to be about $20 a week, so that's how it will look in the food budget.
I'm a vegetarian and I try to eat/buy as much organic and local products as possible.
For my purposes, I am going to include alcoholic beverages in my budget, which I have not wanted to do before. If it's something I buy, it will be in the budget.

I am going to be posting about this on a monthly basis, the first Thursday of each month, reflecting on the month prior and setting new goals for the upcoming month.

I am pretty excited to be taking this on!

For the next month, I am planning on spending $100/week on food and beverages (so $400 until my next update).

Other Blogs Participating in the Project:

My CSA {Local Flavor}

2011-10-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

Last summer I was very taken with the idea of subscribing to a CSA. Some of you may not know what that is, so here's the short of it: community supported agriculture, where you "subscribe" to the farm, and get a share of the yield each week.

I researched some different farms in the Pittsburgh area (there are a lot!) and decided to go with the Kretschmann Farm CSA because they are solely CSA supported and there was a lot of good feedback. Also, drop-offs close to my house! I calculated it to be around $20/wk, which is more than I usually spend on produce, but I thought it would be worth it.

I will be honest, I love the idea of a CSA. Fresh produce every week! Supporting local organic farms! Food grown right around where you live! Longer lasting and fresher produce! Emailing with the people who grow your food! Experimenting in the kitchen and trying new recipes!

However, in practice, the CSA does not work for me. The quality is very good, but I don't know about the claims of the produce lasting longer. Also, I am not partial to most of the produce that has been sent. I haven't been very motivated in the kitchen, and a lot of stuff has either been an overload (tomatoes) or I have no idea how or desire to use it (um, cabbage?). Unfortunately, a lot ends up gone bad and in the trash. It's a waste. A few times I even forgot to pick up my box (at least that was donated!). However, it is a lesson! I won't be re-upping my CSA next year.

Do any of you have a CSA? Do you like it? If you are from Pittsburgh, do you go to any farmer's markets you like? That's what I'm gonna be looking for next year!

On Celebrating Life! {Inspiring Words}

2011-10-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

“The more you praise and celebrate your life,

the more there is in life to celebrate.”

- Oprah

Recently I began Gala's Radical Self Love Bootcamp. It is all about loving your life and yourself which I think is an awesome yet surprisingly difficult mission.

For me personally, as someone who is hyper self-critical, this has meant becoming my own best friend and forgiving myself for all the things in the past that I regret. Letting myself have excuses and really believing them.

I think somewhere along the line, we were taught that making excuses for ourselves is pathetic, but I disagree. If you can look at your life without being deluded and say the things a friend would say about your past, it is much easier to see from a positive angle: instead of your life being a sad story where you messed up, it's actually a story of triumph, where you overcame all those bad and hard things, and now, here you are today, so much better for it.

Try looking at your life this way! When I do this, I feel so happy and grateful at how much I have grown and learned, and I am so appreciative that I can be here today celebrating it!!

Casino Night {Outfit Post}

2011-10-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

Fun outfit for a fun night! I love this dress and the houndstooth pattern so it was fun to wear it with some of my favorite red heels and my sequined cardi to Casino Night!

Dress - Rubber Ducky, Nymphe cardigan, Target tights, LAMB heels, F21 ring

I took these quick snaps in the mirror before heading out the door!

I love the way cropped cardigans go with dresses - they keep the shape so well! I need to get more colors for sure, as this dressy one is the only one I have!

I am absolutely head-over-heels (haha) in love with these shoes - they are just gorgeous. I am always happy for the opportunity to wear them!

Oh, and yeah, about those tights. I don't even want to talk about the weather that made me have to wear those...