Boho Chic Café

I've Moved My Blog!

2013-03-02T10:53:00.001-05:00

I've realized that working with Wordpress is much more suitable for me, so I've been working on changing everything over. Please check it out at Bohochiccafe.wordpress.com and be sure to follow me there! Thanks!

Chai Tea Lattes and a Trend-Setter

2013-01-24T09:50:00.001-05:00

This past weekend I visited family in my home town, Chapel Hill, NC (go Heels)! The weather was beautiful - blue skies, sunshine, and warm weather compared to the terrible winter we're experiencing in DC at the moment. We enjoyed the weather (and 3-day weekend) by running the 4 mile trail by my house!

It was a perfect weekend - I didn't want to leave! Before having to make my way back up to DC again, we stopped by my favorite local coffee shop, Joe Van Gogh. I ordered my usual - what I call the best Chai Tea Latte in the world. For any of you Chai Tea addicts, I have yet to try a better one!

Fashion time! Rosie Huntington-Whitley is not only a stunning, but she has a fabulous taste in fashion. She's always edgy and effortless. Of course she's a model and literally wear a paper bag, but I can't help turning to her for style tips.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

2013-01-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

I love sweets. In particular, chocolate. Rather than cut out the thing I love most, I embrace it and have a little something every day. If you eat well (sticking to fruit, veggies, lean protein and fish), it's not healthy to deprive yourself. Everything in moderation! Lately I've been seeing a lot of delicious healthy smoothie recipes. I've created three of my own so far - they're so addicting!

One of the three I made is a delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie. I mixed Silk light chocolate almond milk (found at almost every grocery store), plain non-fat greek yogurt, ice, powdered peanut butter which I mentioned in my last entry, and cocoa powder in a blender. At just 165 calories, it's filled with protein and fiber. If you don't have powdered peanut butter (substituting for regular), the smoothie is approximately 300 calories - still healthy and balanced.

I love the idea of smoothies, especially on days you're not hungry for a full meal, or if you need a post-workout afternoon boost.

1/2 Cup Silk Light Chocolate Milk
1/2 Cup Nonfat Greek Yogurt
1/2 Cup Ice
2 Tbs Powdered Peanut Butter
1 Tbs Cocoa Powder

The best part? There are only five ingredients. It's a quick and easy way to eat well on the go!

Have a happy and healthy Friday - and three day weekend for most!

The Golden Globes and a New Find

2013-01-16T11:57:00.000-05:00

My sister recently introduced me to Bell Plantation's PB2 powdered peanut butter a few weeks ago, and I immediately fell in love. I've been having stomach issues for about a year now, and peanut butter, avocado, and bananas are difficult on my stomach. I know, no bananas and peanut butter?! No guacamole?! I'm still in mourning.

But I've finally discovered a loophole! The peanut butter is completely natural. As they say, it "has the same consistency as full fat peanut butter with all of the natural roasted peanut flavor, but with nearly 85% less fat calories. PB2 is made with high quality peanuts that are slow-roasted to our specifications and pressed to remove the oil. All natural with no artificial flavors or sweeteners, and no preservatives." Two tablespoons is 45 calories instead of 188. The fat is what was harsh on my stomach, so now I'm able to enjoy it. I had to share in case anyone else is experiencing the same problem.

Golden Globes time! I spent Sunday night watching the Golden Globes, and I was incredibly impressed with some of the dresses celebrities were wearing. Below are my favorites, starting with my personal winner:

Taylor Swift! I was so impressed. She's adorable, but she always sticks to the same old "cute" style. When she walked out in this dress, I was floored. So sophisticated, sexy, dark and mature. The color, fit, and everything about this look was perfect. Joan Rivers and I had the same vote for this one, but the others all had different favorites as there were so many stunning gowns.

Emily Blunt followed in second for me. This one was received ooh's and ah's from Fashion Police, but I'm surprised it didn't get a best-dressed nominee. I thought the dress fit her like a glove, the material was beautiful, and she looked dynamite! Very timeless.

Claire Danes was third for me. This dress isn't necessarily a risk, but she's never looked better on the red carpet before, she looks beautiful - perfect really - and she had a baby less than one month ago. How?!

AND worst dressed for me is:

I love halle, and she's possibly the most beautiful woman on the planet, but no, Halle, no.

Who got your votes?

Happy Wednesday!

Meatless (and Gluten-Free) Monday

2013-01-14T09:30:00.000-05:00

Is it just me, or did that weekend go extremely quickly? I enjoyed my relaxing and uneventful two days playing "catch-up" and getting things done I'd needed to do for awhile.

Friday night I met up with some friends in downtown DC for a few drinks, and Saturday I caught up on some errands and watched the football game with a few friends. Yesterday I (drumroll please!) reached the 7 mile mark for my half-marathon! I have about 8 weeks left of training before the big day, March 16. I'm both nervous and excited, and mostly thankful I still have time before then to get up to that point.

Sticking to fruit, veggies, and lean meats has greatly boosted my energy after the holidays. Running is a lot easier when you're fueled with the right food, so last night I went to Trader Joes and bought the healthy goods! I baked two sweet potatoes in the oven as a jump-start in my weekday lunches, and I started putting my gluten-free Monday meal together.

The healthy goods...

I began my day with gluten-free oatmeal (steel-cut oatmeal is also gluten-free in case you didn't know... I didn't!). I added 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, a dollop of almond milk and a generous amount of cinnamon. I happen to be cinnamon-obsessed, but you can add to your taste. Oatmeal is my absolute favorite breakfast because it's filling but doesn't give you that bloated feeling you get with certain fatty foods. It's loaded with fiber, antioxidants, and there's little to no sugar or fat. The fiber prevents you from crashing mid-morning like certain foods do, so I feel energized until lunch. You can find information on more oatmeal benefits here.

And for my healthy lunch...

Sweet potato, mango slices, carrots and hummus, an apple, and a few pieces of dark chocolate.

Have a happy healthy Monday!

Style Guru Rachel Bilson, and a Half Marathon

2013-01-11T09:52:00.004-05:00

Happy Friday! This week was particularly long because I had to travel to Florida on a business trip. It's always great to get out of the office for awhile, so I'm not complaining... but still, TGIF! This weekend includes 3 runs as part of my half-marathon training (3 miles, 4 miles, and 7 miles). I'll save the 7 miler for Sunday since it's supposed to be 70 degrees (in DC - in January)! I've been doing the gluten-free thing after the holidays to have more energy and feel "cleaner." It's made running a LOT easier for me - a very noticeable difference - and it's only been a week. I just ordered Chia Bars from Health Warrior as a healthy snack for work too (there are very few healthy and all-natural granola bars on the market) and I've been eating a lot of fruits, veggies, lean meat/fish (basically the paleo diet). The key is packing a lunch the night before, and trying to keep the cooking 1-2 nights a week for lunches. I turn to Cooking Light a lot!

Now to the good stuff: Fashion! Rachel Bilson is one of my all-time favorite fashion icons. I have been turning to her for her adorable and unexpected outfits for years because they're always different from the last. She inspires me to attempt new trends and to not always "play it safe." Fashion isn't to be taken too seriously, so have fun with it and own it!

Loving the structure of this jacket with the cute hat!

I have a cape similar to this... love them!

Studs, studs, studs!

A cropped sweater over a maxi dress is fun and unexpected - a great winter choice!

I have an obsession with patterns like the ones above on this sundress.

I'm always looking for ways to make black dress pants look more interesting.

A casual outfit that doesn't include jeans? Yes please!

Reflecting Back

2013-01-10T11:43:00.003-05:00

*First off, I have to apologize for the blog being down ... there were technical difficulties in getting any images up (and currently still are), but I found a temporary way around it until the problem is fixed.*

Happy New Year!!! I had an endless list of new years resolutions for 2013. Like any other year, my thought process was "new year, new start." But before I could begin setting new goals, I started reflecting back on 2012. I heard a lot of "let's hope 2013 is better than 2012," "I'm not sorry to see 2012 go," "Oh thank God it's a new year" ... I have to say, I'm one of the lucky ones whose 2012 was filled with new experiences, new friends, and positive changes. I uprooted and moved to DC, learned to love the ins and outs of city life, gained true friends - the ones who last a lifetime, started an online fundraising position for nonprofits (where my coworkers are fabulous), and I was able to cherish a lot of time with family.

Not to say there weren't challenging moments. I moved to DC knowing one other person. I'd lived in North Carolina since the age of six. I'd always had familiar surroundings. Moving was a challenge, and that challenge brought insecurities, worries, negative thoughts, and tested my confidence and outlook of myself - and life. Living is a constant learning experience, and this 2012 was the most challenging year yet - but also the greatest.

Which brings me to my new years resolution: Be Positive. Be positive about my capabilities, and see life as a rollercoaster with endless opportunities. Focus on being thankful for what I have - and do what I can to help those who don't.

Style Inspiration: Miranda Kerr

2012-12-06T09:32:00.000-05:00

In honor of the Victoria's Secret fashion show the other night, I wanted to share my obsession with Miranda Kerr and her sense of style. Not only is she stunning (and looks like that after having a baby??), but I love turning to her for new ideas.

Baked Sweet Potatoes With African-Style Peanut Sauce

2012-11-29T12:15:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving week was such a wonderful vacation! I was incredibly busy, which is why I was unable to write as often, but it was an incredible week. I was able to see so many great friends and family I hadn't seen in a long while, and the food was delicious. Needless to say, after our feast, I was disappointed that I'd have to wait another year for Thanksgiving food. I'm especially obsessed with sweet potatoes, so I decided to go "against the rules" by making a sweet potato dish less than a week after Thanksgiving. The recipe I found was to die for and I'm absolutely adding it to my repertoire! The rich and creamy peanut sauce was divine, and even better, from cookinglight.com (recipe here), only 230 calories per serving. I diced my sweet potatoes instead of leaving them whole, but either way works. Enjoy!

Style Icon: Zoe Saldana

2012-11-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite style inspirations is actress Zoe Saldana. She always looks chic whether she's attending a formal event or something as casual as grocery shopping (I opt for sweats...). I love how versatile she is, providing inspiration for so many different styles and tastes!

On another note, I hope everyone has a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving!!

Christmas List

2012-11-16T12:04:00.000-05:00

{The Joy of Cooking ... I can't believe I don't own this already}

I am one of those Christmas-crazed people who start listening to holiday music in early November. I love everything about the holidays - music, family, sitting by the fireplace, holiday movies, Christmas shopping ... even the chaotic mess of people trying to get everything done at the last minute (I know, I know). Usually my sister is the one to remember to make a Christmas list in time for the holidays, but this year I have a unique collection of desires for my list.

{High-waist skirts and leather leggings}

{Lancome long-lasting lipgloss ... my mom has worked for Lancome for over 15 years, and she swears by this liplgoss. It lasts all day!}

{I stumbled across these at Hallelu in Wilmington, NC, and I had to have them}

{Refill of my favorite perfume: Vera Wang Princess. My other favorites are Viva La Juicy, Burberry The Brit, and Dior Cherie}

{Party platters ... I am Anthropologie-obsessed, so naturally I'd like these}

{5 and 10lb dumbbells}

{Rustic wooden cutting boards ... like these from Anthropologie? No? Fine, Target will do :)}

Wide Open Spaces

2012-11-13T09:46:00.004-05:00

I love bright, open rooms and living spaces. I do love home-y corners, nooks and other small areas, but something about letting the sunlight (and nature) in a great room or a kitchen with top-to-bottom windows is stunning to me... somewhere I'd like to sit for hours and read a book, do yoga, work on an art project, or even become inspired enough to complete some work! Here are a few of the most inspiring images I came across and plan to take tips from.

Healthy Edition: North Woods Bean Soup

2012-11-09T06:12:00.000-05:00

I love making rich, hearty soups in the fall. There's nothing like being cold outside and cozying up under a blanket with a bowl of hot soup to warm you up. I make soups relatively often as a little goes a long way and it's healthy, filling, and less expensive as it feeds a lot of people (or there's always leftovers). The recipe isn't much of a looker, but let me assure you the flavor makes up for it. I actually made this particular soup last fall and loved it so much I had to repeat it! The 227 calories per serving isn't a bad thing either. Recipe here.

Style Star: Olivia Palermo

2012-11-06T07:26:00.000-05:00

I love turning to Olivia Palermo for style inspiration. Originally from the television show, "The City" with Whitney Port, she is known for her years of experience in the fashion industry. I admire her originality and how she coordinates an outfit perfectly and with edge. I look to this fashion icon whenever I need a style "pick-me-up."

Healthy Edition: Light and Simple Tomato Sauce

2012-11-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

I realized that I almost always cook healthy food at home — I'm an avid lover of organic grocery stores, the produce sections of supermarkets, and I'm constantly experimenting with new light recipes from various sources. When I bake it's a stress-reliever — "me time" — but I generally won't eat more than one piece and give the rest to a neighbor, friend, event, etc. It's a rare occasion that I eat pasta, bread or butter, but I still love the food I cook. Because of this, I figured I should share some of my successes with you over the course of my blog.

The other day, because of Hurricane Sandy, we had few choices we could choose from at home. I was well-prepared with canned food, but I didn't want to use it unless the power went out. I had guests, so I decided to make pasta, but I wanted a light version... no thick,creamy sauces, but something rich in flavor. I opted for my own adaptation of a recipe from Cook's Illustrated (who I love, by the way, since they have their own test kitchen and actually do dozens of tests to perfect the recipe). I use them for crowd-pleasers as they don't specialize in "light" cooking, but their recipes are to die for on those special occasions.

This recipe is a keeper for me as it's full of flavor and extremely simple to make — and one of the lightest pasta recipes you can find.

Light and Simple Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

1 can whole tomatoes, quartered (28 oz, not packed in anything)

3 cloves garlic

2 tablespoons light virgin olive oil (can be substituted with extra-virgin oo)

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves (about 8 leaves)

1/4 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pound pasta (substitute whole wheat for a healthier version)

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Recipe

Heat 2 tablespoons oil and garlic in a pan over medium heat 1-2 minutes (until fragrant but not brown). Add tomatoes and simmer until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Stir in basil, sugar, and salt.

Meanwhile, cook pasta and reserve 1/4 cup cooking water. Transfer pasta back to pot and mix in reserved cooking water and sauce. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute more. Sprinkle approximately 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a slightly spicier version.

Mustard Hues

2012-10-31T10:00:00.001-04:00

becauseimaddicted.net

joannagoddard.blogspot.com

globalstreetsnap.com

remainsimple.tumblr.com

stylebykling.nowmanifest.com

southernpiphi.tumblr.com

happilygrey.com

jackandjill.com

panadamanda.tumblr.com

In the home...

3.bp.blogspot.com

littlebluedeer.com

littlelovables.blogspot.com

designsponge.com

designspongeonline.com

Fall Makeover

2012-10-26T09:30:00.000-04:00

{before}

I was walking back to my apartment in DC the other day and there was the most beautiful tree whose leaves were bright, piercing shades of red, orange and yellow. I immediately thought, "these are too beautiful to waste." I grabbed a bag from my apartment and started gathering the most beautiful leaves I could find, thinking of different ways I could put them to good use. I had already started my apartment's fall makeover, purchasing a wicker basket and filling them with clementines (later switching to pine cones or ornaments), and buying a pumpkin as told in a previous post.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

2012-10-25T05:36:00.000-04:00

Peanut butter is such a comfort food. The thick, creamy, buttery texture makes me want to add it to everything - crackers, celery, apples ... it brings back memories of my childhood, eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on hot summer days in the park, after swim practice, or in my school lunch packed by my (wonderful) mother.

When I stopped in a second-hand book store the other day and found an old Better Homes & Gardens cookbook, I came across this recipe. Other than the fact that I have a strong love for peanut butter, I chose this recipe because only basic baking ingredients are required, so the grocery store isn't needed for extra ingredients.

The bars filled the room with a delicious aroma of rich, warm butter while they were baking in the oven. The end result was fantastic and was a comforting reminder of home.

Ingredients

Bars:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
3 tablespoons shortening
1 beaten egg
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup quick oats

Peanut Butter Frosting:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon softened butter
1 tablespoon peanut butter
2-3 teaspoons of milk

Recipe

Stir together flour, sugar, baking soda, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Stir in peanut butter and shortening until mixture resembles course crumbs. Mix egg, milk, and vanilla together in a separate bowl, and add to flour mixture with oats and mix well. Spread mixture in lightly greased 8x8 baking pan, and bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Let bars cool.

Meanwhile, make the peanut butter frosting: combine 3/4 cup of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of softened butter, and 1 tablespoon of peanut butter. Blend in enough milk (2 or 3 teaspoons) until frosting is of spreading consistency. Once bars are cooled, spread with peanut butter frosting and cut into bars.

Pumpkin Patch Festivities

2012-10-24T09:35:00.000-04:00

On Saturday I traveled to Maryland to visit Butler's Orchard, a pumpkin patch and fall festival, with a few friends of mine. We had a fabulous time exploring the corn maze, perusing the various jewelry vendors and the market, eating pumpkin pie, and finally, choosing our pumpkins. It was a perfect day — blue skies, cool fall weather, and the view of the thousands of autumn leaves was breathtaking as we walked around the farm. The area reminded me of the outskirts of home (North Carolina).

I've been seeing a lot of pumpkin painting rather than carving this year, and I plan on trying it out for my living room - a chevron pattern, or spray-painting it an off-white to complement my apartment's rustic feel. More to come soon ...

{view from the inside of the corn maze}

{taking a break for some delicious pumpkin pie}

{colorful gourds at the market}

{"the" pumpkin. I plan on painting this one}

San Francisco Eats

2012-10-22T09:30:00.000-04:00

{The most beautiful bakery/candy shop I've ever seen: Miette}

If you ever have the opportunity to visit San Francisco, I have some advice for you: Eat! The array of decadent food we stumbled upon was tremendous and some of the best things I've ever tasted. From bakeries to creperies, coffee shops, diners, bars and restaurants, it's a haven of good food. Miette, a beautiful (and I mean beautiful) bakery we stumbled upon off of Hayes Street was hands-down the most detailed, simply stunning bakery I've ever encountered. The wallpaper, the intricate handmade paper display (done by the manager herself!), and the carefully thought-out display of decadent baked goods left us in awe.

{a creperie off of Fisherman's Wharf}

{huge chewy cookies in a bakery in Sausalito, CA - a quaint town neighboring San Fran and reciprocal to some towns of western Italy}

{over-sized cappuccino}

{apples in Chinatown}

{golden beet salad}

{scallops and golden beet salad - above - at Chez Spencer, a fabulous French restaurant with a great ambiance, music and food tailored specifically to food in the French Alps - highly recommended!}

A Week's Summary

2012-10-20T09:30:00.000-04:00

{Wearing a cross-body bag I bought in Buenos Aires last fall}

This week was hectic with work catch-up after my fabulous trip to San Francisco. I did manage to make my way to DC's Eastern Market on Sunday, which was just the thing to complement a perfect fall day. A friend and I followed our Eastern Market visit to a second-hand bookstore where we wandered the hundreds of old cookbooks. We sat in the back room reading recipes for a long while, laughing at the ridiculous themes and cooking ideas some of them had to offer, and fascinated by others. I finally managed to find The Joy of Cooking, along with an old cookie-themed cookbook.

{A delicious tamale from Pica Taco in Northwest DC after our Eastern Market and bookstore visit}

{An addition of hydrangeas to separate my kitchen from my living room in my small studio apartment}

{Taste testing - a lot - of peaches at Eastern Market, DC}

{The cozy second-hand book store where we perused cookbooks all afternoon}

Inspired: Leather

2012-10-18T10:22:00.000-04:00

I'm always looking for fall style inspirations so I don't fall into the trap of the classic cardigan and jeans every day. I wear them frequently (and love them), but I try to come out of my shell and explore new options every once in awhile. There are so many various ways of wearing leather regardless of what body shape you have. There are bold ways of wearing leather (pants, jackets, dresses, and tops), or minimal leather can be incorporated for an edge to your normal go-to. I've compiled a few ways of leather street-style to inspire those who may need a wardrobe pick-me-up.

Michael Kors

love the structure of this jacket

http://cupcakesandcashmere.com

http://streetstyle.com

http://aportablepackage.blogspot.com

leather oxfords http://reserve.refinery29.com

http://fashforfashion.com

http://candacelake.com

http://modelsjam.com

http://vdjmaisonboutique.com

San Francisco: Flea Market Saturday

2012-10-17T08:59:00.000-04:00

Last week I had the privilege of visiting my uncle in San Francisco with my mother and "Abuela." We had an extraordinary time, and besides eating our way through the city, we explored many areas and accomplished a lot. On our last day, I explored the Saturday Flea Market by the water with my mother. It was a beautiful day with clear skies, cool weather, and so many beautiful flowers and food.

We couldn't possibly fit another bite into our stomachs, but we somehow managed to scarf down this Peanut Butter-Stuffed Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookie. But really — how could I say no?

Hydrangeas will always give me sweet memories of my grandparents' backyard in Westchester, NY. My grandfather always showed them tender-loving care.

Have you ever seen such a color for a pepper?! We were in awe.

Honey Straws

Balsamic Asparagus

2012-10-15T14:52:00.000-04:00

Every cook has those days where there’s simply no time for that over-the-top, gourmet meal we aspire to make. Between the list of to-do’s we have for the day, thinking of the big question – “what’s for dinner?” – is often dreaded. On these types of days I’ll often bake or sear salmon with a side of fresh Balsamic Asparagus. It’s simple AND healthy - a win/win!

Balsamic Asparagus

2 lb fresh or frozen asparagus, trimmed (approx. 40 spears - I used frozen grilled asparagus from Trader Joe's)

3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons minced red onion

½ teaspoon minced garlic

Pinch of salt

Ground black pepper

Heat oven to 425 degrees. While preheating, place the asparagus on a greased baking sheet, spaced evenly. Whisk balsamic, oil, garlic, and red onion together in a small bowl and drizzle the mixture evenly onto the asparagus. Place the baking sheet in the oven for 12-14 minutes, turning once, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Voila – a flavorful and healthy side dish.

Makes 4-6 servings as a side.

Apples on my Mind

2012-10-08T10:04:00.000-04:00

bonappetit.com

In honor of apple-picking season...

bonappetit.com

smittenkitchen.com