Happy Belly: Kale Chips

I have an obsession.

Kale chips.

I love kale anyways, but popping it in the oven and crisping it up with salt makes it the best thing since sliced bread. Nope- it's better. Definitely better.

So here's how its done: 

Preheat oven at 350° -375°.

Then rip up the kale into yummy chip sized pieces and lay them out on a cookie sheet.

Spray it all down with Pam (thats my quick trick).

Sprinkle with salt and garlic powder.

Pop them in the oven for 7-10 minutes.

BOOM- you got the tastiest treat under the sun. 

What about you guys? Whats your favorite snack right now?

Quilting for Funzies

So I'm making a quilt.

Yup- I started a big project. My goal is to, well... actually finish this one.

I have a habit of starting things like scarfs and hats, etc and never finishing them. But not this time.

See, this one is compact, adorable, and has a no-pressure time frame. And it can be done whenever I fell it is done (or I run out of fabric- whichever comes first).


So here's the process:

I tack small squares of fabric to my amazing tiny hexagons.

Then, I stitch the hexagons together making flowers.

When I have enough of those, I sew them all together.

To finish it off, I undo the tack stitched and remove the papers.

TaDa!!! I have a quilt top.

It's coming along fairly well so far, I think. I'm just at the flower making phase, but I think its going well. I'll keep you updated on how its going!

Welcome to 2013

Hello!

Sorry it has been so long since I posted; I got beyond swept up in travel and the holidays.

Seriously, a LOT has happened since I last posted. I got to see two of my best friends, went to Charleston, SC for the first time, and got to meet the newest member of my family, my dear cousins new baby!

Other than that, I spent the bulk of the holidays soaking up as much puppy time as possible.

See, when I lived with my other cousin in New York last year, her dogs had puppies. I fell head over heals for one of the puppies in particular, and then proceeded to convince my parents to get this dog.

It didn't take much convincing. 

So I naturally spent the majority of my break hanging out with the family and snuggling this little nugget. 

But fear not, I'm back now. Look out for more food posts, more outfit posts, and well, more me. 

Happy New Year, everyone!!!!

Not-Great Habits

So I bite my nails.


Ive stopped a few times for a few months at a time, but sooner or later I start again. They'll be nice and long and elegant, but one day I'll just be sitting watching tv and look down only to find I've absentmindedly bitten off my hard work.



But not this time.

This time, I'm going to make it stick.

A family friend once told me that he's always thought that being your nails means you're afraid to grow up. These words have stuck with me. I think they're true, too. I mean, I'm terrified to be a grown up and avoid it when possible. That doesn't mean I want my hands to look mangled and sad anymore, you know?

So this is the month that it all stops. I'm going to keep them painted and neat, maybe put that gross tasting stuff on them if I need to. Here's my starting point, and by next month I'll have long, healthy nails. Or at least I'm going to try.

What about you? Do you have any habits you're trying to break?

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Lookin' Good: Red Lips

It's winter now.

This means one thing: Red lips time.

Maybe it's the dramatic weather, or the creaminess of my complexion this time of year (due to the lack of sun,) but something about winter makes me long for a red lip. I feel more put together with one.
And pulling out a crimson tube for touch ups is possibly the best part of being a girl.

I have a few favorites.

My favorites are MAC Lipstick in Russian Red, Benefit Benetint Lip Balm and Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet lipstick in L'Exquise.

Today is a Chanel kind of day, you know?

Then again... what days aren't?


What's you're favorite winter lipstick?

Inspiration: Party Time!

Yup, it's Holiday Party time.

With that in mind, I put together this little number to put everyone in the spirit. So grab a glass of bubbly and see what you think!

1. metallic skirt, f21

2. black blouse, f21

3. glitter sling backs, flounce

4. lipstick, chanel in pirate

5. belt, f21

Wish List: Black and Brown

It's always annoyed me when people tell me what I can and cannot wear.

I mean, I appreciate advice, but when a magazine screams at me that yes, I CAN wear polka dots or someone says "oh, you CAN'T wear a dress with those shoes" or "you CAN'T possibly wear a fanny pack" something snaps in my brain. 

Whatever that person has declared unacceptable, I must wear. Right. Now. Even if I agree with the person, like with the fanny pack (they just don't need to work- can we all agree on that?), I must prove that person wrong. It's part of a stubborn streak I have that flares up at fairly useless times. 

The most annoying "you can't do that" I've encountered in my travels is the no black and brown together rule. I personally LOVE this combo and have never had any issues with clashing-while-wearing. In fact, I usually get some kick ass compliments when I wear this combination. 

So for this wish list I thought I'd put a dream outfit together, black and brown and red (lipstick) all over. 

1. black blouse, f21

2. lipstick, chanel in pirate

3. rhinestone collar necklace, f21

4. waxed jeans, j brand

5. bon shopper, kate spade

6. jane 14L boots, frye

7. d-ring belt, DKNY