Monday, January 31, 2011

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     I saved this list on my computer a few months back (unfortunately I didn't save where I found it, so I can't really credit who wrote it), but it's some pretty useful advice. The first time I read it, it meant something completely different to a few minutes ago when I re-read it. Just some food for thought. 

1.  It’s not about you. Understand people’s actions, even when hurtful, rarely have anything to do with you. It’s easy to read into the negativity of others and see it as a slight to our personality or challenge to our ego. Yet this type of reaction can trigger unnecessary stress and prevent you from focusing on the positive things in your life. People are people; there’s never a need to link their behavior and your happiness. Knowing this gives you freedom to feel the confidence you deserve.
2.  Buy clothes that fit. Wearing clothes that fit well and flatter, no matter the shape of your body, provides an enormous boost to your self esteem. Don’t wait until you’ve arrived at a magical ideal to start dressing your best. Clothes never make the person, but it’s hard to feel confident inside when your outside sends signals of uncertainty. Love what you’re wearing and the world is likely to love it too.
3.  Keep laughing. Let your brain give vent to the endorphins that will fill you with authentic happiness and internal confidence. Laughter releases some of the tension that invariably builds in your body each day. Pepper your routine with the people or media that make you most happy. You don’t have to overdo it, but a bit of levity goes a long way toward elevating your level of confidence.
4.  Embrace the quiet. Many people are eager to populate every waking second with activity. With a world moving at the speed of broadband, the problem blooms more with every passing day. Realize you can be comfortable alone with your thoughts and you will provide your internal processes the space needed to develop. This will make you more comfortable with yourself, helping you appear more confident to others.
5.  Make a budget. If this isn’t natural for you, take the time to do it anyway. Claiming control of your finances is an early step to a healthy attitude about money. Though many people believe confidence comes with having lots of cash, confidence accompanies a clear picture of what you have and what you need.
6.  Don’t gossip. Exit conversations that swim in hearsay. Indulging in idle chatter might make you feel in the loop, but the feeling is fleeting and will leave you wondering what others are saying about you when you’re not around. Take the high road – you’ll feel better inside and appear far more confident to others around you.
7.  Do as you say and say as you do. This doesn’t mean you have to draw neat lines through all of life’s to-do’s, but if you articulate your goals, and start to accomplish them, easy ones first, you will develop a mindset of success. This, in turn, makes it easier to feel confident. Your goals could be anything from running your first 5K to finally cleaning out the garage; learning how to strum a guitar or play the piano. Whatever your goals, find something you truly desire, make a promise to see it through to the end, then feel the confidence of success.
8.  Make peace with your body. You will always want to stay active and improve your health, but your confidence comes with the understanding that no matter your size, shape, number of wrinkles or height, you are a person who deserves love and dignity from yourself and those around you. Truly know this, and confidence will bleed through your skin.
9.  Realize you know more than you think you do. All those things you think everyone else just knows? Well, they don’t. If you don’t know something, there’s no shame in asking for the answer. Admitting you don’t have the answer is the first step toward finding it, and the right answers pave the road to confidence.
10. Be enthusiastic. Playing it cool is a great way to ignore your honest emotions and bury the authentic you. Be happy and excited, and allow the world to see it. Your joy will be infectious, your confidence contagious.

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lanvin
     I've been M.I.A. the last few days - but I'm blaming it on rush week and interviews for internships. Life will be slowing down a little now so hopefully I can do a little baking and get ready for fashion week posts, which is in 10 days! Too bad I didn't get my Chanel invitation yet...
Hah, I wish. 

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

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     My mom visited me this past weekend and brought me some delicious cookies - so delicious that they were gone by Monday. Seriously. And she came Saturday. I told you all I have no self control. But anyways, I rationalized eating them all by telling myself that they're healthy because they have applesauce and oatmeal in them. Anyways, I suggest you try them. They are super moist and clearly good because I only eat good things, hah. 


Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies

1-1-4 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix the above ingredients till smooth.  Add 1 cup oatmeal and 1 cup applesauce (my mom used cinnamon).  Drop by tablespoon on greased cookie sheet.  Bake about 15 minutes at 375 degrees.  Makes about 2 dozen.

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see by chloe
     I'm loving the color yellow lately, I can't wait for springgggg. 

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

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betsey johnson
     I'm not a huge fan of Betsey Johnson, but I'd actually wear these, unlike these and these

Monday, January 24, 2011

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I. can't. wait.

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     Today is the first day in over a week when I've had a chance to sit and just hang out by myself. I've been constantly doing homework and going to meetings, so the first thing I did after class today was make salad dressing. Sounds weird, I know. I got the recipe from a Katie Lee Joel cookbook that my aunt had, and I have to say, it's pretty good.

KLJ's Salad (that I forget the real name of)

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breast (I use pre-cooked chicken)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
4 pieces of bacon
1 ripe avocado 
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup mayonnaise (I use fat free) 
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 teaspoons chopped parsley
bibb lettuce

Put the chicken in a baking dish, season and drizzle with olive oil. Roast for 30 minutes. If you use pre-cooked chicken, ignore the first step. Combine avocado, lemon juice. Add chicken, bacon, mayonnaise, scallions, mustard, parsley, salt and pepper. Put over lettuce.

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adam
      This past weekend was a pretty low-key one. I grabbed lunch with a friend, my parents came to visit, we found a mouse in our house (this was actually quite the production) and I did a lot of homework. I was searching around the web today (in class, shame on me) and came across this dress. I have a banquet coming up in April and would LOVE to wear this dress, but I think I'll have to find a cheaper alternative. I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend and welcome back to the work week!

     Later tonight I'll be posting a recipe!

Friday, January 21, 2011

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miu miu
     This bag is almost tacky, but it would be perfect with more masculine pieces.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

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     Some of these I'm more excited for than others - I have a feeling I'm going to pass on the "flatforms" trend as well as the Alice In Wonderland-esque Prada shoes that there will undoubtedly be hideous knockoffs of. I'm all over the neon lips, specifically because you can spend only a few dollars on a tube of lipstick but it will instantly change your look. In regards to the wide leg pants -  I went out of my comfort zone and bought my first pair of jeans there weren't "skinny" since at least my freshman year of high school. I love them already. 

P.S. Since when are skinny belts a new trend? I thought we've been doing those for at least a year or two by now? 

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burberry
     There is a reason why this is a wishlist. I will never be able to afford any of these items that I post, but  I can dream, right?

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

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river island
     I stumbled upon ASOS a few years ago, and I've been a huge fan ever since. They offer a wide variety of fashionable products, including very expensive items to more affordable ones, like these glasses. I wish I was on the beach wearing those sunglasses!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

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     For the long weekend my boyfriend and I went to Chicago. I had been before, but it was his first time, and I had an awesome time showing him the city and finding new restaurants together. One of our new favorites is Billy Goat Tavern (right off of Michigan Ave.), and for anyone who's from Ann Arbor, it's kind of similar to the atmosphere at Blimpy Burger. We did some shopping, and ending up scoring awesome seats (fourth row!) at the Friday night Blue Man Group performance - student rush is definitely the way to go for that show. Of course I was craving dessert after the show (I have a serious problem), and we got crepes at La Creperie. Its an adorable little French restaurant that serves mostly crepes - I had the Banana Sara and Brett had a strawberry one. They give you huge crepes that are just to die for. On Saturday we visited Millenium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago, did a little more shopping, and ended the night at the Red Bar Comedy Club for their one year anniversary show. It was my first time going to a comedy club, but it was just hysterical - Red Bar only has a $10 cover charge so it's worth it! We left Sunday afternoon, but we grabbed breakfast at the Grand Lux Cafe (owned by the Cheesecake Factory) and wow, best breakfast ever. Red velvet pancakes with cream cheese frosting?! Yes, believe your eyes. Delicious. Go there immediately.
Denim shirt with lace - Nordstrom, necklace - Topshop
Best pancakes ever.
      Next time I'm there, I'm finding the Meatyballs food truck (mostly just because it's called Meatyballs, let's be honest) and getting Chicago-style pizza since the wait was about three hours this weekend.

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aka new york
     This is the ultimate spring dress... I can't resist a one-shoulder dress, and it's the perfect shade of yellow. It's only January 18th, but I'm already thinking about March, April and May. 

Monday, January 17, 2011

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zelda jean legging
     I just bought these in Chicago this past weekend! Not usually my style but I had to have them.  

Thursday, January 13, 2011

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voluspa
     I first saw Voluspa candles in the botique Francesa's Collections over the holiday break, and let me just say, they smell seriously good. Granted they are $15 for a candle, but it's pretty big and the pink citron scent is about the best thing I've ever smelled. 

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     The J.Crew Spring/Summer RTW collection is my new obsession. I was especially excited to see more sequins and glitter, and how adorable are the models' messy hair? That's a look I'd like to be able to pull off - messy yet still looking pulled together. Here are my three favorite looks:

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Knee-high boots from Marshall's, beret from Target, leggings from Uniqlo (best leggings ever) and coat from Forever 21 
     I completely forgot about this impromptu photoshoot I had just before Christmas. There's a greenhouse near my house, and they have the frame of a volkswagen covered in plants. It was so windy that day (and incredibly bright out with the snow) but I was able to get a few good pictures. I bought the beret that I'm wearing last year and I plan on keeping it forever, I just love it that much. 
     Tomorrow morning I'm taking the train to Chicago for the long weekend. I plan on eating delicious food, seeing the Blue Man Group again (second time for me, but my boyfriend has never seen them), and doing a little shopping. Nothing too extreme though!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

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diamond spoons
  So cute. I need these.

Monday, January 10, 2011

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Ha ha... get it?
     I'm finally 21! Finally as in when it ended up being Sunday (my birthday), I was relieved the weekend was over. My roommate and I had our birthday party on Friday night, our first run-in with the cops (luckily everything worked out alright), and I spent a lot of time cleaning our apartment and eating pink birthday cake. My family came to Ann Arbor to visit me on Sunday and we ate at one of my favorite restaurants around here - Grizzly Peak - and it ended up being a great day. But seriously, if you ever come to Ann Arbor, or if you live here and want an awesome meal, go there! I'm obsessed. 

Here are a few pictures from my friday night: 
Birthday girls!

     My roommate, Jordan, made the AWESOME cake (it was literally hot pink) and we ended up having a great time. Thank you to everyone who came and helped make our birthdays fun! 

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strapdowns
     You're probably wondering what the heck a "Strapdown" is, right? If you live in boots like I do (thank you, Michigan weather) then you probably have the same experience of having to shove your pants into them every time you wear them, only to look in the mirror and realize your pants are a bunched-up mess. (Its actually for this reason that I try to wear tights and leggings as much as I can.) But fear not, our answer has arrived in the form of Strapdowns!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

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camilla and marc
Click on the image for the link!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

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tommy hilfiger
I just want to wear this with sweater tights and utility boots...

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     On my first night back at school, I made loaded potato soup - quite an ambitious plan I had considering I didn't get back until around 5 and had to unpack all of my stuff. I somehow pulled it together and made the soup in about a 25 minutes - and it turned out pretty good. When I first ate it though, I wasn't sure how I felt, but I just had it again for dinner tonight and adding a little sour cream and some spices gave it a lot more flavor. Then again, I always put an unhealthy amount of salt on things - my boyfriend had the soup and he liked it a lot without any salt or spices added. Next time I'd probably add a little garlic but I'll definitely make it again because its relatively easy and quick. 

Loaded Potato Soup

4 (6 oz.) red potatoes
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup pre-chopped onion
1 1/4 cups fat-free chicken broth
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk, divided
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 bacon slices
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 teaspoons thinly sliced green onions

Pierce potatoes with a fork. Microwave on high 13 or until tender. Cut in half; cool slightly. While potatoes cook, heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, saute 3 minutes. Add broth. Combine flour and 1/2 cup milk; add to pan with 1 1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; stir often. Cook one minute. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream, salt and pepper. Cook bacon (I used pre-cooked that I just had to put in the microwave). Crumble. Discard potato skins and coarsely mash potatoes into soup. Top with cheese, green onions, and bacon. 

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

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miu miu
      The price makes me want to cry a little, but I'm dying for a trench... Too bad I'm cutting myself off with all of my frivolous spending. 

Monday, January 3, 2011

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     Well, this is my first real post in 2011. It's a little late - I moved back to Ann Arbor today for school - but here are just a few pictures from my New Year's Eve:
     I ended up wearing the fedora and it ended up being a great night with friends. I wore a lace dress, olive green sweater tights, J.Crew belt (my new obsession) and Minnetonka boots. I hope everyone had a great time ringing in the new year!

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anthropologie
It's so pretty, I don't know if I could actually cook in it and get it dirty!