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Friday, December 28, 2012

Emerald Green


It's the tone that has glitzed up crown jewels and thrones for centuries, emerald green is making a come back in the new year as Pantone's pick for 2013's 'color of the year.' Emerald green is a lively, vibrant, lush shade and has recently found its way into our closets. Jewel tones, especially emerald green have been popping up not only on the red carpet but in household decor as well. Emerald green is one of my favorite jewel tones, it is bold and fun and you can make a statement by wearing a emerald green dress or by simply adding it to a look through accessorizing. These bows have fantastic emerald green hues and can add the perfect pop of color to any ensemble.


Friday, December 14, 2012

The Plaid Shirt

I love plaid shirts. They look great on just about everyone and can be paired with a pair of skinny dark jeans, or mix it up by pairing them with white jeans, and your look is complete. The plaid shirt is comfortable yet looks pulled together for the perfect outfit, especially in the wintertime.

Paid has evolved substantially since its introduction into the world by Scottish rebels of the 17th century. First starting as a blue-collar trademark, plaid slowly made its way into high fashion. Plaid brings together workingman style and high ideals. Whether or not you care about the history of the plaid shirt, you need a plaid shirt. Plaid brings about an air of laidback cool and is a classic that will be in my closet for years to come.

 

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Weekly Favorites


These holiday cards from Scout's Honor Co. 

23 Unexpected Flavor Combos that Taste Amazing 

The New York Times 36 Hours Book 

Holiday Hair Tutorials from A Cup of Jo

7 of Life's Simple-Yet-Perfect Moments 

Azienda Agricola Mandranova Resort 

Support our Troops and Salute the Brave

This card from Modern Paper Goods

Klorane Dry Shampoo

Mini Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Weekly Favorites


Here is another round of my weekly favorites, enjoy!

Loving this Caesar Salad recipe... the caesar salad was the first salad I ever ate so I always like to go back to it and mix it up with a new recipe!

Are you going to see this movie? Cause I am! Christmas day release!!!

How about this restaurant review?

I want to go here soooo badly! Spring break in Palm Springs?

Loving this Cardholder!

Adding this hat to my Christmas list too!

Hope you all are having a good weekend!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Happy Tuesday! Stay Dry!



Hope you all are staying dry today! I came across this picture of Princess Diana from 1981 and just fell in love with her style- Hunter boots, cords, and a sweater- what could be more perfect! I just love my Hunter boots and would say they are probably the most practical pair of shoes I own! Happy Tuesday!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Investments


Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about how I want to spend my money. With Fall season looks coming out this time of year, walking through the mall and down Newbury Street can be very tempting. Since Newbury Street is such a short walk from my dorm I often leave my credit card at home when I decide to go out for a stroll just to avoid any temptations to spend my money.
As a result of these walks and reading blog posts from my favorite bloggers about fashion trends for Fall and key pieces to have in your wardrobe I been giving some more thought to where I want to spend my money.
First of all, it is always important to save before you spend. But once you have saved up it is then time to think about what that money might go to buy.
I am always very grateful for what I have, but a girl always has a wish list right?
Instead of spending my money on small, inexpensive items here and there I have thought a great deal about investment purchases. For example I have a pair of leather boots and even though I spent a couple hundred dollars on them, I know they will last me a few seasons and that they were a good investment. Similarly, I think purses and outwear are items to invest in.
While I know investment purchases like my shoes will be more costly, in the end I believe it really is worth saving up for these higher quality items.
Beyond shoes though I have been giving some thought to other investment pieces and in particular watches. Accessories like a watch can really tell you something about a person’s personality.
While some watches are more expensive, they are good investment pieces because you are usually wearing it almost every day.
Here are a few watches that I’ve had my eye on…
Classic St Andrews Lady Watch from Daniel Wellington 

Hugo Watch from Taki

Gold Round Watch from Tuckernuck 

What do you think? A good investment right? 

Monday, October 29, 2012

Ethel and 41


This weekend I watched the documentaries Ethel and 41 on HBO GO. First of all let me just start by saying that I LOVE documentaries, and HBO GO has a few really great ones right now so be sure to check them out.

Image  via Capitol File Magazine

I first heard about the documentary Ethel while watching the news and when I learned that I could watch it was online I was thrilled. Ethel is a documentary about Ethel Kennedy, the wife of the late Robert Kennedy. The documentary was directed and produced by Ethel’s 11th child, Rory Kennedy. The film offers a deeper look into the life of Ethel Kennedy, who really is a fascinating woman. There are short clips of home movies that show Ethel Kennedy as a young girl and then as a mother and of course as the wife of Robert Kennedy. The documentary provides a glimpse into her life, as she constantly stood by her husband and supported him throughout his career. Many of Ethel Kennedy’s children participated in the film, telling stories about their mother. The film really opened my eyes into what an amazing woman Ethel Kennedy is, and how strong she was after the death of Robert Kennedy. I learned a great deal not only about her life when Robert Kennedy was alive, but the role she took on after his death and her ongoing involvement in politics today.

Image via CultureMap Houston

After watching Ethel, in browsing through some of the other documentaries online I found 41. The documentary 41 chronicles the life of George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States. The documentary includes interviews with President Bush about his life growing up, and his life after his marriage to his wife Barbara, the death of his daughter Robin, and his time not only as President of the United States but also as Vice President for Richard Nixon and the significant events that marked both of these times in the White House. I learned so much about President Bush’s role before making it to the White House, including his work abroad in China and then for the C.I.A.

Both Ethel Kennedy and George H.W. Bush have fascinating stories and these documentaries are worth watching. Not only are Mrs. Kennedy and President Bush both members of important families in our country, but also they have both done so much in public service and these documentaries are a great tribute to all of their successes.  

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Thankful



So I’ve been working on a few posts for the blog, but I decided to hold off on posting them for a few days and write about an experience that really has changed my outlook on life.
This past Thursday was a normal day for me, that is, until I went on a run and passed out….
Naturally there is more to the story, so here it is…  
I came to after a few seconds or so and found myself being helped off the sidewalk by some pedestrians. After realizing that I was going to be okay I instantly became so grateful for the kind people that stopped their days to help me- one man even got out of his car and left it running in the middle of the road. I was alone and scared, but these people really comforted me and cared for me until an ambulance arrived.
Being a college student you are kind of stuck between being a child and being an adult and honestly it was so comforting to have these people helping me out.
I had never met any of them before, I didn’t know their names, and until they asked, they didn’t know mine, but I am so thankful for their kindness, and as I was talking to one of my friends about what happened we both agreed that my faith in humanity was restored a bit after this.
It may seem weird that a small thing like this and these people helping me can really change a person, but I feel like, more so now than ever before, that I owe it to these people and to myself to pay it forward and help someone else in need.
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in living our lives, and I know recently I’ve been so busy that I have neglected things or just simply taken my life for granted.
But sitting on that sidewalk with those people knowing deep down that I was going to be okay has sparked something inside of me.
I have been reminded to live each day to the fullest and really appreciate everything I have, the people that surround me, and the things I am able to do living in this country. As I was being taken away in the ambulance I was overcome with emotion of just how grateful I am to live somewhere where there is modern medicine and people that care for others.
Needless to say, I have been changed for the better because of this. I might have scrapes and bruises on my body from my fall, but I have a greater appreciation for this world that I live in and the people and things that I have. 

Thanks for letting me share this with you all and I’ll be back soon with more posts.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Weekly Favorites

Hello all-
Sorry I've been away from this blog for a while, but now that I'm back in the swing of things here at BU, I'd like to start consistently posting here. I've decided to start with a weekly posting of my favorite things, from art work, to DIYs, to inspiring quotes, and anything that I'm loving and has captured my attention within the last week. So here's what I've got for the first post of the series...


Hot air ballon rides (image via)

Loving this new trend of navy nail polish

Adding this bracelet to my wish list (beautiful and benefits breast cancer research)

Wanting one of these iPhone cases

Some inspirational words

Cranberry Walnut Pumpkin loaf recipe, need I say more?

Covergirl Outlast lipstain in Scarlet Pucker

Until next time... enjoy!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Good Reads

As the end of the semester winds down, I have been reflecting on my freshman year at BU and how quickly it has gone by.  This semester I tried to a more exploring of Boston and get to know the city that I had been living in for a few months.  Along this exploration I found myself frequently visiting the Boston Public Library and decided to sign up and get a library card of my very own.  So over the course of the past few months I have taken a variety of books out of the library for some pleasure reading.  Instead of taking a break from studying or doing homework by going on Facebook or Twitter always having a book handy really helps in finding a more productive way to take a study break.  Here are a few of the books I read this semester, all must reads if I do say so myself.
From Tatiana De Rosnay, the author of Sarah's Key, The House I Loved was a fantastic book, set in 1860s Paris France, it is about a women who is fighting against the destruction of her home in the molding of Paris into the modern city it is today.
Friends Like Us, by Lauren Fox, is a comical book about two best friends, Willa and Jane, and how their relationship takes a tole when Willa's high school friend falls in love with Jane...
Monday Mornings and Cheating Death, both by Chief Medical Correspondent of CNN, Sanjay Gupta, MD.  These two book are fantastic and my favorites.  Monday Mornings is a fictional novel but is based off of the idea of Morbid and Mortality meetings in a hospital that help doctors to learn from their mistakes and further their knowledge in medicine.  Cheating Death follows a series of real medical miracles and how pioneering doctors and researchers are changing our understanding of death and how patients who were one deemed dead are now considered alive.
So take some time to read this summer and if you are looking for a god book any of the selections above will certainly satisfy as a good beach read.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Home Sweet Kitchen

The past few weekends I've been lucky enough to get home and spend some time with family.  One of my favorite parts about getting to go home is having a kitchen to cook in.  Being in college and having no kitchen I really miss getting the chance to cook.  In high school I would often cook dinner for my family and plan out what I was going to make by looking through my array of cook books.
So as you probably could have guessed being home these past few weekends I took my time in the kitchen very seriously and made a few recipes from Giada De Laurentiis' new cook book Weeknights with Giada.
Cooking and food has always been a large part of my family's life- celebrating around good food, having Sunday family dinners, and always gathering in the kitchen at family parties.  Food brings people together and I truly believe that.  In Giada De Laurentiis' life cooking obviously plays a big role, but from following her journey on the Food Network family is also a very important part of her life as well and that's why I enjoy cooking the recipes she puts in her cook books and makes on her show.
Here are three of the recipes that I tried...

Scallion and Mozzarella Cornbread


Orzo with Smokey Tomato Vinaigrette 


Oatmeal, Cranberry, and Chocolate Chunk Cookies 


I have linked the recipes from the Food Network website, but they read the same as in her cook book.

First, all of the recipes were fairly simple.  The cornbread recipe called for boxed cornbread mix as the base, which made things much easier.  I would have liked to have tasted even more flavor in the cornbread, so next time I might add roasted red peppers to add flavor and color to the cornbread as well.  The orzo was also a simple recipe.  The vinaigrette was easy to mix and the fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and apple cider vinegar added a nice kick to the orzo pasta.  I served the orzo with parmesan breaded chicken, corn, and a salad, but it would be a nice complement to any piece of meat or even the star of your meal.  It tasted great reheated the next day for lunch which I was even more excited about.  Last but certainly not least, the oatmeal cookies were some of the best cookies I have ever made.  The cranberry and chocolate together with the oatmeal was a perfect combination and the cookies are great for dessert or a quick pick me up snack with the added dried fruit.  Warm out of the oven and a few days later the cookies were still fantastic.  I would definitely recommend all of these recipes, not only were they simple but they were delicious and my family and friends even liked them too!
So get in the kitchen, bring your family together, and make some of these fantastic recipes.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Let the Good Times Roll...

This week the day I have been waiting for all semester finally came, April 17th.  The day that I would be attending the Ben Rector and Need to Breathe concert at the House of Blues in Boston with a few of my friends from home.  It felt like this day would never come, but it finally did and it didn't disappoint.
I met up with my three friends from home and off we went to the House of Blues.  It was a 7pm concert and the Red Sox had a game around the same time so the area around Fenway Park was hopping.
One of my favorite things about going to school here at BU is being able to go into the city whenever I want to.  Fenway Park and the House of Blues are both a short walk from my dorm and it couldn't be easier to get around here in Boston.
Back to the concert though, Ben Rector was opening for Need to Breathe so we got to the House of Blues early to ensure a good spot since we had tickets for the floor, and boy did we get a good spot- we were about four rows from the stage, right in front of Ben Rector's keyboard.
His performance was amazing... playing all of my favorites from White Dress to She is and Let the Good Times Roll.  He even performed the cover of Whitney Huston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" which was fun and really got the crowd going.  This concert just reaffirmed my love for Ben Rector and his music, and I can't wait until he goes on tour again, he sounded even better live and that is what being a musician is all about...
Need to Breathe came out after that and they weren't too bad... I only knew a few of their songs, but they has some great jam sessions and overall it was just a really fun time to catch up with friends.
In regards to the House of Blues, this was the first show I have ever seen there, but I will defiantly be back.  It is a great venue, there is really no bad spot in the whole place, its small and intimate and was perfect.

So that was April 17th for me... this concert has gotten me so excited for summer and summer concerts, I can't wait!  Until next time...

Monday, April 2, 2012

Book Signing: Weeknights with Giada

Last Friday one of my favorite chefs came to Boston- Giada DeLaurentiis.
I first fell in love with Giada and her cooking style when I was in middle school and first became obsessed with the Food Network.  After watching just one of her episodes you will be able to relate.  She is very personable on her show and makes great dishes- all with a great Italian twist.
When I first found out that Giada was coming to the Williams Sonoma in Boston I freaked... after taking a few deep breaths I  decided that I would do whatever I could to attend this book signing.
When I was in high school, I had made arrangement to go to one of her book signing back in Connecticut, but then something came up at school and I couldn't leave early to go.  So since that day I have always hoped that I would have the chance to attend one of her book signings.
As expected, when arrived at the Williams Sonoma, there was a huge crowd lined up awaiting Giada'a arrival.  Lucky for me I had called earlier that week and reserved a book so I was all set.  After getting my copy of Weeknights with Giada, my wait began.
After about two hours I finally got to meet Giada (for a quick second), and she signed by copy of her cookbook.  I have to say, I was a bit star struck... I don't know how she does it, but she was so kind and sweet and seemed genuinely happy to meet each of her fans.
Here is a picture of my signed copy of the cookbook and of the great Giada DeLaurentiis herself:



Thanks to Giada, I now have a whole new set of recipes that I need to try out... 
some of my favorites include the creamy sweet potato and rosemary soup, grilled california-style chopped salad with shrimp, mini meatball sandwiches, orzo with smoky tomato vinaigrette, and the crepes...
along with some great memories from her book signing!  Thanks Giada! 

Friday, March 23, 2012

Every girl needs a cute clutch...

With Spring here and Summer quickly approaching I have decided that I would like to purchase a cute clutch.  I always feel like I have a huge bag that bogs me down and is full with unnecessary item that I really don't need to be carrying around.  I would like a clutch that can carry my phone, id, some money, and a lip gloss- all the essential! :)  I've found a few clutches online, but I'm not sure which one I like best,  how will I choose?  Which clutch do you like best?

Cole Hann Clutch 

Metallic Anthropologie Clutch

Anthropologie Wristlet

Lacoste Clutch 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Puerto Rico and Happy Spring!!

Last week was spring break and I went to Puerto Rico for some rest and relaxation and to soak up some sun!  I went with my mom and my friend and her mom too.  It was such a blast and a fantastic girls getaway!  We stayed at the La Concha Resort in San Juan and sat by the pool, relaxed on the beach and went into Old San Juan one morning.  Here are a few pictures from my trip, hope you enjoy...
Plane ride to Puerto Rico 

View from the pool area

View from the room 

Ocean... I was surprised but it was actually pretty warm!

Erin and I in Old San Juan 

Old San Juan 

Palm Trees

Even though it was sad to leave the sun and beach of Puerto Rico, the weather here back in Boston this week has been fantastic and I've been spoiled with all of this sun... until next time... and oh...
Happy Spring!  Can't wait for summer!