Friday, January 29, 2016

Friday Morning

A slow but lovely work week, I'm glad it's the weekend. With no plans in mind except for working on and researching program ideas for the summer reading club (It's an Olympic theme this year - I can already tell you it's going to be a blast. With a mix of nostalgic tv game shows from the 90s and video game ideas, I can't wait to share what I'm doing this year, make sure to stay tuned...) schoolwork, considering getting a friend for Hermione (my fish) and hysterically laughing at the genius that T.J. Miller is in the Silicon Valley, I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend. What are your plans? 




Thursday, January 28, 2016

Palm Desert: 3 Spots



When it comes to good spots to take friends out or pick a date night these three bars in downtown Palm Desert are high on my recommendation list. I love the sophisticated vibe and excellent food that the Daily Grill offers, a smallish restaurant/bar is a great place to meet friends for either a quick bite or happy hour. The Pastry Swan has great treats but I love the quaint restaurant that is just to the left of the bakery shop. With brick interior, french food it's a great spot for an intimate date night. And if you want to just enjoy a night with your sister, Tommy Bahama is a fun place to just hang, have a few cocktails and look out at the view of the desertscape. The next time you're in the California Desert, make sure to stop by and check out a few of my favorite hangouts. 

(1,2,3)

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Top Five





Between family and friends who have been traveling in the last couple years combined with my own research for planning an overseas trip, all these places are on my radar. Although I've been to Germany once before, it seemed I was there for only five minutes. I barely remember Hamburg but it was enchanting and full the of the nicest people. Australia, South Africa, Hungary and Ireland are at the top of my list. Planning any big trips this year, where are you heading?!

(1,2,3,4,5)

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Do It Yourself Facial Mask

I've never spent the day at a spa, even though I think about it all the time. Maybe for the my 30th birthday, I'll treat myself to a full body massage, a facial and enjoy a steam. If you are into homemade facials, here's an excellent one I just tried a few weeks ago that I loved.

Ingredients:

1/2 avocado
1 teaspoon organic honey
1 teaspoon plain yogurt (the higher in fat, the more moisturizing)

Directions:

Mash avocado in a small bowl

Add honey and yogurt and combine until mostly smooth-a few lumps are just fine.

Spread a thick layer onto clean skin. Let sit for 10-15 minutes or longer. Remove a warm wash cloth. Finish with a splash of cool water and your favorite moisturizer.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Weekend Wrap Up...

 needing another relaxing bath...
 the dream team sitting atop my work desk:)
 and processing new books. 
 desk essentials...
ending the weekend with a walk around the 
neighborhood.

(image via instagram)

Friday, January 22, 2016

Friday Morning

This weekend is all about homework!!! A completely uneventful weekend around here except for scouring the internet for people selling their Coachella tickets (must see N.W.A. perform!!!), watching Mistress America and getting new plants. All I care about at the moment is finishing this degree (three months and I'm done forever), hanging my pretty diplomas up and being done. What are your plans? How have you been, what have you been up too? See you Monday morning :)


 Why I love Dean Strang


Thursday, January 21, 2016

Work Wardrobe Inspiration





Nancy Meyers is one of my top five favorite directors and writers. Everything about her movies are fantastic; the story, the scenery, the homes (and decor), her characters are always so charming and the wardrobe, oh I always love the characters wardrobe. She is always so spot on. Her latest movie, The Intern was perfection. I suggested this movie to my parents (my mom never goes to the movies) and now they talk about it all the time. While I love everything about this movie, let's just focus on Anne Hathaway's wardrobe for a second! Current work attire inspiration-classy, bold and modern.
 
(1,2,3,4,5)

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Date Night In...

As much as you want to go out and hit the town with your friends come Friday night, you're exhausted from a long day (or week/month) at work, school is weighing you down and all you can think about is sleep and taking a break. Sometimes the best Friday night is one spent at home and hitting the sheets early. Every once in a while, I look forward to a quiet night in with something light like a cheese plate, maybe a glass (or two) of wine, doing laundry, watching a few episodes of something girly like Girlfriends Guide to Divorce and falling asleep early. Give yourself a break, stay in and have a date night with yourself. 

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Weekend Wrap Up...

 warm and cozy with polka dot leggings...
 and new makeup routines. 
 all about skillshare
 writing school papers, listening to  podcasts, 
obsessing over Mindy Kaling, snacking and using
stress relievers like gak :)
book club homework: Mary Poppins...

(images via instagram)

Friday, January 15, 2016

this week's favorites...

 Rise Up - Andra Day
 Exchange - Bryson Tiller
 Player - Tinashe
 It was a Good Day - Ice Cube
Fool For You - Alice Smith

I have been listening to a lot of Rap and R/B lately, a mixture of new artists and old. These are a few tracks I've been listening too while getting ready and on my way to work. What's on your iPod these days?!

(images via amazon)

Thursday, January 14, 2016

LA: 3 Spots



The next time you find yourself in L.A., you must try these places out. My sister is the hardest person to please when it comes to deciding on restaurants; she's crazy picky but luckily she chose all these places while we were in town over this past weekend. For the best sandwich you'll ever eat (also order the fries) check out Greenspan's Grilled Cheese, if you want to relax and grab a cup of tea (or check out the place at night, it becomes a bar) make sure to visit the Melrose Umbrella Co. And for Korean BBQ, Quarters was an excellent spot for first timers like my sister and I. What are your favorite L.A. spots?! Suggestions, recommendations? Please comment below :)
 
(1,2,3)

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Drawer Clean Out



When was the last time your cleaned out your drawers? If it's been awhile or you're not sure you can even answer the question, then now is the perfect time to do it. And I mean every drawer from the coupon drawer, silverware and your pots and pans storage.Designate a weekend for a deep cleaning inside your cupboard space, throw away perhaps unused utensils and expired coupons. Haul out one of your favorite pitchers/decorative plates and maybe use it for a display. If you are ahead of me and already doing this why not clean out drawers throughout your home you maybe avoiding!!! 

(1,2,3)

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Lemon Scallop Pea Spaghetti

If there is one thing I love, it is pasta. But since I'm back on my strict diet for the next few months, I have been altering favorite pasta recipes with zucchini as a substitute and I have to say, I'm just as satisfied as I was with actual noodles. Now I'm all about the zoodles!!!

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup olive oil 
1 lb small scallops 
4 cloves of garlic, minced 
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock 
1/2 pound spaghetti 
1 lemon, zested and juiced (about 1/4 cup juice) 
3/4 cup peas, defrosted 
1/4 cup roughly chopped flat leaf parsley 
red pepper flakes, to serve 
salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:

Pat the scallops dry and season all sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat up a small amount of olive oil over medium high heat and cook the scallops until golden brown on both sides, 1-2 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add the remaining olive oil to the pan and turn the heat to medium. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook, stirring, until the garlic is slightly golden, but not brown, about 1 minute. Add the chicken stock and uncooked pasta. Bring to a boil and then turn down to low. Cover and cook for 8 minutes.
Remove the cover and simmer to reduce the sauce, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the scallops, defrosted peas, lemon juice, lemon zest, and flat leaf parsley. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste and enjoy hot!

(image and recipe via i am a food blog)


Monday, January 11, 2016

Weekend Wrap Up...

 mr. toad's wild ride, one of my favorites...
a perfect day.
 steak gumbo, check!!!
 must remember to come here when visiting. 
disneyland at night :)


(images via instagram)

Friday, January 8, 2016

Friday Morning

Once again, Happy New Year!!! How was your first week of the year? Have you kept to your workout schedule or eating healthy or whatever you promised yourself you would stick to this year? I'm heading to the coast despite El Nino seriously putting a damper on this weekend and our Disneyland plans. Hopefully it will clear up enough to enjoy a day at the park. L.A. get it together, I haven't gone to Disneyland in forever and I was really looking forward to seeing Mickey and Minnie. Whatever you do with your weekend, have a good one!!! 

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These shoes!!!


Thursday, January 7, 2016

Listening to Audio Books

Between e-books and print, I figured audio books were a dying breed. Being in the library world, I notice kids (and their parents) don't check out books on tape anymore so I just assumed listening to stories was no longer a thing. However, with audio subscription services on the rise and podcasts being the new story telling platform, I've grown to love listening to books, it's incredibly calming and relaxing. Unfortunately at the moment, I simply I just don't have the time to sit down and read for pleasure, so I'm forced to listen to what we're reading in book clubs to keep up (especially since I'm the host). Whether I'm cleaning the kitchen or listening to something in the car, it's a nice way to start and end your day. I must say falling asleep to Peter Pan is way more relaxing than falling asleep to the newest sensation on Netflix, Making a Murderer. What are you reading, do you listen to books? Have you joined Audible yet?

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Pink Champagne Smokey Eye

Whenever I talk about beauty on the blog, I'm sure you've noticed I always mention my sister. She has recently started a beauty how to channel over on YouTube and I could not be more psyched that she has joined me in the b(v)logsphere. For being self taught, she's really talented! No matter where we are from Manhattan to LA, she's stopped on the street and complimented on whatever look she's pulling off that day. She recently did this pink champagne smokey eye and it's my favorite look so far. So make sure to check out her site :)

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

The January Cure











One of my favorite things at the beginning of every year is participating in the The January Cure over at Apartment Therapy. Since I've been a renter for only a year, there's not too much I can do but the little things definitely make a difference. If you forgot about the cure, here is your reminder to get started on cleaning out your house, re-carpeting a room or turning your garage into an office. Assignment One - clean the floors!!! And here are a few pretty pictures of a beautiful home in North Hollywood. 

(image via apartment therapy)

Leading Ladies

Five Things to Know About Bernadette Marie: 1. Trained and completed two degrees, an AAS in Communication Design and BFA in Textile S...