Monday, August 29, 2016

Weekend Wrap Up...

 quiet nights and desk rearranging...
 new beauty favorites.
always down for ice cream.

(images via instagram)

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Spinach Artichoke Dip Onion Rings

If you can't afford to join the many food based subscription services out there, I absolutely stand by Tasty's recipes over on Buzzfeed. They are quick, simple and beyond delicious. I follow them all over social media, so it's easy to save pictures, ingredients and directions on my phone when I'm out and about. This Spinach Artichoke Dip Onion Ring recipe is making my mouth water just looking at the pictures. Saving and making this weekend!!!

Ingredients:

Servings: 10-12 rings
1 clove garlic, minced
5 ounces fresh spinach
16 ounces cream cheese
14 ounces artichoke hearts
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1 white onion
1 cup flour
5 eggs, beaten
3 cups panko bread crumbs
Oil, for frying
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

In a skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil and saute garlic and spinach until spinach is wilted. 

In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add cooked spinach, artichoke hearts, mozzarella, salt, and pepper.

Peel and slice the onion into ½ inch rings, and detach the rings from each other.

On a wax paper–lined tray, lay out onion rings and fill each with dip mixture. Place tray in freezer until solid (about one hour).

 Preheat oil in a pot over medium heat to 350℉/180˚C.

Place the flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs into three separate bowls.

Dip a ring into the flour, shaking off excess, then dip it into the egg, the bread crumbs, then back into the eggs, and one last time into the breadcrumbs.

Repeat with the remaining rings. 

Fry the rings for 5-6 minutes, until deep golden brown
.
Drain on a paper towel, then serve and enjoy!

Friday, August 26, 2016

Friday Morning

Hey readers, how was your week? Mine was long but productive and mostly smiles even though I'm still limited to very little movement. I'm hoping by the end of the month, the construction in my apartment complex will be done and this cough will go away so my body can start to mend itself. In the last few weeks, I've bruised another rib but on my right side and pulled several muscles in my back which has made my workday a little harder. Hopefully another weekend of pure rest will alleviate the pain in my back. By the way have you seen O.J. Made in America? What an excellent but disheartening show. Not just about the man but our country as well! As a history and anthropology major, I have read, watched and learned about racism in this country and other countries over and over. But re-watching it in this five part documentary series was chilling. Seeing actual footage different time in our country and living with overt racism and police brutality in my own lifetime, it's really sad that not much as changed or progressed.  Have a good one and see you next week! 




Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Oversized Coats



With all the wishing that Autumn will come early this year, I'm painting my nails darker colors, switching to berry lipstains and looking forward to bringing out my fall wardrobe. This year I'm totally embracing the oversized coat look, I own way more sweaters than I do coats but I'm hoping to shop for a few new things this season. What are you looking forward too?

(1,2,3)

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Weekend Wrap Up...

personalizing this farmer's market bag
 to my old neighborhood.
 the sweetest get well present and the september issue.
lots of rest with the cutest sleeping mask....

(images via instagram)

Friday, August 19, 2016

Friday Morning

Good morning readers, I'm not exactly in the greatest mood this week so bear with me for a second of complaining. I've been sick for over a week and I finally made it to the doctor, luckily the sickness is part is finally going away. The bruised rib part totally sucks. If you cannot imagine the pain of what it feels like to have a bruised or broken rib, just think of never finding a comfortable position to be in. Sleep is not doable unless you are on drugs, sitting is painful, standing is probably as good as it gets and even then it's still pretty painstakingly awful. Doctors can't do anything, I can't do anything except deal with it so I have to ride this out until it heals which could take up to five months. This weekend is all about rest and not doing anything to aggravate my ribs. Reading and puzzles galore!!! Have a good weekend and see you all next week! 




Monday, August 15, 2016

Weekend Wrap Up...

 you must get this diffuser - I love it!!! 
 the prettiest office supplies, thanks to my guy!!!
 weekend favorites...
 updating my filing system :)
sick and in bed with a few little treats...

(images via instagram)

Sunday, August 14, 2016

La Quinta: 3 Spots



When I got the full time librarian job a few years ago, I was excited for several reasons. One of them being it was technically in another town. Now, although it's only a fifteen minute drive from my apartment, I had never really explored the small town that is La Quinta. For a long time, there was really no reason to visit since it was mostly just neighborhoods. Over the years it has become a nationally ranked art hub, home to more golf resorts and country clubs than you can imagine and a favorite hangout for celebrities and athletes. These are just a few of my favorite hangouts and restaurants. If you know me well, you know I will answer Asian every time you ask me what my favorite food is. If you're a Thai fan, My Thai is hands down my favorite Asian restaurant in the valley.  One of the most popular places to dine out is Lavender Bistro. Although hidden, it is a beautiful setting and has excellent food. This past year, I suggested it for Mother's Day and let's just say, my mom is still talking about how much she loved the experience. Cork and Fork is another place that everyone raves about but I have not yet been too. It's definitely on my to do list. 

(1,2,3)

Saturday, August 13, 2016

this week's favorites...





What is your favorite Summer Olympic sport? Since I grew up a swimmer, it's obvious that Phelps and Lochte are my favorite Olympians and my biggest inspiration when I'm in the pool.  And while I have never fenced, growing up watching The Parent Trap a zillion times, there's something about the sport that is thrilling and exciting.

(1,2,3,4,5)

Friday, August 12, 2016

Friday Morning...

Good morning readers, can you believe summer is almost over? I surely cannot, it certainly doesn't help that I've been feeling a little under the weather this week. I've been between the bed and the back office at work trying avoiding human contact and passing on this horrible combo of having the cold and flu. Since I'm pretty much bed ridden over the weekend, I'll be catching up with what I've missed concerning the Olympics and sleeping as much as I can. Have a nice weekend. 




Thursday, August 11, 2016

Five Things For A Quiet Evening

For work or school, you need a cute planner

The foodie in means find the Bon Appetit puzzles fun and they always makes me hungry.

The pretty font and inspirational mugs from Target are a must. 

I carry this journal with me everywhere. 

My sister has this diffuser and now I want one. 

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Staying Focused

I've always considered myself passive. I'm introverted but driven, I am an insanely motivated person by nature. I am always thinking about the future, how to be a better at my job and how to achieve a list of goals a mile long but lately my mind has been scattered. The list is under a stack of papers on my night stand and my mind is worrying about tomorrow's projects. Not being able to remember things like work related questions or something someone has told me has become a regular occurrence, I've been sick four times this year (which is a rarity, I'm a healthy person) and  I'm exhausted all day long. For someone who has always had low blood pressure and been moderately healthy (besides gaining weight in undergrad and graduate school) anxiety has taken over most of my adult life and learning how to deal with it has been challenging. I thought being out of school would be a good thing, like all the free time I had would allow me to tackle things and my future would become a little more clear. But sadly, not much has changed. I use to pride myself on my single-tasking, my dedication was unflinching. While the allotted free time excites me, the structure of my evenings and weekends needs to change. To find focus, it's important to create a healthy mindset. I promise to keep these five tips in mind after the work day and when I find myself panicking.  What are healthy habits you adopt for a healthy mind?

1. Not only is enough sleep a necessity but getting good sleep is just as important. 

2. Buy a planner. I find planning (work and life) out in advance eliminates stress and freak outs.

3. Creating healthy habits. Waking up at the same time, going to bed at a reasonable hour, cooking instead of getting take out every night, making the bed, drinking tea, lighting candles, find a relaxing but productive activity like working on a puzzle, knitting, playing an instrument or reading definitely helps relax your mind.

4. Meditating, whatever that means to you. For me it's a breathing ritual. I use to be a deep breather but not sure much anymore. When at home, I lay down on the floor in savasana and work on my breathing for ten minutes. (Tip: I do this at work usually on my lunch)

5. Make time to rest. This is the hardest task by far; which would explain why I'm so burned out. I never allow my mind to rest. Every second of every day, my mind is working has fast and has hard as it can. Putting at the top of my list of priorities. 

(image) 


Monday, August 8, 2016

Weekend Wrap Up...

 quick trip essentials...
 working on fall inspiration lists, to do's
 and fashion musts. 
 sundays are for laundry and a friends marathon. 
 this month's favorites...
a quiet weekend calls for catching up with darling.

(images via instagram)

Sunday, August 7, 2016

A London Apartment






This London apartment is pretty much everything I want in my own place. Light and soft colors, white and fluffy pillows/bedding, pretty and detailed wallpaper, copper mirrors and pots, a big and open kitchen,  cozy nooks and a quiet place to call my own.

Friday, August 5, 2016

Friday Morning

I don't know about you but August excites me. It still may be triple digits outside but fall is only a month away and that means shopping for darker colors, decorating with with pine and pumpkin and most especially gearing up for the revival of Gilmore Girls this November. I don't have much planned for the weekend, I'll be watching the Olympics with my family, catching up with book club reads and meeting up with library peeps to discuss exciting library things. Have an excellent weekend and see you Monday :)



Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Top 5





Since coloring has become all the rage, I have to admit I love that I've made it a priority in my down time in the evenings. When I was stressed in my last semester of school, I came across this pretty little coloring book that featured scenes of Paris, it's now completed and I've moved on to others. Now several months later, I'm starting to acquire a nice little pile of sketch books/coloring books. Do you have a favorite? If you're not apart of the coloring scene, what do you do on your time off? 

(image)  

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...