Friday, August 16, 2013

Friday Favorites!

Check out some of my Friday Favorites for the week! 

Favorite Hilarious Video:: Don't let the image fool you, this video compiled of different Vine videos are beyond hilarious.

Favorite Quick Lunch:: Grilled veggie and hummus wrap, healthy and delicious! 
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-veggie-hummus-wraps-50400000120276/
 Favorite Quote to Live By:: well alright! time for a nap! :)

 Favorite Inexpensive Home Detail:: get a cool bottle and pour your bathroom needs into it; appealing to the eye and also a perfect way to spruce your pad up!

Favorite Summertime Fun:: Fill balloons with water and start splashing away! Perfect game for this weather!
 Favorite Utensil Gem:: These super fun pencils are the cutest! Also, Amanda Catherine Designs is a partner of Love 146 and she gives her some of her proceeds to the organization! Great cause and great look!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmandaCatherineDes?ref=l2-shopheader-name
Check back this weekend for a recipe and outfit of the day!
Enjoy your weekend!
ps, don't forget to =)

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Thoughtful Thursdays:: Anger

I stumbled upon this quote a few days ago and it got me wondering, what is it that triggers people to get so angry? Is it the fact that we missed the morning train,  getting stuck in traffic when you have a to be somewhere at a certain time, not getting your way, someone hurting your feelings? These all are just a few reasons why we choose to express our feelings in the form of anger.  It is one of the most basic human emotions.  Something as trivial as having coffee spilled all over you can get people feeling this strong sense of emotion.  But how people choose to react to it is the real test about who you are and your personality. 

Anyone that knows me knows that I am as happy as can be.  I will be smiling all day everyday just for the heck of it. Why not? There is so much to be happy about! How about the fact the we woke up and got to live another day? I have several people ask me on a  daily basis why am I always so happy and why don't they ever seem to see me be upset? I'm
actually smiling as I'm writing this just thinking about the goofy cheesy look on my face other people have too see on a constant basis. Yes, anger is a natural response to feeling we have been wronged by someone or something.  It actually isn't a negative emotion itself.  How people react to it is the real negative aspect.  We all have things that make us angry-people, situations, moments-and they all can really take a toll on us and hurt us.  A misconstrued  outlook is that we feel if we hold onto that anger and act on it, we are winning and making a point and that someone there will be a different outcome.  But that is NOT the case.  My mom raised me into being the happy girl I am today.  She was always smiling, not matter what.  She could've had the worst of days, broke her foot, felt betrayed by a friend, but you would never know that because she chose to see that there were more things that made her smile which always outweighed any angry feelings.  Of course everyone gets upset, and that is alright.  But for me personally, and hopefully most of you guys, staying angry takes so much work.  It weighs you down and can even make you miss out on opportunities you would've chosen before you felt angry.  Being happy is just so much easier.  It is a fact that it takes more work to put on a frown than to smile.  I'm not saying don't get upset or frustrated, because that is just natural, but choose how you choose to react to the situation.  Take a few hours to actually be logical about the situation, does getting angry really matter? IT happened already, you can't change that fact, so your question now lays with where do you go from here?  The best choose is to figure out if it's an accident, the world isn't over, you lived through it, it is all okay. If it is something that hurt you emotionally or mentally, what can you do that will make you happier but also stay a morally good person? That is the test.  Sometimes it will take a few days, months, or years, and sometimes it can just take 5 minutes to make your decision.  

When people get angry they can do things they know is wrong, but feel as if it's alright this time because they were wronged.   But just remember you have felt anger but then again I'm pretty certain you have also been the cause of someone else feeling that same rage.  All of us have hurt and felt hurt.  So just remember the cardinal rule:: Do onto others as you would want done onto yourself.  Every action you make has a consequence, wether good or bad.  Remember the type of person you would want to be at that moment.  If you have wronged someone, something as simple as a talk can solve matters, or if you felt wronged, forgive and choose to either move on and let your ego go so you can enjoy more memories or choose forgive and just realize things need to go a different direction.  Either way, develop into the person you want to become.  Back to the quote, why would you let someone else who made you angry murder you like that?  You've already lost when you stay angry.  We are the only ones who onto and let our emotions go.

Here's a few other quotes I found and avery cute video of this little kid who fell pretty hard yet chose to be happy still!  Hopefully  they will keep you into remembering who you want to be! 




I really hope you remember this and take it to heart! It is so much healthier and just overrall makes life alot better if you just choose to let go!
Check back for the perfect to-go spicy spread and an ootd!
ps, don't forget to =)

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

DIY:: Old table turned into Vanity Table

Cheap table turned into Vanity Table

I am so excited about today's post because it is SO simple to makeover and very cheap! #brokecollegekidproblems haha I found this simple table on craigslist for about $10 and just thought it was boring and hated the green for my room.  So I went over to Hobby Lobby and bought a few things like spray paint, paint, and found a few miscellaneous things on clearance to spruce up my table, and then I was ready to start!

It all started with this plain table with the green top...

I used a matte white spray paint and sprayed evenly all over.  You usually have to wait a few hours to let it dry before you can do a second coat. I waited until the next day.

I strongly suggest a second coat, unless you like the look of how the first coat came out.  In my case, I was trying to get rid of the green so I had to coat it again. Then let it dry for a few hours.

Anyone that knows me knows that I just I just love monograms.  I think adding a little personality to your table makes it that much better.  I added a cute border around the sides and then used a cursive monogram font for the initials in the middle.

I also wanted to go with the theme colors in my room-pink, grey, white-the soft colors and loved dipped items so I decided to do a DIY dip to my table by painting 3/4 of the legs grey.

Dont forget to paint over the edges!

And voila! Added some desk goodies and a mirror and I now have a chic table for less!

As Albert Einstein once stated, "Creativity is intelligence having fun," use your mind and don't be afraid to mix styles, try something different, "take the road less traveled."
Making over furniture is always such a cheap and fun use of your time! It can get tedious but will be so much worth it at the end because it is a statement that YOU created and you ACCOMPLISHED. 
Check back tomorrow for a thoughtful Thursday post and later this week for an ootd! :)
ps, don't forget to =)

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Monday, August 12, 2013

Mani Monday:: Coral Sea

Coral  Sea

Happy happy Monday!! I know Monday's can be a tad dreadful, so how about a joke to start off your week into a positive one? 
Why does a chicken coop always have 2 doors?
Because if it had four, it would be called a chicken sedan! :D
These two colors will always be a summer favorite and just a favorite in general because they compliment each other extremely well! I incorporated a bit of sparkle to make the blue pop a bit more! It's a mani that will surely have everyone noticing! 

Hope the joke cheered you up and gave you enough of a boost to keep your week flowing!
Check back later this week for a fun DIY table and ootd!
ps, don't forget to =)

Friday, August 9, 2013

Friday Favorites!

It feels so great to sometimes just muster the confidence to wake up early, get a workout in, and drive back home on;y see the the sun rising. What a feeling of accomplishment! That's how my early Friday started, you should try it!
In the meantime, check out my favorites for the week!
Favorite Realization:: 


Favorite Easy Prop:: Got a party coming up? Birthday? Just meeting with friends? Make it fun by adding these free printable props onto a stick for some photo fun!
http://www.celebrations.com/content/printable-photo-booth-party-props
 Favorite DIY furniture:: Made this myself! tutorial up soon!
before::

after::

Favorite New Shows:: Well, technically Breaking Bad isn't new, but I just picked up on it this summer and its hilarious, but a tad gruesome, so watch out! This last season starts this Sunday!

Also, I picked up on this new season premiere of Orange is the New Black is equally as hilarious! It is a Netflix series but totally worth it! Give these two shows about 2-3 episodes and you'll see why it's my favorites of the summer!

Be sure to check back for a DIY table and a ootd soon! :)
Have a great weekend!
ps, don't forget to =)

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

What's to Eat?? Chickpea Burger with Mint Raita

Chickpea burger with Mint Raita

Most of my friends, being carnivores, always tease and complain to me how being a vegetarian is "boring" or "bland" and how they can't seem to find any meal tasty as a meal that provides meat. So I'm always on the lookout and trying new recipes to show them and prove them wrong.
Today's recipe of the day is the scrumptious, chewy, mushy goodness of a protein-filled chickpea burger.  It's not the usual mix of a vegetarian burger but a modern uptake on it  flavored with cumin, paprika, mint, and mashed up chickpeas, topped with a cool and refreshing mint yogurt dressing. Is your mouth watering yet?
 It is good enough to satisfy even the most carnivorous burger fan!

*****NOTE:: The patties will need to be prepped several hours before or best, overnight! Also, extra chickpea mix can be stored in the freezer for a future use! :) Hello quick and simple future meals!*********
What you will need:: (this will be enough for around 6 burger patties, depending on how small or big you make the patty)
  • a food processor or something like it
  • 1 can chickpea-drained and rinsed
  • 4-6 mini whole wheat burger buns
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 onion
  • 1 tomato paste can (I try not to cook with egg, so this is a good alternative.  If you want to use eggs, replace here 1 egg, whisked)
  • 1 teaspoon of parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon cup of mint (in my opinion, the more mint you add, the better the flavor)
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs 
  • 1/4 teaspoon of paprika

Start by rinsing your mint and parsley.  I got these beauties from my sister's garden!

I loosely chopped the mint and parsley here before adding it into the food processor.  Gather your ingredients and add it into the processor.


Pulse and blend a little past chunky into a semi-smooth finish like pictured below.

Add your breadcrumbs and tomato paste and mix it very well with the chickpea mix.  Cover and put in the fridge for a few hours.

Once you are ready to eat, get the mix out of the fridge and you can prepare the patties.  Grab a few pinchfuls of the mix and squeeze, smash, and mold into a patty-like figure.  You can create these as big or small as you'd like.

Now you can either grill these or bake them. It was raining outside so I decided to just bake it. I like to warm it up and get it started by putting it on a pan with a slight oil spray for about 5 minutes.  

Then I proceeded to put it on the oven, along with my side of choice, ever so delicious tater tots, at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.  Just check on them every now and then and flip it over to get the desired amount of hardness. 

And voila! top it off with a mint raita, onions, and even a tomato slice and get ready to have your mouth and stomach thank you!

Hope you enjoyed them! How did you like it? Would you choose this style over a regular burger? Also, my sister and I decided to make some Oreo truffles again! Click on the link to remember how to make it for yourself!

ps, don't forget to =)

Monday, August 5, 2013

Mani Monday:: Nude and Neon

Happy Monday everyone!! Im currently obsessing over this weeks Mani Monday's nude with a contrast splash of hot pink! Its super simple to do yet makes such a bold statement! 
Just start off with a neutral base color.

Then, start off with one corner and draw a line with your bold color from one end of the nail to another diagonally.

Voila! Go and strut your bold self now! 

 Be sure to check back later this week for a very scrumptious recipe!
Have a great start to the week!
ps, don't forget to =)