OOTD and BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! THANK YOU FANS!

Thank you, thank you! :)

I have been amazed, humbled, and filled with excitement knowing that my blog started shy of a little over a year ago, and has already pasted its milestone in reaching OVER 10,000 views this past week! I remember when my friends and family first started telling me to start a fashion/foodie blog with all of my tricks and tips and recipes and ideas so that they could follow it and learn themselves.  Today, it is a success! Countless people have called me, texted me, and even showed me how they style their outfits, how they recreated, and even became better with their nail arts themselves, in turn, saving buttloads of money going to the nail salon every so often, and even trying all the flavorful, delicious recipes they thought were too hard for them to do by themselves.  It makes me so happy to see others reach out of their comfort zone and try new things, and succeed! 

I wanted to give back now.  I told myself when I only had around 3-4000 views(which was crazy to me even back then) that once I reach 10,000 views, I was going to turn my hobby into something a bit more professional, design and content wise.  So stay tuned; in the next two weeks or so I'm going to be revamping my website and changing things around.  Feel free to email me(Poojated522@gmail.com) or comment below for any suggestions/ideas! I think yall as my readers know what I like by now and all, and I want you to know your opinions do matter.

Thank you so so so much to all my supporters and motivators who constantly check back,   give feedback and encouragement, and just with everything; you guys know who you are! I love yall!

 Best way to organize is with cute notepads and some Lilly planners!

Check back tomorrow for the infamous Mani Monday Holiday edition, and later this week how to make some yummy treats for your Thanksgiving dinner!
ps, don't forget to =) you all always make me!

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Friday Favorites!

Are you as busy as I have been this week and upcoming days? Holidays are right around the corner and I feel as if everyone is trying to cram everything in all at once! Whew! Thank goodness it's Friday and time for a little break! Why not indulge in trying out these few things this weekend for a relaxation break?

Favorite DIY:: Learn how to make your own bulletin board here! I made perfect-sized inspiration board earlier this year!

Favorite Steal:: I just LOVE booties, and this year, detail and buckles have been the latest trend! One of my most favorite ones have been this Chloe bootie! Since most of us can't splurge on a Chloe bootie, why not get this great steal from Forever 21??

Forever21

Chloe

Favorite Fresh Spread:: In love with the dipping oils and spreads you get at Italian restaurants? Learn how to make it with my recipe here! It's the perfect appetizer or side dish served with some warm baguette!

Favorite Smile:: In honor of Thanksgiving coming up soon and my love for the show How I Met Your Mother, I found this little gem from Skreened and couldn't resist. Happy Slapsgiving!

Favorite Quote:: You know that thought that's been in your mind for a while now? Get the courage and just do it! :)

Check back this weekend for an exciting announcement!
Happy Friday!
ps, don't forget to =)

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Mani Monday:: Sparklin' Cheetah

Glitter and Cheetah-licious

Happy Monday yall! This weekend was full of rest and relaxation.  People have asked me, "Pooj, what did you do this weekend?" And it feels soooo good to respond with absolutely nothing.  Caught up a few shows(have you seen Revenge's new episode?! Lydia is alive?!!!), laundry, enjoyed a light hike taking in the fresh air, and just bummed it relaxing on the couch. Sometimes all you need is just that type of a weekend. 

This week's Mani Monday is a sassy but classy mani, cheetah-licious! It is extremely easy to do, as you can see my the simple 3 steps below, so try it out for yourself!  

Did you try the Fail-Proof Chipotle Style Black Beans or the Lentil Falafels this weekend? How about invite some friends over this week and you all enjoy?!
ps, don't forget to =)

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OOTD:: Winter Layers and Floral

Pinks, Florals, and Layers on Layers; Bring on the Cold Days!

This week has been in the mid-thrirties/low forties all week! I sure do miss the warm Georgia weather right about now! As I walk down the streets, and into coffeeshops and grocery stores, I've noticed that everyone here in Maryland loves to layer up, and for a good reason! The most common is shirts, hoodies, sweaters, puffy vests, and gloves, but I want something different, something to stand out.  Today's post is all about looking chic while still bundling up!

My go-to trend for the winter is tights.  Don't let how thin they feel trick you! It actually keeps you pretty warm! Researchers say that your head, hands, and feet are the firsts ones to get cold and get your body cold.  As long as those are nice and warm, the rest of your body easily adapts to the chilly winds.  

I chose to pair a dress with a blazer and oversized infinity scarf, pairing it with brown tights and some booties, topping it off with a nice creme peacoat to keep me all cozy and warm.

What I love about layers is that you can take a layer or two off when you get warm, and bundle up when your cold.  It's the best of both worlds! 

Who says your can't be chic and still bundle up for the cold days?

Which layering styles are you going to choose?

Check back next week for a sweet recipe and tomorrow's Mani Monday!

ps, don't forget to =)

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Friday Favorites!

TGIF! We made it through yet another week of havoc and chilly weather.  To celebrate Fridays, here's another favorites of mine for this week!

Favorite Laugh:: Too funny! I say she's point on!

Favorite Splurge:: One sweater, worn four ways?! AND it's beyond soft and comfy?! Get yours from Victoria's Secret here!

Favorite Recipe:: Mini blueberry muffins I made last night! Be on the lookout next week for how to make them!

Favorite Fall Activity:: I've made it a goal to hike or go on a trail at least twice a week and enjoy nature's beauty.  Falltime is the best time to enjoy it in my opinion; it is outright beautiful.  Last week I saw this gem of a waterfall!

Favorite Mantra:: 

 

Check back this weekend for a layered outfit of the day!

ps, don't forget to =)

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What's to Eat?? Falafels!

Lentil Falafels!!!

There are many variations of making these protein-filled, little small bundles of joy called falafels-using chickpea variations or lentils.  Personally, falafels are one of my most FAVORITE meals-whether it's in a bowl, pita,  salad, or simply by themselves with a dip.  This Mediterranean dish is so really healthy, filled with flavor, and surprisingly for it's size, super filling, but in a good way, not food-coma status.  

What you will need:: (To make approximately 30-40 small falafels)

• 1/2 cup of each lentils(green split peas and yellow split chickpeas)
• 1/2-1 inch of ginger
• 1-2 chillies, depending on how spicy you want to make it

Soak the lentils in water for two hours.   Then drain the water out and pull out your food processor.

Add the chillies and ginger into the processor and start it until they are both fully chopped.  Then add your lentils and process it until it looks like the picture below. 

 You have just made your falafels!!! THAT SIMPLE.

Now to fry them.  Add a decent amount of oil into your frying pan and turn the heat to medium.  While waiting, you can start on making your falafel balls.  Add salt to taste now.  It is VERY IMPORTANT that you add salt now and only now.  You will notice once you add salt to your falafel mixture, it will make the mixture a lot more watery.  Now just simply take a small amount, or however big you want your falafel balls to be, and create a ball-like shape to it.  I like making smaller ones because I crumble them up in my sandwiches anyways and it makes for more falafels. This process will make your hands veryyyy messy, as you can see below.

You can take a small little bit from your falafel and test the oil to see if its warm and ready to fry.  Once it is, add a handful of your falafels into the pan carefully and turn them and wait until they turn a nice brown color.  YOUR FALAFELS ARE NOW READY! WHOOO HOO! aum-nom-nom-nom :)

 As for what to put in your falafels? I like to add a variety of veggies, hot sauces, feta, harissa(which should already be in your fridge spicy lovers! get my recipe here!), and this yogurt mixture made of yogurt, italian dressing, ranch dressing, hot sauce and salt.

I added about 4 spoonfuls of yogurt to a bowl, with 1-1/2 spoons of italian and ranch dressing.  Then salt to taste and a few pinches of hot sauce to taste.  Everything is really to taste, so just figure out how you would want your nice, cool, yogurt mixture to be.

Don't forget to chop up your veggies and lettuce! (I used romaine lettuce, celery, cabbage, bell peppers, onions, carrots, broccoli, and cucumbers.)

ENJOY!!!!

Check back tomorrow for Friday Favorites and this weekend for an OOTD! 

ps, don't forget to =)

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Mani Monday:: Olive Green and Bows

Happy Happy Monday! Today's mani inspiration has to do with olive greens, gold, and white bows.  This color combination is a perfect crisp, deep fall look.  And anyways, who doesn't like bows? 

Check back later this week to learn how to make healthy, yummy falafels and also an OOTD!
ps, don't forget to =)

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