The Skinny

Things have been a little ridiculous since birthday weekend. Assignment after assignment, weekend shifts at the PF, and work study have been consuming my free time. Good news? There are a lot of exciting things coming up from here on out. Spring break is so close I can taste it. And then after spring break it's smooth sailing, other than the dreaded finals week, all the way to my Italy adventure and Bonnaroo!

Official Italy countdown: 83 DAYS.

I have some goals before Italy. Namely: lose about 10 pounds and about 5 inches as well. I thought I could document that on here as well, because who doesn't love a good tip on staying healthy and fit. I technically started last week, but with the amount of free food that is being hurled in my direction it's been really difficult to stay on track. Sidebar: when trying to eat healthier, there is nothing wrong with eating what sounds good when it sounds good...because if you shove it away, you will likely come back at it, when it is presented to you again, with a vengeance. 

My eating habits aren't unhealthy, by any means. But I am going to monitor my cheese and my sweet intake. If you know me, or have seen my cheese drawer in my refrigerator, then you may know that I have a bit of a problem NOT putting cheese on things. Cheese on broccoli and rice, cheese on vegetable burritos, cheese on salads...I know. It's out of control. I'd really like to only be eating cheese 3 times a week, and sweets about the same amount. This doesn't mean I'm going to cut out my annual weekend pizza veg out, but it does mean that the mexican shredded cheese probably won't be finding it's way into my shopping bags as often. 

Something to remember though: is that when you are making something, such as broccoli cheese rice, is that you can add more beneficial things TO THEM to make them a)last longer, b)better for you, and c)more filling (so you eat less of the bad stuff.) Good example: when you make broccoli cheese rice, you can toss in some frozen broccoli before the water boils, and then serve it over a small can of tuna (white, canned in water), and you'll find that there is more broccoli and tuna than there is cheesy rice. LOOPHOLE, AM I RIGHT?

If you're looking for a website with recipes to keep your calorie count down, check out Hungry Girl. They have lots of tips and tricks for staying healthy, and eating what you like. If you sign up for their daily emails, you'll receive recipes in your inbox, and if that isn't enough for you then they have a few books out (available at your local book store) and they also have a whole bunch of recipes available on their website as well. 

**Not only do they have recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between, but they have news on new products at the grocery store that are healthy options, or dupes for recipes that, otherwise, might not be the best idea if you're trying to think thin.

Another thing I'm going to do [much] more frequently is make regular appearances at the gym. The eliptical machine,  weight machines, and I need to become much better friends, and I need to get back to running at the park as well (I much more prefer running outside to running on a treadmill. Much more fun.)

Fro yo for you

For those of us who live in moderately sized cities, I'm sure we have all witnessed the fro-yo craze that began a couple of years ago. I know in middle Tennessee when the topic of frozen yogurt rolls around there are, probably, only two words that pop into people's mind: Sweet Cece's. Sweet Cece's began in Franklin, TN and has now spread further east, south, north, and west. It has grown from a single flagship store to new locations opening (what seems like) every week. I've been to a few fro-yo places and I can honestly say that Sweet Cece's is my favorite. Their variety in flavors and toppings and their atmosphere are what keep me coming back. My most recent favorite combination: Peanut butter (low fat) swirled with New York Cheesecake (no fat!) and topped with a few strawberries, a couple bits of reeses pieces, and some peanut butter chips. 

Why the fro-yo freakout? Besides the high variety of toppings and flavors, Fro-yo is a lot less worse for you than ice cream. But, as shape magazine pointed out, it still shouldn't be considered "healthy." There are still calories and sugar in it, and when you fill the cup and pile on the toppings you aren't really helping your case. If you're watching your weight, try and stick with fruit and sugar free fro-yo's. You won't feel like you're missing out. Promise.

Ship Shapely
Speaking of spring fashion and shaping up, I subscribe to a channel on Youtube called "The Style Diet." Anna, the woman who films videos for it is constantly talking about hair, makeup, fashion, and healthy cooking/habits. She has even written a book called, "The Style Diet." Anna recently posted a video about dressing for your body shape that I thought was really good and informative, check it out.

March Wishlist
Because what girl doesn't have a list of things she would buy if she had unlimited money at her disposal. The 3 cosmetic items are very much going to be a part of my collection ASAP :)

dress modcloth; nail polish- lilacism, essie; mineralize skin finish- soft and gentle, MAC; 

lipstick- vegas volt, MAC; purse, ModCloth; Shoes (all) -ModCloth

Until next time,
Lo

Currently Listening to: MGMT- Oracular Spectacular

Outfit of the Day and Fashion week (Christian Siriano)

So, tonight the ladies and I went out to Chuy's to get our Fiesta on for my big 20 b-day. The verdict: (in the word's of our favorite international traveler, Borat) great success.

Top: I got this Free People top last summer, and I could not be more obsessed with it. It is a flowy sheer top that has a snakeskin type print on it. Pinks, oranges, golds, and purples combine to make a really fun color combination, and the gray lace detailing down the middle does a nice job of adding some physical texture. The neckline is trimmed in gold sequins, and the straps actually do this really cool Y shaped situation in the back. Wear it alllllllll year long. (I wore a fuchsia colored tank top under it, as it is a sheer top and I would prefer my style to be described as sassy, not skanky). 

Jacket: A piece of my roommate's. There is some niiiiice zipper detailing on the pockets that looked good with the trim on the neckline of the top.

Jeggings: I got these back in the fall at Urban Outfitters. They are by the brand BDG and they are really great for jeggings. They actually feel like denim and have sewn on back pockets. Qualities that make jeggings unacceptable: printed on pockets and stitching, are more cotton feeling than denim feeling, and if they are on the commercial for "pajama jeans." 

Shoes: Steve Madden and I have become really close closet friends within recent years. These platform, gold metallic heels are perfect for special occasions and for going out. My toes may have been cold, but the shoes are comfortable and the material they are made of is a really soft, textured kind of leather. They are the perfect amount of glam.

Jewelry: Was, again, just some simple gold chains, and a really nice silver and turquoise ring.

So dinner was completely delicious (mainly the part where we all went at a piece of Tres Leches cake like a pack of wild hyenas) and then Jennifer and I decided to take a quick field trip to the mall so I could spend the MAC giftcard she got me (she knows me altogether to well). After browsing for a good 10 minutes I had my selections for the evening. MAC's lipstick in Snob and Cream Color Base in Shell.

In fashion news..
FASHION WEEK STARTED TODAY IN NEW YORK

I'll admit, though, it's a little hard to get excited about fall color schemes and trends when I am so ready for some sunshine on my skin. Skirts and sandals could not sound ANY better right now (especially with the way I was sliding around on the ice in my heels tonight in the mall parking lot...yikes).


As some of you may know, Christian Siriano (AKA my designer soul mate) got to present his collection today. As always: I am in love. Ever since Project Runway Christian has had a piece of my heart. The show started off (kind of uncharacteristically Christian, in my opinion) with lots of asymmetry, high necklines, neutral colors (blacks, greys, and olive greens), strong silhouettes (masculine with a hint of feminine), legs, dominant collars, and a combination of sheer, shine, and the occasional sparkle. Gold zippers made a reappearance (from last fall's craze) in his collection, and leather seemed to dominate as well. As the show went on the Sirano sass I've come to know and love became more evident with evening gowns that still sported the high necklines, asymmetry, and struture, but there was a lot more texture, femininity (draped details, rose pinks, etc), and some very memorable evening gowns. To see the whole show click here. The verdict: LOVED his collection. Can't wait to see what other designers put down the runway this week.




until next time
Lo






Currently Listening to: The Decemberists - The King is Dead (newest album! So good.)

5 products I adored in January (and a little fleet foxes on the side)

I realize that if I use the "login issue" excuse one more time it might seem like a "crying wolf" situation.  Good news: I think I have the situation figured out.


This post is alllllllll about things I was infatuated with during the month of January. From body products, to hair products, to clothing, to makeup, to music.. it's all on here.

Favorite Body Product - St. Ives Oatmeal and Shea Butter Moisturizing Body Wash

About a month ago I decided it was time to stop using my cupcake flavored body wash and find something a bit less sugary and a bit more effective. I wanted a product who's scent would last (and potentially that WOULDN'T smell like buttercream infused with sugar...not a good purchasing decision on my part.) and who would help me beat the infamous dry skin of winter. I've found it. I love the way that this body wash smells, suds, and the way it works in combination with St. Ives Vitamin E advance moisturizing body lotion. Not only is Oatmeal a nice scent, but I can definitely tell a difference in the way my skin feels.

Favorite Hair Product- Loreal Paris Hair Expertise Ever Pure Sulfate-Free Color Care System

 (Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner) 

When I got my hair done in December I got it dyed a lot darker than I had, had it before and I wanted to make sure that my color didn't fade. I saw this shampoo and decided to give it a try...totally worth it. This shampoo/conditioner has helped to keep my hair the rich brown/black that it was over a month ago. The Ever Pure line is sulfate free, which means it isn't as hard on your hair; it is made with natural botanicals, 100% vegan, and (the volume ones) are scented with Rosemary and Mint. After washing/drying my hair after using the products I could definitely tell a difference in the way it looked and felt as well. It was much more soft and healthy. I hiiiighly recommend these products. I believe they retailed at around $8 a tube. The only downside: because they are packaged in a tube there is much less product than there would be in a bottle.

Favorite Blush - Wet 'N Wild Blush in the color Mellow Wine

While watching youtube guru amarixe's video about drug store cosmetics that were worth giving a shot, I heard her mention this blush. Wet 'N Wild is usually something I don't usually give a second look to (unless I need a top coat for my nails), but I hadn't really seen their blushes before and decided that I would give it a try (and at about $1.50 how could I pass it up?) The blush is a good, neutral color (kind of a peachy color) and looks really good on fair skin tones (I would imagine it would also look good on medium and dark skin tones as well). It is really pigmented though, so if you end up picking this up be aware that you need to use it sparingly. I definitely will be checking out Wet 'N Wild's products more often now.

Favorite Lipsticks - Revlon Color Burst in Soft Nude and Raspberry 
and MAC in Rebel

If there is one thing I love...it is a good lipstick. I have become quite the collector as of recent, and am a big fan of making my lips one of my accessories to my outfit. My three favorites this month: Revlon Color Burst Lipstick in the colors Raspberry and Soft Nude, and MAC Lipstick in the color Rebel. The Color burst lipsticks are great quality lipsticks. They have a good payoff, and last a good amount of time.  Also, the color that you see in the tube is very true to the color that you get on your lips. Raspberry is (as it's name makes clear) a pinkish red, and soft nude is an orangey gold nude color. The lipsticks are a little drying, but it's nothing that is unbearable (*if you begin with a coat of chapstick it is much less noticeable). The MAC lipstick (rebel) is a really, really great purply lipstick. It does a look a little intimidating (and super vampy) in the tube, but when you put it on it is a purple with strong magenta undertones. The finish is very nice, and (as with all MAC lipsticks) it goes onto the lips in a very creamy fashion. MAC lipsticks are $14.50 and Revlon's are around 6 (I think).

 Favorite Item in my Closet in January

I got these tights from target. They are, what I am going to describe as, a geometric jumbo Fishnet. They are so cool! I am quite the tights fiend, but I didnt have anything at all like these. When I wore them the first time I wore them with a black dress and black boots for work, and I got about two hundred compliments on them. They are comfortable, and the material they are made of is very soft. They are by the brand Merona and were between $6-$8. I did get them a few weeks ago, so I can't make any promises that they are stil in stores.

Music of the Month

I've been listening to a lot of music recently. Mainly because I am pumped up (like you cannot believe) about an upcoming season of amazing shows, namely Fleet Foxes and Cold War Kids. Fleet Foxes recently reduced a track from their new upcoming album, "Helplessness Blues," which will drop on May 3, and it was outstanding. They are playing a show in Nashville shortly after it drops and (after a very dramatic few minutes of doubt) it is final that I will be attending. Thankkk goodness. That would not have been the show to miss.  Cold War Kids also dropped a new album recently titled, "Mine is Yours." I feel like it strays a little from their usual style, but I really really like it and am looking forward to their show as well. They are playing in Nashville on March 28 at the Cannery. 




Also, if any of you are interested in reading my more personal, random blog the link is
here




until next time (which will be soon this time)
Lo