Pashli White Out

The weather has finally gotten to the point of not being completely horrid and the thought of showing minimal skin and leaving the house sans rain boots isn't so outlandish. It's no LA, though...which is where I was last week and where I wore this 50 shades of white outfit.

Stress Busters [and spring rolls!]

It's that time again, where everything just seems to come at you at once. With graduation approaching, looming deadlines of all sorts, and struggling to just fight the urge to say 'eff it, I'm just going to bake a cake instead', stress is bound to make an unwanted appearance.

Matchup Monday: Equipment v. Mango

I have been yearning for this Equipment top for a while now. I'm a sucker for versatile classic pieces and this one really struck my fancy. Plus, I've come to realize that with all my clothes I have very few tops. Problem is, it's pretty pricey at $209, even if it is something I'd wear for years. I was searching for some alternatives and came across quite a few. This Mango version came the closest, however. Bonus: it's less than half the price at $70! Not exactly a steal, but great for a silk top with the same stylistic features as the expensive version.

Worth the splurge?

Fitness Friday [and a burger!]

Remember last week when I said I sucked? This is not deja vu, not groundhog day. I just suck again. It seems my trips to California always get me eating and not working out. I just know I'm going to be deprived of delicious restaurant food once I get back to school so I take advantage of my time back home. I guess you can say I'm opportunistic, but I like to call it 'absolute appreciation.' Semantics... sometimes it changes everything. Plus, this just means I'll have some great restaurant reviews for you all in the near future!

Frozen Nogurt

Nice cream? Frozen Nogurt? Vegan ice cream? Whatever you want to label it, I just call it "good." Damn good, actually. And so so easy to make. All you really need are some frozen bananas and a food processor (a kitchen appliance a kitchen freak like myself, of course, has).

Travel Companion: Phillip Lim

Here we go again! Another travel day and another stint back in California. I certainly can't complain, especially since this guy is coming with me.

Fitness Friday

This is actually a huge rock with a bathtub type hole in the top. Beyond on that opening is a long way down.

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous."

- Aristotle

Admittedly, I suck. The second week of Fitness Fridays and I neglect it. I apologize. It might be because I didn't really even do anything fitness related last week...oops. Like most trips back to LA, I spent most of my time eating. But! I did get a couple good days outdoors! 

Exhibit A: the Friday before last, my boyfriend and I went on a hike in Chatsworth. Looks hot, doesn't it? A welcome change from the freezing temperatures in Indiana.

The Bows Knows

 

The last few years I've been away from home due to either work or school and, as a result, I haven't been able to celebrate my past few birthdays at home. Actually, I was semi-touring Europe for my birthday last year so you all can proceed on going Office Space on the tiny violin I'm attempting to play.

This year, though, I was actually able to celebrate in California! Minus some inevitable hiccups, I had a great time and simply enjoyed spending time with people I love. AND. I finally got an opportunity to wear these beauties! Say hello to another pair of my favorite shoes.  

Liebster Award

Guys - the beautiful and amazing Kate from Taffeta and Tulips nominated me for a Liebster Award! I absolutely love Kate's lifestyle blog. Her posts range from fashion to food to travel to adorable photos of her cutie patootie kids. She has FOUR by the way. And if I look nearly as good as her after even having one kid, I'll be stoked. Plus, she's certainly on point with the outfits - no mom jeans here, folks. She's an inspiration and I really recommend visiting her blog.

Blueberry Coconut Whipped Cream Pie

Here's what I made with my extra Lemon Shortbread Cookies - Blueberry Coconut Whipped Cream Mini Pies with Chocolate Ganache! I kind of just threw the thing together using a hodgepodge of random recipes but it turned out awesomely.

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade, add it to grilled salmon, stuff some in roasted chicken, sprinkle the juice on some oysters, add the zest to cookies, steep slices in your tea, make lemon-ricotta pancakes, use them to clean just about anything... 

There are few ingredients that draw my attention more than lemon. It is definitely one of my top five favorite flavors. I think part of it comes with the fact that it's so versatile. Able to mix seamlessly into any type of dish, lemon is definitely one of my kitchen essentials. (That and a microplane.) Plus, how happy is the color yellow?!

It's My Birthday!

About 24 years ago... happy as a clam 

28 years young, can you believe it? I definitely can't. In between my 'omg I'm nearly 30' freak-outs, I was able to actually enjoy my birthday. And in California for the first time in three years! Although I bitch about things a lot, like a lot of other people, I admittedly have a great life. The last year was full of ups and down, just like any other, but it turned out amazing and I'm excited for what 28 has to offer.

Just a few things I'm really looking forward to:

• Graduating law school - I'm definitely ready for this experience to be over. 
• Moving back to LA - I'll finally be able to resume my farmer's market Sunday tradition, permanently reunite with all the people I love, and get an adequate amount of vitamin D!
• Getting a dog - My boyfriend and I are planning on getting a corgi (my favorite, duh) but we're keeping our hearts open to any pooch ready for adoption. I guess it also depends on what type/size our landlord will allow...details.
• Starting my career - This one can be very scary and stressful and depressing at times, but the prospect of actually starting the career I've worked so long for is incredible.
• Running my second half-marathon - I'm registered for the Big Sur Half-Marathon in September (I made sure to give myself enough time to train after taking the bar exam, bleh) and I'm stoked to reach this goal with such a beautiful backdrop.

And those are just the big things! The next few months are going to be a handful, to say the least, but those big picture items are enough to keep me going. 

And of course, Happy St. Patrick's Day! Bottoms up!

    Follow @de_Leonmonster

It's Begun, and I Blame KG

"The average woman falls in love 7 times a year. Only 6 are with shoes."

- Kenneth Cole

I'm in love. And consequently, I'm hitting you all with a little something different today. Cue the selfies people, we got an outfit post here. As you can tell, it's difficult for me to stay serious when my silly ass boyfriend is taking my photos. The laughter never stops with that guy, which isn't a bad thing at all (except during a photo sesh). 

Matchup: Alice + Olivia v. Kurt Geiger

I first saw these Alice + Olivia cross strap pumps during the Shopbop buy more, save more sale and fell in love. I love the simplicity and the added texture detail. But at $360... woof. I saw these Kurt Geigers that look pretty similar for $155. Much more manageable. The straps are a bit thicker, but I could potentially deal with that. 

Follow @de_Leonmonster

Mistakes: A Good Thing

Call me crazy, but this meme is one of the most motivating things to me. It demonstrates perfectly how different life can be if we simply changed our perspective. Mistakes don't have to be negative. Mistakes can push us forward, expand our minds, and improve our capabilities–but only if we let them. Instead of expecting or hoping to get things right every time, let's realize the good in imperfection. Experts aren't born, nor are they made overnight. Practice (making mistakes) makes perfect. 

PS. Check back later today for another Matchup! (past Matchups here and here)

Follow @de_Leonmonster

Fitness Friday

Happy Friday from Hollywood! Warm weather and sunshine - I couldn't ask for anything more! I hate to have to think about anything other than how wonderful life is right now but I wanted to afford myself a little accountability when it comes to health and fitness. So, to do that I'm going to give a weekly recap of my workouts (and talk about this awesome sandwich, of course!). 

Sweating is one of the most effective ways to rid the body of "unhappy" toxins.

Feeling down? Sweat it out!

Pesto: Two-Ways

K is for Kale

I made this loaf of bread two days before planning to leave the state for over a week. I always seem to do things like that - make huge portions of delicious food right before I have to leave town. Silver lining: I'll have plenty to snack on during the flight.

Homebound: Travel Essentials

Home is where the heart is. 

- Pliny the Elder

I can't tell you how excited I am to be heading home. Indiana is simply not the place for me, and my guy is in LA so really nowhere else can compete. I'll have nine days to soak up the sun, the warmth, and the love!

Here are my travel essentials - at least for domestic flights. I go back and forth between school and home about every month so I've got the whole travel essentials thing down. 

Here's my list:

• Large handbag with a shoulder strap - Reed Krakoff satchel (in coral, similar)
• Comfortable shoes - ASOS (similar)
• Clutch/Wallet - Sophie Hulme (my full description here)
• Sunglasses - for once I get to my destination - Celine 
• iPad - necessary for some reading material and occasional Suits episode
• iPod - yes. I need both. 
• Cashmere wrap - doubles as a scarf and blanket! Perfect for chilly flights - Nordstrom
• Essential makeup - for quick touch-ups after I get off the plane. Especially handy for times my boyfriend picks me up directly from the airport. (Like today! yeeeee!)
• Texturizing Sea Salt Spray - gotta be lookin' right, ya know? - Not Your Mother's
• Antibacterial - cus, ew.
• Hand lotion - This olive lavender hand cream smells divine. - Compagnie de Provence
• Sugar Lip Treatment - I just pack a mini one I got from a holiday gift bag. - Sugar

See you on the West Coast!

PS. Do any of you guys watch Pretty Little Liars??? I was going crazy during that last episode and still can't get over it! Literally screaming in my apartment by myself. I really shouldn't be this worked up by a show meant for teen girls...

Orange {Lip} Fiend

"Orange is the happiest color."

 - Frank Sinatra

As you could probably tell, I'm loving the orange lip trend. I've actually always loved it. I have olive-toned skin and I always felt happiest and brightest with an orange-red, if not straight orange, lip on. 

Lemon-Blueberry Muffins (with a surprise)

"Well, I can't eat muffins in an agitated manner. The butter would probably get on my cuffs. 
One should always eat muffins quite calmly. It is the only way to eat them." 

- Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Would you believe me if I said these are vegan? They certainly didn't have to be, but I was curious as to what veganizing these muffins would do–how good they'd actually taste. What can I say? I'm curious. Curious like a cat. That's why my friends call me "Whiskers." (SNL reference.....fyi...moving on.)

And I gotta say, they're as tasty as they look! (Don't worry, the recipe below itself isn't vegan so feel free to stick with that!)

Matchup: Valentino v. Schutz

I know I'm not the only one coveting these Valentino Rockstud heels. Although it took a little effort to seduce me, the all-black version definitely won my heart. But $1000 for a pair of shoes is way too much for this girl. So I was scouring the web for a comparable version. (Get on it, F21! You jock just about everything else anyway!) I did find these Schutz Brenaes however, which come pretty freaking close...

I have to say though, I've had a pretty bad experience with Schutz shoes. I picked up the Irmas in black and white during a Piperlime sale and couldn't be more stoked. Until I wore them. Fucking.OUCH. I don't know if they're just not meant for platypus feet (I have "larger than normal" feet that are flat and a little wide...but to be honest, regular shoes typically fit just fine.), but they hurt more than any other shoe I've ever worn EVER. And they hurt in a place that's never hurt before–the arch of the foot–but.. in the inside of the foot. ALSO, I literally only wore them from the car to the restaurant and across the street to the movie theater before they starting hurting like a mother fucker. I don't know, but I will never wear them again. They're in a size 8.5 and they're gorgeous in case anyone wants to take them off my hands...Rant.Over.

Follow @de_Leonmonster

Smile! It's Mindful Monday

Susie Cakes anything

Love the life you live!

Happy [Mindful] Monday! Here are some photos of things that make me smile! And below are just some thoughts.