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!

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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. 

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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)

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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.

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