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!

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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...