New for Yoga

Since I finally found a workout that is good for me and that I enjoy doing, I decided to invest in a new piece of workout wear.  Of course, my immediate thought was Anthro because of my discount, but my friend brought it to my attention that they don't have great workout wear... sigh :(

Not a huge loss though because it would have still been expensive with the discount, so I went to investigate Lu Lu Lemon.  Same story-- too expensive and just not what I was looking for.  Don't get me wrong, I love Lu Lu Lemon, but am not a huge fan of the price, so I hardly ever buy stuff from their store.

Still trying to find the perfect piece, I decided to try Free People and Urban (I get discounts there too).  Urban had some cool pieces but nothing I loved and a lot items I did like were excluded from my discount; however, when I went on to Free People it was a totally different story.  They have great active wear and I went with an awesome bodysuit I can wear for dance and yoga!!

Long story short, check out Free People's Active Wear.  They have a great selection especially if you love yoga!

Where do you buy your workout clothes?

Learning a Language

I have always wanted to learn another language (other than Latin, which I took in high school... it doesn't really count anyway haha) and now I am finally taking the time.  A few days ago I picked up the Teach Yourself French course at half price books for only 16 bucks, which isn't a bad price for learning a language at all!

I am not very far in the course, I only know general conversation and the obvious bonjour, au revoir, however I do know I am on the way.  Ultimately, I want this to get me prepared to study abroad because I really want to study in Paris and NYU has a great theatre course there through one of their global sites.

Another reason I want to learn French, it is so important to know another language no matter what language it is.  It makes you a well rounded person and, who wouldn't love to have another language down fluently!

So, for now, au revoir!

Are you studying a language right now?  What languages do you love?

Book Review: Enchantment

I try to have a few books to read over the summer, and this summer I chose Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn.  Many of you know I love Audrey Hepburn, so this biography became an instant favorite.  Her life was amazing and she was such a beautiful person.  

I especially have loved learning more about her life before fame-- she went through so much and it totally shaped who she became!  Overall, she is even more inspiring to me than she already was!

So, if you are looking for a good read, you should definitely think about getting Enchantment!

What is your favorite summer read? 

Something I Do in My Spare Time

If I had any sort of artistic drawing talent or could sew like it was no one's business, hands down I would have chosen to major in fashion design.  I have always loved expressing myself through fashion and the idea of creating my own pieces and seeing other women wear those pieces, wow, just wow.

Maybe one day that will happen (lucky for me, Seth might go into design), but for now I have started curating a monthly fashion guide.  I am not super artsy, but there is something about cutting out inspirational pictures and perfect pieces of clothing, and getting them down on paper that is so fulfilling.  Collaging also helps me focus my own wardrobe for the month, so that I don't go out and buy new-- instead I rewear and restyle the great pieces I already have.

Here are a few pictures of my collage for the month of July.

This month I really focused on white out-- really popular at Anthro and Madewell right now-- as well as a vintage feminine look that has been making its way back into modern day style.  I always look to Audrey Hepburn for those vintage inspirations of course and all of the a-line skirts right now are screaming Audrey!

 

Do you collage?  Any bloggers out there going into fashion design?  What are some of your favorite styles this month?

The T-Shirt Every Woman Needs

I don't know about you, but I have a very difficult time finding t-shirts that a) I like, b) that last, and c) that go well with everything.  What a surprise, Anthropologie has the t-shirt I was looking for and at a very reasonable cost-- even without my discount...the t.la tee (here is a link for the sale colors as well)!

full price top                            sale top  

These t-shirts are comfy, have a great fit, and, as far as I can tell, will last a very long time. Side note-- I have heard many customers and coworkers say they love their t.la shirts because they have a good lifetime!  Another tid bit about t.la shirts, they are made in America, which is very hard to find nowadays. 

So, if you haven't gone and tried a t.la tee on yet, I definitely recommend you do so.  And, go crazy and try a funky pant or skirt with it-- it is always good to get a little out of your comfort zone with fashion :)

What is your favorite tee? 

Kick Start Your Day with Morning Yoga

A few years ago I was really into yoga until my back injury made it really difficult to keep practicing.  In all honesty, I shouldn't have given up because I love yoga so much, so now I am getting back into a daily yoga routine.  One Youtube yoga artist I love is Yoga with Adriene.  Her videos are wonderful and great way to practice yoga in the home.

Here is a little morning yoga to kick start everyone's day if you haven't already!

For more of Adriene's videos you can check out her website here!

What do you do to kick start your day?

Thrifting

Previously, you would never catch me in a thrift store.  A vintage store maybe, but not a thrift store.  However, due to Seth and his mom, I now love thrifting.  Not only is everything super affordable, but you would be amazed at some of the goodies you can find if you just look hard enough.

The other day I went to a local thrift store to look at some shoes since Seth had found me a pair rather recently that I just love.  I found so many different styles, but the one shoe that stood out to me was a pair of Via Spigas.  They looked hardly worn and they were black with multi color polka dots (so cute right!).  I just had to get them and, guess how much they were?  Only 5 bucks!!  Crazy right??

So, now I am thrifting away, other than shopping at Anthro of course haha.

What gems have you found at the thrift store before?

Lunchin' at Sleepy Bee

I brunch at Sleepy Bee all the time, but I had never eaten lunch there before until Abbey and I decided to try it out!  We went after I got off of work and came in at the perfect time (for the most availability go during the week at either 10:30 for brunch and 12:00 for lunch) so we didn't have much of a wait.  

We also came in knowing exactly what we wanted... Grilled Cheese!

The grilled cheese is an absolutely fantastic lunch choice along with many other menu items.  Every part of the meal is locally sourced-- even the milk used to make my latte!  And, if you want a little bit of breakfast too, then you can get a pancake on the side to split.  Or, if you just want pancakes...

Sleepy Bee literally has the best pancakes in the world!  They are fluffy, sweet, and everything you could want in a breakfast food.  Sleepy Bee also has a gluten free option for those of you who can't eat gluten or just want a healthier pancake.

For more Cincinnati events and restaurants check out Eventbrite!  You can even manage your own events here!

Have you tried Sleepy Bee before? 

Money

While everyone and their mother is discussing the N sale, I wanted to talk about money.  Money is an odd concept really.  I was thinking about it the other day while I was driving home from work and after buying something...I thought: wow, almost everything costs money.  Isn't that crazy to think???

Thinking of that really prompted me to then conserve my spending, not only because I spend a lot, but because I want to take the time to enjoy the things that are free.

Here is a list of some free experiences that are unbeatable:

-Take a walk or a bike ride either by yourself or with someone

-Go to the park and have a picnic with food already at your house 

-Sit down and have breakfast, lunch, dinner, or all three, with the person you love

-Read a good book while drinking tea or having a cup of coffee

-Re-watch old movies that you rarely watch anymore

-Lastly, revel in the fact that you are alive-- that there are endless possibilities to what you can do in a day and that tomorrow is an unexpected gift.

What are your thoughts on money?

To Do: Never Grow Up

The other night I was lying in bed watching a Disney movie and I started thinking about the concept of growing up.  Of course, we have to grow up.  We can't always be five, but one thing I have always found important is holding on to some of that magic.  

Whether it is watching a favorite childhood movie or loving Disney World, never lose sight of your childhood.  For me, personally, there are bits and pieces of my childhood I have held onto that, later in life, have come to help me a lot.  Not only with coping, but also by giving me creativity, joy, and an endless ability to dream.

I still believe that fairies might in fact be out there and I believe there are magical powers beyond our wildest imagination.  I also love Disney World and, if I could, would probably spend my life there.  It is little things like these that get me through hard times and keep me dreaming.

In the famous words of Peter Pan, "Never Grow Up".

Lemon Crazy

A few weeks ago Cathleen emailed me about a linkup she was doing-- the Bloggers Get Cookin' linkup.  For this linkup Cathleen asked each of us to pick one or two Pinterest recipes we had on our food board, but still had yet to try.  I thought this was such a fun, creative idea, so I gladly said I would join the linkup.

Although I don't share it on here much, I actually LOVE to cook-- bake specifically.  It is a really great way for me to relax and everyone always likes what I make, especially Seth and all of his little siblings.  For this linkup I decided to make an old Pinterest favorite and a new recipe as well.

The old favorite is this great lemon bar recipe, which I follow in it's entirety every time.  This new lemonade recipe I tried, however, is tweaked a little.  Instead of using coconut water-- not a big fan-- I switched it our for all water and only used 8 cups, as I like my lemonade tart.  I also didn't dye the simple syrup or put as much sugar in (I only used around a half a cup, maybe less).   

Overall, I really liked both recipes and will definitely be using them again!  If you are looking for some more recipes to try you can check out all the other posts in the linkup and my food board on Pinterest!

What are your favorite Pinterest recipes?

July Anthro Edits

A co-worker and I were talking the other day about Anthro's clothing and how it lasts from season to season.  I could not agree more with this statement and there are a few pieces in the July collection that will last you long through winter into next summer.  Here are the July Anthro edits!

t-shirt/dress/skirt/shoes/earrings/bath soak

This July brings lots of great blacks, whites, and neutrals, which are perfect for transitioning your wardrobe into the fall and winter months.  My personal favorites include the dress and the skirt, as you can easily wear them in the winter with black or white leggings.

Of course I had to include the bath soak as well because who doesn't love to take a good bath to relax, especially in the cold winter months!

What are you loving from Anthro this July? 

Paris Obsessed

Ever since reading How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are I have been more than obsessed with Paris, especially the food, lifestyle, and the fashion.  The Parisian woman has a simple, understated, yet high-fashion look, which I completely admire.  How nice is it to throw on some red lipstick, a tan trench, a dress (or skirt-shirt combo), and your favorite pair of heels-- very nice I would say!

Here are a few Parisian looks that I love.

via

via

via

And how can we forget-- Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face.  A true representation of French fashion!

via

What is your favorite style inspiration?  Anyone else a fan of Paris?

P.S. If you have not read How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are, it is a must for every women!

Why I Love ban.do

Quality, affordable, fun-- three words that describe everything I love about ban.do!  In recent years, ban.do has really come out as a popular brand for the girls that want something a little different, but at a good price point.  I am happy to say that I now own a ban.do planner, which Anthro carries, and I could not be more in love.

Besides the fun sticker sheet and girl code throughout the planner, the organization is great for those who don't want the clutter of a to-do list and notes page for every date.  I like to have things plain and simple, and this planner is perfect.

Other features I love include the important dates page at the beginning of the planner, the notes page at the beginning of each month, and the monthly layout.

Here are a few other ban.do products I want to scoop up!

sticker book/pencil pouch/sticky note set

Are you a ban.do fan?  What are your favorite products?