throwback thursday

Here are some old school blog pictures from almost 3 years ago. They were taken my freshman year of college by my friend Dashing Nowhere. We thought we were so cool having our own blog!

my go-to outfit

my personal sanctuary: before

See what I meant by uber girly? Yeah, it's kind of annoying. For as long as I've known, my rooms have all looked similar this - antiques, roses, white, pinks, etc. The curtains have actually made a comeback from my days as an 8 year old little girl. My room has definitely not felt like it's "my room," and I rarely spend time in it.  Your space should reflect who you are, and this is just not cutting it for me. However, I did what I could with a rented home so I would say it's decent, just not for a 20 year old. On a side note, how hilarious is my bear? I refuse to let that sucker go - no matter what.
I plan on keeping a lot of the main elements like the bed and chandelier. There is also a beautiful antique vanity and a mirrored nightstand that will be in the redesign. The vanity is off white but it will be painted a bolder, brighter color. As far as the linens and textiles, they won't be wasted and will most  likely be incorporated into the new design. The walls can't e painted but I'll probably add a sick art gallery or a large chalkboard with an antique frame. I'm also stringing some rope lights I just bought into a word. The struggle is making this space my personal sanctuary, but knowing that it's a rental and that I'll be moving in less than 6 months. Anyways, I'll make sure to post pics as it all comes along.

embrace your space

There's nothing I love more than making a space feel like home. My mom and I are huge interior design nerds, especially when it comes to antique pieces. We have some pretty amazing pieces that we've collected and refurbished throughout the years. I've always used antiques when decorating my bedroom and it usually results in a perfect uber girly shabby chic room - all the damn time. As always, I outgrow my room decor, and I've recently decided to redecorate. This time, I'm shooting for a more traveled and more eclectic look that's not so perfect, but a mishmash of things I love. Here are some inspiring spaces.

trend report: ankle boots

layering patterns 101

free people: the road less traveled

Who loves Free People? I do!!! Their clothes aren't just manipulated pieces of fabric and trims, but rather elements of a story and a lifestyle. Their newest lookbook "The Road Less Traveled" is the story of a bohemian gypsy wander who seeks the hidden treasures of the world. I think I speak for all of us gypsy nomads when I say that all we need in life is this wardrobe and a caravan. Here's what I love about the pieces. 

 The whole collection uses these amazing Afghani tribal necklaces. I'm actually lucky enough to have authentic Afghani pieces that my aunts have brought back with them from their homeland, Afghanistan. Seeing these on FP's site just gave me so much pleasure. It's awesome knowing that your heritage is valued by others. 

This outfit has so much rich texture and color. The cobalt blues and the garnet reds are gorgeous, along with the burnt russet turban. The embroidery is subtle, yet the details do so much for the outfit's aura.

This look reminds me so much of one of my favorite artists, Frida Kahlo. Everything from the hair and knitted poncho to the jewelry and the mystery and depth to the model's eyes screams Frida.

I love how such a simple striped jersey dress has been turned into a character with FP's amazing styling.

 This is the definition of laid back cool. Once again, personality shines through all the details. The shape and wash of the denim can be hard to pull, but it's done so effortlessly polished with  slightly-heeled ankle bootie and an ikat print anorak. You can also see hints of plaid on the sleeves. 

 Who would've thought Pippa, the preppy striped shirt would create such a beautiful union with Stormy, the dusty lilac maxi skirt. It's the perfect mashup that once again creates an effortlessly cool look.

I love the hippie grunge mashup with the coin belt and the plaid maxi.

 I love the teal and the dusty lilac together. It's such a beautiful combo of colors. This dusty lilac jacket is exquisite. It looks like it's been through it all, and that's what I love about it.

These printed corduroys are sweet! The FP stylists made sure not to over do the look and distract the eye from the corduroys with a basic henley dress and a baseball cap. My favorite part is the Afghani belt. 

permafrost.

I'm craving holographic lame(law-mey), rich knits, opulent diamonds, frosted metals, fringe, and fur. Winter is a wonderland and dressing for it should mean exuding a sense of mysticism. Pairing unusual pieces like a lame skirt with basic striped pullover and fringed suede boots can give you that cool mystique without being too dramatic. Layer on some fur and a beanie, and you're ready for the Northern Downpour.

Mood-Setting Music: 

"City Lights [Lake Bodom Recording]" by Husky Rescue

"Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac

"White Winter Hymnal" by Fleet Foxes

a better me: day 1

     So today didn't necessarily go the way I planned, but I'm still very happy that I didn't stray too far away from the original plan. Because I went to a Christmas party, I didn't necessarily stick to my original meals for the day but I knew that was going to happen so I didn't go crazy earlier in the day. For breakfast I had a cilantro lime agua fresca, and 1/2 cup of soup. The rest of the day consisted of a green smoothie, 1/4 cup pine nut/Craisin trail mix, 2 Peppermint Joe-Joes, 1 kiwi, quinoa dip with tortilla chips, and asian chicken salad. I must confess: I'm guilty of eating like 2 cookies. I just couldn't help myself being that I was at a Christmas party! It's the holidays!
     As far as working out goes, I did it and I'm so proud of myself. My workout happened at about 1 am, but at least it happened. I did 60 jumping jacks, 25 crunches, and 20 minutes of Pilates (Episode 1.) I don't plan on moving on to the next Pilates video until I feel I have perfected the routine in the first. I also went shopping, played Just Dance, and was running around a lot so that should count for something. 1 also did 3 bottles of water! It's not eight, but it's getting there. Overall, the day was quite succesful and I was able to adapt to what came my way. I usually tend to just skip out on my plans when things don't go as planned, but I'm glad I stuck to it. Hopefully this motivation sticks! (Positive thoughts.)

Day 2 Plan

Breakfast: same as today

Snacks: same choices

Lunch: same as today; didn't get to have today

Dinner: Beef Pattie with vegetables

Workout

5 minute stretching

35 JJs, 15 crunches
Tone It Up: Beach Ball Workout (2 times)

Day 3 Workout
5 minute stretching

40 JJs, 20 crunches
15 minute jog
Long & Lean Legs (2 times)

*I will do an update after Day 3.

blogworthy music

Here's some of the stuff I've had on repeat on my iPod. There's some old and new songs, but all equally great songs. Feel free to share what you're loving too.

"Twice" by Little Dragon: Little Dragon is one of my favorite artists. They have an awesome way of fusing R&B and Soul with out-of-this-world synths. I truly consider their music to be sex for the ears, and "Twice" falls nothing short of that. This is an older song off of their self-titled album.

"Otherside" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: I totally have a thing for "White Boy Rappers" like Macklemore, Eminem and G-Eazy, and I'm not ashamed. Regardless of how much they make me swoon, their music is amazing. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis do a great job of mixing Alternative tracks with rap to evoke a crazy flood of emotions for the listener. You seriously feel the pain behind the lyrics, and then that feeling makes you wish you were a rapper, and then you realize you can rhyme but that doesn't make you a rapper. Yeah, that happened...more than once. Anyways, this song is from one of their older EPs, VS-Redux. The duo uses one of my favorite songs "Otherside" by the killer Red Hot Chili Peppers as the backdrop for the song. It's straight-up dope, just like all of their work.

"Scar Tissue" by Red Hot Chili Peppers: Since we're on the subject already, let me make it known that RHCP is just on another level.


"Heartbeat" by Kopecky Family Band: This song is just one of those feel-good lovey-dovey songs that just brighten up your day and eases all the tension in your world. It's like having an imaginary boyfriend.

"Smother" by Daughter: It's sincerely one of the most beautiful songs I've heard.

"Wild Child" by Juliet Simms: This song just came out this week, but I was able to get my hands on it a while back! It's by one of my favorite The Voice contestants, Juliet Simms. She was known for her gritty rock vocals and singing all our fave classic rock tunes. She always nailed it, and looks like she's continuing to do so with her own music. What I love about this song is that it still holds true to her classic rock-esque vocals but has a lot of modern beats.

"Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac: Anything Stevie Nicks does, I worship. Nuff said.

"Humanimal" by Fire In The Hamptons: If you love Neon Trees, you'll love FITH. The one difference is that FITH isn't overplayed on the radio, which is definitely a good thing.

"I Know What I Am" by Band of Skulls: This band is just so bad ass and listening to them makes you feel like one. Their palette is similar to that of The White Stripes. An just like The White Stripes, this song will have you bobbing your head and stomping your feet nonstop.

"5 Years Time" by Noah & The Whale: I'm a sucker for lighthearted songs. What can I say?

"When I Grow Up" by First Aid Kit: Another beautiful song to add to the list. Their American-Folk sound is so nostalgic and takes you to the Summer of '69. Their music makes me want to leave everything behind and live in an old VW Kombi van.

"Lay It Down Slow" by Spiritualized: And yet again another beautiful song. You might recognize it from the series finale of Prison Break.

"Closer" by Tegan & Sara: The anticipation is killing me for the Quin twins' new album, Hearthrob. In the meantime, Closer will satisfy that craving. It's super catchy, just like any typical Tegan & Sara song. PS These twins are even better live!

"Thirteen Thirtyfive" by Dillon: This song has a super soulful beat that echoes across a room. Dillon's voice is so pleasant, and is very much like Lykke Li's just a little grittier.

"Christmas In the Room" by Sufjan Stevens: Because it's the holidays...It's well worth listening to since it's not just another annoying Christmas song.

"Velvet Crowbar" by Lana Del Rey: Last but not least...There's no denying I'm a huge LDR fan. I've loved her since her days as Lizzy Grant. She's such a bad ass - the modern day Nancy Sinatra for today's youth. Once again, Lana doesn't cease to impress. This song is like crack.

The list goes on and on, but I tend to go overboard when I don't give myself limits. Share your current playlists in the comments!

a better me: day 1 plan

Monday is almost here, and that means it's time to get a little physical! Here's the run down for Day 1:

Nourishment:

Breakfast 
- Green Smoothie: Green smoothies are probably the greatest invention ever. I have about 2 a day. There's almost no wrong recipe because you can put any fruits or vegetables you want into it as long as it's considered healthy. I go for anything green, but the smoothie doesn't even have to be green. If you like your smoothies sweet, add a little honey or agave to the mix. Here's my favorite recipe: (there are no measurements because I kind of just wing it; its up to you to do what you like)
Spinach, Cucumber, Pineapple, Fresh Mint Leaves, Fresh Grapefruit Juice, Celery, Ginger, Agave
All of these elements are great for the body. Spinach has tons of fiber, which is great for boosting your metabolism. Cucumber has like no calories but tons of water in it. Mint does a great deal for digestion. Pineapple supplies a significant amount of vitamin C, potassium, manganese, and fiber. Grapefruits help burn fat and have tons of Vitamin C. Ginger is also a god when it comes to your metabolism.
- Fruit: Pick your favorite(s).
- Soup: I find that it's better to make your own soup instead of buying it. It's really easy if you've got a blender and some vegetables.

Snack: string cheese; 2 Peppermint Joe-Joes

Lunch: whole grain quesadilla with pepperjack cheese, spinach, and sliced turkey

Snack: grapefruit and pineapple

                                                              Dinner: chicken ceasar salad


Fit Plan:
5 minutes of stretching
30 jumping jacks and 10 crunches
30 minutes of Pilates: Pilates Bootcamp Ep. 1, Pilates Bootcamp, Ep. 2

*I found this awesome Youtube channel, LiveStrong Woman, that puts new workout and health tip videos up each day. It features pilates, yoga, and toning exercises with the Tone It Up girls, Karena and Katrina. If you haven't seen the TIU girls, their bodies are amazing! Anyways, these are the videos I'll be using for my workouts. Mondays are Pilates Bootcamp Mondays, then it's Tone It Up Tuesdays, Perfect Form Wednesdays, Yoga Thursdays, and A-List Look Fridays. This variation makes working out exciting because you're not doing the same mundane routine everyday. Spicing your workouts up keeps you on your toes and wanting more.

I'm stoked on starting this plan to a better me, and hopefully I won't be alone! Check back Monday night for a Day 1 recap.

a better me, a better you

Here are some tips for mind, body, and soul satisfaction that will be of help for not only the next 3 week, but fo' life.

Get sleep: It's quite simple. The more sleep you get, the more energy you have the next day. I'm terrible when it comes to getting sleep, and if I do, it's inappropriate. What I mean by inappropriate is that I tend to sleep late and then sleep in. I get my 12+ hours, but I miss out on a lot during the day and regardless of how many hours I slept, I feel extremely drowsy. It's a great thing for mind, body, and soul, but only if you do it right. My goal is to be an appropriate sleeper. This means having a 12 am bedtime and a 9 am wake up time in my case. Also, it's better to sleep without distractions. This means no music, no TV, no texting, no stressful thoughts, etc. Turn off your phone or set it at a "Do Not Disturb" mode. I like keeping Post-its on my nightstand to write down everything I need to get done the next day so I'm not worried about it as I try to sleep. It also helps doing some meditation or breathing exercises to grant yourself enough clarity to fall asleep. 

Drink 8 glasses (8 oz.) of water throughout the day: This is always difficult, yet it's so simple. Water does amazing things for your overall health and appearance. Google it. I'm not lying. It's time to make it a habit. You can get easily fill a 2 liter bottle twice a day. Or, place 8 rubberbands or bracelets around your wrist and remove one after each glass you drink. The goal is obviously to have all of them off your wrists before bedtime. You can also eat foods with a high water content, like cucumbers and watermelon. Also, don't wait until you're thirsty to drink the water. Keep yourself pre-hydrated. It can be discouraging to not meet your goal, so it may be a better idea to start gradually. Instead of 8 glasses, you can set your goal to 4 and gradually increase that number each week or so until you get to 8+. Baby steps.

Avoid junk foods: soda, potato chips, and other processed foods. They're called "junk" foods for a reason: that's exactly what they are- junk. There are so many unnatural things about junk foods. I would avoid the inner aisles of grocery stores and just stick to the outsides.

Don't eat 2-3 hours before you go to bed: So if bedtime is at 12 am, don't eat anything after 8:45 pm. 

Keep sweets to a minimum: They are a guilty pleasure and hard to resist. Therefore, take baby steps until you don't feel the need to have them. I'm talking like 2 Joe-Joes per day max. Or 1 kiddie scoop of ice cream. You can always substitute your sweet tooth cravings with fruit.

When to work out: This is probably the most impossible thing to figure out, and the answer varies from person to person. I tried the 6 am workout before it wasn't for me, but others swear on it. Every time I strive for an afternoon work out, I usually had lunch right before and didn't want my workout to end up as the Rocky Horror Picture Show. When night time hits, I'm just too lazy and exhausted to get up and move. If you want an answer from the experts, it's best to work out in the morning because your body burns calories you already have versus those from food intake later in the day. Morning workouts also help you sleep better, which in turn helps you burn fat easier. Keep in mind that morning doesn't mean 6 am. If you work out as soon as your normal wake up time hits, then you're good to go. It all really comes down to acting on it and not worrying about when you work out.

a few of my favorite things...

Why do I love these things so much, you ask? Easy. 
[Clockwise from left]

1. Juicy Couture Gelli iPhone case: I haven't used this case yet but i'm planning on it once 2013 hits since i'm weird like that. But, I'm already in love because not only do gel cases handle wear and tear pretty well, but this case is black so dirt and grime won't be easily noticed. And, let's be honest: our phones are filthy creatures! Plus, I'm a sucker for glitter anything.

2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Oil-Free): I just discovered this gem this summer, and I don't know what I would do without it! You feel like you have nothing on, and it gives my skin such warmth and glow. LM's concealer pot is awesome too!

3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Amy in Rose Gold: Not only is it practical during exams, but it's that little bit of glimmer that I need everyday. It instantly adds polish to any outfit.

4. Statement Necklaces: I'm a huge fan of pairing statement necklaces like this one with a neon/rhinestone combo with basics. It creates a casual cool vibe that I'm all about.

5. Neff Beanie in Heather Teal: Teal is one of my favorite colors, so naturally this beanie is my best friend. Beanies are always there for me. Bad hair day? Check. Cold outside? Check. Feeling lonely? Check. I don't know how people live life without a beanie.

6. VS PINK Yoga Legging: I refuse to take them off. Nuff said. #socomfy

7. American Apparel Tri-Blend Tank: These are probably the most versatile, comfortable, flattering, soft, cool tank tops you'll ever meet. Feel free to add to the adjective list. 

8. Pillow w/Deer Motif: I have a similar one from Cotton On that is just dope! I'm obsessed with taxidermy, and there's something about deer that draws me to anything with a deer motif. Maybe it's because I had a connection with one on my way back to my dorm from the gym my freshman year of college. I'm almost positive I was a deer (or fawn, i guess) in my past life. Anyways, pillows in general are just a great way to spruce up your home decor. They can instantly change the feel of a room.

9. Smith's Lip Salve: I certainly saved the best for last! This stuff feels so good when it hits the lips, and I was so excited to find a 3-pack with an adorable vintage-esque tin! I just couldn't be selfish and keep it all to myself, so I gave my bff Sarah (Dashing Nowhere) one and she's now officially a member of the RSC (Rosebud Salve Cult.) (PS: we're open to all.)

let's get physical

So I've decided to officially kick off my blog with a fitness series. Being fit is definitely not one of my fortes anymore. A couple years ago, I could jog 4 miles non-stop. Once I left my high school soccer career and entered the college realm, all of my past abilities disappeared. I've now taken it upon myself to change that this Winter Break. Instead of sticking to one fitness plan, I'll be doing 3 different ones over the course of the next 3 weeks. It'll be like a test-drive. I'll record my daily efforts and share them on nomad left behind as well as my opinions on the plans I tried. The first plan I'll start with is a combo of "The Starter's Exercise Plan" & Lauren Conrad's "7 Days to Skinny Jeans." Feel free to join me starting Monday December 17th!