End of the Semester Daydreams

The end of the semester is always tough.  As if the overwhelming amount of work isn't bad enough, the end of Spring semester always has me anxious for summer - summer clothes, summer weather, summer vacation, and summer fun! I still have two and a half weeks until my last final is over and I can finally say "sayonara" to this semester, but there are a few things I've daydreaming about and knowing that I have a few things to look forward to is getting me through the last days of the semester.

1) A weekend in Newport, Rhode Island

For Mother's Day, my family and I are spending a weekend in Newport.  We're going to brunch at The Landing, spending some time in town, then going to a wine tasting in the afternoon.  I'm hoping the weather will be great...I'd love to wear a sundress!

2) Earthfest with Third Eye Blind

As if Earthfest isn't great enough, this year Third Eye Blind (and some other quintessential 90s bands) are playing! Say what you will, but I absolutely love 3eb.  I've paid money to see them in concert, so to see them for free, and outdoors, is going to be great.  Earthfest is Saturday, May 19th at the Hatch Shell.

3) A Trip to Key West

After finals are over, my mom and I are taking a trip to Key West.  It's part 21st-birthday present and part annual summer vacation.  I can't wait to do nothing but sit on the beach with a drink for a week straight!

4) My Friends Are Coming Home!

My two best friends, Ari (top) and Jen (bottom) both studied abroad this semester...and so have all of my other close friends.  Ari has been in London and Jen has been in Australia.  Going a semester without seeing your best friends is terrible and I've been waiting for them to come home ever since they left! I'm so excited to finally see them, and everyone else, again!

 What's getting you through the final days of the semester?

Three Ways to Wear: Polka Dots & Red Pants

In case you haven't noticed, polka dots and red pants are everywhere this season.  While both can be worn as bold, statement pieces, they can also be worn as basics.  Here are my three favorite ways to style polka dots and red pants that make them appropriate for whatever you're doing this spring!

From left to right: Office, Weekend, Nighttime

Which look is your favorite? How would you style red pants and polka dots?

Penne with Tomato, Cream, & Five Cheeses

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love Food52.com! The best things I make are the result of recipes I find on this site.  When I came across the featured recipe for Al Forno's Penne with Tomato, Cream, & Five Cheeses, I knew I had to try it (and I am so glad that I did!).

Ooey, gooey, and cheesy!

Al Forno is a restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island, owned and operated by Johanne Killeen and George Germon.  Germon, in fact, introduced the technique of grilling pizza to the United States.  Fire-grilled pizza is an ingenious idea, as is the technique used at Al Forno for making baked pasta.  It's quick, easy, and delicious...and did I mention quick?

While the link above will lead you to where I found the recipe, I've laid it out in a simpler format (with my modifications in italics).

Ingredients:
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup chopped canned tomatoes (I didn't strain the tomatoes)
1/2 cup freshly grated pecorino Romano cheese (1 1/2 ounces)
1/2 cup coarsely shredded Fontina cheese (1 1/2 ounces) (I couldn't find Fontina, so I used Muenster)
1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (1 1/2 ounces) (I used 1/2 cup)
2 tablespoons ricotta cheese (I used 3 tablespoons)
1/4 pound thinly sliced fresh mozzarella cheese
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
6 fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
1 pound penne rigate or conchiglie rigate
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, sliced thinly 

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 500  degrees
-Mix all ingredients (except pasta and and butter) in a large bowl (this is called a slurry) 
-Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
-Boil penne for 4 minutes
-Strain penne
-Mix penne into slurry
-Spoon pasta/slurry mixture into a large, shallow casserole dish (once in the dish, the pasta should be no more than 1" to 1.5" deep.  Use more than one casserole dish if necessary)
-Scatter butter slices on top of pasta
-Bake for 10 minutes
-Enjoy! :)



This recipe can be modified in many different ways.  What would you add or change to mix this dish up a bit?

New Spins on Old Classics

Button-ups, button-downs, boy-shirts, blouses, oxfords...call them what you will, but they're everywhere - they've been around for years and they're not going away anytime soon.  Half my closet is filled with collared, button-up shirts of all different varieties.  The problem is, when you have so many, they can feel boring even if they're all different colors, materials, and patterns.  Recently I read this article on Refinery29.com and I found it most inspiring.  I love putting new spins on old classics, and changing the way you wear button-up shirts is a great way to revamp what's already in your closet for spring.

From the article, my two favorite suggestions are to wear a button-up shirt under a casual sweatshirt and to wear one tied up with a bow instead of tucked in (photos c/o Refinery29).

Here are a few of my favorite ways to style classic shirts: 

1. Mix Prints 

Mixing prints is great when done right, but it can be a little scary at first (no one wants to look like Punky Brewster!).  A classic style shirt in a basic gingham plaid paired with a different pattern on the bottom is a great way to ease into this look.  You can even go monochromatic with the look and you'll kill two spring trends with one stone (how very stylish of you!).

Right: J.Crew shirt w/ Tory Burch shorts.  Left: J.Crew shirt w/ ASPESI shorts.

2. In Silk
I love silk just as much as I love button-up shirts, so it's inevitable that I have a couple button-ups made of silk.  They're great and so versatile.  You can wear them casually with skinny jeans and flats, you can style them so they are work-appropriate, or you can dress them up for a night out (tucked into a skirt with heels? Yes, please!).  I have the Blythe blouse from J.Crew in teal, but I am currently craving it in yellow for spring.

J.Crew Blythe blouse

3. Layered Over a Dress
I frequently wear button-up chambray shirts with dresses (okay, and with everything else), but lately I've been experimenting with oxford shirts and plaids over dresses.  Wearing an open shirt over a dress is just like wearing a cardigan with a dress but much more interesting.  It's the perfect way to make a sleeveless dress appropriate for spring, work, or cool summer nights.

Madewell denim shirt w/ Madewell Market Tank Dress.  Woolrich shirt w/ J.Crew Blouson Dress in stripe.  J.Crew Perfect Shirt in linen w/ J.Crew Villa Dress.

How do you put a new spin on classic pieces?  How else would you revamp a basic button-up?

Latest & Greatest: 3 New-to-Me Products I Love

Sometimes I get comfortable with my routine and neglect to try new products for months at a time.  This was pretty much the case over the winter, but I've recently revamped my makeup bag and added a few new products to my daily regimen.

1. LORAC Luminizer
I've never used a luminizer (also called highlighting powder), but after watching this Michelle Phan video (see around 4:25), I thought I'd give it a shot.  After the first application I was already hooked, and now I can't imagine my makeup bag without it.  With my index finger, I apply luminizer to the apples of my cheeks before applying blush, to my brow bone, in the corners of my eyes, and (most importantly) to the bridge of my nose (it makes my nose look SO much narrower).  I've also used it on my collarbones...it's face makeup, but it can be applied pretty much anywhere.  If you're looking for something to brighten up your face and define your best features, luminizer is a must.

2. Maybelline Gel Eyeliner
I have eyeliner ADD.  I'll like pencils for a while, then suddenly switch to liquid for no rhyme or reason.  Recently, I've been getting bored (and impatient) with my liquid liner and I was not looking forward to going back to a pencil..  While I had never tried gel liner, I often wet eyeshadow and use it as liner, so I had the concept (and the steady hand) down-pat.  I didn't think I would like the gel, so I decided to get some from the drugstore to test out before buying a higher-quality product.  I've never liked drugstore makeup, but I've been so impressed with Maybelline's gel liner that I think I will stick with it (you can't be $7 for an eyeliner that actually works!).  It goes on smoothly and I can control it more easily than any other type off eyeliner I've ever used (it's smudge-proof too...yet another plus).  I'll probably switch back to liquid liner again, but for now gel liner is my new favorite.  If you've never tried it, I highly suggest going to CVS and picking up some gel liner.

3. Urban Decay De-Slick in a Tube
Anyone with oily skin can tell you how frustrating it is to have to use a blotting sheet every hour to prevent shine.  Not only is the shininess annoying, but with oily skin, makeup tends to fall off your face (meaning you can't go 9 to 5 without reapplying.  If you do, by 5:00PM, the only makeup left on your face will be your eye makeup).  Luckily, Urban Decay has De-Slick in a Tube, a mattifying gel that controls oil, prevents shine, and helps your makeup last all day.  It's truly refreshing to not have to worry about have a shiny forehead or nose. I love this product, and my face feels cleaner all day.  I sometimes use it without makeup, but I definitely use it with makeup.  I just use my fingers to apply it to my T-zone before putting on foundation, and it keeps me fresh-faced all day.  While I love, love, love this gel, when my tube runs out, I'm going to try the Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray.  While the gel says it can be used over makeup, rubbing it in also rubs your makeup off, whereas the spray just dries on your face - no rubbing or blending necessary (the spray also has better reviews).

Have you discovered any new-to-you products recently?

Devils on Hatchback

One of my favorite things to do for dinner is to make a few different appetizers.  The possibilities are endless, and with a bunch of small bites, your taste-buds never get bored.  I've long been a fan of jalapeño poppers, so I when I stumbled upon the recipe Devils on Hatchback from Food52.com, I couldn't wait to try them.  They are  a decadent twist on the classic popper, incredibly easy to make, and are sure-fire way to impress guests.  The recipe can be found here. 

I have always followed the recipe when I've made these, but next time I plan on stuffing the pepper with Gruyere rather than cream cheese.  One piece of advice: make sure to use a baking sheet that has sides! The first time I made these, I used a flat cookie sheet and grease from the bacon dripped off the side, into the oven, and I thought my apartment was going to burn down.  No worries, it didn't, but I don't want anyone else to have the same mishap!

Mmmm little spicy, cheesy, bacon-y, honey-sweet Devils.

Do you have any favorite appetizer recipes?

Casually Polished

Some mornings, it's tough to get dressed and out the door.  Since I'm a notorious over-sleeper, I like to  keep a few oxford shirts ironed and ready in my closet so I always have something to wear.  When paired with cuffed skinnies, penny loafers, a trench, and simple accessories, I'm ready and look casually polished in a matter of minutes.


 
 

What do you wear when you're in a rush?  Do you have any go-to, always-appropriate outfits for crazy mornings?

Ham & Pineapple Skewers

I've always liked Easter.  I don't know if it's because it often falls around my birthday (I had more than one childhood birthday party with egg-coloring as the main event), or if because it seems to be the true start of spring, or if it's because of the food.  I think it's a combination of these reasons, but the food is definitely one of my favorite parts.

My family has always observed Easter casually - it's really a low-fuss, no-fuss holiday for us.  In the past, my parents have always cooked the traditional Easter Sunday ham, but this year I requested something a bit different - ham and pineapple skewers.  The past two years on my birthday, this was the meal I asked my mom to make, and since this Easter Sunday is the day before my birthday, it seems fitting to serve these skewers in place of the usual holiday meal.

Below is the recipe for the skewers (with a few personal changes), but the original be found here.

Ingredients
3 tablespoons brown sugar 
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar 
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
3/4 pound cooked ham, cut into 2-inch cubes
1 fresh pineapple, cut into cubes
skewers

Directions
1. Preheat grill for high heat.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together brown sugar, vinegar, vegetable oil, and mustard.  Thread ham and pineapple chunks alternately onto skewers.
3. Lightly oil grill grate.  Place skewers on the prepared grill and brush liberally with the brown sugar mixture.  Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning frequently and basting often.  Serve when heated through and richly glazed.



What will you be eating this Easter Sunday?

Bikram Beach Body

My last post reminded me that swimsuit season is rapidly approaching.  I rarely exercise - I have never stepped foot inside a gym and I can't run a mile to save my life.  Aside from a few crunches, it's safe to say that I haven't consistently exercised since high school (when I danced 4+ days a week).  That being said, I love Bikram Yoga.  Other types of yoga simply don't seem like exercise to me, but Bikram is quite the workout and my favorite way to get back in shape for beaches and bikinis.

For those who don't know, Bikram Yoga consists of a 90-minute routine in a heated room (like 100 degrees heated).  The benefits are endless: you can read about them here.  By the end of class, you've sweat so much that you look like you have just jumped out of the shower.  It's not for everyone, but here are a few reasons why I love it:

-Fast results: I'm never really out of shape or gain weight, but after just a few sessions of Bikram, I can see results.  It's the instant gratification that my generation loves.

-Keeps me hydrated: I never drink enough water, but you simply cannot do Bikram without being well-hydrated.  For a couple days before, I make sure to drink as much water as possible, and by the time the first class is over, drinking water has become a habit.  Being hydrated makes me feel better in every aspect of life, and Bikram reminds me that it's important.

-Classes are instructed: Part of why I've never gone to a gym is because I wouldn't know what to do.  I could take a class, but eh, Zumba and kickboxing just don't appeal to me.  With Bikram, there is an instructor at the front that tells you what to do when and how to do it.  The routine is the same for each class and after a few classes I remember what comes next, but the instruction is still nice.  Also, the instructors push you to go farther which keeps me from cheating out on any postures.

-Healthy competition: I'm pretty flexible, in part because I danced for so many years but a lot of it is natural.  That being said, I am always surprised at how flexible those who practice Bikram regularly are...and I get competitive.  I see this as a good thing because it makes me want to attend classes regularly and get better so that I can be the best and most flexible student in the class.

I love all the other benefits of Bikram (the detox, the way my skin feels and looks after, etc., etc.), but the ones listed above are what keep me - an exercise hater - going back again and again.



Have you ever tried Bikram Yoga? How else do you get your beach body back?