New Bucket List Travel Destination: Africa

So I just finished Chelsea Handlers new book, "Uganda Be Kidding Me," which was a hilarious recount of her many vacations she went on with friends and the hilarity that ensues. The first half of the book chronicles her travels to three different African safaris with her girlfriends and it got me thinking about how amazing of an experience that must have been. Prior to reading that, Africa was never really on my radar of places I would want to visit, but to see the adventures she got to experience really changed my views.

Even as a little girl I've always loved animals. My parents always had different nature shows on in the house and for a long time I was obsessed with Planet Earth (I still kinda am...). I've been lucky enough to visit various aquariums and zoos, including the amazing Kilimanjaro Safari in Disney's Animal Kingdom where I got to see lions, tigers and bears (oh my) up close. But I feel like all those experiences fails to compare with a authentic safari in Africa. Also, does anyone else sometimes get a bad feeling about zoos? I always feel bad for the animals, being cooped up away from the homes they really belong in. So of course being the crazy person I am, I started researching real safaris available in Africa. Obviously they don't come cheap but to view these creatures in their natural habitat would be a once in the lifetime opportunity. 

Have you been to Africa?

Would you ever want to go on a safari?

xoxo

Wednesday Wish List

Last weekend I fell in love with this Topshop dress and while I wait for my next paycheck so I can buy it, I have been dreaming of ways I can style it. While I was going through my summer clothes that I took out of storage last weekend I realized that my style has evolved since last year and it's time to do an update on my summer wardrobe. I'm a sucker for a comfortable sun dress but I need to start paying attention to the quality of the products I buy. We all have those Forever 21 dresses that we buy for next to nothing and then find them unraveling as we wear them for the first time. For all the Forever 21 dresses I've bought for $10, I could have saved my money and purchased a dress of better quality that will last for years to come. So this year while shopping I will be looking closer at the material of the dresses and other items I am buying. 

Okay, back to the dress at hand. It's no shocker that I'm a sucker for stripes but thats not the reason I fell in love with the dress. Firstly, I love that it's a conversation piece. The stripes on top of the lemon decal would make anyone stand out in a crowd. Also the lemons on each side of the dress are strategically placed so they dress is very slimming. Sometimes thick stripes can do a disservice to my hips but the lemons will give a more hourglass look to a figure.

Thoughts on the dress?

Do you find yourself changing from quantity to quality when it comes to your wardrobe?

Lemon Clutch // Topshop Dress // Wedge Sandals

Lemon Tart Charm Bracelet // Lemon Tart Earrings // Sunglasses

xoxo

New Recipe: Garlic Scallops and Veggies

As you all know, I'm a sucker for quick and easy recipes mainly because when I get home from work the last thing I feel like doing is spending my night on my feet in the kitchen. Well it doesn't get any better than a recipe that only needs 4 ingredients and takes approximately 10 minutes to prepare. This recipe is perfect during Lent when all of you good Catholics give up meat on Fridays. 

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 lb of fresh scallops
• 5 cloves of garlic
• 1 bag of mixed veggies (I buy the broccoli/carrot/bean combo)

Directions:

• In a frying pan bring olive oil and garlic to a boil.
• Add scallops into pan and cook for about 4 minutes on each side.
• While scallops are cooking, microwave mixed veggies according to package directions.
• When veggies are done, add them to scallop mixture.
• Serve and Enjoy!

**This recipe can also be served with pasta or rice as well... whatever works for you!**

**Remember you can get all my recipes by following me on Pinterest or by checking out my recipe tab at the top of my blog**

xoxo

Kate Spade Friends and Family

Did anyone else have the desire to order the entire Kate Spade website during their Friends and Family sale this weekend? These past few months KS has been knocking it out of the park with all their different collections and once this sale happened I knew it was my chance to grab a couple things I've had my eyes on. Typically I wait until the items I am looking for arrive at the outlets but these deals were too good to pass up (especially because the 25% off could also apply towards sale items). I only wish there was a way to apply the student discount to online purchases...sigh.

The hardest part was deciding what items to buy since there have been so many things I've been wanting. Since I've been in a nautical mood these past few weeks I figured I should stick with this navy striped clutch and the gold anchor necklace. I have so many different statement necklaces and jewelry but I really don't have a lot of simple jewelry pieces so I've been trying to pick up more delicate pieces that I can pair with busier outfits.

Did you buy anything during the Kate Spade Friends and Family sale?

Anchor Necklace // Stripe Clutch

xoxo

Sunday Thoughts + A Weekend Recap

Another weekend has come and gone. Despite not doing very much this weekend, I feel fulfilled. After the past few crazy weekends, I really just wanted a weekend where I didn't have an agenda. A weekend without a schedule meant I could do whatever I felt like whether that be lying on the couch for hours or getting up and getting out of the house. As much as I love having a fun weekend planned out, it's nice to just go with the flow.

Here's a quick recap:

• Friday night I had a movie night with some girlfriends and I finally watched Frozen! Not going to lie... I'm a little obsessed. I definitely saw what all the hype was about and now I hear they might be making it into a musical?! Yes Please!
• On Saturday afternoon I dug out all my summer clothes from storage and started packing for Costa Rica. I knew plenty of my stuff would need to be ironed after being packed away for months so I wanted time to decide what I wanted to pack. I tend to overpack and I think doing a little bit over the next week will help prevent that.
• While packing I marathoned Game of Thrones to prepare for the new season tonight.
• Saturday night I went to the mall to see if I saw any cute dresses for vacation. I was highly disappointed in the selections. Since spring break is literally a week away I was surprised how little bright fun vacation clothes were available.
• This afternoon I want to catch up on House of Cards and I have to get some stuff together for the work week.
• Tonight I'm going to a friends house to watch the Season 4 premiere of Game of Thrones! Since I've read the books, I know what's going to happen but that doesn't make me any less excited.

Entertainment Weekly made this amazing GoT map to prepare for Season 4:

Any Game of Thrones fans out there?

How was your weekend/did you do anything fun?

xoxo

Feeling Inspired

Saturday mornings are for Pinterest, right? It's that perfect time to catch up on different articles you've been meaning to read and brainstorm ideas for spring time outfits while sitting in your pajamas watching bad television. 

Here are my latest inspirations:

You can follow me on Pinterest here!

What is your Saturday morning routine?

xoxo

Five

We did it guys! We made it through another week. I am so excited to say that I have nothing crazy going on this weekend, since the past weekends have been so packed with different plans and events. This weekend I will have plenty of time to lie on the couch and catch up on House of Cards season 2!

Here is what I'm loving this week:

Chelsea Handler's Uganda Be Kidding Me

I am a huge fan of Chelsea Handler and her books, I think she's hilarious and her latest book is no exception. It chronicles the mishaps she encountered on various trips including the Bahamas and Africa. (Seriously there is a specific incident that happens on the Bahamas trip that had me laughing so hard I thought I was gonna pee my pants). 

Lion King cast sings Circle of Life on Plane

Speaking of Africa, have you guys seen this video yet of the cast of the Lion King singing Circle of Life on a plane?! I seriously hate flying but I think I would enjoy it a lot more if I had someone to sing me the entire Lion King soundtrack while we were in the air.

Join the Club Bangle from Kate Spade

No explanation necessary.

The Price Chopper Market Bistro

They just put in a Price Chopper Market Bistro in my town and it is amazing. For those of you who don't have one, it's basically a bunch of different restaurants inside the Price Chopper. They literally have a station for any food you could ever crave including BBQ, subs, fish, sushi, burgers, burritos, ice cream, and sandwiches. It is so delicious and addicting... plus they have cooking classes, which I really want to sign up for.

Frozen Movie Night

Tonight my friends and I are having a Frozen movie night! I still haven't seen Frozen (I know, blasphemy) and I had been patiently waiting for it to come out on DVD. But now that day is finally here and I'm so excited to finally be obsessed as everyone else is!

What are you loving this week?

xoxo