My Etsy Wish List

I'm still relatively new to shopping on Etsy. I've made a couple purchase and I've always been very satisfied. I really love the idea of ordinary people creating something amazing and sharing their creations with everyone. I wish I was creative enough to sell items on Etsy... too bad I can't ship out the food I make to customers!

So today I thought I would share with you some of the items on my Etsy Wish List, I swear I could spend hundreds of dollars on their website because there is so much cool stuff.

Sunshine Vinyl's Stickers

Monogrammed decals for your electronics, such a fun way to personalize your most used items! This store has so many stickers and colors to choose from!

All About Lilly's Mouse Pad

I'm always looking for new ways to jazz up my cubicle and this Lilly mousepad would really brighten up my mood and making doing work a little easier!

Type and Styles Kate Spade Quote Print

This is one of my favorite Kate Spade quotes, it would look great hanging on my bedroom wall... the perfect Monday motivation!

Silhouette My Pet's Akita Print

So Silhouette My Pet makes these amazing prints of different dog breeds. The prints come in any color you want and they have so many breeds to choose from. I've been eyeing an Akita print, it looks just like Misa! 

The Preppy Print Shops Pink Peony Print

It wouldn't be an Etsy wish list without a one of Ashley's Prints. Her Preppy Print Shop is constantly updating with new prints to add to your gallery wall. Lately I've really been loving her work with watercolors!

Twinkle Mingle's Mint Green Bow

Spring time means bright colors! I can't get enough of these adorable bows for your hair, they come in a variety of patterns and colors...but wouldn't this one be perfect for St. Patricks Day?!

What Etsy shops do you love? I'm always looking for suggestions!

xoxo

My (Embarrassing) Adventure with Hot Yoga

So as a part of my 25 Before 25 List I wanted to take an exercise class. So when the opportunity came about last week to try hot yoga, I jumped at the opportunity. 

Now there's a few things you should know first:

1. I am uncoordinated. I trip up the stairs at least once a day.
2. The class I signed up for was a Wednesday Night Special at my local hot yoga studio. The only details of the class was it was called 'Barre Yoga' (whatever that means) and it was $7.
3. I took a meditation/yoga class a year ago for my Masters so that obviously makes me an expert.
4. I know no yoga terms except downward dog.
5. I wore shorts because I knew I would be sweating in a 90+ degree room.
6. I bought a $5 rubber yoga mat for cheap.
7. I laugh when I'm in awkward situations.

A Step by Step (Embarrassing) Recollection of my Experience:

• A co-worker and I arrive about 10 minutes before the class starts only to find there is a full house and everyone is already in the room in "child's pose". We cannot sit together so we must separate. I, unfortunately, get stuck in the front of the room. FYI: I am the only one in shorts (this plays an important role later).
• There is a large floor to ceiling mirror about 2 feet in front of me so I can stare at myself while I do yoga. I am now completely aware how pale my legs are, not a good look.
• About 5-10 minutes in I realize this is not a beginners class. In fact I am actually in a very advanced class. I am sandwiched between, what I can only assume are two yogi masters. I have no idea what I am doing and I am already sweating.
• My instructor, Renee, begins spitting out yoga terms. Everyone with the exception of me and my co-worker know what these terms are. 
• I steal a glance from my co-worker who looks as panicked as I am. I immediately get the "church giggles" and am unable to control my laughter. My yogi neighbors are not amused as they are very zen and barely sweating. 
• About 30 minutes in I notice two cute boys directly behind me in the back row. Keep in mind I do not look cute, nor can I lift my leg as high as anyone else (including them). I write them off knowing they will never want to date me. This makes me laugh even more. 
• 35 minutes in, I am fully sweating which is fine because I like the heat. However, due to the fact that I am wearing shorts I found that my body is very slippery. I cannot even kneel on my mat without my knees slipping out from under me. 
• While trying to get a grip with my slippery feet I put a giant hole in my $5 yoga mat. I now realize why it was only $5. The hole gets larger as I get more slippery.
• 45 minutes in and we are in full force. I look like a beast. I cannot lift my body the way my neighbors do. 
• 55 minutes in, we are finally done and get to sit and "meditate"... I lie on my (hole-filled) mat like a dying whale and try and catch my breath.
• 60 minutes in I pat myself on the back for surviving.

Despite my embarrassing experience, I actually really enjoyed it. I just think in the future I need to take a more beginner friendly class to get my body adjusted.

Have you ever tried hot yoga?

xoxo

New Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Biscuits

Okay these are one of my favorite biscuits of all time. I normally will make them as a treat if we are having some type of pasta dish, but I could totally sit and each an entire batch without anything else as well. The sun dried tomatoes add such flavor to the biscuits!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups strong white bread flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup butter melted and cooled slightly
• 3 tbsp milk, warmed
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup drained and chopped sun dried tomatoes (I buy a jar of them)

Directions:

• Lightly grease a cookie sheet. 
• Sift flour, salt into a large mixing bowl then stir in yeast, then add butter, milk and eggs to form a dough.
• Cover dough and let it sit for 1.5 hours allowing the dough to rise.
• Knead the dough and add sun dried tomatoes.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees and divide the dough into 8 balls and place them on a cookie sheet.
• Brush the rolls with a little milk and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
• ENJOY!

**Also, if you haven't already, don't forget to enter our Hello Spring Giveaway**

xoxo

Spring Break Essentials Pt. 1: The Beach

The countdown is on, my friends, spring is only a few weeks away which means many of you will be packing up and heading for warmer climates. I for one, have already started thinking about (and purchasing) items that I will need for when I am on vacation. The nice thing about traveling to warmer climates is that you pack lighter items, which allows you to pack more! I definitely have a packing issue because I never know what my mood will be when I arrive, so I always end up putting half of my closet in my suitcase.

To try and alleviate this issue, I have started making a list of "Spring Break Essentials," which I will be sharing with you over the next two weeks. This first post specializes solely on items for the beach (my favorite type of packing!). 

1. A good beach towel: I am a towel addict! When I find a good brand of beach towels I tend to stock up. Now I'm not talking about any old beach towel, I need a heavy duty towel that will keep me dry but also provide a little added cushion/comfort for when I am laying out catching some rays.
2. Flip Flops: I don't know about you but I can't wear nice sandals on the beach, they are just too uncomfortable. Give me a good old fashion rubber flip flop and I am happy.
3. Bathing Suit: Duh, need I say more. Check out my favorite ASOS bathing suits here.
4. A Beach Cover-Up: I've been on the prowl for one this year, something light and comfortable that I can wear over my suit when I am walking to the beach or headed to the pool bar!
5. Beach Tote: Perfect for carrying all your beach necessities. I'm a sucker for totes that have a vacation theme... seriously loving the Kate Spade one above.
6. Sunglasses: Again, duh. You can see my favorite sunnies here.
7. Hat: I can lie in the sun for hours on end but every once in awhile my face needs a break from all the rays. A baseball cap is a great way to keep the sun out of your face but still look good!

What do you like to bring to the beach with you?

I Am Busy Towel // Beach Cover Up // Paisley Bikini // 

Navy Polo Hat // Tourist Tote // Flip Flops // Ray-Bans

xoxo

Sunday Thoughts + A Weekend Recap

How great is this quote from the always amazing, Jenna Lyons? It obviously applies to her life in the fashion industry but I think it's something we can all apply to our everyday life. I'm a big supporter of following your gut (as opposed to your heart or brain). Maybe it's women's intuition, but my gut has never swayed my the wrong way. 

Anyways, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Here in upstate NY it was actually sunny and dare I say warm? Lets be real, by warm I mean high 30s/low 40s but it's definitely a start. The sun is starting to get stronger. You know that feeling when the sun hits your face and it's warmer than it's been all winter, it definitely gives me hope that spring is on the horizon.

Here's a quick recap of my weekend:

• Friday night I went out with friends to a couple local bars. We went and saw a band play at one of the bars, which was something different and fun. Sometimes I wish I could play an instrument, it's such a big accomplishment to be able to create music.
• Saturday I was down for the count... I've been on a typhoid prescription for Costa Rica and the pills make me so nauseous, literally the worst. On the bright side I know it's not the stomach bug! I only have one more pill to go... can't wait till it's over.
• Saturday night I had to pull through the stomach cramps to babysit for a family friend. Seriously... bravo to all you parents out there because children are cute, but exhausting!
• Since I'm finally feeling better today I'm going to try and get out of the house (maybe to the mall....)!

What did you do this weekend?

xoxo

The Sock Bun: Do or Don't?

I have to admit, despite being a lover of all things fashion I've never been one to be creative with my hair. My dark hair is long and pin straight and no matter what I do, it doesn't hold a curl. My friends learned this the hard way after during a girls weekend in Syracuse they suggested they curl my hair before we go out. Well two hours later my hair was finished and 10 minutes later it was straight again. This leaves me with little hair options, but honestly I'm not that adventurous. I have a fear of cutting my hair short or adding anything that I'll be forced to deal with for months without any relief (like bangs or dye). Also, I'm not going to lie, I don't have the patience to sit and do my hair for hours.

Yet, I did step out of the box last time I was visiting Syracuse and my friends suggested I try the sock bun. It was a quick and easy way to change up my typical straight hair do, plus it kept my hair out of my face all night and helped prevent the dreaded static hair that I get in the winter time (does anyone else get bad static in their hair when they wear winter scarves?). Anyways, the sock bun literally took 5 minutes to put together and stayed together for the entire night. Now all I need is a bright pink lipstick and I'll be a regular Kourtney Kardashian! 

Sock Bun DIY from Paper and Lace

So have any of you tried the sock bun?

Is the sock bun a do or a don't?

xoxo

Friday Five

TGIF!

The closer we get to spring, the longer these weeks seem to take to end. I actually have a busy weekend ahead of me, hopefully that doesn't cause the weekend to fly by. Don't forget to set your clocks back this weekend! The bad news about setting your clock back is that you lose an hour of sleep this weekend, but the good news is that it will stay light out longer... a sign winter is on it's way out (good riddance).

Here is what I am loving this week:

Baldi Hot Springs

This week I booked a reservation to visit the Baldi Hot Springs while I am in Costa Rica. The hot springs overlook the Arenal Volcano and offer a variety of different pools of different temperatures to lounge in. They even have a spa on site with a build in swim up pool- Hello Paradise!

The Hello Spring Giveaway

I feel so honored to be able to participate in such a fun giveaway with a group of amazing female bloggers. The countdown to spring is on, and now you can celebrate in style with your winnings!

Dallas Buyers Club and The Wolf of Wall Street

Now that the Oscars are over there are plenty of movies that I really want to see. I'm counting down the days until Dallas Buyers Club and The Wolf of Wall Street are released on Netflix. Have any of you seen these movies? If so, would you recommend them?

Rachel Zoe's Living in Style Book

Yesterday Rachel Zoe posted this photo on her Instagram announcing her new book. I've been a fan of Rachel for awhile so I definitely want to grab a copy when it is released. It's sure to be BANANAS!

C Wonder's La Ville Printed Full Skirt

I'm loving so many of C Wonder's new spring arrivals but this skirt just might be my favorite piece! I'm a sucker for a good fashion conversation piece and this skirt will definitely have people talking.

What are you loving this week?

xoxo