Style Spotlight: Day-to-Night Summer Outfit

A cute sleeveless blouse can seamlessly transition from a workday outfit to a casual summer look.  I’m working as a research assistant this summer, and while the lab attire isn’t as formal as the outfit I put together in the collage, it’s definitely a step-up from denim shorts and sandals.  When you plan ahead, it’s easy to throw a few key pieces into a bag, change after work, and go straight to your night plans without missing a beat.

All of the items in this collage can be found at Target.

What are your summer plans?

#kindawesome

Ever heard of #kindawesome?  It’s a movement by KIND Healthy Snacks, and it’s all about documenting awesome things that happen to you.  KIND gave me some bars to share with my sorority sisters, so I decided to share them with you all, too!

I received four varieties of KIND bars: two from the PLUS line and two from the Nuts & Spices line.   From the PLUS line I got Almond Walnut Macadamia + Protein and Blueberry Pecan + Fiber, and from the Nuts & Spices line I received Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt and Cashew and Ginger Spice.

I sat on my sorority house’s porch to take some photos of the bars, and my sorority sisters immediately started asking about them.  I told them about the products, and they were so excited to try them!

KIND bars have stellar nutrition stats, and the stats vary for each bar flavor.  The PLUS bars are full of protein and low in sugar.  All bars contain only pronounceable, recognizable ingredients: nothing artificial here!  I love that key nutrition info about the protein, fiber, and sugar content of each bar is listed right on the front of the wrapper.  It’s quick and easy to find a bar that’s right for you.

Dark Chocolate Nut & Sea Salt: These bars contain 7g fiber, 6g protein, and 5g sugar.  They’re nutty and have a chocolate-coated bottom.  There is a ribbon of chocolate on top, making this bar so pretty.  It tastes indulgent, and the sea salt really brings out the flavor of the chocolate.

Almond Walnut Macadamia + Protein: These bars contain 2.5g fiber, 10g protein, and 7g sugar.  These bars have my three favorite nuts in them, and they’re the perfect mix of crunchy and chewy.

Cashew & Ginger Spice: These bars contain 5g fiber, 6g protein, and 4g sugar.  The ginger gives these bars a special twist: they reminded me of a gingerbread cookie!

Blueberry Pecan + Fiber: These bars contain 5g fiber, 4g protein, and 9g sugar.  They contain tangy blueberries, and the combination of pecans and berries tasted like a blueberry muffin… yum!

It can be difficult to eat healthy, whole foods when you’re on the go.  Realistically, it’s so much easier to grab a bar and throw it in your bag.  KIND bars make it simple to eat healthy even when you have a busy lifestyle.  I’m so thankful to KIND Healthy Snacks for providing me with these products, and I know that my sorority sisters are, too!

Have you tried KIND bars?  What is your favorite flavor?

MIMM: Beach Day!

Happy Monday, everyone!  As always, thanks to Katie from Healthy Diva Eats for hosting MIMM.

On Sunday it was beautiful outside, so my best friend and boyfriend and I went to the beach!  It was absolutely marvelous: warm and sunny with a gentle breeze.

Also marvelous is KIND Healthy Snacks!  More on this in another post that I’m working on.  Get excited.

Not so marvelous is how much I miss this little face!  And how could anyone not?  Daisy is the cutest.

What was marvelous about your weekend?  Or about your Monday?

Beauty Fix: Undereye Circles

I have the worst undereye circles in the entire world.  Like actually, I once went to a makeup counter looking for help with them, and the saleswoman told me, “Well, if you wore concealer then they would look better.”  And I was ALREADY WEARING CONCEALER.  It was awkward.

Literally the worst.

I’ve figured out a regimen that makes them almost go away, though.  Here it is.

1. Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream, $5.99 – Gently apply this onto your entire face, including under your eyes, in small circles.  Do this in the morning and at night.

2. Benefit Eye Bright Crayon, $20.00 – use the pencil on your hand to warm it up, then rub it on in the crease of each dark circle.  Don’t rub it in.

3. Garnier Skin Renew Eye Roller, $12.99 – roll some on under each eye and pat it in with your ring finger.

4. Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer, $16.50 – dab some on in the crease of each dark circle and pat it in with your ring fnger.  Follow with foundation.

5. Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Mascara, $6.39 – draw the attention upward to your eyes instead of under them with a volumizing mascara.  This one is my favorite, and it comes in a waterproof variety.

Do you get undereye circles?  How do you cover them up?

Style Spotlight: Throwback Thursday

 

 

I love Ruche because they have the cutest vintage-inspired dresses and accessories.  Even iPhone cases… which we know aren’t remotely vintage at all.

Clockwise from top right:

Cupcake Sunglasses by A.J. Morgan, $14.99

Emerald Knoll Bib Necklace, $19.99

Sail Away Striped Dress, $42.99

Geneva Ruffled Heels, $29.50

Bree Flower Indie Hair Clip by Petit Plume, $10.50

Eventually Polka Dot Lace Dress, $44.99

Hello Hello Slim iPhone 5 Case by Rifle Paper Co., $32.99

What is your favorite decade?  Mine is the 1950s!

Lovely Little Things

It may not be the holiday season anymore, but there are so many occasions in Spring that call for presents.  From Mother’s day to graduations of all sorts, it can be difficult to find the perfect little present, especially if you don’t know the recipient well.  Here are some foolproof gift ideas that you just can’t have enough of.

1. Scented candles are always a nice surprise.  Find one that comes in a pretty glass jar so the recipient can use it as a pencil cup after the candle melts away.

2. Light scarves are great for dressing up any outfit.  Choose a solid color or pattern, but stick to universally-flattering jewel tones or neutrals.

3. You can never have too many notebooks.  Pick one with a hard cover to turn a basic office supply into a special gift.

4. Coffee mugs are another item you can never have enough of.  Go for one with a unique pattern, or match the recipient’s kitchen decor.  You can even fill it with some tea bags or a Starbucks gift card.

5. A nice bottle of nail polish is a fun gift.  Again, jewel tones are optimal here.

6. Body lotions are always a treat.  For people like me who stick to drugstore brands, a nice bottle of lotion is a luxurious surprise.

What is your favorite small gift to give?

Music for May

This has been the craziest week… my days have been packed with class, meetings, and sorority events.  I’m trying to tackle tasks one at a time to avoid stressing myself out too much.  Any free time I have is spent glued to my laptop working on papers, studying, or blogging, but it can be difficult to concentrate when I’ve been go, go, going all day.  Music helps me block out distractions and focus on my work.  Here are the songs I’ve been listening to over and over lately.

I’m so excited for this weekend: I’m going home to see my family, which means I’ll get to see Daisy!  I haven’t seen her since we brought her home from the shelter a few weeks ago.  I hope she remembers me!

What songs are your favorites right now?