Just Breathe.

If you know me, you know how incredibly impatient I can be at times. I have a problem sitting still, too. Those two things contribute to a recipe for me getting really antsy during this job-hunt business. But it has also taught me a valuable lesson:

It's ok to take breaks and relax. Sometimes you need to just breathe.  

And I think that applies in job-hunting, in a career or while going to school. Whether or not you have a "work hard, play hard" mentality or not, there is something to be said about taking a few moments for yourself. 

So I'm encouraging all of you to breathe.  Go for a walk. Read a few pages of that book you started. Get yourself a coffee (heck, buy yourself a beer-- because you're worth it!)

Power in Words

In the past I've been told that I am a hard person to read. I don't always show my emotions through the normal visual cues of facial expressions or body language. This has caused many a former friend and couple ex-boyfriends to completely misunderstand what I am saying, or take my lack of visual response as apathy toward situations. That's not the case at all. It has also contributed to a number of strangers and acquaintances getting a completely wrong first impression of me. I'm not as cold as I come off.

I have found though, through several misunderstandings and conversations about my inability to express proper emotions, that if I can't express it with my visual cues and responses, I need to say it. 

I've thought a lot about the times that others have impacted me. Those times that I have been deeply moved were never by their facial expressions or body movements; The times that I remember being moved by someone else, it was by their words. Whether it was that person was upset with me or they were simply overcome with emotion, sometimes, you just have to let it out. Let's be honest, I just do not respond to other people's tears. 

And really, how much better do you feel when expressing your emotion by saying what you truly feel? How many times have you told someone what was on your mind and heart and they were surprised? 

Talk it out. Words do matter. Even if you think what you're going to say is scary. 

There's been many times recently where I've had to back-track and tell people that just because I'm not crying, doesn't mean I don't care that they're sad about me moving, or even that I'm not sad-- because it is quite the opposite. I've also bottled up a lot of emotions towards the stress of moving and guess what, the times I've admitted it, I almost lifted the stress away immediately. 

I shut into myself when I'm overwhelmed emotionally. I get grouchy. Admit it-- I know some of you are the same way. So let's all avoid the bad days that we are creating ourselves by just letting it out. Say what you want to say. Words of honesty are far more effective that just shutting down. 

Lentil and Feta Stuffed Acorn Squash

My favorite season is autumn. And every year sometime around August, I get in the mood to start cooking for the season even if it is a little early. What says autumn more than squash, really?

Ingredients: 
1 acorn squash, cut in half seeds removed
1/2 red onion, diced small
1 can Cannellini bean, drained and rinsed
1 cup red lentils, rinsed then cooked
1 tbsp EVOO
1/2 tbsp cardamom
1 tsp sage
1 tbsp thyme
1/2 tbsp rosemary
pinch of black pepper
3 cups water
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
3 bay leaves
feta
Salt to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bake dish, combine the 3 cups of water with 2 tbsp nutritional yeast and bay leaves to make a broth. Turn the acorn squash halves flesh side down in the baking dish. Once the oven has preheated bake the squash for 25 minutes. Flesh of the squash will be soft. 

While the squash is baking, cook lentils. Lentils will take about 15 minutes to cook, so while they are simmering, use a potato masher to squash beans in a bowl, adding spices. When the lentils are finished, add the lentils to the beans and mix together with olive oil. 

Once the squash is ready, remove from the oven. Flip the squash so the skin side is down. Scoop the mixture into the squash halves. (you may have remaining filling depending on the size of the squash. The leftovers taste great on a sandwich paired with greens!) Top with a desired amount of feta and then salt to taste. Place the squash back in the oven for ten minutes. Cheese will have browned. 

Enjoy!

Trend Tuesday: Denim Days

Every back to school season, the focus for major retailers is not just the new falls trends: it's about denim. Usually, it's the pairing of the new with the old: classic denim pieces with the new trends for the year.

But this fall denim carries a different weight. This year retailers are really stepping up the denim and talking all about tradition. For Gap, their campaign is "Back to Blue" and Diesel has donned the pages of September issues with their "Diesel Reboot". Levi's, without any gimmick, is placing emphasis on their denim more than ever with ads that display the denim-on-denim look- head to toe in blue. 

But that's got me thinking: what greater fall closet staple is there than the right-fitting, perfectly washed denim pant? Really, I think everything else pales in comparison. And I don't think that I'm the only person that once I find a pair of denim pants that fits like a glove-- I don't want any other pair. It's all about the fit for me. For years, my go-to denim brand is Levi's. I love the fit and could go on for days about the great customer service I've received in their stores. 

I will say, the denim-on-denim look is really appealing to me. Just please, don't make the mistake of wearing head-to-toe the same shade of blues. Try to mix it up. If wearing a dark wash denim pant, wear light wash up top. It breaks up the monochromatic look and makes the outfit look more stylish. 

Other classic denim items that are must-have this season, and really, forever:

From left to rightt: 
Dark denim shirt, Mossimo at Target, $24
Lightwash Boyfriend-fit Oversized denim shirt, Cotton On, $19.95
Denim cutoff shorts, American Apparel, $58
Denim Trucker Jacket, Levi's, $78

What are your favorite denim items? How do you feel about the denim-on-denim craze?

For more inspiration, check out my Pinterest page!

Makeup Monday: Eye Essentials

My most recent eye look is fairly simple, inexpensive but has really made my eyes pop. As much as I love to fuss over my appearance, sometimes the best looks are the ones that take the least amount of time and are simple enough to let your best features show; I don't want my eye makeup to steal the show! I want my eyes to standout! I try to take my cues from some pretty peepers of the past:

 For my bottom lash-line, I like a black liner that isn't going to fade throughout the day and really holds! My go-to liner for my bottom lid is my NYX Glide-on liner. It holds well without fading to heat or wind, and really even time. I draw the bottom lash line from the outer corner inward, stopping just where the inner edge of the iris ends. For a more glamorous and nighttime look, I make the outer corner thicker and thin the line out as I draw inwards.

 
Recently, I've been obsessed over finding the right mascara. I like my lashes to feel plush and full, and I really dig on a look that presumes glamour: I want volume and length, but I don't want my lashes to look glued on! The great thing about Too Faced Lash Injection is that its formula is free of parabens. Not only does this make for a "cleaner" mascara, it feels less heavy than other formulas I have tried. I want fullness- but I don't want to feel like my lids are weighed down!

It's important for long-wear eye makeup that a primer is applied. A great primer will even the tones of the eyelid and allow a great base for color and keep cosmetics staying on your eyes where they belong. Urban Decay is a consistent favorite of mine.

For my top lid, I was surprised to find a favorite in the drugstore. L'Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner holds great color and doesn't smudge. For the price, I really can't complain. It does have a tendency to be a little messy during application-- so patience is key! Be sure to allow the product to dry on the lid!  

1. NYX Slide-On Eyeliner Pencil in "Jet Black"
2. Too Faced Lash Injection
3. Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion
4. L'Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Eyeliner 24 Hour in "Blackest Black"

Here's the look that has been my everyday. What do you think?

Taco Tuesday: Fennel Tacos

Fennel is an ingredient that often times gets the short-end of the stick. Many times it gets set aside due to its licorice scent and bitter freshness when it's raw. 

I've found that fennel just needs some friends: warm, spicy friends that allow fennel to be a refreshing stand-out. What better way to allow that to happen then to throw it in a taco alongside traditional taco seasonings?

1 Fennel Bulb, cleaned and sliced thinly
1/2 Large Red Onion- peeled and sliced thin
1 red bell pepper, sliced into inch-long pieces
4oz Brown Clamshell mushrooms
1 cup baby creamer potatoes- mixed assortment; washed and halved
2 tbsp black truffle oil
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder
1tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp salt
corn tortillas
parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a glass roasting pan (or pan of your choice) toss sliced fennel, red onion and brown clamshell mushrooms with olive oil. Cook in the oven for 25 minutes, fennel will become soft and onions will start to carmelize, mushrooms browned. 

In a medium sized bowl, combine all spices. Toss these spices in the potatoes with black truffle oil and red bell pepper slices. When well combined, put the mixture in a roasting pan and cook for 25-30 minutes, until potatoes are soft.

Allow both pans of vegetables to cool about five minutes, then serve on corn tortillas. garnish with parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Makeup Monday: Pop Princess

In my mind, I find few things more glamorous and sultry than a bright lip against a clean, fresh face. Think Dita von Teese, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Gwen Stefani-- Can you picture what I'm getting at? It's the pop of colors I'm talking about.

My summer makeup routine has been all about keeping my face and eye makeup simple and clean, while making my lips as vibrant and pouty as I can. I have fallen in love with shades of pinks, reds and surprisingly- corals and oranges. I never thought that I would find shades so bright that could look so chic and elegant. Sometimes-- it's all in the application. Other times, it's just about the risk!  

Here's the swatches of my five must-have pops of color this summer:

From top to bottom: MAC satin VIVA GLAM NICKI, Maybelline COLORsensational in 870 Shocking Coral, Maybelline COLORsensational in 895 On Fire Red, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 677 Siren, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 040 Rendezvous

Wearing On Fire Red by Maybelline

What are some of YOUR favorite beauty looks for summer? Any favorite lipstick shades you'd like to share? Any favorite celebs donning a bright color?