Friday, May 20, 2011

Celebrity Look for Less *Special Edition* with Gwyneth Paltrow (Part II - Long Jersey Dress)

Part II of the Celebrity Look for Less!  If you want the story behind what inspired this post - plus a look at the first set of outfits - click here!

I say it's time for a Celebrity Look for Less!!

                    Part II:  The Short Flirty Jacket                   
Option 1:  The Short Flirty Jacket

Dressed Up

"Take a jean skirt to work with high heel sandals, a statement jacket, and a satchel instead of a briefcase." - Gwyneth Paltrow





Eww!! Talk about MOM skirt - and NOT in a good way.  I would personally never spend $515 on a skirt that made me look over 40 years old.  We're going to find a more modern spin on a jean skirt that you can rock at work:

{Click 'Read More' To See the Rest of this Post!}

The Mean Green Caffeine Machine - TGIF

It's Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That being said, it doesn't take much to put a smile on my face... just a few more hours until the weekend.

This morning I was running late but never too late to throw together a delicious shake in the blender.  This morning's shake was inspired by Julie's blog Peanut Butter Fingers
{She's cute, fun, and her posts are often hilarious!}

I call it - the Mean Green Caffeine Machine.


  • Vanilla Almond Milk
  • Mocha Iced Coffee from Whole Foods (too lazy to brew any myself, plus I like it pre-made and cold!)
  • 1/2 cup Coffee Flavored Arctic Zero (read about this here)
  • 1 tbsp Hershey's Chocolate Syrup - because it's Friday, and I deserve it :)
  • 1 scoop Low Carb Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
  • 2 huge handfuls of Spinach (thank you Julie for this tip!)
  • 1/2 a packet of Truvia (because I was having a SERIOUS sweets craving)
  • 4 ice cubes

Blend it all together and...



Voila!!  Enough energry to get you through your Friday morning!
{or any morning really}

Sadly, the picture doesn't do justice to the totally Boss greenish tint the spinach gives the smoothie :( 

The spinach really doesn't affect the taste of the smoothie at all, Julie was right!  Don't believe me?  Check out the post that inspired me here.  Plus, Jillian Michaels considers spinach a super food - one that could possibly save the world, and on her scale of rating foods she gives it a 10 which is good enough for me! 
(Although, no matter how much spinach I cram into my morning shakes I'm not sure I'll ever be able to sport rock hard abs like this woman!)


Question for the day:  What's your favorite way to start your Friday morning?  Are you a fan of spinach?




Thursday, May 19, 2011

Celebrity Look for Less *Special Edition* with Gwyneth Paltrow (Part I - Long Jersey Dress)

So I recently stumbled across an article on Style Bistro where author Sasha found that "in one of her recent posts (on GOOP), (Gwyneth Paltrow) teams up with Net-a-Porter to talk about her spring wardrobe essentials. This is all fine and good, until you realize her six outfits total $18,301!"

Excuse me... the six outfits total how much?!?!

So not only are we now looking to Gwyneth's site and reading about how if we'd like to score her smokin' hot bod we should resort to 2 hour workouts every day (which is just not possible for most people's schedule) while eating a very strict diet, but also that to look as good as she does we should be spending our entire paychecks on a mere six outfits?  C'mon! 

I say it's time for a Celebrity Look for Less!!

                    Part I:  The Long Jersey Dress                    

Option 1: The Long Jersey Dress

Dressed Up

"Wear a long jersey dress with a silk blazer and statement sandals." - Gwyneth Paltrow



So this dress has a lot of good points - it's an easy jersey tank dress with some sexy details such as the slit and the rope belt.  I also love the light feminine pink.  Trying to keep this in mind I found the following options:

{Click 'Read More' To See the Rest of this Post!}

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Caffeine Addiction My Friends

I love coffee. I don't just love the way it makes you feel in the morning when you take that first sip and it instantly warms your soul and brings life to your eyes, I don't simply love it for the decadent aroma that envelops you like a soft blanket, I don't only love it for the taste of creamy perfection each cup holds, but I love coffee for some strange reason that I cannot even define. ::sigh::

That being said, now that it is summer I much prefer iced coffee to combat the crazed Texas heat - luckily I discovered N.O. Brew New Orleans Style Iced Coffee at Whole Foods the other day!  All I have to do is add a serving of the iced coffee, some almond milk, ice, truvia and VOILA! a perfect coffee :) 

My problem is that typically when I discover something amazing I become slightly obsessed with it and that was the case with my new iced coffee.  I made myself a protein shake to-go this morning for breakfast with a serving of the coffee tossed in, but as I was about to walk out the door I thought to myself "Wait, what if I want a second cup later in the day?"  So the coffee came with me to work.  We cannot be separated.



It is now 3:11pm and 1/4th the container is devoured.  For the record, the nutritional label says that it holds 13 servings.  So I have consumed about 4 servings of coffee.  And I'm tempted to have more....

The issue is I don't really need the caffeine at this point, I just love the taste, but I start to wonder - exactly how much caffeine is really too much??

Luckily, the world wide web & Google accomodate all sorts of ridiculous ponderings and after I type the phrase "how much caffeine will kill you" into my handy-dandy Google search shortcut box a website pops up called http://www.energyfiend.com/death-by-caffeine.  Intrigued, I followed the link. 



Don't judge, the weight is all muscle mass thanks to the strength training Jillian Michaels' DVDs I'm obsessed with ;)

Wondering how much coffee it would take to kill me? (rude!!!)


Luckily, I think I'm safe!!!!!!

And, since my best friend's caffeine of choice happens to be those new Monsters... I did one just for her!



Did you get that Ashley?  No more than 68 and 1/4th cans of Monster!! 68 is perfectly fine... but don't over do it!!!


So tell me, are any of you out there coffee addicts as well?  Do you drink energy drinks from time to time? 


C'est Parfait!

Parfait means 'perfect' in French.. and that's exactly how I'd describe the yogurt parfait my sister made this morning.  How do I know? No, sadly, she did not make me a parfait - she simply texted me the following picture of this decadent creation...


I often wonder if this is her way of making me jealous that I don't live at home anymore.  True, in most ways living on your own trumps living with the 'rents - such as being able to have crazy dance parties at any time even if you are the only one in attendance (although my fabulous roommate does love to join in!) or not having to fight 4 other people for the big TV - BUT when I miss it are times such as these.  My lovely sister's kitchen creations.  In fact, just a few days ago she sent me a picture of this fantastic looking homemade Chicken Pot Pie:


Don't you just want to drive over there right now and have some?!?! 

Dearest Mari,  Please know that you are welcome to come to my apartment and cook for me any time you wish to do so :) 

For those of you who are interested in what went into her parfait parfait:
  • Freshly sliced strawberries
  • Greek Yogurt
  • Blueberries
  • Crushed up Oatmeal Square cereal
  • 7 mini white chocolate chips

umm... YUM!




Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Celebrity Look for Less - Kristin Cavallari's White Lace Tee

Kristin Cavallari was spotted in a feminine white lace tee, black skinnies, and a pair of black satin pumps out in Hollywood.

Check out how you can re-create her look on a Budget!


*Clockwise from top Left:  Tee Option #1 - Three Dots White Lace Tee $58 SALE $40 currently at Bluefly.com, Tee Option #2 - Tinley Road Lace Pocket Tee $29 at Piperlime.com, Jessica McClintock Black Flap Clutch Orig. $36 SALE $25.20 at 6pm.com, Black Satin Pumps $24.99 at AmiClubwear.com, and Shiny Black Skinny Jeans by DKNY  Reg. $69 SALE $34.50 at 6pm.com
 
 
I think a white lace tee is a perfect wardrobe staple this summer - very versatile!  Would you change anything about Kristin's look?  How would you make this style your own?
 
 
 

Fitness Foodie Review - Best B'fast Shake ta' Make!


The secret ingredient to the perfect morning protein shake?  ICE CREAM!!!!!

Hold on, I did title this 'Fitness' Foodie Review, right?  So am I out of my mind saying that you should add ice cream to your morning shake?  nope.  I discovered the absolute BEST ice cream by Arctic Zero, the nutrition label reads just like a low carb protein powder and they use the natural sweetness found in monk fruit to give the ice cream such a delicious flavor. 
  • 150 calories per pint & all natural
  • Fat free & gluten free
  • Lactose intolerant friendly
  • Contains 8 grams of fiber
  • 16 grams of whey protein concentrate


So, you can add a half pint of this baby to your morning shake (1 cup) for only 75 calories which is less than a cup of 2% milk.  I really love this option because it gives the shake a more consistant consistancy (LOL), unlike ice cubes which no matter how long you leave the blender on always seem to leave it a bit chunky. 


With that, the recipe for one DELICIOUS Chocolate Protein Smoothie!



If you want a healthier version trade out the chocolate syrup for frozen strawberries - also delicious!  OR I enjoy a Mocha Madness Protein Shake as well.. just add some iced coffee!  Really, the possibilities are endless



Fitness Foodie Review - Tone It Up Protein Pancakes!


Let me begin by saying that I'm *very* excited to post this review! 


When it comes to things we must 'swear off' when trying to tighten and tone our bodies, many favored and delicious breakfast pastries are at the top of the list.  Most breakfast pastries contain high amounts of sugar with very little fiber giving you a high carb count that's just going to cause your energy to crash a few hours later.  At the same time, breakfast food is simply delicious and every now and then you're going to have a serious hankering (sorry, that's the Texan in me!) for something sweet!  Stay away from the glazed donut and the nutella croissant and instead serve up your typical morning protein smoothie in the form of a delicious pancake! 

At this point you're probably thinking... a protein shake, in a pancake.. yeah right! BUT the Tone It Up girls Karena and Katrina have perfected the recipe for exactly that: their Tone It Up Protein Pancakes.  (Click on the link to find their recipe) Wanting a true breakdown of exactly what nutritional benefits I'd get from cooking up a batch of these (using what I had in my pantry/fridge) I went to CalorieCount.com and analyzed the following:




Well - you can't beat that!  So I whipped some protein pancake batter right up and came out with this...


3 Medium sized pancakes topped off with freshly sliced strawberries!  I was surprised at how many pancakes I got to eat for under 300 calories - and they were so filling!  My only complaint would be that I wished they were a bit lighter or fluffier so for my next batch I might add a bit of baking powder.  Also you should note that the blue berries are the BEST part - the more the better!  I also plan on whipping up a batch of these with dark chocolate chips (17 large chips for only 80cals) next time I have a serious chocolate craving.


If you've tried these Tone It Up Protein Pancakes - or a similar recipe - let me know what you thought!







Ruthie Davis Rockit' Pumps - The Look for Less!

Young Hollywood's Shay Mitchell (most recently recognized for her role in the TV series Pretty Little Liars) was recently seen rocking a spiked pair of Ruthie Davis Rockit' Pumps.


Ruthie Davis is a very fashion forward, trend setting brand name that has recently been seen on celebs such as Fergie, Jennifer Lopez, Olivia Wilde and Nicole Scherzinger.  You can find some of these amazing pumps at the nearest Neiman Marcus or online at Endless.com and they range from $500 to upwards of $1000.  I haven't been able to find the exact price of these black studded beauties - but needless to say, they're out of my price range!


(Getty Images - image from StyleBistro.com)


That being said, you can have the Look for Less!


These Studded Spiked Peep Toe Pumps are $64.60 at UrbanOg.com! 

 When pairing these mercilessly chic peep toes with your outfit, take some tips from Shay and try coordinating them with an ultra feminine peachy/nude dress - it will not only balance out the shock factor of the shoes, but the hard/soft pairing will have people commenting on your style from miles away. 

 Wanting a feminine frock to pair with?  Look no further than this Applique Chiffon Dress only $22.80 from Forever21.com:


What do you think about Shay's Look and the feminine dress paired with rocker accents?





Monday, May 16, 2011

Celebrity Look for Less - Blake Lively in Stunning Sequined Jacket

Blake Lively simply 
   in Chanel at the 2011-2012 Chanel Collection Croisiere Show.

Keep reading to find out how you can score her look for less!




*Clockwise from top Left:  White Embellished Cami $19.94 SALE $10 currently at Old Navy, Living Doll Sequin Blazer  $59.50 at Buckle, Skirt Option #1 - Costa Blanca Pleated Tweed Skirt Orig. $49 SALE $29.40 at Dillards, Marlene Metallic Snake Pumps in either black or nude $23.90 at UrbanOg.com, Skirt Option #2 - Factory by Erik Hart Bias Draped Skirt in Onyx Reg. $88 SALE $40 at revolveclothing.com, and Rhinestone Rose Brooch $11.95 from bellefashions.com

The Onyx skirt from Revolve Clothing is more on par with the look Blake is rockin' at Chanel, but for a little less you can have a similar look with the Costa Blanca skirt if you're really on a budget!  Either way I've recreated the entire look for only $135 - $145!  Try getting ONE piece of Chanel for that price!


How do you feel about the sequined blazer trend?  Personally, I think it makes the whole look!  But I'd love to hear from you!







Manners Aren't Just For The Dinner Table

I work in an office.  We have cubicles, and as many of you know, cubical walls are NOT very thick nor are they sound proof so from time to time I hear some interesting conversations from my neighbors whether I am trying to eavesdrop or not.  And trust me, typically I'd rather not.   So, today, my cube neighbor just had a visitor... and the guy was talking about his acid reflux ::not quietly:: and I find it completely disgusting. 

(And yes, I do see the irony in my sharing this information that I wish had not been shared with me in the first place - but, in my defense, you did have the option to click on the link and read the post - AND you have the option to stop reading at any time)

That being said, if you are sensitive to this type of banter, do not read on!

Why do middle aged men ALWAYS have to talk about their 'changing bodies' and bodily functions UGH eww! I don't need to know that now when you eat guacamole you can't make it to the car without seeing it again! And this is not the first time something 'gross' has been discussed loudly in the neighbor's cube... I've also heard just about every type of surgery a man of that age will probably experience in his life.  Thank you for that.  Now one day when I have a husband and he hits the age of 50 there will be no surprises - I will know exactly what I signed up for. 

That being said I decided to put together a list of some 'Pet Peeves' I have at the office:

  1. When someone stops by my cube and exclaims "Oh, you're here."
    • I have two problems with this.  #1 - Thank you captain obvious, but if you didn't think I'd be here why did you walk on over?  and #2 - it's not like I have a job where the majority of the time I'm away from my desk and this is some sort of a *surprise*. In fact, I'm usually at my cube, right in front of the computer, analyzing data so to not find me here would be strange. 
  2. When people walking in the hallway right outside my cube have to tap their fingers on the metal filing cabinets every time they walk by.  Yep, that's right.  They do it every. single. time.
  3. When people eat certain food items at their desk.  Okay, this one may seem harsh, but just hear me out!  In this type of a compact working environment I feel it is only natural one should consider the others around them before partaking in exposing everyone near by to the incredibly long-lingering greasy smell of last night's leftover Chinese food reheated.  Yes, I'm sure it is delicious - go eat it in the cafeteria where I won't have to smell it for the next 5 hours before I can leave. Also, foods that are super loud and crunch like potato chips - not only can I hear you chew, but we all know you aren't wiping off your hands on a napking each time before you type again so I just picture all the grease and crumbs all over your keyboard and it makes me sad.  There are also foods that I love for people to choose - such as oranges.  When someone slices open a fresh orange it makes me smile inside and the scent of citrus reminds me of when my kitchen has just been cleaned :)  -- and a little off note, but still relevant to eating at work -- have you ever seen someone eat a banana during a business meeting?  Awkward. Please choose a different fruit.
  4. The all too common saying "Working Hard?"  What is the proper response to this?  Why is this asked so frequently?  I'd much prefer a "Hello".
I may think of more later and decide to update this post, but that's all that came to me off the top of my head.

So question of the day -- do you have any at work "pet peeves"?  If so, what are they?

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Pretty Peep-Toe Slingbacks

Quick & Comfy with a pinch of Sexy!  Peep toed slingback wedges are stealing the show this season...


There's a Pretty Peep Toe that'll fit anyone's budget - Call me Cinderella and find me my shoe ;)



Valentino Leather Slingback Espadrilles $475 at Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus



Fendi Pamplona Linen Espadrilles $435 at Saks Fifth Avenue


Jimmy Choo Polar Patent Leather Espadrilles $395 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Stuart Weitzman Metallic Peep-Toe Slingback Espadrilles $365 at Neiman Marcus


Paloma Barcelo Lucy Patent Leather Espadrille Wedges $275 at Net-A-Porter.com


Mark & James by Badgley Mischka 'Magnolia' Wedge $255 at Nordstroms


Maypol Wedge Espadrilles $145 at Jildorshoes.com



Dolce Vita "Jollen" Espadrille Slingbacks $130 at footnotesonline.com




True Religion "Sibyl" Brown $165  Forest Green sale $114.99 at Piperlime.com




Steve Madden "Wissper" $90 at Piperlime.com







Steve Madden Fauntain Wedge $79.95 sale $68.54 at Endless.com


Mia Honeycomb $69 sale $59.99 at Piperlime.com





Jessica Simpson "Jungle" Wedges $69 sale $59.50 at Piperlime.com




Bucco Peep-Toe Wedges $59.99 sale $44.99 at Kohl's




Candie's "Dania" Espadrilles $59.99 sale $34.97 at Kohl's



Kabeh Slingback Peep Toes $27.90 at UrbanOg.com






Qupid Enrich Mesh Slingbacks $25.90 at UrbanOg.com


Bamboo Joyful Knotted Slingbacks $25.60 at UrbanOg.com



Qupid Ceduce Bow Slingbacks $23.90 at UrbanOg.com



Wild Diva Maggies $23.60 at UrbanOg.com




Soda Octet-S Bow Peep Toe $23.60 at UrbanOg.com


Soda Octet Bow Espadrille in Stripes $22.60 at UrbanOg.com
Striped just like the Maypol Wedges - only for a whole lot less!!
Soda Parlor Slingbacks in Lace White $22.60 at UrbanOg.com




Soda Better Ruffle Espadrilles $22.60 at UrbanOg.com

City Classified Burner Slingbacks $19.30 at UrbanOg.com
Those patent leather black wedges seem pretty similar to the Polar Jimmy Choo's up top! Just sayin'



Tropical Vacation Anyone???
Qupid Ceduce in Multi Slingback $19.30 at UrbanOg.com



Some of my favorites! I picked them up in red, which is sold out now but if you need black wedges these are SUCH a fabulous steal!
Qupid Ceduce Faux Leather Peep Toes $18.80 at UrbanOg.com


SALE $15 at Payless.com Sweetpea Canvas Wedge in Lavender


WHEW!  That's a lot of shoes!!  Will you be rockin' your pretty peeps this summer?