It's officially 2015! I can't believe that it is almost February... seriously, where has the time gone? 2014 was a great year for me, with awesome opportunities, life changes, and memories made. I am so excited to see what 2015 brings-in just about 4 months, I will be a college graduate, preparing to take my state board NCLEX exam to become Kelsey, RN, BSN. WHAT?! With everything being said, wow... I have been super busy. I find myself missing this blog, because I love writing, reviewing, and "meeting" people through the blog world. I haven't had a lot of free time to devote to blogging this previous semester, but I think that will change this semester! I am so excited to go back into blogging.
If you have been following me on here for awhile, you will know I spent a lot of time reviewing mineral/natural products over the past year and a half. Wellllll, that is pretty much one of my main focuses now! I am very interested in purging all of my old, chemical laden products, and slowly replacing them with non-toxic, natural, eco-friendly alternatives. If you love topics like that, I think you will be interested in what I have to post over the next year! I also have spent a lot of time changing up my diet and lifestyle; I want to feel my best, and be the healthiest version of me that I can be. My whole life, I have had cardiac issues and other health problems, and I have really had to deal with those things over the past year-so being as healthy and happy as I can be is something that means a lot to me. Look forward to fun recipes on here, as well as an occasional outfit post!
Lately, I have been into staple outfit pieces that you can dress up or down. I like the idea of creating a simple wardrobe that can be versatile, accessorized, and minimal. The thought of downsizing everything is something that has been on my mind a lot lately; I feel as though sometimes, you can have too much! I hold on to clothing from 6-8 years ago, because it still fits, and "maybe I will need it one day!" But how is it useful at all if it has sat in my closet, untouched for 2 years? Looking at websites such as H&M (for basic tees/leggings), Simons (dresses), Tobi (for sweaters/dresses), Loft (for blouses/sweaters), and Banana Republic (for sweaters/accessories/other basics) has given me a lot of inspiration for basic outfit items that can be worn in SO many combinations-just what I would like! Also, I recently discovered the world of outlet shopping. Oh.My.Gosh. Why did I never go before a few months ago? You can find so many "in style" pieces at the outlets, and barely have to spend money! Example: I went to the Banana Republic and J Crew outlet and got 2 mens button ups, a sweater, a casual jacket, 4 shirts, and a pair of Nikes for around $115. To me, that is a great deal for those brands. (I had to share that story because I went around telling all my friends and family how excited I was for those deals for about a week straight after that, haha).
Now that this post is all over the place, I think I have said enough for now! My next post will be a review, although I am not sure which product I want to share first! My question for you is: What type of posts interest you the most? Do you like beauty/skincare posts? Fashion posts? Recipes or fitness posts? Please share!
Until next time!
XO, Kelsey
Connect with me:
on twitter here // connect with me on instagram here// pinterest here //
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Sunday Social-Food Edition
1. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your
life, what would it be?
Probably an assortment of vegetables. Not kidding. So that
is my answer-one thing-my garden items? Hahaha cheater!
2. What's your guilty pleasure/comfort food?
Definitely it is chocolate. Such a “girl” thing, but I am
obsessed.
3. What's the weirdest/craziest thing you've ever eaten?
I ate a night crawler once. Tell me in the comments if you
have ever ate a worm too! The taste is so weird; it is a little spicy! TMI
haha.
4. What foods do you avoid at all costs?
Basically only mushrooms and seafood (shellfish allergy).
Everything else is fair game for the most part.
5. What meal reminds you of your childhood?
Big breakfast meals! Homemade sausage gravy and biscuits,
with bacon! My grandma used to make it all the time!
6. Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind
it.
I have so many! This isn’t a fair
recipe. I am just going to generalize and say potato soup; I mean you can’t go
wrong there! My mom and grandma both make the best I have ever tasted, so here
is a recipe very similar to how they make theirs! I just want to point out that once you get one bowl, plan on eating 2 more :)
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 2 large carrots, peeled, chopped
- 2 to 3 cups diced ham, about 1 pound
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup water
- 4 to 5 cups peeled and diced potatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup half-and-half or whole milk, more if needed to thin
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional
- sliced green onions, for garnish, optional
- shredded Cheddar cheese or Cheddar-Jack blend, for garnish, optional
Preparation:
In a large saucepan,
melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion, celery, carrots, and ham. Cook,
stirring frequently, until onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic
and cook for about 1 minute longer. Add vegetable broth and water and potatoes;
cover and cook for about 25 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Whisk flour
into the heavy cream until smooth; stir into the hot mixture. Stir in the
half-and-half or milk. Taste and add salt and pepper, as desired. Mash slightly
to thicken and add more milk if needed.
Serve
garnished with parsley, sliced green onions, or a little shredded cheese.
Serves 6.
Serves 6.
Thanks for reading!
A Great Weekend-food, wedding dresses, and squid?
Sorry for the terrible pictures haha
The super exciting part of my weekend was that I went dress shopping for my sisters wedding (I am the maid of honor)! She found a dress! I am so happy for her, and the dress is beautiful! She had one of those "when you know, you know" moments, and you could just tell how happy she was to have found it! The bridesmaids and myself also found our dresses, which are plum colored, one shoulder dresses (adorable!)
what they put on every brides dressing room door :)
After finding dresses, we went to eat at Buca di Beppo and I ate more than enough for a small family..yet I couldn't stop because it was delicious! I want to go back so bad right now! (show picture of food). I also tried calamari, which is crazy considering I don't eat any seafood at all, and I won't eat mushrooms. I guess squid is less disgusting to me than mushrooms? (What is wrong with me?! haha) To be honest it was actually good. I didn't eat the baby ones, which are whole and look like fried tarantulas (eeeewwww), but I did try the the ring shaped pieces. TMI for some people? Maybe. But coming from me, who hates seafood, I would do it again. Did I mention that the serving sizes are huge? The pasta I got was a small, which is meant to be shared between two people...Pretty sure it could of fed 4!
Take me back for thisssss.
Huge brownie/ice cream/obesity in a glass dessert. We shared this, clearly!
We also went to the mall so that my sister could get a free engraved key chain with her future last name on it, from Things Remembered. She was so excited! It makes me want to have that special someone who thinks I am worth being with forever...[sappy sad thoughts for a few seconds] but whatever! I am so happy she chose me to be her MOH...and trusting that I could do it even though I am away at college! After all the fun stuff Friday and Saturday, on Sunday I drove to my dads to visit him, my little brother, and stepmomma. Then I had to drive back to college-wahhhh. End of my weekend :)
Thanks for reading!
xo, Kelsey
Sunday Social-In 3's!
1. Top 3 favorite kinds of food
My favorites are pasta, chocolate, and [fruits & vegetables]. Did you like how I grouped those as one? haha Sneaky sneaky:)
2. First 3 things you do in the morning
I usually set a few alarms on my phone the night before, between 3 and 5; it depends how early my classes are that day! So I usually go through the first two, get up by the third, and then turn off the rest. Next I would get up and make some coffee, and third I will read up on some blogs, and watch a youtube video or two!
3. Last 3 things you do at night
Take out my contacts/ put on my glasses, wash my face, and say a prayer!
4. 3 TV shows you NEVER miss
Sometimes I get too busy studying, so I do miss shows sometimes-hard to answer! I always make sure to stay up to date on the American Horror Story episodes, Cat Fish, and maybe Teen Mom?
5. 3 places you want to visit
Germany, Paris, and California!
6. 3 people you can always count on
My step mom, my grandparents (counting them as one again, haha), and my brother Caleb!
XoXo,
Kelsey
Apple Pie Sandwiches?
Yum.
Why must things like this exist, when I am trying to study?
and this? Apple pie sandwiches. MMM. I am not even hungry, but apparently looking at food on pinterest is the better option right now. Three exams this coming week, and I am NOT looking forward to them. But, I got something exciting in the mail today! Hopefully ya'll will be seeing it in a post soon : ) I think you'll like it! Besides being swamped with college girl things, I have been missing from here because my internet at my apartment complex went out, for two days. It's back, but keeps cutting in and out, so I can't get anything productive done. Booooo to you internet provider.
I am still not hungry by the way.
Also, still not digging how I will be going back to studying after this...
Live it up for me this weekend everyone, live it up.
Xo, Kelsey
**Update picture: I figured I would give a BIG hint at what I am excited about from the mail...
I think this may give it away ;)
**Update picture: I figured I would give a BIG hint at what I am excited about from the mail...
So Summer is Almost Over.. Sort of...
Anyways. I have already started looking into "fall"-esque things. Clothing, decorations, food, makeup, etc. So in honor of my possibly too-early planning/thoughts/wants, I wanted to do a post about some of the stufffffff.
MAKEUP:
- Something minimal. A barely there look, just fresh faced-you, but enhanced!
- Still natural, a little bronzer here and there, and maybe a light wash of color on the eyelids, but with a bold lip. I am really liking purple hues!
I like the shade "14" from the above link. I think if you put a layer on, used a tissue or paper towel to dab some of the color off, and then put another LIGHT layer over top, it would not only look nice, but would also last longer because of the layering!
Mac "Captive" lipstick would also be so pretty!
Frosty beige/gold based lipsticks also are nice for fall... something like this:
Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural "N2 - Iridescent Beige"
But don't get me wrong, a great pink will still be awesome for fall-or all year around!
Clothing:
Definitely my go to look, hands down, will be something like this...
I mean how classy, sophisticated, and gorgeous! I would love to rock the vest and jacket, with the tie barely peaking out! Oh, and that hat? Don't get me started! Where can I find this whole look?!
............YEAH GIRLLLLL. I am completely joking; this look is hideous to me... but I am sure someone brilliant could alter it and sort of replicate it : )
Anyways, on to something more me:
May or may not be drooling over all these...could I win the lotto for instant shopping money? Please? No? Alright. I'll just have to wait.
Did I mention this was going to be a lengthy post? Welllllll I hope you stick around till the end!
Food:
Pumpkin Cinnamin Rolls with Caramel Frosting
No, I am not kidding. This exists. MMMM.
Find this yummy recipe here.
Apple Cranberry Currant Crumble Pie
Uhm... imagine this with vanilla bean ice cream.
Find the recipe here.
Leftover Mashed Potato Soup
I love anything potato so...sign me up.
Find out how to make this delcious-ness here!
Oh my... hot apple cider. My love, yum.
Did I mention I am officially turning my blog into a food blog? Well, I am not. But still, this food is enough to make me do it.
Click me! Click me! to see how to make this : )
I have to end this post now-I not only am hungry and thirsty at this point, but I want like $25 lipstick and probably $2000 worth of fall clothes. So... stopping now.
Feel free to leave a comment so we can TALK! Or, just let me know how hungry you are now.
xo, Kels
My April Faves
Well… I know it is a little far into May already, but I
wanted to post about some of the things I was loving in April. Some things are
tangible, some aren’t…but hey : )
1)
Laura Mercier Powder Foundation- I am in love! Boyfriend...watch out ; )
2)
Beyond the Zone Rock on Dry Shampoo- Let me just
say this stuff is actually a good dry shampoo… most other brands I have tried
either make my hair look even more gross, or leave a white residue that you
can’t get out! With this, sometimes there is a white/grey residue, but it goes
away! Really refreshes hair.
3)
Shorts! Like these -
I bought a pair from my university bookstore; Nike brand with my university’s
name on them. I love them sooo much, comfortable, cute, overall just amazing! So when I was home recently, I stopped at
JcPenny and saw the same style, for $10! TEN dollars! The ones I bought from my
bookstore were $30! Needless to say, I will definitely be going back to buy
mooooore from JcPenny.
$10 for these? Uh YES!
4)
Tea with creamer… I already did a post about
this; so yummy!
5)
SUNSHINE! It is so nice to just sit outside, and
if I must, study!
6)
Nail polish (in general)
7)
Wearing bright colors! Anyone else with me on
this? I love the trend- brights go with brights!
When I was at JcPenny I also saw this shirt-I took a picture to ask my boyfriend if it the shirt showed too much skin, but he did not reply fast enough so I did not buy it! What do you think? Should I have bought it?
8)
The feeling after turning in an exam. Knowing
you can breath again, at least for a few minutes.
9)
My self-tanner. I love My FakeBake Flawless Self
Tanner… I really do not want any extra aging if I can avoid it… so no tanning
beds for me!
10) Last but
not least- my boyfriend. He is clearly a
favorite every month, every day… but I just wanted to include him on here
because I LUBBB HIM LOTTTTS ; )
Okay... maybe the feeling is not mutual?
That is better : )
Any favorites for you from April? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Weekend!
xoxo
Staying Awake...
So in my last blog post, or last few, I have probably
mentioned exams. Lots of them. I had my short break from them this past
weekend, but they are coming around again. Two next week! Which doesn’t sound
terrible but it feels like I never get a break! I have been trying to prepare
by studying ahead of time, but I just get SO tired! But thankfully… I have my
tea & coffee! I am getting a little burnt out on coffee though, so I have been turning to tea more often. One tea in particular I cannot stop drinking (hot tea of
course). It is the Lipton Vanilla Caramel Truffle Black Tea.
I love these tea bags!
At first I thought
the taste was a bit too strong, but I have gotten used to it, and have figured
out a yummy way to “tone” it down a bit. Coffee creamer! I like to use the
International Delight Vanilla Latte Coffee Creamer Singles, and a packet of
Stevia Raw Sugar.
I like having singles because they can be stored longer than the large bottle that you store in the refrigerator.
The tea has zero calories, and packs in 20 mg of caffeine per serving (according to Lipton's website). I know the creamer has calories but for the time being, I am not as worried about that as getting some energy that tastes good to me! I really love this combination and would recommend it to tea lovers, more specifically black tea! My friend actually had a cup of my combo today and said "You should try to sell this to Starbucks". I don't know if they would agree, but it is pretty delicious!
What do you like to do to get prepared for exams (or busy days)? Any favorite drinks/suggestions?
xoxo
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