Fashion: Crazy for Florals

I noticed a trend in my spring break shopping: every article of clothing I bought was floral. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good floral as much as the next girl(I've been rockin' it since my Osh Kosh B'Gosh days!), but really. Nothing besides floral? It's a good thing I've got new boots and lipstick to go with all of it :)

One would think I'd be done buying florals now. Ha, hardly. I want more, more, more, and not just tops or dresses. (Click photos for source)

I'm on the hunt for a cute sundress to wear to my sister Kendall's graduation. I'd love something like this--I'd avoid tanlines because it's strapless, it's really cute, and I could wear flats or wedges with it.

I love love love maxi dresses! They are definitely not for everyone, but I think I'm tall enough that they look okay on me. I love that the model above wears this one with heels. Hollister gets cooler at night, even in the summer, so this would be the perfect dinner outfit.

I have been dying to own these Jeffrey Campbell wedges since I first saw them at Nordstrom last month. Aren't they adorable? I love that the wedge is reasonably high enough to walk around in.

I have always loved Betsey Johnson, and I know I'll need a weekend bag for abroad this summer. I don't love skulls (don't even like them, even), so I need to keep looking, but I definitely think this is a cute bag! Love pink and love the roses.

Also on my wish list but nonexistent on the internet: a floral bikini (for sunbathing on the French Riviera, of course), more floral dresses (because I can never have enough), a floral headband, and a denim jacket (not floral, but I really want one nonetheless).

Off to online shop :) Happy spring everyone!

Gotta Get Down on Friday

hehe, I had to do it! Ears haven't been graced by Rebecca Black's masterpiece yet? Check it out here.

I have sadly reached the last official day of Spring Break '11 [because weekends don't count, ya know?]. Twas a mighty relaxing break, and I'll be paying for the relaxation for the next week as I try to catch up on reading and homework. Such is life.

This week has made me feel tremendously better about where I'm at. Frankly I've been a little depressed this semester, but taking a week off (and most importantly spending some time strictly for myself) has given me a new perspective, attitude, and appreciation for those around me. Sure, I may be going through a tough time, but I'm a strong woman who is loved by so many people. Good times are fleeting, but bad times don't last forever either. I refuse to let other people's behavior (no matter how imposing) control my life anymore or make me upset. For the next seven weeks, I am my own person, living my own life (and thereafter, of course, but I only have seven more weeks in Berkeley and that seems to be where I have my struggles).

I have five more weeks of class, in which I'll write three papers (two research, of course), take one more midterm, and hopefully have some fun (in these fabulous boots, no less). Then I have a week off, then four finals over the course of four days. I'm done May 12, which my CountDown App on my iPhone tells me is 48 days away. Piece of cake, right? I want to stay calm and enjoy those 48 days, as about 20 of my good friends are graduating. So sad for me, but I'm really happy for them :)

Recipe: Polenta Gnocchi

I recently told you about my wellness journal, in which I cut and paste work outs, recipes, and tips for success for my new, healthier lifestyle. Since I'm home for spring break, I decided to try out some of the recipes (so expect more in the coming days!). The first one I tried was from Health magazine, for Roman-Style Polenta Gnocchi. I'm a vegetarian,so I love any unique meatless dish. The original recipe can be found here, butI made it a little more blogger friendly below.

Ingredients (in order of use):

1 16-ounce tube of polenta

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 crushed garlic clove

1 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

4 ounces fresh chopped mozzarella

1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

To make:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Lightly coat a 10-inch baking dish with olive oil.

Slice polenta into 1/2 inch thick slices; arrange slices in a single layer covering pan.

Heat saucepan over medium heat.

Add olive oil and garlic to pan. Cook until the garlic is soft (2-3 minutes) and make sure to watch it so it doesn't burn!

Add tomatoes to saucepan, then oregano, salt, and basil. Bring to a boil and stir.

Reduce heat, then cook until thick (which was about 10 minutes for me).

Spoon sauce over polenta (and actually use a spoon! It'll be messy if you pour).

Sprinkle cheese over the sauce.

Bake around 20 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.

Add some more basil for flavor and fanciness. :)

This was my first ever homemade meal, and I'm pretty proud of myself! My family really really liked it, and best of all, I did too--and I'm always my harshest critic. The total prep was about 20 minutes, but could be around 10 if you know your way around a kitchen, and it turned out great. If you like polenta, I'd recommend it!

More recipes coming your way soon :)

Be well!

Arts and crafts on a rainy day & celebrating my best friend!

Sunday marked the 20th anniversary of my best friend Morgan's arrival in America. She was adopted from Korea, and I'm so glad that she was! We have been best friends since kindergarten, which brings our friendship to almost 16 years (3/4 of our lives!). Needless to say, I love her dearly and will be friends with her forever. We go to schools far away from each other now, but we try to stay connected by talking regularly, and we always hang out at least a few times when we're both home in Hollister.

In honor of her 20 years in Amurka, I decided to make her a little arts & crafts project. Morgan is super creative and sends me cards and little presents all the time, so I figured there was no better way to congratulate than by giving her something homemade. I hit up my new favorite store, Michael's, for some scrapbooking stuff and fake daisies (which are Morgan's favorite flower).

Supplies! Cute letters, scrapbooking paper and stickers, and Elmer's glue

The finished product. I hope she likes it!

The only picture I included--Morgan at my 7th birthday party.

Eating pizza--how American!

The daisies and her card!

I am so grateful to call Morgan my best friend! Now we're off to celebrate her US arrival with all things American--Mexican food for dinner and then the newest episode of Sister Wives! God bless America. :)

There's no place like home

Things I really really really love about being home:

• Treadmill in the morning--just worked out, which is the perfect way to start my day (albeit a little late)
• A whole fridge stocked with food (most of it healthy!)
• Sleeping in my own queen sized bed
• Green grass and blue skies for miles
• Mexican food (sure, I eat a lot of Mexican food in Berkeley, too, but the Mexican food in Hollister is authentic and better)
• Mommy taking care of me when I'm sick (I swear, I get sick right before any school break. It's like my immune system says, "peace out! I'm going on vacation early")

and of course, my favorite part of being home:

snuggling with this little rascal

Hope you all have wonderful weekends! I've got some fun posts up my sleeve for next week, and I'll be back Sunday with Week 2 of my Lenten challenge.

be well!

Arts and crafts aren't just for kids!

Today I proved that with a little art project. A few weeks ago I stumbled upon an adorable notebook in Urban Outfitters, and its message (Stop and Smell the Flowers) inspired me to make a journal. Since I have a habit of earmarking things in fitness journals (ie recipes I want to try, work outs I want to attempt, etc), I decided I should start compiling all of these things into one place. So, my little fitness journal was born.

All it took was the notebook (which doesn't have to be a fancy one...a cheapo from Walgreens will definitely suffice), some magazines (which I had collected over probably six months), and some sort of adhesive--I used rubber cement because it's easier to work with than a glue stick, and I'm lazy.

The journal isn't done yet (because when is a journal ever done, really?), but so far I have an ongoing brainstorm about why I want to lose weight, some recipes I am going to make when I go home for spring break (which of course I will share on the blog), and some fitness tips/moves I want to try. I am hoping this journal will help me stay fit and on the right track, especially because I just ordered this little number and want to look fab in it by the time summer rolls around.

Can't wait to continue adding to it!

Be well,

Jordan

"kinda azkaban-ish"

Remember yesterday when I said I wasn't going to post until Thursday when all my midterms were over? Oops.

I just had to post this photo. My mom texted me saying that she spent 15 minutes in line at Walmart but got out of line because it was so awful. This is a screen shot of the conversation. The part that killed me: "Walmart is a horrible place kinda azkaban-ish"

I couldn't breathe for about 13 minutes. I hope it brought a smile to your face as well. And now, readers, you understand where I get my comedic timing and inspired sense of humor.