I have always wished I were more of a hippie girl.You know, the kind of girl who blithely wears Free People crochet dresses and feather earrings without looking like she’s trying too hard (or trying at all, for that matter), drinks water out a Nalgene like it’s her job, and snacks on organic granola (that she has made herself- of course).Though I didn’t rock any boho chic accessories, I DID channel my inner hippie girl this morning and went hiking on Ragged Mountain in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The morning started SUPER early— 4:45 am to be exact.The Ragged Mountain trail guide suggested that hikers begin before 8am and we had about a 2.5 hour drive ahead of us, so we caffeinated and hit the road.Fortunately, the hiking crew—Meg (my sassy sistah) and my wonderful friends Maddie, Hannah, and Marvin— was in good spirits and we had am ah-mazing road trip.Who knew you could have so much fun at 5 in the morning?Apparently, all you need is a rocking soundtrack of middle school hits (Nelly and Kelly Rowland’s “Dilemma,” Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” Usher’s “Confessions”- need I say more) and McCafé.Note: When stopping at a rest stop, it’s not a particularly good idea to enter the side marked “Trucks and RV’s” – I may or may not have made this mistake…. After only a couple of wrong turns, we made it to the trailhead and began the 4-mile trek.I have very limited hiking experience, so I was surprised by how challenging it was- but minus a few bug bites and a minor slip- it was the best!So. Much. Nature. The best part of the day: Marvin, who is from El Salvador and is decidedly not a “hippie boy,” says “this is not the America I was promised,” when we begin the hike. Lolz. I definitely plan on channeling my hippie girl more this summer- kayaking, rocking, camping at the beach… Oh yeah!
5:05 am is not a joke.
Maddie is so glam in the morning!
The always necessary- trail mix. Note my super sparkly nails a lá Sally Hansen Nail Effects Polish Strips in Frock Star. Who said nature lovers can’t be fabulous?
On the way to the trailhead, we saw some cows, so we obz had a photoshoot.
The crew (minus me). So angelic.
We made it!
Maddie and I cheezin’ before the hike. Note the ironic beach themed tee-shirt!
Top of the world.
So Harry Potter it’s eery.
Wild raspberries- we weren’t adventurous enough to try them…
Redefines the term lake house.
Jul 3
Happy Trails
I am a veritable Barnes and Nobles addict. At least once a week I visit my local Barnes and Nobles store and browse aisle after aisle of books. A few weeks ago, I picked up Jennifer Egan’s A Visit From the Goon Squad on a whim. I had absolutely no idea what the book was about, but after seeing Pulitzer Prize Winner sticker on the cover, I decided that it was a must-have. I didn’t have a chance to open the book until this week, but (just like a can of Pringles) once I started, I just couldn’t stop. To borrow a phrase from the NYTimes, Ms. Egan’s novel is “unclassifiably elaborate”- spanning 40 years, taking place in 13 chapters (one of which is comprise of slides from a PowerPoint presentation). I can’t even begin to give a plot summary, but the adjective that I would use to describe is rock n’ roll. So, get your read on and grab a copy of A Vist From the Goon Squad- you won’t be disappointed.
I love the idea of yoga- putting on my favorite pair Lululemon Groove Pants, rolling out my blue yoga mat, and getting my zen on.However, in practice, I am not quite the zen goddess that I’d like to be.My mind often goes elsewhere- thinking about the laundry I need to do, the groceries I need to pick up, and of course, how much I’d loooove an iced coffee right about now.And, as much as I want to embrace the spiritual element that yoga classes offer, sometimes of the sacred Hindu texts, the personal intentions, and chanting is a bit too much for me.But, recently I stumbled upon a type of yoga that is more my speed, yoga that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Enter Tara Stiles, yoga rebel.As described by the NYTimes, Ms. Stiles is “a 29-year-old former model with skyscraper limbs and a goofball sensibility, focuses on the physical and health aspects of yoga, not the spiritual or the philosophical.”She uploads short yoga routines with fun themes to YouTube—there’s high heel yoga, yoga for a long day, couch yoga, morning flexibility, yoga for a hangover—you name it, Tara Stiles has got it!I am currently into the Morning Wakeup yoga – such a wonderful way to start the day.
Jun 29
Yoga-licious (Guest Blog Three)
Jun 28
I am currently painting my nails and watching “Never Let Me Go,” a film starring my second favorite actress of the moment, Carrie Mulligan (the first being Emma Stone- have you seen this month’s cover of Elle, I die). I have been meaning to read the novel (on which the movie is based!) by Kazuo Ishiguro for quite some time, but haven’t gotten around to it, so I decided to be a lazy bum and watch the film adaptation instead. Sorry not sorry. I am not far enough in to decide whether I like the movie; however, from the first scene, l was enchanted by the setting. Oh, how I long to visit the English countryside. Also, the childrens’ British accents are just darling. I’ll let ya know what I think about the movie tomorrow!
Today was a bonding day for me and my lil’ bro-has, Jake and Travis. After waking up annoyingly early, we curled up on the couch and watched “The Dilemma” (so cute, I know). Vince Vaughn and Kevin James were hysterical, as per usual, but for me, Channing Tatum stole the show, playing the comically sensitive (not to mention hawt) drug dealer Zip. Best line of the movie: “You killed my fish….” Lolz!
Later in the afternoon, Jake and I decided to bake cookies. Ordinarily, I would whip up a batch of homeade chocolate chip cookies with organic semi-sweet and milk chocolate- but J-Money (Jake’s rap name) is not a fan of anything remotely organic. So, we decided to buy the classic Nestle Toll House cookie dough. I forgot just how fun it is to roll the dough into cute little balls. Ahh, simple pleasures. (Wistful sigh). After 12 minutes in the oven, the cookies came out looking delightfully golden brown and tasting ooey gooey delicious. We even made two baby cookies which were too adorable. I love all things miniature!
After getting our bake on, Jake and I played a game of tennis. Neither of us are particularly skilled, but it was so fun to just hit the ball back and forth and chit-chat.
Gotta love a lil’ sibling bonding!
Classic.
Apparently, Jake was aggressively hungry…
Rolling da dough.
A little Vanna White action with the cookies (pre-oven).
Thumbs up for chocolate chip cookies. Note the cookie babiez. Too cute.
Ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies.
Jun 26
Chocolate Chiptastic
First things first, I’d like to direct your eyes, dear readers, to the title of this post. Does it not make you think of that brilliant Hillary Duff song “Coming Clean,” which, of course, was the theme song to my fave reality show Laguna Beach. Stephen + LC = 4eva… but I digress.
So last week, I decided to try a dietary cleanse- no caffeine, no refined sugar, no gluten, no dairy, no nothing! My friend Adele introduced me to the best-selling book Clean by Dr. Alejandro Junger, which outlines a 21-day program for physical and spiritual health. I’ve always been mildly terrified of dietary cleanses, but, on the advice of Adele, I decided to face my fears and try the cleanse for one week, and (shock and awe) I didn’t hate it. The program basically consists of a liquid breakfast, a lunch of vegetables and protein, and a liquid dinner (soup, smoothie, etc.). While the liquid dinner took a bit of getting used to, the avocado lime soup I whipped up in my Magic Bullet (yup, I am a proud owner of a Magic Bullet) made it totally worth it :) My homegurl Gwyneth Paltrow is a big proponent of Dr. Junger’s cleanse- here is her blog post sharing her detox experiences!
Below is a recipe for a simple, wholesome smoothie I lovvved!
Peach and Almond Butter Smoothie
1/4 cup ice
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup frozen peaches
2 tbsp. almond butter
1 tsp. agave nectar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Place all ingredients in a blender (or Magic Bullet :) ) and mix until smooth.
Jun 25
Coming Clean
Jun 21
Running The Rap Game
Saturday afternoon, I went on a long, leisurely run with my running buddy 4 lyfe, Hannah! Hannah and I ran cross country, indoor, and outdoor track back in high school and, together, we have trekked (literally) hundreds of miles. When I run, I have the gift (curse?) of gab. Hannah, bless her heart, puts up with me as I talk about anything and everything. Saturday, as we jogged around Colonial Williamsburg, we decided to take it to the (cobblestone) streets and stage a little rap battle. Talking and running is one thing but rapping and running is something entirely different! Holy mother of pearl- it is beyond difficult. I went with my go-to rap, “Look at Me Now” by Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes, and Lil’ Wayne. I am horrible at memorizing lyrics- struggle central- but I have practiced this song for about a month and a half (no joke) and I have it 90% down. Hannah came back at me with “B****, Look at Me Now” by Childish Gambino. Suchhh a clever lyrics- “Sick boy make moves like a chess piece, and I move real quick like Nestle.” LOLZ! Although we battled it out till the end, I think Hannah probably won- she was calm, cool, and collected while I was basically weazing. Mad props to muhh gurl!
Hello friends! Once again, I have to apologize for my absence- I don’t have an excuse this time.. just being lazy. First things first, congradulations are in order. My wonderful sister, my meggie, my moomoo, graduated from high school this weekend! Wahoo! She looked absolutely beautiful in her strapless White House Black Market frock and walked it outtt down the aisle to receive her diploma. The ceremony was fab- the principal even took out a guitar and serenaded the audience (thank da lord he chose “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” instead of Vitamin C’s “Graduation). He was surprisingly fantastic! After the main event, we congregated back at my house for a celebratory lunch of grilled chicken, green beans, sweet potato fries, corn on the cob, baked apples, and, best of all, carrot cake from The Carrot Tree. Too delish!
Get it, Dr. Wagner- or should I say, Swag-ner.
Yummy.
Classic graduation pose! Rockstar fam!
We ran out of forks, so Trav got boy scout with it and broke out the camping fork.
