1,000

Ok, see that pair of  Chad Burgundy J Simps? Now imagine 999 more pairs. First off, how great would that be? Second off, how beautiful are these J Simps?!

Why 1,000 pairs, you ask? Well I wanted to create a little visual (using my favorite brand) because I've reached 1,000 views!!! I know it may not seem too exciting, but it's more than I could have hoped for.

Thank you all for joining me on this journey and taking the time to read my posts; it means more than you know.

Stay beautiful,
Marina

crafts in tennessee

Crafts are so delightful. My sweet, beautiful friend, Mary loves crafts as much as I do. Unfortunately, we live many miles apart and our time spent crafting together is limited.  Whenever Mary and I reunite, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have her in my life. 

I took a trip to visit Mary and the alluring hills of Tennessee in September. I always experience the best moments with this girl. 

I was welcomed by several crafts when I walked into her humble home. How adorable are these DIYs?

During my first visit in Tennessee, Mary and I explored a lot. This trip was strictly for catching up and enjoying our time together. While we drove around her quaint, little town, we ventured into various antique shops and small town stores. We stopped into a boutique filled with unique home decor. We found something we couldn't describe (see picture below), but we were convinced we could create a replica. 

With excitement in our step, we ran off to Hobby Lobby where we bought our materials. What a wonderful night; spending time with one of my favorite people and crafting at the same time. Love you and miss you Mary- can't wait to craft again when you visit!

The direction on how to create this decor/craft (who knows?!) are below. Get your fingers covered in Mod Podge and create your own replica!

Materials:

3 pieces of scrapbook paper (I suggest purchasing paper that contrasts each other)

8X10 Canvas

Mod Podge

Paint brushes

Inexpensive, antique jewelry

Scissors

 

 

 
Place pieces of paper on the canvas in desired directions (the purpose of this step is to map out the placement of the paper)

 

 

Lightly brush the back of each paper and the canvas with Mod Podge; stick paper to the canvas. Make sure to cover the edges; the entire canvas should be covered

Cut the excess paper with scissors and attach jewelery with super glue.

What do you think? I'd like to eventually paste a picture to mine. :)

Stay beautiful,
Marina

ricotta, egg and arugula breakfast sandwich

I had the most wonderful breakfast this morning and great company to go along with it!

I love all things ricotta. It's a major ingredient in a lot of the food I eat, and I've honestly become a ricotta snob. :) I refuse to eat the packaged kind found in the refrigerated section of grocery stores--I will only eat the fresh Chellino ricotta I buy from Caputo's, Valley or Butera. It's so delicious and creamy and I have no idea how anyone can pass it up.

I was so excited when I found this recipe! I instantly fell in love with the idea of an egg, ricotta and arugula all together on a piece of toasted bread. My boyfriend and I enjoyed it a lot- so incredibly yummy. Seriously, one of the best things I've eaten for breakfast. The sandwich is visually appealing as well, so much so my parents couldn't pass up on trying one themselves. I was very happy that everyone enjoyed eating the sandwich as much as I did. You really have to try this- your view on breakfast may change forever. :)

I changed the ingredients a bit, but it's the same concept as the recipe I found. Feel free to adjust ingredients to your liking.

Ingredients: (makes 4 sandwiches)
4 pieces of whole wheat Italian bread
4 eggs (cooked sunny-side up)
About 3 cups of fresh ricotta (fresh is the best)
3/4 cups of water
4 cups of arugula
4 teaspoons of oil
A couple squirts of lemon juice
Salt
Pepper

1. Drizzle oil on a frying pan and let it cook on low heat for about 5 minutes until pan is hot.
2. Crack eggs into the pan and cover; let eggs simmer until the yolk is set

 

3. While the eggs are cooking, combine arugula, oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl; toss gently

4. Next, mix fresh ricotta, water and salt in a separate bowl with a hand mixer. Mix until ricotta is creamy; add more water if needed

5. Toast bread until golden; top with ricotta, arugula and an egg. Sprinkle salt and pepper as needed.

Oh, and this happened too. Brett bought us Mickey and Minnie coffee mugs. Gotta love it :)

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

Stay beautiful,

Marina

turtle cookies

I made these scrumptious cookies for my grandparents back in September for Grandparents Day. The least I could do for four of my favorite people. This cookie reminds me of thanksgiving/fall, it's perfect for the holidays. I hope you try the recipe below and bake something for someone special this holiday season.

I pinned the recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe. I doubled the recipe, which was suggested on the blog. Let's just say, there were a lot of cookies!

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 large egg, separated, plus 1 egg white
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans, chopped fine
1 package of caramel dip


1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Line a couple of cookie sheets with parchment paper
3. Combine flour, cocoa and salt in bowl
4. With an electric mixer, combine butter and sugar on a medium-high speed until fluffy
5. Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla
6. Add flour, cocoa and salt into the mix on a low speed
7. Refrigerate dough for an hour

8. Once dough is firm and ready to go, whisk the egg whites in a separate bowl

9. Place chopped pecans in another bowl (so many bowls!)

10. One at a time, roll dough into small 1-inch balls

11. Dip each one into the egg white bowl, and then into the pecan bowl and place on a cookie sheet

11. Next, using a teaspoon measure, press down on each cookie making an indentation in the middle. Then bake for 10-12 minutes until set. Make sure to switch and rotate sheets on the oven racks halfway through baking

12. Once the cookies are done baking, press down on existing indents, and fill with caramel.

 

It was a long process, but I loved the smell and taste of these cookies. Just a little tip: these taste very good if you refrigerate before serving.

After this post, all I can say is - bring on the holiday cooking! Lots and lots to learn this year. :)

Stay beautiful,
Marina

gone girl

I used to laugh at people when they would suggest reading a book. Reading has never been enjoyable to me. If you want to get lost, why not sit on the couch and explore the depths of reality television? :)

But what happens when you don't have TV and the only way to access the Internet is on your smart phone (which mind you, is part of a 300mb data plan)? Horrible right? What do you do when you are commuting to Chicago almost two hours a day and you've run out of day dreams?

Well... this is when my stubborn "I don't need books in my life" mentality wore off. As I started becoming very bored on my daily commute, I noticed kindles, paperbacks and newspapers in every direction. I became very curious.

I caved in eventually and gave reading a shot, which is something I should have done a long time ago. At first it was just another goal I needed to accomplish, but I ended up finding a new hobby. One of my colleagues was describing the best book she had ever read in her life, which is what tempted me to start reading.

Yep... I read the book she gloated about- all 419 pages of it. I found myself anxious for train rides and moments when I would fall deep into the story line. The book was soooooooooo good! 

Gone Girl is a fiction novel about a married couple, Nick and Amy Dunne. Nick comes home one day to find Amy gone and their house in shambles. Hence, Gone Girl. Throughout the book there are twists and turns and readers discover what really happened to Amy.

While I hate to admit it, this is the first book I've read in who knows how long. I have a feeling other books aren't going to come close! 

Stay beautiful,

Marina 

hot cider hustle

Dana and I ran the Hot Cider Hustle last Sunday. We started training for the 8 mile race in the middle of September and while we wanted to catch a breath most of the time, we loved every second of preparing for the big day. While we ran around good old Carol Stream our treks became easier each week. Even though running stopped becoming a chore, I can't count how many times we said to one another, "I don't know what I would've done if you weren't here!"

After many late night runs and shopping for matching attire, Dana and I found ourselves ready to tackle the 8 miles. I loved running through the Danada forest preserve and having my best friend next to me the entire time.

 

I'm so proud of how well you did Dana! Love you!

top ten: glamour magazine

Glamour is one of my favorite magazines and boy was I excited when I heard my girl Taylor was going to grace the cover! Below is a list of the top ten tips/facts I learned after reading the November issue.

1. I missed their 'hey it's ok section'. Glamour features this in every issue; it's a list of justifiable activities. Here are a couple from this month:

·    Hey it's ok... to go to the new Twighlight twice just to see if you can spot the trouble brewing

·    ...to commute in flats, only to get to work and change in less comfortable flats (so guilty of this one)

·    ...to think Pandora sometimes might be more in touch with your feelings than you are.

2. Stephen Colbert's candidates for president include Niki Minaj, The Fierce Five (women's Olympic gymnastics team) and his niece, Beth. It was a funny article. :)

3. Lauren Conrad suggests sticking with clear shampoo to prevent oily hair. This tip and more beauty secrets will be shared in her new book, Lauren Conrad Beauty.

4. John Frieda makes a flyaway tamer! How cool! It looks like mascara and can be found at drugstores for $10.

5. Glamour featured an article titled "20 Annoying Girl Things He Secretly Loves About You." Wow... I never realized my boyfriend secretly loves when I'm late, (which is all the time) or loves when I lean on him all night because my pretty heels are hugging my feet. Things men also love: when we send overcooked steak back, when we make fun of him and when we need him to dispose of all spiders.

6. Mark Zuckerberg's sister is very successful. She created Zuckerberg Media which helps clients maximize social media.

7. How gorgeous does Taylor look? I know a lot about my girl, but I did learn something new about one of her exes. John Mayer claims he was humiliated by Taylor's song "Dear John." Well, you shouldn't have been such a jerk. Team Taylor forever!

8. Cranberry sauce can be made in a different way this Thanksgiving. Add walnuts and coconuts. Sounds a lot better than the original canned goop.

9. The 90s are returning! The spice girls musical, Viva Forever is opening in London this December, Sabrina the Teenage Witch is hitting theatres and No Doubt just released an album.

10. In just five steps I can have a booty like Eva Mendez? Oh ok! In all seriousness, I'll probably test these exercises. Just accomplishing one goal at a time. :)

Stay beautiful,

Marina