3 Ingredient Breakfast: Peanut Butter Strawberry Toast

In honor of this delicious strawberry season (and quite frankly the most beautiful breakfast I have had all month) I wanted to share this easy & delicious morning treat.

All you need:

- Bread 

- Peanut Butter

- Fresh Strawberries

Enjoy!

Making a Statement

Some girls can never get enough shoes. Some like their handbags. My kryptonite is a bold necklace. There's nothing that completes an outfit better than a statement around your neck. I want to share some of my favorites and a few on my wishlist. 

My friends make fun of me for wearing this necklace too much, but I am so obsessed with it that it doesn't even bother me. It was one of those purchases that I impulsively bought because I loved it so much, never thinking that I would get as much wear out of it as I have. Akola necklaces have the most inspiring story behind them too so it is a no guilt purchase. I bought mine about 3 years ago now but there is a similar one here. 

If you haven't noticed by now, the layering trend goes a lot farther than just your clothes. I have been wearing this layered necklace trio on repeat lately. It adds the most interesting dynamic to a plain tee and radiates a coolness that screams "I just threw this together." The actual multi-strand necklace is an H&M piece. Both the short bar necklace & long pendant necklace are by a chic jewelry line called Gorjana. My mom surprised me with these last time she came to visit. I definitely want one of their rings next. You can never go wrong with some simple gold jewelry.

I bought this necklace when I was a sophomore in high school (6 years ago...talk about whoa) and am still wearing it. Something about the bright color & beads make it seem so spring/summer to me. It provides the perfect amount of pop to a darker dress as we transition into warmer temperatures. Thought I don't know who makes this particular necklace, I found a similar ones here & here. 

Finally, I wanted to share one of my favorite Christmas purchases. After I saw this necklace at Boem, one of my favorite boutiques in Charlotte, I knew I had to have it. At only $32.00 I considered it a steal & couldn't wait to unwrap it under the tree. The best part about this necklace is that it is so light. Sometimes statement necklaces end up pulling at your neck, so it's always important to consider weight when purchasing. 

I can't wait to attend Scoopcharlotte.com's Jewelry Showcase at the Duke Mansion this Tuesday. I have my eye on this Melvin piece & cannot wait to see it in person. I have a feeling it will probably be coming home with me in one color or another. 

I am also obsessing over this Hyla Dewitt necklace. I love all of her pieces & can't wait to get my hands on one someday. It has already made it on my Christmas list for this year. 

I also couldn't blog about necklaces without showing off one of my good friend's lines! I work with Taylor at Belk and she has such a talent for creating such unique yet on trend pieces. I am lucky enough to have one of her Layla necklaces that I constantly have on repeat for NCSU games. On her site right now, I am currently obsessing over this Wood Link necklace and her versatile, wear-both-ways Revman Necklace. Oh, and check out Taylor's oh-so-fashionable blog, Reese's Hardware, while you're at it!

Layla Necklace

Wood Link Necklace

Revman Necklace

What necklaces are you craving?

Weekend Recap

You would think that now I am blogging regularly I would remember to capture my best memories through my camera lens. Sadly that is not the case, so I apologize in advance for the poorly reacapped weekend based on everyone else's photos but mine!

I spent Saturday morning delivering birthday presents to my brother & my oldest niece, Holland. I was so excited when she opened her gift and immediately wanted to try it out! I highly recommend this mermaid tail blanket. It is 100% four-year-old girl approved and if you don't believe me, just take a look at these smiles.

Saturday afternoon was spent enjoying the sunshine (and quick sprinkle showers) downtown Raleigh at Brewgaloo. There were over 100 breweries that tented up down Fayetteville Street. We each bought 25 tickets for $25.00 which bought us a tasting with each ticket or a full glass with five. I am always excited to try new beer but my favorite by far was from White Street Brewing. 

I also had the chance to catch up with a few friends still living in Raleigh. It's always so nice being able to talk with you best friends in person - even if just for a couple of minutes. 

Wearing: H.I.P. Blouse (only $7.49 right now!) Hudson Cutoff Shorts (old, but similar here) & Tory Burch Sandals (old, but similar here)

Sunday morning was so beautiful I couldn't resist a walk at one of my favorite loops in Raleigh. I used to run Johnson Lake multiple times a week while I was at NCSU. So I took the opportunity to introduce the serene, three mile loop to my dad and his new pup, Beasley. She did so well for a puppy & got plenty of attention from new friends along the way. 

Sunday afternoon my mom hosted a cookout as a goodbye to my favorite uncle as he moves to Kansas City to be with his fiancee. I was excited that everyone was able to gather together in his honor. We celebrated with a to-die-for cookout with the most delicious burgers & brats from The Butcher's Market in Cary. To accompany the meat, my mom whipped up homemade potato salad, a fruit salad, and a simple yet delicious side salad. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. 

I will miss Uncle Derek's gregarious stories, unconditional smiles, and next-to-nothing work ethic. 

 It was also nice to get to spend some time with my brother before his 32nd birthday today. It's special when your family members are your best friends. I am missing them already!

Wearing: Joy Joy Blouse, avaliable at Scout & Molly's & H&M Multi Strand Necklace

The refreshing weekend made this morning much easier. With a little extra pep in my step, I am one day closer to next weekend & kicking this stressful work week's behind. 

In honor of this past weekend's excursion home...

5 Things I Learned in Women's Health this Month

1. May is National Loaded Potato Month. And I plan on celebrating with this delicious looking Apple & Turkey Bacon stuffed sweet potato!

2. We lose 10% of our cardiorespiratory fitness every decade after age 20. Good news is working out just 25 minutes three times a week at 70% of your max heart rate can help.

3. There are now fitness headphones that can help you through customized circuit workouts. They tell you when to switch exercises, when to rest, and (the best part) when you're done. Plus, they're wireless! 

Sabra Sport Coach Headphones $149.99

4. Bark'N'Borrow is an app that allows you to connect with local pet parents to set up doggy dates. Whether you need a friend for your pup or are lonely yourself without one, your personalized profile connects dog owners with dog loving borrowers & professional sitters.

Bark N Borrow

5. There is a workout you can take with you anywhere. I actually tried this this morning as I knew the day wouldn't allow time for a full blown workout. I walked away feeling stronger & satisfied - no more excuses!

2 Ingredient Breakfast: Mini Ham Biscuits

When it comes to birthdays at work, we tend to celebrate each other through a potluck breakfast. These breakfasts tend to be a time to catch up on non work related talk and enjoy each other's company over tasty, easy to eat treats. 

I always have a hard time deciding what to bring. Coming home after a long day of work, gym, and dinner tends to take it out of me - to a point where I don't even want to think about baking or cooking. 

Luckily, this morning, I got creative and used 2 common grocery store staples to create the perfect easy to eat and even easier to make treat. 

All you need for these Mini Ham Biscuits is two Pillsbury Grands Juniors biscuit cans & a half pound of sliced deli ham. Yep - that's it for these itty-bitty, adorable little snacks.

Each of the cans come with five biscuits, but I cut each in half and pinched the cut ends to make even littler rounds. Totally, this made twenty biscuits. While the can recommends baking the biscuits for 8-10 minutes, mine only took 6 so be sure to keep a close eye on them!

After they were done, I turned my oven down to warm, layered on the sliced slivers of torn apart ham and warmed the ham biscuits in the oven. For easy presentation, I put them in a bread basket with a cute tea towel.

They truly were a hit & I will be making again. Enjoy!

What Suits Your Style?

Today was a very special day. It was the first day of the season I braved the paleness that is my skin, pulled on a swimsuit and took full advantage of the first truly warm sun of spring. Though my apartment doesn't have a pool, I am lucky enough to have a ton of friends that are sweet enough to let me use theirs. Now that it is socially acceptable to put on a suit, it has me dreaming of new swimwear for the season. With a Kiawah vacation in May, plenty of weekends at Figure 8, and endless Saturdays spent poolside to look forward to - how could I not? Check out some of my favorite staples, wishlist items, and trending suits!

If you ever see me in a suit, theres about an 80% chance it will be this one. L*Space swimwear is just about as comfortable as it gets & the fit is too flattering. It provides support and style where most bathing suits you have to sacrifice one for the other.

I am also digging this Pools & Palms Platinum Top by L*Space. Currently crushing but can't justify the splurge. Le Sigh. 

I started dreaming about this warmer weather in March - hence the request for a bathing suit for my birthday. Although I haven't seen it yet (I get it this weekend when I visit my parents at home) I asked for Ripcurl's Palm Island Hipster & Mirage Revo Bralette. I can't wait to see them in person as I have never had a Ripcurl bathing suit before. 

My roommate also just ordered Ripcurl's Luna Lux High Neck Halter. It was super flattering on her, so if you don't mind the tan lines and are shooting for a unique look I highly recommend it. 

To this day my favorite swimsuit bottoms are from Old Navy. I got them during their after season clearance for $4.00. And no, that isn't the only reason I love them so much. They truly fit my proportions the best. I love their Scalloped Bikini Bottoms they have this season. 

Something about mixing and matching bikini bottoms & tops is so cool to me. It so much more trendy & unexpected than the duos merchandised in store to buy together. That is why I always seem to buy my tops & bottoms separately. That's why I love the brand Maaji so much. Most of their bottoms are reversible so you're really getting 2 looks in 1. I love these Lavender Timbers so much. The colors would look great on a range of skin tones & pair nicely with a ton of different tops.

Maaji's tops are super fun too - like this Rosewood Art 4 Life top. 

With all the palm fronds going around this spring, it doesnt surprise me that the trend is following in ready to wear's footsteps and taking off into swimwear as well. Currently craving this Roxy Jungle Fever Bikini for spring. Might be investing in this one sooner rather than later. 

If you're on a budget, Target always has some cute suits. They tend to keep in line with the current designs in the market place at a much more affordable price. Keep in mind though, I have noticed that my target choices never last as long as my higher end picks. Though it might be obvious, swimwear is definitely more noticeable. At just $15.00-$20.00, its worth the seasonal purchase. Right now, I love their Strappy Front Bralette and Marimekko for Target Citrus Bottoms. 

Which is your favorite?

White Noise

Sometimes work gets boring. So do long car rides and hate to break it to you, but even workouts can get long and drawn out. Just when everything started to become blah, I stumbled upon podcasts. Speakers that review Ted Talks, tell stories, investigate murders, and even Sunday sermons. Listening to these podcasts has brought productivity & interest to mindless tasks we sometimes rush through just to say that we did it. If you're new to podcasts, let me help you get started. 

Podcasts can be found in the purple app on your iPhone that is physically impossible to delete (I tried once before I knew what they were in desperation to remove storage to take pictures of my food - is anyone really surprised?) 

The best ones can be found in the "Top Charts" section found at the bottom toolbar. At least, thats where I have found most of my favorites. However, if you're looking for specific talks, use the search button in the bottom right hand corner. 

If you're looking for something to make your hour stint on the elliptical fly by in approximately 20 seconds...

 try Serial Season 1. I know this because the first time I hesitantly experimented with the first episode, my normally 20 minute workout unknowingly turned into the longest I have ever stayed on a gym machine to this day. I. Couldn't. Stop. Like to a point that I had to limit myself to one episode a day because it would have turned into a total binge that might have drawn tears as it came to a close. (think avid Harry Potter fan status).

ANYWAYS, Serial is a deep dive into the murder trial of Adnan, a high school boyfriend accused of murdering his girlfriend back in the 90s. Sounds scary, right? Wrong. The reporter who took it upon herself to investigate the case has found so many loopholes to the trial that it will leave you questioning Adnan's sentence as well as his innocence. The podcast is like a rollercoaster for your brain. 

If you're looking for something that will make you sound smarter than your coworkers...

 try Ted Radio Hour. These hour long podcasts skim over numerous Ted Talks focusing in on one central theme. They add value & interest to your life on anything from identifying Beauty, to capitolizing on amateurs, to the 7 deadly sins. I recommend these for work when you're powering through mindless tasks that don't take much thought. 

If you're looking to listen with someone else...

try Radiolab. Hayden had me listen to Sight Unseen based on a real life dilemma of a war photographer trying to obtain approval to feature some pretty serious shots moments before death from a soldiers's family. It makes you think in a situational circumstance and sparks conversations on long road trips. I'm new to this podcast (this was my first one, actually) so if it sucks, sorry in advance. 

If you're looking for something that will make you want to rise up and do good...

 try Hope Community Church's sermons. While these aren't on the podcast app, they are easily streamed through your phone's internet. This was the church I attended back in Raleigh. I still haven't found one I love as much in Charlotte so every now and then I will get my fix by diving into the sermons online. Mike Lee, the lead pastor is about as funny as a pastor can get and he brings real Bible context into real life, situational circumstances. The sermons are really only about 30 minutes too, which means that in a short period of time you're rocking and rolling and taking that spiritual lift you needed with you through the rest of your week. Oddly enough, I love to listen to these while cooking & cleaning around the house. For your first time, try these series: Summer Blockbusters , Life is Funny, and Life As We Know It. 

What podcasts are you loving?

Monthly Subscriptions

Lately, there has been a huge "whatever your heart desires of the month" kick. You can get everything from books to bacon - and I love it! Monthly subscriptions have always been my gift to myself. Something that I have to look forward to and most of the time they are things I wouldn't try otherwise. Without them, life would be dull....and so would this blog considering a lot of what I post about are the products, foods, and ideas inspired by these subscriptions. What am I currently signed up for at the moment? Read on for my suggestions & personal favorites!

Women's Health Magazine is something I don't think I will ever give up. There is something about the feel of a true magazine in your hand that can't be replaced by the current iPad & kindle trend. I love cuddling up with a cup of hot tea and reading every word front to back. Now that I am in the merchandising & cosmetics industries, I tend to dig so deep into every detail - even (and sometimes especially) the advertisements. From beauty, to fitness, to recipes at only $12 for a year subscription this is by far my favorite and I look forward to the new issues each month.

  

If you've read the blog, you probably know by now that Birch Box is a staple. I received this suggestion as a Christmas gift this past year and am already dreading when the subscription ends. Each month, I receive an assortment of mostly beauty product samples to try and review. With each review, you earn points which can later go towards your birchbox.com purchases. Through this subscription, I have found my favorite perfume, Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume & my favorite mask Hey Honey Take It Off Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask. WARNING: once you sign up for Birch Box, there is a high chance you'll become addicted!

I also received a subscription to Love with Food from the Parker's for Christmas. Each month, I receive a red box filled with healthy, hard to find snacks to try. This kit has contained everything from a salmon baking kit (absolutely delicious) to Delicious Granola Bars, to a variety of candies that melt in your mouth. The snacks included in this subscription bring life to my lunches. Each month, the box also contains coupons for the included snacks to give customer's incentive to buy their favorites. And I haven't even mentioned the best part - with each delivered box or snack purchase, Love with Food donates a meal to feed a hungry child.

Friend's Recommendations:

My mom started giving my brother Beer of the Month Club for Christmas each year after he turned 21. I ended up gifting the subscription to Hayden last year for his birthday. Both love the surprise each month. The box comes with an assortment of microbrewer beer to try and when signing up, they allow you to pick between domestic & international. While we keep it within the US, I am sure all flavors are an experience in themselves. The only downsides to this is that someone must be present to sign for the package when it is delivered & the price - at a steep $27.95 a month for a 12 pack assortment.

My roommate signed up today for the Book of the Month. Right now they are having a promotion that is 50% off of any subscription. She chose a three month subscription to get her through the necessary summer pool reads and received three hardback NY Times bestsellers for just $22.00. She also sent her referral code to her friends and with every subscription using the code, she earns a free book as well. Her picks today included A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of a Tragedy & A Thousand Naked Strangers. If this is enough to tempt you, make sure to use this referral code to thank her for allowing me to feature her in this post

What monthly subscriptions are your staples?