Still waiting for The Help...

 {I think that I may reread the book again as more coverage for this movie comes out...photo via Vanity Fair}

Emma Roberts

{Kin to Julia, Emma Roberts it the next big thing in Hollywood. I loved her in Valentine's Day (cheesy, I know) and am looking forward to see what future projects she chooses to pursue. Another great thing about Emma Roberts is that she has great style + fair skin! I just know that we would be friends if I was a movie star and lived in Hollywood.}

 {photos via the vogue diaries}

Ombre Hair, Part 2

{In an earlier post, I described my new ombre hair look.  Last night, I went back to Studio Visage and decided to keep the same look.  My colorist just put a dark base through my hair, and the result is similar to...

...LC on the cover of this month's Lucky.  Well, it's not that dramatic, but this time you can def tell I am rocking this look.  Pictures of me to come later.}

Sarah's Key

{This summer I have challenged myself to stop eating chocolate.  JOKE!  Did you even read my last post?  No, no, I have challenged myself to read more.  I have already read four books, and I recently just finished Sarah's Key.  Sarah's Key was given to me by my friend Kate after she convinced me it was a great fictional story of history and modern day linked together by a secret.  She was right.  This book follows Julia Jarmond, a journalist living in Paris, as she writes about the 1942 Paris roundups and deportations, in which thousands of Jewish families were arrested, held at the Vélodrome d'Hiver outside the city, then transported to Auschwitz.  Through her assignment, Julia is connected to the past through a young girl named Sarah Starzynski, the only member of the Starzynski to survive.  If you like history, suspense, and character development, you need to read this book.  The book does have some heavy subject matter, but the author, Tatiana de Rosnay, is a very talented writer and keeps you hanging on after each chapter to see what will happen next.  After finishing this book yesterday, I have started to read the conclusion to the Shopaholic series, Mini-Shopaholic.  It is light, hilarious, and makes me feel better about my shopping habits.  But before I digress...

 

...I was  delighted to see that a movie based on the book was made and will be released this summer in the US.   What are some books you are reading this summer?}

Dark Choc + PB Bars

{I found this AHHH-mazing recipe via Sterling Style and had to try it immediately.  I believe you should eat chocolate and/or peanut butter everyday...so why not just combine the two?  This recipe lets you create a dark chocolate peanut butter bar that is healthified.  And it is SO VERY easy.  Go grab some dark chocolate and peanut butter and enjoy.  Please note that you can cut this recipe in half or double it depending on how many bars you want to make.

1 bag of dark chocolate chips/squares

2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter

1. Using a small sauce pan melt the chocolate on low heat.
2. Once chocolate begins to melt add the peanut butter.
3. Stir continuously until chocolate is fully melted.
4. Pour chocolate onto a sheet of wax paper (try to keep it thicker so your bar isn't too thin).
5. Refrigerate for an hour or two or overnight.
6. Enjoy!}

Happy Pinning via Pinterest

{I don't believe that I have been this obsessed with a website since the origin of Facebook.  Pinterest is a digital bulletin board where you can store your favorite links from around the web in one place.  You can name the boards as you wish (of course, I have one named all things sequins and another named celeb style) and then you "pin" images that will link back to your favorite websites.  I really like it because you can find all sorts of inspiration for party planning, wardrobe decisions or vacation spots.  

So, put down everything you are doing (unless you want to read more of this blog, in which case, read away), because you must check out this site now.  Let me know if you want an invite, because this site is just for VIP.

Warning: Many hours can be spent "pinning" away, but I look at it through the fact that I am adding inspiration to my life. 

Some of my favorite images I have pinned today:}

{photos via pinterest}

Gym Time

{As I am sure you can tell, I love food.  Especially sweets.  I have always loved to eat my entire life.  Now, I am not saying that I am pulling Biggest Loser style dinners and eating an entire pizza, but I also don't like to say to brownies when they are offered to me.  Therefore, I have learned that I must be a faithful gym member so I can indulge in sweets. 

In college, I rarely went to the gym, ate out all the time and enjoyed drinking Bud Light several nights a week.  Once I entered the real world, I learned that I needed to hit the gym, even if for 30 minutes.  And boy, does it feel great to be able to buy size zero, two, and four clothing.  Please don't think that I am trying to brag, as there are many of times that I have hoisted my rear on the bike for a spin class when all I wanted to do was indulge in peanut butter M&Ms.  I am merely saying that I feel much healthier now than I did three years ago.  The main thing I have learned is that I have to balance working out, healthy eating and occasional sweet treats.

  

What do you like to do at the gym?  Do you ever reward yourself with chocolate or a glass of wine after a long day at work?

Here some of my favorite "gym picks".}

 {headbands, nike shorts, asics, watter bottle, iPod shuffle}

SPF 100 Please

{As you all know, I have Cullen-esque skin.  Therefore, I always wear SPF when I am in the sun.  And now, I will be wearing it EVEN more.  Even when I am running errands or driving in the car.  Watch and share this video.}

(Healthified) Strawberry Shortcake

{I have such a sweet tooth, it really is a problem.  I would eat cookies, brownies, chocolates every day if I had the metabolism of a teenager.  Unfortunately, I don't.  And I don't always enjoy working out... even though I go.  And I also like the way my skinny jeans fit, so I can't indulge all the time.  So lately I have been looking for recipes that are healthier.  Wait, scratch that.  Somewhat healthier.

I made this quick and easy (because who likes long and hard??) recipe for Strawberry Shortcake.  These turned out delish, my life partner and I both had two.  Which I guess is ok, since they are the healthified version. 

1 pint strawberries, sliced  

1/4 cup sugar You can of course use sugar, but I did not have any, so I used honey as a substitute.

1 cup Bisquick Heart Smart  

2 tbsp sugar  Again, I used honey here.

1/3 cup fat free milk  

1/4 cup cool whip - lite

1. Stir strawberries and honey (or sugar).
   
2. Heat oven to 425F. Stir Bisquick mix, 2 tblsp honey (or sugar), and milk until soft dough forms. Drop by 4 spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.
   
3. Bake 10-12 min until golden brown. Split warm shortcakes; fill and top with strawberries and whipped topping.} 

{Side note, I should def be a food photographer.  Call me if you need food work done.  I also am an excellent taste tester, I have TONS of experience in eating sweets.}

The Help

{I can't wait to see this movie!  The book was wonderful, one of my favorites.  Do yourself a favor and read it before the movie comes out this summer.  PS, more posts to come soon.  I am about to head out of town on a beach vacay, so I will be back with lots of fun and fab things!}