Go ahead, pale in comparison

I enjoy this time of year when it's warm enough to wear shorts occasionally, yet early enough in the year that most girls you see don't have their perfect, golden tans developed yet. It makes me feel better about my naturally ghost-like complexion.
I'm a natural red-head, so even if I try to tan, it's usually a lost cause. I'm not sure why that seems so hard for some people (usually those making "funny" comments about my fair skin during the summer) to understand.

I went through a phase of applying self tanner pretty often, but it's just such a hassle, and annoying to keep up with. Over the past couple years, I've learned to just embrace my skin tone for what it is. I try to look at it as "retro", fresh, or unique. Honestly, all you really need to do is just make it work!
If you're someone who's naturally dark, or you're able to achieve a nice glow after a day in the sun, more power to you! However, here is some beautiful inspiration for my pale girls out there:

Don't shy away from a bikini! See how beautiful this looks?

Fair skin can help provide an edgy look with little effort.

A bit retro.

Beautiful on a night out. Makes those red lips pop!

I rarely see Kirsten Dunst with a tan. Her look is pretty and laid back.

Lindsey Lohan is known for often sporting an overly-orange fake tan. I think she looks better with a more natural tone, like she has here.

Romantic.

You can argue with pure gorgeous-ness. Love this photo.

A very "everyday" look. You barely notice whether she has a tan or whether she doesn't. She looks casual, yet stylish.

Whatever your skin tone, own it! Remember, you're able to pull of a look that others can't. Share your thoughts below!

Domestic Wednesday

I feel like I have sort of a free day. I've spent the last few days with a relatively jam packed schedule in order to get everything done before my sister's visit. However, it's been pushed back a day, so here I am with little to do. It gives me plenty of time to get the apartment cleaned up, do some laundry, and possibly a good work out, since I've slacked off in that area for a few days. It feels really good to have accomplished so much over the past week, actually. I'm going to enjoy today!

How's your week holding up?

Egg yourself on!

I've been watching what I eat quite a bit lately (bikini weather is coming fast, after all!). I know a lot people are doing the same, so I thought I'd share a super easy, super healthy, lunch recipe with you. I came up with this the other day, and I found it very satisfying, despite the low calories!

Egg Salad Wrap (what I used):

Hard boiled eggs (two)
Mustard (skip the mayo! The mustard has zero calories, and gives it a little kick of flavor.)
Black pepper
Garlic Powder
Spring mix
Low fat swiss cheese (optional, or use cheese of your choice)
Whole wheat medium tortilla

Bring water to a boil in a pot and add in your eggs. Mine took about 12 minutes to cook all the way through. When they were done, I put them in a tall glass of ice water for a minute or so to cool them off. Then I peeled the shells.
Chop up your eggs in a bowl and add in as much mustard, pepper, and garlic power as you like.
Lay your tortilla on a plate and put your cheese and spring mix on top. Add in your egg salad, and fold once into a "taco" shape. You're done! Here you have a satisfying, light lunch (at about 300 calories) for the weekend or to take with you to work.

Good stuff!

If you really crave a creamier egg salad, try mashing up some avocado with your egg. Avocado is a great substitute for mayonnaise. For a little extra kick, try adding in some salsa! Enjoy!

Weekend: Devine

It's not really Monday again already, is it? Wow. The weekend was a whirlwind. Coffee is definitely my friend this morning.

Saturday, I had a nice afternoon with my girlfriend at her coffee shop. The iced caramel lattes and the girl talk were flowing. Later, I met up with Steve to look at costumes for an upcoming event we have in April (more details to follow eventually). There is a wonderful costume shop in North Austin with many antique items and clothing from actual movies. It's a really fun place to browse, even when you're not actually needing anything!

Saturday night, Steve and I met back up with my girlfriend for dinner and drinks at a restaurant/bar called Opal Devine's (apparently an Austin staple), which I had never been to before. The menu was fabulous, and their drink menu was just as elaborate. We had a fun server who offered lots of good suggestions. I tried the mojito, at his recommendation, and it was very fresh and delicious. For dinner, I had what they call "Susan's Salad", complete with spring mix, dried cranberries (my favorite!), and walnuts, among usual salad ingredients. It came with their "prickly pear vinaigrette", which had just a touch of sweetness. I loved it. We all look forward to going back there soon!

Steve tried a Blonde Ale. Also really good!

My mojito. Loved the presentation!

We followed dinner with a night at our favorite local karaoke bar. They weren't particularly busy for a Saturday, so we got to sing quite a few songs. It was a really fun night, but I definitely stayed up too late, and perhaps drank a bit more than I should have. They were mixing perfect apple martinis, so it was definitely hard to say no to additional rounds!

I slept relatively late on Sunday and finally forced myself to really wake up and get moving just in time for an Academy Awards watching party at a friend's house. It was a fun little get together, but Steve and I headed out at a reasonable hour to get home for a much needed good night sleep.

How was your weekend? Did you watch the Oscars?
Hope you have a lovely Monday!

Venturing out for the weekend

Happy Weekend!
What fun plans do you have for today? Right now, I'm headed out to spend some time at a local coffee shop with one of my good friends.
I've made up my mind to stay off my computer as much as possible this weekend. My eyes need a rest! Have a fabulous day and I will see you on Monday!

Keeping the Peace

Good morning!
So, yesterday went from busy and stressful to productive and accomplished, and I couldn't be happier. And, I'm determined to hang on to this feeling! I really needed sort of a breakthrough in this rut and crabby mood I've found myself in too often this week. Meeting work deadlines can be hectic enough, but even more so when you're struggling with a crash-happy laptop! I spent the first half of my day fighting with mine, wondering how I was ever going to get anything done, and finally (though I don't know how), I won.
Aside from my current work project, whose deadline is early next week, I've also had a couple auditions pop up for next week, which I've begun to prepare for. I've been trying to get all these things as ready and/or completed so I can have as free as weekend as possible, and also enjoy the middle of next week when my sister comes for a visit! I've also been trying to eat well (and if that doesn't put you in a crabby mood, what will? Ha.) and working out everyday.

My boyfriend ended up having to work quite late, so it gave me some extra time to catch up on the work I missed during the "laptop battle of 2011" (I spent the "restart" time doing dishes and laundry, so at least I used the time wisely!). I think maybe I concentrate better in the evening (it probably takes me that long to fully wake up), so I made some great progress working until about 8:30pm. I also stumbled into completing some other tasks that had been nagging me for a while now. They also went well, and I feel so much better with those weights off my shoulders!

This morning I'm enjoying a cup of hot tea (taking a break from my usual coffee) and an english muffin with cinnamon and sugar. I hope you've had a lovely morning. Here's to a productive Friday and a fun weekend!

Photo Credit: http://www.everythingfab.com/ , an awesome new blog I found!

Questa è la vita

 I overcame the dreary day yesterday and ended up getting a good amount of work done, plus an awesome work out. I went for a jog late in the day, after the weather had warmed up a surprising amount. I felt great when I got back, especially to know that my work was already virtually done for the day. Sometimes a simple change of routine is really nice. I took a relaxing shower and slipped on a jumper, which I love, because they feel so comfortable but still look really cute and put-together.

Love this one!

Mine is a little more like this, but light gray.

Sometimes it's the little things that get you through a stressful week. Steve and I had a yummy homemade spaghetti and meatball dinner, with a little red wine, and some Siviero Maria brand lemon gelato for dessert (authentic, from Italy, and only 130 calories per cup!).

I don't know what Steve does to season the meatballs, but they are AMAZING. We paired the spaghetti with a spring mix salad with cucumber and feta cheese, and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. I ate the gelato too fast to get pictures. Ha!

It's pouring down rain right now, but it sounds beautiful outside my open balcony door. I stepped out there with my coffee this morning and it felt wonderful. I think I will definitely go sit out there and do some work today. How is your week shaping up??

February hanging on

My mood seems closely tied to the weather lately.
I had a stressful day yesterday, though it wasn't because of anything too serious. I was happy to reach the evening, get out of the house, and escape to Steve's soccer game and then out for a few beers and dinner with friends from the team.

Late last night, I felt determined for a fresh start on Wednesday, but as I slowly opened my eyes towards my bedroom window this morning, my spirits lowered. It's a horribly dreary day today and much cooler. The weatherman is forecasting rain. It doesn't help facilitate motivation for a work out, that's for sure, let alone much else. Where did my lovely Spring weather go?

Coffee is brewing, and I'm going to try to make the best of today, but I need some brightening up! Hopefully this stuff will inspire you, too:

A unique pop of color.

The ever sexy, ever beachy-looking Bridget Bardot.

 

Fresh fruit = delish

Adorable and fresh!

A snuggle makes everything better.

We're half way through the week! How are you coping with your everyday woes?