Altuzarra Collection at Target

Joseph Altuzarra is collabing with Target to produce a feminine yet edgy collection with awesome prints for fall - to be released on Sunday, September 14. I'm super excited for this because I failed miserably in executing a plan for the Phillip Lim/Target release, everything sold out and as a result I have exactly zero items from the collection in my wardrobe. So this time around, I'm staking out Target at 8am (BLASPHEMY!) on Sunday, grabbing everything I can get my hands on, hauling it into the fitting room and buying things I definitely don't need.

After checking out the lookbook, I'm really bummed the only accessories in the collection are boots and scarfs. I can't be the only person who thinks Altuzarra would create amazing handbags - can I? Like I need more handbags...  These are the pieces I love most and maybe hope to purchase. Happy shopping!

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PB, Banana, Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie

No matter what I have for breakfast I'm always starving hours before lunch. I created this smoothie through trial and error and now I'm hooked. I usually milk my coffee for as long as I can then have this smoothie. Since it's so thick, it takes a while to finish and so it fills me up pretty well. Whenever I stray from this, I end up wanting my lunch for brunch. You'd think I'd be sick of it by now but it's so damn delicious that I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 milk (I usually use almond milk but am currently out)
• 1 cup of yogurt
• 1 tbsp of PB2 
• 1 tsp of Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa powder
• Banana
• 1 packet of Splenda

Everything is optional and can be swapped out for your preferable version of each ingredient.

Combine ingredients in a blender and blend well. That's it! Enjoy :)

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Vegan Mac + Cheese Recipe

I discovered nutritional yeast a few years ago and have been obsessed ever since. I sneak it into recipes and snacks whenever I can. I've seen so many mac and cheese recipes using it and I've been intrigued to make it for so long. This version is vegan but you can substitute any ingredients for their dairy equivalent. Yields one generous serving so be hungry - or use it as a side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1tbsp flour
• 1tbsp oil
• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Pinch of Cumin
• Salt + pepper to taste
• 1 cup almond milk

Add pasta to boiling water. While pasta is cooking, heat oil in a pan and add flour to create a paste. Then add milk and combine well. Mix in nutritional yeast to the pan then add remaining ingredients. Once pasta is thoroughly cooked and strained, combine with sauce and serve.

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July Birchbox 2014 Review!

After a long hiatus from Birchbox, I've decided to resubscribe and I just received my July box! My favorite thing is the Klorane Dry Shampoo. I received it in a promotional Birchbox a few weeks ago I and brought it with me on vacation and fell in love. I'm excited to try the cleaner and lotion - which smells amazing!

What products did you get in your July Birchbox? Share with me in the comments!

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Miss Jessie's Birchblogger Event

Last night, I was fortunate enough to attend Birchbox's Birchbloggers event hosted by Miss Jessie's. Champagne and tiny cupcakes were served before the live demo featuring 3 beautiful bloggers and one adorable Birchboxer. 

Mellie of The Fat Apple NYC was one of the models and her transformation was awesome! I would kill for her big hair (and her perfect red lip)!

Miss Jessie's was super kind enough to send us all home with the products featured in the live demo (THANK YOU!!)...

Unfortunately, I have straight hair and can't really use them. I don't want them to go to waste so fortunately for YOU guys, I'm going to be giving them away! Comment below and tell me your favorite hair care product and be sure to follow me on twitter to not only unlock more chances to win but to find out if you've won next week! The giveaway will run until next Wednesday, April 16, 2014. 

One lucky winner with receive these Miss Jessie's full sized products:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Spring Succulents

With spring officially here I felt inspired to start gardening but it's still a little early. So to satisfy my flower craving, I turned to one of my favorite plants, the succulent. They are resilient, low maintenance and adorable!

Supplies:

Succulent or cactus of your choice

Shallow mason jar

Spoon

Extra soil

Optional: tiny pebbles or gems - I used crushed glass from Ikea.

First, I started off by adding some soil at the bottom of the jar since my succulent is so small. Next, I removed the plant from its cup with the spoon and placed it in the jar, adding some soil around it as needed.

Then I added some crushed glass around the succulent to add a unique texture. Don't forget to feed your newest addition some water and sunlight.

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pump up the volume - without teasing

I suffer from super flat, thin hair and teasing makes me cringe so I've come up with a way to add some volume without killing my hair. First, I try to limit washing my hair to every other day.

After showering and combing my hair, I add a few spritzes of John Frieda's Luxurious Volume and Root Booster & heat protectant - I like Herbal Essences.

Then I flip my head over and blow dry my hair completely (or for as long as I can tolerate). Once it's dry, I turn on the cool setting (still upside down) to set my hair. Flip back and tame any craziness.

Finally, I use my secret weapon - Batiste Dry Shampoo in Dark and Deep Brown. This works best when it's used just after you wash your hair. It not only adds instant volume but it sucks up any oil as it's being produced throughout the day. You'll notice your hair is way less greasy the next day resulting in using less of the product to get perfect second day hair.

You're welcome.

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DIY Cake Banner

I baked a cake for my friend's bachelorette party and decided it needed some flare. Candles weren't really in order so I turned to a banner with a catchy phrase. Being that the cake would be penis shaped, I thought "Wishin' You Happenis" would be appropriate.

You will need:

A computer & printer
Scissors
Thread or twine
Glue or Mod Podge
Wooden skewers

1. Print out your text on plain white or colored paper.
2. Cut out each letter individually but leave some slack above and below it.
3. Folder the paper just above the letter.
4. I then folded the paper in half so that I could cut a symmetrical slit in the middle.
5. Lay out your phrase and double check spelling/that you have all the letters.
6. I used embroidery floss and glued it inside the flap of paper so that it's concealed. Then, I trimmed and tied the thread to skewers (cut to your desired length) and applied a drop of hot glue to secure it in place, although this isn't necessary.
7. It still felt incomplete so for some added color, I trimmed a few pieces of streamer and hot glued them to the skewers.

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Personalized Mason Jars

Let's be real - there's nothing classy about Solo cups. And since I have a pretty bad obsession with mason jars, I seize every opportunity to use them. This party was no exception. In keeping with the pink and black theme that I've taken the liberty to assign, I bought some hot pink puffy paint and got to work.

You will need:

Puffy paint
Mason jars
Printed out templates
Tape
A steady hand

A note: Wash your jars first (if they're new) to reduce the risk of washing off paint before the first use. If it washes off after the party, that's on them.

1. First, I printed out the names I wanted personalized then taped them to the inside of the jars.

2. It's a good idea to practice writing a little bit on a piece of paper or have a paper towel handy to wipe mistakes off the glass. Another tip: before writing each name, place the cap on the bottle and stand it up side down. This brings all the paint to the point and reduces your risks of air popping out when you're trying to write.

3. Since I'm a lefty, I had to trace from right to left so that I wouldn't smudge the paint. This worked to my advantage because tracing one line at a time was much easier than tracing letters in their entirety.

4. Once you've written out the name, you can do some minor touch ups with a wet q-tip before the paint dries.

5. Let the jars dry over night and enjoy some drinks in your new glasses!

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DIY Glitter Banner

I searched throughout several stores to find a "bachelorette" themed banner I liked but hated most of them. Then it occured to me to make one and after scouring the internet for ideas, I came up with a relatively simple banner to cook up. Warning: IT'S MESSY. Why is glitter such a bitch to clean up??? [Update: I found glitter on my dog today - several days after completing this project.]

You will need:

Computer & printer
Scissors
Mod Podge
Sponge brush to apply glitter
Copious amounts of glitter
A dish to contain as much glitter as possible
Twine
Hot glue gun

1. Select font & size for your phrase and print it out.
2. Cut out letters.
3. Apply Mod Podge to paper (I did this over a piece of wax paper to avoid a gluey mess)
4. Place letter in a dish that's filled with glitter face down until it's completely covered with glitter and shake off excess. (I discovered this technique half way through the project so the glitter was already everywhere but maybe you can save yourselves)
5. Once the glue has completely tried, lay out the letters and place them face down.
6. Lay the twine over where it will be attached to the letters and apply a line of hot glue to secure in place.
7. Once the hot glue has dried, I suggest laying a sheet of wax paper over the banner and place something heavy on it over night to avoid curling.

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