Colorful Jeans

Bright denim is everywhere this spring and I love it. Adding some pastel or bright jeans is an easy way to spice up any outfit. Gap has a fantastic selection (including lemon yellow) and I've discovered a brand that I've never heard of, Else Jeans, a division of Joe's Jeans. I have a pair in turquoise and love the fit. And they're all so damn cute with a striped shirt or statement necklace!

Images via Pinterest.

Open House

I've made the decision to move into another apartment earlier than when my current lease is up. There are a number of reasons for moving, but I happened to come across this condo with everything I wanted so I couldn't pass it up. Unfortunately, it's a little smaller than I would like, but I'm determined to make it work. More on that later. Anyways, I'm in a subleasing situation and need to find someone to move into my apartment a month and a half before my lease is up. The management company that owns my apartment building arranged some showings of my unit today so I'm having people in and out all day. By gauging their reactions to the unit, I've come up with a few tips for a successful showing.

1. CLEAN UP. This seems like the obvious step, but you'd be surprised. People have a hard time imagining themselves living in a space if it is a mess. Put your dirty dishes in the dishwasher, put your clothes away and make your bed. If I even see a posting on Craigslist for an apartment and the bed is unmade, it immediately turns me off of the place. Move your dirty laundry somewhere where it's out of sight - no one wants to see your dirty underwear. It also wouldn't kill you to vacuum and use a Lysol wipe on your counters.

2. Open the windows and turn on some lamps. This immediately makes the space feel bright, cheery and bigger.

3. De-clutter. If you have a bunch of crap on your nightstand or sink area, stash some of it away in a drawer. Put some of your smaller appliances up in a cabinet to make it look like you have more counter space.

4. Take the trash out. There's nothing worse than walking into a stinky apartment.

5. Light a candle. Something fresh and not overwhelming.

Then sit back and enjoy all of the compliments you'll get! It really does make a difference to your perspective of an apartment when you see a bright, clean apartment compared to a messy one. Even the leasing agents said they'd rather bring people to my apartment than one of the other units of the same size and floorplan because it shows so well. I'll take that compliment any day, especially if it gets someone to sublease!

My Crazy Obsession

If you ever need a self-esteem boost, watch the nutty people on My Crazy Obsession on TLC. Obsessions with mannequins, Mickey Mouse, carrots, adult babies and capybaras, to name a few. You will feel much more normal and sane after watching these crazies. Wednesdays @ 10/9c.
Image via TLC

Top 5 Philadelphia

As promised, here are some pics from my weekend in Philly, as a Top 5 List of things to do should you find yourself in the City of Brotherly Love.

1. See the LOVE sculpture in JFK Plaza

2. Have some Greek beer and mini gyros at Opa!

3. Browse the food vendors at Reading Terminal Market

4. Try an authentic Philly Cheesesteak at Pat's or Geno's (or both)

 

 5. Take a stroll around Rittenhouse Square

I guess we did a lot of eating on this trip. Don't judge.

Yo Quiero (Healthy) Taco Bell

Who doesn't like an establishment where you can order a Mexican pizza, chalupa, taco, gordita, Meximelt, Fiesta Potatoes, Nachos Supreme and cinnamon twists all for under $5.00?!?! No one - that's who. And don't even get me started on the Doritos Locos Tacos.

It's no shocker that The Bell isn't healthy for you, which is probably the main reason why it is so delicious. While I love a good Crunchwrap Supreme, I hate to think about what I'm putting into my body. Well, that plus the fact that the only Taco Bell near me is far away. Because of this, I decided to make my own healthy version of the Crunchwrap Supreme for under 300 calories.

I came across this homemade CWS recipe on Full Bellies Make Happy Kids which I used as my guideline. With some crafty swapping, I also made my version vegetarian as well as low fat and low calorie. You could definitely add in some ground beef or turkey if you want it a little meatier like the real version, but that will up the fat and calories. Here are the instructions (sorry, I didn't take pictures but will the next time I make it!):

Ingredients:

- 1 large flour tortilla (this is where you're going to save a lot of calories if you find a low calorie brand; I used Tumaro's Gourmet Tortillas - Low Carb Garden Vegetable)
- 1/4 cup fat-free refried beans
- 1/4 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- handful of tortilla chips
- lettuce
- tomato

Put the tortilla flat on a plate and spread on the refried beans into the middle of the tortilla. Evenly sprinkle all of the cheese on top of the beans. Add the tortilla chips in a layer to cover the beans and cheese. In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt and taco seasoning, then dollop the mixture evenly on top of the chips. Finally, sprinkle on some lettuce and tomatoes.

Microwave the topped tortilla for a few seconds to make it soft and easy to fold. Start folding the outsides of the tortilla to cover as much as you can towards the center. Once the sides of the tortilla are folded like the Taco Bell version, cover the plate with a skillet and flip the crunch wrap open-side down onto the skillet. Heat for a few minutes while pressing down with a spatula until brown. Flip and brown the other side.

To get that authentic taste of Mexico and extra kick that is usually added by either mild, medium or hot sauce, I tossed on some Tapatio sauce on top of the cheese before the chips.

Ole! A yummy vegetarian Crunchwrap Supreme for approximately 280 calories!

Capes... ?

 (image via Wetpaint)

 (image via Pop Crunch)

That's exactly what I thought too.

Airport Attire

I'm all for comfort but people, let's get real. The airport is a public place, not your couch. Enough of the Sponge Bob Squarepants flannel pajama pants and VS Pink hoodies. Trust me, there are plenty of alternative ways to be comfortable that don't involve matching Juicy sweatsuits and Ugg boots. Now, I'm not saying you need to wear Alexander McQueen boots and torn fishnets a la Lady Gaga, but there are other options.

How did she get through security?

Anyways, I love this article from Teen Vogue about classy vs trashy airport attire, which recommends jeans or nice leggings, a comfortable shirt, tailored blazer and minimal jewelry. I also am a huge fan of this Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Travel Bag for traveling, which is perfect for carrying on.

Longchamp Le Pliage Travel Bag | Bloomingdales.com | $235

And remember, always wear a bra when you go to the airport. Your fellow air travelers will appreciate it.

(Image via UK Daily Mail)

Happy Weekend

This weekend I'm off to Philadelphia to visit my boyfriend for a quick 48 hour trip. I've never been there but I've managed to get enough recommendations from friends that I've put together a rough itinerary for us. Maybe I should be a travel agent...

 

A few must-dos on our list include Reading Terminal Market, PARC for brunch, Independence Park and the Liberty Bell (duh.) The weather is supposed to be pleasantly in the 50 - 60 degree range and I couldn't be more excited. Hopefully I can break out my new seafoam green skinny jeans and leopard print Sperrys. More photos to come.

Have a fabulous weekend!

• Gap has everything 30% off today
• Check out my friends' band, Well-next-the-Sea. 
• My new favorite snack
• The Field Museum has a new mummies exhibit I want to see
• An awesomely cute and cheap spring purse

(Photo via Pinterest)

Purple Rain

Although the drama that unleashed on The Women Tell All episode of The Bachelor last night might have been enough to keep you entranced for two hours, I peeled my attention away from the cat fighting to realize the overflow of purple worn by the ladies. Casey B., Emily, Blakeley, the quasi-lesbian as well as Miss "Winning" herself, Courtney, were all donning the hue. Christ, even the drapes and flowers were purple. I must say all of their dresses looked great on camera.  Is purple the hot new trend?

Yes it is.  Thanks, Kate, for reaffirming my suspicions.

Also, can Emily 2.0 please be the next Bachelorette?

Rosebud Salve

I purchased Rosebud Salve at Sephora yesterday and let me tell you, it has rocked my world.  Before bed I put it on my lips, dry cheeks, hands and cuticles and when I woke up... voila!  Soft skin.  Lately my index fingers have been super dry and everything I've tried just doesn't cut it.  I think I found the magic trick.  Plus it smells great and is small enough to keep in your purse.

Smith's Rosebud Salve | Sephora.com | $7

Spring

Although we’ve had a very mild winter here in Chicago, I’m still really ready for spring.  Warmer weather, longer days, bike rides, picnics, outdoor cafes, cute dresses... ahh right around the corner.  Let’s just hope Mother Nature isn’t a bitch and it snows in April.

Let Them Eat Cake

Whenever I have to bake for a special occasion, I find myself making cupcakes 99% of the time.  I came across this yummy looking layered cake idea a few days ago and can’t wait to try it out.  How cute are those flags?  

Also, did you know you can make smaller versions of this using just an aluminum can?  How crazy is that?  Here are the instructions from Oh Happy Day!