All Black

Loose Tank - Bershka, Lace Skirt - Lulu's, Heels - Mango SS14 (similar here),  Bag - Mango SS 14 

Sometimes I crave an all black outfit.  In fact, I think I feel my best when I'm wearing black.  I know everyone is all about bright colors these days but I've always been more into neutrals with black, navy, khaki and olive green being my favorite colors for clothing.  The key to wearing an all black outfit is having at least one of your items stand out.  It could be the shoes, or maybe a statement necklace or a beautiful embellished clutch like this one.   In my case its this lace skirt I found at Lulu's for only 34 bucks! I'd been wanting one for a while but of course being picky and on a budget--I had to wait until I found the perfect one. I can use this for different occasions and dress it up or down. Versatility at its finest. 

xoxo,
Grace

Roasted Garlic & Onion Brussel Sprouts with Quinoa

I freaking love brussel sprouts. Like a little too much. I would happily eat it everyday however, my husband was not a fan for a while.  They are kinda a weird food--they're basically little cabbages.  Anyways, I've made brussel sprouts like this many times before and my husband has grown to actually like them (yay!).  So here's a really easy, healthy and delicious recipe that you can whip up after a long work day and enjoy with a glass of wine...or two.  Also, because I was trying to make this a healthy recipe I didn't add bacon but if you decide to go the naughty route I suggest tossing some crispy bacon at the end along with bits of feta cheese. #DIVINE

Ingredient List (serves 2)

- A bag of organic brussel sprouts (around 12 oz) 

- organic coconut oil 

- Half an onion (you could use a full one too but I only had half)

- 2 cloves of organic garlic - finely minced 

- 1 cup of quinoa 

- 1 3/4 cup organic chicken stock

- salt & pepper

- smoked paprika

- turmeric

- cayenne pepper (just a sprinkle of it to add some kick) 

- balsamic glaze (optional)

Chop up your brussel sprouts and onions and mince your garlic 

For the quinoa I first sauté the onions in 1 tbsp of coconut oil and sprinkle a dash of turmeric--enough to turn the onions yellow. Add a dash of smoked paprika and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for a little heat.  Let the onions sauté for about 3-5 minutes over medium heat before adding the quinoa.

I add in the cup of quinoa (don't forget to rinse your quinoa thoroughly--use a sieve). Toast the quinoa for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.  Then add in the chicken stock.  Turn up the heat and let it come to a boil.  Then place a lid over it and simmer for about 15-20 minutes on low heat. 

Steam the brussel sprouts first, either by microwaving them in a steamer for about 3-4 min or use a pot with a steamer insert. Then heat up about 3 tbsp of coconut oil over medium heat before adding in the onions and brussel sprouts.  Sauté the onions and brussels sprouts, stirring frequently for about 10 min. You want some of the brussel sprouts to get a little burnt because this gives them a lot of flavor.  Add in the garlic towards the end so it becomes soft not burnt. Sprinkle with salt and pepper (you can be a little generous) and a few dashes more of the paprika, turmeric and cayenne pepper. 

Fluff your quinoa and make a little "bed" for the brussel sprouts.  Drizzle with a bit of balsamic glaze and dig in!!  This is a meal you can feel absolutely good about.  Brussel sprouts are loaded with the following vitamins:  vitamin k, folate, vitamin c, vitamins B6, and manganese--to name a few.  Turmeric and garlic are some of the most powerful spices and two of nature's most efficient healers.  And we all know the benefits of quinoa.  So all in all this is a very balanced and satisfying meal that you can adjust to your taste and preferences. 

xoxo,
Grace

College Advice

In honor of school starting, and in honor of the fact that exactly 7 years ago (dang, I'm old!) I was headed to my college campus ready to begin this grand new adventure, I am dedicating today's post to some bits of advice that I wish someone had told me about college.

1. Don't be shy! I know that this is really hard to do especially if you're like me and tend to be more of an introvert but I promise you everyone is feeling the same way as you are and everyone wants to make friends.  So don't be afraid to be the one that sparks up a conversation--be friendly! You'll be surprised at how quickly "cliques" can form and if you don't put yourself out there in the beginning it is harder to make friends later--especially if you live in a dorm.  I was waay too shy at first and had to really force myself to come out of my bubble but it was WORTH it.

2. Don't Skip Class  I know this isn't what you want to hear, but trust me on this one.  Unless you're sick in bed or reek of alcohol from your previous night of partying, really really try not to skip class.  I speak from experience in saying that getting up and going to all your classes really does make a difference.  At the minimum, it will get you up on your feet and you'll be most likely to have a productive day if you go to class--otherwise you might be tempted to eat cereal & doritos all day in your fuzzy robe and matching slippers.

3. Get a Part Time Job & Manage your Money Well   These two here are so important.  Although it might feel like college is this little oasis/bubble from the real world (and it kinda is) sooner or later you'll have to join the masses and trust me when I say having a bit of savings really does help.  No matter how little you can save each month it will add up through the course of 4 years.

4. Study Abroad   I have always regretted not doing this.  It was my plan to study abroad in Brazil or Spain (I even learned Portuguese in preparation) but things just didn't work out.  I had friends who did it though and they had the time of their lives.  I truly believe that there is no substitution for traveling. Studying abroad teaches you things you could never really learn in the classroom.  It teaches you to be self-reliant, it teaches confidence and you learn about other cultures and people different from you.

5. Discover your Passion   This is a big one.  I wish someone would have sat me down and told me how important it is to find what you're most passionate about early on in college. So many of us get caught up in doing what other people are doing or studying what you think your parents want you to study in.  I know you're only 18 when you first start college and you may feel way too young to really know what it is you want to do with your life or, you may think you have years to figure that out, but think of it like this: you have 4 years to discover your interests, what you don't like and what you could see yourself doing.  It doesn't mean you have to have everything figured out (no one does) but  you should  take advantage of this time, really think about what you want to do and the person you want to be, because guess what?  After you graduate and you're introduced to the 40 hour work week, you will find that you have many more responsibilities than you did in college and you may not have time or the opportunity to really think about your future goals and how to accomplish them.

And one last piece of advice, HAVE FUN! There will never be another time in your life where you get to focus on YOU and what you want and who you spend your time with.  College is liberating. There will be tears, sweat, A LOT of laughs, inside jokes and embarrassing pictures. Embrace it all because it goes by fast.

xoxo,
Grace

Nudes for Fall

Beige Cable Knit Sweater - Mango (similar HERE), Ripped Jeans - Vero Moda (similar HERE for only $50!), Brown Strappy Heels - Daily Look ,  Bag - Marc Jacobs, Sunglasses - Kate Spade

I LOVE anything nude. Wait, that sounds wrong. I mean I love neutral, flesh toned colors that are almost pink but leaning towards more of a beigy rose color...you follow? I think these colors are just so perfect for any time of year but especially for fall.  Not that California weather is even close to being fall-like but as I sit here typing away, I'm dreaming of hot, frothy pumpkin lattes, comfy riding boots, and the coziest of cozy beige/nude sweaters.  BUT since it isn't fall yet, I can't get away with walking around in boots just yet--but these brown ankle-strapped heels may hold me over me until I can slip on my boots.  Oh and may I just say that ripped jeans are the shizzzz.  They really spruce up an outfit which is so weird given that they're in fact ripped.  

xoxo,

Grace

LA Lady

 

Blouse - Mango, Denim Shorts - Victoria's Secret, Heels - Lulu's, Bag - Roots 

I have a love/hate relationship with LA.  I absolutely love it because it is and always will be my home and there are SO many amazing restaurants and things to do but lately I've just been kind of over it.  The traffic is awful, drivers are even worse and there's this materialistic mindset everywhere. Urth Cafe does kind of make up for all of that though as it is probably one of my top 5 favorite restaurants in LA.  It was freaking hot this weekend so I tried to stay cool with these denim shorts and this breezy top I found at Mango.  This week is going by so quickly and I feel like I'm drowning with all the stuff I have yet to do before the weekend.  Seriously someone needs to write a book on how to be an adult cuz I like really struggle...can't I just be a kid and go play outside? Those were some great times. xoxo,

Grace

P.S. Sorry for rambling.  It is 6 in the morning and I think my brain is still half asleep. :p

 

Unexpected

Blouse - Lulu's (available here), Striped Skirt - H&M (similar here), Ankle Strap Heels - Lulu's (only $24 bucks! Get 'em HERE), Bag - Mango SS14

I had some reservations about pairing this navy striped skirt with a burgundy blouse because I didn't know if it would work--especially with the black heels. But I ended up loving this outfit.  Kind of an unexpected combination but sometimes the best outfits are created when we're literally rushing out the door and don't have time to over analyze and have that internal debate on whether the outfit works or not.  I like the idea of just going for it--not just when it comes to pairing outfits but with anything in life.  Some of my best decisions were a direct result of me not over thinking and analyzing and just going with what I felt was right in that moment. Over analyzing just confuses me and at the end of going around in circles you're back to square one.  Don't wanna get all deep up in here but you know what I mean.  Sometimes you really do need to just go with your gut!  Now I think I must leave as my gut is telling me that I must eat that delicious home made chocolate chip cookie on the kitchen counter.  Who cares if its my 5th cookie of the night? I must go with my gut.
xoxo,
Grace

Simplicity

Black Flowy Blouse - Mango, Pants - Bershka (similar here), Heels - Lulu's, Belt - American Eagle (similar here)

Bag - Roots Small School Bag 

I have a love for simplicity. Simple but stylish and comfortable pieces of clothing are my absolute favorite.  Every  now and then I'll crave something girly/frilly but its rare.  You'll never find me in some floral print pants or embellished blouses--or anything with a ton of sequins and sparkles. Even when I was younger I never really enjoyed anything that was too girly.   I wore turtle necks and blazers in high school and I was obsessed with Ann Taylor.  Clothes shouldn't need to be complicated and have a ton of "frilly stuff" to look good.  So my style is simple. Give me a well structured black blouse, some comfortable pants and I'm a happy girl. Oh and cute shoes don't hurt.  The less fuss the better.

xoxo,
Grace