The Morning Muffin

My favorite coffee shop in town sells bran muffins that are exceptionally good. They are filled with carrots, zucchini and raisins, and have a crunchy top and slight sweetness that makes them a perfect pair for a morning cup of coffee. I decided it shouldn't be (that) difficult to make my own, granted the complete lack of baking experience I have, and gave it a whirl this morning. Besides the fact that my recipe was supposed to make a dozen muffins and I only ended up with six, they turned out nicely moist and smelling of cinnamon.

The ingredients

raisins, walnuts, whole wheat flour, and wheat bran & shredded carrots and zucchini

Shab n' Chic

I cannot wait to have my own apartment, no matter how small it may be, so I can fill every room (one big room really, as it will most likely be a tiny studio) with the pieces below. I love the idea of mixing wild colors with chic whites and piling a comfy couch high with bright pillows. But while I'm still currently renting a room from my parents (reality check!), the least I can do is lust.

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Lazy Days

It's not often that I have a weekend day off, so this Saturday I vow to do a whole lot of nothing. It just so happens that the streets of Chicago are freezing and covered in snow, which means I don't feel guilty for curling up on my couch and enjoying at least 3 cups of coffee over the course of the afternoon. Today I'm appreciating a few things around the house that are currently making me happy, including my new book (I'm finally starting the Janet Evanovich series). Also, lusting after celebrity lazy day styles.

Frye Boots & Andy Warhol print

...and yes, those are snowman sheets

La Mer watch I received for Christmas

Jeans and T-shirt & Flat boots and aviators

Bag and scarf & Yes, please

Perfect Parfait

I love fruit parfaits. They're perfect for any meal really, but I prefer them on a sunny morning with a cup of coffee. My favorite parfait includes homemade plain yogurt, four types of fresh berries, a sprinkle of slivered almonds, and a bit of agave nectar to sweeten.

A Lunchtime Staple

My mom found the recipe for this salad from one of her healthy living reads a few months ago and I finally learned how to make it last week. It's super easy, which is great for a girl who doesn't necessarily like to measure things out, and tastes way better than you'd expect any salad to. If you've never tried lentils before...they taste better than they look, I promise.

spring mix (or arugula) & green lentils (I found mine precooked at Whole Foods)

olive oil & red wine vinegar (enough to thinly coat lentils) & dijon mustard

juice of 1/2 a lemon & salt & pepper

toss & eat

Weekend Wonders

I don't wear much makeup, but when I come across rich hues like these I'm tempted to buy them, just so I can bring them home and look at em'...weird? I am equally obsessed with these colorful, weekend-wear counterparts.

M.A.C. 'in the sun' eyeshadow

Free People headscarf

NARS 'burn it blue' eyeshadow

Anthropologie necklace

M.A.C 'magenta madness' pigment

Juicy Couture clutch

Bobbi Brown 'onyx & silver' palette

Nordstrom dress