FESTIVAL HAIR

Kale Chips

The other day I went to a local market right by where I live called Cermak. They seriously have the cheapest and best produce around (I'm talking a container for raspberries for $.99!) I was picking up some lettuce because I've started eating a big salad before each meal to cut down on calorie intake. While browsing I saw that there was a sale on kale and I've never tried it before (I know crazy, right!?) 

So I picked some up and decided what better way to use kale for my first time than to make kale chips. It's a healthy delish snack that's sure to satisfy any chip craving. 

*I ate mine with Trader Joe's salsa verde. 

                           

Kale Chips:

- 1 bundle of kale

- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

- 1 tsp low sodium soy sauce

- 1 or 2 shakes of salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

 Rinse kale and pat dry

Rip apart into medium sized pieces and put into a large bowl

Add EVOO and soy sauce and mix

Place kale on a parchment paper and bake for 10-15 minutes or until brown at the edges. 

Sprinkle with 1 or 2 shakes of salt

Enjoy!

Heart Sweater

The weather in Chicago has gotten so cold! It was 80 and humid the other day now it feels like it's -40. The weather makes me want to bring out my winter clothes again. During cold spring days my go-to outfit is my heart sweater that I got from good ole tarjay and a pair of black jeans. It goes with everything and is super adorable. 


I couldn't find the black sweater on target's website but I did find a similar one--and it's super cheap! 

*Sorry I didn't take my photos in a better location but it is currently raining right now, bummer* 

Rain, rain, go away! 

Sweater: Target (similar one here) / Jeans: delias / Loafers: Target - last season (I also love these too)

barely blues: outfit post

I absolutely love, love H&M. Their stuff is just so darn cute! When I went shopping about a month ago I came across these barely blue almost white looking jeans. I knew I just had to have them! They're the perfect spring/summer jean. Run to your local H&M, you won't regret it! 

Light Blue Jeans: H&M / Cardigan: H&M / Necklace: target / t shirt: Old Navy / Bag: Marshalls / Sunnies: Ray Ban 

Madison photo diary

A few weekends ago Brian and I went to Madison because he had some time off from work - which rarely happens. We decided to meet up with one of his high school friends and go to our favorite steakhouse The Tornado Room. I always have a great time in Madison and can't wait to go back!  

Side note: Brian and I actually met in Madison back in 2006. He was in school at UW Madison and I had just graduated high school and needed a change of scenery. While working in retail I met this guy who was in the fraternity Chi Phi and said that the were having an "around the world" party - where each room was a different country and served that countries beverage of choice. So I decided to go since I was fairly new and wanted to get to know some people. 

Brian was the first person I was introduced to but we didn't really hit it off right away. It took him 2 weeks to be exact to ask me out. On our first date we ended up going to this bar called the plaza to get a pitcher of beer. The plaza isn't the coolest, most luxurious bar, but we really got to know each other and had a lot of fun. Well the rest is history.

Seven years later here we are, the strongest we've ever been. I couldn't imagine life without him.  

Out on the patio at Amy's

Love Amy's!

Brian with his high school bud, Greg

As we were leaving we ran into Ra Fury - Brian's frat brother 

pretty flowers on the table at brunch 

Loves him some water

Caught you!!

Skinny Cocktail

So I decided to try making my own skinny lychee cocktail. Brian usually makes my cocktails for me, he's such a good bartender. He can think of any drink right on the spot. I just tell him what I'm in the mood for and he'll think up something very unique. I love it!

Well that night he was on an overnight shift (for those who don't know, Brian is an ER resident so his schedule is always very wacky) and decided I wanted a skinny cocktail. I read on a different blog that to help cut calories in a drink you could use water or soda water as a filler. I had heard of using soda water before but never water. So I decided to give it a try.

I thought the drink turned out great! The water helped dilute the alcohol taste a bit and I felt good knowing that I wasn't taking so many calories from adding too much juice, because we all know juice = liquid calories!

Try it out for yourself, let me know what you think! 

Recipe:

 1 1/2 shot vodka

 1 shot water

3 generous splashes of lychee juice ( I used Ceres Lychee Juice for World Market. It's 100% natural pure fruit juice with no added cane sugar, colorants or preservatives.

 Shake in a cocktail shaker

Pour into a chilled glass

Squeeze a lemon wedge in for added flavor and garnish your glass with one to make it look pretty. 

xo

P.S. The drink isn't actually green, it's just the glass.