Thursday Three

First: Palm dreams

Since graphic tees are so huge right now, and quirky prints are swiftly moving into mainstream style, this palm print is perfect for this spring and summer! You can find it on just about anything, and I love the idea of turning this tee's print in black and white and dressing it down with a pair of distressed shorts and big black sunnies.














Second: Morning ritual

For the past few weeks, I have been setting my alarm at 7:30 every day (7:15 on Tues/Thurs so I can fit in a quick workout before class!) And I have been absolutely loving it. One of my favorite parts about waking up early, however, is my breakfast time. Breakfast is my favorite meal and I love having time to sit down somewhere comfy to eat and visualize my day. The other day I bought some Girl Scout cookies from my boss at Kickoff Couture and she suggested having these (least amount of cals per-serving than all of the others) with coffee. Five cookies and a little coffee can go a long way for a girl's mood!







Third: Brilliant

Do you ever feel like the regular Emoji's you have just aren't enough sometimes? Behold: the Harper's Bazaar emoji app. By clicking the little conversation bubble on the top right, you can place the ones you want in a message to text or email to whomever you please. And the best part? It's free!

F/W '14

I have to say, I am extremely pleased with most of the trends for Fall '14 and I can't wait to add some NYFW inspired pieces to my wardrobe. There are, of course, a million different trends going on and I'm planning to do a couple more posts about them as we get closer to fall--but for now, here are a few favorites.

1. Midnight

Navy blue has always been a big part of my wardrobe; mostly everything I owned in high school was a combo of navy, grey and white. And a lot of stripes. Which I still love today... except I didn't dress nearly as well. It was almost all Abercrombie or Hollister. Let's not talk about it.

Peter Som

Tory Burch

Tadashi Shoji

We are seeing a lot of different tones of navy (not to mention blue in general) and I love that blue is becoming more versatile.

2. Fresh

One time, one of my teachers tried to tell me that floral wasn't a classic print.

Naeem Khan

Rodarte

Peter Som

I am here to declare she is wrong.

3. Like a man

This whole menswear thing has me completely obsessed. It's been going on for quite some time now, but it's making an even bigger debut this fall with continuing trends like tux inspired looks and big, blanket-y boxy coats. I have to say, I love it all.

Theory

Joie

Public School

Do you spot another trend in with these? Clean, sleek, modern lines. Gorg.

4. Back to our roots

I am loving this super side action we've been seeing a TON of on the runway. Seriously, a ton.

Joie

Mara Hoffman

Rodarte

By fall, my bangs will finally be grown enough for me to full-on try this out!

Thursday Three

First: Daisy Craze

Daisy prints are popping up everywhere and I love the idea of a flowy daisy playsuit, wide-brimmed hat and chunky sandals. Spring is right around the corner here in OK, and I can't wait to add a fun daisy piece to my wardrobe!

Shown: Rhea Daisy Print Strappy Playsuit, $26
Not for you? Visit my Polyvore for more chic daisy-inspired styles!












Second: Hair problems

I love short hair, that's my *$%^@#! problem.

But on a serious note, I do. I love short hair. Yes, you can braid and twirl and updo long hair all you want, but despite all of that I feel like short hair is so much more versatile. Mess it up. Apply all the texture spray you want. Gloss it down. Curl it, big or small. Plus... how chic does Olivia look with short hair? Super chic, that's the answer.

Most of the time I like my -super- long hair. But sometimes it feels like a big brown stringy mop on top of my head and I've been getting the urge to cut it. What do you think?








Third: Laugh a little

I love when people are clever because I am really not, especially when it's kids. This hilarious article from distractify.com is just what it says it is... distracting! And hilarious. If you need a break from whatever it is you're bored with, check this out!

Flour power

Has anyone tried to cook or bake with coconut flour? I've been experimenting with it, and so far it's been unsuccessful! However, I have a recipe for Tone It Up pancakes and I decided to use that as a base for an attempt at coconut flour pancakes. The texture of coconut flour is something to get used to (it's a little gritty) but overall I feel good about these. They're great for after a morning workout!

Coconut flour is gluten free (I'm not on a gluten free diet, but it's a plus) and it's super high in protein and fiber which keeps you fuller, longer. If you want to read up on some more benefits of coconut flour, check out this article.

Sidenote: you cannot substitute regular flour with coconut flour in just any recipe. Coconut flour is extremely absorbent therefore you usually have to up the eggs if you're using it. It can be used for approximately 1/3 of regular flour content in a recipe. It takes some experimenting, but can be worth it!

Coconut flour power pancakes
1/4 c. coconut flour
1/2 organic banana, mashed
4 tbs. organic milk (or almond milk)
3/4 c. organic egg whites
1 tsp. cinnamon (to taste)
1/4 c. fruit of your choice

Directions:
Completely mash banana with milk and egg whites. (You may need to add more milk if the coconut flour is soaking up too much moisture.) Mix in dry ingredients. Spray a skillet on medium heat with organic extra virgin olive oil spray-get those pancake edges crispy! Pour a small-to-medium sized pancake into the skillet, you will need to help the batter spread out to be thin enough as it does not spread on its own. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. It will look done, but cook it for a little longer to ensure that the inside is cooked--the coconut flour cooks slowly. Drizzle with all natural real maple syrup, top with fresh fruit and enjoy!

Next time, I think I may add the blueberries in with the batter. If you try this out, let me know what you think!

Happy V-day!

To love is the most simple, yet most complicated thing in this life. To love, we open our hearts, our minds, and our lives to others whom we trust enough to do so. For some, loving is easy. For others, loving is hard. But I'm asking you today, that you make love less complicated not only today, but always. Your friends, your family, others in general; we all deserve love. I have been reminded this week that it is never too soon or too much to say "I love you."

John 13:34-35  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Who's with me? Send out some serious love vibes today!
XOXOXO

Thursday Three

I can't believe this is already the third installment of Thursday Three!
Today, I have three links I'm loving this week.

First: Funny

This Tumblr page titled "Old Black People that Look Younger Than Lorde" is cracking me up. It's all in good fun, Lorde!
But seriously, you have to look at it. You'll get a good laugh.




Second: Why are you single?

While browsing on BuzzFeed this week for a presentation coming up, I ran across this quiz and, although I'm not dating therefore I'm not concerned with why I'm single, I was bored enough to take it. If you're bored, you should too!
I got: You're too perfect.
Thanks internet!



Third: Inspiration

Every now and then I get super inspired by the people who do things like this. Life really can be simple sometimes.
Besides when you're raking cool designs into beaches. That probably isn't simple.
Check it out to see more of Andre Amador's amazing works of art!

Spotlight: Kitchen No. 324

Kitchen No. 324

"Kitchen No. 324 is a seasonally inspired Cafe, Craft Bakery and Coffee Curator serving American Rustic Cuisine. No. 324 is the downtown address for fresh. Everything we serve is hand crafted each day starting at 4am. We proudly use local, organic and sustainable farmed products when possible. Inspired by kitchens from all across America, we hope to bring warm and inviting food, using classic preparation techniques and exciting new flavors and ingredients."

Today started off with a body pump class at the gym and awesome second day hair. Despite gloomy skies and slippery sidewalks, I made my way downtown to experience the brunch scene at Kitchen No. 324.

As I'm typing this post, staring at the construction barriers directly outside of the clean white wall full of tall, narrow window panes, I have nothing but good things to say about No. 324. The atmosphere, while busy on weekends, has an air of "sit back and relax" which I've found is characteristic of the local scene around here. I love it. Not to mention, it smells amazing and there's awesome music.

I had a banana nut muffin, vanilla latte and a side of fruit. As mentioned earlier, almost everything-if not everything-is organic, local or sustainable farmed. Honestly, for that, I wouldn't even care if the food is good. However, that is not the case here at Kitchen No. 324. The fruit was perfectly ripe and the muffin was just the right mix of crispy, soft and smooth. BONUS//with your Keep It Local card, you get 10% off food and drink.

Try it y'all

Thursday Three

First: IT'S FASHION WEEK!

Us fashion people live for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. The things I would do to be in New York for the next ten days! I mean how beautiful are these Fall 2014 pieces from BCBG Max Azria? It's just the first day, but I'm already spotting trends. Follow your favorite magazines and designers on Instagram to see backstage pics like these! AND you can even watch live on mbfashionweek.com. I know I will be! After NYFW is said and done, I will be slaving away over a very important post... Fall trends.

Second: Spotted!

I walked into my 11:00 marketing class today and what did I see? This is Jessica, and she is wearing not only a Kickoff Couture hoodie, but a Kickoff Couture beanie as well! It's a proud moment for me to see people who love our brand enough to wear it.















Third: How to...

This Harper's Bazaar story on how to pronounce designer names is just perfect. Any fashionista needs to know how to properly pronounce designers if they want to be taken seriously. And what's even better? There's also a round two. Study these and you'll soon feel very educated in fashion lingo.

Motivation is key

Since this is a life, style, and lifestyle blog, I want to start incorporating more lifestyle posts into the normal routine. Today I want to talk about the small changes I've made (that you should make too!) to better your body starting on the inside.

Regardless of the workout, getting yourself off of your (or my?) addiction to doughnuts is the first step. Abs are made in the kitchen! I am definitely not the best eater out there (have you checked out the Tone It Up recipes? Talk about CLEAN.) Here are some easy ways to start from scratch:

• This may come as a shocker: do not buy anything at the grocery store that you know is bad for you. If there's a cookie in front of you, you're gonna eat that instead of the fruit next to it. Just don't get cookies and you'll be fine!
• Avoid eating anywhere but home. I have made a rule for myself: on the weekends, if I want to go out to dinner and eat unhealthy free bread or get dessert, I will. But during the week, I can have a bowl of Special K just as easily as I can go grab a number whatever from Taco Bell. It's all about willpower and if I can do it, you can too!
• If you do hit the drive through, don't beat yourself up about it. Now, this doesn't mean that you can do this twice a week. If you've been working hard and eating right for a couple of weeks, allow yourself to have some fries or a bagel with the entire thing of cream cheese. Instead of having an entire cheat day, just have small cheat moments to keep your cravings down and motivation up.
• Start eating avocado. It will change your life. Use it like you would mayo on a sandwich, eat it with egg whites on toast or just eat it plain with some salt and pepper. My guilty pleasure? Jalapeno chips dipped in avocado. Not healthy, but good for one of those cheat moments!
• Eat organically. I have been transitioning into organic foods and drinks for the past couple of years and it's the best decision I've ever made! Knowing what's going into my body just automatically makes me feel better. I drank non-organic milk the other day and it made my stomach super upset. It just goes to show how your body loves not having all that other stuff in it!
• If you go for coffee, get it "skinny" if you're at Starbucks or made with non-fat milk. Again, it's the small changes that can make the biggest differences, and bonus-they hardly ever taste different.

From now on, I'll occasionally be posting things I'm doing or easy ways to swap out one thing for another healthier option in your life.

Mix it up

Jeans, bracelet, bralette//Target

Cropped tank//Bella

Shoes, wide brim hat//gap

Necklace//Francesca's

Coat//H&M

Bag//vintage Dooney & Bourke

Location//downtown Guthrie, OK