Hosting//the holiday rush

Via Apartment Therapy

I'm the "baby" in the family, so although I don't host many holiday events at my place, I often contribute in different ways to the events being hosted elsewhere. Below are my best tips on how to keep it cool during the hostiest time of the year. Yes, hostiest.

1. Use as much of your own stuff as you can get your hands on.
Not only is it more eco-friendly to just use your own glass plates, cups, wine glasses and silverware, it looks much prettier. I am also a big advocate for the classic cloth napkin (seriously, what's easier than just throwing it in the washer when you're done?)

2. For a pretty centerpiece, go outside.
Gather pinecones, twigs, holly, spruce, or just-fallen leaves to decorate your table. My suggestions? Use the twigs, berries, or spruce as a centerpiece (with candles or small pumpkins if you have them leftover from Halloween) and place large, brightly colored leaves on top of each place setting.

3. Don't use a huge decanter for red wine.
Okay, this might be a personal thing, but last Thanksgiving I spilled red wine all over my aunt's brand new tablecloth because the decanter was extremely hard to pour from. Keep the bottle out or on a pretty bar cart to pour from! Besides, that avoids everyone asking what type of red it is, and leaves room for other options if you don't have multiple decanters (I mean, who doesn't have two-to-four decanters? Me, that's who.)

Happiest of holidays!

Work break//Internet things

Via Birchbox

Third try's the charm, I finally got a Twitter that I intend to keep!

Things I want to ask my dog.

Good tips on where to live if you're a recent grad in NYC.

I love this look for winter.

This is a super cool app for travel.

Dream homes

Use other people's solar panels to power your home. Cool!

I like the style of this up-and-coming activewear company.

It pays to be a people person.

Breaking down some popular Emojis. Hilarious!

Adventure//Santa Fe Getaway

If you follow me on Instagram you'll know that one week ago today, I booked a completely spontaneous trip to Santa Fe. The drive is about 7 1/2 hours from OKC, and it's somewhere I've always wanted to go. Financially responsible of me? No way, but B and I needed so badly to escape for a bit, and Santa Fe was absolutely perfect.

We stayed at the Las Palomas, just two blocks from the historic Plaza where we spent a lot of our time. I booked the hotel through an app called HotelTonight which offers special discounts on rooms booked within one week of your stay. Since I booked so close to our trip, I was able to save quite a bit. Upon arrival, we had been upgraded to our very own casita, which was basically an apartment!

The area around the property was absolutely beautiful. Our casita was about a block and a half away from the hotel office (where, I'll add, the complimentary made-to-order breakfast with live music took place.) On the walk to the plaza, you could see mountains peeking out from behind the buildings, and the weather was ridiculous--so perfect.

Walking to our casita was like a walk through a small village. It was all part of the hotel, yet each casita had it's own originality. I'd never seen anything like it.

A few hours into our drive, I realized I had left almost every piece of clothing I wanted to bring hanging in my closet. This meant basically wearing a different variation of the same outfit every day. Talk about bummer, but it was so beautiful I didn't care.

Soon after we arrived on Saturday, we immediately walked to the Plaza to explore. Live music was about to start and groups of people were picnicking in the large park in the middle of the square, with the smell of the fresh fajita stand wafting through the streets. Although there were plenty of tourists to be found, it still felt homey there. After dinner on a rooftop patio, we got the best sleep we've had in weeks.

Day two, Sunday, we booked another night in our casita and continued our walk around the square. This thing goes on, and on, and on! We made a brief visit (we wish we would have stayed longer) to the Loretto Chapel, home of the miraculous staircase, and shopped from local merchants.

Sunday afternoon, we went on a hike at the Rio En Medio Trail. We ended up attempting to find it two different times, after returning back to the casita once because we nearly ran out of gas... this place is seriously hidden in the mountains. No cell reception for miles, so if you're lost, you're on your own. A lot of "I hope this is worth it!" was being said during this time. Spoiler: it was!

The hike was about 3 hours round-trip. Close to the end, our path got a little murky and we ended up climbing all the way up the side of a mountain. Turns out, this was not a part of the trail, but it did lead us to the best views of our endpoint: the most amazing waterfall. Problem was, we didn't know how to get there! It's all about the journey, right?

Finally, we made it to the end. The water was freezing (like, really cold) but we ended up taking off our shoes and running across the rushing water to where we could stand underneath the waterfall. This moment was particularly rewarding.

Money well spent.

Style post//beach tomboy

Sweater//Tilly's (My favorite sweater of all time. On MEGA SALE!!!)
Criss-cross lace bralette//Tilly's (old)
Boyfriend jeans//local OKC boutique Lush Fashion Lounge
Sandals//Old Navy (old)

With summer in full swing here in OKC, I can't help but feel nostalgic about the rainy, cloudy days spent at the beach. The salty, foggy air brought a special kind of peace+calmness to my spirit and I was never happier on that whole trip than I was on this beach, in this moment, with dirty feet and messy hair.

Siesta//I took a short blogging nap

Wow, it's been so long since I've done this that it almost feels unfamiliar. In the three months its been since my last post, I've been up to a few things that are worth noting:

• I graduated college (what?)
• I accepted my first full time job position at Kickoff Couture as the Director of Sales and Operations (what? So official)
• I moved into a really hip, really cool, really AWESOME apartment in Midtown, OKC

As you can assume, I've been needing to point my energies in other directions, truly being present in the change that's ensued. However, with change comes inspiration, and I hope to be able to get on here a little more often in the coming months!

Flat Iron Beach Waves

Separate hair into three sections. Starting with the bottom layer, clamp a 1-2" section of hair with a flat iron and twist the wrist in one direction; forwards or backwards. Move to the next section, twisting in the opposite direction. Continue with each layer and finish with dry shampoo at the roots and sea salt spray all over. Tousle with fingers, listen to a rock song, whatever you must do to mess it up a bit and voila!

PS//This style is perfect for the sassiest hair flip if you wanna go for a deep side part after a few margaritas on a Sunday. Or, ya know, whatever.

Most wanted//DIY projects

DIY Hanging Macrame Chair//Apartment Therapy

With my college graduation creeping (more like speeding) up on me, and with spring finally in the air, I've begun to nest a bit. The thought of moving out and into my own space in just three short months has me searching for DIY's on DIY's on DIY's, and I must say, I'm feeling inspired! Check out my favorites below, and visit the Do It Yourself Board on my Pinterest for more ideas.

DIY hand-stamped napkins via Fyn//how to make a hammock via Kinfolk//DIY yarn art via Oleander+Palm

DIY wooden dowel coat rack via Emily Henderson//10 ways to decorate with string lights via Apartment Therapy//Free People inspired DIY paper plane mobile via Buzzfeed

Style post//chartreuse dress

Dress//local OKC boutique Bow and Arrow (sold out-similar)
Sandals//Old Navy (on sale!)
Lipstick//Revlon Black Cherry
Tattoo//temporary :)

Last week, for my last spring break ever (cue depression) a girlfriend and I took a trip to the beach. Although the weather was overcast and foggy the whole week, the quality time with a good friend and week off of school/work was well worth the trip. Plus, the lighting made for great pictures at our hotel and on the beach-pics coming soon!

We stayed at the San Luis Resort in Galveston, TX. I would like to go back when it's warmer/sunnier to take advantage of the huge pool with swim-up bar and killer views of the ocean!

This dress was perfect for a day of strolling around the resort with messy hair, minimal makeup and a bold lip. Also, that grass is the softest grass I've ever felt, hence the no shoes!

Recipe//black beauty smoothie

Last Sunday was a beautiful day. The birds were playing outside in the bird bath, the sun was shining and the weather? Forget about it.

After a trip to the ER late Saturday night (my boyfriend sliced his finger open, but no worries, he was fine!) we woke up super late and wanted to jump right in to the day. After protein pancakes and eggs for breakfast, we decided to make smoothies to get some vitamins flowing. I took what I had in the fridge and made this. Enjoy!

Black Beauty Smoothie
Serves 1
Amounts below are estimated, and as always, use as many organic ingredients as possible!

1/2 c. frozen spinach
1/2 banana
3/4 c. frozen blueberries
1/2 c. chopped cucumber
6 oz. pineapple coconut water

Blend well and feel awesome!

Recipe//whole wheat cinnamon rolls

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw that I posted a picture of the cinnamon rolls I made last week in honor of a snow day. I promised that I would share the recipe soon, so here it is! It's the first time I've ever made cinnamon rolls from scratch, so I learned a few tips that I will share on here as well.

All in all, this recipe was a winner. It was super easy, fairly quick and I already had all of the ingredients in my kitchen; which was key when I couldn't get out of the house! Bonus: this recipe has no yeast.
It was adapted from this Food.com recipe, but since I made so many substitutions, my version is posted below! Another bonus? it is 100% boyfriend approved. Score.

PS-This can be 100% vegan (my version is, minus the icing where I used real milk) and organic ingredients were used wherever possible.

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
Dough
2 c. whole wheat flour
2 tbs. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3 tbs. Earth Balance buttery stick
3/4 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Filling
4 tbs. Earth Balance buttery stick
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
3 tsp. cinnamon

Icing
2 tbs. Earth Balance buttery stick
1/4 c. nonfat milk
1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
appx. 1/2 c. powdered sugar (to taste)

Directions

1. For the filling: in a small bowl combine softened butter, brown sugar and cinnamon to form a crumbly mixture (I used my hands to mix.) Sprinkle 1/2 of the mixture over the bottom of a 9x9 pan.

1. For the dough: In a large bowl mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in softened butter using your hands. Stir in milk to form a soft dough.

1. Roll out dough on a lightly floured into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Spread the remaining filling on the rolled out dough, and roll up your rectangle. With a sharp knife, slice into rolls, depending on how big you want them to be and/or how many you need. I had about 11 full rolls.

1. Bake for 20-25 min at 400°F.

1. For the glaze: While rolls are baking, hand mix milk, powdered sugar and vanilla in a small bowl. Whip butter with a mixer. Slowly blend in milk/powdered sugar/vanilla mixture and mix until completely combined. Icing should thicken a little, but it will be a thin glaze.

Drizzle glaze over rolls and serve warm.

Tips:

Watch your rolls, as they continue to cook after taken out. I overcooked mine a little; these are better just a smidgen undercooked to get more of a soft, gooey texture! However, even completely done, they have a great flavor.

If I were going all out, I would've added cream cheese to the glaze to add more of that flavor that's so prevalent when I think back to eating cinnamon rolls as a kid.

Boredom cure//internet things

Shopping, also a cure for boredom

Below, I've compiled a list of five internet things you should be following/reading/watching that will be sure to cure those mid-workweek blues sans Netflix.

The Atlantic's If Our Bodies Could Talk Youtube series is equal parts hilarious and addicting.

Into Mind is a blog about living a "slower, simpler life with less stuff."

The recipes on oh she glows are all vegan yet you honestly would have no clue, they're so good.

Everyone should know about this show. Everyone. (Spoiler alert: puppies)

My new second-favorite YouTube channel because anything BuzzFeed is awesome

Relationships//second chances

Caution: sappy, personal post
I have been pretty fortunate in my adult relationships. I've never done the yo-yo, back and forth thing. It's either been relationship, friends, civil, or nothing, and I'm grateful for that. It seems I've always taken a more "mature" approach to my relationships, I'm guessing mainly because of how headstrong I am, plus, I almost always know what I want and what I don't.

With that being said, being in tune with your mind and soul are so important when it comes to relationships. Sometimes you'll be in a state of limbo, but if you recognize that early on, eventually you'll know the right thing to do.

I recently re-kindled a relationship with my ex. We broke up over a year ago, and we've always kept in touch here and there, but the timing just never felt right and we both needed that time to ourselves; to explore our options and grow as individuals. However, in whatever alchemy brought us back together, it just felt right.

Here are a few things that I reminded myself of when thinking about whether or not giving it another go was a good idea. (By the way, I didn't know for sure until after I told him and got the feeling that I did the right thing.)
These things, I hope, can provide you with a basis of what to consider about your relationship, or potential relationship, too. He:

• Is unwaveringly supportive of EVERYTHING I do (this is at the top of my list. Without support, in my opinion, there is no healthy relationship)
• Always reassures me that I am smart, capable and strong, all things I greatly value
• Is humble when he needs to be, and stands strong in his opinion when needed as well
• Brings me back down to earth
• Lets me bring him back to earth, too
• Agrees (with me) that arguing needs to be humble and peaceful, we both don't believe that "fights" are necessary for a healthy relationship, (this is very important; discussing how to handle arguments, because they will happen)
• Is always open to me sharing my emotions and to sharing his
• Tells me when I'm giving him good energy (because he knows I appreciate it)
• Looks at me like I hung the stars in the sky
• Knows me to a T. He understands my moods, humor, what I like and don't like, and best of all, accepts, loves and appreciates all of those things and more.

I could go on and on. Never settle for less than you deserve, period. Never let anyone else define what your relationship is or should be, as long as it's healthy and happy. Also, don't compare yourself or your relationship to other people or other relationships. There is such a beauty in having something unique to you, your partner and no one else.

Women in the workplace//wherever that may be

Today, I read an article about the woman who started the hashtag #WomenWhoWork. In the article, it lists the five stereotypes she most despises about working women.

While I'm very unrefined in my approach to convince my friends that working does not mean no life and vice-versa, Feminism, AKA gender equality for all, is something I've become increasingly passionate about.

I've always been a very independent person, shaping me into becoming an independent woman, and I plan on staying that way. No woman should ever have to defend her passions-and yes, you can be just as passionate about your job as you can your family, working out, your dog, wine, or whatever it is you're passionate about. And bonus, you can be passionate about all of those things at once.

In the article, one of my favorite phrases from stereotype number one: professional women are all the same, and stay-at-home moms aren't "working" women, says "The words 'working woman' shouldn't evoke an image of a female in a pinstriped pantsuit." Preach, girl.

Below, see a list of more articles and books on the topic.

The book that started it all, and I'm not even finished reading it yet

Another book I'm reading (shout out to Tina Fey for being awesome)

Have you heard of "Free the Nipple"? While I personally don't plan on giving full-frontals to the general public, here's an interesting article on the rise of nudist feminism.

Sheryl Sandberg (author of the first book referenced above) and Adam Grant recently wrote an intriguing-complete with statistics-article for The New York Times about why women don't speak up at work.

Good vibes Monday

In this life, there is no perfect moment, perfect day, or perfect timing for much of anything! Take the moments you've got and make them perfect, make them what you want them to be. Also, remember, everyone's "perfect" is different.

This week, take advantage of your alarm clock each morning to start a brand new, perfect day.

Snip snip, again

When I saw this picture of Lauren Conrad/perfection on Kristin Ess' Instagram, I was infatuated. I couldn't get it out of my head. Well...

This morning, on a whim, I scheduled an appointment with someone I've never met and went for it.
Although she really did a number on my new cut with the curling iron (think huge and scary) I was able to go home and fix it before my afternoon plans. I am SO pleased with the way it turned out, the cut is perfect!

First it was the "lob," now it's the "bob." I know what you're thinking, "bobs aren't new. Bobs aren't trendy." This bob is UPDATED and FABULOUS. Jagged, messy and FUN. I feel very on-trend with this cut. Can't you tell from my use of caps lock?

What do you think? Get the know-how on lobs and bobs from Kristin at The Beauty Department: the resource for my cut!

Have a beautiful weekend.

Lessons learned

Today, over on Ever Emma, I gave some insight and tips on things I wish I would've known when I started my blog. Click here to check it out! Thanks so much, Emma, for having me.

PS-My wanderlust is kicking in again... I've been researching different ways to travel for cheap and searching Airbnb for places on random islands

Intentions for the new year

If you've been following my Instagram, you know that I was planning on meditating on my intentions for 2015. After attending a yoga class a few nights ago, by the time I got into bed the intentions were flowing! I quickly hopped up to write down what I was thinking and within a few minutes, I had them all down on paper (in green marker pen, no less.)

Do you have resolutions or intentions set for the new year? I'd love to hear! Below, see a few of mine.