I Resolve To...

I'm usually not a big fan of making resolutions, but I can change my mind, right? As 2011 comes to an end, I'm thinking about what is important to me and what changes I want to make for 2012. 


{1. I resolve to eat better!}
I've been pouring over this for some time and I just need to do it. So with the start of 2012, I plan to make this happen. Read more about it here.


{2. I resolve to live life!}
I'm always busy with school and work and I never feel like I have time for fun. To make this happen, I will have to better plan my time and be disciplined enough to stick to my schedule. I want to spend more time having fun and less time stressing.


{3. I resolve to actually workout!}
I have sporadically worked out throughout 2011, but I want to workout like I used to. I used to run 3 to 4 times per week and I lifted weights. I'm hoping to get back to that. If I workout more, I won't be so stressed.


{4. I resolve to communicate better!}

I haven't been very good about returning emails or starting emails. I need to make the time and effort to do this. I think what I need to do is make enough time when I read emails to also reply to emails. If I don't have time to reply then I shouldn't read them. I think this will be easier if I only went through one email at a time and not try to go through all of them at the same time. I have four different email addresses plus one for work. I can't get rid of any, so one at a time it will be.


{5. I resolve to blog more!}

I want to spend more time blogging. Not just putting time into my blog, but putting time into reading and commenting on other's blogs. I also want to explore new blogs and find new inspiration.


What are your New Year's Resolutions?


♡,
D'Andra

Going Vegetarian, Vegan, or Something Close

I have been contemplating becoming vegan for quite some time now. I don't have a problem with eating meat. I know I don't make a lot of sense when I say these things, but I make sense to myself and that's what counts. My problem is how the animals are treated and the conditions they are forced to live in. The things that are allowed to be done to these animals is utterly ridiculous. The conditions these animals must endure for someone to make money sickens me. I've listened to stories from my sister about the horrible conditions animals are in that are sold to slaughterhouses. It makes me want to vomit. How would my sister know? She has been to the auctions where the animals are sold. My sister has a sustainable farm, where she and her husband grow and raise almost all of their own food. They believe in not consuming foods that have been injected with hormones and other shit. They have a great little farm. I love just spending time on their farm. I wish I had the opportunity to grow and raise my own food. When we were kids, we had a garden and raised some of our own food.

So, now I've decided to eat vegan, vegetarian, or something close. The hubs has agreed to join me in this effort. The first thing is finding recipes I might like. I'm planning on starting this new adventure with the next trip to the grocery store and the farmer's market. I am not opposed to eating meat, eggs, or dairy that comes from farms that meet my standards, otherwise, I don't plan on eating foods with animal products; hence, the vegan, vegetarian, or something close. Again, I know how this sounds, so please don't lecture me on this. This all comes together and makes sense in my head. Sorry if you don't get it.

For fun, here are some photos from the last time I was at my sister's place. I know my sister isn't vegan or vegetarian, but they do know how the animals are treated, what the animals are consuming, and there aren't any hormones or shit like that involved.

Yes, my sister collects eggs every morning.

The garden is behind me.

Does anyone have any advice or tips for eating vegetarian or vegan?

♡,
D'Andra

Merry Christmas!

We didn't do gifts this year, so to stick with that we kept things simple. I started the day with an amazing breakfast. Chocolate French toast!!! It was glorious! This may be my new favorite dish.

I assembled it last night and baked it this morning. Easy.

Lunch was very simple, but delicious.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season!

♡,
D'Andra

This Week

Please bear with me as this is finals week. I'll be back next week with new outfits, handmade jewelry, and more sleep (that last one is for me).

Yes, that's me studying. Well, my hand at least.

Hope you all have a great week!
♡,
D'Andra

Office Party Gifts

Lots of offices will be having parties soon and will have a gift exchange. So, what do you buy????

Depending on your limit I have a few ideas.

$5

$3.50--Monthly Planner by Blue Sky via Target

$4--Fleece Throw by Living Solutions via Walgreens

$4--Spicy Berry Gourmet Beef Jerky by Beezer's Bistro

$10

$10--2012 Calendar Trading Cards by ArtyDidact

$8--Three 2oz. Coffee Samples by Apropos Roasters

$7--10 Soap Samples by Roots Soap Co.

$15

$14--Workday Recovery Kit by Knock Knock

$14--Business Card Holder by Blomus via Organize.com

$12--Padfolio by Foray via Office Depot

$20

$19--Travel Coffee Mug by Contigo via Target

$18--4.0GB Flash drive by Ativa via Office Depot

One of the best gifts I've gotten from an office gift exchange was $5. We did Secret Santa and drew names. I got a photo album filled with pictures of me and the person who gave it, plus tons of photos from Facebook. What an awesome idea.

Here is my $5 gift for work:

via Target

via Sam's Club

I'm getting three bags of coffee for about $1.30 each and then I'll add a couple of biscotti to the gift bag. I will buy them for another use than this gift.


Do you have any gift ideas?

♡,
D'Andra

Happy Friday!

If you are like me, you have been looking forward to today and the weekend. I just need a break from work and work stress. Happy Friday, everyone!

I don't think people believe that I found this lovely dress at Goodwill. I like sifting through all the clothes at thrift stores just to find that one gem. This dress is so versatile. It can be dressed up or down and can be worn in any season. I paired it with a simple cardigan and belt and voilà! I have a friend who always look so effortlessly chic. I attempted to pull that off in this outfit, but in my own way.

There was a little bird sitting on a wire in the sun.

Dress: No tags via Goodwill
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Belt: Charlotte Russe Outlet
Tights: Banana Republic Outlet
Shoes: Pierre Dumas via ShoeStation.com
Earrings: Swapped via TXSCC
Necklaces: Target & Banana Republic

Price Tag: Dress-$8, Cardigan-$70? (one of my splurges), Belt-$2.50, Shoes-$20, Tights-$8, BR Necklace $40?, Target Necklace-gifted, Earrings-swapped = $148 

However, this look could be achieved with a $10 or $20 cardigan and any $10 (or less) gold necklaces you have for a total around $70 or less.

On a side note, if you've been keeping up with The Walking Dead, please don't tell me. I've been filling my DVR with it and just started the second season.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

♡,
D'Andra

Fall Flowers

I'm trying to incorporate some of my favorite styles for this season. As you may have noticed, I'm loving all the bright colors. Like most of you I am trying to find ways to stretch my closet by continuing to wear spring/summer styles during the fall. I kept this look from being too summery by pairing this top with a dark monochrome look and tights.

I didn't thrift this look, instead I shopped my own closet. The jacket and skirt are not a set; they just happen to match. I think I spent $10-$15 each on the jacket and skirt. The top was about $20, the tights were around $8, and the belt was $2.50. I can't remember how much the shoes were. Grand total I spent about $56 not including the shoes.

Shirt: Liberty of London via Target
Skirt: Papaya
Jacket: Forever 21
Tights: Banana Republic Outlet
Shoes: Tribeca via ?
Belt: Charlotte Russe Outlet
Earrings: Gifted

Take home message: when wearing floral or summer prints for fall, keep the print to a minimum, so it doesn't look like you forgot what season it is.

♡,

D'Andra