snapshots.

Let’s just put this out on the table. I kind of hate myself for how obnoxious my new phone cover is.

My “closet” is slowly but surely starting to look a bit more spring-like too.

The norm.

I could get the (create your own) market vegetable plate from Westville every single day.

I spent Saturday at my church’s first ever Relationship Seminar. It was a great day! And St. Paul’s German Church is just so beautiful (we don’t meet there on Sundays, just for special events).

St. Paul's German Church NYC

We rushed over to Elmo for a quick lunch. I turkey burger-ed it.

Elmo turkey burger

On Saturday night we went to my friend Martina’s birthday party. Having a party in an NYC apartment isn’t an easy task, but she nailed it.

Loved this idea – pour champagne into glasses filled with a bit of cotton candy. How cute!

Last but not least, today’s daily devotionals were oh so good…

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

Jesus Calling

(First one from Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith, second from Jesus Calling)

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What has been a highlight of your weekend so far?
Have you started switching over to a more spring-like wardrobe yet?

#LEAN14: more from juice press.

Last week I posted about some of my favorite new raw foods from Juice Press, and this week they were kind enough to send me some samples of there newest treats to give a try!

Juice Press

I opened the bag to find Liquid Gold cold-pressed juice, Vital Force Very Berry smoothie, and their raw Mango Chia.

Juice Press

I had really been wanting to try their new Liquid Gold juice (since I love its “cousin” The Remedy). It includes anti-inflammatory properties from turmeric and ginger, which helps relieve muscle tension. It’s also full of vitamin C.

formula: orange juice, turmeric juice (filtered water, turmeric root), pineapple juice, grapefruit juice, carrot juice, ginger juice, lime juice, celtic sea salt.

taste: loved it! It’s really refreshing, with the perfect amount of kick from the ginger.

Juice Press Liquid Gold and Vital Force Very Berry

Next up is the Vital Force Very Berry Smoothie. It’s a vegan probiotic yogurt packed with antioxidants from the blend of strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, and goji. Vegan probiotic supports the healthy bacteria in your digestive system and maca gives you an energy boost.

formula: almond milk (water, almonds, coconut oil, vanilla, sea salt), bananas, filtered water, strawberries, soaked cashews, blueberries, raspberries, dates, lime juice, goji berries, probiotics, maca powder, sea salt.

taste: I loved this one as well! I wasn’t sure what I’d think about it being a smoothie in a bottle, but it was really delicious. It was just like a thick, strawberry yogurt – it could almost pass as a milkshake-like dessert!

Juice Press Liquid Gold and Vital Force Very Berry

Last up was the Mango Chia pudding. According to their website, Juice Press took their classic chia seed pudding and added vegan probiotics and the sweet and tangy flavors of mango to make this snack even more nutritious. By using sprouted almonds and chia seeds as the base, it’s a pudding that supports healthy bacteria in the digestive system and is rich in protein, fiber, omega 3’s and calcium.

ingredients: mango, almond milk (water, almonds, coconut oil, vanilla, sea salt), soaked chia seeds (water, chia seeds), deglet noor dates, coconut oil, vegan probiotic, cinnamon, vanilla, sea salt, almond extract.

taste: I must admit that I was skeptical about this because I made chia pudding in the past and didn’t love it. But, clearly I was doing it all wrong. This chia pudding was smooth and creamy (not watery/gooey like mine was) and it had a perfect sweet flavor from the mango. Definitely great for a morning or afternoon snack.

Juice Press Mango Chia Pudding

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Which Juice Press juice and/or food would you want to try most?
Have you ever had chia pudding? Are you a fan?

a lovely saturday.

As usual, the weekend couldn’t have come at a better time. After a couple of crazy weeks with planning to move, Speakable, etc., I was so ready to have a few days to relax and spend time with my friends!

If I’m being honest, the days I work from home are spent makeup-less with my hair in a ponytail, so yesterday I took the opportunity to get a bit more dolled up.

Aaaaand POUT.

Then I met up with the girls for brunch at Diablo Royale in the West Village.

I had been wanting to go there forever, and it was great! I loved the look and feel there, and you can never go wrong with Mexican.

Afterward we went to Hudson Clearwater, where we ended up spending the remainder of the overcast day. I tried to be all fancy with my new camera by snapping Monica’s espresso shot…

…I’m getting there, right? 😉

But don’t worry, I’ll never be above taking selfies.

The night ended early for me since I had a busy day (today), so I wrapped Saturday up by watching documentaries on Netflix. I’m cool like that.

Last but not least is this great devo from yesterday. “Gain happiness by letting go of this life…”

(from the daily devotional God’s Promises Day by Day)

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How did you spend your Saturday? See any good documentaries lately?

girl meets: 1.17.14.

fashion.

It’s not too soon to bring out the summer clothes…right?

I kid. Sort of. When I get bored of my winter clothes, I like bringing out summer rompers/shorts and “winterizing” them with tights, boots, and a long sweater.

romper: H&M. sweater: Macy’s. boots: Etienne Aigner. watch: Nixon.

And of course, I wouldn’t leave the house without rockin’ Speakable :) I layered DREAMER with some of my other favorite necklaces.

fun.

Last night I met up with my good friend Rachel for dinner to chat and prepare for our NEW APARTMENT. That’s right, say hello to my new roommate, whom I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot more of!

(Rachel also has a new blog, check out A Life Feast)

I haven’t gone into much detail yet about the move because I wanted to wait until it was a sure thing, and…well, it’s a sure thing now! I’ve been living in midtown for about two years and dying to move downtown, and I finally am. Not only that, but it’s pretty much our dream neighborhood. January 29th can’t come soon enough!

food.

Rachel and I met up for dinner at one of my favorites, Westville. I always get a combo of the four market sides there, and this time was no different.

I went with sautéed kale + shallots, roasted butternut squash, fried plantains, and roasted honey dijon brussels sprouts.

Rachel got the market sides too, so we had quite the veggie feast going on.

faith.

As someone who is quick to go to my confidants before God (hi mom and Jessi :)), this was convicting and comforting at the same time. It’s pretty incredible that I can go directly to the God of the universe in time of need…

(devotional excerpt from Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith)

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Are you a fan of “winterizing” spring/summer clothes?
Any fun plans for the weekend ahead?

#LEAN14 january jumpstart: FUELed up.

I feel the need to share that the first few days of January Jumpstart were not very…jumpstarty. Haha. I did manage to keep my meals nice and clean, but workouts…well, they just didn’t happen. I’ve been finishing up a huge new project (which I’ll reveal on Monday!), so that took precedence. Good thing I technically already got my 3 workouts in for the week 😉

Like I said, I did manage to have some great healthy meals. I haven’t made it to the grocery store yet since I got back from the holidays, and with the crazy snow storm Hercules it was Seamless to the rescue (what else is new?).

I’m really loving Fuel Grill & Juice Bar lately. They have so many delicious and healthy options!

Rewind to Wednesday where I got their FUEL Mexican Plate: bison (choice of chicken) cooked with black beans, pico de gallo and avocado, served with brown rice. The serving was huge – it lasted me two full meals.

And for breakfast today I got one of their omelets + turkey bacon, avocado, and sweet potato. Another two-mealer. GML approved!

With January Jumpstart I’m really focusing on eating balances meals instead of snacking throughout the day, and the hearty (yet healthy) meals that Fuel provides is perfect for that.

Do you prefer three larger meals, or small meals/snacking throughout the day?

girl meets: 12.19.13.

fun.

Why don’t I go to more concerts? I always have SO much fun! On Tuesday I saw John Mayer at Barclays Center, and it was awesome.

And yes, Katy Perry made an appearance :) Have I mentioned how much I love her?

food.

Wednesday turned out to be an unexpected great-food-fest day. I’ll take it.

First up was lunch at Penelope. I can’t go there and not get some version of their amazing chicken meatballs, so I went with it in salad form.

Later that day my parents arrived for a short visit, so I met them for dinner at Nizza. I usually get their socca, but I switched it up and got Pasta Al Pesto - fettucce with a touch of cream, crescenza cheese & pesto (and gluten free!).

For dessert we went next door to Crepe Café Joli. I only had a few bites of this bad boy because it was rich. In the best possible way, clearly.

face.

I was recently sent some new makeup products from Cargo Cosmetics to try out, and I must say it’s joining the ranks of my other favorite makeup brands.

First was their eye shadows, which came in adorable little tin containers. I also loved the shades – they were very natural and lightweight.

My favorite, though, was their TexasLiner Liquid Eye Liner. The tip was like a marker, which made for the easiest cat-eye application.

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What was the last concert you went to?
Try any good new makeup products lately?