Drink Up!

My favorite drinks are difficult to describe. They're fruity, but not quite juice. Sometimes carbonated, but not quite soda. They're basically glorified water. (The glory being in the added sugar and flavoring.) They're tasty and satisfying, yet something about them fools me into thinking they're moderately healthy. Plus, the packaging is just lovely.

MASH is a "water drink" with "natural fruit essence". It's delicious. Especially the mango/blood orange flavor. And it reminds me of that playground game from elementary school where you'd learn who you'd marry, where you'd live, what car you'd drive...etc. It makes me want to play on the monkey bars. Except I never played on the monkey bars.

Izze is a sparkling fruit juice/soda concoction that's just delightful. I used to pack up these pretty bottles for my lunch in high school. I was so cool.

Spindrift is another juice/soda beverage. Sipping these reminds me of sitting out on the green in warm weather, and they make me yearn for spring.

I was OBSESSED with this addictive flavored sugar water last year. Between my roommate and I, the recycling bin in our room filled up every couple of days or so. I've since kicked my habit, but I still indulge in the citrus-y yellow "energy" flavor from time to time.

Even though these are my go-to choices for drinks with meals, I stick to plain water throughout the day. My mom would be proud.

So That's What a Muscle Looks Like...

I've never been a fan of working out. I'm not athletic, I look ridiculous when I run, my limbs are noodle-y...it all just adds up to a crazy mess.

In the past, I've also resented the idea that I even need to work out. When my mom asked how I'd feel about getting exercise clothes/gear for my birthday, I told her I'd be mildly offended.

Recently I've managed to put those things aside. In the past month I've added an exercise routine to my daily schedule and it's been wonderful. It's been a great way to relieve stress (...and pent-up aggression...). I've also found it helps me sleep better at night. The best part is, I already feel healthier. I even think my posture looks a little better. And honestly, it's a pleasant surprise that I can spend half an hour on the elliptical without passing out, or lift (5lb) weights without spraining something. All of a sudden I feel strong and it's an amazing feeling.

Right now I'm really enjoying Jillian Michaels' toning yoga moves, followed by half an hour on the elliptical at the gym. I'm really interested in kickboxing though. (There's that pent-up aggression talking.)

I'm not necessarily interested in losing weight, but I think being healthy, strong and toned is important. So I can kick butt. I also hope being a little leaner and having better posture will make me look taller, and at 5'2'' I'm always down for looking taller.

Oh, and for the record, I'd still be mildly offended to receive exercise clothes as birthday gift. Unless they're pink...

Sunshine, Here I Come!

I found out today that I'm going to make it home for Spring Break after all!

Joy!

I can't wait to enjoy the warmth (from both the beating sun and my wonderful family) and I'm already excited about packing up my pretty duffel bag with--gasp!--shorts and tank tops!

Since I'll be blowing all my money on the ridiculously expensive tickets, I probably won't be going out and buying cute new clothes for the week, but here are some things I already own that will absolutely make it into my bag.

My pink Keds were my favorite purchase last spring, and I can't wait to break them out again! They're cute and comfy, and they go with everything! Well...not really...I just make them go with everything.

My twill "Perfect Mini" from Old Navy is a great staple for easy, classic outfits.

I absolutely love my chambray button-down. So comfy, and so pretty with skinny jeans and flats. It's a great choice for the airport, but sleeves and pants will probably be out of the question once I actually get home.

Because I refuse to get wrinkles from squinting in the sun. And besides, why let them gather dust?

I just realized I've worn all these things together before...on several occasions. It would seem I have a favorite outfit...

Girls Make Ribs (While Wearing Dresses)

Ribs may be the messiest food on the planet, but I'd risk my cutest shirt for a half-rack any day.

I was hanging out with Tayler the other day when she said, "I bought some ribs at the grocery store. Do you know how to make them?" Umm...I know my dad makes them on the grill and I like to order them at Chili's. Oh, and one time I saw my mom make them in the oven.

Despite not having a clue what we were doing ("Mom, is it okay if we've only had them in the oven for a couple of hours? We're really hungry. We won't die, right?") we managed to make ourselves a yummy dinner of Ben & Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Chunk, salt & vinegar chips, potatoes, green beans, and oven-baked ribs. In that order.

We seared the ribs in a pan with some olive oil before placing them in an aluminum baking pan with onions, garlic, barbecue sauce, and honey.

We sustained ourselves on chips and ice cream during the excruciatingly long baking time (2 hours)

Lemon and crushed red pepper make for the most delicious green beans imaginable.

Russet potatoes with olive oil, basil, and thyme, baked for half an hour. Delish.

Yes, an entire roll of paper towels was necessary.

The carnage. The aftermath.

I wish I could include some sort of recipe, but honestly our efforts were driven mostly by a combination of random ingenuity and advice from our mothers: "I don't know Andrea, Google it."

You gotta have friends...

It's a shame it's taken me so long to really reflect on the true meaning of friend.

A friend is someone who shares your laughs and your troubles, your giddiest happiness and your toughest pain. Time and distance mean nothing among friends. You can pick up a phone, call them up, and no matter how long it's been since your last conversation, they're happy to hear from you and have lots to say. The people who truly care for you will never begrudge you a second of their time. Friends love each other and it's a special, beautiful kind of love that will never disappear on you overnight.

I've had the most amazing revelations lately, finding wonderful friends in people I'd been taking for granted. I can't thank them enough for showing me how much they care about me, support me, and believe in me. I'm so blessed to be surrounded by people who truly love me and wish me well.

It's time I focus on being a better friend to all these amazing people, and let them know I think I'm lucky to have them in my life.

Predictable Providence Weater (that's a joke)

I've got whiplash from your mood swings, Providence!

You're hot, then you're cold...freezing cold!

The past couple of weeks have been pretty unsteady weather-wise (and other-wise too, who am I kidding?) but lucky for me and my lack of appropriate footwear it's been dry. I'm too wise to let myself rely on the fickle clouds above though, and since my traffic-cone-orange rain boots died on me earlier this semester, I need to get some new ones before the rain gets me.

These Target boots are a great inexpensive option, but I worry about them lasting. I kind of don't want to buy rain boots again in the next couple of years.


Hunter boots are everywhere on campus and I looove the cute fleece socks you can buy to go with them, but I can't get over that price for a rubber boot! Are they remarkably better quality than the average rain boot?



These bright yellow boots would be a perfect antidote to dark rainy days, but my now-deceased boots were from Land's End so I'm a little hesitant about these.


A girl can dream, right? These are by far the cutest rain boots I have ever seen. And they have a heel! I could be tall, cute, and jump in puddles! Win!

Dreams and Goals Board

Setting goals for yourself is an integral part of life. They keep you motivated and focused and give you a sense of self--what you want says a lot about who you are. At 20, I have so much to look forward to and the things I've done so far are only a small fraction of the things I still hope to do. Unfortunately my hectic schedule can sometimes bog me down and make me lose sight of "big picture" things and I catch myself wondering what all my hard work is leading me to.

That's where a Dreams and Goals board comes in. It's a visual reminder of who I am, what I want, where I'm going, and why. My mother made me my first Dreams and Goals board and hung it up over the family computer while I was working on my college applications. She put up pictures of my dream schools, copies of my test scores or report cards, a calendar with important due dates, and lots and lots of inspiring quotes. It had a great effect on me at the time, and even impressed my younger brother so much that he made his own.

I've felt a little out of touch with myself lately, so I think it's time to introduce the D/G board to my dorm room.

Here are a few things I'll be including:

1. A calendar to keep track of important dates and log every day that I go to the gym!

2. The application for the internship I have in mind for next summer at the Austin-American Statesman newspaper.

3. Motivation for something I'm currently saving up for, like a flight home!

4. Little reminders of home.

5. Plenty of uplifting words.