Hello blogosphere! I'm back from my (8 month) slumber. I know its been a hot min since I've posted anything, so here goes nothing. Let's see if I remember how to do this...
This past weekend I went to Cape May, NJ for a little weekend getaway. I had a lot of fun, even though it was still a little chilly. Here's a quick recap on this fun (and much needed) trip!
Sailor in Stripes
The first day was still a little rainy so I wanted to wear some cool blue tones to match. It was quite cloudy so I brought a sweater along just in case I got cold (yes I tied it around my neck and yes I know it's extra). It was also super windy so pls pardon my hair, it literally did whatever it wanted.
Top: J. Crew (similar) Shorts: Vineyard Vines Sweater: Old Navy, similar Shoes: Jack Rogers Necklace: Etsy
(Seer)Sucker for Cable Knit
On the second day the sun decided to shine, so I broke out the sunnies! Ngl, the sunglasses made the look. I wanted to wear my warmer summer colors since it was so nice. It was still a little windy so I wore a sweater (yeah it's the same sweater, I just love it too much).
Sweater: Old Navy, similar Shorts: British Khaki, similar Shoes: Jack Rogers Necklace: Etsy Sunglasses: Francesca's, similar
Ocean Side Food
Right by the beach, there was a cute little seafood place called Quincy's Original. They had the best shrimp and lobster roll I have ever tasted! Everything about them was so cute, from their menu to their plating. Absolutely adorable and nautical!
Hope you enjoyed the blog! Sorry for being MIA for so long, but I'm back (and hopefully for good)! Make sure you get to plan a weekend getaway at least once this summer.
Happy traveling! Happy vacationing! Fill your life with nice shoes, warm smiles & plenty of dreams With Love, Maria
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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Since school has ended, I've had a lot more time in the morning to eat a proper meal. Lately, I've been a major food paparazzi, taking pictures of every breakfast. I wanted to share some photos with you guys, so (hopefully) you can have a little inspiration to brighten your mornings! Here are my top three breakfast options!
Slow Morning Starter
If you're waking up a little on the later side (or noon), the slow morning starter is a great option! That way, you can have breakfast, even if you don't wake up early enough. This breakfast can also double as a brunch/lunch meal since it's so filling (and delicious). It's perfect for those relaxing "me" days!
The Ingredients:
On-the-Go Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of my staple breakfast foods. Back in high school, I used to have a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast everyday. Adding a little fruit really makes the meal! My personal favs are blueberry and banana, but you can use whatever fruit you like. Even if you're in a bit of a hurry, you can still have a great (and healthy) breakfast!
The Ingredients:
(Not) Green Eggs & Toast
Eggs and toast are one of those classic breakfast meals that you can never go wrong with. You can butter your toast for a savory taste or spread some jam for something a little sweeter. I love my eggs over-easy but you can make them any way you want! This breakfast will deff keep you fueled until lunch time!
The Ingredients:
Every morning deserves a stellar meal to go with it. Make sure you stay energized for your day, and never skip out on breakfast! It's true what they say, "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and supper like a pauper". I hope you guys enjoyed this post! Thanks for reading y'all!
Happy eating! Happy rise & grinding! Fill your life with nice shoes, warm smiles & plenty of dreams With Love, Maria
America's favorite weekend just passed, and I really hope y'all enjoyed it! This year especially, I had a lot of fun. So much so, I decided to blog about it. That way I could share all my memories with you guys! Without further ado, here is my fourth of July recap!!
In the Kitchen
Food on the fourth is always important. It's no Independence Day without summer's staple fruit: watermelon! There was no way I could not have some this past weekend. I also tried something new this year. I made an American flag pie (stars & stripes, the whole works)! I have to admit, it came out a lot better than I thought it would. If you want the recipe, you can check it out here!
All-American Outfit
Shirt: Lands' End Shorts: Vineyard Vines Shoes: Sperry (similar) Watch: Juicy Couture
The 4th of July is the one day the whole country agrees on a dress code. Red, White, & Blue. This was the perfect outfit for the day! I decided to go with my fav button down with the tiny blue anchors, along with my trusty navy blue shorts. I love this classy New England look!
Patriotic Pick-Me-Ups
On the fourth, you can never be too patriotic!! Even my dog, Pierre, was feeling those 'Merica vibes. I had a USA flag bandanna from Michaels that I tied around his neck, and voila! He became an all-American pup. All of the items I bought were very cheap. I got the napkins from Walmart, the flask is from Marshalls, and the glitter & koozie are from Target. Easy way to keep it patriotic on a budget!!
Even though everyday is Independence Day, on July 4th you get to make memories that last a lifetime with the ones you love. I love this country of the free because of the brave! I hope you enjoyed reading this post!!
Happy July! Happy summer! Fill your life with nice shoes, warm smiles, & plenty of dreams With Love, Maria
Over Memorial Day weekend my friend and fellow blogger, Shannon Germain aka The Time Traveling Foodie, and I planned a little dinner party. She created the whole menu and handled all the food aspects of the dinner party. If you would like to know more about Shannon and her side of the night, check out her blog here. Otherwise you can read my perspective of the dinner party!
The Invitations
Sending out the invitations was one of the things on my to-do list. This made the dinner seem a lot more formal than a usual hang out. Instead of just making a group message, I also wanted to give the girls a cute reminder that can also double as a keep-sake! We wanted everyone to know that this was going to require their best behavior & summer outfits!
The Dinner Table
The dinner table is one of the most important aspects of the party (not to mention the most Instagram-able). The set up determines how formal the evening is. We were able to use the Germain's old family china for the salad plates and silverware, giving the theme a little personal charm. The floating candles and flowers were set in mason jars for a rustic feel. This gave the dinner party a classy yet summer artsy tone.
The Guests
From left to right: Julie, Me, Lindsay, Anna & Sarah
LC X MC
The people you have over for an intimate dinner party like this is very important. When you're with good company, nothing else matters. Shannon and I decided that a party of six was the perfect size. We didn't want to overwhelm ourselves by inviting too many people. At the end of the day, as long as you're with the ones you love, everything will be just fine.
The Food
Good food & good people are all you really need to have a good time. Shannon pulled out all the stops with hors d'oeuvres, a delicious poppy seed salad, and a very filling entrée of lemon chicken, asparagus, and potato gratin stacks. For more on desert and the rest of the great eats, check out Shannon's post on The Time Traveling Foodie!
The Dinner Convo
They may be old friends, but the conversations will never be. You never run out of topics with the right company, but every once in a while, the convo needs a little steering. Shannon and I came up with a few conversation starters that can bring us to new discoveries. The topics ranged from cute and reminiscing like, "how did you meet everyone at the table?" to juicy and interesting like, "share something you haven't told anybody". By the end of the meal, there was definitely a lot of laughter at the table.
The Goody Bags
I was in charge of making the goody bags and handing them out to our guests. I wanted the goodies to stick to the theme of the night. Shannon and I both decided that "The Day After" kits would be best. I went on Pinterest and looked for ideas of what to put in the bag. I stopped by Target and picked up a pack of Kleenex, face wipes, mini packs of Advil, breath savers, and some Shout to go. It was a cheap and cute way to show our appreciation for their company!
"We didn't realize we were making memories. We just knew we were having fun."
At the end of the night, everyone was having a great time. No matter what we were doing or what we were eating, I knew we would all have a lot of fun. With a little planning and coordination, Shannon and I were able to pull this off, and I know for a fact you could too! I hope you enjoyed reading about my lively night with my friends, and hopefully you do the same this summer! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me! As always, if you have any type of blog post you want to see, please let me know! Happy planning! Happy partying! Fill your life with nice shoes, warm smiles, & plenty of dreams With Love, Maria
For those of you who have not picked up on it yet, I love coffee and I really love Starbucks. I decided for my next blog post I would do something similar to what I did in the fall, and write about my fav seasonal Starbucks drinks (What Starbucks Drink You Should Have This Fall). If you have a few extra dollars hanging around (or a sufficient meal plan) you should try some of these! I personally ordered all of these drinks (at least once) to give you the most accurate opinion. So without further ado, here are some Starbucks drinks you should definitely try this spring!
1. Iced Caramelized Honey Latte
This is one of the new drinks that Starbucks just released this month. It tastes great iced, especially on a warm spring afternoon. It has caramelized sugar to give it a little crunch. The little bit of honey really balances out the flavors. It is very sweet, but it tastes amazing! If you have a sweet tooth, this is your drink. It really makes you feel like summer is around the corner!!
Pro-Tip: Before drinking, make sure you mix it around because most of the sweet stuff (drizzle & honey) is at the bottom. *you can get this drink hot, cold, or in a frap
Sunny days always call for Starbucks
2. Iced Caramel Macchiato
The Caramel Macchiato is by far my absolute go-to drink. Iced or hot, this drink always knows how to hit the spot. The caramel drizzle evens out the bitterness of the espresso. If you ever "pick-me-up", this would be great. It tastes amazing and keeps me up for the rest of my classes. Even though this drink is sold year-round, it tastes especially good in the spring!
Pro-Tip: On the Starbucks secret menu, you can get this drink in a frap! Just ask for:
Classy girls love caramel macchiatos
3. Very Berry Hibiscus
This drink is without a doubt the "berriest" of them all. If you love raspberries, you my friend, have come to the right place. This drink is actually a refresher (which is true, it keeps me refreshed), so it's not overpowered with flavor. It's a great drink to order if you wanna sit outside and chat with a few friends for a bit (or in my case, gossip for 4 hours).
Pro-Tip: If you have a sweet tooth, ask for 2 shots of raspberry. It makes it a lot sweeter and much more flavorful! (shouts to my girl Julie for the suggestion)
Trust me, this is a "berry" good drink
4. Shaken Mango Black Tea Lemonade
I guarantee you, this will be one of the best lemonades you will ever have, ever! I am a huge mango black tea lemonade aficionado (tbh an all-around Starbucks aficionado as well). Sipping this drink on a sunny day will make you feel like you're at the beach. This drink actually includes a little bit of passion fruit, so it really is a tropical vacation in your mouth!
Pro-Tip: If you are a green or gold level member, this drink counts for a 50 cent refill at any participating Starbucks (you might have to go to a Starbucks off campus because the ones on campus don't normally offer all the rewards)!!
J chillin' by a tree with some mango black tea...
5. Iced Smoked Butterscotch Latte
"Smoked butterscotch" is one of those phrases that gets you intrigued because of its unfamiliarity. That was one of the main reasons I decided to try it (also it was new). This drink is very strong and has a very distinct taste. This is one of the few drinks I suggest for a rainy day, which in State College, we get a good amount of.
Pro-Tip: Just like the caramelized honey latte, you should mix it before you drink it. But if you got it iced, don't mix it too hard or else you will get the smoked butterscotch sauce stuck in your straw and accidentally slurp it up in the first sip (trust me, I learned from experience)!! *you can get this drink hot, cold, or in a frap
Can I have my (butter)scotch on the rocks?
6. Strawberry Açaí
Starbucks makes a lot of great refreshers, but this is definitely my fav one. Once you see this drink pop up on the menu, you know that warmer weather has to be coming soon! I promise you this refresher lives up to its name. I suggest grabbing one on the way to class, that way you can stay positive (and maybe focused) throughout the whole lecture.
Pro-Tip: Ask for a spoon when you get this drink, because you will be digging those strawberries out once you finish it.
All smiles when I'm sippin' on some strawberry açaí
Without a doubt, this was one of my fav posts to write. Sure it broke a little bank, but it was so worth it (plus I got a few bonus stars)!! I had a lot of fun writing the reviews and even more fun trying all those drinks. Hopefully all you Starbucks fanatics found a new drink to enjoy this spring, and hopefully some of you non-Starbucks drinkers found a reason to change your mind!
I wanna give a quick shout out to my roomies for taking all those pics (and for putting up with me), I couldn't have done it without you guys, thank you! As always, feel free to leave any questions and/or comments! I really hope you guys enjoyed reading this post! Happy spring! Happy Starbucks tasting! Fill your life with nice shoes, warm smiles, & plenty of dreams With Love, Maria
Don't worry, not all the choices are PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte for those of you who aren't fluent in "basic white girl").
If You LOVE Pumpkin
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Everybody knows about the obsession all the girls have over this drink, and to be honest with you, you should be obsessed (in fact, I'm drinking it right now)! This drink has the right amount of spice so it's not to sweet, and the right amount of flavor so you can't taste the bitterness of the caffeine. With the PSL comes the optimum posting opportunity as well, Starbucks even made the drink it's own Twitter (which yes, does follow me). You can tweet the account pictures of you and your friends drinking the latte and maybe even get featured (just make sure you use the hashtag #PSLisBack)!
I think this is something I'm way too proud of...
If You're Into Chai
Oprah's Teavana Cinnamon Chai Tea Latte
Oprah does this thing where she designs drinks for Starbucks, and I think it's pretty awesome! The drinks she has created in the past have been stellar, and I drank them often. This drink though has got to be my favorite. It doesn't contain too much cinnamon so you're not overwhelmed by the flavor. I definitely prefer this drink hot, especially due to the weather. Props to Oprah for being a Starbucks master!
You get a latte, and you get a latte, everybody gets a latte!!
If You Want to Try Something New
Toasted Graham Latte
Starbucks just came out with a new drink this fall, and I think this is another great seasonal latte (along with the PSL). I have only had this drink once, but based off of that one time I think I can formulate a somewhat accurate opinion (let's be real, this is the internet... nothing is usually accurate). The flavor is very consistent with a graham cracker BUT it does not taste like a s'more (it does not have a marshmallowy or chocolatey taste)! This is a good drink if you're looking to try new flavors.
If It's Christmas Time All Year Long for You
Hot Chocolate
I don't know about you, but normally I only have hot chocolate during the winter time (specifically during the holidays). Hot Chocolate seems like something most people indulge in when Christmas is approaching. There's something about hot chocolate that makes it so special, that makes you feel like you're drinking a warm cup of cheer. Sometimes the right cup of hot coco is good for the soul, no matter what time of year.
If You're Holding onto the Last Shred of Summer
Shaken Sweet Tea Lemonade
Summer has been officially over for a week now, but I understand if you're still wishing for the warmer weather back. Fall is a hard season to commit to (believe me, I know). Although the clothes are really cute, autumn also brings school and all the stress that comes with it. I could see where you could find sanity in believing summer never ended. This drink is AMAZING (it's like an Arnold Palmer, but even better)! I would order this drink all the time over the summer. It was my go-to Starbucks pick-me-up (yes, it was THAT important). If you want a little summer in a glass, you came to the right place.
Thank you for taking the time to read my latest blog post! I know this one isn't really college student specific, but I was hoping you would enjoy it anyways. Let me know what you thought and if I should just stick to topics for college life. I know this post is directed towards Starbucks drinkers, but with my obsession with their menu, I really couldn't help it (sorry not sorry)! If you haven't tried Starbucks before, I think you should definitely go at least once (but don't blame me if you become as obsessed as I am- I'm warning you).
Happy coffee running! Stay preppin', stay smilin', and most importantly, stay dreamin' With Love, Maria |
Meet MariaHello! I'm a professional shopaholic & monogram aficionado studying at Penn State. I hope you enjoy my blog!
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