Redecorating

As I am in between moving apartments and having to down size (eek!) and coming into my own with decorations, I have decided to redecorate a little! I am obsessed with Pinterest and DIYs, even though I am not successful at most of them...I have decided to make this my new summer project!

I am in love with this shopping bag art! Ever since I have found this, I have been trying to remember which shopping bags I have saved at home that are still in a condition to be framed! I'm hoping to find as many as I can and frame them for above my bed. I was going to cover some canvases in Lilly fabric and hang them above my bed, but this could be another great option!! I'm just hoping I saved my Hermes bag or it will turn into a wall of Lilly bags and prints!!

And as much as I would love a closet like this to hang some fabulous bags in, I will settle for hanging them above my bed and can transfer them into a closet when the time comes.

xoxo,

Molly

Recipes to Try: Spinach

Being home for the weekend allowed me to stock up on some healthier options in bulk (my parents always seem to send me with more than I come home with, not that I am complaining). So here I am in my apartment trying to figure out what to do with two bags of spinach before it goes bad. & yes, I have already froze a lot, not that I know what to do with it then. But, here are some of the recipes I have tried today!!

Spinach Smoothie

Handfull of spinach

Half an apple

Tablespoon of peanut butter

Two strawberries

Vanilla yogurt

Dash of chocolate sauce

Water

Directions: Blend together with ice

Spinach Salad

Spinach

Iceberg lettuce

Walnuts

Strawberries

Goat cheese

Raspberry walnut dressing

Directions: toss and enjoy!

Sautéed Spinach with Pasta

Spinach

Olive Oil

Garlic

Salt and pepper for seasoning

Pasta

Directions: heat olive oil and garlic together, add spinach and cook for three minutes or until wilted, mix in with the pasta of your choice

So it looks like I'll be on a heavy spinach diet for this week. Hopefully I can find more recipes to add some variety! Enjoy

xoxo,

Molly

Natural Blondes

I heard a startling fact today while presenting some of my research at a research conference in Philadelphia: 

2% of the world's population is naturally blonde

I only find this shocking because it is such a low number!! Being a natural blonde and having one as a best friend had me believing that there are more of us out there. Obviously hair salons are doing a great job these days!!

I remember when I worked at a spa/salon in middle school that women would always, literally always, ask for my color. Being flattered, I would have to let them know that it is not possible since mine is all natural. However, with some research, I have found that not only is being "blonde" costly, but it does not have the best associations.

Five fun facts about being blonde:

1. In Greece, blonde hair was associated with prostitution

2. Greek dramatist Menander (342-291 B.C.) once wrote, “No chaste woman ought to make her hair yellow"

3. According to Dr. Tony Fallone (1997), being blonde is not a hair color, but a state of mind.

4. Princess Diana spent about $6,300 each year on having her hair bleached

5. Natural blonde celebrities include: Nick Carter, Dakota Fanning, Reese Witherspoon, and Ryan Phillippe

I add this quote from Marilyn because 1. she was not a natural blonde, but wore a blonde wig and refused to have other blondes on set with her, 2. because she is inspirational, and 3. I am really loving SMASH right now!! But she is right. It is better to be absolutely ridiculous and just be yourself than to be absolutely boring. So be yourself (blonde, brunette, red-head, etc.), because everyone is fabulously unique and different! Let's share our differences and never be boring.

xoxo,

Molly

How to decorate a cubicle?

This is a dilemma I have been facing all week! Monday was the first day of my internship at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and this week has been such a great experience there! However, I am facing a bit of a problem in decorating my cubicle. Do I go all out in pink, green and navy or do I take a more subtle approach? The only thing I have decided is that it needs some happiness in the space of gray.

Little by little I have bringing in some of the items I currently have on my desk in my room in order to bring some light into my cubicle. (& I forgot to mention, it has my name on it! Psyched to say the least)

Accidentally, maybe not so accidentally, it has turned into a Parisian theme. (Click here for my favorite Paris items and some inspiration, I actually have that picture framed next to my computer already).

So far, I have a Paris calendar hanging above my computer, a picture of the Eiffel Tower next to my computer, a pen holder and some post-it notes. HELP! I don't want to go over board with pictures of my family and friends so I am working on bringing only a few of my favorites in. But, there is just so much space to fill and I don't want it to be too over the top as to stay in the same line as some of the other full-time employees. I am currently thinking an inspirational quote board/collage.....

Here are some of my current inspirations that may not be so practical, but I can adapt:

For the more artsy worker:

This just happens to match my apartment:

 And this is my dream:

So these have a bit more of a modern feel rather than Parisian, but I'm working to find some balance. I'll post next week when it's finished!!

xoxo,

Molly

Spring Break Glow

Here is a post for those of us who did not go on Spring Break to somewhere tropical and still want that Spring Break glow! Let's be real, everyone looks better with a tan. It's just the truth. Although I am HIGHLY opposed to tanning beds, I do support at home tanners! (& for those of you actually in the sun for Spring Break, please wear sunscreen!!) Also, Lilly's look the best with a tan! I was planning on wearing my Marisa pink seersucker dress for Easter Sunday and would either a. have to tan, or b. have to change because it'll be cold. We'll see!!

If I know I'll be wearing a dress/skirt in the next few days, I'll use Jergens Natural Glow every night before I go to bed. It is supposed to make you up to three shades darker!!

However, for a quick fix, definitely use the Sally Hansen air brush legs. I haven't had the courage to spend over $10 at CVS for this when I know I have a few bottles of the Natural Glow, but I might need to now that everyone will be coming back from Florida tan and I will be the pale girl out in pictures. & an added bonus, it has a slight shimmer :)

For bronzer let me start off by saying that I am not a make up gal. I use basically the same make up routine from MIDDLE SCHOOL. For real. But that'll be for another day. However, I did recently purchase the Bare Minerals bronzer and have fallen in love! I love the Bare Minerals product line and love looking like I have a healthy glow on a gloomy day in the city. This is definitely worth they buy!!

A safe, happy, and tan Spring Break (and first week back) to everyone!!

xoxo,

Molly

Spring Closet Cleaning

So I am on Spring Break right now wishing I was somewhere tropical!! Instead, I am in the Northeast trying to get some practical chores done at home before starting my internship on Monday. Today's task: cleaning out my closet!

I absolutely hate throwing away anything in my closet! My thought is always that one day in the future I'm going to have an occasion where I will have one perfect shirt for that I haven't worn in a while and that is when it will make it's come back!! However, I can't remember a time when this has ever happened.....

So, I have found a phenomenal tip for cleaning out your closet!!

Turn all of your hangers backwards (aka. whatever way they are now, turn them the other way). & every time you wear something, turn the hanger back to the correct way! That way, when you go to clean out your closet in six months you can see what you haven't worn (and probably won't wear again). This can also help if you are worried about repeating an outfit, just wear something that isn't going the right way yet!

(Note: this is not my closet, but I would LOVE it to be)

I am definitely going to try this tip. Good luck with the rest of Spring cleaning and get ready for warmer weather and some sunshine! :)

xoxo,

Molly

Business Casual: Spring/Summer

I have been searching for cute and affordable business casual clothes to wear in the spring and summer for months now! I have realized that I am much better at fall/winter business casual with fall being my favorite season. However, with my internship (with CHOP!!) starting in a few weeks, I had to go back to the basics. Even though I have held summer jobs for about ever, they included a bathing suit for lifeguarding and denim for retail.

So, all weekend I was hunting for the best deals since I would be creating basically a whole new spring/summer wardrobe! I budgeted to incorporate some new pieces into the basics I already have collected over the years.

And just for another detail to take into consideration, I have curves. It is so hard to find pants that fit my small waist (size 2) and my hips (size 6/8). Jeans are hard enough to find, but chinos?! Basically impossible.

Here are some of the great deals I got this weekend that even work for women with curves!

Old Navy Lobster Pants

(currently on sale, $25)

Old Navy Boyfriend Skinny Khakis

(currently on sale, $25)

J. Crew Factory Skirt

(30% off: SPRINGTOIT)

Liz Claiborne Ankle Pants

(currently on sale, $18!!)

Gap Shorts

(currently on sale, $40 online, $25 outlet)

(15% off: GAPGIFT)

You could say I had a successful weekend!! Outlet shopping is my favorite with all of the great savings for good brands. I also picked up THREE gingham shirts (I am a bit obsessed with gingham) from J. Crew, but then I realized that you could find very similar shirts and colors at Gap Factory Outlet or Old Navy for less than $20! Style steals are my favorite!! Happy spring cleaning and spring shopping :)

xoxo,

Molly