I have quite a bit of fun over on Twitter! I love finding new people to follow, so I would love it if you would follow me and let me know you found me through my blog and I will be sure to follow back!!



I love sharing interesting articles, motivating quotes, pretty and/or funny pictures, and just other generally great stuff!

However, I know some people don't have time for all that twittering or just don't get it, so I thought I would share the best tweets from the month on my blog as well!

This month was more traveling! Which has been fun... the weather has also gotten so cold! I've mostly been hanging around with the fam, visiting friends, and lounging around the house reading! I am really enjoying some of my favorite TV shows coming back, like Dexter and Walking Dead, and also the new show Homeland. It's been good lazing around, but I'm excited to make November a bit more... well, productive.


Also, it looks like Storify (the thing I use to make these...) has changed some and I'm not sure I like it. Also, almost none of the twitter picture services are working :( Oh well! I promise I am tweeting lots of pics though - especially since I got a new smart phone!!

What have you been up to this past month? Any awesome links or tweets that you saw?

So you may be thinking, how is my macaroni and cheese project going? Well, it's kinda stuck.... on one recipe.



I have been absolutely loving (!) that recipe I used last time except I haven't been baking it (cause that kinda sucked). I have tweaked it in all sorts of ways.

The project is still a work in progress though!

This is what I have been doing so far. It is a combination of the VOD Panera recipe, the Panera recipe they listed on their blog, Smitten Kitchen's Martha's mac and cheese, and a few of my own tweaks.

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
4 Tbsp butter
4 Tbsp flour (can use whole wheat pastry)
4 oz American cheese
4 - 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp mustard powder
1/8 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 - 1 tsp salt
1 box of pasta (I like cavatappi, can use whole wheat or other if you prefer)

Directions:

Boil the water and cook pasta according to the instructions.

Melt the butter in a large sauce pan and when it begins to bubble add the flour. Cook for 1 minute. Slowly add the milk and cream while stirring.

After 5-10 minutes, the sauce will thicken. Add the spices and cheeses and stir until blended. Mix with the pasta and serve!

Easy and quick!

Variations:

I've tried adding Gruyere cheese, which I like, but it makes the sauce a bit less smooth. I am in the process of trying all different types of cheeses!

I've used whole wheat and regular ingredients and both are tasty although as usual, whole wheat is a little more, well, wheaty.

I've used all skim milk, some skim, all whole, and half whole and half cream as directed. That's the best, although if you add more cheese, less fatty milk balances it out.


I am still learning and working on it, so any suggestions are appreciated!!

I think if I want to bake it, I need to make more sauce so it dries out less... hmmm.... and the project continues!

To me this quote is all about strength and knowing that things aren't too much. That we will all be okay.

The other night on the Virtual Book Club chat about Spirit Junkie, we were talking about how people come into our lives for a reason, and by thinking of them like that - as "assignments" - and thinking of what we can learn from things, rather than just trying to cope with them, we are in a much more positive situation.

I talk a lot about how mindset can really affect your happiness and it is true. Another sentiment mentioned from the book was that pain is caused by our thoughts.

Now when I am feeling down and hurt, I try and remember that quote - that I can handle it - and by thinking negatively, I am only causing myself pain.

What do you think about this? I thought the book club chat was awesome though! Some really great ideas floating around!

This cheesecake recipe is the one I have been eating my whole life - and I can say with certainty, it is the best cheesecake in the world. And not just cause it's my mom's go-to recipe. Ok, well, maybe.



It is a cream cheese and egg cheesecake (not the ricotta variety that I know some people love) and I think it is the perfect blend of not-tooooo-sweet and creamy.

Ingredients:

Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
(+ another 1/2 cup for the springform pan)

Filling:
3 8 oz packages of cream cheese
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Strawberry Topping:
2 16oz packages of frozen strawberries
1/2 tsp cornstarch
1/4 cup water

Supplies:
Springform pan
Hand or stand mixer
Several mixing bowls
Medium sauce pan

Directions:

Pre-heat the oven to 350.

Start with the crust: Use the butter to coat the spring form pan. Combine the rest of the crust ingredients and with fingers, push into a crust on the pan.

Next, make the filling: Soften the cream cheese. Beat the egg whites until stiff, and then blend in the sugar. Combine with the cream cheese and add the vanilla extract.

Pour into the crust and pan evenly, and bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes (possibly more) depending on your oven. Check at a few intervals. It will be done when the surface cracks and is very slightly browned - a toothpick should come out semi-clean.

While the cheesecake is baking, make the topping: combine cornstarch and water. Heat frozen strawberries in a pan on the stove until they boil. Add cornstarch mixture to create a thick, strawberry topping.

After the cheesecake is finished, add the topping. Refrigerate overnight.



This cheesecake recipe came from a contest my mom and her friends had when she was about my age for the best cheesecake recipe, and this was the winner! My mom adds that this is not a Southern cheesecake recipe as it was from her very close potter friend who was from New Jersey.

I must also say that this recipe is fantastic leftover for breakfast...

Do you like cheesecake? I am pretty picky about it and most recipes I think are pretty meh after having this one my whole life!

I heard a lot of things about the Clarisonic Face Brush and I eventually decided to take the plunge and get one.


Source: Clarisonic

My reasons for trying it out were this:

• I love my Sonicare (and the Clarisonic is made by the same company) toothbrush SO much
• There are tons of good reviews from other bloggers
• They tout amazing results (reducing fine lines and decreasing pore size)
• The idea that I could use this with any cleanser - so maybe I could switch to a more natural face cleanser without having any acne {I love the Patricia Wexler Acne line but am trying to use more natural products}

I've been using my Clarisonic (which I bought at Sephora because of their amazing return policy) for about 2 months now, and I must say that everything that has been said about it is true! I love it!

When you are using it, it feels a little unusual, but nice. It has a sort of warming, vibrating feeling. It automatically goes for 1 minute - and then you are done! I actually think I spend less time washing my face with the Clarisonic!

Immediately after I use it, regardless of what face wash I use, my skin looks glowy, almost the same as after having a facial. And my face feels very fresh!

Long term, my skin texture has gotten better and while I don't know about reducing wrinkles or pore size, I can definitely say that my skin reminds me of how it used to look back when I was in high school.

I have been using it with a few different face washes, but no wins so far (still love my Patricia Wexler Exfoliating Acne cleanser the best). I've also been using it in conjunction with my argan oil, and I would have to say that my skin has never been better!

I bought the Mia because other than the body brush ability and the dock, I couldn't see any difference between the models, and the price difference is significant. I believe they just dropped the price to $119 (I paid $149) so now there is really no reason not to try it out!

Clarisonic Reviews Elsewhere:

• Beauty Bets' Clarisonic: Must-Have or Total Myth?
• Cheap Chicas: Me and My Clarisonic Mia
• Fitnessista's Clarisonic Review
• Gala Darling and Miss NM Brittany Toll's Recommendation (skip to the bottom of the interview for product recs)

{As a side note, I have been thinking about my product reviews, and while getting free stuff would be awesome, I think it changes how the product is perceived by the reviewer. Many bloggers say they would buy the free thing anyway, but I have my doubts. So far I have never gotten anything free for being a blogger, but in the future, if I was offered in exchange for a review, I wouldn't do it.

I was thinking the best way to deal with this is to accept an additional product to the one I bought (and love!) and to give it away or maybe give a promo code? What do you all think of sponsored product reviews, etc?}

Also, if you have tried the Clarisonic what do you think?

Source: 126

Sometimes it is so hard to accept things as they are and not stress and worry about them. I have a tendency to create all kinds of wild stories in my mind about everything, including the whys, hows, ifs, ands, and buts of any negative situation, but really, this isn't productive at all and just allows me to wallow.

Instead of thinking about how bad things are, how worried we are, or all the things that could go wrong, it is so much better to just let negative things be as they are. Grow stronger from them. Learn. Relax. Everything will be alright.

I was going to write about how happy I am for the crisp chill in the air and the beautiful colors gracing the trees, but instead I am going to tell you that my mom took about 62 pictures of me with my (new!!!) iPhone before we just decided to use one from the very beginning.


Cardigan F21, Tank F21, Skirt Target, Tights Target, Flats Naturalizer, Belt "Vintage" (my moms)

Yeah. It was fun and while about 75% of them were super blurry, some of them were down-right hilarious and definitely gave us some good laughs.

I like this outfit a lot because it shows an example of re-mixing summer items to be suitable for fall wear. This skirt is something that is good during the summer, but it transitions well because it also has some deep fall colors. Also, with tights it is a bit more length appropriate since I don't like wearing skirts at the hip.

I am very much enjoying this beautiful weather here at home in Tennessee!!

Can I tell you about how excited I am for this Sunday? Why? Because The Walking Dead season 2 is beginning.


Source: Netflix

The series premiered last Halloween on AMC and the first season is currently available on Netflix Instant and on Demand - so watch it quick before Sunday night's season 2 premiere!!

The Walking Dead is a post-apocalyptic zombie story based on the comic book series. The show features Sheriff Rick Grimes, who wakes in a hospital after the state of Georgia, and presumably, the rest of the world, has been overrun by zombies. What follows is not a zombie shock-you-out-of-your-seat tale, it is a story about people: how they band together, how they help each other (and sometimes don't), and the way they react in a new and very difficult reality.


Source: AMC

I am not a fan of the type of horror that gets cheap scares through ominous music with loud punctuations and quick shots, and this is not that. In fact, I would argue that The Walking Dead isn't even really horror at all, although there are some quite gruesome and really realistic images (major props to the make-up special effects on this show - just take a look at that make-up above!!) as well as some terrible situations that get deep into your mind.

I strongly recommend watching this show!


Source: AMC

The new season premieres this Sunday at 9pm!

Some other places talking about the Walking Dead:

• NY Mag Vulture Recaps (that don't really like the show, but are interesting to read)
• Entertainment Weekly Recaps
• LA Times Walking Dead Showtracker
• Walking Dead Recaps on Vanity Fair
• Esquire Walking Dead Recaps

And also: how to be a zombie for Halloween!!

In trying to live our best lives, one of the most important things we can do is to take care of ourselves and two major components of that are (1) eating good, whole foods and (2) moving our bodies.



I have noticed that when I eat with no care for balance (read: lots of chips, desserts, and cheese) and when I sit around all day indoors, my skin feels different, my body feels different, and most importantly of all, my mind feels different. It becomes so easy to fall into that rut of giving your body poor fuel and not using it, and then wonder why you have no motivation to do anything and your brain feels totally hazy. Our bodies are just like cars, if you don't give them the right gas, or you just let them sit for weeks, they won't work properly.

In an effort to get my mind right and get motivated to do these two things I like to keep this idea of a Happy Body at the forefront. When I am choosing breakfast, I ask myself, how will this make my body feel? I think the Happy Body idea is awesome, because sometimes a cupcake is exactly what will make your body happy. But sometimes it is also a big bowl of spinach and a sweaty yoga class.

Some things I have learned about eating for a Happy Body:

Food:

Source: Ashley

• It's all about balance, day by day, meal by meal. I try to balance each meal with veggies/fruits, lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats. This is what works the best for me. I try to eat a vegetable and/or fruit at every meal.

• I try to buy foods with the least ingredients (nothing I can't recognize), and if possible, make stuff from scratch in bulk for the freezer.

• Frozen veggies and fruits are my friends! They can be more fresh than the produce at the store because they are frozen at their peak. Also, they last much longer so they don't spoil, a lot of times they are already chopped up so less prep time, and in some cases, can be much less expensive than fresh!

• I try to avoid anything processed - this includes white sugar. To me processed means that the food has had something done to it that I couldn't replicate at home with the right equipment. Obviously there is a grey area with this one.

• I have an organic pecking order: meats (which I don't eat, but buy for others), then all animal products, then the dirty dozen. I try to stick to this but it can be really difficult.

• Local food is great! This year I joined a CSA and I try to buy local dairy products from Whole Foods. I am looking forward to finding some good Farmer's Markets for next year.

• If I am craving something that I know doesn't make my body happy in general, I try to get the best version of it possible. Haagen Dazs only for me!

• I have slowly learned what food I have sensitivities to and I avoid them 99% of the time. No more popcorn or fake cheese powder.

Activity:

Source: Sara Williamson

• I like to sweat most days. It makes my skin feel so much better, not to mention the rest of me.

• I walk as much as I can, especially outdoors. Mandatory walks with my dog twice a day! Getting outside is so great for so many things like clearing your mind, helping your sleep by adjusting your circadian rhythms, and improving your mood (especially by getting some vitamin :D).

• I don't do exercise that I don't like. The gym isn't for me, so I don't go there. If it makes me miserable, then it's not contributing to my Happy Body goal.

• I have the things that I do regularly, but it is always nice to change it up and try a new class or activity, especially with a friend!

• I think of my regular activities as hobbies, not as mandatory exercise. I look forward to my yoga classes because it is my hobby and it makes me feel amazing. It's all about the mindset.

Overall, the main thing I try to do is not over-think it and just be "normal" (no weird diet foods, food journaling, or crazy menu modification at restaurants). I spent so much time thinking about dieting throughout my life that I would much rather just be enjoying myself while treating myself right. I try to follow these guidelines of things that I know work for me, but if I can't or don't feel like it, I try not to get down on myself. After all, this is all about being happy!!

Is there anything you do to help you feel your best? Anything I left out that you think is important?

Source: Dawn Endico

Don't you hate when you have an interview and you cannot figure the life of you what to wear? Yeah, me too. But! I think I've pretty much got it down pat.


Tulle Dress, J Crew Cardigan, Target Tights (reversable!), thrifted SM mary-janes, Longchamp bag, gifted necklace

This is what I wore (which I know, is quite similar to another recent post) to a business casual interview. I always aim for a few things in my interview outfits:

• Sweat concealing. I am a nervous sweater and there is nothing worse than getting home and realizing I have gigantic pit stains. Blech!
• Comfortable. Seriously, I don't want my tight pants restricting my breathing, I will probably already be uncomfortable enough. (And a side note on this: I never wear pants anymore. I almost never wear pants on a day-to-day basis - unless they are leggings - so why would I wear them to an interview?) And heels? Definitely not too high, they may decide they want to give you a tour of the whole building!
• Dressier than what most people wear to work there, but not so dressy that you stick out like a sore thumb.
• Memorable and personal. All black is kinda a no-go for me; I want them to remember me! Also, I want to wear something I like that shows my personality, because if they don't like me for that, then I'm probably a bad fit anyway.

  

It was around this time last year when my food budget was totally out of control. I went to the grocery about 3 times a week (sometimes more) always spending at least $50 a pop. That's how I ended up spending almost $800 a month on food.

In January, I decided to start saving, with the idea of a new car in mind. Well, it was a real blessing since I got laid off and was able to use those savings for my France trip!

This coming year I am participating in Emily's food budget challenge. Hopefully, I will be able to stick to my specified budget (which will be a little more structured than what I did before) and even learn something in the process!

A few things about my food buying situation:

• I grocery shop for 2.
• My usual way of limiting grocery spending is by limiting my trips to the store. I also have been known to revert to not cooking much at all, or just scrounging around in the freezer and pantry for odd left-over items.
• I subscribed to a CSA over the summer, and it could even go until November, but it has been paid in full. I figured it out to be about $20 a week, so that's how it will look in the food budget.
• I'm a vegetarian and I try to eat/buy as much organic and local products as possible.
• For my purposes, I am going to include alcoholic beverages in my budget, which I have not wanted to do before. If it's something I buy, it will be in the budget.

I am going to be posting about this on a monthly basis, the first Thursday of each month, reflecting on the month prior and setting new goals for the upcoming month.

I am pretty excited to be taking this on!

For the next month, I am planning on spending $100/week on food and beverages (so $400 until my next update).

Other Blogs Participating in the Project:

• Emily Levenson
• Dairy-Free Cooking
• Test Kitchen Tuesday
• Red Pen Mama
• Fit Flexitarian
• Warm As Pie 
• Katy Rank Lev
• My Inner Healthy
• Little Blue Hen
• xox, b
• What da Health?
• Project Food Budget 2.0
• Ignition Nutrition
• A Nice Heart and a White Suit

Last summer I was very taken with the idea of subscribing to a CSA. Some of you may not know what that is, so here's the short of it: community supported agriculture, where you "subscribe" to the farm, and get a share of the yield each week.



I researched some different farms in the Pittsburgh area (there are a lot!) and decided to go with the Kretschmann Farm CSA because they are solely CSA supported and there was a lot of good feedback. Also, drop-offs close to my house! I calculated it to be around $20/wk, which is more than I usually spend on produce, but I thought it would be worth it.

I will be honest, I love the idea of a CSA. Fresh produce every week! Supporting local organic farms! Food grown right around where you live! Longer lasting and fresher produce! Emailing with the people who grow your food! Experimenting in the kitchen and trying new recipes!

However, in practice, the CSA does not work for me. The quality is very good, but I don't know about the claims of the produce lasting longer. Also, I am not partial to most of the produce that has been sent. I haven't been very motivated in the kitchen, and a lot of stuff has either been an overload (tomatoes) or I have no idea how or desire to use it (um, cabbage?). Unfortunately, a lot ends up gone bad and in the trash. It's a waste. A few times I even forgot to pick up my box (at least that was donated!). However, it is a lesson! I won't be re-upping my CSA next year.

Do any of you have a CSA? Do you like it? If you are from Pittsburgh, do you go to any farmer's markets you like? That's what I'm gonna be looking for next year!

Fun outfit for a fun night! I love this dress and the houndstooth pattern so it was fun to wear it with some of my favorite red heels and my sequined cardi to Casino Night!


Dress - Rubber Ducky, Nymphe cardigan, Target tights, LAMB heels, F21 ring

I took these quick snaps in the mirror before heading out the door!

I love the way cropped cardigans go with dresses - they keep the shape so well! I need to get more colors for sure, as this dressy one is the only one I have!

  

I am absolutely head-over-heels (haha) in love with these shoes - they are just gorgeous. I am always happy for the opportunity to wear them!

Oh, and yeah, about those tights. I don't even want to talk about the weather that made me have to wear those...