Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad

I finally had a night without oodles of calculus homework,  so I decided to actually cook myself dinner. I made this super simple, and super tasty salad, perfect for a hot summer day, or a quick dinner when you don't have much time on your hands. I used all organic ingredients and consider this recipe vegetarian (even though some argue it isn't because of the goat cheese, but who could give up cheese!?)

And speaking of goat cheese, I just recently tried it and oh.my.gosh. I have been missing out! This cheese is so melt in your mouth good and has an amazing flavor all its own. Definitely my new favorite next to feta.

Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad w/ balsamic vinaigrette 

- 3 tbs. orange juice

- 2 tbs balsamic vinegar (aged)

- 1 tsp canola oil

- 1/4 tsp salt

- 1/4 tsp sugar
- 4 cups greens (I used a spring mix)
- 1 cup thinly sliced strawberries
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped roasted almonds
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese

1. In a separate bowl whisk together the first 5 ingredients. There can be slight differentiations on amounts added depending on your taste preference. I love balsamic vinegar so I added more than what the recipe called for.
2. In a large bowl gently toss the greens, almonds, and strawberries.
3. Top with crumbled goat cheese and drizzle with vinaigrette.

I was super famished since I skipped lunch so along with my salad, I doubled the vinaigrette recipe and marinated a boneless chicken breast in the dressing I had left over. I marinated the chicken for about 30 minutes, then browned it on both sides. It takes about 15 minutes total to brown. I then lowered the heat, added more of the vinaigrette, covered the pan and let the chicken simmer in the vinaigrette for an extra 10 minutes. It came out pretty well and tasted fabulous with the salad!

I Love This City

I bought a used Nikon d40 a couple months ago in hopes of teaching myself some photography skills. Most photographers I talked to said the best way to learn was to just grab your camera and snap whenever, wherever. Eventually you'll learn what lighting is best when, what shutter speeds to use, interesting angles, etc. Well lesson #1 of self-taught photography, don't become photo happy at 10am on a Sunday morning when it's 95 degrees outside. After 15 minutes I was melting.

However, aside from the almost self induced heat stroke I think I actually got some pretty good shots of some iconic Austin spots. Many of these are my favorite artwork on buildings and business signs around town.

{Stephen F. Austin mural on Campus}

{I love my college! I'll go ahead and brag and say UT has the most beautiful campus!}

{Lauren Simkins this shot of the six-pack is for you!}

{More artwork on buildings at UT}

These next few photos below were taken on South Congress.

{Just thought this graffiti was too sweet. Joe's coffee shop must have thought so too; glad they left that message on the side of their building.}

{Can't see too good in this but the statue on top of Lucy in Disguise is a zebra dressed up like the Miss Chiquita from the banana ads. Definitely coolest costume shop ever.}

This last photo was my favorite shot of the day and probably my favorite piece of building art that I've come across in Austin. Is it weird that if I ever get married, I would love to take a wedding photo next to this mural? 

Back to School

I'm in dire need of a new bag to carry my school things for fall semester. I was looking for something a little more stylish than my worn out canvas tote, or solid Jansport backpack that I've had since I was in the sixth grade. I bought a leather backpack off eBay last fall semester but sadly when it came in the mail, it was barely big enough to fit one spiral in. I've tried to find the real vintage version of a leather backpack, but I have yet to find one!

L to R: (row 1)Washed Two-Pocket, $55  topshop.com. Deux Lux Tassel Bucket Bag, $68 urbanoutfitters.com. Deux Lux Messenger, $68 urbanoutfitters.com. (row 2) Ecote Canvas Pack, $68 urbanoutfitters.com. Meander Backpack, $52 roxy.com. Leather Rucksack, $61 topshop.com

These packs portray that perfectly worn in look that I was going for. Right now I'm leaning towards to the two leather Urban Outfitters packs, but also love the rugged look of the Roxy Meander pack. Decisions, decisions!!

Show Your Stripes

These crazy hot temperatures lately have me wishing fall was in the near future! As much as I love cardigans to ward off a slight fall chill, I'm hoping to replace my plethora of cardigans with crisp blazers this season. Blazers can come in all shapes, sizes, colors and cuts. I've complied a group of the cutest striped blazers I've come across. These stripes give the normal blazer a "one-up" in the style department.

1. Zoe Striped Cotton Blazer, $300 net-a-porter.com

2. Magnus Jacket, $425 mytheresa.com

3. Zara Striped Blazer, $39.99 (on sale!) zara.com

4. Hello Sunday Blazer, $98 anthropoligie.com

5. BDG Striped Schoolboy Blazer, $40 urbanoutfitters.com

6. Paper Scissors Striped Blazer, $49 westfield.com.au

Absolutely love how the incredibly chic blogger behind Friend in Fashion styled her striped Zara blazer with a striped dress, and striped black boots.

Animation Station

So taking a break from studying general chem. 2 at the 3am, I was browsing through some blogs as usual and came across an amazing animation on Feather Brain. This is so amazingly creative; I would love to pick the brain of the one who came up with this concept and meet the artists that contributed. Things like this only reassure me that I must have a post-grad job and that doesn't require sitting in a cubicle from 9-5. Would love to spend all day painting various concrete playgrounds (if only I could paint).


BIG BANG BIG BOOM - the new wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.


Have a happy Monday!

Dirty Dancing

Just finished watching Dirty Dancing for about the millionth time and I swear I always watch it like its the first time I've ever seen it. However, this time I couldn't get over how all of "Baby's" ensembles in the movie were so incredibly cute! I immediately went and made my own little outfit inspiration board inspired by a few of her iconic looks in the movie, with a modern twist.

-Miso Knot Stripe T-Shirt, $20 republic.co.uk

-White Broderie Crop Top, $28 misselfridge.com

-INCEDE Light Ounce Denim Shirt, $54 maruione.jp

-Roxanne low-rise White Denim, $200 net-a-porter.com

-Current Elliot Crop Jeans $590 farfetch.com

-TOMS Red/orange Women's Classic, $48 Toms.com

-Classique 'Gatsby' Swiss Quartz Watch, $110 endless.com

-Oversized Pearl Studs, $6.76 asos.com

-Ray-Ban Classic Clubmaster, $145 urbanoutfitters.com

Ah white jeans, breezy tied crop tops and the most comfy flats you'll ever slip on. These outfits epitomize classic, comfortable, and 'chic without the effort' summer wear.

Native Instincts

Inspired by the recent native trend that's been catching on lately. I'm a huge fan of all things feathers, purple, turquoise, and fringe. This trend shall suit me quite well.

-Rebecca Minkoff Darling Hobo, $470 endless.com

-Kena Aviators, $11 alloy.com

-Nara Sandal, $117 endless.com

-1880's Malachite Drop Earrings, $235 eriebasin.com

-Native Feather Top, $18 canadaforever21.com

-Ziggy Zip Cutoff Short, $159 metroparkusa.com

-Feather Waistcoat, $60 oasis-stores.com

180 Degrees South

I've only recently become fascinated by the documentary world. I would say, that where the film industry today is becoming cheesier and more boring by the minute, documentaries are more and more entertaining to me. They are actually about real, amazing, life changing stories, adventures, and lives. About things that we could probably relate to more than anything in a vampire love story (however yes, I am guilty of watching them too).

Oceans Waves Beaches featured this trailer for the documentary 180 degrees South friday. It is currently on free/instant view on Netflix and as soon as I'm done studying for the week, I'm downloading and watching.





"The hardest thing in the world is to simplify your life. It's so easy to make it complex. The solution may be, for a lot of the world's problems, to turn around and take a forward step. You can't just keep trying to make a flawed system work."

Thank God It's Friday

School and work have kept me from keeping up with my blog as much as I would like to; however, there are no classes on Friday so I normally can find a little time to make a quick post.

I've been "window shopping" on topshop.com here lately and I've already come up with an entirely too long wish list. A picked a couple of my favorite pieces to share, the best thing about all these pieces is they are perfect transition pieces from summer, to fall, and being in the south I could definitely use these in my winter wardrobe too.

-Slouched jumper by Boutique, topshop.com

-Blue panel bodycon skirt, topshop.com

-PAIGE buckle wedges in taupe, topshop.com

-Floral box crossbody bag, topshop.com

I want to live in that cream jumper! It looks so breezy and soft, perfect for a chilly night, but loose enough to enjoy during the day. I've been wanting a good bodycon skirt (this one is perfect!), loving the look of a billowy top, with a tight bottom. And ahhhh I'm dying for these PAIGE wedges! They are great for summer, and I would hope to be brave enough to try them with a cute sock underneath for fall or winter outfits. The vintage feel of the floral cross body bag is right up my alley and floral goes great with any season!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Don't Worry, Be Happy

This week, today especially, has been very trying for me. I don't do well with stress, so these days as soon as things get me down I immediately try to remind myself of things make me happy, reassess goals that I'm striving for, and think of all the wonderful things around me. These images are all of those things to me.

{perfect image to describe how me and my friends act on a daily basis. I wouldn't trade them for the world}

{I truly believe that the ocean is good for the soul. I miss it so much}

{how cute are these little girls shoes. let's go swing at the park soon.}

{so inspiring: make your own magic in life}

{and this amazing place, I will one day call home}

I hope everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July weekend, and remember another wonderful thing to be thankful for, our freedom. Many, many thanks to the heroes of our country that gave us that freedom, and continue to pray for those who are still fighting to keep it today. God Bless America.

Photos: weheartit