A Glimpse of Glam

Image Credit: The Upside Sport

Hey everyone!

Leggings are a huge trend nowadays. No matter where you go, you are bound to run into someone sporting a pair of leggings. I know I wear my fair share of them, like here and here and here. Okay, enough with the "here". You get my drift.

You can incorporate them in so many ways into your outfit and wardrobe. The only thing I gotta warn you is to just make sure you actually wear them in a way that doesn't make you look like you aren't wearing pants! That's a huge drawback to these comfy articles of clothing. Today I have a guest post sharing a few ways to dress up your favorite leggings!

This guest post is by Jae Rustia. She's had a guest post in the past here before. She has great tips to share with you all! I hope you enjoy.

Add leather

Off the shoulder

Put on a blouse

Go for asymmetry

Mesh it up

Go for lingerie

Image Credit: The Upside Sport Instagram

Find the right shoes

I hope you enjoyed reading this and got some useful tips! Lemme know in the comments below  what you thought! Thank you, and I wish you all a great day!


Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

How's that arugula and quinoa salad looking to you? I'm still working on my photography skills, so I hope I did it justice.

I don't know about you, but one thing for sure that applies to me is that I LOVE food. I love trying out new tasty treats, and putting recipes to test. Whenever I find the time to, I enjoy taking a recipe and making it my own. Food is life! Literally...

Which is why one of the classes I am taking this quarter is like a dream come true. Too bad it's only one class for one quarter. I forgot if I have mentioned in a previous post, but I am taking a culinary nutritional sciences class. All of that is just a fancy name for a class where we get to learn about the science behind foods. We get to cook food as our homework. Can it get better than that? I'm not even at a culinary school either, which is why when I found out this class was offered I had to snatch up on that opportunity as soon as I could.

Recently one of my assignments was to create a vinaigrette, all from scratch! Like you can't take the lazy route and go to the store, buy a bottle of Paul Newman's, and call it a day. We were learning about the properties of emulsion, and how that works. A vinaigrette is the perfect way to show this. I chose to create a honey balsamic vinaigrette because I love the taste of honey. It's the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.

So I'm basically sharing TWO recipes today. One is the vinaigrette, and the other is a recipe idea to go with it. You could just eat the vinaigrette straight up with a spoon, but I wouldn't recommend that. I mean, it is edible. And you won't die. But it's pretty strong. The choice is yours. I'm not your mother.

Also, just want to let you know that you will need a blender or food processor to make this. Maybe a hand mixer works too? It helps to have this to blend the ingredients together into one homogenous product.



Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (NOT the vinaigrette, but the pure balsamic vinegar. I used one that has a light blueberry flavor, but plain works)
3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 heaping tablespoon dijon mustard
2-3 tablespoons raw honey (depending on how sweet you like it)
pinch of sea salt
dash of nutmeg
dash of cinnamon

Put the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and mustard into a blender or food processor. Blend together.
Add in the honey and blend again until the mixture is completely smooth and mixed through.
Add the salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon and blend only to combine evenly.

Makes roughly 2 oz


Arugula and Quinoa Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa**
4 cups arugula
1/2 of a long english cucumber
6 mini sweet bell peppers
1 medium carrot
2 medium tomatoes
6 oz honey balsamic vinaigrette (or more if you like)
light sprinkle of hemp seeds

Dice the cucumber and bell peppers into small chunks
Thinly slice the carrot into small 1 inch pieces
Thinly slice the tomatoes. Set aside several pieces for garnish.
Combine all ingredients, except for the slices of tomato for garnish, into a bowl and toss to combine. (I found that adding half of the dressing at first, then slowly adding more and more helped evenly mix it through. Otherwise, the quinoa really soaks up the dressing.)
Top it off with the leftover slices of tomato and serve.

Makes 6 servings


**To cook quinoa it is a 1 to 2 ratio for the dry uncooked quinoa and liquid of choice. Add the quinoa and liquid into a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once it is boiling and bubbling, cover pot with a lid and reduce heat to a low simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove from heat and let sit to cool for an additional 5-7 minutes with the lid still on. Fluff up and separate the individual grains with a fork and serve. (I chose to cook the quinoa for the salad here with 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup water for a hint of a savory chicken flavor to pair with the salad )


Give this a try next time you're feeling like eating a salad, and lemme know what you think! I'm trying to get healthier for the summer. And I'm hoping you guys wanna join me in this. Gotta rid of those cold-weather habits sooner rather than later.

What is your favorite type of salad dressing? Have you cooked quinoa before?

Thank you for reading, and I hope you guys are all having a lovely week!


Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

How has your week been? After the amazing experience I had last weekend, this past weekend has been very dull. Otherwise, my week has been pretty good. This quarter, I am interning at the art gallery at my school for both credit and experience. It's a great thing to put on a resume. I also find it way more enjoyable than sitting in class and studying for tests. Though, at times I do miss the rush of adrenaline I get when I'm cramming for a test. The other classes I am taking are not as stressful as the ones I had last quarter. Thank goodness. It's been a nice, chill several weeks so far. Let's hope I didn't just jinx it.

I don't know if you remember, but a long time ago I created a wishlist of things I wanted to get from Newchic. They have a lot of nice things on that site for pretty reasonable prices. A while ago, I received those things I put on my wishlist. I wanted to share with you all today a review. Hopefully this helps you find some things to get if you are feeling like you want to update your wardrobe.

Scarf: Here

I LOVE oversized scarves because they feel like you are wearing a blanket. Or a cape. I can pretend to be like superwoman or something. Here, I paired the scarf with the lovely black romper I got from Newchic. Rompers have been and currently are in style. I just had to get one because with the warmer weather, I can get sick of wearing shorts, skirts, and dresses. A versatile romper like this one can really come in handy.

When ordering this romper, I tried matching my own measurements as closely as possible to the ones available for sizing online. However, the romper turned out to be too big. A similar thing happened in another occasion when I shopped online, where the dress I got was too large. But, getting something that is bigger than desired is a simple fix. Because it is a romper, I just threw on a black belt, and basically tucked in the romper at the sides in such a way to make it look more fitted. The black belt was one I already owned and not part of the actual romper, but I think that it adds a little oomph to the outfit.

I'll definitely find a way to alter the romper to make it fit better, but otherwise I really like the overall quality and the style. It will be perfect for many occasions. Black rompers are so versatile. They have the simplicity of a dress, in that with one item you've got yourself an outfit, but without the hassle of having to actually wear a dress. Wearing dresses can be nice, but you have to care about how you sit and such, which can become annoying at times. That's wear a nice romper comes in handy.

Black Romper: Here

Bracelet: Here Ring: Here

Recognize that outfit in the photo? It's one of the outfits I wore from my mini haul of things from Dresslink. Bucket Bag: Here

The last thing I got was this black bucket bag. Let me be honest here. I seriously LOVE this bag to death! Ever since I've gotten it, I've used it everywhere I go. It's such a great, versatile design. It can go with many outfits. The overall structure is nice. It can hold a TON of stuff. The material of it is sturdy, and more or less waterproof because of the faux-leather. I really really like it. Of everything I got, this is the one thing I will really be putting to use. The only thing I don't like is that there is some random E decal, which I assume is from the brand. But, I can remove it if I wanted to. I just wish that it was an A for Andrea.

What do you guys think? Have you bought anything from Newchic before? After receiving these things, I definitely recommend it. They have pretty great quality items for the prices you pay. If you are on the lookout for some new things to add to your wardrobe, go check out Newchic. I left all the links to the items I got in the image captions!

By the way, I wanted to mention something else before I forget! I remember awhile ago I said that I would post hair and makeup tutorials. I have not forgotten! I'm still planning them out. Currently, I'm trying to find the best way to take photos of it for a post. I'm still working on them, don't worry. I may claim at times to have the mindset of an eighty-years old lady, but I sure do not have the memory of one.

How do you deal with clothes that are a size too big? What are some of the ways you wear rompers? Lemme know in the comments below! I always love finding new ways to style certain things. 

Thank you for reading! I hope you all have a wonderful day!


Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

I have a question for you. Why are undergarments treated as such a taboo? Have you ever stopped to consider why society treats bras as something to cover up? I mean, obviously we literally cover them up with clothes. But, why do we get so embarrassed with bras?

Have you ever wondered that? Because I know I do.

Like in that picture, my bra strap is showing. Bright pink is peaking out from under the off-white top. Oh no! The horror! So scandalous! Okay, I mean it definitely does detract from the shirt because of the obnoxious color. Nonetheless, my point is that I find it funny how the topic of bras always causes some level of discomfort and awkwardness.

Regardless, as women, wearing bras is part of our daily lives. We put in effort into looking good through our outfits, hair, and makeup. Something as small as an issue with our bras can really mess that all up and jeopardize scoring a perfect 10. Like those pesky bra straps that keep falling down? Or when the band at the back rides up? It's so irritating. Everything can be on point EXCEPT for that annoying little nuisance.

It's a love-hate relationship.

We love the gorgeous effect bras can create, but we also hate having to deal with them. Like some pesky, drooling toddler. Just like dealing with a misbehaving child, there are ways to handle the issues we encounter with bras to make them more manageable.

Today, I wanted to share with you all my solutions to the bra-blems I know we all have encountered at one point or another. I was recently introduced to Thirdlove and thought it would be nice to give you all some helpful tips for common bra-blems. ThirdLove is a company that specializes in cute and practical bras! I've got your back, so I am sharing them with you along with some other tips of mine.  If you are one of those lucky few who never have issues with bras, then props to you. Here's a cookie. Go enjoy it in the corner while the rest of us deal with it.

Problem 1: Slipping Straps
Straps sometimes just can't take the hint that they should be staying ON your shoulders, not NEAR them. You have one job! Just stay on my damn shoulders!

One way to fix that is to tighten the straps. That tactic definitely works! I've noticed that after I wash my bras, the straps become sort of wonky. Plus, after having been worn and pulled up and down, they tend to need some adjusting. Make sure after you wash your bras when you dry them, you don't hang them up in a way that stretches out the straps. The more stretched out the straps are, the looser they will be too. So take good care of your bras.


Problem 2: Band Riding Up
So I personally haven't experienced this issue, but what causes the band to ride up is if the band is a size too small. You know what's weird? The size 32B is essentially the same as a 34A. I mean, obviously you would go for the B because it makes you feel better. But, in reality they fit pretty similarly. The only difference is size of the band, not your actual boobs.


Problem 3: Straps Digging In
No it's not because your straps are too tight. I mean, yeah you can loosen them, but that's not gonna fix the issue. Most likely you aren't getting enough support, so your bra is being weighed down. Gravity can be a nuisance. But we gotta deal with it, and anyways if it weren't for gravity there would be serious issues. Like our hair wouldn't look that great floating around our heads sans gravity.


Problem 4: Quad-Boob
Ever watch a movie where people dress up in Renaissance clothing, and the women wear these dresses with corsets that make their boobs go up to their collarbones? That's not comfortable. Don't do that. We live in the 21st century, get with the program. If you're suffering from this, this means your girls need some more breathing room. Don't suffocate them. Go buy a bra with a bigger cup size.


Problem 5: Side Boob
Side boobs are not attractive. In fact, you might possibly come off as looking like you got some weird armpit-fat going on. You shouldn't be having a set of quadruplets on your chest. See Problem 4. As in, you probably need a bigger cup size too.

Don't feel bad! A lot of people want bigger boobs, and would pay good money for it. You got lucky and your money gets to stay in your wallet. Except for the amount needed to buy a bra with a bigger cup size. Okay, maybe not just one bra because you will need to wash it. So, like, a few.

Also, make sure you actually sort of push your boobs into the cup when you put on your bra. Make sure you are sort of maneuvering all of it in. You don't want to walk around looking like you've got love-handles on your chest.


Problem 6: Cup Gaping
I know I have dealt with this problem quite a few times myself. It's because you need a bra with smaller cup size. We gotta face the facts. We aren't shaped like Barbies. So our girls won't be perfectly shaped, but there are solutions. Other bra styles such as push-ups would help because of the angle of the cups.

Being someone with boobs on the smaller side, I have learned something else that is helpful when it comes to bras. Wearing a bra that has removable straps, where it can become a strapless bra, really helps! The cups don't gape as much. So, if you struggle with a similar issue, give that a try and lemme know how that goes!



Til next time,
~A

Hey everyone!

I have a wonderful story to share with you all today. For once when someone asks me how my weekend was and how I am doing, I can respond enthusiastically saying I'm doing GREAT and actually mean it! Whenever people ask out of pleasantries and politeness how you are, you generally just dish out a vague response. "Oh I'm doing good" or "Okay" or "I'm alright". None of those generic responses apply to me today because I am in a great mood. A brilliant high carrying over from yesterday. The residual emotions still pumping through my veins.

I met TWO celebrities today. Two actresses who I love and stalk follow religiously. And one of them was Lana Parrilla.

I met Lana Parrilla.

I met one of my favorite, favorite, FAVORITE actresses from one of my FAVORITE TV shows. Lana Parrilla, who plays the Evil Queen Regina on Once Upon A Time. The other actress I met was Rose McIver. She plays Tinkerbell in Once Upon A Time as well as Liv on iZombie. Both TV shows are incredible, and have really enticing storylines. Watch them if you don't already! 

Okay, lemme backtrack to the beginning.

One of our many visits to Steveston where Once Upon A Time is filmed. This was from 3 years ago.

My sister and I are huge fans of the show Once Upon A Time. The show takes place in Maine. However, they happen to film in Steveston, a town near Vancouver, Canada. As Steveston is located quite close to us in Seattle, we venture there occasionally in the hopes of running into the stars. I also should mention how only my immediate family lives here in the US. All our relatives and extended family lives in Canada, specifically Vancouver. Because of that, we already visit Canada on a regular basis. It is such a coincidence how our favorite show films so close to where we already go. But that was as far as luck carried us. We saw the set of OUAT, and walked through the buildings and shops featured on the show. But we never got to meet any of the actors in person. Specifically Lana Parrilla, whom we are both obsessed with.

Image Source: Instagram

There was one time where we happened to catch them filming. Who knew filming ONE scene in an episode would take an entire day?! They were also incredibly far away, so it was hard to actually see them.

However, back in November, we found out that Lana Parrilla would be attending 2016's Emerald City Comicon, which takes place in downtown Seattle. It was fate. Not only was Lana there, but also another one of our favorites, Rose McIver, would be there as well. We just HAD to seize the opportunity, and so we bought tickets. We have been counting down the days until April 10th since mid-November. Yeah, I know. We are crazy, and our obsession is insane.

Comicon was a completely new experience for us. We didn't know what to expect. Because we religiously follow our favorite celebrities on their social media, we knew Lana Parrilla and Rose McIver were going, but also a few other celebrities we knew of as well were attending. David Anders, also from iZombie, went. As did the actors who played Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise. Our priority was to go to Lana's panel and interview, get photos with both Lana and Rose, and autographs from the two as well. We hoped to have the time to go to other panels and do other activities, but in the end there was no time for that. We spend the majority of the time standing in line.

There were two times for us to get autographs from Lana. We tried going to the first one, but the line was so incredibly long! She was also 20 min late. We had to rush to get our photo with Rose, which we pre-ordered online beforehand (along with one for Lana) to ensure we would get it before they were sold out. Luckily, we made it the second time around. If we hadn't, I seriously would have punched someone. Lana was THIS close, in the SAME building, in the SAME city. We were fangirling to the extreme. And I got no shame in admitting that.

Our awesome photo with Lana. We were both doing the "Evil Regals" hand gesture, but my sister on the left side was so starstruck at the moment she did a Hang Ten instead.

If you have ever met your favorite celebrity, then you will understand the nerves and surreal-quality that overwhelms you in the moment when you actually come face-to-face with them. Our hearts were pounding so hard. We were jittery and restless.

Many Evil Regals, the name for fans of Lana/Evil Queen Regina, do a particular hand gesture in their photos. We both planned to do so, but my sister was so nervous in the moment she messed up and did a hang-ten instead. When we got to get an autograph from Lana later on, we ended up telling her the story. She laughed so hard! This is how we could tell she is very genuine, kind, and real. She actually threw her head back laughing, and showed a real reaction.

Our autograph from Lana

We got to meet Rose!

Besides that, I gotta say spending all that money going to Comicon was definitely worth it! We also got to meet Rose McIver. She is so incredibly sweet in person! Her accent is really cute too. I love accents. It's weird I know. Whenever I meet someone with an awesome accent, I get mesmerized. It's probably because I don't have one myself. I mean, yeah I have an American accent, but that doesn't really count. Because I live in America. You know what I mean?

Our autograph from Rose

Meeting Rose was amazing. She was also so real with her fans as well. The group ahead of us in line had two little boys, and she was so sweet to them.

We got a photo with her first. Later on in the day, we also got an autograph with her. I wish to have talked to her longer, but it wasn't a meet and greet. We also had a conversation with her and asked her how she was liking Seattle, and she told us she wanted to stay longer because she really liked her stay here. What really struck me was how when she signed the photo, she thought she had messed up or something and was concerned about the Sharpie ink drying. She told us to make sure it dried so it won't smudge, and that was just so sweet and considerate of her! Things like this makes the experience so memorable. I really like how she was very real and authentic. 

You could see that sparkle in her eyes, and feel the energy in the air. It was such a surreal moment meeting our favorite actresses in person. One moment you are watching them on screen and seeing them in a photo; next thing you know, they are RIGHT in front of you. In real life. Looking exactly how they do on screen, only slightly different. It's really surreal.

I am so thankful to have had this opportunity. I wish I could replay it, relive it over again. Sure I get to visit the actual town where they film, but with things like this you are always at the wrong moment at the wrong time. You can miss them by just a mere hour. Fate had it that they came to Seattle. And we actually were able to buy the tickets to attend and meet them. The line could have been too long that we missed the chance, or tickets could have been sold-out. Instead, everything fell into place perfectly, and we had an incredible experience.

I really wish to have another opportunity to meet them. It's like a drug. Once you get a small taste of it, you just want more. Nonetheless, Sunday was amazing, and I'm still riding that high. I look back on the photos, and I still can't believe it. Surreal indeed.

Have you ever met your favorite celebrity? What are some of your obsessions? Lemme know in the comments below! 

Thank you for reading! I hope you all had fantastic weekend like I did, and that you will have a lovely week.


Til next time,
~A

Image credit: Pixabay

Hey everyone!

I really hope your week is going well! The weekend is almost here. Not to mention, summer! We are fast approaching the time of year when thoughts of vacation and traveling circulates our minds like no other. Some of us, like yours truly, have already had spring break. Others are about to, or are having a relaxing spring break right now. Regardless, I'm pretty sure all of us are planning on traveling at some point or another. Just to get away from everyday life, and to experience something new.

Today, I have a guest post to share with you all! This is written by Jae Rustia from the Australian brand Babyboo. So without further adieu...

Image credit: Babyboo Fashion

Image credit: Pixabay

Image credit: Babyboofashion.com

I hope you all enjoyed reading this guest post! Definitely lemme know in the comments what you think! 

Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a lovely day!


Til next time,
~A