Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year, everyone!

I hope you all had a great Christmas, and have a great time with your friends and family and enjoy relaxing, shopping, dancing, eating - whatever you love to do, over the rest of the holidays!

I'm so thankful for being able to have this blog to express my thoughts and ideas (and Pinterest fails), and I'm so glad I can share this with you! So thank you for being here today (insert Princess Diaries wave)!

I can't wait to see what 2017 has in store, and I think (at least hope) that it'll be better than 2016.

So I hope you continue to join me in this journey of eating and crafting!

Happy Holidays!

♥Sara

Greek Orzo Salad

Sometimes I get tired of the same old sandwich for lunch, so when I make dinner, I make a little extra to make lunch for the week. I wanted something filling, but also not too heavy, so I made a quick and simple pasta salad.

Popsugar Must Have Limited Edition Winter 2016 *SPOILERS*

This is my second Limited Edition POPSUGAR Must Have box and let me just say, I LOVE IT.

POPSUGAR offers subscription boxes for $39.95 a month, but they also offer quarterly Limited Edition boxes for $100, without the commitment of a subscription, which I love!

The Winter 2016 box did not disappoint! If you want to check out the fall box, check out My Subscription Addiction.

DIY Mason Jar Lid Wreath Ornament

When I made these galaxy mason jar candle holders, I was left with lids that I wasn't going to use. There were a lot of ideas online that looked fun, but I wanted to something really quick and easy (big surprise, there...).

I found some leftover twine that I was going to wrap around the ring lid, but when I saw green, sparkly, garland-esque ribbon at Target, I instantly wanted to make a mini wreath with it!

Gifts for Her | Under $50

Some people are easier to shop for than others, but there's a gift out there for everyone! You just have to keep looking! Here are a few ideas for her, under $50 - what a deal!

Gifts for Him | Under $50

Can you believe we're only a couple of weeks away from Christmas?? Before you know it, it'll be Christmas morning! If you're still running around, looking for gifts, here are a few ideas!

One Artsy Mama Ornament Exchange!

Happy December!! Can you believe it's December already?? Officially Christmas time! And time for gift exchanges!

I love the idea of blogger gift swaps and ornament exchanges, but for some reason have never taken part in one.  Well that changed this year!

One Artsy Mama hosted a fun ornament exchange, and I decided to sign up! It was super easy and fun to do. My friend, Jenny, from Dear Paradise, signed up too! Fun!

My exchange buddy, Kirstin, gave me tons of great theme ideas for her ornament, and I felt so bad because I didn't give any extra details of my style, but she totally nailed it!

I received this adorable little ornament from Hallmark and super cute card!

Stocking Stuffers for Her

Stocking stuffers are a really fun and often inexpensive way to give gifts for Christmas.  For family, friends, coworkers - you name it!

Here are some of my stocking stuffer ideas for the ladies in your life!

Stocking Stuffers for Him

It's that time of the year again! Time when we know we need to go shopping for Christmas presents, but have no idea what to get!

This year, instead of a bunch of little gifts, I'm giving one big gift and some stocking stuffers, so I thought I'd share some ideas for stocking stuffers for men! These can be for men of any age, and they're pretty customizable.

2 Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Although I'm heading into Christmas mode (I KNOW IT'S ONLY NOVEMBER), I'm still enjoying the fall flavors and scents.

One of those flavors is PUMPKIN! Pumpkin spice, to be exact. These two ingredient pumpkin muffins are amazing, and I knew I had to try them out. And I'll definitely be making them again and again and again..........

DIY Galaxy Candle Holders

I found this fun DIY from Buzzfeed, and knew I HAD to try it!  It's a great decoration for my still empty house!  Keep reading if you want to see how to make your own!

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's no secret I have a sweet tooth, so when I was sitting on my sofa and I craved chocolate chip cookies all of a sudden, I was not surprised and I immediately started to curb the craving.

I found a great, easy recipe on Pinterest, and within 20-30 minutes, I had fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. Win.

Homemade No Churn Galaxy Ice Cream

When I found out no churn ice cream was a thing, I got really excited. Really excited. Who knew such a magical thing could be so easy to make? I'm sure a lot of you knew... I've come to accept the fact that I'm usually pretty out of the loop. But it's okay! Because better late than never, right??

DIY: Protein Box

I’m a very lazy person. VERY lazy.  And there are a lot of days I don’t feel like making myself lunch for work, so I’ll buy lunch.  Sometimes walking to the deli or sandwich shop nearby is a great option – get out of the office for a bit and get something good to eat. A lot of times I’ll go to Starbucks in the morning for a latte, and grab one of their bistro boxes for later on.

DIY Nail Polish Color Coded Keys

Happy Labor Day! My three day weekend is coming to an end (Boooo!), so on this last day of relaxation until next weekend, I figure an easy DIY would be fun!

Since I moved (a year ago......), I've had tape labeling my keys to help me remember which one to use in my new locks. Not the prettiest technique, but it did the job.

I'd seen this DIY on Pinterest a few times, and was always intrigued, so I finally decided to try it out.

Spinach Ricotta White Pizza

Pizza is probably my favorite food - there are so many ways you can dress it, it's hard to get tired of!

I admit, though, as much as I love it, I don't make it as much as I could... I definitely let restaurants and pizza shops take care of that..... But every once in a while, I make my own - that way I can add the toppings I want (and as much as I want), plus it's a lot cheaper and quicker than waiting for the delivery guy.

I actually was craving a white pizza with spinach, and when I went to a couple of my local pizza shop's websites to see what toppings they offered and about how much it'd be, and I just couldn't find any place that had everything I wanted, and that wasn't going to cost me $20 for a couple of slices (seriously), so I decided to make my own.

Homemade Tuna Cakes

I'm from Maryland, so I've been around a lot of crab cakes and seafood in my lifetime.  Funny thing is, I'm not a huge fan of seafood.

I think I was subconsciously traumatized as a kid when I saw a live crab being ripped apart to be steamed. But I've already said too much.

Ever since I was young, though, I loved when my mom made tuna cakes.  Just like a crab cake, but with tuna. They're really easy to make, super delicious, and they make a great summer dinner - not to mention the leftovers are great, too!

Frozen Lemonade

Frozen drinks tend to make these hot summer months more bearable, so what better than a really quick and easy frozen drink?

Seriously. Two ingredients, 3 tops.

Chocolate Coffee Milkshake

Did you know today was National Coffee Milkshake day??!!??  It's okay, you still have time to celebrate!

I wouldn't mind celebrating this one every day...

Grilled Cheese Roll Ups (FAIL Edition)

I have a confession to make...

I very often make things like crafts and new recipes that do NOT turn out how I planned, so I make due with what I have and get on with my life (I don't like wasting food and money, so I don't just throw stuff away unless I have to). But I don't ever share it or blog about it.

Until. Now.

Chocolate Dipped Oreos

Ready for the easiest dessert ever?

These are not only delicious, but sooooo easy to make, and great for parties! Use food coloring to dye white chocolate, or use fun sprinkles for different occasions!

April Favorites

I know April isn't quite over yet, but there are a few things I've been loving for a while that I thought I'd share!

Beauty:
•Sally Hansen Miracle Gel nail polish - The gel top coat doesn't require a light, and it really helps the nail polish stay on longer!

Body and Skin Care:
•Soap and Glory Body Butter - I love the smell of this.

Food:
•Cheese - I've been eating a lot of cheese lately, and I don't even care. Fontina is a current favorite.

Misc.:
•Weezer (White Album), Weezer - Again, I'm a big Weezer fan, so it's always exciting when a new album drops.
•My Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 - Check out my last post about this little beaut!

What have some of your favorite things been? Let me know!

♥Sara

All photos by Sara unless otherwise noted.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is right around the corner, so show your Mama some extra love this year!

1. Adult Coloring books | Mom needs to relax every now and then, so let her bring out her inner child and color! With so many themes, you're sure to find one perfect for your Mom
2. "I Love You Mom" Keychain | Your mom can carry this around with her everywhere she goes for a reminder that she's loved!
3. S'ip by S'well Water Bottle | There are tons of stylish colors and designs that'll keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold when Mom (or Dad) is on the go!
4. Mom Knows Best Elephant Necklace | How ADORABLE????? And it's so true! ;)
5. Decorated Canvas Letter | These are currently on sale, but I don't know for how long. Paint or decoupage a letter for your loved one, or spell out their name if it's short enough!
6. Shabby Chic Floral Mug | I saw these in Target one day and immediately thought of my mom.
7. Shabby Chic Floral Banner | Another Target find! This is perfect for any occasion!
8. DIY Photo Brag Book | This one might take some time to collect photos, but Mom will love to carry around a mini brag book around everywhere she goes!
9. Homemade Cake | Treat Mom to dessert! Bake her a cake or something special, she'll love it!
10. Lay Flat Make Up Case | A makeup and jewelry case that lays flat when you're on the go! How convenient! I want one!

I hope you found some inspiration for gifts for Mother's Day - Moms deserve only the best!

♥Sara

Fujifilm Instax Mini 8

When I was a kid, I loved to play around with my mom's cameras. It was always so fun looking through the little viewfinder, trying to get the perfect shot, and then going to the store to get a roll of 35mm film developed. Sure, I took some not so great shots - hey, I was just a kid - but I displayed my photos proudly in my photo albums.

Links I Love

1. 10 Absurd Myths About Millennial Workers | A very interesting read
2. Oh Happy Day Balloon Shop | Oh Happy Day has the cutest party supplies! I LOVE the balloons!!
3. Everything is Awful and I'm Not Okay: Questions to Ask Before Giving Up | Another interesting read - some easy things to ask yourself when things aren't looking up.
4. Peep Jello Shots! | Such a cute idea - great for any occasion, too!
5. DC Eagle Cam | I've been watching this eagle family and I can't stop!

♥Sara

Galaxy Chocolate Bark

I stumbled upon yet another Tasty recipe, but this time it was for galaxy bark!

I feel like the galaxy look is really popular right now, from cupcakes, nail designs, and laptop decals - and I have to say, I'm loving this look!! I love space and stars, and the colors are just beautiful!

This is a super quick, easy, and fun treat for any occasion!

BLT Macaroni Salad

Have you guys seen the Buzzfeed Tasty page, yet? If not, you NEED to check it out. There are SO many recipes that are so quick and easy, from breakfast, to dinner, to dessert!

I happened to stumble across a recipe for BLT Macaroni Salad, and because it had bacon, REALLY wanted to try it. I tried it. I was happy.

Fried Ravioli

I grew up eating (and LOVING) Italian food, so whenever there's cheese and tomato sauce involved, I pretty much automatically love it. So it was time I tried something I've been wanting to try for a while.

Sara is: March 2016

Yet another month has come and gone - crazy! March was crazy busy at work, along with a weekend business trip to Florida. Even though March wasn't a bad month, I'm ready for April and Opening Day! Go Orioles!

Drinking: Chick-Fil-A's Frosted Coffee. Oh my goodness. This is more of a milkshake-y dessert kind of drink, but whoa. It's SO GOOD!

Eating: My mom made Cheerios treats (think Rice Krispies treats, but with Cheerios), but added trail mix and seeds to make them like protein bars. I eat them for quick breakfasts and snacks.

Listening to: Still Weezer.

Not loving: We won't get too political here, but I'm so saddened by the violence in this world. It's such a tragedy that these things happen.

Wanting: Another frosted coffee from Chick-Fil-A. I got one last night with dinner, and I'm already craving another.

Watching: Deadliest Catch! I can't say it's a guilty pleasure, because I'm not guilty about it, but I love it. They're in Season 12 now.

Wearing: Skirts. And coats. And sweaters. And flip flops. And then boots and socks again. This Maryland weather is crazy.

What are you all into at the moment? Anything fun? New food? Makeup? That purse you've been eyeing for months and deserved to treat yourself with? Let me know!!

♥Sara

All photos by Sara, unless otherwise noted.

No Nail Bathroom Wall Storage

When I first started living in my condo, I really started to take notice of how much storage my bathroom didn't have. Besides a crooked towel rack and a little medicine cabinet, I was stuck piling face washes and lotions on the pedestal sink and toilet tank lid.

My Quick Weekend in Sarasota

Over the weekend, I went to Sarasota, FL for a work trip for our clients. There were a couple of nice dinners, and an Orioles spring training game, not to mention a Florida downpour, but I think everyone enjoyed it, and I enjoyed getting some photos in when I could!

Non-Candy Easter Baskets

I love chocolate. I love gum. I love candy. You should see me in stores around holidays - I always gravitate toward the candy aisle.

But, we all know too much of a good thing isn't always great. Especially if it's candy. And if your body limits your sugar intake, or you're just more aware of it, then Easter baskets might be a little harder to fill.

Here are some fun (and affordable) alternatives for filling Easter baskets for someone of any age!

What's in My Purse?

I don't know about you, but I really enjoy watching "What's in my purse?" videos on YouTube. I don't really know why, but I'm just drawn to them. I guess girls just like to know what other girls carry in their purses? I also like to get ideas of cute ways to organize my purse, or see if maybe there's something I should be carrying that I forgot.

I've been carrying the Ella Tote by Vera Bradley that I got for Christmas. It's so beautiful! Two interior pockets, an interior zip pocket, and a hidden pocket along the opening.

Nutella Hot Chocolate

I don't know about you, but not only do I love hot chocolate, I also love Nutella. So when you combine to two, I'm basically in heaven.

Although spring is upon us, it's still pretty chilly here, so I'm still in hot chocolate mode.

DIY Canvas Painting

So I have a pretty simple style, as you can probably tell by my blog, which by the way, I'm still working on tweaking some things, here and there. But when I moved into my condo seven, eight months ago, I had no idea how I wanted to decorate. I still don't.

Seriously, I barely have anything decorative up.

But as I'm looking around more and more, and seeing ideas on Pinterest, or when I go to the store, I get a better sense of what I like (and what I can and cannot afford).

I stumbled across Lulu and Georgia one day and while I was looking at all of the beautiful things I'd like to have, I found this particular piece of wall art that just screamed my name.

Links I Love

1. 17 Reasons So Many People Have a Mid-Life Crisis in their 20s - I stumbled across this from Cupcakes and Cashmere. Is it an accomplishment that I don't agree with every single point?
2. 10 Adorable Record Players - Definitely something to keep in mind!
3. 5 Things to Try this Month - I'm LOVING the glittery nails!
4. Tarte Double Duty Beauty - The "Confidence Creamy Powder Foundation" and powder foundation brush and removable blending sponge might have to be mine.... Soon...
5. How to Dance to Attract Girls - Or boys. ;)
6. 21 Delicious Dinners You Can Make in 30 Minutes - Great, quick recipes.

♥Sara

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Fingers

I don't always have a lot of time or energy to make dinner every night. Sometimes, when I get home from work, cooking is the last thing I want to do. Sometimes I don't mind chopping up vegetables (it's kind of calming, no?), but I don't feel like eating dinner at 9:00 at night.

So whenever I find a recipe that looks quick and easy, I'm usually always open to trying it out (delicious and healthy are also a part of the criteria!).

I happened to be browsing Pinterest one day (because... Pinterest...) and found a recipe from Tiffany at Creme de la Crumb.

Quick and easy? Check.

Delicious? CHECK.

Healthy? ...check...? Okay, there's quite a bit of sugar in the sauce, so maybe not so much, but because the chicken is baked, and not fried, I can look past this. Pair it it with some steamed veggies or a nice, crisp salad, and you're definitely on the right track!

Tiffany made "Winger's Sticky Fingers" and they looked SO good, so I tried it out!

Tips to Keep Calm

I had jury duty a few weeks ago, and while it's usually not a big deal to most people, I definitely felt anxious leading up to it. Don't ask me why, I know it's not usually that bad, but it just stresses. Me. Out. Big time. I've been called 4 other times and stressed out each time!

Even though I was anxious about it, it was something I had to do, so it really didn't matter how I felt! But there were a few things here and there that helped calm the nerves.

Now, I am NOT a professional - these are just some things I do to help myself feel calm and in control when I'm a little overwhelmed, or if I know I have to do something I'm not looking forward to.

- Write Lists: To-Do lists, shopping lists, wish lists, reminder lists. Whatever. Just writing (and not typing into my phone - handwriting) everything on my mind really helps me feel in control (and happy when I get to use fun colored pens).

Creamy Garlic Pasta

I like pasta. I like cheese. I like garlic. I like cream. I gained 10 pounds just typing that. Although, garlic is good for you…

I’ve seen recipes like this all over Pinterest, and have seen so many varieties, but I decided to try something new with what was already in my fridge, which meant no last minute grocery store runs - YES!

Relight App Review

I feel like using the term, "Technology Tuesday," is kind of cliche, but I'm not even going to lie, I really don't mind. I actually really like alliteration.

Anyway, I wanted to show you guys a pretty cool app I've been playing around with, called Relight. I actually got it free from the Starbucks app's Pick of the Week, but it's available in the iTunes store for $1.99 (sorry, Android users - I'm not familiar with the details for your 'droids).

There are a bunch of different modes you can choose from to enhance your photos, like "Enhance," "Low Light," "Clarity," "Dramatic," and more.  There are also the basic photo enhancing features, like clarity, saturation, shadows and highlights, etc. - like what you'd see on Instagram.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hi guys! I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day with your loved ones!

Two Ingredient Banana Pancakes

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You'd never know it by looking outside, but a couple of weeks ago, we had a blizzard. Two and a half feet of snow and horrible winds. It was nice while it was happening, and then, you know. The shoveling. Hours of shoveling. I stayed at my parents' house, so it was actually a really nice, relaxing weekend - except for the shoveling part...

But after a nice, extended weekend at home, it was time to head back to my place and back to work. Boo.

When I got back to my condo and cleaned the snow off my car and unpacked (which was really just throwing everything in a pile on the floor by the closet), I figured I should get something to eat. What to eat was the big question. Let's be real, I really hadn't gone to the grocery store for a couple of weeks - I was working a lot and why would I buy a bunch of food for a blizzard if I wasn't even going to be here? For some reason though, I remembered a recipe I saw on Pinterest that I thought was interesting, and what do you know? Out of the few things I had, I had almost rotting bananas and eggs. PERFECT.

I found this recipe from The Kitchn and had to try it out - I'd definitely recommend checking out their tips and tricks - you won't regret it! I'll just warn you now, my pancakes did NOT turn out too pretty. Actually, they were downright ugly. If you try this recipe, I'd recommend making smaller pancakes and using a thinner spatula to turn them.

Sara Is: Jury Duty Edition

These are things that are literally happening as I type this... Not within the last week, or month, right as I type this.

Watching: Hitch. I was in a courtroom, but was dismissed, so I missed most of it. Darn.....

Welcome!

Hello and welcome!

I appreciate you guys checking out my blog!

Since this is my first post, I guess I should get the boring stuff out of the way, huh?