Neon

As much as I hate to admit it - I am a certified trendwhore. Colored denim?*  Check. Statement necklaces? Check. And it's not even just clothes - I spent a good chunk of time researching gluten-free lifestyles the other night, since that diet is so hot right now. But then I just got confused and ate a cookie.

Excuse the goober face - I am awkward. But aren't the neon colors fun!? Haven't worn the sneakers yet but can't wait to bust them out on a run or to Zuuuuumba!

So neon - huge trend right now, and seriously not something I'd ever thought I would get into. But the neon trend right now is so much more than sorority wayfarers and beachweek bro tanks. Yes, once the cold weather hits I will probably be back in my uniform of black leggings and grey sweaters but I am definitely all about the bright colors now. I'm not saying that dark colors = bad mood, because I am crazy over rich buttery neutrals, but how can you not instantly brighten your mood when wearing a hot pink skirt? Life is too short amirite? 

However, I did refrain from wearing a super cute BRIGHT orange frocket shirt to school the other week. I just felt like I would be a big ol' target for being called on, wearing such an obnoxious color. But it's obnoxious in the best possible way. 

So not exactly neon but close enough - it makes me happy to see it every day. 

I don't think I've ever been unhappy per se - but I definitely feel that in the past few months alone I've become happier than I've been in years. I'm excited to wake up in the morning and I try to find joy in everything, as cheesy as that may sound. I've also greatly increased the bright colors in my wardrobe, pairing neons and neutrals more frequently. If you look good (or at least think you do) you feel good. I don't know a lot but I do know that. Happiness is a choice and it's a choice I'll keep on making. That and wearing obnoxiously bright tops to yoga. 

* I will hopefully be writing about this soon. Colored denim, believe me it's an addiction - the first step is recognizing it right?

... and the pickles!

You know how sometimes you love a somewhat obscure band, and when they start to become famous and more successful you almost want to not like them anymore? Like you were one of their select few fans, and now they're just plastered all over MTV and it's not special anymore, even though you want them to flourish and make lots of money?

I can't believe I'm comparing pickles to music groups. Also, the more I think about it the more the comparison doesn't even make sense. Whatever.

THESE PICKLES ARE AMAZING.

Since I am a weakling, this jar took me like a day and a half to open. Every time I went into the kitchen I'd give it a try. Finally, late yesterday afternoon I pried it open and quickly gobbled up two pickles. Yum.

I know, a pickle is a pickle is a pickle. I used to feel the same. But these are awesome.

101 ... ?

The countdown is over. Yes, the 100th thing is stupid, but honestly I expected nothing less of myself.

So I'll still be blogging here from time to time, when inspiration strikes and when I have time between law school studying! Because I have a lot of favorite things and plenty of thoughts about them all.

Some current favorite things:
- Colored denim
- Design blogs and websites
- Long baths with the James Taylor Pandora station and a magazine

Cappuccino from Schulzies Bread Pudding in Venice Beach, Calif. ...  I had bread pudding for breakfast. It was divine. 

So stay tuned :)

100. The End ...

And my 100th favorite thing is ...


A well-timed fart.

Thank you, Eric Bolton. For inspiring my blog!

99. Reading & Books

Books to the ceiling,
Books to the sky,
My pile of books is a mile high. 
Oh how I love them!
Oh how I need them!
I'll have a long beard by the time I read them. 
- Untitled poem written by me in the 4th grade

I have always loved books. And reading. I still do.

Fact: The summer between 3rd and 4th grade I read 105 books.

One of my July goals was to read two books. Two! I did it though. (The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin, and Isabel Allende's Portrait in Sepia - I highly recommend both).

But between law school, my Google reader and staying out late at night, reading for pleasure sadly falls by the wayside.

And I realize now how picky I can be when it comes to books. Over the past few years, I've read a lot of so-so books. And very few I cannot put this down books. And seriously, reading so-so books just isn't that much fun when I could be watching Netflix.

But last week I read Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol (yeah, I'm a little late to the party) in about three days. And I COULD NOT put it down. It had been so long since I'd just holed up by myself and read a book. Like plowed through, not just reading ten pages before bed and calling it quits.

So maybe not the most sophisticated of reading materials, but it reunited me with my love of reading. Of the balancing act of wanting to slowly savor every word and blaze forward to see what happens next.  Of staying up late for just one more chapter. And then another.

98. Smoothies

Ok, ok so yes I said I was going to get deeper. And I did. But I just have to have to say how much I have fallen in love with smoothies. Which is something I never thought I would say.

Do not be alarmed. This tastes AMAZING.

I love these first of all, for the taste. But it's such a good way to get lots of healthy stuff in early in the day. And I like these it's a breakfast that's not carb-based. I love carbs, but this way I can feel less bad about eating a ton of them the rest of the day, ya know?

Here is my favorite smoothie recipe. Nutritious, filling, delicious and beautiful :)

Layer the following in a blender and blend away:
- a frozen banana
-1 -- 1 and 1/2 cups soy milk (depends on how creamy you want it) (I'm sure cow's or almond milk is just as good) (Also I think vanilla soy milk makes it taste fab but plain is just as good) (what's up with all the parentheses?)
- ~tbsp peanut butter
- a sprinkle of cinnamon
- lots and lots of spinach (If you blend it up enough you cannot even taste it. Promise.)

Green Monster with a side of the Hills - my favorite way to start the day

I also like to switch it up and add some blueberries in. Beware though - that version tastes yummy but looks like sludge.

97. My Dad

Dad (aka Dabbles):

I love watching Seinfeld and laughing with you.

You're the best for taking me to get frozen yogurt (even if you only get samples).

Thank you for giving me the best education possible. Thank you for always supporting me and giving me help when I need it.

Love you Daddy :)