What I Wish I Knew at 22 - And What I'm Still Working On

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 So today Yes and Yes asked people what they wish they knew at 22. There is one real lesson I wish I had totally figured out by then, and it's rather cliche. Sorry, I'm not very original. The problem with this lesson is that even after figuring it out, it's really quite difficult to follow through with. I admit, I'm not quite there yet myself.

I wish I had realized way earlier that doing what you love, rather than what people think you should do, will bring you the greatest success in life.

I grew up as the first child and had immense pressure to attend college and do well, particularly from my father, who never graduated from college and made, what he feels, to be a whole bunch of life mistakes. My parents, like all parents, want me to be successful at life. They also had their own opinions about what a successful life means. For them, a successful life is not having to worry about money - something they've always been very aware of. This means you get a degree in a math or science related field that's going to remain stable and make money.

I was pretty much set on my path in 8th grade when I was accepted into both the advanced art class and the advanced engineering class - I wanted to do both, but the school wouldn't let me. Following the advice of the principle and my parents, who argued that I could always take an art class later, I ended up in the engineering class. And never got the chance to take an art class again. The same thing pretty much happened with college, where I let my parents push me towards a degree that I wasn't really into...and that I wasn't really good at. Which became obvious after a year of struggling and mediocre grades. I think that for a long time my parents would have rather have had me be mediocre at something they thought was relevant, than excel in a field where employment and high paying jobs were scarce. I eventaully switched majors to what was the closest thing to a liberal arts degree at my school (which was not very close at all to be honest), and while I was "successful" at it (if you count getting As as meaning success), it wasn't something I loved. Eventually I ended up on a life path that I was pretty good at and that I didn't totally dislike, but it wasn't something I really enjoyed, it wasn't something I loved. There were times when I could have gone a different route, changed my path in life, but unfortunately I continued to make decisions based on influence from outside parties for many years to come.

So what I'm saying is that basically you just have to go for it. If you know what's going to make you happy, you need to take a stand and do it. You have two choices in life - either be happy and do what you love or don't be happy and do what other people think you should do. That's what it really comes down to. I've been in school college for 10 years now...this entire time I've been slowly coming around in a circle back to what I've always wanted to do...10 years and I'm still not there yet. I could have been there so long ago if I just stopped letting people dictate what was right for me to do.

Sure, it's been a life experience, I've gained a lot of knowledge about all sorts of random stuff, about my self, gains some skills, and had I not gone about this path I'm sure Tony and I would have never met, etc. But I'm still not where I want to be. I'm working on it, but I'm still not there. It's never too late to right a wrong or make a life change, but it sure as hell would have been easier if, at any point in these past 10 years, I said, YO! It's time for a change! and took a gamble at going after something I love.

Money is important. You need it to live. But if you're doing what you love, if you love to do it, if you want to get up and go to work every day? Well, then I think the money will follow...or at least enough money to make you happy. And hey guess what, you're already doing something you love, the money is just the cherry on top.

In case you haven't noticed this is also a little pep talk to myself right now.

But seriously, what's the worst that could happen?

Some Kind of Fairytale

My lovely friend Leah, who currently resides in Indonesia because she lives a far more exciting life than I, has recently started modeling. These pictures from a photoshoot for Ivory recently made their way to my newsfeed and they were so fantastic I had to share them.

Guys. I love these clothes. I'm pretty sure there's no way I could pull them off, but come on, how adorable are those tights? And I totally want that first outfit, although I have no idea where I could ever wear it. But it's just so cute! I think the only thing I stand of chance of pulling off (at least while I live in the middle of conservative upstate New York) is this adorable scalloped coat. Seems kind of perfect for a cool summer day and I love the contrasting fabric at the elbows. Hm, I wonder if they ship to the US?

Travel Tuesday: Morocco!

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 Well this Travel Tuesday was almost Travel Wednesday, oops!

Okay, so Egypt is number one on my list of places to go, after that it's kind of a free for all. I already talked about how I want much I want to go to Greece, but another place that's a little bit more realistic is Morocco. Mainly because it's not quite as expensive to get there or stay there.

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 For some reason I've always wanted to go to Morocco. I have no idea why, it started sometime when I was in undergrad. Maybe it's because I once had a "medium" tell me I had been a belly dancer in a past life. Yes, that's totally why. Also I think they have some of the most beautiful design aesthetic ever.

And secret gardens

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And beaches...

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And shopping!

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And food

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Assuming I obtain gainful employment in the next few months one of the my first trips would hopefully be a yoga retreat at Peacock Pavilions, the boutique hotel designed and owned by Maryam from My Marrakesh. Maryam is an inspiration on a number of levels, she would also totally win the Multitasking Olympics. Not only is she a wife and mom, but she also runs around the world helping marginalized women, run a hotel, owns a boutique, is a personal shopper, writes books, hosts photoshoots and sometimes she's even IN magazines and books and on tv. And that's not even a complete list. I've watched her hotel emerge from a whole in the ground and it's been an amazing transformation. How gorgeous is her home? I'll tell you, so gorgeous she was just in Elle Decor. I want to be in Elle Decor! Ugh, someday I will not live in a basement!

Can you imagine living here...or even staying for a few nights?

peacock pavilion images from arianna interiors

Craving Coral

So recently Southern Curls and Pearls made this cute mint themed post that I loved. Until I remembered that I didn't really look good in mint because I'm too white. Actually, I think really fair people look great in pastels, and people with color look great too, but people who are kind of in between like me just look washed out. And that made me sad. Or maybe I'm just crazy? Is mint a color people who don't look like models can wear?

BUT, all was not lost, because one of the other great colors this season is coral, which I happen to look pretty bangin' in. Or at least it makes my blue eyes nice, and I'll settle for that.

{1. Mary Kay Citrus Bloom Mineral Blush; 2. Essie Mango Bango Polish; 3. MAC Gleam Eyeshadow; 4. Bvlgari Omnia Coral Jewel Charm; 5. Sugar Coral Tinted Lip Treatment}

I'm kind of annoyed because I've actually been wearing some Mary Kay blush in a coral shade that I really like (Citrus Bloom, to be precise) and I would like to show you a pretty picture of it, that's the best I could come up with. It's kind of lame. C'est la vie. When I'm feeling more glamorous and have more time I'll take a picture for you.

{1. Quicksilver Breezer Beachy Shorts; 2. Melissa Coral Orange Flats; 3. J.Crew Boardwalk Tote; 4. Miss Selfridge Peach Shirred Neck Cami Top; 5. La Mer Coral Silver Simple Wrap} 

How awesome are those shoes? It looks like coral growing up your feet, which I think is super awesome. I love the La Mer watch and I'm also tempted to get it (it's on sale!) but I'm going to refrain for reasons I'll explain later this week.

And of course coral for the home. I really love coral but I feel like it's kind of weird to decorate a room for a house with a beach theme when you live in the middle of landlocked Northern New York. Like I'm a nautical wannabe. Yes/No?

{1. Thomas Paul Banner Coral Pillow; 2. Pfaltzgraff - Prairie Bloom Vegetable Bowl; 3. Citronella Filled Candle; 4. Maren Orange Candleholders; 5. Mainstays 4 Piece Bath Towel; 6. Maslin Zebra Beach Towel}

lol at that Zebra Beach Towel (with holder!) being $225. If you're consider purchasing one I also have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

Here's some more inspiration to keep you going.

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Home Decor at Linden & Ashby {It's Fully of Pretty Things!}

Once I moved way up the hill I kind of stopped hanging out in Downtown Troy, but since Lindesy and I started getting together regularly for lunch downtown we've done a bit more exploring together. Lindz has been telling me I need to check out Linden & Ashby for a while and I have to agree, I totally loved the place. It made me wish that I had an actual home to decorate. BUT, even though I want and plan on moving in the next 5 months or so, I've decided that if it will make me happier to decorate my current abode than that is what I'm going to do! So far this has consisted of buying lotion and decorative soaps for the bathroom. Small steps.

In the meantime enjoy the loveliness that is Linden & Ashby, where I plan on picking up a few things in the future.

Refreshing Dessert for Spring: Creamy Lemon Oat Bar Recipe

I found this recipe from Simple Daily Recipes on pinterest, of course. I decided to make it for two reasons: 1). I like lemon; 2). I had everything I needed in my pantry. Not having to go shopping for ingredients is actually my number one reasons for making things.

The dessert was pretty delicious, but I do have a few suggestions to the recipe, so mine is a tiny bit different from the original. Also, this recipe isn't super lemony, so if you want to pump it up a bit I'd suggest adding more lemon rind or maybe even lemon extract (you could add more lemon juice but I'm not sure how this would impact the consistence of the cream filling.

Creamy Lemon Oat Bar

Ingredients:

• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened or melted
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 375ºF 

Directions 

1.  Coat 8x8 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. 
2. Mix milk, lemon zest and lemon juice in medium bowl until thickened; set aside. 
3. Mix remaining ingredients in medium bowl until crumbly. I use a pie cutter to do this, a fork will work as well.
4. Press 2/3 of the crumbly mixture in pan; bake about 10 minutes or until set.
5. Spread lemon milk mixture over baked crust. 
6. Sprinkle remaining crumbly mixture over the lemon milk mixture, press down gently.  
7. Bake about 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown and center is set but soft. 
8. Cool completely! The cream will not come out nearly as nicely if you cut it warm. 

Easy peasy, let me know what you think! I think these would be awesome for a picnic, Tony didn't think they were lemony enough (he said he couldn't taste it at all, I think he's crazy), so I'm going to give it a little boost next time with more rind AND some extract. 'Case that's how we roll here.

Robin's Egg Nails for Spring - Essie Borrowed and Blue

Guys I am so excited! I redid my nails the other day with some Essie nail polish I picked up from Marshall's, $9 for four mini bottles, not bad I suppose, and they are awesome. I've never used Essie before and I found it to be a little streaky, but I'm thinking that's more because of the brush in the mini polish than the actual polish itself.

There were four polishes in the set and I went with 'Borrowed and Blue' (it's a wedding set) because it seemed pretty springy. Once I got it on my nails I thought, oh what a pretty robin's egg blue! and then I was on a mission to turn my nails into robin's eggs themselves...except I didn't really feel like buying a brown polish that I'd probably never use again. I woke up the next morning remembering that I had some brown acrylic paint in my craft...disaster (I can't really call it a craft room).

Ignore my crappy cuticles.

I didn't have a toothpick so instead I broke the head off of a Q-tip and set about making random brown dots on my nails. I really went to town and I think you really cant screw this up, because robin's eggs have all sorts of random sizes and splotches on them. Afterwards I added a clear coat of polish because I wasn't sure if the acrylic paint would actually adhere to the surface of the polish. I was so excited I took pictures before I had cleaned up my cuticles. Sorry for not being 100% perfect.

Photo 500 and there's flour on my fingers, there's no winning

Anyway, I'm in love, I think these are the cutest spring/Easter nails ever. Maybe I'll start a new trend of painting your nails like bird's eggs? Do any other birds have cool looking eggs? This is getting father away from cool and fashionable and closer towards super nerdy by the second.

Lunch with Lindsey: The Placid Baker - Troy, NY

Welcome to the second installment of Lunch with Lindsey, which consists of Lindsey and me going to lunch, generally in Troy. Our latest adventure takes us to The Placid Baker on Broadway in Troy. The Placid Baker actually started off one dude, Chris Snye, working out of his home and selling at various Farmer's Markets in the area, including Troy. The brick and mortar shop opened up in 2009, which was the last time I was there. Boy have things changed! Now there are many many pastries. So many. But, since I'm tying to get not fat I did not partake. Go me.

Lemons and capers make things make awesome. So do pickles.

Instead I got a Tuna Sandwich. I know, I tend to eat a lot of tuna sandwiches. And by a lot I mean a couple times a month. What can I say? I'm a picky eater and most of the vegetarian options at cafes don't usually appeal to me. This tuna sandwich was awesome, and I thought it much better than the tuna melt I had gotten at Illium Cafe. It was made with lemon, capers, some red peppers and I think some spinach. I don't know exactly, some green thing. It was on the most delicious roll ever. It was awesome. And it was only $6. Extra awesome.

Lindsey took some pictures of me, but since my face looked kind of extra wide and I'm kind of extra vain I refused to post them. Instead I thought I'd post this cute picture of Lindsey, who matched her outfit with the other cafe patrons. I think next time this happens they should break out in to a flash mob, I was kind of disappointed when there was no dancing. 

Lindsey likes to coordinate outfits with random people in Troy. She's pretty good at it, clearly.

Lindsey got the Roast Turkey Sandwich, which looks pretty rad if you're into meat - turkey, apple slices, cheddar, cranberry aioli and mixed greens, again for $6. She say's it's the bomb, and she let me eat her pickle, so I was also pretty happen with her selection. I don't understand how people cannot like pickles, but I'm grateful when it means more pickles for me.

You may be looking at the sandwich, all I can see is DOUBLE PICKLES.

Tony says that if you're checking out the Placid Baker and they have the Broadway Pretzel on the menu that day you should totes get it, because it's made up of magic, or balsamic chicken, capoccllo ham salad, brie, roasted red pepper mayo, all on a a pretzel. That seems like a whole lot of stuff for a pretzel, but who am I to judge?

As soon as I lose this crappy 10lbs I'll give you an in depth review of their dessert shelf. Now that's something we can both look forward to.

The Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask Review: Not a Product for Me

So the same day that I picked up my DeoDry deodorant I got the Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask. I don't know what's going on, the past few months my skin has been fairly clear, but I've had more blackheads than is usual for me. The saleswoman assured me that this mask was totally awesome, but recommended using it only on my T-zone as it was very drying.

Side note: The T-zone is your forehead, nose and chin, the areas where you produce the most oil on your face.

Here's the tagline -

Detoxify and deep cleanse your skin with a weekly mask that uses natural ionic clay action to draw out impurities and control excess oil.

Here's why it supposedly works -

Community Trade bladderwack seaweed and seaweed harvested from the French coast balance skin tone and purify and clarify the complexion.
100% natural clay complex cleanses and revitalizes skin; negatively charged ions act like magnets to draw out dirt and impurities from the pores.

Anyway, the saleswoman wasn't kidding. The first time using this mask my nose peeled for weeks. Not really good, considering that recommended use is 1 to 2 times a week. Although at the same time, it did seem to help clear up some of the blackheads on my nose (though not really on my forehead).

After my nose reached its equilibrium again I gave it another shot. Yes, I know that's somewhat silly of me, but I felt I couldn't really determine an opinion after a single use.

So here's what I think:

• It has great reviews, but doesn't seem to really work for me.
• People complain of the smell but I didn't notice one, so obviously it didn't bother me.
• You really only need a small amount, so the jar, which is $22 full price, should last you for quite some time.
• Even though it helped a bit to clear my pores it was too drying for me.
• I don't think it did much for acne in general.In fact, I think by bringing whatever crap was in my skin to the surface, it actually made me break out more.

And here's a little tip: If you have oily skin, or an oily T-zone, avoid products that dry you out too much. Over drying the skin can actually cause it to go into oil production overdrive, making you produce more oil more quickly. You're better off to find something that controls the oil without leaving you feeling tight after. If you feel tight then you don't have enough moisture.

Travel Tuesday: Greece!

So, as previously discussed, Egypt is top on my list to visit. BUT after that comes Greece.

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 Based off of Pinterest and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (don't act like you haven't watched it), you might think that the only place to visit in Greece is Oia, Santorini. You are oh so wrong.

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Remember that movie, My Life in Ruins (yes, this post is heavy on the movie references)? Probably not, since I think I'm the only person who saw it. But basically it's about a tour guide and everyone thinks her tours are boring because they're about history, "Oh, but Georgia, no one cares about history, make it sexy1" Wrong. I care. I would be the one person who wants to hear about the ruins and does not give a crap about the sexiness. We all know what a creep Zeus was anyway.

Pervert.
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 Having taken Latin all though middle and high school (yeah, I know, nerdy), I've learned a whole lot about Greek history, so visiting all those places I had to memorize would be super awesome. Yes, I know Latin, Latin comes from Italy, but if you've ever taken a Latin class this will make sense to you. It's all pretty much the same thing but with new names. Am I right or Am I right? Ita.

As you read this I am probably watching this movie.

Secret confession: I think I'm one of those few people who actually liked Mamma Mia. I could watch that movie over and over (slight exaggeration). I mean, even if you're not into ABBA (which I am) you have to appreciate the awe inspiring beauty of Greece. Or at least you should, if you have any taste. Actually, I have no idea if Mama Mia was even shot in Greece...and I'm too lazy to go look it up on IMDB, so I'm just going to assume that it is. Otherwise, I also want to go to wherever it was filmed.

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I have this dream of island hopping. I don't know why, but most of my travel fantasies involve boats, which is kind of ridiculous because 1). I've never been on a boat for an extended period of time, 2). The only time I was out on open sea with rough waters I got seasick. But whatever, I don't anticipate any major incidents going from one ridiculously beautiful island to another.

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Also, it is home to some of my most favorite food ever. Tzatziki sauce is one of the greatest things ever invented. Thank you Greek people, you're the best.