Soundtrack of My Day:Gloomy Thursday

Needed to have a Red Hot Chili Peppers Sesh on Pandora last hour of work. 

1. Under the Bridge: Red Hot Chili Peppers

2. Mr Jones: Counting Crows

3. Island in the Sun: Weezer

4. Scar Tissue: Red Hot Chili Peppers

5. What It's Like: Everclear

6. Sex and Candy: Marcy Playground

7. Wish You Were Here: Incubus

8. Around the World: Red Hot Chili Peppers

9. Tighten Up: The Black Keys

10. Everlong: Foo Fighters

Why We All Love Jennifer Lawrence

She trips. She swears. She takes shots. She's humble and refreshingly down to earth. 

Read more about her night at the Oscars HERE

A Beautiful Read: A Soul Connection

"A soul connection is a resonance between two people who respond to the essential beauty of each others individual natures, behind their facades, and who connect on this deeper level. This kind of mutual recognition provides the catalyst for a potent alchemy. It is a sacred alliance whose purpose is to help both partners realize their deepest potentials. While a heart connection lets us appreciate those we love just as they are, a soul connection opens up a further dimension seeing and loving them for who they could be, and for who we could become under their influence. This means recognizing that we both have an important part to play in helping each other become more fully who we are. A soul connection not only inspires us to expand but also forces us to confront whatever stands in the way of that expansion." 

John Welwood

Happy Hour Mixology: French Kiss Margarita

The weekend is finally here. 

Sit back, relax, and enjoy this delicious Margarita. 

& Dream about being on the beach...like I am. 

Ingredients:

• 4 basil leaves
• 8 ounces blood orange juice
• 2 ounces lime juice
• 4 ounces Anejo tequila
• 2 ounces sweet vermouth

Instructions:

1. Muddle basil in blood orange juice. Add in remaining ingredients stir and strain into a glass filled with ice.

{Recipe Credit}

Valentine's Day Inspiration: Last Minute Makeup Ideas

Want to add a bit of color to your make-up routine this evening? Follow these simple tips from People Style Watch Magazine and expert make-up artist Mai Quynh:

Mai's Tips: 

1. Go for deep hues!

For cooler months, use rich, jewel-toned shades. 

(Think amethyst or emerald for eyes)  && (Ruby for lips)

Try it: Red Lips

If you have medium-dark skin: try deep burgundies, think of red wine.

If you have fair skin: try a shade of cranberry

*Need your shade to stay put? Dust a bit of face powder to help lipstick last*

Try it: Plum Smokey Eyes

To achieve this pretty look: Layer dark gray or brown over plum shadow, then blend outward to create a sultry look. Make sure to line those beauties with a dark, thick liner!

*Remember to play up ONE feature. You do not need extra colorful eyes and lips! And always remember to soften your look up a bit. Blend shadows and blot lips.*

Songs I am Loving: Bruno Mars, When I Was Your Man

I first heard Bruno Mars sing this song at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and fell in love. It is such a sweet rendition of regret and lost love. I find it sweet that although he made mistakes, he wishes her nothing but the best...

Here are the lyrics:

Same bed but it feels just

A little bit bigger now

Our song on the radio

But it don't sound the same

When our friends talk about you

All it does is just tear me down

Cause my heart breaks a little

When I hear your name 

It all just sounds like (oooooh)

Mmm too young too dumb to realize

That I should've bought you flowers

And held your hand

Should've gave you all my hours 

When I had the chance

Take you to every party

Cause all you wanted to do was dance

Now my baby is dancing

But she's dancing with another man

My pride, my ego, my needs, and my selfish ways

Caused a good strong woman like you to walk out my life

Now I never, never get to clean up the mess I made

Ooh and it haunts me every time I close my eyes

It all just sounds like (oooooh)

Mmm too young too dumb to realize

That I should've bought you flowers

And held your hands

Should've gave you all my hours 

When I had the chance

Take you to every party

Cause all you wanted to do was dance

Now my baby is dancing

But she's dancing with another man

Although it hurts

I'll be the first to say

That I was wrong

Oh I know I'm probably much too late

To try and apologize for my mistakes

But I just want you to know

I hope he buys you flowers

I hope he hold you hands

Give you all his hours

When he has the chance

Take you to every party

Cause I remember how much

You loved to dance

Do all the things I should've done

When I was your man

Do all the things I should've done

When I was your man

-Bruno Mars, Unorthodox Jukebox 

Valentine's Day Inspiration: Terribly Romantic Quotes

"No, I don't think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how."- Gone with the Wind.

"It was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together...and I knew it."-Tom Hanks, Sleepless in Seattle. 

"The heart wants what it wants. There's no logic to these things. You meet someone and you fall in love and that's that."- Woody Allen

"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment."- Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

"We fell in love, despite our differences, and once we did, something rare and beautiful was created. For me, love like that has only happened once, and that's why every minute we spent together has been seared in my memory. I'll never forget a single moment of it."-Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook 

May You Find Solitude...

I didn't want to believe it was true, but the obituary made it real. I knew that he was never coming back.  As I read about his family and his love for motorcycles, every memory we shared flooded back into my brain as if it had happened yesterday. Although much of our history remains that of the past, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of sadness as I think about our relationship. Sometimes people can't be in your life for long, but you meet them for a reason. I truly believe I met him for a reason. Our paths, however were destined to go another way... I sincerely pray that he finds solitude and that he is in a much better place. May you rest in peace, G.F. 

Valentines Day Inspiration: Red Velvet Rice Krispie Treat Hearts

I hate to admit that when I made these last year, the boyfriend and I polished the pan within a day. They were heavenly. 

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter
• 1 (10.5 oz) bag mini marshmallows
• ¾ cup Ducan Hines red velvet cake mix
• 8 cups rice krispies cereal
• ½ cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Spray a 9 x 13 dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large sauce pan, melt the butter over medium low heat.
3. Add marshmallows. Stir until marshmallows are melted and combined well with the butter.
4. Whisk in the cake mix until well blended.
5. Add the rice krispies and stir until cereal is well coated.
6. Remove from heat and add to the prepared 9 x 13 pan. Use a piece of waxed paper or parchment paper to press the cereal into pan until level.
7. Allow to cool.
8. Once cooled, cut into squares with a knife or use a heart shaped cookie cutter and cut into heart shapes.
9. Place white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 20 second intervals until melted and smooth.
10. Place chocolate into a quart sized freezer bag. Snip off the corner of the bag with scissors creating a small hole. Pipe white chocolate over the krispie treats and allow chocolate to cool. Makes 18 treats.

Recipe Credit: Realmomkitchen.com

Even if...

“Laugh, even when you feel too sick or too worn out or tired. 

Smile, even when you're trying not to cry and the tears are blurring your vision. 

Sing, even when people stare at you and tell you your voice is crappy. 

Trust, even when your heart begs you not to. 

Twirl, even when your mind makes no sense of what you see. 

Frolick, even when you are made fun of. Kiss, even when others are watching. Sleep, even when you're afraid of what the dreams might bring. 

Run, even when it feels like you can't run any more.

And, always, remember, even when the memories pinch your heart. Because the pain of all your experience is what makes you the person you are now. And without your experience---you are an empty page, a blank notebook, a missing lyric. What makes you brave is your willingness to live through your terrible life and hold your head up high the next day. So don't live life in fear. Because you are stronger now, after all the crap has happened, than you ever were back before it started.” 

― Alysha Speer

15 Things To Give Up...

1. Doubting yourself

2. Negative thinking

3. Fear of failure

4. Destructive relationships

5. Gossiping

6. Criticizing yourself or others

7.  Anger

8. Comfort eating

9. Laziness

10. Negative self talk

11. Procrastination

12. Fear of success

13. Anything excessive

14. People pleasing

15. Putting others needs before your own. 

National Pancake Day: Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Today is National Pancake Day! Celebrate by mixing up a batch of Chocolate Chip Pancakes!

 Chocolate Chip Pancake Recipe from Food Network:

What you need: 

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

1 cup, whole, 2 percent fat, or 1 percent fat milk

1 1/4  cups flour

1 tablespoon sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, or less to taste

Butter, for cooking

What you need to do:

In a small saucepan combine the butter and milk. Place over low heat just until warm and the butter is melted, let cool slightly. In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; mix well. 

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Whisk in the milk mixture. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until barely blended. Add the chocolate chips and mix. 

Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Add about 1 teaspoon of butter and melt until bubbly. Ladle 3 teaspoons of batter for each pancake onto the hot surface and cook until bubbly on the top and golden brown on the bottom. Turn and cook until golden brown on the other side, about 30 seconds more. Repeat until the batter is used up. Serve hot. 

Recipe Found on Food Network
Photo: Skinnytaste.com