A Look at the Marilyn Monroe Collection for Macys

I am swooning over these piece from the Marilyn Monroe Collection that will be available at Macy's. 

I can literally picture myself in a pink Cadillac convertible wearing this little black polka dotted dress with a pair of wedges and Jackie-O sunglasses. 

Did I mention S W O O N I N G 

x o x o 

View the whole collection HERE

All Marilyn pictures found HERE

Healthy Lifestyle: A Sweet Spin on Water

Tired of drinking boring water? 

Me too. 

Luckily, I discovered this tip on Pinterest to help me reach my daily goal of 64 oz (or more) water a day.

Instead of filling your water with artificial sweeteners, etc. add a handful of frozen raspberries and ice in your water bottle. 

It naturally infuses your water and gives it a sweet berry taste. 

Benefits of Raspberries: 

High in vitamin C

High in Fiber

High in antioxidants.

Read more at LiveStrong

How Dancing Can Improve Your Relationship

I am sure many women can agree that there is something magical about a man asking a woman to dance. Let’s face it, dinner and a movie, although a classic choice for date night, truly can get boring. Don’t you think that it is time to try something new and exciting? Why not try ballroom dancing! Believe it or not, ballroom dancing, or the “dance of love” can truly improve a relationship and can be a  rewarding experience that both partners can enjoy! Don’t believe me? Janet Carlson, author of “Quick Before The Music Stops: How Ballroom Saved My Life”, claims that their is an inevitable attraction that derives from a couple who is learning how to dance together. “Let’s face it, moving rhythmically to beautiful music together is a turn-on that is hard to resist. It’s hard not to enjoy the person who is right there helping you feel sexy, glamorous, and elegant.”

But why? Like a relationship, dancing involves three important entities that are crucial to a long-lasting, successful relationship: trust, respect, and of course a partnership. There is a balance of power and comfort that is established when a couple begins to learn how to dance. Carlson can agree! “One of the first things I learned from a dance coach was probably the most parallel between dance and love: Your job is to think about your partner’s comfort while you dance, and your partner’s job is to think about yours. The bottom line: consider your romantic partnership to be like that of a dance partnership; for a smooth, successful one, don’t step on each other’s toes, look out for your partner’s needs, and make sure he or she looks out for yours.”

Still need more convincing?

Ladies, I am sure you can agree that at times, we need to be in absolute control of a situation. After all, we are strong, self-sufficient, and independent. But guess what? When it comes to ballroom dancing, you must surrender to that need to be “in control” all the time. “I confess, being the kind of woman who’s mostly in charge, and self-sufficient, it’s kind of sexy to experience the man being in charge when it comes to dancing”, says Carlson. “It’s taught me to stop trying to do everything myself in a relationship.” Again, like dancing, a relationship is a partnership, responsibilities can be shared! Now, I don’t want to fool you, the man will not always be leading and the woman will not always be following, but surrendering to that initial need to be in control can be liberating. Learning how to ballroom dance together, can truly foster a loving, respectful,partnership off the dance floor.

We have all heard it before: It does indeed “Take two to tango”. 

(Found this article on an old blog I used to write & maintain!)

Happy Hour Mixology: Three Olives Launches Marilyn Monroe Strawberry Vodka

I usually don't rush to the liquor store after work, but today I may have to. Three Olives just launched it's Marilyn Monroe Strawberry Vodka. Marilyn Monroe...vodka...in the same sentence? AHH!

"Three Olives Vodka honors Marilyn Monroe with a flavor offering that celebrates the legends love of strawberries and her dazzling style and iconic Hollywood glamour."

Live, love, Marilyn Monroe. 

Recipes: Healthy Turkey & Feta Stuffed Peppers

Turkey & Feta Stuffed Peppers

What you need:

4 green bell peppers

1 small yellow onion, diced

3 stalks of celery, diced

1 28 oz. can of petite diced tomatoes 

1 lb. of ground turkey 

1 package of Athenos Tomato & Basil Feta Cheese (if you want to use plain feta cheese, that's fine too)

 3 tablespoons tomato paste

A tiny spoonful of minced garlic (Chris doesn't really like garlic so I had to use sparingly) if you want more, go for it! 

 2 tsp. Oregano

2. tsp. Red pepper flakes

Salt (to taste)

Pepper (to taste) 

 2 tablespoons olive oil

Shredded Mozzarella cheese to melt over peppers. 

What you need to do: 

1. Start by heating skillet over medium heat with olive oil. 

2. Add onions and celery and saute until tender. 

(At this point I like to splash white wine into the mixture, makes me feel like I'm on some fancy cooking show). 

3.Take tomato paste and mash it into celery and onion mixture, stirring continuously for about 3 minutes. 

4. Now, add the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink.

5. Once the turkey is cooked, add the diced tomatoes and simmer for about 15-20 minutes. 

(The house at this point, by the way, smells fantastic.) 

6. While the mixture is simmering, prep the peppers by cutting of the tops and removing the seeds. 

7. Remove mixture from heat and stir in feta cheese. 

8. Now it's time to stuff those peppers! I filled each pepper about 3/4 full (leaving a little room for mozzarella cheese) 

9. Place peppers in crock-pot with about 2/3 cups of water, and cook on high for about an hour and a half or until the pepper starts to get soft. (They will look almost olive green). My crock-pot is fairly new so it runs very hot and doesn't take much time to get things cooking.  About 10 minutes before eating, top peppers with mozzarella cheese and cook an additional ten minutes. 

10. Enjoy!

Soundtrack of My Day: Starry Eyed

So we burst into colors, colors and carousels

Fall head first like paper planes in playground games.

Next thing we're touching 

You look at me, its like you hit me with lightning. 

[ e l l i e G o l d i n g ]

starry eyed

Alex Clare on Pandora today:

1. Blue Foundation: Eyes on Fire

2. Alex Clare: When Doves Cry

3. Swedish House Mafia: Don't You Worry Child

4. Ellie Golding: Starry Eyed

5. Sia: Breathe Me

6. Florence and the Machine: Bedroom Hymns

7. Alex Clare: Up All Night

8. Lindsey Stirling: Crystallize

9. Lindsey Stirling: Song of the Caged Bird

10. The Glitch Mob: Fortune Days 

Personal: March Goals

Although I have stayed true to the majority of my New Year's Resolutions, I find myself wanting to up the ante (sort of speak). Deep down I know that I can do more to improve my overall sense of health and well-being both physically and mentally as this year continues. I am happy to report that I have officially signed up for my first 5k in Chattanooga, and I couldn't be more excited. With that being said, I need to start training harder so I can run the race without much hesitation. I have never been a runner, but I have grown to love my training sessions at the gym as well as my weekend runs. Unfortunately, a hip injury from over exertion has side-lined my workout regimen and I have fallen off the bandwagon. Luckily, its a start of a new month and I can get my butt back into the gym and accomplish the goals I have set forth. I can also reflect on the positive changes I have made the last two months regardless of a little slip-ups,such as:

I gave up energy drinks. 

I was a 2-a-day-er. I loved Red Bull and the insane amount of concentration it gave me. It wasn't until a minor panic attack at my desk and an accelerated heart rate that I realized I needed to stop. 

I started drinking more green tea

No sodas, no sugary drinks, just natural green tea with natural sweetener

Water became my best friend 

Sure I was in the bathroom a lot, but I was less bloated, my skin looked better, and I felt more energized. 

Replaced hardly eating to eating small meals a couple times a day

Learned to love Greek yogurt as well. 

Incorporated weights into work-outs

Love the burn!

BUT... I have new goals for the month. Although I am going to continue doing the things listed above I want to do the following:

Physically:

Commit to working out in the morning before work 

Ugh. this is going to be tough but I want more time in the evenings to spend time with friends and loved ones. 

A Plank A Day No Matter What:

(1 minute or more!)

Planks are awesome for your abs and I want a nice flat tummy for bikini season

Healthier Dinners:

I tend to eat healthy all day then blow it with an extra spoonful of pasta. I must execute better self control! I have found several new healthy recipes on Pinterest and I can't wait to try them.

Run, Run, Run:

At least 3 times a week. No excuses. 3 miles, 30 minutes. I can do this. Please hold me accountable, if I start making excuses. 

Regain flexibility in my back:

I did a back bend the other day and my muscles screamed in happiness. What a truly wonderful stretch. 

Emotionally, Spiritually, Etc. 

Join the Photo-a-day challenge:

I am joining Fat Mum Slim's Photo Challenge to stimulate my creative side. 

Reserve time for me:

I tend to forget about myself at times. I need to reserve time where I can just sit and relax. 

Find Free Lance Writing Opportunities

I need to write more and improve my portfolio. 

Blog, Blog. Blog

After all this is what I love to do and I want to continue inspiring those who read. 

With that being said: 

Happy Hour Readers: What are your plans for March? 

x-o-x-o Kristina