Fall Fashion Haul: Forever 21, J. Crew and more!

Anyone else wishing that it was fall yet?

I'm really starting to miss Starbucks' pumpkin spice lattes and colored leaves.  I really want to see pumpkins and fall colors and riding boots again.  I've been consoling myself by buying clothes and accessories for fall - hope this helps anyone who is getting ready to shop for the school year!

What is one fall fashion accessory you can't wait to wear?

-xx, Beccy

Back to School Beauty Essentials!!

Sorry if I ramble now and then, this is my first vlog.  This is just a collection of beauty products I will be using this school year. 

Are there any beauty products that you are addicted too?

Happy new school year!

-xx, Beccy

Tasty Treats | Banana Cupcakes with Nutella Icing

Oh, do I have a treat for y'all today.

My family and I have really become hooked on the Nutella craze as of late - we will buy at least one container of the hazelnut spread every trip to the grocery.  I'll have it on my toast, and cover it with bananas.  Nutella and bananas - you can't get any better than that.

So when I had a little free time to kill, I decided to take my favorite snack and make it into a sweet treat.  After a few hours of hard work I had crafted a delicious banana cupcake with Nutella icing!

Here's the recipe:

Banana Cupcakes

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 stick of butter - softened, not melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup sour cream

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 bananas (medium to large) peeled and mashed

3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional!)

To start, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Line your cupcake pan with tin baking cups - this will keep the mess to a minimum.  Mix your flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl and set aside.

In another bowl, combine the butter and sugar with a hand mixer.  Make sure the butter and sugar are completely combined - you will want to start these cupcakes with a very smooth base!  Mix in the sour cream and vanilla, and slowly add the eggs (one at a time).

Once your wet ingredients are combined, slowly mix in the dry ingredients (those you combined earlier and set aside).  Make sure you have fully combined the ingredients that are in the bowl before adding more!  If you dump in all the ingredients to quickly, they will not combine and it makes a huge mess.

Once thoroughly combined, add the bananas and the walnuts.  Be careful not to over mix!

Fill your cupcake tins three quarters full and bake for 18-20 minutes, or when they appear golden brown on top and toothpick stuck into the middle of the cupcake comes out clean.

Nutella Buttercream Icing

2 sticks softened unsalted butter

2 cups powdered sugar

3/4 cup Nutella

3 tablespoons of heavy cream

2 tablespoons of vanilla extract

Start by beating the butter with a hand mixer for 3 minutes.  You will want the icing to have a creamy base.  Once the butter is creamy add the 2 cups of powdered sugar and beat on medium speed. The icing will be getting much thicker - add the Nutella and continue to beat on medium speed.  Mix in the heavy cream and vanilla and continue to beat on medium speed until everything is thoroughly combined and the icing is thick and creamy. 

Ice the cupcakes when cool and chill the remaining icing in the fridge until next use.

These cupcakes are so good!  I hope you enjoy!

Happy baking!

-xx, Beccy

On My Playlist | Summer Playlist No. 1

I have put together a list of songs that have currently been on repeat over my speakers.  They are so summery and fun - hope you enjoy!

1.  Kasey Musgraves - Follow Your Arrow

2.  Lorde - Royals

3.  Lana Del Ray - Young and Beautiful

4.  Brad Paisley - Southern Comfort Zone

5.  Jayme Dee - Rules

6.  Vampire Weekend - Diplomat's Son

7.  Birdy - People Help the People

8.  The Weeknd - The Party and the After Party

9.  Jason Mraz - A Beautiful Mess

10.  Kip Moore - Hey Pretty Girl

I am totally in love with these songs (those who know me personally can attest - they are almost always on when my computer is out).  This certainly is my summer soundtrack for now!

Happy listening!

-xx, Beccy

Getting Healthy | The 30 Day Water Challenge

It is always a little awkward when I go out to dinner with friends.  Most of my gal pals are healthy eaters, which is great because I love food like sushi or a good Caesar salad.  However, whenever we order drinks, the conversation goes a little like this."

"What will you have to drink, ma'am?"

"Oh, I will take an ice water with lemon, please."

"Alright, and you?"

"Oh, water too, please."

"Water."

"Water."

"Water."

"Diet Coke."

Guess who that is.

I can't help the fact that I really do love the taste of Diet Coke.  My friends are constantly telling me how bad it is for my system.  I don't deny that the stuff is battery acid.  I know the negative effects of diet sodas have been studied and documented.  However, that doesn't stop me from going to the soda machine and putting a dollar in for 20 ounces of cold liquid goodness (with no calories - which makes me feel better about myself).

It's not my fault that it tastes so good...though it
probably is my fault for buying 64 ounces of the stuff....

I'm definitely wanting to change that mindset when it comes to caffeinated beverages.  My caffeine dependency only increased during my Junior year of high school - it got so bad that I would need a Diet Coke or two almost every day to function. My Senior year is coming up, and I would rather switch over to coffee (something I have not acquired a taste for yet) to be able to get the caffeine I need when there is a long day of work ahead.  As well as get more sleep and eat better (baby steps).

So here is the thirty day challenge:  I will strive to drink at least two bottles of water every day.  I will drink a bottle when I get a craving for caffeine, and I will drink the other before I have dinner.  I plan to try and slowly wean myself off of caffeine (specifically Diet Coke) within the next thirty days while avoiding the headaches and such.  There are so many benefits to increasing your water intake, such as:

1.  Healthier skin.

2.  Overall you will weigh less.

3.  It will give you more energy since it will stop dehydration (soda won't).

4.  It helps maintain a healthier heart.

5.  You can't get cancer from water (depending on where you get it from).

6.  It naturally cleanses your body.

7.  It can put you in a better mood (water intake boosts endorphin levels - who knew?).

8.  It supports your immune system.

9.  It certainly saves you money, given that water is free.

10.  It also increases cognitive function (layman's terms - it makes you smarter).

What is your water routine?

-xx, Beccy 

OOTD | Here Comes the Sun

Little known fact - I actually really like the color yellow.

I haven't worn a lot of yellow since I was younger.  My fashion-conscious, eight-year-old self was convinced  that blondes can't wear yellow - since, well, my hair is already technically yellow - so wouldn't that be too much yellow? (Again, I was eight.)

HOWEVER I have added more yellow into my wardrobe.  I love yellow when it is done right.  I have a simple rule for all to follow:

Yellow should make you feel like a daffodil.  Not a duck.  If you feel like a creature fit for water, you're doing it wrong.

I tend to dress in more soft, natural yellows.  Think lemon, pastel, sunshine, and daisy yellows.  Not school bus, yield sign, taxi yellows.  

I have a pair of chino shorts that I purchased from Banana Republic that I cannot get enough of.  With my J. Crew chambray shirt and gold-toned wedges, it is easily the cutest outfit for a sunny day.  

Aviators, pearls and a white braided belt complete the outfit with classy flair.

I have gotten so many complements from this outfit - anyone can wear it, its affordable and easy, and the banana yellow shorts are just so fun!

I suggest that if you have fair skin like me (I'm one step from albino), then stay away from the more neon colors.  Many neon colors can make you look more tan, but yellow will not have that desired effect - in fact it will wash you out even more.  However, if your skin is darker, wear neon (tastefully)!  I would suggest restricting neon to accessories, like jewelry, belts and sandals.  Too much neon will make you look more night club and less Nantucket.

Hope y'all have fun dressing like little rays of sunshine!

-xx, Beccy

Mani Mondays | Essie's "Lovie Dovie"

I love nail polish.

There is nothing I love more than to buy a new bottle of cute polish and have a fun spa day at home.  I stick to more traditional colors like pinks, reds and nudes - though sometimes I'll get a little crazy and buy a color like orange to throw in the mix.

Pink is always a good color for summer.  One of my mottos is "When in doubt, go pink" and for a good reason - pink, pearls and a preppy style are like two peas in a pod.  This color is the perfect pink - think of a cross between a flamingo and bubble gum.  For some reason, I cannot help but think of Barbie when I see this!

You can purchase Essie's "Lovie Dovie" for $8 at any Essie retailer.  Essie always has top notch formulas for its polishes.  They paint on so smoothly and the colors are so vibrant!  This one is definitely on my favorites list!

Happy Mani Monday y'all!!

-xx, Beccy