MAY SHOWERS BRING WHAT?



A rainbow of rain boots?



Cute trenches and new ways to store wet footwear?

 

Baby wellies (adorable) and cupcake fondue parties?




images via google, tip junkie, pretty stuff, pinterest, and those alaskan girls



LE BLAZER

There's something so simple about a blazer on its own. But add it to any wardrobe and the possibilities are endless.

Clockwise from top-left: 1/ All that glitters--how stunning is this? Gotta get my hands
on a fitted gold blazer. 2/ Bright is right--bright pop colours are hot this spring, and
evidently, perfect paired with nude. 3/  Ladies in white--matching white hot blazers for
spring '11? I think so. 4/ We love tweed--and I love this number from  EmersonMade.
5/ The patterned blazer + cinching an over-sized blazer for a new look--must!

Happy Monday, y'all!

images via emersonmade, because i'm addicted, who what wear, google, and sincerely, jules

WEEKEND SALUTE

Did you wake up bright and early this morning to watch the Royal Wedding? Or did you stay cuddled up in your warm bed, constantly pressing the snooze button, even when you were supposed to be getting up for work?

Me? The latter. I watched the highlights later on, as I was waiting to head into an audition.

For those who did watch it, what did you think? Was it worth getting up so early? Were you blown away? Did it exceed your expectations? Did you have expectations?

For those who missed it, you can check out the official Royal Wedding website here for pictures, highlights, updates, everything.  

Personally, the highlights for me were the Queen's yellow get-up (I love yellow, she made a damn good choice) and an appearance by Sir Elton John. Although, I'm a little disappointed that he didn't get up during the ceremony and sing 'Rocket Man'. I guess I'll have to get him to do that for my wedding.

Yep, I haven't been following the Royal Wedding hype and I didn't really have a preference as to whether I saw it televised or not. But the obvious, of course:

Kate looked/looks gorgeous--her dress? Beautiful.

Harry is looking awfully cute these days. Will, on the other hand,
needs some Rogaine. But for now he should just focus on his new wife.

The decor/food/guest list/la la la. Yeah, it's intense--it's royalty, what
do you expect?

Best picture ever.

Congrats to the newlyweds!

...

In other news, it's Friday. My folks are in town visiting and have rented a cabin for the weekend, so it looks like R and I will be spending some quality time with Mum and Dad in the country. Fishing and antiquing it is!--hope you all have an amazing weekend.

Cheers!


images via google and the atlantic

WE LOVE

Gwyneth Paltrow--okay, ever since my friend, Christina, introduced me to Gwyneth's blog, GOOP, I've become a superfan. I don't know what it is, but every time I find out something about a celebrity that's 'normal', so to speak--that's not so 'celebrity'--I get really excited. Really, really excited. 

As an actor myself, I find that a lot of the actors I know are only acting. And while there is nothing wrong with this, it's refreshing to meet actors who have alternative interests. Personally, I have so many other things on my plate besides acting, it's sometimes difficult to balance everything--but we make it work, and that's what I love so much about actors who do have other interests. They're busy, too--trying to make a living and hone their craft--but like Gwyneth for instance, they make time to travel, cook, entertain and be entertained, spend time with their families...the list goes on.

So, as it stands, I'm (a little) Gwyneth-obsessed.

First, I love, love, love her blog. If you aren't familiar with GOOP, go now! It's a lifestyle blog that has everything from travel guides and home organization tips to fitness advice and recipes. One of my favourite recipes that Gwyneth shares is for bibimbap--so delicious.

Second, Gwyneth's first cookbook just hit stores. It's called My Father's Daughter and pays tribute to her father through family and family-inspired recipes. I've already ordered a copy on Amazon.com--you should do the same.

Third, in addition to cooking and sharing fantastic recipes, the Oscar-winning mama sings!--check her out in Country Strong, in which she plays a fallen country star trying to make a comeback. Or take a looksie at the video below to see Gwyneth on Glee (love).

Other celebs I'm a big fan of because they aren't all acting, all the time? James Franco and Natalie Portman. I love both as actors, but I also look up to them a lot insofar as they have both attained degrees of higher-education (while working as actors)--as I'm trying to do right now (I'm sure there are other celebs who have, too, but these are all I've got...).

Natalie went to Harvard for psychology while she was filming Stars Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. This past February, she won an Oscar for the her role in Black Swan.

James received his MFA from Colombia in 2010 and is currently working on his PhD in English at Yale University. On top of hosting the Oscars this year, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in 127 Hours. He's also a film director, producer, screenwriter, author, and painter--code for: he does way too much. 

So, as an actor and a masters student (and cupcake artist / fitness fanatic / entrepreneur / blogger / girlfriend), I often get down on myself for being in school and not focusing on my acting as much as I'd like to be--and of course, not having enough time for everything else. But that's why I love Gwyneth, Natalie, and James. They inspire me to keep pushing forward. They inspire me to do all the things that I want to do. To get an education, to be an artist, to have dreams as a careerwoman.

Don't get me wrong. People in my everyday life inspire me to  push forward and be the best person I can be, too--ahem, my parents, my boyfriend? They're always inspiring me.

It doesn't have to be everything about one person that inspires you. Maybe you're inspired by a particular person's style, their mantra, their talent, their way of life.
Who is currently inspiring you? 

images and video via google and youtube

MAGIC FRUIT

If avocado were a person, she'd be a superbabe. Avocado is such an amazing fruit. When at its freshest, it's arguably one of the most delicious additions to any meal (I say), plus it packs great benefits for your health.

Here are some basic Q&A regarding avocado, some essential tips, what makes it a superfood, and why we should be eating more of it:

What's the best way to store avocadoes?
Avocadoes are perishable and will brown fairly quickly after being exposed to air and undergoing oxidation. Thus, it's best to use the entire avocado. Otherwise, for unused avocado, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate it immediately.

Does avocado have greater health benefits when consumed with other foods or on its own?

Recent research has shown that the absorption of two key carotenoid antioxidants--lycopene and beta-carotene--increases significantly when paired with fresh avocado. So, add avocado to that salad of yours to reap the benefits of all those healthy nutrients found in your veggies!

What's the best way to peel an avocado?

The method you use to peel an avocado can make a difference to your health. Research has shown that the greatest concentration of carotenoids in avocado occurs in the dark green flesh that lies just beneath the skin. You don't want to slice into the dark green portion any more than necessary when you are peeling an avocado--thus, the best method is what the California Avocado Commission calls the "nick and peel", where you actually end up peeling the avocado with your hands in the same way that you would peel a banana.

What are other health benefits for eating avocado?

An avocado is packed full of carotenoids--what most people tend to think as most concentrated in bright orange or red vegetables like carrots or tomatoes--giving it anti-inflammatory properties.

Are avocadoes going to make me fat?

While avocadoes have sometimes been criticized for being too high in fat, and while it is true--about 85% of its calories come from fat--the fat contained in avocado is good fat. First, phytosterols that account for a major portion of avocado fats, are key supporters for our inflammatory system and help to keep inflammation under control. The anti-inflammatory benefits of these fats are particularly well-documented with problems involving arthritis. Second, the polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFAs) also provide us with anti-inflammatory benefits. Finally, avocadoes have an unusually high amount of a fatty acid called oleic acid. Over half of the total fat in avocado is provided in the form of oleic acid. Oleic acid helps our digestive tract to form transport molecules for fat that can increase our absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, such as carotenoids. Also, as a monounsaturated fatty acid, it has also been shown to lower the risk of heart disease.

...

I like to add avocado to pasta or quinoa salads, rice bowls, and of course, sandwiches. I also like to use it on toast in place of butter. Don't get me wrong, I love butter (the real stuff), but avocado makes for a much healthier, heart-friendly alternative.

My favourite way to enjoy avocado, though--and probably the most obvious--is in a fresh guacamole. Here's my recipe, enjoyed most with my basa tacos on Ezekiel corn tortillas:

2 avocadoes, peeled and diced
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
a handful chopped cilantro
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp. finely chopped jalapeno pepper
juice of 1/2 lemon or 2 small limes
salt and pepper, to taste

1. In a bowl, combine avocado, onion, cilantro, garlic, and jalapeno. Using a fork, mix all ingredients together, slightly mashing avocado--I like my guacamole to be slightly chunky, so my rule of thumb is to mash about half of the avocado.

2. Add lemon or lime juice. Season with salt and pepper according to taste, and mix well.

3. Cover guacamole with plastic wrap and let chill in the refrigerate for up to two hours.
4. Serve with homemade tortilla chips, crudités, or tacos--my personal favourite.

Try This: if you’re worried about your guacamole oxidizing and turning brown while in the refrigerator, add extra lemon juice to the mix. The acidity in lemons will help to slow the oxidation process. Right before serving, season the guacamole so that it's not so tart (unless you like it that way, of course). 

Your guacamole shouldn’t brown before you eat it, though--if it does, try not making it so far in advance. Make it fresh!

  
information provided by world's healthiest foods

images via google

KNOCK YOU OUT

If you've never tried boxing, you really ought to. In addition to being a fantastic cardio workout, it's also great for muscle toning. I only began boxing a few months ago, but I'm totally hooked. I box about three--sometimes four--times a week, breaking up the workouts with a spin or zumba class.

What I love most about boxing is how strong it makes me feel. Some might argue that boxing is primarily a cardiovascular workout, and while it's great to get the heart pumping, by throwing in some conditioning exercises, it becomes a full-body workout.

The gym I go to offers hour-long boxing classes everyday that are always some combination of boxing on the bag and other cardio and conditioning exercises--from running laps and skippining rope to squats, lunges, push-ups, plank, and other exercises that target the legs, butt, core, and arms. It's an hour of boxing and conditioning drills that will leave your arms (and the rest of your body) feeling like gold--or jello.

Here's a rough example of what a typical class at my gym might look like:

1. 5-10 minute warm-up, include skipping rope, jumping jacks, knee-up jumps.
2. Gloves on. Boxing on the bag for 15 minutes with a combination of different
   punches, tempos, and even throwing some squats and jumping jacks into the mix.
3. Gloves off. Leg exercises, including squats, jump squats, squat pulses, lunges.
4. Gloves on. Boxing for another 15 minutes or so.
5. Gloves off. Upper body exercises, including shoulder press, lateral raises, tricep
   kickbacks, and push-ups.
6. Gloves on. Boxing for 5-10 minutes more.
7. Gloves off. Core exercises until the end of class (about 10 minutes).
8. Stretch. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Inspiration? Hilary's 'Million Dollar Baby' body--not that we're ever
going to look like this, but you can click here to read about Hilary's
boxing, training, and diet regimen for the role that won her an Oscar.

If you can't find a boxing gym nearby, you can always get your own punching bag and practice at home. Mind you, for me, a big part of what makes boxing such an adrenaline rush is being in a class and having others around to keep energy levels high and to motivate one another.

But remember, everyone has different ways of enjoying being active. Maybe you do better in a class-setting, maybe on your own at home. Maybe you work better with a gym buddy.

...

For gym rats, let's make it our goal this week to up the ante and work harder than we did last week. Let's sweat more. My goal: to not take breaks during conditioning exercises, no matter how much it burns.

For newcomers--those maybe just starting out at the gym or in boxing--make it your goal this week to identify how you might enjoy being active. Determine whether you work better on your own or with a friend, in the privacy of your home or in a public space, and what kind of exercise inspires you. Let's also sweat more.

What do you want to accomplish this week that will make you feel (physically) stronger? Is it an early morning walk with a loved one? A 10K run? Trying a new sport?

Let's take baby steps together. Exercise is personal. Make it your own.

images via google

SEEING STRIPES

I just decided I need more stripes in my wardrobe.

Initially, I was against the whole stripes thing--not in general, just for me. I was worried they'd make my boyish figure look even more 'boyish'. Or just plain wide.

Now, I can't get enough. More stripes, please!

What patterns are you eyeing for your spring wardrobe?

images via pinterest, bliss, kyla roma, the daybook, and kendi everyday