Trend Tuesday: Structured Satchels

In my lifetime I've carried many a hobo bag and slouchy shoulder bag. However, this fall I am trying to steer clear of the slouchiness for something a little more stable: the structured handbag. 

The structured handbag owns some sharp lines and strong fabrication.  This fall I have been seeing many a structured bag. The silhouettes of these bags are making outfits look more streamlined, put together and chic. It's like sexy-business meets runway, in my mind. It is on of the easiest ways to polish off a look!

All images compliments of vogue.com and respective designer websites. 

The biggest benefit for me currently in carrying a structured bag is that it will hold its shape against the bumping and smooshing it is bound to endure during city commutes. The perfect structured bag is great for the workday, but continues to look good for a night out. Here are some of my catalogue favorites from the fall: 

1. Saint Laurent Classic Duffle 6 in Earth
2. Rag & Bone Large Pilot in Fawn
3. Zara City Bag in Black

Now since those are a bit outside of my budget and really anyone's, I will just have to stick with what I already own for now. So here are three structured bags from my personal collection that I just cannot live without. The great thing about all three of these bags is that I purchased them for under $50, yet didn't sacrifice a bit of style.

Left to right:
Romeo +Juliet Couture Handbag, purchased from Marshall's for $34.99. 
H&M Handbag $34.95
Vintage Gucci, thrifted for $45.
 

Any structured bags you couldn't live without! Share them! 

Quick Salad

Here's a quick salad that will curb a few cravings: in the mood for a taco but don't want the guilt? Just take this for a spin! Fastest salad you'll concoct that will make you feel full! 

Salads like this are perfect for second meals: I tend to have my most protein-filled meals at breakfast and midday, with a salad like this being an in-between meal/snack, or substituted for lunch with a protein shake!  

2 cups baby spinach
 1/2 cup cucumber, cubed
2 tbsp feta cheese
1/4 of an avocado, peeled and then diced
3 tbsp of salsa of your choice
1 Roma tomato, diced
1/4 Red Kidney Beans
add a side of 1 serving corn chips for dipping or crumbling!

For me, this meal equaled out to 377 calories! A great small meal perfectly rounded out with a protein shake or smoothie.

For added accessibility: chopped half of your vegetables after purchase! If you know what meals your produce is going to, preparing by chopping and dicing makes the preparation of meals so much faster, especially with the produce you use daily. For me, I always dice a few tomatoes and cucumbers, and half of my celery gets cut, so that meals are faster to make and I have no excuses!  

Bite Your Tongue

I know that recently I wrote about how important it is to share your emotions towards situations and feelings about people. Well, there's a flip-side to that notion: biting your tongue.  

I could quote all types of proverbs about the "tongue being the sharpest sword" and I could give plenty of anecdotes about hurtful words, but that'd be obvious. I could also tell you that I learned from Bambi, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all," but we all know this. 

Something, however, many people have forgotten is that the internet isn't as anonymous as we'd like to think. You can't completely hide behind a keyboard.  There's plenty of things that need to be said if you're just bottling it up inside but there are other things that should be left alone. And let's get real: the place for honesty isn't always the internet. 

There's been plenty of times I've read a facebook or twitter update, or even someone else's blog post, and thought something snarky, typing it out and then quickly hitting the "delete" key. I've had to remind myself that if I wouldn't say it to the poster in person, I shouldn't say it from my keyboard. It's just a rotten thing to do. 

If you don't agree with someone's post think about what you're typing before you hit "post". Is that comment you are about to write doing that person any favors, or is your goal to make them feel dumb or silly? Are you contributing to their post positively or are you being a bully? Was your goal to humiliate or educate, tear down or encourage?

Guess what, you don't have to respond to everything you don't agree with. You don't have to correct every person that you think is wrong.  

As adults, this should be a lesson we have already learned, but I don't think that we all have. I need a reminder as much as others: maybe it's time to bite your tongue, pull back your fingers from the keyboard, and think about what you're about to say. Know the consequences of your actions before you even take them.  

Adult Summer Passion Tea

Summer is definitely not over. Sure, fall fashion is on our heels but until the temperature drops, I'm embracing summer with fruity drinks. 

This one is great for a few reasons: The mixer is tea. Using tea as a mixer has the great benefits of it being lower in calories, sugar and carbs-- let's save those for the alcohol! Also, this drink will give you a KICK as the alcohol content is pretty high- one of these bad boys is plenty. (To dilute or have lower alcohol, adjust your vodka accordingly!) 

Yields: about 6-8 servings, depending on how feisty you're feeling! Pitcher advised!

16 oz boiling hot water
16 oz cool water
1 Tazo Iced Passion Tea Bag
16 oz vodka
1 1/2 cups frozen mixed berries

In a large pitcher, pour boiling hot water over the Iced Passion Tea Bag. Allow to steep for 5-7 minutes (depending on how strong you want the tea flavor to be) then remove the teabag and add cool water. Mix and while stirring pour in vodka. Add berries last. The berries are great for cooling down the brew and if you would like it even cooler, place in refrigerator for 30minutes before adding the berries!  

Easy!  

Trend Tuesday: Emerald

Pantone's color of the year for 2013 has been popping up on the runway ever since it was announced last December. Emerald has made an appearance every season, and every season it has been in a big way. From Burberry Prorsum's Spring 2013 Ready-to-Wear to Prada's big statement this fall, I don't think this is a color trend that's likely to die down until the next big color announcement.

With such a bold color, it's best to make the color pop, instead of having it take over the entire look. Make the color stand-out while still looking put together by pairing bold accessories with classic fall hues. A bold green handbag would look great with those riding boots that are your closet staple!  Here are some of my affordable ready-to-wear picks for the season: 

1. Classic Faux Leather Crossbody Forever 21 2. Devan Statement Necklace Nordstrom 3. Handbag from ASOS

Any bold emerald picks you love that I've missed? 

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Makeup Monday: Orange Eyeshadow

One awesome look that graced the Fall-Winter 2013 runways is a look that has translated into the season's makeup shelves. Let's discuss orange eyeshadow for a minute. The hue is not one I would normally attempt to play with, but I've seen some really great ways of using it: both bold and subdued, wearable and extreme. Below are some of my favorite ways I've seen the color used:

Photo credit, clockwise from left: 
Imaxtree via Harper's Bazaar and
Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic via Seventeen.com

So where can you get the right shade of orange? Below are some eyeshadows ranging from subdued peaches to bold rusts and fluorescent oranges. Sometimes finding the right shade of orange is just a matter of taking a risk and trying something new!

1. Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in Pearly Orange
2. NARS Eyeshadow in Persia
3. NYX Nude Matte Eyeshadow in Dance the Tides
4. NYX eyeshadow in Copper
5. NYX eyeshadow in Hot Orange

Here's my look using NYX Copper all-over the lid and a touch of hot orange in the crease. What's your favorite eyeshadow color for fall?

Eggplant Mini Pizzas

1 Large Eggplant
3 tbsp EVOO
2 roma tomatoes, sliced thin
1/2 cup shredded parmesan
1 tbsp oregano
1/2 tbsp garlic salt
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tbsp parsley
1 tbsp basil
Pinch of salt, pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Slice eggplant into inch-thick slice. Drizzle with olive oil, on both sides. In a small bowl, toss together all spices. Dip the eggplant slices into the bowl, coating one side. Place on a non-stick baking sheet.
Top eggplant with 1-2 slices of tomato and shredded parmesan Bake for about 40 minutes. Eggplant will be tender and cheese will be melted and slightly browned.