The Happy List

(photo by a. singh)

Take a deep breath.  

Exhale.  

It's Friday!  =)

A few things that made my week extra, extra amazing:

• Above, an evening view from Kissena Park, the destination of a little "family walk" as dubbed by the bf.  Along with his trusty sidekick, Edgar (his dog) we kicked off the week by walking for about two hours!  Tired.  Hot.  Happy.  =)

• Can't say it enough.  No Doubt's Settle Down is on constant rotation on my playlist.

• Dinner with my family. I made really great sloppy joes!  =) 

• Finally figured out how to use Pinterest.  

• Alternative music is back in NYC - 101.9FM is now New Rock!  Super psyched to hear Green Day, Third Eye Blind, Fun., and MGMT on the radio again!  

• Re-discovering the deliciousness found in frozen grapes.

•  Getting a pedi in Essie's Mob Square (also known as Mod Square)

• Lastly, who says that ridiculous, over-the top, can't-live-without, true love doesn't exist?!?  Here's the evidence... (check out the YouTube link here and the Bruno Mars song here)

Hip Happenin' weekend, folks!

xoxo andrea 

Incredibly Rad 80's Trends: Then and Now

In case you haven't noticed, the 80's are back!  The fashion bravery (Madonna's rubber bracelets?  MJ's red leather jacket?  Boy George's black bowler hat?  You can't get more courageous!),  fun music, and its overall creativity are definitely just a few reasons why it is my favorite decade by far!

Now, I'm no fashion expert, but here are a few trends (in my humble opinion) that have reincarnated into improved versions of their former selves.  They might be on their way out, but I loved them all nonetheless... *(Click on images for sources...)

1.   Neon (Then):

  
Neon  (Now):

Wear it!  Brights are in, in, in!   Adding one piece of color is seemingly just right for the millennium.

2.    Makeup (Then):

       Makeup (Now):

Wear it!  Oh, I love Joan Cusack in Working Girl, but how (and why) did she match her makeup with her earrings?  Haha!  Nowadays, bright lips = neutral/subtle eyes and vice versa.  (By the way, I love the bright red/hot pink lip trend!)

3.  Hair (Then):

     Hair (Now): 

Wear it!  I adore Madonna in the 80's if only because for the fact that she paired a bright red lip with super high hair!  Today, it seems as though a pop of color is definitely the way to go.  I'm in love with the ombre style, as seen on Drew Barrymore, above.

4.  Jewelry (Then):

     Jewelry (Now):

Wear it!  Numerous chunky, plastic and rubber bracelets on one's arm in the 80's have been replaced with....numerous chunky, plastic, rubber, gold, silver, sparkley bracelets (AKA an "arm party" - I kid you not!) Personally, I don't want this one to go away.  Costume or real, you can always count on jewelry to add personality to any outfit...

5.  Footwear (Then): 

     Footwear (Now):

Wear it!   I have to admit, when I saw a pair of jellies a few years ago, I grabbed them - just because they reminded me of how much I lived in mine back in the mid-80's!  Gladiators, flats, Converse and even socks with sandals have all made their way back on to our feet - this time, with way more height and again, color!

In conclusion...

Every decade seems to recycle itself some way or another.   I'm 33, and I've seen flapper trends of the 20's all the way to today's revamping of color blocking from the 90's.  The important thing is to HAVE FUN with fashion, be comfortable with yourself and love the body you're in.  Remember:  No matter what age, race, or size, self-confidence and a great attitude will always, always be in style...

xoxo andrea

Yep, I Made It: Easy Chicken Tortillas

For me, summer means many things, one of which is easy-peasy cooking!  It's way too hot to spend hours in the kitchen (plus summer = fun 'n relaxation!), so I like to cut my cooking time in half by making light, simple meals. (Bonus if it's healthy - super bonus if there's leftovers!)

Here's a quick dinner that I've recently made for the bf and it was a hit!  Think open-faced tacos!  =)  I've also added a small salad...  (Keep in mind that this is my first recipe post, so feel free to send suggestions!  I'd like to make this a regular installment, if only to keep me cooking!  Har-har!)

Easy Chicken Tortillas

Yield:  4 tortillas

What You'll Need

Tortillas:

• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 lb. of boneless chicken breast, cut into very thin strips
• Salt, pepper, dried parsley (to taste)
• 1 15 oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 16 oz. bottle of salsa
• Cheddar and/or Monteray Jack cheese, grated (to taste)
• Garnish:  1 avocado, sliced and/or sour cream (optional)
• 4 small corn tortillas

Salad:

• 8-11 ounces of spring mix or romaine lettuce, rinsed and chopped
• Endive and radicchio, rinsed and sliced
• 1  8 oz. canned corn, drained and rinsed
• 8-10 grape tomatoes, rinsed and halved
• 2 tbsp. feta cheese

What You'll Do

1. In a medium bowl, prepare the salad by combining greens, endive, radicchio, corn and tomatoes.  Cover and place in refrigerator.
2. Using a saute pan, heat oil and add chicken breast.
3. Sprinkle salt, pepper and dried parsley* and cook chicken until browned (feel free to omit the parsley - it's just a personal fave!) 
4. Add black beans. Cook until soft.
5. Add salsa. I use the entire bottle for veggie overload, but use to your discretion!
6. Heat through then simmer for about 5-7 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, on a slightly greased baking sheet, warm the tortillas in a preheated 350-degree oven.  Be sure to keep an eye on them - they can burn pretty quickly!  1-2 minutes on each side should be perfect. 
8. Remove chicken/bean/salsa mixture from heat and spoon on each of the tortillas.  Top with grated cheese.
9. Return to oven until cheese melts.
10. Optional:  Garnish with avocado and/or sour cream. 
11. Serve with salad, topped with feta cheese.

 Final result?

(photo by a. singh)

Ta-da! 

Not only was this one really tasty meal, but it was healthy and filling to boot!  We were stuffed after one tortilla each.  Tip:  Use the leftovers in a burrito or spoon over wild or brown rice.  You can also replace the chicken with steak, shrimp, grilled tofu or fresh veggies like peppers, yellow onions, zucchini,etc. 

Enjoy!

xoxo andrea

If You Don't Know...

 (click for source)

"Nothin's gonna knock this girl down..."

- No Doubt

Hello all!

So we are well into the summer here in NYC!  I feel like the sweltering temps is Mother Nature's payback for the extremely calm winter we had this year!

In any case, here are a few 'net finds that I've come across in my summer haze: 

• Above:  After an 11-year hiatus, No Doubt does not disappoint with their new single!  Check it out here!  What the heck is Gwen Stefani's secret?!?  In fact, the entire band hasn't aged!

• Cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, oh my!  Never thought of adding these to my homemade iced coffee.  (Someone in particular will love this one =)

• Hmmmm...a DIY, toxin-free mani?  Interesting!

• I need motivation to organize my closet ASAP!

• Some tips on making the best of summer.  

• A must-try:  A laptop case made out of...duct tape?!?

•  Finally, words of wisdom from Julia Child.

Here's to a great week!

xoxo andrea

The Happy List

Hello my dear readers,

Confession: I've been publishing several "Note to Self" entries because I don't have time to write any real entries!  Aghhh!  The summer began a longgg time ago and every night I sit at this computer wondering what to write.  So, during one of my bouts with insomnia, I thought of "The Happy List" where I'll list a few things that brought some positivity into my life. 

And here we go!  A few items to kick off my happy list:

• I surpassed the "wall" this week at the gym!  I felt like Dennis, the main character in one of my favorite movies, Run Fatboy Run.  Haha!
• A pretty cool app called Graffiti Me. 
• Catch-up time with my cuzzo and bro.   Great advice from my mama to boot!
• 80-degree weather here in the NYC.  We had two heat waves in a row last week! 
• Listening to Flo Rida's Wild Ones (featuring Sia) while driving with the windows down. It's just plain fun! 
• Stumbling on Aaliyah's More Than A Woman video - brings me back to some really great times. =)

 What's on your happy list this week?!?

xoxo  andrea

Note to Self...

(click for source)

"Pack light."

-  Erykah Badu

'Heard this song today and it was a definite throwback to the year 2000!  I was almost done with college then - and truthfully, I was in a fog and in dire need of some clarity. It's hard to believe that was 12 years ago!

When I listen to this song, I'm just reminded that we all have "bags" we tend to carry over time - whether it be the side effects of a bad relationship, the unworthy feeling from a craptastic job or just plain ol' rejection,  after a while, carrying the weight of these bags can be quite cumbersome!  Before you know it, you'll be crowding your own space with that heavy baggage.

LOVE this song and the video is so colorful and fun!  Its message still resonates with me...

Enjoy!

Bag Lady

Erykah Badu

Bag lady you gon' hurt your back
Dragging all them bags like that
I guess nobody ever told you
All you must hold on to
Is you...

One day all them bags gon' get in your way...
One day all them bags gon' get in your way...

One day all them bags gon' get in your way...

So...pack light...

Bag lady you gon' miss your bus
You can't hurry up
'Cause you got too much stuff
When they see you comin'
They take off runnin'
From you...it's true...oh yes they do

One day he gon' say you crowdin' my space
One day he gon' say you crowdin' my space
I said one day he gon' say you crowdin' my space
One day he gon' say you crowdin' my space

So pack light...

Girl I know sometimes it's hard
And we can't let go
When someone hurts you oh so bad inside
You can't deny it you can't stop crying
So...

If you start breathin'
Then you won't believe it
You'll feel so much better
So much better baby...

Bag lady
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go

I betcha love can make it better...

The Age of Worry

The Age of Worry

John Mayer

Close your eyes and calm yourself
Build your heart an army
To defend your innocence
While you do everything wrong

Don't be scared to walk alone
Don't be scared to like it
There's no time that you must be home
So sleep where your darkness falls

Alive in the age of worry
Smile in the age of worry
Go wild in the age of worry
And sing Worry, why should I care?

No you fight is not within
Yours is with your timing
Dream your dreams but don't pretend
Be friends with what you are
Give your heart then change your mind
You're allowed to (throw) it
Cause God knows it's been done to you
And somehow you got through it

Alive in the age of worry
Rage in the age of worry
Sing out in the age of worry
And sing, Worry, why should I care?

Rage in the age of worry
Act your age in the age of worry
And sing, Worry, get out of here...