Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Obsession #7 - Nautical Theme

Hey guys!

Recently I've been getting into nautical-themed items. The color scheme and overall summery and strong feeling that a nautical theme can give off is so appealing to me! 


Last year I purchased Sperries - https://www.sperrytopsider.com/en/country - which I'm totally in love with. They come in a variety of colors and styles, and offer thin versions for people with narrow feet like me. The most common color I see is tan, but the cute thing is that while they all share the same tan base, they have unique patterns on the sides - pink plaid, cheetah print, you name it! With such a variety, you have plenty of options in order to find one that you love. My pair is purple with a pink and purple plaid side pattern. Try on different styles to find the one you like best!

My iPod's totally nautical. The case is blue and white striped with a red anchor - there's a lot of great nautical-themed electronic cases out there. I suggest amazon.com for a great selection at low prices with an easy return policy. I also set my lock screen to be an ocean wave, and the background to be the beach. (Ironically this wasn't intentional, but I loved the end result!)

I also have an anchor Alex and Ani bracelet (http://www.alexandani.com). These bangles are wonderful because they're lightweight and can be worn in a casual or more formal setting. They come in silver and gold, and in a HUGE variety of styles, so if you like bangles, they're definitely something to look at.

That's just my quick little update - go nautical!

~CCG

Obsession #6 - Skiing

Hey guys!

If you live in places where winters are cold and snowy, you can feel pretty trapped within your house. The longer the season lasts, the more cabin fever you get, and the less active you become.

Wanna get out and get an awesome workout? Try downhill skiing.

It's not the cheapest sport, but once you get into it and buy your own equipment, the costs will lessen and the fun will increase.

When you originally head to a mountain, you'll have to rent equipment, buy a pass, and stick to the bunny hill. It will be cold out. You may not have the desire to spend money just to slide down a practically nonexistent slope in the cold.

Try it. Please. Two years ago I hated the concept of skiing, and now I ski black diamonds weekly. Not everyone gets into it, but you just might get hooked, so try it even if it seems unpleasant at first.

I suggest taking at least one lesson to start. I only took one and I'm doing fine right now, but it know others who took long-term regular lessons and are doing great too. It's kind of your learning style. Try one and see if it helps.

Once you're into skiing, the more difficult trails you try the more fun it can become. Go on trails you feel safe on - safety is the primary concern. Always wear a helmet. That's more than just a useless safety precaution. My friend got a concussion with a helmet on - we're lucky it wasn't worse. If you take it slow and wear a helmet, you're much safer than if you're speeding down the slopes with just a hat on.

Let's get to why you should ski: 

- great exercise - skiing can burn 500 calories in one hour! It works core and leg muscles, and your cardiovascular system.

- fun - if you like sliding down the slopes, then it's a FUN way to get exercise!

- friends - once you're a steady skier, hitting the slopes with a group of friends totally improves the experience. Riding the lifts with a buddy, not a stranger, is much better!

If you live somewhere where winter is freezing and snowy, check out skiing. It's not for everyone, but if you haven't given it a try yet, do it now - any age is a great age to start skiing!

~CCG

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Obsession #5 - Outshine Fruit Bars

Hey guys!

Here's just a little post about a non-guilty pleasure I enjoy!

If you're ever in the mood for a sweet dessert option but don't want all those extra calories, check out the refreshing Edy's Outshine fruit bars (http://www.outshinesnacks.com/home.aspx).

In each of the bars, there are 40 calories - that's it. I'm not a calorie counter, but knowing that after dinner I can indulge in something that satisfies my sweet tooth and doesn't make me feel guilty after is wonderful. It's an excellent source of vitamin C as well.

In each bar, the first ingredient is water, and the second is fruit-based - for example, lime juice, strawberries, or blackberry juice.

Personally, I prefer the slimmer 40 calorie bars taste-wise, but they also offer the larger 70 calorie bars as well.

Just wanted to tell ya: if you're ever craving dessert but hate the guilt, treat yourself to Edy's Outshine fruit bars.

~CCG

Obsession #4 - TJ Maxx

Hey guys!

Have you ever been in a popular name-brand store and found a top that's just so adorable - but when you read the price tag, suddenly your smile vanishes?

Solution: TJ Maxx. (check it out here - http://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/index.jsp)

Let me start with this: going into TJ Maxx with a goal is pointless. There are so many great deals and different departments that staying on task is nearly impossible.

If you've never heard of TJ Maxx, or have never visited the store, let me explain: as far as clothing goes, basically TJ Maxx takes clothes from really nice name-brand stores, and sells them for way, way less. From Abercrombie to American Eagle, if you enjoy shopping but hate the way-too-insanely-high prices, TJ Maxx is the place for you.

However, there are some brands at TJ Maxx that aren't known elsewhere, so you can score some really cute and unique deals you can't find anywhere else.

To top that off, when I say the prices are low, I mean low - today I got a nice pair of jeggings from American Eagle at TJ Maxx for around $12. I call that a deal.

Wait, so TJ Maxx sells popular name-brand and unique not-found-anywhere-else clothes, all for super low prices?
Yup.

When I'm in a mood just to shop locally without worrying too much about price, TJ Maxx is the place I go. Like I said before, they offer such a random, scattered collection of great apparel, it's hard to go in there with a goal and come out successful - at least, not without an extra blouse or two added in.

Going to a TJ Maxx store in person is the best option, but if you haven't got one locally, check out the website. Seriously, if you don't like spending ridiculous amounts of money on clothes but you're in the mood to shop, TJ Maxx is the place for you.

~CCG

Obsession #3 - Avocado Toast

Hey guys!

Here's a random new "obsession" I'm gonna share with you: avocado toast.

Wow, that sounds random, right? Let me explain.

I was reading Rachel Ray's magazine - http://www.rachaelraymag.com/ - and the new issue was totally breakfast-related.

To start, if you're into cooking, Rachel Ray has some great recipes for all occasions. They have healthy, indulgent, cost-efficient, and timely recipes that all look so delicious. I love reading my new issue every month!

Like I said, this issue was breakfast-based, and there was a page with crazy toast ideas. One of them was apparently a Pinterest craze, and it was avocado toast!

I'm a huge fan of avocado. It's a super-healthy superfood, and it's so versatile. From guac to sandwiches, you can incorporate its healthy benefits virtually anywhere - including breakfast!

All I did was buy an avocado, cut up some slices, and put them on top of a buttered piece of toast. It was amazing! If you enjoy avocado, or just want a healthy creative breakfast option, avocado toast is the way to go. Whole wheat bread adds to the health benefits.

When purchasing an avocado, choose one with skin that you can press into. It's got to be at least a little soft. Don't go too soft, though, or else the avocado can be mushy and unappetizing. Getting the skin off is simple - if the avocado's not too mushy, it should peel off pretty easily - and from there, cut off nice, pale green pieces. Lay them on top of your toast, and presto! Delicious, healthy breakfast option!

I also suggest using avocado elsewhere. There are many creative guacamole recipes out there, so just explore! Adding a few slices of avocado to a sandwich can give it a refreshing twist, and on top of salad it's just divine. Have fun with it!

Fun fact: an avocado is a berry! So if you have a nut allergy, don't be alarmed by rumors that the hard center somehow makes it a nut - it's a fruit!

~CCG

Obsession #2 - Music Taste

Hey guys!

I'm huge into music, so I wanted to give you an idea of the kind of music I like. My favorite genres are indie, alternative, and classic rock.

Favorite bands (in no particular order):

The Beatles
Aerosmith
Cage the Elephant
fun.
The Vaccines
The Shins
Young the Giant
Arctic Monkeys
Green Day
Death Cab for Cutie
Arcade Fire
Led Zeppelin
The Who
Radiohead
Queen
Modest Mouse

There's a bunch more I'm missing, so I'll probably add more in a later post. 

~CCG

Obsession #1 - Modcloth

Hey guys! 

Welcome to Crazy Chic Girl, my new blog! Basically my plan is to post about, well, stuff I love or like or just generally want to talk about. Pretty good plan, huh?

Let's get started!

Since about last summer, I've been "obsessing" over Modcloth - http://www.modcloth.com/home. If you haven't looked at it, please do, and if you haven't gotten the app yet, get it. When you visit the site, you'll see the general idea is vintage apparel, which can be pretty cool in some cases. 

If you're not into vintage stuff, I still suggest taking a peek at the site. The quirky clothing and accessories they offer can appeal to pretty much anyone's taste. I admit, as I scroll through "New Arrivals" on the app, I'm sometimes thinking, Wow, that's pretty much hideous.

However, I'm more often pleasantly surprised by the adorably unique dresses and blouses I can find. They've got formal gowns and spring jumpers, in all sorts of patterns and styles. Right now I'm browsing in hope of finding cute dresses I can wear when spring weather comes around. 

Here's a downside to Modcloth: they tend to run in pretty large sizes. Sure, there are cute plus-size options, but in general their clothing runs large. I'm pretty petite and short, so I can't always pull off the clothes as I wish I could.

Here's an upside to the downside: shoes. My God, they have some of the most adorable shoes I have ever seen on that website! As of right now I only have one pair of little booties, but the flats and sneakers and sandals - they're to die for. Even if you find the clothing doesn't work for your body type, please take a look at the shoes.

That culminates Obsession #1 - Modcloth. Please check in again to see my latest posts!

~CC Girl