Lazy Girl Lunch: Avocado & Cheese sandwich

Fourth of July festivities are officially over, it's Monday, and that means it's back to trying to eating healthy (...and possibly going to the gym).  There's one guilt-free meal I love eating that doesn't make me feel guilty after I gobble it down: an avocado and cheese sandwich.  It takes about 2 minutes to make and is actually filling!

Here's what you'll need:

-2 slices of bread (I prefer whole wheat or whole grain)

-shredded cheese (either regular cheddar or taco/Mexican blend is my favorite!)

-1 avocado

-optional: garlic powder and/or yeast flakes

I usually toast my bread for sandwiches first, because I like a little crispiness to my bread.  Then just sprinkle on some shredded cheese (a mound of cheese isn't the healthiest, but who doesn't love cheese?!), and pop it in the microwave for just a couple of seconds, until the cheese melts.

Time for the main attraction: avocado.  I spread half of an avocado on each slice.

After I  mashed up the avocado (I like to be able to spread it around so that every bite has some avocado goodness in it!), I sprinkled on a little garlic powder and some yeast flakes (they're good for you, and have a little bit of a cheesy taste, and you can get them at your local health food store).

Put the two slices together (or eat them separately as an open-faces sandwich), and voila!

I add some extra veggies on the side to snack on; it makes my meal feel more complete and I end up feeling pleasantly full (not end-of-Thanksgiving-meal-full).

Weekly Pin-spirations 4/29

Another week, another round up of my weekly pin-spirations (although truthfully, I could probably do this everyday!  LOL)

I've got a little bit of fashion inspiration and a little bit of foodie fare. Usually when I pin I start with one thing and after some time I wind up in a completely different spot!

Pin | Site

Emma Watson makes going to the airport in sweats look so effortlessly chic! I'm jumping on this bandwagon and if this entire outfit could just magically appear in my closet, that'd be great!

Check out my post, here, for the Save vs. Splurge for this outfit (my finds are a fraction of the originals!)!  (And, here, for some more jogger options!)

Pin | Site

Insects have never looked so chic and fashionable before!  Seriously, how cute is this print?

Pin | Site

I'm a sucker for boat shoes (I have about 5 pairs already and I'm not even a little bit sorry about it)!  They have a bunch of different colors, and I'm completely hooked on the coral ones!

Pin | Site

I'm always the only one who gets noodles at hibachi. There's always a huge pile of fried rice for everyone else and then, off to the side is my little pile of noodles. And I don't even care because hibachi noodles are absolutely heavenly. And now that I've found this pin, teaching me how to make them, I'm much more eager to learn how to cook like an adult. 

Pin | Site

If I'm not craving hibachi, I'm most likely craving bruschetta. And I'll admit, I'm a bit of a bruschetta snob. I like when the toast is thick, crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and the balsamic has soaked the bread. 

You can follow along for all my other pin-spirations here!


What were your favorite pins this week?

Sick Day Adventures

This weekend I just had to get out of bed and get some fresh air.  Nothing's better when you're sick than some fresh air...and a bit of shopping (Old Navy has the best clearance and sales).

Here's what I found in store that's also available online:

Sleeveless Embellished Top (I got mine in 'flaming tulip')

I love the color and detail in this top!  It's bright, and the fabric is nice and light, which is perfect for layering in spring, and for the hot weather in summer.

Terry-Fleece Joggers

Bless the person who made joggers chic enough to dress up and wear anywhere (like errands or to work)--seriously, high fives, y'all deserve an award.  And who gets an award for rocking joggers so effortlessly and totally deserving of style envy?  Emma Watson.  Check out my post, here, to see how she styled her joggers (and for the broke girl's look alikes).

The clearance racks always, always have hidden gems.  Anywhere.  Whenever I go shopping I make a beeline for the sales section.  At Old Navy, for example, I got pants and dresses that normally go for around $30-$45 for only $10 a piece!  So, don't ignore the clearance section, because you definitely don't know what you'll find (same can be applied to thrifting, but that's for another post)!

While I was Old Navy, I finally found a pair of aviators that actually flatter my face!  I can't even tell you how many pairs I've tried on (the limit does not exist...because it's really been that many).  Usually they're awkwardly too small, or the shape is just weird and doesn't work with the shape of my head.

Unfortunately, Old Navy doesn't have as wide of a sunnies selection online as they do in store (*frowny face* here).  But, you can find similar ones at Forever21, here.  If aviators aren't your thing, check out my post, here, that has my different picks for summer sunnies!

Our other stop, was Trader Joe's.  Now if you don't know what that is, it's like a Whole Foods, but on a smaller scale.  They have all sorts of tasty treats there (I love the mochi ice cream bites and the mushroom truffle raviolis!).  I've only been one other time before, so I liked just seeing all the different foods they have (I love to eat, so this little outing was perfect!).

Obligatory blogger with pineapple post!

If you have a Trader Joe's nearby, go pick up the Watermelon Cucumber Cooler.  It's amazing!  It's not overly sweet and tart, it's just right.  You could drink it as is, or use as a mixer for the perfect summer drink!

And if you head over to Trader Joe's website, they even have a variety of recipes!

Fried Raviolis with Creamy Marinara (I could eat fried raviolis all day)

Leek and Bacon Egg Tottins (these look like the perfect brunch food!)

Gnocchi with Bacon & Brussel Sprouts (I love all three of these things!)

Dairy Free Maple Bacon Cheesecake (Salty and sweet?  Yes please!)

Later in the day, I also tried my hand at a fishtail braid...and then my arms got tired lol. Not too bad for a first time (plus, I can just pass it off as a messy braid look!).

I used this easy tutorial, inspired by Blake Lively's Age of Adaline movie, here, on Pinterest!  I honestly didn't think that fishtail braids were this easy, but I can proudly say I now know how to do one!

Sunday was very relaxed.
I stopped by Target, just to get out and move around a little.

I use the shopkick app, which is awesome!  You earn 'kicks' by scanning certain items (kind of like a scavenger hunt), and when you've earned enough kicks you can turn them into gift cards.  I shop at Target a lot, so I turn my kicks into Target gift cards.  Today I earned enough for a $10 gift card.  I found the best two toned flats on sale for $14.98, and then used the gift card.  So I only spent $4.98 on these super cute shoes that normally are $30!

Sam & Libby Heidi Two Piece flats $23

I would definitely download the shopkick app and give it a shot!  It only takes a few seconds, and you earn kicks while you're out doing your errands or shopping at the mall, so why not earn towards some gift cards?!  Use my link to sign up (it's compatible with Apple or Android, so everyone wins!): http://get.shopkick.com/line42278.

Oh, and how cute is this Kate Spade Maise look-alike (and at $27, it's over $200 cheaper!)?! Get it online, here!

How was everyone else's weekend?!

NYC Recap

Valentine's Day was celebrated by exploring the city this year with Richie.  It was super cold (...and we also missed our train, so we had to hang out at the station for an extra hour), but it was most definitely worth the trip!

Our first stop was a little touristy--Madame Tussaud's--but how fun is it to take selfies with celebrities?  Even if they are wax figures, it's still loads of fun!  Plus, there's so many great photo ops that make some pretty funny pictures (you can even get on a bike and snap a photo with E.T., just like in the movie)!

I'm a little sad I didn't get to take a picture with Kate Middleton and Prince William (they must've been at a different location), but Richie and I still got some pretty fun shots nonetheless!

Then we braved the icy cold and headed downtown for dinner.

For a while now, we have wanted to try the Sugar Factory (the NY location happened to be in the Meat Packing District).  While the name would make it seem like it's only a candy shop, it is so much more.  It's a bar and restaurant, with a little candy shop at the front (so if you don't get enough sugar during your meal, you can get some sweets to go).  You can get breakfast, lunch or dinner; or even just go for drinks which are certainly the main event!  There are a wide variety of candy inspired drinks, and even more popular, are the goblet drinks (60 oz!!), which I definitely recommend sharing with a friend, lol.

We tried the Energy Bear goblet, and oh my goodness it was delicious!  Between the watermelon vodka and the big gummy bears at the bottom it tasted exactly like a Jolly Rancher (plus, the Red Bull will keep you going for the rest of the night!).

Confession: I love bruschetta.  Fresh tomato, grated parmesan, balsamic vinaigrette and garlic; you just can't beat it!

Hands down, my favorite thing we ate were the fried macaroni and cheese pops.  Macaroni and cheese is great on it's own, but, fry it and pair it with a creamy tomato basil dipping sauce, and takes it to another level.  To me it was homey, it reminded me of grilled cheese and tomato soup, just like when I was a kid!

For the main course, we both got burgers (Richie got the house special, and I got the bleu cheese bacon).  You definitely won't leave this place hungry.  The burgers were humongous and delicious (plus, the mound of crispy fries will certainly hit the spot).

We got downtown early, so we did a bit of exploring before our dinner reservation. And to my excitement we actually stumbled across one of Warby Parker's locations!  I've done their in-home try-ons a few times, but I've never before been in one of their stores. I just had to go inside and try some frames on. The staff there were super nice. Even though I wasn't buying frames that day, they were still incredibly helpful (I actually have an in home try on on the way, so one guy explained how the whole ordering process worked).

As soon as we walked in I got excited.  I really need new glasses since my prescription got stronger, which means new frames are in order.  

Don't mind the faces--I was trying to discreetly take selfies in just about every frame I tried on, lol.

Laurel in Tea Rose Fade

Nash in Crystal

Hardy in Striped Pacific

Marshall in Rum Cherry

These Burke frames in Tennessee Whiskey are classically cool with the half tortoise, half clear frames.

These Daisy frames, in Aurelia Tortoise, are my top choice!

I've got my eye on the Daisy frames.  I'm in love with the Aurelia Tortoise color!  It's bold, but doesn't go overboard; plus, the colored tortoise reminds me of warmer weather, and it's uniqueness is fresh and fun!  :)

Richie was a good sport and modeled some glasses too! 

If you're ever in the area, definitely check out these places.  Sometimes touristy isn't bad, it's exciting to relax and just act like a kid.  And trying out new places is always an adventure (for me it feels like I'm crossing something off my bucket list when I try something new)!

What are some great spots in NYC that you've stumbled across?  :)