Daily Playlist: Sparkles

Today I'm in a really...bubbly mood.  I really don't have any other way to describe it!  I'm just in a great, wonderful and peppy mood.  So, of course, the music I'm listening to is going to be fun too!  However, these songs are NOT Call Me Maybe types of songs.  Yeah, they're sort of girly, but they have deeper, inspirational lyrics hidden behind the energetic music.  Each one portrays a message of hope and self-confidence.  So, here's the songs I'm listening to today:

5. Natasha Bedingfield - Neon Lights
4. Scissor Sisters - Only The Horses
3. Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out
2. Sara Bareilles - Unchartered (The music video is so cute and Adam Levine makes an appearance!)
1. Katie Herzig - Lost And Found

I chose Katie Herzig's Lost And Found as my number one song of the day because though the song sounds like another pop song, it definitely is not.  The first time I heard it, which was in the season 2 trailer for MTV's popular show Awkward, I got goosebumps.  It can be interpreted in so many ways depending on the situation a person may be in because for some, it's a love song but for others, the song may speak of someone coming out of a depression.  I have my own interpretation of the song, so it has its own special meaning to me, which is why I love it so much!

xoxo Kasia

Recipe: Toasted Marshmallow Shake

 
While casually finding recipes on Pinterest to add to my recipe book, I came across this unique and delicious recipe for Toasted Marshmallow Shakes!  These world-famous shakes first found their fame in Stand4 Restaurant, a trendy New York City restaurant in Greenwich Village.  I've heard they're absolutely delicious and I can't wait to try this!!!  Yum!


What You Need:

• 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
• 1 tablespoon of whole milk
• Wookstock Water Buffalo Milk yogurt (Since buffalo milk yogurt is nearly impossible to find, you can use regular vanilla yogurt instead)
• 5 Jumbo marshmallows
• Whipped cream

Steps:

1. Toast marshamllows under a broiler or even under an open flame.  This is just to darken the marshmallow so that it is golden brown.
2. Put the milk, yogurt, and then ice cream in the blender. Blend carefully, just until you get a "donut"—when you see the shake holding to the sides of the blender with a hollow core.
3. Add three of the toasted marshmallows to the blender, and whirl it just until they're all broken up and distributed evenly. Be careful not to overblend it, making it too melty.
4. Pour shake into a glass, top with a dollop of whipped cream, break the last two marshmallows on top, and serve with an extra-wide straw.

Recipe via Gourmet.com.

xoxo Kasia

Throwback Thursday: 90s Movies

It's Throwback Thursday!  In the natural throwback tradition, I'll be posting throwbacks every Thursday.  Tonight I'm going over to a friends house to watch some romantic comedies (my favorite!), and I've rented out a few fun 90s movies.  I've most likely seen every single cult classic of the 90s, but one movie I still have yet to see is Father of the Bride.  I know, I can't believe I haven't seen it yet either!  But I've just rented it, and I'm bringing it to my movie marathon tonight.  I'm so excited because I heard it's absolutely hilarious.  I mean, it has Kimmy from Full House, so it must be pretty good!  Oh yeah, and that old gray haired guy...I think his name is Steve Martin?  Just kidding--I love Steve Martin! 

It was so hard to limit my favorites to just 10, so I had to push it a little to 15.  Therefore, in spirit of the decade with some of the funniest, cutest, and most creative movie story lines (and every classy VHS's), here are my favorite 90s movies:

15. Now and Then (1995)
14. Jumanji (1995)
13. Scream (1996)
12. American Pie (1999)
11. The Parent Trap (1998)
10. Drive Me Crazy (1999)
9. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
8. Jurassic Park (1993)
7. Clueless (1995)
6. Hocus Pocus (1993)
5. Titanic (1997)
4. Sister Act (1992)
3. Home Alone I (1990)
2. Home Alone II (1992)
1. The Mummy (1999)

What are YOUR favorite 90s movies?

xoxo Kasia

Favorites: Oxford Shirts

There are a few things that never grow old.  One of them happens to be oxford shirts.  Growing up, I hated them.  I went to a school that required a uniform, so 12 years of oxford shirts forced me to never wear them without a uniform.  But when I reached college, I found that I missed the timeless oxford shirt!  The softness of the fabric and pastel colors were calling my name.  So, I started buying oxford shirts and wearing them again!  But this time, I didn't have to match them with a plaid uniform skirt.  I usually pair my oxfords with a pair of dark-wash jeans, white jeans, jean shorts or leggings.  My mom actually wears her oxford shirts unbuttoned, with a different colored tank top underneath them.  Her favorite is a pastel colored yellow tank top with a white oxford.

My favorite oxfords are the extra-soft cotton ones.  I'm not a big fan of the slippery feeling dress shirts that many people wear.  They feel cold and are uncomfortable.  My two favorite oxford shirts are from Hollister and Vineyard Vines.  They literally feel like I just wrapped flannel pajamas around my body.  My favorite colored oxfords are the pastel ones.  I'm not a huge fan of the plaid.  So, mint green, pastel pink and baby blue, here I come!

 Solid Pink Oxford Shirt - Vineyard Vines, $80

(It comes in 3 colors!  Also check out the striped version.)

White Oxford Shirt - Hollister, $39.50

xoxo Kasia

Fall Favorites: Riding Boots

Brown Leather Riding Boots - Enzo Angiolini, $179.95

With only a few weeks left of summer, fall is fast approaching.  One timeless trend that reappears every year is the leather boot.  They are found is an assortment of browns and blacks, and I even saw a few neutral colored ones last fall!  I just bought myself a new pair of leather boots when I took advantage of Nordstrom's annual Anniversary Sale.  Actually, they're the Enzo Angiolini ones pictured above!  Because it's so hot outside right now, I haven't had a chance to debut my boots to the outside world, but I've worn them in my house a bunch of times to get them broken in!  I love dark brown shoes in general because they seem to go with everything, from jeans and leggings to even skirts and dresses.  I can't wait to wear my boots all over the autumn leaf ground in about a month!

Here are some other boot styles that are perfect for fall:

 Tan Leather Boots - Coach, $397.95 

(I tried these on; they're super comfortable!)

Brown Leather Boots - Vince Camuto, $258.95

And last, but certainly not least, are my celebrity-inspired boots.  Kate Middleton's classy style never ceases to amaze me, so here are two styles of boots that she has worn that are perfect for fall!  Aside from boots, I also love her outfits!

xoxo Kasia

Review: Mustard Seed

I just got back from visiting my friend on the East Coast a few days ago.  I had an amazing time with her and her family, and we, of course, did lots of shopping!  One particular store that I just couldn't stay out of is called Mustard Seed.  It's a small used and overstock clothing shop with both high-end designers and Forever 21 products in Bethesda, Maryland.  I found lots of cute shorts, pants, dresses, tops and belts, but this store is also full of shoes, handbags, clutches, sunglasses and jewelery.  They literally have everything!  My friend told me it is usually a hit-or-miss, but I guess I was lucky because I always came out with inexpensive hits!  So anybody in the DC/Baltimore area, check out Mustard Seed! 

Here are some items that I found:

Belt - J. Crew, $8

Peach Denim - Blank NYC, $38

Cream Cotton Sweater - J. Crew, $16

xoxo Kasia

DIY: The Sock Bun

I adore the sock bun.  Not only perfect for a night out with the girls, but it's practical for everyday use.  I even wore this style while flying on an airplane just a few weeks ago!  It's easy to do, it's stylish and it literally never moves.  Like ever.  You could be doing Olympics-level gymnastics, and I guarantee it would never move.  So for any of you that haven't yet discovered the sock bun, here's a simple how-to:

What You Need:

• A sock
• An elastic hair tie
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Cut off the toe of the sock to create a tube. I prefer a thicker, knee-length sock.
2. Roll up the sock so it looks like a doughnut. 
3. Make a ponytail in your hair where you want the bun.  I prefer a high ponytail.
4. Pull the end of your ponytail through the center of the sock tube and flip/spread the ends of your hair around the sock tube.
5. Roll the sock tube up towards your head and wrap your hair around the tube as you go up.  Make sure to keep spreading your hair around the tube so you can't see the sock!
6. Once you've reached your head, tuck in any extra hair and you're done!  

Credit to Leopsie for teaching me years ago how to do a sock bun!

xoxo Kasia