Merrry {late} Christmas!

I know it's a little belated but I had to post these pictures! Does this make me a crazy cat lady? (yes.) And I am just fine with that.

Hope everyone is having a great Holiday :) New Years Resolution is more blog posts, so be ready!

xx - krystena

Glitter Candle Tutorial

While searching for ideas for Christmas gifts I came across a tutorial to create glitter candles. Being a girl and loving anything involving a little sparkle I had to make these for myself. It also was inspiration for the perfect gift for my best friend (who also shares an obsession with glitter). 

This craft could not be easier! Just purchase (or make) an amazing smelling candle, grab some Mod Podge and your favorite glitter. 

First take the candles and remove any stickers around the edges

Next paint the candle with a generous amount of Mod Podge around the sides. Make sure there is enough to hold the sparkles!

This is the fun part. Dump the glitter all over the candle and shake off the excess! Then Voila, A perfect glitter candle. You have the option of doing a top coat to keep the glitter from coming off but I skipped this because I thought it takes away some of the shine.

Happy Holidays!

xx- krystena

On Display

So my heel collection has increasingly grown out of control. (Admittance is the first step). To the point where I couldn't navigate through my closet. So taking some inspiration from Pinterest, I decided to turn an old unused bookcase into a shoe display!

 

It really is the perfect way for me to not only choose what shoes I want to wear, but also create a beautiful display in an awkward unused corner of my room that I have been struggling to place the perfect item in since I moved in about five years ago. 

I think this is an amazing way to show off all the beautiful and amazing heels we all have hiding in our closets, and it can be done with any style of book case!

Hope this adds some inspiration to your closets

xx - krystena

Little Happy Things

Found Here

Sunday nights can be a stressful time for me.. Trying to plan out my week and the overwhelming feeling of just wanting to give up and sleep in Monday morning because there just are not enough hours in the day to do everything I need/want to do..

But tonight I am taking steps to relax and although I don't have the time between all my obligations to do exactly what I want, I can control the small things and cheer myself up like lighting my favorite candle, snuggling under the covers with a cup of my favorite green tea and catching up on the reading I've been wanting to have time to do..

Take the time to relax and enjoy the little things

xo - krystena

T-Shirt Time!

Recently I have found that whenever I work out I wear the same few tank tops. I have a whole drawer full of Band, Concert and Athletic T-shirts so I thought it was time for me to cut a few up and make some new workout gear! 

It was super easy to do and I cut up the shirts while watching commercials during my favorite shows. Its a great way to add some variety into your workout wear! I found tons of how to videos and blogs, which I will post some links to, but I also enjoyed creating my own designs and playing with rips and tears in the shirts as well.  

Molly trying to help out :)

Here are some helpful links on getting started!

• http://www.blogilates.com/printables-2/diy-racerback-workout-shirt-tutorial

• http://thecraftcaboodle.blogspot.ca/2012/07/tie-bottom-top-from-old-t-shirt.html

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_420800&feature=iv&src_vid=BicLxByvCwQ&v=mck41lv3jII

Happy Cutting! 

xx-krystena

Recipe Review: Hummingbird Cupcakes

For my Mom's birthday I decided to make her a special treat and I've had my eye on these cupcakes for a while now! Not only were the beautiful to look at with the pineapple "flowers" but they were delicious to eat as well. These cupcakes tasted delicious and were a nice escape from a typical sweet cupcake, inspiring me to make these as a breakfast muffin as well!

Hummingbird Cupcakes:

Adapted from Cook Like a Champion

Ingredients: 

2 c. All Purpose Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

3/4 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon

11 tbs Unsalted Butter, Melted and Cooled

1 1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 1/3 c. Sugar

2 Large Eggs

1 1/3 c. Mashed Ripe Banana

2/3 c. Crushed Pineapple (Drained)

8 oz. Cream Cheese

5 tbs Unsalted Butter, Room Temp

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

2 c. Powdered Sugar

1 Pineapple (Flowers)

Cupcakes:

1. Preheat Oven to 350. Line Cupcake tins.

2. Whisk together Flour, Baking Soda, Salt & Cinnamon. Set aside

3. In a large bowl, Combine Butter, Vanilla & Sugar until smooth

4. Beat in eggs until smooth

5. Mix in Banana, Then dry ingredients and beat until blended

6. Gently fold pineapple into mixture

7. Transfer Batter and Bake 20-22 mins or until pass Toothpick Test

Frosting:

1. Combine Cream Cheese & Butter, Beat on Medium 2-3 Mins

2. Mix in Vanilla

3. Gradually Mix in Powdered Sugar, Using more/less depending on desired consistency

Pineapple "Flowers":

1. Preheat oven to 225, Line baking sheet with nonstick parchment or wax paper

2. Peel skin off Pineapple and get rid of 'eyes'

3. Slice Pineapple as thinly as possible (This is essential for it to be thin!)

4. Cook for 30 min, then Flip and cook other side for 30 mins or until dry

5. Place flowers in cupcake tins to cool in flower shape

xx- krystena

Inspiration

Clothes and Shoes

Lately things have been extremely busy, with moving back to San Diego and getting situated into a normal routine. One of the things I miss most about my LA apartment was the downstairs gym I actually would use regularly (Mostly for the treadmill). Now that I'm back at home I want to start working out again, being active, and getting into the grind. 

I'm thinking I will try running a couple days a week paired with a Bikram or Pilates Class.  I am ready to start getting in shape and eating healthy again! I'll keep an update with my progress and some new healthy recipes.

xx - krystena

Little Reminders...

 Found Here

One of the most stressful and tiring weeks I've had in a while.. I have had constant anxiety over recent events on top of the crazy last few weeks before I graduate and everything else I need to do. I need to relax and remember to breathe.

xx-krystena

Recipe Review: Fresh Cucumber Salad

Found Here

Today I was craving something that tastes fresh and light and instantly remembered making this salad last summer and loving it. The sweetness of the honeydew mixed with the tart greek yogurt and a kick of jalapeno really makes this a salad to remember.

I highly suggest this as a quick summer snack or the perfect plate to bring to an upcoming barbecue. Recently I have been trying to eat healthier and this salad is a great healthy and filling alternative (just go easy on the salt!) 

Fresh Cucumber Salad:

Ingredients

1 English Cucumber (Peeled & Diced)

1/4 Honeydew Melon (Diced)

Salt & Pepper to taste

2 Cups of Nonfat Greek Yogurt

1/4 Red Onion (Chopped)

1 Small Jalapeno (Seeded and Minced)

1. Put Diced Cucumber & Melon into a Strainer over a bowl

2. Lightly Salt & Mix Melon & Cucumber

3.Let Sit for 5 Mins

4. Meanwhile chop Onion and Jalapeno

5. Put Onion, Jalapeno and Greek Yogurt in a Large Serving Bowl

6. Thoroughly Squeeze out any excess Juice from Cucumber Mixture

7. Add Cucumber Mixture to Serving Bowl

8. Stir Mixture Together, Cover and Refrigerate for 1 Hour

9. Serve & Enjoy!

xx- krystena

Neon Nails

Sinfulcolors in Summer Peach

While walking through Walgreens today I saw this amazing color on sale and had to pick it up... for $2.00 who can resist?! I am so excited about the way it came out and the brightness is just the right amount. 

Personally I am a Sephora by OPI snob and never buy any other brands of nail polish, but surprising this brand is great quality for the price. I only needed two coats and it came out with such a great bright color. Between this intensely bright nail polish and the absolutely beautiful day out today it is really starting to feel like summer!

xx-krystena

Sweet Summertime..

Found here

For the next two weeks things are getting crazy with all the final projects that are due and boxes that need to be packed.. But all thats on my mind right now is spending time with my best friends and relaxing all day at the beach..

14 more days!

xx- krystena

Missing Ireland...

Flower Lined Street in Dublin

With summer and graduation coming up, travel has been constantly on my mind. It seems as though all I can think about are intimate European streets lined with fresh flowers, different cultures and a driving sense of adventure. Looking back it's hard to believe that only two short years ago I was just graduating High School and anxiously awaiting my adventures in Ireland with my wonderful mom. Now I am graduating from FIDM and wondering where the time went by.

Ireland was easily the most spectacular place I have ever been, and I encourage everyone to visit at least once. There was something magical in the air, a place rich with history. This summer although I will not be visiting a far off place, I plan on bringing this sense of discovery to my own town and hope I will maybe learn something new about this beautiful place I live in.

P.S - I love you Mom!

XX- Krystena

Recipe Review: Spinach Artichoke Dip

Well obviously I have a sort of obsession with anything artichoke, so for dinner I decided to make this delicious looking Spinach Artichoke dip from Joyful Abode. It was AMAZING!
Go make this. Right now.. Seriously, I mean it!

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip:

Adapted from Joyful Abode

8 oz. Cream Cheese

1/4 Cup Sour Cream

1/4 Cup Mayonaise 

1 1/3 Cups of Chopped Spinach (I used fresh)

2 cans of Quartered Artichoke Hearts

1 Tbs of Garlic Salt

1 1/2 Tbs of Chili Powder

2 Cups of Mozzarella Cheese

Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees

1. Heat cream cheese in a casserole dish in microwave until melted

2. Mix in Sour cream and mayo into cream cheese then heat again until warm

3. Chop spinach then add to mix. Microwave 30 s to 1 min

4. Chop up the two cans of artichoke hearts then add to dish and heat again for 30 s to 1 min

5. Add garlic salt and chili powder to dish

6. Mix in 1/2 cup of Mozzarella cheese to dish & stir well. Microwave for 30 s

7. Sprinkle rest of cheese on top of dish & Bake for 15 Mins

8. Turn oven to Broil and cook until cheese is slightly Browned

9. Grab some bread & chips & ENJOY <3

XX- Krystena

While I was away...

New View! Can't Complain

Out with the Old & in with the New!

With the business of Christmas and the fact that I moved into a new apartment just days later I haven't had time to post much! But I promise in the new year I will be making much more of an effort to stay on top :)

XOX,
Krys