Summer {I Adore You}

"Time is like the ocean; you can only hold a little in your hands." 

Summer,

As you quickly come to a closure, I'd like to take the time to reminisce and hold onto you for a little bit longer. You sure have been a HOT one and looking back on it, I've actually done a lot more than I thought.

Here's a list of some stuff I've done this summer

 (that I was able to cross off my summer buck-list): 

1.  observed 1 week in a 2nd grade classroom
2.  swimming & laying out @ the pool
3.  spent the night @ Brandee's apartment (we went & got pedicures!)
4.  Biscuit's baseball game (they won & there were fireworks after which was pretty cool)
5.  got some vitamin sea at the beach (went parasailing for the 1st time ever!!! so. much. fun.)
6.  cooking w/ friends & roommate (pasta, pesto chicken bake, smore's dip, cookie cake, kale chips, roasted chickpeas & more)
7.  watched 4th of July fireworks
8.  got SnowBiz (this is a must summertime treat)
9.  free meal @ Taziki's (yes, this is definitely worthy of being on this list, I'm talking FREE food)
10.  dressing up like a cow on Chickfila's cow appreciation day
11.  work @ the office (make dat $)
12.  working out (went out and got my first actual gym membership)
13.  got a haircut (lol, 1.5 inches off...fresh ends for the win!)
14.  my sunflowers bloomed (I planted them & they grew to look so pretty!)
15.  quality time with family (including spending the weekend @ grandparent's house)
16.  day trip to shop in Columbus (went to the new Forever 21 and H&M)
17.  movie night with the girls (watched the oh so sad, Titanic)
18.  went fishing (caught catfish)
19.  read multiple books for fun
20.  watched my TV shows (xoxo. Gossip Girl)

Here's some snapshots: 

(pics or it didn't really happen, right?)

relaxing at my neighbor's pool 

my catfish

cooking pasta w/ Sarah & Frances

movie night (Rach fell asleep)

cow appreciation day at Chickfila

Biscuit's baseball game 

working out w/ the roommate 

my pretty sunflower 

day-trip to Columbus w/ Brandee

riding around w/ grandma

grandpa in the background, lol

parasailing w/ my stepdad in Destin, Fl 

Well, Summer, you'll still be around for a few more weeks (until my Fall classes start) and that means crossing off last minute items (including Steel City Pops, Chewacla, and some DIY crafts) off my summer 2015 bucket-list. While in some ways, I wish I could hold onto you (Summer) a bit longer & I'm sad to soon say goodbye...

Here's to Fall making it's appearance & here's to a good upcoming semester!

I adore you. See you again soon.

until next time,
Lauren

P.S. thx 4 the memories.

What a Smoothie Move

Attention: put down your soft drinks [yes, even my fav, Dr. Pepper].

Okay sooo...my roommate, Sarah, and I are kinda obsessed with smoothies. They are super easy to make [we're no chefs]. Not to mention, they taste so de-lic-ious. Oh, did I mention that smoothies are healthy too?! Off the top of my head, I can't even think of a negative when it comes to smoothies. I could go on and on...They give you energy just like soft drinks do, but they are so much better for you [and always make me feel better afterwards]. Another perk of smoothie making: super easy clean-up! [side note: I have a NutriBullet blender so I only have 2 pieces to wash each time: the cup & screw-on blade!] Smoothie rant over.

Basically every single time I make a smoothie, I am not even looking at a recipe [aka Lauren is in charge!].

I always (yes, always) use these items:

-frozen fruit (~1 cup total of strawberries, mango, banana, pineapple, etc...)
-vanilla yogurt (~ two spoonfuls)
-ice (about 3 cubes)
-milk (~1/4 cup)
-orange juice (~1/4 cup)

optional:
-Hershey's chocolate spread (1 spoonful)
-peanut butter (1 spoonful)

for extra protein:
-spinach leaves
-chia seeds
-granola oats

It's literally as easy as 1-2-3! You just screw on the lid, plug the blender in, and blend everything together that you've put in the blender cup [depending on the consistency you're going for, you may want to add more or less liquid]. Enjoy your delicious concoction [and give yourself a pat on the back as well]! :)

Strawberry-mango smoothie 

Just a reminder: limit your intake of soft drinks because you'll be glad you did. [They have a high sugar content and contain significant amounts of sodium. Take a close look at the soda-can next time. It's scary to see all the funky ingredients just one 12oz can contains].


Until next time,
Lauren