Makin' that Money

Great article on finances from MSN Money.

I have been struggling with trying to pay rent, bills, groceries, going out, etc. and figuring out what I should be spending where, it's about as pleasant as walking into a midterm unprepared and sleep deprived. However this great article lays out, how to get your expenses in check. They follows a 50,30, 20 rule. The program was developed by Harvard Bankruptcy professor Elizabeth Warren and her daughter Amelia Warren Tyagi.

Basically:

50% of your income (after taxes)/budget goes to must haves: groceries, bills, rent.

30% goes to: vacations, gifts, entertainment and clothes

20% to savings.

I know what you're thinking... yea, right. But for when you feel like taking the step towards responsibility, this is the info for you!

image from lifesip.com

Music Mania

Also on the Post-site, was introduced to the pop-tastic Brit singer, Pixie Lott. Have you heard her, she's fantastic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81-eLoXKMaE&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs%2Enypost%2Ecom%2Ffashion%2F&feature=player_embedded

The Brits have a great 60's power voice thing coming from their shores. Pixie seems to be following the music trend set by Amy Whinehouse, except you know she does Brigitte Bardot instead of the Wicked Witch of the West thing. Also good to note is her potential to be the next young pop-sensation ala the dizzying hey-day of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera in the late 90's with none of the hassle of denying her vixen look, since this girl is of age.

Just discovered

New fashion blog to follow, it's fun to hear about stuff on the other side of the country.

http://blogs.nypost.com/fashion/

Coffee to Couture

Such a great idea! this article talks about how a Taiwan based company is using coffee grounds as part of the raw material for clothing. combined with a coconut derivative, the fabric is UV proof, wicks moisture away and is breathable, they are marketing it into a sportswear line. So mart! Really, sustainable materials should be more heavily invested in, it would create a new product that would be well received on the market, help reduce waste, and create opportunity for jobs in marketing and producing new industry. Go read the coffee into clothes article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jul/27/clothes-coffee

Bikini-tini Babe

Hi all so I was exploring all the tweets in Twitter-ville and I came across this great post by anewmode-- Easy Tips to Get Your Body Bikini Ready... she has great ideas like switching to Stevia instead of using artificial sweeteners like Splenda. I actually have been on a non-artificial sweetener kick for the last few weeks and like the results, but something that is sweet and better than sugar, well sign me up! Was looking into Stevia a few weeks ago too, found out it's a natural sweetener with an apparently low glycemic index, see the anewmode article for more info. I was trying to figure out a way to make an incredibly low calorie cocktail and came across the apparent wonder sweetener and Kimberly Snyder's tips in the anewmode article further compels me to check it out. Luckily I just saw that the local Henry's on Governor carries it as a bulk item, so I'm going to be sure to snag some and see what I can concoct!

Also go ahead and click on the text, they provide links to the articles about Stevia, the anewmode blog and the Bikini Body!

ps. how cool is the photo I found here??: http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/02_03/cocktailL_468x710.jpg

Dinner Time- Braised Pork Chops with Summer Peach Cilantro Salsa

So I bit the bullet and decided to try cooking meat today, My local grocery store had a special on pork chops, so off I went to market to get my little piggies. My dad gave me a super easy way to cook it, all you do is

• heat a skillet or pan with enough oil to cover the bottom, I used canola
• then rub salt and pepper to taste on each side of the pork chop.
• Once the pan is really hot (I'm talking high heat) braise for about 2 minutes on each side
• Then depending on the thickness of the chop cover and turn down heat to about medium-low
• Once cooked through, i.e. no pink, it's ready

While my meat was cooking I finely diced a peach and some cilantro, maybe about 3/4 a cup and put them in a bowl, then I added some lemon juice, about a tablespoon of brown sugar and some salt and pepper for taste (not too much since you've also put it on your pork chop). Mix together and serve with the pork chop. Pair with a nice cold glass of white wine, and kick up your feet as you enjoy the tastes of summer!

Sigh* I can't keep up with this whole blog thing. So instead I announce Shore Club tonight. So very excited. Also proud of myself for standing up for myself. All in all a really great start to my Friday and my 4th of July Weekend. Hope you enjoy all the fireworks friends...

Foot Fashion

How are you getting your feet beach ready this summer?

One of the things I love best are perfectly groomed feet. Weird? Maybe, but who doesn't love that after feeling of being pampered at the spa, feet silky smooth and nail color rocking. Well if you're feeling the pinch of the economy or just don't feel like hitting the salon, hit the beach. Seriously. Go take a walk along the sandy shore, the tiny grains will create a buffing effect on your skin and give you a salon "pedicure". Just be sure to rinse off after you get home!

Also Go check out the OPI summer shades, I'm feeling the "No Room For the Blues" a San Diego summer sky blue or if you need to feel tan fast w/o the fake and bake any shade of corral will immediately make you look darker and flatters every skin tone, OPI's shade "On the Same Paige", may be just the thing and I'm loving the rest of their bright summer shades too.

Need to further flatter your feet get some new sandals. After a few seasons my Arturo Chiangs have taken a beating and I'm in need of some cute walking around flats. Trend spotters still note the gladiator-esque, bejewelled/sparkled/feathered decorations that walk the runways and now the city streets. I personally like a slight gold because you can basically pair it with anything like in the pic above!

Ode to Sunscreen

So we all have been told since infancy about the hazards of sun on skin, well this post is my ode to sunscreen. We know the rays of the sun cause damage, so to keep our lovely skin from getting too close to that pre-cougar hang make sure your SPF is broad spectrum, aka protects against UVA and UVB rays. I use a moisturizer of 15 every day however it only protects against UVB rays which are the ones that cause surface damage, not the UVA rays which cause aging and wrinkles. I've since had to supplement this with a non-comedogenic (doesn't clog pores) sunscreen for faces.

Also make sure to cover not just your face and body but be sure to remember your chest, under and around your neck and ears. I sadly learned the hard way that ears also burn, ouch.

Remember Prevention is key, so do as your mama said and put on that Sunblock like it's no one's business. Check out www.skincancer.org/Sunscreen for more info and sun tips!

Scintillating Summer

So this week kicks off the pre-July 4th festivities, which means the official summer party season has arrived in SD! In dedication to one of the most epoch times of every young San Diegan's life, content will be limited to Summer theme only, and will culminate in 4th of July debauchery ala Pacific Beach!!

Stay Tuned!

Palette Pleaser

So it's Monday but I'm still reminiscing on my weekend past and while trying to recall the shenanigans I may or may not have gotten into, I certainly remember what the night started with. For all you newly 21ers who are just trying to figure out what to order at the bar that doesn't taste like crap (because we all know Natty Ice and PBR are such palette pleasers), let me make a few suggestions.

Blueberry Yum, Yum!!

As the title would indicate one of my fave drinks to order is a blueberry stoli and lemonade. As any girl will inform you, vodka drinks will usually give you the most bang for your buck and being one of the least caloric alcohols, it certainly wins over many girls' hearts, namely this girl. I find the sweet lemonade masks the particularly strong taste of vodka and the blueberry further tricks your taste buds into, dare I say it, enjoying the concotion.

Starry Night

Cinnamon flavored, and will pack a punch. I will order one of these when I'm sure I have a designated driver (be smart kiddies!), so if you like cinnamon enjoy, but this will def leave your mouth on fire. Starry Night gets it's name from the equal parts goldschlager and jaigermeister, aka the gold bits floating in the dark liquid... or maybe the fact that it's so strong it will leave you seeing stars. Risky business but fun.

Vodka/Soda

For those calorie counters out there you can't really do better than a vodka soda. Soda water has no calories and at 64 calories an oz for the vodka your not packing as heavy of a wallop as sipping on a super sugary/fruity drink or beer. On that note there is nothing to hide the taste of vodka so I suggest a flavored one, I personally enjoy pomegranate so maybe that over ice with a twist of lemon. Either way the combos and possibilities are endless.

For more of these variations go check out: http://tinyurl.com/lp8q82

Stranger to the Kitchen

So today I tried to find a job and when that didn't work I decided to drown my sorrows in baked goods. As I had some, let's call them "incredibly ripe" bananas around I thought banana bread would be a good choice. Found this great recipe online at Simply Recipes and then I added chocolate chips that were just sitting in my cupboard, making this banana bread sinfully appealing.

Palette Pleaser

Summer time is one of my fave times of year. Why you ask? Because all the hot new summer music is coming out, of course! Last night Patron, Tequila caught my ear, by Paradiso Girls ft. Lil Jon, so hot! So to commemorate a new song, I will share this:

TK Surprise... after some creativity with one of my former suite-mates,

basically it's a mini margarita

You need- tequila (whatever brand you can handle), limeade, salt for the rim

Dip shots glasses in shallow plate of water, getting as much excess moisture off as possible, then roll in a shallow plate of salt, rim side down (in case you were wondering). Pour half tequila, half limeade. take as a shot and enjoy!

Green with Envy

Was hanging out in my kitchen when I looked up and realized hey... this place is kinda disgusting. So in order to remedy the situation I got into Spring (Summer?) cleaning mode and went to work. As it happened to work out I also found this great post on homemade (organic?) cleaning supplies.

The olive oil and lemon juice stainless steal cleaner worked wonders! My coveted Italian coffee pot is so shiny now.

So basically it's 1 part lemon juice to 2 parts olive oil and then shine on with a towel.

Here's the website I got it from (or click homemade above), also has many other great cleaning "recipes"-

http://forums.treehugger.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6509

Soho Dolls

SO music wise, I'm sad to admit facebook suggested a band and I strangely like them. Def an interesting vibe, does anyone know anything about the Soho Dolls... I can totally picture a fashion show to their song stripper (social commentary aside). 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBmgLuTGVis&feature=PlayList&p=4782675270CC4130&index=0

It's like Marilyn Manson girl rock, but it works.

Sign me up for one of these!

Unsolicited advice

Unsolicited advice deals with things that bug me, from body odor to bad manners, you can look to this section for my thoughts and observances on situations I wish I hadn't witnessed.

Unsolicited advice 1- Shower

Seriously people on the bus, this is key. My morning ride would truly be that much more enjoyable if you all took a shower once in a while and didn't stink everything up. It's enclosed for goodness sake, have some pity.

About Me...

So this is the beginning of a project I've been wanting to get to for a while. I tried to do this on my own, but as my Partner-In-Crime and roommate has been busy being all important and finance-y, this is the next best thing to her expertise!

I'm Taylor, aspiring designer and all around creative savant. The world inspires me and I hope to take those little bits of energy and share them on this site.

I love music and art, and the smell of bookstores and libraries. I have an old romantic soul which is, where I believe, my love of beauty comes from. Beauty appears in all forms great and small. It appears in the drape of fabric, the feel of fine cloth on a body, the sweet smell of dew on grass at dusk and even the frenzied energy of the wind... but I digress, I'll share more of that another time.

Here you will find images that inspire me as well as my musings, as many other blogs do, but you will also find my very unsolicited advice and random offerings on how to live well on what you've got. The living well on what you've got is something I've really tried to hone over the last few months, and especially after having returned from Europe, where they have truly perfected this art, I now hope to share it with all those who seek this information too.

As my editor would say, Cheers!