Forever 21, H&M and Urban Outfitters Haul

This weekend I was feeling super spendy and while I kind of feel guilty, I really truly need new clothes. It's almost spring and I'm just starting to buy my winter seaters. Like?!! No. Thats not okay! Anyway, I got some money from Christmas, and I couldn't hold on to it anymore haha. So I spent about 2 hours walking around this new Forever 21 store they opened at my mall, and let me tell you, its huuuuge. It's kind of overwhelming at times, especially if you're not in the mood to shop. But I was and I was picking out certain pieces that I wouldn't normally gravitate towards. I've been trying to switch up my style or find what I really like, because I just feel a little lost. Sometimes I feel girly, other times I feel grunge/urban, sometimes I feel more casual…its kind of annoying! Does anyone have some tips on how to find your style? I need them desperately. 

I only picked up a few things, but as you can see they are all sweaters, besides the beanies. And they are all fuzzy too! I don't know whats with me. I'm excited to wear the fuzzy pink sweater, i think its girly but its edgy, and I think it would look good with my high leather boots and a statement necklace.

I'm new to beanies, but I have always wanted to wear them and incorporate them into my wardrobe, so I forced myself to buy some. I already wore the black one to school once and got many complements on how I looked with it, so that made me feel good! And that goes back to feeling more casual on some days.

Anytime I go shopping I always pick up a necklace or two, and I found these beautiful ones at Urban. It kills me to pay a little more, but cmon they are gorgeous!! And I love the one with the crescent moon, that is my absolute favorite symbol.

Well this ended up being longer than expected haha! Hope you don't mind :-) How would you style these pieces??

Maddie

Hello October

It's heeeeere :) Last night my mom and I went to the grocery store. And let me tell you it looked like Fall hit that place like a tornado. Pumpkin EVERYTHING. As a matter of fact there were like 20 different types of pumpkins to chose from. Also, some called 'fantasy pumpkins' and they are out of this world beautiful. Huge and white, with swirly trunks. Some were creme, others orange and white striped or spotted. 

I picked up some cans of pumpkin, and I cannot WAIT to start busting out my fall recipes. This morning when I drove to school, it was actually breezy and cool outside. No gust of hot summer air. Ah, fall you bring me lots of joy. Here's to the hundreds of cups of tea and never ending burning candles ;)

Happy 1st of October!

Maddie

Hello November ♡

Good morning everyone! I have been absent for a couple of days, and that is because I suddenly caught a weird flu! I was (and still am) sick in bed. I can barely eat anything, and doing something as little as walking leaves me feeling light headed. Not fuun! Although, my bed is pretty comfy :) 

 October was a very nice month to me, but I still cannot believe it's over already. Am I the only one? I am very excited to share more memories with everyone and there is so many exciting things I am looking forward to..hello, Thanksgiving dinner?! :)

I hope everyone has a great week! 

♡

xx, Maddie

The Way I Eat ♡

Since this is a blog basically about my thoughts and ideas and lifestyle, I decided I should tell you, my readers and friends, the way I eat. Hmmmm where do I even start!! Beware, this is kind of a long post...

First of all, I eat very clean. By that, I mean I don't ever eat anything from a box or bag or something thats processed. I'm not saying in any way that cereal will never pass my mouth again, I just choose not to eat it. I like to fill my tummy with food and products that grow naturally from the earth, with very minimal factory work.

I also eat littler meals than a regular "American sized meal." I'm saying my meals aren't HUGE. I have a TON of protein, complex carbohydrates (more on that next) and essential fatty acids that are essential to LIVE in every meal. I make sure to get more protein because I am a semi-vegetarian, which means I choose to only eat fish and eggs, not chicken or meat. There's nothing wrong with these foods, but for my body I am better off not eating them.

To make this post a little shorter and to the point, I also choose not to eat gluten or dairy. When I do eat dairy though, I use goats cheese, as it is a lot healthier than from a cow.

Okay so now onto carbs. Most people scream and hide from this word...CARBS! Ahhhh I will get fat and bloated!! NO. STOP. NOW. COMPLEX Carbs are essential for the human to receive energy and burn unneeded fat. Some complex carbs include brown rice, quinoa, veggies, beans, and more. These complex carbs will not bloat you or make you fat, these foods will actually reduce bloating and boost your metabolism. YES! I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. Carbs that people are afraid of are foods like white flour, white flour pasta, bread and such. And indeed, yes these foods are bad for you. They are simple carbs that spike your sugar levels, and leave you feeling weak and tired a few minutes later. See the difference?!

FAT! Yes, fat. This is hard to explain in a short sentence or two. Fatty acids are essential if you want to burn unwanted fat. YES YOU JUST READ THAT RIGHT! Fat in foods like nuts, avocados, salmon, beans, and more help boost metabolism and burn fatty fat on the body. BAD fat is fat in burgers, ice cream, desserts, cheeses, and things like that. American food mostly! Haha. This fat will be stored onto your body! Most people are afraid to eat essential fat, but the truth is those foods do not make you fat.

Things I eat on a daily basis are meals like this:
Breakfast- Oatmeal, mixed with flax meal, chopped apples, chopped almonds, and stevia
               - Green Protein Smoothie: frozen banana slices, flax or hemp seed, kale, superfood protein mix, stevia, ice

Lunch- Salmon on a bed of steamed veggies, kale or rice
          - Tuna on gluten free Ezekiel Protein bread, with avocado, kale, and pico de gallo
          - Toasted Ezekiel bread spread with almond or peanut butter, topped with sliced apples and cinnamon

*I will post many many dinner and snack ideas! There are way too many to type up right now haha. I will be posting many meal ideas along this journey!*

I try just to eat the best things possible! But you should know, I bake almost everyday cookies, and energy balls that taste like peanut butter cups, and brownies filled with...kidney beans. Yes, kidney beans. You have no idea what I make! And the funny thing is, I feed my creations to friends and they think I buy them at the store or something...I'm very sneaky! I would also like to note that never in a million years will I ever give up chocolate. I just can't. So, there you go :-)

I hope everyone understands where I am trying to go with this, haha! I just wanted to post this to clear a lot of questions up. 

Have a lovely day <3

xx, Maddie

Moodboard Monday ♡

Hello my loves! Happy Monday morning to you :) I hope everyone had a nice relaxing weekend! This morning I woke up in a cheery kind of mood and I really thought it was Winter. Strange! I am loving Fall and the amazing weather, but below are some images to get your week off to a nice start. I also thought of some of these things when I woke up this morning! 

A nice cup of hot chocolate...and don't forget the marshmallows! 

How lovely are these carved candles? I want some for my window sill.

This sight made me catch my breath! The changing of the leaves is my favorite part of Fall.

I'm not gonna lie, kind of felt like staying in bed a few extra minutes this morning! :-)

What is your favorite part of Fall?

xx, Maddie

Favorite Flats

As Summer is coming to a close, we know our summer wardrobe is coming to a close as well! As much as I loved wearing my strappy sandals, I'm ready to pull out my fall shoes! My favorites for fall are booties and flats, because they can go with ANY outfit. It can take a drab look to amazing. Here are some flats I spotted and loved:

These are super adorable, and not overly girly. With just a hint of red, they're perfect to spruce up an outfit! These are $30 from H&M.

Okay, anything with leopard probably already exists in my closet. But I have yet to own these! This leopard slipper can be worn with a mix of prints, or just solid colors. Either way your lookin trendy! You can buy these at MatisseFootwear.com for $65.

These are definitely unique, but I love them. The gold buckle ontop is so chic. These are DV by Dolce Vita for $79.

Yet another shoe from H&M! You would never know you only paid $99 for these Oxfords. I would love to wear these with a gigantic sweater while sipping a hot cocoa, wouldn't you?

Well these are some of many of my favorite flats for fall! What's your favorite?

xx, Maddie

Moodboard Monday

Happy Monday lovely people!! :-) How was everyone's weekend? I had some family fly into town and they stayed for a night. It was fun! All weekend long I was gathering some fun and beautiful pictures that got me in the mood for Fall. So here are some pictures that just leave me feeling all warm and cuddly: (Warning: Lots of pumpkin!!)

My favorite part of fall is definitely the leaves changing, and the weather turning crisp and cool! Perfect for morning strolls. I love putting little decorative pumpkins everywhere around my house, accented with orange and rust colored leaves. Ahh, I just love this season. What's your favorite part of Fall?

xx, Maddie

Paris Street Style

Okay, I have been stuck to my computer for hours and hours. I feel guilty. But I have come across so many inspiring pictures I just can't pull away from my screen. Paris Fashion Week is my favorite week because of the street style. Everyone looks amazziiinngg in anything. Here are some of my favorite pics!

Mixing prints like a pro! And it looks flawless.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate this outfit? That jacket needs to appear in my closet..and those pants!!

All three of these outfits are ready-to-wear ensembles that look chic and effortless!

What is your favorite Street Style pic?

xx, Maddie

Real Girl Beauty: Backstage at Lavin

Model Jamie Bochert wore this beautifully crafted Lavin T-shirt openly and effortlessly for the runway show later that day. This picture was taken backstage as she touched up her makeup and did last minute touches to the final look. She looks simply dreamy! For her makeup, she wanted to look like she had applied nothing, which is what she accomplished! She swiped a slight contour under her cheekbones and some slight blush, to make her appear flush and natural. It was unusually warm in Paris! Lastly, she added a light taupe in the crease of her eye, just to add some definition. She left her lips natural and bare, which I think makes the whole look. I think Jamie looks gorgeous, what do you think? Would you change anything about the look? 

xx, Maddie

Friday Favorites

Another week, another post! Happy Friday everyone! :-) This week I got a lot accomplished: I finished two of my classes for school. (Yay!) And so now I'm on my fall break. So happy! And then I came across a couple new blogs that I'm literally obsessed with now haha. I have also been LOVING the pictures from Paris Fashion Week. Below are some favorites!

Favorite Denim Jacket:

 Favorite Lace Dress:

 Favorite Oversized Cardigan: 

 Favorite Heels: (Perfect for fashion week...)

Do you have any favorites this week? Let me know in the comments below! Have a wonderful weekend! :-)

xx, Maddie

Getting Inspirational

Happy Wednesday everyone :-) How is your week going so far? Today I finished up my last couple of tests for my school classes ( I take lessons online, loving it!) and so now I'm on my Fall break until October 7th. Nice little time off huh? So in the spare time that I have, I wanted to create some inspiration boards, because let me just say it, they really do inspire me. When I look at pictures, my mind starts racing, and thats when I'm able to really create things! Here are a few pictures of inspiration boards I thought looked SO cool:

I love the look of having multiple boards with different themes to each. Definitely going to try this in my room!

Okay, this one is a little crazy, but I LOVE it. The variety of colors and textures just screams at me.

I want this so badly!! How awesome would it be to have chalk board drawings around an inspiration board? I want to try and convince my mom to let me paint just one wall in my bedroom...but that isn't turning out very well!! 

Not only do I love the tiny frames around some of the pictures, but I also love that this is behind a computer, so when you're doing work, you become inspired! That is initially where I am going to set up my inspiration "area". I spend most of my time in my room at my antique desk doing school work or reading your lovely blogs, so that's where I intend to hang my pictures :)

I hope all of you are inspired and you create your own inspiration boards too!

Have a wonderful day :-)

xx, Maddie

Sweet Scarves

It's finally here! Today is the first day of Fall, and while many of you get to wear comfy sweaters and chunky boots, I am still stuck in the very hot summer sun (I live in the dry, but beautiful, desert of Arizona)! But that doesn't mean I can't start gathering my Fall accessories! One of my favorite pieces of clothing to add to a Fall outfit is an infinity scarf. YES! I just love them. And I think they are the easiest scarves to wear! Below are some of my favorites:

This grey knit infinity scarf is massive, but it will keep you nice and warm! And it's a great neutral to pair with darker colors, like Jessica did.

Okay this is definitely a favorite. I LOVE the warm palette on this outfit, and the matching red hair is so gorgeous. And the thing I love most about this look is the necklace that she wore! Most people think if you wear a scarf, you can't wear a necklace. But it's the total opposite. It adds that extra feminine touch :)

LOOK AT THIS SCARF! I cannot contain my excitement when it comes to fur! But the great thing about this scarf in particular is it's all faux! So you're helping the planet while looking fabulous :)


Scarves are one of my favorite accessories for Fall. What are you favorite pieces? Enjoy your first day of Fall!

xx, Maddie

Desk Inspiration

Recently, I have been staring at my desk space. As much as I love my antique vanity, it's not really working for me. So far, I cleared everything off the "desk" part of it and now I'm stumped. I bought a few candles from bath and body works and set them on top, but otherwise that's it, along with another antique lamp. So here are a couple of my favorite office spaces that have been inspiring me!

                     
                   I love this desk. The gold and white is so simple and so feminine.

Ahhh! The rose gold phone and the magenta flowers!! I. need. this.

Now how can you not love working here? The lanterns with the gold leaves against the natural light gives it a cozy warm effect. I would be so inspired in this workspace.

Okay. My favorite setup of all. This is what I need my inspiration board needs to look like! Messily organized and crazy chic. And again, I love the white in the background.

What is your favorite desk inspiration?

xx, Maddie