Love this!

Breakfast Cookies

Even though I'm up at 5:51am (just enough time to hit snooze once and enjoy the quiet before the day!) every morning, I'm the worst "morning person" ever. I'm pretty organized so the dogs get walked, I have time to work out, but I'm definitely not hungry that early in the day. At work, the kitchen is stocked with Clif bars and I got in the bad habit of grabbing one when I get my coffee. I worried about the soy in them and wanted to try to make my own version, but wanted a more cookie/muffin texture. These are perfect to grab as I'm running out the door.

I started with this cookie recipe I found on Pinterest as a base, and subbed in 1 1/2 C.  brown rice flour. You have to use a conversion chart (there are plenty online) because it's not an exact swap, but there's no funny aftertaste to it and the crumb of cookie is perfect. I also bake it for a little longer (7-10min) and have added chia seeds to the batter each time for a little health boost.

I made these three times in July. The first was with chocolate chips and orange zest and juice (instead of vanilla). OMG, so freaking good!!! I used steel cut oats that time because that's what I had and was too lazy to go to the store. They were a little grainy, but still good.

In the second batch, I used blueberries and dried apricots. I also ate them so fast that I forgot to take a picture.

I just put batch three - a strawberry/blueberry mix - in the oven. Judging by the way that my kitchen smells, these are going to be my favorite!

Ready to see some limb-tossing!

I've been repeating this to myself everyday.

The Dirt

I've kept a pic of this tweet on my phone since April. It made me realize pretty painful things that propelled me to change some parts of my life. I'm still dealing with the fallout from my choices - and they freaking hurt, I tell you! - but I feel so much lighter for making those decisions. No regrets for sure ;)

It's Worth It

Or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

(via fitt_n_healthy_annie on instagram)

I made these with turkey and they turned out SOOO well.

So well, that I forgot to take a picture of the finished product. However, I did take this pic of the turkey so there's something.

I hope you all are having a lovely night!

The Tangled-Leash Two-Step, Part Two

Ugh. I wanted to like the darn leash so much. I had such high hopes. It looks great, right?  And truthfully, it works fine. It's just not right for us. The clasps are sturdy, and even though the bands, which are 4ft. long, seem thin they're strong enough for both of my dogs (one is 28lbs, the other is 77lbs).

I used it on two walks. On Walk #1, my smaller dog cut in front of me because he got excited about something he smelled. Because the leash is so flexible, I couldn't stop him and ended up stepping on his paw. He bled, and I had to carry him the mile back to the apartment. Fun, I tell you. (He's fine now. It was just a scratch.) On Walk #2, my larger dog pulled a couple of times on the leash and the wrist loop burned my skin. The thing is, she didn't pull that hard at all. We were running up a hill and she took a couple of steps ahead of me. She wasn’t lunging or doing something crazypants.

(Now, before any dog training comments start - I have a beagle. He heels fine, but he sniffs every walk, pretty much the entire time. Both of his parents were hunting dogs and it's what he was bred to do. I'm cool with that as long as he walks next to me. In his nine years of life, we've worked it out ;) 

Their normal leashes are 6ft. long and made of plain leather. I think I need to stick with them, as annoying and tangled as they may get at times. The "stretch" of these is just too much for all three of us. That being said, the design of the leash is great. The bands didn't get crossed, and each dog had enough space & never tripped over each other. If it wasn't so stretchy, it'd be perfect.

Bulls*%t

I hate to think this might be true. I want so much out of my life. Don't you? I make lists upon lists, set goals and achieve them, yet somehow I always feel like I fall short. Short of what, I'm not quite sure, but I suspect that it might have something to do with reading too much of stuff like this. It seems so smart and pretty, right? Like, "Oh that's why (pick a dream or desire) didn't happen! I can't have everything that I want!" There. Settled. It's an all-purpose answer that lets us exclude the trillion other possibilities out there to explain why something did or did not occur. In a strange way, doesn't it make  it seem like we control way more of life than we actually do? (i.e. You chose x, so you can't have y or z. It's totally obvious, silly. Don't you know the rules by now?)

Now, I'm not saying we don't make decisions. Right now, I am choosing to not eat that chocolate chip cookie so I won't be a fat ass at my sister's wedding. That doesn't mean I'm not going to eat (at least) two pieces of cake at the reception (but only if it's delicious). All I mean is this quote is due for a revision. We can have everything - just maybe not when we exactly want it or maybe not all at one time. I just don't think any of us should limit our possibilities because of some made-up reason that seems like wisdom. 

We choose. Everything.

Conquer the world.

I think you sometimes just have to decide that today is going to rock to make it so. (Photo via songofstyle)

And today it's the latter.

June Favorites

Bath and Body Works candles in Black Sands and Beach Day:
Black Sands and Tiki Beach are my faves, but I think they were just discontinued. I stocked up at the half-yearly sale, and got a mini Beach Day one as well. It makes my apartment smell like sexy man. Replacement found! 

http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=33067556

Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleansing Pads:

These are incredible! I use them twice a day after washing my face and I think they make a huge difference in the quality of my skin. They don't dry me out and do a really good job of getting any last bits of makeup or cleanser residue. Bonus - They're cruelty-free and have no parabens, dyes, etc. Oh! And there only like $5. 

 http://www.vitacost.com/desert-essence-natural-tea-tree-oil-facial-cleansing-pads-original-50-pads-7


NYC Bronzer in Sunny:
This is just the best bronzer. Period. It's not too red/orange-y, blends easily, and is matte. I love it. A LOT.

(Also, I can totally see where I put/did not put sunscreen on my hand and now I'm embarrassed.)

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy Glossy Balm:

This is my fourth tube. I use this pretty much every day, either alone or mixed with a creamier lipstick. It is just a balm, but has pretty good staying power and the color is my go-to sheer berry (I use #5). It's beautiful.

http://www.sephora.com/volupte-sheer-candy-glossy-balm-crystal-color-P287104?skuId=1333731

Might be from a song about fried chicken, but still true.

I ❤️ Ron Swanson.

(via Parks And Rec)

My neighbor's kitchen wall.

Happy 4th!! 

I'm a Cancer. I could live in the water.

Via sundryclothing's instagram

Truth.

Via ipsy's instagram

Just because it's summer.

My new mantra.

Via instagram

The Tangled Leash Two-Step

My dogs are great - very social, always hilarious, never fight. But lately, walking them together has become a huge problem for me. They're 9 and 4, so I'm not really sure what's up with them. However, what I DO know is that I end up doing a crazy leash-untangling dance during every walk and generally end up feeling like a big idiot. Innocent bystanders catch me hopping over their leashes, pulling the leashes over my head, losing a shoe (yes, that happened), etc. It's so embarrassing.

In an attempt to make my life easier and public spectacle-free, I broke down and ordered a coupler leash.

I've put off buying one for years because the vet discouraged it when Dog #2 was a puppy.  I've read mixed reviews, but at this point I'll try anything! I think it looks pretty cool, and love the fact that there's only one (cushiony!) wrist loop.

I'll post a review after we've tried it out a bit. Fingers crossed that it does the trick!

This is the one I ordered: http://www.amazon.com/Steps-Stretch-Leash-Medium-Black/dp/B002L4MTES/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1404271650&sr=1-2&keywords=ez+steps+leash