During the week I wear my hair in a braid, top knot, or down & natural. To preserve my hair’s shape while I sleep, I’ll put it in a high pony tail tied with a scrunchy. This also helps give my hair some extra volume. What are your hair care tips? I’d love to know!

View from the J Parker

Garden update

Sissy, Mom, and I at our family friends wedding

J and I <3

Sunday brunch in my new dress from Edith Hart

Sleepy Grace

You know what sucks? I don’t have one picture from Father’s Day. How on earth could I have done that?!?

I had a busy weekend with a family friend’s wedding on Saturday night. It was fun to get dressed up with my family and celebrate great friends. I wore a Nicole Miller dress (similar here) which was a simple little black dress with ruching.

I was so excited to wear my new dress from Edith Hart. I saw it on the website a few weeks ago and fell in love with it. I contacted the store’s owner to find it sold out immediately. I was so bummed. Then, she contacted me last week when she unexpectedly got it back in stock. It’s my favorite summer purchase!

 Hope you had a great weekend!

 Pants: Theory (old, similar here), Top: Theory (similar here + here), Necklace: BaubleBar (shown here + here), Shoes: Chinese Laundry, Sunglasses Prada

I honestly have no idea how I put this outfit together. It was one of those days where I rolled out of bed and threw something on. I usually go for an all black look when I’m in a hurry, you can never go wrong with black. Black also looks slimming on anyone.

To look more professional for work, I buttoned the collar of my blouse and paired it with a sparkly necklace. Whenever I wear one color, I like to jazz it up with a statement piece.

Photos by Tasha

Chicken Sausage Egg White Frittata 

ingredients:

• 1-16oz carton of egg whites
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 2 chicken sausage links (I used TJ’s brand)
• 1/2 cup low fat mozzarella cheese

directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. In a heavy, ovenproof 10-inch skillet, heat oil for 30 seconds. Add sausage and cook for 2 minutes, until lightly browned.

3. In a medium bowl, combine egg whites, sausage, spinach, cheese, and salt & pepper to taste. Pour into baking dish with non stick cooking spray.

4. Bake for 25 minutes until golden brown and you can see the cheese oozing out. Optional: Broil the last 2 minutes of cooking.

You can make this ahead of time, cut it in quarters, and eat it all week. This makes a perfect breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack. It’s delicious hot or cold!

The weather in Chicago has been warming up but it still was chilly on Saturday at the Old Town Art Fair. I wore a light weight top with sleeves and was very comfortable. A couple of my friends went home to change because they were freezing. That’s the thing with Chicago weather, you really don’t know what it’s going to be. The weather could say one thing and the day could be the total opposite. I’m very ready to wear my tank tops and cutoff jean shorts. Hopefully you will see me wearing them soon!

Photos by JaySchwig 

I have a small balcony with just enough room to have a little garden. I have 2 planters on both sides of my balcony and individual planters with herbs.

I got a pretty good workout!

fresh cilantro

flowers in a variety of colors

parsley

basil

I’m excited for everything to bloom and I especially can’t wait to use the herbs. I’ll make sure to post an update within the next few weeks!

Snow peas are a delicious and easy vegetable to prepare. When I’m sick of typical green veggies (broccoli, asparagus, spinach, ect) I go for either snow peas or sugar snap peas. They are kind of sweet and adapt to any flavor you add to them. All I did was saute and add a little soy sauce.

Sauteed Snow Peas 

ingredients:

• 1 package of snow peas (pre washed)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• salt & pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp soy sauce

directions:

Heat olive oil in a wok or non-stick skillet on medium to high heat. Add the snow peas, salt, and pepper. Saute for about 4-5 minutes until the snow peas are crisp and tender. You don’t want to over cook them or they will start to open up and get soggy.

There you go! A simple side dish perfect for any occasion. This also makes great leftovers. I like to put them on my salads or add them to stir fry the next day.

I’ve decided to do a version of the Paleo diet by giving up carbs and dairy. I’ve heard pros and cons of doing this but I really don’t care. I need to lose weight and I need to lose it now. I’ll figure out the rest when I’m ready. I also need something to give me that extra push so I can fit back into my clothes again. Trying to eat healthy and working out just isn’t cutting it for me.

Yesterday was the first day on my diet and it was not fun. It’s not easy either. All I want is a breakfast sandwich and hopefully within the next couple of weeks I won’t crave such a thing. Below is what I ate yesterday.

Breakfast:

• 1 green juice from whole foods
• Triple Berry Chia Pudding

Lunch:

• Turkey lettuce wraps with mustard

Snack:

• 12 almonds

Dinner:

• BBQ salmon with asparagus

It’s pretty miserable but I feel better already and that’s what matters. I’ll make sure to update my progress and let you know how I’m feeling. Until then, wish me luck!

I can’t seem to get rid of J’s red eye! BTW how on earth did my hair get so long?!

Gnocchi from Fedora Lounge

Flaxseed Pancakes

Blue feet!

Not so kiddie cocktail