{whatever wednesday}

{Spring Trend Alert:  Birkenstock-style Sandals}

Whoaaa.  Wait a minute.  Seriously serious breaking news.  Mary-Kate and Ashley spotted wearing matching socks over Birkenstock-looking sandals.  Many big designers showed Birkenstock-like sandals for spring, but being spotted on two of the biggest, if not smartest, trendsetters in the world proves this is actually happening...Paired with white sports socks just takes the sandals to another "Huh? WTFashion" level.  Yay or nay?  Either way, this fashionable duo will always be twinning in my book.

{7 Reasons Why You Don't Need Money To Be Stylish}

YES, YES, YES.

{Outfit of the Week}

Skirt: Forever 21

Top:  Gap (SUPER soft and thrifted for $1  :) x 1,000)

Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Ring:  Stella & Dot

Shoes (not pictured):  Target gold glitter loafers

{Love Them Even When They're Awful}

"Love isn't something you can pick and choose when it's convenient for you to do so.  Love isn't just the easy parts.  Love is every part."

{Having a bad day?  Press play}
"Dudes in Heels Dance to Spice Girls"  If this doesn't at least bring a smile to your face, I don't know what to tell you.

Totes Magotes

When days consist of errand running, workdays to happy hours, makeup touch ups, shopping, bridal brunches, or picnics in the park, a roomy bag that can hold the day's necessities (without skimping on style) is essential.   I've rounded the best ten totes to serve your need for flair and space all spring and summer long.

MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Hamilton - Mini' Canvas Tote

Christian Louboutin Farida Leather Tote

Karl Lagerfeld Suede and Snake-effect Leather Tote 

Marc by Marc Jacobs What's the T Tote

Big Buddha Dahlia Tote

Sonda Roberts Laser Cut Tote

Tory Burch Soft Straw Multi Tote

Fossil Erin Tote

Kenzo Palm Tree-print Tote

Lulu Guiness Leopard Kooky Cat Lily Tote

{whatever wednesday}

{19 waiters reveal the most f***ed up thing they heard while waiting tables}

So reading through this list, you get the awkward, the gross, the disturbing stories.  I got a good chuckle while reading number 17.  Not only did I have an idea of where this story was going within the first few sentences, I had been in the waiter's shoes 7 years ago.  My grandmother had heard this joke at the beauty salon and thought Thanksgiving was a perfect time to share it with the family...Needless to say, I fell to the ground when she revealed the punchline.

{17 Hair Styling Hacks Every Girl Should Know}

Great tips.  I can't wait to try the "fangs."  See what I did there?

{Look I'm loving:  Hunter boots}

Hunter boots...with anything.  Seriously.  No matter the color, no matter what you pair them with (a dress, shorts, skinny pants).  With the April showers approaching only to bring May flowers, if you haven't already, go buy some boots.  Seriously, the best way to brighten a rainy day is by wearing cute rain boots.  I didn't believe it until I tried it.  As much as I hate rainy days, being able to pull my Missoni print rain boots out of the closet gives me something to be happy about when the sun hides.

Recipe to not try: Red Velvet Cake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies}

IT'S NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS.  Alright, unless you're incredible patient, it's worth giving a shot.  After baking a cake, mixing cookie dough, I was about done and ready for dessert before creating three different balls to bake.  Maybe my cookie dough was too sticky and my cake balls not sticky enough, whatever...it was stressful.  Therefor, I ended up mixing both together and baking "drop" cookie style, and they still tasted pretty okay for being burnt.

{Song of the week:  Lykke Li- Tonight}

{whatever wednesday}

{Make me go "Mmm...": Melt}

Melt in my mouth fantastic.  This upcycled waffle cafe/lounge has been on my list of places to visit for a while now.  The decor and details are funky and eclectic, such as a pink grandfather (or should I say grandmother?) clock in the window, vintage games, wooden chairs floating on the walls, and rooster salt and pepper shakers.  Nostalgic, comfortable, cozy.

From sweet to savory, they have waffle combinations to suit anyone's taste buds...and really, who doesn't like waffles?  The final decision was a tough, being my first visit, but I opted for the Vegan Waffle Hash: shredded potatoes, onions, cheddar cheese, chili sauce, which I was incredibly pleased with (Granny Fanny and Psycho Monkey were in the running).  Another great thing about Melt is the bottomless coffee, where you pick your mug from yesteryear off the wall (mismatched in the cutesy, garage sale/thrifted sort of way) and fill up yourself...no waiting, no holding up lines, as many refills as you wish.  

{How to Live a Happier Life}

{Truth:  Even on a bad day, there is always lipstick}

{Hair style file:  All about buns, hun}

{Currently on repeat:  Ben Harper - Walk Away}

Meatless Monday

This past week called for a much needed girls night with a few close friends.  Gossip, cocktails, treats, laughs, and music that takes us back to our high school days required.  This being said, I scoured my Pinterest recipes and decided on a Fiesta Dip.  Quick, easy, delicious...and it made enough for leftovers for all.

Fiesta Dip

Ingredients

8 oz package fat-free cream cheese

16 oz container fat-free sour cream

11 oz can yellow corn, drained

15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

10 oz can of diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained

1.5 tbsp taco seasoning

2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

tortilla chips

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.  Cover and chill for 24 hours.  Serve with tortilla chips.  Serves 10-12.

Allison's notes:  I served it cold but zapped some leftovers in the microwave the next day and it was ah-maz-ing.  Served nacho style, in a quesadilla, even on Cheez-its...multiple possibilities with this recipe.


I'm a fan of breakfast food but rarely eat breakfast at breakfast time.  I came across this recipe to make scrambled eggs in the oven (I'm not the best at scrambling stove top) and decided to give it a shot.  They turned out great...so I made some toast, threw some eggs on my toast, with onion and a slice of cheese, added ketchup, hot sauce, and enjoyed a spectacular 9:30 p.m. breakfast sandwich.  I also have enough scrambled eggs to get me through the week.

Oven Baked Scrambled Eggs

Ingredients

4 tbsp butter

12 eggs

1 cup Almond Milk

pepper

dash of cayenne pepper

dash of hot sauce

Directions
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place the butter in a 9x13 baking dish and place in the oven so the butter melts while the oven preheats.

2.  Remove hot pan from oven and swirl so the butter coats the bottom.

3. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, pepper, cayenne, and hot sauce until well combined.  Pour over melted butter and place in oven.

4.  Remove after 8 minutes and stir the eggs using a spatula, making sure to scrape the edges of the pan.  Continue baking for 8 more minutes and stir again.

5.  Top with cheese, add veggies, build a bagel sandwich or breakfast burrito...Serve your eggs however you wish!

See the full recipes here:
Kelly's Fiesta Dip
Oven Bakes Scrambled Eggs

Best Dressed: Oscars 2014

Films and fashion.  Here's Allison's Best-Dressed list from the 2014 Oscars.

Retro, white, plunging neckline, and a cape?  Kate Hudson killed it in this sexy Versace gown, styled flawlessly with Old Hollywood glamour.

Emma Watson in Vera Wang and can we talk about about the major jewelry happening?  She rocked 5 different jewelry brands: Anita Ko, Chanel, Repossi, Bouchoron, and Solange...as for hair and makeup?  Flawless.  Bravo.

Hi, Jared Leto.  The Oscar winner looked dashing in a crisp white tuxedo jacket paired with a deep ruby satin bowtie.  "I always love that old school vibe and I never ever wear suits.  It's a fun opportunity to look old school and classic," he commented of his fashion statement.

Zac Efron dressed to the nines in a neat navy suit and skinny tie paired with Johnston & Murphy shoes.

Photo credits: E!Online

{whatever wednesday}

{The news that actually made my day:  Taco Bell's Breakfast Menu is going National in March}

HARK, what's that?!  The angels singing?!  Alright, so I don't eat much fast food, nor can I stomach much fast food...but I have an unashamed undying love for Taco Bell.  I've been known to drive-thru Taco Bell at 10 am (don't act like you haven't been there...) so, needless to say, I'm pretty stoked about the breakfast menu expansion.  You better believe I will be noshing on a waffle taco here and there...I mean, really, who the hell doesn't love waffles or a breakfast burrito?  Where has this option been all my life?!  I already know the Cinnabon Delights are to die for, so that's how I feel about that.

{Johnny and June:  Wise words on love}

{ 10 Questions to Ask Your Mother}

{Jennifer Lawrence, stumbling her way into our hearts since 2013}
She arrived, she waved, she tripped, she fell, she laughed it off again...and yet can still make falling in a ballgown look so cool.

{The photo that crashed the Twitterverse AKA the Best Selfie Ever}
By the way, I was totally supposed to be in this.  Damn you, Brad Pitt, for blocking me out.

{Chainsmokers: #Selfie}
Continuing with selfies, I received a message from a dear San Diego-based friend stating, "I found your edm song.  Selfie, look it up."...I followed his order and literally "#LOLed" through the entire song...it had to be shared.