CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN SMOOTHIE

Protein smoothies are great when running on-the-go and yet you need something more filling than a granola bar. There are so many different recipes for smoothies, there are no rules, and it includes a lot of experimenting! Adding fruit, spinach, and everything green and healthy are all great ingredients for the perfect morning drink. Although I find myself going back to this chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie most of the time! This smoothie takes less than five minutes to make, so it's perfect for waking up late, jogging around your neighborhood, or running to school/work! Have fun experimenting!!

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER, BANANA SMOOTHIE
serves 1 full glass - recipe ( my mom) 

Ingredients
1 ripe frozen banana
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 cup almond unsweetened vanilla (or coconut milk)
2 scoops of your favorite protein powder

Directions 
1. Literally pour every ingredient in the blender, and mix until it's all smoothly blended, then pour and enjoy! 

SWEET SUMMER

I believe I have finally fallin' in love with floppy hats! I've always loved the style but I've never found one that looks flattering on me. Either their too large and floppy, or too small so then it doesn't look much like a floppy hat at all. My friend let me borrow this black floppy hat, and I'm so thankful she did. So now I'm on the hunt for a dark brown floppy hat, because I think it will be perfect for the fall time.

The summer fun has been winding down around here, and my summer vacation has finally come to an end! Ending summer is always bitter-sweet. Summer of 2014 has been one of my favorites yet! All the events I've been able to participate in, meet-ups with friends, weekends with family, coffee dates, a number of photo shoots, pool parties, lazy days at home, and every new adventure that has come my way, has made these past few months so memorable and they will be truly missed. Surprisingly my list of ideas for this summer has been more than completed! It feels good to end the summer with no regrets or wishes of something I should have done.

Officially a senior, like whattt? I've waited a long four years to hear myself say that I'm a senior, and I love it! It's nerve-racking and exciting all at the same time. My schedule this year is pretty light, although chemistry and geometry is going to kick my butt. I'm only a few days into it, and I can already feel the heavy load from those two subjects. It'll be interesting to see how I balance my school load and blog within these next few months! I'm hoping the weekends will be my saving grace for during the week posts, but yet again who knows how productive I'll be. Still being in school while being a blogger has it's benefits, but I envy the bloggers who are in their 20's, who have no school or "career job" to get in their way of their daily blogging routines!

                                                                     
                                                                       shorts/American Eagle :: shirt/Forever 21 :: purse/Urban                                                                                                          Outfitters :: cheetah sandals/Maui, Hawaii :: floppy hat/borrowed ::

5 TIPS FOR STAYING INSPIRED

Feeling uninspired to do anything kinda sucks! It's an icky feeling, and one that's hard to get rid of sometimes. So today I have come up with a few solutions that I think will cure the uninspired emotion we all get once in a blue moon! These are ways that really help me and make me feel more full of energy, and inspired to live life to it's fullest!

1. Find a new muse. This tip may not be new to you, but trust me it helps tremendously. It can be anything to a new TV series to watch, re-creating an old project, or enjoying a new band. Have fun with it and keep your eyes out for anything that sounds enjoyable to you, keeping in mind your likes and dislikes.

2. Carry a journal. No matter where I am, or what I'm doing that day I always keep a notebook with me to jot down fresh ideas. I keep one in my purse, beside my bed, and even in my backpack! It's easy to forget ideas, so writing them down helps, and talking out loud about your ideas also spark new inspirations.

3. Create an up-beat playlist. I don't know about you, but oh man does music have a pull on me. I tend to gravitate towards the music that matches my emotions. It's a given fact that for me, it doesn't help listening to depressing music when I'm feeling low. So when you're feeling down, create a playlist of songs that make you happy and excited, and crank that volume up!!

4. Go to your favorite location. Getting away out of your comfort zone or even everyday habitat can help in more ways than one. I love to clear my thoughts, and focus on starting over and fresh. Spending time at your favorite place can make you more energized and happy.

5. Clean up your space. Picking up everything that's around you, can make you feel less cluttered or bogged down. I always have to make sure everything is organized or my room is cleaned, before doing anything that day. A messy atmosphere can cause more stress and chaos.

M&M RICE KRISPIE TREATS

Rice Krispie treats take me back to my childhood, because they were my absolute favorite and having them in the house was a huge treat. Let's just say they didn't last long, because we ate them like crazy. This was my very first time making them homemade, (instead of just buying them in a box at the store) so I was excited to see how they'd turn out, and they taste just as good as store bought! I had a little fun with them and decided to add some M&M's on top because I wanted to give them a pop of color. These fun treats are perfect for the summertime and days spent with friends because they're easy to eat and make! A few days ago I went to a pool party with all my girlfriends and I made these, and I have to admit they were a hit! Enjoy making!

RICE KRISPIE TREATS
servings- approx. 25-30 cut square bars

Ingredients
1 box of rice krispies
1 bag of marshmallows
1 stick of butter
1 bag of M&M's

Directions
1. To begin making these yummy treats, you'll need a big pan to start melting the marshmallows. I've seen people put them in the microwave and melt them that way, but I find doing it over the stove much easier and more controllable. Before you melt the marshmallows, first take that one stick of butter and melt it completely and then pour in the marshmallows.

2. Once the marshmallows are soft and very melted, pour in the rice krispies and begin to stir it all together. To make the stirring easier and less messy only pour a little but of the cereal in the pan at a time, until it's all mixed together.

3. Take a dish or pan and put add butter all around the edges so that it won't stick to the pan. Begin to place the rice krispies into the dish and apply butter all over your hands so that your able to firmly place all the rice krispies into the pan without sticking to your fingers.

4. Lastly, add in the M&M candy and push them into the rice krispies to that they will stay in place. You can use pretty much any candy, or chocolate for this step, but like I said I wanted a pop of color, plus you cannot beat M&M's! You can also drizzle some chocolate, or caramel syrup over the top. Once you made your rice krispie treat your free to add anything you want!