Friday Five: Recipes to Try

I'm back with another Friday Five.  I don't know about you but summer has me craving all kinds of healthier foods. This week I started eating better and working out more. I've been gathering all kinds of delicious recipes that use the fruits and vegetables from our garden as well as our local farmers' markets.  During the summer I don't like to eat heavy meals, so I'm always searching for something light and nutritious.  Here are some of the recipes I'm hoping to try in the next few weeks

Basil, squash, and tomato pasta toss

This recipe looks tasty. Most of these ingredients are things that we have growing in our container garden right now. I am working to limit my pasta intake, but this recipe could be more veggies than pasta which wouldn't be so bad!

Lobster roll

Okay so this is definitely not one of those healthy recipes I was talking about. However, I've been seeing so many pictures of yummy lobster rolls and I am just dying to try one myself. 

Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Pesto

Zucchini noodles have been all the rage for a year or so now, but I have yet to try and eat or make them. Learning to make them sounds like the perfect summer activity

Kale and turkey sausage saute

Everything about this just sounds so good. Kale is a great super food that is high with many nutrients. This recipe seems pretty easy and healthy.

Triple berry pecan crunch smoothie bowl

Smoothie bowls are another thing that have become increasingly popular. I haven't eaten one nor tried to create my own yet. However, I think this is something I'm going to attempt soon. I drink smoothies pretty regularly, so this is right up my alley.

Since we're talking about new recipes that are perfect for summer, I thought I'd leave you with a recipe that I tried earlier this summer. This lemon shrimp pasta was nice and light- great for a summer dinner! You can find it on Pinterest here. 

I'd love to hear if you've tried any of these recipes and any recipes you are just itching to experiment with!

XOXO

Friday Five: Maya Angelou

Happy Friday!

This week one of my favorite poets passed away, Maya Angelou. She was an amazing woman and accomplished so much throughout the duration of her life.  I remember my mom making memorize one of her poems, when I was young, and ever since then I have always admired the woman for her strength and courage.  

This article from CNN describes some highlights from Maya Angelou's life. 

Today's Friday five are quotes from Maya herself.

Enjoy your weekend!

xoxo

-mQs-

Friday Five: Memorial Day Weekend Sales

Happy Friday, I haven't done a Friday Five post in quite some time, so I decided this week would be a good time to start doing them again.  I always enjoy Friday Five posts because there are so many different things to write about with this general topic.

Holiday weekends always seem to be popular times for sales.  I. myself, will not be out shopping but I figured I would share some deals with all of you.

Jcrew Factory:

 50% off all men's and women's styles in the store and online

 Francesca's: 

Clothing BOGO buy one, get one 50% off

Gap:

40% off all regular style items

South Moon Under: 

25% off all Sale merchandise

Pottery Barn: 

Up to 60% off items

Friday Five: What I'm Loving

One: My Pantry

Yesterday I spent close to three hour organizing my pantry and the kitchen cabinets in my house.  A few bags of trash later...and they are all organized! I really do have an odd infatuation with organizing things.  I honestly think I could become a professional organizer.  People could just pay me to come to their home to organize their closets, drawers, rooms, desks, etc.  That would be ideal, but I don't think such a profession exists.  My parents were delighted when they came home from work and saw this and the other cabinets.  One less thing they have to do over their three day weekend. The picture to the left is the before picture, but I had already taken some of the stuff out before this was taken, oops! Obviously, the picture to the right is the finished product.

Two: Earrings

This week my mom and I went to a little boutique that has tons of jewelry for decent prices.  I bought these anchor earrings for $14.  I love them! They are so simple and classy, plus a little preppy too.  I don't usually like gold jewelry but there is always an exception. 

Three: Riley

This is what I woke up to this morning.  My yorkie, Riley, cuddled up at the foot of my bed.  I love when this happens.  He is the best dog and has such a personality for such a small dog.  We have been having a lazy morning together just laying in my bed.  He is definitely happy to have me living back at home.  While I was away at school, my dad became his favorite person in the house.  However, since I am back home my Dad claims that I am back to having Riley's #1 favorite person spot back again. 

Four: The Best of Me

I stumbled across this book when I was cleaning my room a few weeks ago.  I didn't even know I owned it, awkward.  Anyways, I am not much of a reader usually, but on my summer bucket list I have that I want to finish five books.  I am a third of the way done this one.  It is really good. I am getting to the point where it is hard to put it down.  This is not like me, when did I become a reader?  I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a mindless book to read, it would be a great one to read on the beach.

Five: Salads 

The salads I have been making this week have been delicious!  I use pretty much whatever I can find in the fridge.  I guess you could call them leftover salads. This one has grilled chicken, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, noodles, romaine lettuce, and champagne dressing.  I have made variations of this salad using red pepper, avocados, cucumbers, and black beans.  They are quite filling, and healthy too!

Happy Friday

xoxo

-mQs-

Friday Five: Creating a Summer Bucket List

Today marks my first week of summer complete.  I have been pretty busy the past week catching up with old friends, making new friends, visiting jHg, cooking, exercising, sleeping, organizing, and so much more. 

Well, I decided that I needed to make a list of things that I wanted to do this summer.  This turned into me creating a Summer Bucket List of 100 things. I have never done anything like this, so I think it is going to be a lot of fun! It will prevent that summer boredom that sometimes occurs. Plus it will make for some fun blog posts too!

  I need five more things to complete my list, so I thought it would be appropriate for my "Friday five" to have you all, my readers, give me five things to add to my bucket list.  I'll start by giving you five things that are on my list.

I plan on starting this Monday, so I need to finish creating the list by Sunday night.

I've given you five things on my list, so now it's your turn to give me five or more things to add. Ready, set, go!

Happy Friday!

xoxo

-mQs

Friday Five: Songs from freshman year

Happy Friday! It's the weekend!  Today is my move out day.  Bittersweet.

This week's Friday Five are the top five songs that remind me of my freshman year of college.  These are kinda random, but when I think freshman year these are the ones that stick out most. 

Don't You Worry Child: Swedish House Mafia

All Night Longer: Sammy Adams

Die Young: Kesha

Make The Floor Shake: Wiz Khalifa

I knew You Were Trouble: Taylor Swift

1. This song came on all the time, no matter where I was.

2. My team was obsessed with this song.  It played in the locker room literally all the time.  Needless to say, I then played it in my room all the time

3. jHg are all about Ke$ha.  Her new album is really catchy.  This song is just a good pump up song.

4. This was another song my team listened to all the time.  It was played in the locker room, on the bus, and on our warm up CD too.  I heard it all the time this year.

5. Taylor Swift's new album came out in the Fall of my freshman year.  I remember standing in the training room the first day I was here, and this song was playing in the background while we went through our physicals.  

Enjoy your Friday.  It is beautiful out today!

xoxo

-mQs-

Friday Five: Flipflops

Happy Friday Everyone! This week flew by. I think it is because I have been academically quite busy, since the end of the semester is rapidly approaching. I have decided to start doing Friday Fives.  I frequently get bloggers block, so I thought this would be a fun post that I can use consistently.  My Friday five posts are going to be completely random.  Sometimes these posts might be themed, they could be thoughts, quotes, or who knows what else I will come up with.  I guess you all will just have to wait and see what I have up my sleeve! Well, I obviously have summer on my mind so I thought it would be appropriate to make my first Friday Five post about Sandals. I am in need of some new ones, so I have been looking at my many options lately. 

One: Starboard Tack ($45) I love the sail boat pattern on these sandals. I think they are adorable.

Two: Yoga Spree ($32) I have these flip flops was the strap is thicker and white.  These sandals are made out of recycled yoga mats so they are extremely comfortable.  I like the thinner straps it makes it a little dressier and this color is really cute too.

Three: Rainbows ($49) I love the classic look of these. I think they would match with a lot because they are so neutral.  I have heard from many people that these are really good for your feet, which is always a plus.

Four: Printed Cotton Flip Flops ($17) I love stripes so it is pretty obvious that I would like these.  These are from jcrew factory.  They are a great color that would match with a ton, which is always important when it comes to summer shoes.

Five: Braided Cotton Flip Flops ($24.50) These are also from jcrew factory.  They braided style is always a classic, and the white would match with so much.  These have a bit of a nautical look to them since the brown part at the front has an anchor on them.  These are definitely on the top of my wish list!

What are some of your favorite summer shoes? Which pair of these do you think would be worth me getting this summer?

xoxo

-mQs-

Friday Five

1.  Be Curly by Aveda: This is a record for me, I have gone an entire week without straightening my hair. I have been wearing it natural, curly.  I love this Aveda product because it enhances my natural hair while making sure it is not frizzy. 

2. Happy Birthday to George Washington! This weekend is Birthday Ball weekend here at my school. We celebrate George's Birthday with a huge dance on Saturday night.  It is supposedly the biggest event on campus all year.  The upper class men all are so excited, but as a freshmen I am not sure what to expect so the excitement has yet to arrive.  On the plus side I get to see tDn since he is coming down to go to the dance and festivities with me.

3. Essie Good as Gold Nail Polish: Since my dress for the dance is a champagne color I thought gold would be a fun color for my nails. I have been searching for a few months for a good gold colored nail polish. Finally I have found a good one! Essie has yet to disappoint me. 

4. Overexposed by Maroon 5: I just bought this album. I absolutely love it! I have always been a fan of Maroon 5, so I just couldn't resist buying it any longer.

5. Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins: Last week when I came back to school sQs sent me with some homemade chocolate chip banana muffins.  They are to die for. I love them! It hasn't even been a week and the muffins are pretty much all gone.