Since the weather is getting nicer and nicer, it gives me more opportunity to ride my bike and have some time to myself. I just started a new career and thus have been undergoing much stress (a lot of it is self-induced as I psych myself out often). Although I do spend a lot of my time alone, going for a ride gets me away from the computer and outside. I just hop on the bikepath and pedal to one of the many beaches near my house. I don’t like our private beach as we have to practically climb a mountain to get to and from it. Not fun for a fat girl in heat. Besides, there’s more to see at the park beaches. 

I was able to ride to a local beach the other day, lay out my vintage picnic blanket, and enjoy my latest read “Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley” (History nerd!). It was perfect.

What do you do during the warm months to unwind?

Ever been told this? I sure have. In fact, I was told this just the other day. Yes, I have confidence and a huge personality, but also have a heart. These words ruminate with me. Every time I eat. Every time I get dressed. Every time I look at myself in the mirror. “You’re fat enough, don’t you think?” haunts me everyday. 

I’ve been told, “If you lose some weight, you’d be at the top of the totem pole for beauty,” and “All you need to do to get a man is lose weight.” Um, no and heck no. Let me make this very clear: I have no problem finding men. My standards are simply sky high and very few live up to them. I know my self-worth.

There’s nothing wrong with me. There’s something wrong with peoples’ thinking. I am healthy and I am BEAUTIFUL. And at least I have a good heart. 

Don’t get yourself twisted. 

Enjoy the “fat enough” pictures below…

Outfit Details: Glasses: Ray Ban (here); Blouse: Urban Outfitters (no longer available, similar here); Blazer: Ralph Lauren (no longer available, similar here); Skirt: Old Navy (here); Shoes: Banana Republic via consignment store (no longer available, similar here)

I love cheese. I am a cheese connoisseur through and through. I own a book all about cheese (I’m ashamed by the price I paid for it, too). If there’s cheese on or in something, I’m likely to eat it… except celery. I hate celery. So, how do you make pancakes even better? Add lemon zest/juice and ricotta cheese, of course! I made some small adjustments to the Williams Sonoma recipe I have and they turned out just to my (and my mom’s) liking.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 cup ricotta cheese

1 cup milk

3 eggs

1/4 cup sugar

Zest & juice of 1 lemon (zest & juice it yourself- the scent adds a burst of sunshine to your day)

1 1/2 cups flour

1 Tbs. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

Directions:

In large bowl, whisk all ingredients together as you normally would with pancakes until even consistency. Preheat griddle over medium heat. Ladle batter onto griddle according to your pancake size preference. Cook until bubble form on top and pancakes are golden brown underneath. Flip ‘em! Cook for approx. 1 more minute. 

Makes ~ 12-14 pancakes

Some people eat these with real maple syrup or a dollop of raspberry preserves. I choose both! My syrup was tapped by my grandfather from upstate NY. I can’t help but smile each time I have it. 

As my childhood soulmate, Julia Child, would say… Bon Appetit! 

I am in serious need of a spring jacket or two, and while I was on the prowl, I found a few I thought I’d share with you. 

1: ASOS Curve Fit & Flare Biker Mac; 2: Lane Bryant Lane Collection Moto Jacket; 3: ASOS Curve Biker Parka; 4: Simply Be Cape Look Jacket; 5: Lane Bryant Lane Collection Leopard Trench; 6: Simply Be Bespoke Jacqui Bouclé Jacket

I’m aiming for the two ASOS jackets. Their recent selection has been absolutely beautiful!

So I’ve been watching Once Upon A Time this week (season 1 is on Netlifx) and I’m officially addicted. I’ve always loved everything fairytale, especially Grimm fairytales (aren’t they all?). I mean, let’s be honest, it’s Disney’s fault, really. Put a Disney movie on, I melt. Bring me to Disney World, I cry. But since I’ve become an adult, I’ve been fascinated with the original German folk tales. Once Upon A Time is far from the originals, but they’re equally as fascinating. The show (the first season, at least) reminds me a lot of Lost, flashing back to each characters’ lives before the present. 

Anyway, I didn’t come on here to give you a synopsis of OUAT, that’s not my thang. What I am here to talk about is Mary Margaret aka Snow White’s (played by the adorable Ginnifer Goodwin) apartment. So let’s talk about it, shall we? I want that apartment. Yeah, I want a lot of things, but so what. This apartment is adorable!!! Naturally, I’d add my own mix of modern and vintage rustic, but this apartment screams what I love best in apartment decor and style… Anthropologie. Take a look at some of the screen shots:

Painted, distressed bricks. Vintage outdoor furniture used inside and decorated with homemade pillows. 

Mismatched painted chairs. Vintage area rug over unfinished wood floors. Post & beam.

This mug? Anthropologie.

She has a vintage stove. Yeah, it’s on set and probably doesn’t work, but still… I’d have it even as a decorative piece. 

Blue bird on the bed stand. Cute. And fitting considering she’s Snow White.

Vintage wire baskets used as shelving.

I love the industrial feel of a warehouse apartment. The writing on the wall in Mary Margaret’s apartment reads, “Original Liquid & Paste Grate Polish Black Bird.” I’m not sure of the reference… 

Notice the frames against the wall and the destructed door. I have a ton of empty frames that are just sitting in my place and add a touch of that unfinished look I love.

Until next time, lovelies!

Aimée

I’m insanely slow at reading books. I will have bouts of reading a few nights in a row before bed, but then life gets in the way and I go weeks, months even, without reading my book of the moment. I can’t tell you how many books I have in my bookshelf that I’ve yet to read. I hated reading growing up, because I was forced to. We had a minimum page requirement each semester in middle school and couldn’t pass English if we didn’t reach it. We’d have to sit down with our English teacher and, not give a book report, but have a discussion about the book. It was a good approach, but I hated the minimum requirement. Now that I’m “older”, I really do enjoy reading a variety of books. I am currently reading a book from a young adult series. I discovered it from my kid sister. Who cares if I’m reading a young adult book? It’s an easy read! I started with, obviously, the first book in the series, entitled “The Uglies” by Scott Westerfield. It’s a mix of sci-fi and fantasy. Here’s a brief description: In Tally Youngblood’s world, looks matter. She lives in a society created to function with perfect-looking people who never have a chance to think for themselves. And she’s tired of it. First as an ugly, then a pretty, and finally a special, Tally takes down the social infrastructure. And then, a generation later, a world obsessed with fame and instant celebrity—and filled with extras—will reap the consequences.

Find the series here. Also available on Kindle.

I’ve been the “chubby Gap girl” for an upwards of 7 non-consecutive years now. It’s a moniker my old friend and some family members used to call me. I’ve worked for Gap on and off since I was 19, and I’ve been back there since I started school. Now that I’m done school and licensed, I will most likely be leaving again. I’m sure I’ll be back… because Gap is always there for me when I need it to be. Before I go on and on about how I’ll probably never completely cut the cord with Gap, Inc., let me share with you some of the current items on my list to purchase…

Fitted Boyfriend teacup print shirt (here); Two-tone canvas tote (here); 1969 floral always skinny skimmer jean (THE length of the season!-here)

Fitted boyfriend cat print shirt (here); Flora scarf (here)

Striped knit moto jacket (here); Luxlight V-neck cardigan (made with silk & I’ve already bought one in neon coral: must buy more-here)

Stripey tie-waist skirt (here); 1969 printed legging skimmer jeans (seriously, you need to try these babies-here)

I know some of you have been in Gap to check out all the wildly awesome colors we rarely get to see this time of year, so what do you think? Let me know in the comments!

Did anyone watch the Oscars last night? Only watch the red carpet? I only watched a portion of both. There was plenty of gasping, ooo-ing and ahhh-ing, and some head-shaking here and there while watching the red carpet. Many hits, some misses, in my opinion. Fashion aside, who knew Seth MacFarlane could sing like that? He was fantastic! Now back to Oscar fashion: Here are my FAV looks from the Oscars:

Reese (errr, her little stylist. daughter Ava) ALWAYS gets it right on the red carpet. Never have I seen a dress I didn’t like on her. This Louis Vuitton ensemble is no exception. The black side paneling and small bustier takes this gown out of bridesmaid territory and adds a tad of sex appeal, not immodest. 

Oh Sandra, you make this poor girl drool. Elie Saab dress, Swarovski clutch, and jewels set in platinum by Harry Winston. Need I say more?

The moment I saw this dress & clutch, I knew it was my favorite, all-time designer: Alexander McQueen. Salma wears him beautifully. I love velvet and look at that neckline! I wish I could find a better close-up because these images don’t give it justice. Only thing, I wish she did something a little more unconventional with her hair, the way McQueen would have envisioned it.

George Clooney, put a ring on it, already! Stacy Keibler really surprised me with this one. Her red carpet looks don’t usually make me do a second-take, but I can’t stop staring at this Naeem Khan creation that is absolutely perfect for her body.

I absolutely adore how well Nicole Kidman pulled off this L’Wren Scott gown. Gaudy, right? It’s sparkly-pop-frekkin-fantastic!

Jennifer Lawrence looks like a pale pink princess. I don’t usually enjoy the conventional Oscar gown look, but upon looking closer at the detail, this Christian Dior Couture gown won my heart.

Charlize, my favorite South-African, can do no wrong fashion-wise. That hair, those Harry Winston’s, that Christian Dior Haute Couture peplum and train, I just can’t. Golf clap, Charlize’s stylist.

Halle, how can I be you? Not like you, just you. Although, I wouldn’t wish for your love life. How awesomely 80’s is this Versace gown? It’s sleek and marvelous. Her simple accessories are on target.

That’s about it! There were other good ones, but no other take-my-breath-away-amazing looks.

Did you have a fav look from the Oscar’s? Let me know by commenting!

(All Images: Getty Images)

For the last year, this blog has been my outlet to show you a snippet of my style, the way I live my life, and how I try to keep things simple. At this point, I feel that I’ve boxed myself in to this genre of blogging and, quite frankly, I’m not comfortable with it. I’m not one to be “boxed in”.

I’m a woman of many depths, someone with substance, and I want you to see more of that. I want to share with you more of my discoveries, adventures, relationships, my thoughts about anything, what I’m reading, what I’m watching, what I’m eating, what’s happening in my life and so much more. Of course, I will continue to share with you my awesome finds, but not just that. The name may change, it may not. I have some thinking to do about that aspect as well as the rest of it. I love this blog and all of you, and I don’t want to just let it go, so I need change. I am in constant need of change until I am completely satisfied. So, are you with me?