Pearls of Wisdom(one).

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"Whether you are eleven, forty-two, or sixty-five, your attitude toward life is still under construction.  By understanding the materials that are part of your attitude structures, you and those you influence can maintain a healthier perspective."- John Maxwell

Happy Monday!

Pearlette{Inspirational Woman}Doris Day

"I like joy; I want to be joyous; I want to have fun on the set; I want to wear beautiful clothes and look pretty. I want to smile and I want to make people laugh. And that`s all I want. I like it. I like being happy. I want to make others happy" ~Doris Day


Tidbits::

• Actress & Singer
• Animal Welfare Activist-check it out
• http://ddaf.org/dd/
• http://www.ddal.org/
• Born April 3, 1922
• Height~5'7
• Reportedly did not like "swear words"
• A close friend(& briefly dated) and vocal supporter of former President Ronald Reagan
• Aspired to become a professional ballerina, but was in a car accident that crushed her legs, so she then pursued voice lessons and became a singer and actress

sources: IMDb,

New Blog{new challenge}-eek!

I have recently had the urge to explore my city, create my own personal 'bucket list', if you will, and embrace turning 30.  So I decided to combine it into a blog/challenge.  Check it out and follow/support me :) should be fun and I am going to need the support along the way! 
http://30thingsbeforeturning30.blogspot.com/

Adventure Awaits!!

Monday Quote.

"With a new day comes new strength and new thoughts."-Eleanor Roosevelt

Making a statement{fashionably speaking}

Whether it is putting together an outfit or decorating, 'statement' pieces really portray personality and uniqueness.  I have found that to find your own personal 'statement' piece or style, it really has to be something that inspires or calls to you.  The great thing about it is inspiration can come from anything and everything!  Here are some things that have recently inspired me(and hopefully my wardrobe).  What are some of your favorite 'statement' pieces?

Vintage Glamour

Francesca's

Textures & Colors

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Timeless Eras & Timeless Pieces

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Eggplant for all things: food, fashion, and decor

Relax, it's the weekend!

I finally have a FREE weekend!!  It has been non-stop since the new year and this weekend it is all about ME.  My goal for the weekend is to relax and decompress.  How do you unwind??

My Sanctuary. 

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Nothin' Like Tomorrow(lyrics)

Reading these lyrics remind me of short lived summer/vacation romances{whether they were real or merely just exsisted in your mind} that leave you day dreaming and giddy inside....

Nothin' Like Tomorrow by Supreme Beings of Leisure

Nothing like tomorrow

Vapor kiss memory of such longing

Whispered dream gone before the morning

Time is such a funny thing

It pulls you on like silly string

Oh the pain and sorrow

Never thought the haunting of

Such a temporary love
Could make me beg and borrow
Nothing like tomorrow
Nothing like tomorrow

Sugar sweet I won't forget the dawning
All alone smiles come throught the yawning
Love is such a funny thing
It pulls me on like silly string

Something like a good dream
If they find that I am lost
Point me to the nearest cross
Naked as a moonbeam
Nothing like tomorrow
Nothing like tomorrow
Nothing like tomorrow

Calling whispers sent to you at the speed of light
At the speed of light
Calling whispers sent to you at the speed of light
At the speed of light
Calling whispers sent to you at the speed of light

Nothing like tomorrow
Nothing like tomorrow
Nothing like tomorrow
There is nothing like tomorrow
Love is such a funny thing
Nothing like tomorrow
And I'm waiting for tomorrow
Nothing like tomorrow
Nothing like tomorrow

[ Nothin' Like Tomorrow Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

Summer JOYS.

I know this is jumping ahead a little to be already talking about summer.  However, since it has been a scorching 90 degrees, and humid, this last week here in Austin, Texas I feel compelled to think positively about the upcoming 5-6 months of summer weather.  Though I may need some encouragement and inspiration{so please comment} from you for the months to come(oh how I swear one day I will get a cabin or shack somewhere breezy with temp under 80 or better yet just travel all over Europe July-Sept).  Don't get me wrong my heart is at the beach{I fall asleep every night to ocean waves} and I LOVE LOVE "tropical" weather, but that is not what it feels like to me in Austin.  Okay so back to the positive, encouraging joys of summer.  I came up with 8 things I most love about summer.

one.

   

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Cold Refreshments{aaaahhh}

two.

Vacations/Road Trips

three.

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Picnics/Outdoor Parties

four.

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Juicy Watermelons

five.

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Lounging-reading a magazine or a summer novel

six.

FREE Live Music

seven.

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Outdoor Grilling, Bar-B-Ques, & Corn on the Cob

eight.

All. Things. Water.

Ok, now 100 degree weather is starting to look better ;)

What do you look forward to most in Summer?

Celebrate{Cinco de Mayo}

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What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with some yummy Guacamole{with a twist}?

Southwestern Black Bean Cakes with Guacamole

Ingredients:

2 slices whole wheat bread, torn

3 tablespoons fresh cilantro

2 cloves garlic

1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 7-ounce can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 egg

1/2 of a medium avocado, seeded and peeled

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 small plum tomato

Purchased baked tortilla chips (optional)

Orange wedges (optional)


Directions:
Place torn bread in a food processor bowl or blender container. Cover and process or blend until bread resembles coarse crumbs. Transfer crumbs to a large bowl and set aside. Place cilantro and garlic in the food processor bowl or blender container; cover and process or blend until finely chopped. Add beans, 1 of the chipotle peppers, 1 to 2 teaspoons of the adobo sauce (reserve remaining peppers and sauce for another use), and cumin. Process or blend using on/off pulses until beans are coarsely chopped and mixture begins to pull away from sides. Add mixture to bread crumbs in bowl. Add egg; mix well and shape into four 1/2-inch-thick patties.

Grill patties on the lightly greased rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until patties are heated through, turning once.

Meanwhile, for guacamole, in small bowl mash avocado. Stir in lime juice. Season with salt and pepper. Serve patties with guacamole and tomato.

If desired, for burger baskets, place the bean cakes on a bed of purchased baked tortilla chips in a lined basket or bowl and garnish with orange wedges. Makes 4 servings.

Make-Ahead Tip: Up to 24 hours in advance, prepare guacamole, cover, and refrigerate.


Recipe Source
BHG.com

Monday dose of inspiration

It is a Monday, so I think it is safe to say there will be many times thoughout the day I will need mental rejuvenation!  Today I will take mental breaks to breathe and think about being surrounded by the aroma and beauty of cherry blossoms.  Then after all my "to-do's" are complete I will meditate back to a place of spiritual happiness and be refreshed for tomorrow.  Ahhh feeling better already!  :)  What do you do to rid yourself of the Monday blues?

May Quote

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."~Judy Garland (actress and singer)