Summer Style Must-Haves

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It won't officially be summer for a while, but for me (and many of you, I imagine) it's been summer for a while.

Summer started for me right after my organic chemistry final exam and I have to admit - I was verrrrry happy to trade Cambridge laboratories for NYC cafes - they just don't compare!

Anyway, summer brings a new style season, too. Summer trends can be pretty hit-or-miss sometimes - anyone remember that mesh tanktop trend?

Luckily for us, this summer's trends are actually looking really good!

Summer 2012 Style Must-Haves

Floral prints are back with a vengeance - they're no longer just for grannies and curtains.

To pull off the look, pair your floral jeans/shorts with a simple summer shoe (sandals, flip flops, etc. - anything open-toed works better than sneakers or ballet flats), a simple white top, and a neutral bag. You don't want to add in too many prints, or other pieces in crazy colors, or you'll end up overwhelming yourself and the look with too much competition for attention.

Especially if you're on the west coast (whoot-whoot, LA in three weeks!) you don't want to forget to get a pair of the high-waisted, studded Runwaydreamz jeans shorts that are trending so hard right now.

Pair them with a simple top, preferably tucked in, or a crop top to get the full effect. If the price point, about $150 per pair, doesn't quite do it for you, several brands are coming out with ripoffs. Try Levi's or check out Etsy to find a more budget-friendly option.

Just be careful if you're traveling in them - TSA probably won't love the studs as much as I do!

While we're on the rocks(ish) train of thought, statement necklaces are making yet another comeback. Seriously, it often doesn't make sense to get rid of items when they're dated - just wait a few years and they'll be in again!

This time, it's all about sparkle and stones, the bigger the better. While I was at my boss's house in Connecticut, prepping for a tech meetup that her startup hosts each month, we had Celebrity Apprentice running on the TV in the background (I know, I know - I love my boss). I can't find a picture of it now, but Teresa Giudice of the Real Housewives of New Jersey (guilty pleasure, much?) was rocking a really awesome statement necklace. My boss and I couldn't stop gushing over it.

The trick to pulling off the statement necklace, other than having strong shoulder and neck muscles to hold up all that bling, is to pair it with a solid colored dress or top. Again, you don't want too much competition or business in your outfit. Especially with this trend of oversized statement necklaces, it's easy to look like you dipped into your childhood collection of costume jewelry. If you're over the age of thirteen, that's probably not a good look for you. Keep it simple, keep it classy.

The last must-have on today's list (see how I'm limiting myself?) is, of course. a shoe. Life needs shoes. 

Or maybe that's just me. Is anyone else out there a shoe addict? Recovery is not in my future.

Much as I love ankle-breaker heels, we all know that heels + walking  = the ER. Summer often means internships or jobs or subway commutes and it's best to have comfy footwear. After all, ER visits aren't cheap and that's money you could be spending on more shoes!

Whoop-de-doo for us, thong sandals are super hot this summer!

While their super-flat footbeds may not be the best thing for our arches and backs, either, they're a good deal safer than stilettos. Whether you go with sleek and simple, like above, or with a more complicated or bedazzled design, the common requirement for pulling off this look is a good pedicure. I'm a big fan of red toenails, they just make me feel so much sassier and glam instantly!

Okay, now I just have to share my latest non-style discovery (and addiction) because it's just that good:

The Comeback!

Whyohwhyohwhyohwhy was there only one season? This became my insta-fave for tv and then I went to get the second season and GAH. 

Anyway, I just became a Lisa Kudrow fan. Do yourself a favor and watch it. Then cry when you realize there are no more episodes.

Seriously, though - Jersey Shore gets who-knows-how-many seasons and this only gets one? 

Life is unjust.

What are your favorite TV shows? That's a purely selfish question - I need ideas!

What are you hoping to add to your summer wardrobe this season?

What's your favorite season of the year for fashion?

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P28 High Protein Bread Review

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I've been seeing P28 High Protein Bread floating around in the blogosphere and have been super curious about it.

High protein bread? How does that work?

Answer: WELL. I shouldn't have been so surprised, considering the yumminess of high protein baked goods.

Anyway, this bread was fantastic!

We'll start with the stats, for those of you that are interested:

14 whopping grams of protein! Vegetarian love <3 And since I am a carboholic...

And the bread is sooo good. It's a little different than regular whole wheat bread - it has more chew. It also has a nuttier flavor (see the little seeds in there?) but I love it. I like it better than "normal" bread!

And the slices are nice and big (and thick) - not complaining! I don't like whimpy little slices of bread. :p

Do you like bread butts?


Have you ever tried P28 bread or bagels?

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Giveaway Winners!

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Good morning! I have something to make your Monday mornings a bit better - my Lemon and Orange NuNaturals Liquid Stevia giveaway winners!

HOLLIE (fueledbylolz)

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:3Powered by RANDOM.ORG

JILL

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:12Powered by RANDOM.ORG

CINDY (somepeoplethink)

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:6Powered by RANDOM.ORG

HANNAH (mindrunningwild)

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:15Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Get back to me (livinglearningeating (AT) googlemail (DOT) com) ASAP with your full name, phone number, and mailing address, so that we can get your stevia shipped out to you!

And if you need an idea for what to make with your stevia, check this out!

Happy Monday, everyone!

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NYC Realities : True or False Style

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Yippeedidoda, I'm a New Yorker! For a month - of course that counts, silly! :P

Anyway, here are some realities of life in New York (as learned by me in the full week and a half that I've been here).

True or False

1) It's 2AM, so of course it isn't acceptable for the decibel level on the streets to reach eardrum endangering levels.

FALSE.


2) Being female and in public AT THE SAME TIME is an open invitation for all manner of guys, ages 6 to 66, to hit on you in the most ridiculous ways.

TRUE. And preferably in a language that may/may not be rooted in English and/or have a functional grammar/spelling system.

3) Taking a cab anywhere (if you're lucky enough to actually CATCH a cab - they're an elusive species) is a great way to expand your vocabulary.

4) Remember how your parents used to tell you not to give money to beggars, because they might just want to use it for alcohol/drugs? The new breed just tell you from the get-go that that's what they want!

TRUE. But actually. And yes, people do give them money.

5) No matter where you live, paying rent will make you cry.

TRUE. Sadly, so very true.

6) You can wear anything in New York and people won't even think about it.

TRUE. But actually. I love it, though, it's so freeing - and New York ends up having the best people watching because of it! You don't even need cable here.

7) Balance Bar Yogurt Honey Peanut tastes delicious with a handful of craisins and mixed nuts.

True.

So very true.

Yum.

City, Country, or Suburbs - what's your favorite?

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Lemon Pudding

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I have a fantastic kitchen now and I haven't posted a new recipe in ages, so it's high time! Hannah wanted me to reinvent a pudding, so here goes!

Lemon Coconut Custard Puddding for One

1.25 c. full-fat coconut milk (Don't use almond milk/soy milk/rice milk/low-fat coconut milk, or this will turn out GROSS. As in, throw it down the garbage disposal gross - trust me).

1 Tbsp. Agar-Agar Flakes

1/4 Lemon

7 drops Lemon NuStevia

Pinch of Salt

1) Mix the coconut milk and Agar-Agar flakes in a pot. Let sit for a few minutes (3ish), then bring to a bil and simmer gently for 10 minutes. 

2) Let cool until it's gelled. I did this on a cool day, so I just let it sit out on the counter top. As it heads into high heat summer, however, you may want to put it in the fridge! 

3) Blend the gel (as in, in a blender) with the lemon, lemon NuStevia, and salt until more or less smooth.

4) Put it in the fridge for ~10 minutes.

5) Add whatever toppings you'd like (I had frozen berries and, post-picture, mixed nuts and crumbled crackers). ENJOY!

Quick, easy, healthy, and delicious - this pudding tastes like coconut custard pie, the kind with the tangy lemon layer, and is a great snack for summer!

Did you try it? How did you like it?

Do you like pudding?

What orange-flavored recipe do you want me to remake?

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QUEST BARS!

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HIP HIP HOORAY!

I've finally been approved as a Quest Bar affiliate! Which means y'all can officially order Quest Bars through LLE! Yaaaaaaaay!

 

Especially because they're so dang hard to find in stores (has anyone found them? I haven't. Thank goodness I can order them from myself now - teehee, I just did).

Ugh, I hate that the button flashes to 'get lean' - I feel like that's not what a bunch of my readers need to do. Too many of you are too darn lean already! But I guess that kind of pitching is inevitable with a bar with these kinds of stats. 

In case you need a refresher on why Quest Bars are so awesome, they have only ~2 grams of sugar, several of them are sweetened with stevia, they have ~18g of fiber each (a whopping 72% of your daily value!) and they really clean up for us vegetarians on the protein front - yup, that's 20g per bar.

But I don't eat things just for the nutrition. There is also the whole tasting-like-a-candy-bar-with-a-fudge-meets-salt-water-taffy-get-in-my-belly-awesome-consistency factor.

Here's a rundown of the flavors (feel free to check out my reviews for more in-depth flavor explorations):

Apple Pie

Chocolate Brownie

Chocolate Peanut Butter

Cinnamon Roll

Lemon Cream Pie

Mixed Berry

Peanut Butter & Jelly

Peanut Butter Supreme

Strawberry Cheesecake

Vanilla Almond Crunch

Happy eating! I want my order to hurry up and get here! :P

Have you tried Quest Bars?

Let me know if you have any problems ordering!

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Dance Like a LUNAtic

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Spring semester is over! But really - finals are over!

YAAAAAAAAY!

This is definitely cause for celebration. Which is why we should all take a moment to dance around like LUNAtics right now.

I know, I think I'm so witty with my wordplay and y'all are sitting in front of your computers yawning. Hopefully the delicious bars will make up for my silliness!

Bwahaha, story of my life.

Anyway, even though I have yet to try a regular Luna bar, I feel head over heels for Luna protein at first bite.

And they never disappoint. This chocolate cherry almond has that same creamy chocolate outside and chewy, nougaty inside that I so enjoy in the other bars:

But with a more grown up flavor. I thought the cherry would be more prominent, but it's actually more of a subtle side note to the predominant chocolate and almond flavors. I like it better this way!

Several people told me that I needed to try the cookie dough flavor.

So I did, of course. I mean, hello? It's a bar! As y'all know, I'm really into trying new bars!

Imagine a biiiig thing of Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie dough, dunked in more chocolate.

Yup - texture, taste, everything - it's just like that. Except for nutritional stats and how you feel after, of course! Love it. :)

But mint chocolate chip is still my favorite Luna Protein bar. These are all really good, but that is just the ultimate to me. If you haven't tried it, try it NOW.

Seriously. You can thank me later.

Do you like cookie dough? 


When is your last final exam of the semester?

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GIVEAWAY!

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This giveaway comes to us courtesy of the generous folks over at NuNaturals!

And it's super exciting because it's for two of their newest products! I definitely dropped some hints in the last post, but NuNaturals now has Lemon NuStevia and Orange NuStevia!

Do you know what this calls for? Yes, lots and lots of baking. Oh, my - in less than one week I'll have a kitchen in which to whip up yummy lemon-y and orange-y goodies! YAAAAAAAAY!

But for now, I tried the Lemon NuStevia in a cup of plain yogurt (with cinnamon - don't know why I added that, but it worked). Just a few drops turned my cup of plain yogurt into sweet and tangy, super flavorful, lemon yogurt! Only sugar free and still natural (unlike light flavored yogurts).

LOVE. IT.

Okay, I'll stop rambling and let y'all get to the part where you can win. There are going to be four winners from the continental United States. They CANNOT ship to PO boxes, so keep that in mind as you enter.

Please leave a separate comment for each of these, because each gets you an entry! Yaaay, more chances to win!

TO ENTER:


1) Follow Living, Learning, Eating through Google Friend Connect (right toolbar)

FOR ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:


2) Tweet "I just entered @LiveLearnEat's awesome NuNaturals stevia giveaway and you can, too!" with a link to this post.

3) Tell me what you want to make with the flavored NuStevia if you win AND what you want to see me make/make over!

4) Visit the NuNaturals Facebook page and like them!

The giveaway ends in one week. Please either check back then or leave your email address in your comment, so that you'll know if you won!

I can't wait to start baking up a storm with these next week!

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New Gluten Free Cookies from Nana's!

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For all of you who, like me, are now at the end of your reading period and have big scary exams next week (ahhh! the horror!) here's a sweet distraction.

Not like I need any more distractions. Instead of being a good pre-med and locking myself in my room to do orgo until my brain hurts, I have an exciting (to me) event today.

But being a good pre-med is overrated. I'd rather be sane and enjoy my varied interests. Which is not to say that I haven't been studying like a mad(wo)man.

I have.

Anyway, where's that distraction I promised you?

Tada!

Do you guys remember Nana's Cookies from my earlier review? Waaaay back when I'd just started LLE?

So okay, it's only been about 10 months - not quite a year yet. But still!

Anyway, Nana's Cookies are these amaaaazing gluten-free, whole-grain, refined-sugar-free, natural treats that moms can feel good about feeding their kids.

And heck, I can feel good about feeding myself. :P

Anyway, they have new cookies out! YAY! I love when my favorite companies make new stuff - innovation is exciting!

Especially when it's as delicious as these gluten-free lemon cookies. I don't foresee these staying in the prototype stage for very long! They're waaaaay too delicious to be this real.

But they are.

They're dense and buttery and really sweet, like the best gourmet mall cookies of your childhood. The lemon flavor is tart and fresh, the texture perfect.

This completely satisfied even my crazy sweet tooth. Thanks, Nana!

Oh, and speaking of new things (and lemons) stay tuned for a giveaway in the very near future!

What do you call your grandmother?


What's your favorite kind of baked good?


How do you prepare for major exams?

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