"A bargain is something you can't use at a price you can't resist." - Franklin P. Jones

Today I went shopping. And It. Was. Great. Please see the evidence below:

Do you see all of those irresistible products and prices?? Normally when I shop, I tend to skip over all of the accessories in favor of trendy pieces to add to my wardrobe, but today, I broke the mold and went accessory wild! From makeup to headbands to scarves to jewelry, contrary to the quote I chose for today, I feel like I actually added necessary items to my fashion repertoire. And let's be honest, those dresses at those prices? How is a girl to pass by?

So to all those who are curious, my final total was just around $70 for 15 items, and that's an average of $4.60 per item! Everything I purchased today was on super sale, ranging from 40% - 75% off the original price. So does that mean when people ask, I can coyly say my cocktail dress was $4.60? Nah... that may not look so classy, but its definitely a great deal for my wardrobe and my wallet!

Happy Friday everyone!

"Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein

Yesterday was one of those days, lemme tell ya! The heat has officially gone to my head here in New Orleans, clouding even the simplest of thoughts and decisions.

For example, yesterday morning, I stared blankly in front of my closet, wondering what I could possibly wear that would be appropriate for class, but would also keep me cool throughout the day. So I thought to myself, ah yes, a breezy skirt should be perfect. And I will ride my bike, and every thing will be glorious and magical, just like the movies:

Photo Courtesy: Rafaella | Flickr

WRONG. Instead of making my way to campus, hair and skirt peacefully blowing in the wind, I'm pretty sure in my attempt to refrain from flashing the world, I ended up looking something like this:

Photo courtesy: Flickr

Yup, it was one of those days! But, after a frantic phone call to my mom to talk me off my ledge, I walked the bike back to my apartment, threw on a pair of shorts, got back on the bicycle, and slowly but surely rode my way to class. Yes, I was 45 minutes late, but the point is, I kept moving. And as much as I wanted to give up, skip class and crawl back into bed, I regained my balance, and it actually turned out to be a pretty good day.

"Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon." -Doug Larson

I don't talk politics too often, but I'm just going to put it out there: I love Michelle Obama. And hence, I love this campaign. This morning, The New York Times reported the release of MyPlate (above), the new and improved "food pyramid" which is a part of the first lady's anti-obesity campaign. I don't know about you, but when I was growing up, I never memorized the food pyramid. In fact, I've always found it a bit confusing, and therefore, generally chose to ignore it. Now, that's not to say I just ate cake and candy all day (I wish!), but my proportion of grain to protein to fruits and vegetables is surely not always accurate.

Courtesy ThisNext.com

A few years ago, I saw an advertisement for "portion plates" which have strategically placed decorations on them to encourage portion control (right). How great is that? Some of the plates have words on them so as to relieve any confusion at all, but in general, I think it's a brilliant guide to eating healthier.

So, I say congrats to Michelle Obama and the USDA for capitalizing on this simple, yet creative, and hopefully effective method for teaching kids (and adults!) how to properly fuel their bodies. With portion control, healthy foods, and daily exercise, I look forward to our country's improved health and longevity!

For more information on this campaign, visit www.choosemyplate.gov

P.S. Don't you love the quote? SO TRUE. Mmmm Bacon...

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." - Stacia Tauscher

Logo of the New Orleans-based non-profit organization ERACE

Last week, through my internship with ERACE, I had the incredible opportunity to lead and listen as over 40 tenth grade students engaged in discussion about racism. I'm not going to lie, as a twenty-something White girl, I was nervous about trying to incite a conversation about racism with 15 to 18 year-old African American girls and boys. As my co-leader and I led three, one-hour discussions, I was consistently the only White person in the room, with the exception of maybe the students' teacher. I thought to myself (and then later got semi-called out by one student), who am I to be in this high school, leading a discussion on racism? 

Yet, as tough as the first ten minutes of the session went - eyes staring blankly at the front of the room, heads on tables, comments mumbled under breath - the last ten minutes was truly enlightening. True, some students never got into it, which I don't blame them, I don't think I did either in my first discussion. However, those that did really had something to say, which is why I chose today's quote to represent the importance of these students.

Some people look at these children and think they can predict their future. But after talking to those kids, no one will be predicting their future besides them. The message became clear by the end of the day: LISTEN. Listen when they say they haven't been as mischievous as one might believe; Listen when they say they want to go to college; Listen when they say they can prove society wrong and that they will.

To learn more about this experience and other ERACE initiatives to open up the dialogue about racism, Click the Web Site HERE.

*Special Note: These are my views on my personal blog and do not represent the views of the ERACE organization as a whole.

"No [wo]man needs a vacation so much as the person who just had one." - Elbert Hubbard

Amen to that! Today's quote is inspired by the fact that my brain is here:

Gulf Shores Beach | Photo: Rachel DeHayes

In the past few weeks, I have been on vacation, traveling from New Orleans to Orlando to Miami back to Orlando back to New Orleans to Gulf Shores Beach and finally staying put for a bit in New Orleans. Now, my vacation is technically over, but I can't seem to get out of that mindset! I'm back in school and back to work, but my brain is in la-la-land. Maybe it's because the weather is sunny and beautiful, maybe it's because we're entering into this lackadaisical season we call summer, or maybe it's because I'm just plain burnt out. Regardless, it is because of my lack of focus these days that I've been hesitant to write. However, today it hit me that perhaps writing will help get my brain back into the swing of things. So here I am blogosphere! I'm sorry I abandoned you briefly, but we're back.

Thanks for hanging in there friends, and stay tuned for more posts!

"The summer night is like a perfection of thought." - Wallace Stevens

This quote gave me the chills, I think it is so beautiful. Growing up in Florida, I can think of very few things I'd rather do than eat Key Lime Pie on the beach on a summer evening. Perfection.

For many across the country, it is still a tease of Spring; but for me, it is pretty much full-on Summer! I'm headed out on a vacation back to my home state for a family visit in Orlando and then a college reunion in Miami. So, as I pack, the only thought on my mind is INSERT ME HERE:

Florida Keys Sunset | Photo by Rachel DeHayes

Happy (almost) Summer!

"There is no spectacle on earth more appealing than that of a beautiful woman in the act of cooking dinner for someone she loves." — Thomas Wolfe

Probably until yesterday, I would have scoffed at this Thomas Wolfe quote and called it sexist. Today, I still believe that there are many spectacles on earth more appealing than that of a woman in the kitchen, but I can admit that I see his point. I've never really envisioned myself as a future homemaker - instead, often imagining myself in high heels and power suits clicking along the busy city sidewalk to get to my next meeting - but with the time I've had off this past week, I began to dabble in some of those homemaking duties. Cleaning aside, because let's be honest, I find cleaning and organization a stress coping mechanism, I've mostly been doing a lot of cooking!

It started with a grocery shopping fail: stocking up on perishables when I forgot I'd be leaving for vacation. I had all of these delicious ingredients in my house with no time to eat them, so I began cooking for others. Somehow over a few short days, I accomplished a beautifully medium rare roast beef with roasted potatoes, a spring pasta salad, spinach stuffed chicken rollatini with olive oil dressed pasta, and a homemade banana bread. And it all felt great. I definitely value the effort many women put in to making a lovely home for their families, because knowing that you are cooking for someone who is truly appreciative really does feel good. 

Joy of Baking Easy Banana Bread Recipe - It's so easy, I had all the ingredients around the house!

1 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated white sugar

1 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

3 ripe large bananas, mashed well (about 1-1/2 cups)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees; butter (or spray) and flour 9 x 5 x 3 baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nuts (toasting optional). In a separate bowl, combine eggs, butter, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract. Lightly fold the wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients. Batter should not be smooth, but thick and chunky. Scrape batter into pan, and bake between 55 and 60 minutes until the bread is golden brown. Test the bread with a toothpick to make sure it is done. Rest pan on a cooling rack, remove bread, and serve! 

I'm going to continue to enjoy my stint as a homemaker before I get back to the grind of school and work. But now I know, I guess I do have a little bit of Betty Crocker meets Desperate Housewife in me after all!