july 4th outfit

Happy July 4th everyone!  Today I am sharing one of my favorite outfits on the blog, along with my instagram account, which I advise you guys to follow to get the inside scoop on more outfits, recipes, and fun.  Keep on reading to see what I'm doing for the fourth, and to shop this outfit.

For the fourth, every year I like to change it up, whether that mean hit the pool, beach, or go to my family's annual grill out/party.  I'll be in town, enjoying the usual parade, delicious food, and of course fireworks.  

Just a little reminder for all of you with pets, many animals, especially dogs and cats do not like fireworks because of the sound.  Keep your dog/cat either inside or on a leash because many run away of July 4th.  I know my dog really doesn't like them, so make sure you have a close eye on your pup during the celebration!

the outfit

This is one of my favorite outfits, from top to bottom.  It's classic, preppy, just enough prep to make you feel like you're on Nantucket and on a boat or a model for Tuckernuck.  Lol, I wish for both of those things, but back to reality. I could wear this for any occasion, casual or not.  

The main staple of this outfit is the shirt.  The shirt is by Saint James, which is most often sold by either J. Crew or Tuckernuck.  Saint James sells a lot of striped shirts (pictured in one of my latest instagrams) all different styles, materials, and fits.  The one that I'm wearing is loose fitting.  Trying to find the same one online was difficult, because of the fact that there are so many options.  These are the two that I think are the most similar to the one I'm wearing.  Option 1   Option 2

These flowers!!

I have gotten a few questions about the ring that I am wearing, good news, I got it recently so it's not  "last season"yet and no longer being sold...score!  It was a spontaneous gift from my mom, and I love it.  It's really pretty and so simple.  I'd say it's the pearls of rings (if that makes any sense).  It's just classic and can be worn with almost anything.  It's from Pandora and you see it here. It would be a great present for anyone.

The bag, perhaps the most unique part of this outfit has got a little story behind it.  It's been passed down a generation to me, but before it lived a life holding art supplies and pastels and charcoals that created some amazing art done my own, talented mom.  I have always been behind the look (before every blogger in the world got into the trend).  Since mine is from a while back I'm not sure about the brand that made it, but from what I have read a lot of bloggers got their bag from Cult Gaia.  I looked at it and it looks like the natural color (the one I have) is on back order, so you can pre order instead.  Click here to see more and others color options.

I'm wearing some Old Navy white jeans.

For the shoes, to finish off this classic look, you need a pair of JRs. I am wearing their most popular color, platinum.  They are comfy for the most part and go with a lot of outfits.  Shop the Jack Rogers I'm wearing, here.

Hope you have a really great time on the 4th!

coffee talk vol. 1

Good morning!  Welcome to my new series called Coffee Talk!  I am so excited to introduce this to Lemon Designed.  Coffee Talk is just going to be a way for me to give you a little catch up on things going on, stuff I'm loving, or a personal update.  My first piece of news (below) is something I really, really think you watch.

some butternut squash soup right now would be to die for

I am a huge animal supporter and a friend sent me this article/video.  I forgot about it until two days ago, when I took the time to watch it.  Immediately I got chills and so happy.  This was the best 15 minutes of my whole week.  I recommend watching, in fact I am telling you to watch this miracle.

Some of you that already follow other may know that fashion blogger, Amy Havins, is having a baby and she's having a....boy!  Here's her post!

With some more baby news, another favorite blogger of mine, Julia of Lemon Stripes, is having a baby too!  And it's a...click here to find out! 

This story of this boy and his connection to his dog is simply sweet through something only they could bond together.  

Want some help with creating some party conversations? These seven tips are so great and something that's so helpful in meeting new people at events.

You know I love Anthropologie, but sometimes their stuff is just too expensive!  This earring DIY from Brit and Co is something fun to do on a rainy day! 

That's what's new!

//

energy bites

The other day I was looking for an energy bite recipe I had pinned awhile back because I thought I might have just enough ingredients.  Turns out I have a lot of pins (who knew?!) and I couldn't find it so I made my own.  I have no guide so I guess I would say it worked out! No, but really, they taste delicious and require basically no work at all.

All of my measurements are not exact, again I just measured in handfuls and pinches!!

What's inside?

bout a cup of peanut butter

chopped up almonds (amount up to you)

chopped up dark chocolate (amount up to you)

bout a cup of oats
1-2 tablespoon honey

What's on the outside?

coconut flakes

I ended up freezing them, then just keeping them in the fridge- unless I was planning on taking them somewhere with me. (I didn't want them to melt)

enjoy!

//

smoothie bowl with carrots

One of my favorite things about smoothies is that a lot of the stuff you put in you can't taste.  I really am not a huge fan of veggies alone, so I throw them into my smoothie and get the same benefit without tasting or eating them directly.

Look how good this looks!!

What's in it? 

 green apple

1/2 orange

cup of pineapple and juice

handful of blueberries

2-4 carrots

cup of greek yogurt

What's on top?

coconut flakes, blueberries, chia seeds 

 enjoy!

//

a new type of workout

Hello again!! I am so happy I am able to have a new post for the blog this week.  If you missed Wednesday's post click here to read up on my favorite smoothie bowl toppings.  I have really taken a liking, no loving, to smoothie bowls (a.k.a. a smoothie in a bowl with yummy toppings) They are so delicious and good for you, how could you say no?!  Keep following the blog for more healthy recipes. Want to shop this look? Keep reading to find out how.

Back to the topic of today's post, I really like to get in at least one good workout a day I mean, that's the goal, not saying it always happens. ;)   I get tired of always doing the same workout or running the same trail, whatever it is, so I get creative.  I don't do this all the time because to get results you have to continuously work on the same area of your body, but for a little fun you can do this.

Get ready... use the curb!

Curbs are all around and totally useful to get maybe a little quicker footwork for your dance moves at the next wedding, but the biggest ways curbs can be used is to get some fun cardio in.  I like to put on a playlist of a few songs that I'm loving and do different motions using the curbs.  Really there isn't a right or wrong way to use the curb, but here are my favorite routines I'll do.  

left foot up, right foot up - left foot down, right foot down

to: Surfin' U.S.A. (I do this one quickly with a few ten second breaks)

small box jump (just jumping onto the curb with both feet)

to: War by Edwin Starr

left foot up while right foot is down (going sideways)

then switch sides

to: Shout by the Isley Brothers

I just try to have fun with it and make up moves, but it is tiring!!

As far as these leggings and shoes, the leggings are from Old Navy.  They no longer carry this print but here are the same style leggings in solid colors .  They have so many more options too on their site.  Click here for all their legging options.  I got these Nike shoes at Dick's and could not be more pleased.  They are super comfy and go with everything.

 //

smoothie bowl toppings

So many times I put different toppings on my smoothie bowls and share them, along with the recipe with you.  I was thinking it would be fun to share some of my favorite toppings with you, while picking up some of my favorites at Target yesterday.  I always go for healthy or something a little sweet and a few things not included in the photo. Again, these are available at TArget.

+ Simply Balanced Vanilla Bean Granola

I love adding granola to my smoothie bowls because I think it makes it more like a parfait than anything else, especially with some fresh fruit mixed in.  I'm a really picky eater so I was happy that I found a granola I really like.  This one is sweet (and probably not the healthiest one you could get), but I like it.  They have an entire section at Target so you can get some granola that you love.

+ Chia Seeds

This was only the second time that I had gotten this "super food" (a.k.a. something popular and overpriced), but I have liked it.  I don't taste the seeds, although they do get stuck in my teeth a lot!  There are a lot of benefits including giving you a boost of energy, reducing heart diseases, and containing a lot of protein.

+ Sweet and Salty Topping

This was a trial, i got these for the first time and I don't think that I would get them again. I got these to add just a little bit of a salty mix to my smoothies, but I don't think it taste good, but you may like it if you like peanuts.  They aren't auctually healthy, but to be fair they were right next to all the ice cream toppings!!

+ Almonds

Almonds are sooo healthy for you and I like to snack on them, but they also add a nice crinch to your smoothie.  Numerous benefits, and if you don't like the crunch, just add them to your blender or do what I do and cover them in dark chocolate (good for the heart)! ;)

+ Honey

Not only is honey (especially local) good for you, but it adds a little sweetness to your smoothie.

+ Fruit

I love having little bits of unblended, fresh fruit in my smoothie bowl.  I normally like to keep the fruit frozen  because then the fruit doesn't get soggy (ugh).  It just gives the smoothie a nice little boost.

Hope you enjoy these tips.  If you follow @lemondesigned on instagram, I'm sure you saw the Talenti gelato that snuck into the picture!  I will have a review on that later this week.

//

apple and berry smoothie

Hello hello hello!  I have been so excited to share some new posts, starting with this fresh, new smoothie bowl recipe.  I have been super busy lately so it's so nice to get back to the thing I love sharing.  Something I think is so special is that I get to share me passion: sharing my writing about lifestyle, health, and style.  of course, with that I get to tell you guys my fav recipes I've made.  

With sharing my own recipes, you know that they were all made through trial and error.  (You should see my kitchen, after cooking!)  I really was going for a thicker consistency with this bowl, so I made it up previously in my blender and froze it overnight.  In the morning I pulled it out of the freezer and as you can imagine it was frozen solid, but I was in a hurry, so I didn't have time to thaw it. I tried all different things, and I eventually started cutting the frozen smoothie out and placing it in the blender.  I accidentally cut through my tupperware container, so I would recommend letting it thaw, just for a minute or two first.

Anyways, after I just all the frozen pieces back into the blender, I added a little bit of water and blender it up.  Perfection!!  Although I lost a nice container to it the smoothie was the perfect, cold, thick, but not too thick texture and it was delish!  Of course, even in a rush, I didn't go through all that work, just to not have or take a picture!  I snapped this beaut below and ate it up!

Apple and Berry Smoothie

By: Lemon Designed

one green apple

six to eight strawberries

cup of greek yogurt

half cup of blackberries

half cup of raspberries

half cup of water

If you don't freeze your fruit, I recommend adding ice.

Blend it up and enjoy, or freeze over night, blend in the morning and enjoy a frozen treat!

//