On the Menu

I am going to do something that has been done before.
But, not by me.

                                                 ***

I am excited to start a new 'series' that encompasses two of my favorite things.
Food.
food. 
food. 
food.

Oh, and fashion, I guess.
I got sidetracked.



I will be creating posts that pair a new recipe I have tried with an outfit specifically assembled to compliment the dish.




Now, I do plan on posting recipes that worked out for the better...but I cannot promise that I won't pass on my own personal {kitchen disaster} here and there. Laughing is healthy.




Stay tuned!

Here's a taste into what the first post will entail...

And, I used to think the 80s were fashion-less. 

That Time I Lived in TX.

One year. I lived in Texas for a year. It was brutal.

Wait.


I love Texas...I have no qualms with its 'colorful' language, numerous taco houses, huts, casas, bells...the quirky smiles on lower Greenville, the stereotypical and truly unreal big hair...I enjoyed it all. It was an adventure. 

I remember driving away, the day after Christmas, over 4 years ago. I was in my little coupe, next to my fiance with the trunk fuller than it should have been with my clothes, picture frames, and other things I did not really need.

What I forgot to take with me was the most important thing. Call it maturity, call it being myself, call it bravery.

I was excited, beyond excited to start a new chapter. Then the new chapter started and it sucked. I was scared, and upset and I crawled into a cave. Sadly, I crawled into that cave during what could have been a joyous time in my life. 
But, there is a happy ending to this tale.

***

I have wonderful friends and an amazing family, but I did not turn to them when things got harsh. I had a knack for wrapping myself in old band aids and calling it a day. Gross. 
I shut off from everyone back home and wallowed in high times and very low times, there was no grey area in Texas.

We went on fun excursions and silly trips. We saw movies and ate amazing food. I loved spending time with his family. I met some crazy awesome people at a great job. We were in love and completely immature. We fought in ways I never saw us fighting. We acted out in pain and chose hurtful words. In the midst of happy times there are painful memories that I am okay with fading away.

Let's not forget, this has a happy ending, remember?

I don't feel the need to go into more detail at this point, but Texas treated me well, and I did not return the favor.

***

I moved back home and resumed my classes and got a new job. I mended relationships and accepted my family's comforting words. My (now husband) and I were fine, we really were, but we needed this time to grow.

We matured incredibly. We still act like children at times, but shew whee did we need this. 

I appreciate my family, friendships, and home more than I ever could have before. 

I realize the importance of relationship variety and how not just maintaining, but treasuring these gifts is so necessary.

We learned how to better love one another, and also what needs to come first. We were not walking with the Lord in Texas. Sure, we went to church here and there but our attempts at living our faith were weak and pathetic. 

We can't imagine, now, being in a relationship together without keeping the Lord at our center. We have fostered new and "old" friendships that help keep us aware of this goal...we have family that cares about us and we are extremely thankful.

When I thought back to Texas I would feel overwhelmed with anxiety and grief. It was a dark and sad memory. Now, I understand why I had to have this experience. Why we needed to have this experience. We have so much more respect for each other today.

I remind myself daily, that hardships do not have to be in vain. Use them. We will have more, we will go through seasons, but look what we can accomplish with God's help and guidance. I hate fear with a passion and I...we will no longer let it rule our actions.

***

Woah, Allison, why such a serious post? Because. I am a talker, but this is one thing I have never been able to truly talk about. So, instead of renewing my lease in that cave, I brought it out in the open. A much more positive move, don't you think?


We absolutely love visiting Texas and my husband's family, we genuinely wish we could go more often. I love that Texas is "back" to being the place where we dated, where my shopping issue is at full throttle, and the place where my husband and I have truly happy memories.

xoxo

{Be on the lookout for one of my favorite looks inspired by my fond memories of Texas} 

I'm Back..With Some Very Exciting News!

I disappeared!

Thank goodness I found myself again.

Phew.

Can I still apologize? Or is it too late for that...Will you take me back?

I broke my foot running, and then I decided that wasn't enough and tore a ligament in my right knee.

I did this running too soon after my boot came off. (Didn't she post about patience one time?)

Yes, yes she did, and I am learning my lesson in patience the hard way, but I am learning, I try to make that the point.

I also got an internship! 
I am still working/styling at Mosaic, but I am also a collections intern at a museum here, and I. LOVE. IT. I sneeze a lot, but mostly I am happy to be surrounded by tangible history on a daily basis.

So, things have been cooky, to say the least.

I am still married, Jake hasn't quite had enough of my crazy just yet.

..................................................................................

What I am really (really really really) excited to share with you is that I am going to be back at it 110% starting with...

Warby Parker recently contacted me to help them launch their Winter Collection!

If you are not sure who they are, Warby Parker is a fashion forward sunglasses and prescription eye-wear line/website. (Check them out here).

I am beyond grateful to be a part of their big launch, it is going to be very exciting! 

The official Winter Collection debut is tomorrow, the 4th. I plan on posting late morning/early afternoon. 

...................................................................................

I am still not able to run, so you may get some off the wall posts here and there. I have given you fair warning. Thanks for not leaving me, and I'll see you here tomorrow!

XoXo

Impatient Patience

Silly title? Maybe...but I am a self-declared and well accepted walking and talking oxymoron.

*I break my foot and then fall again on crutches.

*I tell everyone I am learning patience through all of this, and I am pretty much lying to (the inside of) my face.

*I tell myself I can still do upper body and core workouts, with a super positive and happy voice. Then I do them for the first week, and say, ehhh.

C'mon now. 

My situation is not bad. Not even all that stinky. 

*I have read 3 books. 

*I have watched some sweet movies (yes, I totally will take that as a positive right now).

*I am re-teaching myself the discipline of making my lunches and dinners over quick and easy meals.

*My husband and I are forced to communicate in different ways, as I am pretty much home most of the time (aside from work, and the occasional times I am "allowed" to venture out on my hobble foot).

*My dog is ECSTATIC about this new arrangement of me not leaving her.

As hard or difficult I may think a moment is, it is just that: a moment. 

I have decided to conquer a few health goals at the same time. Not the greatest idea, but like I told a friend the other day, "most of my goals were fitness related before, and now they simply cannot revolve around that."

So, I am trying to do as many (girl) push-ups as I possibly can. But, I am also taking the time to check off a few other things on my list. One of those is, again, making wholesome meals, which is not as hard as I had made it out to be in my head. Another is to decrease the amount of medicine in my body. This is a pretty personal one, so if you have any questions concerning this please do not hesitate to message or email me, I am happy to discuss.

When you make changes for/to your body, it is not going to be easy. 9 times out of 10 it is going to feel like a struggle. But, those 9 times out of 10 are also totally worth it. I am proving to my body that it can heal itself. That I can overcome fears and anxieties that once plagued my everyday.

Broken foot? Yeah, it does suck. I really want to go for a run. Do some squats. Rollerblade. Anything at this point. But, is God telling me to "wait, a minute" and pay attention to some other aspects of my life? You bet.

Now, go on a walk/run for me..mail me the burned calories and I'll see you out there in 6 weeks ;)

Breakfast Cupcakes: Part II

I hate throwing food away. My mom always taught me to finish my plate. Now that I am spending "my" own money it hurts to toss food that has spoiled, expired, etc. Especially produce; or things that are expensive (i.e. nuts of any kind).

So, on my day off I decided to create something delicious from some elderly bananas in our fridge ;) 
Viola! 

I also had some pecans and raisins in the pantry that needed some overdue TLC.


Add a few shakes of cinnamon and you have:



Stout Banana Muffins
Makes 12-15 muffins

2-3 overly ripe bananas mashed
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup Stevia brown sugar
1/2 cup Fage Total 0% Greek yogurt
1 egg
1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups whole wheat or oat flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp EACH of baking powder and soda
A couple shakes of salt
A couple handfuls of whole or chopped raw pecans.
Handful of raisins. 

Prepare your muffin pan for the deliciousness that is to come.

Preheat oven to 375. 

Mix above listed ingredients, use your muscles. Flex a little whole lot.

Drop batter into muffin pan and bake for 15-17 minutes.

I kept the recipe pretty simple so that you can have fun with toppings (but they are great alone too). For example: chocolate chips, peanut butter, almond butter, Nutella, Biscoff, or just plain butter- which was my husband's weapon of choice.



Enjoy! I have averaged 2.5 daily. Really, Allison?.. should have doubled the recipe.

Breakfast Cupcakes: Part 1

Muffins. Cute word. But, does it get your family and friends willing to do your dishes for one? Maybe. BUT, say the word "cupcake" and you are bound to have an infestation of hungry bellies.

Today I am going to share my latest "breakfast cupcake" venture: Banana Fudge.

I had sweet little bananas that had seen better days, so I scoured for recipes to turn them into something amazing. I found a few I liked, then changed some details to turn them into what I devoured after dinner last night...and breakfast, this morning.

They are roughly 100 calories, no added sugar (option), fibertastic, and most importantly, delicious!


Banana Bread Double Fudge Muffins: 

1 egg
1/3 cup Fage Total 0% or 2% Greek yogurt
1/4 cup Truvia Brown Sugar Blend or regular brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 medium or large mashed bananas
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or regular WW flour, oat flour, or spelt flour)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cocoa powder (I used regular the first time, but Hershey's Special Dark make them extra yummy)

Optional:

Chocolate chips
Peanut butter

{Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix wet ingredients, then gradually add dry ingredients. Grease muffin pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. Will make 6-8 large to medium sized muffins or double mini-muffins.}


I admit, I topped mine with some peanut butter; Nutella would be awesome too. 

Enjoy!

IIlegal Sprinkles

Oops! I may have prematurely welcomed spring-time back into Mosaic a little soon.
Just as we were entering 'blizzard' territory I was dressing the ladies for a nice walk in the park picking posies.

I actually had to close the shop early that day because of the inclement weather.

Bah.

Nature doesn't have a rule book...why should fashion have such strict seasons?

This is just a little mild taste of what is to come in the shop, hope you enjoy!

Right: Caramel H&M shift dress...80s yellow knit...Zigi Soho sneakers, 70s plastic and metal bangle necklaces, Almay color palette. 















Left: H&M deep teal cotton dress, GAP floral button-down, Steve Madden leather booties, Ulta matte lip color.

I guess I should go make some mojitos, make a fruit salad, or go for a swim.

Please don't ruin my denial. 

Now, Fashion Post...Later, Cookies.

It's Autumn! And, not just on the calendar, but outside too.

Goodness, do we need to list off all the reasons this is such a treasured time of the year?
A.K.A. it would need more than just this post ;)


Fall Fashion Preview:

Vintage dove grey leather boots...80's glass and marble earrings via my eclectic Grandma...handmade felt cobalt scarf (knotted as the crop top)...Hunter's Run knit loose fit vest...Pendleton wool skirt...and a pretty awesome gold plated horse pin.

Enjoy!

What's to Come

*Rock 'n' Roll Cleveland Half Marathon race report

*Iced Pumpkin Cookies recipe

*"Fall into Fashion" Mosaic ed.

                             *Training changes for my half marathon on November 30th

*Homemade turkey noodle and veggie soup recipe

                                                             *Fitness Friday!

Check back later today :)

MM via Runsforcookies

These posts on Katie's blog always help to get my week off to a great start :)

Enjoy!

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Motivational Monday #29

Today marks the four year anniversary of when I started to lose weight (this final time). I'd attempted to lose weight dozens of times before, and I really thought it would be no different this time. Surprisingly, over the next 16 months, I lost 125 pounds. I also became a runner, which was something I never imagined in my wildest dreams.

It's so strange to think that just four years ago, I was 253 pounds, I'd never run a mile in my life, and I was binge eating several times a week. I was ashamed of who I'd become, and even more ashamed that I couldn't make myself get it together (if not for myself, then for my family).

I feel like I'm a completely different person today, but I know I wouldn't be "me" if I hadn't gone through all that I did. The person I was in 2009 made me who I am today, and I'm very happy with who I am now. I'm not perfect; never will be! But I wouldn't change anything.

August 19, 2009 vs. August 19, 2013

I'll probably write more about this tomorrow. I didn't want to take away from Motivational Monday!

---

Allison's husband, Jake, has always supported her as a runner--going to her races, and cheering her on from the sidelines--but wasn't a runner himself. Allison recently confided in him that she was very nervous about her second half-marathon in October. Her training and eating habits were suffering, and she worried she may not even be able to finish the race if she continued on like that. In order to calm her fears, and offer even more support, Jake decided to run the half-marathon with her in October! He's progressing in his training very well, and even admitted that he kind of enjoys running ;)

---

On Mother's Day, Lindsay's son, Cody, told her that he wanted to run a 5K race. She was thrilled, because she and her husband, Bill, had just completed a half-marathon. The three of them signed up for The Color Run on July 20th, and Cody was very happy to train for the race. Just a week before the race, Lindsay and Bill were in a horrific motorcycle accident (a truck carrying bales of hay had some come loose, and one hit Bill in the face, causing the accident). They both spent time in the hospital, with multiple injuries. Cody, bless his heart, didn't want to run the 5K without them; but Lindsay told him he should go ahead and do it for his daddy (who was still unconscious). He ran the 5K, and had a great time! Lindsay and Bill are both recovering, and she says they can't wait to get back to running so that they can run a race together.

---

Colleen and her husband went on an 11-mile hike. She said there were SO many times they were ready to call it a day, but they kept going, and it was totally worth it!

---

You may remember Dean from when he ran his first 5K in April, and then when he ran his first 10K. He's been in the process of losing weight and training for the Detroit Half-Marathon in October, and I love that he's updating his progress! Anyway, Dean had 10 miles on the schedule, and he was having a great run; so great, that he decided to run an extra 5K and call it a half-marathon! ;)  He's now down 60 pounds, too!

---

After spending three years battling the ups and downs of weight loss, Katie finally reached her goal weight at Weight Watchers! She's very excited (and a little nervous) to finally be at the maintenance phase of her journey. The first pic was from 2010, and the second is a current picture.

---

Laura just ran her first 5K on Saturday! It was the Run or Dye race, and she said it was the perfect pick for a first race, because she had so much fun. She just started the Couch to 5K about 5 weeks ago, and was able to run almost the entire 5K distance during the race!

---

Rhonda (left in photo), and her friend, Margene, just completed the Iron Girl Seattle triathlon! Rhonda set a PR (and a new goal for next year), and Margene took second place in her age division of 70-74!

---

Schellen just completed her first 5K race! She (obviously) did The Color Run, with a combination of running and walking. Six months ago, she was too self-conscious to run in front of people at the gym, let alone in public; but at The Color Run, she ran along with 10,000 other people!

---

Kara had an 18-miler on the schedule for her marathon training, so she ran the Hobble Creek Half-Marathon in 1:56:25 (very close to a PR!), and THEN followed up with five more miles to get in all 18!

Outfit of the Week

Ah, I brought back the intermittent 'outfit of the week' posts. Although it has been overdue, JOUIR DE!

All items can be found at Mosaic, currently, so hurry!

(Pictured: Big Star denim skirt, Rue 21 sparkle tank, retro leopard zip up, vintage pearl strand, Urban charm necklace, and cargo green Keds)

What's New: In Photographs

At Mosaic:

 

Our 1 year anniversary in 2 days:

 

TEXAS:

 

Graduation, finally:

 

Gaining weight...oh well, it was because this tastes so dang good:

 

Training for my first HALF!: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/312925094- my last long run before Sunday's race :)

 

 

So...What does all this mean? It means I am sorry for being absent for A MONTH. Geez. That is pretty bad. I was running around trying to remember my name while training and graduating and flying on an airplane, but I have missed posting and am excited to get back into it! The race I am running is the Cleveland (Rite Aid) Marathon/Half Marathon, which my brother and husband will be cheering for me at with doughnuts in hand (their quote). I hope you have been enjoying this dazzling weather, I promise I will see you soon, xoxo.

 

Internship Piece No. 3 Continued: Flashback; 80s Chic?

Can the 1980s really be labeled as chic? Some would argue yes and some would not even consider that more than a bad joke. Personally, yeah I know no one asked, but I used to really "dislike" the 80s fashion, trends, ect. But, I have learned you can find the good in anything, and I have actually come to really appreciate and have fun with some 80s shenanigans (aka off the shoulder please).

The red, gold beaded dress shown before is without label. But, I can tell you by the shoulder padded, inverted pyramid silhouette, and over-beaded extravaganza that this garment is...an 80's baby. This type of shape had overtaken the era, along with teased hair, leggings, Member's Only jackets, and fingerless gloves. Could I see someone rocking with dress with some black, lace, Madonna-esque gloves? Period, yes. 

It takes a brave soul to take on this lady. The piece has a gorgeous, just cut out enough, v-dropped back and long sleeves. It is way more than do-able though. Pair with some half heeled ankle booties, throw up the hair, and maybe a gold bangle or two and strut. Why not play up with red with some bold lips and remember not to forget the extra layer of mascara. If you're gonna do it might as well go all out!

This number is a size medium and is available at Mosaic for $35 :)

xoxo.

Too Much

 

I apologize to you just too much. But, I am sorry for taking a very long and extended pause from blogging. I have so much fun info backlogged it's silly! It's the last couple of weeks before finals, and being almost graduated...it has been just a smidge busy ;) Thank you for your patience and I have a neat post coming your way! I am also scheduled to run...I don't want to today for some reason, but let's hope I tell you later that it was a super inspiring run...mmhmm...
Anyways, have a wonderful rest of your morning and I WILL see you later, xoxo.