~ snow day ~

As a Florida girl, the closest I've ever come to seeing snow is seeing a snowy mountain peak from inside a Salt Lake City airport.  So when I woke up to freezing rain I got SUPER excited!  Later this afternoon it turned into sleet, but it's frozen water so I'm just gonna count that as snow.

*for those of you who live up north, please excuse my ramblings over a little bit of ice*

{my first time making a snowball!}

{taking a walk with my lovely mama}

Though there was only a small amount, I loved it!  But it made me appreciate studying and snuggling with the kitten in a warm house even more.

What's the weather like where you are?  

xoxo,

Eliza

~ black and white ~

I love bright colors, don't get me wrong, but once in a while it's refreshing to stick to a black/white/beige color palate.  So a few days ago, with the help of my grandmother's coat, I stuck to my usual policy regarding pattern (LOUD, LOUD, LOUD) while keeping to my new color scheme...

{gap jeans, gap top, vintage coat, old navy flats, F21 hat}

Unfortunately it's now too cold to wear anything but layer and layers of sweater, three pairs of socks, leggings under jeans, a puffer vest, thick jacket, scarf, gloves, and hat.

{coat from my awesome mama, gap sweater}

Today I kept with the black/white theme but added a touch of red lipstick to warm me up (it didn't warm me up at all but at least I felt like I was doing something...)

And since Florida is expecting snow tomorrow, school got canceled - that means I don't even have to get out of my pajamas, can watch movies all day, snuggle with a kitten, and eat peanut butter cookies.  I can't think of anything better than that!

Hope you're all keeping relatively warm!

xoxo,

Eliza

~ coincidences ~

I believe things happen for a reason, that if something's meant to be, it'll happen, and that you can do everything you want to do, just not at the same time.

My life has been a series of strange "coincidences."  I put that word in quotes because I'm not entirely sure that I believe in them, but I can't think of another word that fits.  If so-and-so hadn't told me about that opportunity then I wouldn't have applied for the position, and if I hadn't gotten the position then I wouldn't have met so-and-so, and if I hadn't met them then I most likely wouldn't have figured out what I want to do with my life.  Sometimes the universe puts the right people in your path.  You just have to be brave enough to talk to them.

Sometimes I get really frustrated because I feel like my life is at a standstill.  But maybe it's just the universe getting things ready for my next chapter.  Or maybe I need to look around, and make sure my next adventure isn't just waiting for me to see it.

"If a train doesn't stop at your station then it's not your train."

~ Marianne Williamson 

xoxo,
Eliza

~ making waves ~

Thanks to a recent theater production, I've had to put the blogging on the back burner.  My outfits as of late have consisted of leggings, yoga pants, ballet flats, and huge sweaters (gasp!) and my life has been nothing but studying, eating, sleeping, and rehearsing.

The musical is set in the late 1920s, so I get to go crazy with my hair and makeup!

This was my first attempt at doing finger waves, but it won't be my last.  I love them!  

My inspiration was, of course, the lovely Myrna Loy...

For my nails, I did a classic half moon manicure (although I forgot to do the top portion of the half moon - oops!)

My playlist has been full of my favorite 1920s music and I've pulled out my vintage 20s dress to charleston around my room on more than one occasion.  

Now it's time to wash the hairspray out of my hair, get some sleep, and then do it all again tomorrow!  Goodnight, everyone.

xoxo,
Eliza

~ cigarette pants ~

I love cigarette pants.  They're the perfect mix of dressy and casual.  But because my measurements are ridiculously difficult, I haven't yet purchased any vintage ones for fear of them not fitting just right - I'd hate to have a beautiful pair of vintage pants in my closet and be able to do nothing but stare longingly at them.

So for now, I'll make do with modern styles!

{I was going for a look that was a little bit beatnik, a smidge of Katherine Hepburn, and a whole lot of French librarian}

I've found that both Gap and Target have good (and affordable) styles, but unfortunately they aren't high waisted.  I'd love to find a red pair, or better yet, polkadotted!

{Audrey Hepburn rocks the monochrome look}

{Sandra Dee prefers leopard print}

The foolproof sweater+cigarette pants+ballet flats combo is great when you want to feel pulled together but don't have a lot of time on your hands...

So it's time to search the thrift shops, vintage clothing stores, and my favorite etsy shops for that perfect pair of pants!  I know they're out there somewhere...

xoxo,

Eliza

~ drowning in pink dresses ~

Nothing cheers me up quite like a pile of fluffy pink dresses.  And VINTAGE dresses, at that!  They say laughter is the best medicine, but sometimes all it takes is playing dress-up and listening to big band music.

That's what I did today.

I am beyond thankful for two aunts who kept their prom dresses from the 50s and 60s, and a grandmother who meticulously kept everything clean, and carefully tucked away in a cedar chest. 

I am also thankful for the vintage gods, who either kept me the same size or made my favorite vintage dress bigger.  Purchased around 2007 or 08, worn to a wedding, quickly outgrown, and miraculously the right size a few years later.

So the next time you're feeling down, try out the above technique, and listen to Mr. Hemingway...

Keep your head up!  Oh and Happy National Hat Day, everyone!!  Expect to soon be bombarded with photos of all my favorites.

xoxo,

Eliza

~ little things ~

01. today's outfit

{gap sweater layered over gap long sleeved t, target jeans, target shoes}

02.  a pretty floral entrance way via my pinterest

03.  sometimes your shoes match gum on the sidewalk so you have to stop and take a picture

04. a beautiful sunset on the drive home from class

05.  homemade vegan cabbage spring rolls and sweet potato fries for dinner (recipe coming soon...)

06. my motto for 2014.  What's yours?

xoxo,

Eliza

~ summer in january ~

This past Friday I received a pretty blue package in the mail....

My beautiful new Esther Williams bathing suit from Modcloth!  I ripped open the package in the car on the way to rehearsal and then had to wait four hours until I was home and could try it on - it fits like a glove!  I cannot wait until the first beach trip of the summer.

Now if only warm weather was right around the corner....

xoxo,

Eliza

~ living vegan 02 ~

So here it is!  The first recipe in my Living Vegan series...

Tofu, Peas, and Roasted Vegetables

This simple recipe could be a lunch or dinner and it's my favorite quick meal.  Got vegetables?  Got tofu?  Got an oven?  You're pretty much set!

Some vegan cooking basics:

Tofu is one of those things that soaks up any flavor that you marinate it in.  I like to use low sodium soy sauce, garlic, and black pepper, but try anything you like!  Tofu is a good experimental food.

01. Start by preparing the roasted vegetables and preheating the oven to 350 or 375, depending on how hot your oven gets.  I used potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots, but you can really use any vegetable that doesn't fall apart when roasted.  Beets, carrots, any kind of potato, brussel sprouts, and asparagus work really well.  

02. cut the vegetables into equally sized chunks, throw them into a good sized roasting pan (large enough so that the veggies aren't crowded), drizzle some extra virgin olive oil on them, add some black pepper, and toss until they're well coated.  

03.  While the oven is preheating, open up a package of firm tofu, drain out the liquid, and slice it into as many pieces as you like (for one person, I usually use two pieces).  Fold a few paper towels over the pieces of tofu and gently press down to squeeze the liquid out.  Now, get a bowl or plate and mix the marinade (no measurements here - just use common sense.  I always accidentally use too much, but save the excess for drizzling over the peas before you eat!), and place the pieces of tofu into it.  Once a few minutes have passed, flip the tofu over to coat the other side and then let them be until you're ready to cook them.

04.  If you are cooking beans or peas to go along with the meal, go ahead and get started on them now!  It's a general rule that store bought beans/peas take a shorter amount of time to cook than if they're homegrown or purchased from a farmer's market.  

05.  When the oven is preheated (and it most likely will be by now) go ahead and stick the roasting pan and veggies in.  I like to let them cook for 10-15 minutes, then toss them with a spatula so they can roast on the other side.

06.  When the roasted veggies are done or close to being done, heat up a pan on the stove (I like to start out on high heat and then turn it down to medium high), and add a bit of light olive oil (too much oil = slippery tofu).  When the pan is heated, place the tofu in it, let the pieces brown on one side and then flip them over.  

Et voila!  When you've fixed your place, take some of that tofu marinade and drizzle it over the peas/bean, and you have a perfect meal!

Try it out and let me know what you think!  And I'd love to hear how you marinate your tofu.

xoxo,

Eliza

~ little things ~

I can't wait until summer.  I know, I know...it's only day three of this semester.  But it also happens to be wickedly cold here, which makes me want 100 degree weather, beach trips, a glass of lemonade with a little umbrella, and adorable bathing suits even more.  But until then, here are some little things I'm loving about life.

01. a beautiful sunset that makes me believe this cold weather will end eventually

02. some beautifully dressed beach goers 

03.  trying out some summer hairstyles in the hopes that Mother Nature will take the hint

04. scoring my dream bathing suit during Modcloth's huge sale

{I can't wait until it arrives!!!!}

05. and finally, some motivation to study

Stay warm wherever you are!  And remember, soon we will all be complaining about how hot it is.

xoxo,

Eliza