post-workout banana protein shake

I've been focusing a lot more on weights in my workouts these days and in turn, have incorporated more protein in my diet on the days I lift. I'm by no means a heavy weight lifter; I usually stick to the 5 or 10 lb. dumbells depending on the exercise I'm doing.

After one of my most recent workout sessions, I wasn't feeling super hungry but knew I needed to fuel my muscles I'd just worked. I came home and whipped up a little banana protein shake using what I had on hand, and it actually turned out pretty delicious. 

Ingredients

1 medium ripe banana, cut into small chunks

1/2 - 1 scoop vanilla protein powder*

1 large tablespoon of creamy natural peanut butter

1 large tablespoon of fat free plain greek yogurt

1 tsp. cocoa powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

5-8 ice cubes, depending on how thick you like your shakes

a splash of cold water

*If you are doing lots of reps or heavy weights, opt for more protein. As I mentioned, I lift fairly light weights, so I use about 1/2 a scoop of protein in my shakes.

Directions

Toss ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. You may need to add water a little at a time until the ingredients begin to blend--just not too much or it will taste, well, watery! Once blended, you can add more ice cubes for thicker consistency.

Enjoy your post workout treat! xo.

project cupcake | red jett sweets

I wish I hadn't waited so long to write about one of my favorite Fort Worth cupcake vendors. Red Jett Sweets has been a go-to stop when I needed a quick fix for my sweet tooth when I was in the West 7th district, as their truck could often be found at the Fort Worth Food Park.

As of June 9th, the business closed due to the increased amount of time and energy the owners were putting into the business, which resulted in less time for family and friends. Though my heart was deeply saddened with this news, I can only hope some good soul out there will buy the brand and keep these cupcakes going! Because honestly, they are phenom. xo.

Top left: Nuts for Kentucky. Bottom Right: Spotty Dotty Lemon.

Cupcakes I've tried: Red Jett Velvet, Coconut Comet, Nuts for Kentucky, Spotty Dotty Lemon, and Peter Pumpkin.

Description: Perfection. Fantastic texture and density. Perfect frosting consistency. Flavor packed without being too sugary to handle. Normal sized--not too small, not to large.

Address and Hours: None right now! Fingers crossed Red Jett Sweets 2.0 will hit the streets in the coming months.

Twitter: @RedJettSweetsFW

summer style guide | modern bohemian

Lately, I can't get enough of festival style.

The carefree, bohemian vibe just speaks to me these days; maybe it's the summer heat that's getting to me. Fashion always repeats itself, and this style is no exception, though it's a lot sexier than the 70's inspired clothing that was "in" a few several years ago. [I can only laugh when I remember a pair of flared jeans I wore in 8th grade that had suede leather laces on either side of the fly zipper. Wow.]

I was inspired by an image I found on Pinterest of what I think is a modern take on boho style. I love the simplicity of the off-the-shoulder white top paired with my favorite wardrobe staple: cutoff shorts. I think the shades add a little edge to the ensemble, a deviation from something more expected like retro cat-eye, wayfarer, or small round lens shapes. Even the jewelry is kept minimal: one simple ring. I used my imagination for footwear and picked something a little funky to add some interest to the whole look. What do you think of this modern bohemian style? xo.

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PS: If anyone knows the true image source, please let me know! So far I have only been able to find it on Pinterest.

trader jacques [joe's] macarons

Though I will always have a special place in my heart for cupcakes, I've recently been bitten by the macaron bug. And not just any macaron--French macarons! Those coconut macaroons [read: two o's instead of one] you can find in a grocery store are alright, but they ain't got nothin' on these light, crispy-on-the-outside-chewy-on-the-inside cookies that come in a plethora of fillings, flavors, and colors.

Although there are a few little macaron bakeries in Dallas, they are not as close as I'd like when a sudden craving strikes. Enter: Trader Joe's. I discovered that this inexpensive health food mecca just down the road actually sells French macarons in the frozen aisle! I thought this was questionable at first, but for $4.99 I decided to give them a whirl.

Four boxes later, these macarons have become a kitchen staple. I opt for the box containing colorful cookies with flavors like Cassis, Coffee, and Pistachio; however, Trader Joe's does also sell a box of plain vanilla and chocolate. If you live near a TJ's, I suggest you check these out asap! These cookies can be kept frozen and only require 30 minutes to thaw at room temperature. I have only one word left to say: heavenly.

xo.

project cupcake | cup cakin machine

I've been wanting to try Cup Cakin Machine's cupcakes for quite a while, but always seemed to miss them on the few times they made an appearance in Fort Worth [this cupcakery on wheels largely sticks to the Dallas area.]

I finally got a chance a few weeks ago to get a cupcake after a yummy dinner at the Fort Worth Food Park. Since it was late in the evening, they only had Red Velvet left, which was fine with me since I do love some classic red velvet!

It takes a lot for me to say I that I just straight up didn't like a cupcake. I'm usually so easy to please. However, I was so disappointed with my cupcake from Cup Cakin. The frosting was not cream cheesy enough. The cake was not red velvety enough. It tasted ordinary, and very sugary. The cocoa was a little too prevalent, resulting in more of a brown instead of a true red hue. I could go on. Overall, I do not think I'll be a repeat customer, unfortunately! If you live in the DFW area, let me know if you have tried their cupcakes before and had a better experience than I did. xo.

Cupcake flavor I tried: Red Velvet

Description: Very large, very sweet, but did not taste like a classic red velvet should. Cream cheese was not a major ingredient in the frosting. Decent texture, but it didn't seem to be mixed well as the coloring was not evenly red throughout.

Address: Check their schedule online to see where they will be during the week.

Twitter: @cupcakinmachine

summer style guide | nighttime

I just love easy breezy outfits for warm summer evenings. Whether it's al fresco date night or a backyard soiree, my priorities are comfort and sexiness! Is it possible to have both? Yes! 

A feminine ruffle elevates this maxi from basic to a sexy staple. With its solid color, you can easily accessorize to fit almost any occasion. A sexy, lacy bralette is a lighter alternative to a regular bra, while a statement clutch and necklace provide some pizzazz. Add a belt and simple wedges to really make the look your own. A subtly fierce piece of wrist candy dresses it up for a more "formal" occasion without competing with your other accessories. Don't forget some tinted lip balm and delicious perfume to complete the look! xo.

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summer style guide | daytime

As promised, here is part two of the summer style series! This outfit is an ideal uniform for just about any summery weekend; from running errands, to picnicking at the park, to attending an outdoor concert, it's effortlessly stylish. xo.

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