FRIDAY LINKS

Have you been watching Top Chef on Bravo? It's the only show I'm really in to right now, and so far this season has been awesome. The caliber of chefs the show attracts really blows my mind. Recently, I found an old Food and Wine Magazine from 2010, and was surprised to see one of the contestants of Top Chef on the cover as a "Best New Chef". I read his profile, and he even mentioned how much he likes the show. Who would have known that six years later he would be competing! 

Anyways, since Top Chef is on Thursdays, I'm usually watching it while putting together my Friday links post. Hence why it's on my mind right now :). Part of what I love about the show is watching the chefs' creativity with food. I love cooking, but I am neither great nor creative with the dishes I make. The show really makes me want to pursue some creative passions.

So hey, inspiration can really come from anywhere. Even reality TV.

Image via @Sarahfullofgrace

• I've been on the hunt for a tie-front dress with cutouts for spring/summer, but this DIY is making me want to make my own.
• If you are planning any travel to NYC, check out this list of stylish hotels under $200 a night. 
• This edit of the Dumb and Dumber trailer is pure genius.
• Career advice from women who have built billion dollar businesses. 
• The person behind one of my favorite instagram accounts, Chef Jacques la Merde! This interview is incredible, and I love Chef Jacques even more.
• Aaaaaand more girl power, 5 women who helped shape history in 2015! (insert flexing emoji!)
• An excellent article on running as meditation.

Notable Sales:

• Extra 50% off sale at Banana Republic
• Extra 30% off sale at Patagonia
• Net-A-Portier Shoe Sale

GALENTINES GIFTS

Let's be real, Valentine's Day in a relationship is just not that exciting. While I think it's a great occasion to celebrate your relationship, it's a pain to get dinner reservations, then pay a ton for a special Valentine's menu, etc. etc. Each year, I am much more excited to put together gifts and goodies for my Galentine's! Let's be real, girls appreciate all the cute stuff wayyyyy more anyways. 

1. Chocolate Dipped Treats - An easy and wallet friendly DIY! 

2. C'est La Vie Makeup Bag, Forever21 $6 -- A good mantra on a cuter bag.

3. Wine Tote, Plate and Pencil $19 -- I always love a good pun, and this bag is perfect to use year round. 

4. Key Tag, $15 -- Truth. Tacos > Everything.

5. Sheet Mask, TonyMoly $4 -- I love these sheet masks, and they are incredibly inexpensive. I always throw them into gifts as fun extras.

6. Mini Champagne, Sofia Coppola $5 -- Perfect for raising a toast to your Galentine's.

6. Nail Polish, Essie $8 -- Essie has every shade of pink and red under the sun, pick a different one for each friend!

7. Candy Bento, Sugarfina $7 -- My favorite are the champagne gummy bears.

8. Love Potion Tumbler, Ban.Do $13 -- I'm snagging this one for myself! 

9. Besties Temporary Tattoo, Tattly $5 -- The updated friendship necklace.

VALENTINE'S CARDS

Paper goods are my absolute weakness. I have a few too many notebooks, list pads, and cards. However, finding the perfect card for someone is one of those small things that just makes me feel really happy. With all the amazing print and design studios, Hallmark just doesn't cut it anymore! Some of my favorite places to shop for cards are Etsy, Paper Source, and local gift stores. I picked out a few of my favorites below, and I'll have some Galentine's Goodies on PGIP tomorrow. 

1. Big Time Love, Hammer Press $4.50
2. Bee Mine, Smock Paper $2.50
3. I Love You Hippo, Smock Paper $2.50
4. Mushy Card, RowHouse14 $5
5. Electric Love, Paper Source $6
6. Pizza Love, Sea and Lake Paper Co. $4.50
7. Stud Muffin, RowHouse14 $5
8. Kanye Love, Bird House Press $4
9. You're My Person, Paper Source $5

FRIDAY LINKS

Somehow, the short week still felt very, very long. I'm really looking forward to having a friend in town this weekend. Having visitors encourages me to make the most of my weekend and of the beautiful city I am lucky to live in! We are headed up to Sonoma for some wine tasting and we will be trying out some new-to-me spots (unfortunately not the one mentioned below though).  If you have any good recommendations, please let me know! 

• I just came across this Racked article about a reality show in Japan that sounds very... interesting? I am really not sure if this is supposed to be funny or not.
• I have been reading a lot about Tumeric and why it's the new superfood, so here are 22 tumeric recipes to use the bright root! 
• This sports bra looks a lot like the Free to Be Wild Bra from Lululemon, but for a fraction of the price.
• This winery is on my ABSOLUTELY MUST VISIT list for Sonoma. 

POSTGRAD LOVES: VEGETARIAN RECIPES

Since reading Eating Animals (more on that in
the February book club post!), I have made a conscious decision to cut meat out of my diet. While I try to buy "responsibly raised, cage free, hormone free, vegetarian fed" etc etc, I learned that all of those terms basically mean nothing. While I don't picture myself cutting meat out of my life 100% at this point, I don't intend on cooking meat at home any time soon. I already have a few veggie meals in my regular rotation, but here are a few more I want to try.

• Pinch of Yum -- Spicy Sofritas Veggie Bowl
• Camille Styles -- Pita Tostadas with Butternut Squash, Black Beans, and Avocado
• Love and Lemons -- Sesame, Broccoli, and Shiitake Stir Fry
• Sprouted Kitchen -- Falafel Sandwich with Tahini Sauce
• The First Mess -- Cauliflower, Kale, and Chickpea Curry Pot
• goop -- Roasted Kabocha Soup

If you want to cut meat out of your diet here are a few useful tips:

• Focus on what you CAN eat rather than what you can't. Look for vegetable forward recipes on Pinterest.
• Don't substitute carbs for meat. It's easy to rely on pasta and bread to fill you up, but make sure to keep carbs in moderation!
• Eat more beans! Beans are a great source of protein and SO filling. Now a days, I rarely have a meal without black beans, chickpeas, or Great Northern Beans added in somewhere.
• Find good faux meat. I am not a huge fan of fake meat stand ins, however, I do love quinoa burger patties, Jackfruit carnitas, and Soyrizo. Find what works for you, and don't feel like you need to eat it just to have some "meaty" component of your meal. 

FRIDAY LINKS

Happy Friday! Had to share a young Leo in honor of the Oscar nominations. Do you think he will finally get the win? This year I haven't seen a lot of the nominated movies, so I'm hoping to watch a few more before the Oscars. On my list: The Danish Girl, The Big Short, Joy, and Carol.

• A Good "Hey, It's Okay." Reminder.
• Snoop is the best. This video had me in stitches.
• Natalie Dressed has been a blog I have followed for a long time, and I love Style and Spirit, the line of t-shirts and sweatshirts, that she started. So many cute ones! 
• I feel fortunate to have been to a few places on this list, but the number I haven't been to is much larger! I'll be plotting some travel this weekend...
• Printable calendars a must. Here is a minimalist option, an illustrated option, a spotty option, and a watercolor option. All free! 

Notable Sales:

• Additional 40% off sale items at Anthropologie (Code XTRA40).
• Additional 30% off sale items at Madewell (Code TODOLIST).
• Additional 40% off sale items at J. Crew (Code SALEONSALE).
• Up to 70% off Saks Fifth Avenue Final Sale

POSTGRAD FITNESS: AT HOME HIIT CIRCUIT

I think everyone can agree that it's difficult to fit everything in. Work, school, friends, significant others, errands, cooking, aaaand the gym. This generation seems to just pack as much in as possible, which is good in many ways, but can also cause parts of your life to lose priority. One way I like to make more time in my schedule is working out in my apartment a few times a week instead of hitting spin or yoga. Just the travel time alone saves me nearly an hour.


Pro tip: For any jumping moves, try to land softly so it's easier on your joints. Plus, if you live in an apartment you don't want to piss off the neighbors!

30 Seconds of Mountain Climbers

15 Leg Lifts

15 Squat Jumps

50 Bicycle Crunches (25 each side)

Repeat 2x

-Rest-

Plank with Row, 10 each side

30 Walking Lunges (15 each side)

Side Plank, 30 seconds each side

30 Reverse Lunges (15 each side)

Repeat 2x

-Rest-

1 Minute High Knees

15 Rowing Crunches

10 Burpees

20 Bridge Raises

Repeat 2x

-Rest-

1 Minute Plank

Done!

For an easier workout, run through each circuit once before you take a rest. The rest periods should also be a quick sip of water and catching your breath, don't let your heart rate drop too far between circuits.