Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

It's wedding week! Since I am going to a wedding this weekend, I decided to revolve all my posts this week around wedding topics. I absolutely love weddings and everything that goes into planning them, and I am excited that I get to witness a family member get married! I believe that weddings should be traditional but should include your own creative touch that makes it a special day for you and your new husband. This is short and sweet, but there will be wedding-packed posts all this week to get you in the mood. :)

Monthly Modest Review

Since I just started blogging, this is the first time I get to do my monthly review! So this means that on the last Friday of the month, I review for you a list of things I have bought/used and liked during the month of July (and call it the Monthly Modest). Here is my review for July:

Monthly Modest :)

1. New Target Purse
I just bought this and I am already obsessed. The black with the gold zipper is very fashionable (plus black goes with everything), and it has a bunch of pockets so I don't have to dig through the purse to find what I want. Target has so many cute handbags and purses to buy for cheap prices, and I don't know how many I have bought there for my friends and myself.

 2. DKNY Be Delicious Juiced
I have always wanted the DKNY green apple perfume, so I decided to buy this set and I love the scents just as much. The lotion and two perfumes smell very fruity and light, which is great for summer. I got it from a mall outlet, but I am sure this DKNY perfume is sold in regular stores.


3.  Freeman Facial Masks

I love these masks because they make my skin feel amazing, and they are also very cheap. The masks come in various kinds to work differently on your skin, whether purifying, cleansing, soothing, or restoring. And because of the masks' bright colors, they are fun to use with your friends if let's say you're having a girls night in. I bought mine at CVS, but they are also available at Ulta (you can always search the web for where they sell them near you).

4. Posters with Quotes/Sayings
Since I am going to be living in an apartment next year, I bought these to spruce up my new room. I tend to live by quotes because many of them are very insightful and encouraging to start your day by. And there's no harm in wanting to buy stuff to decorate and make your place look nice. Posters like these are probably sold in many stores (Bed, Bath, and Beyond; Target).


5. Anything Beachy
The beach is amazing and I have loved it since I was little. Now, anything from seashells, starfish, sand, or coral (etc.) is so interesting to me because I adore its beachy feel. Beach decorations can add an ocean side touch to any room in the house, and it makes you feel a little closer to the beach. I got this shell-covered jewelry box from Catalina, but usually I get beachy knick-knacks by randomly finding them in stores.

Yummy Banana Bread

Banana bread is probably on the healthier side of desserts, but I love it because my mom would always make it when I was younger and the smell would spread throughout the house. Here's the recipe for my mom's banana bread:

Banana Bread

Ingredients
1 cup of brown sugar (or honey to make it naturally sweet)
2/3 cup of shortening
4 eggs
1/2 cup of almond milk or buttermilk
3 cups of ripe mashed bananas
3 cups of flour
1/2 cup of wheat germ
1 cup of bran
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3 teaspoons of baking powder

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a mixer, blend the brown sugar and shortening until creamy. Mix in the eggs, and then the almond milk. Stir in the bananas.
3. Combine flour, wheat germ, bran, salt, and baking powder. Add into the batter until fully mixed.
4. Bake in two greased and floured bread pans for 50-60 minutes. It will be done when the knife comes out clean.
5. Gently take the bread out of the pans by tapping the bottom and place them on a wire rack to cool. Enjoy!

There are definitely many versions of banana bread, but you should try this recipe and see if you like it for yourselves just as much as I do. :)

My Favorite Inspirational Quotes

This post will mostly be just a list of my favorite uplifting quotes. I love these quotes because they are very insightful and make you think differently about how to live every day.

"Throughout the years of your life you will face many challenges, remember that you can climb the highest mountain, drive through the roughest storm, soar across the bluest sky, or even sail across the roughest waters. It is only destined by your attitude where you will end up in life. The most important thing is don't let yourself get lost in the crowd. " -Angela Duvall

"People will hate you, rate you, shake you, and break you. How you stand strong is what makes you." -Anonymous

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Suess

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." -Audrey Hepburn

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you can really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." -Eleanor Roosevelt

These are only a few of the quotes that I love, but there is even more meaningful quotes by these authors and others who want to share their life knowledge with the world. :)

How to Go to a Baseball Game

I went to an Angels game tonight, and even though they lost, I still had a lot of fun. I love going to baseball games, and the experience you have will make some good memories. Here is how to enjoy yourself during this american past-time: 


1. Wear your team's colors 

Always support your team and show your spirit by sporting their colors (which for me, is red for the Anaheim Angels). You can even wear the jersey of your favorite player. 

2. Eat some peanuts and a hot dog (Or what I like, a soft pretzel) 

Even if you don't like them that much, having a hot dog at a baseball game is a must. Vendors are always roaming up and down the aisles with every kind of snack.

3. Don't get hit by a ball 

A girl tonight got hit by a foul ball a few rows in front of me and collapsed. Of course it wasn't her fault, but you've got to be careful and watch where the ball might land. Especially if you are as close to the field as we were, you should always be on the lookout for any fly balls. So either be prepared to catch it...or duck and let someone else have the ball.

4. Root for your home team 

Cheering for the players at bat definitely makes the game more fun and it might help your team score some runs. In many cases, game-goers start the wave and let it continue around the stadium to help get the crowd on their feet.

Of course this advice is obvious, but it will make the game a great time for everyone and complete the whole baseball experience. :)

Healthy Snacks

If you are trying to get out of your junk food habit of munching on chips or cookies, then these five snacks are perfect because they are nutritious and still taste good.

1. Plain Fat-Free Greek Yogurt with Fruit and Honey
I usually have this for breakfast, but it can also replace dessert if you're craving something sweet. The honey is a natural sweetener to the sour yogurt and the fruit (I like to use strawberries) tastes great with it too.

2. Lara Bars
Most of these bars only have fruit and nuts in it without any sugar or high fructose corn syrup. This is a delicious protein bar and it gives you energy if you want to eat it before a workout. My favorite is the lemon, and I also like to freeze them because they are better cold.

3. Nuts
Almonds or sunflower seeds are great as an afternoon snack. Nuts tend to fill you up so you don't feel as hungry throughout the day. Try to eat them raw and without salt because they are more wholesome that way.

4. Popcorn (Organic
If you cook this in a pot (or popcorn-maker) with olive oil and do not put butter on it, then popcorn can definitely be a healthy snack. Even if you add some salt, it is still very low in calories. Of course you can eat it while watching a movie with your family or friends, but it can also be an afternoon snack. Using organic might be a better choice because most organic foods are more beneficial for your health.

5. Turkish (Dried) Apricots
Dried apricots are a great source of vitamin A. They are also very sweet, and I tend to eat them as a late-night snack.





I love eating these snacks and I recommend you to go out and try them because it will help you change towards a healthier lifestyle. :)

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

My aunt used to make this dessert during family reunions when everyone was together for the summer and it made those childhood times just a little better. It's the perfect combo of salty and sweet, making it hard not to eat the whole pan. Here is the recipe for Strawberry Pretzel Salad: 

Strawberry Pretzel Salad 

Ingredients:

2 cups finely crushed pretzels

½ cup sugar, divided

2/3 cup butter or margarine, melted

1½ pkg. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened

2 Tbsp. milk

1 cup cool whip

2 cups boiling water

1 pkg. (8-serving size) strawberry jell-o

1½ cups cold water

4 cups strawberries, sliced 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 

2. Mix pretzel crumbs, 1/4 cup of the sugar, and the butter. Spread onto the bottom of 13x9-inch baking pan. Bake 10 min. Cool.

3. Beat cream cheese, the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and the milk until blended. Gently stir in the cool whip. Spread over crust and then refrigerate until ready to use.

4. In a large bowl, pour boiling water into the strawberry jell-o mix for at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Refrigerate for 1½ hours or until thickened. Stir in strawberries and then spread over the cream cheese layer.

5. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm. Cut into squares to serve. Store in refrigerator. 

You definitely need to try this recipe because it's my all-time favorite summer dessert and extremely tasty. :)

Favorite Places to Eat

1. Lazy Dog

This restaurant is at the top of my list because it has a variety of delicious food on its menu and has a family-friendly atmosphere. I recommend trying all of the different dishes since they are each appetizing in their own way. You can also bring your dog to the restaurant and eat outside on the patio (they have treats for your dog too).

*What I like to get: Fettuccine alfredo with chicken, Carne asada, Hawaiian pizza, Chicken parmesan

2. Chipotle 

One reason why Chipotle is on my list because their food is just so addicting and it's my go to fast food. When they first came into my area, I would get their tasty burritos, but now I am hooked on their rice bowls and lime-flavored chips.

3. Red Robin 

This diner is also very family-friendly with great burgers and a fun environment of  amusing decor. They are known for their gourmet burgers, but they have a lot of other great things on the menu to order too.

*What I like to get: Chicken bruschetta sandwich, Cesar's chicken wrap, Whisker river bbq burger 

4. Ruby's 

I have always loved Ruby's partly because of its old diner atmosphere and their amazing fries (they don't even need ketchup!). I used to go here all the time when I was younger and sip down on their delicious shakes and look forward to getting a gum ball after my meal. Again, another family-friendly place which is another thing I love about it because I know I will take my kids here one day. 

*What I like to get: Hickory burger, Portobello-provolone premium burger     

If you haven't tried their food yet, you should check out these places because I bet they will have something for everyone's taste buds. :)

How to Have Healthy Looking Skin

If you weren't born with perfect skin, then there are some healthy ways for your face to look better naturally. 

1. Vitamin E: This is probably the vitamin most essential for healthy skin. You can apply it by oil or cream or take it in supplement form. It helps restore the glow to your skin by working as an antioxidant.

Food sources: Leafy greens, eggs, nuts

Vitamin A: Applying this to your face heals any damage caused to the skin by treating acne and improving moisture.

Food sources: Leafy greens, carrots, dried apricots

*Other vitamins good for the skin: Vitamin C, Omega-3, B-complex 

2. Apple cider vinegar: You can apply this directly to your face (as a toner for acne scars) or drink it with water and honey (for detoxification). When used, it improves your complexion and removes the toxins from your skin. 

3. Green tea: Drinking green tea is great for your skin because it's high in antioxidants, and it also reduces any redness and increases the skin's elasticity (as well as reducing stress which can cause acne).

4. Eat greens: Vegetables are filled with nutrients, improving skin tone and creating a natural glow to your skin. 

5. Drink lots of water: Water is extremely cleansing and staying hydrated throughout the day can eliminate toxins for fresher and replenished skin. 

Just remember that it takes time to improve the appearance of your skin, but making these changes will prove to be beneficial as you will soon see how healthy your skin looks.

The Juicing Diet

Before the juicing craze started, I watched a documentary called Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead that made me think about how healthy juicing could really be. It was about an overweight and sick man who decided that he needed to turn his life around. He began a 60-day straight juicing diet in hopes to recover his health and change his lifestyle. 

After viewing this film, I made the decision to buy a juicer and try juicing for myself. I didn't do it for 60 days, but I tried a 3-day cleanse. If anyone wants to start juicing, I have to warn you that even though you are consuming a lot of fruits and vegetables, you will feel tired and have a headache for the first few days. This is only because your body is adjusting to the lack of food and is in the process of being cleansed of bad toxins. Now, I just juice to get some vegetables in my diet and be healthier. So, you don't have to go on the full juice diet to detox your body, just make sure to eat natural foods everyday that are not processed or full of high fructose corn syrup. 

Here is one of my favorite juice recipes:

• 2 large green apples (in slices without the core)
• 1 large gala apple
• 3 big carrots
• 4 celery sticks
• A few leaves of lacinato kale

*Put each ingredient in a juicer and enjoy! 

If your interested, try juicing for a day or two to see if you like it and then continue for longer if you want. It can't hurt and it is definitely healthy for you with all of the fruits and vegetables. If just want to juice as your drink for the day along with food, that is probably the better and easier choice for a good cleanse. :)

Also, I recommend that you check out the documentary, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, because it is both interesting and informing. For more about the film and juice recipes, here is the website: http://fatsickandnearlydead.com/ 

Review of ABC Family Shows

Pretty Little Liars

This definitely has to be one of my favorite shows because of the thrill and surprises in each episode. If you haven't heard of it, it's about four girls that come together to figure out who murdered their best friend Allison, while a mysterious A threatens to reveal their darkest secrets. This show is just too good and complicated to explain in one review, so you will just have to trust me.  It's already in the fourth season, so you have a lot of story lines and secrets to catch up on if you want to start watching this suspenseful teen show. 


Twisted 

This show is pretty new to abc family and so far, it's pretty interesting. It's about a teen who comes back to his neighborhood after being in juvi for killing his aunt and tries to reconnect with his former childhood friends. Out of the episodes I have seen, I believe that this could be a great show because you never know who might be guilty. 


The Fosters 

I am glad that abc family came out with a show like this that expresses diversity and the importance of family. It's made up of a family of two moms with foster kids from different backgrounds (including a biological son from one mom's first marriage). It illustrates how love, care, and acceptance can make up a great family no matter what it looks like. 

Switched at Birth 

This might not be my favorite out of the four, but it is definitely eye-opening to the possibility of being switched at birth and its various outcomes. Two teen girls, Bay and Daphne, figure out they were accidentally switched at birth. Bay had the experience of living with a wealthy family while Daphne, who became deaf when she was younger from meningitis, was raised by a single mother. The show, currently in season 2, demonstrates how two families have to come together for the girls' sake and learn from this unfortunate situation.

So if these shows seem interesting at all, please check them out because they are all amazing in their own way and great for something to watch during the summer. :)

Tasty Sugar-free Cookies

I found this recipe in my favorite children's cookbook and decided to change it to make it healthier. Instead of having half honey and half brown sugar, I thought of just using honey and it still came out delicious. Here is the recipe for Honey Cookies.

Honey Cookies

Ingredients
1/2 cup of margarine (or butter), softened
1 cup of honey
1 egg
1 1/2 cups of unbleached white flour
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (or however much you like)

Directions
1.  Heat the oven to 375 degrees
2.  Beat margarine, honey, and egg in a bowl on medium speed, scrapping bowl constantly, until smooth. Stir in the remaining ingredients.
3.  Using a cookie scooper, drop the dough onto an ungreased cookie shot.
4.  Bake until light brown around edges, about 7-9 minutes (or longer depending on your oven). Let stand 3-5 minutes before removing from cookie sheet, then place cookies on a wire rack.
5.  Makes 24 cookies (or more if made smaller). Enjoy!

I love this recipe and it is my go to dessert. I definitely feel less self-conscious eating it, and the honey makes it naturally sweet. I hope you try it for yourself and like it as much as I do. :)

Dealing with Friends

To be honest, I have had some bad experiences with friends. This doen't mean I haven't had a lot of good moments with them, but overtime I started to realize they weren't treating me like a friend. Of course I miss hanging out with them, but it was time for a new start and to carry on with my life. Here are a few different types of friends I have come across with qualities that don't make them seem like one.

The friend who continuously blows you off...
This friend always cancels your plans at the last minute and it makes you feel like they don't care about you. It might not be personal, but if it happens constantly, it's a little insensitive. You want to talk to them and spend time with them, but they aren't taking the time to do it. Try having a candid conversation with them and express that you are hurt by their continuous cancelations. If they are willing to change or make time for you in their busy schedule then he/she may be a keeper.

The friend who cares more about boys than you...
In high school I had a friend who seemed a little too obsessed with boys. She put her feelings in front of others and didn't see how it affected her friends. In two instances, she dated guys who her friends really liked and didn't seem to care. I think she wanted a boyfriend so bad that her mind was only set on that. It might of not been intentional but it still felt bad coming from a friend. With this friend, you can also try to talk to them, but it might be harder to get through to them when they just jump from one relationship to the next.

The friend who doesn't accept you...
Everyone's different with their own personalities, opinions, and various problems. Friends are the ones who are supposed to support you and treat you with respect. Let's say you're not a spontaneous person and can't leave right away when your friend wants to hang out at the last minute, or you just want to confide in your friend about something troubling you, but you get shot down for it. They take your weakest link and hit you where it hurts. I have lost a few friends because they didn't accept that I wasn't perfect even though I accepted their faults. Most of the time you can make up with these friends, but it's better to move on if they always put you down.

Dealing with friends is tough, but in my experience, it is important to hold your head high and just smile because soon enough, you will meet new people to spend your time with. True friends care for one another, and the relationship shouldn't feel like work, but a bond that consists of growing together. I have found some great friends in college and I hope to add onto that list in the near future. :)

How to Stay in Shape During the Summer (Without the Gym)

It's bikini season again and you want to put your best body forward so you can go to the beach and hang with your friends with no worries. Summer is a time for awesome and fun-filled moments while being in the sun. But keeping your body in shape can help towards a healthy body and mind so you can feel good in that bathing suit. This might be hard, but with these easy tips you can get a jump start to the body you're most confident in.

Try to eat healthy
This means watch your portion sizes and include some nutritious foods in your diet like vegetables. Overeating by having big meals or snacking too much throughout the day allows fat to store in your body, which makes it harder to work off. You don't have to starve yourself or go on crazy diets to have a better body, just make sure to eat less. And eating greens will help clean out the bad toxins in your body and give you more energy during the day. Juicing vegetables or putting them in smoothies is a tasty way to give your body the right amount.

Exercise!
There are many ways to work out and tone your body without having to go to the gym. It is important to make time to exercise every day for a healthy body.
Take the dog for a walk: Walking is great for blood circulation and your dog will love you for it too.
Ride your bike around the neighborhood: Like using a stationary bike at the gym but better! You can also ride your bike to go somewhere instead of driving (which is environment-friendly).
Dance to some music: Dancing burns a ton of calories and its also a lot of fun.
Swim: If you have access to a pool, swimming is a great way to build muscle in your arms and legs. I did water polo and swim in high school and it definitely helped keep my body toned.
Go on a hike with friends: Hiking trails are great exercise especially if you choose a long route with hills.
Workout videos: These can be found on youtube and are perfect for exercising different parts of the body.

Stay hydrated
Drinking water is extremely important for keeping your body refreshed and active. Dehydration can lead to fatigue and overeating, and is not healthy for your skin. To avoid this, make sure to have at least 5-8 glasses of water a day (or even more during the summer). And since exercise causes you to sweat more, it is vital that you rehydrate with water before, during, and after working out.

Being healthy and in shape can be easy if you just put your mind to it and remember that what you do or eat everyday can affect your body positively or negatively. :)

Songs for Every Mood

Music can be a great mood changer, especially when you're feeling down and just want a pick me up. I love music and I think every song can affect what your attitude is that day. So in light of that, I have come up with a few songs that are perfect for expressing your mood.

Confidence Booster
These songs are great for lifting up your spirits so you can get through the day.

1. Anything Could Happen - Ellie Goulding
2. Radioactive - Imagine Dragons
3. Don't You Worry Child - Swedish Mafia
4. Hung Up - Hot Chelle Rae
5. Come and Get It - Selena Gomez

Calm and Relaxing
I like to listen to these after a long day when I just want to put up my feet and close my eyes.

1. The A Team - Ed Sheeran
2. Sunday Morning - Maroon 5
3. Falling Over Me - Demi Lovato
4. Fix You - Coldplay
5. Half Of My Heart - John Mayer ft. Taylor Swift

Working Out
All of these give the boost you need to make exercising a bit easier.

1. Titanium - David Guetta ft. Sia
2. Rock That Body - Black Eyed Peas
3. We Are Young - 3OH!3
4. Shake It - Metro Station
5. Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5

And when you just feel like listening to love songs...
Because you're a bit of a romantic.

1. Give Me Love - Ed Sheeran
2. We'll Be A Dream - We the Kings ft. Demi Lovato
3. Hero - Enrique Iglesias
4. One and Only - Adele
5. Love Somebody - Maroon 5
6. Kiss Me - Ed Sheeran (just one more because his songs are so addicting)

That's my list! I hope you like my choices and even check them out for yourselves. :)

Call me Marella

Hey everyone! I'm Marella and I will soon be a sophomore in college. Right now its summer and I am loving the time off to hang with friends and swim in the pool. I am new to blogging, but I hope anyone who stops by will enjoy what I have to say. I live everyday according to my values and try to laugh and just have fun. College life is different but amazing because you learn to be independent and responsible, while meeting new people. I definitely had a rough start with mean roommates, but I ended up finding a few great friends that I am excited to spend time with next year. On here, I will probably post about a random assortment of things, like my daily experiences, opinions/reviews on music, fashion, products, or movies, and even some of my favorite recipes. So if you like a mixture of everything or reading about something new everyday, this blog will satisfy your needs. There will be more posts to come so hang tight! :)