Low-Calorie Health Drinks to Love

It’s Friyay and I’m sharing with you some of my new favorite health drinks! Weekends tend to be the worst days for cheating on the 1200 calorie diet I’ve imposed upon myself. There’s just so much yummy, high calorie food around and I can’t help but eat it, especially when David wants to go get wings and watch a football game. I’ve more than likely eaten my weight in wings and fried pickles this year alone. One thing I can’t stand is adding more calories to my diet with things I drink. I’m replacing sodas and juice with a new health drink I’m in love with: Bai Antioxidant Water!

If you haven’t heard of Bai drinks, they’re made from white tea extract and coffeefruit extract and loaded with antioxidants. They have several different flavors to choose from including these amazing coconut infused ones, which happen to be my favorites! I’m dying to try the “bubbly” ones they sell that are carbonated. I bet they would taste amazing poured over some crushed ice!

Bai drinks taste like you’re drinking something that’s higher in calories than it actually is. At 10 calories per bottle, you can drink a ton of these and not feel guilty! When I first saw them in Target, I was intrigued simply because I liked the packaging. I’m a marketer’s dream, what can I say? After tasting a few of the drinks, I’m totally hooked! Even my boss at work drinks them and got a few other people addicted too. They taste so refreshing and since I have a sensitive stomach, it’s one of the few drinks I can enjoy that won’t make me feel sick.

If you’ve tried other flavors, let me know which ones are your favorite! I’ll be headed to Target for my weekly “Target run” and I’m going to get a few more. I’d love some suggestions!

A Christmas Village

In a previous post, I mentioned that every once in awhile my town has an event that reminds me of the Gilmore Girls’ Stars Hollow. Last night was one of those events. Thousands showed up for a little event called “Christmas Village” that was held at our local fairgrounds. As I was driving over to the event, I kept wondering to myself how on Earth they were going to transform the county fair’s stinky, dirty buildings, used for showing of 4-H stuff and farm animals, and make it into a quaint “village.” To my surprise, they were able to “flip” the space into something quite lovely.

They decorated the roof of each building with white lights and had the doors surrounded by holly and evergreen with lights mixed in. There were also big bows and ribbons adorning little Christmas trees around the area. The centerpiece of the event was the magnificent tree. It was absolutely beautiful with the lights that changed color on it periodically.

There were several local food vendors there selling cider, cocoa, kettle corn, and other seasonal items. Many tradesmen were there selling crafts and creations. For the kids, they had a giant, inflatable slide (40 ft high), a cookie decorating station, reindeer food-making station, and train rides around the fair grounds. On the loud speakers, they played Christmas music and the occasional song from Frozen.

The only down side to the event was the number of people attending and the chilly temperatures. I’m not one for crowds or cold weather! I don’t know how many times someone either cut me off while walking or decided to take a Sunday stroll right in front of me. Both of these things drive me crazy!

After we got home, my mom and I warmed up some tea and cider while settling down next to the tree for a Christmas movie marathon. All in all, it was a lovely night!

Bar Cart Style!

Bar Cart Style by oceangirl15 featuring wine bottle stoppers

Trending recently is the age old bar cart. The only bar cart I had ever seen was in Gilmore Girls and it was Emily’s so I assumed it was something only the elite had or needed. Well, turns out I was wrong! The bar cart is for everyone and I’ve created a cute one for your viewing pleasure! Here’s a few things you might want to include in yours:

-A framed work of art like the gold “amazing grace” one above for added glamor factor.

-A candle for decoration (it doesn’t need to even have a scent if you prefer it as a neutral element.

-Paper napkins for those spills that are inevitable. You can find really cute ones at places like Marshalls or TJ Maxx to save money.

-Bottle stopper for that wine you just couldn’t quite finish.

-Adorable straws

-Lemons for garnish and color

-Cocktail shaker

-Bottle opener

Add whatever you fancy and fits your needs! Just enjoy the styling portion of these cute little pieces of furniture!

Lifestyle Update and Virginia Beach Getaway

I know I’ve been missing in action lately. With school starting and the other endless things I have to do I’ve been neglecting my blogging duties. I’m sorry! Here’s an update on what I’ve been up to the last few days!

I spent a lovely afternoon at the beach enjoying the last bits of summer. The water is finally warm enough to swim in! Our summer has been so mild compared to the years before this. I went in the water waist deep and ignored the urge to run back to shore in case of sharks or other large fish. After watching shark week I haven’t felt the same about the water. Either way, I went in and soaked up the sun and surf… which repeatedly knocked me to the ground. I have sand in places that I will never get out. *Shudders*

Anyway, I took the obligatory beach “selfie” before I rubbed greasy sun screen all over my face. That stuff smells divine but gosh it clogs your pores! I guess the exfoliant of the sand and salt in the water does a decent job at ridding my skin of impurities. At least, it’s a cheap body scrub.

Later that night, I went exploring on the beach front. There’s a statue of King Neptune on the boardwalk that everyone takes pictures in front of. Even though I’ve lived in Virginia Beach for part of my undergrad, I still had to take a dumb picture of it. It’s pretty neat actually. I’ve always enjoyed living in a tourist town. There’s always someone new around and plenty of people to talk to. VA Beach is also a big military hub. If you’re into single guys, then this is the place for you. Quite a few single sailors roam the beach on a Friday night!

A favorite place of mine on the boardwalk is a place called Catch 31 at the Hilton hotel. Easily one of the most relaxed and romantic settings for a restaurant I’ve ever seen. Outdoor and indoor seating is available but I recommend outdoor because there are several large fire pits to eat around next to palm trees with little lights wrapped around them. A funny story I have about this place is going to their rooftop bar when I was only 19. I was with a group of about 35 people who were all over 21. I got there and they said the only way I could be in there is if I stayed in the “VIP” section. I happily agreed until I realized that area was sectioned off by ropes and I couldn’t leave… and there was no one in the “VIP” section. Needless to say I left after about 15 minutes.

Thursday morning I woke up to a beautiful beach outside my hotel room. I sat outside on my balcony for awhile flipping through my Instagram feed and then checking the weather. I’ve never seen so many people actively running on the beach. I guess if you live near a beach you should probably use it for something other than tanning. The view is always great too. Many ships- naval and civilian- come in and out of Norfolk. I could see a huge aircraft carrier on the horizon coming back to port and several fishing boats cruising along as well.

After getting dressed for the day I wandered downstairs to the outdoor patio to have breakfast and a drink. I ordered French toast with lots of butter and syrup and a Mimosa to start the day off right. There’s something so wonderful about brunch. The variety of food that’s appropriate to eat is just so much more exciting than any other time of the day. That Mimosa though, I’m still happy thinking about it. Not too much champagne and just enough orange juice to make me think I was the healthiest person on the patio- actually I was the only person. The off-season is so quiet.

After brunch I made my way over to my university to check in with some friends and revisit some old memories. Every time I get on campus it feels like I’m walking on hollowed ground. Many things happened there that even on my death bed will give me a laugh.

I sat and talked with two of my very good friends, Bethany and Liz, about all that’s going on in life. We had so many good laughs. Girl time is so necessary! These ladies have some funny stories. I needed to laugh. One of the girls shared the funniest story about one of the worst dates she’s ever been on. Apparently, she had worn heels on the date and the guy asked her if she always walked with a limp or is it just because of the shoes she was wearing. I smacked my head against the table laughing so hard. Who honestly asks those questions on a first date? I haven’t met anyone so far! If you have funny first date stories please share them in the comments section. They just crack me up!

I ended the day with a little shopping in Williamsburg and ended up scoring a Banana Republic dress for my mom and a shirt from Lucky Brand for my sister. I went into a few of my favorite stores (J. Crew, Kate Spade, Ralph Lauren etc.) and shopped around a bit but didn’t find anything worth the price on the price tag.

I drove home and said good bye to my school assuming the next time I’ll see it is at graduation in the spring. For those of you who don’t know, I’m an online student. It’s cheaper and I get to travel and work in really cool places. I love this lifestyle!

Share your thoughts below!

 

The Summer Blues

Since we’re past the wishy washy month of June and into the serious heat of July, I’ve concocted a list of a few things that can really make you a debbie downer during these days. Call me spoiled, lazy, un-creative, whatever it may be, I don’t care. Here are 3 things that can make the summer less than wonderful.

On the Patuxent during the winter with two of my friends!

1. Heat

This is obvious. I’m not breaking ground on anything new here but the heat can really be hard to beat when there aren’t any pools around (the north east has this problem) and who wants to sit inside all day with the dry AC blowing. Not me. I get bored fast. I live on the Patuxent River and would be happy to swim in that IF the jellyfish weren’t in abundance. I’ve had my fair share of stings and I’m so over it.

2. Lilly Pulitzer 

I’m the first one to say that I love Lilly. However, I’m the last one to buy anything from there. Why? Because I’m not handing anyone $200 for a dress that probably costs less than $20 to make. Summer is the season to break out the Pulitzer prints and more power to the lovely ladies that wear the dresses! However, until I’m out of college and don’t have debt to pay off I’m going to avoid the pretty colors that remind me I’m still a college student and therefore need to “watch my pennies.”

3. Instagram on Holiday Pictures

I’m thrilled you’re in Cabo sipping a Pina Colada while dipping your toes in the crystal clear water but I’m having trouble appreciating my own blessings right now. You guys know what I’m talking about- the

Ok, I admit, this is my photo. But I’ve only sat in luxury once, I swear!

uber popular Instagrammers who seem to do nothing but travel, shop, and take selfies. Jealousy is never pretty, but during the summer months when these individuals bombard our Instafeeds with pictures from Bermuda, Monaco, or wherever else it just gets to me. Can you say #unfollow?

Thank you for making it to the end of my rant. I love you for it. I really am blessed and live in a bubble of first world problems. I don’t know what its like to go without food for days on end and I have no idea what “danger” and “threat” can actually mean (think drug cartels, radical terrorists, mortars flying through the air). Every once in awhile though, I just need to let off that steam. Today I have and I must say I feel a hundred times better!

Tell me what bugs you about the summer months. Go ahead and let go of whatever is eating you up inside by commenting below! I’m not going to judge.