California Here We Come...

Thanks to SOAPnet, I've been transported back to middle school and have spent the last few days recapturing my love for The OC. The show makes me so nostalgic for middle and high school and simpler times when Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson were still a couple (work it out, you crazy kids!). Thanks to the OC, I fell in love with my first teen soap, wanted to move to Orange County, was eventually introduced to Laguna Beach and The Hills, and was able to discover awesome bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Rogue Wave, and Spoon. I'll admit it, the when I watched the Pilot and Model Home episodes over the weekend for the first time in years I def got sentimental hearing Phantom Planet's opening track and once again held out hope that Seth Cohen might exist...

You can't discuss music and The OC without some Death Cab.

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Can't resist the banter and chemistry of Seth and Summer.

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I never could get into the series after Marissa died.

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Best moment from the pilot. And the accompanying song. Chills.

Semi Wordless Wednesday: So Long, Sweet Summer

August's ending is fast approaching, and with that ending comes the end of summer and beginning of Autumn. While it will remain warm here in Arizona, that lazy, wistful, and carefree feeling of summer is definitely fading away replaced by school, work, and an overall more stressful and crazier life. So today's post is dedicated to summer, arguably the best season, because of its sense of fun, adventure, and youth. Till next year...

Belle and Sebastian's song really captures the feeling of summer - especially one's spent at home during the waning years of my childhood.

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Note: The blog I usually link up with for Semi Wordless Wednesday, Flip Flops and Pearls, is on a hiatus, but I thought I'd post anyway since I love the theme so much. Enjoy xx.

Pink and Green Thursday: Back to School!

Today is the very first day of my senior year of college, and I have back to school fever! I love starting a new school year and all of the opportunity it has. One of my favorite parts of this new start is school supplies. Since I was little I've loved school supply shopping and getting all my new pencils, folders, notebooks, etc., so I could be the most prepared kid in school. While I've grown past the Lisa Frank days of yore, I thought I'd dedicate this Pink and Green Thursday to wonderful pink and green school supplies. Good luck this year, everyone!

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{Jonathan Adler Desk Organizer}

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{Lilly circle notes - how cheery!}

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{Jonathan Adler Giant Eraser - ah how goofy would I look whipping this out in college? Still love it though}

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{Lilly File Folders to keep my desk at home organized}

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{New reason to get an iPad?}

And I'll leave you with one of my favorite back to school songs - who wouldn't want 70s era - John Travolta to welcome them back to school?

And be sure to head over to Pink Preppy Lilly Lover and check out all the other great Pink and Green Thursday entries!

Fourth Festivities

Happy Fourth of July, everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend and spending it with great friends and family. I unfortunately was under the weather this weekend, but was still able to enjoy time with family, friends, and True Blood. Also peeked at a few fireworks from my car window.

If you're last minute with your plans like I am and have an 11th hour 4th party to attend today, here is a super easy dessert to whip up and bring. It's also brought to you by Skinny Taste, so it's low in calories and guilt free!

Red, White, and Blueberry Trifle

Ingredients:

• 10 oz angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes*
• 2 pints strawberries, sliced
• 2 pints blueberries

For the cream filling:

• 6 tbsp fat-free sweetened condensed milk (I used Borden Eagle)
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• 1 package sugar-free white chocolate instant pudding mix
• 12 oz fat-free frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:

Whisk the condensed milk and water in a bowl. Whisk in the pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set; fold in the whipped topping.

Arrange half of the cake in the bottom of a 14-cup trifle dish. Sprinkle evenly with a layer of blueberries. Spread half of the cream mixture over the blueberries and gently spread (I piped it using a plastic bag and cut the corner off). Top with a layer of strawberries. Layer the remaining cake cubes on top of the strawberries, then add more blueberries and top with the remaining cream mixture. Finish with the remaining strawberries and blueberries, arranging them in a pretty pattern. Cover and refrigerate at least one 1 hour.

*I only used 10 oz of a 16 oz cake. 

Happy Independence Day!