Danay here writing live from the Big Apple! It is a little foggy/drizzly/freezing today but were rolling with it. We did a little shopping yesterday ( Our hotel is in Soho so we're right around fantastic shops!) We might head out to Central Park, Ground Zero, and catch the St. Patrick's Day parade of course! No set plans, just flyin' by the seat of our pants--easier for me than Sophee "Type A" Houseman :) JK! See some shopping adventures below...

Good ole Urban Outfitters

Scoop NYC... getting in trouble for taking pics

Courtney & Sophee, my beautiful best friends!

We'll were off to have more adventures, hopefully we will have some good stories! Have a great weekend and Happy St. Patricks Day!!!

ALSO Happy birthday to Danielle R! Long live the bugs bunny leotard!

Watch out!

Danay is over at Kendra Scott's blog today... check it out here! 

California 101

Today I'm continuing with Danielle's Spring Break theme. In honor of my first year as a graduate and not being given official time off, my boyfriend and I decided to take the week off anyway! Wish I could always celebrate SB, but this is probably our last so I thought I'd go out big. I just got back from California with my boyfriend's family and am headed off to New York tomorrow with Danay. So I thought I'd share some pics of California with you. Maybe you have been there, maybe you knew how beautiful it is... but I have and did not. I am completely in love. Honestly, starting the job hunt next week, any recommendations? I don't understand how some people call this home, seriously jealous.

This is a real house... and a real garden! Are you kidding?

 In front of the Dell Hotel in Coronado

Speaking of California and with weddings on my mind, what are your thoughts on beach wedings? I found some pictures of local Cali weddings on the beach. I have never been a huge fan until lately, but I mean you really can't get any more beautiful. What are your thoughts? Regardless, the overall lesson here is... go visit California!

Images via

Eat Your Wheaties

Warning this post is not "necessarily" healthy.

I mean if you are a fan of whole eating and not eating processed food then you could consider this a healthier version than store-bought cereal bars, plus they do have wheaties and oatmeal in them.
My mother-in-law made these little gems and gave me a taste and it was enough to spur me to make 2 batches for my Bible study gals. (I couldn't find the original inventor of this recipe so I can not give proper credit where it is very much due.) 

Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients

½ C. sugar

½ C. butter or 1 stick margarine
1/3 C. honey
½ tsp cinnamon
1 C. diced dried fruit (Craisins, dried cherries or pomegranates)
2 C. Wheaties cereal
1 C. instant plain oatmeal
½ C sliced almonds

(I added about a ½ C. of white chocolate chips to one batch and of course it only upped the already yumminess)

Directions

Grease bottom and sides of 9 inch square pan with butter or cooking spray. In 3 qt. saucepan heat sugar, butter, honey and cinnamon to a boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Then remove from heat. Stir in dried fruit and remaining dry ingredients. Press mixture into pan with back of wooden spoon. Let cool for several hours then cut into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Here is what was left after about 10 girls devoured these. Isn't that a fun tray? Thanks to my friend Emily for the great birthday present! Have you heard of French Bull? I had not, but you should check out their cute products full of bold colors and patterns here.

Cheers to the first time I have ever tried Wheaties!

Danielle R.

Top Knots

Lately I've been all about hair. Don't ask me why, but I've been searching for some fresh ideas for what to do with mine. One go-to hair style I am attempting to conquer, is the top knot. For some reason if I try too hard to make it look just right, but it ends up looking SO WRONG. So the key for me is to try less, and do it fast.

Almost every night, my hair is up in a top knot bun, smack dab in the middle. It never looks quit like these pictures, but I figure I'm going to sleep so what does it matter anyways?! It never fails that the next morning I can let my hair down, and have a few relaxed curls to work with, and that saves me time and effort!

It doesn't matter if you use a top knot bun for curls or just for convenience, this look rocks and can be a lovely mess (which is what works for me), or it can be thoughtful and sophisticated, depending on where you're headed and what you've got on. So when you have a hair day that well... sucks, then try a top knot for fuss-free hair do that's likely to impress!

images courtesy of Pinterest

Do you rock the top knot?

Kendall