Low-Carb - The Only Effective Way To Diet

Frugal Fashion

H&M complete outfits all under $100!

Graduate school can really burn a hole in your wallet, leaving your summer wardrobe less than impressive. So being a bargain shopper is essential and thanks to a little help from H&M, Target and Forever 21, we can all dress like our favorite celebs without breaking the bank! 

If you've strolled through the shoe isle at Target lately it's pretty obvious that they have stepped up their shoe game.

From sandals to wedges and heels, Target has leveled the playing field and is giving Steve Madden and Aldo a run for their money! Target has brought every trend to the shelves and for under $30 its hard to walk by without grabbing a pair.

Target finds all under $30!

Obviously no outfit is complete without the perfect accessories, but lets face it, who can afford Givenchy jewelry and Celine handbags. Forever 21 is constantly revamping their accessory line to parallel  those of high end designers for a fraction of the cost. Where else can you buy a necklace and bracelet for under $8 ?!

Forever 21 Accessories

GARNISHING GATSBY

The Great Gatsby finally hit the big screen last Friday and I along with many other F.Scott Fitzgerald fans filled the theaters waiting to be dazzled by the classic tale filled with romance, deceit and opulent costumes.

VOGUE Photoshoot with Carey Mulligan

If you aren't a Gatsby fan but appreciate fashion, then this movie will not disappoint. Costume designer Catherine Martin, (who happens to be the wife of genius Gatsby director, Baz Luhrmann)alongside Brooks Brothers brought the 1920s era to life in true extravagant fashion.  The film showcased 1,700 costume pieces, one more lavished then the next. Martin teamed up with Prada to dress Gatsby party extras. 40 gowns were modified from the Miu Miu and Prada archives to provide attire as flashy as Gatsby himself.

And as if the Martin/Prada collaboration wasn't spectacular enough, Tiffany & Co. designed the exquisite jewelry collection, including the infamous Savoy diamond and cultured pearls headpiece worn by Daisy Buchanan. The headpiece is featured in Tiffany's new Jazz Age Glamour collection for a modest $200,000. Other items included in the collection are the sterling silver and black enamel monogrammed JG cufflinks and platinum chandelier earrings encrusted in diamonds.     

TARGET LANDS ANOTHER TOP DESIGNER

Target has had their fair share of hot celebrity designers grace the racks of their departments over the last few years. Missoni, Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu, Alice & Olivia and now Target announced that Phillip Lim will be making a grand debut on September 15th!

 

 

Metallic-Trim Silk Top

Pashli Large Tote

 I have to admit, I am pretty excited to see what the line has in store for us. Lim's 2013 summer collection is full of bold patterns and detailed trim work. Many of his handbags mimic the shape of the ever so popular and most coveted Celine. Prices will range between $20 and $300 which is considerably less expensive than his high end line. Us bargain shoppers can only hope that his Target collection parallels his pieces displayed in the windows at Bergdorfs. 

ON THE MENU

More Low-Carb Meals That Pack A Punch

In the world of healthy eating, carbs are out and protein is in. So when I'm searching through the internet for recipes my main focuses are meat, fish, chicken and eggs. Combining those with lower carb vegetables are a recipe for weight-loss success.

Here are a few of my favorite easy dishes:

Eggs Wrapped in Prosciutto & Topped w/ Goat Cheese

Minus the Prosciutto & Plus the Spinach and Mushrooms

This simple muffin tin creation has been a staple in my morning routine. Using a thin layer of prosciutto, ham, turkey or whatever thinly sliced meat you prefer, line the bottom of a muffin tin. (Make sure you spray each with olive oil to ensure an easy departure after cooking.) Then add your egg whites, low fat shredded cheese, mushrooms, spinach and any other favorites to the mix. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees and let them bake for 10-15 minutes or until the eggs have set.

Easy Low Carb Starch Replacements:

 

 Portobello Mushroom Pizza

Portobello Mushrooms serve as a great bread replacement for pizzas. Just add sauce, toppings and bake!

Mashed Garlic Cilantro Cauliflower

Instead of carb-loaded mashed potato's, opt for mashed cauliflower. Stir in roasted garlic and parsley for a delicious less starchy substitute.

Tuna made with low-fat Greek yogurt and Pesto dipping sauce

Tuna Salad on a Sundried Tomato Egg White Wrap

Two egg whites with sundried tomato's make for the perfect light and airy wheat wrap substitute with double the protein and half the carbs.                  

A Piece of New York in Tampa

The Oxford Exchange 

420 West Kennedy Boulevard

This architectural mecca has been the talk of the town since its opening in September 2012. Located across from the University of Tampa, it has become a hotspot for students to congregate, study and indulge in a cornucopia of coffees & teas. Entering through the marble threshold, you are transported into an atmosphere paralleling that of Manhattan. 

 

Tall ceilings, crown molding, marble floors, wooden beams, brick walls...The attention to detail is remarkable, leaving no space untouched. The building offers a bookstore, coffee & tea bars featuring local brews, restaurant, gift shop, and plenty of trendy photo opportunities for instagramers.    

 

The restaurant offers amazing breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea dishes and serves up in my opinion the best sweet potato fries in Tampa.

The shop is an interior designer's dream, featuring clean lines, structured furniture, artwork, intricate lighting and an amazing Louis Vuitton trunk coffee table. The shop offers everything from stationary, vintage jewelry, home decor and many other beautiful pieces that will be sure conversation starters.

The Shop

So next time your looking for a getaway, look no further then the Oxford Exchange!

OUT WITH THE NEW - IN WITH THE OLD ?

Antique Cameras, Vintage Bikes, Cars & a lot of WD-40

Now that I'm in between semesters, I actually have time to breathe! I've been filling my days with working out, cooking, reading and restoring antiques? I've always had a fascination with old knick knacks but never been one to spend my free time sifting through antique shops and thrift stores looking for buried treasure. But recently I've been finding myself acquiring pretty cool pieces that might make me change my mind about taking the occasional stroll through Goodwill or the Salvation Army. 

1970s Schwinn Cruiser

In the book: The Secret, according to the law of attraction, if you ask the universe for something you will receive it. I have been wanting a cruiser bike for quite a while now, so maybe the universe decided to surprise me with a 1970s Schwinn Cruiser? Maybe coincidence, maybe fate but either way I'll take it. A good friend of mine found this bike on the side of the road and planned to restore it, they ended up asking me if I wanted it and I took it off their hands with great pleasure. It was a fun project to complete and even better being that my grandfather helped me the whole way through. So after a lot of sanding, painting, new tires, handle bar grips and a silver bell, my cruiser is as good as new and great form of exercise to add to my regimen.

After Restoration

                                                   

                                                                                                                           

1950s Kodak Duaflex II

Like I said, I keep acquiring antiques. Last week my grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary! We threw them a surprise party and I put together a slide show with all their old pictures. While sneaking around their house looking through boxes of pictures while they weren't home, I found this camera! I fell in love with it. It was given to my grandfather in 1950 before he left for the Korean War. He documented his stay in Korea with this camera, taking  photographs of himself to send to my grandmother, (how romantic!) After showing so much interest in it,he gave it to me! I'm super excited to find some old film and start shooting. 

My beautiful grandparents in 1952

My handsome Nano, snapping a shot of himself in Korea 1950

1965 Karmann Ghia

This is one antique that I don't think I'll be "acquiring" any time soon, but sticking with the theme of the post I decided to throw it in. One day I'd love to restore and cruise around one of these on the weekends, but until then the picture will have to suffice.