I'm Back!

So my trip to LA was a success!! I got to see a bunch of friends in my small town of La Canada Flintridge and my best friend, whom I stayed with, made me feel as if I'd never left.

                                           

         On the day of my returning flight, my amazing Aunt Carolyn took me for lunch at Fred Segal in Santa Monica and treated me to a beautiful Diptyque candle and gorgeous boyfriend cardigan. Thank you!! Then my grandfather picked me up so that I would get to spend time with one of my beautiful baby cousins and my grandma. But, before I knew it, I was whisked away to LAX for my flight back to Seattle. It was so bittersweet. I miss my old town, my old life, my old friends. But it's hard to be without my family, and not only has my life changed dramatically but so has life at La Canada High School. Friends are different, girls are different, boys are different. Everythings different. So this time, I knew coming home wouldn't be as hard.

       Though, it probably helped that one of my closest friends since birth was coming up to Seattle to visit us with her family, the next day. It was super fun to give them a tour of all the Seattle hot spots: Pikes Place Market, original Starbucks, Space Needle, and the new Dale Chihuly exhibit (which was very cool) at Seattle Center.
     

My lovely friend Sonia                                                                               Dale Chihuly's Greenhouse

 

My dad needed a new profile picture

Now it's back to regular old life in Bellevue (even the sky is remembering what life in Seattle's like-today's forecast: clouds), but this is going to be "Get in shape and look amazing for sophomore year" month! I've started off with healthy eats and new work out classes. For the first time ever I've tried Barre classes which I am really enjoying! It's like the workouts we do at dance but x10 and its super fun! As far as the healthy eats go, I've been eating oatmeal with fruit or making my own parfaits with Yoplait Light yogurts, Bear Naked granola, and blueberries (big antioxidant and superfood!) for breakfast/lunch and snacking on fresh fruit, vegetables, and nuts. As far as sweets go, I've been cheating a little because I have a MAJOR sweet tooth but today I tried out a Banana Chocolate Chip muffin recipe adapted from a Fit Sugar one for Oatmeal, Dark Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin muffins. I basically substituted mashed banana for canned pumpkin and excluded the nutmeg. They turned out to be delicious, so here's the recipe:

Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 1/2 cups oat flour (or whole wheat flour)
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1-3 mashed bananas (depending on how much banana flavor you want)
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1/4 cup lowfat milk
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips




Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 and grease tin or add cupcake liners
2. Blend dry ingredients together in a large bowl
3. In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients then add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly
4. Stir in chocolate chips
5. Add to muffin tin and bake for 18-20 min  Makes about 15 muffins









xoxo
Sabrina

Travel Junkie : L.A. Part I

Though my nicknames vary from Brina to Breenie to Nina, it should officially be "Travel Junkie". My life goals include being happy, healthy, and seeing the world. Anything and everything about travel fascinates me. I love it all from packing to security, turbulence to red eyes. Yeah, EVERYTHING. So, bear with me here as I hash out my entire travel routine for my upcoming trip. I'm going to L.A. for a week to visit my friends back home and I can't wait! I'll do a couple posts, before, possibly during, and after. Here we go!

Phase I: Packing

Unlike most people, I love packing. Love it! I always start out by making a list, and then of course make a million little changes to it. I always worry about forgetting things, and sometimes I still do, but this way I avoid forgetting the most important things. 

From there, it turns into "how can I jam half of my wardrobe into this tiny carry-on suitcase?". I am such an over packer. I pack for almost every situation, "what if it rains?", "what if we go to a fancy dinner?", "a party?", "the beach?", "downtown?". I'm getting better though! I figured out that if you plan your outfits ahead of time, you can incorporate key pieces so that you're not packing a different pair of bottoms for every single day or a different pair of shoes for every different outfit. 

                                    

                                      

I of course also added a few t-shirts, swimsuits, shoes, dresses, and accessories to complete a week of outfits. Finally, my case was packed to the brim (it looks like a turkey on Thanksgiving: stuffed so full you think it might burst).

My colorful trunk

And last, but of course not least, is the all important carry-on or "personal item" as the TSA calls it! Here's a pre airport sneak peak of mine (obviously missing the essential MacBook, mint gum, candy, and trashy tabloids). 

(from left to right) a large scarf/blanket *leaving on a chilly NW morning and returning on a chilly NW night and of course that chilly airplane*, a good book *The Great Gatsby*, wallet, iPhone, Tums-to-go,  Nivea Chapstick, Burts Bee's *yes two, because I believe there is no excuse to have dry lips*, TSA approved quart sized bag, RayBan aviators, and most important of all: my boarding pass

My lovely mother allowed me to borrow her vintage 

leather Coach tote to use on my journey back home

So there you have it! My packing is done, flight checked in, and host arranged. See you tomorrow morning with Phase 2: Getting There. Sleep tight!

xoxo

Sabrina