Iced Tea

As the weather is heating up and summer is fast approaching I have been loving Iced Teas. I drink tea all day long and that usually includes some iced tea. I usually always have a pitcher of iced tea on hand.  I find herbal teas make the best iced teas but I also have some other favourites as well. They all are on the fruity side because that is my personal preference.  To make my iced tea I brew my tea as normal and if I am going to be drinking it right away I will strain it over ice, if not I will put the entire pitcher in the fridge to drink later. 

Here are my favourite iced teas from David's Tea

What is your favourite iced tea flavour?
Jaclyn

Summer Reading

One of my favourite things about summer (or all breaks from school) is that I can read for pleasure. I love reading and as soon as I have a break in school I seem to devour books. For a while I felt guilty reading for pleasure when I could be reading textbooks. This year I did my best not to feel guilty and read more for pleasure. I did find however, that I was often too tired at night to read and often opted to watch tv instead. Now that its summer I am ready to dive into this book list: 

 It is no secret that I love Lauren Graham. I am hoping her awesomeness shines through in her novel. 

 I have seen this on a number of must read lists and my mom said it was good. So I will be giving it a read.

 Part of my goal to read all of Jane Austin

 I have been meaning to read this FOREVER. Loved the Kite Runner.

Another book that I have seen on a number of lists. Just took it out from the library. Can't wait to start it. 

I am sure my list will grow as summer goes on. I will be sure to share more with you soon. 

What's on your summer must read list? 

Jaclyn

25 by 25 Update

I posted my 25 by 25 a year ago. I thought I would give an update.

1. Graduate University - Still working at this.

2. Buy a car 

3. Take a cake decorating class 

4. Go to Europe - hopefully within the next two years

5. Run a race - I just need to gain the courage to sign up for one and train! 

6. Throw a dinner party - Do potlucks count?

7. Watch all of Sex in the City 

8. Take a ballroom dancing class 

9. Get a real job - Need to complete 1. first, on my with with an internship!

10. Buy a great pair of shoes 

11. Read all the Jane Austin novels - Working on this. Reading Emma at the moment

12.  Have my own place 

13. Make Macaroons - Happening this summer!

14. Make a cupcake tower for something special 

15.  Do another service trip 

16. Road trip

17. Go to a sporting event 

18. Have a pet of my own (even if its just a fish)

19.  Go to Vancouver 

20.  Find my signature drink  

21. Have a girls weekend 

22. Learn to play a song on guitar

23. Keep a journal 

24. Invest in a good camera 

25. Dream Big  

I have a lot left on my list still. Some are on going and others I need to graduate in order to complete. 

Hair Inspiration

Recently I decided that I was sick of my hair and it was time to cut it off. I wanted something long enough that it could still be put into a pony tail but I wanted it to have body and just be overall easier to manage. I decided on a medium length style and I wanted something that framed my face. I am not big on bangs and wanted to avoid them. Here is some of my hair inspiration. 

 Alexandra Chando 

 A random hair model 

Sophia Bush 

What do you think of these medium  length hair styles? 

Jaclyn

Mother's Day Gift Guide

TopBox Perfume Sampler -  I love the idea of letting Mom pick out her own perfume. I know my mom loves perfume but I never know which one to get her. This takes out all the guessing. Plus the sample sizes are perfect for travel. Shoppers also has a version of this that you can get in stores. 

Purse - I love this bag from Danier Leather. It comes in a bunch of bright colours perfect for spring. 

Pendant - This pendant is from Tiffany's and it is has a Great Gatsby flair which I love.

Candle - If your mother is anything like mine then she loves candles. These candles from Anthropologie  are beautiful and smell great.

Body Shop - Give your mom what she needs to pamper herself from The Body Shop. They have a ton of different products, great kits and they all smell amazing!

What are you getting your mom this year?
Jaclyn

Quiet Nights

Sometimes you just need a quiet night in. A night to yourself. Sometimes I love just curling up on the couch with a glass of wine, some chick flicks and painting my nails. Its the perfect me time. I needed it to recoup from exams and assignments. It was the perfect way to relax and say hello to summer! 

How do you relax? 

Jaclyn 

Green Smoothie Challenge - Storing Greens

I started doing the Green Smoothie Challenge  at the beginning of April and then I got sick and stopped for about a week (I really just didn't want to eat anything) but I am back at it and I am loving how energized I feel. They are tastey and full of delicious goodness. 

The one thing I found was that I wasn't able to go through a bunch of greens fast enough before it started going bad and that washing greens everyday was time consuming and annoying. I found a simple solution to both those problems that I thought I would share with you. 

Take your green (in my case Kale) and break it into small pieces.

 Wash and drain your greens 

 Dry throughly. (It would probably be faster to use a lettuce spinner...which I don't own...the joys of student living. haha a clean kitchen towel did just fine) 

Store greens in a ziplock bag with a paper towel placed inside to capture moister and keep greens fresh longer. Also if you find you have way too many greens you can simply throw the ziplock bag into the freezer. 

Hope this helps! 

For my favourite green smoothie recipe click here. 

Jaclyn