Nothing is more essential in your wardrobe than a good pair of jeans. I haven't worn distressed (formally called ripped jeans lol) since high school. Since then I bought my first pair a couple years ago and they are still my favorite! Old Navy jeans are super comfortable come in a number of different washes, here's my post on their grey ones. They come in mint color, so be sure to check out my post on how to Style Mint Pants. They claim their jeans are "New Stay-White denim technology repels stains & spills so your jeans stay white, no matter how messy the day gets."





I am always on the hunt for cool new ways to wear denim and wanted to share a couple looks of how you can wear them dressed up with heels or dressed down with (rose gold) sneakers. Below are links to similar shirts that will give you that effortless, but put together look. All the jewelry are from Kendra Scott, my favorite jewelry designer. On my nails I'm wearing the new Zoya nude color April. Check out my post on my favorite summer nail polish colors and on how to stop your sunglasses from falling off your face.

Are you wearing white jeans this summer?

Had another great weekend, Friday I went out to dinner with my father. Saturday I did a day trip to Baltimore to walk around the harbor and see the aquarium. I haven't done that in years and really enjoyed it and got to touch a jelly fish. In the evening I hit up some rooftop bars with a friend. Sunday I spent the afternoon with my mother.

Last winter I read the cookbook The Forest Feast  and saw this yellow salad recipe which I couldn't wait to try but had to wait until summer to find yellow beets. Beets are high in folate and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as lutein for eye health. Yellow beets need to be eaten immediately after cutting because they oxidize and turn black within hours. To prevent this discoloration you can try squeezing some lemon juice on it.

I think it's a great recipe to bring to a potluck brunch (which my friend had last weekend). You don't have to follow recipe exactly and I added some chopped gruyere cheese to it.  I couldn't find yellow cucumbers so I just used a regular one, but next to everything else in the salad it looked very green so I hid them at the bottom. I omitted the raisins to cut down on calories. For the dressing, I just added some white balsamic vinegar and pepper.

  Ingredients:

1 yellow bell pepper

1 can chickpeas

1 cup yellow tomatoes

1 yellow beet

1 lemon cucumber

½ cup corn

1 ts lemon zest

½ cup golden raisins (optional)

2 oz Gruyere cheese  (optional)

Directions: 
Rinse the beets and cut off the stalks then cook the beets in boiling water for 30 minutes. Next rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Once the beets have cooled, peel the skin off. Then chop the beets and mix with all the other ingredients and add dressing of your choice. 


Recipe source: The Forest Feast by Erin Gleeson

I went kayaking this weekend which was so much fun! I've only done it once before in Cabo and just never thought to try again until a friend invited me. I'm thinking about getting a season pass for it now! I also stopped in the LOFT this weekend as they were having one of their sales and loved all the bright colors. I picked up the Riviera shorts in bright red. They have a 6 inch inseam and I really liked the longer length. They also have the shorts in an elephant print, how cute is that! The Ottoman wrap skirt reminded of those Zara skirts that were so popular 3 years ago. The LOFT also has some nice jumpers and white dresses. Definitely check it out when you have a chance. What are your recent purchases from the LOFT?

Ice Cream in Barcelona

If you're watching your waist line but still want a scoop of ice cream, try out these diet friendly brands.

Halo Top Lemon Cake
half cup is one serving and has 60 calories, calories from fat 18, sugar 4g, protein 6g

They use stevia and erythritol to sweeten it and let me tell you it tastes delicious! The lemon cake flavor tastes like a lemon bar or ice cream cake. You could make an ice cream sandwich with it by putting it between waffles. Or use it to make a milkshake or root beer float with Zevia soda or put a scoop in your iced tea. You can find it at Whole Foods.

Trader Joe's Soy Creamy Mini Vanilla Sandwiches
90 calories, calories from fat 15, sugar 8, protein 2g

These are a little smaller than regular ice cream sandwiches but you would never guess they were vegan, they taste like milk cream.

Mini Mint Ice Cream Mouthfuls
2 sandwiches is a serving and is 120 calories, calories from fat 45, sugar 10g, protein 2g

These are oreo cookies with mint ice cream in between them.  They are so incredibly delicious!
















While not ice cream, I've talked about how much I love Trader Joe's macarons. They're much more affordable than going to a macaron shop and low in calories. In the fall they have pumpkin macarons and this summer they have mango flavored macarons. I have to say the mango flavor is very strong and natural.

Trader Joe's Mango Macarons
3 macarons is a serving, 100 calories, calories from fat 35, sugar 14g, protein 2 g

















Related Posts:
The Best of the Light Ice Creams
Who wants ice cream?!
6 Healthy Popsicle Recipes