Chicken Walnut Salad

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I don’t know how anyone can get tired of salads. There are endless combinations and anything you have lying around the kitchen can be thrown in. That’s exactly what happened with this salad. It’s very Panera-esque, and I make it regularly now.

My salads are always an unhealthy portion, so add each ingredient to taste- I use a mixing bowl for my salads because I always make a large portion for myself.

 Ingredients:

-Greens (I usually use a spinach/arugula blend, but whatever you have is fine)

-Shredded chicken

-Sliced apple

-Red onion

-Chopped walnuts

-Cranberries

-Almond slivers

-Salt and pepper to taste

-Sweet vinaigrette dressing

Combine and enjoy! I like to eat it with a side of garlic bread.

New Year’s Beauty Resolutions

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How do you celebrate the new year? Is it “new year, new me” or business as usual? Personally, I’m all about the resolutions. But it’s not just a January thing for me- I make goals all throughout the year and edit them as necessary. It may seem extreme, but I have monthly, quarterly/semi-annual, and yearly goals. I like to know where I’m going and to plan for how I’m going to get there. So while I’m not big on the “New Year’s resolution” thing, I do use this time to re-evaluate my plans. My goals range from my personal life, to my career, and of course beauty/style. A few things I hope to accomplish this year in that area:

  1. Achieve waist length hair. This is completely doable towards the end of the year, but it’s not going to happen with the way I’ve been treating my tresses. No more going a week without moisture, no more half-detangling, no more ignoring my fairy knots.
  2. Continue working on clearing my skin. I’ve fought acne my entire life. At one point, I was resigned to the fact that I’d have bad skin for years, but now that I’ve found successful and cheap natural remedies, I see clear skin is possible for me. Consistency is key here. I know what to do, I just need to make sure I take the time to do it.
  3. Stop leaving the house in sweatpants. ‘Nuff said.
  4. Exfoliate my body 2 to 3 times per week. My skin changes so drastically with a little dry brushing. It’s soft, smooth and glowing. Again, the key is consistency.
  5. Refill my closet. A few months ago, I tossed out anything in my closet that was ill-fitting or that I hadn’t worn in at least a year. That left me with a few pairs of jeans and club dresses (which is a major contributer to my 3rd goal). I’ve gotten lazy.
  6. How to fix? Force myself out to the thrift stores at least once a month, and keep an eye out for end of the season sales from my favorite online stores coming up soon.

Some may think that planning in so much detail is silly, but I love the sense of direction and control it gives me. So, if you’re making new year’s resolutions, here’s my tip: know the difference between a goal and a dream.

A goal is something you can control. If success of a goal is dependent on other’s actions, it’s merely a dream. Saying you want a promotion at work is nice, but it’s not entirely up to you whether you get one- it’s up to your superiors. It’s merely a dream. To say, I’m going to finish my degree to make me look more attractive for the next promotion, is all on you- that’s a goal. Make a plan, and then figure out how you’re going to get there.

What are your resolutions for 2015?

Fall Back in Love with Your Closet

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Have you ever looked in your closet only to find nothing to wear? Coming from some one who never wears the same “outfit” twice, I think we are all guilty of this. We tend to hold special memories with certain pieces of clothing and after a while, you get the feeling that your wardrobe has emotional ties. Do you have a ring from your 18th birthday that you only wear on special occasions?

How about your favorite cardigan that brings out the color of your eyes or that little black dress that makes your legs look stunning? Its a shame these items can be our favorites but we hardly wear them.
If your ever feeling like your wardrobe is stale, consider consigning. The money you make from the sale of your previously owned items will be funds for your closet makeover. Remember to stick to a budget when shopping and never get rid of clothing you will regret later. During this time you should always dispose of clothes that are worn out or doesn’t fit properly. Remember, the holidays are the season of giving- don’t forget Goodwill!!
Here are a few tips to fall back in love with your wardrobe without going shopping, as hard as that may be. 
 
First try to recycle your “club” clothes. Okay, I know I’m not the only one who still has their old clothes from back in the day. Pull out that mini dress; it can be worn as a shirt now. Make it werk!
 
Also, look in those places you have left clothes. I know you have been looking for those jeans that make your butt look nice. Check the trunk. Look under the bed. How about the laundry room? When is the last time you looked in the back of your closet? Even the most well-kept closet can hijack a pair of pants or a top. You would be surprised what you would find.
For all of your incomplete outfits, we have what you need at KT!  With the new season, it’s the perfect time to spruce up our wardrobe.