Healthy, Not Boring | Recipes to Try

If you're anything like me, you'll find it difficult to eat healthy when you hang out with your friends.  There's nothing wrong with that, but it's completely true.  Think about it, social eating and drinking is just that, very social.  Every trip out to the bar or night eating out at some new restaurant has to do with the one thing we hate most about life.. calories!  I've made a couple of things over the past couple of days to remedy that problem and here's how they came out.

Lunch Time | Windward Tavern

I had the chance to visit Windward Tavern for the first time recently and I was so happy.  Formerly called Craigs, Windward Tavern is just down the road from Windward Beach on Princeton Avenue in Brick, New Jersey.  It is safe to say we were pleasantly surprised with everything we ordered.  The food was delicious, here's how our visit went!

Summer Ends, Fall Begins | Beauty I'd Like To Try

As summer sadly comes to a close, there are a few beauty items have my mind set on to cool the burn of my favorite season ending.  There are three things here; two practical, one just to lighten the mood.

Lunch Time | The Cabin

The Cabin has been one of our family favorites for a while.  We've been there for lunch, for dinner.  With the family, with our friends.  I've tried so many different things on the menu and many different drinks as well.  We visited for a late lunch yesterday after the orchard, here's what I had!

Battleview Orchards | Fall 2015

Fall is officially here and we are definitely starting to feel it in the air.  If one thing's for sure, the weather is changing rapidly and I can't say I am thrilled about it.  Apple picking always makes me feel better about the seasons changing though and for the past couple of years, my family has been going to Battleview Orchards in Freehold, NJ.  Here's some pictures from 2015's trip.

Current Candle Crave | End of Summer

I haven't posted a Current Candle Crave in the longest time.  I think the reason is because I definitely burn through all of the candles that I have waaaay too quickly.  I don't really see that as a problem though ;).  I am candle obsessed, you can ask anyone that knows me.  I take a liking to Wallflowers from Bath and Body Works but I don't really ever buy them because I am so much more obsessed with candles.  I burn them all year long because I feel like there's always a candle for the season.  Here's what I've been completely obsessed with and here are the reasons why.

Hairspiration | Dying Hair Gray

I've been having an urge lately that I hate to get.  It's the urge to change up my hair.  Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely love a newly welcomed change, but I just hate going through the process emotionally.  Do you know what I mean?  Let me break it down for you.

Floral Letter Wall Art | DIY

I've had the yearning to do another floral craft for the longest time.  I love flowers so anything I can make with faux flowers that will last me a long time, I am all FOR! Aside from the assorted beautiful real flowers and succulents I have in my house, it's always nice to have something extra.  That's when I got to thinking, I want to make a floral letter for wall art in my room!  Best thing about this DIY?  Most things, including the faux flowers are from the dollar store!  :O I know!  Here's how to do it.

IT Cosmetics | Haul

I have been an IT Cosmetics fan for a while now.  Ever since I was told about the CC Cream that helps with redness, I have not used another foundation/tinted moisturizer.  As I don't wear any foundation (or makeup at all really) in the summer, I haven't been wearing anything for the past couple of months and I am excited to start 'glaming up' again for fall.  When I say 'glaming up' I really don't mean much, lol.  I just mean getting back to wearing darker lip colors, tinted moisturizer, a more robust skincare routine and blush.  Also a heavier application of eyeliner and mascara is more probable for me.  Again, when I say heavy, I just mean applying it more often.

My traditional light application of makeup is probably why I love IT Cosmetics so much.  I find that IT is a brand that is not so hung up on how it can change your look dramatically and colorfully, but it is a brand that can help with skincare, and that has been developed with dermatologists.  I first gravitated toward the CC cream when I was in Ulta and one of the employees mentioned it to me when I told her I wanted to conceal redness.  I haven't looked back since. Here are a few IT Cosmetics products that have found their way into my lap for fall.  

Bubbles, Bridesmaids, Brunch | Wedding Planning

Ladies and gentlemen the wedding is getting real!  Not like it hasn't been prior, but goodness gracious I can't believe how much closer it's been feeling like it is.  The bride decided that she wanted to have a brunch to celebrate her bridal party and afterwards, go dress shopping.  That's what she did.

Tweed Brunch

Yesterday I had a brunch that my best friends mother threw for her entire bridal party and I was so excited for it.  She wanted to have a little get together so that we could all chat and get a chance to know each other even more and I was excited to be there.  We all have busy lives so it was nice to have a second to completely decompress and talk about the wedding.  

Where To Find Me

I sincerely hope you've all been enjoying the relaunch of Heard It Through The Irvine!  I am so thankful for all of the support and love from my friends and family over the past week.  It has been absolutely wonderful.  Is there anything specific you would want to see me write about?  Let me know in the comments!  I have some excellent new stuff coming up so be sure to stay tuned!  Here's where to find me on all social media so you know what's new, first:

Facebook: Heard It Through The Irvine

Twitter: @britatheardit

Instagram: @hearditthroughtheirvine

What's On My Desk?

I'm always on the journey to make my room the most zen place it can possibly be.  You can ask anyone that knows me, they will tell you.  I think it is so important to make sure that your space is a place that you love.  Especially if you work in that space.  Today, I am showing you my desk!  I am so excited to share it with you because it's a place that I have been thinking about for a long time. 

Beachy Vibes

This summer was absolutely beautiful and I am so thankful for that.  I wanted to share a couple of scenes from the beach with you that I just cherish so much.  I love spending my free time in the sand, the water and just relaxing.  For me, the beach is more than just a place to get a tan, it's a place for reflection.  It's a place for serenity.

How To: Get The Most Out of Your Workout

I HATE working out, hate it.  No matter how much I do hate it, I have to do it.  There are a couple of things that I do know about it thought, and those things are what keep me motivated to keep doing it.

Confused?  Let me get started with a few spots of wisdom that I've learned about working out.

Not In The Mood

So it's the 'dog days of summer' and it's a bittersweet thing.  Like you know, I love local summer but the idea of having to wait another year for heat, summer and all things nice makes me sad.  I think this is an outfit that makes my feelings clear.  I am not in the mood.

Lunch Time | The Crooked Knife

I had lunch recently at The Crooked Knife's 30th Street location and I was excited to finally be giving it a try.  Honestly, I had heard about it in conversation from people who said that it was a great brunch place, but I am NEVER in the city with time to have brunch.  Needless to say, I never get a chance to have brunch anywhere.  Lame, I know.  The city is the best place for brunch.

Anyway.  I was stoked to finally try out The Crooked Knife and it felt like a homey place as soon as I walked in.  There's a small outdoor seating area that's really nothing special.  My favorite part about it was the orange chairs.  Nice pop of (my favorite) color. It basically looks like every other sidewalk seating arrangement in New York otherwise.  I chose to sit inside, it looked more adventurous, more enjoyable.  Boy was I right, there was about a million things on the walls.

Light Flatbread Sandwich for End of Summer

As I mentioned, one of the reasons I love the late moments of August so much is because local summer is just around the corner and guess what?  Local summer is FINALLY here.  This is easily one of my favorite times of the year for so many reasons.  I love the calm, dedicated nature of the year.  Everyone seems to be going back to school or work, the weather seems more manageable to everyone and attitudes are just all around better for everyone. 

Because we are still left with 80+ degree days in September for the most part, I love taking advantage of summery meals, the fresh produce that's still growing in my fathers garden, and easily constructible meals.  

This is just a super simple wrap that absolutely anyone can pull together and make.  It is actually perfect for work or school lunches and the ingredients are so simple to adjust should you or your child like something better.  Here are the ingredients and how I made it.

Rainy Day DIY: Flower Chandelier

I have to say, I'm always a sucker for almost anything DIY.  Not to mention if it has to do with flowers, I almost instantly fall in love. A third bonus? LACE!  I found this idea on Arlyne Sanjines YouTube channel in one of her room decor videos and I instantly loved it.  My first though was about how cute it was and the second thought was about how SIMPLE it seemed to be to make.  

I must admit, it took longer and more materials than I thought.  I had to run back to the craft store for more ribbon, so make sure you get enough the first time!  Also, make sure you go to the craft store to buy all of your materials!  I say this because I tried looking at target and found the crochet circle there for about $6, the one I ended up using I found at the craft store for a little over $2.