Which Flavor Are You?

I recently saw that a study was done by Baskin-Robbins that relates the ice cream flavor you like the best to what type of personality you have. I thought this sounded like the most absurd thing ever until I looked at the options myself and saw other people try it on TV! 

I was watching 20/20 or one of those shows, and an ice cream truck in NYC was giving out free ice cream. People were asked to choose which description fit their personality best, and then they would be given the corresponding ice cream flavor. Then, they were asked if that was the flavor they would most likely choose. Most people said yes! Only a couple people said they didn't like that particular flavor and would not have picked it.

Here's what each ice cream flavor says about your personality:

If your favorite flavor is vanilla, you're more likely to be impulsive, easily suggestible and an idealist.

If your favorite flavor is chocolate, you're more likely to be dramatic, lively, charming, flirtatious, seductive and gullible.

If your favorite flavor is very berry strawberry, you're more likely to be tolerant, devoted and an introvert.

If your favorite flavor is mint chocolate chip, you're more likely to be argumentative, frugal and cautious.

If your favorite flavor is chocolate chip cookie dough, you're more likely to be ambitious, competitive and a visionary.

If your favorite flavor is pralines 'n' cream, you're more likely to be loving, supportive and prefer to avoid the spotlight.

If your favorite flavor is coffee, you're more likely to be scrupulous, conscientious and a moral perfectionist.

If your favorite flavor is chocolate chip, you're more likely to be generous, competent and a go-getter.

If your favorite flavor is rainbow sherbet, you're more likely to be analytic, decisive and a pessimist.

If your favorite flavor is rocky road, you're more likely to be aggressive, engaging and a good listener.

So, now that I've outlined everything, I'll tell you what my pick is. I would typically want mint chocolate chip, or maybe the very berry strawberry, depending on my mood. I usually like fruity desserts, but I do love me some mint chocolate chip! In fact, when I was on a cruise with my family as a teenager, my dad and I had an ice-cream eating competition  and I must've had about 4 cones of mint chocolate chip!

Which flavor are you? Do you think it's accurate in describing your personality?

Frozen Bananas

I've never been much on rides. Even though I've lived in Florida my entire life, I've only been to Disney World a couple times (and not since I was a small child), and if you try to get me to go on a roller coaster, you might as well just count on that being a big fat NO! I don't know why, but I've just never enjoyed being thrown upside down at high speeds and feeling like I'm going to die.

Anyway, the reason I mention all of that will make sense, because my favorite part of going to the fair was never the rides or games. It was always the chocolate covered frozen bananas. There is nothing better on a hot day! 

Via

Imagine my excitement when I discovered that you can now buy these at the grocery store!!! I started out by getting the Banana Babies from Diana's Banana's brand, which I must say are quite delicious. You can buy them in dark chocolate or milk chocolate. My favorite is the dark chocolate. They even have some with nuts, but unfortunately, those only come in the milk chocolate variety.

Via

Now Dole has chocolate covered banana slices!! These Banana Dippers are perfect for when you might not want a whole banana, but just a small snack to satisfy that sweet tooth. I've only tried the plain chocolate ones so far, but they also make some with almonds that sound amazing! I highly recommend running, not walking, to the grocery store and buying yourself a package of frozen bananas this summer. They really are the perfect healthy dessert. You can thank me later.

Christmas in July

Since I've been searching for churches, I've also watched a few services online just to get a feel for what the church might be like. Yesterday morning I watched a service I really enjoyed, and the name of the sermon was "Christmas in July." The pastor was talking about how we're given gifts every day that we should be using. Maybe we have a passion for something that others don't, and that could very well be what our "gift" is. It was really encouraging and made me think that I should try to be more thankful for what I have, and not focus on the things that go wrong in my life.

Via

One thing I'm especially thankful for is my family. Over the weekend, I was especially blessed to be able to see my family, including a cousin and aunt who live in Georgia. I can honestly say that this was one of the best visits we've ever had together. We all had such a great time talking, laughing, eating, and "touristing" around. By the way, it's kind of fun to tour the town where you live. I saw things I didn't even know about, and maybe some things I never needed to know about! I truly love my family and know that we'll always be there for each other. To me, that is the ultimate gift!

While I'm on the subject of gifts, why not grab a gift or two for yourself?! Through Tuesday night, everything is 30% off at Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. I already have a shopping cart full of stuff that I want to order! And don't forget to check out the Nordstrom anniversary sale! There are lots of great deals to be had. If you don't want to deal with the work of sifting through everything, Sheaffer at Pinterest Told Me To has already done it for you! Be sure to check out all of her fabulous picks! Happy Monday!

Church Searching

I keep saying that I want to find a new church, but I have yet to go visit a new one. I think I'm a little nervous about not knowing what to expect. I've gone to the same church pretty much all my life. But lately, I just haven't felt like I'm growing there. Any time I feel like something is holding me back in life, I like to make a change. It also got to the point where I didn't really enjoy it because there was no one my age to be around at church. My church has a lot of elderly people.

Finding a new church is easier said than done, especially when you're a single person. I feel a little uncomfortable going by myself and not knowing anyone. I know I could sit in the back and slip out if I didn't like it, but how am I going to meet anyone if I stay hidden?! At the same time, I don't want people pouncing on me like fresh meat. If I attend a service and it isn't my cup of tea, I don't want phone calls, visits, etc. asking me when I'm coming back.

I've heard of a couple popular churches where more younger people tend to go, but I just haven't been sure if they would be right for me because they're non-denominational. I've always gone to a Baptist church, and unfortunately most of the other Baptist churches around here aren't much different than the one I've been going to... lots of elderly people and the same type of format. But I feel like some non-denominational churches could feel more like going to a rock concert than a worship service. 

Via

I really want to find that middle ground, and I want to be part of a church that I really enjoy, where I can meet people and make friends. Several churches now have "small groups," which I haven't been familiar with before. They seem to be divided by age groups or interests. I'm not sure I fit in the "young adult" category anymore, but I'm sure there's got to me a nice group that I'd enjoy. I often wonder if I'd be better trying to find a small group first, and then attend the regular church services, or vice versa.

Via

I'd love to hear thoughts or advice on this subject. Finding a new church seems just as difficult as finding a new job or a new place to live! Stressful!! But I know it needs to be done. I've felt so guilty for not attending lately.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Today I'm touching on a somewhat sensitive topic. It seems to be more and more common, but so many of us women have unwanted hair on our bodies. 

I've been seriously considering trying laser hair removal. I've dealt with tweezing, waxing, bleaching, you name it for several years now when it comes to unwanted hair on my face. It's hereditary, as most of the women in my family have the same issue. One of my cousins actually shaves her face! That's a no-no, so please never try that! And luckily, mine isn't THAT bad, but it's bad enough that I'm using the tweezers every other day. The worst area is under my chin. My mom brought it to my attention the other day that I really need to go get something done with it, because all the pulling I do on the skin there (it helps you see the hairs better so you can pull them out) is going to cause wrinkles and flabby skin as I get older! So now I feel like I really should go try laser hair removal. And if it worked, I'd love to get it done on other areas of my body, too. 

So I'm wondering if anyone has tried it. If so, did it work? How many treatments did you have? What was the cost? I really want to hear some positive testimonials before I take the plunge.

I'd also be willing to try any great products that seem to help. I recently read about this R.E.M. Spring Facial Hair Remover. I'm not quite sure what to think of it, but the reviews seem decent. For less than $15, it could be worth a try!

Jeans Day

This probably seems really silly and insignificant, but I'm so excited that it's "Jeans Friday!" For the past 3.5 years I wasn't able to wear jeans to work on Fridays, or ever. My previous job allowed it, and I really got used to having that casual and comfortable day. So when I found out that my new job has a casual Friday, too, I was pretty excited!

The only issue is that I really don't own any work-appropriate jeans anymore. Most of my jeans are skinny and colored. I do have a pair of not-as-skinny jeans that are nice and dark, so those are making their debut today. But I'm going to have to wear flats each time I wear them, so I'd like to get a pair of boot cut jeans so I can wear my Sperrys, too.

Why has it gotten so difficult to find nice boot cut (or any work-appropriate) jeans?! I know I'm a little more challenging because I need a longer inseam (usually 34"), but it should be simpler than this! I'm off to scour the internet. The jeans search is on! Happy Friday!

The Ninja Blender

I've had my Ninja blender for several years now, and it has never failed me. I use this blender to make smoothies, soups, sauces, salsa... you name it. It really serves as both a blender and a food processor for me. 

So when I found out that my brother was in the market for a blender, I knew just what to get him for his birthday! Now before you start wondering what's so great about this blender, let me first say that my previous blender finally got pitched (ok, actually thrown in disgust) in the garbage can when I was trying to make a sauce one night, and the thing started smoking and almost caught on fire! The blades just weren't sharp enough. It couldn't even cut through ice to make a decent smoothie.

This Ninja QB900B Master Prep Revolutionary Food and Drink Maker, Gray is quite the little workhorse. It will blend anything. It's easy to clean, and I love the fact that it comes with two sizes of the base in case you just want to make a small portion of something. 

Ninja makes a complete system that comes with all sorts of gadgets, but honestly, for around $40, this is all you'd need! It's a must-have kitchen item in my book!

Crunchy Black Bean Tacos

Just in case you didn't get your fill of food from 4th of July, or maybe something besides dinner on the grill sounds tasty, I have a great recipe for some delicious tacos! 

I used to always buy taco shells from the grocery store... the kind that you just bake for a few minutes and are typically broken into a million pieces when you open them. Yes, those. I'm not sure why it took me so long to try making my own tacos, but I was definitely missing out! These tacos are simple and yummy, plus you could use any filling you like. Here's my black bean version. It makes 4 tacos, but you'll likely want to double the recipe!

1 C black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 C red onion, diced
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika (you could also use regular paprika or skip it altogether)
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbs cilantro, chopped
1/4 C pepper jack cheese, grated
1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
4 small corn tortillas
avocado, sour cream, hot sauce (optional, for garnish)

In a bowl, combine beans, onion, spices and cilantro. This will be your filling for the tacos.

In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium and when the oil is hot, add a tortilla to the pan. As it begins to cook, spoon 1/4 of the beach mixture onto half of the tortilla. Top with 1/4 of your cheese. Then, using a spatula, carefully fold the other half of the tortilla over to the bean mixture half to form a tortilla. Press down.

Once the taco begins to get crispy and brown (after a couple of minutes), flip it over to cook the other side. 

After you've folded your first taco, you can add another tortilla to the pan and begin making additional tacos. Make as many as you're able to fit in the pan at once. 

Serve with avocado, sour cream, hot sauce or more cilantro. You'll be surprised how fancy these seem and how great they taste! No more boxed taco shells!

 

Is it time for an upgrade?

I have a confession. As much as I love technology and all things social media, I have not joined the smartphone bandwagon. I am still using a flip phone. Yes, you read that correctly. In fact, I don't even have texting capabilities, and I've never taken a picture with my phone! It's crazy. 

This is my phone!

I think the main reason for my lack of advancement in the world of cell phones is that I just don't want to pay the extra money each month. I always say it's not something I need, but just something that would be nice to have. And my excuse was always that I'd get a new phone whenever I got a new and better job. Well, friends... that has happened!

Yesterday was my last day at my old job. I worked for a college for 3.5 years doing communications and event planning. My new position will be a lot closer to home, so my commute will be cut in half. I'll be working as a corporate writer for an insurance company. I'm really excited about this new opportunity! But, I still haven't gone out to buy a new phone! I keep thinking maybe I should wait until the new model comes out in the fall, but that's probably just an excuse to postpone it even longer! Eventually, one of these days you'll know I got a new phone when I start sharing more pictures, and who knows... I might even have an Instagram account!!

Get Pin-spired: July Edition

Hard to believe, but it's already the 1st of another month! This year is really flying by. Once again, I'm linking up with Shay, Sheaffer and Mel for Get Pin-spried. This is where we find outfits on Pinterest and try to re-create them using items from our own closets.

I decided to try something really out of my element this month. I went monochromatic! My first look made me feel a little bit like a giant bottle of Pepto Bismol when I first put it on, but I think the belt really helped, and maybe this look worked after all! My pink tones don't have as much contrast as they probably should, but the lighting in my picture isn't great, either.

Tee: J. Crew

Shorts: J. Crew (old)

Belt: LOFT

My next outfit was inspired by Alison at Get Your Pretty On. Before I talk about my clothes, I just want to take a moment to say that Alison is one of my very favorite bloggers! I'm so happy I found her blog, and she has been very supportive of me, always there to offer advice and comment on my posts.  And let's face it, she is gorgeous!! So here's my re-creation of Alison's "white on white" look.

Tee: Forever 21 (old)

Shorts: JC Penney (old)

Scarf: Gap 

That's all for this month! I really feel like I'm dressing so much better this summer, thanks to Pinterest and all the great ideas out there. Usually, I feel so frumpy and unkempt during the summer, but not this year!