A Week of Meals in Less than 2 Hours

You wake up way past your alarm in the morning and don't have time to whip something up for lunch later.  Or, maybe you've had along day at work or school.  You're tired, hungry, and the last thing you want to do is cook dinner. You have to eat something; and Domino's is just a phone call away.  A whole pizza pie later and you feel even more sluggish than before and you know you shouldn't have ate that pizza...especially after the Chinese food last night. Yikes. 

 

But what if I told you that you can avoid that entire situation by dedicating just 2 hours (or less!) of your time to cook a week's of lunches and dinners.  Yeah, you heard me right.  Put on some music, put on your apron, and get cooking.

 

In this post, I will be sharing with you my top tips for meal prepping as well as what I cook for my typical week of lunch and dinner.  These recipes are very simple and you can literally just pop them in the microwave and you've got yourself lunch and dinner in minutes.  Keep in mind that you don't have to follow my recipes exactly, especially because I know most people don't enjoy eating the same meals every day.  But I'm weird and I actually don't mind.  I usually meal prep on Sunday nights and it takes me between 1 to 2 hours depending on what's on the menu for that week in particular. 

 

Before diving into these recipes, I wanted to share with you my top tips for a successful and quick meal prep.

 

1. Buy Pre-Cut Vegetables

    If you've ever cut up a week's worth of vegetables (especially bigger ones like butternut squash or spaghetti squash) it can take up a huge chunk of time.  When I make roasted butternut squash for the week, the cutting process takes more time than the cooking itself! If you're tight on time, spend the few extra cents and buy pre-cut vegetables.  However, if you're frugal like me, go ahead and cut them yourself.

 

2. Frozen Pre-Cooked Meat is a Time Saver

     Again, cutting up and cooking meats like chicken or pork take extremely long.  Plus, raw chicken really grosses me out.  That's why I typically buy pre-cooked chicken that is frozen from places like Costco, BJ's, or Sam's Club.  All you have to do is defrost the meat for a few hours and heat it up in the microwave.  This tip is a huge time saver (and I don't have to cringe when cutting up the meat!).

 

3. 90 Second Rice is Your Best Friend

    Those 90 second packets of rice are probably one of the best time-saving inventions ever created.  Just pop them in the microwave and you've got cooked rice in a fraction of the time.

 

4. Skip the Washing and Chopping and Buy Bagged Lettuce

    At my grocery store, there is almost always a sale on bagged lettuce.  They are either two for $5 or if I'm lucky; buy one get one free.  Don't waste your time on washing and chopping your salad leaves; go for the more efficient bagged option.

 

On the menu for this week is:

-Lunch: Grilled Chicken, Butternut Squash, and Feta Cheese salad with Poppyseed dressing

-Dinner: Spaghetti Squash, Butternut Squash, Grilled Chicken and Sauteed Zucchini

 

Ingredients for 5 Lunches and 5 Dinners:

• Butternut Squash (2)
• Spaghetti Squash (1)
• Chicken Breast (1 pound)
• Zucchini
• Salad Bags (2 bags)
• Salad toppings of choice
• Dressing of choice
• Seasonings of choice
• Cooking Spray/Cooking Oil
• An Hour+ of Your Time and a bit of patience

Before anything, pre-heat your oven to 400 Degrees Fahrenheit. This way, the oven will be ready when it's time to cook your butternut and spaghetti squash. Go ahead and chop up your zucchini.

Onto the spaghetti squash, use those muscles to cut this tough vegetable long-ways and scoop out the seeds in the center.  Place the squash center down on an oven tray and chuck it in the oven to cook for 45 minutes. 

 I have an in-depth post on my roasted butternut squash recipe, so head on over there for detailed instructions on how to make these healthy French fry alternatives!  Once you've got the squash peeled, chopped, and seasoned to your liking, go ahead and pop them in the oven as well for 1 hour.

I debated whether or not to photograph the process of cutting the raw chicken breast, and I'm happy with my decision to skip out on that one.  However, it's pretty straightforward so go ahead and cut up your chicken or protein of choice. 

By the time you've cut your chicken and began grilling it, the spaghetti squash should be all done.  To mimic the spaghetti look, take a fork and gently scrape the squash until you've got yourself a huge bowl of thin, spaghetti-like strands.

Next, you'll want to sautée the zucchini and season it to your liking.  I used pepper and a garlic and herb seasoning.  Don't forge to check on your butternut squash and move them around so that they can cook evenly!

 

Once the hour is up for the butternut squash and your protein of choice is fully cooked, it's time to start portioning out your meals. I use a combination of Tupperware and old Chinese food containers for my meals as they are both microwave safe.  Go ahead and portion out the spaghetti squash, butternut squash, chicken, and zucchini into five of the containers for dinner.  Use the remaining chicken and butternut squash for the salads.  I recommend keeping the lettuce in their bags until you assemble your salad with the toppings and dressing to maintain freshness.

 

Congratulations, you now have a full work week's worth of lunches and dinners in less than 2 hours.  No longer will you settle for unhealthy fast food when you are tired and hungry after work and the donuts in the office won't seem so tempting when you've got yourself a healthy and satisfying salad for lunch.  "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."  Dedicate just over an hour of your time to whip up a week's worth of meals so that you can just pop them in the microwave when your stomach gives you the heads up.  I guarantee you will not regret jumping on the meal prep bandwagon. If you do decide to try meal prepping, do be sure to tag me on Instagram or tweet me a picture so I can see what you whip up for the week!  I hope this post will inspire and help you all to create nutritious and healthy meals that will be ready in minutes.  Thanks for reading!

Much love,

Gabriella xx

Leather Jackets and Gold Sunnies

I could spend hours creating different outfits to pair with a leather jacket.  In fact, that's exactly what I did before going to bed last night. (Oh, the joys of having an active mind when you're supposed to be snoozing away.)  That being said, I wanted to do this post to show you guys just how versatile a leather jacket can actually be. And to take it a step further, I created three completely different styles of outfits: sporty, edgy, and classy. It's inevitable that we all have completely different senses of style; so I wanted to make sure I created outfits that we suit a variety of people. Let's dive in, shall we?

 

 

First up: sporty.  Now, I am one of those girls who can rock sneakers and a snap-back one day and heels and a dress the next; so this is definitely an outfit I would wear to a trip to the mall or to grab a coffee with some friends.  Our feet need a break from those heels so I paired this outfit with my all time favorite sneakers...Adidas Superstars.  I could so go on and on about these shoes (but I won't!). They are just so comfortable while still looking put together and, without a doubt, fabulous.  For all my sporty girls out there, there's nothing better than a pair of stretchy jeans.  I'm wearing these stretchy cropped jeans from Forever 21.  Seriously guys, these jeans are so comfortable I feel like I am wearing leggings.  And we all know there is no better feeling in the world than that! To add a pop of color to my typical black and white color scheme, I opted for my favorite red patent leather purse from Forever 21.  It was oddly sunny today despite the cold weather, so I'm wearing these stunning gold rimmed sunglasses from Forever 21 as well. I cannot wait to rock these sunnies in the spring and summer time!

 

 

There's just something about an edgy outfit that makes me feel totally bad*ss. Anyone else?  I'm not going to lie, but I felt completely out of my comfort zone when I purchased this dress. But that's the point of fashion; to step outside of the box and try new things. And I can honestly say that once I put this dress on, I felt awesome.  This midi dress is (shocker) from Forever 21 and the best part? It was only $10 when I bought it.  You just can't beat that!

 

Last on the list is classy. When in doubt, go classy.  A classy outfit is super simple to put together. Just add a pair of pretty flats or nude pumps with some sleek skinny jeans and a statement necklace and you've got yourself the most perfect feminine, classy outfit.  If you're feeling a bit daring, throw on that leather jacket to put a twist on your typical classical attire. Here, I'm wearing my favorite pair of high-waisted skinny jeans, with this stunning glittery blush top.  As for shoes, I'm throwing it back to 2014 with my favorite patent leather, pointed toe oxfords and I'm wearing this eye-catching statement necklace from Charlotte Russe.  My purse is my usual nude Celine look-a-like and to put it all together... my leather jacket. 

 

I hope this post has inspired someone to step out of their comfort zones and branch out into different types of style.  If you're a night and day heel girl, try rocking a pair of Nike's or Adidas one day.  Trust me, you'll love it (and so will you're feet).  On the other hand, if all you typically wear is combat boots and jeans, go out on a limb and rock a midi dress with a pair of ankle boots.  That's the beauty of fashion; you aren't limited to just one style.  There's a world of clothes, shoes, and accessories out there and we are fortunate enough to have access to them.  So go out and try something new.  I promise you won't regret it.  Thanks for reading.

Much love,

Gabriella xx

 

Links:

Leather jacket (similar): http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?br=F21&category=outerwear_coats-and-jackets&productid=2000119296

Adidas Superstars: http://www.adidas.com/us/superstar-shoes/C77153.html

High Waisted jeans (similar): http://www.hm.com/us/product/28835?article=28835-A&cm_vc=SEARCH

Cropped Lightwash Jeans: http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?br=F21&category=bottom_jeans&productid=2000171146

Patent Leather Oxfords: http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?br=F21&category=Shoes&productid=2000080121

 

In the Springtime of Life

Ah! It's my birthday! Shoutout to my amazing mother for giving birth to me a whole seventeen years ago. I honestly cannot believe that I am 17 years old today. It seems like just yesterday I was in competitive cheerleading performing to thousands of people and in elementary school without a care in the world. No stress, just fun. Ah, those were the days. 

Despite it being inevitable that we all have to age, being young at heart is a personal choice.  And this is something that I've always paid attention to even since I hit the teenage years.  Have you ever heard the song, "Forever Young" by Alphaville? I first heard this song when I saw One Direction's X Factor performance of this song and ever since then, a few lyrics have stuck by me.

             

               Youth is like diamonds in the sun,

               And diamonds are forever.

 

I get chills just typing those lyrics because there is just something about that comparison to youth and everlasting diamonds that pull at my heart.  You have the power to be forever young no matter how old you are. You could be seventeen, thirty, sixty, or eighty; it doesn't matter. You have the choice to carry on a youthful soul throughout your entire life.  Let go, be free, laugh, sing, dance, travel, watch SpongeBob Squarepants. It doesn't matter. Just do something, anything to keep your soul youthful and light. Youth is eternal; and only you can decide to continue to live in the springtime of life.

 

 

Thanks for reading and thank you to everyone who leaves such sweet comments on my posts. You all have no idea how much your support and kind words mean to me.

 

Much love,

Gabriella xx

Links:

Coat: http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?br=F21&category=outerwear_coats&productid=2000140609

Shoes: http://www.forever21.com/UK/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=shoes_boots&ProductID=2000147507&VariantID=

Scarf (similar): http://www.target.com/p/men-s-scarf-black-tartan-merona/-/A-17287562?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=17287562&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Men%2BShopping&adgroup=Catch+All_SC&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=1025001&gclid=Cj0KEQiAisy1BRD7_YSgpduD2cEBEiQAPR3UuPuvkZe3jiuemFP7f2LDh-9F_Yiac64_LlWARyCemxwaAncu8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Bag (similar): http://www.target.com/p/women-s-betseyville-quilted-crossbody-handbag-with-studs-and-chain-strap/-/A-16937924?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=16937924&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Accessories%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Accessories&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=1025001&gclid=Cj0KEQiAisy1BRD7_YSgpduD2cEBEiQAPR3UuO00hXS50QKDPj9tTLRakVlZUDDg3ZJ9af5EM93PCLgaAg348P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

The Ultimate Guide to a Versatile Wardrobe

 Most people just don’t have the money to buy eight different colors of ankle boots, ten different styles of a leather jacket, and three slightly different purses. While we all might want to, it’s just not always possible.  That’s why I recommend a versatile and timeless wardrobe where you can mix and match different pieces together without breaking the bank. And with that, here’s my ultimate guide to a versatile wardrobe.

 Faux leather jackets are the epitome of a timeless piece of clothing. I mean, when was the last time you heard someone say that leather jackets are "out of style"? I know I sure haven't! When buying a faux leather jacket, here's some things you want to keep in mind.
 
Size

When buying a leather jacket, keep in mind that because it is such a versatile piece of clothing, it could be worn in all seasons. That being said, you should definitely take the time to find the perfect fit so that it is not too tight for the colder temperatures (where you'll most likely be layering underneath) or too baggy when the warmer seasons hit so you don't look like you're drowning in faux leather.

 

Warmth

You also want to make sure you can layer sweaters and other shirts underneath for when the colder temperatures hit. Being layering is an option here, you want to make sure the leather jacket isn't too heavyweight so that you're sweating your butt off in the spring time.

 

Quality

Like I said, leather jackets are such a timeless piece, so you don't want to wear it out within only a year. While I don't recommend a $200 faux leather jacket, you want to make sure the one you are buying will last you a long time so you aren't buying a new one every year.

 Ankle boots are my favorite style of shoe. Why? Because you can pair these babies with nearly any outfit! Dresses, jeans, skirts, rompers, and jumpsuits; the list just goes on and on. Just like a leather jacket, there are a few things to keep in mind when buying ankle boots that will last you for years.

Material

I absolutely love the look of suede ankle boots like the ones above. However, we all know that when the rain pours down on our once beautiful suede shoes, our money basically pours down the drain with it.  Unfortunately, when you get suede wet, it leaves your beautiful shoes stained with watermarks.  Sure, you can try to get the stains out, but the damage can never be completely erased. When buying a timeless, versatile pair of ankle boots, I suggest going with a material that's a bit more weather-friendly option such as faux leather.

 

Color

Just like a leather jacket, you're best bet for a pair of ankle boots that will last you years is to opt for a neutral color such as black, beige, tan, or white. You'll be able to get a lot more use out of them that had you chosen a bright pink, blue, or red color.

Heel Height/Thickness

Unless you are a total pro at walking in tall and skinny heels, this rule probably won't apply to you.  But if you have trouble not looking like Bambi when walking in heels, the heel height and thickness of your ankle boot will matter significantly.  Find a height and thickness that you know you'll be able to wear to work or on a night out without tripping on your face or twisting an ankle. (Trust me, I know from personal experience!)

 Statement necklaces are a complete necessity in my wardrobe.  To me, they add the finishing touch to any outfit.  For statement necklaces, there are only a few points to keep in mind if you want a necklace that’ll match with any outfit.

 

Metal

Everyone has a different taste in colors of metal.  When buying a timeless and versatile statement necklace, this one is completely up to you.  Personally, I have a hard time choosing between gold and silver; therefore I chose this statement necklace that is the best of both worlds with a gold chain and silver jewels.

A girl can only dream of owning a different purse for every outfit of the year. (Well, maybe with the exception of the Kardashian’s and Jenner’s!) But for the rest of us, we want a purse that will suit our every needs and match with nearly every outfit.  This is what you should keep in mind when buying a versatile purse.

     Color

This is quite an obvious one.  Now, I am a huge advocate of having pieces in your wardrobe that add a pop of color (I especially love cobalt blue!). However, if you’re tight on money, go for a neutral color that you know you’ll get lots of use out of.

Size/Straps

You’re not going to want to be carrying an overnight bag through the city or to the mall, so choose a size handbag that fits your needs best and will hold everything you need.  For me, that’s a medium sized bag with both an over-the-shoulder strap and two handles.

 
Whew! That was a long post.  Nevertheless, I hope this guide has helped at least one person struggling to find pieces in their wardrobe that’ll last them a while and can be paired with almost any outfit. If this post has helped you in any way, please let me know in the comments!  Also, let me know whether you prefer long or short posts! Thanks for reading!

 Much love,

Gabriella xx

 

Links:

Faux Leather Jacket (similar): http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?br=LOVE21&category=contemporary-main&productid=2000102156

Ankle Boots (similar): http://us.riverisland.com/women/shoes--boots/ankle-boots/pink-faux-suede-heeled-ankle-boots-679014

Necklace (USE CODE 'GABI20' FOR 20% OFF): http://www.mirinacollections.com/collections/all-famous-necklaces

Bag (similar): http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=acc_handbags&ProductID=1000170536&VariantID=

 

 

February Beauty Wishlist

 

Woah, hold the phone. Can you believe January is already coming to an end?  It seems like we were all just rejoicing in the festive Christmas activities and now we are already one month into 2016.  Madness.  Now, I can write a whole blog post about how quick time is flying by; but that's not what this post is about.  Let's dive in, shall we?

One thing I wanted to do in 2016 was up my makeup game.  Because I'll be 100% honest...I don't put enough effort into my makeup.  However, that's not to say that everyone has to wear makeup. Trust me, I'm not saying that at all.  But I've always been interested in makeup and could spend hours watching makeup tutorials and wishing my makeup collection was as big as other girls'.  That being said, for a girl who is utterly obsessed with makeup, I'm definitely lacking a bit. 

Being February is my birthday month (February 5th to be exact!) I know I'll want to treat myself to some new beauty products to bring my makeup game from a level two to a level ten.  After hours of narrowing down my beauty wish list to just a few products so that this post wouldn't be miles long, I decided that these seven products were the ones I've been wanting for a while.

 

Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation: I have heard so many great reviews of this foundation and it's been on my wish list for a while.  Yes, it's a higher end product, but I'm starting to find that the foundation I had been using is a little too orange for my pale winter skin.  Plus, it's starting to look a bit cake-y on my face as I have more redness and spots to try to cover up.  I'm hoping that this foundation will be the answer to my wishes and provide me with optimal coverage without looking like I mistook foundation for my evening skin mask.

 

Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner: If you follow me on Snapchat (gabby_autumn) and/or Twitter (@gababoutlife) you'll have seen that I have finally mastered the perfect winged eyeliner.  Sure, it took about twenty tries and a lot of makeup wipes, but I am proud to say that I have finally mastered this art.  That being said, I was using a gel liner that was far too dried out so I think it's time to upgrade to a new and improved gel liner that will make me look like I've been doing winged eyeliner for years.

 

MAC Lipstick in Myth: Okay, the excitement for this product is far too real.  For years (yes, years) I have been searching high and low for a perfect nude lipstick that doesn't make me look like I am wearing concealer on my lips.  I've tried every brand and every shade of a "nude" lipstick; however, none of the lipsticks I've tried are that perfect shade of nude that I am looking for.  They were either too pink, too pale, or too shimmery for my liking.  I came across the MAC Myth lipstick in Sephora one day and cringed at the price.  There was no way I was paying that much money for a lipstick when I could go to Target and get a similar one for a fraction of the price.  But after trying at least ten different so-called "dupes" of this lipstick, I was ready to give up and give in.  I spent a good hour and a half searching reviews of this lipstick to see if it was worth the hype and price, and I was sold.  This baby will (hopefully!) be mine soon.

 

Benefit High Beam Highlighter: Okay, I know I'm a good few years behind on this one, but when you're only fourteen and you ask your mom to buy you a high end highlighter, she is going to look at you like you are insane. As I am approaching my 17th birthday, I think it's appropriate now to splurge with my own money on this higher end product.  I am such a huge fan of the way highlighter looks on the skin and now that I am finally starting to branch out more into the world of makeup, I think this old gem is worth a go.

 

NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray: For a while, I never understood the point of setting spray.  To me, it was a waste of money and I would always think to myself, "Okay, but isn't that going to make your face look shiny?"  Well, now I understand that it won't.  Hence the name, "Matte" Setting Spray.  After going back and forth between which setting spray I would add to my makeup collection, I decided to go with this one, which I found out about through the oh-so-stunning Carli Bybel. 

 

Benefit POREfessional Primer: Again, face primer was never really a product that made sense to me.  Now, I understand just how important face primer really is if you want long-lasting makeup.  This primer seems to be a hit among beauty gurus and bloggers, so I'll definitely be adding this one to my basket.

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow: Now, I don't typically like to admit it, but my eyebrows are a mess.  Take one look at any of my previous posts and you'll be able to see what I'm talking about.  Nevertheless, I am admitting it to you all now because I want to be honest with you guys, even if it is a big insecurity of mine.  The evolution of eyebrows has completely changed and I love it...except for when you're own eyebrows don't want to cooperate. My eyebrows have a non-existent arch as they literally go straight across my face.  In the meanwhile, you have gorgeous girls with arches as high as mountains! If you're one of them, consider yourself lucky. To help combat my arch-less eyebrows, at the moment I am trying to grow them out a bit in hopes that I can go to a professional who can help me out.  Until that time comes, I'm hoping this brow gel can give my brows a helping hand.

February cannot come soon enough!  I'm really hoping these products will be worth the money and give my makeup routine a boost for the better.  If you would like to see reviews of these products after I purchase them, make sure to leave me a comment so I know if I should do them or not!  Thanks for reading!

 

Much love,

Gabriella xx

Summer Dreaming, Scarves, and Snow Days

 If you know anything about me, you'll know I am not a fan of cold weather.  This can definitely be a pain, especially when I'm shivering while everyone else is trying to cool themselves down.  For some odd reason, I have an increased sensitivity to any temperature below fifty degrees. Weird, much?

So while I may be smiling like a kid on Christmas Day in these pictures, I was actually holding back tears.  Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration.  But, I can say that I had to keep running back inside the warmth of my house between shots. 

As I am writing up this post, the east coast is in the midst of a snow storm.  Now, I'm not talking flurries.  I'm talking state-of-emergency-don't-leave-your-homes kind of snow storm.  Definitely not my forte. 

Nevertheless, Mother Nature has a mind of her own and nothing I do or say can change the weather.  So in the meantime, I'll just imagine myself sitting on a beach on the Gold Coast of Australia.

Maybe it's my own fault for choosing to wear a dress in the middle of winter.  But I suppose it's my inner summer-loving self dreaming of warmth and sunshine that persuades me to throw on a sweater dress during the winter months. 

This is an outfit I definitely see myself wearing to an afternoon brunch with some friends or a trip to a coffee shop.  There's just something about this outfit that screams, "Even though it's not summer I still want to look good and not like I'm crying icicles on the inside." Okay, well maybe you hear something else...

If you are as daring (or crazy) like me and opt for a dress in the winter, the biggest tip I can give to stay warm is layering. I adore this tartan scarf from Forever 21 because it's warm and fluffy; exactly what I need for those chilly months. 

Temperatures like this would typically call for my marshmallow-like ski coat; however, they aren't always the most flattering.  That's why I love this camel coat because it's warm and stylish.  What more could you ask for?

Oh, and before you ask...I wasn't praying in the picture below haha. I had just finished blowing warm air into my hands.  I told you I was cold!

To cover up more skin, I paired this outfit with my latest obsession: knee-high boots.  If you're read my posts before, I'm sure you know that these are from Forever 21.  But honestly, where else would they be from? I told you, I am practically a walking Forever 21 advertisement!  For accessories, I went with a neutral handbag because I really wanted the focus of the outfit to be on the emerald green color from the sweater dress along with the pops of red in the scarf.  How stunning is this Celine look-a-like? 

 

And that's a wrap...literally!  I'm currently sat at my desk wrapped up in a furry blanket wondering when this snow will take a chill pill. 

Before I forget; I will be (hopefully!) purchasing my very own Olympus Pen E-PL7 after months of gawking at other lovely owners of this camera.  That being said, would you like a full review of the camera once I get it? If so, leave me a comment below or tweet me (@gababoutlife) if you'd want to see that!  Also, if you have any suggestions for blog posts you would like me to do, don't hesitate! Thanks for reading!

Much love,

Gabriella