New Girl

Raise your hand if you are obsessed with New Girl. If your hand isn't raised you are either lying or you've never seen it. If its the latter, log into Netflix and binge watch the first season and report back.

I started watching a year or so ago and I have been obsessed ever since. Its a great goofy show to unwind after a long day. Plus I find it super relatable. I've always been the girl that only hangs out with guys, so I can totally identify with the shenanigans that Jess gets into with the guys she lives with.

Under all the silliness and weird situations, there are some real life lessons to be found. My number one most relatable New Girl quote is this one...

I feel like every young woman has felt this way at some point in their life. They see a woman who has it all together and feel completely inadequate. They have a successful business or job as a lawyer, you're studying to be a teacher. They wear a lot of gray and navy, you like pink polka dots. They order a salad for every meal, you eat an ice cream sundae for dinner at least once a week. It can be hard to feel empowered if your constantly comparing yourself to these successful women. 

I love this quote because it reminds me that I know I'm smart and tough and strong just the way I am and I don't have to change myself to fit everyone else's vision of success. 

So ladies put on your pajama set, geek chic glasses and a big bowl of ice cream and enjoy some New Girl because your "successful" life can wait one more day.

Happy First Birthday Casually Obsessed!

I'm a day late, but Casually Obsessed just turned one! I started this blog my last weeks of studying abroad. I was feeling homesick and I was very much anxious to come home. My blog was intended to connect me with home and give me something to do other than worry about my finals.

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Since then my blog and I have had many ups and downs. In the beginning I was super excited, but I quickly became discouraged that no one was reading. I struggled with this for a while until I realized that I started this blog for me and thats why I should continue it. I'm not writing this blog for anyone else but myself.

Thats not to say I don't appreciate every single person who reads and comments! You guys are great and it gives me extra incentive to post more regularly. Please stick around I love hearing from you and reading all of your blogs!

So here's the interactive part of this post! What do you want to see on my blog in the upcoming year? What do you like best? Where can I improve? I want to make this year a year of growth and maturing for my blog, so I'd love to see where I can improve! Thank you so much for reading! 

P.S. This week was another special birthday, my puppy Bella turned one too!

Crème Brûlée

Crème brûlée is one of my favorite deserts. Unfortunately, my taste is more expensive than my wallet can afford. I only get to partake in this luscious dessert once in a blue moon...until now! 

I'm lucky I have a boyfriend that likes to cook with me, and is pretty adventurous in the kitchen. So, when I suggested we make crème brûlée he said sure. And so we did, and it was awesome! It was actually surprisingly easy too! 

The recipe we followed can be found here. Its a pretty dumbed down version of the real thing, no heating and double broiling required. I swear pretty much anyone can make this recipe. 

5 Egg yolks

2 Cups heavy cream 

1/2 Cup sugar

1 1/2 Teaspoons of vanilla 

First separate 5 eggs and use only the yolks, save the whites for a yummy omelette. 

Whisk together the eggs and sugar until they're smooth

Add cream and vanilla, mix gently you don't want to add any air bubble to the mix 

Place custard in ramekins and then in a casserole dish with water at the bottom. Bake at 325 for about an hour. Be sure to check the mixture after about 45-50 mins. When the custard is done you should be able to insert a knife and have it come out clean (Ours was never completely clean but it turned out fine). 

After cooking the custard let the ramekins cool and then refrigerate for an hour or so (DO NOT put hot ramekins in the fridge! They could break). Then sprinkle some sugar on the top and torch it! I let my boyfriend do this part, he used a regular blow torch but they make special ones for the kitchen. 

If you don't have a torch you can sprinkle sugar on top and then broil them in the oven for 2-5 mins. Place the ramekins back in the casserole dish with ice water so they don't get too hot and crack. 

These turned out amazingly delicious, not as beautiful as the restaurant variety but it tasted just as good! Sorry I didn't get a picture of this finished product, they were too good to stop eating and photograph. 

P.S. The photo quality isn't great because our kitchen has horrible lighting and we did this after dark. I hope its good enough to get the idea. 

Geek Chic

Most people I know would classify me as geek not chic. But every once in a while my inner girly girl breaks through. Here is a combination of the best of both worlds. This is part gift guide, part things I love.

Pilot Prera Fountain Pen | Ok, I'm sure at this point everyone is sick of me telling you how great fountain pens are...but one more time, they rock! I have this pen and I love it, worth every penny. It writes so smoothly. I think I'm going to do a more in depth review soon, but until then you have my word its awesome. It also comes in a bunch of cute colors!

Russel and Hazel Mini Smartdate System | This is such a great planner system. I think next time I buy a planner this will be the one. Its a little bit more expensive, but its refillable so its not like you buy it once and done. My favorite part is its customizable, every nerd's dream. 

Pink Dictionary | Need I say more? Throw in the matching thesaurus and I'm a happy girl. 

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy | As a total nerd, I am appalled to say I have never read this series but I want to so badly! I love these Barnes and Noble leather classic collections, they just look so good. If your geeky friend leans to the girly side, there's also the complete Jane Austen set. 

Katie Spade Gasses Ring | So cute. A perfect little trinket to let your geek flag fly even if your Dr. Who t-shirt is not acceptable apparel. 

Kate Spade Bow Flash Drive | Every girl needs a flash drive, geek or not. This one makes your boring file storage a little more fun. 

Warby Parker Ames Glasses | So every time Warby Parker comes out with a new collection, I feel like I need a new pair of glasses. Eventually I'm sure I will end up with about ten. This pair came out this fall and I am obsessed. A pair of geek chic glasses would be a little harder to gift because you have to know the prescription, lucky Warby Parker offers gift cards. 

Add Some Glitz to Your Wish List

I don't wear a lot of jewelry. I wear the same pieces literally every day, I have a silver heart necklace from my brother, pearl earrings from my mom, and a gorgeous pearl ring from my boyfriend that you couldn't pay me to take off. Even though I keep it pretty simple, I thought I'd compile a list of glam I've had my eyes on.

You'll notice from these choices that I have very classic (read simple) taste in jewelry, so if you're looking for colorful statement pieces keep looking.

First up, Kate Spade bow ring. I love how simple this ring is and I think it would be a great addition to my daily jewelry collection. I typical prefer silver, but this ring is also available in gold and rose gold. 

Another Kate Spade piece I've loved forever is this polka dot bangle watch. Isn't it so cute? I love pieces that are stylish and functional! I would be hesitant to buy it though because I have such tiny wrists, most bracelets fall right off of me. Dear Kate Spade, please make this in child's size. 

I have been obsessed with this rose gold bangle from Fossil since it came out. I think the pattern and color are so pretty. Plus it would look great stacked with my rose gold watch. 

This necklace from J. Crew is gorgeous. Its simple, but glamorous at the same time. The gold edges add just enough  special something to dress up a simple pearl strand. Plus who doesn't love a necklace that ties with a bow? 

Last but not least a cute pair of pearl earrings withe the signature Kate Spade bow! These are a fun variation on my favorite classic pearl studs. I like these that I might be convinced to change my earrings once in a while (for some reason that's a total struggle for me. 

I'm surprised how much gold got included in this post! I used to hate yellow gold, I guess its growing on me at least a little.

Anyway, I hope this helps anyone shopping for something a little extra special this holiday.

What jewelry do you wear daily?