she loved life... and it loved her right back

I realize that my postings have been few and far between for the past year. I won't lie, I've had an incredibly hard time getting back into my groove of writing and reading- two hobbies I love beyond words. 

Tomorrow actually starts many "new" things for me... a few "overhauls" in my life including starting to run again (definitely going to need to ease back into this one), practicing yoga at least 4 times a week, completely revamping my diet and making a VERY conscious effort to grocery shop rather than hit the drive thru and last but not least, starting to write and read again.

These next coming weeks will be tough as I work hard to reincorporate these things into my life. However, for my own sense of well-being and physical health, I desperately need to. 

Look for things coming in the future. <3

I find you very pinteresting...

I know I'm not the only woman out there who has recently become obsessed with the latest internet phenomenon known as Pinterest. I've even noticed some of my male friends have started boards and have been sharing on Facebook!

Since I was little, my sister and I would raid my mom's craft room on the weekends to see what we could come up with. To this day, I am so thankful that she taught us to turn off the TV and encouraged us to get creative with what we had on hand. I learned so many valuable things, including how to "flex" my creativity.

Here are a few projects I worked on this winter:

Sunburst mirror that I made from dowel rods and a cheap-o mirror from Wal-Mart. After MONTHS of SEARCHING for the perfect sunburst mirror to put on this wall, I decided to google some DIY directions on how to make a simple one. In the middle are wooden roses that I found at Michael's for 2 cents for the package! They were originally red and yellow in color so I spray painted them cream; The red shows through a little, giving them a light pink hue. Perfect for our pink apartment! This is one of my most favorite things in the apartment.

This frame is about 12 x 14 and sits in a corner next to a chalkboard with a frame that matches this one. This totally sums up my sister and and I!

These are little flower Christmas ball ornaments that were just too pretty to put away. They sit on the most perfect shabby-chic pink table as you enter our apartment (see below).

My mom found this table on the side of the road on a rainy day last fall. After finding out the the owner's intentions were to throw it away, she loaded it up in the back of her truck and headed home. We gave it a scrub and soon realized how perfectly it would compliment our shabby-chic PINK apartment. It's one of my favorite pieces in the apartment- and it was FREE! (Love that creative Mama of mine!)

I made this garland for our Christmas tree this past year. Again... entirely too pretty to put away for the next 10 months. I still need to find a place for it though.

What ideas have YOU found on Pinterest?

Don't forget... follow my boards on Pinterest!

quoteable monday

There is an inner beauty about a woman who believes in herself, who knows she is capable of anything that she puts her mind to. 

There is beauty in the strength and determination of a woman who follows her own path, who isn't throw off by obstacles along the way. 

There is a beauty about a woman whose confidence comes from experiences, who knows she can fall, pick herself up and move on.  

{unknown}

Writing again...

I am completely ashamed to admit that another six months has gone by and I have yet to write a single post. It's partly due to lack of inspiration and partly due to a busy schedule. 

There's been a few posts that I've started, but have never been able to finish. But here I am, mid February 2012... and I want to start writing again. Besides running, writing is one of the best "releases" of daily stresses. It allows my pseudo-organized brain to organize the 1.6 million thoughts that cross my mind daily. 

We'll start again with Quoteable Mondays, a few recipes that's I've tried here and there... and every once in a while, when deemed appropriate, a post about my personal life. 

I'm excited to connect with you all again, to read about your personal struggles and accomplishments, recipes and workout tips that are exchanged and to drool over pictures taken from your pesonal lives... but (somewhat secretly), I'm most excited to start writing again. 

summer

It's been an interesting summer. Full of fun memories, time spent with family and friends and change. Lots and lots of change. New job, new apartment, new roommate, new city, new friends, new norms. Did I mention that I don't deal with change very well?

I've got lots of pictures to share with you from this summer. For now, let's just take it one day at a time as I ease back into the blog world and find new inspiration to write.

I love you all.

xoxo, E

happy dances

My parents come to visit me in 9 days. 

I walk to *finally* receive my undergrad diploma in 10 days. 

I move so much closer to my family, friends and sweet pup in 11 days.

< insert happy dance >

The work I have to do in that time is overwhelming. 

Will probably be posting sparingly for the next two-ish weeks.

In the mean time, check out the fancy new dot com I purchased... 

www.emaleighrust.com 

{it's just my blog, minus the .blogspot part}

Fancy, that's how we live. 

...and just because I think this is funny in an entirely nerd kind of way...

Happy Weekend-Eve, lovely readers!

quoteable monday

Women are never stronger than when they arm themselves with their weakness. 

{Marie de Vichy-Chamrond} 

Letters to Voltaire

Banana/Mango Sunrise Smoothie

Contrary to the opinion of many, breakfast is one of the most important and meals of the day. I know many who can't stand this meal... even one of my dearest best friends even says that it makes him nauseous for the rest of the day if he eats it. Anyone else like that?

It is quite the opposite for me. I need breakfast. I can skip any other meal of the day. Not breakfast. If I don't have some kind of breakfast food, even if it's just an apple... I am Miss Cranky Pants all day long. Breakfast kick-starts the metabolism after a night of rest and gives your body "fuel" to begin the day. Breakfast time is also my "me" time. I usually read the news or my book, contemplate the previous night's dreams and gather my morning thoughts. The apartment is normally silent and I often welcome opening the window to listen to whatever is going on outside. After 20 minutes, I feel awake and refreshed- ready to begin my day.

Considering my on-going love-affair with avocados, you can imagine the drool in my mouth when I came across this recipe at Sophie's darling blog, The Littlest Things.

Avocado Toast:

2 T lime juice
2 T extra virgin olive oil
Sea Salt
Ground Pepper
1 avocado peeled and quartered
4 slices of sourdough bread, toasted
Fresh cilantro leaves

In a small bowl, mix the lime juice and evoo together with a fork until well blended. Top the toasted bread with 1 quarter of the avocado and drizzle with lime juice/evoo mixture. Season with salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste, garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.

photo credit: The Littlest Things

The Mango/Banana Sunrise Smoothie compliments this filling, delicious and healthy breakfast perfectly. Seriously. Go the extra step and make this quick treat with your toast.

1/2 banana
1/2 cubed mango
1 cup orange juice
2 T yogurt

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until all chunks are gone.

photo credit: The Littlest Things

I altered the recipes just slightly to accommodate my health needs/preferences... 

*I used whole wheat bread instead of sourdough bread because I didn't have anything else on hand

*I didn't have mango, so I substituted peaches that were canned in 100% juice. I rinsed them before blending and was actually a tasty substitute. Used about 1/2 can of the peaches and refrigerated the rest.

*To cut down on sugar, I always purchase Tropicana's Trop 50 orange juice with extra added calcium. It has no added sugar and more of stuff that's actually good for you.

*I use plain Greek yogurt because that's all I ever buy anymore

*For all the protein enthusiasts out there- you can add 1/2-1 scoop of vanilla protein powder for an extra morning boost (or mid-day snack).

Drooling yet? 

Do share if you give this recipe a whirl!

Happy Weekend 

(errrr... royal wedding day?), 

Lovely Readers!

Monday Funday

Monday night provided the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful evening with good friends here in Virginia. After grabbing an early dinner and drinks at my favorite local restaurant, we made a group decision to drive across town for a Central Virginia local favorite- Mr. Goodies Ice Cream. Anyone who is in the area knows how much of a staple this little tent is to the town.

Granted, I may or may not have chosen going to get ice cream over a run and volleyball on Monday night, but the way I look at it... I'm only in town for a few more weeks, so why not soak up every opportunity I get to spend time with these few amazing, loyal friends. I limited myself to a small chocolate cone and left off the sprinkles and gummy bears. I'm pretty sure I balanced out the unhealthiness of the ice cream cone with all the fresh Spring air I made sure to breathe in... or so I'm letting myself believe. ;)

'xcuse the jank hair- I thought I was just going to the gym, not taking pictures ;)

 Sitting outside enjoying a chocolate cone with good company (that I may not see for a while after my move) on a warm-ish Spring evening... there are few things better and I wasn't about to pass it up.

I hope your Monday was just as beautiful, dear readers. 

quoteable monday

featured here and here

Happy Monday, loves!

celebrating family

The only thing on my mind as of late is moving home. Home to celebrate, be with and make memories with my family.

Closer to my Daddy, who protects me from everything, even the sp*ders in my window.

Closer to my Mommy- bike rides, downtown walks, beach days, design days or even just enjoying lunch on a Summer day on the patio together. 

Closer to my Sister- very much closer, as we will be living and making memories together that will truly last a lifetime.

Closer to the ferocious beast- so we can play fox more often. 

Closer to my grandparents- for their lives are precious and days numbered.

Closer to my cousins, aunts and uncles- so I can join in on family gatherings more often. 

me and and amazing man of character, my grandfather

 

 

"Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. 

It means you are loved and will be loved for the rest of your life. 

No matter what."

What are you celebrating this Spring?

a teaser to spark your curiosity...

I've been working on a little project... 

Still working on development, so more information about my "project" isn't available yet. It's going to be a little while before I am able to officially "launch" the site... I've been working on this project between working, finalizing details for my move, job hunting and homework, so it's taking a little longer than normal. 

I'm so excited to reveal exactly what this project entails so I've got a teaser to spark your curiosity.
 
Thoughts?

 

picture perfect

The spring and summer months are my absolute favorite time of the year. The budding plants, the warm weather, the birds chirping, the longer evenings, the smell of a cookout in the distance and children playing after school... Spring is so promising- so fresh- especially after the drab, cold winter months.

I am currently obsessed with the view outside of my window. There is the perfect budding Dogwood tree, a budding purple tree and a green bush that have all begun to bloom. I have found myself stopping almost daily to just take in what I see outside. Often times in the morning, I open the window, grab a cup of coffee and my computer and crawl back into bed to apply for jobs and/or work on design work... truly one of my MOST favorite things to do. Such a relaxing way to start off each morning. Granted, this isn't the "real" world, but it's something I am able to enjoy this season and will soak up every moment I can.

This is an iPhone photo of the view I see every day, non-edited. I wish I could bottle this up and keep everything about this forever.

What is your favorite season? 

and ps: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to the best parents in the world!
Thank you for always making things work. 

the world

These two mean the absolute world to me. 

 

 Brother

 Sister

Sibling relationships - and 80 percent of Americans have at least one - outlast marriages, survive the death of parents, resurface after quarrels that would sink any friendship.  They flourish in a thousand incarnations of closeness and distance, warmth, loyalty and distrust.

  -Erica E. Goode-

Happy Weekend, dear readers!

roommate lovin'

Quite the busy weekend in Central Virginia this past weekend. My Princess Julia and Kristen came to visit for the weekend. Unfortunately, I had to work most of the weekend, but we were able to enjoy a Saturday morning social morning sipping coffee from our roommate mugs, watching television and catching up. 

Saturday night, we met with friends over drinks at Mangia...  the neighborhood wine bar which happens to be one of our favorite places to go in town. The beautiful hardwood floors, small candlelit tables and established wine collection set the mood for a classy atmosphere throughout the quaint rooms. Larry, our favorite {and most outrageous} bartender was quite pleased when we walked in, as it had been weeks since our last visit.

I'm looking forward to catching brunch on the patio at this very same place sometime this Spring. 

And for the record, I still hate goodbyes. 

I hope you are enjoying your week, dear readers!

quoteable monday

"For what it’s worth, it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit… start whenever you want… you can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that stop you. I hope you feel things that you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again."

{Benjamin Button}

 via we heart it and la mia vita

it's a date...

One of my all time favorite things is Skype!

{one form of social media that I will NOT be giving up soon}

This is one of the BEST ways that I have been able to keep in touch with my family and friends who don't live in the same city and/or state... for free! While talking on the phone is convenient for those days that you "don't feel like doing your hair", it's also so comforting seeing a familiar face while conversing with ones you love.

My mom {sometimes Mo, if he is not busy napping or tending to my parent's mini-chicken farm} and I Skype at least once a week and usually convinces my Daddy to drop in, too! I come from a crazy family- Mom and I laugh hysterically at the faces we make at each other over Skype. One night, I started taking pictures of her... to save for blackmail if ever deemed necessary. She wanted to learn how to take screenshots of her computer, so I was teaching her how... (yeah, she's cooler than your mom because she is proficient on a Mac)...

Mom learning how to take a screenshot

Mom when she learned how to take a screen shot... Blackmail pictures are a'coming, I'm sure!

Mom practicing her pose incase I was still taking pictures... she makes me laugh SO hard!

Mom put a baby hat on Mo... he wasn't as impressed as Mom and I were...

 Oh, how I love Skyping with my mother!

And since one of my best friends Julia moved to DC, we've also set up several Skype dates.

J getting ready for her screenshot {and me expressing my excitement via fist-pump bc she is coming to see me this weekend!}

J wanting me to admire her beauty

J being silly

J blowing me goodnight kisses

I also Skype with my trainer, Liz any time I need a pep talk about my eating/exercising plan. Love Skype dates with her! So refreshing and motivational (though I don't have pictures of you, I love you and our Skype dates just as much, Liz!)

Have you ever tried Skype? It's free and an easy download and only requires a webcam! Try it if you haven't, especially if you live far away from your parents and/or best friends!

deleeeeeted

I took the plunge last night, dear readers... 

I deactivated it... 

I don't want to rant and say that I was "concerned about my privacy," "Facebook was too much drama," or anything like that. In fact, I love Facebook. I love being able to connect with people I've met and stay in touch with those I care about from home. I love being able to have instant access to friend's pictures and it has been a great way to stay connected with my college {and even high school} friends since we have all gone our separate ways.

However, since resigning my position from my desk job in VA, I have become shamefully addicted to the social media site in an unhealthy way. I found myself logging in for 20, 30, 45 minutes multiple times a day, mindlessly flipping through pictures and status updates rather than using that time productively.

After I move back to the North later this Spring {more about this later}, I will probably reactivate. I truly do love the site and its sharing/connecting capabilities. I just need a break and need to be more productive... 

Have you ever taken a Facebook/Social Media break? 

quoteable monday

{If you are coasting, 
it means you are going downhill.}

C.P. Fulord Jr.

Mexi Maui: the recipe!

If you love ethnic food and avocados as much as I do, I guarantee you will LOVE this recipe. This is a delicious, "fresh" tasting meal, I love it best in the summer months. I meant snap a shot of the meal last night, but forgot as I was too hungry {and excited} to think of much else other than eating dinner. Sorry for those cooks who need a picture!

One summer during college, I lived with one of my best friends Tarrah at her parent's house in Northern VA. We spent the lazy days of that summer at the lakehouse and enjoyed Mama B's cooking!

T and I enjoying the lake

the beautiful Lake Land'Or

Tarrah, her sister's and I at the beach that summer -2007-

 

 

 

 

This is one of the recipes Mama B sent me back to college with. It's a great "clean eating" recipe that is both filling and nutritious! Keeps in the fridge for 3-4 days, making it perfect for leftovers throughout the week! 

Mexi Maui

1 16 oz can Black Beans
1/2 c. salsa {for "clean eating," choose a salsa that doesn't have added sugar; I used fresh pico de gallo found at my grocer's deli}
2 tbs minced onion
1 clove pressed garlic
2 tbs chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp oregano
2 c. cubed avocados

I gently toss everything except the avocados in a bowl together. After thoroughly mixed, I toss in the avocados. Last night, I also diced an extra tomato that was about to go bad and tossed that in, too. Chill for 1+ hour before serving {although not necessary}. Serve next to/over steaming hot jasmine rice- or for a healthy alternative to the jasmine rice- brown rice or cooked quinoa. 

*Note- I don't measure spices... normally just throw in what I think is best. Adjust seasonings to taste, keeping in mind that the flavors will all become more "bold" after sitting together for 1+ hour in the fridge. 

As always, comment or email me if you try this recipe!