what in the hell does a vegan eat?

so, i've been a vegan for nearly 5 months and i am loving it. still. i am amazed that i haven't completely caved at the sight of giant piece of cheese or a deliciously tempting what-a-chicken sandwich! i just haven't been willing to give up how good i feel. now, i know if you think like i did, you assume that vegan food is all rabbit food with a side sawdust like grains. and it is soooooo much more. it's freaking delicious. you can make just about anything vegan, seriously, i have been baking like it's my job. this is one of my most favorite and satisfying meals. it seriously puts takeout food to shame.  

pick whatever vegetables you like. i use cabbage, snow peas, and sauteed kale.

i used udon noodles and a tablespoon of barley miso(sooo good for you) for flavor.

while noodles are cooking, brown up tofu in a little bit of safflower oil and good quality soy sauce(shoyu). once tofu, is browned, remove from pan. add another bit of oil and add cabbage and snow peas. cook until tender but still with some snap to them. add greens and tofu just to heat through. toss another tablespoon of soy sauce to coat and the tablespoon of miso. then just saute for another few seconds until miso is dissolved.  

mix in noodles and...

taaaa-daaaa, yuuum. it's so satisfying. it feels like it's really bad for you, but it's totally not. 

oh, and for dessert, coconut milk chocolate ice cream(my favorite) w/ chocolate chips & crushed walnuts.

so, tell me? does being a vegan seem like crazy talk? could you do it? what do you think would be the hardest foods to give up?

acm orange carpet fashion: fail

holy acm's batman. that's right the american country music awards, yee haw!!! now, the show itself was not my cup of tea. zac brown band wasn't in attendance, so i really wasn't paying much attention, they were up for entertainer of the year and lost to carrie underwood...suck... but the way i look at it, at least taylor swift didn't win. but even though the guys weren't there, the icky fashion more than made up for it... wow. lots of bad. let's look.

jennifer nettles in a whole lotta look. i don't mind the dress. i love navy and the fabric is beautiful and it fits her beautifully. but is it just me or is her styling just waaaay too over the top. the big necklace, the choker, the clutch, the bracelet, the super dark eye... it's just like she's trying way too hard. kinda like when you watch her sing... it looks like she is passing a gallstone with every note. pain.

eh? this doesn't blow my skirt up, my favorite part is the clutch. the dress is basil soda and i just don't love it. the drapes in the fabric are beautiful and i adore the neckline, but i'm underwhelmed. and i really dislike that that her hair is the exact same color as the dress. not the best. 

well, at least she's not trying to hide it anymore. leanne rimes with her boy toy eddie cibrian. this is actually my favorite look of the night. unlike the rest of the ladies, she looks so modern. the zipper on the side of the dress is super sexy and the mesh in the shoes is just hoooot. plus, like i said, love navy. it's just simple and hot. she's blllluuuuuuuuueeeeeee... what? don't judge me. it's funny. 

the host, reba, in all her glory... now, reba is fab, but i have to say this dress is very old. i mean i know reba isn't crazy young, but this is just not a good look, she is way too hot to wear something so sad. it just reminds me of the early 90's and it doesn't look very expensive and i'm sure it was. but she's reba, love her. 

eh... swifty. she's in marchesa and i'm not sure if it's her or the dress, but i am just bugged by it. it's super old for her... like it should be sexier, this is too matronly. the color doesn't help.  the marchesa that olivia wilde wore to the emmy's worked because it was mysterious and the cutouts were kinda scandalous. this is just sweet and demure. and the hair just the same thing she always does. bored. 

oh kristen bell, what happened to your fashion sense? i used to love all of her looks, but lately i have just not been digging it. she has such a rocking body and is just so freaking hot and this does not show that. i think it's the color. if it was just a few shades darker... her hair and makeup on the other hand are freaking insane! super hot. 

this isn't a bad look on mrs. faith hill mcgraw. i just don't like her hair bone straight. she's no spring chicken and i think the super straight hair should be left to the youngens. she's a sexy mom and in my opinion this hair ages her.

what in the f are you wearing on your feet!?!? uh, sorry light of my life, nicole kidman, those shoes are disgusting with this dress. i never thought it could be possible to make her thousand mile legs look short!!!! those shoes ruin a pretty cute ensemble, i really like the l'wren scott tux dress. what it gods green christ!?!? no. no no no. no. bad choice.  

this is a lady antebellum, this dress isn't terrible, but something about the way she carries herself and that hair makes it more pageant queen than an award winning musician. the color is nice on her. she's a pretty girl, she doesn't need so much makeup. and then there's the dudes... 

hmmm. something i noticed about a lot of the guys is that country music has gone very metro- it's really strange. i guess it's a part of that whole pop-country fusion thing that is happening. but skinny jeans, skinny ties, perfectly groomed facial hair, and glitter? really doesn't scream country music to me, but to each his own. as long as he knows he looks absolutely ridiculous. 

esh. julianne hough looks like she's late to her texas debutante ball. the weird silver thing is not flattering on the petite dancer. this just does nothing for me. and the hair is soooo not hip. 

where in the devil has jewel been? apparently at the acm awards. this dress reminds me of the boring gown fergie wore to the golden globes. this just doesn't look fancy. the dress mixed with the hair, earrings, and beading it's just too prom night. 

ah! oh, sorry i was terrified by the bad fashion. this is steel magnolia, i assume they are a group. this is just nasty. it's an even worse version of demi moore's versace oscar gown. the black belt is just the kicker. not good. it's not even tied well, so it doesn't make her waist look smaller. cute girl, bad dress. 

hmm. miranda lambert was one of the winners of the evening, but not for best dressed. her breasts look as if they are repelled one another... it's like the red sea. she has a beautiful curvy shape, but this look is totally not working. it's nice that it nips in at her waist, which is really tiny, but the flare of the skirt hits funny on her hips then flares, making her look wide instead of flattering her. her bed head also looks a little too bed heady, like she really just woke up. that's not how it works.

so what do you think? am i totally being too harsh on the ladies of country music? or totally hitting the nail on the head? do you think that country musicians in general are behind in the fashion curve? if so, why?

Rico Blanco Working on New Song Project, Inspired by Pinoy Entrepreneurs

MULTI-AWARDED MUSICIAN RICO BLANCO is working on a new project to encourage more Filipinos to become entrepreneurs and being one’s own “Bossing”—and he’s doing it the best way he knows how: by providing inspiration and hope through a song. Blanco, an advocate of entrepreneurship, believes that as more Filipinos go into business, the sooner the nation’s poverty problem can be solved. 

Rico Blanco is busy on the works for a song inspired by entrepreneurs.

Using his music for positive and meaningful goals is not a new undertaking for the former vocalist and co-songwriter of the legendary band Rivermaya. Blanco, for example, help co-write the song “Posible” for the Philippine delegation to the Southeast Asian Games to inspire Filipino athletes to give their best. That song has become relevant beyond its original purpose and has become an anthem for Filipinos who dare to achieve what seems impossible.  

More recently, Blanco composed and recorded the song “Bangon” as his way of helping the victims of typhoon Ondoy. “Bangon” is still available as a free download on Rico’s website (www.ricoblanco.com.ph) where you can also find details on how you can contribute support to Ondoy victims.) 

Musician-Songwriter Rico Blanco is currently working on a song for Filipino SMEs.

For his latest project, Blanco is still keeping details about his new song under wraps but did give a few hints on what it’s about.  

“The song is a call for Filipinos to take control of their destiny. No matter who you are and what you do—whether you drive a taxi, or you’re a street vender, or you’re a new graduate who can’t find a job—you are not a slave of your circumstances. 

“The point is that Filipinos can, by changing their attitude, change their lives for the better. They can make choices that will result in a better life for them and their loved ones. It doesn’t matter whether they have a lot of education or not—it’s all about realizing that no matter what your external situation is, you can still take control and create your own fate,” says Blanco. 

Blanco says his inspiration for writing the song are Filipino entrepreneurs—especially those who started with almost nothing and became small-to-medium scale entrepreneurs or SMEs. 

“Filipino SMEs are the silent, unpublicized heroes of our economy. They go against all odds to start a small business and grow it through street smarts, perseverance, and hard work. In the process, they not only help themselves—they help generate jobs for other Filipinos as well. I read somewhere that SMEs form the backbone, as much as 90%, of our economy,” says Blanco. 

With private sectors like PLDT and non-government organizations like Go Negosyo pushing efforts in giving SMEs the opportunities to succeed in their business, anyone who has the drive to become one’s own boss has a greater chance to succeed. Blanco is hoping that his new song, when it is released, will help Filipinos realize that there’s still hope, and that they have more options when it comes to becoming successful in life.  

“If you look at the stories of Filipino entrepreneurs, many of them don’t necessarily come from high society, or studied in private schools. Many of them don’t even have a college or high-school degree. In a way, coming from a poor background is an added incentive for them to become successful entrepreneurs,” adds Blanco. 

Blanco says he is looking forward to finally releasing his new song when the time is right. “As an artist and as a Filipino, I find it very fulfilling to create the music that I love, while at the same time making my own contribution to improving our nation’s situation,” says the popular musician.  

atl trip aka longest post ever!

so my time in atlanta was spent seeing wonderful friends, making a hot bride all pretty for her wedding, and missing my dog and husband... in that order. so i just wanted to share some of my fave outfits while i was visiting, some of my favorite stylish guests at the wedding, and some photos from a serious photographer... she's kind of a big deal.

my style...

so this is me pre-haircut. i am rocking my super on sale paige denim jeans, old navy platforms, gap tank, and a random brown skinny belt my sister gave me. i felt really 70's... totally dig it.

yay, new hair!!!! totally in love! my hodge aka sis-in-law, badass, hair stylist... in a word genius, is brilliant. this is truly the hair god intended me to have, right!? this outfit is pretty fabulous as well, if i do say so myself. the top is h&m and totally on trend with the soft blush color, my favorite j. brand jean leggings, stacked silver necklaces, and my ah-mazing cynthia vincent gladiators. those shoes are my favorite purchase of all time, i wish i would have bought 3 or 4 pairs. hmmm, time travel....

this was my wedding day outfit. i wanted to look like a hip makeup/hair chick. i love this outfit. so comfy. the tank and jeans are both gap and the ah-mazing jacket is h&m garden collection that i ganked off a mannequin, only 35 bucks! i'm in love. and of course my cv sandals. the best part is my fuschia lipstick, more on that in a bit. 

wedding style...

ashley the bride! doesn't she just look ah-mazing!!! i am super impressed with myself. it doesn't hurt that she is freaking beautiful to start!!! congrats to ashley and austin! 

uh, the cutest flower girl EVER!!!! kylie-boo my adorable niece making the funniest face i have ever seen.

eden lee, a fashion student. can you tell?! i love this whole look! the navy and the red with the punch of gold. this girl has been a blonde as long as i have known her which is a really freaking long time, but this dark hair is absolutely fab on her. she's a sexy bitch. boyfriend is super cute too. 

how cute are these ladies!? on the left is madison, i've never met her before, but this girl has a rad sense of style. this outfit works for me on soooo many levels. the shoes are just insane. i love how simple the rest of the look is. clean face, straight hair, streamlined accessories. so cali. speaking of cali, the genius that is caitlin karimi on the right! i love this chick! she is beyond fabulous. love the bodcon skirt, flowy jade green top, and that ah-mazing necklace. and those shoes are sexy too. and the backs of both these ladies outfits are suuuuper hot. i die.

caitlin style...

so how ah-mazing are these photos!!!?!? right!?!? i look smoking and i swear it is all to do with caitlin's brilliant pics!! our little impromptu photo shoot, love. this chick is going places, seriously! if you dig, you should totally check out her new blog here! my dress is liberty of london for target and my lipstick is revlon colorburst in fuschia. the three sexy chicks in that photo are me, of course, and my super hot mom and sister. and that adorable child would be my fabulous niece. that mean face is just my favorite!!! and the last pic is with the photographer herself. genius.

so, tell me? do you like going back to your hometown? do you feel like you have to look fabulous all the time? has there ever been a piece of clothing you wish you bought more than one of, like me and my cynthia vincent sandals? ok, and weddings? what do you think? love 'em or hate 'em? does an open bar change your mind? 

thanks iPhone...

so, i have been absent for 10 freaking days!!!! i am a terrible blogger!!!! but duty called, i was in atlanta for a week of non-stop go... i went up to do wedding hair/makeup for a friend, but also ran around trying to see everyone i possibly could, and my bestest best friend from childhood had her first baby... and man, i'm tired. i seriously went to bed at 5:30pm yesterday! i woke up at 7:30am. yeah, 14 hours of sleep. damn. well on top of having a crazy week, i left my camera at my parents! balls. so, instead of continuing down my shameful path of zero blogging, i thought i would use my iPhone photos to give you a pre-show of things to come. and you are being warned this is pretty much all nonsense.

fun at the store: so lindsay and i had a day of fun which involved pasta, h&m, and urban outfitters. we ended up just messing around in both stores and having a good old time. those flowers are a hot mess and that picture of one eyed lindsay just makes me laugh. so, i am digging these glasses on me! whatcha think? too much look? i loooove this cloche hat on lindsay! doesn't it totally work for her!? 

puppies everywhere!!!!! so these two dogs couldn't be more opposite, but both are super sweet! the little guy is spotty merle, he's a miniature australian shepherd and i WILL have one... it's about time hammond had a friend... like i don't think you understand how much i love this puppy. and the beast is asha the great dane! she is the sweetest thing, but isn't quite aware of how gigantic she is... it's probably because her mommy treats her like she's a purse dog. it's really cute! 

look at all of these super cute children!!! up top is my adorable niece, kylie, in her super cute outfit making silly faces. the next 3 ah-dorable children all belong to an amazing friend who i was fortunate enough to see TWICE on my trip!! that's record breaking, trust me! the girls are justice, lucy, and georgia and they are just rocking awesome children... it takes a lot for me to say that! love 'em! and lastly is the newest hassell! this is little benton elijah, he weighed just under 8lbs and is just the cutest thing! i know he's gonna be a great kid. he has the best parents, seriously the best! can you believe i'm holding a newborn!?!? he was sorta forced on me, but he was making the cutest noises... so it wasn't so bad.

                    

hair and makeup test run, so how hot is this bride!?!? i've never done hair before so i was a little worried, but damn i'm good. she looked ah-mazing, i can't wait to get my camera because let me tell you, that was one hot wedding. lots of fabulous going on! 

and lastly, this is jefferson. um, can we say fabulous!? a limo pulled up while we were chilling with some family friends on a restaurant patio and i turned to my mother and said, "that's ah-mazing, i need a photo." well, i got it! prom never looked this good when i was in school! he told me he was going to throw on a bow tie so he could get in the door. this is just so fab that i had to share!  i wouldn't change a thing! brilliant! who knew that i would find such delightful fashion in peachtree city, ga? who knew?

so, i'll be back shortly with a post on my vacay outfits and the photos from the wedding!! yay! don't get to excited, seriously, chill out ;)