6 Apps to Get You Through The Work Day

Google Drive 

To be frank, I use all of the Google software apps almost exclusively. This is a guaranteed way to keep me organized while on the go. 

Inbox 

This is my one breakaway from the standard Google software package. I downloaded this a few years ago while still in beta and it's a game-changer! With a beautiful interface, you'll find automated organization for purchases, finance, social, and best of all trips. If you travel frequently, this will keep all of your confirmation details easily accessible.  

Things 

I'm a list maker by nature, and this app allows me to categorize and check things off be it work, home, travel, shopping, etc.– the list making options are limitless!

theSkimm 

I hate to admit it, but these days I rarely watch the news. With Netflix, and Hulu, nothing is viewed in real time, therefore, theSkimm is my quick round-up at the start of each day. 

Spotify 

I don't do well with silence, in fact, when I was in college I was only found in the library while briefly scanning in documents to study elsewhere. Be it focus, coffee shop vibes, or meditation, there's a playlist for everything on Spotify.

MyFitnessPal

More on this one later, but when focusing on my nutrition, this is my go-to app. With an endless database, MyFitnessPal makes it nearly effortless to maintain a food journal. Remember, it's not about becoming obsessive with the calorie count, rather focus on the nutrition tab at the bottom, and remember it's more about awareness than anything.

My Favorite Green Smoothie

Guys, this is my all-time favorite green smoothie & a major crowd pleaser! 

Packed with nutrients, including 3 cups of spinach, live & active probiotics, and a boost of Omega-3s, this tropical  blend will leave you feeling satiated, refreshed, and guilt-free.

Also, if you haven't invested in a Vitamix, I highly recommend it! When we moved this was one of the items I most looked forward to unpacking– I use it every day!

*Typically, I enjoy this smoothie as a snack between meals or paired with an added protein for breakfast/lunch. For added protein, or for a more complete meal replacement, add a scoop of your favorite protein powder. 

---

Recipe:

• 3c Spinach
• 1/4c Pineapple
• 1/2 Banana
• 1/2 to 1c Lifeway- Organic Lowfat Keifer, Plain (packed with probiotics & protein!)
• 1/4c Almond Milk
• 1 tbsp Chia Seeds (Omega 3s!)

234 Cal. / 36g Carbs / 7g Fat / 12g Protein

---

Gift Wrap Inspo

Gift Wrap Inspo

I'll be honest, I have yet to wrap any gifts this holiday season, but the inspo below is stirring some serious excitement...

- Remember, there's still time to check off that list with the help of our Holiday Gift Guides! -

For more Holiday inspo, including recipes, gift wrap, & more follow on Pinterest.

- Marbled -

- Splattered -

- Simplicity -

- Modern B&W -

- Gold Painted -

- Glitz -

- Spotted -

- Chalk Paper -

- Dainty -

- B&W -

- Printable Gift Tags -

- XO -

Holiday Cooks: Healthy 15 min Pumpkin Pie Alternative

Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving! This is one of my favorite seasonal recipes and I can't tell you how easy (and fast) it is to make. Also, you probably already have most of the ingredients, so you're all set...

Enjoy!

xo

Recipe:

• 1 pkg. Organic Chocolate Cake Mix (I use Miss Jones Organic Chocolate Cake Mix)
• 3 Eggs
• 1 cup, Lowfat Milk
• 1/4 cup 0% Plain Greek Yogurt
• 1 scoop (28.5g), Plant Based Fit Protein
• 4 Tbsp, Ground Flaxseed
• Top with Truwhip & Fresh Ground Nutmeg
   

Serving Size: 2 Muffins
181 Cal. / 32g Carbs. / 3g Fat . / 8g Protein

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24

Pinterest is the death of me, in fact, I don't venture there often, purely because I know know myself & know it'll be a grueling binge sesh! Nevertheless, this only goes to show how much I love the art of "pin-ing". Current interests include some serious wanderlust, along with neutral fall palettes, and a new board full of dreamy tree houses– why not, right?...

Happy pinning!

Rum & Rose // Feat. Brugal Rum

In another life I would have been a bartender... Or a backup dancer, but that's a story for another day.

Like sommeliers, I have a huge respect for craft cocktail makers. While, I'm perfectly content enjoying a cold beer while sitting in the back of a pickup truck, my favorite bars in the city showcase some of America's finest cocktails. I guess that's where I'm a snob (#sorrynotsorry).

Truth is, I was the girl who waited until she was 21 to have her first drink. I don't know why that was such a big deal to me, but I also didn't really understand why everyone made such a fuss about wanting to drink before then. I promise you I had just as much fun before I was 21 as I did after. And come to find out, when I turned 21, I hated the taste of alcohol. I was the lamest 21 year old!

Fast forward 4 years, and I'll be very specific in my order at a speakeasy. Egg white, light bitters, rose water, ginger and sparkle. Yes, this snobbery is where you can begin to either shun or appreciate me. You decide...

All that being said, I'm no expert behind the bar, so when Brugal Rum reached out to see how we could team up for a summer feature, I knew I had to include a couple friends. Meet Rosie & James Clayton, a Chicago power couple taking the hospitality industry by storm!

You probably remember Rosie from her Bucktown boutique, Roslyn. Her husband, James, is one of Chicago's leading bartenders, with over 12 years of experience in the BOKA Restaurant Group, Hogsalt Hospitality, and Gibsons Restaurant Group.

Ready for this?... Together they are fusing their passions to bring you Chicago's newest craft cocktail bar, with a unique and cultured spin!

With their shared expertise, it makes sense that this power duo would blend their knowledge, passion, and talents to open what's sure to be one of Chicago's best craft cocktail bars!

Prior to opening Roslyn, Rosie grew up in the restaurant industry, with her parents owning five Thai restaurants in Chicago. If you were lucky enough to shop at Roslyn, you know Rosie's aesthetic is top notch, so you can bet on that bar being an Instagram fave!

Curious for more? The couple is currently developing their menu and experimenting with cocktails around the clock! The one here is a Glitterary exclusive, but if you follow @rclayton & @jimie1 on Instagram, I know they're eager to show you some more "sneak peeks" of what to expect until the official business Instagram goes live.

Details on this new venture are still full of secrets, but keep an ear out for more this Fall!

Until then, I give you Rum & Rose, a refreshing summer cocktail perfect for your next summer soirée.

Special thanks to Room & Board for letting us shoot in their amazing patio! Browse their outdoor collection here.

This post has been brought to you by Brugal Rum, however, all opinions remain my own. The integrity of this site is far more important to me than any compensation or brand partnership. – S