{Dedicated: Martha Stewart}

It is no secret that I love Martha Stewart. Ironically, however, I don't ever seem to have the time to test out the many recipes, crafts, and tips this multi-faceted woman offers through her magazines, website, blog, TV shows, etc. Luckily, with my summer becoming more (unexpectedly) open-ended by the day, I think I am going to have ample time to delve into the seemingly endless crafts and recipes of Martha's that I have stored away, hoping to one day be tested out.

Though I truly enjoy working and interning, I am looking forward to at least a little bit of downtime to start crossing things off of my seemingly endless to-do list. My bedroom at my Dad's house has never been finished decor wise, and it has been over two years since I first started!

If you are ever in need of something, whether it be a cupcake or appetizer recipe to bring to a summer barbeque, or a quick-and-easy hostess gift, Martha has it all. Her website is very comprehensive, and the Recipe Finder is a great tool.

Here are some of the things I have been perusing for inspiration...

{So pretty! It is made from costume brooches.}

{I love all the fresh ingredients!}

{The wooden beads are perfect for summer!}

{The frames are decorated with beans. I am going to try this out in my bedroom.}

{Yummy! I can't wait to bring these to a Fourth of July barbeque!}

{What a clever way to display jewelry. I love the idea of using frames to "frame" unconventional items.}

What crafts, recipes or tips from Martha Stewart have caught your eye lately?

{Happy Summer!}

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend; I know I sure did! Here on the beaches of New Jersey (I refuse to call it "the shore") we had beautiful weather which helped to make it an especially memorable weekend.

I have spent the fast few weeks transitioning into summer mode... aka time-to-get-all-of-those-projects-done mode. My goal this summer? To sort through EVERYTHING I have accumulated over the years. I'm talking every drawer, closet, box, nook and cranny. While definitely a tedious task, there is nothing so rewarding as sorting and de-cluttering a room, and nothing so relaxing as enjoying your revitalized space.

Summer mode also means updating my wardrobe, both in terms of what I wear on a day-to-day basis and clearing out things I no longer need or wear. I really am trying to live a more simplistic lifestyle as I have been coming to the realization that I have way too much stuff (never thought I would say that!).

So, here's to a great summer 2010, and I hope it is a successful one! In terms of friends, family, career, home decor, fashion, and hobbies! There is so much to look forward to...

{beautiful blooms}

{so true!, via bryn alexandra}

{amazing sunsets}

{effortlessly chic outfits}

{delectable meals al fresco}

{flowing dresses and beachy hair, via coco+kelley}

What are you looking forward to about this summer?

{Elle Decor}

As I have mentioned before, I love a good magazine. And a good supplement to these magazines, is a good website. Some magazine websites really fall short in my opinion - they don't have much to offer, are outdated, etc.

One magazine website that does not fall into this category is Elle Decor. This website not only features the spreads from the current issue, but frequently updated shopping tips, beautiful homes, and trends. It is one of my favorite places to go for inspiration, and is a great alternative for the times when I don't have the cash readily available to purchase the magazine.

Elledecor.com has a really cool feature called "ED's LookBook," which can be found on the homepage. Here you select the type of room, and then your personal style (broken down into categories) from a drop-down menu, and are then presented with a slideshow featuring looks that match your search. I love how quick-and-easy this makes searching for inspiration, I wish that other websites offered a similar feature!

{I love a good breakfast nook, and this is a GREAT breakfast nook. It is part of a renovated 110-year-old barn/house.}

{A bedroom in the same renovated barn. How amazing is this room? That bed is bananas, and I am loving all the natural light.}

{Some plates from the "Shopping" section of the site. I love the idea of mixing colors and patterns in a table setting, much like I love doing in my wardrobe.}

{I adore these Jonathan Adler Positano pillows with crisp white linen contrasted with bright grosgrain ribbon. I love how geometric they are.}

{Actress Ellen Pompeo's living room. Her home was featured in the most recent issue of the magazine. This room is so simple-chic, and not at all fussy.}

{Ellen Pompeo's kitchen. I have been obsessed since I saw these images. I have always been a sucker for open shelving, but this room is beyond my wildest dreams. It feels so lived-in and is so "undecorated." I also love the use of a very large picture resting on counter space as a focal point.}

{Decorator Joe Nye gives advice for summer table setting. A perfect place for a Sunday brunch with friends and family, no?}

This is just a sampling of the great inspirational images and ideas to be found on Elle Decor's website, so head that way if you are looking for something chic!

{Dedicated: Workout DVDs}

As I have mentioned before, I love working out. I wish that I had the freedom in my wallet to belong to a gorgeous, up-to-date workout facility (Lombardi Center, you are no Equinox). I also wish that I had the space in my schedule to head to the gym seven days a week, if only for a short 20-minute interval workout and some lifting.

Unfortunately, I have neither the freedom in my wallet nor the space in my schedule to do accommodate these wishes. Being a "poor" college student, I am stuck working out in that eyesore that is the Lombardi Center. And because I am a student, I have classes, interning, and meetings to worry about before I can even begin to think of working out.

Admittedly, I am usually pretty good about waking up before class and heading to the gym, or prioritizing my day to be sure I have at least 45 minutes for a solid workout. But then, of course, there are days like today, where I have been up for interning since 7:00 a.m., and don't return home until 9:30 p.m. (I went shopping after work... I can't be "poor" all of the time haha)... which is why I am posting now. Tired from a long day, I don't always feel like changing into my full workout gear and trekking to the gym.

My solution? Workout DVDs! I was skeptical at first about using DVDs. I worried that I wouldn't do the moves properly, or that because no one was around (we all know we try hard at the gym partly because there are people there who can see us) I wouldn't put in my usual amount of effort.

Boy, was I wrong. I have slowly been amassing a collection of DVDs, most focused on abdominal workouts. The DVDs have introduced me to moves I would never have thought of trying, and I am definitely noticing a difference in my stomach. I have never had abs, and probably will never officially have them. But, my core is most definitely tighter and more sculpted. My favorite part about the DVDs is that most of them have 10-minute workouts that are quick and really blast the areas you want to target in the shortest amount of time.

Right now I am loving:

{Michele Olson, PhD: Fitness Prescription: Perfect Legs, Glutes, & Abs}

{Exhale: Core Fusion: Lean & Toned}

{Exercise TV: Ultimate Body: Quick & Incredible Abs}

{Crunchless Abs}

So, if you are in need of a workout but don't have a lot of time? A workout DVD is definitely the solution!

**All titles available on Amazon.

{Classic Style}

I read A LOT of magazines. Each month I look forward to I look forward to receiving my various subscriptions in the mail and carefully examining each and every page for any type of inspiration. I tear out the pages that have something that I am drawn to; a makeup look, hairstyle, certain outfit, color combination, home decor, etc., and save them for future reference.

In the May issue of American Vogue, I was ecstatic to find an entire fashion spread that I loved. Shot by the fabulous Mario Testino and styled by Marie-Amelie Sauve, I found myself drooling over the simple, chic elegance of the looks featured in the spread " Americans in Paris." And I can't forget to mention model Daria Werbowy's sultry smoky eye and long hair with choppy bangs. I always strive to incorporate the hottest trends into my wardrobe, but there is definitely something to be said for classic looks.

So perfect, in every way.

{Dedicated: Pure Yoga}

I had the pleasure of attending a press event at Pure Yoga-West yesterday morning. I am by no means a yoga person-I am actually incredibly inflexible and lacking in core strength which makes many of the moves very difficult. With that being said, however, I am a health and exercise fiend, and jump at the opportunity to try any kind of exercise.

The yoga studio at Pure West is absolutely INCREDIBLE! Upon opening the giant wooden doors you are instantly whisked away to a calming mecca consisting of soothing music, flickering candlelight, and an overall relaxing atmosphere.

The decor is reminiscent of how I would like a room in my future home decorated. At every corner is a little "socializing" nook, complete with cool couches and chairs, ambient lighting, awesome pillows, and any magazine you could imagine. All of the colors used are highly saturated, rich colors, and look great against all of the natural and wood elements found elsewhere.

I can't, of course, forget to mention the most important part, the yoga itself! All of the instructors are incredibly nice and so experienced. I was taught yesterday by one instructor who had just returned from four years in Hong Kong, and another who had recently returned from Australia. They are very helpful and work with you to modify the moves to better fit your skill level. My favorite part was the complete meditation at the end of my session, I haven't felt that relaxed in so long.

Pure Yoga is pricy, but definitely worth it if you love yoga, or cool decor!

{Spring Layering}

Spring weather, especially here on the East coast, is never easy to predict. One day it is 80 degrees, the next day it is rainy and 50 degrees. It is during troubling weather times such as these that mastering the skill of layering really comes into play. The key is to mix lighter colors and warm weather fabrics with transitional pieces, such as blazers and fun accessories like ankle socks, scarves, short boots, and tights.

{Elle.com}

{Jak&Jil}

{The Sartorialist}

{J. Crew}

{J. Crew}

Layering is also a great way to extend the seasonal lives of pieces in your wardrobe, all while keeping you dressed appropriately in the ever-changing weather. Win-win!