chocolate – Laur’s Truly

Tag: chocolate

Friday Favorites (12/18/15)

Posted on December 18, 2015July 16, 2016 by lmpicard16@gmail.com

Happy Friday you guys! Hope you’re all doing well on this fine December day.

I’m in a great mood because I’m finally done with finals and back at home for the holidays!

I can’t believe that fall semester of my senior year in college is already over, and that I only have one semester left… but let’s not talk about that.

I’ll put the sentimental senior-in-college thoughts aside for another day, because right now, it’s time to just sit back, relax, and enjoy Christmas break!

I still owe you a half marathon recap (if you want one?), but today I wanted to link up with Heather to show you some of the things I’ve been loving lately!

Continue reading “Friday Favorites (12/18/15)” →

‘Typical’ Won’t Be So Typical

Posted on August 20, 2014 by lmpicard16@gmail.com

Happy Hump Day!

As I said in my last post, I haven’t been able to get on here as much as I wanted to lately between working, packing, seeing friends, and getting ready to leave this Sunday for my semester abroad in Italy.

I’m packing like a mad woman these days, but I really wanted to drop by here quickly to do one last WIAW in America (til late December anyway!). My next WIAW will be in Europe. Ummm WHAT?!?

It still has yet to hit me. I think it won’t sink in until I’m literally at the airport. What has kind of hit me is that the food I eat and the things I do all the time here, my ‘typical’, if you will, won’t be so typical when I’m in Europe. I can’t wait to find out (read: taste) what my new ‘typical’ will be!

As always, thanks to Jenn for this lovely link-up!

My typical breakfast as of late has been a ‘strawberry banana mocha protein smoothie’. Looks sad, tastes like Starbucks. Just sayin’.

In the blender: 1/2 frozen banana + 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt + handful frozen strawberries & spinach + 1/2 scoop chocolate whey protein powder + ice + splash (or five) of coffee. Perfection.

I’ve been really into cheese and fruit lately. You know how much I love my eggs, so I’ve found that scrambling an egg with laughing cow mozzarella and thinly sliced fruit is fabulous (granny smith apples, white nectarines, or pears have been my go-to’s). Add some form of carbs (naturally) and you have a complete meal!

Screen Shot 2014-08-20 at 12.18.16 PM — Instagram @ FuelingFab

As good as this combo is, I absolutely cannot wait for Italian mozzarella (and every other kind of cheese). All day, everyday, baby.

I will miss my Cosi. It’s my fave, I think that’s pretty clear to see if you’ve read my blog for, like, a week.

Of course I’ll greatly miss my parents’ home cooked meals that I get so used to when I’m living at home for the summer. My mom and dad are the best (I’ll miss them for way more than their food, trust me).

And, let’s be honest, I’ll miss my wraps. Love these, maybe a little too much.

I would also say I’ll miss my daily ice-cream (or drumstick cones!), but I have a feeling that Italian gelato might give it a run for it’s money. I can’t want to try the real deal.

I know Europe will be absolutely breathtaking, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t miss this.

I will undoubtedly miss home. Both of my homes.

Screen Shot 2014-08-20 at 12.55.55 PM — Instagram @ FuelingFab

Well, unfortunately that’s all I have time for today! Time to go pack til I ~~drop~~ nap.

I will see ya soon from Italy (if I can’t get on here sooner)! Eeek!

xo’s

PS – As you know, there are a number of changes I want to make to this lil old blog of mine (becoming self-hosted, changing the title, etc).

That being said, leaving the US for a semester is a pretty big deal. Next week, I’ll likely have no internet yet, plus I’ll be very busy becoming accustomed, meeting new people, exploring my new home, getting ready for classes to begin, and having fun!

I hate to be repetitive here (and I apologize if you’re reading this for the second time), but as I said in my last post, I plan to document everything (food, fashion, ((prob not so much fitness, but maybe?)), and fun all over Europe!), so I hope you will come along for the ride. I’ll be sharing my adventures (plus outfits, eats, and all that good stuff) on here, as well as on Instagram!

So buckle up, sit tight, and join me on this journey, because it’s about to get a LOT more fabulous. 😉

{Kinda Sorta Not Really} Wordless Wednesday

Posted on January 2, 2014 by lmpicard16@gmail.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday! Mine was amazing, and I hope yours was also full of relaxation, family time, fun with friends, fabulous food, and some fitness thrown in there, too!

I’m still on break for the next two weeks, but I’m definitely feeling the after Christmas (and New Years Eve) blues. I took a decent amount of photos, so I thought what better way to beat those blues than a ~~kinda sorta not really~~ “wordless Wednesday” recap!

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Modern Family marathon.

Chex in a Christmas mug. (Does anyone else think the vanilla flavor tastes like sugar cookies? SO GOOD.)

Oreo brownie.

Pre-church peppermint mocha.

Christmassy nails.

Lacy shirt and new boots for Christmas Eve Mass.

Christmas Eve lasagna, garlic bread, and salad.

Santa came!

Enough dessert for 19 people?

Lemon poppyseed cake with orange glaze, rounds 1 & 2.

Round 3.

Chocolate on chocolate on chocolate.

Five mile run in the snow. Perfection.

I’m dreaming of a white (day after) Christmas.

Cosi date with friends.

More.

And more.

First trip to Moe’s.

I guess I liked it?

Panera.

Hot cocoa by the tree.

Feeling snacky.

Christmas celebration #2.

(Early) birthday cake!

Out with the fam.

Dear peppermint stick, why do you have to be seasonal?

Clean and simple.

Microwaved.

Tired from last night = ~~lazy~~ easy eats.

Imma miss this

so, so much.

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PS – Want to kick-start the new year? Check out this workout!

PPS – This year, instead of making resolutions you won’t keep, make the commitment to become the BEST you.

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Questions of the day:

How were your holidays?
What are your goals for 2014?
Any post requests?

Home for the Holidays

Posted on December 22, 2013 by lmpicard16@gmail.com

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I’m finally home for Christmas! Finals are done! I survived!

Can you tell I’m happy?

Well, with finals behind me and Christmas and a three week break ahead of me, I am so so happy.

I mean, how could I not be when I get to stare at my tree every night, instead of at the pages of a text book or endless notes and essays?

I’m just relaxing at the moment (I’ve been waiting for this for so long), so I figured it’s the perfect time to check in on here.

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The past few weeks were pretty crazy with studying and essay writing galore, so my days pretty much consisted of: wake up around 8:30, workout (I ran almost every day since it was the perfect stress release/ energizing activity for me, but I did a few intense room workouts here and there to mix it up). Then I would eat breakfast, shower, and get to work.

We decked out our common room, which actually made it feel slightly more like Christmas time, as opposed to just endless hours spent in a timeless studying bubble.

My friends and I went stir crazy by the second study day. There were a few too many weird photos and videos taken that I probably should not share.

Besides allowing our inner maniacs out in the common room, we attempted to stay sane by stuffing our faces with some Christmasy treats.

They may not have made us act normal, but they definitely satisfied our sweet tooths!

We also got totally distracted by this app…

Should I dye my hair blonde?

HA. Just kidding!

My last school meal for the year. Salmon, sweet potato, salad. See ya in 2014, dining hall!

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Now that I’m home, I get to eat homemade meals, go out to dinner, hang with the fam and my high school friends, and RELAX. Oh, and celebrate CHRISTMAS!

Insert random fun video here for no reason:

Homemade version of the same dining hall meal… Mango salsa covered salmon, sweet potato with cinnamon, whole wheat roll, roasted veggies. I helped myself to seconds, of course.

Pasta with kielbasa and salad.

Can I just say that we have so many desserts at my house…My mom made a few batches of oatmeal cookies, and she went to a cookie swap, and both my parents got tons of candies and baked goods from coworkers and friends.

PLUS there will be even more after Christmas since we’ll be baking and some of our guests will bring some, too. Hey, I’m not complaining!

On my first night home, I was faced with a tough decision about which dessert to choose. I went with caramel ice cream and a chocolate covered gingerbread cookie.

Good choice.

At my friends house, we had delicious cake batter and cookie monster ice cream from a local ice cream shop that one of my friends works at. I didn’t snap a photo of it unfortunately, but let me tell ya, it was amazing.

Last night, the fam and I went to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, and I got my usual – a veggie hummus and avocado wrap with sweet potato fries. ~~Demolished that plate.~~ Ate every single bite.

After digesting that for a while, I spent the night in front of my beautiful Christmas tree, talking to my parents while enjoying half a hot cocoa packet mixed into plain greek yogurt (so good and creamy – try it!) and then sipping the rest stirred into hot water.

It’s times like these that I look forward to every year. The moments spent all cozy and warm, surrounded by family and friends, enjoying delicious food, and not wanting to be anywhere else.

This is absolutely my favorite time of year, and looking forward to being home and getting to do all of my favorite things is what gets me through the stress and craziness of finals.

Now that I’m home, enjoying every minute spent exactly where I want to be, I could not be happier.

I hope you are feeling the exact same way.

Happy holidays!