Target: On the Dot

Ignoring the fact that I probably won't get anything from the Jason Wu collection and instead pining over looks from Target's latest On the Dot issue.

{that scraf}

{that ponytail} 

 

{coral vs cobalt jean debate starts.... now}

Just have to share on behalf of my sister, brother-in-law and baby bro:

On March 17, 2012, Chris and I, along with my brother, Will, are running in DC's inaugural Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon. Each of us have run many races for ourselves - I did the DC Half Marathon last year, Chris has run countless full marathons, and Will ran for his college cross country and track teams (Buzzzz, go Hornets! Right?) - but this time we have decided that we wanted to run to benefit others. We have chosen to run this race to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and are hoping that you all can help us reach our goal of raising $1500 for the organization.

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides a college education to every child who has lost a parent serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps during an operational or training mission under the U.S. Special Operations Command. They also provide cash grants to personnel seriously wounded in the line of duty so that their families can travel and be at their sides during their recovery without financial worries. This foundation hits close to home for Chris and I because as you might remember we lost a good friend last summer, SSG Jeremy Katzenberger, who was killed in action in Afghanistan. His now 1-year-old son will hopefully get to benefit from an organization like this one day. On top of that though, there are also so many of our family members and friends that have put themselves on the line for our country and this is just one way we can honor and support them.

$1500 might seem like a lot of money, but in reality it's only $500 per person. Or, only $38 per mile we run on race day. $38 a mile is nothing compared to the sacrifice the men and women in our military and their families make every single day.

Please help us honor and support our armed forces and their families by visiting our First Giving site for this event and donating to this cause. As everyone always says, every little bit counts.

Face Off Against Hunger.

I'm so glad I work here. Find out more at facebook.com/Atomicdust.

Agadir

After a day and a half in Marrakesh, it was on to Agadir! Agadir had none of the things I disliked about Kesh - less crowds, less heckling, more organized driving, wider roads. Plus, it's a pretty big French tourist destination, so I could actually read some of the signs and menus!

Agadir sits right on the Atlantic Ocean and pretty much looks like Florida. Apparently, there was a big earthquake in the 1960s and the U.S. helped rebuild.... there's even a JFK Blvd!

Our hotel was gorgeous! We ended up getting a really nice room with two beds and our very own bathroom! With toilet paper and a shower curtain! (Granted, the shower curtain was cut short and only hung down mid-shin, but whatever.)

The beach in Agadir was so pretty! This was my first experience seeing an empty beach when it is 60 something degrees outside...

The beach in Agadir is lined with a boardwalk with shops and restaurants, including this one with 'exotic' foods like pizza, hamburgers and Thanksgiving turkeys. At night, the boardwalk becomes the place to be. It felt like (a more conservative version of) the Jersey Shore.

We 'splurged' and took a tram ride around the city. What we thought would be a quick ride down the boardwalk and back ended up taking us all over Agadir, even passed the really nice all-inclusive resorts (aka where I will stay if I ever go back!).

This, my friends, is shawrma. It's sort of like a gyro with pickles. Claire refused to eat meat in Morocco, but we forced her to try the chicken shawrma and she liked it so much she insisted on coming back for dinner! On my second go around, I had a chicken burger instead - just ground chicken as the patty instead of beef- and it tasted just like Chick-Fil-A!

This is the door to the mosque in Agadir and it is just gorgeous. To me, this is so Morocco. The tiles, the wood, the color, the intricate details.

Can you believe this is Morocco? I was standing outside a Zara when I took this. We don't even have Zara in St. Louis! This whole marina area is these big, new buildings with retail space on the bottom and what I assume is residential up top. It reminded me of Branson Landing. And the docks are lined with sailboats, runabouts and even a few smaller yachts. The sunset was unbelievable.


Agadir lights up the beaches with stadium lights at night, and the effect is insanely beautiful. It creates such a stark contrast between the lit-up sand and the dark blue ocean. The mountain side says, 'God, King, Country' and is lit up at night. I think it's much prettier than our version - the Hollywood sign.

Stag? This Moroccan beer says it's made in Casablanca but it looks (and tastes) a little familiar...

Other Agadir highlights:

• My first McDonald's experience abroad!
• Amazing chocolate croissants!
• The freshly-painted Agadir zoo
• The big indoor market where I bought a bunch of souvenirs
• The soccer stadium that also sort of looks like a quidditch field
• Our makeshift cooler in the bathroom sink, filled with cold water and ice. 

Click here for links to all my Rome and Morocco travels!

Mashed White Beans with Rosemary and Garlic

I made this as a side to the boy's pork steaks last night. It was easy, I already had all the ingredients at home... and it wasn't terrible! Yippee!

Mashed White Beans with Rosemary and Garlic

• 2 (15 oz.) cans cannellini (white) beans, rinsed and drained
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed into small pieces (or a few sprigs of fresh rosemary)
• 1/3 cup chicken stock
• Salt and pepper

In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil, garlic and rosemary over medium-low heat. Saute until fragrant.

Add beans and chicken stock. Increase to medium heat and stir beans. Continue to stir until beans begin to soften, approximately 5 to 8 minutes.

Using a wooden spoon or a potato masher, mash beans until they reach your desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.

via 

Inspired By: These Colors

{navy, mustard, white and mint}

via

Embracing Trends

I tried it. The whole different color nail thing. Claire and Cara and I had a long discussion about this in Morocco... I'm okay with it as long as the colors are more muted. And I prefer just having the left ring finger a different color. Maybe I feel like it's like wearing a ring? Marking a commitment? I don't know.

So I tried. I don't think I like it. As soon as I was done, I immediately wanted to take the polish off but I told myself I had to let it be for at least a day.... So I'm most likely painting my nails tonight while I watch Battle of the Exes on MTV.

Other trends I'm sporting today:

• poncho-esque sweater
• leopard flats
• arm party, including an over sized gold watch
• ballerina bun.... although that is not a trend for me. It's my life. 

And here are a few other trends I'd like to try (someday).

{anything chevron}

{big, cozy infinity scarf} 

{seriously pink lips} 

{more sequins}

Follow all the style I love on Pinterest.