Miss Shirley's in Baltimore

This past weekend I was in the DMV area. Since I went to see my alma mater play Howard and it was Howard’s homecoming lots of food from food trucks and tailgates was readily available. For brunch on Sunday we went to Miss Shirley’s on the recommendation of some Baltimore natives. If you keep up with my Instagram you have already seen my delicious crab omelet (pictured right). I never pass up the opportunity to eat a crab omelet and even though I have had better, this one was very good. It sounds strange, but if you love seafood like me you have to try it when you are in a coastal area where fresh crab is easily accessible. To drink I had the Southern Ruby Crush which was tasty and fresh with grapefruit as the strongest flavor.

This is a very large restaurant that is highly decorated and we got excellent service from our waitress and the manager came by to speak with us. A friend got maple bacon pancakes (pictured below) with a salted caramel drizzle. I don’t eat pork, but the drizzle was SO GOOD I had to get on pinterest and search for a recipe, which I will be trying soon. 

-XOXO

Six Ways to Fight Sickness this Fall & Winter

1. Take your vitamins

Taking a daily multivitamin is always a good practice, during this time you can add vitamins C and D into your diet on top of what you are already ingesting.

2. Wash your hands
Wash you hands and don’t touch your face, eyes etc. which makes it easy for germs to get into your body.

3. Get a flu shot

4. Bundle up
This past weekend I went to Howards homecoming and I did not know it would be as cold as it was. YES I checked the weather beforehand, but the wind makes all the difference. I was trying to pack light, BUT for future reference I will pack at least one more just in case sweater or jacket. Being bundled up is more about reducing places for bacteria or a virus to enter your body than simply feeling warm.

5. Get your sleep

Sleep impacts your immune system so get your shut-eye.

6. Green tea with ginger and honey

All of these have been shown to inhibit bacteria and viruses that make you sick.

More here.

-XOXO

Moisturizing Skin for Cooler Weather

I'm going to let you in on a big secret you may not know or maybe you just never thought about it. Your skin is actually your largest organ. To keep it healthy inside and out, you need to take special care of it when the temperature changes because cooler weather dries it out. Dry skin leads to discomfort and it can make you look like you are aging you faster. These tips will keep your skin looking and feeling great no matter the weather:

• Wash using luke warm water because hot water strips more oils from the skin.
• Moisturize your skin

This one is a given, but lots of people don't do it. Applying lotion is a simple task you can add to your routine.

• Protect your skin by wearing gloves and scarves
• Continue to use sunscreen or moisturizer with sunscreen
• Drink water and/or eat foods with a high water content
• Exfoliate

Removing the dead skin on the surface is vital for moisturizer to get onto skin.

Fun fact: Every minute, your skin sheds over 30,000 dead cells.

-XOXO

Favorites of Fall

Today welcomes in my favorite month, and even though fall has already started, October makes it feel real to me! Here are a few of my favorite things about fall:

• Weather

The weather is perfect, in my opinion. Not too warm and it's getting crisp and colorful. Also, since this is a transition time it is off season for travel in some places where you will still have a great time when its cheaper and less crowded. As a young person with a little bit of money, interested in travel, this article by CNN is perfect to point us in the direction of some of those places.

• Fashion

We all know that it can be chilly during the morning and night and burning up at noon. I love boots, sweaters, scarfs and the layers that fall calls for. I have been pinning so many looks that I can’t wait to try here.

• Fair… & fair food

If you have been reading my blog then you know that I love fair food. I look forward to having my favorites this year too like smoked turkey legs and cotton candy. Here is a previous post about the Texas State fair last year.

• My Birthday!

• Halloween (for the pumpkin carving)

I’m not really into scary things, but I love pumpkin carving! My friends and I usually get together and have a little party.

• Homecoming and Tailgates

My alma mater makes a big deal out of homecoming and it’s a time when I get to see people I haven’t seen in forever, so it is a favorite time of mine.

• Warm drinks

Hot chocolate & hot cider

• Thanksgiving

Grandma’s sweet potato pie… Enough said

And last but not least 

• PINK everything!

Because October is breast cancer month you will see pink everywhere. Because it is not just about pretty pink everywhere, I have a post here about the importance of self exams that includes a link to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.