Mantra Monday

If you're reading this then you should already know the name of my blog, beYOUtiful, be loved. The love I'm referring to is not the love from someone else; not your parents, your friends and not the love from a significant other. The love we all want and need is from ourselves. This quote by Thich Nhat Hanh is literally the perfect example and mantra to live by. I personally find myself consumed in trying to be like everyone else and always comparing myself to others, but there is no self-love in that. Everyone is different. What you like about someone, they might hate about themselves and vice versa. As hard as it may be for some, and as easy as it might be for others, we all need to love ourselves for who we are. You are each individually beautiful, on the inside and out. Once you accept that, then love will surround you. Life is too short not to be exactly who you are and love every second of it.

with love,

Marisa

Crazy Little Thing Called Life

Life is a crazy thing. We can't predict what's going to happen nor know what our future holds. We wake up every morning with a fresh start, a new opportunity to work harder or be nicer. We all have dreams and ways we hope our lives will turn out. Sometimes life throws speed bumps at us; little deterrents that cause us to lose hope, maybe even give up on those dreams. As much as I believe in fate and everything happens for a reason, I also believe that we play a big role in the way we live and how our lives pan out. If you want to be with someone; tell them, show them, and once you're with them, never let them go. If you want a job; work your ass off, and prove to them that you are the perfect candidate. Life is only as good as you choose it to be, so choose great, choose amazing and never settle for anything less than yours dreams.

Hibachi at Home

One of my absolute favorite meals and favorite places to go out to eat is Samurai, a hibachi restaurant near my house in Huntington. I go to Samurai every year for my birthday and probably 4 other times throughout the year as well. (If you are ever in town, I highly recommend and suggest you try it. You will not be disappointed). Unfortunately since I'm at school in the city 8 months out of the year, I had to improvise. Although it doesn't quite add up the experience and deliciousness of Samurai (there are also no knife tricks and flames happening in my kitchen), this might just be the perfect solution to curb the cravings. And even though I secretly want to be a hibachi chef, this recipe is super easy for anyone at any culinary skill level. 

with love,

Marisa

here's what you'll need:

Success Boil-in-Bag rice (any rice works), soy sauce, eggs, vegetables (I used zucchini)

Sometimes I add shrimp, it all depends on your mood and appetite.

     

 Fry eggs, boil rice, and sauté zucchini

The rice takes about 10 minutes to cook, so usually I'll do the rice first and about halfway through I will cook the eggs, put to the side and then cook the zucchini.

When everything is done, combine into the frying pan.

Add the soy sauce; as little or as much as you want.

Enjoy!

Thinspiration

Summer is just around the corner. For some, it's an exciting time; for others, dreadful. I feel like every other tweet, status, or Instagram picture I see is about someone getting beach-bod ready. Now normally I am one of those girls, or at least try to be one of those girls. I workout on a daily basis but diet is a four letter word that does not exist in my vocabulary. I've come to realize that myself, and probably many of you too, have unrealistic goals for ourselves. Let's be honest, we are never going to look like Miranda Kerr or Candice Swanepoel, especially if your 5'3'' like me. Instead I've found "thinspiration" in celebrities that were the same height as me with similar body types. With this, I have a more tangible goal, a goal that I can actually achieve. Below are a few of the people I use for motivation. 

                                                       Vanessa Hudgens                         Rachel Bilson                               Hayden Panettiere

with love, 

Marisa

Mantra Monday

Throughout your life, you are going to come across obstacles. It may seem that as hard as you try, something just isn't working out. Sometimes you might get discouraged and upset, but if it matters enough to you, you will persevere. "Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about". I know for me personally, I will find myself frustrated and wondering why something just can't go the way I had wanted. But I have to remember that if it means enough to me, than I will never give up trying. Whether you're setting goals for yourself to get in shape and look like a celebrity (unrealistic yet we all manage to try) or to increase you're GPA and do better in school. Maybe you want a promotion at work or to land that dream internship. Or even if you're going through a tough time with the person you love; if it's so important to you that you are always thinking about it, then you will never give up. Life always has a way or working itself out to be exactly what you need and want. It may not happen in your preferred time span, but it will happen. Believe in that, work hard, stay positive and NEVER give up. 

Daisies and Sunshine

Dress: Dolce Vita, Shoes: BDG

Even though the temperature peaked slightly below 70, Wednesday was simply magnificent. The day was perfect. I put on one of my favorite warm weather dresses, drove with the windows down and spent the day with my mom. We got Yogurt Crazy, a self-serve frozen yogurt chain by my house, sat at the beach and soaked up the sun. If Wednesday was a glimpse into what the next few months has in store, then I am beyond excited. 

with love,

Marisa

Breakfast of Champions

Besides dessert,  breakfast is probably my favorite meal. Whether going out to eat or making something tasty in my kitchen in the comfort of my pajamas, I always need something delicious to start off my day. I'm a real 'foodie' and always manage to photograph my food before shoving it in my mouth (like a lady of coarse). Below are some of my absolute favorite breakfasts from the past couple months. 

with love,

Marisa

Pumpkin Waffles topped with dried cranberries and pecans and a side of baked apples.

 From: Penelope

Applesauce pancakes topped with bananas, honey and maple syrup. 

(New favorite to make on a lazy weekend morning)

The most amazing corn muffin and jam from Sarabeth's.

My eat-out breakfast of choice: Eggs Benedict from Tim's Shipwreck Diner

Delicious egg sandwich from Big Bear Pizzelli

(I used to work there and my boss would always make me egg whites on an everything bagel)

How could I resist ordering hot chocolate, especially when it came in this cool glass.

From: Sweet Mama's

Chocolate-Chip Eggos topped with fresh strawberries, courtesy of yours truly.