healthy banana oat peanut butter cookies.

Don't worry...long name, short recipe :)

Despite the recipes I've featured (to date) on Andrea Everyday, I normally eat a fairly clean, healthy diet. I try to stick with fresh, unprocessed foods when I can, and I wanted to feature a recipe of the same sort. So now I bring you my recipe for "Healthy Cookies." These are really simple to make, and only contain five ingredients!

Healthy Banana Oat Peanut Butter Cookies

• 3-4 very ripe bananas
• 1 3/4 cups dry oats
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Mix all your ingredients together in a bowl...make sure you mash the bananas very well!

Next, spoon onto a baking sheet about three inches apart and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Using a spatula, carefully remove each cookie from the baking sheet immediately after removing from the oven, and place onto cooling racks or a large plate. Don't wait until the cookies have cooled, or they'll be stuck!

That's it..short and sweet! Just about the easiest recipe there is! Enjoy!

xoxo,

this vs. that: striped tee + shorts

1. Kate Spade Tali Sunglasses, J. Crew Painter Tee, J. Crew 3" Chino Shorts, Banana Republic Nicola Platform Wedge |  2. Forever 21 D-frame Sunglasses, Forever 21 Breton Striped Tee, Old Navy Everyday 3.5" Shorts, Mossimo Cork Wedge

Happy Wednesday! Here's a little inspiration for some warm weather shopping...at a discount!

xoxo,

friday finds.

[my beautiful mom and I enjoying a drink on her birthday]

I spent last week in my home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was great to spend time with my family, visit my some of my favorite spots, and enjoy some down time. Now I get to enjoy a three day weekend back in the Bay Area...have a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend!

[me posing in front of a huge mural in Nob Hill]

[this note I found this on my windshield from a neighbor made my day]

[preparations for a healthy dinner - seriously, crock pot veggie lasagna is genius]

[I may have broken my shopping ban...there was no way I could pass up this striped dress at Marshall's, only $19.99. I"m not sorry!]

xoxo,

summer dresses under $30

1. Xhilaration Strapless Challis Dress $24.99  |  2. Xhilaration Strapless Fit & Flare Dress $24.99  |  3. Xhilaration Strapless Challis Dress $24.99  |  4. Mossimo Bustier Sweetheart Dress $24.99   |  5. Xhilaration Strapless Fit & Flare Dress $24.99  |  6. Xhilaration Peter Pan Collar Dress $24.99  |  7. Merona Sleeveless Ruffle Dress $27.99  |  8. Mossimo Zipper Fit & Flare Dress $27.99  |  9. Mossimo Short Ruffle Dress $24.99

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I put myself on a shopping ban for the month of May. That means no dresses, no jewelry, no shoes, etc. Yes, it's been kind of tough, though I've done really good so far (except for that one necklace I got in Albuquerque, but vacations don't count!, right!?!?!).

However, just because I can't shop doesn't mean that I can't look! What better place to look than my favorite budget friendly store, Target! Here are nine affordable dresses you can wear all summer long. The best part...each one is under $30!

xoxo,

chocolate raspberry cupcakes.

For years, cupcakes have been my dessert of choice...not only to eat but also to bake! I know that in today's world of Pinterest and DIYing I really should be making these entirely from scratch, but I have to admit that while I make the frosting from scratch, I always make cupcakes from a box. Yes, I know Martha would be disappointed. However, I've yet to receive a complaint, so if you're looking for an easy, yet amazingly delicious dessert...here it is!

First of all, select your favorite brand of boxed chocolate cake mix, along with the additional required ingredients the box calls for (eggs, water, and vegetable oil in this case). Go ahead and bake in your cupcake pans according the box instructions. Once you remove them from the oven, let them cool completely.

Hint: I usually place my fresh-out-of-the-oven cupcakes on a serving tray and stick in the fridge for 30 minutes or so to speed the cooling process!

While the cupcakes are cooling, you can prepare the frosting...

Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting

• 3-4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/8 stick of butter, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 ounces cream cheese (half a package), room temperature
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries (plus additional for decoration) 

Using either a hand or a stand mixer, cream together the room temperature (must be soft or you're going to have a really difficult time mixing!) butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Add the fresh raspberries to the mixture...the mixing blades will chop the raspberries for you, creating a beautiful pink color! Slowly add the powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, and mix on low with a hand mixer. Continue adding 1/2 a cup of powdered sugar at a time, until the frosting is stiff enough to form 'peaks.' If it's too soft, the frosting will not stay put on the cupcakes.

Next, frost each cupcake generously, either using a knife the old fashioned way, or using an icing bag/frosting gun like I did. Each tip will create a different "look," but I didn't use a tip for this batch and simply used the frosting gun without one for a smooth look.

Once each cupcake is frosted, add a fresh raspberry to the top of each one, and voila, you're done!

Enjoy!

xoxo,

headed to the desert.

I'm headed to New Mexico for a few days...my baby sister is graduating from high school so I'm off to Albuquerque for some family time!

Updates (and photos) upon my return! Hope everyone has a great week!

xoxo,

what i wore: shades of turquoise

 
 

blouse: H&M (last seen here)  |  skirt: Banana Republic (also seen here)  |  shoes: Target (last seen here)  |  necklace: Etsy  |  watch: Target  |  Earrings + Ring: Forever 21

Here is the latest addition to my pencil skirt collection, in my favorite color! A classic button up shirt tucked into a pencil skirt is an easy work outfit I've relied on for years. Keep a few of each in your closet that you can mix and match and you're good to go! Throwing in a matching statement necklace is an added bonus to set you apart from the water cooler crowd!

Hope you're all having a great week!

xoxo,

friday finds.

[my shameless selfie showcasing my eyeglasses necklace (similar)...and yes I matched my nail polish to my blouse!]

Since I've started this blog I've noticed myself shopping more often...okay, a lot more often. I find myself buying things I don't really need, and things I won't even really wear that often, or longer than one season.

Solution: I'm putting myself on a self imposed shopping ban for the rest of May. That's right...no lunch time trips to Target just to "browse," and no more stops at Forever 21 where I always seem to find something I "need."

So these recent purchases I've featured this week are the last you'll see from me for awhile. Until then, it's all about mixing and matching, and re-using what I already have in my closets to create new looks!

Have a great weekend and a wonderful Mother's Day!

[Nick and I a couple of weekends ago up in the Sierras]

[our low key Cinco de Mayo celebration at our favorite Mexican restaurant last weekend]

[another one of my new bubble necklaces from Etsy...I've been wearing them non-stop!]

xoxo,

what i wore: pretty in pink

 

dress: Old Navy (also seen here)  |  necklace: Etsy  |  earrings: Target  |  belt: H&M (taken off a skirt)  |  watch: Timex  |  shoes: Payless (similar)  |  sunglasses: Ray Ban

I think this might be my new favorite dress! I was never a huge fan of the neon trend, but when I saw this dress on the clearance rack at Old Navy, I figured...why not, it's only $7.99!?!  Once I tried it on and added a belt, I knew I'd get a ton of use out of it. From work, to evenings out, to the weekend...I love it!

Also shown above is one of my new "bubble" necklaces from Etsy. I'd wanted the J. Crew version for what seemed like forever, but there was absolutely no way I was going to pay $150 for a piece of costume jewelry. After reading on a few other blogs that sites like eBay and Etsy had J. Crew "inspired" versions, I went ahead and bought three colors, all for $15 each...that's a 90% savings!!!

Have any of you found any great deals or "inspired" pieces lately?

xoxo,

weekend shopping finds.

Over the weekend I headed over to the mall where I intended to shop for Mother's Day...and I ended up buying more for myself! However, I don't feel too guilty...almost everything I purchased was heavily discounted. Here are my favorite pieces from my shopping trip...

I found this neon pink Crepe Shift Dress at Old Navy for $7.49 on clearance...with the 20% off it was only  $5.99. Yes, that's right...less than $6 for a dress! I was a little skeptical of this dress at first, but once I tried it on and added a belt it was perfect...definitely a new work staple!

Next, I found this Polka Dot Sheath Dress from Forever 21. Not only does it fit great, it actually comes in an XS (rare for F21), it's fully lined, and the polka dots are embroidered onto the fabric (not just screen printed). Pretty great deal for only $32.50!

Banana Republic was having taking an additional 40% off all their clearance items, and I was able to find this yellow Striped Long Cardigan for $25.99...$15.59 after the discount.

Finally, my absolute favorite find of the weekend was this turquoise Sloan Pencil Skirt from Banana Republic. I generally have a hard time finding pencil skirts that fit...even J. Crew's run big! However, this one in 00P fits perfectly with no alterations necessary! To top it off, it was only $29.99, and with the 40% off came out to $17.99.

All in all, it was a great weekend for discount shopping! Did anyone else find any great deals over the weekend?

xoxo,

friday finds.

[stones bib necklace in fiery coral]

C Wonder is a brand I discovered while in New York last month. A friend had told me awhile back to check it out and that it was definitely "my style." She was 100% correct...I walked by this store in Columbus Central (across from Central Park) and was immediately drawn to the colorful window displays! Once I stepped inside I found dozens of items I loved. Everything from their shoes (♥ these flats), to the jewelry, to the housewares are perfectly designed.

Founded by Chris Burch, (Tory Burch's ex-husband), it's easy to see the similarities between the brands...C Wonder is almost a mix between Tory Burch and Kate Spade, but sooo much more affordable! Primarily located on the east coast, C Wonder has two locations in Southern California...hopefully one will open in the Bay Area soon!

Have a great weekend!

[nylon easy tote in tourmaline...similar to the Longchamp bags but much cheaper!]

[polka dot soup bowls...perfect for storing your bracelets/watches or a bowl of cereal :)]

[monogram geo plate...ideal for saving your rings/earrings on a nightstand!]

[monogram letter A...similar to those at Urban and Anthropologie but GOLD!!!]

[enamel bamboo bracelets...love the colors!]

[chevron notecards box...one of my favorite patterns!]

xoxo,