I’ll let you in on a not-so-small secret: I love pie. Like borderline-unhealthy-obsession-with-pie syndrome. Like if a recipe looks delicious and simple I will think to myself “Hmm, Kari, how can this translate into pie form?” (Which, I should warn you, doesn’t work with everything…like margaritas.)

So, pie obsession in mind, I was strolling the produce section last Sunday and stumbled upon super ripe, super cheap summer blueberries and, well, the rest is history. This recipe is delicious and somewhat nutritious (seriously people, pie is still pie, even if I sub sugar for Truvia), and the best part? Incredibly easy. Some might even say easy…as pie. Read More »

Post courtesy of StyleBakery.com. These ladies know their fashion, so check em out.

One shoulder tops and dresses will continue to be a top trend this fall. Pair a one shoulder dress with tights and heels for a night out, but leave the necklaces at home – the asymmetry is eye-catching enough! A one shoulder top looks great with jeans or a skirt.

We found three super cute dresses and three hot tops for under $100. Click the image for shopping info:

As someone who’s spent a majority of their college career in an LDR, only spending summers and holidays with my guy, I consider myself an expert in the intricacies of the dreaded time apart. Are you thinking of starting one as you and your warm-weather fling get ready for separate schools next fall? Answer the following Q’s to see if you have what it takes!

Drinkin’
When you get drunk, is it impossible for you to keep the flirting to a minimum? Do your beer goggles often lead you to bring guys back for some late night noshing and nooky after the bars?

Do you think that “making out” with a rando is okay as long as it only happens once and you can’t really remember it the next morning?

BFFs
Are you jealous of your girlfriends who are in relationships? If your roommate was sleeping at her boyfriend’s house every night, would you wallow in depression knowing that your boyfriend was miles away?

Read More »

Handbags are my true weakness. Okay, and shoes, and accessories, okay FASHION. But handbags, I love. To get more mileage out of a bag purchase, I’ve been looking to buy one of the fall’s convertible bags. You know, something that goes from shoulder to tote, or hobo to hip-slung with a quick switch of a strap.

I love the color, texture and bohemian simplicity of the Kooba tied convertible hobo bag. And I feel like I could honestly carry this Foley + Corinna convertible small leather tote in red almost every day. It goes from shoulder to tote so flawlessly, and the scale is just adorable.

Check out the slideshow at StyleHive for lots of other handbags that work hard for you!

A lot of people find part of their identity with their religion:

“I’m Catholic”
“I’m atheist”
“I’m Jewish”

Even if someone’s beliefs can’t be put under a specific religious category, everyone has their own opinion on how humans got here and how people should live their lives.  All of these different views come together to make a unique world, but religious differences have the potential to hurt or even end a relationship.

Because religious views generally have a great impact on a person’s lifestyle, differing views can cause conflict in relationships. An atheist may be incredibly uncomfortable if their significant other wanted to attend church every Sunday and prayed every day. Likewise, a person who is used to being involved in religious practices may feel like something is wrong with them if their boyfriend or girlfriend doesn’t want to come with them to Bible study or other religious gatherings.

And then there’s the family. And the potential future family.
It can really become a hot mess of opinions, beliefs and arguments.

While this may be overwhelming for some, there are ways to cope with religious differences and make a relationship last. Taking turns attending religious practices can give both members of the relationship a look into a new religious lifestyle. Each person could take time discussing with the other what their religious views mean to them and what they do or do not want to do because of them. Essentially, a couple needs to reach a compromise that makes them both feel comfortable. Read More »

My small, Canadian town is experiencing a bit of a heat wave. Albeit, heat wave for us means 30 C (86 F for all you Americans!), but still. During the day, it’s great; I get to play outside and work on my ever-increasing tan. However, at night, it’s gross. My house doesn’t have air conditioning so I’m trapped in a hot, muggy box.

Needless to say, I’ve been surviving the sweat by living out of my cool-er basement,  book in hand. And there’s only one author who can remove me from my misery: James Frey. I chose his latest, “Bright, Shiny Morning,” for the setting: Los Angeles. The sweltering heat of LA pummels my Canadian heat wave, but while I’m sweating away, I feel like I can relate to the Californians in this novel.

“Bright, Shiny Morning”, as I said, is set in California. It tells the stories of various individuals living in the Los Angeles area. From a Hollywood star living a double life to a brilliant, Mexican housekeeper, Frey paints so many pictures, the reader is bound to relate to one. His imagination never ceases to amaze me; he comes up with the most fantastic characters and keeps the reader engaged.

Despite the interesting story, it’s Frey’s style that attracts me to his novels. Typically, the novel is written in a frantic and disorganized fashion. But I find it beautiful. Frey’s writing makes me feel so much emotion, more than most authors are even capable of. He truly is a gifted writer and I am always excited to hear he has new material coming out.

If you’re looking for a great book to beat the heat with or some way to make a rainy day go away, “Bright, Shiny Morning” is for you. It’s an interesting, beautiful read with loads of substance.

Get more awesome book suggestions here.

I don’t really say this all the time, but, seriously, TGI-freakin’-F!

School is slowly creeping up and I’m planning on enjoying every single weekend until I’m back on library lockdown. This week has been full of stupid back to school stuff. Well, most of it was stupid. I did thoroughly enjoy using my creative genius to play interior decorator for my new dorm room, and Momma finally decided it was time for her baby to get a new computer, since my current P.O.S likes to make weird noises and shut down at its own leisure.

But other than that…mostly stupid stuff.

I’m actually kinda looking forward to school this year. It’s time to tell that stupid summer crush buh-bye (he prolly learned about dating on here), and jump into school single and ready to mingle! I do love summer, but there is something about the first week back that has me super excited!  Mostly that first weekend when me and the girls make our grand debut and meet all the eligible hotties (and some less than desirable men that will inevitably the topic o’ convo during the next morning’s…er…afternoon’s breakfast). Ugh, I’m so excited I don’t even care about the inevitable hangover I’ll have for the first day of classes. Mostly because I have discovered the ultimate cure.

Yup, this year is gonna be a good one and I just want to get it started!
School, here. I. come.

Is your computer making that weird noise that sounds like it’s about to blow up mid-Facebook wall post? Does it totally burn your legs when you have it on your lap? Maybe it just totally sucks?

If so, it might be time to start a-lookin’ for another. And with school starting right around the corner, what better time to begin the search?

Here are a few affordable laptops that are out there on the market now and our breakdown of their perks and flaws to help you out in your search: Read More »

I thought I would be at least 25 before this became an issue. I’m a bridesmaid. Yes, blah blah, happy occasion, etc, etc. But let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

First, I have to lose enough weight that the size 4 dress I ordered actually fits (I got a little overzealous after my skinny pants fit.) Second, I am the only bridesmaid who does not have a long term boyfriend. Meaning I either attend several wedding functions as the only solo gal, or I shell out some major cash dollaz for one of my guy friends to fly out to the wedding with me. Both options are giving me ulcers. Third, I’m jealous. Not that my friend is happy (because I’m amazingly glad she is) or because I want a husband (oh no, no, absolutely not), but because she has her whole life figured out…and I’m still deciding which kegger to go to tomorrow night.

I guess she’s an adult. And while my Harry Potter posters and cupboard full of Lucky Charms would have you believe otherwise, I guess I’m sort of, kind of an adult too. And if this is the beginning of adulthood, I’m so far really bad at it. One of my best friends from high school is getting married. My other two best friends (the other lovely bridesmaids) are at least in relationships that will give them the emotional skills to one day be married. I’m busy trying to casually find out if the hot guy I work with is single so that I can maybe flirt with him. Read More »

“Hey Christian Audigier… Thanks for ruining America…” is how my new favorite song, F**k Ed Hardy, by Dirt Nasty starts.

Christian Audigier, the man who brought us overpriced trucker hats in 2001, is now ruining the world once again with his latest line, Don Ed Hardy. Obvi you know about this stuff, seeing as everyone from Paris Hilton to Lil Jon to the players of Inter Milan (an Italian soccer team) sport the stuff.

And I have to say: I really effing hate Ed Hardy.

Now, I’m not the usual one to bash on things, but after hearing for two years how ‘cute’ Ed Hardy is and having friends coo over the shirt, shoes, hats and other accessories… I’m absolutely sick of it. Instead of just wrinkling my nose in distaste and immediately walking to the other side of Nordstrom, here are actual reasons why I hate that crap.

You with me? Read More »