Matcha steel cut oats

Cooking in New York is a mission and a half, so when I do it warrants documentation and celebration!! I have been trying to make my cooking and meal prep more efficient- combining all my food needs into one meal that is easy to transport, cheap, and healthy. Voila, matcha oats was born. This bad boy is packed with goodness and is photogenic to boot. MVP award goes to my rooftop and these beautiful flowers- everything tastes better when you eat it in the sunshine. 

Not trying to insult your intelligence, but here is a how to for the world's simplest recipe: 

1. Follow instructions on your choice of oatmeal (I like this one)
2. Mash banana in a separate bowl
3. About halfway through cooking time add banana and matcha powder (best if sifted beforehand) and whatever other goodies you want (collagen powder, chia seeds, coconut butter & cinnamon are some of my favorites)
4. Stir well and add water or almond milk if mixture is getting clumpy
5. Let the oats sit in the pan for a minute or so after cooking time to let it settle, then eat hot or cold for up to a week after making. 

There you have it- a breakfast that is naturally sweetened, vitamin rich, and a built in caffeine kick for your morning. Hope you like it! 

With love and fuel,

Sarah Belle

23 things I learned in 23 years

I have seen a few varieties of this concept, and they always strike me as intimately individual yet still so relatable. I walk away having learned a whole list of new things about the world and the person who wrote about them, and it inspired me to give it a try this year for my 23rd birthday. This year has been incredibly transformational for me, and I am in the midst of the biggest transition of my life- from home to my own. New York. This list includes things I learned long before this past year, but have become top of mind to me in this year especially. I wrote them in under 10 minutes, so there is no order, organization, or theme but I suppose that's life for you. I loved writing it. 

1. Wear sunscreen everyday.
2. Take multivitamins & probiotics.
3. A bottle of water, a banana, and a nap solve most problems.
4. Dairy hurts you, but sometimes it's worth it #balance.
5. Buy it if you love it.
6. Don't buy it if you question it.
7. It doesn't cost a thing to pay someone a compliment.
8. Making your bed is the easiest way to start the day with intention and calm.
9. You really don't need to wash your hair everyday.
10. The world looks brighter after taking a walk outside.
11. Take zinc to ward off a cold!!
12. Smiling at strangers is almost always a good idea, Mom was right.
13. Always carry a bandaid, Excendrin, and a tampon with you.
14. Beer really isn't so bad...
15. A perfectly crafted playlist makes all the difference.
16. 'Home' must haves: cookbooks, candles, living plants & people.
17. Watching Forrest Gump must be an annual tradition.
18. Listening to 'every teardrop is a waterfall' will always make you feel better.
19. Singing will calm you down when you're nervous.
20. You need at least 7 hours of sleep to function properly.
21. There is no shame in saying 'no, thank you' if you don't want to- 'lame' be damned!
22. Planning is everything- with money, friends, & grocery shopping but it isn't the be all, end all. 
23. Not knowing something is not a sign of weakness, it is a chance to prove you care enough to learn.

With love and candles, 

Sarah Belle

From head to toe: Silver-tipped Summer

I'm not gonna lie, I took these pictures in early August and haven't gotten around to posting them because I haven't had internet in my new apartment. My computer has been dormant for a month... my sincerest apologies to my TV shows that I have completely abandoned. But I have to admit, it feels nice. 

In the last days of Summer I figured better late than never, and here they are. I am typing from The Windham Local in upstate NY, but these photos are from a disgustingly hot day in LA where walking into AC is both welcome and a painful transition. Now though, pumpkin lattes (ick) and sweater weather (yay) are well on their way and my sunscreen days are over. See you soon Fall!

Get my look:

Top: Target High Neck Tank, similar here

Skirt: Gap 'Denim mini pencil skirt'

Belt: ASOS 'Slim Western Belt'

Sunglasses: IZI PIZI, '#D SUN' in matte black

Earrings: Vintage, similar here

Shoes: NYLA, similar here

Bag: All Saints 'Fleur de Lis' Crossbody

With love and heatwaves,

Sarah Belle

From head to toe: Yes I can, gingham

July 29th was national Lipstick Day!! This holiday ranks high in my book, right below Tequila Day and somewhere above 'Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day' (mark your calendars for February 11th). So I channeled my inner TSwift, spent over 5 minutes trying to line my lips, wrangled a patient friend into being my photographer (cheer to EJG) and set to capturing this Sandy-from-Grease-gets-a-2017-makeover look. I managed to get no less than three major trends in my outfit: ridiculous oval glasses, gingham print, and leather slides... what can I say I'm an overachiever. 

Get my look:

Jacket: Gap 1969 Icon Denim Jacket (linked here in white)

Tank: Gap 'Scoop Neck Tank'

Skirt: ASOS 'Mix & Match Asymmetric Gingham skirt' on sale!

Shoes: NYCLA Black leather slides, similar here

Sunnies: ASOS Oval Sunglasses in white (red linked here) UO version here

Lipstick: Hourglass Panoramic Lip Liner in 'Icon' 

Bag: All Saints 'Fleur de Lis' Crossbody

With love and lipstick emojis,

Sarah Belle

Lemon Bars: self care edition

There is a certain feeling of satisfaction I get from creating ~healthy~ versions of desserts that I am sure you can all relate to. You choose carrots over crackers- good job! You have water instead of wine with dinner- props to you!! You take the stairs, you push yourself, and you treat your body like the fragile little being that it is- aren't you balanced!! That's all well and good, but where is the damn butter?? 

Self care can take many forms. Many days mine is a long walk and a big mug of tea. Today mine was baking- full fat, no substitutes and no looking back. Lemon bars are a summer classic: bright, tangy, and a whole hell of a lot more work than I remembered. Nevertheless, Ina Garten would be proud. The Barefoot Contessa herself was my first and only stop for this Lemon Bar recipe, and it worked like a charm. 

Lemon bar pro tips: 

• Use a fork to squish up the pan border of your squares, it makes spreading the dough a lot easier and the lemon filling sinks right in. Plus, it's pretty. 
• Get at least 6 lemons for the cup of lemon juice, and roll them all before to make more juicy. Also do yourself a favor and get one of these juicers, you will feel very grown up and your wrists will thank you. 

Life pro tips:

• Find ways to incorporate self care in your day. 
• Drink more water.
• Eat more dark greens.
• Don't beat yourself up over the chocolate cake. 
• Buy yourself flowers just because. 
• Say 'yes, why not!' more.
• Say 'no, thanks though!' more. 

With love and butter,

Sarah Belle