ZICO Coconut Water Review

I was taking a random trip through Trader Joe’s one day last week when I came upon ZICO Coconut Water. I had never heard of the product, but I’m a coconut fan and I liked the advertisement of “packed with potassium” and “all natural”. Why not give it a try? I purchased one of the natural flavor just to try it out.

Natural

I grabbed it from the refrigerator the next morning and took a sip. At first, it was a strange flavor; The consistency of water, but slightly less sweet than your typical juice. Unsure if I really liked it, I put it away to try again later. The next day I tried it and LOVED it. It must be one of those acquired taste things. I think I might have been expecting more of a coconut milk which is made from the meat of the coconut but this is the juice from the center. Since this was such a good experience, I thought I might as well splurge and try the other two flavors Trader Joe’s was offering: mango tau and chocolate

Mango tau

Definitely not near the distinct coconut flavor. At first sip, it’s like an undersweetened from of mango juice, but the coconut is obvious as an after taste or while swishing it around your mouth. I think you definitely have to enjoy the flavor of mango before attempt this flavor. Overall, it was a very natural taste and thin constancy, but not quite as sweet as the natural flavor. Again, very much an acquired taste item.

Chocolate

I was eager to try the chocolate flavor because I am a HUGE chocoholic! (Warning: the natural and mango flavors only contain 60 calories per serving, but the chocolate contains 110 calories.) The drink reminded me exactly of chocolate milk both in flavor and a thicker consistency than the other coconut waters. Definitely more of a dessert item.

Overall review of ZICO coconut water:

I loved it and will buy it again, but sparingly due to the $1.99 price tag, although I hear rumors about coupons or better deals found online. Another awesome thing about it is that it makes a FANTASTIC after workout drink- a good substitute for Gatorade if you don’t like the fruity sweetness in those. The high concentration of electrolytes and potassium also boasts that it assists in hydration (similar to Gatorade). The thin consistency of the natural and mango make it easy to sip and the coconut is a simple flavor but powerful at the same time.

My favorite flavor is the natural by far and away, but I intend to try the others when I come across them. What do you think? Have you tried these yet? Would you want to?

Neon and Neutrals

Today was my first attempt at the Neon and Neutrals style this summer. I love the look, unfortunately, I just don't own that much neon apparel. What do you think?

Top- Gordmans; Belt- $1.19 from Goodwill; Skirt- Joe Benbasset (had this for so long, i don't even remember where it's from :-P); Shoes- Walmart

It was super warm out today, I had to run a few errands, and I was kinda feeling like a skirt.

And I couldn't go out without my little Coach wristlet from boy. We were at the Coach outlet last week and he picked it up (because he recognized that I have the same pattern in a much bigger bag) and I urged him that he shouldn't get it for me, but being the awesome boy he was, he got it anyways :)

Now if only he'd put that ring on my finger.... ;)

To top it all off, I added a cute flower and a $1 necklace I found in the clearance isle at Walmart.

No Fireworks for my Fourth

So…. I started the day out early, set and ready make the couple hour drive with boy ;) to visit Fair St. Louis, see the Maroon 5 concert and top the evening off with one of my favorite firework shows ever! I even got boy to take a couple pictures before we went: (This is the first I have told him about this blog.)

Comfy Adidas flip-flops for walking; denim shorts I’ve had since 7^th grade; Limited tank ($3 from Goodwill);  blue bow to top it off

I felt like I should be a little patriotic this weekend :)

We stopped at a cute family owned deli for lunch then headed downtown to explore the festivities.

Anyways, the day didn’t exactly go as planned. After a couple hours of exploration we noticed quite the variety of creepy clouds, thunder, and lightning.

Made it back to the car just in time and it downpoured for the rest of the day. So we gave up on the fair (they ended up cancelling the concert and fireworks) and visited the local mall and had quiet dinner together. Not as exciting as it could have been, but still a nice daytrip.

Cocktail Decor: Why so classy?

I am currently preparing to move into my very first apartment by myself. Thus, I think that gives me a great opportunity to be looking around those houseware and thrift shops and find a decor style that is uniquely me.

Most recently, I have found myself really into cocktail decor. For example, this set of 4 plates from Crate and Barrel: (click link to view items on site)  $3.95 individually and $12.95 for the whole set

I absolutely adore these plates! I actually bought them after only visiting them in the store twice! (I usually have to revisit an item in any store at least 3 times before I actually decide its worth purchasing.)
So.... What is it about cocktail decor (or whatever you call it) that makes it seem so classy? (It is classy right?) Is it the maturity of the theme? Does it somehow posses and air of sophistication? Or is it flat out just the variety of colors? What do you think?

Other things that I find I fancy:

       

Visiting the Boy

Finally had another reason to dress cute yesterday! I took a small trip over to the next town to visit the boy :) Yes.... another random day to spend some time with my boyfriend. We are kinda in that spot where he is used to seeing me without my make up and in my comfy clothes, but I thought I would surprise him a little and wear an easy summer ensemble:

\

Shoes: Payless; Shorts: American Eagle; Cami: H&M; Vest: ambiance (Gordmans); Belt: Charlotte Russ

The shoes are my first EVER attempt to try wedges. I had just never gotten into them before, nor have I had the guts to sport them with short shorts. Turns out that those shoes do truly amazing wonders for your legs! (if you haven't noticed I have rather large, but athletic legs UG! - always one of my biggest struggles with clothes) After trying it out, I chalk this outfit up as a win. Next outfit I'll have to remember to match some cute accessories. ;)

Simply Sunday

So this goes along the lines of my love to play dress up. So often during the summer, I feel like I have no one to show off for so I might as well wear the plain old comfy clothes. Not on Sundays! Sundays I usually go to church with my family so it gives me a chance to whip out the little sundresses and cute skirts and just look pretty.

So today....

I'm still getting used to using the camera on my Iphone and I guarantee that I aint no model :-PSomedays, I might choose to diagnose what I wear. Honestly, I'm not very big into super expensive brand names (though I do have some of my favorites), but being a new college graduate, I'm not exactly rolling in funds. I find ways to look cute (and professional during the school year) on a limited budget and that means lot's of clearance and finding some good coupons.Tomorrow, I think I'll post the links to some of the blogs I've been most intrigued by so far and maybe even make some new blog friends.

Something New

My summer has been dull and unexciting thus far. Mostly due to the fact that I am currently stuck in the lull between graduating college and starting my own life! Jobs really are hard to find, especially in the teaching world right now. They weren't kidding about that much!

 So while my life has been in this boring abyss and I sit around waiting for calls back and deciding where to send my resume next, I have utilized technology and done some exploring.  I have always been a little obsessed with what I wear and how I decorate, but now that I finally have the chance to play dress up everyday and design what I want in my future home, I can utilize the things I like. 

I have come across so many AWESOME blogs and sites simply created by normal people wanting to share their favorite ideas and inspirations. This has influenced me to do the same, so let me start by telling you who I am:

As I mentioned earlier, I just graduated college with my Elementary Education degree and I'm searching for a teaching job and  place to start my own life. I have such a great passion for teaching; I could NEVER imagine myself in another profession. Besides that, (and more interestingly) I love: music, singing, shopping, playing dress up, eating and cooking healthy, and staying in shape.

My goal and objective for this blog is to just share what inspires me and some of those things I love outside of the work world. (And I really hope I can keep up with myself. :) So get ready for pictures, random thoughts and some just plain silly ideas. (Don't be afraid to comment and share yours too.)