College Budget Meals: One Pot Burritos

When you're in college it can be really hard to budget, cook, and plan ahead. I know for me it's a day to day problem because I live in an apartment and don't have access to the campus cafeteria! But I've found some really awesome and budget friendly meals that actually taste good. Here I'll break down what I make, how much it costs, and how to make it vegetarian and vegan friendly (because I know thats a struggle for college students too)

One of my absolute favorite, cheapest, and seriously tastiest meals is One Pot Burritos. They also freeze really well and this recipe is enough for at least six servings.

Picture and Recipe Credit

Makes: 6 Servings
Prep Time: Less than 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Ingredience:
1 Can of Black Beans ($0.92)
1 Can of Pinto Beans ($0.92)
1 Can of Mild Rotel (if you like spicier food than go with the regular) ($0.98)
1 Packet of Taco Seasoning ($1.24)
1 Pound of Ground Beef ($2.24)
1 Brick of Cream Cheese ($1.50)
Tortillas ($8.10)

Total Cost: $15.90
Cost per Serving: $2.65

I buy the generic gorcery store brand of everything except the rotel, taco seasoning (McCormick) and the tortillas which I always buy fresh (I'm spoiled). I also buy the 80/20 ground beef and drain the excess fat before adding the beans.

Instructions:

Put ground beef in a large deep pan and cook thouroughly. Next drain all of the beans and rotel and add them to the pan. Then add the taco seasoning and cream cheese. Cook until cream cheese is fully melted.

I normally eat this with trotillas but I've put it over rice too and it's so good either way!

This lasts a little while in the fridge but I will normally separate the mixture into two serving containers and put the containers in the freezer. I'll take out one container at a time the night before I know I'll eat it and it's two easy dinners to have after a long day in class.

To make this meal vegetarian, simply remove the ground beef and make it with just beans (this is actually how I perfer to eat it). And to make it vegan just substitute the cream cheese for vegan cream cheese or vegan sour cream.

Disney Update

So, as some may know I work for Walt Disney World. I started last year and I'll be ending my journey with this wonderful company in August of this year. I have loved my time here but it's time to move on and in my case grow up... I'm transfering schools for the Fall semester so I have to say goodbye to my home and my family to persure bigger things.

This year has been absolutely crazy though! I started out in a specialty location in the most famous park across the street (literally) from where I did my college program in 2012. I imagined my experience to be just like my program and I was so sad when that wasn't the case. I kept trying to get back to the magic that I fell in love with but for some reason just couldn't get there. I refused to pick up a shift across the street until recently for fear of disappointment. Was I wrong? Yes! I had a blast and quickly remembered how amazing it felt to work in that store. My life changed the first day I stepped foot through the backdoor (get it? cause the front door isn't where we enter the store from). I met my best friend, I fell in love, I fell out of love, I formed long distance best friendships that I still have, I was betrayed and got in trouble for wearing a bright pink bra, and found a close family that I will forever be connected to. I am grateful for that time and though I can't bring it back I can cherish every moment I get to spend in that store over the next 4ish months!!

I touched on not being able to find the magic of Disney again and because of that I grew bored and frustrated in my store. I decided in January to transfer to a brand new position. I now work for the Shop Disney Parks App! I get to learn the ins and outs of the backstage areas of each and every park while I run as fast as my little legs will take me to find all of the products the guests have purchased off of the app. It a fun job and I love it. Unfortunately I transfered at the exact WRONG time. Has anyone heard of the Disney budget cuts?

So, Shanghi Disney is set to open in February 2016!! YAY! Wait... that has passed and it's not open. Yeah. Well, it's taking a lot longer to open a brand new resort than what was originally planned. The new Shanghi Disney resort will open in June and we are all awaiting the opening! No, really, we are counting down the days. This is how poo hit the fan. Disney did NOT fail at budgeting. Remember, this is a multibillion dollar company. They didn't just up and fail at budgeting. They did fail at expectation. The Shanghi Disney resort should have been open just over a month ago and that was all budgeted. Because of the set back, Disney now has to rebudget for a June open date and time.

Let me explain this in a way that makes sense. Lets say you own one store and are paying the wages of five employees. They are part time so they aren't legally obligated to recieve a specific number of hours but you may not schedule them over 40 hours a week. You were expecting a new beautiful store to open this week so you budgeted enough money to pay your employees wages until then. Once the store can stand on it's own, you can pay those new employees with that money and your current with the money you make on the current store and the extra would be profit. BUT your contractor seems to have run into an issue with the deadline and is infact three months late in progress. What do you do to stay afloat? Well, you have enough to pay your employees their hourly wages and continue the work on the new store for one month. So how are you going to stretch that for two additional months? You're going to have to cut a few hours here and there. Instead of each employee getting 36 hours a week they will now get 24. Also, you're eating ramen until the new store opens.

Essentially this is what is happening. Domestic employees including full time employees are getting the minimum number of hours which in my case is 0. Luckily for me I can pick up hours at whatever store I want to. Unlucky for me some weeks are harder than others for picking up based on the number of hours needed for the business. Lately it's been pretty slow but just this weekend we're suppose to see a 13% increase since last year. Hopefully this means more hours.

This has absolutely nothing to do with my reason for wanting to move on. I was accepted to transfer school before the budget changes. I do feel bad for those castmembers who desperately need the hours.

That was a large update but I did have a lot to say I guess considering I haven't updated since the start of this blog!

If there are any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments!

XOXO Kait

40 for 40

Happy Lent everyone! Yes, I know lent started almost two weeks ago but sometimes I get busy so here we are. In celebration of the season of lent not only have I given something up (online shopping) and added something good (2 family dinners per week) I have also decided to start a 40 for 40. What's a 40 for 40? I'm so glad you asked! It's where I get rid of 40 things I don't use for 40 days. Now there are some rules.

No repeat items | For example I cannot give away one tee shirt each day for 40 days. I can revisit the items so get rid of the tee shirts I don't wear on monday and then go through them again on friday and get rid of more.

No getting rid of things I actually use | I'm not getting rid of things I actually use.

Reorganize things I decide to keep | This is a double edged sword for me because I convince myself that I need 6 pandora boxes because I can easily fit them in a drawer. No. Not okay. But I can reorganize the drawer and get rid of the boxes.

Donate | Things that are able to be donated should be. Why trash it if I don't have to?

Learn something | So far I've learned that I don't need to buy a ton of decorative things. I tend to get tired of them and throw them out. But why did I buy them? Because they were cheap and cute. No more! I've also learned that I don't need too much stuff. I like having things that remind me of different life events but I only need one or two items. Like my trip to India is very well remembered through pictures but also the beautiful blue coasters that I use everyday are a great reminder. Instead of getting a bunch of knick knacks I got these hand made coasters that I actually use.

So far so good and clean! I hope someone out there tries this challenge! It feels great to declutter!

XOXO Kait

Window Shopping: Beauty

I am a shopper. Without a doubt a shopper. I love shopping so much that sometimes I will online window shop to relieve stress. I also have many many many wish lists. As a natural organizer I like to keep my wish lists organized into categories. Recently I've been working on my beauty routine and I've started to really go through all of my products and dicsover the products that I use the most and get rid of the products I don't use at all. Based on that I've come up with a list of products that I would really like to own that would aid in my everyday regemine. Here are my top picks!

Face Masks | I really enjoy using a fabric face mask every once in a while. Though they are pretty expensive I think, especially when you're traveling, they are essential. They not only help add moisture to your skin but they also relax you. This set from sephora is really nice and it provides you with some options. I'm currently out :( but I will for sure be buying more of these soon!

Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush | I love love love Sigma brushes. I recently bought the Mrs. Bunny Essential set which I will be doing a review for here soon but this is the one brush I really wish it had. I am currently using an Eco Tools flat kabuki brush for blending out contour but after using the Sigma brushes I'm convinced I need this one!

Make Up Forever HD Microfinish Powder | This stuff... Oh my goodness. My mom recently bought this powder and she absolutely loves it. So of course I decided to try hers and I'm officially hooked. If I hadn't of just bought a powder by MAC (not that I don't love it) I would have bought this one. It really makes your makeup last and hides ALL pores.

Nars O Powder | We all know what the O stands for and Oh my goodness I forgot how much I love this powder. I got a sample of this not too long ago and I've used it everyday. I love my chubby stick blush by Clinique but this one is just a classic. Its absolutely beautiful on everyone.

Z Pallette | Don't ask me why I need this. In my mind I'm a professional make up artist apparently. I just love the idea of these Z Pallettes! I need one to at least try, right?

Well that's my beauty wish list right now. Let me know in the comments if there is anything I should add to my list.

XOXO Kait

City Guide | Food in Williamsburg, Virginia

I've lived many places and though they all have key aspects that are the same they are all very different. My favorite place that I've lived is Williamsburg, VA. Part of the historic triangle (Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg) Colonial Williamsburg has a special aesthetic that I've never found any place else. What makes this little town so unique is the colonial area that has been preserved to look and feel as if you were stepping back in time to the colonial era (although once you see Benjamin Franklin filling his prescriptions at Walgreens the magic is a little bent).

Yes, Washington DC, Charlottesville, and Alexandria have colonial areas nothing compares to the beautiful town square in Williamsburg. Another thing that makes Williamsbug to special is the University William and Mary. William and Mary is one of eight public Ivy League school which in itself brings a vast variety of people. A liberal arts school, William and Mary has a lot to offer students who wish to attend.

The absolute best part of living in Williamsburg in my opinion is the vast array of restaurant options. The one thing they're missing is a good sushi place but that's an easy drive to Richmond for a day trip of shopping and sushi. Here are my absolute favorite places that you must try if you're traveling to Williamsburg.

1 | Blue Talon Bistro: This is a gem, and absolute gem. Blue Talon Bistro is a breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot (no really, they're all amazing) nestled in historic Williamsburg. This french inspired bistro offers foodies delightful options from escargot, to macaroni and cheese with diced ham (heavy on the cheese and cream!), duck confit salads with the freshest greens, to boeuf bourguignon. Complete with Julia Child playing on the TV all day everyday this place is a must if you're in the town for any amount of time.  

2 | Aromas: Located across the street from Blue Talon Bistro, Aromas is the ultimate breakfast place. I'm going to be honest, their lunch is good but the true star of the show is breakfast. Try the breakfast burrito, its amazing!

3 | Food for Thought: Not located in historic Williamsburg but closer to the outlet mall, this place is sure to amaze! Their menu would make Gordon Ramsey throw an absolute fit but it's great for a wide variety of people. They even have a vegetarian menu. I recommend the pad thai!

4 | The Cheese Shop: DO NOT leave Williamsburg without trying The Cheese Shop. The store is huge and the lines are confusing but it is way more than worth it. Get the parcuttio sandwich. Don't change a thing and don't think about it just get it. Amazing. And take home the House Dressing. You won't regret a thing!

5 | Bangkok Garden: Not as well known but so SO amazing. Do not sit down in the restaurant though. Order take out. You're welcome. The wait if you sit down is crazy. Get anything coconut curry, pad thai, green, the spring rolls, anything. Everything is amazing.

6 | Plaza Azteca: I've been to a lot of these chains but the one in Williamsburg is by far my favorite. The food is better here, I don't know why but it is.

7 | La Yaca: This is an authentic french bistro complete with french people! Many of the servers are french and in my opinion that just makes it better! But the real star here is the onion soup. Creamy and salty, this soup should come in 5 gallon tubs. I would eat it all. Seriously just try it.

I love eating out so much so if anyone has any recommendations for me please leave them in the comments!

XOXO Kait

Gallery Wall

If you know me you know how often I change my mind. ALL THE TIME!! This is the reason I can't ever decide on a theme for my space. I normally incorporate some form of pink but other than that I'm all over the place! Currently I'm working on a new theme that I now feel like I have down.


As I mentioned in a different post, I love changing out the pictures in my framed gallery wall when I'm feeling new creative vibes coming. It's the easiest and most satisfying way to make a quick change.

This has been my inspiration for my latest project

Photo Credit

Side note: If you need inspiration I highly recommend clicking on the photo credit link. It will take you to the blog of the most interesting person whose passport stamps and decorating style I idolize!

I absolutely love the color scheme of this galley wall. I've decided to go with navy blue, shades of pink, light blue and gold. I also love the paris theme. Its so beautiful and glam!

I did steal a few pictures from this wall but also mixed in a few of my own. I printed each picture on plain white cardstock and then took the glass from the frame to measure where to trim up the pictures.

Here are the pictures I used:

One | Two | Three

Four | Five | Six

Seven | Eight | Nine 

I love how feminine these pictures are and I really feel like they all fit well together. The whole point of a gallery wall is to add your own personal style to your space in an efficient and creative way. This is why I have giraffes mixed in with the Arc de Triomphe!

I hope this helped inspire someone to create a gallery wall of their own!

XOXO Kait

Books Glorious Books!

Photo Credit

I tend to go through these phases where I'll read a ton of books really quickly and then not pick one up for a month. Recently I've been reading a lot more and mostly the same types of books. I love all types of books but I've been reading a lot of memoirs. Here are the books I've finished and really loved:

1. Eat Pray Love: Absolutely going on my list of favorite books. I love the way Elizabeth Gilbert writes. She makes you feel like you're her best friend and biggest cheerleader. I loved hearing about her journey and I can't wait to dive into her next book currently in my queue.

2. Yes My Accent is Real: And Some Other Things I Haven't Told You: Although I had some trouble with the organization of this book I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the stories were very honest and hilarious! Kunal Nayyar has with words and his story is so interesting.

3. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?: Hilarious. Seriously, read it! I absolutely love Mindy Kaling. She is my best friend and she doesn't even know it yet.

4. Why Not Me?: I went about four hours from finishing her first book to buying this one and that's only because I had to wait for the store to open (it was thanksgiving and I was thankful for Mindy's books this year). I find her to be the clean Chealsea Handler. She is hilarious, real and though she runs into some tough situations she is able to find the bright side to them.

5. As You Wish: Oh Cary! How I adore the Princess Bride and Cary Elwes as well! Out of all the memoirs I read I found his to be the most organized and the flow of the book was easy to understand. I really enjoyed this one but I would only recommend it to someone who really loves the movie The Princess Bride. If not then the book will be boring and quite honestly a waste of time.

Books can get expensive so my tip to everyone is to buy used books on Amazon in the new and used section. Normally you pay $4 and the book is in perfect condition. Also, finding a library book sale is always a great way to get books. Normally they're $0.50 for paperbacks and $1.00 for hard cover and they normally have an excellent selection. Librarys normally take donations for their book sales so please go through your books and donate the ones you won't read again so you can make room for the new ones you're about to buy!

Please leave any book recommendations in the comments!

XOXO-Kait

Everyday Make Up Routine

It's taken me a lot of trial and error to discover some of my favorite processes and products when it comes to makeup but I feel like I finally have it down. Normally in the morning I give myself a good 30 minutes to do my hair and make up. I have very simple taste when it comes to makeup and I prefer brands that I can trust so sometimes I'll spend a little bit of extra money on them. Just in the past couple of weeks I've discovered a look and process that I can repeat and not get tired of!

Photo Credit

Step one: Primer. I'm going to be honest, I really don't notice a difference in my makeup longevity when I use a primer and I really don't notice a difference in how it lays. I mainly use a primer for the feel of my skin when I put it on. The one linked is my favorite right now and all I do is squeeze a small amount on my fingers and rub it in like a moisturizer.

Step two: Foundation and/or powder. The foundation I have linked is a medium buildable foundation and even though it is oil free it leaves my skin dewy. My powder is extremely light which I love! Some days I will only wear my primer and powder for a very natural look. I use my beauty blender to apply the foundation and a powder brush to apply my powder. I will also add a little bit of this concealer to my under eye area and the area between my eye brows and blend with the beauty blender.

Step three: Blush, Highlighter, and Contour. This step is mostly unnecessary except for the blush on me. I don't want to look sickly so I add a small, light stripe to my cheek and blend in with a flat kabuki brush. This highlighter is my baby! I use it everywhere, cheeks, eyes, cupids bow, jawline, nose, its seriously so beautiful on and so easy to apply and blend. Contour on the other hand I will use sparingly. I sometimes only put it on to give myself a little color or leave it off completely. Again, I go in with my kabuki brush and blend out.

Step four: Eyes. My favorite eyeshadow is the Clinique Chubby Stick in the shade Ample Amber. It's like a better skin color and works on everyone. Its so easy to put on but don't let it dry too quickly! It stays on forever! I just add a stripe to each eye and blend out with a dense eye brush. I then add highlight to the arch of my eye brow and fill in my eyebrows with this pencil.

Step five: Eye liner and Mascara: I love the look of a sweet simple cat eye. Can I achieve that look on my own? No. Normally I just add a thin stripe of this felt tipped eyeliner and call it a day! Then I swipe a coat or two of this mascara and I'm almost ready!

Step six: Lips. This is the last step to my super simple everyday look! I normally go with chapstick or this tinted balm. If I'm feeling a bit fancier I'll throw on a coat of this lipstick or this liquid lipstick.

And there you have it! This is my normal routine and I have officially mastered the art of minimal makeup and the 5 minute rushed morning!

If anyone has any tips don't forget to leave them in the comments!

Also, the picture is clearly not me. It's Anna Kendrick and she has really stepped up the natural look game. I mean can she get anymore perfect?

Redecorating...Again

I am not one of those people who has a full on vision for a space. I constantly change my mind on what I like and what I want and what I envision for my own space. Currently I'm going with a light pink, gold, and white theme complete with small pieces I've collected over the years and small pieces of art that I've made myself. But I'm over it. Now I'm dreaming of a Cape Cod theme complete with lobster pictures and powder blue sheets. Throw in some navy monogrammed pillows and knotted rope coasters and I'm in my new dream world.

Some ways I am able to change my mind so often is by keeping things neutral. I swear by a duvet that I got at IKEA (it's a level 2 if your curious) that I can change pretty quickly. I have found the prettiest scalloped duvet cover in white that I absolutely love. I also have a patterned one that I can change if I feel like adding pattern to the room. A quick and relatively easy way to swap out a theme is by changing my sheets and folding down the duvet.

I also use white photo frames that I also got at IKEA and swap out the picture of pretty easily. Also, by quickly moving around some of the smaller pieces I have and maybe doing a repaint of other things I can change the theme of any room really quickly.

Here is some of my new inspiration for a Cape Cod/ New England theme:

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

I love redecorating and I really love being able to change the vision I have quickly. It helps with my creativity! I hope I gave some good tips! Let me know what tips you have!