High Five for Friday- Birthday Edition!

It's pretty well accepted that birthdays are the best days of the year. Yes, better than Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween combined. 

Even if you've got school/work. 

I had a Calculus and an AP Biology test on my birthday, as well as an event at school later that night, so I wasn’t expecting much on Tuesday.

I don’t know what I was thinking. 

I woke up to pancakes and balloons and the sweetest card from my little brother. 

My friends also made an adorable poster and brought me balloons and foods and it was just such a beautiful day. My best friend wrote me a card that is in her words "longer than my dog." Yes, I started crying when I read it. 

I got the good eggs ya'll. I love them all to pieces. 

(p.s. tests + event went swimmingly if you were wondering)

2. I got to update my boards!

Making prints and putting them up really reminds me of the people I love, and how lucky I am to have friends and family like them.  

 3. This happened. I actually hit 100 on my birthday but I forgot to screenshot it.
Thanks so much ya'll.
love you!

4. A free PSL on my birthday. Remember my love for those? 

Actually who doesn't want a free drink anytime (not THAT kind of drink. I'm 16!)

Quick sidenote: How annoying is it that I can't put my Starbucks gift card onto my actual Starbucks card? I want to be a gold member! #firstworldproblems #donthatemeforusingthat

5. Scarves + boots. 

enough said. 

How was your week? Any other September birthdays out there?

I'm having a big party on Saturday, and I'm so excited to do a recap for you!

xo, Hima

Brick Walls Love Me

Not when I slip and run into them and bang my knee up. 

That does happen, but that's a story for another day. 

I've noticed that a TON of my outfit pictures in Instagram, are in front of brick walls. A lot of people have a standard area where they take outfit pictures..right? I mean Lauren and her beautiful deck, Kristin and her amazing deck- you get the deal. 

With me, it's brick walls!

Need evidence? 

Inverse matching?

Granted, these are all over the past 8 months or so, but that's really the only pretty feature of my school.

Also, I had a fantabulous birthday today (or yesterday, if you're reading this on Wednesday), so thanks for all of the wonderful wishes! A full(er) recap on friday- I promise!

What are you up to? I feel like I have ben a bit of a bad blogger lately- not commenting on all of ya'll's wonderful posts. I'm working on it!

xo, Hima

It's official

Fall is here. 

The leaves have started to turn, the mornings are chilly, and apples are everywhere. 

Oh, and it rained on Saturday. 

Sweet, sweet rain. 

On Saturday, during a much needed study break, my mom and I went out to Starbucks, where I treated us (remember my job this summer?) to a pair of delicious Pumpkin Spice Lattes. 

Not to be a cliche blogger, they're actually really yummy. 

I may or may not be going back tomorrow to get a free one, since it's my birthday!

Excuse the outfit :)

I found this lovely graphic of pretty much all of my favorite things about fall. Isn't it gorgeous? The only thing that isn't on here is my birthday- love that! 

What are your fall favorites? 

xo, Hima

Reason 234897192837 Why Fall is the Greatest: TV

I know that ya'll have been reading an insane amount of fall-related posts these past few weeks. 

I know I've seen a TON about fall fashion, football, anything Pumpkin Spice, and fall decor.  

(Sidenote: Go check out the fall decor post! Katie has some super simple fall decor ideas that will make you want to be a crafter for the rest of your life).

But what I haven't seen a lot of is Fall TV. 

I'm telling you, September is my favorite month because all my favorite shows come back. 

No, I'm not some kind of binge-watcher. I honestly can't sit still for more than an hour. (oh heyyy 95-minute block periods at school. Thanks for boring the heck out of me)

BUT, I do love my comedies. Here are my Top 5 for this season: 

1. New Girl. You either like it or you don't. I happen to think it's the best thing since sliced bread

. 

It helps that I can relate to Nick. 

just kidding, i love you. 

2. The Mindy Project. 

This girl is so sassy I want to just lay on the floor and laugh as she goes through life. 

(I probably just made you all think I'm really weird, but that's okay, because I know I am.)

But seriously, we've all been there right?

"I'm only going to take off an inch...."

3. Modern Family

Gloria. Luke. Claire. Need I say more?

To be honest, Mitch and Cam annoy the heck out of me. 

"air ponies."

dying. 

4. Last Man Standing. Not a lot of people know about this show, but it’s basically Tim Allen being hilarious with his three equally funny daughters.

My entire family watches it together on Friday nights!

Apparently it's not funny enough for pictures of it to be readily accessible on the Internet.

Go watch it- I promise you won't regret it!

5. Arrested Development. I don't know if this is a "fall" TV show, but I just started watching it on Netflix, and it's hilarious!

It's a bit overwhelming at first, but so funny once you get used to incredulity of it.

(SAT vocab holla.)

As you can see, I watch almost all comedies. Mostly because they're short and funny and I'm too lazy to keep up with crazy dramas like Pretty Little Liars. 

That being said, if you're a Downton Abbey or Breaking Bad fan (just started BB- literally on Season 1 Episode 2) hit me up! I just really need someone to fangirl with right now. 

What about you? What are your favorite TV shows? Do you watch any of the above? 

xo, Hima

Currently

I've seen this kind of post on other blogs, and I've always thought it's really cute! What are you currently up to?

I'm currently...

Reading: The fifth Harry Potter book. Again. I don't even want to count how many times I've read this book, and all of the other Harry Potter novels. This series was a constant throughout my childhood, and just brings back so many good memories! Anyone else a big HP fan out there? 

Eating: Cookie butter. I know I talked about it in Friday's post, but it is seriously God's gift to mankind. I feel for you if you don't live near a Trader Joe's. 

Thinking about: This Thai commercial about the power of giving. If you haven't seen it, please watch it. If you have, what are your thoughts? 

With all the crazy things happening in the world, it's events like this that restore my faith in humanity. I believe in doings things for others just for the heck of it sometimes. Last year, I baked brownies for all my teachers just because, and their gratefulness over such a simple act made my day. 

What are your thoughts on Random Acts of Kindness? 

Listening to: Sarah Bareilles' and One Republic's new albums on repeat. Plus a lot of Lorde. I can't believe she's only sixteen!

Enjoying: The little things. The past couple of weeks have been not so great in general, but the little things, like a quick fro-yo bike ride with my best friend have made it so bearable!

Obviously, we are highly coordinated. 

Watching: NEW GIRL. This show is absolutely hilarious. Zooey Deschanel is adorable. Can we all just sing our problems away? 

Seriously, so. relatable. 

I blew through the first season on Netflix and I'm working on the second one. 

Excited for: The SATs to be over. My birthday in A WEEK OHMYGOSH THAT JUST HIT ME. 

I'LL BE 16 IN A WEEK YAY. 

Excuse me while I go rejoice over the fact that this week is going to be amazing. 

HR, over and out. 

Wow, it's been a while.....

Busy. 

One word I would use to describe myself this week. 

Just...busy. 

Sometimes when you're really busy, you forget to appreciate the little things. You're so focused on finishing everything you need to do, and some things just fly by. 

That's why I so enjoyed doing this week's High Five for Friday. 

All things considered, this was a pretty fabulous week!

1. We started off the week with my all-time favorite dessert. ever. Ya'll really loved chocolate mug cake!

(go check out the recipe I linked above- you will NOT regret it!)

2. This picture of one of my teachers at age 15 makes my life. 

Yes, I have permission to post it. 

3. You need this in your life. 

4. I am the selfie queen. This is my school principal ya'll. He's from New Zealand and he's amazing!

5. School photos- we'll go through a timeline next week. Should be fun to take a trip down memory lane!

Love you all, especially you new readers who have joined me in the past couple of days. Welcome!

How was your week? 

xo, Hima

Lovely Blog Hop!

Welcome to A Lovely Blog Hop, where each Thursday we have the grand opportunity to meet and connect with lovely new bloggers, such as myself! Now you have something to do and somewhere to go on Thursdays!

 Enjoy!

Rules (Not really rules but a guide):

1. Follow your host and any co-hosts (if it applies). Co-hosts will be the first 3 to 5 entries.

I am your host,  Rekita @ Her&Nicole and I am the first linky. 

Feel free to leave a comment and introduce yourself!

2. Link it!

Link up your blog or anything else you find lovely. Share your family, fashion, food, crafts, or anything that you love this week. Please, please, please, share the love and include a link back to this blog hop.

3. Spread it!

This is a blog hop after all, so hop around! Visit other blogs and say Hi!

4. Grab it! 

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.herandnicole.com/" title="Her & Nicole"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCT85_5um-X-eHyCtnYZZp2AbQmk8NOTywruMuD_P7f_pgGBBWSof_XmRNHm4qiU5U8vDcSJk7n2_knY3V5ZXj6K8P7bSALzEEcaSU2KjngAu2SX8L3qdBoZmRvrhh-nhMm5URYudBco/s1600/new+blog+hop+button.png" alt="Her & Nicole" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Grab the button and place it somewhere in your blog or add just the link. Preferably in your blog post. 

This will help us promote this blog hop, believe me, the more the merrier! Or post the link somewhere in your blog. 

5. Tweet it!

Tweet

Please help me to promote this blog hop by sharing it to others. 

So tweet it to show everyone where you link up on Thursdays!

6. The most important rule of them all, HAVE FUN BLOG HOPPING!

Let them eat [mug] cake!

I had a lot of homework this weekend. What is a girl to do when she is stuck at home slaving away analyzing Native American Oral Tradition and deriving relative rates? 

As Marie Antoinette once said, 

"Let them eat cake!"

Except I'm not planning on beheading anyone. At all. I just like cake. 

And so I bring you: Chocolate Peanut Butter Heaven. 

Ya'll. Heaven. in. a. mug. 

Here's my recipe for those of you who want to experience this amazingness. It's so easy it's dangerous. 

• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• enough chocolate chips to satisfy your craving. Don't forget to pop a couple while you're making it!

Melt the butter in a small bowl, and mix in the peanut butter. Then, combine the egg, vanilla and sugar in the mug and mix until you feel like your arm is going to fall off. Combine the dry ingredients, add them in, and mix it all up until it's smooth and even. Pop it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes (1 did 1:10 on on and 1:30 for my brother- I liked the 1:10 better!) and top. Recipe for the topping is down below this beautiful photo. 

To make this amazing topping that will have you licking the spoon like a fiend (although who doesn't always lick the spoon?), melt chocolate chips and slowly add in almond milk, mixing every 1/2 tablespoon or so until desired consistency is released. 

NOTE: Be careful not to add in all the almond milk at once- the chocolate will seize up and be gross. Mixing is your best friend. 

Top with powdered sugar to make it pretty. 

Enjoy! Doesn't this look ah-mazing!?

Also, this recipe makes a pretty big cake! My brother and I ate half each and stuck it in the fridge for the next day. Still delicious. 

Apart from eating cake, I did a lot of homework, like I said. My parents, however, attended a beautiful gala and got all dressed up. I pulled out my camera and took a few pictures, one of which I am totally in love with!

This shot of my mommy makes me so happy! What do you think?

I hope your weekends were more exciting than mine, although I got some pretty amazing food. 

(and a sweet new watermark- thanks jamie!)

What do you think of the mug cake movement? Yes, I just called it a movement. 

Let me know!

xo, Hima

Short and Sorta Sweet

My week, I mean. 

What with Labor Day at the beginning, and a whirlwind junior year schedule, I've barely had time to breathe!

While it wasn't my best week ever (life hit me, but that's okay!), there were definitely high points. 

From the beginning of fall fashion, to fall foods, to sweet dogs, and nice people, I'd say this was one of those weeks where the little things mean the most. 

Clockwise, from top left. 

1. Fall fashion is the greatest. Long cardigans? Purple pants? Everything fall? Please, come to me. 

2. Overnight oat jars. 

Ya'll. I have found yet ANOTHER use for those famed mason jars. Especially the itty bitty ones. 

Oatmeal + Yogurt + Fruit. I'm in love. Look out for a recipe post about those jars of happiness coming soon!

3. Fall outfit #2. I think dresses are underrated in terms of comfort. I could live in these. 

4. Puppy. She's SO cute when she's begging. 

5. Within student government at school, we have Big-Littles, like in sororities! Yesterday my Big gifted me these adorable (and delicious!) brownies & encouraging card because she knew that my week wasn't the easiest. 

Totally made up for everything! 

I thought ya'll might like to start off your weekend with some of these great links I've found this week- enjoy!

Michelle's Fall Fashion choices from Anthro are divine. 

Nicole wrote a great post about following your passion- definitely worth the read. 

21 Parents who deserve to lose their Vine privileges. I confess that I watched each of them multiple times because they're so funny!

This spoken word poem on what teachers make. So powerful!

Share something from your week with me! :)

xo, Hima

What Would YOU tell your 15 year-old self?

I'm over my wisdom teeth. Just done. 

Done talking about them. Done complaining. It's time to move on. 

I noticed that I never really do outfit posts when I'm wearing non-dresses. It's like I have an aversion to pants/shorts outfits...which is weird because I only wear dresses/skirts like once or twice a week at the most. 

So today, I decided to change that. 

I decided to #ootd my outfit and I'm not wearing a dress. 

Yay for breaking out of molds. 

I realize that I sound incredibly lame right now, and you have every right to judge me for it. 

Anyway, outfit. 

Cardigan- Loft// Blouse- Kohl's// Shoes- Marshall's

Sorry I don't have more legit looking pictures for all ya'll!

Hope your day is going amazingly! Here's a question for ya'll to answer in the comments...because  I've been thinking a lot about it. 

What advice would you give to your 15 year-old self? 

Why? 

xo, Hima

Labor Day Lovin'

I hope your Labor Day Weekends were amazing! Like I said on Friday, I got my wisdom tooth out, so I spent a lot of my weekend taking things slow. 

Two of my lovely friends (shoutout to Sneha + Indu if you're reading this!) come over on Friday after school to keep me company. And they brought me ice cream. Can you say "amazing?" Thanks guys!

Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures...sorry about that!

In my neighborhood, we have a block party every year at the end of summer to celebrate. It's such a great experience to go out and have some fun with and get to know your neighbors better, and it creates a really great community feeling. 

This time, I decided to take my camera along and I'm pretty happy with some of the shots I got. Take a look, and tell me what you think!

This little girl was such a natural model and I had so much fun shooting her!

Admittedly I didn't take this, but I love this picture of my friend Gauri and me!

How was your Labor Day weekend? Summer 2013 is over, but I'd be hard pressed to say that it wasn't the best one yet!