Nutrition Facts: Egg Whites vs. Yolks

Do you toss out the yolks when making eggs or baking? It's certainly true that sticking to egg whites only will eliminate a lot of calories, but do you know what you're missing out on? Egg whites contain mostly water and protein. The yolks, on the other hand, are nutrient-rich and provide you with more protein and heart-healthy fats and vitamins.

If you're a stickler for calories, think about this. A medium-sized egg contains about 44 calories, compared to the egg white of a large egg, which boasts 16 calories. While you're saving yourself some calories by tossing the yolks, you're forgoing much of the nutrients you need to stay fuller longer.

And another concern you can't help but bring up is cholesterol. How can it be that egg yolks are still good for you considering the amount of cholesterol (186 mg) they contain? Well, it has been proven that healthy people can eat an egg or two each day and still maintain stable blood pressure levels.

After reading this, have you changed your mind at all about eggs and egg whites?

Holiday Etiquette

There's nothing like rushing into a department store or winery and exclaiming "I'm looking for a hostess gift!" to make a girl feel like an adult. What is it that finally makes us graduate from "I'll bring the ping pong balls" to "I wonder what kind of wine she would prefer..."

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy a good game of beer pong. But mixing it up with some good wine and a cocktail dress isn't so bad either. Why did I sign up for Wines 101 if not to put my knowledge to good use in situations like these?

So I'm wondering if and when you feel the need to buy a hostess gift. Do you stick with the typical bottle of wine, or try and personalize the gift with something you know the hostess will enjoy?

Holiday Shopping

Now that Thanksgiving is coming to a close, it's time to start prepping for the holidays! Too soon? Of course not! I'm even starting to plan shopping lists for all my Christmas presents. (We'll see how soon I get to that though)

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is searching for the perfect festive frock. There are so many good reasons to start shopping for one now! You'll have all sorts of events from family gatherings, office parties, ballets and theatres and more. One dress I can't get my mind off is this French Connection spaghetti-strap babydoll for $198. It's a bit pricey for my usual purchase, but if I can wear it to several different events this winter, why not!





If you want some more ideas, check out Refinery29's 20 Festive Cocktail Dresses under $100. They have some amazing choices!

What do you think about investing in a festive winter gown? Have you started looking already?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Even though I won't be able to fully celebrate Thanksgiving this year while I'm in Toronto, there are still plenty of Black Friday deals to take advantage of! That's pretty much the apple pie (or pumpkin pie) of Thanksgiving anyway, isn't it? Save the best for last! Or in this case, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Check out this amazing collection of deals from Lucky. They will be sure to satisfy your hunger for shopping!

Forever 21 on 5th Avenue

During my weekend getaway to New York City (one of the many reasons my blog appears abandoned the past few days), I spotted the brand new Forever 21 store on 5th Avenue! If you haven't heard the news, this budget-conscious retailer just opened up shop Saturday on New York's most prestigious avenue. According the the WSJ article, Forever 21 plans to cater to NYC's holiday shoppers and tourists this winter. While the store is only occupying this 7-story building for 6 months, they are anticipating a warm welcome on 5th Ave.

Linda Chang, senior marketing manager at Forever 21, states that their "products and look here are catering to consumers who mix and match our fashion apparel with luxury brands." Amen. Who wants to be outfitted in designer labels from head-to-toe anyway?

E-mail Ads

It finally dawned on me sometime today that I have signed up for far too many e-mail mailing lists. Every morning I am greeted with anywhere from 5 to 10 messages, none of which wish me a good day or ask me how I slept. Although I do love the announcement of a good sale from Bluefly or a new product at Williams Sonoma, the amount flooding my inbox is just ridiculous. And the worst part? I have to go through and delete them from my e-mail and my phone.

So why do I put up with all these messages? I've been trying to figure that out myself. Maybe I feel bad about cutting them out of my life completely. Or, maybe I'm just afraid that once I do end it, I'll finally miss an important message. One time, I swear I unsubscribed from the mailing list only to find that they still continued to message me the very next day.

How many mailing lists have you subscribed to? Do you receive emails from your favorite stores too?

Mix Master: The Art of Layering Necklaces

One of my favorite ways to give any outfit an effortlessly chic touch is to mix it up with some eye-catching jewelry. Layering necklaces from different collections is always a bit of a risk, but the reward is definitely worth it! Check out these photos from the Wall Street Journal. My favorite photo is this one of fashion executive Stephanie Wolkoff. Don't you just love how she boldly incorporates several different statement pieces?

When it comes to mixing and matching, don't be afraid to mix silver and gold. The mixed metal look can be hard to pull off, but go for it! Check out this photo of clothing stylist Lisa Tobias.

Save on Your Next Hair Appointment

So I finally decided to take a chance on going to a teaching salon to get my hair done, and it turned out to be an amazing experience! All my reservations about leaving a less-experienced hairdresser in control of my hair were wiped away as soon as I stepped into the salon. The Aveda Institute of Toronto was run like a machine, with well-trained receptionists and a system than ensured all the hundreds of clients had their needs met.

Before my hairdresser even started with my foils and trim, I was treated to a lovely back and shoulder massage. These stylists sure get the full training regimen here! Even while my foils were setting, I received a hand massage. Though this was probably a ploy to try to get me to use their own Aveda moisturizing products, I enjoyed the pampering!

If you're still hesistant about going to a teaching salon, maybe this last fact will sway you. With each step of the way, these professional hairdressers-to-be are required to check in with their teacher to make sure every cut is precise. As long as you have a bit of patience to deal with this added time, I highly recommend trying out a teaching salon next time you need a trim.

Belt Bags: the New Fanny Pack

While I was browsing through Nordstrom's Fall Half Yearly Sale, I stumbled upon this Michael Kors 'Hamilton' Belt Bag. Immediately, all I could think about was how badly I wish I had this while I was in college. It's the perfect accessory for a night out. All those mornings spent searching for a misplaced phone, wallet, or credit card- fruitless. This bag can do it all! With the strap around your waist, you're pretty much guaranteed to come home with every valuable tucked away in your bag.

What do you think? Would you sport this updated fanny pack? Well, what about if I told you that it's on sale from $128 down to $84.90?

Winter Accessories: Gloves I Love

Whether you take the subway or walk, spend 15 seconds outdoors or 15 minutes, the perfect pair of gloves is the most comforting winter accessory. Take a look at these and let me know what you think!

Urban Outfitters ($16)

Macys ($48)

Nordstrom ($45)

Nordstrom ($48)

Express ($39.90)

Topshop ($32)

New Photo

Check out my new fave photo, thanks to Cara from UptownTwirl.com!!

Sale Alert!

Check out these fabulous Fall sales before they disappear!

• J.Crew Fall Sale
• Urban Outfitters 20% off Women's Boots
• Macy's Free Shipping
• Banana Republic 25% off new styles
• Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale

"Life is Like the Cheesecake Factory"

One of my favorite discussions in Christine Hassler's 20-Something Manifesto is the analogy that life is like the Cheesecake Factory. In case you haven't been to this restaurant, it's a fairly popular chain boasting a menu of over 167 options- not even counting dessert. Whether you've been here or not, I'm sure you have all had that moment of ordering at a restaurant only to wish you could swap entrees with one of your friends.

So why does this buyer's remorse happen? When you are presented with so many choices, and often not nearly enough information to make an adequate decision, you are left with the feeling that you may have made the wrong choice.

In this discussion, Hassler equates this situation to life and specifically young people in their 20's. Young people today are told they can do whatever they want and be whatever they want. Though this notion is incredibly appealing, it often leaves us feeling like we're sitting in the Cheesecake Factory frantically flipping through the enormous menu while the waiter looms over us. Hassler ends the analogy by saying that she refuses to open the menu and only orders her favorite dish each time.

When you're faced with decisions like this in real life, it's often impossible to weigh each possibility. You can't test out every single major your college has to offer, and you certainly can't do an internship in every occupation that exists. So what you have to do is narrow your options, make a decision, and follow through with it. Point to the dish on the menu, tell the waiter, and shut the menu before you have a chance to change your mind. But don't fret- if you move all your belongings across the country and finally realize that finance and a life in the big city isn't what you really wanted, you can always pack up and move again.

All Things Faux Fur

Now that the weather here is hovering around freezing, the faux fur trend is getting ever more appealing. I just can't decide which pieces to buy! From shearling gloves to fur-trimmed coats, there are so many options available. Here are a few pieces that caught my eye.

Urban Outfitters ($18) Piperlime ($69)

Forever 21($10.80)

Aldo ($180)

Shopbop ($84)

Finance Secrets: Indulge a Little

After experimenting with my new tighter budget (hello student loans and car payments), I've come to the realization that I have to be more reasonable with my expectations. Certainly, I can do my best to stay away from my favorite stores, shop the sales at the grocery store, and bring my lunch to work. But the one thing I just don't want to give up is my routine Starbucks latte that I look forward to every Friday morning. Since every other day of the week I get by with the free (albeit boring) coffee from the office, I think I can treat myself to something special just once a week.

Take a page from SavvySugar's 10 Secrets to a Happy Financial Life, where Emily dishes out some insightful tips. The first point advises savers to not "skimp on what makes you happy." This is so important to setting goals you can stick to. Think of it as a diet, if you can't have your weekly (or daily) indulgence, there's a big chance you'll cave or just be miserable altogether. For the rest of her tips, check out her blog post!

How do you budget your finances? Do you allow yourself to indulge every once in a while?

Eggplant Parmesan

Inspired by my fresh produce from the Kensington Market, I decided to try one of my favorite Italian recipes. There are many different variations of this dish, but here is one that I tested tonight.

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Slice the eggplant into even pieces, about 1/2 or 3/4 inches. Season with salt and pepper and heat in a pan with olive oil.

2. Arrange in a baking dish. Here is where you can get creative! You don't have to follow anybody else's recipes- just create your own. I used marinara sauce, chopped spinach, some Italian seasonings, and a blend of mozzarella and asiago cheeses.

3. Bake for about 10 minutes or until all the cheese is melted, and enjoy!

Hint: if you want to add some crunch to this parmesan dish, first bake the eggplant slices with a coating of egg and bread crumbs or panko.