VEGAS!
August was an awesome month for Lucas and I….we drove to Las Vegas and got married at A Little White Wedding Chapel! I wrote a Vegan in Vegas Guide about all of the restaurants I recommend trying there and a post highlighting some of the vintage outfits I wore, and I plan to share photos from the wedding as well, so stay tuned. (Thanks Julien for taking this Polaroid!)
TV/MUSIC
Lucas and I got super into Westworld this month–we binge watched it in like two days. It reminds me of Dollhouse (which I liked a lot as well), and it’s one of those shows that we couldn’t stop talking about after and want to re-watch ASAP. If you’ve seen it, let me know what you think! I plan on checking out the old movie version soon too.
As per usual we’ve also been watching the new Game of Thrones, and this season was so dang good. I won’t say anything specific though because spoilers are the worst.
I found this Stranger Things/Twin Peaks mash up by Prom Queen on Twitter, and I can’t stop listening to it–I’m obsessed. And I love Prom Queen’s other covers as well like their version of Everytime and More Than This, among others.
YOUTUBE
I’m not sure how I stumbled upon Qcknd–I think maybe it was through Wifelife on Twitter or Instagram, but I’m really digging her YouTube channel and Instagram. She made a Stranger Things look book that is seriously epic. I also found her latest video on tips for healthy online practices helpful–I’ve been making an effort to be more mindful of who I’m following because I spend a lot of time on social media and want it to be a mostly inspirational and positive experience.
BEAUTY
There are a variety of vegan and cruelty free lashes available online, but I waited until the last couple of days before we left for Vegas to get some for the wedding, and I’m so glad I found these Tarte lashes/lash glue at Sephora and that they’re labeled as vegan. I hadn’t worn lashes in years but was able to get these on, and they looked fab (and weren’t too uncomfortable)! I wore the Flirt style the day of the ceremony & Little Black Dress for our next day shoot. I had also grabbed some Ardell lashes but had a harder time getting them on and gave up.
Another newish product I’ve been using a lot and liking is the Kat Von D Lock-It Brightening Powder in Petal–I use it to set my under-eye concealer, and though it’s an extra step, it does seem to blur the area and help my concealer stay on better.
FASHION
One of my favorite things fashion wise in August was this amazing cactus romper. Check out my Vintage in Vegas post for more photos and retro outfits.
FOOD- RECIPES
When I first went vegan, Minimalist Baker’s recipes were some of the first I found on Pinterest, and they never disappoint. This month I made her Garlicky Sweet Potato Noodle Pasta (I omitted the oil and added roasted chickpeas), and it was delicious! I was left with extra sauce, which I used for dipping fries in.
This month I also shared one of my go-to lazy recipes, Baked Oil-Free Tostadas, as well as How To Make Vampire Pancakes (yes, I’m still watching a lot of Vampire Diaries, lol.)
Also, this isn’t a recipe, but this video from Caitlin Shoemaker on how to cook without oil is super helpful if you’re trying to make the transition to oil-free cooking and baking.
FOOD- RESTAURANTS
I’d heard good things from Mia and others about The Steeping Room, and I finally tried it out earlier this month with Julien. I got the vegan/gf cashew Ceasar salad and added tempeh bacon, and it was delish!
I was also on a huge pizza kick this month, and I tried out the vegan & gluten free options at MOD Pizza, Rockin’ Tomato, and Austin’s Pizza and also ordered some of my usual faves like Li’l Nonna’s and Z Pizza. I also wrote an Austin Vegan & Gluten-free Pizza Guide for all of the gluten free vegans out there like me–check it out!
FITNESS
I haven’t done a fitness category for my favorites the last couple of months because I haven’t been working out much. I did p90x earlier this year, but got bored after a couple of months of it, and I used to workout with Lucas some at Bonebreaker Barbell, but then sadly Bonebreaker closed, and honestly I hate going to the gym, but Bonebreaker was an exception because at least there was metal blasting and vegan peeps around.
So now I’m trying to find a new non-gym way to make sure I get some exercise because I feel better mentally and physically when I do. I’m hoping yoga is the answer. I’ve been doing Ali Kamenova videos (which I found through Caitlin Shoemaker) in the morning for about a week, and it’s improved my mood. Any yogis out there with advice for me or favorite channels?