Weekly Obsessions // Week Four Star Wars Edition

We all have a secret geek inside of us. 

I love Star Wars. A few of my earliest child hood memories involve Star Wars. For the past couple months I've been getting hella excited for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. 

I've been obsessing over these items the past couple months.

1. Cookie Cutters // $14.99

Every year my family has a specific day that we make and decorate Christmas cookies. This year I'm proposing Star Wars themed gingerbread men. 

2. R2D2 Tea Pot // $44.99

I've been searching high and low for a teapot that I love. Making a Hot Toddy or a cup of tea is so much more fun when R2D2 is around-Beep Boop. 

3. Dark Side Yoga Mat // $24.99

I always feel more in touch with my body and spirit when I'm doing yoga. I like to believe I'm working on the force within. I love this yoga mat because not only will I love using it, but so will my boyfriend. 

4. Chewbacca Drink Hugger // $7.99

In Minnesota, we don't have an issue keeping our beer cold, but who doesn't love Chewbacca? 

5. X Wing Knife Block // $119.99

Anyone can appreciate a nice sharp knife. I've been in the market for a new knife set (hint hint) and I'm loving the X Wing Knife Block. It's so quirky and I know this will be a talking point that is just sitting on my counter. 

I don't know if you're planning on going to the premeire of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, but I know I will.

May the force be with you- Sarah

Breakfast in Under 5 Minutes!

I always wake up too late or feel too lazy to make breakfast. I needed to find a quick easy healthy breakfast to pep me up in the morning!

I've been obsessed with making eggs in a mug. There are so many toppings that you can add and there is no mess to deal with after.

Prep time: 2 minutes.
Cook Time: 2 - 2 1/2 minutes

What you need:
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon white onion
- 1 tablespoon orange bell pepper (or any bell pepper of your choice)
- 1 - 2 tablespoon tomato
- 1 - 2 tablespoons milk
- Avocado
- Cilantro
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Cheese (optional)

What to do:
- Whisk milk, eggs, peppers, and onions together. Add salt and pepper.
- Microwave for 1 minute.
- Whisk the egg mixture and make sure everything is being cooked evenly.
- Sprinkle your favorite cheese on the egg mixture if desired.
- Microwave for 1 - 1 1/2 minute or until eggs are set.
- Sprinkle tomato, sliced avocado, and cilantro on top.
- Enjoy on the go!

This recipe has saved me and my hunger in the morning.
It's the best ever.

Eat Up! -Sarah

Weekly Obsessions // Week Three

Back in Minneapolis, we've received our first signs of Winter. A sheet of white has covered the ground and it's time for us to expect plenty of time "Netflix and Chilling".

With the cold weather comes the holiday season and a gate way to friends, family, and excitement.

1. Disposable Camera // $14

I had such a blast taking this camera to California. This disposable camera has built in overlays to add something a little extra to your snapshots. This definitely makes your photos festive and fun since you need to wait to get the film developed. 

2. Photorito Lens Wrap // $20

I obviously have a thing for burritos, especially if I can conveniently hold items in pouches that look like burritos. The Photorito Lens Wrap holds lens safely in your backpack. Lens care is essential for DSLR owners and this yummy looking wrap are made with super strong materials. 

3. Santa's Lip Scrub // $8.95

Holiday parties always mean I gotta wear lipstick as bright as the Christmas lights. I love this lip scrub from lush to brush off all the dry crusts. The scrub is also edible. You just wipe the lip scrub on and lick off the rest. Santa's flavor is Cola of course! 

4. Bloke Hair Treatment // $18.95

Winter can be really harsh on your hair. If you use heat, bleach your hair, or your hair is just brittle, there are four different types of oil in your to get it in tip top shape again. I like to leave it in for an hour before I rinse it out. 

5. Perfect Cookie Baking Sheet // $24.99

This cookie sheet has indents so you get perfectly round cookies EVERY TIME. I can't believe it. This is needed for the winter season. No more embarrassing crooked cookies at parties. What makes it even better... you don't need to grease it before you put it in the oven. Truly perfection. 

That's what I'm obsessing over this week.
All the items I choose are items I truly enjoy, like to use, or have on my wish list. I am not persuaded by companies nor paid to feature these items.

Stay Warm Guys! -Sarah

How to do a Sun Salutation

A Sun Salutation, also known as Surya Namaskar, is vital to a yogi’s practice. Essentially it is the cardio of yoga.

Breathing and moving between poses-

Vinyasa.

Sun Salutations is a great way to warm up in the morning and deepen your practice as you flow through the basic stretches. The sequence also provides meditation through movement.

What I love most about Sun Salutations is it allows me to take the flow as slow or quick as I would like. Oh, and it feels so good after laying around all night.

Nothing ever needs to be a race in your own practice.

This is how you do a basic Sun Salutation:

1. Inhale as you raise your hands above your head, pressing your palms together and allowing your back to arch slightly.
2. Exhale as you allow your hands to drop to the ground to a forward fold.
3. Inhale, reach your chest forward and come to a flat back. Maybe your hands slide up your shins if that’s what feels right to you at that moment.
4. Exhale as you drop back down to forward fold and plant your hands to the ground. In a fluid motion, inhale and step back into a plank position.
5. Exhale as you squeeze your elbows into your sides and lower yourself to the ground. This is referred to as chaturanga.
6. Inhale, scoop your chest up to the sky and open the front of your throat ahead of you. If you feel comfortable you can lift your hips to come to an upward dog, or leave your hips resting on the ground for Cobra pose.
7. Exhale and drive your tailbone to the ceiling, equally distributing your weight between your hands and feet for Downward Dog. .
8. Inhale, bring your gaze forward, step your feet to your hands, and reach your chest forward to come to a flat back.
9. Exhale and allow your chest to drop down to forward fold.
10. Inhale, put a slight bend in your knees, and begin to raise your arms above your head to press your palms together.
11. Repeat.

I promise, adding a couple to your morning routine will improve your circulation and your personal sanity.

Keep the flow going

-Sarah

Weekly Obsessions // Week Two

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. This is the one day that notifies me that the Holidays are here and it's time to start thinking Christmas. Snow will start to fall, scarves will come out of hiding, and it's an appropriate time to start drinking Hot Toddy's.

This is what I'm obsessing over this week. These seem almost necessary during the holiday season!

1. Short Stack Subscription // $75 for a year

I always find myself cooking more during the holidays. Nothing is better than the house filling up with what's cooking in the oven. Short Stack features a cookbook writer or a chef in each volume. Each volume is filled with recipes that is inspired by one ingredient and it's delivered straight to your mailbox! You can purchase past volumes you missed if you're really curious about all the things you can do with Summer Squash. Every little collectable book has a homemade feel since they're bound by hand. 

2. Barrel Aged Cocktail Kit // $30-$35

Whisky tastes twice as nice when it's barrel aged, but those spirits tend to get a little pricey. You can make your own barrel aged bourbon and whisky in just two weeks! The kit allows you to give the spirit of your choice the character that you desire. Perfect for yourself or a gift for your boozy friends. 

3. You Suck at Parking cards // $10

People suck at parking. Especially in Minnesota after the first snow fall. It drives me insane, but I can truly be passive aggressive and leave this on the car of the perpetrator. 

4. Touch Tonic // $20

I hate buying the gloves with no fingertips or have the weird netted parts on your index finger and thumb. The Touch Tonic allows you to turn any gloves smartphone friendly. I love that I don't have to constantly take off my home-made mittens to text back mom. 

5. Burrito Yoga Bag // $35

This is such a head turner yoga mat. Not all yogis eat burritos, but this one does. I'd love to make sure that everyone else knows I need to hit up a Chipotle right after my 90-minute sweat. 

That's what I'm obsessing over this week! 

I hope your belly is over-stuffed and you're surrounded by love. 

Happy Thanksgiving!-Sarah

Bloody Marys are Good for You!

If there's any way to my heart, it's a spicy Bloody Mary. Not only are bloodies tasty, but they're loaded with vitamins and lycopene!

What is lycopene?
Lycopene is a carotenoid which gives tomatoes their gorgeous red color. It is a proven antioxidant that helps fight off cell damaging radicals. Lycopene prevents heart disease, cancer, Alzheimers disease. AND accelerated aging. So drink your tomato juice!

To make a Bloody Mary extra good for you, just load up on fresh garnishes and pure proteins like turkey jerky or shrimp.

I prefer to create my own mixture of tomato goodness. It's simple, spicy, and everything you could dream of when you're brunching at home.

Sarah's Spicy Bloody Mary
Ingredients

• 2oz Vodka of your choice (I chose Praire Vodka. Drink Local!) 
• Tomato Juice
• 3/4 tsp A1 Steak Sauce
• 1tsp Lime
• 1/2 tsp Lemon
• Splash of Pickle Juice
• 1/2tsp Garlic
• 1/2 fresh chopped serrano pepper
• Tabasco to taste 
• Black Pepper to taste
• Celery Salt to taste and to rim the glass

Mixing it Up

1. Take a lime to wet the rim of the glass to put celery salt on the rim. 
2. Fill the glass with ice and pour in vodka.
3. Combine lime, lemon, pickle juice, garlic, serrano pepper, and celery salt. 
4. Fill the remainder of the glass with tomato juice.
5. Top with black pepper and tabasco to taste.
6. Garnish with your choice of add-ins. I went with a pickle, olives,  lemon, lime, fresh cilantro, a banana pepper, pepper jack cheese, and bacon. 

It's a simple recipe and everything can be to taste. 

Some people prefer Worcestershire sauce, but I personally think A1 gives the tomato juice a slightly smokier flavor. I love mixing in different kinds of add-ins as well. Not only is this a fresh mix, but the bacon gives the beverage that extra little something. 

Drink up and take in all the anti-aging goodness the Mary has to offer you! 

xx - Sarah

10 Minute Morning Project // Make Your Own Yarn Out of a Shirt

We always have that one shirt that reminds us of home, an old friend, or the shirt is just so soft that you can't let it go. There's always a sense of comfort with these sentimental items, but sometimes life happens and the dryer puts holes in the arm or a red wine stain won't come out. I'm guilty of holding onto these items and letting them sit in the back of my closet for years.

Instead of throwing out that shirt, turn it into a lovable scarf or a ball of yarn for your next project!
It's quick, easy, and all you need is your beloved shirt or sweatshirt and a pair of scissors!

I'm using an old Victoria's Secret sweatshirt from five years ago! I used to love this sweatshirt and I recently came across it in my closet. I forgot that parts of the shirt were damaged, but I loved the shirt so much that I wanted to reuse it for something.

1. First start with cutting off the hem (the bottom) of the shirt and from arm pit to arm pit. This will leave you with a tube of material. 

2. Begin to cut strips at your desired width starting from one closed end of the tube to the top. Leave about an inch of space at the other side of the tube. 

 Personally I like to tape the top of the material so I know where to stop cutting the fabric. I made .75" - 1" strips in the picture above.

3. Once you are done cutting your strips, remove the tape, and open up the tube so that the part that wasn't cut is facing up.

4. To cut the beginning of the yarn, simply just cut diagonally from the top of the shirt and to the first slit.
5. To continue the yarn, cut diagonally from one slit to the next. Repeat this step until all of the slits have been cut through the original untouched middle piece.
6. Stretch the fabric to thin it out and begin to ball it up!

Now your successfully saved your favorite shirt and can turn it into something that you'll love over and over again.

I plan on making my old VS sweatshirt into a scarf to get me through this Minnesota Winter.

What are you going to do with your upcycled yarn? Let me know if you decide to do this project!

Happy Friday Y'all!
-Sarah

Weekly Obsessions // Week One

There's always a couple of things I have my eye on. Whether they're just adorable or could be beneficial to your mind & body. 

Every week I'll post 5 items that I'm obsessing about and want to share with you. Who knows, you may find a last minute gift idea or quite possibly your next obsession.

1. "Namastay in Bed" boyfriend Sweater // $58.00

As much as I love my yoga practice... Sometimes it's nice to hit the snooze button and stay in bed for a solid 15 more minutes. 

2. Whiskey Stones // $20.00

Just because the product has whiskey in the title doesn't mean that you should especially use them for whiskey. Pop the stones in the freezer to keep your white wine or whiskey chilled without watering down your beverage. Heat the stones up in boiling water to keep coffee or tea hot throughout the winter. 

3. White Sage Smudge // $11.00

Sage Smudging has been around for years. Native American tribes would use sage for healing purposes, ceremonies and to make space. As a child, I remember my Mom and Grandmother using sage to cleanse the home of negativity and purify the air. Juniper Ridge also donates 10% of their annual profits to a portfolio of Western Wilderness Defense organizations. 

4. Dry Sparkling - Lavender // $2.16

The first moment this beverage hit my lips, I knew I was in love. The lavender flavor is subtle and the bubbles make for a clean and crisp finish. Not only is this delicious on its own but it's mixable with your favorite vodka or gin! 

5. Hot Toddy Mug Set // $30.00

Nothing says, "What's up Autumn?" like a hot toddy. These diagram mugs are so cute that I have to get some for myself or for one of my whiskey loving friends. It's so difficult to pick between the other diagram cups the artist has to offer! Not to mention it's always great to be refreshed on how to make certain classics. 

If you think there should be something on this list next week, leave it in the comments! Any feedback is wonderful and always appreciated.

I have a yoga routine and a couple recipes lined up to share with you soon!

Otherwise, That's all I have for you today.
Stay Cool- Sarah

Welcome to Fabricated Splendor

It’s funny when you’re trying to decide on what to say or what to write about. This post could set the tone for who I am and what I’m doing. All I know is that there’s an accumulation of ideas and creative thoughts that I want to share with friends, family, and strangers.

So who am I?
My name is Sarah Hernandez. I'm 22 years old in the Minneapolis area.

I believe that as humans, we need to indulge in life. Whether that be a green goddess-Mary Jane or a low ball glass filled with ice chips and Jameson. I believe that there should be a balance to go hand-in-hand with all of life’s indulgences.

What is life if you couldn’t have a glass of wine after your 90 minute vinyasa flow yoga class?

What is life if you can’t take a moment for yourself and work on a project that is beautiful?

There always should be a balance.

Even when everything seems like it’s going to be a train wreck.

Fabricated Splendor is a lifestyle blog that will show you dope recipes that you might not want to show your mom, kick-ass cocktails, simple DIY projects for your home & body, and yoga routines to fit in your day.

This blog can be used as a simple guide-

to create, to inspire, to cultivate, to become comfortable in your skin-

To find your balance.

And I want to help you even out the scales.