Last Days of Winter Rain


Happy Thursday everyone! 

Do you love the rain? Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love it when I get to be at home in bed with a glass of wine. But, I hate it when I have to walk to the train station, as umbrellas are utterly useless in Chicago because of the wind.

Cardigan: Target
Top: Asos
Skirt: Charlotte Russe
Thigh Highs: Online Boutique
Boots: H&M
Accessories: Watch & Bracelets - Discovery, Necklace - Akira
On rainy days, usually I can't be bothered to dress up but on this particular day, I was going on a brunch date with some friends and wanted to feel a bit more glamorous.

I had been wanting to wear these thigh-highs out for ages, but was a bit stuck as to how to style them. This rainy day proved to be the perfect muse for style inspiration.

I really enjoyed pairing them with this cardigan as well. It gave me a bit more coverage so I felt very comfortable even though this was a rainy, cold day in the Windy City.


I also just love the texture that the background offers in these photos. These were taken just before dark as the street lights were turning on.


Thanks so much for reading!

xoxo,
Pam

Chicago Black Restaurant Week: Places #4


Back in February, I had the chance to attend the inaugural Chicago Black Restaurant Week here in the Windy City! CBRW was designed to create a platform for African American Owned Eateries (in the Chicagoland area and surrounding suburbs) to be recognized and patronized.

There are quite a few hidden gems owned by African Americans, and we would love for you to get to know just who they are!
-CBRW Website

As a fourth installment to my "Places" series here on the blog (previous posts herehere, and here), I'm excited to share my experience at Chicago Black Restaurant Week. This year, in the list of amazing restaurants, I went to Litehouse Whole Food Grill. 


The cuisine is Caribbean/Organic/Whole Foods/Grilled and it is yummy. I love the vibe of the restaurant as well. It's bright and colorful and they were playing some good old school jams when we walked in. 

Here, they offer an incredible array of salads, wraps, bowls, tacos, burritos, nachos, and pizzas!

I decided on the jerk chicken bowl, which was so yummy!


My friend had the Leaders 1354 pizza and she was gracious enough to let me snap a pic before indulging.


The thing I admire most about Litehouse is their mission:


"OUR MISSION:

TO BE THE LITE IN THIS COMMUNITY


WE FEED THE HOMELESS

Did you know Litehouse Whole Food Grill feeds the homeless and less fortunate every single day. We’ve done over 12k free meals thus far, hired over 4 homeless individuals, provided housing for three of them & have given away over 1k to help them get to homeless shelters. Anyone who cannot afford a meal, stands in line like a regular customer and eats for free! That’s the Litehouse Way, That’s the Christian Way!


Our goal is to use Saturday Morning’s and Afternoons, open our doors across the country, and solely feed the homeless and less fortunate for free. We want to provide them with spiritual guidance, uplifting testimonials and housing. Are goal is to feed over 1 million souls per year; not with the cold of old food we’re throwing away, but with the best all natural food in the world. We’re Litehouse Whole Food Grill. Eat Fit. Live Whole. Shine Brighter."


Talk about awe-inspiring! I can't wait to come back here and support this incredible restaurant. And I'm excited to try more of the one's on the list! Be sure to check out Chicago Black Restaurant Week for a list of hot spots to try in the city!

Temple


This is by far one of my favorite places in the Chicagoland area. And so, I thought it would be fitting to include it in my "Places" series.


The Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, is the oldest surviving Bahá'í House of Worship in the world, and the only one in the United States. Open all year round, it is a wonderful place to meditate and it is open to people of all religious backgrounds.


I love coming here! I generally fall into a sense of awe when I step onto the winding path surrounding the Temple. Every season the grounds are well-kept and the scenery is breath-taking.


Summertime is my favorite there because of the beautiful deep-blue pools and fountains that explode with beauty along the grounds. I certainly look forward to coming back each year!

But, at any time of the year, Bahá'í offers beauty, serenity, and peace.

Denim Jacket: Thrifted
Top: Wet Seal
High-Waisted Jeans: Femme Fatale
Chucks: Olllld, can't remember where I got them.
Watch: Discovery
On to this outfit! I love it because it is casual, yet fashionable. Black & white stripes with pops of red are always a great combination for me!

On this randomly warm day here in Chicago, we decided to play around with different angles that captured both my outfit and the scenery. Hope you enjoy this little photo diary xo


If you want more information about the Bahá'í Temple, click here. You can learn more about their belief in the Oneness of Humanity, prayer and meditation offerings, and hours of availability. And the staff are always friendly and open. Plus there are tours and videos available in the welcome center, so don't skip out on it when you visit!

We also vlogged this day, so be sure to check out our video here <3

Love and Light, friends.


Why We Need Failure

I once heard someone say that if you want to see something you've never seen before, you have to do something you've never done before. That really spoke to me. In my life, this has proven to be true time and time again.

But what about when you've done something you've never done before, and it's failed? Miserably.

For example, I tried pork curry katsu one time because a lot of bloggers/vloggers I follow on social media eat it often. They make it look soooooo good in their instagram posts and youtube videos. Once I went to a restaurant that had it on the menu, I jumped at the opportunity to try it. This restaurant is an upscale, Asian fusion place with really good reviews so I thought I was in good hands. Wrong. Within 6 hours of eating the pork, I was in a fetal position on the floor, vomiting my guts out. Oh, and did I mention that the floor I was on was the floor of a plane? Yeah...needless to say, I know what it is to vomit on someone thousands of miles above sea level. PSA: It's not pleasant.

This is a funny (well, now it's funny months later) example of trying something new and it going horribly wrong. But, what about the moments that aren't so humorous? What about when trying something new includes sacrifice? What about when you lose friends, lose sleep, and lose income? What about when people tell you you're crazy for trying? 

Even worse, what about when you try and you fail
Failure is going to happen sometimes when you try new things. Failure is going to hurt. Failure is going to make you feel inadequate, unworthy, and unsatisfied. Furthermore, you may fail more times than you win, which really sucks. So, how do you bounce back from losing?

Baby girl, let me be the first to tell you from experience:

Failure is the prelude to success.

Failure is necessary to true success just as much as having nothing is necessary for hope. Think about it, you usually don't hope for what you already have. But, we don't look at hope as negative, do we? The same goes for failure. Failing sucks, but it often is the thing that pushes you to try again and go harder next time. 

I failed at marriage the first time around, but I learned so much. I grew so much. And now, I have a better understanding of what it takes to be in a committed relationship and I'm so happy with my love now. 

I failed at dieting many times. My weight has fluctuated throughout my life so much that I have the physical scars to prove it. But failing at eating well has led me to learning what's best for my body. 

I failed at finding my purpose by throwing myself into uncomfortable positions that left me broke and jobless. But, now I know what I'm not meant to be doing from those failures.

I'm not saying that failure will be fun. It sucks. It sucks more than I could ever explain. But it often leads to your greatest triumphs and your greatest self-discoveries.

I say all of this to suggest that whatever dreams you have, whatever hope, whatever gift, whatever talent you hide:

Your goals are valid. Your dreams are valid. You are valid.

So you tried and failed? Good.
*Disclaimer: It ain't gonna feel good when you fail

When you fail, take the time you need to heal. And during that time, know that you will most likely feel doubt, fear, loneliness, regret, shame. Please know that those feelings are okay. Getting out of those feelings will be hard, but don't let anyone tell you that you're wrong for feeling them. Feel what you need to feel in order to truly heal. Then get up, wipe those tears, wash your face, stand tall, and try again.

You are worth every failure to get to your success.

Good Eats - Breakfast!

Hi everyone!

Wow, I just realized this is my first post for the month of March! Time flies when you're out pursuing your dreams, huh? What better way to celebrate getting back on a regular posting schedule than with a post about FOOD!

In my first ever Good Eats post, I shared healthy meals you can make at home. I've decided that I want to continue this tradition by sharing some of my favorite recipes here on the blog. I'm calling this series *wait for it* .....

"Good Eats" ha!

For this segment of Good Eats, I'm going to be focusing on breakfast (or brunch, if you're like me and sometimes breakfast doesn't come until 11:30 a.m.).

Here are some of my favorite current go-to breakfast meals:
*disclaimer: The measurements in each of these recipe's are approximate and not exact. I usually kind of eyeball these ingredients for an ideal consistency, so feel free to play around with the amounts, according to your liking. Have fun! :)


"Kind-Of Frittata"



I got this recipe from Stephanie of the The Fashion Citizen and I love it. This frittata is much more flat than an average one and is really good for one or two people. And it's quick and easy to make!

All you need is some veggies (your choice. I usually do spinach, tomatoes, garlic, and onions (and sometimes mushroom if I have it). Seriously, whatever you prefer or whatever you have in your fridge can work for this. And you'll also need eggs. When its just me, I usually only add 2-3 eggs. When my partner comes over, I do 4-5 eggs for a nice, filling frittata for two.

Step 1: In a medium sized skillet, sautee your garlic and onions first. Use whatever oil (or butter, if you prefer). I usually go with olive oil. Also, go ahead and turn on your oven to 350 degrees so it can warm up for later.
Step 2: Then throw in your spinach & tomatoes and let that cook down. Go ahead whip your eggs while you're waiting, just as you would for scrambled eggs.
*All together, step one and two should take only about 5 minutes on a medium heat.
Step 3: Then, I advise you to lower the heat a bit and add your eggs.
Step 4: Let it cook for about 3 minutes.
Step 5: Remove it from the heat. The eggs will still be runny on top at this point. Place your skillet into the oven at 350 degrees for about 4-5 minutes to finish cooking. I also may add some shredded cheese on top at this point to melt in the oven.
Step 6: Take the skillet out of the oven, let the frittata cool for about a minute. If you oiled your pan properly, it should slide out easily onto a plate. Then you can cut it up and dish it out. Add some fruit or veggies on the side and enjoy!



"Chia Seed Pudding"


I love making this super simple pudding in the morning for breakfast or for a snack in the middle of the day! All you need is chia seeds, water, Greek Yogurt (plain), honey, and fruit of your choice. This is soooo easy to make so let's get started!

Step 1: The night before, you'll want to grab a glass and put two tablespoons of chia seeds into it. Next, add about 5 ounces of water. Leave it in your fridge overnight so that the seeds can expand into a gelatin.
*A lot of people recommend adding 6-8 ounces, but honestly, I find that less water gives me that gelatinous texture that I want from a chia seed pudding.
*Also, if you don't know about the health benefits of chia, read about it here. It definitely has helped with my digestive system, so I love to eat it!
Step 2: In the morning, grab your chia out of the fridge. You should have a jello-like substance after it soaks! Put it into a bowl, add a tablespoon (or two) of Greek Yogurt. You don't need much, this just adds some more texture to the pudding.
Step 3: Add a drizzle of honey, no more than a tablespoon I'd say. I generally do less than that, but I eyeball it.
Step 4: Stir it up! Mix it all together.
Step 5: Cut up your fruit. I usually choose strawberries.
Step 6: Add it on top and enjoy!!

This is seriously such a simple, yet delicious healthy breakfast that is also quite filling.

Bonus: if you want you can throw that entire mixture into the blender for a delicious chia seed smoothie, as well!


Both options are so yummy. I recommend trying both on different days :)

"Green Juice"


Speaking of smoothies, I love making these to go along with my breakfast. I try different kinds of recipes, but lately this has been my go-to:

(This creates about 2-3 servings)
*The key to making this smoothie work is to blend, blend, blend. And blend again! I usually blend each layer well before adding the next layer. To make this a bit easier to follow, I've listed the ingredients in blending steps:

1 cup of water (or more, depending on your blender size)
1 chopped banana
*blend*
3 whole strawberries (frozen)
*blend*
1/2 cup of flax seed
*blend, blend, blend*
2 cups of spinach and/or kale
1/2 cup of Greek yogurt (plain)
1 tbsp of honey
*blend, blend, blend*
A few ice cubes
*blend*

I let it sit in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes. Usually I'll make coffee or breakfast during this time. This may seem like an odd step, but it really does create a wonderful texture for my smoothies. And it allows the flavors to really marinate.

Remove from the freezer, blend it a little once more. Pour and enjoy!
*If you don't want to put your actual blender container into the freezer, you can pour the smoothie into a separate container or freezer bag when placing. Or if you do put your blender container in the freezer, I recommend you let it sit for a minute or so at room temp before blending again.

"Egg & Kale Wraps"


Last but not least, here is my last quick and easy breakfast idea!

Items needed:
Kale
2-4 eggs (based on 1 or 2 people)
Cheese
Salt & pepper
Sriracha (or any kind of hot sauce you may like)
Whole wheat tortillas

You'll want to have 2 pans going for this. One to scramble your eggs and the other to toast your tortillas.

Step 1: Scramble your eggs. I do two at a time.
Step 2: In a hot pan, place one tortilla down and toast on one side for about a minute. Flip it and add a slice of cheese and cover for another minute or so until the cheese is slightly melted. Do this for each tortilla.
Step 3: As you remove each tortilla, add an egg on top of the melted cheese. Salt & pepper to taste. Add kale and a drizzle of sriracha.
Step 4: Wrap the tortilla like a burrito (No worries on perfection here, however you can eat it, wrap it.)
Step 5: Dish it up with some chia seed pudding and green juice, add some sliced veggies and enjoy!

This is the most filling of all the meals listed. Seriously, whenever I eat these wraps, I'm full for a few hours. Especially when I add in the chia and green juice, I don't need to eat again until dinner!

That's it my friends! I am by no means a chef, but I hope this helps. Stay tuned for the lunch and dinner editions of Good Eats at home!

xoxo,
Pam

Roll Out the Red Carpet - Oscars 2016


If you've been following me for a while, you know that I love films (examples here and here). I used to throw an Oscar's party at home by myself - true story! I love following the press, interviews, and awards shows leading up to it. And I adore the red carpet! When the Oscar's began, I would tune in eagerly with my ballot to see if my predictions were correct. It's always been a dream of mine to attend a red carpet event for the Oscar's. And how fitting it is that the same year I launched Unapologetically Pam would be the year that dream became a reality.

This Sunday, I had the privilege to attend the Chicago Oscar Party, hosted by Stage 18 and Creative Cypher. The night was filled with glamour, dancing, trivia, drinks, laughter, and, of course, the Oscar's (the entire building erupted when Leo won. Yeeeaaaaaaahhhhh!!! #abouttime). My Honey Dip was my date (of course) and it was so great to meet so many fellow creatives. 

Every creative type could be found there: artists, rappers, musicians, actors, producers, entrepreneurs, students, CEO's, the works. Rubbing shoulders with these elites ignited my fire and ambition even more to keep pursuing my dreams.

Honestly, I meant to take more pictures. DeMico and I even started vlogging on the way there, with the intention of recording the evening. But, when we got there, I just wanted to savor the moment. We got so caught up in inspiring conversations and enjoying the evening, that I didn't even think about my camera after the first 10 minutes. That's when you know the event is good!

Here are the photos I did manage to get. Hope you enjoy this little photo diary!

Make-up complete! Many thanks to Melanie from Mattes & Metallics and DeAndrea from A Sister's Crown for the makeup inspo!
Eyes: BH Cosmetics Day to Night Pallette, Elf Liquid Liner, Lashes: ICE 079
Brows: L.A. Colors Brow Pencil, New York Color Brow Kit
Face: L'Oreal True Match and Cover Girl Queen Collection, Blush - Wet n Wild Berry Shimmer 834E
Before the event (with a furry little photo bomber lol)

Babe looking dapper as well! He is always the best date *insert heart eye emojis here*
Dress: Pink Stones (This is a local Chicago boutique. Many thanks to Nancy at Pink Stones for all of your help and customer service!)


I have to say thank you once again to Creative Cypher and Stage 18. They definitely know how to throw a party! For any content creators here in Chicago, be sure to check out their websites and get connected.


And yes, I ended the night with french fries hahahaha.

Thanks so much for reading!

xoxo,
Pam
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