Glitter Coffee Tumbler

Who doesn't want to carry a little sparkle with them everywhere they go!? Well, I sure freaking do. If it were up to me, everything in my apartment would sparkle a little. Unfortunately, I don't think Matthew would be a huge fan of that so I decided not to go as overboard as I would like.

In an effort to make my mornings a little easier, I decided to buy a Starbucks tumbler to put my french press coffee in every morning and take with me. But, let's face it, they aren't always all that cute. Soooooooo I found this bad boy on sale for ....wait for it.....$7.99 across the street at my local Bux!!! Best part? There is a paper insert supposedly meant to insert photos or draw pictures except 1) I don't have kids, and 2) I'm not a 13 year old One Direction fan. Thus, I choose glitter. Because I'm in my late 20's... duh.

All You Need

Construction paper insert (usually comes with the cup)

Loose glitter (I chose Martha Stewart Champagne)

High strength acrylic spray adhesive (I use Krylon from my local Michaels)

Directions:

Spray your construction paper and glitter as much as you want! Shake off the loose glitter and let dry from 12-24 hours if you can before inserting back in to your tumbler.

Voila! So pretty! It's like a coffee tumbler for a freaking unicorn!!! So magical.

SANGRIA SUNDAY

Sunday Funday.

It used to mean day drinking copious mimosas and tequila shots (great combo, I know) at bars that offered bottomless deals and questionable crowds...or poolside listening to awful music wondering to myself, "do these people have JOBS?" and "tomorrow's totally going to suck at the office."

I've grown up ....a little. Now, Matthew and I prefer poolside at our place, the occasional fun crew, a homemade brunch menu (a la Kate, of course), and a more sophisticated genre of cocktail.

CUE THE SANGRIA!!!!

But for Sangria Sunday, I like to switch it up to white when I can. Let's face it... I don't want to drink red wine poolside. Mmm...room temp wine and fruit over ice... umm...no thanks. In case you don't live here, I'll let you in on a not-so-secret secret. It's f**king 103 degrees in Scottsdale at the moment. I'll go with chilled white and carbonation, please.

Ingredients (per pitcher):

1 bottle white wine of your choice (chardonnay works best here)

Liter gingerale

assorted fruit of your choice

Prickly pear syrup

1 shot brandy

Directions:

Cut up desired fruit and place in the pitcher (I used pineapple, lemon, and strawberries this time around). Pour in white wine. Add gingerale to desired strength, add 1 shot brandy, 1 tbsp pirckly pear syrup, and stir. It's best to place this in the fridge for at least and hour before serving so the fruit and mix get all happy. Serve over ice and ENJOY!

*Cheers, everyone*

SPRING TO SUMMER MUST HAVES!

Eeeee!! Spring is here! Spring is here! The sun is shining, birds are singing! Shirts are coming off..... wait.. what!? Bathing suit season is upon us and it's startin' to get hot up in herrrr.

And with this new season, I bring you my top discoveries and must haves as we ease in to the months of bikinis and sundresses.

1. Work it out! Bikini season, ladies. Have you moved your butt today? This cute new Lululemon top has got me in high gear!

2. Suit up! Itsy bitsy teeny weeny little well-fitting bikini! (I hope you sang that). Victoria Secret wins my vote (and my business) this year because I got to order my EXACT bra size to ensure the ladies are kept in check while laying out this season. So many cute choices! Here's numero uno! 

3. Have you switched up your hair regime lately? Try out this amazing new line, Living Proof by Jennifer Aniston! I die. Plus, she is my doppleganger/hero. OH! And don't forget the Biotin. If you're desperate to grow out your hair and forego harmful extensions like I am, you will neeeeeeed this.

4. See the lotion next to the Living Proof Products? It's called Spring Break Coconut Mango. Get it here! It smells like St. Barts. Coconut and heaven with a touch of mango. 

5. SP-eff off, sunburn. Yupp. This one's a no-brainer. Check out this pocket size so ...no excuses! 



6. Essie's Mint Candy Apple. Second year in a row that this is my fave spring & summer nail color. Rock out, ladies. 

7. Suja Juice. Refreshing, cleansing, and straight up FRESH to death. Can you say WEIGHTLOSS & DETOX??? Need I say more... Now get your healthy butt to Whole Foods and hit the fresh juice aisle.

8. The Urban Decay Decay Naked Basics pallette is everything you need for a naked eye look on those hot summer days. Au natural. Sexy sexy. 




Now get out there and do some shopping!!

Roasted Chicken with Vegetables

I seriously can't believe how easy this was and how delicious it turned out. I invited my mother and her friend to come have dinner one night and realized we had a ton of veggies and no proteins in the house. Thus, I took this opportunity to take a risk and roast my first full chicken! I bought the cute little chicken at Trader Joes - organic and cage free, of course. I prefer my chickens to have been treated well and basically read a bed time story. The taste is worlds above those in horrible conditions that make me sad just thinking about. Regardless, I recommend everyone try this out at some point when they are having guests or making dinner for the week because it's scumptious and super duper easy peasy!

Ingredients:

Full chicken - size choice is up to you and how many people are eating!

Carrots, chopped vertically

Mushrooms, chopped in half

Asparagus, not cut but with bottom stem removed

Red onion, largely chopped

Olive oil

Whole garlic clove, broken apart and peeled

Thyme, 20 sprigs or so

2 lemons, one sliced in half, the other in several slices

Salt and pepper

Butter (as per your taste)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Rinse the chicken, and run a lighter or match over the body to make sure all feathers are removed (you might need a buddy to help with this by holding the birdie!). Remove giblets and inside if they aren't already removed (gross, I know!). Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken, place a bunch of thyme inside, and the 2 halves of 1 lemon. Rub butter and garlic under the skin of the chicken by lifting it up off the body to separate as you butter. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and place in an olive oiled roasting pan with the wings tucked under. Place the cut vegetables around the chicken in the dish with the rest of the thyme and plenty of olive oil. Bake in the oven for 1 to 1 & 1/2 hours or until the juice runs clearn when a cut is made between the breast and thigh. Remove the dish and place under aluminom foil for 20 minutes before carving and serving.

**ENJOY!!!!!**

Super Easy Tiramisu

Wow. I had no idea tiramisu was so easy to make! Don't get me wrong, you definitely need to pay close attention to the recipe, but I mean..... This was fun and easy enough that Matthew and I managed to perfect it whilst drinking our Valentine Veuve. Winner winner!

Matthew has had "learn to make tiramisu" on our collective bucket list that we wrote on our second date, and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to do something DIY adorable instead of getting some cliche, played-out gift. Whomp whomp.

So I decorated and spent what I told him was a girls night making this heart-shaped instruction book. I hid the ingredients in Whole Foods bags adorned with hearts and warnings that he better not open them if he knows what's good for him. Worked like a charm.



My recipe book for Matthew. A keepsake.


Here is MY recipe - collected from a few different sources, and thus....perfected MY way. Easy peasy.

Ingredients: (For a 12 x 12 dish - divide recipe portions as necessary. We made a 5 x 5 personal size to split between the two of us, so I took this original recipe and cut it in half)

30 lady fingers (Whole Foods has gluten free!! Eeeee!)
16 oz Mascarpone cheese
1 & 1/2cup brewed espresso (I headed to Starbucks for this one - great choice!)
1/4 cup brandy
1/4 cup amaretto
6 large egg yolks, (room temperature)
1/4 cup sugar
Baking cocoa (to sprinkle as making)

Directions:

Whisk the egg yolks together with the sugar on high using a hand mixer or mixing machine for 5 minutes or until thick, creamy, and light yellow. Using the mixer on medium to high, add half (1/8 cup) of the brandy, half (1/8 cup) of the amaretto, 1/4 cup espresso, and all of the mascarpone. Combine leftover 1/8 cup brandy, 1/8 cup amaretto, and 1 & 1/4 cup espresso in a shallow bowl. Dip the lady fingers for a few seconds each  - enough to soak but not make them mushy. Line the bottom of your 12 x 12 dish with lady fingers and cover with a layer of the creamy mascarpone mixture. Sprinkle baking cocoa on top of the layer. Dip second batch of lady fingers in the espresso, brandy, amaretto mixture, and line a second layer; topping it again with the creamy mixture. Sprinkle baking cocoa on the top, cover with plastic, and refigerate for AT LEAST an hour. Tiramisu is best when left overnight. Try both - there is a huge difference! We ate ours the night of and tried it again the next night and after 24 hours, it was perfect.




The last photo before it was demolished!!!



ENJOY!!!

Gluten Free Survival

As the days progress, so does my intolerance for all that is gluten. Some people lose their sight or hearing as they age but no, not me. I'm losing my ability to digest anything wheaty. Well it doesn't hurt that I had LASIK surgery and I'm only 26 so that's probably why I'm not losing sight...and my hearing is on point actually.. but still - how annoying. It seems like gluten free is affecting more people every day so I thought it would be nice to share some of the items I could never live without. I live next to a Whole Foods though so I'm sure this list will progressively get longer....and longer....and longer...

A few of my faves:

Gluten Free flour - for the baker that finds out they have Celiacs Disease and is very, very pissed. Substitute this in EVERYTHING. It's a little grainy but there's hardly a difference, I promise!

Organic, sugar-free unsweetened raw peanut butter. Because the only way we can eat any kind of nuts is if they are raw. (Insert dirty joke here).

Organic, gluten free popcorn! There are a few great brands that offer many flavors and are all GF! This Boom Chicka lightly salted is super yum yum town.

Major survival essentials (listen closely):

Suja juices. These are amazing! Pressed Juicery and Blue Print are ridiculously expensive in Scottsdale so I tried this out and I'm just as impressed. Carrot juice never tasted so good! Plus, this really helps when you are frustrated and don't know what to risk eating that wont make you bloat up like a Macy's Day Parade float.

Epsom salt. Bath time essential (and life saver when you are bloated). This will bring even the highest balloon just a little closer to earth. I even read an article that Jennifer Lawrence does an epsom bath before red carpets to calm down the body. Give it a whirl!

ENJOY!! And may the force be with you, my gluten intolerant friends.

Boy Friendly Valentines

Need a Valentine for that special guy? Oy vey, right? I mean.... you're not going to get him a dozen roses, ladies. That would be awkward. Especially if he doesn't return the sentiment. Yikes!

It can be tough trying to brainstorm something appropriate for that special someone and every guy is different.

Want to see some of my fave ideas for this year? Sure you do! Although, until it gets a bit closer, I'm not revealing which (if any of these) I have chosen for my super romantic beau. (I know you're reading this, Matthew. And don't go snooping around the apt for it because you won't find it.) I'll post real photos of what I did AFTER it's happened, don't worry.

1. Make him breakfast! A hearty one.. with bacon. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach love for bacon. SO get a head start on the day the right way! (photo via Pinterest)

2. Monogrammed vintage toiletry case. No, it's not for their makeup - that would be weird. But, it's a nice masculine accessory for their convenience AND it will look stunning on your bathroom counter when he visits. This one from Brookstone is pretty sharp!

3. Personalized collar stays or a money clip. Basically, HAVE IT ENGRAVED! I found this one in the Kinsey's Corner store on Etsy.

4. Love coupons. Never get old, let's be honest. You can make them, buy them, even buy the instant download to print and make the book yourself! Found this cute one in Shop Green Lilly's Designs on Etsy.

5. Coooooooooooooooookies. Make 'em, Bake 'em. Try not to eat the dough. Okay, maybe make some extra dough. Just in case. I found this picture on Pinterest and couldn't locate the originator BUT here is a great recipe from Annie's Eats with links to sugar cookie AND icing recipes.

6. Just decorate! Grab some balloons, go to Michael's and get some colored paper, use your hands and make something ridiculous and adorable. Remember, this isn't a birthday, Hannukah, or Christmas. It's Valentine's Day. Don't gift just to gift. Show your love in a way that is personal to YOU. Found this cute pic on Pinterest, too, but couldn't find the originator. PLEASE DON'T SUE. K? Thanks.

OR try out using some glitter and one of the hundred few empty champagne or wine bottles laying around to make one of these from my Glitter Champagne Bottle entry! (Yes, it was Halloween, and thus the pumpkin).

Happppppy Valentine's Day my little love bug reader buggies!!!

MWAH!