Life, Lately.

Pretty sure I am a horrible blogger. I haven't posted since the Super Bowl. WORST! Three days after our Super Bowl party, my little honey and I left for Spring Training in Scottsdale, AZ. My life was pretty much baseball, Lululemon, Nike, and sun for the better part of a month and a half. Sorry for being MIA, but my fashion blog would be pretty boring if I posted my everyday outfits that have been consisting of workout clothes. Here's a few things that have been happening in my life, lately.

Went to the NHRA Arizona Nationals, wearing these vintage Chanel studs & 

an Auden multi-cross silver necklace (Check out the Auden website - LOVE their stuff!) 

You guys know I love to find great restaurants when I go/move to a new city...

We found two we loved: Cowboy Ciao and FnB Scottsdale. This pic was taken at FnB.

If you're ever in Scottsdale, put these two places on the top of your list! 

The "Chopped Salad" at Cowboy Ciao was the best salad I've ever had. IN. MY. LIFE. (and I don't even like salads since my pageant days, years ago)

Everything at FnB was incredible!! Just ask your server what they recommend & go with that. 

Trust me. (P.S. How do y'all like my little honey's shirt? haha)

The huge cross cuff with chain is the newest addition to my collection! Been wearing it a lot with all black ensembles. My earrings are from The Montage Collection. (Thanks Myrna!)

Toured the Wrigley Mansion with my adorable mama (seriously, look at how cute she is!!)

We also toured the AZ Biltmore and ate lunch there, too, which I highly recommend!

Guess what else we did while my mom was visiting....???

We took a hot air balloon ride in the dessert with these guys - AMAZING!

We went up with 2 other balloons that afternoon.

I got to get inside the balloon as it was on its side, being blown up (which was HOT) 

because I wore a dress... I know, I know... who wears a dress to go on a hot air balloon ride.

This girl. 

This was my view from inside the basket... very pretty!

Mom and I up 5,000 feet!

Beautiful sunset in the AZ desert.

After our (rough) landing, we had a champagne toast and hors d'oeuvres in the middle of the desert.

Shopping in Carefree and Cave Creek

 (which is another thing I highly recommend if you are in the Scottsdale area)

In Carefree, be sure and eat lunch at English Rose Tea Room and have a late afternoon sangria at the newly-opened Venues Cafe!

Mom and I got these amazing sterling silver aztec-looking rings in AZ! 

I loved being in Scottsdale for the two months of Spring Training! We saw a lot - and ate a lot! Hoping to get back there soon!!

Super Bowl Highlights.

Before we left for Spring Training, my little honey and I wanted to throw one more little party. We decided a Super Bowl party would be the perfect way to do that. Below are some of the recipes we used to make the party a huge success! These are recipes you can use throughout the year, at any gathering - not just for a Super Bowl party! I know I haven't been doing many "outfit posts" lately, and I'm sorry! Once Spring Training and baseball games start....and I am wearing more than Lululemon and Nike on a daily basis, I will take some outfit pictures! Ha! Enjoy the recipes! xx

Kahlua Brownies - If you make ONE thing from this post, make THESE!!! You guys know I love sweets, and I've had a lot of brownies in my day... but these rank among the best I've ever had! That says a lot!

Very rich, with a subtle taste of Kahlua. I also added some Kahlua to the brownie mix itself, too!

Note: To make the icing a little thicker, we added almost one more full cup of confectioners' sugar.

Brownies cut into the shape of footballs.

Rice crispies w/melted chocolate on top. Didn't have time to do all the white lacing before the party started.

More of the food, including Jalapeño Popper Dip, Captain Rodney dip (one of the easiest and best appetizers to make!), Simple Meatballs, Texas Caviar, Rotel, and tons of chips.

My sweet little mama!!

Our football themed goodies!

The meatballs are so easy to make! All you do is get frozen meatballs in the freezer section of your local grocery store & cook according to the directions on the package. Next, in your crockpot or over the stove on low heat, combine one jar of grape jelly and one jar of Heinz Chili Sauce. Mix well and add cooked meatballs. Stir to coat. You can double or triple this recipe with ease! I usually double it to feed a crowd of 15+. They are great left over, too!

{Picture and recipe via here.}

The hit of the night were these little Ham & Cheese Sliders. 

I had been seeing them float around Pinterest for months before I pinned them, and I am SO glad I did! 

No one could eat just one...they were THAT good! Make this using Hawaiian rolls like I did, and it's so much easier than using the little dinner rolls. You're welcome.

One more recipe I wanted to share with you guys is "Super Bowl Soup." We had it the week before Super Bowl, so that counts right?? The recipe takes a little time due to all the peeling/chopping, but IT.IS.SO.WORTH.IT!!!! TRUST ME!!! This is especially popular with the men and children ;)

I would double the recipe, at least...maybe even triple it so everyone can have seconds & still have some left over!

Here's the recipe... enjoy! xx

Super Bowl Soup (can be tripled)

1/2 lb ground beef

3/4 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup shredded carrots (or chopped)

3/4 cup of celery, chopped

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried parsley

1 tablespoon butter

1 32 oz box of chicken broth (or you can use bullion cubes or the powdered version)

4 cups of potatoes peeled and cubed (about 1 3/4 lbs)

3 Tablespoons butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

8 oz. Velveeta cheese, cubed

1 1/2 cups milk

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup sour cream

Brown meat and drain - set aside. Large saucepan or in soup pot, sautee onions, carrots, celery, basil and parsley with 1 tbs butter until tender. Add broth, potatoes, and beef to that mixture & bring to boil. Reduce heat and cover to simmer for 10-12 mins or until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile in a small sauce, melt 3 tablespoons of butter and stir in flour. Cook and stir 3-4 mins until bubbly. Blend flour mixture into soup, then bring to boil. Cook and stir for 2 mins, then reduce heat to low. Stir in cheese, milk, and salt & pepper until cheese melts. Remove from heat then stir in sour cream (this is the last thing you do). 

* Can chop all veggie the day before. 

**Can add some heat to the soup, in the form of cayenne or red pepper flakes.

Happiness this week...

Things that are currently putting a smile on my face....

The Layered Peppermint Cheesecake that my mom made for my (early) birthday celebration! 

Beautiful days in the middle of winter & fur collars!

This picture of vintage bracelets makes me wish these were in my closet...

{via}

Stumbled upon this picture here and immediately started dreaming of the get togethers that could be had here.... I'm thinking good friends + good wine + fire.

LOVE this arm candy! This picture might be my most favorite web find ever...

Been experiment with this Chocolate Balsamic lately...

made an incredible pork dish with it! This is from a local Nashville company. (Find it here!)

{via}

Made Smitten Kitchen's "Red Wine Chocolate Cake" two nights ago....

WOW! Blown away by how simple it was to make & more over, how INCREDIBLE it was!

My little honey was over the moon for this cake!! Make this soon!

Recipes for the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FRIENDS!!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a fun-filled, safe New Years Eve! Since we will be leaving for Spring Training in AZ soon, we have been staying in our new house as much as we possibly can! Because of that, we've been entertaining like crazy! I love doing that because Chris and I both love to cook & have friends over. I wanted to start the blog year off by sharing some AMAZING recipes with you guys. These are recipes I have made/had over the holidays and wanted to share because they are all incredible and so simple! Everyone needs a few recipes in their back pocket to pull out to impress friends and family - or to whip up a last-minute meal. I really encourage you to try some - or ALL - of these!! I wouldn't take the time to post them if they didn't have my full "stamp of approval." Enjoy!! xx

Let me start out by saying that - surprise, surprise - I found these on Pinterest. (Follow me here!)

I had seen the recipe float by my feed again and again, without pinning it. Then I thought about ALL the times during the day that I need a little "pick me up snack"that is healthy and NOT apples and peanut butter (again). Then I thought about all the times, before a workout, that I needed some energy without eating a lot and making myself full. I immediately pinned them and made them the next day.

WOAH BABY! I AM SO GLAD I DID!!!! My husband and I are both obsessed with these little bites of heaven! They are very healthy, too, sweetened with just 1/3 cup of honey and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. (which, over the course of the entire recipe isn't a lot)

You have GOT to try these asap! Even kids will love them!

You can get the recipe by clicking here.

Another Pinterest find! Can you tell I live on that site??

I made this Pecan, Brown Sugar, and Kahlua Baked Brie this past weekend, and it was a hit!

Three ingredients plus a wheel of Brie cheese. You can't get any easier than that!

I served it with a sliced apple and whole wheat Ritz crackers. YUM-O!

Find the recipe here.

Pioneer Woman's Burgundy Mushrooms (recipe here)

I made these for Christmas dinner and WOW! These puppies were worth the time it took to cook them and even better the next day! They take a long time to cook, but at least once you've put them in the pot you can forget about them until dinner. Maybe make them in the crock pot!

Pioneer Woman's Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Cranberries (recipe here)

This recipe and the mushrooms were new recipes for me, which made me a little nervous to contribute them to our Christmas dinner. I didn't have to worry too long because they were both incredible! I know brussel sprouts aren't the most popular veggie on the block, but I want to (proudly) share with you guys that I turned THREE brussel sprout haters into fans that night! These are SO simple, too! Even if you aren't a fan, try them... you just might surprise yourself, while impressing everyone else ;) 

Another new appetizer that I tried, thanks to my little mama! (THANKS MOM!)

This is "Sweet & Sassy Cheese." I will be adding this one to the top of my appetizer list!

Recipe below.

Peppermint Brownie Trifle (recipe here)

Took this to a dinner with 6 people, and everyone highly approved! 

The only thing I would do differently is not make the brownies with the yogurt, make them as the box directs. It's not that much oil over the entire recipe, so don't worry!

************************************************************************************

Sweet & Sassy Cheese

1/2 cup white karo (corn syrup)

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup dried fruit mix (I used cranberries, cherries, and apricots)

1/4 cup slivered almonds

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 8oz. package cream cheese

Mix first 5 ingredients in sauce pan & heat to simmer. Stir. Remove from heat & Stir in almond extract. Cool to room temp & pour over cream cheese. Serve with crackers. 

One more I wanted to share... These "Firecrackers" were another recipe my mom gave me and said I had to try. I made them for a Christmas party I threw, and people raved about them! They are perfect for an appetizer, served with cheese - or with soup on a cold night! This recipe makes a bunch, and they keep for a long time!

Firecrackers

1 box saltine crackers

1 1/2 cups oil (I used regular old veggie oil but you could use canola too)

2 tablespoons red pepper flakes

1 package ranch dressing mix (the powder kind in the little packet)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

Mix all ingredients except cracker together and mix well in a ziplock bag or large bowl with a lid. Add crackers and toss to coat, making sure you get all the crackers coated. Every 15 mins, for 2 hours, mix or carefully toss the crackers around to make sure they are all equally and fully coated with the oil mixture. Let sit 24, then eat.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays Everyone! I apologize for my long absence in the blogging world...buying a house & moving - then going into the holidays - makes a girl forget about her blog :) Not "forget" per se, but to be honest, I was just so busy with house stuff that there was nothing exciting to blog about. We are loving the new house and ALL the space!!! We have already had a couple of dinner parties, a great Christmas party, and we are hosting my mom's side of the family for Christmas on the 26th.

Just wanted to check by in and wish everyone a wonderful, safe holiday filled with special memories! Thank you for another year of reading my blog! It means the world to me!

Here's a few festive things that I've been doing lately.... Enjoy! xx

Table set for our first dinner party! Taken with iPhone..

Did a fun manicure on myself, with Sally Hansen "Gilty Pleasurese" and the copper glitter from Sephora for OPI

Love this color combo for the holidays!

The first gift I wrapped this year! Y'all know I had to add leopard in there some how!

Super cute & easy candy idea...

Take the old timey candy canes, dip them in melted chocolate, and sprinkle with any kind of sprinkles

Another version of the manicure I did on myself for our Christmas party!

I used Essie's "Marshmellow" and the red glitter from Sephora for OPI

I made this punch (from December's InStyle) for my Christmas party, and it was a HIT!

....and so easy! A definite crowd-pleaser!

Montage Jewelry One of A Kind Pieces.

Remember when I posted about the "Knock Your Socks Off Jewelry" here? Well, the designer behind that fabulous collection has done it again - this time equally unique yet at a lower price point! And let's be honest, who among us doesn't love beautiful, unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry that is easy on our bank account? I wanted to feature a few pieces on my blog, but to see the rest of the collection, visit The Montage Collection website and click "One Of A Kind" on the top part of the site. Many of the long necklaces can also be looped around the neck twice for a shorter look. Check it out, and don't forget Christmas is right around the corner! Giving a gift so unique is an art - and a treasured surprise for the one receiving it! Enjoy! xx

The "Shari" Necklace

This is my favorite from the collection due to its eye-catching design & ability to turn a plain outfit into something special! It's a statement necklace without going overboard. 

"Kate" Necklace

Long vintage-looking chain necklace with a woven piece at the end.

Would look great with brown, bronze, and grey!

"Babbie" necklace (look at the acorn hook it has!)

"Yvette" necklace

"Leticia" necklace

Love the bright orange color against the bronze chain! 

You can wear this 3 or 4 different ways because the toggle in the middle of the necklace can come undone!

"Lynnie" long necklace

Another one of my faves! 

This necklace can be worn looped around the neck twice, like it's shown here, or 

worn very long and layered with other pieces. 

"Yvette Agate Necklace"

This would look gorgeous against a plain white or black t-shirt, boyfriend jeans, and some heels!

Hammered Cuff

This would be a staple in any wardrobe!

Stretch bracelets - They look great alone or all together!

The "Fringe" bracelets

The "Bronze Bar" earrings

The "Double Drop" earring

"Knot" earrings

My favorite earring of the whole collection!

Go check out the rest at The Montage Collection website. Click "One Of A Kind" to shop the pieces I've featured today. Click "Shop" to get a link to shop other stunning collections from the same designer on Endless.com (Or you can click here and go straight to the Endless site) Do some Christmas shopping early! You will be glad you did :)

Everyone have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!