Cactus Pillow DIY

This is an amazingly awesome DIY project! Perfect to make for yourself, or to give to someone else. In this tutorial, I used a pillow form from an existing pillow (which was cheaper than buying a pillow insert by itself! I got a pillow that was on super sale at Hobby Lobby - I thought that was pretty great! 

My Step Mom was kind enough to take photos of a similar pillow, that I sent to my dad for Father's Day

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Right click this image to save it, then print at 100%.

- Pillow Form

- Solid Tan Canvas (or similar) material That will cover your pillow 1.5 times (I will explain below)

- Green Cotton Fabric (for cactus) - Note - Only 100% Cotton Material works, because you will be ironing it. 

- Fusible Webbing (the only kind I would EVER suggest would be Heat N Bond Lite Iron-On Adhesive. It's hard to see, but it's the paper-like material in the top right of the image, right. 

- Iron + Ironong Board

- Sewing Machine, Thread, Scissors

- Printed out image of cactus, right. 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Iron canvas material if needed. Remove pillow case from pillow form, and lay it down onto the canvas fabric. Cut one piece the exact same shape as the pillow case - this will be the front of your pillow. Alternately, measure your pillow form, and use those measurements instead. 

- Next, to cut the back part of the pillow, you need two pieces to create the envelope flaps. 

- Using the same width as the front piece, cut a second piece of fabric about 1.5 times the length of the front piece. For instance - if my front piece measured 10" x 10", my second fabric piece would measure 10" x 15".

- Cut the long piece into two pieces, a bit off center, so one piece is longer then the other by a few inches. 

2.) Next, you will create a nice hem line for the two back pieces. With an iron, fold down one edge of each piece (going horizontally), over twice. This will create a nice finished edge. Sew the hem line down a couple of times to secure it. Iron again, if you want. 

3.) Now, let's make an applique!! 

- Trace the cactus shape onto the paper/smooth side of the fusible webbing material with a permanent marker.

- Cut out the cactus shape you drew, and iron it onto the green fabric. Like I mentioned before, only 100% cotton can be used for this! The green material I chose wound up being 10% polyester and got stuck to my iron, and melted! No fun!

- Cut out the cactus shape you ironed onto the green fabric, and peel the paper backing off of the shape. One trick I use, is to slightly score the paper backing, to start the "peeling" process :) 

 

4.) Time to iron on the cactus. Fold the front piece of tan material in half and then half again, to find the center. Use this to line up your cactus shape. Then, iron the shape onto the front of the fabric. Iron the whole piece of fabric, and get ready to sew on the applique!

5.) Using a zig zag stitch or a straight stitch, sew all around the cactus shape. Tie any loose thread ends on the back side of the fabric. 

6.) Time to sew and construct the pillow case! This is such a great way to make a pillow case - it's removable and washable, too! 

- Pin the shorter back piece with the hem line going horizontally in the middle. Pin the front panel and the first back section together - right sides together. Pin, and sew around the edges. Clip loose threads.

7.) Now, pin the longer back piece up to the ones you just sewed. Line raw edges up, and again, pin and sew around the edges

8.) Trim any excess fabric around the edges, and turn your pillow right side out. Iron, if you want, and you're DONE!!!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! If you wind up making one of your own, please link to it in the comments below! Happy Sewing, friends!!

Mayil Scarves & Which Queen Are You?

Mayil reached out to me and asked for a bit of help photographing her products. The products she offers are stunning, and I had a great time capturing the beauty of these scarves, bracelets, and pendant necklaces she sent me. 

Mayil Scarves are absolutely gorgeous, and you must check them out!!! Check her out on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and her website! 

Trail To Tavern - San Diego & Escondido // Breweries & Bottleshops (And What To Wear To A Brewery)

I know I am only scratching the surface of where to drink in and around the San Diego area, but we found some pretty incredible breweries, bottle shops, and other places that I am so excited to share with you! And, since Toad&Co. was kind enough to inspire me to write this post, I wanted to do a brewery + outfit pairing! Check out my absolute favorite Toad&Co. suggestions, below. 

We drove to California this past March, during our month in Arizona. We decided to visit my friends at HelloSociety Santa Monica, and then head to the San Diego/Escondido area. We only had about 5-6 days in California, but definitely made the most of it! 

We knew there was a plethora of good beer in the San Diego area, so we decided to stay as close  as we could, which would up being the Best Western in Escondido, CA. March Madness completely filled all of the hotels in the San Diego area, so Escondido was the closest and coolest place we could find at short notice. Funny enough, any time you mention "Escondido" to anyone in the area, they say, "You're going to visit Stone Brewing, right?". 

Below, you will learn about the 4 breweries we visited, Stone Brewing, Toolbox Brewing, Modern Times, and Council Brewing.

At Stone Brewing, we were astounded by the immense scale of the tap room. The ceiling must go 2-3 stories up, and there are live  plants and water features throughout the building. There is also a lovely outdoor area, where you can grab a drink and food with friends, or even let your kids run around in the gardens. 

This pace was almost hard to find, because it's in a business park area, around nothing but office buildings. Also, the sign is rather small, so park near the hiking trail, and follow the intoxicating scent of hops through the bamboo garden walkway into either the store, brewery, or tap room(s). 

And, if you don't wind up eating at Stone Brewing, we also ate at this incredibly wonderful restaurant called Spices Thai Cafe! 

Since I promised you a list of Bottle Shops to visit (a.k.a. places to get insanely good, rare, and unique beer), here they are!

- Bottlecraft, Servall Liquors, Best Damn Beer Shop, Bine & Vine, Chip's Liquor, Holiday Wine & Spirits, Clemm's Bottle Shop, Fletcher Bottle Shop, Oak & Craft, and SO MANY MORE!!!

Toolbox Brewing Company is one of the most unique and special breweries we have ever visited. Their tap handles were made of tools (reminiscent of the San Diego Skyline), and the overall design of the place reminded me of an extremely clean mechanic's shop with lots of great merchandise to bring home with you. We had such a nice conversation with the brewery owner/founder, and learned so much about the local beer scene. They are making an effort to use their own experimental recipes, and I loved the Bog Sauce! Definitely stop by and take a look at all of those beautiful barrels!

At Modern Times Flavordome, located at  3000 Upas St. in San Diego, you will find some absolutely incredible beer and coffee! There is a second location as well. Their beer is superior to so many others, so if you are anywhere near this bar, please, please visit! If beer isn't your thing, you can always order a cold brew coffee, in a stemmed glass, like the one above, poured over ice.  

Lamp shades hang from the ceiling of the tap room. 

If you order a flight here, they serve it to you in the top of a wooden cigar box. 

The best thing about Toad&Co clothing, is that it all looks incredibly polished, but is very, very comfortable! That is the exact sort of outfit I would recommend wearing to a brewery when it's nice and warm outside. Dresses are so versatile, and make sure you wear semi comfy shoes, because you never know where the day may take you when you're hunting for breweries to visit in the San Diego area! 

Palmira Dress

Rosemarie Dress

Cold Brew Coffee, below, available if you don't want to get a beer - so smart! 

Their tap list - I'm sure they've switched a few things up by this point :)

Mouth Watering Taps!

Several of the walls were completely covered in floppy discs! I guess their other location has a giant sticky note mural that features Michael Jackson + Bubbles. 

Their bar was made of stacks and stacks of VHS tapes! So freaking cool! Definitely check out Modern Times if you get a chance, it's such a fun place.

Council Brewing greeted us with a gigantic wall of barrels - a very good sign, meaning they take lots of time to age their beers, as well as make lots of sour beers (yum)!!

The bartender was super nice and helpful, and did a great job managing the requests of everyone in the space. This brewery provides wide open space, ample seating, and a very relaxed environment. We tried several sour fruit beers, under their Beatitude line, and loved absolutely everything we had. I wish we could find their beer in Illinois. 

A brighter dress is also a great option for a brewery visit in California! I would also recommend bringing a sweater or denim jacket as well, because so many of these breweries had their doors open at night, letting fresh air into the space - such a wonderful thing!

Sama Sama Dress

Palmira Dress

Such good beer! I love their fruit-based beers best. 

Two of their special edition beers. 

A flight of as many beers as you want! I think their glasses are adorable. 

Where the magic happens...

Note** More photos will be added very soon! Stay Tuned :) 

A Healthy Day At Giant City State Park - Tips On Staying Healthy & Hydrated This Summer!

I'm here today, with some tips about staying healthy and hydrated this summer! This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NaturalAmericanGoodness #CollectiveBias

This summer seems to be hotter than any other one I can remember in a long time! It is so incredibly important to stay hydrated when the temps rise, especially if you are going to be doing anything outside. Here are a few tips on staying hydrated while having fun outside this summer!

HOST AN IMPROMPTU FUN DAY AT A STATE PARK

I am lucky to live near Giant City State Park here in southern Illinois. I chose this as the perfect setting for my hydration station, which I think turned out so well! I had pretty much every picnic spot to choose from, so I went with a shaded spot near a pretty stream. This would be an amazing backdrop for a healthy-inspired gathering, when you are just wanting to enjoy the outdoors! 

I always try to shop for fruits and other fresh ingredients at a health food-oriented store like Whole Foods whenever possible! They have the absolute freshest selection! I just love it all :)

TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY AND HYDRATED

- Provide guests with lots of water! Mountain Valley Spring Water comes in these awesome bottles, and lots of new flavors, so be sure to check them out! It's natural, American spring water. I also love being able to use small jars and adorable paper straws adds a whimsical touch. 

- Offer lots of fruits (and veggies if you like). Arrange cherries, raspberries, strawberries, canned Mandarin oranges, chopped pineapple, kiwi, blueberries, and blackberries in a rainbow, and look at people flock to that fruit!

- Offer healthy and low-fat snacks like pretzels and low salt popcorn. I thought these cute cups would be perfect for hand held snacks (see above)! 

- Get active! If you live somewhere it's not blazing hot, or if you can handle the heat, provide friends with activities to play like a soccer ball, volley ball, hula hoops, and jump ropes - games that will help them rekindle their inner child. 

- Don't forget a few extra items like: bug spray, sunscreen, paper towels, utensils, fresh flowers, music of some sort, and lots of water!  

photo MountainValleyLink.jpg
Visit the Mountain Valley website to see the history of their beautiful bottles, here

Giant City State Park was the perfect setting for these photos! Now, let me tell you a bit more about Mountain Valley Water. 

  • Mountain Valley Spring Water rises naturally to the surface of the earth where it is bottled – untouched – since established in 1871
  • Unique blend of minerals, providing a clean, crisp, refreshing taste revered by foodies and chefs alike.
  • Mountain Valley Spring Water is also highly regarded for its ease on digestion. With a 7.8 ph, the naturally high alkalinity of Mountain Valley Spring Water helps offset the stress of modern acidic diets.
  • Mountain Valley Water is sodium free, naturally ionized and rich in minerals.
  • Mountain Valley's spring is an invaluable natural resource and is an ancient part of the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas.

The water made for a perfect companion for just about any adventure around the park! Hiking, Horse Back Riding, and Scenic Drives are the best activities to do in Giant City. 

Yandy Summer Arrivals

I had such a great time photographing these summer bras, underwear, and swimsuits for Yandy.com. This time, I wanted to elevate the products even more, so I used fresh flowers, brighter backgrounds, and soft lighting.

Each time I receive anything from Yandy, I am thrilled to see how beautiful their items are. Everything I have in this blog post is generally under $15-20! I added a link and item name below each image, so you can shop for these featured items! Hope you enjoy your summer!

The Fabulace Floral Bra & Bikini Panty.

The Fabulace Floral Bra & Bikini Panty.

Market Fresh Ratatouille Recipe

Are you looking for a fresh, tasty recipe that you can make with items you find at the Farmer's Market? Here's a recipe you will love! This shop has been compensated by CollectiveBias, Inc. on behalf of its advertiser. All opinions and ideas are my own. #PickedAtPeak  #CollectiveBias

By incorporating fresh vegetables, and Prego® Farmers' Market sauces, your family will be eating more vegetables, and asking for seconds! This dish smells absolutely delicious while it is baking, and you can also make this dish ahead of time, and even freeze it to bake at a later date. Win-Win in my mind! 

I love the fact that we have two farmer's markets here in Carbondale, IL, and since the soil in Illinois is SO fertile, we are lucky enough to have lots of options as to what local foods we want to use. 

LET'S TALK SAUCE:

- New Prego® Farmers' Market Sauces have market-fresh ingredients, like vine-ripened tomatoes, garlic, and basil, that are picked at the peak of freshness. These new sauces are available at Walmart in the pasta aisle, my favorite aisle of all...

When I first began researching this ratatouille recipe, I found that every recipe traditionally called for a lengthy process of creating a sauce of your own. This recipe will save you so much time, by simply incorporating a jar of Prego® sauce, which makes this dish taste amazing. 

This Cotton Market Bag, above, was printed and designed by my friend at Bodega Press. It's one of my favorites! 

INGREDIENTS FOR 2-3 SERVINGS:

Squash At The Carbondale Market

- 1 Jar of new Prego® Farmers' Market sauce. I loved the Classic Marinara and the Tomato & Basil.

- 1 Zucchini, sliced very thin

- 1 Yellow Squash

- 1 Chinese Eggplant (the skinny kind)

- Olive Oil & Brush to apply oil

- Fresh Parsley, chopped finely

- Salt and other seasonings as desired

- Circular Baking Dish & Non Stick Cooking Spray

- Foil

Note: The above image shows more vegetables you can add to this recipe, but you can definitely make this with just the few ingredients I have listed. 

- Also, you can slice up onions and tomatoes, and layer them in between the other slices. 

To purchase these sauces, visit your local Walmart store, or shop online, here.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Slice all 3 vegetables (zucchini, squash, and eggplant) very thinly (You can also include slices of onion and tomato here ). I used a Mandolin Slicer, which worked incredibly well for this recipe. CAUTION - Please, please use the guard piece that comes with the machine, because this took a small part of my boyfriend's pinky off and caused a big mess! Poor Bobby...Anyway! He's doing fine now :)

Set veggie slices aside and grab your sauce! It's already time to prepare your dish. 

2.) Spray your baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spread a thin layer of sauce, roughly 1/4" - 1/2" around the bottom of the dish. I used about 2/3 of the jar of sauce, but ideally 1/2 of a jar would be perfect!

3.) "Shingle" your vegetables, see below. I loved this part! Get about 4-6 veggie rounds in your hand, and alternate colors. 

4.) Put the shingled veggies into the baking dish, over the sauce, making sure not to press too hard, because you don't want the sauce on top of the veggies while baking.

5.) Continue the veggie spiral all the way to the center of the dish.

6.) Chop the parsley to sprinkle on top of the dish.

7.) Brush olive oil onto the veggies, carefully as to not get sauce on top of the veggie slices. Add salt and any other seasonings you want to the top of the dish. Garnish with chopped, fresh parsley - this adds so much to the look of your dish! 

8.) Lastly, bake the dish at 375 degrees, for roughly 30 minutes covered in foil, then for another 10-20 minutes with the foil off. Once the vegetables have browned, and the sauce has cooked down to a desirable amount, you're done! 

Enjoy!

The Beauty Of A New Adventure With The L'Oreal LUMI Compact

I was absolutely thrilled when I was asked if I wanted to collaborate with L'Oreal again! This time, the theme was Summer Travel + Travel Makeup Tips, to help promote their new LUMI Compact! Of course, that was also really exciting for me, because we travel so much, so I have packed for lots of road trips, and have actually experienced how hard it is to stay looking cute while traveling! It's sometimes more work than at home, because you don't have your regular setup. 

Another fun fact about these photos, is that we would up shooting them while we were in the Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas area! It was absolutely gorgeous, and the place we stayed was the perfect setting for the shoot. If course, we probably had onlookers, but whatever! 

I got my hair and makeup done professionally at a cute salon in Port St. Joe, called Salt Air Beauty and Hair Salon. I met one of the two owners that day, Angela, who did such incredible work! She is so inspiring and talented, and I definitely recommend her if you are ever in the area and need literally anything done! I even got eyelash extensions (for the first time, ever), which I think added a lot to the photos. Check out our images below, and visit the Dedicated Pinterest Board, here. 

DIY Summer Clutch Purse - 20 Minutes Or Less "Give Extra, Get Extra"

I have an absolutely incredible DIY project for you today! Here is a fun way to spruce up your summer wardrobe. This shop has been compensated by CollectiveBias, Inc. on behalf of its advertiser. All opinions and ideas are my own. #GIVEEXTRAGETEXTRA #Walgreens #CollectiveBias

I always have this problem - I have a great outfit picked out to wear to visit friends or family, and am happy with my jewelry, then I have NO purse to match my outfit! Sure, I have my every day purse, that would work, but I always want something a bit more suited for the occasion. 

It's always a good idea to bring along a pack of gum with you for a night out, so your breath is fresh! Fun Fact - these new Extra® 35-stick packs have lots of gum to supply your friends as well. You never know what conversation or new friend you could make by sharing a stick of gum with someone!! By simply giving Extra, you may get Extra! 

So, here is one way to solve the problem. Sew yourself a quick and easy clutch purse, that takes less than 20 minutes! If you have never, ever sewn before, it could of course take you a tiny bit longer. But, I am very happy with how quickly this project came together!

 

The Flavors Featured In This Post Include:

Extra® Gum Spearmint

Extra® Gum Polar Ice®

MATERIALS:

- 1/3 yard of vinyl (found in the home decor area of the JoAnn's)

- 1/3 yard of flannel or felt

- Scissors

- 2 small binder clips

- Sewing Machine with Needle and Thread

- Glue Stick

- Hand Sewing Needle and Thread

- Button For Closure

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Cut 1 piece of vinyl and 1 piece of flannel. 

* Each piece should be roughly 12" across, and 30" tall.

* To round the top pieces, I folded them each in half lengthwise, and created a rounded edge. 

 

2.) Using a glue stick, carefully glue both pieces together so they line up as well as possible. 

3.) Measure roughly 10" from the straight edge of the pieces, and sew a straight line across, to create a crease, where the bottom of the clutch will fold up. 

4.) Fold up the flat edge to create an envelope shape, and sew all the way around the outside edges of the materials. I keep the edge of the presser foot right against the right edge of the fabrics. Double stitch where the pieces meet, see below. 

5.) Sew along the open edge of the clutch to add yet another crease, on the flap part of the material. 

6.) To mark where your button should go, place it onto the flap, and push sewing pins through the layers. This will transfer 4 dots to the layer beneath, which will tell you where to sew your button. Mark the 4 holes with a permanent marker, and sew the button onto the purse. 

7.) Sew on your button very securely!

8.) Make your button hole. Here's a tip - fold the flap over the button you just sewed on. Mark how long the button is, and then clip a hole the proper length. Test this out, to make sure the button fits through the button hole without any resistance, but is not too large where it won't hold.

* Sew around the button hole a couple of times, and snip any loose threads. 

9.) That's it! Get ready to fill your new clutch purse with some essentials like gum, lipstick, lotion, and other goodies, and you're ready to go! 

To learn more, and to see what other people created, check out the Social Hub Here. Visit the Wrigley Extra® Gum Page, Here.
photo moments grn.png

Extra® Gum 35-stick packages at Walgreens have more gum than you may be used to seeing! The case is super durable, and can actually be reused or recycled after you are done with the gum (see the image below). These larger stick packages ensure that you will run out of gum less often, and there is more gum to go around! 

DIY Summer Fun - Cookie Cutter Jewelry & Trinket Trays

I recently collaborated with Wendy's to create several Summer Inspired DIY Projects! Throughout the next week or so, I will be sharing instructions to all 5 projects! This project in particular, was inspired by a blog post I found on the Aww, Sam Blog. * Note - this project is kind of messy, so lots of paper towels were needed!!!! So excited to present you with these Cookie Cutter Trinket Trays! Enjoy :)

MATERIALS:

- Air Dry Clay (2 smaller packages will do)

- Cookie Cutters - I got mine here (for 99 cents each!). I got a cactus, hand, lips, pineapple, and teepee.

- CeramCoat Paint in green, white, red, tan, black, and yellow

- Clear Poly waterproof paint-on coating, optional.

- Clay sculpting tools (I found these ones for $2.47 near the clay supplies at Hobby Lobby)

- Water in a small dish to use for smoothing clay with your fingers

- Waxed Paper and Tape to keep surface clean

- 2 Paint Brushes for larger areas, and then one for finer detailed lines

- Paint clean up supplies like water and paper towels

INSTRUCTIONS:

- Prep your work surface. On a smooth, dry table, tape down a piece of parchment paper that will cover the surface well.

- Open your clay, and grab a hand full of clay.

- Roll clay into a smooth ball, and then place it onto the waxed paper. press the clay down with the lid of the clay container, until it is less than 1/2 thick. Alternatively, you can place a second piece of waxed paper on top of the clay, and use your hand and/or a rolling pin to flatten the clay. 

- Once flattened, press one shape at a time out of the clay, and carefully remove the clay from the cutter. I wound up using a clay tool to help with the hand space and the top of the pineapple shape.

- Next, you need to flatten and smooth out the clay shape. I did this by setting the clay shape onto the waxed paper, and then using water on my finger tips to smooth the edges. If you wanted raised edges, apply more pressure to the center, and less around the edges. I used a clay tool to kind of give the teepee dish a ridge around the sides. 

- Also, you can use a plate and paper straws to shape the sides of the clay while it dries. 

- Let dry for at least 3-5 hours, or ideally overnight. I didn't have that much time, so I painted them after about 5 hours and the paint seems to have stuck very well! 

- I just LOVE how these turned out! Remember, check back soon to see what other summer DIY projects I have for you! Have a happy and creative summer :) 

- A special thanks to Wendy's for inspiring me to create this project! Check out their Blackberry Lemonade ASAP, it's good!!!

- Find more summer DIY Ideas On My Blog and On My DIY Pinterest Board. 

Sunday Riley - LUNA Sleeping Night Oil

I recently received a fun little sample of this incredible night time retinal oil. It's BLUE as can be, and when you rub it into your skin, it's completely clear. It does have a fragrance, but it's not overpowering, but definitely very, very floral. 

This oil is meant to be used on your skin after cleaning your face for the night. I am going to be testing it out on a sun spot that I should not have, but do, so we will see how it goes! 

Fins LUNA at Sephora! The bottle shown here is a small sample size, which Sephora is so famous for :) Check out @Sephora on Instagram, and share your favorite Sephora products!! 

More info from Sephora.com

Which skin type is it good for?
✔ Normal
✔ Oily
✔ Combination
✔ Dry
✔ Sensitive

What it is:
A next-generation retinoid oil that improves skin plumpness and helps fight the appearance of wrinkles, redness, and pores for visibly clearer, younger-looking skin. 

Solutions for:
- Wrinkles
- Firmness
- Pores

If you want to know more…
Luna Sleeping Night Oil contains high potency, purified grade lactic acid to instantly correct dullness, plump the look of lines, and exfoliate the skin. With continued use, the appearance of stubborn hyperpigmentation, imperfections, and the visible signs of aging are reduced for a healthy-looking complexion. Enhanced with licorice for brightening, it helps to clarify and correct the appearance of imperfections for immediate, smooth radiance. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
This product is cruelty-free. Luna's deep blue color goes from blue to clear when it is rubbed into the skin. 

"Luna Sleeping Night Oil is my personal ‘holy grail,’ must-have product. It instantly calms and smooths my skin and I see results overnight in my fine lines and wrinkles. I'm a mother of three, I work full time, and I don't get as much sleep and exercise as a I should. Luna is my secret weapon to keep people from knowing that!”—Sunday Riley

Research results:
Proven via in-vivo testing (silicone replicas) and expert visual grading:
- Luna Sleeping Night Oil is clinically proven to improve skin radiance, fine lines, and smoothness in 4 weeks

After an independent consumer testing panel used Luna Sleeping Night Oil for 4 weeks:
- 100% felt the product absorbed well into the skin
- 96% of women felt their skin looked brighter and more radiant
- 96% of women felt their skin looked healthier and revitalized
- 92% of women felt their skintone looked more even, calmer, smoother
- 92% would recommend Luna to a family member or friend
- 88% felt their pores looked smaller
- 85% felt their fine lines and wrinkles around the forehead were visibly improved

Amazing Homemade Meatballs Recipe

Want a great recipe for someone special? I think this would make an awesome Father's Day recipe for Dad, grandpa, husbands, boyfriends, or whatever guy is special in your life, deserves this amazing dish!

INGREDIENTS:

- 1 lb. ground pork

- 1 egg

- 1 C. breadcrumbs

- Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, Van Zandt's seasoning mix

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Preheat oven to 425 degrees F, and line a baking sheet with foil. 

2.) Spray a cooling rack with non-stick spray, and place it onto the foil lined baking sheet.

3.) Let's make the food! Combine sausage, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, and seasonings in a medium bowl. Mix with hands (I always use rubber gloves), until well-combined.

4.) Roll mixture in hands to form 1"-1.5" balls, and place each one on the rack. Space them apart a bit, they won't change in shape, so you can bake quite a few at once.

5.) Bake for 16-20 minutes, and more if they aren't done yet. 

6.) While baking, boil your noodles, and heat your sauce separately. 

7.) To Serve: Place noodles on a plate, add meatballs, and then cover with sauce! Garnish with more parmesan cheese, and dinner is served! These are so incredibly easy to make, and reheat well. 

Other ideas for these meatballs:

- Meatballs, Peppers, and Penne Noodles

- Meatball Sandwiches

- Slice meatballs thin to put onto pizzas

- Dip them in sauce, without noodles

- Make ahead of time, and freeze these for dinner in advance! 

Man Crates - A Father's Day Gift Idea

Father's Day is fast approaching (June 19th to be exact), and I am helping to promote Man Crates. I added a little bit of text to their images, and made them even more pin-worthy! I hope you love this fun idea, or even get inspired to DIY one of your own...

BEER CAN CHICKEN - MAN CRATES GIFT BOX

BEARD WRANGLER KIT / BEARD GROOMING KIT 

To check out lots more Father's Day Gift Ideas, visit my Pinterest board, Gifts For Guys! 

Savor Your Summer Recipe With Aidells® Sausage + The Wine Group's Cupcake® Wines

I had an amazing time creating this delicious summer recipe, featuring tasty ingredients like mozzarella chicken sausage, colorful peppers, and basil pesto. I then paired the dish with two styles of wine! How could things get any better? I tend to like lighter wines in the summer, so I chose to feature two varieties from The Wine Group's Cupcake® - Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. For this recipe, I used Aidells® Sausage. I chose Italian Style Smoked Chicken Sausages with Mozzarella Cheese - they were absolutely perfect!

I originally tried this recipe with friends, and they went up for seconds and thirds, so I know this one goes over well with a crowd! I loved it too, and I also thought the sausage and peppers mixture would taste incredible in an omelet for breakfast. This dish is so versatile! Make it for two, make it for lunch or dinner, or incorporate it into your next party menu!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Aidells® & The Wine Group. The opinions and text are all mine.

- 1-2 Packages of Aidells Italian Style Chicken Sausages

- 1 Box Penne Noodles

- Red, Green, and Yellow Pepper (1 each)

- 1 Onion

- Green Pesto (either store bought or homemade)

- Olive Oil

- Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese

TO MAKE THE NOODLES:

Boil noodles as directed. Drain them, and return them to the pot you boiled them in. Add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil, and also stir in around 4-5 tablespoons of pre-made or homemade pesto. Stir until well incorporated, and then top with parmesan cheese. These noodles compliment the sausage and peppers so well!

Below, the perfect mix of ingredients. Italian Style Chicken Sausage, peppers, and onions! YUM!!!

TO MAKE THE SAUSAGE & PEPPERS

1.) Cut up chicken sausages into thin slices, around 1/4" thick or less.

2.) Chop onions into tiny pieces (or larger if you like)

3.) Chop peppers into small pieces and set aside.

4.) In a skillet, heat 1-2 tsp of olive oil, and add onions. Salt and season, and continue cooking and stirring onions until they are soft.

5.) Time to add the sausage! Add your sausage slices to the pan, and stir. I used tongs to turn the pieces, and continually check the status of the sausage. I let them brown on both sides before I decided they were done. They taste SO good!

6.) Turn down the heat to very low, and add peppers into the sausage mixture. Stir, and cover with a lid, to just basically steam the peppers. They should be done in 4-5 minutes. Stir again to incorporate one last time.

7.) Place noodles onto a plate, and then top with sausage and pepper mixture. This could also be served atop rice of any sort! Enjoy!! Scroll down to learn more about these wines.

Some great things about Aidells® Sausage:

* Each sausage is made with naturally smoked, all-natural chicken, real fruits & vegetables, and herbs & lively spices
* Gluten Free
* No Nitrites
* No Added Hormones
* All sausages are hand-crafted with real, hand-picked ingredients in small batches with care
* Fully cooked and ready in just 8-10 minutes: sauté or grill over medium heat or bake at 375 degrees F.

The Wine Group's Cupcake® Wines are great! Both styles featured in this post are under $10 per bottle (I got them at Kroger - in fact, I got all of my ingredients there). I really do prefer white wine to red wine any day, but especially in the summer. I opted to get the Chardonnay and the Sauvignon Blanc because they are not overly sweet, and are very well-balanced.

Luscious, creamy, silky, zesty, intense, elegant, complex wines!
Great for celebrating the good and genuine things in life & simply making life delicious!


What sorts of dishes do you prepare during the summer months? And, what is your favorite style of wine? Do you prefer white wine or red wine? Let us know in the comments!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Aidells® & The Wine Group. The opinions and text are all mine.

HelloSociety + Our Social Campaigns

I wanted to use this space today to extend my gratitude to a wonderful company, HelloSociety. I've had the chance to visit them in Santa Monica, CA, three times, and have grown close with many of the team members. They're very inspiring to work with, and I love each and every project I complete for them. 

Over the past few years, I have been a part of a large number of campaigns, where I created content for brands and shared those images with almost 1.5 million people. Check out my page in their Influencer Lookbook, here. Most of this would not have been possible without the support of them! I have blogged about many of these projects, so you may be familiar with some or all of these, but I just wanted to share a few of my all-time favorite projects with HelloSociety!

You can find HelloSociety around the web! 

Pinterest // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // Their Blog

FYI Style Unzipped 

Clinique Lip Pop Lipstick + Clinique Pop Glosses

Today, I am introducing some really amazing lipstick & lipgloss from Clinique! Their new summer lip products are just so beautiful, and they're all very lightweight - perfect for summer! 

Above, Clinique pop glaze in "02 melon drop pop".

Items shown in this post:

Clinique Pop Oil in 01 poppy glow + 02 nectar glow (find them here)

Clinique Pop Lacquer in 01 cocoa pop + 09 nude pop (find them here)

Clinique Pop Glaze in 02 melon drop pop + 03 fireball pop (find them here)

Pendleton Beach Towel (similar here)

Lucky Brand Multicolor Caribbean Crush Tie Dye Bikini

Impressions...

I really loved the first impression of this line of Clinique products. My definite favorite of all of these products was the Clinique Pop Glaze in Melon Drop Pop. 

What The Websites Say:

Pop Lacquer Lip Color + Primer (At Ulta) - "A luscious pop of liquid, high-shine colour in one, full-coverage coat. Luxurious yet lightweight formula with built-in primer glides on effortlessly, wears for up to 6 hours". Not overly sticky and does not dry out my lips! 

Pop Glaze Sheer Lip Colour + Primer (At Ulta) - "A pretty pop of bold yet see-through colour + smoothing primer in one coat. Luxurious yet weightless formula with built-in primer glides on effortlessly, wears for up to 8 hours. Keeps lips comfortably moisturized instantly and over time". Melon Drop Was My Fave!! Lighter texture and weight than traditional lipstick, and does not dry out your lips at all. The two shades featured in this post include: Melon Drop + Fireball Pop (a very vibrant red that is a bit more sheer, and offers lots of moisture). Satin smooth without any bad smell or taste. 

Pop Oil Lip & Cheek Glow (At Saks Fifth Avenue) - "A subtle pop of dewy color for lips and cheeks. This nourishing tint with safflower, jojoba and sunflower seed oils feels luscious yet lightweight. Fluid-gel formula slips on with ease thanks to a convenient wand applicator that delivers the perfect amount every time. Apply tinted color on cheeks and lips. Blend quickly with fingertips". You can use this sheer color on either your cheeks or on your lips. This is nice and light, and is easy to apply.  

Trail To Tavern - Breweries, Bottle Shops, and Bars Near St. Petersburg and Tampa, FL

We just got back home from spending a bit of time in Florida. As you know, we love the craft beer scene, and we had heard a lot of good things about the breweries and beers originating in the Tampa area. St. Petersburg is nearby, and sees like the mecca of craft beer in the central gulf coast area of Florida. 

Toad&Co. reached out to me again about featuring this story on their blog, and helped me brainstorm about this post. Their mission, of being the first Trail To Tavern clothing company really inspired me! Check out another blogger's Trail To Tavern Story on the Toad&Co. blog, here. 

UPDATE: Check Out My Feature On The Toad&Co Blog Here

In this post, I will share some of the best places to find good beer and blaze an urban trail in central Florida! I will also show you some of the places to walk around before grabbing a beer in these wonderful places.

We drove across bridge the Howard Frankland Bridge, from Tampa to St. Petersburg on the quest for good beer! You get to see ocean on both sides of you the whole time! 

American Craft Beer Week was coming to an end, and the South Florida Craft Beer Week happened earlier in the year. 

Green Bench Brewing

1133 Baum Ave North, St. Petersburg, FL

Green Bench Brewing is located in a hip area of St. Petersburg, FL. There are murals everywhere, good food, shops, and palm trees galore. The weather was HOT, but a cold beer made the warmth so much more enjoyable! 

Green Bench Brewing is super dog friendly! We met this cute little German Shepard puppy, who was 3 months old!

Green Bench really filled up after a bit. Both side their facility, as well as a huge crowd outside, I was so happy to see so many people enjoying good beer. 

Bodega 

Address

We got a Cuban sandwich and a very healthy smoothie from Bodega. It was very good! So glad some locals we met at Green Bench told us to check this place out. 

We really liked the amazing selection of bottles in Shep's. They had just about every Florida beer you would ever want, some great collaboration beers (where two breweries collaborate on a style/flavor), and one employee in particular, spent time showing us around, explaining a bit about the area, and knew a lot about beer in general.  She was very helpful, and seems like she would love to help just about anyone learn more about craft beer. 

Salvador Dali Museum

1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Although we just checked out the exterior of this building, it was stunning! It would basically cost $50 for two people to visit, $10 for parking, and $20 each person to get in. You can still enjoy the restaurant or interact with a couple of outdoor exhibits. We did enjoy the incredible architecture and outdoor art installations at this venue, though. The museum was right across from a marina, and the whole area was beautiful, covered in palm trees and vibrant landscaping. 

Jug & Bottle Bottle Shop 

Seminole Heights Neighborhood, Tampa, FL

Jug & Bottle Dept. had a stunning selection of beer and wine. You an even grab a beer on draught, and shop while you sip. They also had a good assortment of snacks and a few grocery items. Definitely stop by this place on your way to a friend's house if you need something to bring! 

Jug & Bottle Dept. - located at 6203 N Florida Ave - Tampa, FL 33604

Vintage Bottle Openers at Jug & Bottle Dept. - located at 6203 N Florida Ave - Tampa, FL 33604

Independent Bar & Cafe

Seminole Heights Neighborhood, Tampa, FL

While at Jug & Bottle, we talked to some of the nicest employees of theirs. They explained the FL craft beer scene to us, and recommended that we grab a bit to eat at Independent Bar & Cafe. We grabbed one of the best drinks I have ever, ever had - the Brewski Slim Pickens Make Mama Proud Passionfruit Sour. My, oh my, this was so refreshing in the intense heat and humidity of the Tampa area. I guess this is pretty hard to find, so you will have to visit Independent Bar & Cafe to get it. 

They were also hosting a Founder's Tap Takeover, and people were definitely there for the beer. There was a cute outdoor seating area, that actually had giant outdoor air conditioners, providing everyone who wanted to sit outside with a fresh cool breeze. 

I definitely recommend this place! 

Cycle Brewing

534 Central Ave - Saint Petersburg, FL

I absolutely loved the neighborhood around this brewery, and they have very limited bottle releases (meaning they only bottle a limited number of beers per year, and there is a limit on the number of bottle each person can buy). 

They serve only their beers, and you have to actually go there to try them. 

I loved grabbing a beer here and then exploring the few blocks in one direction, from the front of the brewery. 

It really seems like the people who frequent this brewery know a lot about beer and all seemed very happy to be there! You can definitely grab a drink here before or after dinner, and enjoy the many, many restaurants within just a few blocks of Cycle Brewing. 

St Pete Hyppo (Gourmet Ice Pops)
627 Central Ave
Saint Petersburg, Fl 33701

The Cider Press Cafe

601 Central Ave.
St Petersburg, Florida 33701 

I didn't eat here, but the food and drinks looked SO good! Everyone thee seemed to be enjoying a cute stemmed glass of cider and fresh meals. 

No Bake Cheesecake Recipe For The Gal On The Go With ZonePerfect® Bars (With Vegan Filling)

I have an absolutely incredible recipe for you today! This shop has been compensated by CollectiveBias, Inc. on behalf of its advertiser, ZonePerfect. #SnackandRally #CollectiveBias

I wanted to share this recipe because it is a wonderfully healthy snack option for those of you who are always on the go. The little bit of time you spend creating this recipe during your down time, will save you tons of time in the morning. Or, that time of day when you're having to multi task, or when you are in a hurry and can't even spare two minutes to make a meal to eat. Life doesn't slow down because you are tired or hungry. 

This was my first time making Vegan Cheesecake Filling and they turned out incredibly well!! The crust is made from ZonePerfect® Bars, and the chocolatey,peanut buttery, and graham cracker flavored bars added such a nice crunch and sweetness to this recipe. Note - The ZonePerfect® Bars are not vegan, so only the filling is actually vegan. Sorry for any confusion I may have created by calling the original recipe I shared, completely vegan. 

ZonePerfect® Bars offer a snacking option that is rewarding, satisfying, and nutritious, and actually taste amazing! These bars give you the 2nd, and even 3rd wind that you need to have the vitality and energy that you need for busy days or nights. They satisfy cravings, are convenient, and leave you feeling happy to knowing that you just got your chocolate (or sweet) fix, but in reality have eaten something that contains no less that 10 grams of protein in each bar. They are also a good source of fiber, and offer versatility of flavor and balance.  Let's make some No Bake Cheesecakes! 

Everyone who ate them raved about them, and couldn't get enough of them. I love the fact that I put them in individual jars, so that you can even grab one as a quick meal on your way out the door, or if you're anything like me, eat them as you're rushing around the house, doing a million things before you have to leave. I am definitely one of those people who tries to literally start a project a half hour before leaving the house, on top of the things I need to already do to get myself ready and out the door. By utilizing recipes like this one, you can easily fit these into your lifestyle and be more efficient. 

*Note - To make this recipe, you must soak the cashews for a few hours, so make sure you do this ahead of time!!

INGREDIENTS FOR ABOUT 8 JARS:

- ZonePerfect® Bars in Chocolate Peanut Butter and Fudge Graham

- 1 (10 oz) Can of Cashew Pieces (I used a can of salted cashews, and they worked very well. The salt goes away completely when you soak your cashews).

- 1 Can Of Coconut Milk

- 1 (11 Fl. oz) Culinary Coconut Milk (It was more of a liquid consistency than that in the can)

- Organic Agave Nectar (Any type will do)

- Lemon juice for taste (optional)

- Raspberries and other fresh fruit of your choice

OTHER MATERIALS:

- Small Jars

- Blender (for filling)

- Food Processor (for crust)

- Long spoon to scrape ingredients from blender

- Sharp knife to prepare crust

You're in luck! Save up to $4 when you buy two boxes in the ZonePerfect® Bundle Pack.

Shop Online For ZonePerfect® Bars Here.

Find More Ideas For Recipes & Ideas Here.

I found all of these ingredients at Walmart, which made this project easier. Look for ZonePerfect® Bars near the pharmacy area, by the nutritional bars and other healthy items. 

MAKE THE VEGAN FILLING:

1.) Begin by soaking the cashews in water for 3-4 hours. I made sure to use a container with a lid, so it didn't spill. I could not believe how soft the cashews got in this short amount of time. Check the cashews to see if they are soft, and when they're ready, drain out all of the water with a strainer. None of the salt will be left.

2.) In a blender, add all of the cashews, and the more "liquid" coconut milk. Blend until smooth (see photo below).

Next, add the can of coconut milk. When I first added it, I was concerned that the mixture would turn out watery (because there was a clear liquid in the can), but when I blended everything up, it was perfect! 

Add your agave sweetener one or two squirt at a time. Taste the mixture and keep adding agave until you think it's sweet enough. Depending on what type of agave you get, you may not need much at all. The stye I got (in the photo of ingredients), was not very strong or sweet, so I added a few squirts and it tasted perfect!

MAKE THE ZonePerfect® CRUST:

Note - Crust is not vegan, sorry for any confusion!

100% Vegan Crust would contain 1 Cup pitted dates + 1 cup raw walnuts - bended in a food processor). But, this ZonePerfect® tasted absolutely incredible!!! 

3.) Unwrap about 5-6 bars, or as many as will fit into your food processor.

4.) Chop the ZonePerfect® Bars as small as you can with your knife, and put the pieces into the food processor. At first, I only chopped the bars into quarters, and they did not process well. I took them back out, and chopped them up a lot more, and they were absolutely perfect. ZonePerfect® one might say :)

6.) Blend/Process the ZonePerfect® bars as much as you can. Look at that beautiful crust!!!

7.) Put the ZonePerfect® crust into the jars, and press the materials down as much as you can. I just divided the Zone Perfect crust evenly between the jars. 

8.) Pour the vegan "cheesecake" filling into the jars, and fill pretty close to the top. 

9.) Now, put the lids onto the jars, and put them into the fridge for a few hours, or overnight. This will help them set up, and the filling tastes so much better if it is cold! 

10.) After they have chilled for a bit, take them out and top them with fresh fruit! I enjoyed scooping the ZonePerfect® crust and mixing it into the "cheesecake". It added a nice chocolatey sweetness that made these amazing for an On The Go Snack, whether it was breakfast, a snack, or a light meal. They're very filling and had a lovely hint of cashews and coconuts. 

Thanks so much for taking a look at my recipes!! Have you ever eaten or created a vegan cheesecake filling or something like this recipe? Comment below and let me know. Take care!