Breezy Days: January 2016

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January 24, 2016

Santa Monica Pier


This past Christmas break was a blast and much needed. Evan, Ryan, and I drove down to stay with my parents and we just crashed. Almost immediately after Christmas day we all got sick with some form of the cold or flu. It pretty much sucked,  but it couldn't have come at a better time. We got to chill on my parents couch watching movies, taking medicine, and just getting some (apparently) needed rest. 

My mom asked at one point "are we going to do anything this break? Or is everyone going to stay sick?" Towards the end of the trip I was the only one who was still sick, so I brought a bag of cough drops and some medicine and we went to the Santa Monica Pier. 

No one in my family had been before besides myself, which I think is crazy cause we've all lived in CA for years and years! It was a pretty chilly and busy day (we went on a weekend), but we rode the ferris wheel and got the most gorgeous views of Malibu and Santa Monica. 


Ryan enjoys ruining my pictures, but he's cute when it counts ;) We had a blast and since Ryan has never been to the tourist-y things of LA, we are going to make it a point to hit something new every time we're down there visiting. Especially with Ryan's favorite team, the Rams, moving to LA I have a feeling we'll be making weekend road trips down a lot more often for game-time :D

January 19, 2016

Get Ready for The Big Game!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ScoreMoreFans #CollectiveBias

My home is centered around football during game season. There is always a game on our TV and someone cheering in my living room, which means that I'm always ready for guests to pop by! I keep the basics on hand to be a good hostess, some RITZ® crackers and Coca-Cola drinks! Although I'm going to need way more than just my basics on hand for the Big Game. I'm getting everything together for the Big Game that is happening in a few weeks, and have got the best recipes lined up to show off to friends and family! 


One of my go-to quick recipes for a RITZ® cracker topping is this cream cheese mixture. I heat up some cream cheese, throw in a jelly-type sauce that I have on hand. I used a Mango-Chipotle jelly I had in my fridge and threw that it in with the warmed up cream cheese. And just like that, the perfect sweet creamy topping to my salty RITZ® cracker!


This Commercial Bingo Game is such a blast to play especially with all the fun commercials that show up during the big game, great for all ages! Whoever wins gets to take home all the leftovers to munch on for days ;)



To get ready for the party I snagged some treats from Walmart and found these adorable turf-inspired drink cozies for my Coca-Cola Zero bottles! During game-time season Coca-Cola is doing a 2 for $5 deal for all 16.9oz 6-packs. They are so easy to grab while picking up all the snacks for the big game, and all my guests are huge fans of Coca-Cola products. Touchdown for me! 



One of my other favorite RITZ® cracker toppings is my family's homemade Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe, it is sooooo delicious! It's a total crowd-pleaser ;) Below is the recipe, I love that it is an easy and affordable recipe where I can double the batch and feed my team with ease.  

Spinach Artichoke Dip
Ingredients
1 (8oz) package cream cheese
1 (14 oz) artichoke hearts
1/2 cup spinach
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup romano cheese (or more parmesan cheese)
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
1/4 tsp garlic salt
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
1. Cream together softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, parmesan, romano cheese, garlic, basic, and garlic salt. Mix well. 
2. Add the artichoke hearts and spinach (careful to drain well) and mix until blended.
3. Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray, pour in dip, and top with cheese.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until top is browned. 
5. Serve with toasted bread. Enjoy!


There were dipping sauce options: ranch, sour cream, and the Mango-Chipotle for all the appetizers that were on the field. I love giving my team options! 


What RITZ® cracker recipe topping will you serve to your crowd? And how many 6-packs of Coca-Cola do you need to satisfy the craving??


January 4, 2016

Winter Sales!


I may like a sale more than most people, which is why I hardly ever buy anything full price. I just wait for the price to drop on an item I like then BAM. I'm right there muchacho. Here are a few places that are having some bomb "after Christmas but we need to get rid of all our inventory" sales that I'm scouring right now :) 

NORDSTROM // Half-yearly sale, up to 50% off


DREAMERS BY DEBUT COWL NECK SWEATER // This sweater looks so cozy! I love that it is long enough to wear with leggings or jeans. I also like how this model styled it with a pencil skirt and booties. Since this is a juniors brand, I would stick with a medium or large. 


SUN & SHADOW V-NECK THERMAL SWING TOP // I have a newfound love for thermal tops this fall/winter. I got 3 different colors in a particular top during the Nordstrom sale in August, and this is a re-incarnation of the top I got and it's so cute! The olive color is such a great neutral. 

LEITH SOLID SWING DRESS // I have a similar style dress from this brand in a wine color, and it's very classy. I love how striking yet clean this hot pink is, it would be perfect for spring. Definitely need a shot of color after the cold dreary winter! 


LOFT // 60% off all sale styles


TIE WAIST CARDIGAN // I think almost sweater I own is from Loft, and that's not by mistake. They have great quality sweaters that have lasted multiple winter seasons with no pilling or shrinking! This sweater looks so classy and comfortable, and it's less than $40 which is legit. I typically run a medium in sweaters here, but since this one is longer (and I'm short) I would go for a small. 


ANIMAL SPOT PENCIL SKIRT // I have a similar style skirt from Loft and it is SO COMFY. I have to get this in leopard print (because it's my fave print), and it's only $22 with the 60% off. Say whaaaat. I typically run a medium in skirts at Loft. 

RELAXED CARGO PANTS // I have these pants in both olive and the rust color and I wear the olive ones at least once a week. They are comfortable, casual, but can easily be dressed up with a nice sweater and booties. I would size up in these to get the "relaxed" look without being too baggy. I typically run a size 6 here, but purchased an 8. 


SIMONS.CA // Up to 50% off on fall and winter apparel