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!
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 :)
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!
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 :)
- 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!
Giant City State Park was the perfect setting for these photos! Now, let me tell you a bit more about Mountain Valley Water.
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.
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!
Top: Nothing To It Black Lace Bralette / Bottom: Just In Lace Black Bralette
The Fabulace Floral Bra & Bikini Panty.
The Fabulace Floral Bra & Bikini Panty.
Mint Tie Dye Print Bra + Matching Panty (LOVE these!!!)
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.
- 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!
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.
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!
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.
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®
- 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
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!
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!
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 :)
- 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
- 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.
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!!
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
I have been working quite a bit on my Instagram account lately, and wanted to share it with you! Please share your IG profile below, I would love to connect!! Check me out @happysolez!
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!
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
PERSONALIZED GIFT IDEAS & WHISKEY APPRECIATION FATHER'S DAY GIFT
BEARD WRANGLER KIT / BEARD GROOMING KIT
To check out lots more Father's Day Gift Ideas, visit my Pinterest board, Gifts For Guys!
For some reason, this summer has inspired me to want lots and lots of new things :) Since we don't have very good shopping here in southern IL, I have to make my wish lists online, which I am totally fine with.
Below, you can shop the individual items, featured in this post! Click the images to shop.
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.
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
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.
We visited Florida recently to help family, and had a nice time visiting the St. Petersburg and Tampa area (check out my post here).
I wanted to share a few shots I took while at the adorable condo in the Barrier Dunes neighborhood that we rented for a few nights before we headed back home. I loved how gorgeous the sunset was from this beach, and how we could walk right to it from the condo.
The condos are also located very close to the entrance to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, where we got to swim and enjoy the ocean. The sand near our place was silky soft, and the ocean in the park was clear, warm, and went knee deep for a lot of the area.
We were about a 30 minute drive from the town of Port St. Joe, where you can find places to eat, and cute boutiques. We also found food at Coneheads (which is being renovated, but was still open for daytime hours luckily. It's located right outside the park and neighborhood. We also ate at Sand Bucket Smokehouse (amazing BBQ and sides!!) and Triple Tails (amazing fettuccini alfredo with chicken - I don't eat seafood, so this was great!), both less than 10 miles away.
The food at Coneheads was really lovely. One day we all got big Caesar salads with fried chicken or shrimp on top. Definitely ask for the honey mustard dipping sauce and a root beer float here.
FUSS Boutique in Port St. Joe was adorable! I got an awesome suit there, and they have a lot of nice Free People clothing item. Everything was easy to wear, elegant, and perfect for the warm Florida weather.
