Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

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I love both chocolate and peanut butter so much, so naturally when mixed together and its doubly delicious. They both just melt in your mouth, and my sweet tooth just can't get enough. That's why I made these brownies for my friends and family. You won't be able to stop with just one, and I promise you wont be disappointed!

You can serve these up fresh out of the oven, or let come to room temperature and add-on a delicious peanut butter buttercream frosting topping making for a delicious cake brownie!

What Pan is Best for Baking Brownies?

I am using the newest 360 cookware brownie pan and its the absolute best pan for baking brownies to ensure even baking. I always use their stainless steel pans for the best non-toxic baking. All of their pots and pans are also made homegrown here in America which I love, and from my dealings with them they are the nicest company!! This recipe works perfect for this pan size only, but if you are wanting to make it in one of their other pans like the jelly roll -here- or bake and roast pan -here- you will need to double everything in the recipe. I would start the baking time the same and just check in adding 5 min increments until cooked to your liking.

Ingredients :

1/4 cup melted butter

2 oz melted chocolate

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup melted peanut butter

Instructions & Directions :

1. Add hot melted butter to chocolate and mix until chocolate melts. If it doesn't melt quick enough I put my mixing bowl -here- on top of my 2 quart sauce pot -here- on my stove. Stirring the entire time to prevent from burning.

2. After melted, mix into bowl eggs & vanilla ingredients.

Next add in unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and flour ingredients until well blended.

3. Take your brownie pan of choice and pour 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter and using a paper towel coat the entire pan evenly. Pour in brownie batter

4. In a new bowl melt peanut butter and add tablespoons of peanut butter into brownie mix. Taking a sharp knife swirl around peanut butter. Be sure not to over swirl or the peanut butter brown will start to blend with brownie batter. You want them to have a fun design and the peanut butter to be equally spread throughout, while still being separate from brownie batter.

5. Bake for 25 minutes at 350.

6. Remove from oven and let cool before cutting and ENJOY!

Substitute:

A few substitutions you can make are:

  • Regular brown sugar to dark brown sugar - this will give a more rich taste for this substitute.

  • Adding 1/4 cup chocolate chips into brownie batter - this will give you a richer and gooier brownie! This combination is amazing if you love a rich chocolate dessert!

  • Trading our butter for olive oil - I am always a fan of butter however if you cannot have butter switching to olive oil is the best switch to make in the directions.

I really hope you guys enjoy my Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies recipe! This is one of my favorite baked goods to enjoy at home or to take to a party! If you are precutting to take to an event I suggest placing on parchment paper in an airtight container for the best presentation and taste!

For more recipes head -here- and come back soon for a delicious lemon cheesecake recipe!

Have a blessed day, Amanda

Pork Banh Mi Bowl : Deliciously Satisfying

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Are you looking for an easy and delicious meal that will have everyone in your house coming back for more? Try the Pork Banh Mi Bowl! This flavorful dish is sure to satisfy your cravings with its combination of Vietnamese-inspired flavors and fresh ingredients. Not only is it packed with flavor, but it is also incredibly easy to make, making it the perfect go-to for busy weeknights. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or just looking for a quick and tasty meal, the Pork Banh Mi Bowl is sure to hit the spot!

I first started making this after getting it in a Home Chef box and thinking it was delicious. Then I thought…this was something different than we normally eat, but so yummy that I decided to make it with my own little twist! I took their recipe and tweaked it just a little by adding a little more garlic, and radishes, along with a few other different ingredients I normally have on hand! It came out super tasty and now is always a favorite in our home. I hope you enjoy it just as much as we do!! So here is my version of a pork banh mi bowl recipe.

A way to make this meal all your own.. You can always change this to a beef banh mi bowl with a change of meat or take our the meat and use even more vegetables to make a vegetarian banh mi bowl. If you are looking for a more low carbohydrates meal substitute the jasmine rice for lettuce wraps.


Ingredients:

2 lbs ground pork

4 garlic cloves diced

1/4 cup coconut aminos

1 tablespoons cornstarch

1/3 cup vegetable stock

1 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 cup jasmine rice

Pickled Veggies:

1/2 cup cucumber

1/2 cup carrots

1/2 cup radish

1 cup warm water

1 cup rice vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup jasmine rice

Sauce: (my version of a sriracha mayo, you can always substitute if you want)

1/4 cup mayo

2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce

Instructions:

  1. Lets pickle the veggies first! Cut cucumbers, carrots and radish (add jalapenos in also if you want a little more spice) into slices and stir together with warm water, vinegar and sugar. Let sit in refrigerator while building your bowl.

  2. Making the pork. Start cooking pork in a stainless steel pan. As always I use 360 cookware and will link everything used below as well as my discount code!

  3. Heat 1 cup water in pan until boiling. Add 1 cup of jasmine rice and stir. Once comes to a boil reduce heat to low and cover with lid. Cooking until water has evaporated. Around 15 min,

  4. While pork is cooking on medium make sauce to pour onto pork. Combine all ingredients; minced garlic cloves, coconut aminos, corn starch, vegetable stock, rice vinegar and brown sugar in a bowl until well combined.

  5. Once pork is all cooked pour over sauce and stir. Let coat the pork until its combined and not runny. Set aside

  6. Lastly make spicy sauce by combining mayo and chili garlic!

  7. Now, Make your bowl! Layer rice, pork, veggies and sauce! ENJOY!

Items used for recipe from 360 Cookware linked below. When using code AmandaWarren20 you will receive 20% off entire order! Or by clicking -here-.

For more recipes make sure you are following along by signing up for emails and be the first to know when a recipe is posted. Sign up -here-.

Banh Mi Bowls are bursting with bold flavors and a variety of textures. The jasmine rice base is the perfect foundation for the bright, crunchy vegetables, savory marinated pork, and creamy Sriracha mayo dressing. To boost the flavor, top with pickled jalapeños and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Delicious and healthy, Banh Mi Bowls are a great way to enjoy a satisfying meal. The combination of flavors and textures will delight your taste buds. Plus, it is a quick and easy meal to put together. Simply cook the ground pork and assemble all the ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal in no time!

Other Dinners You May Enjoy:

Baked Burrata Pumpkin Ziti with Pork Sausage Recipe

Delicious and Easy Chorizo One Pan Dinner

Easy and Delicious Mushroom & Pea Risotto Recipe

Garlic Mushroom & Shrimp Pasta

Paso Robles City Guide

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With over 20,000 visitors yearly its no wonder Paso Robles wine and food scene is becoming so popular. Me and the hubs love to visit often and enjoy the amazing wine, views and award-winning restaurants! We lived less than 2 hours away and would try to stop at a new winery when we pass through on our way to the beach house! Recently moving to Texas the Paso Robles wine country is one of the biggest things I am missing about California travel. Growing more than 40 varieties of wine you can always find the most delicious wine to take home too! Below I’ll share our favorite wineries, restaurants, where to stay and other things to do around the area.

Wineries & Wine Tasting

These are our favorite places to go wine tasting with quick reasons why. We have been going to Paso Robles tasting for over 10 years and our goal was to try them all.. we ended up moving out of California this year so this goal may take a little longer then we had hoped for but out of the MANY we have tried these are ones we continue to order wine from and still love to visit! (This are not in order by favorites, these are all our favorites and each experience is different so read through and see what you are looking for in a winery.)

Austin Hope: Top 5 for all around experiences. Delicious charcuterie boards, beautiful architecture, amazing wine, and allow dogs! We sat outside in a cozy little area, we loved that each tasting spot felt secluded to you own group yet special. Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable as well. More info: https://hopefamilywines.com/

Justin Winery: Some of our favorite wines, gorgeous location, food is AMAZING and they also have a tasting room downtown Paso if you don't want to make the drive to their winery. I highly recommend it though because the experience is beautiful with outdoor seating. Be sure to order some Justification for us with a juicy burger!! Dogs are also welcome outside. More info: https://www.justinwine.com/

Thatcher Winery: We walked into this family-owned winery one afternoon and loved the adorable space, delicious wines and views of wild turkeys running around the vines. For a more in depth tasting and one on one experience you can book a stable tasting as well! More info: https://www.thatcherwine.com/

Parrish Family Vineyard: An absolutely stunning location!! Home concept tasting room helps everyone feel at home while they enjoy their wine. Also serving Sunday brunch, pairing foods and a gorgeous outside seating area that the whole family can enjoy! More info: https://www.parrishfamilyvineyard.com/

Daou: One of the most stunning views in all of Paso! Delicious charcuterie boards make for a great afternoon stop to enjoy the views and really enjoy the rolling hills of Paso Robles. More info: https://daouvineyards.com/

Chronic Cellars: Fun & Chill vibe! They have some delicious wine and a glass comes with your tasting! We actually grabbed this wine last night at our local Whole Foods here in Texas. A great price point for a quick grab or as they say a "weekday wine". More info: https://www.chroniccellars.com/

AmByth Estate: Such a fun winery with animals that are maintaining the land, giving the Biodynamic farming for the most natural way to produce wine. It was truly fascinating to do a tour around the estate-grown farm and see the animals & vineyard and to hear all about how they grow and produce on their farm. More info: https://www.ambythestate.com/

Tablas Creek Vineyard: Known for bringing Rhone wine to California this winery is a perfect place to come for all! Fans of both red & whites will both be happy here! They have tastings options with all white, all red or a mix. This gets a top rating for wine from us! More info: https://tablascreek.com/

Booker: This will definitely win for ambiance.. and its not just because of the adorable winery pup that is always at the tasting room! To truly see why this wins ambiance you have to head to my Instagram highlights under "Paso Wine" and see the attention to detail in this one. The wine was as delicious as the architecture as well! More info: https://www.bookerwines.com/

Bodega de Edgar: Rhone & Spanish style wines right in California! Staff was very friendly, wine was amazing and you have choice of outside or inside tastings. Great relaxed style of wine tasting. More info: https://www.bodegadeedgar.com/

Calcareous Vineyard: If you are looking for a spot with great wine, incredible views and amazing food? This is it! A great place for even those non wine drinkers in your group to really take in Paso while having an incredible lunch. More info: https://www.calcareous.com/

Castoro Cellars: Great location for a stop while wine tasting. Organic & Estate grown wines. They also allow you to bring in your own food. Makes for a great place if you want to bring in a box lunch from Vivant Cheese (I talk more about this below) More info: https://castorocellars.com/

Linne Calodo Cellars: A beautiful boutique style winery that has some truly amazing wine. They aren't a wine you will find on a shelf or on the menu at your local restaurant so be sure to buy online or on your tasting trip. Also make sure you make a reservation at this one as the times they are open can change. Well worth the appointment ahead of time! More info: https://linnecalodo.com/

Where to Enjoy a Meal

Thomas Hill Organics: One of the most deliciously prepared meals with unexpected ingredients you may never think to order. With farm-to-table local ingredients as well as an ever changing menu its one of our top favorites for sure! Make sure to make a reservation its always packed. If you happen to go during colder months request a table by the fire it makes for a wonderful experince!

Vivant Fine Cheese: We found this place a few years ago after getting a wine and cheese pairing at Daou. They told us the store in town where we could get one of the cheeses we loved and we have been coming back ever since! Everything we have gotten from here has been so amazing! I highly recommend getting a picnic box and taking it to one of your wineries if they don't serve food.

Les Petites Canailles: Incredible is the first word that comes to mind! Deliciously amazing food and if you haven't had enough wine yet the selection here is huge! Highly recommend making a reservation here as they are always packed and like a lot of places in Paso its small and intimate inside. Don't skip on the dessert either. My husband usually never wants to get dessert and I always do. We ordered one here and he was in love!

Finca: Looking for somewhere quick or to go? Finca is a perfect little spot right down from the Mercantile that is an adorable Market Walk. Food at Finca is fresh Baja/Mexican style food that is a great go to! We took my in-laws here and the next time they drove through Paso they stopped by again! (I think they liked it!!)

Fish Gaucho: Delicious sit down modern Mexican. Full bar and delicious Guacamole are sure to make this a great stop on your trip!

Lastly.. Negranti Creamery for a quick ice cream dessert on your way back to your hotel!

Where to Stay In Paso Robles

After all that food and wine you might want to know where to rest that sleepy and maybe a bit buzzy head!

Paso Robles Hotels:

Allegretto: A gorgeous hotel with so many wonderful amenities. A wine tasting room, delicious restaurant, cabanas by the pool, large fitness center, complementary bikes and the most comfortable beds!

Hotel Cheval: We haven't stayed at this hotel however it is absolutely adorable and last time we were in town we walked inside to get a feel for it. In a great downtown location perfect to walk to dinner. Is a boutique style so be sure to book this one early as availability is limited.

Stables Inn: We also haven't styed at this location but we did drive by on our last visit as well. I also have it saved on an Instagram tab to stay at on our next time we visit. A 19-room boutique style hotel is in another great location and has a super cute Western chic vibe.

Local Vacation Rentals are also a great way to stay around Paso with many beautiful homes in walking distance to downtown. As well as some wineries having small availability/bed and breakfast style stays. Many of these are only available for wine members so check online at your favorites to see if they have this available as well!

Other things to do that don't involve wine:

Craft Beer & Cider Tasting: With many great local breweries you will find a place for those non wine drinkers in the group. Some of our favorites are in Tin City including; firestone walker, barrel house, and other great little places to stop at.

Distillery Trail: As you journey along the Paso Robles and SLO Distillery Trails, you’ll taste one of a kind spirits and meet the individuals behind the bottle as they work passionately and artfully to create exquisite brandy, whiskey, gin, vodka, liquors and grappa. For more info on distilleries click -here-.

Take a Day Trip: Other great things to do around Paso Robles are the beautiful Central Coast. We of course are partial to Morro Bay, you can see my guide -here-. However many other beautiful coastal towns are just 30ish minutes away and worth the drive to get to your destination.

Antique Shopping Downtown: Downtown is filled with adorable antique shops in between the restaurant. You can make an entire afternoon around this square.

Mid State Fair: If you plan your trip to Paso Robles in line with the Mid State Fair you will be sure to find some of the best concerts in the United States. Full of amazing singers, great eats, lots of rides, and animals!

Paso Robles Mercantile: The cutest indoor shopping center full of little boutique store, cheese shops, wine tasting, ice cream and so much more. Every time we go to this stop with someone new they love it! You will too!

Field of Light at Sensorio: This is a beautiful night light show in a Paso Robles field. Showing incredible views of Paso and the rolling hills in a whole new way. I suggest going before sun sets so you can get the whole effect. Also make sure you have a jacket it gets cool at night.

What to Pack/wear:

Paso Robles is a great town full of all types of styles. I of course am a little partial to wearing dresses, so a nice light weight dress with a sweater or coat is perfect. Even in summer Paso Robles can tend to get cool at nights so I highly recommend taking some type of jacket just incase. In January and February I do tend to wear jeans and layers... however you could tend to get warm days. So my biggest recommendation on what to pack and wear is layers! Here are a few of my favorite looks from wine tasting. You can also shop my LTK -here- and search Paso Robles or Wine Tasting to see some of my past outfits and shop them as well.

There you have our city guide to Paso Robles, CA! Hope you enjoy the beautiful countryside and have a sippin’ good time! Let me know below if you have a favorite place I didn't mention below. I am always looking for new places to try!

Have A Blessed Day, Amanda

Birthday Cutout Sugar Cookies

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These may be called “birthday sugar cookies” but I approve them to be eaten on any day all year long! Enjoy them for any celebration, special milestones, or also just because you want a tasty dessert. I love making these for fun and adding a small amount of white chocolate to add décor and to add a little extra sweetness. The cookie itself without the chocolate isn’t overly sweet (but more buttery and delicious), so this makes for the ultimate pairing! Adding in the colorful sprinkles makes for a fun burst of color and you can even add different color themes to go with parties, holidays like Christmas, Valentine Day, and more! Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup melted butter

2 cups white sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla ext

4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup sprinkles

white chocolate for decorating (can use buttercream if you rather)

Instructions:

  1. Beat butter and sugar together.

  2. 2. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix well.

  3. In another bowl, sift flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder together, and add little by little to butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk.

  4. Now that your dough is made you will wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. I like to let mine stay overnight and up to 24 hours. This makes the cutouts come out better on edges.

  5. After dough has chilled and you are ready to roll out. Heat oven to 375 degrees.

  6. Be sure to flour surface area, rolling pin and dough to make sure no sticking happens. I am using 360 cookie cutters here! So many amazing designs and shapes!! Shop entire collections -here- (use code AMANDAWARREN20 for 20% off entire site)

  7. Bake for 8-10 minutes on stainless steel pan. After baking place onto cooling rack and decorate once cooled. After decorated ENJOY!!

Morro Bay Travel Tips

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I have to admit I have emotionally put this blog post off for the last few months because it makes me feel a little bitter sweet about all the memories we had in Morro Bay. Now that we live in Texas we probably wont be visiting this beautiful little beach town much if at all. The memories are fond and our beach house was such a blessing and a beautiful time in our lives that I’m so thankful we had for a few years.

If you are new around here my husband and I had a beach house in Morro Bay, CA for over 2 years. At one point we thought we would move there from our little home town that was 2 hours away. Life changed and so did our plans. We decided to flip the script and moved to Texas instead in May of this year. Even though we sold our home in Morro Bay, we are keeping the memories we built there for a lifetime!

I have received so many questions about things to do, places to eat (especially that are dog friendly) and towns to visit nearby. So I want to offer you this as a “locals” perspective. I grew up visiting Morro Bay many times a year along with the surrounding areas. Then when we had our house I would spend at least 1 week a month if not more at this charming beach town.

Many people ask why we chose this town over the other surrounding nearby beaches. I grew up coming here, my grandparents had a home and we would visit often. Scotty’s grandparents had a place in Pismo Beach, which is just a little south on the coast line but is always bustling and busy. This brings us to the biggest reason we chose Morro Bay, for the small town quiet, peaceful vibe of it most days. The Embarcadero area does get busy during weekends, but go on a week day or on the off season and its just a charming little town full of locals and vacation homeowners. Its a little cooler here and has more moody weather that the surrounding towns, like sometimes a stiff wind when walking the beach. This means the beaches are never usually packed. We aren’t very big lay on the beach all day people anyway, so this made for the perfect place for us to just simply walk with our dog everyday. Lastly, we wanted this area because it was somewhere we could see ourselves living.

Favorite Things To Do:

  1. Walk on the dog beach - Our favorite thing to do and a daily MUST! We would go every single day with our pup and she absolutely loved it. An off leash beach that she can run along in the water and sand and enjoy life to the fullest. Bonus we got to get our exercise in as well.

  2. Strolling along the Embarcadero - the downtown are where all the shopping, eats and fun things to do are! Also the best spot to see sea otters and sea lions.

  3. Kayak - Along the Embarcadero you will see lots of watersports and rental things to do. We went kayaking a few times and loved being in the water and around all the seals. Its a beautiful little area to see from another view on kayak’s. They also have great whale watching, paddleboarding, and many other attractions.

  4. Get on a boat - Another water activity we loved! We rented a pontoon boat from -bay cruisers- when my cousins visited one weekend and it was so much fun! You can take your own drinks and food and ride around the Embarcadero area. It moves slow and is perfect for kids.

  5. Take a Hike - There are countless hiking trails around Morro Bay that allow for great adventures. Some of our favorites with the most magnificent views are: Montana De Oro State Park - Bluff Trail, Marina Peninsula Trail, Cloisters Wetland, and Harmony Headlands State Park.

  6. Golf - Morro Bay has one of the most beautiful golf courses that overlooks the water and makes for one our favorite activities on a weekend in Morro Bay.

  7. Take a Day Trip - Some of our favorite places to go near by are Paso Robles (see my blog post here for more on Paso), Cambria, Cayucos, Avila Beach, Arroyo Grande, and Pismo Beach

Favorite Eats :

  1. Flavor Factory - Delicious burgers, sandwiches, fries and specializes in the most amazing desserts. I might rate this one the best cheesecakes we have ever had! They are all made fresh and so good. Must try!

  2. Sea Shanty - Amore’s favorite BY FAR! If you are looking for somewhere to go with your pup. Head up the road to Cayucos and enjoy a patio seating where Dog’s are treated just as good as people (if not better)! They have blankets for your pup to lay on, dog bowls for water, treats, and an entire dog menu. Amore loves the Hamburger and rice! The food they serve for us humans is just as delicious! If you order dessert, the Swamp Pie is my favorite. One night driving into town I ordered this 2 minutes before they closed so I could pickup before we got to our house. I jumped out of the truck as Scott pulled up and grabbed it as they were cleaning the kitchen. Its that good!!

  3. The Hidden Kitchen - The adorable location isn’t the only thing keeping me coming back to this spot! Healthy, fresh produce, organic and 100% gluten free makes this a great spot for breakfast, brunch and lunch!

  4. High Tide - Looking for a sandwich or acai bowl? This is your spot! Absolutely delicious, quick service and in a great location on Morro Bay Blvd. Its also outside seating if you want somewhere your pup can come with you! Perfect to eat and shop the vintage stores down the strip.

  5. Dorn’s - One of my Mom’s favorite restaurants! On our last week in Morro Bay my Mom had a list of places she wanted to visit, and this was at the top of the list! I grew up going here for brunch every time we came to Morro Bay and still love their breakfast. If you are heading here for dinner get ready for the freshest warm bread! This is by far the best place you can eat around the Embarcadero. It over looks the water and Morro Rock.

  6. Umi Sushi & Sake - If you are looking for sushi, this is your spot! Another one on the Embarcadero and very delicious!! Highly recommend. Spicy Edamame & Angry Lobster Roll were our favorites!

  7. Taco Temple - The best Mexican food in Morro Bay.. and we tried them all! They have the freshest seafood. Last time we went they said they had caught our cod fish for tacos just 2 hours before. You cant get any fresher then that friends! They also have outside seating for those with furry friends.

  8. La Parisienne - Delicious Cookies & Baked goods! The Almond Chocolate Chip was a family favorite!

I cant give an honest review on hotels & places to stay because we never stayed at any. There are tons of campgrounds and great hotels through the town! If you aren't far make it a Morro Bay day trip! We have stayed at hotels in San Luis Obispo and our favorites are Madonna Inn ( also a favorite place to eat!!) and the Kinney SLO.

Hope this article helps on your next trip to Morro Bay and the Central Coast at least in terms of the important stuff…what to do and where to eat haha. Its a favorite place of ours and will always hold a special place in our hearts! Head to my Instagram to see all my stories from the times in Morro Bay. I have more Videos & Photos from everything we have done there.

If you have more questions on anything please leave them in the comments below. Until next time..

Xo, Amanda

Charleston Photoshoot

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It’s been just about a year since we went to Charleston, South Carolina and I’m still obsessing over the photos we had done! Which reminds me… I never shared them for inspiration! Maybe one day I’ll get better and get my blog posts up right away once we get them! Until then.. here are the photos we took with links to what we are wearing, or similar looks if they are sold out that I loved as well.

This Charleston couples photoshoot was a super last minute booking, in fact the whole trip was! So, I was so excited that Rebecca was able to get us in the day we landed (before we ate our way around every restaurant in Charleston. LOL!) The best part of having photos done while on vacation is the photographer will bring you to parts of the city you may not have otherwise seen. In my opinion, you have one of the best souvenirs that you will have for a lifetime, to look back on, and in this case it worked for our Christmas cards too!

How did I find Rebecca to shoot our photos? Hashtags! Just lookup wherever you are going and photographers. So in this case I looked up #CharlestonPhotographer and there she was! Look through all the hashtags and see who has your style and fit is and basically just slide in their DM’s to contact them! In this case Rebecca was perfect. Her photos were light, airy, and really highlighted all of the downtown Charleston charm and beautiful homes. She was exactly what I was looking for to create these lifestyle images in this photo session.

Now that I had found our photographer I had to pick outfits. We had booked this trip just 2 weeks before we went, so I didn’t have all the time in the world. I first found an adorable blue floral dress on ShopLovestitch.com that I knew would standout against all the gorgeous colors of Charleston and found Scotty a blue linen shirt that matched perfectly. Of course for another look I needed something pink because its just on brand for me haha.. I had a hard time finding anything that would come on time if ordered online, so I looked in my closet. I found a pink long dress that I had gotten from Revolve and hadn’t actually worn yet. It was perfect! Next, I needed to find something for Scotty. I wanted him to have a little more formal for this but also layers. So I grabbed a pink button down with a print at our local Banana Republic and a blue jacket in his closet. The 2 outfits we wore complimented each other so well. The whole shoot went so nice and it was once again great to use for our yearly Christmas card, but also for any photo collages we may want to frame in our home.

Last tip I have for you… On this shoot Scotty wore the same pants and shoes in both outfits. His two looks were completely different and you wouldn’t really focus on that but it made it so much easier for changing outfits! Let’s be real, husbands and kids don’t love taking these photos, they just do it for us. So its important to make things easier for them when you can being they don't enjoy it. So something like using the same bottom half of outfits really helps! Also mentioning its a gift or in this case my "souvenir" from our trip!

Here are more from our Charleston Photoshoot:

Shop Pink Dress Inspo

Shop Blue Dress Inspo

To book your own appointment with our Charleston Photographer Rebecca click -here-. She is also an amazing wedding and engagement photographer if you are looking!!

Pitcher of Pina Colada’s

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Summer may be nearing an end but this pitcher of pina coladas is still tasty all year long! The perfect drink to serve with your next lunch or to have when relaxing and enjoying the pool! I’m a big fan of having fresh pineapple and coconut milk in the mix making it a little healthier version of for your fun cocktail! Cheers to a great drink to enjoy with friends and family!

Ingredients:

2 cups rum

1 cup pineapple juice

1 can coconut milk

1/4 cup lime juice

1/4 cup honey

4 cups frozen pineapple

3 cups ice

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients into blender and blend!

  2. Pour into pitcher and serve!

  3. Enjoy!!

Fruit & Goat Cheese Bruschetta

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In the middle of a hot Summer and the hottest days of all call for the most delicious treats to make it through! I’m a huge fan of bruschetta, so making this twist on it as a fruity version just seemed so delicious and fit for Summer. You can totally change this up in the fruit department to whatever fruit sounds yummy to you along with whatever is best in season! I did strawberries, cherries and raspberries this time, and it was oh so delicious!

Now.. how do you BBQ these little slices of baguette’s? I just found out the way to not burn my 360 cookware griddle on the grill is to put a coat of dish soap on the bottom and MY GOODNESS its genius! The Pan Cleaned so easy! Cannot wait to work on even more recipes for the grill with my favorite 360 pans!

Ingredients:

8 oz cut strawberries

6 oz cut cherries

6 oz raspberries

8 oz whipped cream cheese

8 oz goat cheese

1 lime

1 baguette

honey

salt & pepper

Directions:

  1. Wash & cut all fruits and mix into bowl.

  2. Zest 1 lime making 1 tsp of lime zest and add into small bowl with 1 tbsp of sugar. Pour over fruit mix & juice of 1 lime and mix together.

  3. Mix whipped cream cheese & goat cheese. sprinkle over with sea salt & pepper to taste. Drizzle with honey and set aside until bread is ready.

  4. Slice baguette and spray with olive oil spray.

  5. Take your 360 griddle and apply dish soap on bottom to prevent from burning pan.

  6. Now on your BBQ take the griddle and place bread on top until lightly toasted (or to liking). Flip and do the same to other side.

  7. You can serve with everything separate and allow everyone to make their own. Or prep ahead of time. Baguette, cheese mixture, fruit. You can also top with more honey & more lime zest if desired.

Delicious and Easy Oven Baked Drumsticks Recipe

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Oven Baked Drumsticks are a delicious and easy meal to make for a weeknight dinner. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy meal or a tasty and satisfying dish, these oven-baked drumsticks are sure to hit the spot. They're juicy and flavorful, without being too heavy, and they can be cooked in a fraction of the time it takes to prepare a more complicated meal. Plus, you can customize them to your tastes with the addition of spices and sauces. Read on to learn how to make these tasty and simple oven-baked chicken drumsticks recipe!

This is such a simple and delicious recipe that I make very often. It’s great for Summer dinners accompanied with side dishes like; fresh fruit, cauliflower, veggies and broccoli rice or in the Winter with cornbread and baked beans. It’s a fan favorite and the perfect dish for a crowd as well as something you can whip up quickly when you aren’t sure what to make.

Ingredients

6 Drumsticks

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

olive oil spray

1/4 cup coconut amino

2 tablespoons. honey

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees

  2. Spray olive oil on drumsticks and coat.

  3. Put all additional ingredients in a bowl with drumsticks and mix to coat over all drumsticks.

  4. Place bowl in the fridge and marinate for at least 1-2 but can go longer too! Halfway through marinating toss to coat drumsticks again.

  5. Once ready bake for 45 min on 360 cookware jelly roll pan or any pan you have to lay chicken drumsticks on a single layer. (I will link below) I like to place foil or parchment paper under for easy cleanup. Halfway through cooking flip the drumsticks over.

  6. Remove from oven, serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!

  7. For storage place in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

You can shop all the pans I used to make this dish at 360cookware and use code AMANDA20 for a total of 20% off your entire order!!

2 qt pot for rice tap -here-

Bake & Roast Pan for Chicken tap -here-

Other Chicken Dinner Recipes you will Love:

Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

Whole 30 Chicken Piccata

Creating the Perfect Father's Day Picnic with Table Decor Ideas

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Father's Day is a special day to celebrate those special men in our lives who do so much for us. Whether you are planning an outdoor picnic or an indoor gathering, adding a special touch to the table decor can make the day even more special. A backyard Father's Day picnic with table decor can transform that space into a colorful and festive setting. From homemade centerpieces to creative tableware, there are many ways to show Dad how much he is appreciated. Read on to find out how to create a unique Father's Day picnic and table decor, and make your dad feel extra special this year.

I was so excited for this Father’s Day tablescape that I couldn’t wait and decided to prepare it extra early. Little did I know this would be my last tablescape in our California home before our big sudden move to Texas!! It was such a fun and memorable day I got to spend with my mom and step-dad decorating and shooting photos :) Now.. onto the table theme!

Father's Day is always a challenging table for me to decorate because I always have that soft, girly need in me to add pink to every table. I still did here, but made it more manly with the picnic theme. My color scheme for this table setting was very light and incorporated a garden vibe. I wanted it to be manly enough but still be something the moms would enjoy and appreciate as well, being one of our last celebrations together. I added lots of blues, whites and styled garden flower centerpieces from my sweet friend Julie at Emerald’s Grace. She’s always crushed every idea I have ever thrown her way! Loved the layered prints from the tablecloth and plates with the added galvanized chargers and touches. I picked the galvanized chargers because I saw the taco holders and it really pulled it together for the table. I already had the drink bucket from Pottery Barn from our wedding registry and love how it gives an outdoor rustic design and blended well with the Father's Day tablecloth and printed dishes. I also used my favorite silverware from Liberty Table Top and 360 Cookware to keep the silver that went well with the galvanized feel.

When it comes to decorating the table for a Father's Day picnic, one of the most timeless and elegant options is to use fresh flowers. I can always count on Emerald Grace to put together the most stunning centerpiece for every table I put together. Whether you are looking for roses, daisies, lilies, or any other type of flower, you can find them here. Whether you want to add a touch of color to your picnic table, or you just want to show your Dad how much he means to you with a special bouquet, you will find what you need at Emerald Grace. Plus, you can also find helpful advice from their team of terrific florists who can help you create the perfect look for your picnic table, holiday or hosting events. For more on flowers click here >> Emerald Grace

Once we finished setting up the perfect Father's Day picnic with our table decor ideas, it was time to take care of the food. We decided to go for some Mexican food to really make this picnic special with my step-dad's favorite food spread! We called up our favorite local restaurant, Tacos San Marcos, and ordered a huge buffet with tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and all the fixings. Everyone was delighted with the delicious food and we all enjoyed it immensely! For those looking to recreate the same experience in the area of our hometown of Tulare, CA Tacos San Marcos is a great place to pick up a quick dinner or cater your next event. For more information on Tacos San Marcos, just click the link provided! For more on tacos click here >> Taco San Marcos

Other Special Themes for a Father's Day Table

Father's Day is a special time to show Dad just how much he means to you. One of the best ways to make Dad feel loved and appreciated is to set an amazing table to honor him on his special day. With a few simple decorations, you can create a festive and meaningful table that will make Dad feel the love.

Here are a few other ideas you could use this Father's Day. Start by creating a nostalgic theme by displaying vintage family photos throughout the years. Adorn the table with a beautiful bouquet of Dad’s favorite flowers. Use fun and unique place settings to show Dad your appreciation. Create a centerpiece featuring Dad’s favorite hobbies or interests, and choose a bold color palette to give the table a festive feel.

Add a few personalized touches to make the table even more special. Incorporate a few of Dad’s favorite treats to make the table even more festive. Include a few vintage items to bring a retro vibe to the table. Use a few handmade decorations to show Dad you care. And don’t forget to incorporate a few meaningful mementos to honor Dad’s special day.

With a few simple decorations, you can create a festive and meaningful Father’s Day table that will make Dad feel extra special and appreciated. Show Dad how much he means to you with an amazing Father's Day picnic & table decor that celebrates all his favorite things.

Other Tablescapes For Inspiration:

Creating a Beautiful & Memorable Mother’s Day Table & Celebration with Evite

Creating the Perfect Summer Tablescape

Creating the Perfect Summer Tablescape

My Spring Tablescape

Mom's 60th Birthday Party

Bringing the Joy of Easter to Your Table: Creative Ideas for Easter Spring Table Decor

Taste the Deliciousness of Pistachio Cake: A Treat for Any Occasion

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Every June for quite a few years now I have been making this Pistachio Birthday Cake for My husband Scotty. My idea for this cake all started with his love for pistachio ice cream. It is his go-to ice cream when out at an ice cream shop. So, being that he seemingly never could think of a favorite cake for himself, I thought one year I’d go ahead and make a Pistachio Cake along with pistachio ice cream, and it's been our tradition ever since! Let me know in the comments below if I should share the ice cream recipe too! I hope you enjoy this just as much as the birthday boy himself!

Pistachio cake is a delicious dessert that is perfect for special occasions like birthdays or holidays. It is made from scratch with just a few simple ingredients, making it easy to make without too many complicated steps. The result is a moist and flavorful cake with a crunchy nutty topping that everyone will love! Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover pistachios. The base is a simple cake batter with pistachios mixed in. For the topping, you have a combination of butter, mascarpone, powdered sugar, and sprinkled nuts on top to create a crunchy texture.

The final product is a moist and flavorful cake with a crunchy nutty topping. It’s perfect for special occasions and makes a great gift for family and friends. Everyone will love the sweet and nutty flavor of this cake. So if you’re looking for a delicious dessert that is easy to make and sure to please, you must make this pistachio cake. With just a few simple ingredients and no complicated steps, you can make a sweet treat that everyone will love!

How to Enhance the Pistachio Flavor Into Cake

Pistachio cake is a delicious dessert that is perfect for any special occasion. The nutty flavor of pistachios pairs perfectly with moist cake and creamy frosting. I incorporate some lightly-crushed pistachios into the cake batter as well as further enhance the flavor of the cake by adding a few teaspoons of almond extract. To get the most intense pistachio flavor, you can use real pistachio paste or extract in your cake batter. For a toasty twist on the flavor, toast the nuts before adding them to the cake batter as well.

Key Ingredients

This cake is made with all-purpose flour, eggs, butter, sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla extract, milk, pistachios, and cream cheese. The all-purpose flour provides the cake with a light, airy texture and structure. The eggs act as a binding agent and help keep the cake moist. Butter adds flavor and richness to the cake while the sugar helps to sweeten it and create a tender crumb. Baking powder helps the cake to rise and gives it a nice texture, while salt enhances the flavor of the cake. The addition of vanilla extract adds a nice flavor to the cake, while the milk helps to keep it moist. With these ingredients, you're sure to have a delicious Pistachio Cake that will be a hit with everyone!

Decorating Inspiration

Pistachio Cake is a delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Adding crushed nuts and fresh berries to the top of the cake is an easy way to add a colorful layer of flavor. For an extra special touch, consider drizzling a rich chocolate sauce over the top of the cake. This simple step adds a decadent finish that will have your guests coming back for seconds.

Pistachio Cake is a truly unique dessert that combines the nutty flavor of pistachios with the sweet and fluffy texture of a traditional cake. This delicious cake is made with crushed pistachios in the batter, giving it an extra crunchy and nutty texture. The crushed pistachios are also used as a topping, giving the cake a beautiful decorative element and an extra layer of flavor. Pistachio Cake has a delicate, creamy flavor that pairs well with a variety of other flavors, such as chocolate, strawberries, and caramel.

The unique flavor of pistachio makes it a great choice for special occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries. Whether you’re looking for a unique and delicious cake for a special occasion or just want to try something new, Pistachio Cake is sure to be a hit. Its unique flavor and texture make it a great choice for any event or party. So if you’re looking to impress your guests, Pistachio Cake is the perfect dessert to make.

Does Pistachio Cake Need to Be Refrigerated?

Pistachio Cake is the perfect dessert for those days when you want to enjoy something sweet but don't want to worry about it spoiling. This delicate cake has a light and moist texture that can easily be kept at room temperature, so you don't have to worry about refrigerating it. However, the frosting does need to be refrigerated. If you want to use this recipe to make a pistachio bundt cake without frosting you can leave it out at room temperature. If you are making it as a cake with this delicious frosting then you will need to keep it in the fridge after serving due to the mascarpone in the frosting. It can stay at room temp for a few hours, just not overnight. The ease of keeping Pistachio Cake at room temperature makes it a great choice for picnics and outdoor events. You can easily transport the cake and enjoy it without worrying about it spoiling. So the next time you are looking for a delicious dessert to take to a gathering, Pistachio Cake should definitely be on the menu.

An Easy Pistachio Cake Recipe

Recipe feeds 20-24

Ingredients

2 cups shelled pistachios

2 3/4 cups cake flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup salted butter

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup sour cream

3 large eggs white

Icing

1 cup salted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

5 cups powdered sugar

8 oz mascarpone

Chopped Pistachios for decorating top

Instructions

  1. Prep by oiling 3 circle pans (8 or 9 inch - my favorite are the 360 cookware with handles I will link below) and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  2. Finely grind 1-1/2 cups pistachios in a food processor. Chop the remaining 1/2 cup for decorating cake

  3. Beat butter until creamy. Add in sugar, vanilla & almond extract, and eggs until combined

  4. Next, whisk together finely ground pistachios, flour, baking powder and sea salt.

  5. Alternate adding in dry ingredients & Milk/sour cream until all blended.

  6. In another dry bowl you will beat 3 egg whites until stiff peaks show. Fold this into the batter mixture

  7. Once combined pour into baking dish. I use 3 pans that are oiled and put into oven. 20-30 min or until a toothpick put into center comes out clean. For a taller cake like in my photos you can double this recipe making 6 layers (which will also feed more!)

  8. Blend together all frosting ingredients until incorporated. (butter should be room temp if not heat in microwave for 30 sec at a time). If doubling the cake recipe for a taller cake be sure to double the recipe for frosting.

  9. Once cake is done baking let cool in pan for 15 mins and transfer to wire rack for another 15.

  10. Ice layers of cake and do a thin layer around for a “crumb layer” that will catch all the crumbs and make a base for the final layer. Place in fridge for 30 mins and then do another final layer. Smooth, textured, whatever you desire! Add the remaining pistachios to decorate!

  11. Enjoy!

Pistachio cake is the perfect way to end a special occasion and show your guests your baking talents. Its unique flavor and texture make it an ideal choice for birthdays, weddings, and other special occasions. Pistachio cake is also incredibly easy to make and can be customized with different toppings to suit any particular occasion. The nutty flavor of pistachios makes it a great way to end an evening with friends and family. Whether you’re looking for an elegant dessert to serve on a special day or just want to add a little extra something to your next gathering, pistachio cake is sure to be a hit. Its unique flavor and texture make it a great way to show your guests that you care. The nutty flavor of pistachios is sure to add a little bit of extra flair to your next gathering. Best of all, it’s easy to make and can be customized with different toppings to make it unique and special.

Other Recipes For Your Sweet Tooth:

My Favorite White Cake Recipe

Indulge in Deliciousness: Cherry Chip Cake with Chunks of Dark Chocolate Recipe

The Most Delicious Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Tantalizingly Delicious Recipe For Lemon Cheesecake With An Amazing Glaze

Blackberry Cinnamon Rolls with Mascarpone Frosting

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There is nothing I love more on a Sunday morning then hot cinnamon rolls with some fresh brewed coffee! I am always trying to create new recipes with varieties of flavors to make it unique! For this recipe I used my tried and true cinnamon roll recipe but added a small twist of blackberry ( which is delicious even by itself) filling and a marscapone frosting that is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

A couple of tips when using this recipe:

1. You can make them overnight or same day. You will bake less same day because they won’t be cold. Check on them around 25 mins and every 5 mins after.

2. These may be softer then other cinnamon rolls you make when curing and rolling dough. Don’t be worried, this is normal!

3. Don’t worry if you eat more than one.. they are addicting 😉

Ingredients:

Dough

  • 3 cups lukewarm water

  • 2 tbsp instant yeast

  • 2 tbsp sugar

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1/2 cup butter

  • 1 egg

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 8 cups flour (may need more)

Filling

  • 1 cup melted butter

  • 1 cup blackberries

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1 tsp vanilla

Icing

  • 8 oz marscapone

  • 1/2 cup butter

  • 4 cups powdered sugar

  • 4 tbsp milk

  • 2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

  1. Mix luke warm water, yeast and 2 tbsp of sugar. Let sit for around 10 minutes to make sure yeast is good. You will notice the yeast growing in size.

  2. Once you see yeast grow add in sugar, butter (softened for 15-20 sec in microwave) egg, salt.

  3. Slowly add in flour, once you have added in all 6 cups make sure the dough is slightly sticky and looking like dough. Once you see this, mix for another few minutes. It will start to pull away from the bowl, and If you don’t see this add in more flour until you do.

  4. Sift flour over a clean counter top. Make sure to flour the area outside of where dough is. You will be rolling it out here and you don’t want it to stick later.

  5. Once you have tipped the bowl over and poured out the dough lightly flour the top and cover with a clean kitchen towel.

  6. Let rise for 3 hours.

  7. Once you are about ready to roll dough, melt butter in bowl. Add butter and rest of filling ingredients to blender and milk until it looks like a smoothie.

  8. When dough is ready roll out to about 1/4 inch thick rectangular form.

  9. Pour over the filling mix and evenly spread over the dough.

  10. Next roll dough up for cinnamon rolls! My dough recipe is a little softer than some you may have tried in the past, so if you feel its so soft don’t worry, its going to be delicious!

  11. Cut about 2 inch apart and place on pan. They will grow in size so pay attention to spacing.

  12. Wrap top with saran wrap and put in fridge overnight. Next morning take out and let sit at room temp for 1 hour.

  13. Bake at 350. Put cinnamon rolls in as the oven is heating to help pan and rolls adjust to the heat from the fridge (1 hour room temperature they will still be cool to touch)

  14. Bake an additional 45 min. Check at 25 min if tops are a golden brown layer foil for rest of cooking!

  15. Once cooked to your liking pour frosting on rolls and enjoy!

Frosting:

  1. Mix mascarpone and butter until smooth. (if not at room temp warm for 30 seconds in microwave before)

  2. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

Refreshing Lemon Twist Cocktail

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If you’re looking for a refreshing cocktail and the perfect drink to sip on all those hot Summer days.. look no further! This is my take on the lemon cocktails I was enjoying all over Broadway St. on our Nashville trip! It’s super easy to make for a group by starting with mixing the first 3 ingredients and then topping with your favorite sparkling wine or champagne! This will forever me by goto! Can’t wait to see what you all think! Cheer’s Friends!

2 oz lemon juice

2 oz limoncello

2 oz ginger beer

champagne

  1. Grab your favorite glasses and fill with ice

  2. Pour in fresh squeezed lemon juice, limoncello, ginger beer and stir with spoon.

  3. Pour over champagne to fill glass.

  4. Top with lemon slices and Enjoy!

My Spring Tablescape

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Looking for some fun Spring themed inspiration for your table decor? I totally have you covered! This table is adorable for any event you may have coming up to host like Easter, Mothers Day, bridal showers, Bdays, or a simple Brunch. You name it.. this table will fit perfectly! To tell you all the truth, this may be my favorite table scape I have ever done! I love the gingham tablecloth, touches of green, and don’t even get me started on the gorgeous flowers!!

Julie from Emerald Grace is my go to flower girl in California and did these for me, and I couldn’t love them more! I send her my inspo and she always executes it perfectly! I wanted them to be a play on garden flowers coming out of the cutest flower pots I had ordered from White Flower Farm. For more of Julie’s work or to book her for your next event click -here-.

Let’s talk tablecloth.. My idea was to have a square gingham tablecloth in a diamond shape on my long white table. However, I couldn’t find it in pink square but good old Target had an amazing deal on a long one. To get the cloth perfect, I actually ordered a sewing machine and asked my Mom to come over to help me learn how use it, and we made it into the square I wanted! I will link table cloth in all sizes below because the deal is so good!

Plates are from Zara Home and are just darling and are at a price point that is amazing! Plates linked -here-.

Napkins are ones I made myself from a past Thanksgiving table and have probably been the most used napkin of all time. For more info on those head over to this blog post -here-.

Flatware I used for this table is dainty, will stand the test of time and is made right here in the USA. I will link those right -here- for you. If you do purchase anything off of 360 I have a 20% off discount for the entire site including flatware! Use code AMANDA20

Everything else I used is linked below. I hope this table brings you inspiration for your next event. Thank you for stopping by.

Xo, Amanda

Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Apples, Goat Cheese & Candied Pecans

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The weather is warming up and with it those big, heavy, filling cold weather dishes may be slowly transitioning into !ighter and healthier colorful plates. This delicious salad is one of my favorites to enjoy anytime of year but especially in the Spring and Summer. I love to pair it with salmon or have it as a nice side dish for those Summer cookouts that are sure to come! This recipe will provide you with everything you need to make the dressing from scratch and to add in the candied pecans that are so addicting on any meal!

Ingredients:

10 -12 cups shaved Brussel sprouts

1/2 cup fresh strawberries

1/4 balsamic vinegar

1/4 raw honey

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 large apple ( I like the pink lady)

4 oz crumbled goat cheese

2 cups pecans

1/4 cup maple syrup

2 tbsp brown sugar

Directions:

  1. Make Candied Pecans so they can cool while you prepare rest of salad.

    1. line baking sheet, I use my Jelly Roll Pan from 360 cookware -here-, with parchment paper and set aside.

    2. In a pan, I use my 360 cookware 1 quart sauce pan -here-, melt together maple syrup and brown sugar until mixed and bubbling.

    3. Add in pecans and coat. Pour onto prepared baking sheet and separate nuts so they don’t stick together. Let cool.

  2. Make delicious strawberry balsamic salad dressing!

    1. Add strawberries, balsamic vinegar, raw honey, cup olive oil, tsp salt, tsp pepper into blender and blend until smooth.

    2. Place in bowl or dressing dish and set aside for later.

  3. Shave brussel sprouts. (You can always buy pre shaved however they are always a little thicker and I prefer the shavings small to taste more like a salad and less like brussel’s) To shave them I use my Mandoline slicer on 1/8th. If I am not wanting to slice it, I just buy extra bags of pre sliced and pull out all the thick chunks and use for a side of brussels later in the week.

  4. Assemble the salad. I like to put in half of the apples, half the goat cheese and half of the candied pecans add dressing and toss. Once I plate the salad I add a little of each item on the top so you can see the full color and toppings!

  5. Enjoy!

All the 360 cookware products I used in making this salad and the beautiful flatware are linked below. For a 20% discount use code AMANDA20. Works off the entire site!

Strawberry Orange Bourbon Smash

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While visiting Nashville last month we told ourselves we had to take in the local tradition of bourbon tasting. Bourbon has never been our first drink of choice, but ever since going Scotty has definitely been experimenting with different brands and ways to prepare a drink, and it is definitely growing on him. Your girl still needs a little something mixed with it because I just can’t quite acquire the taste yet 😝! So, I went ahead and grabbed some fresh fruit and got to making something colorful and pretty I would drink while he has his on the rocks! Funny thing is.. he loves it my way too! This recipe is delicious. It’s not overly sweet but not too strong either! If you want to make it less strong or more strong just use the blood orange sparkling water as much as you need for your desired taste.

Strawberry Orange Bourbon Smash Recipe

Ingredients:

Handful of sliced strawberries

1 oz orange liqueur

2 oz bourbon of choice

blood orange sparkling sanpellegrino

sliced oranges for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Muddle a handful of strawberries in cocktail glass

  2. Pour in orange liqueur and bourbon of choice

  3. Add ice and pour over blood orange sparkling drink until full!

  4. Stir. Garnish with orange slices and extra strawberries.

  5. Enjoy!

For more of my cocktail recipes head to search and you'll find Pina Colada pitchers, Vodka Cocktails and so much more! For videos go to my Pinterest or Instagram account where you get more behind the scenes of creating these cocktails. To be the first to see be sure to sign up by leaving you email address and signing up for our newsletter.

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

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There is just something so convenient about making a meal in a slow cooker, especially on a busy schedule! There is so much less clean up and dinner is always ready by the time you get home from work! This super easy and delicious orange chicken recipe pairs so good with rice and is sure to be a family favorite! You can even add in cut up peppers and onions to make sure you get those veggies in! I hope you enjoy this as much as our family does!

Cook Time: 5 hours

Prep Time: 15 min

Feeds 4 people

Ingredients:

1 - 1 1/2 pounds chicken

1/3 cup cornstarch

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Pepper

1/2 cup orange marmalade

2 tbsp coconut aminos

1/2 tsp rice vinegar

1/2 tsp sesame oil

2 garlic cloves (minced)

1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce

Toppings:

sesame seeds

green onions

orange slices

Instructions:

  1. Cut thawed chicken into 1inch cubes and toss with corn starch salt and pepper.

  2. Spray slow cooker with olive oil spray and layer chicken into bottom.

  3. In a bowl whisk together rest of ingredients (excluding toppings)

  4. Pour whisk sauce over chicken and toss.

  5. Turn on slow cooker to 2 and cook for 5 hrs.

I love using the 360 slow cooker! It’s so easy to use and everything comes out perfect! I love it’s stainless steel look and of course love that it’s made in the good ol’ USA! For more info Click -HERE-. To shop entire site with 20% off use code AMANDA20

Garlic & Herb Focaccia Bread

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I am so excited for this one! I have been expanding the varieties of food I have been cooking and baking and I love sharing these new recipes with you guys. To start the new year, I have been on a total bread making kick, and lots of you have been wanting to try my recipes!! I have been trying my best to perfect different types and flavors of bread and I think this is the one that is finally ready to share! It’s SUPER easy and so tasty it’s addicting! Just takes a little time in the fridge over night but my goodness do you have a yummy bread once its done!! Amazing for sandwiches, side dishes with dinner, and honestly it’s just perfectly good on it own maybe even with a nice glass of wine. So let’s get to baking!

I am using my 360 Cookware Jelly Roll Pan linked -here- . The perfect size for this and so many other things! You can use my code AMANDA20 for 20% off the entire website!

Ingredients:

4 Cups Flour

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons instant yeast

2 cups warm water

Olive Oil spray to grease pan

3 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp flaky sea salt

2 tsp Italian seasoning

3 minced garlic cloves

Directions:

  1. Mix flour, salt, yeast and warm water in bowl. Combined well and cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Put in fridge over night. (9 hours or Upto 24)

  2. The next morning take out pan to bake in. I like this -Jelly Roll- the most from 360 the sides are the perfect amount and its a great size to bake this bread in. Oil pan and oil bread mixture.

  3. Lay oiled bread mixture onto pan and let rise for 20 min covered with towel. If your home is cool I suggest warming the oven up for 1 minute while prepping bread and turning off. Then placing pan with bread in to feel warmth and rise.

  4. After risen. Move bread into a longer shape to fill the pan and poke. Using fingers you will make small indentions along the bread. Let rise again for 20 min to 1 hour until bread has risen enough for you see it past the jelly roll line.

  5. Next poke more holes and then sprinkle over oil mixture; Mixture of minced garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning and sea salt.

  6. Bake at 425 for 25 to 30 min until the bottom is crisp and the top is a golden color. Let cool and enjoy!

Nashville Travel Guide

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Looking for a quick trip to a stylish musical town full of energy and life? Look no further then Nashville! Its a fun-filled town with of so many great music venues featuring live music, great restaurants, hotels, bars, history and places to shop! You honestly cant go wrong with so much to choose from …but here were all my favorites!

Where To Stay: Kimpton Aertson Hotel

You already know I am a HUGE Kimpton fan! So as soon as they opened their new spot in Nashville I had it on my bucket list of places to visit and stay! After our stay I was once again reminded why I do LOVE Kimpton Hotels! The staff was amazing, rooms were amazingly hip and they of course had all the amenities you could ever need! (hotel spa, great restaurant and Bar, gym, wine hour, coffee and hot cocoa in the morning and valet)

What To Do:

Nashville is full of so many fun things to do and music to see everywhere!! These are the things we enjoyed the most and would do again one day and highly recommend if you’re planning a trip here soon! I am listing them in order of what we liked the most incase you don’t have time to do it all and have to prioritize.

THE GRAND OLE OPRY

I loved going to the famous historic Opry venue on night one so much that we decided to go again on the last night we were in Nashville for a benefit concert! If you are a short girl like me who normally hates going to concerts because everyone is taller then you then this is the type of concert venue you want. Everyone sits for pretty much the whole concert, enjoys the music and it seems so much more intimate then huge sports venues. I also love that so many talented musicians that may or may not be household names yet are nightly regulars there and they often have hit new songs you’ve on the radio!

THE LISTENING ROOM

Another great experience was the listening room. Its an extremely intimate venue with food and drinks and most everyone is so close that they are literally be right next to the stage. Here you are listening to lesser known but totally talented artists or songwriters who are sharing their music. Could be a number one hit, something they just wrote today or a song you’ll hear on the radio in a few years. They have different artists every night and its a fun setting that really gets you to experience the music. We had the pleasure of seeing 3 different singers sharing the stage and taking turns playing their songs and incorporating their musical and life journey along the way with the crowd.

VISITING THE SUBURB OF FRANKLIN

If you are up for a day trip I 100% recommend heading to the quaint town of Franklin about 20 minutes outside of Nashville. Its an adorable little historic town with the cutest shopping, great restaurants, coffee shops and so much charm! We met the nicest people working in the downtown stores and had the nicest conversations with them. We decided to eat breakfast at Biscuit Love here and after shopping around town we headed just to the edge of town and got to do one of our favorite vacation activities with some wine tasting at the beautiful winery Arrington Vineyards.

GOO GOO CLUSTERS

If you want the original American candy makers this is the spot. Goo Goo Clusters was the first candy making company to actually put more than 1 other ingredient into their chocolate candies. Everything was delicious and they have an area in the back of the factory where you can create your own goo goo candies and listen to some great goo goo history which makes it a family fun stop right next to Broadway!

RYMAN AUDITORIUM

You can see artists perform at this famous historic venue or just simply do a daily tour. We decided to just do the tour being the shows didn’t fit into our schedule. The tour was so cool and the building is so beautiful. It’s a great way to spend a couple hours also happens to be right next to Broadway.

THE PARTHENON

This was a mile from our hotel so we decided to do as a morning walk with coffee to explore more of the city. Once you arrive at the Parthenon they have a QR code on the ground you can scan to have a guided online free tour and learn more about the structures history. Beautiful to see and inside of a the gorgeous Centennial Park.

THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

This was another morning walk for us to get some exercise and the best way to see the city downtown skyline views from across the bridge and across the river leading to their NFL team football stadium. If you are at all like my husband then seeing any pro stadium within reach of any trip we take is a must! There are multiple bridges to see along a flowing river that leads to some beautiful views

BROADWAY STREET

Probably the most popular thing to do in Nashville! It is a must do but at the bottom of my list just because one day of the partying was enough for me. I highly recommend bar hopping all the famous bars like Tootsie’s. I’m sure if you are here for a bachelorette party or with friends Broadway would be where everyone spends most of their time! Every bar had a different vibe and there was lots of live music at every one. I suggest just popping into them all and seeing if you like the crowd and ordering a drink if you do. If you don’t go to the next one, you are sure to find a spot you love! I don’t really recommend eating anywhere near Broadway but I’ll share all my favorite places to eat below!

Where To Eat:

The real reason I love going on vacation AND can totally make or break a trip for me.. just ask my husband how my mood can change with a great meal! The first day of Nashville I was pretty sad we hadn’t had anything that delicious, but come day 2 I was a much happier traveler! Here are my favorites from the trip listed in order of my favorites!

BARCELONA WINE BAR

Amazingly delicious Spanish tapas! Every single thing we got was delicious, fresh and was one of my favorite meals!! I would recommend a reservation here but you will mostly likely be okay getting in with a small wait. We went mid week and it was PACKED. We got a small bite and wine at the bar for our 30 min wait and it was perfect!

BAR TACO

We love bar taco! They have them all over the East Coast and I highly recommend going if you are ever near one! We have loved every variety of taco we’ve eaten, and their side dishes and guac and chips is amazing. Also the drinks (margs) are always so fresh! If we both had to pick one thing you must get it’s the Glazed Pork Belly tacos for sure! We both said we could eat them every single day and not get tired of them! I kind of want one right now..

BISCUIT LOVE

This was a top pick on all the blogs I read and I can see why! Biscuits galore and drinks were also amazing! Everyone said to get the Bonuts so we did and they were a delicious desert to add to our breakfast! They have several locations all over Nashville and one in Franklin. We went to the one in Franklin during our day exploring and loved the charming house they redid.

FIVE DAUGHTERS BAKERY

The most delicious donuts you will eat! They are also all over town so you honestly cant miss it! I highly recommend the maple bacon donut! DELISH!

HENLEY

Perfect location because it was at our hotel! However, almost every single Kimpton hotel we have been to has had the most delicious restaurants. I always love to order room service at least one day on vacation because that means I get to sleep in! HAHA! Loved the brunch we had. Delicious avocado toast!

THE PHARMACY

Great burgers and beer garden featuring some unique European beers. All the burgers are delicious and make sure you get the tots YOU WONT regret it! Loved that they had spiked milkshakes also, so fun and delicious!

THE WHITE LIMOZEEN

We only had drinks here so I can only speak to that but they were YUM! The atmosphere was also worth even just going for a cocktail! Super cute for a girls night! Recommend reservations they book out quick and start only 2 weeks ahead of the date.

HATTIE B’S

This is a MUST if you visit because HOT CHICKEN. Everything was super delicious and when I say everything.. we ordered pretty much the whole menu. We had this first night when we arrived and hadn’t eaten all day. So our eyes were totally bigger then our stomach but we loved getting to try it all!

Watermelon Twist Cocktail

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This is such great drink to have really any time of the year, but being that its pink I had to share the recipe near Valentines day! It’s an easy drink to make with only 4 ingredients! You can also easily double or triple this recipe to make for parties with bigger groups. Trust me you will find yourself needing to do this because it is quite the crowd pleaser!

Ingredients:

2 oz Watermelon Pucker

2 oz Sweet & Sour Mix

2 oz Vanilla Vodka (regular will work too)

Lemon Sparkling Water

Directions:

  1. Grab a cocktail shaker! Add ice and the first 3 ingredients! SHAKE IT UP!

  2. Grab your cocktail glass. I like to add a little sugar rim to add some fun to this but total preference on this one! Add Ice and strain over mixture from cocktail shaker.

  3. Finish off with bubbles! I like to add lemon sparkling water for a lighter refreshing drink. You can also do 7up or Champagne!

  4. Enjoy!!

To make this into multiple drinks you would just double, triple or quadruple the first 3 ingredients in the shaker and then follow instructions as above!