Prepping for Game Day? Here are some #Recipes for your #SuperbowlParty snack spread !

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Next week is Superbowl Sunday and althought my team (GO Baltimore Ravens) is not playing,  I still look forward to Game Day fun with family & friends and let’s not forget the snacks! 

I got the opportunity to sample Jarlsberg® Cheese®, Moore’s Marinades and Sauces and Farm Rich easy -to-make snacks (#gotitfree, thanks to BzzAgent). As you know from prior posts, I love entertaining and hosting Happy Hour at home. So I put these products to the test last night to see if it would be game day worthy to serve to family and friends. Here are the tasty appetizers I served:

Cheese Nachos with Jarlsberg Cheese

Jarlsberg® Cheese®, the nationally recognized premium brand of cheese famous for its characteristic mild, sweet and nutty taste and its large round holes,  wants you to celebrate the Big Game with their array of cheeses that are perfect for any palate, and what better way to enjoy it than with winning recipes for your party like some delicious, mouthwatering cheese Nachos! I made some with Jarlsberg® Cheese , paprika, cilantro, black beans, sour cream and salsa. We enjoyed the unique, nutty mild flavor of the cheese and thought this cheese would go great in any nacho recipe. Enjoy this special Jarlsberg® Cheese Nacho recipe for your Big Game party, and let the games begin!

Jarlsberg® Cheese Nachos
Ingredients:

2 cups shredded Jarlsberg® Cheese

1 bag tortilla chips

1 Broccoli head, grated

2 green chilies, diced small

2 garlic cloves, diced small

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 limes – juiced

Fresh pepper to taste

Dash of coriander

How to Bake:

Spread tortilla chips on flat pan (use parchment paper to avoid clean up). Top with cheese, and baked for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. While chips are cooking, toss all other ingredients in bowl.  Remove from oven and top with all tossed ingredients.  

#MooreFlavor Wings

February 5th brings football, the best commercials and of course, WINGS! This year,  Moore’s Marinades and Sauces wants you to go easy on yourself and do the work for you. They have a ton of delicious flavors (and recipes!) to get those wings going. If you want seriously delicious wings on game day, Moore’s Sauces and Marinades offers the best tasting sauces to kick off Super Bowl Sunday like a champion. 

Based in Alabama, Moore’s is a family owned business that pours their heart into their marinades and sauces to give football fans a taste of true southern flavor. Whether you crave a sweet, sticky taste or a hot, tangy flavor, Moore’s has a stellar lineup of products for you to indulge in the best half-time wings you’ve ever had.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPy1udpAfhD/

As seen on Instagram, I made some #MooreFlavor Wings by simply marinating the wings in their Creamy Ranch Buffalo sauce and baking it in my oven. It definitely is a winning game-day snack that is super easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Once your finger lickin’ wings are beautifully glazed don’t forget to garnish your plate with celery, carrots, and EXTRA dipping sauce.

Be sure to follow Moore’s Marinades on:
Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Pinterest

The company is continually expanding its line and has recently added Spicy Habanero Wing & Hot Sauce, and Zesty Garden Herb Marinade to their collection. Check out their website at www.mooresmarinade.com for tons of yummy recipes that only require 30 minutes or less !

Barbeque Chicken Bites/Loaded Potato Skins by Farm Rich

Need a simple football party snack or something quick to eat anytime? Then try Farm Rich’s line of easy to make appetizers. I first heard of this brand by participating in a campaign with BzzAgent and was impressed by their snack products. 

Yesterday,  I chose to combine two of my favorites from that line: Barbeque Chicken Bites and Loaded Potatoe Skins …and served as one amazing appetizer !

I recommend visiting their website to see other recipe hacks like putting a fried egg on top of the potato skin or serving the barbeque chicken bites on a toothpick with mini cornbread squares! 

I hope you are inspired to include  any or all of these quick, easy and tasty items on your Super Bowl Sunday snack spread or anytime you host your next gathering. Let me know what you have planned to eat/serve on Game Day ?! 

Did you know #Moana Sing Along Film is in Theaters Today ? You’re Welcome! @DisneyMoana #Disney

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MOANA fans get your singing voices ready as Walt Disney Animation Studios introduces an all-new sing-along version of the hit, critically-lauded comedy-adventure MOANA, coming to theaters nationwide January 27th!

Ever since my family and I went to the advanced screening of MOANA , my daughter has been singing and dancing to entire soundtrack! We love the film so much we even had a Moana theme night at home where I got my Polynesian on! 

I can not wait to see the movie again and continue on the epic journey. Fans are invited to set sail this time with an all-new sing-along version of MOANA launching in more than 2,000 theaters nationwide TODAY! MOANA audiences were swept away by the film’s original songs and score from a dynamic team that includes Tony®-, Emmy®- and Grammy®-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda (Pulitzer Prize- and Tony-winning “Hamilton,” Tony-winning “In the Heights”), Mark Mancina (“Tarzan,” Broadway’s “The Lion King”) and Opetaia Foa‘i (founder and lead singer of the award-winning world music band Te Vaka).

The sing-along version of MOANA includes the full feature film with on-screen lyrics, so audiences can belt out the words to their favorite songs, such as the Golden Globe®-nominated “How Far I’ll Go.” Moviegoers can check local listings for showtimes and theaters; the sing-along run will vary by location.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 56th animated feature opened domestically on Nov. 23, 2016, becoming the No. 2 Thanksgiving debut ever with $82 million. The film continues to delight audiences around the globe, earning more than $225 million domestically and $450 million worldwide to date. The film has a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” CinemaScore.

MOANA has received, thus far, nominations for BAFTA, PGA, Golden Globe® and a Critics’ Choice Movie Award for best animated feature. The film’s uplifting soundtrack has dominated the music charts for more than six weeks, peaking at No. 1 on the iTunes Albums chart; it is currently No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The soundtrack is available wherever music is sold and streaming.

Audiences can soon enjoy the original theatrical version of the film at home and packed with a variety of bonus extras when MOANA arrives on Digital HD/3D and Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) on Feb. 21, and on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, Digital SD, DVD and On-Demand on March 7.

Like MOANA on Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/disneymoana

 Follow MOANA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneymoana

 Follow Disney Animation on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/disneyanimation/

 Visit Disney Animation on Tumblr:http://disneyanimation.tumblr.com/

 Visit the official MOANA website here:http://movies.disney.com/moana

Whether you have never seen Moana before or plan to see it again like us, you are in for a treat! The movie, it’s message and the songs will leave an impression on the whole family. 

 Find out where the film is playing near you >>>here

You’re Welcome !

#TestimonialTuesday Makeover with @butterLondon & @_iknoGlam + #ValentinesDay Special!

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It’s always fun to play in makeup and get pampered, right ladies? And with Valentine’s Day around the corner, fellas may I suggest you give the gift every girl can enjoy : makeup from butter London and a makeover or shall I say “Glam-Over” by Neely Glam Studios!
I had the pleasure of experiencing both and wanted to share my Tuesday Testimonial with you. I received samples of butter LONDON, the official makeup sponsor of Project Runway Junior® Season 2, however the following opinions are my own. 

You only have one chance to make a first impression—and let’s just say, I was impressed with these 2 butter LONDON products. Both of them were featured in an episode of Project Runway Junior® Season 2 where contestants worked with celebrity makeup artist Scott Patric to create one-of-a-kind looks to complement their designs on the runway. The winning look featured an array of butter LONDON products, including the Plush Rush Lip Gloss in Fireworks and BlushClutch in Just Darling.

I loved the colors in the blush palatte. They were very complimentary to my skin tone and blended smoothly ..like butter..into my skin! It comes with a highlighter pen and in a gorgeous compact. The lip gloss glided on with ease but after application it had a tingling sensation that was uncomfortable. I wonder if that is why it was called Fireworks?!

I knew my favorite makeup artist in the Triangle would know the answer. So I called up Tanya Neely of Neely Glam Studios to schedule a Glam Tutorial One on One along with a Signature Glam Session. And guess what ladies and gents, she is running a Valentine’s Day Special!!!! See details below !

❤️❤️❤️Valentine’s Day Glam-Over Special❤️❤️❤️

Level up your look for your special day for just $25 ..get a soft yet sultry Neely Glam-Over 🌹

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📍Book now http://www.styleseat.com/neelyglam
—————–LIKE&SHARE—

Follow @neelyglamstudios_mua

#NeelyGlam #MUA #MakeupArtist #Beatface #DurhamMUA #RaleighMUA #ChapelHillMUA #CharlotteMUA #NorthCarolinaMUA #MaryKay #ABH #MAC #Sephora #SHANY #Fleek #Slay #Lashes #SmokeyEye #Illuminate #Brows #BEAT #Contour #Highlight #Sacha #Buttercup #GreensboroMUA #NCCU #Duke #NCSU

Ms.Neely arrived to my home promptly for my appointment with all her tools of the trade. I was very impressed that she came with her own lighting and plenty of products to choose from. She informed me that the lip gloss had a plumping agent in it which was giving the tingly effect and because I have natural , full lips that she would not be using it. 

It’s not often that I wear a full face of makeup or get to bat my eyes with false lashes. I only do a ‘full beat’ for special occasions, so I let Ms.Neely choose a look for me. She decided on doing a look called “Safari Sunset”. I loved the hues of browns and golds used as well as her choice of lipstick: a reddish orange matte color called ‘Anna Nicole by Nyxx.I loved the final look especially my brows!

Before

After

Applying blush from the butterLondon BlushClutch

See more of the behind the scenes and finished look here: https://youtu.be/YhaVYNmG0mI

So there you have it my Tuesday Testimonial. Overall, I enjoyed my Glam-Over by Neely Studios using some makeup by butter London. Don’t forget, if you are in North Carolina : Raleigh/Durham/Greesnboro/Charlotte, to book your look and take advantage of the upcoming Valentine’s Day special! If you need a MUA for any occassion be sure to contact Neely Glam Studios!

Got a child age 2-5 ? Then go see #DanielTigerLive ~It’s Grr-fic ! Today @DPAC 2pm/5:30pm #Durham 

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The legacy of the beloved “Mister Rogers” lives on with the hit television series, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, from The Fred Rogers Company and airing daily on PBS KIDS. 

Now, Daniel and all of
his friends are hopping aboard Trolley to delight live audiences with Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live! Families and friends filled up DPAC in Durham on Saturday, January 21, 2017 for two (2pm & 5:30pm) exciting shows! Our little one packed up Daniel Tiger and Friends and was ready to see all of her favorites come to life on the big stage!

Donning his iconic red sweater, Daniel invites the audience on a musical adventure as he and his friends explore the vibrant world of their Neighborhood of Make-Believe, where sharing stories of friendship, helping others and celebrating new experiences is their preferred way of making the most of a beautiful day!


This interactive, live theatrical production filled with singing, dancing, laughter and “grr-ific” surprises will warm the hearts of multiple generations. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood tells its engaging stories about the life of a preschooler using musical strategies grounded in Fred Rogers’ landmark social-emotional curriculum. Through imagination, creativity and music, Daniel and his friends learn the key social skills necessary for school and for life.


In February 2015, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood was the #2 program across all TV networks for Kids 2-5 and with moms of young children. In addition, it continues to be one of the highest-streamed shows, averaging over 40 million streams per month. One million Daniel Tiger books have been published to date, and downloads of the apps, music and episodes continue to rank high on iTunes.

The animated TV series has garnered a host of prestigious awards, and most recently was nominated for a 2015 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program. This recognition follows a string of additional honors, including a 2015 Parents’ Choice Gold Award and 2014 Prix Jeunesse International Selection as well as the 2013 Kidscreen Award for Best Animated Series in the Preschool Category, and 2013
Cynopsis: Kids! Imagination Award for Preschool Series.

For more information please go to www.DPACnc.com. 

PBS KIDS Website: http://pbskids.org/daniel/

The Fred Rogers Company Website: http://www.fredrogers.org/

Produced by Mills Entertainment: http://millsentertainment.com/

Executive Producer/Tour Booking: The Brad Simon
Organization Inc.: http://www.bsoinc.com/


Give a #ValentinesDayGift that Gives Back from #GlowforACause | #Beauty Review by #SobeSavvy

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With Valentine’s Day approaching quickly, it’s time to make sure you have a great gift for everyone on your list! If you want a gift that’s empowering, luxurious, and sweet smelling then GLOW for a cause is the place to shop!

I recently learned about Glow for a cause  and their mission to not only create the most amazing beauty products, but they also give back to charities with every purchase! So I requested a sample because I love luxury beauty/skincare products. 

I received the “Wish” body butter to sample and it was love at first smell ! I also loved the consistency of the butter. Not too thick and absorbed into my skin. 

Here is how it is described on the website: 

A magical blend of sparkling light florals, white tea, and bergamot grounded by light musks.  

Our luxuriously rich body butter with nature’s best moisturizing oils of coconut, jojoba, sunflower and vitamin E, hydrates and protects the skin while leaving behind a sexy and lasting scent.

Paraben Free.  Phthalate Free.  Cruelty Free.  Gluten Free.  Made in the USA.

INGREDIENTS

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Ceteareth-20, Glycerin, Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), Beeswax, Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Oil, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate (and) PEG-100 Stearate , Jojoba (Buxus Chinensis) Oil, Sunflower (Helianthus Annus) Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Carbomer, Sodium Citrate, Caramel, Fragrance Oil

GLOW for a cause “Wish” Scented Products Include:

  • Body Butter
  • Perfume
  • Facial Creams
  • Facial Clay Masks
  • Facial Clay Scrubs
  • Lip Balm
  • Makeup Bag

 
I appreciate that GLOW for a cause is a company that creates a variety of beauty products made with high quality ingredients to not only make you feel amazing on the outside, but to also help empower you on the inside! With a variety of decadent scents and products available, you’ll be wanting to also gift yourself something! Every time you buy a GLOW for a cause product, you are not only pampering yourself, you are giving back 5% to our partner non-profit organizations. Now that’s beauty that GLOWS on the inside and out.

Charities GLOW for a cause Gives Back to Includes:

  • Cowgirls vs. Cancer
  • Boston Firefighter’s Burn Foundation
  • The Red Sox Foundation
  • MaxFund Animal Adoption Center
  • The Gathering Place
  • Berni’s Journey

 
 If you would like to learn more information about GLOW for a cause visit http://www.glowforacause.com/.

#FitnessMonday Alert! Free Rides @CycleBar ‘s new studio #CaryNC #AlstonTownCenter ~Sign Up Today!

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A month ago I shared my review of Cycle Bar, a new concept in premium indoor cycling that offers a high energy workout in a concert-like atmosphere. Well guess what Cary residents, a new one is opening Thursday, Jan. 19 in the new Alston Town Center at Route 55 and I-540 – just in time to help locals stick with their healthy New Year’s resolutions.

As part of its grand opening, the boutique fitness studio is inviting the community to try a CycleBar class for free from Jan. 19 through Jan. 29 – offering a total of 2,500 FREE rides! The classes are an awesome 50-minute workout for all skill levels and ages. To take advantage of one of the free rides, registration is required and offered first-come, first-serve starting Jan. 9 at alston.cyclebar.com/schedule.

“CycleBar®’s invigorating and multi-sensory classes bring a new type of personalized workout experience for locals of all ages and fitness levels,” said Joseph Cece, local franchise owner. “I am proud to bring this energizing and community-centered boutique fitness opportunity to Cary this month!

 

The 2,300-square-foot boutique studio, owned by avid cyclist and former CEO of Global Knowledge of Cary Joseph Cece, will offer riders a low-impact and high-intensity exercise method. CycleBar® offers a pay-per-class model, with no membership necessary. Concierge service and amenities include free towels, water bottles, showers, lockers and shoes.

The dynamic classes take place in a state-of-the-art CycleTheatre® and are led by CycleStar® instructors who take participants through a 50-minute high energy ride. The CycleTheatre® features tiers for 48 bikes plus LED lighting, wide-screen graphics and state-of-the-art audio with a DJ booth. Riders can also track performance data via CycleStats® and can download music used in the class session. After class, riders cool down with fresh fruit and water, while aromatherapy helps guests relax throughout the facility.

CycleBar® also does more than just help people stay in shape, it gives them the opportunity to work out to support a cause through philanthropic CycleGiving® events that regularly take place at the studios. In 2015, CycleBar® supported Susan G. Komen to raise funds for breast cancer awareness, the American Heart Association to raise funds for heart disease research and prevention and The Movember Foundation to raise awareness for men’s health and well-being.

Stay up to date and follow CycleBar Alston on Facebook . Feel free to spread this #FitnessMonday news and share that CycleBar is opening in Cary, NC plus giving away Free Rides! Sign up before the seats are all gone and be sure to tell them know Leslie at SobeSavvy.com sent you to Rock Your Ride!  

#SnowDay Date Night Idea ~ READ 808 Conversation Starters for Couples | Book Review by SobeSavvy

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Disclosure: I received this book for review and all opinions are my own.

One of my goals for 2017 is to read more. While I do get to enjoy reading children’s books with my daughter, I often do not find the time to pick up a book of my own and have neglected my love for reading. I also have found myself too tired to engage in coversation with my husband at the end of the day.

That has changed starting with this fun read“ titled 808 Conversation Starters for Couples. It is a new book that offers the ultimate list of casual conversation prompts to spark fun and interesting dialogue, deepen communication, and increase intimacy during dinner time, date night or any other moment.

Now if you know my husband, he always has something to talk about and because we have been married for 17 years, I just believed that I would know most of his answers. WRONG. I learned quite a bit about him just from asking the following questions: What would be the title of your autobiography? Would you say you were born in the wrong decade? What TV show is your guilty pleasure? 

Ask any of these questions to your partner, and you’’re guaranteed to share an interesting conversation. 808 Conversation Starters for Couples” is the perfect antidote for you and your significant other to get closer through the simple exchange of talking and listening.The art of communication is a lost art for some and this book is a way to bring that back to your relationship while having fun! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BO_TohXDlO2/

This book is not just for couples but for anyone. During our holiday party, we shared this book amongst friends and introduced it as a party game. We had each guest flip to any page and ask any question that piques their interest.The book not only has questions but there are Do It! suggestions like “give your partner a piggyback ride”. Not only does this book reveal things about yourself, your partner but you never know what passions, hopes or even funny stories might be revealed amongst your friends! 

Sample Questions:

What are three jobs you definitely could n’ot do?

What’s the most important piece of advice you ever received?

What’s the very first memory you can recall?

Do you correct people’s grammar or pronunciation?

Can you name five things you hate spending money on?   

This weekend was the perfect time to review this book, as I know some of you are snowed in and tired of “netflix and chill” as a way to have a date night. Don’t get me wrong, I love to cuddle on the couch and watch a good movie with my man but I also enjoy asking him questions, listening to his answers, sharing my thoughts and loving on each other even more! I believe intimacy creates understanding which creates love and it all starts from a good conversation. If you are not sure where to start, let this book be your guide. It’s available here http://amzn.to/2j5VFtR Get it before Valentine’s Day and have your fun conversation starters ready for your date night! 

Now for fun ..answer this sample question from the book below in the comments: DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT? 

#FoodieFriday Spotlight on #CLTFood | Where to Eat & More #Charlotte #CLT #charlottesgotalot 

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Note: This post was sponsored in part by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. All opinions and photos are my own.

To celebrate the end of 2016, my family and I went on a road trip down to Charlotte, NC. Besides all the great cultural and sports attractions that North Carolina’s biggest city encompasses, I was there for a more basic reason: to eat !  Charlotte has quite the cuisine scene and this foodie was focused on eating like a Queen in the Queen City! 

American Girl Dining SouthPark Mall

First, I made plans to have lunch with my little princess and her favorite doll at the bistro inside the American Girl Store at SouthPark Mall. It was quite a unique experience, which you can read my full review here. Not only was it a fun time, but the kid friendly menu had tasty options for us adults too. A reservation is definitely necessary as this place is popular. Be sure to end your meal on a sweet note and order dessert. They’ll even bring a cupcake out for your child to decorate for their doll to enjoy!

Dinner at Sea Level NC  

Since it was NYE, an early dinner in Uptown was the perfect choice. I love fresh seafood and Sea Level NC delivered just that! Service was friendly and professional. Never underestimate how important southern hospitality is to a restaurant experience.Their decor is modern and understated stylish. Lots of exposed brick and wood. 

They have a incredible farm to fork raw oyster menu sourced from North Carolina and all over the country. It changes constantly depending on the season and what’s available. All fresh and delectable. 

Ooh baby I like it raw..in my ODB voice..lol, but if you dont’t and prefer something steamed, try the mussels. Plump and tasty. Mussel rule #108 don’t forget to use the bread for sopping up the mussel broth made with white wine and garlic butter !

Wash them down with a beer or glass of wine from their extensive drink menu or a  order craft cocktail called Melting NY Sour. It was what my husband called a “man’s drink”.

Their daily seafood catches and delicious dishes, like their classic Lobster roll make this restaurant a must try for visitors and locals. Huge hunks of lobster on greens and a remoulade sauce on a lightly toasted bread was fantastic. They let the lobster just be lobster. Why mess with perfection?!

Midwood Smokehouse Ballantyne

Midwood Smokehouse has quickly become a BBQ institution in Charlotte. We had the pleasure of dining at their Ballyntyne location in Charlotte on New Years Day for dinner. North Carolina and Charlotte in general have a lot of BBQ restauarants, but when restaurateur Frank Scibelli toured barbeque joints in Texas, he picked up invaluable tips.For starters, they burn hickory logs 24 hours a day to smoke their meats in a one of a kind ,old school manual commercial smoker. The general manager was kind enough to give me a tour of the kitchen where all the magic happens. Someone has to feed the smoker constantly to keep the fire going and maintain a even temperature in the smoker at all times. That takes a lot of work . More art than science and it shows in their food.We started with some smoked wings. Dry on the outside but moist and flavorful inside. 

I had a new years special that is not normally on their menu. Pork shoulder, collard greens, black eyed peas and jalapeno cornbread. This is traditional meal to be eaten for good luck to start 2017. They should start a tradition and keep this entree on the menu! It’s was that good.

One side dish you can always find on the menu is the mac and cheese. I do not know what cheeses were used but there was plenty of it throughout ! I have no doubt this was made with love.

Service was prompt, informative and friendly. The manager demanded we try some brisket before we departed , so we managed to try a few bites. WOW ! tender, tasty and perfect mix of lean and fat.Midwood is now our “GO TO ” spot when we are in Charlotte and craving REAL BBQ . Take it from their mascot, the Notorious P.I.G ..they smoke the good stuff!

After a great dinner, we headed back to our hotel at Homewood Suites by Hilton in Ballantyne. It is conveniently close (within walking distance) to the restaurant and a great choice of lodging when staying in Charlotte. Check out my video to see why : https://youtu.be/YqoCw2QHhuk

Holidays on Ice at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza

Although it rained most of our visit, on our last day, I got to work off some of that good eating by ice skating. Located outside the
Nascar Hall Of Fame, Charlotte’s outdoor ice rink is perfect for families, date nights or fun outings with friends. 

None of us had ever been ice skating before so this was an exciting family first! Skates on.Stand up. Let’s skate. If it was only that easy !! Luckily a few kind teenagers helped us onto the ice. We all held on to the bannister and laughed alot. Holiday on Ice is definitely a holiday tradition that both skaters and non-skaters can enjoy. Afterwards, we celebrated by having our picture taken with the giant polar bear and next to a NASCAR sign of course!

Thank you to our friends at Homewood Suites by Hilton Charlotte Ballantyne, American Girl brand and a very special thanks to the CRVA for the warm welcome to Charlotte! We made great memories, discovered amazing places to dine, learned that the Queen City is a haven for foodies and that Charlotte’s got a lot.

Happy Birthday #MelodyEllison ! Celebrate & #LiftYourVoice @American_Girl Bistro in #Charlotte

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Today is not only the celebration of the New Year (Happy 2017 Everyone!) but did you know it was Melody Ellison’s , American Girl’s latest BeForever doll, birthday?! 

Melody Ellison made her debut back in August and our friends at American Girl sent our #outandaboutAva one to review. She immediately loved the doll’s outfit (a bright A-line dress,headband for hair, socks plus shiny-blue patent shoes) and enjoyed learning that the BeForever character from 1964 loves music just like she does! It was like love at first sight when she noticed the doll has deep-brown eyes and skin “just like me”!

In the book, No Ordinary Sound,  Melody’s story unfolds..she grew up in Detroit during the Civil Rights Movement and, while facing many challenges, she wants to help change her world for the better. It is a very inspiring story based on true historical accuracy and authenticity based on the input of esteemed educators and historians.

Fairness, equality, hope, harmony..those are just some of the important messages that every reader shall take away from Melody Ellison’s story. Her courage is something to celebrate. So when I learned the character’s birthday was New Year’s Day, I decided to make the holidays magical by planning a visit to the American Girl Store in Charlotte, NC for my daughter and her doll to enjoy a signature dining experience. Every birthday girl needs a birthday dress, so we dressed Melody in her Christmas outfit and we were on our way!

Located at SouthPark Mall, the American Girl store offers festive dining in the Bistro. This is every girl’s dream to get all dolled up and go dining with their doll! Reservations are highly recommended as this is a popular experience and seating at this location sits only 25 with a special party room for birthday groups up to 12 people.We got seated at a beautifully decorated table where Melody had her own special dining chair. How darling!

We were promptly greeted and asked our drink order. Sprite, Pink Lemonade, and Sweet Tea were the drinks of the day for us 3. And for Melody, her own little saucer and drink..what a nice surprise! While we waited for our food, we enjoyed the conversation starters game that was available on the table to play.

Their menu is very unique because they encourage you to “design how you dine”. You can order dessert prior to an entree or vice versa. Do not think though that because the menu is kid friendly that quality suffers. That is not the case. Everything was top notch, great tasting food. I especially enjoyed my spinach salad with grilled chicken and warm bacon dressing. 

Our wonderful bistro experience ended with a DIY cupcake.Two plain cupcakes {one reg size and one Melody sized} with all the cupcake topping ingredients on the side. My daughter basically custom made her own cupcake. Spreading the amount of icing and sprinkles as she saw fit {which was almost all of it !}.It was like a dessert science project that you can eat ! Hubby and I shared the dessert sampler, which included warm cookies and brownie bites. We presented Melody, the birthday girl, with her own cupcake and candle and lifted our voices to sing Happy Birthday! See video here.

What wonderful memories made and a great experience to share with any lityle loved ones in your family! Next time you want to celebrate any special occasion or just have a nice lunch or dinner date, definitely plan a visit to the American Girl store and dine at the Bistro.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOxWmVzgKEe/

Holiday Dinner Made Easy with @KreuzMarket Smoked Turkey + Side Dishes from @CityBarbeque #NC

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Christmas is a few days away and New Year’s is around the corner!  Whether you are celebrating with family or friends, chances are there will be alot of food involved. But for those of us who don’t feel like cooking a feast for the holidays, let me share with you two great options for making your for your holiday meal easy! This year, don’t stress. Instead, impress your guests by serving a smoked turkey from Kreuz Market with some delicious sides from City Barbeque. 

I have never had smoked turkey before, let alone have one delivered to my door. So when I learned that Kreuz Market makes whole smoked holiday turkeys and can ship it, I had to try it! In Texas, Kreuz Whole Smoked Turkeys are a seasonal fave available November and December. It’s cooked low and slow in brick pits over post oak sealing in that smokey goodness. Hot Turkeys are available for pickup while Cold turkeys can be ordered online and shipped to you fresh and ready to prepare. The turkey arrived vacuum sealed and comes with some simple reheating instructions. After a hour and a half of having your home smelling like the best Texas barbeque, it’s ready to be carved and served.It was so moist, full of flavor and I could taste the devotion to the tradition of barbeque. Hats off to the Pit Boss and everyone at Kreuz Market for making this a holiday meal to remember !

Photo Credit: Kreuz Market

You can’t have a tasty turkey without delicious side dishes and I knew just where I wanted to order from. My favorite barbeque place here in the Triangle, City Barbeque. Whether you need a foolproof dish to take to a potluck or hosting a holiday dinner , they have a lot of options available for catering or takeout. Because our dinner was for a small group we opted to go to the Durham, NC location and pick up some quart sized sides which serves 5-6 folks! 

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Here is what was served:

Gumbo for the first course of course. It comes with a side of brown rice and has just the right amount of spice.I loved it! It’s perfect for when you want something delicious to warm you up on a cold, winter’s evening.

Photo Credit: City Barbeque

Mac and Cheese, Green Beans w/Bacon (which are prepared by City Barbeque’s employees throughout the day from scratch in the restaurant. These classic side dishes were so good and easy to serve. Just reheat in the microwave and Voila! )

..and last but not least, aseasonal item, which was everyone’s fave: Sweet Potato Casserole   If I had to choose one word to describe it: YUM ! There are nuts in it but also a whole lot of deliciousness. Try some before the season ends.

Photo Credit: City Barbeque

While the adults had my homemade rum cake (check out recipe), I was happy to learn that City Barbeque offers their own homemade desserts made daily from scratch and served my daughter her own big girl piece of their Triple Chocolate Cake. 

It was a sweet ending to a wonderful holiday dinner with family & friends! I highly recommend letting both City Barbeque and/or Kreuz Market take care of you this holiday season and make your holiday dinner easy & delicious! 

Happy Holidays!