Holiday Gifts: Food Edition!

As I watch all of my blogger friends share fun holiday gift ideas, I figured it was only fair that I shared some gift ideas for the foodies like me on your list! Check out my suggestions and sound off with yours in the comment section below!

1. Blue Apron – A perfect gift for anyone who loves to cook but juggles a busy schedule. You get the flexibility of picking your own menu from their selections, and are provided pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step menu cards to make dinner assembly easy without the stress.
2. Calphalon Grill Pan – As the temperature drops for the season, and winter really gets under way, it is getting harder and harder to convince yourself to go out to the grill; this pan is the perfect gift for the creative cook who loves a good sear all year round! The pan easily transitions into the oven to finish steaks and other yummy items, and best of all you can pop it into the dishwasher when you are done!
3. Gearharts Fine Chocolates – Gearharts is a Virginia based specialty chocolate producer who offers a wide range of products and gift ideas for the sweet tooth on your list! They have dozens of creative specialty options to suit anyone who enjoys dessert and  their VA Whiskey Truffles or VA Wine infused chocolates make an awesome holiday gift!
4. Whole Spice – Napa Valley – I discovered this delightful spice producer purely by chance a few years ago and keep going back to order their items and have them shipped across the country. They are high quality spices, and rubs which make an excellent gift for any chef. They have quite the selection for a range of different flavor palates!
5. Savannah Bee Company – Pictured above, I have my all time favorite raw honeycomb from Savannah Bee Company. This item makes a great gift for the “hostess with the mostess” on your list, or pairs nicely with dessert or cheese spreads for the holidays if you choose to keep it for yourself!

Saucy Mama Giveaway!

As you have probably seen on social media, I have been selected by Saucy Mama again this year to participate in their 2015 Recipe Contest! This means they send me some of their yummy sauces and I get cooking!! I will be posting my entry on the blog on Monday, but in the meantime I want to get you excited about Saucy Mama!

Saucy Mama has been generous enough to allow me to offer 3 of their sauces as a giveaway as part of the contest! So enter the rafflecopter contest below, and winners will be announced on May 29th!
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SouthernMrs. Featured on Saucy Mama Today!

Y’all may remember my post for the Saucy Mama Challenge last year where I made some yummy Jamaican Jerk Chicken Quesadillas with their fun new wing sauces!

These Jamaican Jerk Chicken Quesadillas have an amazing sweet tang, brought about by the Saucy Mama Jamaican Jerk Wing Sauce. They were sweet enough to feature me today in honor of March Madness so go check it out!

– Amy

Mix it up Monday! Spring Dress Round-Up

As we finally transition from this cold weather into spring I had to share my 4 must have Spring dresses! Several of these are staple pieces you will no doubt wear for years, but I also threw in some fun and flirty options to help you round out your spring wardrobe, but also transition into summer and wedding season! Designers seem to be breaking out the bright colors

1) JCrew Scallop Dress – Navy $79.50
While the red dress makes a statement, for a staple wardrobe piece I would go with the Navy. This is a staple wardrobe piece that you can easily mix with a blazer and heels for work or with flip flops for a fun day out! A great transitional piece where the shoes and jewelry you pick will really make a difference!

2) Anthropologie  Aures Sheath Dress – $168

This dress is flattering, elegant but fun and another great purchase for a good dress up or dress down option. The contrasting prints look amazing together and the cut of the dress is extremely flattering. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the fabric is much lighter than I expected and had some give so that it comfortable to move around.

3) I.MADELINE Maddie Electric Embossed Dress – $89

Bright colors are really in this Spring, and this ‘electric’ pink is the perfect find. You could easily wear this to an outdoor wedding, or just out with your friends. This dress is flattering, has a great embossed print and appropriate length.

4) Lilly Pulitzer Delia Shift Dress – $198

After seeing a friend in this dress at a shower last week, I knew I had this to my Spring Dress Round-Up. The colors are vibrant and gorgeous and look amazing on any skin tone. The vibrant print +the excellent fit + the weight of the fabric + the little details = the perfect summer shift.

Giveaway!!!!! Eat & Explore Virginia – Cookbook and Guide!

For my very first giveaway, I am offering up this awesome Eat & Explore Virginia – Cookbook and Guide! I was given this as a gift last year, and it is awesome! It has recipes from individuals and restaurants, local landmarks, historic facts and much more!

Just enter the giveaway with my Rafflecopter widget below! The winner will be selected at random, and you have until Wednesday, February 12th at 12:00am to enter!

An excerpt from the back cover:

“Experience The Old Dominion like never before as you explore the distinct flavor of Virginia and discover the state’s exceptional communities, beloved celebrations, and remarkable destinations… all within the pages of this unique cookbook. You’ll discover favorite recipes straight from the kitchens of hometown cooks across the state… Stratford Hall’s Famous Ginger Cookies, Gray Ghost Miniature Cheesecakes, and Chincoteague Clam Pot Pie. Delicious Virginia fare such as Rosemary Chicken, Peach Dumplings, Hot Virginia Dip, and Grey Swan Inn Signature Strata will tempt the taste buds and guarantee raves from your friends and family. When dinner is done and everyone’s ready to explore, this unique cookbook offers even more. Virginia’s favorite events and destinations are profiled with everything you need to know to plan your trip. Hillsville’s Downtown Celebration Series to Gloucester’s Daffodil Festival, Pigg River Ramble Weekend to Halifax County’s Cantaloupe Festival, Virginia offers family fun to suit every taste. Let’s eat and explore… Virginia.”

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Super Bowl Recipes for a Crowd

With the Super Bowl just a few days away many of you are probably finalizing the finger foods you know both guys and girls will enjoy, so I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite recipes that are proven to please a crowd. I attempted to include some lighter, but still delicious options, since it is easy to get carried away while celebrating, or commiserating. Check back on Monday to see my favorite commercial round-up, I can already tell the Budweiser #BestBuds commercial will be making the list . . .

• Honey Chicken Meatballs: Once these easy meatballs have finished cooking there are several creative ways you can serve them to please your Super Bowl crowd.  I have prepared them alone, warming in a crock pot, paired with toothpicks for an appetizer, or in a bun with mozzarella cheese toasted and warmed for a great sub. Make these a main course or an appetizer to share this weekend!

• Tailgate Queso Blanco: As you already know I am a cheese addict. While I will always have the standard chip and dip appetizer for a party, this recipe is the ultimate elevated option! I prefer a white queso dip and this recipe will make about 2-3 cups depending on how cheese happy you get :D I always make this a night in advance and simply plan on reheating the cheese on the stove, or in the microwave before I am ready to serve!

Keeping Your Skin Healthy in Winter Weather

Winter weather is my skin’s worst enemy. The wind and dry air zap the moisture from my skin and my lips are prone to constant chapping. The newest weather fad, “polar vortex,” is really doing a number of me this year, and I wanted to give my best recommendations to keep your skin radiant.  While any exposed skin  (i.e. my face and hands) takes the brunt of the windy conditions, our entire bodies have a tendency to dry out if they are not provided layers of protection, whether by moisturizers or layered clothing.

While every skin type is different,  I wanted to focus on five tried and true steps to keep your face and skin feeling great, without breaking the bank.

1) Colder Showers

As you have probably heard, long hot showers are not good for your skin. The longer and hotter the shower, the faster your skin will dry out.  There is a very scientific reason for this, something about layers of skin and natural oils which I read a very interesting article about, but trust me on this one, it is not a myth. Windy, cold weather will only exacerbate this problem, especially if you are showering and heading straight outside to work. During the winter months aim to take shorter, lukewarm showers and moisturize immediately after patting yourself dry (more on that in #3).

2) Face moisturizers

I think that face moisturizing should be two step process, especially during the winter. First, you need a lotion that is made for daily wear that keeps your skin moisturized without that oily feeling. All year round I use my favorite, affordable make-up bag staple – Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. While it is not the thickest face lotion, nor is it super fancy, it is a daily requirement in my beauty regimen.

Second, at night you need to apply a thicker moisturizer. I have found that Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Moisturizing Treatment is a phenomenal drug store brand product with surprising results. It is a luxurious moisturizing product which makes my skin feel softer, and smoother, without making my wallet feel guilty.

Kickstart Your Workout – My Top 10 Songs to Keep You Motivated!

Starting today I am getting back into running, so it seemed fitting that I share with you what keeps me motivated – music!

Armed with a fabulous beginners 5k training program, compliments of my uber fit friend Maggie, (@MEMcD84 if you want to follow her on twitter for all of her running and food inspirations), I am committed to seeing this through.

If you are like me, then sometimes it is impossible to convince yourself to get to the gym, or pound the pavement. One of my resolutions for 2014 was to dedicate more time to running, and music definitely keeps me motivated.

This is what I am listening to, to get motivated in this cold weather. Disclaimer: I listen to ALL music, and variety keeps me going. :D

Fridge Organizing

One of the questions I get asked most often is, with everything you cook, how do you keep your fridge organized?

Simple, I don’t. I try, but between the mass amounts of condiments and revolving door of items any given day, it is near impossible for my fridge to “look” organized.

To me, it is clearly organized caos; there are separate places for meat, fruits, veggies, and a general grouping of items per dish, but I have found a new trick to keep things a bit more organized – simple, chic, storage bins for my fruits and veggies.

Must have Fall Essentials for your Closet

For this seasonal post I am picking a few items of clothing and sharing with you my favorites.!!! For work or play it is always nice to put buy a few fall staples for your wardrobe.

Blouse

JCrew has a cool ‘Discovery’ section of their website for neat clothes finds in local stores. I am currently in love with Liberty ruffled popover in Xanthe sunbeam print that they featured here. J.Crew is going to be Liberty’s new neighbor on Regent Street in London where they found this print! Liberty is really – London’s Liberty Art Fabrics. This could be paired with jeans, a suit or a skirt fairly easily, so definitely a versatile and bright addition to any fall closet. This top retails for a hefty $188, so definitely a special treat to add to your closet.

Sweater

Tildon, Slouch Neck Pullover,here, is the ultimate fall sweater. It is lightweight and easily paired for a more casual or upscale look depending on the occasion. Boots and jeans or a work skirt would all work well with this off white, ‘cloudy’ color and work its way seamlessly into your fall wardrobe. This sweater is reasonably priced at only $48, and is a must add to any fall wardrobe. It can be a bit sheer in the white, though the grey is better, so definitely find the right bra to pair with this fall top.

Casual Dress

J.Crew Factory is a bad addiction of mine. J.Crew clothes, marked down from retail, and on top of that there always seems to be an additional promotion that the Factory store is offering to knock the costs down even further. My most recent find is the Factory classic chambray shirtdress. The dress is versatile for fall, can be paired tights, and either or low boots, or with flip flops. The dress is marked down from $89.50, to $69.50 currently, and they are also running additional promotions any given week to mark them down even further.

Peplum

I am obsessed with this top! Victoria Vegan Leather Peplum by Tinley Road in the nude and green is absolutely amazing. This top retails $79 and for some reason I just keep coming back to the design and cut, it is very flattering and unique piece you can pair with jeans like in this picture, or dress up.

Vest

This Tweed Moto Vest by Tinley Road is a must have for me. In both a dark and gold tweed and a white and black tweed there are great options for your specific style. This vest is longer than many of the vets out there, so it doesn’t hit your hips at a weird length making you self concious.  retails for $89.00.