Super Bowl Recipes

There were 3 successes on Sunday. I was secretly cheering for the Seahawks, so that definitely was not one.
No. 1 - Brince won the corn hole tournament at our Super Bowl Party. That a way babe!
No. 2 - Can we talk about Missy Elliot?! She killed it - it was amazing!
and No. 3 - My chocolate chip cookie dough dip was a HIT among the kids (and adults) at the party.

If you are looking for a fun (non healthy) dip for a party, this is a great one! I served the dip with apple slices and vanilla wafers.
**Here's my disclaimer, I am NOT a food blogger, hence the terrible photo that I took. I intended to take more at the party, but you know, I just got consumed in the partying and forgot to take photos!

Cookie Dough Football Dip

Recipe via Erica's Sweet Tooth

For a healthier approach, I highly recommend the Asian Raman Chopped Salad. My mom always made a version of this salad when we were growing up. I've always loved it due to the crunchy texture. This recipe has added chicken, green onion, and sesame seeds. It's delish!

The Big Game on Sunday

The Super Bowl is tomorrow. I'm pretty excited about: 

Katy Perry. And good food.

Image via yahoo.com

I'm hoping that Katy's performance will be better than this outfit...yikes. I fully expect half time is going to be spectacular!

I love surfing creative Super Bowl food ideas online. I typically overcook because I have a hard time narrowing down my choices. There are so many possibilities!

Find great recipes at buzzfeed.com

 We'll be watching the game with some friends in town. Found out on Monday what I decide to whip up in the kitchen. So what are you doing for the big game and what's being served up on your menu?

Brince's 30th Birthday: {Part 2!}

The morn of Brince's birthday, he had no idea that we'd be spending the evening decked out in 20's attire at a surprise speakeasy. Little did he know, I actually had two surprises up my sleeve for this big birthday...listen you only turn 30 once! After that, you're just old! (Kidding!) I revealed the latter of the two surprises first so he had no idea the party was coming that evening.

I gave Brince this hilarious photo to let him know I'd planned a ski trip for us for his birthday. Surprise! Copper Mountain, here we come!

(Unfortunately, Cooper did not get to hit the slopes with us...he's not really fond of putting his paws in the snow.)

We headed out to Copper Mountain last Sunday and got back home on Thursday. This was the view from our condo - right out onto the slopes! 

Our favorite {green} slope went all the way to the top of the mountain - 12,000 feet! It was a breathtaking view off both sides of the mountain.

 

We skied for three days and met up with lots of friends while we were out there. Copper Mountain is right off the interstate and within 30 miles of Breckenridge, Frisco, and Vail - so we visited all 3 while we were there! We had fantastic skiing and an all around blast! 

Top Left: Evergreen with Ric | Top Right: Vail with Colby & Jamie | 

Bottom Left: Frisco with Meghan | Bottom Right: our travel buddies, Mag and Dave

I hope there are many many more ski trips in our future! It's been so much fun celebrating Brince's big 3-0! Can't wait to see what this new decade brings in his life!

Brince's 30th Birthday: {Part 1!}

My sweet, endearing hubs is one of the most selfless, kind-hearted people I know. One may say I'm a little biased, but even his friends back me on this one. Brince never makes any effort to be the center of attention or receive special treatment in any circumstance. This sweet man and I have a special bond over both being post Christmas babies- his birthday being the 26th and mine being the 28th. For his big 3-0 this year, I was determined to throw a surprise birthday celebration as spectacular as Brince himself - and a super fun night for all of our friends and family! It was thrilling {and challenging} to surprise him on his big day. I may never top this one, but it certainly gives me a good challenge! 

Being an event planner, I love to go all out with the details, and I get just giddy for a themed party! With a little inspiration from the internet, I decided on a Gatsby-inspired 20's party to {bid farewell} to Brince's Roaring 20's. I couldn't have been happier with how this special party turned out for my special beau. My amazing sister-in-law, Maggie, gives a great photo recap of the party on her blog. Please go check it out to see all the fun deets! Here are just a few pics:

I just want to give a special shout-out to all the vendors that made contributions to this fabulous DIY party that I dreamed up. And, a special thank you to all of our guests who showed up and showed out - seriously, everyone looked amazing!!

Invitations: customized from template on Zazzle.com | Flowers & Decor: Maggie Griffin | Cake: Pat Coody Catering | Cake Pops: Candace's Cake Balls | Monogrammed Cookies: Two Crazy Cookies

2015: The Blog is Back!

Happy New Year friends! We all love resolutions for the new year. One of mine: get back to sharing online with my peeps! I've spent January 1 (today) planning and setting goals for the upcoming year. I'm looking forward to big things in the New Year. Before fully looking forward though,  I've reflected on the big year for us that was 2014.

There were new job opportunities. Brince joined Walker Insurance Agency.

A new city.

A new home.

Beautiful client weddings.

We married off LOTS of friends.

Lots of travel.

Celebrated my brother's engagement to his lovely fiance, Samantha.

And maja birthdays (21 for Asa in Vegas and the 3-0 for Brince-o!)

We've been blessed beyond measure! Seriously - we are two lucky ducks! Lucky, happy, and ready for an even bigger year!! Here we go 2015!

Miss Georgia Week: The meaning of "Has-Been"

This week is Miss Georgia week, and for any "Has-Been" who has competed in the Miss Georgia pageant, it's a very exciting time. "Has-Been" is the term a former pageant competitor uses to refer to herself when it comes to pageant talk. I know - it really is it's own little world. (Picture right: Miss UGA 2010)

Most people who know me don't hear me speak of my pageant days very much. That's because even when I competed, I never felt like I was your stereotypical pageant girl. I loved competing and really did want to be the best, but I also had other hobbies and focuses that I committed myself to. I was always very aware of the stereotype and never wanted anyone I met to have that preconceived notion of me.

At the same time, I am very proud of what my participation in the Miss Georgia system did for me. I learned extreme work ethic and focus....I worked my butt off when preparing for Miss Georgia!! I gained interview skills and expertise that I carry with me to every job interview and always walk away feeling great about my presentation. I reached a level of confidence and self-understanding that some people don't reach in a lifetime. I learned how to fix my hair and apply my makeup so that it actually looked good. I met brilliantly talented people and developed relationships that I will cherish for a lifetime. All good things in my book!

Photo credit: Blane Marable Photography

I've been out of the game long enough now that there are no girls that I competed with still competing. However, I enjoy watching the pageant to see girls who were teen queens all grown up, still chasing their dream and competing for the Miss Georgia crown. I also watch the pageant every year just to see the fabulous new gown designs by Gregory Ellenburg. He's the best in the business, and I'm always in awe to see what he designs for these ladies. Here are some of my competition pieces that Greg created:

One lady's life will drastically change on Saturday night when she takes on the job of Miss Georgia (I can't tell you much about that though because the judges never gave me the chance for the job - Ha!). Many other ladies (who I can identify with!) will leave with life experience, pageant memories, exhaustion, and a few new friends.  I dare say it's a feeling and experience that never leaves you...it's ingrained in "us" (us being a collective term for pageant Has-Beens).

(That's me - 3rd on the left being recognized as Top Ten in 2010)

It takes all of a half-second for me to reignite the emotions felt during my competitions at Miss Georgia. There is so much pressure, preparation, stress, anxiety, excitement, and passion working at the highest levels during that time, all you can hope is that you hit your peak at the right time for the judges to notice! After that, welcome to post-pageant depression - we've all been there too. It's a real thing. But don't worry, it goes away eventually.

Headshot credit: Deelite Photography

One thing that does stay with a Has-Been for life is an appreciation and respect for any girl on that stage - because as a former you KNOW what they have put in to get on that stage...and it ain't easy. You also know that there's no one like "us"....only a pageant girl (Has-Been or current) understands a pageant girl. So, my hat tips to all of the girls competing this week. It is an awesome experience that will impact you for the rest of your life. I'm excited to see who our new Miss Georgia will be! If you're interested in watching, the pageant live streams on WRBL starting tonight at 7:30!