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Recipe: Low carb potato skins

I had some sweet potatoes lying around that needed to be used & decided to make them into potato skins!

What you will need:

  • Baking sheet
  • 1 sweet potato
  • Olive oil
  • Himalayan pink salt & pepper
  • Cheese
  • Toppings: bacon, green onion, sour cream.

Instructions:

  • Preheat your oven to 400
  • Slice the sweet potatoes into thin round slices
  • In a large mixing bowl, pour in 3 tbs of olive oil, 1 tbs of pepper, and 1sp of salt.
  • Mix the slices in the bowl with the oil and spices
  • When well mixed and coated, lay the slices on the baking sheet in one even layer
  • Bake on the top shelf of your oven for 25 minutes
  • Take out the baking sheet and add the cheese to the top of the potato slices, put back in the oven for two minutes
  • Remove the baking sheet and add any other toppings & serve!
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Food: one sheet easy pancake recipe

Good morning! I hope everyone is staying in during these trying times. Here is an easy way to serve breakfast quick and deliciously.

What you’ll need:

• baking sheet

• one sheet of parchment paper or foil

• cooking spray

• 2 Cups of Pancake mix (I use Kodiak Cakes buttermilk mix)

• water (depending on the mix you use, measurements will vary, I used 2 cups)

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 425. Mix the pancake mix with the water, fold in any fruit or chocolate chips you would like. Spray the parchment paper with your cooking spray.

Step 2

Pour mixed batter on the baking sheet lined with the parchment paper and spread evenly.

Step 3

Pop it in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Then cut and serve. Enjoy!

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30 things I learned in 30 years.

In about 13 hours I will have made another trip around the sun. 30, to be exact. Thirty is a number I have feared for so long and I will not lie, it crept up on me. These thirty years have been messy, some years harder than others, and some easier to remember than others…but ultimately this messy wild life has been nothing short of a blessing. Sometimes when we reach a new milestone in our life such as age we begin to realize we had all these expectations set for ourselves and we begin to reflect and it can be somewhat disappointing. Instead of reflecting on what I don’t have, where I’m not in life, or what I have not accomplished yet…I decided to reflect on what I have learned in these 30 years.

1. It’s okay to take your time.

Back to those expectations we have set for ourselves, it’s okay to not meet them. Where you think you need to be vs. where you are is not a race.

2. You’ll meet your true friends later in life.

Some keep the same group of friends from high school but if you’re like me, you’re grateful you didn’t. You meet people you really vibe with in your twenties and your circle gets smaller, and that’s okay.

3. Don’t take for granted where your feet land you.

Having spent months abroad in Europe, my biggest regret now was not appreciating the culture or history at the time because I was young and dumb. As you get older, those opportunities will not be as easy to partake in so travel and appreciate wherever you go. Never stop learning and appreciating.

4. You’ll cut the crap.

I wish I followed this mantra a long time ago. If it’s toxic, get rid of it.

5. Taking extra time for people you love will bring you more happiness.

I have learned that no one is promised tomorrow and no one is invincible. Call your family, let them know you love them, talk to them. 

6. Don’t lie.

I used to lie to myself all the time. When you stop lying to yourself or others, you will feel free.

7. Blondes do have more fun.

Fact. I’ve colored my hair brown, rough times.

8. You can’t and will not please everyone.

This is something I have battled for many years, more since I began dating my husband whose family and friends are on the opposite side of the country. I’ve learned that you just can’t please everyone and that’s okay. You’re one person. Focus on you and your family and you’ll be more enjoyable to the everyone you always want to please.

9. You should always try the damn food.

Life’s to short to be a picky eater, just eat it. You never know what you’ll love if you don’t try. 

10. Self care is so important.

As someone who has severe anxiety, I wish I learned this before 29… when I finally gave into self care. Whether it’s mental, physical, or spiritual…take time for you.

11. You’ll get where you’re going.

My grandpa Carl always said this to my father and he passed it down to me with my speeding while driving. Now I have passed it on to my husband. There is something so peaceful when you stop rushing through life and instead enjoy the time. But please, don’t go under the speed limit.

12. You’ll take pride in “adulting”.

When you begin to find more pleasure in home improvement projects than you do going out on the weekends, you’ll know what I mean.

13. You’ll realize the importance of good credit.

Not sure why credit or taxes isn’t a subject in high school because it is way more useful than the quadratic equation. 

14. You will become more confident.

It’s wild really. I have always been somewhat insecure and as I get older I have found this inner self confidence I did not know existed and I love it.

15. You stop judging people.

Maybe it’s age, maybe it’s the life in your years but at some point you stop judging people and start accepting them and that’s pretty great. You’ll learn that you don’t know even your closest friends entire story, what pains they have endured or have gone through. It’s better to have empathy and an open heart than one that closes off to people.

16. You do not always have to be right.

There is nothing more irritating than a know it all and I’ve learned as you get older, you accept that you don’t know it all.

17. Joy can be found in the little things.

My 20 year old self probably never would of cared, but I really find so much joy in the smallest details. If it’s sunny, or my husband writes me a little note, or if I finish a task around the house…little wins and joys are better than the big ones.

18. After months of being glued to a strangers love story on TV, you will realize that Hannah Brown would be great with Alan Bersten.

That is all I’ve got for this one.

19. You’ll learn a car is just a depreciating asset on wheels. Money will become more valuable.

I used to complain to my parents about the car I had to drive growing up. As long as it gets you where you need to go safely, who cares. I wish someone had told me to invest my money as soon as I started earning it.

20. You’ll make big decisions and you will not need to defend them.

When we bought our house, we were not married and I know some in our families had doubts and wanted us to save our money.  You’ll learn to shut out the noise surrounding your decisions and have that inner confidence you need to make your own decisions. 

21. If you’re not happy where you’re at, move.

If you’re reading this, you’re not a tree. Move.

22. You stop wasting your time.

My anxiety has always paralyzed me in a way where I would get nervous to simply go to the grocery store alone let alone go and do something life changing by myself. You learn at some point that life is short and what’s not worth stressing over, move on from it. The only person who knows if you failed is yourself.

23. You stop taking so many pointless photos.

I have always given my mom a hard time (jokingly) that she never took photos of us as kids. Now that I’m around the same age she was I realize why, it’s so much more satisfying to live in the moment and not miss it with your eyes rather than capturing it through a lens for social media.

24. You’ll stop caring what anyone thinks.

Whatever it is, you’ll eventually stop caring. What may have been hard for you in the past, eventually becomes your strength.

25. You’ll realize the importance of sunscreen.

This is more of a PSA rather than a life lesson. I always tell my mom that I wish she forcefully lathered sunscreen all over our faces as kids. If you don’t want to look 30, sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen.

26. You stop comparing yourself to others.

At 25 I was my own worse enemy. I was always comparing myself to other women. I think it was after my wedding in 2018 when I realized “hey, I’m healthy & my clothes fit.” That’s what matters. We women are notorious for not feeling adequate because someone might have a better stomach, longer legs, a bigger chest….but does that mean you’re any less of a woman? No, it does not. Our bodies are also affected by genetics so who cares what your friends look like, they might lack what you have in other departments so you’ll realize it’s only a waste of your time if you’re comparing yourself.

27. Toxic friendships are just that, toxic friendships.

One of my wise bridesmaids once told me, you’ll know who your real friends are after your wedding. Aint that the truth. Life’s too short and precious to waste your energy on people who only bring you pain and drama, move on & don’t take them with you.

28. You’ll go through some hard times.

You’ll cry, you’ll question god, you’ll scream and you’ll likely feel alone. You’re not alone. Write it down and lean on your people.

29. You’ll learn that Chicago style pizza is just a can of crushed tomatoes on a slab of carbs.

Don’t waste your time, my stomach did for you.

30. Thirty isn’t an age to be feared, but rather embraced.

As I have sat here and reflected on thirty things I have learned in these three wild decades, my fears have began to fade. I am stepping into a new time in my life and honestly, I am no where near where I thought I would be by thirty. I imagined kids, a big craftsman home on the east coast or in Colorado, and traveling the world with my family while my money did the work for me. I may not have all that but what I do have, is a love that grows stronger everyday, and an plethora of life lessons….and that I could of never expected.

Cheers to 30 ✌🏼

-Lyss

Follow me on Instagram

@thesilverwifestyle

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8 must try foods in NYC

Josh and I recently traveled to New York City for his birthday and while we were there we tried all the food we could get our hands on. We loved it all but there were 8 spots we felt are MUST TRY places for anyone traveling to the big apple because they were AMAZING, not to mention “instagrammable!”

1. Empanadas from Nuchas Food Truck

Nuchas is an Latin American inspired food truck serving empanadas. I first heard about Nuchas when I was watching shark tank and the food looked intriguing to me through my television so I knew I had to give it a try. With three New York locations, and one conveniently posted up in Times Square, we stopped over while shopping to get a bite of the deliciousness. I had the Italian sausage empanada and it was bursting with flavor. The flavor was full of Italian seasoning and a light marinara sauce that was coated with warm Italian sausage. The size was perfect for a light bite, but I would get more than one if I was planning on having it as a meal. Each empanada ranges from $3.99-$4.99 with options for shipping and bulk ordering. Empanada options include but are not limited to short rib, Italian sausage, ham and cheese, shiitake curry, Argentine, and chipotle chicken. For more information check out their site here.

Instagram- @nuchasnyc

2. Sweet Churros with Coffeed

The flaky delicate warm churros from sweet churros with coffeed are a must have when in Times Square. These hand crafted and made to order churros are sure to make your taste-buds swoon. Aside from being amazing in taste, they are also aesthetically pleasing as when you get two, they come shaped in a heart. Perfect for those foodie photogs. They have several options to choose from, pictured above are what we had which was the chocolate & almond crunch churro and a plain churro, but there was nothing plain about it. From coffee, ice cream churro combos, and sampler boxes…sweet churros is destined to satisfy your sweet tooth. Check them out here and in NYC Times Square.

Instagram: @sweetchurrosnyc

3. Pastrami Sandwich from Katz Delicatessen

Located in the lower east side, if you don’t stop at Katz while in NYC, have you even lived? Pastrami is a NY staple and I knew I wanted the best so I sought out Katz to see if they lived up to their hype. The hype is real, simply the most buttery yet smoky melt in your mouth pastrami on a fresh soft rye bread immersed in mustard. While waiting in line, the cutters offer you a taste of the pastrami and they accompany your sandwich with pickles and a somewhat pickled cucumber variety. The sandwich will cost you around $21-$22 but it is worth every cent and big enough to share. Katz offers a variety of different foods and also offers food service for those who prefer a waiter. Whats even more neat? #impracticaljokers filmed here!

Instagram: @katzdeli

4. Pancakes from Clinton Street Baking Co

Within walking distance from Katz’s is a little ma & pop gem of New York that put me in foodie bliss with their pancakes, Clinton Street Baking Company. With a line out the door to be seated, we knew we were in for a treat. We sat atop the bar and watched as lattes were poured and pancakes were made right before our eyes. I had the blueberry maple butter pancakes and Josh had the chocolate chip maple butter pancakes. The first bite into the pancake was unforgettable. The pancakes were fluffy yet savory and full of a buttery taste complimented by sweet blueberries and powdered sugar. The chocolate chip pancakes were just right, and had the same buttery taste without an overpowering amount of chocolate. Clinton Street Baking Company serves a great range of breakfast food and is open for dinner, because who does not love breakfast for dinner? I do! Check them out here!

Instagram: @clintonst_sg

5. Street Tacos from Otto’s Tacos

Being from Texas, tacos are the way to our heart and we have pretty high standards when it comes to taco Tuesdays. We were not disappointed by Otto’s. We walked right in and ordered a couple of chicken street tacos without guacamole, a carne asada taco, and a shrimp taco both with guacamole. As well as chips and salsa that came with both a red sauce and a green sauce. After we took our photos for the gram, we then ate the food. Flavor heaven! The tacos were full of flavor from the cilantro, onion, fluffy corn tortillas, and the marinated meat. I really enjoyed the flavors of the carne asada and have to say that was my favorite. The atmosphere of the restaurant is great as well with great music and cold beer. Whether you’re in the west village, east village, hells kitchen, or upper east side…stop in to Otto’s for some amazing tacos or taco bowls! To check out their menu, visit them here.

Instagram: @ottostacos

6. Blend On The Water

I found Blend On The Water when I was seeking a birthday dinner for my husband that was going to embody more of a local neighborhood feel and that would provide great cocktails and bites to eat. This restaurant is located on the water in Queens/Long Island City, and has an industrial yet fine dining vibe to it. We started at the bar while we waited for our table and I had a cocktail called “La Medicina” that is pictured above. AMAZING. It has scotch, whiskey, rosemary honey syrup, guava, and ginger lemon. It was crafted so well with a single large ice cube and garnished with a roasted lime which played in to the hints of spicy flavor the drink had. For an appetizer we had the Crispy Arepas, which were full of Latin flavors with hints of cilantro and lime atop braised short ribs and a cornbread style pastry below the ribs. Garnished with cotjia cheese. We then had the Camarones Al Ajillo and the Lomo Saltado. Both very good and a place we will go back to when we are in NYC again. If you are staying in Queens or want to go out for a nice dinner without paying tourist prices, I recommend checking them out here.

Instagram: @blendonthewater

7. Goblet from Sugar Factory

The watermelon patch goblet designed and tasted by Pitbull, so do I even need to write anything else? #Dale. The drink will run you $39 but you will leave feeling like you got your money’s worth. The sugar factory is a super cute place and has locations all over, with a bunch of menu items ranging from drinks, food, and sugary desserts. I loved that the drink was an event for my husband and I, as the bartender poured the drink over the dry ice and gummies overloaded the glass. It was the perfect dessert with a buzz. To find a sugar factory in NYC or see all the creative things their menu offers, check them out here.

Instagram: @thesugarfactory

8. NY Style Pizza from sLICe Pizza

I apologize for the photo with missing slices, it was that tempting we couldn’t wait. Being raised in Chicago I was very curious what made New York Style pizza different from pizza in any other state and I still have not figured out the differentiating factor but the slices were huge. We found sLICe that is located in Long Island City and it was really good pizza. Not only were the slices very large, the ingredients were not skimped and the pizza pie was full of toppings. Our NY Style pizza dreams were fulfilled. To order from sLICe, check them out here.

Follow me on instagram for more food spots & our travel adventures, @thesilverwifestyle

xoxo-TheSilverWifeStyle

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Life: The first few months of our journey as newlyweds.

It is officially the end of April (cue N*sync meme) and it feels like the year started yesterday, time is just flying by us.

Josh and I have very inconsistent schedules while he completes his teaching certification and working full time and I am a full time student while also working full time. It has been tough, and a bit isolating. We wanted to spend our first few months married traveling and taking adventures because we spent the entire last year saving every penny for our wedding. But like most couples, reality sinks in and life goes back to the chaotic normal that it was before you said your vows. It is not disappointing by any means because we are together and with our fur babies but it does take a toll on you when you are trying to do so much but seeing little results in your livelihood. We did venture out of town to NYC for Josh’s birthday and it was so nice to emerge ourselves in the city vibes and not worry about the stresses at home. I think because I am type A with work and school, and very not type A with my personal/social life…the post marriage pressure weighs on me more so than my husband. He is very happy go lucky and laid back, the calm to any storm. I am more so the tornado, actually make that the eye of the tornado. I have bad anxiety and I get nervous when things are not thought out and planned meticulously. This has been making the “newlywed” life pressures difficult for me, I often feel I am alone in my thoughts and feelings about the next step in our lives because I prefer a very well thought out plan versus “winging it.” I am referring to starting a family. I have struggled medically for so long with thoughts that having a family would be the ultimate answered prayer and now that I am at that milestone looking at it in the eye, I am beyond afraid.

A little backstory is for about twelve years (that we know of) I have been living with benign pituitary tumors in my brain and with that I have always struggled in the hormonal department. I was put on birth control in high school to get my reproductive system kick started and it has been 100% reliant on birth control for over twelve years. This has been emotionally destructive to me for years because I always feared “will I be able to have children one day?” There is a pressure when you get married to have children and many do not know how many women struggle or have something wrong with them so when people constantly ask “when are you guys going to have kids?” , it is not easy for everyone to hear that. I am one of those women. I started seeing an OBGYN last month (for the first time in my life….crazy) and I went off my birth control in august of 2018… not because I wanted to have children right away, but because my body was finally telling me enough is enough. I was experiencing cystic acne for the first time in my life, they tried different formulas and nothing would budge. When I went off the birth control, I instantly felt better. My skin cleared up within weeks, my mood felt right, and I felt like myself for the first time in over a decade. Come April 2019, I still am experiencing minor issues that my general care doctors have always just put the birth control band-aid on to cover up the underlying issue. Last month I had many tests done and for the first time in my adult life, my hormones were where they are supposed to be and i’m showing normal levels but still some lingering problems. I should be so excited about this, which I know I will be one day but I still do not feel 100% ready to be a mom. I feel guilty for feeling this way. Why do we as a society have so much pressure on marriage and kids? Timelines and egg freezing? I feel like Josh and I’s lives need to be more consistent and stable financially for us to bring a little human into the world and raise them right. Am I selfish for wanting to travel still? Am I selfish for wanting more time? Am I wrong to want to buy a bigger house first? When I look in the eyes of my husband, I see the father of my kids and raising a beautiful family together but the stress and pressure of our jobs and schooling just weigh so heavily on that future. I prayed to see those days, the day I got married, the day I become a mom, the day my parents become grandparents. I prayed for it all, so why does it feel like a guilty and negative pressure to have?

As we have been having very minor open ended “start a family” conversations here and there, we also talk about bringing in another fur baby. We drove all the way to the Pasadena animal shelter in February in hopes to take an owner surrender off the kill list but Oakley was not having it. We then realized we need to get them in training and socialization classes so we can rescue again. Franklin and Oakley just completed their first training session that was six weeks long, and they graduated and move on to intermediate training this week. They have come a long way but still only listen when there are treats involved so we have a lot of work left to do with them.

Aside from starting clinics, exams, and work…that is the latest and greatest with us. I have many blogs coming out the next few weeks. More to come on my recent skin care routine that has completely transformed my hormonal challenged skin, our NYC travel, and how to handle long distance relationships/dating an athlete.

Subscribe & Comment– xoxo- The Silver Wife Style

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Fashion: Small Closet Refresh

We all have a place we put clothes we never wear or pieces in our closet that never get use. I chose a couple items I have never worn and paired them with some of my favorite pieces to make them current and great for spring.

This TopShop crop has been sitting in my closet for two years never worn. As I am getting inspired for spring and festival season, I wanted to go through my wardrobe and make some pieces more current. Below I paired the crop top with destroyed light acid washed mom jeans from American Eagle, black boots from Target, and a western styled black belt from Express. You can easily accessorize this with a hat and bag. This croptop proved to be great for spring and it’s three quarter sleeves make it perfect for being able to dress up and wear casually.

My second piece is a tank I bought randomly over three years ago at Charming Charlie. I have not had the courage to get rid of it because part of me always has liked it but not enough to wear it out.

I found pairing it with black relaxed joggers from the gap and sandals from red dress boutique made is super chic. I accessorized with a hat to make it casual and great for the weekend. I also was able to make this top great for the beach or vacation by pairing it with article of society pants, a western belt from express, and black boots from target. (Swap the boots for flip flops or sandals if going to the beach)

Below is a more chunky knit crop top. I have mixed feelings about this one, I am not sure I will keep it but it looked cute with the black joggers from the gap and heels by Sam Edelman. This could be more of a weekend or weekday night out outfit. It’s a little to thick of a knit for spring in Texas. Back to the back of the closet it goes.

The last item I worked with today was this printed wrap skirt, I believe I purchased it at Nordstrom a few years ago. It has always been cute to me but not until recently did print skirts come back into style. I paired it with a standard blank tank from express, a western belt from express, a black hat, and black zippered boots from target.

When you go into your closet, see what you can revamp to make it fit your current favorite styles, you’ll be surprised!

Xoxo- Lyss

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DIY: Wood Signs

Wood signs are beautiful touches for weddings, events, and home decor. Buying a sign on etsy or at retail can be pricey when you’re planning a wedding or buying a new house, so I am providing you all the materials and steps to make your own!

Step 1: Gather your materials & start staining.

I find it is easier to work on birch wood. Birch-wood is not often sold at your local craft store so I actually go to Home Depot and find a large piece and have it cut into multiple sizes so you end up getting many sign sizes. Birchwood takes to the stains better than the wood they have at the craft stores. After you have your wood, you will want to get sand paper or a sandpaper block, which ever you prefer. I always use either a 100 grit or 220. Here is an example of what you can use. Always sand with the grain so you do not split the wood at the ends. When you have sanded your wood grab a rag you can throw away and dip it into the stain. Rags are 1,000 times easier to stain with than brushes. The stains I prefer are these, after I have stained I generally like to let it dry over night but worst case, give it a few hours. I always am mindful of what the sign will be used for. If I plan to put wall hangers on the back, I will not stain the back of the sign just so I do not risk it ever getting on my walls. Wedding signs, I always stain both sides because generally these are on an easel and you do not want people to see your marks on the back. For this DIY example I used Varathane Wood Stain in Special Walnut.

Step 2: Design, Print, & Chalk

This is where the fun begins, designing! I use word and create my phrase or design, make it the size I want, and I always make it a little light grey when I print because I find it easier to see my trace lines with the pencil which we will get to in later steps. (Always make your design the size you plan to have it on your project. This may mean some letters not fitting on the same page…do not worry, you can always cut and tape them together)

Once you have printed your design, you will want to turn the design over and begin coloring over the wording or the design with white chalk. It is important to make sure you try to only chalk the design or wording so that it comes off neat on the wood. Example below.

Only color over what you want to come off on the wood

Once you have traced over all of your design or wording, flip it over and position on the wood how you want it to transfer. This is where the tape is crucial, tape the paper to the wood securely enough that it will not shift.

Position your design how you want it to look without paper, before you tape

Step 3: Pencil Tracing

Now your design should be chalk side down on the wood, and your design and wording should be face up and secured onto the wood. Now you will trace the OUTLINE only of the letters or design. Do not color in the lines, it will make it more difficult later on. Trace the design so you can color in with the oil paint markers later.

Before traced with the pencil
Design is now completely traced with pencil

Step 4: Remove paper and WAHLA, your design has transferred!

This is what it should look like when you have completely traced with pencil the areas you chalked. Slowly remove the paper.

The chalk has successfully transferred

Now that you have removed the paper, your design should be easy to marker over and look like it was made by a professional. As you can see the chalk can get messy, so that is why it is very important to not chalk the whole paper, but just over the design. (The chalk we are able to easily clean off after we marker.)

Step 5: Paint Markers

This part is very important to be patient with, especially if you have never used your paint markers before. I recommend shaking them for a good five minutes before use and keeping a paper towel handy in case you get a gusher. It is important to not slam the tip against paper to get the paint to come out, because your tip will wear and then its not longer the way you want it for when you draw over the chalk. I like to trace over the chalk first but sometimes if the letters are large enough, I just fill as I go. Now all you need to do is color in your design and you can do as many layers as you would like.

As you can see, I have not mentioned “chalk” markers. I am personally not a fan of them. I love the painters brand oil markers but I also have got some really great oil markers from target with their brand. Is all personal preference.

Step 6: When sign is dry, wipe with a wet paper towel. You’re done!

I prefer to wait a few hours before I wipe the excess chalk debris but it comes right off. If you plan to have your sign outside, you can use a simple spray paint clear waterproof sealant on your sign.

The end!

I hope this DIY helped, if there are any DIY’s you would like me to do, just leave me a comment below!!


Here was the sign I made for our wedding. 24 x 36 with the Dark Walnut Stain.

xoxo

The Silver Wife Style

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Fashion: favorite looks for the transition to spring.

Spring is almost here, and that means baseball season in our house! I love this time of the year because it is still a little chilly so we still can wear our chunky knits. I styled some of my favorite looks below using the same pieces but transitioning them for wear to work, to wear to the baseball field or while traveling.

Sweater: Vici Collection you can get it here

Shoes: Adidas Cloudfoam Original

Hat: Adidas women fit

Shorts: Articles of Society

Shoes: Red Dress Boutique

Black relaxed fit body suit: Free Press clothing, this one I could not find online, but one similar is available here

Olive & Black Striped pants: Vince, not available any longer but here are some similar

Black Pumps: Trina Turk

Snakeskin Bodysuit: H&M, available here

Cut-Off Shorts: Free People

Black Heeled Peep Toe Sandals: Red Dress Boutique

Black Loose Fitting Jogger Trousers: The Gap

Black Relaxed fit  tank top/body suit: Forever 21

Python Blazer: Vici Collection, available here

Here I added in a little more sophistication in the look, perfect for work! What I love about the Python blazer is that you can really dress it up and dress it down.

Shoes: Trina Turk

Pleather Leggings: Free Press

This is my go to look on most days when I am running errands or getting lunch with my husband, or catching a game.

Jeans: H&M

Oversized Cardigan: Vici Collection in Champagne

I love this for a relaxed work day or dinner with your girls.  The colors and faux fur just pop with the animal print.

Shoes: Vici Collection, they are sold out, but they are also available here 

Animal print sweater: H&M

I love olive and you will notice that as I begin to share more of my fashion favorites.  This sweater I purchased a few seasons ago so it is currently unavailable but olive and brown or black always compliment each other. This is something I would wear on any given day.

I love to dress comfy when traveling or when it is really cold outside.  This is my typical airport look.  The jacket is my husbands favorite and he loves when I wear this, so this jacket gets a lot of use in my wardrobe.

Jacket: Tractr, I LOVE their jackets. They are so comfortable and never lose that new jacket feel.  I have had this a few seasons now and it looks brand new.

Blocked leggings: Abound

More traveling to casual relaxation wear! Believe it or not, Oakley has THE most amazing and comfortable women’s leggings. I prefer them over Lulu, they currently are not carrying the one’s pictured above but these look good too.

Joggers: Champions

Blue Sneakers: Kate Spade

White Sneakers: Converse

Striped Tank: Lulu Lemon

Leggings: Oakley

White Tank: H&M Divided

Jacket: Tractr

These are my spring going to the field looks or grocery shopping looks.  I love this relaxed fit white tie top and H&M jeans with only a little bit of tear in the denim.

I love this Poof New York sweater, it is so soft and flattering. I paired it with white jean leggings,gray peep toed booties, and my go to hat from original chuck to dress it up.

Wearing the Vici Collection’s over sized sweater in champagne paired with their faux fur/suede mules. Such a comfortable yet cute outfit for day or night.

I was just trying on this python blazer from Vici Collection and happened to love it with what I had on. You can dress up a simple outfit or pair it with dress pants and pumps for a beautiful work outfit.

I am all about the pleather leggings and animal prints this season. Actually, I am always about this combination, which is why I did not have to do much shopping for either this season. These leggings are much looser and feel almost like the mom jean version of pleather.  They are super comfortable and every closet should have a pair. I got these many seasons ago and I believe they are from Express.

Over-sized & Long Cardigan: Tahari

Animal Print Sweater: H&M

I hope you enjoyed my favorite looks and subscribed!

xoxo-Alyssa Silver

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Is your man difficult to shop for? Ideas for your honey this valentines day.

If you have a man like mine, you must be running laps in your head trying to come up with something to get him for Valentines Day. My husbands life used to revolve around his baseball career so the first three years were extremely difficult because I had no idea what he needed and when I would ask, he would say he didn’t need anything. This is a common answer in men, so its all about finding them something they are not expecting. I find that planning in advanced and creating a list of his likes and dislikes helps get your thought process going. But don’t you worry about that, these ideas below are sure to please the guys guy who is impossible to shop for.

1. A Man Crate

If you have not heard of Man Crates, your man will thank you that you have now! These crates are so versatile and they range from the man who loves to grill, to the sports fanatic, to a new dad! They not only have a crate for every kind of man but they also have crates that can be personalized, project boxes, ammo cans, and jerky-grams. The crates are packaged in a wooden crate with a tool to open it attached, to really emphasize the manliness. I gifted Josh the “Mini Beard Wrangler” crate and he loved it! It came with a brush, balm, oil, and the essential beard shampoo he needed for playoffs. The crates range in price $49.99-$184.99 but they have several gifts below $49.99 that are not crates, and equally as manly. Perfect gift.

2. Cloud 9 Living experience

Want to have some quiet in your house and catch up on Vanderpump Rules? (I do!) Send your man out for a Cloud 9 experience! This adventure packed gift works by going onto their site, choosing the nearest city, and picking the perfect gift from the many options available. You can send him skydiving, to race Porsche’s, send him off to ride a NASCAR, or get lessons in golf from a pro. What is even better about Cloud 9, is they have options for couples! Make the day memorable for the both of you and book a couples experience.

3. Beer Tasting/Distillery Tour

Depending if he is a beer man, wine man, or spiritual…there is a tour for them all! Breweries are popping up everywhere so your options are endless, but even an at home beer tasting is a cute way to do it. I love to surprise him every once in a while with a different craft beer from Trader Joe’s, so putting together a little DIY flight board for him this Valentine’s Day is a cheaper yet adorable route to go with a movie or a home cooked dinner. If your man loves wine, enjoy a vineyard tour and make wine together. Many vineyards even have boutique hotels on site to make it a romantic getaway.

4. Plan a Hike

There are no mountains or large hills in Houston, so unfortunately this is one we have to travel to experience, but planning a hike is a fun activity for the both of you. It allows good conversation, getting out and away from your phones (hopefully), and enjoy each others company. Whats perfect after a hike? A cold beer together at a beer tasting.

5. DOGS! WOLVES! Oh my!

Shelter dogs need love too this valentines day! The way to my heart is through animals, so naturally this would be the best date in my book. Many shelters need help with the dog walking and it gives you both the chance to love on a cuddly pooch and for a good cause. If dogs are too domesticated for your liking, try wolves. Many wolf sanctuaries/organizations allow you to take tours by appointment and interact with the beautiful creatures, safely. No man will expect that, extra points for you.

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? Comment and let me know!

xoxo-Alyssa

Featured

Every little reason you need to book these 5 vendors first for your wedding.

You’re newly engaged? Congrats! It will be the best time of your life so soak in everything as much as you can and don’t sweat the small stuff. If you are anything like me, you’re organized and sleep better knowing everything is done. This bride style can be beneficial but it also can cost you more money if you jump the gun too soon on certain wedding planning tasks, so I am coming at you today with a very detailed list of the top five vendors worth booking first. I also provide you my tips and tricks to save money if your budget is tight and you feel overwhelmed with the top five. You may have an overwhelming binder/planner in front of you right now that makes you feel like YOU MUST DO THIS, THIS, ANDDDDD THIS 12+ MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING or you will have a horrible wedding. That is not true, throw that thing away and allow yourself to enjoy the planning process and save the small stuff for later, because it really is small stuff in comparison.

1. Venue first.

It is almost impossible to book anything or send anything out without having your venue and a date. Tour venues with your fiance and when you have found the one that you can see yourself 50 years from now still in love with, go with that one. Once you have found the perfect venue in your budget that makes your heart swoon, ask yourself what season would you like to wed? Do you want an indoor wedding or outdoors? I love fall and summer but 1. I live in Texas, which ultimately means I would probably be a hot mess from the humidity if I had a summer wedding and 2. Fall is the most popular time here and that can mean the most expensive. It really comes down to where you live and what your budget is unless you’re planning a destination wedding. We opted for a low season wedding in December, because we are both from the north so a little cold air would not hurt us or our guests but we also had to wait for baseball season to be over. We toured a few venues and realized what we wanted and did not want more so by seeing it in person. We and our families are not from Texas, so we knew we would have to have a domestic destination wedding, so we chose the Austin area to get the northern California vibes that Josh is accustomed to. We picked Villa Antonia in Jonestown, Texas the second we arrived on site. It was honestly love at first sight. We booked right away and set our date, so now the fun could begin.

Villa Antonia, it was love at first sight for us. The entrance alone when you walk up has so many spots for timeless photos.

2. Photographer and Videographer

We got lucky with Lucille Photo because she is a hot commodity and we waited to book our photographer until summer, eek! (She travels! & Shoots film as well!) We just so happened to beat another couple to it and get her booked for that day. Your photography, videography, and beauty team are the three most important vendors to book up front because they provide you memories and the look that you will cherish forever. No one really remembers the food you served 20 years later, let alone 20 months later, but they remember the venue and the photographs first and foremost. Your cousins brothers uncle might have a canon digital camera and offer to shoot your day but investing in who takes your photos will make you a happier bride post wedding. TRUST. When you book your photographer they will likely suggest a package that includes engagements, bridals, and wedding. TAKE IT. Less is not more when it comes to your wedding photos. If they have a second shooter available, TAKE IT. You will be happier knowing everything is being captured. Your engagement shoot is essential because these photos can be used for your save the dates and wedding website. Bridals are a wonderful bonus shoot because you can schedule them to be right after your beauty trial and see how you like you hair and makeup with your wedding dress on in photos prior to the big day. My one regret from my experience is that my dress was not ready for bridals or for my hair and makeup trial, so I did not get to take advantage of this opportunity. When it came to searching for videographers, we did not do this until TWO months before the wedding, I do NOT recommend this. In the beginning, we were both were like “we don’t need video,” then we began to watch videos and we both said “we cannot NOT have video.” All the videos we loved online, those videographers were all booked because we waited and waited. We were bummed but we ended up finding a team that had a larger staff and were able to accommodate us at last minute. Moral of the story, these are the photos and the movie that capture your love story and fairy tale day. The moments he or she see’s you walk down the aisle for the first time, the rare moments that both families will be together at once, and your special dances. It all goes by so incredibly quick the day of, it is worth the investment to book this as early as possible. They are used to people booking them years out so it is important to jump on it quickly!

  • Engagements and testing the hair down at the venue
  • Lucille photo
  • Lucille photo
  • Lucille photo
  • Lucille photo
  • Lucille photo

3. Your Glam Squad (Dress + Tailor + Hair + Makeup)

Now that you have your venue and your memory makers booked, it’s time to dress shop and find the perfect hair and makeup artists for the look you are trying to create. Your dress will more than likely need to be altered so do not wait too long to do this, and alterations typically cost about half of what you paid for your dress, depending on the work that needs to be done. For my dress shopping, I went to a boutique in Houston. I had the entire bridal boutique to myself on a Wednesday morning and only had my mom with me due to my girls all living out of town. It was very intimate and went quicker than I expected. I had an amazing girl named Victoria to help me find “the one”. I did not go into dress shopping with a single type of dress in mind because it never fails when you go shopping and are looking for something so specific, that you never find it. I did not want to be disappointed so I went in very open minded and I fell in love with the Essence of Australia collection. I found myself trying on majority of their line that ranged from white lace dresses to vintage inspired moscato and pink hued dresses. I chose the D2147 in moscoto with a long ivory beaded veil that gave me a long train and was not the standard white dress. When my dress came in a month later, I had lost more weight than I had planned and my dress did not look like the one I fell in love with the day I said yes to the dress. I then took the dress to a tailor in hopes it would be a quick fix. Bless their hearts, they had to completely re-make my dress and it was very emotional for me because I no longer felt beautiful in this dress. They took their time with it and had me in over six times to make sure it was perfect, which is why I could not partake in a bridal photography session but come wedding day, my dress fit and felt amazing. If you plan to lose weight before the wedding, still buy the dress a size up instead of down and take it in to get the alterations done as soon as possible. Better to be safe and take away from the dress than sorry and unable to add to the dress. Give yourself two to three months for alterations to be complete. If you are hitting the gym and happen to build muscle quicker in certain areas of your body, DO tell them and keep that in mind when you’re setting expectations of how you want it to fit in certain areas.

I wish someone had told me this, but sit down in your dress at your first alterations appointment and your last. I cannot tell you how uncomfortable it was on wedding day when my photographers wanted shots of me putting my shoes on and I could not bend over without feeling overly uncomfortable.

All things long and flowy

You hair and makeup team are equally as important in the process as your wedding dress. Study your face shape, your eye shape, your eye color, and your hair type before you go to your trial. Train your hair and focus on its health because it will take a beating with your trial and wedding, and all the little events throughout wedding planning. I recommend following @JasmineRaeHairCo on Instagram for amazing hair training tips and tricks. Exfoliate your skin. Arrive to your trial with a clean makeup free moisturized face, this allows the artist to apply the makeup and it stay where it should. Remember, sunscreen can oxidize some makeup so be weary of that if you’re using your own foundation. The day before your trial, get a good night sleep and wash your hair so it’s dry and natural for your trial. Clean dry hair holds better and is essential to get that full wedding look. Your artist will likely prep your hair when you arrive so no need for you to put in any leave ins or extra product that can weigh it down. If you plan to use new extensions, make sure you wash them before your trial. Lightly hairspray them a couple times and brush them out so they are easy to work with and have volume as the hair on your head does. When getting my roots touched up prior to the wedding, I was told it is best to schedule it two weeks before and bring your extensions with you if you’re using those to avoid a color discrepancy. Our photographer gave me great advice before my trial, she said to work out after you get your hair done (after bridals of course) or do active things so you can test how your hair holds and makeup stands as it will when you’re dancing and running around at your wedding. My session with her before the wedding was very important as it let me know my venue was not cut out for me to wear my hair down. I wanted to wear it down but our venue was at very high altitude so the wind during our shoot made my hair look greasy and crazy. It was sticking to my makeup and very uncomfortable, but it was also very helpful in the end. This let me know that for my trial I had to find something more pulled back that would hold my extremely heavy veil and take kind to the wind. We booked Lola Beauty after I went and spent hours on instagram looking up the vendors in the Austin area. It was a very easy choice once I found Lola. They were beyond amazing and so talented. I was lucky to have Ariel for my hair and Joseph for my makeup. If you’re in the hill country area, highly recommend them.

  • Hair by @arielbeautyatx
  • Hair four hours after trial
  • A romantic up-do that could stand wind and my heavy veil
  • Makeup by @josephbeautyatx, this is 4 hours post trial and still held great.

PS. If you plan to get Botox and have never had it done before, my recommendation is to go to a trusted dermatologist, not anywhere random that advertises their services on Groupon. It may look good on some celebrities but you should know if you like it on yourself…. months before your wedding. It can take up to two weeks for results to show which is why it is essential to try this out early on. I tried it early in the year and our engagement photographer kept telling me to open my eyes more, but I couldn’t so I then knew probably not the best idea for me. It is definitely not for everyone but some love it.

4. Catering

This is going to most likely be the most or second most expensive vendor of the five depending on the amount of guests you will have and if you are limited to certain caterers per your venues rules. Some venues have an all inclusive option but there can be a hefty minimum for food and alcohol, some have a list you can choose from, and some are more laid back and let you bring whomever you choose. We were given the option to choose from a selected list of caterers that our venue knows and trusts as they want to keep their great reputation of a wonderful serviced wedding venue. This came with positives and negatives. The positive was they were all clearly great if they were chosen to be on the list in a city known for its food options. The negative was that they know the bride and groom have a minimal set of caterers to choose from and they can set prices based on that knowledge, because every quote required to name the venue. Some caterers have their own linens and some use third party rental companies, check your quotes for this and make sure to ask them what rental company they use if they are not the source. This is important because if you wanted to rent space heaters, decor, or any other wedding related items you can ask your caterer to add it to their order and you end up paying only one fee instead of two. Another reason this matters is because it allows you to see if the catering company is upping the price on linens to profit and you in turn, can order them yourself from the same or a different rental company. Many catering companies also allow you to bring in your own alcohol. This was a huge selling point for us because we wanted specific Texas style beers and spirits, and it was easier for us to get it rather than giving them a list. It also allowed for us to pick up a case here and there whenever we were out, freeing up some money in our budget because we were not having to worry about a large sum due by a certain date. Our venue did not allow kegs but if yours does, it is a smart idea to go with that option and tuck it somewhere behind the bar that will not cause an eye sore and take your guests back to their college days. Now that our wedding is over and the hangovers have vanished, I can share this little bit of sneaky info with you. We saved quite a bit of money by purchasing cases of wine from Trader Joe’s. I am a bit of a wine snob and I happen to love two buck chuck despite its coined name and “cheap” reputation. I have it at home and cook with it so I was all for it. My mom was not a fan of having that on display so she ordered simple wine bottle stickers that were wedding themed so no one would know it was inexpensive. (She is probably hoping none of her girlfriends see this). The internet has a ton of generators to tell you how much alcohol to purchase based on your guest count but study your guest list and make your decisions based off of that. What do your biggest drinkers like? Red wine might be a favorite to some but most do not risk it at a wedding out of caution for their dresses, teeth, and that super sexy post wine chapped red lip line one glass can give you. Another way to save money on the catering alcohol is to provide signature drinks. We still did this despite having an open bar because it is fun and you can really make it custom to the two of you or a theme. We needed to have at least one part of our wedding dedicated to baseball, so we did a “The Golden Glove” drink that was simply whisky and ginger beer and a “The Bambino” drink that was Tito’s vodka, grapefruit juice, soda, and a rosemary garnish. I was shocked how even though we had an open bar, many guests went for the signature drinks instead. So if you are on the fence about an open bar or a beer and wine bar, a beer and wine bar with a signature drink or two is a cost effective way to do it. Another aspect of your catering budget will be allocated based on your choice of serve ware, the most cost effective option being acrylic. This was one I battled myself on because I have been to several weddings and I have never remembered what I ate off of so I did not see the point to get china for the extra expense. On the other hand I wanted to have a nice tablescape that brought my vision to life and suited the venue. I somehow landed on dollartree.com when looking around for charger plates to purchase and found perfect white with gold rim china plates (they are available around the holidays and posted below) , and they were so beautiful for just a dollar each. This allowed the guests to go get their buffet style meal on the acrylic plates and set it down on the china and it looked like a charger and we did not have to pay an extra $4-$5 a person. The food and alcohol with the catering is the bulk of the expense but you’re also investing in a staff and service so it is important to not hold off until last minute with your catering company. If your budget is tight do not panic, the companies want your business and I am sure they will work with you so it is beneficial for both parties.

  • Who knew dollar tree allows you to shop online? These are the gold rimmed white stoneware plates, 10.5 inches

5. Floral

Floral is the last major vendor I think is vital to book early. Your visions and desires more than likely are going to change while you’re planning so I would not finalize every detail up front, but make sure you gather quotes and find inspiration in photos from previous weddings at your venue. I chose this as the last of the big five because florists want to know your colors and you should wait to know the venue, what decor will dress up the venue if needed, your wedding party colors, your hair style and if you will want flower crowns, and what floral colors will compliment your dress. Most floral companies costs average around $2,000-$3,000+ a wedding, and these prices can rise if you want event styling. Yes that is a thing. Because this is one of the heavier costs, booking it early but not too early will allow you time in your budget to add things or take things off your initial quote if your inspiration changes. We started our journey looking at florists and we had one set in stone but with me being the creative type of person I am, I decided I would purchase the same amount of flowers wholesale at Costco and Sam’s (shout out to Uncle Bob for coming through with that membership BTW!). I figured since all my girls were traveling in early for the wedding, we could set aside Thursday morning to make the bouquets, centerpieces, wrist corsages, boutonnieres, and ceremony decor prior to the Saturday wedding. It may sound overwhelming but it was actually VERY fun, and who knew we all now have a future in the flower business. For our bouquets, boutonniere’s, and corsages I went with Bloominous . Bloominous is a DIY wedding flowers site, that ship everywhere. Everything was delivered Wednesday and we quickly followed the instructions, stored them away after they were prepped, and then on Thursday we put the bouquets together. The company provided us all the ribbons, pins, wire, tape, instructions, names of the flowers, etc. It was very affordable and they have many collections to choose from to fit your theme or you can customize your own. I ordered three 25ft garlands from Costco that were only $75.00 each and saved us almost $600 from what I was quoted for just one garland from the wedding florist we originally planned to use. We attached roses we ordered from Sam’s to the ceremony garland and it turned out beautiful and perfect to accommodate the backdrop of our ceremony. Following the ceremony, we had the ceremony garland placed across the head table as the focal centerpiece. Some florists will do a la cart wedding flowers if you ask them, this is good for those who want a look their florist cannot provide on one or two minor things. Going the wholesale route is a little extra work leading up to the big day but if you have a great group of friends and family who are there to help and can keep things alive, its a fun activity and rewarding to see it come to life on your wedding day.

  • Some roses from Sam’s Club getting ready to cut the ends and put in cold water
  • Centerpieces and extra flowers for around the venue
  • Our ceremony garland
  • Our ceremony garland as the head table center piece
  • These are the Bloominous small posy bouquets, we did not add anything but ribbon to them.
  • Costco and sams wholesale bulk flowers we made into centerpieces
  • Bloominous bouquet as it came, no add ons
  • Costco garland with added flowers wired on from sams
  • Also acted as our head table centerpiece
  • Bouts made from Bloominous by us girls

What’s next?

Well now you have heard our true testimony of just how important these five vendors are to book early. They are the foundation of your forever memories. I hope I was able to get your creative juices flowing and get you excited for the planning process. Your wedding comes once (knock on wood) and how you do it and the order you choose is totally up to you but remember to just have fun!

xoxo, Alyssa & Josh


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Wander Honeymoon: Sandals Grande Antigua

Josh and I got engaged in Chicago during the peak of winter before he was set to leave for baseball season. For any of you who have not experienced that cold Chicago weather, needless to say we started our honeymoon planning before our wedding planning. We did our research and were slightly captivated by the awarded “Most Romantic Resort” of Sandals Grande Antigua, so we jetted off to St. Johns Antigua for a week of relaxation.

The day after our wedding, we got on the plane from Dallas to Miami, and our anticipation was at an all time high. We were both burnt out and tired from the wedding week, we were just looking forward to a cocktail in our hands and a romantic getaway. The flights were long and required we stay over night in Miami to get to Antigua on our check in date which is something we wish we researched before we booked the honeymoon. Check the flight schedules first! Off season flights are less frequent to some of the islands so you may have to adjust your travels, and when it is a honeymoon it is likely close to your wedding date so be mindful of that. We finally had arrived to V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua and as soon as our transportation arrived we were at the resort and sitting in club sandals with cookies and a cocktail within 25 minutes of getting through customs. It was pure bliss.

Sunset Ocean View Bluff

Sandals Antigua is a lush resort that offers a little bit of everything. The grounds keeping is second to none. I thought my wedding flowers were nice, they looked like weeds compared to the florals blooming at this resort. The resort is broken up into two sections, the Mediterranean Village and the Caribbean Beachfront Village. We were lucky to have the club level Sunset Ocean-view Bluff honeymoon suite as our accommodation for the week. Our room had many upgraded features with a large walk in shower and modern furniture, as well as a well stocked fridge and the option for 24 hour room service. (Which we indulged in–jerk chicken wraps on deck) I loved the Red Lane Spa lotion they had provided, they provide all the essential beauty products one needs, as well as a hair dryer. Just outside our balcony, was a smaller pool and hot tub for the building we were staying in and views of the ocean.

Beautiful views

As soon as we were unpacked and ready to explore the grounds, we were approached by a staff member who was cutting coconuts and adding in rum for the guests. It was the perfect start to our exploration and delicious. There were many restaurants and things to do that we quickly figured out the hours and made our reservations for the restaurants that required it in advanced, as well as reserving our spot on the free snorkeling trips. In Mexico, we have always just snorkeled off the beach at resorts, with Sandals Antigua they take you by boat to different spots that are known for their snorkeling. We were very impressed with this as it was like going on an excursion but it was included. When the sun set we began to head to dinner and stumbled upon the restaurant, Soy Sushi. It was the best spicy tuna roll I have ever had and Josh raved about the Spicy Crispy Shrimp roll. So much, that we went back several times throughout the week. It was extremely fast service, we were in and out in a half hour, which made that our appetizer for the night, almost every night. We finished most nights at Mario’s, their Italian restaurant with an antipasti bar for some chicken parmesan and the antipasti buffet. After we finished up dinner our first night, we made our way to the drunken duck for some pool. The funny thing is, their pool tables are actually snooker tables, which is a British version of pool. I was happy because Josh was not able to beat me AS badly with the pockets being shaped differently. When we got back to our room, we were pleasantly surprised, they had made sure we had our honeymoon turn down service and towel swans that we had thought they forgot about.

My husband enjoying the fresh coconut and rum!
Loved my customized Mrs. Silver hat!

Though it was only a week in paradise, we were able to experience endless amounts of Tex-Mex cuisine, Italian food, Caribbean specialties, pool side pizza, fresh seafood, hibachi, and more. Don’t forget the unlimited drinks! The pools were always very low key and quiet but yet still quite a bit of people. The beaches were very well kept and we never had an issue finding a chair. The nightly entertainment was great from reggae, to a foam party, to an all white attire night. When I look back at the trip, I do not think I would of done our honeymoon differently. It was a very relaxing time where we were able to enjoy each others company away from our responsibilities. Sandals Antigua provided us wonderful service and amenities throughout our stay.

xoxo Alyssa

Travel: Northern California

The views of mountains and hills are what captivates my heart every time we travel to Northern California. We just got home from a quick mini vacation to San Jose, El Dorado Hills, Fremont, Orangevale, and Folsom California. Believe it or not, we managed to visit all those places in just three days. That is the difference between California and Texas. It takes you an hour here just to get to the other side of one town.

We arrived at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport around 10:30 am and it was a nice short walk to the rental car center. Picked out our car and were quickly on our way. First things first, Rubios Coastal Grill. This was a must have for me. I have been craving it since the last time we were in NoCal. This time (yes we had it more than once in three days) I got the chicken burrito with no beans, so good. Everything there tastes so fresh and clean. After we had our lunch we hoped in the car and headed about two hours north to El Dorado Hills, which is past Sacramento and on your way to Lake Tahoe. My mother in law and her side of the family live there so it was great to surprise my husbands grandmother and cousins who had no idea we were coming. We got to spend the day and evening with them and then Sunday morning we drove to Orangevale, California to see two of our best friends before our hiking adventure.

Hiking: Folsom Lake

Josh and I have hiked here many times but we went a different longer route this time and it was beautiful and proved to be a challenge by the end. It was an even amount of incline and slopes but the path is a bit narrow for all the bikes going through, so I do not recommend this hike if you enjoy wearing headphones. The bikers were wailing past us. I would stick to the gravel paths and roads if you are traveling by foot or with dogs. There are many areas to take beautiful photos by the water, the guys had to stop to play baseball in several spots so that was our time to take pictures. The hike in total can be ten miles, we only did five but we were pretty sore and tired the last mile.

Food & Drink: Out of Bounds Brewing Co.

One of our best friends is a frequent visitor to this must try establishment. We walked in and there were multiple bars, leather couches and chairs for those who do not like to sit at the bar or tables. The staff was lively and welcoming, and they have a vast variety of beers to choose from. We started with a round of beers, I had the blonde (of course, I am bias). It was very light and crisp, had great flavor. The food was phenomenal. We started with the Pretzilla and House Dips as well as the Smoked Mac N’ Cheese because, carbs. The Pretzel was amazing, my husband barley let anyone try any it was gone so quick. It came with a bacon jalapeno cheese dip and a smoked cheddar OBBC beer mustard which I preferred. The Mac N’ Cheese was the perfect combination of cheesy and smoky. They use a smoked cheddar blend with breadcrumbs over cavatappi pasta. It was my favorite dish of the night. For our entrees I got the Out of Bounds Craft Burger. I always like to try a dish that is unique to the restaurant. I normally comes with brisket short rib beef, smoked cheddar, house potato chips, field greens, tomato, red onion, and garlic aioli. I chose to get it sans potato chips but I was not missing out. This burger was so good. After our meals we made our way to their beautiful biergarten to sit by the fires and play boccie ball. They also have corn hole and many areas to sit in groups or more secluded with a date. If you are ever in Folsom or Rocklin, California…go check out this brewery.

Next Stop: Fremont

Last but not least, we made our way to Fremont to see my father in law and family before we took off back to Texas the following day. What I love about Fremont is the San Francisco feel to it. It is very close to the bay, and is considered to be in the bay area. It feels much more coastal yet mountainous there. While we were driving, we had the views of the large bright green hills surrounding us and the pink sunset setting in the distance.

Until next time Cali!

xoxo-Alyssa

Review: #WhatMollyMade’s Healthy Mongolian Beef

After a very long week of work and class, I was feeling too exhausted tonight to cook something extravagant. It was looking like an instant pot night. I was on a mission to find something savory, sweet, and a meal that would not take me more than a half hour to whip up. Luckily, I found a recipe that sounded too good to be true, a healthy version of Mongolian Beef! You do not typically think of healthy when you think of Mongolian Beef but low and behold, this one is.

Husband Approved.

Coconut aminos are my go to in replacing soy sauce, so I was very happy to see that in the recipe. She cut out the typical brown sugar as well for her recipe and replaced it with honey. Molly uses sesame seeds to garnish with the green onion, I unfortunately did not have any in my spice cabinet so I opted for fennel seeds for a little different flavor and it was still delicious. The perfect combination of savory + sweet – the guilt.

You can get her recipe here! #WhatMollyMade