Here's what I've got, babe...

After my first ShakeO bowl I was h o o k e d. Now I rarely sip a ShakeO from a glass - but rather spoon it from a bowl! And since I gobble most of my ShakeO bowls at lunch, I thought—duh, what says lunch like PB&J? Amirite?! A few trial & errors later {not enough grapey taste; not enough peanut taste; way to peanutty...}, I finally found the perfect blend. In pure bowl-O style, I loaded it up with ice to turn it into that creamy consistency that you'd dig into with a spoon, and then dressed it with toppings that compliment those PB&J flavas! Easy peasy, jelly-beany. PB&Jelly-beany, that is. Peanut Butter & Jelly ShakeO Bowl Servings: 1 Total Time: 5-10 minutes {depending on how snazzy & quick your blender is} Ingredients Shakeology 1 packet Vanilla Shakeology 1/2 frozen banana 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries 1 cup raw baby spinach 6 oz. Greek vanilla yogurt {I like Light & Fit Greek} 1 Tbsp PB2 Splash of almond milk Splashes of water, as needed Ice {and LOTS of it!} Toppings 1 dollop almond butter {or peanut butter} 1 dollop grape jelly {or any flavor jelly you fancy!} 1/2 fresh sliced banana Granola Nuts, seeds & raisins Instructions Throw all Shakeology ingredients into blender and blend until completely smooth. Continue adding ice until consistency mimics ice cream. You should be able to take a scoop with your spoon and it stays on your spoon instead of dripping off like liquid. Pour your ShakeO into a bowl and top with all toppings. Get creative - add whatever you think lends to the PB&J flavor. Dig in with a spoon! And now...it's what, Brian? Psst...More drool-worthy ShakeO recipes: Strawberry Shakeology: Acai Bowl Style Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie Shakeology #fitness #fitmom #health #recipe

You or your bestie are engaged—yay! At that very moment you official committed to a good 90 minutes a day of Pinteresting to build up the secret photography/florals/seating arrangements/photobooth boards, and now it's onto—dun, dun, dun—finding the p e r f e c t style to compliment your dress {which also has its own board, obvi}. You find one that you love, but it's only the back, and what if the front is like, totally sleek and plastered to her head? *Gasp* So you type in something that Pinterest may be able to decipher and return results on: "front of bridesmaid hair half updo loose curls." You, along with Pinterest, are lost. You resort to bringing multiple print-outs of pictures to show the stylist and hope that she can piece together the style you've mashed together from similar-ish pictures. Now, don't get me wrong—as a stylist I love an out-of-the-Pinterest 'do that we create together. "Something a little like this, but incorporate this, and maybe have a braid?" I'm all about it. But that's usually reserved for the very laid-back bride or bridesmaid who doesn't really care about the outcome or has specifics about how the front should look. The majority of my updo's-to-be come to me, Pinterest-defeated, saying that they found the style they want but only the back, or only the front - and so, what does the other side look like!? Oh, if I had a penny for every defeated Pinterester. So, this past wedding season I set out on a mission {with my trusty sidekick assistant/photog} to capture every updo from e v e r y angle. Pin away, my dears, pin away. 1. {The Beautiful Mess} 2. {Big Bridal Bun} 3. {Braided Bangs & Messy Updo} 4. {Braided Side Bun} 5. {If Elsa Had an Updo} 6. {The Sleek Center-Part Kardashian Bun} 7. {Classic Romance Updo} 8. {Classy Crossover Bun} 9. {Eva Longoria Inspired Updo} 10. {Flower Crown Girl} 11. {Flower Girl Side Bun} 12. {Grown-up Ballerina Bun} 13. {Intricate Braided & Twisted Bun} 14. {Curly Bun} 15. {Romantic Side Cluster} 16. {Small Chic Side Bun} 17. {Sweet Low Chignon with Tendrils} 18. {Taylor Swift Side Swept Updo} 19. {Twisted & Intertwined Updo} 20. {Vintage Rosettes Updo} Psst...SO much more wedding hair inspo: Bridal Trial Hair: Do's & Dont's The Best of 2015 Wedding Hair #hair #hairstyle #SilverLiningsSalon

My style changes based on my mood—and since I have no idea which mood will strike me this Valentine's Day, why not fulfill them all? {Just in case} After all, it is a 3-day weekend ;-)Sometimes I like to play innocent girl-next-door. Other times I pretend I am oh-so-boho-chic. And when I'm really feeling fearless, I mix in a little, "Is she girly? Or is she edgy?" style. Whichever mood strikes you, I hope this fuels some of your outfit inspiration for this lovey-dovey weekend. {Girl Next Door} Dress: SheIn {Super sale!} // Tights: Target {in store} // Boots: Oldies, but Similar & Similar // Tassle Necklace: Nordstrom Rack {in store}, Similar // Pink Stackable Rings: Nordstrom Rack {in store}, Similar // Pink Lips: Kat Von D Backstage Bambi {Oh-So-Boho Chic} Shirt: SheIn // Pants: Old {super} lucky find at Macys, but Similar {and super sweet and on super sale!} // Hat: Gifted, but Similar & Similar {in grey/silver - love the textured look!} // Lips: Nars Belle de Jour {Girly Edge} Shirt: Super Oldie, but Similar // Skirt: Another Major Oldie, but Similar & Similar // Shoes: Oldies {shocker}, but Similar // Necklace: Nordstrom Rack {in store}, Similar & SWOON // Lips: Kat Von D Bauhau5 Psst...more "love"ly outfit inspo: All That Glitters is Gold Breaking All The Fashion Rules: Winter White #fashion #style #beauty #accessories #shopping

Oh sweet naive girl. When Jonas first started to trickle down I was as giddy as a 6-year-old. It was the first real snowfall of the year and I was counting all of the ways to spend it—hot cocoa loaded with 'mallows, a nonstop fire in the fireplace, too many calories to keep track of, a constant stream of wine, shoveling for hours {only so I could count it as a workout and throw snowballs at the hubby}, and so so much binging on Scandal. Thirty inches, 5 days, and 10 pounds later, I am as bitter and annoyed as a 30-year-old—dying to get out of the house, wear something other than snow boots, and see other humans. But you know what, this time next year, when Justin Berk gears up his Faith in Flakes campaign, that 6-year-old will rear its ugly head again and I will fight the lines at the grocery store for three cartons of eggs - because who can bake cookies, cake, and brownies with no eggs?! Until then, here's a peek into how we survived Jonas... It's a rarity that the hubs is home during a snowstorm because this sweet man is usually called into 12-hour midnight shifts to make sure our emergency vehicles are up to snuff. I actually had him home for a full day & night during the storm and made every single minute worth it. You know, like dragging him around town in a foot of snow to take pictures of me :-) Don't worry - there was a massive steak at the end of the dragging. {This almost looks like a scene from Paris and I love it oh so much.} Con of snowstorm Jonas: Postponing two Caps games, both of which we had tickets to #whomp. Two missed opportunities to deck out in RED and nearly lose my voice. I had to do something to quench my Caps thirst. {This shoot happened so fast and was so fun that I didn't realize it was pouring snow. Sorry about that, hubs.} {This isn't even a 16th of the amount of Caps gear I possess. But I did try to pile on as much as possible—afterall, it was blizzarding.} {The man behind the cam <3} {SuperCaps.} After all of the wine, and beer, and cookies, and...okay, there was a lot—I needed to feel like my shoveling was really making an impact on my calorie intake. Thus was born my first little infographic! Blizzards do crazy creative things to you. When the hubs did finally have to venture in for that 12-hour shift, I couldn't send him off hungry! These were so easy to throw together and made the perfect amount for a bunch of hungry guys. I didn't get to taste the Croissant Casserole but I'm told it was devoured. I did however sneak a corner of the Cinnamon Roll French Toast...and it almost didn't make it out the door. Recipes for both coming SOON! Okay, now that I've reminisced, I could admittedly go for another five days inside. It's been real, Jonas. Keep those #FITF {for my DMV'ers who live and breathe by Justin Berk}! Psst...In case, like me, you need to work off some of those calories... My Fitness Frenemies: Workout DVDs for the Advanced #Realtalk #life #health #accessories #recipe

It doesn't get easier than pulled chicken in the crockpot and five ingredients {plus some seasonings} thrown into a casserole dish. It also doesn't get any more delicious than this mash-up of Mexican flavors. It's warm & cozy & packed with sneaky nutrition. And it'll officially be added to your list of go-to favs—trust me. First, throw some boneless, skinless, chicken breast in the crockpot. Or, lay it nicely side-by-side - depending on your mood. {Note: You'll want to coat your crockpot with some cooking spray to avoid a scrubbing match later.} These are your crockpot ingredients. They are small, but mighty. Pile your mighty ingredients on top of your chicken. No rhyme or reason, just pour and close. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Then grab two forks and take out all of your frustrations—aka, shred the chicken. Then leave it on low and let it simmer in the juices while you finish up your casserole. When your chicken has about an hour left to go, throw together your quinoa casserole and bake until bubbly. {Mmmhmmm, cheese.} Then pile some of your shredded chicken on top of a bowl filled with quinoa casserole and finish off with chopped tomatoes and avocado. You're welcome. Southwest Chicken & Quinoa Bake Servings: 8-10 Total Time: 6 hours Ingredients For the chicken 1 pound boneless, skinless, chicken breast 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with habaneros {hot!} 1/2 cup Pace Picante salsa {mild, medium or hot} 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp paprika For the quinoa casserole *Adapted from Damn Delicious Quinoa Enchilada Casserole 2 cups cooked quinoa 1 {10-oz.} can Old El Paso mild enchilada sauce {I used hot because we're spice fans!} 1 {4.5-oz.} can Old El Paso chopped green chiles, drained 1 cup canned corn, drained 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed 1 Tbsp. dried cilantro 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp chili powder S&P, to taste 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced 1 Roma tomato, diced Instructions Start your chicken in your prepared crockpot by piling all chicken ingredients on top of your chicken breasts. Cook on low 5-6 hours. Five hours in to your chicken cooking, prepare your quinoa according to directions. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9x11 casserole dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, enchilada sauce, green chiles, corn, black beans, cilantro, cumin, chili powder and S&P. Stir in 1/2 cup of both cheese {reserve the rest}. Spread quinoa mixture into the casserole dish; sprinkle remaining cheeses on top. Place in the oven and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly—about 15 minutes. While the casserole is baking, shred your chicken with two forks and mix into juices. Once casserole is done, scoop quinoa mixture into a bowl, top with shredded chicken, and finish off with tomato and avocado toppings. Devour. *I used fat free and low fat ingredients wherever possible to cut down on calories - but rest assure that it does not cut down on flavor! Psst...more tempting recipes: Comfort Crockpot Food: Balsamic "Pantry" Chicken Deemed "The Best Chili on Earth" #recipe #health #life #Realtalk

It's January, majorly post-Labor Day, and not even close to Memorial Day, but yes, ladies & ladies {gents don't so much care} - I am in WHITE. Not that I e v e r believed in following the fashion rules {my mom used to yell at me for wearing two different socks to school—I started young}, but naysayers will tell you that white after Labor Day is the number one fashion faux pas. But you know what? I will wear my white, mix my patterns, mash-up gold & silver, and by god, I WILL rock my UGGs until the end of time. Fashion faux pas be damned. Who's with me?! Excuse me, sir, do you know where I can find a Starbucks? Pants: American Eagle // Shirt: TJMaxx find, plus my favorite piko style tops from Kiki Larue // Vest: Francesca's // Scarf: Oldie, but similar fav from SheIn // Booties: Old Navy // Necklace: Nordstrom Rack in-store sale find, but similar, and look at this beaut! // Watch: Paris flea market find // Bracelet: The Loft // Earrings: Flea market find, but very similar from Francescas // Sunglasses: Kate Spade {gifted} // Purse: Vintage Coach {gifted} Psst... More fashion inspo that semi-follow the rules ;-) A Love Affair With Fall {And Loft Pants} That 70's Style: Two Ways #shopping #style #fashion #accessories

It's officially 2016 and you have grandiose plans about how this year is going to go... But, we're a measly two days in and you've already snuck a bite of those Christmas cookies you should have tossed, or you haven't even cracked the surface on your treadmill/closet clean-out/new year-new you plan. I'm here to tell you that it's totally okay. As perfectionists living in a world where social media glorifies what life "should" look like, we have become our own biggest critics—more than ever. Our bodies, hair, nails, wardrobe, relationships, Christmas trees, desk, calendars, Instagram snaps, plates of food, 2016 resolutions—everything must be pristine, colorful, positive and picture perfect. But life is full of bloopers with behind the scenes shots of laundry baskets filled to the brim, messy buns {and not the imperfectly cute kind}, chipped nails, cupcakes for breakfast, screaming matches, takeout five nights a week {or cereal for dinner five nights a week}, cursing photoshop to hell, and wine—more wine than is appropriate to glorify on Instagram. So, as we enter a fresh year, one where social media will remain the ruler of all things {seemingly} perfect, I beg of you to remember that it's totally okay... To wait until January 4th to start that "New Year—New You" mantra. Who wakes up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on New Years Day? I for one wake up exhausted, slightly hungover, craving a greasy cheeseburger, and dreaming of one thing—the couch. I'm thinking the new me would scoff at the idea of starting fresh on a weekend of R&R, so I'll wait to embrace her on Monday. To say NO. You can't be everything to everybody. Let's be real - you can't even be some things to everybody. At some point you have to say NO to an offer, luncheon, brunch, client, date, party, project, or whatever else is thrown your way. Your FOMO will fade and you'll have more time to enjoy the things you do say yes to. I promise this will change your life. If you pin—but never win. Look, Pinterest is supposed to be a place to spark creativity - not a place of shame to make you feel like a failure because you never finished {or even started} that homemade holiday wreath. If lunch isn't a salad in a jar and dinner isn't crock-potting away and you haven't finished your 1000th jumping jack for the day—it's okay. It's also okay to continue pinning on top of the 10,000 pins you haven't accomplished yet. Keep those creative juices flowing. That you didn't finish that project you set out to accomplish in 2015. You're lucky enough to be here for another year, so it's not a wash, it's just an extended deadline. And the best part is, the hardest part is over - getting started. To put up a social front. Those {seemingly} perfect lives we all see on social - it's okay to partake in the "front" they present. No one really wants to see the negative drama BTS - if so, it would be called "anti-social media." There's nothing wrong with showing the best parts of your life, given that they're not completely staged and fake. Don't live a make-believe social-only life - make sure it actually mimics the best part of your life that is truly happening... And then feel free to leave out the detail about how right before that perfectly styled picture of you posing against a brick wall your Instagram husband said, "okay, go" with all the lackluster enthusiasm in the world. To start small. You don't have to lose all five pounds {okay, six. fine, seven. FINE, eight.} that you gained through the last quarter of 2015 {aka, eating season} in the first two weeks of 2016. You don't have to sign-up for a half-marathon right out of the gate. The house doesn't need to be completely renovated by Valentine's Day. And your new business doesn't need to be off the ground and running by Spring. But you DO have to start somewhere - so start small. Download theFitness Pal app to track your calories; sign up for a 5K; pick one room to redo and go from there; and at least open the Business Plan Pro wizard. Don't set yourself up for failure - it's okay to take one tiny step at a time, as long as you're stepping, period. If you're already counting down to your next day off. 15 days until MLK Jr. Day. But who's counting? It's also okay if you already put in to take off on March 4 to binge watch season 4 of House of Cards. Underwood for President! If you're having the hardest time parting with that fashion statement that all of the fashion-powers-that-be say to toss for 2016. Long live pastel hair, coachella-inspired music festival fashion, and suede. Also, I just started "mastering" contouring, so I'll be sticking with that cheeky goodness for a bit. Let's also remember that trends don't hit the level of us "real" people for a good year—in which case, we're right on track. I'm going to leave you with some of my favorite words from the ever wise... Bethenny Frankel. Namaste, 2016. Psst... More fuel to your 2016 resolution-fire: 10 Health Hacks: How I Changed My Body, My Life Commit to Fit: The 6 Commitments That Helped Me Lose 80 Pounds #Realtalk #life #Hair #health #fashion

We've already covered my f a v wedding looks from the first half of the year—there were cascading curls draped over one shoulder, flower crowns, braids galore & *oh* the romance. The second half of the year was all of that and more, so as we wrap on Creations' biggest year yet - swoop, curl, drape, tendril & swoon with me, would ya? 7.17.2015 - Ana + Billy Photo cred: Megan Cara Photography It may seem like an oxymoron, but this was the most intimate and beautiful local destination wedding. A little bit beachy, a little more beauty, and all tucked away right in Maryland! Who knew? These girls had tons of hair—if it wasn't Rapunzel length, it was thick as thieves, so we had to get creative with twisting & twirling it into updos, and they turned out to be some of my favs yet! {Seriously with the back shot—these are a hairstylists' DREAM. Thanks, photog.} 8.28.2015 - Sam + Brendan Photo cred: Love Life Images Event coordinator cred: Pop the Cork Designs Number one reason why I'm a stickler for wedding hair trials - because it helps you mull over what you really want on your big day. You can picture yourself with your trial hair, walking down the aisle towards your new hubby...orrrr, maybe not. Maybe after the trial you realize an updo is totally not you, and you're much more of a relaxed curl, effortlessly draped to the side, kind of girl. Had there been no trial, we never would have known that—and I'm so glad we did, because Sam's hair was so perfectly elegant & summery and most importantly—so Sam. {Can't claim fame to the 'do third from the left.} {That boho fishtail though.} 9.19.2015 - Bernie + Steve Photo cred: KT Nichols Photography Here's the thing about Bernie - she's the most chill, "whatever works," girl I've ever met in life. But ya know, being a bride does something to even the chillest girls. For Bernie, it didn't send her into a closet-bridezilla, but it did turn her into one of my most surprising brides this year. Girly & glitzy & glamourous to the utmost. She rocked my socks, all while staying as chill as ever. #dreambride 9.26.2015 - Teri + Charlie {Take 2} Photo cred: Erin Michelle Photography Two years ago, almost to the day, Erin & I dolled up Teri & her girls {my forever bridesmaids} & sent her down the aisle to marry the man of her dreams. Only...her photographers apparently didn't get the notice and missed out on some crucial moments {like THE kiss. I kid you not.}. With Erin this time behind the lens instead of behind the curling iron, we did a re-do: Operation Capture the Kiss. We enlisted the beachwaver, and a whole lotta lash. {I NOW pronounce you husband & wife. #officiallyofficial} 10.10.2015 - Lucia + Ryan Photo cred: Mike Busada Nothing wrong with starting hair at o'dark-thirty when you get to do it while watching the sunrise over the water. This was made to be one of those perfect days—gorgeous weather, gorgeous girl, and gorgeous hair {if I do say so myself ;-)} Oh, and the M O S T adorable flower girls of all time. Bias at its finest. {Just. stop.} 10.17.2015 - Becca + Nick Photo cred: Unforgettable Moments Lets talk about what makes an incredible wedding morning: bagels {check}, mimosas {check - but OJ for me, please - I'm a working woman}, and Beyonce {on repeat}. I kept getting confused about whether this was wedding day prep, or just a super glamorous girl's day—it was that fun - as evident by the endless giggles. The day was filled with a whole lot of big buns - and even bigger smiles. {Disclaimer: I would never not give credit to a photographer, which is why their business is listed above. However, due to the nature of their professionalism, they are not linked as I would not endorse them as a vendor. Unless, of course, you prefer to be yelled at on your wedding day :-)} {Epic. Royalty much?} 11.6.15 - Meghan + Pat Photo cred: Popcorn and Pandas {Bridesmaid & multi-tasker ;-)} The professional wedding pictures have not yet graced social media {thus, I can't stalk, steal & credit}, so for now you'll just have to swoon over this sneak peek from fellow Blogger-meets-bridesmaid. Thanks for capturing such perfect peeks, G! 12.12.2015 - Christine + Tony Photo cred: Erin Wheeler Photography I love a Winter wedding because they're so rare around here—it could be blizzarding, iced over, or, ya know, 65 degrees like it was on this day. Nothing instantly classes up a wedding like some stark red pops & Christmas decor! Another wee-peek before the full album of this day drops. CONGRATS to all my 2015 brides!! I expect to be doing first kiddie cuts in a few years ;-) Or, at least wifey-chops in the near future. Now booking for 2016 weddings! Email creationsalanikki@hotmail.com to inquire about pricing & availability. *Will travel* Psst...more pin-worthy wedding hair posts! 2015 Wedding Hair: Halftime Favorites Wedding Day Hair: Do's and Dont's Straight From the Stylist's Mouth #hair #beauty #hairstyle #SilverLiningsSalon

Fresh off the heels of a 7-day plank challenge with fellow fab blogger {popcorn and pandas} & soon-to-be BeachBody Coach {countdown to post-VEGAS PiYO}, my bestie & I were revved up and eager to keep our middles whittled in prep for our early bikini-season-debuts in VEGAS {I don't know why I feel like that should always be in all caps. Just me?}. That's when I turned to my old-faithful—the abs that started it all. When I first started weening into working out in 10th grade, I quickly found that the one exercise I didn't absolutely d r e a d was abs. Abs, abs, abs—all day, ery'day. I was ABsessed. And who, pray tell, induced this ABsession? Why, B.Spears, of course {are we shocked that I found a way to weave Brit into another post?!}. I hung a picture of Brit-Brit's "I'm a Slave for You" abs on the back on my door and would hit the floor every night with my mini made-up ab routine. Truth be told, I still hit the floor every night with that quickie routine—only now I'm laying in front of the TV watching Pretty Little Liars instead of staring at Britney. W A Y more grown-up now, obviously. When it was time to create a new ab-chiseling challenge that would carry us to VEGAS {where I'll be seeing those abs up close & personal... Front row Brit tix, ya'll {!!!!!!!!!!!}—F R O N T row. Yea, justwait for that post.}, I turned to my ab-idol once again. And who wouldn't?! Look at that fABtastic stomach. She's still got it, ya'll. As soon as I saw that those abs were gracing the cover of Women's Health, I raced right out and nabbed a copy. Only, this time I didn't post the ab-inspiring picture of her on my bedroom door—I thought that might be a bit awkward for the hubs. So, instead, she sits abs-up on our kitchen table ;-) {I have a very supportive husband...} Whether you're planking for VEGAS, crunching for Cabo, or just need a challenge to kick-start those Summer abs, this 20-day stomach-cincher will get. it. done. Join us!! And let us know how you're doing—we can all "bellyache" together ;-) "You better werk, bitch." -B. Spears #fitness #health

Here I go again, shaming Shakeology and turning one of my favorite desserts into a *nutritious* shake! Read it [the ingredients] and weep, ya'll. This ShakeO packs a serious nutrition-punch: oats, banana and spinach? Can you say fiber & protein packed? Oh, you can't? It's because your mouth is too full with this delectable dessert-like shake, isn't it? Knew it. You know the drill - throw all of these ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth: 1 packet Vanilla Shakeology 1/4 cup old fashioned oats 1/2 frozen banana (fresh is fine, if need be, but frozen makes it creamier!) 1 cup raw spinach 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (not cinnamon sugar - this puppy is sweet enough!) 1/2 cup unsweetened original almond milk Ice to your liking/thickness So, here's where the raisins come in... You can either add a teaspoon of raisin extract in place of the vanilla {yea, it's a for real thing - found, where else, Amazon!} or add a tablespoon of actual raisins - which is what I did. The thing is, my blender didn't really...blend them all that well. But I didn't really mind! I got the flavor and the crunch - and I'm totally a crunch girl. Actually, they're more like a "chewy" than a "crunchy" but I can still did a "chew." Anyway, I digress. All you need to know is that it tastes like an oatmeal raisin cookie, and that makes me as happy as a girl eating dessert for dinner {and not gaining an ounce from it}! Are there any dessert flavors that you would like to challenge me to turn into a ShakeO?? Because I am SO up for the dessert challenge. Leave your suggestions, requests and flavors below! Psst... Fancy dessert for dinner, huh? Add these to your arsenal: Chocolate Covered Berries Milkshake-O Creamy Vanilla Strawberry Vanilla Shakeology #health #recipe #fitness

When I was told that I wouldn't be involved in any aspect of my 30th birthday, my mind started racing... But, but, what about the decor?! The layout of the house?! The events of the evening?! THE FOOD?!?! One of my biggest, ahem, concerns, if you will, was the food. I am a picker—a mini cupcake, poppable appetizer, finger food kind of gal. On top of that, I like to snack on the healthier side. Talk about a challenge for late night party food! My party planners proclaimed a big ol' "Challenge Accepted!" and delivered the most Pinterest-esque finger food spread I had ever seen. I would be doing a serious injustice to the party-planning and foodie world if I didn't provide a breakdown of every single delectable dish on that table. Eat your heart out, Martha Stewart. Pepperoni Twirls from Dizzy, Busy & Hungry {You see those little pockets of heaven off to the left? Yea, those were a foodie favorite. And the perfect late LATE night snack as you wrap up in the wee hours of the night {morning, whatever}. Tip: serve with warm marinara sauce!} Inspired by Mediterranean Cucumber Cups from The Three Little Piglets {Only, sprinkle in some pepperoncini's, layer with hummus on the bottom, and then fill to the brim with your med-mixture.} Antipasto Skewers from The Weary Chef & Satay Chicken Skewers from The Nest {My one input on food was: finger, fancy & skewered. Nailed it!} Spinach Dip Bites from Lil Luna {Okay, so these weren't the h e a l t h i e s t thing on the menu, but there's spinach in it, so it half counts, right!? Besides, the flavor combo is way worth it, and the mini size keeps you from OD'ing...if you have restraint.} Giada's Mini Eggplant Parmesan from Food Network {Like savory little pizzas without the heavy crust, but still with a crunchy crust! These were a top contender for "must-have-again" favorite.} Inspired by Asian Crab Salad Croustades {sans crab} from The Passionate Cook {I love anything with an Asian flair {it's in my blood, ya know} and these were so incredibly fresh and, to quote Katy Perry, "Japanesey" {not an actual word and makes my skin crawl, but there you have it}—they were a win, win!} Bloody. Mary. Shrimp. Shooters. from Man Titlement {I added the periods for emphasis - because, Y A ' L L. Three of my favorite things in one: bloody mary's, mini-everything and seafood. Now this is a shot this 30-year-old will do!} I wish I could tell you there was a place you could purchase these delicious mini cuppycakes, but I can *hopefully* say that they will be coming to a local bakery at s o m e point in my lifetime, because these beauties deserve to be in a window front. And in my belly, on demand. I wish I had a picture of the intricately stunning cake, but alas, that IS in my belly. Photo cred: Renee Hollingshead Photography Food spread: Courtesy of my foodie of sis who missed her calling as a critic {or chef}, my Ma who broke out of her normal food-box, and my besties who can always whip up something Pinterest-worthy! Cake/Cupcakes: Erin Horton Poff - coming soon to an Etsy shop near you... (right?!) ;-) #recipe #health #hostessinspo

Let me preface this post with a big fat two-part disclaimer: 1.) I am N O T a chef, cook or nutritionist. I credit my food-making abilities to Pinterest, my Kitchen Aid mixer, and creativity. Sometimes I get a resounding, "mmmmhmm-can't-speak-too-busy-making-mmmhmmm-sounds", and sometimes I get the infamous, "you know what would be great on this? Old Bay." {aka, I need to drown this "unique-flavor" with the almighty potent spice of the eastern shore} Ya win some, ya Old Bay some. 2.) I am N O T a photographer, of any shape, size or sector. This includes food. Especially food. So excuse my foodie snaps—I promise it's always more appetizing than it may look. Now that we've gotten the housekeeping items out of the way, let's get to cookin'! Or, crockin', in this case. I found this recipe on Pinterest {shocker} and was instantly intrigued. "Best Chili on Earth"? That's a bold statement. Now, the hubs claims to l o v e my usual chili recipe, so I was reluctant to switch it up, but we were having company over and I didn't have much time to tend to the stove so I needed a full-proof crockpot chili. This was the most frequent and highly acclaimed crockpot chili on Pinterest—I just HAD to know if it was the "best on earth." I followed Pip & Ebby's chili to a T, except the following omissions: I only did one jalapeno pepper instead of two, since one of our "guests" was a wee lad and I didn't want to overwhelm them with spice. I used 2T parsley flakes instead of 1/4 cup of fresh flat-leaf parsley because, again, not a chef, and who the heck has fresh parsley on hand? I went the ground chicken route, mostly because we're just ground chicken type of people {we don't find ground turkey to hold flavor as well}. I left out the pinto beans because the hubs has just recently ventured into the world of beans and I didn't want to over-bean him. The only addition I made was, in my opinion, a chili MUST: beer. It ain't chili unless it has that aromatic beer flavor. Lagers are my favorite, especially seasonal lagers because they come with a whole burst of added spices. I popped open a Leinenkugel Octoberfest and poured about 1/2 a cup in to the chili that was brewing in the crockpot. {If I have to tell you what to do with the rest of the beer, we need to have a little sit down chat.} Otherwise, I followed Pip & Ebby's play-by-play, taking the crockpot route and simmering for 8 hours on low. The verdict? Pretty dang good! Best on earth? For some, maybe. Did it absolutely blow my socks off? There was a strong wind, but I'm not sure they blew off. However, one of my guests did say, "this is REALLY good", not once, but twice. The first time I always accept as a courtesy, but if they're so inclined to say it again, then dang, it must be good! The hubs also approved, and the recipe has officially been added to my Tried & Tested arsenal on Pinterest. The Best Chili on Earth Serves: 12 Total time: 8-9 hrs (slow cooker) or 2 1/2 hr (stovetop) 2 pounds ground beef, turkey or venison {I used 2 lbs. of ground chicken} 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 yellow or white onion, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped {I used 2T of parsley flakes} 2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped (optional) {I only used 1 jalapeno to make it more kid-friendly} 3 tablespoons chili powder 2 teaspoons cumin 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black ground pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 46-oz. can tomato juice 28-oz. can diced tomatoes 15-oz. can tomato sauce 16-oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed 16-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed {Omitted} {Added 1/2 cup of beer} Shredded cheese and sour cream, for topping Instructions: In a large skillet, cook ground meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Transfer the meat to a bowl. Drain excess grease from skillet, but do not clean. Add the olive oil to the skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onion, green pepper, garlic, parsley and jalapeño peppers (if using). Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir until combined. If cooking the chili stovetop, add the cooked meat back to the skillet. If you are using a slow cooker, add everything to the slow cooker. Add the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans and pinto beans. On stovetop, bring to a boil, dial back to medium-low and simmer for 2 hours. In slow cooker, cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. Serve warm with cheese and sour cream. {And biscuits/rolls - duh. #recipe