When you think of putting a little cowboy in to your get-up, it's usually during the summer months. What better way to show off your Southern Style than wearing a pair of cowboy boots to a summer music festival, usually complimented with a fringe vest and some ripped jean shorts, am I right? Well, winter time welcomes the Western look as well. Given my obsession with Country Music, this casual Americana look has always been a go-to. But now I'm going to show you a way to make it even more chic...and keep you warm this winter.
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Today, I was featured on the Thanksgiving Day Special on WCIU, You and Me This Morning. It was a blast because I found a way to sneak some booze into all of my food... and of course pair each dish with a complimenting cocktail. I mean, a little booze helps to make it through the crazy holiday season, am I right?! I covered the 3 major food groups, Vodka, Bourbon, and Cachaca. Here's what I made!
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Ahh it's that time of year again. The leaves are changing, the weather is getting crisp, and the food is getting quite comforting. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and experiencing a unique spin on typical Turkey Day fare can really elevate the holiday. I was so excited to be invited by Morton Salt to the "Next Door Chef" Pop-up dinner to indulge in Thanksgiving favorites...with a twist.
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The music industry is full of stats. Oftentimes artistry can become overshadowed by the sordid topic of numbers and sales. But hey, business is business, and album sales keep the machine greased up and able to crank out more "art". Sometimes the specifics of who sold how many can become mundane and tedious, albeit necessary. But other times, those numbers deserve to be celebrated and revered, especially when they catapult an artist into a stratospheric level...where he hovers...solo.
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If you follow me on social media, odds are that you've seen me post about a ready-made meal delivery company called Eat Purely. It seems nowadays meal delivery/courier services, ready-made meals, and services that have you cook your own meals at home are EVERYWHERE. We've got Postmates, Grubhub, Blue Apron, how the hell do you keep all these straight and know what is what?! I'll explain.
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Staying connected to your girlfriends does not only make for a great time, but it makes for a healthy and sane mind. It's so important to nurture your female relationships as those ladies will be there for your through thick and thin, No matter what is going on in my life, I know that my close friends are by my side no matter what. And having a fun GNO on the reg is necessary to let loose and nurture that bond.
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Mediterranean cooking has always been my favorite type of cuisine and there are many types since many diverse countries encircle the Mediterranean Sea. Usually Sicilian and Italian dishes are what I cook at home, but I adore the flavors of Greece, Turkey, Morocco, and the Middle East as well. Wild Garden helps you to make complex and authentic Mediterranean dishes right in your own kitchen and with ease.
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As some of you may have seen, 30 days ago I began a challenge. I rarely shy away from a good ole' fashioned "food" challenge; and this one was right up my alley. Me + My Naturals Digest Results asked me to take the #Trust Your Gut Challenge and see, if after 30 days, I would have fewer problems eating foods that have given me issues in the past (apparently 89% of the population has one issue or another with their digestive system). Summer was the PERFECT time for this, as I'm constantly eating crazy foods at parties, food festivals, and on my worldwide travels.
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For me, like most people, summer is a time for travel and exploration. It means getting out there and enjoying the beautiful weather and all that life has to offer. This summer was no exception, and fortunately, it's been full of magnificent travel. But all good things must come to an end, so I'm going all out... to get in as much summer travel fun in the remaining several weeks of my favorite season.
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As we know, if an event involves food and music... I'm THERE. Especially if it involves copious amounts of delicious Wholly Guacamole and LIVE music... well... I'm there with bells on. Plus, little else excites me more than being able to judge a live music competition; not only because I love to know the fate of the musicians is in my hands, but also because it feels so great to be a part of something where you can see true talent being rewarded.
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I love me some Barbecue...and Memphis is world renowned for theirs. It's a time honored tradition and they put a lot of love and pride into this regional cuisine. When I was in Memphis two weeks ago I feasted on some of the best of the best. Check out what I ate and then read below to find out how YOU can get your taste of Memphis THIS WEEK in CHICAGO!!
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Have I mentioned I love The South? I love everything about it. The people, the food, the music, the family values, the music. Yes, I said music twice. That's because there are two types of music you hear when traversing though the southland. The kind that is readily accessible when you enter any type of live music venue, bar, club, or concert. And the other kind, the kind that is soul changing... the kind that just fills your inner being with the sounds of the history, people, and mood of this deep region. Memphis embodies all of this. The city exudes the best of the best when it comes to everything that makes The South great...especially the music.
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I've been traveling SO much lately and the whirlwind of cities, airports, hotels, and events has begun to blur together. Yet Los Angeles will always stand out. No matter where I go, when I'm in LA, I pause for a beat, and take a breath. I just adore the West Coast, it makes me happy. The Pacific, the mountains, the weather, the food, the life. It's all my speed (when there's no traffic...wait, that doesn't exist.)
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A couple weeks ago, right before my trip to LA, I was perusing my new favorite travel app, Porter & Sail. It's the coolest app I've used in a while and make me feel super VIP...it's your very own insider concierge. First it lets you book a room in some of the coolest hotels in London, LA, New York, Miami, and Singapore. Then, once you're actually a guest, it gives you access to some of the best restaurant reservations and events in town. (They actually helped me get a rezzy at Gjelina... which is usually almost IMPOSSIBLE to get in to.) So. My. Speed. While perusing, I came across this gem of a hotel, The Farmer's Daughter.
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You may have read about my culinary travels around California in my last blog. But there was a lot more to our trip than just eating!! (shocking, I know) My amazing friend, Tiffany Louise, and I got to rent a badass Jeep and road trip around one of my favorite states for five whole days. It was a blast.... there's nothing better than two girlfriends singing out loud to the radio while zooming down the highway with the picturesque Sierra Nevadas as your backdrop.
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