Relax, Refresh, Renew

There is something universally flattering about a hi low dress that I love.  A flattering cut and a dose of animal print equals sassy and flirty. This dress is perfect for the warm summer days and sexy for those sizzling nights. When I saw this dress it reminded me of the vibrant blues and greens that I have seen in Versace collections and those colors remind me of the ocean. I recently spent some time at the shore and found this dress the perfect balance between trendy and sophisticated. Casual and dressy. I even kicked off my shoes and enjoyed the ocean view up close and personal from the perfect vantage point. A cove.

 Dress: 2B, Cuffs: F-21, Shoes: Private Boutique, Ring: Thrifted, Inner Glow: GOD

I didn't realize I needed refreshing until I felt the mist of the ocean breeze on my face. My favorite hi low dress in a hue of sea greens and blues was perfect for some time  at the ocean to renew and refresh my spirit.

The colors I am wearing are very symbolic. Blue represents calm peace and serenity. Green represents renewal , well-being and life. Together these colors are amazing visually and metaphorically

 

I still feel small when I stand beside the ocean

Be Transformed by the renewing of your mind - Romans 12:2

Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

 Does a sassy dress put a little more bounce in your step?

What if you could see yourself the way God sees you?

The beach is my safe place. I go to relax, to think and to be refreshed. What is your safe place? What relaxes and refreshes you?

Inhale peace, exhale JOY! Have an amazing day!

Tropical Mango Freeze

The summer months are the perfect time to enjoy a cold slushy tropical drink like this amazing mango freeze.  This drink is delicious and exotic and you don't need a passport to experience it. All you need is a blender and a few ingredients and you will  be sipping and smiling in no time:-)

This is a perfect drink for everyone to enjoy and starts off as a non-alcoholic mocktail. You can make this a delicious cocktail by adding a hint of rum or your favorite liquor.

Start with Fresh Mango

Ingredients

1-2  Mango

2 cups ice

1/2 cup passion fruit nectar

1/2  cup coco Lopez cream of coconut 

juice of 1 small lime
1/2 cup sparkling water 

1/3 cup sugar

Approximately 4 tablespoons Grenadine Syrup

Peel the Mango and cut the bright orange meat away from the pit. Chop the Mango and measure out 2 cups chopped Mango. Put the chopped Mango, ice, cream of coconut, passion fruit nectar, lime juice and sugar. Blend until smooth.  Add more ice if needed for a thicker slushier consistency.

Put two tablespoons Grenadine syrup in two high ball glasses and pour Mango mixture on top.

The perfect drink for a hot day

Bon Appetit!

Summer Snapshots

Happy Friday beautiful ones! I wanted to share some of my favorite summer moments with you and some of the things I love the most about this time of year. I also want to thank Tyesha Brown author of the fabulous blog Diary of a Chic Mommy for featuring me on her Friday blogger feature. You can check it out here

This time of year if the time I love to be outdoors. You will often find me and my son dining Al Fresco at one of my favorite bistros or having picnics in the park.  Music festivals, food events, art gallery openings, fashion events, farmers markets, chasing food trucks, thrifting in the city and devouring Gelato all make me smile and are a big part of my summer. During the winter months when it is cold, I tend to hibernate a little more. What do you love about summer? What are your favorite things to do?

Summer is a great excuse to wear bold colors, although I don't need an excuse LOL

Eat Ice Cream!

Wear Gorgeous Shades of Neon

Wear flirty dresses and sexy sandals

Drink icy cold orange crush!

Wear cute sunglasses:-)

Make a color block dessert:-) Get my recipe here

Eat Sorbet sandwiches. Never had one? try my recipe here

Wear big floppy hats (see more here)

Chase the ice cream truck! What? you don't do that too? You thought it was only for kids under 12? No!!!! Chasing Ice Cream trucks is for kids from 1-102.  Read about my Chicken and Waffle Ice Cream from the ice cream truck here

Wear gorgeous colors on your nails

smile! It's summertime!

Dear God: Thank You

Happy Thursday loves. I am feeling a little sad and uninspired today, so I thought I would post a word of encouragement to myself and to you.  Sometimes in the pursuit of my dreams, I get a little down if they are not happening fast enough, but one thing I know about God is that his timing is not my timing and his ways are not my ways. Each day that I take a breath is a gift and sometimes I take that for granted. So today, instead of complaining, I choose to say thank you to the one that never leaves or forsakes me. Thank you God for being so amazing:-) Thank you for the power of dreams and visions.

 Are your dreams so big that sometimes they scare you?

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

There are some things you have to taste to believe. Sweet, ooey, gooey, chocolatey and chewy. Sounds like a winner to me:-)  I love a good chocolate chip cookie, especially warm from the oven, but when you take a classic chocolate chip cookie and stuff it with an Oreo. Well, you to take the chocolate chip cookie to a level you wont want to come down from.  Are you ready for Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies?

I know this isn't fair, but look at this...

Start with plenty of chocolate chips

And of course the more chocolate chips...the more decadent

And then we put a mound of chocolate chip cookie dough around a double stuff OREO. And then...

We have this!

Ingredients
• 1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 package Double Stuff Oreo cookies

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together with a mixer until well combined.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.

In medium bowl mix the flour, salt, and baking soda.  Slowly add to wet ingredients along with chocolate chips until just combined.

With a cookie scoop, form balls with the dough.

Place one ball on top of an Oreo cookie, and another ball on the bottom. Seal edges together by pressing and cupping in hand until Oreo cookie is fully enclosed with dough.

Place onto parchment or silpat lined baking sheets and bake cookies for approximately 13 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

 Milk and cookies?

There is something comforting and nostalgic about warm cookies and an ice cold glass of milk

Life is short. Eat dessert first:-) Bon Appetit!