We stop...for Ice Cream!

I spent a brief afternoon in Atlanta this past week with Roomie. We had made a similar trip about a week before this one, and had seen a super cute sign for an ice cream shop along the way. I was sold. Little shop, in a cute Georgia town? Um, yes! So, this time around we finished appointments and then made a quick pit stop at Scoops before I dropped her off at the airport! Can't complain when the driver "makes" us stop for ice cream. (Thanks!)

Scoops was simply Southern on the exterior, and simply sweet and fun on the interior. Once we ventured in, I quickly noticed that not only did "scoops" apply to the ice cream counter, but to the multiple walls of assorted candies as well! Think a mall candy store, like Candyopolis or Mr. Bulky's, meets you're favorite ice cream counter. It was fun, and just the perfect treat!

There were many tantalizing flavor options and it was a difficult decision, but I ended up with a scoop of Snickers ice cream! It was seriously, so SO good! 

A little road trip time with the bestie and a sweet treat to top it off! It was a great day! 

(I couldn't resist testing out one of the lovely butter yellow rocking chairs on the way out! Adorbs!)

Wishing you a happy ice cream adventure of your own this summer! Happy eats!

Whole Foods Haul: Favorites & Finds!

photo courtesy of eatingalabama.com

Whole Foods...the place where you fall in love with foods (or at least the idea of foods) that you never would've thought of and/or never knew existed! I was introduced to Whole Foods when I moved to good 'ol Alabama a few years ago. People would always tell me that it was an "experience" or even a "great place for date night"....well, they were right. The product selection (including organic and gluten free), the samples, the buffet, live cooking demos, the gorgeous flower section, and more; they have it all.  Really, it is just down right Awesome! (A little on the pricey side too, but there are ways to watch that.)

Nonetheless, I always manage to grab some "favorites" and some "finds" each time I go! The goal is to try to walk out with a mix of things I know that I love, and hopefully delicious new things to try. On this trip with Roomie,  I found an especially good mix!

I'll start with the "Favorites": 

(As you can see, my favorites tend to come from the bakery section!)

*Blueberry Streussel Muffins: fresh from the bakery daily and uber delicious...like seriously, the best blueberry muffins ever! They come in the smaller size muffins in a 6-pack or the jumbo size in a 4-pack. Usually, I buy a single jumbo muffin if they are available. 

*The Everything Bagel: my go-to choice for the perfect turkey bagel sandwich. Sesame seeds, garlic, onion, poppy seeds, basically the works!

*Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookie: chocolate and coffee in a cookie, there is nothing wrong with that combo! Even Whole Foods understands...

"Cookie love fest" is absolutely right!!!

Now onto, the "Finds"!

*Reusable Totes: The new Spring designs were available, and I automatically fell in love with these two! At $.99 a bag, who can resist?! Additional designs include an asparagus bag and a grapefruit bag. 

*Hubert's Half & Half in Green Tea Lemonade

*Hubert's Lemonade in Limeade

*Santa Cruz Organic Cherry Lemonade

*Santa Cruz Organic Mango Lemonade

(If you can't tell, I really, really love lemonades! So, I am super excited to try these! As a bonus, the glass jars will make really cute vases, once emptied...can't wait for that!)

*Late July Organic Mild Green Mojo Multigrain Snack Chips: these caught my eye because of their ingredients: green chiles, jalapenos, cheese, and lime. Yum!

*Tomato Spinach Fusilli Pasta: this wasn't so much of a "find" as an "I just need noodles for pasta salad" choice. I've never had this brand, but I'm sure that the noodles will be great. Props to my madre, for always making pasta salad with the veggie spiral pasta growing up!

*Clif Mojo bars in White Chocolate Macadamia & Peanut Butter Pretzel: I usually grab a few protein/energy bars every trip. I eat them sparingly, but do enjoy having them as a quick on-the-go snack or breakfast option. I decided to try a few of these newer cliff bars, which kind of combine trail mix and a granola bars together!

*Artisana Cashew Butter: I love cashews and love peanut butter. I figured that this perfect little sample sized package would be a nice little treat paired with a Granny Smith Apple!

*Baby Bananas imported from Puerto Rico! (I may have first experienced baby bananas on a trip to Africa, and have been obsessed ever since. Unfortunately, most of the ones I've had in the U.S. haven't compared. I'm hoping that these will!)

*Zucchini

*Plantains (Again, fell in love with plantain chips in Africa, and will attempt to use these to make my own at home!)

(Fyi, the blue cartons pictured above came from the produce section in the store. I grabbed a few empty ones, hoping that they would let me have the cuties to take home, and they did! All I had to do was ask at the register to make sure that it was okay!)

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As you can see, I found quite the haul on this trip! I was also quite happy to walk out with a nice amount of food and drink for around $30! Not bad. 

I'm excited to taste and enjoy the products from this round, and am already looking forward to my next trip! 

Coconut Cream Mini Cupcakes

Before a recent visit home to see my family, I may have promised to make cupcakes, specifically coconut cream cupcakes! My mom loves coconut cream anything, and apparently so do several other people I know! This made it an easy choice when it came down to what flavor to make for the 4th of July. Additionally, since I was going to a party, minis were the natural choice for a "finger food" type dessert. That, and well...cupcakes are pretty much one of the best desserts ever invented! 

Enjoy the recipe!

*Note: As a general rule, I prefer not to use cake mixes when I make cupcakes. I don't have anything against boxed cake mixes, I just enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of making everything from scratch! However, due to time and the nature of the event, I caved in this time and used one. No complaints though, because the end product turned out great! 

Coconut Cream Mini Cupcakes

Recipe makes 4-5 dozen mini cupcakes. 

Cupcakes:

1 box Pillsbury White Cake Mix

4 eggs

2/3 c. butter, melted and cooled to room temperature

1 c. milk

1 pkg. coconut cream pudding mix

2-3 t. coconut flavoring

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, butter, milk, pudding mix and coconut flavoring until thoroughly mixed. 

2. Place mini cupcake papers into the mini cupcake pan. Use a small cookie scoop to spoon cupcake batter into the pan. 

3. Bake at 350 for approximately 12 minutes, or until cupcakes are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool, before frosting. 

*Note: I used a Pillsbury mix, if another kind is used simply add 1 more egg than the directions state, substitute the oil for butter and double the amount, substitute milk for the water, and bake according to the suggested temperature. 

Coconut Buttercream:

1/2 c. shortening

1/2 c. (1 stick) butter

4 c. powdered sugar, preferably sifted

2-3 T. milk or heavy whipping cream

approx. 2 t. of coconut flavoring (add to taste)

Shredded coconut for decorating

Directions:

1. Beat shortening and butter in a large bowl, until combined.

2. Add in powdered sugar in 1 cup increments. When mixed, add in the milk or heavy whipping cream and the coconut flavoring and combine.  (Do not over mix, this will cause the buttercream to melt and weaken.) 

3. Prepare a piping bag. Also prepare coconut topping, by adding a generous amount to a plate or bowl.  Spoon the buttercream into the bag and frost each cupcake. After each cupcake is frosted, roll the top in the bowl of shredded coconut. 

Highlights from Home

I recently spent 10 days in the sweet heartland and had a blast catching up with sweet friends, seeing family, celebrating a holiday (my 2nd favorite holiday), and enjoying a "favorite foods" tour of my hometown! Many fun things to do on this "home-cation"!

Here are the Highlights:

*I made a list of places to visit while I was back in Kansas, and I can say that I successfully made it to almost all of them! I ate at most all of my favorites: Carlos O' Kelly's, Doc Greens, La Galette, Cocoa Dolce, Freddy's, Old Chicago, and the Donut Whole! I even managed to hit up some new places, The Flying Stove and The Good Egg, thanks to some great friends!

The Flying Stove Food Truck with M. 
& the sweet and lovely E.!

Pollo Loco Burger & Truffle Fries from The Flying Stove

Dessert at La Galette! Beautiful and tasty!

*I also managed to visit a few of my favorite boutiques, Lucinda's and Bittersweet! (Shame, shame Cottage Collective, for not being open during the holiday week. Maybe next time!) What's a vacation without some shopping?! I hit up the regulars too, like Target, Kohls, Michaels, Kirklands, TJ Maxx, etc., and thanks to my favorite shopping app Retail Me Not, I found some great deals!

*I was blessed and beyond excited to spend some sweet time with most of my favorite people all throughout the trip, as well!

A looooong overdue date with this beauty! 
K. and I go way back! 

We met up at the coolest donut shop I know, The Donut Whole! 
(Animal Cookies donut seen here!)

Found these lovely ladies at the Ballpark. 
Can't complain about 80 degree weather and baseball!

*As for the celebrating I mentioned, well, let's just say that my family knows how to do the 4th of July!!! A lot of food, a lot of people, and some lovely fireworks! (Sorry no pictures here...I was too busy chatting to take pictures.)

*To cap off my trip I hopped in the car and made my way south to Oklahoma. Who was waiting for me, you ask? Only my most favorite Diva Sista in the whole wide world! It had been way, way, way too long since our last visit and I was SUPER excited to see her. Per usual, we fueled up with supersize Dr. Pepper ices (Thank you 7Eleven!!!), paused for some pedis, shopped til' we dropped (I think it's a talent of ours!), and dined on some delicious Mexican food! Did I mention we went shopping? And did we ever strike gold?! Close! Try 50% off at the Outlets...including COACH....our experience was almost unbelievable, in a good great way! Our fun-filled day ended with a viewing of Monsters U., a few laughs, and a popcorn bucket that could've fed an army. Needless to say, this diva adventure was successful! 

The KING of Icees! There is none other. 

C. & I!

I am so very thankful to all of you back home, who made my trip so special! Thank you for the hugs, the conversations, and the laughter! You know who you are, and I love each of you so dearly! If there was a way to fit each of you in my suitcase I totally would. I have the best friends and family! I miss y'all already! 

Until next time, Kansas...

Funfetti Cake Batter Cheese Ball

Let me introduce you to the newest party treat on the block, the Cake Batter Cheese Ball! I was recently making food to take to a 4th of July party, and decided to try a new recipe! What could possibly go wrong with this choice? Absolutely nothing. It was SO delicious that I just have to share! So here is the super easy, and super tasty recipe. Enjoy!

Funfetti Cake Batter Cheese Ball

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 1/2 c. funfetti cake mix, dry

3 T. sugar

1/2 c. powdered sugar

at least 1/2 c. of rainbow sprinkles

Vanilla wafers, graham crackers, fruit, or other cookies for dipping

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until combined. Add in Funfetti cake mix, sugar, and powdered sugar and beat until combined. 

2. Place the mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap. Spray the plastic wrap lightly with cooking spray, if desired. Bring in the corners of the plastic wrap and wrap the mixture into a ball. Freeze the ball for about 1 1/2 hours.

3. Remove the ball from the freezer. Place the rainbow sprinkles on a flat plate and roll the unwrapped cheese ball in the sprinkles. Make sure to press the sprinkles into the cheese ball until it is fully covered. 

4. Place the ball on a serving dish, cover with plastic wrap and foil and freeze it for another 2 hours or overnight. If frozen overnight, thaw for 20-30 minutes before serving. Serve with vanilla wafers, graham crackers, fruit, or other cookies.

*Use a GF cake mix, for a gluten free alternative. 

Happy 4th of July!

Happy, my 2nd favorite holiday of the year, 4th! There's nothing quite like celebrating America, freedom, family, and friends on a beautiful day in July! The fireworks, aren't too bad either. (And by that, I mean they are my FAVORITE!)

My family has done 4th of July in a big way for...well, for as long as I have been alive. We all, family and friends alike,  gather at my Aunt and Uncle's house. It is always fun to see who shows up, and how many! I think the count this year was 70+. A great turnout!

This year in comparison to other years, had a super laid-back, chill kind of vibe, and it was wonderful! There were little ones everywhere, the pool was a popular place, there was a baseball game in the backyard, and the patio chairs were filled with folks chatting and enjoying the evening! The weather was beautiful and the food was abundant. I think maybe our party could've given The Golden Corral some competition! I was lucky to get to contribute to the buffet o' deliciousness with a few dishes of my own...who wants cake batter cheese ball and coconut creme mini cupcakes?! They were both SO good!

As usual, the evening was capped off with a fun and beautiful display of sparkles in the sky, or as most people refer to them, fireworks! I will forever and always be a fan! 

The day was super enjoyable, and it didn't hurt that I finally got to wear my "4th of July" dress after almost two weeks of waiting. I know, it seems silly, but I couldn't help but be excited!

Dress: Old Navy

Shoes: Kohl's

Studs: mine from a few years ago, similar ones here

Lip Color: Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple

Cute outfits, fireworks and BBQs are great, however that is not all that this day is about. It is only proper that I express my gratitude to all of our military men and women who serve our country daily. They defend our country with honor and great sacrifice. Thank You! 

Happy Independence Day, everyone!

Favorite Finds: June Edition

Here's a look at what I've been loving, this month...

(*technically it's July, however just pretend that it's still June!)

1: MAC Lipstick in Creme Cup (here)

A great light/neutral pink, especially when paired with a pretty gloss! 

2: JCrew Factory Classic Crystal Bracelet (here)

3: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadow in Barely Branded (here)

I've been using this as my everyday base eye color. It lasts forever, and keeps its color!

4: JCrew Factory Gold and Crystal Link Bracelet (here)

5: Land of Nod Dotted Cube Bin (here)

I purchased three of these bins, and used them to upgrade the available storage and the overall look of my closet! They are a great size, and work quite well for storing extra clothes and bags. 

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