Broccoli Salad

Kate and I are going to be ending the Recipe Swap after this week, but we've had so much fun hosting this link up the past two years and loved having so many of you join us! Thank you all!

 

I made this recipe for a potluck at work (I doubled the recipe to feed more people) and there was not one scrap leftover so that leads me to believe everyone enjoyed it thoroughly. My recipe was adapted from this Creamy Broccoli Salad recipe which is very similar.

Ingredients:
1 head of fresh broccoli, cut into small pieces
1 small red onion
1/2 cup crumbled bacon
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup sunflower seed kernels
2 tbsp. white vinegar
1 cup mayonnaise
 1/2 cup sugar

What To Do:
Mix together mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar in a bowl. In a separate larger bowl toss broccoli with cranberries, onions, bacon and sunflower kernels. Finally add the dressing over the broccoli mixture and toss well. Place in refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours before serving. Toss one final time before serving.

Enjoy!

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Weekend Happenings

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and is ready for Christmas this week (if you celebrate it). Either way it's a nice time of year to reconnect with family and to celebrate another successful year come and gone.

Friday night was low key around here. Lola and I went to the airport to pick up the hubs after he was gone for a couple weeks and we had a relaxing night at home. We had some wine and watched the movie "Amy" about the life story of Amy Winehouse (thanks to Katie for recommending it). 

On Saturday I did a bunch of last minute Christmas shopping and errands before getting dressed to celebrate my birthday (late) with K and some friends including Kate and her hubs. We started off at Tin Roof for a quick beverage and then we went on the new Orlando Eye Observation Wheel that was built earlier this year to catch a beautiful sunset and views of the city we live in.

 

After the "Eye" we headed to Yard House for some dinner and drinks to cap off the night.

On Sunday morning I finished wrapping all of my Christmas gifts and then we went to Max's 1st birthday party...the cutest and sweetest mannered boy around. 

 

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup. 

Five on Friday

Not only is it Friday but it's the last full work week for the year so that's pretty exciting! I'm also relieved my husband is finally returning home tonight after being gone for two weeks for his new job. It's been slightly stressful holding down the fort 100% solo. Other than that, I have some fun things to share from this week.

ONE:

Monday can actually be classified as a fave (for the first time ever) because I took the morning off to relax after all the birthday and holiday party celebrations over the weekend (here and here). I got into work after lunch to find the sweetest birthday card and Kohl's gift card from my team. 

My company also gifted every employee with a new Apple TVs for the holidays. Who knew a Monday could be that good? Just need to figure out how to work the thing.

TWO:

My birthday on Sunday was such a treat with the girls and I love all the goodies I raked in including a Rocksbox membership, Alex & Ani bangles, a 'happy birthday' stemless wine glass and this amazing Marc Jacobs Decadence perfume that K gave me.

THREE:

Some pretty holiday/NYE party dresses I stumbled about while browsing LuLu's website.

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FOUR:
I've been enjoying my Christmas tree at night all lit up along with all the small decorations throughout the house and our outdoor lights. I'm excited for Christmas next week to say the least.

FIVE:
I'm thankful and loving all the Christmas cards I've received from blogger friends near and far. Thank you ladies! xoxo

Bonus Fave:

If you love testing and reviewing free products, I recommend signing up for Influenster. They send out free boxes of goodies depending on your interests and profile and I've gotten some great things to test such as makeup, cosmetics, protein bars and other nutrition products.

Joining Amanda for her Friday Favorites linkup. 

Rebecca Minkoff Statement Rings

When I started holiday shopping around Black Friday, I stumbled upon Rebecca Minkoff's jewelry and immediately fell in love with all of her chunky and bold rings. I've always loved her purses but didn't think to check out her line of accessories. Statement necklaces have always been my thing but now I've opened up a new love for statement rings because of her collection. I bought myself this dual stone ring in silver as an early birthday gift and thought I'd share some of her other beauties.

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Hope everyone has gotten most of their holiday git shopping done but, if not, maybe these rings might appeal to some of the spumky ladies on your list.

Happy Holidays!

Long Weekend Part 2: Birthday Celebrations

On Sunday was my birthday which meant it was time for some brunch with the girls. I was a little sad K was missing my birthday this year because of work but my girl friends more than made up for it. Kate planned a ladies brunch downtown at one of our favorite spots and we all had a blast catching up. I posted about the rest of my weekend yesterday here.

Kasa Restaurant & Bar has one of the best brunches in downtown Orlando which includes a full buffet, unlimited champagne and mimosas, and a make-your-own bloody mary bar. Their brunch menu is very eclectic and never disappoints so it was the perfect spot for celebrating my 32nd.

Post brunch selfie with the girls.

I got so spoiled with brunch, bubbles and lots of gifts from the girls but I'm loving my birthday goodies from Kate.

I also love all the birthday shout-outs and throwback tributes that I got from my girl friends on social media. That and the brunch with the ladies made for an amazing birthday this year!

K and I will be doing a late birthday celebration this weekend so I'm looking forward to that and him returning home from work travels.

Cheers to another year!

Long Weekend Part 1: Work Holiday Party Plus Some

Such an epic long weekend for my company holiday party and ringing in my 32nd birthday with friends. My husband was traveling for work so Kate stepped in as my date for my work party at a Universal Studios resort on Thursday night. Luckily they gave us Friday off because lots of wine was had! The night consisted of dinner, wine, karaoke, dancing, wine, casino table games with funny money and more wine.

On Friday morning I went to brunch with some coworkers at Hash House a Go Go which was amazing and much needed! I've been dying to try out their brunch menu. The portion sizes are out of control so I had leftovers for days.

On Saturday night I went out with my friends from college visiting from near and far which we'd been planning for months. We met up at a sushi restaurant downtown and then rang in my birthday at 12 o'clock at a bar downtown before calling it a night like the old fogies we are. ha!

Sunday brunching for my birthday happened which I'll cover tomorrow since this post has gotten long enough. Luckily I took this morning off of work to use up the remainder of my PTO and slowly wean back into the work week after all the celebrations over the weekend.

Joining the lovely Biana for her Weekending linkup.

Birthday & Holiday Gifts for Her

Tonight is the start of a long weekend for me with my work holiday party this evening and the day off tomorrow. It also happens to be my birthday on Sunday so there will be lots of celebrating going on which means I'll be MIA until next week.

I put together this wishlist/gift guide a few weeks ago but didn't get around to posting it. This year I want to keep it simple and wish for a spa day for Christmas, specifically a facial and massage. It's been a hectic year and I feel some pampering is in order to refresh for 2016 but I do have my eye on this Marc Jacobs Decadence perfume and this Kate Spade Champagne at Midnight watch for my birthday. Everything on the list I think would be perfect gifts for the ladies in your life whether it may be your sister, girl friend or mom. Ulta and Sephora have some amazing gift sets this year so I'm planning to purchase a few different ones for Christmas gifts.

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What's on your holiday wish or gift list? 

Wanderlust Wednesdays: Negril, Jamaica

 

I visited Negril in Jamaica a few years ago for my cousin's wedding and to celebrate our honeymoon a little late since their wedding was only a month after ours and couldn't swing two big trips. We flew into Montego Bay Airport and took a shuttle for about 1.5 hours to get to Negril. We stayed at the Riu Negril Resort which is an affordable all-inclusive resort located along Negril's seven mile beach. About 25 family members and friends made it to Negril for the wedding so our days were spent doing water sports and hanging out on the beach and at the pool bar. 

Most of the trip was spent at our resort since there was everything we needed in one spot including lots of entertainment and water activities however K and I made sure to plan some time alone for our "honeymoon". We went on a private boat tour up Negril's coast stopping at several spots to snorkel, have lunch or a drink, and eventually cliff dive at the famous Rick's Cafe.

Margaritaville Negril

Some of the locals are professionals at diving off the cliff and even our cruise tour guide got up there and took a back dive off the cliff.

There's a big possibility we'll be going back to Jamaica next year for another cousin's destination wedding so I hope she choses a different area such as Ocho Rios or Montego Bay since we got to see all that Negril offers. That coast is just beautiful though!

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