A Summer Day

Awwww summer, how I have missed you. I had an amazing day at Old Man’s with a few of my best buds. Nothing is better than a hot day on the beach with a cold watermelon and smashball. Danny and the boys went surfing, while us ladies caught some rays (don’t worry, I lathered-up on my SPF 90+). It was truly a relaxing day. It’s beginning to feel a lot like….summer every where I go!

P.S. How do you like our classy Winnebago?

Mmmmmmm I love my watermelon!

Shan's excited about the "food setting" on her new camera ha-ha. Thanks for the great pictures Shannie.

Danny, AJ and Ev

Trusty Rainbows. I live in these year round!

Bamboo showers, surf racks and BBQ's!

This little kid was so cute. He ran over to me and wanted to make sure I was witnessing the huge waves he was running away from. "Excuse me...did you see that!? Did you see how big that was!?"

" I did! It was giant! You are SO brave!"

Our classy ride

After a beautiful day at the beach, we headed to Pedro's for a bite to eat and then to Lavendar Lounge for some tea and choobee to go.

The Best Martini EVER! Key Lime Pie Martini

I discovered this wonderful drink at PF Chang's and asked the waitress for the recipe. She was super nice and let me in on their secret! I've served them at a few get-togethers and they are a big hit! It's creamy and dreamy and you can't even taste the alcy – definitely a dangerously tasty dessert martini. It tastes exactly like key lime pie, no joke!

Key Lime Pie Martini
1.5 ounces Licor 43
1 ounce Key West Lime Juice
1 ounce half and half
½ cup whipped cream (from a canister)

½ ounce of Simple Syrup
crushed graham crackers
(Optional: Lime wedge for looks)

-Rim your martini glasses with fine graham cracker crumbs, and then put your glasses into the freezer for 30 min or more before drinks are made
-load a martini shaker ½ full of ice
-Add licor 43, key lime west juice, half and half and simple syrup into the shaker
- Add 3 rings of whipped cream from a canister into the shaker
-Shake well
-Pour into chilled martini glasses rimmed with Graham crackers

 Licor 43, simple syrup and Key West Lime Juice can be found at BevMo. You'll need to get the half & half, graham crackers, lime and whipped cream at your local grocery store.

You'll LOVE it!

Picture: 1

Vanilla Bean Toffee Popcorn

 My neighbor made this the other day and I'm crazy for it! I asked for the recipe and added my own twist (vanilla bean). Right after I took these photos, I brought the popcorn to a friend's party. Someone said it was like "being kissed by heaven." This is SERIOUSLY good stuff. Here is a step-by-step guide. Super easy. I'm loving how you can see the cute little specks of vanilla (but, if you don't have a vanilla bean handy, extract will do just fine)!

Ingredients:
8 cups of popped popcorn (2 microwave bags of popcorn are perfect)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or one vanilla bean scraped if you've got it)
*****
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 300F
Place 8 cups of popcorn in a large deep bowl. (I used Orville Redenbacher's Buttered Popcorn) Make sure that no unpopped kernels fall into the bowl!

Split one vanilla bean (lengthwise) and scrap out the vanilla caviar with your knife. Add the vanilla caviar to the brown sugar and mix it in with your fingers, to break-up the clumps of vanilla.

now...

Cook over a medium heat while stirring:
1 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of butter and 1/4 cup of light corn syrup in a pot over medium heat.
* Hold the baking soda until later...
Bring the brown sugar, butter and corn syrup to a boil. Keep stirring!

Now, let it sit for 5 minutes WITHOUT stirring. It will begin to look like this...

Remove from the heat and add your 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. This is when the magic happens!
Stir until you get this creamy looking color.

Now pour that heavenly stuff onto your popcorn. Stir until the popcorn is evenly coated.

Place the popcorn on a baking sheet lined with a silpat or wax paper. Bake for 30 minutes at 300F.

After 30 minutes, take it out of the oven and place it on a windowsill or someplace where it can cool off.

The toffee should harden in 5-10 minutes.

Once it has cooled off, break the popcorn into bite-size pieces and enjoy!

Short Crop

as worn by singer Keri Hilson

A Quote to Live By

“For what its worth it is never to late to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, you can stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing; you can make the best of worst of it. And I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you – I hope you feel things you’ve never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re [humbly] proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”

- Benjamin Button

Amen to that…

Asics, Brooks, Saucony, New Balance or Nike? Running Shoes

Ok, so I’m a little tossed on which shoe to pick. I’ve needed a good pair of running shoes for quite some time now but I’m having trouble on finding the perfect shoe. Today I went to Roadrunner and got a running analysis done. They said that I am a neutral runner for the most part, but my left ankle seems to overpronate and needs more support (a Dr. Scholls might fix the problem). In a perfect world, I would need two different shoes to address the needs in each foot….OY VEY. Do any of you have a great pair of running shoes? What is your favorite brand, make and style?

Here are a few I was thinking about...

ASICS GEL-Kayano 17 have undergone a noticeable transformation -- slimmed down and toned up. Having recently lost some weight, this version is their lightest ever. Focusing on improved fit and comfort, loyal fans are sure to notice the shoe moves more effectively with the foot. Plus, it's synthetic fabrics are made from recycled materials, ensuring a more ecologically friendly direction. 10.4 ounces $139.99 YIKES!(these seem to be everyone's fav on internet reviews)

Women's BROOKS GHOST 3: The updated Brooks Ghost 3 feels so great on your foot, it's almost supernatural! With generous cushioning and just enough stability, this shoe delivers a feeling of bounce throughout your run, and its newly designed upper gives you a custom-made fit that will make you shiver with delight! Now in widths, the Ghost 3 is the ideal shoe for neutral runners who want great cushioning, fit and feel. 9.2 ounces $62 (These look great! They also won the runner's choice award)

Women's SAUCONY PROGRID RIDE 4: You'll forget all excuses with this lightweight, versatile runner. The Blown rubber outsole of the ProGrid Ride 4 shaves off weight while increasing shock absorption and comfort from the moment you put them on. Comfort improvements include more luxurious collar and tongue linings. A great everyday choice for neutral runners. 9.7 ounces $99 (I don't know if I'm diggn the look of these, but I've heard good things about their performance)

Women's NEW BALANCE 1226: Like to rack up the miles? Get lots of cushioning and support in the updated women's New Balance 1226 featuring greater heel impact absorption, durable stability, and the best-fitting, most supple upper ever! PL-1 Last - Performance fit. 10.4 ounces $94 (I like the look of these!)

Women's NIKE AIR PEGASUS +28 BREATHE: One of the more popular Nike shoes, the women's Nike Air Pegasus +28 Breathe is a solid, lightweight running shoe that offers minimal rub and reflective detailing for warm summer or fall evening runs. The environmentally preferred rubber in the outsole is durable for all surfaces and provides great traction for the mildly underpronated to mildly overpronated runner. The Flywire midfoot panel holds the foot in place, and the mesh top keeps your foot aired out in the hot sun. 9.2 ounces $89 (Nike is always great...but I wonder if I should try a new brand. Is the Pegasus any good?)

Here it is in peach and grey

-B

I'm Crushing on Cafe's Today

Caffe Fiore in Seattle, WA, USA

Paris, France

 Brussels

Italy

Crillon Hotel -Tea Patio in France

France

Cafe in Seattle, WA, USA

Coffeehouses or Kaffeehaus in Vienna Austria

Now I'm in the mood for some coffee. Mmmmmm I'm off to go brew a cup in the kitchen!

- B