Autumn Apple Sangria

Sangria is the drink of the summer…but now it’s the drink of the fall too!

Check out the delicious recipe below.

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AUTUMN APPLE SANGRIA

Serves: 12-15

INGREDIENTS:
– 5 cinnamon sticks
– 4 apples, chopped (4 medium or 5 small)
– 2 oranges, sliced into thin rounds
– 2 bottles Red Blend wine of choice
– 3-1/2 cups apple cider
– 1 cup brandy
– 1/2 cup orange juice
– 1/4 cup superfine sugar
– juice from 1 lemon
– 2 cups club soda or ginger ale

Optional extras:
– cinnamon-sugar, for rimming glasses
– tall cinnamon sticks for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pitcher or bowl, combine the wine, apple cider, brandy, orange juice, lemon juice and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Mix in the chopped apples, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks.

Refrigerate for 4-6 hours, or up to overnight. Add club soda (or ginger ale) just before serving.

For added flair, rim glasses with cinnamon sugar and garnish with a tall cinnamon stick.

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Cheetah: The Print of the Season

Anybody else have the Cheetah Girls theme song stuck in their head this season?

Cause we are sisters
We stand together
We make up one big family though we don't look the same
Our spots are different
Different colors
We make each other stronger
That ain't ever gonna change
We're cheetah girls cheetah sisters

Cheetah print is everywhere this season and we have to say…we do not hate it! We’ve hand-picked our favorite cheetah print items for you to go through. Just click on the photo to purchase!

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Anniversary Gifts by Year

Stephanie here! #TBT to my wedding day 8 years ago! How did that happen so fast?

When coming up with anniversary gifts, we love going traditional by picking a gift that coincides with our anniversary year! Did you know that 8 years of marriage is represented by pottery or bronze?

Check out the various anniversary gifts by year below!

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1st Anniversary: Paper

• A collection of notes listing out all the little things you love about each other

• Tickets to a show

• A journal to write in each year on your anniversary recapping the previous year

2nd Anniversary: Cotton

• Cotton wreath

• Personalized cotton pillow

• Cotton hammock

3rd Anniversary: Leather

• Leather journal

• Leatherman work tool for him (play on words)

4th Anniversary: Fruit or Flowers

• Flower necklace representing the month you were married

• Macrame plant hanger

• Hanging fruit basket

• Coffee maker

5th Anniversary: Wood

• Rocking chairs (you can grow old in)

• Personalized wood cutting board

• Personalized whiskey barrel

6th Anniversary: Candy or Iron

• Iron serving dishes

• Iron planter

• Iron wine rack

7th Anniversary: Wool or Copper

• Pennant of your favorite sports team

• Copper pot

8th Anniversary: Pottery or Bronze

• Personalized coffee mug with photos of the two of you

• Bronze lamp

9th Anniversary: Willow or Pottery

10th Anniversary: Tin or Aluminum

11th Anniversary: Steel

12th Anniversary: Silk or Linen

• Silk tie for him

• Silk robe or lingerie for her

13th Anniversary: Lace

14th Anniversary: Gold Jewelry

• Engraved necklace

15th Anniversary: Crystal

16th Anniversary: Coffee or Tea

17th Anniversary: Wine or Spirits

• Bottle of wine that was served at your wedding

18th Anniversary: Appliances

• Replace an appliance that you have been meaning to for years

19th Anniversary: Jade

20th Anniversary: China

21st Anniversary: Fire (theme)

• Nice fire pit for the backyard

• Make a bonfire together at the beach or on a camping trip

22nd Anniversary: Water (theme)

• Trip to the beach or lake

23rd Anniversary: Air (theme)

24th Anniversary: Stone (theme)

25th Anniversary: Silver

26th Anniversary: Art

27th Anniversary: Music

• Concert tickets

• Personalized playlist

28th Anniversary: Linens

29th Anniversary: Tools

• Engraved hammer

30th Anniversary: Pearls

31st Anniversary: Travel

• Vacation somewhere special to you

32nd Anniversary: Bronze

33rd Anniversary: Iron

34th Anniversary: Food

35th Anniversary: Coral

• Coral tie

36th Anniversary: Antiques

37th Anniversary: Books

• Signed copy of a favorite book

38th Anniversary: Luck (theme)

39th Anniversary: Laughter (theme)

• Comedy club date night

40th Anniversary: Ruby

41st Anniversary: Office or Desk Decor

• Customized wall clock

• Framed photo

• Desk plant

42nd Anniversary: Clocks or Watches

43rd Anniversary: Entertainment (theme)

• Enjoy an adventure together: hiking, bowling, concert, etc.

44rd Anniversary: Electronics (theme)

45th Anniversary: Sapphire

• Necklace or ring

46th Anniversary: Games

47th Anniversary: Garden or Plants

48th Anniversary: Home Improvement (theme)

49th Anniversary: Copper

• Jewelry

• Pots & pans

• Copper mugs

50th Anniversary: Gold

51st Anniversary: Photos or Cameras

• Photo album

52nd Anniversary: Bath or Spa (theme)

• Spa day

• Gift card to favorite spa

53rd Anniversary: Plastic

54th Anniversary: Glass

• Engraved champagne or wine glasses

• Message in a bottle

55th Anniversary: Emerald

56th Anniversary: Day (theme)

57th Anniversary: Night (theme)

• Get a star named after your significant other

58th Anniversary: Faith and Hope (theme)

59th Anniversary: Charity (theme)

• Volunteer at a local charity

• Spend your anniversary budget on a donation to a local charity

60th Anniversary: Diamond

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Cinnamon Roll Protein Shake

Cinnamon season has arrived! If you’re not already adding cinnamon to your coffee or diffusing cinnamon bark essential oils in your diffuser…then get to it! We have to enjoy this season while we can!

One fun way to incorporate cinnamon into your routine is with this delicious cinnamon roll protein shake! This is a recipe that everyone in your family is sure to enjoy. Check it out below.

INGREDIENTS + INSTRUCTIONS

• 1 scoop Vanilla Spice Protein Complete

• 1/2 banana

• 1/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt

• 1 tsp. (or more) cinnamon

• 8 oz. milk of your choice

• 1 cup ice

Add all the ingredients in the blender + blend until smooth. YUM! For the adults, add a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream and you have a boozy shake to enjoy!

Apple Cider Moscow Mule

Hello fall! Hello fall drinks!

We are big fans of Moscow Mules but sometimes you need to shake things up a bit. Try adding apple cider to your Moscow Mule to give it a hint of fall that everyone will love.

Recipe below!

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INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz Ginger beer

• 1.5 oz Vodka

• 2 oz Apple Cider

• 0.5 oz Lime juice, fresh squeezed

• Ice

• Apple slices for garnish

• Cinnamon stick for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

• Squeeze the lime into a copper mug.

• Add desired ice.

• Add apple cider, vodka, and ginger beer.

• Stir to mix.

• Garnish with apple slice, lime slice + cinnamon stick.

• Serve + enjoy!

Birthday Cake Mimosas!

Today is Amy’s 29th birthday! To celebrate, we are sharing with you a fun twist on a classic mimosa that will make any birthday a little more fun! Because cake + ice cream is great and mimosas are great…so why not combine the two?!

Check out the recipe below.

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INGREDIENTS (serves 4)

• Vanilla frosting, for rimming

• Sprinkles, for rimming

• Vanilla ice cream

• 8 oz. Birthday Cake vodka (if you can’t find birthday cake, try vanilla or even regular!)

• 1 (750-ml) bottle sparkling rosé

DIRECTIONS

1. Use a knife to spread a thin layer of frosting around the rim of 4 champagne flutes. Place sprinkles on a plate and dip rim in sprinkles, pressing to coat.

2. Scoop ice cream into champagne flutes, then add 2 ounces of vodka to each of four glasses and top off with sparkling rosé.

3. Serve + enjoy!

Labor Day Playlist

Throw it back this Labor Day with classic jams that will be sure to make this day a blast!

Follow the playlist below and turn the volume up on your speaker because this playlist is a GOOD ONE.

Friday Faves - My Favorite Things

The fall season makes me feel warm + fuzzy inside, not just because I am bundled up in layers! It’s a season that brings necessary change from the hot summer months to the cooler fall days. The leaves turn and there is a fresh, crispness in the air that simply rejuvenates my spirit.

Though I can’t hold onto the fall season forever, there are some other things that bring me such joy all year ‘round.

Check them out below!

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A good book

One thing that always puts me in a state of rest + relaxation is a good book. I am currently reading “It’s Not Supposed to be This Way” by Lysa TerKeurst. If you have ever struggled with anxiety or questioning why suffering is allowed in this world, you’re going to want to grab this book! It’s a deep subject, but you will find so much peace within the pages.

Billie Razors

Billie Razors have been such a great find! Billie is a razor subscription that ships to your home so that you don’t have to remember to buy new razors at the store! They are not only affordable but pretty as well! Purchase a kit that includes a razor, razor heads + a magnetic shower mount. You can pick out which color razor speaks to you and even throw in some shaving cream while you’re at it. Billie Razors truly changed the game for me.

Magnolia Journal

Call me basic, but I just adore Chip + Joanna Gaines and the empire they have built. One of my favorite things is my Magnolia Journal subscription! I’ve had it for two years now with no plans of cancelling. The Magnolia Journal is beautiful + inspiring. Filled with recipes, DIY tips, stories of hope, and more…this magazine is not like any other. You truly close the last page feeling refreshed +
inspired every time.

Dirt Cheap

You heard me right, I love Dirt Cheap. What is Dirt Cheap? A secret little spot that until recently, I had no idea existed! Dirt Cheap sells manufacturer and retailer buybacks, closeouts, bankruptcies, overstocks, liquidations, customer returns and out of season goods. So basically, great quality items for an INSANE discount…I am talking up to 90% off of your favorite items from Target. The store gets a minimum of 3 shipments every week so there are always new items to look at. Don’t be intimidated when you walk in though, it looks like a tornado has hit the store but it’s absolutely worth the digging.

Candles

A good candle is a MUST for me in the fall. While I love the Volcano Candle, that does not always fit in my budget. My go-to candles after that are from Bath and Body Works! I have found that their candles truly fill a room with their heavenly scents and you truly can’t beat their fall line of candles…they have even started making candles with essential oils if that’s more your thing!

Not Yo Mama's Lemonade Drink Recipe

INGREDIENTS + RECIPE:

2.5 cans of Corona or another light beer of choice

1 cup of vodka

1 can of frozen pink lemonade

Mix + serve! Garnish with lemon slices + mint.

Friday Faves - Kitchen Must Haves!

When it comes to cooking dinner for your family or hosting a large gathering, there are a few gadgets that are a must!

Check them out below + click on the photo to purchase!

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Sous vide precision cooker

I don’t remember what life was like before owning our Sous Vide precision cooker. This french-style of cooking let’s you control the temperature your food is being cooked in so that you don’t have to worry about over or under cooking your meal. This is a MUST when it comes to cooking for a large group of people.

Instant Pot

The Instant Pot was a wedding gift that we never knew we wanted or needed. If I had known that this little pressure cooker made the best wings on this planet, I would have gotten one sooner!

Cast iron pan

A cast iron pan is a definite must…some of the best salmon I have ever had the pleasure of eating was baked on this type of pan. We love them so much that we have purchase multiple pans in various sizes. The key is knowing how to properly clean the cast iron so it stays perfectly seasoned!

Laser Thermometer

A laser thermometer that doubles as a dog toy? Yes, please! We love pointing the little beam of red light across the floor and letting our pup chase it around. He gets his energy out and we get food cooked to the perfect temperature…everyone wins!