#utahblogger Archives - Page 26 of 27

9 Best Sellers for February

Hello Pretty Ladies,

I hope you had a beautiful February. It sure went fast!

I am doing a fast recap of my February Best Sellers! These are the items I shared with you, my following, and you loved as much as I did and shopped my links! Which then became the most purchased items of the month.

I have realized you ladies love Best Seller-type blog posts, and I will start featuring a monthly recap of the best sellers every month. I appreciate those who read my blog, shop my links and follow me on social media platforms. This is truly how I get to do what I love.

Do you follow me over on Like to Know it? Follow HERE. It is a great shopping app (you don’t have to have the app to shop). It just makes it so convenient. Also, it’s a great way to shop! You get tips, sizing details, and great advice from your favorite bloggers.

9 Best Sellers for February

1. RISEN JEAN -A great pair of straight leg slightly cropped jeans with a distressed hem. Affordable at $59, soft, and a great fit, but I recommend sizing down.

2. PERFECT SANDAL– I found these on our Girl’s trip, and I wear them every chance! They go with everything from flares to pretty dresses! You’ll get so much wear out of these.

3. BEADED HOOP EARRINGS– I can’t tell you how much I love wearing these earrings. So like weight, comes in several colors and you will wear them on repeat as I do!

4. BRAIDED KITTEN HEEL-The braided sandal trend is HOT again this year, and they restocked these great sandals I picked up last year, and they are on Sale Now. True to size and super easy to wear.

5. FREE PEOPLE DUPE- I found this top last year, and it was a great seller then. Seriously so good $20 for a gauze button-up, fits True to size, or size up for a great swimsuit cover-up! It’s back in stock again this year. I highly recommend grabbing one while you can.

6. RISEN FLARED JEANS – The Risen flared jeans for $69 have fast become my favorite. Again, they are affordable, super soft, easy to wear, and have an outstanding style. But, again, size down in these as well. I promise these will be a favorite of yours as well.

7. COLLEEN ROTHSCHILD HAND CREAM– It’s no secret this is one of my favorite products. It’s moisturizing for your hands, smells excellent, and makes a great gift! I think Easter is coming up.

8. WHOLE30 COOKBOOK– Whole30 is a life-changing diet or way of life. Because you will never feel better than when you complete a round of whole30! I highly suggest grabbing this book NOW. It was $14.99 was $30 Has a day-to-day what to expect, recipes, and a shopping list.

9. AVOCADO KEEPER- This does keep an avocado from turning brown! I couldn’t believe it! I love I can now eat 1/2 an avocado and save the other half for the next day, and it’s perfect for eating! $9.99

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read my blog post. “9 Best Sellers for February.” I would love it if you left a comment below. You can also find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Liketoknowit, Amazon shops, and Facebook.

Where to Eat and Stay in New Orleans

Where to Eat and Stay in New Orleans 1st in our New Orleans series.

Hello Pretty Ladies,

The Chit Chat chic girls just got back from a fun Galentine’s trip to New Orleans, as many of you know. So today, all the girls are sharing Where to eat and stay in New Orleans, and we will share where to shop, fun things to do and what we wore in a couple of other posts. So think of it as our New Orleans Series.

Where to Eat and Stay in New Orleans. What comes to mind when you say New Orleans? Jazz, Mardi gras, The French Quarter, Beignets,(recipe here) Pralines, (recipe here) Craw Fish, Beads, and Hurricane Drinks? (recipe here) That’s what I think of when I think of New Orleans, and this trip did not disappoint. We stayed at the Royal Sonesta in the heart of the French Quater (one of NOLA’s most historic neighborhoods) on the corner of the famous Bourbon Street, where gaslights flicker on every street, and Old charm meets new.

: Look at the details of these doors

: Brick and Iron,curved windows

: More Iron Details

: Color is everywhere

: Architectural charm

: Borbon Street Bar entrance

: Church view off Bourbon St

: The charm of the buildings

: look at all the iron

The Hotel couldn’t have been more charming with the ornate Iron grillwork details of french architecture, pretty fountains and quart yards, Hotel Suites with french doors opening to overlook the pool. Beautiful details throughout the Hotel. The staff was so welcoming and friendly. They went above and beyond to make your stay a pleasant one.

: The CCC Girls on Balcony

: The Balcony overlook pool

: Lobby

Not only is the Royal Sonesta located in a convenient location, but The French Quater also has all the restaurants, bars, and shopping you could want. But you can easily walk to Canel street, Cafe DuMond, take a cruise down the Mississippi river, catch the trolly to the Garden District, or Magazine street for boutique shopping.

: The otherside entrance

: View from the courtyard

: The entry

The Royal Sonesta conveniently has several restaurants on the property and The Jazz Play House for entertainment. Desire Oyster Bar, Bar R’evolution, and Pj’s Coffee

New Orleans is known for its good food. The taste of Nole is cajun driven with a lot of seafood, award-winning seafood gumbo, shrimp remoulade, po’boys, Beignets, Oysters, and a lot of flavors. So if you’re a foodie, you will enjoy your time in New Orleans.

View from the courtyard

Would you like to stay here and receive a discount?

15% off best available rates on stays Sunday-Thursday

Book by: February 28, 2021 Stay by: September 30, 2021

Promo code: RNOPR Use this link:

: Jazz PlayHouse

: Jazz PlayHouse

: Playhouse

: PlayHouse

: Jazz PlayHouse

: PlayHouse

The Jazz Play House, located on the property, has the sounds of the New Orleans embrace and charm. A vibrant nightlife with authentic jazz, serving drinks and bites. Michelle and I had the Elle Fitzgerald Martinis, and Cindy Had the French 45. The table shared a blue cheese wedge and crab cakes (Cammi needed to try out crabcakes at every restaurant!) Then finished off with a shared chocolate cheesecake.

NOTE: The Jazz Play House is a place to enjoy the music. It is not somewhere to go if you want to chat.

: Desire Oyster Bar

: Oyster Bar

: Desire Oyster Bar

Desire Oyster Bar is located on the Hotels property. Oyster Bar offers diners one of the most authentic dining experiences in New Orleans.

The menu features

Fresh Gulf Seafood
Award-winning Gumbo
Variety of Po’boys
Shrimp Omelet Etoufee
Biscuits and Gravy

Oysters: fried, chargrilled, or on the half shell
Fried Chicken & Waffles
Louisiana Crab Cakes
Blackened Catfish Lafitte
Shrimp Remoulade

Cammi, Had the crab cakes, and she would say these were in the running for Best along with Francois. The table had the Fries with Etoufee & shrimp (they decided they were not Etoufee fans). Cindy & I Had a chopped salad with grilled chicken, blue cheese crumbles, and a side of fries. (All very good) (Cindy and I had a salad with chicken almost everywhere we went)

(Now… the Host, let’s say they need a new one! He was the only rude/ no personable person in NOLA!) Thank goodness we only had a few minutes of him! The waitress made up for it. She was so sweet and very Happy!

Cheers

: Meet Texas

: The Girls

: Crab cakes again

: The Charcuterie Board

: Cheers

: Sharing a bottle

Bar R’evolution, also located on the property, is a beautiful mix of Old world & contemporary, serving chef-driven dishes and seasonal cocktails. Most of the produce and herbs are grown on a plantation farm in Baton Rouge. This bar is chic, hip, and packed. A reservation is recommended. Note: dress up…this was the only time we were underdressed!

PJ’s Coffee Start the morning off right with a Coffee poolside or, better yet, on your private balcony. Pj’s Coffee is located right off the lobby and serves various coffee drinks and pastries. A local New Orleans, Louisiana staple coffee house with several lotions throughout NOLA.

: Onion rings

: Francois Grill

: Our pick for Favorite Meal

Francois Grill & Bourbon Street Blues in Baton Rough

This restaurant is worth the drive to Baton Rouge from New Orleans. Located in the Perkins Rowe shopping district. (cute outdoor mall experience) Francois Grill is a cultural mix of Sicilian, French, and Cajun cuisine.

The onion rings were so good as a starter along with, You guessed it, Crab cakes:) The girls voted these the BEST crab cakes. I had the veggie omelet with a side of steamed veggies (cooked perfectly and with so much flavor) along with pan potatoes. A savory meal we all enjoyed. They have a full bar and live jazz music.

: steak Flaebread

: truffle fries

: Spiced pear salad with chicken

Bistro 77 is another excellent restaurant at Perkins Rowe in Baton Rouge. They are known for great drinks, charcuterie boards, and shared plates. Also serving delicious salads, known for gourmet flatbreads, and a great assortment of sandwiches and lobster mac and cheese. View the menu here

You guessed it, I had a salad, but not just any salad, a Spiced Pear and grilled chicken salad with an Apple vinaigrette and spiced candied nuts. It was so good. Cindy chose the same salad with steak, and everyone else chose a different flatbread and enjoyed their picks.

Cafe Beignet

: Cafe Beignet

: Music Legands Park

: A little info about the park

Outfits here are all Avara… We will talk about what we wore in the next series.

Cafe’ Beignet A quaint coffee and Beignet stand sits in the middle of Music legends Park. They are located right across the street from the Hotel, on bourbon street. With iron tables and chairs set all around the park and a small live Jazz band center stage. Statues of Jazz legends cast in Bronze cover the grounds. (the Beignets were good, But nothing is like a Cafe de Monde Beignet)

: Curio

: Crispy Chicken Salad

Curio

An American Cuisine with a creole soul, right around the corner from the Hotel. Recommended by the concierge at the Hotel. Had a fun Bar cafe vibe, with charming staff and great food. I had the Crispy Chicken salad with a balsamic dressing. The chicken was so yummy. I drank Ice tea by the gallon everywhere we went (unsweeten). Not a bad tea anywhere, all fresh, strong, and had free refills. The average price of every meal we had was about $18-20 for entree, Appetizers $10-15, Cocktail $7-15 with a tab for one, including a 20% tip of around $35 a meal.

: Sugar & Spice

: Pralines

: Chocolate & Coconut Pralines

Let’s talk Pralines for just a minute. Cammi and I were hunting to find the BEST Praline (Cammi had never had one). We hunted, tested, and tried out all of them, just for you! (hehe) and I am going to share our favorites and flops on another blog post…. so you’ll have to wait!

Ladies, it’s getting late, and I could even share more with you, but it’s just going to have to wait for another day.

Joining me in Sharing “Their review of NOLA” The Chit Chat Chic girls. Cammi, Lisa, Michelle, and Cindy. You’ll want to pop over to their blogs and see what they’ve shared.

Cindy= LuLuloves7

Lisa’s= Coast2coast

Michelle= Poised Petite

Cammi=Cammie’s Happy Place

Photography provided by the talented Shey Allen @ Sheyallenfilms

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read my blog post. I would love it if you left a few of your favorite Picks below in the comments. You can also find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Liketoknowit, Amazon shops, and Facebook.

Have a beautiful day, pretty ladies,

This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I only promote brands that I genuinely love and believe in! Thank you for the support!

Baked Potato Bar and Turkey Chili Recipe

Baked Potato Bar and Turkey Chili Recipe:

Baked potato Bar Toppings and Sides:

~Baked potatoes ( I cover in olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt before baking)

~ Chili

~Broccoli Cheese

~Nacho Cheese sauce

~Shredded cheese

~Onions ( yellow or white)

~Green onions

~Tomatoes

~ Bacon (I cook Bacon and chop up into bite-size pieces)

~Butter ( use real)

~Salt & Pepper

~Garlic Salt

~Sour cream

Sides:

-Fritos

-Tortila Chips

(great for people who might want Chili)

: Butter, Sour Cream

: Potatos, Hot Nacho Cheese Sauce

: Diced onions, Tomatoes

Tips: on ways to build a food bar and the items you need HERE

: Turkey Chili

: Potatos, Hot Nacho Cheese Sauce

: Broccoli and Cheese

Turkey chili Recipe:

-1 pound ground Turkey

-1 onion diced (white or yellow)

– olive oil ( enough to coat the pan)

-1. 15.5oz chili beans with sauce

-1 15.5oz kidney beans ( drained/ rinsed)

-1= 15.5oz pinto beans (drained /rinsed)

-1 green pepper diced

-1 red pepper diced

-1 =29oz tomato sauce

-1 chili seasoning pack

-1 tablespoon chili powder (a little less if you don’t like a touch of heat)

-1/2 tablespoon chili pepper flakes

-1/2 teaspoon onion salt

-1 Tablespoon minced garlic

-1 Tablespoon dried onion

-1/2 cup about ( enough to coat all the Turkey) Kitchen bouquet browning sauce (when browning ground Turkey, add to meat)

-Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup water or chicken broth (only if too thick) depending on how you like your Chili, you can add a little water)

How to:

Brown Turkey in olive oil, add kitchen bouquet, brown onion. Set aside

In a crockpot or large pan on the stovetop, add all ingredients above ( except water), stir, and add turkey and onions. Let simmer on low, stirring occasionally.

Crockpot on low if making in, am for dinner… if only a couple of hours can be on a high.

On a stovetop, simmer low.

Add water if needed. (we like our Chili a little thicker)

Enjoy with cornbread, saltines, Frech fries, or Fritos. Great on a baked potato. (as shown on Bar above)

I love to serve with all the toppings on the side.

Onions, tomatoes, cheese, bacon, sour cream, hot sauce, jalapeños

Items to help you build a great food Bar: Shop Below:

Above is a Fall Place setting Idea for a Fall luncheon or even a Thanksgiving table setting.

Shop great table setting pieces below:

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read my blog. You can also find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Liketoknowit, Amazon shops, and Facebook.

Have a beautiful day, pretty ladies,

New Fall Try-on at Evereve

New Fall try-on at Evereve. There is something about Fall Clothing that always has me wanting more. The Layers, cozy sweaters, fun boots, and cute jackets. It’s a season I can’t resist adding more pieces to my collection. Evereve gets new arrivals daily, and I love the brands they carry. Pieces of clothing work for moms and midlifers, classics and trending clothing, yet brands you know last.

I love pieces you can mix and match. I wanted to create great outfit inspirations for this Fall try-on using some of the same pieces to show you how versatile they could be and give you multiple looks. So, over on Instagram, I created an IGTV complete try-on video, talking about each piece, how they fit, sizing, and more details.

Items: Kut from the Kloth Reese High Rise Straight Jean,

Only @ EVEREVE Evereve Raye Plaid Shacket

Dolce Vita Huey Hiker Boot

Shop the Look Below:

Only @EVEREVE Evereve: Raye Plaid Shacket

Sweater dress: H&M

Hat: Lack of Color

Shop the Look Below:

Only @ EVEREVE Malone Camo Vest

Good American: Always Fits Good Waist

Sanctuary Check Boyfriend Tunic

Sorel Lennox Lace Boot

Shop the Look Below:

Only @ EVEREVE : Malone Camo Vest

Varley: Bayliss Sweatshirt

Schutz: Bette Bootie

Commando: 7/8 Faux Leather Legging

Shop the Look Below:

Roan + Ryan: Madison Poncho

Good American: Always Fits Good Waist

Gola: Grand slam Pearl Sneaker

Shop the Look Below:

Varley Bayliss Sweatshirt

Commando 7/8 Faux Leather Legging

Schutz Bette Bootie

Shop the Look Below:

KUT FROM THE KLOTH: HIGH RISE CONNIE ANKLE SKINNY

Only @ EVEREVE

Allison Joy Kiera Lace Trim Cami

Schutz: Bette Bootie

BB Dakota: Show stopper Sequin Duster (this was such a new arrival, I will add when it’s available online)

Shop the Look Below:

Dolce Vita Huey Hiker Boot

Kut from the Kloth Reese High Rise Straight Jean,

Only@EVEREVE Evereve Raye Plaid Shacket

Line And Dot: Clara Fringe Pullover

Harriet Isles Andi Beanie Only at Evereve

Shop the Look Below:

I have a couple of friends sharing in an Evereve blog post share today Dawn and Jenna. Make sure to go check out their Evereve picks and styling.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read my blog. You can also find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Liketoknowit, Amazon shops, and Facebook.

Have a beautiful day, pretty ladies,

Create your own crowd Pleasing Chili Bar!

Create your crowd Pleasing Chili Bar!

Creating your Chili Bar

My family loves a good food Bar, and creating a theme is easier than you think. So today, I will show you how to create a chili bar that is perfect for entertaining, feeding a large crowd, and being great for football season.

The steps you need to take

The first thing you need to do is pick a theme…See My Build Your Pizza Bar.

Today’s is Chili…

Second, figure out your recipe and toppings. Toppings are a big part of creating a Build Your Own, as adding all the toppings is part of the fun.

Third, figure out where you’re setting up and how much space you’ll need. (I use our second Island for most of the Food Bars I set up.) It has enough room for the serving pieces, toppings, and main dishes.

Fourth is how many containers you’ll need for topping, main dish, etc. I like to use containers that match ( say all white or, in this case, A Fall theme)

Fifth, if you want a theme, gather all the decorating items you may wish to use: paper goods, props, and things you may own that you can incorporate.

What type of food Bar are you creating?

Chili Bar, Pizza Bar, Burger Bar, Stuffed baked Potatoes? The Ideas are endless.

Now for the main dish and toppings. Find your favorite recipe and think of all the toppings you would like in that recipe that people could use to create their delicious bowl/plate. Your guests will have fun making combinations.

Here, I created a Chili Bar for Football Sunday, which would be great for Halloween as well. I love that serving all day is easy as people come and go.

I make two kinds of Chili. An all-meat chili, no beans, and a Turkey veggie chili. ( Recipes Here)

Make in crockpots early in the morning and let it simmer all day, even until serving.

If you’re not a cook, purchase chili at your favorite restaurant or grocery store. These days, the markets often have a great selection of soups and chilies in their delis.

Tips for creating an excellent Food bar!

Tips on Displaying:

Create layers/ height by using risers (can be a cup or bowl turned upside down)
Look at items you may own that can add interest and levels. Vintage scales, candlesticks, books, etc. (here I use
Pull items from around your home that fit your theme and will add to the character of your display…

Shop for great serving pieces below:

Great Chili Toppings:

Mixed Cheese

Mexican cheese

Onions

Green onions

Tomatoes

Sour cream

Fritos

Crackers

Cornbread

Olives

Jalapeños

Corn

Salsa

Hot sauce

Think of anything else. Add it! I like to have snack/ finger foods, so I added a veggie plate and dip and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for a sweet treat.

More Tips to help you create a stunning Food bar

Above, you’ll see I placed all the toppings in white containers and some of the items in Fall baskets and containers, keeping the theme consistent and adding height with various trays, risers, log pieces as risers and trays, etc. For visual appeal, I added pumpkins, fall leaves, a pitcher of fresh flowers, etc., and paper goods or serving pieces that match.

Three More Helpful Tips :

Tip: keep your Paper goods or serving pieces at the end of the bar to control the flow in one direction. ( no line traffic jam)

Tip: Food Bars can be an easy way to entertain. If you are not a cook, you can purchase everything pre-made and still pull off a lovely meal without slaving in the kitchen, and your guests will never know.

If you enjoy cooking and creating as I do, you’ll have fun making items from scratch to feed your crew. Either way, your Food bar will be a hit.

Tip: Part of the fun is the display. Don’t leave store-bought items in containers (crackers inbox, Fritos in a bag, etc.) Instead, find cute containers to place them in.

I have shown the above crackers and Fritos in the basket. Baskets help give the appearance of homemade. ( You want the look of slaving in the kitchen all day)

Shop some of the Decor items in the photos below:

Another excellent shopping resource is my Custom made Amazon Shop storefront. I have created shopping boards with unique amazon finds in every category for your shopping needs.

Hoping I inspired you to create a fun food buffet/ bar, and if you make one and share on Instagram, tag me, and I’ll share. If you loved this post, I would love a comment below. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read.

Father’s Day Gift Guide: Ideas He’ll Love!

June marks the beginning of summer to most and Father’s Day in a few short weeks. This year {June 20th!} I like to get an early start on those gifts for him. Men {at least in my case} can be tricky to shop for when they give no requests, but focusing gifts around their needs, hobbies, and daily moments is always a well-loved option. A few ideas to consider:

Above I showcased some of the items I know my hubby would love. Veldskoen shoes, a Handcock Gourmet Lobster dinner from Gift Tree. (they have several types of meals and food baskets ship direct.) Most men I know love food and make for a thoughtful gift.

Clothing always makes for a great gift, as I’ve learned most men don’t like to shop, let alone buy clothes.

A beautiful and Handmade throw by Thula Tula. So very soft, easy to care for, and is a gift that gives back. Sustainably handcrafted with love in South Africa. I choose the Xhosa blanket above, textiles inspired by African culture. It can be used as a blanket, throw, or wrap. I personally love it’s a mini work of art. The men in my life love a soft throw for sitting on the deck on a summer evening or while watching tv. Save 15% off with code darcy15 HERE.

McCrea’s caramels are always a hit, and their gift boxes are beautiful. Here are some of our favorite flavors. Single Malt Scotch and Black Lava Sea Salt caramel. (Both included in the Father’s Day gift box!)

You can focus on dad’s Hobby’s, career, things he loves, or sports he enjoys. My hubby is a contractor and a ski coach, which means dry, chapped hands, always in need of tools, and loves Ski items. This opens a lot of doors for thoughtful gifts. From practical items like hand balms, travel mug, or water jug to ski socks and cool readers

Or searching for a thoughtful gift, A cool coffee table book on Ski resorts, or something bigger like a hotel stay and lift ticket to a resort he doesn’t have a pass for. (or even a massage because he abuses his body!) You get the idea:) Does your dad love gadgets? What about Grilling? Below you’ll find some other fun options most men would love.

Shop the post:

I had the opportunity to work with Veldskoen Shoes for our boys, and they loved them so much they thought Dad needed a pair.

@veldskoenshoesusa handcrafted with locally sourced, premium materials with stay-dry technical leather that repels water and super easy to clean. So comfortable they melt to your feet. Handcrafted by Artists in South Africa. save 15% off with code darcy15 ❤️

What’s so fun is the shoe comes with different color soles and laces. H got grey, Hamps got black, and they picked orange for dad!

Father’s Day Gift guide made easy below:

Shop the post:

My week over on Instagram focuses on Father’s Day, Gift Giving guides, how to celebrate, and some fun ideas around dad. I hope you are tuning in over there, as I think you’ll enjoy what I am sharing. I even have a fun DIY. HERE

Hoping I helped you shop for the men in your life and inspired you to get an early start to spoil those deserving hubbies, daddies, and grandpas. Have a beautiful weekend.

Recap of Last Weeks Instagram Talks & Outfits

That SMILE you get when you go to the DENTIST 😁🦷
I know I know, some of you dread the dentist! I am telling you if you visit @drallanthomas you won’t dread the dentist and you’ll leave with the best smile!
If you watch my Instagram stories you would have seen my whitening experience (saved in highlights) No more blue lights, they use the latest technology not painful and the sweetest & knowledgeable staff. I had my teeth cleaned & then whitened. This was my first time having my teeth professionally whitened as I am lucky to have pretty white teeth. Even still I wanted them bright white and sparkly since I have my photos taken so often. Like I have always said”a smile can make someone’s day so do it often!” (so I’ll blind them with mine! Goals🙌🏻)………@drallanthomas office specializes in cosmetics dentistry giving you the smile of your dreams🦷😁

This is how I do squats 😜💪🏻
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Playing with stripes and tied front pants is how it’s done🙌🏻
Warning… this is probably the only time you’ll see me doing squats 😜😜😜 Happy Wednesday babes😘 It #pioneerday today in Utah which means Holiday🎉🎉🎉 State Holiday which means day off and headed to the Lake with all my girlfriends! Not a bad way to spend a Wednesday ♥️🍹🚤
Enjoy your day😘😘😘 Outfit from Banana republic

Starting of this Monday with a 2nd cup ☕️☕️ of @cafe504coffee ☕️☕️☕️#ad
@cafe504coffee found coffee tasted much better when they brewed it with Fiji water, and it turns out it’s the minerals in the water that make all the difference. They infused those same minerals directly with their coffee beans, and they’ve been stunned by how it effects the final cup. It’s a significantly smoother and richer cup of coffee, as if you brewed it with the world’s finest water!☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️
They’ve crafted customized mineral blends to perfect your brewing water, based on where you live and how you filter it.
BOY I have to agree we got the French roast at it’s delicious! If your wanting a great cup of coffee from home head over to @cafe504coffee And grab yourself k-cups,ground coffee or beans. BETTER yet GRAB a FREE Bag By…..
Taking the quiz on their site and get a completely FREE BAG when you use the code DARCYFREE at checkout! Free shipping too! You can easily cancel the subscription at anytime, but trust me, you won’t want to. The coffee is amazing!

Hoping your Friday brings you cheer like a rainbow or like Friends laughter in a big pile of rainbow confetti! 🌈Although you have to watch out for my cute friend @chicover50 Shauna plays hard ball!!! Speaking of BALL go check out her cute stories to see what happened to her at last nights BALL game🎉🎉⚾️💍🌈🌈🌈♥️
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We have are own confetti happening over here today🎉🌈 Our oldest son @hudsonvandenberg Turns 23 TODAY! We had some fun celebrating last night with sushi & surfing on the lake! (see stories for fun photos) This am he’ll wake up to gifts and his favorite donuts and tonight we’ll celebrate with dinner and his favorite cake (Judy’s Chocolate Kahlua cake recipe on blog) 🍰🍩🍰🍩
I can’t tell you how proud I am of this boy of ours, it was like yesterday he was 3 & now 23! He’s such a delight, so smart a family lover and truly a good kid! We’re proud of the man he’s becoming and thankful we can call him ours♥️♥️♥️
Now… my gushing is over… I am off to bake😘

I’ll take HAPPY mail💌 any day!📬💌📬💌📬💌📬💌📬💌📬
When’s the last time you hand wrote a letter or card and sent it snail mail? For me… I still write hand written Thank you notes, Birthday & Holiday cards. I really feel it’s important and more meaningful then a text or email. It’s a lost art that truly should not be♥️ So for #tiptuesday Make someone’s day by mailing them a sweet note💌 even if it’s just a Miss you card😘
📬
💌
If your in the Utah area head over to @lovelettersmuseum they provide a cute post card and a stamp for you💌 Note to mention all the beautiful ways to use words, letters and forgotten ways to write (aka Typewriter…kids didn’t even know how to put the paper in lol!)
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Outfit details…this season’s hottest trend the tied front pant @tjmaxx, shoes @picandpay, tank @rowanboutique, linen blazer @shoprachelzoe, jewelry old

IT’S 5 O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE 🍹RIGHT?
One of the things I love about Summers is Outdoor living✔️☀️🍓🍹🍔🥗🧀🍉
Do you enjoy outside living? Have you created a space you love to go relax in, entertain or have a quiet date night in?
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I created this space to have a little of the inside brought out💛💛I adore black and white stripes and I think it pops with a touch of yellow and green! Tips for making your outdoor space inviting: throw pillows, a blanket for chilly nights, pots of flowers and plants, trays for serving and keeping things tidy. I love rugs to add color and define spaces, candles and lanterns for lighting (and keeping bugs away) I love some books or magazines to entice you to stay awhile 💛💛💛
Another big tip is if you furniture is mix & match spray paint it all 1 color to give it a cohesive look. It instantly makes it look more planned 😉

I hope you like the random recap of what happened over on last weeks Instagram. I know a lot of you had to DM me about missing a post on instagram because they only show 3% of our photos in our feeds. A trick to seeing people you follow posts: like the post and if you care to leave a comment do it! This will help their content stay in your feed. Another tip is watch their stories the more you interact with the people you follow allows instagram to know you want to see that person. Another big plus, engaging on Instagram really helps us bloggers do what we love and bring you content you want to see. If you want to see a weekly recap HERE on the blog leave a comment or DM me so I can continue to give you what you want to see!

Another plus to seeing a week in review is you get a taste of everything from fashion, items I am loving, interior tips or a space I love and things to do in Utah unless I was traveling.

Have a beautiful week! OX, D’Arcy

This post may contain collaborations and affiliate links.

Easiest Bruschetta & Toast Recipe

Bruschetta & Toast Recipe

This dish is perfect in the Summer especially made with homegrown tomatoes and fresh basil! A light Summer dish everyone will love. My family could eat it a couple nights a week it’s so good!

Bruschetta & Toast Recipe:

Bruschetta:

4 large tomatoes chopped

1 onion chopped

2 cloves of garlic crushed

Fresh Parmesan cheese grated or shredded to your taste (we use about 1/2 cup)

1/2 balsamic vinegar (if you like more juice for dipping add more)

1 bunch of basil

1 tablespoon of Italian Seasoning

1 tablespoon of olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all together and serve with slices of fresh baguette or my garlic cheese toast below:

Garlic Cheese Toast:

8 slices of fresh Sourdough bread sliced

1 cube of butter

3 cloves of crushed garlic

1 tablespoon of Italian Seasoning

1 cup of Mozzarella shredded cheese

Melt butter, add garlic and seasonings brush generously on each piece of toast and top with cheese. Please in oven at 350 until golden brown or cheese is melted. (my boys likes it softer & gooey and my hubby crunchier)

You can serve this as an appetizer or make it a meal served with a salad. The bruschetta is also great served on the top of a grilled chicken breast.

Here is some of my favorite serving Trays {HERE} {HERE} {HERE} Bowls {HERE} {HERE} {HERE}

I hope you try this recipe and if you do please leave a comment, or even better snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@darcyvandenberg), I’d love to reshare! Have a great week OX, D’Arcy

This may contain affiliate links. Thank you for taking the time to read and for your support.

Utah Hikes, You’ll Love & Girl Time Makes It Even Better!

The start of Gibbs loop, Waterfall Canyon and Bison.

Waterfall Canyon

View from Waterfall Canyon

Waterfall Canyon

You’re off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” Dr.Seuss
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Hiking with the girls…Last year I started hiking once a week with my girlfriends, getting in some exercise, girl time and exploring where we live. We’ve gotten lost (kind of🙈), we’ve gone on 2 hour hikes that turned into 7😬, we’ve seen beautiful sights, breathtaking views, heard calming sounds and shrieks🐍, had sore muscles and scrapes, but the laughter, memories and bonding with these ladies has been my most favorite♥️. It’s a day I look forward to every week no matter the weather (yesterday I was wearing 5 layers!) Not joking!😜 Sometimes we pack a picnic🥙🍷and other times we go out to lunch at a local restaurant after our hike. It’s a time for us to chat, share what’s going on in our lives and support each other no matter what we’re going through. It’s been one of the best things I have done for myself in a long time. I enjoy all of these ladies company and really cherish the time out in nature exploring where we live. (I do have to say my backpack keeps growing with essentials I learn I need 1 hike at a time!!) I’ve talked a lot lately on my instagram on the importance of getting out and exploring where you live. This is a great way to do that. If you don’t have mountains get out and enjoy trails and pathways. My goal is to check off more hiking trails this Spring, Summer and Fall! I’ve been making my list, in Utah we have more trails then you can count and I want to eventually do ALL of them! View ALL Utah hikes Here
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Here’s Some of our favorite hikes we’ve taken at this point:

Waterfall Canyon 3 miles Here

Wolf Creek Canyon 7 miles (Powder Mountain)

Ogden Overlook 6 miles

Indian Trail 4 miles

Green Pond 5.4 miles

Icebox Canyon 6 miles

Paper Airplane @Powder Mt 4 miles

Gibbs Loop 3 1/2 miles More or a trail

Bonneville Shore line 10 miles (this one you do about 1 1/2 miles to connect to Water fall Canyon hike)

Birdsong Trail 2 miles Here

Ogden River pathway Here

A great FREE app that tracks your fitness and miles: Map My Fitness by Under Armour by Under Armour inc.

Another great source is Utah.com Hiking & Utah.com

So grab a group of friends and ask them to ask some friends and get out and explore where you live. You’ll love the camaraderie you build♥️ while also doing my challenge #getoutandexploreyour state! OX, D’Arcy

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Note✔️ Watch my instastories for videos & New hike info, also most of our hikes are saved in my highlights for more information, views and maybe some bloopers too😂😂

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TIP:Being part of a group pushes you to go when your not feeling it…Also gives you encouragement to finish! Let’s not forget safety in numbers!

Things I have found I like to have for hiking…. Camel bag {here} Hiking shoes {here} Hiking shorts {here} My favorite socks {here} Sun screen {here} pocket knife {here} Taser {here} First aid kit {here} Rattle Snake kit {here} Rx bars {here} Nuts {here}

Recipe for Chocolate Kahlua Cake

Happy Monday Beautiful’s!

You guys asked for this recipe when I shared a photo of it on Instastories. So here’s a little background on how this yummy little treat made it into my recipe box. Back in the days when I did scrapbooking retreats, I had a dear friend Judy make this to die for cake and would bring it to the party! Everyone in attendance would rave and would silently be hoping for it at every retreat. We were blessed with this cake every time Judy came.

This cake is so decadent and rich, if you’re a chocolate lover you’ll think you died and went to heaven. My oldest son adores this cake and Judy would be so sweet to make it for him on several birthdays.

One year we were delighted when she shared the recipe with us and now I can share it with you.

Nobody thought by the taste that it could be a box cake mix and so easy to make! I am so happy I could share it with you and hopefully it becomes a family favorite for you too.

Judy’s Chocolate Kahlua Cake

1 Duncan Hines devils food cake mix

1 Small instant vanilla pudding

1 Pint sour cream

1/4 cup oil

1/2 cup Kahlua

2 eggs

12 oz bag Semi sweet chocolate chips

Place mix in bowl & whisk in pudding mix. Add all other ingredients one at a time except chocolate chips. Mix with electric mixer. Add chips into mix before spooning into greased and floured bunt pan or mini bunt pans.

Bake at 350 for 50 mins depending on oven, then cool on rack for 20 min.

Then invert pan or pans on rack so cake will slide out, cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar.

Serve with vanilla bean ice cream, or with Judy’s favorite: moose tracks ice cream!

My mom was in town for her birthday (she always travels out for both our birthdays, hers is the 12th and mine is the 20th) the boys made her make this recipe! Nothing like making you own birthday cake! HEHE… I am finishing up Whole30 and didn’t want to be tempted….so no cake for me! I hope you enjoy the rest of your week and let me know if you tried this recipe. OX, D’Arcy

A couple of my favorite Baking tools from Amazon Here, Here, Here, and Here