Shake, Shake, Shake It Off: Creamy Vanilla Strawberry Banana Shakeology

I know I am SO late to this shake party, but I just never hopped on the Shakeology train, until now! 1.) Because I loathe the thought of drinking my meals. Meals were m a d e for crunching. If you don't know about my love of cereal - you don't know me, period. 2.) What's so fab about ShakeO that can't be achieved in a homemade smoothie of my own concoction?! And 3) I'm not one for trends...

Who are we kidding. I l i v e for trends! Which is why I finally caved, jumped on the ShakeO train, and quickly found out why ShakeO completely trumps my homemade smoothies. And when I say trumps, I mean I'm over-nighting a shipment of the multi-pack because I'm terrified of *gasp* running out.

 

Now that I've got the shakes, I've gotten pretty ballsy in experimenting with recipes. And let me tell me you—either I'm an i n c r e d i b l e shake-chef, or these shakes just simply cannot be ruined! In my {now} very intimate love affair with ShakeO, I've found that I prefer the Strawberry packet to have a tropical flair, the Vanilla packet to have an XYZ & Cream feel {i.e. Peaches and Cream, Berries and Cream, etc.} or act as a knockoff Vanilla Latte Frap {it's a thing—I just created it}, and my Chocolate packet to have an 'anything goes' attitude. Seriously, chocolate goes with e v e r y t h i n g. But we'll get there—right now it's this Vanilla Strawberry Banana ShakeO's spotlight. 

 

All you need to do is combine all ingredients listed above in a blender. There's no fancy order - just throw it all in! I would hold off on the ice a bit and add as needed near the end. Then, blend until smooth, adding ice {I use crushed} if it needs to be thicker, and water if it needs to thin out a bit. You can use additional splashes of almond milk to thin it out, as well, but I opt for water at the end to save calories. Speaking of calories, this creamy concoction packs a mere 325 calories, and SO many nutrients that we'd be here all day covering them.

This particular ShakeO tends to make a little over a large glass for me {like the one pictured above}, so I usually save the rest in a smaller glass for a post-workout immediate purge {you know you go straight for the pantry}, or for an afternoon pick-me-up. Because it really does pick you up. I'll talk about all of my favorite ShakeO perks for my next recipe...

In the meantime, what are YOUR favorite ShakeO recipes?! Do share!

XO,

Nikki

Summer Shandy Lemon Oreo Cupcakes

It's a hot Summer day, you hear a lawn mower in the distance, you smell a grill firing up, your mouth starts salivating, and all you can think is... B E E R. But not just any beer—a light, crisp, refreshing, citrus Summer beer. 

I remember the first time I tasted Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy. My senses were tuned in to all of the above, I took a sip out of this brightly colored can, and suddenly - Summer was literally dancing in my mouth. It sounds gross—it's not—it's delicious. 

But, sometimes you don't feel like drinking a beer {I know, the S H A M E, the horror! But it happens.}, yet you still want that citrus-shandy taste. That's when these cupcakes were born. And while I was making them, they just kept evolving. "Aha! I'll use lemon cake mix." "What if—what IF—I put a lemon Oreo on the bottom?!" And thus, in a beautifully 350 degree ceremony, lemon Oreos married Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, and this beautiful baby was born.

 

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. While you're preheating, drop a lemon Oreo into each cupcake liner. {Let's talk about liners for a quick second. Did you know that you're supposed to remove the white liner inside of the Reynold's Foil cupcake liners? They are only placed there during manufacturing to ensure the foil doesn't stick, but they should be removed before baking. A little naive baking tip for you ::naive, party of one::}

 

Second, douse your lemon Oreos with the Summer Shandy-induced lemon cake batter until they fill 2/3 of the cupcake liner.

 

Third, bake those babies for about 18-20 minutes, until their tops are golden brown.

Fourth, once cooled, glaze your cuppycakes to perfection. Seeing as how this glaze is a bit thinner and messy {thanks a lot Summer Shandy! I'm just kidding—please never leave me.} it would be quite difficult to pipe, so I just flip my cake upside and d u n k - just like a true Oreo should be dealt. 

The best part about glazed cupcakes? The drippage. "Oh, let me get that for you..."

  

 Baby got back. Or bottom, whatever—she's got it.

 

 I now pronounce you Oreo & Shandy—you may gobble the cupcake.

 

Summer Shandy Lemon Oreo Cupcakes

Makes 18-24 cupcakes

Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Box of Betty Crocker Lemon Cake {or any lemon cake mix. I don't discriminate against cake mixes - I'm not that sophisticated of a baker...}
• 1 Package Lemon Oreos
• 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 3 Eggs
• 1 Cup + 2 Tbl of Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy {you're welcome to use any citrus Summer beer... but I DO discriminate with my Summer Shandy. Sorry, Sam Adams.} 
• 1 Tub of Cream Cheese Icing 

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line 2 12-cup muffin pans - I like to use a sturdy liner like Reynold's Foil Cupcake Liners, because this cupcake is no joke. 
3. Plop a lemon Oreo into each cupcake liner. 
4. In a large mixing bowl, mix the lemon cake mix, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil and 3 eggs. Then slowlyyy pour in the Summer Shandy. Yes, it will fizz and bubble like you just sloshed around a bottle of beer—no worries, just let it settle. Then slowly fold it into the mixture until smooth.
5. Fill your cupcake liners about 2/3 of the way, pouring the cake mixture over your Oreos.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. While your cakes cool on a wire wrack, whip up your icing. Combine the tub of cream cheese and two tablespoons of Summer Shandy in a bowl and then pop in the freezer to harden a bit.
8. When your cakes are completely cooled, dunk them cake-side down into the Summer Shandy cream cheese glaze. Flip upright and let settle—I suggest placing them upright onto some parchment paper to catch drippage. Or place it in your hand to catch drippage, but that might make it difficult to continue dunking. Your call!
9. Take a bite and TELL me that doesn't taste like a Summer Shandy!

{Best kept in the fridge, like the real beer, duh.}

XO,

Nikki

{You may also like these Pink Champagne Cupcakes!}

Vegas Day-to-Night: Crop Tops to Cut-outs

Let's be real, it should really be called "Skin City," as it is one of the most fashionable cities in the US...with the least amount of clothing. From bikinis, to brunch, to bars—there's little left to the imagination. I for one like to keep it a little more "conservative"—well, conservative compared to Vegas standards. A peek here, a peek there, all while leaving a little to the imagination. I'm nothing if not a lady {don't tell my pool-cabana-behaving-self that}...

This is what a girl in her element looks like...

 

Scoured the stores for this hat prior to Vegas and finally gave up the day before we left. Two hours into being in Vegas, this hat found its way on to the top of my head. Don't you love when that happens!? Stop looking—it'll find you.

When you're "posing" and the hubs makes a funny...

 Skirt: Marshalls {lucky sifter sale find!} Similar Michael Kors, Similar plain black {a steal!} // Crop top: Forever21 & Another super cute pattern // Sandals: TOMS {style no longer available}, Similar thong style, Similar cross-over style, Similar wedge style {someone get me off this site! TOMS are the b e s t} // Top hat: H&M & Love this two-tone // Bracelet: Kiki La'Rue {no longer available}, Super similar from JCrew & Similar // Ring: Oldie {somewhere in my shopping adventures...}, Similar // Earrings: American Eagle {no longer available}, Similar & Double-sided {SO cool!} // Purse {that you can't really make out, but I promise is cute...}: TJMaxx {oldie}, Similar from TJMaxx & Adorable bucket style from Forever21

While flats & top hats will suffice for the sunny daylight hours, a presto-chango is needed for the evening hours. Especially when there are mini replicas of the Eiffel Tower involved and celebrations to be had. {Peep the cut-out—see, skin city.}

 

Dress: Charlotte Russe & so many more white-hot options, it's not even funny. Some more favs: all lace with tummy cut-out, two-piece crop top & midi skirt, mesh & lace long-sleeves & this floral lace open-back number // Shoes: BCBG {no longer available}, Similar from Nordstrom Rack & Similar from Lord & Taylor // Earrings: Francesca's {no longer available}, Similar & Similar

My reason for celebrating, in case you were wondering <3 

 

XO,
Nikki

Fancy Finger Food for a Healthy Girl's Party

When I was told that I wouldn't be involved in any aspect of my 30th birthday, my mind started racing... But, but, what about the decor?! The layout of the house?! The events of the evening?! THE FOOD?!?!

One of my biggest, ahem, concerns, if you will, was the food. I am a picker—a mini cupcake, poppable appetizer, finger food kind of gal. On top of that, I like to snack on the healthier side. Talk about a challenge for late night party food! My party planners proclaimed a big ol' "Challenge Accepted!" and delivered the most Pinterest-esque finger food spread I had ever seen. I would be doing a serious injustice to the party-planning and foodie world if I didn't provide a breakdown of every single delectable dish on that table. Eat your heart out, Martha Stewart.

  

 

 Pepperoni Twirls from Dizzy, Busy & Hungry

{You see those little pockets of heaven off to the left? Yea, those were a foodie favorite. And the perfect late LATE night snack as you wrap up in the wee hours of the night {morning, whatever}. Tip: serve with warm marinara sauce!}

 Inspired by Mediterranean Cucumber Cups from The Three Little Piglets

{Only, sprinkle in some pepperoncini's, layer with hummus on the bottom, and then fill to the brim with your med-mixture.}

 Antipasto Skewers from The Weary Chef

&

Satay Chicken Skewers from The Nest

{My one input on food was: finger, fancy & skewered. Nailed it!}

 Spinach Dip Bites from Lil Luna

{Okay, so these weren't the h e a l t h i e s t thing on the menu, but there's spinach in it, so it half counts, right!? Besides, the flavor combo is way worth it, and the mini size keeps you from OD'ing...if you have restraint.}

Giada's Mini Eggplant Parmesan from Food Network

{Like savory little pizzas without the heavy crust, but still with a crunchy crust! These were a top contender for "must-have-again" favorite.}

Inspired by Asian Crab Salad Croustades {sans crab} from The Passionate Cook

{I love anything with an Asian flair {it's in my blood, ya know} and these were so incredibly fresh and, to quote Katy Perry, "Japanesey" {not an actual word and makes my skin crawl, but there you have it}—they were a win, win!}

Bloody. Mary. Shrimp. Shooters. from Man Titlement 

{I added the periods for emphasis - because, Y A ' L L. Three of my favorite things in one: bloody mary's, mini-everything and seafood. Now this is a shot this 30-year-old will do!}

 I wish I could tell you there was a place you could purchase these delicious mini cuppycakes, but I can *hopefully* say that they will be coming to a local bakery at s o m e point in my lifetime, because these beauties deserve to be in a window front. And in my belly, on demand. I wish I had a picture of the intricately stunning cake, but alas, that IS in my belly.

Photo cred: Renee Hollingshead Photography

Food spread: Courtesy of my foodie of sis who missed her calling as a critic {or chef}, my Ma who broke out of her normal food-box, and my besties who can always whip up something Pinterest-worthy!

Cake/Cupcakes: Erin Horton Poff - coming soon to an Etsy shop near you... (right?!) ;-) 

A 30th Pink, Gold & Glamour Party

I don't mean to toot my own horn or anything, but I'm kind of known as the party-planner-extraordinaire around here. There isn't an occasion, a theme, or an event that I've encountered that I didn't embrace with open planning arms. A simple cookout turns into a full on feast, a baby sprinkle turns to a full fledged down-pour, and don't even get me started on a trifecta-party... I am nothing if not detail-oriented and theme-sessed. 

SO, how do you throw a party for the party planner?! When my hubs, sis, mom & besties said they had it in the bag, I was skeptical - and of course, I took to Pinterest to "slyly" do some pinning as a little ::hint hint nudge nudge:: 

When I walked in this fete, this F E A S T, this festivity of all festivities, it was clear that my pinning was not needed. They had out-planned the planner. I am so not worthy. ::Insert Wayne's World bowing::  

Every detail—down to the spray-painted glasses—was incredible. And the FOOD, oh the food. I almost crunched the details of the grub at the end of this post when I realized that it would be doing it a grave injustice. The food needs its own post - it d e s e r v e s its own post! What was I thinking? Stand by for a rundown of the fanciest of finger foods, fit for a healthy gal's party...

In the meantime, if you're planning a 30th birthday party like mine (or any aged party for that matter), a dinner party, a baby shower, or even a wedding rehearsal dinner (actually, let's be real - even a wedding itself), I hope you find some tidbits of party-inspo in this glittering, glamorous, pink & gold celebration! 

Photo cred: Renee Hollingshead Photography

Photobooth cred: Built by the hubs <3 Photos by Erin Michelle Photography

Decor: My insanely detailed-oriented and fabulous sis, hubs, mom & besties. MAJOR thanks to these crazy kids for the best. party. ever!