Apple, Brie, and Arugula Toast

I’m obsessed with cheese. It’s starting to become a problem.  When I order food at an Italian restaurant I always ask for parmesan cheese with a side of pasta. I don’t order “chips and queso” I order “queso and chips.” The first aisle I walk down in Costco is the cheese aisle because it’s simply the best. Embarrassingly enough, I sprinkle a little cheese on everything I eat; watermelon and feta do taste amazing together, I swear. Ever since I discovered brie though, I’ve realized that no other cheese compares. It’s creamy, it’s flavorful, and it tastes good for breakfast, snacks, lunch, appetizers and dinner. It’s just the perfect cheese. My mouth is literally watering as I type about it.

A few years ago I discovered the apple + brie combo and I can honestly say that it’s the best food combo to ever be invented. It’s better than chips and salsa, milkshakes and french fries, and cream cheese and lox. No exaggeration. Then, just recently, I realized that slapping the apple and brie onto a perfectly toasted piece of bread and adding a few pieces of arugula would be the best of the best. Apple, brie, and arugula toast is amazing. It is, it really is. I gobbled up the piece of toast pictured below like a caveman who walked the entire Bering Land Bridge without eating (that's probably impossible, but it made for a good simile).

So if you’re feeling a little hungry, you just want to make an amazing piece of toast, you want to show off your gourmet lunch to your friends at school, or you want to impress a family member with your mad cooking skills then stop reading this (after you comment, that is) and go do it. I promise you won’t regret it. Actually, you probably will regret it because you will want to make an entire loaf of bread’s worth. But it’s totally worth it. I'm not exaggerating when I say that apple, brie, and arugula toast is the best of the best.

All you have to do is slice an apple, slice some brie, and place a little bit (or a lot a bit, depending on your taste buds) of arugula on a perfectly toasted piece of bread. It's that simple. Dangerously simple as I like to say.

How sick is this clear Magimix toaster (c/o) that we used? I swear it makes the perfect golden brown piece of toast. Every. Darn. Time. And you can see through it. Plus (yeah there are more perks...) the toast pops up high enough that you don't have to worry about burnt finger tips.

If you do make this toast then be sure to post a picture of it and tag us (@popcosmo)!! We really want to see your creations!!

xox Chloe

Five Things I learned as a New York City intern

 

picture via

hey, hey, hey!

Long time no talk, am I right? Well I'm back at it. Finally. Being a New York City intern is exhausting (and super amazing, educational, and fun at the same time) and I didn't have any time to blog. I'm writing this while sitting on my airplane on my way home from my month long adventure in New York City and I don't even know what to think. I had so much fun, got a little homesick, worked hard, and spent way too much money at way too many coffee shops.  And I learned a lot too. I decided that I should share a list of what I learned during the month of living on my own without my mom, dad, and brother.

Are ya ready?

If yes, then yay.

If not, then go grab a trendy coffee.

ONE: New Yorkers really do wear all black. It's like there's a constant funeral occurring in the city. I have to admit, I started dressing like a New Yorker and found that all black is awesome. Especially if a waiter/waitress spills your lunch all over you. Or if there's a random rain shower (I'd rather not be a part of a wet t-shirt contest, thank you). Or if you get really sunburnt and want to look less like a lobster and more like a chic upper east sider. Or if you're so tired and don't want to have to worry about what to wear to work. All of these lessons were learned from experience, mind you. Plus, if you wear all black then everything in your closet automatically matches.

All black is basically a win, win, win, win, win (etc.) situation. Yep, Mom, you were right.

TWO: New Yorkers abbreviate everything. Lulu Lemon is just Lulu.  Bed, Bath, and Beyond? It's just Bed Bath. The word dinner is just "din." And don't even bother saying definitely, totally, ridiculous and amazing in their entirety. They are simply, def, totes, ridic and amaze.

THREE: Soul Cycle is as amazing as people say it is. Thankfully I didn't try a class until my last day otherwise I would have blown my entire life savings on a spin class every night. Think dark rooms, screaming instructors, getting extremely sweaty, and loud music. Now that I type that it doesn't sound as appealing, but trust me, it was fab (see, I'm so New York).

FOUR: Food is really expensive. I thought that I would be totally fine with the amount of money that I brought along for my trip, but I was wrong. Fancy restaurants in Kentucky have meals that are anywhere from $12-$25. In New York City, a casual restaurant is the same, if not more expensive. It’s insane. But, all the food is so yummy. And the bagels really are better.

FIVE: New York City is the most inspiring place. I know you’ve probably heard it before, and you’re going to hear it again, but NYC is a place where motivated people make their dreams happen. Everyone has a twinkle in their eye and a pep in their step and it makes it that more fun to be a part of such an inspiring and motivated environment. I can definitely see myself getting my first job in the city after college.

So there ya go, five things I learned while in New York. I know they aren’t that crazy original, but whatevs. I hope you’re having a great summer, and if you have anything that you’ve learned this past month and feel the need to share it with me, then please comment below!!

xox Chloe

Smart Girls Conference Recap

If you follow us on Twitter (if you don't, then go follow us!! you definitely want to join us for #ChicChat on Tuesdays at 9EST!) then you would know that last week I had the chance to attend the Smart Girls Conference in New York City. I was able to go on behalf of Dormify to help work the booth and spread the word about who we are (you know, the cutest college & dorm decor EVER!) and I also was able to hear the speakers, well, speak. There were some amazing people there, from Shiza Shahid, the CEO & Co-Founder of the Malala Fund to Carly Heitlinger, from The College Prepster. Everyone had a different insight into what it is like to be a powerful woman, and it was seriously so inspiring! I also love that The Smart Girls Conference embraces "the power of smarts & the power of sisterhood" supporting working together to make everyone stronger instead of competing against each other. I'm lucky to have a group of blog friends that feel the same way, and besides being encouraged by all the powerful women speaking, I also had the chance to meet some of these blog friends in real life for the first time. Like I mentioned in my recent post, meeting blog friends is so cool. They understand that it takes 100 shots to get the right Instagram picture, that wearing the right outfit really is very important, and they just get the blogger's life. Since I had so much fun I decided that I would just share a whole bunch of picture with you guys. I hope you enjoy!!

 

Oh and in case you’re wondering, the girls pictured (aka the sweetest girls ever) are Sammy from The Preptista, Frannie from the Blonde Prep, Caroline from Citrus & Style, and Sloane from Sailing the Sea of Style.

Hope you had a great weekend too!

xo ~chloe

How #vamping makes me smarter

So my new word of the week is #vamping. The New York Times says my teens are doing it (although I swear they are not). I do it occasionally. My husband never does it. Ever.

No, #vamping is not the '90's definition of being a little ostentatious, but rather pulling an all-nighter hanging out on-line and, in my case, ending up somewhere very, very distant from where I started. As I was reading the NY Times article about what teens are doing, I realized that not much has changed since when I was a teen. I felt the need to read the article since I have 2 teens so I need to know what they are up to in case I'm missing something when I'm busy, uh... #vamping. But I'm not. It's the same idea of "get off the phone" except now they need to stop texting, or "stop reading and go to bed" which hasn't changed, except add that kids now need to stop watching videos, tv, Snapchatting, scrolling through Instagram, etc.

The difference: life is digital, but isn't it somewhat similar?  But what I didn't realize until I started writing this, was that I do learn some things when I #vamp late at night, which I'm sharing below with you. Maybe they are actually learning something of value too. A mom can only hope.

• I am guilty of #5, and thought I was being considerate! 5 Things Not to Say (or Do) at the Farmer's Market via The Kitchn
• I can do my dry-cleaning at home (not with Dryel) with this cool machine!
• I now know why my phone battery is draining so quickly! Facebook is at it again... but this quick fix in my settings solves it
• I can organize my home with 10 cheap, easy hacks. via Real Simple
• That stunning guy who landed in jail for gang related charges (you know, blue eyes?) actually got an agent via Racked
• Ellen is starting a lifestyle brand with Chris Burch backing her. Yes, that Ellen. Yes, that Chris Burch of C. Wonder. via WWD
• These mod horsebit boots are everywhere in every incarnation (python, calf hair, tall ankle boot, bootie, knee boot....). I see '60's.

So that's where my brain goes... from healthy to practical to ridiculous to, you guessed it, shopping.

How about you... do you ever #vamp or just get distracted while browsing?

xo ~kim

A fierce makeover show is about to be B.O.R.N.

The better you know me, the more you know I love my reality tv. Classy reality tv, which I do not believe is an oxymoron, is my favorite - you know the kind you watch and think: I should get in shape and run a 10K next week, or learn to sew so I can whip up a dress made out of crushed soda cans and hula hoops, or start a wedding cake business. The reality tv that makes me think, "why am I sitting on this couch when I could be doing something useful?" And something I've always wanted to be was a stylist. Combine fashion, giving my opinion, and making people look better? Count me in!! So a show about a bunch of lovable couple of guys and a gal living my dream is going to be high on my list, especially when it's premiering on the new network, FYI (FYI = for your imagination, innovation, and inspiration). My kind of network.

And B.O.R.N. to Style is my kind of show!  B.O.R.N. to Style premieres Tuesday, 7/15 @10p EST, on FYI Network. I'm hoping Chloe even has a chance to stop by the B.O.R.N. shop in Harlem while in NYC and meet Jonathan Bodrick, the storeowner and a definite fashion maven, or any of the other stylists: Brandon Hood, JJ Langan, Kristen Brown, Terry Artis or Devin Stokes.  I can't wait to see who ends up being my favorite, but Jonathan has some standout style -- that's him in the front with the gold sneakers and the hat that would make Pharrell happy. And did I mention that this show looks like it is all about happy and inspirational? Check it out:

How about you... any tv shows you are catching up on this summer or any recommendations for me? Will you be watching B.O.R.N. to Style? Even the tagline to "B.O.R.N. to Style: Your Makeover Needs a Makeover" has me excited!

xo ~kim

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by FYI Network through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about B.O.R.N. to Style, all opinions are my own.

NYC Coffee Shops

If you follow us on Instagram (which if you aren’t then you totes should @popcosmo) then you know that I’m basically taking a coffee shop tour of NYC. I frequently find myself going to coffee shop after coffee shop if I have a few minutes to kill or need to charge up my phone. The good news is that there are loads of trendy coffee shops here. Loads. Like one on every few corners. When I met up with blog friends Sloane and Gracey for our photo excursion we stumbled upon one called Blue Stone Lane Coffee. It. Was. Amazing.

Just walking into the coffee shop we knew we would have our Instgrams covered for the rest of the summer. There were just so many pretty little details and the shop was huge! Funny story though, I don’t drink caffeine and I ordered an iced decaf latte. Apparently in New York if you don’t drink caffeine then you are an alien that should be shunned because almost every single barista in the place was making fun of me. They were nice enough to actually serve me a decaf latte though, so points for them.

If you ever find yourself in New York City, or in the West Village specifically, then you must visit Blue Stone Lane! It’s gorgeous and everything you could ever want in a coffee shop.

xox ~chloe

 Do you have any trendy coffee shop recommendations for me while I’m here?

Humans of New York: my 1 degree of separation

I know New York is all I’ve been talking about lately, and this post is no different, but I just wanted to pop in a tell y’all a little story. But first of all, for those of you wondering, my internship is going so well. Like I can’t wait to go to work in the mornings fun. I’ve been busy taking product pictures, editing product pictures, organizing, and, of course, steaming drapes, pillowcases, etc. But it’s all fun and I really feel like my hard work is helping the company so I'm contributing too.

via HONY

Anyway, I’ve been walking home from work on most days (which is about 30-ish blocks). I absolutely love walking because it’s so fun to be a part of the New York City rush, plus I really love people watching while I’m walking. A few days ago I was walking through Times Square (with thousands of people) and I saw this dude with a huge mohawk wearing all black clothes. We were walking together for a while and even though he looked super dark and at first honestly kind of intimidating, he was dancing to the music from his iPod and he just seemed like an overall nice person because he smiled and chatted with anyone who remarked on his hair. He was so interesting because of the juxtaposition between his outfit and hair vs. the personality he was emitting.

On my "wish list" this summer is to see Brandon from Humans of New York. I envy how he is able to show another side of people that we normally would never be able to see or even understand. While I haven’t seen Brandon yet, I was browsing Humans of New York last night and I came across the mohawk dude’s picture. Turns out, I saw the mohawk dude the exact same day that his picture was taken and featured. I was SO excited when I saw his photograph and learned a little more about his story. So instead of trying to figure out my 6 degrees of separation, I now have 1 degree of separation since I was walking side by side with the mohawk dude. Well, at least that's how I see it. How cool is that?

They say New York is huge, but I’m learning that it really is just a tiny island.

xox, chloe

Do you read and like Humans of New York?

10 Reasons to Love Denver

Ok, so I just got here... and Chloe isn't even here yet. But seriously, Denver is like a puppy: it just begs to be loved. You can't see it or experience it without falling in love with it. My newbie impressions have me madly in love with my new town and may explain why, despite a less than stellar move, I haven't lost my patience yet. I haven't yet had a chance to explore new dining or take any excursions, so I'm surprised how easily I was able to jot these down and come up with my top 10 reasons to love Denver (so far):

1. It's always sunny. Well, almost, except for an afternoon sun shower or when it hails. But then it's sunny and dry again right away.

2. Despite the sun, it's not too hot. But if it is, just find a shady spot and you can actually cool off. Why? because...

3. There's no humidity. My Alabama family needs to visit to experience this.

4. Everyone is happy and friendly. I'm serious. I haven't met a rude person yet. I know I will (I'm not naive and we ALL have bad days, but the ratio of rude to polite is strikingly low).

5. Everyone is attractive. Not that I'm looking, but beauty comes from within + everyone is happy => everyone is beautiful, right?

6. If you don't believe #5 then trust me when I say that everyone is fit. 'Cause they are. Well, I think the state average is, at my guesstimate, probably at 90%. But it must be newcomers like me who make up that 10% and I will be changing my fit party soon.

7. People don't talk about biking to work or for pleasure... they just do it! My son and I joined goodnessknows for Bike to Work Day and had a blast and even made 2 new friends: Kerrigan and Suzanne. Denver B-cycles are everywhere in Denver and people use them. The ride we took at 6:30 this morning to celebrate #BiketoWorkDay was packed with us and commuters. And thanks to goodnessknows, a new snack bar, I had a very healthy treat... chocolate, cranberries and almonds. Yum!

Olympic Skier Bobby Brown Photo by Jack Dempsey/Invision for goodnessknows/AP Images

8. Everyone is outdoors either gardening, biking, running, drinking coffee.... Well, why not?! You don't sweat, you aren't hot, and...

9. I haven't seen a mosquito. Not one.

10. And my main reason to love Denver: my hair is frizz-free. I can not over-emphasize the importance of this having grown up in Alabama and fighting frizz my entire life. Welcome to hair-freedom.

Denver is bliss and there are certainly more than 10 reasons to love Denver, so if you know Colorado better than I do, tell me what you like about the area and I'll can be sure to explore it!

xo ~kim

Take a break with Ok Go

First of all, I'm sorry (it's Kim, here). I've been absent - it's been weeks since I've checked in - and I apologize for not keeping up with y'all. I've got a fabulous excuse though: packing up our Louisville home, saying goodbyes to family and friends, driving cross-country, waiting forever for internet hookup, and now slowly, while not so surely as I stare down boxes daring them to unpack & organize themselves, settling into our home in Denver. All while Chloe is enjoying her glam lifestyle in New York at Dormify (lucky gal).

But I took a break tonight to watch Almost Royal on BBC America (hysterical), catch up on some emails, and be entertained with my son by videos on YouTube. The stunning creativity of OK Go once again caught my eye and I just had to share it with you. Be prepared to be amazed... and keep in mind this was shot in a single take. Just... whoa! Once again, OK Go simply astounds with their visuals, so enjoy!

And if you are in or around the Denver area, let me know! Hope you are having a nice summer and we'll be back soon with our regular blogging schedule... promise!

xo ~kim

New York (internship) is always a good idea

Whew! I just started my internship for Dormify a few days ago and it’s been a whirlwind of excitement, nerves, and new experiences. When I got the news in April that I had been accepted for the internship I was amazed, and knew that it would be a great experience. I was 90% excited and 10% nervous about things like figuring out how to get to work (I've visited New York, but never lived here!), how many people would I be working with, what would I do all day, where were the other interns from, and... could I really do this??

Well, I'm happy to say that all my questions are answered and that even though I just started, I am already obsessed with the whole company. It’s girls only (#girlboss) so the work environment is more fun than I could have imagined. Think great music blasting, chatting about which color and style RayBans are the best, and talking all things creative. Really, it’s that fun.

But, like any job, it is a lot of work, which I love. On the first day I was busy from 10am until 7pm. I spent half of the day researching for upcoming projects and then the other half of the day styling and shooting new products for a super cute desk setting. There’s a sneak peek on Instagram, so be sure to follow us (@popcosmo).

One thing that I was most nervous about my internship was, of course, what to wear. I definitely love more simple and casual clothes, so I’m happy to report that jeans and cute tees are 100% welcome in my office. Woo! I didn’t actually bring that many clothes because I wanted to see what the other girls wore in the office and then go shopping. I mean hello, how could I not go on a major shopping spree while in NYC?

I’ll keep you posted on the internship, but be sure to follow us on Instagram for behind the scenes fun!

What are your summer plans? Are you interning, if so, where?

xox, Chloe

Flirting 101

“Beeennnd… & snap!” “Bat your eyelashes.”

“Touch him. A lot.”

“Talk sports.”

“Ask him about himself.”

These are just some of the pieces of advice I’ve received about flirting. But I’m not very good about putting them into practice. Why? Well, online I might come across as a typical teenage girl. However, that couldn't be further from the truth in more ways than one, because you should know I’m awkward and weird. I like to think that I’m awkward and weird in the most adork-able way possible — Zooey Deschanel style. With my adork-able personality comes the complete inability to flirt with guys. I’m 110% incapable and it would probably make you uncomfortable to watch me try. It even makes me uncomfortable to try.

So anyways, earlier this week I walked over to a nearby coffee shop to buy my mom and I some coffees. I frequent this coffee shop pretty often because it’s so close to my house, but I rarely go alone. I managed to buy our coffees without any problems, so props to me and pats on the back.

As I was waiting for my coffee I looked up and saw a super cute guy looking at me from across the coffee shop. He looked two or three years older and I felt like he was kind of staring at me in a “do I know her, wait I think I know her, no, I don’t think I know her” kind of way. When I noticed he was looking at me though, I glanced down (because maintaining eye contact with super cute guys is impossible for me.) I thought “whatever” and brushed it off. I figured he was probably staring at the artwork behind me or another girl beside me.

But as I was walking out of the coffee shop he appeared beside me and said, “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”

I mumbled, “I don’t think so…” and then I giggled (yes, giggled) because he was talking to me. I probably turned bright red too, because that’s the adorkable thing I do when cute boys talk to me.

Then he asked, “Didn’t you go to The Temple?”

Instead of just answering, all I could do was think, “wow, this super cute guy knows me, is talking to me, and is actually really handsome. How have I never noticed him at Temple before?”

So what do I do? I not so smoothly said, “Oh, yeah. Well it was good to see you!” And then I promptly left the coffee shop. Because I’m a flirting prodigy, and clearly know my way around talking to boys. I cringed the whole way home and now have a coffee shop to avoid.

Entering the house, I told my mom what happened hoping for some sympathy. She laughed. She knows how bad I am at talking to boys and she even said I should bring my laptop back to the coffee shop and try to actually flirt with him. (Which led a mini-course in Flirting 101 – can this day get any more awkward?!!) But I’m too much of a wimp to do that so I’m typing this in my room by myself… because I’m cool like that.

So yeah, I’m 18 and am getting flirting tips from movies, friends and family. I like to think it’s because boys are intimidated by how similar I look to Heidi Klum, but I have a feeling that’s not the case.

If you have awkward stories involving guys, dating, etc, please tell me in the comments so I can feel better about myself. ;) Or hey, want to offer any flirting tips? I’m adding to the collection!

Creative Classes online

Summer's here which means: No. More. School. So why am I so excited to start learning? Because now I can learn exactly what I want! Say what? That's right... I'm ready to start taking even more classes in all things creative. You know, those skills that aren't taught in school,  I'm looking at some creative classes online in photography, calligraphy, some more blogging skills, in-depth photoshop, and... well, I could just keep going. But there are classes for just about anything. I'm interested in more photography and photoshop and my mom wants to learn about coding, and basic DSLR cameras, and maybe even knitting. I'll let her tell you more about creative classes online. Let's get crafting!

CreativeLive has free live classes in photo & video, art & design, music & audio, craft & maker, money & life. Yeah, so just about everything! I've watched classes on dog photography, but I think I need beginner DSLR classes first. Chloe's interested in Advanced Lightroom and thinks posing and video sound fun too! What I like is that if you miss the classes, or you want to rematch them, you can pay a fee and have them forever. Perfect for bloggers are the graphic design class and a class for redesigning your blog

Lifehacker is a website that has some amazing tips. Simply search photography and you'll get some fantastic ideas and tips. They also have some information about classes occasionally. So, it's not a class or school, but there's always something useful.

Alt on Topic - most of you have hear of Alt Summit, a creative blog conference. While you may not have attended, you can attend classes online. About 1x per month, there are online blogging classes from blogging experts and social media gurus. The classes run all day and could be a quick fix to pick up a lot of info you would get at a conference. There's a cost... but hey, there's no airfare or hotel fees!

Infinite Skills - I like how you join and can learn any area you want for the time period. There is such a diverse range of topics from graphic design, web design, video editing, training in all the Adobe suite, to learning Excel.  You join per month, and have unlimited access to every video in all categories available. I've tried a course and enjoy how the videos are broken down into very small chunks of time.

Skillshare has classes in branding, digital illustration, digital photography entrepreneurship, fashion design, and Chloe's favorite: lettering! She's taken Calligraphy, Lettering for Designers, & Drawing Techniques for Pencil Portraits. I took the Basics of Photoshop. My recommendation as to whether or not the class will be good is to look at the approval rating and the number of students who have taken it.

Craftsy is more arts oriented and looks like you would be going to arts and crafts camp online. There are a ton of classes in knitting, quilting, cake decorating and even photography, jewelry making and paper crafts. I haven't taken any here, but this looks like a fun way to learn a new craft skill. This would be perfect for me to pick up knitting, but also for any day when someone, later this summer, dares to utter the dreaded, "I'm bored." There are a zillion solutions right here for everyone in our family!!

I'm ready for a free afternoon to take new creative classes online and gain a new skill or just try something different and fun... and with all the options literally at our fingertips, anything is possible!

Let me know if I missed one of your favorite places to learn online!

Links I Love

Whew! I survived Junior year (just barely) and all the exams that come with the whole experience. I’m officially on summer break, and you know what that means, time for nothing. Not having the responsibilities of school work means that I can aimlessly scroll through the deepest darkest parts of the internet and have no regrets for spending my whole day doing just that. So if you’re not quite on summer break but still want to know what’s trending then you’re in the right spot.

via Pinterest

These are the links I love lately.

Dying to try this summer fruit salsa, it looks so delicious that I started drooling while reading the recipe.

Becky from Chipper Things is my new idol. Plus, her Etsy shop is amazing, I’m kinda feelin’ like I need this print in my life.

My family and I are moving into a new house this summer and I’m brainstorming how I want my room to look. Cue all things minimalistic and pretty.

I’ve been dying to go to the beach lately, and this picture has me dreaming of a sojourn in Mexico.

I’m dying to try all of these fruity smoothie recipes, especially that peach & ginger one.

Continuously reminding myself this quote.

Do you have any links that I need to know about? If so, be sure to share them with me in the comments!

xox ~chloe

Raw Chocolate Pudding Recipe

I’ve always been a fan of trying new and weird foods. Raw oysters? Yep, tried ‘em when I was 7 and fell in looove. Ranch dressing on pizza? Oh yeah, love it. Chocolate avocado ice cream? Yes, and ate the whole bowl. I loved the chocolate avocado ice cream so much that I knew I had to figure out how to recreate it so that I could make it in the comfort of my own home and not have to pay for overpriced presentation. When I stumbled upon a raw chocolate pudding recipe made with avocados from the new site Mother Magazine I knew I had to try it. So I did; although I did change up the recipe just a tad to fit my taste buds. It’s seriously gold, easy to make, and you’ll never want a chocolate pudding cup from the refrigerated section again. Like never ever ever.

Here’s how you make it…

Ingredients:

2 large avocados 3/4 cup agave (or maple syrup) 1/2 cup cocoa powder 3 tablespoons coconut oil 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Put all your ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. {It's really that easy, but I hand mixed the ingredients together first so that the blender could do it’s job better.}

The best part about this recipe is that it’s raw chocolate pudding. That means that you aren’t putting unnecessary gross things into your body, plus you’ll fill up faster because raw foods are awesome like that. This recipe make about 2 servings worth of normal pudding, but you could most likely share it with about four people because it’s so filling.

If you try this recipe, be sure to Tweet / Instagram a picture (and tag us) so that we can see your awesome chocolate pudding!

xox ~chloe

6 gifts I know my mom would love for Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and I’ve been brainstorming the perfect gift to get my wonderful mom this year. I think it’s so hard to buy my mom presents because she never hints at what she wants, and if she does, the item is way out of my price range. So the key to gifting a great present, for me at least, is to buy something that is either fun and cute or something that is practical and she’ll use all the time. I think all of the presents on the gift guide are something that are the perfect mix between practical and fun which make for a great present! This gift guide is probably my most favorite one that I’ve ever made and I totally wouldn’t mind snatching any of these presents for myself. And since my mom and I have the same taste (for the most part) I think she’d be happy with any of these gifts!

1. A BAG that charges her phone!  A catch all bag that is made of buttery smooth leather. All moms need a big bag, and this one is cute to boot! Plus, there’s a built in phone charger since her phone is always dying! Double whammy, double the love!

2. Phone Case My mom is ALWAYS losing her phone. She has the old pink case, but I think it's time for an update, and a bright pink case means it's easier to spot when she sets it down on a shelf. In a store. And walks away. Only so we can go running back for it....

3. POUCH  To help keep my mom organized in her catch-all bag (i.e., glasses, credit card, keys) or to use when she doesn’t want to carry a big bag. It could even be an adorable cosmetic case.

4. CREAM Moms always love lotion. This is such a simple gift but it’ll last her all year long. Be sure to pick out a scent that she always says she loves!

5. FLOWERS The original mother’s day gift, and there is nothing wrong with that. Place your mom’s favorite flowers in a pretty vase and you’ve got a gorgeous gift!

6. CARD Last but not least, a card! My mom always says, "this is all I need." A handwritten note can go far so if you don’t have any extra money laying around (lookin’ at you teenagers) or you just want to give a note along with your gift. Your mom will be happy to know that you took time out of your day to write her a sweet little note!

I’d love to know what you’re getting your mom for Mother’s Day, let me know in the comments! And yeah Mom, now you know what I'm choosing from this year :) xo ~chloe

The World's Best Bourbon Slush Recipe

I'm not exaggerating when I say I'm about to share with you the recipe for the world's best bourbon slush: a mint julep slush. I hadn't even heard of a bourbon slush until this week when Chloe and I were hanging out with Christy and Missy making cute Derby fascinators and bow-ties... you know, the sort of thing you do around Kentucky Derby time in Louisville. Christy, of The Bourbon Blush and definitely in-the-know about all things bourbon, shared her morning of Derby routine, which of course included her sought after sweet tea bourbon slushy recipe. Not being a bourbon drinker until recently (I found one I love!) I was curious. So we chatted bourbon, slushies and Feast BBQ while pinning, gluing, and playing with feathers.

Feast BBQ is well-known around Louisville for having fabulous, sinful Bourbon Slushies (known as Bourbon Slush, Bourbon slushy, and Bourbon slushies - take your pick of spellings). They might possibly be the "best in the world," and this little secret is spreading like wildfire. The type of slushies rotates year round (Frozen Mexican Hot Chocolate with Bourbon Slushy anyone?) and in April the slushy was, fittingly, a Mint Julep Slushy in honor of  the Kentucky Derby. The recipe was published by Gilt so I whipped it up in no time at all, tasted and mmmm, delish!  Make up a batch of these slushies and I can pretty much guarantee that your guests will all be asking for the recipe. And the wildfire will keep spreading.

Mint Julep Slush Recipe

• 4 oz. Bourbon
• 6 oz. ice
• 6 oz. brown sugar simple syrup (combine equal parts (1:1) sugar and water in a bottle and shake vigorously until sugar is completely dissolved)
• 2-3 dashes of Fee Brothers Min & Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters
• Fresh Mint

1. Rub the inside of a glass with the mint. Typically Mint Juleps are served in silver julep cups, but these might more fitting in mason jars.

2. Blend everything together except for the mint.

3. Pour your slushy and garnish with mint and a straw.

And while we're talking Bourbon recipes, if you need something to snack on why not try Maker’s Mark Mint Julep cookies that are served right at the distillery.

Maker’s Mark Mint Julep Cookie Recipe 

Cookie:

• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 2 cups light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup finely ground oats
• 2 cups Andes Mint Chocolate Candy pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter, sugar and eggs until smooth. In a separate bowl, mix flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and mint chocolate candy pieces. Gradually add to butter mixture until incorporated. Scoop out with a two ounce scoop and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool and add bourbon fudge topping.

Bourbon Fudge Topping:

• 2 cups melted chocolate chips (milk chocolate or semisweet, whichever you prefer)
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup Maker's Mark Bourbon

Melt chocolate in double boiler, remove from stove. Add sweetened condensed milk and bourbon and mix until incorporated. Top cooled cookies with warm fudge and enjoy.

Mint Julep Slush and Maker's Mark Mint Julep cookies seem like the perfect way to have Derby day anytime! Enjoy!

My favorite Graduation Cards

The end of the school year is always my favorite part of the year. The weather is warm but not too warm, everyone seems to be in good spirits, and there are so many parties to be thrown. While I don’t graduate until next year, I’ve already been trying to come up with graduation card ideas since I'm scheming how awesome my graduation party will be. I want there to be good food, great friends, and the perfect ambiance. I believe the first thing that is super important to set the feel of a party is the invitation. It lets everyone know the type of party to expect and sets the whole mood for the afternoon or evening. We ordered our business cards from Minted but they have so much more! Their cards are fabulous! There are tons of different options and you can customize the colors and shapes on some of the cards. Seriously, wow!

I know I don’t graduate until next year, but I guess the senioritis has already set in a little bit ;)  At least Minted has given me tons of Graduation card ideas and I can dream about it for a while.

Below are a few of my favorite cards... let me know what you think of them in the comments below!

xox ~chloe

Kentucky Derby Tips & Tricks

“Derby” in Louisville is not just a day… it’s an experience. It lasts a few weeks and there are more events leading up to the Kentucky Derby that we can list here. Our first year in Louisville, we were surprised, amazed, and overwhelmed with the parties, events, balloons, fireworks and airshows. There are official events for the Kentucky Derby and plenty of unofficial ones.

My first year at Derby, I had a million questions and asked a million + 1 people for advice. Over the years, I questioned even more patient people about their tips and tricks for “doing Derby” and below is the advice I've gained from them + my experiences. Mastering the art of the Kentucky Derby is do-able, with a few tips & tricks.

If YOU have any tips you’d like to share, please do so in the comments.

The most asked question: what do I wear to the races?:

• The bigger the better, the louder the better, the brighter the better! But comfort is key and so is something washable since the likelihood of a drink splashing on you is high due to hours spent around drinks and total number of drinks you will encounter throughout the day (regardless of whether or not you will be drinking). Add the fact that you might be eating a picnic lunch on your lap if you are sitting in an outdoor box seat, and you have a recipe for a messy day.
• Prints and washable dresses are all good options, silk is best left for the jockeys, and warm weather fabrics are a must.
• You are only allowed to bring in 12” bags this year, so we recommend a crossbody bag (you’ll want free hands).
• You have long days ahead of you with lots of walking involved, so stick a pair of the most comfortable and blister-free flats Yosi Samra fold-up shoes or a pair of flip-flops in your bag (your feet will thank us) and you’ll look like you’ve been doing Derby for years. If you can’t bear to change, wear broken-in comfortable shoes, and bring bandaids.
• Bring ponchos if there's an inkling of rain since you can't bring an umbrella. If you wear a clear one, your outfit will shine through. Check the weather before you go!!
• Don't over-accessorize. If you have a flashy hat- keep your jewelry in check. Conservative hat- play up jewelry.
• Do not try to get a spray tan a few days before Derby. You'll be waiting in line for hours.
• Here's a post about what to wear to the Kentucky Derby.

On Fridays we wear pink: Oak’s Day is Friday and is the filly’s race. It is just as exciting as the Kentucky Derby. Schools cancel classes and it had been local’s day, but now it is no longer a Louisville secret and is getting to be just as crowded and festive as Derby Day. "Locals day" is being pushed back to Thursday as more people arrive for the weekend to celebrate. In the past few years, the tradition had been to wear pink to honor breast cancer research and survivors. You can get decked out in all pink (check  out a Oak's Day outfit idea) or wear touches of pink… and don’t think pink is just for the girls! Guys can sport a pink tie or dress in all pink too. Vineyard Vines has a fabulous men's Derby collections.

Fascinator v. Big hats: Obviously, personal preference. I'm a fascinator girl -- something about being able to turn my head and peripheral vision (go figure). But, if you’re sitting outdoors and the day is sunny, a big hat could come in handy. Regardless, bring sunscreen!! Whatever you wear, make sure it doesn’t pinch, or slip. If you forgot to bring a hat, run by Dee's and they'll make one for you to match your outfit.

Calling all party girls: If you can party all day and party all night and want to support charities, purchase tickets to the Julep Ball and the Barnstable Brown party and mingle with celebs who show up for Derby and Oaks.

Dawn at the Downs: Eat breakfast on Millionaire’s Row and watch Derby contenders working out. It’s a unique Kentucky Derby experience on the weekdays.

Can we get there from here?: Plan on spending a long time in the car and consider it part of the experience. Unless you arrive very early in the morning, and even if you do, you might be parking in someone’s yard, so bring cash. Unless you park at Churchill Downs, plan on a long walk to the track, and check out these parking maps for Derby week in advance.

Some options to avoid parking by Churchill Downs (which can be a nightmare): park near one of the many bus stops and bus into Churchill Downs, park in the lot near Cardinal Stadium, find a teenager to pick you up and drop you off, or rent a bus for a big group, or take Uber, which arrived this year.

Food, food and more food: At the track – If food is not included with your ticket, you can bring a box lunch, but be sure to check the rules about what is allowed to be brought in the gates.

• Vendors come around with drinks- order several. That way you don't have to wait in long lines, and next time they pass, you will be ready for another.
• Remember to hydrate with water too!

Around Town – Make reservations for hotels and dinners (before and after races) as soon as you know you’ll be attending. Good luck finding either at the last minute. But, if you don’t have reservations, find a Louisville food truck. {We love Grind burgers!} And since many homeowners head out-of-town for the Derby and rent their houses, you might find one on VRBO.com or airbnb.com at the last minute.

It's Bourbon country, baby!: As the home of Bourbon, get ready to drink a lot of it at the Derby (but please don't drink & drive!). And while here, visit the distilleries, which can even be family outings. Actually the official drink of the Oaks is the Oaks Lily which is made with vodka; but yes, the traditional drink of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby is a Mint Julep, which is made with bourbon. Although traditionally served in a silver cup, at the Derby (and Oaks), you’ll receive a commemorative glass cup with each order. Keep ‘em and start your collection.

Tickets & Seating: We suggest buying tickets directly from Churchill Downs. You’ll get a good description of your seat and the amenities. Pay attention to where your seat is located - your box seat may be in a section exposed to rain or sun all day long. If you want to play it safe, make sure you buy a “covered” seat. If you are trackside, you are not covered, but you’ll have a great view. Your seats (unless you are in suites indoors) are folding chairs. There are six in a box and your “box” is actually a metal bar, so you’ll know your neighbors quite well by the end of the day. The fun of Derby is seeing the outfits, the horses before the races, the horses walking to and from the Paddock, etc., so wandering around is not only highly encouraged, it is part of the experience.

• I love this seating chart and package selection tool!
• To get a 3D view of seats, check here: Churchill Downs seating.

The Ladies Room: No matter where you sit, you will have a great view. But the bathrooms are what set everyone apart. Drinking all day means... long lines in the ladies' room. But don’t be discouraged. The efficiency of the attendants is the best I’ve ever encountered. However, if you are headed to the infield, byot. (Bring your own toilet paper). We hear they've been known to run out. If you are in the suites, enjoy the semi-privacy and no long lines!

What is the Infield?: No tickets? No worries! You can always gain access to the infield. While Oaks Day may not be that crowded, Derby day will most definitely be packed. The infield is made up of a partying crowd that’s come to enjoy themselves. You’ll have access to the Paddock area as well, but since there is no limit to the number of tickets that are sold for the infield, prepare for crowds. And if it has rained, get ready for mud. And unless you secure a spot near the track, you might miss the races, but you can enjoy the party!

All bets are on!: If you aren’t an expert in betting, read the program. There is a little tutorial and key in the front. You don’t want to be  “that” girl holding up the line, you want to be talking about trifectas with the rest of the gang.

• Bring $1 bills. Lots of them… the lines to the ATM are longer than the betting lines.
• If you win, it's customary to tip the clerk. (Supposedly it brings you good luck!)
• Betting on colors, names and birthdays is fine. You'd be surprised how many people beat the odds with these bets - but don't hold us to it.

Misc:

• Bring a phone phone for photos and a backup battery because service is spotty, especially if you want to Instagram.
• Show Louisville some love with the Louisville Love app for photos, if you have service!
• Bring ibuprofen or aspirin. With noise, hats, cigar smoke, heat, etc., you have the perfect storm for headaches.
• Fashion First Aid has a handy pack you can carry in your purse of essentials you might need for the day. We kinda think it would be handy for trips too! It'll cover hat problems, heel blisters, armpit stains and more in a handy package. (I'm pretty impressed by how they have a solution for just about any problem I have!)

After you've completed all your planning for the best weekend ever, the most important tip is to sit back, enjoy the races, and have some fun in Louisville! It's a fantastic city to explore apart from the races with amazing dining, wonderful parks, a beautiful river, and the friendliest people you ever did meet.

Many thanks to local friends Natalie, Ashley, Christy of The Bourbon Blush, and Shelley for their tips, & everyone else I've pestered over the years!

My new morning ritual: TheSkimm

I’m a huge news junkie. I love knowing the latest events that are happening around the world, no matter the topic. Whether it was what's going on in the Masters, what's the latest celeb baby name, or the update on the Malaysian airline, I’m interested. However, I don’t really enjoy watching the news because there are so many irrelevant stories, and even more irrelevant commercials. I also don’t like reading the newspaper because I just can’t figure out how to hold the entire thing without it falling apart (maybe I should practice?).

via Pinterest

But one thing I love is TheSkimm; it’s a news service that sends you an email every weekday morning telling you the highlights of everything that you should be prepared to know for the day. TheSkimm breaks all the latest stories down into easy readable sections so you know only what you need to know, and there are no difficult words, because when it comes down to it, hard words don’t make you seem smarter they just make it look like you know how to use synonyms.com. Oh, and have I mentioned that 2 women news reporters are behind this powerhouse of an app?

Y’all should definitely sign up for TheSkimm if you’re a news junkie, or if you want to find out what's going on in the world. Plus, it has this awesome section called “Repeat After Me…” where it helps you be prepared to sound more intelligent if a certain topic comes up during your day. For example, one of the recent columns of “Repeat After Me…” was “What to say when someone posts about their political opinions…” Helpful, right? Also, since the Masters is dominating sports right now, you might want to know who Bubba is... and not in a Forrest Gump sort of way.

Ok, excuse me while I brush up on my current events and impress my Dad {who reads 2 newspapers a day}....

xo ~chloe

Chloe Takes NYC

Today I have some super (super, super, super) exciting news! Guess where I’ll be spending a good chunk of my summer? (uh, if you read the title, you already know, but I like guessing games)

But if you just jumped in and started reading, are you ready to know?!

via Pinterest

NYC! Yep, the good 'ole city of dreams, magic and inspiration, and also the land of my dad's family (and accents) and my favorite breakfast (bagels and lox). I will be interning for an amazing company called Dormify. I can't wait to meet the nicest people I've met on Skype and through emails, who I know I'll learn tons from about PR, marketing, product placement, photo styling and more.  Dormify has the cutest dorm room decorations and accessories, and I am seriously thrilled to be a part of such an inspiring team.

Summer can’t come fast enough. Aaah! Just thinking about it is putting a huge smile on my face and is making me so excited that I'm almost forgetting about all the exams and tests that stand between me and my dream internship. I can’t wait to share my entire experience with y’all which I know for a fact will include a lot of “photo essay” posts where I share a whole bunch of photos from the amazing inspiration that NYC holds.

via Pinterest

So, if you're in NYC and wanna hang out... let me know. Do you have any tips for shopping, eating, photo ops? If so, share away!

xox ~chloe