:: Cheesy Game Day Dip ::Can you believe Super Bowl is this weekend? Who are you cheering for… and most important of all, what are you making to enjoy during game time? This Cheesy Game Day Dip is a cinch to make. It requires a few ingredients and it will get your guest talking about “how did you make this?” rather than discussing this whole deflate gate situation.
Classic Tuscan Soup //It’s winter… but I live in Southern California, so it’s not reallllllly winter! I surely can’t relate to those of you shoveling snow and bundling up in your cozy cold-weather gear. Where I live, we’ve had a few days of cooler weather, some rain, and even one day of random snow {can you believe it?}… but for the most part, we’ve had many days in the 70’s. {I’m not complaining, I assure you!}
Despite the warmer weather we’ve had this past week, I do still crave cups of soul-warming food and steaming hot beverages! This Classic Tuscan Soup completely takes care of those seasonal cravings. It’s filled with earthy, satisfying vegetables and hearty white beans. It’s a healthier soup, so for those of you eating clean… this one’s for you! [Read more…]
:: Gratitude 2015 ::Welcome to 2015 friends! I don’t know about you, but I am still adjusting to being back in school, I loved having the kids at home for the holidays.
Last week Sara shared her thoughts on contentment. I love how she is focusing on being content in 2015 that being said, my focus is gratitude. I can’t say it’s my word of the year as it is one of many, but it is one that encompasses most of my 2015 intentions. I am not the best at resolutions, in fact by writing this post, I am hopeful that these intentions that I have wandering around in my head {and some on paper} are being put out into the universe, so I will intend to listen to them, read them in need, and keep them at heart. Gratitude is something that I am looking to continue on focusing in 2015. Sara and I plan on still sharing our favorite recipes, but we want to head back to writing what is important to us, what really started this blog. We hope you continue to visit with us, stay awhile, and maybe share your thoughts along the way. [Read more…]
Blueberry Pear Smoothie //It’s so funny with the New Year, one instantly feels the need to refresh, tweak a few things around, and try a little harder… for instance with healthier eating. Am I right? I know for me… even without compiling a bunch of resolutions, I ALWAYS have the urge to clean up my act in the eating department, come January! I think I’ve seriously tried it all, you guys. I’ve done an elimination diet, become completely vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free… I’ve even done two back-to-back rounds of the Whole30! Yikes! Sort of crazy…. I know!
Well, this year is really no different. I started off thinking I may attempt 100 days of Real Food with a dear friend of mine, but I’ve already thrown in the towel. Before you feel sorry for my lack of commitment, please know that I don’t plan on eating ding dongs all day {do they still make those?}. Instead, I am just going to do my best. That.Is.All. After all, I think I know what to do at this point… and I’m sort of over following guidelines.
So, with that being said… I picked up this lovely Juice/Smoothie recipe book from Barnes & Noble over the holidays. {It was in the bargain section, which made me like it even more!} It’s a really pretty book… I highly recommend it for the pictures and for recipe inspiration!
Contentment // My Word for 2015
:: Raspberry Holiday Spritzer + {Giveaway Winner} ::Did you all catch a glimpse of this Raspberry Holiday Spritzer in the latest edition of Momazine? Sara and I were featured in their winter edition of their online magazine! {It’s available on Google Play or the App Store.} It’s a beautifully curated magazine, chalk full of mommy moments, photography, and articles that inspire during this holiday season. We hope you check it out! In the meantime, we promised a few of you the recipe for this pink and sparkly bubbly drink. It’s perfect for a date night in, while wrapping presents, or as part of a cocktail bar with all of it’s fixings handy for guests to create and enjoy!
Oh, but wait! You were probably hoping to make this Raspberry Holiday Sparkler plus find out the winner of our Uncommon Goods Gift Guide + Giveaway… keep reading ahead, who knows it might be you?!! [Read more…]
:: Orange Marshmallow Mimosas ::Cheers friends to the holidays! This month has been very busy, but we are planning to slow down, take a breather and enjoy a little downtime with this recipe for Orange Marshmallow Mimosas. I love this time of the year, but with any holiday, you can get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle. Sara and I have enjoyed you all stopping by, commenting, and liking our little Simply Happenstance. We are very thankful this year for the support, but we will be taking a little break starting next week to enjoy this holiday season with our family. I am looking forward to enjoying the good food, the good cheer, the smiling faces, and a couple of these Orange Marshmallow Mimosas on Christmas Day. We hope you try them too!
UncommonGoods Holiday Gift Guide // GIVEAWAYHi, friends! You are sure in for a treat today! We have a holiday gift guide + GIVEAWAY, to share with you, from the wonderful folks at UncommonGoods!
It’s not everyday {or every month for that matter!} that we decide to promote a company and host a giveaway on Simply Happenstance. We are pretty particular about the brands we endorse and the businesses we suggest to our lovely readers. We want to make sure that if we’re giving our ‘thumbs up’ to a company or product… that it’s really worth your while to check it out!
Well… UncommonGoods definitely has our support! We encourage you to take a look at their “unique gift ideas and unusual gifts!” The items are perfect for the person on your list that is hard to buy for… or for the individual that already has everything!
This terrific company uses “business as a force for good!” Are you wondering how they do that? Well… you can fully read their mission statement {here}… but in a nutshell, UncommonGoods hopes to change the way that business is conducted by making sustainability a part of every decision they make. For example… the products on their site are carefully selected from artists and small manufacturers that are made in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. They feature products with recycled components and do not offer products that harm or hurt humans or animals. In fact, approximately one-third of their entire collection incorporates recycled or upcycled materials! Futhermore, most of the products they carry are created right here in the United States! One of our favorite parts of the company, is that UncommonGoods has created the “Better to Give” program. This allows you to select a non-profit organization to receive a $1 donation {from them}, when you checkout. How great is that?!
As a part of this UncommonGoods gift guide and giveaway, Nicole and I were given a few fabulous items to review! Nicole chose two of their Moscow Mule Mugs, while I chose the Define Bottle and their Animal and Monster Hand Tattoos! All items came packed securely and were high in quality! I wouldn’t hesitate to send a gift to someone you love, directly from their site! You won’t be disappointed! {Check out our Instagram feed to see photos of the goods we received and love!}
While preparing for this post, I delved deeply into their site, paying special attention to their Christmas gifts, stocking stuffers, and gifts priced under $50. What an amazing, unique selection! There are truly so many fabulous gift ideas offered by UncommonGoods! {There’s still time to order for Christmas!}
We thought it would be fun to highlight our gift giving choices for the foodie in your life {since we are mainly a food blog}, as well as, for the kids you adore {since we are parents, too}! Without further ado… here they are!
FOR THE FOODIE //
DIY // Natural Christmas GarlandI love all things gold and sparkly {just take a look at my pinecone garland from last year!}… but I also love natural things, as well! I guess it depends on what I’m in the mood for… and the purpose of the piece. In this case, it was my sweet mama who planned this outdoorsy garland to make with her grandchildren over Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, we ran out of time, but she did leave the supplies with me to complete the simple DIY with my kids. {Thanks, Mom!} I’m crazy about how it turned out… and the kids and I had so much fun putting it together for the birds in our backyard to enjoy!
:: Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies ::Well, it’s started! The Christmas Season is officially underway! Just this weekend, my sweet girl sang in our small town light parade with her school choir! Nothing puts you in the Christmas spirit quite like a parade filled with exuberant, marching, glowing kids! {Haha!}
Now that it’s truly feeling like Christmas is near, I have started planning what cookies and bars to make for neighbors, family and friends, to celebrate the joyous upcoming holiday. I know one thing for sure! These Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies, will most definitely, be on my list!
Earlier this week, while doing a little grocery shopping, I picked up a bag of these little gems {Hershey’s Peppermint Kisses}! You guys! I hadn’t eaten one before! I wouldn’t consider myself a peppermint lover {although I don’t mind a little peppermint creamer added to my coffee this time of year}… well, let’s just say that I had to go out and buy bag *number two* before making these cookies! Ha! They’re really that good — and addicting, I might add! {You try just eating one!} [Read more…]
