Super Bowl Party

Whether you like football or not, the Super Bowl is a fun excuse to get everyone together on a Sunday! And an even better excuse to make this incredible football stadium out of chips, cheese, crackers, etc. ! In addition to some hot dogs, burgers, wings, and beverages, you'll have an amazing party! Happy Tuesday, xoxo, Julie

via Scott Pharm

via Break.com

via HolyTaco.com

The Panoramic Wedding Portrait

If you had to have just one photograph to capture your event, wouldn't this be the one you chose? I would. It reminds me of the unforgettable picture of Jack Nicholson at the end of the movie The Shining which I've added below. Doesn't it leave you thinking? Happy Thursday, xoxo, Julie

pic#1 found via MSN.com

"I have a lot of great memories, but I can't imagine anything more exciting than the life I have now." Rob Lowe

Poppy Seed Chicken

I made an old sorority house comfort food favorite last night, Poppy Seed Chicken! It was delicious and very easy. Served with green beans with butter and Slap Yo Mama Seasoning, plus some Pillsbury croissant rolls, it was perfect for a lazy night in! Happy Tuesday! xoxo, Julie

Prep: 10 min., Bake: 40 min.

Ingredients
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 (10 3/4-oz.) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 (16-oz.) container sour cream
3 teaspoons poppy seeds
31 round buttery crackers, crushed
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preparation
1. Combine first 4 ingredients. Spoon mixture into lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish.
2. Stir together cracker crumbs and melted butter; sprinkle evenly over casserole.
3. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
I use Keebler Town House crackers

Muse: Emily Maynard

Two exciting things...#1) It's Friday! #2) Emily Maynard is the new Bachelorette! I'm breathing a sigh of relief that ABC finally got this one right. We've all been obsessed with Emily Maynard since she made her debut on Brad Womack's Bachelor #2 and after some research, I found a blog on all of her fashion, makeup and hair secrets at Possessionista.com. (I have no shame.) Now I don't have to wonder where her cute boots are from or what color of lipstick it is that she is wearing! I'm following this like hawk on my google reader! Happy Friday! xoxo, Julie

"Always be a lady." Emily Maynard

San Diego (Post Trip)

San Diego was so relaxing. I highly suggest a trip there if you have a three-day weekend. The weather was beautiful, sunny and breezy. The coast of the Pacific Ocean is breathtaking. I was blown away by the beauty of La Jolla (pronounced La Hoya), an area just north of San Diego. I'm staying in La Jolla on my next visit. The things that mesmerized me about La Jolla:

#1) The views of the Pacific Ocean-Some of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

#2) Seal Beach aka Children's Beach-Children's Beach, affectionately known as "Casa Beach" by the locals, is a small cove beach created years ago for the children of La Jolla and visitors to experience the beach in an enclosed section within the La Jolla cliffs. What became a safe-haven for children also became a natural attraction to seals and seal lions that frollick in La Jolla Bay. Seals and seal lions come here to rest, sunbathe and even have pups. It's a sight you will never forget.

#3) Monterey Cypress Tress in Ellen Browing Scripts Park-La Jolla was home to Dr. Seuss. It is here where he got his inspiration for the trees in his books.

#4) La Valencia Hotel aka The Pink Lady of La Jolla-Just steps from the coastline, the 86 year-old's beachfront hotel’s Mediterranean influenced architecture and décor, including beautiful courtyards, hand painted murals and exquisite Spanish mosaics, evoke old-world charm.

#5) Baja Fresh-Ok, so this wasn't in La Jolla but in the Gaslamp District of San Diego. No trip to Cali is complete without a trip to this place! Mahi Mahi Tacos...yummmm!

“Oh the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all.” -Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Louisiana Half Marathon

UPDATE: I FINISHED!!! Congrats to all that crossed the finish line, especially my friends Katie and Theresa! I know everyone worked so hard! Happy Monday, Julie

To all that are running the Louisiana Marathon/Half Marathon this weekend, cheers to a peaceful finish. I'm preparing with a pasta party on Saturday night. Happy Friday, Julie

Whole Grain Pasta with Sage, Pine Nuts & Butter via PureVeg.com

"And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” T.S. Eliot

Dr. Joey Schulman's 7-Day Cleanse

I've been working with great effort this week to clean out clutter in my life and make way for a peaceful and productive 2012. One goal is to start Dr. Joey Schulman's 7 day cleanse. The basics to this easy cleanse are below. Combined with Sunday's Louisiana Inaugural Marathon that I'm running (I'm running the half), I am already feeling re-freshed and re-energized. Have you ever done a cleanse? Happy Thursday, Julie

Do not confuse a cleanse with fasting. During a cleansing period, you will still be eating nutrient dense, calorie light foods and can continue to exercise.
To start a cleansing and feel your very best, simply follow the 7 steps below for 7-10 days.

Drink a minimum of 2 liters of water per day. Twice per day squeeze half a lemon into warm water and drink. Herbal tea consumptions counts as water.
Drop all grain with the exception of a ¼ cup of bran per day to avoid constipation. Load up on vegetables, proteins, fruits and essential fats.
Keep hard-boiled eggs and baby carrots in your fridge. These options are perfect for when hunger and cravings hit.
Eat a minimum of 3 ounces of protein per meal (chicken, fish, egg, turkey, tuna, soy). To eyeball, 3 ounces of protein = the palm of your hand without a finger or thumbs.
Eat fresh and live green food as often as you can such as spinach, broccoli, kale, rapini and swiss chard.
Eat “good fats” to fill up and burn fat. Options include almonds, walnuts, olive oil, sesame oil, ground flaxseeds or chia seeds and avocados. It is also advisable to supplement with a high quality, distilled fish oil. Avoid all trans fatty acids and saturated fats.
Eat minimal dairy products. If you do eat dairy, opt for Greek yogurt (1/2 cup), cottage cheese or goat’s cheese.

The top 3 cleansing supplements I recommend are:

A probiotics – the “friendly” bacteria that will ensure immunity is high and digestive health is at its maximum
A green powder such as greens+ and/or chlorophyll – to ensure your system tends towards an alkaline state (vs. acidic….more on this in a later blog!)
A high quality multi-vitamin – to act as a nutritional safety net (especially during the winter

For more information, please visit www.themetabolismboostingdiet.com and www.drjoey.com

2012-A New Year

Hello friends, To start 2012 I'm officially off of Facebook. I hope that you will follow the blog by e-mail or save it in your favorites, and I hope we all get together in person within the coming year. Happy Wednesday, xoxo, Julie

I Love This Wedding: Alice In Wonderland

This wedding from Recycled Bride is so eyecatching and creative! I'm hosting an Alice In Wonderland Pokeno-themed party tonight, and I am so excited to use many of these ideas! I'm loving the reds & blacks complimented with gold! Of course it will not be complete with out china, tea cups and "Eat Me" "Drink Me" labels! Happy Wednesday! xoxo, Julie

All pics via Recylced Bride HERE

San Diego (Pre-Trip)

Hi Friends! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday! I am so excited that it is 2012 and we're back to work! I'm headed to San Diego this week and I'm super excited to explore the city! Here is what's on the agenda...Happy Tuesday! xoxo, Julie

Watch the San Diego sunset!