The Metropolitan Cocktail

This citrusy Metropolitan Cocktail is a sophisticated twist on the classic cosmopolitan with an Italian flair...

This post was created in partnership with Spello Restaurant.

When it comes to Valentine's Day, I am all about the pretty cocktails. There is just something about starting with a romantic & sexy cocktail that sets the mood for the entire evening- am I right? ;) 

I recently had the opportunity and the pleasure to dine at the newly opened Spello restaurant in Mars, Pennsylvania during their soft opening for friends & family last week. The ambiance was upscale, yet not pretentious. The dinner menu is inspired by Chef Melnick's travels to Italy. It is impressive, yet not overwhelming. The emphasis is on the quality of their menu selections rather than the quantity. But that cocktail menu, you all...

The sophisticated boozy concoctions being served at the restaurant come from the creative mind of mixologist & COO of the restaurant group that owns Spello, Colin Smith. Smith has been a part of the restaurant & mixology scene in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area for over 24 years . 

The cocktail menu is higher end (you will find no well liquors here, folks), but is reasonably priced. Most of Spello's libations feature Italian spirits & liqueurs.

I would be lying if I told you all that I haven't sampled just about every cocktail on their bar menu because I have. (I may or not have photographed the entire cocktail menu for the restaurant. ;) ) But my favorite of Spello's boozy offerings is their Metropolitan cocktail- a citrusy blend of vodka, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, Aperol, & sweet Italian Vermouth...

Matcha Chia Pudding Green Smoothie

This thick & creamy Matcha Chia Pudding Green Smoothie is protein-packed and loaded with antioxidants, Vitamin A,  & Omega-3 fatty acids. The perfect pre-workout meal!

Not that this should be a shocker to anyone who has ever read a game day recipe post of mine, but I did not watch the Super Bowl on Sunday evening. Honestly, I could have cared less who won or lost. And if I had attended a party to watch the game (which I didn't), then I would have only been there for the snacks, my friends. ;)

But there is one thing about the Super Bowl that I do like hearing about and watching the next day, and that is the halftime show. The halftime show the past couple of years didn't really impress me much even though I have always been a big fan of both Justin Timberlake and Maroon 5. But when I heard that both Jennifer Lopez and Shakira would be performing at this year's show, I was actually kind of sad that I had cut the cord on cable last year and would have to wait to watch it until later on my laptop. 

I have been a longtime fan of both of these ladies for many years. WAY back in the day, JLo and Shakira were some of my favorites to hear played when I went out to the dance clubs with my friends. Their upbeat, high energy music pretty much made up half of the soundtrack for my early to late twenties. 

Make Game Day Entertaining Easy with These Essential Big Game Eats

Hosting a get-together for the big game this weekend? The game day spread can make or break even the best football party. Make game day entertaining easy and delicious with these essential big game eats...

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com. 

When it comes to game day entertaining, I only have one thing on my mind- the big game snack spread. I usually don't care much about who is playing who, or even who ends up being the champions in the end. I am there for one thing & one thing only- the food, folks. 

Because when it comes to snacking, there isn't much that beats a good game day spread. From the essentials like chips & dips to wings to pizza and everything else in between, the big game menu is what makes or breaks a game day get-together for me.

White Chocolate Cherry Macadamia Cookies

Chock full of creamy white chocolate chips, tart dried cherries, and crunchy macadamia nuts, these thick & chewy White Chocolate Cherry Macadamia Cookies would make the perfect addition to Santa's cookie plate...

So who else feels like we were catapulted straight from Thanksgiving dinner right into the Christmas season almost overnight? Granted, Thanksgiving did arrive a little later than it normally does this year, so maybe that is why I am feeling as if I have been scrambling this last full week before Christmas. 

We finally went out and picked out our Christmas tree and got it up and decorated last Friday. We didn't bother putting lights up outside this year because it seemed to rain almost every day that my son & I actually would have had the time to tackle the task. And by the time the weather cleared up, the lights would only be up for a couple of weeks so why bother with all that effort?

And while it may seem that I am grumbling a little (maybe there is even a little hint of bah-humbug in there?), it has been kind of nice to just be able to focus on the essentials for the holiday season for once. The tree may have been put up a little later than normal, but it IS up. The gift list has been checked off and the shopping is officially done. And I was still able to host my annual Christmas cookie baking party with my family. Things may not have went exactly according to my usual plan, but memories are being made and cherished family traditions are still being continued.

So what does the recipe for these White Chocolate Cherry Macadamia Cookies that I am sharing with you all today have to do with any of the above? ;)

It's Time for Turkey: My 4 Essentials for Easy Holiday Dinner Prep

Make your family holiday dinner super simple & hassle-free with My 4 Essentials for Easy Holiday Dinner Prep...

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com.

It is t-minus one day until turkey time, folks! If you happen to be scrambling to put the finishing touches on that holiday dinner menu for tomorrow, then you are in luck because I have a few quick & easy ideas to share with you all today. 

Who says that hosting a family holiday dinner has to be crazy time consuming and stressful anyways? ;) You can make it super simple & hassle-free with a few simple ingredients and a little creativity. I am sharing a handful of my favorite products & tips below for making that happen.

Make Your Holiday Dinner Simple & Easy with the Bob Evans Premium Farmhouse Feast

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bob Evans Restaurants for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine.

The holiday season was meant for spending quality time with your family and loved ones. Make your holiday dinner simple & easy this year with the Bob Evans Premium Farmhouse Feast...

I love sharing a special meal with my family during the holidays. In fact, it is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. Coming together, gathering around a table to enjoy a family-style meal, sharing stories, and just enjoying a little time together.

What I don't sometimes like about family holiday dinners is that someone (usually me) gets stuck in the kitchen cooking and baking up a storm while everyone else gets to come together, share stories, and enjoy a little time together. 

But I have a little secret to share with you all that I just discovered for myself... you can let Bob Evans do all the preparation for that family feast for you this holiday season by ordering their Premium Farmhouse Feast either online, in store, or over the phone. That's right! Your next holiday dinner can be made simple with Farmhouse Feast.

Bob Evans Premium Farmhouse Feast provides a complete "home-cooked" meal for 8-10 dinner guests without all of the hassle.

Chipotle Butternut Squash & Pumpkin Soup

Roasted butternut squash & creamy pumpkin are blended together with warm spices & a little kick of heat in this perfect for fall Chipotle Butternut Squash & Pumpkin Soup...

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

While I am not a fan of the cooler temps (and *gasp* the impending snow), there is one thing I do look forward to as fall progresses into early winter and that is the ushering in of one of my favorite seasons of the year- soup season! Honestly, we eat soup all year round in this house. But I definitely kick up my comforting and cozy soup game once the temperatures start to dip below the 40's on the regular.

I mean, what is better than a bowl of warm and creamy homemade soup when it is a cold and rainy (or snowy) outside? Not much else, folks. Except for maybe a mug of my Pumpkin Chai Hot Buttered Rum or a dish of my Slow Cooker Apple Butter Rice Pudding. ;)

This recipe for Chipotle Butternut Squash & Pumpkin Soup that I am sharing with you all today just might be the best fall inspired homemade soup recipe that I have come up with so far for the blog. It is creamy & smoky, with a little kick of heat, and a touch of spice & sweetness. Everything you could possibly ask for in a fall time soup!