Get Inspired by These Fresh Holiday Flavors

Looking to punch up your holiday baking?
Nothing says love more than a treat baked from scratch using the finest tasting ingredients, so get baking!

You can’t go wrong with the delicious, inspired flavors from Nielsen-Massey. From fresh lemon to classic vanilla, Nielsen-Massey has you covered this holiday season – and anytime!

With the Holiday Flavors Bundle, you can create delicious holiday treats!

Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract 
Pure Peppermint Extract
Pure Almond Extract

Try out these inspired holiday treats! Want to bake with these great flavors? Tell me in the comments what you'd bake, and you could win a Holiday Flavor Bundle!

Cherry Apple Cobbler

This Apple Cherry Cobbler combines two popular fruit flavors and will fill your kitchen with the scents of childhood. 

Serve alone or with our Vanilla Ice Cream for a dessert experience that will leave you craving more.

Classic Holiday Sugar Cookies

These Classic Holiday Sugar Cookies are a great way to use your sample of Pure Peppermint Extract and Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract in one recipe.

Fun, simple and delicious, invite the whole family to decorate!

#NielsenMasseyInspires 

Do These 12 Things for a Productive and Happy Weekend

You made it to Friday night!! SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

What do you have planned? Add these little tweaks to your weekend routine and feel great!

Weekend Tips:

Drink 5 glasses of water Saturday and 6 on Sunday.

Get 2 hours of sunshine on Saturday and on Sunday.

Visit a loved one this weekend.

Ride a bike, take a walk, or go for a swim this weekend.

Clean out the pantry and plan 2 meals for the upcoming work week, and cook one healthy meal this weekend.

See friendw this weekend.

 

Picture by Chad R

Support the local farmers market.

Have a locally made, artesian drink or coffee.

Delete 100 emails.

Declutter and take three bags of stuff to a charity shop.

Take a nap.

Sunday- pack your lunch and set your clothes out for Monday, along with your gym bag.

What else should we add?

7 Things to Do this Spring!

Read lots of books!

1. Donate 7 unread, unused books, 7 un-played-with toys, and 7 unused or worn kitchen items, and find new and double-duty uses for ones you have
2. Donate 7 unworn-barely used articles of clothing and/ or shoes
3. Donate 7 household items that you do not use
4. Find 7 News Ways to enjoy your town- a walk down a different road, drive home a different way, shop at a different store
5. Cook / create/ make new recipes for meals- snack, smoothie, full dinner, whatever- be creative and answer the question- what are you hungry for?!

   

   Cooking is a great way to connect and feel good about yourself. Mindfully eat. 

6. Listen (and maybe dance !) to 7 new songs on the radio or on your smartphone
7. Connect with 7 friends that you see a lot or haven’t seen in a while!

Throw a party! See your pals! Be silly!

Hello April! April Goals and Updates

Happy April everyone!!! How are things going? And Happy Spring!

Goals have been more easily met this month once I planned things out- the gym was easier to attend when I said just 2-3 times a week.  Cooking was easier when I planned it out on paper for the week plus buying ingredients ahead of time. I’ve been doing delivery of some groceries too and that makes things much easier too, and the prices are good. More salmon and veggies.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME...I CAME IN UNDER BUDGET FOR APRIL!

Paying down the CC is slow but good, and don’t forget to have a spring checkup of ALL your finances-
get your credit report and look at ALL accounts to make sure you haven’t missed any payments and are in good standing.

So, that brings us to April Pantry Challenge!

Now that the weather is getting warmer here in Philly, farmers markets have more abundant produce and that makes cooking easier.

I know there’s plenty of goodies in my pantry- it’s up to me to get creative…stay tuned… I’ll report back!

Catch up on The Walking Dead

Read and review all the awesome cookbooks I have been getting sent to try

Create fun innovate dishes with pantry and freezer ingredients

Create / make better snack options

Gym, walking, biking again!

Make more ‘muffin-tin-meals’

Keep saving!

Create/block out blog content schedule

Celebrate my first wedding anniversary with my husband!

What are your goals?!

The Walking Dead New Season Debuts Sunday 10/11; Walker Stalker Con Thrills in Philly

The Walking Dead is BACK for its sixth season starting this Sunday October 11 on AMC, and we are so excited!!

What's going to happen to the group?
Is Rick going to settle down or get more dangerous?
What does Morgan have to say about Rick's transformation?
Is Carol going to make more cookies?
Which fave character might get killed off...even in the 90 minute premiere on Sunday..!?
And just how sexy can Daryl get, anyhow?

I recently had the opportunity to meet some of the cast at Philly's Walker Stalker Con at the Greater

Philly Expo Center in Oaks, and these people could not have been cooler! 

The Con was a great experience for all zombie lovers, as it was on a smaller scale and was more focused towards The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead. It gave attendees an opportunity to get close to the casts, attend panels, ask questions, meet their favorite actors and immerse themselves in the zombie culture.

They all said they are looking forward to the new season, and know the audience is going to be in for even more twists and turns as the group from Atlanta fights to survive in the zombie Apocalypse.

Lennie James was an absolute pleasure. An accomplished actor, working on the Walking Dead is a new realm that gives his considerable acting chops a stretch. Coming from the series Jericho and the Low Winter Sun, Lennie immerses himself into the role of Morgan, a man who lost his family and veered almost off the rains, to step back into Rick's life to hopefully save him once again. He told me to get ready for season 6..we are going to see a new level...

It was so great to meet Melissa Ponzio! Her character as level-headed Karen who fell in love with Tyreese was wonderful to watch- ahh finally love among the corpses.

Until she became one, of course, burning to a crisp! Karen still rocks it on Teen Wolf and Chicago Fire. She said working with the cast on TWD was fantastic and she had a great time!

Pictures by Samara Messer. 

Kyla Kenedy aka Mika.

The very cool Andrew aka sadistic Gareth

Oh no they got us!

The supercool Lawrence Gilliard, Jr aka BOB! with his foot!

September Goals!

September 2015 Goals!

Be super-awesome at my day job

Stay under budget and pay down the credit cards

Get two new writing/PR clients

Squeeze every bit of sunshine & summer out of September

Downsize house clutter and stuff by 5%

Kayak, swim, cook more, and spend time with my awesome family and great friends.

Have lots of fun and stay thankful and grateful!

What are your goals?

My Wedding Advice Checklist

Well, Steve and I have been married for about 4 1/2 months now, and it's been pretty great! A lot of good friends got married this year (I'm looking at you Tonya, Amy, and Emily!) and we all had little things we learned throughout the day!

I'm never going thru all that ever again, even though it was a fantastic day, and so here is my wedding advice to new brides-to-be!

My Wedding Reception Checklist:

-Drink a Gatorade at the reception and eat a banana before bed to ward off crippling Charlie horses that make you wake up in terror the next morning. 

- Def have the makeup artists and hair stylists come to your house, relaxing and saves time, and special thanks to S and E!!

- Hold on to your Dadu, it's a special day for him too!

- Eat! Don't get drunk! ( I think I drank maybe 2 drinks) and I somehow had NO coffee all day!! Ppl kept coming up to me while I had dinner but I ate most of my delicious dinner.

- But drink water!!!!

-Don't get shanghaied by old ladies at the reception. This one lady kept commanding me to sit bc she had a picture she wanted to show me. When I went back to her table a second time, she sniffed, you sit down now. When I was called away again she goes you keep leaving! And I'm like yeah. I'm busy, I've got 178 guests to see. Later, she proceeded to show me a pic of ppl who didn't come to the reception. I was like, yeah ok? The next morning she loudly proclaimed I should be in the kitchen cooking for us bc my mommy isn't going to do it for me, I'm married now and have to cook and clean. 
(ha)

- Surround yourself with positive happy people who want the best for you.
I didn't want to believe it, but there will always be people who feel the need to impart their jealousies to others about you. And forget them. Your wedding day is about you- not about others' petty feelings. If they love you, they will be there for you, and talk things out if needed. 

- White yoga pants under your dress feel awesome. (Bc I love my yoga pants, and you can too)they were like bloomers!!

- A limo is not a necessity. 

- Enjoy the hell out of your day!

-Have your reception at a hotel if possible.
Our wedding was on a Friday. We all stayed over at the awesome wonderful Hilton Valley Forge in King of Prussia on 202 where we had the BEST RECEPTION EVER! 200 people had the times of their lives! It was glorious just going right upstairs to relax and change, then we all hung out in the bar downstairs.
Then, we all woke up and enjoyed a breakfast buffet that my parents had included for all our guests. After that us newlyweds checked out, went home, took a nap, then relaxed and had Thai food and champagne. 

On Sunday, my parents hosted a picnic at their house and many of the guests came over and we hung out and grilled and relaxed with family and friends.

- Plan to leave on your honeymoon a few days later! 
We left on Monday, so we had the whole weekend to relax, rehydrate and see visitors and friends. We flew to Orlando on Monday afternoon and arrived in time for a fabulous lobster dinner out after checking into our timeshare at the Hilton tuscany Resort...and then onto Harry Potter World at Universal! 

Honeymoons are glorious.
I suggest you all have one!

Thanks again everyone who was a part of our wedding day!!! Stephen and I thank you and love you!!

Duca Photography: Preserving the Wedding of Steve & Christine in 2015

Duca Came Through in a Big Way on Our Big Day

It was April 17, 2015—a big day for Stephen Trimble and Christine Tarlecki.

Soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Trimble, the couple had all the details sorted, and it was time to get ready for the nuptial festivities. My groomsmen had all arrived at our condo, and Christine, her bridesmaids, and her parents were all getting ready at her family’s home.

Then Tony—my photographer—showed up. Right away, he took charge of the situation, for which I was extremely grateful. He even helped me with a piece of my tux that wasn’t cooperating. He led us through several shooting situations and poses, and made us all feel at ease as we took shot after shot.

I had a sullen 12-year-old as part of my contingent (my cousin), and Tony had him laughing and smiling as we went through all the needed shots. Tony even helped me incorporate my beloved Chow-Chow Leo into some pictures.

In a little while, it was time to go and meet up at the church. One of my groomsmen, Jimmy, thought to pick up some sandwiches at a local deli, and we munched them in the parking lot as we waited for it to be time to go inside. Of course, Tony got some shots as we ate, and they made for some of the more entertaining photos.

Now, as we went into the church and made ready for the ceremony, I was really getting nervous. It was a bit of a blur from here, but I caught sight of Tony and the girls’ photographer, Cassie, as they took shots of the church, the guests, the clergy, and the entering bridesmaids. 

I'm nervous and ready!

Finally, my bride walked down the aisle, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her—and neither could anyone else. Both Duca photographers got some fantastic shots as she entered and approached the altar.

After the ceremony, we were able to get photos of the entire group of guests as well as the bridal party. Soon, however, it became apparent that there was a problem with the limousine, and we weren’t going to be able to ride in it to our other photo location or the reception. “No problem,” said Tony, “Bride and Groom, get in my BMW, and the rest of you follow us in your cars.” Problem solved!

We all met up at the beautiful Valley Forge Park, in full spring bloom, and quickly were able to take hundreds of beautiful shots there. These are easily my favorites of the bunch, as the natural setting complemented our dress and comportment.

From there, it was off to the reception. Both photographers captured the action masterfully as we danced, drank, ate, and sang. It was truly a magical evening, and I’ll never forget it. Thanks to Duca’s skill and professionalism, we have nearly a thousand memories we can look at any time we like as the years pass.

Thank you Duca Studios, and Tony and Cassie!

By Stephen Trimble, special correspondent

PopSugar Must Have Box - Day 40

ooh what goodness lies herein!?

I love getting boxes in the mail- it’s like my birthday every month. I mean, Stephen gets BarkBox for the doggie, and he knows it’s for him each month!

But have you tried PopSugar’s Must Have Box?

Excuse me, what? NO!?

Well, you mustn’t wait another second!

A different box arrives each month for you full of fabulous surprises curated by POPSUGAR Editor in Chief Lisa Sugar. The boxes are geared towards the season and the weather, with a scarf in November or hair protectant in July or a good book in January.

For under $40, you’ll be getting easily over $100 worth of full-size products, candy, books, accessories, bath products, and makeup, and more. I nearly jumped up and down (ok, I actually did!) when I got my first box. 

Look at all the lovely items from PopSugar!

(And Leo eagerly looked on, thinking this was his box of fun!)

Nope, it’s all for momma. This box contained all sorts of lovely items- a soft gray scarf, gardenia body serum, fab eyeshadow kit, smart stationary, cute chevron paper straws, and nail polish with myrrh.

So order this box today- there’s even special edition boxes a few times a year which are fabulous- extra-special items from extra-special clients and designers!

August’s box sounds like it will be great, and fall is a special edition!