...for the love of girl scout cookies...

Hi, my name is Rachel and I am addicted to Girl Scout Cookies. Yup, sad but true. My love for these limited time treats started in Elementary School when I myself was hustling the things. Ever since, I have had a full-blow love affair for Thin Mints, Samoa’s and Do-si-dos. Now no longer being a Girl Scout or having any of the sweet girls visit us to take our order, I have been on the hunt for the nearest grocery store table set-up. I have been searching for them so badly I even downloaded the iphone app. Pathetic, I know. So this past weekend between Home Depot visits, I had my eyes out for the girls in their green patched vests. After about three grocery store “drive-by’s" I found them! Success! I am embarrassed to confess I was the girl’s biggest sale that day, but am happy to have a stocked pantry. Hopefully, now my girl scout cookie cravings will be squashed until next year. So, now that I have told you my secret, tell me what's your favorite cookie?

[my iphone app., desperate times call for desperate measures]

[i spy girl scouts]

[success!]

xoxo,

R

...for the love of snacks...

It’s like peanut butter and jelly, Superbowl isn’t Superbowl without fabulous snacks and of course festive drinks. With that said, how is one to stick to their New Year’s Resolutions and make a day of binge eating into something healthy? Well, the ladies at Fab, Fit and Fun, have a few pointers for you to help you enjoy Superbowl snacks while still watching your waistline.

For more tips, sign up for Fab, Fit and Fun's daily email here.

xoxo,
R

...sushi and a movie...

As mentioned here, we had a rough week and were VERY ready for a fun and relaxing weekend. Last night we enjoyed a much needed date night at Blue Wasabi for some sushi and drinks. If you love sushi, it's definitely a place to try, especially during one of their happy hours where select items are half off. After dinner we headed home for a movie in. We watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, one that I have been wanting to see for awhile as I just couldn't get through the book when it was a chosen pick for book club. If you can get through some of the graphic parts and the subtitles, this movie is worth watching. We both thought it was a great mystery. Now I look back wishing I forced myself to read the book. All in all our Friday night was just what we needed.

[sushi and drinks]

Hope your weekend is off to a great start! 

xoxo,

R+M

...for the love of nutella...

There are not many people out there who don't love Nutella. Whether you slather it on toast, dip your favorite fruit in it, or top your ice cream with it, it is one delectable treat that truly is hard to top. The only downfall? The artificial flavoring, refined sugar and the 200 calories packed in just two tablespoons.

Now before you swear off Nutella forever, I have good news for you, there's a healthier version. It's raw, vegan, gluten-free and safe for people with peanut allergies. Sounds too good to be true, but this Nutella taste alike Rawtella is sprouting up everywhere and currently can be purchased here. Rawtella is made of only three ingredients: hazelnuts, cacao nibs and coconut sugar. It's less creamy than it's predecessor but is said to pack an insanely rich, chocolaty punch.

Want to try it out for yourself? Before you do, be sure to "like" them on Facebook and you'll receive 25% off.

Want to receive more info for a healthier lifestyle? Sign up for Vital Juice and you'll get daily e-mail's with information on fitness, nutrition, beauty and wellness straight to your inbox.

Enjoy!

xoxo,

R+M

...for the love of pr...

As I mentioned here, Mikis and his partners in Riot Hospitality Group have been working feverishly the last few months on their new restaurant/bar concept, El Hefe. With the building shell almost complete, El Hefe should be opening it's doors in just a few short months. Plans and the design are finally starting to take shape and we couldn't be getting more excited about it.

With El Hefe planning to open in early March, local Arizona magazines and reporters are taking interest and starting to call for more information about the concept. I truly couldn't be more proud of Mikis, Ryan and Jon and the tremendous amount of hard work they have put into El Hefe so far. See below for a recent article featuring El Hefe which was published in the December issue of 944 Magazine. Stay tuned for much more details on this exciting venture in our life!

xoxo,

R+M

...girlfriends, wine and celebrating the holidays...

As mentioned here last month a friend of mine Teri hosted a girl's wine and cheese night, and we had so much fun we decided we must have another in December. So last week I hosted a group of ladies to celebrate food, wine, girlfriends and of course the holidays. It was a great night of catching up with friends old and new, sipping delicious wine and indulging in appetizers and sweet treats. The night really put me in the Christmas spirit and ready for the holidays.

Here are a few photos from the night...


[choose your wine and get jingled]

[hungry anyone?]

[treats for the sweet tooth]

Ladies, thanks for coming over and helping me celebrate the holidays, I hope there are many wonderful wine nights in our future!

xoxo,

R

...relaxing weekend for two...

This past weekend was absolutely perfect, with no plans on the agenda it was truly what we both needed, mellow and relaxing. Friday night we spent a much needed night at home cuddled up with a movie. Our movie pick was Eclipse, not one I would necessarily recommend renting, but entertaining nonetheless. If your a Twilight fan, for this one, the book is better than the movie.

[movie night]

Saturday we started with our routine weekend breakfast at La Grande Orange. Afterwards we did a few things around the house, and then Mikis decided he wanted to check out a few houses. This was a BIG mistake, because now all he talks about is wanting to move, again!

[first house, and the one mikis won't stop talking about]

[second house, take note of closet :)]

We finished up Saturday with a much overdue date night at Postino, which was as always, delicious!

[date night, bruschetta and drinks for two]

Sunday started with a fun girl's cookie exchange which you can read about here and ended with gift wrapping, pizza and surprise roses from the hubby.



[the fruits of my labor]

[perfect ending to a great weekend]

All in all it was a perfect relaxing weekend right before the holidays!

xoxo,

R+M





...cookies, mimosas and girlfriends...

When I think of the holidays one thought comes to mind, indulgent. The holiday time is one where you disregard calorie thoughts and indulge your taste buds in deliciously made goodies and seasonal cocktails. This Sunday was no different as I joined a few girlfriend's for a cookie exchange at our friend Molly's house. The morning was perfect filled with great food, addicting blood orange mimosas and awesome company. We were all able to spend a few hours with each other catching up on life and holiday plans and we all got to leave with a plate full of homemade treats. I see this becoming a tradition every year.

Thanks again Molly for such an enjoyable Sunday afternoon!



[some of the delicious cookie choices]

 

[saylor loving the sprinkles more than the cookie]



[blood orange mimosas, my new fave]

[kid cookie decorating]

[saylor the frosting monster]

 

xoxo,

R

...cure for a cold...

This past week Mikis and I have been fighting an annoying cold that has left us drained, tired and wanting to do nothing else but lay on the couch. With this nasty cold we have had itchy sore throats (tired of us complaining yet?), which has made dining not too enjoyable. To help cure our cold we have been indulging in Dilly's Deli Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup and sipping on Trader Joe's delicious Candy Cane Green Tea. Add a little Zicam and Airborne and were on the road to recovery!



xoxo,

R+M



...first day of hanukkah...

As mentioned here, Mikis and I are in an interfaith marriage, which means a lot of things throughout the year, but in December it means we celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah. Yep, we get the best of both worlds and traditions. Unlike traditional Hanukkah celebrations, we don't celebrate all 8 day's with family, but do light our menorah each night. Tonight, we will be lighting our first candle, and wishing our family and friend's across the U.S. a very happy and joyous Hanukkah. We invite you to celebrate with us by making this Hanukkah must-have, Potato Latkes. Enjoy with Applesauce, they are delish!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of canola oil
• 2 pounds of 5 medium peeled potatoes
• 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• applesauce and sour cream, for serving

Directions  

1. Heat oven to 450° F. Brush 2 baking sheets with 1 tablespoon of the oil and set aside.
2. Using a box grater or a food processor fitted with a shredding blade, coarsely grate the potatoes. Place the grated potatoes in a large bowl with the onion, flour, salt, pepper, eggs, and the remaining tablespoon of oil. Toss to mix well.
3. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets and press lightly to make patties. Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom. Turn the latkes with a metal spatula and rotate the baking sheets. Bake another 5 minutes or until golden.
4. Transfer to a platter and serve with the applesauce and sour cream.
    This recipe makes 2 dozen latkes.

Enjoy!

xoxo,

R+M

...thanksgiving celebrations...

Thanksgiving has taken on many different look's throughout the years. My first memories were of us bundling up and heading to my grandparent's house in Colorado and piling into the breakfast nook in the kitchen and feasting with my cousins. As I got older and after we moved to Arizona, the holiday's would alternate each year, with some years being celebrated at home and other's with trips back to visit the fam. Either way, Thanksgiving meant celebrating with the whole family, and noshing on Grandma's delicious Maybouillon Rolls.

As I have gotten older, and started working in the retail industry, as mentioned here, Thanksgiving has taken on a different look. Since part of my job is to report to the center at 4a.m. on Black Friday, I am no longer able to go to Colorado and celebrate with the Stevenson's. Although at times this makes me "home sick", it also has given me the opportunity to celebrate with Mikis and his family. Mikis's Thanksgiving memories have been celebrating with some of his parent's closest friends, who to them have become family. Everyone arrives at the Gordon's home with side in hand and knows their in store for an afternoon of delicious food and catching up with old friend's. It's a tradition that I thankfully have been apart of for the last few years.

This year, Thanksgiving was a culmination of both of our tradition's. For our first Thanksgiving as a married couple, we held the holiday at our home. We hosted 21 people including our parent's, grandmother's, my siblings, close family friends, and family from Colorado. Thankfully, my dad and step-mom are GREAT cooks and they did the bulk of the cooking. We had a TON of food including two turkey's, one fried and one baked, and ham as well as over 8 sides. It was one of the best Thanksgiving's we've had. We had family and friends surrounding us, and it was a day filled with great food, great company and love. 

Here are a few photos from the day...



[my step-mom and her apron]

 

[the stevenson-troyan clan]

[pooped from the day]

xoxo,

R+M