Celebrating Summer with Cinnabon

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Cinnabon Chillatta In case you missed all of my squealing on social, I recently partnered with Cinnabon to celebrate the launch of their new Chillattas!

The launch party was absolutely amazing. It was literally in a bar made of ice in NYC, which was perfect for chillin’ on a warm summer night with a cold treat.

I was joined by four other influencers and we were all paired with a flavor based on our personalities! Each flavor was unveiled in a super cute ceremony at the event. Naturally, I was dubbed Peaches & Cream thanks to my “charming, All-American sweetness.” Their words, not mine. 😉

Cinnabon Chillattas

The other flavors include OREO Cookies and Cream, Signature Cinnamon Roll, Double Chocolate Mocha, and Strawberries and Cream. I’m currently on a mission to try them all and highly recommend that you all do the same.

Check out Cinnabon’s website and follow them on social (obsessed with their IG) for more info about these new sweet treats! You can even take their flavor quiz to see which one is the perfect match for you. Then post on social using #ChillattaChallenge to spread the word!

[This post was sponsored by Cinnabon, but all opinions are my own.]

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Corona Cupcake Recipe for Cinco de Mayo

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Corona Cupcakes

Happy Cinco de Mayo, lovelies!

As we all know, I love any excuse to infuse alcohol into my life, whether it be in my beauty regimen (don’t knock vodka as a toner until you’ve tried it!) or in a cupcake. Today, it’s in a cupcake. Read on for an amazingly delicious recipe featuring one of my fav beers – Corona! It’s perfect for a day like this. 😉

Ingredients

  • Cupcakes:
    • ¾ cups of unsalted butter at room temp
    • 1-3/4 cups of sugar
    • 2-1/2 cups of flour
    • 2 tsp of baking soda
    • ½ tsp of salt
    • 3 eggs at room temp
    • 1 tsp of vanilla
    • ½ tsp of lime zest
    • 1 cup of Corona beer
    • ¼ cup of milk
  • Glaze:
    • 1 Bottle of Corona beer
    • 1 cup of sugar
  • Buttercream:
    • 2 Sticks of unsalted butter at room temp
    • Juice of 1 squeezed lime
    • Zest of the same lime
    • 4 cups of powdered sugar

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line 24 muffin tins with cupcake liners.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add eggs, beating after each addition then add the vanilla and zest.
  • Combine milk and beer and alternatively add this mixture and the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture with the mixer on low speed, starting and ending with the flour.
  • Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 18 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean.
  • Put beer in a sauce pan and bring to a boil, add sugar ½ cup at a time and whisk. Let it boil for 5 min. and let it sit
  • When cupcakes are done, poke holes in the tops of the cupcakes with toothpicks and brush some glaze on each while still warm. (Feel free to add a lot!)
  • Cream the sticks of butter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer (2 to 3 min).
  • Add lime zest and juice, mix well and begin to add sugar one cup at a time until fluffy.
  • Load a piping bag fit with a star tip and frost the cooled cupcakes. Garnish with thin lime wedges.

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Celebrate the Holidays with Tropicana #MixedWithTrop

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I partnered with my friends at Megan Media and Tropicana for this post. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.

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Growing up in Florida, I had a tangerine tree in my yard that I used to pick fruit from all the time. Naturally, I have an extreme fondness for tangerines because they remind me of home.

So, when I heard about Tropicana’s new Tangerine Lemonade, I couldn’t wait to try it (and promptly add vodka)!

I’m headed back to Florida for the holidays soon, and I think I’ve whipped up the perfect cocktail for the festivities using this amazing flavor combo. It’s super easy, but tastes delicious, thanks to the star ingredient, Tropicana’s new Tangerine Lemonade. Perfect for the at-home mixologist!

While I love the traditional flavors of the season, there is something to be said about being able to enjoy tropical flavors no matter where you are or what time of year it is.

If you’re ready to shake up an out-of-the-box holiday treat, join me in drinking a festive Tropi-Sparkler. Full recipe below. Cheers!

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Recipe:

2 oz. Tropicana Tangerine Lemonade

1 oz. Orange vodka

Splash of lime sparkling soda

Directions:

Combine Tropicana Tangerine Lemonade and vodka and shake over ice. Pour into flute and top with a splash of lime sparkling soda. Enjoy your refreshing holiday treat!

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Sleepy Hollow Travel Guide + Vacay Inspo

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welcome-to-historic-sleepy-hollow-sign

At the risk of sounding extremely basic, I LOVE fall. This time of year is my favorite! So, to continue my annual mission to fill my fall to the brim with memories, I embarked on a trip to the infamous Sleepy Hollow.

Of course, I’ve been a fan of the tale since I was a kid and used to watch the Disney version. My interest in Washington Irving’s story was reinvigorated when the Sleepy Hollow film came out (classic Johnny Depp, hello!) and then again when I relocated to New York where it takes place.

The spooky little town of Sleepy Hollow did not disappoint, so I’m thrilled to share what I learned from my adventure! Read on for my tips and tricks before you plan your own trip…

When to go

Halloween, duh. Sleepy Hollow was affectionately nicknamed the “Halloween capital of the world” (although I’m sure there might be some folks in Salem and NoLa that disagree). Even if you aren’t big on the ghouls and goblins side of Halloween, fall is absolutely beautiful in the Hudson Valley area. So trust me on this, go in October. I took the New York Water Taxi’s Sleepy Hollow Ferry. The view from the Hudson River was breathtaking and the ride there was honestly one of the highlights of my trip! Even if you’re coming in from out of town, I think this is the route to go.

new-york-water-taxi-to-sleepy-hollow

What to wear
The most important piece is comfortable shoes! Nearly everything fun in Sleepy Hollow involves walking and exploring large, hilly areas (especially the cemetery, but more on that later). Leave your witchy heels at home, this is a job for Adidas. As far as your outfit, leggings and a flowy fall dress will do!

sleepy-hollow-cemetary

What to eat

If you’re day tripping from Manhattan like I did, I recommend kicking off your Sleepy Hollow adventure with brunch at Ichabod’s, appropriately adjacent to the Headless Horseman bar on Irving Place in Manhattan. Don’t confuse this awesome spot with The Horseman in Sleepy Hollow. That Horseman is a sad diner and you will be disappointed if you eat there. Pro tip: Walk a little farther from Sleepy Hollow to Main Street in Tarrytown where you’ll find a string of foodie friendly restaurants (The Twisted Oak, yum) and hipster approved craft beer bars (The Oath, double yum). When you’re done, grab some homemade ice cream at Main Street Sweets. SO good.

brunch-at-ichabods

Where to stay

Planning to stay overnight? If you’re coming in from another area, The Castle Hotel and Spa should be your home away from home. This stunning resort is a hot spot for weddings and special events with good reason. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and have an eerie elegance, perfect for a Halloween vacay. If you’re an NYC dweller looking to save a few bucks, you can totally skip the overnight part and ferry back after a full day (it only takes about an hour to get back to the city).

 

the-headless-horseman-bridge-sleepy-hollow

Where to play

It just would not be a trip to Sleepy Hollow if you skip the Headless Horseman bridge and take an obligatory tourist photo at the very spot where the horseman made his infamous ride and scared the bejeezus out of our friend Ichabod Crane. Also worth scoping out: Washington Irving’s Sunnyside where you can tour the grounds of Irving’s beautiful estate. Another not to be missed sight is The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, a walk-through pumpkin promenade at Van Courtlandt Manor with over 7,000 decorated jack o’lanterns on display. You also can’t miss the Old Dutch Church and Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (where many of New York’s elite have been laid to rest). Spooky, but beautiful.

Follow my advice and I promise you a perfect Halloween excursion to Sleepy Hollow! 👻👻👻

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Delicious (& Derm Approved) Infused Water Recipes

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While we all know there are major benefits to drinking more water, water can be boring and make other beverages seem more tempting. As a lover of mixology, I’m always looking for a way to spice up my drinks – alcoholic or not!

I have a few go-to fav recipes (cucumber + lavender = happiness) and also got the scoop from leading NYC dermatologists who gave me some additional awesome ideas for infused water recipes that’ll pack a punch of flavor and add health and beauty benefits to your H2O! (Btw, if you’re new to infused water, it’s easy. Not only can you purchase an infuser bottle, you can also just chop up the ingredients and let them sit over night in a pitcher of water.)

Read on for some of my fav flavored water combos and get ready to sip your way to healthy hydration inside and out!

Mango Ginger

This combo might seem weird, but adding the health benefits of ginger and the antioxidant power of mangoes is a surprisingly tasty mix! “Mangoes contain so many vitamins that help boost your immune system. It has antioxidants that maintain youthful glowing skin and aid in the production of blood cells,” says Dr. Christopher Calapai, an anti-aging expert and long-time health advisor to the New York Rangers hockey team. “Ginger is also helpful in fighting infection, has been linked to lower cholesterol levels, may reduce muscle aches, and helps digestion,” added Dr. Calapai.

Grapefruit Rosemary

Recently rosemary was found to be the main ingredient eaten by residents of an Italian village with one of the highest populations of people who live past 100! “Rosemary improves circulation and sends more blood to the brain which is linked to greater concentration and potentially reduces risk of Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Calapai. Grapefruit is not only delicious but it’s a natural fat burner, boosts metabolism and cleanses your liver.

Melon Mix

Cut up watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe chunks and throw into your water over night. “This melon variety tastes great and is amazing for your skin,” said Dr. Kally Papantoniou, board certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York. “Melons are immensely hydrating, meaning more hydration per cup of water. They are also chock-full of antioxidants that keep skin clear plus they contain vitamins that promote collagen production which helps skin cell turnover.”

Citrus Mint

Pick your favorite citrus fruits, cut up into slices and add some crushed mint.  “Adding mint to your water is not only extra refreshing but also improves digestive health and can speed up your metabolism,” said Dr. Calapai. “Mint actually contains salicylic acid, a potent acne fighter,” said Dr. Papantoniou. “It’s also well known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties which work to calm irritation both on your skin or internally,” she added.

Cucumber Lavender

This is one of my absolute favorites! I add cucumber and lavender to just about anything. And luckily, this combo is really good for you, too! “The reason so many spas use cucumber based treatments is because it contains many skin friendly minerals like magnesium, potassium and silicon,” says Dr. Papantoniou. “This mix is especially healthy,” says Dr. Calapai “Cucumbers are powerful detoxifiers, flushing out any waste in your system. Adding crushed lavender to the mix not only adds a beautiful aroma but can also help digestion as lavender contains polyphenols that reduce bad bacteria in your gut, making your system run smoother,” he explained.

Pineapple Coconut Water

This one is almost cheating… almost. Get your favorite store bought raw coconut water and refrigerate over night with large chunks of pineapple. The coconut-pineapple flavor combo is delicious and reminiscent of a piña colada without all the sugar and calories. Although this is not pure H2O, coconut water contains electrolytes which plain water does not, which rehydrates you in record time. “Pineapple is yet another fruit that aids in collagen production,” says Papantoniou “This is not just great for beautiful skin, collagen also has a major role in bone health and tissue repair.”

Anyone else thirsty now? Cheers!

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