Cupboard Confidential

It hit me. The little sugar monster inside that began slowly whispering it needed a sweet snack but then grew into a loud, full on bitch fest.

Alright, alright- geeze...

Deciding to appease the sugar monster, I went in search of something in my abandoned kitchen. To my utter shock and surprise I found the perfect components for a sweet treat hiding in my freezer!

Whole frozen strawberries, vanilla almond milk, overly ripe bananas and lite cool whip made the list for my last minute recipe.

nectar of the gods

After thawing 5 whole strawberries in a bowl and defrosting them in the microwave for a minute, I tossed them into my blender along with 1 banana and enough almond milk to cover the banana berry goodness.

BBBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNDDDDDDDD until smooth.

A low cal, easy dessert that can be found lurking in your grocers freezer section.

Now pour into a perfectly appropriate fancy glass, top with cool whip and enjoy!

The Rachel Berry- in honor of my favorite funny glee girl, lea michelle....

The Chill Factor

Feelin' hot, hot, hot!

(get-to-know-me-side note) the setting: watching a scientific video about volcanoes in 6th grade at my strict religious prep school, the song, the situation: song deemed 'inappropriate' by my teacher due to its passionate beat...)

Volcanic eruptions and lava slides aside, it got me thinking about ways to get out of the heat and do something out of the ordinary... luckily I had the fantastic opportunity to head up to the quaint and remarkably interesting wine destination of Northern AZ.

My first stop was Page Springs Cellars, a picturesque vision of what a wine weekend getaway is all about: idyllic vistas, tasty wine and knowledgeable staff ready and waiting to pour delectable amounts of their finest vintage.

strangers are only friends I haven't met yet~

howdy folks!

***CR Insider: the members only patio area is a must see on the weekend as the place gets packed with locals and tourists alike.

ummmmm.... yes please!

Onto the next! The short trip to Old Town Cottonwood proved delightful and peaceful with winding roads and charming scenery artfully displayed just beyond my car windows.

The Arizona Stronghold tasting room differs from that of Page Springs in its rock 'n roll sensibility and cowboy chic decor.

Tasting their 'site-archives', another term for 'reserve', is a tipsy treat best waited out by lounging on a nearby sumptuous leather couch before the long drive home.

***CR Extra Treats: Stronghold's tasting room showcases local products for purchase, perfect for souvenir shopping

Bea's Beauty Bar

Queen Creek Olive Mill

And if you're feeling like a bit of a joiner- sign up for their new wine club. Membership gives you hand selected bottles of vino from the vigneron masterminds of Eric Glomski and Tim White- pretty effin' awesome if ya ask me.

new friends followed me here... or maybe I followed them?

I've already started planning my next trip back- I'm thinking good people, an RV and a lot of tylenol... don't miss Page Springs' Upcoming Harvest Festival- good tunes and booze?

Count me in!

Arizona Stronghold Vineyards (Tasting Room)

Phone: (928) 639-2789

1023 N. Main Street

Cottonwood AZ 86326

Page Springs Cellars

Phone: (928) 639-3004

1500 Page Springs Road

Cornville AZ 86325

A New Twist

I don't know about you, but this little blog of mine is starting to become my reality in a BIG way.... friends- methinks I may be in a rut.

http://artbyvida.com/portfolio.php

Upon realizing this, I began to loathe my desert surroundings and crave new destinations scented with salty air and evoking the coastal calm of a southern beach.

this....

vs.

this.

But seeing as I only have 2 more weeks until my yearly return to the South, I figured I would stop, breathe and take another look at all the possibilities around me in AZ.

Sometimes all you need is a little perspective to shake things up.

I decided to visit an oldie, but a goodie- El Chorro Lodge.

Say what you want about the 'lack of culture' in AZ, but this historical landmark speaks to the patrons of this place and the citizens of this great desert valley.

A school in its infancy, a celeb den as a teen and now, after having a little work done, is graciously all grown up.

Night time is the right time to visit El Chorro. A pristine view and magical misters make their reverse happy hour (thurs.-sat. 9:30-11:30) the perfect place for summer lovin'.

the happy hour burger: sub-par, but hey- they can't all be the kobe beef zinburger...

sugar high. it's not a trip to el chorro without their famous sticky buns.

A classic is forever for a reason. Break your summer rut with a timeless visit to the El Chorro Lodge.

Location:

5550 E. Lincoln Dr.

Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

A Sunny Spot for a Rainy Day

The summer showers of an Arizona monsoon season bring moments of respite to the arid desert landscape. But when you live in a city that thrives on sunshine and outdoor activities, you can be at quite a loss for entertainment when the skies open up and inevitably, pour down.

My suggestion? Find an indoor relaxation haven and indulge in a little monsoon 'me-time'.

Sundrops Nail Spot on the corner of Camelback rd. and 40th st. offers spa treatments in a glam setting. The store front showcases a small shopping area filled with beauty brands and boutique chic clothing and accessories.

Choose your new favorite shade from an array of luxury labels like Essie, O.P.I. and Deborah Lipmann, then pile up the fashion mags, sit back and relax.

***CR Hot List: Take a caribbean vacay through polish and pick Essie's 'Turqouise and Caicos' for your mani-pedi.

After you've been scrubbed, buffed and polished, take care of those brows and ask for a quick wax or brow threading. You'll leave looking good and feeling fresh, perfect for that rainy day date.

Sundrops Nail Spot: 3949 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.956. 0822.

Forever Fashion

This weekend is gonna be a scorcher and since hot temps require extra attention to fashion, I suggest light, airy, breathable pieces, suitable for beating the heat.

Here are my picks for weekend wear to keep you cool, courtesy of Forever 21, located within Scottsdale Fashion Square.

bright lights, big city. protect your peepers from the strain of the sun while making a splash with rainbow colored shades.

heat styling is a pain in the summer months, so skip the blow-dry and don a dapper hat for that pool party or backyard bbq.

flowy racer-back tank, jean shorts and moccasin inspired fringe flats make running saturday errands a breeze.

tribal embellishment gives unexpected flair to a simple tank

beat the heat wave in a nautical inspired one-shoulder striped dress. a universally flattering cut with day to night potential.

nothing says summer like an eyelet white mini dress. pretend to be a Lilly Pulitzer girl and pair with pearls, CHANEL sunglasses and a silk scarf.

evenings out can still be a potential hot mess. opt for bright prints in light fabrics paired with simple accessories and a chic ponytail.

happy shopping!

xx

m

New Adventures

My friends, I have returned from a long journey. My trek took me to the unknown and rarely explored community that is West Phoenix, specifically Glendale.

It was an unassuming Vietnamese restaurant called Little Saigon that captured my attention and ultimately, my taste buds.

White picket fence? check. HUGE fish tank with hundreds of little fishies just waiting to be eaten? double check.

a little app: spring roll and dumpling

take everything you like and put it in a soup- my kind of cookin'

the main meal: spicy beef with baby bok choy

Vietnamese culinary protocol, when in doubt, top it off with an egg

***CR Insider: After dinner, head over to sing karaoke across the street. Be warned- Fleetwood mac reigns supreme.

Little Saigon

7016 N 57th Ave

Glendale, AZ 85301-2518
(623) 939-6136