HOMETOWNS IS MY FAVORITE EPISODE.


Does anyone remember last season when JoJo's mom was caught chugging the wine bottle? The possibilities are endless people. Let's get ready people, first stop, COLORADO.

Chase - Highlands Ranch, Colorado (aka my neighbor!): First, that gorgeous park is Daniels Park. It's stunning. Good on you Bachelor. Chase's mom is a bun. Stop. Chase telling JoJo he is falling in love. I'm dying. She asked for emotion, she totally got it. Move to Colorado JoJo!

Chase is 3/4.

Jordan - This is the weirdest hometown date. Hey babe, let's go to my high school where my glory days were born and also where they died. And, now they're making out in the library. Next. I'm with JoJo, I would by dyinnnngggg to know what the deal is with his brother. As much as this pains me to say, she obviously loves Jordan more than Chase, just based on how nervous she was to meet his parents. AARON WHY HAVEN'T YOU COMMENTED ON THIS FEUD? This episode made me like Jordan so much more and not think he's slimy. But it does make me think twice about Aaron...

Jordan is 2/4.

Robby - Before we start this, can anyone out there in blogland honestly say they like Robby? That they trust him? Because blech. One, good for JoJo sticking up for herself and two, drink that wine girl. It is time for him to go home.

Robby is 4/4. 

Luke - They are the cutest little couple ever. My gosh. Luke's sister is a super model and his grandpa is the cutest. Um, this setup Luke created is to die for! The sun setting on bales of hay and perfectly placed lanterns. Good on you Bachelor. Welp, if Luke doesn't win after the flower heart and Dan + Shay playing, I don't know what wins.

Luke wins, he's 1/4. 

WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY? LUKE. WHAT. Babe, what did we miss with the Luke thing? 

This is a joke. To be continued. This has to be a joke.

See ya next week people.

After a week hiatus, it's time for The Bachelorette. Cue the over-analyzing by Alex and the over-aggressiveness of James, only to result in both of them going home.

Let's play The Bachelorette. Where men turn into ladies and JoJo rules the roost.

Alex: This is so boring. Can we talk about how completely uninterested she is in him. Why doesn't she just send him home? JoJo looks amazing and Alex looks like he's in a play. Can we talk about how weird that horse thing was and how corny Alex is. This is the type of shit I draw the line on..when they're cuddling a horse in a field. Wow, JoJo looks like she is searching for words to say after the I love you drop. Yikes.

I give Alex a 8/10 for effort. You go Alex, and when I say go, I mean home. 

Jordan: It's cute that he thinks he has to work hard for her. She loves him, or at least lusts him. They drank the foot wine. Blech. This whole conspiracy theory that Jordan is a certain way in the house is so weird because it's never shown on TV. The only example they give is that his brother is famous. Holy Jordan with his speech -- winning the game. Slash does anyone else wanna talk about why Jordan doesn't have a relationship with his famous brother?

I give Jordan a 7/10 for being "emotional." Whether it's real or not, I believed him and that scrappy head of hair. 

The Group Date: It's pretty funny. But then they are all laying in bed together. Robby: I can kind of see him having a wandering eye. She is not sure about him. He's not super convincing. Robby is getting a little crazy -- his front runner talk is silly. Chase: This conversation kind of makes him sound dumb. But good on you for opening up. James: JoJo said it right, he has all the qualities that she would want, except for that attraction. She obviously knows how sweet and wonderful he is, but I think she's bored.

I gave Robby a 3/10, mostly because he gives me the heeby jeebies, but also because I think he's a bit rehearsed. 

I gave Chase a 6/10 because he's trying. Not very hard, but he is. 

I gave James a 10/10. Do what you gotta do (even if its not enough) Throw Robby under the bus, eat a billion french fries, watch other men take their clothes off. You are (were) in it to win it. 

Luke: The true front-runner. The best is when she goes to celebrate after shooting the skeet and Luke grabs the gun from her. He's the protective type. They'd be perfect.

I gave Luke a 10/10 because I think he wins and he's just the cutest with her. 

Are the guys seriously going to the rose ceremony in a horse drawn carriage with the dogs chasing the carriage. I can't. CHRIS HARRISON WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? James you are the sweetest little bun cakes.


The ones who left: Alex and James. (Did I tell you, or did I tell you)

Let's go to hometowns people! Welcome to Colorado JoJo, let's be best friends.

How would you rate the men this episode/season?

Mexican food is my most favorite food. Is there anything better than tortillas and cheese? Throw some guacamole and a cold corona in there and I'm good for a long time.

The fact that mexican food consists of two very important things, both which are not allowed on paleo, makes consuming mexican food tricky.

I'm so sick of making chicken in lettuce cups and calling them tacos. Those are not tacos. That is chicken and lettuce. Then, my eyes opened to the world that is paleo tortillas. Whole Foods became my best friend when I found these babies. They are my perfect solution to my strong need for mexican food.

Once I found those, I knew I had to make enchiladas. Needless to say, I won the wife of the week award when Adam came home and found these babies in the oven. Warning --> they are a little harder to eat because they tend to fall apart easier, but hey it's mexican food and I am happy.

I used my old enchilada recipe and just subbed out the things that aren't considered paleo. Most enchilada sauces are semi-paleo so if you don't want to make your own, just check the ingredients, you are probably very close!

Or, even better, follow my recipe! (selfless plug -- I can't help myself). Without further ado -->


Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef 

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 

divided 1/2 onion, 

finely diced 1 jalapeno minced 

1 avocado, diced 

3 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped 

9 Paleo tortillas

For the sauce

1 small onion, diced 

4 cloves garlic, minced 

2 cups tomato sauce 

2 cups chicken broth 

2 tbsp chili powder 

1/2 tsp cumin 

1/4 tsp dried oregano 

Salt, to taste  

Happy July everyone! Can you believe we are more than half-way through 2016. That is just mind-blowing to me. But that just means we are one step close to my summer vacay, one step closer to my Adam's birthday and one step closer to Christmas!

Today, I am dreaming about those careless days of summer and what I would be doing if I had all the vacation days in the world. Because let's be honest, summer isn't what it used to be.

Remember being in college when you had 3+ months off (besides that perfect internship) and you could go to the beach at 2pm on a Tuesday? Those were the days. Now, it's all summertime in the city. Denver isn't a bad city to do summer in, but it doesn't compare to those Malibu beach days of my good ole' college years.

Adam and I are escaping the 90+ degree heat of Denver in a few weeks to zip away to Lake Tahoe. Land of 80 degree days and 60 degree nights. Tons of sunshine, boat rides, paddle-boards and cocktails. Lake Tahoe holds a special place in my heart because I've been going since I was 8 years old and have missed maybe 3 years ever. It's my escape from life.

It's one of my favorite places in the world.


If you need to find the PERFECT place to find your favorite place, I suggest going here --> The biggest list of getaways you will find!

This year we're heading up with a bunch of family for a little weekend reunion. I'm more than excited. The countdown on my phone says 19 DAYS until we go. Hallelujah. Let's do this.

In preparation for my beach trip and all the beach trips you hopefully have planned, I created a little checklist for ya. These are the five necessities for any great beach vacay.

1. Something to blast the jams. If you don't have a Bose or the like, I suggest you get one! Here is the Bose one I have and its amazing! Might I suggest putting Hailee Steinfeld on your playlist? 
2. Delicious cocktails are a must. Need I say more? What is better than cool water, hot sun and a cold cocktail. This is my heaven. 
3. Sunscreen. I used to think it was cool to fry my body, be tan and look good. Now, skin cancer, sun spots, wrinkles and all the horrible stuff that comes with sun is on my mind. You can enjoy the hot sun without having it on your bod. This hat from Nordstrom is my favorite or this one! 
4. Friends. Duh. I LOVE sand volleyball more than anything! It's so fun! 
5. A great magazine or a great book. I'm reading People Magazine (duh) and the newest Elin Hilderbrand book, Here's to Us. It's so good. I'm obsessed with her.

Let's talk about Kylie Jenner. I honestly never thought this day would come. A day where I would voluntarily blog about anything related to the Kardashians. But it's happened before. And, guess what, unfortunately it's happening again.


I begrudgingly started following Kylie Jenner on Snapchat about 3 months ago because I really wanted to buy one of her lip kits. For those of you who don't know, her lip kits sell out in record time. So, on her Snapchat, she alerts her followers when she will be releasing more. So as you can see, I was practically forced into following her,


Let's talk lips. Kylie has some nice big lips. Sure, they might be injected, but that doesn't really matter. If you got it flaunt it and hey, I'll buy anything so I can talk about it here. And, I LOVE the packaging. So, I'm sold.

I had tried Kylie's Lip Kit before I bought it so I semi-knew what I was getting into. When I was at Coti's Bachelorette party, I tried her matte lip kit and loved it.

Kylie was flaunting a new shipment of lip kits the other day and off I went to Kylie Cosmetics. I bought the matte liquid lipstick and liner in Koko K and I bought the lip-gloss So Cute.


Then, the best thing EVER happened and I won a Kylie Lip Kit giveaway through Royalty in Reality. I won the matte liquid lipstick and liner in Candy K. I am living the dream people, 3 lip kits. PS. Go check out Roxy's blog. It's so cute and she is just the sweetest.


Let's talk about them. Starting with the matte liquid lipstick and liner. For those of you who know me, I am not a huge lipstick wearer. I prefer chapstick, my but mother is always telling me I need more color on my lips. I like the liner/lipstick combo because it actually gives me lips. I like the way the matte looks because it's not overly glossy. It has a teeny sticky feeling, but it lasts for a long time (like through my whole tumbler of coffee and some) and the sticky feeling goes away.


Koko K is a perfect pink. I love it. I wear it every day and get compliments, swear! It's dainty and pretty without being too much. Sometimes I feel like a strong lip color, especially on a blonde can be a lot, and this color is just perfect.

Candy K is a perfect mauve. It's a deeper color than I usually wear. I wore it the other day when I went to court and I felt like a badass. It would be perfect for a night out.

So Cute lip gloss. This is just a great light pink lip gloss. It's easier to use than the liner and lipstick and it just kind of your basic gloss. It's not sticky, it's nice and shiny and honestly I love it, if not just for the name. I don't know if, for the price, it's worth it, but it's a great color and I use it almost every day.



Have you tried a lip kit before? What are you thoughts?

Growing up, pork tenderloin was also the meal my mom made for special occasions. It's my dad's favorite meal, the one we always make for birthdays, fathers day, any holiday. It was the first "real" meal I learned how to make and it was one of the first meals I made for Adam.

It's no secret that I love spicy food. Spicy buffalo chicken wraps. Spicy chicken tortilla soup. Spicy coconut chicken. Horseradish Salmon. Carne Asada Tacos. Spicy kale chips.

I also really love easy recipes. It was one of those nights and I had gotten home from Pure Barre late and had no idea what to make. I had a pork tenderloin in the freezer and all the other ingredients are ones most people have in their pantry.

I had made chicken the last 4 days in a row and I knew Adam would not want chicken, so pork it was. My other favorite pork tenderloin recipe is this honey glazed one, but I wanted a change/needed one. Luckily, after a few modifications, I had crafted the best spicy pork tenderloin.


Ingredients:

1½-2 pounds pork tenderloin (two small or one medium-large tenderloin)

2 tablespoons olive oil

Rub

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon pepper

Glaze

¾ cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 tablespoon sriracha sauce 

How to Make: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drizzle an oven-safe pan or skillet (such as a cast-iron skillet) with the olive oil and preheat on the stove over medium-high heat til the oil is hot. 
2. Whisk together all rub ingredients. Sprinkle the rub mixture all over the tenderloin and use your fingers to massage into the meat.
3. Place tenderloin in skillet and allow to brown for 3-4 minutes, turning the meat throughout to sear on all sides.
4. Mix the glaze ingredients together and spread mixture over the tenderloin. Transfer to preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes until cooked through.
5. Cut tenderloin into 1-inch thick slices. Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze from the pan all over the tenderloin just before serving.

Here's where the asterisk comes in -- I have to preface this post with a little story. Saturday night Adam and I saw Jason Aldean in concert. When we were waiting for him to come on, Adam says to me, "Isn't that Chase from the Bachelorette - the one from our neighborhood?"

And, my friends, my husband was right! There was *Chase, my top 3 front-runner taking pictures. Since last week I chickened out when I saw Lauren, I was not going to let this time slip. Grabbed my self phone and ran to get a selfie.


He took the first selfie, which was bad -- see above. Then I told him I think he wins and I showed him how to take a better selfie -- see below. Oh, then when I was waiting for a beer, we took a snapchat video and he bought me a beer.


Guys, he is so nice and as cute as you think he is in person. When I told him I think he wins, I couldn't tell what he thought because he had reflective aviators on. Think Chris Harrison makes him wear those? Let's do this Chase, I still think you win.


On to the episode. Have any of you been to Buenos Aires? I have always wanted to go -- this episode just confirms my desire to go, it looks beautiful!

Sidenote: I think the Bachelor gods heard me when I said last week was boring. This week, the Bachelorette is way better.
Why are the boys so shocked that Wells hasn't kissed JoJo? He has been less than relevant this entire season and if we'e being honest, I'm shocked he got a one-on-one. I always thought wandering the streets of a city you're in would be sooo dang fun, but Wells is proving this is anything but fun, but instead incredibly boring. DID ANYONE SEE THAT AWKWARD CHEEK KISS? I cannot. Wells, next. Bye Wells. (Cue the dramatic producer grabbing his suitcase exit).

On to the group date. This guy needs to grow a little confidence (referring to James T).

Here's my theory on James Taylor. I think James Taylor is the littlest bun there ever was. But here is my thing with James Taylor. I think this is JoJo's personality on and off the show. Sure, it's a little overdone because she's the lead, but I think she's outgoing and fun, obviously beautiful. And James, if he wants to be with her long term, needs to figure his confidence out. Being shy is cute for a while, but JoJo is going to be famous after this nod she needs someone who is confident to handle that and her.

Okay --- rant over. She loves Luke. Cue the heavy breathing. Oh Derek, your confidence is unwarranted.

Hey James, when will you learn that talking shit about the other contestants will not bode well for your chances with the lead. I feel bad for Jordan. I cannot tell if he is a good guy, but I feel sad for him that he is constantly questioned and picked on. That has to be exhausting just because he's pretty and has a famous sibling. Stop, Jordan almost crying.

Derek, I honestly feel like everything about you is fake. I feel like you know exactly what to say and how to act and it's all a show. I hope you go home. "I'm falling for you." "I appreciate that." Let's compare that to when Luke said something similar and she sad "I love seeing you." Ew Derek.

"That reason is to be with you, that reason is to leave with you." Chase killing the game. PS look at that little bun face.


See ya John Krazinsk. These guys are so sensitive, Derek why are you crying? 

JOJO WHAT ARE YOU DOING?


Alright next week, let's do this. I'm cited because that means she just has to cut extra people. Who do you think is going home?

Today my parents have been married for 44 years. Let that sink in for a minute. In a world where we celebrate 72 day marriages, "making" it to 44 is quite amazing. I don't take for granted for one minute that I am able to live in a world where my parents are married.

My parents started dating when they were 16 year old little buns, which not to age them, marks 50 years together. To say they've set an impossible standard for a relationship and marriage is an understatement, but together they've proven that life can be done, happily, with a partner.

When I was 16, I looked at the person I was dating and under the impossible standard of my parents thought I had to get married. Thank the lord that wasn't the case, but I knew I wanted what they had. A love that would span my entire adult life. Someone to walk hand in hand with through all the amazing times and through some pretty bad times.

My parents have successfully (think what you want) raised three kids, a grand kid, lots of fur babies and have given everything for their marriage and their kids. They've moved to 4 different states, different houses, schools, and here they are.

I've learned a lot from my parents both individually and together.

My mom taught me how to be kind and compassionate and to love everyone. My dad taught me to be strong and independent and that I should never stop striving for greatness.


I'll be forever grateful for those things, but the greatest of those, are the things they taught me without them knowing, just by watching the two of them together.

• I learned that life is so much better with a partner. 
• I learned that a marriage isn't just romantic, but it's work. It's strength. It's encouragement. It's laughing. It's traveling. It's growing independently and dependently. 
• I learned that if you both like Fox News, you'll be set. 
• I learned that you can still have inside jokes from the past, even if the past if 44 years young. 
• I learned that married people love to dance. You should see my parents on the dance floor.
• Traveling and having your vacation spot is important. (See, Lake Tahoe in 3 weeks). 
• I've learned that if you love like they do, people gravitate toward you. My parents are loved by so many. There is nothing better then your friends telling you how much they love and respect your parents. 
• Bickering is actually a form of endearment. 
• I've learned that sometimes when one person is going through a tough time, the other automatically becomes stronger. It's like a beating heart. One side takes the reigns when the other is struggling. 
• I've learned that raising kids was a part of my parents lives, but not their whole lives. They're still their own, even though they would do anything for us.
• 1970's weddings were way cooler. 
• I've learned that putting God first in your marriage is the only way for it to thrive. 

This one is dedicated to my parents who taught me to find the one I love and never let him go. To keep fighting for love everyday and to work at it every day. Marriage is a day in day out kind of thing, not something you let coast. Thank you for inspiring and supporting Adam and I in our marriage. We're at year one, but cannot wait until we're at year 44.

I hope you are celebrating with sushi, mom a glass of wine and dad a gin and tonic. We cannot wait to cheers to you in Tahoe in few weeks.

So, my best friend has been married for 11 days, which means it's absolutely time for throwback Thursday post with everything wedding. A few Fridays ago, we ventured to Charlottesville, Virginia to celebrate #MattandCotisayIdo.

I shared with you her engagement, her Bachelorette Party (10 Tips), we talked about Bridal Showers (gold balloons are a must), we spent 18 hours together, I told her what I wanted her to know on her wedding day. Well, now it's time to talk wedding.

Have you ever been to Charlottesville, Virginia? I never had been before either. It's about a hundred miles south of Washington DC, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thomas Jefferson is from there and you can even visit his home at Monticello.  Or, with a short 30 minute drive from Charlottesville is Montpelier, the home of James Madison.

Charlottesville is also home to University of Virginia, tons of amazing restaurants, wineries, cute hotels and shops. Think I'm trying to sell you on Charlottesville? Well, I am. One trip and I'm in love.


If you ever go, here is what I suggest doing while you are there. As always, picture evidence is to follow.

1. Have a best friend get married in Charlottesville. (It helps if the couple is a STUNNER too) 
2. Have your best friend get married at a vineyard there.  I suggest Pippin Hill, but the cool thing, there are over 30 vineyards in the area. 
3. Make sure your best friends has other best friends you can become best friends with. 
4. Dance.
5. Smooch. (This one is more bride and groom, but you get it!)
6. Take pictures in sunsets. 
7. Eat delicious BBQ - you are in the south ya'll. The Whiskey Jar is amazing. 
8. Walk the mall. 
9. Make sure there is a rehearsal dinner at an amazing restaurant. I suggest The Local. 
10. Use snapchat and boomerang. 
11. Drink champagne.
12. Photo booths are always cool. 

I have to start this post by saying that last Wednesday when I was at the Freebird stores in Cherry Creek mall that I saw Lauren Bushnell. For those of who you don't know who that is, Lauren is engaged to Ben Higgins (aka the best bachelor in history). She was so tiny and cute and I was so nervous. I just wanted to take a picture with her, but instead I froze and tweeted about it later

Anyways. Lauren Bushnell, you're a babe and your ring is huge.

Next, while this episode is heavily focused on Chad coming back to the guys house, whistling, I just read on US Weekly, that Chad is dating Robby's ex-girlfriend and Instagramming pictures of them. Oh, and on the subject of Chad, did you know he bought the domain names of Alex, Jordan and Joelle. He uses their domain (www.alex[lastname].com and routes it to his Instagram. If that doesn't prove he was there for the wrong reasons, I don't know what does.

Now, that we've caught up on all the Bachelorette related news, lets get to the episode. Wait that's it? I thought he [Chad] was going to kill someone. 


Let's break down the guys:

Evan: Am I the only one who is ready to see Evan go home? He is so dull and whiny. Every time he speaks, he breeds drama and it's the worst. That guy needs to go home.

Chase: You are a little bun. I really want to play with those big inflatable balls. PS go Chase, I love you.  I think the guys are going to start realizing that you are a front runner.

Alex: We get it. You think that you are hot shit because you "got rid of Chad" but let me be the one to set the record straight. You sent the most controversial, interesting and ridiculous person home and you will not win. Period.

Luke: Your accent makes everything sound better, even if you are confessing your love to her. She adores you. Keep up the good work, keep staying out of the drama (aka Alex).

James: Your poem made me feel awkward and I think it made JoJo feel the same way.

Jordan: I'm really sorry your ex-gf keeps bashing you on Instagram, but I'm a little nervous that she may be on to something. But hey, JoJo loves kissing you so keep it up.

Let's get rid of some people: James (I told you the poem didn't work) & Daniel (yes, your personality sucks)

Jordan: This is the part in the season when everyone starts realizing that Jordan is a front-runner. Cue the shit talking. This is when all the guys start freaking out because they realize that JoJo and Jordan would make gorgeous babies. These guys need to cool it, they knew what they signed up for. The first I'm falling in love! We're finally getting to the good part!

Vinny: I don't think he's going to win, but I think he's a little bun. Hey boys, when are you going to learn that InTouch is the fakest magazine out there. This is crazy. And, I thought you werent' allowed to have "outside paraphernalia." Get it together.

Now, none of them are worried about JoJo, but hours ago, they were all so concerned. Either way, her ex Chad sounds like kind of a slimeball. Wanna see what he looks like? Here's a pic and the article.

This sands killing thing looks so cool! But can you imagine how much sand she has in her skinny jeans?

Luke: Either you are very genuine, or you've seen this show before and know exactly what to say. I'm hoping it's the first.

------> what do you think JoJo drinks? If I were the Bachelorette, I would request champs on the reg. It appears that she likes her poison a little stronger..

John Krazinski (Derek): There is always one who starts to get super paranoid and nervous. He is the one that will tell JoJo every single time he sees her that he's nervous and this is so weird to him.

Alex: You are boring. See above.

Robby: I think he's had the best date so far. I would love to be the one who just eats to tour the city that you are in. Him saying I love you already is a little too much. He's a little too much for me. Do we think he's being for real? I just can't tell. Pump the brakes Robbo. This is your first date and that was a huge red flag. Damn, I'm bored.


Let's kick some more people off: Vinny, Evan and Grant. Oh Vinny, you are very sweet.

That was a boring episode. Anyone else bored? Let's be done with this week. Until next week peeps.