Win one of these for you AND your bestie from The Blonde Side & Brenda Grands
Instagram contest kicking off today (Tuesday, February 16th // ends Wednesday, February 17th 5pm CST) with Brenda Grands – win a necklace from her new spring/summer line + one for your bestie.
To enter, go to Jayme Lamm/The Blonde Side on Instagram for the official rules – only there can you enter! This is a pretty rad contest, because you’ll win one of these necklaces for you (I have one and I love it!) and one for your bestie.
Contest rules:
To win one of these GORGEOUS necklaces from Brenda Grands, be sure to LIKE both Instagram accounts and tag your bestie in the post. One LUCKY winner scores a necklace for herself AND ONE FOR HER BESTIE. Must be following both IG accounts to enter.
(Brenda Grands has a ton of stuff on her site for sale right now – these necklaces are $50, buy one get one, in case you don’t win and want to purchase!)
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All you need is love. And yoga pants. See what I did there?
I’m obsessed with these GOLDSHEEP love leggings – they are the absolute softest pants I’ve ever put on. I first saw them on Kaley Cuoco’s Instagram page (she was sporting The Bachelor edition – the ones spotted on People) and I instantly fell in love, but I had NO IDEA just how soft they’d be!
Another thing I love about these leggings? The team makes them WHEN YOU ORDER THEM. I know they get a ton of orders, so I’m not sure from a productive standpoint it makes a ton of sense, but I love the fact that my leggings are made with love and with me in mind!
The brand is made for those who stand out in a crowd. Is that you? It’s definitely me (which is not always a good thing in my world!), and these just all around are amazing. GOLDSHEEP is designed by Keri Wilson, who has “unconventional” creativity. Though I’ve never met Keri, I would like to think we’d be automatic BFF’s if we ever got the chance to hang.
Goldsheep is inspired by the special uniqueness people have inside them but most importantly by Keri’s Grandmother, Shirley who embodies individuality and independence- who IS the ultimate GOLDSHEEP.
This is the kind of company who stays so up on trends, that I kind of (ok really) obsessively follow and check their pages to see what’s coming.
Check out their website, order some leggings and follow them on Instagram (tell them your friend at The Blonde Side sent you). Now go be sheep…
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If you’re a Houston sports fan (or just lover of cruises), you have to check out this fan cruise with CharitaBulls and Carnival.
The cruise (it’s the second fan-mily one) hits the Caribbean July 10 – 17 out of Galveston, so it’s close to home for you Houston folks.
Find out more about the Houston Fan Cruise (and get your deposit in today) on their website.
The group will coordinate a group photo, exclusive on board events, and raises money for a great cause! This itinerary will take fans to Jamaica, Mexico, and the Cayman Islands! G O R G E O U S.
The Blonde Side is fingers-crossed and bikini-ready to hopefully join this fun adventure with other Texans fans, soaking up the sun, and getting ready for football season!
Oh and if you’re still debating (which is silly), don’t forget that a portion will also go back to charity! If you do book or reach out for more details, be sure to mention The Blonde Side – you may get a little special for that!
Here is the Facebook event page. Enjoy and spread the word to other fans – the more the merrier.
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One of my goals for what seems like forever has been to learn to cook. Lately, I’ve really been on a role. I’m fairly picky when it comes to recipes (I have to know how to pronounce every ingredient and know where to find them in the grocery store), so I love sharing ones I’ve been dominating in the kitchen…
I made a few modifications (mostly because I forgot certain ingredients, etc.) to the above linked recipe.
I forgot flour (clearly that’s how “new” I am to cooking, as I don’t keep it stocked in my kitchen), so I had to wing it and make my own sauce. I did get heavy whipping cream, so I used that, butter (quite a bit), avocado oil and onion and garlic powder and let it melt together on the stovetop (about 7 mins total) and just poured that on the chicken.
I also forgot spinach (duh, it’s in the actual name of the recipe!) – luckily I had some chopped spinach in the freezer, so I thawed it and nuked it in the microwave for about a minute to soften it.
I also eyeballed the amount of goat cheese and spinach to stuff the chicken with – I typically don’t like having to measure everything out perfectly.
Also, I don’t have a rolling pin, but once I cut the chicken breasts in half, I used my hands to smash down the chicken, which seemed to yield the same results.
As for the asparagus (a lot of people tend to make it where it ends up soggy), I typically put it on a cutting board or pan, pour olive oil (I love avocado or truffle oil) and season it with salt and pepper and garlic and onion powder and roll it around, then add it to the baking sheet. The asparagus comes out crunchy and super tasty.
So far, this has been my boyfriend’s favorite meal I’ve made and definitely in the SUPER EASY category.
Win this tank on Instagram: Courtesy of The Blonde Side + Donut Judge Me
It’s simple: donuts are my love language. Seriously. My boyfriend knows donuts make me happier than flowers. Plus – you can eat donuts. You can’t (most of the time) eat flowers…
We are doing an Instagram giveaway/contest TODAY ONLY (February 10th) with our pals at Donut Judge Me.
Here is the contest (and how to enter) on Instagram. It’s quick and easy, and you could win this awesome tank pictured.
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Houston, get ready for The Blonde Side’s first fitness-related event. We will teaming up with the great folks at RYDE (spinning studio) on February 21st for Sunday Funday Reinvented (sadly, football is over for the season).
When: Sunday, February 21st – starts 2:15p (class is promptly at 2:30) – 4:00p (includes fun girl time, prizes, snacks, demos, etc.)
Cost: $25/person
Who: Ladies only – first-time spinners and experts welcome, must be 18+
Our pals at TicketCity are giving away a $100 gift card to one lucky RYDE’r (good for sporting events, concerts and more!).
Squeezed will have samples of juices and detox drinks available. Petite Sweets and barkTHINS will also be providing some sweet snacks after the ride and in our bags!
Nutella Stuffed Beignets at The Durham House in Houston
Guys, listen up – if you’re looking for an underrated spot for date night, I highly suggest The Durham House. (And the only reason I say underrated, is because it’s practically brand new and the media hasn’t completely pimped this place out. Yet.)
What used to be an old fun/Louisiana’ish bar, is now a super hip and delicious restaurant. We went for dinner and were beyond impressed (not to mention stuffed).
For starters, it was nice to have a well-informed staff. This might sound like I’m stating the obvious, but I can’t tell you how many restaurants I’ve eaten at where I asked a question about how something was prepared or what a particular word meant and they were clueless. The staff at The Durham House was on point.
We started with the Divino Display (a meat and cheese tray), which was an amazing way to try out new foods and pairings you wouldn’t regularly have. We also had the Sweet Bread PoBoy Bites, which was nothing like we expected and pleasantly impressed with. Their pickles (on the PoBoy and on the assortment tray) were decadent!
For our main entree, I had the Duck (my boyfriend ended up with “order envy” because it was that good) and he went for the Rabbit. Both uniquely cooked and perfectly prepared entrees, but we both picked the duck as our absolute fave.
Then for dessert (because, yes, dessert!) I had the Nutella Stuffed Beignets. (And yes, you read that
Cheers to this new Houston restaurant
right – I had them – I did not share them and I ate every single last bite, well worth every single delicious calorie).
During our dinner, I also found my new favorite wine (as if I needed another one?) – Turbullent Rose ($14/glass) and have since been scouring every grocery store and liquor store trying to find my own bottle. They also have an amazing and unique cocktail menu, but I was so obsessed with this rose the staff suggested, I didn’t even try any of the cocktails.
Overall, this was an amazing spot and I highly recommend it. If you’re a guy in Houston reading this – I promise you will get major bonus points for taking your girl here. She’ll think you’re more in the know than most of the mainstream media!
If you’re in Houston and haven’t made Valentine’s Day reservations yet, you have to check out the special at The Durham House – it’s only $60/person (reservations are required), which is an amazing deal for an amazing meal. If you do plan on going for the special day, give me a holler, and your first glass of Turbullent Rose is on me!
[Yay for a blog taking time to state the obvious.]
Maybe life is more than just “Netflix and Chill?”
But all kidding aside, Netflix has become a part of many people’s lives, including my own. Who am I kidding? I’m kind of obsessed with it (I am just now watching Breaking Bad…).
I’ve heard for years that everyone has their own love language, and this infographic (courtesy of Netflix) kind of makes me think my love language is, well, Netflix?
And apparently “Netflix Official” is a thing. Maybe even bigger than the whole “In a Relationship” Facebook status…
According to a recent Netflix survey, 51% of respondents feel that sharing their Netflix account is a very big step toward a ‘serious’ relationship. And, a majority say that they wait until they are dating exclusively to do so.
Some additional highlights from the data include:
65% of respondents engage in some sort of negotiation on picking shows, with 35% of those trading show for show (“watch one of mine, and I’ll watch one of yours”).
Stream Together, Stay Together. Among the top reasons why couples watch shows or movies together:
60% of Netflix members say that it’s simply more fun to watch shows together
58% say that they bond with their significant other over Netflix
30% like learning new things about each other through shows
See here the entire fun infographic outlining these ‘streaming’ stages by the numbers. What are your thoughts? How many of you share your Netflix password?
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CONTEST. When my team isn’t in the Super Bowl, there’s only one other thing that has my attention – Super Bowl SNACKS! I love dips & wings, but I LOVE barkTHINS snacking chocolates (plus there’s no messy recipe!).
Up for grabs: SIX bags of barkTHINS, a tote & a t-shirt – all in time for your SuperBowl party.
Entrepreneur Excitement Blog Series #6 – The Foodie Chef with Morgan Jankovic
We’ve all been guilty of it – stalking someone on social media. Whether it’s a hot guy or girl you’ve got your eye on, or just someone with good fashion taste, or maybe it’s someone like Morgan Jankovic who is constantly making you wish you were born with the innate ability to perform in the kitchen.
Check out The Blonde Side’s exclusive interview with this deliciously talented gal who likely shares the same DNA with Martha Stewart and every other good cook in America…
The Blonde Side: Tell us who you are?
Morgan Jankovic: Morgan Jankovic, Personal Chef
TBS: How did we meet?
MJ: We met through Instagram when you asked for my chicken pot pie recipe!
Editor’s note: which is amazing, by the way!
TBS: Tell me about your job?
MJ: I’m a personal chef who makes personalized, healthy weekly meals most of the time. I also make cupcakes & cakes for birthdays and cook intimate dinner parties.
TBS: Since I talk about fitness and being on the move so much, what’s an easy (healthy) recipe you can share? (By easy, I mean less than five ingredients, for us rookies…)
TBS: You run your own business (which is the point of this series!) – what was the final straw to say “I can do this on my own?”
MJ: I was working at a corporate job and felt very boxed in and under challenged. I had been cooking for a customer before that position and finally realized I could do it full-time. It was really scary but with the support of my husband and family, I was able to do it!
TBS: What’s your driving force behind running your business? I know firsthand it’s hard as balls, but what keeps you going?
MJ: My customers. They need their weekly meals and it gives me great pleasure to be able to provide healthy fulfilling meals to them!
TBS: Best advice you’ve ever been given but ignored?
MJ: Kiss, keep it simple stupid. It’s the truth!
TBS: If there was a reality show about you, what channel would it be on?
TBS: A magazine, website or author you can’t put down?
MJ: Are podcasts included? If so, Serial is amazing. I can’t. stop. listening.
TBS: Look in your bag right now – what’s the most random thing in there?
MJ: A bunch of receipts. I end up putting them in a folder but usually forget to take them out for a few days. It makes for a messy purse that I’m not proud of.
TBS: 2016 is here – what’s ONE goal you have?
MJ: When I first started my business my husband put a picture of Dory, the fish, from Finding Nemo, in our bathroom. It had her tag line “Just keep swimming” and was a true inspiration to look at everyday. I highly recommend looking at a saying daily that inspires you. So, my goal is to just keep swimming!
TBS: Favorite part of your job?
MJ: Making my own hours though I end up working odd hours too. I don’t mind doing it!
TBS: Moment you are most proud of?
MJ: Taking the leap to open my own business and quit my consistent paying job.
TBS: You have two plane tickets anywhere in the world: where are you going and
TheFoodieChef.com – Check It Out
who are you taking?
MJ: I love to travel! My husband and I really want to go to Argentina! We’re looking into planning a trip soon.
TBS: Fill in the blank:
MJ: I wish more people in this world would be more open minded and understanding. There’s nothing more cold than an uncompassionate person.
TBS: For me (and most sports fans), Sunday Funday is all about football. What’s your perfect Sunday look like?
MJ: Grocery shopping for Monday’s big cook and watching the Texan’s with my husband.
Sponsor: Though it stands to reason being such an outstanding chef, Morgan can probably whip up things just as tasty as all the local menus, but everyone loves a night out a good restaurant. Chefs can be a tough crowd, but Tarakaan, Houston’s premier Asian fusion bistro and lounge would be up to the challenge. Located in Midtown (2301 Main Street), Tarakkan offers a peaceful restaurant setting, with a huge focus on food. If you’re looking for more high energy, definitely hit up the bar area. Note: Tarakaan is only open for dinner, except for Brunch on Sundays.
Know someone we should profile in this Entrepreneur Excitement Series? Leave a comment below or shoot us an email – jayme @ theblondeside [.] com.
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