My January 2020 Top 5 Amazon Picks

January Top Amazon Purchases

Thanks to everyone who has followed along with my Amazon top picks each month – these are all products I own, have vetted and would recommend (and some of my friends reading this may be getting these for the holidays!).

Here’s what I love from Amazon for January:

  1. Matching Dog Collar and Leash: some of y’all know I got a french bulldog for Christmas (yes, I am OBSESSED) and love this matching collar and leash for him! Plus, it’s super cheap for the set, which is ideal.
  2. Clarisonic Mia Prima Cleansing Facial Brush: I absolutely love this and have used it every day and night for the past three weeks, so I know it’s not a fad. It’s under $100, which is good for this type of facial cleansing brush and so far, it’s stayed charged since I got it (I’ve heard complaints from similar products they don’t stay charged, but have not had an issue with this one). Pro tip: I’d set an alert on your phone to remind you when to change the brush as that’s key to keeping your skin radiant and refreshed!
  3. YETI Rambler 2-pack Wine Cups: Love these and that they come in a two pack so you can be matchy matchy with someone! I love this so much, I bought our house a set and gifted two of these as Christmas gifts, which everyone seemed to love.
  4. The Lids: The lids don’t come with #3, which you definitely don’t need, but they are nice to have. It makes your wine cup a legit version of a sippy cup. If you’re on a budget, skip the lids, but they are also nice to have, so wanted to include them! Plus, Christmas or not, these make the perfect gifts and you can even get them monogrammed to make it a bit more personal.
  5. Dyson Hair Dryer: Yes, I spent $400 on a hair dryer, but hear me out. It was a “let me buy it and see if I love it and if not, I’ll return it” kind of purchase, and guess what – I still have it! If you’re like me and hate washing and drying your hair, because seriously who has time for all that, then this is something you need to check out. Not only does it dry your hair faster, which is as major perk, it helps prevent extreme heat damage to protect natural shine; Air temperature is measured 20 times every second, keeping the temperature under control. So yes, if you care about your hair (especially those who color and highlight a lot), consider this purchase! 

Did you miss my November Amazon picks? My October picks also had some great picks that y’all loved, especially the shampoo (I’ve had two people message me that they are obsessed with it too!).

*Post contains affiliate links, but all opinions are true and my own. 

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3 New Houston Spots For Food + Booze

One of the best parts about splitting my time between Houston and Denver is that there are always new spots popping up around Houston. It feels like I’m a tourist in my own city, trying to keep up with all the new stuff.

On my last visit, I found 3 great spots worth sharing — all super casual & worth your time:

Drift: Houston Heights Sports Bar

Drift: 1207 W. 20th Street, Houston, 77008

This sports bar is brand new to the Houston Heights and owned by some of my dear friends, so you know I had to support it. What I didn’t expect from this Heights hangout was to be so popular so fast (yay for the playoffs) and the decor and drinks to be next level. It’s an indoor/outdoor patio bar with a laidback vibe that reminds you that Houston is in fact a piece of paradise. They have a ton of TVs (finally a new spot to watch the games!) and guest food trucks on a regular basis — plus you can order from Uber Eats or Favor and have food delivered. They are dog-friendly (this was Perry’s first visit to a bar and he loved it!), the neon-lit signs were an Instagrammer’s paradise and for the basic bitches (that is me!), they have a few kinds of rosé to choose from.

And I know everyone says size doesn’t matter, but they’re lying. The 204-inch massive TV surely sets the standard for Houston sports bars.

Sticky’s Chicken: 2313 Edwards Street, Houston, 77007

Sticky’s Chicken: New in Houston’s Sawyer Yards

Brand-new to Sawyer Yards is home to the brick-and-mortar restaurant (you may have heard of the popular food truck, which has been a favorite of celebrities including DeAndre Hopkins, Bun B and Wiz Khalifa). You won’t be blown away with a massive restaurant and crazy decor, but you will however be blown away with your mouth-watering menu fearuting their signature Chicken Over Rice and wings – made with a proprietary “sticky” sauce created by the Vivares’ father, Ceferino Vivares, who grew up in the Philippines.

It’s a quaint and laid back order-at-the-counter spot, located in Sawyer Yards. Enjoy this new fast casual counter service spot and tell your friends!

8th Wonder Distillery: 2201 Dallas Street, Houston, 77003

What better way to get reacquainted with the great city of Houston than Houston spirits? The

NEW 8th Wonder Distillery in Houston’s EaDo

new tasting room is located across the street from the amazing brewery in EaDo and is open Thursday – Sunday. They have infusions like orange vodka, lemon vodka, pineapple vodka, fun shots like “Girls Night Out,” made with vodka, passion fruit, mint simple, whip cream and classics like martinis, Michelada’s and Boil Makers.

“As of today, 8th Wonder has crafted 8x Distilled Vodka and a Hop-Infused Gin, with the goal to soon produce other spirits. Our vodka is incredibly clean and smooth, and our gin is citrus-forward and very approachable. The distillery tasting room lends itself to a more intimate experience compared to the brewery taproom. Our craft spirits are served neat, mixed, or in our signature cocktails,” their website states.

It’s an intimate gathering to sip on locally crafted cocktails, talk sports, destress from work all while supporting a local, badass business.

Have you been to any of these Houston hot spots or checked out others I need to visit? Let me know in the comments below or shoot me a message on Instagram!

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Date Night: The Original Ninfa’s Uptown Houston

The Original Ninfa’s Uptown Houston

One of our New Year’s resolutions is to spend more time out and about. It’s no secret I am QUEEN of homebodies. I could literally stay in and watch Dateline, ESPN, One Tree Hill or binge watch anything for days on end, but it’s definitely good to get out and explore with people you love.

First up was date night at The Original Ninfa’s Uptown Houston and it did not disappoint (this was Jason’s first time here and he dubbed it “an upscale Mexican restaurant with the best dessert he’s ever had in his entire life”).

Located off Post Oak Boulevard near The Galleria, it’s a bustling and authentic Mexican restaurant perfect for a date night, group dinner or celebrating something (we saw quite a few birthday celebrations and I fully support celebrating with potent margaritas).

The Original Ninfa’s Uptown serves strong and delicious margaritas, which you’d expect in Texas. I always go for the Skinny Margarita ($10), which was perfect and not overpriced like other Houston spots. Next up is either guacamole or queso, which is basically a rite of passage in Texas.

I had my usual for dinner – beef fajitas. I am not lying when I say they are the best in

Fajitas at Ninfa’s Uptown Houston, Photo: Kirsten Gilliam

Houston. One thing to note: here they only come in medium ($29) or large ($42) portions, so they are pricier than most, but well worth it (just talk your dinner partner into sharing and you’ll both be pleased and stuffed!). As for Jason, he went with the pork chop — at a Mexican restaurant, which I found odd, but he was happy to report it was one of the best he’s ever had.

Dessert was where this restaurant really shined, with the Tres Leches ($10), which was delicious and topped with marshmallow and flambeed to order. Jason ordered it and I basically begged him to share it. I would literally go back here just for that – it was that good.

A little about Ninfa’s Uptown:

This is where it all started, where Mama Ninfa first stuffed chargrilled sliced beef into a handmade flour tortilla and launched the national fajita craze. The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation…

The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation was created by “Mama” Ninfa Laurenzo in 1973 after the death of her husband, John. She started by grilling skirt steak and serving it in tortillas from her family’s struggling tortilla factory. The resulting dish – “Tacos al Carbon” (which later became known as “Fajitas”) was the basis for Mama Ninfa’s legend in Houston and in the history of Tex-Mex cuisine. Mama Ninfa passed away in 2001, and in 2005, Legacy Restaurants purchased The Original Ninfa’s. After more than 40 years in business, The Original Ninfa’s opened up a second location and is more popular than ever. Both locations are still serving “The Best Mexican Food in Texas Since Texas was in Mexico!™”

 

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MitoQ Supplements: Improve Energy, Endurance and Recovery Time

MitoQ Supplements: Improve Energy, Endurance and Recovery Time

For 2020 I am coming in hot with some strong commitments – all centered around health and wellness. I’m going to keep working out hard, which is incredibly important to me, but I’m also going to start being proactive about what I put in my body. A doctor once told me – everything you put in your body should be doing work for you (whether it’s your daily intake of water, vitamins and supplements, vegetables, etc.). Taking a proactive approach means doing research. It means trial and error. It means putting in the effort.

With this newfound and proactive commitment in mind, MitoQ entered the picture. “MitoQ is a world-first, mitochondria-targeted CoQ10 antioxidant, which is absorbed through the mitochondrial membrane and directly into the body of the mitochondria, hundreds of times more effectively than regular CoQ10 supplements,” via their website.

I’ll be honest, the concept of mitochondrial health and all that jargon above was completely foreign to me. I obviously know as we get older, our bodies go through some changes. For example, when we are young and healthy, our mitochondria work at maximum efficiency, therefore giving our cells all the energy they need. Remember when you were younger how quickly you could bounce back from injury and illness and now it seems to sideline us much longer? Or is that just me?

Well, according to science, as we age, our mitochondria can start to decline in function naturally —

Do you need support with healthy energy levels?

as much as 10% per decade, starting at the age of 30. That’s kind of alarming, right?

When your body loses something, even naturally with mitochondria producing less antioxidants, it stands to reason they need to be replaced. MitoQ is the most significant advance in antioxidant technology to help deliver health-giving energy to slow the aging process and help boost energy levels.

Do you need support with healthy energy levels? Organ health? Mental focus? Resilience? If you answered no to any of those, you’re probably lying. MitoQ helps your body perform at its best, delivering CoQ10 antioxidant support to your mitochondria to help support your body in those ways mentioned above. Get more information on the science of MitoQ here.

How Has MitoQ Helped Me?

If you’re like me, taking an active role in your health is key. Since taking MitoQ, I have noticed a significant improvement in my energy and endurance, which I knew had been lacking for way too long. I’ve also noticed a more effective sleep at night – not only falling asleep faster, but having a more well-rested night. I’ve only been taking MitoQ for a mont, but they say it could take up to three months to reap the full benefits.

MitoQ

Are you doing anything in the New Year (or have been doing for a while) that has helped increase energy levels? Tell me in the comments below – I’m always looking for impactful and healthy ways to increase my energy and recovery, especially as I’ve gotten older.

*This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Houston Date Night: Bosscat Kitchen and Libations

Houston Date Night: Bosscat Kitchen and Libations

Here’s another great Houston spot for whiskey lovers and/or date night (not to mention fantasy football draft parties when that time rolls back around) is Bosscat Kitchen and Libations, located off Westheimer, on the cusp of River Oaks District.

I’ve been to (and loved) Bosscat many times, but this was my first time doing date night here, and I seriously lost my mind at the floral walls and decor outside (which I think is new, and pictured here). Jason always rolls his eyes when I see a floral wall, because I can’t resist a picture with it, but that’s just part of our goofy relationship and my job!

This restaurant doubles as one of Houston’s best whiskey bars and is originally from Newport Beach, CA. I seriously can’t give them enough credit – they do everything right. From their food, drink menus, the laid back yet knowledgable servers/bartenders, the decor, the way they run their social media and more, it’s just always a good time and well done. You can tell the folks who run it know business and genuinely care about the brand and product they put in front of customers.

It’s a dimly-lit restaurant, which I think helps set the mood for a date night (either that, or meeting a Tinder date for the first time you may not want to be seen with?).

Dinner here is phenomenal, but I’d also highly recommend their happy hour and weekend brunch, which is the place to be in Houston.

Try the Pork Belly Poutine for a starter (I would advise you to share this with more than one person, because it’s incredibly filling and we forced ourselves to eat it all, it was so good), and the Gulf Shrimp and Grits or 12-Hour Beef Short Rib for dinner.

A lot of their menu is heavy, so keep that in mind when ordering, especially if you want to save room for their “rather large whiskey collection,” which you totally should. I personally am not a big fan of whiskey, but Jason is and took great delight in their selection. I’ll also point out they have a great rosé selection and tons of other cocktails to choose from.

HOURS OF OPERATION

MONDAY – THURSDAY: 11AM – 11PM

FRIDAY: 11AM – 2AM

SATURDAY: 

brunch 11AM – 3PM

dinner 5PM – 11PM

SUNDAY: 11AM – 9PM

brunch 11AM – 3PM

dinner 5PM – 9PM

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Magnolia – Denver and Houston Boutique Hotel – GIVEAWAY

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Denver Boutique Hotel: Magnolia

Getting a chance to explore new parts of the city you live in is always fun. This year for New Year’s Eve, we did a staycation at Magnolia, a Denver boutique hotel  and loved it!

It’s in the heart of downtown Denver, just a few blocks from Union Station, which we walked to the day we arrived. Valet parking was easy and a breeze and the Magnolia hotel had so much unique charm to it. We were able to use the complimentary shuttle service from the hotel to go about a half mile for our dinner reservations at STK (get an espresso martini!) and then walk back and catch the fireworks. Granted we were in bed before the clock struck midnight, but what a joy.

Oh, and we loved the fact it was a pet-friendly Denver hotel, since we just got Perry (isn’t he cute?!).

The service and amenities were great (they do complimentary milk and cookies every night from 8 -10 p.m. but if you aren’t there, you can text the hotel and they’ll have them delivered to your

The Magnolia is a luxury, boutique hotel in Denver (and in Houston!)

room!). How awesome is that?

The next morning we got up and had breakfast at Harry’s, which is a historic local Denver restaurant with just as much character and charm as the hotel. The coffee was hot, the meals were tasty and the service was just as good throughout our stay. It’s the same spot as the hotel bar and the decor is really unique – hung all around you’ll see family photos from the original owners of the hotel. I always find that stuff fascinating.

On the lower level of the hotel, there are a bunch of meeting rooms, but what I loved most was the pool table and sort of impromptu library/reading lounge with books of all genres to pull from. There was so much to see and do in the hotel, but if you know downtown Denver at all, there’s just as much outside!

I’ll dive into my staycation a little more on social media, but for now one of you lucky readers can win a FREE overnight stay + valet at the Houston or Denver Magnolia property. Be sure to enter on Instagram!

Perry Loved Magnolia Denver

Magnolia has properties in Denver, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Omaha and St. Louis, so be sure to check them out on your next adventure.

Good luck in the contest. The winner is chosen at random, and not sponsored, endorsed or affiliated with Instagram. Thanks for following The Blonde Side. 

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Starting the New Year Off with New Chapter

Starting my New Year off right with New Chapter®

I always love the start of a New Year, because it’s a somewhat tangible excuse/chance to get back into healthy, daily habits and start to erase some of the bad habits we all tend to partake in (excess drinking, not working out enough, eating out all the time, etc. etc. etc.).

I was recently turned on to New Chapter, which is my #1 key to supporting my ever-changing self-care journey. I personally think we all need to subscribe to a better self-care journey and make it more of a priority. Getting sick or watching loved ones get sick because they didn’t prioritize their health is always hard to watch.

Products I use daily include:

Every Woman™’s One Daily Multivitamin

I take a few supplements and prescription meds (including allergy meds!), and set them aside the night before. Most of them I take after I eat my breakfast and have my coffee, but having them set aside and ready to go really starts my morning off right and into a healthy routine.

What does Every Woman’s One Daily Multivitamin do?

The whole-food fermented vitamins and minerals in Every Woman’s One Daily go beyond just addressing nutrient deficiencies to promote overall health and system-specific benefits.* It delivers superfoods like Ginger, organic Turmeric & Chamomile, expertly formulated for the needs of active

New Chapter® was founded over 35 years ago to bring natural wellness to others.

women.

  • Supports your bone health with fermented Vitamin D3, plus healthy Calcium metabolism with whole-food Vitamin K2‡*
  • Includes B Vitamins for energy support*
  • Supports your immune system function with Vitamins C and A, and fermented Zinc‡, plus complementary Elderberry*

†Emerging studies suggest that taking a daily multivitamin provides support for occasional stress.*
‡Not a sole source of this nutrient; a healthy diet is also important.

Original Plant Protein+

Not only is the vanilla flavor tasty, it’s so easy to incorporate into my morning routine. I add a scoop to my overnight oats and eat it as part of my breakfast, which helps me feed my potential and start my day off on the right foot!

What does Plant Protein+ do?

Fuel your healthy day with 20 grams of vegan protein per serving. Plant Protein+ is packed with plant-sourced goodness, with the right profile of vegan amino acids from our signature blend of protein-rich Mung Beans and Brown Rice, completed with whole-food seeds including Chia, Flax, Hemp, and Pumpkin seed. Supports muscle repair and provides building blocks for bone and tissue.*Available in great-tasting chocolate and vanilla flavors.

Here are a few of my 2020 goals:

  • Wake up by 8a every weekday. This may sound ridiculous or super late for some of you, but when you work for yourself and work from home, this is a challenge for me.
  • Work out 3-4 times a week. This can also include a brisk walk or an at-home video or app, not necessarily at the gym.
  • Learn to manage my anxiety better. This includes what I put into my body, seeking professional help and possibly learning a new way of doing things for me, which will certainly be a challenge.
  • Cram out 30 pitches in the first 3 months. If you don’t put yourself out there, it’s hard to get recognized or get new business. As a freelance writer and micro-influencer, you eat what you kill. Also to note: rejection is part of the territory. 

 

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CREATED BY JAYME LAMM