Night to Shine at New Hope Church (photo courtesy Mike Fox Photography)

Last Friday I went to prom. Yup, you read that right.

I’m 30’ish and went to prom – shiny/glittery heels and all. 

And guess what? I still have goosebumps from such an unforgettable and life-changing evening. My church, New Hope Church, hosted Night to Shine, an annual prom put on by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

(Let me get this out of the way – if you’ve read The Blonde Side for any length of time, you know the Florida State part of me has a hard time rooting for anything Florida Gator-related, but this is different. I’ve always admired Tim Tebow for his faith and his persistence to play the game, but Gator or not, I am officially a Tim Tebow fan after being blessed to be part of such an amazing evening.)

The Tim Tebow Foundation is “committed to celebrating people with special needs.” You know my favorite part about that mission statement? They are committed to celebrating these amazing people. Not just helping, not just raising money, not just making people aware of what special needs are, but celebrating them.

Check out this video (via The Facts) from our event at New Hope Church. Yes, at the very beginning that is me (hot pink dress, coming out of the limo). The reason I’m asking you to watch this video has nothing to do with me or my cupcake-looking dress. I want you to see the smiles on the faces of everyone attending the prom.

My date/buddy was Eric and he was amazing (he is a dancing king – he even takes lessons!). Eric’s mom told me his favorite show is Good Morning America.

As we got out of the limo (some were riding in one for the first time ever!) and walked down the red carpet with lights and cameras flashing, Eric high-fived everyone and kept saying “Good Morning America” is here with the biggest and most genuine smile I’ve ever seen.

I can say with 100% certainty that Eric made my night more memorable than I did his, and sometimes, that’s what volunteering and celebrating others can do for you.

It’s really hard to say I had a “favorite” part of the night, but the sports lover and do-gooder in me

Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews Crowning Kings and Queens of the Prom

loved that Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews was in attendance. It wasn’t just the fact that he was there for the event and having a blast himself, he had the honor of crowning each and every guest King or Queen of the Prom. (Do you have goosebumps yet? If you have a heart you do…)

According to the foundation’s website, “Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 16 and older. On one night, February 12, 2016, more than 200 host churches in 48 states and 8 countries will host Night to Shine. That’s more than 70,000 volunteers and 30,000 honored guests sharing the same amazing prom experience on the same night around the world.”

I definitely want to give a shout out and praise to the Tim Tebow Foundation and all the churches and sponsors who made this worldwide event possible, but a special thanks to New Hope Church (specifically Niccole Liston) for being so invested in helping others and encouraging busy people like me to take a break from our to-do lists and celebrate others. It is the encouragement, opportunity and prayer from the leadership at New Hope that makes me want to get more involved in my community and use my strengths and time to help others.

To celebrate others, I should say.

GOLDSHEEP | love

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…

RECIPE: Spinach & Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken

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 snagged this particular recipe for Spinach & Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken + Asparagus from The Organic Kitchen and I promise it’s super easy.

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.

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!

Morgan Jankovic | The Foodie Chef

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…)

MJ: My black bean and chickpea chili is filling, delicious, and simple!

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?

MJ: The Food Network or Cooking Channel! My husband has a video production company so we’ve dabbled in making a few cooking videos that are sexy to say the least.

TBS: Favorite sports teams? 

MJ: Texans, no question about it.

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.

TBS: Your social media channels?

Instagram: TheFoodieChef | Youtube: TheFoodieChef | Twitter: @thefoodiechef

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.