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. 

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!™”

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

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.