- Author: Melissa -

Hi there! I'm Melissa & I am a firm believer in taking cookies out of the oven 2 minutes under the recommended cooking time. I also love to travel, cook, shop, craft, and live an all around positive lifestyle. Come say hi!
21 Day FIx, Holiday Eats, Recipe Box, Sides, Snacking, Tailgating Must-Haves

Sweet + Fruity Watermelon Pizza

July 6, 2016 by
Sweet and fruity Watermelon Pizza

As I told you before, I'm huge on making plays on typical foods in unusual ways. I actually made two variations of these pizzas. One savory and one sweet. I did that once before with butternut squash in college and made a competition post of some sorts (check back on my beginner blogger skills if you want to check that recipe out), and had the same plan to do that here. However. Something happened… I could not decide which I loved more. SO, in spirits of not playing favorites, I’m giving each watermelon pizza their own posts. Because they REALLY deserve it. [Check out the Savory Watermelon Pizza post here!] This kind of recipe is my favorite when I need something to bring along to group events. Summer is hot and in full swing,…

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Holiday Eats, Recipe Box

10 Foods to Bring to your 4th of July Party

June 30, 2016 by
Food ideas to bring for 4th of July party

Happy 4th of July weekend! I'm a huge fan of getting everyone together, cooking up a bunch of food, and celebrating an array of occasions. July 4th is no exception to this; when I was young, July 4th meant family BBQs at the beach where we would roast marshmallows over a bonfire. When I was in high school, July 4th meant going to my friend's lake house where we would all gather along the shore to watch the fireworks. Now, July 4th is getting together with friends to grill out, play some cornhole, and enjoy the company + day off. ;) The one thing in common all my stages of life have with July 4th weekend is food is the key focus. There is something about gathering with friends + family, everyone bringing a…

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21 Day FIx, Holiday Eats, Recipe Box, Snacking, Tailgating Must-Haves

Savory Watermelon Pizza

June 23, 2016 by
Savory Watermelon Pizza

  If you're one of those people that is very technical on food names, I feel ya. However, hear me out here. While this recipe might now have the typical crust variable (ehem.. dough..), it does have sauce! and toppings! and CHEESE! Plus, it's cut up just like a pizza is and you can hold it, so I'm calling it a pizza and running with it. ;)   I actually made two variations of these pizzas. One savory and one sweet. I did that once before with butternut squash in college and made a competition post of some sorts (check back on my beginner blogger skills if you want to check that recipe out), and had the same plan to do that here. However. Something happened... I could not decide which I loved more.…

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21 Day FIx, Recipe Box

Free 21 Day Fix Week Long Meal Plan

June 20, 2016 by
"Easy-weekday-meal-ideas"

As many of you know, I'm a BeachBody coach and focus my excersize and meal plan around their program, The 21 Day Fix. According to BB, "It's not another diet. In fact, it's just the opposite. 21 Day Fix makes eating and fitness so simple, anyone can get great results. With 21 Day Fix there's no counting, no guessing, and no wondering. Just easy-to-follow portion control and one 30-minute workout per day. That's all." From the post, Skinny Breakfast Pizza I've had an influx of people ask me recently what exactly the 21 day fix is, what I think of it, and recipes + tips for those that are curious if the lifestyle is something that they can take on. I've done a few daily What I Ate on Wednesday posts (check out post #1,…

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Friends & Family, My Life, Travel Adventures

Exploring the Mayan Ruins in Cancun, Mexico

June 15, 2016 by
"What-To-Do-In-Cancun-Mexico"

Sadly, we've now come full circle with my Cancun (aka bae-cation ;) ) recap. If you missed part 1: A Night Out in Charlotte + a big travel tip, you can catch up here! If you missed part 2: Travel Guide to Cancun Mexico, + some travel wisdom, you can read that here! To preface you all again... Hola, mis amores!  Last week, Dj and I traveled down to Cancun, Mexico to meet up with my best friend, Sara (remember her from our adventures exploring North Florida?), and her fiance, Waugh. None of had ever been to Cancun before, but Sara + Waugh bought this ridiculous vacation package while in Cozumel a few years ago. Wanting to take advantage of another trip before the package ended, we talked about doing a couples trip… aka…

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Blogging, Link Love

Feel Good Friday ; vol. 19

June 10, 2016 by
"Jacksonville-Florida-Sunset"

From the post: Skinny Fruit Punch Sangria Friday, you are looking mighty fine today. ;) Any one else have one of those weeks that just seems to go on forever? There was something in the air this week and I am ready to head home and pour a glass of that skinny fruit punch sangria. This weekend will be one for the books! One of my best friends from college, Katie, is in town so we'll be hitting up the beach, maybe make a quick stop in adorable St. Augustine, and definitely have a great time. Do you have anything special planned for this weekend? Whatever it is, I hope it's a great one!  And for now, to get you through the rest of your Friday, here are the links I've been crushing on…

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Friends & Family, My Life, Travel Adventures

Travel Guide to Cancun, Mexico

June 3, 2016 by
"What-To-Do-In-Cancun-Mexico"

And we're back with Part 2 of the Baecation Recap! ;) If you missed part 1: A Night Out in Charlotte + a big travel tip, you can catch up here! To preface you all again... Hola, mis amores!  Last week, Dj and I traveled down to Cancun, Mexico to meet up with my best friend, Sara (remember her from our adventures exploring North Florida?), and her fiance, Waugh. None of had ever been to Cancun before, but Sara + Waugh bought this ridiculous vacation package while in Cozumel a few years ago. Wanting to take advantage of another trip before the package ended, we talked about doing a couples trip… aka Baecation (don’t hate me, hehe.) So, on a whim, we looked online, found a 5 day block that worked for the 4…

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Friends & Family, My Life, Travel Adventures

A Night Out in Charlotte, North Carolina

May 31, 2016 by
"What-to-do-in-Charlotte-North-carolina"

Hola, mis amores!  Last week, Dj and I traveled down to Cancun, Mexico to meet up with my best friend, Sara (remember her from our adventures exploring North Florida?), and her fiance, Waugh. None of had ever been to Cancun before, but Sara + Waugh bought this ridiculous vacation package while in Cozumel a few years ago. Wanting to take advantage of another trip before the package ended, we talked about doing a couples trip... aka Baecation (don't hate me, hehe.) So, on a whim, we looked online, found a 5 day block that worked for the 4 of our work schedules and booked the trip all within 48 hours. I'm a huge advocator for traveling as much as possible (I lived in London for a bit, travel out to California pretty frequently, and…

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