Perfect Green Smoothie

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I've done it. By golly I've done it. I have finally mastered the perfect green smoothie. Creamy, green and filled with layers of flavor. I used to think you could just throw anything into a blender and turn it into a delicious smoothie. Not quite the case. I have unfortunately drinken down a few too many sub par smoothies. Too watery, no flavor, and worst of all brown. Berries and spinach don't make for an appealing smoothie.

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I know a lot of people put bananas in their smoothies to make them smooth and creamy, but I'm not a big fan. I don't really favor bananas to begin with and although they are high in potassium they are also high in sugar. Instead I sub bananas for avocado to get that extra creaminess. If you've never put avocado in your smoothie oooooh oh buddy! 

To get a super green smoothie, stick with yellow or citrus fruits. The colors won't clash and you'll end up with a bright green drink! I use pineapple and mango then counteract the tartness with some almond butter and cinnamon. Chia seeds, avocado and the most important, spinach. Blended up with coconut water and booyah---perfect green smoothie. 

Perfect Green Smoothie
yields 1 smoothie

Ingredients:
1 cup non-dairy milk, coconut water or H2O
1 cup spinach
a few sprigs of fresh basil and mint (optional)
1/2 cup frozen mango
1/2 cup frozen pineapple
1/4 avocado*
1 tsp. chia seeds
1 spoonful almond butter
a few shakes of cinnamon

*I like to freeze my avocado. Avocados go bad so fast so once I cut one open I freeze the rest for smoothies. Just make sure you cut it up before you freeze, you don't want to end up with a huge hunk of frozen avocado.

Directions:
Throw everything in your blender and blend baby blend till thick and smooth. Pour into a glass and slurp it down. If you're like me, sprinkle with some granola and eat with a spoon! It's my favorite way to enjoy a smoothie and makes it a little more filling.

I used to always use almond milk in my smoothies but recently switched to coconut water. It keeps you hydrated and adds potassium. I mainly switched because I fell in love with Harvest Bay brand. It has a sort of vanilla taste to it and is without a doubt the best coconut water I've found on the shelf! I made this for my sisters this weekend and they loved. I promise it really is the perfect green smoothie!

Annie

p.s. totally crushing on how my new white kitchen sets the perfect backdrop for food photography!

 

 

Bites of My Life

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Why do weekends have to come to an end. The weekend of all weekends has now come and gone. Sister walked down the aisle Saturday night and I couldn't stop smiling. People kept commenting how much I was cheesin' standing up next to her, but I couldn't help it! We've dreamed of this moment since we were little chickens and then all of a sudden it was happening! 
Mom and I went on a walk last night and ran into some neighbors. We recapped the wedding then the wife said, don't you just feel so blessed with weddings? Yes! I've never been surrounded by more friends and family, I've never danced so hard, I've never had so much fun and it was all to celebrate my sis and new brother-in-law! 
-The fruit in my water ain't stopping! Lemons and raspberries to make me feel fancy.
-First meal cooked in the new house, a version of these brussels sprout and black bean tacos.
-I've perfect the perfected green smoothie, recipe post coming tomorrow!
-Coconut green tea in the cutest packaging. Found at none other than Target!
-The wedding festivities commenced with a night out at the OKC Dodgers game with the whole wedding party.
-The sweetest garden party bridal luncheon.
-Surprised the bride and groom with this "accurate" little cake topper.
-Last true #TuckerTime picture!
-A barbecue rehearsal dinner, cause everyone wants to chow down on pork and mac and cheese before their wedding.
-My sister is actually a model. 
-One of my favorite moments of the night, the father daughter dance. A true Father of the Bride moment. 
-And just like that we have a brother!
If only we could have a family wedding every weekend. I can't help but think I really hit the jack pot with this fam of mine. The moment it hit me was when my mom, dad and sisters and I were on the stage dancing in front of everyone to Play That Funky Music. It doesn't get better than that. 
Annie

Wedding Weekend Wears

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Wedding weekend has officially begun! I've been tackling some of my maid of honor duties like making a ribbon bouquet for the rehearsal dinner, writing a speech, accompanying to get mani/pedis (not my hardest job) and making sure I have the right thing to where to each event leading up to the big day. Again, not my hardest job. Kat makes it pretty easy. She's been so calm cool and collected through the whole thing, such middle child behavior. 
To kick off the weekend we are taking the wedding party out to the ballgame tonight, then we have the bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner, and finally sis walks down the aisle! To celebrate accordingly, I need to make sure I'm dressed accordingly. 
cut-offs / graphic tee / espadrille / color blocked heels / pink frock / black heels / skater dress 
My wedding looks are all along the lines of these outfits from River Island! Cut offs, graphic tee and espadrilles for the baseball game, a pink frock and color blocked heels for the luncheon and a bold print skater dress for the rehearsal. 
Now enough about the clothes and let's get this wedding party started! I'll be back Monday for a full review!
Annie

Bites of My Life

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Packed, worked, moved, golfed, ate, swam, shopped, brunched, and squeezed in a little sleep. A super busy week full of long (but fun) work days and getting settled into my new house. The week really flew by, and the weekend came in at full force! Marge and Meg came up to OKC and it couldn't have been better. 
I'm exhausted from all the festivities, but not complaining. I've said it before but I'll say it again, post grad life aint so bad. Now it is the week we've been waiting for all summer, wedding week! Kat gets married Saturday and I can't wait any longer! Just a three day work week for me then it's wedding wedding wedding! Bites is going to be so good next week. 
-Started the 2nd week of the #barre3anywhere challenge on a green note.
-Turned our ribeye leftovers into a steak salad with grilled onions, zucchini, blue cheese, homemade horseradish dressing and a drizzle of balsamic.
-An almond butter drizzle on my yogurt cause you can never have to much AB. 
-Thank you to all who entered the Beaded by W giveaway! Reagan be looking for your bracelet in the mail this week.
-Move in day finally came and I am smitten with how adorable my new baby rent house is!
-Happy housewarming with homemade guac and Coronas from our girl Goldie!
-Topgolf friends and family night was in full swing Friday. Gearing up for opening this weekend!
-Taco stop on Saturday. A crazy combo of chicken, sausage, pico, queso and potatoes.
-Not all living in the same state is getting easier with all our reunited weekends!
-Belted and danced with sis at Pat Green.
-Finally checked Waffle Champion off my restaurant bucket list. It won me over. 
-Watermelon ice cubes!
Annie

GIVEAWAY: Wrap It Up

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Back by popular demand! I'm not sure if I've had as much readership on a post as I did on my last Beaded by W giveaway! Whitney is my awe-inspiring entrepreneur sorority sis and also the owner and creator of Beaded by W. 

Since the last giveaway I did with Whitney, she has taken her business and expanded it tremendously. Whitney knew her jewelry business was her passion, so for the past six months she has completely followed her heart and put everything into growing her business. Talk about a lesson in going after your goals!

We've been talking about doing another giveaway since our last one and the time is finally here. Today I'm giving away one of Whitney's wrap bracelets. I'm a little sad I have to give it away because I want to keep it for myself! The beads are strung on a stretchy band so you can wrap them as tight as you want around your wrist. P.S. it's super comfy!

Peruse Whitney's site and see all the new additions she's added to her jewelry repertoire, my favorite are the new horn necklaces.  To enter: comment below with your favorite Beaded by W piece or tag two friends on my Instagram (bonus points if you do both)! Good luck! Winner will be announced Wednesday a.m.

Find Whit on Instagram, Facebook and her Website!

Annie