I’ve been fooling around on the internet for quite some time now and slowly but surely I’m learning a thing or two. Slowly, but surely, I’m still working to move all of my projects here so that people can see what I’m up to and follow along on my “get internet famous” experiment. My goal? To be a financially independent writer and photographer on my terms. How will this goal play out? Time will tell…stay tuned as I add all the awesomeness I possibly can fit on this website!
@TipsyBartender #ThirstyThursday #TipsyBartender #BubblegumVodka
Today’s Thirsty Thursday post was inspired by the amazing Youtube Channel: Tipsy Bartender. If you have not checked out that channel, read this post first (duh!) and then go check it out. Guys who like hot chicks mixin dranks while shaking their booties will probably like this channel and girls will enjoy making fun of said hot chicks because we are mean jealous beaches. hahaha
Have a drink you want me to try or a product you want me to review?
Contact me HERE! I’m PR friendly 😉
Anywho- the drank!
So, I wanted to try:
Tipsy Bartender’s Bubblegum Vodka
watch his original video HERE!
To make the vodka you will need:
– 10 pieces of Bubblegum. I used Super Bubble because that stuff is delicious
– 6 oz (180 ml) Vodka
– Mason Jar or some other jar (I used a cleaned out spaghetti jar because recycling is how I roll)
How to:
1. Cut 10 pieces of gum and add them to a jar.
2. Pour in 6 oz. of plain vodka
3. Seal and let it sit for a couple of days
4. Strain the gum out and THERE YOU HAVE IT- Bubblegum Vodka 🙂
Now to make the cocktail that Tipsy Bartender made in the video you will need:
– The bubblegum Vodka
– Charms Blowpops (But I’m lame and totally forgot to buy these)
– Lemon Lime Soda such as 7-Up.
How to:
1. Fill glass with ice. I used an 8 oz. wine glass because I’m classy like that…
2. Pour in about 1.5 oz of the bubblegum vodka
3. Pour in about 2.5 oz 7-Up– to fill the glass my drink ended up being a little closer to 2 oz of vodka and 4 oz of 7-Up
4. Garnish with an unwrapped Charms Blowpops– But, again I’m lame and totally forgot to buy these so to improvised I took 3 pieces of bubble gum and put them on a skewer on top of the glass for the photo
5. Stir with the garnish and DRINK!
So, what did I think of the Bubblegum Vodka? It was REALLY Bubblegummy just like the chick in the video says. Then, when adding it to the 7-Up soda it still tasted just like drinking bubblegum!
I would drink it again, but I would have to be in the mood for something that sweet to really enjoy it. It would be interesting to see what other drinks could be made with this vodka.
Okay- so…now for a little bit more about the man behind the brand! Skyy John, the internationally famous host of the Internet’s top bartending show “Tipsy Bartender,” has spent the last ten years bartending at one of the hottest and trendiest spots in Los Angeles, as well as hopping around the globe mixing incredible cocktails….aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand he wrote a kick ass book! Check out “I’m having a girl over” by Skyy John today!
This post may contain a link to an affiliate. See my disclosure policy for more information.
#IQuit #ScrewtheNinetoFive
Friday, September, 26, 2014, was my last day working at my 9 to 5 temp job. I worked there just under six months (179 days if you care to count). In a way- temping brought me back to life. I don’t talk about it much but in 2013 I was slumping into a bit of a depression. In 2014 I was starting to come out of that depression because I started a fun new gig and was forming plans for more new gigs, but my lack of income was still plaguing me.
In February I signed up with a local temp agency and in March I got a call that I would be a receptionist for a furniture dealer in Tampa. Interestingly enough as soon as I started working there I began getting call backs for my true passion- writing and photography. Then, about 3 months into working there I got lucky enough to fly to California for a blogging conference and make even more connections for more possible gigs. Before I knew it I was getting so many calls to write and take pictures that I found myself struggling to get up in the mornings because I was staying up late working on my real job. The final clue that it was time to leave my temp job came when I got offered a writing gig that would basically replace my temp job income…so of course- I took it! Now, I’m a little scared because I was starting to get used to a steady check but I’m hopeful that more good things are coming and that I won’t ever have to go back to a nine to five style job ever again.
Okay- so that is the back story and now, here are a few things I learned from almost six months of temping:
1. Change can be a good thing. Just the act of forcing myself out of the house brought so much more pep to my step. I may be able to work from home again- but I’m trying not to. Instead I’m working in coffee houses, the library, my husband’s office, anywhere with Wi-Fi honestly. I’ve learned that I just get too lazy and unproductive when I’m at home.
2. Sleep is crucial for me. My husband can sleep two to four hours and then work an eight hour day, but I NEED a full eight hours or things get weird. I get overly emotional, spacey, extra A.D.D., it’s just no beuno!
3. I need to be around people. I think one of the best things about the temp job was being around people. As cheesy as this is going to sound, it took me being around people for six months to realize just how lonely I’ve let myself get. I’ve only been out of the job for over a week and I’ve already had a lunch with a fellow writer, scheduled a dinner with another and reached out to a blogging group to see if we can organize a get together. I think my need for being around people is part of why I haven’t let myself stay home to work even though I can…
4. I do best with a schedule and a to-do list. I never realized just how A.D.D. I am until I was forced to set priorities and schedule my assignments. It’s amazing how much work I can get done in limited increments and now that I have nothing but time I’m trying to force myself to continue sticking to a schedule. Somehow making up fake deadlines and appointments is helping me complete stuff that I need to get done.
5. I can’t stand a nine to five job. LOL! Okay, this one probably came off meaner than I meant for it to, but I’m a soooooooooooooo not a nine to five chick. Yes, I learned I need structure and scheduling, but I also realized just how much I need the flexibility to move appointments and assignments around for whatever reason. I love the freedom of being able to set my own hours and do what I want when I want as long as deadlines are met.
Recently my husband and I went out to our local Bonefish Grill. We were still celebrating my birthday because the freebie Bonefish gives you for your birthday doesn’t expire until like a month after your birthday!
Anyway- back to the reason you are really here- THE DRINK! I wanted to try something a little different and my eyes wandered down the menu and landed on the Wild Orchid Hawaiian Martini. I decided I had to order it and once it arrived it was even more delicious than the ingredients listed made it sound like it would be. SO YUM!
The good news is with a little help from google, I found the recipe! Supposedly, it is the exact recipe, so here you go:
Bonefish Wild Orchid Hawaiian Martini
Ingredients:
– 1.50 oz Cruzan Guava Rum
– 1.00 oz Zico Coconut Water
– 0.50 oz Monin Coco
– 0.25 oz Monin Desert Pear
– 0.50 oz Fresh Lime Juice
– 0.50 oz Pineapple Juice
Procedure: Combine all ingredients in a pint glass filled with ice. Shake 20x vigorously. Strain into frozen martini glass.
Garnish: An edible orchid floating on top.
Have you had this deliciousness in a glass? What did you think of it?
Like this drink recipe? Check out a few of my others:
30 is a big round number, and I was inspired to share 30 things I’ve learned in 30 years. Here’s what I’ve learned…do you have any ahas to share? Leave a comment below!
Also check out Celebrites I Share My Birthday With!!!
Where I found the picture at the top of this post
This post contains links to an affiliate. See my disclosure policy for more information.
I’ve been wanting to try a beignet ever since first hearing about them on the Girls Next Door (don’t judge me!). The girls were in New Orleans for Mardi Gras- Kendra and Bridget were sick and Holly bought them coffee and beignets in attempt to bring them both back to life. I hadn’t heard of beignets before that episode actually- I know. I need to get out more. Well, today I got my chance to try beignets because one of the gals I work with has a dad who apparently loves cooking and has a killer recipe for these powdered sugar covered fluffy concoctions. Above is a photo she took after her dad made a batch and this morning she brought some into the office.
The best way I can describe a beignet now that I’ve finally eaten one is an airy pastry coated in crack powdered sugar. Just don’t call it a doughnut!!!
These little bastards are good and I confess one wasn’t enough so I had a second. The second one was just as good as the first. I would definitely be willing to stuff my face with them again if given the chance. Apparently they are best when made fresh though. I went back for a third about a half an hour later and it wasn’t as good.
Too impatient to wait on a trip to New Orleans or for someone to bring you some to try? Here’s a recipe to make your own at home.
This post contains links to an affiliate. See my disclosure policy for more information.
This morning was a serious wake up call. I woke up feeling so sick that I couldn’t go into my day job. I have seriously got to make some adjustments to the way I organize my time, my
business, my life. If I keep burning the candle at both ends there won’t be any light left for me or anyone else to enjoy.
Folks chasing your dreams while trying to pay the bills- how do you organize your time to have it all?
I posted this originally on facebook this morning and Domestic Goddess Kristen behind the amazing blog The Road to Domestication had the best answer for me. Check out what she wrote:
I literally SCHEDULE IN down time. Sounded so dumb to me at first…but everything else in life takes up time, so why not schedule in some time to rest, too?!
I have also had to remind myself that I CANNOT DO IT ALL, and I can’t HAVE it all…and that is
okay. I prioritize the day – the things I HAVE to do, like go to my full-time job, because if I don’t do that, then I’m in trouble as far as budgetary needs, ha!
I make sure there is time to do something for MYSELF. As selfish as I thought that was at first, I realized that, if I crash and burn, I can’t do anything for anyone! And if I am rested, and happy, and not feeling stressed, I really can do everything else BETTER. Now, that doesn’t mean that I’m out getting a pedicure every week or anything. Sometimes doing something for myself is just going for a walk in peace and quiet…or going to bed early! LOL
New for me in 2014 is blocking. I have literally blocked out several months of the year so I don’t have anything else happening except photography, Or except insurance. Or except family time. Or anything else. Not only can you get more accomplished when you’re focused, but you don’t feel so scattered from having to fight 10 fires at once.
I don’t even know if any of that book I just wrote makes sense…but YOU asked! LOL….
We are the ones who have a hard time listening to our bodies But we only have one! Hard to remember, but true!
To me every single part of what Kristen wrote makes perfect sense. I think it’s exactly what I needed to read right now. I realize I can’t keep giving myself to everyone because that’s what caused me to wake up this morning and literally have nothing left. I could barely form a sentence when I called in sick. I had the most massive migraine and just took some Advil and went back to bed.
I normally get up at 6:30/7 at the latest and I slept in til 11 a.m. and felt so unaccomplished because of it. I just have been trying so hard to do so many things that my body slapped me silly this morning and then threw me back in bed.
Now I want YOU to chime in. How do YOU find a balance when trying to chase your dreams and maintain a day job?
Source for image above
I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching lately and I have read a lot of self help books. We all have those moments when we want to know why we were put on this planet and that is something I’ve been seeking to find over the last several months. After really digging deep I’ve come up with my mission statement for my life:
My purpose in life is to learn how to be financially independent and how to take care of my mind, body and soul and to teach others how to do the same…
There it is. Why I’m here…To teach.
I have actually known this deep within myself for years and had that epiphany while I was in my freshman year of college. I remember a random bike ride with my mom where I broke down crying and told her I wanted to change my major to education.
Fast forward to today and for anyone who doesn’t know my major and the degree I ultimately graduated with was mass communications. However, the desire to teach never left me.
What I have realized over the past decade (wow- has it really been a decade since I was a college freshman?!? holy crap!!!) is that my mission in life IS to teach, but not in the traditional grade school setting I thought of many years ago.
I think this is why I was feeling the strong pull to become a writer. I want to learn something and then share what I’ve learned and writing has been a wonderful medium I’ve used to teach.
Now, that I have officially determined and written out what I know my full life’s purpose to be, I feel like I can create goals and passion projects that are centered around it.
It may seem silly to you, but simply defining what my purpose is has given me a new sense of excitement and a strong desire to fulfill it.With every project I think of going forward I will know how to center it around my life’s purpose and therefore be more passionate about the things I do and the life I live.
Found this on the facebook page of The Buried Life and loved it so much I HAD to share it- “I know today is Monday and you assume it’s going to suck, but according
to statistics, there will be over 5,000 weddings, 10,000 childbirths,
and 42 million hugs occurring today throughout the United States. Also
today, there will be at least 4 people that will win the multimillion
dollar lotteries, 600 people will get promotions at work, and 3,000
people will lose their virginity. There will also be 600 dogs adopted,
35,000 balloons sold, and 800,000 skittles eaten. Plus, the words ‘I
love you’ will be said over 9 million times. So again, I know today is
Monday and you assume it’s going to suck, but just smile, because
according to statistics, it should actually be a really nice day.”
Have you heard of the show The Buried Life? The premise is simple. What Do You Want to Do Before You Die? This simple question spawned what is now a more than 6 year journey of four young guys trying to cross items off their bucket list. One of the coolest things to me about their journey is that for every item they accomplish on their list they have to help a stranger accomplish something on the stranger’s list.
I just finished watching Season 2 last night and immediately went online and purchased their book and I can’t wait to get it and read it!!! These guys are a massive inspiration to me.
Like them on facebook and while you are there, like me too 🙂
This post may contain a link to an affiliate. See my disclosure policy for more information.