Chipotle Fans Rejoice!

Can I just say a HUGE God Bless Chipotle on behalf of people everywhere?
I mean seriously, how can you not love their fresh delicious food?

Not to mention they have single handedly saved my sanity (and our marriage!) one too many times...

I remember when Adam and I first got married, I was trying to wow him with my "superb culinary skills" and fancy meals every night. On this one particular day I had just spent hours scouring recipes and came across a BBQ chicken meal that looked incredible, and the best part was you threw it all in a crockpot and let it cook itself.

So I prepped everything, tossed it in the slow cooker and let it do it's thing. I was so chipper driving home from my downtown office thinking that dinner was ready and I was the coolest wife in the world. Well, low and behold I walked in the door expecting to smell slowly roasted tangy chicken, and all I smelled was smoldering burnt barbecue sauce and dried to the bone chicken.

As soon as Adam got home and was able to pull my sobbing blubbery self back together, we both looked at each other and instantly said, "Chipotle?". Yup, you bet I drowned my sorrows and bruised ego in guacamole and I loved every second of it.

To say I am a die hard Chipotle fan would be a massive understatement. I don't think we could go a week without indulging our cravings for their fresh, locally sourced, organic food.

So you can imagine my excitement when I learned that Chiptole's Cultivate Festival was coming to Kansas City for the first time on July 18th! 

Cultivate is a free festival that merges good food, an awesome music line-up, craft beer, and fresh ideas about food issues. We can't wait to try delicious food that goes far beyond the Chipotle menu (including a sampling of their new pizza restaurant concept!), sample Boulevard's Cultivate Farmhouse Ale (made just for this festival!), great music, top celebrity chef demos, and local artisan fare!

I'm also looking forward to their interactive experiencesand exhibits like the Guac-From-Scratch station, Factory vs. Farm exhibit, GMO experience, and Fresh vs. Processed foods exhibit! They even have a Kids’ Zone with snacks and fun activities like an organic cotton pit and plant-a-seed demonstration with Slow Food USA. 

Plus for each activity experienced, festival attendees can receive a stamp and learn their way to a coupon for a free burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos at any Chipotle.

Ummmm, free Chipotle? 

Yes please!

If you are in the KC Metro area, come join me at Penn Valley Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. this Saturday, July 18th! This year marks the fifth anniversary of Cultivate, and Kansas City is the second stop on a three-city tour, including Phoenix (April 18) and Minneapolis (August 22), so come out and show Chipotle the same love they show me every time I have a Pinterest meal flop! 

See you there!

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Stitching + Brews: A Night With Hey Paul Studios

{photo by Kari of This Too}

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to go to the increasingly popular Eat Drink Stitch monthly happy hour. This fantastic event is hosted by the ever-so-warm and lovely Kristen Shuler from Hey Paul Studios. She is such a talented embroidery artist (check out her work!) who had a dream of unifying crafters by inviting them out for a fun, mellow evening of stitching and sipping.

Each month, the Eat Drink Stitch happy hour changes locations and features all new stitching designs, food, and drinks in a fun local setting. The inaugural event that was held at Westport Flea Market was a raging success, leaving the 2nd event at Big Rip Brewing Company to sell out in no time!

As soon as Kristen extended the invite to me, I knew I had to call my crafty, fabulous friend Kari to join me. We drank delicious Big Rip brews (get the little tasters - it was fun to try several different kinds!), purchased adorable stitch kits that Kristen put together, picked out a cute pattern, stopped by the complimentary thread bar to pick out colors, and went to town! 

{photo by Kari of This Too}

All in all it was a great night. I made some new friends, had a ton of fun, and already can't wait to go to the next happy hour! Stay tuned - you can sign up to get on the notification list HERE.

In case you would like to attend an Eat Drink Stitch event and can't make the happy hours, check out Hey Paul Embroidery 101 Workshop. This is part of the brand new Eat Drink Stitch coffee house series (I cannot wait - this is right up my alley!).

Here is a little more from Kristen herself:

"This event is a bit different from the Hey Paul happy hours that you may have attended. While just as fun, this is a fully guided (and caffeinated) embroidery workshop for beginner level stitchers. 

 During this 2 hour course, you will learn all about the basic tools of hand embroidery, three basic stitches, discuss pattern making techniques, and methods for mounting your work for display. You will also receive a subscription to my online newsletter that is packed full of tips, tricks, and tutorials. Coffee and delicious snacks are available for purchase during this workshop. Seating is extremely limited." 


 If you are interested in attending, tickets can be purchased HERE.
 I hope to see you there!


 

Follow along here:  BlogLovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

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Weekend Outlook + Have a Brave One!

Hello, sweet weekend, I have missed you!

Every single day this week, I have woken up thinking it was Saturday like some kind of cruel joke. Then I would drudge away at work trying not to count the minutes that needed to tick by until 5 o'clock.

Please tell me I wasn't the only one this week...

Well, praise the Great Lion of Judah, the weekend is finally here.
I can't wait to celebrate with some fun plans and a whole lot of relaxing. Here's what's happening...


Friday //
Tonight, Ally and I are finally going to make it down to Westport to try out the acclaimed food at Port Fonda for the first time (I know, I know... I am way late to that fiesta), and then we will be taking in some Ingrid Michaelson awesomeness at Grinders. It's going to be a spectacular night.


Saturday //
I am dog sitting for several family members, so my house will be full of pups with cold noses and I couldn't be more excited. I can imagine a trip to the dog park will be in our very near future.

 Adam has been in rural Canada this week on a business trip, so contacting each other has been slim to none with no phone service and spotty internet connection. Needless to say, I am missing my other half and can't wait to have his back home to catch-up.


Sunday //
I will be up bright and early just chilling with my cute 4th graders at Sunday school. After that we will hit up what my girls call "big church", and hopefully going to see a movie. The Hundred-Foot Journey has been calling my name ever since I saw the trailer, and I can't wait to revel in this foodie film.

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In case you missed it on the blog...

+ eats around KC & new adventures
+ 8 favorite fitness must haves
+ 30 day slimdown favorite recipes
+balsamic rosemary marinated flank steak recipe
+ week-long blog link-up
+ a little pick-me-up

I hope you are braver this weekend than a Beast flying through the waves chasing her beloved stick.
Let's catch up for Mingle Monday and share our adventures, okay?


See you there, brave ones.

Follow along here:  BlogLovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

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Weekend Outlook + Giveaway Winner

I'm sitting here at work taking a quick coffee break and wishing I was with my blog friends at GO Blog Social, just blocks away. I've never been to a blog conference, but I am dying to go! Have you been to one before? Thoughts?

Also, thanks to all who entered the Scentsy giveaway! The lucky winner is... Stephanie Hubers! Congrats, I will contact you to get your prize to you!

Anyway, it's a good day, simply because it's Friday. My favorite day of the week. I am so antsy for some weekend relaxation to begin, and this weekend has a pretty promising outlook...

Friday//
I may run down the street over lunch to check out the West Bottoms Antique Shops, since they only open the first weekend of every month. There are so many great finds like re-purposed furniture, art, and home decor. My three favorite shops are (RE) Restoration Emporium, Good Juju, and Bottoms Up.

Adam is with the guys out at The K to watch the Royals Opening Day. So, I may round up the women folk and then we can meet up with them for dinner. Possibilities are endless!

Saturday//
Off to Zumba with my friend Magoo (no, just a nickname, but I wish it was her real name...) and then head on a nice long trail walk with hubs and pup. Saturday evening is all about celebrating our friend Ally's birthday, so the bash will be one heck of a good time!

Sunday//
I don't have my 4th grade Sunday schoolers this week (my break week!), so we can head to church whenever works best. I suspect I will want to cook a more complex recipe for a nice dinner and possibly bake a berry pie (aka: earn some serious wife points).

// What's your weekend outlook? //

In case you missed it this week...

+ weekly link-up

+ tv addicts, help!

+ adam's 30th birthday bash

+ gratitude lately

Catch you for Mingle Monday at the start of next week!

Gratitude Lately

After fantastic midnight thunderstorms and listening to the gentle pitter patter of raindrops falling on the Haskins House this morning, I decided to wake up extra early for a little adventure before work. 

It's amazing how the little moments can fill your heart with gratitude.

Thankful for delicious fancy spice lattes and friendly barista smiles on an early rainy Thursday morning.

For thunderstorms that help me sleep like a newborn babe and the smell of fresh rain.

For colorful petals that have the ability to brighten any mood.

For furry paws and sleepy Beast cuddles curled up in bed.

And for thankfulness that brings, which always seems to put everything into perspective.

// What are you thankful for today? //

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I feel very flattered to be featured on The Blog Baton this morning. Catch me over on their Instagram (@TheBlogBaton) today for some extra fun adventures, and find out more how you can be featured here.

Wishing you a cheerful day full of all the little things that make life so sweet!

PS - Don't miss out on the WEEK-LONG "Mingle Monday" link-up! Get some exposure for your blog HERE!

PPS - Don't forget to check out my awesome giveaway! Deadline is tonight at midnight.


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Cheers to the Weekend

Friday.

Can I get a big ol' amen for that one?

I woke up this morning swearing up and down that it was Saturday.
Umm, cruel trick, world. Cruel cruel trick.

But don't you worry, I snapped to it pretty quickly. There is something about Friday that puts me in the best mood ever. I'm ready for refreshing cocktails, relaxing, and spending time with friends!

{via}

A few things...


1) So I wore patriotic colors and kicked it with the Governor at my office yesterday. Hung out with his secret service. You know, a usual Thursday.
JK! Details to come next week!


2) Ridiculously excited to check out First Fridays in the Crossroads district tonight. This plan has been in the works for quite some time... I mean I've lived here for 4 years and still haven't been! Cool art, incredible people watching, and indulging in the local food truck cuisine.


3) So this song has been playing on repeat since literally last night at 11 p.m. (my impromptu PJ dance party). God bless my poor husband.





4) Can't get enough of running lately! I crave being outdoors with the wind in my hair and sunshine on my face. Our weather here in KC has been so perfect for logging some miles on my favorite trails. It's better than craving my usual peanut butter, eh? ;)


5) Cannot wait to try this easy ice cream recipe and this springtime cocktail recipe ASAP. And did I mention today is National Donut Day? Yum.

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What are you crazy cats up to this weekend?


Cheers to the weekend, lovelies!



PS - Sephora giftcard and Life of Meg ad space giveaway still going on until Sunday!!