Grape Salad

I attended a garden party this weekend and one of the desserts was grape salad. It was so good I got the recipe and made it for Easter and now it's easily become my favorite go-to dessert. Definitely would make a good summer bbq dessert.

Grape Salad
Ingredients:
2 pounds seedless green, red or both
8 ounces cream cheese
8 ounces sour cream
½ cup white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup (more or less) brown sugar
chopped nuts – I like pecans

Directions:
1. Wash and dry grapes
2. In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, sour cream, white sugar and vanilla.
3. Add grapes, mix until incorporated.
4. Sprinkle with the brown sugar.
5. Top the brown sugar with the chopped nuts of your choice.
6. Refrigerate until ready to serve – I like to make it the night before I’ll serve it.

Diagonal French Manicure

The diagonal french manicure is a chic and fun look that is so simple to create. I polished on a base coat, followed by two coats of Zoya 'Cole', then swiped on a diagonal coat of Jessica Cosmetics 'Ocean Bloom' and lastly a top coat. It's a simple and chic look perfect for spring.

 {Zoya 'Cole' and Jessica Cosmetics 'Ocean Bloom'}

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

When gray and wet days arose in college I always headed to my favorite little café where I would get a cup of homemade soup. Sunday was one of those painfully dreary days that just begged for that hearty soup for dinner. I decided to make one of my favorites Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice, it was the perfect way to end the weekend.

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Ingredients
½ cup butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup carrots, sliced
4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and cubed
1 cup all-purpose flour
7 cups chicken broth
2 cups cooked wild rice (I used two packages of Rice-A-Roni Wild Rice with Herb packet)
salt, pepper, parsley or other desired spices
2 cups half-and-half

Directions
1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Stir in the onion, celery and carrots; sauté for 7 minutes.
3.  Add flour and stir well.
4. Over medium heat, gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly.
5. Bring the soup just to a boil and then reduce heat and let simmer for 7 minutes, stirring continuously until thickened slightly.
6. Add chicken, rice and desired seasoning.
7. All the ingredients to heat through.
8. Pour in the half-and half.
9. Let the soup gently summer for about an hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The soup should not boil but should simmer over low heat so that it thickens slowly.

Personalized From Me to You Giveaway!

{c/o} Pink Maddie Tote | Personalized From Me To You} 

I have partnered with Personalized From Me To You to bring you a fab tote bag giveaway. The Maddie Tote comes in three colors; aqua, pink and black, has a zipper closure and comes monogrammed. Making it the perfect everyday tote for the office or the beach. 

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Giveaway: Four Black Paws "Swag Bag"

{c/o Four Black Paws collar}

I have partnered with Four Black Paws an adorable Etsy shop offering handmade dog collars, leads, bow ties and collar flowers handmade in Michigan, to bring you an awesome giveaway. Four Black Paws had the opportunity to add something to CELEBRITY swag bags at the MTV Movie Awards Gift Lounge and you have a chance to win the same goodies from Four Black Paws as the celebrities will receive today! Simply enter below:

SPOTTED: Aaron Hill (actor on Twisted | ABC Family) dogs wearing the same goodies from Four Black Paws that you can win below!!

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