Guac + Queso

The way to a woman’s heart. If you can make scrumptious guacamole + queso, I’m yours as is every basic white girl. Add some tequila and things might get a little…well you know how that goes 😉  Mexican food is good every day of the week. Am I right?!

I decided to have Mexican Monday for some friends and was determined to make the perfect simple guacamole with a hint of lime and chunky queso. Ladies and gents, I did it and it was DELIGHTFUL!

COPYCAT CHIPOTLE GUACAMOLE

WHAT Y’ALL NEED

3 ripe Hass avocados

4 tsp lime juice

3 tbsp cilantro (chopped)

1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)

1/2 jalapeño, including seeds (finely chopped)

1/4 tsp salt

STEP ONE

Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit. Scoop out the guts of the avocado and place into a medium mixing bowl.

STEP TWO

Toss with lime juice and fold in the rest of your ingredients.

STEP THREE

Mash the mixture until you receive the desired consistency. Taste test…of course! And add any additional seasoning. Enjoy!

SLOW COOKER QUESO

WHAT Y’ALL NEED

1 lb pepperjack cheese

8 oz cream cheese

8 oz sour cream (I used light and it tasted fine)

3/4 cup whole milk

1 can Rotel tomatoes & green chilies, drained

STEP ONE

Cut the pepperjack cheese and cream chees into smaller blocks. This makes it easier to mix and melt.

STEP TWO

Place the all of the ingredients in a slow cooker. I recommend using a slow cooker clear liner bag to make cleanup easier.

STEP THREE

Place the heat on low and let the mixture slowly melt the ingredients and stir until the mixture starts to become smooth. Stir occasionally. Add more milk as needed. Our queso was melted in about three to four hours.

STEP FOUR

Once melted to your desired consistency, serve immediately or place the slow cooker on warm. Now go stuff your face!

Both of these recipes were more than enough for four people and we had leftovers. These make for the perfect additions to your football tailgating parties and cookouts. And remember, it’s totally okay not to have self-control with Mexican food. Don’t forget the margarita mix either!

Happy Tequila Thursday!

 

 

 

How to Get the “Contact” Button on Instagram

I’m a firm believe that knowledge is power. I’m not one of those bloggers that keeps all of the hidden tricks of tips of social media and site building to myself. I don’t see the point. I want to see everyone succeed and be the best they can be so competing isn’t my thang. We all have room to be great! So I’m sharing my newest little tidbit with you…

When I first noticed the newly added “Contact” button on select bloggers’ Instagram profiles, my heart jumped. FINALLY! Something that causes users to become more engaged and have literally everything they need at their fingertips. Instagram rolled it out quietly, but I wanted to know how to get the update ASAP.

There are so many perks including being able to add a phone number, email or locations so customers can reach you directly through the “Contact” button, insights about your followers and how your posts are performing, and even help with creating promotions or ads to build your business or blog. 

I’m happy to say, it’s now available to everyone! I converted to Instagram for Business this morning and it took legit maybe five minutes. 

STEP ONE

STEP TWO

 

STEP THREE

 

STEP FOUR

The only catch is that you have to have a business Facebook page to link to. I didn’t have one for my blog, but created one real quick.

STEP FIVE

Insert whatever info you feel is relevant. I only added my blog’s email address, but you can add a location and phone number too. This is great for legit store fronts or restaurants.

STEP SIX

DONE!

Look how sexy that “Contact” button is! It makes my IG page so clean and I was able to remove my email from the description. Bless!

So there you have it! Converting to a Instagram for Business is THAT easy and has so many perks. Enjoy!

And remember, knowledge really is power. All of us are in a world full of opportunity and growth. Helping others along the way is the right thing to do 🙂

– B –

Cleaning Essentials for Moving

Let’s face it, moving is one of the most stressful yet exciting experiences to go through. I’m a planner so naturally, I’m already three Pinterest boards ahead planning meals I’ll cook in the new kitchen, a remodel in the bathroom, decor and new floors….yet, I have forgotten that I still need to pack and clean the old place. Reality legit just hit me in the face!

I moved last year into a new home with my husband and learned quite a few things throughout the process including cleaning essentials to have on-hand all the time…especially through the awkward and slightly uncomfortable stage of moving while everything you own is still boxed up. One of the biggest comforts during the stressful haze of moving is the feel and smell of clean. I think most can agree that clean sheets is by far one of the best things in the world.

When making the big move, I made a plastic container of essentials like laundry detergent, air freshener, mopping supplies, toilet paper, etc. These items not only helped with the new home, but also getting the rental ready for inspection. As most anyone knows about this process is that in order to get that hefty deposit back from your rental, you have to clean until you bleed….just kidding, but seriously. Here are my MUST HAVE items in the moving essentials box:

• Laundry Detergent – I’m OBSESSED with Tide PODS®. These cute little pacs are a 3-in-1 laundry solution, that consist of a detergent, stain remover and brightener all at once. So easy and they smell delightful!

• Toilet Paper – You just gotta have it! I’m kind of a snob when it comes to TP. I can’t do the cheap stuff. Ain’t nobody got time for a rash! I like the Charmin® Ultra Strong Toilet Paper where less is totally more 😉
• Mop – Forget Mom’s old mop where you have to ring it out and change the water a bazillion times. Whoever came out with the Swiffer® WetJet Mop, BLESS YOU! It’s a compact mop that sprays solution on the floor and mops in one easy step.

• Paper Towels – Also a snob about this. I have to have paper towels that actually absorb and offer the smaller size sheet because sometimes you don’t need a whole paper towel. My go-to are the Bounty® Select-a-Size Paper Towels. No matter what the spill is, they’ve got me covered.
• Air freshener – Okay ladies, when you’ve got four or more men helping you move, you have to have beer, toilet paper, and air freshener. They are MEN after all. Don’t torture yourself with their stench. I fell in love with the Febreze Unstopables™ Fresh Air Freshener. They offer so many different scents and you can even match fabric sheets with the corresponding scents. BOOOOYAH!

• Wet Wipes – You just never know!
• Hand Sanitizer – Keep a couple bottles in the bathroom and around the house.
• First-Aid – To clean up all of the booboos! Moving is a full workout y’all!

I couldn’t live without these items. If I wasn’t using them in the new home, I was definitely using them to clean the rental. When moving, things can get scraped and dirt tracks in easily. Having the Swiffer® WetJet made quick cleanups real easy and saved my floors!

I keep a mock cleaning box like this ready at all times and am always stocking up on my Walmart shopping trips.

Also let me tell you, if you know someone who is moving or about to, a moving essentials cleaning box is THE best gift you can get them. Make them up a box with these cleaning essentials (a few snacksdoesn’t hurt either) and they will love you! I know I have had a few friends move and I was unable to physically help, but giving them this was a lifesaver. I still get thank yous for it!

Moving is full of long days and late nights and lots of stress, but quality brands like Bounty® , Swiffer® , Tide® , Unstopables™and Charmin® make your move clean and simple. Ease some of the anxiety by being prepared with Walmart’s New Home Clean Collection like I did. You can even buy online and pick it up in store! WINNING!

For those moving soon, I want to wish you a BIG congratulations! Also, take a second to breathe and enjoy the little moments. Your house or apartment won’t be perfect when you first move in, but be patient. Keep pinning and make those dreams a reality!

Happy Moving!

PS Our yard looks wayyyyyy different now. Boy what a year can do?!

– B –