Blackberry Punch

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BlackberryAffair #CollectiveBias

I first discovered Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale last spring and instantly fell in love. Ginger Ale easily tops the list of favorite bubbly drinks for me, and adding in that subtle blackberry flavor makes it even better.  

One of my favorite things to do when the weather gets warmer is to eat outdoors and have friends and family over to enjoy the weather and some grilled food! These types of gatherings tend to just pop up in my family...someone will decide in the afternoon to have everyone over for dinner, so it’s great to have a quick go-to beverage recipe up my sleeve to whip up at a moment’s notice.  

I love making these little casual gatherings a little bit fancier just by serving something special and unique, so this Blackberry Punch is perfect (and impressive) for whipping up at any time, but it’s also a great addition to any bridal shower, birthday party, or even an impromptu girls’ day! In fact, my mom and I also served this punch at my brother and sister-in-law’s rehearsal dinner last year and it was a huge hit!  

WHAT YOU NEED //

+ Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale (12-pack or 2 liter)

+ Fresh blackberries

+ Cranberry-Lime seltzer

+ Fresh or frozen cranberries

+ Raspberry sherbet

+ Rosemary sprigs

To make this easy punch, simply combine the Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale (one can will make one 16-oz glass, or you could combine the entire 2 liter bottle with other ingredients in a punch bowl), 1/3c seltzer, and a generous scoop (one per glass) of the raspberry sherbet.  Be careful...the sherbet will cause the soda to foam and may overflow the glass, so add it slowly!  Top with a few blackberries and cranberries and a sprig or two of rosemary, and Voila!  You have a beautiful, unique drink that’s sure to wow your guests!

Doesn’t it look delicious?

I easily found Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale at my local Giant Food Store! It’s available in both a 12-pack of cans and 2 liter bottles, both perfect for making this delicious Blackberry Punch!  Made with real ginger, Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale is only available for a limited time between March-May 2016, so grab it and bring feel-good refreshment to your next gathering before it’s gone!

HAVE YOU TRIED CANADA DRY® BLACKBERRY GINGER ALE?  WOULD YOU SERVE THIS PUNCH AT YOUR NEXT GATHERING?

Perfect Holiday Eggnog Smoothie

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayWithChobani #CollectiveBias

I know that I say this with every season, but I really can't believe that it's December!  With the holidays quickly approaching, there's the never-ending to-do lists, shopping and wrapping, and of course, hosting and attending lots of holiday parties!  One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is the wealth of goodies to enjoy!  

One of the holiday things that I've never been able to fully enjoy (before now) was eggnog.  Any time I'd had it, it was just too sweet and too milky for my liking.  But I feel like eggnog is one of those timeless, classy holiday indulgences, and you just can't go through the season without having a glass or two.  So, I decided to take the classic flavors of eggnog and turn it into a smoothie...perfect for an after-dinner treat at your next holiday party or at a festive holiday brunch!  It's an easy alternative to the classic eggnog that your guests will definitely love.  

Made with Chobani® Greek Yogurt, this smoothie is low in fat and high in protein, making it a great choice for the base of this treat.  Chobani® is an awesome choice because it has some great benefits, including three types of probiotics, 40% less sugar than other yogurts, and no artificial sweeteners.  Check out this simple recipe and enjoy!

WHAT YOU NEED //

Key Ingredients:

+ 1/2c Chobani® Vanilla Greek Yogurt

+ 1c unsweetened vanilla almond milk

+ 1 banana, frozen

+ 1/4 c chopped pitted dates

Additional Ingredients:

+ 1/2 tsp cinnamon

+ 1/4 tsp nutmeg

+ 1/2 tsp almond extract

+ 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

+ whipped topping (optional)

Mix together all of the ingredients in a blender and serve topped with whipped topping and cinnamon!  It's that simple, and a great treat for after dinner or even for breakfast!

I found all of the ingredients I needed to make this tasty smoothie on a quick trip to my local Walmart!  It was easy to pick up everything I needed for this quick smoothie, perfect for any occasion!  And when you grab the 32oz container of Chobani® Greek Yogurt, you'll have plenty to whip up these smoothies for a big party, or to have a yummy breakfast parfait the next morning!  (That's what I did with mine!  Just layer some granola and berries in with the yogurt...yum!)

Check out more Chobani® recipes here, or connect with Chobani® on their Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest!

DO YOU LIKE EGGNOG?  WOULD YOU TRY THIS SMOOTHIE?  

Picnic Must-Haves

One of the things that AJ and I have always loved to do is go on picnics!  I distinctly remember one of our first little lunch dates being a picnic at a local park near our church.  Picnics are so great for having a relaxing and laid-back meal, and just really connecting with other people.  I think that's why AJ and I love grilling out so much.  Even if we're not sitting on a blanket on the ground, eating outside and slowing the pace down is just good.  

Once AJ moved to Boston, our picnic-going became less frequent, and these past few months have been especially tough because he's been gone all summer.  But after I went to Boston in July, we discovered the fun of summer in the city!  We love walking all over Boston, but this season calls for laid back picnics in the park, and so we took a blanket out to the Fens and enjoyed a fun afternoon hanging out and just enjoying the scenery. 

I love these kinds of little dates so much because they force you to focus on the other person.  AJ and I try really hard to put our technology down while we're together and just enjoy one another's company, and laying on a blanket in a park allows for great conversation and just pure relaxation!

Picnics are wonderful for the fact that they don't take long to throw together.  You don't have to plan too far ahead, and you can easily put your picnic together on the go!

1 // A GREAT BLANKET

Obviously the most important part of a picnic is a great blanket!  I keep an old quilt in my trunk at all times so that I can put a picnic together on-the-go.  Your picnic doesn't have to be anything fancy...all you need is something large enough for a few people to sit or lay on and that you don't mind throwing down on the ground.

2 // REFRESHING BEVERAGES

Having some great, light beverages is even more important during the warm summer and early fall months, and personally, I think there's just something great about having glass bottles!  AJ and I picked up IZZE's new Sparkling Water (available in Blackberry Pear, Mandarin Lime, and Raspberry Watermelon) and it was the perfect summer beverage!  We're both trying to be good about what we put into our bodies, so these USDA Certified Organic, triple-filtered, low-calorie sparkling water is the perfect fizzy drink for a summer picnic.  It's available both as singles and in 4-packs and we especially loved the Mandarin Lime because it taste like a lemon-lime soda without the high amounts of sugar and calories!

3 // LIGHT SNACKS

If you're eating outside in the heat, you probably know that it's hard to stomach anything heavy.  I love having fruit, veggies, and other light snacks that won't leave you feeling weighed down.  Other great light snacks include pretzels, popcorn, and little crackers or grahams.

4 // HAND-HELD FOODS

This should be a no-brainer, but having hand-held foods is imperative for a good picnic!  Whether it be a sandwich or just picky things like pita chips and hummus or even pizza, keeping foods simple and remembering the finger foods of your childhood will help keep things laid back and chill at your picnic.  No one wants to balance a plate and utensils and messy foods while you're sitting on the ground!

5 // MUSIC AND/OR A GAME

Throwing a deck of cards in your picnic basket or bag is never a bad idea!  AJ and I also love to have a great playlist on our phones to play while we eat or just hang out.  We often take turns making playlists and then playing them on speaker on our phones.  It's amazing what having some music can do for your atmosphere, and having an easy, portable game is great if you've got extra time to spend together!

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR PICNIC MUST-HAVES?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Orange Mint Shirley Temples

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WaterOnlyBetter #CollectiveBias

There's nothing better than a girls' night in, in my opinion.  I've always loved hanging out with my friends at one of our homes, wearing comfy clothing and enjoying an evening of fun and laughter and chatting with your besties.  In a season where the stress of wedding planning or pregnancy is hitting nearly all of my friends, sometimes, a night in with the girls is just what the doctor ordered.  

This summer has been crazy, to say the least.  It sort of felt like it never started and yet here we are on the brink of August and I'm not sure where it all went.  Between my brother graduating from college and the discovery of lesions on my dad's brain and AJ heading back to Boston for Berklee's summer semester, May was crazy enough, and then June hit with the accident and our church being catapulted into the hardest season we've ever faced.  

With all of that happening on top of planning our wedding, there's been little time for true relaxation. No beach trips or days spent lounging by the pool.  Heck, except for that one day trip to Rehoboth, DE, where AJ and I took a walk along the beach, my toes haven't even touched the water, and that is pretty much the saddest thing ever!

But in the midst of all of this craziness, I've learned time and again how important it is to carve out time to take care of yourself or spend time with your friends.  I'm such a DIY bride that I've had countless evenings of painting, staining, and putting together the bouquets and boutonnieres for the wedding, and my Matron of Honor, Jen, has been there to help me so many times!  A few weeks ago, she spent a few hours with me just hanging out while we put together some florals and she's offered her help so often since.  

While DIY work nights are great, I really think it's also important to just have some time to relax and enjoy time with your girls.  Because this is such an exciting season for so many of us, it's also fun to glam things up a little when the girls come over.  At-home pedicures or manicures are made even more special when you add some sparkle!  And that sparkle can come in the form of a great atmosphere, delicious snacks, or, in this case, fun drinks!

I love a good Shirley Temple (who doesn't?!), and this one is made unique by the inclusion of orange and mint.  It's a great (easy) option for your next girls' night or solo night in!  So mix some up, light a few candles, put on a record, and break out the nail polish for a great spa night at home!

WHAT YOU NEED //

+ Canada Dry Sparkling Seltzer Water, Madarin Orange flavor

+ Fresh Oranges

+ Fresh Mint leaves

+ Maraschino Cherries

+ Grenadine

+ Ice

+ Granulated Sugar

To make this fun sparkling drink, start off by rimming a few glasses with granulated sugar (might as well go all out, right?!).  Then, fill the glass with ice.  Personally, I go for crushed, but it's totally your preference!  Pour a can of the Mandarin Orange sparkling water over ice, and toss in a couple of cherries, a spoonful of the juice from the maraschino cherries, and two spoonfuls of grenadine.  Top the drink with a few mint leaves and a slice of fresh orange, and you're ready to go!

The great thing about this drink is that you can totally customize it however you'd like.  The mandarin orange version is delicious, but you can do a lemon-lime version with the Canada Dry Lemon-Lime Sparkling Water, or choose one of the other yummy flavors.  All of the varieties of the Canada Dry Sparkling Water have zero sodium, zero calories, and natural flavoring, and are available at Wal Mart!  And right now, you can save 50¢ on one (1) 12-pack cans of any flavor of Canada Dry Sparkling Seltzer Water with this coupon.  

WHAT'S ON YOUR MENU FOR YOUR NEXT GIRLS' NIGHT IN?  HOW WOULD YOU ENJOY CANADA DRY SPARKLING WATER?

Blueberry Mint Iced Green Tea

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MeAndMyTea #CollectiveBias

I've always loved tea.  My grandmother taught me well and raised me on cups of strong black tea in the mornings that we spent together over the summers when my parents were both at work.  Even now, I still love visiting her and sipping tea on her porch.  I often spend Sunday afternoons cutting my grandparent's grass and then love sitting on my grandmother's porch swing with her and catching up.  And her first offer to me is still always a cup of tea.  Although, during these summer days, I prefer an iced tea! 

Iced tea is a great, refreshing summer drink, and I love that I can enjoy it without any added sweetener!  My favorite way to dress up a cup of iced tea is to include some fruit and fresh herbs in it, and my current obsession is blueberries and mint.  Besides being super simple (as in, I'm going to give you a recipe but it can hardly be called that because you don't even need it), it's quick, versatile, and so tasty!

So, to make my new fave, all you need is some fresh blueberries (convenient since it's blueberry season, huh?), fresh mint, and Bigelow green tea!  Brew the tea bags as if you were making hot tea (one bag per every 6-8oz of water is a good ratio), and let them steep for a little bit longer than you would with a hot cup.  You'll water it down with some ice cubes, so it's good to err on the strong side.  I like to muddle some blueberries and mint leaves just to get the flavors moving a little bit (simply mashing them with a fork will do!), and then of course, topping your glass with some whole leaves and blueberries makes the experience summer perfection.  

Every time I pick up or make a glass of iced tea, I'm back in my grandmother's kitchen as a little girl, chatting about boys and school and enjoying my morning cup just the way she used to make it.  Bigelow is my favorite choice because their tea is all America, fresh, and Bigelow supports our troops!  Next time you're at Walmart, pick up a box of Bigelow tea and turn it into your next refreshing summer drink!  

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO ENJOY ICED TEA?

Easy Blackberry-Lime Spritzer (Plus Quick Party Decor Tips!)

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KeepSpringBubbly #CollectiveBias

I'm so excited to show you how to make this super simple (and super delicious) Blackberry-Lime Spritzer today!  I can't wait to feature this pretty drink at all of the spring and summer get-togethers I have planned for this year. 

Growing up, our house was always filled with people.  I had friends over all the time and our family has always been close-knit, so backyard BBQs and impromptu get-togethers have been frequent happenings in our home for as long as I can remember.

My mom is, without a doubt, the hostess with the mostest.  If one of her spiritual gifts isn't hospitality, well, I don't know what is.  She knows how to whip together a quick (and beautiful) spread of food and knows how to make people feel welcome in her home at a moment's notice, and I like to think I inherited even just a little bit of that from her.

I love hosting get-togethers, and with both my brother and I getting married at the end of this summer (and considering I'm one of my future sister-in-law's bridesmaids), I'm sure this summer will be full of both planned and impromptu parties at our home.  I'm a firm believer that even the most spontaneous of parties deserve some fun decor, and so today I have some tips for party planning for you!

While planning a party in fifteen minutes or less might seem daunting, it's definitely possible!  To start, whipping up a quick, fun, and special drink will make any occasion seem fancier.  This Blackberry-Lime Spritzer will not only satisfy your guests' palette, but will also look like you are the (non-alcoholic) bartender to beat!

Here's what you need:
+ Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale

+ Fresh Blackberries

+ Fresh Lime Slices

+ Fresh Rosemary

To make this easy spritzer, simply pour a 2-Liter bottle of Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale into a pitcher and combine with the juice of two limes.  Toss a few fresh blackberries and 2-3 sprigs of rosemary into the pitcher.  Serve over ice and top each beverage with a lime slice, 3-4 fresh blackberries, and a sprig of fresh rosemary!  It's so easy and looks great on the table!

You can also make this spritzer with regular Canada Dry Ginger Ale if you'd like a little less blackberry flavor!  I found all of the ingredients for this spritzer at my local Wal-Mart, which is the best place to find this limited edition Canada Dry Ginger Ale flavor!




When it comes to party decor, you don't need to spend a fortune to make your spring bash beautiful!  Look around your home for pieces that can double as decor for a centerpiece or feature table.  Things like photos, globes, crates, cake stands, and even books and bottles can make great featured pieces.

All of the items that I used to create this tablescape were gathered together in about five minutes just by looking around my room.  Think outside of the box here!  You can use just about anything to bring some pizzaz to your table.  If you live in an outdoorsy area, consider gathering some flowers or greens (like ivy) from around your home or neighborhood.

If you're throwing a bridal shower, then consider creating (or ordering) some printable bridal shower games and look for decor pieces that show off things about the bride and groom.  For example, do you have some blocks with letters laying around?  Find one that has the groom's last initial on it and feature it with a few other pieces on the card/gift table.

Other everyday items make simple, yet special decor pieces...pretty hardcover books can be used to elevate glass soda bottles or jars which can be used as vases.  A pretty mug could hold some candy and placed in the center of a table for guests to munch on as they sit and chat.  A strip of fabric, like burlap, makes a great table runner.

Finally, don't underestimate the usefulness of your food as decor!  The Blackberry-Lime Spritzer made with Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale is so pretty that it makes a great focal piece on a table!  Place a few glasses of it with some paper straws on a cake stand to bring attention to it and add a pop of color to your tablescape.




See more great Canada Dry Ginger Ale® recipe ideas on the Canada Dry Ginger Ale® Social Hub.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOCKTAIL (OR COCKTAIL) RECIPE?  DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTY DECOR TIPS THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?

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