Super Bowl Recipes.

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Happy Saturday friends! I wanted to share a few of my favorite recipes with you guys that would be perfect for tomorrow's Super Bowl festivities! Enjoy!

Super Bowl Soup
Buffalo Chicken Garbage Bread - SO good! The guys loved this when I made it last year!
Ham & Cheese Sliders (Always popular!)
Captain Rodney's Dip (my #1 requested appetizer...everyone loves this!)
Sweet BBQ Meatballs (super easy; follow this recipe or do what I do: one jar of grape jelly and one jar of cocktail sauce for every bag of frozen meatballs used...easy and so tasty!)
Pecan, Brown Sugar, and Kahlua Baked Brie (My favorite!)
White Pizza Dip (I'm trying this recipe out this year!)
Beer Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dip
Drunken Salami
Sausage Crescent Bites
Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Wings
Hot Corn Dip

Don't forget about the sweets!
Kahlua Brownies
Salted Fudge Brownies (These are a classic in our house!)
Cowboy Bark (the copycat recipe from Trader Joe's)
Scotcheroos
Better Than Sex Chex Mix (Oh la la!)
My Favorite Trail Mix (I love putting out something like this so people can grab a hand-full when they walk by! It always disappears!)
No-Bake Biscoff Cookies (Chris' favorite)

The Gratitude Project.

1. FaceTime - If it seems odd that I'm listing this one first, let me explain. I met Chris, my now-husband, in July 2007. From that day on, until right this moment, we have spent huge amounts of time apart. Sometimes I'm talking different countries! If it weren't for FaceTime, the distance apart would be even more tough! There were times both in 2011 and 2012 that I went 3+ months without seeing him! FaceTime allowed us to not only talk to each other but see each other's faces, expressions, and smiles. It might not seem like something to be thankful for, but when you're thousands of miles apart from each other on a regular basis, it's become something I am incredibly grateful for. Thanks Steve Jobs! ;)

2. Whole Wheat Bread - When my mom used to make my lunches in middle school, I would get so embarrassed when I would pull out my "brown" bread sandwich. Everyone else had a white bread sandwich, but mine was different. When you're in the 5th grade, the LAST thing you want to be is different…that includes what you bring for lunch! (What a change from then until now!) Everyone else had glorious Twinkies and Ding Dongs, and I had a homemade brownie. I thought I was missing out… Until I hit adulthood. I realize now that my mother had homemade snacks for me that were lovingly made and tucked inside my lunchbox for me to find that day. I am grateful for the time she took to make those delicious goodies and for the healthy "brown" bread I had, because it laid the foundation for me to be healthy as an adult. Now I love that "brown" whole-wheat bread and wouldn't have it any other way!

3. Neighbors - While I was home this past weekend, one of my parent's neighbors stopped by with a meal she had made for my mother. As I mentioned before, my mother hasn't been feeling well and hasn't been her usual self lately. Usually one to have an elaborate, home cooked meal every night, she just hasn't had the energy to do so as often. Her neighbor, our friend, knew that and took the time to make a delicious meal for her to enjoy. It was such a blessing to spend time with my mom the whole afternoon, knowing there was a delicious meal already waiting for her/us that evening. Not only was my mom grateful for that love gift, I was, too. I'm grateful that she has such wonderful neighbors that she can call "friends."

4. My Pageant Days - Last night, as I was watching the Miss Universe pageant, I couldn't help but be reminded of my own pageant days. I competed for 4 years, and during that time, I gained so much more than I ever could have imagined! I got a best friend out of the deal (that ended up introducing me to my future husband!), many friends that I still keep up with today, confidence, poise, and interview skills to rival the President's! My parents always kept me in check, saying as long as I did my best, that is all that mattered. I won some… and lost even more, but I am grateful for what my years in pageants taught me: (1.) You win some, you loose some.  (2.) If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.  (3.) It's what's on the inside that counts.  Pretty good life-lessons from "beauty pageants," huh?

5. My Husband's Attitude - My husband pulled up to get me at work one day a couple of weeks ago. We were going somewhere where we only needed one car, and he took me to and from work that day. There is a big window in the front of the building, and as he pulled up to get me, he had a huge smile on his face, grandly waving to a couple of us inside. Things have been tough for him this past year, and my friend turned to me and said, "Wow. Look at his smile. He has such a good, positive attitude about life. That's so special, especially after all he's been through." That made me so emotional, because she's right! He has such an incredibly positive outlook on life, and he always seems to be happy. The thing is… 99% of the time, he IS truly happy! Life can certainly challenge us sometimes, and I'm grateful to be married to someone who sees the good and fun in life when it's not so "good" and "fun."

{19 years old…With my parents at the 1st pageant I won that took me to Miss Tennessee}

{Miss TN 2006, with my best friend Erica, right after being called into the Top 10!}

{Backstage at Miss Tennessee, with ladies I still call friends!}

{Evening Gown Competition}

{Absolutely love this. Via}

LLIA Favorites: Blush.

Clockwise from top: Nars Final Cut, Milani Luminoso, e.l.f. Pink Passion, 

and MAC Modern Mandarin

Introducing Lindsay Loves It All (LLIA) favorites...

 I wanted to share a few of my favorite blushes today. I think a swipe of blush can transform your face, especially during the cold winter months when skin tends to be dry and "blah!" 

1. Nars Final Cut - This was a Nordstrom Exclusive, and unfortunately I don't think it's available anymore. I saw the reviews on it when it first came out, and I knew I had to have it. I love bright orange/coral color blushes! You have to use a light hand, but they are so beautiful on the skin when applied correctly! I especially love this blush when I have a tan. You can see it up close here, along with some swatches of the blush. 

2. Milani Luminoso 05 - After reading so much about this blush, I had to pick it up at CVS. I love the color and slight bit of shimmer it has. It's not glittery at all, just a pretty sheen. This blush is sheer at first, but you can build it up to the intensity you want very easily. I love the finish, too. It goes on very smooth. This is my daily go-to blush! 

3. e.l.f. blush in Pink Passion - Another affordable blush that I love! It's $3, and I got mine at Target. It's a copycat of Bobbi Brown's blush in Pale Pink blush, which is a cult-favorite. This blush adds the perfect pop of color when applied to the apples of cheeks and makes your face look fresh and awake. See it at Target here.

4. MAC Modern Mandarin - After looking at this blush, I am sure you can sense a theme going on here. I love anything orange/coral/peach when it comes to makeup. I feel it compliments my skin tone and enhances my eyes. After years of reading about makeup, trying it on, and just being all around obsessed with it, I've figured that much out! This shade is perhaps my all-time favorite, and I wear it all year long - but especially during the spring and summer. You can buy it online at MAC. 

Try these out, and let me know what you think! Don't be afraid of these seemingly "bold" blushes! With the right brush and a light hand, they are 100% wearable. I promise! Here's my tip… go to your favorite makeup counter and ask for help picking out a new, fun blush. Get the makeup artist to help choose a color that's best for you and your skin tone. They will apply it for you, and you can test it out that way. I encourage you to get outside of your box when it comes to blush! It will make a world of difference on your pretty face!