Father's Day with Snapfish & A Giveaway!

On the eve of my wedding day, I couldn't be happier to be writing this post about my Dad. Although Father's Day is a few weeks away, I couldn't wait to give my Dad his gifts this year. In my household, family is everything. Us Greeks take family time very seriously and we are all very connected and intertwined in each other's lives. Personalized gifts go a long way, so of course I knew I wanted to make something fun, and personal for my Dad to have as a keepsake. 

I've gone through all kinds of emotions this week. From happiness, to tears in mere minutes and my Dad has seen me through it all. When I think about the type of family I want to create, my own personal family is what sticks out in my mind. I love the idea of bigger families who stay close and do everything together- and that will remain a constant in my life in the future. 

My Dad has always shown us that family is everything. For that, I will be forever grateful. He has worked hard, accomplished so many things, and has never given up his sense of culture. I think that I love most about my Dad is how he has sacrificed everything, to be the best husband and father. Whether that meant working 20 hour days, or taking risks to become successful, he has truly done it all. I can't think of another man who inspires me the way my Dad does. Not only does he inspire me, but he also believes in everything I do. He pushes me to follow my dreams, and not be afraid to fail. He motivates me to work harder, and be a better person.

So on the eve of my wedding, I can simply say this. It will be an honor to have the father/daughter dance, but I truly cannot wait to have my Dad walking me down the aisle towards my future husband, welcoming our new lives together.

So what do you get a man who has everything? You show him how much you love him by making him gifts that are personalized and special. I can't wait to show my Dad his gifts this Father's Day. Snapfish helped me make the best gifts for my Dad, and there are so many options of personalized gifts to choose from.

To win a $50 Snapfish product code enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

• Leave a Blog Post Comment: Share one of your favorite dad moments.
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Dates to enter: Monday, May 23 at 9pm PT - Friday, June 10 at 9pm PT
Winners will be randomly selected and notified by Clever Girls and/or Snapfish by Friday, June 17 

Terms & Conditions: The official Terms & Conditions are included in the widget; here is the high-level eligibility criteria: Age 18+ , US resident only, Only one winner per household.

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

Memorial Day Weekend Essentials with Nestlé® Drumstick® S’mores

Hey guys! So excited to be teaming up with Nestlé® Drumstick® S’mores today to talk about their delicious new flavors: Chocolate Marshmallow, Toasted Marshmallow, and Toasted Marshmallow with fudge. As most of you know my nephews are very important to me. I spend so much of my free time with them so making sure they're happy and satisfied this Summer is definitely a priority. All three of them LOVE ice cream, and when I showed up with Nestlé® Drumstick® S’mores they were ecstatic! 

For the first time ever, our entire family (and friends) will be spending this Memorial Day at our beach house, and I can't wait for all of us to spend some quality time together. The beach and ice cream pretty much go hand in hand, so I am pumped for the weekend ahead. 

What is great about Nestlé® Drumstick® S’mores is that anyone, of any age can enjoy them. I truly feel like ice cream brings people together in such a fun way. One of my fondest memories when I was a child was spending the nights eating ice cream with my cousins and neighborhood friends. The NEW Nestlé® Drumstick® S’mores bring out all the delicious flavor of S’mores with marshmallow flavored ice cream, and a rich graham cracker, chocolatey coating.

I had so much fun spending time with my nephews (and Oliver of course) and I can't wait for the weekend. We plan on bringing our Nestlé® Drumstick® ice cream with us and eating it right on the beach. I hope New Jersey brings the sun- because we're definitely bringing the delicious ice cream!

Visit local grocery retailers to purchase NEW Nestlé® Drumstick® S’mores, or visit Drumstick.com to learn more. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

The Healthy Triple Decker With Oscar Meyer Selects!

Hi everybody! It's been a while since I have shared one of my favorite healthy recipes, so I am happy to be teaming up with Oscar Meyer Selects Natural to bring you a recipe that puts a spin on the classic turkey club triple decker sandwich.

The triple decker is always my go-to when we go to any diners in the area, so being able to make it in my own home- is extremely important to me. It's also important that I use healthy food options that fit into my balanced diet. Oscar Mayer Selects Natural is made with no artificial ingredients, and is minimally processed. Selects Natural has no artificial preservatives (the back side of each package lists the ingredients used to preserve quality), no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, no gluten and no by-products.

Choosing quality ingredients is important for me because I like to keep everything in my diet, healthy and nutritious. Since we are making a healthier version of this sandwich, I have subbed out some ingredients that will make this sandwich not only tasty, but also good for you. 

Turkey is one of my favorite lean protein options, and it's extremely low in fat, which I love.I think people assume that cold cuts are all bad, and that's not the case. Oscar Mayer Selects Natural is the perfect choice for anyone looking for quality cold cuts that have no artificial ingredients and delicious taste. I sometimes eat turkey as a snack with a little bit of hummus, it's perfect and filling for any time of the day. 

For this particular recipe,

What you'll need:

-3 Slices of Pumpernickel Bread

-Oscar Mayer Selects Natural Slow Roasted Turkey Breast 

(about 2 slices per slice of bread)

-3 Slices of Turkey Bacon

-2 Tablespoons Light Mayo

-Kale Leaves 

-Salt & Pepper to taste 

First you'll want to toast your bread slices. While the bread is toasting you'll want to cook up your turkey bacon, to your desired crispiness. I like mine extra crispy, so I over cooked it for this recipe. The crunchier- the better!

Next add mayo to your bread, and layer your bottom slice with turkey, kale, and turkey bacon. You will do the same for all three layers, and when you're ready, slice them into perfect triangles, and you are ready to go. It's a very simple recipe- with a very sophisticated flavor.

You can learn more about Selects Natural and all the Oscar Mayer products on OscarMayer.com, Facebook at Facebook.com/OscarMayer, Twitter at @OscarMayer and on Tumblr at OscarMayer.Tumblr.com.

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

Bride To Be Beauty Routine

Hey everyone! Happy Friday! As you all know, my wedding is in less than six months, so the official countdown is on! Since I want to look and feel my best on this special day, I have a full on beauty/health routine in the works that will help me feel more confident once the day approaches. Since there are so many photos being taken that day I am very conscious of what I am putting into my body, and how that affects my skin. Here are some things I am doing to prep for my big day. 

Whitening my pearly whites: Having a sparkling smile is something that has always been very important to me. Growing up I had a lot of problems with my teeth, from braces to retainers, and everything in between, I have seen it all! So many things affect the brightness of our teeth, and one of those things is the food and drinks we consume. Even though I love coffee, I know it sometimes has a tendency of darkening teeth.   Having a bright, shining smile is probably the most important thing on my wedding beauty routine list. That's where Crest 3D Flexfit Whitestrips come in. In only 2 weeks, Crest 3D White Supreme Flexfit Whitestrips can whiten teeth as well as a $500 laser treatment. As you can see in the photo below, it gave my teeth that extra brightness that they needed. I use my strips at home while I am relaxing, or doing laundry, and it takes no time at all. I love that I can be in the comfort of my own home while using these strips. (Fyi: I used mine for two weeks, for approximately an hour each time)

Below you can see a before photo (on the bottom) and the top is the after. My teeth are always white, but I really wanted that extra push, and as you can see below, it gave me that shine that I needed! 

Healthy Diet / Workout Routine : This is very important to me because not only am I health conscious regularly, but I also want my skin to look bright and clear. I am staying away from anything processed, high in sodium, and anything with a lot of sugar. My focus is on green vegetables, fruits, and a whole lot of water! This also goes hand in hand with working out regularly. Since the holidays were insane, I am back to a normal schedule at the gym, and I could not be happier. My goal isn't to lose tons of weight or become a twig; I just want to be healthy, and in shape. 

Makeup & Hair Trials: Anyone who knows me personally, knows that my makeup is pretty standard day-to-day. I hardly ever step out of my comfort zone, I rarely wear lipstick, and I keep it all pretty minimal besides my signature cat eye. I already got a makeup and hair trial at Depasquale The Spa, and I loved it, but I still want to continue to test out some looks and see what I want to do. I am very indecisive when it comes to makeup, and really I just want to look like a better version of myself-nothing crazy, nothing caked on, just me, with a little glam. As far as hair goes, I also have no idea what to do with my hair. I've started a secret pinterest board that has some ideas in it, but strangely enough, I have no idea what to do! I'm hoping that the trials will help me figure out what I want when the day comes, but until then I am just testing different things out and seeing what I like! 

 Hope you guys have a great weekend, and if you're a bride to be, I would love to hear your routine!

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

Influencer Marketing For Dummies

Since the evolution of the internet, most people stray away from reading actual books, and sadly, I think this is a travesty. I love reading, especially when it's a book that sparks my interest and keeps me wanting to read more, or learn more. 

I am so excited to share my review of Influencer Marketing For Dummies with you guys. Upon receiving the book I immediately started reading, because as a blogger, I want to constantly be in the know for anything up and coming, and for ways to master my craft. 

One of my favorite parts of the book, was Chapter 4 : The New Rules of Engagement. This chapter touches upon compensation, creating contracts, and also the going rates for influencers. I think that as a blogger, it's always important to stay up to date on things involving monetary decisions. As a freelancer, every blogger (unless under management) manages their own time, events, posts, and campaigns. I really loved reading about going rates for each social platform, as well as expectations per platform and different factors that can affect each post.

Another favorite of mine was Chapter 11: Video Influencers. I really have wanted to jump into YouTube for quite some time now, and finally have taken the steps to do so. I am really interested in marketing through video and the book really goes into detail about building a brand, and why it's so important to stay consistent and how to commission sponsored video content. I also really loved Chapter 19: Ten Reasons Influencer Marketing Campaigns Fail. I love how honest this part of the book was, and it's interesting to see why some campaigns fail over others. What I took away from this section is that it's extremely important to stay authentic, and stay true to the brand you're representing. 

Overall, the book really hit home for me. It helped me feel motivated, but also helped me redirect where I want my brand and blog to go in the upcoming year. I also think it's really important to maintain professional relationships with the brands that I work with, so it was a really nice way to freshen up on all of the knowledge that you need to know as an online influencer. I think I gained a lot more knowledge about social media platforms, and I feel very confident knowing that there are different ways to approach brands with ideas and campaigns that can truly be successful.

If you'd like to win a copy of this book, I am giving one away on my Facebook page! Simply like my page, and check out the post about the book, and leave a comment- nice and simple! I will be picking a winner by EOD January 12th, 2016. Only one winner, and winner must be age 18+ and a resident of the US.

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

How To Stay Stylish & Warm For The Game!

Everyone knows that football season is the craziest time of the year for me. Not only am I busy, but I work football Sundays at my family's establishment, so I get to see all of the fans and I get to be in the midst of everything going on. Since it's such a huge part of my life, (I have been working these Sundays for almost 8 years now!) I take it all very seriously and I love being a part of the action with so many different fans that come into the restaurant. 

That being said , comfort is key. Me being a fashion lover, I always try and experiment between comfort, and chic outfits. I feel like you can easily balance out an outfit by wearing different colors that compliment each other, all while not sacrificing your comfort or style. These pants from NFL.com are so comfortable, and I am in love with the pattern.

 For this outfit  I tried to center it all around the pants. I love how comfortable these pants are, and since the weather is a little on the chillier side, I threw on a long cardigan and comfy tee to bring it all together. This hat is awesome too, so comfortable and warm, and perfect for the upcoming holiday season. The colors are bright and fun, and I love that I can represent my team, all while staying warm and comfortable the whole time! 

So how do you represent your home team? What's your favorite article of team clothing you rock on game day? 

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

First Home Must-Haves -- The Best Vacuum You'll Ever Need

When moving into a new place, one of the most important things  to have, is something that is going to help clean up all the messes. Prior to moving into the house we live in now, I grew up in a home with hardwood floors. I never really understood how to deal with carpet, or how dirty it can get. Between us, Oliver, and everyone coming in and out when they visit, I always try to make sure that our home is as clean as it can be. 

I am so excited to be teaming up with Hoover today to talk about their Air cordless vacuum. Before going cordless, it never even crossed my mind that there would be such a lightweight vacuum that got the job done, and did it all so quickly! I can clean my house in half the time, I can pick up every piece of dust and fuzz in the carpet, all while doing so- cord free! You don't realize how convenient it is to go cordless, until you try it. Once you go cordless- you can't go back!

What I really love about it is how easy it is to push around the carpet, how it slides easily around turns, and how it fits under places like the couch, and tables! The battery charges, and last long, and there is a light that shines from the bottom of the vacuum so you can see exactly what you're doing- day or night. This line has 4 cordless cleaners—3 vacuums and a hard floor wet cleaner.

I truly feel like this vacuum is a game changer in the home. I've never felt so confident about my clean carpet, and overall clean feeling in the house.

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

Oliver's Favorite Dish is Rachael Ray Nutrish

Hey guys! Happy Friday! I have been so excited all week to post these photos, and more importantly to talk about Oliver. Anyone who knows me knows that I love Oliver as if he's a member of our little family. Since Ollie is my baby I always make sure that he gets the best of the best. When it comes to picking out toys, treats, and food Ryan and I always make sure to do our research before purchasing. Oliver is definitely a finicky little pup. He is a picky eater, and so many dog foods that we have tried in the past didn't really digest well, and he seemed pretty lethargic.

We recently teamed up with Rachael Ray Nutrish and Oliver got a chance to try out the Zero Grain Beef with Bison Dry Dog Food.  I love the fact that this dog food is made with simple and natural ingredients. When you read the ingredients list and it's not miles long, you know it's the good stuff! Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® Zero Grain™ Beef with Bison Recipe is made with simple, natural ingredients like real U.S. farm-raised beef, which is always the number one ingredient, combined with wholesome vegetables. And there are never any grains, glutens or fillers.

Since Oliver is a member of our family, his health and wellness are extremely important to me. This is the first dog food I can honestly say that he is begging for when done with his meal. He goes where the bag is, and starts scratching to beg for more! I think it's important to take care of our pets, just as if we were taking care of ourselves. I keep Oliver healthy and happy by walking him twice daily, making sure he gets plenty of kisses and hugs, and of course giving him the best food, that will keep him active and energized!

To learn more about Rachael Ray Nutrish follow on: Twitter // Facebook // Instagram

To get a Ray Nutrish discount ($3 off Zero Grain pet food) and try it for your pet, check this out!

My AmaZING Latte & Cappuccino Recipes!

What’s your favorite thing about mornings? Mine is definitely the coffee! Today I am sharing two of my favorite recipes with you guys. I am going to be sharing how I make my cappuccinos and lattes from home- with a good coffee machine, anything is possible!

Mornings are generally difficult for most people, but they really don’t need to be. I think something that has helped me a lot is definitely waking up earlier, and giving myself more time to get ready and really “wake up.” I love waking up early and having time to eat breakfast and drink my coffee outside (when it’s warm at least!) Mornings don’t have to be miserable, and if you start giving yourself a little more time, you can actually start to love them too! Trust me, I never thought I would be saying this, but I am.

Coffee can make or break your day- so you gotta make sure you get it just right. Today I am teaming up with Born Sweet® Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener to show you how I make the perfect latte and cappuccino! It’s awesome to enjoy the sweetening experience of Zing™ Stevia Sweetener. It is made with only real ingredients – nothing artificial, it has the perfect sweetness found in the stevia plant. I always keep my diet extremely clean, so this is the perfect addition to my morning routine. Zing is perfect to sprinkle into your coffee, teas, smoothies, over fruit and other favorite foods and beverages.

Can’t forget the Zing!

First, you may be wondering what the difference is between a latte and a cappuccino. A latte is made with espresso, milk foam and steamed milk. A cappuccino is very similar but has more foamed milk, than steamed milk.

I also personally suggest getting a good coffee machine. I have discussed this in the past, but a good coffee machine truly makes all the difference. I use a Jura at home, and it’s been a huge life changer!

Here’s how I make my favorite morning beverages:

Latte- First, steam the milk. Heat your milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Let the milk bubble around the edges, but don’t boil it. Remove the pan from heat and place aside. Next you’ll need to whip the milk with a mixer (I use the Froth Pro) this will provide great froth for your latte.

Now brew your coffee. Make sure you brew for an espresso. If you’re using a coffeemaker use two tablespoons of coffee per 5 ounces of water. Once the coffee is done, pour the steamed milk over the espresso, and add ice (if you wish).

To perfect your latte, add 1-2 packets of Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener for a perfect sweet taste.

Cappuccino-First steam the milk. Heat 1 cup of milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow the milk to bubble around the edges but don’t let it boil. Remove the milk and set aside. Whip the milk with an electric mixer. (Again- I use the Froth Pro) until the milk thickens. Do this until you get the desired amount of froth.Make your coffee. Measure 2 tablespoons for every 5 ounces of water. You can use a french press or an automatic drip coffeemaker.

The perfect cappuccino is 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 foam. I like to use unsweetened french vanilla syrup and 1-2 packets of Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener depending on how sweet you like your drink.

Would you guys like to try a sample of Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener for yourself ? Go here to request a sample, and it’s yours free!

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

The Perfect Picnic With Izze!

Now that Summer is coming to an end I am enjoying the last few weeks we do have by spending most of my time outside.  Although it's been really hot in New Jersey, around dinner time the weather cools off enough just to be able to enjoy sitting outside. I love having picnics in the park and this Summer we really tried to do just that, whenever we found the free moment. I can't believe Summer is almost over, and I feel like it just started!

 When planning a picnic, I always make sure to include the essentials. Since we still want to make sure we stay hydrated and healthy, we always keep water with us.  Some other essentials include cheese, some delicious salami, and of course fresh fruit.

IZZE Sparkling water has become my new go-to drink this summer. It's delicious with true to fruit flavors including raspberry watermelon, mandarin lime and blackberry pear. It's triple filtered mountain spring water and the fruit flavors are organic, which makes me feel great about what I am putting into my body.

Although the Summer is coming to its conclusion, we can still enjoy the remaining days by stocking up on good food and drinks, and of course, great company!

Have you guys done anything fun this Summer? If so I would love to hear about it!

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