Delicious, Homemade Valentine’s Day Candies with Marshmallow Crème

It's hard to believe the day of love is only a WEEK away now, but don't fret... I'm here to save the day with this delicious, homemade marshmallow filled candy recipe so you can wow your sweetheart!

While these candies look amazing and intricately created, they are super easy to make and nearly anyone can become a candy making professional in just minutes, so go ahead and buy a cute heart shaped box and treat your sweetheart to a dozen of these adorable desserts on Valentine's Day!

Valentine’s Day Candies with Marshmallow Crème   

Time: 2 hours  
Yields: 8 Candies   

Ingredients:

½ cup Wilton Bright Pink Candy Melts     

1 tbsp. Cream Cheese     

½ cup Marshmallow Crème      

Red Coloring     

Small Candy Hearts (red, pink, or white)     

1 Wilton Stack & Melt Candy Mold  

Instructions

A Wilton Candy Melting Pot is recommended to heat candy melts. If you do not own a candy melt pot, you can simply microwave candy melts at 50% for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat at 50% for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat at 50% in 15-second intervals and stir until completely smooth. Do not over heat.   

The next step is easy, using a spoon, slowly pour candy melts into each circular cavity in your candy mold. Rotate the mold from side to side, ensuring all sides are coated. Dip out any excess. The goal is to create a thin shell. Gently tap mold onto countertop to remove air bubbles.        

Place mold in freezer for 30 minutes.       

In a small mixing bowl, combine marshmallow crème and cream cheese. Add red food coloring until desired color is achieved.       

Remove mold from freezer and add in marshmallow crème mixture into each circular cavity.   

Pour a thin layer of pink candy melts on top of each cavity, creating an enclosure, don't forget to wipe any excess from the side. Place mold in freezer for 30 minutes, then remove. Gently pop each candy from the candy mold.        

Add a drop of pink candy melt to some cute small candy hearts and place on each candy.

Place candies in freezer for 15 minutes, remove & enjoy!

A Celebration for The Choice by Nicholas Sparks: A Book Club Favorite! {NOW in Theaters: February 5th}

This post was sponsored by Lionsgate as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

I know I can't be the only girl in the world that gets lost in a book; getting swept away with the characters and their story line, letting my imagination and vivid storytelling take me away to another place. So it comes as no surprise that I've been lost lately in The Choice, by Nicholas Sparks. The man has a gift for writing and I always appreciate reading the dreamy, romantic novels he produces, but this book is one of my favorites.

Spending time with my feet in the sand and hearing the ocean breeze rolling in, while reading a love story with unexpected, yet brilliant twists has been how I passed my time recently... and maybe a few afternoons cuddled up on the couch too. I've enjoyed having the chance to read the book and now I'm making the choice to go see The Choice in theaters, TOMORROW (February 5th).

To celebrate the occasion, I had a few of my besties over to do a little gossiping about our favorite parts of the book. I guess you could say we're officially a "book club" since we spent most of the day snacking on some delicious foods, and dare I say, we even took the time to treat ourselves to mani-pedis while chit-chatting about The Choice! There's really nothing better than pampering yourself while sharing your thoughts!

I don't want to spoil the movie (and/or book) for you, but this story is about a fun, feisty medical student named Gabby who moves in next door to a total ladies man, Travis. From there, they get swept away in an unexpected, whirlwind of a romance neither even thought possible. The thing is, Travis doesn't believe in long-term commitment and, well as hard as it is to admit, Gabby is already in it for the long haul... or she thought she was, until she met Travis.

The Choice is one of those novels that takes your heart on a journey and I think it's definitely a must-read for any book club involving hopeless romantics! After you complete the book, you'll definitely want to compare it to the movie so I suggest you check out which theater you can catch it in nearby you... or if you're more of the movie-going type of crowd, add The Choice to your must-see list & check out the preview for the movie today:

So will you make the choice to go see The Choice this weekend or are you going to wait until you've read the book first/ I know I'll be sitting front and center to see this book come to the big screen, there really is nothing better than a love story by Nicholas Sparks... but any girl with a heart knows that!

Cool Weather & Foamy Lattes!

Thanks Tomoson for hooking me up with this fantastic Amazon seller & a new milk frother cup, regardless all opinions expressed below are completely my own.

While it may be hard to believe, it's been a tad bit chilly in Florida lately. I'm not claiming that we're expecting snow any time soon, but I've been rocking hoodies and drinking my coffee hot lately.

With a hot cup of joe I tend to like a nice blend of milk, specifically frothed milk and luckily this precious little beauty holds the perfect amount to add to my cup each morning. I'm able to rock a homemade latte in a warm mug, every single morning, if I want and that's all thanks to a simple little silver milk frothing cup like this.

Are you wanting to add some tasty, foamy fun to your cup of delight in the morning? Find out how you can score an awesome deal on one of these here and use the coupon code "LPNL8GSH" to save 30% off your order!

7 Tips to Transform From a Night Owl into an Early Bird!

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

I've never really been much of a morning person but in 2016 I'm making every effort to transform into one. We've all heard the saying, early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise, right? So as you can probably guess, my routine this year has started off with an earlier bed time and an early wake up time and so far, so good.

You may be wondering how I've made the adjustment, especially because I was the type to stay up til 2AM without any issue before... and it was actually pretty easy.

Do you want to make a change in your life? Here's 7 different ways you can start doing that today!

1. Make sure you're wearing yourself out in the evening, either with a walk around the block or chasing your kids around the house... spend time exerting energy on purpose.

2. In the mornings, supply your body with energy it needs! My favorite way to get my body going is breakfast and for my favorite new meal of the day I choose belVita Breakfast Biscuits. Why do I choose this deliciousness over others? belVita breakfast biscuits provide nutritious steady energy all morning, plus they contain NO high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, or artificial flavors/sweeteners.

I love a wholesome way to get my mornings going and belVita provides that! Want to know which flavors to try first? I fell in love with the belVita Blueberry Breakfast Biscuits, then with the belVita Bites Chocolate Breakfast Biscuits. The truth is they're all delicious and I'm loving waking up each morning with my belVita Breakfast Biscuits paired with a freshly made juice or smoothie...

3. Speaking of juice or a smoothie, these are both great additions to your breakfast routine! It's easy to make and so delicious, just toss in your favorite fruits and veggies and a little bit of yogurt or milk,  to a blender or a juicer and you're all good to enjoy a revitalizing beverage with your delicious belVita Breakfast!

4.  If you're really serious about turning into a morning person, you may need a reminder... so this little freebie printable I designed may just be the perfect way to put yourself into a good mood, each and every day. Reading it once in the morning, whenever you first wake up, is a great way to make sure your mindset is on point the second you get out of bed, because it's true... One small positive thought in the morning really can change your day!

5. I also suggest you sip on some water in the morning, rehydrating your body is an important part of making sure you have enough energy each and everyday! Plus, the Mixed Berry belVita Bites pair perfectly with a tall glass (or bottle) of H2O!

6.Next on the list of "early bird" essentials are vitamins! Whether you take them first thing or with your breakfast, be sure to sneak in some of the nutrients your body needs in pill or gummy form! It's an easy addition to make to your morning routine and the benefits are endless!

7. The last little piece of advice I have for night owls hoping to become early birds is to let your creative juices flow for a little bit in the AM. If you let your brain have a little fun with some journaling, poetry writing, sketching, etc, you're more likely to feel more productive and happy through out the day!

So, tell me... Are you also a night owl hoping to convert to an early bird? I'd love to hear a few ways that you're adjusting your schedule and maybe we can learn something from each other!

If you're already a morning person, I definitely want you to share your secrets to success! I can't wait to hear all about your lifestyle in the comments below!

Plus, don't forget to grab a box of your favorite belVita breakfast biscuits the next time your at Target!

Creatives, You CAN find Inspiration ANYWHERE!

Finding inspiration for my art is sometimes a process, from looking at other creative influencers artistic talents and finding bits and pieces of their style to incorporate into my own, to traveling and seeing unique sights that hold beauty and history, to even just looking up in the most mundane of places and finding beauty; like this stunning piece of art work found in a hospital back in my home town. It's a process, an interesting one, and one that I think will forever be a part of my life.

Lately I've been feeling more creative and wanting to find true inspiration, a muse, if you will. Then I saw the new Motorola Moto X phones designed by Jonathan Adler and I felt it...  If you're a creative person, you know the feeling I speak of, a true sense of comfort and a drive to make something that instant. I suppose you could even say it's almost a euphoric experience when you find your muse.

With 32GB of storage, silver accents, a 21MP camera, and all the standard Moto X Pure Edition features, these gorgeous phones are all the rage and exactly what I needed to inspire me! Offering more of what you want, less of what you don't, like lasting battery life, advanced water protection, and a fun, unique designer style - I'm longing to have one of these beauties in my hands!

So what did these phones inspire me to create? I made this gorgeous little painting based on the Half Circle Back Moto X; it's stunning and so perfectly simple - the way I envisioned my painting. So I created this little bed of "stone rocks" to share my version of something beautiful with you.

So tell me, where do you like to find inspiration? Are you the type to google for days to find something that gets your creative juices going or are you a fan of pinterest and all the fun ideas you can find to inspire creativity? I can't wait to hear all about it in the comments below.

Proactiv 3-Step System Review

This post was sponsored by Proactiv as part of a Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

I'm constantly in front of a camera, spending time family, or meeting new people so I always want to look my best, as well as do. With that said, you may remember last month when I mentioned that I use Proactiv to treat my break outs that wouldn't seem to go away and I'm glad to say that, with the exception of hormonal breakouts, I've been nearly blemish free!

I'm so happy to walk around, make up free most days now that I've followed the Proactiv routine and really made it part of my lifestyle. It's amazing that my little blemishes and breakouts have become a rare occurance and very minimal when they do happen, this is truly something I wasn't sure was possible. But with the help of my favorite face wash, it totally can happen, for anyone!

Why do I love Proactiv so much? It does what it says it will. Proactiv clears acne and helps prevent future breakouts, leaving my skin fresh and vibrant instead of red and blemished. Proactiv also provides me with a visibly more hydrated, even toned, and simply radiant complexion.

{results may vary}

Whether your a teen wanting to look perfect for an upcoming social event, a woman planning a big Valentine's day date with hubby but feeling like your skin just doesn't look beautiful anymore, or a man wanting to avoid pesky pimples that pop up out of no where, we all hate acne and know it's no fun to deal with. The effects of acne are not just on the skin, as most of us know... it can impact your self-esteem and ultimately make you not feel like you anymore. Proactiv gives you the chance to take control of your acne, leaving you feeling positive about yourself and your skin. You can reveal your true self to the world with Proactiv!

So are you wanting to get rid of your pesky pimples, horrible blemishes, or the occasional zit? Be sure to check out how Proactiv can make you more comfortable being you!

Creamy Chicken & Pepper Pasta: This Recipe is a Winner!

Sometimes a girl just needs pasta...and a good football game to watch! Well, I'll leave the latter to my husband to decide on, but I know I'm all about a good bowl of filling, delicious, creamy pasta, any day of the week!

So it probably comes as no surprise that I like to serve up a hardy and filling dish on game day like this delicious creamy chicken and pepper pasta! Not only is this recipe amazing, it's pretty simple to make - the perfect game day recipe!

Add this simple pasta dish to your list of favorites to serve all year long and don't be surprised if you're asked to bring this to a party for the Big Game this year! Especially because it involves everyone's favorite ingredient, Mezzetta Roasted Bell Peppers!

Creamy Chicken & Pepper Pasta

4 small chicken breast 1 tsp garlic
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp rosemary

1 can cream of chicken
1 package gluten-free linguine noodles
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp kosher salt
Bring to boil on med-high heat
1/2 jar of Mezzetta Roasted Bell Peppers, Diced
1 tsp flour
1/8 tsp water
1/2 cup baby portabella mushroom


Mix together the garlic, thyme, sea salt, black pepper, and rosemary, then sprinkle on each side of chicken breasts. Grill or pan sear, until lightly blackened.

Go ahead and get a large pot of water boiling for the noodles. Next, you'll want to cut the chicken into small thin strips and then set aside for a moment.

Now we'll get started on the sauce. Mix the cream of chicken, whole milk, Parmesan, black pepper, and Kosher salt together in a sauce pan and bring to boil on medium-high heat.

Mix together the flour and cold water then slowly stir into sauce, letting the mixture cook for two minutes while stirring and then reduce heat to a simmer.

Now we're almost done, so you'll want to add in the baby portabella mushrooms and the chopped Mezzetta roasted bell peppers! Let simmer while cooking noodles for a few minutes

While you're waiting for your dish to finish simmering, don't miss your chance to win big! I'm super excited to share that Mezzetta is giving away a big screen TV amongst other prizes! Which one do you want to snag the most?

Plus, check out these DELICIOUS recipes for the most amazing nachos using only the best of the best, Mezzetta and tell me all about your MVP, #MostValuablePepper!

Celebrate The Big Game with a Pineapple Party!

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

The countdown to the Big Game is on and that means we're all watching our favorite football teams a little closer and enjoying some of our favorite foods while cheering them on. With that said, this weekend I had a little shindig to celebrate and while the game was good, the food was delicious!

Are you planning on hosting a party to watch the Big Game with your family and friends? You're in luck because this Pineapple party is the sweetest and most creative way to celebrate and I'm dishing out all the details and sharing a super cute printable to set the theme for your party!

We'll start with the chow, because who doesn't love food?! I decided to keep things simple, yet pineapple-y and the end result is sweet and savory and absolutely delicious.

The Red Baron Classic Crust Hawaiian-Style makes the perfect centerpiece for a pineapple party with perfect little pieces of savory Canadian bacon and delicious little tangy pieces of pineapple in each bite!

Plus, you can snag plenty of pizza at Target for everyone to eat and score a 5% discount with the cartwheel app... and it's so easy to pop these in the oven and have a meal served in just a few minutes-- I know I won't miss a minute of the game thanks to the simplicity of fixing Red Baron Pizza and I definitely won't sacrifice any flavor either! Literally, crust perfection in every bite is that easy!

While pizza is a fan favorite, you know I had to add plenty of pineapple into the mix for a pineapple party! So I served up these adorable little pineapple cups full of freshly-made pineapple juice, straight from my juicer!

Now I know what you're thinking, what more could I add to this delicious spread? Well, the answer is simple. These two recipes I'm sharing today are the perfect pairing for your pineapple party and they both are easy to make!

We'll start with the fun and festive Pineapple Kicker Dip! It's so delicious and has the perfect amount of sweetness to it!

For the Pineapple Kicker Dip you will need:

1 pineapple
1/4 packet of vanilla pudding mix
1/3 package of whipped topping

The toughest part of this recipe is slicing your pineapple in half, which really only takes a steady hand and a sharp knife.

Once that mission is accomplished, it's all gravy from there. You'll just scoop out the inside of one half of the pineapple and place it in a bowl. Mix the inside of the pineapple with about 2/3 of the whipped topping and add in 1/4 of the pudding mix.

Mix it all together really well and place back into the shelled Pineapple. Serve with fruit, crackers, or whatever floats your pineapple boat!

Now that we've scored a "field goal" with the Pineapple Kicker Dip, I want to share my favorite salad recipe with you... it's definitely going to be a hit with your crew! While it's super delicious, it actually includes apple instead of pineapple... regardless, it's the perfect way to serve up something somewhat healthy without sacrificing any flavor!

For the Fabulous Football Fanatic Salad you'll need:

For the most amazing homemade dressing:
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 minced garlic clove
1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp salt & pepper

For the Salad:

2 cups arugula
1 cup spinach

1/2 a pink lady apple, cored and sliced thin
1/2 oz shaved Parmesan
2 tbsp chopped pecans

The good news is this salad is super simple to make, but it doesn't taste like it! You'll begin by whisking the vinegar, oil, garlic, Dijon, salt, and pepper for about a minute; making sure it's all combined perfectly. Set aside.

Now toss the arugula, spinach, apple, Parmesan, and pecans.

Add in the dressing when ready to serve and you're all set to score a touchdown with all your team mates!

Now that I've shared how I whipped together two delicious recipes, next on my list of party foods is the delicious Key Lime Edwards Pie! While key lime obviously isn't the same as pineapple, it makes the perfect compliment with it's creamy, tart flavor and is the perfect way to end the meal!

Plus, Edwards Pies taste homemade so you're able to serve up a pie from the heart while only having to supply minimal effort to de-thaw the package! What more could a football loving gal wish for on the day of the Big Game?

Other than the food, my table decor consisted of some adorable little paper pineapples, a few handmade accessories, an inflatable "cooler" for all of our bottled beverages, some fun & festive napkins, a couple of homemade pineapple chocolate candies, a simple banner, and this free printable perfect for the pineapple party!

So now that I've shared how you can have the sweetest (and most delicious) party on the block for game day, I'd love to hear what you love about watching the game with your family? Are you a fan of the commercials, a die-hard football foodie, or do you watch the game with more enthusiasm than the coaches? Tell me all about it in the comments below and don't forget to head to Target to score your favorites and snag a deal or two with the Cartwheel app!