It’s Sauza-Rita Time!

This weekend, a friend of mine hosted a Sauza-Rita Summer House Party, compliments of HouseParty.com. I’ve never been to a sponsored party before, and was intrigued for sure.

HouseParty.com allows you to browse sponsored parties and apply online to host the ones that seem like a perfect fit for you. Their site says, “When you host a House Party you’re a VIP: You get sneak previews of the best TV shows, free stuff, and the best offers out there on the things you really like.” In this case: margaritas. Seriously, how could she not apply?

She had great set-up: a taco station, chips, salsa & queso, adorable 7 layer dip shots (inspiration found on Pinterest!) and margarita cupcakes. Everything was delicious!

The anchors of the day, though, were of course the margaritas. Thanks to the Sauza sponsorship, we were able to taste both the classic Sauza-Rita and the Strawberry Sauza-Rita. The second was my favorite for sure! I can definitely see making more of those in the future. Overall, it was a great party for the girls!

Sauza-Rita

12 oz. can frozen limeade
Sauza Silver Tequila
1 bottle light beer

Combine frozen limeade, one limeade can filled with water, 2/3 can filled with tequila, and one bottle of beer. Stir & serve! Makes 9 Sauza-ritas.

Strawberry Sauza-Rita

12 oz. can frozen limeade
Champagne
Sauza Silver Tequila
Dekuyper Strawberry Patch Schnapps liqueur

Combine frozen limeade, one limeade can filled with champagne, 2/3 can filled with tequila, 1/3 can of Schnapps, and one can of water. Stir & serve! Makes 9 drinks.

Blue Bird Bake Shop Cupcakes

Mmmm… cupcakes. We all know I have a small obsession with these baked goods. Lately, I’ve taken a break from my own baking adventures, so I was thankful when a friend brought a smorgasbord of flavors from Orlando’s Blue Bird Bake Shop to my recent book club get together.

Funny part is, for the 12 cupcakes we had to choose from, there were only 4 girls slated as taste testers. So we took the natural course of action and split five cupcakes four ways each and tried them all (there were only 5 different flavors in the dozen). Here’s the run down on our menu

Ch-Chocolate

Chocolate cake topped with chocolate buttercream icing and chocolate curls.

Verdict: Very chocolatey, so be sure its either that time of the month or that you just have a passion for chocolate. If either is the case, you won’t be disappointed.

Neopolitan

Layered chocolate, strawberry & vanilla cake topped with strawberry buttercream icing.

Verdict: Loved the strawberry buttercream frosting on this one. I may try to recreate this whole cupcake on my own, because the cake was great too.

PB&J

Vanilla cake with peanut butter buttercream icing topped with a dollop of grape jelly.

Verdict: Surprisingly delicious! Frosting was incredible – so long as you love peanut butter. I might try a batch with the jelly inside the cake instead. And maybe strawberry jelly – my fave.

Sweet Cake

Vanilla cake with white chocolate chips, topped with a classic vanilla buttercream icing and white nonpareils.

Verdict: Perfect cupcake for those who don’t need a lot of crazy flavors or concoctions.

Upside Down

Chocolate cake topped with vanilla buttercream and sprinkled with chocolate jimmies.

Verdict: I’m a classic loving girl, so this little cupcake was perfect for me. In fact, I even snatched one to take home.

A BIG thank you to CK for supplying these delicious cupcakes. I’m happy we were all able to set aside whatever diets we may have for the night.

Need to Know

Location: 3122 Corrine Drive, Orlando 32803
Website: www.bluebirdbakeshop.com
Phone: 407.228.3822
Facebook page & Twitter feed
Closed on Mondays and at night

All photos are direct from Blue Bird’s website.

A Look Inside the Hilarity of Tina Fey

If there were such a thing, I’d be a proud member of the National Sarcasm Society. I think that’s why I find Tina Fey so absolutely hilarious. She’s made me laugh since her days on Saturday Night Live!, and I became slightly obsessed with her writing after she made me love a movie staring Lindsey Lohan (Mean Girls). I still can’t forgive her for that. Needless to say, I was secretly thrilled when her new autobiography, Bossypants, was chosen as the June pick for my book club.

Once in a generation a woman comes along who changes everything. Tina Fey is not that woman, but she met that woman once and acted weird around her.

By page 1, I was already giggling to myself. And if someone were a fly on the wall, they’d be a little concerned about my constant outbursts of laughter – one time even to the point of tears. So yes – I LOVED this book. And instead of boring you with some long diatribe of why I think its so great, I thought I’d share some quotes I loved and leave it at that. So read them all. Then go buy the book.

Tip for women on making it in a male-dominated workplace:

No pigtails, no tube tops. Cry sparingly. (Some say, “Never let them see you cry.” I say, if you’re so mad you could cry, then cry. It terrifies everyone.) When choosing sexual partners, remember: Talent is not sexually transmittable. Also, don’t eat diet food in meetings.

After describing what society seems to expect girls to look like today:

The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes. Everyone else is struggling.

On touch-ups to her photos for a magazine:

I feel about Photoshop the way some people feel about abortion. It is appalling and a tragic reflection on the moral decay of our society . . . unless I need it, in which case, everybody be cool.

In one chapter, she kindly responds to some of the correspondence she has received:

From Dlisted.com

Posted by Centaurious on Monday, 9/21/2009, 2:08 a.m.
“Tina Fey is an ugly, pear-shaped, bitchy, overrated troll.”

Dear Centaurious,

First let me say how inspiring it is that you have learned to use a computer.

I hate for our correspondence to be confrontational, but you have offended me deeply. To say I’m an overrated troll, when you have never even seen me guard a bridge, is patently unfair. I’ll leave it for others to say if I’m the best, but I am certainly one of the most dedicated trolls guarding bridges today. I always ask three questions, at least two of which are riddles.

As for “ugly, pear-shaped, and bitchy”? I prefer the terms “off-beat, business class-assed, and exhausted,” but I’ll take what I can get. There’s no such thing as bad press!

Now go to bed, you crazy night owl! You have to be at NASA early in the morning. So they can look for your penis with the Hubble telescope.

Affectionately,
Tina

Yeah, that last one is the culprit for making me shed tears from laughing so hard. My cat even looked at my like I was crazy. And I just looked back and asked, “Who are you calling crazy?” Pssh. 

Exploring Lowry Park Zoo

For the first time since childhood, I visited Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa. Granted, its a completely different park than it was in the late 80s – and all the improvements are fantastic! You can tell that the zoo has been the gracious recipient of donations over the years.

The result? A fantastic experience for young kids! Just ask Parents magazine, which voted it the #1 zoo in the U.S. yet again this year.

I visited with my family, including my two nephews – ages 4 and 15 months. We set out with a mission to see as much of the park as possible. So with the map in my 4-year-old nephew’s hands, we set out on our trek.

We started in the Asian Gardens, and got up-close views of a rhino, leopard, tiger and python. We were quickly drawn away, though, by the constant calls of the nearby monkeys in Primate World. Here we watched a mamma orangutan and her baby, the acrobatics of a couple siamangs, and some lazy Colobus monkeys. Then we detoured for a cool-down ride on the Jungle Carousel (did I mention it was 95 and cloudless?).

After spotting a cave entrance, my 4-year-old nephew insisted we venture next to Safari Africa. This area was great! For just $3, we were able to feed a giraffe! It was super cool to get that close to one! They also rode a camel, and spotted elephants, zebra, and other safari regulars.

We refueled quickly with lunch, then moved on to the Wallaroo Station Children’s Zoo – filled with plenty of play fountains where the kids could get thoroughly soaked to cool down. A couple of us rode the Tiger Coaster (those kiddie coasters are brutal!), the kids explored the petting zoo with goats, road a little train, and we even got up-close with Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallabies (mini kangaroos)!

After all that fun, we were getting worn out. But we pushed on. We had one area left, and gosh darn it, my nephew would see his favorite alligators! Onward we went to the Florida Wildlife Center. First, my older nephew and his mom rode Gator Falls and got soaked. Then, we stumbled across the daily alligator feeding show! It was exactly what my nephew wanted to see – and it was a little freaky to me. Too many gators staring down trainers, waiting to be fed. After all that excitement, we went underground and saw manatees underwater and many other aquariums filled with colorful fish.

And…phew! THAT was a long day. But it was so much fun and I cannot recommend Lowry Park Zoo enough to anyone with small kids. Its a great price when compared to the other popular zoos in the area. And its the exact right amount of fun for the kiddies.

NEED TO KNOW
Website: www.lowryparkzoo.com
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily
Tickets: $23.95 adults, $18.95 kids 3-11 (AAA and Active Military discounts also available)
Extras: Unlimited rides for an extra $6; download FREE zoo podcast tours on iTunes
Parking: FREE!

Feature Photos on Another Blog

This might seem like a strange one, but allowing my photos to be viewed by strangers is an adventure to me. I know I’m not the world’s best photographer. I was fortunate to encounter fantastic landscapes, and there’s only so much skill required to capture beauty like that.

So, allowing my amateur photos to be viewed (and possibly scrutinized) by others is big to me. But when my friend Christie asked if she could use some for her new blog, Shore Bliss, I couldn’t deny her (or myself, really).

One of the feature sections of Shore Bliss is called Wanderlust, where Christie dreams of visiting shore-friendly destinations. After focusing on Hawaii her first couple posts, she wanted to branch out. She turned to my photos of the Bay Islands in Honduras as inspiration for The Other Caribbean (or, as I like to say, islands people either have no clue exist or forget are even part of the Caribbean).

Below is a snapshot of the post, but check it out for yourself. Poke around the other content, too. I personally love the Friday Flow weekly feature and all of her collages. :)

Flashback: Whitewater Rafting

Today, we’re flashing back to Honduras in June 2007 (again, I know)…

Along the country’s northern coast, you’ll find spectacular adventure and eco-tourism opportunities – hiking, kayaking, birdwatching, zipline canopy tours, natural hot springs and of course, whitewater rafting.

This was something I never imagined I’d allow myself to take part in, especially considering I’m terrified of drowning. But there we were, in the city of La Ceiba on the Río Cangrejal bordering the stunning Pico Bonito National Park. And two rafts were already being carried down to the river by our guides.

The Río Cangrejal is home to some of the best whitewater rafting in Central America. Depending on the time of year, the rapids can range from an easy Class II to a challenging (and not to be taken lightly) Class V.

June is right at the beginning of rainy season, so on the day we arrived the rapids were ranking at about a Class III. After a lengthy safety and technique demonstration, we were ready to embrace the adventure.

Okay wait, I’m lying. Yes, we got in the boat. But I was still incredibly nervous. Seated in the center section of the 6-person raft, I obediently tucked one foot under the seat in front of me, the other under my own seat, and perched on the edge of the raft. As we started bouncing over the rapids, paddling to the rhythm dictated by our guide, I was forgetting to breathe thanks to my nerves.

About 15 minutes in, we hit a rough patch of rapids and the girl sharing the row with me tumbled overboard. Those couple seconds she was in the icy water seemed like forever to me, but our guide snatched her up by the life vest and we were on our way again like it never happened. Let’s just say, I started to pull myself off the edge of the raft a bit. I did NOT want to go overboard too, no matter how quick a savior our guide was.

Continuing on the hour-long trip, we coasted through calm waters and observed the national park and wildlife, and then another patch of rapids would creep up on us and all focus was on following our guide’s calls, “Forward, Right Side Back, Get Down!”

The journey ends with one last challenge: a drop down a small waterfall with a wicked current at its base. Truly, the waterfall was only 5-7 feet tall at that time of year, but the current is serious enough that our guides thoroughly prepare everyone for the drop.

Away we went, following his calls, and then we dropped and were completely submerged in water! But we didn’t fall off… just popped right back up on the boat. And oh was that water freezing!

The entire experience was exhilarating and nerve racking at the same time. I’m proud to say that despite my nerves, I had a great time. Enough so, that I calmly embraced the adventure a handful times more on future visits to that river. Even once in the rain. Yes, my fears are still there, but I just follow all the instructions and keep my guard up. And the result is simply unforgettable.

———-

If you’re visit La Ceiba in the future, I highly recommend contacting La Moskitia Ecoaventuras for the Río Cangrejal rafting excursion. Owner Jorge Salaverri and his team grew up on this river, and know its personality well. Its a wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable team:

*Photos are compliments of Tim Shisler, my photography mentor. ;)  All were captured in November 2010 – the last time I went rafting in Honduras.

Mint Cookies & Cream Cupcakes

There’s a chocoholic at my office, and she recently had a birthday. As a belated treat, I’m treating her to Mint Cookies & Cream Cupcakes – since I know from her pinning habits on Pinterest that she has a thing for Oreos.

This time, I’m testing myself a little. Mixing and matching recipes and adding a few touches of my own. The recipe for the Chocolate-Mint Cake (less the Oreos) is from Martha Stewart. The recipe for the Cookies & Cream frosting is just a basic buttercream with Oreos added to the mix.

The result: Oreo goodness.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get the frosting to turn green, no matter how much food coloring I added. And the oil in the cake batter seeped under the Oreos on the bottom a little, causing the liners to stick to the bottom of the cake. But overall, these turned out delicious. I think the mint gives them a great little kick. Enjoy!

Chocolate-Mint Cupcakes

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
3/4 c. buttermilk
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
3/4 c. warm water
1 tsp. pure peppermint extract
1 pkg. Oreos (I used Double Stuf)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Twist the Oreos in half and set the side with the icing on the bottom of each liner. Set aside the halves with no frosting (you’ll use them with the frosting).

In mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Then add eggs, buttermilk, oil, water, and peppermint extract, and beat with a mixer on low speed until smooth.

Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cupcakes cool in tins on wire racks for 10 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to racks, and let cool.

Cookies & Cream Frosting

1 c. butter
6 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1-2 tsp. peppermint extract
Oreo cookie half crumbs

First, grind the Oreo cookies halves you saved from the cake batter in a food processor until crumbs.

Next, cream together the butter and 4 cups powdered sugar, then add the milk and vanilla. Beat on medium for 3-5 minutes until smooth and creamy. Then add Oreos crumbs, peppermint and a little extra milk (if needed), and blend well. Gradually add the remaining sugar, as needed for consistency.

Smile! I think…

For those who don’t know this, I work in public relations. In the past, I’ve handled many accounts related to travel – most particularly a Central American country for which I led numerous media tours, resulting in some of my best memories.

So when my friend came across a book entitled, Smile When You’re Lying: Confessions of a Rogue Travel Writer, she insisted I read it. I was immediately intrigued. While I’m lucky enough to say I truly enjoyed 99% of the writers I’ve traveled with over the years, I always wonder what their stories would say if there were no bounds — no editors, no fluffy story angles, just the straight up truth. (Although, while they may have some crazy tales, I really believe they enjoyed the country as much as I do.)

This book was written by travel writer, editor and photographer Chuck Thompson, who has been lucky enough to travel across the globe for many years. This book is essentially his revenge – of sorts – on all the editors who limited his writing to what people wanted to hear, versus the actual down and dirty truth. Just look at some of the chapter titles, and you’ll get the idea:

• Baked Alaska: How Drugs, Tourism, and Petroleum Tamed the Last Frontier
• Why Latin America Isn’t the World’s Number One Travel Destination and Probably Never Will Be
• Am I the Only One Who Can’t Stand the Caribbean?
• What Lazy Writers, Lonely Planet, and Your Favorite Travel Magazine Don’t Want You to Know

So during my #12: Raid a Book Clearance adventure, I snatched a copy of the tell-all novel and finally dove in last month.

The book was less about PR girls who destroy my industry’s reputation (thanks ladies), and more about Chuck lashing out with all his annoyances with the publishing industry and crazy antics of those abroad. It was definitely an uncensored collection of tales, with everything from prostitutes in Thailand, to crazy drug use in Alaska, to the actions of just plain stupid foreigners (not limited to Americans, phew!).

I was particularly interested in the Latin America chapter, and found so much of it to be true. Take this quote: “No place needs a good PR company more than Latin America. With so much going in its favor – food, scenery, the most hospitable locals on Earth – it still has a worse rep than the Florida Division of Elections.” I couldn’t agree more. He talked about how Americans have so many preconceived notions about this part of the world, and how its almost impossible for the region to beat this without us making a mindset adjustment. Really people… Its beautiful there. 100% worth a visit. Yes, there’s crime – just like there is in Los Angeles. Just be a smart traveler.

Its definitely entertaining if you don’t mind someone who seems a little angry and who won’t hold back with details. I found it hilarious at times – because I honestly cannot believe this guy has experienced all this craziness. And I think this book was just the tip of the iceberg.

Which brings me to his next book, To Hellholes and Back: Bribes, Lies, and the Art of Extreme Tourism. I think I might need to read that too!

Sneak Peek of a Movie

As obsessed with movies as I am, I’ve never been to a sneak peek showing of a film. Well, that was until last week. Thanks to a friend, I scored 6 tickets to the preview showing of Something Borrowed.

Something Borrowed was originally a chick lit novel by Emily Giffin, who I’ve come to realize is an incredibly down-to-earth person (she updates her Facebook page fanatically). I read it about five years ago, along with its sequel Something Blue – and I loved both.

The film version stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson (Rachel & Darcy, lifelong best friends), and co-stars John Krasinki (Ethan, the childhood best guy friend) and Colin Egglesfield (my new actor crush…err, I mean, Dex — Rachel’s law school friend/crush who becomes engaged to Darcy, but then who starts sleeping with Rachel after realizing they were meant to be together… and breathe).

The preview showing was packed to the brim – enough so that they opened a second showing. We were lucky enough to score seats in the center (our dumb luck still baffles me). Our bags were minimally searched on the way into the theatre for cameras. We were also repeatedly warned that if we even looked at a text on our phones during the showing, we’d be booted from the theatre. Point taken, phone turned off. I wasn’t getting kicked out of this!

Now I have no clue what those who never read the book will think of this movie, but I have been eagerly anticipating it for months! Its not your typical romantic comedy storyline, offering instead a glimpse of what happens when things don’t go right. And let’s face it – life isn’t a fairytale and these type of situations unfortunately happen all the time.

As someone who loved the book, I loved the movie too. It followed along closely enough and I fell in love with Rachel and Dex as a destined couple. Steve Howey (as Marcus, Dex’s playboy wanna-be friend) and Ashley Williams (as Darcy’s nutty friend who is obsessed with Ethan) also contributed plenty of comic relief.

If you ever get a chance to go to a sneak peak showing, take advantage of it!

Braving a Drag Show

Looking for something out-of-the-ordinary and loaded with laughs? Then may I suggest heading down to Pointe Orlando for the Danielle Hunter & Company Dinner Theatre Show at Funky Monkey Wine Company.

Oh, and did I mention its a drag dinner theatre show?

Somewhat unexpectedly this weekend, I ended up at this show for a friend’s birthday dinner. I’ve heard of Funky Monkey Wine Company before, although I only knew of their Mills Avenue location (neighbored by Bananas, of the same owners). I did not know, however, that they offered a formal drag show at either location.

It was a laugh-out-loud show, especially watching the reactions of the guys in our group — particularly those who were targeted by the ‘girls’. The performers lip synched along with popular songs, dressed as artists like Lady Gaga, Rhianna, Fergie and Shania Twain.

This is not a show for the faint of heart – lots of racy comments, half-naked ‘women’, and crass language. But I know I found it to be hilarious and definitely something I’d go to again.

Oh, and did I mention they have great food and wine as well? The menu features a wide variety sushi rolls, as well as salads and entrees such as Yellow Fin Tuna, Drunken Jumbo Sea Scallops, Beef Short Ribs, Butternut Squash Raviolis, and Caramelized Pork Chop.

Want to see if for yourself? The show is every Friday night at 9pm (Pointe Orlando location only), and reservations are highly encouraged.