Summer is here… well almost but we all are getting ready to hit the pools and beach and show off our styles of bikinis or in my case cover-ups. Cover-ups are AMAZING not only they cover what you don’t want to show but they are super trendy and you will be making a big fashion statement. Cover-ups and beach dresses can be a great option for a family party by the  pool or if you are on vacation hit the restaurant in style after hitting the beach. Here I share my favorite 10 Cover-ups & Beach Dresses hope you like them.

Ombré Caftan Cover-Up
BUY HERE

I am planning to make a cake for our wedding shower and I’m always looking for new techniques and tips on how to decorate a cake. Gladly for me Taste of Home shares this AWESOME techniques on how to decorate a cake and how simple it is to add some style to the cake. I love love love how easy this is. It even shows you how to appropriately fill a pastry bag. LOVE LOVE! Let’s get to work.

Frosting a Cake

Via Taste of Home

Peaks

Press the flat side of a tablespoon or teaspoon into the frosting and pull straight up, forming a peak. Repeat over top and sides of cake.

Zigzags

Run the tines of a table fork through the frosting in a wavy motion.

Waves

Use the back of a tablespoon or teaspoon to make a small twisting motion in one direction. Then move the spoon over a little and make another twist in the opposite direction. Repeat until entire cake is covered.

Stripes

Starting on the edges, run the side of a table knife to the center of the cake. Repeat until the whole top is covered. Using the same knife, make vertical stripes around the sides of the cake.

How to Fill a Pastry Bag

1. Secure the frosting tip and coupler on the pastry bag. Place the tip of the pastry bag in an empty tall glass. Fold the wide opening of the bag halfway over the glass.

2. Use a spoon to transfer frosting to the pastry bag. When it’s three-fourths full, pull the sides of the pastry bag up over the frosting. Remove the bag from the glass, twist the open end to close it and apply pressure to the bag to pipe the frosting on.

Cake Decorating Tips

Basketweave Tip

Open Star Tip

Round Tip (Large)

Leaf Tip

Drop Flower Tip

Closed Star Tip

Round Tip (Small)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE TIPS

Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces and a great ways to remember them is to get together with the family and make some great American grilling with pride. I wanted to share this Grilling Recipe Ideas for Memorial Day Weekend for you to enjoy with friends and family.

Via Cookin’ Canuck

Grilled Zucchini Roll Recipe with Herbed Goat Cheese & Kalamata Olives

Ingredients:

• 1 very large or 3 small zucchini
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3 1/2 oz. herbed goat cheese
• 1 1/2 oz. (about 7  kalamata olives, finely chopped
  CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE
  

Via Gluesticks

Summer Grilling {Kabobs}

Beef Marinade

• 2 c. hot water
• 1/4 c. beef base
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 T. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 T. vinegar

Marinate 4-8 hours.

Chicken Marinade

• 1 c. chicken broth
• 1/2 c. soy sauce
• 1/2 c. Italian salad dressing
• 1/2 tsp. ginger
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Marinate 4-8 hours
CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

Hoisin-Glazed Chicken with Plums and Green Onions

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup(s) rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon(s) Asian sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon(s) grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon(s) Chinese five-spice powder
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) ground red pepper (cayenne)
• 1 (4-pound) chicken, cut up into 8 pieces, skin removed if you like
• 4 plums
• 2 bunch(es) green onions
• 1 tablespoon(s) olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1/8 teaspoon(s) coarsely ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup(s) hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon(s) low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon(s) sesame seeds
  CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

Charred Vegetable Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 red bell peppers, halved and seeded $
• 1 1/2 pounds eggplant, cut into (1/2-inch-thick) slices (about 2 medium) $
• 1 sweet onion, cut into 8 wedges $
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• Cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar $
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 ounce oil-cured olives (about 12), pitted and halved
• 1/4 cup fresh small basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
  CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

Via Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Grilled Pizza {How To}

CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

Via Skinny Taste

Grilled Steak Fajitas

Ingredients:

For the Steak

• 2 lbs flank steak, trimmed of fat
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 tbsp cumin (or to taste)
• 2 scallions, sliced (optional)
• salt + fresh pepper to taste

 For the Onions and Peppers

• 3 medium onions, sliced into long strips
• 3 bell peppers (I used multi-colors), sliced into strips
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt + fresh pepper to taste
• 12 7″ flour tortillas, such as La Tortilla Factory Low Carb High Fiber

Cedar-Grilled Flat Iron Steaks with Coffee Rub

 Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoon finely ground Allegro Espresso Sierra or other dark coffee
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 1/2 pounds flat iron steaks, each 1 1/4 pounds
• 1 very large or 2 or more smaller cedar planks for grilling, soaked in water at least 3 hours
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for oiling planks
  CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

Tofu Kebabs with Cilantro Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for grates
• 1/2 jalapeno chile, seeded
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 3 scallions, white and green parts separated and cut into 1-inch lengths
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 package (14 ounces) extra-firm tofu, weighted and cut into 12 pieces
• 2 summer squash, halved and cut into 1-inch pieces
  CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

Spiced Apple Pork Burgers

Yield: 6 Burgers

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp. maple syrup
• 2 tbsp. spicy brown mustard
• 2 pounds ground pork
• 1/2 cup Tree Top Natural Apple Sauce
• 1-1/2 tsp. salt
• 1-1/2 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 6 Hamburger buns
• Baby Spinach leaves

Optional for garnish: Cheddar cheese, grilled onions, pickles, tomatoes or other favorite toppings
Optional: Toast buns if desired
CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

Weddings, weddings, weddings and more weddings, I just can’t stop talking about weddings. I just can’t wait for my big day! One of the things I am happy about is that I don’t have to do anymore searching for the perfect gown.. I have found THE gown for me and is waiting in the closet for our big day. I can breath and stress about the rest of the details. ♥♥♥♥

But if you are getting married this year (like me or next year or you just love to dream about that big day, then you have to look to this dreamy dresses. From the ombre trend to the classic lace and romantic ball gowns here I share my Top 10 Wedding Dresses For 2013.

Top 10 Wedding Dresses For 2013

One Shoulder Tulle Ball Gown with Lace Appliques

BUY HERE

Ombre Tulle Ball Gown with Pick Up Skirt

BUY HERE

Strapless Sweetheart Fit and Flare Wedding Gown

BUY HERE

Delicately Beaded Alencon Lace on Net with Crystal Beaded Waistband

BUY HERE

 Embroidered Appliques on Net

Buy Here

Silky Organza

Buy Here

Embroidery on Net

Buy Here

Tulle Overlaying Beaded Alencon Lace Appliques

Buy Here

Ruffled Organza Wedding Dress

Buy Here

 Elaborate Beading with Raised Embroidery on Tulle

Buy Here

1. Use ice water to dry your nails in three minutes.

Let them air dry for a couple minutes then dunk away.

 
Via Cooking for Keeps

Quinoa Fried Rice

What can you do to get a tight, round bubble butt? This Brazilian Butt Workout shared via The Haute Bunny. I think the awesome gifs are very helpful. If you want a lifted, sexy and healthy derriere you have to try this Brazilian Butt Workout routine. It will not be easy but it will be worth it. Remember to always combine this with a healthy diet!

I am going to start TODAY wish me luck, I know I am going to need it.

Brazilian Butt Workout

20 Squats

20 Plie Squats

20 Donkey Kicks per side

20 Fire Hydrants per side

20 Circling Donkey Kick(made this name up) per side

20 Frog Jumps

20 Side Lunges per side

30 Alternating Split Jumps

30 Alternating Sliders

30 Hips Lifts

20 Lunges Kicks per side

Find more awesome posts at The Haute Bunny.com

Pretzel S’mores

Ingredients:

• pretzels
• jumbo marshmallows
• chocolate bars for inside the s’more (Hershey’s Dark Chocolate are FANTASTIC).
• melting chocolate for the outside
  
• chocolate sprinkles (optional)

Click Here For Directions

Via Love From The Oven

Don’t they look delicious?!

Looking for a list of the best Paleo Cookbooks out there? Below we have created a list of top quality Paleo cookbooks that have the best recipes and diet guides to help you easily follow the now popular Paleo Diet. With these recipes in your hands, you can achieve the best health of your life, be in the best shape of your life and experience more energy than ever before . . .

So what is the Paleo Diet?
The paleolithic diet, also popularly referred to as the caveman diet, Stone Age diet and hunter-gatherer diet, is a modern nutritional plan based on the presumed ancient diet of wild plants and animals that various hominid species habitually consumed during the Paleolithic era—a period of about 2.5 million years which ended around 10,000 years ago with the development of agriculture and grain-based diets. In common usage, such terms as “paleolithic diet” also refer to the actual ancestral human diet.

Paleo Recipe Book
Look no further! The Paleo Recipe Book is by far the most comprehensive Paleo diet resource that I have come across to date. As a Personal Trainer and avid CrossFitter, I have experienced first hand how proper nutrition is integral to optimising athletic performance. I believe that this is only achievable through a balanced Paleo diet.
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Paleo Cookbook Series
Paleo recipes that will excite your taste-buds and have you cooking an easy three course meal. With clear step by step instructions you will produce paleo friendly meals that will get rave reviews from friends and family every time!
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Paleo In A Kitchen
If you’re serious about making your paleo cooking quicker, easier, tastier and more fun then you’ll want to get your hands on Paleo In A Kitchen: Caveman Cooking Masterclass.
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Paleo Diet Smoothies
Paleo Diet Smoothies offer muscle-building, fat burning, brain boosting,and mood-enhancing benefits for living a longer leaner life. Drinking a Paleo Diet Smoothie daily will help you to become stronger, healthier, more energetic, younger looking, wiser, smarter and more disease resistant. Paleo Smoothies help you to attain your ideal weight and achieve balanced energy throughout the day.
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The Caveman Feast
Want to harness the principles of the Paleo diet, ancestral health, and primal fitness, to burn fat, build muscle, and improve your health? Than you’ll wanna checkout George Bryant’s book on how to eat like a caveman!
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These Paleo Cookbooks will help boost your health and increase energy!