Not So Dirty Thirty Archives - 2 Cats and Chloe

Surprise from Vegas, Baby!

Y’all. I’m an open book. I’m way too public with my ins and outs, my goings on, my travels and my adventures. So much so that I should probably be more cautious about what I say, do, and share with the world to prevent internet creepers from making me their next victim.

That being said, I just can’t. I seriously suck at secrets. For the last six months a top secret trip to Vegas has been in the works. And it’s been KILLING me to not tell each and every one of you where I’m going. Trip Advisor is great, but so is referrals from blog friends! This trip has been so top secret that even my closest friends had no clue that I was going to be hopping on a plane and jet setting across the country this past Thursday!

You see, yesterday was J’s birthday. She knew her husband had a wonderful birthday vacation planned for her. She did not know where. And she definitely did not know who would be waiting for her at the bar when she checked into the luxurious Hard Rock Hotel.

Her brother flew into Vegas from Minnesota. I flew into Vegas from Virginia. Jess and her hubby flew in from Georgia.

I arrived several hours earlier than the rest of them which left me with a few decisions… Do I nap? Do I explore? Do I catch up on work? Do I lay by the pool? I decided to do what every over-worked entrepreneur would do for her first 2 hours of vacation… I watched trash television and napped. And it was glorious.

Jess was beyond shocked when “a couple” from across the bar bought her a drink the second she arrived at her resort… It was a great birthday reunion! I have a video I can share once facebook unblocks it… stinking facebook.

We spent yesterday as epic tourists: drinking and exploring.

Crafty inspiration can be found anywhere! I was overwhelmed by the glass art and conservatory at the Belligio… how cute is this pennant banner? I’m totally making these flags when I get home!

Around 1 in the afternoon, the girls and the guys split up… we discovered the Cosmopolitan Hotel and all of it’s glam and swank. Pretty positive a girl could get used to a place like this.

Then I surprised Jess with a hair and makeup appointment at iblowdry. I mean, it was her 30th birthday… who can say no to celebrating by getting all dolled up in Vegas, Baby? More on this awesome salon and experience at a later date!

I seriously wouldn’t wish a gluten intolerance on anyone… But if YOU were to do that, I would say you should wish it upon your best friend. Because when you struggle with the same issues, you can do cool things like share lactose pills and gluten free birthday cake!

I never have an excuse to dress up and go out - so this was definitely welcomed. We spent the evening pretending we were rockstars. With champagne in hand we hopped into our private limo, toured the strip and a few hot spots, and then wrapped up our evening playing the Willy Wonka slot machine. I kid you not.

I definitely have more Vegas deets to come - but right now I need to get dressed and ready for a pool party {that I’m kinda dreading… rehab anyone?}

Also! Don’t forget! Time is ticking as we wrap up our Not-So-Dirty 30 Blog Series and GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Catch ya when I’m back on the thankfully humid {my skin is parched!} East Coast!

Until next time my loves!

30 Things to Know and Do Before 30.

by Susan

Today is the last day of the Not-So-Dirty 30 Blog Series and Giveaway! J over at Bless Her Heart Y’all and I have had such a great time celebrating our 30th birthdays together over the past month. Thank you so much for joining us throughout this series. We have covered Birthday Beverages, Birthday Cakes, Birthday Gifts, and have already done one Birthday Giveaway.

I really like today’s post though because I’m such a sucker for posts that actually make me think.

Today I am sharing 30 Things to Know and Do before 30. And guess what! At the very bottom, we are wrapping up this series with ANOTHER awesome giveaway!

1. Be careful with trust. Do not trust ~~anyone~~ everyone. You are blessed if you have one person, other than yourself, who truly is looking out for your best interests. The company you’ve given 7+ years of service to could really careless about you. Be okay with that. Do you job. And do it well. But know, they may be okay with replacing you.

2. Nesting isn’t just for preggos. Your house is a blank canvas. Make it you. Make it home. You’re no longer in a college apartment - it’s time you save your dollars and get real furniture.

3. Don’t listen to ’em - There is nothing wrong with rearranging your home annually.

4. Exercise. Even if you hate it. They weren’t lying when they said “it is harder to ‘get fit’ when you’re older.” Even if you’re not a runner - do a 5 or 10k with a friend. Even if you have to walk it. It’s an empowering feeling.

5. Talk to your grandparents and parents now. Become friends with them. Ask them about what it was like when they were growing up. Discover what life was before the iPhone, before cable television, before computers. Document, record, and share their stories of the depression, love, war, travels, and life ‘back in the day.’ This will be something you will cherish in the future.

6. Get into the habit of doing laundry. Stop buying underwear just so you don’t have to wash your clothes.

7. Pick good friends. Know that friends really do come and go from your life. Some are seasonal. Some are yearly. Very few last a decade, never mind forever. Cherish those folks who have been there for you from the beginning but be thankful for all of them.

8. Be a good friend/ family member/ spouse. Remember birthdays. Send a “I hope you’re having a great day” text for no reason. Return calls. Schedule lunch. Plan skype dates. Don’t lose touch when you have a spouse and kids.

9. Travel. Visit at least three foreign countries before you’re 30. One for each decade. Backpack. Ride trains. Eat food that’s “weird.” Jump in the ice cold Rhine River. Sleep in a prison turned hostel. Camp in a field. Take advantage of flight layovers. Experience things that aren’t in your backyard.

10. Eat dinner in a restaurant alone. It’s a humbling experience.

11. Embrace your culture. Whether it’s from your heritage or simply your geographic region. Find your roots and become them.

12. You are what you eat. Even though it seems delicious, avoid fast and processed foods. Discover clean eating immediately and take it upon yourself to live a healthy clean lifestyle.

13. Drink wine. All types of wine. Learn to appreciate the differences in good, inexpensive wines. There’s no sense in spending a ton of your hard earned money on expensive bottles of booze. Save that for your 40s.

14. Turn off technology. Put your cell phone away. Be in the moment. Do not use your cell phone when you’re eating dinner with friends, family, or your spouse.

15. Don’t try to be someone else. They really aren’t all they seem to be. Be the best you, you can be.

16. Burn candles and buy yourself flowers.

17. Cloth napkins aren’t just for formal occasions.

18. Ease into responsibility by adopting a cat. If you’re open to a little more commitment and work, adopt a dog. If you’re really trying to experience the closest thing to a permanent, hyper, yet brilliant child - adopt a border collie.

19. Read. I don’t care if you read the classics, blogs, magazines, work emails, romance novels or nonfiction. Just read.

20. Go to the beach alone. Appreciate the massiveness that is the ocean. People watch like it’s your job.

21. LBD. It may not be the most creative or prettiest color, but black really is a classic, not to mention slimming. Find at least 2 classic “Little Black Dresses” that will be staples in your wardrobe.

22. Know that everyone fails and falls, just like you. Be there to help your friends up without expecting it in return. Be thankful/surprised/blessed when they are there for you. Don’t live in fear of failing. Try new things. Buy a cafe. Experiment with a new paint color. Try a new career. Mix unexpected fashion pieces. Move to a new city. But be smart and know that you may fail. Or you could end up with buckets of success or a new hobby you love.

23. Even the prettiest, hunkiest, smartest, wittiest folks have insecurities. You’re not as fat as you think. Stop worrying about what people think of you. Don’t ignore them, but don’t let their views and your perception of their lives consume yours.

23.5. Stop comparing your life to someone’s facebook timeline. Don’t let their travel selfies, elegant dinner snapshots, engagement/marriage/baby announcements, or business venture page suggestions with 100+ likes take up more than a second of your life. You cannot compare your rough day to their public social media outlets. Remember everyone has bad days. Everyone has struggles.

24. Go on a mission trip to a Third World Country. I promise you will gain more than you could ever give.

25. Give online dating a shot. There’s nothing wrong with putting yourself out there - just be smart about it. Trust your gut. Don’t talk to anyone with half naked pictures. Meet in a public place. Make sure that he/she writes good emails with perfect grammar. And if you feel the need to run away via the bathroom window - do it. It’s okay to be alone. Don’t date someone just because it’s easy or convenient. You both deserve more.

26. Don’t elope. Your wedding and your funeral are the only two times in your life with all of your loved ones will be in the same exact room at the same exact time. Celebrate, party, eat, and drink it up with all of your favorite people whenever you can.

27. Find your passion and embrace it. Even if you realize it’s only your passion for five minutes or a year. Obsess, learn, love and live.

28. Be creative. Even if you are the least creative person you know. Try to draw, cook, blog, paint, write, design, create. You never know what’s hiding in your bag of tricks unless you try.

29. Start saving for retirement immediately. I don’t care if it’s a nickel a day. Start saving now. No one wants to work forever.

30. Do good things. Do things you are proud of. Enjoy the little moments. Have the time of your life. Embrace you.

What else would you recommend that people should know or do before 30?

And now, as promised, another awesome birthday present giveaway! There’s a ton of goodies and a bunch of ways to get your lovely self entered to win! You have until Monday 7/14/14 at 11:45PM to enter. But what are you really waiting for?!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My People Get Me: Great Gifts for 30th Birthday!

by Susan

I really had no clue that my last post would stir up so much emotion in so many people. I’m beyond thrilled that quite a few of y’all could relate and did not immediately jump the gun, thinking I was crazy. I was writing from my heart, which doesn’t happen nearly enough. I appreciate your comments, facebook messages, texts and phone calls to discuss it and to share your struggles. If you missed my “What’s Hiding Behind My Selfie” Post, I highly recommend that you circle back to it and take a minute to ponder your own online presence.
Now on to today’s show!
Today, J and I are continuing our Not-So-Dirty 30 series with: Birthday Gifts!

Since my birthday has already passed (in this month long celebration) I figured I would give you a little glimpse at how awesome my friends and family were when it came to gifting this year!
First of all, apparently a lot of them read my blog. I definitely racked in the gift cards! I have a Target, HomeGoods, and TJ Maxx shopping spree in my near future! Eeek!
There are just some things that folks need in their lives, and pink flamingos are it!

You don’t get much cuter than these! My neighbor gave them to me, along with a bottle of wine! Anyone who thinks it’s okay to give me pink flamingos totally gets me. {And the hubs hasn’t kicked them to the curb yet!} While others may think they are tacky, I personally feel like they are the perfect summer time welcome crew!

My folks “surprised me” {I may or may not have picked it out} with this hot pink garden flag holder and matching “Welcome Y’all” flag! Again, the perfect way to greet guests at our front door.

I’m also pretty pumped that the flamingos match perfectly!

Let’s be twinsies. You can find a similar Welcome Y’all flag here!

{I’d be lying if I told you otherwise - but I’m becoming obsessed with these little flags. I have a couple in my back yard also. I’m going to start changing them out per the season. Just like my mom used to do. Pretty sure this is a sign of aging.}

My sister, who prefaced her gift to me with “you may already have this” NAILED IT when shopping for me. I have seriously been coveting this bag for over a year. {Last season target had it in silver, not gold. Gold is even better!}
Seriously. This screams Suz.

Due to my gluten intolerances and my pinterest wishlist, Katie gave me the most relaxing birthday cake ever! Who doesn’t love bathing in birthday cake anyway?

The hubs surprised me with jewelry! I love this fresh looking Sergio Gutierrez bracelet. He told me that he picked one bracelet out for me at High Ho Silver and the lady asked him if I would like it. He realized that HE liked it, so he knew I wouldn’t like it. Instead, he picked out this one, because he didn’t like it, which meant that I would like it.

Does my husband get me or what?!

I also got some home renovation and coastal magazines, a sign that captures the absolute definition of “The South,” some fun Versona Style Jewelry, a ton of hair products {that I will review at a later date} and the best time possible on a surprise birthday party on a boat!
As we continue this series, head over to J’s blog Bless Her Heart Y’all and see what she is hoping to get for her birthday next week! She will officially be joining me in the Not-So-Dirty 30 Club next Friday! Which reminds me, we will be wrapping up this series with yet another awesome birthday giveaway! Come back next week for all the deets!

Paleo: Orange Cream Cake with Coconut Pineapple Cream Topping

by Susan

A few years ago I found THE BEST orange creamsicle cake recipe and it became a staple for all summer birthdays.This is not it.This is my attempt at satisfying my sweet tooth, and my love for orange cake, while using clean ingredients.Today’s theme for the Not-So-Dirty 30 Blog Series with J over at Bless Her Heart Y’all is “Birthday Cake or something like it!” As BFFs, both Jess and I struggle with Gluten and Dairy Intolerances. Apparently, BFFs are supposed to share all the important things like celiacs and ability {or lack thereof} to eat a bowl of ice cream.So today, I bring you my first attempt at creating my own gluten free, dairy free, clean-eats, paleo “Orange Cream Cake with a Coconut Pineapple Cream Topping.”

I found it quite fun to play around with ingredients in the kitchen, in hopes of creating a 9 inch circle of deliciousness. Now, to be 100% straight with you, this cake, in no way compares to the taste of the full-of-gluten, full-of-crap, out-of-a-box recipe that I absolutely loved in my past life. But this paleo cake is really good.So good that my non-veggie-loving neighbor and her 16 year old daughter were shocked when I told them there was no wheat flour or white sugar in it! They even raved over the “icing” which is incredibly simple and absolute clean-eats.

This paleo orange cake was a bit denser than I had hoped it would be… prior to adding the topping, it reminded me of a holiday pound cake. I will have to try it again, and add a few festive winter spices. {With extra spices and without the topping I’m sure it could pass as a great holiday treat.}

paleo gluten free orange cream cake recipe

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

2 cups of coconut flour

1 can of mandarin oranges (in water, no added sugary or syrupy junk) - drain these.

3/4 cup of agave nectar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon of baking soda

2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup of heavy coconut cream (I use the Trader Joes “extra thick and creamy”) {and i believe it costs quite a bit less expensive in the trader joes store!}

For the Topping:

1 cup of crushed pineapple

1 can (14 fl. oz) of heavy coconut cream

1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

In a medium sized bowl, blend all of the ingredients for the cake’s topping together by hand, blending everything smoothly together. Pop this bowl of deliciousness into the fridge to cool for a couple of hours (or more.)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a separate bowl, combine all of the cake’s ingredients, except the coconut cream. With a mixer, blend the ingredients. The texture of the batter is a bit crumbly at this point. With a spatula, fold in the heavy coconut cream. This will help hold the ingredients together a bit more.

Put cake batter in a greased, 9 inch, round cake pan. I used ghee to grease my pan. As it appears to be more of a pound cake, you may have to spread out the batter by hand, making sure the cake is level and even in the pan. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 35 minutes.

Allow the cake to cool on a cooling rack for an hour or so before putting the topping on it. I would highly recommend that you do not add the topping until you are ready to serve the cake. {Because of the coconut cream topping, the paleo orange cake leftovers needs to be refrigerated.}

There you have it friends! Like I said, my neighbors were shocked to taste this cake and then find out that it is considered a “non traditional baked good!” I used to be quite the baker, back in the day when I owned a cafe. Now that I am fighting the celiacs battle, I figured baking would be gone for good! It was quite refreshing to play around with a few ingredients that were lurking in my kitchen last night. It’s rewarding to create something so sweet and delicious!

As part of our series that you don’t want to miss, you need to immediately head on over to J’s blog Bless Her Heart Y’all! Check out her pie recipe, and show her some love! I mean really, doesn’t her teaser picture just look absolutely to die for?!

Please give me a shout if you try out this new Paleo Cake! I’m a newbie when it comes to gluten free, dairy free baking so I’d love to hear your feedback on how to make this better or any substitutions you may have for me.

I’d also like to point out one more thing: Just because a recipe “paleo friendly” does not mean it is necessarily a healthy recipe. It’s just better for your body than a lot of other cake and dessert options that are laced with “junk.” Also, this recipe is, by no means, whole30 approved.

For the love of birthdays and all kinds of unique, gluten free, paleo dessert options!

Until next time…

I’m linking up with Living Free’s Naturally Sweet Round Up!

Birthday Beverages: Whole30 Mocktails

by Susan

A mocktail?? Yup. It’s a mocktail. A delicious birthday mocktail. But don’t flip away from this blog quite yet, friends! This is a great alternative to some of my favorite cocktails that, I promise you will… A. definitely enjoy B. possibly, one day, may be preggos and remember these options when you feel the need for a social beverageC. enjoy while counting down the {whole} 30 days until your next glass of wine!Here’s the thing: this girl needs to get back to her paleo roots. Even though I am teaming up with J for a month long birthday celebration and blogging series the Not-So-Dirty 30, my body has told me it’s time to cut back on the sweets. They do say it’s much harder to lose weight after 30 right??If you haven’t heard of the whole30 before I recommend you read up on it here. You can also see my results from the beginning of the year here. It has been a life changing program for me and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to restart their eating habits.As we all know, I am a huge fan of all things wine and champagne related. Partially for the social aspect. Partially for the deliciousness aspect. You’re going think I’ve gone off the deep end with this, but when I tasted the thirst quenching, amazingness that all of these mocktails bring to the table, I was floored. And *GASP* I was a-okay with skipping the wine.

{My secret: Pop it into a wine glass or mason jar and no one will even know…}

whole30 sangria mocktail with sparkling water

Whole30 “White Sangria Mocktail”

It’s got the light and crispness of a white wine. With the fruit flavors of a sangria. And the refreshing after-effect that only water gives ya!

Fill your glass with frozen fruit.

{I used strawberries, pineapples, and peaches.}

Break them up a bit if possible.

They will begin to dissolve {adding more flavor} as they melt.

Add your favorite sparkling mineral water.

Pop a couple ice cubes in there and enjoy!

whole30 sangria mocktail with mineral water

And because I cannot decide which of these beverages is my favorite - I am bringing you two Whole30 Mocktails today!

Again - this beverage is to die for. And has nothing in it that will cause your belly to bloat!

Whole30 “Gin and Tonic Mocktail”

The ingredients are basic:

Your favorite sparkling mineral water

Lime slices

Ice

Blend all of the above into a stemless wine glass and you’ve got yourself a keeper.

(Just an FYI to science experimenting geeks out there - I like to see the fizziness so I drop the ice cubes in last!)

If you’re feeling crazy and you want a Whole30 “Mojito Mocktail” - I simply add mint leaves to this drink! It’s extremely refreshing and keeps you on track with you Whole30 agenda!

So there ya have it. Not the traditional birthday beverage, but something that will keep you on track with your Whole30 and Paleo goals this summer.

A special congrats goes out to Sharon H for winning the first Not-So-Dirty 30 Giveaway! Sharon please contact J or myself to collect your prize!

If you’re looking for a more traditional cocktail to get you through your Tuesday, I highly recommend you head over to Bless Her Heart Y’all and check out this Strawberry Basil Margarita!

I’m also linking up with Living Free’s Naturally Sweet Linkup today!

What is your favorite Whole30 Beverage?

For the love of drinks that are natural and delicious…

Until next time,

Surprise from Vegas, Baby!

30 Things to Know and Do Before 30.

My People Get Me: Great Gifts for 30th Birthday!

Paleo: Orange Cream Cake with Coconut Pineapple Cream Topping

Birthday Beverages: Whole30 Mocktails

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