top and tote: Dillard’s // beer: Flyway Brewing Company

Hey everyone! Hope you’re  having a great week. I’m back with more #humpdaytreats! I’m finally sharing the recipes I promised you guys AND I AM PUMPED. They’re easy and perfect for any party or potluck! With the holidays a couple of months ago and the Super Bowl a few weekends ago, it reminded me I could give out some bomb-ass appetizer recipes! Y’all, cooking is my new therapy! I used to not cook at all besides scrambled eggs, probably because laziness, but that’s been changing!! First, let’s talk about my latest adventure in apartment hunting!

I’m this close to getting my FIRST very own apartment. Last weekend, I toured a couple of one-bedroom units at a complex in West Little Rock and I am so in love. Although the idea of paying my own rent and internet  sucks, this is something I’ve wanted since I moved out of my apartment in my college town. The reasons I want to move into my own place are very personal. One being to feel independent. Independence has always been one of my biggest personal goals. Other reasons being: to host parties for my friends, to decorate how I’d like, and to focus more on my goals without distractions. I feel like I can do this all in the comfort of Casa de Liz. We will see how this all goes!! There are definitely reasons that tell me why I shouldn’t get my own apartment, such as a longer commute to work. I mean yeah, I love my 5-minute commute to work right now, but self-improvement and personal growth are far more important to me. Call me f*cking crazy! Bottom line: I want to gain experience of living on my own in order to become to best version of myself. I’m really excited for the new stage in my life!

Do any of you currently live alone? What do you like or  don’t like about your current living situation? And do you think I’m crazy for wanting this? Let me know!

Time to switch gears to my recipes. Here are my top 3 apps to bring to any party:

1. buffalo chicken cheese dip // My coworkers went bat-sh*t CRAZY over this so much that I made it 3 times in less than a two-week time span. Trust me, you will be everybody’s favorite if you bring this to your next event! I’m going bat-sh*t crazy just thinking about it! Fun fact about me is that I’m on the lactose intolerant side so I can’t enjoy much of it, but here’s to those of you who don’t have to deal with that BS! Here’s the recipe:

• 1 lb. cooked & shredded chicken
• 1 C buffalo sauce (I used Frank’s)
• 1/2 C ranch dressing
• 12 oz. cream cheese (about 1 and a half packets if using Philadelphia)
• 1/4 C of shredded cheese of your choice

Combine all ingredients except the shredded cheese in a large bowl and mix until even. Transfer mixture to a qt-sized casserole dish, greased or non-, top with the shredded cheese, and cook at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Keep refrigerated for up to two weeks.

If this is too much for you (it almost is for me even), I think this recipe from Bows & Sequins looks good and I can’t wait to try it!

2. tapenade pasta salad w fresh tomatoes // For a lighter appetizer, I recommend this! Perfectly, vegan friendly too! I cooked it and used it for meal prepping this week but it does just as good for hungry party guests! (Let me know if you guys would like to see another meal prepping post.)

• 12 oz. tri-color rotini (I bought this from Kroger)
• 3/4 C pitted kalamata olives
• 1 Tbsp capers
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh chopped garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh chopped thyme
• 1/4 C extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 C diced tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp fresh chopped basil
• 3 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley
• salt and pepper

Cook noodles according to cooking directions, drain, and rinse. Combine olives, capers, garlic, and thyme in a food processor until combined but still chunky. Toss pasta in olive oil and lemon juice. Stir in the mixture from the food processor, tomatoes, parsley, and basil then season to taste with the s and p.

3. beergaritas // The beermosa’s evil cousin. Beermosas are too weak (lol!) for my liking which is why beergaritas are basically heaven-with-a-salt-rim. I made a pitcher of regular margaritas for a Super Bowl watch-party a few weekends ago. Afterwards, I still had some left so the next day I whipped up this cocktail! My boyfriend likes them too and we’re both so hooked that it’s our new Sunday afternoon specialty drink.

• 2 bottles light colored beer
• 2 C simple syrup (or margarita mix, but I prefersimple syrup)
• 1 1/3 C tequila
• 1 1/3 C fresh lime juice (do yourself a favor and buy this)
• 3/4 C triple sec
• kosher salt optional

I made mine individually; however, you can combine all these ingredients in a single pitcher, stir, and serve. If you’re going to prepare them by glass, all I did was combine 1 part beer and 1 part marg. Olé!

top: Altar’d State // watch: Kate Spade // wine glass: William Sonoma

XOXO
-Elizabeth