DIY Dining Tips Inspired by Buzzfeed + American Express

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As some of you know, I’ve partnered with American Express to be an ambassador for their no annual fee, Blue Cash Everyday Card. It’s pretty much my dream job since the card is all about making everyday a little more epic, which you probably have noticed from my social media handles is what I’m all about. I mean, this month alone I’ve been so blessed to have had the opportunity to take a gymnastics class with Dominique Dawes, play in the mini-Instagram board room with Eva Chen and Facebook, hang out with WWE Superstars Dolph Ziggler and Charlotte, enjoy a private exhibition at Christie’s with Tom Ford Beauty, and take a pretty awesome road trip…and it’s not over yet! I’m living for the end of August when I’m back in NYC for the US Open!!!American-express-blue-cashe-everyday_7

This credit card not only fits my lifestyle but also my everyday favorite moments from entertaining and dining to Vespa rides around town. I’m also loving Amex’s latest collaboration with Buzzfeed for their “Epic Everyday” video series; sharing everything from easy DIY dining and entertaining tips to fun recipes and birthday party ideas..

I took inspiration from their 3 Living Room Upgrades in 60 Seconds video for a family dinner and double date I hosted with my sister. We had a lot to celebrate between her exciting job news with the United Nations, plus James and I wanted to celebrate with a night in since we were headed out of town for so long.

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I used a mix of fresh flowers and herbs I picked from a local garden with some dried lavender inspired by the Buzzfeed video for the place settings. To break it down here are 3 fun and simple ways to update your dinner table:  the center and put one on each plate setting. I also used it for decoration around the cheese plate.American-express-blue-cashe-everyday_6

Idea #1: Fun ice cubes with a twist

Ice trays come in all shapes and sizes, I grabbed a two pack of these pineapple sets and put some fresh mint in each socket before adding water and freezing. It’s a fun way to make a party in a glass and the mint lasts long after the ice melts.American-express-blue-cashe-everyday_2

Idea #2: Dried lavender decorations:

Inspired by the Buzzfeed video, I took a bushel of dried lavender and sectioned it into small pairings. I then wrapped raffia yarn aroundAmerican-express-blue-cashe-everyday_5
Idea #3 Flower arrangements in jars

Flower arranging is a passion of mine. I love picking flowers and creating arrangements for the table. For this dinner I was going for more of an urban rustic feel so I used jars from around the house. I found everything from a Mason Jar to glass juice bottles I saved and an actual glass vase which all worked together. Just illustrating that things don’t have to be perfect to be perfect. The variety of sizes of glass containers added to the charm.

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These are all easy ways to make a dinner extra special. Whatever Epic Everyday means to you, I hope you’re all living your best life and staying inspired. The Blue Cash Everyday Card offers all kinds of perks like 3% cash back at supermarkets to help make every dining experience like this that much better, 2% cash back at gas stations (which has been coming in handy on my road trip), 1% cash back on almost everything else and more perks you can learn about HERE.

Thank you American Express for sponsoring this post and having me as an ambassador.

JCPenney x WWE Tapout Event with Dolph Ziggler + Charlotte

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What a whirlwind of a week! As some of you know I took a break from my New England tour yesterday to head back to NYC for 16 hours to join my friends at WWE and JCPenney at the Manhattan Mall for the launch of the WWE’s Tapout performance apparel line for women. Hosted by WWE Superstars and Tapout Brand Ambassadors Dolph Ziggler and Charlotte at the Manhattan Mall, there was a line wrapped around the basement level and up through the escalator and around the first floor for the #Summerslam event!

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The Tapout brand stands for motivation, discipline and determination – all of which you saw from the crowd waiting patiently in line to meet Dolph and Charlotte. Before they opened the event to the pubic I had a few moments with the duo — just enough time to ask Charlotte her must have beauty product – “Flower Gel by Sisley” and her best de-stress tip, “Sleep”. Two things I heavily endorse. Followed by a photo opp with them!

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Dolph is wearing the Tapout Warrior Graphic Tee ($22, on sale $12.99), I’m wearing the Tapout Power Button Knot Tank ($22, on sale $16.99), and Charlotte is in the Tapout Graphic Tank Top ($22, on sale for $16.99).

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The range includes training and compression tees, sports bras, tank tops, pants and shorts that are all affordably priced from $12.99 – $29.99. The women’s collection joins the existing men’s line, which also features training and compression tees, tanks, shorts and pants and ranges in price from $12.99 – $32.99.

Check out the WWE Tapout collection at jcpenney.com

Thank you to WWE Tapout and JCPenney for partnering with me on this post!

I Interviewed and worked out with Dominique Dawes and Tide Pods

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Last week I took a gymnastics class with Dominique Dawes as part of the Small But Powerful Tide Pods event. She’s one of the Magnificent Seven and was literally one of my child heroes. Coupling that with my major Olympic fever I consider it a win that I managed to not pass out during my interview with her — although her workout had me sore for two days. Tide is a sponsor of the Olympics and of Dawes and Simone Biles who both appear in their The Evolution of Power video. Drawing parallels on how detergents have evolved from large amounts of powder, to a cup of liquid and now Tide Pods. It illustrates how the amounts of detergent have gotten smaller over time and more powerful.  Biles exemplifies this #smallbutpowerful message, ruling the sport at 4 feet 8″. Check out their campaign video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y0qluMUHQs

I think it’s great, since at 5′ 9″, I now have an excuse as to why my splits looks like this…

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Dawes led us in a stretch and gymnastics 101 class before the instructors took over to have us use the facility at Chelsea Piers, while we rotated having 1 on 1 interviews with her. dominque-dawes-tidepods

My Interview with Dominique Dawes:

PC: What would go through your head when you’re competing at the Olympics?

DD: I try to take myself back to my home gym, the gym that I started at in Wheaton, Maryland… Because that was where I started, where I fell in love with the sport, and where it was fun. It wasn’t a back job then so I would always have that vision in my head when I was competing.

PC: What are your top 3 beauty products?

DD: My top three are water, Black African Soap and natural, organic Shea Butter. (Brands were not specified).

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PC: What is your best stress management tip

DD: Breathing. Relax, take a deep breath and count to 10. Because when you’re not relaxing and you’re not breathing, and you’re not just taking things in and putting them into perspective, you over analyze. And that’s when paralyze yourself from doing things.

PC: What is your biggest stress management tip?

DD: Taking one step at a type. I used to be very type A and it was all about productivity, productivity, plan, plan, plan. But now as a mother of two and being a wife it’s about taking one step at a time and if you don’t get it all done, oh well there’s going to be another day ahead if you’re blessed.

For anyone that missed Biles Small but Powerful Tide Pods commercial it’s worth a watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRdleKwYeAY

Thank you Tide for this truly special experience!

Stay Here: Hotel Providence RI

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It’s good to be back in Providence. This time we spent two nights at the Hotel Providence, located in downtown and central to so many of my favorite shops. Charlie and I took over their Instagram since they are the only dog friendly hotel in Providence. They even have a doggie lounge with couches for them. Which Charlie clearly appreciated…

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The hotel has 80 rooms of which, 16 are suites, 4 of which are King Suites. The hotel is arts and literature themed with the suites named after famous New England creatives. We stayed in the Dr. Seuss King Suite, which had his books all over the room. Very appropriately since Dr. Seuss and I are both originally from Massachusetts and I grew up reading all of his books.

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