Sunday Recipe: Quesadillas & Salsa

Happy Sunday to everyone!!!! I hope you've had a great weekend. Mine was WONDERFUL! Yesterday, I celebrated my 26th Birthday with my family and my babe. It was great! Side note: HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT WISHED ME A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!---I TRULY APPRECIATE IT!!! Now back to yesterday....I spent the day shopping, eating, relaxing and I did it all over again today, LOL! I will do a special post on my bday later in the week. But I can say I am so blessed to see another year and I plan to make this year one of the BEST years yet!

Today, I want to share another recipe with you. I am not a big cooker, but I plan to do better, especially when I get married. So today's DELICIOUS goodies come from L.V. over at Food Fashion Flow. Not only is she FLY, but her food posts always leave my mouth watering! This recipe below looks super tasty and very easy. I LOVE quesadillas so this is right up my ally. 

I hope you all enjoy, and thanks to L.V. for sharing this. Be blessed and talk with you soon!! 

Brie Quesadillas with Mango Salsa

Quesadilla Ingredients:

1. 4 flour tortillas about 8 inches across
2. ½ pound Brie Cheese cut into thin slices
3. 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
4. Dash of hot pepper sauce

Directions:

1. Add a small amount of canola oil or nonstick cooking spray to griddle or a skillet
2. Place two (2) flour tortillas on your skillet set over low heat
3. Arrange half of the Brie slices on top of each tortilla
4. Sprinkle the green onion over each tortilla half
5. Let cook for 2 minutes, using a spatula to loosen the tortilla from the bottom of the skillet to make sure it’s not sticking
6. Place another tortilla on top of each of the tortillas and very carefully, using a wide spatula, flip the quesadilla over and cook another 2 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese is just melted
7. Remove from the skillet and cut each quesadilla into quarters
8. Top with mango salsa

Mango Salsa Ingredients:

1. 1 mango peeled seeded and chopped
2. ¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
3. 1 green onion chopped
4. 1/3 cup chopped red onion
5. 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
6. 1 fresh Jalapeno finely chopped
7. 2 tablespoons lime juice
8. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
9. I teaspoon light brown sugar (optional, but adds amazing depth of flavor)

 Directions: 

1. In a medium bowl, mix mango, red bell pepper, green onion, cilantro, jalapeno, lime juice, and lemon juice
2. Cover, and allow to sit at least 30 minutes before serving

Florida Recap, In Pictures

Food & Family

*inside Emeril's Restaurant*

*the food was just....divine!!!*

*we met Uncle Charlie & fam in FL; we had a BALL!!*

Awards & Pics

*after the red carpet* 

*Taylor, her MD sister queen Maddie, and the BEST state director (winner of director of the year) Vanessa*

Family & Such 

Taylor & Friends

*some of the DMV princesses*

* Taylor & friends, after her win*

IJM Sisters & Family

*the girls and the photographer & make-up/hairstylist...a GREAT husband wife team* 

*lovely, diverse, and intelligent young ladies!*

*Taylor receiving all her gifts/goodies form her international director*

Extras

*i wore my grandma's necklace and my love, cortnie clutch one day*

*Taylor's hair accessories and earrings...all from where??? the FL flea market!! thanks to my ;-)*

*i re-bedazzled her tap gloves after a few stones fell off during the packing & unpacking*

3rd Sunday Recipe: Salmon, Strawberries and Rum!

Happy Sunday!!! I want to introduce to you a new part of my blog. It's called, 3rd Sunday Recipies! It's something NEW I've been wanting to try out  for a while. So, I've decided to have a few guest 'foodie' bloggers post their fave summer recipes every 3rd Sunday. If you have a recepie you'd like to share, send me an email at, whitneynicjames@gmail.com and I will feature YOUR tasty treat ;-) 


My 1st Foodie Blogger is the lovely, Foodie Fash. Every time she posts a new meal, I am drooling over the pics! I hope you all enjoy her recipe post and I hope you try this meal out. I can't wait to whip this up in my kitchen!! Enjoy and happy eating!!!


Today's Menu: Salmon Patties, Strawberry Salad and Rum Punch

Foodie Fash Info

 (click on the titles to get to the link!)

Foodie Fash Blog

Facebook 

Twitter 

******

Salmon Patties

Ingredients

• 1 can (14 3/4 oz) Alaska Salmon, drained
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup chopped white onions
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, more or less to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning, more or less to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh herbs (basil and oregano)
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Directions

• Drain and flake salmon.
• Combine and blend salmon, green onions, white onions, eggs, seasoning, and 3/4 cup of bread crumbs.
• Form mixture into 12 patties.
• Pour remainder bread crumbs into a large bowl.
• Coat both sides of each patty with the bread crumbs in the bowl.
• Brown the patties in a lightly oiled skillet until golden brown on both sides.
• Place patties on a non-stick pan and broil the patties for a few minutes (Note you can skip this step if you like,  dependent on how brown you want your patties).

Strawberry Salad

Ingredients

• 2 cups of spring mix salad
• 1 cup honey roasted pecans
• 1/2 cup sliced white onions
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1 cup sliced tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Raspberry vinaigrette

Directions

• Wash and drain spring mix
• Place onions, strawberries, and tomatoes on salad
• Sprinkle salt and pepper
• Drizzle with vinaigrette

Rum Punch 

(Recipe found at, http://liquor.com/recipes/mount-gay-rum-punch/)

Ingredients

• 19 oz Rum
• 18 oz Water
• 12 oz Grenadine
• 13 oz Simple syrup (one part sugar, one part water)
• 4 oz Lime juice
• 1 oz Angostura Bitters
• 1 tsp Freshly grated nutmeg
• Cherries

Directions

• Add all the ingredients to a punch bowl and stir to combine.
• Let stand for 2 hours and serve in punch cups filled with ice.
• Garnish each cup with a cherry.

Gone too soon...(the weekend)

Happy Sunday everyone! Is it me or did this weekend fly by?? I feel like it was just Friday afternoon. Anywho, I am glad that I had time to relax and really not do much. Well ok, I did do things BUT nothing work related and no 'events' I had to attend. 

Friday, the fiance' and I headed to the movies to see Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man and we really enjoyed the movie. The entire cast did an excellent job! If you have not seen it, I would definitely recommend it. I also took the family to my favorite thrifting spot (2nd Avenue) and my parents had a ball. My dad went back today for their 1/2 off sale and got even more items (3 blazers, 2 pair of jeans, and 2 shirts).  My little sister bought (with her money) a book, a cute belt, skirt, pair of brand new Children's Place shorts, and the prettiest white dress I've ever seen!  My mom is more of an online shopper, her patience when it comes to sifting through items is limited. However, she found some GREAT vintage shoes and a LV bag. She has found her niche when it comes to thrifting; accessories and shoes. Speaking of shoes and accessories, I found 3 pair of shoes (2 vintage), a Lane Bryant skirt, pair of sunglasses (seen in pics below), and a top. As I said before, all pics coming soon :-) 

Side-note: If you follow me on Instagram/Facebook, you'll notice that I have a new hairstyle, which by the way I absolutely LOVE! A little hesitant at first, I was unsure how the style would look on me. But, I took the plunge and tried it out anyway. I am glad I stepped out and tried something differnent because I really do like it :-) 

Saturday, Darrius and I were on babysitting duty while my parents went to see Act Like a Lady. The three of us (me, lill sis and D) played a heated game of UNO, and shared lots of good laughs and goofy moments. I also enjoyed church this morning with the fiance' and our friends Matt and Jess (and their adorable daughter). We went to Bridgeway Community Church (see, HERE) and as usual, the pastor was on point. He finished up his series on Love today and spoke on the Fruit of Love. Very powerful and right on time, as most of his messages are. Aftrerwards, we all went to the Tomato Palace for brunch, and then Darrius and I enjoyed Rita's on the way home. 

The last thing that I MUST tell you all is that this morning, I got an email notification that plus-size model Anansa Sims is now following me on Twitter! I followed her last night and this morning, bam! She followed back!  Yes, I was excited beyond belief but who wouldn't be??? She is really someone I look up to when it comes to being a plus size/curvy woman. She is lovely, and such a lady and watching her show (with her mother Beverly Johnson) on OWN has made me like her even more. I am so honored to have her follow lil 'ol me :-)

So, enjoy the pics and I hope you all have a great Monday tomorrow. Be blessed...and be a blessing to someone ;-)

{ carreid my love, cortnie Ray bag today }

Pin-spirations

Morning loves, rise & shine :-) I hope you had a good Monday! Below are pics that I've gathered, thanks to Pinterest, that I've seen and 'pinned' over the past few weeks. I am quickly becoming addicted to pinning, as are most of my fellow blogger and friends. It's the best! Are any of YOU on Pinterest? What are some of you fave pins?? I find myself pulling out my phone to see what I pinned while I'm shopping...it's wonderful inspiration while on-the-go! I separated the pics into categories and for one reason or another, when I saw the pics, I was instantly inspired. Feel free to follow me on Pinterest, HERE. I also share some of my pins HERE as well so take you pick or follow me both places ;-) Enjoy and have a blessed day ;-)

~Nic

*Home-spiration *

*Shoe-spiration* 

*Food-spiration*

*Style-spiration*

*Random-spiration* 

InstaGREAT!!

Morning darlings!! I hope you all had a great Monday---happy Tuesday!!

As you all know, I am on Instagram (msnicjames) and I love making picture collages. The first is one from this weekend. I planned a surprise b-day party for my fiance' and he had a great time! Not only was he surprised, but he was so grateful that our friends came out to celebrate him :-) The theme was "Game Night" because Darrius, and all of our friends, LOVE to get together and play Taboo. My mom and I went to Party City and found decorations that reminded us of the casino/Atlantic City. My lil sis blew up some balloons, we got out fav snacks and food from Target....everything was just wonderful! I hate that I didn't take pictures but I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off so, LOL, i didn't eve remember to snap shots of the decor. I did however get to snap a pic of my him with his money hat and dollar chain on. LOL...he's  mess! 

This next set of pics are from yesterday. I wore my Love, Cortnie clutch, my thrifted pink pants (also seen HERE), my favorite South Moon Under sandals, and my thrifted ring. I was unable to take full body/outfit shots, but I still wanted to share parts of my look with you all.

Yesterday after work, the babe and I went to see Hunger Games and then to our favorite spot, the Tomato Palace. The movie was GREAT---I now want to read the book. Despite the killing of children, I enjoyed the fashion in the movie, as well as the action/suspense. It is definitely a must see for those who haven't gone yet. As far as dinner, I opted for the Meatballs and Palenta, and some Mango wings. OMG, they were divine!!! The meatballs are served with grits...amazin'! I allowed my fiance' to share them with me, just this once ;-) 

All in all, I had a pretty GREAT Monday. This week is going to be an eventful one for me. Tomorrow my mom, sister and I are headed to see Raven Symone in Sister Act, and Thursday, lil sis, the fiance' and I are going to DC to a few museums. Friday, it's all pageant business with mom and sis. We have to find her a few dresses and other items for her upcoming appearances and pageants. WHEW! Busy and eventful to say the least. But, I wouldn't have it any other way ;-) Be blessed , enjoy your day, and talk to you soon. XXOO!!!

~Nic

PS Don't forget to connect with me HERE on Facebook...I'd love to have you follow!!! :-)

Whirlwind Weekend

Well well! What a weekend. As I mentioned in my last post, I was in Atlanta for the day today and boy was that a quick, but productive, trip. My lil sis attended the IJM Pageant as a guest Queen and my mom and I went with her. Traveling with my girls as I call them was perfect! I love spending time with the two of them, but when I get them both to myself it's even better!

I also had a little time to do some thrifting. I went on this rampage and told myself I was done thritfing until my birthday (August) and I even confessed this to my fiance, and Prissy from Rush our Fashion. While I really do LOVE to thrift, I felt that I was aimlessly thrifting. So, I told myself I was going to go cold turkey. But after talking to my mother and going through my closet, I decided to take a step back , write a list of the items I need, and start there. that way, I will have a purpose to my thrifting. I am in the process of revamping my accessories & jewelry so I can always use some new and unique pieces. And as I build my Spring/Summer wardrobe, I plan to keep my word and only buy what I need. i have it all written and photographed so I think this will be easy for me to do. Also, because I am trying to tone up and drop a few lbs, I feel that me purchasing on my needs will motivate me to work for my ideal shape even more. I LOVE me and I LOVE my curves, but its time to get healthier and its time to get MOVING! I need to get it together and I am on the right track!

All in all, its a domino affect and I am excited to see how I progress. I hope you all enjoy my pics of the weekend and I PROMISE I will expose the details of my giveaway tomorrow. I don't want to crowd this post with too much. Take care, be blessed and speak with you soon!

~Nic

Spring Items: Blazer, Vest, Slacks & a Dress

{2nd Avenue, Salvation Army & Goodwill}

Earrings

{2nd Avenue}

Instagram Wrap Up

{follow me @msnicjames}

1. Sleepy Fiance' ;-)

2. Southern Breakfast (Paschals, ATL)

3. Lil Sis & my Little Princess

4. Starbucks Shooters