Campfire Popcorn

There is nothing better than sitting around a campfire at night and enjoying a big pot of freshly popped popcorn. If you have never made popcorn over a campfire before, you are definitely missing out. Campfire popcorn has quickly become my favorite. I will even go as far as to say that I prefer it over s’mores!

There is something so satisfying about making popcorn over a campfire, hearing the kernels pop, and enjoying the warm smell of popcorn. You can make it sweet or salty, and of course, get creative with the seasonings you sprinkle on top.

Whether you have a bonfire in your backyard or a campfire at a state park, popcorn is always a good idea. When I am out camping I love to make a big batch my first night, so I can enjoy it while I am on the trail the next day.

There are so many ways to make popcorn over a campfire, but today I am sharing my favorite way, which is with an open fire popper. 

My popcorn is from Grand Rapids Popcorn Company and came as a kit with an open fire popper, “ready to pop” packets, disposable popcorn bowls, popcorn seasoners, a recipe card, and a bag of their (crazy delicious) S’mores popcorn.

Campfire Popcorn
Supplies: 
NaksPak – these are pre-measured portion packs of kernels, oil, and seasoning (tastes just like movie theater popcorn)
Directions: 
1. Add the contents of a NaksPak to the open fire popper. 
2. Close the lid of the pot.
3. Place the pot over the fire.
4. Hold the open fire popper over the first until you hear the first pop.
5. Once you hear the first pop begin to shake the open fire popper over the campfire. 
Make sure you continue to shake or the popcorn will burn.
6. Remove the pot from the fire when there is more than 3 seconds between pops.
7. When you remove the lid, hold the pot away from your face – kernels may still be popping.
Add more flavor with seasonings
Kettle Corn
Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of sugar along with your NaksPak. It will taste like the kettle corn you find at the carnival.
S’mores
Toss a handful of mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed up graham cracker into the popper. The marshmallows and chocolate will melt into the popcorn for an ooey-gooey treat.
Pro Tip: Mix up the seasonings before you leave home or head to the backyard, once they’re made place them in a Ziploc baggy, jar, or whatever works for you.
Packaged seasonings
The possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can sprinkle on top of campfire popcorn when it is done. You can use ranch seasoning, taco seasoning, Italian seasoning, and more. 
Pro Tip: Make things easier and buy a variety of Kernel Season’s Popcorn Seasonings

Five Things

 [Bike rides with my favorite]

Quarantine week 12, is complete. 2020 is literally straight out of a horror movie, as we enter each new month you\’re left wondering what is around the next corner. This week I found myself spending extra time in nature, and finally (only took 12 weeks) taking some Zoom workout classes with my Miami bestie. Jack and I try to get out every day for a bike ride or hike, we both love adventures. I started making lemonade slushies and they are my newest addition (I will be sharing the recipe next Wednesday!), eating plenty of salads and of course snacking on popcorn. But, the biggest thing at all that happened this week is…. I put rose gold in my hair. Yes, I finally pulled the trigger, and added a little rose gold Overtone to my hair and I am obsessed. I have seriously dark hair and the Overtone rose gold for brown hair worked perfectly, I highly recommend it.

This weekend I will be adventuring out to the water for a little rest and recreation, bonfire, s\’ mores, and of course campfire popcorn. What are your plans this weekend?

 [Snacking on Garrett Mix popcorn]
 [Lemonade slushies in my Blen2Go portable blender]
 [Waiting for the caterpillars to become beautiful butterflies]
[I put some rose gold for brown hair from Overtone in my hair and I\’m obsessed]

How to Make S\’mores Dip

With just three ingredients and a campfire, you have yourself the official dessert of summer. S\’mores are ooey and gooey and make the quintessential summertime treat. What you may not go is this traditional campfire recipe can be turned into a dip. This dip is great for a hot summer day snack or a hanging out while it\’s raining movie treat. Let\’s be honest though, once you make this s\’mores dip for the first time it will become your new favorite summertime treat.

S\’mores Dip

Ingredients
Chocolate*
Marshmallows* cut in half
Graham crackers

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 450° F.
2. Place a small oven-safe dish into the oven to heat it up (about 5 minutes).
3. Remove it from the oven. Add your chocolate.
4. Top with your marshmallow halves, until the chocolate is covered.
5. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes or until the marshmallows are nicely browned (you can also turn the broiler on if you need to.
6. Serve immediately with graham crackers.
7. Enjoy

* Notes:

1. I used traditional Hershey bars and just broke them up, however you can use chocolate chips or any other kind of chocolate you\’d like.
2. Make sure you cut your marshmallows in half. Any brand of marshmallows will work – I love Dandies marshmallows because I don\’t like traditional ones.

Zoya Splash Summer 2020 Swatches

Back at the beginning of May, Zoya released it\’s summer 2020 nail polish collection entitled Splash. The collection featured a variety of classic creams as well as a few micro-shimmers. I recently received Zoya\’s Splash collection and you know I had to swatch it up for you.

My initial thoughts when looking at the colors of the collection were, Splash looked like more of a transition collection and not a summer collection. Prior to polishing my nails in the colors, I was underwhelmed. However, once I swatched up my fingers I absolutely fell in love. Jodi is the perfect cotton candy pink, while Harbor is my must-have toe polish color for the summer and Corinna is ideal for any bride.

Let\’s dive into Zoya\’s 2020 summer collection Splash and take a closer look at each color.

Zoya Summer 2020 Nail Polish Collection SPLASH

Eclipse is a glistening silver with tiny holographic rainbow sparkles. I was hoping that the holographic pieces would be bigger, but unfortunately, they were incredibly small. Add Eclipse over any Zoya polish for a sparkly splash.

Whenever I go to a carnival my first stop is any truck that has pink cotton candy. Not only do I love the sugary rush, but I absolutely adore the color. If you\’re like me and always on the hunt for that sugary pink cotton candy nail polish color, meet Jodi. Jodi is the quintessential cotton candy pink and is one of my favorite colors in Zoya\’s Splash collection.

Do you love peachy corally colors? If so, Emma is the girl for you. This beautiful peachy coral cream looks amazing on your nails or toes and is hands down my new favorite coral color.

Leilani is a glistening raspberry hue with gold micro-shimmer.

If you\’re looking for a sweet cherry color with gold micro-shimmer then Celi is your girl.

Looking to make a statement? Greta is your gal! This cream polish is a cross between a cherry and tomato red and is definitely ready for a night out on the town.

Looking for a color that is more on the professional side of the spectrum? Kristie is your girl then. This deep magenta cream adds a pop of color without being in your face loud.

I am not a fan of anything purple, but I have to be honest, I kind of fell in love with this violet cream. Jessica is one of the prettiest purples that I have ever seen, and it complements boho style very nicely.

If nautical colors are your summer anthem then Maren is going to be your must-have nauti blue hue.

Meet Harbor, my favorite color of the collection. Harbor is currently on my toes, and I don\’t think I have ever received so many compliments from a polish before. This tropical sea green is a summer must-have. If you\’re going to buy any color this summer, I highly recommend Harbor.

Does your wedding need something blue? Fisher is a stunning seafoam with gold micro-glitters.

Lastly, we have Corinna the color I thought Zoya was absolutely nuts for having in their summer collection. Then I swatched it on my nails, and it\’s the PERFECT blush color for a wedding. This blush-colored polish features a slight golden sheen and is absolutely stunning.

Overall, I thought I would be underwhelmed with the Zoya 2020 Summer Collection Splash, but it was actually quite the opposite. I fell in love with colors that I never would have thought that I would love. If you\’re looking to make a splash this summer when it comes to your nails, I highly recommend Zoya\’s summer 2020 nail polish collection.

30 Things to Do in June (Quarantine Edition)

And, with a blink of the eye, we are welcoming June. As we move into June, states are starting to open back up, the weather is getting nicer and I am finding myself spending even more time at home. With that being said, I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. I hope you enjoy these 30 things to do during the month of June.

1. Load up your car with blankets, pillows and of course yummy snacks and head to a drive-in movie! With social distancing being a priority right now, random drive-in movie theaters are popping up, and I couldn\’t be more pleased.

2. Order a new beach towel.

3. Happy World Bicycle Day! Grab your bike and go for a ride on your favorite trail, head to your favorite local state park, take a spin around a local metro park or just ride around your neighborhood.

4. Today is National Cheese Day! In honor of national cheese, day make a delicious cheese board with all your favorites.

5. Donut miss out! Today is National Donut Day! Grab a donut from your favorite local shop today.

6. Head out to your favorite trail or check out a new one in honor of National Trails Day!

7. Have a bonfire in the backyard and make some s\’mores.

8. Celebrate National Best Friends Day today! Do something special for your BFFs today, I highly recommend snail mail to your BFFs that do not live close and a porch dropoff to those that are near.

9. Support your favorite local restaurant and grab carryout.

10. Did you know today is Herbs and Spices Day! Head to the kitchen and put your spice mixing skills to the test! Or you can be like me and order carryout from man Indian restaurant.

11. Head to the lake and take in the scenery on a kayak or standup paddleboard.

12. I absolutely love grilling, and with this warmer weather, I am grilling up caesar salad, kabobs, fish, and more.

13. Head on over to your local farmers market and grab some fresh flowers, fruits, veggies, and more.

14. Not wanting to adventure out into public? No problem! Why not camp in your backyard?

15.  Visit your favorite local ice cream or custard shop.

16. Send positive notes and or gifts to friends.

17. Paint your nails a bright summer color.

18. It\’s International Picnic Day today! Picnics are one of my absolute favorite ways to enjoy dinner or lunch. Head to your backyard, a local park or the beach and enjoy sandwiches, salads and snacks.

19. Give yourself a pedicure at home.

20. Summer has officially arrived! Make a list of things you want to do this summer.

21. Get up early enough to catch a sunrise.

22. Take a nature hike on a trail you\’ve never been on before.

23. You guys! Today is National Pink Day! Celebrate by adding a little pink to your hair or nails or picking up a bouquet of pink flowers.

24. Take a virtual gym class. My friend M3 has been doing Zoom workout classes and they are brutal.

25. Dust off the rollerblades and go for a little skate around the park.

26. Make a homemade lemonade slushie! These have easily become my favorite.

27. Do a face mask this evening.

28. Head out on a road trip, even if it\’s just an hour away – get out and see something new.

29. Make homemade ice cream or popsicles.

30. Do some cooking over a campfire.