coconut oil is my new bff!

Oi! This past summer, my fiancee and I took multiple trips to Walmart - the most convenient store us midwesterners frequent to stock up on home supplies, groceries and basically anything else you can think of. I was reading a dinner idea blog post on one of my fave blogs - joyoushealth.ca - and I noticed she mentioned coconut oil as a key ingredient for all her meals. I've tried her dishes before and they are super delicious but I've never added coconut oil (just my fave portuguese olive oil my grandma sends me from Boston). If you're in search of healthy food ideas or maybe learning about how you should eat, you'll get hungry from just looking at Joy's instagram. In any case, I decided to buy my first jar of coconut oil thanks to Joy and let me tell you, I often ask myself "how could I only just be finding out about you now?!" I cook breakfast, lunch and dinner with coconut oil - eggs, beans, rice and fish never tasted better. I mix a bit of olive oil with coconut oil for an extra boost of antioxidants.
 

Benefits of coconut oil
- adds natural moisture to your foods, making it more delicious
- keeps your food from sticking to the pan! Ha, I know you're probably thinking "oh, I use pam no biggie". Well, pam is messy and second it's not the healthiest option.
- added bonus: you can apply it to your hair (eliminates damage), skin (as a moisturizer but seek dermatologist advice before trying this) and your body (as lotion).
- it doesn't taste like coconut for those of you who aren't fans
- it helps reduce heart disease, contains good fatty acids, and can aid in belly fat reduction + more!

I love to cook, and you'll get to see some of my cooking on the blog
so I'll start with a few instagram pics of meals I've made using coconut oil.

x your flower girl,

V

eventbrite rocks + why you should reconnect with old friends

Since I just moved back to Chicago, I've been meaning to reconnect with my old friends from high school and colleagues at NBC. I'm also pretty active on twitter and discovered the perks of attending "free Eventbrite events - which you should totally check out in your city. Last night, my high school pal Natalie and I met up after ten years at Prasino, a trendy restaurant in Wicker Park one block away from where the Eventbrite Game of Thrones event was taking place. At Prasino's, Natalie wanted to try the lobster stuffed avocado - just to die for! After a few laughs while reminiscing about the good old days and stuffing our bellies with a little teaser, we headed over to Jerry's Sandwiches.

As a blogger, I've attended many networking events and this one didn't resemble the usual events in any way. In fact, it felt like date night with two friends having a great time, enjoying delicious beers and discussing old times. This is what I enjoy most about Eventbrite - you're always in for an unexpected treat when you RSVP for any event.

Nat and I both agreed that Jerry's Good Ol' American grilled cheese sandwiches are a must and we're planning our next visit soon. Meeting up with an old friend reminded me of three important things: 1. Who you were then and how you are now makes you realize how you haven't changed much in hindsight 2. You always pick up right where you left off (if it's a friend you always connected with) 3. Don't lose your old friends. If you've just moved into a new city like I have, give that old pal a call. I'm pretty sure they will be happy to hear your voice. Nat sure was! That is my tidbit for my first Nu Bai post which is creole for "let's go!" Here's to hoping you'll come back and read more of my adventures on the blog.

xx flower girl, V 

#smwchicago + flower girl blog!

Dear old and new friends,

I'm happy to announce that I'm back on the blogging game after moving back to Chicago from New York City, reading a bunch on creating a better image online and realizing how much I love to blog!

In addition, I had an exceptionally enlightening experience at Social Media Week Chicago two weeks ago (September 23rd - 27th) which further confirmed my decision. I attended as many panels, presentations and parties as I could. I even got to see and speak with my old co-worker, Bill Rancic about our days working for the live TV show In the Loop with iVillage.

One particular presentation, "Save My Blog", conducted by Jimmy Greenfield and Julie DiCaro from the Chicago Now blogging network, got me thinking about revamping my old blog 24 Blogazine as I'm now an engaged woman, slowly and happily leaving my twenties. Jimmy and Julie asked us questions that had us all thinking about whether we really want to blog or just be on Facebook sharing our ideas. They also said the solution to our blogging woes is to find our platform and most importantly, just start blogging and soon enough the inspiration will come.