The Super Bowl is this weekend, which, I dunno, means something about football. To me, it's just always been a terrific snacking opportunity. Being Paleo for parties and sporting events is often pretty difficult, which is why I always try to eat dinner before I go, and always contribute a dish so I know there's at least one thing there that I can snack on.

This year, I'm bringing my Paleo take on Pigs in a Blanket! If you haven't noticed yet, my Paleo version of anything that is usually covered in bread is just wrapped in bacon instead. I also made a honey mustard sauce for dipping, because I think Super Bowl snacks are all about dipping, and I totally love a little homemade sauce to fancy up a dish. Happy Super Bowl weekend, friends, and go...team, go!

   

Ingredients:

One to two packages of cocktail smokies

Bacon (I love Trader Joes' Uncured Apple Smoked Bacon)

Two tablespoons Dijon mustard

Two tablespoons of honey

Salt, pepper, and a spritz of lemon juice to taste

1. Cut each strip of bacon into three parts.

2. Wrap each piece around one of the sausages. Secure with a toothpick.

3. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.

4. While that's in the oven, put mustard and honey in a bowl and mix together with a spoon.

5. Add salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

6. Serve the honey mustard with your Paleo Pigs in a Blanket and enjoy!

 

Nobody ever told me how hard it would be to make friends after college. Maybe you're working a weird job and have nothing in common with your colleagues. Maybe you went to grad school and took half of your courses online; or maybe, shortly after, you met a handful of wonderful people at your office but then moved to Minnesota a year later.

I have always been blessed with great friends. When I get married in a few months, I'll have seven amazing women standing right behind me, and I feel like much of my life has been that way. Emma is the sister I never had, Tina is the one I can always count on, Shawna has the most amazing spirit and can make me laugh like no one else, and Elena and I have been separated by oceans at times, but always manage to find our way back to each other. These women have been in my life since we were girls, but the list goes on (and isn't limited only to my wedding party). I think about all the people who will be seated there as Rob and I stand in front of them, and I just can't believe it. It's overwhelming in the very best way.

This is all wonderful, but these people live really far away, which is why I've found myself meeting up with wonderful strangers in coffee shops and restaurants lately. I've been dating a lot of girls over the past few months.

The internet has been sort of amazing in bringing us all together. Someone who once read my blog when I was writing my master's thesis in Charlottesville is now the person I refer to as "my best friend in Minneapolis." An Instagram connection and I are going to start our own little writing group. Food bloggers and photographers who I never knew until October, or yesterday, are now people with whom I make plans. Blogging has really made this big world (or country, or state, really) a lot smaller, and for that I'm thankful.

--

I wrote this a while ago:

I remember leaving for college.

I stood in my driveway with Emma's arms wrapped around my neck and thought, "Never." I would never find another friend like her, and I would never be the same because of it. It was August and despite the early hour, the hot Virginia morning already fell, muggy on our bare shoulders. Thick brown ringlets and freckles merged as our embrace tightened. 

My dad put the final box of my stuff into the back of our black Suburban. "I'll visit you every weekend," she sobbed into my ear. I let go of her and got in the car. I remember feeling like I'd never have another friend like Emma again.

And then, seven years later, she was hugging me goodbye once more as I packed my stuff to move to Minnesota. So much has changed, but a lot has stayed the same. You can't replace your best friends, but you don't have to be alone.

--

Photo: Me, Shawna, and Emma in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Blurry, but one of my very favorites.

It's award season, you guys! In honor of the Grammy's last week, P&G Beauty was nice enough to send me a bunch of get-red-carpet-ready goodies. With our wedding coming up in just over three months, things like great moisturizers and deep conditioners are making their way into my regular beauty routine. I'm just as in to hair and makeup as the next girl, but there's something to be said about taking really good care of yourself all the time so that you're always looking and feeling your best--and that's what I love about most of the products they sent me.

Here are the ones I really love already:

Crest

3D Professional White Whitestrips

I can't say enough good things about 

Crest

 Whitestrips. I've been using them since at least 2007, and I love them. I use a pack at least once a year, and they keep my smile looking super bright and shiny despite the amount of coffee (and red wine!) I consume so regularly. I haven't given these particular ones a try yet, so I was really excited to see them amidst so many other great products.

Herbal Essences

Naked Dry Shampoo

I picked one of these up the other day, actually, so I'm pumped to have doubled my stash! I feel like I've tried every dry shampoo out there, and this is definitely one of the best. It adds volume while it reduces oiliness and it smells so good--I think it's mint. I might be making that up but there's such a fresh scent to it and I really enjoy using it.

Secret

Clinical Strength Light & Fresh Antiperspirant/Deodorant

Please tell me I'm not the only one who sweats like, a lot more than is probably socially acceptable. For whatever reason, regular antiperspirants don't always do it for me, so I've been a big fan of Secret Clinical Strength for a couple of years now. It smells wonderful and I find it really effective.

Pantene

Damage Detox Weekly Rehab Creme

I just used this for the first time two days ago and my hair feels amazing! Minnesota is really doing a number on me--between the cold and all the static, I can't seem to get enough moisture into my locks. And you only need to use a little bit, which is always awesome.

CoverGirl

Bombshell Volume by LashBlash Mascara

This mascara has two wands--one for volume and one for intensity. I like it a lot, but have to be honest and say that I'm a sucker for anything that includes the word "bombshell" in its name or description.

There was a lot of great stuff included that I haven't tried yet--I'm excited to give the 

Olay

 Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream a try soon. What do you add to your beauty routine to get camera-ready for a big event?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of

Clever Girls Collective

and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Top photo: 

Another look at 

my most recent shoot

 with 

V.A. Photography

.