Homemade Fruit Popsicles
Fruit Popsicles
During the first week of social distancing we purchased a bit more fruit than we could eat, so my husband had the idea of turning our favorite smoothies into fruit popsicles.
We ordered the popsicle maker for $19.99 (this one comes with 50 ice cream bags, 50 ice cream sticks, and a book filled with recipes), but also ordered an extra bag of 200 ice cream sticks, and a box with 200 additional popsicle bags. In total we spent around $35.00.
The best part about making fruit popsicles is that you fill your freezer with snacks! If you have little kids at home, I am sure they will love these all-natural frozen treats.
Everything you need to make popsicles:
This popsicle tray lets you make 10 popsicles at a time. We’ve made four batches so far (mango smoothies, green smoothies & cranberry juice smoothies). I love that you can fill the tray with juice, smoothies, yogurt, ice-cream, puree, apple sauce, or you can create your own frozen treats!
Once the popsicles are frozen, they are easy to remove from the mold, and they can be stored individually in the freezer to save space.
I’ve been making smoothies for the longest time, and back when we were dating, I would make him green smoothies with lots of spinach! He wasn’t too into them, but now loves them.
Here is one of our favorite smoothie recipes: 1 banana, 1 mango, almond milk (or non-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt), chia seeds (optional), honey (optional), vanilla ice-cream (he often adds vanilla ice cream, I don’t!), and lots of ice cubes (add them at the end).
Hope you all enjoy them!
Lots of love… xx.
SHOP THE POST!
READ NEXT:
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Pink Gingham Dress – Easy Spring Look
My First Wedding Dress Try-On in New York City
My first bridal appointment took place last Friday, and I am glad that it did as the store is now closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
My mom, my sisters, and my closest girlfriends live in Florida, so I am sharing videos and photos with them. I wish travel was not restricted at this moment of my life…
I first learned about PRONOVIAS while I was living in Barcelona, Spain. Some of you may remember that I moved to Spain for graduate school.
Next up is a dress that I loved, but it was not comfortable for walking.
I think that I envision myself in a dress with a flowy skirt, we’ll see…
Which style do you think I should get married in?
What do you think of the gown below? I like that the skirt is not too big, and not too tight.
Here are two more gowns. While I was not expecting to like the bohemian-style gown below, I loved it. This neckline is one that I have been considering for a while. The length of the sleeves is perfect, and the bottom of the dress is what I am looking for.
Which of the wedding dresses did you like the most?
Thanks for reading!
My Current Favorites!
Hello loves! Sharing a round-up of all the pieces that I am loving at the moment. You have probably seen me wearing each of these items on my latest posts. Get the look by clicking on any of the images above. Hope you are having a great week. Xx
…6 Things I’ve Learned After Moving to New York City
It’s February 2020, and tomorrow marks the five-month anniversary of my move to New York City, so today I am sharing what I have learned so far, plus what has been difficult to adjust to. With time we’ll see how my feelings of living in this city evolve!
My Transition to New York City
Many of you remember that I lived in Miami Beach for the last 9 years, and in Barcelona, Spain, two years before that. I also lived in Paris, France, and Buenos Aires. I have moved around quite a bit, yet my transition to New York City was still not an easy one!
Let’s start with the weather… when I moved from tropical Miami Beach to New York in September, it was right before winter started – so my wardrobe was not ready. I wish someone had told me to buy this, this, and this upon arrival.
Life on the beach often feels like an eternal relaxing vacation, but here in NYC it is quite the opposite. While walking on the street, I quickly learned to keep up with everyone’s pace! Competition here is fierce, there are thousands, or millions, looking for the same job positions, apartments, and everything else just like you.
Why did I Move to New York City?
My fiancé got a job offer in the city and suggested that I join, and I said yes, after many long months of hesitation.
My younger brother had been living in NYC for many years, so perhaps that helped, although spending time with him was not the easiest due to his intense work schedule.
If you are trying to break into an industry that is based here, i.e., health care, finance, fashion, or mass media, then living in New York City is an excellent idea.
How to find an Apartment in New York City
During one of my trips to the city, we spent a full day looking at apartments that we found on Streeteasy. I remember that we took several breaks, and had ice cream inside Chelsea Market.
Streeteasy is a real estate search engine for apartments in Manhattan. Walking around the city’s neighborhoods, and checking out available units helped me learn that ‘quieter’ living areas do exist in the city.
If you are planning to move to New York City, start browsing apartments on Streeteasy, it’s the best website to familiarize yourself with pricing, sizes, and neighborhoods.
My Arrival in New York City
September was my first month in New York City and the only one that was a breeze. Fall in New York City has lovely temperatures so we walked around with our dogs, went apple picking in Warwick, grabbed pizza outdoors in DUMBO, Brooklyn, and drove to New Jersey (Wegman’s trips, check-ups at the VET).
October and November were eye-opening for me. By mid-October, I realized I would need a heavy jacket, similar to those worn on previous family ski trips. I suddenly missed my car (the comfort & privacy it offers), was tired of overcrowded subways, did not like freezing rainy days, and was feeling homesick. By November we were engaged, two months after Hurricane Dorian intervened with his original plan of proposing in September.
Before I knew it, December was here, and it brought the first snow of the month! The city dressed up for a new holiday season, and we decided to spend it here instead of driving to Florida for Christmas in fear of him losing his new job. By mid-December, New York City experienced a snow squall, a record-breaking windstorm with heavy snowfalls and strong surface winds.
It’s February now, and earlier this week we had a few ‘warmer’ days so I explored around (it’s easier when it is 50 degrees as opposed to 30 degrees). I surprised myself feeling content while walking along the east side of Central Park, realizing that I was starting to feel a little more steady.
New York City – Things I’ve Learned:
- The subway takes you anywhere.
- People are rather nice, just in a hurry.
- New York City is incredibly fast-paced.
- NYC is somewhat the center of the world.
- New York City has everything you could ever need.
- There are tons of free things to do!
A final note:
Adjusting to a new city is a big process. A generally positive outlook will always help you. Having my two rescue dogs with me made it easier, at least for me. I love dogs – they make everything better, don’t they?
We are enjoying our engagement, looking forward to Spring, and planning our wedding for next Fall. Five months into my new life in New York City, I finally feel that I am exactly where I am supposed to be!
Have you ever moved to a city you did not intend to live in? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Stay tuned for more updates! Talk soon! xx
MY ESSENTIALS FOR NYC WINTER
The Vanderbilt Auberge Resort in Newport, RI
Good morning my loves! There are many beautiful destinations close to New York City, so this year we hope to explore some of the coastal cities that are accessible to us by car. So happy that our first trip of the year brought us to New England – a quick three-hour drive from Manhattan.
The image above perfectly sums up our vacation in Newport, Rhode Island. I am delighted to share with you guys our stay at The Vanderbilt, the loveliest areas that we visited, as well as our ride along Ocean Drive and Bellevue Avenue in a classic car from the 1960s.
A Perfect Winter Stay at The Vanderbilt Auberge Resort in Newport, RI
We planned this vacation on a whim, fully aware that the weather reports announced rainy days with 20+ degrees. But we got lucky, and the city of Newport welcomed us with temperatures in the 50s and lots of warm sunshine.
THE VANDERBILT – TOP 20 HOTELS IN NEW ENGLAND – CONDE NAST TRAVELER 2019
The Vanderbilt is a luxury boutique hotel that was originally built in 1909 by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, a scion of the Vanderbilt family. It has been restored to its former glory and is one of the few private homes of the era to operate for guests as a fully functioning and top luxury hotel in Rhode Island. Today, The Vanderbilt Hotel comprises 33 rooms and luxury suites, a spa, and a fitness center with indoor and outdoor pools. Overall, we LOVED our stay here, everyone was so friendly!
Breakfast at The Vanderbilt Hotel is oh-so-good! We started our first day with one of the best avocado toasts I’ve ever had, a fruit plate, toasts with homemade jelly, hot tea & coffee, and fresh orange juice.
The breakfast room is connected to the hotel’s beautiful Garden Terrace (see below!) overlooking Trinity Church in the back.
After breakfast, it was time to explore Newport… Our first stop was Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina located on Goat Island, and surrounded by Narragansett Bay. Our pups loved feeling the breeze from every angle!
Meandering through Bowen’s Wharf & Bannister’s Wharf is a fun experience in the early afternoon. If you want to get a warm cup of coffee, head to The Coffee Grinder, a charming & iconic coffee shop overlooking historic Newport Harbor. Be sure to walk around the pedestrian area, you will find boutiques, galleries, cookie stores, and restaurants – it is so lovely and enjoyable.
Later on that day, we headed to The Vanderbilt’s fine dining restaurant. The ambiance was spectacular, and the food was exquisite. New England clam chowder is a must when visiting this area of the country, and the one I ordered was amazing!
For dessert, we opted for an all-time favorite of mine, the classic Italian panna cotta, and delicious beignets. The dishes were beautifully presented and seasoned beautifully, exactly what we were craving. Grabbing a table by the fireplace was the coziest too!
The following morning after breakfast, we walked over to Saint Mary’s Church, and did a little sightseeing by foot. The day started out with some clouds, but by 1 PM the sun was shining bright again.
One of the highlights of our vacation was traveling back in time to vintage Newport in a classic car. Nothing better than touring the city’s beautiful architecture and coastal scenery in a 1966 Ford Mustang! We appreciate that The Vanderbilt organized this beautiful ride for us!
The Vanderbilt offers tons of activities to enjoy while visiting, including ‘spirit sessions’ (to learn how to make delicious cocktails while exploring the spirits of the regions of the world), The Oysters ($1 oysters from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at The Bar), 30-minute winery tours at the Newport Vineyards, a culinary walking tour through Newport, a Cheese Masterclass, a private behind-the-scenes tour of the Breakers, an educational seal-watching boat tour, private sailing lessons at the Newport Yacht Club, as well as the opportunity to learn the art of glass blowing. As you can see, we opted for the classic car experience!
Be sure to drive along Ocean Drive. There are multiple spots where you can stop to take photos. It is a popular Newport scenic tour that has been designated a National Historic Landmark District!
A visit to Newport is not complete without a visit to one of the historic mansions. The Breakers, The Elms, Rosecliff & Marble House are renowned for their exceptional elegance (during this trip we toured Rosecliff). These mansions were built during the city’s Colonial, Victorian, and Gilded Age, and can be found along Bellevue Avenue.
We arrived back at our hotel, and it was time to pack to drive back to New York City. This hotel was the perfect base for our stay, with spacious suites, a fabulous lobby area, a prime location, and an incredibly friendly staff.
Below you can see our room, I thought the decoration and space were fantastic, especially since we had to fit two puppy beds (the hotel provided these for our stay). If you’re looking for a wonderfully located, beautiful, and upscale place to stay, then I’d definitely recommend looking into The Vanderbilt for your stay in Newport.
Always happy to bring our two pups with us on vacation.
Discover more from The Vanderbilt in Newport, here.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I would 100% recommend this hotel for a romantic vacation, otherwise for any weekend getaway!
A special thank you to The Vanderbilt Hotel for their outstanding hospitality.
SHOP FOR YOUR TRIP TO NEWPORT
To check availability and see reviews of The Vanderbilt in Newport, visit here.
THINGS TO DO IN DOWNTOWN NEWPORT RI
- International Tennis Hall of Fame
- White Horse Tavern (fantastic)
- Drift Cafe (great Açaí bowls!)
- The Coffee Grinder
- Vineyard Vines
- The Black Dog Newport (love that a “mutt” inspired the brand!)
- KJP Flagship Store
RELATED TRAVEL GUIDES
- The Best Things to Do in Newport, Rhode Island
- Look of The Day | Newport, Rhode Island
- 20 Amazing Things To Do in Portland, Maine
- Epic Lighthouses you need to Visit in Portland, Maine
- 2 Days in Woodstock Vermont & Where To Stay
Thank you! & Top Looks of 2019!
Thank you for following along, and most of all… thank you for your love and support! I absolutely love what I do, it brings me so much joy. This year saw me move from Florida to New York – what a move! From now on, I will be featuring looks based on the four seasons, haha! I am excited for this new change! 🙂
What can you thank yourself for this year?
As we go into this new decade, I encourage each of you to switch your focus, from what you were not able to accomplish in 2019, to what you were… Let’s slowly improve the way we treat ourselves in 2020, it is something that I am trying to do as well. An attitude of intense gratitude towards life, yourself, and your loved ones – will change your life. Wake up every day determined to find the little blessings… and you will find them. Finally, I wish each of you a new year full of LOVE, PEACE & HAPPY MOMENTS.
Find below a round-up of this year’s top looks, partnerships and campaigns. Which outfit was your favorite!??
See more about the race–inspired Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio here.
See more about flattering swimsuits for summer here.
See more about our stay at the Glover Park Hotel in Georgetown, DC here.
See more about Easy Ways to Style your Paper Bag Pants here.
How To Wear Winter Whites
Blue Knit Dress: A Classic Holiday Party Dress…
How To Wear The Headband Trend
The Minimalist Style… Brown & Black Outfit
The Minimalist Style is always having a moment… and there is nothing more minimal than wearing just one color palette, and one color only. During fall & winter I love wearing monochromatic outfits, like this one: I paired a brown knit skirt with a brown turtleneck (in a larger size so that it would fit loosely). This outfit is uncomplicated, effortless and chic. For those of you that like to put simplicity first, this post is for you. All my favorites are linked below! Check them out!
