20 Deliciously Simple Light Summer Appetizers

Still looking for the perfect appetizer for your upcoming dinner? Check out this list of 20 mouthwateringly delicious light summer appetizers to get the party started! 

 Summer may be coming to a close calendar wise, but in the South, Summer has been known to stick around much longer than August. Which is great if you're like me and LOVE summer foods. Check out the list below for some deliciously simple light summer appetizers to help get you through the final few weeks of summer!

Summer Family Road Trip Survival Guide with Walmart Family Mobile

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerIsForSavings #CollectiveBias #WFM3

Summer may be winding down, but there's still time for a few quick road trips. See how our latest road trip was made even simpler with Walmart Family Mobile Plus Plan + take away some useful information from my summer family road trip survival guide!

On average, our family takes at least 12 road trips per year. Though taking a quick flight seems more efficient time wise, we actually prefer the ride. Call us crazy, but there's something special about spending time in a car with family, taking in the sights, and enjoying the journey. Especially if you have unlimited data and the ability to turn your phone into a hotspot. Because, let's face it, there's only so much enjoyment you can get out of each others company before you start to get restless.

I'm an O Mag Insider #OMagInsiders

You know that email you get every once and a while that makes your heart burst through your chest and your eyes well up with tears of happiness? Last week, I received THAT email.

It came unexpectedly. Mr. A and I were doing a last minute showdown for his upcoming drill weekend and my phone let out an unassuming buzz. I took a quick cursory look at my inbox and noticed there was a new message titled, "Welcome to O's Inner Circle." I shrugged it off, thinking that perhaps it was time for me to renew my nook subscription to O, The Oprah Magazine. But then I realized that my account was set to auto renew, so I opened the email and went in for a closer look.

This is what I saw...

"Since founding the O Mag Insiders group in early 2017, we’ve received thousands of submissions and selected the most influential, engaged, and enthusiastic fans of O, The Oprah Magazine to join – and we think you’re one of them."

My mind instantly went into a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions...

"Wait, what?" 
"This has got to be a mistake."
"Did I really submit an application for this?"
"Wait, what?"

After reading through the email several times, and checking the name half a dozen times to ensure that it was addressed to me, it sank in. I had just been invited to join an ellite team of ambassadors for O, The Oprah Magazine.

The next few hours were spent obsessively stalking researching my fellow #OMagInsiders, looking for more information about what to expect. The gist of it is, in the coming months I'll be acting as an extension of The O, The Oprah Magazine, testing out new products, attending some exciting events, and (hopefully) will have the opportunity to give valuable input. Which basically means me and Oprah are now besties  (kidding). But most importantly, I'll continue to put out as much love and kindness into the universe as I possibly can. And let's face it, this universe could deal with a bit of extra kindness and love these days.

Be sure to keep up with me and my fellow insiders by following our hastag #OMagInsiders and stay tuned for more news from O!

Until Next Time!

How to Have the Ultimate Water Fight Date Night with your Spouse

This shop/post has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company, all opinions are mine alone. #SummerRefreshment #Publix #CollectiveBias

Step One: Stock up on water gun paraphernalia. Bonus points if you snag a super sweet end of the season sale.
Step Two: Stock up on refreshments and goodies (FYI, Publix currently has an awesome sale on Minute Maid Lemonade & FUZE® tea, but more on that later)
Step Three: Set up an adorable refreshment stand before the craziness ensues
Step Four: Leave him a note to let him know what's in store.
Step Five: Instantly regret your decision to encourage a water fight date night with someone who has military training.
Step Six: Lose horribly
Step Seven: End your water gun fight with a truce because you're both hungry and thirsty
Step Eight: Eat, drink and be merry.

The Curious Case of the Overly Vigilant Neighbor

I was sitting on the park bench halfheartedly flipping through a magazine  and intermittently looking up to make sure Little J wasn't reenacting scenes from Cliffhanger when she pipped up.

"She can't be more than 10. Do you see her parents? I think she came here alone."

I looked up confused.

The park was basically empty.  Which was strange for this time of  year. The question had come from the only other adult at the park, sitting at the bench next to me. At first I thought she was talking about my daughter, but after a cursory glance around the nearly empty park, I spotted the "target."

She was a young girl, blonde hair, and definitely much older than 10 years old.

I sighed internally, knowing where this conversation was heading.