post #32 - F5: Beer, Dips, Sundresses, Cornhole, & Friends!

Five on Friday, First Week of Football Edition!

Y'all. This has been such a busy week! I have blogged exactly 0 times since last Friday. I've been slammed at work (yup, week 2, but glad to be busy) and have been getting prepared for the fun weekend ahead! The Clemson Tigers have their first home game this weekend against the Georgia Bulldogs. ESPN GameDay will be in TigerTown and I'll be up bright and early, celebrating hard!

So. stinkin. excited. for:

1. Beer

I've been on a fall beer kick already. Last weekend, I tried Pumpking for the first time at the recommendation of one of my bffs. While it was expensive ($7 for a double bottle, holy yikes), it was extra delicious. I also picked up a few Fat Tire Pumpkicks at the recommendation of the beer guy at Publix. It's lighter than some seasonal beers, and has hints of cranberry and spices. Yumyumyum. Give it a try, I bet you'll love it. We'll start with a few "nice" beers, but quickly move to Bud Light. You win some, you lose some.

[photo credit here]

2. Buffalo Chicken Dip & Funfetti Dip

Yep, after all of the fun appetizers that I posted last week, I settled on two things I've made before. I decided this game was not a time for experiments (some serious, serious tailgating is expected to occur), so I went back to old faithful.

[photo credit & recipe here]

[photo credit & recipe here]

3. Sundresses

There is no better purchase than a wonderful orange gameday dress. Fact.

{lilly pulitzer callista dress} [buy it here]

I die. But really, I die. This dress. Gimme.

{milly gustavia cotton & silk halter dress} [buy it here]

{french connection maxi pleat dress} [buy it here]

4. Cornhole

Self explaining. Nothing like a little game before the game. Can anyone explain why this game is so addicting? This was Jordan's big Christmas gift last year and I know these boards will get lots of use this weekend.

5. Friends
Ready to SQUEEZE these people! We usually spend Saturdays tailgate hopping to see everyone. I'm also thankful for a night game so it will be a little easier to make our rounds.

...and of course, can't wait to play with the cutest Tiger tailgater...my niece!

We'll come home Sunday and take it easy on Monday. I think we'll need some Labor Day recovery. Hope you're as excited about your weekend plans as I am!

In other news, two sweet bloggers, Carolina Belle & From Mississippi With Love have nominated me for a Liebster Award! This is a fun blog post where you answer some random questions about yourself. It's a way for new bloggers who are just getting started to let others find out a little more about you and discover other new blogs! I'll be doing this post next week, so get ready for my silly answers! Hints - when I was little I wanted to be a singer (and actress and doctor and probably a princess). And is my favorite current song still allowed to be Blurred Lines after what Miley pulled? It's just so catchy...

This week I passed 100 followers on my Facebook page! Yay! Are you following Makeshift Margaritas yet? Follow on Bloglovin or Instagram, too!

Happy weekend!!
xo - morgan

post #31 - F5: Orange Football Foods for Foodies

Friday Five - Football Foods for Foodies! Bonus - they're orange!

Is anyone else so excited for two things today? 1) It's FRIDAY! and 2) Next week is the start of COLLEGE FOOTBALL! Even though the South Carolina Gamecocks have their home opener next Thursday in the city where I live, I don't know about y'all, but I am counting the seconds until I'm cheering on my Clemson Tigers next weekend! I can already taste the cold beer and feel the love of thousands of my best friends in a sea of orange. It's gonna be a rowdy, rowdy day. Bulldogs, woof.

One of the best (and worst) things about football season is loads and loads of food! I've been scouring Pinterest for tailgate recipes. This year, I'll have access to a kitchen before and during tailgates, which will make tailgating food so much easier!

Instead of writing about my favorite things this week, I thought it would be better to chat about what some of my favorite upcoming things are sure to be...these yummy football foods! I can't wait to try some of these fun orange appetizers...do you have any favorites that no tailgate is complete without?

1. Palmetto Cheese Pinwheels

[find the picture & recipe here]

I've had these before. And they were awesome. I ate about 6 or 20. I can't wait to try my hand at making them myself!

2. Pumpkin Poppers

[find the picture & recipe here]

Picturing these for a breakfast tailgate before a noon game. Paired with a mimosa or 3 perhaps?

3. Buffalo Chicken Bites

[find the picture & recipe here]

Buffalo Chicken Dip? In a pre-made bite? Sold.

4. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

[find the picture & recipe here]

The perfect little party popper.

5. Pumpkin Pie Dip

[find the picture & recipe here]

Ever since I saw Christina post this on Carolina Charm, I've been dying to make it. It screams fall, and is so festive! 

Want to stay updated? Don't forget to follow MM on Facebook, BlogLovin, and Instagram!

P.S. You didn't think I'd leave out the BEST orange tailgate essential, did you?

[photo credit here]

post #30: Just Peachy Cinnamon Muffins

Just Peachy Cinnamon Muffins

I finally started my new(ish) job this week! I can't wait to dive right in and get started. Since I haven't seen my co-workers since the end of March (even though that seems like yesterday!), I decided to bring a little breakfast treat. I made a few small changes to the yummy muffins found here, and they were pretty yummy, if I do say so myself. I hope you enjoy them as much we did!

Just Peachy Cinnamon Muffins

Yielded: A LOT! About 16 regular sized muffins AND 48 mini muffins

Ingredients:

3 c all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 c vegetable oil

3 eggs, lightly beaten

2 c sugar

3 c pitted and pureed peaches (fresh!)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, grease muffin cups.

2. In Bowl #1, mix flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

3. In Bowl #2, beat eggs. Add vegetable oil & sugar.

4. Combine the contents of Bowl #2 with Bowl #1 slowly.

5. Using a blender or food processor, pulse peaches until pureed with some small chunks of peach.

6. Fold peach puree into the combined contents of Bowl #1 & #2.

7. For mini muffins, bake 8-10 minutes. For regular muffins, bake 15-18 minutes.

8. Enjoy!

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, grease muffin cups.

2. In Bowl #1, mix flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

3. In Bowl #2, beat eggs. Add vegetable oil & sugar.

4. Combine the contents of Bowl #2 with Bowl #1 slowly.

5. Using a blender or food processor, pulse peaches until pureed with some small chunks of peach.

6. Fold peach puree into the combined contents of Bowl #1 & #2.

7. For mini muffins, bake 8-10 minutes. For regular muffins, bake 15-18 minutes.

8. Enjoy!

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post #29 - F5: Top 5 Travel Essentials

Top 5 Travel Essentials for Friday!

Happiest Friday, friends! For my last travel post of the week, I thought I'd wrap up with the 5 things I find crucial for surviving a plane ride. I may be in the minority, but I usually kind of enjoy flying. I get to drink cran-apple juice (so good), and get to a new place oh-so-fast. Here's what I think makes it a bit easier...

1. Some kind of comfy wrap. I brought a J.Crew Cashmere one with me this time and it was perfection. I used it to double as both a sweater and pillow. Ahhhhh.

2. Lip balm or lip gloss. I probably need this from all of that cran-apple juice. Am I the only one that applies this about 6 times? (Per hour, that is)

3. A good book makes the flight go so much quicker! I just finished Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger, the author of The Devil Wears Prada. While not the best book I've ever read, it was definitely entertaining enough to read once or twice.

4. Am I the only one that thinks of important lists that have to be written down immediately the second they ask you to put away your electronics? I bring my May Books (still obsessed. Miss that post? Check it out here) with me everywhere, so it was super handy to have them around. Also handy for playing Hangman with the hottie beside you. (Ok, it was my husband...and all the hangman words revolved around our dog and our trip. Not quite as cool now, right?)

5. A big ol' bag to throw allofthethings in. I broke down and finally purchased the Michael Kors Hamilton Tote. So so happy with it and it it the perfect size to fit everything I tend to bring with me on a daily basis. I know I'll be using it for a longgg time to come!

Are you following Makeshift Margaritas on BlogLovin, Instagram, and Facebook?

Better yet, do y'all have any travel must haves? I love to read your comments and see who's stopping by!

Happy weekending! MBC

Linking up this week with the Five on Friday girls - Carolina Charm, A. Liz Adventures, The Good Life Blog, Hello! Happiness and also with The Lauren Elizabeth!

post #28 - Las Vegas Eats...The Good, The Bad, the Great, and the Ugly

Las Vegas Eats...the Good, the Bad, the Great, and the Ugly

One of the main reasons why I love going to Vegas is for the food. This was my third time visiting, and this trip was no different. We had some awesome, amazing, incredible meals. But a few were not so hot. Want to hear about them? If not, stop reading. But, if so...here it goes.

Day 1 - Tuesday

We arrived around 11:30 am, but after a longggg day of travel (we left at 6:50 our time, meaning that we'd been traveling for about 8 hours) we were starving. We decided to start our Buffet of Buffets pass at lunch. For those who have never done this, for about $50 per person, you can gain unlimited access to several buffets in Las Vegas. 

Lunch - Planet Hollywood Spice Market Buffet

Verdict: Ugly

This was a bad start to our trip. Luckily, it only got better from here. When we arrived around 1:30, we waited in a long, long line, only to see tons of open tables. When we finally got to eat, the food was sub-par. We'd eaten dinner here before and were impressed, but both agreed that we wouldn't be returning. The shrimp was soggy and terrible, and I kept trying new things but literally was not impressed by anything (except the cotton candy, which is pretty hard to screw up). This food all just tasted like buffet food - something that is not characteristic of most vegas buffets.

{tempura shrimp, lo mein, crab stuffed flounder?, pesto pasta, mac & cheese...all average at best}

Dinner - Bacchanal Buffet at Caesar's

Verdict: Good to Great

This meal was one of the things I was looking forward to the most about our trip. The Bacchanal Buffet is relatively new and was not open the last time I traveled to NV. Stated by many to be the best buffet in Vegas, I couldn't wait to try it and compare it to the rest - hopefully it would be worth the extra $25 surcharge per person. It was glitzy and glamorous, I can say that much. The entrance is gorgeous (see the picture of the chandeliers in my last post). However, we waited in line for almost two hours to eat. The group of two in front of us had ten people join their party within the last 15 minutes of waiting, which rubbed me the wrong way - especially when the employees were watching it happen and didn't stop it. The food was very, very good. The crab legs were available cold or steamed, and they had a great seafood selection with fresh raw oysters and delicious seafood gazpacho, among other things. Other highlights included the sushi, guacamole (yes, I try it everywhere I go), and lamb. The prime rib was sub-par and had too much fat. Unfortunately, I filled up on food before I could get to my favorite part - the desserts. The desserts were amazing and wonderful. If I go to this buffet again, I will definitely save more room for all of the exotic offerings. Gelato flavors included fig/balsamic, watermelon/mint, sour cherry, and thai tea (plus tons more!). They had cobblers, macarons, and tortes. Anything you could hope for, really. Think Willy Wonka's factory, at your fingertips. Overall, I would go back to Bacchanal again, but only if the wait time was shorter.

{the only picture I got. it was late, and I was too focused on the food}

Day 2 - Wednesday

Breakfast - Paris Le Village Buffet

Verdict: Good

I've eaten here for breakfast every time I've been in Vegas. Try the smoked salmon, omelets, cheeses,  and crepes - you won't be disappointed.

{the monkey crepe - bananas, nutella, hazlenuts, and whipped cream}

Lunch - Harrah's Flavors Buffet

Verdict: Bad

No pictures. We were so full at this point that we just basically had a snack for lunch. Wasn't as bad as Planet Hollywood, but wouldn't eat here again. The best part was the pasta with pesto sauce and the cotton candy (duh - noticing a trend?).

Dinner - Hot Dog on Fremont Street!
Nothing to see here, folks. Just some frowning faces after cheap Blackjack games by me and Jo and some dancing (and me singing every lyric) to a slightly-better-than-average 90's band. Oh, and a magician.

Day 3 - Thursday

Brunch - Tacos El Gordo (off the strip)

Verdict: Great

Our lunch was $20. We got 8 tacos and two drinks. Say WHAT? I did a little research in the morning and found this little joint on the far end of the strip. We still had bus passes, so we decided to try it out. It was a little sketchy. Okay, a lot sketchy. But the food was so good! If you're going to Vegas and want to try something outside of one of the casinos, give this a shot. It is right beside the Wynn in a small shopping center. Bring ya pepper spray.

{taco de cabeza - beef head, taco de tripa - tripe, and taco de suadera - beef shoulder)

{horchata in a fountain drink. have you tried this? it tastes like a cinnamon milkshake, but a drink. yum is right, y'all.}

{the 2 tacos pictured on the left are tacos de adobada - spicy pork. the 3 pictured with guacamole on top are tacos de asada - steak}

Dinner - Mon Ami Gabi

Verdict: Great

This was my favorite meal of the trip. We decided to give it a try upon the recommendation of some friends and some glowing online reviews. I can't wait to go back and eat there again! The views were absolutely gorgeous. The service was top notch. And the food was phenomenal. We shared a lovely bottle of wine and ordered way too much, but ate it all. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

{appetizer - baked goat cheese + tomato sauce + warm herb garlic bread. can still taste the deliciousness}

{appetizer - onion soup au gratin + gruyere cheese}

{my choice -- caramelized sea scallops + pea puree + spring vegetable fricassee + bacon}

{jo's choice - filet mignon merlot + butter + red wine reduction + hand cut frites}

Day 4 - Friday

Snack - Serendipity' 3s Frozen Double Hot Chocolate

Verdict: Great

This is just a treat/dessert review. We didn't have a chance to sit down at Serendipity, since the wait was around 45 minutes and we had a plane to catch sooner than later. But - don't leave Vegas (or NYC!) without one of these treats. I, of course, chose the double chocolate flavor. Jordan's pick was the Moccacino, but we both agreed that the Double Chocolate was better. (Don't worry, I shared a little)

{nom nom nom. worth every penny}

Brunch - Max Brenner's @ Caesar's

Verdict: Great

We had a delicious breakfast here. I wasn't super hungry after above snack, but wished that I could fit more in my tummy. The prices were reasonable and the food was great. Service was also great. The biscuits were to die for, described as "diamond dusted sugar buttermilk biscuit, served with pure melted chocolate lick." I could eat that chocolate ganache with every meal.

{my choice - 'max'ican omelet - black beans + swiss cheese + avocado + onion + fire roasted salsa, served with spiced home fries}

{jo's choice - lazy breakfast - two extra large eggs scrambled + mushrooms + sausage, served with spiced home fries}

Do y'all have any favorite recommendations in Vegas? We can't wait to go back!

Don't forget to follow Makeshift Margaritas on Facebook, BlogLovin, and Instagram! See ya for the Friday link up tomorrow!

Xo - MBC