Taylor Swift 1989 concert

I have to share my amazing experience at the 1989 concert.It was one of the best nights ever. 

Taylor Swift singing "Wild Dreams" and "Enchanted".

I have been to Taylor Swift concert before. I went to the Speak Now World Tour. The Speak Now World Tour concert was amazing. I still reminisce all the time by watching the concert on the Live dvd. I still get emotional just thinking about it. It had a huge impression on me. I was already a huge fan, but after I completely immersed myself in her music and all things Taylor. 

Speak Now World Tour

My good friend and I bonded over Taylor Swift. She is the person that I went to the Speak Now concert with, and the person that I shared my obsession of all things Taylor with. It was really great. Several, years later we still each share that love of Taylor Swift. 

She had already been to the 1989 concert, but she loved it so much that she wanted to go again. I was game. We had a hard time finding tickets. We thought all was over until she won tickets from Xfinity. It was a dream come true. It was really surreal. Xfinity gave us tickets to the show with backstage tour passes. How did we get so lucky? Thank you Xfinity. You gave us the best night ever. 

Finding out we had backstage tour passes and great seats!

At our backstage tour, we got to see what goes into a Taylor Swift concert. We got see the costumes up close and the technology that brings Taylor close to everyone, even those up in the nosebleed seats. (Side note: At a Taylor Swift concert, there is no such thing as a nose bleed seat.) The best part about the backstage tour was the person giving the tour, Mama Swift (Taylor's mom). 

Meeting Mama Swift. She was so nice!

Mama Swift made a point to speak to everyone in our small group and to give everyone a hug. She gave lots of info about the 1989 tour and it's mouth-dropping statistics, but she also told little stories about Taylor. You could tell that she was one proud mom and was happy to help Taylor make her dreams come true. It was really great to be a little part of that, even if it was a very small part. 

Cardboard cut out of Taylor's cat, Olivia and Meredith. They were really big.

Every part of the 1989 concert was very tailored. Taylor took the time to dot all her I's and cross all her T's. She thought of every aspect, from the moment you walked in until the moment you left. She looked genuinely happy to be there performing. 

Taylor bringing the front row to everyone. 

If you have never been to Taylor Swift concert, you have really missed out. She gives amazing performances. Her shows are theatrical and very personal. You can't help but sing, dance, and cheer at the top of your lungs. You'll tear up at least once and revel in the wonderful night you were able to participate in. 

'selfie' with Taylor

Another 'selfie' with Taylor.

Taylor talks to the crowd like she is talking to you personally. She makes you feel special, and it is so amazing (sorry for the overuse of the word, but it's all that really sums it up). You'll leave the night wonderstruck and feeling like you just went to a party with 15,000 of your closest friends. It's a feeling I can't quite explain. 

Taylor inspiring the crowd.

If you haven't been to one of her concerts and have the means and opportunity to, I highly recommend that you do.


Love,
                                                      Andrea 

Healthy Homemade Iced Coffee

Every time I have ever purchased an ice coffee from a restaurant, I have never really liked it. Probably because both times, I went to McDonald's and tried their iced coffee. Both times I did so, it had a horrible  after taste and I'd only go back for another sip just to get rid of the taste that was left after each time I went in for another drink. As you can see, it ended up being this continuous cycle. Everyone I worked with and went to school with kept raving about iced coffee. What was I missing that they were enjoying so much? How did they enjoy this iced coffee that I hated so much? I mean really. Finally, I found a basic recipe somewhere-- I am not really sure where as I can't remember where I found it. This recipe is a skeleton. You can dress it up as much as you would like. I like my iced coffee simple. So, I stick to the basics not doing much to it. If it's not broken, it doesn't need a flavored syrup. :) 

I like to make my own iced coffee because I can control what goes into it. I know all the ingredients that I am going to be drinking and putting into my body. I can control how much sweetener or sugar is used or how much milk is put into it. Not only, I find that making my own iced coffee ends up making my calorie intake lower. This recipe is quick and easy, which only makes me love it more. 

Here is how I make my iced coffee:

  

1 cup coffee

3/4 - 1 cup almond milk

1 dash of Vanilla

2 Tbs. - 1/4 cup Splenda 

I then stir all the ingredients together. I place in a cute mason jar and put it in the fridge or freezer to cool. How much sugar or milk I use depends on how strong the coffee is brewed. Generally, I like my iced coffee to be bit sweeter.  

This is how I make my iced coffee. Use this recipe as the block and build what you would like with it. Make it fit the flavors you desire. If you don't like almond milk, use the milk of your choice. Don't like Splenda? Use Sugar or Stevia. It's all up to you. Don't what it to have a strong coffee flavor, dial back the coffee and add extra milk. It's all in your hands now.

Once I found this very basic recipe, I found a starting point that I needed to guide me in the right direction. Sometimes, I add a little caramel sauce or chocolate sauce for added flavor. Let this be your guide. The sky's the limit. Now I'm going to go pour myself a glass of ice coffee and enjoy a good book. Have a great day. 

Peace, love, bake on.

                                   Andrea

17 Mouthwatering & Crowd-Pleasing Burgers

It's been far to long since I last posted something new. The last time I wrote I was in the middle of a hectic semester trying to keep my head above the water in Calc II. I kept afloat and will now be sailing on to Calc III. Yay! I say "yay" only  because I passed Calc II not because I love math and am excited for the riveting material waiting for me Calc III. I would like to thank my family, most especially my grandmother who offered many prayers for me to help me pass the final. Since the end of the summer, I have been on the go. I have also been struggling with what to write. I would this idea in the middle of the day or during an event, but then I would sit down to write it  and my mind would go blank or I couldn't get my thoughts together. It's been really frustrating. What has helped to get this post together is that I am house sitting for a week, so I have plenty of time alone to gather my thoughts. I have few things in the works that I will hopefully get together soon. 

Summer means it's time for cook outs and get togethers. I always want to prepare delicious recipes that will please a crowd. Burgers are always a classic during the summer. They are easy to make and dress up. 
I scoured the internet and found 17 crowd-pleasing and mouthwatering burger recipes that are sure to please a crowd and make mouths waters. 
Please give it up for the 17 stars of this post. 

1. Jalapeño Burger

2. Chipotle Mac and Cheeseburger

3. Teriyaki Burgers with Grilled Pineapple 

4. Grilled Meatloaf Burger

5. Double Double Animal Style Burger

6. Bacon Blue Cheese Burger

7. Chipotle Veggie Burger

8. Asian Style Burger

9. Patty Melts

10. Blueberry Burger

11. Italian Sausage Burgers

12. French Fry Bourbon Burger

13. Smoked Bacon Cheddar Burger

14. Cheeseburger Meatball Grilled Cheese

15. Ultimate Bacon 'n Egg Burger

16. Guacamole Bacon Burger

Last but not least...

17. Italian Meatball Burger

I hope you try out a few of these recipes this summer because I know I will. At the very least, let these recipes inspire you to make a delicious burger that suits you and your family. Or make these for a crowd to make them drool. Which ever works for you.

Have a very fun summer! I hope it's a splash!

Peace, love, bake on.

                                      Andrea