Santa’s Helper With Banhez – Holiday Cocktail Series Starts Here!

by with 16 Comments communityholidaysparty ideasrecipesvideo

‘Tis the season for sharing your favorite recipes and sweet treats with the people you love, and today I’m sharing with you a very special series! I’m teaming up with Banhez Mezcal to bring you some holiday themed cocktails just in time for your next party or festive gathering.

Today’s installment, jovially named Santa’s Helper, is the first of three that will all be launching here this week. During the video where I make this drink live with you, you’ll hear me refer to the ‘Banhez ensemble’ and I say that because Mezcal is made from 100% agave, but this one is a blend of two, which creates a very mixable spirit, perfect for cocktails!

Before we jump into the recipe I want to tell you why I chose to partner with Banhez. They’re the only mezcal that is Farm Family (37 and growing) owned (co-operative in Oaxaca Mexico) and they believe that a strong foundation comes from a strong community. So closely related to my own brand ethos, community building and story sharing is so important to me. I love that they’re filled with heritage which is so often celebrated, and that honoring the land is such a huge part of the Banhez mission.

So to continue with this theme of gratitude and community, I’m hosting a giveaway with Banhez just for YOU! Today through the 21st you’ll be able to enter my Banhez Mezcal giveaway, right here just by commenting below! So I hope you follow along and enter each step of the way, you’ll have multiple chances to win and the prize is valued at over $250! Entry details are below, following the recipe <3

Santa’s Helper: 

  • 2 oz Banhez Ensemble
  • 3/4 oz Cranberry syrup**
  • 2 dashes Fee Brother’s Old Fashioned Bitters
  • Orange zest
  • Sprig of rosemary

Begin by preparing the Cranberry Syrup and then begin to build the yumminess!

**Cranberry Syrup:
1 can of cranberry sauce, any consistency will work
1 cup of water
1/2 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 teaspoon of salt
Dashes of whatever spice you’d like- I used 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and 1/4 tsp of nutmeg

1) To prepare the cranberry syrup simply put all the ingredients together in a Japanese stirring glass (or pint glass) and mix until smooth. Double strain solids through a sieve and bottle the remaining syrup in a mason jar or air tight container. If you’d like to make this recipe in bulk simply double or triple the recipe and it should last in your refrigerator for about two weeks.

2) Now for the cocktail part, in a large shake tin combine together the Banhez ensemble, cranberry syrup that you just made, and bitters over ice. Shake shake shake and then strain into a rocks glass with ice, garnish with orange zest and a rosemary sprig.

I truly hope you give this cocktail a taste and let me know what you think! Banhez Mezcal is best when enjoyed with friends as it’s made with the spirit of community, and is meant to be shared with yours. I’m so happy to support a brand that has so much heart and that’s where my excitement to share this series with you comes from.

As I mentioned before, I have two more holiday themed cocktails featuring Banhez coming your way this week so stay tuned and don’t forget to enter the GIVEAWAY below in the comments section! The lucky winner will receive this gift here, featuring a 1 Liter bottle of Banhez Mezcal and this entire beautiful cocktail creating set!So enter enter enter this is a good one!

I hope you know I love hearing from you all so you’ll have to tell me if you’ve tried Banhez Mezcal before. Is there a recipe I should make for myself and share with everyone? Sharing is caring, tell me all the things! Thank you for being a part of this series with me, to purchase Banhez Mezcal for yourself or as a gift (yay they’ll ship before Christmas if you order now!) you can order HERE! I chose to feature Banhez because it’s special to me as is my platform. Especially because they’re proudly Mexican, full of heart and heritage, made up of cocktails and artisanal dreams, and built by the spirit of community. What’s not to love, look at these smiles!

Giveaway Entry Rules:

– must be 21+ years old to enter
– winner will be selected at random
– enter as many times as you like, the more you enter, the more chances you have to win!
– an ‘entry’ is a comment on all 3 Banhez Mezcal cocktail articles here on the blog, here’s Epi 2 and Epi 3! Be sure to enter on ALL 3 blog articles!
– stumped on what comment to leave? Tell me a fun fact about yourself or what your plans are for the holidays! I love learning more about you guys!
– and drink responsibly as always please and thank you <3
, love Mama Lizama

Feel free to send this to a friend who would like to enter as well, the more the merrier! Tis the season of sharing so cheers to you and yours from me and mine <3

Interested in learning more about Banhez? I’ve linked you here: 

BANHEZ IG: @banhezmezcalartesanal

BANHEZ FB: https://www.facebook.com/banhezmezcalartesanal

 

 

 

 

 

Vaping With Friends – What We Thought We Knew!

by with No Comment entertainmentgiveawayslifestylereviewsvideo

If you would have told me that today I’d have my friends over to try vape mods and e-juices I would’ve given you an eye roll because, moms who vape?! Seriously though we had the BEST time laughing over what we thought we knew about vaping and trying the different flavors!

I’ve vaped essential oils before but never an e-juice and I found the same went for a lot of my friends. So when I got the opportunity to try out different mods from Mt Baker Vapor and the e-juices they offer, I called my friends over and here we are!

It’s incredible the amount of negativity that surrounds vaping and I believe it’s largely due to misinformation and lack of individual education. I’m not a nicotine smoker and as a mother I’d never promote something that I believed was a ‘gate way’ to anything- this was something that also came up as a hot topic. However, I will promote something that I myself have tried and tested and I will absolutely promote something that I think can help people when used with proper intention.

My mom has been a cigarette smoker since she was a teenager, I grew up with it my whole life. So I know 1) the effects of smoking  2) the effects of peer pressure and 3) the effects vaping can have on someone transitioning away from smoking cigarettes and finally weening off of nicotine all together with the help of vaping. So it really bothered me that I got flack for wanting to try vaping and be more educated about it and less curious about all the hype.

I understand the concern but again, you have to inform yourself on the issues that concern you. I was hugely concerned about this “popcorn lung” that kept coming up any time I talked about or searched vaping. It was a lung disease in the 90’s that became headline news because of a chemical used in artificial butter popcorn factories. Lung disease … now that scared me. But I did my research and Mt Baker Vapor DOES NOT use that chemical in any of their products! Relief!

I’ve never vaped with my friends before, so Mt Baker Vapor to sent us different mods to try and a selection of e-juices. They were even so kind to send me more of their 0-Nic juices to try knowing that I’m not a nicotine smoker. We got to try the Joyetech All In One, Vaporesso Swag Kit, and Smoant Charon TS 218. Buzz words haha! I had no idea what we were looking at or that they’re called mods! Luckily though they’re much easier to figure out and operate than they look.

Essentially, we received the beginner, intermediate, and advanced mods and we tried them all! We went through the different flavors and some of our favorites were Hawk Sauce (berry fruitiness), Green Apple (sweet and sour yumminess), and Cinnatoast Munch (I mean! It tastes like your favorite cereal)! Fan favorite of the mods was the Joyetech AIO vape pen because the ladies thought it was dainty enough to toss into your handbag and they loved the design! Joe really loved the Smoant Charon with the sapphire blue Uwell Valyrian sub ohm tank <— more buzz words, sub ohm tank! He loved how sturdy it felt and that it was a glossy glass mod with a rad touch screen. I loved the Vaporesso Swag Kit box mod! I liked that it’s palm sized, so medium in comparison to the vape pen and bigger box mod. It has a spin push top (twist open) design which if you’re tactile like me you’ll find that fun too, and an OLED screen on the side.

I really enjoyed trying out vaping with my friends, debunking some rumors, and having a genuinely good time with my people who are like-minded. I hope you enjoyed the video and please enter my giveaway! Mt Baker Vapor was so generous to gift 3 of you with one of these: Joyetech AIO, Vaporesso Swag Kit, and an Innokin MVP4 vaporizer. All you have to do to enter is go to my YouTube video, LIKE the video, and leave me a comment! I’ll choose 3 of you next week and Mt Baker Vapor will send you the e-juice of your choice.

Even if you don’t win the giveaway, tis the season and I have a treat for you! Head over to Mt Baker Vapor and enter the code ICHOOSEFLAVOR for 50% off your first purchase of Mt Baker Vapor juice! Check them out they have other really awesome products on their site, be sure to enter the giveaway, and have a wonderful holiday season! Vlogmas, it’s a thing and I’m doing it!

Have you tried vaping before? Do you know someone that used vaping to stop smoking cigarettes? Which mod would you like to try? 

 

 

 

Top Shelfie Picks + GIVEAWAY!

by with No Comment beautygiveawayslifestylemakeupreviewreviewsskin carewellness

What fun would a top notch selfie be without the addition of a top shelfie?! Social media has taken the regular ol’ selfie and upgraded it to a product-driven top shelfie! If you haven’t seen this hashtag that’s overthrown the “favorites” product list on your Instagram feed, I’ll share with you my #topshelfie and I hope it inspires you to share yours!

So here it is, my current list of favorites . . . errr top shelfie products, and why I’m so swoon!

  • Circ- Cell: a) face rejuvenation serum– easily one of my holy grail products of the year, this silky formula is enriched with oxygen and algae complex. It visibly brightens and tones your skin, and contains sea fennel stem extract. My favorite part beyond the benefits, is that the scent is clean and light and Circ-Cell products are paraben free! b) rejuvenating eye serum– your eyes say it all baby. With this light and quickly absorbed serum, the appearance of puffiness and dark circles will be gone! Also enriched with oxygen and algae complex, your friends will wonder how you’re so dewy and glowy! shhhh 😀
  • Native natural deodorant: as you know I’ve tried many all-natural deodorants and this stood the test of sweat and stank! Coconut Vanilla and Lavender are my all time favorites btw! It won’t chafe you at all and will protect you against funkiness. But remember, your body needs some time to rid itself of those toxins, so be patient lil grasshoppa 😉
  • IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Compact: +SPF  50! I mean c’mon! So I’m one of those people who live for the “natural- but totally not natural – you can still see my pores” kinda look. This foundation IS that and contains their best selling Confidence In A Cream . . . do it! Buildable, smooth, and anything but cakey – this is one of my favorite products of the summer.
  • Coola Classic Sport SPF 50: a usual suspect in the line up of my go-to’s, this SPF is light, nourishing, goes well under your makeup, and is full of antioxidants! Coola products make it into my year round must haves.
  • OSEA Atmosphere Protection Cream: applied before my sunscreen and after my Circ-Cell, this hydrating cream helps to provide a protective barrier between my skin and the environment. Containing Shea Butter and Avocado Oil, it’s moisturizing without being greasy and won’t interfere with the yaaaaas queen of your makeup.

  • Dove Dry Shampoo: I have my friend Miya to thank for this one! It smells so clean and fresh and doesn’t leave behind any white residue or flakiness. I carry this in the car for after the gym or for before an event when I feel like I smell like scalp . . . you know what I mean 😉
  • Caudalie Vinosource Overnight Recovery Oil: plant and essential oil based, this product is ONE of the TWO things I will NOT go to sleep without applying to my face . . . the other is my eye serum duh. Although it’s an oil it’s not greasy or sticky, it’s easily absorbed, and you’ll wake up feeling like newness.
  • Ange Ou Demon Perfume: if you’ve ever hugged me IRL, you know I covet smelling like an angel fallen from heaven fresh out the shower HAHA This perfume right here, it’s my signature scent! It’s sexy, subtle, flirty, and fun! A lil peppery- but I say, if it doesn’t make you sneeze than it’s not spicy enough 😉
  • Pur-lisse Blue Lotus + White Tea Sheet Mask: if you have skin than you need this! I’m all about preventative measures now so that I don’t have to worry about it later! We’re all gonna age y’all so lets do it gracefully! This is an all-natural fiber mask infused with Blue Lotus and restorative Asian botanicals. It packed full of antioxidants and you’ll go to sleep feeling like a brand new (and more youthful) you!

There you have it! My current favorites, go-to’s, and must have top shelfies! But wait, there’s more! Not only do I enjoy sharing with you what I love in these articles but I also love GIFTING them to you IRL!

I’m happy to announce that I’ll be doing a Circ-Cell giveaway where two of you will receive a travel sized skin care kit FULL of their best sellers! I hope you know that I would not promote anything I don’t already use myself and adore, so believe me when I say that I’m JEALOUS to mail these out haha

The giveaway will be done over on my Instagram page so please follow me over there, follow Circ-Cell, and comment on my last post ONE thing about your skin that you’d love to improve and ONE thing that you LOVE about yourself!

I’ll choose two winners and announce them this Saturday! Good luck and I love thee and yo beautiful self!

Have you tried any of the products I listed here today? What products made it into your #topshelfie list this month? 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO SPEND TIME NOT MONEY

by with 4 Comments adventurefamilygiveawaysinspirationlifestylemobile applicationstechnologytravel

If there’s one thing I would go back and tell my younger self, it’d be to invest in time not things. As a single mom – not only was I unable to save money each month due to my strained budget, but even if I had, no one had ever taught me what to do with it … or at least I don’t remember that part.

However, I do remember that each holiday no matter how dreary my bank account was, I made sure Corrine had gifts under the tree and a pumpkin to carve. Looking back, I can tell you exactly where my money was going . . .  child care, credit cards, and bills. Even now, many years later, I find myself in awe of how much I spent on things like fancy baby formula and phone bills! From one mama to another, from one human to another, we don’t have to be doing it all wrong.

I recently tried AT&T GoPhone prepaid service on a monthly plan with Unlimited Data, Talk & Text. We wanted to see how much saving on a common everyday service can lead to investments in our family that we’re able to make with the money we’re saving. Since I’m also a girl on the go- signing up for AutoPay and saving $5 a month on my GoPhone service is just a little icing on the cake. Who doesn’t like cake! Just having the financial control and pliable spending, has made all the difference. And, AT&T GoPhone has the nation’s best data network making the switch to GoPhone even more sweeter!

Always capturing our adventures on the go! Explore explore explore!

Luna is a super model. And also an adventure pup!

I try to capture all the memories I can with my phone and now they hang on my wall. 

Why yes, that IS 2 cameras you see, and the one taking this photo, AND the 3 phones we toted around lol 

What’s in my purse? Oh, just the essentials 😉 

Isn’t she a beaute!

We now actually have savings set aside especially for family vacations, adventures with our pup Luna, weekend travels with our friends, and most importantly – as of recently, for our upcoming wedding. Money isn’t everything but it sure does fund your options, and when you’re a parent who’s also planning a wedding, money goes away when all you want it to do is flow.

To pay it forward to you, my fellow adventure seekers and dream weavers (quick what’s the next line of that song?) we’re spreading the abundance and giving away a pair of tickets to the San Diego County Fair which we’re attending, and I’ll also have a giveaway for you on social media, where you’ll get to win a little something from AT&T GoPhone!

I love the work we do but I particularly enjoy when we get to team up with a premium brand that has an ethos that falls in line with what we’re already doing. As a mom, it’s important to me to save money because every penny counts, and with extra money you realize all the things you used to have to say no to. Let’s start saying yes, and you can say yes to this opportunity and enter our giveaway 😉

We’ll be at the San Diego County Fair on Saturday June 10th and we’d love to see you if you’re in the area! You can find us at the AT&T GoPhone booth from 2pm-4pm so I hope we get to say hello and bring it in for a hug! Plus you can play skeeball, ring toss or wiffle ball toss for free with a chance to win a prize at the AT&T GoPhone booth! You can enter our giveaway by sharing with us what you’ll do with all that extra money you’ll be saving and TAG me on Instagram. Use the hashtag #ATTGoPhone and #Giveaway. You can read all about it at https://www.att.com/gophone/ and we’ll announce the winners on my Instagram before the fair! 

Okay, don’t forget to call your mom, it was just Mother’s Day and she’ll appreciate it. I hope this post inspires you to do more, save more, and connect more!

So, what would you do with extra money each month? Each year?! Share with us your bucket list, your big dreams, and even some frivolous aspirations that you have! 

This post is proudly brought to you in partnership with AT&T GoPhone. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own as always.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SURVIVAL WITH SOFFIO!!!

by with No Comment back to schoollifestyle

It’s here! The Fall semester has started and whether you’ve started a new year or a new semester, this is for YOU!

Since my Corrine starts college in January and we’ve been preparing for her new schedule, I’ve compiled my go-to, must-have survival items! This will help you from having any mid-day breakdowns!

  1. Phone case – because running. You’re given 3 minutes to run from class to class, across campus, backpack flinging, phone flying . . you’ll thank me!
  2. A hanging locker mirror – because teeth and face check!
  3. A bold backpack – because you are bold and you are you! Details on how to win this Soffio flight bag, just keep swimming reading!
  4. Some headphones– because teachers, and when you’re done taking your test or you’re running through the halls, just zen out to some Enya . . or whatever the cool kids are listening to these days!
  5. Pencils– because don’t be THAT kid asking for pencils AND a sharpener all the time.
  6. Folders– because organization. And you’ll thank me when you take this madness into your adult life.
  7. A Planner – because organization. Without a plan you have all of this stuff, but what are you going to do with it?! Exactly. Planner.
  8. Sunglasses – because teachers. They can totally see when your eyes are closed, so may I suggest that you get a full nights rest. At night. At home.
  9. Highlighters– because note taking. And highlighting things like, “what is pi?!”. You’ll get it when you’re sitting at a diner ordering pie.
  10. A fun Pencil Case– because stains on your pocket protector are a no no. Also it doubles as a makeup case for things like gum and deodorant. Because mid-day BO is also a no no.
  11. Paper– because don’t be THAT kid, asking for paper and pencils all the time.
  12. Flash cards– because tests. Your school years are all about note taking and test taking. Trust me and just know that you have to memorize things before they fly away from your mindspace.
  13. Stapler– because binding. Putting all of those notes and papers together will require staples. So don’t forget those either. Mkayyy!

Tadaaa! Now you won’t have any meltdowns at school because you’re fully prepared!

In honor of the new school year and my baby going off to college, I am gifting 4 of you with an awesome back-to-school package! ONE of you will win a Soffio flight bag like the one featured here! THREE of you will win a bag FULL of school supplies to take you through the year!

I really wanted everyone to be able to enter in, so no matter where you are in the world you can enter … as many times as you’d like! And I really wanted there to be a few different winners. I am obsessed with this flight bag, I really really love what Soffio stands for. They create these beautiful pieces with leather that would traditionally be discarded. They know that each of their one-of-a-kind creations holds a story of the animal’s life, and that they are not flaws on the material, but a part of what makes it so unique.


I was so happy to join them in gifting you with one of these hand crafted flight bags, and from me to you- I’m gifting the school supplies. Because love.

The way that you enter is you go to my Instagram photo here and 1) Like the photo 2) Be following myself and Soffio on IG and 3) repost the image for your chance to win! Again, you can enter as many times as you’d like and from wherever in the world you are!

I will announce the winners on Monday Sept. 14th at 5pm PST! So good luck butter cup! Congratulations on a new school year/ semester, and hugs for a beautiful week! *click below to check out my back-to-school survival video on my channel!*

Jess Lizama