‘Be My Valentine’ Iced Brownie Dupe

Have you ever tried the infamous ‘Be My Valentine’ iced brownies? I can’t help but snag a box when they’re in stock because they’re so good. There’s just something about the chocolate shell and the layered chocolate cake that is nearly irresistible. So of course I had to try making some for myself, and let…

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Managing and Maintaining 3A Curls

If you have curly hair with extreme frizz, low volume, or both, we may have more in common than you think. My hair hasn’t always been as healthy as it is, and I can thank a handful of lifestyle changes for the transformation my curls have undergone in the past several years. That being said,…

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Oven Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

There’s nothing better than making fall desserts with homemade pumpkin purée until you get stuck with a bowl of pumpkin guts you don’t know what to do with. After all that scooping, you might as well put those pumpkin seeds to good use and roast them for a delicious source of protein and dietary fiber!…

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Caramelized Blueberry Topping

Whether you’re looking to dress up a stack of blueberry pancakes or simply craving berries on your dessert plate, this caramelized topping is sure to put a smile on your face after the first bite! You’re going to want to cook this immediately before serving as you will want to preserve the gooeyness that comes…

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Hey there!

Meet Shannon

I've been blogging as The Untamed Optimist for over 6 years now and feel incredibly blessed to be in this position. I'm here to help as your newest gal pal and can't wait to hear your feedback on advice I've already given!

Here you can follow along with my latest recipes and find motivation to find productivity in a slow-living lifesyle. Feel free to join the TUO email list to get content before anyone else and know what's to come!

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  • Ooey Gooey & Fudgy Zucchini Brownies

    It seems as though everybody has turned toward baking as their go-to quarantine hobby and I don’t blame them! While things in my life have gained speed, those of us with a little extra time on our hands can now try a new recipe out and share it with the ones we’re (stuck) at home… Read the Post

    Ooey Gooey & Fudgy Zucchini Brownies
  • How to Remain Untamed: A Guide to Romanticizing Life and Living in the Moment

    Many of you have asked what it means to be an untamed optimist, so I’ve decided to kick off 2022 by sharing how I remain untamed. Keep reading, because it goes deeper than optimism and you may find it influences all aspects of your life. But first, I’ve got something else to address: It’s been… Read the Post

    How to Remain Untamed: A Guide to Romanticizing Life and Living in the Moment
  • Dressing for Yourself this Valentine’s Day!

    February is here and you know what that means… everything is either heart-shaped or pink and you can get your favorite snacks for half price! Who doesn’t love that?! For those of us with a special someone, it’s also a time to spend together and relax. Even if you are staying home or spending the… Read the Post

    Dressing for Yourself this Valentine’s Day!
  • 9 Do’s and Don’ts of Making Chocolate Covered Strawberries

    The season of love is officially here and this year, I decided to attempt making the classic Valentine’s Day treat for the family for the first time. Although quite popular around this time of year, I’d never tried making chocolate-covered strawberries before and I soon realized there was a lot to learn. There are a… Read the Post

    9 Do’s and Don’ts of Making Chocolate Covered Strawberries
  • ‘Be My Valentine’ Iced Brownie Dupe

    Have you ever tried the infamous ‘Be My Valentine’ iced brownies? I can’t help but snag a box when they’re in stock because they’re so good. There’s just something about the chocolate shell and the layered chocolate cake that is nearly irresistible. So of course I had to try making some for myself, and let… Read the Post

    ‘Be My Valentine’ Iced Brownie Dupe
  • Valentine’s Day Outfit Inspiration for Your Next Date

    Valentine’s day is right around the corner and it’s time to start planning what outfits you’ll be sporting for all your date ideas and Galentine’s get-togethers. I’ve compiled some of my favorite pink & red outfits that are perfect for your special dates! There’s a whole range of outfits to browse, from classic to bold… Read the Post

    Valentine’s Day Outfit Inspiration for Your Next Date
  • Healthy Choco-Chip Muffins!

    I started my morning off with some deep yoga stretches and serious chocolate chip muffin cravings! Probably because I spent all of last night looking at potential new recipes for the blog. These muffins are guaranteed to make your morning a little sweeter without all those added sugars in prepackaged muffin mixes. Here’s how greek… Read the Post

    Healthy Choco-Chip Muffins!

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