Cheers to the Weekend!

Hope everyone has some fun stuff lined up for the weekend or maybe some R&R? I plan to do a little of both! This girl loves getting a break from an alarm clock and a schedule.

I finally got to try out the Red Velvet wine by Cupcake Vineyards on Wednesday night. It was really good considering I usually prefer white wines. Pinot Grigio being my fave.

 Scored 2 movie tickets for $10 on LivingSocial.com so we plan to go see Neighbors this weekend. I've heard from several people it's hilarious!

Some pretty new pieces arrived in the mail for an upcoming wedding. I also ordered a high-low dress to match but it doesn't fit so I need to exchange it this weekend.

K has mastered the art of cooking Chicken Cordon Bleu and I'm not complaining. Love yummy dinners at home! I posted his recipe here last year.

Anybody else a Daddy's girl? Today's my Dad's birthday so I want to wish him a fabulous birthday. Sad my parents live so far away and can never celebrate birthdays, father's day etc. but they're coming to visit in just a few months.

How was your week?

Joining Lauren for H54F and April for Five on Friday.

#TotalSocial: There's a First for Everything

I'm excited to join Helene and Sarah today for their new #TotalSocial linkup and since there's a first time for (almost) everything that's what I'll be sharing today.

One thing I wasn't blessed with is a good memory so remembering exact dates/ages is a hit or miss but I'll attempt to give it a go!

First car:
 Hyundai accent, manual transmission.
Couldn't drive it off the lot by the way. Took another couple weeks to figure out how to shift the gears *die*

First sports: 
Swimming & ballet. Those are sports right?

First time shaving:
10 yo without permission from my parents.

First pet:
A pomeranian named Rosie. He was a male pup btw.

First paying job: 
Around 14 yo working in the mall at a home decor store.

First car accident:
Ran into the back of another car while trying to merge only 3 weeks after getting my license. Dad was in the passenger seat so he dealt with the other driver and insurance etc cause lawd knows I wouldn't know what to do.

First concert:
Journey & some other bands. The concert got rained out and I was knee-high in mud by the end. A sight for sore eyes when I finally returned home to my parents.

First regrettable hair style:
That hideous boy cut I got when I was 8 or 9. Remind me to burn all the evidence!

First time purchasing a home:
Three years ago in March 2011

First tweets:

(Awkward...I've never been especially good at Twitter)


First Martinis & Bikinis blog post:
November 8th, 2012


What's some of your memorable firsts?

Turkey & Veggie Pasta Casserole

Ingredients:

1 jar of pasta sauce

1 lb ground turkey
1 tbsp olive oil

2 zucchinis (chopped)

2 yellow squashes (chopped)

3 cloves of garlic (minced)

1/4 onion (diced)

1 cup mushrooms (chopped)

Whole wheat or egg noodles (1/2 bag)

4 oz mozzarella cheese 

1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

What To Do:

Boil noodles according to directions on packet & drain.

Add olive oil, onions and minced garlic to a large pan and cook on medium heat for 3 minutes. Add ground turkey and cook for approx 7 minutes or until no longer pink.

Add the zucchini & squash to the pan, cover and cook 5 minutes. Lastly, add the chopped mushrooms and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 9x11 baking dish with cooking spray. Layer the bottom of the dish with cooked noodles then top with 1/2 jar pasta sauce and then layer with turkey and veggie mixture. Spread ricotta cheese over turkey/veggie mixture and layer with the remainder of pasta sauce.

Sprinkle parmesan and mozzarela cheese on top and bake for 20 minutes.

Let cool for 10 minutes and serve.

Enjoy!

  

Rules:

1. Follow Kate and myself via GFC and Bloglovin.

2. Link up your favorite recipes or food-related posts.

3. Grab our Recipe Swap button and link back to our blogs.

Weekend Fun, Friends & Music Fest

Monday comes to quickly 'round here but it's always fun recapping the weekend ;-)

After work on Friday I went to happy hour with a girl friend. We attempted to play bar trivia but neither of us were especially good at useless knowledge so we just wrote down the most bizarre answers to amuse the judges. It was a good time!

On Saturday I went to C's bridal shower. Since her wedding is in Punta Cana, the shower was a tropical theme. Everthing was beautiful! K is also a groomsman in the wedding and it happens to fall on our wedding anniversary so we're counting down the days to visiting the DR next month with a bunch of friends.

After the bridal shower, I met up with K & some friends and headed to a Reggae music festival downtown. From growing up in the islands, I'm a lover of reggae and nothing makes me happier than listening to some good music.

On Sunday, I cooked up some brunch and we had a relaxing day at home. Since both of our Mom's live far away we called them to chat but couldn't celebrate Mother's Day with them. I promised my mom to cook her some eggs benedict when she comes to visit in September.

It was a nice, lazy Sunday at home. You know you're getting old when you love nothing more than catching up on some TV, laundry, cleaning & blogging to end the weekend.

How was your weekend?

Joining Bella & Lisa for Weekend Recap along with Molly & Carly for Funday Monday.

Friday's Weekly Wrap-Up

Happy Friday lovelies!

I think Friday is the most exciting day of the week for me. I usually go out for lunch with my work team and then K and I go for happy hour or dinner and drinks after work. I always look forward to not cooking and eating at home as we do all week.

K and I ran into the most interesting man in the world last weekend. Well, a cardboard cutout, but who's the perfect celebrity for Cinco de Mayo? Yup, we had some margs together and listened to live music after our brunch extravaganza on Sunday.

This beauty showed up at my front door yesterday. I've been eying different rose gold watches for a while now and finally jumped on the Macy's Family & Friends 25% discount to get it at a great price online.

Anybody else have really thick or just a lot of hair? Loving my new Turbie Twist to wrap my hair up and absorb the water after I wash it. I've always used a towel but this just makes way more sense. 

You know I'm a seasonal beer lush. Sam Adams Summer Ale is another favorite on the shelves at this time of year. Try it!

Thirsty Thursday's dinner last night included some pinot grigio, steak & a veggie medley cooked at home. It's officially grilling weather so we threw some steaks on the grill and enjoyed some wine before watching the NFL draft.

How was your week?

Joining Lauren for H54F and April for Five on Friday.

Mother's Day Brunch Ideas

It's no secret that Sunday brunch is one of my favorite "pastimes".  While I love going out for brunch at local restaurants, hosting a brunch at home would also be a great way to spend some time with your Mom for Mother's Day. I found some Pinterest pretty recipes & ideas to share:

Pineapple Coolers

via

Baked Eggs in Breakfast Bowls

via

Broccoli & Comte Frittata

via

Bloody Mary Shooters

via

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pankcake Rollups

via

Tea Sandwiches

via

Strawberry Grapefruit Mimosas

via

Eggs Benedict with Ham and Asparagus

via

 

What's your favorite Sunday brunch dish or drink?

Also, I'm guest posting over at Green Fashionista today while Kate is on vacation so go check out some fun ways to spend quality time with your mom this weekend for Mother's Day.

Go-To Facial Products & Skincare Regimen

I'm a creature of habit when it comes to my skincare regimen. Although I love trying new products, I have go-to products I've been using for years. These products work well for my skin, which isn't overly sensitive but still prone to random acne breakouts if I neglect to take care of it. I've also added a few new products to my long-term regimen.

I've never had a professional skin evaluation but I'd say I have a combination of oil & dry skin depending on the weather.

The Body Shop Face Toners · L'Oreal Face Scrubs & Exfoliants · Cetaphil Face Cleansers

Clarisonic Mia:
 I use it once per day in the night to fully clean my skin and remove any extra dirt/oil or makeup. I'm not sure if there's any other product on the market that can clean this well and, according to the website, "Clarisonic has the power to clean 30x more age-accelerating pollutants than manual cleansing". I believe it.

Philosophy's Purity Cleanser:
This cleanser is somewhat new to me but it's a keeper! I've been using it for about 3-4 months and I love how it makes my face feel super soft. I use a small amount with my Clarisonic to clean and purify every night. Definitely recommend it if you're looking for a gentle cleanser!

L'Oreal Go 360 Clean Exfoliating Scrub:
For an inexpensive facial scrub, I really like this one. I use it a few times a week to clean and exfoliate my skin. I like that the scrubbing beads are very gentle on your skin.

Olay Makeup Remover Towelettes: 
I don't use these too often but towelettes are always handy to remove makeup after a long day or night out instead of getting in the shower. I typically use towelettes and then still wash my face with a cleanser to fully remove all makeup and oil/dirt. I also take these towelettes with me when traveling.

Body Shop Camomile Eye Makeup Remover: 
I've been using this makeup remover for over 10 years and it's my absolute favorite. I've tried so many others and hate how messy or oily some removers can be. This one is fragrance free, removes eyeliner & mascara instantly and very gentle on your eyes. Definitely recommend it!

Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar:
 I use this bar of soap every morning to wash my face and K has also hoped on the bandwagon. It's a gentle face cleanser so great for dry or sensitive skin and leaves my face feeling clean and hydrated before I start the day and apply makeup.

Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion: 
This is an at-home Microdermabrasion treatment that's meant to smooth dry & dull skin away to brighten your complexion. The instructions say to use only once a week but the results haven't been incredible so I'll probably discontinue use altogether when it runs out.

Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimizer:
Helps makes your pores look smaller and the tea tree ingredient is also very soothing. It's advertised as having a matte finish to prevent shiny skin but since I ran across Benefit's POREfessional, I've stopped using this product. The texture just doesn't compare or do the job as well as POREfessional

Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Gel:
Not sure how well this works by itself but definitely helps with acne when used in combination of the other Body Shop tea tree products. It provides a soothing feeling for acne without drying out your skin and you can use it on the go.

Body Shop Vitamin E Summer Face Lotion: 
I bought this several years ago and rarely use it because I prefer my Olay daily hydrating moisturizer. I bought this product because it's supposed to provide a gradual tan for your face but I don't like the slightly shiny texture for everyday use so probably won't purchase again and looks like it's been discontinued by The Body Shop.

Body Shop Tea Tree Cleansing Toner: 
Love this toner. I only use it once or twice a week but I like the tingly and refreshing feeling that tea tree products give off. I use it to remove dirt, oil and any last remains of makeup. It's also great for oilier skin types to remove shine and help prevent acne without drying out your skin.


What are your favorite skincare products to clean and keep your face looking rejuvenated?

Tuesday's Recipe Swap: Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

12 large eggs
1/2 cup light mayo or miracle whip
2 teaspoon yellow mustard
2 teaspoon white vinegar
Group black pepper to taste
Paprika, for garnish

What To Do:

Boil eggs in a large pot of water for 10 minutes. Let eggs cool or rinse under cold water to help cool them down before cracking and peeling off the shells.

Cut eggs in half and scoop the yolks out with a spoon planing into a medium bowl. Add mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar and black pepper to the bowl and mix well.

Either use a cake pipe or a spoon to scoop the yolk mixture into the egg white. Sprinkle with paprika and either refrigerate or serve immediately. 

Enjoy!

1. Follow Kate and myself via GFC and Bloglovin.

2. Link up your favorite recipes or food-related posts.

3. Grab our Recipe Swap button and link back to our blogs.

Weekend Recap: Sunday Brunching

Happy Cinco de drinko!
Except I'm stuck in the office working so no drinks for me ;-)

I had a pretty chill weekend. K and I met some friends for happy hour after work on Friday.

I was sick all day on Saturday so that sucked. I finally felt better in the night and spent a couple hours Skyping with my best friend from Trinidad catching up & helping her with some wedding planning. 

I felt so much better on Sunday, so we went for brunch with friends. We tried out a new restaurant that had a brunch buffet with unlimited mimosas.

After brunch, we stopped for some margaritas and live music for pre-Cinco de Mayo celebrations and ended up at a tiki bar where the hubs ordered us some drinks called "Tiger Fuckers" (haha) before we called it a night.

How was your weekend?

Joining Bella & Lisa for Weekend Recap and Molly & Carly for Funday Monday.

Friday Roundup & Travel News

It's May already? This year is just flying by!

I had an interesting week, to say the least. The most exciting news first...K and I booked a trip to Chicago in September! We've always wanted to explore this city and when my mom offered to give us her American Airlines miles that were about to expire, we jumped on the opportunity to book a quick trip for K's birthday. The flights were basically free (other than some small fees) so why not?

After booking the flights, I started getting major anxiety about affording the trip itself. We were stuck booking 4 nights instead of 2 or 3 nights as originally planned because of all the blackout dates when you use air miles. So that's four days/nights of hotel, food, drinks, shopping and doing touristy things. It adds up quickly and this was really just supposed to be a quick weekend trip! I was also worrying about taking the extra time off work since we already have some other big trips planned for the year. More about my 2014 travel plans here.

Anyways, I finally decided it isn't a huge deal and it will work itself out.

On Wednesday morning, I got a cute letter asking me to be a bridesmaid for a close friend's wedding in Trinidad in March 2015. I'm so honored and definitely want to see my girl get married to her love but was a little shocked to find out the bridesmaid dress she has picked out is $300+.  Not a huge deal but we gotta factor in international flight, hair, makeup etc....It was just a bad week for me to be thinking about money. 

Well shit got REAL interesting Wednesday night, when another longtime best friend from Trinidad (who is also engaged), told me that her wedding date was finally confirmed for February 2015.  I'm the maid of honor in her wedding. I have to be there. But now I'm in two weddings that are 1 month apart that require international flights, dresses, bridal showers & bachelorettes etc! Anxiety is out of the roof!

Don't get me wrong. I'm extremely excited to be in both weddings because I love them both dearly but I just can't wrap my head around how I'm actually going to afford it all. I think I need a cocktail to calm down the rate at which my mind is racing. Thankfully it's Friday ;-)

On to a few things the lower my anxiety...

~ Sunny days: nothing makes me happier than warmth & sunshine.
~ Free breakfast: the j.o.b had a food truck come to the office on Wednesday bearing free breakfast.
~ Shopping: ordered a new maxi dress, work outfit and thong sandals online and everything fits!
~ NYX butter gloss: Made a trip to Ulta to pick up some new colors of my favorite lip gloss.

Joining Lauren for H54F and Darcie for Five on Friday.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Deals & Steals of the Week

Who doesn't love a good deal? 

There are so many great specials going on this week and with Mother's Day around the corner, I thought I'd share the love and pass on some great savings.

Macy's

I look out for the Macy's Friends & Family discount every year because it can save a ton especially with larger purchases. 

The Body Shop

Ulta

Express

Bath & Body Works

Target Cartwheel App

Where do you usually shop to save or find great coupons/discounts?