Just for Fish & Giggles

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Y’all! Ours was extremely enjoyable! Of course we did what we do best, hit the road to Delaware to mooch off Mom & Dad! Arrived Friday night, unpacked & just vegged since we were beat, but Saturday was a different story. 

My sister & bro-in-law recently purchased a new home, so we had the pleasure of going over there for the Grand Tour. The house is gorgeous, and I can’t wait for the housewarming party later this summer! My Mom-Mom bought a new house as well, and it’s about 2 minutes from my sisters. Once again we received another home tour, which is giving me the itch to home shop. We’re going to look at granite for new kitchen counter-tops so maybe a kitchen remodel will scratch the itch I’m having!! Mom-Mom's beautiful house is new construction, and I can’t get enough of that new home smell!

After all the home touring was complete we headed back to my parents’ house for some fun in the sun, fishing and playing with the new water table Sadie was given for her birthday. If you’re looking for a great gift for a toddler, I’d highly recommend looking into these water tables! The kids all had a ball with it!

We got the new Disney Pixars Finding Dory Swim & Swirl Water Table. 

The hubs and I both caught our first catches of the season. I also caught my first sunburn-OUCH!

The best man from our wedding, who happens to be my husband’s best pal took the trip down with his son, they arrived around the time we were enjoying the midday sun. Saturday evening was a bit more low key, we grilled and chilled out all evening.

Sunday morning we hit the beach, we do the drive up thing and it’s always a blast. My cousins and their kids were there, so it was more fishing, grilling, and playing all day long! We’re waiting for the newest member of the family to arrive come the end of August!

Sunday evening we travel over to Rehoboth Beach to eat at my favorite, Dos Locos. The kids enjoyed the chips and salsa, while the adults enjoyed the margaritas and chimichangas! Funland was next on the agenda, it was Sadie’s first trip on the rides and she loved the first two, the third not so much. 

By that point the kids seemed to be over it. On their defense it was late and they had a long day, so we swung on over to Royal Treat for a sundae and called it a night.

Monday was rain off and on all day, which lead to a good relax and unwind dreary Monday. The little ones still enjoyed that water table. We got in a few naps, packed up and headed on home till next time! Hope you all had an enjoyable holiday weekend, and remembered to thank all our service members.

“We’re the land of the free, because of the brave”

My 2nd Celebrated Mommys' Day

Mothers Day 2016 was a good one. I started out my day with my Chunk-a-Munk, which makes every morning great! We got up and got dressed to go to church. My husbands cousin was having her first holy communion, and we were set to attend. After the church there was an after party, which my daughter loved! We could not get her off of the dance floor. She just was wiggling all over the place!

My Mother-in-law, daughter, husband, sis-in-law, & myself

Then we came home to surprise cake my sister had baked, one for me (carrot cake my fav) and another for my mom (chocolate with chocolate filling and vanilla icing). We ate cake for the following week. I was showered with cards, and gifts. I got a wonderful peach scented candle, a Stitchfix gift card, concert tickets to see Sam Hunt & Old Dominion (I can not wait!), the cake, candy, flowers, an adorable outfit for the baby from Carters, and a necklace I have been eyeing up for a while now! The necklace is custom made from Mint & Birch, check them out on Etsy. I can't wait to order their nest necklace. Thank you everyone you made my second mothers day wonderful!

Cake sissy made me - carrot cake

Cute outfit from Oma

Necklace I've wanted for a while. Mint & Birch

I need to PoP some tags, only got Old stuff in my Closet

(Sing the Title to the tune of Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop”)

This blog has been a long time coming, I've been meaning to post about this since January! As they say, better late then never...

So it finally happened! I caved and decided to try Stitch Fix! My cousin has been using Stich Fix for a few years now, as has a co-worker, and I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about it. With a baby and a full time job I really don’t have the time for shopping. Besides the fact I’m not very good at it! I thought about it for a while and kept pushing it off, only to finally decide what do I have to lose? Except for some old outdated clothing in my closet! 

You see, I promised myself I’d “spring clean” my wardrobe if I got some fresh new attire. If you know me, I’m a hoarder when it comes to my clothing. The problem is I hold on to stuff that clearly doesn’t fit or has been long expired, because of the nostalgia attached to it. (Please tell me I’m not alone here?)

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Stitch Fix, let me spin you up. You can sign up here, and when you do please leave me comments on how it’s worked out for you! You’re going to love it, I know I have.

11.  Sign up and get started with the Style Quiz – This will create a profile of your style, likes, dislike, body shape & sizing, so that your personal stylist can get a feel for you. There’s also a notes section to let your stylist know about personal likes and dislikes, and a section to add your pinterest board link. I highly recommend this, sometimes your stylist can get you an exact piece you pin, or an article of clothing extremely similar to something you love.

22.   You’ll pay a $20 Styling Fee when ordering your first Fix, which will be credited towards any or all items you purchase in your fix. StitchFix carries an assortment of clothing, tops, dresses, pants, jewelry, handbags and even shoes! Your Fixes will arrive as frequent or as infrequent as you desire. Five personalized pieces are delivered right to your door, and that’s when the fun begins!

33. Keep what you love and send back what you don’t want within 3 days, in the postage paid supplied envelope. You’ll only pay for what you keep! You’ll get 25% off your total purchase if you decide you love it all! Then I’d recommend you leave feedback on the experience, because it’ll make your next Fix that much better!

I signed up for Stitch Fix late January and scheduled my very first fix for mid February. I requested my stylist send me a top or 2 I could wear out & pair with my faux leather pants (which I now have 3 pairs of-LOVE)! A few tops for work, and maybe something for the warmer weather to come. I also requested no jewelry, bags, pants or shoes, I wanted to focus mainly on new tops. I pinned a bunch of stuff onto a style board for my stylist.

The following is what I received. Mind you I’m posting this a few months late, so I’ve really had time to grow to love these pieces!

Dreamers/Debut - Cancun Cowl Neck Pullover Sweater

Dreamers/Debut - Cancun Cowl Neck Pullover Sweater, Medium (Verdict - KEPT) $

I can’t LOVE this cancun cowl neck pullover sweater enough! Everytime I have worn it I get compliments, and asked where I got it at. It is so comfy and it’s just the perfect gray to pair with my faux leather pants! Did I mention I love this sweater?

Skies are Blue - Burgoyne Lace Hem Blouse

Skies are Blue - Burgoyne Lace Hem Blouse, Medium (Verdict - KEPT) $

I got this Skies are Blue black burgoyme lace hem blouse, and Michelle my stylist made a note that she had sent it for me to pair with my faux leather pants. Now I’m not huge on black on black, but I have yet to actually wear this with my faux leather pants. However I’ve worn it to work with gray pants. I most likely would have sent this piece back because I don’t love how it fits, but it would have cost me money to return it. (There’s that 25% keep it all discount working in my favor!)

Gillli - Mitchel Maxi Dress 

Gillli - Mitchel Maxi Dress, Small (Verdict - KEPT) $78

This teal and cream Gilli mitchel maxi dress I just can’t get enough of, the detail on the back is wonderful. When I originally answered my style quiz I said to keep my back covered. I was thinking more of wide open backs, and the bra being visible type of problems, I mean, No thank you! However this is PREFECT, just perfect. The bra is covered and there’s a slight show of skin I really like it, and the best part is I’m not sure I’d have ever scooped this up off the rack. That’s what I love about StitchFix, the removal of you from your comfort zone; for the better of course! Thanks again Michelle. Only wish was it was slightly longer. 

I also didn’t realize until a month later that the Maxi I was sent was the exact Maxi I pinned to my pinterest board just in a different color!

THML - Ariella Embroidered Knit Tank 

THML - Ariella Embroidered Knit Tank, Medium (Verdict - KEPT) $

So at first I wasn't sure how I felt about this THML ariella embroidered knit tank. I semi liked it because it was different, but I wasn't so sure on the fit. My sister talked me into keeping it, and I'm glad she did. She kept saying I am not up on the times when it comes to style. I've really grown to like this piece, I've worn it to work a few times, and I'm thinking it'll be great in the summer with shorts.

Crescent - Jardell Chiffon Overlay Blouse

With Pink Republic Cardigan from Kohl's

Crescent - Jardell Chiffon Overlay Blouse, Medium (Verdict - KEPT) $

This was also a sister talked me into keeping peice. I wasn't sure on the fit and style, but again she said "That's what everone is wearing these days", so I went with it. I think this Crescent jardell chiffon overlay blouse will look wonderful with shorts in the warmer weather. I've also worn it to work, I went to Kohl's and found a Pink Republic cardigan to wear over it for work. (excuse my necklace in the first photo, my husband failed to mention to me it wasn't laying correctly)

Breakdown

Merchandise Total = $306.00

25% off if keeping all 5 pieces = -$76.50

Styling Fee Credited = -$20.00

Total To Keep it all = $209.50

What are your thoughts anything I should have sent back? What do you love/hate? Leave me a comment

Canvas & Cocktails

Tuesday Night I got to go out for a Girls Night! I was invited by my friend Stefanie to attend a byob paint night at Under the Moon Café (http://underthemooncafe.com/) on Farnsworth Ave in Bordentown. This was presented by Paint-a-Treasure (http://www.paintatreasure.com/#!home---central-nj/cj9n) located inside Dragonfly Farms in Hamilton.  I’ve been to a paint nite in the past and it was about $40-$45 and that just was the price to paint a cherry blossom tree. Tonight’s event however was $55 and included a meal, and appetizer and an entrée, there was a choice of 3 for each.

I went with the Patatas Bravas – fried potatoes, roasted garlic, siracha aioli for my appetizer since I’ve been to Under the Moon once before and have had the other option of the Beef empanada. The third appetizer option was a salad, of sorts I forget, the majority of the table went with that option. I enjoyed the Patas Bravas, it came out almost looking like cheese on top of potato slices. Entrée I choose the homemade Gnocchi – chicken (which was lacking), spinach, cherry tomatoes, and a gorgonzola cream sauce (I also pushed all the gorgonzola to the side). I choose the gnocchi over the Ropa Vieja, a cuban style shredded beef stew, rice and beans, at the servers recommendation. I didn’t notice anyone that evening who did order the Ropa Vieja, I would have liked to seen what it looked like. Most of our table went with the pasta, and a few decided upon the Fish Tacos, blackened fish, pico de gallo, lemon lime mayo. I have to agree with Nikki who said it best, “the food is ok, but it’s nothing that you need to come back for.” Again though, the meal was included in the price of the evening which was very comparable to a paint nite I’ve done where food was a la carte. In this aspect, I can not complain!

Our table of 7 ladies was the lively group in the bunch, but that made for all the more fun. The instructor Kate was awesome and very helpful in getting all of our sunflowers to look amazing! A great time was had by all, I’d highly recommend finding a Paint-a-Treasure evening with Kate.

I took my art work home, and hung it on a strangely placed screw protruding out of the basement wall in my husband’s mancave. I was just joking placing it there, but he liked it, and says my artwork can stay on display in his mancave! Thanks hun!

May Ipsy Bag...Greatest Yet

Today I got my May Ipsy bag I think this is the best that I have received to date! If you don't know about ipsy bags here is a breakdown...
So you take a beauty quiz and then you get your first Glam Bag its a $10 a month subscription. Ipsy states, each month, subscribers will receive a beautiful Glam Bag with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. Members can watch and play along with the stylists with the same products that they are using. Check it out here Ipsy Bag and sign up to get your first glam bag!
Anyway back to my May glam bag, it contained 5 awesome products. Here's my review on what I got. My first product was Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics, Caribbean Sun Bronzer Duo, I really like this. The only issue I had was it's a sample so therefore it was tiny and to get the bronzer onto my brush the brush would get into the blush at the same time. I like the color of both so maybe I'll have to look into buying the regular full-sized product. My second product was BellaPierre Cosmetics, nude gel lip liner pencil. I love me a lip liner and this nude color is perfect with all my lipsticks and lip glosses, I love it! I also received Peek Beauty, Nom Nom natural lip Plumping balm in Miracle, this is awesome! I really really like it, it went perfectly with the lip liner I received and I'm really going to have to look into buying the two of those in a full size.

The fourth product I received was of Avene, micellar lotion cleanser and makeup remover, this one threw me for a loop because everything written on it was not in English so last night I washed my face with it using water and then I looked up the directions on the Avene website and I saw that you're supposed to put a little of the cleanser on a cotton swab and wipe your face clean with it without water. I tried it that way tonight but I'm not sure that I can wash my face without using water it's just a little odd to me. Last but not least I received a Smashbox x-rated mascara, you can never go wrong with a new mascara! I like it but I'm going to need to use it a few times before I make a final decision on if I love it or not.

Like I stated I think this is my best bag yet! Even the bag this month is cute! Let me know which of these products have you tried, love, or hate?

Fiesta Fiesta

Today is yet another one of my favorite Holidays...Happy Cinco De Mayo! I just LOVE TexMex and what better reason to make some nachos and drink some frozen Rita's?
I made crock pot salsa chicken. I altered the recipe slightly today,  I'll post it below.  Was still as wonderful as always.  We used this to fill our tacos, and I layered it on my nachos! I'm going to bed extremely full and content this evening. I also made some frozen mango & strawberry margaritas which tasted like "more!" They were the perfect consistency if I do say so myself. ;)

Mango Margaritas so refreshing

CROCKPOT SALSA CHICKEN

I put all ingredients into the crock pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. So simple!

10 thin sliced chicken beasts

Container of salsa 

1 packet ranch dressing

1 packet taco seasoning

10 Oz chicken broth

3 sliced peppers (I used red, green & yellow for color)

1 sliced onion

1 can of sweet corn

Justin enjoying his Mega Rita, Frozen Strawberry

My Famous Nachos

Playing Hooky with Hubby on Hump Day

So I woke up this morning extra tired, and the baby was with her Oma & Opa for the day so we decided to call out sick and do something enjoyable. We found ourselves in Philly, which is mainly just a foodie trip unless we have scheduled plans. El Vez was our first stop and as usual it did not disappoint! 

We started off with a pitcher of the classic El Vez Maragritas and of course the El Vez “Original” Guacamole!

So delicious my mouth is water thinking about it again. Brian would have ordered a second guacamole, but after our meal I had to be rolled out of there!

For lunch I ordered the black bean enchiladas, they were awesome! The menu describes them as caramelized onions, Chihuahua cheese, smoked yellow tomato sauce. That sauce! I don’t know what it is, but I scrapped up every last bit of it up with the remainder of our chips! Brian ordered the Crispy Mahi-Mahi Tacos, red cabbage, avocado, chipotle pepper remoulade. Hunger took over so I didn’t capture a picture of the meal, and neither of us offered the other a taste of our dishes, so we must have really loved what we got! There wasn’t a crumb remaining! Brian’s take on El Vez is it’s a bit pricey for just 2 tacos, and 2 enchiladas, but it was so enjoyable (You gatta splurge every now & again right?!) Besides we’ve been prior to this trip and we will surely be back!

We had to stroll around the city to walk off our meals, and do some shopping of course. I got two new blazers at Macys during the friends and family sale! I’ll be wearing them to work upon my Thursday return. I had seen these exact blazers as items others got via StitchFix, and I wasn’t sure how I’d like the fit. I find it so much nicer to be able to try things on a head of time, so this Macys trip was definitely not wasted. I picked this up in cream & gray, I’m loving the polka dot detail when I roll the sleeves. Absolutely adorable!

As we continued our stroll through Center City, our good friend Drew informed us we should try out Max Brenner for dessert. We had been sending “Be jealous” pictures of El Vez to him earlier. He knows better than to threaten me with amazing dessert! We found our way there with NO problems. After perusing the chocolate dessert menu a few times, and interrogating our server on his favorites and most popular choices, we decided upon the Max’s Famous Chocolate Mess Party for Two. A warm chocolate mud cake in milk chocolate ganache, piles of whipped cream (they are not kidding), vanilla ice cream, chocolate chunks and toffee sauce. Served with strawberries, bananas, and choco-pops. 

This was to die for!  Brian also ordered up an 80's Milkshake - which consists of milk chocolate ganache, vanilla ice cream and a  crunchy chocolate shell. So delish! 

To say we enjoyed every last bite would be an understatement, and I’m already looking forward to going back. I know without a doubt my daughter will love her experience here!  

Have you been to Max Brenner or El Vez? What’s your favorite dishes? Any recommendations for us to check out on our next Philly outing?