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My @priceless Dining Experience at @lebernardinny with Mastercard #LoveThisCity #LeBernardin #cbias

January 14, 2013 Uncategorized 4 comments

On January 7th I had the priceless experience of dining at the number one rated restaurant in New York City, and one of the best restaurants in the WORLD!

In 2009, Le Bernardin was voted 15th best restaurant in the world in the Restaurant magazine Top 50.

Le Bernardin is one of only seven restaurants in New York awarded three Michelin stars,^[2] and is the restaurant which has held four stars from The New York Times for the longest period of time, having earned the ranking in early 1986.

Along with a few other lucky bloggers, we were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime meal cooked by chef Eric Ripert, and educated about wine pairings by Le Bernardin Sommelier Aldo Sohm.

I was completely enchanted by every part of the experience. I had never even seen a fancy wine tasting medallion like the super cool one Aldo Sohm wears. And he really went into detail about the difficulties of pairing wine with certain flavors, like cucumber or tomato. I was pretty enthralled and wanted to know more.

The first course was Wild Striped Bass Tartare. Being a southerner, I had some reservations about eating ANYTHING tartare, but this was a special, once-in-a-lifetime chance, so I went for it. It was (of course) delicious, and I didn’t get the heebie-jeebies that I was eating raw fish.

The second course…was the first time I have ever eaten “foam”. That was pretty exciting…I mean foam is fancy! Perfection.

You know how that even fish fans don’t like to eat “fishy fish”? The main course was a super non-offensive Crispy Black Bass with Peruvian Chicha Sauce. My photo is from before the sauce addition, but it was a lovely appealing light orange color.

Finally the desert was a complete party in my mouth. Mousseline flavored by Earl Grey tea! Holy awesome! Every bite was different and amazing.

After eating, we actually got to tour the kitchen of Le Bernardin! It was so inspiring to see the hustle, care, and mastery of every step in the line.

Perhaps most amazing of all was the wine cellar…its hard to have a cellar in NYC, so this collection at Le Bernardin is very impressive. I also loved the evident joy that Aldo Sohm the Sommelier feels when spending time in the wine cellar!

I have talked about this amazing dinner to any of my friends who will listen…I am so SO grateful for this once in a lifetime meal and tour of Le Bernardin in NYC. I am inspired to become incredibly wealthy so that I can treat others to the same experience!

Thank you MasterCard!

Hickory Farms Charitable Initiatives

December 27, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

Last month I was sent a tasty Hickory Farms gift box:

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All of the contents have been consumed (well, there is some mustard left) in the form of grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, and sliced meat logs on crackers. Mmm.

Besides the instant gratification of consuming delicious Hickory Farms food products, you can feel good that by purchasing Hickory Farms products, you are also “giving back”.

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For every Signature Party Planner Gift sold, Hickory Farms donates $5 to provide funding for summer meal programs, emergency food assistance, nutrition education, and long-term solutions for families in need. To learn more, visit nokidhungry.org.

Hickory Farms also has a partnership with Operation Gratitude – a national nonprofit that creates care packages for military men and women and their families. Hickory Farms has eight products that they offer free shipping to military APO and FPO addresses, including the “Home for the Holidays” gift basket.

Check out @HickoryFarms on Twitter and Facebook!

You can buy Hickory Farms gift sets at HickoryFarms.com.

Disclaimer: Compensation and products for review were provided by Hickory Farms via MomTrends. I received a free sample of the product for the purpose of this review and to facilitate a giveaway. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hickory Farms.

Aldi Awesome Holiday Deals

December 21, 2012 Uncategorized 2 comments

If you have never shopped at an Aldi grocery store, you are missing out.

By offering a selection of store brand and special buy items, and having a no-nonsense, no-frills store layout, Aldi has all of your staple foods and some fancy extras for amazingly low prices.

I already was a huge Aldi fan before the holidays, but I picked up two 99 cent chocolate Advent calendars from Aldi in November, and they have been the highlight of my kid’s lives this month.

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Every morning, the first thing they think of when they wake up is “Can I eat my chocolate now?”

And I’m all getting cool mom points, “Yes, darling.”

When I walk into “my” Aldi, the first thing I encounter is tempting bottles of wine that average about $6.99 each. Then they have fancy chocolates and sweets, chips, crackers, jerky, fruit snacks, granola bars…on to baking goods like flour, spices, oil, mixes…round the corner past the granola bars and dairy case, stroll by cereals for under $2 a box, and then encounter “special buys” like holiday toys or seasonal foods.

Every few steps, I added items to my shopping bag. I was given a $25 Aldi gift certificate to write this blog post, and I was trying to make sure I spent at least $25. So every time I added an item to my bag, I typed in the price on my phone calculator.

By the time I finally reached $25, I could barely lift my shopping bag anymore! The prices at Aldi are so awesome, $25 goes a very long way!

Aldi has a lot of cool seasonal stuff at amazingly low price points. I found the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree for $7.99!

IMAG2404 IMAG2403 They also have real name brand toys, so Aldi can be a one-stop holiday shop before you go off to see the extended family! IMAG2402 IMAG2401

I spent only $28 and got some great holiday items like a box of hot cocoa mix with marshmallows ($1.19), cordial cherries ($1.29), and even a pomegranate for .69 cents!

I love that I can buy fresh seasonal produce at Aldi for a low price. I scored 2 broccoli crowns for .99 cents, a 3lbs of sweet potatoes for 79 cents (seriously! a bag of sweet potatoes for .79 cents!), fresh salsa for $1.99, 3 pounds of gala apples for $2.99, a container of baby bella mushrooms for $1.49…I mean my produce budget can REALLY stretch far in Aldi.

In the summer they have crazy deals like nectarines for 25 cents each, and seasonal berries for dollars cheaper than other grocery stores in my area.

Aldi’s website is very informative as well. You can make shopping lists, check out their Suggested Shopping Items, ALDI Wine Pairing Tips, and Holiday Entertaining Tips!

You can save tons on entertaining staples like mixed nuts and cheese and wine! Impress your guests for less! Love me some ALDI!

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for ALDI. I received a gift certificate to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.”

Free Cookies From @americanexpress @momomilkbar #AmexMakeMyDay

December 19, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

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American Express & Famed Momofuku Milk Bar Pastry Chef Christina Tosi were giving out cookies all over NYC on Saturday, December 15th!

It was a one-day only holiday cookie truck in collaboration with American Express.

This event is part of a new program brought to you by American Express and it’s commitment
to celebrating Cardmembers and their sources of inspiration.

AmEx can make you awesome…would you believe Christina started her own cookie empire just two years ago with the
help of her Amex Card?

Today, Momofuku Milk Bar has grown to ?ve bakeries and a commissary.

If you missed the free cookies (I did ) here is a recipe for consolation:

cornflake-chocolate chip-candy cane cookies

makes 15 to 20 cookies

16 tablespoons
(2 sticks)
1 ¼ cup
2?3 cup
1
1 teaspoon
1 ½ cups
½ teaspoon
¼ teaspoon
1 ½ teaspoons
recipe below
2/3 cup
1 ¼ cup
18 ea

unsalted butter

granulated sugar
light brown sugar, tightly packed
egg
peppermint extract
ap flour
baking powder
baking soda
kosher salt
cornflake crunch
mini chocolate chips
mini marshmallows
candy canes, broken into small pieces
(zip-top plastic bag and rolling pin works wonders)

1. Combine the butter and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle
attachment and cream together on medium-high for 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the
sides of the bowl, add the egg and vanilla, and beat for 7 to 8 minutes. (

2. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and
salt. Mix just until the dough comes together, no longer than 1 minute. (Do not walk
away from the machine during this step, or you will risk overmixing the dough.) Scrape
down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

3. Still on low speed, paddle in the cornflake crunch and mini chocolate chips just until
they’re incorporated, no more than 30 to 45 seconds. Paddle in the mini marshmallows
and candy cane bits just until incorporated.

4. Using a 2.-ounce ice cream scoop (or a 1?3-cup measure), portion out the dough onto
a parchment-lined sheet pan. Pat the tops of the cookie dough domes flat. Wrap the
sheet pan tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 1 week. Do
not bake your cookies from room temperature—they will not hold their shape.

5. Heat the oven to 375°F.

6. Arrange the chilled dough a minimum of 4 inches apart on parchment- or Silpat-lined
sheet pans. Bake for 18 minutes. The cookies will puff, crackle, and spread. At the 18-
minute mark, the cookies should be browned on the edges and just beginning to brown
toward the center. Leave them in the oven for an additional minute or so if they aren’t
and they still seem pale and doughy on the surface.

7. Cool the cookies completely on the sheet pans before transferring to a plate or to an
airtight container for storage. At room temperature, the cookies will keep fresh for 5
days; in the freezer, they will keep for 1 month.

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Fancy Drinks With @Torani #Torani

December 16, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

I worked in an independent coffee shop in high school and college. I’m so fancy! The only flavoring syrups we used for our super special drinks were Torani Syrups.

My favorite flavors to add to coffee drinks were Almond or Peppermint. Later I grew and matured and started enjoying Italian Sodas flavored with Pink Grapefruit Torani Syrup.

At any rate, you can NOT have a fancy drink experience without Torani syrup. I am convinced. Now I have Torani syrups in my home, and with the help of my Aeroccino milk frother, I make magic like this:

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That would be a dairy free cafe au lait with almond milk and Hazelnut Torani syrup. Sitting on top of my microwave. In my studio apartment.

On Thanksgiving, I took my little Aeroccino frother and Pumpkin Spice Torani syrup with me in my bag-o-tricks for Thanksgiving dinner. Pumpkin Spice lattes were enjoyed by all.

If you want to look all fancy pants with very little effort, pick up a bottle of some impressive flavor of Torani syrups and get ready to be the hostess with the mostess delicious drinks! Woot Woot!

Check out all of the flavors at http://www.torani.com!

I was blessed with two bottles of Torani syrup by SheSpeaks & Torani in exchange for writing this post. My opinions and loyalties are not boughten. I would work in a coffee shop in high school all over again and develop a love for Torani syrups even without this influence.

When you know, you just know.

Delicious Custom Cookie Mix Makes Gift Giving Easy

December 13, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

When I was in college one year, I was all, “I know an awesome way to give everyone a gift for not a lot of money! I will make GIFTS IN A JAR! Hecks yeah!” Homemade cookie mix. In a jar. Okay you know what? That was a big pain in the butt trying to make those gifts in a jar. So whatEVER.

But! The Mason Jar Cookie Gifts are perfect for giving because THEY PUT THE STUFF IN THE JAR FOR YOU.

Its all in the jar. I like that.

I was deathly ill a week ago and as a single parent, I had to depend on the kindness of my neighbors and friends to help me not die (slash) bring me food and feed my kids.

So, when one friend brought bread and juice and one friend brought soup, after I returned to the Land of the Living, I decided to give them “thanks for not letting me die” gifts from The Mason Jar Cookie Company.

Deeds was SO excited to deliver them he wanted to run out in his pj’s. Seriously.

I was pleased that the packaging is really cute, and the jar inside looks all special and fancy with the layered ingredients.

The Mason Jar Cookie Company provides everything you need to create your own customizable gifts…you can choose the type of cookie, or kind of “build your own adventure” cookie mix. There are even Gluten-Free options!

There are four cookie bases and thirty-five add-ins to choose from. You make the choices (its fool proof, don’t worry, they guide you and won’t let you fail).

When your custom cookie mix arrives, it’s layered all pretty like edible sand art in a mason jar.

Follow the directions, which is something like “add butter and an egg”, and bake it up.

The average price of one custom-made cookie jar is $19 (prices vary)(doy duh).

So don’t make yourself cray cray searching for recipies for cookies or trying to layer a chocolate cookie mix in a jar yourself. Just…stop.

Also, if your friends help you not die by bringing you food when you are too dizzy to walk to the door, bless them with deliciousness!

Thank you, Mason Jar Cookie Company!

Holiday Delivery From @CAWineClub

December 7, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

I got my holiday shipment from www.cawineclub.com, and it looks all super festive wrapped in sparkle paper!

My November delivery from California Wine Club was a 2011 Daniel Gehro Chenin Blanc from Santa Barbara County White Hills Vineyard.

It received the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals. Goooooo CHENIN BLANC!

Also in the November delivery was a 2009 Daniel Gehro Merlot from the Central Coast. This guy won the Gold Medal, the Silver Medal, and the DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL. Over achiever wine! This Merlot is all #MERLO #YOLO!

To be real, I didn’t drink them yet. Because I want to have them to present as hostess gifts when I make my holiday rounds. California Wine Club makes it too easy to be awesome, by being super awesome themselves.

Check out their website at www.cawineclub.com

Check out @CAWineClub on Twitter and CA Wine Club on Facebook

Also! There is wine to be won! Go to the California Wine Club website and enter to win! There will be 104 winners!

Prizes include:

1) One of four, Three Month Wine Club memberships (A $150 value you can give as a gift, or keep for yourself)

2) One of 50 handy Two Bottle Wine Totes ($25 value)

3) One of 50 Red Tulip Music wine country CD’s ($15 value)

Shipping Alert! If you want to give the gift of a California Wine Club membership this holiday, the Ground Shipping Deadline is December 12^th.

Any orders placed after Dec 12 incur expedited air charges for Christmas deliveries.

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received a 2 month Membership to the California Wine Club for the purpose of this review.

Tasty Holiday Gifts From @HickoryFarms

November 23, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

I remember Hickory Farms gift boxes arriving for my father from his corporate contacts every holiday since I was very young

For more than 60 years Hickory Farms gifts have been a classic holiday tradition! I’ll bet if you grew up in the US, you have a distinct memory of Hickory Farms at their holiday gatherings; Hickory Farms is very proud to be a part of those nostalgic moments and continues to supply those fancy delicious gift sets!

I was sent a Party Planner Gift Box, which includes three different sausages, Gouda, Cheddar, smoked Cheddar, and Creamy Swiss Blend cheeses, 2 different kinds of mixed nuts, and 2 different fancy mustards.

I know most people just eat the cheese and sausage with crackers on a party platter, but I’m planning on adding the sausage to some red beans and rice in the near future. And making the world’s most fancy grilled cheese sandwiches for my kids!

You can buy Hickory Farms gift sets at HickoryFarms.com, or in the over 700 holiday stores and kiosks in North America.

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Check out @HickoryFarms on Twitter and Facebook!

Hard Rock Cafe Birthday Celebration@hardrockcafe #MyBlogSpark

August 20, 2012 Uncategorized One comment

Thanks to MyBlogSpark, I got to take the kids to Hard Rock Cafe, NYC.

I used the special outing to celebrate the August birthday of my youngest son Deeds.

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They have a bunch of new delicious dishes, which I never really thought about Hard Rock Cafe having good food, since it is all about the music.

Symphonies of new flavors are joining classic fan favorites and “greatest hits” as Hard Rock rolls out its rockin’ flavor menu. The new menu, based on three main concepts—fresh is first, legendary is king and “smoking” is back—will treat your palate to a true jam session, Hard Rock style.

Check out our pictures from a fun day! 2 Adults and 2 Kids ate for about $60, without alcohol. It was a fun day!

Read “Hard Rock Cafe NYC!” by Candice Kilpatrick at Britely!

Arbor Mist Frozen Wine Cocktails: Capri Sun For Grown Ups @shespeaksup @enjoyarbormist

August 17, 2012 Uncategorized No comments

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Thanks to SheSpeaks, I was given some Frozen Wine Cocktails by Arbor Mist.

All you have to do is freeze the whole pouch, then remove it once frozen, cut the top off, and squeeze the icy goodness into a glass.

Admittedly, the squeezing of the frozen bag is an exercise in endurance and frostbite. It would be a good party game to see who can withstand the pain of Frozen Hands the longest.

However, once you triumph over the frozen-hand pain, you are rewarded with a tasty frozen cocktail in fun flavors like Blackberry Merlot, Strawberry White Zinfandel, and White Pear Pinot Grigio.

I recommend that you eat it straight out of the freezer. My friend and I thought we would be clever and put them in a soft cooler in our back packs for a bike ride, but when we got to our destination they had thawed too much and were not delicious to drink with a straw.

The most fun phase of eating the Arbor Mist Frozen Wine Cocktails was when they were in their Frozen State and had to be eaten with a spoon.

My fave flavor was Strawberry White Zinfandel!

Thanks SheSpeaks for letting me be a part of this promotion!

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