STEAK MY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's be honest- who doesn't love a good cut of steak?? Not only is it delicious and hearty, it puts burgers to shame and is what i say- chicken's high end cousin! I'm just being honest....If you really want to upgrade, get the surf and turf and you will really be eating like a king!



There are so many great steakhouses all over the big cities but I have narrowed my favorites down after careful thought and consideration, flavor of the steak, overall experience in the restaurant including service(making sure they especially don't give you a white napkin when you are wearing black-BAD IDEA!).

Let's start with my main city- New York City. If you cannot find a good steakhouse here, well I can't help ya if you don't read this blog, but if you do- trust me on this- there are tons! I, personally, like filet mignon as my juicy steak of choice but there are many other cuts you may enjoy as well. I chose the restaurants not only by the food but make my selections by the trendiness of the restaurant- can't eat a steak surrounded just by old men(no offense)!!

1.     Del Frisco's
This restaurant not only is elegant and quaint but it serves a great steak. Located near Rockefeller Center in the heart of midtown and nearby Times Square, this two-floor restaurant knows how to keep its customers happy. For the men(or women- me!!) out there that love a good cigar, this restaurant also has a cigar room for you to enjoy a good smoke before or after dinner. Their menu is a-la-carte and more on the pricey end, but it is so worth the visit!



2.     The Capitale Grille
This restaurant is another top choice of mine for many reasons. For one, they pride themselves on their dry-aged steaks in which they cook to perfection. They also offer a wine selection of 5,000+ wines and serve the best lobster mac and cheese, for those of you who have never had this dish- IT'S DOUBLE DELISH! Don't be discouraged if you don;t see it on the menu- they have it even if it is not listed! Another favorite here for the cocktail socialites is the infamous- Stoli Doli, which is made purely from infused pineapples and straight vodka. Be careful with these- they will sneak up on you and most restaurants won't serve you more than 3! Bottoms up! They recently opened a third establishment in the city so now if you want to dine here, they have one near the Time Life building in midtown, 42nd and 2nd ave near the Chrysler Center and also near Wall Street. ENJOY!!




3.   Quality Meats
This restaurant is a little newer than the other two I have suggested but is getting a lot of buzz and a very trendy steakhouse. They have a great menu that offers not only high quality steaks but other seafood and meat dishes as well. The rustic decor sets the scene for an extra exceptional dining experience and overall wonderful time. This restaurant is part of the Fourth Wall Restaurants that is comprised of quite a few other high end restaurants including their flagship restaurant; Maloney & Porcelli.



4. Churrascaria Tribeca
I tip my hat to this restaurant that I recently had the pleasure of dining at that not only is it delicious, but such a fun place to go. Whether it's with a group of people, a work function, or a date, I give this restaurant TWO huge thumbs up!! It is not the typical "steakhouse" but I am the one writing this blog and I say that this qualifies 100%.  Ever been to a restaurant that.....wait for it......wait for it......doesn't stop serving you until you say stop? It is a Brazilian Steakhouse set in the heart of Tribeca near the Tribeca Grand Hotel. Upon arrival, they give each person a circular tab that when it is on your table and is green- it pretty much means GO and all different waiters start serving you all different kinds of pieces of steak, duck, chicken, ribs and pork. This restaurant is a price-fixed menu with continuous table side service until you tell them you can no longer eat anymore(this is done by flipping the tab over to the red side) and no matter if you come for lunch or dinner, save your appetite because you will need it to eat here! I still cannot pronounce this yummy restaurant but does it really matter?



5. Porter House New York
This is one of the most expensive steakhouses in NYC but if you want a real treat don't shop for a week or something and spend your money here! I would suggest going all out and getting the Surf and Turf here but if you are not a big fan of lobster then just settle for one of their "perfectly prepared and succulent" steaks. This Zagat-rated restaurant is located in the Time Warner Center with a gorgeous view of Central Park. It is definitely on the list for high quality and fine dining. Grab a drink by their bar while you wait for a table and make sure you make a reservation here because this places fills up!



There are quite a few other restaurants I did not list but deserve honorable mentions so if you are not satisfied with any of the restaurants above, check these ones out:

BLT STEAK
Benjamin's
Prime House

Wait.....I am not done...

We didn't talk about CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This windy city may not have as many steakhouses as NYC but oh do they have some DELISH spots to check out! Plus, this is my home town and I couldn't dare to leave them out!

1. Chicago Cut
This restaurant is brand spanken new and one of the hottest steakhouses in the city. With managing partner, David Flom(a personal friend) in charge, take it from me- you will have the ultimate dining experience here! This restaurant was featured and given an honorable mention from Oprah during one of her shows and described the restaurant as "PHENOM" so if you don't trust me' trust her as it is a MUST-TRY!!!





2. Rosebud Steakhouse
Another delish spot that has attracted big name celebs and businessmen alike to this quaint steakhouse near The Water Tower on Michigan Avenue. They serve a wide selection of flavorful steaks as well as other delectable dishes. There are locations all over the city and suburbs and they have been serving customers for 30+ years and continuing.



3. Wildfire
This restaurant may not be a 5 star restaurant but it is one of my favorites by the service and menu here. They have a location in the city as well as in Oak brook and I have been very pleased every time. One of my favorite steak dishes they serve is the filet medallion trio in which they give you three small pieces of filet with three different flavorful toppings so you can get the ultimate trial of three different flavored steaks.



Other honorable mentions:

Gibson's
Joe's Seafood and Steak
Smith and Wollensky Steakhouse

If you cannot tell by now, I am a big fan of a great cut of steak any day. I highly suggest you try one of these spots and I promise- I won't let ya down. I may be blonde but I am no gal that purely enjoys the idea of eating a salad as the main course. I wouldn't dare do such a thing nor subject myself to eating at a restaurant and leaving still full.....Questions-just ask and ENJOY!!!!!!



SUSHI NIGHT!!!!!!!! Chicago? New York? Hollywood? IT'S ON!!!!!!

GET YOUR SUSHI ON!!!!!!!!!

I never thought I would ever love Sushi as much as I do now after my LA episode at KOI when I almost threw up a California Roll(which is not even considered a real roll) and thank god for the edamame which held me over until the late night trip to Mickey D's!!!! I am sorry no matter how many times I watch the movie- "Super Size Me," I still CRAVE a burger any day! But back to Sushi...........IT'S DELISH!

If you are new to the sushi world and not a fan of the raw pieces of fish, trying rolls are a safe way to start! You can always start with the basic rolls, like a California Roll that is nothing more than rice, avocado and crab; or you can try a Shrimp Tempura Roll which is basically battered and fried shrimp in rice with lettuce and sometimes avocados or cucumbers- who doesn't love anything that is not fried right??

I know there are millions of places to eat a good roll any day and places that are just as good as the high end ones SO, here are my choices for my top few favorite sushi joints(by location), that can fit a small wallet or a big one:

~~~THE WINDY CITY~~~
Chicago is my home town- Shout out to all my CHITOWN PEEPS!! When I come home for a visit, at least one night is dedicated to my gals. What do we always want to eat for dinner? SUSHI!!!!! Oh have we had so many great times at some fabulous sushi restaurants in the city. Of all of the places we have gone these are my favs:

Sunda
Sunda is amazing. Whether you stop by for a lunch or dinner, it is excellent sushi. They are located on Illinois St. in Downtown Chicago and are one of the new hottest places to go. The drinks are not too bad either! The celebrity chef and now Executive Chef of Sunda; Rodelio Aglibot, has earned a recognition around the West Coast of "Food Buddha," and was actually the opening Executive Chef of the very first restaurant where I, myself, tried sushi for the first time- KOI in LA. If you want a more swanky Chicago sushi experience, go to Sunda!

Riingo
Riingo is one of my favorite places to go when I am in the Lincoln Park area. This is a 'must try' place that is smaller, more cozy and....wait for it......wait for it.......BYOB!!!!!!!!!! Also....to top it off....they have specials on Monday night for ALL YOU CAN EAT sushi for $22.50 including appetizers...not sure you can beat that.....The service was good, you may have a bit of a wait but don't worry- there are bars nearby where you can grab a drink while you wait and they will call you as soon as they can sit you!

Coast
This restaurant opened a few years ago and is another blonde fav. The atmosphere is great, food is exceptional and they have a great drink menu as well. The rolls are not too expensive and a great spot to check out if you are in the area or want to have a fun girls night out!

Moving right along......

THE BIG APPLE
Also my town now and has been for 8 years....I have been to many sushi restaurants here! New York has SOOOOO many great spots to pick from that this is very hard to narrow down but I have chosen these top three by customer service, delicious dishes that have kept me comming back, and my overall greatest experiences.

Watawa
I have been living in Astoria for the past 6 years and during that time, I have ventured out to try what sushi Astoria has to offer. I constantly keep coming back to this restaurant. This restaurant seems to be more and more popular as the more I stop in, the longer I have had to wait. It is ZAGAT rated restaurant that has been so popular that they bought the store next door to expand their premises. They have a wide selection of sushi rolls, a large Saki list for all of you Saki drinkers, and they also have a great list of appetizers and entrees to try. I personally love the fuji roll which is made of soy paper(a different type of casing than seaweed) and also fresh avocado, salmon, yellow tail and tuna....it melts in your mouth! They have great lunch specials also during the week and this includes Saturdays! If you are in Astoria near Ditmars, this is the place to go!

NOBU
Nobu is the world most popular, high-end, celebrity sushi landmark. It has drawn in people from Justin Timberlake to Robert de Niro and serves not only New York City but places all over the US and overseas. They make delectable, creative dishes, serve exquisite cocktails and know how to keep their customers happy. If you want an amazing, elegant sushi experience and maybe see a celeb or two while breaking the wallet a bit, go to Nobu. If you are in the Tribeca area, they also have Nobu 57 and right aside- Nobu Next Door.



Haru
Haru is another great spot to check out that is also more high end but not as high end as Nobu. They have a more modern Japanese feel for sushi serving all the basic rolls you would expect plus more signature rolls, ceviches, tartars and offer a very nice bar scene.



HOLLYWOOD!!!!!!!!!!!
If you are in LA and looking for a celeb night on the town.....sushi is the best place to find them. Don't be suprised if you see paparazzi lurking outside these places because they will be there ready and waiting to get a pic of one of the many famous people that go to these hot spots!

KOI
As I have mentioned above, this was the first place I have ever had sushi and oh is it a popular spot. This is one of Lindsay Lohan's favorite restaurants(pre rehab) and also the Olsen twins, Ashton Kutcher and Nichole Ricci. This is restaurant is very swanky, offers an amazing menu, and if you are lucky, you will definitely see the paparazzi catching someone!! They offer this restaurant also in New York but the KOI in LA is by far more sexy and intricate with the dimmed candle setting and the very relaxed atmosphere.

Katsuya
Seen enough paparazzi? Go here! There are tons! This restaurant draws in quite a crowd, but why wouldn't they? The food is devine! Every dish is better than the last. Perhaps you can start off with their Baked Crab Hand Roll or even the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna(their most popular dish); everything here will satisfy every tastebud you have!



There may be a chance that some of you have been to a few of these or ALL of these, but if you have not been to all, you should definietly check these out. I will not steer you wrong! They all have special dishes, serve unique drinks and have provided me with excellent service each and every time. Some of these also have sister restaurants that can be found in YOUR city so check the website. Below are other spots I also love that have locations in more than one city that are also just as good as the ones listed above.

Sushi Samba
Tao
Megu
Japonais

Try one out and tell your friends! I am tellin ya- they are all DELISH. I may be blonde, but I KNOW how to eat and eat good! ENJOY!!!!!!!!

XO TINA

It's 5 O-Clock Somewhere!

It has been quite a while since I have written another blog and its been long enough.

 Here we go!!!



I have another list of cool spots you should check out in NYC!!!! There are A LOT of spots that offer happy hours and great deals for drinks after work. What about places that ALSO offer deals on food too!?!

My first choice and one that I think has become quite popular is Lure Fish Bar. This restaurant is located in Soho near the Mercer Hotel. This restaurant is very unique in the sense that its built downstairs and when you are inside you feel like you are inside of a boat!! The service is very good and they have a great menu. What is also great about this place is that from 5p-7p they have a special happy hour at the bar. They have beer, wine and cocktails from $5-7 dollars normally $12 or more. What they also offer is half priced appetizers and $1 oysters! This is a definite MUST TRY!



Another fun place to check out that has happy hour drinks for $4-5 bucks till 9pm every night is Bamboo 52. It's located near Times Square on 52nd street and 8th ave. They have an extensive cocktail menu to choose your drinks from and also a great sushi menu to try as well. It gets pretty busy after work hours so get there quick!



Ever been to Japonais in Chicago? They have one in NYC near Union Square now and I don't think people know much about their happy hour! The "tasting hour" they offer is Monday-Thursday from 5p-11p and Friday-Saturday from 5p-8p. They offer $4 beer, $4 specialty drinks, and special martinis for $7. They also have a food menu including lobster spring rolls and crab cakes for only $7! This restaurant is a little more swanky if you enjoying a cheap drink that doesn't have to be purchased at a dive bar. :)



The Mermaid Inn is another spot people may not know about located near the West Village with two other locations, that offer a great happy hour and food specials. This restaurant has great oysters and lobster sandwiches as well as a delish dinner menu! If you come from 5:30-7, you can enjoy $1 oysters while sipping on a $6 glass off wine or $5 beer. If you don't like oysters, they also have other food specials available to try. If you are around on Sunday's starting TODAY- they are having a new special called the LOBSTERPALOOZA!!!  This will be at all the Mermaid locations starring a pound and a fourth lobster, grilled corn on the cob, red bliss potatoes, and cole slaw for $24. Enjoy!!



Who wants to have a GREAT burger and a $2 dollar beer? I DO! Check this West Village spot out- Corner Bistro! It's DOUBLE DELISH. The thing I love about this place is that they don't even have a menu; what they have is right up on their wall! The beers are as cheap as $2.50, so grab a beer and be prepared to wait in a line because it  gets packed- this place is WORTH THE WAIT so be patient!!!



Believe me or not- these places are places you should definitely check out!

Any questions- just ask but I will not steer you wrong.

More places to try coming soon............

XO Tina

Get your "Groupon" lately or feel like "Living Social?"

There are so many cool new websites you can now sign up for that give you special deals for all different things to do and/or eat in cities near you! In my experiences, I have gotten some really great deals. These sites are completely free and may introduce you to things you have never done in your city before or even get you to try a cool new spot.

Groupon.com
This is a great site that you can sign up for that gives you from 50-90% off in your city for all different things. They send you daily emails of special deals that go on and also can cater the specials to your own personal interests. Its a great site to sign up for activities with friends too. The deals last only a few days and activated only when the minimum amount of people sign up. You can then use your Groupon for up to one year from the date of purchase. Once the deal is closed, Groupon sends you a code you use to get the speical. Hurry to book the deal with your code right away because the events you sign up for fill up FAST! They have also designed an app for your iphone so you can sign up even faster. This site is a great way to get your friends together and do something fun for so much less than the retail price!

LivingSocial.com
This may be another site many of you may not know about. This site also gives you up to 90% off at local restaurants, bars, spas, shows and more. This company has been vastly growing as a large competitor for Groupon and often have some very different deals as well. It wouldn't hurt to sign up for this to have a larger opportunity to get the best deals possible. Living Social has also come up with a phone app that is completely free you can download to also make it much easier to sign up for deals if you are not near a computer.

Who doesn't like to save a little extra cash but still enjoy doing fun new activities??? These sites are always posting great new deals everyday. How about a helicopter ride for half off, a cupcake making class, half off at a hot new restaurant, a wine tasting, or a spa day for 70% off? There are so many cool things they offer that may be just right for you!

So........start saving and sign up today!

Jerry Seinfeld on Halloween (Stand-up in New York)

Always a great video to put you in a good mood AND a perfect video to watch before Halloween!

What is everyone going to be???

My top 5 most favorite Mexican Restaurants in NYC!!!

One of my most favorite meals to eat when I go out for dinner is....MeXiCaN!

Who doesn't love a great batch of guac, a frozen margarita, or SIZZLING fajitas!?!?!

It is my GO-TO!

I have been to quite a few delish Mexican Restaurants in NYC and I have also gone to some not so good ones....I pooled together all my favs and came up with the IDEAL 5.

1. Rosa Mexicano

Let’s just start with this restaurant; IT'S SO GOOD!!! Not only do they make your guac table side how you like it-but they make an amazing Pomegranate Frozen Margarita. The menu is not your standard authentic Mexican, they have a more unique menu but it’s a great place to expand your taste buds! The ambiance in the Union Square location is very nice and it’s a large restaurant so great for a large group of people. They often get very crowded so it may be best to make a reservation and you can grab a drink by their bar while you wait. The other good thing about this restaurant is that there are THREE! For people who don’t live near Union Square, they also have one on 1st ave and 58th St. and one at Lincoln Square.

2. Dos Caminos


Another one of my favorite Mexican spots in NYC! It's probably just as swanky if not more swanky than Rosa's. They have both an excellent lunch and dinner menu and another very distinct menu. They serve wonderful margaritas with over 100 selections of tequilas and also make a mean guac. I love the fish tacos and they have excellent entrees. They just opened a brand new location in the Meatpacking District, have a location in Soho, one on Park near Union Square and 3rd ave. Dos Caminos is a part of B.R Guest Restaurants consisting of 20 total hospitality destinations not only in New York but Las Vegas and Florida. Dos Caminos is also known to service the likes of many celebrities at all of their locations.

3. Mojave/Agave

Mojave is another great spot! Its more of a southwestern-type of Mexican food, but they do have some traditional dishes as well. If you want some great sangritas(margarita and sangria mixed) or if you want a great brunch; they have a delish menu on Sundays. I love their guac too and they have a great happy hour deals during the week. This restaurant is located in Astoria, but they also have a sister restaurant called Agave in the West Village. Both are equally as nice and not very pricey. The Astoria location also offers outside dining in the back so it is great when the weather is nice!


Do you DARE a PUNISHER shot?

The Punisher
100% agave tequila infused with Habanero Peppers.

If you can drink it (and keep it down without any help), it's on us... ( 5 minute rule applies) After drinking the punisher, one can be immortalized on the wall of FAME, or reside with the masses on the wall of SHAME.. it all depends on who is drinking it.

Are YOU brave enough to take on the challenge of THE PUNISHER?
GOOD LUCK!


4. Sinigual

 New to the scene is Sinigual. Its located on 41st and 3rd ave, its super cute inside, and has a great menu. My personal favorite is the Lobster Quesadillas; it may not sound good but OH it IS!! They are DELISH! They have a happy hour with $3 off margaritas during the week and serve great sizzling Fajitas; you cant go wrong with their fresh guac there either!!! (can you tell I LOVE guac yet??)

5. Toloache

Last but not least is Toloache! Another new fav on my list and it is a place I would definitely recommend, especially if you are in the Time Square area. Toloache has a more contemporary flare with an excellent list of cocktails, wood burning oven, even has a vegetarian menu for any of you vegan's out there! The restaurant is two floors and they sometimes have live mariachi bands that play too!


There are also many other great spots in NYC for Mexican food so if you need any more suggestions- just ask!

All this talk about Mexican- may have to be on my menu tonight....

Would love to hear any comments- if you so choose to visit any of these!


XO
Tina

The Results are IN!!!!!

Sadly, Spa Week is now over and let me tell you- I could do that once a week! My roomie and I had the pleasure of doing a facial at Elizabeth Arden-Red Door Spa. This is the second year I have gotten a facial from there and it was amazing from start to finish. Upon arrival, you are taken to change into a robe and sit in the relaxation room where you can sip on a wide variety of teas and juices. From there they bring you to your esthetician and its a 50 minute facial. During the facial, they clean your skin, exfoliate, and give you a mask treatment determined upon by your skin type. I have gotten many facials in the past and I have never left as happy as at this spa. Red Door Spa addressed all my concerns, they spent a lot of time on each step of the process, and were overall very thorough. The Red Door spa has been voted best facial in the past and IT IS!

 The next time you are considering a place to go, you should definitely consider going there :)

After the facial, they give you recommendations of new skin products you can try but you don't have to purchase them. I decided to try one product that has left my skin cleaner, brighter and more moisturized called:

Intervene 3 -in-1 
3-in-1 Daily Cleanser Exfoliator Primer is a unique foaming formula that cleanses, gently exfoliates and leaves skin primed to receive maximum moisturizing and treatment benefits.

Get it all in one and you are good to go:) It's also is very affordable at $21.50 compared to some of their other products that are priced at $75 and higher!

For a $50 facial, a great spa treatment, and an overall enjoyable experience, I would say this spa is top on my list. There are many other great spas available during spa week and they are all listed on the website so check in from time to time to see what other specials they may have!

XO

Tina

Been stressed lately??

STRESS is inevitable and everyone gets stressed at some point. I tell ya- living in a big city like New York- it’s not always easy! Whether it’s a bad train ride, bad hair day (hate that!), bad day at work, BILLS, bad break up, or even having mice (yes I have had and OMG it’s not fun); we all go through it. People also deal with stress in very different ways. There is NOTHING fun about being stressed but if you can find ways to overcome the issues, these things WILL get better :) I handle stress in many ways. Some work better than others, but I decided to write this posting to recommend new things you can do that can help to alleviate some of the stress you have.




1. SPA NIGHT! Who doesn’t love spa night at home?? One thing I highly recommend is Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal face mask- my ladies from Chicago and NYC- we did this after my birthday party last year and YOU LOVED IT. You can buy this product online or in any origins store and you have to try this stuff. It is a black face (kind of scary looking when it’s on) mask that is made up of active charcoal that acts as a magnet to pull bad toxin out of your skin. Living in a city there is so much dirt in the air! It feels great and leaves your skin feeling softer and brighter and doing this face mask always makes me feel better. This is a MUST HAVE!

2. YOGA!!!! This could go for men or women. Yoga is a great stress reliever. Yes some parts of yoga are weird for some people but in that one or two hour session- it’s AMAZING how it can make you feel. Now some of you may not do yoga because of the cost and there are a LOT of places that can cost $20-$30 a session. Don’t worry people, there are places you may not know about that DO cost less! I would suggest looking into it at your gym first if you belong to one- a lot of gyms don’t charge you extra for classes so if that is your gym- take advantage! If you don’t belong to a gym and would be interested in trying yoga for an affordable cost, I found a place for you….Yoga to the People is a donation-based yoga studio located in the East Village that asks for a $10 donation per class but they let you pay what you can afford. If you can’t afford $10, you can contribute what you can. It’s a GREAT idea and a great way for you to try it and go without the hassle of the high costs that other places charge, adding to MORE stress and aggravation and that is what we are trying to avoid, right!?!?!?!?

3. POTTERY!!!! Pottery is a great activity that can also help you relieve some stress by getting your mind off everything and using your creativity! Color Me Mine is a ‘paint -it yourself’ ceramic pottery store with hundreds of different pieces to choose from. There are locations all over the US for those of you who do not live in New York or Chicago so check out the site. You can grab a few ladies, a guy, or even go alone and spend hours painting pottery. They also have specials during the week like “ladies night,” were ladies get 50% off the studio fee on Thursday nights between 6-9pm. You should definitely check this place out!!!




4. COOK!!! I love to cook. It is a MAJOR stress reliever for me. I think it is so much fun and gets me to try new things. If you don’t cook or do cook, go online and pick out a new recipe you think you may like and try it out  Yes you may not get it the first time but when you do- there are so many things you can try! Not interested in cooking? BAKE! Who doesn’t love sweets? Mix up a batch of yummy cupcakes or cookies. Not sure where to find a good recipe?? There are LOTS of different sites you can check out. If not, you can even get a great recipe for cookies off the back of a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips in the baking section of the grocery store. Yes I may be blonde but this girl can cook! I will be posting recipes on this blog site soon…………………………………….

5. MOVIE NIGHT!???? You may not think this could work but it does! Rent a good movie, grab fattening popcorn, candy and veg out on the couch to a good flick. I suggest catching up on all the Molly Ringwald classics: Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, and The Breakfast Club are some of her best! Ever heard of the Blockbuster Boxes?? They are located in Duane Reade throughout the city and each movie cost a BUCK!! Maybe this is why blockbuster is now bankrupt??? It’s a great deal and they have tons of movies available. If you want to see what each box has, check it out on their website by using your zip code and locating the Duane Reade closest to you.

Life is not easy. Everyone as a lot going on and there also never seems to be enough hours in a day. If you can find time for yourself, try one of these ideas. I promise you, it will help! I am sure you may have already had some of these ideas in mind or already do these things, but if not I hope you consider....Have any questions- just ask :) 

 

XO

Tina

Who doesn't love a good cup of Joe?

If you are a fan of good coffee and trying to cut your Starbuck or Dunkin habits, easy solution- make your own! Yes, not all coffee tastes like what you can get at a coffee shop but I may have a good suggestion for you to try that can be just as good......actually MORE delicious than spending 3-5 bucks on a cup!




New England Coffee Company is a family owned coffee roaster and distributor based out of New England. They make a wide variety of unique coffees you can try. Fancy a cup of "Pumpkin Spice," "Carmel Apple," or "Cinnamon Sticky Bun?" They make coffee to go with every occasion and every season. One of MY most favorite flavors is "Blueberry Cobbler." It may not sound so good but when you mix it with a little milk and touch of sugar- you will be sold. It also adds a hint of the blueberry smell in your house! DOUBLE DELISH.



They are starting to sell it in grocery stores but if your local store doesn’t sell it- check out their website and have it shipped. You will NOT be disappointed.

Drinks anyone??!!!!

New York City has some of the best nightlife spots in the world. Whether you already live here or are planning a visit, you should definitely check these out while you are in the city. I am only listing a few for now....but there WILL be more :)

1. PDT (This is also known as Please Don't Tell) It is a little hard to find but so worth the visit- if you can get in.....It's a hidden bar in the East Village in which the only way to get to the actual bar is through a hot dog restaurant called Crif Dogs. In the restaurant is a telephone booth and you have to enter the bar through this booth by picking up the phone. It's best to make a reservation, but they only take reservations the day of starting at 3pm so call fast. This sexy, seductive scene serves unique cocktails and is voted one of the coolest bars in the world by the Travel Channel.



2. Employees Only. If you are planning on going out in the West Village, this speakeasy bar is a great choice. This has a bit of an older 20's crowd but it is equally as fun as PDT. It has a fireplace, a candle-lit atmosphere and make some serious cocktails.



3. PLUNGE. Any friend that I ever have in town, I always take to this sweet hotspot. It’s located in the Meatpacking District on the top of the Gansevoort Hotel. You can get a spot outside along the edge or near the roof top pool and whether you want a view of the city or the Hudson River, you can have it all! They also offer food if you are hungry.



4. Cibar. All my single ladies!! If you like martini's, this bar is known for having the best martini's in NYC from Citysearch.com. It’s located in Union Square and they offer unique martinis with girly names like "The Pink Lady" and "Beauty School Dropout." They also have a great happy hour martini special weekly, offer $10 sangria and a red and white wine for $8 for those of you who don’t fancy the concocted cocktails.



5. The Waverly Inn. If you want to see some celebs, then this is one of the first places to start. The tavern is located also in the West Village, owned by the Editor of Vanity Fair, and you should expect to see paparazzi because they always lurk outside. Whether you want to stargaze or not though, they also serve delicious comfort food.



CHEERS!


XO Tina

Thinking about traveling between New York? Or Chi- TOWN???

So here is the deal...LITERALLY.... being that I fly between Chicago and New York quite often, I always like to try and fly for the best deals. Sure- if you want bad service, have to pay $25 to check each bag, a more expensive flight, or rude people, then by all means- DO IT!




There are a lot of great websites that can offer great deals between these two cities, but coming from a frequent flier who enjoyes flying NONSTOP, Southwest Airlines is my TOP CHOICE.



Here are a few reasons why:



1. It’s cheaper! They often have great fare sales if you look in advance that can be as low as $79 dollars or even less! They will sometimes have last minute deals but, typically you will need to purchase ATLEAST 14 days in advance or longer. The earlier you can book, the better chance you can find a better price.



2. It’s FREE to check up to 2 bags! I flew on Delta a few weeks ago and they charged me $30 bucks to check it because it was too big to fit in an overhead compartment. Appreciate that- thanks!



3. The service on Southwest Airlines, in my experiences, has been great. They are always very friendly, get you whatever you need and try and make each and every flight enjoyable for everyone.



4. You can get FREE flights! They have a rewards program on the website you can sign up for that is also completely free. :) Each time you fly, you get 1 point. When you get 16 points, you get a free domestic flight that is good for a year. You can also apply for promotions that offer opportunities for you to fly during certain times or months in which give you double or even triple points each way when you fly. This can help get you that free flight even quicker.



Have I gotten you interested yet??



Here is ONE MORE!



5. You can now buy flights directly on your phone AND get ding alerts! If you have an I phone, Southwest Airlines designed their own app. Once the app is downloaded, you can apply for ding, set your home airport or airports, and you will receive alerts on your phone anytime great deals are released.


HAPPY FLYING!!!!

XO Tina