Major Score

I have mentioned before, but I am a pretty big deal at my mall.  A lot of people think I work there (due to how often I frequent it) and I get offered a lot of mall employee discounts.  Another major perk!?  The salesgirls in my fav stores like to bring stuff from the back to show me, give me coupons, and treat me like a VIP.   Recently on a trip to Bath and Bodyworks, the salesgirls brought out an array of the 'new candles'; fragrances which had yet to hit the shelves, threw me a coupon, and sold me a candle that was a week ahead of release.  The reason I was in that store was to use an amazing coupon to get a free lotion.  So for a solid $10 I got a tube of body cream and a 2 wick candle in an unreleased, delightful scent.  Like I said...PRETTY BIG DEAL :)  Just joking.

This weekend I had another VIP experience.  While drifting through Pottery Barn (after making an F21 return from an online order) I was approached by a salesgirl who offered me up an Ivory Queen Sheet set, in Organic 400 Count cotton (retail $189) for a whopping $29!!  Why!?  They had just pulled them off of a model bed and couldn't repackage them.  She knowing my sweet face from my weekly mall ventures knew I was a sucker for a good deal, and offered them right up to me.   There was also a major bath towel score on this trip, but I don't want to overload you with my awesome.    Major, major PB score. 

Image via Pottery Barn

Kate Spade

Check out my new hot pink Kate Spade travelers wallet.  It is huge, bright pink, and I absolutely adore it.  Thank you K!  Love him :)  

Adventures in Denver...Take II

Something I love to do when preparing to travel, is to watch the discount sites (groupon, livingsocial, amazon local deals, travelzoo, etc) for fun activities to do while in a new city.  I just so happen to find an amazing deal for my trip to Denver.  For $29 my friend and I got 2 desserts and 4 handcrafted cocktails at a highly rated downtown establishment named Crave.  Crave is a dessert bar...which the name says it all...desserts & bar.   The downtown scene in Denver very much resembles our 'pearl district' here in Portland, OR.  Crave is nestled in the downtown area, surrounded by lots of happening spots. 

For our drinks we opted for the 'Sunset at the Spire' - Lamberti prosecco, lavender, lillet blanc, with a blackberry ice cube.  It was DEVINE.  For dessert we ordered the banana bread pudding with caramel rum sauce & passion fruit souffle.  Both were amazing.  We lingered over dessert and drinks, enjoying the outdoor patio, which is rare for us Portlanders.  We got the FULL value out of that $29 voucher!!

One side effect of all the drinks and mile high barometric pressure...swollen ankles and feeling hungover, without the buzz.  I woke up on my last day there feeling run down and awful.   I guess I am not cut out for that kind of altitude. 

Adventures in Denver...

 TAG Continental Social Food



 Lemon, Vodka, & Vanilla Bean simple syrup cocktail

 Kobe beef sliders and duck fat fries

Banana cream pie

I am going to drop a big excuse on this blog.  Haven't really been updating, as you have probably noticed, because I have been out adventuring around the country again.  Had a mini-break in Las Vegas.  Also have had some business travel.  During my adventures I made my way to the mile high city (for business) and had the pleasure of discovering Denver.  Almost immediately after touching down, my coworker (and friend) headed downtown to see what Denver is about.  We were pretty popular with the men folk, which was pretty hilarious.  Also noticed a large amount of inebriation.  And TONS and TONS of fun restaurants and bars.  We walked around 16th street for a long time and finally settled on TAG continental social food, on 14th.  I think the photos speak for themselves.   The food was fantastic, the drinks were well made, and the scene was fun.  My favorite part?  They have different sushi rolls made with Cheetos and pop rocks.  Awesome!  And all of their food is in shareable, small sizes, which ultimately results in a wide variety of dishes crossing over the tabletop.  We loved it.  Wish I could go back!! 

Make this...

In my quest to find healthy, delicious, easy meals I came across this recipe.  Based on the photo above, you can tell, these taco bowls turned out amazing!!  I am a slow cooker novice, but this recipe was so easy there is no way you could screw it up.  The chicken came out so tender it was falling apart, it was super delicious, and heart healthy too (that part is for K).  Go check out the recipe, and make this, you won't regret it!!

Always in our hearts...

In remembrance of our fallen veterans, this memorial day, personally my thoughts were with my Grandfather, a WWII vet.   I can't go visit him, but he lives on in my heart, so I bought a dozen roses that reminded me of the beautiful bushes in my grandmothers yard.  Beautiful dusty colored roses that I knew he would have thought were beautiful.   Thinking of you, and missing you, Grandpa.

Boutique Shopping

Coming May 6, Target is teaming up with 4 speciality shops, to run boutique-esque merchandise for 6 weeks, in "pop - up shops".  Target will be featuring items from Privet House (vintage shop from Connecticut), Cos Bar (body care from Aspen), The Candy Store (retro candy items from San Francisco), and Polka Dog Bakery (Boston).  I am super excited about the Privet House and Cos Bar.  Items that, those of us not local to these shops, don't get to experience on a day to day basis.  Prices are set to range from $1 to $159.99

Privet House - Embossed pitcher $24.99

Privet House - White washed baskets $34.99

Privet House - Wire tiered tray $29.99

Cos Bar - Blueberry white tea body products $6

The Candy Store - Nostalgic gift tub $9.99 featuring Candy Buttons, Pixy Stix, Razzles, Gum Necco Wafers, Bit-O-Honey, Candy Smarties, Tootsie Pops, Sugar Daddy’s, Red Hots, Goetze’s, & Caramel Creams

Guess you know where I will be May 6!

 

All photos and products - target.com