Tag: life

Calling All Bourbon Lovers! Cheery & Charming Travelers Guide: Must Sees in Louisville, Kentucky

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We did a little recent traveling these past few weeks and I’m SUPER pumped to share all the spots we visited and fun had in the interesting town of Louisville, Kentucky!

I don’t really know what I was expecting, but it’s an interesting town to say the least. One minute you’re in a small town artsy district and the next you’re in the middle of a manufacturing/power plant industrial park. I later learned that the soul of Louisville is highly driven by blue collar manufacturing labor class/industry and their riverfront port activity. Very cool to see well-known brands headquartered here, like Ford, GE, UPS Airlines and more.

BUT – the real reason we opted to visit Louisville was, of course, for the bourbon tastings!

The beginning of our trip was extra special as our first day visiting overlapped with friends of ours that were coincidentally wrapping up their Kentucky trip. So, that of course meant that day one was girls day!

STOP 1: Rabbit Hole Distillery
The brand boasts an amazing story rooted in love when a former clinical psychologist met a Louisville native that set fire to their journey ‘down the rabbit hole’ in crafting the perfect bourbon. While on the tour, we tasted four of their flagship spirits:

  • Cavehill, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 4-Grain
  • Heigold, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey High Rye
  • Dareringer, Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in PX Sherry Casks (THIS one was my favorite!)
  • Boxergrail, Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Another cool feature is the founders’ passion and appreciation for art which is displayed throughout the distillery – everything from statues dedicated to former Olympians to patriotic string art to body print canvases, murals and more.

STOP 2: Stitzel Weller Distillery
Unfortunately, this trip was a bit of a mix up and we didn’t get to venture down the tasting avenue, but it was great to wander the property, enjoy some outdoor time and venture to the other side of town. Definitely looking forward to checking this one out once again when we return!

STOP 3: 8UP Louisville
An incredible dinner experience from our very own snow globe! 8UP Louisville coins itself as a rooftop elevated drinkery & kitchen, located in the middle of downtown. With cozy fire places and pits, incredible views, and the tastiest hors d’oeuvres, this was a dazzling spot and vibe not to miss!

STOP 4: Angel’s Envy Distillery
What’s a visit to Kentucky without visiting my absolute FAVORITE bourbon and learning about its history? Rooted in 200 years of bourbon tradition, Angel’s Envy is a rarity of its kind, finishing in Port Barrels & Rum Casks. I was fascinating to see the newly constructed distillery and hear of the generations the brand has passed through to become what it is today.
If you’re looking for a special gift this holiday season, they have a great Guide for Every Type of Whiskey Lover This Season here.

STOP 5: Louisville Slugger Museum
What’s a trip to Louisville without seeing where all the sluggers are made? I didn’t think I would be super into this visit, but it was surprisingly awesome! We got a sneak peek into the bat-making factory itself, learned even more about America’s favorite pastime, and even got a chance to practice holding the bats of famous players before us – namely Cal Ripken Jr. and Babe Ruth to namedrop a few.

STOP 6: The Louisville Zoo
Definitely ranks in the top three from our visit! Celebrating 70 years, the Louisville Zoo currently exhibits more than 1,100 animals on 130 acres of natural settings. Unlike other zoos, they also feature multiple playgrounds, several gift shops, rides and attractions including the Splash Park, Conservation Carousel, Zoo adventure ropes courses, camel rides and the BOMA African Petting Zoo. To be honest, I was just happy to see my three favorites: the elephants, giraffes, and of course – the sloths! 🦥

And … that’s a wrap! Of course there were a few other odds and ends that fill the gaps in between, but I hope this list of must sees helps if you’re looking for a random adventure out to the largest Kentucky city on the Ohio River.

Thanks for reading!

xoxox
Brittany

Positive Thoughts + Friday Fall Fashion Vibes

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Time to kick back – – it’s FRIDAYYYY !!! 

️Feeling my usual positive self this gorgeous, chilly Fall morning after a walk around Federal Hill Park with my favorite fur babies and thought I’d share where my thoughts wandered this morning . . .

“The point is not to pay back kindness, but to pass it on” – Julia Alvarez

Treat others how you wish to be treated, always be kinder than you feel, and do not judge unless you’ve walked a mile in someone else’s shoes, taking everyone at face value & giving everyone an equal chance. 

I don’t believe in ‘reputations,’ I believe in actions – –  the unique efforts each individual places forth towards another being. No categorizations, no ‘guilty by association,’ just simply taking each person for who and what they are. 

I’m exhausted of those living in glass houses and not cleaning their windows. If you are kind to me, I am kind to you. Appreciate each other for their abilities, differences, beauty & uniqueness. 

Support & be happy for others enjoying their success. Life is an echo – what you send out, comes back; what you sow, you reap; what you see in others, exists in you.  Lead by example. Be the YOU you’d want to know. 

How do you pass on kindness to others? Tell me in the comments!

#thoughtsforbeginningyourweekend 

Cheers, all!
xoxox
Brittany

LIFE HACK: Save Hours With This Amazing Trick For Cleaning Your Shower!

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If you’re like me… the biggest thing I hate to do … ever … in the whole wide world … is cleaning the shower!!!

I can’t pinpoint what exactly it is that I can’t stand, but I would say it’s a combination of… the disgusting soap scum, the time, my back hurting from leaning into the awkward angles of the tub, my arms aching from the relentlessly scrubbing, my head throbbing from inhaling bleach fumes from the time it took me to clean the shower … the list goes on!

This obnoxious and annoying chore typically takes me anywhere from 45 minutes, PLUS. How about you?!

Well… if you’re still following and on the same page, I’m here to saveeee. yourrrr. lifeee. with the most incredible life hack that not only eliminates headaches, but also preserves time, effort and allows you to opt for safer and more gentle alternatives that work just as effectively!

What You’ll Need:

  • Dawn Soap
  • Plastic Bucket
  • Broom
  • Hot Water

Visit Your Local Dollar Store. I got all the ingredients I needed for under $5! I visited my local Dollar General and purchased a broom, gallon sized bucket and soap (make sure it’s a degreaser if you don’t actually use Dawn). No need for anything sophisticated or fancy outside of those three items. These items are going to do the work for you!

Run your bath to the hottest water. Fill your gallon sized bucket with hot water from the faucet in prep for step three.

Apply your Dawn to your shower walls and bath tub base. Don’t overload it! A little Dawn goes a long way! I did a few horizontal, parallel lines around the perimeter of the shower..

Dip your broom into the hot water. Then, leverage the wide base of the broom to start scrubbing the walls and base of your tub with the broom bristles. Not only do you cover MUCH more surface area with the broom base, but you avoid back pain and intense scrubbing!

Let sit. It doesn’t take long –  Dawn is a powerful, yet gentle product. I waited about 5 minutes, continuing to gently scrub the surfaces with the broom bristles.

Rinse! Once again, run your shower at the hottest temperature to assist with cleaning and rinsing the walls. This part is the TRUE miracle! Surfaces that used to take me hours to scrub literally melted away in minutes!!!

This whole process took me about 15 minutes to arrive at a fully fresh & clean shower! Literally amazed myself!!!

Give it a try! Let me know how it goes, and if you have other super awesome life hacks similar to this one.

Comment below once you’ve tried it out and let me know what you think!

xoxox
Brittany

You Betta Belize It! Check Out Cheery & Charming’s Must See Spots (+ What You Need to Know) if You’re Considering A Visit to Ambergris Caye’s Great Barrier Reef!

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This past New Year’s Eve, we decided to celebrate a little ‘less’ traditionally: we planned a trip to Ambergris Caye, Belize!!

Some of you may know this trip was our second time visiting Belize; our first adventure being on our honeymoon! Throughout our first visit, we realized quickly we loved the country, the scenery, the water, and especially the people and culture so much so that we simply couldn’t get enough. We knew we wanted (and needed) to go back and, after this most recent trip, we still haven’t gotten our fill!

If you’re looking for a new spot to add to your travel bucket list, please do yourself the favor in adding this gorgeous destination to your vision board. While it’s relatively affordable and easier to get to than other exotic options, there are a few tips and pieces of advice I’m sharing here to get the smoothest experience out of your travel, and start building your list of MUST sees!!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

  1. Southwest flies here! This makes booking travel super easy and fairly affordable to most. Even better – get yourself a Southwest credit card! I was able to hook us up with free flights using points from my everyday purchases. While I haven’t been able to find a direct flight via any airline just yet, most layovers are a mere hour or so.
  2. Arriving Checklist:
    – You’ll fly into the mainland (BZE airport). From there, you will have needed to arrange travel in advance for getting from the mainland to the island, Mon! Options are by air or by sea.
    OPTION 1: There’s a water ferry that transports guests to the island for about $40-$50/way, but PSA: it does take a little over 2 hours from point A to point B, not including the time it takes to get to the boat port from the airport.
    OPTION 2: Personally, our preference is to save a few extra pennies and splurge for the puddle jumper plane to and from San Pedro. Thankfully, there are only (2) airline options, so it makes your decision easy between Tropic Air & Maya Island Air. While this option is a tad more expensive alternative, est. $170/pp/way, you’re there in only 20 minutes, and you get to see the gorgeous clearwater views on your final stretch.

    – Once you’ve landed on the island, there isn’t much, if any, public transit available. You will want to pre-schedule some variation of pickup of yourself and your luggage with your resort/staying accommodations from the San Pedro airport.

    FUN FACT: There are little to no cars on the island! The most common method of transportation is via gas-powered golf carts, which you’ll want to be sure you reserve in advance for getting around town/around the island. Last visit, we used Sam’s Golf Cart Rentals and couldn’t have had a better experience! They even were super flexible with us in extending our golf cart rental at the last second for a few additional days. 🙂

YOU’VE ARRIVED! …. now what?

While everyone has different vacation agendas, here’s a list of my favorite spots compiled from both visits! While there’s still a ton to see on this little gem of an island, I sure my list barely even scratches the surface in regards to unique finds 😉
I hope to be able to update and/or add a new entry the next time we make it back. The island is full of new business development, so there’s always new shops and concepts emerging as well as restaurants popping up. If you happen to stumble on a favorite or two, please comment at the bottom of this article so I can keep adding to my “MUST-see list” !!

  1. Estel’s Dine By the Sea
    THE breakfast spot in Ambergris Caye! It’s downtown on Front Street/right on the beach front. You’ll want to arrive early, or earlier than starvation mode as this spot is always packed, but the food is 100% worth the wait!
  1. Crocs Sunset Sports Bar
    In town during football season? This is the coolest spot to post up for any sports game watching on the island. If you’re sweet to the staff, they’ll ensure the game you’re there to watch is streamed on the nearest TV to your seat 😉 PLUS – don’t miss the stunning views of the lagoon side of the island at sunset!
  2. Matachica – Mambo Restaurant
    Incredible dinner spot on the Matachica Resort! While it’s a little further out from town – think 20 minutes or so of golf cart riding, it’s worth the hike. You may want to head this direction before the sun sets though, as this restaurant is well past where the more formal road paving ends and there’s limited lighted streets.
    You can’t go wrong with the menu! It’s MUCH larger and filled with more seafood options when you arrive in person versus what’s noted on their site. We enjoyed the authentic Italian bruschetta, tenderloin carpaccio, calamari fritti, and spicy gazpacho from the app section! I don’t see the fresh seafood entrees we went with on here, but everything we had was mouth watering.
  3. Secret Beach – Maruba Beach Klub
    We actually missed going to this spot the first time we made it to Ambergris Caye and man was I bummed once we did made it!! It’s quite a drive (about 4 mi north of the downtown bridge, and then west another 3.5 mi), but a really unique area filled with restaurants, beach chairs, bars, massage and pedicure options – IN THE WATER! (does it get any better than that?!), colorful swings, local shops and more.
    P.S. While it’s called ‘secret beach,’ it’s far from a secret anymore, as it’s likely one of the most touristy spots on the island, but totally worth the visit 😉
    Maruba Beach Klub was my favorite place we saw with great service, yummy drinks, tasty food, and comfy adjustable lounge chairs for posting up in right on the water . Although we really wanted to make it back a second day to explore the other spots!!
  1. Rain Rooftop Restaurant
    Beautiful view! We spent our New Year’s Eve dinner here, before heading down town and enjoyed the vibrant decor, live music and friendly staff. Also a really great location, as part of The Grand Caribe Resort – you don’t have to go far!
  1. PUR Boutique Cabanas & Taco Bar
    Loved this little gem! Really great tacos! PUR Boutique Cabanas is new since we last had been to Ambergris Caye. A cozy & tranquil spot just south of The Grand Caribe resort, this boutique hotel is adorned with 6 queen & king suites – some even with their own private plunge pools!
    While we didn’t stay here (maybe next time!), we enjoyed dinner al fresco adjacent the multicolor LED lit pool. They had both vegan, low-card and gluten free options available!
  1. Carambo Restaurant & Bar
    THIS. PLACE. WAS. THE. BOMB. !!!
    We had no idea what we were getting into at Carambo. We stumbled on this as a local recommendation by one of the bartenders we befriended at Crocs Sunset Bar and it absolutely was NOT one to miss.

    The decor and family heritage made me feel similarly to if I had stepped into an island version of the legacy Tio Pepe Baltimore restaurant. After being greeted by our server, we were prompted escorted outside – yes, outside – to pick out our dinner!

    Lining the front of the restaurant was an open, market-like spread of all the fresh caught seafood you could imagine: lobster tail, shrimp, red snapper, yellow snapper, scallops… enough to make your stomach full just by looking at the spread!! How to order you ask? By simply walking with your server down the line to hand pick exactly what you’d like prepared on your plate to perfection!
    Seriously one of the coolest spots we’ve found to date on the island!!
  2. Palapa Bar
    Into night life? Palapa bar is a fun, happening spot in the center of downtown in you’re looking for a little post-sunset fun! While most places tend to wind down earlier on the island (think 9-10PM), this is a great option for keeping the fun going. There’s typically a live DJ every night and a lively crowd. If you visit during the day, they have inner tubes tied by the dock that you can float on in the crystal clear water while you enjoy your snacks and bevvies 🙂
    PPSSSTT… there’s also a buy 1, get one FREE drink coupon on their website!

I think that wraps it up!

Got questions? Reach out to me! I have even more photos over on my instagram and ove connecting with my readers!

Check me out at @brittanyleighxo

Cheers & talk soon!
xoxo
Brittany

Cheery & Charming’s Traveler’s Guide: 10 MUST See Places When Visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Well, well, well . . . Puerto Rico – like other islands we’ve had the blessing to visit, was absolutely beautiful. The sunsets were stunning, the food was amazing and the culture of Old San Juan was priceless! I wish we had the time to visit all the reco’s we received before visiting, but with a jam-packed, short four days, I’m posting my personal, favorite finds here:  

1. Serafini Beach Hotel
This spot was absolutely STUNNING. Talk about feeling like you’re on the edge of the ocean – a quaintly designed infinity pool, waves crashing and live jams. I was super bummed to have stumbled here on our last day, as we weren’t able to take full advantage of the amenities, but the staff was warm, welcoming and nice enough to hold onto our luggage while we explored during our last day – even with not having stayed there!

2. Cochina Abierta 
Umm… YUM. That’s all I have to say. Although, to be transparent that it was definitely more on the pricey side of the meal options we had while in San Juan, it was worth it for sure. Wanting to try everything on the menu, the four of us went family style, which also made it feel like we got a lot more ‘bang for our buck.’ They have a seasonal, farm-to-table menu, but in the event you see any repeats, here we the table favs!

– Croquettes filled with porcini mushrooms, truffle oil & tomato chutney
– Octopous causa over a bed of purple potatoes, black olive “crema,” & hibiscus pickled quail egg
– Fresh local catch ceviche seasoned with chiles, cucumber & tropical fruits
– Goat cheese and ortica leaf ravioli over charred tomatoes Passata, parmesean cheese & roasted pine nuts
– And accompaniments Gratin of creamy yucca and cauliflower + Ember roasted veggies

… is your mouth watering yet?!

3. Tacos & Tequila by Patron – inside the Condado Vanderbuilt Hotel
Yet ANOTHER breathtaking spot. This gem, located inside the Condado Vanderbuilt Hotel is another space we stumbled on during our last day that I wish we had more time to enjoy. The views were incredible and they had multiple areas to lounge in the ocean-side, shallow infinity pools & hot tubs.
But, one thing we WERE able to enjoy were the giant margaritas and delicious tacos! I had (2) crispy fish tacos and (1) pork belly taco – some had (3) of all different kinds! It was fun that you can order all three the same, or mix and match what’s on the menu.

4. Alambique Beach Lounge – NEXT DOOR: “For Lifeguards Only”
The day we visited Isla Verde Beach, we were in search of… you guessed it… even MORE tacos! While the Alambique Beach Lounge was hopping, we decided to try the smaller, more intimate spot to the side of it called “For Lifeguards ONLY,” and SO happy we did! In recapping our trip, this place, hands-down, had the BEST fish tacos we had the entire time we were there. The staff made you feel like family as they graciously served you tacos OVERFLOWING with goods and crisped to perfection. Deliciouso!!

5. Piu Bello Gelato & Restaurant
Being a firm believer that you can’t let any vacation go without the local ice cream and/or gelato, Piu Bello was great! We ended up having a great chat with the owner, who coincidentally used to live in Baltimore! What a small world!! Oh, and the gelato was delightful. I mean, who doesn’t like a sprinkle cone?!

6. La Placita de Santurce
Definitely a must see! This is the “party-scene” of San Juan – a full “block-like” plaza square of everything you could imagine having in one spot:
music, dancing, clubs, some food, nightlife, fine dining and casual bars and restaurants alike. While we were there on a Wednesday, it wasn’t quite as “hopping” (which was honestly sort of nice), but it was cool to pop around a number of spots without having to jump back into an uber or cab.

7. Barrachina 
Eeeee! One of my favorites!! Barrachina is most well-known for a traditional Spanish bartender Don Ramon Portas Mingot, who in 1963, created what became one of the world’s most famous drinks: the Piña Colada.  With the reputation of 50 years in the business, they certainly did not disappoint. Look at that beaut!

8. Isla Verde Beach 
While we had a beautiful view and beach where we stayed, at Condado Del Mar, I think everyone agrees that you shouldn’t spend an entire vacation in one spot. SO, this is my top beach pick for the places we were able to make it to during our time in San Juan. There are a number of beach bars, convenient to the beach so you can grab a quick bite to eat, without losing too much beach time. Plus, it’s always fun to immerse yourself in more of the local culture – everyone we encountered here was friendly and welcoming. Then again.. who wouldn’t be on a nice day at the beach? 🙂

9. Fortaleza Street – Old San Juan
A bustling street in Old San Juan full of shops and boutiques! I really can’t place enough emphasis on the true, authentic sense of San Juan’s culture you receive by visiting here. From handmade treasures to uniquely manufactured Puerto Rican finds, there’s an array sights for everyone to see – including my favorite – Fortaleza street, which is lined with parasoles! And, depending on when you visit, they’re always different colors, so no visit is ever the same.

10. Di Zucchero
And, finally… DiZucchero! This was our first night’s dinner adventure and WHAT an adventure it was – CHECK. OUT. THAT. FISH. Located across from the San Juan Condado Mariott, this final “must see” could very well be listed first. The food was incredible, the drinks amazing (they’re know for their fresh squeezed/crushed daiquiris) and our server was the best! It was a great kick off to our trip, and an awesome way to close out this post 🙂

And that’s a WRAP! I hope you enjoyed scrolling through my reco’s and feel compelled to share some of yours!

Until next time…

xoxo
Brittany

Cheery & Charming Traveler’s Guide: 8 NEW Places to Visit in New York City

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As always, New York was a whirlwind! Up and back in 2-days, via the Vermonter & Acela Express made for a jam-packed, fun and exciting adventure for our Valentine’s Day this year. Aside from my first time at Madison Square Gardens + seeing Billy Joel live, we covered a TON of ground and visited a slew of new spots!

Whenever I find fun, new spots, I’m always pressed to share! So, I’m quickly jotting down my top 7 favorite places we visited for any of you who may be looking for a cool, trendy or cozy new spot to check out next time you’re in the area!

  1. Hanoi House
    We had dinner here Thursday night and let me tell you – it was I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E. Placed appropriately on the historical, adventure seeking, 119 St. Mark’s Place, you’ll arrive in a (not-so-surprisingly-small), delicately quaint, romantically dimmed, intimate spot in East Village. But – don’t let the size fool you. Hanoi House is known for “The Absolute Best Pho in New York,” “The Absolute Best Octopus in New York,” “The Absolute Best Vietnamese Restaurants in New York,” and more. I mean . . . WOW!!! Once you’ve had a moment to take in the eloquent details, brace yourself as you’re about to be spoiled with a breathtaking, unbelievable, well-cultured, imaginative display of Vietnamese cuisine! From the Crispy Crab & Pork Spring rolls (Nem Ran), to the Spicy Octopus (Bach Tuoc Ca Ri) – delightfully displayed over roasted sweet potatoes, coconut curry, charred scallion and shishito peppers, to the Hanoi Style Beef Pho Soup (Pho Bac), – a classic 16-hr broth with heritage Black Angus filet mignon, brisket & rice noodles AND an add-on option of bone marrow (must have!) on the side, our dinner was simply divine. The only thing that will leave you feeling disappointed after this visit, is the wish that you could fit everything on the menu in your belly!
    P.S. make sure you get there early!! They don’t take reservations and the place was nearly filled upon our arrival, 15-minutes post their opening at 5:30.
    P.S.S. our dear friends own this place, so go. check. it. out. !!!
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  2. Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria NYC
    I don’t know about you, but I know that when I visit New York City, I’m not leaving until I’ve had a proper slize of za 😉
    Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria is more formally known in the Staten Island area of New York. Wanting to break in and make their presence known in the Manhattan area, they opened their NEW location at 168 1st Avenue. Priding themselves on a secret Neapolitan recipe for a special thin crust pizza that has made their restaurant famous, I was so glad to have enjoyed this gem during our trip! We sat at the antiquely pounded copper counter top on the corner of the bar and enjoyed catching up with friends and admiring the original, characteristic stained glass windows before, quite literally, demolishing our pizza. Looking for the perfect NY fold? You found it!! Can’t decide which kind to try when you visit? Psst… if you order a large, they allow you to do half and half! But, they also have a smaller, personal 10” option as well. Not to mention – the bartender and staff were  amazingly warm and welcoming, making for a fun, social lunch break on Friday!
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  3. C&B – East Village, Thompson Square Park
    I’ll keep this one short and sweet, just like this shop! Seriously one of the cutest little coffee shops in East Village! We stopped in for a quick espresso (always needed!) and loved seeing the kitchen staff live, in action, flipping, kneading and pounding their homemade dough!! I mean, you just can’t get that just anywhere in Baltimore! Plus, you can take your coffee/espresso/latte and enjoy a casual stroll around Thompson Square Park after, which is right across the street!
  4. Tacombi
    SALT! SALT! SALT! LOVED this Mexican spot we found on 267 Elizabeth Street. And come on … a old school, authentic Volkswagen Bus as the taco-making station?! We only stopped in for a quick taco (or two…) and kept on our exploring, but the atmosphere was so traditional and genuine, it’s definitely worth a visit and some cliché photos! P.S. the tacos were awesome too!
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  5. L’AMICO
    This is probably one of my favorite spots in NYC – although a little more ‘commercial,’ in feel, the atmosphere is to die for and this is going to sound weird, but I love their bathrooms! Haha! While separate male and female, the hand-washing station connects the two via a shared wash-sink area with a reflective, stained glass like mirror for separation. It’s a great spot for a casual happy hour, quick bite at the bar (they have amazing selection of appetizers, wood-burning pizzas, fresh pastas, and selections of charcuterie), or in our circumstance, a late night cap for topping off Saturday evening after the concert. We stayed in the hotel above it – The EVENTI, which I would TOTALLY recommend if you’re ever seeing a show at Madison Square Gardens. It was about a 5 minute walk from the concert!
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  6. BUA Bar
    Cute and friendly spot to stop to get a snack or drink beforehand if you try our Hanoi House! It’s right across the street and felt so intimate. The space is decorated with countless lit candles that grace spaces in the walls where bricks have intentionally been removed. Candles also delicately and artfully line random fashion behind the bar liquor bottles, shelving, and pretty much anywhere you look!
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  7. Westside Market
    Talk about a local food market!! I WISH we had something like this in our small town, Federal Hill! Then again, I get we may not have the same volume to sustain this type of operation 🙂 It felt like I had walked into the Costco-version of a market! Never-ending, colorful supply and variety of fruits, vegetables, sandwiches, deli meats, cheeses, traditional grocery, flowers and more! Super cool spot to stop by, take in the colorful spreads and patronize a local business (with some salty and sweet snacks while you’re there!)
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  8. The Pennsy Food Hall
    Last, but not least – and definitely not a big secret as it’s right above Penn Station, but this is a great, vibrant and convenient spot to grab-and-go a snack before you catch the train ride home. It’s more of an incubator-type feel with a variety of small eateries, so there’s a little something for everyone. From sushi, to tacos, to bar food, to sweet treats, ice cream and more! Plus, they sometimes have a DJ that slings throwback songs and top beats to get you boppin’ and grovin’!

Do you have any favorite spots or gems to share? I’d love to hear! Ping me in the comments below!

Talk soon!

xoxox
Brittany

I Did It All for the Cookies… NEW: Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

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Being on a diet, a NEW diet at that – it’s natural for your sweet tooth to perk up! Especiallyyyyy when you’re telling yourself something is off limits. You just want it EVEN MORE. Amiright?!

Well. Say goodbye to those nasty cravings, because I have a 100% Keto approved chocolate chip cookie recipe for you to try! That’s right folks – I said C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E  C-H-I-P  C-O-O-K-I-E-S !! You don’t have to deprive yourself on every diet! These  cookies contain all the Keto necessities: coconut oil, butter, almond flour and . . . you guessed it . . . chocolate!!

For the purposes of the Keto diet, we’re choosing a 100% cacao baking chocolate bar, unsweetened. NOTE: By itself it’s extremely bitter, but mixed in with the other ingredients, it creates the perfect balance!

Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup coconut oil, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup golden monk fruit sweetener OR sticky sweetener of choice
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt
  • 3 cups almond flour
  • 3 oz. 100% cacao baking chocolate bar

Directions:

  1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together coconut oil and butter.
  3. Next, add eggs and vanilla extract
  4. Add sticky sweetener of choice, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt
  5. Slowly, while mixing, add almond flour to cookie mix
  6. In a separate bowl, microwave chocolate pieces until just barely soft. Use a utensil to separate chocolate pieces into smaller bits before transitioning to mix
  7. Pour chocolate pieces into bowl of dough and mix until combined
  8. Form dough into balls and place on cookie parchment paper
    REMEMBER: Allow room in between cookies for cookies to spread during baking
  9. Bake cookies for 18-20 minutes, until edges are golden brown.
  10. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before serving.
  11. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 191  Fat: 18g  Carbohydrates: 11.5g (Net: 1.9g)  Protein: 4.3g

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Mamma Mia! NEW: Keto Italian Stuffed Meatball Recipe for the Books

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For some, odd, I can’t-explain-it reason, I was so intimidated by the idea of making meatballs. I know . . . call me weird. But, it felt like everyone had their own “special” or “secret” recipe, sometimes dating back generations of family. BUT – it turns out, most of those recipes don’t fall within Keto diet guidelines anyway!

While traditional meatballs are not keto, I’m here to help you with an awesome, SUPER easy, Italian Stuffed Keto Meatball alternative.

Typically, meatballs contain bread/crumbs as their main ingredient. This helps the balls maintain their shape. The presence of bread is a direct keto violation, but here’s a solution! (don’t be scared away by the number of ingredients – you just end up combining everything together! 🙂 )

Servings: 4

Split equally into 4 portions

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs Ground Beef
  • 1 tsp Oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 2 tsp Garlic
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 3 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 3 tbsp Flaxseed Meal
  • 2 Large Egg
  • 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • Salt & Pepper Sprinkled for Seasoning

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 400F
  • Mix meat and all other ingredients together
  • Form into meatballs
  • Lay on a foil covered baking sheet
  • Bake for 20 minutes
  • Serve over spinach with sprinkled mozzarella cheese on top
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition
Calories            594
Fats (g)              44.8
Protein (g)        36.8
Net Carbs (g)    3.8

Seriously… HOW FLIPPING SIMPLE?! Great for lunches on the go, hearty dinners and for satisfying your favorite Italian food cravings! And these are delicious . . . I PROMISE you!

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Give them a try and post your review/comments below 🙂

Talk soon!
xoxox
Brittany

 

What Did the Buffalo Say When His Son Left for College? . . . “Bison.” NEW Keto Recipe: Brown Butter Buffalo Bites

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Okay, okay, okay, so there’s technically no “buffalo” in this recipe outside of the sauce (although there mayyyy be a recipe on that coming soon . . .  😉 ) BUT – in the meantime, who says you have to dine out to enjoy delicious cauli buffalo bites?! Now, you make them in 30 minutes – right from home!!

They’re the perfect 30-minute prep snack you can grab and go all week long, OR an awesome munchable addition to your Super Bowl spread in the coming weeks!

I’ve grown to LOVE  what some call the “ghost” version of broccoli, see hilarious meme below. There’s so many ways to get creative using this low carb potato substitute – even in place of noodles/rice. There are only 2.9 grams of net carbs in an entire cup of this clean veggie, making it a clear winner on a Keto diet!

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Keto Brown Butter Buffalo Bites

Ingredients:

  • 1 head of cauliflower (approx. 3 cups of florets)
  • 1/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot
  • 2 tbsp. Butter
  • 2 garlic cloves OR the equivalent minced
  • Pinch of salt

Directions:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400F
  2. Melt butter in a small skillet on medium heat
  3. Bring to a simmer until browned. Meanwhile, cut your cauliflower into florets.
  4. Pour florets into a large bowl
  5. Add minced garlic to your melted butter and let simmer
  6. Remove the butter and garlic mixture and pour it over the cauliflower
  7. Add in the hot sauce and gently toss to coat thoroughly throughout
  8. Move the florets to a sheet pan
  9. Bake the cauliflower for 20 minutes
  10. Remove from the oven, transfer to a serving dish. Drizzle with remaining sauce.
  11. Garnish with crispy bacon and serve with ranch or accompanying sauce of your choice for dunking
  12. Enjoy!

Nutrition
Calories: 175  Fat: 11  Carbohydrates: 10  Protein: 4

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Did you like this recipe? I’d love to hear!
Email or tag a friend and share the Keto loveeee!

Talk soon!

xoxox
Brittany

Cozy Snow Day Work Outfit

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If you’ve been watching the news, you might have similar snow day flurries in your tummy as I do! According to the weather, Winter Storm Harper is on the horizon for the Northeast! Actually, I think New York and further north is getting the bulk of it, so maybe not much here for us in Baltimore, but no reason not to get a little giddy and excited for a snow day, amiright!?

I remember when I was a kid and we wanted a snow day, we would place spoons under our pillow (it signifies that maybe *hopefully* there will be so much snow you will have to dig your way out) and demand upon wearing our pajamas inside AND backwards to bed for snow day good luck!

Plus, recital of:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord lays the snow down deep.
Please give me a snow day before I wake,
So I can have big snowmen to make.

Did anyone else have these quirky, crazy traditions?! Or other ones I haven’t heard of? Pretty please with snowy sugarplums on top, post your childhood traditions below! I’d love to hear them 🙂

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white furry vest // white top // high waisted j brand jeans // ralph lauren riding boots // gucci leather belt

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow . . .

xoxox
Brittany