I’M MOVING AGAIN!! I made this announcement on instagram already so it’s not like it’s really news anymore, but honestly it still sort of feels like news to me. It’s just beginning to sink in that I am on to yet another new home and although I was a little reluctant at first, I’m getting excited to explore another beautiful part of NYC. I’ve kind of had a head start on the exploring because Mav actually just moved to Astoria with some of our friends from college! This is the closest we will have lived to each other since we met in school, how crazy/exciting is that?! It was our anniversary a few weeks ago and he took me to Astoria Park for the first time and I must say, this definitely sealed the deal for my moving excitement (the amazing greek food helped too!). I couldn’t believe how beautiful the views were and also couldn’t believe how close we were to Harlem (NYC geography can be so confusing!!)
Where are the places that I need to make sure I go to/explore?! Let me know in comments below!!
After graduating college, I was so excited to have my first job and finally be making my own money to spend on whatever I want. I kind of knew but don’t think I really completely realized how many expenses accompany the adult life that I so-desired. IT’S SO MUCH! Adulting is so expensive! Ugh! So although Mav and I do make sure we save up to go on nice dates from time to time, we’ve learned that some of our favorite (and cheapest) dates are the ones we have when we stay in! In my opinion, staying in is COMPLETELY underrated; I mean, who can say no to a delicious meal that you are allowed to eat in sweats?! Hello?! The deal is especially sweetened when after you sit back with your full belly and full wallet, you look at the kitchen and there is little to no clean up! Such was the case for the meal we made on this particular dinner date night at home. When deciding on what we should make, I immediately headed to my pinterest boards, which, if you aren’t following you are missing out man!! I am going to link everything down below, so make sure you follow! We decide on Pesto Salmon and Italian Veggies in Foil from Cooking Classy, and for dessert, a Red Velvet Pound Cake from The Recipe Critic. BUT, guess who left the store and forgot to buy pesto (a main ingredient -_____-)? Yep, ya homegirl right here.
So we ended up doing something a little bit different with a Stop and Shop Caribbean Mango marinade that was just as easy to clean up and was SO DELICIOUS! We love mango, especially when it’s mixed with a little spice!
I ended up free styling the green beans and just threw them on the stove with a variety of spices, and if you ask me, they were delish.
So this pound cake…y’all. When I say magical it doesn’t even begin to describe it. I’ve always loved pound cake for its simplicity but felt guilty about all of the butter and sugar that goes into making it.
If you look at the ingredient list for this cake, it has NEITHER OF THOSE THINGS!! Granted you are using boxed cake mix and pudding as alternatives which doesn’t make you a complete healthy angel, but to me it cleared my conscience a little bit 😉
I also really appreciate that it turned out exactly how it looks on pinterest. I’m thinking of doing a segment where I show you different pinterest activities I attempt and show you the result (lol). Let me know what you think about that in the comments below!!
We both had had a really hard week at work so we thought some drank was necessary. He picked out a nice whiskey scotch, which I will be up front with you and say I know absolutely nothing about. For me we decided on La Marca Prosecco. Prosecco is one of those things that I feel like is really flying under the radar. For those that are like um..what the heck is that?? It is sparkling wine, extremely similar to champagne! The main differences are where each is made and their respective storage, I believe (someone please correct me if I’m wrong!). But Prosecco is incredible because you can get some really nice sparkling wine for a much cheaper cost than a nice champagne. Keep that in mind for parties and impressing your friends/fam! I’m not extremely particular on my brand of Prosecco and am still trying many different labels, but I used to serve La Marca when I worked at Macaroni Grill (mac shack what up!) so I knew it was yum.
All delicious food aside, the best part of date night at home is that we get to spend time and catch up with each other without the hustle and bustle of a restaurant and without being interrupted by a waiter. It’s true, and often much-needed, one-on-one time. Plus you can stare into each others eyes and be all mush without any judgment or jealousy from the haters (but when you are out, just let em stare!)
I made this little video to accompany this post, if you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s on my YouTube channel that accompanies this blog!
If y’all like this date night thing let me know!! Maybe I can do a series?
So I’ve never been much of an outdoors kind of girl (despite the fact that I played an outdoor sport basically my entire life up to this point). I hate bugs and I hate being sweaty and gross and not feeling comfortable AND I REALLY HATE BUGS. The Maverick loves being outside and doing outside things so I find myself outside a lot more of the time than I would normally choose to be outside. This probably sounds cheesy and cliché and blablabla, but being outside is large amounts better when I’m doing it with him, so I typically don’t mind that this is the case. On our most recent adventure we took a trip to Hacklebarney State Park, which Wikipedia tells me is located between Long Valley and Chester in the Morris County area of New Jersey. On our way, however, we got a bit turned around and ended up at some sort of outdoor education center called Bamboo Brook. We walked around for a bit and saw a snake (UGH) but I was able to get some cool pictures of the Maverick looking like an adventurer-explorer-guy.
Eventually we found our way to Hacklebarney and immediately the Maverick began sharing all these memories with me because he’s been going to this park since he was little. There are lovely hiking trails and beautiful waterfalls, one of which we decided to set up our camp near after completing our hike. The Maverick got this really cool portable hammock as a graduation gift and I was super excited to use it. We started out reading but eventually fell asleep to the sound of the waterfall (rough life, right?). After we woke up, we decided to head back home. I made it out alive with only a few scrapes (I fell while hiking ugh) and minimal bug bites! Overall, a huge success for me.
