Dope 33rd!!!

1.       So many significant things about the number 33. Jesus performed 33 miracles and was 33 when he died and rose and #JesusYear.

2.       Since I had Friday off I went and got my free cookie dough iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts.

3.       And treated myself to a mani/pedi.

4.       I hit up the mall and got a super cute Adidas shirt for a great price.

5.       I also got a pair of Rayban Clubmasters as a gift and took advantage of Sunglass Hut’s 25% off.

6.       I had dinner at a restaurant I was dying to try.

7.       The ambiance reminded me of California for some reason.

8.       Oh how I love California and wish I booked a trip there #iDigress

9.       I ordered Chicken and French toast at the restaurant.

10.   And a ginger margarita.

11.   There was a free go-go concert at the mall’s plaza.

12.   Did I ever mention my love for go-go?

13.   I danced and partied in the rain with friends #DripDrop

14.   Because I’m such a homebody I ended my birthday eve early and went home to watch OITNB.

15.   I went off on my family for being 4 minutes late singing me Happy Birthday.

16.   My grandma was getting dressed for bed but didn’t want to miss the festivities of singing for her first and favorite  grandchild so she sprinted out in her birthday suit (hilarious because we were on FaceTime).

17.   My only true birthday plan was to participate in the Wipeout Race (a 5K with several obstacles).

18.   The race was fun yet challenging.

19.   Did I mention it has hot as hell ever.

20.   During the race my little cousin had her baby on my birthday!!!

21.   I had buffalo wings after the race from Buffalo Wild wings #HatedIt

22.   Didn’t celebrate at all on my actual birthday because there was a summer storm with tornado warnings

23.   Last minute Sunday morning I decided to text a few friends to meet for brunch.

24.   We met at Fuego in Clarendon.

25.   Did I mention how much I LOVE Mexican food?

26.   3 course brunch for $19.99 and $2 drinks for the win.

27.   I used my new camera and uploaded pics in real time.

28.   I gotta learn more about my Samsung NX Mini #BirthdayGift

29.   Went back to my house for my Hello Kitty ice-cream cake #ThanksSue

30.   Took a nap afterwards, I was still tired from the race

31.   Went to the movies because I LOVE movie popcorn.

32.   I saw DOPE, you have to go see it!!!

33.   It wasn’t the most extravagant or excited but I’d have to saw turning 33 is pretty dope!!!

Non-Traditional Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving holiday. Although my post is a bit late, I am reminded of sooo many things to be thankful for:

-life & health

-family

-full-time job

-friendship

-God's grace

This year, I decided to spend thanksgiving a bit differently. My family in the area was gone and I didn't really feel like sharing Thanksgiving with someone else's family (it would just make me miss my family in Ga.). NOTE TO SELF: THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME I SPEND THANKSGIVING IN VA. AWAY FROM MY GA. FAMILY. 

I digress. 

Luckily I was able to eat at a restaurant with a friend and celebrate the holiday our way. Initially I was going to have their traditional turkey/ham dinner but I decided on something different. Everyday is a day of Thanksgiving so I didn't have to have a meal that symbolized the tradition. Instead I had quite the opposite, burger and fries (with a blood orange sangria).

I can't lie, I was really really missing the dressing and a piece of good ole sweet potato pie. But honestly this meal hit the spot and filled me up.How did you all spend your holiday and what was your favorite part of dinner? 

Food Truck Tuesday...

Since I was unable to make it to Target for Target Tuesday, I can actually deem this day as another segment day. Hence the title Food Truck Tuesday. That really wasn’t hard to think of since my company actually has a different food truck each Tuesday for us to choose from. Now that’s what I call a perk!!! Nonetheless, my lifestyle blog will be transforming into more food and lifestyle, so be on the lookout for more food post.

Over the weekend I did a lot of meal planning, I broke everything down by what to buy as well as what day/time I'd eat the meal. Yes, your girl is trying to get it right get it tight. But keep in mind I am still a certified foodie!!! While meal planning I was sure to leave Tuesday's lunch open because I knew for a fact that is be at the food truck today. This would be the first time that we'd have a BBQ themed food truck. I checked my calendar as soon as I got in and it was full of meetings; so I thought of the next best thing.... ask someone to pick up my order. Honestly, that was like a last resort type of thought. I'm the type that relishes in the novelty of the food truck. I really need to experience the design, the service, and of course the cleanliness. The food Gods must have been looking out since one of my meetings ended early!!!

I made it out to SloppyMamas food truck and watched as they added items to the menu. I'd already done my homework, so I kinda knew what I wanted. I went back and forth between the brisket plate (which came with two sides) and the brisket sandwich. I knew for sure it had to be brisket and that it had to be the moist cut instead of the lean cut. I ended up choosing the sandwich to keep my lunch budget down, but of course there were add ons. I added the coleslaw that everyone raved about online as well as the bacon jam. I am sooo happy that I did. The meat was sooo moist and the coleslaw had pieces of pickles inside and was bursting with flavor!!! I made a great choice of skipping out on my meal planned lunch. 

Disregard the fact that I drowned my bread with BBQ sauce!!!

In case you're wondering some of the other meals I've enjoyed from Food Truck Tuesday keep salivating and look below.

This was my first time having a Vietnamiese sandwich (Bánh Mi) from @Phowheels the only thing missing was a fried egg to. The flavors from this sandwich was everything.

This was also a first time sandwich. A Cuban from @borinquenlunchb the crisp outside yet softness of this bread was perfection. And the mustard-pickle-pork blend was EVERYTHING (I actually had it twice I'm on week). 

Since food trucks have basically started to take over the food market, which food truck is your favorite and why? 

Sweet 16 Again...

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of celebrating my 16^th birthday again. Ok, ok you all know I’m not sixteen, but a lady never reveals her age right? In the past I’ve always had some type of ‘plan’ for my birthday but this year I knew that I wanted to do something lo-key and didn’t feel like rounding up a group of friends to make something happen. I remember when I first moved to Va. how pressed I was to do something and look at me now a few years later and in total chill mode! Although I didn't have any major birthday plans, the month of June for me has been full of experiences. I went hiking, saw Kelis in concert, hung out with a new friend, took a photography class and really began to put some things in perspective.

There may not have been an epic celebration this year but I was able to take a lo-key getaway trip to Richmond. I LOVE Richmond, there are sooo many cute places to visit. And since I'm a big foodie I knew I'd be able to check out a few restaurants and try new dishes. All in all, I had pretty good birthday weekend check it out.

Fab, Fun, Food- The Fresh Market

For the past 3 months that I've lived in Alexandria, I've seen a coming soon sign for The Fresh Market. Today the wait was over and I got to experience everything that The Fresh Market is and isn't. If I had to compare it to anything, it would be a toss up between Whole Foods and Wegman's. I didn't throw in my FAV Trader Joes because I feel as if they are on a different playing field. Now I love Trader Joes, Lord knows I do; but the ambiance they lack Wegman's and The Fresh Market have. However even with the ambiance, I'm not sooo sure that The Fresh Market will be able to pull me away.  

The Fresh Market provides the vibe of a neighborhood grocer combined with an upscale swag (think Take Home Chef). Unfortunately, I think The Fresh Market misses the mark a bit because they don't provide an area to actually eat inside and enjoy all if the wonderfulness prepared. 

Since I'm notorious for hash tagging specialty stores before my visit, I did just that with The Fresh Market.  From my findings last night, I knew that I'd have to keep an eye open for their edible cookie dough, Red Velvet whoopie pies, and their salted caramel crispie cookies. Anything other than those items were just the icing on the cake. In my eyes The Fresh Market takes a bronze medal in regard to Wegman's and Trader Joes. I can definitely see myself going back for items to make specific recipes, but I don't actually see myself doing the bulk of my grocery shopping there. 

Here's just a piece of the grand opening experience that I witnessed:

I really should have picked up the Peppermint Lemonade, it's definitely on the list for the next time.

I always have time for an impromptu wine tasting, and does it hurt to have cute packaging? Each bottle of wine is Sal's art which spreads love, goodwill and positive energy throughout the world.

My love for Red Velvet is real so the whoopie pies went home with me.

I was literally like a kid in a candy store, sooo much to see and taste!!!

The curry chicken salad just kept calling me!!! It would have been a 10 but the almonds kinda messed it up for me, so it was an 8 lol.

After this sample, I knew this crunchy shrimp and crab sushi had to come home with me.