the millennial who's good at nothing: dollar store diva

Phantom Gourment Food Festival 2016

November 26, 2016

September 24, 2016 was a jam packed day for the Fenway area. On Landsdowne and Ipswich street was the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival, and inside the Fenway Park Concourse was "college fest". Both events yielded a LOT of free stuff. It's almost like you start off going to college fest to check out the free promotions from the vendors, and then once you're a pompous young professional in Boston, you pay the $30 entrance fee to stuff yourself with free samples and listen to throwback jams with your old college friends at the bars on Landsdowne St.

The set up of the food festival was as follows: booths local restaurants and food retailers lined both Landsdowne and Ipswich St. Beer tents were sprinkled along the route. All of the bars - Bill's Bar, Tequila Rain, the House of Blues and more - were all open. There was a costume/dance contest happening at Tequila Rain while I was at Bill's Bar. I'm pretty sure they were playing the same songs for the dance contest in Bill's Bar because there was a stream of 1980's - 2000s songs being played and faded into each other, and not in an ironic way.

At the end of the day, I had a great time tasting DELICIOUS local food. I went there having eaten nothing for the day, and I came out super full just from samples. Here's a list of the places I visited, and some pictures!

Harrow's Chicken Pies

KINGS pulled pork slider

Foundry Lobster roll slider

Hush Puppies corn and chorizo food festival

Uno Pizza

Boston Burger Company Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Potato Fries

Comella's Pasta

All Star Sandwich Bar BBQ Chicken Salad

Cakes by Erin "drunken pumpkin" cupcake

I was expecting a bit of a burger but their glazed sweet potato fries were delicious. I'd give my first born child for regular sweet potato fries so who knows what I would do for regular ones.

Beer tastes better in aluminum cans

"Drunken Pumpkin" cupcake. I think there was a pumpkin liquor in the frosting. The makes of these cupcakes are going to be on the next episode of "Halloween Wars"!

Never miss a tweet:
Twitter
Facebook
Bloglovin
Instagram
Pinterest
Sign up for my E-MAIL alerts!

confession

My first tattoo experience

October 02, 2016

My pure skin has been tainted - it is not longer untouched.

That's how my father would put this experience. Not me or my mother, however. While I was vacationing in Miami, my mother and I decided to get paw print tattoos in honor of our four-legged friend, Jackie.

Wouldn't you want her tattooed on you too? Isn't be the CYYOOOOOOOTEST?

We were planning on going another night, but the moment struck us. We googled, Yelped, and Foursqaured local Tattoo places until we decided on Empire Ink Tattoo.

When we walked in, it was a slow Monday night. Thankfully, no one else was on the studio but us. The very friendly customer service representative got our information, helped us pick what style of paw print we want, and got our backstory. We told her all about Jackie, and how close we are as mother and daughter. She raved about the tattoo artist. I figured anyone with any mild knowledge of drawing and use of a tattoo gun could give me a simple paw print tattoo. I sure couldn't do it.

My mother went first, so I just sat and waited during hers since these tattoos probably took less than five minutes to do. The customer service representative and I bonded over her amazing lipstick and she shared with me that it's actually only available in two Urban Outfitters, one of them being in Miami. She invited me to try it.

Now began my only trying time of this tattoo experience. I didn't really have a mirror, so I put on the lipstick, which is more like a lip stain because it is SO long-lasting. I got a little outside of my lip, so I asked to go to the bathroom. Turns out the bathroom was out of the shop and in a little hallway - shared by all of the businesses in the strip mall. There I was - trying to wash the semi-permanent lip stain off of my face in a muggy Miami bathroom with no soap and crappy paper towels. That experience was more painful than my tattoo.

The tattoo itself was sort and virtually painless. It only really tickled, I didn't feel much pain. It was more of an annoying pain that I only really felt when the needle was on my neck, This was because I got a small tattoo with no color, however. If I got a bigger one with color, it would have been a different story.

Since it was my first tattoo, and it was very small at that, I'm very happy with the experience. I would love to get another one soon!

Never miss a tweet:
Twitter
Facebook
Bloglovin
Instagram
Pinterest
Sign up for my E-MAIL alerts!

chicago

GUEST POST: Outfit of the Day; Looking Cute this Winter!

March 04, 2016

This is a guest post by China Barbie of My Peace and Love Blog!

I don't like wearing jeans; to me they're just boring, and you end up looking like everybody else. I prefer to wear shorts, skirts, and dresses. In the harsh and snowy winters of Ohio however, this can sometimes cause a dilemma! You fashionable dames out there living in cold climates can totally attest to this!

So I am here to show you, a cute winter outfit, and prove once and for all, that you can still
look cute, even in the winter!

What to wear:

- An adorable Tee
This is my Bob Marley quarter sleeve length tee by Zion Rootswear.

-An adorable skirt
I wear mine high-waisted. I got this cute denim skirt for only $.25 at a thrift store!
It's by Pins and Needles.

-Leggings
These are the most important part of any cute winter outfit. It allows you to wear a
skirt, dress, or shorts, while keeping your legs from becoming popsicles! I got these
adorable galaxy leggings from Rue 21 for only $2!

-A sweater
I absolutely adore sweaters. The more old lady looking the better! I get all my sweaters
from thrift stores-they always have plenty, and in any color you need! Wearing a sweater
over your t-shirt makes certain your outfit won't be lost in an oversized hoody.

-Boots and fur leg warmers
Gotta have warm fuzzy boots to complete your warm and adorable winter outfit!
If your boots aren't long enough, never fear! Get yourself a pair of
fuzzy leg warmers, and place them over your boots. You can find any color and
length on Etsy.

-Gloves
I got these great tiger gloves from Kohl's for under $4.00!
Thank you so much for reading, I am so happy to be guest blogging on this great blog!
Now go on out there and create your adorable winter outfit!
Jessica LaPinta (China Barbie) is the author of My Peace Love Life Blog (www.mypeacelovelife.com). She is a part time model, housewife, and crafter. Obsessed with goal writing, list making, and crossing things of her bucket list, she is always busy with one adventure or another. China Barbie is a globe-trotting flower child, with a pension for healthy living, changing the world, and making her own fashion statement.

Never miss a tweet:
Twitter
Facebook
Bloglovin
Instagram
Pinterest
Sign up for my E-MAIL alerts!

10 healthy items

Top 10 Healthy Items to Keep in the Kitchen

March 02, 2016

GUEST POST!

By: Katie Comer

This article was brought to you by modernize.

With the start of the new year, there’s no better time than now to get a head start with your resolutions. And if yours is to eat healthier for 2016, you’re in luck, because we’ve got some tips on stashing your fridge to ensure that every meal or snack you reach for will be good for you. Here are Modernize’s ten must-have foods for a healthy and productive week:

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are amazing for adding fiber and protein to your diet. You can mix them in your fruit and vegetable smoothies, or add them to eggs for extra vitamins and fiber. Chia seeds are a great addition to any meal. Instead of a high carb breakfast that will certainly make you feel bloated, try chia seed pudding with fruit. Mix a tablespoon of seeds per cup of coconut milk and let the pudding congeal overnight. Add fruits, like berries, for a quick and healthy breakfast you won’t regret eating throughout the week.

Avocado

Avocado should be an item you pick up at the grocery store during every shopping trip. This tasty treat is packed with vitamins and is low in sugar. Avocados are packed with fiber, making you feel fuller longer. Avocado can also turn bland foods into delicious meals. Try adding avocado to your toast in the morning, or you may enjoy eating them plain. They are a perfect staple food to provide you with the energy you need to make it through a hectic week.

Berries

Berries are the healthiest fruit you can buy. They are filled with antioxidants, and also low in sugar. Goji berries, blueberries, and strawberries go together to create a perfect smoothie. Berries are also good to have available for a quick and healthy snack. They are filling, and are also quick to grab. Replacing unhealthy snacking with delicious berries will help you stay focused on your health throughout the week.

Almond Butter

Sometimes craving a sweet snack is inevitable. Instead of running for the chocolate bar stash, try almond butter on a piece of toast or an apple. Almond butter is sweet and provides a great addition to fruit, while helping you with cravings.

Lemon

Everything's better with a squeeze of lemon. You can replace fatty sauces, like salad dressing, with lemon and herbs. You can add lemon to water to jumpstart your metabolism and add fresh flavoring. It's a perfect flavoring tool for a variety of foods.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is the best snack for a busy week. It is so easy to grab a yogurt on your way to work or to the gym. Greek yogurt also makes a great substitute to fatty condiments, like mayonnaise. Try adding diced chicken breast and curry to Greek yogurt for a tasty curry chicken salad. You can also toss in some almonds and grapes as additions for an even healthier chicken salad option.

Leafy Greens

Spinach, lettuce, and kale should always be in your refrigerator. These vitamin-packed veggies should be added to almost every meal. Use leafy greens on top of your bagel, or make a tasty salad for lunch. Try adding greens to your dinner to ensure you are getting enough vitamins to make it through a busy week.

Eggs

If you need a healthy protein that is easy to cook, eggs are the perfect food. They are inexpensive, and they provide so many nutrients to your diet. They can be added to chopped salad for protein, or eaten plain. They are a perfect food for those who don't have a ton of time to spend on making meals. Add herbs, like basil, to your eggs for flavoring.

Tortillas

Carbs provide you energy and are very important in a diet. A healthy carb option is a tortilla. They can be added to protein for an easy dinner, or used to make a breakfast burrito. They are delicious and easy to add to recipes to replace bread.

Hummus

Hummus makes for a great snack, and it comes in a variety of flavor options. Hummus can be added to sandwiches or used to dip veggies. It's the perfect healthy addition to any meal. It is a natural food, so you don't have to feel guilty about snacking on this tasty snack.

Never miss a tweet:
Twitter
Facebook
Bloglovin
Instagram
Pinterest
Sign up for my E-MAIL alerts!

apples

THE JUICING DIARIES: Volume 1

January 18, 2016

I may seem hypocritical because I just made a post about how not to resolve to be healthier. However, it's not that. My post says to resolve to be healthier for the right reasons. Most of the reason I eat healthy is because I love trying new foods and seeing how I can make heathy substitutions. That's why I asked for a juicer for Christmas. I got the Bella 13690 High Power Juicer.

image credit: Amazon

I was looking into the Ninja Juicer, but I already have a blender so the combination juicer/blender wouldn't be necessary. I stumbled upon this brand. I loved the price and the brand's dedication to the light and healthy lifestyle. So far, this juicer has worked great: it's extracted lots of juice with minimal pulp. The disassembling, cleaning and reassembling process is simple.

Here are two juices I've experimented with so far. These are great beginner juices because they're tasty and easy to make.

annies homegrown

TURN ONE MEAL INTO TWO WITH ANNIES MAC N CHEESE

January 13, 2016

As a busy college student, Annie's Mac n Cheese is a godsend. There's something about toiling over research papers and planning programming for a student-run radio station and a public relations student group that makes me crave pasta. However, I want to stay as healthy as possible, of course. That's where Annie's comes in. It's organic, nutritious and delicious.

However, part of healthy eating is variety. You can eat fruit your whole life, however you need some form of protein. You can eat PB&J your whole life, but you need vitamins and minerals. That's why I leverage the easy-to-make Annies and mix it with beans, tomatoes, fresh veggies, and protein to stretch one box into at least two meals.

Today I'll show you how I spice up the organic shells & real aged cheddar.

Chicken, spinach, and pasta are some of my favorite things to eat. The other day, I actually had spanakopita for breakfast, a broth bowl with spinach in it for lunch, and spinach and beans topped with scallops for dinner. I may actually turn into spinach.

I combined this pasta with spinach and ground chicken. In a pan, I sauteed the ground chicken with some Mrs. Dash until it browned. I simultaneously had water boiling. When the water came to a boil, I added the pasta. Once the chicken was browned, I added a handful of spinach in the pan and let it wilt. By that time, the pasta was cooked so I combined the cheese mix, milk, and butter as according to the package. After it sit and absorbed, I added the chicken and spinach. Voila!

This will make enough for two meals: one for now, one for later.

Here, I added tomatoes and pinto beans into the Organic Shells & White Cheddar mix.

Never miss a tweet:
Twitter
Facebook
Bloglovin
Instagram
Pinterest
Sign up for my E-MAIL alerts!

back bay

REVIEW: AN EVENING IN BOSTON - LUCCA BACK BAY

January 11, 2016

Right before Christmas, my mother and I went to see the Boston Pops. The Symphony Halls is located in the back bay area of Boston. Here's a little historical note: the back bay wasn't originally a part of Boston land-wise, it was build using sediment. It's located right near the State House, Boston Common, and the theatre district. Boston is a small city with a lot of history, culture, and goings-on.

The back bay is home to many restaurants ranging from Italian, taquerias, cafes, and sea food. We ate at Lucca Back Bay. Some reasons we chose to eat here were because this restaurant was one of many in the area that offered valet for free if you were seeing a show at the hall, and who doesn't want Italian?

Lucca was an upscale restaurant that offered a mix of modern and classic Italian food. From the bread, to the appetizer, to the salad, to the entree, to the desert, it was delicious. If you ever go to Lucca, bring your appetite.

These were our salads:

This was my mother's ceasar: winter romaine, traditional Caesar dressing, Parmigiano Reggiano, white anchovy, crostini.

My delicious green salad had organic winter greens, black grapes, ricotta salata, spiced grape vinaigrette, candied pecans.

My chicken was exactly what I needed that cold night. Warm, crispy yet moist statler chicken baby carrots, green apple, pearl onions, parsnip, carrot-tops. All of the flavors lingered together and married so well. The veggies were great alone or with the chicken, however the onions and the chicken made the perfect bite.

Whipped sweet potatoes, pancetta & maple sciroppo, sage were a perfect accompaniment. The sweetness of the maple made these sweet potatoes indulgently sweet. I wanted to order a gallon if it to to go.

Never miss a tweet:
Twitter
Facebook
Bloglovin
Instagram
Pinterest
Sign up for my E-MAIL alerts!

appleton farms

Boston Public Market Trip

January 06, 2016

The Boston Public Market, a market full of local stands of cheese, wine, produce, juice, coffee, sweets, IPAs, and more, in Boston opened in July 30th, 2015. It's the only all-local, indoor, year-round public market like it in the United States according to the market's blog. I visited the St. Lawrence market in Toronto, which bore many similarities to it.

The market is located attached to the Haymarket station so getting there is almost too easy. It is located conveniently close to Fanuel Hall, Boston's North End, the Government Center Garage, and the TD Garden/ North Station.

Sweater: Forever 21

Necklace: Forever 21

Shorts: H&M

Tights: Drugstore

Socks: Aeropostale

Boots: Primark

Jacket: Forever 21

The BPM "Kitchen" offers many cooking, yoga, and more classes to start the year off right.

The Taza Chocolate bar sold Mexican stone-ground organic chocolate products from cacao. Products include chocolate drinks, wheels, and bars. Flavors range from coffee, to cinnamon, dark, and spicy.

Farm stands sold homemade jellies, spreads, pickled veggies, honey, eggs, and produce. Silver Brook Farm is located in Dartmouth, MA.

I got a delicious juice from Mother Juice that has watermelon, cucumber, celery, and ginger. They also sell salads, rice bowls, and energy balls.

Q's nuts sold salty and sweet nuts.

We picked up these "Spiker's shrubs" that are multi-purpose. They can be used as a salad dressing marinade, or in a mixed drink. Flavors like pineapple, ginger, mango, and proved interesting enough for us to give it a try.

The cookbook exchange - take a cookbook, leave a cookbook.

We also took home some organ wheat-based frozen raviolis from Nella pasta! I took home to corn & carmelized onion ravioli to eat at school. My mother and I bought the goat cheese, basil & roasted red pepper raviolis to eat some time this week. Being self-sufficient for my meals at school have given me a new love for frozen pasta. I trust that this frozen meal won't be full of sodium.