Friday, August 30, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 30th, 2013


Target Ottoman



A while ago, Target had an online furniture sale and I found this great gray patterned storage ottoman for my apartment.  The gray color is actually slightly lighter in person, so even with the busy pattern it manages to feel neutral enough with the other items in living room.  Also, I love that I can store my extra bedding sets and blankets in this ottoman - it fits quite a lot inside!  Unfortunately I am unable to find this exact ottoman online, but there are a few others that I think are great too, like this blue chevron one, and this blue diamond ikat one. 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 29th, 2013


Chobani Bite - Coffee with Dark Chocolate Chips



A while back, Chobani came out with these cute snack-sized Chobani Bite cups, and I was especially excited to try the Coffee with Dark Chocolate Chips flavor.  It sounded like something I would definitely like since I love coffee ice cream and dark chocolate.

Luckily, it didn't take too long for me to find these at my local Target, and on sale too! The chocolate is blended pretty well - they're more like flecks of dark chocolate vs. bigger chunks mixed in.  There's still a bit of sourness that comes with yogurt but the coffee flavor was still strong in these.  I enjoyed these as a mid-day work snack - they are small yet satisfying for that afternoon sweets fix.   I haven't tried it yet but I think these would be great frozen, like a frozen yogurt pop! 

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 28th, 2013


Shake Shack - Peach Pecan Custard



I wasn't specifically planning on trying the Peach Pecan custard from Shake Shack, but I figured it was a nice seasonal offering to taste, especially since I happened to be there when the flavor was available.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of fruit pies, and this essentially is a peach+pecan pie a la mode blended together... but this was much better than I expected.  The fresh peach flavor was great, mainly because it still tasted rich like a custard and not like a peach sorbet or anything. The pecan bits added great texture to this custard as well.

Any peach pie fans will love this custard - heck, maybe even non-peach pie fans like me will too!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 27th, 2013


Georgetown Cupcake - Red Velvet Cupcake



WHY did it take this long to get this flavor on my blog?!  I have no idea, but better late than never!

Georgetown Cupcake's Red Velvet cupcake is the very first cupcake of theirs that I tried, and still remains my overall favorite.  A Best In Show, if you will. It is "Georgetown Cupcake's signature cupcake — classic red velvet cupcake with a vanilla cream cheese frosting topped with a red fondant heart".  Simple, and delicious. Anyone that likes red velvet cake will love this cupcake! 


Monday, August 26, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 26th, 2013


Montgomery County Agricultural Fair

Last Saturday my friends M, K, and I spent the sunny afternoon at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair - I've heard about this fair on radio and bus advertisements for years but have never been.  I know most county fairs are big but this one was no joke - it started to feel like Las Vegas, where you walk forever and never seem to find the "end", and you lose all track of time, haha. It was a mix of carnival fun and lots of agricultural stands, events, and of course lots of animals.  I look forward to checking out the fair again sometime!   


Fry all the things!




I don't think this sheep was cold, but probably freshly shorn?



Pig races!




A camel... yeah this fair is just all over the place, haha.




This looks less than appealing (various body parts came to mind when the three of us saw this), but the red velvet funnel cake with cream cheese icing was SO GOOD. 





Friday, August 23, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 23rd, 2013


Baskin-Robbins Oreo Nutty Salted Caramel Ice Cream



This past weekend I redeemed my free birthday scoop coupon from Baskin-Robbins while I was running other errands, and I was pleasantly surprised to see their August flavor: Oreo Nutty Salted Caramel.  It's like they knew that I would be coming in in August, haha.

This flavor was awesome, as expected, with lots of Oreo pieces and caramel sauce mixed in throughout.  My scoop had a few pieces of the aforementioned nuts, but not really as much as the Oreo pieces.  As a lover of Oreos and caramel, this was an awesome birthday treat! 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 22nd, 2013


Sephora/Benefit Birthday Gift


Every year, I look forward to Sephora's birthday gift, which is available to all Sephora members during the month of their birthday.  This year, the birthday freebie was a cute box of 2 mini Benefit products: They're Real! mascara and Watt's Up? highlighter.  These are a great size for traveling with, and I am looking forward to trying them out! 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 21st, 2013


Coco Sala - Love is in the Eclair



I've always loved the desserts at Coco Sala, and this one is no exception!  and This lovely new dessert, "Love is in the Eclair", is a chocolate and coffee lover's dream: "Glazed pastry filled with chocolate cream, glazed pastry filled with cafe au lait cream, and an affogato with espresso & blonde chocolate gelato".  

M and I tried it out soon after the dessert made its debut, and loved the presentation, especially when the espresso is poured over the gelato once the desserts comes to the table.  I recently had it again when my best friend was visiting, and it was delicious then too, of course!  The eclairs are very light and crisp, and reminded me more of a croissant than a thicker eclair shell.  This is a great addition to the fabulous dessert menu at Coco Sala! 

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 20th, 2013


Georgetown Cupcake - Peaches & Cream Cupcake



The current special flavors at Georgetown Cupcake for August are: Banana Split, Neapolitan, and this Peaches & Cream cupcake above, mmm.

The Peaches & Cream cupcake consists of a "Classic Madagascar Bourbon vanilla cupcake baked with fresh peaches and topped with a peach-infused vanilla buttercream frosting and a fondant peach".

I like that Georgetown Cupcake always tries to incorporate seasonal items in their cupcakes, and this one is no exception.  The cake is studded with lots of little peach chunks and the cupcake itself has a pleasantly peachy scent.  Fruit/cream combos aren't really my favorite but anyone that likes peach pie, peach ice cream, or peaches in general will love this one.  Be sure to try it out before the end of August! 



Monday, August 19, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 19th, 2013


My Birthday, Woo!

There's really no other way to talk about it without sounding obnoxious, so I might as well go all out - Today is my birthday, woooooooooooooooooo!

I'm planning on going a fun happy hour with friends tonight, and likely indulging in some Shake Shack at some point as well - shocker, haha.

Although this has nothing to do with my birthday, I was recently thinking about an old Jeff Lewis moment that never ceases to crack me up, and Bravo TV really might as well be a gigantic part of my birthday celebration, haha.  So here's an oldie but a goodie - Jeff Lewis flipping out about onions in his lunch, hahaha. I love you crazy Jeff, never change.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 16th, 2013


Kate Spade iPad Case



When I found out that I would be getting an iPad for work, I immediately went online window shopping for a new iPad case - priorities, people! 

After looking around both online and in a few stores, I picked out this Chevron iPad folio from Kate Spade - it's super cute and I like that it's a case that also works as an iPad stand.  If anyone else is in the market for a new iPad case, this one is currently on sale!!  

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 15th, 2013


Georgetown Cupcake - Summer Sunshine Swirl Cupcake



This free Summer Sunshine Swirl is probably one of the more interesting-looking cupcakes that Georgetown Cupcake has offered, since they normally stick to pretty classic colors.  It's a fun swirl of bright orange and bright yellow-colored frosting, and a multicolored fondant topper.  The cupcake itself is a vanilla cake with vanilla frosting, but it's a cute summery version of a classic flavor!  

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 14th, 2013


Haute Papier Haute Box #2



I was excited to receive my second HauteBox from Haute Papier (Box #1 is here) - this shipment had a fun metallics theme!

The Lucite tape dispenser will be perfect for the roll of washi tape that was also included, and the little note cards are great for gifts or just a note to say hello.  I'm keeping one of the mini notebooks in my purse to have for notes when I'm out and about - there's something still nice about writing things down with a pen and paper, in my book. I look forward to the next HauteBox shipment! 

Monday, August 12, 2013

NJ Trip

I'm off to NJ for work for a few days - I hope everyone's having a great start to this week!

Friday, August 9, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 9th, 2013


Shake Shack - SMORSECode... Concrete



Mmm, s'mores!  This is the third concrete flavor at the 7th Street DC location of Shake Shack, and it was as delicious as I expected :o)

The SMORSECode... concrete is a nod to the Spy Museum next door, and consists of chocolate custard, marshmallow sauce, and graham crackers from Pollystyle.  The ample graham cracker pieces were definitely my favorite part - they definitely didn't taste like the normal boxed supermarket graham crackers, and added lots of crunch to the dish.  Any s'mores fans will love this concrete! 

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Justin Timberlake & Jay Z

I am super excited to be headed to the Justin Timberlake and Jay Z concert tonight, woohoo!  I have been listening to both of their new albums recently but I'm still hoping for lots of their old songs, fingers crossed!

Side note: a while back Jay Z officially deleted the hyphen from his name, or rather, "sold it"? Sure, this man can do pretty much whatever he wants to at this point, haha.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 7th, 2013


Pabu Izakaya - Baltimore, MD

A while back my friend E, her husband S and I enjoyed a great dinner at Pabu Izakaya inside the Four Seasons in Baltimore.  The space is really pretty, and the menu was a great mix of familiar Asian flavors with a modern twist.  All of our dishes were beautifully presented, and delicious - especially those Berkshire pork ribs, yum. I can't wait to go back again and try more of their dishes!




Amberjack sashimi



Berkshire pork country ribs


Ahi tuna poke



Robata Platter - 5 assorted skewers, garlic butter rice




Dessert Omakase - Mango panna cotta, green tea-lemon Genoise, rose mochi ice cream, lemongrass brown butter bonbon



Soy caramel chocolate pudding


Pabu Izakaya
Four Seasons Baltimore
725 Aliceanna Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410.223.1460

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 6th, 2013


Sprinkles - Maple Bacon Cupcake




Bacon. Need we say more? Harnessing bacon’s unique umami taste, Sprinkles serves up our first savory cupcake. Thick, smoky bacon is baked to a crisp and woven into our Madagascar Bourbon vanilla cake. Topped with rich, buttery maple cream cheese frosting, you will be convinced that everything tastes better with Maple Bacon!

September 6 to 22


I am SO THERE.




Monday, August 5, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 5th, 2013


Georgetown Cupcake - Shark Week Chocolate Cupcake



I'm not a big fanatic about Shark Week like lots of other people are, but I can always appreciate a fun "new" Georgetown cupcake commemorating it, haha! 

This is a chocolate cake topped with a light blue vanilla frosting, and a giant Shark Week fondant topper.  The frosting is the same as the Baby Blue ones that I have blogged about before, and it's a fun little change from their normal frosting colors.  For those of you that do look forward to Shark Week every year, I hope you enjoy it! 

Friday, August 2, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 2nd, 2013


Georgetown Cupcake - August Flavors

This month brings us THREE specialty flavors at Georgetown Cupcake, woohoo!

The August flavors are:

- Banana SplitFresh banana cupcake with a fudge core topped with a vanilla cream cheese frosting, a fudge drizzle, hazelnuts, rainbow bobbles, and a maraschino cherry

- Peaches & Cream: Classic Madagascar Bourbon vanilla cupcake baked with fresh peaches and topped with a peach-infused vanilla buttercream frosting and a fondant peach

- Neapolitan: Classic Madagascar Bourbon vanilla cupcake with “twisted” chocolate buttercream and strawberry buttercream with a pink fondant flower

I'm especially excited for the Neapolitan to be offered every day - it was recently a free secret flavor and I loved it! 

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Lunchtime Links for August 1st, 2013


Shake Shack - August Custard Menu

It's time for another fun month of custard flavors at Shake Shack!

Monday: Strawberry Cheesecake
Tuesday: Malted Marshmallow Milk Chocolate
Wednesday: Apricot Jam Cookie
Thursday: Caramel Popcorn
Friday: Fromage Blanc Raspberry Swirl
Saturday: Boston Cream Pie
Sunday: Blueberry Sweet Corn

I am definitely intrigued by Tuesday, Thursday, and I might even let my dislike of blueberry slide for the sake of trying the corn one on Sunday, haha.