Our Live! Staycation!!

This post is sponsored by Live! Casino & Hotel, all views and experiences are mine and mine alone.

Nothing Like a Little Spa Get Away!!

Last weekend we spent the night at Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, we needed a little recharge getaway and there\’s no better place to do so then 15 minutes from home. The Friday afternoon we checked in we caught the Family Feud Live show at the Live! Event Center, it was beyond funny and so much fun. They had some celebrity family members and they also gave aways some serious cash and prizes to the audience members. I always told Rob while we are watching the show at home that I would do so well, when in all actuality I would probably freeze realizing the world was watching ….lol! After the show we stopped into the casino for some Super 4 Progressive Blackjack and some slots. The Super 4 is fantastic and it gives you more chances to hit big, featuring top jackpots starting at $50,000 that could hit on a single $5 bet. Both games also offer an exclusive additional “Must-Hit” progressive guaranteed to hit by $500. Believe it or not your girl had some beginners luck and won some serious cash…I got #LuckyAtLive!! 

After we played for a few we headed off to the mall to grab a few things, I love that Arundle Mills Mall is just steps away from the hotel and casino. I was able to find some great items I scored on sale. Around 6:30pm we at dinner at Prime Rib, from start to finish the meal was amazing. Our server Flower was super helpful and she explained the menu from start to finish, as well as giving us recommendations on the best thing to order. We started off with a house salad (extra tomatoes), fresh rolls (mind you the pretzel rolls were absolutely amazing) and a french onion soup. For our entrees I got the Peruvian chicken, and Rob the salmon. The sides are all ala carte and definitely more than enough for two so we ordered the mashed potatoes and asparagus to share. 


Everything was more than tasty and cooked to perfection, I sure wish I could cook chicken like that at home. The mashed potatoes had a cheesy hint to them that went just right with everything on the table. Once we were stuffed to the gills we headed back up to the room to unwind and get some shut eye. Now let\’s talk about the super comfy bed shall we, the room was beautiful fresh and super clean. The decor is modern and welcoming, I fell in love with the bathroom, the shower is huge and the vanity was all in beautiful black marble. We got the best night of rest and were more than ready for our couples massage at the 
Live! Spa.  Since we wouldn\’t be eating brunch until after I ordered up a little something to the room, nothing like fresh fruit for breakfast right?

Around 11am we headed off to the Spa on the 2nd floor, it was thee most relaxing atmosphere. You change into beautiful thick robes, and chill on comfy sofas, with the sound of rain, fruit infused water or hot tea until the massage therapists come to get you for your session. I have to say it was the single most amazing massage I have EVER had, especially since I have never gotten one professionally. Rob has serious back issues and even he was overly-thrilled. I was honestly surprised because he\’s very hard to please when it comes to a back massage. I definitely wish I could get one a week, it\’s got to be good for stress and tension for sure. 

In our more than relaxed state plus a little champagne, we showered, got dressed and headed off to David\’s for Brunch. What a good move that was. To start off I ordered the caesar salad and onion soup, which sure didn\’t disappoint since it actually came in an onion. Yes I said an onion, it was hollowed out into a bowl and topped with warm crusty bread. For our entrees I ordered the parmesan crusted chicken and Rob the chicken sandwich. 

Another amazing meal for sure, so much so that I barely had room for a delish cupcake gelato sundae from Luckies. You know I had to get creative where dessert is concerned. They had so much to choose from, I just couldn\’t help myself. All in all we were bummed to have to head home but we were excited to get back home to Piper and as I always say \’There\’s No Place Like Home!\” which might I add was only 15-20 minutes away. We had such a good time and everyone was so nice and helpful, we\’ll definitely be doing this again soon. 

Everything from A to Z in the casino and hotel is overdone with class, right down to the artwork and floral decor. It\’s all around amazing and on my recommendation list. If you haven\’t been yet try it, something tells me after that massage you\’ll be thanking me…lol!! Have a wonderful week dolls and please sound off below with your favorite Staycation spot!? I\’m curious what you guys love!!

(The view from our room)

(Fresh fruit plate I ordered from room service)


Sunday at the Farmer\’s Market with Tillamook!

Thank you Tillamook for sponsoring this post. Visit your local Costco today to bring Tillamook Ice Cream Sandwiches home to your family this summer!
Enjoying life\’s sweet and simple summer pleasures!

                                           

This past Sunday was one for the books because it was jam packed with so many of my summer faves. When late spring hits the Baltimore Farmer\’s Market & Bazaar starts back up, it\’s located underneath the Jones Falls Expressway at Holiday & Saratoga, every Sunday from April to late December. The entire underpass lines up with vendors of all kinds selling thee freshest of Maryland fruits, veggies, flowers, dairy items, meats, bread, nick knacks, handmade clothing and much much more. It opens at 7am and runs until 12 noon, and wow is it packed with tons of people from open to close. 

 It was literally elbow to elbow the majority of the time I was there, which was around 11am. The weather was perfect, it was breezy and about 70 degrees which I wish it was every day. I made sure to take some Tillamook Ice Cream Sandwiches with me, they always make any summer activity that much better. I particularly love the Chocolate Mudslide flavor, it\’s two yummy, baked golden brown cookies, made of butter and brown sugar, then dipped in the best chocolate. centered with rich and creamy ice cream. If you haven\’t tried them yet I really recommend you do, they\’re conveinently located in the freezer section of your local Costco. 


 They\’re delicious from start to end, the cookies are the perfect bite and they go splendidly with the ice-cream. I love that they come 12 to a box and are the perfect size. That way I can fit two in my mini cooler with some ice and drinks, which means I can take them with me anywhere because nothing puts a summer smile on my face like ice-cream. You guys know just how much I love it! Especially when you\’re shopping…..I was really enjoying strolling through the farmer\’s market enjoying my Mudslide Ice Cream Sandwich.  There were so many flower stands, ones where you could select the flowers and create your own bouquet. 


Then there were the flower trays and hanging basket stands, and wow were they all full of so many different beautiful colors and blooms. Then came the herbs, there were soon many different kinds and wow did they all look and smell delish. There\’s nothing like the taste of fresh cilantro in your salad or basil on your pasta. It\’s always so much better than the dried spices you buy in the store, the taste is so much more vibrant and plain fresh. 


There\’s nothing like using high quality ingredients, just like Tillamook ..the milk they use for their ice cream is only the best, from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones, no high fructose corn syrup along with extra cream for a rich, smooth creamy texture. You can\’t beat it in my opinion, it\’s special just like the fresh local veggies I get from the Farmer\’s Market. Big juicy red tomatoes and strawberry, fresh snap peas, the list goes on and on. 



For dinner that night I picked up some fresh asparagus, it\’s great pan seared with a little  butter, onions and a bit of fresh diced garlic. I also got some carrots, onions, fresh bread and mixed greens, potatoes, and apples . All in all I was able to put together a meal unlike any other, a house salad, and chicken breast with roasted veggies, pan seared asparagus, with a strawberry and apple cobbler, over ice-cream with a dollop of whipped cream. Sounds amazing right? Wow was it a great trip, I can\’t wait for next Sunday so I can do it all again. 



I\’ll definitely make sure I have more Tillamook Ice Cream Sandwiches, next time I\’ll try the mint chocolate chip flavor. I bet it\’s just as amazing as the Mudslide. It makes any summer activity that much sweeter to enjoy. I would love to hear what your favorite summer activities are, please sound off below by leaving a comment. I\’m always looking for fun new ideas of things to try, I definitely think we will be going to the beach the end of June but that\’s as cliche\’ as it gets when it comes to summer trips, so I\’m really looking forward to reading your comments. 


Here\’s to the start of an amazing summer with Tillamook Ice Cream Sandwiches!!

Spring Cleaning with Adams Flea & Tick!

(This post is sponsored by Adams Flea & Tick, all experiences are mine and mine alone.) 
Time to get the house ready!!
Hello my friends, spring is here and it’s about that time to start spring cleaning. For most people this is just inside of the house, but we do things a little differently, we like to do the same to the outside as well. We start off by pressure washing all the sidewalks, driveway, patios and porch. The we wash down the siding on the outside of the house, kind of like you wash a car. This keeps the white siding looking bright and new, then we move onto the yard to get it ready for summer. We make sure to fertilize the grass, and spray all of the rose bushes for bugs. Otherwise the beetles will have all the leaves looking like swiss cheese by June…they sure are destructive little things. Then there are the fleas, another annoying summer pest we have to worry about because of Piper.
(They love to nest in the soft plushy areas which are perfect for the Carpet & Home Spray)


During the summer we are out and about doing a ton of activities and many of them include other dogs. We go to the dog park on a regular basis, we go to the dog festival, and we love to go on hikes up by Liberty Dam. All of these activities carry the risk of Piper coming home with one of these nasty little critters on her, and we want to make sure that we are protected in every way so that our home doesn’t become a flea infestation. How fleas work is they attach themselves to your dog or cat (the host) and as gross as it sounds suck their blood. Then the flea will lay eggs all over your pup, then he or she walks around your home dropping these eggs in every area of your home, kind of like a little salt shaker. All over your rugs and floors, on your favorite chair, in his or her bed, on your bed, and even in the yard and car. Then these little critters hatch and jump on a host and start the cycle all over again, until your home, car and yard are swarming with fleas. This is why flea-proofing your pup, yard and house is so important. They are thee nastiest little critters in so many ways and i just don’t want them chewing on us or the dog, so I take steps to keep them far far away from us, Piper and the house. I keep a small arsenal on hand at all times, and we ONLY use Adams Flea & Tick products which we so conveniently get from the pet section of Walmart. The products consist of both immediate and preventive measures, because let’s face it all summer we are around other dogs. Whilst we can’t control fleas on everyone else’s dogs, we can’t stay held up in the house all summer either. With these products I can calm our fears and keep us all and the house pest free, that way we can enjoy fun summer and spring events like Pawject Runway a fun little pup fashion runway show that raises money for Barcs. Every year we love to go and help support Barcs, it’s always teaming with pups of all kinds from all over. 
(Adams Flea & Tick products are very easy to find in the pet section of Walmart)

I basically use the same routine each year and it starts off with a bath using the Adams Flea & Tick Cleansing Shampoo, this gets Piper clean, smelling fantastic and flea free. Next up I put the Adams Flea & Tick Collar Plus for Dogs & Puppies on Piper as a preventive measure, to keep any future fleas from trying to catch a ride. I always find that being preventive is much better than reactive, because it keeps it from happening all together saving me a lot of stress and headaches. Then there\’s the Adams Flea & Tick Spray which is wonderful for spot treatments and the Carpet & Home Spray is great to keep your home flea free. The flea and tick spray is great for those days we go on hikes in the woods by the dam, Piper loves to explore all the trails with us for hours and hours. While it’s lots of fun, I never forget all of the risks that these days can offer when it comes to fleas and ticks. Due to Adams Flea & Tick products we are able to enjoy our summer of fun activities without a care in the world. They also carry great products to spray your yard with, we use them too. 

Right after we finish planting the annuals and turning the mulch in the flower boxes, we spray down the outer yard and Piper’s area as well. She loves to run in and out of her doggie door into her yard, she also loves to lay in the grass spread eagle and sun bath. It’s the cutest thing in the world to see her enjoy her little space in such a comfy manner. By the time we finish up the yard everything looks quite beautiful, and it’s just in time for our annual family cookout. It’s so much fun to relax with the family, eat delicious food, talk, and just enjoy each others company. Yes it’s a ton of work, but nothing is more satisfying then pride in your work and home. After all it’s home, our very own little part of the world, and it’s a reflection of us as people, so we have to keep it looking nice and clean, as well as pest and flea free. The only thing left to worry about is those darn deer eating all my flowers….I definitely need a cry emoji right about now…lol!!

Well here’s to a beautiful flea free summer with Adams Flea & Tick Products!!

Baltimore – DC Spring Vibes!!

It\’s Spring in Baltimore!!


(Piper and I at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC)


Don\’t let me drown you guys with all the killer spring vibes, I just couldn\’t help sharing them with you. I love this time of year so I go a bit overboard with the floral shots, I even have an Instagram account that is ONLY devoted to floral photography. It\’s a big big love of mine, as most of you know I was a floral designer for darn near 15 years. It was the only job I have ever had that never felt like a day of work, kind of like being an influencer. It\’s absolutely true what they say about feeling passion for whatever you do, it\’s the key to success for sure. Ok I\’ll stop chatting your heads off, we will make this post a mostly image post and let the flower shots do the talking. After all flowers are plain just good for the soul! My favorite flower is the Stargazer Lily, hence my Instagram username @DanaStargazerTruitt, and my flower page @_StarsFlowers, check them out and tell me what you think. If you don\’t follow yet please do. I look forward to your input/comments on the flowers shots. I\’m also running a HUGE GIVEAWAY on my flower page as well, 2 people will win $1000 cash. 


Above is Piper and I in Mt. Vernon Baltimore Maryland, just across the street from the Washington Monument, and surrounded by magnolias. Below is another Magnolia shot in Druid Hill Park by the Baltimore Zoo, just outside of the Rawlings Conservatory. Piper was definitely trying to eat a bee she saw fly bye. 


The shot above is the Patterson Park Pagoda, which is also in Baltimore. It too is completely framed by magnolias in the riches shades of pink and purple. Last but not least is one of my favorite pictures of Piper to date, I call it Piper prancing through the tulips, and this too is at the Rawlings Conservatory. They always have thee most amazing flowers on display all year round. Doesn\’t Piper look absolutely gorgeous? Of course I am a bit partial to Pip and those tulips are so colorful, it\’s especially special because they all match her harness. 


Our Cabin Getaway!

Recharge With Wellnesste


I’m so excited about finally getting this post finished because it’s been one of the cooler trips I have went on in quite a bit, if you follow me on Instagram then you already know we went to Central New York. Why you ask? We found the most amazing little spot called Wellnesste, it’s the true cabin experience. Mind you the day we arrived there was already several inches of snow on the ground, then that evening a huge blizzard started and continued all day the next day. I remember saying I sure hope it snows so it’s super cozy and nice…..ha ha…be careful what you wish for. Seriously though the snow made it that much more amazing. The entire property was snow covered and absolutely beautiful. The Wellnesste Lodge’s 5 rentable cabins that are set back in privacy on 60 acres of land, it’s covered with animals, beautiful trees, trails, rivers, creeks, ponds and streams. 


The cabin we stayed in was called Wilson’s Cabin and boy was it comfy, homey and clean. It included all of the comforts of home like a fully stocked kitchen (all you need to do is bring the food), a full bathroom with a hot shower, comfy beds, books, games and much much more. If you’re like me and can’t live without your connections don’t stress, wifi is available and there are tons of plugs in the cabins so you can bring a radio or a small TV and some DVD’s. There was a wood burning stove in our cabin and plenty of wood right on sight. We kept ours burning the entire time so it was super warm and cozy, Piper loved it too because she posted up right in front of the fire the whole time we were there. Yes Piper went with us, I’m so pleased to say that Wellnesste is 100% pet friendly. She’s a member of the family so she goes with us everywhere, and wow did she really love running and playing in the snow. We honestly had no idea she loved it so much because we have never gotten more than an inch or two at home in her 1.3 yrs of life. 


Once we got to the cabin and settled in we headed right back out to grab a quick bite to eat and go to the grocery store because a blizzard of epic proportions was set to start that night at 10pm and we did’t want to get snowed in with no food. They were talking about white out conditions, and that’s something we didn’t want to be out and about driving around in the next day. The cabins are set back on a driveway way off the road and then down a hill, needless to say not the best drive to do on ice and snow. After we got back from the store we put everything away, started a fire and settled in for the night, and boy did we sleep good. It was an 8hr drive because of the weather and we were exhausted, I was also looking forward to the morning so I could explore the property with my camera. I would say we woke up at about 7-7:30 to thee most insane snow I have ever seen, at some points in the day there was no visibility due to the snow and wind. The word white out was thee perfect description, mind you they called for 70mph wins with the snow and 19 degree weather. Once the sun was fully awake and showered I cooked us a big breakfast, then bundled up and set out to get great shots of the area, my first choice was the tree house cabin. It wasn’t far off from our cabin, just across the property snuggled back into the woods..It was so beautiful capped with snow and tucked in the tall trees, next to a stream with the snow falling from the sky…wow was all I could say. We definitely have to go back in the spring or summer, I can only imagine how green and lush it is then.

By the time the snow stopped falling the next day there was over a foot on the ground, so we decided to stay on the property and schmy around in the cabin until the next morning, That’s the good thing about Wellnesste, it’s thee best place to recharge and take a break from all the craziness of everyday life. Once the roads were clear we headed out into the surrounding area to explore all the yummy choices she had to offer. Of course you know I hunted down some local ice-cream…we also went to the Turning Stone Casino where there was a great restaurant called Wildflowers. It was about 35-45 minutes away from the cabin and so so worth the drive, the food was amazing. For an appetizer we ordered the hummus plate with slices of what looked and tasted like tasted pita, wow was it good. It had artichoke hearts, olives, feta, roasted red peppers and onions piled high onto of the hummus. For the main course I got the short rib and Rob ordered the chicken, again both were phenomenal, as well as the apple martini I ordered. Definitely the best dinner we had while we had the whole trip, now for breakfast we went to a place called Slims which was great as well. I love how it was only $15 for both of us to eat a huge meal, and the corned beef hash was very good. 

(Hummus App)

 (Short Rib at Wildflowers)

(Corned Beef Hash Breakfast at Slims)

After breakfast we checked out a great little local ice-cream spot called Mercer’s, they have wine infused ice-cream that I was more than eager to try. Who would have thought that wine and ice-cream tasted so darn good together?  They had favors like Cherry Merlot, Chocolate Cabernet, Peach White Zinfandel, Red Raspberry Chardonnay and more….like the Sparkling Strawberry made with Champagne which was ohhhhh so good. It doesn’t stop there, Mercer’s has tons of regular ice cream flavors as well as soft serve. I tried some of their vanilla soft serve and wow was it thick, rich and creamy. Happily I found out they sell their ice-cream all over the world with a couple locations in my area, I know where I’m going…lol! Just as we were leaving Mercer’s to head back to the cabin it started snowing again and really heavy, we had plans for dinner that night but decided to head to the grocery store instead and grab some stuff to make a big dinner at the cabin. I have to say thank goodness for the Mazda CX-3 that we drove to New York because we hit such a huge array of nasty weather and she plowed right through it like a champ. I definitely have a different opinion of all wheel drive now. See as most of you know Rob and I are currently car shopping because we plan to buy in about 6 months, this is why we tested the Mazda out for a week to see how it would handle. Not once did we slip in the snow, she may look a mess in the shot but wow did the CX-3 hold it\’s own. It\’s on the short list of serious contenders. Quick question that may help us out, what kind of car do you drive and would you recommend it? Let me know below because I really need some help, it\’s a big buy and will also be my first new car so as I\’m sure you can figure I\’m really stressed out about making the right choice.

(The Mazda CX-3 2019)

We didn’t want to drive in the yucky conditions at night, plus we had a couple of good movies so we just stayed in. It’s was definitely the coolest vibes….all cozy in the cabin with the snow falling and surrounding us outside, the fire burning while we at a great dinner and laughed at the movies. It’s an experience that I will more than try to recreate and know you guys will LOVE!! We were set to start heading home the next morning and were worried we may get snowed in, but that’s one thing I can say for central New York, they’re on top of their roads in the winter. the next day they were all clear for us to drive home. 

(Mercer\’s Vanilla Soft Serve Waffle Cone)

All in all we had a great 5 days at Wellnesste…we really loved how helpful and welcoming the staff was, they really know how to make you feel at home. We plan to come back in the warmer months when we can do more exploring of the trails and streams. There is so much to do in the general area, there’s also a book in the cabin that shows you all the good places for fun, restaurants, and museums, along with all the info you need to call or find your way there. You guys have to check out Wellnesste, there are so many amazing possibilities waiting for you in Central New York!!For more info check out their website www.wellnesste.com or follow them on Instagram @wellnesste. If you have any questions about Wellnesste feel free to sound off below or shoot me a DM on Instagram @DanaStargazerTruitt, also keep an eye on Instagram for more pictures on my feed.

(Tree House Cabin at Wellnesste)

 Luv you guys tons and have a wonderful week!

I Answer My Most Asked Question!

This post is sponsored by Sweat Coin, and all opinions and experiences are mine and mine alone!

Staying Fit & Healthy!!

Hello everyone I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. As most of you know on Instagram I’m known as the Dessert Diva, I also have a crazy sweet tooth. Eating sweets is literally a hobby of mine, and one question I have gotten many times over is what I do to keep in shape? How do you keep yourself at the size you are now and eat so many sweets and high calorie items? Well I’ve decided to finally answer that question, but let’s not get it twisted I’m by no means a fitness blogger or health fanatic, I just stick to my daily routine to keep myself fit and healthy. Heart disease and high blood pressure also run in my family, so it’s best just to do what I can to prevent those issues. As I always say prevention is much better than reaction. There are a few tools that I keep at my disposal, these few things assure that I always get in a good workout.

#1 The right workout gear, I know you’re thinking what is she talking about? Well think about it, you definitely aren’t wearing an aerobic shoe for running. You have to have the right gear for the right activities, I also know that when I wear gear I look and feel amazing in, it always puts me in the mood to put out my best which gives me the best results. 

#2 You MUST remain consistent, because consistency is the key to good results. I definitely recommend that you make a workout schedule and stick to it NO MATTER WHAT!! It’s the constant hard work that conditions your body to get to a healthy place and remain there as long as you keep putting the work in. 

#3 A good fitness watch and (or) app, I use an both an Apple Watch, the Nike fitness app. It was the first one that I ever used and liked because it gave me very specific and detailed info about my runs. The apps make a record of each step, the route you took, how fast you walked or ran, how many calories you burned and much much more. With these apps I’m able to keep track of all my workouts and set daily goals for myself, that way I can try and beat them the following week, or take new routes to see which is the best, or to keep it from getting boring.

#4 Last but certainly not least, in fact it’s the most important tool I use….Sweat Coin!! This app is amazing because it literally tracks each step you take and pays you for it….YES you read correctly it pays you. At the end of each day the Sweat Coin app compiles all the steps you took and I\’ll say it again ..pays you for them. Then once you get your desired amount you can either transfer it to your bank, your PayPal or use it towards some of the amazing offers that have from day to day on the app. 

My daily routine consists of my morning run which is 3 big laps of the 5 blocks that surround my neighborhood, one lap is about a mile. I remember when I started I could barely run the one block, I had to stop and walk a few times before I could finish. (I also realized #1 that I needed the right running shoes and running gear. If you don\’t have the right shoes with the right support you can start to get muscle injuries and much much more). Now when the laps are done I push myself to run just a little bit more, eventually my plan is to get up to 5 miles per run and I’m not that far off. Then there\’s my evening workout, I do a simple cardio routine for anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes long, depending on how I feel. I always make sure to get it in well before I eat dinner, I don’t know why that is but it’s just always been my schedule so I’ve stuck with it. Remember consistancy is the key! My next cardio goal is 20 minutes, and I know if I’m determined enough that I can definitely do it as long as I stick to my guns, wear the right footwear/active gear, and let’s not forget.. \”Keep my Sweat Coin active\”. Even if you don’t run like I do you can still use Sweat Coin because it’s counting your daily steps which you’ll be making regardless, so why not get paid for them. 
At the end of each day I love to look at the app and see how many steps i took. With each day that passes I push myself in simple ways like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking a little further away from the entrance so I have to walk a bit more. It’s amazing how this app pushes me to be the best version of me that I can. 

       

It’s super easy to use, just grab the Sweat Coin app here: https://sweatco.in
Sign up and wallah the app does the rest, all you have to do is get those feet moving.

Well I hope I didn’t bore you guys too much with my daily workout deets, I just wanted to answer one of thee most asked questions that I get. If you have any questions about me feel free to ask them below, who knows maybe I’ll answer your question next. 
Have a Fabulous Weekend Dolls and Remember to Treat Yo’Self!!

PS…Don’t forget to check out todays Dessert Diva post on Instagram, every Saturday I post an amazing ice-cream cone shot from one of the delish ice-cream spots in my area. 
Don\’t forget to follow and turn on my notifications because I have some HUGE giveaways running as we speak and to come…right now someone has the chance to win a 4 night/5 day vacation to Maldives. Then there are 4 other winners for stuff like an iPhone x, and lots of cash!!

Brunch on The Avenue

Love me a Good Sunday Brunch!

There is a great little spot in Hampden called The Food Market, all in all it\’s not that far from me. I would say its about 15-20 minutes from my house in Randallstown/Owings Mills. It\’s one of my favorite spots, not to mention is flippin\’ amazing, they have thee best brunch menu EVER! Now don\’t get me wrong they have an amazing dinner menu as well, from Mon-Fri they don\’t open until 5pm, then on the weekends they open at 9am. There is a full bar and mind you the drinks are relish, i got the one above which is called Bohemian Raspberry. I like my cocktails fruity and sweet, it\’s just better when they go down yummy, who wants to choke down a drink that tastes utterly horrible? I want to taste and enjoy it, not force it down whilst I make a cringed up face and most liquor does that in my case unless it\’s cut with something sweet. Are you the same way??…I\’d love to know in the comments. Back to the food, Rob and I started out with the soft pretzels and beer cheese, now keep in mind tis is what they\’re known for…and now I know why!! the pretzels where soft and buttery and the cheese was thick rich and tasty, such a perfect match.

Then for the mains I ordered the Peruvian Cheesteak which is made up of fork pull short rib, smothered in cheese and lots of yummy fried onions and red peppers on a soft sub roll, topped with jalapeños and sided with fresh fries. It’s  an absolute master piece that I will be going back for many times over,. Rob ordered the chicken and biscuits, which he ate every bite of mind you. We never leave The Food Market hungry or unhappy, and it seems we aren\’t the only ones that feel this way because they\’re always packed no matter what time you go in. I\’ll give you a tip, make a reservation or you will be waiting to get a table.

After brunch we walked down to The Creamery to grab an ice cream, we decided to grab the newest flavor Baltimore In A Box…WOW was it good!! They always have amazing sweets, i love their hot chocolates as well, i like to top mine with one of their amazing homemade caramel marshmallows. 
You know I have a crazy sweet tooth and while I constantly say… \”It\’s always a good time for ice-cream\”, it was a little insane today being it was six degrees. Let\’s just say it was more than cold shooting the ice-cream and omg super windy so it felt even colder. Sadly not long after this shot the wind blew the cherry right off the ice cream onto the ground, it was about then I decided enough ice cream pictures…lol!! Well I hope you guys enjoyed my Sunday brunch escapades, but done\’t go yet I have a surprise for you, just scroll down for more!!


IT\’S GIVEAWAY TIME!!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS!

~Yes it’s time for another out of this world giveaway!~ 
I have teamed up with a handful of amazing bloggers to give one lucky winner 
the choice of an iPhone 8 0r $600 PayPal cash!
Which one will you choose?? 

⚠️PLEASE NOTE BEFORE YOU ENTER!⚠️
If you unsubscribe/mark the newsletters as spam you will not be eligible for future  giveaways ☺️ Please remember that when you mark a blog newsletter as spam it puts a bad mark on our delivery system, and this causes us major issues to where we can\’t send them out anymore to anyone. Large amounts of unsubscribes also give us a bad mark, so if you truly don’t want to enter anymore of the 2 giveaways we do a month, or receive the newsletter and will just unsubscribe ☺️ or mark it as spam please DO NOT ENTER!
With that being said, the giveaway will run for a month, from 1/22/19 12pm est to 2/27/19 at 12am est. To enter just click on the above rafflecopter form and complete the many different tasks to double and triple your chances of winning many times over.
You must be 18+ years of age and reside in the US, AUS, & CANADA to win. VOID where prohibited. The winner will be notified within 24hrs of the giveaway closing and he or she will have 48hrs to respond, or a new winner will be selected. Feel free to read the full 

Terms and Conditions for the complete rules and regulations.

Thanks so much for following and Good Luck 🍀 Everyone!!

(For any past giveaway results see my giveaway page where all winner\’s are listed )

Our Weekend Getaway to Virginia!!

Virginia Here We Come!

Nothing like a relaxing weekend full of fabulousness, it\’s always a MUST to just get away and recharge, there\’s no better place to do so than Virginia. We arrived on Friday afternoon and left on Sunday evening, that way we were able to enjoy the whole weekend. We stayed at Lansdowne Resort & Spa, located on Woodbridge Parkway in Leesburg. We chose Lansdowne because of their amazing pet friendly atmosphere, obviously you know we took Piper along so it was important that they welcomed her as well. If you let them know at the front desk that you have a pup joining you they will bring you a pet bed, bowls ect, they even have a pet area called Bark Park for the pups to enjoy some time outdoors. 

The rooms are spacious, bright and clean, not to mention the beds are super comfy. I really think Piper enjoyed the decor, as you can see she made sure she checked out every single bit of it…lol! She ate up all of the attention she got from the friendly staff, they were there to help with whatever we needed. The hotel sat on a huge property with a beautiful golf course, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a huge fire pit for s\’mores, a spa, a gym, restaurants, stores and much much more. We spent most of the first evening wandering around exploring everything on the property.

When our stomachs started growling we began searching for a great dinner spot. I found a local restaurant called Lightfoot, it was about 15 minutes from the hotel. As usual we had no idea where to eat so I took to google to see what was good. I\’m so glad we discovered Lightfoot because the food was absolutely amazing. I ordered the short rib and Rob ordered the filet mignon. Let\’s just put it this way, we were both linking our fingers when we were done. Everything looked beautiful, was cooked to perfection and full of flavor, I even had the pleasure of meeting the owner/cook who was more than amazing. She makes sure each plate that comes out is just how it should be and that really says something. We enjoyed the food so much that we went back for brunch on the following Sunday which was just as spectacular. Lightfoot is located on N.King Street in Leesburg, the next time you are in the area for dinner or brunch I recommend them 200%, you are going to LOVE the food.

By the time we got back to the hotel we were more than stuffed and ready for some rest, and boy did we get it. Both Rob, Piper and I slept soundly and comfortably all night until 7am when we woke to start the day. We had a day planned out at Stone Tower Winery which is only a 15-20 minute drive from the hotel, it\’s located just atop of Hogback Mountain in a stunning location. The view was amazing as you can see from the pictures below, we couldn\’t enjoy the outdoors like we wanted due to the cold weather so we definitely plan to go back in the summer months. 

We took part in a tasting tour that was so insightful and fun, we got the 411 from Kevin Chung aka @TheWineProfessor check him out on Instagram. He can answer just about any question you have when it comes to wine, I know Rob and I asked him a ton while we were with him. He walked us through the entire facility, showed us some of their 75 acres of vines, the barrel rooms, and shared some really spectaular bottles with us. Everything was clean and well taken care, and wow was it packed with people. They have a variety of nibbles in the Harvest Barn like local and imported cheeses, fresh chibatta, crackers, and artisan chocolate. On Friday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday they have wood-fired pizza. and last but certainly not least there is the gelato, yassssss I said gelato. I got myself a mint chocolate chip gelato and a hot cup of cocoa.

I almost forgot to tell you guys, Stone Tower has a wine club that offers a ton of \”members only\” discounts, events, tastings and much much more. Check out their website (Stone Tower Website) for more info, the clubhouse has thee best laid back feel with a cozy ambiance. I\’m a bit bummed they aren\’t closer because I would definitely be visiting on a regular basis, we really enjoyed our time at Stone Tower. As you can see Piper more than enjoyed it as well, she always loves exploring new places, she\’s the most curious soul you will ever meet. 

When it was time to leave Stone Tower we were more than exhausted, so the bed back at Lansdowne was calling our names. We stopped at DC Prime for dinner on our way back to the hotel, they have thee best french onion soup. For a main course I ordered the roasted chicken, and Rob the salmon, kinda backwards to order everything but steak at a steakhouse. That\’s us though, always a bit off…lol!

Before we knew it Sunday morning crept up on us and it was time to start heading home, all in all it was great weekend that I recommend 100%. It\’s the best way to slow down and recharge, plus Virginians are so sweet and friendly. As I told you guys we stopped back into Lightfoot for brunch before we headed back home to Baltimore. The whole trip went smoothly thanks to Mitsubishi Motors, we got a beautiful new 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. Recenetly we\’ve been car shopping because this year we plan to get a new car, what better way to test one out than take it on a road trip for the weekend. It handled beautifully and wow was it comfortable, we are more than considering the Outlander. It has a sleek body style and plenty of room inside, so all of my camera equipment and luggage fit perfectly. it just made the whole trip that much more enjoyable, even Piper took to the idea of a new car, she was more than comfy riding shotgun..lol!! I definitely feel us becoming a Mitsubishi family very very soon.

I hope you enjoyed our little weekend road trip, I would love to hear about any great spots you have been too. We\’re always looking for fun new places to visit and explore, so your recommendations will be more than welcomed. I hope you guys have a wonderful holiday!!

Pumpkin Patch Perfection!


Fall Vibes Rock!

We had an amazing time at Laugher\’s Orchard last week, it was so full of fun things to eat, pick and see…not to mention pet! It\’s a huge orchard/farm not far from my house in Westminster Md, they grow every kind of fruit and vegetable you can think of, then they have different times of the year that you can come and pick them. Peaches, apples, pumpkins, berries, and much much more. Now that I know about it I definitely plan to come back next summer and enjoy their fresh strawberries and apples, yummy peaches and blackberries. They also have a little country store like atmosphere where you can buy fresh fruit already picked, fresh apple pies, homemade ice cream and so much more. Along with huge posts of beautiful mums, and halloween decor.

They also have a tiny little petting zoo area, when we walked in the gate all of the animals …billy goats, turkeys, sheep, pheasants and a donkey all came jogging across the yard to say hello. The video of this is posted on Piper\’s account on Instagram -> (HERE!) They all loved sniffing Piper curiously, and wow were they all so cute and friendly. The one jumped up to get a better look at Piper and myself as you can see below. 

They billy goats where the coolest, they just loved Piper and the idea of another little furry creature in their midst, they came up and sniffed noses with her over and over. I also grabbed some of their feed from the grate and fed them for quite some time. All in all it was an amazing and super fun experience and I really loved that its only a half hour from my house. I can definitely see us making many more trips to Laugher\’s in the future. Even the Turkey was cool, he flew up next to us and just checked us out, animals are so cool. It always makes me smile when I see how excited Piper gets to interact with them, and because she\’s only 1 year old she\’s still much like a puppy. 

Therefore she\’s always getting into some kind of trouble, as you can see below she was insanely interested in seeing what the mums where all about. She sniffed them and she ate them…lol!! This is her way to check out everything, she reminds me much of a baby. I\’m so glad that the rain held out but the cold surely didn\’t, I\’m sure as you can tell by my outfit it was chilly as heck. I know when I have to pull out the North Face Fleece the cold weather has definitely set in, add a pair of Uggs and some jeggings and you have my winter uniform. I love the soft and comfy feel of winter fashion, it\’s by far my favorite seasonal wear, people think I\’m crazy when I say fall and winter is my favorite but thats for many good reasons. A. No sweating like crazy, the heat kills me, I\’m definitely not made for it. B. I love hot cocoa and comfy sweaters, boots, hats and scarves. C. I love snow and the holidays. Trust me I could go on forever, but you guys get the idea. 
I\’m curious what\’s your favorite season??

Well I hope you guys enjoyed my little Pumpkin Patch Fun, I always love sharing these great outings with you. I have an amazing trip coming up in a couple weeks, it\’s all about a Weekend Getaway Trip to Virginia. It will include a beautiful Hotel & Spa, a stunning Winery, and lots of local charm and fun. It a fun and affordable trip that I think y\’all will absolutely love. In the meantime have a wonderful week.


The Baltimore Chef Shop!!

Absolutely love this place!!
Hey guys!! Sorry I have been a little MIA, not only is October my birth month it’s my favorite time of year because of course FALL IS FABULOUS so I have been taking a bit of a break from work to enjoy it before it\’s gone. I recently went to thee coolest class that I can’t wait to tell you all about, it’s a spot called Baltimore Chef Shop, located at: 807 W 36th Street, in Hampden Baltimore. It\’s one of the most interesting things I have done in a while and wow was it fun, first you choose from their calendar what type of class you want to take. We chose Moroccan food because it’s one of our favorites and I’ve never actually made it before, it\’s alway neat to learn something new. As you can see below they offer so many different options from sweet to savory, and much much more. 

Another awesome thing is you can BYOB ….yasssss!! Bring your own bottle of wine or beer, I don’t think you can bring liquor due to MD laws. The good thing about this is you can enjoy a glass of wine while you are cooking. Basically there is a whole meal set out in recipes on each table, there are two groups of 8 people. All of the needed utensils, bowls, pots, pans and plates are available and surrounded by a fully equipped, clean and modern kitchen. Then all of the fresh ingredients are set out on each table, spices, herbs ect. Each of the two groups get the same recipes, so both groups are cooking the same meal. Each table/group it broken up into 4 pairs, and each pair gets a recipe to work on, that way you all work together to create this amazing meal, while the chef walks you through each step and helps make sure you don’t burn the place down ….lol!! Rob and I got the main dish which was chicken tangine with olives and lemon. Our other recipes included a tomato and chick pea soup, chermoula spiced carrots, vegetable couscous, Moroccan mint tea and Moroccan flat bread. Yassssss we made all of this in one class and did it quite well, we were all quite proud of ourselves and how great it tasted. 

The team we got was phenomenal, the chef was patient, super down to earth, and more than friendly, Rob and I literally got the coolest table of people ever to work with. This is the best part about the whole thing, because you’re all working together as a team to create this big meal together you all become friends in the process then you break bread together, or at least we did at our table. We drank, laughed, cooked and ate together, it was a more than fabulous experience. So much so that I definitely plan on going again. Did I mention the food turned out ahhhhhhhmazing? I have to say I recommend Baltimore Chef Shop, it was a more than awesome experience.



For more info on upcoming classes, pricing and more just check out their website https://www.baltimorechefshop.com, or give them a call at 443-869-5121. Just tell them Dana sent you, i know you will love these classes if you go. Well I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I did attending, if you have any questions feel free to ask away.  
Also keep an eye on my IG for video and posts on stories, there will be much more coming up.

PS….What class would you choose? 
I would love some ideas for my next one.

Have a wonderful week Dolls!