Hudson Terr[or]

I've noticed that I do my fair share of play on words in this blog, and whether they are good or bad I think I'm pretty proud of them most of the time. Cheers to me! ;)
Anyways, the Hudson Terr[or] that I am referring to in the title, wasn't as terrible as it sounds but the saying works so hey, don't judge. On Monday night was another played out episode of a purchased Groupon, that I love o so dearly. My girlfriend Liz and I purchased tickets to an event at Hudson Terrace It was advertised as a night out with the girls that included free martinis, make-overs, massages, hair cut/styling, raffles, and a gift bag filled with samples all for $35! Of course we jumped at this thinking it would be fun, on a Monday night, to get together at a posh little hotel and get pampered (and maybe a little tipsy). :)

Unfortunately, when we got there we were at the front of the line, however they don't explain what really is going on. So we went to the top floor which had a few tables of promotional crap and then 100 calorie drinks, for $12 each. After asking a few of the unfriendly staff, they mentioned that the martinis on the floor below were the free ones. Ahhhh we said, and off we went to the floor below.

The floor below was clearly where we wanted to be! Massage tables, curling irons, piles of makeup and makeup artists...

oh and of course a fully stocked bar! Halleluia!

However, when we took a closer look, this was, how you say, a monet? You had to sign up for all of the free services when you got there and EVERY SINGLE ONE, was completely full. Well except for perhaps the BOTOX station??! Whaat?


So we headed to the bar, since clearly we weren't getting any pampering, and decided we might as well wash it down with an ice-cold *free* martini. Turns out it was only one kind that they were making in bulk, and tasted like robitussin, or some sort of sweetened metal (not sure if that even makes sense but believe me that's what it tasted like).

Okay...bar done.

Well, we might as well get our free sample bags and head on out right? WRONG? Well, yes we got the bags, but the insides left little to be desired.
1. A basketball keychain
2. A basketball nail file
3. Another nail file
4. Muscle Milk
5. A toothbrush with toothpaste already on it
6. A few coupons to use at some yoga studios (not half bad but that was the best of it all)

Seriously? It was a complete let-down. Sorry groupon, i love you, but I don't have to like you right now...

Full Circle

Looking back on my first post from this blog, and thinking about why I started it in the first place, really makes me feel accomplished regarding what I've created here. I was in a "rut" of sorts and just needed to spice things up, so to say; or at least try to put my thoughts and actions into words and photos so that I could better see what was missing and what things were apparent in my life. Even though this site is still new, and I have [recently] not followed through on continual updating, especially in regards to what I eat and how I exercise, I still think that the posts that I have written have helped to reshape my outlook on the past few months and the future ahead that I have in New York. While there are a number of things that have changed, for the better, in my life since this blog started, I think that it really has come full circle when last Thursday I attended a blogger potluck at the lovely Leslie's apartment.
Getting together to meet, eat, and chat with five other ladies such as myself who have been able to find an interest and a common ground around food, exercise, and the blog-o-sphere was definitely the highlight of my "blogging career".

When is the last time you've contributed to a potluck and were you nervous about making something that everyone would like!?

While I do not proclaim to be a chef by any means, it was fun to experiment and add to the gorgeous potluck spread that not only looked unbelievable but tasted so good.

Katie's Peanut Hummus which added a nice and unique flavor that I had not yet had in regards to hummus, especially with some Mary's Crack[ers].
In the background there is a creation from Leslie's of white bean pesto with asparagus and roasted peppers which went great with the crackers as well.


Leslie also made this coconut sweet potato dip which I could have/did eat au naturale. Anything with sweet potato is unbelievable in my book and this was no exception.


Danielle's quinoa and broccoli bites - so simple yet so good.


Sophia's Lentil and Roasted Tomato bruschetta that tasted so delicious I think due in part to the fabulous spices and marinades that she explained went into it...mm mm


I prepared some spinach balls that consist of an easy mixture of frozen spinach, 1 chopped sweet onion, some butter, thyme, smashed bread crumbs, and salt and pepper. This recipe was easy to put together and was especially convenient for me because I had 20 minutes from the time I got out of work to get to the dinner - and therefore knew that I would have to make something before hand. After baking these guys for 20 minutes or so you can pop them in the freezer and then reheat them whenever you need!

And last but not least...

Megan's homemade peanut butter and chocolate cups. There is something so satisfying about homemade desserts that always makes me enjoy them just a little more than that store bought ones.

All in all a delicious night of wonderful people and wonderful food. I can truly say that these ladies were a joy to meet and I can't wait to do it again soon!! Not to mention I get to start catching up on all of their blogs now, which is always a treat...

L O S T?

Happy hump day folks! After Wednesday's are over I feel so much more refreshed...it's amazing what little things can do for your spirit huh?

In case you live under a rock and were unaware of last night's festivities, it was the LOST premiere (or in case you have more productive/educational hobbies that preoccupy your time - to each his own)!! My roommate was so excited she almost printed out these:

We were having a little get together at our place with some friends from college that we hadn't seen in ages! LOST was something we all used to look forward to at school and watch together so getting together for an ol' pasttime was half of the enjoyment in my opinion. :)

Dinner consisted of take-out pizza and beer (did I mention we were with boys??).

We loaded upon on a Cheese pizza with mushrooms, mozzarella sticks (for the veggie in the house!), meatballs, and a salad. Random combo I know. I don't particularly like the cheese on my pizza, unless it's mozzarella or super fresh so I ate two pieces of pizza sans the cheese, half a meatball (no, I am not the veggie - I would never survive), and some of the salad since I have been feeling seriously devoid of greens these days!

This was the beer we picked up from our snow tubing trip. Gets better every time!

The premiere was great! However, while this might make me sound like an idiot (unlike all of the other incredibly intellectual things that I say ;) ) I seriously do not understand time travel and this show is chock-full of it - I was LOST, pun intended. I'm hoping that it tones down a little this season or at least gets explained a little better!

Overall a great night, topped off with a great spin class this morning and a clean and simple breakfast of vanilla protein powder shake with lots o' cinnamon . mm mm.

Snowshoes

It's officially winter out :) The blizzard that roared through the North East this weekend certainly did not put a damper on my spirits. Although I was, at first, dreading the thought of trampling around New York in slush and flurries, the white flakes brought nothing but smiles to my face this weekend. I was able to get out on Saturday, pre-snow, and return to the last farmers market in Union Square. I really love this and all of the fresh produce, organic products, and local farm support that this market embodies. Not only was I able to pick up some Pink Lady apples and a Carrot Raisin Vegan cookie that I had been eyeing from last week's market trip, I also finished up my Christmas Shopping. In the rare event that my mom/dad/brother actually read this blog, I'm not going to divulge where/what I bought. Gotta keep 'em guessing! Let's just say that this weekend is not a cheap one ;) Not to mention I have to tip my door men (all four of them) plus the super, handyman, and relief doorman (?). I don't even know who some of these people are to be honest...and I'm not sure it's such a relief to me to shell out all this [nonexistant] cash. But it's Christmas and everyone deserves a little love! 

Do you have to tip your doormen? What is the protocol on this? Roomie and I weren't quite sure...

Saturday night, during the snow storm, I headed to the upper east side to have a little get-together with some old high school friends who were visiting for the weekend. To make a long story short, I was a little disheartened by the weather and the fact that my boots had ZERO traction (there was some intense sliding/falling going on), but by the end of the night I can honestly say that it was one of the best I've had in a while.  How many people can say they have made a snow angel in the middle of First Avenue. Or had a snowball fight in between passing cabs on 76th street. It was such a silly fun night of piggy back rides, pathetic snowball making, slipping and sliding. All in all ... :) 

A little photo-op when I managed to walk around today:

I hope everyone had the change to get out and have a little fun in the snow this weekend. I think the snow brings out the kid in a lot of people, and that is never a bad thing. Maybe it'll even make us New Yorkers a little less unhappy... ;)

It's that time of year...Office Holiday Parties!

Yesterday was my office holiday party! While I was a little bummed because it was right after work and we had to wear business casual, it was still pretty fun.  Normally I look forward to these things because I LOVE to dress up! Now that I'm not in college anymore there are no more formals or socials to wear dresses to so if I get an excuse to play dress up then I'm all in :) 

On our way to the venue we passed the Rockefeller Xmas Tree so I had to take a picture. It looks awesome this year!
This shot didn't work, but I thought it came out kind of cool anyways...
I think that this year has been really hard on alot of people and a lot of companies, so it's nice to have events like this to keep people happy and to just relax and celebrate!