Random 11.4.2013

I'm tired, and writing this late on Sunday night. I want to pass out, but I also forgot to renew my domain for two days, and feel like I have to have a post up for Monday since I had the most ridiculous screaming match with my laptop, this weekend. We fought, and I said things I shouldn't have. But my computer still loves me, and we worked things out. So now I owe it to "her" to share my weekend, or what will be a hodge podge of random, Monday.

Apparently last week the universe felt like giving me things. Thanks to a contest. my blog post about Lowry Park's Zoo Boo after the Yelp event, won me TWO annual passes for a whole year! I never win anything, ya'll.

Then, I won a Starbucks gift card from Mayra, at In Flight Party Ideas for entering her site's 3rd anniversary!

Photo: Renee Nicole {Design + Photography}

I also received my head shots from Renee Nicole {Design + Photography} this weekend! We received head shots on day 2 of Blog Fete. And since I have blue eyes, the sun hates them and I squint SO badly in the light. Renee was sweet enough to re-take shots for me later in the day when the sun was not as bright.

Friday, Jason and I went and saw Michael Buble! I love my sweet husband for taking me. It was completely overpriced, however. I never looked at tickets because I wanted Jason to plan the night, and all that jazz. He knew they were expensive, and still took me and said he was happy to do so, but you know what?

We had more fun after the concert, at one of my fave spots, Miguels, for margaritas and dessert. Sometimes, I try and re-create memories and Jason reminds me that its okay to leave things in the past, and create new ones.

Saturday, we went to a belated Halloween Party/Friend's 30th {surprise} Birthday. We were the only ones not dressed up, ha ha. I was just glad to go. Happy Birthday, Shelly!

I have a confession to make; the last week I have massively stunk at meal planning, and working out. I have been incredibly busy, and sort of used that as an excuse. I ate, and drank terribly all weekend. I feel extra tired, bloated, and just gross. I am back at it this week, not even for weight loss reasons, but to feel normal again. I still want to me real here with my weight loss, but I am not weighing myself for a few days. That is seriously how gross I feel. I'll share, soon.

How was your weekend?

XOXO,
Nichole

Linking up with Sami

Yelp’s Zoo Boo at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo #TLPZooBoo

Saturday, I attended Lowry Park's Zoo Boo event, thanks to a Yelp Elite event. Look, if I am being completely honest, I am a h.u.g.e. scaredy cat! Huge, ya'll. The last time I attended Zoo Boo, was six years ago after Jason and I had started to date, and we brought my brother; I walked out of one of the haunted houses.

But sometimes there is nothing to fear but fear, itself! This time around, while I did squeeze the heck out of my sister's hand, it wasn't scary at all. This was definitely a family friendly event, and while I don't have little ones yet, this is something I know my nieces and nephew would enjoy.

So, back to the whole Yelp thang. I have posted about past elite events in the past, and they are always a good time! Know that you have to continue being an active reviewer to get into these fun events, otherwise you may get wait-listed. And I love that. Being elite isn't based on tenure, but on activity. The events are so worth it!

We started the evening at 6:30 at Reilly's Reserve, where we were served both seasonal brews, and eats. On the menu were fried pumpkin raviolis with chai dipping sauce, creamy tomato bisque with grilled cheese croutons, and shepherd’s pie in mini cauldrons. I wanted ALL the pumpkin  raviolis they offered, but since I figured that may be frowned upon, I had five. I loved the mini grilled cheese croutons and tomato bisque as well! I'm not a huge shepherd's pie fan, but I love the presentation in a mini cauldron. Sadly, after filling up on a pear, and also pumpkin cider, I never made it to try an actual sweets, but heard they were tasty, as well.

Another {weekend} bites the dust...

I feel like I have so much to recap from the last several days and yet I feel flippin' exhausted thinking about it. So for now, I'll just bombard ya'll with a photo dump. Let's be real, photos {albeit, some crap-tastic photos off mah phone, but beggars can't be choosers}, make the blogosphere go round.

Thurday, I saw Jillian Michaels at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater with the best friend. I don't even know what possessed me to buy tickets, but there was a groupon and I thought, "why not?". I am so glad we went! I had no idea just how inspiring one woman could be. I'll post more this week, but she is very real and her show {show? what do you call it?} was two and a half hours long, so we all got our monies worth.

Friday, another great Yelp Elite event was had. This time instead of gorging on copious amounts of grub and drinks, Friday's event was more health conscious at Fitlife Foods in South Tampa. In a nutshell,  Fitlife Foods is a prepared meal service. The samples we had were so yummy and very healthy! With 10% off everything and a free meal for being a Yelp Elite, I bought breakfast for Saturday and Sunday totally $14.00. I plan to visit Fitlife, again.

Sister and I

Eggs Florentine

Satuday, the littlest sister turned twenty-four. And her twenty-nine year old sister, yours truly, apparently can't hang like the ol' days. But we had a great time bar crawling in Dunedin. But first, I had my nails did.

OPI: I Theodora You

Sister {right}, her boyfriend, and best friend.

Singing Happy Birthday at Flanagan's Irish Pub

Sunday, I nursed quite a hangover. I am old. The end.

How was your weekend? Linking up with Sami's Shennigans.

Burger 21

Ahhh, Burger 21, I could eat there weekly. If you don't live in Florida, you may have no clue where I am talking about, but if you check out their website, it does seem as though they are growing, and for your sake, I hope f.a.s.t.

Anyways...

If you live here in Tampa Bay, you must visit B21, assuming you have not yet. There are six locations, currently. The original location is a mere six miles from Casa de Crews, and hubs and I really enjoy their grub.

Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending another awesome Yelp event at one of my all time fave burger joints, Burger 21.

All week, there was a fun twitter contest going where you could win various prizes to come back to Burger 21 for free food, later. Usually, I am super un-original and don't win these Twitter contests, but the first night, Monday, yours truly, won! $5, baby. For the kid that pretty much never wins anything  I was stoked for my five dollas'...

The event ran from 3-5 and with the gross, overcast weather, I was afraid the event would be cancelled and/or that my hair would blow up with massive amounts of frizz. Fortunately, neither such issue arose and I got to enjoy some delicious food, see some new and old faces and chow down on tasty burgers! Not to mention 21% off drinks, so a few $2 Miller Lites were also consumed.

Samplings included: Black & Bleu Slider, Cheesy Slider, Skinny Turkey Burger, and Chicken Tenders. I never did try the chicken tenders but can tell you all three bites o' burger were ah-maze.

I also tried all eight {technically ten, but I already know what ketchup and mustard taste like!} dipping sauces. My very favorites were the Toasted Marshmallow {which I have had before {and would like to do shots of if no one was watching}} and Apple Cider Dip.

Hey girl...

Jason wanted something a little more and so he ordered B21's Black & Bleu Wedge Salad {which was the first thing I ever had when dining at Burger 21 last year with the lovely Emilee} and said he really enjoyed it.

And oh the shakes! I'm not a big sweets person and by the time "shots" of shakes came around, I was quite full. But wanting to be a good Yelper, I forged on and tried each shake like a good girl. I took one for the team {yea, right}, fer shure'.

All in all, the event was a great time! The best part? I won the GRAND PRIZE of a free burger {$10} each month for the rest of the year!! Hollllla....I can't wait to go back to Burger 21 and try more of their culinary creations.

{winner, winner, burger dinner}

All the Twitter winners {including my sissy}  from the week!
Snagged this photo from Caroline.