tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40876911292764428752024-03-18T23:12:25.170-04:00Meet Me In MidtownA lifestyle blog about college, travel, and foodAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-4245772930026457562016-07-02T20:05:00.001-04:002016-07-02T20:05:53.765-04:00Letchworth State Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u5VqsXOP5aEw8Yp34uAr8Vl_9OipgYzNB5k_pvbXXg-WQ6KEYq5a72wRG0DxIGlmTswJ7llykHbO6-VCF07NIn43vIfQK1vqZsTIp1qp0yQW4-WPgy1lblZMZHEUFc5LkjRXAVUql_8/s1600/letchworth_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u5VqsXOP5aEw8Yp34uAr8Vl_9OipgYzNB5k_pvbXXg-WQ6KEYq5a72wRG0DxIGlmTswJ7llykHbO6-VCF07NIn43vIfQK1vqZsTIp1qp0yQW4-WPgy1lblZMZHEUFc5LkjRXAVUql_8/s640/letchworth_7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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My boyfriend and I recently took a day trip to Letchworth State Park in Upstate New York. Characterized by its expansive cliffs, Letchworth is often called the "Grand Canyon of the East" because of its beautiful scenery.<div>
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The Genesse River runs through the park, and three waterfalls cascade between the gorges. About 66 miles of hiking trails stretch throughout the 14,000 acres of land. People also visit Letchworth to bike, fish, hunt, and ride snowmobiles in the winter. </div>
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The three hours that Jake and I spent in the park wasn't nearly enough time to see everything, but I still managed to take some beautiful pictures. Here are my favorites:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3iGg9RlLVHu0r-cbW0gKw2KjV5LIFJtBRXI0gzKtwTZ2gPKFNHvYT032nihCSmPdVXglRPM8r43HQZnApenakYZJajKRK-A9pkv5g1UpGr1HC-p8a9KLJmVU8TS1CCuilCZ00Yf4tao/s1600/letchworth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3iGg9RlLVHu0r-cbW0gKw2KjV5LIFJtBRXI0gzKtwTZ2gPKFNHvYT032nihCSmPdVXglRPM8r43HQZnApenakYZJajKRK-A9pkv5g1UpGr1HC-p8a9KLJmVU8TS1CCuilCZ00Yf4tao/s640/letchworth.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Some of the cliffs reach heights of 600 feet</i></div>
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<i>Middle Falls is the largest of the three waterfalls in Letchworth</i></div>
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<i>We discovered a full rainbow over the river</i></div>
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<i>A working railroad bridge runs over Upper Falls</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXNg4GKirUsJpKOeSynifbNUJlmBWePJIgOvuudpvgvwlJOsC6SP1NWS_XqChkt4gAvjv2yH594z48pPJMCXkyMNOPnYuEWO-X2UOdHW6PoJqfZygS_JzDqRDhlb3Y5cEbh75hmPxGx4/s1600/letchworth_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXNg4GKirUsJpKOeSynifbNUJlmBWePJIgOvuudpvgvwlJOsC6SP1NWS_XqChkt4gAvjv2yH594z48pPJMCXkyMNOPnYuEWO-X2UOdHW6PoJqfZygS_JzDqRDhlb3Y5cEbh75hmPxGx4/s640/letchworth_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>This carving, which we found on stone steps, was etched in 1930</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4hdZ3yPLEMCjuuN_fAW9JdjV-PqgNqn5RW3jNwZq05oE5r-bFP0kGhut2uqRjfKTLbg7DBBdQgEYpmyMisJXJSs4XIwvXcHjTkmsCmasUYbL1kx5YK5vbcJbfQBn2EwCuBbiXVsT6pI/s1600/letchworth_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4hdZ3yPLEMCjuuN_fAW9JdjV-PqgNqn5RW3jNwZq05oE5r-bFP0kGhut2uqRjfKTLbg7DBBdQgEYpmyMisJXJSs4XIwvXcHjTkmsCmasUYbL1kx5YK5vbcJbfQBn2EwCuBbiXVsT6pI/s640/letchworth_6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>The Lower Falls were smaller, but accompanied by a scenic gorge background</i></div>
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<i>Water trickles over stones and rocks</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-75686834417978940652016-06-16T20:05:00.001-04:002016-06-16T20:06:03.735-04:00Life Update: College Graduation and the Job Hunt<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_4SLpgfuEm4_Naa8wAeIZ0Asv4t5_Ireg3kMIldFtZq2dnAg1R97YwUAx0ONHzrUqlNf7NNWdMUQzkshGrZTdOZE3QSLJMkzB8UBT-it84fxfntyEuF_AzvBEr3JEsIvectgaMJ0oS8/s1600/IMG_1540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_4SLpgfuEm4_Naa8wAeIZ0Asv4t5_Ireg3kMIldFtZq2dnAg1R97YwUAx0ONHzrUqlNf7NNWdMUQzkshGrZTdOZE3QSLJMkzB8UBT-it84fxfntyEuF_AzvBEr3JEsIvectgaMJ0oS8/s640/IMG_1540.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Summer 2016 is the season of change. </div>
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Since my last <a href="http://meetmeinmidtown.blogspot.com/2016/02/life-lately-graduating-college_6.html">Life Update post in February</a>, I've been knee-deep in the job hunt with plans to move to New York City. My brother got accepted into a university in Florida, and he starts summer semester classes next week. My sister decided to relocate to the West Coast, my parents are swapping my childhood home in Ohio for a beach house in Florida, and my boyfriend is pursuing his Master's degree. Pretty soon my family, who have lived in the Midwest our whole lives, will be scattered across the country. </div>
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Even though I'll miss my family like crazy, I'm ready to embrace the change in my life. In the words of Many Hale: "Change can be scary, but you know what's scarier? Allowing fear to stop you from growing, evolving, and progressing." </div>
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On that note, here's what I've been up to in the last few months:</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I graduated from Syracuse University with a magazine journalism degree!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnsdrVQP9jqHvExBkSCDg0yfT0ZMdgSo77gY5baJiXfIv7iI9KBys1Wto8w4PkVzYL1tP0A2CN6IqMnsaS7O1Qz06nchThZOdb3Bn3ArWMtZkzrXCXkBu18yH1g3Z078xczW-QzHln5k/s1600/grad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnsdrVQP9jqHvExBkSCDg0yfT0ZMdgSo77gY5baJiXfIv7iI9KBys1Wto8w4PkVzYL1tP0A2CN6IqMnsaS7O1Qz06nchThZOdb3Bn3ArWMtZkzrXCXkBu18yH1g3Z078xczW-QzHln5k/s640/grad.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRXHwTmsnjVLDCqJ1iexRPvFHofxGsTb9t_xM8K6nmZd1_ALebRNCfjL6I9G7DFUjFHLfM3smNHNgS1cSIZ2s09AtdMmZtwj87Il6aMfdSsTw_m3yFk9yQSMiga3rCHpDXvEmpVHXKoI/s1600/grad2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRXHwTmsnjVLDCqJ1iexRPvFHofxGsTb9t_xM8K6nmZd1_ALebRNCfjL6I9G7DFUjFHLfM3smNHNgS1cSIZ2s09AtdMmZtwj87Il6aMfdSsTw_m3yFk9yQSMiga3rCHpDXvEmpVHXKoI/s640/grad2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">My younger brother graduated from high school.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUufko0mtkR4q4UNOeng-QTVAsc92b-2f_aJdmKHpHIR_esqWHTkVXjQ1vHB_QNqq-Rc7NYUTuMnXSkavf78NbZXRoU32M88JYCvyP-12KX0wYNUl1hYIT-Fxmh7-c3-s8V0X5amZ9vU/s1600/IMG_1623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUufko0mtkR4q4UNOeng-QTVAsc92b-2f_aJdmKHpHIR_esqWHTkVXjQ1vHB_QNqq-Rc7NYUTuMnXSkavf78NbZXRoU32M88JYCvyP-12KX0wYNUl1hYIT-Fxmh7-c3-s8V0X5amZ9vU/s640/IMG_1623.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">My sister and I took a day trip to Cedar Point, an amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, where we suffered through many hour-long waits to ride some of the biggest roller coasters in the world.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">My boyfriend and I took a day trip to Letchworth State Park in Upstate New York. Expect a blog post soon! </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7ilTK-7NzAq3PJ2l90mevo55UzLiCWu2QMhnWjJXvn1YmJpocs66bFZdr6-kVPZzuYBpjwC_LvvEt-3RAzANTO2KlfsAQjDzh-bbB8X53Svm9jP6q-X7DfD6x_rnVdXQbqx8KARCzLs/s1600/LSPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7ilTK-7NzAq3PJ2l90mevo55UzLiCWu2QMhnWjJXvn1YmJpocs66bFZdr6-kVPZzuYBpjwC_LvvEt-3RAzANTO2KlfsAQjDzh-bbB8X53Svm9jP6q-X7DfD6x_rnVdXQbqx8KARCzLs/s640/LSPark.jpg" width="590" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I learned that New York City is beautiful even in the rain.</span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-54329651703561020232016-06-13T14:40:00.000-04:002016-06-13T14:40:52.042-04:00Syracuse Dining: Empire Brewing Company <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aTXr_VjhIsU2d4uXx-hkouWnx3MlEr5nlJPCEb7ORhXGhUY6-GTiS0P8CNz9j5Tic6iQUpDzKwHABOZy_SB_3CdoHK1XAhCxFv1zWe125spXRzcFY4WErzFlk3HT5c1Kqt_T8E0ZsfY/s1600/food-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aTXr_VjhIsU2d4uXx-hkouWnx3MlEr5nlJPCEb7ORhXGhUY6-GTiS0P8CNz9j5Tic6iQUpDzKwHABOZy_SB_3CdoHK1XAhCxFv1zWe125spXRzcFY4WErzFlk3HT5c1Kqt_T8E0ZsfY/s640/food-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sometimes life calls for a cold beer and a juicy burger. <a href="http://empirebrew.com/">Empire Brewing Company</a> in Syracuse, NY, is the perfect place for both.<br />
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Nestled in the basement floor of a building in Armory Square, Empire Brewing Company serves snazzy bar food and homemade brews. The restaurant is insanely popular among Syracuse locals, and the wait time often stretches past one hour on the weekends (thanks to a no-reservations policy). Guy Fieri visited the place in an episode of Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.<br />
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I've been to Empire Brewing Company on multiple occasions with friends and family. The interior looks industrial with brick walls and dim lighting. As soon as you walk in the door, you're greeted by a huge bar that offers several locally brewed craft beers. I've tried several types while waiting to be seated. Some, like the Cream Ale and Empire State Pale Ale, are absolutely delicious. I'm not a big fans of the overly hoppy options, like the Lost Dog Pale Ale, but to each his own.<br />
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The food at Empire Brewing Company never disappoints. Most people order one of the many burgers listed on the menu, which have gained lots of hype in the Syracuse community. The burgers always come perfectly cooked and insanely juicy.<br />
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Here are other items that my friends and family have tried at Empire Brewing Company:<br />
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Sweet Fire: andouille sausage marinated with brown sugar and molasses, with a side of spicy mustard. Guy Fieri recommended this dish on his show. I wasn't sure if I'd like the mix of spicy sausage and brown sugar, but the flavors meshed together perfectly. I could've eaten this entire appetizer myself!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1xw4FPsrgv4y_PMs4kkT5rUw0YMOezr-rzteDpjgO3vqv8sLQ53eoTDr_yV79xSnTSV0d2_5fG1_hoJRjjE_YgdwHnLp3w3rqXrRaYs289on2bzrpY7eU8-9-_WOeZIHM7z4HnaVgAk/s1600/EBC_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1xw4FPsrgv4y_PMs4kkT5rUw0YMOezr-rzteDpjgO3vqv8sLQ53eoTDr_yV79xSnTSV0d2_5fG1_hoJRjjE_YgdwHnLp3w3rqXrRaYs289on2bzrpY7eU8-9-_WOeZIHM7z4HnaVgAk/s640/EBC_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mediterranean Platter: chipotle hummus, pickled green beans, falafel, feta cheese, olive, tzatziki, and flatbread. I'm a fan of Mediterranean food, so I enjoyed this appetizer platter. The falafel and feta cheese were especially delicious.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk-GfH3cbHVLjip5z6dc7Y0NDfNAsmFoLVMHogcYZ0ii1dHQ6Ym1aYvjJcrI5YeEyancSQcyN8XCx1iGZESl8WEDM8kYxodOJSHu3eJlA66vNFo92RI8fnNW9taftPYoRGzjYokZdq44/s1600/EBC_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk-GfH3cbHVLjip5z6dc7Y0NDfNAsmFoLVMHogcYZ0ii1dHQ6Ym1aYvjJcrI5YeEyancSQcyN8XCx1iGZESl8WEDM8kYxodOJSHu3eJlA66vNFo92RI8fnNW9taftPYoRGzjYokZdq44/s640/EBC_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Dixie Cheese Steak Po'Boy: a cheesesteak sandwich with onions, peppers, mushrooms, and chipotle mayo. Although the steak was a bit fatty for my taste, the meal was full of flavor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6mnbBW4oxHwjyWyPS-AZwxE74p9F-NB45CDC7m2qTNOo6kONCmm_lVXZVfmIxa5mBaM2vHZMYDl8ZPnwURdjUMMjTes25QKRF_R_SvsuyG4Hi5xBtwbTsRftUoemvBfkekxhZ1nbyBY/s1600/EBC_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6mnbBW4oxHwjyWyPS-AZwxE74p9F-NB45CDC7m2qTNOo6kONCmm_lVXZVfmIxa5mBaM2vHZMYDl8ZPnwURdjUMMjTes25QKRF_R_SvsuyG4Hi5xBtwbTsRftUoemvBfkekxhZ1nbyBY/s640/EBC_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Beer Battered Haddock: My boyfriend ordered this fried fish meal, which was coated in a tasty, crunchy batter. I would order this myself in the future!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTCJhmPXAXRfGaFZ5VoOWwZzVhVcN7GZxYxd8Dz0AZ76TGWLoc9KbwZfDSMBaxAJSJGevnpQwGX5VcOaXKwMTg8iwdTWtVGXJpoZTrdLf9_k7Se1bkLXcJix6BYGPS6Og7MHGAmIIrE4/s1600/EBC_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTCJhmPXAXRfGaFZ5VoOWwZzVhVcN7GZxYxd8Dz0AZ76TGWLoc9KbwZfDSMBaxAJSJGevnpQwGX5VcOaXKwMTg8iwdTWtVGXJpoZTrdLf9_k7Se1bkLXcJix6BYGPS6Og7MHGAmIIrE4/s640/EBC_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Feta Chicken Flatbread: When my dad ordered the flatbread, he thought it would be more like a pizza than a wrap. He still enjoyed the meal though.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEdbFQdH-h1PGrYHWp9JkZ-lUOnl288ax_9-NkE3ipU4IPb2vQQb-545vETNDeLNBidRzAarRwciAdfZdL3pNKnxn5T1vVw3OVTJm_ZJPJHNMBdG-G3Lr6SW7sN2HVV4Tnb2oA0G_p0U/s1600/EBC_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEdbFQdH-h1PGrYHWp9JkZ-lUOnl288ax_9-NkE3ipU4IPb2vQQb-545vETNDeLNBidRzAarRwciAdfZdL3pNKnxn5T1vVw3OVTJm_ZJPJHNMBdG-G3Lr6SW7sN2HVV4Tnb2oA0G_p0U/s640/EBC_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The prices at Empire Brewing Company are reasonable, considering that the restaurant is trendy and the ingredients are high-quality. As long as you're willing to wait an hour or more for a table, I highly recommend Empire Brewing Company for its craft beers and upscale bar food!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-22179441157054024552016-06-09T19:36:00.000-04:002016-06-12T17:08:16.366-04:00Book Review: Confessions of a Murder Suspect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge51J6PL_-ePH1bmbtyJS3hdIgEIuDHO0MtliEN9P4y69ca4LnfTYHlY5wr1hyphenhyphenMiYwwz_r0cLokDUS0jEZeucHK0fYRYe_wRlEqEXie1BCxGBUY9oty2ylt-khi6MO0Q2X1xD8_5TXzS0/s1600/confessions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge51J6PL_-ePH1bmbtyJS3hdIgEIuDHO0MtliEN9P4y69ca4LnfTYHlY5wr1hyphenhyphenMiYwwz_r0cLokDUS0jEZeucHK0fYRYe_wRlEqEXie1BCxGBUY9oty2ylt-khi6MO0Q2X1xD8_5TXzS0/s640/confessions.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Today I'll be reviewing the Confessions series by James Patterson by Maxine Paetro, which includes four novels:<br />
<ul>
<li>Confessions of a Murder Suspect</li>
<li>Confessions: The Private School Murders</li>
<li>Confessions: The Paris Mysteries</li>
<li>Confessions: The Murder of an Angel </li>
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The series is aimed at young adults. Like many of James Patterson's novels, it can be classified as a mystery thriller. </div>
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<u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Overview: </span></b></u></div>
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The Confessions series centers around the wealthy and secretive Angel family.<br />
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Malcolm and Maud Angel own a pharmaceutical company in New York City. Their four children boast unnatural abilities: Tandoori (Tandy), the 16-year-old narrator, has an off-the-charts IQ. Her twin brother, Harry, is a musical prodigy. Ten-year-old Hugo harbors the strength of a grown man, while Matthew is a star football player for the New York Giants. The Angel children are unemotional and extremely damaged, which they attribute to their parent's emphasis on perfection.<br />
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But soon Tandy learns that Malcolm and Maud are dead of an apparent murder. She and her three brothers are the prime suspects. As Tandy works to solve the crime, many dark and dangerous family secrets begin to unravel. She suddenly questions everything she knows – including her own innocence.<br />
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The four books in the Confessions series follow Tandy and her brothers as they dig deep into their family's past, discovering corruption, love, and betrayal along the way. </div>
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<u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Opinion:</span></b></u><br />
<u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></u>
Although I'm an avid reader, <i>Confessions of a Murder Suspect</i> is my first James Patterson novel. I really enjoyed the entire Confessions series.<br />
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First of all, I love the eccentric characters. I've never encountered a protagonist quite like Tandy. She's clever and strange, and she experiences immense character development throughout the series. Tandy talks directly to the reader at many points in the novels. I've read several reviews that criticize this literary device because it "interrupts the flow" of the plot, but I didn't mind it. I actually think it allowed me to better connect to Tandy. The other Angel children (Harry, Hugo, and Matthew), as well as the other characters introduced throughout the series, are equally as quirky and intriguing.<br />
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I also enjoyed how Patterson and Paetro interwove the plot throughout the novels in the series. Something mentioned in the first novel could come back in the third or fourth book without feeling too forced. The plot kept me on my toes, although the ending of the books was a bit too predictable for my taste. I feel like the mysteries fell into two categories: ones that were too easy to figure out, and ones that readers could never figure out given a lack of clues. But although some of the mysteries ended in an anti-climatic way, I'm happy with the conclusion of the series overall.<br />
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Another perk of these novels were the short chapters. Since each one was merely four or five pages, I constantly told myself, "Just one more chapter!" as an excuse to keep reading.<br />
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<u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms", trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rating: 5/5</span></b></u><br />
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I loved the quirky characters and unique storyline. I deducted one-half point for some predictable plot points and anticlimactic mysteries. Here is my rating of the four novels, from favorite to least favorite:</div>
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1. Confessions: The Paris Mysteries (Book 3)</div>
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2. Confessions of a Murder Suspect (Book 1)</div>
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3. Confessions: The Private School Murders (Book 2)</div>
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4. Confessions: The Murder of an Angel (Book 4)</div>
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This series is best for young adults (ages 15-25) who enjoy quick and easy mystery novels. I highly recommend it!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photos from amazon.com </i></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-65850474087895881182016-05-19T22:38:00.000-04:002016-05-19T22:38:11.924-04:00A Day Trip to Skaneateles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVY9pfMksgR4JjKgy0WYOG5tYGPAQa0WRrdZLFyCDNPW-b9abfyvuyOsDKq0QDN1RuPURLnMBsZ1DYfmkLOaGcNh0ngRK5mKUMb2llaCdOt-5vQBCE_f4TvGLuy9K_2C3BO6Ft1dU2YQ/s1600/skan_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVY9pfMksgR4JjKgy0WYOG5tYGPAQa0WRrdZLFyCDNPW-b9abfyvuyOsDKq0QDN1RuPURLnMBsZ1DYfmkLOaGcNh0ngRK5mKUMb2llaCdOt-5vQBCE_f4TvGLuy9K_2C3BO6Ft1dU2YQ/s640/skan_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sometimes life calls for a day trip.<br />
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On a warm day in May, my boyfriend Jake and I hopped in my car and drove 30 minutes from Syracuse to Skaneateles Lake. The body of water, which is one of Central New York's Finger Lakes, is characterized by its beautiful scenery, high altitude, and clear water. We drove around the 16-mile lake and grabbed lunch in the neighboring village of Skaneateles. In the midst of Jake's final exams and my job hunting, a relaxing day trip is just what we needed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbssdByJhvI5Q1jNgUKkaU1r0t01f9fCUpdoMZhFvPbh9KLmjTmO7GGJQ8V0LEU8lgphpYRZ4tF9L5-frhNWUH21zQ7Rv4AxrLzxWjhqhnvCG1bPr_GXuhvYqCw2BWg7O0nd-gMMasyuw/s1600/skan_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbssdByJhvI5Q1jNgUKkaU1r0t01f9fCUpdoMZhFvPbh9KLmjTmO7GGJQ8V0LEU8lgphpYRZ4tF9L5-frhNWUH21zQ7Rv4AxrLzxWjhqhnvCG1bPr_GXuhvYqCw2BWg7O0nd-gMMasyuw/s640/skan_3.jpg" width="594" /></a></div>
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<i>A quick Google search referred us to Doug's Fish Fry</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7aDW4hJK_Cadd3XDX88ddLzvRKgkK6pOtNPnwLtt7rdI6NX-97LLVnvODYCBoE9IOtd2l3oPKTcS6oZZNrJ8RjsJ5J-bfsmFktY53mvIAs0rI9B0WlvCX81B8sBghB4sAdQTTzwG-go/s1600/skan_fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7aDW4hJK_Cadd3XDX88ddLzvRKgkK6pOtNPnwLtt7rdI6NX-97LLVnvODYCBoE9IOtd2l3oPKTcS6oZZNrJ8RjsJ5J-bfsmFktY53mvIAs0rI9B0WlvCX81B8sBghB4sAdQTTzwG-go/s640/skan_fish.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>We stuffed our faces with perfectly cooked fish and chips</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71eN0OyaBE-mhSBMVpmG43LCuQjYaCZYpYZ86XEU7uI8xC7O72JdAVH5Vk0rcHpS0rV-krvPhEjkWRgYrFaYoksruil5j83halABZ-I8mXuRcdq-MRZIyxffcdazVCWjpvv3Gxqqz0Qk/s1600/skan_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71eN0OyaBE-mhSBMVpmG43LCuQjYaCZYpYZ86XEU7uI8xC7O72JdAVH5Vk0rcHpS0rV-krvPhEjkWRgYrFaYoksruil5j83halABZ-I8mXuRcdq-MRZIyxffcdazVCWjpvv3Gxqqz0Qk/s640/skan_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>We also made an unexpected pit stop at Anyela's Vineyards for a wine tasting</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4JPffz-b2slcslRJW94iGgKSq9q0xZKAZAvxp5w61-H4pJWQwmW836WeiE2c4kDsmzBpDPQcrPG7meWCjkDHbTyi17LT-MeLgsC0GYh4jn0XdzKwU9INQAixSVi4I31C4kzy3Sj6Ecw/s1600/skan_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4JPffz-b2slcslRJW94iGgKSq9q0xZKAZAvxp5w61-H4pJWQwmW836WeiE2c4kDsmzBpDPQcrPG7meWCjkDHbTyi17LT-MeLgsC0GYh4jn0XdzKwU9INQAixSVi4I31C4kzy3Sj6Ecw/s640/skan_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>The water was unbelievably clear</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQMXjn6ovVpakPlDmP2CbDP3LBRm0kOTgQQwg120s-SaJko_uR5mbAmteaBhf17TUV4cZ9Z8-oWgkWQeDUXgOg31SNSMp1ikRhoketQrrPpnRB_FtGnYu3mLcg3m-_oaf4dTYOj6gki8/s1600/skan_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQMXjn6ovVpakPlDmP2CbDP3LBRm0kOTgQQwg120s-SaJko_uR5mbAmteaBhf17TUV4cZ9Z8-oWgkWQeDUXgOg31SNSMp1ikRhoketQrrPpnRB_FtGnYu3mLcg3m-_oaf4dTYOj6gki8/s640/skan_5.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<i>Houses tucked near the lake had spectacular views</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7QCeYoYnTpclsEABsiXE9YDZVcaYRjHwOnZ-MJp14oau_ad6RlPcGZNMjbs1gbkjtEdaVS_ybYy-JnSnwM26iTu1DRYguRlm8Y1I1n-OuW1psEiLYNfWwbce4u4sTAdB1sO9WFRYKG4/s1600/skan_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7QCeYoYnTpclsEABsiXE9YDZVcaYRjHwOnZ-MJp14oau_ad6RlPcGZNMjbs1gbkjtEdaVS_ybYy-JnSnwM26iTu1DRYguRlm8Y1I1n-OuW1psEiLYNfWwbce4u4sTAdB1sO9WFRYKG4/s640/skan_6.jpg" width="628" /></a></div>
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<i>Country roads stretched for miles </i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-81878375477504848752016-05-07T01:14:00.002-04:002016-05-07T01:14:35.579-04:00Food DiariesMy name is Nicole, and I'm addicted to taking pictures of my food.<br />
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I whip out my phone as soon as my meal arrives in a restaurant, moving the plate around in front of me until I find the best angle for a snapshot. Nearly 200 food-related images fill the storage capacity of my phone. "I'll find a use for these one day," I think. But I never actually do.<br />
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That's where Food Diaries comes in. I wanted a way to share my foodie pictures without writing a full-length restaurant review for each dish. I hope these images don't make you too hungry!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADf9mrTJ-A9LZ7VHVzYlEb4Sbxnq47w990ffJeIXBk2QGDB8SGaqV9to8hHxtqIytAwXon2RBpPYcrpRnxrHbAVpi0HMt4upzWsDMs6jX8Z5eG05yKs5JFGafcMjUoq7QJlvTJXXb8wQ/s1600/food_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADf9mrTJ-A9LZ7VHVzYlEb4Sbxnq47w990ffJeIXBk2QGDB8SGaqV9to8hHxtqIytAwXon2RBpPYcrpRnxrHbAVpi0HMt4upzWsDMs6jX8Z5eG05yKs5JFGafcMjUoq7QJlvTJXXb8wQ/s640/food_3.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<i>Beef hot pot from <a href="http://www.sushiasiagourmet.com/index.html">Sushi Asia Gourmet</a> in Akron, OH</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGg6Ey3HArMrtgpBQuyFx8y4-aoo9ZYZ1zdQ1WgY7T0Sy7BFTLXFTYHO7oLO9A5Z51gjFylklEULoC2C37RTXMUwBuUGGW7P6pj1hMkU8dq1kmt0s4gYFRhglnDAKIny4DrB2tzD5n26E/s1600/food_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGg6Ey3HArMrtgpBQuyFx8y4-aoo9ZYZ1zdQ1WgY7T0Sy7BFTLXFTYHO7oLO9A5Z51gjFylklEULoC2C37RTXMUwBuUGGW7P6pj1hMkU8dq1kmt0s4gYFRhglnDAKIny4DrB2tzD5n26E/s640/food_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Sushi shots (Ahi tuna sashimi, wonton cups, avocado salsa, wasabi, soy sauce) from </i><a href="http://www.rosewoodgrill.com/"><i>Rosewood Grill</i></a><i> in Hudson, OH</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikm-N_PoIc5vzYHLlo5zl_7QSRbAM2-U22MoR7I5R7KgtgsEFXjV35iPQnkM-V2TdIoDqCbfiyvxrendBh6nvMMgAFbn-AqsMkkfDPfgKysZoox0kHnum1hiWa1EI960TgTljummGj21I/s1600/food-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikm-N_PoIc5vzYHLlo5zl_7QSRbAM2-U22MoR7I5R7KgtgsEFXjV35iPQnkM-V2TdIoDqCbfiyvxrendBh6nvMMgAFbn-AqsMkkfDPfgKysZoox0kHnum1hiWa1EI960TgTljummGj21I/s640/food-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Cheeseburger from <a href="http://empirebrew.com/">Empire Brewing Company</a> in Syracuse, NY</i></div>
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<i>Breakfast burritos from <a href="http://spoonsbaltimore.com/">Spoons</a> in Baltimore, MD</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7daXeDRF8fOxl8HG5reXWMsyroW6JBMthARtqDj_m0swG3snbjhk21mYEOrwu8VHgnNqnKgLjY0laHBVMZYNyp-lw1kclnVHS-MznHJI24cWqCvNJtxRrKrgbbGpcCC6NXcrrAmcWIsg/s1600/food_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7daXeDRF8fOxl8HG5reXWMsyroW6JBMthARtqDj_m0swG3snbjhk21mYEOrwu8VHgnNqnKgLjY0laHBVMZYNyp-lw1kclnVHS-MznHJI24cWqCvNJtxRrKrgbbGpcCC6NXcrrAmcWIsg/s640/food_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Sushi platter (salmon, tuna, yellowtail) from </i><a href="http://www.sushiasiagourmet.com/index.html" style="font-style: italic;">Sushi Asia Gourme</a><i><a href="http://www.sushiasiagourmet.com/index.html">t </a>in Akron, OH</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-74383473409994430442016-04-15T00:08:00.000-04:002016-04-15T10:17:24.305-04:00Brunch in Syracuse: Modern Malt vs. Stella's Diner <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A8AXCbIQkYCtQGfo569TWo9KvGMH1pUMWVMrBhedeOi-Vvc5GjMa1QaAg35YrJPaZCAiv5JZPBmqw1ncL5PDFrQF_84aaSRlMAy-Pixbh3nYd-Pu8aqsV532Rcp11ys5pFTxEqmiBC0/s1600/Blog_MM2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A8AXCbIQkYCtQGfo569TWo9KvGMH1pUMWVMrBhedeOi-Vvc5GjMa1QaAg35YrJPaZCAiv5JZPBmqw1ncL5PDFrQF_84aaSRlMAy-Pixbh3nYd-Pu8aqsV532Rcp11ys5pFTxEqmiBC0/s640/Blog_MM2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When it comes to brunch in Syracuse, New York, two places immediately come to mind: Stella's Diner and Modern Malt. Hungry college students flock to these restaurants every Saturday and Sunday morning to get their fix of greasy bacon and scrambled eggs. Today I'll be comparing the two brunch hot spots to see which comes out on top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Modern Malt</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFit5YM2zBDs6U85nAYItmSutBgHmsBGraDyVziUHddDUJClT-PAxxG-nPf4wuHuFiNIEIWn2V2tX3PFsaSpj8PfYxfqEkOP4gevTDGaKna1aax3DcmL-rd1QCoKGGeStdXMhyPnPvGY/s1600/Blog_MM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFit5YM2zBDs6U85nAYItmSutBgHmsBGraDyVziUHddDUJClT-PAxxG-nPf4wuHuFiNIEIWn2V2tX3PFsaSpj8PfYxfqEkOP4gevTDGaKna1aax3DcmL-rd1QCoKGGeStdXMhyPnPvGY/s640/Blog_MM.jpg" width="606" /></span></a></div>
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://eatdrinkmalt.com/">Modern Malt</a>, located in downtown Syracuse's Armory Square, resembles a 50's era diner. The cute decor manages to look modern and retro at the same time. I've only visited Modern Malt once, on a Sunday morning, and had to wait about 25 minutes for a table.</span></span></b><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One glance at the <a href="http://eatdrinkmalt.com/menu/#fndtn-breakfast">menu</a> told me I'd have a hard time picking a meal. <i>Everything </i>looked delicious! Modern Malt offered some of the most unique and creative breakfast options I've ever seen. </span></span></b><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Those with a sweet tooth can order cannoli pancakes, Barney Rubble French toast (encrusted in Fruity Pebbles!), s'mores stuffed French toast, or carrot cake waffles. Savory options included pig Benedict (which is basically eggs Benedict with pork belly), a gyro omelette, a Mexican-inspired West Buena omelette, and lobster Benedict. Modern Malt even has General Tso's chicken and waffles (!!!), a tuna poke, a pulled pork breakfast sandwich, and an extensive poutine menu. Gotta love French fries smothered in cheese curds and gravy! </span></b><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I was extremely tempted to order the breakfast poutine made with tater tots, cheese curds, and poached egg. But instead I decided on the breakfast taco: scrambled egg, chorizo, pico, cheese, jalepeno, and guacamole stuffed in two flour tortillas. The $12 tacos tasted delicious! The peppers and chorizo added the perfect amount of spice, while the cheese and guacamole gave the dish a smooth texture. The only downside of the meal was the toast. The bread choices were either wheat or rye, neither of which is my favorite. I also ordered a few cups of the tasty bold coffee. </span></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2d2MUg0bKw07xybf4GwN3OKbCiqYTyN_IBjQyOC4OeBP8fKRNF888KnEZY3LQrqQiRuipXDDP1WbpsRWSwSYVh4wqWdJExbbrsAjFxGYAVkY2CEIaNQU72mFRshTi3YZTpG-FH_zH7s/s1600/Blog_MM3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2d2MUg0bKw07xybf4GwN3OKbCiqYTyN_IBjQyOC4OeBP8fKRNF888KnEZY3LQrqQiRuipXDDP1WbpsRWSwSYVh4wqWdJExbbrsAjFxGYAVkY2CEIaNQU72mFRshTi3YZTpG-FH_zH7s/s640/Blog_MM3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jake, my boyfriend, ordered three scrambled eggs with bacon, toast, herb-roasted potatoes, and a short stack of pancakes (pictured at top of post). He ate everything on his plate and was highly satisfied with his meal, which cost $11. </span></b><br />
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Modern Malt is pretty expensive; I actually thought the meals were overpriced. However, the creativity of the menu made up for the cost. Modern Malt also serves lunch and dinner. In fact, it's open until 4 AM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I guess people crave some hearty breakfast food after a night of bar crawling.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Stella's Diner </b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Walking into <a href="http://www.stellasdinersyracuse.com/">Stella's Diner</a> is also like taking a time machine back to 1950. Inside the metallic silver building you'll find cozy booths, Betty Boop decor, and a breakfast bar. I've never had brunch at Stella's without waiting at least 20 minutes for a table, but the food is absolutely worth the wait. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stella's serves up traditional diner breakfast fare like scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, and omelettes. I give a five-star rating to every item that I've tried. The eggs Benedict are my go-to; they're creamy, flavorful, and indulgent. I'm also obsessed with the buttery grits and fluffy pancakes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I took my mom to Stella's, she ordered an omelette with onion, spinach, and Swiss cheese. She still talks about her omelette five months later, saying it was the best she's ever had. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is one downside to the food: everything is loaded with butter. I guess the extra butter gives the food its five-star flavor rating, but I always leave Stella's feeling bloated and gross. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I always judge a restaurant by its coffee, and Stella's passes the test. The coffee is bold but not bitter and goes down smoothly, which is why I'll drink five cups without realizing it. The waitresses constantly stop by your table to fill your cup with fresh hot jo. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz21ON-Tjf6x-ikAAqsDdIBOCPlPlvviss7AWwQS4Fs3v5DUBYX7SK515sPZIbwVCE7BYXY1qKFxjmSIYua9AKnPiID2BK_VIEILtc0VUsDUEnZkqaU0A0YQ6c0ILXdvOey_JIcTbe1k/s1600/Blog_S4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz21ON-Tjf6x-ikAAqsDdIBOCPlPlvviss7AWwQS4Fs3v5DUBYX7SK515sPZIbwVCE7BYXY1qKFxjmSIYua9AKnPiID2BK_VIEILtc0VUsDUEnZkqaU0A0YQ6c0ILXdvOey_JIcTbe1k/s640/Blog_S4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another benefit of Stella's is the price. A large platter with scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, and pancakes will only set you back about $7. The diner also serves lunch and dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Go to Stella's Diner if you're looking for traditional breakfast fare at a cheap price. Go to Modern Malt if you're seeking a fancier brunch with unique and delicious food. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-54860983865965819242016-04-08T11:20:00.001-04:002016-04-08T11:20:23.296-04:00Book Review: Where'd You Go, Bernadette?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I'm reviewing Maria Semple's <i>Where'd You Go, Bernadette?</i> I listened to the audiobook version of this satirical fiction novel.<br />
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<i>Where'd You Go, Bernadette?</i> focuses on Bernadette Fox, a once-renowned architect who suffers from extreme anxiety and agoraphobia. She hired a virtual assistant from India to complete her basic chores to avoid communicating with others. Bernadette's 15-year-old daughter, Bee, excels in school. Her husband, Elgie, works as a top Microsoft executive, and he's practically married to his job.<br />
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After Bee finishes the school year with perfect grades, Bernadette and Elgie promise to take her on a family vacation to Antarctica. But the upcoming trip makes Bernadette's anxiety worse and, following a series of events, she disappears. But where did she go?<br />
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<i>Where'd You Go, Bernadette? </i>is told through a series of letters, emails, FBI documents, and memos pieced together to form a story. Some narration by Bee is woven through the documents in order to clarify the storyline.<br />
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I didn't know what to expect when I started listening to <i>Where'd You Go, Bernadette? </i>I bought the audiobook on a whim because I remembered seeing the eye-catching cover everywhere a few years back. I was excited to learn that the author, Maria Semple, wrote the popular TV show <i>Arrested Development. </i><br />
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At first, I didn't like the epistolary format of the book The array of documents confused me, and I had a hard time figuring out the plot. I think listening to the audiobook made the confusion worse, since I couldn't go back to reference previous emails and memos. Once I figured out the system, though, I started to really enjoy the unique set-up. I've never read in a novel in an epistolary format before. I bet writing this way is extremely tough, but Maria Semple pulled it off flawlessly.<br />
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As for the characters,<i> </i>they were so strange that you couldn't help but love them. Bernadette is hilarious, troubled, mysterious, and eccentric all at once. Elgie's character is delightfully odd as well – imagine a tech whiz with an off-the-charts IQ and a wildly popular TED Talk who walks around the office with no shoes. Bee is a mix of both her parents. She's clever and sassy, but also incredibly smart. <br />
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At its core, <i>Where'd You Go, Bernadette?</i> is supposed to be a humorous satire about Seattle and its wealthy elite. Semple pokes fun at everything from private school parents to five-way intersections. But, honestly, I didn't laugh out loud while reading this book. Maybe I didn't understand the humor because I never visited Seattle, or maybe I don't connect to satire as well as other people.<br />
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Nevertheless I enjoyed the novel for what its worth. I especially couldn't get enough of the Antartica plot line – I mean, what other book takes place partly in Antarctica?<br />
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<u style="color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Audiobook Experience:</span></b></u><br />
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The narrator of <i>Where'd You Go, Bernadette?</i>, Kathleen Wilhoite, nailed the gig. She switched between character voices flawlessly, and her voice held the perfect amount of emotional infliction. I would've enjoyed the book less with another narrator.<br />
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<u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rating: 4/5</span></b></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;" /></u></b></span>I recommend this book for an easy, entertaining read – as long as you don't pick it up solely for the satire. I'd say the target audience is women in their 20s and older.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photo from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Whered-You-Go-Bernadette-Novel/dp/0316204269">Amazon </a></i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-18765473786303496292016-03-30T11:46:00.001-04:002016-04-07T06:06:11.967-04:00What I'm Loving: My Currently List <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 28.7467px;"><u><i>Here is what I'm currently...</i></u></b><br />
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 18px;">Watching:</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 18px;"> My boyfriend, Jake, and I have been binge-watching the first season of "The 100" on Netflix. It's a science fiction/drama TV show set in a post-apocalyptic world. Life on earth has been destroyed by nuclear war, and the last remaining humans live on the international space station. After life-sustaining supplies on the space station start to run out, one hundred juvenile prisoners are sent to the ground to test whether earth is survivable. I love "The 100" because it has a bit of everything – romance, action, drama, and suspense. </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 18px;">Reading: </b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 18px;">I just finished reading "Hush, Hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick (read my review <a href="http://www.meetmeinmidtown.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-hush-hush-by-becca.html">here</a>), and I started the sequel, "Crescendo." I'm enjoying the YA fantasy novel so far. I'm also listening to the audiobook version of "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?" by Maria Semple during long car rides. Expect reviews on my blog soon! </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18px;">Listening:</b><span style="line-height: 18px;"> I find all of Rachel Platten's songs extremely catchy, so they've been my go-to tunes when I want something upbeat. My favorite is "Stand By You," which plays on the radio every five minutes but I'm not complaining.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 18px;">Drinking: </b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 18px;">Lately I've been craving bubble tea, a Taiwanese drink. I order a cold black tea mixed with milk and chewy tapioca balls. It's a delicious and refreshing treat. My favorite place to order bubble tea is<a href="http://uniqueteahouse.com/"> Unique Tea House</a> in Syracuse, although the best bubble tea I've ever had came from a street vendor in New York City's Chinatown. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><b style="line-height: 18px;">Eating:</b><b style="line-height: 18px;"> </b><span style="line-height: 18px;">Jake and I have been trying new restaurants around Syracuse lately. We ate at an Irish pub called <a href="http://www.kittyhoynes.com/">Kitty Hoynes</a> last week, and we're heading to <a href="http://byblossyr.com/">Byblos Mediterranean Cafe </a>tomorrow night. Both of these places were featured on one of our favorite TV shows: Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></b><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><b style="line-height: 18px;">Enjoying: </b><span style="line-height: 18px;">I'm grateful that I get to visit Jake during his spring break. We've been apart for much of our relationship, thanks to internships and study abroad, so I value the all of the time we spend together. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><b style="line-height: 18px;">Wearing:</b><b style="line-height: 18px;"> </b><span style="line-height: 18px;">For my 22nd birthday, Jake bought me a gold Pisces necklace from <a href="https://stilnest.com/en/annasaccone">Anna Saccone's Zodiac Collection on Stilnest</a>. I've been dropping hints about the necklace for a while, so I was ecstatic to receive it as a gift. The necklace is adorable and matches most of my clothes, so I've been wearing it nearly every day. </span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Top photo taken in Prague, Czechoslovakia </span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-32785762077020423622016-03-24T17:44:00.001-04:002016-03-24T17:44:37.794-04:00Gramma Dots on Sanibel Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjia9GBp7m7GjH_Gh2-OKkdOraztPJvqFW1syBGdFCFmuF6Y9zK000EtdkJHeZedRT6jlcEIvY2ko_-jIhbB3DwGqSEYGabKhdygGmylsnHRq6-BjVpSSuf9_q_p9fsGr9vaZRJBYHakw0/s1600/gramma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjia9GBp7m7GjH_Gh2-OKkdOraztPJvqFW1syBGdFCFmuF6Y9zK000EtdkJHeZedRT6jlcEIvY2ko_-jIhbB3DwGqSEYGabKhdygGmylsnHRq6-BjVpSSuf9_q_p9fsGr9vaZRJBYHakw0/s640/gramma.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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I absolutely love food, so it's nearly impossible for me to choose a favorite dish. But if I were ever placed in a scenario where I <i>had</i> to pick my number one meal, the fried oyster Caesar salad from Gramma Dot's might be the winner.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sanibelmarina.com/gramma.html">Gramma Dot's</a> is a quaint restaurant located on the Sanibel Island seaside. My family has a house across the water in Ft. Myers Beach, so we often take our boat to Gramma Dot's for lunch. The<a href="http://www.sanibelmarina.com/menu.html"> menu </a>contains typical beach-y fare: fresh fish, shrimp, and sandwiches. You can also order a "Your Choice" Caesar salad with chicken, shrimp, grouper, or fried oysters.<br />
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Let me tell you, nothing beats the fried oyster Caesar salad. The oysters are cooked to perfection – crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. They pare exceptionally well with the creamy Caesar dressing and crisp lettuce. I ordered this meal during my first visit at Gramma Dot's, and I've never strayed from it during subsequent visits. Then again, when you combine two of my favorite things (fried food and seafood) and place the result on a bed of lettuce, I'm pretty much guaranteed to fall in love.<br />
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The other food as Gramma Dot's doesn't disappoint, either. I especially enjoy the crab leg appetizer and homemade potato chips. My mom sticks with the fried grouper Casear salad, while my boyfriend usually order the Cajun grouper. Both options are extremely tasty, but I'm too devoted to my fried oyster salad to order anything new.<br />
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I highly recommend Gramma Dot's, if you're ever in Sanibel Island. I guarantee that my family will return to this gem over and over again.<br />
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Tell me: what's your favorite seafood dish?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-72074783998179271892016-03-22T23:35:00.001-04:002016-03-23T00:59:11.954-04:00Book Review: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I'll be reviewing "Hush, Hush," a young adult fantasy novel by Becca Fitzpatrick. It's the first book in a series of four novels.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;"><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Overview: </span></b></u></span><br />
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Nora Grey, a high school student from Maine, becomes biology partners with Patch Cipriano. Although Nora feels a romantic connection to Patch, she can't help thinking that he's a threat – especially since he seems to be stalking her. Eventually Nora learns the truth: Patch is a fallen angel with a dark past.<br />
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Before she knows it, Nora becomes immersed in a dangerous world of fallen angels and Nephilim (the offspring of humans and angels), with a side of forbidden love.<br />
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<u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Opinion: </span></b></u><br />
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I loved the basic premise of "Hush, Hush" – a love story between a human and a fallen angel. The plot line was dark and suspenseful, which drew me in from the start. And you can't ignore how <i>gorgeous</i> the cover looks!<br />
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That being said, I had a couple of problems with this novel:<br />
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1.) It's eerily similar to "Twilight."<br />
Don't get me wrong, I loved "Twilight" back in middle school. However, Fitzpatrick seems to borrow heavily from the popular vampire romance series. First off, Patch and Nora meet in biology class – just like Bella and Edward. Patch is mysterious and brooding, and he has a dark secret – just like Edward. And, finally, Nora knows that Patch is a threat but she can't seem to stay away. Sound familiar? <br />
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2.) The writing could use improvement<br />
I understand that Fitzpatrick is writing for a younger audience, but some of the sentence structure and punctuation seems a little off. Some sentences don't flow together well, and others simply don't make sense. For example: <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; line-height: 21px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His eyes looked like they didn't play by the rules." What is this supposed to mean?</span></span><br />
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3.) Patch is creepy<br />
Some of Patch's flirtatious remarks really creeped me out because they verge on harassment. He's manipulative and violent with stalker tendencies, but Nora is still fascinated by him. No wonder she finds herself in many life-threatening situations.<br />
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However, pushing those criticisms aside, I really did enjoy reading "Hush, Hush." I constantly wanted to know what happened next. The slow-paced beginning gave way to a fast-paced ending, and I stayed up late into the night finishing the novel.<br />
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<u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rating: 3.5/5</span></b></u><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;" /></u></b></span>Although "Hush, Hush" had some problems with writing style and character development, the interesting plot makes up for the shortcomings. I plan on reading the other three books in the series – "Crescendo," "Silence," and "Finale" – very soon.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photo from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Saga/dp/1416989420/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1458703312&sr=8-5&keywords=hush%2C+hush">Amazon</a>. </i></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-89920045725719438822016-03-06T23:36:00.001-05:002016-03-06T23:40:13.683-05:00DIY Wine Cork Poster <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjac-pLZLsW4QXwMhHaG610RHEHX_a9ITnibrkWj5oh84L8egnaLuUN1aKDZd6xsheYduBfbnlfequ897v8SQhtWknsiYIbaxNYEpfCuf5NgeICH_e1ZtgoeRfjZLCADqptShTekbOQ8L4/s1600/poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjac-pLZLsW4QXwMhHaG610RHEHX_a9ITnibrkWj5oh84L8egnaLuUN1aKDZd6xsheYduBfbnlfequ897v8SQhtWknsiYIbaxNYEpfCuf5NgeICH_e1ZtgoeRfjZLCADqptShTekbOQ8L4/s640/poster.jpg" width="578" /></a></div>
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When my mom needed a wall decoration for our basement bar, we went right to <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/nharris32/">Pinterest</a> for some DIY inspiration. We wanted to find a crafty way to turn my parent's wine cork collection into a piece of art. I was shocked at how many cute ideas I found! Apparently you can make anything from dart boards to picture frames out of old wine corks.<br />
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After some perusing on Pinterest, we decided to make a poster that depicted wine corks falling out of wine glasses (we got the inspiration <a href="http://freshideen.com/diy-do-it-yourself/diy-schmuck/basteln-mit-korken.html">here</a>). We loved the final results, so I thought I'd share the DIY project on my blog.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8As4qvLJb6HAH8BngnDNT4XaPUS879S7YA148sVUnYGFtmGiK2JcvDqOHj5YY5jS-XnbRgs7bKVaP9u3IKRdaWSBCCJyyOAo8XAv708iwnLLUw0CZiCbraf3vJ3ZBUP7_5W1RjSAFkbE/s1600/corks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8As4qvLJb6HAH8BngnDNT4XaPUS879S7YA148sVUnYGFtmGiK2JcvDqOHj5YY5jS-XnbRgs7bKVaP9u3IKRdaWSBCCJyyOAo8XAv708iwnLLUw0CZiCbraf3vJ3ZBUP7_5W1RjSAFkbE/s640/corks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Materials:</i></b></div>
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<li>Wine corks (my parents had been collecting these for years)</li>
<li>Poster board </li>
<li>Frame</li>
<li>Hot glue gun</li>
<li>Wine glasses (we bought plastic ones at the Dollar Store) Instructions:</li>
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To make the craft, we simply glued the wine glasses and the corks onto the poster board. The wine corks appear to "fall" out of the glasses and onto the board, making a 2-by-2 pattern as they reach the bottom of the frame. The craft took roughly three hours to complete, and it was free since we used materials that we already owned.<br />
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I'm very pleased with the final product since it adds lots of character and charm to our bar. This goes to show that DIY products can be just as good (if not better) than artwork bought from a store. All you need is a little work and a lot of creativity.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-86360794455794245652016-02-23T22:32:00.000-05:002016-02-23T22:45:11.115-05:00New York City Apartment: Bedroom Inspiration Since I'm moving to New York City to pursue a career in magazine journalism, my mom and I have been obsessed with planning and decorating my future apartment. She's an interior design whiz who sees the potential in every space. I'm an organizing freak who taught myself about home decor through my favorite blogs and <i>HGTV </i>shows. Together we're trying to convert a tiny NYC apartment into a cozy and functional living space.<br />
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Of course I'll share updates once we start the actual decorating process, but today I thought I'd talk about my interior design inspiration for my future bedroom.<br />
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<b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">A cozy feminine bedspread</span></b><br />
Picking out the perfect bedspread is always the hardest part of the bedroom decorating process for me. I have some strict requirements: it has to be plush and cozy with a not-too-busy pattern in relaxing neutral shades. My search led me to this <a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/closeout-martha-stewart-collection-regal-filigree-22-pc.-comforter-sets?ID=1855249&CategoryID=26795">Martha Stewart Collection Regal Filigree 22-Pc. Comforter Set</a>, which I found at Macy's for $85 (it's originally $400!). The set comes with a comforter, bedskirt, curtains, valences, throw pillows, and more. As soon as I saw it, I knew it suited my tastes perfectly. We nabbed it for less than 25% of the original price, and now I can't wait to decorate my bedroom around the beautiful gray-and-green pattern.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBFKZXcVw3tcBUSoBDVChLJs7GdrY8wDxfI2iuArY-Q2TTAuVernfiiaQllj50dtxA4rA7DSxYxsCAMOJcwkNlTtlnA4EQLTxpXg2OFR1MpM7DMm5iLCWa3qiiPvlAw11x7dAEnz4zHE/s1600/comforter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBFKZXcVw3tcBUSoBDVChLJs7GdrY8wDxfI2iuArY-Q2TTAuVernfiiaQllj50dtxA4rA7DSxYxsCAMOJcwkNlTtlnA4EQLTxpXg2OFR1MpM7DMm5iLCWa3qiiPvlAw11x7dAEnz4zHE/s640/comforter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Soft paint colors</b></span><br />
When it comes to paint, I'm drawn to soft colors on the cool end of the spectrum. I find that these calming shades help me relax, and they look pleasing in most rooms. My two favorite paint colors at the moment are <a href="https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6204/">Sea Salt</a> and <a href="https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6205-comfort-gray/">Comfort Gray</a> by <a href="https://www.sherwin-williams.com/">Sherwin-Williams</a>. How cute would they look on my bedroom walls when paired with the above comforter?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVuqFcDX_ayjnTidphQ3D0JTgwq1yMDjeadZgEIeJN6ZMnN2Qu5ABvc53uiJwvB4-qyQqP3XTdyaX53HUYXiMb7djz-_Q_INsl1fYrv_4eand9zXaUzxmIG0-9Bf5HFHXZEsiAesX07k/s1600/colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVuqFcDX_ayjnTidphQ3D0JTgwq1yMDjeadZgEIeJN6ZMnN2Qu5ABvc53uiJwvB4-qyQqP3XTdyaX53HUYXiMb7djz-_Q_INsl1fYrv_4eand9zXaUzxmIG0-9Bf5HFHXZEsiAesX07k/s640/colors.jpg" width="640" /></a><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Complementary furniture</span></b></div>
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Given my cool-toned bedspread and paint colors, I decided that my furniture should be some shade of grayish-brown. My mom recently painted her bathroom cabinets in <a href="https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7048-urbane-bronze/#/7048/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0">Urban Bronze</a> by <a href="https://www.sherwin-williams.com/">Sherwin-Williams</a>, and we both fell in love with the results. I want to paint my headboard and bedroom furniture in the same hue. Urban Bronze would look great with Sea Salt and Comfort Gray, and it's incredibly similar to the shade of my throw pillows and curtains.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Unique decor </span></b></div>
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I'm a sucker for whimsical artwork, vintage clocks, and one-of-a-kind trinkets. I haven't picked out any decor items yet, but I've been eyeing the city prints by <a href="http://www.orkposters.com/">Ork Posters</a> because they add a bit of personality and charm to your living space. I might buy <a href="http://www.orkposters.com/berlin.html">this Berlin poster</a> (since I studied abroad in the city for four months) or <a href="http://www.orkposters.com/queens.html">this Queens poster</a> (since my apartment will probably be in Queens). </div>
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I also like the idea of New York City-inspired wall art; I just have to ensure I pick one that's not too tacky or tourist-y. My favorites so far are <a href="http://www.wayfair.com/New-York-City-Skyline-in-Sunlight-by-Marcus-Martina-Bleichner-3-Piece-Painting-Print-on-Gallery-Wrapped-Canvas-Set-0ble012c3654w-JJM5552.html">this three-piece painting from Wayfair</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/252899576/new-york-watercolor-print-watercolor?ref=market">this digital watercolor print from ArtPrintsVicky on Etsy</a>, and all of the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ClareCaulfield/search?search_query=new+york&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search">NYC artwork from ClareCaulfield on Etsy</a>.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-27930000011367448502016-02-15T23:41:00.000-05:002016-02-15T23:43:50.729-05:003 Easy Date Night Meals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My boyfriend and I love going out to dinner, but our budgets don't always allow it. To save money, we've been experimenting with different recipes – many of which come straight from <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/nharris32/">Pinterest</a>. </div>
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Cooking food from scratch isn't the easiest thing for us, though. For starters, his college apartment doesn't have a full kitchen, so we have to use a toaster oven and a hot plate. We also have completely different taste buds... I adore melted cheese; he hates it. I love spicy food; he's not a fan. He could eat red meat for every meal; I prefer chicken. As you can imagine, compromise is key. </div>
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Today I'm sharing three simple recipes that you can make anywhere (even a college apartment without a real kitchen!) Each meal features a different protein – fish, red meat, and chicken – so there's hopefully a recipe for everyone. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0rpM_RDEbxjpOkyHepFmvrI6_RsLezB3jEcpGsaxcJlYJ1M73XotadfAb5HCBa9_QelWtj8pmvw9ojbA9iU3m9WUd-vHd1qLXMTFtR1Os_XKLsSodB1u97T_k8ptCdIDrsVT8ThRbNY/s1600/salmon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0rpM_RDEbxjpOkyHepFmvrI6_RsLezB3jEcpGsaxcJlYJ1M73XotadfAb5HCBa9_QelWtj8pmvw9ojbA9iU3m9WUd-vHd1qLXMTFtR1Os_XKLsSodB1u97T_k8ptCdIDrsVT8ThRbNY/s640/salmon.jpg" width="624" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">1. Baked Salmon</span></h3>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Salmon can be expensive, but I think the health benefits and easy preparation justify the splurge. To make this dish, you will need salmon fillets, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Garlic and lemon juice are optional. </span></div>
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<b><i>Instructions:</i></b></div>
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1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. </div>
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2. Place the salmon on a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil.</div>
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3. Rub olive oil, salt, and pepper on each fillet. You can also rub minced garlic and/or lemon juice on the salmon, if you want.</div>
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4. Bake until the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 10-15 minutes. </div>
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You can find a similar recipe <a href="http://bit.ly/1l6u7mc">here</a>.</div>
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Jake and I also made a side of broccoli, which we cooked with the salmon and coated with olive oil, garlic, and salt. I imagine that most other garlic-coated vegetables, like green beans or asparagus, would work well with baked salmon, too. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">2. Steak Sandwiches </span></h3>
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Despite having different tastebuds, Jake and I both appreciate a good steak sandwich. We found this recipe on the <a href="http://bit.ly/1KlxT9b">Food Network website</a> but modified it a bit to suit our lack-of-a-kitchen situation. Instead of cooking the dish with sliced yellow onions, we bought a mixture of pre-cut green pepper and diced white onions. We also excluded the provolone cheese, but added a bit of mayonnaise to the rolls instead. </div>
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We served the sandwiches with steamed green beans and baked French fries. Both of us absolutely loved the recipe, and we would definitely make the same thing again. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuy7OPxI5oymsR3nQ3ItDC7FkvzuS3D7TginowJxHfs9agThwj3_zUFY8vqL_ryKDGRyv5GsjgZm63FhfCHOIv5QhoNXlBCyDQd7DjXux1XD0pVauU7Gl4LlyG6eiHzqPJBx1GF1woCc/s1600/chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuy7OPxI5oymsR3nQ3ItDC7FkvzuS3D7TginowJxHfs9agThwj3_zUFY8vqL_ryKDGRyv5GsjgZm63FhfCHOIv5QhoNXlBCyDQd7DjXux1XD0pVauU7Gl4LlyG6eiHzqPJBx1GF1woCc/s640/chicken.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">3. Breaded Pesto Chicken </span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;">For this dish, Jake and I took a simple breaded chicken recipe (like this one from <a href="http://bit.ly/1U4LsM1">Food Network</a>) and added pre-made pesto to the mix. We put the pesto on the chicken breasts after the egg and before the breadcrumbs. Although the Food Network instructions recommend making your own breadcrumbs, we bought pre-mixed ones at the store to ease the preparation. </span><br />
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We love this recipe because the pesto adds a flavorful kick to the chicken with no dipping sauces necessary. But, being a Midwesterner, I would never pass up a side of Ranch dressing!<br />
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<i>Tell me: What are your favorite date night meals? </i></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-85723557629051518872016-02-10T23:54:00.001-05:002016-02-11T00:01:48.333-05:003 Valentine's Day Ideas for Long Distance CouplesDoes absence really make the heart grow fonder? Certainly not on Valentine's Day. For those of us in long distance relationships, spending the most romantic day of the year apart from your significant other blows.<br />
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I'm thankfully able to visit my long-distance boyfriend for Valentine's this year, but I want to help out other LDR couples who aren't so lucky. Here are three unique Valentine's Day date ideas for couples separated by distance.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">1. Order each other dinner</span></b><br />
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Here's what to do: Sign into a food delivery/takeout website like <a href="https://www.grubhub.com/lets-eat">Grubhub</a>, <a href="https://www.seamless.com/lets-eat">Seamless</a>, or <a href="http://delivery.com/">Delivery.com</a>. Find a meal that your boyfriend will love and order it, making sure to put his address as the destination. Have him order a surprise dish for you as well. Try to coordinate the delivery so both meals arrive at the same time. Then, if you want, set up Skype and enjoy your food over a nice conversation. Candles and wine are optional, but they will definitely add some romance to the faux dinner date. Bon Appetit! <br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">2. Send a care package </span></b><br />
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Don't let the distance prevent you from spoiling your loved one with sweets. Fill a cardboard box with some of his favorite candy, decorate it with romantic decorations, and drop it off at the nearest Post Office. If your significant other doesn't have a sweet tooth, swap out candy for salty snacks like chips and jerky. You can also fill the box with clothes, letters, or other gifts. Be creative! The personalized care package is a simple gesture that shows your man how much he means to you.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">3. Plan a synchronized Netflix session</span></b><br />
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As most LDR couples probably know, trying to simultaneously watch a show on Netflix is nearly impossible. The main challenge is pressing the play button at the same time. Then one video still inevitably lags behind the other, and the sound never syncs up right.<br />
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That's where <a href="https://rabb.it/">Rabbit</a> comes in. The website allows Netflix uses to completely sync their streaming sessions without having to worry about lags or timing issues. One person "controls" Netflix; when he/she presses pause or play or rewind, both computer screens respond to the command. Users can also turn on their cameras and video chat during the show. Rabbit is the perfect solution for long-distance couples looking for a low-key date night.<br />
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Here are a few of my Valentine's Day movie recommendations, which are all currently on Netflix: <i>Silver Linings Playbook</i>, <i>The Switch</i>, <i>Kate and Leopold</i>, <i>Serendipity</i>, <i>Hitch</i>, and <i>50 First Dates</i>.<br />
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I hope you found these LDR date ideas useful.<br />
<i>Tell me: How do you celebrate Valentine's Day in a long distance relationship?</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-68370374689339266392016-02-06T22:55:00.000-05:002016-02-06T23:00:03.522-05:00Life Update: A One-Way Ticket to NYC <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm back! It's been a solid three months since I last blogged because my life has been a complete whirlwind. I graduated from college a semester early, started the job application process, and prepared to move to New York City. Pretty soon I'll be trading my suburban town in Ohio for the Big Apple. I couldn't be more excited to start this incredible new chapter.<br />
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To make up for lost time, I decided to post a photo-heavy life update on the blog today. Prepare for more of my typical lifestyle content in the future – especially NYC restaurant reviews, book and TV show recommendations, day-in-the-life posts, DIY project ideas, and healthy recipes. Enjoy!<br />
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<i>The beautifully quiet streets of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn</i></div>
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<i>Typical New York: Modern buildings and yellow cabs in Midtown Manhattan</i></div>
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<i>The bright lights of Times Square on a chilly January night</i></div>
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<i>My second time at Otto Enoteca e Pizzeria – the Romana is amazing!</i></div>
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<i>The ice skating rink at the Rockefeller Center is a winter wonderland in the middle of NYC</i></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-12676938170837242622015-11-09T00:15:00.000-05:002015-11-09T13:20:20.626-05:00A Homemade Haunted House <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEHptOUoFNoKV6H4BGvX11mf4nAehrDIRgEg8ckn0qIUl6MmeY7IoBeTS4s3j22M8v9RJJ4WnQqXuYDhvsuHTkL-tofA3fwxVVTzA6uDzgQlouBqcAqVqkzpFOJ-Yz08Qb5FLQqMjpss/s1600/trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEHptOUoFNoKV6H4BGvX11mf4nAehrDIRgEg8ckn0qIUl6MmeY7IoBeTS4s3j22M8v9RJJ4WnQqXuYDhvsuHTkL-tofA3fwxVVTzA6uDzgQlouBqcAqVqkzpFOJ-Yz08Qb5FLQqMjpss/s1600/trail.jpg" /></a></div>
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You know how families have Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions? Well, my family has Halloween traditions. Every year on October 31, we host a "haunted trail" in the woods behind our house, which is located in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. About 100 neighborhood children flock to our house promptly at 8 p.m. – when trick-or-treating ends – to walk through our DIY scare machine.<br />
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My mom builds all of the props from scratch, re-using old items and buying new ones for cheap at thrift stores. We have about 20 different displays that begin in the tree-covered path behind our fence and wind through our backyard. Some props act as decorative items, while others move or make noise in an attempt to scare people.<br />
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Here are some of the displays featured in this year's trail. Although it happened at night, I took most of the photos during the day so you see the details.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Graveyard </span></b></h3>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Dot Wall </span></b></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">An S-shaped structure covered with black canvas and fluorescent polka dots </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The "Carn-evil" </span></b><br />
Featuring Boo-loon Rides, Face-less Painting, Mis-Fortune Teller, Petting Zoo, Roller Ghoster, Kissing Boo-th, Rotten Candy, and Eyes-Cream<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Miscellaneous Props </span></b></div>
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As you can see, my mom goes all out for the Haunted Trail!</div>
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Now we don't expect to frighten the neighbors solely with stationary props. That's where my brother, his friends, and I come in. We worked the trail this year. Just like actors at a haunted house, we hid in various places and jumped out at people as they passed. We elicited countless screams – and quite a few crying spells from little kids as well.<br />
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Here's how everything went down:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">THE DOT WALL:</span></b></h4>
The dot wall is an S-shaped structure made of black canvas covered in fluorescent polka dots. This is the most popular attraction every year. Due to black lights hung from the top of the structure, the dots glow in the dark while the rest of the canvas remains black. My mom constructed a dummy out of rods and pool noodles, and we dressed it in clothing covered in the same polka dot pattern as the walls. I also dressed in clothing with the same polka dot pattern, and I donned a black mask. I am pictured to the left, and the dummy is on the right – we're twins!<br />
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When I leaned against the dot wall during the night, you could barely see me. I was practically invisible. Taking advantage of this, I stood in one corner of the dot wall and blended in to my surroundings. We placed the dummy in another corner of the structure. We figured this could have two potential solutions:<br />
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1) People wouldn't see me or the dummy, and I would jump out from the shadows and scare them.<br />
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2) People would see the dummy and think it was a person planning to jump out at them. While they were distracted by the dummy, I would sneak up behind them and scare them.<br />
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The plan worked out great! Half of the people didn't see me or the dummy, and they nearly popped my ear drums with screams when I jumped out. The other half were so intimidated by the dummy that they didn't see me approach from behind. A couple of little kids were so scared of the dummy that they nearly turned around and went back to the entrance of the trail.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">THE HIDDEN BOYS:</span></b></h4>
We host the trail in the woods behind my house, and the trees offer many hiding places. My brother and his other friends crouched in dark spaces and jumped out as people walked past. They were also equipped with cans of silly string – which was a hit with the kids. Since these boys weren't attached to a particular location, they moved around the trail as they pleased. That way, kids who went through the trail multiple times didn't know where, exactly, the scares would happen.<br />
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Excuse the grainy pictures...<br />
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The trail lasts about an hour-and-a-half each year. We usually have about 150 neighbors and their friends walk through, and the line for the trail can be backed up by 20 or 30 people. Quite impressive for a DIY haunted house, huh?<br />
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Here's a (low-quality) video depicting part of the trail. It's dark, but you can make out some of the props:<br />
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Every year, while the trail is under way, my parents throw a Halloween party underneath some tents in my yard. Candy, cookies, hot dogs, and hot chocolate await anyone who wants it. We also had a full-size keg and a pot of delicious apple cider wine for the adults! The night always end with a group of neighbors drinking and relaxing by a warm bonfire until the wee hours of the night.<br />
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My family is moving to Florida next year, so unfortunately this was the last annual haunted trail. I'm so glad I was able to travel home from college for the weekend to participate. I'll always keep my unique family memories of Halloween; the traditions have made it one of my favorite holidays. And who knows, maybe we'll end up hosting a homemade haunted house among the palm trees in Florida!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-50137040065833561942015-10-26T08:00:00.000-04:002015-10-26T10:12:28.028-04:00Book Review: The Witness by Nora Roberts <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQKU5Awv7Fgpi49Ul6SR2AgJrj5-8zyVRpD-BQ6Piw3Vv35i1HeRX5lUFW8soOg-T11gf4XS-_WXHrGrRV7v_4KVlDOpjmTg6KfQIb2wqi2d0jOK15F9hICMyc5CmALGSA0fdADQchZM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-10-24+at+11.35.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQKU5Awv7Fgpi49Ul6SR2AgJrj5-8zyVRpD-BQ6Piw3Vv35i1HeRX5lUFW8soOg-T11gf4XS-_WXHrGrRV7v_4KVlDOpjmTg6KfQIb2wqi2d0jOK15F9hICMyc5CmALGSA0fdADQchZM/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-10-24+at+11.35.00+PM.png" width="572" /></a></div>
Today I'll be reviewing "The Witness," a romantic suspense novel by Nora Roberts.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Overview: </span></b></u></span><br />
The novel opens with Elizabeth, an obedient teenage girl whose life is completely controlled by her mother. One rebellious stint at a nightclub makes Elizabeth a witness to events that will change her life forever.<br />
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Twelve years later, Elizabeth, now a software programmer going by the name Abigail Lowery, lives a secluded life in a small town. She catches the eye of police chief Brooks Gleason, who is intrigued by Abigail's secrecy, sophisticated security system, and impressive collection of firearms. Brooks soon realizes that Abigail has a secret, and he tries to protect her from whatever, or whoever, she's afraid of.<br />
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<u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Opinion: </span></b></u><br />
This is the best book I've read (listened to?) in a long time! I loved everything about it – the suspense, the romance, the characters, and the plot. I was interested throughout the whole book, and I constantly wondered what would happen next. I can see why Nora Roberts is such a famous author; she created a vivid world of fiction with believable characters and an intrinsic plot.<br />
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Abigail isn't your typical protagonist. She's unbelievably smart, quirky, and socially awkward – and she talks with in a sophisticated and calculated manner. Similarly, Brooks isn't as smooth or dreamy as most male protagonists. But I think the uniqueness of the characters draws me to them even more. Both Brooks and Abigail are unforgettable because I've never seen other characters quite like them.<br />
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<u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Audiobook Experience: </span></b></u><br />
I listened to the audiobook version of "The Witness" during a long car trip, and I was very pleased with the narrator. She brought the story to life through her voice, and she perfectly varied her accent between the characters. I can't even imagine listening to this novel with a different narrator. The audiobook lasted more than 7 hours, so it kept me entertained for quite a while. The best part about the audiobook was the price – I bought it for $5 on iTunes!<br />
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<u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 21.56px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rating: 5/5</span></b></u><br />
"The Witness" is unlike any book I've ever read, thanks to the unusual characters and plot. This was my first novel by Nora Roberts, and I'm definitely planning on reading more in the future. I highly recommend "The Witness!"<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Witness-Nora-Roberts/dp/0399159126">Amazon</a>. </span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-20543638801957278622015-10-21T12:59:00.000-04:002015-10-21T13:36:00.532-04:00My Currently List<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 28.7467px;">
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 28.7467px;"><u><i>Here is what I'm currently...</i></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18px;">Watching:</b><span style="line-height: 18px;"> I'm halfway through the second season of <i>Orange is the New Black </i>(I know I'm a bit behind), and I'm loving it! I understand why every Netflix user is addicted to the series. After I'm finished with OITNB, I plan to start watching <i>Scandal </i>and <i>The Originals</i>. </span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 18px;">Reading: </b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 18px;">I just finished </span></span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 18px;">The Witness</i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 18px;"> by Nora Roberts. I highly recommend this romantic suspense novel. Expect a review on the blog soon!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18px;">Listening:</b><span style="line-height: 18px;"> Spotify has taken over my heart – I love how the service allows users to make playlists of their favorite songs. Also, have you heard Selena Gomez's new song, "Same Old Love?" It's so catchy that I've been playing it on repeat. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><b style="line-height: 18px;">Eating:</b><b style="line-height: 18px;"> </b><span style="line-height: 18px;">It's apple season in New York, and you better believe I'm taking advantage of it. I love buying new varieties of apples at the store to test out. My current favorites are Honeycrisp, Cortland, Macoun, and Paula Red. </span><br /><b style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></b><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Drinking: </b>So I recently noticed that coffee exaggerates the symptoms of some digestive issues I have. As an alternative, I've made the temporary switch to black tea. The subtler taste isn't nearly as comforting, but it'll do for now. </span><br /><b style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></b><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><b style="line-height: 18px;">Enjoying: </b><span style="line-height: 18px;">Boots, sweaters, warm beverages, colorful leaves, and everything else about fall!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><b style="line-height: 18px;">Wanting: </b><span style="line-height: 18px;">Since I'm at college, I haven't actually carved pumpkins or roasted pumpkin seeds for years. I miss that fall family tradition! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></b><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span><b style="line-height: 18px;">Wearing:</b><b style="line-height: 18px;"> </b><span style="line-height: 18px;">It's that time to year to break out the riding boots and army-inspired jackets – like my favorite <a href="http://www.target.com/p/women-s-twill-anorak-jacket-mossimo-supply-co/-/A-17145074?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=17145074&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=pla_women+shopping&adgroup=anoraks_sc&LID=22pgs&KID=27fae88f-00e7-4aa4-80b5-c7aefe6b94b9&gclid=Cj0KEQjw44exBRCu8vfS_bPEtNoBEiQACrt00zUsM4naYv6bOwwxlqarmVsXef6olE9GtGT17062fEIaAnzh8P8HAQ">gray one from Target</a>. </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-81027063660554225662015-10-17T13:03:00.003-04:002015-10-17T19:57:28.376-04:00Story Time: A Lockdown on Campus <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 28.7467px;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 28.7467px;">Happy Saturday! I'm ready to lounge in bed with Netflix and some popcorn after a crazy week full of midterms and projects. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And also a campus lockdown. </span></div>
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Let me explain. While I was at a meeting for a campus publication on Wednesday night, everyone's phone started to vibrate and ring.<i> </i>Texts, emails, and phone calls from my school flashed across our screens, warning of a safety threat in the area. <span style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 28.7467px;">All students were advised to remain indoors and avoid Oakwood Cemetery, which borders Syracuse University's campus. Naturally, the other students and I freaked out about the vague message – especially considering the recent string of school shootings in America. My thoughts turned panicky. <i>What? Is this really happening? </i></span><span style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 28.7467px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 28.7467px;">The other students and I remained in the classroom, trying to stay calm in spite of the confusion. Our eyes never left Twitter, constantly stalking the site for updates about the lockdown situation. Even though our campus media tried to keep students informed as much as possible, many details remained vague and unconfirmed at this point. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 28.7467px;">From what we gathered, the incident seemed to be drug- or gang-related. Although Syracuse University has a beautiful campus, parts of the surrounding area are notoriously unsafe. But what had happened? A drug deal deal gone wrong? A police chase? A brawl that turned violent? Countless rumors floated across my Twitter feed, and my anxiety heightened with every minute of not knowing the truth. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 28.7467px;">Eventually, as we remained trapped in the classroom, the safety precautions on campus tightened. Students living in dorms that bordered the cemetery were advised to turn off their lights. A professor at my journalism school locked the members of my meeting in a windowless classroom, and he eventually moved us to the building's auditorium with nearly 100 other students. Faculty wanted everyone in the journalism building in the same place, just as an extra precaution. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 28.7467px;">In the auditorium, students continuously perused Twitter for updates, refreshing the feed over and over again. A livestream of campus news played on the big projector screen. <i>Why couldn't anybody confirm the facts? How dangerous was the situation? </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 28.7467px;">Finally, after being locked in my journalism school for two hours, the police department lifted the "shelter in place" warning at around 10:30 p.m. and allowed students to return home.</span></div>
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Only then did I really find out what happened. A drive-by shooting two miles off campus left one teenager dead and another injured. The police responded to the shots and began a car chase with two suspects, which resulted with the suspects running into the cemetery. The police lost track of the men and worried they might try to escape by cutting through Syracuse's campus. The shootings had nothing to do with Syracuse University or Syracuse students; however, the campus police issued the lockdown to ensure the safety of students and faculty. The police never caught the suspects, but law enforcement thoroughly surveyed campus before lifting the shelter and declaring the area safe for students. </div>
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This incident showed me that a "bubble" surrounds my university. Although I'm knowledgeable of most campus-related events, I'm pretty clueless about what goes on in the greater Syracuse area. Apparently 20 homicides happened in the city this year, and I only knew about the one that came too close to the university for comfort. I think all college students should make an effort to understand the city in which they live – after all, it is your home for four years. </div>
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Has anyone been in a similar situation? I'd love to hear about it. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-11286621446276991812015-10-09T15:23:00.000-04:002015-10-09T15:23:17.162-04:00NYC Dining: Katz's Delicatessen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Among New York City's countless delis and sandwich shops, one place has stood above the rest for generations: <a href="http://katzsdelicatessen.com/">Katz's Delicatessen</a>. Located on the corner of Ludlow and Houston in the Lower East Side, Katz's serves "kosher style" sandwiches and meats – including its legendary pastrami sandwich.<br />
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It's also "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-bsf2x-aeE">where Harry met Sally.</a>"<br />
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The restaurant attracts hundreds of locals and tourists every day. The line often start at the deli's counter, continues out the door, and stretched down Houston Street. I lived a couple of blocks away from Katz's for two summers, and I never saw the place empty.<br />
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Who knew that thick cut pastrami piled high on rye bread could create such a stir?<br />
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However, ashamed as I am to admit it, I didn't eat at New York City's "most legendary" deli until my last day in Manhattan. Here's what I thought of Katz's Delicatessen.<br />
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My dad and I arrived at Katz's at about 11 a.m. on a Saturday. While the crowd wasn't as strong as usual, we still waited a few minutes to place our order. At least there was chaos to the madness – a "bouncer" at the door handed out tickets to everyone as they got in line. I'm not sure how necessary this was, but it probably makes everything run smoothly during the most chaotic hours.<br />
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Of course, I couldn't go to Katz's and not order the legendary pastrami sandwich. I cringed a bit at the price – nearly $20 for one sandwich. Then again, I never expected one of NYC's most famous restaurants to be cheap.<br />
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We didn't wait long for our food, and the entrees smelled amazing when the arrived. I haven't had much pastrami in my life, but this particular meat was mouth-wateringly delicious. It was tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked with spices. The only downside was the crazy amount of fatty pieces. I understand that the fat is key to the flavor of the pastrami, but I found myself picking it out of the sandwich. My dad, who also ordered a beer, ate the entire thing and liked it a lot.<br />
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We also ordered homemade pickles, which were also good. But beware: they tasted much more like cucumbers than traditional pickles.<br />
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<b>Overall opinion: </b>I'm so glad I finally tested the landmark pastrami sandwich at Katz's. I enjoyed my sandwich and thought the pastrami was delicious, but I think the hype surrounding Katz's is a little exaggerated.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-58522505132843270272015-10-01T13:17:00.001-04:002015-10-01T13:17:29.232-04:00The Five Senses of Fall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9_lN4_NiV4XQ0M5TkyyD9p9LySq8dxAB2OpcgYM468CrPlN20CkLR79cBU4D1APxJCpqox15fNnSJWoaVzO36LSCCZd18FVT82kE6ElC-NhQ7tkTIKqDeZRNuK6loROTXd6L2N7QmRQ/s1600/fall-copenhagen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9_lN4_NiV4XQ0M5TkyyD9p9LySq8dxAB2OpcgYM468CrPlN20CkLR79cBU4D1APxJCpqox15fNnSJWoaVzO36LSCCZd18FVT82kE6ElC-NhQ7tkTIKqDeZRNuK6loROTXd6L2N7QmRQ/s640/fall-copenhagen.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Over the last few weeks, blog posts about fall have completely taken over my feed. I can't blame the bloggers, though, because I'm equally obsessed with the season. Autumn just strikes me as being cozy and comfortable – maybe it's all of the warm knit fabrics and hot spiced beverages.<br />
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Today I thought I'd share my own list of things I love about fall, but I'm branching out from the crowd and categorizing my list by the five senses. Here are my fall favorites:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>SIGHT: </u></b></span><br />
<i>FALL FOLIAGE.</i> I go to school in Upstate New York, where the fall foliage bursts with bright red, orange, and yellow hues.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">TOUCH:</span> </u></b><br />
<i>COZY CLOTHES.</i> I love pulling out my oversized sweaters and light military-style jackets. Something about bundling up in warm clothes on a chilly day never fails to comfort me. And let's not forget the riding boots!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>TASTE: </u></span></b><br />
<i>PUMPKIN.</i> During the fall, I crave pumpkin-flavored <i>everything –</i> the flavor just works so well in bread, cookies, and pastries. Plus, ordering Pumpkin Spice Latte just feels right on crisp mornings.<br />
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<i>APPLES.</i> I can't experience fall in Upstate New York and not talk about the state's famous apples. Dozens of varieties stock row after row of shelves at the grocery store during this time of year. My personal favorites are Jonamac, Pink Lady, and Zestar.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>SMELL: </u></b></span><br />
<i>SPICES.</i> When the air feel a bit nippy, no aroma pleases me more than cinnamon, nutmeg, and other seasonal spices. Also, the scent of coffee seems even more inviting than usual during the fall.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>SOUND: </u></b></span><br />
<i>WIND.</i> Hearing the wind rustling through the brittle leaves on the trees constantly reminds me to look up and enjoy the foliage colors.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>AND MORE...</u></b></span><br />
Fall also brings back some great childhood memories. When I was young, my family visited apple orchards every year to ride the tractors, climb the hay barrels, and get lost in corn mazes. We'd pick a whole bag of apples from the trees to take home, and of course we'd eat one or two along the way.<br />
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I remember stuffing my face with warm apple cider and freshly baked donuts. Carving pumpkins and having "pumpkin goop fights." Jumping into leaves that my dad raked into a pile. Getting overly excited when my mom baked a fresh batch of pumpkin seeds. Dressing up in a costume to trick-or-treating around my neighborhood. The memories never fail to make me smile.<br />
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Do you love fall? What are your favorite things about the season?<br />
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<i>Picture on top: Climbing trees in Copenhagen, Denmark</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-28138868005170514632015-09-28T08:00:00.000-04:002015-09-28T14:07:09.246-04:00Book Review: The Girl on the TrainToday I'm reviewing <i>The Girl on the Train </i>by British author Paula Hawkins. The novel is a psychological thriller revolving around a murder case, and many have dubbed it "the next <i>Gone Girl</i>." What's more, it spent 13 weeks as the number one book on The New York Times Fiction Best Sellers of 2015 list.<br />
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I actually listened to the audiobook version of this novel, but it still counts, right?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b>Overview: </b></u></span><br />
Rachel is an unemployed, divorced alcoholic in her 30's who pretends to take the London train to work during the week. One day, she sees something suspicious out of the train window. This occurrence lands her smack in the middle of a murder mystery case full of love, jealousy, and mystery.<br />
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<i>The Girl on the Train</i> has three separate narrators: Rachel; her ex-husband's new wife, Anna; and the victim of the murder, Megan.<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Opinion: </span></b></u><br />
For the most part, <i>The Girl on the Train</i> was exciting, suspenseful, and mysterious. I was completely drawn into the story and kept trying, unsuccessfully, to predict the results of the murder investigation. Since I listened to the book while driving, I actually found myself sitting in my car at rest stop parking lots because the plot was too good to turn off. That said, some pieces of the story were also dry and uninteresting. The first couple of chapters were especially hard to get through because they seemed to drag on.<br />
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In addition, all three narrators (Rachel, Anna, and Megan) are completely unreliable. I've never read a novel with so many unreliable characters, and it's a refreshing new angle that kept me on my toes. However, the unreliability made me dislike all of the characters in one way or another. I didn't feel emotionally connected with anyone, which made it hard for me to care what happened to them.<br />
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Another drawback is that the author jumped between characters and dates in order to advance the plot. In other words, the novel constantly went back-and-forth in time. This scattered timeline didn't bother me too much, but I read other reviews that said the skipping around confused them.<br />
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Finally, I never actually read <i>Gone Girl </i>(it's on my list!) so it to <i>The Girl on the Train</i>.<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Audiobook experience: </span></b></u><br />
I wanted to download an audiobook from Audible for a long car ride and decided on <i>The Girl on the Train</i> – partly because the plot seemed interesting, and partly because the 11-hour runtime would keep me occupied throughout the drive. Since the novel has three narrators, the audiobook has three separate speakers. Each one had a British accent because the novel takes place in England.<br />
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This was actually my first time listening to an audiobook, and I was quite impressed. My car ride flew by because the story managed to entertain me for hours. All in all, I had a nice audiobook experience.<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rating: 3.5/5</span></b></u><br />
I enjoyed the idea behind <i>The Girl on the Train</i>, and the storyline completely engrossed me. However, I had problems with certain aspects of the book mentioned earlier: the unlikeable characters, the dull moments in the plot, and the skipping around between time and characters. I feel like the author could've told the same story in half of the amount of pages. Therefore, I give <i>The Girl on the Train</i> 3.5 out of 5 stars.<br />
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Have any of you read the book? What's your opinion?<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Girl-Train-Paula-Hawkins/dp/1594633665">Amazon </a></span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-72682710033293062312015-09-24T08:00:00.000-04:002015-09-24T09:21:19.599-04:00Review: Eat Nakd by Natural Balance Foods <div>
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<a href="https://www.naturalbalancefoods.com/">Natural Balance Foods</a>, a UK-based company that embraces the wholefood movement, recently reached out to see if I'd like to try their Eat Nakd granola bars. Given my love for quick snacks, and the promising ingredients in the Nakd bars, I thought I'd take up the opportunity.</div>
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(Note: Natural Balance Foods sent me these bars for review, but all opinions are honest and completely my own.)</div>
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Eat Nakd bars are marketed as raw, natural, and unprocessed snacks. They have <i>no added sugars or syrups</i> (dates serve as a sweetener), and they're completely <i>free of GMOs, gluten, wheat, and dairy</i>. What's more, they're <i>100% vegan</i>. The bars are simply made of cold-pressed fruits and nuts "smooshed" together. Also worth noting, the dried fruit and nuts are very <a href="http://www.naturalbalancefoods.com/community/dietary-needs/five-must-have-iron-rich-foods/">iron-rich foods</a>.<br />
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I'm really trying to improve my health and fitness this semester, so the nutritious benefits of the bar really excited me. </div>
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Natural Balance Foods sent me an sampler kit with tons of yummy flavors, including...<br />
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<ul>
<li>Cocoa Mint</li>
<li>Cocoa Orange</li>
<li>Pecan Pie</li>
<li>Ginger Bread</li>
<li>Cocoa Delight</li>
<li>Cashew Cookie</li>
<li>Caffe Mocha</li>
<li>Berry Delight</li>
<li>Rhubarb and Custard</li>
<li>Strawberry Protein Crunch</li>
<li>Banana Protein Crunch</li>
<li>Apple Protein Crunch</li>
<li>Cocoa Protein Crunch </li>
<li>Bakewell Tart</li>
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I tried most of the flavors, and I couldn't believe how great they all tasted! The texture of the Eat Nakd bars is soft and chewy, and I would describe it as cake-y and dense.<br />
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Since all of the bars contain similar dried fruits and nuts (mainly cashews), each flavor has only minor differentiations in taste. My favorite flavor so far is Cocoa Delight. The ingredient list is simple: dates (48%), cashews (29%), raisins (17%), cocoa (6%), and natural flavor. That's it! I could taste the chocolate undertones, but it didn't overpower the flavor of the dried fruit and nuts.<br />
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Some other especially tasty flavors were Rhubarb & Custard, Cocoa Mint, and Strawberry Crunch. </div>
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However, I have one minor complaint about the Eat Nakd snacks; I encountered something hard about halfway through my Rhubarb and Custard one. The package warns that some bars may contain the odd shell or pit piece, and I immediately knew the object was part of a pit. I simply tossed the piece aside, which was a minor inconvenience but also testifies to the freshness and purity of the ingredients in the Nakd bars.<br />
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Overall, I would recommend the bar to anyone looking for a healthy snack. Natural Balance Foods As of now, they are available to American customers at <a href="http://www.eatnakd.com/">www.eatnakd.com</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">www.amazon.com</a>. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4087691129276442875.post-78974286488144040142015-09-21T08:00:00.000-04:002015-09-21T12:31:27.571-04:00Healthy Almond Butter and Banana Smoothie <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've never been a breakfast person. Throughout high school and college, I'd simply grab a granola bar as I headed out the door and eat it en route to class. Not surprisingly, the hunger pains would hit well before lunchtime. I knew I needed more sustenance in the morning, but couldn't bring myself to wake up earlier and whip up some scrambled eggs or a yogurt parfait.<br />
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The solution came when I got my NutriBullet and discovered breakfast smoothies. I bought a bunch of ingredients and came up with a smoothie recipe I love. Not only is the drink <b>deliciously addictive</b>, it also <b>couldn't be simpler to make</b> – all you do is throw the five ingredients into a blender and mix them together.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE INGREDIENTS </span></u></b><br />
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<li>One tub (about 5-6 oz.) of yogurt. I prefer Greek, but feel free to use any type of yogurt you want</li>
<li>One medium-sized ripe banana</li>
<li>2 tbsp. almond butter or peanut butter</li>
<li>1 cup of milk (or milk alternative, like almond milk) </li>
<li>Ground cinnamon </li>
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You also need a blender or NutriBullet. Once you mix the ingredients together, the final result is a sweet, tasty, and somewhat thick drink. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkA_jbOF111l6_k8PgwG3EGh5Y1pDTtuf4Fv6jENwRHJ9gSJw75is6dv1bn-6E2MwwVcXSUM84RRFqOOtSJ1j6ynEB18eNWDerJ06OaoPQSFBh6dubQmz2fOmE7PziUfWw8jyfvcCyfg/s1600/smoothe-bullet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkA_jbOF111l6_k8PgwG3EGh5Y1pDTtuf4Fv6jENwRHJ9gSJw75is6dv1bn-6E2MwwVcXSUM84RRFqOOtSJ1j6ynEB18eNWDerJ06OaoPQSFBh6dubQmz2fOmE7PziUfWw8jyfvcCyfg/s640/smoothe-bullet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This smoothie keeps my hunger pains away until lunch, which is one reason I rely on it every morning. The almond butter and Greek yogurt pack on the protein, and the yogurt also provides calcium and probiotic cultures. The tasty cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, the banana adds sweetness, and the almond milk makes the mixture more liquid-like.<br />
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Perhaps the best part of the smoothie, though, is that it takes <b>less than five minutes to prepare!</b> </div>
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Tell me: What is your go-to healthy breakfast?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11140701765981763312noreply@blogger.com0