Saturday, May 31, 2014

Tasty Things I Ate

 
Mediterranean Shrimp Couscous Salad
Panera Bread

Friday, May 30, 2014

La Beaute Pure Vitamin C Serum Review + Giveaway


 
A few of weeks ago, I told you about how I started using Vitamin C Serum on my skin and the subtle benefits I have received. Well, now it is your turn. I was lucky enough to get to giveaway 2 bottles of Vitamin C Serum by La Beauté Pure!
 
Free is free, but in case you wanted to know, here are a few benefits of Vitamin C Serum:
  • When used with sunscreen, Vitamin C Serum provides almost complete photo-protection, preventing photo-aging.
  • Sun spots, discoloration, wrinkles, sagging, and loss of elasticity and glow are from oxidative damage. Vitamin C prevents oxidative damage by neutralizing oxygen-free radicals before they can attack the body
  •  Vitamin C serum helps prevent the formation of free radicals in UV irradiated skin (sun exposed skin).
  • Vitamin C Serum brightens overall skin tone, creating a luminous glow. Safer than a chemical peel.
  • This organic face serum enhances collagen production, reducing fine line and wrinkles. Cheaper than a facelift.
  • Organic Vitamin C Serum prevents new blemishes and helps with existing plugged and irritated pores and inflammation from acne.

Directions for Use:
Wash your face as normal pat it dry, then apply a few drops of serum to your fingertip and massage a thin layer of the serum onto your face in circular motions. Let the serum sit and work its magic for one to two minutes. Once its dry, apply your usual moisturizer or cream.


La Beaute Pure Vitamin C Serum 20 is made proudly in the USA in a FDA registered facility. If you still need more information, you can check out their Amazon page.


Enter below! The contest ends June 3, 2014 at 12:00 AM EST and is only open to US residents .

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLAIMER: The prize cannot be shipped to a P.O. box address. Winners will be notified by email and will have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. I am not responsible for prize fulfillment. My role is to give the sponsor the information of the winner and they will directly ship the prize to the winner.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Pipalato Italian Restaurant - Pembroke Pines, FL

 
Despite being a counter service restaurant, Pipalato offered quality food that I was not expecting to find in a place like this. 
 
I had the Lasagna della casa (Homemade). It was a good size, and had a delightful sauce that wasn't really flavorful, but excelled for not being way too sweet. The pasta was just right. It was a nice dish, but could have improved by having more meat.
 

My man had the Chicken Parmesan. I actually liked his meal better, but frankly our two dishes were quite similar and taste wise were almost the same.
 

For dessert we had the Tiramisu. It was a good dessert, soft cookies and not too sweet. 
 

The only downside of the entire experience was the service. It was atrocious and almost nonexistent. Although you order at the counter, everything else is brought out to you at the table and it took forever to get water and our drinks, and then the food took ages so that took away from the experience.


Pipalato Italian Restaurant
159 N Hiatus Rd, Pembroke Pines, FL, 33026
(954) 499-5999
www.pipalato.com
Pipalato on Urbanspoon

Book Review: Whole Latte Love by Rachelle Ayala


As weird as it may sound, I was simply interested in this book because it had Latte in its title and anything related to food, has a strange ability to draw me in.
 
The book takes place in Berkeley so it was quite ironic that I didn't start reading the book until a flight bound for San Francisco which lies outside of Berkeley. Although the story obviously had nothing to really do with food, it was still sinful, satisfying and just as indulgent as a slice of chocolate cake.
 
The book tells the story of the unlikely chemistry and steamy attraction between Carina Chen, a straight as an arrow go getter who refuses to let anything get in the way of that and her opposite, Dylan Jewell, the laid back, sexy barista, hence the Latte.
 
 
For more information and to purchase.



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Bobby's Burger Palace - Kendall, FL

 
Bobby Flaw is by far my favorite TV chef so finally being in the vicinity Kendall I had to go.

The ordering process was quite easy. The  atmosphere was very cathartic and comfortable. Service was very Miami but adequate. 
 

Then came out the burgers. I had the Bobby Blue. A little small, but was good, tasty and satisfying.
 

My friend had the Philadelphia. Which like mine they found to be a little small, but good, tasty and satisfying. 
 

The French Fries were nothing special but the BBP Fry Sauce helped out with that.
 

The same sentiment was shared for the Shakes.
 

Overall it was good quality, but it is Bobby Flay and I felt it should have been a whole lot better.


Bobby's Burger Palace
Dadeland Mall
7535 North Kendall Drive Kendall, FL 33156
(305) 665-6226
Bobby's Burger Palace on Urbanspoon

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Product Review: 50 Things to Know to Downsize Your Life


I didn't think I needed to downsize my life. I am fairly neat, organized and a bit OCD at times. However, I live with a hoarder that buys everything that is a good deal, keeps useless items he cannot part with and leaves messes everywhere. Even though I wish to keep my home a certain way, I can't. I'm constantly cleaning, organizing, and taking precious time away from my life, so I was very happy for the chance to read 50 Things to Know to Downsize Your Life.

Reading the book, I found it to be simple, to the point, and a very easy read. Like I said, I am fairly neat, organized and a bit OCD at times, but I took a few things away from the book and found a couple of new ideas that I would like to implement into my life. There wasn't anything life changing said in the book (its only 64 page) but it did give me food for thought. So, even though I didn't know it, I too am able to downsize my life and for that, I am glad I read this book.


Click here to purchase and for more information.




I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

KONE Temaki Sake Lounge - Miami Beach (South Beach), FL


Is it Japanese? Brazilian? I don't know, but I am going to drink this Lychee Sakirinha and enjoy the experience. No matter what country it may be from, a drink is a good one when it is made with real Lychee, Sake and Sugar, and in this Miami heat is quite refreshing.


I have drove past this restaurant a million times (being that it is right off 5th) but never had any interest to dine here. Not sure why I ended up here, but in any case I did, and although they describe themselves as sushi with a Brazilian twist, let's be honest, it is your pretty standard sushi options. Case in point, the Magma Roll (Salmon, Chili Sauce & Powder, Scallions topped with Tuna and Spicy Mayo). 


Then there was the Protein Roll. Their version fell completely flat. It was in dire need of something more and looked so sad on the plate.


Of course, I cannot remember the name of my favorite of the night, but I did like the adventurous taste and unique quality.


While Kone offers an calming, sleek and intimate atmosphere for dining, service was unremarkable and it is a bit pricey (for what you are getting), but then again that's Miami for you!


KONE Temaki Sake Lounge
232 5th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 397-8770
Kone Sushi on Urbanspoon

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Product Review: Life & Food's 100% Pure Garcinia Cambogia Extract 800 Mg


I love food, but that doesn't mean I don't have the desire to keep my weight in check like everyone else. However, giving up certain foods and dieting is just not something I am into, so that is where Garcinia Cambogia comes in. What intrigued me about Garcinia Cambogia is that it aids in decreasing your appetite, which means that I am able to still eat the things I love (in moderation and without getting hungry) and not have to give them up completely. 



Don't get me wrong, Garcinia Cambogia isn't a magical pill and the weight is just going to fall off by taking it everyday; what I did get from taking Garcinia Cambogia was more energy. I am super busy (I wake up in the dark and get home in the dark) and so I'm always tired and struggle work out (either in the morning or evening). Since taking Life & Food's Garcinia Cambogia extract pills, I have been feeling good, working out consistently, not yawning all day, and I am not mad at that.


There are many Garcinia Cambogia products on the market, but Life and Food's stands out, because it contains a strengthened 800 mg per capsule, and commonsense tells me the stronger, the more effective it is going to be so why wouldn't I use theirs.



Click here for more product information.



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Bistro Mezzaluna Restaurant - Fort Lauderdale, FL


First impressions - a nice restaurant that caters to the sophisticated! Once inside, it was a little dark (considering it was not dark outside yet), but still a pleasant ambiance nonetheless. To compensate for the dark atmosphere, the presented menus light up so that you are able to see it. Thoughtful choice, but did the lighted menus come about as a result of having a poorly lit restaurant, or did they make the restaurant dark because they thought lighted menus would be cool?


Regardless, after looking over the menu and struggling to decided what to get, I ceased the day and ordered the Pan Roasted Yellowtail Snapper that comes with a white wine sauces, lump crab, capers and a side of mashed potatoes and sautéed asparagus. White sauces scare me because they just look tasteless but I was pleasantly surprise by a delectable piece of flaky fish and a slightly tangy, but tasty sauce.



My fiancé had the Skirt Steak with Arugula Salad, Frites and Chimichurri Sauce, a pretty standard meal in South Florida. The Arugula Salad left something to be desired, but the marvelous steak and accompanying Frites and Chimichurri Sauce more than compensated for that. The steak was a great, tender cut of meat.



After having such a satisfying meal, dessert was a no brainer. We took up the offer to try the Chef's Special Chocolate Bread Pudding and it was quite impressive. It was the right consistency, the right amount of sweetness and oh so good.


I didn't leave without trying one of their cocktails. At the waiter's suggestion, I tried a Raspberry Mojito. It was strong and fresh. They are known for their Happy Hour, so at the discounted price, it would definitely worth it.


The food and drinks was amazing, but it is good to know that service was exceptional as well. We got really lucky and got a very friendly, upbeat server who was not only professional but engaging and equally as wonderful as well. All around dinner was great I would definitely come again.


Bistro Mezzaluna Restaurant
1821 SE 10th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 522-9191
www.bistromezzaluna.com
Bistro Mezzaluna on Urbanspoon

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Don Carlin Cuban Restaurant - Sunrise, FL


I have been on quite a few dates with a few different Cubans; some good and some bad. Most of the good ones seem to be far away and long distance relationships are hard to maintain so when I met Don Carlin who was not only amazing but right in my hood, I fell in love.

On our first date, I had the Pork Chops with Sweet Plantains and Black Bean and Rice. It was "muy bueno y delicioso", tender and quite flavorful considering Cuban food can sometimes be a bit bland. I ended that date feeling giddy and eager for Don Carlin to call me for a second date.



Only a few days past before I had to set up a second date. Although the first date was a great introduction, I wanted to try something a little different and had the Palomilla Steak with Tostones instead. Although Palomilla is a cheaper and tougher cut, this was not that, this was good. My sweet plantains from the first date were really good, but then I had the Tostones with garlic that were even better and in a league of their own.




I have no doubt in my mind that there is going to be a third date, fourth and a fifth, but hopefully there is a lifetime of dates; I am looking forward to it.



Don Carlin Cuban Restaurant

11447 W Oakland Park Blvd, Sunrise, FL 33323
(954) 578-1464
www.doncarlincubanrestaurant.com
Don Carlin Cuban Restaurant on Urbanspoon

Saturday, May 10, 2014

DelVecchio’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant - Sunrise, FL

DelVecchio’s offered the convenience I was looking for, but not much else beyond that. I found the pizza to be very greasy and the crust while crispy tasted like cardboard.


I also ordered Cannolis. They were a good size, but when the cream filing is meh, size is no longer such a good thing.


It was convenient and fast, but that's worth nothing when the food isn't good.


DelVecchio’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant
7788 NW 44th St, Sunrise, FL 33351
(954) 747-6868
www.delvecchiospizza.com
DelVecchio's Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant on Urbanspoon

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Product Review: Pure Body Natural's Vitamin C Serum


My only real concern about Vitamin C Serum is that although I like Oranges, I don't want to smell like one. Imagine kissing someone and them asking you why you decided to eat a box of oranges before your date? Well, the first best thing about this product is that there is virtually no scent.

One of the other benefits of the Vitamin C Serum is that it will help eliminate wrinkles. I am either young, lucky or didn't party enough, but I don't have any wrinkles (yet). I will note though, that as you apply the product and it dries you do feel a tightness to your skin (without leaving a residue) and although I don't have that issue know, this will be the preventative measure I will need. I do however suffer from dryness and dullness and I have noticed that this product makes my skin feels a little bit softer and smoother.
 
 
Click here for more product information and to purchase.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Punta Cana Restaurant - Pembroke Pines, FL

If we are going to be honest, the restaurant's atmosphere and decor is not its selling point. However, the food sells it.

I went all the way Dominican with Mofongo and Chicharon and while my arteries may not agree, it was hella good.


My "novio" keep it in the family and went ham on the Steak.



If you were going to rate this restaurant just on looks, expectations shouldn't be very high, but once the plates hit that table, there was no turning back.


Punta Cana Restaurant
9119 Taft St, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
(954) 885-1225

www.puntacanarestaurant.com
Punta Cana on Urbanspoon