Resort Food (Mexico Recap Part 2)

Welcome to Mexico vacay recap: part 2!

So I'm sure your wondering if I was a "good blogger" who took pictures of all her main dishes on this little ol' vacation of hers. Guess what, I DID (I know, I'm so proud). Kris was even a good blogger boyfriend who reminded me to when I forgot at every meal.

So at Grand Occidental Xcaret, you get a certain number of dinner reservations for the gourmet restaurants depending on the number of nights you stay there. We booked a 6 day stay so we were given 4 choices of dinner reservations at any of the restaurants. There was a seafood, Mexican, steak, Italian restaurant, in addition to a breakfast/lunch beach buffet and an all meals buffet (which you didn't need a reservation for). We aren't the biggest seafood people so we opted for 2 different nights at the steak place.

Feelin' like locals...hah!

fajitas. mmm.

I have no idea what this is, but Kristo loved it

dessert squares? kinda weird, but still decent

mojitos!

pastel de tres leches... mi favorito!!!! I must've had this like 4 times

and last, but most definitely not least...TEA!

The food at Grand Occidental Xcaret was really really good overall. It was easy to find something you liked at the buffet, no matter which meal you were eating and the reservation restaurants were fantastic! 

Saturday Shenanigans

Happy Monday, Blogland!

Are you ready for my weekend shenanigans? (The correct answer is yes.) I was a good blogger and took pictures this weekend so I would have something to talk about when today rolled around.

I was in a crappy mood for pretty much all of last week. Luckily, I didn't take a nap Friday morning which meant I got to watch Paramore perform on Good Morning America and get my dad's birthday post done. It was the perfect way to get back into a good mood and it totally made me feel better.

After class, I went to work which sucked as usual, but at least no one told me I look like a 16 year old this week.

On Saturday morning, we woke up an hour before Jesus started handing out blessings and headed to south Philly for the Philadelphia Heart Walk. It was warm enough that I didn't need my winter coat (Yay!) so I rocked my school hoodie since I was walking for Temple Health anyway. When we got into the stadium the first thing I saw was Temple's mascot and I yelled "Hey Hooter" before skipping happily into his arms asking for a picture. Go owls!

We sat in the good seats for the opening ceremony while the Phillie Phanatic made fun of friends with the NBC peacock and generally disregarded all ceremony etiquette. He is the best mascot with the most personality and I want him at my future wedding reception. This is not a joke.

After the walk, we headed to my Mom-Mom's. On the way, we passed a place called Burger Bar and I asked my mom what it was. Her response? "Oh it's good, they have alcoholic milkshakes." Thanks mom, but I was asking about the food. With an explanation like that, we had to go in.

Apparently I really like bourbon. Like a lot.

When we got home, we (mostly Mom) made my dad his birthday dinner. It was a filet mignon roast and it. was. awesome. After dinner, we sang happy birthday to Dad who refuses to sit still or look at the camera, which resulted in 47539287 pictures.

After dessert, Kris and I went to see Pride & Prejudice. You know what's not fun? Explaining the whole plot to your boyfriend at intermission. You know what is fun? When he gets riled about the characters and wants them to live happily ever after.

Sunday was pretty dull, but mom and I made Apple Pie Cake. It didn't turn out as pretty as this, but it tasted like a dessert prepared by the magical cake fairy from Heaven. I will definitely make it again!

I hope you all have a great week!
XO - Monny

Wine-ing About the Weekend

Hi Lovelies!

I'm lazy this week. It isn't because of school or work. I just open this post and then close this post without giving it much thought. I don't feel like writing it. I've been writing it for 3 days now.

Here's my hump day weekend recap.

FRIDAY:  I went straight from school to work on Friday and clocked in an hour early. #dolladollabillz After work, we sat on the couch and watched home videos. I can't even fathom how obnoxious I was in tenth grade (Mom and sis say I'm still like that. It might be true).

SATURDAY: On Saturday afternoon I went to a wedding ceremony with my mom for her friend's son.  It was beautiful and purple and the bride looked exquisite.

After the wedding, we hopped in the car and headed to the Renault Winery.

We ate dinner in their gourmet restaurant. It was the bombdigs. First course was a sweet potato pancake with roasted duck(still can't believe I tried duck) and baked peaches. Second course, which isn't pictured because I'm an idiot was a veal and gorgonzola(?) manicotti with creamy tomato sauce and basil infused olive oil. My God, I could've eaten 10 of those. Next they gave us raspberry sorbet that was floating in their blueberry champagne. LAWD. It was so freaking delish. Last, I ordered the 2 filet medallions with fingerling potatoes(there were only two.) and green beans. Mmm.

After dinner we went to my aunt and uncle's house and I gave my 9 year old cousin all of our "formal" dresses. I made her promise to take good care of them so I didn't have to kill her. I have to admit, it would be kind of hard to kill something that looks this cute in your senior prom dress though.

SUNDAY:  I sang at church then went to Kris's aunt's house for dinner. It was so delicious. And we had pumpkin dump cake for dessert. HEAVEN. Before dinner, I decided to take a walk in their backyard and spotted a trampoline. I haven't been on a trampoline in like 6 years.

It was awesome and fun until I fell on my butt...into a puddle of rain water. But don't worry, it was captured on video! Please excuse the sideways-ness of the video(boyfriend doesn't know how to use snapchat correctly)

After dessert, we went home and I started my sign language homework. I had to answer questions from a DVD with this guy. I really can't get past the eyebrows. That's all I could concentrate on so I ended up rewinding the section like 4 times. CREEPTASTIC.

Hopefully my next post doesn't take another half a week to write and I get my ass(ass ass) back on the wagon.

Have a happy HUMPDAAAAAAAY!
XO - Monny

Gratitude: week 5

This week has been crazy, with getting ready for school to start and failing trying to get back into the swing of things, I haven't been posting to Instagram with my usual enthusiasm. Also, this post is a day late (blame the interwebz). Better late than never, amirite?

I love doing this prompt every week or so because it helps me to appreciate the little things in my life. Even when I think I don't have much to be grateful for, I can look back and realize I'm being a spoiled brat and quit it.

One. Old school diners with soda fountains and wall postings being snarky...and bacon pancakes. BACON. PANCAKES.

Two. Grateful for the fact that I'm actually really good at painting my own nails. It saves me a ton of money, not having to get a manicure every 2 weeks.

Three. My sister and I can look like idiots and still have the best time. Also grateful for 25 cent mustaches from gumball machines. HOLLA.

Four. After 5 and a half years, this guy still likes me no matter how many times I make this face/yell at him. True love.

Five. Friends who stick around for 16+ years no matter how often we see each other.

Six. Late night trips to the diner with my favorites and for bread pudding, which never fails to disappoint.

Find your peace of mind.

XO - Monny

Gratitude: week 4

Every time I look through my pics for Insta-gratitude, I realize that I post really weird/random shiz. Anyway, here is everything I'm grateful for this week as shown through Instagram photos.

One: Irish heritage and the chorus of angel voices that is Celtic Woman. And tea....lots of tea.

Two: Almost edible pasta dinner that cost less than $2 dollars. Desperate college cooking for the win!

Three: 4gLTE internet on my phone for when the home Virgin Mobile internet shits the bed(which is often).

Four: Happy I still have my toes even though the Pillsbury dough boy has it out for me.

Five: Booboo bunny for the next time the Pillsbury crescent rolls jump out of the fridge

Six: Buffalo bites and hard cider

Seven: No students were injured.

Eight: Ice cream with a fork is still better than no ice cream.

Nine: 80 oz. of my one true love Ranch!!!

Linking up with Steph for Insta-Gratitude. You can follow my Instagram posts here.

XO - Monny

Never Again

Day 15: Today's Prompt Is: Somewhere new you visited in your town.

A few weeks ago, I went out to lunch with my mom at this little cafe she kept saying she wanted to take me to. She had been there for breakfast before and said it was cute and cheap. Well walking into the place, "cute" isn't exactly the word I'd use to describe it. If anything, it was dusty, outdated and dumpy.

When I looked at the menu, nothing really popped out at me, but I wanted to eat something substantial so I ordered something I thought would be a safe bet -- meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Not so much.

When we were waiting for our food, the waitress (who was kind of an old hag) brought us rolls. They were really doughy and while some were overbaked, the others were undercooked. They didn't taste like anything except flour. Gross.

After choking down some "rolls" our food finally came. I was expecting meatloaf and mashed potatoes, but what I got looked like an alcholic's damaged liver.

 I took one tiny bite and I was D-O-N-E done. I gagged. I thought I could at least be able to eat the mashed potatoes aka my favorite food in the whole world. Nope wrong there too. The texture felt like someone had put rubber cement in them. They were sticky. MASHED POTATOES ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THAT WAY.

Needless to say I didn't touch my plate after that and my $4.50 lunch was worse than I expected for that price. We went for frozen yogurt to fill mah belly.

Let me know about your restaurant horror stories!

Why is Nicholas Cage on the Air Duct?

Guys, I'm on my 7th post of the NEB Network August Blogging Challenge!!! By the time I'm finished this post I'll have blogged for a week straight. What what? Yeah I'm pretty sure a pig just flew by my window.

AHEM, anyway here is today's yesterday's blog post.

Day 7: Today's Prompt Is: What is your favorite summer destination?

My favorite summer destination isn't really a getaway destination. Since I already wrote about the shore, I picked my favorite restaurant that I only get time to go to in the summer. It's an old-fashioned diner/soda fountain called The Pop Shop in Collingswood, NJ. I just went here with Sarah after singing at church on Sunday so I have tons of photos to share.

 Their menu is like a newspaper and the dessert menu is like a TV Guide. They have like 5234 different grilled cheeses, omelets and pancakes. We split a "Hot Pot" buffalo chicken dip because duh, buffalo chicken dip. And I got a bangin' omelet with bacon and swiss cheese.

Sarah and I stuffed ourselves until we had food babies, which we promptly named Irvin (hers)and Matilda (mine). We decided that they were going to grow up and get married and we'd be in-laws!

As I was taking in the decor of the restaurant, I looked up at the air duct. What I didn't expect was to see Nicholas Cage's creepy ass face staring back at me. WHATTT?

I love the main street that The Pop Shop is on. It has a ton of other restaurants and cute boutiques. Sarah and I went into a consignment called Frügal, which apparently, we like because we both left with something. I bought a scarf that originally sold at Nordstrom for $6.99. WHOOP, I love a bargain. Sarah got a cute teacher skirt.

That's it! My favorite summer destination.

XO - Monny

Weekend Shenans: Birthday Edition

Hello Loveys! It's Sunday night and I'm pretty sure I have food poisoning from my delicious dinner earlier tonight. It tasted so good though! Since I'm wide awake from writhing in pain anyway, I'll finally get to post a weekend shenanigans post on time.

Let's head back to Thursday night. I started my weekend a day early with Mom, Aunt Terry, and Mom-Mom at the Walnut Street Supper Club. It's this adorable little restaurant on Walnut Street (obviously) in Center City where your waiters and waitresses take mini breaks from their actual serving to serenade customers with soft rock, jazz, and Broadway hits. IT. WAS. AWESOME. Since Wicked is in town, they did a set of songs from the show. Of course I was on cloud 9, which you could probably figure out since I told you all how I feel about Wicked already. The food was a little on the expensive side, but it is a pretty nice place so that was expected. Mom and Aunt T treated me and Mom-Mom anyway.

Obviously I got the Judy Garland - le'duh

shameless Snapchat selfie | one of the waiters singing Dancing Through Life | me, Aunt T, and Mom-Mom

pretty table setting | shameless selfie #2 | limoncello cheesecake with strawberry marscapone topping

Friday was our family picnic! About 1/3 of us went to a park right around the corner from my house and had a awesome time that was followed by an afterparty at my aunt's house. And I finally met my brother's gf, who was really sweet (Hi, Allison!). After dinner, I went to a MaryKay party with Sarah before going back to my aunts for shots some refreshments. Everyone was already drunk when we got there. My family parties hard (Irish, remember?). Apparently we missed the shots of Tullamore Dew, which was pretty upsetting, but we did get there in time for me to finish half a bottle of Barefoot white moscato. Whoop! Sarah may or may not have cried from laughing so hard during one of the games we were playing. Oh,we also followed sirens  at 12am until we found a huge apartment fire that we watched burn for about 50 minutes. So sad, over a hundred people are homeless now. Only 4 were injured and none were killed so I guess that's a silver lining.

On Saturday, we ran some errands in the morning and I sat around and watched HGTV for 5 hours before we went to the bar to celebrate my birthday. I'm such a lightweight cheap date, all I had to drink were 3ish beers and 2 shots. Helloooo, Fireball! I had such a great time as told by my phone's camera. The best part was that I finally learned a lesson - that I can go out drinking without getting sick. (ProTip: eat first.)

Sunday was pretty chill. After church, I relaxed in bed for a few hours before going out to dinner with my family and Kristo. When we got home, we watched 3 episodes of our new addiction Naked and Afraid. It's pretty awesome(from my couch) and I know I'd never be able to survive a day in the wild. I'm still feeling like crap and I have to wake up to leave for Gettysburg in 4 hours so I'll just leave you with this adorable grainy picture from dinner.

XO - Monny