Plated 3/10 and 3/17

Here are our delicious plated creations from the past two weeks!  As usual, we ate very well and enjoyed a lot of variety.

Week of 3/10

Roasted Eggplant with Pine Nuts, Raisins, and Parsley
I really liked this dish but D wasn't a huge fan.  The eggplant roasted perfectly and the salty/sweet combo with the raisins was delicious. 

Chicken Fricassee with Gnocchi and Artichokes 
As simple as it was, the dill garnish really added so much flavor to this dish.  The sauce was flavorful but not heavy.  It would have been nice to have a little more gnocchi.

Sweat Pea Mac n'Cheese
I was worried the sauce for this was too thick, but it turned out great.  Cheese and Peas are two of my favorite things.  We also had plenty of leftovers!

Week of 3/17
Shepherd's Pie
This was our St. Patrick's Day meal!  It was super easy and was as delicious as any shepherd's pie I'd ever had at a restaurant. 

Chicken Tostadas
A lot of ingredient chopping for this one (which seems to always happen when prepping Mexican food), but it was worth it!  The avocado/greek yogurt sauce had a great flavor.

Baked Gnocchi and Green Salad
This was one was a fail.  The green salad didn't keep so well so we had to substitute a caesar salad on our own.  The sauce was just ok and there wasn't much gnocchi.  At least it left us plenty of room to have dessert. ;-)

Overall a good 2 weeks.  Recently I received an email from Blue Apron, informing us they will now customize the weekly menu's to be a mix of meat and vegetarian options.  We already have another plated delivery coming this week but after that we plan on returning to Blue Apron to finally try out their meat/chicken dishes.

Interested in trying plated?  Please use my referral link and we'll each get two free plates!
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March 2014 Ipsy

This is second month of trying out Ipsy.  It definitely seems that in addition to the super cute make-up bags, this subscription is heavily makeup focused.  With the cost being $10 a month, it's a great way to try out new shades/colors and see how to best use them with video tutorials posted on the website.  

The bag this month is very colorful and perfect for the start of spring.  It's an exclusive design by the designer Klari Reis.  

Here is what was inside

Marvelous Moxie Lipstick by bareminerals (sample value: $7.50, full size: $18)

I usually keep my lips pretty neutral, but this will be fun for an evening out.  I'm also a huge fan of this brand.

Love in Rio Eyeshadow Palate by NYX (full size!!! - $6)

Full sized items are great, but I'm not a fan of this brand.  I find the eyeshadow a little too coarse for me.  Great colors though.  I'm going to add it to the gift pile.  

Indigo Blue Eyeliner by Chella (full size!!! - $24)

Another full sized item!  I've never worn bright blue eyeliner before, but I'm looking forward to giving this a try.  The liquid tip is very fine so I should be able to make it sort of subtle.

Flawless Beauty Primer by Pixi (full size!!! - $9)

I seem to be trying a lot of primers and serums lately.  This one has a soft matte finish.  This might also go in the gift pile.

  

Overall this was a great bag with 3 full sized items and a value of $46.50.  I like that these are items I wouldn't have purchased on my own.  Let's see if I can rock the blue eyeliner…

Interested in trying Ipsy?  Please use my referral link!  http://www.ipsy.com/r/5iay

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Wantable Intimates March 2014

I'm loving this month's Wantable Intimates box!  This subscription is really helping me review my loungewear and workout clothes (many of which were long past their expiration date).  Here is my March Box!

Cotton Slub Racerback Tank (retail: $8.49)

I was excited to see another tank top perfect for the gym!  I don't have anything in this color so this is a nice addition.

Mesh Purple Panty by Betsey Johnson Intimates (retail: $12)

It's been requested I no longer post photos of my undies.  But here is a close-up of the butterfly on the back of these.

Brown Bird Socks by Sock It to Me (retail $12)

These are kind-of cool?  A little random though.  Definitely my least favorite item of the box.

Think Pink Tee by Betsey Johnson (retail $36)

I wore this shirt the first day.  It is SUPER soft and comfy to sleep in.  And it's always fun to rock some bedazzling while in the privacy of your own home.  ;-)

The total value of this box is $68.49 which is an AMAZING value for $36.  Both shirts are absolutely perfect.  I'm sure the Wantable makeup and accessory boxes are equally as fun, but I think I'll stick with this intimates box for a little longer.

Interested in trying a Wantable box for yourself?  Please use my referral link!  They have accessory and makeup boxes as well.  https://www.wantable.com/invite/Uv05LObNMCE

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March 2014 Birchbox

This month marks my 2 year anniversary with Birchbox!  The March theme is "Spring Forward" so it's arrival was timed perfectly on the weekend we changed the clocks.

Here are the items to get me ready for spring:

SMART Skin Perfecting Serum + Primer by Grand Central Beauty (Full size: $68, Sample value: $8.16)
I seem to be receiving lots of serum samples lately and it's been great.  I can honestly say my skin has never looked better.  A little extra concentrated moisture has really been making a difference. 

Eyeliner in Green Lagoon by Inika (Full size!!! - $20)
The color of this eyeliner is a beautiful soft green.  There is also a sharpener included in the lid which is a major bonus!

Cleanshine Energizing Shampoo by Keims  (Full size: $9.50, Sample value: $1.90)
I like mixing up my usual shampoo routine occasionally and this is the perfect size for that.  It would also be great for traveling.

City Sunscreen Serum by Supergoop! (Full Size: $20, Sample value: $10)
This continues the serum kick I seem to be on lately.  I LOVE that this one also has 30 SPF.  I wear some sort of SPF daily but I need to add a little extra now that sun is starting to come out more. 

BB Body Cream by Jerkins (Full size: $25, Sample value: $3.33)
With all the BB and CC creams out there, I guess it was only a matter of time before it started being marketed as a full body lotion.  This cream has a very light texture and a great scent.

This is one of my favorite birchboxes I've received in a while.  What did other people get in their birchbox this month?

Interested in trying birchbox?  Please use my link!  https://www.birchbox.com/invite/vnw45

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Popsugar Must Have Box March 2014

My favorite box was the first March box to arrive!  Popsugar Must Have is a lifestyle box that sends a variety of items each month.  The cost is on the higher side for monthly boxes ($39), but the value of items inside always goes above and beyond.  Here are the Must Have items for March!

Must Have Fashion
Brokedown Blue Ikat Scarf (Retail: $72)
Yea!  Another fun scarf!  The black and grey scarf from one of the fall boxes was a major wardrobe staple for me this winter.  I'm excited to transition to this blue one as the weather warms up.  I love the bright blue color and how light and soft it is.

Dogeared Lucky Horseshoe Make a Wish Necklace (Retail $30)
This is one of those necklaces that you are supposed to wear until it falls off on it's own.  When that happens your wish will come true. ;-)  It's not really my style for a necklace and unfortunately not long enough to wear as an anklet.  This will go in the gift pile to brighten someone's day.  The box also included a 20% off code for dogeared.com.

Must Have Beauty
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum (Retail: $27)
I love a good serum.  This is a brand I've enjoyed sampling products from in the past.  There is a 15% off code for jurlique.com in the box as well.

Must Have Home
Baublebar Elephant Ring Tree (retail: $12)
This ring holder is super cute!  I already have a beautiful ring holder bedside, so this will make an awesome gift.  The final gift code in the box is for 20% off at Baublebar. 

Must Have Fitness
Activeforever Fusion Exercise Ball (retail: $9.95)
This is the same size ball I've used at a lot of bar classes.  It will be great to have it to do some leg exercises at home.

Must Have Food 
Harvest Snaps Snapea Crisps (retail $2)
I've tried these previously and am not a fan.  D seems to really like them though!

Special Extra
Nature's Bakery All Natural Strawberry Fig Bars (retail $1?)
Strawberry fig bars are delicious.

This is another amazing box!  The value is probably the highest of any box I've received so far (~$154) and I know I will get use of many of the items.

What did other people think of the March Popsugar Must Have Box?

Interested in trying Popsugar Must Have?  Please use my referral link!  http://popsu.gr/ndbC

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Plated 2/17, 2/24, and 3/3

We've been so busy cooking, I've fallen a little behind on my plated reviews!  We've had a lot of great variety the past 3 weeks.  The ability to customize each week's menu has been my favorite aspect of this service (besides the food of course!).  It's also been nice to be able to choose to only have 2 recipes instead of 3 be sent on weeks where we know we won't be cooking as much.

Plated 2/17 (2 recipe week)
Maple Brown Sugar Pork Chops with Brussels Sprout Hash
We hadn't made pork chops in a while, and this was a definite winner.  The pork was perfectly tender and nicely sweetened by the glaze.  The hash was very simple yet flavorful.  There was actually enough hash leftover for me to have with eggs the next day.  Mmmm.

Pan Roasted Chicken with Winter Vegetables, Figs, and Apples
This recipe was inspired by (and suggested to be paired with) Cidre by Stella Artois.  We decided to purchase some and give it a try.  This recipe had a lot going on.  There were too many different flavors in our opinion.  The Cidre was quite tasty though.

Plated 2/24
Fresh Tagliatelle with Cauliflower and Hazelnut Pesto
I love pesto and I love hazelnuts.  The two combined was new to me though.  WOW.  So delicious.  This will be a dish we plan on making again.

Rosemary Braised Swiss Chard and Cannellini Beans
This dish made our apartment smell amazing and homey on a cold evening.  The flavors really all came through.

Pomegranate Lamb Kebabs with Raita and Smashed Potatoes
I would probably call these lamb meatballs instead of kabobs, but either way they were delicious.  The pomegranate glaze gave them a sweetness that really complimented the smashed potatoes.  It was also interesting to make smashed potatoes with olive oil instead of butter.  It's a technique I'll keep in mind for future Mediterranean style dishes. 

Plated 3/3
Moroccan Beef Tagine with Squash and Couscous
This was a very easy dish to prepare and had great flavor.  It would have probably been even better if we allowed the beef to marinate longer with the dry rub overnight. 

Pan Roasted Vegetables with Creamy Coconut Curry and Na'an
A nice, straightforward curry.  The na'an was absolutely perfect.  We wished we had 2 pieces instead of 1!

Broccoli, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa Casserole 
This was one of those "healthy" tasting recipies.  It was ok but we probably won't be making it again. 

Interested in trying plated?  Get 2 plates for free by using my link!  https://www.plated.com/invites/c68767

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*NOTE* links in this post all link to my plated referral page.  Signing up provides 2 free plates for both you and me!

Rocksbox #12

It seems I've been switching up my Rocksbox on a month schedule lately.  I've found the past couple of sets have been really spot on with things I'll regularly wear.  With the Oscars being on tonight, I was excited to see the note from my stylist saying she put together a box of "glam pieces" for me.  

Sailor's Knot Earrings by Urban Gem (retail: $34, member's price: $27.20)

These earrings are especially sparkly for not having any stones.  They will be a great way to add some shine without being over the top. 

Three Stone Drops in Aqua Druzy by Margaret Elizabeth (retail: $158, member's price: $126.40)

I like these earrings, but it seems to me the color on the the bottom stone differs between the two.  It's probably due to the natural difference of the stones prior to cutting and polishing.  This isn't something I expect to be noticeable when wearing them though.  These will make for a fun statement piece this month.  

Petal Necklace in Sterling Silver by Lotus Jewelry Studio (retail: $56, members price: $44.80)

I remember seeing this necklace in the style profile I filled out when joining Rocksbox!  I'm excited to now wear it!  The petal shape being on its side makes for a very unique piece.  

Overall I excited to wear everything in this set!  I don't expect to purchase any of these items, but I know I plan on wearing them for at least a month (if not longer :-).  

Interested in trying Rocksbox?  Please use my link and get $10 off!  http://curebit.com/x/eUs8Yp

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