58. Bar Hopping My Way Through Lower Manhattan

Posted on Aug 29, 2011 in Activities, Food & Drink, Top Picks, Travel | 0 comments

In honor of Lower Manhattan making it through Hurricane Irene this weekend, I’m taking you down memory lane for a recap of my first-ever bar hopping tour there just a week ago.

A friend who lives in Jersey prepped a speedy bar hopping extravaganza for me, complete with trivia tidbits along the way. It was a fun night even though I was running on 4 hours of sleep.

Special thanks to Matt for listening to me drone on about my life for the latter half of the evening. ;)

Next time you’re in Manhattan, I recommend any and all of these bars. If I HAD to choose my top 2, I’d go with the first two stops. Enjoy!

57. Well Hello A&F Boys. Don’t Mind If I Do…

Posted on Aug 9, 2011 in Random | 0 comments

It’s Tuesday and already time for a much needed laugh. So here’s a funny little “first” for all the ladies to enjoy.

During my recent trip to Manhattan, we passed by the Abercrombie & Fitch store on Fifth Avenue. The first day, there were masses of tweens outside, vying for a photo with the two scantily clad hotties out front. We just laughed at the idiocy of it all (including the line that wrapped around the building).

And then came Day 3 of our visit, and while strolling about the city again, we encountered those same two boys. But the crowds were gone and my friend couldn’t resist a chance to put me in a funny situation.

So, she convinced me to pose with the two models for a photo to send to our co-workers locked away in our Orlando office. And yes, my “first” was making a “Mandi Sandwich” as my co-worker so proudly declared in her reply text. Ah, the little things I do to make you all laugh. It’s a hard life.

56. Pottery Painting at All Fired Up

Posted on Aug 8, 2011 in Activities | 0 comments

Last weekend, I had a double-take of using great coupons. Orlando Aerial Arts was my LivingSocial pick. But for Groupon, I went with a pottery painting credit at All Fired Up in Winter Park.

I grew up with holiday decorations my mom had painted. Everything from a Santa and reindeer, to a bunny dragging a barrel full of Easter eggs (including some with our names on them). So, needless to say, I’ve always had an interest in painting my own pottery. To be honest, I can’t believe it took me 30 years to get around to it.

55. NYC Cupcake Showdown: Magnolia vs. Crumbs

Posted on Aug 7, 2011 in Food & Drink | 0 comments

So we all know that I have a minor obsession with cupcakes. I’m always looking for new recipes, or bakeries where I can taste test the concoctions of those much more experienced than I. On a recent trip to New York City, I decided it was time to pit two popular bakeries against one another: Magnolia Bakery and Crumbs Bake Shop.

In between other obligations, I managed to pop into the Midtown locations closest to my hotel. I only tried one cupcake at each, and didn’t really choose two that were similar in any way – but I’ve definitely chosen a favorite.

54. Twirling at Orlando Aerial Arts

Posted on Aug 6, 2011 in Activities | 2 comments

Ever been to a Cirque du Soleil show? There’s always that segment where someone is twirling or floating across the stage while entangled in streams of silk. It always looked like fun, so I quickly snatched up a LivingSocial deal recently for an aerial silks class at Orlando Aerial Arts. I had no idea what a challenging workout it would be!

Flashback: DIY Wine Cork Board

Posted on Jul 25, 2011 in Activities, Flashbacks, Top Picks | 1 comment

For those of you who love wine, you may find yourself wondering what to do with all those leftover corks. Well, here’s a fun DIY project, an idea that I’m sure it nothing new to you.

Back in 2007, I created my own wine cork board after painstakingly collecting 198 true corks (no synthetics). And no, I did not drink 198 bottles of wine all by myself. Luckily some friends donated to the cause.

53. Conquering Guacamole

Posted on Jul 24, 2011 in Food & Drink | 0 comments

Growing up, I used to hate when I’d order a quesadilla or fajitas and there would be that big green slob of nasty guacamole sitting there. I’d gently scoop it off my plate, making sure it didn’t even touch my food. My dad, a hater as well, referred to it as “cow snot.”

You have to love that I despised guacamole and had never even tried it (a typical trait of a picky eater). In fact, I never tasted it – or avocados in general – until after college. It wasn’t until about a year ago that I really started to love it. I give all my thanks to friends who make lime-rich guacamole and the folks at Chipotle, whose version I love.