Delicious Peanut Butter Pretzels!

So, on Sunday, my husband and I decided to take a drive to Blue Mountain Brewery for some lunch and an ice cold beer. After our very delicious meal we decided on the way home to stop at Greenwood Gourmet Grocery to get some stuff for dinner and check out there fabulous wines. Well, as I was searching around all their shelves, that are filled with  interesting and delightful foods, I came upon peanut butter pretzels. Now, I must tell you I have a love/hate relationship with peanut butter. I absolutely love it but my hips and thighs hate it! There is something about the nutty, smooth, and creamy taste that always hits the spot.  Peanut butter to me is like ice cream to most people. On a cold night, I can whip out a spoon and some peanut butter goodness, lounge on the couch, and watch a romantic but funny chick flick.

Oh my, I am getting off topic! See what it does to me.  So, I found these pretzels. They were not the traditional pretzels filled with peanut butter. But, these bite size pretzels were dipped in peanut butter and then laid flat to dry. The bag had about 15 of these eye catching treats inside it and I could not wait until I got home to try one.  As soon as we got in the car I opened them up and YUM! Perfect balance of salty and sweet. I have to say I am happy that Greenwood Grocery is all the way in Crozet, otherwise my hips and thighs would be very upset!

Lastly, if you have not been, a trip to Greenwood Gourmet Grocery is a must! They have a large selection of wine and beer. Also, fantastic sandwiches, homemade salads, desserts, and local vegetables. Plus, a great assortment of chips and treats. And if that was not enough, they have a garden store as well with some really great finds!


I always stop there before Polo at King Family Vineyards! Just and idea

Is it okay not to always look for the bargain?

Image by scalleja via Flickr

Since moving here from Miami, Fl, I have really tried to learn about bargain shopping. I have made my first trips to Marshall's, where I felt I was lost in sea of overwhelming stuff. I was never quite sure where to turn or if the discount was real. I mean, I would pick up and item that had a good retail name but because the price was so cheap, I became weary and thought there must be something wrong with it. So I put it back on the shelf. At checkout my cart had a pillow and a work out shirt.
 I have also become much better at using coupons for the grocery store and try to wait for clothes to go on sale before I buy them. That wait can feel like eternity and I will admit I end up caving. Usually, I walk by the store the following day and there is the shirt, 50% off!
 However, I walked into my closet yesterday to grab some shoes for dinner and I stopped to think about what I had and I what I wanted to wear.  I have some jeans that I probably bought for $300, a couple of pairs of Manolo Blahnik shoes, and other nice quality items. Now, I am not trying to brag at all, I also have clothes from discount stores. But my point is, that my Manolo Blahnik's and I have spent 5 wonderful years together. My jeans probably 3 years.  Those jeans have helped cover up my wobbly bits and if could talk would have some fantastic stories to tell!
 However, something I have bought at target lasted only one wear and has not much to say. My question is, "Is it okay to indulge once and a while on a couple items?"  I think so. Quality lasts and I have not needed to buy more shoes, so am I actually saving money. Have my splurges here and there actually saved me money? 
I think if you have high quality staples in your closet you will always be able to put an outfit together. You can mix and match and feel great! The lines on high quality jeans somehow make my hips small. And items that will just be in for one season, I do not think you should spend a lot of money on. That to me is a waste.  Bargain shopping has taught me a lot of things and helped me to double think my purchases, but splurging on some high quality items can also be a bargain in the long run.

My love affair with my Roasting Pan

I must get better at taking pictures. Last night I hosted a dinner party for about 12 people. One of my good friends and neighbor is moving away, so I wanted to do something special for her before she left. I love to host and get so excited when I can pull my All-Clad roasting pan out!
When we lived in Miami, I became so spoiled. We lived on Miracle Mile above La Cuisine and I used every excuse possible to go down there and buy something. During the holidays I always hosted dinner parties, plus our staff party. My husband would come home and see a large box in the hall closet and just shake his head. He knew he could not stop me! The store is like a little piece of heaven. All the appliances are so new and shiny and the cookware surrounds you in a way that makes you feel peaceful and in a mood to create a masterpiece for dinner.  When I went down there one afternoon needing inspiration for the meal I need to create, I saw this pan and feel in love! If you do not have a roasting pan you need to run to the store immediately! Okay, maybe not immediately but this pan will make your dinner parties a success! I have cooked turkeys, chickens, leg of lamb, ratatouille, and more. Everything comes out moist and delicious.
So last night I pulled out the pan. I had to chickens that fit perfectly, side by side. I used lemon, olive oil, and some spices. It went in the oven at 350 and about 2 hours later we had moist, mouth watering chicken, that made my apartment smell lovely! The best part is the clean up is easy. My pan is back on its special shelf until next time!

Finished my website

I am proud to say I have finally finished my website. After lots of frustration and hard work I published my website Concierge 4 Moms. I will be making more adjustments but it is a start! Please email me with any questions and have a great night!

Is Craigslist safe?

Image via Wikipedia

I grew up in the time where craigslist was a home to predetors and money scams.  For rentals or buying things I always am sceptical.  I also had the opinion that the jobs posted were all scams.  When I moved here from Miami everyone reassured me that craigslist was the place to go for a rental, baby gear, and more. So, slowly I have started to warm up to the idea of checking for things on craigslist until now.  I have been using craigslist this week to check for apartments in DC and sure enough I found one that looked ans sounded perfect. It had pictures, an address, and an actual email to respond to. So I sent an email I was interested and if I could come check it out.  Wouldn't you know it, I get an email telling me he is a priest(like that makes him more believable) and he went on a tour in Africa, but the apartment is beautiful and his wife who is vacationing in the cayman islands will take care of all payments, etc. Oh, I do not need to see it, the pictures show it all.  I can move in right away, as well, I just need to send the money asap.

So I sit back at my computer and think to myself, "is this guy serious????"  I know it is only one time but the time and effort it takes to search through all those listings and finally think you might have something, is tiring!  I might have sheltered growing up and like things a certain way but this just feels dirty.  It just reassured me that it is better to get an agent.  To me it is to easy for people to scam you.  I would rather be safe and go to stores to buy things, use real estate agent to find proprieties, and use professionals for other services.

Too early to start preschool??

Image via Wikipedia

Sorry I have been M.I.A the last couple days but I am focusing completely on getting my website finished and launched! What a task. This is the second business I will be starting and I have designed and developed my own websites before, but for some reason this one has been more tough then normal. But it will get done and I am looking forward to publishing it!
Anyway, I am writing today about an interesting topic I have now discussed with some moms.  My daughter Stella is 20 months old and I was all excited about pre-school. So, I did lots of research, spoke with lots of moms, and made my decision I would like to send her to the International School of Charlottesville.  My husband is fluent in Spanish, so I thought what a great opportunity for her. She would go a couple days a week, from 830am to 1230pm. So I was all set, sent my deposit in and then I started thinking........ Is she to young? Am I getting caught up in the idea and not thinking about Stella?? Will it be to much? She is not two until November and the program likes to have two and a half year old. So now I am torn on what to do.
At the pool this morning I decided I would strike up some conversations to see other moms opinions.  I have to say they were all so nice and very willing to discuss what they had done with their children. The general census, drum roll please.......was to hold them back.  I was honestly shocked!  Some had regretted putting them in early, others never thought about it and waited until they were three or four years of age.  So, now I have a decision to make.  The one thing I have learned from all this is every child is different and I think I am going to follow my gut, whatever that might be.

A must have for a woman's closet!

So, I am so excited about my strapless bra that I have to share the news! I am always on the hunt for a bra that is comfortable, but sexy and can keep up with all my jumping around during the day. But, can also fit under my cocktail dress and not have to be constantly adjusting!Well, I have found the perfect strapless and I want to share it with every woman who feels the same way!  It is so comfortable, hides well under clothes, and I swear does not move an inch! I can run after my 20 month old daughter during the day and not feel like I can not reach to high or run a couple steps and have to be worried. So are you dieing to know what it is???? OnGossamer strapless! It is only $44 and the best strapless I have ever had.  It fits so well under clothes no one will notice and if you have a shirt with funny straps(which seems to be the fashion) you do not have to worry about people seeing bra straps. It is great! A must have!