Easy Tomato and Onion Salad

 

Quick, fresh, healthy, Paleo, delish....and beautiful!

 

This easy tomato salad I threw together using yellow and red local grown tomatoes I picked up from a farm in Carroll County.

 

Basic how to:

 

1. Start with organic spring mix

2. Top with thickly cut tomato slices

3. Add fresh cut red onions

4. Add sea salt and fresh ground pepper

5. Drizzle lightly with balsamic vinegar

 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Unwined Candles

It's great to hear a success story involving someone you know. Yesterday it was awesome to open up The Baltimore Sun and see this....

 

In the last year, there has been a growing buzz over a homemade candle company from small town Eldersburg and it's owners and creators, husband and wife duo Dave and Anna Neith. Especially when they were invited to the CMA's in Novemeber.

 

The two came up with the genius concept of the cleverly named company Unwined Candles. These homemade soy candles, which come in a variety of scents, are in recycled wine bottles. The candles not only smell great, but they last (we accidentally left ours burning over night). The packing is simple, creative, and sharp and each candle color is unique as the glass bottle it comes in.

 

Great for your home and also a fabulous gift (so much so they were sold out this past Christmas holiday) and are priced oh so affordable at only $20.

 

I love mine :) I have the flavor "Farmer's Market"

The company isn't all about profits- their product boasts recycling, local community, and giving back. Last year they donated portion of sales to a charity that aids wounded U.S. Soldiers. This year they have already participated in a fundraiser for another local business owner who is battling Lymphoma.

 

You can get yours at select local retailers, on their website Unwined Candle Company, or find the owners selling them at all the local Wine Festivals throughout the year.

 

For more and to order- http://www.unwinedcandlecompany.com/


 

New City-Same Blue Box

I have long heard of this "too good to be true" Nike Women's Marathon held each year in San Fransisco. As one runner described, the race is so unique featuring a, "Ghirardelli chocolate mile, bra bar, pre-race expotique and probably the most talked about feature, the Tiffany & Co. finisher’s necklace served upon silver platters at the finish line by handsome tuxedo clad local firefighters". Proceeds of the race go to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In other words, this is my kind of race!

 

 

 

If only it was closer....well now it is! I was so happy to open my email and see a message from Nike informing me that this same race is coming to DC! The only drawback is that it is only offered as a half, instead of a full.

 

Registration is open now and the price is discounted for college and graduate students! The race is only open to 15,000 people, so it will sell out quickly.

 

 

Here are some of the awesome Tiffany and Co necklaces for the finishers of the San Fran race! I can't wait to see what mine will look like :) In addition to the necklace, runners also get a Nike Dry Fit t-shit.

 

For more info and to sign up, visit NWM26.2

Catonsville Gormet

Let  me just start by saying, "I LOVE THIS PLACE!" and do for several reasons. To start, it's really close to our house and there is a large parking lot. If it's not close to you, well then it's worth the drive.

The place is quaint and although small, it doesn't feel crowded. The inside decor screams beachside restaurant, however it's located right in downtown Catonsville. I just love the wainscoting walls and rustic pictures that adorn the walls. The menu is packed with fresh seafood- entrees, salads, and sandwiches- also a large raw bar selection and dessert menu. Other bonuses: the staff is friendly and attentive and the menu is priced extremely fair. Dress code is casual- it's not white table cloth- but the tables are covered in white market paper.

So good location, menu, decor, and service- what else could you want? How about BYOB? That's right, this establishment has no liquor license and for a $5.00 fee- you can bring your own bottle and they will open, pour, and refill throughout your meal. Forgot to bring a spirit? You are in luck because the liquor store is right across the street!

There is one downside- no reservations- you can call ahead, but no guarantee you will not have to wait. I have always gone on weeknights and never had a problem getting seated right away. If you can't get a table you can always shop their "market" and get your own fresh fish or their delish homemade potato chips to go.

Jason loved the selection of raw oysters. I loved the crab cake entree. On a more recent visit (umm last night, I shared the fried calamari and for my entree had the Coconut Shrimp Cobb Salad- both of which were great tasting and good portion size). My dining companions let me sample their dessert- a heaping slice of a yellow layered and chocolate icing cake- yum).

worth the calories

fresh!

exterior: vintage looking sign

love the bare dark hardwood floors

Catonsville Gourmet is located at 829 Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD (DUH) 21228
Their phone number is 410-788-0005 and they are open 7 days a week.

Check them out here at Catonsville Gourmet

Eyebrow to EyeWOW!

from this....

to this!

If you are wondering why I was walking around like an ungroomed caterpillar for a month or so...it was because I had someone telling me she was going to make my eyebrows amazing. That person was brow artist Angie Hunt at All About Me Spa in Towson Maryland and she made them more than amazing!

Let me backtrack....

When I moved to Baltimore, I was in need of an eyebrow wax desperately and went to a local spa, all American. I say that because I refuse to go to an "Asian" nail salon for a wax, eww. So, I went to this local (and quite pricey) spa and had my eyebrows practically removed completely. They were made pencil thin, they were uneven and down right terrible. After discussing my dilemma to my good friend Natalie, she told me about the wonders Angie works on brows at her salon. I took her word for it and made the trip to see her ad have my brow consultation.

Upon meeting Angie, she broke the bad news to me....I was going to have to let them grow and not touch them for a month or two. I did take her advice and let them grow and looked like Joe Flacco's sister- no bueno.

I visited Angie religiously once a month, every month and the results were better then expected! My brows look healthy, fit my face, and best of all are even!!

An appointment with Angie will last about 30 to 45 minutes. She uses stencils and rulers marking out the exact dead even brows that you see on celebrities- and now me :)

She is the nicest lady, always has good stories to tell, and best of all you leave her chair without the "bright red look at me I just got waxed" look.

Take my word for it- it's worth the time!

For more about Angie and All About Me:

visit them online at http://www.allaboutmedayspa.com/

or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/All-About-Me-Salon-Day-Spa/58849016530?ref=ts

or in person @ 27 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, MD 21204

LoveLife

Every once in a while someone comes up with an idea that makes you say, "that's great". LoveLife, based out of Baltimore, is one of these ideas.

Their Facebook page describes the concept as "a movement based on molding yourself into a better you by positively affecting your life with every step you take". What is not to like about that- inspiring people to be the best them! Oh and what really caught my eye- the gear... 

How creative, shirts for men, women and children (tanks too) in 8 different colors that are customizable with your own ONE word of your choice that represents why you love life printed on the back. I'm still thinking what word I will select...but definately will be in their kiwi green!

The shirts start at $19.99 with a portion of the profits going to a local charity to help better Baltimore's youth.

The website is great, eye catching, colorful and filled with great photography. Take a look, get inspired, and order a shirt- tell them you saw them here :)

http://www.evolveyou.org/