That's my...Tahoe

Ever since college (5 years ago...yikes), I have been coveting a new Chevy Tahoe. Now, let me preface this by saying I have had a perfectly fine Jeep Grand Cherokee during that time and didn't really need a full-size SUV. Keyword, need.

The chiseled frame and powerful engine of a chevrolet wrapped in the elegant exterior of the Tahoe was too much for me to resist. This was a want, and boy did I want it.

My week started out after a failed attempt to purchase a Tahoe. Despite my best negotiations, the dealer wouldn't budge from his starting price. I'm talking not even one cent. Maybe this was because the car was located in one of the more affluent areas of Chicago or maybe it was because this 18 year old kid had only sold three cars all month. I'm going with the latter. Regardless, I left dejected and frustrated. I could barely concentrate at work the rest of the week because now that I had a taste of that sweet, sweet ride.

Then, classy did her internet sleuthing and found one in what can only be described as the country. I'm talking right price, right package, just perfect. After about an hour and half ride from the suburbs of Chicago we pulled up to this Chevrolet dealership in the middle of nowhere. Best decision ever. The salesmen came up and greeted us immediately and couldn't have been nicer. At that moment, I knew this was the place I was getting the Tahoe. After some small talk, we got down to negotiations. Complete 180 degrees from the previous dealer. I negotiated what I thought was a very fair price and even got the salesman to take an extra $150 off at the end. His exact words, "Ya, it doesn't really matter what I sell this to you for because I get paid anyways." Cherry on the top. I would recommend buying a car in the country to everyone because it was the least stressful and fair car deal I have ever been involved in.

3 hours later and I am walking out with this beauty, a brand new Z71 Tahoe:

Sweet, Sweet Love

If there is one food I could not live without, I honestly think I would have to choose chocolate. I cannot go a single day without having some form of chocolate goodness. Unfortunately to me, this love of chocolate doesn't quite bode well with my current quest to loose weight. (Life's tough, get a helmet - I know)

So what's a weight-loss trying girl to do? Make pounds drop off while eating chocolate! (or something like that...) Since I know I can't succeed at any diet plan that doesn't allow me to eat this yummy food, I had to find creative alternatives that both satisfied my cravings and didn't add pounds to the scale. Here are some of my favorite no-guilt chocolate treats! 

1. JELL-O Dark Chocolate Pudding Cups

For only 60 calories a container, I love packing these in my lunches for a no-guilt dessert!

2. Mini Sized Candy

As long as you can stop at one (or two!) I have found that mini-sized candy works for me. This allows me to give in to my sweet tooth without packing on the pounds. Most of the time, I have good self-control when it comes to this but I know for some people that is impossible so if that's you then skip this idea :-) 

3. Homemade Chocolate Milkshake using Sugar-free Chocolate JELL-O packet.

I got this tip from undressedskeleton.tumblr.com! Mix a little chocolate pudding powder with ice and skim milk in a blender and you will have a low-cal chocolatey treat that is beyond satisfying! 

3. Cadbury Double Chocolate Ice Cream Bars

My ABSOLUTE favorite low-cal chocolate treat! At 150 calories each, these taste amazing and satisfy my craving for both chocolate and ice cream! I usually end each night with one of these treats :-) 

Are you as addicted to chocolate as I am? What are your favorite no-guilt treats?

Some Things We Just Don't Want To Remember...

...Let's not talk about that ND game, okay? :-(

Titleist - #1 Name in Golf

If any of you have a golfer in the family, you have undoubtedly seen some gear with the name Titleist. This is one of the premier golf brands (along with Callaway, TaylorMade, and Ping) and is my favorite not only for the clubs but also for the gear. Particularly, the hats.

I pretty much wear hats anywhere I go and these are my favorite Titleist hats I own:

#1 - Visor









This hat is great for hot days on the course or a great day on the beach. It goes with pretty much everything and always fits perfectly.

#2 - Slouch Hat


I wear this style hat the most because it is the most fun and doesn't make you look like you are going on the course that day. I wear this in casual settings, out with friends, or just relaxing around the house.

#3 - Adjustable Repp Stripe

This particular hat was a lucky find. Sometimes your local golf shop with have special edition hats and this one had a blue and red repp stripe around the logo. I usually wear this when I want to look a little nicer because it has a classier look with the repp stripe.

#4 - College Hat



Unfortunately, my alma mater, Northwestern University, does not use Titleist so I can't get one of these hats. Still, this could be my favorite version of the hat becuase it is a perfect tailgate hat that adds a little bit of sophistication to your look.

Championship Food - Chicken Wings

Monday night is the BCS National Championship between Notre Dame (Go Irish!) and Alabama and nothing says football like Chicken Wings. Here is one of my favorite recipes that is sure to please any guy in your life, yet is easier on the old ticker than Hooters or BW3s. The major difference is that my chicken wings are grilled and not fried.

Championship Chicken Wings

Chicken Wings
Butter (Salted)
Franks Hot Sauce
Salt
Pepper

Start with store bought chicken wings (costco sells them in great packs). Begin by cutting the chicken wings at the V so each wing turns into a drum and a wing. Then wash the chicken wings and put them in a large mixing bowl. Add the same amount of salt and pepper until each wing is covered in a sprinkling of each (you should see the little specks of pepper on each wing).

On medium heat, place the wings on the grill and cook until golden brown. This is the most difficult part because if they burn they don't taste nearly as good, but if they are undercooked, well they are undercooked.

At the same time, microwave a mixture of butter and franks hot sauce in a separate bowl. To make the ideal wings, the ratio of butter to hot sauce should by 1:1. If you want hotter wings use more hot sauce, milder wings use less hot sauce.

Add the butter and hot sauce mixture to the golden brown chicken wings and mix thoroughly. Enjoy and cheer for Old Notre Dame!!

Bathing Beauty

Sunscreen...Check

Dresses....Check

Sunglasses...Check

Flip-Flops...Check

Bathing Suit... 

BATHING SUIT?! Oh crap. 

After recently losing 30 lbs, I realized as I was packing for our vacation that I no longer owned a fitting bathing suit. Since I didn't have time to shop before we left, I assumed I would easily be able to purchase one once we got to Florida. Note to self - never plan on that again! After trying about 5 stores including Macys and Dillards, I was beyond disappointed that I didn't find one that I liked. I went online to check out other options and nearly slapped myself for not quickly heading to my go-to store Nordstrom before leaving for vacay. Nordstrom currently has some of what I feel are the cutest swim suits out there. Whether you prefer a bikini, a tankini or a one piece, it seems like they have incredible options for everyone. These are some of my favorite picks! 

Luxe Sway Tankini

I feel like this suit is not only very feminine and girly but I have to imagine it is ultra-flattering. Wish I would've looked at this one! 

Ralph Lauren Blue Label Halter Bikini Top (Currently 33% off!)

As you know by know, I am a sucker for ruffles so of course I love this fun top! This is a great option to add a little character if you typically go for standard, no-frills suits. It is also a flattering option since the ruffles draw your eyes upward instead of focusing on your belly. (Woohoo!)

Seafolly Goddess Bikini Top
I wouldn't necessarily go for this suit but I think it is a unique style and I love the green color! I would be curious how it looks on.

Profile by Gottex Tutti Frutti

I love the fun, retro look of this suit. Not only are the color options perfect for a day at the beach but I love the strapless, sweetheart top that is perfect for tanning!

Profile by Gottex Tutti Frutti Underwire Tankini
I love this option for big-chested girls. The top is a flattering style while still very supportive. I also can't get enough of this color! Gorgeous!

What other stores should I have checked out? Where's your lucky place to shop for bathing suits? 

Here Fishy, Fishy!!

So I am still here in Fort Lauderdale and today we decided to spend the entire day surf fishing. This is where you have an extra long pole and cast your bait out right past the breaking waves. Needless to say, its not always easy getting a good cast and once you do it takes some patience before you get a bite.

Lucky for us, little patience was needed today. We ended up catching 7 fish today including a flounder, a pompano, and some florida bluefish.

Flounder












Pompano

Florida Bluefish

Uber? Über Awesome!!

A few weeks ago I was hanging out with my friends at one of their new condos in University Village. We were having a great time playing some shot roulette (another post on that one later), but then came the inevitable. Where should we go that night? There were the same walking distance bars we always go to or there were the fun and trendy downtown bars. The girls really wanted to do something different that night so we opted for the downtown bars.

However, this required getting several cabs which is not an easy task when you have a large group. We called the regular taxi companies and were told we could have cabs in an hour. Not cool. Then my friends brother said we should try this new company called Uber. Huh?

Long post short, this is a new company that attempts to compete with the cab companies by providing no hassle, comfortable, and quick cab rides. You sign up for an Uber account which links your credit card to the account meaning you never have to fumble with cash again. Then, when you want a cab you simply use your phone as a GPS and let Uber know where you are and how many people you have. They then send you a tracking of their driver so you know exactly who your driver is and how far they are from your location. This is way better then sitting and wondering when your cab will show up.

This night, we had 6 people so they sent a sleek black Suburban. We all piled in and because this wasn't your typical four dour taxi we could all actually ride in comfort. Once we got to the location, we waved goodbye to the driver and the transaction was over. No cash, no tips, no hassle. Your credit card just gets hit with a small charge (usually a few bucks more than a cab) and you are done.



I know this is not always ideal as cabs can sometimes be plentiful in certain areas, but for those other times this is the bomb dot com.

Classy Favorites

Here is what I am currently loving these days...

1. I can't get enough of Ann Taylor Loft's Slim Leggings! At the last 50% off sale, I bought 2 pairs making them a very reasonable $12.25 each. Best money spent! These leggings are beyond comfortable and what I especially love is that I can wear them under a dress or by themselves as bottoms. I will definitely be stocking up on more of these!

2. My Amazon Kindle. I received it as a gift last Christmas but only now am I fully taking advantage of it. Since we are on vacation, I have downloaded books galore from my local library for free! I think I am addicted to checking out books now! I just finished up Jodi Picoult's "Handle With Care" and am currently reading bestseller "Defending Jacob" by William Landay. I am hoping I make time for reading on my kindle once work and the crazy schedules begin again. I don't know how so many of you do it who read every single day! Props to you!

                            

3. Homeland!! Ahh! My new all-time favorite show! Appearing on Sunday nights on Showtime this show has me on the edge of my seat and always wanting more at the end of each episode. This is a must-watch series! Great acting, amazing plots, completely addicting! (Now, if only I can wait for Season 3 to begin - please come quickly!)

4. Notre Dame. Since I graduated from Saint Mary's College (the sister school of Notre Dame), I have a deep love for the University. If you follow college football even slightly you should know that Notre Dame is competing against Alabama in the National Championship Bowl Game on Monday night. Given Notre Dame's awful recent history in football (including while I was a student and attended the games) I am thrilled that they did so well this year! GO IRISH!

What are you currently loving?

Dapper Recommends: Southern Tide

My cousin turned me on to this one. Southern Tide.

Based out of the hotbed of dapper culture, South Carolina, this startup brand caters mostly to the fraternity and sorority crowd of the SEC. However, my local haberdashery began carrying the brand and I must admit I am quite impressed.

First, its nothing like many of the other startup "fratty" brands out there with a logo slapped on a cheaply made shirt. The moment you put on a Southern Tide product, you can feel the quality and workmanship that went into creating the item. The fit is perfect, the colors are perfect, and so far it is held up to repeated wearings. Also, whats not to like about the skipjack logo?

Luckily, I was even able to grab a pullover on RueLaLa recently. This could be my new go-to pullover...

Belts, Dog Collars, and Belts...Oh My!

Although I am a fan of Smathers & Branson belts, I heard about a new belt company recently that I had to try out. The company is based out of the always classy & dapper Connecticut and is called Leather Man Ltd.

The belts are your typical leather and weave, but the best part is the customization possibilities. And, did I mention they are only $45. After searching for what seemed like hours I settled on this one...

I am always a fan of blues so this one called my name but I am sure there is one for everyone out there.

Also, if belts aren't you're thing, I also threw in a new dog collar for my Cocker Poodle, Jameson. I think I may like this more than the belt...

Here is the link if you want to check it out for yourself: Leather Man Ltd.

Hear that boom..da..boom

This Christmas I was lucky enough to get new speakers for my office at work from my sister, Classy. Classy did her homework and found the Bose Soundlink II speakers at Nordstrom, which were exactly the ones I wanted. These speakers are great because they are small and portable, yet have powerful sound. My office neighbors are probably already getting sick of hearing them (or maybe they love them?).

The best part about these speakers is that they are bluetooth compatible. To put that into simple terms, it basically means no wires are needed to connect your phone or computer to the speakers. I think I can safely say any guy would love to have these speakers.

Here is a quick commercial which you may have already seen but didn't know about.

Lilly Lovin'

What's the one thing that can get a classy girl up early on a Wednesday morning during her vacation?

... nothing the Lilly Pulitzer New Year's Day Sale of course!

Alright, tell me I'm not the only one who did a little damage?! With prices as low as they were, it was impossible not to! This girl managed to walk away happy with five adorable dresses. (Although, did anyone else feel like once you added a cute thing to your cart it became no longer available? ugh)

Here's what I bought! First up is the Somerset Dress in True Navy.
 
Who can pass up a cute navy blue dress for $34.00? The ruffles at the sleeve add a fun, girly touch to the dress! I also picked up the Somerset Dress in Resort White Chum Bucket. Again, love the sleeves and this time the pattern makes it even more unique!

Next is the Cassie Dress in Bomber Blue Hush. I really only got this dress because for $39 I thought the colors were fun and it would be an easy dress to add to my wardrobe. I am hoping I can wear this dress to school because I also bought it in Azalea Pink!

I guess I must have really loved this dress and its simplicity because I purchased the Cassie Dress Slub in Bright Navy Ahoy There. I LOVE this pattern! I'm a sucker for anything nautical but the way they threw in just a touch of pink throughout the dress is perfect!

I can't wait for my dresses to arrive! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they all look great on! Did you shop the Lilly sale? What were your favorite purchases?

Dapper Recommends: Country Squire

Yesterday was a pretty awesome day in Florida! Not only was the sun shining and the temperature a perfect 80 degrees, we went to a new habardashery in Lauderdale by the Sea called "Country Squire."

This place was a fine dressed gentlemans heaven. As soon as you walk in you are greeted by a playful yellow labrador named Yarmouth, who is usually busy guarding the door or taking a nap. This lab even inspired some of the Southern Proper shirts in the store (which are pretty good looking if you ask me). Moving on to the rest of the store, its like shopping in a preppy catalog. Vineyard Vines, Pennington & Bailes, Smathers & Branson, Southern Proper, you name it.

I ended up getting a great navy blue gingham vineyard vines dress shirt and a pair of Notre Dame stadium shorts. The shirt fit perfectly and the shorts were just the right length. Although I liked both, I think the Pennington & Bailes shorts were my favorite purchase and I plan on wearing them on Monday when Notre Dame beats the Tide (sorry 'Bama fans)!

Are you ready for some football?

The Orange Bowl. No its not a waterford bowl for oranges. This is one of four BCS (Bowl Championship Series) bowls that pit two of the top teams in the nation against each other to the delight of football fans across the country. This year it was the Northern Illinois Huskies against the Florida State Seminoles and they played at SunLife Stadium in Miami.

As I was lucky enough to be in Fort Lauderdale on vacation already, I figured it would be fun to go see a BCS game live in person as I have never been to one. Unfortunately, I didn't have a ticket yet and they were already going for over $150 face value. Being a little adventurous, I decided to try my luck and see if I could scalp a ticket and get a ridiculous deal.

Boy did I get a deal! I was able to find a ticket in a suite for $100 right before game time. Now, if you have never been in a suite at a major sporting event, its all you can eat and drink in a private room with plush leather seats. This is much better than the tight nosebleed seats that were going for $150 earlier that day. After buying the ticket, I was a little nervous that I got ripped off because it was too good to be true (and yes, I know the saying). As I approached the gate my heart started beating a little faster, but when the green light flashed and I was in I couldn't believe it. I live for those adrenaline rushes.

The game was great and both sides got really into it. Even though it was a little risky, I am still glad I got this view for the entire game.

By the way, FSU won for the first time in 10 years.