My town, Santa Barbara, has their own book like the Entertainment Books. It is $30 each year and starts on Oct 1. These books have tons of discounts on golf, retail stores, restaurants, amusement parks and more.
Last year, I was determined to use my card more than the 6 times I had used it the year before. Unfortunately, I already threw away my old card so I don't know exactly how many times I used it. I do know I achieved my goal though!
This year, I want to take even more advantage. I have already bought movie passes, in anticipation of saving money at the movie theater!
And...I already went to my first restaurant and got my first punch. My mom, dad, and I went to China Pavilion on Chapala. They are on the fancier side, a bit expensive, but have delicious food. The Axxess offer is Buy 2 Entrees, Get 1 Free. We ordered Pine Nut Fish, Beef & Broccoli, and Lemon Chicken. They were all great! We all shared, but I ate a ton of the Lemon Chicken. It was like a fancy chicken tender in yummy lemon sauce! I would have eaten a lot more of the fish if it was in big pieces instead of little cut up ones. And beef isn't my thing...but the broccoli and sauce were great!
We saved close to $15 and went home very satisfied. I would highly recommend China Pavilion!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Apple-A-Day Giveaway
If you want to add to your own apple pie baking knowledge and materials, check out the fun Apple-A-Day Giveaway sponsored by Pillsbury and Taste of Home at http://www.tasteofhome.com/Apple-a-Day-Giveaway from September 15 to October 15, you can enter for a chance to win a grand prize of $1,000, as well as pass along the fun to other friends. Each time you enter, you also have a chance at winning daily prizes. If you want to share this giveaway on your blog, simply provide the link.
Pillsbury provided me with the information through MyBlogSpark.
Pillsbury provided me with the information through MyBlogSpark.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Duncan Hines Decadent Cakes Review
As you know from my blog, I love to cook! I especially love to bake. I am always on the lookout for great mixes to save time, and was really happy to get the opportunity to review this new line of decadent cakes from Duncan Hines.
The first cake I made was the Duncan Hines Decadent Apple Caramel cake with real apples and rich caramel. The box came with a pouch that contained the real caramel and apple that you later mix into the cake mix.
You just add a bit of milk, oil, and eggs and voila, cake batter! The caramel mix-in smelled soooooo sweet!
The second cake I made was the Duncan Hines Triple Chocolate cake with real chocolate chunks and rich fudge. Again, there were two pouches. One with the cake mix and one with the yummy mix-ins.
The apple cake pre-cooked
The chocolate cake pre-cooked.
They cooked up in just under 30 minutes, and they came out of the oven perfectly!
The cakes were super light and fluffy! It was really fun to bite into the special mix-ins - and the mix-ins were so plentiful that you got some in every bite!!!!! The super sweet mix-ins were a great complement to the not as sweet cake.
I'm so glad I got to do this yummy review!!!!
This post was written for Family Review Network and Duncan Hines. Thank you to Duncan Hines for providing the complimentary products for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wrong Date
An interesting thing happened today. I texted my friend to say I couldn't wait to see him in 12 hours. His reply was...Sunday is 36 hours away. We had a miscommunication about when our plans were, and he is busy tomorrow :(
Has anything like this ever happened to you before? I'm really bummed!
Has anything like this ever happened to you before? I'm really bummed!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
So Close!
I almost missed blogging today! Good thing I had nothing to think about on my way home..and remembered I needed to blog!
I am failing at dieting, but doing a great job of using my Axxess card some more. For lunch today, I went to South Coast Deli. South Coast Deli has hot and cold sandwiches, paninis, salads, and the friendliest staff! Their offer is Buy 1, Get 1 free. We saved about $8.00. I got the Mexican Chicken Caesar. It's the best salad anywhere!!!! My mom got a Roast Beef Jalapeno Panini. We both loved our lunches! We even have leftovers for tomorrow!
And then for dinner tonight, we went to Cody's. They offer Buy 1 entree, Get 1 50% off. We saved about $5.00. Cody's has salads, Mexican food, pastas, entrees, burgers, and a great bar (where a close friend of mine works). I think my mom got the Hot Roast Turkey dinner. I got something called the Yater's Sandwich. It is turkey, bacon, avocado, and jack cheese on grilled sourdough. Delicious!!!!
I am going to breakfast with an old friend from high school in the morning...and then I'm going to make some attempt at eating healthy...until our holiday BBQ on Saturday LOL
I am failing at dieting, but doing a great job of using my Axxess card some more. For lunch today, I went to South Coast Deli. South Coast Deli has hot and cold sandwiches, paninis, salads, and the friendliest staff! Their offer is Buy 1, Get 1 free. We saved about $8.00. I got the Mexican Chicken Caesar. It's the best salad anywhere!!!! My mom got a Roast Beef Jalapeno Panini. We both loved our lunches! We even have leftovers for tomorrow!
And then for dinner tonight, we went to Cody's. They offer Buy 1 entree, Get 1 50% off. We saved about $5.00. Cody's has salads, Mexican food, pastas, entrees, burgers, and a great bar (where a close friend of mine works). I think my mom got the Hot Roast Turkey dinner. I got something called the Yater's Sandwich. It is turkey, bacon, avocado, and jack cheese on grilled sourdough. Delicious!!!!
I am going to breakfast with an old friend from high school in the morning...and then I'm going to make some attempt at eating healthy...until our holiday BBQ on Saturday LOL
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
SB Axxess...and other things
I was blogging really regularly while on my trip to Idaho, and then my laptop was dropped and everything went "to the birds" (because I can't cuss in public and feel good about it).
But my new laptop just got here, and I really want to try to blog more. I am really behind on product reviews, giveaways, book reviews, and letting anyone know what is going on with my life. So, I am going to try to have a blog post up every day. I might blog every day, or I might pre-write a post for each day...but it's going to happen.
On to the "meat" of my post...the restaurant review. As everyone knows, I bought an Axxess card this year with the hopes of using it more than last year. Since I looooooove email so much, I am signed up for their emails. Every time a new merchant signs up, I get an email. My latest email advertised that if you pre-ordered a 2011 Santa Barbara Axxess book, you could come pick up a copy of the 2010 one, and get to re-do all the great 2 for 1 offers on a new punchcard. I love 2 for 1, so I immediately pre-ordered. I picked up my new/old book a few days ago. And tonight, we decided to re-visit Pastavino. They offer buy one entree, get one free (up to $10)
Pastavino in Goleta is kind of your typical Italian restaurant with salad, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, entrees and more. Oh, and they have the best garlic bread!
My mom ordered Lobster Ravioli in a sun-dried tomato tarragon sauce. She thought it was delicious. I ordered a Caesar salad to start, that was delicious. For my entree, I decided to try something called "Chicken Panserotti". I had never heard of it before and it sounded good. It is listed on the menu as shredded chicken, mozzarella and corn wrapped in pasta with your choice of sauce. When it came to the table, it had TONS of mushrooms in it. I HATE mushrooms. I wish they had advertised that on the menu. So when the waitress came back, I asked if I could get it without mushrooms. Unfortunately, they come pre-made, so I had to order gnocchi in pesto sauce. Thankfully, this was just scrumptious, and was a very generous portion.
When the waitress brought the bill, she didn't acknowledge the Axxess card. She then told us they use the card AFTER you give them your credit card. And the new receipt...didn't show how the new bill was broken down, it was just a credit card receipt with a new total. WEIRD. That didn't happen last time.
In my last review, the service was pretty slow, but the food was delicious. Now because of our new and different problems, I would dare to say that they are still having some issues (the menu lists ingredients...but not all of them). But, the food is great! I would still recommend this restaurant to people, but I might suggest asking about the menu if you have food pickiness like I do.
But my new laptop just got here, and I really want to try to blog more. I am really behind on product reviews, giveaways, book reviews, and letting anyone know what is going on with my life. So, I am going to try to have a blog post up every day. I might blog every day, or I might pre-write a post for each day...but it's going to happen.
On to the "meat" of my post...the restaurant review. As everyone knows, I bought an Axxess card this year with the hopes of using it more than last year. Since I looooooove email so much, I am signed up for their emails. Every time a new merchant signs up, I get an email. My latest email advertised that if you pre-ordered a 2011 Santa Barbara Axxess book, you could come pick up a copy of the 2010 one, and get to re-do all the great 2 for 1 offers on a new punchcard. I love 2 for 1, so I immediately pre-ordered. I picked up my new/old book a few days ago. And tonight, we decided to re-visit Pastavino. They offer buy one entree, get one free (up to $10)
Pastavino in Goleta is kind of your typical Italian restaurant with salad, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, entrees and more. Oh, and they have the best garlic bread!
My mom ordered Lobster Ravioli in a sun-dried tomato tarragon sauce. She thought it was delicious. I ordered a Caesar salad to start, that was delicious. For my entree, I decided to try something called "Chicken Panserotti". I had never heard of it before and it sounded good. It is listed on the menu as shredded chicken, mozzarella and corn wrapped in pasta with your choice of sauce. When it came to the table, it had TONS of mushrooms in it. I HATE mushrooms. I wish they had advertised that on the menu. So when the waitress came back, I asked if I could get it without mushrooms. Unfortunately, they come pre-made, so I had to order gnocchi in pesto sauce. Thankfully, this was just scrumptious, and was a very generous portion.
When the waitress brought the bill, she didn't acknowledge the Axxess card. She then told us they use the card AFTER you give them your credit card. And the new receipt...didn't show how the new bill was broken down, it was just a credit card receipt with a new total. WEIRD. That didn't happen last time.
In my last review, the service was pretty slow, but the food was delicious. Now because of our new and different problems, I would dare to say that they are still having some issues (the menu lists ingredients...but not all of them). But, the food is great! I would still recommend this restaurant to people, but I might suggest asking about the menu if you have food pickiness like I do.
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