Weekend Recap: Birthday Edition!

The struggle is real coming back to work after your birthday weekend! I had a great birthday and spent the weekend celebrating.

Saturday:

I started the day off by working out and then making a toasted English muffin with PB, chia seeds, and pumpkin pie spice. I was starving after my total body cardio workout so this definitely hit the spot. 

After breakfast I showered and got ready for the day. I had a couple errands to do quick and as soon as I was walking out the door, Benson was coming back from fishing so I asked if he would like to go with me. I think since it was my birthday weekend he felt as though he "had" to ;) 

First errand of course was DD to grab a pumpkin iced coffee. Next we stopped by CVS and then went to Target to return something I bought offline. Props to me for just going to Target to return the one thing I needed to and ONLY doing that. I don't think I've ever walked into Target without buying anything!

Once we finished our my errands we headed to the New York Wine & Culinary Center to do a tasting or two! Benson and I started off with the Harvest Flight.

I liked this flight because it had a little bit of everything. Wine, beer, cider and moonshine! I loved all except the beer (Empire Brewing Deep Purple). It tasted just like concord grapes with a subtle beer flavor which I liked. What I didn't like was how it wasn't that carbonated at all. The little carbonation just didn't taste good to me. The moonshine was very good! I liked the cinnamon spice to it which made it easier to drink in my opinion. 

After the Harvest Flight, Benson and I decided to split the Mu tasting flight. 

I had the cappuccino and chocolate chai and Benson had the vanilla late and espresso macchiato. We took sips of each others and I think the espresso and cappuccino were my favorites. Although they were all delicious, don't get me wrong!

Once we were done with the tastings, we headed back home to get ready for dinner. We had reservations at Black & Blue so needless to say I was SO excited. (Fun fact: That's actually where Benson proposed to me! #tbt)

They sat us down and gave me a cute little card for my birthday. We looked over the menu but I already knew what I was ordering because I order the same thing every time! For an appetizer, we ordered the kobe beef meatballs.

These meatballs are incredible. Whatever sauce they come in is absolutely outstanding! I highly recommend trying these bad boys out if you go to Black & Blue. You get 4 meatballs served on skewers. These probably lasted a minute tops. 

For dinner, I ordered the sirloin steak cooked medium with the Gorgonzola sauce and a side of their orzo mac and cheese....HEAVEN!

I was able to eat my entire steak because left over steak just does not taste as good as the day of, and ate about half of the mac and cheese and took the rest of it home.

Because we went for my birthday, they gave me a free dessert which was flourless chocolate cake! Benson and I polished this off in no time.

PSA: The reason we went to Black & Blue for dinner was because I signed up for their Executive Club (basically a rewards program) and on your birthday you get a $25 gift card!! Not coupon, gift card! I don't know about you but that's definitely the best birthday reward from a restaurant I've ever received. Go sign up!

After dinner we were full to say the least. We went back home and hung out while John and Shayna stopped by to hang out for a little bit later on. 

Sunday:

My 26th birthday!!! I woke up to Benson giving me breakfast in bed which was the same thing I had Saturday but with sprinkles on it too. I don't know about you but on my birthday I want sprinkles on everything. It just makes it that more festive!

He had a soccer game so the first part of my birthday was pretty relaxing. I received texts and calls from my friends and family which always makes me happy :) 

Once Benson got home we went to Deer Run for a free birthday tasting...just kidding it's free all the time ;) 

For dinner we headed to my parents where my mom made shrimp scampi, bread, asparagus, and salad. Of course she made my triple layer funfetti cake as shown above...YUM!

We had a great time with my parents, aunt Susie, and grandma and grandpa. It's always a good time with family! After dinner and cake I opened my presents. My parents got me items from the Pioneer Woman's new collection! 

I'm so excited to use it all! How cute are those mugs!? And the cake stand!? Not to mention the new cookbook that you bet I'll be reading through to pick out which recipes to make first ASAP. Talk about a hard decision! 

Needless to say I had an eventful birthday weekend and I couldn't have spent it better. Here's to 26 and seeing what this new year has in store for me. Hope you all had a fun weekend too!!