This past Sunday I attended a really fun event at Red Bee Honey with the Connecticut Bloggers Collective. The event, LIQUID GOLD: A Taste + Test Wellness Bar, featured Red Bee honey and handcrafted skincare. Lydia and I headed Red Bee's Honey House Barn in Weston, Connecticut on Sunday morning to join beekeeper, author and honey sommelier, Marina Marchese on a journey into the fascinating world of bees. She discussed the many uses of honey and bee products for health and beauty. Marina has perfected the art of honey tasting, transferring the skills of the wine sommelier to the artisanal honey tasting table.


I attended a VIP preview before the main event started to try out 5 limited harvest honeys perfectly paired with cheeses and food. I skipped the cheese since I'm not a fan, but I was really excited to try out all the different types of honey since I pretty much know nothing about it. Learning new things should be one of my goals for 2018. It's fascinating how the honey flavor changes based on what flowers the bees visit while making it. That should be self-explanatory but it's something most people don't even think about.

We tried out the following honey flavors: 

• Orange Blossom honey - floral, fruity and rich in vitamin C 
• Blueberry Blossom honey - fruity and a good source of antioxidants 
• Buckwheat honey - robust and a good source of iron 
• Creamy Clover honey - delicious notes of cinnamon 
• Gold leaf honeycomb - raw honey with amazing benefits

My favorites were orange, blueberry and clover. Each honey was paired with something to bring out it's unique flavor notes. Here's what we paired with each:

Creamy Clover honey with coconut shavings and bee pollen. This was one of my favorite combinations. I bought some of the clover honey to take home!

Blueberry blossom honey with brie cheese. (I didn't try this with the cheese but the honey alone is delicious!) I almost bought some but decided on another instead.

Buckwheat honey with dark chocolate and almond. This was surprisingly delicious! When we first smelled this before tasting I didn't think I would like it, but when paired with the chocolate it was amazing.

Gold leaf honeycomb with a cracker. This honey was still on the comb so if you ate that part there was a nice bit of crunch. This was another favorite of mine, just so simple

Orange blossom honey with goat cheese and fresh rosemary. This was another one I had alone since I don't like cheese. You could really taste the orange in this honey which I found very interesting. I bought a small jar of this along with the clover honey. Not sure what I'll do with it yet, but I know it will be delicious!

After the VIP preview we joined the rest of the bloggers upstairs at a taste and test wellness bar where the honey we had just tested was out for everyone to taste. We were also able to test out some of Red Bee's honey-based beauty products. While we were mingling, tasting and testing we sipped on a honey elixir made with chamomile tea and a teeny bit of alcohol.

The Workerbee Rescue Balm was SUPER hydrating, perfect for dry winter skin. I really liked the Honeybee Butter Balm, it goes on very smooth and not oily at all. I also got to take home some Red Bee lip balm. A perfect goodie bag item because I am ADDICTED to chapstick. My lips are always super dry. I got the lavender flavor which is very subtle and you can even taste a bit of honey.




Thank you so much to Red Bee and Marina for having us and teaching us the importance of bees!

I can't believe this is my last wardrobe update of the year! That went by so fast! I spent a little bit less this year compared to last year, if we don't count my Chloé Faye splurge (which I saved for each month.) I spent a LOT less if we don't count my Gucci sunglasses (the money for that came out of my vacation account, not regular spending *wink wink*)

I didn't buy anything this month but I did add some new items to my wardrobe thanks to Christmas gifts! My mom got me two sweaters and a pair of jeans from Everlane.

P.S. If you want to learn more about how I manage my money, head over to this post: {opinion} How I Handle Personal Finance!



THE (modified) RULES

1. Be mindful of purchases 
2. Quality over quantity
3. Basics are best

MY PROGRESS 

Clothes:

1. She Made Me Essential crocheted swimsuit via Net-a-Porter ($45, $150 retail,  Xmas $$)
2. G.H. Bass burgundy cardigan at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $7.5 w/coupon, $99 retail) 
3. G.H. Bass cargo pants at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $21 w/coupon, $69 retail)  
4. Disney Mickey tee ($10 at Target)
5. Who What Wear x Target Sleeveless Floral Dress ($30) 
6. Uniqlo Mickey Mouse sweatshirt ($30) 
7. Proenza Schouler tweed colorblock shorts via Roundabout ($57, $1680 retail)
8. Vintage Havana Floral Embroidered Sweater via Pearls & Plaid ($50, used gift card) 
9. Context Three-Quarter Bell Sleeve sweater via Lord & Taylor ($20, retail $68, used renters insurance refund)
10. J.Crew Cardigan sweater with cosmic embroidery ($39, retail $110, used gift card)

Basics:

1. Calypso St. Barth Gylden Cashmere Sweater via Gilt ($71, $295 retail, Xmas $$)
2. M.i.h Jeans Tomboy cropped jeans via Net-a-Porter ($98, $245 retail, Xmas $$)
3. Who What Wear x Target bodysuit ($14, $20 retail) 
4. FRAME Ribbed wool & cashmere-blend sweater via Net-a-Porter ($104, $325 retail,  advertising $$) 
5. Alice + Olivia blue striped cashmere sweater via Roundabout ($25, $368? retail)
6. Everlane "Square Tee" in Burgundy ($18) 
7. Everlane "The High-Rise Skinny Jean" in Mid-Blue ($68)
8. Everlane "The Cotton Tee" in Rose ($15, used renters insurance credit)
9. Everlane "The Cashmere Crop V-Neck" in Black ($100, $62 after insurance credit) 
10. Everlane "The Mid-Rise Skinny Jean" in black (Christmas gift)
11. Everlane "The Wool-Cashmere Oversized Cable Turtleneck" in Surplus (Christmas gift)
12. Everlane "The Wool-Cashmere Square Crew" in Crimson (Christmas gift)

Shoes:

1. Miu Miu ankle boots via Roundabout Resale - also here/here ($146,  $850 retail)
2. New Look Metallic Block Heel sandal via ASOS ($35, advertising $$) 
3. BCBGeneration 'Beverly' mule via Saks Off 5th at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $110 retail)  
4. Impo 'Omega' boot (or Onnie, can't tell) via DSW ($12, $112 retail - in black) 
5. Vince 'Mason' in pony fig via DSW ($23, $275+ retail) 
6. Nicholas Kirkwood suede prism pumps via Net-a-Porter sale ($250, $625 retail) 
7. Sam Edelman Lars slub satin espadrille slide via Net-a-Porter sale ($36, $90 retail)
8. Zigi Soho Velvet Floral Embroidered Open Toe Mules via T.J. Maxx ($20, retail $60?, used gift card) 
9. BCBGeneragion Yerra slip on sneaker (birthday gift, $79 retail)
10. Kelly & Katie Amour mule (birthday gift, $50 retail)

Bags:

1. Disney x Coach 'Patricia' with Mickey ears ($179 at Coach Outlet, $395 retail)
2. Chloe 'Faye' in Dark Purple via eBay ($1500, $1950 retail) 
3. Louis Vuitton 'Epi Sac D'Epaule' via HauteTrader ($0, retail $1600?)

 
Accessories:

1. Tommy Hilfiger (similar) via Clinton Crossing ($0,  retail $?)  
2. Mejuri Loop Earrings by Jamie! ($55)
3. Gucci aviator sunglasses ($300, bought in Rome)
4. Birthstone Star and Mickey Mouse ring ($15 with discount, used advertising $$) 
5. Birthstone Mickey Mouse earrings ($15 with discount, used advertising $$)

Gifted from Brands:

1. IRO Faxy Cropped Jean via Gilt c/o Wikibuy (retail $285)
2. Banana Republic Peplum Sweater c/o Banana Republic Factory at Clinton Crossing
3. Banana Republic Cherry Blossom 'Ryan' Pant c/o Banana Republic Factory
4. Banana Republic 'Sloan' in purple c/o Banana Republic Factory
5. Banana Republic ruffle sleeve top in teal c/o Banana Republic Factory
6. Banana Republic linen shorts c/o Banana Republic Factory 
7. Diane von Furstenberg Fanny dress (also here) c/o HauteTrader 
8. Missoni Purple Wool Chevron Metallic Knit Sweater Dress  c/o HauteTrader 

Total spent in December: $0

Total spent in 2017:  $1253 - $953 not counting the sunglasses*
Total spent including Chloe Faye: $2,753 - $2,453 not counting sunglasses
Total spent with Christmas/advertising money included: $3136 - $2836 not counting sunglasses

*the money for the sunglasses came out of my vacations savings account rather than "regular" money

I got this really comfy Everlane sweater for Christmas and decided to wear it to Grandma's for our Christmas day celebrations. I dressed it up a bit with these burgundy velvet pants so the outfit felt a bit more holiday.  Perfect for a day of relaxing and eating tons of tasty food.

Sweater: Everlane "The Wool-Cashmere Oversized Cable Turtleneck" in Surplus (Christmas gift), Pants: Elie Tahari 'Shea Velvet Pants' (Shopbop), Leopard Pumps: Jimmy Choo (Roundabout)

Dress: Missoni Purple Wool Chevron Metallic Knit Sweater Dress (HauteTrader), Faux Fur Vest: French Connection (Marshalls), Boots: Gianvito Rossi 'Finlay' (Marshalls), Earrings: Mejuri loop earrings

Happy almost Christmas! I hope everyone has a lovely holiday and weekend. Mine is going to be full of family and friends. I'm extending the break through New Years (mostly because my clients will also be taking time off.) I'll have a bit of work but will be able to do a LOT of relaxing.

This Monday, Nonee of CT Blogger Babes hosted a wonderful holiday soiree for Connecticut bloggers! Having gone to their smaller brunch back in July, I knew this would be a great event so it was worth the hour drive. It was held at Flora, a vegan restaurant/bar, in West Hartford. I was worried about the vegan aspect since I'm a picky eater but luckily they had some chicken and fish options for those of us who eat meat. My favorite bite was their vegetable fried rice, I even took a bunch home in a doggy bag and had it with dinner the next night!

This crimson Altuzarra for Target embroidered dress is perfect for holiday get together. The color is gorgeous and I love the detailing up top. I've had the dress for a little over 3 years and I still get compliments on it.

Dress: Altuzarra for Target embroidered pleated georgette dress, Merino Tights c/o Wolford (also here), Patent Leather and Pony Hair Boots: 3.1 Phillip Lim 'Peggy' Ankle Boot (Barneys Warehouse), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay), Earrings: Mejuri 'Loop' by Jamie-Lee, Coat: DKNY (old)

Our last day was a crazy day! We had flights at 8 and 8:30 so we knew we had to leave Animal Kingdom by 4 and we had a lot to get through. We wanted to ride both of the new Pandora rides and knew we would probably have to wait in a super long lines; they are usually around 2 or 3 hours, OR MORE! We sort of cheated the system and got on both without waiting long at all. (I'll share that story below)

Apart from exploring Pandora, we also went on the safari, my favorite, and Expedition Everest. For lunch we tried out Satu'li Canteen, the new restaurant in Pandora. I had a kid's Chopped Wood-Grilled Chicken Bowl, sooo good!

Please excuse the crowded backgrounds in these photos, I wanted the fun waterfall in the back and this isn't exactly the emptiest part of the park! Ha ha.

Sweatshirt: Uniqlo x Disney,  Jeans: Mother (Marshalls), Boots: Vince Camuto 'Davilla' (Marshalls), Bag: Disney x Coach 'Patricia' with Mickey ears, Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika'

Navigating Pandora

Fast Passes

You can use fast passes on rides in Pandora BUT since the park is so new you are only allowed to use it on one ride in your first 3 fast passes. We kind of beat the system on our trip. Here's how. I bought my sister's tickets a couple months before our trip (I was still waiting to decide on an annual pass) and when I did that I booked fast passes with her tickets with the plan to add myself and my friend on once we got our tickets.

I was able to snag a 9:15am for Na'vi River Journey but not Flight of Passage. Once I got my ticket I tried to add myself and we were unable to do that because too many people had fast passes. We kept my sister on it just in case and on that morning we headed to the ride and explained that we were in a group and were supposed to ride together and the man running the fast pass line generously let us all go on. One ride down!

After that we had to do 2 more fast passes before we would be able to get one for Flight of Passage because you can't do both as part of your first 3. So we used them on a ride in Dino-Land and then for the Nemo show (but we didn't actually watch the show, we just tapped our magic bands to use the fast pass and left the line because we didn't have an hour to waste on the show. After that we miraculously got fast passes for Flight of Passage at 1:15! We must have gotten very lucky and caught them adding new ones at the right time.

Flight of Passage was AMAZING! I won't spoil it for those of you that want to be surprised when riding it but I will say there is no other ride like it. The experience is so cool and I would definitely wait in a long line to ride it again! Maybe not 3 hours, but I could do 2. (I have a bad back so standing in long lines is pretty grueling after a while.)