Are you in to trying new foods? Are you a wanna-be gourmet household chef? Well, if you haven’t heard of Gourmet Spotting before, you are in for a treat, literally.  Gourmet Spotting is one of those monthly subscription based boxes that you can sign up for and you’ll get sent DELICIOUS food, to your doorstep.  Like seriously gourmet food items to eat on their own or to use in your recipes.  I was gifted the April box last month and boy, was I excited.

In my box, I received a White Truffle Oil, Heartbreaking Dawns Hot Sauce, Askinosie Chocolate (from Missouri!), and Calamarata artisanal pasta (I haven’t seen anything like it before) and a description of the background behind the labor of love and mastermind that went into creating these foods.  I hadn’t heard of any of these brands or items before, so it was fun to get to try something new and different!

Per the suggestion on the sheet, I immediately wanted to try out the pasta (as pasta is a FAVE in our house, even the toddler loves it).  All I had to do is wait for water in a large pot to boil, then added salt and a tablespoon of olive oil.  Then added the fresh pasta in the pot and cook for about 5-6 minutes until al dente.  Then I drained the pasta and put it back in the pot and poured some of the white truffle olive oil (the one I received) in, salted butter, black pepper and grated parmesan.  Such a super simple recipe, but such a great refreshing flavor!  This simple recipe could really work for any pasta!

And then we topped off our meal with some bite size delicious chocolate.  Yum!

Want to try out a Tasting Box of your own?  Use code SANDY5MAY to get $5 off the first month of your monthly subscription!  Let me know if you decide to try it out!

**Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Gourmet Spotting! I received a free box and all opinions are 100% my own.

Have you guys heard of ShoeDazzle before? If not, I’d like to introduce you to one of my new fave online shoe shops. ShoeDazzle is the original online personal-styling innovator treating millions of women to a monthly showroom filled with on-trend, personalized shoe and accessory recommendations. Fashion icon, designer, and world-renowned stylist Rachel Zoe serves as the company’s Chief Stylist.  ShoeDazzle carries their own brand as well as offer designer brands such as: Chinese Laundry, Seychelles, Dolce Vita, Michael Antonio, and Beau+Ashe.  They are constantly adding new brands they know their clients will love!  Oh, and they aren’t like those sites that charge you every month no matter what, they only charge you for the shoes you purchase and believe me when I say that their shoes are WAY affordable – with many styles around the $39.95 price point.  And here are a few of my fave picks~!

One other cool feature that I love about ShoeDazzle is that in their product images, they also show an outfit inspiration on how to style the shoes with a chic and on-trend outfit!  Here’s a few outfits that I’m loving.  And yes, they also sell handbags and jewelry too!

Are you sold yet?  Take the ShoeDazzle quiz to gain access to your showroom with personalized picks just for you.  Make a purchase within 2 days of taking the quiz and get 25% off your first item ordered.

And just for Memorial Day weekend (Thursday, May 23rd to Monday, May 27th), ShoeDazzle’s large assortment of sale items will be an additional 30% off for everyone!  ShoeDazzle’s full-priced items will be 20% off for everyone!  Get shopping!!

**Disclosure: This article is sponsored by ShoeDazzle! I am reviewing their services and all opinions are 100% my own.

Disclosure: I am part of the Verizon Voices Style Program and have been provided with a device and 6 months of service.

Blouse: Zara {similar} | Pants: Old Navy | Shoes: Zara | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Necklace: J.Crew {similar} | Jacket: H&M

Remember how I told you I went to Chicago a couple weeks ago for the Verizon Wireless Voices Style Blogger event?  Well this outfit is what I wore in the evening of the event to the SAIC fashion show.  My favorite parts about the outfit are the shoes (duh! and they are SOO comfy too) and how it coordinates with the colors of the top, but different patterns – stripes and tribal.  The blue and purple add a nice pop of color to contrast with the black and white.  And the necklace, oh that necklace, that I’ve been eyeing for ages is finally mine.  It’s seriously the perfect necklace for adding glam to a casual outfit or dressing up the dressiest of outfits.  I think it’s one that I can wear for many years!  What made the day for me was when a lady stopped me in the street and asked to take a picture of my outfit.  That never happens!

Thanks Ruby Girl for taking these pics for me!  These pictures were taken with the Samsung Galaxy Camera provided to me by Verizon Wireless!

P.S. Winner of the Nine Blossom jewelry giveaway is Kelly of Sparkles and Shoes!  Congrats!  Email me at sandyalamode(at)gmail(dot)com to claim your prize!

{shop} {facebook} {twitter} {pinterest}

I’m so happy to introduce you to a new fave online shop of mine, Questhaven Fashions!  They have a beautiful collection of on-trend items as super affordable prices.  They have tops, bottoms, dresses, jewelry, accessories, handbags and a special collection of Vintage items as well!  If you hadn’t heard of them before, well now you have!  Happy shopping~!  Oh and there just might be a fab giveaway from them listed below, so keep reading! 

{MEET THE SHOP OWNER}

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself and how your shop got started?
I live in San Diego, Ca with my husband, two kids and 3 dogs. I started out in the finance industry and when the economic crisis hit in 2008, I lost my job along with so many others. I spent the next couple of years soul searching. I learned a lot about myself during that time. It truly was an eye-opening experience. It was then I saw the silver-lining. I decided I wanted to do start my own business and do something that I love, which is fashion. I had a conversation with one of my best friends about it and it was that same day Questhaven was born. Starting this company from the ground up has been life changing. The blood, sweat, and tears we have put into this is truly inspiring, as I look back to when we started and realize where we are today. I would not change a thing. With all of our mistakes and glories this entire process has allowed me to grow as a person. I love what I do and I am proud of what Questhaven represents.

2) What sets Questhaven Fashions apart from other online shops?
We offer 3 collections that cater to every budget. We pride ourselves in providing ultra chic pieces at affordable prices without compromising quality. We believe that looking great should not cost a fortune.

3) What do you love to do in your free time?
I love going to the movies, workout and find new places to eat. I am a total foodie!

4) What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Mint chocolate chip especially in the summer time

{GIVEAWAY}

One lucky reader will win $50 credit to Questhaven Fashions!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and closes on May 28, 2013 at 12:00AM CST.

Don’t want to wait? Use code SANDY20 to get 20% off your order!

Chambray: Madewell | Tee: Madewell {similar} | Blazer: TJ Maxx {similar} | Pants: Old Navy | Shoes: GAP | Necklace: J.Crew Factory {similar} | Bracelets: JEWELIQ | Bag: Cuore and Pelle via Style Mined

Today’s Blog Every Day In May prompt is to share what you are struggling with and I just wanted to highlight two things.

1) Weight Loss
My weight is something that I’m constantly struggling with.  Ever since I’ve graduated from high school – my weight has fluctuated in a 25 pound range (excluding when I was pregnant).  When I started college, I gained the “freshman 15″, sophomore year I went on the South Beach diet and lost that weight, junior/senior year I gained it back.  When I started my job, I gained another “freshman 10″.  For my wedding, I lost about 25 pounds.  During my honeymoon, I gained 5 of that back.  And before I became pregnant, I had gained 20 more of that back.  During my pregnancy, I gained about 35 pounds and after I had my son, it took many months to get down to pre-pregnancy weight.  And now, I’m about 10 pounds less than pre-pregnancy weight but still want to lose 10 more pounds and MAINTAIN that weight.  I realize that this probably would have been way easier to explain if I just told you my weight, but I’d rather keep that to myself.    Recently, when I’ve been home, I’ve been going to Bootcamp and TurboKick workouts about 3-4 times a week.  I love it and I definitely think it’s helped contribute to my weight loss.  But the HARDEST thing for me to do, is to change my eating lifestyle, especially when I travel.  Last week when I was in California, I wanted to eat all the good food they had to offer and literally drank boba tea every night (it’s like 1000 calories in a drink haha)!  I plan to continue to resume my workouts this week., but I know that I’ll always be struggling with wanting to lose that 10 extra pounds… and if I ever get there, I’ll be struggling with trying to maintain it!

2) Getting Enough Sleep
Working a full-time job, being a Mama to a toddler, and a part-time blogger… means there’s never enough time in the day to get all the things done that I want!  And that usually means that sleep will get compromised as I usually go to sleep late (after midnight) but need to wake up when the toddler wakes up (usually 6AM).  And sleeping in is NEVER an option, those days are LONG GONE!  The only real solution to this is if every day had 26 hours in a day, that would be my ideal. 

Thanks to Chasing Davies for taking these pictures for me!!

What do you struggle with?