Giveaway: Fuel Rewards Cards

Ahh the holidays. Carolers singing, hot chocolate brewing, hours of driving to Grandma's house...well we're about to fill your travels with a little more joy.

The Fuel Rewards Network Program (FRN) is generously giving five (yep, FIVE) of my readers their pre-loaded cards with $1.00 off per gallon (good on a single fill-up, up to 20 gallons) at participating Shell gas stations. Gone are the days of paying full price at the gas tank...the average person who signs up for the FRN rewards card saves 28 cents per gallon. When you're on a budget, every penny counts.

There are lots of ways to rack up points once you have an FRN card - (shopping online and dining out are just a few!) And there's no limit to how much you can save (HOLLA)! You can sign up here!

Oh, and of course, one way to save is by entering today's contest!

To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and comment on the blog to let me know where YOU will be traveling this holiday season!

This contest is open to the US and will close at 11:59 PM on December 14, 2013.  We will draw the winners by Random.org, and they will have 48 hours to respond to the email notification that they won. I was gifted a fuel rewards network card (just like the one we're giving away) to give this thing a test drive! 

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Giveaway: Serenity Day Spa

It's Julien's first giveaway is here! We've partnered up with Capitally Frugal to bring you 12 Days of Giveaways! Not one, not two...12! 

Over the next few weeks, we know you'll be in high-gear, planning holiday meals and snagging great deals for loved ones. Before it's even started, you need a break. We're here to help!

Our first giveaway is a 50-minute hot stone massage at Serenity Day Spa! I know after the intensive shopping you'll be doing over the next few weeks, this will be the perfect mini-vacation from reality we've all been aching for. 

Serenity Day Spa has three locations:

OLD TOWN
Alexandria, VA
209 Madison St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.549.9212

TENLEY
Northwest, DC
4000 Wisconsin Ave
Washington, DC 20016
202.362.2560

WORLDGATE
Herndon, VA
13037 Worldgate Dr.
Herndon, VA 20170
703.709.6596

Here are the rules:

1. Enter through the Rafflecoppter contest below.

2. Comment on the blog, leave your email, and tell me why you'd love to win this massage!

This contest is open to the U.S. residents and will close at 11:59 PM on Friday, December 13, 2013. We will draw the winner by Random.org, and they will have 48 hours to respond to the email notification that they won. May the odds be ever in your favor!

Thanks to Serenity Day Spa for sponsoring this giveaway!

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Le Diplomate

This past weekend, I met the very lovely Alicia with River City Chic at Le Diplomate for a little French bruncheroo. And an impromptu photoshoot.

I’ve never been to France, but I’d imagine it’d be just like this. You guys, the food. THE FOOD! I can’t even describe the tastiness that ensued. You must visit for yourself, although I will highly recommend the mushroom soup - which I would have paired with the mushroom tart had I not filled up on all the amazing homemade bread.

Until you can visit, check out what we wore, and some of the delicious food/drinks we devoured.

On Julien: Pants, LOFT. Shoes, Steve Madden. Blouse, Phillip Lim for Target. Bag, Longchamp. Necklace, The Dandelion Patch. Photos of Julien were taken by Alicia.

An Afternoon with Aliza Licht

Photo by Vithaya Photography

MAJOR FANGIRL ALERT - I am totally smitten with this PR/social media mongul. I started following her when Gossip Girl was in its prime. DKNY's twitter handle (aka Aliza) would live-tweet each episode as I would LOL at her commentary on Serena's messy hair and the intense character romances.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, when DKNY's very own PR Girl swung by Tysons Galleria to celebrate its 25th anniversary. During a Q&A with DC Modern Luxury's Michael McCarthy, Aliza let us all in on how she got started in the fashion industry, queued us in on her favorite fall trends and posed for photos with fans afterwards. 

Before getting her start at Washingtonian Magazine, Aliza had envisioned herself becoming a plastic surgeon. After realizing that her creativity and fashion sense weren’t welcome in that industry, she switched majors...after being in the program for three years.

That takes guts. I wholly believe in people being true to their talents and passions. But it’s not easy when you’ve committed to years in a major across campus. Yet, she did it and that’s just ONE of the many reasons why she’s my ultimate heroine.

In 1998, she started at DKNY and the rest is history. Later, she helped launch the brand’s social media presence and humanized the brand that so many love and adore. At first, the person behind the tweets and posts was a mystery (very Gossip Girl). Then, a few years ago, Aliza came out as the mysterious girl behind the brand via youtube.

While visiting, she also shared her favorite fall trends (leopard print, over-the-knee boots, and gold), that you won’t find her in a pencil skirt, and that her morning routine includes pressing the snooze button multiple times. 

Says Aliza, “Not everyone weighs 110 pounds and attends Oscar parties. We wanted to show a brand that people could actually relate to.” 

Not only has she made the brand relatable, but she is totally the sweetest person ever. As I introduced myself, I was fumbling over my words and it was loud so I was stammering through my sentences and she was STILL super cool about it. And gave me a hug. It was pretty much the most awesome moment ever.

Aliza was charming, gracious and REAL. She's the kind of girl who could stun a room with her style but be your best friend at the same time. Aliza, you can be my best friend ANY DAY. 

On Julien - Skirt: Phillip Lim for Target, LOFT blouse, Bag: Longchamp, Bracelet: Marc Jacobs (similar)

Photo by Vithaya Photography

Photo by Vithaya Photography

Butternut Squash Casserole

One thing I love just as much as fall fashion (or mayyybeee a teensy bit more?) is fall food. Pumpkins, squash, applesauce, apple cider, all kinds of pies, mmmm! I can’t get enough.

Even though I am obsessed with fall foods, I always end up cooking squash the same way. Cut it in half, drizzle some olive oil and garlic, pop it in the oven and voilà! Done. Not this time. The hubs has gotten bored of the same ‘ol same ‘ol (does anyone else recycle the same ten recipes? Anyone?), so I ventured out to combine my two favorite foods: pasta and squash!

I found this terrific recipe on Whole Foods that I just knew I had to try. Although it was a wee-bit time consuming (thank you, Sunday), the end result was well worth it.

Spoiler alert – the coconut milk MAKES this dish. It’s like a burst of thai on the beach – I mean, is there anything better?

Oh, and I made kale for the first time (so late to the game!) I found a super easy recipe for pan-fried kale on Pioneer Woman. If it’s good enough for the Pioneer Woman, it is definitely good enough for me. 

Enjoy! I know I did.