Waldorf Turkey Burger

There is a restaurant in Fort Lauderdale called Tap42 that serves the best Waldorf Turkey Burger.  I tried to make my own version of the recipe and although it’s not exactly the same, it is definitely worth trying.

 

Turkey Burger

Ingredients

  • 2 lb ground turkey
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
  • 1 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1/4 cup finely diced celery
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped granny smith apples
  • 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

Topping

  • 1/2 cup chopped apples
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar
  • Dijon mustard to taste
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Directions

Combine all burger  ingredients in a large bowl. Mix just until combined. Form into 12 patties. Grill about 5-6 minutes on each side for medium patties.

In medium bowl, combine topping ingredients.Stir until combined.
Place finished burgers on buns. Top with apple topping and garnish with romaine lettuce.

We’re Kinda Famous, again!

I normally hate Monday’s. But this morning, I received an email from Floridian Weddings, a fabulous wedding blog that highlights real weddings in Florida, that our wedding was published on their blog! What a great way to start the week! It’s super exciting to see your event showcased and thanks to our amazing photographers, we have graced a few blogs!  You can check out our wedding here, and our engagement session here!


Florida Wedding inspiration

I am still in love with every detail of our wedding and I can’t  believe it has been exactly nine months since we got married. I also can’t get over the fact that we pulled off an amazing wedding while I was actively searching for a job – I had an interview the day before my wedding and received a job offer the same day from a different company, started grad school – 20-page research papers are nothing compared to picking out the perfect pair of shoes to walk down the aisle in, and without a wedding planner – crazy but totally doable!  I am not sure how we managed but we did and it was amazing. It’s proof that anything is possible!

So how did we do it? Check out three of my recent posts to help you manage stress, stay on budget, and walk down the aisle in style! enjoy! Ooh! and don’t forget to check out our wedding on Floridian Wedding!

The “B” Word- Sticking to a budget is definitely not the most exciting part of planning a wedding and the idea of cutting corners on your special day can be disappointing.  But with a little organization and self-control, sticking to a plan doesn’t have to be constricting.

WED – Without Wedding Designer I’m not against hiring a planner by any means but as a bride on a budget it was too hard to part with valuable wedding money when there were so many other details to worry about and pay for.  If you are considering coordinating your own event without the help of a planner here are a few tips to make sure your day is worry free.

With These Shoes I Thee Wed-I’m not sure what was going through my head when I walked into Nordstrom and walked out with a pair of shoes that I will be paying off for the next ten years.  It just felt natural. I tried on other shoes but these…just made me feel magical…and really tall! With the extra height I added to my petite frame (thanks to the five-inch heels) I felt like I could conquer the world….then again – The aisle is my runway!

Happy planning! xoxo

Date Night at Dapar

Thanks to Groupon, my husband and I were introduced to a great new restaurant in Fort Lauderdale.

Dapar is an Asian and Thai eatery that serves small plates in a trendy yet inviting atmosphere.  With a deal we just couldn’t pass up – three small plates and two drinks for $30, we headed to dinner with an open mind and empty stomachs.

DaparWe started our night with Strawberry Basil Lemonade (a must try) and proceeded with Chicken Satay, Kobe Beef Sliders, and Vegetarian Spring Rolls.  Out of the three, my favorite was the Kobe Beef Sliders.  The two sliders were served on a sticky rice bun and perfectly seasoned. At $14 without a coupon they are a must if you want to splurge.

The portions were great for sharing and enough food for two, but why stop with small plates when big plates are offered too.  We ordered an entrée, just because and we were glad we did.  With so many delicious things to choose from we opted for Mandarin Chicken, a savory dish of orange glazed chicken served with vegetables and rice.  Priced at $16, the main dish was really good and a great option if you are looking for something that is not too spicy and full of flavor.

Surprisingly, after all that food, we still had room for dessert. My husband is on a rice pudding craze so of course, he ordered the Jakarta Rice Pudding. An amazing concoction of Jasmine rice and creamy pudding topped with sliced bananas and sprinkled with cinnamon. Amazing!

Why you should go: Good food, great music, and delicious drinks!
What you should know: Complimentary valet parking, pricey without a coupon, and sharing is caring

Dapar
1620 N Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305
(954) 306-2663

Pink Inspiration

Happy Friday! Here is a little pink inspiration to celebrate the weekend!

pink chair

“I believe in pink.
I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.
I believe in kissing, kissing a lot.
I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.
I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.
I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”
Audrey Hepburn

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{image sources:  ChairBalloonsDressMacaroonsFlowersDress}

Bridal Shower Inspiration: Bride-To-Bee

Shower the bride-to-be with an event filled with honey.  Here is a little inspiration for a “bee” inspired event.  Enjoy!

Bee-utiful

{SignBee HoneyBee CakeDrink Stirrers, Chair and Flowers, Small Sandwich, FavorsCandy BarDrink}

 

 

Happy Planning! xoxo

 

 

Words of Wisdom


“If you don’t build your dream someone will hire you to help build theirs.” – Tony Gaskins

Preppy Monogram

I have a new fascination with monogram.  From pretty necklaces to shabby chic decor, I am smitten! I wasn’t always interested in initials but after seeing the monogram necklaces everywhere the trend started to grow on me. Here are a few of my favorite things.

1. Monogram Wood Wall Mount from girlytwirly.com

 

2. Monogram Necklace from Etsy.com

 

3. Monogram Pillows inspired by pinterest.com

4. Monogram Wreath inspired by pinterest.com

 

5. Monogram Party Decor inspired by pinterest.com

We’re Kinda Famous

Well not really, but our engagement pictures were featured on the fabulous Style Me Pretty website yesterday. And in my eyes…We’re kinda famous. 

Check out the rest of our shoot here.

Happy planning! xoxo

It’s Official!

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It’s official!  We have a venue and a wedding date!

After months of searching for a reception location, meeting with every catering manager from Palm Beach to Key West and considering eloping…we finally…let me rephrase that…I finally found a place that is unique, by the ocean, has high ceilings and just feels right.

I made sure I didn’t look at the carpet…because that has been a deal breaker in the past and I am exhausted! I just want to plan a wedding!

So, what made this place different from every other location? For one, the catering director. Not only was she flexible with meeting me after work, she was super nice and greeted every crazy idea that came out of my mouth (ex. draping extremely tall palm trees to create a grand entrance) with enthusiasm and excitement.  She even added a few suggestions and the best part, everything can be done in-house!

Most importantly, I envisioned our friends and family in the event space and everything felt like it was meant to be.  It’s weird. But I’m not questioning it. The deposit has been made and I don’t think there is any going back without losing a good chunk of change.

But the stress is far from over. It took me almost two years to find a venue and I only have eight months to find a dress! Side note…I’m a perfectionist. This is going to be interesting…But I am happy to cross one thing off our wedding list.

More details to come!

If you have any tips or a recipe for a good cocktail (I’m sure I will need one soon!) I am all ears!

The Bonnet House :: An Outdoor Affair

On Friday I took a trip to the Bonnet House to continue my search for the perfect wedding venue. (more to come on my other trips soon) In all my years of living in South Florida, I have never been to the Bonnet House, but finally decided to check it out after seeing some recent wedding pictures online.

I arrived at the outdoor venue and immediately noticed that stilettos are a definite don’t. Trying not to let this small downfall get the best of me, I strategically placed my heels in between pebbles and maneuvered my way up a path that led me to the welcome center. Once inside, a cheerful volunteer paged the event manager and after a few minutes of waiting I was on a golf cart touring the property.

The Bonnet House is rich in history, has an artistic look, and is very peaceful and serene. You can opt to have your ceremony in the garden (which has a very long aisle made of pebbles!) or in the courtyard of the main house. Since the house is a museum, it is off-limits and closed to the public after hours leaving only an outdoor area for the reception.

The History: Hugh Taylor Birch, an early settler gave the Bonnet House site to his daughter Helen and her husband, Chicago artist Fredric Clay Barlett as a wedding gift. The Bonnet House was later constructed as a winter retreat so the newlyweds could work on their art and poetry. Some of Barlett’s art is housed in the Art Gallery onsite. (If I could host my reception in the art gallery I would have signed a contract…no such luck!) After a series of events and many years later, Barlett’s third wife Evelyn Fortune Lilly donated the property to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation in 1983.

The Venue: A whimsical venue with Caribbean-style architecture and bright colors. Perfect for an outdoor wedding ceremony or reception.

The Cost: The venue offers an All-Inclusive package as well as the option to bring in your own vendors. There is a site fee to host you event on the property. For more information call (954) 563-5393 ext. 120 or click here

Final Thoughts: Back to the drawing board!  This venue is truly unique and beautiful but it is a no for this bride-to-be.