Boring Is Best 

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Going out is fun, but those times when your plans consist of lounging at home with nothing to do is pretty high up on the scale too. And with Fuller House on Netflix today, that’s exactly what I plan to do tonight (who else has neverbeenso excited?!). 

Stay Home Club is a brand that celebrates just that, staying home and doing nothing – their logo is a woman surrounded by four cats, enough said. I snagged this ‘Boring Is Best’ tee from Brightside Boutique in Fells Point and I’ve neverbeenso happy to be boring. Links below. 

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TEE: Stay Home Club | DENIM: Joe’s Jeans  | CARDIGAN (on super sale!): Free People | BOOTS: Old Navy 

This Collar is Everything

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I don’t know about you, but I have neverbeenso ready for warmer weather. The simplicity of whites and statement jewelry are my uniform come spring. This Saphira Collar from Bauble Bar is the perfect addition to your closet this season. Pair it with a neutral linen and you’re golden. Links below.

This Collar is Everything

Saphira Collar: BAUBLE BAR | TOP: MADEWELL

Southern Charm: Charleston, SC

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Exactly one year ago, I arrived for my two-month stint in Charleston, SC. I left  just in time to say goodbye to the snow that was hitting Maryland. If you’ve never been to Charleston, you need to book a flight, rent a car, charter a boat |whatever you have to do| and just go. If you have been to Charleston, you’re probably missing it like crazy and should go ahead and do the same.

Because I was going to be away for two months and had no idea what I would need to make it feel like home, I went ahead and decided to make the 9 hour drive instead of fly. Podcasts really saved me on this one, thanks Serial.

I had never really been anywhere on my own, so naturally I was a bit nervous. However, the second I set foot in Charleston, I knew what the hype was all about. Being from the north, I was a little taken aback at how friendly people were. It took some time for me to realize they weren’t trying to scam me or do me any harm, but that they were just genuinely interested in my story and showing me the charm the city had to offer. I mean really, this place is beautiful.  If you’re ever feeling down, staring at Rainbow Row will instantly lift your spirits. 

 Please visit the Angel Oak, one of the oldest live oak trees in the world. Pictures don’t really do it justice, standing amongst the vast, intertwining limbs will really make you appreciate its beauty. I’ve neverbeenso amazed.  

 
If you’ve heard anything about Charleston, you know it’s food game is one of the strongest. Being a foodie, I couldn’t wait to dive in. Stay tuned for my favorite eateries – there are so many, they need their own post! But I’ll leave you drooling with this gorgeous paella dish from Barsa.  

 

5 Minute S’mores Mug Cake

Published on by neverbeenso2 Comments

I have a major sweet tooth and I love to bake. Normally these two go hand in hand. However, sometimes I’m lazy. I need that sweet tooth fix without all the work. Insert: individual mug desserts. I have neverbeenso obsessed with these cute little desserts for one. Mug desserts have been around for some time, so I’m not reinventing the wheel here, but this S’mores Mug Cake is to die for. I had everything in my pantry and it took all of 5 minutes from start to devour. You won’t be sorry.

As I mention below, this recipe uses Kraft Jetpuffed Marshmallow Crème, but if you don’t have that, any Kraft marshmallow product (Mallowbits, mini marshmallows etc) will do.

5 Minute S'mores Mug Cake

5 Minute S’mores Mug Cake

  • Servings: 1
  • Difficulty: super easy
  • Print

Ingredients
2 T. butter, melted
¼ cup graham cracker crumbs
2 T. brown sugar, packed
½ T. granulated sugar
¼ cup milk
¼ cup + 1 T. all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. baking powder
dash of ground cinnamon
2 T. Kraft Jetpuffed Marshmallow Crème
2 T. chocolate chips
1 T. Kraft Jetpuffed Marshmallow Creme, for garnish
Chocolate syrup, for garnish

Directions
1. In a mug, add in the butter, graham cracker crumbs, brown and granulated sugar. Stir to combine.
2.  Add in the milk and stir until combined.
3.  Add in the flour, baking powder and ground cinnamon. Stir until combined and smooth.
4. Stir in the Jetpuffed and chocolate chips. Note: If you don’t have Jetpuffed Marshmallow Creme, Mallowbits or regular mini marshmallows would work.
5. Place in the microwave. Heat for 1 minute and 35 seconds.
6. Place remaining Jetpuffed on top of cake. Drizzle with chocolate syrup.
7. Let cool slightly and eat.

 

Product Review: COR Waterproof Backpack

Published on by neverbeensoLeave a comment


In the last few years, I have become increasingly more interested in outdoor activities; however, I still struggle with packing.  Not only does my 20-something body temperature fluctuate like a menopausal woman (layers are key), my mood is heavily affected by the weather.  So, whether it be for a day hike or a multi-day trek, I tend to be overly prepared for any element that could occur. And since I can’t carry my entire closet with me on adventures, I have to be efficient where I can.

When we went to the Amazon Rainforest, I brought along my trusty Osprey day pack. And while it kept me cool and had a cover for the pack, it didn’t stand up to the downpours we encountered, leaving some of my belongings damp. And after a full two hours of torrential rain, when the sun pokes it’s head between the clouds, a nice warm shirt is necessary.

Recently, I stumbled upon the COR Waterproof Dry Back Backpack from COR Board Racks. The company looks like it is tailored more for water sports, but would also be a pack to weather all elements. This 40L pack offers tons of space for layers and shoes. And since it’s 100% waterproof, I don’t have to make the decision to leave the electronics at home or run the risk of ruining them. It also has a water-resistant front pocket, so you don’t have to rifle through your pack when you want to snap a quick pic.

  
Easily, this pack fit:

– Hiking Boots
– Sandals
– Rain Coat
– Long Sleeve
– Tank Top
– Shorts
– Pants
– Socks
– iPad
– Go-Pro
– Selfie-Stick

With room to spare. 

  
So, if you know the weather may turn on you and you like to be as comfortable as can be, so that you can focus on enjoying the outdoors vs. how cold, how hot, how wet, how dry you are, then this pack is for you! Neverbeenso able to relax about what I can’t control! 

Super Bowl: DIY Flatbread BAR

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As I’ve mentioned before, leftovers are not my thing. But so as not to waste food, I try my hardest to transform the leftovers into something new. Recently after a party, we had a ton of leftover shredded buffalo chicken and meatballs. And what’s one to do with leftover shredded chicken and  meatballs? Well, make flatbreads out of them of course!

Most of the additional ingredients were things I had in the fridge, so this made for a very very inexpensive and tasty meal {neverbeenso tasty!} And because these were so good, I plan on including them in my Superbowl lineup! I recommend incorporating these into a DIY Flatbread Bar and provide the ingredients for people to make their own! The recipes I used are below!

Will doesn’t share my love of blue cheese, in fact he hates it. So I made two buffalo chicken flatbreads (one with the funk and one topped with avocado – which I also ate). And a meatball flatbread. But you can really throw together whatever you want! Get creative!

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Buffalo Chicken and Meatball Mozz Flatbreads

  • Servings: 4-8
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients
4 ready-made flatbreads

Buffalo Chicken:
2 cups leftover buffalo chicken, shredded
2 tablespoon blue cheese, crumbled
1/2 avocado, sliced
2 cup shredded mozzarella (or any  melting cheese)
2 tablespoon ranch dressing

Meatball Mozz (makes 2):
2 cup leftover meatballs with sauce, chopped
1 cup spinach, chopped
2 cups shredded mozzarella

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2.  Spread flatbreads out on a foil lined, oiled baking sheet.
3.  Layer toppings on flatbreads.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
5. I drizzled my buffalo chicken flatbread with ranch afterwards just for presentation.
6. Cut in half or serve whole. Devour.

Sale Alert: Sperry Shearwater Duck Boots 

Published on by neverbeenso1 Comment

Recently, I shared duck boots I found at Target that were a fraction of the price of the coveted L.L Beans [but as expected, of lesser quality]. However, during my recent Nordstrom Rack hunt, I scored a pair of Sperry Shearwater Duck Boots for almost half the price of the original and of exponentially better quality than those at Target.

I debated the idea of whether I needed them, but the second I put them on and discovered how much more comfortable they were than those at Target, it was a no-brainer. The Sperry’s look much more durable and snuggle my feet like a warm glove.  For only $79.97 |originally $150|, which is only $30 more than those at Target, they’ve neverbeenso worth it!

Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Target and if I didn’t find the Sperry’s at such a great price, I’d be happy with that pair, but for any of you duck boot hunters, I had to share!

I plan to live in these boots for the rest of winter (and spring time too!)! Paired with cozy sweaters, fleece-lined leggings and these leopard leather gloves, it may not be so bad |fingers crossed|.


  

BOOTS: Sperry | NECKLACE: Madewell | LEGGINGS: Anthropologie | PONCHO: old (similar here)

Baltimore Food and Drink: Snowmageddon 2016

Published on by neverbeenso27 Comments

One really huge benefit of living in the city of Baltimore is that most everything is walking distance. And with that, when the rest of the DC/Baltimore area frets and ransacks every grocery store in a 10 mile radius, us city-dwellers still have options; neverbeenso thankful. |And really, who wants milk and bread, when you can have tequila and tacos?|

Thanks to these fine Baltimore City establishments below, who have already committed to staying open all weekend, we won’t go hungry or thirsty during Snowmageddon 2016. How many bars and/or restaurants across Baltimore can you make it to? Challenge accepted, Jonas.

And don’t forget, it’s also Baltimore City Restaurant Week!

So get your snow boots on and boycott the grocery store madness!

Follow along on Instagram @neverbeenso to see some of our favorites! Use #bmoreopen on social media to show us your Snow Day Specials!

CANTON

Jokers n Thieves – 3000 O’Donnell St.

Verde – 641 S. Montford Ave.

The Boathouse – 2809 Boston St.

QuarterHouse Tavern – 801 S. Decker St.
HAPPY HOUR draft prices on select beers as long as it is snowing – They also sell beer & wine TO GO!

Saigon Today – 700 S. Potomac St.
$5 PHO, $2 off apps, $4 draughts, $3 hot toddys $5 vietnamese spiked coffee and $4 bacon bloodys!

Mahaffey’s Pub – 2706 Dillon St.
3 beers for $6 every day until 7!

Tavern on the Square – 2903 O’Donnell St.
FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR 1-7pm!!! 1/2 off drinks! $5 apps!! $8 Pizzas!! $10 Pasta dinner!!

Looney’s – 2900 O’Donnell St.

Baltimore Taphouse – 600 S. Potomac St.

Cardinal Tavern – 901 S. Clinton St.
Friday Happy Hour Food & Drinks tip 7pm
Saturday and Sunday Brunch 9:30am – 3pm

Snake Hill – 418 S. Clinton St.
Bonus: Offering drone customer pick-up within a six block radius.

Alma Cocina Latina – 2400 Boston St. Ste 108
Dinner starts at 5pm

Plug Ugly’s – 2908 O’Donnell St.
Friday: FREE Smores on 2nd floor heated deck!

Smaltimore – 2522 Fait St.
Saturday – Opening at 7:30am for Liverpool match
$10 bottomless until noon

El Bufalo – 2921 O’Donnell St.

Myth and Moonshine – 2300 Boston St.

Saute – 2844 Hudson St.
Saturday and Sunday – BRUNCH 10am-3pm and happy hour prices are in effect ALL WEEKEND after brunch

FED HILL

Blue Agave – 1032 Light St.

Das Bier Haus – 1542 Light St.

The Local Fry – 21 E. Cross St.
BYOB

Liv2Eat – 1444 Light St.

Banditos – 1118 S. Charles St.
**for every 6 inches of snow, everyone gets a SNOWBOMB**
$16 beer buckets
$5 32 oz Budlight/shocktop
$5 espolon
**bottomless mimosas till 2 w/ brunch**

Mad River – 1110 S. Charles St.
Happy Hour Specials All Day
Wear Your Pajamas for 10% Off

Magerk’s Pub – 1061 S. Charles St.
–Friday —
3-8pm: $1.75 Bud Light, Miller Lite & Yuengling drafts
$3 all other drafts
$4 wine, firefly & pizza bread
11pm-close: BOGO Rails, Fireball, Jameson, Jack Daniels & Jim Beam
–Saturday–
11am-6pm: $3 drafts & $3.50 mimosas
6-close: $3.50 16oz Bohs, $4 Terremoto, $5 Deep Eddy, $6 Ice 101 and Deep Eddy Bombs

Don’t Know Tavern – 1455 Light St.
Friday – ever favorite ALL YOU CAN DRINK Miller, Coors & wine, just $10 from 7-10 & live music

Sobo Cafe and Sobo Market – 6-8 W. Cross St.

Stalking Horse – 26 E. Cross St.
$12 buckets of Bud light and “warm-up with $.59 wings, $4 Fireballs and $4 Jamesons” all weekend

FELLS POINT

The Point – 1738 Thames St
Baltimore’s best brunch from 10am-4pm with $13 bottomless Mimosas, Bloodies, Screwdrivers and Sangria till 2pm
$6 Irish Coffees and Adult Hot Chocolate
$4 Old Man Winter and Vanilla Porter drafts
& Live Music

Slainte Irish Pub – 1700 Thames St.
According to the Director of Operations, “…will remain open all weekend during the Blizzard. We are planning on operating at regular business hours (Sláinte 7am – 2am)”

Kooper’s Tavern – 1702 Thames St.
According to the Director of Operations, “…will remain open all weekend during the Blizzard. We are planning on operating at regular business hours (Kooper’s 10am – 2am)”

Max’s Taphouse – 737 S. Broadway
Friday – Big A$$ Drafts (32oz) from 5-8pm; Saturday – normal business hours

Papi’s Tacos – 1703 Aliceanna
10am-3pm $12 AYCD mix and match bloody’s, bellinis, dos Equis drafts, screwdrivers, and tequila sunrises
10am-5pm $12 Coronita buckets (6) and $15 day of the dead craft beer buckets
All Weekend – select $3 beers and $4 shots

Penny Black – 1800 Thames St.

Alexander’s Tavern – 710 S. Broadway

HAMPDEN

Birroteca – 1520 Clipper Rd. 
Grab a pizza and a growler glass, get 50% off the fill, bring a growler get 25% off the fill!

HARBOR EAST

Roy’s – 1720 Aliceanna
Aloha Hour Specials – $7 select appetizers, wine & cocktails in the bar 4pm-7pm

Wind Down Wednesday: Yes To Paper Masks

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It’s that time of the week again, you’ve made it, you’re halfway through! Now, it’s time to take 15 minutes for yourself! So far in this series, I’ve touched on the relaxing benefits of adult coloring and Buddha Boards. I’ve neverbeenso excited to share with you my next little wind down secret: Yes To Grapefruit Pore Perfection Paper Masks. I buy these things in bulk. 

  
I am constantly looking for the next best beauty product, especially face masks. Finally I was in Target browsing the aisles, as usual, without a cart, hoping that would cut down on my purchases, until I saw these bright pink packets staring at me.

I had heard of Yes To in passing, so I figured why not try it out. But how to did I arrive at Grapefruit?

Yes To Grapefruit: Evens Skin Tone/Brightens
Why Grapefruit? Grapefruit is packed with vitamin C, an immune system booster that encourages collagen production for younger-looking skin. It also contains citrus flavonoids, powerful biological actives which help prevent the over production of melanin in the skin resulting in a brighter complexion. The extract and essential oil come from the peel of the fruit, which has a refreshing effect on the body.

So, not only are grapefruits great in a drink, but they’re also great for your skin! I picked up a single packet of the Yes To Grapefruit Pore Perfection Paper Masks and eagerly went home to test it out. This is, you guessed it, an actual paper mask you apply to your face, rather than a cream-based product.

Yesto Mask

The instructions state to leave the mask on for 10 minutes, I left it on about 15. I felt a tingling sensation that I didn’t want to end because it had to be working right? I peeled off the mask, face was a little red, but we’re talking SERIOUS pore reduction. I am one of those who can spend hours staring at my pores in the mirror and there was nothing left to stare at! It was brilliant! Once the reddening faded, my skin looked even too!

I try to use these at least once a week; I promise, you’ll have neverbeenso relaxed.

The other great thing about Yes To products is that they are made with 95% natural ingredients. They never include parabens, phthalates, SLS, silicones, chemical sunscreens and other potentially harmful ingredients. AND they don’t test on animals! One more thing, Yes To gives back a portion of company profits to the YES TO Seed Fund, whose goal is to inspire kids to lead healthier, more positive lives.

So while you’re winding down and making your skin feel good, you can feel good about it too.

Yes To offers something for everyone:

Yes To Carrots: The Original – Moisturizing
Why Carrots? A carrot is brimming full of beta carotene (they have the most of any vegetable!), a fabulous antioxidant that helps protect and nourish skin.

Yes To Cucumbers: Rejuvenation
Why Cucumbers? A cucumber is packed with rejuvenating vitamins which soothe and soften the skin.
They also have cooling properties to help keep your skin supple and fresh, with a fragrance that soothes and relaxes.

Yes To Tomatoes: Balancing
Why Tomatoes? Tomatoes are rich in lycopene. If your pores were a secret club, Lycopene would be the bouncer. This powerful anti-oxidant helps blocks free radicals and keeps your skin balanced. Fruit (remember tomato is a fruit!) acids naturally help clear your complexion – so your skin can party on.

Yes To Blueberries: Anti-aging
Why Blueberries? Blueberries are packed with antioxidants such as anthocyanins which help fight the formation of free radicals that damage the skin’s microstructure. This helps protect you from premature aging. And who doesn’t want that?

NEW Yes To Coconuts: Hydrate and Restore
Why Coconuts? Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is one of nature’s most multi-tasking offerings, rich in essential vitamins. Coconut oil is light, nongreasy and exceptionally emollient. Whether you’re interested in the fruit’s water, milk, meat, shell or oil, there are plenty of reasons to appreciate the natural awesomeness of Coconut!

What’s your favorite Yes To product? What are other face masks you’d recommend?

 

Styling Blacks and Browns

Published on by neverbeenso1 Comment

I used to be so anti styling blacks and browns together, but now I can’t get enough of it! These Chelsea boots are my favorite shoes for doing so, as they already embrace the duo of colors and make any outfit complete! Not to mention they’re uber comfy!

I paired them with this ivory quilted jacket and the look came together beautifully! This anthro jacket is over 65% off! It’s no longer available online, but I’ve seen mass quantities of them in two stores, so if you have one close, check it out! It runs super big so I went with an XS and it’s still slouchy and cozy! Links below!

   
  

 
JACKET: Anthropologie | SHIRT: Forever 21 (available on Poshmark) | BOOTS: H&M