Modern Steak: Fox Restaurant Review

I always pass by Modern Steak. It's right next to H&M, Loft, Lush, Forever 21 and everywhere else I shop at. It's upstairs from where I park at the mall. Basically, I've been staring at this restaurant for years. But with dinner entrees in the $30 to $40 dollar spectrum, I've never gone.

But take a look at these decor pictures, wouldn't you like to go to a nice fancy place like this?

Sorry about not being able to grab a picture of the entire restaurant, but people stare at you when you're snapping pictures, especially at nice places. (Also, they have some lovely pictures on their website.) The other picture I did snap was of their ceiling and wine display. 

However, I finally got to go due to a special occasion  The food was top notch. While it didn't surpass my high expectations, my expectations were fully met. 

So, before I tried the bread and butter, I thought I would try just the butter. It wasn't a bit salty and creamy like I expected. It was actually much, much saltier than I expected with a strange herbal after taste. Then, I spread a thin layer of it on my bread and the taste completely changed. The bread was good, but this was some of the best butter I have ever had. Unfortunately, I have no idea what I was tasting or why it was so good.

Then came what we actually ordered. This was a roasted chicken with brussel sprouts, fingering potatoes, and mushrooms. For that much meat, it was very light and fresh. Flavored, but not over seasoned. 

I got a turkey burger. This burger had the same buttery bun as Zinburger. I thought the turkey patty was wonderfully spiced as well. Super filling. I only had half of it.

If you're ever in the Scottsdale area, I highly recommend Modern Steak for a very special date or anniversary night. 

Book Snob, but...

So, I think I do a lot of things that are contradictory. For example, I'm kind of a book snob. For my book related posts, click here.

via weheartit

I don't really want to read what everybody on the internet is reading (Hunger Games). At the same time, I want to read something classic and popular. I like reading timeless books--novels that have stood through the ages. My friends always recommend me the fantasy or science fiction pick of the week but I don't remember the last time I picked something up with dragons and werewolves in a fantasy land. 

So, I'm kinda snobby. Or particular. However you dice it. 

But with movies, I'm the opposite. I mean, I post about movies often enough right? I love summer blockbusters that everyone watches.The movies I love to watch in theaters are always the ones that break revenue records not because they are so good, but because so many watch them. On the other hand? Critically acclaimed movies? Oscar nominated films? I don't think I've seen a film nominated for Best Picture in Years! I actively try to stay away from them. 

I love bad movies, too. Actions movies with a very weak plot? I'm there. Comedies with little to no plot? I'm fine with a cheap laugh. 

So that's that. I'm kind of a book snob, but I'm very much for the people in terms of movies. 

What kinds of books and movies do you like? 

What I've Learned from my Health Journey So Far

You may have already heard of everything in this post. You may choose to skip it or read it just to give yourself a bit more motivation. 

via weheartit

Just start. 
I think too often, we wait for a special occasion to start. New Years, or a new month, or an engagement, or an event. However, I started because I downloaded a new calorie counting app  that I fell in love with. It was no specific time... in the middle of November. There was no pressure on me to continue, but I've used the app everyday since then. I haven't stayed under my calorie limit, of course, but I can say that over the past 6 months, I've been conscious of what I'm putting into my body. 

Messing up shouldn't mean giving up. 
It's so easy to eat unhealthy within a day, but just because there was a bad lunch doesn't mean that you should also have dessert and an awful dinner. Just because you didn't exercise Monday and Tuesday doesn't mean that you should probably wait until Monday to start thinking about it again. So often, we stop trying or set a new start date because we want to be absolutely perfect. But perfection is not going to happen. I think the most successful individuals aren't the ones that don't fail but are the ones who can pick themselves up after failing. 

Surround yourself with support. 
You wouldn't believe how much simpler it is to eat healthy and exercise when you surround yourself with people who do. Instead of trading unhealthy recipes, you trade healthy ones. Instead of visiting steak houses, you visit the new lunch salad place. When your friends complain about being sore, it reminds you to go harder. For me, following a few trainers on twitter was a good amount of inspiration. They would constantly urge me to do better 

Any more words of wisdom to share?

You Look Like You're About To Cry Outfit

There's this guy in my class. If I go to class and I'm not ALL smiles, he says, "You look like you're about to cry." Really? Cause I just think I look angry. 

 

Scarf: Macy's (Gift)

T-Shirt: Urban Outfitters (about $10)

Jeans: H&M (17.95)

Shoes: Old (Unknown)

Clothing related sidebar: I was given this scarf over the winter holidays as a gift. It's my first circle scarf. I think the mix between dark and mint green is perfect for spring, winter and fall. 

These are the days when I'm stressed out, upset, or tried. I think I act totally differently if I'm having a good day or a bad day. 

Do you always have a cheery face on? 

Or are you grumpy mcgrumps sometimes?

Pizza Making Adventures and Mishaps

Mostly mishaps. My bar for "edible" is very low. 

This isn't my first attempt at pizza making. For my first attempt, I'd like to refer you to this delicious disaster right here. If I had a separate food blog, that'd be its name. Delicious Disasters. 

Off topic. Anyways, my friend got a pizza cooking slab for Christmas, so obviously, we had to make pizzas. With the cooking stone, he also got a book of recipes on how to make pizza dough, sauces, and whole pizzas. We ignored it, for the most part. 

For our first try, we went out to Fry's and got some Whole Wheat pizza dough. Then we flattened it onto the slab as you see here. Appetizing. 

Oh. And then somehow we managed to burn the pizza. Or um... we made it thin crusted and smoky. And charred. Like I mentioned at the beginning, my bar for edible is pretty low so I unstuck as much of the pizza as I could and ate a few bites. The onion and prosciutto pizza wasn't bad! it was a little salty and hard but I'd call it an okay first try. 

On our second try we used a different type of dough. Regular instead of whole wheat. We also cooked it for less time. So, you know, no burning. I actually really enjoyed this attempt. The dough was delicious! Only thing was that I felt it needed more sauce, but that may be because I think everything is better with sauce.

What are your favorite pizza toppings? 

Soap and Glory Products from Kiran!

I've been following Kiran for a while and when she had a giveaway, I entered. Then, I won! She sent me some awesome Soap and Glory products. Kiran has a blog dedicated to makeup and beauty but she mixes it up with a bit of the sights and sounds of where she lives-in the UK. 
Thanks so much for these prizes. They are so awesome. 

Look at the wrapping paper and adorable card!

Then here's what the bag looked like. When you fold it out, it's unexpectantly large and really soft inside. Almost like a laptop case? Maybe I'll use this for that. 

THIS. OMFG. This. I tried this on and I love it to bits. It has a great color and sheen. I've been looking for the perfect bright lips for the summer and Kiran sent it to me! It also gives my lips the weirdest tingle that I love.

I haven't tried this blush out too much, but it definitely has very pretty and shimmery colors. It has very nice packaging with a large mirror. Just from putting it on once or twice though, I really like the color. It's pigmented, but the range of shades makes it adjust nicely to my skin without making it too light or dark. It's a very illuminating look. 

I've also been looking for a pencil liner for a while and this certainly does the trick. It's a deep black that does smudge on my lids but it's so so so creamy that I don't even care. 

Overall, thanks so so much and I encourage you all to check out her blog!

Gallery of Cheap Spring Dresses!

Indulge me while I lust for some pretty, casual dresses! This spring, I don't find myself wanting too many things. Just one really pretty dress. 

Well.. I may eat my words in a week. But today, all I really want is a pretty spring dress. 

I don't have a polka dotted dress in my wardrobe. Or even a skirt. I have a shirt and some shorts that have polka dots on them, though. I love polka dots, but I think I've stayed away from large flowy pieces in the print so I don't seem too young. I love this dress here. It's so classic and chic. 

Polka Dot Dress with Skinny Belt, Forever 21

Stripes are classic and standards. I actually already have 2 black and white striped dresses in my closet. But I don't have any bold stripes. Or any colored stripes. In other words, this dress would totally have a place in my closet. 

Classic Striped Woven Dress, Forever 21

I wasn't feeling Old Navy too much this season. I usually like their plain pieces, but I felt like their drop waists and maxi skirts just all looked awful on me. I didn't try this one out, but it looks pretty comfortable and I don't object to the print. 

Woman's Printed Sundress, Old Navy

You're probably sick of this pattern already, so I'll save you a bit of time and just talk about the shape. I love my loose flowing dresses, but there's also something to be said about a dress that tucks you in at the right places. A well constructed dress in a comfy material is definitely a weapon appropriate for all events during the Spring. 

Geometric Cut Out Dress, Love Culture