Tag: Lifestyle Blogger

Amazon /

Prime Now: The Ultimate Destination for Thanksgiving Prep

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We can all relate to being in the kitchen cooking the biggest meal of the year and realizing you forgot the cranberry sauce, pie crusts or the roasting pan. Prime Now can bring customers these items and more in an hour or less so they can skip the trip to the store and continue spending time with friends and loved ones.

 

Beyond the food, customers can also find hostess gifts or “family fun” items, including the most popular board games that have been delivered in one hour through Prime Now: Jenga, Uno, Monopoly and Pandemic.

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In Baltimore, Prime Now is available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, and will be operating on Thanksgiving Day to help account for anyone that’s forgotten the butter, paper towels or other essentials. Two-hour delivery is free and one-hour delivery is available for $7.99. All Prime members can download the Prime Now app, available on iOS and Android devices, and will be notified when the service is available in their zip code.

Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

BJs Wholesale Club – Holiday Destination and Lifestyle Segment

The numbers are in. The National Retail Federation expects a solid 3.7 percent increase in 2015 holiday buying amounting to $630.5 billion – an astonishing total for just two months of sales.  However, they are tempering their glee noting that “…Americans remain somewhat torn between their desire and their ability to spend; the fact remains consumers still have the weight of the economy on their minds” and  “expect families to spend prudently and deliberately.”  The NRF also expects online holiday sales to increase between 6 and 8 percent this year, adding up to $105 billion.

What does this mean to the holiday shopper?  It means that consumers will be shopping where they know they will get the most gift-giving bang for their bucks.  And that’s where wholesale clubs like BJs step up with a tried and true value proposition. Not just in-club either. The online deals at BJs.com also fill the void of many Johnny-come-latelys to subscription online buying, because BJs has the power of expertise to seek out and offer exclusive deals on the most popular items this holiday season.

The experts at Selling Christmas have identified some of the  biggest trends this year, and for both online and in store gift buying, BJs members will see 2015 holiday favorites, such as:

 

Precious Metallics at Non-Precious Prices:

Straight from the pages of Elle Magazine: “Iridescent fabrics are the stuff dreams are made of. Seriously, try and look at them without being mesmerized. We predict that these fabrics will be a major street style staple. “

Glimmering metallic from copper to silver to gold can make any room or person look and feel glamorous.

·         Satina 8-Premium Cosmetic Brush Set with Travel Case – Get the look professionals create to achieve pro-perfect application of face and eye makeup with various brushes including an angled foundation brush, large eye shadow brush, smudge brush and more.   $19.99 In-Club Only

  • Moscow Mules Mugs – Set of two traditional stainless steel mugs with a long-lasting shiny copper finish and brass handle. The perfect drinking companion for cool, refreshing drinks year round. $17.99 In-Club & BJs.com
  • Crystal Bead Love Knot Stud Earrings – Pair these gorgeous round earrings with any look, day or night. Packed with dozens of round crystals, each 12mm earring possesses a startling amount of sparkle and shine. The base is not without its own elegance, combining the smooth cool of sterling silver with the warm richness of 14K yellow gold in a swirling design. IGI Appraisal Value $135 At BJ’s: $89.99 In-Club & BJs.com
  • Berkley Jensen 100 Sq. Ft. Gift Wrap Ensemble – Five rolls of premium wrap, gift tags and coordinating bows and ribbons in a variety of metallic hues for the holiday season. $14.99 In-Club Only

Winter White:
Even if snow doesn’t touch down, incorporating winter white is still a popular way for getting into the holiday spirit. Adding classic white ware pieces will elegantly contrast with reds, greens and metallics.

·         Berkley Jensen Write-and-Wipe Menu Board and Place Card Set – Let your dinner guests know what’s on the menu with this write & wipe ceramic menu board and six place cards. Use the included dry erase marker to write entertaining dinner highlights, a special dessert menu or messages of congratulations. The place cards can be used for table settings or labeling different dishes. This set is easily washable to reuse again and again. BJ’s Exclusive $14.99 In-Club & BJs.com

·         Berkley Jensen Swirl Chip and Dip Dish – Constructed of super-white porcelain, the attractive Berkley Jensen Swirl Chip and Dip Dish is the perfect vessel for favorite party snacks. The bright white color makes a nice background for special occasion fare, allowing the cuisine to take center stage. Dish has an 11.8″ diameter with built-in well for dip, olives and other snacks. BJs Exclusive $11.99 In-Club & BJs.com.

·         Berkley Jensen 5-Tier Buffet Server – Make the food table a display with this 3- or 5-tier buffet server from Berkley Jensen. Five stoneware trays can be used individually or as a unit, and the wire stand makes all dishes easy to reach. The trays are microwave-safe for convenient reheating and dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up. BJs Exclusive $29.99 In-Club & BJs.com

·         Berkley Jensen 3-Piece Graduated Porcelain Trays with Handles – Berkley Jensen Porcelain Platters are a sleek and modern way to serve food. With pierced handles for easy handling and three different sizes, you will host and serve with ease. Comes with a small (8″x7 5/8″x1 1/8″), medium (10″x9.5″x1 38″) and large platter (12″x11 3/8″x1 3/4″). $14.99 In-Club & BJs.com

LED Lights to Light up Your Life:
Think light emitting diodes (LEDs) are just for flashlights and cell phone displays? Think again as new products are helping to bring more seasonal glitter to homes.

  • Sylvania Color-Changing LED Garland  – Nine feet of color-changing LED bulbs intricately woven through garland is a perfect holiday accent to mantles, doorways or stair railings. Choose between steady warm white lights, steady multi-colored lights or continuously changing white to multicolored lights. The timer feature means the lights will only be on when you want them to be on without worrying about turning a switch on and off..$34.99 In-Club & BJs.com
  • 24″ Berkley Jensen Oversized Pre-Lit Gold or Red Ornament with LED Lights – Brighten up any front lawn with these festive oversized ornaments.

48″ Berkley Jensen Stacking Snowmen with LED Lights – Colorful and festive stacking snowmen bring a sense of joy to holiday decorations. The bright LED lights are both cool white and multicolor and the included timer function allows for energy-saving convenience. BJs Exclusive $149.99 In-Club or $179.99 (Delivered) BJs.com

Chalkboards

For a rustic and classic theme, chalkboards continue to be a stylish way to create conversation starters when entertaining.

  • Slate Wine and Spirit Notes, 3-Piece – These slate notes in assorted seasonal designs is such a unique way to label a gift for a wine bottle or to help label holiday cocktail fusions. $9.99 In-Club Only
  • Slate and Wood Paddle Serving Set, 13-Piece – Serve a variety of cheeses in an elegant manner with this 13-piece wood and slate cheese board. With black slate markers and white slate pencils, your guests will know exactly what they are sampling. Includes antique brown wooden tray with leather rope, black slate board, 3 stainless steel cheese tools, 4 black slate cheese markers and 3 white slate pencils $17.99 In-Club & BJs.com

Enjoy photos from the holiday Lifestyle Segment at WBAL News.  The serving platters, recipe, and ingredients used for the Cranberries Holiday Cooking Demo are compliments of BJs Wholesale Club:

Cranberry-Orange Chutney

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. Cape Cod Fresh Cranberries
  • 2 Tropicana Navel Oranges
  • 2 cups Domino Pure Cane Sugar
  • 1 cup chopped, toasted Wellsley Farms Walnuts

 

Directions

Pour cranberries into a food processor bowl. Cover and pulse in 2-second bursts, scraping down bowl with a rubber spatula, until the berries are coarsely chopped. Do not over-process. Transfer cranberries

to a medium mixing bowl and set aside.

 

Quarter unpeeled oranges and place in the processor bowl. Pulse until just coarsely chopped.

 

Combine oranges with cranberries in mixing bowl. Stir in 1½ cups of sugar and chopped walnuts (if using). Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary by adding more

sugar a little at a time.

 Pecan and Cranberry Crusted Salmon with Cran-apple drizzle

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 2 Tablespoon Butter, melted
  • 2 Tablespoon Wellsley Farms Organic Honey
  • 1/2 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
  • 1/2 Cup Chopped pecans
  • 1/4 Cup Dried cranberries, chopped
  • 2 Tablespoon Fresh parsley, chopped
  • 4 6oz. Salmon filets
  • Kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray

Drizzle

  • 1 Cup Fresh cranberry sauce (prepared according to package directions)
  • 1/2 Cup Apple juice
  • 1 Tablespoon Apple cider vinegar

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Add fresh cranberry sauce, apple juice and vinegar in blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for five minutes stirring often. Remove from heat. Set aside.

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DIY /

GuruNanda Essential Oils and Diffuser – Lifestyle Tip

GuruNanda 100% Essential Oils with Diffuser (www.GuruNanda.com), an aromatherapy gift set that features two different oils (calming lavender and uplifting peppermint) and an ultrasonic diffuser with a color-changing LED light to add to the sensory experience.

This would be great for:

  • Natural products and aromatherapy enthusiasts
  • Alternative beauty and wellness enthusiasts
  • A holiday party hostess gift
  • Affordable gifts/gifts under $25 (It retails for $19.99)
  • Gifts for the home
  • DIY spa-ers
  • The woman who has everything
  • Stressed out holiday shoppers who need to wind down or reenergize

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The kit houses two different oils – lavender and peppermint  — and an ultrasonic diffuser that disperses them into the air, where they release their wonderful natural fragrance and the healing aromatherapy benefits.    It can transform a room into a mini DIY spa in seconds.    The diffuser also features a color-changing LED light to add to the atmosphere.

Best of all, at only $19.99, it’s an affordable, thoughtful, one-size-fits all gift with tangible benefits.   It will be available in November at Walmart.

Fall 2015 /

Paul Mitchell – Giving Is My Style Campaign

Christmas and Thanksgiving’s right around the corner and everyone likes to give back during this time of the year! Why not participate in a great charity; striving to raise funds for Boys and Girls Club, Waterkeeper Foundation, Morris Animal Foundation, and many more.  Paul Mitchell has taken action on social media with the Giving Is My Style Campaign.

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Paul Mitchell Mission:

This holiday season, we’re celebrating our commitment to live beautifully by giving, because that’s our style. Whether that means taking steps toward sustainability, helping families in need or supporting underserved kids, Paul Mitchell® believes in doing good for people, animals and our planet. Join our global family and share why or how you give back on Instagram or Twitter with #GivingIsMyStyle, and we’ll donate $1 to one of our favorite charities on your behalf.

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Causes:

Bright Pink: Bright Pink is the only national non-profit organization that focuses on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women. We are proud to support their mission to educate, equip and empower women of all ages to be proactive with their health. @BeBrightPink

Waterkeeper Foundation: For more than 10 years, Paul Mitchell has supported Waterkeeper Alliance in their mission to protect rivers, streams, coastlines and other major waterways around the world.@Waterkeeper

Morris Animal Foundation: Morris Animal Foundation is a global leader in supporting scientific research that advances veterinary medicine. We’re proud to support the organization’s commitment to improving the health and quality of life for dogs, cats, horses and wildlife around the world.@Morris_Animal

Grow Appalachia: In 2010, Paul Mitchell co-founder John Paul DeJoria teamed up with Berea College to establish Grow Appalachia, a non-profit initiative that helps Appalachian families plant a healthy future. Over the last few years, the organization has produced more than 1.1 million pounds of healthy, organic food for thousands of people in five states. @GrowAppalachia

Boys & Girls Club: Paul Mitchell co-founder John Paul DeJoria grew up in an underserved Los Angeles community. During his youth, the local Boys & Girls Club provided a safe place for him to socialize, learn and grow. Today, our company is proud to give back to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and their efforts to create great futures for young people.@BGCA_Clubs

Reforest’Action: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree proudly supports Reforest’Action, an environmental organization that plants trees worldwide, in the areas where they’re needed most. Join The Green Takeover and help us plant 500,000 trees by 2016.

Social Handles

IG: @PaulMitchellUS

Twitter: @PaulMitchellUS

Hashtag: #GivingIsMyStyle

Join us in helping with the cause by sending an IG Message or Tweet with the featured social media handles. I’ve already started working on the initiative and asking everyone to join me!  It’s just that easy but can make a big difference this holiday season.

[youtube height=”720″ width=”1280″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs4KCWsnBkI[/youtube]

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Fall 2015 /

The Downy Ball – Fuzzy Sweater Solution

With dropping temperatures, puffy coats, fuzzy sweaters and warm boots become the everyday norm. But with cold weather comes dry air and much more static electricity. Tired of your hair standing on end, random shocks throughout the day and intimate articles of clothing sticking to the outside of your pants?

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The creators of the Downy Ball have come up with some static reducing tips, like tossing an aluminum foil ball into the dryer to help further reduce the static charge that clings to our clothes.

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For me, Sunday’s considered to be laundry time and I am planning to pick up a Downy Ball.  My sweaters are notorious for having fuzzy balls and I couldn’t understand why until I ran across this little tool.

Downy has other products to help us in this area as well such wrinkle releaser and scent beads.  We spend so much money on our wardrobe, let’s make sure we’re caring for it in the proper manner.  Do you have any laundry tips, feel free to share them in the comments section below!

Fall 2015 /

Kingsmill Golf and Spa Resort – Holiday Travel 2015 {Lifestyle}

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Fall Weekends Frighteningly Busy as Halloween & the Holidays Near

* Low Gas Prices, Means Holiday Travel/Get-A-Ways Are On The Rise*

The countdown to Halloween is on, and as we creep closer to the holidays, Kingsmill Resort’s reservation system is spooky busy with many key weekends in October, November and December starting to fill up.   The reason, according to Kingsmill Resort, is the increased desire to create multi-generational memories by establishing new traditions for family travel during the fall and Holidays.  Low gas prices and high demand for Kingsmill’s riverfront cottages and spacious condos featuring full kitchens support this trend.

Kingsmill Resort is the only AAA Four Diamond condominium resort in Williamsburg and the only property with direct access to the majestic James River.  Sitting on 3,000 acres of land, Kingsmill Resort is ripe with stories of fright and holiday delight dating back to America’s beginnings.  It’s also a fall/early winter harvest of golf, watersports, heated indoor pools, a million dollar spa, restaurants, tennis, biking and just a cannon-ball shot away from the area’s iconic major attractions.

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What does this all mean?  For travelers planning a visit to Greater Williamsburg this holiday season to take in the fall foliage, ghoulish frights at Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream, or Greater Williamsburg’s holiday lineup, that means it’s best to book now or beware.   There may be no room at the proverbial “inn.”  A word to the wise, if you are thinking of calling Kingsmill Resort ‘home’ for the upcoming holidays it is best to book now, or the resort may be stuffed and your family will be crying foul.

Fall/holiday packages that are exceptionally value driven and popular include:

·       The Howl-O-Scream package through October 31 which includes accommodations for two nights in a  guest room (upgrade to condo available), daily breakfast, complimentary shuttle service to Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg and access to Busch Gardens with two Fun Cards.

·       The Thanksgiving package, featuring a two-night stay in a one bedroom condo, breakfast daily, complimentary transportation to Colonial Williamsburg, and of course a traditional Thanksgiving buffet.

Three distinct Christmas Season packages:

1.     Christmas Town: a two-night stay and multi-day tickets to Busch Gardens

2.     Let It Glow: spacious accommodations in a condo for two nights, breakfast daily and curbside transportation to Grand Illumination at Colonial Williamsburg.

3.     Holiday Traditions:  featuring two-night accommodations in a holiday-decorated condo including a tree and fireplace, meals, and more…

Kingsmill Resort is an AAA Four Diamond condo resort and member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Located on the James River off I‐64 between Richmond and Norfolk the property is within minutes from Williamsburg’s numerous destinations including Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, The College of William & Mary, Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center.

Fall 2015 /

C O Bigelow Freesia Candle – Breast Cancer Research Foundation

All year long, C.O. Bigelow donates 10% of all sales of their Freesia Candle to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), a leading organization which fights breast cancer by advancing promising research around the globe.

Freesia is one of the brand’s most popular perfume oils, which inspired this soft, floral scent featuring a heart of tart quince, jasmine, pink freesia and tender muguet. The feminine and uplifting power of this candle honors the spirit of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

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Price: $42.00

Available: bigelowchemists.com, C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries: 414 Avenue of Americas, New York, NY 10011

Accessories /

The Annapolis Sailboat Show 2015 – Lifestyle Tip

The Annapolis Sailboat Show is a historic event that takes place in the Annapolis district.  This is a show for sailors (and family members) searching for equipment, clothing, and boating accessories.  It’s also a great place to visit and enjoy the sailboat tour!

Aside from enjoying the beautiful boats, guests can sip on cocktails, listen to music, and indulge in authentic Maryland cuisine.  My personal favorite is the jumbo crab cake and ice cream.  The boys and I walked around to vendors; we even viewed a gorgeous two bedroom yatch and considered taking sailing courses.


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The Annapolis Sailboat Show’s considered to be one of the largest and oldest in-water sailboat shows.  Here are a few style tips for boat dressing:

1.  Sophisticated Sunglasses

2.  Beautiful Tunic or Afghan

3.  One-Piece Swimsuit

4.  Stylish Clutch Handbag

5.  Maxi Dress

6.  Wedge Platforms or Flip Flops

7.  Straw Hat

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Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

BJs Wholesale Club Ethically Sourced Coffees

We’re going into the winter months and that includes drinking warm beverages.  Coffee is generally the number one source because it keeps us awake and the flavor is delicious.  We don’t want is to run out of our favorite beverage so the next option is to purchase a bulk quantity.

BJs is the number one source when buying home goods for your family on a budget.  The warehouse club has an array of brands for shoppers but most importantly they offer ethically – sourced coffees from Wellsley Farms:

In honor of October’s Fair Trade Month, BJs Wholesale Club announces today the expansion of its Fair Trade Certified™ selection to include 11 ground and whole bean coffee varieties from its own brand Wellsley Farms™.

“From the lush mountains of Indonesia to the highlands of Guatemala, we travel the world to deliver Fair Trade Certified™ coffee to our Members while ensuring farmers receive fair-minded prices for their harvests,” said Melissa O’Brien, coffee buyer for BJs Wholesale Club.

Working with farmers that respect their land and their workers is the foundation for producing high-quality Wellsley Farms Coffee. All coffees are made from 100% Arabica beans from the current crop year only – carry-over beans are never used.  Size, color, defects and freshness at picking are also carefully inspected. After fresh harvested beans pass a visual test, a sample is roasted. Once approved, only then will they become Wellsley Farms beans.

“With coffee farmers typically not having much land to support their whole family, by sourcing Fair Trade, we’re increasing the amount of money the farmers are receiving to help improve their social, economic and environmental conditions,” said Scott Williams, assistant vice president of quality assurance and environmental stewardship for BJ’s Wholesale Club. “On top of the Fair Trade price, farmers also receive a Premium, which is an additional fund for them to use to build schools, purchase medical supplies or use as they see fit for their communities.”

Wellsley Farms Coffee Highlights

  • Breakfast Blend Ground Coffee – A great way to start the day is with a cup of this signature, medium roast of 100% Arabica beans and a rich warm aroma!
  • Organic Sumatra Estate Whole Bean Coffee – For a uniquely earthy yet fruity flavor, this medium dark roast of 100% Arabica brew is sourced from the Selected Sumatra Estates in Indonesia.
  • Colombian Supremo Whole Bean Coffee – Classic, sweet flavor with a crisp finish makes this medium dark roast of 100% Arabica beans a real crowd-pleaser!
  • Guatemalan French Roast Whole Bean Coffee – A dark roast with a full body and 100% Arabica beans, this makes for a bold choice in the morning.

“BJs Wholesale Club is not only a company that offers high-quality coffee, it’s also a company with a uniquely authentic commitment to the people who grow it,” said Jennifer Gallegos, Director of Coffee at Fair Trade USA. “This is even more apparent with the introduction of their Wellsley Farms line, making BJ’s the first major retailer to shift the most own brands coffee varieties to Fair Trade Certified™.”

Wellsley Farms Fair Trade Certified Assortment

Whole Bean Coffee

  • Organic Sumatra Estate, 40 oz.
  • Espresso Blend, 40 oz.
  • Guatemalan French Roast, 40 oz.
  • Costa Rican, 40 oz.
  • Columbian Supremo, 40 oz.

Ground Coffee

  • Decaffeinated Blend, 40 oz.
  • Breakfast Blend, 40 oz.
  • Colombian Ground, 40 oz.
  • Organic Peruvian, 32 oz.
  • Hazelnut Flavored, 32 oz.
  • French Vanilla Flavored, 32 oz.

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About BJs Wholesale Club
Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, BJs is a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States. The company currently operates 208 clubs in 15 states.

BJs provides a one-stop shopping destination filled with more top-quality, leading brands including its exclusive Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen brands, which are all backed by BJs 100% money-back guarantee; more fresh foods from USDA Choice meats to premium produce to delicious organics in many supermarket sizes; and more great value and amazing savings every day. BJ’s is also the only membership club to accept all manufacturers’ coupons and for greater convenience offers the most payment options.

To check out all the MORE BJ’s has to offer, visit www.BJs.com  and for exclusive content find us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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Baltimore | Birmingham | Atlanta /

Restaurant Dining and Favorite Dishes – Lifestyle

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Azumi:  Stylish Japanese restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel with sushi, seafood, steaks, sake & cocktails.

I want to share some of the delicious restaurants in this area.  Baltimore is really a melting pot of various cultures which means the food can be amazing!  I love to cook for my family but there are moments when we want to taste something different.  The term different could mean sushi, afghan cuisine, authentic italian, or whatever suits our taste buds for the evening.  I contribute this interest to my husband; he’s an adventurous eater and has a wide taste palate.

Naturally, I grew up in the deep south and love comfort food.  Nothing can replace a creamy sauce or peach cobbler but I’m also intrigued by cultural dishes.  It gives me the experience of integrating into someone else’s culture and lifestyle.  I consider myself a lifelong learner and find people to be very interesting.  I enjoy knowing the purpose behind certain meals, cutlery used, and the fashion worn during specific ceremonies. This could also be due to teaching a Cultural Foods course many years ago (prior to blogging.)

I will share more of the dishes I like to eat and hope that you will try them as well.  Also, tag me (on social media) in your favorite restaurant or food choices!

FullSizeRenderLeaving the Grillfire | The Hotel at Arundel Preserve