A box full of surprises!

I've been reading a lot about subscription boxes and realized there's a crazy, big market out there for every type of subscription box you can imagine - take a look at this fellow blogger's site dedicated to these specialty boxes, and prepare to be awed and also go shopping! Many of these are monthly subscriptions and really give you a nice surprise, because you normally don't know what you're going to get in them :) and often, forget when they're on their way.

I decide to try out a pet subscription for Watson and ordered a PetFlow.com 'Spoiled Rotten' box. I really loved the name, packaging and everything that came in it. I used the site coupon to purchase it at $19.99 and received a total of 6 items, valued at $47.94. Not bad even if I had paid the full price of $24.99. There was a very good assortment of  full size items. Included were a cute squeaky duck, special tummy treat and calming medicine for anxious or motion sick doggies.  Watson LOVES the grain free herring treats, and I love the peppermint oral spray to reduce his plaque and improve his breath, right after he eats them. 

I had also picked up a deal for a pet subscription box from Pawalla and finally ordered the first one when we got back from vacation. Here's the Pawalla mini box which included 2 sets of grain-free treats, an aromatic calming spray and a cute, red rope ball. With my LivingSocial deal I paid just $14.50 to try out the 2 mini boxes and received 4 items, valued at  $37.45. And even if I paid the full price of $20 a month for one box, it would be worth it. I really like the option to select the age and size of the dog from Pawalla, and even order a mini or large box depending on your budget or needs. And lastly, it's great that they have the same subscription choices for your cats. We don't want our feline friends to feel neglected.

Err.. welcome summer

Being in Texas makes welcoming summer a joke as it's already been summer for roughly 6 weeks. However, it is officially summer as marked by summer solstice today and it just gives everyone another reason to celebrate something or marketers to have a sale. I've gotten so many offer emails but this has to be my favorite one from Rita's. It's a happy reminder of my adventures at the gelato festival in Firenze- yum!

Into the culinary unknown

Ever since we got back from vacation, we've been on a cooking show binge. We are currently watching 'MasterChef' but also watched 'The Taste' which is like the food equivalent of the singing show 'The Voice'. This has brought out the cooking mood in both Al and me. And one of the things we thought we'd try over the weekend was poached eggs. We've only had them at restaurants and they seem so intimidating, but after reading tips and techniques for at least 30 minutes, I decide to attempt them, or wing it. My first egg actually came out perfect, but the second not so good. By the fourth, I thought, by George, I've got this in the bag. I even noticed that one of them had a heart shape on the yolk (how cute is that), which I gave my sweetie for breakfast.

Mel x2

My cousin Melody came to visit us right after we got back from vacation and if it was any one else, I'd probably want to pull my hair out, because we haven't even set up our house up properly. Mind you, the house that we just moved into 2 weeks before vacation. Anyway, Melody is one of my favorite cousins, was a bridesmaid at my wedding and also my only cousin on the East coast while I lived there. It was Mel's first visit to Austin, so we gave her the works - BBQ, Mexican food, burgers, happy hours with our new friends, Rainey street, breakfast tacos, and as much time as she could handle with Watson. Here are a few pics of us stuffing our faces at hopdoddy and having lots of fun together!

Neat ideas

Since we moved to our new house, I've been on the lookout for great interior design (or maybe it's just an excuse and I'm always on the lookout). Regardless, I love this idea and not only is it functional but a great way to showoff family and our recent vacation photos.

Pizza, pasta, and more

This post is pretty self-explanatory. It's going to take you on through our Italian food journey and probably make your mouth water! 

Our favorite way to start the day with cappuccinos and chocolate hazelnut croissants

Antipasto with salamis, prosciutto, olives and pickled artichokes

Tortellini, baked artichoke and fried fish

Thin crust pizza with sausage, mushrooms and black olives

Bruschetta with some spicy pickled pepper topping

Crab pasta and steak with fresh parmesan

Two types of ravioli with more antipasti

Cicchetti and vino in venice

Calzone with ham and onions

Mussels, and homemade sausage and potatoes

Flan and tiramisu

Seafood pasta

Casatta