Bargain Shopping for a Dining Set

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving!

I have spent almost every Thanksgiving holiday at a friend's house the last few years, so unlike a lot of other bloggers, I don't really get to blog about Thanksgiving menus or table setting, since I am not making a feast or having anyone come over to my place. But I can contribute to those of you putting together a shopping list for this weekend!

Black Friday and pretty much all of Black Weekend, can be the perfect time to get a great deal on a big ticket item. But recently a lot of stores have been offering some sweet deals prior to the holiday weekend and other stores have been bamboozling you into thinking you will be getting a great deal this weekend. Recently, I have been shopping around for a dining set for my boyfriend's apartment. He's had this $99 cheap wood dining set from Ikea for the last few years and 3 out of the 4 chairs that it came with have broken, and the table is 2 dinners away from collapsing. So I have been helping him and his roommate bargain shop for a top quality dining set under $500. Did I mention they wanted a solid wood table and chairs?

After looking thru stores and websites like World Market, Pottery Barn, Pier 1, Target, Overstock, etc etc. The best deal I found was a wooden table at World Market for $275. However, that did not include shipping or the $100 big item fee. So with everything added up, we were looking at around $350. Not bad, but not great either. World Market has some great stuff for a great price, but I have learned that the quality of their products isn't meant to last for a very long time. I bought a couch from there 3 years ago that already needs to be replaced big time. The foam in the seat cushions is completely worn out and cannot be replaced either. So I am a bit skeptical on the quality of their furniture.

This table was no exception, and we decided that we would pass on the table and wait to see if we found a better bargain.

Fast forward 2 months and we decided to go to the Crate & Barrel Outlet in Alexandria, VA. When we got there, we found out that the store was having a huge dining set sale. All tables were $299 and all chairs $40. Until December 1st 2013. That's right, you can still shop this sale. Say what!!? Yea, we were on that like crazy people scanning the whole store for the perfect table. Unfortunately, we did not see one we liked or that was in good enough condition to take home. So I decided I would stop by again in a few days during my lunch break to see what new tables they had in stock. I was in luck. I found a table in near perfect condition, that originally sells for $599, for only $299. And it is gorgeous!

Basque table in honey

This table is gorgeous, sturdy and built to last a lifetime of holiday parties, family gatherings and friendly suppers. And the best part is that it fit into my Suzuki hatchback. No need for any shipping fees! We also found 3 mismatched dining chairs for $40 each that we thought would look great with the table. We got chairs in silver, black and white, each one retailing for $200 and each in near perfect condition. We all really like the mismatched colors and styles because it gives it a modern and laid back look that fits in well with their CB2 Ostrich Painting in the background.

So in total, they spent $420 plus tax on their dining set. They are still looking to add a few more chairs for $40 and we are hoping that this Black Friday the store will have a strong selection of chairs. I don't think you can get any better deals than this when it comes to top quality wood dining sets. If you are in the market for a dining set for the upcoming holiday season, check out the Crate & Barrel Outlet nearest you! I just wish I had this dining set for myself.... :)

Weeknight Quesadillas

My work weeks are very hectic and long and I usually do not have the time or energy to cook dinner. So I have been doing a lot of cooking during the weekends and eating leftovers during the week. But on those days when you are truly sick and tired of eating the same leftovers what can you do?

Well, I have been making quesadillas with food that is easy to find in your fridge and pantry! It is so easy and quick and delicious too.

Here's what you'll need:

1lbs of chicken breast
1-2 avocados or your favorite store bought guacamole
Your favorite salsa (I like the fresh made salsas from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods)
1 red onion
1 packet of large tortillas (any brand works and flavor works. I usually stick to "originals")
1 red bell pepper
1 can of black beans
sour cream
cilantro
1 packet of cheddar cheese or whatever cheese you like

Directions:
Cut the chicken into small pieces and cook on a heated pan (medium heat) with some olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Chop the bell pepper and onion and add to the chicken and cook until tender and chicken is done. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool. Open the can of beans and drain completely. Take a large frying pan (you can use a panini style press if you have one) and drizzle a little bit of olive oil on it. Place a tortilla on the pan and fill it with the chicken, pepper and onion mixture. Make sure you spread the chicken around the tortilla evenly. Then scatter a spoonful of black beans over the chicken, sprinkle some cheese and place another tortilla on top. Heat the tortilla on the pan in medium-high heat until the tortilla at the bottom is heated thru and you can see a little bit of a sear. Then carefully, with a large spatula, flip the quesadilla over. This can be hard to do if you're like me and overstuff your quesadilla. So you could take another frying pan or a large plate that is the same size as the one you are using and flip the pan of the quesadilla over the other pan/plate. Heat the pan up and sear the other side of the quesadilla. The cheese should be melted throughout once done.

Remove from the heat, let cool, and flip or slide on a cutting board or a plate. Use a pizza cutter to cut the quesadilla, serve on a plate with a side of salsa, guacamole (or sliced avocado), sour cream and garnish with some cilantro. They might not look perfect, but they are delicious and quick and easy to make. You will have left overs for lunch or dinner the next day too!

Fish en Papillote

Well hello there,

I have abandoned the blog.

I am sorry.

It has been a crazy few months around here, between working 12hr days, government shutdowns, and looking for a less hectic job I have hardly had any time to blog =(. But I am hoping to at least make some time to do a weekly post until things get a bit more regular around here.

So for my comeback post, I am going to introduce you to Fish en Papillote. Which in my lingo, it means wrapping a fish in parchment paper and sticking it in the oven. Voila!

Pretty fancy looking huh? 

But would you believe me if i told you it only took 20min total to make?

You betta' believe it!

Here is what you'll need:

4 fillets of mild flavor fish. I like to use Sole or Tilapia.

2 zucchinis

1 bell pepper

1-2 carrots, depending on size

1 lemon

a bunch of cilantro

1/2 of a red onion

salt and pepper

1/4 of ginger root

4 garlic cloves

olive oil

parchment paper and string

1 bag of "seeds of change" quinoa and brown rice microwavable pouch

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350. Slice the onion and pepper into long strips. Then grab a potato peeler and slice the zucchini and carrot. Mince the garlic, chop some cilantro and grate the ginger root. Set those aside and grab the fish and season it with a little bit of salt and pepper. Grab some parchment paper, drip a little bit of olive oil down the middle and place the fish. Then top it off with a bunch of the shredded/sliced/minced vegetables and 2 lemon slices. Drizzle some olive oil. Then make a little pouch with the paper and fold it close at the top. Tie into place at the ends with baker's string. Follow the same directions for the 3 remaining fillets. I eyeball to see how much of each ingredient i can put in each pouch, but i try to even it out so that all 4 fillets have a similar ratio. 

Place the fish on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 10min or so, depending on your oven. Take out of the oven and let sit for a minute or 2 so that the paper cools a little bit. In the meantime, take the pouch of quinoa and rice, cut a small opening and place in the microwave for 90 seconds (follow the instructions on the pouch). Once that is ready, serve on a plate with a fish papillote.

Be careful when you open the pouch of fish, there may be some steam that comes out and you do not want to burn yourself. I like using a mild flavored fish since it brings out the flavor of all the other vegetables, but you are welcome to try any other fish. 

Enjoy! 

I really love the quinoa and rice from Seeds of Change. It is delicious, healthy and super easy to make. For an even better deal, head out to Costco, where you can buy a box with 6 pouches for half the price of your local grocery store. And don't forget, you can buy a bottle of sparkling water at Trader Joe's for $.79! And some local (and cheap) white wines as well =)