Life is Too Short to Drink Bad Wine....

The hubs and I are big winos and big foodies (now if only I liked to run....then all of my problems would be solved).

However, we DON'T like the markup on wine in restaurants (I know they gotta make money, too, I just don't like paying their prices). I mean, a 50% (or more!) mark-up for a bottle of wine is crazy!!!

So, to satisfy our love of good food and wine, I bring you the BYOB restaurant!!!!

A few of our favorite BYOBs in Dallas are:

Gregory's Bistro (in downtown McKinney)

This is one of our absolute faves. Fab food and awesome owners! Gregory specializes in food and wine pairings. Not too shabby for a $5 corking fee. I also had my bridesmaid's luncheon there, too. Tell em that Matt and Amy sent ya. ;) They are so fabulous, you will need to make reservations.....

Cafe Amore (in West Plano and in Richardson)

I always get the Chicken con Penne- so good! Awesome rolls. We love to go here before the movies. They also have a room upstairs (in Plano) for larger parties.

Campisi's (in Richardson and Plano)

Campisi's is also BYOB. Our first date was at the Campisi's off Mockingbird, so this always has special meaning to us.

Burg-It

This is a new burger joint close to our house-- good burgers, cute patio....and you guessed it-- BYOB!!! :)

These are a few of our fave BYOB places. What's some of your fave BYOB restaurants?

Stay thirsty, my friends. Cheers!

Goals Accomplished in the Last Year (See.... I Told You I'd Be Back Soon :-)

Since we got married (3-13-10.... best day of my life... swoon), we have both wanted to work towards being debt free. I am proud to announce some of our accomplishments in the last year.

• Paid off my student loans
• Sold all of my wedding stuff (and I had A LOT of stuff)
• Paid off credit card debt and a small loan
• Bought a car for my husband (he used to have a company car)... we paid cash for it
• Paid off my car (woo hoo) - Never buying a new car ever again!

We are super excited about the future and what we can accomplish in the next year. Some of the future goals are:

• Finish replenishing savings (from husband's car purchase), which should put us at 6 months of savings.
• Pay off 2nd mortgage on the townhouse
• Pay off one of husband's student loans
• Upgrade appliances in townhouse. This will help us sell the place in the next 2 years.

Until next time....

xoxo

Whew... it's some lofty goals, but we're up for the challenge. :-)

Time Flies when You're Having FUN!!

OK.... a few months later.... and I've totally neglected the blog again. I have been busy with my new job and adjusting to all things that come with a new job (new people, new schedule, NOT working from home (sniff), and using my brain again).....

I promise this time to do better... I mean it this time. :-)

I have just recently celebrated Valentines Day and my 1 year anniversary. That meant GIFTS to buy for my sweet husband. Check out a few of my faves.

Valentine's Gift for the Hubs

Drive Your Dream- Ferrarri. Yes I know..... Best.Wife. Ever. :-) Groupon- $149 (and I had a $10 credit). A small price to pay for a smile like this. :-)

In addition, we just celebrated our first year as a married couple (ahhh). I bought us 2 cooking classes from Central Market and used it for LobsterFest (2 Groupons at $29 each + $30 additional). I paid $88. If I would have just paid for the class through Central Market...... I would have paid $150 for the 2 of us. We learned to make lobster, had some wine, and ate some great food!!! Great gifts don't always have to be about the price.... it's been lots of experiences for us lately. :-)

Jealous???? You should be... it was AWESOME!!!

Can you believe all the great deals lately??

So many deals.... so little time.

xoxo