Mattress Shopping: Analysis Paralysis

We needed a new mattress, BAD! Five and a half years ago when we bought our mattress it was just…ok. I never loved it so fast forward to two weeks ago….it was TIME! It was a traditional mattress – springs with a topper that quickly lost its “spring”. When we woke up in the morning it was misshapen and very uncomfortable.


The question wasn’t whether to get rid of it or not….but WHAT mattress to buy to replace it. And let me tell you, researching new mattresses is A LOT. There is almost too much information online: traditional vs foam, soft vs. hard. Are you a side sleeper, back sleeper, stomach sleeper? What if you and your spouse have different sleep/mattress wants? AHHHHHHHHH

Here is what we knew:

  • We wanted a “new” style mattress. After the bad experience with springs last time, we wanted something with foam
    • That being said it didn’t have to be ALL foam. We were open to a foam topper over springs but definitely needed something with new technology
  • It came down to Casper, Tuft & Needle, Purple, Nectar or Dream Cloud. And even after narrowing it down to those 5 brands there are multiple levels/mattress options.

So, what did we pick?

TUFT & NEEDLE

Why?

  • It has a 10 yr warranty – But what if they aren’t around in 10 years? Turns out T&N parent company is owned by Serta Simmons so that answered that concern
  • You can sleep on it 100 nights and if you aren’t satisfied, they will refund your money and donate the mattress.
    • This was big for helping me decide! 100 days! Everyone is pretty different in what they want out of a mattress so no better way to know if its a keeper than to sleep on it. Hopefully after 100 nights sleep you know whether you want to keep it or not.
  • We chose the mid-level, Mint Mattress. T&N was running a new years sale & is slightly more affordable than Casper, so while price wasn’t a decision maker – it helped!
  • While it is hard to trust reviews since people’s sleep preferences are different, T&N had the MOST reviews on amazon.

So we are on week 2, will keep you posted!

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Cocktail Hour: Boozy Hot Chocolate

During these winter months, warm up with an adult drink. I made a hot chocolate this weekend spiked with peppermint and it was delicious. If you are in the mood for a boozy hot chocolate but don’t want peppermint, you can replace the schnapps with kahlua, creme de coco or baileys for a more traditional coffee flavor. Godiva makes a line of chocolate liquors as well that are also good.

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Bathroom Redesign

This was a long time coming. I posted 2 months ago about the daunting options for wallpaper. But after lots and lots of research, the holidays are behind us and I was ready to attack this project.

WARNING: you know the “before” is bad when I was embarassed to post it. But I guess that makes the “after” that much better.

We kept all the hardware, sink and cabinet/mirror. So the redesign was essentially just the walls.

We decided blue was the color and chose a combo of paint with wallpaper on the accent walls.

This was my first time working with wallpaper. Peel & Stick made it easier but it was still a lesson in patience lining it up and smoothing out all the air bubbles. I wasn’t confident my application would be perfect nor that the wallpaper would be moisture resistant, so that is why we chose paint above shower and behind sink. There are some flaws in corners and creases from old uneven walls…..but over I am thrilled with the outcome. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

Here is what I used:

Paint: Behr, Compass Blue in Semi Gloss

Wallpaper: Peel & Stick, from Latitude Run, Wayfair

Wallpaper Tools: smoother, exacto knife etc… This $7 kit from Amazon made it easy & had every item I needed.

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Our New Favorite Breakfast: Air Fryer Bagels

We have had our ninja air fryer for a couple months and have tried any/all recipes we can find – but this is a favorite! They are crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked and soft in the inside.

I have outlined the recipe I made below if you want to give it a try! We went the plain route with this batch but don’t be afraid to mix in cinnamon & raisins….or sprinkle some everything but the bagel on top.

Recipe makes 4 bagels:
– 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
– 1 cup of flour
– 1.5 tsp baking powder
– 1 tsp salt
Heat air fryer to 350 degrees
Brush bagels with egg was and cook for 10-12 minutes

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Sangria Mexican Mule

Can you put wine in cocktail?? Of course you can!!!

We started our first drink of 2021 with a bang. A very different spin on a moscow mule, but a delicious one at that!

Ingredients:

  • 2oz Tequila
  • 1oz Lime juice
  • 1oz Red Wine (I used pinot noir we had opened the night before)
  • Ginger beer

Add tequila, lime & wine to tumbler. Shake well and pour over ice. Top with 3-4oz of ginger beer & garnish with lime & cranberries.

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Things I got for Christmas: Part 2

As you will see from this list, I use Christmas as a time to ask for the skin/beauty items I have been wanting to try.

Tarte Makeup: Shape Tape Foundation & Concealer

  • Normally I am an IT Cosmetics girl, but this was 50% off cyber week and I have been reading good reviews for years so decided to give it a try.

Tula Skin Cleanser, Moisturizer, Eye patches, etc… – their value kits are the best bang for your buck!

Miracle Face Erase – I love a good makeup wipe but when I started to think about the disposable ones I have used over the years…I worry about Mother Earth. So I looked for a better/green approach. Bonus – 2 cloths for the price of what I pay for one pack of wipes? Yes please!

If you don’t know about Vuori (which I didn’t), it is SO amazing. My sister in law – yes, the same one who enlightened me to my fav satin pajamas) sent me a lounge set and hoodie. OHHHH MYYYY GOODNESS!! They are the softest more comfortable items. And i know it is hard to imagine a lounge wear being flattering but THESE ONES ARE. True story – my husband opened his before Christmas and has barely taken them off. Literally asked when the load of laundry was going to be done so he could put them back on. True story!

Shark UltraCyclone Cordless Handheld Vacuum – I am not sure this one needs an explanation, but I have already used it a TON since my 2 yr old chooses to eat her snacks on the move. I specifically love how you can empty this over the trash with the push of a button.

Monogrammed Mark & Graham laptop, notepad & purse insert – This was a special one. I passed the real estate exam one week before Christmas. My husband gave me these and a new laptop for my new career. I could not love them more! SO SO stunning & there just something special about personalized gifts.

Silk Pillow case – stay tuned for a review on this.

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Pazzo Bread Dupe

We all grew up with those comfort foods that just make us happy. One of my Maine husband’s is Pazzo Bread from Amato’s. A Maine pizza chain – Amato’s sponsored his little league sports teams & remains one of his favorites. Any time we went back to Portland to visit, somehow he found an excuse to stop by Amato’s.

I am sad to say but slowly our trips to Maine have become less and less frequent – and COVID hasn’t helped. Luckily we were able to go for a week this summer, but haven’t been back since. So I used our quarantine time at home to perfect my best ‘Pazzo Bread Imitation’ until he can get his fix for the real thing.

Ingredients:

  • Store bought Pizza Dough (if I make homemade I like Bobby Flay’s recipe best)
  • 3 tablespoon melted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Marinara sauce for dipping

Heat oven to 425. If store bought pizza dough, take it out of the fridge and let it rise at room temperature for at least an hour so it is easier to roll out

You will need a large sheet pan, as you roll the dough out pretty thin, roll dough until it is approx 1/4inch thick. Use nonstick spray on sheet pan, then place dough on pan. Pierce dough with fork to avoid air bubbles.

Mix butter, seasonings & garlic together. Brush mixture across dough. Then top with the two kinds of cheese.

Bake at 425 for 10-12 minutes, until cheese is browning and bubbly.

Slice & serve with marinara for dipping.

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Poinsettia Spritz

We all know I love a spritz – but if you are new here… I bartended for years, and the very first drink I made to share with the blog followers was an Aperol Spritz back in the summer. For the most part they are enjoyed in the warm weather. The prosecco/aperol/orange wedge over ice is so so refreshly – we drank them in Italy and they are DELISH!

However, there are many kinds of spritz recipes, and it is fun to change it up. This one is a little more rich for the cold weather months. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 1oz Vodka
  • 2oz Prosecco (or any sparkling will do)
  • 1oz Pomegranate Juice (can also use Cranberry Juice)
  • 1oz Soda Water

Pour over ice. Garnish with Cranberries & Rosemary Sprig.

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Things I got for Christmas

I will be sharing some of my favorite items I got for Christmas (yes, there may be one or two I gifted to myself). Hint hint, you will be seeing a lot of comfy things. With the cold weather here, there are less places to go than ever. So if we must be home more – might as well be comfortable.

Which brings me to my first item – This Striped Lounge Set. I got a size small and love it. It comes in 12 colors, I got black but may need the green as well. For $31.99, why not?

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