Canadian Restaurants I Miss

Sure nothing compares to southern BBQ other than Mexican burritos but sometimes I miss the restaurants I grew up with that aren't just around the corner anymore. Most often its a certain thing about each restaurant I miss and when we go for a visit I try to get to at least one of these restaurants to fix my cravings. You're curious now aren't you? If you don't live in Canada I suggest you just stop reading.. you don't want to not be able to have what I'm about to share when it looks sooooo good!

Consider yourself warned.

1. Swiss Chalet

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What do I miss most about Swiss Chalet? Probably the chicken, maybe the hand cut fries, definitely the chalet sauce. I probably miss the gravy for the fries (you American's don't know what you are missing on the fries and gravy front), although it could be the chicken spring rolls. I pretty much miss it all, I absolutely love this place and so does my Mom so luckily I pretty much get here every single time I visit. If you are ever in Canada I highly recommend this place, they have a nutritional menu as well so you can healthy options which is always a plus, but trust me.. GET THE CHICKEN! Quarter chicken white. Enough said. 

2. Jack Astors

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That is what I miss... right there above, that picture that is making your mouth water.. THAT IS WHAT I MISS! Jack Astors Garlic pan bread, I would get mine with cheese because I mean go big or go home but I would take what I could get. That stuff is worth being fat for, it will change your life! This might just be my favorite Canadian restaurant, there isn't anything that I have tried that I don't love! The drinks are FANTASTIC, the food is always fresh and mouth watering. Try their hand battered chicken strips, pad thai, they are known for their burgers, try it all! I really want to go there, like now. 

3. Alice Fazooli's

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I absolutely love Italian food, not just pizza but all of it. I feel like Italian food is comfort food, the restaurants are always so cozy and inviting. When we eat out Italian tends to be a go to if we aren't going out to watch a game. A glass of wine with warm breads and a fresh pasta dinner, does anything sound better than that? I really love Alice Fazooli's, the restaurants are always super nice, the food is delicious! I love their appetizers and that there is something for everyone on the menu, children included. This would be a top recommendation for a nice meal, give it a whirl.. you won't be sorry. 

4. Montana's Cookhouse

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What doesn't look good about that right? Montana's Cookhouse has a rustic feel and rustic good food, all the drinks come in mason jars and let me tell you they are GOOD! The food is reliable, you know every time you go there its going to taste good, if you've been there more than once most likely you know what you are getting before you even arrive. When we lived in Canada Jason and I ate out here quite a bit, they have a great bar and tons of TVs for game day but the dining room is a lot of fun and the staff are always friendly and quick about things! If you are looking for some good home cooking while on a trip to Canada or because you live there I would highly recommend Montana's! 

5. Mandarin

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Never in my life have I had better Chinese food.. EVER! Its a little pricey but if you can really eat than I think its worth every penny, actually I think regardless the food is soooo darn good its worth every penny! The fresh fruit bar, extensive salad bar, Chinese food, American food, breads, seafood, desserts.. my mouths watering. When we were in Canada last summer I was dying for Mandarin, so we decided to order some but the one closest to my parents was under renovation so it didn't happen.. I was beyond disappointed! You honestly cannot beat this food, there is something for everyone without a doubt and the food is always fresh, it never sits out long because its gone or they replace it with hot fresh stuff. I cant say enough good things about this place, I would go back today just to eat here. Thinking about it this much next time we are in Canada I am absolutely going here. Period. 

Ha.. funny side story. Last time we actually went into a Mandarin restaurant was with my parents and Jason was sooo hung over from the night before. He spent most of the meal in the bathroom, and let me tell you Jason never misses out on a good buffet so you know he was sick. But I specifically remember he was basically laying on the front of the truck when we were leaving and ended asking my Dad to drive home because he just couldn't do it. HAHA! Good times!

6. Booster Juice 

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OK this technically isn't a restaurant, I know this.. but none the less its a place in Canada to buy food that I miss so I included it anyways. Jason and I are addicted to Booster Juice, I can honestly say that we have never tried any of their actual food we only get the smoothies but they are sooo good! Me being the creature of habit I am I get the same thing every time.. the Pineapple Freeze I believe! It is seriously amazing, all fresh fruit, low fat yogurt and you can add boosters. If you are wondering what the heck a booster is let me explain, you can get vitamins, proteins, etc put into your smoothie! I get the 'Go Girl' booster.. because its a combination of all of the above. If you are looking for something tasty after a work out, or maybe a meal replacement on the go, this is your go to! They are often in gyms or close to them... how clever are they? They sadly don't have drive thru's but are worth the wait. Jamba Juice in the States sadly just doesn't compare. 

7. New York Fries 

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Who doesn't want some part of that picture above? I swear I know they have other food but I have only ever had their fries! Their amazing hand cut cooked in front of you french fries.. they are good enough to eat on your own but why would you when you can get them all dressed up? I am really not a lover of poutine but New York Fries poutine is in a league of their own and recently I have been told they have added pulled pork poutines to their repertoire! TO. DIE. FOR. If you are not sure what poutine is, top left. French fries with cheese curds (traditionally) and gravy.. gooey, cheesy, goodness! Stop reading and go, I won't hold it against you. 

8. Boston Pizza

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Right there.. those potatoes wedges are why I love Boston Pizza so much! They put this awesome BBQ sauce on them and this white sauce that is similar to ranch.. AMAZING! I won't lie I once had a bad experience at Boston Pizza where they served cold pizza and a pitcher of flat beer.. totally unacceptable! But they have really awesome food and some of it totally innovative. The pizza burger (click link and see picture on the left) who clever is that? Their spicy perogy pizza, pulled pork pizza, the kung pow chicken pizza.. need I go on? The desserts are pretty good too! When we lived in Estevan this was basically the only restaurant there and therefore we went there a decent amount and tried a bunch of different things.. I would recommend their pasta as well. 

So that's it.. I am officially starving and craving all things I cant have, gotta love when that happens! If you are planning a trip to Canada I highly recommend trying one of these spots, I honestly don't think you would leave disappointed, if you live in Canada.. well lucky you! 

Weekend Recap - Brantley Gilbert & NYC

Oh guys, I actually wrote this post on Sunday because basically I couldn't help myself! I was so good last week about having posts ready to go that I didn't both to just insert on Sunday but I had to write it then because I had the best Saturday and was still on a high Sunday.. what better time to tell you about it.

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE our weekends? I feel like every Monday rolls around lately and I am telling everyone that we had THE BEST WEEKEND EVER.. but they all are, in completely different ways. I am still in love with our weekend in Pennsylvania, kayaking and all but this weekend was completely different and equally as fantastic in a completely different way!

For years (since before we went to Alaska) I have loved Brantley Gilbert and basically worn his CD out, for the most part if I have been out in the truck alone Jason can bet when he gets in it the next time that will be what is on the radio so when Jason mentioned last week that he would be in town this weekend we jumped on the chance to go. God love Jason, he had to work 12 hours the next day but loves me and does things that make me happy got tickets knowing we would be out really late. I suppose he wanted to see him too but I swear if it wasn't for my dying to see him I doubt he would have went.. how lucky am I?

So we had a really lazy early Saturday morning and then Jason went to the gym while I laid around and read and got ready. We didn't head into New York until later on in the day, we caught the PATH station outside the apartment to 23rd Street and just decided to walk around. We have only been into the city once since we have been here and I know that seems weird seeings how when we lived there I loved it more than anything but now I honestly cant be bothered. Anyways we got into the city grabbed a Starbucks and toured around for awhile before heading to Blue Smoke for lunch. The guys at work had raved to Jason about this place being the best BBQ and I'm not going to lie I was skeptical but thought we would try it anyways. Let me tell you I think those guys have been in South America too long because honestly it sucked!! Maybe the other location is better, we went to the one on East 27th Street in the Flatiron district and it wasn't good, the portions were SO SMALL and it was WAY over priced, but I expect that in the city. My pulled pork was dry and had no smoke flavor at all, I felt like fries for a change and only 5 came.. I kid you not. Jason said his sandwich wasn't bad but for 2 sandwiches with barely a side and a beer each I almost died when the check came.. I miss the south, oh how I miss the south. I was honestly disappointed that we had wasted out lunch outing on that place.. because it truly was a waste.

However they did have cool coasters, that's something right?







So we left there ready to tour around before heading to the Pier for the concert.

The Flatiron Building. 

Art work in Bryant Park. 

The Empire State Building. 

This guy was at Rockefeller Center put on my Jeff Koons referred to as the Split Rock. Jeff Koons also has an exhibit opening at the Whitney Museum of American Art. This piece is over 37 feet high and has over 50,000 flower plantings, it has previously been on display in Paris as well as Maryland. It was really beautiful and naturally getting lots of attention from tourist. 

Believe it or not the entire time we lived in New York I never got one picture of this sign that I can remember. Its nearly impossible to get a picture without someone posing with it, there was a line up of people waiting which I didn't care to do, so you got this girl! 

After touring around the city we had some time to kill before we needed to get in line for the concert, the city was super busy with some kind of cultural fair going on, I mean busier than usual so we were anxious to find a quiet spot. What are the odds that the first place we would land on would be PJ Clarks! This is one place in the city I actually LOVED and had really wanted to go back to if we had the chance, so I was glad we stumbled upon it. We weren't thrilled with the $9.00 beers (quite a jump from the $3.00 ones we get at home) so we had one and made our way down to the pier. 

The concert was all general admission and for some reason when we arrived I wasn't expecting a line but there was one, we still managed to get an AMAZING spot though. We waited in line for 45 minutes to an hour and then went in. Beers were even more expensive there, $13.00 a pop so I opted out but Jason later found $16.00 on the ground so got one.. haha! 

We met some people in the crowd who were up from Georgia and chatted with them, no one was really away whether or not there would be an opening act as it didn't say when we purchased the tickets. Turns out there was and her name was Sonia Leigh! I had never heard of her before but apparently she is something to see down in Nashville. I thought she was really great, her band was fun and she had a really raspy voice that reminded me a lot of Janis Joplin. If you get a chance check her out on iTunes or Youtube, her song 'Put it in your pocket' is really good. 

Sonia Leigh

Seriously perfect night.

After her it was time.. it was time for BRANTLEY GILBERT!! Seriously I was so excited, I was excited to see him to begin with but then we were so close to the stage and it was a GORGEOUS night that I was practically over the moon before he even came out! Guys I am warning your right now, I am going to over share pictures.. I took like 300, I couldn't help myself I knew they wouldn't all come out anyways. 

We go to a decent amount of concerts and honestly as much as you may like someone it doesn't mean they are going to be all that great live, some just aren't, you get a bad seat, sound sucks, venue sucks.. you never know! Jason had read that the sound at BG concerts weren't always that great but let me tell you whoever said that was so wrong! He put on an awesome show, his band was absolutely amazing.. we had a blast!! 

The crowd here was super interesting, I didn't really know what to expect because he is country with a rock edge which can draw a variety. The crowd beside us was young and from Virginia they smoked pot and spit on each other (far enough away that I didn't want to yell at them but close enough them I could see what was going on), the group on the other side of us was older ladies in shirts that said "workin, spittin, huntin' & fishin... stone cold country but the grace of god" haha song lyrics, did I mention the shirts were camo? Then the group a little ways behind us were all significantly older, extremely intoxicated and yelling the F word while asking everyone around them to join them in selfies which they proceeded to take with a disposable camera! HA! There were a lot of people are age as well, a ton of single women as BG is single and well nice to look at! 

Sorry for the grainy iPhone pictures but I truly think in this case something is better than nothing. 

This guy with him was AMAZING! He put on an awesome show as well!

I hated to see the show end but due to people complaining about noise from the Pier concerts everything has to be shut down by 10pm.. SUCKS! Getting out of there wasn't bad, there were only 6,000 people there which is a lot but not really if you consider how much more a lot of venues can hold. We headed out of there and straight for a pizza place as we hadn't eaten anything since lunch and Jason was about ready to faint! The good thing about NYC is there is pizza joints on every corner so we found the first one and grabbed a slice (or in Jason's case two slices a pop and a cannoli). After that we headed to the subway at 57th & 7th... it was too late to hit up Argo tea but man do I love that place! We switched to a PATH train at 33rd St. which I get you have to take a different train back to New Jersey but the fact that you have to pay again is crap! (Oh and did I mention the first time we went into the city we got new Metro cards and put $20.00 on each, I used my to go there and back and haven't used it since and now it wont work?) So we got on the PATH train which on the weekend is extra long because it goes through Hoboken (pain in the ass) by the time we got home we were tired and poor Jason's feet were so sore. He had a super busy and long week at work where he spends most of his time on his feet and then we walked around the city all day and stood for the entire concert and then all the way back! 

Jason was up and out before 6:00am Sunday morning which I felt really bad about but honestly I think he thinks it was worth it! He agreed that the concert was AWESOME! 

If you get the chance get tickets and see Brantley Gilbert, he is AWESOME and like I said.. nice to look at! 

I hope you all had a great weekend, I certainly did! 

Recipes I Want to Try

Good Morning,

Do you ever get in a dinner funk? Feel like you are eating the same thing over and over again and just get tired of it? We totally fall into that trap and its even worse when Jason ends up working really long hours and we tend to not to want to be eating bigger meals later or we don't eat together at all.

I really rely on Pinterest to hook me up with new ideas of things to make! I try to pick out a few recipes at the beginning of the week and make a grocery list based on those recipes. I try to plan the weeks meals ahead of time as well, not that I am not flexible as to what days but knowing when they are going to fall into my week and having what I need works out really well for me.

Personally I cant plan to go to the grocery store everyday, mostly because I hate that place but lets be honest you always leave with a lot more than you went in with! It ends up being more costly so planning ahead has a lot of benefits. I also find if you buy everything you need all in one stop when you get home you can prepare everything so each meal is made a little easier because the prep time is cut way down. You know, wash and cut your veggies, chop veggies for certain dishes, etc. We generally buy meats in more bulk like packages and therefore separate it into smaller portions according to what will be needed for each meal (Jason does this to be honest because I don't really care for touching raw meat).

So here are some recipes that are on my list to try in the near future, I thought I would share as they may just work nicely into your dinner routine as well.

1. Chicken Parmesan Casserole

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I actually found this recipe on Pinterest but with the click of a button it took me back to its original origin of the Thriving Home Blog. I will say the thing I like about casseroles is the fact that you can make them ahead of time, which I usually do! If I know I am going to be busy during the day I try and make the casserole in the morning so I can just pop it into the oven and be done with it for dinner. I do however like the option of making them ahead and freezing them as well. Its great for it I am at home or something and Jason is on his own for meals and working all day, I will make some casseroles ahead of time, he can take them out in the morning and then pop them in when he gets home. Easy peasy right?

If you would like to try this recipe feel free to click on the name of the recipe above or view my Pinterest RECIPES board HERE.

2. BBQ Chicken Stuffed Baked Sweet Potato 

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Doesn't that look DIVINE? Jason is not a lover of sweet potatoes and so making them a regular on the menu doesn't go over well. I thought it we maybe spiced up the sweet potato it might get Jason on board with a healthier version of the potato. The above picture shows shredded chicken, salsa, etc which I think is fantastic but you can really make it your own as well. Chipotle pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket.. whatever your heart desires. This would be a really easy and satisfying meal. 

Again if you would like to check this out feel free to wonder on over to my RECIPES board HERE or click the name of the meal above to go to its original post! 

3. Bruschetta Bar

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Its no secret to anyone that knows me that I don't particularly care for a big meal.. ever. Jason is really a meat and potatoes kind of guy so dinner like this are not really his favorite. However I think this may be something that kind of meets in the middle. I absolutely LOVE bruschetta and although traditionally it is made with tomatoes you can really make it your own and with that option I think Jason could find something he liked. Sometimes its nice to have options and variety in a meal and I feel like that would give you just that, and with that all the leftovers you may have from this meal can make wonderful additions to another meal later in the week. 

This is on my Pinterest RECIPES board as well, or you can click above!

4. Penne with Mushroom & Turkey Sausage

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First of all who even knew William & Sonoma had a blog? I'm not going to lie we like pasta around these parts but not in a huge variety.. I am picky about the actual pasta and Jason is picky about everything else. This pasta came across my attention on Pinterest and I really think it would be a really great change in our pasta rotation and something we would both really enjoy. I don't like cream sauces and I get tired of red sauces so the idea of having a pasta so flavorful from its components versus the sauce seems like a really great alternative. This is high on my list of things to try and the cool weather approaches. 

I think you should all definitely check out the William and Sonoma Blog but if you just want to save the recipe for future reference find it HERE on my Pinterest RECIPES board. 

5. Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

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This is all me, I couldn't get Jason to eat this if my life depended on it.. he loves enchiladas but he would never eat the squash. I went through a phase where all I wanted to eat was spaghetti squash with roasted chicken, grape tomatoes and lots of garlic! These spaghetti squash boats are a huge thing and I am all about it! There are tons of different recipes but this is the one I am interested in trying! This really is a quick recipe so why not add it in this week and give it a whirl? Make it your own, try something new! 

If you're as interested as I am click HERE to visit my Pinterest RECIPES board. 

So those are the top 5 recipes I am anxious to try right now! What are some of your favorite recipes or ones that you are interested in trying? Sharing recipes is a great way to try something new and find new favorites!! 

Favorite iPhone Apps

Come on, you know you are addicted to you phone we all are.. honestly I don't think its anything to be ashamed of. I think part of our addiction or attachment lets say is the convenience. How often are you somewhere and need an answer to something and pull up an app that leaves the unknown right at your finger tips.

I really have limited my phone as previously mentioned because I never want someone in my presence to think that whatever I am doing on my phone is more important than they are. Don't get me wrong while out during the day I will check my email because that is how Jason and I communicate during the day, and generally plan any dinner or outings, etc. If Jason and I are laying around at home I will be on Pinterest or text people but I try to make it less of a go to then it use to be.. not meaning that it isn't in my hand most of the time, I mean hey I use it for picture!

I do have some favorite apps though and I thought I would stop by today and share them with you just in case you don't have them and want something else to be addicted to. Maybe one of these will change your life, or make it easier.. that is what they are all about after all.

1. Pinterest

 

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I might dare to say Pinterest is my favorite app! I usually lay in bed at night a peruse the endless ideas, clothing options, shoes and recipes that this GENIUS website has to offer. Honestly I cant for the life of me tell you who came up with this idea but they deserve a medal and a lot of money.. and maybe even a Nobel Prize! I mean this is the most clever and addicting app I have ever used, literally everything is at your finger tips! EVERYTHING! If you don't have a Pinterest account GET ONE, trust me.. this one really will change your life. You will spend countless hours on here because above all else its interesting, and creative and makes you want to be creative. You try new recipes to things you never thought you would like, you do crafts because it makes you believe you can and need said completed craft in your life, it gifts you outfit ideas and closet envy! It will give you just about anything you ask of it. Who wouldn't want to be apart of that? I'm so thankful to my Momma for making me realize my life wouldn't be complete without it, as always.. she was right!

2. Bloglovin'

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Do you follow me on Bloglovin? If not please slide on over to the right side and do so! Honestly if you are a follower of multiple blogs or would like to be Bloglovin' is really the way to do it, it allows you to get all the blogs you follow into one place and much easier to read. Every morning when I wake up before I even get out of bed I open up my Bloglovin' and read all the new blogs that have been published that day, how convenient right? I love blogs, I look forward to seeing what everyone is going to write about everyday and that is exactly how I start my day, pretty much everyday! As a blogger associated with Bloglovin' once a week I get an email from them letting me know what blogs of mine were liked, how many people read them via bloglovin' and anytime someone new follows me I get to know them just a little because their profile will appear. This is a app that makes my life easier, it makes following multiple blogs possible and I love that. 

3. Instagram

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I am probably most interested/ obsessed with Instagram, its basically the only form of social media that involves keeping up with peoples lives (besides blogs but those are mostly people I don't actually know in real life) that I don't get to see everyday. I like sharing my pictures and the fact that the app allows for filters that only enhance your pictures, I really enjoy seeing what other people are up too and wanting to share. I would say this may be my favorite app.. but I cant be sure! I will say its a great way for me to stay in touch with people and I love that. 

4. Shazam

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How many times have you been in the car or in a store and a song comes and you either really like it and wish you knew the name of it or know the song and cant think of the name of it... well Shazam is going to solve all your problems. This was the one app I was really looking forward to getting when I got my iPhone and truth be told I use it a lot. I really like as well when I use it and the song comes up that it tags it for it me and makes a list because otherwise I would forget. Plus you can listen to an excerpt from the song, what more could you ask for?

5. NFL Mobile

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Was there any doubt? This stays on my phone all year long because I like to read whats going on during the off season, draft, training, etc. During the on season I like to know what games are coming, what time they are playing, I like to check the scores of the games we are not getting on TV and if I can't have access to a TV with the game I want to see I can watch it on my phone via NFL mobile. I mean its basically a necessity for any football fan! I don't use it as much during the off season but I also don't bet during the off season. I feel like this app speaks for itself, if you don't have it go and get it! ITS FREE! 

6. Weather Channel

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Let me just say that this is one of many weather apps and I am told this is an American app so you may get more of accurate Canadian weather using another one. I will also say that I think all weather apps, stations and people lie, they pull the weather out of their ass because half the time what the app says isn't what is going on outside, I swear last week they called for rain all week and we got it once. The weather is a crap shoot, we can predict mother nature but this app tells me more then I would know about the day on my own so I cant help but rely on it. So every morning I decide my outfit based on what this bad boy tells me the say is going to be like. Sometimes it lies and I end up freezing my ass off.. such is life, we have to rely on something right?

7. Runtastic

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This is one of my newest apps and I love it, I currently have the regular one but it is my intention to purchase the pro one for $4.99 because I love it that much. When I turn this baby on (although it drains my battery a little faster) and head out, when I get back it tells me how far I went in miles and shows me on a map, it tells me how many calories I burned and how long it took me! I can use it when I go out for a leisurely walk or a run and it keeps track! I will be honest I am actually addicted to this app and because of it I am dying for a GPS watch that does the same so I can use it no matter what kind of work out I am doing and not have to have my phone in my pocket. The only complaint I have and its only because I don't have facebook is because it constantly wants me to link to facebook so I can share my workout with everyone.. it annoys me, is nothing in this world sacred? But that is so minor compared so all the fantastic things it does! For me its actually motivating and that's aces in my books!

8. Key Ring

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This is another new app that brings the greatest convenience to my life and possibly savings! With this app it allows you to take a picture of the barcodes on all of your points cards and savings card associated with stores you shop at. It allows you take store a picture of the front and back of the cards as well so instead of having 5000 cards in your purse like I usually do you have ZERO! Tanya brought this to my attention awhile ago and I seriously was able to scan in all my cards plus the pictures of front and back of all the cards in less than 20 minutes. It lists them in alphabetical order on the app and therefore easy to locate when in line at any store. I took all the cards out of my wallet and couldn't be happier about that. You still get your points or savings, you don't have to dig through your purse and hold anyone up or walk away without the savings because you couldn't find the card you were looking for, you always have your phone! I love anything that makes my life easier. 

The app store on your phone is really something to be explored, I won't list all the apps on my phone although I bet I have a lot less than most people as I seriously hate clutter anywhere in my life. I have a folder on my phone for all of our apps that correspond with our home, such as..

• My D Link Lite - We have cameras in our house so we can check on things when we aren't there and it has a convenient app that allows me to view the camera and move it all around to see whatever I want, its absolutely fantastic. It is associated with our camera so although the app is free you have to buy the camera. 
• We have an alarm app as well, I am not going to link that here because I don't think I need to advertise our alarm company and what not but none the less it allows us to go in and turn the alarm on and off as well as adjust the settings. We can view all the alarm activity as in when it was turned on and off and by who, etc. Its extremely convenient if we want to turn the alarm off because someone is coming to check on the house and then turn it back on. 
• Honeywell Thermostat - This allows us to view the temperature of our home at all times from afar, we can adjust the heat or air at our leisure. When viewing this app it allows shows you the temperature outside your home as well at the percentage of humidity. We can set the thermostat to send us an alarm when the house reaches a certain temperature so we can turn on the heat or air as well. Being away from the house at different times this allows us to maintain a healthy climate within the house and prevent damages that could be caused. 

At this point pretty much all banks have apps that allow you to do all your banking right from your phone, every TV network has an app that allows you to watch you favorite shows if you miss them. I mean if someone is addicted to their phone can you blame them??

Tell me what are some of your favorite apps and why? Maybe I could use them in my life!!