Asparagus!!! Literally the only veggie besides corn my hubby and I actually agree is delicious. My husband won’t even eat delicious potatoes and I force feed corn!!!! Ughhh..... It’s madness I tell you!!! So I find myself making every variation of asparagus I can since it’s one of the only veggies he will eat.

Since everything bagel seasoning has been my jam this year, I thought I would experiment with tossing it on asparagus one evening and omg!!!! So delicious!!!! I had to make it again and take pictures to share with y’all!!! So yum!!!

Pre-heat oven to 420 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the asparagus on the baking sheet. Drizzle evenly with melted butter.

Sprinkle evenly with the everything bagel seasoning. Bake for 15 minutes.

Serve & Enjoy!

It’s been rainy the past few days, so I’ve traded in my grill and smoker for a little air fryer fun!!! My daughter has just discovered bagel bites, so I thought it would be a fun raining afternoon activity to make homemade air fryer bagel bites with her!! A great way to keep her entertained while playing with one of my favorite kitchen accessories!

We purchased a bag of mini bagels from Aldi. Mini pepperoni from Wegmans along with some sauce and cheese and we bagel pizza’d the afternoon away! So yum!!!

​Enjoy!

• Mini Bagels
• ​Pizza Sauce
• Mini Pepperoni
​ ​• Mozzarella Cheese

Slice bagels in half. Coat with pizza sauce.

Ahhhh the dreaded back to school topic!!!! It’s literally the biggest thing on any parents mind right now. Whatever decision we make when it comes to the school thing, half of our friends will think we are being totally reckless when the other half will point those fingers saying we are filling our kids heads with propaganda.

If you’re a parent like myself, you are the worst teacher EVER despite being a total control freak who usually runs the tightest ship ever ever. Homeschool is legit our biggest nightmare. One of the only things we admit we totally fail at.

If this pandemic taught me anything, it’s that teachers are the most amazing people on this planet and definitely do not get enough credit. No amount of degrees and training could turn someone like me into an individual who has the super powers to teach my own child. That takes some serious dedication and talent to learn those skills!

Since our school district and many others around the county only have two options, hybrid and virtual, I figured it was time to end my temper tantrum and partner with someone that actually knows homeschooling to share some knowledge.

Our fabulous contributor is nameless at this moment, but hopefully if this takes off, she will want to take the credit for herself since I have absolutely nothing to do with these very helpful printables besides writing and pressing the publish button lol....

Feel free to print this handy dandy My Homeschool Planner for totally free!!! Each page picture has a link underneath to download!

​Hope your kiddos get use of this planner!

Oatmeal cookies!!! Such a classic recipe! So classic I can’t believe in all of the years I’ve been blogging, I never posted a recipe. Shame on me lol...

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pour Oats, Egg Whites, Brown Sugar & Melted Butter into a mixing bowl. Mix Well.

We just returned from a fabulous staycation weekend at Splash Lagoon located a whole 45 minutes away in Erie, Pennsylvania! That’s right!!! It doesn’t get anymore staycation than that!!!

Our Splash Lagoon getaway was actually the very first time we have “traveled” anywhere since our last Disney Trip in February due to covid travel restrictions. We were itching for a getaway, but with pretty much every state on the New York travel ban list, our kid-friendly options were pretty slim.

Did we feel safe with all of the rules and regulations?!? What were the rules enforced?!? These were the questions I was flooded with on the gram so I figured I would write EVERYTHING out in one spot for y’all!!!!

I think it’s safe to say we all have a love/hate relationship with the damn things! Splash Lagoon is located in Pennsylvania, so they follow the Pennsylvania mask guidelines. You must wear a mask to enter the park. They actually have a mask check at the door.

Forgot you mask? No problem! They have a box of paper masks at the door and the attendant will give you one if you are in need.

Once inside, you can remove your mask when in the actual water park. You do not need wear the mask on any slides. You do however need your mask if you plan on ordering food. Playing any arcade games or decide to do any shopping.

​ Basically if you’re not in the water or walking around the actual waterpark between attractions or chasing kids, you need that mask on.

Splash Lagoon is running at half capacity That number still sounds large until you actually show up to the park. We arrived on a Saturday. A hotel is sold out Saturday so no day passes available and I was shocked at how little people half compacity actually was. It was literally a theme park dream come true. Shortest lines ever!!!!

When we arrived at 11am (opening) there was a line out the door (above). I was like omg! What did we get ourselves into!!?! But then quickly realized that the line was simply a mask check! Once inside, the waterpark was not crowded at all.

Each attraction has a limit. The wave pool was 103 guests. Basketball hoops, 34 guests. The lifeguards were keeping track too. While the wave pool never neared 103 people while we were there, the basketball hoops did later in the afternoon and they were turning kids away.

Security is also present. I spotted several guards asking lifeguards how many guests were in each pool. I overheard this happen several times at different spots around the waterpark. The security guards also walk around the arcade and lobby area making sure guests are wearing masks.

If your still not comfy with crowds after viewing the photos above, I would recommend showing up at opening. After waiting in the mask check line, there was literally no one at the park! We literally walked onto every slide. As it got closer to 4pm, hotel checkin time, the park did get a tad bit more people-y until people started leaving the park for dinner.

The drink policy!!! I’m sure everyone in NY/PA knows by now that drinks cannot be purchased without a food item due to covid. I was very curious how Splash Lagoon was going to handle this one since this literally went into effect 2 days before our trip.

The good news is, you can still get yourself a delicious drink at the bar located next to the wave pool. You can order two drinks with every food item. They offered pizza slices and hot pretzels.

The bad news, all those cute souvenir drink stands. Random beer spots?! Not there. I figured that would be the case, so when I didn’t spot my beloved coconut drink stand, I wasn’t heart broken since I was expecting it. I was just happy they did have a bar open!

Hooch & Blotto’s is the dining/bowling establishment attached to Splash Lagoon & the partner hotels. It’s always a must go place when we hit up Splash Lagoon. Love that there is a sit down dining option on property. Really gives you that vacation vibe since no driving necessary.

Like most restaurants, Hooch & Blotto’s is running at half capacity. Parties sit at every other table seemed to be their seating strategy.

We had the pleasure of staying at the Holiday Inn Express which is connected the Splash Lagoon. When you first check in, there is a sign in the lobby that suggests only one member of each party check in for social distancing reasons. I was the only one checking in, so I’m not sure how strict this policy actually is, but my husband & daughter waited outside while I checked in.

Employees were also all wearing masks! You cannot enter the lobby without a mask on, so make sure you have one with you.

Elevators can only run with 3 people inside unless everyone is from the same household. From what I spotted, everyone was taking the stairs. Even us! We had a room right next to the stairs on the second floor, so it was the fast option for us. I’m assuming most other families took the stairs to avoid people. Not a bad idea if you ask me.

There were also hand sanitizer Stands throughout the hotel so you could randomly disinfect yourself.

The free Buffett breakfast that Holiday Inn Express is famous for however was a tad bit different. No buffet unfortunately, BUT you still get a hot breakfast. You wait in line and an employee hands you your food. Reminded me of a school cafeteria setup.

Unfortunately, this system was a tad bit chaotic for us. The line was pretty long, so we decided to skip the free breakfast and to just have an early lunch. HOWEVER, ​I do want to mention that this had nothing to do with us being scared of covid! The hotel did a great job handling the situation they were dealt with. It was just that long of a line and my daughter is not patient lol....

Did I fell covid safe at Splash Lagoon?!!! Absolutely!!! I honestly felt very safe once I was inside the park. Between the capacity limits and attraction limits, I never once felt uncomfortable. The only issue I can see anyone having is the long mask check line when you first enter the building since people were all over the place. I did however love that Splash Lagoon did hand out masks to people that did not wear one. No excuses not to follow rules and regulations.

Did I feel covid safe at Hooch & Blotto’s?!?! Yes! While we were there early & I can only speak for our experience, there was never a time we were even close to another party. Even bowling, they have it set up every other lane. You never come in contact with anyone outside of your party. You almost get VIP vibes since you’re so secluded from other people.

Did I feel covid safe at the Holiday Inn Express?!? Again, yes! Check in had social distancing rules in place. They enforce a mask policy. The only issue I can see anyone having is with the breakfast line. Then again, there probably isn’t any other way to handle such a thing, so the hotel is doing the best they can with the ever changing rules and regulations so I’m trying to be very understanding!

I would 100% recommend Splash Lagoon as a safe staycation spot for any families residing in New York & Pennsylvania. I honestly felt more safe at Splash Lagoon than I do at places like Walmart!

Mirror mirror on the wall, who has the blingy-ist nails of them all?!?! That would me!!!! And would you believe me when I say these costs me $9.99 on Amazon and not a million dollars from a nail salon?!?!

I’m someone who feels naked without her nails so this whole quarantine life thing where nail salons JUST opened? good luck getting an appointment....... so I have been resorting to press on nails to get by.

I used glue and not the sticky press on strips and didn’t lose a single nail for two days. After two days I had a nail fall off here and there.

I will also note that if you order these, make sure your plans don’t involve a lot of hand projects. While the nails will not budge, the bling does tend to get caught on everything. I guess there is always one price to pay when it comes to anything glam and getting caught is it.

Click Here For Amazon Listing

Ahhhhh old people face potions.... such a love hate relationship with them!!! While I feel like I’m a like wine! I just get more fabulous with age! I do need my daily creams and serums so splurge away I must do. I feel like it’s so cliché, but just like every other old lady on the interwebs, I really wish I could tell my younger self to take care of her skin! A daily skincare routine would have made such a difference. Maybe I could have held off a year or two before spending those big bucks on magical products.

Charlotte Tilbury

​I am NOT on the Charlotte Tilbury PR list, but I was gifted a full size bottle of the Magic Serum in exchange for a shoutout in an insta story. When I googled it and saw that price tag of $80 I was pretty ecstatic so I said hell yeah!! With a price like that I was really hoping for a facelift in a bottle lol.... but would it live up to the price?!??

​Details

A Vitamin C and Polyglutamic Acid anti-aging serum that reduces appearance of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, visibly brightens, and plumps skin for flawless makeup application.

​

​Opinion

I was very hesitant to write up this post because omg!!! The other Charlotte Tilbury products I have tried?!? Ahhhhh!!!! Would love a spot on the PR list for those goodies!!! However, this is going to be the most boring review of all times. Was the serum $80 splurge-worthy?!? Honestly, I wasn’t crazy about it. I am using the bottle up before purchasing something new, but it’s not an omg must splurge $80 serum. I’ve been gifted other serums for half the price that gave me faster results.

I have dark spots from tanning my life away back in the Jersey Shore days, so I’m always looking for a serum that will diminish the appearance of those spots. The Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum wasn’t the magic potion I was hoping for in that area, but it does make my skin feel silky smooth and I do see fine lines fading away gradually. Slow and steady wins the race with this serum I guess.

Everything Bagel Seasoning is literally the foodie crazy right now... STILL! I thought it would be one of those trends that last a minute until the next yummy thing popped up on the internet, but here we are almost a year later and everything bagel seasoning is still going strong! People just can’t get enough lol....

I’ll be honest, I didn’t jump on the everything bagel bandwagon at first. I assumed I was a hater since I had an everything bagel back when I was like 5 and hated it. When I was at Disney back in February that all changed when I took a bite of an everything bagel at the free breakfast our airport hotel was serving. I’ve been hooked ever since lol.

So my latest everything bagel creation is a dip since my Air Fryer Everything Bagels were such a hit! Basically the same ingredients as a basic French onion dip, I just swapped the onion for everything bagel seasoning!

Enjoy!

• 8oz Whipped Cream Cheese​
• 8oz Sour Cream
• 3 Tbs Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Bagel Chips
• Carrots ​

Omg y’all!!! Can it be?!?! A post that has zero to do with food!!?? Honestly, it’s been a tad bit hard for me to talk about anything but lately simply for the fact that the world is legit insane right now. I don’t want to be promoting things that can be hazardous to anyone, so I’ve been blogging all things food since the only place one needs to wander is the kitchen to make that yumminess happen!

With the world slowly opening up depending where you call home, I figured it’s time for me to talk about passions of mine that don’t involve the kitchen!

This weekend my family & I will be traveling a whole 45 minutes away for a mini staycation! Our first getaway since February. With many others planning road trips a tad bit further, I thought it would be fun to share a few road trip games to keep the kiddos occupied. I know many New Yorkers are heading to places like the Poconos and the Shore, so download these 4 games to make sure that car ride is a smooth one!

​Enjoy!

One of my all time favorite appetizers is deep fried lasagna from a Olive Garden! Since I having quite mastered lasagna yet. I make the best sauce ever for a non-Italian girl, but my lasagna still needs a little bit more work to not taste so American like..... I figured I would dabble one the next best thing! Cheese Ravioli!!! I battered frozen cheese ravioli’s up and tossed them in my handy dandy air fryer and omg!!! So yum. I literally could not stop eating them when I was taking pics for the blog!!!!

​Enjoy!!!

Omg another Air Fryer recipe lol.... sorry y’all, I’m hooked. Air Fryers are legit the Easy Bake Oven for adults & im living every minute of playing with mine.

Over the weekend my daughter and I made air fryer strawberry Poptarts! We used store bought pie crusts and used strawberry jelly as filling! So yum! So easy to make! Enjoy!

• Pre-Made Pie Crust​
• StrawberryJelly
• Vanilla Icing
• Sprinkles
• 1 Egg​

Remove from air fryer and smother in icing.​ Sprinkle away!

Air Frying candy has been my thing the past few days! First I made Air Fryer Reese’s . Then Air Fryer Oreos! And now we have moved onto Air Fryer Snickers!!!! Enjoy!!!

Wrap the crescent roll around the Snickers . Spray with cooking spray. Place in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes at 320 degrees.

My hubby’s favorite candy?!?! Reese’s! If you’re new here, I have loads of Reese’s recipes. Reese’s Pies, Reese’s Cookies ! Reese’s Dips ! You name it, it’s probably here lol. Just type Reese’s in the search bar and you will have so many options you may get a tad bit overwhelmed lol.... one thing I never shot for the blog however is Air Fryer Reese’s. A fair favorite, but with a twist! The air fryer instead of oil! Makes cleanup so much easier since oil ughh.... the aftermath is never fun.

• Frozen Reese’s​
• Crescent Rolls
• Cooking Spray
• Powered Sugar ​

Unroll the crescent rolls. Place 1 Frozen Reese’s in the center of each individual crescent roll. Frozen Reese’s will prevent melting too much in the air fryer!

Wrap the crescent roll around the Reese’s. Spray with cooking spray. Place in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes at 320 degrees.

July 4th is just days away!!!!! I know s’mores are so fun to make BUT how many of you have struggled with super little ones making s’mores over a fire while you’re trying to entertain family and friends?!? Let be real, it’s a freaking pain lol.... s’mores pies however?!?? My favorite s’mores hack!!!

​Enjoy!!!

• Mini Gram Pie Crusts
• Chocolate Pudding Cups
• Mini Marshmallows
• Chocolate Sprinkles ​

Patriotic Edible Cookie Dough?!?! Why not! I was craving cookie dough, had a large container of patriotic sprinkles left from my flag day red, white & blue craze, so I USA’d up a batch of cookie dough!!! So yum! So easy to make and WAY cheaper than buying at any store. Enjoy!

Microwave the flour for 2 minutes in a microwave safe bowl. Once heated, add butter and sugar to the flour. Mix well.