Red Robin Smoky Jack Tavern Double Burger - Review

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Red Robin Smoky Jack Tavern Double with endless fries and a side of ranch dressing for dipping. The barbecue sauce is smoky with sweet with a hint of bourbon whiskey and really makes the burger. #Red Robin #SmokeyJacTavernDouble #whiskeyriverbarbecue #BottomlessFries #ranchdippingsauce

A post shared by Kathryn (@kmomcrafter) on Dec 23, 2018 at 1:26pm PST

I shared this on my Instagram page and thought I would share it here as well.

I had previously signed up for Red Robin Royalty with is a free loyalty program on their website and texted "JOIN" to 98666 (they previously discontinued their app) and received a "Buy One Burger Get One Free" coupon.

The above burger was a little over $7.99 plus tax on their "Tavern" menu, which our waitress pointed out is smaller than the premium burgers, which the coupon was good for as well, but we were fine with the smaller burger.

This sandwich is a simple on with the addition of the barbecue sauce, but as I indicated in my Instagram, the sauce is really what makes the burger better.

It  two burgers topped with a bourbon whiskey barbecue sauce, Pepper Jack Cheese, red onions, pickles, lettuce and mayo.

Their burgers included their "Bottomless Fries" on the side, which means you can order as many side of fries.  We usually order mayo on the side but we were asked if we wanted to try their Ranch or Campfire Mayo sauce. Above pictured is the Ranch, which was not quite a good as Hidden Valley's Ranch Dressing.

I also tried the Campfire Mayo (not pictured) and it was a light orange color but mostly was a smoky sweet flavor with a slight tang that was neither tastes of ketchup or mayo.  It was not something I cared for, but I could see many other people that like that sort of flavor enjoying it.

Even with two soft drinks our total bill before tip was under $20 and even with a 20% tip was under $22.00 and was simple as we we only had to enter my phone number in the kiosk that was at the table.

The burger is something I would purchased again, but I would probably ask for an additional side of the barbecue sauce to be sure the entire burger was completely covered (there were a few small spots along the edge that weren't) even if I have to eat it with a fork and knife.

I will give a warning on the games on the at table kiosk as we had a situation at Applebees where we thought the game was free and we were charged $2.99 and there was no indication of that there was a free prior to starting the game.  I suggest avoiding them and enjoy a conversation with the party(ies) you are dining with instead.

Advent of Kindness Calendar for December

In today's day and age the retail pushing Christmas deals even before Halloween we can get so lost in buying presents and worrying about making the day special we forget to make everyday special and give acts of kindness.  

A co-worker posted the above on Facebook and I thought I would share it here as they are simple acts that almost anyone can do.

Jesus is the reason for the Season and God gave us the ultimate gift and we should try to pay it forward when we can.

Little Caesar's "ExtraMostBestest" Pizza Promotion

Little Caesar's Pizza started a promotion a month or so again to for a grammatically incorrect "Extramostbestest" pizza that you can create with 1 to 4 toppings with topping that are to be "edge to edge" starting at $6, but up to $11.25 + tax if you "build your own" with 4 toppings, but they do have $10 for a Veggie or Supreme (and prices may vary based on what region in the U.S. that you live).

The flyer I received encouraged using their mobile phone app, but I decided to stop in and see if it was an online-only app or if you could order in store.

It was available to order in the store and they also advertise the "make it a meal" where you can add 2 liter of pop and other items for an additional charge.

I place an order for a Pepperoni pizza and sat on a nearby bench and waited about 10 minutes for it to be made/baked. 

Close-up of the "ExtraMostBestest" menu; unfortunately my phone does not have a zoom and some of the detail was lost when cropping.

This is the pizza that I ended up with and I snapped the picture as son as I got in my van, so the pepperoni did not migrate to the center during transporting it; it came that way.

It did have a lot more than a typical pepperoni pizza we had purchased in the past, but it is not quite "edge to edge".  I think the additional pepperoni and cheese does improve the flavor and texture of the pizza in comparison to a regular Pepperoni.  A drawback is the extra topping also add extra calories, around 300 more for this pizza so it is another factor to consider.

In comparison to other take-out pizzas it seem like there sauce is mostly just tomato and lacks spices and their crust lacks the yeasty bread taste and more like a quick bread.

While this is not my favorite pizza place, it Little Caeser's, it is to most affordable one and is a good deal if you need to feed a few people on a limited budget and limited on time.  

Winter Squash Infograph

I personally have not ventured much into Squash territory but looking to expand my vegitary repertoire to make healthier food choices, so when came across this on Facebook and thought I would post this here for others that might be a Squash challenged as I am.

The ones I am interested in trying that I never have had before are the Spaghetti and the Kabocha,

What have you worked with or which one would you be interested in trying?


Source of Infograph:  Unknown

Covergirl vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation in 720 Creamy Natural - Review

 As this was an Allure magazine Best of Beauty winner for 2017.   Ulta currently had this product for sale for $11.99 for 1 oz of product, but you may be able to find it cheaper elsewhere, especially with a discount coupon.

I selected shade 720 in Creamy Natural for use with my tan from the Summer.  On the back it indicates it is full coverage, but below you can barely see the swatch. On the Allure site, it indicates light coverage and I would agree with that assessment.  

It does help even out skin tone, but as you can see in the swatch is did not completely cover the freckles at the top of my forearm, just blurred a bit and made them less noticeable.

It does have sunscreen of SPF 20 in it so it is nice not to need a separate sunscreen.  It also contains Vitamins E, B3 and BF and it to give a healthy, natural glow.  I thought it went on more matte on my skin . 

The two issues I do have this product is that by the end of a long, hot day it doesn't look "natural" but dry and a little patchy.  The other is that halfway through the bottle the pump stopped working entirely.   The cap does twist off so you still easily have access to the product, but you have to dump it  out or coax it out with a brush.  I ended up using a cleaned out empty make jar and got as much as I could out of the bottle.   

It is an ok product, but I did not find it to be the winner that it has been touted to be and probably not a product I will purchase again, but mine would a minority opinion as has 4 stars on Ulta with 268 reviews.

Now for the dilemma of Cruelty-free:  As Covergirl is a division of Coty, it has the same policy as Coty, which is it does not test on on animals unless it is still required by law, which mainland China still does. Source: Crueltyfreekitty

Pretty much any and any business that sells beauty products in China must still test on animals as it is required by law, so while mostly Cruelty-Free, it is not 100%.

PROS:

• Evens out skin tone and looks like healthy skin 
• Worked natural going on tanned skin even with a light/medium shade.
• Contains Sunscreen of SPF 20 so protects your skin from UV Rays without need for an additional product.
• Looks nice throughout the day if you are indoors in a climate controlled setting.
• Bottle top does easily screw off if you need access to the product if pump is not working.

CONS:

• Looks unnatural, dry and patchy at the end of long hot day.
• Pump stopped working 1/2 way through the bottle.

Link to $2.00 Covergirl face product at Coupon Sherpa or Ulta currently  has a sale for buy 2 get one free on Covergirl products.

23 Companies That Will Pay for Your College Degree

Although school has already started for Fall sessions, thought I would share the link below from 

Krazy Coupon Lady as an informative post 23 Different Companies That Will Pay For College, which is useful if you are thinking about going to college or know someone who is.  

This could be especially if you are wanting to pursue studies beyond an undergraduate degree as financial aid that is available is even more scarce.

When I worked at Wells Fargo 20 years ago, I took a few classes and received tuition reimbursement upon successful completion of the courses.  They did require it be job related and I had to turn in paperwork and obtain approval ahead of time.  You also believe you have to have above a B to obtain full reimbursement.  I do recall they reimbursed for tuition only; no books, class fees or any other fees.  The downside is you have to come up with the funds in advance and might have to carry finance charges for a few months (I put mine on my credit card).  If you qualify for a student loan, you can pay it down with the reimbursement so you don't have as high of a balance after graduation.

If you are employed and don't want to switch jobs, be sure to check with your Human Resources Department to see if they offer any tuition reimbursement or assistance programs as it isn't something that companies always include mentioning in their orientation program.   

Link to article

Miami Grill - Review

Miami Grill on Bluffton Road shares building with a Marathon Station next door.  While this is casual dining/drive-thru food, don't let the plain Jane exterior fool you.

The decor is bright and modern and makes you feel like you are stepping into warmer climate with the bright colors and wall murals and more upscale than your typical fast food experience.

They serve a wide variety of items including Gyros, Philly Cheesesteak, Miami Subs, Wings, Salad, Seafood, Chicken, a few desserts, breakfast items and a few options for kids meals and even hotdog.  

They also have a sauce bar where you can get small plastic containers to Tzatziki, Buffalo, Chipotle BBQ and a few other dipping sauces and serve Coke Products in via an all-in-one dispenser where you can pick from a vast variety of options.

My favorite thing there is the gyros; they have a good flavor and texture and the outer bread and pillowy and fresh; I think they are better than any other you can get in town.

The only thing I don't like is the music is a little loud and there is something different on each screen, so in that respect it is geared toward the under 30 crowd.  

View toward front counter where orders are placed

Dining area

View looking east toward gas station

Artwork on wall showing rapper Pitbull is a partner in this business franchise.  Miami skyline is on the table tops.

Gyro in a Pita with side of Tzatziki sauce

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches with crispy seasoned fries.  

Miami Grill Menu

Review - Glade Large 6.8 oz Jar Candle - "Nutcracker Delight" - link to 50 cents off Coupon

Glade Large 6.8 oz Jar Candle - "Nutcracker Delight" is a new product that just came out and I purchased this yesterday at a Walmart. although it is not listed on their website yet.

The purchase price was $4.97+ tax ($1.30 per oz) , which sounds expense until you consider that that it contains as much as two of the small jar candles, which ar 3.4oz each run around $2.99 each.  

Sometimes you can find other large jar candles on sale that will come up at less per ounce, but one thing that is consistent with Glade is their candles have a decent throw to scent a room and some less expensive candles smell great when you open the lid in the store, but when you get home and light it you don't smell much of anything.

It is also different in that it has 3 wicks instead of one,  Sometimes with candles with one wick it will burn an areas around an inch or so around the wick and there will still be a lot of wax around the perimeter of the container.  I tested out and below are pictures at different time intervals.  If you burn the candle 2 1/2 hours it will burn even, but the packaging warned not to burn more than 4 hours at a time.

I am not sure what the bumps on the inside of the candle jar are for but have emailed the manufacturer and if I hear back will advise.

I think the the "Nutcracker Delight" scent is described on the packaging as:

"Swirls of roasted hazelnuts and sweet pralines.  Dusted with notes of creamy vanilla bean upon dollops of almond butter."

When I smelled it in the store thought it smelled a bit like Nutella, which is a sandwich spread made out of hazelnuts, but on burning more like toasted nuts with a hint of sweet vanilla buttercream; sort of like a moist nut cake topped with a buttery vanilla icing drizzled over the top.  It has a decent throw so it will fill up a good sized room and make it smell like you have been baking.  I really enjoy the scent and it is something I may purchase again.

Pros:  

• Contains the same amount of product as two small Glade candles that cost $2.99; product cost $4.97.
• Pleasant nutty scent with a hint of vanilla buttercream
• Burns evenly if you burn for at least 2 1/2 hours.
• Consistent good throw on Glade candles.

Cons:  

• Cost may be higher in comparison to larger jar candles.
• Although the outer paperboard wrapping is "green" it is not clear whether or not the jar is recyclable; just indicates to "Discard glass jar after use." (I have emailed the manufacturer on this as well.)

Currently, Glade has a printable coupon for 50 cents off  all candle here if you want to try it for yourself.

***EDIT***9/5/18 - I received a call from Glade today in response to my emails regarding the bumps on the inside of the jar.  

I was advised the bumps was for airflow channeling so it would burn evenly.

The jar is recyclable if you clean all of the wax out and be sure all residue is out before discarding.

30 Minutes 

60 Minutes 

2 hours

2 1/2 hours

Urban Decay Says Goodbye to the Original Naked Palette

Urban Decay announced 2 day ago that they are retiring their original palette that stared the whole "Naked" craze after it launched in mid-2010.  Above is a video they put out about it that I think has too much sexual innuendo as they primarily market their products to 15-30 year olds,

I only buy products from Urban Decay when they are on sale and I had never purchased this before as the price point was $54.   I had never this product seen it go on sale anywhere until now a price of $27, which works out to be $2.25 per pan/color. 

After the announcement, It sold out almost the same day on Urban Decay.  The only place I found it available was at Macy's for $27, which I just ordered, as it is $27 + tax with free standard shipping.

Wet N Wild Goth-O-Graphic MegaGlo Highlighting Stick - Review

This is a recently released limited time offer from Wet and Wild for a small line called "Goth-O-Graphic" and this is a MegaGlow Highlighting stick.  It comes in one shade "Hell-O Darkness".

I purchased for $7.00 with free shipping when ordering through Hush's downloadable app through Apple for I-Phones, but also downloadable on Smart Phones through GooglePlay.  It is also available on Wet N Wild's website or check their store locator  to purchase in store near you.

It comes sealed with a peel off outer layer plastic and when you take off the top lid it is sealed underneath with a smaller lid for added protection, so if you carry it in your purse and the top lid comes off and get all that gunk in your purse on the product or the product gunk up your purse.

At first glance it looks like the product in the tube is silver, but once you swatch it there is a lavender-ish sheen along with the silver and has an pearlescent iridescent holographic sheen.

It is a stick that can be used on cheeks, brow bones, collarbone, decolletage or any area of the body you would like to feature.

My opinion is it is for evening and Winter wear as it would look better on paler skin   

Why?  Because although th website indicates it is formulated to flatter all skin tones, I think it would be more flattering on paler skin and can look a off in the harsh light of day even with a bit of tan and make it look sweaty and only instead of sparkly and magical. 

Also recommend using it sparingly and probably pick one place to highlight. When I first got it I used it where I would normally highlight my face and it was overkill with the above mentioned sweaty look.

I do think that it that looks absolutely beautiful in the evening when it catches the light if you edit yourself and just pick one feature to highlight.

Another plus is it is also Cruelty-Free (not tested on animals).

Swatched on forearm 

Swatched on white paper 

Worn just on the cheekbones below with a light shade of foundation.  It is not as flattering in daylight as it is in evening light when it is the right about of magical sparkly glimmer. 

Cuban Caliente Cafe - Review

As I took off work a little early I had decided to try a late lunch a the Cuban Caliente Cafe downtown as co-workers said the food was good, albeit a bit on the pricey side and I had read rave reviews for their authentic Cuban food other location.  

I did not get a picture of the inside, but there was lots of black painted wood and they have a counter were you can walk in to pick up orders or the server can seat you in the dining room which was the same black wood theme and barren of much decorations but begging for some colorful Cuban culture painting, maps or other decorations on the wall as it is rather dismal  As such, I requested to dine on the patio.

The patio is on the sidewalk and twice there were bike riders on the sidewalk (they are not supposed to be) that had to quickly maneuver around the bikes chained to the parking meter nearby and I was concerned they were not going to make it and end up hitting the fencing, so it you go and sit on the patio would recommend sitting closer to the windows instead of toward the street.  

They carry Coke products for the soft drinks currently for $2.50 a glass with free refills.   

I ordered the Balsero Sandwich for $8.50, which is seasoned ground beef with an egg on top a tomato, pickles and a special sauce.   The sandwich was very large and would be better if they offered 1/2 sandwich for lunch or you might want to split one with a friend.

I had expected the sandwich to have more of a kick and spice; it was sort of like a sloppy joe without the spicy tomato sauce and a little bland for my taste.. Salt and pepper helped a little but the waiter did not offer up hot sauce until I was almost done.  Also would be better if it were served with a side of potato chips.  

Overall the server was attentive as he was juggling the counter, a few tables inside and me outside.

They do have a selection of sides, but none are in English on the menu and none have an explanation of what they are.  I did search afterward and found their menu on Waiter on the Way and it does explain what the side are.

The story behind this place is interesting as it was started by a couple that was exiled from Cuba by Castro and became an American success story, now with their second location downtown - for more information on that visit Caliente's website.

Currently lunch is from 11am to 5pm, I did see a notice in their window they are applying for an alcohol permit so they might be expanding their hours in the future.

The sandwich everyone says is the best is "The Cubano", which is roasted pork, ham and Swiss cheese, with pickles onion and mustard so I do plan on trying that some time.

Location:  

120 W Wayne St
Fort Wayne, IN 46802

•  

• Phone number

• (260) 471-0900

Bath and Body Works Semi-Annual Sale - Some Items as Low as $3.00; Check Your Package Upon Arrival

Bath and Body Works is currently having their Semi-Annual Sale with some products such as lotions and wall fragrances starting at only $3.00.  

You can also get $10 off of a $40 or more purchase with the code GOHAUL.   If you sign up for cash back through Ebates, you can also currently earn 1% cash back on your purchase.

I have been a long-time customer of Bath and Body Works and enjoyed every product I have purchased so far (some more than others due to personal preferences), but I did have an incident after the last Semi-Annual sale with an online purchase.

I had ordered four items and received a box with only one item (picture below).  I figured that that either the items were on backorder or out-of-stock, but upon inspecting the packing list, it indicated the items had been shipped.

I contacted their Customer Service Dept. and inquired about it and they advised that the items had shipped.  I wrote back and indicated my box only contained one, perhaps the items were out of stock and incorrectly marked?   They advised that they do not weigh the box until all items are packed and it weighed 4 lbs and that would be the weight of the items that were shipped.

Actually, this bothered me even more as it seemed to indicate it was not just an oversight during a busy spurt, it would seem like someone would have had to have taken the items out of the box after weighing then shipped.   When I expressed that concern they indicated that perhaps the box was damaged during shipping and re-packaged by the mail carrier.

I advised I had their box and it was not damaged and could send them a picture.  I did point out I was a long-time customer that could be verified with my account history, enjoyed their products and wished to continue to make online purchases but the whole situation but needed to be able to count on getting what I had paid for.  

They did finally agree to send the missing items if still in stock or refund the difference and I was made whole and I did make another purchase after this with no problems.  

I do want to say that the Customer Service responses were prompt and professional and the situation was resolved in 2 days even with back and forth emails.  In life, mistakes happen and I understand that things are going to be perfect all the time.

However, I do recommend opening your box and checking right away to be sure everything is in there.

(As I am still trying to de-clutter, as painful as it is going to be, I will not be purchasing anything during this sale so there will not be a post-sale haul post).

L.A. Colors Color Craze Nail Polish - Color #4 - Review

This was a Dollar Tree purchase for $1 and I have to say the first time I have purchased and L.A. Colors Nail Polish and not been happy with the result, although I absolutely love the beigish color with a hint of a grey undertone.

I think it is because it is a more opaque and not very forgiving of brush lines and although I tried several times, but in fairness though, I think it would do better with a base coat, but for trying out any product I prefer to try just the product on its own.

The above is 2 coats and a touch up to try to make the nail consistent.  I tried several time and never to get an even finish on my nails so it has been relegated to craft projects going forward.

In general, I have found the LA Colors brand  of nail polish will need touch up every day to every other day if you don't use a base and or top coat, but if you are a gal that likes to match her nails to an outfit or a look and change your polish every day it is a very affordable brand to do that with and they usually have a vast array of colors.

PROS

• Inexpensive - only $1- a great way to try out a new color
• Lovely neutral color 
• L A Colors in Cruelty Free per PETAs website

CONS

• Hard not to get brush lines in polish with this color
• Not long lasting - will need touch up every day or so unless you use a base coat and/or a top coat

Nine Mile Restaurant - Review

This is a small restaurant/bar that seems to be in the middle of nowhere on 27 South between Fort Wayne and Decatur, Indiana.

it is a place I took a pass on in the past as I figured it would just be a roadside dive with a minimal menu and barely passable food until a friend advised the food and service was good.

I found I had been missing out as it is a great low key, casual place to get some good comfort food and think about a piece of local history.

While the accommodations are modern, this restaurant/bar is on the site of a historic primitive tavern and store that had been there since 1837 when there were no real roads, just traces of worn paths that had been used by native Indians an was a stop for weary travelers coming to the area to have a drink and a bit of hospitality.   The place is named Nine Mile as it is nine miles from the Allen County Courthouse.

Upon entering the place, the lobby is spacious and has a bench on each side if either side is full up and you would need to wait.  A sign on the podium there indicates they do not accept reservations after 4pm.   The place is divided into two sections:  Bar on the left and restaurant on the right.

On the way into the restaurant there are swinging doors, not the type that you would find in a old saloon, but full length metal ones more like you would see on a boat.  I think it would have more charm it it had the old saloon type of doors but guessing what is there is to cut down on heat/air conditioning loss and noise.

Upon entering, there about a dozen booths and 9 tables and some decorations on the wall, but not high on ambiance.  If the place was full, it would be fairly cramped quarters so if you are the least bit claustrophobic, you would probably want to go during non-peak hours.   It does look like from the website they have patio out back for additional seating during the Summer.  They also offer carry-out.

In browsing the menu it was much larger than I had anticipated.  It had standard bar/pub type food along with comfort food dinners of beef, chicken, and seafood, the latter which is served with two sides.  They serve Pepsi products, but if you want something a little stronger to wet your whistle they do have been, wine and flavored Martinis.

We both ordered the Chopped Sirloin with home fries and a salad for $9.99 and  my guest had his topped with sauteed mushrooms for an additional $1.99.  The salad ingredients were fresh and crisp and the dressing served in a plastic container on the side so you could add what you liked.

The chopped steak was cooked to well done as ordered as well as the home fries which were ordered as extra crispy (many places we have gone never get this right).   Service was excellent with the waitress being friendly, checked back frequently to see if anything needed and refilled drinks and cleared plates without having to ask.

We were going to check out the bar side on the left side but there was a full house and no two seats were available together so we will check it at on a future visit as we do plan on adding this spot to one of our go-to dining spots.

 Lobby

Door between lobby and dining area

Dining area - view from back 

 

Side Salad

Chopped Sirloin with home fries

Chopped steak with home fries topped with sauteed mushrooms

Bar side

History

A few Menu pics

9 Mile Website Restaurant

9 Mile Restaurant Facebook Page