Monday Mashups: Disney Dinner Recaps

We're back! And yes, we had a magical time at Disney. Everything was just as we remembered it. We embraced our inner princess and even ate like royalty with our meal plan. So today, we figured we'd give you a recap on our delicious dinners and where to consider going when visiting Disney!

Sanaa at Animal Kingdom's Kidani Village

At Sanaa you will experience the art of African cooking with Indian flavors, as exotic animals roam the Sunset Savanna before you. Here's a taste of what we ordered:

Indian-style Bread Service
Choice of Five Breads - Traditional Naan, Garlic-Ginger Naan, Spiced Naan, Onion Kucha, or Paneer Paratha
Choice of Accompaniments - Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Mango Chutney, Tomato-Date Jam, Tamarind Chutney, Coriander Chuntey, Garlic Pickle, Red Chile Sambal, or Spicy Jalapeño-Lime Pickle

Potjie Inspired
Butter Chicken, Braised Beef, and Chickpea Wat served with scented Basmati Rice

Grilled New York Strip
Roasted Root Mash, Spice Route Vegetables, and Amarula Steak Sauce

This was one of our favorite meals. Very satisfying after a long day! We highly recommend Sanaa.

Tokyo Dining at Epcot

At Tokyo Dining you can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine and views of World Showcase Lagoon at this sleek, contemporary restaurant. We even got to see the fireworks show from our table! Here's some of what we ordered:

Tropical Roll
Salmon and Avocado Roll topped with Fried Plantain and Mango-Sweet Chili Coulis

Filet Mignon
Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Sweet-Fruity Plum Wine Reduction

Bento Box
Chicken teriyaki, veggie and shrimp tempura, hibachi steak, poke and sushi

We are sushi lovers and this dinner really hit the spot. Everything was extremely fresh and the service was great.

The Boathouse at Disney Springs

Set sail for upscale waterfront dining at the Boathouse—complete with retro dream boats, from vintage American Amphicars to romantic Italian Water Taxis. We sat out on the deck, enjoyed live music, and had the nicest server of all our dining experiences here. This is what we ordered:

Oysters on the Half Shell
Gibsons Bombay Cocktail Sauce, Cucumber Mignonette

Coriander Seared Ahi Tuna
Blistered Shishito Peppers, Soy Lime Vinaigrette, Wasabi Mayo, Sriracha

Filet Mignon Oscar Style (8 ounce)
Jumbo Lump Crab, Asparagus, Béarnaise

Double Chocolate Bundt Cake
Vanilla Ice Cream, Raspberry Coulis, Valrhona Fudge Sauce

Just look at that dessert! Needless to stay, we were stuffed after this meal.

Before you head off on your Disney vacation, do your research! Consider getting a meal plan and check out the best way to utilize it. Don't go hungry, devour the details of our recaps and make your reservation at these delicious recommendations!

Be-dazzle, Be You

Are you a true 90's kid? Do you get as excited as we do when Fuller House flashes-back to the classic Full House episodes? Did you nearly fall off your chair when you found out a replica of The Max from Saved by the Bell actually exists? If you answered yes to all of these things, then you'll appreciate what the ICA has planned for this Friday night. Join us in bedazzling and being you with a beer April 28 from 5-8PM.

The ICA will supply the heat guns, stampers, and bedazzling supplies. While they will also have a limited number of headbands and hair clips handy, they highly recommend that you BYOB (Bring Your Own Basics)—such as plain denim, sunglasses, or a water bottle—with which to get artsy. We could bring a whole wardrobe...and maybe some sweet scrunchies! To add to the fun, the ICA will offer beer samples from Harpoon Brewery for participants who are 21+.

Beers + Bedazzling will take place in the ICA’s lobby, which also plays host to a sculpture from the ICA’s newest exhibit, Nari Ward: Sun Splashed. The rest of the exhibit, which opened Wednesday, will be on view in the West Gallery. It costs no extra fee to bedazzle, just museum admission.

Get your gear lined up and ready to sparkle! Bedazzle while being you this Friday at the ICA and devour the details of your inner 90's kid. (And try to keep the heat gun away from your face!)

Wedding Wednesdays: Before Checking the Dress Off Your List...

We all are eager to 'Say Yes to the Dress' and check it off our wedding to do list. But before you head off to any bridal shop, there are a few things you really should know. From what kind of bra you should bring, to the hidden fees associated with some gowns, The Knot covers all of your dress shopping basics in ten great tips. Here's what you need to know:

1. Limit Your Entourage
Bringing a big group to the salon is a gown shopping don't. Enlist one or two of your closest friends or family members to help you start your search. This way you can find the gown that best suits you and your style and not feel pressured by too many opinions.

2. Hidden Costs Add Up
Remember, your wedding gown budget doesn't just include the dress. Your veil or headpiece, accessories (think jewelry and shoes), undergarments and alterations will also add to your bottom line. Factor in these costs before you give the salesperson your final shopping budget.

3. Undergarments Are Optional
Most bridal shops have a few different types of bras in the fitting room. If you have a favorite strapless style or plan on wearing a particular body shaper, go ahead and bring it. You'll ultimately need your gown-specific undergarments for your first fitting but not your initial appointment.

4. Salons Take Requests
Just because a bridal salon carries your favorite designer doesn't mean it'll have the exact wedding dress you've been wanting to try on. But, if you phone in advance and request a specific style, chances are that a salon staffer will be able to call for a sample of that gown especially for you. It's these little joys that make your dress shopping experience that much sweeter.

5. Don’t Get Discouraged
There are hundreds of bridal designers out there with literally thousands of designs, which makes the odds of you finding a fantastic gown pretty darn good. We know that coming up empty-handed on your first trip can be a letdown, but don't give up. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

6. Shop for Your Body
When trying on dresses, focus less on your weight and more on the shape and frame of your body. Your weight may be constantly fluctuating, especially during highly stressful situations, so don’t let that be the deciding factor in choosing a dress. Concentrate on finding silhouettes that accentuate the features you love and make you feel amazing.

7. Always Book an Appointment 
While you may get lucky and snag a salesperson just by walking in, scheduling an appointment is the only way to ensure you'll get a full hour of undivided attention.

8. It's Okay to Pick Favorites
To help guarantee your gown shopping experience goes smoothly, ask the salon coordinator when you call to book your appointment if she can suggest a favorite saleswoman. Or get recommendations from friends and request a salesperson by name.

9. Skip Day One of Any Sample Sale 
We know you're tempted to get there as soon as the doors open, but shopping on the first day of a sample sale can be overwhelming and crowded. Do yourself a favor and call ahead to ask how many days the sale will run. Then go on one of the later dates. You want to make sure you have plenty of time and space to browse and try on.

10. Plan on Playing Hooky 
Sneaking away from work will allow you to hit the stores while crowds are at a minimum. For instances, you'll get more attention from the sales staff if you shop on a Tuesday morning rather than a Saturday afternoon.

Trust us, you won't want to set foot in the bridal salon without reading up on these gown shopping basics. Brush up on these tips and devour the details before slipping into your first dress!