Entenmann’s Bakery and The Salvation Army Drum Up a Sweet Celebratio​n for the 75th Annual National Donut Day

By: Finance Foodie

Entenmann’s Bakery and The Salvation Army have partnered for a sweet celebration to commemorate the 75th National Donut Day on Friday, June 1st, 2012. The Salvation Army celebrated the first National Donut Day in Chicago in 1938 to help raise needed funds during the Great Depression and commemorate the work of the “donut lassies” who fed the tasty confection to American soldiers and made the donut what it is today. The donuts became synonymous with The Salvation Army, as well as the American soldiers who were returning home with the nickname, “doughboys.” Today, The Salvation Army continues to provide meals, including donuts, and numerous other services to clients who visit Salvation Army programs daily.

Entenmann's Donuts

Yummy Tummy: Scenes from Brooklyn's 1st Annual GoogaMooga Festival

By: Finance Foodie 

On May 19th & 20th, 2012, Brooklyn’s historic Prospect Park transformed into an amusement park of food and drink, The Great GoogaMooga. Approximately 75 food vendors, 35 brewers, 30 winemakers and 20 live music performances were on hand to help New Yorkers relish some of life’s greatest pleasures—gathering with friends and neighbors to eat, drink, talk, laugh, dance, linger and just . . . be together.  Below are some highlights / snapshots from my lazy Sunday afternoon in the park.

Finance Foodie + Friends Cooling Down with Fruit Bars from People's Pops

Ducks Unlimited at Wong NYC's New Spring/Summer Menu Preview

By: Finance Foodie

Now that I'm living in the City this summer (well hello again NYC - did you miss me?), it's time to start tackling my lengthy "New York Restaurants I've Been Wanting to Try" list. One dining establishment that I had the pleasure of crossing off my list last Friday night was Wong, a quaint 40-seat "Asian locavore" themed place in the West Village, which was recently opened last fall by chef/owner Simpson Wong (formerly of Cafe Asean). Let's just say, I had quite the duck filled evening...

Duck Buns

Getting Healthy and Hot in Virginia Beach

By: Finance Foodie

As I look back on my first year of grad school, I must say I’m quite disappointed at how my physical fitness has drastically deteriorated over the past nine months. Blame it on the copious amounts of alcohol, intense interview processes for a summer internship or the 5am pizza indulgences - whatever it may be - my liver, health and weight has definitely suffered as a result.  Therefore, as the summer approaches, I felt it more than imperative to shape up. Not wanting to look like Britney, circa disastrous 2007 Gimme More VH1 performance, I took up the Virginia Beach Tourism Board’s invitation to participate in a health and wellness boot camp and embarked on the two and a half day cleanse last week (I figured the abundant military presence in the city would be extra motivating).

The view from my room

Rolling On The River In Style: The Newly Renovated Spirit Of New Jersey Sets Sail On The Hudson!

By: Anne M. Raso

The Spirit Of New Jersey is over 20 years old now, and still provides a great time on their pre-scheduled nightly cruises that include brunch, lunch and dinner--as well during private events. I was lucky enough to attend their recent renovation showcase and was wowed by the $1.5 million upgrades I saw including LED lighted dance floors and bars (there are three additional bars now, by the way), anti-fog windows (which also provide clearer views at night), plasma TVs, new dining chairs and more.

Beauty Superstars Chaz Dean and Laura Geller Share the Latest and the Greatest at the QVC NYC Party!

By: Anne M. Raso

I was lucky enough to get on the guest list for the recent QVC Beauty Event for print and online press and it was so nice to meet some of the faces behind the brands--and it was also super fun to say hello and here what's up from my favorite person in haircare, Chaz Dean (owner of Wen Haircare) and Laura Geller (the friendly face behind her self-titled line). 

Chaz Dean

It's All About the Mozz at Fratelli La Bufala NYC

By: Anne M. Raso

I recently was fortunate enough to be able to try the first NYC installment of Fratelli La Bufala, helmed by Pippo La Bufala, a Caserta, Italy, master mozzarella maker and Chef Rosanna Marzialle. In the past three years, they opened nearly 100 Fratelli La Bufala restaurants worldwide.  They are both strong believer's in the traditions of Campania's cuisine, and each "store" in the chain employees nearly all employees exported from that beloved region of Italy. 

ICannolini