Have you ever heard of Cafe Riggs in Washington D.C? If not, I’m about to introduce you to one of the most Instagramable spots in DC. Cafe Riggs and Riggs Hotel are a MUST visit if you’re in D.C. Cafe Riggs is located right inside the Riggs Hotel on 900 F Street. Not to mention, they are about a 20-25 minute walk from the Washington Monument or the White House.
It’s the last few days before your procedure and you’re wondering what you can eat afterwards. If you’re thinking “I need to know what to eat after wisdom teeth surgery” this list was made just for you. The first few days you will only be able to have soft foods that you can swallow without chewing. Think soup, yogurt, milkshakes, etc. I’ve found a few excellent options that helped me get through the days after my surgery. So I’m sharing them here with you with the hope that they can help you too. You’ll want to get your groceries a few days before your procedure to make sure you’re prepared. Once you are home after your surgery, you should not be driving to get food for 3-4 days.
Where we stayed – Carillon Beach Resort Inn
Your birthday is coming up and you want to get all the goodies you can when it’s time. You can get anything from a discount on a purchase, a free drink, birthday rewards money or even a free entree! I’ve compiled this list of birthday offers and rewards from a bunch of different places to make sure you don’t miss out on a deal for your special day. ๐๐
*Please note that these are 2021 offers and may change in later years. To receive these birthday offers and rewards, make sure to sign up with these restaurtants/retailers with your email address. Most offers below are recieved through email or through the company’s app.
Dunkin’: Free drink on your birthday through the Dunkin’ app
Einstein Bros Bagels: Free egg breakfast sandwich with purchase – Must order in app – good for 26 days from birthday
Starbucks: Free food or drink item of your choice – Good only on your birthday
Farmhouse Breakfast Sandwich from Einstein Bros Bagels
Arby’s: Free shake and small curly fry with sandwich purchase – show email offer to associate – good for 60 days from your birthday
Chick-fil-a: Free chocolate chunk cookie or fudge brownie – find offer in the CFA app – good for 1 month
Chilis: Free dessert – dine in or to go – Good for a week from your birthday
Firehouse Subs: Free medium sub – offer in the app, or give phone number in store – good for 6 days from your birthday
Jersey Mike’s Subs: Free birthday sub – reward points are given to use on a sub – no expiration date listed. Previously 1 year from birthday
McAlister’s Deli: Free cookie – offer in the app – dine in or to go – Good for 26 days from your birthday. Earn a free treat by signing up with my referral code “JackisRi6542”
Moe’s Southwest Grill: Free burrito – reward in the Moe’s app – good for 90 days from your birthday
On The Border: Free queso bowl with entree purchase – dine in or call in orders (show email) – no expiration?
Panera Bread: Free birthday pastry – Reward in app or provide phone number at cafe – Good for 1 week from your birthday
Sbarro: Free XL NY slice of pizza– coupon in email – good for 2 weeks from your birthday
Schlotzky’s: Free small sandwich with $1 purchase – in app or online with Rewards – good for 14 days from recieving (about 3 days before and 10 days after your birthday)
Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Ranges from $2 reward to free entree based on rewards tier
Zaxby’s: 3 free cookies (2021 offer) – reward in app – valid forย one month
Smoky Pepperjack Turkey & Ultimate Nachos with Heath Cookie from McAlister’s Deli
Auntie Anne’s: Free pretzel – use app to redeem – Good for 14 days from receiving offer
Baskin’ Robins: Free birthday scoop – show coupon in email – good for 10 days from your birthday
Dippin’ Dots: Free small cup – Good for 30 days
Menchie’s Fro-yo: $5 reward to use on a cup of fro-yo – good for 14 days
Rita’s: Free small Itallian ice – coupon in email – good for one week from your birthday
Yogurtland Fro-Yo: Free 3 oz – 16 oz fro-yo depending on rewards level
Fro-yo creation from Yogurtland
American Eagle & Aerie: 15% off a purchase – reward code in email – good for one month
Abercrombie: $10 off a purchase – good for about 25 days from your birthday
Express: $5 birthday cash – good for 30 days from your birthday
Kendra Scott: Get 50% off a single item during the month of your birthday. Show your license when you checkout.
Target Circle: 5% off a purchase – offer in the Target Circle app
TJ Maxx Rewards Card: Free shipping on online orders
Ulta: 2x points for birthday month and free gift of your choice
Victoria’s Secret: $10 reward and free panty for Angel Card holders – reward good for month of birthday, panty on birthday only
Elisa and Emilie Necklaces from Kendra Scott (Click the photo to shop)
I hope this list of birthday offers and rewards has been helpful to you. My wish is that you get to take full advantage of all of these offers and get a bunch of free food, sweet treats and a nice birthday gift for yourself. If you enjoyed this quick guide, be sure to check out my other guides for travel, shopping and more.
Did I miss a reward? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll add it to the list!
Asheville, North Carolina
I’m sure heard of these three things individually, but have you heard them all together? Yes it’s possible! It’s Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen Powder. I’ve seen influencers and everyday people alike sharing this green collagen powder on Instagram and I was intrigued, so I decided to try it myself. Now I’m not much of a cook, baker, or any sort of food/drink expert so when I tried getting creative with this powder, it was a bunch of trial and error. xD But I found this one that stuck with me and I wanted to share it with you because I think you’ll like it too. It’s a blueberry pomegranate matcha collagen drink, and I am drinking it right now as I sit here writing this post. ๐ (gotta get in the daily dose of collagen right?)
I started with the Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen Powder and added Trader Joe’s Unsweetened Blueberry Pomegranate Green Tea at first but it was too overwhelmingly matcha flavored. Matcha is definitely an acquired taste – it has a sort of earthy taste to it and by itself can be overwhelming. So next time I added some Mio Berry Pomegranate drops to add sweetness and a bit more flavor to offset the matcha’s earthy taste. Voila! A perfect blend.
Here’s what you’ll need:
And a glass and a spoon, or a shaker bottle (read below).
You may have to stir for a longer period of time to get the powder to mix in. It tends to want to create small clumps. If this happens you can use the back of the spoon to press the clumps against the side of the glass and then stir again. And if the clumps will still not mix in properly, feel free to use a shaker/blender bottles to mix the ingredients.
If you use a shaker or blender bottle your drink will likely become foamy. It mixes the ingredients very well but has a different consistency.
And a bit more about the matcha collagen drink…
Valentine’s Day is a day when most people are looking for something fun to do. Whether you call it GALentine’s Day, Singles Awareness Day, or love it for what it is, this quick guide will have something for everyone. I know I always struggle with ideas on what to do, so I’m sharing these with you in hopes that they will help you too.
Here are a few ideas for couples, you and your girls, and just YOU! Oh, and find the perfect outfit on my LTK.it!
This is sort of the given, go-to idea for couples when it comes to Valentine’s Day. But this doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing!! Chose somewhere you’ve been wanting to try, or try out something totally new and different. Just be sure to plan your restaurant reservations at least a few days in advance. I’d recommend a week or more if possible. AND… I’d 100% recommend using the Seated app with code “JACKIE673“. You’ll get $20 back in rewards PLUS up to 25% of your bill (only with the code). Um.. who DOESN’T want free money?!?ย (And this works for anybody. Not just couples)
If you don’t want to be the sterotypical couple that goes out for dinner for Valentine’s Day, why not make it yourselves?! I’ve never really enjoyed cooking on my own, but when Andrew is with me, it’s suprisingly enjoyable. Find a recipe from Food Network, Pinterest, or a magazine and go grocery shopping for the ingredients. Once you get home, prep and cook the food together and then enjoy a relaxing, delcious dinner compliments of your hard work. And of course share the duties/chores so one person isn’t doing everything.
Or if you’re not wine people, try a brewery. This is a fun twist on the traditional dinner night AND it includes alcohol (woo!). Sometimes there will be wine and cheese pairing nights, or wine and chocolate. Be adventurous with your tastings – you may find something you love that you never thought you’d like! You never know until you try. Plus it’s a more intimate and relaxed setting compared to a super busy restaurant. Try checking Groupon for deals in your area.
BONUS IDEA: Start a new series together on Netflix or Amazon Video. Find something you’re both interested in and can keep up with together.
Get a few of your girlfriends together and grab a seat at a table or the bar. Order some food and of course your favorite drink and have girl talk. What’s better than delicious cocktails with your favorite ladies? Catch up with your girls you haven’t seen in awhile, or invite new friends to meet up. Have you made any new friends on social media lately? Everyone is so enveloped in online conversations that sometime we forget these are real people who we can connect with in real life too. If they’re in the same city, invite them to meet up with you somewhere public in person. There’s nothing better than human connection and this is the perfect way to grow it and build strong friendships.
Invite your girlfriends over and have a game night! Game nights are one of the most fun and entertaining things I’ve experienced with friends. And there are so many good board and card games! Some of my favorites are What Do You Meme, Girl’s Night, Cards Against Humanity, and Buzzed (if you’re trying to get tipsy). Invite everyone over and enjoy a night of laughter and fun.
Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, it’s the perfect time to go out to a bar or a club with your best girls and just have FUN! I don’t know about you, but upbeat music makes me want to dance! I love a good fist-pumping and jumping electronic song to put me in a groovin’ mood. And who knows what cute guys you may meet! Be very careful and cautious who you hang out with though. ALWAYS stay close to your girls and never wander off alone. Never take your eyes off your drink either. If you set it down, have your eyes on it at all times. Never walk away from your drink. Once you’ve taken your eyes off your drink, it is not safe to drink again because someone could have drugged it. So make sure to be aware and careful!
Eat your favorite popcorn, icecream, or have a glass of wine (or two). The intensity of the fighting or the level of laughter should take your mind off anything negative and put you in a good mood. Plus… perfect excuse to drink some wine. As if you even need one. Right?!
Treat yourself to your favorite meal and take time to think about or write down everything you’ve accomplished lately. In the past few days, the past month, or the past year. There is always something good to be thankful about. If you made it through a tough time, celebrate! You made it through and now you’re stronger. If you made new friends and connections online, celebrate! If you’ve applied for a job, a school, and apartment, anything… celebrate! Dig deep and think of all the little things that have put you where you are now. All the small things you accomplish add up to make big progress and change.
Nobody wants to feel down, sad, depressed, or lonely on Valentine’s Day. Instead of focussing on being alone, why not focus on a powerful, motivating book or podcast? There are plenty of self-help and guidance books and podcasts that will kick your booty into high gear. Looking for a powerfully encouraging book? Read “You Are A Badass” by Jen Sincero. Looking for motivational podcasts? Here are a few ladies who always encourage me. Gwen Lane, Jasmine Star, and Jenna Kutcher.
Is there somewhere reasonably close that you’d love to go or visit? Go with your significant other, best friends, or even on a solo trip. When looking for locations, I’d keep it within 5 hours driving distance from where you live. Look up hotels in the area through various booking sights to find the best deal. I typically use Google search to show me options. If you’re willing to pay a bit more to get a plane ticket instead, there’s many more options. You can check out Delta Vacations for flight+hotel packages to nearly anywhere and save a bit of money purchasing a ticket and hotel together. You can likely plan out a 2-3 day weekend trip for $300-500.
I hope these ideas have helped encourage you with your V-Day plans. And heck… you could even do multiple of these. Who says you have to just do one?! Happy planning loves.