Want to see an NYC Broadway Show for under $40?

Let me tell you how you CAN.  It is completely reasonable to pay $25-$40 a ticket to see a Broadway play or musical in New York City.  I've done it.  I've also not done it and it is so much better if you can.  It's not without some work and planning though.  You can't just show up at the ticket office and ask for a $30 ticket.  There are three ways in which you can get cheap tickets; student rush, rush, and lottery.  I've done all three so let's start with student rush because I think it's the easiest.  

Student Rush Tickets:  These are usually going to be tickets sold in the morning when the shows box office opens and you have to have a student ID.  In my case only one person in our two person group needed a student ID.  I would still recommend getting to the box office and waiting in line before it actually opens in the morning.  They don't have unlimited tickets, but by getting there early and having a student ID you have a good shot.  When I did this we got there right when the box office opened, but I'm sure it depends on which show you're trying to see.  We ended up sitting towards the right side of the theater and about the 5th row back. We paid $30 each for these tickets. Not too shabby.

Rush Tickets:  Rush tickets are open to anyone.  You don't have to have a student ID to get these tickets, but that means you have to work a little harder for them since anyone can get them.  Let me tell you my story on how I got rush tickets.  The box office opened at 10am for this show so I wanted to get in line no later than 8am.  Yeah I'm serious.  I'm sure it depends on the show, but I think it was completely worth it.  When we got there a little before 8am we were about the 6th and 7th people in line.  Once I saw where we were in line and how long the line got after us I was glad we were where we were.  I wasn't too worried about getting the tickets at this point, but I was sitting outside on the street in New York City in some very cold weather.  A man walking by was kind enough to hand my friend and I a cardboard box to sit on...he said it would be warmer than the pavement...and who said people in NYC weren't nice?  Anyway we got our tickets and ended up on the right hand side again but the 2nd row.  By the way Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) starred in this show and I almost had to be restrained from jumping on the stage and hugging that kid.  These tickets were $30 each.

Lottery:  I'm going to give my specific experience with the Wicked Lottery.  Each Lottery can be different, but I know this is how it works for Wicked.  The day of the show you have to be at the box office two and a half hours before the show starts.  For half an hour they will take your name down (for free) and put it into their lottery.  If you're with a big group keep in mind that if you win you can only get two tickets total.  My friend and I each put our name in.  Then you wait.  After the half an hour they shut down taking names and start rolling the raffle barrel with everyone's name in it from the last half an hour.  One by one they pull names out and find out if they are taking one or two tickets.  People...they called my name.  I screamed like I was a 13 year old about to meet a backstreet boy in 1999.  And I didn't care.  They put us in a line, had us pay (they only take cash so remember that before you go), and gave us our tickets!!!  We sat...drumroll please.........front row center.  Now you might say, didn't you have to look up the whole time?  Yeah, but not that much, it wasn't like watching a huge screen movie in the front row, but I could see them spit when they were talking.  I was pretty pleased with our seats.  And to think the poor suckers a couple rows behind me probably paid $300 or more for their seat.  I'll take my front row center $25 seat.

Now each show is going to be different so I suggest going to this website and looking before you go.  Do your research people.  It pays.  I can't tell you how happy I am to say that I saw these 3 Broadway shows all for under $100.  Considering I paid over $100 for my balcony seat the first time I saw Wicked, these prices rock!!

These gentlemen jumped in the picture with me,
the tall one said he played for the NBA...
anyone in the basketball know want to tell me if this is true??

Cirque Du Soleil: Beatles Love

I was fortunate enough to go see what I consider to be the best show in Las Vegas...Beatles Love.  Now, I'm a pretty big Beatles fan and every time I had been to Vegas I went home extremely sad that I hadn't forked out the cash to see this show...well when I finally did I decided that I should have a long time ago...because I loved it.

This show is everything you would think it would be:  trippy, lots of smoke, crazy, and of course all put to the best of the Beatles (best meaning all of it).  We were able to get really great seats and to be honest, because the seats are set around a round stage there really aren't bad seats.  I will say the tickets were over $100, but I completely think it was worth it.  I won't spoil everything, but I will give some of my favorite parts:

• The people greeting you and walking you to your seats
• Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
• The VW Bug
• When they covered the entire audience with a sheet (yeah this happened)

I haven't seen any other Cirque Du Soleil shows yet, but just based on the fact that I could sing along with this one makes me think that this will be on the top of my list.  Go see it.  Embrace the inner-hippie.

Stitch Fix March Review

Have you heard of this yet?  It's an amazing service where you tell Stitch Fix what kind of clothes you like, how much you usually spend, and what styles you want to try and they pick out clothes for you and send them right to your door. This is my first box and so far I'm extremely impressed.  You decide when you want it sent to you, you can choose every month or just here and there when you like.  I love that I didn't have to sign up with any kind of contract.  If I don't want a fix I just go onto their website, sign into my account, and press a button that allows me to skip that month (sad face).  When they pick your 5 items for your fix you're charged $20, but as long as you keep one of the items that $20 goes toward the item...and if you keep all 5 items you get a 25% discount on all of it.

I told Stitch Fix that I usually dress in business casual, I do like more glamourous items, and that I'd like to start getting more color in my wardrobe.  I specifically requested that anything I'm given have sleeves, and if it's a skirt it needs to be at least knee length.  I also asked that I don't get any earrings.  I have a pair of diamond studs that I wear so I usually don't stray from that often and I am not a fan of dangly earrings on myself.

So without further ado...here are my 5 items:

Bay to Baubles Weston Abstract Spike Bangle Bracelet ($32)-This is the only accessory I got in this fix, which I was fine with because I'm more about the clothes.  I usually don't wear a ton of silver, but I'm trying to try new things with Stitch Fix and honestly with everything else I got I fell in love with it.

Collective Concepts Cathleen Split-Neck Tulip-Sleeve Blouse ($68)-This is an awesome top I got.  I felt it was perfect for spring.  As soon as I opened it I knew it would be really nice on and the color fit.  You can't see it too well, but the sleeves have a "tulip edge".  My only complaint was that I looked later and it was dry clean only.  Honestly though I just bought one of those dryer bags and that's what I used after I wore it.  It freshened it right up.  Excuse my crazy face.

Just Black Banks High Rise Cropped Skinny Jean ($78)-The third item I got were these black pants.  They are stretchy and high waisted.  I absolutely love them too.  They fit and I'm pretty happy when pants fit.  Who isn't?  Also here's a shot of this outfit all put together.

Sweet Rain Isaac Floral Print Tab-Sleeve Blouse ($48)-The next item I got was this black floral sheer top.  These people must know me.  I seriously don't know how they picked this on their first shot.  It's something I will wear to work and out on the weekend.  It goes with so much and the print is perfect.

Mystree True Smock-Detail Open Cardigan ($78)-The last item I got in this fix is this light gray ruffle top cardigan.  Not a fan of this one...at all...the ruffles seem to hit in the wrong place for me and I think it makes my arms look bigger than they are.  It just doesn't fit with my style nor do I feel it pushes any boundaries with changing anything up.  I did end up keeping it...and I'll explain why.

At the end of the day I loved the other four items and I could send it back (free shipping), but by keeping all 5 items I would get the 25% discount and so the cardigan ended up only really costing me $7.  So I figure I could get rid of it somewhere.

Once you see what you get you have 3 days to decide what you want to keep.  I thought about it overnight and the next morning I went to the Stitch Fix website and left my feedback.  They list each item they sent you and you say if you're keeping it or not and what you liked or didn't like about it.  I gave feedback on each item because the more they learn about you the better the fixes are supposed to get.  Whatever you don't keep you put in the prepaid bag they sent with your items and drop it off at the post office.  After this first fix I already feel addicted to it.  It's exciting to see what items you'll get and to add to your wardrobe.  I'm waiting two months between this fix and my next one, but I'm already getting impatient waiting.

If you're interested in Stitch Fix here's a link to try it out. Find out more about Stitch Fix. It's so much fun, give it a shot.

The Oregon Coast

Growing up I was fortunate enough to get to spend many summers enjoying the beach life on the oregon coast.  Specifically in Waldport, Oregon.  I loved it.  I just want to point out the highlights and some tips from a few of the cities I spent time in.

The gorgeous view...

#1-Waldport
Waldport was the heart of my summers.  It's a unique coastal town that has a couple of my favorite spots.  My all time favorite spot to eat is Grand Central Pizza.  I love food, and I'm pretty sure I went to eat here at least every other day while I was there.  No, they don't serve anything super different, and no it isn't fancy or anything out of the ordinary, but it's good and sometimes that's enough.  My other suggestion there is just to walk around.  The town is small enough that you could walk from one end to the other in about 15 minutes.  When I used to stay there there were no fast food chains at all.  Now I believe there is a Subway, but all other restaurants are non-chains.  There's no Walmart, no Costco, and one small chain grocery store.  Check out the shops and just enjoy beach town life.

The view in Yachats

#2-Yachats
If you thought Waldport was tiny...Yachats you will pass in the blink of an eye.  Not a whole lot to it, but a couple of gems are hidden there.  The Adobe hotel and restaurant is my favorite.  I requested to go there almost every year on my birthday.  It's a little fancy, but you can still show up in jeans.  The best part is that they have huge windows facing the ocean.  If you're lucky you might even spot a whale.  I also love the candy shop in town and by town I mean one of the little shops just off the highway.  They have ice cream, fudge, and all sorts of yummy sweets.  I'm not usually an ice cream eater, but for some reason whenever I come to the coast I suddenly need some one two times a day.  It's vacation...why not?

Yaquina Head Lighthouse--Tallest in Oregon

#3-Newport
This will be where you can find more of your creature comforts...Walmart, McDonalds, Fred Meyers, Taco Bell (thank goodness), etc.  I loved going into Newport.  It's only about a 15 minute drive from Waldport.  As a kid though there's much more to see.  There are two light houses I would definitely recommend stopping to see, one on each side of town.  One you'll have to pay to go to, but it's worth it for the views.  There's even a small hike you can do.  I also recommend heading down on Bay Blvd where they have Ripley's Believe it or Not, a Wax Museum, and an Under Sea Adventure.  There are lots of good places to eat and grab sweets...like ice cream...enjoy the shops.   The last must see area is the Aquarium and Aquarium Village.  The Village will have fun shops and places to get trinkets unique to the coast like blown glass globes.  The Aquarium used to house Keiko the killer whale a.k.a Free Willy.  Of course he's no longer there/living, but I was fortunate enough to see him a couple times while he was still there.

The harbor you leave from out to the Ocean

#4-Depot Bay
Whale watching galore in this tiny town...and more ice cream.  This is the smallest harbor in the world. My last trip there I went out on a whale watching tour and within an hour we saw a few whales.  I suggest taking a tour out.  They have charters most of the day and they are fairly priced.  It's truly nice to be able to go out on the Ocean when you're visiting the coast.  It's nice to walk the beaches, but what's better than actually being out on it?

These are just the top cities I stayed around, of course there are many more stops along the Oregon Coast route, but these towns are great in their feel and vibe.  Personally I love them.

Eating in Salt Lake City--Round One

I absolutely love going down to Salt Lake City.  It's about a 3 hour drive and it has amazing shopping, great sites, cool history, but most important, really delicious food.  Every time I go I always have so many food stops that I leave stuffed.  I always say I'm going to try something new, but I keep going back to the same places so I'll highlight my repeats in this post.  My goal is to find new yummy places in SLC soon.  I have a few trips down there planned soon and I'm going to try and get out of my comfort zone...try...ok here's my top eats in SLC:

#5  Star of India

Most people I've talked to like to go to Bombay House when they want Indian Food in SLC.  I won't bash it because it's still good Indian food.  I've also tried Copper Bowl and it was also good food.  My reason for going time and time again to Star of India is because the food is fantastic, but so are my experiences there.  Example 1:  I went there one night with a group of my friends and they had all the lights low and an Indian movie playing with subtitles in english.  While we ate my entire group got into this movie to the point that we were singing the song from the credits the entire rest of our trip...and probably weeks longer once we got home.  Example 2: I went there with a friend one night for dinner and there happened to be a totally behaved loud unruly kid at the table next to us.  Honestly it didn't bother us, but the waitress brought us an appetizer on the house which introduced me to something I never would have ordered, but turned out to be a favorite.  I recommend getting the peshwari naan and the chicken shahi korma with a Mango Lassi to drink.  Seriously I wish I could eat this right now.

Some of the Star of India Decor

#4  Whole Foods

Now this isn't just in SLC obviously, but I keep going back to it.  I usually find myself between breakfast and dinner and don't have time for a lunch/don't want to eat a huge lunch because I ate a big breakfast, too many snacks, and plan big dinners there.  Most people when they go to SLC go to City Creek Mall.  They go because it's fabulous.  It's a huge mall that is open air in the summer and closed in during the winter.  I seriously love the atmosphere there; however, sometimes people forget about the quirky other places to window shop.  One of those places is Trolly Square.  It's not quite downtown and it's really close to Whole Foods.  I love going to Whole Foods and grabbing one of their little pre-made salads or sandwiches, a sparkling blood orange Pellegrino, and of course all the samples they give you (it's tastier than Costco) and wandering around the shops at Trolley Square.  Some of my favorite shops there:  Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, The Spectacle, and Tabula Rasa Social Stationers.  These places are quite a treat and I would highly recommend going a little off the beaten path (yes I know Whole Foods and Potter Barn technically isn't off the beaten path).

#3  Oasis Cafe

This is my little hippie eatery.  It's not too far from downtown and completely a must-go-to place to eat at some point.  When you first get there you will see they are also connected to a little shop.  Go see it.  It's filled with essential oils, interesting books, and little nick nacks.  Now on to the food...I've only been there for dinner.  Specifically I have gone to Whole Foods to hold myself over to make sure I make it to dinner because they have different menus than lunch.  I'm going to start with dessert because why not...I'm an adult and I can if I want to.  It's a vegan chocolate cake drizzled with raspberry sauce and  little side of vegan ice cream.  Now if the vegan part is sending you packing know that you are not alone.  I was also a little concerned that I would be eating a lump of yuck, but trust me it is pretty dang good.  I would not get something gross more than once and I have gotten the chocolate cake more than once.  As for dinner they have vegan, vegetarian, and carnivore options.  In the summer or warm weather I like to eat out on their patio area and stick more vegetarian.  They have an impressive cheese, crackers, honey, and fruit platter that I like to pair with a hummus, tapenade, and grilled bread platter.  It's delightful.  In warm weather I also have gotten the rosemary lemonade.  Also quite a treat.

Summer Eating at the Oasis Cafe

 In the winter I like something a little warmer and a little more hearty.  I can say the king crab with asparagus risotto is really really good.  The filet medallions are also quite delicious. Overall it's a great find and for sure a repeat on my list.   

#2  Bruges

Bruges Waffles...half eaten

Oh Bruges how I miss you.  I will admit I don't go here every time I go to SLC.  I always want to go, but you really have to be in the mood for a great dessert.  They serve waffles, frites (fries), and sandwiches.  I've only had their waffles.  I'll only be able to comment on their waffles, but their "Machine Gun Sandwich" was featured on Man vs Food so I would guess it has quite a good reputation.  Anyway back to waffles.  The waffle I get is hot, stuffed with chocolate bars, covered in raspberries and creme fresh, and really amazing.  The only reason this is not number one on my list is because it is sweet sweet sweet.  I love sweet, but you really have to be in the mood for it, and it's quite a bit to eat...for me anyway...but try it out, you won't regret it.

#1 Les Madeleine's

Kouing Aman

Last, but not least is the little French pastry cafe.  I love going here.  It's so cute and of course the pastries are amazing.  My favorite is the Kouing Aman which was 2012's pastry of the year.  It's a little sweet, a little buttery, a little crunchy, and a whole lot of yum.  I've also tried some of their other treats and I wasn't let down.  The Kouing Aman is just a favorite.  I can't help but feel I'm in a parisian cafe when I'm eating their pastry and drinking my fruity sparkling french soda.  It's a lovely experience.  One that I experience on almost every trip to SLC.  Don't miss it.

We're goin to Jackson...

Yippy IO Candy...Western Charm

Okay, not that Jackson; in fact, no where near Mississippi.  This is Jackson Hole, Wyoming, home of everything cowboy and western.  I live about an hour and a half away from Jackson and I love day-trips up there.  The town is unique in so many ways.  The town square is its center and a high tourist attraction.  They have 4 elk antler archways into the square and is surrounded by shops and restaurants that are great to visit.  I'm going to highlight a few places that are a must-stop if you are ever in Jackson Hole.

• Yippy IO Candy:  Yes!! This is a fantastic candy store.  You can get fudge, delectable chocolates, and lots and lots of sugary treats.  YUM.  Some of my favorites are the gummy cola bottles, wax lips (just because you haven't seen these in years), cry baby gum, and chocolate covered cinnamon bears.  Grab a bag and you pay by the weight.  It's not too bad on price either.  My bag usually costs around $5...not too bad for a trip down memory lane and a sugar rush.
• The Lotus Cafe:  I know Rachel Ray did an episode of her show at The Bunnery, but this place is fantastic.  It's got healthy and non-healthy options to satisfy lots of different cravings.  Don't feel like you need to jump out of your comfort zone here, stick with what you know and what you know is going to be the 2 by 2 by 2 breakfast...you get two eggs how you like them, two toast slices with a yummy side of raspberry jam, two bacon slices (or sausage patties...get the bacon people), and the breakfast potatoes which make this meal not easily forgotten (I tried to recreate this breakfast at home at least 4 times with no success...good, but not the same).  The potatoes are grilled with rosemary and a few fennel seeds...they are divine...don't miss this a couple blocks west of the town square off the beaten path.
• The Art Shops around the NW corner of the town square:  They have really nice paintings and photos of beautiful spots around the area.
• The Movie Theater:  As far as I know there is only one.  If you can see an off-beat movie one night there it really is a treat.  The theater is older and I was fortunate enough to go one night and see Nick And Norah's Infinite Playlist with a couple really great friends.  We were almost alone in the theater and it just felt like real small-town charm.
• Sweetwater Restaurant:  You must go for lunch though if you are there during warmer weather.  This is a 100 or so year old cabin turned local jewel of the restaurant category.  Yes, Rachel Ray also went here, but don't get what she got, get what I say...introducing the Elk Melt!!  When in Jackson, eat like it...get some game meat burger.  The first time I went here it was early fall and my friends and I sat on the deck and I felt I should get something light and healthy...gee I felt dumb when I saw the elk melt.  The next time, and every time after that, I have only gotten the elk melt.  Its a big hunk of ground elk burger with grilled onions and mushrooms on thick buttery toasted bread.  You get a side and I suggest one of their soups.  Usually in the summer they have chilled soups, I know that might be weird to some, but it's usually a fruit and it's so good...the peach vanilla soup was top-notch.  One time my friend and I went there and multiple people stopped our eating to ask what amazingness we got for lunch (they only serve this dish at lunch). Some were fortunate enough that they were just coming in and hadn't ordered yet, others were not so lucky and had to spend their meal with the feeling I have coined as lunch envy...it's not fun.  I had it the first time I went and others have it when they see the elk melt I'm downing. Try it, it's amazing and so Jackson Hole.

Elk Melt in the Fall

Elk Melt in the Summer with the Vanilla Peach Chilled Soup

All of my knowledge of Jackson will have to be just about the town for now, I know it's a world-class ski destination, but I don't ski...yes I do live in the wrong area.  Maybe this winter I'll have to change that.  We shall see how it goes, but know that Jackson Hole holds many rare qualities and is a puddle-jump away from Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone.

'Round 'Round Get Around I Get Around...NYC Edition

One of the most nerve-wracking things about traveling to a new place is figuring out how to get around.  Whether it's by car, walking, bus, subway, or taxi you need to know how you are going to get from point A to point B.  I personally enjoy NYC because I don't have to drive at all.  Usually when you drive you can miss simple things, but walking and taking public transportation you get to see more of the city...and NYC is definitely the perfect place for it.  Here are a few tricks I have learned to save some money and make you feel a little better about using their system:

Apps are amazing...check out a few before you go

• Instead of taking a taxi from the airport (which will run around $45 into Manhattan) follow the signs to AirTrain and take it for only about $7 to the nearest Subway station
• Get a Subway pass for more than one day if you are planning on being there more than one day, the Subway will get you almost anywhere
• On the subway you will either be heading uptown or downtown, even if you are going sideways at some points of your ride
• Check for closings at certain times of the night on certain Subway lines, I learned this one the hard way and ended up walking almost 1 mile in Queens back to my hotel around midnight...it was FANTASTIC
• If you take a wrong line or go the wrong direction don't panic...just take another look at your map, double check, and back-track or find a new route
• If you have plans at a certain time (Broadway Plays, Dinner Reservations, etc.) try and head out a little early...there can always be hold-ups when in NYC
• If you have a smartphone, try to download an App for the Subway system, they are a lifesaver (I recommend the New York Subway App by Presselite)
• Find a map with your destinations on it and find the stops closest to it, there is usually more than one option
• Check out their website and pre-plan what you are going to do for your trip here

Overall the best advice is to go with the flow and know that everything won't go perfect, but you also won't be stranded forever.  Don't be afraid to ask someone either, a lot of people will be new there just like you, but many of the locals use the public transportation regularly and will be able to send you in the right direction.  New York City is amazing and probably my favorite city in the U.S. enjoy the ride.