Tuesday, March 29, 2011

My Birthday Dinner at the Green Room

So last night Mr. T, my beau, and I went to The Green Room for my birthday dinner.  To be honest, the only reason we decided to go there was because I had a $40 Living Social deal from a few weeks back.  Well let me tell you, The Green Room is now one of my favorite restaurants in Greenville!  Our Drinks were great and reasonably priced.  The Guinness even came out with a little shamrock on top of the head, an extra touch that I always love.

We then ordered our appetizer, the caprese bruschetta.  (Not pictured, sorry I'm still new at this and forgot to take a picture before I dove in) The bruschetta was amazing, it had a perfect tomato/olive ratio. The toast points were great, not sopping in EVOO or butter.   And it came with creamy fresh mozzarella cheese as well.   Overall a tasty appetizer that was light, so it didn't take away our appetite before the meal.  A big plus in my book. 

As for our entrees, Mr. T ordered the ribeye.  It came with a red onion steak butter and parmesan truffle fries.  Yum!
I ordered the TGR meat loaf.  A great gourmet twist on a classic comfort food.  The meatloaf had a Sweet Chipotle glaze and was accompanied by cornbread, a three cheese jalapeno macaroni, and creamed green peas (which I substituted for haricots vert).  SOOO GOOD. 


And as for dessert... a Blackberry Crème brûlée with champagne to toast.  A complimentary birthday surprise orchestrated by Mr. T and the friendly staff.  

If the food didn't win me over, the restaurant itself would have.  It's a quaint place, beautiful exposed brick with very few tables inside.  It reminded me a lot of a Manhattan restaurant with its size and vintage charm, sans the terrible crowd and $15 drinks.  

If you decide to take my advice and go,  I would recommend making reservations since it is a smaller place, and ask for window seat!  There are only two of them but its one of the best seats in the house. 
Green Room on Urbanspoon

Monday, March 28, 2011

Happy Birthday to Me and You!

Today is my birthday, and I have decided to provide my readers with a gift that you will love.  A few weeks ago, I signed up for several birthday clubs of different restaurants I frequent.  I chose several chain restaurants and also highlighted some local ones as well.  Below is the list that I have gathered.  I would recommend picking and choosing the ones that you will really use to avoid getting your in boxes filled with junk mail from all of these businesses.  I've got a lot of unsubscribing to do today but it was SO worth it.


Applebee's – Free dessert of your choice
Arby’s– Free 12oz. milkshake with any purchase. Valid one week before your birthday through one week after.
Atlanta Bread Company – Join their VIP eClub and get a free cookie on your birthday.  Offer valid one week before your birthday through one week after
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels– Get a coupon for a BOGO pretzel.  Valid one week before your birthday through one week after.
Baskin Robbins– Free 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream or a swirl of soft serve when you sign up for their birthday club
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s – They’ll send you a coupon for a free appetizer when you sign up, plus free dessert with purchase of any entrée for your birthday, valid the week before your birthday through the week after
Buffalo Wild Wings – Free dessert (you don’t have to sign up, just go in)
Burger King– Free kids meal to all kids club members (according to Burger King, I’m turning 7 this year)
Chicken of the Sea– Join their Mermaid Club and they’ll send you a money saving coupon
Chili’s– Get a free order of chips and queso when you sign up, plus a free brownie Sunday for your birthday. (offer valid with purchase of one or more entrées, valid week before your birthday through the week after)
Firehouse Subs – Get free chips and medium fountain drink with purchase of any sub when you sign up, plus a free sub on your birthday when you show your ID
Fuddruckers– Join their Fudd Club and get a free 1/3 lb burger or anything of equal or lesser value.  Redeemable week before your birthday through the week after.
Great American Cookies– Get a coupon for a BOGO cookie when you sign up, plus a free cookie cake slice with purchase of a soda valid the week before your birthday through the week after.
Hooters– 10 free wings on your birthday or up to a week after. Hooters girls not included.
Jack in the Box– Free dessert- your choice of Chocolate Overload Cake, New York Cheesecake, or 5 Piece Mini Churros.  Offer valid only on your birthday and bring your ID
Joe’s Crab Shack – Free appetizer when you sign up, plus the same deal on your birthday.  Both are valid with the purchase of any adult entrée.
Marble Slab Creamery– BOGO coupon when you sign up plus free cone and $3 off any ice cream cake on your birthday (bring your ID- offer only valid on your birthday)
McAlister’s Deli– $5 gift certificate towards your next meal
Moe’s Southwest Grill– Sign up for their newsletter and get a coupon for a free cup of queso and on your birthday week get a coupon for a free entrée (excluding fajitas)
On The Border– Free bowl of queso or sopapillas when you sign up, plus receive a coupon for a free Dip Trio or Brownie Sundae valid one week before your birthday through the week after.
P.F. Chang’s– Receive a 10% off card that you can use every time you dine with them when you sign up.
Red Robin– Free Gourmet Burger if you pick up a Red Royalty Card at your local restaurant and then register it online.
Schlotzsky’s –Free bag of chips and fountain drink with purchase of a sandwich when you sign up, plus receive a free small sandwich on your birthday (must bring ID with your coupon)
Smoothie King – BOGO coupon for a free 20 oz. smoothie.
Sonic – Print a coupon for your choice of free regular cream slush, free medium tater tots, or a free medium drink! Also, get a free Wacky Pack Kid’s Meal on children’s birthdays if you register here.
Starbucks – If you have a gift card to their store, register it and receive a free coffee on your birthday.  It may even be worth it to buy yourself a gift card to register just so you can get a free drink!
Sticky Fingers – Free half slab of ribs (or any other menu item up to $13.99) May need to check ID for verification of your birthday too
TCBY – Free small cup of frozen yogurt and $3 off a cake or pie.
Waffle House – Join their Regulars Club and get a free waffle when you sign up, plus a free one on your birthday.
Wendy’s – $1 off any premium combo
Zaxby’s – Join their Z-Mail club and you’ll get a coupon for a free meal, plus a coupon for a free nibbler on your birthday. Both of these are postcards via snail mail, so make sure you sign up in time to get it on your birthday!
Zoes Kitchen – BOGO coupon for one free entree. Currently, the closest Zoes Kitchens are in Charlotte and Columbia, but The Greenville News announced today that one will be opening in Greenville this summer! Zoes Comes to Greenville

Local Places:

The Green Room- Complimentary champagne toast (This is where I'll be going tonight for my birthday dinner.   Stay tuned for a post about it!)
Sassafras- double fudge brownie w/ scoop of ice cream and raspberry drizzle
Pomegranate- Complimentary chocolate cake
Larkin’s on the River- Dessert of your choice (FYI: apple tartlet and chocolate volcano may be excluded from your choices)
Rick Erwin’s West End Grill- Complimentary dessert of your choice
Nantucket Seafood Grille- Complimentary dessert of your choice
Smoke on the Water- Complimentary dessert of your choice
High Cotton- Free dessert of your choice, and if you’re old enough a champagne toast too!
Tsunami- Free fried cheesecake- I’ve had it and its soo good
Cupcake- Sign up for their birthday club and receive a coupon for a free regular sized cupcake of your choice (located in Columbia, Mt. Pleasant, and Charleston, but opening a sister store called the Chocolate Moose this spring in downtown Greenville that may take these cards too)

Friday, March 25, 2011

For Once, It's A Renter's Market


Ever heard of Rent the Runway? If you haven’t, you’re welcome for introducing you.  It’s a website that allows you to rent amazing designer dresses at 10% of their retail value.  Once in a blue moon when I do splurge and buy an expensive article of clothing, I covet it so much that it ends up just being closet candy.  Something I keep hanging up just so I can gaze at it every once in a while and oogle over it, but then I seem to never think any event is special enough to wear it.  So, I end up spending way too much on a dress that I wear 3 times at most, not a great financial decision. Rent the Runway is such a perfect solution to this problem.  They have an amazing selection of designers ranging from formal pieces by Badgley Mischka and Nicole Miller to more trendy lines like Tibi and Alice + Olivia.  They even just added Lilly Pulitzer to their collection so this is a perfect place to get your Carolina Cup dress, AND if you use the promo code GIDDYUP at checkout you can save 10%!
When you find the dress you like, you select two sizes that are in your size range and the date that you would like your dress to arrive.  They allow you to pick a second dress size for free just to insure that you have something that fits.  You get the dress for four days and then just send it back, return postage is already paid for.  How great is that? 
In a few weeks I’ll be going to Miami, and I don’t think I have anything in my closet that is hot enough for Meeee-ahhhmi.  So, I’m going to rent something sassy that I could only pull off in the MIA.  Here’s what I’m considering. 
Option #1: Calla Lilly Cap Sleeve Dress by Tibi
            Retail: $378
            Rental: $50






Option #2:  Retro Romper by Halston Heritage
            Retail: $375
            Rental: $50





Option #3: Stardust Beaded Dress by Nicole Miller
            Retail: $800
            Rental: $100




Also, as an added FYI, if you have an account they will send you a $20 off a purchase of $100 or more coupon for your birthday month.  That's the only reason I'm considering option #3.  I know that this isn’t a local company, but this website is just too great for me not to share!  Feel free to leave a comment and let me know which dress you think I should get for my trip.  I’d love to get some feedback.  Happy renting!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Welcome from the Reedy River Recessionista!

Welcome to my new blog! So you may be asking, what exactly is a recessionista? Well, I'm here to tell you.

The term recessionista derives from a combination of the words recession and fashionista. It is used to make light of a bad situation and demonstrate how people can maintain their lifestyles in times of struggle.

A recessionista can shop on a limited budget and still manage to be up to date on the most current fashions. A recessionista does not let a bad economy, inflation, or a strong recession damage his or her wardrobe and opts to search for sales and shop at thrifty discount stores instead.
courtesy: investopedia.com

Being a recessionista is a way of life. I absolutely love the challenge of finding great deals, good finds, and fabulous foods on a dime. There is a sense of accomplishment that I feel with every recessionista moment that I have. I have started this blog to share with my readers ways to enjoy this wonderful city of Greenville, SC without breaking the bank. I'll be doing all the grunt work, research, product development, and (heaven forbid) taste testing and shopping- you just get to reap the benefits! Keep checking back every week for new updates.
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