Swap Shop Swat

My sister was in town this past week to finish some registry stuff for her wedding this fall. She came in early on Monday, instead of Tuesday  and when she called me to tell me, I was already out of the house at Ikea. My friend texted me to see if I wanted to go and I really didn’t need anything at Ikea since I am without my own place but I am up for anything to get me out of the house. We went to Salad Creations to nourish before the big shopping trip . I was so happy to see they have Salad Creations here because I wasn’t sure if they were just a NC thing. But on the same note, I was also bummed because I had a punch card and threw it out when I moved. I told the cashier this (because she had a look on her face that said “Tell me a story!”) and she ended up giving me double stamps that day because she felt bad for me—score! I got the Thai Crunch salad and was in love with the modern bowl it was served in.

The salad was great and believe it or not, that was the junior portion. I never get the salads on the menu there, I just create my own with whatever I’m feeling that day but I will definitely get this salad next time I go.  All about the asian persuasion, even if in salad form. So we went to Ikea and we all know how that goes, walking around, stopping to stare at every single thing and then being duped into thinking I could actually do some of the stuff they have on display such as their gorgeous kitchens. Like Target, Ikea sang its siren song to me and I got a few items I wasn’t planning on but everything was super cheap and I only ended up spending $15!

I got home and my sister said she was craving some lettuce wraps from PF Changs. I’ve only been to PF Chang’s a couple of times before but heard they had a great happy hour deal in the bar area. We made our way in and it was empty but I guess you can expect that for a Monday night. The PF Chang’s in Boca was smaller than any other Chang’s I have been in and kept wondering where the rest of the restaurant was. They do have a little patio area to the side though. Their special runs from 4p to 6p in the bar area alone and includes beer, wine, specialty drinks and appetizers.

I got the hot and spicy wontons and  pork tacos while my sister got the chicken lettuce wraps. The service kinda blew considering the place was empty but I can deal with crappy service in exchange for cheap food. Never would I have imagined the pork tacos would be good at asian fusion restaurant but rock on with your bad self Changs!
Afterwards we went to Macy’s to work on my sisters registry. The only thing that displeases me more than a rude salesperson is a rude salesperson who is supposed to be happy for those getting married or having a baby but is bitter instead. The girl we were working with was a complete beezy and seemed inconvenienced that she had to help us. My sister and I are a pretty fun bunch, especially after two beers. so I’m not sure what her beef was. And I’ve officially decided that after helping her pick out items for her registry, I need to get married. I want gifts like waffle makers, cake pans, a nice coffee maker and other goodies. I guess companionship and love would be nice also but I could really clean house with registering for stuff. Or I can just pull a Carrie Bradshaw and instead of shoes, I could register for food processors?

While perusing the different items in the housewares section, I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw this

Tuesday was going to be a long one so I woke up early and went for a quick bike ride. Once I got presentable and looked like a lady, my sister, mom and I made our way to the Swap Shop.  Theknot.com message board recommended going there for flowers on the cheap so that was the main mission….if we could get there that is. The Swap Shop is located in an *ahem* less than desirable part of Fort Lauderdale. When we pulled off I95, we saw multiple intersections barricaded off by the police. Add three helicopters in the air flying around us and I started to have Goodfellas flashbacks. But once I remember I only had Advil PM on me and can be narcissistic at times, I felt relieved that they couldn’t be after me. Turns out that there was a robbery and a shooting at a check cashing business (see, less than desirable part of town) so the SWAT team was called in. After a lovely ride through a quite sketchy neighborhood, we got to the Swap Shop. And if I thought that neighborhood was sketchy, I was wrong. The Swap Shop was sketchy with a capital “S”! Scary Swap Shop Swat—say that three times fast! My dad and I used to go once a month when I was younger and I never remembered it being that sketch. But then again, I was young, naïve and not quite jaded. My mom, sister and I made out way through the outside flea market where all the junk is then went inside through the food court. We made the mistake of not using the restroom before hand so we had to use theirs. It smelled like funk, bad cheese and cabbage. I had to squat, which I very rarely do and was afraid to touch anything in fear that I would develop open sores all over me. And of course there was no soap in there because that would make some sense. Good thing I always have a couple of hand sanitizers on me! We finally found the flower people which we were right next to the produce stands outside.

We looked at a fewer different florists they turned out to be more than half the price that she found online. My favorite was the dyed orchid I found because fuchsia and turquoise are two of my favorite colors.

 

There was also this interesting, little food stand there.

I feel compelled to try it when I have nothing to do for a few days, just in case I get food poisoning. Something about swap shop seafood just doesn’t sit well with me.I made my way over to the produce stands right after.

I found some interesting stuff and when I went to three different stands to ask what this was, I got three different answers
*Soft and sweet
*Apple
*(Grunt)  followed by something said in Haitian

If any of you knows this or wants to grunt at me as well, please hook a sister up, I‘m curious now. I found really cheap buys, like really cheap all of this for $4.25 so I was a happy gal!

With prices like that, they are close to knocking off my beloved Charlotte hippies from their pedestal. We’ll always have produce, dear hippies.

What exotic fruits or produce have you tried?

Where would your dream wedding registry be?

What I’ve realized this week

*I don’t like how the price of Dunkin Donuts coffee is increasing. At first, I thought I was going crazy because the iced coffee seemed to more expensive here than in Charlotte. But then I did a little research and turns out the price of their iced coffee and breakfast sandwiches at certain locations has gone up and may still go up. And of course, I think Dunkin has rockin iced coffee but not really a fan of their hot coffee. And vice versa for Starbucks.

*I have an unusual obsession with Mob Week

Mind you, they play movies that I’ve seen a hundred times. However, something about that it’s on for hours on end really excites me. I didn’t want Mob Week to end but of course, all good things must come to an end. Perhaps they should create a mob station? I would totally subscribe!

*I miss Lost. A lot.

‘Nuff said.

*As much as I complain about how hot is it outside and how I can’t wait for winter to be here, I’m going to miss salads come fall and winter. I’ve been chomping down on them a lot lately and eating a salad in the fall or winter just doesn’t do it for me.

*Bonding with mom isn’t so bad. My mom and I are close but not like Gilmore Girls close. I don’t tell her my secrets, indulge her with information about who I’m dating and admit, I can be pretty secretive with her. She is unemployed at the moment and wanted to go shopping to get out of the house and do something with someone instead of sitting at home alone. We  went shopping, had coffee and it was nice to hang out. I think I can definitely do it in small increments like three or four hours. Otherwise, we will likely kill each other.

*Once again, I need to cut myself off from all things Groupon. South Florida not only has one or two Groupon options, they have three! I get the emails for Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach daily and while that’s nice for saving money and trying out new businesses, I need to stop buying. I bought this Groupon awhile back when I lived in Charlotte for my parents to use and my dad insisted on my mom and I going for lunch the other day.

I don’t know how I have the ability to pick out places that are dead but we were the only table in there

It was a bit creepy but way better than being surrounded by noisy people. Our server told us that it picks up at nighttime and I can see why. Hello drink specials! And I noticed that they are all day drink specials so I guess if I have nothing to do and feel like a good day drinking session is in order, I know where to go.

Not only are the lunch items cheap, you get a salad with any lunch item

I got the chicken franchese and the chicken took up half of the plate

That’s what I’m talking about! More bang for my buck!

To top it off,  you get dessert with any lunch entrée!

It’s been too long since I’ve had a decent cannoli. The ones I had in Charlotte were pretty crappy but this here was the real deal.

*I love to spoil my dog

Lincoln isn’t having a dog party anytime soon since A) that’s ridiculous and B) momma has student loans to pay before throwing her non existent money towards a dog party. But that doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy a fun treat right? I got him a martini doggie treat and he scarfed it down, like momma like dog.

*I love riding my bike again! I usually scoff when I hear people say that once they find something they truly enjoy, it doesn’t feel like exercise anymore but I kind of know what they mean. I love going out there without a plan and seeing where I’m going to end up. I felt ambitious on Sunday and went for a four mile ride in the afternoon. I felt like I could have kept going but I underestimated how much water I would need. I rested for a bit then went out again that night for another four miles.

And that’s it…..for now at least. I’ve realized a whole lot more but I am just about dead to the world with a headache from hell. My sister has been in town so we have been going around non stop. She is getting married in October and lives three hours away so when she comes to town, she wants to get as much done as possible. Plus, on a happier financial note, I am going to work tomorrow! My friend is a recruiter and hooked me up with a week and a half long gig doing reception work. The girl is going on vacation next week and is going to train me the next three days and then I will be on my own next week. Get out of the house and get some extra cash? Sign me up!

What have you realized lately?

Tell me something fun going on with you! I am so behind with reading blogs, checking Facebook, etc.!