Fort Wayne Pizza Crawl: Tasty Pizza

Hello everyone,

I've decided I would do a fun segment once a month reviewing local pizza parlors in my town.  Each month I will purchase one large cheese pizza from a different establishment and I will score different aspects of the pizza.  The one rule: not to go to chain pizza makers.  Why?  Frequenting local businesses not only help the local economy- but it breaks the habit of going to big chain stores.  (frankly, I'm not a Pizza Hut fan.)

I have eaten my fair share of pizza in my lifetime, so I know a good pizza when I come across it.

Here is how the scoring will go:

*- bad
**-poor
***-o.k.
****-good
*****-excellent

And a final average rating at the end.

The categories:

Price
Customer Service
Cheese
Sauce
Crust
Topping to Crust Ratio

Along with the review, I will give a little history on the pizza joint, as well as their contact number, and a link to their website if they have one.

Tasty Pizza

260-483-2273

2729 East State Boulevard
Fort Wayne

This month's pie comes from Tasty Pizza on East State Blvd.  Tasty pizza has been in business since 1958- so their technique should be perfect by now. 

I was lucky and ordered my pizza during their promotion of one large cheese pizza for $7.00 regularly $12.50.  The large pizza is 14" with 12 slices- so it's perfect for sharing at a party (or demolishing by yourself).  If 14" isn't big enough for you, they offer a 30" round pizza as well!  The prices are all fair- breadsticks for $3.99 salads for $4.99- perfect for the college student or anyone on a budget.  The staff at the East State location was pleasant but I think a scripted way to answer the phone would be more professional rather than just "Tasty Pizza".  The pizza was ready for pickup within 15 minutes, which is quicker than the typical 20-25 minute wait at Pizza Hut.  Once I got home and started enjoying the pizza, I noticed how delicious the sauce was- it tasted like they mixed a blend of italian seasonings into the sauce which really provided that extra Umph.  The cheese was pretty good too- however I thought that it needed more cheese and sauce for the amount of crust, when I bite into a pizza I like to taste a lot of 

toppings.

  

Price: ***** 5

Customer Service: *** 3

Cheese: **** 4

Sauce: ***** 5

Topping to Crust Ratio: *** 3

Overall Average: ****4

Overall my experience with Tasty Pizza was a delightful one- and I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who wants a good cheap slice of pizza!

Until next time-

Tired Old Soles

Hello everyone,

As promised yesterday, today's topic will be: Shoe Trees.

Shoe trees are an essential for high quality shoes.  Not only will they keep your shoes looking younger, longer- but they will also deodorize and dry out the moisture from sweaty feet which can pose harmful effects upon the leather.

I first started buying shoe trees when I bought my first pair of Salvatore Ferragamo loafers.  My pair is the Devario Moc- and the leather is divine.  Shoe trees range in price from $10 and up, and if it only take $10 to maintain a $400 pair of shoes- it's a no brainer.  However, I would never pay more than $15 for a set.  I only have two sets of shoe trees (I plan to add more soon)  I prefer the Nordstrom pair over the Von Maur pair- they seem to do a better job of shaping the shoe and the Von Maur set falls a little short.

Just like shoes, shoe trees come in different sizes, so be sure to match up the size of the shoe tree to your shoes- otherwise you can overstretch the shoes and then you're stuck with an unwearable pair shoes.

Every six months or so be sure to sand the shoe trees- this will revitalize them and bring back that delicious cedar smell we all enjoy.

My Salvatore Ferragamo Devario loafers

The Nordstrom shoe trees 

Shoe trees aren't just for expensive Italian shoes- you can put them in your basic everyday lace-ups.  This pair of Cole Haan captoes was purchased in 2009 for my partner's brother's wedding.  They were my first pair of "designer" shoes, and they are oh so comfy.  As you can see they've been around the block a few times (literally) and shoe trees really help to smooth out those unsightly wrinkles where your toes bend as you walk.  

Here you can see how the shoe trees improved my shoes for storage:

Pre- Trees

Close up of the wear-and-tear of a normal day

The Von Maur shoe trees

Many shoe trees have a spreading mechanism- as the rod comes in closer to the front of the shoe, the two wooden bits at the front spread- this gives them maximum shape holding abilities

Applying the shoe trees

Notice how the mechanism works?

I find that tying the laces also allows for proper storage and helps keep the shoe tight around the shoe tree.

I hope that you have all enjoyed today's fun exploration into Shoe Trees.  As I have said before, I cannot stress the importance of using them to maintain not only expensive footwear- but everyday footwear as well.

Until next time-

Delicious Dieting: A review on Lean Cuisine and Skinny Cow

Hello everyone,

As I am sure that many of you are still on the New Year's diet path just like I am- I thought that I would do a review on some delicious diet food.

~~Lean Cuisine Chef's Picks~~

Lean Cuisine has been making delectable delights since 1981, and in 31 years they have made some mouth watering dishes.  A long time favorite of mine: the cheese pizza has been in the lineup since 2003 and recently Chicken Carbonara has joined the group of dinners made by Lean Cuisine's Culinary Roundtable.

Chicken Carbonara boasts hearty pieces of white meat chicken with fettuccini,  asparagus and bacon in a creamy sauce.  Talk about all of your favorite foods mixed into one dish with only 280 calories!!!  Your tastebuds won't believe that it's diet food because it's so delicious, but your waistline will know the truth!

A helpful diet tip:  plate your meal before you eat it.  You'll feel like you're eating a full dinner, which will help you feel full when you're done eating.  For this meal I have chosen a fun rainbow of colors by Fiesta Ware.

Another amazing thing about Lean Cuisine dishes is that not only is the cardboard box recyclable, but so is the plastic dish.  All you have to do is rinse out the dish and toss it into your recycle bin.  Simple as that!

Now- for those of you with a sweet tooth like mine, here is a treat for you!

~~Skinny Cow Heavenly Crisp Candy Bars~~

If I could only use one word to describe these candy bars- DIVINE.  They have three flavors to choose from: Peanut Butter, Milk Chocolate, and Dream Clusters.  I bought the Milk Chocolate, and my partner bought the Peanut Butter, and both are simply amazing.  The milk chocolate tastes like a Kit Kat, and the Peanut Butter tastes like Nutty Bars.  Both are delicious, and with a treat so good you would expect a few hundred calories- but the best part is- each is only 110 calories.  You'd expect it to taste bland, but these are honestly rich with flavor.  

Now- after all of this delicious food talk- I'm sure you want to run out and buy some for yourself right?  Well Kroger is currently running a promotion:  buy 5 Lean Cuisines for $10, and pick up the Skinny Cow candy bars for FREE!   It's great for your waist, and your wallet.  So it's a win-win for everyone involved.  

Hopefully all of you are sticking to your diet resolutions and persevering through- 2012 is your year to shine!

Until next time-

Saumur

Hello everyone,

The historic town of  Saumur is nestled between the Loire and Thouet rivers, and surrounded by a vast expanse of vineyards producing some of Frances finest wines.

Many Louis Vuitton bags and colors are named after towns, regions, seas, and historic families throughout Europe, and I always imagine the idyllic sleepy town of Saumur whenever I carry my Louis Vuitton Saumur 35.  My bag was constructed July of 1991 in France- and I purchased it last summer on (where else?) eBay.  I just love the vintage look, the dark vachetta leather, the equestrian feel it has, and the unique buckles.  I would have to say that aside from my Epi Sac Plat and Keepall 45, this has to be my most complimented bag.  

Unfortunately, I am too tall to carry it crossbody comfortably so I just wear it on my right shoulder.  The buckle closures are actually big enough to get it opened with only one hand (a common worry among those who are considering a Saumur).  Another misconception amongst prospective buyers is the double sided feature and forgetting which side has what inside- however both sides are quite different-the front side has the monogram right side up, whereas the back has the monogram upside down.  "Why is this?"  you ask.  The top flap is one continuous piece of canvas, so naturally one side would have to be upside down. 

 The interior is not quite as spacious as I would like, but it can still hold quite a bit of things.  In the front compartment I keep important things, like my cell phone, keys, wallet, camera bag, and whatever odds-and-ends I need throughout the day.  And in the back compartment I keep my sunglasses and a magazine.  The front compartment features one long slip pocket, whereas the backside has two slip pockets.  The Saumur was made in three different sizes- 30cm, 35cm, and 43cm, and recently a limited edition perforated 30cm was released.  All the sizes are slightly different in design than each other, but have the same overall aesthetic.  The 35 and 43 have been long discontinued, but these bags can be purchased in great condition on eBay and the likes.

Please check back tomorrow when I condition the leather with Apple Leather Care.

Until next time-

Prada Wallet Review

Hello everyone,

I have some downtime until I have to be at work this evening, so I thought - Hey!  Why not write a blog?! So that's what I'm going to do!

I didn't get much sleep last night.  That AutoCad project took much longer than expected, but lets hope it gets a good grade!  I also thought I had a paper to type that was due tonight, but I just found out that it isn't due until Thursday.  And with my master procrastination skills, it probably won't get done until Wednesday night.

The past few days I've been carrying my Louis Vuitton Epi Speedy 40 in Borneo Green.  Green being my favorite color- and the Speedy 40 being my favorite bag, it's safe to say that I love this bag.  The previous owner took very good care of it, and it's almost pristine (aside from a couple minor scratches on the backside).  The date code reads V.I. 0912 -made in France January '92, so some wear is to be expected.  And with it being all leather- it weighs a TON, I don't recommend using Epi leather bags for big shopping trips.

I've also been using my fancy new Prada wallet that I purchased from Saks Fifth Avenue in Chicago last month.  That was such a fun experience!  I hadn't planned on buying anything, and since my Louis Vuitton wallet is so small- this Prada has become the perfect substitute.  

Here is some information from the Prada website:

WALLET

• SAFFIANO CALF LEATHER WALLET
• GOLD-PLATED HARDWARE
• METAL LETTERING LOGO
• TWO SNAP CLOSURE
• TEN CREDIT CARD SLOTS, ONE COIN COMPARTMENT WITH ZIPPER
• L 7.36" H 3.54"

There are plenty of card slots- two zippered compartments, six slots for cash and receipts.  And the Saffiano leather is amazing, as is the gold plated hardware.  My favorite feature is the lining- it's a Moire Faille.  (looks like wood grain) The Saffiano leather is a lot like Louis Vuitton Taiga leather.  Honestly the quality of this wallet is second to none- it makes my Louis Vuitton Zippy wallet look chintzy.   I am very serious when I say, this was some of the best money I have ever spent.  Mine is a sort of deep Burgundy/Bordeaux color- which I don't see on their website anymore.  I think this Prada will be the first of many----  :)

Here is a photo of my Prada wallet, and an interior shot of the wallet from their website:

I suppose with all the previous talk about my Epi Speedy 40- you'll probably want to see photos, so I won't hold out on you guys:

Aside from a "new" phone and the Prada wallet- I'm still carrying all the same things that I had in my Keepall 45, so I won't bore you with another list.

Well I only have a couple more hours before I have to be at work...

Until next time-