Grand Re-Opening of Naples Ristorante E Bar & Napolini Pizzeria in Downtown Disney

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Grand Re-Opening of Naples Ristorante E Bar in Downtown Disney

By Erin

*I was invited as media to come check out the newly remodeled Naples Ristorante E Bar in Downtown Disney. All thoughts and opinions remain my own!*

I go to Disneyland a lot. So you can find me dining and exploring all that the Disneyland Resort has to offer often. Last week I was honored to be in attendance as Patina Restaurant Group showed off their newly remodeled restaurant in Downtown Disney® District, the Naples Ristorante E Bar. The renovations started last year and is now complete so we were all finally able to see the beautiful additions to this delicious restaurant.

New design elements include:

• A mural of photographs by Naples photographer Mimmo Fontanella

• A fire-themed mosaic glass tile above a trio of new wood-burning pizza ovens

• An expanded outdoor patio with a new outside bar and fountain wall

• A large “infinite loop” lighting fixture

The celebration included executives from Disney and Patina Restaurant Group joined by special guests Chef Mickey Mouse and Chef Goofy. Following the dedication, we got to partake in the food and friendly hospitality at Naples.

Thank you Naples Ristorante e Bar for inviting us to the grand reopening!

Chef Umberto Rubelli hails from Milan, Italy and brings an authentic Italian touch to the food.

New menu items include a variety of fresh seafood, simply prepared fish selections with lemon, olive oil and tomato. There is a new build-your-own pizza menu at Napolini that Pizzaiolo Charlie Restivo runs.

The pizzeria’s signature pies include Vesuvio(mozzarella, tomato, Calabrian chili, green olives, anchovies, capers), California (chicken, bbq sauce, red onions, cilantro, smoked mozzarella), and Capri (shrimp, mozzarella, fontina, lemon, pesto). Most ingredients are imported from Italy and they use locally grown vegetables. Chef Umberto also recommended all the desserts, but his favorite is the Tiramisu as it is his grandmother recipe. I will need to go back just to try this! I really love their cheesecake too!

A dedication ceremony included members of the restaurant’s staff and executives from Disney and Patina Restaurant Group. Special guests Chef Mickey Mouse and Chef Goofy joined in the fun to round out the magical celebration.

Here are a few other fun photos from the restaurant:

This is the hand gesture wall, and each hand means something different! It is really cool!

If you like Mules, you MUST try the Mule Flight! It was so good, I loved them all, it was too hard to pick a favorite of the three.

And of course the pizza, you cannot come here and NOT have some pizza! Yum!

Cheers! Be sure to come down soon and check it out for yourself! 🙂

Naples is open for lunch and dinner. Napolini is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with to-go options.  Both restaurants are located at Downtown Disney District, 1510 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA 92802.

Holiday Shopping on a Budget with Sprint and Boost Mobile

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Holiday Shopping on a Budget

By Erin

*This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions remain my own*

Holiday Shopping on a Budget with Sprint and Boost Mobile

It’s getting down to the wire, have you finished (or even started) your holiday shopping yet? I still have a few more gifts to get, but I have started! Do you give yourself a budget and stick with it or do you just spend now and worry about it later? I am pretty good at sticking to a budget, but I always love to learn new things on how to do it better.

Last month I attended an event hosted by Sprint and Boost Mobile where we all learned a couple of new tips and tricks on how to stay on budget while finishing the holiday shopping from Aileen Luib at Baller On A Budget.  I also learned about finding a phone and a plan that does not break the bank, so I think I finally know where to shop for our next phones and plan.

Here are some of the tips we learned to spend smart!

  • ​Make a “To-Gift” list: Think of who you’ll actually be seeing during the holidays and add them to your gift list. That way you know how much money you realistically are going to need.
  • Make a master budget: Give yourself a rough number that won’t prevent you from paying your bills or tempt you to use your credit cards. Can you take out $300 per paycheck over the next few weeks to cover the holiday shopping? Or will your holiday bonuses allow you to spend $1,000 on gifts? Know what you have so you don’t overspend and then stick with it.
  • Set a budget for each person: Make a budget for every person on your list and look for alternatives for those with expensive taste. If Mom likes Chanel, get her a lipstick instead of that expensive perfume. Don’t forget! The key to a good gift is being THOUGHTFUL, NOT expensive! 🙂
  • Avoid giving gift cards or cash: (I personally like getting gift cards and cash, but this is something to think about for sure if it works for your situation!) It’s easier to buy a $50 item on sale for $30, but if you guy a $50 gift card, your recipient will still have to pay for the remaining sales tax for the same item. You can always find discounts on items, but gift cards and cash don’t provide the same flexibility.
  • Are you shopping online or in-store? Online shopping allows you to compare prices between stores quickly and easily without wasting your time and gas! If you shop in-store, consider your local outlet malls as they have daily specials that are comparable to Black Friday sales.
  • Plan the right time to buy: If at all possible, wait to buy regular-priced items if you think they will go on sale. Here are some things to remember:  Black Friday– Great for electronics and appliances, Black Friday Preview Sales, Cyber Monday (Online-only sales, great for flights and hotels), Small Business Saturday (Good for speciality items carried by local businesses), Boxing Day (For international online retailers).
  • Shop through online deal clubs: Online deal clubs partner with small businesses to promote their items at a discounted price so that customers can try them out. Items are between $1-$10 in most deal clubs. Here are a few that are free to join: Vipon, Snagshout, Elite Deal Club, Uber Zon Club.
  • Reduce unnecessary Spending: Bring your lunch to work instead of going out everyday. Sacrifice Spotify or Apple Music for 2 months. Satisfy any shopping impulses by purchasing gifts on your list instead of something for yourself. This is the season of giving to others after all! 😉
  • Cut your expenses: Do you really need cable TV if you only use Netflix? Have you tried negotiating any of your bills? Have you thought about switching to a more affordable cell phone service provider? With Sprint you can lease a new iPhone XR for Mom with $0 today on an 18-month lease. Unlimited plans start at $60 a month. The Unlimited Plus Plan also includes features like TIDAL music streaming and Hulu! Regardless of what plan you choose, you will have access to Sprint’s nationwide network, high-speed data and unlimited international text.

  • If you don’t want to jump into a contract then Boost Mobile is for you! Offering pre-paid plans starting as low as $30 a month. That way you can just pay as you go. All plans provide you with unlimited data, talk and text and 99 percent nationwide coverage. For a limited time, new customers can get four lines of unlimited data, talk and text for only $25 per line per month.
  • Make More Money: Get creative! Here are some ways to scrape up some extra cash! Sell handmade goods on Etsy, offer yard services around your neighborhood, Babysit for friends and family, walk dogs on Rover or Wag, Take surveys on Quick Thoughts, Have a garage sale, or sell unwanted items on eBay.

Do you have any special tips or tricks to stay on budget during the holidays? I’d love to hear them if you do! Happy Holidays!

A Desert Oasis: Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa in Palm Springs

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Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa in Palm Springs

By Erin

*Thank you to A Girl’s Guide To Cars, Miramonte Resort and Visit Greater Palm Springs for sponsoring the A Girl’s Guide to Cars Conference. This is a sponsored post. All thoughts & opinions are my own.* 

Just less than a two-hour drive from LA and Orange County is this beautiful oasis that is nestled at the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains in the dessert where the days are warm and the nights are cool in the Coachella Valley region. Featuring 11 acres of citrus trees, olive trees, lush rose, herb and vegetable gardens waiting for you to discover them.  When you walk inside, the reservation check in desk is welcoming and bright with windows all around and lead out to the courtyard. Once checked in, your desert oasis awaits you.  This is the ideal place whether you are looking for a relaxing getaway, a girls weekend, a romantic weekend or a family weekend, there is something for everyone here! Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, California  is waiting for you!

Miramonte Resort Spa Indian Wells Palm Springs

Comfortable Rooms

The accommodations are very comfortable and cozy. The perfect place to relax and unwind. Here are the types of rooms you can stay in.

Guest Rooms

These rooms take advantage of stunning desert vistas found around the resort and have between 425-450  square feet and come with the option of either a king bed or two queen sized beds. Rooms on the first floor come with private furnished balconies or patios. Rooms located on the second floor offer private Juliette-styled balconies. The accommodations look out onto the citrus groves, the rose garden and the desert beyond.

Junior suites

Junior Suite offers more space to relax and citrus garden, rose garden or resort views. With 550 square feet of floor space, a separate living area and a private balcony. These come with either a king or two queen beds.

Villa suites

These spacious suites offers a private entrance and a garden adjacent to the Miramonte Pool. 725 square feet of space to relax, they feature one king bedroom, a living area with sofa bed, dining table for four, a spacious bathroom with whirlpool tub, and a private terrace! If you want to live it up, this is the way to go!

Resort Amenities & Resort Services

Here are some of the services and amenities you can enjoy during your stay here:

  • Room service
  • Award-winning Well Spa
  • Two restaurants on site
  • Wellness programs including 24-hour fitness center and yoga

  • WiFi included
  • Pet-friendly accommodations
  • Breathtaking Palm Springs views
  • Three pools, including a quiet pool and hot and cool water retreats

Daily Resort Charge

A daily resort charge is added to the room rate and includes WiFi Access, self and valet parking, two-hour bike rental, shuttle to Indian Wells Golf Course with golf concierge/golf bag storage and putting course access, indoor and outdoor games, and local and toll-free calls.

Delicious Dining

Miramonte Citrus Palm Restaurant

There are a couple of options to enjoy during your stay here. Citrus & Palm serves breakfast and lunch daily. Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday only. So just be aware that dinner is not served on Sundays or Mondays. Only the freshest locally harvested ingredients are used to prepare the dishes with to create the most healthy and delicious meals possible. We enjoyed an amazing dinner here on our first evening here.

The Tavern is your other dining option. You can order snacks, entrees and drinks here. Some options you can order include roasted or stir-fried vegetables, grilled shrimp and lobster quesadillas (my mom had these and loved them), fried calamari and more. They also have a pretty sweet happy hour  during the week (Monday- Friday from 2pm-6pm) that you will want to check out!

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