The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is to create a Fitmas challenge that makes you a babe…including your rear 😉

#12DaysTilFitmas

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{MERRY FITMAS to the little FITMISS and FITMISTER}

A little under a year ago, I became an ambassador for an organic, all-natural birch tree water, Sealand Birk, which crossed my path with some pretty interesting, talented, inspiring, athletic babes, including one gem, Andrew Feld.

Find FELDY – @f_e_l_d_y

This past summer, Feldy, as he’s known by friends and the social media world {@f_e_l_d_y} wrote me a funny message on Instagram and has had me cracking up {with his semi-pro joke telling} ever since. As a D1 college athlete turned US Beach Professional Soccer player, Andrew knows a thing or two about health & fitness 😉 Diagnosed with Celiac Disease {finally after years of torture} in college, Feldy offers a wealth of knowledge on gluten intolerance and overall health and wellness, as he’s a nutritional sponge. He’ll quote 239487 movie lines, tell you 1293847 facts about leafy greens while making it rhyme, and always pick a fab red wine, because, obviously it’s good for your heart. His good vibes and positive energy are infectious, and I can’t thank you enough, Andrew, for pairing up with me for this holiday challenge!

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On the First Day of Fitmas…

Because of that, I’m so excited to announce that I may be putting the FitMiss into FITMAS, but Feldy’s my #12DaysTilFitmas PIC putting the mister in the FitMister. We had a little too much fun creating these workouts and singing our 12 Days of Fitmas 23421 too many times {thank you, Coffee Coffee and The Lanai for fueling our initial brainstorming maddness}.

On the first day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
A Set of Ten Burpees

On the second day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

On the third day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

On the fourth day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Forty Bench Dips
Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

On the fifth day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Fifty Kettle Twists
Forty Bench Dips

Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

On the sixth day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
A Sixty Second Wall Sit
Fifty Kettle Twists

Forty Bench Dips
Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

On the seventh day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Seven Hand Stand Push Ups
A Sixty Second Wall Sit

Fifty Kettle Twists
Forty Bench Dips
Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

On the eighth day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Eighty Weighted Sit Ups
Seven Hand Stand Push Ups

A Sixty Second Wall Sit
Fifty Kettle Twists
Forty Bench Dips
Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

On the ninth day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Ninety Double Unders
Eight Weighted Sit Ups

Seven Hand Stand Push Ups
A Sixty Second Wall Sit
Fifty Kettle Twists
Forty Bench Dips
Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

On the tenth day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Ten Fire Hydrants
Ninety Double Unders

Eight Weighted Sit Ups
Seven Hand Stand Push Ups
A Sixty Second Wall Sit
Fifty Kettle Twists
Forty Bench Dips
Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

On the eleventh day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
One Hundred Eleven Mountain Climbers
Ten Fire Hydrants

Ninety Double Unders
Eight Weighted Sit Ups
Seven Hand Stand Push Ups
A Sixty Second Wall Sit
Fifty Kettle Twists
Forty Bench Dips
Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

On the twelfth day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Twelve Rowers Rowing
Eleven Mountain Climbers

Ten Fire Hydrants
Ninety Double Unders
Eight Weighted Sit Ups
Seven Hand Stand Push Ups
A Sixty Second Wall Sit
Fifty Kettle Twists
Forty Bench Dips
Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

clearly we don’t have any fun…

To be even more prepared throughout this challenge, and always know what’s coming next, check out the images below, which you’ll find uploaded to my Instagram daily (along with movement VIDEOS!) throughout the #12DaysTilFitmas

On the first day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
A Set of Ten Burpees

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On the second day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

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On the third day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

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On the fourth day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Forty Bench Dips
Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

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On the fifth day of Fitmas
Shell & Feldy sent to me:
Fifty Kettle Twists
Forty Bench Dips

Thirty Side Lunges
Twenty Sumo Squats
and A Set of Ten Burpees

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CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU FOLLOW ALONG WITH US! and PS – there will be prizes for those actively participating! Be sure to update daily challenge photos and/or videos using the hashtag #12daystilFITMAS and tagging Shelley, @seashellsandsitups on Instagram! @seashellssitups on Twitter.

 

 

Ho Ho Ho, and Happy Holidays to you Fitmisses and Fitmisters!

xoxo

 

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Special thanks to Nathan Perry for spending the morning with us taking photos! Give him some Insta love – @SanDiegoPhotographer

 

*BE SURE TO CHECK @SEASHELLSANDSITUPS’ INSTAGRAM DAILY FOR MOVEMENT VIDEOS 🙂 We did our best to show one full version and one modified version of each daily workout move. Chose whichever version works for you and your body; with my back injury, I chose to model the modified reps, while Andrew did the real thanggg, weighted. 

 

Special thanks, again, to Andrew Feld for all your help being my model, and spending so much time helping me with this Fitmas project!

Roxy x Biotherm

The only thing better than a day on the slopes, is a day on the slopes in a cute ski outfit #amiright?!

…Going one step further than that, what if there was an apparel line of activewear that actually cared for your skin while you’re being a little ski bunny?! Well, thanks to Roxy x Biotherm, THERE IS…

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Sportswear becomes Skincare

ROXY HAS JOINED UP WITH A COSMETICS BRAND, BIOTHERM, TO CREATE JACKETS AND NECK WARMERS IMBUED WITH AN EXCLUSIVE FORMULA, WHICH PROTECTS THE FACE AND NECK FROM THE COLD.

FREEZING TEMPERATURES, DRY AIR AND FRICTION FROM CLOTHING FABRIC DEHYDRATE AND IRRITATE THE SKIN, ESPECIALLY ON THE FACE AND NECK. BY BRINGING TOGETHER THEIR EXPERTISE, ROXY AND BIOTHERM INTRODUCE ENJOY & CARE, AN INNOVATIVE CLOTHING RANGE THAT CARES FOR THE SKIN WHILE RIDING.

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • A soothing forumla: Moisturizing anti-oxidant Vitamin E
  • Revolutionary Cosmetotextile Technology: Microencapsulation allows active hydrating substances to be injected into miniature capsules.
  • These microscopic capsules are then inserted into the fabric.
  • The fabric can be washed 15 times at 40° before effect dissipates
  • As the fabric comes into contact with the skin, the micro particles break, progressively releasing their formula.
  • Continuous protection from wind, cold and friction, leaving your skin soft and healthy.

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SHOP 

Shop Roxy x Biotherm products here!

 

Thanks so much to @Roxy for sponsoring this #RoxyxBiotherm campaign, and my beautiful sister, @shopper2, for being my model and spending the day in Tahoe with me on the slopes product testing xoxo. Please note, this is an advertisement, but all opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Exchange

Once or twice a year, I like to set up a motivational mail exchange, and over the holidays it seems to be extra special and extra fun!

If you’re one of my local, TIU, BBG, or women fitness followers on Instagram and are interested in participating, we would love to have you join in our FITMAS GIFT EXCHANGE!

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Link to sign up is below 🙂

https://www.elfster.com/exchange/view/15484534/ea08cc/

*Please note:

The mail exchange over the TIU Frisky Fall challenge fell through since there were too many issues with users not updating the correct info, so pleaseeeee make sure to read all instructions and update info accordingly if you’d like to participate 🙂 

Also, your shipping info is ONLY given to the parter you’re paired with, FYI!

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Deadline to sign up is THIS FRIDAY, December 10th, and names will be drawn shortly after so participants can shop over the weekend and get things mailed out the following week to make it by Christmas!

Speaking of Fitmas, my #12daystilFitmas challenge kicks off December 13th! Be sure to keep an eye out on @seashellsandsitups for more info, and a blog post coming soon!!

In the meantime, try the #falalalalaWOD below to get a quick, full body blast using your body weight. Targets the entire body in under ten minutes! Repeat 3-4x to kick your day off with a bang!

 

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Ho Ho Ho! xx

Leftover Turkey? Try This!

I have a confession: My name is Shelley and I dislike leftovers.

I know, I know….sorry I’m not sorry, I’m just not a fan. So I have to get creative and sneak any leftovers in my fridge into new, reinvented dishes, like this Turkey Salad.

Open your fridge…do you have leftover Thanksgiving turkey? Are you about to turn into a turkey yourself if you make one more sandwich or Thanksgiving plate three days in a row? Thinking about getting back on track with clean eating before the Christmas madness?!

If you answered yes to any of those questions and are a fan of chicken salad, keep reading…Prep this clean turkey salad for your lunch tomorrow or for the week ahead. It’s flavor-packed and won’t leave you tossing turkey you can’t bare to stare at anymore.

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Ingredients:

  • 1/4 organic green apple, cubed (small)
  • 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt, mayo, or 1/4 avocado (mashed)
  • 1/2 avocado, cubed (unless making night before; add this day-of before eating)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1-2 shakes curry powder (optional)
  • 2 green onion, sliced
  • 1 celery stock, diced
  • 1/4 cup red grapes, largely diced
  • 2-3 slices of cucumber, cubed
  • 3 large slices of turkey, cubed
  • 1/2-1 tablespoon Bragg’s apple cider vinegar

 

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Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix
  2. Store or serve and enjoy as a sandwhich, lettuce wraps, with bell peppers or other veggies!

 

Looking for other leftover turkey ideas? It’s a family tradition of ours to make turkey enchiladas and turkey taco soup. Hope these inspire you to get creative with your leftovers 🙂 

 

xo,

Shelley

FA LA LA LA LAAAAA…

If you’ve followed me since last year, you most likely know my FAVORITEEEEE challenge of all was my #7daysofFitmas (check the hashtag to see more.)

It was my favorite because of how active it was, how much fun I had checking in each day and following other’s posts, and how much positive feedback I received of people feeling stronger by the end. I absolutely loved seeing people choosing to repeat the 7 days a couple or a few times because of the results they got, simply by increasing a movement day to day.

Soooo, guess what?! IT’S COMING BACK. Better than last year. Better instructions. Better movements. Better eye candy to look at 😉

#12daysTilFitmas.jpgSince there are 129387 hashtags already using the #12daysofFitmas, our official challenge hashtag is #12daysTilFitmas –> do the math and see when it officially starts! Hint: It’s a Sunday. In mid-December. 12 days before Christmas. 😉

So many questions…what will it be?! What will it involve?! Who’s the #FitMiss and the #FitMister?! I DUNNOOOOO 😉

…That’s all I’m going to leak for now. But we all know I’m the worst secret keeper on the planet, so STAY TUNED. More details coming SOON!

 

JUMP IN MY CURRENT CHALLENGE:

#GetFitGiveThanks — a two-week fitness + gratitude challenge combining one workout a day and one thankfulness challenge a day. It’s not too late to jump in! Challenge ends on Thanksgiving (so 5 more full days to go!) Grand prize is a Withings Activite Pop Activity & Sleep tracking watch (almost a $200 value!)

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Click here to learn more about this challenge and download the follow-along calendar xoxo

 

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This past Saturday I planned a girls’ night for my closest girlfriends [new+old] & me to celebrate the past year of friendship, accomplishments, life’s highs, and wave goodbye to the downs that seemed to keep looming over all of us. To be frank, it’s been one.long.ass.year of change and hurt and chaos and I’m over it. I needed this night to feel confident, beautiful, and be surrounded by those who love and support me, and reflect and honor all the wonderful things in my life rather than what tugs at my heart and soul.

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We toasted our glasses to acknowledge how far we’ve all come through trials, tribulations, and took a night off to appreciate one another, our story-book beach town, and all we have going for us.

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That being said, with fall in the air and wanting a sexy yet classy look, I decided to wear black jeans and a black lace-top paired with my favorite gold jewelry. For makeup, I went to Ulta just to buy a new bold lip color to pair with dark, shadowy eyes {because I think they photograph best and we knew we planned to take 39248927 photos}.

Whenever I post a photo to my Seashells and Sit Ups Instagram, I never really anticipate people wanting to mimic a look, and reading all the comments on my Instagram made me feel so loved and thankful to all the followers who actually support and appreciate everything I do, even when it’s completely naturally, unintentionally, just.my.life. and me in my daily element. So, thank you so much to all of you who were so sweet!

With all the questions about my lip color, I decided to do an updated makeup post {you can find another post from last year with more details about my favorite beauty essentials here}. I’m not into anything fancy-schmancy, and all these products are pretty affordable and seem to last forever – which is a must for this mama on a budget.

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THE ESSENTIALS

Let me start with my 6 everyday must haves…like even if I were to go camping or skiing or surfing, these come with me. hahaha. #sorryI’mnotsorry. These are my daily “I woke up like this/I’m so natural-looking” pieces.

  • Tarte Amazon clay full coverage foundation with SPF 15; 12-hour coverage and oil free
  • Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer; full-coverage and waterproof
  • Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto mascara in very black [NOT the waterproof; hate it]
  • Naked2 by Urban Decay “foxy” and “bootycall” eyeshadow shades
  • Maybelline New York Define-a-Line eyeliner in Ebony Black
  • Tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour blush, “Captivating”.

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THE NIGHT-OUT ADD-ONS

If I’m going out to dinner with girlfriends or attending a special event, I like to spice it up and add dark eyes or a bold lip color. I also add a layer of powder over my foundation, and use extra eye liner. Same goes for a new date, but I usually stick to chapstick and a more natural look {let’s be real….no one wants to be fooled the next time they see you, so wearing too much makeup on a first date is not my cup of tea!} They’ve usually already stalked my Instagram, and that’s enough to try to keep up with behind 123 filters.

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  • Naked 2 by Urban Decay’s “blackout” eyeshadow [I use this at the outside corners and as an eye liner], “tease”, and “verve”.
  • Tarte “smooth operator” Amazonian clay tinted pressed finishing powder
  • Calvin Klein “500 Liplock” lipstick
  • Lorac “Dominatrix” lipstick

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I mix the two lipsticks above together

If I’m going for a more “Barbie” look, I stick to light eyeshadows, a thick cat-eye black eyeliner, and Sephora’s “Unfaithful” Barbie-pink  lipstick

Thank you to my best friends and new friends and neighbors who add a spark to my life, my soul, and my being. I love you!

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photo directly above – photo: @nobleandrews | hair + makeup: @atoasttobeauty

Happy day ONE of the #GETFITGIVETHANKS Thanksgiving gratitude challenge! First time reading about this? Catch up on more information on my Instagram, @seashellsandsitups, or my previous blog post about it here. Get the most out of this fun and motivational fitness+thankfulness challenge by also dialing in your nutrition with my Two Week Trim, which you can download here

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Find everything you need to start your GET FIT GIVE THANKS week on the right track below!

2-WEEK CALENDAR

Download original sized images here

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2-WEEK MEAL + WOD + GRATITUDE CHALLENGE TRACKERS

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week one

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week two

Today + tomorrow’s workouts of the day are the Pumpkin WOD (today) and Pumpkin WOD II (tomorrow)

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Find original images here: https://seashellsandsitups.wordpress.com/2015/10/10/pumpkin-workouts/

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Get the most out of the next two weeks by downloading my Two Week Trim here! Dial in on your results by focusing on your body, mind, and nutrition 🙂 

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, and so much success behind the mini week-long Halloween challenge last month, I decided to do a two-week fitness + gratitude challenge starting TOMORROW, Monday, 11/15, and ending two days after turkey day, Sunday, November 28th.

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The focus of this challenge is to start each day with a grateful heart and a clear mind, through one workout a day and one thankfulness/gratitude challenge each afternoon. Sit back, focus on what you’re thankful for in life, and spend two weeks bettering your body and your mind.

After you complete the workout and daily challenge, add a post to Instagram tagging @seashellsandsitups and using the hashtag, #GETFITGIVETHANKS.

There will be one grand prize of a Withings Active Pop Watch to someone who participates the entire two weeks with daily Instagram check-ins of 1. each daily workout and 2. the gratitude challenge of the day.

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print by Lianne Tokey // Baron Art Co.

IT’S NOT HAPPY PEOPLE WHO ARE THANKFUL, IT’S THANKFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE HAPPY.

Have fun and good luck!!!

DOWNLOAD CALENDAR IMAGES BELOW:

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All listed WODs below can be found throughout my Instagram by going back in my feed, and I’ll be uploading all of them to either my Instagram daily or blog weekly so you can find them easier. 

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Festive Holiday Salad 🎄🎅🏽

I’m a firm believer that Christmas decor doesn’t belong up until the day after Thanksgiving. I mean, poor Thanksgiving gets lost in the holiday shuffle and is practically packed away before it even begins. That being said, I made this salad today on accident, and it was completely red and green. Which screams Christmas….and here it is mid-November. So excuse me while I blog this total December salad while I sit here in sunny 80 degree San Diego — I just don’t want to forget these ingredients since it’s far too festive and pretty to be forgotten.

  
Ingredients:

  • Trader Joe’s power mix (kale, chard, spinach)
  • Manitoba Harvest Hemp Seeds
  • Purple beets (raw or roasted or marinaded)
  • Cooked edamame 
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • Shaved Brussels (raw or roasted)
  • Red heirloom mini tomatoes
  • Avocado 
  • Broccoli (raw or roasted) 
  • Red bell pepper (raw or roasted)
  • Optional dairy add-on: feta cheese or shaved Parmesan 
  • Optional protein add-on: egg whites (I usually eat the entire egg but for color purposes, hold the yolk) or cooked chicken, steak, or other meat protein 
  • Dressing: mix of balsamic vinegar & avocado oil 

Enjoy! Ho ho ho!

  

   

I’m SO beyond excited to partner with Dinner Lab to offer all of my blog/social media fam a VIP invitation to their exclusive event! I may live in San Diego, one Dinner Lab location, but guess what?! Dinner Lab is active in THIRTY-THREE CITIES across the nation, so there very well may be one right near YOU!
 
For this week only, Dinner Lab is extending my sweetblogging/social media fam a FREE MEMBERSHIP for the year.  Register here and you’ll ALSO receive $20 off your first ticket purchase.
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Dinner Lab is a membership-based social dining experiment active in 33 cities across the nation including New York, New Orleans, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and San Diego. The purpose of Dinner Lab is to unite undiscovered chefs with adventurous diners looking for something different than a traditional restaurant experience.

Guests come to explore new cuisines and community in a space that only exists for 24 hours. Local chefs are given a creative platform, a culinary theatrical stage of sorts, to prototype new dishes and ideas. Each chefs’ menu tells a compelling story, and guests are encouraged to use this platform to provide honest and truthful feedback to the spotlighted chefs. They in-turn use this feedback in their restaurants and for special projects.

Photo Credit- Debby Wolvos, Food Stylist- Sarah Seddon 2

Next Dinner Lab event: 
  • Mark your calendars for FRIENDSGIVINGTHURSDAY, November 19 at 7 p.m! 
  • Location: San Diego [exact location is kept secret until the day before the event!]
  • Guest Chef DJ Park from Los Angeles joins Dinner Lab San Diego presenting his 5-course menu
  • Special beer pairing by Sam Adams.
Chef and menu are revealed now, location is keep secret until day before event – HOW COOL IS THAT?!
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Pickled & Smoked Crudité

winter lager crème fraîche | olive powder |

Corn Porridge

ember charred corn | toasted walnut | smoked cream

Roasted Vegetable Stuffing

croissant stuffing | Thirteenth Hour stout & umami gravy

Surf & Turf

charred lobster | roasted duck | pickled berries | jus

Rustic Apple Tart

toasted walnut | spiced cream

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Cheers and happy dining!
CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE!

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Use THIS link for registration