Earlier this week I had the pleasure of attending another phenomenal dinner event hosted by Seated. If you don't know about Seated already, check them out here and download the app today to get rewards for dining out in your favorite places! Plus you get to discover new restaurants. Use my promo code DOCTORCOLE to get even more rewards. All you have to do is make a reservation through the app and upload a photo of your receipt. Within 24 to 48 hours, you'll receive a code for credit ($10 to $50) to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Lyft, and more. I've made almost $200 eating out this past summer!


The event took place at a beautiful venue nestled at the corner of 11th and Pine St called Ristorante Aroma. The intimate setting provided a chance for us to get to know not only the other guests but also the owner, Susan, and the chef (originally from just outside of Naples), Tony, as well as the rest of the staff.

Each meal transported me back to my study abroad days of fresh cheese and homemade pasta (plus great wine!). The whole experience lived up to the restaurant's promise of offering a culinary tour of Italy.

The Arancini (rice balls filled with bolognese sauce and mozzarella cheese) was served first. It reminded me of my favorite delicacy from my time in Ascoli Piceno: Olive All'ascalona (fried olives stuffed with meat and cheese). I mentioned this to Susan thinking I'd never have the opportunity to eat them again. I was not only surprised Susan knew the antipasti and had previously served it at the restaurant but more than touched when she offered to make it again for me despite the specialty no longer being on the menu.


After what felt like a ten-course meal and thinking we had no room for more, the desserts came out. Of course, everyone has a separate stomach for dessert. It's difficult to choose a favorite because my taste buds were overwhelmed with how delicious everything was but for anyone visiting, I highly recommend the Strawberry Pocket.

Thank you again to Seated and Ristorante Aroma for hosting us all. I loved every second and am still full, a week later.

As part of this year's National Lipstick Day, M•A•C offered me a free complimentary makeover complete with smokey eyes, contouring, and a beautiful overall glow! My makeup artist Brittany taught me some great tips during our session.

First thing's first though - you need a clean canvas. I love using Neutrogena's face wipes to get the day's makeup off before bed or in this case, before a makeover.




Brittany put my eye makeup on first, explaining that residue from eye shadow and liner can easily be cleaned up when you don't have any foundation on. This also means you don't have to worry about messing up your contour, bronzer or blush in case you smudge some of your liner, shadow, or mascara. For the dramatic effect, she lined my bottom inner eyelid then blended a darker shadow below. I usually don't line this area because I feel like it makes my eyes look smaller than normal but in this case, it really made them pop. I guess I have to work on my technique.


Another great trick is using a makeup brush to apply liquid foundation. Brittany explained that when you use your fingertips or a sponge, the majority of the makeup is absorbed. Using a makeup brush also helps distribute the foundation in a smoother, more natural way.


If you're not following her on instagram, go to @lipstick_killabrit to see her amazing talent! And of course check out @maconchestnut - if you buy $60 in product, you can also get a makeover. My favorite product was (obviously) their lipstick! I got a free Aloof Lustre from National Lipstick Day and could not resist picking up their Mehr lipstick. Check out some of their other colors below -



Thank you to Brittany and M•A•C for helping me get ready for my night out at Chima Steakhouse. I had a great time with some other Philly foodies as we were treated to a complimentary buffet of salads and dinner. We piled our plates high with all the delicious cuts of meat from filet mignon to sirloins and bacon-covered goodness.


My eyes were bigger than my stomach that night but I was completely satiated. It helps to have an outlet and people outside of the medical field to maintain the work-life balance, especially when that outlet is food with friends :)



What are your outlets? And tell me your favorite makeup tips!

Still recovering from one of the most amazing events I have ever been invited to attend: Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia. To say the night was magical is an understatement. It was beyond anything I could have ever imagined. From the people to the food, wine, and decorations...a passersby put it best when he came up to me and said: "You all look like you just took stepped off the subway from Heaven."


If you have never heard of Dîner en Blanc, it's probably because it is one of the world's best kept secrets. An exclusive international pop-up dinner where the guests dress in all white, pulling out all the stops with their centerpieces and gourmet meals. No one knows where the location will be until right before it's supposed to take place. Prior Philadelphia events were held on Broad Street and the Art Museum. This year was no disappointment: City Hall and Dilworth Park *heart eyes*


I have never seen the park light up as bright as it did that night and from every corner.


I was lucky to be part of the media group thanks to my friend Mimi (@whatsonmimismind // Mimi's blog). We got first notice of the secret location plus access to the behind the scenes of the entire event.


We were treated to tons of live music, delicious hors d'oeuvres and a fantastic dinner sponsored by one of Center City's best pizza restaurants, Porta.


Just look at Porta's drool-worthy Margherita Pizza!


And their garden-fresh cucumber salad kept us energized throughout the evening.

Food (especially pizza) really does bring people together. I got to share all of Porta's wonderful entrees with tons of other Dîner en Blanc attendees including my new friend Kristin (@blondeonearth // Kristin's blog).




We checked out all the beautiful tables including tiered-tray displays and lots of twinkling lights. I even ran into friends from Barra Rossa, another fabulous Center City restaurant.


We turned City Hall into our very own catwalk, creating an accidental Sex and The City cover for the next movie installment (starring yours truly, Mimi, Kristin, and Cate from @catecolechic // Cate's blog).


The night ended with the stars falling from the sky and onto the city as we lit up the sparklers for a beautiful summer celebration.


Cannot wait to do it again next year!

From now on, I am only attending events with a guest list! So lucky to have been invited to the exclusive Seated dinner at Barra Rossa here in Philadelphia. If you have not heard of or downloaded the app Seated before, it is an amazing program that gives you rewards for dining out. Plus it helps you book reservations at the most popular restaurants. You can get $10 to $50 in credit each time you go out to eat for Amazon, Starbucks, Lyft, and more! Use my code "ALYSSA274" for an extra reward. Just click the link here: https://seated.app.link/dM8CAdQZYI



We were treated to a delicious Italian cuisine with appetizers for days along with salads, bruschetta, pizza (thin-crust = the best kind), mussels, mozzarella sticks,  and an endless supply of olives. I got to meet so many wonderful Philly foodies and of course, the Seated team. Shout out to my new Instagram family @bestbite, @whatsonmimismind, @happyhungryfoodie, @mackattackkss, @singerinkitchen, @bitetastic, and of course @seated_app).



It was a great way to bring friends together and family too! It turned out my cousin was at the same event representing @bestbite (follow them on Instagram if you aren't already). I am happy to take credit for introducing him to the Seated app as well :)



Everyone at Seated was so welcoming and what's more, excited to hear our feedback. Being the go-getter doctor I am, I wrote up an entire list of recommendations (call it my own "assessment and plan").  It turns out, they were already working on some of them too.

silver lining

If I haven't convinced you yet, let me tell you the best silver lining story. I went on a date with a guy who was as much a gastronome as me - he had been to almost every restaurant I had, enjoying the same meals. Meant to be, right? I sent him my Seated referral code and thought this could definitely turn into something...until I didn't hear from him. Needless to say, I'd been ghosted. About a week later, I got a notification from Seated that I received a reward from guess who - the same guy. Apparently, he used my referral code for another date! Made the whole "ghosted" experience totally worth it.

Don't forget - use my code "DOCTORCOLE" for an extra reward. Click here: https://seated.app.link/dM8CAdQZYI