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Travel Uncategorized

Beauty on the go @tatcha_v #tatcha #travelsize #sponsored

I love my travel size beauty products and I love this line of beauty products  from Tatcha which the creator started by taking a holistic approach to beauty based on classical Japanese beauty secrets and the approach that that less is more. The Tatcha collection has something for everyone.

The website says, “The foundation of the line is Hadasei-3™, a trinity of anti-aging superfoods born from the Japanese diet, and the basis for the original geisha beauty rituals: green tea, rice and algae. Every ingredient is carefully selected and minimally manipulated to be gentle and safe with maximum effectiveness.”

Here are a few products the company sent me to test out.

The Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum is a weightless serum of Okinawa Red Algae, Honeysuckle Leaf and Caffeine. In one use I noticed an instance difference. Loved the hydration it offers.

I have a ton of hand creams everywhere. I like the soothing hand cream as it is super hydrating and it calms irritated skin. What is different about it is that is has a blue color which is a natural Japanese Indigo and disappears upon application. Super cool!

The Camellia Gold Spun Lip Balm is unlike any other I have tried. The packaging is so nice and it is ultra hydrating. Made with Camellia Oil it leaves your lips with a bit of golden shimmer. The glossy finish is perfect and it has 23-karat gold flakes right in it! A must for your make-up bag!

Disclosure: The company sent me the above items to test out. All opinions in this blog post are my own.

#TravelBeauty Items from @tatcha_v
#TravelBeauty Items from @tatcha_v

 

Categories
Events Travel

Love a Local Get-A-Way @TheDelamar @SeaCrestCapeCod #staycation #CapeCod #Greenwich #hosted

Crazy busy few weeks! Can you believe it is May?? I was so upset that I could not get to Florida for April school vacation week! What the heck did I have to complain about that for???? My younger daughter and I had a very nice couple of nights at two very special properties.

April is a great time to check out hotels in New England. The weather was pretty good for school vacation week too!  Our first venture was an overnight at the Sea Crest. This property in Falmouth is unlike any other place on Cape Cod. This beach resort is right on the water with a restaurant, pool and parking right there. The rooms have great water views – check out our ocean front room! The restaurant Red’s is just great. One night at this hotel is so relaxing that is will totally refresh and relax you. The front desk staff is always so nice!

Our second overnight was at The Delamar in Greenwich CT. This was a very nice property that was right near the rodeo drive of the east – lots of shopping right up the street so it was a great gals get-a-way. When you check in they give you champagne and they even had a wine and cheese reception. My 12 year old enjoyed the complementary tea and hot chocolate. The Delamar has a lovely spa right on the premises but we did not have time to experience it. (My daughter asked if it was complementary lol) Next time we will check it out and take a trip to NYC too. The train was close by the hotel and it was a 40 minute trip in to the city. The reception desk was quite helpful and suggested we come back in the summer when they offer local boat rides and a complementary ride to a local beach!

Both resorts are ideal for a girls trip too!

 

Disclosure: I received discounted hotel rooms at each location. As always all opinions are my own in this blog post.

Sea Crest has the best sunsets I have ever seen!
Sea Crest has the best sunsets I have ever seen!
A beautiful sunset at the Sea Crest
A beautiful sunset at the Sea Crest
The beach front view from the room at the Sea Crest
The beach front view from the room at the Sea Crest
The Delamar in Greenwich CT offers complementary wine and cheese!
The Delamar in Greenwich CT offers complementary wine and cheese!
A very nice welcome in your room at the Delamar
A very nice welcome in your room at the Delamar
Comfy beds at The Delamar Hotel
Comfy beds at The Delamar Hotel

 

 

Categories
Travel

February school vacation is over but ah the memories #Skiing #Beach #IceCastlesNH #Hosted

This February school vacation week was unlike any other. The temperatures hit 70 degrees in Massachusetts!  We went skiing one day and the beach the next. It was crazy! We were lucky to be able to stay with friends at Loon Mountain and skied a couple days. Then we headed to Ice Castles! This has been on my list of must sees this winter. Luckily Ice Castles sent us tickets and we went earlier in the week as with the crazy New England weather they cannot guarantee  it will be open, because, well due to melting!  While they are closed for the season now, this is something you need to put on your list of things to do with the kids during the winter vacation next year! I thought it looked beautiful and if you have kids that love the movie frozen it makes it even more magical. The Ice Castles are built by hand using only water and icicles. We did go during the day but I hear they light up at night so will have to check it out at night next year! Here are some FAQ’s from the Ice Castles website so plan a bit before you go and wear your snow pants as they have a fun slide!

Disclosure: Ice Castles sent me tickets to check out the venue. All opinions in this blog post are my own.

Heading into a cave at Ice Castles NH
Heading into a cave at Ice Castles NH
Seats, slides and more fun for families photos at Ice Castles
Seats, slides and more fun for families photos at Ice Castles
Towers of Ice!
Towers of Ice!
Such cool scenery!
Such cool scenery!
The crowd was not too bad at Ice Castles NH
The crowd was not too bad at Ice Castles NH

 

Categories
Travel

Travel goals #travelgoals

It’s September and that means back to school, routine and chaos! I am sure many of you are not even thinking about a vacation or traveling! However as parents we run around a lot with our kids and sometimes taking time off and planning a vacation is not always easy. BUT even if it’s a day trip, a quick visit to another city or a full blown trip around the world, getting away can be fun! We do love our weekend day trips to Boston and each year I map out where I would like to go on vacation. This year the kids want to go back to Florida (it is nice when you have friends you can stay with) as well as take a trip to San Francisco. Of course on my list is to take a trip to Italy and France! What are your travel goals this year?

Enjoying the sites in Boston from the car! #travel #travelblogger
Enjoying the sites in Boston from the car! #travel #travelblogger
Categories
Travel

Travel goals #travelgoals

It’s September and that means back to school, routine and chaos! I am sure many of you are not even thinking about a vacation or traveling! However as parents we run around a lot with our kids and sometimes taking time off and planning a vacation is not always easy. BUT even if it’s a day trip, a quick visit to another city or a full blown trip around the world, getting away can be fun! We do love our weekend day trips to Boston and each year I map out where I would like to go on vacation. This year the kids want to go back to Florida (it is nice when you have friends you can stay with) as well as take a trip to San Francisco. Of course on my list is to take a trip to Italy and France! What are your travel goals this year?

Enjoying the sites in Boston from the car! #travel #travelblogger
Enjoying the sites in Boston from the car! #travel #travelblogger
Categories
Travel

Vacation memories #travel #vacation #Miami #Naples #MarcoIsland @marcomarriott

It is so hard to get back to school, work and a routine after being on vacation!  We were lucky to be able to stay with friends and visit with friends while we were in Miami!

We also spent time in Fort Lauderdale, Naples and Marco Island. I had never been to the “other side of Florida” and it was just wonderful.  Check out the west coast the next time you are in Florida and especially check out the Marco Marriott.  We were also lucky in that we had a few days and the weekend to relax at home before the kids went back to school and I went back to work. We tried to do the usual – get to bed early a few days before and eat at a normal time – what ways do you get back into a routine after a vacation?

 

Fun in the sun in  #Florida #marcomarriott 3travel
Fun in the sun in #Florida #marcomarriott #travel

 

 

Categories
Travel

Vacation memories #travel #vacation #Miami #Naples #MarcoIsland @marcomarriott

It is so hard to get back to school, work and a routine after being on vacation!  We were lucky to be able to stay with friends and visit with friends while we were in Miami!

We also spent time in Fort Lauderdale, Naples and Marco Island. I had never been to the “other side of Florida” and it was just wonderful.  Check out the west coast the next time you are in Florida and especially check out the Marco Marriott.  We were also lucky in that we had a few days and the weekend to relax at home before the kids went back to school and I went back to work. We tried to do the usual – get to bed early a few days before and eat at a normal time – what ways do you get back into a routine after a vacation?

 

Fun in the sun in  #Florida #marcomarriott 3travel
Fun in the sun in #Florida #marcomarriott #travel

 

 

Categories
Events Travel

Celebrate the season with a stay @GreatWolfLodge #gwlhowlidays #snowland #GWLNE #travel #hosted

The holiday season is a great time to visit Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg as snowland is the theme of this massive indoor waterpark destination! From November 28 through January 3, Great Wolf Lodge transforms into a magical winter wonderland. My family and I spent an overnight at the lodge and was welcomed with wonderful holiday décor and fun activities. Santa was on hand to hear all the kids wishes and we even got to stay in the Snowland Suites. Our room had a Christmas tree and lights were everywhere. There were decorations of snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and I loved the extra touch of how they wrapped all the pictures in the room. It really was a nice way to get into the holiday spirit. We also got to take home with us a commemorative Snowland throw and a copy of the winter story book, Unique as a Snowflake – add to that a delivery of milk and cookies at the end of the night by a special Great Wolf Kids™ character and the extras really make this a unique get-a-way unlike any other. It really is more than an indoor water park. For the younger kids there is story time, forest friends show and more. The Howlin timbers play park which offers Howl at the Moon Mini Golf, Ten Paw Alley, the Frog Hopper amusement ride and the Howlers Peak Ropes Course. So mom if you are weary of the twisty water rides take a visit with your kids to the ropes coursein the play park or have the kids visit the scooops spa! Click here for a list of all the attractions.

The Great Wolf Lodge is a fun, close get-a-way this holiday season with lots to do for kids of all ages. We stayed onsite to enjoy a dinner at the Lodge Wood Fired Grill and it was great. I got the buffet which was mostly a Mexican theme and it was really good. Kids loved their meals as well, but there are so many food options to choose from. There is also a Dunkin Donuts onsite. As my kids are on the older side the two best slides, according to both of them, are the wolf’s tale and howlin tornado. The wolf tale is super fast and daring! You step into this launch pod – according to the description on the web site – and the floor drops out from under you, and you’re hurled into a nearly vertical, 20-foot free fall, followed immediately by a 360-degree, high-speed loop! Everyone in my family did it. I did not this visit but have in the past and I cannot believe I did it! It is unlike any water ride I have been on. And the howlin tornado, well  this ride is built for four and has lots of tilting twists and turns! We went on this together several times and the drop was unbelievable.

We also received paw passes which allowed us to receive free games, tattoos, create your own stuffed animal and more. There is also lots of gift shops too! Check out the web site for their latest deals and fun!

Disclosure: I was able to stay overnight at a discounted media rate and received complementary paw passes. All opinions are my own in this post.

 

Fun and adventure @GreatWolfLodge #GWLNE
Fun and adventure @GreatWolfLodge #GWLNE

 

Categories
Events opinion Travel

Traditions, Turkey Day, Turkey Trot and being #Thankful

Thanksgiving is almost here, time for good fun and cheer! This year we are cooking a turkey which in years past we usually buy our turkey pies from my favorite place growing up – Raymond’s Turkey Farm. My kids love their turkey pie and fixings and it’s funny as I loved it as a child too. I just was so busy that I did not have time to get there. I do love this time of year for celebrating traditions. I am trying to make fun memories for my kids and continuing on with my goal of doing something fun and different, (and to travel more – whether it’s a day trip, weekend away or vacation) we are headed to a couple fun events this coming weekend including The Boston Ballet’s performance of the Nutcracker and a visit to Great Wolf Lodge! More on those fun events later.

The girls asked me if they could do the Turkey Trot in our town this year and wanted me to do it with them.  Well, I am not a runner – AT ALL – but thought this would be a fun event to do with my kids and it’s for charity (proceeds go to our local food pantry) I have been trying to run every other day but I am only up to 1.5 miles LOL. Believe me this is the most I have ever run – it’s just not my thing- I am trying though….I hope I can make it the 3 miles! So we shall see how this Thanksgiving morning tradition will go. I will not complain though as I am lucky enough to be able to run, my kids are active, my family is here for Thanksgiving so lots to be thankful for!!

What traditions do you have?

 

 

Categories
Travel

Tips for a fun day @WaterCountry #Hosted #watercountrynh

Summertime is not over yet!  If you are looking for a quick day trip and are planning to be in the Portsmouth, New Hampshire area check out Water Country! We had a great time and here are trendymommies tips to surviving the day at Water Country!

  • Plan ahead and make sure you pick a sunny, warm day – We did have a great sunny day but toward the end of the day we were cold!  I know that sounds funny as it was 72 degrees but many of the slides had umbrellas – for good reason – as if it’s very hot they provide a nice area for shade.  It’s just we just would not want to be there in the cold!
  • Buy the locker.  We wanted to take photos but didn’t want to carry around our phones all day and thankfully they had lockers to store our stuff. It was pricier than I thought  – $12 – but so worth it.
  • You can walk with you flip flops and towels – or just store them in your locker but I liked to have my flip flops handy – especially if you had to run to the bathroom.
  • Enjoy the wave pool – what I like about Water Country is that there are lots of places to lounge if you wanted to watch the kids and the wave pool is the perfect place to do this. Plus you can enjoy an ice cream or treat while lounging!
  • Lots of place to eat – enjoy the food – You can certainly pack some snacks and water and store them in the locker but they do have a variety of places to eat there so enjoy and don’t worry about packing a lunch if you don’t want to.
  • As with any travel destination  – early or later is the best time – anytime is fun at Water Country but we did notice at the end of the day the lines were shorter and that is when the girls went up and down multiple times on their favorite slides.

 

Check them out on the web site here.

Disclosure:  Water Country sent me 4 passes to enjoy the day. All opinions in this blog post are my own.