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Hover-1 Journey Electric Scooter For Back To School @RideHover1 #ad @BestBuy

25 Aug

My younger kids grew up riding scooters instead of bicycles and my 16 year old son recently told me he would like an electric scooter. I told him that would be great to have. After researching I found an amazing electric folding scooter by Hover-1 from Best Buy. I also had to make sure it was a folding electric scooter because the less space it takes up the better.

Ride in style back to school Hover-1 Electric Folding Scooter. Let the Hover-1 Electric Folding Scooter take you back to school and give your student easy way to get to and around campus or the neighborhood.

Get around town on this Hover-1 Electric Folding Scooter. It has a range of 16 miles before it needs a charge, and it tackles hills at angles of up to 15 degrees effortlessly, so you can ride almost anywhere. This Hover-1 electric folding scooter has 8.5-inch tires that can handle rough terrain without a problem.  

36V UL certified battery pack
Simple to charge with the provided easy-to-use charger.
 
Foldable design
Offers a convenient, stylish, and exciting form of transportation.
 
Weight capacity of 220 lbs.
Ensures safe riding.
This electric scooter has a full 16-mile battery life, a 14 MPH top speed, and a bright LED headlight for safety.
– The Hover-1 Journey folds neatly in half for easy storage.
– At 27 pounds it’s light enough to lift and stow after it gets you where you want to go.
– Shop this and more electric scooters plus electric bikes and boards at Best Buy.
 
Ride Responsibly:
The purchaser and rider of this product are responsible for knowing and obeying all state and local regulations regarding the use of this product. It is highly encouraged that you read and follow the product instructions including all safety precautions and use protective gear. Protective gear can be found at http://www.bestbuy.com/protectivegear

Click this link to learn more: https://bby.me/fb6f6

Disclosure: This is a compensated post. Opinions are mine 100% as always.

Technology, Travel And More #Hilton100 Anniversary @HiltonNewsroom

29 Apr

When I travel with family or alone I like hotels that make my stay worth returning. Comfort, easy check in and check out, perks, room service, all inclusive, affordable and great customer service. My family and I recently stayed at a hotel and was very pleased we didn’t have to wait till 3pm to check in. We were able to get in our room at 11am. How great was that?

Hilton never disappoints me. I’ve been staying at their hotels for decades. Love the suites and rooms are beautiful. From digital keys, high speed internet access, HD channels to non-smoking rooms are just some of the things included in your stay.

I was recently invited to attend Hilton’s 100 Anniversary event and listen to a select panel discuss technology and travel.

Actually Hilton is turning 100 in May and invented a ton of “firsts” in the travel industry from room service to Pina Coladas.

In 1954, Hilton went international as Caribe Hilton opened in Puerto Rico, where legendary bartender Ramon “Monchito” Marrero would later invent the Piña Colada.

Hilton was the first hotel company to install TVs in guests rooms, beginning with the Roosevelt Hotel in New York in 1947.

In 1959, Hilton opened its first hotel located at an airport, the San Francisco Airport Hilton.

Here’s a recap from the panel:

  • Sustainability: Through Hilton’s soap recycling partnership with Clean the World, the brand has contributed to the distribution of more than 9.6M+ bars of recycled soap in 127 countries, resulting in more than 2.4M+ pounds of soap and amenity bottles being diverted from landfills.
  • Development: There are 2,400+ hotels in Hilton’s development pipeline, with more than half located outside the U.S. Hilton’s newest brand, Motto, currently has various properties in development in London, Lima, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Savannah, San Diego, Boston, and Mexico City that we hope to grow throughout 2019. 
  • Technology: Connected Room allows Hilton’s guests to personalize and control their stay experience from the palm of their hand. Using the Hilton Honors app, they can stream their own content, control the HVAC and lighting, and message with Team Members on property. By the end of 2019, Connected Room will be in 200 Hilton properties, with more on the way.
  • Caribe Hilton Re-Opening: The Caribe Hilton will re-open soon on May 15. More than $100 million dollars went into renovating the property just in time to celebrate the iconic resort’s 70th birthday.

Check out @hiltonhotels and @hiltonnewsroom on social media.

Disclosure: Thank you Hilton for the invite. This is not a sponsored post. It was a hosted event. Opinions are mine 100% as always.

Tips For Traveling On Carnival Cruise #PTHCarnival #CarnivalPartner

17 Oct

Ever swim in the ocean with stingrays? I did. Ever been bitten by a stingray? I have and just knew I was in need of immediate medical attention but after calming down I liked having a part of my flesh taken away. Sounds crazy weird but it was cool. To say I was in the water with all those stingrays is something I will always talk about. Scratched that off my bucket list. I also allowed a stingray to be placed on my back. It felt like a humongous wet, slimy mushroom. It was fun. Would I do it again? Hell yes!!!

Another fun part of my excursion was holding a baby sea turtle. He was wiggly. Cute though.

This was my 4th cruise and I’ve never done excursions. What the heck is wrong with me? Well one thing was excursions are pricey especially when you’re traveling with your entire family. It’s always good to do your homework ahead of time if you want to explore and find better bargains when you’re traveling with a lot of people. You don’t always have to purchase cruise ship excursions but I’m not knocking them.

This trip was taken due to the lovely ladies of Permission To Hustle Audrey McLelland and Vera Sweeney. It was our first PTH retreat. I was not passing this getaway up. It was a Carnival Paradise cruise to Grand Cayman and Cozumel Mexico with about 40 women and lots of learning .

I love Carnival ships so I already knew what restaurants were on board, what slots to hit and what activities and parties to attend. I was also my neighbors alarm clock. My two buddies from New York were my next door neighbors and I made sure they were up on time and ready for breakfast so we would be on time for our classes. Yes, work first then fun later.

Here’s a TIP: There’s 24 hour room service. I started my day with a fresh hot pot of coffee and a muffin, yogurt and fruit before I headed to breakfast with the girls. That helped while I patiently waited to head upstairs and have a hot meal like an omelet with the works, home fries, sausage and grits. I also asked for a pitcher of ice water so I could take my medicine. That saved me a lot of time and energy. My medicine had to be taken early so room service helped. Also, keep the pitcher or ice bucket and your housekeeper will refill it with ice for you.

I learned so much about social media, finding my niche, sponsored posts, apps and other goodies. The speakers were amazing. Made lots of new friends and memories. The part I loved the most was seeing Audrey and Vera taking notes, raising their hands and asking questions too. You learn something new everyday as I always say.

Dinner time was fun because we sat at a different table every night and interacted with everyone who attended in our group. We were also welcomed with live entertainment and serenaded by an amazing server. The food was delicious and the drinks were on point. The Carnival Hub App which I always download always come in handy because it shows you the daily activities. After dinner we would go to either karaoke or a 80’s,/90’s party or game night. Some of us headed to the casino. There’s also the Spa, pool, jacuzzi and water slides.

Yes every cruise has all you can eat food. Some restaurants charge but the majority of the ship dining is free. There are drink packages if you have to have soda or liquor. If not juices, coffee, lemonade, ice tea and water are free. You can also come on board with a 12-pack cans of soda, sparkling water or a bottle of wine.

TIP: Bring a fanny pack. This was very convenient and easy to use while traveling and on and off the boat. It held my I.D.’s, and or passport,credit cards and or cash and you won’t lose it because it’s around your waist the hold time. Also hard for thieves to go in or grab from you.

Here’s another TIP: A sarong/swim cover up is your friend. All the ladies were blessed with beautiful sarongs from Santo Wrap. I loved this wrap. You can dress it up or down. It dries quickly and is oh so stylish. Wear as a skirt, dress or just cover up what’s underneath. I’ll forever be a fan.

My next TIP: Always carry a small umbrella whether you think you need it or not. People forget it’s not just for the rain but a great way to protect yourself from that blazing sun. Still make sure you have on sunscreen and sunglasses (foster grant sunglasses were great). It really helps. I had a few friends who I gladly shared my umbrella with. It was a life saver.

TIP: I used to always overpack. That’s when I do 11-day cruises and didn’t care about paying a fee for my checked bag. Now that those prices went up I only take carryon luggage. I take a small luggage and duffel bag or backpack. I also carry less shoes and pack wisely. I don’t need my blow dryer because there’s one in the room. I iron all my clothes before I pack and I use TSA approved bottles for my toiletries. Also, ziploc bags are great for shoes/flip flops, medicine and used lingerie/underwear/bathing suits when returning. TSA won’t empty your bags trying to figure out what’s inside if they can see it through the ziploc. I also labeled my medicine so they would know it’s not a weapon and it was allowed in the carryon.

So these are just a few of my tips. Need more tips? Ask away. I’m ready for the next cruise and yes my kids did ask when they were going on another one. They are definitely keeping a count of how many I’ve been on and so far I’m in the lead. Family vacation planning in the works. I’m glad they love cruises too. Makes it easy and affordable. Now just to get them on a plane. They asked to go on a plane. Not a problem.

I really had an amazing time and i owe it all to when I first joined Twitter and met Audrey and Vera. They were my mentors and I wanted to be just like them. I joined all their Twitter parties and won quite a few. When we finally met in person at events they called me their BAD ASS MOMMA! I knew these women were my new BFF’s. You rock!!

Disclosure: I’d like to give BIG shoutouts to Audrey and Vera, Carnival and all the sponsors who were part of the swag bags, Jet Blue for getting me to Tampa and back to New York safe. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are mine 100% as always.

Top View Sightseeing NY Style #ad

13 Aug

Top View Sightseeing double decker tour buses have over 2 million happy customers.

I can definitely see why. I recently took a tour on one of these popular buses for a trendsbus event I covered with my blogger buddies.

Top View Sightseeing picked us up at one of their stops at South Street Seaport Pier 17. The buses are easy to recognize with their red, white and blue colors. I had a great time sitting outside on the upper deck. There’s also the option to sit inside on the lower level. Being outside up high got me awesome pics of landmarks in NYC. Yes I’ve seen these landmarks before as I was born and raised in NY but I don’t walk looking up taking pictures so Top View Sightseeing put me up close and personal where I got those amazing pics. I enjoyed hopping on and off and having the bus waiting till we got back then off to our next destination.

I love that Top View Sightseeing tours not only in Manhattan but The Bronx and Brooklyn as well. How amazing is that?

ABOUT: Launched in December of 2016, TopView now offers five different routes across NYC: Downtown Tour, Uptown Tour, Bronx Tour, Brooklyn Tour, and Night Tour.

Their destinations include the most essential sites for entertainment, shopping, culture, and history.

With four different All City Passes available there is sure to be one that will exactly fit your needs. Double Decker buses equipped with a state-of-the-art GPS triggered audio guiding system in 8 languages: English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, German, Korean, and Russian.

Booking your bus tour packages is simple, and when you buy NYC tour tickets online, you’ll save up to 50% off! You can also arrange group tours and save an extra 10%. Buying on their website is the most convenient and budget-friendly choice.

TopView Sightseeing, team is made up of local experts who know all of the best spots to hit. New York sightseeing bus tours with TopView include all the popular landmarks and attractions, and you’ll have the flexibility to see everything you want to see, without the stress of having to coordinate all of your top NY sightseeing stops Just hop on, they will take care of the rest, and hop off when you’d like to explore the sights further!

Let TopView Sightseeing help make your trip to New York City an unforgettable experience. Book your tour package today!

To book tickets and view packages check out: http://www.topviewnyc.com and head to @topviewnyc on Instagram.

Here are some of the super packages they offer:

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Opinions are mine 100% as always. Thank you Top View Sightseeing for a fun tour.

Spring Break Family Fun @OkemoMountain Ski Resort #MtOkemoEvent #hosted

9 Apr

Planes, trains and automobiles are just some modes of transportation you can take to Ludlow, Vermont where you come to heaven when you reach Okemo Mountain Resort. Oh what is Okemo? Just the best family ski resort ever!!!!

Actually Amtrak Ethan Allen Express (which is what we took) takes you to Rutland and it’s about another half hour to reach Ludlow. Okemo’s shuttle picked us up from there. Yes there is an actual airport there as well which will gladly fly you over. Driving is always another option. Takes about 4 1/2 to 5 hours total from NYC. Not bad at all. We were ahead of schedule on Amtrak. Thumbs up!! We love traveling.

The reason I’m telling you all this is because we were very grateful to have been invited by Momtrends to a much needed family getaway during Spring Break to this beautiful resort. When I say beautiful I mean my kids wanted to move there that’s how amazing it was. From staff, to service, to a gorgeous suite and plenty to do we were just smiling the whole time we were there.

We arrived a day ahead and was given a gift bag and a huge suite with a balcony, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, fireplace and it sleeps 8 to 10 people. I immediately took a video of the room and put it on my Instastories. We didn’t unpack, we headed straight to dinner, looked around, watched a little tv and then lights out.

At breakfast the next morning my kids quickly found out how good the pancakes were and ordered it everyday. Dinner was great too, we had the most tender braised beef you ever tasted. The salmon, wings and Mac and cheese were delicious too. Momtrends held a special buffet dinner for influencers Saturday night.

The first night we arrived my kids saw there were s’mores on the menu and that was a must have at least 3 times. The server brings it out in a mini oven with flames already lit and you roast your s’mores at the table with everything included.

Waiting for us in our room was the best gift from Cabot. A Cabot gift bag full of cheeses, cutting board and knife. I immediately went in and had the Colby Jack with crackers. Thank you Cabot. Cheese fans we definitely are.

There are two different pools. One is located in the resort (indoor/outdoor heated pools) and the other one is steps away in the Spring House behind the resort. In this building there’s a workout center, sauna, hot tubs, racquetball court, kiddie pool, exercise classes and yes ladies a spa!!

There’s also an Ice Skating rink in the Ice House which we went to with friends. My children enjoyed SnowTubing in the Jackson Gore Village.

The Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster was our absolute favorite. It goes up in the mountains and you can see the skiers/snowtubers in sight.

We loved it. You can ride alone or with someone and you control how fast or slow to go. Ages 3 and up can enjoy this year round.

The tent sale had the best sales ever!! Up to 50% off outerwear, skis, snowboards, goggles, accessories, kids clothing, etc I wish I could have purchased lots more. I found my daughter and I great goggles and other souvenirs.

Can’t forget about the Brew Fest. Lots of delicious beer to try, live band, yummy BBQ and a gorgeous day to enjoy it all. It was a packed scene.

There was an Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sunday and my daughter enjoyed finding quite a few eggs. Lots of kids had fun that day.

You might be wondering if went skiing or snowboarding. Unfortunately we did not this time. But I promise when we go back we will. We just wanted to enjoy other things and relax but I know for a fact it is fun when you go on the slopes. We’ve done snowboarding before.

I enjoyed the cozy lobby as well with another huge fireplace, lots of comfy couches/chairs and a bar as well.

This truly is the best place to visit. You will enjoy every second. Everyone was wonderful. Thank you to everyone who made his experience possible. Special shout out to Bonnie our host who picked us up and drove us back to the train and gave us a history lesson of Ludlow/ Rutland and Okemo. You have a great job and we love your driving and when you’re in NY let us know.

FAQs to know:

For those who need babysitting services they thought of that too. The daycare center at Jackson Gore offers evening hours on selected holiday dates, so mom and dad can enjoy an evening out together. Kids’ Night Out for ages 6 mos -12 years from 6-9:30 pm includes movies, pizza, and lots of age appropriate fun including swimming, skating and wallyball for the older kids. Reservations are required. Please call 802-228-1600 to reserve a space for your child.

There’s also day care in the Penguin Playground Day Care Center for children ages 6 months to 4 years. Reservations are required. You can call 802-228-1600 or learn more about the daycare center online.

They have skis, boots, poles, snowboards and helmets available for rental in their rental shops.

Ski season is Early November to Mid April. There’s 121 trails, slopes and glades 20 lifts, including 1 high speed detachable 6-pack chair with protective bubbles and heated seats, 9 quad chairs (4 high speed detachable quads, one with protective bubbles), 3 triple chairs and 7 surface lifts.

Vertical drop: 2,200 feet (highest in Southern Vermont)

98% of all terrain. The highest snowmaking efficiency amongst all ski resorts in Vermont!

They offer Adult lift access for ages 19-64; Young Adult/Senior lift access for ages 13-18 and ages 65-69; a Junior/Super Senior lift access for ages 7-12 and ages 70+. Children 6 & under ski or ride free.

Okemo’s Ski + Ride School offers private, semi-private, group lessons and children’s programs.

First Timers: First Tracks and Double Tracks introduction to skiing or snowboarding offers an affordable lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment package (available in 1 or new 2-day option). They also offer an affordable Learn to Ski & Ride promotion early each season for true beginners.

Inside Edge Rentals at Okemo is a privately owned boutique rental and lodging company specializing in beautiful homes in prime locations both on and off Okemo Mountain (ski on/off properties are available).  Our properties include luxury slopeside custom homes, townhouses and condominiums as well as off mountain private homes and condominiums located within 3 miles of Okemo.

Inside Edge Rentals at Okemo

PO Box 168

Ludlow, VT 05149

802-298-0087

www.insideedgerentals.com

insideedgerentals@gmail.com

Okemo’s 10th Annual Hops in the Hills Beer & Wine Festival will take place August 3-5, 2018 in the Jackson Gore Courtyard. This signature festival lodging package includes two nights lodging (arrive Friday, depart Sunday), plus a minimum of 2 sampling glasses with 3 tasting tickets each.  Choose either a commemorative stemless wine glass or pint glass for beer enthusiasts.  Sample more than 90 craft beers and ciders from regional brewers, and you can also enjoy a selection of great wines as well.

The festival will also showcase a great lineup of live music with 6 bands, craft vendors, tasty food options and the great outdoors in Jackson Gore courtyard.

Head to @okemomountain on Twitter and Facebook

@okemomtn on Instagram

Website: http://www.okemo.com

Love cheese: Check out @cabotcheese on Instagram and Twitter and @cabot on Facebook

Disclosure: This trip was hosted by Momtrends. We were personally invited to attend. Opinions are ours 100% as always. Thank you for an incredible time from the bottom of our hearts.

Finding The Perfect Family Car #spon

31 Jan

This is a sponsored post. Opinions are mine 100% as always.

What is the perfect family car? That depends on a lot. How big is your family? How much storage do you need? Is a mini van better than a SUV? Can I afford the one I really want? Safety, gas mileage, gps, Bluetooth enabled with my phone. 

I’ve never purchased a car because living in NY with a car makes no sense. Of course my kids bug me about buying a car but it just ain’t gonna happen at least not now. I only drive when a car company loans me cars or when I rent cars. As much as I want to keep them I know the hassle of moving the car (alternate street parking), buying gas and having insurance will leave me working three jobs. 

My ideal family car will be room for about 7. I love big cars (SUV’s, Jeeps) but would settle for a comfortable and safe wagon. I have a few in mind.  Test driving is a must and I’ve tested quite a few so that’s easy. Lots of leg room because my boys are tall. Love drive assist which is very handy on road trips. Drive assist reads the road and pulls you back into your lane if you drift without putting your blinker on. Would also love TVs for the kids but they would probably be on their phones, Nintendo switch and 3ds so if it’s not included I wouldn’t pay extra. I love having heated seats (winter) and of course air conditioning for the summer. 

Yes we should all want a safe vehicle and driving should be fun and stress free but to some it isn’t so being alert and having a good night rest for those long trips are worth it. There are so many new features in cars now to help you stay focused and alert.

Check out https://www.cars.com/ for more info.

All Aboard Carnival Cruise Line For A #CarnivalCuisine Experience (New Ship Spring 2018)

18 Sep

I had the pleasure of being invited on Carnival Sunshine Cruise for a #carnivalcuisine experience. When you see me post things about food you know I’m either throwing it down in the kitchen, eating at the best restaurants or creating a new recipe. I also work in a restaurant so I’m definitely a foodie lover. 

I went on a vacation with my son on the Carnival Vista back in November 2016 for an 11-day cruise and we had a blast. I love cruising and enjoying great food and Carnival sure knows how to please your palette. They cater to everyone’s needs and if you have a food allergy or dietary restrictions they accommodate you. 

On board Carnival Sunshine we were in for a treat. We ate at the Fahrenheit Steakhouse. The waitstaff passed around appetizers which melted in my mouth. Loved the mini lobster sandwiches. To start I chose the Gulf Coast Shrimp with Yukon Gold Blini and Lemon Butter Avocado Cream. I also chose the Classic Caesar Salad. For my main course the Double Cut Lamb Chop and Loin with Crispy Quinoa, Carrot Cumin and Port Wine was amazing. I also had Yukon Gold Mash with Wasabi. For dessert the Chocolate Melting Cake was perfect. There were also cocktails, wine or soda. 

Did you know Carnival is America’s Cruise Line sailing 5 million guest a year? Carnival also sails more children and military personnel than any other cruise line. Carnival also recently launched their first sailings to Cuba and just announced 5 additional voyages to the island in 2018. In Spring 2018 Carnival will introduce their second Vista Class Ship Carnival Horizon. 

Carnival Horizon will leave from New York May to September 2018 for four -to eight day cruises. I hope to be on one of those with my family. Carnival Horizon will be the first in the fleet to feature Dr. Seuss WaterWorks with more new features still being announced. 

On Carnival Vista my son and I enjoyed the 24 hour pizzeria and Guy’s Burger Joint. I also enjoyed tacos and lobster rolls. On Carnival Horizon new food venues like Guy’s Pig N Anchor featuring a variety of BBQ favorites smoked right on board over hickory and cherry wood using Guy’s signature recipes, rubs and spices. Another new food venue will be Seafood Shack a New England style seaside spot which will feature crab cake sliders, lobster rolls, fish & chips, lobster rolls and much more. 

Disclosure: I was invited to attend this event as media. This is not a sponsored post. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

Farm Fresh FAM Tour with Dutchess County, EscapeMaker, Metro North #distinctlydutchess #hosted

3 Jul

I’ve always dreamed of moving into a big house having a farm and lots of land. I love the quiet life. New York is fine but it’s overcrowded. Who knew my dream was just a train ride away? If you hop aboard the Metro North you would think you have traveled to another world. Well that’s how I felt. It’s perfect. 

I was invited to the Farm Fresh FAM Tour with Escape Maker, Dutchess County and Metro North. 

I started my day early and met other journalists at Grand Central Terminal and we boarded the Metro North to Wassaic. From there we took a shuttle to our first stop on the tour to Harney & Sons Teas in Millerton, NY. If you appreciate a good cup of tea then I suggest you check out this shop. The company, which sources, blends, and packages their product from start to finish has grown from their original six teas, to more than three hundred. We sampled some of the teas and my favorite was the Hot Cinnamon Spice. Harney & Sons Teas gave us a nice variety of teas to take home. I absolutely fell in love with this town. So many cute shops and all the locals know each other and in no way is it overcrowded like Manhattan. Check out @harneyteamillerton on Instagram and http://www.harney.com for more info. 

Stop #2 was Irving Farm Coffee Roasters also located in NY. If you know me you know I love coffee. Iced, hot, cold brew and an occasional coffee ice cream and can’t forget coffee cake. Wait is there coffee in coffee cake? Don’t know, but it’s still good. Coffee samples were great. Coffees from Guatemala, Brazil and Columbia to name a few. I also purchased a coffee mug and bakery treats. Head to @irvingfarm on Instagram. 

Stop #3 the McEnroe Organic Farm. They produce premium organic meats, vegetables, and soils & compost. We took a tour on the shuttle through the farm and oh my did we smell the compost. I spotted chickens and sheeps. I also went inside my first greenhouse. There were tomatoes everywhere. We enjoyed the best organic, fresh, healthy lunch from the farm. Roast beef and chicken salad wraps, green salad cucumber water or iced tea and cookies were amazing. We were given time to shop in their market and McEnroe was nice to give us more cookies to take home. If you have kids or even if you don’t this can be a fun tour to take and learn all about McEnroe Organic Farm. Please check out their page on Instagram @mcenroeorganicfarm http://www.mcenroeorganicfarm.com

McEnroe Organic Farm has been NOFA-NY Certified Organic for over 25 years; it is one of New York’s oldest and most diverse certified organic farms and stands at over 1,100 acres of fields, pastures, and greenhouses.

Their Market has grown from a small roadside stand to year-round market, offering local, seasonal, and organic groceries. The talented kitchen staff uses the produce and meats from the farm to create healthy. delicious, and sustainable meals.

The farm’s methods include crop rotation, biological pest control, composting, careful cultivation, and cover cropping. They grow certified organic vegetables, fruits, herbs, and feed for their livestock. With green houses and cold frames, they extend the season for organic tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, field greens and herbs, enabling them to grow as early as April and as late as December.
Established in 1683 as one of the original counties of New York. Bestowed in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and the the capital of Albany it is easily accessible by car, train, bus, air and boat. With its abundance of historic landmarks, restaurants, festivals and natural scenic beauty, Dutchess County is 800 square mikes of fascinating sits, lively events and breathtaking vistas. 

Dutchess County is a year-round vacation getaway so there are plenty of events and activities for all tastes and styles. Listings are subject to change so it’s a good idea to call ahead. Check out the calendar at DutchessTourism.com for current listings. 

EscapeMaker.com, NYC’s guide to local getaways since 2000, announced earlier this year that it was selected by Dutchess Tourism, Inc. to administer the operations of their successful Dutchess County Farm Fresh Tours program through 2017 with Metro- North Railroad.

For 10 years, Dutchess Tourism, Inc. has operated the Farm Fresh Tours program, which offers guided day trips to local farms and producers in and around Dutchess County by providing bus shuttle service to train passengers arriving at Metro-North Railroad stations in Poughkeepsie and Beacon, among others. 

Many Dutchess County farms are family-owned and welcome visitors to “pick-your-own” produce, make purchases from their farm stands, or join them during family-oriented festivals. Apple picking, wine making, visiting breweries and learning about cheese making are all examples of agritourism, which supports local farmers and producers.

Stop #4 Taconic Distillery. If you’re a bourbon whiskey fan this stop is for you. Yes you get samples of spirits here. I’ve been in Distilleries before but if you see all the land that the Taconic is on you won’t want to leave. It’s breathtaking. I learned quite a bit about how the bourbon whiskey is made and how long is has to rest to become Straight Bourbon Whiskey. (2 years in case you wanted to know). I wrote my name on a barrel and will check it in 2 years. There’s also Founder’s Rye Whiskey, Dutchess Private Reserve, Rolling Hills Rum, LIMITED EDITION Double Barrel Bourbon Whiskey with Maple Syrup and Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey. We also tasted pure maple syrup. I purchased a bottle of the Barrel Bourbon Aged Maple Syrup which is enhanced by the hint of their Dutchess Private Reserve Bourbon. My pancakes and waffles won’t know what hit them!!! There was also a raffle and I won a cool tshirt. Instagram: @taconic_distillery and http://www.taconicdistillery.com for more info. 

Our final stop was at Crown Maple. This is where magic happens. Pure, organic maple syrup is made at Madava Farms. Lots of syrup tasting going on here. I also love the shop where I made sure to take home Madagascar Vanilla syrup for the kids. You can find them on Instagram @crownmaple https://www.crownmaple.com/visit-madava-farms

I really enjoyed myself on this Farm Fresh FAM Tour. It was great meeting new people and exploring for the day. Everyone on the tour was great!! 

Farm Fresh Tours will officially kick off for the season on Saturday, September 2nd and will run through the end of October 2017. Packages will go on sale via Metro-North Railroad in July 2017 and can be purchased from full-service ticket windows and ticket vending machines. Attendees will be required to make reservations beforehand at EscapeMaker.com/FarmFreshTours 
EscapeMaker .com will continue to offer many of the existing farm and destination itineraries from past seasons, which include Metro-North transportation. All itineraries transfer from the Beacon, Wassaic and Poughkeepsie stations and highlight artisanal eats, craft beverage tasting, apple picking, eco-friendly and organic farming, festivals and more. Following the 2017 season, EscapeMaker.com will be exploring ways to expand in other seasons, including working with GrowNYC’s Greenmarket and farmers to educate their shoppers about trip options.

Metro-North Railroad, is a suburban commuter rail service run by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a public authority of the state of New York. The service also offers packages, special fares and deals to area local attractions and weekend getaway destinations.

Disclosure: This tour was hosted by EscapeMaker, Metro North and Dutchess County. Swag , tickets, transportation and lunch was given. Opinions are mine 100% as always. 

Mythbusters & Illusion Exhibits At Liberty Science Center & Ticket Giveaway #MTMyth

6 Mar

We’ve been to the Liberty Science Center quite a few times now with Momtrends and the fun never ends. This time we were there to attend Mythbusters The Explosive Exhibition and Illusion Exhibit. 


What does Illusion mean? 

Illusion: something that looks or seem different from what it is; a misleading image presented to the vision. 

I was excited for this exhibit and the hands on Mythbusters exhibit as well. 

We ate lunch first then headed to the Mythbusters exhibit where we tested out our skills. We love mental challenges science in general and couldn’t wait to experiment. 

If you’ve ever seen the television program Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel upon enetering the exhibit you see different props from the show and interactive videos. Under the guidance of the scientific method, MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition is your chance to try the MythBusters’ unique “Put it to the Test” methodology for yourself.

I think trying to pull the tablecloth off the table without dropping the dishes was the most popular. My daughter actually did it and I got some on video. It was fun seeing everyone try to pull it off. It’s actually very simple.

The exhibition team filtered the  “rainwater” with glow-in-the-dark florescence, which is completely stainless and harmless, but stays on your body and shines under black light. It’s perfect for counting the number of raindrops that land on you. My kids enjoyed this. On one side a person walks and the other side a person runs and you find out at the end which one gets wet more, less or the same. 

You can have fun at Killer Card Toss, Dodge A Bullet- how fast you can dodge a bullet (don’t worry no bullets actually fly at you), Change Like A Superhero- how fast you can change in a phone booth like a super hero, Cliff Hanger- how long can you hang off the ledge of a building. 

The Illusions exhibit was just as fun. The exhibit includes optical, perceptual, and audio illusions. Science and art intersect in this mind-boggling, mesmerizing exhibition.

My daughter put her hand on a screen and it looked like bugs were crawling up her arm. Now if those were real bugs she wouldn’t have done it. She enjoyed it though. My son gazed into a mirror and watched himself morph into his inner animal. 

Take a look at the pictures to see what other Illusions we came across. 
Mythbusters The Explosive Exhibition will be at Liberty Science Center till September 4, 2017. Get your tickets. The Illusions Exhibit will also be there till August 27, 2017. For all ages. 


Check out the Liberty Science Center for all types of programs, and exhibits and fun. 

GIVEAWAY: Want to see how cool these exhibits are ? Liberty Science Center was kind enough to offer one of my readers a family 4-pack of tickets. Just leave a comment below letting me know what Exhibit you want to see. Winner announced March 13, 2017. 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are ours 100% as always. Thank you to Momtrends for a fun science filled hands on day. 

All Day Play At Camelback and Aquatopia #MTCamelback

1 Feb

Skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing OH MY!!! That’s what we were doing in Camelback Resort January 22nd. Momtrends had Ski Day for bloggers and their families and we packed up the 2017 Toyota RAV4 and headed to Tannersville, Pennsylvania for the day. 

We were very excited because this was our first time ever going skiing. I signed the kids up for snowboarding lessons. I decided to snowboard on my own and it was pretty fun. You can see my skills on my Instagram page here: https://instagram.com/p/BPmI4CwhBKZ/


My daughter took lessons with her age group and my son went with his. Lessons are 90 minutes long. This gives the adults time to do other things like ski or snowboard themselves or stand on the side and take pics and video of your kids. 


My daughter said she enjoyed her lesson. My son on the other hand had an accident and I was contacted on my cell phone to come quickly. I was so scared and worried but hoping it wasn’t too serious. When I got there my son’s arm was in a sling and he was waiting for the snowmobile to take him to fist aid. I wanted to cry because as parents we never want to see our kids in pain. I definitely wanted to know what happened and if he was ok to finish out the day or did we have to leave right away. Since first aid is not an actual hospital with doctors all they could do is tell us to keep it in the sling and go to a hospital to make sure his wrist wasn’t broken. Yes, when my son fell he landed on his wrists. Out of all people to break something I thought it would be me. 


I was also told we should have had helmets and wrist guards for first time snowboarders. I had no clue we could have rented this there. It was not part of my package but I definitely would have purchased it. Good to know for future visits. 

After a lollipop was given to my son he wanted to eat. First aid told us to go to a clinic nearby and get an X-ray but the clinic didn’t take our insurance so we decided to go to our hospital once we got back to the city. 

I really was sad my son couldn’t go snowtubing and have fun in the waterpark (Aquatopia). He’s a trooper and hung in there so his sister could have fun. I was still hoping his wrist was ok at that point. 


Aquatopia and snowtubing is amazing. I don’t know how many times my daughter went snowtubing with friends. Hopefully we will go back and make a day out of it again minus the snowboarding. It was a good day and the weather was great it was in the 50’s. 

Made it to the emergency and after 3 X-rays my son had a few broken bones. He was numbed with a needle and some of the bones were pushed back in place. I couldn’t look but I’m glad he didn’t feel anything. I feel like I felt all the pain. The other bones will heal with the cast that was put on. He had an orthopedic appointment the other day and must keep the cast on for 4-6 weeks. It’s his left hand. He’s a righty so I’m glad if he needs to write he’s able to. 
I remember having a cast on my right arm when I was in elementary school and taking a fall at the playground. It’s not fun. All he wants is for the bones to heal so he can play video games but he’s not complaining about being out of school. Typical teenager. A teacher will come to our place and study with him a few days a week till he’s ready to go back. I’m so glad his school provides this service. 

I still would like to thank Momtrends for having Ski Day at Camelback Resort as we still will always remember this trip. As I said on my Instagram post We came, We played, We conquered. This is a great place for families especially Aquatopia which is indoors at Camelback Lodge. So many water rides to choose from. 

For more info check out: 

Facebook

@CamelbackMountainResort

@CamelbackLodge&IndoorWaterpark

 

Twitter 

@SkiCamelback

@CamelbackLodge

 

Instagram 

@SkiCamelback

@CamelbackLodge


Disclosure: This was a hosted event courtesy of Momtrends. Opinions are mine as always. 

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