FunSized Living

July Events around Tampa Bay!

2023-06-30T11:11:00.001-04:00

It’s America’s Birthday month, so there are plenty of fun events and festivities happening around Tampa Bay this month!

First things first, be sure to watch my July FunSized Five video here.

There is absolutely no time to waste so on July 1st head on over to Armature Works for their Tampa’s Backyard BBQ. From 12pm to 5pm, there will be hot dogs, burgers and oysters on the pier near Stones Throw along with live music for you to enjoy on the Riverwalk.

Now here’s what you should know about July 4th:

Star Spangled Sparkman will start at Sparkman Wharf at 4pm. There’ll be family-friendly activities along with live entertainment, a game zone, plenty of entertainment, food and beverage specials and more.

Then at 6pm, the Water Ski Show begins and you will only be able to see this from Sparkman Wharf. This will also be when the Boat Parade begins and I would recommend looking at the map on this site, to decide where you’d like to watch the parade from.

At 9:15pm is when the fireworks show will begin at Sparkman Wharf.

Another option is also the American Victory Ship’s Freedom Fest party! The ship will remain docked for the entirety of the evening but you’ll get a front row seat to the fireworks and boat parade along with refreshments, food trucks, a live DJ and so much more.

Lastly, the Heights District 4th of July Celebration at Armature Works will have a large-scale riverfront concert, a fireworks display, hot dog eating contest and so much more. All of the fun will be starting at 3pm.

Now back to the rest of July's events

July 15th & 16th is Sharkcon at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Sharkcon is an an event dedicated to raising awareness about sharks and ocean conservation, as well as sustainability. This year’s Sharkcon will be filled with activities, exhibits, speakers, and shark-lebrities!

Now this is a cool event, the Tampa Bay Ice Cream Festival, July 17th at St Pete Pier. Enjoy ice cream & other frozen treats from over a dozen vendors. You’ll even get to vote to see who will win the first ever best ice cream in Tampa Bay award.

National Tequila Day is July 24th so why not celebrate with a Tacos and Tequila Tasting at Centro Asturiano de Tampa. For 2 hours you’ll get to enjoy a Casamigos tequila tasting along with Los Chapos tacos.

On the 29th head to the Tampa Theatre for Beerfest 2023, for the past 13 years the Tampa Theatre has had this fundraiser to raise funds for their majestic theater and this year the theme is Beerassic Park! It will be an evening of craft beers and local brewers, plus snacks and samples from some of the city’s top independent restaurants. Guests are invited to dress as their favorite Jurassic Park character, or come in a costume inspired by the movie.

As more events and activities come onto my radar, I will be sure to update the list as the month progresses.

If you would like your event featured in my FunSized Five monthly video series or as a part of this blog, please email me at: contact@allysonberger.com

June Events around Tampa Bay!

2023-06-01T08:49:00.001-04:00

Summer is officially here, which means there is plenty of summer fun to be had around Tampa Bay!

First things first, be sure to watch my June FunSized Five video here.

It's the kick off to summer, so you know there are going to be some amazing events happening his month. So let’s start with the Summer Rum & Seafood Festival happening June 3rd starting at 4pm and going until 10pm. This festival is happening at the Tampa Premium Outlets. There are also going to be up to 12 Seafood Chefs will have a variety of delicious seafood for you to enjoy from different local restaurants, along with plenty of rum samples for you to try from different distilleries. There were also be live music from local bands playing all night long. Different ticket options are available, rum and food are not included in the ticket price.

The week prior to Tampa Bay Restaurant Week starting, experience the “Meet the Chefs” event, happening on June 8th at The Vault. This is an exclusive cocktail style sampling event from some of your favorite Tampa Bay restaurants. A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit Feeding Tampa Bay.

June 8th is also Worlds Oceans Day, so join Keep Pinellas Beautiful and the TradeWinds Resort as they share with you all the local companies and organizations that work hard to keep our oceans protected. The event runs from 9am to noon at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, where you’ll get to meet all of the local vendors and enjoy some snacks and refreshments at the same time.

Spend the afternoon on June 10th at the Henry Plant Museum for a special lecture ran by Professor Richard Ellis as he discusses the architecture of Tampa's most iconic building. This event is free and open to the public and will take place in the Music Room of Plant Hall at 1pm. This lecture is to go along with their current exhibit "Imagined East: Decorative Arts and the Imperial Gaze." This is also the museum's one day a month free day, so along with checking out the lecture, you can also have free access to the museum from 10am to 5pm.

Then later on June 10th, head on over to Coastal Creative’s Hammock Festival happening at St Pete Pier from 6- 10pm. There will be live music, food trucks, local breweries and local vendors to check out. Tickets are available on their website which include access to the after party happening at the Floridan!

Spend the following day recovering from that festival at Midtown Commons in Tampa, with Nora Virginia’s Breathe, Meditate, Journal event. This is a free event happening at 10am. All you have to do is bring a mat, a journal and some water and get ready to magnetize your goals for the new month! Just sign up on her website in advance.

Finally the week you’ve been waiting for, Tampa Bay Restaurant Week! It starts June 15th and runs until the 25th. During this time, certain Tampa Bay restaurants will offer a multiple course prix fixe menu along with special pricing on drink specials and more. Be sure to check out their website to see all the restaurants participating and their menus so you know in advance where to make your reservations!

On June 17th, Picnic Under the Moon is throwing a Midsummer Flower Crown Workshop & Sound Bath Picnic! This is an event for women to experience a morning of self-care and to create new connections! This event will run for 3 hours starting at 10am at Flora Wylie Park in St Pete. Be sure to dress in all white as you enjoy this picnic along with a guided meditation and sound bath, all necessary supplies to create your flower crown and more! There’s a discount code for tickets listed on the event page if this is your first time attending one of their events.

Lastly on June 21st, it is my birthday and the first day of Summer, so wherever you might be, please have a cocktail on my behalf!

Cheers to you for supporting my FunSized Five series and coming to check out all the fun events happening this month in Tampa Bay!

As more events and activities come onto my radar, I will be sure to update the list as the month progresses.

If you would like your event featured in my FunSized Five monthly video series or as a part of this blog, please email me at: contact@allysonberger.com

Everybody Needs to be Compensated Properly, Equitably, & Above Board

2023-05-17T10:32:00.001-04:00

image from @evanrosskatz instagram

Amanda Seyfried said it best “Everybody needs to be compensated for their work. That’s f*cking easy.” She said this in reference to the recent WGA strikes happening in Hollywood. However, I would like to take her quote and apply it to what I’ve noticed the issues are with how the entertainment industry is ran here in Florida.

After working in the entertainment industry for over 10 years in New York City, I expected some things to be handled differently in Florida but not to the extent that I have witnessed. The biggest issue here is that people are, simply, not compensated for their work.

Let’s start off with, how Florida does not see the value in models. Business owners believe that if they provide you with a free item from, let’s say their restaurant, so a cocktail, that’s enough compensation to use your likeness and image in perpetuity on all mediums and formats. This is so wrong. Modeling is a profession and it should be treated as such.

Since living in Florida, I’ve learned about what a “content shoot” is. Now, let me inform you about this horrendous concept, this is when a business has monetary funds to hire a photographer but will bring “influencers” or models in to work for the same period of time and while the photographer will be getting paid monetarily, the influencers are paid with a drink and a meal. The real kicker is that the influencers aren’t done “working,” they also have to post on their accounts promoting the brand they are being photographed for. So the influencers/models are not getting compensated for their image being used on the brand’s sites, etc. but they are also not getting compensated for the social posts they are having to put out on their personal accounts. This is wrong on so many levels. These influencers/models are being taken advantage of so badly.

Whether you are a professional model or an influencer being used as a model, you deserve to be respected and compensated properly. If your face or hands are being used to help make a business money, you are entitled to be compensated and make money as well. If a company has the budget to hire a photographer, they should have enough room in that budget to hire models.

The other thing I have experienced while living in Florida is that production companies and talent agencies are not transparent or specific enough about usage. I have experienced companies being vague on what the usage of a shoot is being used for to keep costs down for their client and so they do not have to properly compensate talent nor the talent agencies that the talent came from. The worst part about situations like these, is that the talent agencies that are supposed to have the talent’s back are also blind-sided by the vagueness or they don’t go to bat for the talent because they’ve been letting the agencies get away with this behavior for so long. You really don’t know who is in cahoots with who.

For example, why is a major company like Universal Studios having a full day shoot where talent is being compensated an insignificant amount, while they have the right to use the images in “All media, all formats, in perpetuity. - in any manner, worldwide, and in perpetuity, in all media currently existing or hereafter created, including but not limited to printed materials, theatrical, non-theatrical, television, and all electronic media, including Internet usage and any use to which the same or any material therein may hereinafter be put, applied, or adapted by the Universal Entities.” I would think for something of this scale, the talent being hired would be compensated appropriately, which one would think would be in the thousands of dollars range, if not more. But nope, not the case for this specific shoot.

Or here's another example, you're booked on a shoot expecting it to only be a photoshoot and then you get there and you find out you're talking on camera, which is obviously more than just participating in a photoshoot, which requires more compensation. So you go to your talent agency and they claim they were not aware that you were supposed to do both, but oh well, we can't get you any more money for doing both tasks because this was what was arranged in advance.

When I was first starting out in the industry in New York City, I booked a non-speaking on-camera role and when I showed up to set that morning, production came to me and asked if a kissing scene was discussed with me in advance. I told them no and I said if they wanted me to kiss my co-star they were going to need to pay me more. Production agreed to pay me more. I went home from set that day and informed my talent agent about what happened and their reaction was that they were proud of me and they said that they would only be taking their commission on the original rate and not on the additional compensation I negotiated on my own. I never forgot that they did that because that spoke so highly of BiCoastal Management and the type of talent agency they are and how they care for and treat their talent. Not in a million years, do I think a talent agency in Florida would do something like that.

I know Florida is a right to work state but there is no reason for the entertainment industry to be treated like the Wild West, where there is no protection or regulation even if it is a non-union shoot.

So my question is, is this only happening in Florida? Why are productions and agencies able to get away with this here? Why isn’t anyone stopping this from happening?

Well that’s what I’m trying to do with this article. Just like Amanda said, everyone should be compensated for their work, whether that is photography, modeling, hosting, writing, ANYTHING. People should be compensated for their work and it should be done properly, equitably and above board.

May Events around Tampa Bay!

2023-05-01T08:02:00.002-04:00

It's gonna be MAY with plenty of things to do around Tampa BAY!

First things first, be sure to watch my May FunSized Five video.

Now, let's start the month at Tampa Riverfest, happening May 5th & 6th. This free two day event takes over the entire length of the Riverwalk including various parks. There will be activities for all ages along with different events showing Tampa's cultural institutions, restaurants and local musicians. On Friday night (May 5th) there will be the Taste of Riverwalk & then on Saturday, the Riverfest is debuting their new event "RiverFiesta!" There'll also be a concert series happening each night at Curtis Hixon Park!

Also happening on May 6th is the Uptown Music Festival, a celebration of jazz and art, that is taking place from 4 to 10pm at the University Area Park. This festival is to bring awareness to the rich culture of the Uptown District. So grab your ticket, bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the day listening to some great local musicians while you check out the University Area.

Saturday May 6th, is also when J.C. Newman is having their annual Founder's Day Celebration. This marks the opening of their factory which happened on May 5th along with the birthday of their founder, which is May 26th! So on May 6th from 11am to 3pm, JC Newman opens the doors to their factory, so you can enjoy all that they have to offer with free tours of their factory, along with live music, food trucks, and of course plenty of cigars! As someone who has visited Tampa's oldest and only operating cigar factory in Tampa a few times now, this is an event, you do not want to miss!

Next up, head about an hour north of Tampa to HarvestMoon Fun Farm for their Sunflower Festival that is running from May 6th until May 29th. Visit their farm to pick Sunflowers to create a beautiful bouquet, while you enjoy their maze-like-paths, their petting zoo, take a ride on their hayride and participate in plenty more fun activities!

On May 13th and 14th, head on over to St Pete’s Vinoy Park where St Pete’s Taco and Tequila Festival will be taking place. They will have over 25 taco vendors, along with plenty of margaritas and other cocktail options to enjoy. Along with live music performances and games, this sounds like a great day to be outside enjoying great food & drinks.

If you want to stay on this side of Tampa Bay that weekend, check out the Second Sunday Art Walk & Vendor Fair at Armature Works. From 11am to 3pm on May 14th, Dozens of local and regional artists will be on display, chosen by Stella Gallerie, along with plenty of vendors to shop from, that have handmade goods, jewelry, art & more.

The following weekend is the Sunset Music Festival happening May 27th & 28th at Raymond James Stadium. This is the premiere summertime festival in Central Florida, bringing all your favorite electronic music to Tampa Bay.

Also happening on May 28th is the 12th Annual International Cuban sandwich Festival from 12pm to 6pm at Centennial Park in Ybor. Spend the day enjoying the best cuban sandwiches, live music and cultural entertainment. There will also be a contest to see who will win the golden ticket to compete in the World Food Championships.

Well there you have it for my FunSized Five and more for May! As more events and activities come onto my radar, I will be sure to update the list as the month progresses.

If you would like your event featured in my FunSized Five monthly video series or as a part of this blog, please email me at: contact@allysonberger.com

Naples is back and better than ever!

2023-04-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

It's true! Don't believe the media, Naples Florida is back to life and thriving post Hurricane Ian that hit this area back in the Fall of 2022. The hotels, the beaches, the stores, the restaurants, everything is back to normal and I'm here to tell you exactly where to go and what to check out during your next visit!

This was my first time visiting Naples and I was truly impressed with all that there is to do and see here and I definitely did not have enough time to do it all, so stay tuned for an update with even more things to see and do there!

But let's start off with where to stay:

The Edgewater Beach Hotel

If you’re looking for that perfect relaxing beach vacation in Naples, this is the hotel for you. This high-end luxury hotel is an all suites hotel that is just steps away from the beach. You heard that right, all of their 119 rooms are suites, so that means it is perfect for the long or short term guest that wants a kitchenette and a living/dining room area in their room. Plus, every suite has a balcony that will give you city, beach or pool views. You feel right at home while staying at the Edgewater with their family oriented staff as they keep that local Florida charm alive and well, especially with the fresh cookies and milk that are in the lobby every afternoon. But start your day in the lobby with a coffee from the coffee bar before dining at their restaurant, Coast, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The other dining option is their Reflections Pool Bar which is where you can enjoy a snack or lunch with a delicious cocktail while taking in the views of the pool and the Gulf. Beyond the food, guests can enjoy yoga on Saturday mornings and there are bicycles available to rent throughout your stay. The Edgewater also offers free shuttle rides to and from 5th Avenue so you can get in on the action without worrying about parking! To get a further look inside the Edgewater, watch my hotel tour video here.

The Capri Inn

For the traveler who wants to be in on all that 5th Avenue action, The Capri Inn, is where you’ll want to stay since you will be steps away from all the restaurants, stores and fun that is happening on 5th Avenue. The Capri Inn is a boutique style hotel from the Opal Collection which will make you feel like you’ve been transported to a bed and breakfast in the heart of Savannah with its quaint decor and charm. The coolest addition to The Capri Inn is the private cottage that is on site. The cottage is a perfect private oasis for the traveling family or group of 4 with its two bedroom, two bath, kitchen area, living room and more!

Where to eat:

The French Brasserie Rustique

As soon as you approach The French, you will forget that you are in Naples and think you are at a corner cafe in Paris with the way they have their outdoor seating designed along with the decor inside the restaurant. As a part of the Campagna Hospitality Group, Chef Vincenzo Betulia does an incredible job of bringing Paris to The French. I truly enjoyed eating the Escargot and the Roasted Duck Leg Confit and if I planned ahead I would have ordered the Chocolate Soufflé for dessert but since I didn’t have the extra 20 minutes to spare, I got the Praline Mousse Chocolate Cake that was just as delicious.

Coast

The restaurant inside The Edgewater Beach Hotel, Coast, was wonderful for breakfast and lunch. Everything was always so fresh and enjoyable. For breakfast I especially enjoyed their pancakes that I had them make with chocolate chips and blueberries. For lunch, I highly recommend any of their bowls but I particularly enjoyed the Grilled Salmon Bowl.

I was only in Naples this visit for a short period of time, so here are some places I plan to check out next time I’m in town; Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood and Crab, D'Amico's The Continental, and Sails Restaurant.

Where to Shop

Sure, you can go to 5th Avenue South or Third Street South but I prefer a more unique, one of a kind shopping experience, like going to Shady and Katie on Central Avenue. Shady and Katie is a mother-daughter ran boutique, sharing their favorites in clothing, accessories, shoes and more. The store inside is just as vibrant as it’s lime green exterior, which makes it hard to miss when driving down Central Avenue. Beyond their boutique in Naples, their items are available for purchase online, which keeps their fans across the country very happy!

What to Do

Something I have been wanting to do for the longest time, especially now that I live in Florida is to go jet skiing and I finally had the chance to do it with Bonita Jet Ski and Parasail. They are located just 30 minutes north from where I was staying at the Edgewater Beach Hotel on Bonita Beach right behind Doc’s Beach House Restaurant. I signed up for the 2 hour jet ski dolphin tour, which started in the Gulf of Mexico and then we rode back into Estero Bay which is where we saw the dolphins! It was so cool watching the dolphins come up close to the jet skis and wanting to swim in the waves that they were making. My guide, Kemal, knew exactly where to go to see the dolphins and how to get them to stay with us for more of our ride, he also provided us with history and facts about the area along with making sure we felt safe and comfortable for the extend of our tour. This was another fantastic tour that I found through Tripshock! For a better look inside my Bonita Jet Ski tour, watch my video here.

Naples is a city that has so much to offer and on my next visit I am looking to visit the Naples Botanical Garden and the Baker Art Museum, take a sunset boat ride and explore the rest of downtown Naples! So until that happens I hope that these tips help you on your next visit to Naples, Florida!

April Events around Tampa Bay!

2023-04-01T10:22:00.004-04:00

Spring is here and so is a new month filled with a bunch of fun events happening around Tampa Bay!

First things first, start off by watching my FunSized Five video for April!

Now that you've done that, let's kick off the month with Margarita Wars on April 7th. At this event you'll be able to sample margaritas from the more than a dozen of Tampa Bay's best mixologists, enjoy live entertainment, Mexican-inspired hors d'oeuvres and more. At the end of the event, you'll get to vote on which margarita should win the award of 'Tampa Bay's Ultimate Margarita!'

On the following day, April 8th is The Incredible Duck Race by the Kiwanis Club of Tampa. You heard that right, 10,000 rubber ducks will race down the Hillsborough River and the first 3 ducks to cross the finish line will win a cash prize. This event will benefit the Tampa Kiwanis Foundation which supports many local children's programs and charities.

From April 12th to the 15th is the Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival, this 4-day annual event is to celebrate the culinary masters and chefs of the Tampa Bay Area with a variety of different experiences to choose from. This event also supports and benefits local charitable initiatives throughout the Tampa Bay Area.

If you’re a Broadway music fan, you’ll want to head to the Straz Center on April 14th to see “Broadway’s Best Hits,” this show will feature music from some of Broadway’s Best Hits like Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Mama Mia, Chicago, Anastacia, Beauty and the Beast, and more.

Also starting on April 14th is the Tampa Bay Rodeo and Family Festival, going until April 16th. Taking place at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, these 3 days will be filled with not only the rodeo, but there’ll be bull riding, barrel racing, live music, and so much more fun for the whole family.

Back to the food festivals, on April 15th until the 23rd is Bern’s 26th Annual Winefest brought to you by The Laxer Family Foundation. This festival brings you a week of exquisite events filled with the best wines from around the world in an effort to send funds to the James Beard Foundation for the Laxer Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The weekend of the April 15th sure is a busy one because it is also Festa Italiana Weekend, which is put on by the Italian Club of Tampa. On Saturday April 15th, is their Bocce & Bellinis event and on the following Sunday, is WineFest of Italy. I attended both of these events last year and had a fantastic time. All of these events are taking place in Historic Ybor and are put on to help fundraise for the Italian Club Building & Cultural Trust.

Another food-related event to come to Tampa Bay this month is Tampa Bay Taco Week from April 20th until the 30th, for 10 days take advantage of taco and drink specials from your favorite restaurants around Taco Bay!

On April 21st until the 23rd is the 18th Annual Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival Weekend filled with plenty of fun to be had. There’ll be a street parade filled with music, elaborate costumes, food and so much more all to celebrate the culture of the Caribbean.

If you’re interested in Planes, Trains & Automobiles, then you’re going to want to head over to the Plant City Airport on April 22nd to take in this 11th annual event that is filled with a variety of activities that showcase these modes of transportation. There’ll be cars and model trains on display along with plane and car shows to enjoy.

Starting April 29th is the Gasparilla Music Festival happening in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. This 2 days music festival has a variety of different music genres performing on different stages. Great music, good food with a great view, what more could you ask for?

Let’s close out the month with Los Vinos de Dali 2023 at the Dali Museum in St Pete. You’ll get to enjoy an evening at the Dali Museum filled with fine wine and craft brews with samples from the area’s top restaurants along with live music.

Well there you have it for my FunSized Five and more for April! As more events and activities come into my radar, I will be sure to update the list as the month progresses.

If you would like your event featured in my FunSized Five monthly video series or as a part of this blog, please email me at: contact@allysonberger.com

March Events around Tampa Bay!

2023-03-01T08:03:00.000-05:00

Time sure is flying by! How is it already March? You can definitely tell Spring is quickly approaching with all the fun events happening around Tampa Bay this month.

You know the drill, check out my FunSized Five video here first, and now we can get into the details:

There is a lot going on the first few days of March, so you're going to have to pick and choose which events are the most important ones for you to attend.

Let's kick it off with the Florida Strawberry Festival. This annual event will last for 11 days starting on March 2nd in Plant City. Each day there'll be different live music performances, plenty of rides and attractions, livestock shows and plenty more activities to get involved in. And of course, with plenty of strawberries. There are also special days that come with certain discounts so be sure to do your research before you attend so you can take advantage of the discounts they have available.

Kicking off Indy Car Season on March 3rd until the 5th is the Grand Prix of St Petersburg. It will take place on the waterfront street course in Downtown St Pete. There will be festivities and events happening all week leading up to the first race taking place Friday evening, but during the day there will also be practices to watch and enjoy. Find out more about the parties, live entertainment, interactive activities and the schedule for the races check out their website.

Also happening March 3rd through the 5th is the Tampa Bay Boat Show happening at the Florida State Fair! This is a free event that only charges you for parking. You'll get to see all the latest from boat dealers and manufacturers, along with boating and fishing supplies, and even exhibits of clothing, sunglasses, and boating and docking accessories.

On March 4th is Zoo Brews at Zoo Tampa from 7:30pm until 11:30pm. Get up close and personal with all of the Zoo's wildlife as your enjoy unlimited food and drinks from your favorite restaurants while discovering new ones to check out. There'll also be live music, games and plenty of more fun to be had!

It's Hollywood's biggest night on Sunday, March 12th so why not celebrate it at the Tampa Theatre? At 6:30pm Hollywood Awards Night at the Tampa Theatre kicks off with their red carpet reception, which will be a fun pre-show all leading up to watching the 95th Annual Academy Awards on the big screen in the historic and gorgeous Tampa Theatre.

March 14th through March 19th, The Valspar Championship will be taking place at Copperhead at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club Palm Harbor. This PGA Tour event will have 4 championship rounds of golf.

The Reggae Rise Up Music Festival is coming to St Pete's Vinoy Park from March 16th to the 19th. Wiz Khalifa, 311, Damian Marley, Dispatch are just some of the headliners that will be in attendance for this year's festival. For the weekend dates, the gates will open each day at noon and the music will end each night at 10pm.

Celebrate St Patrick's Day with Yacht Starship's St Patrick's Day Lunch Cruise. This 2 hour cruise will kick off at 11:30am with their buffet lunch menu, complete with Irish Fixings, DJ entertainment and more! Then continue your St Patrick's Day celebration with River O'Green Fest happening at Curtis Hixon Park on March 18th from 11am to 5pm. This is when you can watch the transformation of the Hillsborough River turning Green and then enjoy the festivities at the park with live music, food trucks and more!

The Innings Festival is coming to Raymond James Stadium on March 18th & 19th. This music fest comes together to celebrate baseball and great music during Spring Training. There will be 3 stages filled with rock, pop and alternative artists. Some of the headliners are Imagine Dragons, Dave Matthews Band, Pitbull, Weezer and more!

March 19th is the Taste of South Tampa, taking place at the Tampa Garden Club, from 1-4pm. Guests will get to enjoy unlimited food and beverage samples from some of their favorite and soon-to-be favorite restaurants around Tampa Bay. There will also be a beer garden, live entertainment, giveaways and more!

Well there you have it for my FunSized Five and more for March! As more events and activities come into my radar, I will be sure to update the list as the month progresses.

If you would like your event featured in my FunSized Five monthly video series or as a part of this blog, please email me at: contact@allysonberger.com

Best Place to see Manatees in Tampa Bay

2023-02-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

Prior to moving to Tampa, I really wasn't aware of manatees. Sure, I saw them at an aquarium once. But living in the Northeast, manatees were not spoken about often. So I'm sure you can understand my surprise when I started to hear about excursions where you could swim with manatees or visit a manatee viewing center. So being the FunSized Frolicker that I am, I had to go exploring and see what these manatees were all about. So here's what I did...

Let's talk swimming with manatees first! For this excursion, I booked it through TripShock, which is how I find a lot of my excursions, especially here in Florida! I did this with Crystal River Watersports which is a little over an hour north of Tampa. Prepare to get up bright and early for this excursion because the earlier you get up, the better chance you have to see the manatees. For this 3 hour tour, you are brought out to Kings Bay, where the local guides know the "hot spots" to find the manatees. Throughout the boat ride, they teach you more about these interesting creatures, especially so you know how to treat and respect them in their natural habitat.

This was a really cool experience to have, one that I never thought of doing prior to living in Florida! Watch the video of my swim with manatees below:

The next way to see manatees is a free way, which we absolutely love! The Manatee Viewing Center is a venue located in Apollo Beach that you can visit for free from November to April. Manatees are around the Tampa Bay area all year round, but they specifically come into the canals of the Manatee Viewing Center during this time frame because when the temperature drops in the Gulf, this where the manatees go to warm up.

In the video below, I visited the Center, a little too early and there weren't any manatees there yet, but I've heard how packed those canals can get with them, I just haven't seen it for myself yet. But have no fear, in case you don't see any manatees, you can still touch string rays in their touch tank, and walk on their countless trails and take in the views around the Bay. Then, head on down to Finn's Apollo Beach for their happy hour! I'm not affiliated, I just think they have a great deal, good food & drinks that come with an even better waterfront view!

Sure, you can get lucky seeing them just out and about around Tampa Bay, but these two options give you a more likely chance to see them!

February Events around Tampa Bay!

2023-02-01T08:00:00.007-05:00

The month of looooveee is here so there is plenty to love about these upcoming events happening around Tampa Bay this month!

First things first, be sure to watch February's FunSized Five video!

Let's kick things off with two different events happening on February 11th!

You'll want to start your day at the Tampa Bay Chocolate Festival happening at Gulf View Square in New Port Richey. This is the 10th year for this festival and it's going to be the Sweet & Spicy Edition, so all the vendors will be sticking to this theme but can add some heat as well. It's a free event where you can pay for the treats you wish to enjoy. There'll be live music with plenty of fun to be had, while you enjoy your sweet treats from 11am to 7pm.

Once you are filled up from treats at the Chocolate Festival, you'll want to head down to Ybor where the Knight Parade is starting at 7pm. The Knights of Sant'Yago will lead more than 100 Tampa Organizations down 7th Avenue in what is the largest illuminated night parade in the South! There'll be marching bands, local political icons and the Grand Marshal for this year, Luiz "Gonzo" Gonzalez, Tampa Native and Florida Sports Hall of Fame baseball player.

Now if you're a brunch lover, you are not going to want to miss Brunched happening on February 18th. At this event, you'll be able to sample brunch bites from your favorite Tampa Bay restaurants while sipping on bubbly and taking in the gorgeous waterfront views of Downtown Tampa. There will also be a Bloody Mary Battle to determine Tampa Bay's Ultimate Bloody Mary. Depending on your ticket choice, Brunched will either start at 11am or 1pm and go until 3pm, the perfect amount of time for brunch!

February is the start of the Major Baseball League's Spring Training and Florida is the home of the Grapefruit League! The first game is on February 24th in Fort Myers with Northeastern Huskies at the Boston Red Sox. But our Tampa Bay Ray's have their first home game on February 28th against the New York Yankees, but due to hurricane damage at their new field, this game will be played in Orlando at Disney's Wide World of Sports. Keep up with your favorite teams schedule here.

Head on over to Safety Harbor during the weekend of the 25th for their Art & Seafood on the Waterfront Event. On Saturday from 11am-9pm and Sunday from 11am-6pm, enjoy mixed media art work on display, with plenty of great local seafood to enjoy. There will be live music throughout the event. This event is free to the public but VIP tickets are available that include exclusive seating with food and drinks included and more. For more information and to purchase tickets visit the event's website here.

Well there you have it for my FunSized Five for February! As more events and activities come into my radar, I will be sure to update the list as the month progresses.

If you would like your event featured in my FunSized Five monthly video series or as a part of this blog, please email me at: contact@allysonberger.com

A Place to Buzz about: FLY Bar & Restaurant

2023-01-16T20:05:00.000-05:00

Fly Bar & Restaurant located on Kennedy Boulevard across from The University of Tampa is not to be missed, but don't be fooled by the location. You will not see loads of college students hanging out here. These craft cocktails and Fly's elevated food menu are too sophisticated for these UT kids, so it's the perfect place for you to go for your next night out!

The first thing to point out is their incredible happy hour; from Tuesday to Saturday from 4-6pm enjoy their drink specials but the best part is that their food menu is half off!! Now this is a deal that cannot be beat, especially when you have Chef Mahlon Randolph's incredible dishes to savor.

Here is what I had, when I went for happy hour & what I would highly recommend you having:

If refreshing cocktails are your thing, have the Pimm's Cup! It's made with Pimm's No.1, lemon juice & Mr. Q Cucumber soda. Very light & easy to drink. One of their most popular cocktails is Honey, I'm Home, which is basically an orange creamsicle in a glass, but unfortunately not on the happy hour menu.

Now let's get to the food! I was really so impressed by all of the dishes and I didn't expect Fly to have such high end options to choose from, nor did I expect to find out that a lot of the ingredients they use are made, in-house and from scratch. Each dish was so flavorful and unique, but here were some of my favorites:

If you're looking to keep it more on the simple side, the Wagyu Patty Melt, was out of this world! It literally melted in your mouth with each bite and I would pair that with their Mac & Cheese which is a fan favorite.

Next, I'd go for the Tacos al Pastor, full of flavor and color! The perfect combo of sweet and meaty.

On the Asian flavor front, get the Shrimp Dumplings and then the Smoked Duck Udon, where again, they make the noodles in house from scratch. Fly also makes a conscious effort to be sustainable so when they are receiving the duck to make these dishes, they use it in as many ways as possible to make sure they are not being wasteful, which we love to hear!

Two other great dishes I tried, was the Chips & Roe as a starter and I absolutely loved the flavor of the Lapsang-cured Duck Leg, I could have probably eaten 2 of them!

Lastly, make sure you save room for dessert. The Tiramisu is mind-blowingly good and probably the best one I've had in Tampa since I've moved here. Chef Mahlon uses the espresso from their neighbor next door, Craft Kafe, to make this the most decadent tiramisu, you'll ever have! And you'll have to stay tuned because there's more desserts soon to come to Fly.

I cannot stress enough how taken back I was with the food menu here. I always heard people talking about the cocktails at Fly, but I really think the food is where the credit is deserved. It is very obvious that Chef Mahlon puts his time, heart, soul and creativity into each and every dish so that you leave fully satisfied yet wanting more.

Besides their happy hour, they are open Tuesday through Saturday with live music on Thursday's, which is also when they have their late night happy hour from 8pm to 2am! So whether it's date night, catching up with friends or watching a sporting event (they have a projector that comes down to watch tv from), Fly Bar & Restaurant should be at the top of your list of where you should go for any occasion!

January Events around Tampa Bay!

2023-01-06T15:22:00.001-05:00

If you follow me on social media, you know that I have started doing a monthly series called "The FunSized Five," where I share my top 5 pick of events happening around Tampa Bay that month. Well, sometimes more than 5 come to my attention and I thought, let me come to my blog to share them! This way I can share more details about the events I pick, plus some other events that you don't want to miss out on. So here we go!

First things first, be sure to watch January's FunSized Five video!

Starting January 7th is the start of Yacht Starships’ Weekend Brunch Buffett Cruise! Every Saturday and Sunday, during their 2 hour cruise, enjoy their buffet which is filled with all your brunch favorites along with complimentary coffee and tea. You'll get to enjoy live music while you take in the sights around Tampa Bay. Get more information and tickets on their website.

January 13th is the start of John's Pass Annual Seafood Festival. This will be the 41st year for this 3-day festival. Taking place on Madeira Beach, there will be plenty of fresh gulf seafood, hundreds of local vendors an arts and crafts show, live music and lots of family-friendly activities. For more information, check out their Facebook event page.

Also happening that weekend is St Pete's Bacon and BBQ Festival happening in Vinoy Park in St. Pete on January 14th & 15th. There'll be over 100 bacon and bbq dishes from over 30 vendors, along with craft beer and cocktails. Plus live music all day long with plenty of games and entertainment. Get your tickets from their website.

Did you know that Gasparilla started at the Henry Plant Museum when it was a hotel? Well, to honor that, starting on Friday, January 20th, a new exhibition will be opening at the Henry B Plant Museum, called "Gasparilla: A Tampa Tradition" and it will run until March 5th. This exhibit will take you on a journey within Tampa's oldest festival, through memorabilia, costumes, photographs and more you'll learn about the history of Gasparilla and all that it represents. You can find out more about the exhibit, here.

A few things to share with you, that are happening on January 22nd.

First, is the Festivals of Speed, this high-end, luxury car show is coming to Vinoy Park in St Pete. There will be over 250 exotic, classic, and muscle cars, plus motorcycles & luxury brands. On this day they will also be celebrating 60 years of Lamborghini and McLaren along with 75 years of Porsche and Ferrari! But the best part is, I'm helping you get 1/2 off your General Admissions ticket when you use the code: FUNSIZED at checkout! Get your tickets here and I'll see you there!

Second, is the start of Westshore Marina District's Sunday Market! It will take place on the 4th Sunday of each month from 11am to 3pm. There will be over 70 local vendors with plants, produce, art, jewelry, clothing and more! Plus live music will start at 11am. For more information, check out the Facebook event page.

And lastly is Gasparilla Weekend! This will be my first time being in Tampa for Gasparilla so I am very excited and yet don't know what exactly to expect, so I thought that the Gasparilla Invasion Cruise that the Pirate Water Taxi is putting on January 28th, is a great way to be a part of the action! For an hour and thirty minutes be on the water, where you'll get complimentary beer, wine, soda and water along with Cuban sandwiches all while the invasion takes place. Get your tickets here.

Well there you have it for January's Events around Tampa Bay! As more events and activities come into my radar, I will be sure to update the list as the month progresses.

If you would like your event featured in my FunSized Five monthly video series or as a part of this blog, please email me at: contact@allysonberger.com

History Lovers visiting Tampa, here’s where you need to visit…

2022-07-11T17:27:00.007-04:00

Prior to moving to Tampa, I was not aware of how much history there is in this city! Tampa played a major role in the development of Florida, but you’d never know this unless you visit some of these hot spots:

The Henry B. Plant Museum

This is really where you should start your history tour since Henry B. Plant is who built the railroad that brought people to Tampa. This is a small museum that has an enormous amount of history in it. It is located in the south wing of Plant Hall in the University of Tampa. For 40 years, this was the Tampa Bay Hotel, a 511-room resort. People would travel here mostly to spend their winters at the Hotel and would stay here for months at a time. When you visit the museum, you’ll see the original Victorian furniture from when it was a hotel and you’ll see how one of the parkour suites was laid out. Plenty of high profile names stayed and visited the Tampa Bay Hotel like Babe Ruth, but now the only big name that they’re waiting to have visit is, YOU! Check here to see when their next available tour is and to see what their latest exhibit is!

The Tampa Theater
Just down the road a piece from the Henry B Plant Museum, you’ll find the hidden gem in Tampa’s Downtown, which is the Tampa Theater. This museum palace was built in the 1920’s to be an atmospheric theater palace, where you feel as though you are outside when you are inside. Standing on the street In Downtown Tampa, looking at the outside of the theater, you would never know that this incredible architecture exists inside, but once you see it, you’ll understand why it is one of the best preserved pieces of architecture in the world. You can go here to see a film or a live event but I highly recommend taking their Balcony to Backstage Tour, which happens twice a month and that’s when you can learn about the history of the theater and what it was like for the people of Tampa during its heyday in the 1920’s.

American Victory Ship & Museum

Located in the Port of Tampa, right behind the Florida Aquarium, is where you will find this fully operational World War II cargo ship. Built 77 years ago in only 55 days, all by women, there are 4 floors for you to explore. This cargo ship served in WWII, Korea & Vietnam. You can see the engine room, where the crew ate and slept, and plenty more. I highly recommend taking one of their guided tours so you can really learn about the ship, all the history behind it and what it took to bring it to Tampa Bay. Plus, if you visit The SS Victory after visiting the Florida Aquarium (with proof of ticket), you can get 1/2 off your SS Victory ticket! Find out more about their tours here.

Tampa Bay History Center

The Tampa Bay History Center provides a fun and interactive way to learn not only about Tampa’s history but Florida’s as well. They are constantly changing and updating their exhibits to keep Tampa’s history interesting and informative. My favorite parts were learning about how Tampa was established, Cuba’s influence on the city and of course, learning how it became Cigar City! Since this museum makes learning history fun, it’s a great place to

take kids of all ages. For more information, visit their site here.

Tampa Bay Historic Walking Tour

Ran by the same gentleman who I took the Ybor City Walking Tour with, Max Herman is now running a historic walking tour throughout Downtown Tampa! Starting at the last trolley stop, which is also where Fort Brooke stood, is where you'll meet Max or one of his colleagues for this 90 minute walking tour. From there, you'll learn why Tampa was once named the "Wild West of the South," where Main Street used to be, how it was once, one of the most progressive cities in the south, among many more interesting facts about Tampa that I'm sure you were not aware of! To learn more about this tour, as well as the 3 other tours Max's company has, visit his website here.

These are definitely some of the top places to visit in Tampa Bay for history lovers, but the place you really want to go to learn about Tampa's history is Ybor City. This National Historic Landmark District of Florida deserved a whole article of its own, which you can read here.

Places to Visit in Historic Ybor City in Tampa, Florida

2022-07-11T17:00:00.010-04:00

If you want to visit the neighborhood in Tampa Bay that has the most charm and history, look no further than Ybor City. This part of Tampa may have the reputation of a Broadway by day and a Bourbon Street by night, but it is so much more than that!

There is so much history and culture that runs through these cobble stone streets, with plenty of places to visit and learn from, so I’m here to help make it easier for you find those places. Here is my itinerary for you, for when you come to visit Historic Ybor City.

First, I’d start with an Historic Walking Tour. Max Herman runs a fantastic tour where he takes you around this National Historic Landmark District of Florida. There are very few places you actually go into, so depending on the time of year you take his tour, prepare to sweat. On this Historic Walking Tour, you learn how Ybor City came to be in 1885 and was quite the melting pot with so many different cultures, religions and ethnicities choosing to settle in Ybor. This walking tour shows you how each group had their own social club, but today, only the Italian Social Club is still in working order and is still owned by Italians. You’ll learn about Señor Vincente Martinez Ybor and see his cigar factory and his own social club. Without any passports needed, you’ll even visit a slice of a Cuba that is right here in Ybor! And of course, you’ll see and learn all about Ybor’s Chickens and Roosters, that will probably join your tour at some point! I don’t want to give too much away, but Max’s tours run daily and you can learn more about them and book your tour here.

Next, head over to Centennial Park, which is where you’ll find the Ybor City Museum and the Tampa Baseball Museum. Both museums can be visited on the same day. In the Ybor City Museum, you’ll learn more about the first settlers of Ybor, their traditions that followed them here, and how the neighborhood came to be. The coolest part of this museum is that it is in what used to be the Ferlita Bakery, which was an Italian family that made Cuban bread, which you can see a recreation of inside the museum!

Across the street, on 19th Street, is where you’ll find the Tampa Baseball Museum, which is in the actual home that Al Lopez lived in with his family. Al Lopez is Tampa’s first Major league player, manager and Hall of Fame Inductee. In this museum, you’ll learn more about Lopez, as well as Tampa’s Baseball History, which started with their first team in 1887. Today, the most MLB players have come from Tampa. Whether you’re a baseball fanatic or not, you’ll enjoy all the history, artifacts and interactive experiences that come with visiting this museum.

I saved the best for last! It’s now time to go across interstate 4 and go to the other part of Ybor to visit the JC Newman Cigar Factory, which is the only fully functional cigar manufacture left in Tampa! Known as the “El Reloj,” (which means The Clock, in Spanish) for its distinguished Clock Tower, this 4th generation family-owned cigar maker is 127 years old and makes about 60,000 cigars each day for 10 different brands. This was one of the best factory tours I have ever been on because you can get up close and personal with the cigar rollers and really see how it is done. It is a 75 minute guided tour that I highly recommend taking, so you can learn about the Newman’s legacy, Cigar City and everything involved in making a cigar. They also just started offering hand-rolling classes, so you can learn how to roll your own cigar! Learn more about their classes and book your tour here.

UPDATE: Since writing this article, I took J.C. Newman's Hand Rolling Cigar Class and this should definitely be on your list of must-do's in Tampa Bay. How can you be in Cigar City and not learn how to hand roll a cigar? Well, it's a good thing that J.C. Newman gives you the opportunity to do just that! This class really helps you gain a new appreciation for the profession and craft because this was not an easy task to accomplish. As time goes on, J.C. Newman keeps adding more enhancements to the class, like when I took the class it came with a custom J.C. Newman Cigar Box to hold the cigars that I rolled in class. So after rolling my 5 premium J.C. Newman Cigars, I wait 10-14 days and they'll be dry and ready to be lit! The classes happen every other Friday afternoon, so you'll want to book your visit before they fill up!

So the next time, someone says to you, let’s go to Ybor City in Tampa, don’t think about the people stumbling out of the bars on 7th Avenue, just think about how Teddy Roosevelt rode down 7th Avenue on horseback with his Rough Riders, which you’ll learn all about after visiting all the places I mentioned above!
For more historic places to visit in Tampa Bay, click here.

Celebration Vacations with the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

2022-02-01T21:19:00.000-05:00

Today is the launch of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess' Celebration Vacations, a new way for The Princess to help you celebrate life's special moments, whether it be a bachelorette, a birthday or an anniversary, the Fairmont is there to help you make it even more special.

To celebrate the launch, The Princess sent out gift boxes to show a preview of how they are there to help with your celebration. My box came with a mini bottle of sparkling wine, a champagne cocktail kit, Sugarfina Champagne Gummy Bears & a chocolate bar. Just a few of my favorite things from one of my all-time favorite hotels.

When you book your next stay at the Fairmont Princess, start at ScottsdalePrincess.com/Celebrations, choose a special offer like the Sip, Savor & Celebrate Package, then select your memory-making enhancements and let the Princess take care of the rest!

I had the pleasure of staying with the Princess last September and it had been awhile since I last stayed with them, but as to be expected, I had a fantastic stay with them.

Get a look inside my room and my time spent at the Princess in the video below:

One of my favorite parts of this last trip to the Princess, was getting to experience the Sisley Spa which is now a part of their Well & Being Spa. So now when you visit the Well & Being Spa, you have the option of booking one of their services or a Sisley service. When you book a Sisley service, there is a separate Sisley check-in, with its own waiting room, a designated locker and Sisley service rooms. And as you can see in the video above, from my experience with Sisley, it is definitely something worth checking out.

There are many reasons why the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is one of my favorite hotels and now with their Celebration Vacations Packages, they just keep getting better!

So what celebration will you celebrate with the Princess next?

Staying at the ONLY HOTEL in Montclair NJ: The MC Hotel

2021-04-05T14:20:00.001-04:00

Situated in the heart of Montclair, New Jersey, you will find the only hotel in all of Montclair, The MC Hotel. This hotel brings a translocal experience to its guests, which is what I think sets it apart from other hotels, and here's why:

FOOD

Let's talk food first! The MC is lucky enough to have Chef Amber Lancaster as their executive chef of their restaurant, The Allegory and their rooftop, The Alto.

Chef Amber Lancaster is currently in Season 19 of Hell's Kitchen, that airs on Fox, and they have incorporated that into The Allegory. On Thursday nights when Hell's Kitchen airs, The Allegory has a secret menu that goes along with the theme of the episode that is airing that night. So on the Thursday night I was there to dine, I did not know until I sat down that it was Burger Night on the show, so I was able to enjoy Chef Amber's Special Burger while Hell's Kitchen played on televisions throughout the restaurant. Along with the secret menu being available on Thursday nights, the regular menu is still always available, which I was able to order from as well. All of the dishes were flavorful, colorful and showed off Chef Amber's Southwestern roots with a little spice mixed in.

The food and drink items that you'll find upstairs at The Alto are just as tasty and enjoyable as they are in The Allegory. I highly recommend trying the Chorizo Stuffed Dates and the House Popped Corn with Truffle Oil! The rooftop is a gorgeous space with indoor and outdoor seating, with great views of Montclair and the New York City Skyline.

ROOMS

Now let's talk about the rooms in the MC Hotel. The MC is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection which means you are going to be staying in a chic boutique-style hotel.

As with all hotels during this time, things are running a little differently than normal, so at check-in, I would suggest sharing your comfort levels with the hotel staff so they know how to properly accommodate you. For example, do you feel comfortable having someone walk in your room to drop off your luggage or would you rather have your luggage waiting outside your door? If you share your preferences with the hotel in advance, they will be able to better suit you and make sure your stay is to your comfort level. The room itself is very spacious and very modern.

In the mornings, complimentary coffee is available in the lobby, however if you would like to have a coffee maker in your room, you will need to ask for it (preferably) the night before. Coffee makers are normally in the rooms, but were removed due to Covid, but they are happy to provide you with one, as long as you ask for it.

ART, CULTURE & LOCAL

My favorite part of the MC Hotel is that they bring translocal hospitality to the forefront of your hotel experience. This means they try to incorporate as many local businesses and artists into their property, so they are using local breweries, local coffee shops, local artists and more, to really showcase what and who is based in the area. After the heart-breaking year so many of us had, especially small businesses, I love that the MC Hotel is supporting local businesses as a part of their brand.

See more of the MC Hotel in the video below:

Indoor Dining is back in NYC & This is the 1st Place You Should Go

2021-03-08T10:06:00.002-05:00

After months of indoor dining not being available in New York City, it is finally back in action and I found the perfect gem you must go to dine indoors to get the full experience, and that is Angelina Paris.

Angelina Paris has opened its first US location, right here in New York City by Bryant Park. Due to the pandemic, their opening kept getting delayed, but they finally opened in November and boy was it worth the wait.

When you visit Angelina Paris, you really want to go for the experience and pleasure of dining in their Parisian Tea Room. It is so elegant with its high ceilings, chandeliers and paintings of different parts of Southern France on the walls. You will forget you are dining in the middle of New York City. If you're on the run and don't have time to dine indoors, you can always stop in to grab a treat to take with you, as they have plenty of items to take away as well.

First things first, come with an empty stomach because there is so much to enjoy. They are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 8pm, and serve breakfast, pastries and light lunch fares all day long. I went around 2pm which, in my opinion, was the perfect time to try their sweet and savory dishes.

Start with their signature hot chocolate. This is hot chocolate like you've never had before! It is so rich and delicious, and so perfect for these chilly days we are still having. They make it easy for you to have this on the go and at home, so don't forget to grab a bottle on your way out.

Next, I went with their French Onion Soup, Croque Madame & Roasted Salmon. All of these dishes were absolutely delicious and stayed true to their French Roots.

But don't fill up too much on the main dishes, because you must save room for their pastries that are made fresh daily in house.

Angelina Paris is most known for their signature Mont Blanc pastry (middle), a crisp French meringue under a dome of whipped cream covered by chestnut vermicelli. Unbelievable!

Then I had to try their Trocadero (right), not only because it is one of my favorite metro stops in Paris (it's the one to see the Eiffel Tower from) but it just looks amazing and of course, it was. This pastry is made of crunchy hazelnut, creamy chocolate, hazelnut biscuit, chocolate icing & almonds, topped with milk chocolate whipped cream. Oh la la!

Finally, I had to try their newest pastry, Choc' Intense (left) , a chocolate brownie with dark chocolate moose, salted chocolate cream and crunch dark chocolate. This pastry is a chocolate lovers' dream!

The experience I had dining at Angelina Paris brought me right back to the time I spent living in Paris, and while we still can't travel abroad to the real Paris, I am so glad I now have Angelina Paris in my backyard to go to. I'll just have to make sure I walk to and from the restaurant, so I don't gain (what the French call) a Brioche Belly from eating too many pastries!

How to Prepare for your next Virtual Meeting!

2021-03-01T18:21:00.001-05:00

Zoom & video calls have now become a part of our everyday life, but so much more is involved than just turning on your computer screen, which is why I'm here to help!

First, let's discuss how to be a Successful Virtual Participant!

1. Choose the Best Device

Although smart phones can be used to conduct virtual meetings, a laptop or desktop computer is ideal. When using a smart phone, there is a higher chance of interruptions and more difficult to keep it steady on a desk or table.

2. Plan Ahead

Technology is great, but only when it works properly. Make time before your virtual meeting to make sure you have the program downloaded and it is working properly. This isn't something you want to wait to do last minute right before your meeting. Even though the meeting is virtual, you still need to show the same professionalism and promptness as if it was an in-person meeting.

3. Have Proper Lighting & Background

This step goes along with planning ahead. When preparing for a virtual meeting, lighting plays a very important part because you are most likely going to be seen and heard. If possible, you always want to be facing a window, so that the natural light is coming into the room and hitting your face. The window, should never be behind you, as it will backlight you and make it difficult for your face to be seen.

Make sure you do not have any personal items or things in the background you would not want your colleagues to see. A plain wall, with little to no distractions is the most ideal background, if you are not going to choose a virtual one from the program you are using.

4. Be Professional

When logging into a virtual meeting, you don't want to come up with a screen name you may have used on AIM in high school. Make yourself known, by using your first and last name.

5. Stay Muted Until Spoken To

This is one of the most common mistakes and complaints when it comes to virtual meetings. Whenever you enter a virtual meeting, stay muted until it is your turn to speak. When there are multiple people in a room and everyone has their audio on, it may become difficult to hear the moderator, so the best way to avoid this, is to stay muted until spoken to.

I hope these tips help you prepare for your next virtual meeting! To hear more about these tips in greater detail, watch this video:

Now that we know how to be the best participant for our next virtual meeting, let's make sure we look our best, too!

Here's my under 10 minute tutorial on how to get ready for your next virtual meeting!

1. CC Cream:

It Cosmetic's CC Cream is perfect to blur out any imperfections and to give you that no make-up, make up look! I love using their Perfection Complexion Brush to blend the product into my skin.

2. Eyelash Curler:

An eyelash curler is a great way to open up your eyes and make yourself seem more awake.

3. Concealer:

I like using Make Up Forever's Full Cover Concealer to help cover any imperfections that the CC Cream may have missed.

4. Blush/Bronzer:

Add some color back onto your cheeks with either your favorite blush or bronzer. I used a Sephora Bronzer in this video as a blush, but any blush or bronzer will work just as well!

5. Mascara:

Open up your eyes even more with swiping up on your favorite mascara. In this video, I used Lancome's new Lash Idole mascara, which really lengthens and volumizes my lashes.

6. Lips:

Add some shine or gloss to your lips with your favorite lip gloss or just some ol' fashioned vaseline!

Now you should be all set for your next virtual meeting! Let me know how my tips helped you by leaving a comment below!

Best Places to Eat in the Palm Beaches

2021-02-02T10:16:00.266-05:00

*UPDATED NOV 2023*

The food scene in the Palm Beaches has really reached new heights, so here a few of the places I really enjoyed eating in and hope that you will enjoy them too, the next time you're in the area!

West Palm Beach/ Palm Beach/ Palm Beach Gardens

Johan's Joe

Johan's Joe is a wonderful shop for coffee, breakfast or lunch. This local coffee shop is bringing a part of Scandinavia to South Florida, with its Swedish delicacies mixed with all the bakery favorites you know and love. From the coffee, to the decor, to all of their tasty treats, everything is absolutely delicious and instagrammable too!

*NEW* Johan's is now open evernings Wednesday through Saturday, sharing some of their favorite Scandinavian dishes for dinner. Along with an extensive wine list, this is the perfect spot for your next date night!

What I had & loved: Peppermint Mocha (Holiday Flavor), Swedish House Blend (Regular Coffee), Swedish Pancakes, The Lapland, dammsugare, and their chocolate croissant.

Parking: Free in lot behind coffee shop

Dining Options: Outdoor & Indoor Available, Take Out & Delivery

Almond Palm Beach

Almond Palm Beach is a New York staple, that has finally made its way to Southern Florida. I would recommend this restaurant for a special night out or celebration, as it is higher on the scale of fine dining. It is located on the famous Royal Poinciana Way in Palm Beach, if that tells you anything. Regardless, this is where you'll find delectable and rustic French Cuisine, that makes it worth every penny.

What I had & loved: Midwinter Sun (Cocktail), Escargot, Spaghetti with Lobster, Duck Break Adobo, Chocolate Pot de Creme

Parking: Valet Parking available and complimentary

Dining Options: Outdoor and Indoor Available

Avocado Cantina

Avocado Cantina is a different kind of Mexican restaurant, because each dish is prepared with a Mexican soul and South Floridian style. Everything you order has so much flavor, and so does the decor of the restaurant. Everything is so vibrant and colorful, and fun too, see if you can spot all the monkeys that are hanging around the restaurant.

What I had & loved: House Margaritas, Chips & Guac, Mussels in Modelo Chile Broth, Conchinita Pibil, Short Rib Birria Tacos, and Dulce de Leche Lava Cake.

Parking: Free in lot of Downtown Palm Beach Gardens Mall

Dining Options: Outdoor and Indoor Available, Delivery, Take Out

Get a deeper look inside these restaurants in this video:

Wellington/Lake Worth

Skorpios II

Skorpios II is a great hidden gem of a Greek restaurant. The dishes are filling and flavorful. Great value for your money. Between the food and the decor you'll think you went to Greece for the night!

What I had & loved: Skorpios Special (A great dish to try a little of everything. Enough food for 2 people.), and the Tiramisu

Parking: Free in lot in front of restaurant

Dining Options: Outdoor and Indoor Available, Delivery, Take Out

Tub Tim Thai & Sushi Restaurant

Tub Tim Thai & Sushi has a delicious mix of Thai and Japanese dishes. They serve big portions that are full of flavor. Coming from New York, it is on the pricer side of Thai food but they prove to you that its worth the price.

What I had & loved: Chicken Pad Thai & Pork Ginger Sauce

Parking: Free in Lot

Dining Options: Outdoor and Indoor Available, Take Out

Photos Courtesy of Tub Tim Thai's Website

Piatto Bravo

Piatto Bravo is a great, local Italian Restaurant. It gives off that homestyle Italian feeling with a modern vibe, to attract families, couples and friends. Check their calendar before you go to see if they have any events or live music happening the day of your visit. The have great happy hour specials too!

What I had & loved: Homemade Pappardelle & Chicken Parmegiana

Parking: Free in Lot

Dining Options: Outdoor and Indoor Available, Delivery & Take Out

Photos Courtesy of Piatto Bravo's Facebook Page

Delray Beach

Drift

Drift Delray is located inside the newly renovated Opal Grand Resort and Spa. This restaurant will have you drifting away on an exquisite adventure filled with bold and delicious flavors. Drift's nautical ambiance is perfect for the location of the restaurant being steps away from the Atlantic Ocean. From the cocktail menu, all the way to the dessert menu, you will have a hard time picking just one dish to try, all of the drinks and dishes are fantastic. You'll just have to keep drifting back to Drift until you've tried them all!

What I had & loved: Chilled Jumbo Shrimp, Rack of Lamb & Chocolate Truffle Crunch

Parking: Self Park or Valet with the Hotel

Dining Options: Outdoor and Indoor Available

Latitudes Restaurant

Latitudes Oceanfront Restaurant inside the Delray Sands Resort, is unbelievable for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is a favorite for locals and guests of the hotel. No matter which meal of the day you go there for, you'll have a delicious culinary experience that has French and Coastal influences in each dish.

What I had & loved:

Breakfast: Lump Crab Eggs Benedict, Nutella Stuffed French Toast, Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberries

Lunch: Cobb Salad, Grilled Chicken Panini

Dinner: Market Oysters, Lobster & Crab Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp, Pappardella Bolognese

Parking: Valet with Hotel

Dining Options: Outdoor and Indoor Available

See more of Latitudes in this video:

Elisabetta's Ristorante

Elisabetta's Ristorante is a one of a kind scratch kitchen, located in the heart of Delray Beach on Atlantic Avenue. Everything that touches your table is homemade and it's obvious within the first bite. As soon as you enter the restaurant, you feel as if you left Southern Florida and walked into rustic Italy for the night. There are plenty of specials each and every night. Highly recommend making a reservation. The decor, the vibe, the food, everything, is nothing short of amazing. They recently opened a location in West Palm Beach and I'm sure it is just as good.

*NEW* Elisabetta's open a new location in West Palm Beach!

What I had & loved: Charcuterie Board, Veal Chop alla Parmigiana, Ferrazoli, and the Dolci Grande for dessert (so you can try a little bit of everything)!

Parking: Valet or Street Parking

Dining Options: Outdoor and Indoor Available, Delivery & Take Out

City Oyster

City Oyster is a delightful dining experience. They have such a variety of things on their menu, there is something for everyone. So many fresh seafood dishes to choose from, you'll have a hard time picking which one to have. City Oyster is another popular spot on Atlantic Avenue, so a reservation is recommended.

What I had & loved: Oysters Rockefeller, Salmon Sashimi, Crab Cake, Surf & Turf, Shrimp & Crab Gumbo, Double Chocolate Cookie & Amaretto Sandwich, Hot Apple Strudel

Parking: Street Parking

Dining Options: Outdoor and Indoor Available, Delivery & Take Out

Get a deeper inside look of these 2 restaurants, featured in this video:

Boca Raton

Gallaghers Boca Raton

A New York City staple, Gallaghers, has officially arrived in Boca Raton with all of your favorite items. Everything you plan to indulge in, is made in-house and cooked to absolute perfection. Along with the extensive menu, there are weekly specials and seasonal specials that you will be able to choose from. Chef Alan Ashkinaze did an incredible job making sure there is something for everyone on the menu. I chose to do a surf and turf meal with their tomahawk steak and crab stuffed shrimp, that was just out-of-this-world. After your meal, take a walk around the restaurant to look at all the photographs, so you can really digest all of the elements that make Gallaghers special, including the meat storage area where they age their meats for about 21 to 28 days at about 38 degrees! Don't forget to make a reservation, no matter what night of the week you go to visit, because it will be packed!

Corvina Seafood Grill

Corvina located in downtown Boca Raton is your new favorite seafood restaurant with something for everyone. From award-winning sushi, to fresh catches & hearty meat dishes, whatever your preference may be, you'll find it here at Corvina. It is obvious that the Passion Food Hospitality Group brought their talents and passion down to South Florida in Corvina and you're not going to want to miss out on these dishes!

What I had & loved: Charbroiled Oysters, Whole Red Snapper Veracruzana, & The Proper Ice Cream Sundae

Parking: Valet or Street Parking

Dining Options: Outdoor or Indoor Available

Chez Marie French Bistro

Chez Marie French Bistro is a wonderful hidden gem in Boca Raton! Owned and operated by Marie and her husband, they made sure to bring their love of their homeland (France) to Southern Florida! All of their dishes are all authentic and delicious French dishes. If the prix-fix menu is available, I would highly recommend it; it's a great value for your money and a great way to try multiple dishes!

What I had & loved: Escargots, Duck a l'orange, Beef Short Ribs, Chocolate Fondant & Apple Crumble

Parking: Free in Shopping Center

Dining Options: Outdoor and Indoor Available, Delivery & To- Go

Jimmy C's Italian Deli and Market

Jimmy C's is a great local Italian Deli. I went here for lunch one day and it was just what I was looking for and needed. The subs are huge, one was enough to share. They also do plenty of catering. I love supporting local delis like this. Great, clean and attentive service.

What I had & loved: Boar's Head Ham & Swiss Sandwich

Parking: Free in Strip Mall Lot

Dining Options: Indoor dining, Take Out & Delivery

Photos Courtesy of Jimmy C's Facebook Page

Boynton Beach

Josie's Ristorante

Josie's Ristorante is quite the elevated Italian dining experience! James Beard Award winning Chef Mark Militello takes classic Italian dishes and kicks them up a notice with some unbelievable flavors and ingredients. A great spot for either lunch or dinner. Plenty of daily specials to choose from as well, besides the regular menu. The portions will not leave you hungry, especially if you order the 16-layer chocolate cake for dessert.

What I had & loved: Mediterranean Salad, Ricotta Stuffed Pizza (Daily Special), Beggars Purse & the 16-Layer Chocolate Cake

Parking: Complimentary Valet or Self Park in lot

Dining Options: Indoor & Outdoor dining, Take Out & Delivery

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Spending a Weekend in Orlando, Florida

2021-01-29T19:12:00.004-05:00

The last time I was in Orlando, Florida, I was 18 years old. So it is safe to say it has been a long time since I was there and I'm sure a lot has changed. But since I am now 30 years old (gasp! Thank you for thinking I still look under 21!) I wanted my visit to Orlando to be different. I was not interested in going to Disney or any of the other major theme parks. I wanted a weekend to relax by the pool and still be able to do some Orlando-type activities. So while searching for hotels to stay at, I was so glad I came across the Hilton Orlando and as you continue reading this article you'll find out why!

Staying at the Hilton Orlando

The Hilton Orlando is a leisure resort, which is surprising to most because it is also attached to the Orlando Convention Center. Usually, when a hotel is associated with a convention center, you expect it to mostly appeal to the business traveler, but not the Hilton Orlando. This Hilton breaks that mold by appealing to more than just the business traveler, with their resort style amenities, they attract families and couples just as much.

The size of this property is huge, which works out perfectly for social distancing. The resort style pool is everything you could have dreamed of, and more, and it doesn't stop there. Besides there being a resort-style, zero entry pool (which means it feels as if you are at the beach and walking into an ocean, although it is a pool), there is a lazy river, a slide, an adult-only pool, plenty of hot tubs, and even a children's water play area. When they say there is something for everyone, they weren't kidding.They also have a pool bar/restaurant so they make it convenient for you and you never have to leave your lounge chair. If you want to elevate your pool day even more, you can book one of their private cabanas, that comes with a TV, a refrigerator, fruit-infused water and some snacks!

There is also a full equipped gym at the Hilton Orlando and it's actually the largest fitness center in Orlando. They also have a spa, but unfortunately due to Covid it was closed while I was there, but they still made sure to have plenty of activities available to keep you busy while staying on property.

Let's talk food at The Hilton Orlando

The Hilton Orlando usually has 5 dining options at their hotel. However, due to the pandemic, there were a few changes when I stayed with them in December of 2020.

David's Club Bar and Grill is open! I went here for dinner one of the nights of my stay and it is an elevated pub dining experience. It does have the sports bar appeal to it, but also has space for regular dining. I ordered from their prix-fixe menu, which I thought was of a great monetary value and a good way to try multiple dishes. I would highly recommend trying the Brisket Poutine, the Big Boy Burger & the Chocolate Cake!

A great new feature the Hilton Orlando currently has, is there Family Style Meals-to-go from their 24-7 Scratch Market. Everyone has different comfort levels during the pandemic, so with these meals-to-go, you can have a fulfilling meal in the location of your choosing; your hotel room, the lobby, outside, wherever you feel most comfortable. And let me tell you, you really are getting your money's worth with this meal, there is so much food! You can choose a meal for either 3 or 5 people and with the main course and all the sides you get to choose from, I'm sure you will have left-overs, which is why it's a good thing you have a refrigerator in your room!

The Tropics Pool Bar and Grill is still open, so you can get food and drinks by the pool, which I mentioned above. The Hilton Orlando's two other dining options; Spencer's and The Bistro were unfortunately still closed when I visited but I'm sure they would have been exquisite dining options.

To get an inside look of my stay at the Hilton Orlando, check out this video:

Things to do nearby The Hilton Orlando

First off, The Hilton Orlando is the only hotel with a SeaWorld and Universal partnership, so you can buy tickets for either park directly inside the hotel. The hotel is also centrally located between both parks.

I wanted to go somewhere different than I've ever gone to before in Orlando and that was to Icon Park. Icon Park is less than a 10 minute drive from the Hilton Orlando. It is on the smaller scale of "theme parks" in Orlando, but was exactly what I wanted. Icon Park has Madame Tussaud's, SeaLife, The Wheel, an arcade, plenty of restaurants and shops to check out and more!

Madame Tussaud's was originally founded in London England and has made its way across the pond to various U.S. Cities and finally landed in Orlando, Florida. This is where you can see wax figures of all your favorite historians, artists, athletes, pop stars and more!

SeaLife is an aquarium where you will see thousands of sea creatures of all shapes and sizes as you walk around.

The biggest attraction is, The Wheel at Icon Park. This is not your ordinary ferris wheel. The Wheel takes you 400 feet up in the sky, so you can get the best views of Orlando. Right now, due to the pandemic, every party gets their own capsule and they are cleaned in between guests.

With all the activities and things to do in Icon Park, they did make sure to limit the amount of people to enter at a time, made sure everyone was wearing their mask, and kept everything as clean as possible.

If during your visit to Orlando, you don't have enough time to dedicate an entire day to one of the amusement parks but still want to have an activity, Icon Park is a great alternative to give you an amusement park feel for a few hours.

Take a look at my afternoon at Icon Park here:

A weekend in Orlando spent at the Hilton Orlando was the perfect relaxing getaway that I needed! The hotel really made sure everything was clean, in tip-top condition and that I felt safe and comfortable. The next time I need a resort-like getaway, I will definitely keep the Hilton Orlando at top of mind!

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Visiting Delray Beach, Florida!

2021-01-25T19:50:00.005-05:00

Delray Beach, Florida is a very special place that does not get as much recognition as it deserves. I have been to Florida countless times, but never to Delray Beach, so this was my first time visiting but definitely not my last!

Delray Beach is about 30 minutes from the West Palm Beach airport, which is where I flew in and out from. Delray Beach is a part of the Palm Beaches, so it is very close to the West Palm Beach/Palm Beach area, Boynton Beach and Boca Raton.

The heart of Delray Beach is on Atlantic Avenue, which is their "Main Street." This is where you'll find great bars, restaurants, art galleries and other activities. We'll discuss more of this later on in the article.

So let's get right to it!

Where to Stay

I stayed at the Delray Sands Resort, which is actually in Highland Beach. Highland Beach is a very exclusive beach town, only 10 minutes away from Atlantic Avenue, and this Resort is the only commercial business in Highland Beach, which really makes it a locals' and tourists' favorite. You can tell this immediately just by how many locals come to eat at their restaurant everyday.

The Delray Sands Resort is a beach front resort, with newly renovated rooms and is part of the Opal Collection hotel group. I stayed in an ocean front room and it was absolutely gorgeous! To wake up to that ocean view everyday was an absolute dream and having a balcony to go out on was fantastic. The room had a keurig maker, a refrigerator, NEST amenities, a safe and plenty of space for you to enjoy your stay.

Due to Covid, once you have checked into your room, no one else ever steps into it besides you, which means there is no daily maid service. So because of this, every morning, you wake up to a laundry bag that is left outside of your door with plenty of new, clean towels and bottles of water. I thought this was a wonderful feature, because at other hotels that I stayed at during the pandemic, you would always have to go to the front desk whenever you needed something brought to the room, and with what the Delray Sands is doing, you are never having to go get any towels or amenities for yourself, instead they're always there, waiting for you, whether you requested them or not.

At the Delray Sands Resort, there is a tropical pool, a hot tub and the beach for you to enjoy. They also have a fully equipped gym. The beach area is private for the hotel, where they have chaises, chairs,
umbrellas and cabanas for you to use that are included in your stay.

Latitudes is the restaurant that is on the property, and it is delicious for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I can attest that it is delicious for any meal of the day, it is such an exquisite dining experience, whether eating inside or outside. They also have their Wave Pool Bar so you can enjoy some tasty frozen cocktails as you soak up the sun!

Here's an inside look at my stay:

Things to do

I love going on boat rides, so I made sure to include one in my itinerary. Delray Yacht Cruises has a bunch of different types of cruises to choose from. I took one of their sightseeing cruises that goes from Delray Beach/Atlantic Avenue, down the intracoastal to Lake Wyman in Boca Raton. It was a two hour long cruise, where you hear about the history of the intracoastal, along with interesting facts about the unbelievable real estate you pass by.

I would highly recommend checking out the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. It was so beautiful and peaceful. You definitely feel a sense of calmness as soon as you walk into the gardens. You can go at your own pace, there is plenty to see, and places to rest along the way to sit and take in the beauty of the gardens. When you first walk in, there is a film to watch, which I would recommend watching, so you can get an overview of the museum, the gardens and their history.

The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is still closed, however they have a nature trail that is open to the public to walk on, which is a nice change from walking on the beach. 😉

In the video below, I show you Morikami and the Gumbo Limbo boardwalk, along with some of the restaurants I dined at, on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach:

It was a wonderful feeling to be able to travel to somewhere new again, safely, of course. I truly believe that if you do have the opportunity to travel, either by plane or by car, it can be done safely and cautiously so you can enjoy yourselves without putting yourself or others around you at any risk. Florida is a special case because it is "open." But the places were still limiting the amount of people allowed in, there was social distancing and people were always courteous and cautious of one another and when necessary wore their mask.

The tourism industry is one of the many industries that have been devastated from what has gone on over the last year. So if and when you can, I highly recommend getting out there and traveling, just be sure to do it cautiously and carefully. Even if it is just to your local museum, a staycation, a garden, whatever it might be, just go visit them, they will be smiling so big underneath their masks to see you there!

Now, when you wish someone "safe travels," it really holds a lot more weight. So with that said, I wish you and your loved ones, safe travels, for when you can, as we continue on in what will be, a much better year!

* To see more from my trip, be sure to check out my Instagram. I also saved a bunch of my stories to the Delray Beach Highlight for you to check out!*

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September Self Care Awareness Month

2020-09-30T13:42:00.006-04:00

September is Self Care Awareness Month and I have been making a conscious effort to take care of myself this month! I think it is so important, especially now, after spending so much time in quarantine, to take care of yourself and your mental health. So, I wanted to share with you a few of the ways I have been taking care of myself.

If you follow me on instagram, you know how much I truly enjoy exercising and taking time out of my day for working out. I use Tone It Up's App for work out videos and toning moves. I have been using these girls' work outs for years. I love how they keep the moves and routines different, so you never get bored. My friend Alyssa Cerrachio, is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, and she does IG Live Work Outs, which I also really enjoying doing and sometimes even partake in. I met her when I took her classes at Athleta's Studio in NYC and I just fell in love with her energy and how she challenges you and strengthens you during her work outs.

I also really enjoy taking baths. I have been using these bath bombs for the last few months. Their aromas are so relaxing and bath bombs are always a fun to use!

The biggest change for my self care for September is that I have started using Nira's Skincare Laser. I created this YouTube video to show you how it works and what I have noticed from using it once a day for a week. I'm really excited to continue using my Nira, to see how my fine lines and wrinkles fade away. This is definitely a product you have to keep up with and continue to use. You can get 10% off your Nira by using code "ALLYSON."

I'm also obsessed with doing my nails and keeping them healthy and well-manicured. I find it so relaxing to paint my nails. I usually do them at least twice a week, depending on how quickly they chip. I swear by using Duri's Rejuvacote Nail Growth & Strengthener and Seche Vite's Quick Dry Top Coat. Once those two are in the formula, you are guaranteed a great looking manicure!

Lastly, just in time for this post to be published, I received a care package from Zaaina Skincare that included their lavender bath bomb, lip balm, face & body soap bar and lavender soy candle. Anything lavender scented, immediately relaxes me and it was incredible how I could smell the lavender before I even opened the package! I used the candle immediately and I loved how the aroma of the candle filled up the room. The lavender lip balm was incredible as well, I loved the smell. It wasn't super long lasting but it was moisturizing.

Most of these items, I mentioned are listed in my Amazon Shop for easy shopping! What are some of the ways you focus on self-care and YOU!? Let me know in the comments below!

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Apple Picking Season Is Here! 🍎

2020-09-12T12:11:00.002-04:00

Labor Day has passed and the cooler temperatures are slowly approaching, which means Fall is almost here and it is time for APPLE PICKING!

Many farms, at least the ones that I found in Central New Jersey, are still allowing people to access their farms for PYO (pick your own) apples, however they all have different precautions and procedures; some have timed admission slots, or are only allowing apple picking on certain days of the week, etc. So I would highly recommend checking their websites and calling the farms directly, (even if you go to the same one every year) to find out what their current procedures are.

The big difference I noticed this year, when it came to visiting a farm for apple picking, was that a lot of them were charging fees for apple picking. I'm not sure if this "fee" is covid-related, but the idea of paying to access a farm and then additionally paying for the apples you pick, was not something I wanted to do, so the goal was to find a farm that did not charge an access fee, and I found it!

I spent the afternoon visiting Solebury Orchards in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Solebury is about 30 minutes from where I am in Central New Jersey, so it was a quick and enjoyable ride in the country. They only have one apple variety to pick at a time, so if you're looking for a specific kind of apple, be sure to check their website prior to going. When I went, they had honeycrisp apples, which are perfect for all the baking and cooking I was looking to do with my freshly picked apples. (See below for recipe ideas!)

This was my first time apple picking with only one variety of apples to choose from, which made the experience a little different. I mean, how much time can you spend picking the same type of apple? But it was enjoyable walking up and down the orchards. Besides apple picking, Solebury also has some tomatoes for you to pick, as well as a cutting garden to cut your own flowers from. They also have a market where you can buy some of their cider, delicious home-made cider donuts and plenty of other items!

So now, what to do with all of these apples?! Of course, eat them!

For breakfast, I made an egg-white omelette with apples and brie, which was a delicious way to start the day.

For dinner, I made a pork dish. Inspired by this One Pan Pork Chops with Apples and Onions Recipe, but I used sweet onions instead of red onions, and instead of Chicken Broth, I used Jamaican Rum, which made it very tasty!

For dessert, I baked an apple pie!

Now, if only the saying was, an apple a day will keep Covid away! 😉

Happy 🍎 Picking, my friends!

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PRODUCT REVIEW: Leopara, Make Up Lighting System

2020-08-30T14:10:00.002-04:00

When I first found out about Leopara, I immediately thought, this looks amazing and I can not wait to get it in the mail to try it out. Then it finally arrived, and it surpassed all of my expectations!

Leopara, is an at home or on-the-go lighting system that can be placed on any clean, flat surface to enhance the lighting in a space, specifically to do your make up. Leopara comes in a compact case that contains 4 wireless & rechargeable LED lights, and let me tell you, they are bright. The change that just one of these lights can make, is incredible. Each LED light has a reusable and re-stickable mounting adhesive on the back, which makes them able to stick onto a mirror or any flat surface. They are also wireless, which I love, and it comes with a 4-in-1 USB Charging Cord, so all the lights can charge at once.

The first time I actually used Leopara, was for something other than doing my make up. I actually used it to help me film an audition from my laptop! I placed it right along side the camera on my laptop and the difference was remarkable. I only needed to use one light, to enhance my video audition and it did just the trick. It was easy to take off my laptop and did not leave any marks or residue.

A few days later, I finally used it on my mirror to do my make up. The idea is to place all 4 in a square so that each angle of your face is lit up, and again it made a huge difference and it made it so much easier to do my make up. However, this was the first time I noticed, it left a small amount of residue when I took the lights off my mirror. No damage though, and using Windex easily removed it.

See the difference for yourself:

How many times have you changed rooms while doing your make up to make sure you were doing it in the best lighting? I know I have, and I'm so glad I can now use Leopara to avoid switching rooms and can stay in one place until my make up is complete! So with that said, I highly recommend Leopara for use at home or on-the-go and I love how it has multiple purposes beyond just doing your make up!

Click here to shop Leopara!

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FOUND THE MOST PERFECT HIDDEN GEM, The Madison Beach Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

2020-08-17T17:52:00.005-04:00

Keep Reading, Video at the end of article

A short drive away from New York City, is one of the best hidden gems I have ever come across, The Madison Beach Hotel in Madison, Connecticut. I never even knew of Madison to be a beach town, but it just so happens that it is and it holds the only hotel to be on a beach, in the entire state of Connecticut.

This place is everything but ordinary, there is charm and history at every corner. The Madison Beach Hotel is the perfect place for a getaway all year round. The obvious answer would be that the summer, is the best time to visit, but there is something romantic about visiting a beach town in the winter, spring or fall too.

The Madison Beach Hotel has been around since the early 1800s which makes it one of the oldest continuously run businesses on the shoreline. In 1982, the hotel was renovated so that each room now has a waterfront view along with its own private balcony, which I think is phenomenal and so important when staying at a hotel that is on a shoreline.

Throughout the property, you can see and read about the history and the transformations the hotel has gone through over the years, which definitely keeps the traditional New England ambience alive. You can see this charm and ambience, as soon as you pull up in the driveway of the hotel to check in. It is just absolutely stunning.

I arrived late in the afternoon on a Tuesday, and not a second went by, where I did not feel safe due to current conditions we are living in. All staff members were wearing masks and the front desk attendant was standing behind plexi-glass. The Madison Beach Hotel is a part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, which means they are following Hilton's Clean Stay Procedures due to Covid, which is similar to what I experienced at the Hilton Mystic.

I headed up to my room where the clean stay sticker was in-tact, which means no one had been in my room, in at least 24 hours, and everything was just so immaculate, beautiful and spotless! It is a beautiful room, filled with all the amenities you could ever need. I ran immediately out to the balcony to take in the view of the shoreline and Long Island Sound, where I catch the tail end of their outdoor live music happy hour, which happens on certain evenings.

And before I knew it, it was time to head down to their restaurant, The Wharf, for dinner and to enjoy the sunset. I had the option of eating inside or out, but since it was such a lovely evening, I of course, chose to eat outside. Each dish was so flavorful and delicious. It was really a wonderful evening and meal.

Falling asleep and then waking up to the waves crashing along the shoreline was so peaceful. For breakfast, the hotel staff leaves a complimentary breakfast basket outside your door every morning around 6 am for you to wake up to and enjoy. It is filled with everything you could want, to go along with your coffee, which you can make from the Keurig machine in your room.

Once breakfast was complete, it was time to start the day, and the first thing to do was rent the hotel's bicycles for a ride around Madison. This was so much fun! I'm usually not a bike-riding type of person but I enjoyed this so much! It was such a fun way to see the rest of the shoreline and the gorgeous homes that are in Madison. We even rode into the town of Madison, which is so quaint with plenty of shops and restaurants.

After that long bike ride under the summer sun, it was time to cool off at the hotel's private beach along Long Island Sound. The water and breeze were delightful, and the margarita under the umbrella didn't hurt either! All the lounge chairs were socially distant from one another. It was just so relaxing and enjoyable! I even made sure to walk out onto the dunes, which gave a stunning view of the entire property and shoreline.

After a few hours on the beach, it was time to pack up, clean up and head back down to The Wharf, for one final meal before hitting the road to go home. It was then, that I had the most tasty lobster roll, I have ever had!

I only stayed a night and a day away, but it was just what I needed to reset and recharge for the rest of the week. I can't wait to go back to the Madison Beach Hotel and experience all that it has to offer again, but for a longer time frame.

Take a look at all that I did and experienced in this video:

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Quarantine Night time Skin Care Routine

2020-07-17T08:00:00.002-04:00

Throughout this time in quarantine, I really have made a conscious effort to take care of my skin. I think this is the best it has looked in a really long time, partly because of how I've been keeping up with this nightly routine.

So here is the quick video version of it and then I'm going to go into detail of what exactly I am doing...

If I'm wearing make-up, I first use Biore's Charcoal Cleansing Micellar Water to take off my make-up, or at least the majority of it. Now even though, it says on the bottle you can use this without rinsing it off, I feel like it still leaves a film which is why I go to wash my face with soap afterwards.

To wash my face, I vary between different gentle cleansers but for this video I used Lancome's Miel-en-Mousse Foaming Face Wash, which smells incredible! Washing my face after removing my make up, helps make sure there is no remaining residue of make up on my skin before I continue with my routine.

After washing my face, I pat it dry. Next step is using Murad's Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum. I have used this on-off for countless years now and this really helps with the acne scars I get from zits. What I've learned by mistake, is that it is really important to use a lightening serum like this all over your face, not just in a spot where you need the lightening to happen. I did this once, hoping to remove a specific acne scar I had, and instead it ended up lightening up my skin in that one part lighter than the rest of my face. Hydroquinone is quite the powerful ingredient, which also means it is so important to wear SPF on your face when you are using a product that includes hydroquinone.

I let that soak into my skin before I put on my moisturizer, which right now is Cetaphil's Moisturizing Lotion, super simple and moisturizing. I learned this early on that when you put on any skin product is so important to push up, against gravity (if you know what I'm saying 😉 ), we don't want our skin to sag, so up, up, up, the moisturizer goes.

Again, I let that soak into my skin before the final step of eye cream! I am obsessed with Lancome's Renergie Lift Multi-Action Eye. First of all it smells so good! This is definitely a splurge of a purchase but I think it is worth it, but because of the price tag, I only use it at night to really make it last. So with my ring finger, I put the eye cream from under my eyes, all the way around to my brow bone. I also put a small amount in between my eyebrows, where I get wrinkles at times and this eye cream has definitely minimized that. The last spot I put it on my face, is the nasolabial fold; be sure to watch the video at 1:13 to know exactly which area of the face I am referring to, because it's very important to include!

And that's the whole routine! Simple yet beneficial!

You can shop some of these products here!

And ICYMI, here is the video routine of my morning skin care routine, another mix of high to low end products:

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