NYC Go!

Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today! I want to be a part of it New York, New York! Ok, so maybe I just got back but Frank Sinatra is still stuck in my head from such an amazing trip!

Booking your flight

I prefer to fly into JFK over LGA any day! Both airports are located in Queens, NY and are pretty similar times away from The City. LGA seems to be slightly lower in prices but let me tell you, it is worth the extra money to fly JFK especially in the rainy summer season! You can easily get into The City from JFK by hopping on the Air Train ($5) and it connects to the subway at Jamaica Station. I got on the E train for ($2.75) and 30mins later was in the Time Square area. LGA also tends to flood so if there is rain, there are flight delays!

I came to attend a conference held at Pier 94 so I booked a hotel in Hell’s Kitchen. I loved the location. Close to the pier, close to Time Square, close to Broadway!

Hudson Yards

Just about a 10min walk from Hell’s Kitchen is New York’s newest neighborhood Hudson Yards, There are more than 100 shops and culinary experiences, various public art pieces and 14 acres of public space. In front of the shopping area you will find The Vessel a new landmark, which is a spiral staircase meant to be climbed. This interactive artwork was imagined by Thomas Heatherwick and Heatherwick Studio as a focal point where people can enjoy new perspectives of the city and one another from different heights, angles and vantage points. To climb the Vessel you need to have tickets. You can reserve tickets 14 days in advance online or try for same day tickets starting at 9:30am.

The High Line

While the subway is an easy way to get around the city, weather permitting, I do prefer to walk. On my way down the west side, I decided to explore the High Line. This is a fairly new public park that was built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It gives you another interesting perspective of the city. What I love most is the vast amount of greenery, you almost forget you are in the city. You really have an opportunity to appreciate and explore nature, art and design above the streets of the West Side.

Hu Kitchen

A dairy free girl’s dream come true. I knew I loved Hu when I discovered the wonderful chocolate bar at Whole Foods. On vacation it is so easy to get off track with your nutrition. Finding out that Hu Kitchen has a local restaurant in NYC was a jackpot moment! Healthy eating on the go and getting to experience a brand I already knew and loved for their sweets?!? The restaurant is set up more like a mini food hall with it’s quick service style counter and upstairs seating area. There was a variety of options to customize your bowl both with cold and warm options. I went with a quinoa bowl with curry chicken and topped off with broccoli and sweet potato. There were also a variety of sauces some creamy, some spicy but all of them tasty! There were also fresh pressed juices, various types of waters and lots of treats!

Love you so matcha

Matcha lattes are all the craze but mix that with a beautiful aesthetic and you have a winning combination! You could see the bright pink and lime green from down the street, we knew we had to stop in! ChaCha Matcha uses ceremonial ground matcha, so all the benefits of the calm focus and calorie burn without the jitters. There are various drinks with matcha from lattes, lemonade or chai as well as classic coffee drinks, cold brew and espresso. There are also sweets like match croissants, vegan banana bread and ice cream. I went for the swirl of matcha ice cream and lavender ice cream. So refreshing and delicious. Plenty of opportunities for pictures here so have your camera ready!

Yoga in Time Square

I was so lucky to be flying into the city on Friday June 21 which is the summer solstice (first day of Summer). Every year Time Square partners up with Aerie for an amazing all day yoga event outside in the middle of the hectic Time Square! Signing up makes sure you have a spot secured but they have two different roped off areas so my friends who did not preregister were also able to get in! The teachers were on a raised platform but they also had cameras projecting the yoga class on the huge jumbotrons of Time Square! It was awesome, Aerie gave us all yoga mats to use and take home plus some great coupons on active wear and samples of a ton of great wellness brands!

Haven

Summertime in the city means it’s rooftop season! Haven is located on the top of the Sanctuary Hotel and offers stunning views above the city in the theater district. I chose this place since it was a few blocks from the theater of our Broadway show. The vibe is very boho chic. Beautiful macrame details are found is almost all the decor. Craft cocktails and american cuisine are offered in the dinning area and there is a small bar area with a DJ spinning for happy hour. My drink of choice was the solstice - I felt it only appropriate considering it was first day of summer! It has Tito's Vodka, Strawberry Puree, Peach Liqueur, Prosecco - light and refreshing! You could also get a variety of beers, wine by the glass or bottle and enjoy some great appetizers with a stunning view! Full menu available too if you have the time.

On Broadway

The heart of musicals is in the theater district. I have been to NYC so many times but never made it to a Broadway show, totally unacceptable I know! There are so many shows to chose from, and with the Tony’s just announcing I had some great options! I knew I wanted to go for a classic and I just love the music from Chicago so we opted to go to the Ambassador Theatre and check out ALL - THAT - JAAAAZZZ! It was phenomenal! We were a little late in the ticket buying so had to have seats in the second level but the theater was so intimate, we felt so close. The performers were amazing, music was great. An overall wonderful experience.

Cantina

Another day, another rooftop! We decided to try another one of the amazing rooftops this time in Hell’s Kitchen area close to our hotel. Cantina is a modern Mexican restaurant and much more lively than Haven. Perfect for Happy Hour! For HH you can get $8 Margaritas, wines or sangria. There is also Taco Tuesday specials and Wednesday they have big ass margaritas and big ass tacos for parties of 8. Not there for HH or a daily special, no worries because the party is still there! We ordered fresh guacamole and a pitcher of margaritas and had so much fun dancing to an amazing DJ. The views of the city were amazing and there are still covered areas so you won’t be hot in the sun.

NYC Pizza

To get that real authentic NYC pizza experience you have to go to the small pizzerias in the neighborhood. We were lucky to stumble upon Sal’s! Thin crust, large fordable slice of cheese is my go to and I wouldn’t change it for the world! Something must be in the water because pizza always tastes the best here in NYC!

TWA Terminal

Did I walk through a time warp? Am I in the 1960s? The 1962 landmark TWA terminal has been reignited and restored into a hotel and flight center! I got to JFK very early to give myself some time to explore before I left. In the baggage claim area you will find a bright red wall and elevator, take it to the second floor and prepare to be amazed! Give yourself at least 30mins just to walk around. There are two bars so you can also grab a drink. Make sure to peak around every corner for hidden seating areas and artifacts from the past!

Do you have a favorite area in NYC? I’ll be sharing another blog post with more neighborhoods in the upper east side soon!

Disneyland! Star Wars & more!

Disneyland Park in Anaheim, CA opened in 1955. It is the only theme park designed and built to completion under the direct supervision of Walt Disney. But in May 2019, thing changed drastically and Star Wars Galaxy”s Edge opened up! If you are a premier Disney World passholder you get into Disneyland free!

Get a locker

For $10 you can get a medium size locker (we fit two backpacks comfortably) for the entire day! I learned quickly that weather in Southern California goes from very hot to cold within a short time! I was so glad I packed a light shirt and jacket for when the temps started dipping. It was also nice to be able to run to the locker, freshen up but not have to carry around a big bag with the essentials. Everything could be loaded on your Disneyalnd app, ticket, credit card, etc. So I did not need to carry more than my phone and shades. Then when it started to get dark, I switched my shades for a jacket!

Star Wars

I was fortunate to be one of the first to venture into Galaxy’s Edge! This land was so impressive. There is an actual replica of the Millennium Falcon in front of the ride. The Smugler’s Run ride was amazing! There are 6 seats, two people are the pilots, two are gunners and two are engineers. The team literally is flying the ride and if you crash, which you will, you feel it!

TIP: Make sure to head straight for the ride in Star Wars land! The lines get very long, up to two hours. The quicker you get to the ride the shorter the wait!

a kid at heart

The Star Wars fan will truly appreciate the details and nods to the movies. You can try the blue or green milk just like Luke Skywalker, build a droid or lightsaber and shop for unique gifts only available there. Make sure to swing by the bar! Oga’s Cantina is first establishment that will serve alcoholic beverages in Disneyland! Keep in mind, you cannot bring drinks outside of the cantina. There is a huge wrap around bar as well as booths built into the walls. The music will be bumping and the DJ is a familiar face from the Star Tours ride, R-3X! The bar wasn’t open when I went but I hear the Bespin Fizz is the way to go! It’s a fun bubbly twist on the Cosmo.

Rides!

There are some fun minor thrill rides like Big Thunder Mountain or Indiana Jones and big thrills like Hyperspace Mountain or Cars which had me screaming my face off! (yup, that is me top left)

Competition games like Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story are so fun to challenge your friends and compare scores.

Soarin is a fun classic. You literally feel like you are flying around the world, the sounds and smells are so realistic.

Photo op

My favorite classic photo op is in front of the ferris wheel! There is also a $15 pass you can get added to your ticket to have all your professional photos on the app. Grab a picture with a princess or character by a professional!

See Toronto Now

O Canada! I love exploring big cities. I had Toronto on my list for a while. Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the center of business, finance, arts, and culture, and is recognized as one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world.

We opted to do the City Pass, it is a great way to see many of the top sights with a slight discount by buying them together. City Pass is a great deal, visit 5 attractions for US$71.70. Even only having time to see 4 attractions it was still cheaper to do the pass than pay at the door.

Ripley’s Aquarium was our first stop.

The Toronto Aquarium did not disappoint. It is a smaller establishment but the immersive walk through exhibit was amazing. There are over 20,000 aquatic animals and multiple tanks in different rooms to explore. I would recommend 1 to 2 hours to appreciate all there is to see.

CN Tower

This experience has a great perk with the City Pass, skipping the main line! Lines can get long here, it is a popular attraction. The CN Tower held the record for the world's tallest free-standing structure for 32 years until 2007 when it was surpassed. You can view Downtown on the way up in the 58 second elevator ride to the top and then explore on the observation deck.

Casa Loma

Casa Loma made me think of Downton Abbey. This castle is stunning! It is unreal how large the grounds are and it became so apparent when wandering the tunnels under the castle. The rooms are beautifully decorated and learning about the family that lived there brought it all together perfectly.

ROM

History buffs rejoice! Royal Ontario Museum includes many world culture galleries, with collections including Asian art, Egyptian mummies and African jewelry. This is another attraction where you can skip the main line with the city pass. There are multiple floors, grab a map to help navigate and if you can try to plan your visit around the schedule of the free tours. It is so helpful to have someone explaining what you are looking at without having to read all the captions.

Toronto Bike Tours

I have said it before, bike tours are the best way to see a city. I found Toronto Bike Tours. You can schedule a four hour block, either in the afternoon or morning. We opted for the 9am time slot. They also offer two variations, downtown or the islands. I knew I wanted to explore the downtown, since it was massive! I was also hoping to catch some street art along the way. Our guide Genny was amazing! Not only was she so knowledgeable but she asked us lots of questions to make sure we got the most out of our bike ride. A major bonus for us, Genny had a digital camera and took so many photos! We got a link a couple days later and that was awesome!

Shoes!

Bata Shoe Museum was by far my favorite museum to explore! This is a true hidden gem. You do not hear a lot about it, but it wasn’t too far from the Royal Ontario Museum so I figured it was worth the walk over. The Bata Shoe Museum celebrates the style, development and function of footwear across four impressive galleries, with displays ranging from Chinese bound-foot shoes and ancient Egyptian sandals to chestnut-crushing clogs and glamorous platforms. Over 4,500 years of history are reflected in the permanent exhibition, All About Shoes while the three other galleries feature changing exhibitions – so there’s always something new to see. Sonja Bata was a business woman with the style and flair of a real life Carrie Bradshaw!

Another favorite of mine is exploring street art! I was really surprised there is such a huge street art scene in Downtown Toronto. The most famous part is Graffiti Alley. Literally multiple streets of back alleys that have some of the coolest art! It’s not glamorous back there but it is such raw and real talent it is 100% worth exploring. In the warmer months, there is a free tour (just make sure to tip the tour guide). They take you mural to mural and give valuable tidbits on the artists, the history and the technique.

There is plenty to do in the core of Downtown Toronto! Depending on the season you can also catch a basketball game, a baseball game or even a hockey game! I also found the transportation system very easy to use! They have the subway, street cars and buses. The nice part is they all take the same tokens just keep in mind you have to buy 3 tokens at a time so plan your trips accordingly. Another perk is depending on weather, the area can be easily walkable! Let me know your favorites in the comments!

Staycation in South Florida

I live for the vacations to explore something new! Sometimes, my pocketbook doesn’t always agree! It’s fun to take a step back and explore the neighborhood you live in, I’m so blessed to live in a tropical destination people dream of visiting! Summer is the perfect time for a staycation and a lot of the local hotels and resorts have some great deals! Hollywood Beach has amazing views, great restaurants and the iconic Hollywood Beach Broadwalk! (floridashollywood.org)

The Diplomat Beach Resort

is an iconic property on the south end of Hollywood Beach. What’s great about this resort is the feeling of vacationing like a celebrity. The hotel is glamorous to say the least, they just did a beautiful renovation! But literally, they partner with celebrities. Do you watch Food Network? Top Chef judge, Geoffrey Zakarian, opened Point Royal an indoor-outdoor Coastal American establishment, serving American Cuisine and a lively raw bar and cocktails with local flavor. If you are looking for a luxurious brunch on the weekend, make sure to check out “The Royal Brunch” where you can enjoy a great charcuterie, fresh seafood and all your breakfast favs! Right now they are offering a LOCALS + LOYALISTS SUMMER GETAWAY package. Great perks for those with kids, like kids eat free and comp two hour daily access to the kids club. But I was sold on the 20% off spa services, waived daily resort fee and comp Candy & Cones welcome amenity! If you just want to do a long weekend, check out the deals they have when you Stay Friday and Saturday then get 40% off Sunday nights! (diplomatresort.com)

Margaritaville Hollywood Beach

is Destination Paradise. It has a great blend of relaxation and adventure. I like to stay active on my vacation and the resort offers comp bike rental for guests to use on the Broadwalk. You know that bikes are my favorite way to explore any destination! The best new activity is their new beer yoga on the rooftop pool. That’s right, get an hour serene yoga class with a spectacular view of Hollywood Beach and then end the class with fun yoga moves combined with a can of Landshark beer! Match made in heaven! If you are really up for a challenge, check out the Flowrider. This is one of the most sought after surfing simulator experiences in the world. Get your adrenaline going while you perfect your surfing skills right on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk. Right now, they have specials for Florida residents or you can Vacation like a VIP with the promotion with Greater Fort Lauderdale. You can get a free room upgrade, $100 resort credit, comp valet and a savings card! (margaritavillehollywoodbeachresort.com)

While the typical summer vacation involves the beach and the pool, I encourage you to explore the urban areas and local downtowns! If you cross the bridge west and venture into Downtown Hollywood you will be greeted with a vibrant and arts & culture hub. Over 24 outdoor murals in the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project and a bustling restaurant row with cuisines from around the world.

The CIRC Hotel

is the recently opened boutique style contemporary hotel on Young Circle. This is perfect for the social butterfly. The location is perfect with access to Downtown Hollywood, literally steps away from ArtsPark, local restaurants, bars and clubs. Foodies rejoice, one of the hottest new restaurants is just downstairs. Olivia showcases authentic Italian cuisine and creative specialties that are beautifully complemented by an elegant yet casual ambiance. Make sure to extend and stay for their Martinis & Mozzarella Mondays! $5 each at the Olivia Bar from 5:30p - 6:30p. If you are looking for the best picture ops, head up stairs and enjoy the Muse Views! You can literally see all of Hollywood from the beautiful rooftop bar. The CIRC Perks is great for repeat stays, lower rates, a $20 uber credit, comp welcome drinks and more! (circhotel.com)

Just like the saying goes, from the sand to the city, you’ll love what you find in Florida’s Hollywood! Make sure to tell me some of you staycation suggestions in the comments or follow me on Instagram!

Experience Florida's Hollywood

Downtown Hollywood has a lot of new fun things to do!

Hollywood, FL is sandwiched between two monster cities, Miami & Fort Lauderdale. It’s sometimes overlooked but I urge you to check it out! From fun entertainment to great food to beautiful art - there is a lot to see, eat & photograph.

Downtown Hollywood Mural Project

Florida’s Hollywood has over 25 large scale out door murals adorning the walls of buildings within a 4 block radius.

Instagramers Dream!

My girlfriends and I had such a great time exploring and finding the murals Downtown. This one is by NYC artist Alice Mizrachi

There are a few out of the box concepts that are great for a GNO or event date night. You could channel your artist at AR Workshop, play detective at Boxroom Escape Room or reenact Ghost with a pottery class at L/Mercado. We opted for an exciting try at Extreme Axe Throwing!

Bullseye!

Step right up and grab an axe! Test out your skills at Hollywood’s newest attraction. Extreme Axe Throwing has two sections, the front has three bays of axe throwing with digital games and a slightly softer (and easier) material to throw at. In the back, they have certified axe throwing, where they often hold competitions.

Bad Axe Babes

Grab your friends, put on the flannel and BYOB! This is so much fun with a group. For $35 a person you can get training and an 1.5 hours of so much fun!

After all the exploring you will work up quite the appetite! Downtown is filled with tons of great food options. From casual pizza or empanadas to international cuisine like Indonesian, Greek, Peruvian & more.

We tried the new speakeasy, Hotsy Totsy. They have a variety of tapas that are perfect to share and a full bar with tons of speciality drinks! The green fried tomatoes, dip sampler and steak are not to be missed!

Muse Views

To end the night, walk over to the Circ Hotel. Located on Hollywood’s Young Circle this new chic hotel is the newest hotspot! Muse is the hotels, rooftop bar with stunning views in both the day and night. They have a DJ playing great music nightly and a full bar with VIP area if you are looking for bottle service.

We made a great day of it but will definitely be back again! On the 3rd Saturday of the month there is a huge Artwalk with vendors, live music and a free guided mural tour! Have you been before? What did you love doing in Florida’s Hollywood?

Christmas In Delray Beach

It’s a new annual tradition to make the drive up to Delray Beach for the holidays. The City of Delray Beach has really put a lot into their Downtown and transforming Old School Square Park into a magical Christmas wonderland.

100ft Christmas Tree

2018 has marked the 25th Anniversary of the 100 foot Christmas Tree. You read that right, 100 feet tall! It is a gorgeous display of lights that is nothing short of stunning at night. The tree is open daily, with a $1 suggested donation. You can walk inside and look up and see the tree internally. There are also little windows with displays inside and music playing. In the courtyard you can meet Santa, ride the carousel, ice skate or play mini golf.

Christmas Miracle

After exploring the square and taking some beautiful family photos. A perfect addition to the night is a stop to Death & Glory. This local downtown Delray restaurant staple transforms into Miracle! Miracle Bars have been popping up all around the country. Christmas decorations, lights and fun surprises adorn each location. There is also a special festive menu and glassware.

Drinks like a Christmapolitan, Snowball Old Fashioned and Bad Santa. One of my favorites is the Run Run Rudolph which has gin, mulled wine puree, lemon and prosecco. Great mix of classic and bubbles with a holiday twist! A unique bonus is a festive food menu as well! We went with Bah Hamburger which is also available with a vegan patty. The tomato aioli is such a great touch with the seasoned patty. It also comes with rosemary fries which are amazing!

It’s a great way to kick off or wrap up the holiday season! You still have time left to see it this year!

Things to do in Sacramento, CA

When you think of California, cities like LA, San Diego and San Francisco usually come to mind. Those are the typical west coast destinations, but for my last vacation, I decided to visit my best friend in her new home town of Sacramento. I was pleasantly surprised with how much there was to do and see! Check out my must do's while in the state capitol! 

Rose Garden

Right next to the state capitol building you will find rows of lush roses! This garden's mission to cultivate world peace. It is free to visit, so it's a great stop on a sunny afternoon.

California has such a beautiful scenery! Coming from the flat swamplands of Florida, seeing mountains and lush trees was a wonderful contrast!

Hiking

About 30 mins from the downtown area we found some amazing hiking trails. We picked  an easy trail with shade throughout and had a stunning waterfall!

Kayak

For $12 for an hour kayaking at Sacramento State Aquatic Center is the perfect afternoon! The waters are extremely calm which was very important for a beginner like myself. The views are beautiful and there are little paths you can take for more adventure. They also have hydro bikes, stand up paddle boards and more available for rent. There are even classes available if needed.

There is so much influence from the Mexican Culture! One of my favorite little shops was Kulture.

Kulture

This eclectic store has such a great mix of Mexican imports, unique apparel, local art, jewelry and sunglasses for any occasion. I loved looking at the art, if I didn’t have to travel light I would have purchased more! If you can, make sure you go by for their “Second Saturday” Artwalk events!