Travel Trends Event in NYC

May 21, 2014 by 6 Comments

Recently, I attended an event in NYC hosted by MomTrends. As the PaddlePak Ambassador, you know I had to be there or be square (and honestly, how cute are those watertight backpacks?)

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I was also a MiracleSuit swimwear model (I know, bringing sexy back, summer-style) just to round things out a bit. I had my hair done by the one of the stylists at Butterfly Studio while there, and I must say my locks gave the poor man a hard time. I had just landed home hours before, and my hair was a hot mess. It’s usually a bit iffy later in the day, since I don’t use product and I’m not what you’d call a vain woman (cough- see “very low maintenance” to put it nicely) but you know what travel does to your hair, yeah? Blah. I washed it before I got on the flight, but apparently that didn’t help much. Poor fella, he did his best, and I was in that seat longer then any three other women combined, LOL. Gotta give him an A for effort!

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I didn’t get a chance to talk to everyone in the room, since I was busy with the PaddlePaks and also with the MiracleSuit fun. I have to say, I love my suit as well. I didn’t initially think I’d love this particular style or cut, nor the cover up in the same exact print (seemed like too much) but I was really wrong. The girls were kept in place, I loved the print once it was on (and like so many things, you need to try it before you decide if you like it!) and it was slimming. Most importantly (for me) is the fact that it kept my girls up where they needed to be and inside the suit the whole time.

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You might be thinking “so? You were just walking around a room, how hard was that suit working?” I will give you that- which is why I waited an extra week before writing this post. I wore that suit nearly every day on my trip to Cancun this week, including horseback riding (where it preformed under EXTREME duress), pools, saunas, whirlpools, the ocean, and a cenote swim. I’d say it quite earned the 5 star rating I’m giving it. Plus? I just feel pretty in it. I was the only “model” who was plus sized- and I worked what the Good Lord and carbs gave me. Sexy comes in every size, you better believe it. No matter what size you are, you deserve to look and feel good, which is why I say you will love MiracleSuit.

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The Top Five Hotels in New York City

February 21, 2014 by 1 Comment

In a city that’s known for having exemplary everything like New York, it can be hard to make decisions based on quality. Is the dinner menu better at Cipriani or Le Cirque? Should you spend the day at MoMa or the Guggenheim? Yankees or Mets? While you may be hard-pressed to find a consensus on any of the aforementioned subjects, when it comes to lodging, the city has cultivated a class of exemplary hotels that that deliver more than just a restful night’s sleep. Check out the following top-tier hotels before you check in:

Hotel Elysee: Midtown Manhattan may be replete with terrific shopping and world-class restaurants, but when it comes to spending your trip in comfortable luxury, there’s no place like the Hotel Elysee. The building, built in the 1920s, has a history as vibrant as the city itself, and is perhaps best known as the former home of playwright Tennessee Williams. While you’re enjoying your stay here, you’ll have all New York has to offer within a stone’s throw, including some of the city’s most magnificent views, with Rockefeller Center to the west, and, to the south, the city’s newest standout skyscraper, 432 Park Avenue, which holds the distinction of being the tallest residential building in the entire western hemisphere.

Gansevoort Park Avenue: If you want to stay in the center of the city’s action, book yourself a room at the midtown branch of this elegant boutique hotel. Centrally located on 28th Street and Park Avenue South, the Gansevoort provides a perfect home base for foodies. Just a few blocks from some of the city’s chicest bars and eateries, including ABC Kitchen, Eleven Madison Park, and The Cannibal, this neighborhood’s recent boom is attracting countless new residents, many of whom are finding their new home at some of the chic luxury buildings going up in this dynamic section of town, like Park Avenue’s Huys, which combines the airy, sun-drenched style of downtown lofts with the convenience of living right in the heart of the city.
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Girlfriends Valentine’s Day in NYC

February 11, 2014 by 3 Comments

As store windows quickly fill up with oversized stuffed animals and brilliant bouquets, one thing is clear: Valentine’s Day has reared its ugly head once again.

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While a holiday celebrating the joys of romantic love can be a real drag if you find yourself un-coupled, New York City has a never-ending supply of engaging activities to take your mind off finding that special someone. So whether you’re in pursuit of new love or just looking to blow off some steam, grab your girlfriends and check out these great activities:

Take a stroll around the city: You’d never believe how quiet New York gets when all of its couples are somewhere kissing over martinis, so make the most of it by checking out some of the outdoor hotspots that are usually packed to the gills with kids and joggers. If you’re uptown, a leisurely walk through Central Park can feel nearly as good as a date, if you’re happy having hot dogs for dinner. If your evening finds you downtown, take a walk along the High Line, where you’ll get beautiful views of the water, as well as some of the unique new buildings going up nearby, like 505 West 19th Street, the lobby of which is being built directly under the park.

Catch a chick flick: Valentine’s day is the romantic comedy industry’s bread and butter, so there’s no better time to indulge in some guilty pleasure movie watching than on the most romantic day of the year. Grab your girlfriends, some snacks, and head to the nearest movie theater and meet Hollywood’s latest version of Mr. Right. If your building happens to have a screening room of its own, like the state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor theater at 56 Leonard Street, you won’t even have to change out of your pajamas to see on-screen love bloom.
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Build a Bear Holiday Fun

December 23, 2013 by 2 Comments

I recently took my son out for a day in New York City.  Being only a few miles away, we go into the city often, but there is something special about the holiday season in the city.

I wanted to bring my son to see all the “traditional” holiday sights in the city- Macy’s window displays, the tree in Rockefeller center, ice skating in Central Park, and of course the highlight of the day would be F.A.O Schwarz, toy store extraordinaire.

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He was small last time he saw the Macy’s windows, so he had a great time endlessly walking from one to the next and delighted to see what was inside each one.  We also went upstairs to “Santaland”, where he not only visited, but also looked at the “extra” window display from “Miracle on 34th Street” the classic holiday movie.  We had just watched it the night before, so he really enjoyed it and loved telling me which part came from where in the movie, and telling me about the scenes.  (Since of course, I didn’t watch it with him or anything like that.)

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He loved seeing all the lights, displays, and of course the giant tree that NYC has to show off during this festive season.  He has not been to FAO during Christmas time ever, so this was a surprise for him and he was thrilled.  The store was bustling, quite crowded, and full of shoppers and tourists alike.  As a six year old, being in the most famous toy store in the world at Christmastime was almost too much to bear, and he bounced around from one area of the superstore to the next before deciding he wanted to go to the new Build a Bear Workshop now in the store.
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Five Attractions to See in NYC Over Christmas

December 10, 2013 by 2 Comments

The day after Thanksgiving, when families are still full of holiday cheer and pumpkin pie, New York City hangs its wreaths, switches over its store displays, and gets ready to celebrate Christmas. The sound of taxis speeding through crosswalks is replaced by the sweet sound of Christmas carols, as holiday shows go up, store windows are lit with icicle lights, and visitors descend on the city to share in the cheer. Plan your perfect holiday trip with these fun and festive stops along the way:

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Holiday Windows: The Upper East Side is known for its terrific shopping, but even those on a budget can enjoy the city’s wonderful department stores during the holiday season without spending a dime. New York’s most famous stores, including Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, and Bloomingdale’s, all deck out their storefronts with elaborate and festive scenes during the holiday season. With just over a mile between all of the shops, checking out all of the windows is a terrific, but time-effective, tour of central Manhattan.

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The Nutcracker: George Balanchine’s holiday classic comes alive with some of the world’s greatest dancers at the NYC Ballet. For those seeking an activity that provides ample holiday cheer to a variety of age groups, this festive celebration more than fits the bill. Whether you’re a visitor or a life-long New Yorker, The Nutcracker’s mix of true artistry and holiday whimsy rarely fails to delight.

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Restaurants for Kids in NYC

December 5, 2013 by 2 Comments

New York City is one of the most child-friendly cities in the world, offering a wealth of things to do that keep your kids happy, from playgrounds and movie theaters to toy stores and of course, the many major attractions all over Manhattan and beyond. But between all that fun, learning and play, where are the best places to grab a bite to eat with your kiddos?

Here are five of our favorite child-friendly restaurants in Manhattan.

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Shake Shack

With locations all over the city—including the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, Grand Central Terminal, Battery Park, Madison Square Park, the Theater District and Brooklyn—this is a handy go-to for child-friendly eating, no matter where you are. The menu may stick to the basics—burgers, hot dogs and shakes—but this is lovingly-prepared fast food that pays close attention to detail and is always a fun environment for families. The fact that this now-booming business started as a single food cart in Madison Square Park is a good indication of the quality on offer at Shake Shack.

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Alice’s Tea Cup

With three Uptown locations to choose from (one on the West Side, two on the East), Alice’s Tea Cup is glorious fun for any little girls who enjoy the delicate nature of tea parties and fairy wings, but offers satisfying food options for adults. With a great selection of sandwiches, salads and soups, as well as good breakfast options and a predictably delectable dessert menu, Alice’s Tea Cup is heaven for girly-girls and a delight for any parent with a sweet-tooth. According to InTouch magazine, Nicole Richie and her little ones love the desserts here so much, she has been known to have them shipped all the way to her home in Los Angeles! Call ahead and make a reservation in advance, if you can.
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Looking For Haunted Happenings?

October 25, 2013 by 2 Comments

If you are like us, you love a good scare this time of year.  Whether you prefer a light hearted haunted house, or a true spine tingling experience, there are plenty of places to give yourself a good fright no matter what your scare-level may be.

If you prefer a family experience, plan a visit to Coney Island for Luna Park’s Halloween Harvest, taking place every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm onward in October. Activities range from rides and games, picking pumpkins at the Pumpkin Patch, pumpkin painting, and seasonal foods. A full program of FREE activities is available, complete with trick or treating, scavenger hunts, “spooky” character illustrations, balloon artists, meet and greets and photo ops with costumed characters, and daily entertainment at the Air Race stage. There are also contests and prizes.

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The 4th Annual Coney Island Children’s Halloween Parade will take place on Saturday, October 26th, beginning at 11am. The parade is free, and attendees will be treated to free entertainment at MCU Park, featuring live music and entertainment including magicians, face painters, and costumed characters.

“The Sideshow”, a must see Coney Island attraction, is in October replaced with the HAUNTED Sideshow. It’s just like the Coney Island Circus Sideshow that Coney Island visitors have come to know and love since 1985, but just a little bit scarier, offering a perfect tie-in for Fall-Time-Fun in Coney Island. HAUNTED Sideshow performers include Serpentina, Princess Pat, Alejandro Dubois, and Leo the Human Gumby. The show features each Saturday and Sunday in October, including Columbus Day from 1pm to 8pm.
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CONEY ISLAND FANS NAME NEW PEDESTRIAN PLAZA: DREAMLAND PLAZA

July 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment

After a week-long voting contest on Facebook, Coney Island fans select Dreamland Plaza as the name for the brand new pedestrian plaza located at the southern end of West 12th Street, adjacent to the famous Riegelmann Boardwalk. The contest was posted last Monday on the popular ConeyIslandFun Facebook page (www.facebook.com/coneyislandfun), which has over 190,000 followers.  Along with the winning name, other possible names included Tilyou Plaza and Ward Plaza. From the start Dreamland Plaza was the crowd favorite, generating 83% of total fan votes.

“We were hoping to capture of piece of Coney Island’s rich history with the name of the plaza, and are very pleased with our fans name selection. The plaza is meant to be a public space for our visitors and residents to enjoy, so we couldn’t think of a more perfect way to select a name than by turning to our fans, for which the plaza is ultimately for. This plaza is part of the Alliance’s initiatives continue Coney Island’s transformation, and offer additional public spaces within the Coney Island amusement district”, said Johanna Zaki, Alliance for Coney Island, Director of Operations.
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