Category Archives: Travel

How to Train Your Dragon LIve Show Review

Last night we went to see How to train your Dragon live show.  The show was held and Philadelphia Wells fargo center. check out the kids thoughts below.  I really enjoyed the show.  The show creators definitely used there imagination when creating the show.  The How To Train Your Dragon Stage show will be touring the US.

The Dragons pulled you in particular Toothless.. he was so cute and all the kids wanted to pet him.   The effects we also amazing I don’t want to give too much away.

I will let you know that souvenirs do run from $15-$50   Souvenir cups are $15, Program menus are $20, The Light up viking Helmets are $20 or 25 and the figurines were $25.

My kids ages were 7-11 but younger kids 3up were there, some got upset when the thought toothless was hurt.  Older teen though it was cool when I talked to another bloggers kids.

We really love the show and effects were amazing alot to look at.   I got “Thanks You’s” through out the show and the way home  from the kids.  The word amazing and cool were used a ton by the 11 years olds.  Looks at the smiles.. kids watching a show smiling

If you want to head to the show you can still get tickets on sale 25% off for Philadelphia.

To Purchase tickets for How To Train your Dragon in Philadelphia

Discount code is MOM — that’s good for 25% off to all shows.

Disclosure I recieved these tickets from the show but the opinions stated in this post are my own.

How to Train your Dragon Stage Show & Giveaway!

guy on stage with dragonDid your kids and You Love the Dream Works movie How to Train a Dragon!  So when I was in NY for Blogger her I met some of the wonderful people from How to Train Your Dragon Stage Show. The show is produce by Dream Works live!  It is coming to Philadelphia!  in September 12-16th, 2012.

The How to Train a Dragon Stage Show  show features 23 dragon who sore over head with a wing span of up to 46 feet!  Also some are fire breathing. Viking warriors and world-class circus artists and acrobats, to perform against a state-of-the-art, wall-to-floor immerse projection measuring more than 20,000 square feet. They have state of the art animatronics and that are sure to wonder your entire family.  My kids are looking forward to this fantastic show

The production will use the entire Wells Fargo Center.  So it will be sure to amaze the kids and you!!!

To Purchase tickets for How To Train your Dragon in Philadelphia

Discount code is MOM — that’s good for 25% off to all shows.

WANT TO WIN TICKETS!

I am giving away 4 tickets for How to train your Dragon at the Wells Fargo  Center Enter from Aug 26-6th, 2012

Note: giveaway is for you choice of  the following show times only Wednesday Sept 12 at 7, Thursday Sept 13 at 7, or Sunday Sept 16 at 6pm.

How to win:   So you want to go enter to win my giveaway for 4 tickets below.

  1. Be  sure to leave a comment in the comment section on my blog telling me What you would name your dragon (Mandatory to win)
  2. Then sign into in rafflecopter confirming you did so. (mandatory)
  3. Also you can earn additional entries. on the rafflecopter forms
  4. you also can tweet daily!
  5. Winner Announced and notified via email Sept 7th

Please note that entries that leave a comment and confirm comment in Rafflecopter will be consider to win. Winner will be selected using random rafflecopter winner.

The giveaway is only for the Philadelphia Show
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tickets are provide by Comcast Specator-  superexhausted.com is providing this giveaway but not responsible for seating option choices at the event ticketing is handle with Comcast and will be provide upon winning.dragon comcast discount code graphic

Disclosure:  I have received tickets in exchange for this post. All the opinions in this post are my own and I cant wait to see the dragons!!!

 

Duran Duran Live this Saturday in AC

duran duran albums

Duran Duran is one of my favorite band of all time.  I was luck to see the Duran Duran last year.  Guess what I am heading to see them again.  They are playing at the Revel Resort and Casino this Saturday night Aug 25th .    Duran Duran is one of the best bands live they play all the music you want to hear from Rio to wildboys .. I love to hear them live.

Want to meet me there  we can dance to Rio together. Come see Duran Duran Live get the Duran Duran tickets here.

Cann’t  come to the  concert Tweet along with me #duranlive

Take me out to the Ball Game #wordfullWednesday

kids at riversharks stadiumLast night we went to the Camden Riversharks game just over the river from Philadelphia.  If you have not been it is a lovely family ball park to go to and local.  We had a great time with friends.  The park is small and just the right size to show your kids what a real game is like.  I love minor leagues and different sports for this reason.  They are reasonably price and geared for a fun night.  Plus the RiverSharks have a great view of Philadelphia.  The stadium was very easy to find,  just right over the Ben Franklin bridge  from Philly. campbells riversharks stadium

TIP:  I noticed on Sept 10th RiverSharks Community Night   bring 3 school supplies to the box office and get a free entrance to the game (free ticket)  the schools supplies are donated to EducationWorks.  Plus if you come at 6:05-7:05 kids under 12 get a voucher that can be redeemed for a Hot Dog,Chips, and water.

For more info about the night  contact Kristin Segers   ksegers@riversharks.com  (that is what the flier said in the bathroom)

Even  my husband was in attendance-  the game went 10 innings and the Camden Riversharks one. guy at baseball game

This was my 1st time going to a Riversharks game.  My family has been one other time without me.  It is a fun game I loved going with a large group.  each kid had a friend and I felt comfortable with them going to bathroom in groups or getting a drink (my son is 11).  I like that about this stadium,  I could see them from where we were sitting.  We also had space to spread out,  we were there mid week. I was a great experience and I highly recommend it.

 

Back to School With Lands End

lands end sign and a school bus I recently had the opportunity to attend a Land End back to school event.  During the event I learned about how makes there products safe and of high quality for our children. One area of focus was the Lands End Back Pack,  they offer several different types depending on the age and weight of books kids carry.  Lands end also test the backpack so they have our child’s health in mind with the amount of weight out children’s carry weight in the books.

I am no stranger to the Lands End Back pack, My son has had his  Lands End pack pack since kindergarten.  The backpack is still being used this year as he enters 6th grade- 7 years and it still is in great shape. The thing is if it wasn’t Lands End unconditional guarantee they would replace it.   My son told me tonight he want to carry it to he finishes high school. little boy wearing a backpack

We also learned about Lands End jeans are tested to make make sure they last up to 50 washes with out the knees wearing out.  I have a boy so his knees are always a big concern.  I want to make sure that my kids jeans last through out the entire school year.Check the abrasion test they do to make sure the jeans are up to the beating of your typical child.

The night was topped of with  a celebrity chef  Sam Talbot  educated us on healthy lunch option for kids.  Sam was nice enough to show us how to make the following healthy lunch options for kids:food pictures

Turkey wrap with avocado and apricot:

  • 2 six inch organic whole wheat tortillas
  • 4 slices freshly roasted turkey breast
  • 1/2 cup of shredded Romain lettuce
  • 1/2 avocado sliced length wise 1/4 thick
  • 2 tbls of mustard
  • 2 tbls of apricot preserve
  • drizzle of olive oil

Directions: place tortillas town spread mustard and apricot preserve. Lay the turkey down, then avacado.  Finish with a drizzle of oilve oil then roll  it up. slice ten store over night in refrigerator.   Yummy

Then the clothes the Lands end clothes for the kiddos this season are classic lands end but fun and funky.  Have a look.

 

Disclosure: I attended a party sponsored by Lands End for this post,  the opinions stated in this review are my own.

 

Faces of My Blogher12: Recap #linky

mj Tam and Sherry AikensSo when you go to a blogging conference there are people so many people,  Blogher12 had 4500 women. I can possibly coverall my blogging sisters  that allowed me to have a great weekend but here are some and I wanted you to meet.

One of the people that I looked forward towards seeing again at Blogher12, was MJ Tam from Chicagonista.  MJ and I meet my 1st Blogher when I offered to take a picture of her and a friend.  They we proceeded to talk 2 hours that night continuing the conversation the following night.  We did not talk blogging but life. When I attended BlogHer10,  I was not well versed in the business of blogging at the time I was just happy to have formed such a close bond with MJ.  When I saw her this time at Trumpet Media RR.  She gave me a big hug and told me when she found out Blogher12 was coming to NYC  I was the 1st person she thought off,  I thought the same thing. I am so excited that Blogher13 will be heading to Chicago so I can see her next year.desirae young

So happy to see my smiling friend  Desirae from Extreme Savings with Diva Desirae  Does she look familiar she should she was on TLC “Extreme Coupon”.  I love her because she is all about saving but in a positive not in your face way (she never mentions it unless you ask),   she is realistic and extreme couponing is not for everyone but we all can save in little ways.  Love her because she gives back to others with her couponing providing food for Back Pack programs in NC bring food to families that might be short in providing for there families.  Plus Desirae introduced me to CookOut  restaurant in North Carolina which has the best milkshakes ever.

Barb Hoyer ,  I love Barb she is a very calm person it could be the fact she has many kids and handles her children with grace.  Barb writes A Life in Balance,  she has great tips on living healthy.  She has been great at supporting me through my weightloss journey.  On Thursday I was very excited to have arrived ,  I was revved up,   Barb is calming with the craziness that was around us aka swag excitement .  .  Barb and I went to the Icoinx Lounge together.  She stood for about an hour with me nibbling on goodies and looking for water. I have to say I was so glad she was there and she was a good sport in trying on the glasses.ritzking and corrine ingassia

Corine Ingrassia aka  Complicated Mama  (seen here with Christie from Real Life Wellness)

Corine was the hostess one of the most successful private parties this year at Blogher12 which the Sweet Suite.  The reason for the success, I think it shows how brands working with a blogger to plan a party,  achieves well throughout party that was Amazing. I want to let you know there were other involved in the party but for me it was Corine’s smiling face and happy attitude that made the night.  Lori @toyinsidermom  and Corrine found the space which was on the in the Viacom Building (where MTV is filmed).  Corrine felt it was very important for the brands to connect,  she worked really hard to do a lounge atmosphere for every very brand,  allowing for connection for blogger and brand. A++ to Corrinne and Lori for a great event.JoLynne Shane, Hillary Chybinski, Mellissa Angert,

My private BlogHer one of my favorite moments was dinner with JoLynne, Hillary, and Melissa. It was the perfect end to a great weekend.  I have to say it was a relax evening  after 2 days parties and conference.  We sat and took time to talk and relax over wine. I loved these moments of reflection away from the large 4500 women chaos.  The restaurant was empty,  the food was exceptional,  and the conversation was amazing.hillary chybinski

Hillary my roomie,  I love her, she puts all into perspective and tells me when I am over thinking. She made the weekend lovely and fun. Since we stayed off site so  we had a very relaxing time. She knew when to let me miss a official Blogher party, allowing me to decompress and sleep because I would be in better spirits if I did so. She knew me so well.  Thanks for a great time Honey- in a bff sort of way!

Who made up your faces of Blogher?


My Food at Blogher12 Tasty Tuesday

buffetSo all while at Blogher there is a alot of food .. samples to try. The thing is,  you go all day eating and  nibbling on this or that. Never really filling up.  So here is my food at Blogher:

Expo floor- I was not there much but thanks to Hillshire farmsI make myself a lovely morning snack.  I got to create my own recipe  and they cooked it up for me. #HFRecipes

rice and sausage

Trumpeting Media- Green Drink, I was not sure what it was from the 4 season .. but not my cup of green .. I did drink it.  Pepperidge  farm cookies they have come in handy after the late night

Social Luxe- they had these amazing goat cheese things .. and the young man who passed them out was easy enough ont he eyes.  I have to say I have enjoyed the UnReal Candy–  there tag is un junked candy,  since I have been home we have really enjoyedt and being a diabetic the lower glucemic index helps.picture of candy

Iconix Party I have to say an amazing buffet spread pictured at top of post by the Sheraton.. seriously the poke tuna was amazing it was hard to tear myself away.  I made many new friends at near the tasting spoons.tuna poke

Sweet Suite you had me at strawberries.. They are the best food ever invented.

Lands end party had the cutest mini BLT   with blt stamped on them then they had a chef show us how to make amazing kids lunches.

I have to say we got in a good service rut and visited the same restaurant 3 times while there.  Teds Montana Grill – the Avalon burger was amazing Blue cheese,bacon,onions, beef.  with a side of green beans and fries under $20 in NYC and the best service I have ever hand in New York. Yea I ate the burger without take a picture I was very hungry from nibbling.  The service was exceptional and lovely and helps to keep  going.key lime pie

So Blogher is not know for large meals but what I saw was creative.  I avoid the 4500 women eating lunch and we went else where.   What did you eat?

 

Dancing with the Rockettes BlogerHer12 Link UP

women dancingThis past week I attended BlogHer 12 in NYC. I was invited to workout with the Radio City Rockettes the event was hosted Pfizer the makers of Caltrate® and Centrum.   The invited said I had to get up at 6:00 for a 7:30 workout. So Hillary and I got up after a long night of BlogHer parties.  I have to say I did not sleep much because I was so excited to dance with the long legged Rockettes.  I am so not a morning person. n I was dragging so early as we made out way of to Radio City Hall

Hillary made sure I was on time,  boy did we learn about our weak points this weekend.. I need coffee and food regularly.  We arrived and were check in.  Then Pfizer people separated us into 2 groups. The Radio City Rockettes have 2 practice rooms. Hillary and I were in the smaller room.  After getting settled we  were given Caltrate shirts “Feel Young!”  We got pictures taken in front of the step and repeat (aka that is the back drop –  Yea I did not know it had a name either)

Here I am with Tara, Jessica, Myself (sporting braids) , Kelly and Colleen-  all lovely Philly Ladies.women posing for a picture

We started to dance,  The Rockettes  taught us the famous Wooden Solider.  Trick: move hips never bend knees- great butt workout.  Check the video out:

We also learned how they fan kick, In order to feel stable the Rockettes “feel the fabric”  which is light touch the person back standing next to you. So you are stabilize and  gives you awareness of your space.

After the dancing we learned more about the Rockettes.

  • The heights of  a rocket ranges from 5’10” to 5’6′  they give the illusion of them being the same height by putting the tallest Rockettes in the middle, the shortest on the end.
  • Every Radio City Rockettes has to try out every year
  • Most Rockettes do not make it for there 1st audition.
  • There are 2 sets of Rockettes .They do 7 shows a day during the holiday season some work morning and matinee, they other set the nights.dancing with the rockettes collage of picture

I think  for every Blogger that was there it was a dream come true to dance with a Rockettes.   Good to know I had one qualification of a Rockette.. I am tall enough to be one.. and that is where any similarities between myself and a Rockette  end. After 9 years of dance I have determined,  I am better behind a camera or sewing machine.. I’d best be leaving the dancing to the professionals.

Check out my Rockettes Flicker page for more great shots.

Thank you to Pfizer the makers of Caltrate® and Centrum  for sponsoring the event.  Feeling Young is so important as you get older.  Be sure to make sure you stay active, eat right and care for your body by taking a great multivitamin and calcium sublimate as you get older.

Stay Tuned all week for more BlogHer 12 Recaps

How do you stay young?

Link up your BlogHer 12 Post


 

 

Making Sand Castles & Blogger Beach Bash

a sand castleMy Family attended the Blogger Beach Bash at the Golden Inn in Avalon NJ hosted by Real Mom Media.  We also learned how to make sand castles from Travel Channels own Sand Master Matt.  It was amazing I learned so much and I can’t wait to play in the sand again using the techniques Matt show us.

Matt’s main Sand Carving points:

  • build the structure front the bottom up and
  • let the water act as a glue to hold the sand together.
  • Use a form – For get the flipping of the bucket method from when you were a kids.  Matt company You can dig it Sand Tools  Has a hit and video you can buy.  It is all about using the right tools for the job.    He provided us with the kits and boy did they make the job easier.

Here is a short video of Matt teaching us how to make bricks and an aged effect.

Here is  a mention of some of the other days sponsors

  • Visit Ac  if you have not been to Ac be sure to go and check out the duality 3d video on boardwalk hall you can read my post Duality
  • The Paint Home  who did some amazing centerpieces for the event just using every day items you have in your home.  The table I sat out had an frame on the table with no glass and a great Victorian feel flower arrangement.
  • I also got to meet  Jordan Schneider – Insurance and Financial Services  planning great guy.
  • Suddenly Safe   which is a company that provide detector for knowing when it is too hat to leave your child in the car.
  • Stacy form Truly Custom Cakes was present and brought us some of her amazing cupcakes.  She also made a lovely cake for the day.cake that look like a sand pail
  • Also during the day we got to experience my favorite Ice Tea   Honest Tea not to sweet and taste refreshing Honest tea.honest tea bottles

The Golden Inn is was a great to  to host the event. Be sure to check out my review of out stay in the Golden Inn. beach at golden inn beach cahirs with umbrellas

Disclosure: I did receive product and meals during the event.  The opinion written in this post are all my own.

Golden Inn Review

golden InnThe Golden Inn is was a fabulous to host the BLogger Beach Bash  event.  We were at the hotel middle of the week and it was a great family atmosphere.  The hotel is located so close to the beach walk over the dune and they beach was  there.  Not to mention the beach chair and umbrellas if you are a hotel guest.

Then after the lovely day on the beach we came in for lunch pool side. My kids loved the pool.  I was happy to because the had a shallow area in the pool 3 feet and the pool went  to 8 feet deep. My daughter loved diving and jumping in. My son as you know is a pool rat.. (swims a lot) so he stayed in the water.

The rooms were clean, and well furnished.  But I have to mention the bed.  I have slept in a lot of hotels but these beds where  one of the best mattress I EVERY slept on.  My husband thought the same.  They were Sertas and then a pillow top then great sheets.   Also the little containers of shampoo and conditioner i forgot my conditioner so i used the ones provided,  it was great my hair felt soft and flowing when I stepped out of the shower.

Also I mush mention the buffet breakfast was lovely my husband had the scrambled eggs and he said they were amazing light fluffy and creamy not what you would expect from a buffet.   The hotels restaurant also has nightly dinner specials.. the night we were leaving it was a lobster bake.. made me wish I could stay another night. The owners of the Golden Inn are affiliated with the Omni hotel but the Golden Inn is a private hotel,  so great quality.

Avalon NJ is very easy to get too it took us about 2 hours from my home in north Philly. The Hotel is also about a mile front he center of Stone Harbor which has a movie theater, eateries and great  fashion shopping

.golden logo out of sand

Disclosure: I did receive product and meals during the event.  The opinion written in this post are all my own.