September 2021 Product Roundup

September Product Roundup

Hello September!  We’ve had an amazing summer but we’re ready for the structure that comes with the start of the school year.  As you know, I love sharing new products I’ve started using! Here are some great products I’ve used this summer.  Enjoy this September Product Roundup!

Well Told Lake Map Mug

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

A crucial part of travel is finding a way to reminisce about the memories you’ve made.  Well Told has a unique way to help you do this every day.  They create amazing products where they use maps to remind you of special places.  These make perfect gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, engagements, housewarmings…and much more! I also have their etched glass wine glasses and carafe with street maps of Boston and I always get compliments on them.  Take a peek at these beauties.

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

Lake Map Mug

($21.95)

You know there is no place as special to us as Ossipee Lake!  I was so touched to receive this beautiful mug that helps remind us of our special place when we’re not there.  This 15 oz ceramic mug has the coordinates of the lake on it as well as a detailed map of the area.  It even has all the bays listed.  I like that they are microwave and dishwasher safe, so you can enjoy more lake time!

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7 Ways to Entertain Kids at Museums

 

mytravelingkids.com

I love going to museums and have always wanted my kids to be just as excited about them as me. Their first museum was visited in a stroller, and when they were finally able to walk it was time to explore the Museum of Natural History in NYC.  Some of my friends think it’s pointless to bring their kids because they don’t get anything out of it.  Seriously?  How can you possibly stand next to the statue of David and not get anything out of it? However, how do you entertain kids at museums?

Now don’t get me wrong, my kids and I don’t stand at a painting and discuss the contrasting and muted tones or the use of negative space.  It usually sounded more like, “Hahaha…look Mom…BOOBS!”

My girls have been to museums in NYC, Boston, Portugal, London, and Greece and have never once told me they were bored.  When they were young, they treated a museum as a place to use their imagination and they come up with some pretty cool ideas.  Now that they’re teens they still love going to museums. I asked the girls to share in their own words some tips on how they’d entertain themselves at museums when they were younger. Take it away ladies…

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Weekend in Woodstock, Vermont

Weekend in Woodstock, Vermont

Day 1

Spend your morning getting to know downtown Woodstock.  There are tons of adorable boutiques to poke in to.  Here are a few of my favorite shops:

37 Central

Fossil Glass

Yankee Books

  1. H Gillingham & Sons

Unicorn

Red Wagon Toy Co.

Stop in to Mon Vert Café, order a latte and walk around enjoying the view.

One of my favorite stores is outside of downtown, but right next to the inn. Make sure you visit Farmhouse Pottery.

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Sugarbush Farm

Sugarbush Farm

Woodstock, Vermont

When visiting Vermont, a visit to a quintessential New England farm is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.  Sugarbush Farm is a 3-generation farm owned by the Luce Family.  This 500-acre farm has gorgeous scenic views, farm animals, and some of the best cheese you’ll find in Vermont!  Take a peek at my morning here…

Maple Sugar Woods

My first stop was walking the nature trail of the maple sugar woods.

You follow the path the draft horses use in the spring to collect the sap.  It’s interesting to see how trees are tapped and collected.

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Billings Farm & Museum

Billings Farm & Museum

Woodstock, Vermont

Vermont is rich in farming heritage and Billings Farm & Museum is the perfect place to learn all about it. Take a peek at my afternoon…

Museum

My first stop was the museum. There were so many recreations of life in rural Vermont. Some of my favorite were:

Machine thatching

Butter making

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June Product Roundup

Summer has finally arrived in New England and we are loving being outdoors.  It is time for hikes, beach visits, picnics, long days on the boat, and lazy afternoons reading on the dock.   Each month I share a roundup of products we’ve been using.  Here is June’s Product Roundup…enjoy!!!

EARTH BABY

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

When you’re traveling with kids, there are certain products you can’t forget to bring with you. As a parent I am very conscious about what products I put on my kids.  I like their products to be clean, non-toxic, gentle and effective. Earth Baby has products that are wonderful for the whole family! It naturally delivers calming, nourishing, cleansing and protecting benefits to baby’s delicate hair and sensitive skin. This is the perfect kit to throw in your carry-on, backpack, or in your car.

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

ON-THE-GO KIT ($35.00)

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15 Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep in a Hotel

15 Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep in a Hotel

You spend so much time planning the perfect getaway, but it’s not so perfect when you’re wide awake at 3 am.  Talk about frustrating! Those nights can be endless and makes me want to throw something. So, what can you do to ensure you get a good night’s sleep in a hotel? Here are 15 tips:

Before you get to the hotel:

CHOOSE YOUR ROOM WISELY

Not all rooms are created equally so don’t be afraid to make some requests.  You may want to avoid rooms that are on the first floor, or near elevators, ice machines, or housekeeping closets.

PACK A PILLOW

If you know me you know I’ve been on the search for the perfect pillow for year.  (Still haven’t found it…. gggrrrrrr) If you’re picky about your pillow choice, you may want to bring your own.  Thick, hard pillows or thin deflated ones may be your neck’s worse nightmare. 

GET SHADY

Nothing is worse than planning on sleeping in, when suddenly a ray of sunshine pierces your eyes at 6 am! Most rooms have light block shades, but an eye mask takes up almost no room in your bag, so you may want to bring on.  It is better to be safe than sorry.

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10 Tips for Taking Kids to the Fair

fair

  Fairs are a fun activity to do with families, but they can also be a lot of work. Rides, animals, food…so much fun!  Here are 10 tips for taking kids to the fair. 

HOW MANY RIDES WILL YOU DO?

Decide before you get there how many rides you are going to allow them to go on.  Some fairs have unlimited rides but others require individual tickets and that can cost a fortune.

   MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT

Nothing is worse than having your kid wait in line only to find out they are one inch too short to ride.  Save the tears and have them check the height requirements first.  There is usually a place to measure your height right at the entrance. 

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Summer 2021 Bucket List

Summer 2021 Bucket List

 

Happy first day of summer!!!

Summers are short and sweet in New England so we always make the most of them. We try to spend our days outside and make every moment count.  A Summer Bucket List helps keep us on track and creating one lets us daydream of days to come.  Last summer was a crazy one, but it did let us fill our days with family time.  Here is our list for 2021!!

Go to a drive-in movie

Sunset dinners at the sandbar

Watch all of the X-Men movies 

Go to Lake Fest, a summer concert on the water

Make our own gelato with fresh fruit

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Tips for Nervous Flyers

Confession…I’m a travel blogger that doesn’t love flying.  I can’t sleep on a plane, am never fully relaxed, and squeeze the heck out of the hand of the person next to me during takeoff.  Kids learn from your behavior and I want mine to love flying so I’ve learned to keep it together during flights.  I’ve developed some coping strategies that really help me while flying.  Here are my top tips for nervous flyers:

GET DISTRACTED

Some of my tips for nervous flyers happen before they even get on a plane. Make sure you have plenty of things to do that will keep your mind off your worries.  I love to get lost in a good movie, so I always download some onto my electronics. Don’t count on the plane to provide good movies; it’s always better to bring your own and not use them.  I also load new music onto my phone.   

PLAN ON NO ELECTRONICS

 Ironically, takeoff and landing are the times when I’m most nervous and that’s when you can’t use electronics! I always plan things to do like a new book, a magazine, or a crossword puzzle. Here are some great books. 

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