What was going to be a mother/daughter overnight trip to Rockport turned out to be a solo trip because of sports and field trips. As much as I would have loved their company, it’s also nice to have some alone time to relax and recharge before the end of the school year. I can’t think of a better place to spend some quality “Me Time,” than the historic oceanfront Emerson Inn, in Rockport, Massachusetts.
Product: Nowa Watch
WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM: My husband travels a lot for work and doesn’t like wearing his Apple watch since it is not dressy enough to wear with suits. As soon as he saw this watch, he claimed it for his own and has been wearing it ever since. There is so much you can do with it. The watch connects wirelessly to your smartphone and get this…it doesn’t need to be charged! It runs for 8 months on a standard watch battery. Since each day the watch records your steps, distance, and calories burned, it’s a convenient way to see how active you’re being while traveling. It also records how well you sleep at night.
WHAT ELSE I LOVE ABOUT THEM: I take forever to get a good selfie shot and I refuse to use a selfie stick, so with the Nowa watch, you can open the camera controls using the app and push down on the crown to shoot! The watch also can help you find your phone as long as it is within Bluetooth range. Another feature I like is that you are notified when you’re receiving a call and can reject it…because who needs to talk on the phone when you’re on vacation!
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We continued our long West Coast weekend away from the kids by heading to the Archer Hotel in Napa. Besides the gorgeous décor, it has a restaurant, rooftop bar, fitness center, and spa. It is also in the perfect location. It is on First Street, right in the center of a walkable downtown full of restaurants and live music venues. It is also within walking distance to over 20 tasting rooms!
HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!!! We are so excited to relax by the lake until Labor Day…except there will be a tent involved this year…but more of that to come.
For our family, summer means…
After-dinner boat rides wearing PJ’s
Tomato salad and fresh grilled corn on the cob
Reading books on the hammock
Stepping into the cave of Jarvis Estate is like walking into another world, where all your senses are fixated on one thing…wine. Once a grape goes in, it never sees the light of day again until someone opens their bottle. One of the secrets to their amazing wine happens outside of the cave…in their 37-acres of estate vineyards. Their vineyards are located high above Napa, in beautiful rugged mountains that are one thousand feet above the valley floor. The cooler temperature and high elevation allow a longer “hang time” for the grapes ensuring a slow maturation.
When you arrive at the cave, your curiosity will be killing you as you try to imagine what’s behind this door.
You’ll never forget your first peek inside the 45,000 square-foot cave. How amazing is this? The domed walls lined with barrels welcomes you and even if you are not interested in wine, you will be in awe of the unique architecture.
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My husband and I were so lucky to be able to run away to the east coast last month for a kid-free weekend. With only one night to spend in San Francisco, I couldn’t think of a better place to go than the 116-room boutique, Hotel Zetta. A hip San Francisco vibe embraces you as soon as you walk through the door and as you look around you can see this is going to be a fun place to stay. Sorry kiddos…
CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT OUR STAY!
I wanted to share 2 amazing subscription boxes that I’ve enjoyed using last month!
Box #1: Norlii June Box
I love a box that allows people to experience different cultures without having to leave their home. Norlii is a bimonthly Scandinavian Subscription Box shipping directly from Scandinavia, that features home decor and lifestyle accessories. The theme of this box was Tivoli, which is a 175-year-old amusement park located in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark. The park features rides, attractions, beautiful gardens, and peacocks that roam free.
Want a peek at what was in the box?
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After attending the Women in Travel Summit, I was lucky enough to be chosen for a trip to the gorgeous coastal town of Rockland, Maine. We were going to explore the town through art galleries, restaurants, and local shops. While I was there, I got to stay in the breathtaking Berry Manor Inn. Located in a historic residential neighborhood, the inn is within walking distance to restaurants, shops, art galleries, and museums. It is also a quick walk down to the harbor.
I am always on the lookout for products that travelers will love and will make their travels easier. Come on…travel can be stressful, so anything that makes life easier is welcomed. Each month I will do a roundup of products I’ve found and test them out to see if they’re something I would actually use. This is actually May’s list, but I’m a few days behind because I’ve been stuck in bed for the last three days because of the mother-of-all kinks in my neck. Here’s what I found this month:
Arcopedico Shoes
WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM: These are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own and I’ve been bringing them with me everywhere I’ve been traveling. They are lightweight so I can throw them in my carry-on and they are easy to remove when I’m going through security. They are also super cute and the grey color goes with everything. I normally wear a size 8 ½ and I got the size 40 but wish I’d gotten the 39 because it is a little big on me.
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One of my favorite events of my WITS19 conference was the Maine Brew Bus…shocking right?? This 3 ½ hour tour lets you have a guided tour and safe ride to visit three of Portland’s small producers of craft alcohol. We hopped on our 15-passenger bus and let the fun begin! Our guide, Don, and our driver, Ryan, were so much fun to spend the afternoon with! They both have so much pride in Portland and the positive effect these companies have on the community.
Our first stop was to RISING TIDE BREWING COMPANY. Inspired by the famous quote, “…a rising tide lifts all boats,” this was the perfect spot to get an introduction to the craft beer industry.
We got to taste four different beers while we were there.
