Vermont will always have a piece of my heart since it is where I went to college and also where my husband and I met. It is the place where it all began. As I drove through the towering mountains, all just starting to show off their autumn colors, I felt like I was running into an old friend that I didn’t realize I’d missed. Let me tell you all about my perfect solo-getaway!
Someone once told me that ‘marriage’ should always be a verb, not a noun. It takes hard work and it deserves to be rewarded. No one is going to hand you a medal for making it through the finish line of another year, but it should be celebrated because each year you are married brings you one step closer to defying the odds. Anniversaries are the perfect time to appreciate each other and this partnership you have with no one else. Sometimes work, kids, household chores, and family responsibilities will make you feel like it’s impossible to find the time to celebrate, but it’s so important that you do. I’m no marriage expert, but here are a few things I’ve picked up about anniversaries in the last 18 years:
ALONE IS IDEAL. When you have small kids it’s easy to just say, “Let’s bring them along.” But we all know that when kids are there it becomes all about them. This is the time to hire a babysitter or cash in on some favors.
NO GIFTS. Everyone is different, but personally, I don’t need a present on my anniversary. I feel like it’s not about giving anything except attention and time. (Although I’ll never say no to a card!)
Winters in New Hampshire can be brutally cold and although my girls love to play outside, there are days when Mother Nature keeps them in. This week showed us just how cold it could get, so we decided it would be the perfect time to review Groovy Lab in a Box, a monthly subscription box that focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).
What do I love about this box?
My girls love science activities and really like when their school does STEM activities, but unfortunately, as a former teacher, I know there’s no time in the schedule to do much of it. I love that the purpose of these boxes is to provide children with the opportunity to focus their imagination, determination, and innate inquisitive nature with a monthly STEM project. The box was a great way for our family to fit in some bonding time while doing fun, hands-on projects. The box allows families to investigate, brainstorm, plan, build, test, and redesign their own creations.
There’s nothing better than waking up and seeing that one of my pieces is on Thrive Global, Arianna Huffington’s fabulous website. The piece is about multigenerational travel. Enjoy!
https://www.thriveglobal.com/stories/46574-multigenerational-travel
Warning…after having a spa treatment at Natura Cave Spa, it will ruin all future spa treatments as this may be the most memorable spa experience you’ll ever have! Located at the Grotto Bay Beach Resort in Bermuda, the spa takes advantage of the famous caves of Bermuda and allows you to enjoy them as your sanctuary throughout your treatment. It is like being in heaven! Let me walk you through my morning!
We saw the entrance of the spa and it immediately peaked our interest. It is an inconspicuous locked door that is accessible from the outside of the resort. Beside the door, in beautifully manicured gardens, is a bench where you wait until your appointment time.
You can’t help but wonder what will be behind that door. You would figure it would be a series of dry walled rooms with typical massage tables and facilities, but you will NEVER imagine what is waiting for you behind that door!
Dolphin Quest
Royal Naval Dockyard
My kids were already jealous enough that I was headed to Bermuda without them for a few nights, but it pushed them over the edge when they found out I was going to also be swimming with dolphins while I was there. They even told me I might as well change my blog’s name to “My NOT Traveling Kids!” Sorry kiddos…this was one experience I couldn’t pass up.
Our experience
We took a car to the Royal Naval Dockyard on the tip of the island and made our way into Dolphin Quest. The Royal Naval Dockyard is a converted 200-year-old fort built by the British Royal Navy.
Newstead Belmont Hills
Lounging at the edge of an infinity pool, looking down at the crystal blue water of Hamilton Sound with the lovely harbor of Hamilton looming in the distance. This is what dreams are made of and the Newstead Belmont Hills Resort and Spa is the perfect place to make this dream come true. The Newstead is the perfect mix of sophistication and warmth. We were so happy to spend the last two days of our vacation as their guests.
Last week I was so lucky to head to Bermuda with my friend for four nights without kiddos! Yep…I said it…NO KIDDOS!! Our first stop was the Fourways Inn for two nights. Instead of a tradition hotel building, the inn features a cottage colony, with 11 units to choose from so you feel like a small community rather than just another room in a hotel.
Bespoke Subscription Box for Men
I love surprises and you all know how much I love subscription boxes! Well, why should girls have all the fun? I recently learned about Bespoke, a subscription box for men and I was thrilled to learn all about it! Each box is built around a theme, with the goal of introducing you to something new- a better way to shave, a stylish take on barware, or a new hobby. I love this idea! I think it would be a creative Christmas gift since it gives items your man may not give himself. All the boxes I looked at seemed to contain high quality items. Bespoke was kind enough to give my husband this:
Special Edition Weekender Bag. ($45)
The inspiration behind these bags are stonemasons who would use bags like these to haul their tools for a day’s work. It is one of their most popular bags and it’s easy to see why. It’s made with a thick sturdy canvas with a reinforced frame, so I can see my husband using it for years. Who am I kidding…I plan on stealing it from him for my next trip!
Just look at how gorgeous it is!
Winc
You all know I love getting boxes in the mail, whether it’s a subscription box or a club box, and I do a little twirl at my mailbox when one comes in. (That may explain a lot to my neighbors!) Well this box had me doing a full cartwheel because Winc is a WINE BOX!!!
Wine + surprise = Heaven!!
I love to try new wines, but I seem to always go with the same ones. This personalized wine club is a wonderful way to add some variety to your wine rack.
So, how does Winc work?
When you first begin, Winc will ask you 6 questions to help them assess your unique taste. Then you sit back, and each month they send you 4 wines specifically chosen to match your palate. After tasting your selection, you rate your wine, so they can get to know your palate even more. Love red? That’s fine. Only want to do white but hate chardonnay? That’s fine too.
Not everyone loves a surprise, right? Well that’s fine too because your other option is to select your own wine. This option gives you all the control.
So, before we go on…I know you’re dying to see what wine I got in my box!!