Family Photos: More New York love

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A few more photos from my mom's big trip to the Big Apple to brighten your Monday. :)

P.S. A new Love Lounge is coming up soon!

Family Photos: What I learned in New York City

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New York! The Big Apple! Broadway! Whatever you think of when you think New York City, it is bound to have a little excitement associated with it, right? Well, I just got back from a weekend in Manhattan and I learned something there. Here's the story...

I left on Friday to go spend the weekend with my niece Mona, who lives on the Upper West Side. I was ready for some frolicking and fun. Instead, what I got was warm (and not because of the 100-degree heat!) and cozy family time! Who would have thought?

You see, along with Mona, we were overflowing with family that hadn’t seen one another for a while, certainly not since the death of my father, who was truly the patriarch of the family. It turned out that my sister Elaine, nephews John and Mike, along with Mike’s wife Jade, nephew David, wife Belinda, their two sons and my niece Jennifer and her partner Rosita were all there! Everyone was so excited to see one another. We would be looking around at the museum, and we would just stop and start trading stories. We had long lunches and dinners where the focus was on each other and not the food. We commiserated with one another over the sweltering heat! We sat around Mona’s small apartment and watched the newest generation play, and we played right along with them. We teased Mona ceaselessly about her obsessive scheduling of vacations, but in the end, we appreciated having things planned out for us. One morning, when I was out taking pictures for Melissa’s blog, I came back and Mona had a lovely plate of breakfast made for me. Over lunch the last day, I found myself with my camera out, showing my nephew's son the pictures from the weekend and having him tell me who everyone was. And, you know what? He did! I can honestly say that it was not the hubbub of the city that I am going to carry with me; it is the feeling that comes from being with family, and for that, I am very grateful!

During the few quiet times we had, and even during the loud ones, I often found myself thinking about my dad. It'a only been four months since his death, and I couldn't help but think, “Look, Dad. Look at what you created -- your family misses you terribly, but we will go on and live good lives, stay in contact and make you proud!”

So, next time you take a vacation, remember that what you think will happen might not be what really does happen in the end. Maybe what happens will be even better than you ever dreamed!

Parks from above

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After spending an afternoon in Central Park, California-based photographer Gray Malin set out to capture the beauty of "a day in the park." His latest photo series does just that with these gorgeous aerial shots of famed parks in New York City and Chicago. Above are NYC's Bryant Park, Central Park Lawn and Washington Square Park. Look at all those tiny people...

...and Millennium Park, one of my favorite spots in Chicago. The Bean!

Don't these photos make you want to pack a picnic and sit in the park on a lazy summer afternoon? What's your favorite park, friends? xoxo

P.S. New York City from above.

[Via Honestly WTF]

Would You Rather: Spend your summer at the beach or in the city?

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ACK!! I'm actually torn on this one. The sun and surf? The sights and culture? Which would you choose? And, more importantly...how is your summer going? Look for my answer in the comments... xoxo

P.S. Would you rather live in the country or the city? :)

[Photos via We Heart It]

Sneak Peek: My mom's Big Apple adventure

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Exciting news, friends: My mom took a bite out of the Big Apple this past weekend. As she says, it was "a whirlwind" couple of days, and she's got the photos to prove it. Well, I twisted her arm into sharing all the details of her adventure -- actually, it didn't take much coaxing. I can't wait for her to share all the photos, along with fun stories, on Thursday, but in the meantime, aren't these photos of the Statue of Liberty beautiful? I keep telling my mom that she should become a photographer, but she never listens to me... xoxo

P.S. Family Photos of how I spent my weekend are coming up soon! :)

NYC Diaries: 8 Weird Things That Are Not Weird in NYC

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When it comes to odd sights, New Yorkers have pretty much seen it all. We’re used to the strange and avant-garde. I mean, this is Lady Gaga’s home state, and it can’t get any weirder than that, right? But there are a few things in this lovely city that just wouldn’t happen anywhere else. And here are my favorites...

People dressed as superheroes and other characters
How do you make a quick buck in the city? Dress up as a popular kids’ movie/show character and charge tourists a dollar to take a photo with you. IT sounds like a total scam, and it basically is, but you’d be surprise how many tourists fall for it just to take a picture with Superman.

Heavily armed cops EVERYWHERE
Cops are one thing. But these guys are seriously ready for the zombie apocalypse with all the weapons they’re carrying. Scary? Yes. But you’ll feel really REALLY safe around them.

Street performers
An impromptu breakdancing show? Yes, please! Crowds often gather in the middle of the sidewalk to watch these talented amateur performers do amazing feats. And the best part is that it’s totally free.

Starbucks and Duane Reade stores on EVERY corner
I’m not kidding -- they’re on EVERY corner. So you have no excuse to miss a coffee run in New York City!

Rudeness
It’s just something you’re going to have to accept about New York: People are not always nice. The sidewalks are typically very crowded, and people will bump into you (both accidentally and on purpose). The first time I traveled to the Midwest and someone greeted me good morning as he passed, I remember looking at him like he was insane. Things like that just don’t happen around here.

HUGE stores
We have Macy’s and Toys R’ Us (complete with a full-sized indoor Ferris wheel). These stores are gigantic! I seriously can’t even shop in the supersized Forever 21 here because I get so overwhelmed. You’d think that so many options would be amazing, but it’s really kind of frustrating.

Celebrities
This is their territory and here, they are normal people. So don’t be surprised if you run into Ryan Gosling walking his dog around the block (like my super lucky friend did!).

Food trucks
You see them on college campuses once in a while, but in New York City, they’re a big deal. From Indian food to protein shakes to overpriced cupcakes, these food trucks are like mini restaurants just waiting for you to try their gourmet offerings. Just make sure you have enough of a sweet tooth to sample from all of the amazing bakeshops around town!

Read my blog, LIKE me on Facebook and FOLLOW me on Twitter for more! 

--By Caitlin from Stream of Caitlinness

[Photos via We Heart It]

Family Photos: Our Arizona adventure (Part Two)

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Yesterday, I shared some fun photos from our big adventure out west in 2007 -- remember the heat stroke? In the name of full disclosure about my past, let's continue this little trip down memory lane, shall we? So after I'd recovered from that nasty case of heat stroke, I did a bit of exploring around the The Phoenician, the posh hotel we were staying at...

I admire the outdoor fountain...

I fell in love with cacti (and yes, I'm wearing a "World's Greatest Dad" t-shirt)...

I even made friends with an interesting statue...

One of the nine pools....look at that walking bridge!

The next day, we drove to Palm Springs to visit my aunt and uncle.

We lounged in the pool...

Ate great food...

And enjoyed beautiful mountain views.

So, friends, what's your all-time favorite vacation spot? Any place surprise you? I'd love to hear all about it! xoxo

Family Photos: Our Arizona adventure (Part One)

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Speaking of travel, remember when I shared the tale of our wild adventure out West? If you remember, we had quite the time, indeed, that summer, and since those were the days before Instagram, I thought it would be fun to share a few more photos from that crazy trip this morning...

Oh, the promise of the beginning of the trip. Here I am sporting my old-lady bag... BBB

The first night, we stayed in a beautiful hotel in Sedona overlooking the Red Rock Mountains...

On the morning we drove to Phoenix, I got heat exhaustion and spent the two-hour car ride vomiting in the back seat of our rented van. We stayed at the Phoenician Hotel. It boasts nine pools, and my cousin Mona saw Sting (YES! Sting!) while she was swimming. Where was I? Recovering from my heat stroke!

Will I recover from my heat exhaustion, or will the desert get the best of me? Find out in Part Two tomorrow, friends! xoxo

Dream Vacation: Room with a (porthole) view

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For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to set sail on a big cruise ship. You know, the kind where you can play shuffleboard all day, enjoy endless buffets and gaze up at the beautiful stars at night. Photographer Luke Casey reminds us of another perk of traveling by sea: Portholes. He's traveled the world, capturing the view from the ship's portholes. Just looking at these shots makes me feel like I'm rocking back and forth with the rhythms of the waves...

I love how mesmerizing and unique these photos are, don't you? Have you ever been on a cruise before? Did you like it? xoxo

[Via Messy Nessy Chic]

Summer Week: 7 road trip essentials

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Although we haven't traveled much in the last few years, my family used to be the masters of road trips. Remember my play-by-play of our classic adventures? Or that time we got stuck on the famed Blue Ridge Parkway? Well, the times spent in our tiny car -- a car filled to the brim with suitcases and bags and my wheelchair -- are some of my favorite childhood memories. My philosophy? All children should experience the joys of a good road trip at least once in their life. It builds character. It strengthens bonds. And at the very least, it makes for good writing material (and maybe therapy topics?) as an adult. So, to that end, I give you my top 6 picks for the classic road trip...

What do you think of this list, friends? Anything you'd add? Do you take many road trips? What's been your favorite adventure? Any advice for summer travelers? Do share!! xoxo

NYC Diaries: 4 reasons to love summer in the city

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New York is a great city with wonderful things to do and see throughout the year, but let’s face it: There’s nothing like a warm and beautiful city summer. This is my third summer officially working here, so I’ve had plenty of time to get used to and relish in the wonderful sights and activities this place has to offer. And over the past few years, I’ve grown to love some of the places and events that make these summers unique to the Big Apple...

A park with a view!
The High Line is perhaps the most serene area in the whole City. If there’s one place to escape the hustle and bustle of the streets but not travel TOO far, it’s here. A public park built on a historic railroad above the streets of NYC, the High Line is my favorite place to go to catch a break. There are flowers and grassy patches and vendors of all different kinds of things, from street art to gelato. I used to visit the park every morning during my first internship at the Oxygen Network, reading and trying to get a tan out in the lounge area.

Pet paradise!
It seems that everyone who lives in New York City has a dog, and summer is the season when you can’t step outside without passing by someone walking his or her pet. I’m an animal lover, so it’s always fun to see all the different dogs interact and play with each other. It serves as a reminder of the simpler pleasures in life.

Street style!
One of the best parts of summer is that we can shed our heavy and often less-than-cute winter coats and galoshes in favor of sundresses and strappy sandals. Summer always has the nicest fashions, and it’s great to see the variety of pretty outfits people wear to work as well as on their days off. And New York is never short on style!

Celebrity spotting at the gym!
Along with warmer weather comes more outdoor activities, which means that everyone’s rushing to the local gyms to sculpt that last-minute beach body. (I’ll admit that I’m one of those people.) And the best part is that celebrities frequent many of the NYC gyms. Hugh Jackman works out down the block from my office, for instance. And singer Sara Bareilles was in my gym just a few days ago! But not everyone depends on the gym to lose the extra winter weight. Summer’s the season where you’ll see a lot of joggers passing by. And it’s always nice to see the cute guys of New York shed their shirts and show off their near-perfect abs after a long day at work, isn’t it?

Have a happy summer!

Read my blog, LIKE me on Facebook and FOLLOW me on Twitter for more! 

--By Caitlin from Stream of Caitlinness

[Photos via We Heart It]

Guest Post: Creative ways to save money on travel

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During a time of a wavering economy, travel seems to be pushed to the bottom of the list in budgeting priorities, especially for young families. Airfare is higher than ever and hotel discounts are becoming more difficult to come by. Traveling is usually an enormous cost, but it doesn’t have to be. The secret starts with a little creativity and some planning.

The beginning of your travel savings starts in the airport. There are many expenses in the airport that can be avoided if you're a savvy traveler. When checking out your ticket, make sure they don’t charge you for premium seating or travel insurance. Extra baggage fees can be avoided if the luggage is kept under the specified weight requirements. If the travel stay is not for an extended period of time, fees can be avoided by bringing what is needed in the carry-on bag only. If traveling with small children, there are no fees for car seats and strollers.

Many times, the most expensive spots are found during the walk from the check-in to the gate. Packing a brown bag lunch and a book or magazine will keep you from over-spending on airport wares. Getting past the obstacle course of security is not so bad as long as you carry an aluminum water bottle of your own. Plastic water bottles are not permitted, however filling up an aluminum bottle of your own can be used both in the airport and throughout the trip. If traveling with children, wait to fill up the bottles until after you are past the security gates to keep from having to dump it as you go through.

The plane ride will be the next opportunity for added fees. Most airlines provide a free snack and one drink of your choice; however, alcoholic beverages are not free. To avoid any additional charges on the plane ride, pack some extra snacks in the bagged lunch to munch on throughout the flight.

Once the plane has landed, don’t call a taxicab right away. Most airports provide free shuttles. For example, if you are flying into San Francisco, you can use one of the shuttles that runs from SFO airport to your next destination. These shuttles run in cycles and are normally very convenient for any given time of flight arrival. Saving on hotel costs can be tricky, but it is possible. Doing some online research at websites like TravelNerd or Expedia can help save on hotel and car rentals when bundled together.

One of the greatest enjoyments when traveling is trying the new food and different restaurants. Rather than spending the money to eat out, find the nearest grocery store and prepare your own breakfast and lunch. Before booking the hotel, call ahead of time and see if they provide continental breakfast to save the cost an additional meal. Whether on a business trip or family vacation, bringing along fresh fruit for snacks is a cheaper and healthier alternative to snacking from a vending machine.

In addition to these common tricks of traveling, there is yet another great way of tacking on more savings by using the Internet. Search online for discount Web sites, Internet coupons and Groupon for savings on all travel expenses. Coupons are a great way to save money and can be found for anything you need or want to do.

Instead of shopping at a hotel store for a missing button on your blazer, search online for Hancock Fabrics coupons and get the benefit of a convenient shopping experience as well as a discounted rate on whatever you purchase. The button will be waiting for you when you get home. Try not to purchase anything from hotel, airport or gift stores if you are budget-conscious.

Search and print off coupons for the restaurants and retail stores in the area, and plan your meals ahead of time. Many times, coupons can be acquired ahead of time, but coupon booklets are also found on racks at local stores. Keep your eyes open.

With a bit of insight and creativity, traveling costs can be minimized and the entire vacation experience becomes more enjoyable knowing you are staying within your budget.

--Sara Stringer is a freelance writer who most enjoys blogging about lifestyle, relationships and life as a woman. In her spare time, she enjoys soaking up the sunshine with her husband and two kids. Consideration was received for the editing and publishing of this article.

[Photos via We Heart It]