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December 31, 2014

Before I kiss 2014 Goodbye

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Thank you for another wonderful year of readership, friendship, community, support, and affection.

This wonderful life of ours has been a beautiful roller coaster of lessons in family, marriage, courage, and the pursuit of individual passions.

2015 promises to throw a lot more of those things our way, and in the mix, we will continue to explore the world, our neighborhood, and ourselves.

Long before I blogged and was awarded so much, I lost a lot. What those losses taught me was that life is too short and every new day we wake up to experience is an opportunity to be better, get better, do better, and pursue better.

Every day is a chance to pursue our joy and share it with others. As long as we don’t lose hope in the possibilities that lay before us those chances can seem endless. Who we are today is not who we will always be, especially if who we are isn’t what makes us happy. Take it from me. I sometimes feel I have lived three different lives!

I am grateful for any day I am given in this new coming year where I get the chance to be the best that I can be in all aspects of my life so that hopefully when I am gone whatever mark I leave, however small, only serves to inspire and make someone smile. I may not always succeed, but man, am I trying.

And that is all we can hope for, my dear friends, and why I love sharing my stories with you. May next year have countless days where we live, love, and laugh to the fullest.

Thank you for taking the time to read, share, and comment.

I hope that I inspire you as often and as much as you inspire me.

Happy 2015!

 ggt_new_years2

 

 

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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4 Comments
  • Kelly Stilwell
    December 31, 2014

    I am so glad I subscribed. You inspire me! Happy New Year! Here’s to a great 2015!!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Kelly Stilwell
      December 31, 2014

      Thank you! Happy New Year!

      Reply
  • Nnenna
    December 31, 2014

    Happy New Year to you and your family, Carol. Looking forward to many more of you and your family adventures.

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Nnenna
      December 31, 2014

      Thank you so much! All the best to you and yours! xo

      Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Contact

  • caincarol@gmail.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

This time of year is a joyous one but it can also This time of year is a joyous one but it can also be terribly overwhelming and draining. 

As someone managing two small businesses and all that life throws my way, I felt I needed a little escape, and Rochester always delivers!

We booked a hotel room, hit up all of our favorite spots, and a couple of new ones. On the list of musts:

📍Highland Park Diner- a must for a hearty breakfast to start the day. Best on weekdays for no crowds. 
📍Siren and the Sea - new cafe bookstore full of good reads, cozy vibes, and yummy drinks
📍Happy Earth Tea - where I picked up some delicious chai and matcha (also a sweet little yap spot with friends). 
📍Lamberton Conservatory - especially this time of year as it’s decorated for the holidays. Was a lovely spot to sit on a bench and zen out for a bit.
📍Winter Swan Coffee - afternoon cafecito, gift and plant shopping
📍Ugly Duck Coffee - the main reason we were inspired to come to Rochester on this specific day, for their Industry Night, where we nerded out about coffee “and beyond”. Of course we went back the next morning for coffee!
📍Rochester Public Market - for some evening holiday market strolling and hellos to our friends Sylvan Farm and Cidery who were working the market!
📍Lucky’s for dinner - yummy, but man oh man do I miss their onion rings!

Absolutely love this city for it’s ability to make me feel happier and lighter. Happy place 🫶🏾.
I’ve seen some pretty spectacular sunsets in my I’ve seen some pretty spectacular sunsets in my travels. Some of my absolute favorites have been on a beach in Mazatlán, Mexico, behind The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, while sitting on a fisherman’s dock in Seoul, South Korea, along the rugged seashore of La Perla, Puerto Rico, and here in the Finger Lakes. Not an exaggeration. The sunsets here are stunning. Breathtaking even. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #citygirlinthecountry #sunsethour
As a Brooklyn girl, born and raised, I never could As a Brooklyn girl, born and raised, I never could’ve imagined a reason to stray too far from my beloved city…and then, I found the Finger Lakes. Never say never. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Bonus: Brooklyn feels like a world away from all this peace and beauty, but it’s only a 4 hour drive. 🫶🏾

#fingerlakes #newyork #citygirlinthecountry #roadtrip
During my recent jaunt to @visittheberkshires I im During my recent jaunt to @visittheberkshires I immersed myself in @massmoca bliss. With 250,000 square feet of gallery space, it’s easy to understand how with three visits thus far,  I still haven’t seen all there is to see. 

Strolling the interconnected buildings and walkways leads you into a new experience, and with each ticket allowing for two consecutive day visits, you are encouraged to take your time. 

Another thing to note is that in between my visits (separated by a month’s time) I got to see new installations that weren’t there before, as many of the exhibits are ever-evolving. 

I have yet to visit during warmer temps, when the outdoor spaces are activated with more art and events, so am definitely excited to return. It would also be cool to catch a live performance there! 

Bonus: the coffee shop adjacent to the museum - @tunnelcitycoffee - serves up some good sips, and I highly recommend reservations to @casitaberkshires, the Mexican restaurant also on campus.

#berkshiresma #roadtrip #museum #massmoca #visitberkshires
This winter promises to be a snowy one and honestl This winter promises to be a snowy one and honestly, I couldn’t be more excited. Experiencing true four seasons is one of the things I love about living here because everything changes each time. The energy is more serene and mellow. The world is so chaotic and sad in many ways these days, it’s really healing to be surrounded by the quiet and stillness of nature on a snow day in the Finger Lakes. 

#fingerlakes #upstateny #snowday
Almost 6 months ago, and after a few months of hos Almost 6 months ago, and after a few months of hosting just family and friends at home, I launched to the public a “little something” I felt was really bringing me joy and really made others happy too…a reason to come together. 

I wanted something that allowed for more in-person connections in a way that I loved to do so the most…by serving something yummy to strangers and friends alike. Café Cómodo has become more than I expected, faster than I imagined, and some of the hardest work I’ve done to date. But I love it. 

And now, we’ve secured a long term partnership with @sulfurbooks, in Clifton Springs, NY. 

Started January 10, 2026 and every second Saturday of the month till December 2026 (with a few extra events sprinkled in between), we will be serving a community of growing fans in a community bookstore we all adore. 

I look forward to continued growth, more meaningful partnerships, and making people happy, one cafecito at a time. ☕️

Thank you to everyone who has been supportive of my little café dreams from day 1. Look what you helped make possible!! 

Thank you to Sarah and team for this opportunity and to the Clifton Springs community for the warm welcome. 🫶🏾

#cafecomodo

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