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Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

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North America, Travel
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October 22, 2012

Fall Road Trippin’ to the Finger Lakes

Sometimes one just needs to get away. These past couple of months I have been home working and dealing with all the fun of getting the kids acclimated to school and schedules and routines. In between, my days have been consumed with work and emails and deadlines.[...]

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North America, Travel
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September 26, 2012

Searching for Waterfalls in New Jersey

One of things that I have enjoyed the most about blogging since I started was sharing what I discovered in my everyday life with my kids. Somehow, I lost a little bit of this - the joy of the everyday discoveries. Granted, it has been because we've traveled to plac[...]

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September 7, 2012

Culinary Adventures Off The Beaten Path in Orlando, FL

September is Magical Dining Month in Orlando, FL. I have to say as a former resident of the city of Orlando, I think it fabulous every time great food, and the chefs behind them, is celebrated here. This is because so very few people ever venture into the differen[...]

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North America, Travel
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August 23, 2012

Dreamy, Happy Summer in Vail, CO

My brain went on freeze mode this afternoon and I was looking to get it going again, so I pulled up my photo files and came across this picture: It's me, happy. Really, really happy.read more[...]

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July 23, 2012

Philadelphia with Kids in Tow

I haven't been to Philadelphia in years, and my husband - who is from Wisconsin - has always wanted to check it out. Because we had such a great 4th of July in Washington, DC a couple of years back, we thought it would be fun to celebrate the 4th in yet another ver[...]

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July 17, 2012

The Six Best Surf Towns in the U.S.

Surfing is different from other sports in that it can’t be done just anywhere. It’s so dependent on the weather and the waves that only a handful of beaches stand out as excellent surf spots. This exclusive nature turns hardcore surfers into nomads, traveling t[...]

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July 16, 2012

Playing Tourists in NYC with Kids in Tow

A weekend in NYC is always a fun way to get away from our daily routine and take a mini-vacation without going far at all. Even when we lived in Manhattan, staying in NYC hotels for a night or two was a fun activity for us, as it allowed to take in the city as tour[...]

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July 9, 2012

Where to Stay in Maui, HI

On my visit to Maui, HI, I had the great opportunity to do some hotel hopping, which was pretty great because I was able to get a feel for a few lodging options on the island. The various options I got to experience appeal to a nice variety of travelers, and their[...]

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July 8, 2012

Singing at The Apollo with Tyrese and Other Crazy Dreams Come True

Ok. Let me clarify: I didn't sing with actor, singer Tyrese Gibson - at the same time - but he performed on the same stage, on the same night that I performed at the Apollo's Amateur Night. At the time I was a single mom, and too old already to be seriously consid[...]

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Central America, Travel
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July 1, 2012

Costa Rica, Travel Photography

Costa Rica helped us identify happiness in a way that we usually take for granted. That is our greatest take away and the biggest gift from our recent visit. I share more on that in Happiness, Tico Style: Adventures in Costa Rica. Below are some of the images tha[...]

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Snow day and the art of doing nothing even when th Snow day and the art of doing nothing even when the world demands we do so much. 

It’s ok to breathe. Process in silence. Seek comfort in yourself. Laugh. 

REST IS RESISTANCE. 

They want us scared. Broken. Isolated. Hopeless. Joyless. Exhausted. We are not. This moment is not how our story ends. 

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.” - Audre Lorde
A wintery day with coffee and books was had in Syr A wintery day with coffee and books was had in Syracuse, NY. For our coffee cart (@cafecomodony ) we headed over to @peakscoffeeco roasting site and were treated to a tour and cupping experience of their beautiful coffee selections which we are excited to serve at market this summer. 

We then headed to Books and Melodies to browse through their large selection of used books and vintage vinyls, while the cozy vibey tunes filled the space. 

Followed that with a stop at @kelseyscoffeeandfriends for a warm matcha and delicious breakfast burrito. And while a visit to Peaks Coffee roasters is not a public affair, you can still pick up a bag or two or more at Kelsey’s - trust us, it’s worth it!

Stay warm and safe out there everyone!

#syracuseny #newyork #winterday #thingstodoinsyracuse #booklover
People are sharing memories from 2016 but I think People are sharing memories from 2016 but I think this is my favorite one: going to Jamaica for work with my family. We went on a family adventure and it was the first time the boys were trying snorkeling. 

My youngest was so so scared but I made him get in the water still promising him I would hold his hand, be with him the entire time, and never leave his side. 

When I made him get in the water the other tourists on the boat gave me nasty looks and made comments making it clear they thought I was a shit mom for “ignoring” my son’s fears. I jumped into the water and he was crying tears coming down from behind his snorkel mask. I held his hand as promised and we started swimming.

The coral reef was bustling with life. Fish of all colors, eel, sand sharks, starfish. I wasn’t sure if it would terrify him or excite him. 

I would occasionally check on him with a thumbs up sign and he would confirm with a thumbs up back. After a while he signaled to come up and said “It’s ok mom. I can go on my own from here.” And let go of my hand and off he went. 

I watched him swim away from me and then it was me who started crying feeling both pride in him and that bittersweetness in seeing him not need me anymore. This memory still makes me cry. Today the little boy is pursuing a career in environmental science and forestry and photography (see his work at @liamlcc).

The second best memory of 2016 was Elle King renewing our vows at the Beacon Theater during one of her NYC concerts. Travis had arranged the entire thing…a blur as I was in shock the whole time! We just celebrated 23 years together❤️
@sagra_italia, a newly opened “Brooklyn-style” @sagra_italia, a newly opened “Brooklyn-style” Italian cafe has opened in Rochester, and though I am always skeptical of anything claimed to be “Brooklyn”, I have to say, it was really pretty close. 

We started at the bar for drinks and light bites, where the bartender was friendly and made some pretty kick-ass drinks. We then moved to an open table (no reservations here - walk in and grab an open spot) before ordering from the counter (food is brought to you) You bus your own table, which I think contributes significantly to the affordable menu, and which I honestly didn’t mind. 

The food was solid. I ordered the funghi pasta and we shared a Caesar and fried burrata, which was 😘👌🏾❤️!

The whole vibe was exactly what I needed and the perfect spot to catch up with Rochester friends on a snowy night. 

Kitchen closes at 9PM, bar closes at 10. 

And if you’ve ever been to @tapas177 next door and loved it (if you haven’t, you should go), it’s by the same family. 

Highly recommend and excited to go back. Another Rochester win!

#fingerlakes #rochesterny #rochestereats #newyork #italianfood @visitrochester
The world feels heavy, so here’s some light I no The world feels heavy, so here’s some light I noticed today: this dormant field of wildflowers we planted has been nesting bunny rabbits, birds, and little insect ecosystems this cold season. So even though on the surface it just looks like a field of dead and dried stems, when you look deeper, you’ll notice that it’s also a reprieve, a safe space, a comfort, and a resting place. 

I guess, maybe, that’s a lot of us right now. A little worn out. Tired. Sad. Drained. Overwhelmed. But we can also be someone’s comfort, safe space, peace, shoulder, friend…a little light for those who need it. And maybe that’s what we should remember to keep us going.
I get asked often if I miss the city, and the answ I get asked often if I miss the city, and the answer is all the time, but not really, but also yes, but kinda…depends. 

I think living in a slower paced environment has been good for me. Healthy and challenging in different ways. I sometimes get restless, but often need rest too. I love the space both environmently and in time to be creative. And I love that if I ever do get too restless, I am not far from Rochester (a city I’ve grown to love) or NYC. 

But I also love that when I feel any sense of anxiety, I can step outside, be surrounded by nature, and come back home a little more healed. Life is unpredictable, but during my era of slow living, I want to make sure to appreciate and enjoy all it offers.

#fingerlakes #newyork #slowliving #citygirlinthecountry

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