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June 19, 2017

Lessons learned in my first year of homeschooling

This week marks one year since I took my kids out of school just a few days shy of their official end-of-year date. We headed off on a volunteerism trip  to the Dominican Republic, which was work for me, but also served as a kick-off to their homeschooling journey[...]

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Public Relations & Branding
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May 11, 2017

Travel choices: When ethics, community solidarity, and ambition for personal growth collide

Travel is personal to me, as it should be to you.

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Public Relations & Branding
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May 8, 2017

Making the case for the “newbie” blogger

We all started somewhere. But it is how we move forward that matters most.

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Asia, Travel
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April 5, 2017

The awakening that is Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel, Palestine

A trip into Bethlehem, Palestine and a powerful awakening through art.

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Travel
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February 3, 2017

The Story of an Iranian Refugee: My Sister

The immigration ban hurts us all and for many of us, this is very personal.

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Travel
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November 30, 2016

November was hard, but it also changed my life

November was full of some tough moments, but some others were really great.

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Travel
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November 4, 2016

It took me a year to write this, and just as long to return to me

It's easy to tell someone to have confidence in their voice. But what happens when your own voice is challenged? My year of reflection.

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Travel
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August 18, 2016

When you are a nature-lover, and of color, in America

Recently, I decided to take my boys out for a day of hiking. There are some short hikes around the reservation near our home here in  New Jersey, but I wanted something a bit more challenging, so we headed an hour away to Pennsylvania to explore the trails along t[...]

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Travel
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March 8, 2016

Remembering Priorities and Tips for Avoiding Burn Out

I finally finished unpacking two suitcases that sat on my bedroom floor from trips that I did back-to-back with very little time at home. This is the dream life of many travel bloggers and writers I know. It is definitely not mine. For the past couple of years[...]

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Travel
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October 29, 2015

The Best Travel Stories

This year has been an incredible year in travel. Traveling to Thailand, my first trip to Asia, was such a great experience, visiting Istanbul as part of my role as a White House Travel Blogger was surreal, visiting Guatemala - twice - left me beyond words, and of c[...]

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Happy winter and merry everything as we enjoy anot Happy winter and merry everything as we enjoy another snowy day in the Finger Lakes. 

Personally, I am ready to hibernate for a bit and enjoy a book or two by the fire while the sounds of my guys fills our home. 

I am in no rush to start the new year but am also excited to get started. I want a year filled with more time with friends, and pursuing projects that I am really inspired by and to be surrounded by inspiring people. I expect to say no a lot this year, after so many years of saying yes and regretting it. I want days that feel happy and healthy and fulfilling. 

Not too much to ask, right? And I wish you all a happy and healthy year too. May you love and be loved in all the ways you deserve and need. ❤️

Thanks for the follow, the support, the DMs and comments, and kindness expressed and shared.
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

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