Globetrotting Mommy

All things family, fun or just plain fabulous!

Archives for July 2014

Around the World in NYC this …

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If you’ll be in New York City this Sunday, August 3, head over to Union Square for some free globetrotting fun at the IYF Culture Exhibition. We checked it out last weekend and really loved all the amazing dance performances from around the world (India, South Africa, Jamaica, Russia, Korea and more…) and multi-cultural exhibits.

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Around the World in NYC

Booths were set up on the periphery with toys, games and dolls, costumes galore, and cultural artifacts from around the world. There were also arts and crafts activities, face painting, photo ops and various multi-cultural demonstrations. My 4-year old daughter especially enjoyed learning about Chinese Checkers (my childhood fave), playing with musical instruments and the life size llama. I sorta wanted to take him home…

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Around the World in NYC

If you’ll be in the area between 10 am and 5 pm, check it out. The nearby Evelyn’s Playground is always a fun pit stop and there are tons of great kid-friendly spots to grab lunch in the hood like Clarke’s Standard, Coffee Shop and Max Brenner.

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Globetrotting Mommy: Coolest …

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It’s time for back-to-school shopping and today I’m sharing my picks for the coolest backpacks.  I was at a Momtrends Back-to-School event last week and learned that the hot fall colors are…..cobalt, orange and berry. Read on if your tots are starting Kindergarden like mine, college kids backpacking through Europe or anywhere in between…

Blue has always been my favorite color so I’m loving these cobalt backpacks for boys.

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Globetrotting Mommy: Coolest Backpacks for Back to School

The Hanna Anderson Monster, L.L. Bean Shark, LeSportsac Stripes and Hannah Anderson Airplanes are all fun backpack designs for young boys.

There is no shortage of adorable backpacks for young girls this fall…

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Globetrotting Mommy: Coolest Backpacks for Back to School

The Lands End Purple Dot, LeSportsac LeFlower, Itzy Ritzy Owl and Pottery Barn Mackenzie designs are great choices.

Older girls can get in on the berry trend with these stylish picks…

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Globetrotting Mommy: Coolest Backpacks for Back to School

This JWorld Dexter berry and blue print backpack from Target is stylish and sophisticated. Fjallraven backpacks from Sweden are all the rage here in NYC and this pink on pink version will stand out from the crowd. Vera Bradley is showcasing some awesome prints this fall and I just love this berry leopard spots backpack. Lastly, this orchid JWorld Collis backpack from Target is casual and comfy.

Older boys will find fun patterns and styles to choose from like…

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Globetrotting Mommy: Coolest Backpacks for Back to School

Green and Navy stripes at Pottery Barn Kids, orange and navy Herschel Supply Co. color block at J. Crew, tech prints at Lands’ End and classic solids at Jansport.

Tween and teen girls will adore these stylish options…

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Globetrotting Mommy: Coolest Backpacks for Back to School

Camouflage is still going strong and I love the hot pink trim on this Gap backpack.  Vera Bradley’s Orange and Berry Ziggy Zags backpack is so fun and on trend especially with coordinating accessories like bracelets, wallets, phone covers and lunch boxes. Orange is the new black and this Jansport off-trail backpack at Madewell is bright and bold. And for the fashionista who loves metallics, check out this rose gold foil snake backpack from LeSportsac.

Did you buy your back-to-school backpacks yet?

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Fun Food Friday: Amazing Ice …

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Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month?  Who comes up with this stuff?  Move over Mister Softee because I’m about to share my top 5 picks for amazing ice cream in NYC’s East Village.

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Fun Food Friday: Amazing Ice Cream Cones in NYC’s East Village

These family friendly frozen treats will please adult and kiddie palates so plan to treat the whole family.

Sundaes and Cones (95 East 10th Street)

This ice cream parlor is around the corner from my apartment and I can still remember indulging in a lot of pregnancy ice cream cravings back in the summer of 2009.  They have some traditional flavors but you’ll want to try the more exotic options like taro, black sesame, Thai tea, wasabi, corn and more. Everything is homemade and delicious.

Davey’s Ice Cream (137 1st Avenue)

This new ice cream shop features handmade classics like Mexican Vanilla, Chocolate Chocolate, Strong Coffee, Cookies & Cream, Peppermint Chip and Roasted Pistachio but you will also want to check out their seasonal flavors like Ultra Babka featuring extra chocolatey cinnamon babka from Moishe’s Bake Shop and Brunch featuring chunks of maple cinnamon brioche french toast and slabs of coffee glazed bacon. OMG!

Big Gay Ice Cream Cone (125 East 7th Street)

This East Village outpost is known for their over the top signature cones like the Salty Pimp (vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche and sea salt topped dipped in chocolate), Bea Arthur (vanilla ice cream topped with dulce de leche and crushed vanilla waffers), Cococone (vanilla ice cream topped with toasted curried coconut) and American Globs (vanilla ice cream, pretzels and sea salt dipped in chocolate).  Yum!  

Momofuku Milk Bar (251 East 13th Street)

Do you remember how the milk at the bottom of your cereal bowl tasted when you were a kid?  Well, imagine that flavor as soft-serve ice cream and you’ve got Cereal Milk Soft Serve.  It’s definitely on the sweet side and not for everyone but kids seem to like it.

Dessert Club, Chikalicious (203 East 10th Street)

Imagine a yummy soft-serve vanilla ice cream served in an eclair!  Yes, its the Eclair Soft Serve Cone and it is also available as in a sandwich version topped with hot fudge.  May as well skip brunch and just have this.

If you’re based in NYC or if you’re heading to the Big Apple this summer, you’ll want to check these out.  Let me know which are your favorites.

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Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 …

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Summertime means visits to amusement parks and today I’m sharing my Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania from my recent road trip…

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting HersheyPark, Pennsylvania – Globetrotting Mommy

1) Start your day early!  You’ll want to be in line when the gates open so you can enjoy the most popular rides before the crowds arrive.  If you can get your kids past the first rides they see and head towards the back of the park first, that’s an even better plan. And if you really want to avoid the crowds, try to schedule your visit mid-week.

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Globetrotting Mommy Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

2) Sneak a Peek!  Guests who purchase a regular full-day admission ticket can enter the park for a sneak preview the night before (either 5:30 pm or 7:30 pm depending on closing times). This is a great time to tackle the more popular rides and make a game plan for the next day.

3) Download the Hersheypark app and you’ll be able to see ride wait times as well as find restaurants, shows, restrooms and more. Try not to leave it running all day or you might run your battery down.

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Globetrotting Mommy Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

4) Prepare to get wet. Bring your bathing suit, water shoes, and towel if you want to visit the Boardwalk water park area featuring 15 rides as well as wave pools and lazy river.  Don’t forget swim diapers and puddle jumpers for the little ones.

5) Take the shuttle if you can.  Most nearby hotels offer free shuttle service to and from Hersheypark and that is definitely the easiest way to go.  The drivers will put your strollers in the luggage compartment so its really easy.

6) Speaking of strollers, take one if you’re bringing kids who are five or younger.  Even if your kids don’t get tired, you’ll be happy to have a place to keep your bags and towels. If you’re bringing older kids, rent a locker or splurge for a cabana so you can have a home base for your stuff because wet towels are HEAVY.

7) Divide and conquer.  If you’ve got a mixed age group, you’ll want to pick a meeting time and place so everyone can enjoy different rides.  Hersheypark is unique because the kiddie and adult rides are mixed together in each area making it easy for families to do one area at a time which is nice. And if you and your partner want to ride an adult ride (imagine that!) or if a parent needs to ride with more than one child, Hersheypark has a “child swap” option where adults or kids can take turns riding.

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Globetrotting Mommy Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

8) Bring your camera! You’ll want to get some pictures of the Hershey characters so make sure to visit them throughout the park or book a Character Breakfast for a more personal encounter.  If you’ve got a waterproof camera, bring that along too.

9) Make a detour to the Zoo America. Admission is included in your Hersheypark ticket so if you or your kids need a little down time (or a quiet place to nap), the zoo is a great retreat.

10) Test out some of the new for 2014 kid-friendly rides like Cocoa Cruiser (a kid-friendly roller coaster), Tea Cups (a classic spinning ride) and Sweet Swing (a gigantic swing that my daughter and I really loved).

Ready to plan your visit to Hershey, PA?  Check out Spotlight on Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Sweetest Place on Earth – Part 1 and Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2 for more suggestions of things to do and see.

What are your favorite tips for visiting Hersheypark?

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Thanks to Hersheypark for providing our tickets.  All opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Spotlight on Wyndham Vacation …

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Wyndham Vacation Rentals.

Did you know that July is National Vacation Rental Month?  If you are a vacation rental virgin, read on for my top five reasons why Wyndham Vacation Rentals are a great choice for family getaways.

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Globetrotting Mommy: Spotlight on Wyndham Vacation Rentals

1) Space, space, space.  When families stay in typical hotel rooms, there is rarely extra room to spread out.  When you book a vacation rental property, you’ll have room for the whole clan to relax without being on top of one another. This is especially important for multigenerational getaways.

2) All the amenities of home.  Wyndham Vacation Rentals come with everything you need to make your vacation enjoyable including fully-equipped kitchens and in-unit washers and dryers so you and your family will feel right at home.

3) All the amenities of a hotel.  When you stay in a Wyndham Vacation Rental you can also receive hotel-like amenities like a concierge, housekeepers and shuttle services at many of its properties. Win win!

4) Your vacation is protected by the Vacation Rental Bill of Rights, an industry-first service pledge that says your stay will be covered from start to finish! This guarantees things like no surprise cancellations, a freshly cleaned unit and online photos that accurately represent the property. If you’ve ever had a vacation disaster, you know what a big deal this is.

5) Big savings! Vacation rentals are a more affordable option compared to traditional hotel rooms and this summer you can save up to 35% off a Wyndham Vacation Rental when you book a stay now through July 31, 2014.

Are you ready to book your vacation getaway? Visit Wyndham Vacation Rentals special page for National Vacation Rental Month and start by selecting from more than 9,000 homes in the U.S. Villas, private homes and resort condos, oh my…I’m ready to go somewhere beachy, like Kiawah Island, South Carolina…

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Globetrotting Mommy: Spotlight on Wyndham Vacation Rentals

What about you?

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Wyndham Vacation Rentals. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

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Fun Food Friday: A Taste of …

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New York City is home to some of best food trucks offering up flavors from all over the world.  If you’re looking to savor a sweet treat from Belgium, just start searching for the closest yellow Wafels & Dinges truck (or cart).

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Fun Food Friday: A Taste of Belgium with Wafels & Dinges

The Belgian waffle debuted at the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens, when a Belgian restauranteur served his wife’s famed recipe. The Wafels & Dinges trucks offer up this classic brussels version as well the liege wafel, a soft and chewy version. There are savory wafels as well as ice creams and coffees but you’ll really want to stick with the sweet ones. Once you pick your wafel, you can select from the dinges or toppings like dulce de leche (fresh from Argentina), Vermont maple syrup, Belgian chocolate fudge, spekuloos spread, whipped cream, Nutella, fruit and more.

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Fun Food Friday: A Taste of Belgium with Wafels & Dinges

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Fun Food Friday: A Taste of Belgium with Wafels & Dinges

Looks good, right? Check out their website to find a truck or cart near you or call the Hot Wafeline at 866-429-7329. You can also follow them on Twitter to be updated on specials and truck locations.

Bon appetit!

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Staycation Ideas 101: Juggle …

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Traveling with kids can be tough but sometimes you can have just as much fun at home (without packing or jet lag) when you take a staycation!  If your kids are home this summer, plan some day trips and explore your hometown like a tourist or just head out to your backyard or nearest playground and bring out some new summer toys!

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Globetrotting Mommy Staycation Ideas: Juggle Bubbles

Kids of all ages love bubbles but when I heard about Juggle Bubbles…bubbles you can touch and hold in your hands…I was intrigued.  The box arrived and when I showed my four-year old, she immediately squealed with joy and told me how much she had wanted these.  I thought I was surprising her with something new but apparently she had already seen the commercial…

Juggle Bubbles were a huge hit!  The kit includes a bubble blower, a bubble tray, bubble solution and a pair of magic gloves. It takes a bit to master the blowing technique and figure out the ideal medium-ish size but once we did, voila…

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Globetrotting Mommy Staycation Ideas: Juggle Bubbles

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Globetrotting Mommy Staycation Ideas: Juggle Bubbles

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Globetrotting Mommy Staycation Ideas: Juggle Bubbles

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Globetrotting Mommy Staycation Ideas: Juggle Bubbles

When you’re wearing the special stretchy gloves, you can gently touch, bounce and hold the bubbles. The box says ages 5+ but younger kids could definitely play along if a grown up handled the blowing. You’ll want to use these on a not too windy day for best results.  I think they’d be just as fun on the beach or at a picnic as they were in the park. And here’s a tip, if you have a hard to photograph child, these are a great distraction and you’ll be sure to get a lot of smiling action shots.

I think Juggle Bubbles would be a great surprise to pack on your adventures near or far. I also think they’d make a great gift for kids of all ages.

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I was not compensated for this post but I did receive Juggle Bubbles for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

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Global Inspired Gift Idea for …

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Tired of giving the same old baby gifts all the time? If you’re looking for a fun, globally inspired gift idea for babies born in 2014, you’ll want to check out Jade Stars: The Great Race book and gifts.

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Global Inspired Gift Idea for Babies born in 2014: Jade Stars: The Great Race

We’ve all heard that this is the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese Zodiac, but do you know the story of how these zodiacs came to be? This colorful book features modern cartoon illustrations of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs making it a great learning tool to teach young children about the various animals as well as colors.

My daughter and I had the chance to review this book firsthand. As the story unfolds, we learn that the Jade Emperor has organized a Great Race and all his favorite animals must compete against each other to earn their place in the lunar calendar.   Its a cute tale that teaches kids about personality traits, strengths and weaknesses as well as working as partners. My four-year old daughter picked up on the lessons about teamwork and I learned a story I never knew before.

Since books are a great baby gift, I think this would be a fun unisex baby shower or baby gift for any globetrotting baby born in 2014.  The books are sold individually along with matching plush animals and other gifts. The Year of the Horse Plush Limited edition is the first to be released. Cute, right?

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Global Inspired Gift Idea for Babies born in 2014: Jade Stars: The Great Race

Check out the entire collection at Mini Magellan.

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Globetrotting Moms: Cute …

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Heading out of town for a July 4th weekend getaway? Check out these cute weekender bags…

I think these would be fun for a beach getaway with or without the kiddos but they’d also work well for a visit to your favorite friend’s house or a weekend retreat.

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Globetrotting Moms: Best Weekender Bags for July 4th Getaways

1) This neon pink and white canvas duffel from J. Crew is trendy and fun.  It won’t stay this clean but since its on sale for $25 right now, I wouldn’t worry about that.

2) I love strips for a beachy retreat and the cool mint trim gives this Raleigh Weekender Bag a fun modern vibe.

3) Red, white and blue is a classic look for July 4th weekend and this Rail and Wharf 12-Hour Tote is patriotic in a classy way. Perfect if you’re packing light or sailing around for a day.  It could also be a chic diaper bag if you just throw in some wipes and a changing pad.

4) This Ali Lamu Weekend Bag from Etsy is handmade from old cotton sail cloths.  I love the one-of-a-kind factor and the rope handles.

Whether you’re heading near or far this holiday weekend, I hope you have a great time!

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