Globetrotting Mommy

From Family Adventures to Girlfriend Getaways

Top five Vacation or …

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Looking to do something fun for Mother’s Day weekend at home or away?  Act fast and book one of these five options.

For moms who love music:

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Globetrotting Mommy Mother’s Day Ideas: Tunes with Tina at Langham Place, Fifth Avenue

Mother’s Day Brunch is always a win but Tunes with Tina at NYC’s Langham Place, Fifth Avenue is a family friendly sing-along brunch that ensures mom will enjoy a civilized meal while the kiddies are entertained.  Families can join in as Tina deVaron sings a mix of pop hits, Disney Classics and other family favorites.  Chef David Vandenabeele’s menu features Belgian Waffles, Breakfast Pizzas, Quiches, Breakfast Sandwiches, Scotch Egg and more as well as a selection of desserts and sweets. So basically, mom can enjoy yummy brunch and a mimosa or two while the kiddies sing Let it Go to their heart’s delight.  That’s a win-win in my book. Be sure to bring your video camera because Measure Lounge is a much better backdrop than your toy-filled living room.

If you’re looking for a family getaway filled with fun adventures and dancing, famed kids musician Moey is welcoming fans with a Mother’s Day Getaway Package at Vermont’s Wilberton Inn.  The package includes a Saturday Night Family Disco Party, Farm Fresh Mother’s Day Brunch and a Mother’s Day Moey Concert.  The inn features a mix of bed-and-breakfast rooms as well as cottages and a 14-bedroom mansion making this a great pick for family reunions.  Rates start at $150 per night for Mother’s Day weekend so pack your princess dresses and boas and head on over.

For moms who love pampering:

Mom can retreat to the beach for some well-deserved R&R with the Girlfriend Getaway Package at the Grand Lucayan on Grand Bahama Island.  The getaway includes a two-night stay in an Ocean View Room, daily breakfast at Willy Broadleaf, manicures and pedicures at the Senses Spa and poolside cocktails at Hammerheads Bar.  I can’t think of a more relaxing way to spend Mother’s Day. Can you? Rates start at $211 per night (mention code GIRLS).

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Globetrotting Mommy Mother’s Day Ideas: theBalm Mom travel package at Stanford Court

Stanford Court in San Francisco is offering theBalm Mom travel package where moms will enjoy a visit to theBalm Cosmetics’ new flagship store located in the hip Mission District.  Moms will be greeted with a glass of champagne before they enjoy a deluxe makeover complete with a recorded take-home iPad tutorial video demonstrating the step-by-step makeup application process.  Moms will also receive eyebrow waxes and select products from theBalm’s cosmetic line, including customized 9-well eye shadow palettes from the “Eye Shadow Bar” and more.  Aside from the pampering, guests will enjoy overnight accommodations at Stanford Court, complimentary breakfast for two at Aurea Lounge and town car transportation to and from the store.  This sounds like a great mother/daughter getaway to me.

For moms who love getting crafty:

Make Meaning is one of my favorite spots to get crafty in NYC because they offer up so many different types of projects (soaps, ceramics, cookies, etc.).  For Mother’s Day, four of their stores (Upper East and Upper West in NYC and Legacy Place Scottsdale Quarter in Arizona and Thousand Oaks in California) will be featuring Tea-Tin & Cookie Decorating sessions for kids of all ages.  For just $35, moms and kids can personalize tea tins and decorate cookies with step-by-step personalized instruction.  Once completed, you’ll select three teas for the tin making it a great gift for any mom or grandma.

If you still need a Mother’s Day present, check out my Mother’s Day Gift Guide.

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Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with …

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Looking for some fun ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with kids?  Here are some fun ideas whether you’re planning a big fiesta or a little play date.

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Globetrotting Mommy: Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Kids

Set the mood with some cute decorations like the rainbow donkey piñata, fun fake moustaches and the sombrero centerpiece pictured above from Birthday Express Fiesta Collection.

Serve kid friendly snacks like chips and salsa, quesadillas and mini tacos. Have some fun margaritas for grown-ups and fruit smoothies for the kiddies.  Last but not least, don’t forget about dessert.  These rainbow pinata cookies are so cute and not that impossible to make.

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Globetrotting Mommy: Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Kids

Ole!

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Spotlight on Florida: A Day in …

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Thanks to this winter’s Polar Vortex, I got an to enjoy an extended Florida getaway with my mom and daughter. After four (yes four!) flight cancellations, we decided to just stay put and went to spend some time with our cousins in Palm City.

We set out to explore one day and landed in the Treasure Coast town of Downtown Stuart which was so cute I wanted to share our adventures with you.  Stuart is celebrating their Centennial this May with a week of Celebrate Stuart activities so if you’ll be nearby, check it out.

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Spotlight on Florida: A Day in Historic Downtown Stuart

Here are my top 10 family friendly things to do in Historic Downtown Stuart:

1) Ride the trolly.  As you walk around, you’ll soon notice a trolly running up and down the streets with a friendly driver who asks if you need a ride.  Jump on and enjoy a free tour.  They will drop you off wherever you want and pick you up again when you’re ready.  Our driver even gave us coupons for ice cream!

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Spotlight on Florida: A Day in Historic Downtown Stuart

2) Shop till you drop.  Moms, kids and grandparents will find a lot of shopping opportunities.  Some of my favorites were Go Fish, Caramba! and Gumbo Limbo Coastal Chic.

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Spotlight on Florida: A Day in Historic Downtown Stuart

3) Have lunch at The Pelican Cafe where you can sit alfresco at the “beach” and enjoy water views while your toes wiggle in the sand.  They give kids beach toys to play with which is a great distraction allowing adults to enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet.  The Almost Famous Fish Tacos were delicious.

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Spotlight on Florida: A Day in Historic Downtown Stuart

4) Walk around, take in the architecture and watch the laid back locals.  You’ll detox immediately.

5) Stop for ice cream at Kilwin’s Chocolates and Ice Cream where you can enjoy homemade chocolates, hand-paddled fudges and original recipe ice cream.  I highly recommend the toasted coconut ice cream.  Yummm.

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Spotlight on Florida: A Day in Historic Downtown Stuart

6) Go for mommy and me pedicures at Tootsies.  This super-cute shoe store offers manicures and pedicures, something I’d never seen before.

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Spotlight on Florida: A Day in Historic Downtown Stuart

7) Take in a show at The Lyric Theater which has ben offering concerts, plays, movies and dance performances since 1926.

8) Visit the Stuart Heritage Museum where you’ll find preserved artifacts, maps, clothing and furniture.  It’s open daily and admission is free.

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Spotlight on Florida: A Day in Historic Downtown Stuart

9) Go for an afternoon or sunset sail with A Daze Charters. They’ll let you take the helm if you’re interested or you can just chill with a drink and light hors d’oeuvres.

10) Take a stroll on the scenic boardwalk and take some photographs.  It’s a great backdrop.

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Spotlight on Florida: A Day in Historic Downtown Stuart

Bon voyage!

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide …

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Mother’s day is coming up (May 11 in the United States) so don’t wait till the last minute to get your mom (or wife) a great Mother’s Day present.  Of course the best gifts are handmade so have your kiddo make a card or necklace to go along with one of these picks from my Mother’s Day Gift Guide.

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Globetrotting Moms

For the spa loving mom:

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Globetrotting Moms

Teleflora and SpaFinder Wellness have teamed up to offer beautiful mother’s day floral gift combos that include a SpaFinder gift card ($25, $50 or $100) so mom can choose from an array of spa services, beauty treatments or other premier wellness offerings available at any SpaFinder partner location worldwide.  Such a perfect choice for the mom who loves flowers and pampering spa treatments.

For the mom who loves pictures:

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Globetrotting Moms

I know they’re time consuming to make but there are few gifts moms enjoy more than a custom-made photo book.  Grab your computer and design your own keepsake photo book of your last family vacation or photos of you and your mom. I guarantee she’ll love it.  Shutterfly has a great selection of travel themed styles including more than 30 designs.

For the mom who loves to travel with her daughter:

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Globetrotting Moms

I just finished reading We’ll Always Have Paris: A Mother/Daughter Memoir, a great memoir about a mom who travels around Europe each summer with her daughter.   If you’ve ever taken a getaway with your mom, you’ll both love reading this book. Read Jennifer Coburn’s guest post here.

For the jewelry loving mom:

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Globetrotting Moms

These little mother and daughter necklaces are so adorable.  There are also cute mother and son necklace and key chain combos because boys like presents too.

For the mom who loves to explore the world:

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Globetrotting Moms

These Cavallini Vintage Maps Postcards feature 18 assorted vintage map postcards packaged in a cute tin.

For the mom who loves her kitchen:

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Globetrotting Moms

This Bloom Flower Utensil Set is super cute and useful.

For the mom who adores bath time:
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Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Globetrotting Moms

From the majestic pine covered cliffs of the En-Vau Calanque to a swim in the azure sea below, few afternoons can rival a day spent in the Calanques. Hook mom up with this Calanques Marine Sur La Route Soap and a glass of perfectly chilled white from Chateau de Fontcreuse and she’ll be in heaven.  Just make sure to leave her alone for an hour or two.

 

For the mom who dreams of a Paris getaway:

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Globetrotting Moms

Why not surprise your mom with tickets for a Parisian spring getaway! Not in the cards this year, these adorable Paris themed cookies may be the next best thing to springtime in Paris.

For the Jet Setter mom:

Jonathan Adler and Tumi have teamed up to offer an array of fun and stylish luggage.  I think any jet setting mom would love this Super Leger International Wheeled Satchel.

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Globetrotting Moms

Bon voyage!

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Fun Food Friday: Celebrate …

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Did you know April is National Grilled Cheese month?  If you’re looking for a sophisticated grilled cheese recipe and a chance to win a Sonoma getaway (because this grown up version goes great with a glass of wine and ocean views), read on.  If not, stick to your white bread and American cheese and move along.

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Fun Food Friday: Celebrate Grilled Cheese Month Sonoma County Style

To celebrate the delicious pairing of a crispy and gooey grilled cheese sandwich with a delicious glass of wine, Sonoma County’s winemaking pioneer St. Francis Winery has launched its third annual Gourmet Grilled Cheese Contest.  Inspiring food aficionados to pair a signature grilled cheese recipe with their favorite St. Francis wine, contestants can upload their entry on the St. Francis’ Facebook page now through May 5th, 2014 for a chance to win a four-day trip to Sonoma, CA and the winery. Sonoma sounds great to me after this long, cold winter so I’ll definitely be entering.

Grilled Cheese Expert MacKenzie Smith of www.GrilledCheeseSocial.com shares her favorite, Spring time grilled cheese recipe paired with St. Francis Old Vines Zinfandel below.

Ingredients (Yield 1 sandwich)
-1 bagel, cut in half and scooped out
-1 small wedge of Wisconsin Brie
-2 tbsp of BelGioioso Mascarpone Cheese
-2 tbsp of blistered blueberries (recipe below)
-A few basil leaves, torn
-2 pats of salted butter

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Globetrotting Mommy Fun Food Friday: Celebrate Grilled Cheese Month Sonoma County Style

Directions

1. First, cut your bagel in half and scoop out the interior of both sides. This will create the perfect little nook to keep your fillings inside the sandwich. Then, with a very sharp serrated knife, very carefully cut off the outside off the bagel so that the nice bready interior can be used to create a super crispy crust on your sandwich at the end.

2. Next, fill the nook of one half of your bagel with brie. Try to keep it all in the grilled cheese canyon or mote as I like to think of it. After all, it is guarding your face from getting burnt by molten cheese.

3. Then, lay your blistered blueberries on top of the Brie.

* To make these sweet and tart treats, all you need to do is melt a pat of salted butter in your skillet and add a cup of blueberries. Turn your heat to high and let them cook up. Add a tablespoon of brown sugar once you start to see them pop and stir until evenly coated. Allow to cook for a few more minutes until the juices release and start to thicken.

**And if you don’t want to go through all that, you could totally just use some sort of blueberry preserves. Those will work perfectly, they just won’t be as much fun as making them yourself!

4. Next, lay some torn basil leaves on top of your blueberries. I think this earthy herbal contrast is so nice against the creamy brie and the bright blueberries. Fresh mint would also be super dope.

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Globetrotting Mommy Fun Food Friday: Celebrate Grilled Cheese Month Sonoma County Style

5. Almost done! Just smear on some of that sweet mascarpone into the other bagel half’s canal and really pack it in there. It’s so good. If you’ve never had it before, it’s like sweet cream cheese mixed with ricotta mixed with whatever kisses the hottest person in the world gives. Yeah, it’s like that.

6. Combine the two halves together and awe in their glory.

7. Now that this insane sandwich is built, turn your burner to medium high and butter both sides of your soon-to-be grilled cheese. Place it in your skillet and allow to cook for a few minutes until the bagel turns golden and crispy. Flip and repeat. Remember, both of these cheeses melt super fast so they don’t need to be on the burner for long. Just a few minutes will do.

8. Then once it’s all done, you will definitely want to let this little baby sit for a minute or two. Those cheeses need to thicken up and soak in all the flavors from the blueberries and the basil. Or if you can’t wait, who cares, you’ll just have to lick your plate to make sure nothing goes to waste.

Dig in babes!

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Family Friendly Spring Break …

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Its not too late to escape for a family friendly spring break getaway. Here are my top five picks for Easter vacations the whole family will love.

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Easter activities await families at Waldorf Astoria’s Boca Raton Resort

1) Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort – Easter themed fun in Florida awaits with the Mad Hatter’s Silly Spring Party with bounce houses, carnival games, “Bunny Hop” sack races, face painting, balloon artists and live music.  Guests will also enjoy a 10,000 Easter egg hunt on the resorts golf course, Easter Bunny appearances and an extensive Easter Bunny Brunch Buffet.

2) El Capitan Canyon – This luxury camping resort is nestled in the Santa Ynex Valley in Santa Barbara, California where native Californian Jackrabbit or Cottontail Hare are often spotted. Families can enjoy a special Easter brunch buffet featuring El Capitan’s very own Easter Bunny, a 3,000 egg hunt for kids and a wine tasting event for parents.

3) El Conquistador Resort & Las Casitas Village – Located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, these luxe Waldorf Astoria Resorts are featuring an array of Easter events for kids of all ages.  Activities include photo ops with Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny, egg decorating, multiple egg hunts (think underwater, traditional or in the dark), face painting, Easter themed spa treatments (Honey Bunny spa facials and My Chick-A-Dee reflexology foot massages!) and more.  Parents can enjoy an aged rum tour, mojito and ceviche making classes and a wines around the world tasting.

4) Grand Lucayan – This Grand Bahama Island hotspot is offering a slew of Easter activities and meals as well as Spring Fever rates starting at $125 per night.  Kids can enjoy Easter egg hunts, sand castle building, scavenger hunts, movie nights and family relay races while parents receive discounted spa services and golf fees.

5) Harbor View Hotel – Martha’s Vineyard is gorgeous in springtime and Harbor View Hotel is offering Easter activities including Sunday brunch at the hotel’s signature Water Street restaurant and an Easter egg hunt on Lighthouse Beach and Harbor View’s grounds.  Special 50 percent off rates are available for the cottage suites.  Call the hotel directly at (800) 225-6005 to book.

Have a great weekend…

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Fun Food Friday: Trader …

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Trader Joe’s sells so many yummy things but one item that wows everyone in my family is Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter spread.  Originating from Belgium, Speculoos is a type of spiced shortbread cookie traditionally baked around Christimas time.  The popular cookies have now found their way into an array of delicious spreads, cookie butters and ice cream flavorings (Belgium’s version of our Cookies and Cream).

Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter is delicious on toast, as a sandwich spread or just straight out of the jar.  It doesn’t contain nuts so its lunchbox friendly and I love to use it as “skin” when I make funny face apples or as “sauce” when I make dessert pizza. Its so popular there actually a Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter page on Facebook.  Who knew?

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Globetrotting Mommy Fun Food Friday: Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter Spread offers up a taste of Belgium

So, here are your options, assuming you live near one of the many Trader Joe’s stores in the U.S.  Looking for a store near you?  Check out the new Trader Joe’s app.

– Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter Spread:  the original flavor with a consistency of smooth peanut butter.

– Trader Joe’s Speculoos Crunchy Cookie Butter Spread:  the same flavor as the original with crunchy cookies mixed in.

– Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie & Cocoa Swirl: this one mixes the original flavor with a smooth cocoa stripe for those craving a little chocolate with their cookies.

Which one is your favorite?

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Fun Food Friday: Celebrate …

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Irish Coffee is one of Irelands most famous drinks and one of the best Irish Coffee spots in the US is San Francisco’s famed Buena Vista.  According to the bar’s history, in the early 1950’s, the combined efforts of the former owner, a travel writer and the mayor of San Francisco, a dairy owner, resulted in the successful re-creation of the Irish original.

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Fun Food Friday: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with San Francisco’s Buena Vista Irish Coffee

(photo credit)

If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by.  If not, why not recreate the famous recipe at home.

Irish Coffee

• Fill a glass with very hot water to preheat, then empty.

• Fill three-quarters of the glass with hot coffee and drop in 2 sugar cubes.

• Stir until sugar is dissolved.

• Add a jigger of Irish Whiskey (1.5 oz.)

• Top with a collar of 2 oz. whipped heavy cream by pouring it over the back of a spoon.

• Enjoy while piping hot

Have a great weekend!

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Spotlight on New Orleans: …

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Looking for a kid-friendly activity to celebrates Marti Gras at home? Fat Tuesday is tomorrow and while my daughter is too young to enjoy the debauchery of Marti Gras in New Orleans, she’s just the right age for making beaded necklaces out of candy! Here’s a tutorial to make your own New Orleans inspired candy necklace to get you in the celebratory mood.

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Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

Grab some string or ribbon, scissors and edible treats with holes in the center to string and you’re good to go. Twizzlers, Life Savers, gummy circles, Cheerios and Fruit Loops are ideal for this project. Kids can design a pattern, create monotone creations or just pick and choose as they go. This is a great project for kids of all ages but younger kids might need some help with stringing.

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Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

Cut the string and tie a candy at one end with a knot. Add candy and cereal until you’ve perfected the design and length. Knot the ends and slip it over your heads.

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Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

Globetrotting Mommy - Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

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Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

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Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

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Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

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Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

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Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

This would be a fun birthday party activity especially if you color coordinated the candy to match your theme.

Traveling to Nola? Check out my favorite New Orleans restaurants for families.

Visit Philly this weekend and …

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Looking for a fun weekend getaway?  Head to Philadelphia January 17-19  where you can celebrate Ben Franklin’s 308th birthday with festivities, giveaways and parties to honor America’s favorite Founding Father.

Globetrotting Mommy: Philadelphia Celebrates Ben Franklin's 308th Birthday. Photo credit: R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia™

Globetrotting Mommy: Philadelphia Celebrates Ben Franklin’s 308th Birthday. Photo credit: R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia™

Family friendly highlights for the January 17-19 events include:

  • Visit Philadelphia™ is providing free admission for up to 1,250 visitors to the new Benjamin Franklin Museum all birthday weekend long. At the museum, history buffs can explore Franklin’s life and accomplishments through interactive activities, artifacts, video presentations and more.
  • A fountain of inspirational quotes, Franklin left a legacy of sayings that are repeated dozens of times each day. But which are people’s favorites? Visit Philadelphia™ will find out the answer to this question in daily Facebook polls that encourage fans to vote for a quote now through January 17.  Visit Philadelphia’s Facebook page will post two quotes daily and each Facebook follower who votes for their favorite will be entered to win a Franklin-themed getaway prize package, including hotel accommodations, admission to various Franklin-themed attractions, gift certificates for Franklin-inspired meals and more.
  • On January 17, visitors can get their photo taken with a life-size statute of Ben in the National Constitution Center‘s Signers’ Hall, sign his birthday card and then enjoy some birthday cake. In honor of Franklin’s 308th birthday, guests also enjoy $3.08 off general admission tickets.
  • More than three centuries after his birth, Franklin remains ageless in his many portraits. Ben buffs can join a National Park Service ranger for the Happy Birthday Benjamin Franklin program in the Portrait Gallery at the Second Bank of the United States. It highlights photos of Franklin and his contemporaries and touches on how their contributions continue to impact the world today.
  • At the Historic Philadelphia Center, revelers can meet Ben in person, listen to stories about the famed American and partake in other family-friendly activities during Ben Franklin’s Birthday Celebration. Free birthday cake at 1:00 p.m. on January 17.

Philadelphia is one of my favorite cities on the East Coast.  Visit Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website for more details and to play your getaway.

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