Categories
Events Travel

Celebrate the season with a stay @GreatWolfLodge #gwlhowlidays #snowland #GWLNE #travel #hosted

The holiday season is a great time to visit Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg as snowland is the theme of this massive indoor waterpark destination! From November 28 through January 3, Great Wolf Lodge transforms into a magical winter wonderland. My family and I spent an overnight at the lodge and was welcomed with wonderful holiday décor and fun activities. Santa was on hand to hear all the kids wishes and we even got to stay in the Snowland Suites. Our room had a Christmas tree and lights were everywhere. There were decorations of snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and I loved the extra touch of how they wrapped all the pictures in the room. It really was a nice way to get into the holiday spirit. We also got to take home with us a commemorative Snowland throw and a copy of the winter story book, Unique as a Snowflake – add to that a delivery of milk and cookies at the end of the night by a special Great Wolf Kids™ character and the extras really make this a unique get-a-way unlike any other. It really is more than an indoor water park. For the younger kids there is story time, forest friends show and more. The Howlin timbers play park which offers Howl at the Moon Mini Golf, Ten Paw Alley, the Frog Hopper amusement ride and the Howlers Peak Ropes Course. So mom if you are weary of the twisty water rides take a visit with your kids to the ropes coursein the play park or have the kids visit the scooops spa! Click here for a list of all the attractions.

The Great Wolf Lodge is a fun, close get-a-way this holiday season with lots to do for kids of all ages. We stayed onsite to enjoy a dinner at the Lodge Wood Fired Grill and it was great. I got the buffet which was mostly a Mexican theme and it was really good. Kids loved their meals as well, but there are so many food options to choose from. There is also a Dunkin Donuts onsite. As my kids are on the older side the two best slides, according to both of them, are the wolf’s tale and howlin tornado. The wolf tale is super fast and daring! You step into this launch pod – according to the description on the web site – and the floor drops out from under you, and you’re hurled into a nearly vertical, 20-foot free fall, followed immediately by a 360-degree, high-speed loop! Everyone in my family did it. I did not this visit but have in the past and I cannot believe I did it! It is unlike any water ride I have been on. And the howlin tornado, well  this ride is built for four and has lots of tilting twists and turns! We went on this together several times and the drop was unbelievable.

We also received paw passes which allowed us to receive free games, tattoos, create your own stuffed animal and more. There is also lots of gift shops too! Check out the web site for their latest deals and fun!

Disclosure: I was able to stay overnight at a discounted media rate and received complementary paw passes. All opinions are my own in this post.

 

Fun and adventure @GreatWolfLodge #GWLNE
Fun and adventure @GreatWolfLodge #GWLNE

 

Categories
Events Holidays

Get into the holiday spirit with #BostonBallet #BBNutcracker @bostonballet #Hosted

If you are looking for something special to do with the kids this holiday season Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker is that special experience unlike any other. I remember seeing the performance as a child with my parents. My mom would also have to make a stop at Lord and Taylor (hmm…wonder where my love for shopping comes from?) She also loved the ballet as well. The Nutcracker is a fun holiday tradition to start with your family. For those in the suburbs make a day trip adventure and stop for shopping and dinner, but don’t miss this magical performance this season!

We were so lucky to be invited to an afternoon dress rehearsal. We took photos in the grand lobby AND the performers visited with the audience and took photos during intermission. It was such a treat and a wonderful performance. The music, dancing, stage lighting and decoration was magical. This was my older daughter’s first time seeing the Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker and she really did enjoy it. For those with little kids The Nutcracker performance length is approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes includes one intermission. It really is a performance for all ages.

Here is more information about this special ballet. Boston Ballet’s Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker is a completely re-imagined production which premiered in 2012 and has since received praise from audiences and critics alike. This year’s production will feature all-new lighting design by Finnish-based Mikki Kunttu, and includes the full company of 68 dancers along with more than 200 Boston Ballet School students. The Nutcracker will run November 27–December 31, 2015 at the Boston Opera House so get your tickets and enjoy the magic of The Nutcracker! For more information click here. 
Disclosure: My kids and I were given tickets to the dress rehearsal performance. All opinions are my own in this blog post.

Such great ballet dancers at #BBNutcracker
Such great ballet dancers at #BBNutcracker
We had a fantastic time at @BostonBallet
We had a fantastic time at @BostonBallet
Categories
Events Holidays

Get into the holiday spirit with #BostonBallet #BBNutcracker @bostonballet #Hosted

If you are looking for something special to do with the kids this holiday season Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker is that special experience unlike any other. I remember seeing the performance as a child with my parents. My mom would also have to make a stop at Lord and Taylor (hmm…wonder where my love for shopping comes from?) She also loved the ballet as well. The Nutcracker is a fun holiday tradition to start with your family. For those in the suburbs make a day trip adventure and stop for shopping and dinner, but don’t miss this magical performance this season!

We were so lucky to be invited to an afternoon dress rehearsal. We took photos in the grand lobby AND the performers visited with the audience and took photos during intermission. It was such a treat and a wonderful performance. The music, dancing, stage lighting and decoration was magical. This was my older daughter’s first time seeing the Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker and she really did enjoy it. For those with little kids The Nutcracker performance length is approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes includes one intermission. It really is a performance for all ages.

Here is more information about this special ballet. Boston Ballet’s Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker is a completely re-imagined production which premiered in 2012 and has since received praise from audiences and critics alike. This year’s production will feature all-new lighting design by Finnish-based Mikki Kunttu, and includes the full company of 68 dancers along with more than 200 Boston Ballet School students. The Nutcracker will run November 27–December 31, 2015 at the Boston Opera House so get your tickets and enjoy the magic of The Nutcracker! For more information click here. 
Disclosure: My kids and I were given tickets to the dress rehearsal performance. All opinions are my own in this blog post.

Such great ballet dancers at #BBNutcracker
Such great ballet dancers at #BBNutcracker
We had a fantastic time at @BostonBallet
We had a fantastic time at @BostonBallet
Categories
Events opinion Travel

Traditions, Turkey Day, Turkey Trot and being #Thankful

Thanksgiving is almost here, time for good fun and cheer! This year we are cooking a turkey which in years past we usually buy our turkey pies from my favorite place growing up – Raymond’s Turkey Farm. My kids love their turkey pie and fixings and it’s funny as I loved it as a child too. I just was so busy that I did not have time to get there. I do love this time of year for celebrating traditions. I am trying to make fun memories for my kids and continuing on with my goal of doing something fun and different, (and to travel more – whether it’s a day trip, weekend away or vacation) we are headed to a couple fun events this coming weekend including The Boston Ballet’s performance of the Nutcracker and a visit to Great Wolf Lodge! More on those fun events later.

The girls asked me if they could do the Turkey Trot in our town this year and wanted me to do it with them.  Well, I am not a runner – AT ALL – but thought this would be a fun event to do with my kids and it’s for charity (proceeds go to our local food pantry) I have been trying to run every other day but I am only up to 1.5 miles LOL. Believe me this is the most I have ever run – it’s just not my thing- I am trying though….I hope I can make it the 3 miles! So we shall see how this Thanksgiving morning tradition will go. I will not complain though as I am lucky enough to be able to run, my kids are active, my family is here for Thanksgiving so lots to be thankful for!!

What traditions do you have?

 

 

Categories
Holidays makeup Products skin care

Holiday Beauty: Starting holiday shopping a bit early @QVC

I like to start my shopping a bit early…and at home…in my pjs! And dads out there (and anyone else who is trying to avoid the malls this season) QVC has the items for you! The folks at QVC have the best selection of gift ideas this holiday season and they sent me a few gift sets to test out. If your wife, mom, tween, niece or sister loves to receive a beauty kit or make-up kit as a gift (and who doesn’t?) QVC has the most coveted selection of make-up, beauty, perfume sets and more. In fact they have my two favorite brands – Tarte and Josie Maran. Both make-up and skin care lines are on the natural side and have no yucky chemicals in them. I feel good about giving my teen and tween girls lip sticks and moisturizers from each of these lines. They love the argan oil especially and this I would say is a must have for dry, itchy, winter skin.

The Decadent Bliss Radiant Beauty Argan Head to Toe Luxury Set from Josie Maran has the 100% Pure argan Oil, a creamy oil in a tube and the whipped argan oil as well, all to to moisturize face, treat split ends, or condition cuticles – Multiple uses all in one kit.

The Josie Maran Argan 3-in-1 Core Color Hydrating Lipstick Duo is perfect for stocking stuffers and is $30. This is a 3-in-1 lipstick formula with the moisture of a balm, the pigment of a lipstick, and the shine of a gloss – love the formulation as it goes on easy and with nice light color. It comes with two so you can have one in your make-up kit and one in the car. The colors are really nice and very moisturizing.

My other favorite from QVC is tarte. The tarte LipSurgence 5 piece set is perfect for teens. I like the LipSurgence as it’s not too sticky and the colors in this kit are wonderful. QVC also has tarte eyeliner and eyeshadow kits so check them out here

What is best about QVC is you can shop online too. Happy early shopping!

Disclosure: QVC sent me several holiday kits to test out. All opinions in this blog post are my own.

@tartecosmetics kits from @QVC make the best gifts
@tartecosmetics kits from @QVC make the best gifts
@QVC holiday gift ideas @tartecosmetics
@QVC holiday gift ideas