OK. Now that kids across the country are firmly in school and your brain is no longer racing with all of the things you needed to get them out of your house, let’s talk shopping. Because if you’re like me and you remember back-to-school shopping, it was always for fall clothes. But, let’s be honest,…
Tieks: a two-year update on my fave flats
Two years ago, I posted a review of Tieks ballet flats. It’s been read nearly 20,000 times and I wish I knew how many people bought a pair based on my recommendation. Here we are two years later and I’m still touting Tieks. I’ve got four pairs now, and I’m already dreaming of my fifth….
Ostra restaurant (Mokara Hotel & Spa)
I think hotel restaurants often get a bad rap. So it was my mission when I recently visited San Antonio to eat in at least one hotel-based resto, and what better place to do so than at the beautiful Mokara Hotel & Spa, seated right along the city’s River Walk? THE GOOD It doesn’t matter…
Hyatt Regency San Antonio
When Lena asked if I could take her place for a trip to San Antonio that she had to forfeit because of a family emergency, my biggest concern was where will I be staying? And there’s really one simple reason that I care first and foremost about lodging in any destination: I’m a hotel snob. There….
SST Cosmetics: Signature Series summer collection (mini-review)
THE PRODUCT SST Cosmetics‘ Signature Series makeup line for summer called “Quintessential,” prices vary from $17.95 to $21.95 per piece. THE GOOD MADE IN CANADA! Yes. Love this. Everything in the SST makeup line is mineral-based and free of harsh chemicals (read: no parabens! And no talc, boron nitrate or gluten, either). This SST Cosmetics…
Nintendo WiiU and Mario Party 10
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I love video games and I think they can be beneficial to our kids. I’m not talking about late-night gaming that verges on dangerous obsession, but — like anything — in moderation. There are, I believe, healthy outcomes thanks to early video game use: problem solving,…
Falls Avenue Resort, Niagara Falls
I’ve been going to Niagara Falls for just about as long as I’ve been alive. And when you only live a couple of hours away, it’s a pretty blessed thing to be able to do so. Because The Falls are truly breathtaking. You kind of forget when it’s in your backyard how impressive it is…
UPPAbaby VISTA 2015
Not only have I had the opportunity to test dozens of strollers in my seven years as a parent and in the last three as a product reviewer, but during that time, I’ve owned four — yes, FOUR! — UPPAbaby VISTA strollers. The first one came in 2009 after we’d had a disgruntled year with…
Hotel review: The Mira Hong Kong
When I lived in Asia back in 2000-2001, I did my share of travelling in the region. But all these years later, I still regretted never making it to Hong Kong. I’d been to mainland China, but never the unique city that was under British rule until just a few years ago. Still very British…