Kiddie in the City

As an end to her summer vacation, a friend and I took our kids to NYC for the day to ride the "big red bus without the top on it" as she calls it.  For those who have visited the city, that would be the double decker City Tour bus that takes tourists and locals with 5 year olds around to see the city sites.  She was excited about sitting on the top as are most kids but got a bit bored around Wall Street.  She obviously had no idea of the historic significance with the 10th anniversary of September 11th just days away. She was excited to see where her dad worked years before her birth but was more excited to see the Empire State building.  We took her book, "Good Night New York" with us so she could mark them off mentally as we passed each landmark.  Being a fan of the entire Real Housewives Of (you name it), I was most excited to see Zarin Fabrics owned by Jill Zarin and husband.  Can't wait to go back! 

After the tour, we hopped off at the Waldorf Astoria stop and walked 10 blocks to lunch at Serendipity 3.  We attempted to use the restroom in the Waldorf but were dropped off in the back of the hotel and didn't feel like walking around the front of the building.  I wanted my daughter to see the grandeur of the historic hotel.  We waited for about 20 minutes which didn't seem long after using the restroom which is super tiny, lacks a purse hook, and has extremely hot water.  While we were waiting for our food, who walks in?  Joan Rivers and her daughter Melissa who were taping an episode of their reality show.  They were not disruptive at all so I was pleased that our dining experience was not affected at all.  However, I would have loved to have seen her (plastic surgery) up close. 

Serendipity is most known for their frozen hot chocolate and now that I think about it, Gail King or was it Oprah, did a snippet on their popular beverage.  Either way, I did notice alot of people ordering this sweet beverage, however I chose not too.  Our meal was enough AND I just had a delicious, calorie rich hot chocolate from my local coffee shop, Sip This, the day before. This restaurant didn't have chicken fingers so I question if this place is kid-friendly. 

After lunch, we scuttled over to Dylan's Candy Bar just around the corner where my daughter nearly lost her mind after eying all of the delicious treats.  This place was amazing!!!

Afterwards, we caught a cab and headed back to Penn Station to catch a train back to Long Island.  As we slowly made our way to Penn, we drove by the Plaza Hotel and noticed a huge Eloise banner.  How excited!  I now recall an old friend sharing with me that Eloise was at The Plaza Hotel.  I think I know what our next kiddie in the city event will include. 

Princess Tiana's Cook Book

My husband and I went down to New Orleans for the annual Essence Music Festival, and boy did we have a fabulous time! We enjoyed the sounds of Charlie Wilson, who I didn't recognize by name for some reason but knew almost every song he sang, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Price, Morris Day and the Time, Naughty by Nature, and my favorite, New Edition! We also toured the areas most effected by Hurricane Katrina and signs of the devastation were still present after five years.

Details on that later, including the delicious meals we savored, but for now I want to share with you a book we picked up for our daughter. When we first told her that we were going to New Orleans, she immediately remembered that Princess Tiana lives there. I don't think she yet realizes that it's a cartoon and not a real person but hey, she's five and she can still believe. We found a Princess Tiana cookbook with recipes for kids which was perfect for our budding chef. She's been pretty consistent with this ever since career day in school where she dressed as a chef and told the class she wanted to own a Chinese restaurant. Interesting but who am I to stifle a child's dream?

Here are some of our favorite recipes:

Swamp Water Smoothies

PB&J Blossoms (shaped like flowers)

Egg in a Nest

Tiana's Famous Beignets

http://www.disneybooks.com/

8th Year Honeymoon Suite

8th year honeymoon suite - Isabel's Parlor @ Mt. Merino Manor in Hudson Valley, NY

As mentioned previously, my husband and I are celebrating 8 years of marriage this week. Time flies when you're having fun! We came close to having to postpone the weekend getaway due to a little miscommunication but it all worked out in the end.

I first heard of Mt. Merino Manor on the Today show late last year and immediately decided to place the B & B on my list of hotels that I keep inside of my phone. Let me tell you, this place did not disappoint. The photos on the website are gorgeous but the room was far more than we expected. We chose Isabel’s Parlor which was larger than each of our Brooklyn apartments we first lived in as newlyweds. After experiencing this inn, we asked ourselves why would anyone ever want to stay in a hotel? Over the last few months, we have fallen in love with B&Bs and plan to frequent them often during future travels.

This was the room we first entered that led directly to our bedroom. Yes, this was all ours.

We arrived at about 10:30 p.m. and popped a bottle of wine we brought from home. The atmosphere was very relaxing and totally worth every penny spent. No smoke and mirrors here. The bathroom you see in this photo is exactly what you see in the room. There is also a shower stall. The water is pretty hard and stings a bit when it hits you.

In addition to the amenities being close to top notch, I can't forget the safety pin I saw in the comforter and the tiny TV, the breakfast was phenomenal.

Day 1 - Breakfast Menu

Apple Muffins
Fresh Fruit (kiwi, pears, strawberries, blue berries and vanilla yogurt)
Baked Omelet w/red and yellow ragout
Bacon (perfectly crispy)
Two tomato slices
Orange Juice, coffee, and tea (I chose Harney's Pomegranate Oolong tea)

Day 2 - Breakfast Menu

Mixed Fruit (Black and Blue Berries, mango, and vanilla yogurt)
Lemon Muffins (didn't think I would like them but they were delish!)
Strawberry pankacks topped with maple and pecan syrup (no butter needed)
Sausage
Strawberries w/whipped cream
Orange Juice, coffee, and tea (I chose Harney's Green Tea)

For pricing and detailed information on this award winning inn, please click here.