Girls Getaway: St. Michaels, Md

My latest girls getaway was to waterfront St. Michaels, MD with my mom and my sister, an annual weekend trip that usually brings us somewhere ultra-quaint with lots of boutique shopping. St. Michaels fit that bill perfectly. It's also an ideal spot for a couple's getaway with loads of romantic Victorian bed and breakfasts to stay in.

 

 

 We arrived on a Friday evening and checked into the Harbourtowne Golf Resort, which is not walking distance to town, but easily accommodated our odd number of three. And we had this view...

The hotel itself was fine - as far as we could tell all the rooms had separate entrances from the outside, kind of like a motel, but nicer. Our room also had a stove fireplace which was nice for ambiance.  

Finding a restaurant serving food after 9 pm that evening wasn't easy so we followed the music and a few people and ended up at the Big Pickle Foodbar, known for their fried pickles, apparently. After some Maryland Crab Soup and other munchies we were finally relaxing into our weekend.

The next morning we wandered around Talbot Street, the main drag, trying to find a breakfast spot. I had read that Key Lime Cafe served it, but they appeared to be closed. Is November 11th considered off-season? Characters Cafe was the first place we came across so we stumbled in, starved. With just one other table of diners and lots of bright light, the ambiance was truly lacking. But maybe that had something to do with the hideous drop ceiling. Thankfully, once the food arrived it was good. Or we were just so hungry it was good. Either way, it was edible and there weren't any intestinal repercussions. Brunch at Carpenter Street Saloon the next day was much better.

We quickly discovered, however, that good coffee was impossible to come by. We thought we hit the jackpot when we spotted the Blue Crab Coffee Co., a cute coffee shop just off the main street.

How cute is that car? I was taking pictures of it when the owner, John Switzer, walked up and proudly gave me a quick history. "The Red Toad", as it's called, is a restored 1964 Volvo PV-544 fitted with a customized engine and has made it's way around the racing circuit. After we chatted, he

raved about the coffee shop and told me to ask for the "Full Monty". He wouldn't reveal what exactly that involved, but I was game, and desperate for some decent coffee.

It was a cute little coffee shop with some munchies... I did not see the Full Monty on the menu so I'm expect it to be something fabulous. After I asked about it, the guy behind the counter laughed and said I must have met John. Indeed I had.

I can't tell you exactly what's in the Full Monty, but I can tell you it was delicious, even though the coffee was still not strong enough. Worth a stop in off the beaten path.

The shopping along Talbot Street ...

So many beautiful boutiques and the shop owners were super friendly and helpful - like this gentlemen modeling a sippy cup...

We found some fancy headbands and hairpins in one shop and couldn't resist trying them on - if anything for a good laugh. This one modeled by my sister is one of the more tame versions...

The Victorian homes and Bed and Breakfasts had such interesting details. It's worth wandering around to see what you might glimpse.

We're all a little puffy-eyed after lots of wine and an early morning rise to finish the last of our shopping before we head out, the mark of yet another fun girls weekend in a cute town.

 

Review of Apothederm Firming Serum

I have never been one for extraordinary skin care routines. I use a cleanser and a moisturizer, but that's about it. Until I turned 40 last month. 

The wrinkles are starting to take up a permanent and deeper residence on my face. No time like the present to adopt some preventative care.

I was offered the opportunity to try a facial firming serum from Apothederm. A new company and product to me. It promised to reduce wrinkles and firm up your skin, and it came with clinical study data to back up the proof that it worked.

I write advertising for pharmaceutical clients. The FDA won't let them say anything without approved data and references. So I know if a product has clinical studies with references to back them up, it's has much more credibility to me than a product that just makes lofty claims. A product proven to work? I'm in!

My biggest issue is the frown line between my brows. I considered getting Botox as a gift to myself for my birthday, but I'm a little hesitant about injecting chemicals into my body. Which is why I was curious about Apothederm.

The data about the firming serum claims:

• 94% of participants reported firmer skin in 14 days
• 84% reported a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in 14 days

I've been using it now twice a day for about 4 weeks and have definitely noticed a slight difference. It hasn't erased any wrinkles, or made my face look 10 years younger, but it has reduced the depth of my wrinkles. I noticed over the last week or so that my brow wrinkle isn't as noticeable as it was before.

The serum itself is nice. It's lightweight, fragrance-free and not greasy, and goes on under your moisturizer.

I've become sort of addicted to skin care in a way, and will definitely be including this in my repertoire.

Although it's not cheap at $75, I would recommend giving Apothederm's Firming Serum a try. I'm pretty skeptical when it comes to overpromising skin care products, but this one did what it claimed.

If any readers are interested in giving this a try, you can do so with a discount. I know I don't want to try anything new at full price. Visit www.apothederm.com and use the code TENOFF until 12/31/11 for $10 off your order.

P.S. I was provided a sample of the product to test and review, however the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

To St. Michaels, MD

This weekend will be the fourth weekend in a row that I will be traveling -- one final girls weekend of the year with my mom and sister to St. Michaels, Maryland.

While I'm looking forward to the weekend of sightseeing and bonding, I am anxious to have some extended time in my home--the clutter has reached monumental levels. I walk into Little K's room and my eyeballs vibrate from the mess. I have to hold myself back from the instituting my standard "trash bag clean up". That girl knows how to make a mess STAT!

Stay tuned for photos of beautiful St. Michaels!

Wino Mommy

It appears my children are more perceptive than I would like. Hence, a recent writing assignment using spelling words in a Halloween narrative. Evidence A:

While the moms and I did walk around with a beverage as the kids treat-or-treated, I DID NOT get a refill along the way. It was offered, but I stopped AT ONE. Just to be clear. Also, do not assume her misuse of the word "drunk" should in any way, shape or form, be associated with my actions. I am an experienced wino and thus do not get "drunk" on just one. That is all.

How do you deal with lying?

Ever since the girls were old enough to talk we've been telling them they won't get in trouble for telling the truth. But lying? Not tolerable.

Lately, however, little K has resorted to lying. And I mean lying right to my face when the evidence is in my hand. Apparently, I'm making one of the first mistakes when it comes to encouraging honesty: Don't ask the question when you already know the answer - forcing a confession only encourages them to lie!

I am already fearful of the teenage years. In fact, she probably won't get her driver's license until she's a legal adult, and as long as I have something to do with it. She does what she wants without any sense of consequence or fear of punishment.

At the age of 7 she has already become a master manipulator. Of course, that comes from my husband's side of the family.

Children are going to lie. It's a normal part of development. How to handle it is the challenge. Should we punish her? Well, I did this morning. I gave her the opportunity to tell me the truth and she lied. No TV for YOU!

My husband and I decided an intervention is needed. We'll put a reward system in place, which works really well with her. Then, I went online and did my typical research, because, quite frankly, I have no idea what I'm doing or how to dissuade from this behavior.

And what I found was a lot of contradicting information.

Shocking!

So I turned to my trusty Super Nanny. That's right. The British woman from the television show. Go ahead and judge me if you must, but I've used her methods before and had tremendous success. I won't repeat here what she suggests doing, but I will encourage you to run over and read this article right away. Then, when your kid lies, pop your patience pill and summon your inner Super Nanny.

Meet an real astronaut at the Please Touch Museum

If you are looking for something to do with your little ones, especially as the weather gets colder, the Please Touch Museum has Astronaut Chris Ferguson, a Philadelphia native, visiting at 1 pm on Monday, November 7th to meet your children and read the book “There’s No Place Like Space!” in the museum's Space Station area.  

After the Story Time, Astronaut Ferguson will move to the area directly outside of the Space Station (across from Cloud Hopscotch) for a meet and greet with visitors. NASA will provide pictures for him to sign and will bring pieces of a space suit, astronaut food, and more for kids to touch and interact with. 

Keep in mind, the Museum is open on days when school is out, including Election Day Nov. 8, Veteran’s Day Nov. 11, and Black Friday Nov.25th. 

Check out their website for information about other special guests and guided tours for adults. Who knew?!

Girls Getaway: Newport, Rhode Island

It may not be the first place you think of when planning a girls getaway. It may not even be on your list of places to go at all. But it was on mine, and when flights to Providence dropped to $99 round trip, I figured now was as good a time as any. And because the 40th birthday celebrating was still in full swing.

A 6:30 am flight means you have to be up at 4 am, but it also means you have a full day to explore your destination AND you get to see the sunrise from above the clouds. Pretty cool...

From Newport

These ladies I have known since I met my husband nearly 17 years ago. DAMN, that sounds as old as 40! The husbands are longtime friends and have been taking guys trips for as long as we've known each other. FINALLY, the girls resolved to take our own trip. **Not looking too bad for being up since 4am.**

We rented a speck of a car - the Toyota Yaris - since we planned to walk everywhere. Why waste money on something luxurious?

From Newport

It nearly got returned when it could barely fit our 3 THREE! pieces of luggage. The Infiniti SUV with the leather interior which the Hertz woman tried hard to upsell me on was looking really nice at this point. We laughed about the teeny size, but were so happy when we drove through downtown Newport -- narrow streets and small parking spots - we were golden!

Wanting something different than a hotel, I searched on Air BnB and found an apartment - three bedrooms, in town! We had a place for some downtime, snacking and room to stretch out. It was much cozier than a hotel or a bed and breakfast.

Lots and lots and lots of shopping in Newport, which is by no means a small town. I mean it's got to be the hub of mom and pop shops. We saw a few chains but steered clear of those. We walked around, sat on a dock and had clam chowder, shopped some more. These are all typical scenes about town...

From Newport

From Newport

We read that the lawn of the Castle Hill Inn was the place to be for cocktails with a view, two things we certainly weren't about to pass on. Even though the temps were a tad low, we drove over.

It was a beautiful view, and oh so relaxing.

The Mansions, aka the summer homes of the wealthiest people in America. Can't go to Newport without seeing a mansion! This is the Breakers, the summer home of the Vanderbilts, and truly the most opulent of them all.

The self-guided audio tour was about an hour and definitely a must, otherwise you are wandering the rooms with no idea what you're looking at or why. They don't allow you to use flash photography, or otherwise, but I couldn't resist sneaking a couple of photos on my phone...

From Newport

Dining Room

From Newport

Ceiling in the dining room

From Newport

Ceiling details
*No artwork or fabrics were harmed in the taking of these photos.

And to think these people only spent 8 to 12 weeks a year in all this opulence. What?!

The Cliff Walk was pretty. It goes along the backyards of many of the mansions and a college university. We didn't get to far since it was cold.

After the Breakers and the Elms mansion tours, and lunch at the White Horse Tavern (the oldest tavern in American, and supposedly haunted), we went glassblowing at Thames Glass!

You get to select up to 3 colors for your glass ornament. On the end of the pole is a blob of molten glass, which you roll in each color separately, then hold in the oven while rotating the pole. Never. Stop. Rotating. The. Pole.

After you get all your colors on, you blow and rotate. Heat. Blow. Rotate. Heat. Blow. You get the picture.

Then you pinch the top while, take a guess...rotating. And then the people working there essentially take over the final details. The lesson was much quicker then we expected, leaving more time for cocktails!

Newport was great. I would definitely go back. Because the weather was colder we weren't able to go sightsailing. And we didn't have enough time to see all the mansions. There are a ton of great restaurants, a nearby winery and seasonal festivals. Definitely worth a return visit.