My Adventures Archives » Page 22 of 52 » Adventures of Empty Nesters

A Pasadena Showcase House of Design Adventure

February 28, 2020April 27, 2017

This is not a sponsored post. I just wanted to share my enthusiasm for architecture and design as well as promoting a worthy fundraising event. This is a HUGE experience in my town of Pasadena, CA.

Pasadena Showcase House of Design 2017 – This year’s Tudor estate looks especially over the top fantastic.

In the article Behind the Scenes: The making of the Pasadena Showcase House of Design written by Bonnie McCarthy of the Los Angeles Times, she offers a detailed behind the scenes peek inside the project. She shares that it is “recognized as one of the oldest and most successful not-for-profit showcase houses in the country and the showcase will see more than 35,000 visitors. It’s a chance for the public to see what’s on the style radar in the months to come and meet and speak with the designers about their work.”

For many years Mom and I would make the drive from Orange County (about 60 miles) to visit the next masterpiece. Ironically, this year’s design house is literally in my neighborhood! I live on one of the “smaller house” tree-lined streets nearby. 🙂

What Really Happens at a Travel Blogging Conference? A Lot!

April 25, 2017

I have just returned from Milwaukee, Wisconsin from the Women in Travel Summit 2017 (#WITS17), a fantastic travel blogging conference.

What exactly happens at a travel blogging conference? Lots of really cool stuff. We are given the opportunity to visit unique museums, walk though historic neighborhoods, admire grand architecture and feast in traditional restaurants that are found throughout the host city.

There are informative speakers, intriguing breakout sessions that narrow relevant topics in to very specific conversations. We engage in enlightening dialogs and have meetings with industry related companies and then there is more and more and more!

More importantly, I have the chance to be in a room with four hundred other women who are passionate about food and travel like I am! They totally get me. They don’t raise an eyebrow when I rearrange the tableware to capture a dish in just the right light, they all have story after story of trips taken and local cuisine they have devoured. There is a palpable, positive energy that runs through the meeting rooms and between women.

I left the travel blogging conference full (literally and figuratively) with delicious knowledge and tangible writing tips, as well as new friendships and partnerships with brands who I would have never met otherwise. Was it worth getting up before the sun rises to make my flights, enduring the time difference and freezing my ass off in Milwaukee? Absolutely.

So Many Great Restaurants in Washington D.C. – Not Enough Time!

February 28, 2020April 18, 2017

Just several of the many great restaurants in Washington D.C.

When the list of great restaurants in Washington D.C. contains at least one hundred possibilities, how do you choose? I know…first world problems, but seriously it wasn’t easy!

I scoured DC Eater, Washington D.C. and the detailed list that my traveling-foodie-friend Angela gave me and then made some hard choices. Our longtime friends Angela and Jon enjoy lively restaurants and delicious chef-inspired dishes as much as we do. The four of us had a blast and ate our way through New Orleans a few months ago and we barely dented our list.

An Empty Nesters Guide to the 17 Best Things to Do in Washington D.C.

February 28, 2020April 14, 2017

What are the best things to do in Washington D.C.? How much time do you have?

Washington D.C. is an incredible place to visit (and live) and I found that people I talked with about visiting there fell into one of two categories. One, was that they have visited several times and knew the city really well and the other was a person who always wanted to go but for whatever reason never seemed to have gotten there! It was interesting to hear about the two extremes.

A Sensational Spring Flower Display in Seattle

February 28, 2020April 3, 2017

The rain showers of the Pacific Northwest bring a spectacular spring flower display ~

If you were asked to describe where you would find the best spring flower display, does Seattle come to mind first? It is doubtful. The Pacific Northwest owns the quintessential bad weather rap for constantly raining with never ending gloomy skies. However, that is just a ruse, because I lived there last spring and it was spectacular.

A Unique Gift for Travelers As Well As Everyone Else!

February 28, 2020March 31, 2017

Are you always on the lookout for a unique gift for travelers ? Take a look here!

Lucky me! Once again I have come across a unique gift for travelers, but it would also appeal to just about everyone! Old or young, adventurous or observer, I find this idea pretty intriguing.

Jessica Larrabee, who is an accomplished traveler and clever entrepreneur, contacted me about her brand new endeavor. Inspired by her love of travel and her noteworthy accomplishment of visiting ALL 50 STATES, she created Explore Local Box.

Explore Local Box will send you a box filled with terrific products from local artisans from a new city in the U.S., each month.

“Let’s travel across the United States together. Each month a new city will be explored through locally made food and products delivered right to your door.”

An Empty Nester Foodie Lunch Adventure at Kismet in Silver Lake

February 28, 2020March 29, 2017

It’s Kismet!

Just down the road from the Griffith Park Observatory is a cute little shop with delicious Mediterranean food created by two clever chefs, Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson. I was familiar with Kismet only from reading popular food and wine magazines, as well as a recent glowing review by the Pulitzer Prize winning, food critic, Jonathan Gold of the Los Angeles Times.

A Sunny Spring Weekend in Scottsdale

February 28, 2020March 27, 2017

Our busy empty nester weekend in Scottsdale ~

What kind of ingredients do we need to enjoy the perfect weekend in Scottsdale? For this discerning empty nester couple, our list includes, fabulous accommodations, delicious food, fun activities, pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, a cultural excursion, spring baseball and best of all, simple relaxation.

Yes please to the entire list! Craig and I have wanted to spend an adventurous weekend in Scottsdale, AZ for quite some time. However, we truly first and foremost wanted to attend Spring Training to see the Los Angeles Dodgers!

Spring training is super kick back and relaxed and a fun way to get up close and personal with the teams.

We are huge fans of Dodger “Manager of the Year” and UCLA Bruin, Dave Roberts and are enthusiastically optimistic of our chances for a successful season!

Park Hyatt Aviara – The Perfect Destination for Spring Break

February 28, 2020March 23, 2017

Line up ten discerning travelers and each will offer a different idea for the perfect destination for Spring Break. Craig and I are not huge fans of flying to popular beach vacation spots like Mexico or Florida during Spring Break. No offense to the college students, but they travel by the thousands this time of year and I would rather not hang out with them. They probably hope the lounges at poolside are not full of empty nesters either!

Without a Doubt Empty Nesters Love Their Dogs

February 28, 2020March 21, 2017

Without a doubt, empty nesters love their dogs ~

Is it me or are you noticing lots of adorable new puppies on your Facebook feed? From chocolate labs to teeny tiny Chihuahuas, they are coming home to stay with the empty nesters!

Ultimately, it may not the best idea for enhancing your new-found freedom. The kids are grown, the house is quiet and you get… A DOG? Why now? Why complicate your life with a new puppy? Because they are awesome!