Two Moms, Two Reviews: Joovy Hook Chair

 

An essential for any on-the-go family is a portable high chair for the little one. But with so many on the market, how do you know what's the right one for you? Jamie and I tested the Joovy Hook for about three months in New York City (and beyond) to see how its travel-friendly design functioned in real-life moments with two different children...

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Protecting Baby from Pests

One of the most under-utilized accessories in the Stokke Xplory line – in my opinion – is the mosquito net... But here's why it may be good to keep it handy in that shopping bag. Read on for tips and photos on how to use the mosquito net...

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Just Tested: Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight Stroller

For about three months, I tested out the Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight double stroller here in New York City. Since I am the parent of one 14-month old child, I teamed up with my neighbor Rebecca (another reviewer, as I'm sure you know) and her 8 month old daughter Kate to try out the product. From the park paths of upper Manhattan to the city streets of Union Square, here's how the Caboose Too Ultralight performed... With bonus details from our road trip to Connecticut!

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Daydreaming of the Catskills

photo credit: flickr

Later this month we're beginning a weekly summer-long exploration of the Catskills in Upstate New York. Have you been? I'd love to hear about your favorite activities, towns, and hiking trails! First up, we're planning to coast up along the Hudson River Valley and then cut west into Woodstock, Phoenicia, and then northeast to Hunter Mountain and the Round Top area. I'm been so #23 this week! 

New Article: KON-TIKI

A few weeks ago I interviewed the Directors of KON-TIKI, a film that hits theaters on April 26th, for the Nat Geo Channel. Learn all about this epic real-life adventure story here! 

Playground Life

Pretty much our daily afternoon ritual. 

Brooklyn Bridge

Last weekend we took the subway out to Brooklyn and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan (and then grabbed lunch at my new favorite lobster roll joint.) A few pics from our outing....

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Parasol Weather

Spring is here! Time to bust out the sunnies and sandals and the pram parasol for baby...

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Blossom Walk

 

We brake for blossoms! Here in New York, the cherry blossom trees are just at-peak or a bit past peak. Riverside Park on the west side is so beautiful this time of year. We don't play in the grass & mud nearly as much as we should, so today I took my 14-mth old son on a stroll + blossom walk...

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Outdoor Gear Test: Muck Boots

While it was a mild winter season this year in New York City, we did endure a fair share of meterological milestones, from Hurricane Sandy to Blizzard Nemo. We tested out four pairs of Muck Boots from the Original Muck Boot Company in the snow, sleet, rain and mud in four states during four months, and here's how they held up to the challenge...

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Just Published: Conservation Conversations

 

Last October the Chief Editor of Australia-based Bare Essentials Magazine invited me to write an inspirational article based on my career experiences. This open access magazine combines adventure lifestyle stories with wildlife conservation and environmental science topics. Contributors include researchers, photographers, journalists and explorers from all over the globe. So, here it is! The March/April issue, available to read for free online. I'd be honored if you checked out my piece + photographs in Conservation Conversations & all the great content in this magazine.

 

P.S. In my article, I reference a life-changing sixth grade project... I just posted two photos of it on my Facebook page!

Daydreaming about Spring

Oh, this dreary week in New York. The snow melted and a flurry of clouds have sent a shadow across the city. It's finally sparking daydreams of springtime. Sunshine. I'm ready for the leaves to bud on the trees, and the vines to grows lush and vibrant green across the pre-war buildings, and the tulips to sprout along the sidewalk gardens. The birds chirp more frequently now, and on occasion the wind carries the warm, earthy scent of spring – but it's just not here yet. And all the squirming, layered baby bundling to go outside... I think I'm over that.

.......annnnnd the sun just came out. Hooray!

New Work Now Live: Boy Scouts

I just wrapped up a fun writing project for the National Geographic Channel, and the first part is now live on the website – Being a Boy Scout. To write this article, I had to dive into research & conduct lots of interviews... It was pretty fascinating (especially since my husband's grandfather was an Eagle Scout.) Check out the piece to learn more about the Boy Scouts, and be sure to tune into the hilarious new series Are You Tougher Than A Boy Scout?.  

{click this link for my updated portfolio}

Skytop Lodge Review: Winter Season

 Skytop Lodge is an award-winning historic property in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania – just two hours away from New York City and Philadelphia. The lodge first opened its doors in 1928, and in the last century, Skytop has catered to generations of families, many of whom return year after year with their loved ones. This past weekend I stayed at Skytop Lodge with three other adults and my one-year-old son (my second time staying at the lodge in the month of February.) Considering booking a vacation in this storybook setting? Here's my full, in-depth review of Skytop Lodge in the winter season...

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Dog Sledding in the Poconos

The last time I was in the Pocono Mountains, I was on a mission for work to learn about dog sledding and the Siberian Husky breed. Since that visit two years ago, Skytop changed dog sled operators (I previously toured with Snow Caps) to Kim Darst of Husky Haven Kennels. On Sunday morning four of us went dog sledding with Kim and learned about Alaskan huskies and Alaska's 1,000+ mile Iditarod dog sledding race...

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Sunday Skiing

My husband and I have been together for almost twelve years, and we've *never* gone skiing together... until today! I think the last time I was on the slopes was during my freshman year of college, and that was for snowboarding. So this morning we took the shuttle from Skytop Lodge to the Adventure Center for a few quick runs before lunch...

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Sledding!

 

There are five of us vacationing here at Skytop Lodge in the Poconos, and we went sledding this afternoon! The big sledding slope is just a three-minute shuttle ride from the main lodge. Sleds/helmets are provided, so Skytop makes it really easy to just show up and sled for as long (or as little) as you want. We had a blast, especially with all the new powdery snow! It's been ages since I'd gone sledding. Want to see a few pics?

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Trail Time

Before the much-talked-about snowstorm swept in this afternoon, we ventured out for a little Sky Top property exploring. We needed a short hike that would satisfy our craving for fresh mountain air, snow crunching beneath our boots, and the peace & quiet we just don't get in our daily urban lives. So we bundled up and wandered along the main road to a little spot (recommended to us by the concierge) where there's a waterfall...

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Off to the Poconos!

We're off to the Pocono Mountains for a fun three-day weekend. Sky Top Lodge is hosting my little family to celebrate my son's one-year birthday (!!!) a few days early....

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Family Photos

Our Atlanta friends Andy and Kate were in the city back in October, and we enlisted Andy (a talented professional photographer) to snap some photos of our little family. Want to peek at a few of our favorites? I love how Andy captured Townsie's personality...

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