Guest Post: Baby's First Stroll

Since one of my product reviewing superstars Meghan also owns a Stokke Xplory pram (which I reviewed after extensive testing in New York City), I asked her to share a few thoughts on ownership from her suburban point of view to help prospective customers make a smart buying decision. Here's what Meghan had to say... 

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On the Calendar: Italy

venice photo credit: wikimedia commons / nino barbieri

This spring marks our TEN YEAR wedding anniversary. A decade! What?! To celebrate, we're jetting off to Italy for a romantic vacation while our son spends time with my in-laws. So, I've been soliciting travel advice on every social media platform out there, and here's one for my blog – We'll be traveling this fall and right now I have the Amalfi Coast, Venice, Rome, Florence & Tuscany on the itinerary. We want a balance of experiencing the big, touristy attractions with some downtime along the coast and on a vineyard. Have you been to Italy? I'd love to hear your favorite places to stay, things to do, and any wisdom you'd like to share. Feel free to comment below or drop me a line! xo

Two Moms, Two Reviews: Joovy Zoom 360 Jogging Stroller

 Two moms, two babies. Our thoughts on the Joovy Zoom 360 stroller...

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Meet My Product Reviewing Team!

As you may have noticed, I introduced guest posts and product reviews to my blog this year – so it's not just me reviewing products anymore!

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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!

Guest Post: Stokke's Blue vs. Black Mélange Textiles

 

For today's guest post, Meghan –one of my closest friends (and trusted product reviewers!) – shares her thoughts on the Stokke blue versus black mélange textiles on her Xplory pram. Upon first glance, these two fabrics are strikingly similar – in the dim lighting of her living room, we at first couldn't even tell the difference! But, stroll out into the natural light, and there's a few things that makes them stand apart from one another. Torn between purchasing the limited edition blue mélange or black mélange fabrics for your Stokke Connection stroller or newest accessory? Here are Meghan's thoughts for you... 

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Stokke Scoot Stroller Review

 

A few weeks ago I attended Stokke's VIP press party and had the opportunity to see their brand-new Connection stroller models, Crusi and Scoot, first-hand. These two models join Stokke's hot selling, ultra-luxe, "Higher is Better" mentality stroller the Xplory (which I reviewed most recently here) to make a three-design line-up, each catering to a specific niche in the market. For the last two weeks, I've been testing a Stokke Scoot here in Manhattan. It's their most compact, travel-friendly stroller of the three models and boasts an impressive variety of premium features (as one would expect from this posh Norweigian brand.) After some pretty extensive testing on public transportation and across New York City – from strolling near the GW Bridge, through Central Park, and zipping around the zoo – here's my full, in-depth review on this hot-on-the-market stroller with *TONS* of glossy photographs and even a little video captured along Broadway...

{check out all my stokke posts}

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Café Revising

 

This morning I'm working on revising (for work), photo editing (for fun) and catching up on blog posts (for work & fun). Looking out into the city streets of Manhattan, I've been feeling a little nostalgic for when I studied abroad in Valencia, Spain, and eating their fresh-baked delectable pastries and sipping delicious coffees with condensed milk. This Coffee Bean & Tea just isn't cutting it. So I'm tuning into the Spanish Guitar station on Pandora while I finish up my work for the day. I can't listen to a lot of distacting lyrics when I'm working – usually my writing staples are the Amelie soundtrack, Enya, and any classical or soft piano music. Celtic songs if I'm working on my YA manuscript. Do you have a favorite music station to listen to while writing or revising? I admit I pause to read my work aloud quite frequently. It's amazing (and humbling...) how many errors I catch when I do this. And a comment on revising.... want to be a writer? You have to learn to revise. Welcome it. Be open to growth. Learn to listen. Revising is always part of my job, no matter the client or the project.

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}

Baby's First Birthday

 

My little man turns one today. I can't believe it. The first few days – months, even – after he was born felt everlasting, exhausting, and emotionally full... and then the last six months especially have blurred into moments and milestones, trials and triumphs, until all of the sudden, here we are. Today. My heart swells with gratitude for Townes. The way his face lights up when I lift him into my arms. The tone of his voice when he calls out for his mama. The excitement he feels when his daddy comes home from work. How his eyebrows furrow when he focuses on eating scrambled eggs, laughs in delight pulling clothes from his drawer, and tries to catch the eye of strangers on the street to give them a toothy grin. When he wraps his arms around me and rests his head on my chest. The thrill he gets from climbing on my back, thinking that I can't see him, and the considerate, low mooooo that escapes his lips when our dog Moose enters the room. He's the sweetest little boy, with the kindest heart, and an almost-limitless supply of smiles. I'm so thankful that God blessed us with him, that we were given the responsibility to raise him, to call him ours, and to be his. I love you, Townes. 

New Article: Dogs on Duty

It's been a busy 2013 on the work front, and I have lots of published works coming out this month and next. Here's my latest article for Nat Geo Wild, DOGS ON DUTY, about alpha dogs working in the field. These trained animals are capable of doing some *amazing* tasks. Link over to read the piece & be sure to check out the awesome new show Alpha Dogs!

Winter Walks

 

Overall, it's been a (mostly) mild winter here in New York City, but we've had our share of 20-40 degree days and dustings of snow. Here's a glimpse at how we stay cozy during our wintery walks despite the chill in the air...

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New Guest Review: Joovy Room Playard with Changing Table

One of my best friends, Meghan, had her first baby three weeks ago – an ADORABLE little girl named Aria. I've known Meghan for over half my life, and she's definitely one of those trusted friends who gives the *best* recommendations on all sorts of products. When I decided to expand my baby product review team for 2013, I knew Meghan had to join my carefully selected team of trusted reviewers. In my newest guest post, Meghan (and her husband) share their thoughts on the Joovy Room Playard with Bassinet and Changing Table, a product that we spotted in her New Jersey house and my husband talked about for an entire day because he was so impressed at first glance! Read on for the full review...

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Wintery Write Nites

the journey home from write nite. #NYC vine.co/v/braXipKXKPK

— Jodi Kendall (@Jodi_Kendall) February 14, 2013

We had the biggest attendance yet at Write Nite this week....

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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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Skytop Weekend by Instagram

 

A few of my favorite Instagram pics from our long weekend at Skytop Lodge...

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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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Family Game Night

bringing it to the ping pong table. @skytoplodge vine.co/v/bvij5jwxiQ0

— Jodi Kendall (@Jodi_Kendall) February 10, 2013

Skytop Lodge has a pretty impressive game room. It's more like half the ground floor. Last time I was on the property, my niece and I liked the motorcycle arcade and minature putt putt. This time around, I stayed at Skytop with my husband, our almost one-year-old son, my sister, and her boyfriend, and this was a fun (kid-packed) area for us to all hang around... My husband and sister are pretty competitive when it comes to family games! And since I come from a golfing family, we're starting to teach Townes how to hold (and swing) a golf club ;) 

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Guest Post: Joovy Moon Room Review

 

Today's guest post is written by Rebecca, the newest member of my product reviewing team. She's married, a mom to a beautiful six-month-old girl, and a full-time working parent. I asked her to join my team because I totally trust and value her opinion – she's smart, savvy, and well-versed on baby products, and thoughtful regarding design, functionality and budgets. When Joovy offered to ship me the brand-new Moon Room product to review, I knew Rebecca was the gal for the job! She purchased the Joovy Spoon based on my review a few months ago, is a fan of the brand, and was just telling me about her playard research. Are you considering a secure, safe play/sleep space for your home? Here's what Rebecca thought of the innovative Moon Room, complete with detailed photos of the space-maximing design & analysis on the product's functionality in real life situations...

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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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