NYC… The place to be? November 17, 2009

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting my friend Corin and her husband in New York.  I hadn’t been since an 8th grade school trip which was quite a long time ago!  It was lots of fun, but mostly relaxing.  As anyone who has a child knows being able to go out to eat or shop alone is a treat.

Corin & I at the Today Show

We visited a few of the standard tourist destinations like Times Square, Rock Center, and the NBC Studios.  We also took in the Today Show where we saw an ultra creepy Billy Ray Cyrus with a  horrible new short haircut.

Creepy Billy Ray

We ate at a lot of yummy restaurants.  But I have to admit my favorite was the Shake Shack on the upper west side.  It is one of those burger joints that has a line out the door and is well worth the wait.  Their custard style ice cream and shakes are delicious.  Another highlight was the very different but good avocado margarita at Macondo’s on Houston Street.  Try one if you ever get the chance, just ask them to skip the strange salt that is rimming  the glass.

The shopping of course was great and slightly overwhelming.  I even made it to the American Girl Doll Store to get my daughter a couple of Christmas gifts.  This place is crazy.  It is like 5 floors of dolls and clothes, a cafe, portrait studio, and salon.  And sooo many little girls in awe!  I thought for sure that I may feel nauseated just by entering the door, but realized it actually just made me feel like an excited little girl too.

The weather was beautiful on my last day.  We went to a really cool outdoor market called the Brooklyn Flea and then hung out in the park next to the Hudson river under the Brooklyn Bridge.  It was gorgeous and so nice to share with good friends.

New York is amazing.  I don’t think it is the place for me though.  I have to admit it is too big.  I definitely got my fill of the big city on this trip, as well as my fill of constant motion sickness from riding the subway!  But I can’t wait to take my daughter there when she is older.  It is definitely a place she and everyone needs to experience at least once in their life.

Times Square

Wine a little…. You’ll feel better! November 13, 2009

Inside Olsen Estates Winery in Prosser

Nothing makes a small town girl feel more like a city lady than a fine glass of wine (well maybe there are a few other things!).  Here in southeastern Washington we are in a wine lovers paradise.  Not only 10 minutes from our home we have several outstanding wineries.  Here are a few places that I wanted to get the word out about:

**One right here in the Tri-Cities is the Tagaris Winery.  They have great wine, a nice restaurant with really good food and a beautiful patio with live music in the summer.

 

**Secondly about an hours drive from here is Walla Walla.  A town that was once better know for the state penitentiary and Whitman College is now a mecca for wonderful wine.

 

**And for the lazy of the wine connoisseurs out there:  Vintners Village in Prosser.  Close to 14 wineries have tasting rooms here.  That’s right, just pull your car up and meander between them all day.  From my own personal experience though I would highly recommend a car service or a designated driver if you are visiting this location.  After 20 to 30 “pours” of wine I have very little recollection of our drive home or the dinner that followed!

 

So if you love wine and ever get a chance to visit this region definitely make a point in touring all the fine wineries available.

CHEERS!

Us ladies on our wine tour coach!

 

A little about me and this Blog November 13, 2009

My name is Heather.  And yes, I live in a small town called the Tri-Cities in southeast Washington (Pop. approx. 242,000).  I realize to some this may not be a small town.  I know there is much smaller, I actually grew up in one.  But after living 10 years in Seattle and Phoenix it seems small.  I also realize that to some of you who live in cities like NYC and LA, Seattle and Phoenix seem small.  They are in comparison, but to me a “city” offers a few things that a small town doesn’t.  Including but not limited to the following:

• A multitude of yummy restaurants not named Olive Garden, Red Robin, or Red Lobster.
• Plain & Simple:  NORDSTROMS
• The ability to attend a concert, theater production, or professional sporting event in an evening, not as a weekend getaway.

Don’t get me wrong.  There are many wonderful things about living and raising a family in a small town, but for any girl who has lived in the city, she knows the energy that “a city” resonates.  And you just don’t get that in a small town.

Secondly, I am a mom.  I have a beautiful daughter that I love more than anything.  I also love to talk about her and I am sure she will be mentioned plenty in my blog posts.  But this blog isn’t about her or any other kids for that matter.  It is about us!  The women who struggle with being a super mom while keeping ones own self-identity.  The women whos’ guilty pleasures are watching E News! while making dinner and wondering when Rob Pattinson will realize that I, not Kristen Stewart, is the woman for him.  And lastly the women who not only love their husbands but also love their girlfriends.  Girls who still on occasion paint themselves into their skinniest jeans, rock their 4″ heels, and hit the town to celebrate not only being a wife and mother, but also a woman!

Enjoy!

*Blog Disclaimer:  I am not an expert at anything.  Everything written on here is purely my own personal opinion and thoughts.

Chic Mom Fashion Trend of the Month! November 6, 2009

So lets kick this off with something I think I will do every month.  Feature a fashion trend that is not only stylish but also mom friendly.  This month is one of my personal all time favorites:

 

         THE LEGGING, preferably in black!

  

 

 

I have three pairs, which I actually bought at TJ Maxx for under $10 a pair!

 

• The ruched bottom which looks great dressed up with a pair of heels.
• The zipper bottom which seems to work best with flats.
• And the plain ultra light material legging which is the ultimate in errand running comfort tucked into a pair of Uggs on those cold winter days.

The one note that I do feel the need to mention though is that if you have a bit of a mom belly and/or booty, as I do, a top in the appropriate length and fit is a must.  Leggings can be very unforgiving in the those regions of the body!

So put on your leggings and get out there!