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Explore With Cassie

Lifestyle & travel blog finding the unusual out of the ordinary.

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  • Destinations,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Invest in Your Art Gallery to Enjoy Your Home Haven Even More

    February 14, 2023 /

    Story by Kat Fleischman, submitted photos by Jacopo Fuschi This 2023, what better than to give your home a makeover and feel like you are ALWAYS visiting a luxury destination? We have all been forced to live and work in the same space and as home prices continue skyrocketing, let’s rethink how we use our finances and collective work/live spaces post-pandemic. The below is a global guide, with pieces from all over the world, that help you take a spacious home and turn it into an efficient and comforting oasis. Whether you hang pieces of art to make it look like a “home gallery”, or have kids running around making…

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    Kat Fleischman

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    Explore Islas Marías, Former Prison Islands in Nayarit, Mexico

    October 30, 2023

    Your Packing List for Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale, Arizona

    November 11, 2024

    Explore Turquoise Bay Dive and Beach Resort in Roatán, Honduras

    May 17, 2023
  • Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Escape to a Slice of Heaven in Catalina Island, California

    February 5, 2023 /

    Story, photos by Cassie Hepler (unless otherwise noted), I’ve officially dubbed Santa Catalina Island California’s mini Hawaii, minus the natives and hefty price tag. It has that same laid back, relaxing yet magical vibe. Situated 22 miles southwest from Los Angeles, CA, it feels like another world away as it is only accessible by boat. Our transportation choice was the Catalina Express, which offers three ports to choose from: San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. Long Beach was closest for me driving in the day before from Phoenix but others are just as well. With up to 30 departures a day, it’s a no brainer to take this vessel…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Snake Guru Saving all the Creepy, Crawly Critters in Arizona

    March 21, 2024

    Best Hidden Gem Hiking in Las Vegas, Nevada

    March 16, 2026

    Handling Late Night Arrivals without the Stress

    August 1, 2023
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Polish Your Soul and Your Plate in Sedona, Arizona

    January 5, 2023 /

    Photos, story by Cassie Hepler  When you receive a last minute press trip invite to Sedona, Arizona on 11/11, you go.  Those in alignment numbers represent a powerful opportunity to connect with your inner self and begin some kick ass spiritual growth. It also signifies that a period of change is about to start within you. And literally earlier that week, the shift was already in motion. So I delved into the energy vortex abyss that is the high vibe of Sedona for a magical weekend! But first we had to swing by the brand new Cove Mesa Vineyard in Cornville, AZ to enjoy a wine tasting and meet the…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Explore the World’s Most Beautiful Waterfalls by Road Trip

    June 4, 2024

    Visit the Eccentric Fonthill Castle Built Out of Cement and Trash in Bucks County, PA

    July 25, 2018

    Relax in the Small Town of Wilsonville, Just South of Portland, Oregon

    April 10, 2024
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage

    Philadelphia’s Christmas Pop-up Bar Tinsel Amps Up Watts, Tech and Decor

    December 31, 2022 /

    Tinsel’s swirly signage hangs from the Midtown Village building’s gingerbread-house exterior. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “Tinsel is another word to describe anything as being cool or amazing (You are so Tinsel).” — Urban Dictionary Christmas, 2022 is a wrap. Time to recycle-toss the tree and pack-up those fragile ornaments until next year’s production. And speaking of productions, check out this account of my own ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas adventure! On the evening of November 21st, I made the scene at Tinsel, the wildly popular Christmas Pop-up bar owned and operated by Teddy Sourias of Craft Concepts Group, where Sourias and Kory Aversa of Aversa PR & Events were…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Tune Into the Sounds of the Season at Fairmount Park’s Historic Houses

    December 27, 2017

    Bourbon Master Lifts Spirits at Loews Philadelphia’s Bank & Bourbon Restaurant

    May 28, 2020

    Explore One of the Most Magical Villages in France, Cotignac

    December 15, 2025
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage

    Fahoo Forays, Dahoo Dorays: Welcome U-ville, a Seussian Whoville at Philadelphia’s Uptown Beer Garden

    December 31, 2022 /

    Bright Lights, Big City:  Uptown Beer Garden presented its seasonal U-Ville in homage to the Seussian Whoville. Between the radiant white of a clear conscience and the coal black of a conscience sullied by sin lie many shades of gray – where most of us live our lives. Not perfect but not beyond redemption. ~~ Leslie Pinckney Hill “People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.” ~~ Audrey Hepburn Story, photos by Sharon Kozden On the evening of November 16th, I Ubered into the City to celebrate the unveiling of Uptown Beer Garden’s holiday creation, U-ville … a name whose…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Behind the Scenes Tour at The Divine Lorraine Where People are Already Living

    January 5, 2018

    Explore the World’s First Mountain Climbing Cog Railway in White Mountains, New Hampshire

    September 23, 2024

    Unique Things to Do in Montego Bay, Jamaica

    June 29, 2026
  • Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Holiday Gift Guide for Out of the Box Presents

    December 13, 2022 /

    Story by Cassie Hepler, submitted photos Once upon a time, a long time ago a little toe-headed girl loved wrapping presents and putting elaborate bows on top. She spent hours curling ribbon and making that Christmas tree have an excellent photo-worthy aesthetic way before the social media boom. Fast forward to nowadays and that blonde now calls the gift-giving holiday Present’s Day (because let’s be honest, that’s what it is) and has for a long time… Nowadays I think a lot of people see the importance of giving experiences and memories over endless trinkets however we still need “stuff” to live and enjoy life. It’s a balance of not getting…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Being an Actor, the Raw Truth Behind the Hollywood Glamour

    September 30, 2023

    Explore One of the Most Magical Villages in France, Cotignac

    December 15, 2025

    Explore Omni Mount Washington Resort & Bretton Woods Ski Area in New Hampshire

    September 30, 2024
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Getting a Lil’ (Apple) Sauced During CiderFest at Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park’s Woodford Mansion

    November 14, 2022 /

    CiderFest attendee gives the cider press a rotation during a demonstration. “There is a place, September, oh, very far from Pandemonium. A place where it is always autumn, where there is always cider and pumpkin pie, where leaves are always orange and fresh-cut wood is always burning and it is always, just always Halloween” ~~ Catherynne M Valente Story, photos by Sharon Kozden While fall is the Fiona Apple of my ear (read: the aural equivalent of moody, low-slung clouds) I actually know people who don’t like autumn. Weirdos? Nah. Just people doing what they do (read: exercising their right to be). Imma do me. You do you. We all do…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Unique Things to Do in Saint Tropez, France

    November 24, 2025

    Travel to Hong Kong, Your Gateway to China

    February 14, 2018

    Vincent van Gogh Pop-up Museum Road Trips the USA, Stops at King of Prussia Mall, PA

    November 7, 2018
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Uptown Beer Garden Mutates Upside Down for Spooky Season with ‘Stranger Things’ Theme

    October 23, 2022 /

    “People don’t spend their lives trying to get a look at what’s behind the curtain. They like the curtain. It provides them stability, comfort, definition.” ~~~ Murray Bauman, Stranger Things   Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Actually, Murray, I beg to differ with your above-referenced statements about “the curtain.” I liked getting a look at what’s behind it … at least I did on the evening of September 28th … when Aversa PR and Craft Concepts Group welcomed media to a preview party like none other at Uptown Beer Garden‘s Stranger Things-themed pop-up bar. Greetings from Hawkins, Indiana. Wish you were here! Perhaps if I had watched Netflix TV’s Stranger…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Best Las Vegas, Nevada Photo Spots from a Model and Photographer

    March 2, 2026

    James Beard Media Awards Bites the Big Apple at NYC’s Chelsea Piers

    September 12, 2019

    Bank on Delicious Tastes, City Views at Loews Hotel in Philadelphia, PA

    July 24, 2019
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage

    Must-read: The Union League Guard House Hosts Gladwyne Free Library’s Annual Fundraiser

    October 16, 2022 /

    The charming floral-patterned invitation was designed by Board Member Mary Kate Bolinder. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “Bad libraries build collections, good libraries build services, great libraries build communities.” – R. David Lankes Gladwyne Free Library held its annual fundraiser (its first since 2019) on a September afternoon at the private and exclusive Union League Guard House in Gladwyne, PA. Hosted by the library’s Board of Trustees, the $125-per person ticket to the “Library Libations” cocktail reception entitled purchasers to savory light bites, drinks, sweet treats and, most importantly, the opportunity to bid (during a silent auction) on an impressive array of items donated by local businesses and board members in…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Explore with Cassie Celebrates 5 Years of Lifestyle and Travel Blogging

    March 5, 2020

    The Place to ‘Vie’ was Philly Wine Week’s ‘Opening Corks’ Event

    May 24, 2018

    Explore Omni Mount Washington Resort & Bretton Woods Ski Area in New Hampshire

    September 30, 2024
  • Day Trips,  Entertainment,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Lehigh Valley Humane Society Hosts Second Annual Garden Party

    September 20, 2022 /

    From left, Lehigh Valley Humane Society Director of Development Jackie Folsom and Executive Assistant Madison Xander woman the checkin desk. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden ~~ for Lilyaulait Kozden (end of mouse patrol, 7/24/17) “Of all the special things we choose to do for our planet, let one of them be of service to animals.”  – Paul Oxton “People look at you peculiar if you talk about the feeling you got for animals, saying animals have no souls, no sense of good or bad, no value up next to humans,” he said. “I don’t know about that. Sometimes I think animals are the ones who should be saying such things about…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Loews Hotel Philadelphia Sparks Red, White and Views at Fireworks Watch Party

    September 22, 2025

    Instagram Worthy Vacations Could be Killing Wildlife

    September 29, 2025
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    Rent a Car and Road Trip through Northwest Kansas

    January 15, 2024
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