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Online Gift Guide for Covid Quarantine Creatures
Story by Cassie Hepler, submitted photos Let’s face it, this year sucks. While there might have been a few highlights along the way (like TikTok reaching out and bringing me aboard for their new educational fund including Bill Nye the Science Guy), it has been physically, emotionally and mentally draining AF for people of all ages. Kids and parents will probably have some sort of Covid PTSD from home schooling while working from home. Couples are struggling to not kill each other by being around each other 24/7 (turns out being in the office may be a blessing as absence makes the heart grow fonder) and singles ponder if they…
- Day Trips, Destinations, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Inn at Palm Springs, California is an Oasis in Coachella Valley
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler (unless otherwise noted) Like most everyone this year, I am sick of staring at the same walls at home. And the wanderlust was still negging me daily with all my travel plans that have been cancelled, rescheduled or just hanging in the air because we have no clue when this Covid nonsense will end in good ol ‘Merica. So I planned a trip to the West Coast to escape the sizzling summer heat, do some photoshoots and swim in the Pacific Ocean. And right before I left, I was connected with the Inn at Palm Springs and we planned a media visit for on my…
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Philadelphia’s Nightmare Before Tinsel Halloween Pop-up Complements Day of the Dead
Nightmare Before Tinsel follows strict adherence to face-mask protocol. Meet the new abnormal normal. “Terror is a passion which always produces delight when it does not press too close.” —Edmund Burke Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “How you pull up, Baby? How you pull up?” I pull up like I am all about the total experience. No summertime shore trip happens unless I watch Jaws first. The night before touring a nuclear facility, I popped The China Syndrome into my DVD player. A medical operation on my schedule guarantees a viewing of the suspenseful Coma the evening before I’m anesthetized. I intentionally scare myself. Apparently, I’m in good company, particularly…
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Getting Witchy & Spooky for Halloween & Day Of The Dead with 3Wishes Lingerie
Online Shopping with Fast Delivery for Halloween Costumes & More Story, modeling by Cassie Hepler When 3Wishes.com reached out to me to model their costumes, it was my inner goth girl dreams coming true! Halloween has always been my favorite holiday each year as I love the creative and playful, fun aspect of it all. They asked me to choose two costumes from the website and I poured through the online store which is an experience in itself (and will leave you laughing and intrigued for sure). I went with a classic gothic witch costume to solidify my cult status complete with props and a Day of the Dead costume…
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Live Out Your Tiger King, Joe Exotic Costume Fantasy for Halloween with 3 Wishes
Story by Cassie Hepler, submitted photos Like it or not, Joe Exotic from Netflix‘s Tiger King is a cult sensation that began during a simpler time when the pandemic first started and we were all amazed that such a unique character existed in Florida. We know you binge watched it, don’t be shy and don’t lie! And then there was the viral sensation on TikTok with the dance about Carol Baskin “killed her husband… whacked him”… because if you don’t know, you will soon! Well this year isn’t over yet and if you need some comic relief, Halloween is certainly the time to enjoy some laughs in October (and November…
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Century Grand Phoenix Transports Guests into Locomotive Luxury Era
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Step right up folks and teleport back to an era of decadence at Century Grand Phoenix! The creative masterminds behind the tiny tiki underground bar Undertow have done it again. Barter & Shake Creative Hospitality keeps pushing the boundaries of the immersive fine dining experience with other worldly, creative cocktail programs. Opening its golden doors in fall of 2019 and located right next to Sip Coffee & Beer with sister bar Undertow downstairs (take a tour with this TripAdvisor video), Century Grand is an experience in itself. With timed dinners (2 hours max) and train car bar (90 minutes max), it is necessary as you would…
- Day Trips, Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Live Out Your Wild West Fantasies at White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona
Photos, video and story by Cassie Hepler Back in May 2019, I was on the radio with my East Coast fam, Small Bites Radio on Wildfire Radio. And everyone kept asking about the Wild West… like the gun shooting, horseback riding, free-range roaming desert seen in all the movies. Shortly thereafter, I was at a Visit Phoenix tourism lunch meeting a lovely lady who represented two amazing ranches in Arizona and invited me to stay and play. Little did I know the White Stallion Ranch is consistently voted one of the best ranches in the United States. But I soon experienced exactly why… We had a pretty cool June for…
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Marriott Phoenix Chandler Hotel Adds Luxury and Class to Chandler, Arizona
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler (unless otherwise noted) We love finding hidden gems. Although this one is not so hidden because the Marriott Phoenix Chandler is not only the largest legacy brand full service Marriott in the state (128,000 square feet total), the 264-room property features the greatest amount of hotel conference space in the area at 28,000 feet. Located in the bustling Price Corridor, it is managed by Cincinnati-based Winegardner & Hammons Hotel Group, LLC., an affiliate company of the Pyramid Hotel Group, which is one of the predominant hotel management companies in the United States. With easy access to Loop 101 and Loop 202, we thought it would…
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Masked Ball to Benefit UNCF Unveiled at Philadelphia’s Marriott Downtown
Tanya Amir displays poise and grace befitting her crown and title. “Though it be a thrilling and marvelous thing to be merely young and gifted in such times, it is doubly so, doubly dynamic, to be young, gifted and Black.” – Lorraine Hansberry Story, photos by Sharon Kozden March 7th was an extraordinary evening in Philadelphia … as fabulous as the many previous nights’ events I had covered in the city during my several years as a photojournalist. The eighth annual UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball held at Center City’s Philadelphia Marriott Downtown was in full swing and shaping up to be far and away a memorable grand time in one…
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Green Supply Pivots to Sell Face Masks, Hand Sanitizer & Forehead Thermometers
Green Supply is a health and wellness product company based in Arizona. Previously, Green Supply was immersed in the CBD, organic essential oils and natural wholesale market. Then Covid19 rocked the world and the company pivoted along with the rest of the world. Previous products were unable to be fulfilled due to shelter in place rules and other important restrictions. While debating the next steps, suppliers and partners came up with a plan to import wellness products for consumers directly overseas. Certainly not the planned business model, it allows the company to keep employees working and provide products that are in demand and necessary. As Arizona and other states grapple…
