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Explore With Cassie

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

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  • CassieHepler.com
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  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Philly’s First Just Salad Joins Healthy Movement for a Leaner City

    June 22, 2018 /

    Story by Tiffany DuBois, photos by Eric Morales Fresh, crisp, delicious! Just Salad is not just a salad bar similar to Sweetgreen or any other vegetarian-friendly spot in Philadelphia. It is a fresh, vibrant, eco-friendly salad restaurant that just opened on 1729 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19103. It is their first location in Pennsylvania. They already have locations in New York City, Chicago, Kansas, Dubai and Hong Kong! Team Leader Michael Oliva is a transplant from the New York City Just Salad restaurant who exudes warmth and a genuine interest in knowing your opinion on the food. And it’s not just Michael that really cares about the customer’s opinion. Everyone…

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    Tiffany Dubois

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    Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia Serves Sexy Blues with a Side of Fine Dining

    September 9, 2024

    Portland, Oregon Chef Kyo Koo opens Asian-American Warsugai Restaurant

    May 8, 2024
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Tasty Wings, Burgers and Beer at P.J. Whelihan’s Pub & Restaurant in Oaks, PA

    June 21, 2018 /

    Story, photos by Jill Beckel The newest member of the P.J. Whelihan’s brand, P.J. Oaks, will be your new go-to spot for happy hour, game nights and meeting up with friends. P.J. Oaks opened its doors in Montgomery County, PA in 2016. P.J. Whelihan’s Pub + Restaurant is part of the well-loved P.J.W. Restaurant group. Now with 14 locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and an additional 3 arena locations, P.J. Whelihan’s is quickly becoming a Philadelphia area staple. Known for a massive craft beer selection, an incomparable game-day experience, and of course, The Official Wing of Wing Bowl, P.J.’s demonstrates every day just how much #PJsDoesItBetter. We stopped by the…

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    Jill Beckel

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    18 Atlantic City Restaurants with Waterfront Views

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    Tropicana’s Chelsea Tower Brings Atlantic City, New Jersey Good Luxe

    December 5, 2018
  • Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Barrel’s Fine Food: A South Philly Family Food Tradition

    June 20, 2018 /

    Story by: Maureen Cunningham / Photos: Provided by Barrel’s Most Delaware Valley natives alive long enough to remember life before not only smartphones, but also cell and/or car phones, knows that South Philadelphia was always renowned for delicious, authentic Italian cuisine. Long before the hipsters invaded the diverse neighborhoods that border Center City below South Street (Washington Avenue or Tasker Street, depending on who you ask), appetites have been whetted just walking down the street on any given Sunday by the aroma of gravy (yes, I said it) wafting out of homes. Ensconced in this tradition on the corner of a tiny street of row homes on 1725 Wolf Street is…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania’s 2022 Conference

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    Philadelphia’s Barnes Foundation Centennial Art Ball was Stunning

    October 16, 2023

    DoubleTree by Hilton Celebrates Opening 500th Hotel in Times Square West, NYC

    June 19, 2017
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Explore Spiritually Uplifting Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona

    June 14, 2018 /

    Photos, story by Cassie Hepler When you move out west and your high school friend suggests a weekend birthday escape to Page, Arizona, the only answer is hell, yeah! The drive from Phoenix should only take about 4 hours but in my world of scrambling to get out the door early on a Thursday, I had my Google maps set to no highways and it took me like 6 hours, past some sort of water dam around twisting, winding roads and snow capped mountains. I had no clue where I was, barely had cell service as I was on the phone working out transitioning the blog URL names and Google…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    CiderFest Brought Hardcore Fun to Woodford Mansion in Philly’s Fairmount Park

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    Explore 5 Hidden Treasures Just Outside of London, England

    October 28, 2024

    Explore the Buttercup Valley, Imperial Sand Dunes in Yuma, Arizona

    March 10, 2025
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    East Coast Hollywood: Philadelphia Film Society Screens Oscar Awards at Prince Theater

    June 13, 2018 /

    While not the Emerald City of Los Angeles, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection reps the 90th Academy Awards as only Philadelphia can. Kai-Kai’s inaugural stay at a pet-friendly hotel. My baby lives the luxe life! Story, photos by Sharon Kozden None in Philadelphia will forget the snow and wind-storm of March, 2018. I lost power for six days and had to locate (in order to cover this event) a pet-friendly hotel, hence the unexpected snap of a kitten. Thanks to the pet-friendly (at no extra charge!) The Windsor Suites for accommodating Kai-Kai Kozden, my beloved Maine Coon kitty, pictured at the hotel with Benjamin Kutner-Duff, who fell…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Explore with Cassie Celebrates 5 Years of Lifestyle and Travel Blogging

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    Tasty Wine, Tempting Cheeses, Music and Even Goat Yoga at 8th Annual Skippack Winetober Festival

    January 17, 2018

    Spring Was in the Air (and the Food) at the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Preview Party

    May 18, 2017
  • Day Trips,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Lifestyle

    Pretty in Pink at Philadelphia’s Morris Arboretum’s Cherry Blossom Festival

    June 7, 2018 /

    “To see the cherry hung with snow.” — Alfred E. Housman No explication necessary. Poet Housman here nailed it with the “hung with snow” phrase. Loveliest of trees, the cherry now Is hung with bloom along the bough, And stands about the woodland ride Wearing white for Eastertide.  – Alfred E. Housman Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Slowly but surely, “I’ve been turning Japanese, turning Japanese, I really think so.” This transmogrification began at least a decade ago, when one day I awoke, surveyed my surroundings and determined that the sheer volume of what my mother calls dust-catchers (read: tchotchkes) had to be jettisoned–stat. I set to divesting myself of…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Lots of Fall Fun at the Pour the Core Festival at the Philadelphia Navy Yard

    August 15, 2018
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Lifestyle

    Escape to Foodie Paradise at Bucks County Restaurant Week in Washington House Hotel

    June 6, 2018 /

    The Washington House Restaurant’s prix fixe menu tantalizes in its choices. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “Going to a restaurant is one of my keenest pleasures. Meeting someplace with old and new friends, ordering wine, eating food, surrounded by strangers, I think is the core of what it means to live a civilized life.”  –Adam Gopnik I’m not sure why it took so long for Bucks County to establish a restaurant week comprising all of its towns. I’m just glad that 2018 was its inaugural year and that I was a part of it. Hopefully (and judging by what I tasted and witnessed), it’ll become a tradition for the ages.…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Get Your Wild West on and go Golfing at Rancho de Los Caballeros in Wickenburg, Arizona

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  • Destinations,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News

    Cassie’s Cars and Casita Oasis in Arcadia, Arizona

    June 4, 2018 /

    Story, photos by Cassie Hepler After about a month at the AirBnb Hobbit Hole studio stay in Tempe, Arizona, it was time to find a (more) permanent space . The train going by at all hours of the night was killing my sleep pattern although I did enjoy the birds and outside kitchen space every morning. I was determined to find something peaceful and serene in a quieter location of the city and closer to the airport. Everyone I met kept telling me how much I would love Arcadia and after scoping out some other locations (including Scottsdale which I learned from a local the nickname is “Snotsdale” because it’s…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Explore Down the Shore at Long Beach Island’s Daddy O Hotel in New Jersey

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  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    iPic Theaters Mixes Movies, Chefs and Crafted Cocktails for a Luxury Escape in Scottsdale, AZ

    May 31, 2018 /

    Story by Cassie Hepler, photos courtesy of iPic Theaters Imagine going to the movies in your own first class VIP pod for two. Now imagine pressing a button to have ninja waiters dressed in all black suddenly appear at your beck and call to deliver you chef created menu items (like steak!) and crafted from scratch cocktails. This place does exist and it exists in Arizona only in Scottsdale at iPic Theaters… a perfect luxury escape from those sweaty summer days or nights! You know how all the theaters are finally catching on to lounge chair style movie chairs instead of the stiff-as-a-board old school style? Well, iPic was the…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Hondo Rodeo Fest Debuts in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona

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    Body Painting Gallery Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary in Philadelphia, PA

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  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Another Nor’easter Didn’t Stop People from Attending the 3rd Annual Philadelphia Restaurant Festival

    May 31, 2018 /

    Photos, story by Jill Beckel A wicked winter afternoon in March was the start of another Nor’easter! But that didn’t stop Philadelphians from attending the 3rd Annual Philadelphia Restaurant Festival which was held at the beautiful Crystal Tea Room at the Wanamaker Building. This year’s Philadelphia Restaurant Festival did not disappoint with over 60 restaurants, wineries and distilleries participating. Attendees traveled throughout the main room and the Viennesse Room of the Crystal Tea Room, stopping to sample anything that piqued their fancy. It was a great way to eat and drink your way through a showcase of Philadelphia’s vibrant local restaurant scene and try some new restaurants you may not have…

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    Jill Beckel

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