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Christmas Pop-up Bar Tinsel Brings Season’s Gleam to Philadelphia
Tinsel is lit for Christmas 2023! “Oh, heart, let’s never grow too old To smile anew, when Christmas comes, At tassels red and tinsel thread …” ~ Nancy Byrd Turner Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Philadelphia’s beloved and popular Christmas pop-up bar is back! Tinsel came to sleigh on November 24th with its 2023 “Christmas Comedy” theme. In addition to lights galore and always outre displays and decorations, Tinsel is highlighting decades of tee-hees from fan-fav funny movies. Something I really look forward to at Tinsel each season is the specificity to detail in its overall production, decor and presentation. Be on the lookout for the little things. Check every…
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PNC’s ‘LumiNature’ Winter Light Show Illuminates Philadelphia Zoo
“You have to find what sparks a light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world.” ~ Oprah Winfrey Story, photos by Sharon Kozden Watts up, Philadelphia Zoo? A hellota (it’s a word, according to Urban Dictionary!) twinkling and sparkling that runs until Saturday, January 6 is watts up! Know this: If you’re planning to check out PNC’s return of LumiNature, a wintertime light show featuring more than a million lights across 16 illuminated zones, it is presented “with timed entrance tickets available every half hour from 5:00pm to 8:00pm with the experience closing at 9:00pm or 10:00pm depending on visit date. Pre-purchase your timed…
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Fly to Puerto Vallarta Airport and Explore Nayarit, Mexico
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Flying on an early morning flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor, Arizona to Puerto Vallarta Airport went pretty smoothly with a hosted American Airlines aisle seat. Mind you, international flights call for a two hour arrival buffer time although it makes no sense as you can check in online and just find your gate fast especially with TSA pre-check but airlines haven’t caught up yet I guess. Also, try not to check your luggage. You really don’t need all that stuff you packed, trust me. I’ll make a basic bitch carry on travel bag blog post soon, I promise. Much like the Cabo San Lucas airport…
- Arizona, Celebrities, Culture, Dessert, Drink, Education, Entertainment, Events, Explore with Cassie, Food, Latest News, Music, Restaurants, Style, Travel
Merkin Vineyards in Arizona Offers Outstanding Reds, Food and Music
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler First of all, let’s set this namesake straight. Do you know what a Merkin is? Go check it out on Wikipedia before you continue reading if you don’t. Now that we’re all on the same page, this is just another reason why we love Maynard Keenan, the mastermind behind the brand that has the name “Merkin” on everyone’s lips. If you are not into heavy metal, you are probably not familiar with his many bands including Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer. Congratulations, now you are all caught up! Everyone in Arizona knows that this rock star lives in Jerome, Arizona on the side of…
- Architecture, Culture, Dessert, Drink, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food, Latest News, Nature, Restaurants, Travel
Relax and Enjoy Slow, Southern Style in Clarksville, Tennessee
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler (unless otherwise noted) Nashville, Tennessee gets all the fame. They also have that horrible reality show knock off of The Kardashians, The Cavallari’s which is like the Southern version of scripted, dramatic nonsense. But if you look about an hour Northwest of Nashville, there’s a slow, Southern style oasis that offers a much more relaxing experience. Rolling green hills, trees and nature abounds in this surprisingly funky little city full of hipsters and impressive growing gastronomy. It’s the perfect place to escape to – and yet close enough to Nashville to get your fix if you really need it. Small enough that it’s walkable, but…
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Round of Applause for Bravo! Cucina Italiania in Lehigh Valley Mall, Pennsylvania
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden While June 6th is known far and wide as the anniversary of 1944’s “D-Day Invasion,” it’s overshadowed each year in my family by the occasion of my mother’s birthday. She turned 91 this year (her longevity secret’s a secret!), and I was pleased that she could accompany me to Bravo! Cucina Italiana for a celebratory dinner. The day was a hot one. Consequently, I was concerned the heat would cause appetite suppression, resulting in side-salads-as-entrée orders rather than the anticipated chow-down with gusto. But no worries necessary as, once inside, the cool air hit and the foodie fest was on! Bravo! Cucina Italiana is a…
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Cruising to Bermuda with Celebrity Cruise Line
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler This Spring and Summer have been really heating up in my world! Since getting back from Cabo and catching the traveling bug, I’ve been doing a lot more travel which alway makes my soul happy. I promised one of my besties to go on a cruise with her through Celebrity Cruise lines which was very nice… and old. Not so much the ship itself but the crowd. Our favorite couple at dinner asked us why we were on this ship with a bunch of old people and we immediately adopted them. Celebrity is known for the food and when you’re two foodies traveling to paradise…
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French Wine Dinner at Lou Bird’s Full of Great Food, Company and All The Wines
Story, photos by Jennifer Ferrell On a chilly Thursday evening, I had the pleasure of dining at Lou Bird‘s warm brick and wooden elegant neighborhood bar and restaurant. The restaurant hosted a French wine pairing cuisine price fix menu. Greeted with a friendly face and a warm handshake at the front door, I was shown to my seat at the bar. Immediately upon arrival, I was greeted by the bartender, Shane who ended up tending to filling my wine glasses and delivering my delicious colorful plates. I immediately felt at home under the red glow from the specially selected votives adorning the bar. I met with the owner, Norris Jordan,…
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Falling in Love with Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Since I was a teen, I wanted to live a bi-coastal life with my favorite seasons on the East Coast (Spring, Summer and Fall) and escape chilly Philly to somewhere warm in the winter (usually California and sometimes Florida). Perhaps I don’t own any warm weather property (yet) however I can escape the cold to the land of sunshine and lollipops, especially now that my back is fixed up with no pain and I’m literally less than 5 degrees curved now from scoliosis fusion surgery! So this trip was extra special and an encouragement from my Scoliosis Inspire & Inform group to take a one-year “Spineaversary” to celebrate being back…
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Party ’til Midnight: Dance on the Falls Bridge is a Unique Urban Experience
Story by Cassie Hepler, photos by Cassie Hepler/David Houck We admit it. We’ve been stalking the East Falls bridge since… oh, maybe 2006? A smart commuters destination choice to drive downtown (other than straight-shooting down Kelly Drive), it is a handsome bridge with greenish-blueish wrought iron spirals and swirls. Complete with Iron Pratt trusses with a granite base, it uses both gas and electric lights. In 1892, James H. Windrim, Director of Public Works for the City of Philadelphia, presented a plan for the proposed Falls Bridge, a “double decker” bridge, connecting Neil Drive to the top of Calumet Street and the Powers and Weightman Chemical Company. On June 3, 1895, the…