Tag: family travel

How To Celebrate Mardi Gras At Home

Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) is an amazing celebration especially popular in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before Lent. I’ve spent some time there over the years and it is such a fun celebration you want to be a part of. If you’re lucky enough to be there during the parade it is a trip you won’t forget but you can also celebrate at home. With a little preparation, and a great list of items you can get yourself it can be a fun family tradition and way to celebrate NOLA traditions! Most of the things you can get on this list through Amazon. All of the food I’ve mentioned on the list are from Louisiana and very traditional.

You need to make a King Cake (also known as three kings cake or epiphany cake) of course. A great brand I’ve found to make yourself is Mam Papauls. It is not hard (My daughter and I made last year’s together) and includes the filling and baby. Next make some traditional beignets from the masters at Café Du Monde (established in 1862!) and their famous chicory coffee. It is a personal favorite as you can see below. Just remember to not wear black with your beignets (powdered sugar is a MESS!)!

Dinner is next with some wonderful Jambalaya Girl (also from New Orleans, very involved in Mardi Gras & a long line family in the NOLA food business) traditional Gumbo & Jambalaya for dinner. Simple and easy for anyone to do (you can add your own meat or seafood) with an amazing taste of New Orleans.

On the Amazon list I’ve put some masks (no not the kind we’ve all been used to lately!), doubloons (or coins) and beads (what they call Throws). You also need some table decorations which are also there.

Music can be found on a great Spotify playlist with some fantastic New Orleans Street Jazz. You also need some movies and tv shows about New Orleans, Mardi Gras and its history. My favorite for the whole family is Disney’s The Princess and The Frog. Tiana is a chef who makes all the above mentioned food and it takes place in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. These next movies and tv are more for the adults (rated PG-13 and above). Interview With The Vampire is a great film (and book!) that features late 1700’s New Orleans. The book was written by the great New Orleans author Anne Rice who passed away last year. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button takes place in New Orleans and features many time periods of the cities history. The tv show Treme is about the city after Hurricane Katrina and is a fantastic show (with 4 Seasons!) about this amazing city and its culture and strength.

If you can’t tell, I love New Orleans and all of their vibrant culture and art the city has. Mardi Gras is a wonderful time in the community but there are so many parts of it you can take around the world to celebrate on your own and have a little piece of NOLA with you.

xoxo

Jaimarie

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A Horse Of Course

Yesterday we attended a horse show and fundraiser barbeque for The Rotary Club of New Providence here in The Bahamas. My daughter had never met a horse up close before so it was a great chance for her to see them and make new friends in the process! We are trying to experience new things here and this was definitely one.

We had a great lunch of bbq steak and all of the sides thanks for the Rotary Club and it was a beautiful day to get outside. We love to see how many amazing hidden gems are here in The Bahamas. Camperdown Stables is a not for profit location for riding and boarding horses. If you love riding horses and are visiting Nassau make sure to check it out!

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xoxo

Jaimarie

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Don’t forget to pack these!

I’ve traveled quite a bit over the years to many different places. Different weather, different culture, different customs. These are some of the things they have proved useful no matter where I have gone. They can all be found on Amazon and I made a Travel List that has all of these and more. There is something for everyone no matter where you’re going or who you’re traveling with.

Bon Voyage!

xoxo

Jaimarie

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Travel Spotlight – Springs Preserve

One of my favorite “hidden oasis” spots in Las Vegas, NV is the Springs Preserve. It is 180 preserved acres of museums, galleries, outdoor events, botanical gardens, the Devine Cafe and trail systems. It is beautiful and you would never know you were so close to the Las Vegas strip. You feel a million miles away. They are known for their festivals and events, and personally we have attended many (the ice-cream festival was a favorite). They are great for families and have many children’s activities and learning experiences. The Nevada State Museum is part of it as well so you can learn about the history as well. Next time you visit Las Vegas, make sure you check out the Springs Preserve for a great change of pace and something completely different then you would expect!

xoxo

Jaimarie

  • SpringsPreserve.org
  • Butterfly Habitat
  • Botanical Garden
  • Devine Cafe
  • Ice-cream Festival
  • Nevada State Museum
  • Springs Preserve
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Tru Tru Bahamian Festival

Since moving to the Bahamas we have been trying to see more than the normal tourist things you might see on a day in Nassau from a cruise stop. It has been really fun because it’s forced me to think outside of what Trip Advisor (although great) offers and find other events and places you may only hear about from locals.

Our family recently went to the Tru Tru Bahamian Festival at the John Watlings Distillery  in Nassau.  It is an annual event put on by the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association in Partnership with the Ministry of Tourism.

Tru Tru
Tru Tru Bahamian Festival – Nassau Bahamas

It was a great event with something for the whole family! Food, music, crafts, games for kids, information about local events and museums and even a “History of the Bahamas Runway Show” featuring some of the local pirates who once lived here. We purchased both conch and cod fritters, local Bahamian Limeade and candied nuts from The Nutty Bavarian (they were really wonderful!).

It is an annual event so if you are lucky enough to be visiting Nassau when it is going on make sure to check it out and learn about real Bahamian culture and local fun!

xoxo

Jaimarie

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Adventures With Bob

One thing that has been a constant since my daughter was born was her BOB Stroller.  We have actually had a couple because of moves and have traveled with them to multiple countries.  They hold everything and are perfect for all kinds of weather.  They were originally a jogging stroller, but trust me, nothing is better for a long day at Disney or walking on cobblestone road.  You feel secure that your child is safe.  They are very stable.  The tires are like bicycles and the amount of storage and accessories leaves your child riding in style and comfortable through kind of weather.  The Revolution single jogging stroller has been our choice but there are duallie strollers (for two children) as well. Our favorite accessories have been the travel bag (especially if you intend to fly with it), handlebar console, and rain cover.  

Here she is on one of our adventures. She chose her own outfit for our walk. 💕  
Do your kids have any items they have to take with them when you travel or go out for the day? Let us know their favorites in the comments!

xoxo

Jaimarie

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Have you tried Amazon Explore?

This last Summer when Delta had taken over and traveling internationally just wasn’t possible for us, my family decided do take a few trips right from our computer. I was offered a special deal to try out Amazon Explore and take my daughter on trips around the world daily – from home. We did this as sort of our Summer School. We would plan for what trip we were taking and what we were seeing there, then making dinners from that country and sometimes a fun craft as well. This has been happening for about 6 Months with Amazon and many of the sample trips we did in the beginning are no longer there and have been replaced with different ones.

It is a wonderful experience and almost all of the tour guides we had were amazing. We traveled to Paris, Japan, Barcelona, Madrid, Costa Rica, New Orleans, and so many more. Each tour was completely different depending on where it was, who was leading it and what you asked them to show you. You see and hear them and the area around them (most are walking tours) but they can only hear you (which must be very weird for them!). You can take photos as well which you can download and save of your trip. I have heard they are now doing group tours as well to cut costs but we didn’t experience any of those. There are many more we can’t wait to take. If you’re looking for a fun, cultural, educational experience for the whole family to make the world around them see a little more available right now, check out Amazon Explore.

xoxo

Jaimarie

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The Minnie Van

Before I had a baby I wasn’t too excited about a Minivan. Recently at Walt Disney World that all changed.  Together with Lyft Disney has created a very fun ride called the “Minnie Van”. It is a collaboration with the ride share service and available for guests of the resorts around the parks. You can arrange a ride in a private Disney car right from your phone. A Disney cast member drives you, so you know you’re in good hands, and they can take you anywhere around Walt Disney World Resort. The service holds up to 6 guest with two available car seats (versatile car seats that can be either forward or rear facing or even a booster seat) for little guests.

Minnie Van
The Minnie Van on our most recent WDW trip

On our last two trips to Walt Disney World we have had the opportunity to try the Minnie Van. One time from the Caribbean Beach Resort and once from the Polynesian. If you currently use Lyft you probably know how it works but additionally we had to ask for an activation code at the front desk to use the Minnie Van service.

WDW Minnie Van
Gianna loving the Minnie Van at WDW

On both trips the Disney cast member drivers were wonderful and so helpful and accompanying. The ride is $25 flat for a one way trip. Although this seems a bit high compared to normal ride sharing apps or the free transportation options WDW offers, when you are pressed for time or don’t want to deal with the bus service or other options it is a great time saver! Also being provided by Disney there is a feeling of additional safety and the provided car seats make it great for families.

The Minnie Van drops you off right where you need to be at the parks!

For us, we had a half day after travel to spend at the park so the time saved was well worth it. Disney music was playing during the trip which my daughter loved and it was so much fun to see her light up as she recognized a song. Both of our drivers have been so helpful and knew answers to any questions we have had.

On each trip, our Minnie Van was equipped with Graco 4ever car seats and Gianna loved them so much that we ended up getting one ourselves as her new “big girl” car seat!

Graco 4ever
Her new “Big Girl” car seat at home

If you are staying at a WDW property and are looking for a way to add a little special touch to shorten your trip to the park or ease to your day, make sure you try a Minnie Van. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks from our adventures at Walt Disney World in upcoming posts and follow us on Instagram @ATinySuitcase!

xoxo

Jaimarie

 

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A Model Baby

When my daughter was just over one year old she shot her first product packaging and print job as a model for the company Lulyboo. She had a great time doing it and enjoyed her first day in front of the camera at a professional photo studio.

Waiting for her next shot
Getting to know the Lulyboo products

I have worked as a model since I was a teenager and it was amazing to see her so comfortable on her first photo shoot (I know I wasn’t!). The whole team was so wonderful and knew just how to work with a baby and make her feel at ease. We shot at a studio in San Diego, California and she had a great day.

During the shoot with Lulyboo
Gianna on set with the wonderful women behind Lulyboo

Here is her ad for their Shopping Cart & Highchair cover. It is perfect for travel, has a zippered pocket and even has a place for a tablet or phone to keep kids busy while you shop or dine if you choose to. You can purchase it on the Lulyboo website, at Amazon, ToysRus, Target, Walmart, BuyBuyBaby, Bed Bath and Beyond and many more retailers.

The advertisement for Lulyboo’s Shopping Cart & Highchair Cover from their website
The advertisement for Lulyboo’s Shopping Cart & Highchair Cover from their website

(Photos from Lulyboo’s website)

 Since then she has done more shoots and enjoys playing to the cameras (and all of the attention) but this was her first professional modeling job and we will never forget it and the wonderful crew she worked with at Lulyboo.

❤️

Jaimarie

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Island Life

Our family recently relocated to The Bahamas for my husband’s work. Although our extended family lives here and we have visited often, nothing compares to the new adventure we are on. Traveling (and moving) with a toddler is always challenging.

Being based in California, London and Las Vegas previously, the island life is something you see in movies and photos on social media or are lucky enough to experience on a vacation or cruise (my previous experiences).  Although we will be back and forth, we will be spending quite a bit of time here and it is truly like a dream.  Spending the Winter in a tropical location adds a very fun twist to the normal cold holiday season.

Within a day of arriving, my daughter found a coconut that had fallen from a tree, cracked it open and we drank the water.  One of her favorite movies is Moana so you can imagine how excited she was!

She found a fallen coconut
Just like Moana!
Learning about coconuts
Drinking the coconut water

If you want to escape the cold Winter this is the place to do it!  Check back often for more about our adventures in The Bahamas here or on our social media Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, & Pinterest

🇧🇸❤️

Jaimarie

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