Los Angeles: A Few Wonderful Days in the City of Angels...

Los Angeles is a sprawling city that is as famous for its unique landscapes and entertainment as it is for its residents. As the center of the nation's film and television industry, it's exciting at every nook and cranny. We love Los Angeles and each of its unique neighborhoods and towns. You can live in Los Angeles for years and still not get to see everything it has to offer. Spending an unforgettable week sightseeing, or even doing it in a few days, is completely doable, and still very satisfying. Whether you're touring Universal, Warner or Paramount Studios, checking out the TCL Chinese Theater to put your shoes or hands into one of favorite celebrities, checking out the stars on the Walk of Fame, or taking a tour of movie star's homes, all things celebrity surround you.

JW Marriott Essex House in New York City: The Creme de le Creme of NY Hotels...

There is no shortage of outstanding hotels in NYC. Many have spectacular locations, ambiance, suites and restaurants. We recently had the opportunity to review the JW Marriott Essex House and it has become our newest favorite hotel in the city.

The entire luxury hotel is a work of art that has been an icon in NYC since 1931. With ornate gilded doors and rich wood paneling throughout that bring you back to the Art Deco years, current cutting-edge technology seamlessly blends the past and present.

The JW Marriott Essex House is a 44-story luxury hotel with 509 Art Deco style rooms, located across the street from the southern border of Central Park. The building also includes a large number of condominium residences. It is immediately recognizable by its original red neon rooftop sign.

Their contemporary guest rooms are comfortable, immaculate, and homey all at the same time with breathtaking views of Central Park and Manhattan as a bonus. And, all of the usual suspects are available, including Internet TV and WiFi. We stayed in a Junior Suite (with a King bed) and couldn't wait to jump in to their sumptuous bedding at the end of our day. The room is 500 square feet which is plenty big, especially for NYC, and there is an additional, separate sitting area. The suite also boasts a plush sofa that turns into a queen bed for additional family.

The Southgate Bar and Restaurant is a great choice for any meal. The restaurant is bright and cheerful. You can have breakfast, lunch, dinner, or small bites and cocktails there. Their Central Park bar offers spectacular views, a cozy fireplace and first-rate meals. Their Sunday Jazz Brunch was fabulous! It offered everything we could ask for in a delicious breakfast and the atmosphere was lovely and inviting.

Hotel services and amenities are abundant, providing the comforts of home during your travels. There is an executive lounge, stellar concierge services, rejuvenating spa services, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and an exceptional business center.

We'd like to thank a few people for making our stay perfect... Ramona in Public Relations, Maurizio LaGrast (the Food and Beverage Operations Manager), Oneida Peralta (housekeeping), Shiba, Dalio, Greg Cochran, Jennifer Kim, Hannah, and everyone at the front desk. Thank you and we can't wait to visit again!

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycex-jw-marriott-essex-house-new-york/

The Best Halloween Attractions in Central New Jersey...

Corner of Chaos... (cornerofchaos.com)



This is a blast. Cornfields and Forests and Haunted Barns, oh my! Start off with the Wicked Wagon Hayride. It's a nice, slow start but lots of fun. Move on to the Trail of Treachery, which was a little scarier than the Hayride. It's really cool to walk through the corn fields and there are surprises around every corner. After these two, the thrills never stop. The Barbaric Barn, winner of the "Frighttour Frighty Winner Maze of the Year" two years ago, is awesome. However, our favorite of all is the Wooded Wasteland. As scary as you would want it to be, and not for wimps, this is so exciting, and everything has everything you would desire on a haunted trail. 

To be honest, all of their attractions are as good as any attraction in Disney or Universal, and they last a lot longer, too.

Grand Cayman: Truly A Piece of Heaven on Earth...

Once you visit the Cayman Islands, and specifically Grand Cayman, it will be really hard to go to any other island. The Cayman Islands used to be a place for mainly scuba divers but it has become a special place for any type of vacation. Grand Cayman is the largest of the Cayman Islands with George Town as its capital. There are so many things to do and places to visit (see bottom of review).

First, we'd like to offer opinions about two very different accommodations. One being a five-star luxury hotel and the other a homey suite hotel.

Headliner -- Neptune, NJ...

What's the Jersey shore without clubs? Summer might be over but that doesn't mean that the excitement at Jersey shore is finished. The Headliner is definitely one of New Jersey's hottest nightclubs. It's a favorite hot spot for both locals and out-of-towners during the summer, of course, but they also continuously have entertainment throughout the year. Their nightlife caters mostly to a college crowd, with drink specials, live music that's perfect for dancing to the pulsating beats, and awesome DJs and area bands, all embraced with classic Jersey atmosphere. The ambiance is perfect, the lighting spectacular, and the decor sleek. However, The Headliner is a great place to host a party too. They can accommodate a pretty nice size party, with lots of room to spare.

The Headliner has it all. Enjoy a martini (their martinis are actually famous). Grab premium scotch and liquors. And you have to check out their newest addition, the Vodka Room. The Vodka Room will impress even those with the pickiest of vodka palates. Deep Eddy, Belvedere, Grey Goose and many other top shelf brands await you, all chilled at the ideal temperature! Listen to some of the hottest music out there. Or have a quick meal or snack. We love their wings but they also have delicious beer battered mushrooms, fried mac and cheese, corn nuggets (great), pizza, burgers, sandwiches and other delights. Customers can also enjoy their mouth-watering barbecue on the outdoor deck as they play beer pong or darts. You can even book a party and offer your guests a wonderful buffet. Don't forget to check out their specials too for tremendous deals.

Cool Folding Outdoor Travel Furniture...

Are you looking for some ingenious options for extra seating, storage, or table space? Would you love to have lightweight, foldable, portable vehicles to move your products around with? Do you need solutions for storing these products away when they're not in use? Creative Outdoor Distributor is a manufacturer of creative, foldable, portable, customizable (with the right quantities), and clever, cool-looking products for the home and office, indoors or out. Their innovative, exciting products are useful in so many ways. From backyard parties, corporate meeting giveaways, concerts, to beach outings, and fair and trade shows, you will wonder how you ever managed without their offerings. Check out their website for dozens of ideas.

www.creativeoutdoordistributor.com

Antonio's Restaurant in Monroe, NJ: A Diamond in the Rough...

When you first pull up to Antonios, it looks like a typical pizzeria in a typical shopping center in a typical town in NJ. Since we did heard positive things about the restaurant, we were excited to review it but, to be perfectly honest, pulling up was a little disappointing. 

As we walked inside, we found that the dining space was actually much larger than you would imagine, with two very large, very comfortable dining rooms. We arrived early for lunch (about 11:30am) and the restaurant was empty. We had our pick of tables and chose one in the middle of one of the two dining rooms. Within 20 minutes, it was hard to believe but both dining rooms were completely packed. 

Travelpro Luggage: Super Light and Durable!

We only work with one company when it comes to luggage. Whether you're traveling by car, plane, bus, train or boat, Travelpro offers an awesome line of luggage that will take care of 100% of your packing needs. Hundreds of thousands of people rely on Travelpro as their luggage choice because of its durability, looks, light weight, and quality. 

We have a few favorites...

Crew 10. This durable, lightweight collection incorporates the most advanced technology for spinner and rollaboard luggage. With its MagnaTrac self-aligning spinner wheels, powerScope extension handle, contour grip, shearresistant zipper heads, customizable interior tie-down straps and highly durable construction make it the best luggage you may ever own. There are carry-ons, totes, garment bags, and a suiter.

 

Schwinn Bikes: Great Travel Companions for a Completely Different Vacation Experience...

There's no better way to explore the scenic beauty of the outdoors than on a bicycle. Whether you're riding through local streets of big cities, laid-back beach towns, secluded forests or rural landscapes, you'll see the sights from an entirely different perspective. Get some serious exercise while you inhale the individuality of each destination you visit. You'll get a first-hand experience, taking in the sights, and fitting in like one of the locals. 

Schwinn Bicycles has styles for every member of your family. Schwinn Bicycles have been around for decades and we're certain that they'll be around for many more decades to come. There's a good reason for that. Schwinn bicycles are so impressive, with choices to fit every lifestyle and every budget. In addition to the variety of their lines, their bikes are beautifully designed, made with the best materials available, they're lightweight, and reasonably priced, even at the highest level. A Schwinn bike will last for years and through many miles. Schwinn has always been one of the true leaders in the bicycle category and they will continue that tradition for a long time to come.

Teak on the Hudson - Hoboken, NJ...

This classy lounge/bar, restaurant, and nightclub is an awesome hotspot  to spend the evening. It's in Hoboken and it provides incredible ambiance and phenomenal views of New York City. As a restaurant, it's an upscale sushi venue, although they have lots of other excellent, high quality food as well. Besides the dining room, there is a small area by the bar with seating and tables, as well as an outdoor patio that has full service. (The dining rooms turns into its ultimate nightclub later on in the evening). The decor definitely has the wow factor...behind the sushi bar is a gorgeous, enormous fish aquarium, and the lighting and decor all around is very chic and hip. Bright, colorful, and uplifting. There is also an upstairs for private parties. We love it!

Los Angeles: Entertainment Day and Night...

They say that New York is the city that never sleeps. Los Angeles comes in at a close second. From beaches, attractions, and tours during the day to restaurants, clubs, and parties in the evening, you will never find it difficult getting an itinerary together. Los Angeles is a great place to visit minus one setback... the traffic. As a warning, make sure you plan your travels around it and try not to go at peak hours or you will be wasting precious time in your car.

Los Angeles is a sprawling city that is as famous for its unique landscapes and entertainment as it is for its residents. As the center of the nation's film and television industry, it's exciting at every nook and cranny. We love Los Angeles and each of its unique neighborhoods and towns. You can live in Los Angeles for years and still not get to see everything it has to offer. Spending an unforgettable week sightseeing, or even doing it in a few days, is completely doable, and still very satisfying. Whether you're touring Universal, Warner or Paramount Studios, checking out the TCL Chinese Theater to put your shoes or hands into one of favorite celebrities, checking out the stars on the Walk of Fame, or taking a tour of movie star's homes, all things celebrity surround you.

The Luxe Hotel -- Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles...

We've stayed at dozens of hotels in the Los Angeles area over the years. Many are wonderful, but you'll pay a price for location, location, location. Unbelievably, this quaint boutique hotel is in a location that can't be beat, coupled with excellent accommodations, and great amenities, all for a price you won't believe. It's in Brentwood on Sunset Boulevard, right off the 405 freeway, and smack in the middle of all of the fun. The Luxe is perfect if you're going to be sightseeing or traveling for business in any direction. Westwood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu, and Hollywood, to name a few, are all short drives away.

Sites...

Coming soon...

Las Vegas...

LAS VEGAS is a city full of excitement and loaded with so many places to see and experience. However, when you only have a few days to visit, it gets complicated as you try and decide on what to do with limited time. It's difficult choosing from hundreds of hotels, restaurants, and attractions, but we've gathered up a pretty good first-timer's list and hope you accept a few of our selections. As always, we couldn't feature everything we wanted to in complete detail, but this will give you a head start.

Essex House NYC: The Creme de le Creme of NYC Hotels...

Review coming soon...

Spectacular location, spectacular suites and restaurants, and spectacular ambiance.

Employees who made our stay top notch:

Ramona, Public Relations
Maurizio LaGrasta, Food and Beverage Operations Manager
Oneida Peralta, Housekeeping
Shiba and Dalio, Greg Cochran
Jennifer Kim, Hannah, Front Desk

Newport, Rhode Island... Splendor at the Sea

   

Newport is such a fabulous place visit, whether it’s just for family fun or for corporate meetings. There is so much to do, and you can see everything in just a few days. Start off with a calming, scenic sailboat ride on the Narragansett Bay (perfect for an off-site excursion at a corporate event). Take a hike on the Cliff Walk. Tour the glorious mansions. Have an incredible seafood meal. Shop at adorable boutiques. It’s all there. Whether you're looking for waterfront accommodations, a great meal, lively nightlife, a unique shopping experience or just somewhere to dock your boat, this is the place.

Grand Cayman...

Coming Soon...

6-Pack Travel Bags for Fitness Enthusiasts...

For anyone committed to nutrition and fitness, we highly recommend this company and their perfect products for you, 6-Pack bags. Travel effortlessly without any interruptions.

6-Pack's manufactures duffle bags, briefcases, backpacks, and meal management bags for men and women. Their mission was to create innovative travel gear, bags and luggage for the elite athlete and fitness enthusiast. Each one of their bags was meticulously designed, keeping all of your needs on the top of their list. There wasn't a thing they didn't think of, and utilizing their bags makes working out on the go not only simple and manageable, but it actually makes it fun.

When you're preparing for your day, and your fitness schedule, what kinds of things do you need to take along? Clothing, drinks, meals, accessories, and supplements are part of the long list. 6-Packs gear bags are loaded with pockets to organize all of those items for you so that they're easy to find and access. No more wasted time trying to find your plastic bag of vitamins, or your workout gloves. Each item has its own dedicated spot.

There are varied features in each style, and here's a general list: patented system to organize meals; insulated compartments; modular internal shelving system; slot-in gel packs; BPA/PVC free containers that are safe in microwaves, dishwashers and leakproof; ergonomic padded bag straps for comfort.

One of our testers works 16 hours a day as a personal trainer. Here's his testimonial:

"It's safe to say that the Beast Duffle is truly a beast. Since I work such long hours, you can only imagine how many things I need to pack up for the day. For starters, there's a cooler section with 6 plastic meal sleeves... more than enough for all of your meals and snacks. It helps to keep me energized and prevents me from missing any important meals throughout the day (you only need to change out the ice packs once in 16 hours!). In addition, there are plenty of dedicated pockets for your phone, protein, supplements, vitamins, training and workout clothes, water bottles, utensils, blender bottles, shoes, visor, towel, workout equipment and accessories, headphones, computer, books, and lots more. There are compartments for almost anything you could imagine. The design is extremely cool... they really thought of everything. I constantly have people asking me where to get one... they're that unique."

 "The Voyager Backpack" is something that I use for non-work days. It holds a good amount of food in its cooler compartment, with enough pockets for many of the items held in the Beast. It's a little larger than a normal backpack, but it's not at all uncomfortable due to its excellent design and soft and durable materials used. I recently used the Voyager on a mountain hike with some of my friends and it was so useful, and comfortable enough to wear while walking up a full mountain. I recommend this for anyone who doesn't need an entire days worth of food and clothes, but just a few hours worth of necessities."

There's only one place to go for your fitness travel bags and that's 6-Pack Fitness!

(www.sixpackbags.com)

Rock of Ages... Broadway NYC

This show rocks!!! We love, love, loved it!!! Although this electrifying show has been in New York City since 2008 (and before NYC it started in Los Angeles in 2005), we feel it still deserves a place on our BEST list because it is the BEST. Rock of Ages is a lighthearted and comedic, blow-up, blast-off, celebration of classic rock hits from the 1980s. The great rock music that we hope your kids will love it as much as you will because music has never been the same again. This jukebox musical showcases the glam metal bands of the 80s. Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Bon Jovi, Poison, Steve Perry and many more. This clever show took these mindblowing songs and made an entertaining arena-rock love story out of them.

Il Mulino Restaurant - NYC and Atlantic City

Il Mulino is the epitome of an Old New York Italian hangout. It’s the most authentic Italian restaurant we’ve eaten in, other than in Italy. This upscale restaurant has incredible food and a first-class reputation. We can understand why.From the minute you walk it, the experience is just as amazing as the food, it’s an event. Whether you’re out celebrating a special day, or just on a dinner date, the night will feel special. The dining room is elegantly old fashioned. Partial wallpaper, partial brick walls. The tables are covered with crisp white tablecloths, and the floor is covered in burgundy carpet.

Museum of Natural History...NYC

This has been one of my favorite, personal treasures from New York City since I was a small child. This awesome museum always mesmerized me. I walk inside and feel so nostalgic about life. The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition. The Museum is renowned for its exhibitions and scientific collections, which serve as a field guide to the entire planet and present a panorama of the world's cultures.

Aruba: Sunshine and Fun Year Round!

If you want an almost 100% guarantee of sunshine (and who doesn't), Aruba is the place for you. This small, tropical island will envelop you in brilliant sunshine and caressing heat all year round. It does rain, but not very often or for very long. Even with its average 82-degree temperature, the winds are predictable and constant, blowing through as if they were sent just to keep you cool and comfortable. In the summer months, the water is so calm that you can float on your raft and barely move around. This also makes it perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling, since there is very little rain to affect the visibility. In the winter months, when the winds are strongest, sailing and windsurfing are perfect water sports to partake in. Most of the rain comes October-December but even then you will still get plenty of sun.

40/40 Club -- New York City...

Imagine a wonderful restaurant in spectacular New York City. Imagine it also becoming one of the hottest nightclubs after dining hours. And to add a cherry on top of this spectacular sundae, imagine that it’s co-owned by one of the hottest rappers out there today, Jay-Z. Well, your imagination has now turned into a reality. The 40/40 Club is the reality. It’s a chain of sports bars and lounges. (FYI: 40/40 is the baseball term used to showcase the exclusive group of Major League Baseball players who have achieved the rare individual feat of recording 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season.)

40/40 Club has a lot of everything… great food, playful atmosphere, and a unique décor. It offers 12,000 square feet of plush banquettes and leather booths, accessed for both dining options, and party options. No dinner tables here, just couches and bar stools/tables. Very cool. Sports action stampedes across four 165-inch video walls and thirty 55-inch flat-screen monitors. Sports memorabilia is scattered around the walls and includes autographed jerseys and other sporting goods that were donated by famous athletes and celebrities.

Plates of finger-licking wings subtly welcome you, and that’s just the beginning. (We loved the buffalo and BBQ – they have just the right amount of zing -- wow!) Gourmet sliders begin to excite your palate. Continue to indulge yourself with American-style food like colossal shrimp, braised beef short ribs (that literally fall off of their bone and are mouth watering), the shrimp appetizer (to die for), delish quesadillas, burgers are smothered in a sauce that you can’t even describe (it’s that good), their salads are light and flavorful (love the Arugula Salad with pears and subtly delicate flavors), the salmon and rice (spectacular) and as a side, tasty Cajun fries. Top it all off with their unique dessert…sweet potato donuts (sinful and different from any dessert we’ve had). Our server was fantastic and so sweet, incredibly attentive, catering to our every need.

Complement your meal with equally lavish libations. Their specialty cocktails (refreshing fruit-flavored vodkas, champage and so much more) will delight you. After dinner, when 40/40 turns into a nightclub, you can opt for bottle service and check out their fabulous VIP sections. Dance until the wee hours of the morning in their energy-ridden club. We love the fact that you can hang out and have some dinner or appetizers, chill out for a while and watch a good sporting event on tv, and then dance the night away, all at the same place. They really try to adhere to private club procedures with personalized and cordial service. You will feel special being there.

All in all, the drinks were all well made, and really tasty, the food portions were a good size, and delicious. The atmosphere was perfect and the upscale club makes for a great evening out. 40/40 Club should definitely be on your radar. 



(http://the4040club.com)


Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, NJ: New Jersey's Hidden Gem

If you love nature, and you love art, this is one place you want to visit because the combination of the two are magical. I honestly can't believe that I've lived in New Jersey my entire life and never heard about Grounds for Sculpture. First of all, this 42-acre park was designed and 'decorated' with the most gorgeous landscaping I've ever seen in a park. In addition to that, the 270 contemporary sculptures that are scattered about, but purposely placed, work with the landscaping to tell us stories. It's a theme park for adults where you can relax, be entertained, and absorb some culture.