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The Godfrey Hotel, Boston

May 24, 2016

While in Boston we stayed at beautiful Godfrey Hotel, which is a new boutique hotel located in the Theater District. The vibe at the Godfrey can best be described as hip ,laid back, cool and welcoming to all. During our stay I saw people from all walks of life: young travelers, families with small children, professionals and large groups. The main thing that stood out during my time interacting with and observing the staff is that they were all polite, patient, helpful and professional to everyone. The Boston Commons and Public Garden are only a few blocks away and The Paramount Theater and Boston Opera House are only a few steps from the entrance. Public transit is also close by, making the Godfrey convenient to an array of attractions.

A plus side of staying in a newer establishment is that there is usually minimal to no wear and tear. We stayed in the Executive King Suite and everything in our room was clean and new. All the decor and fixtures are modern and stylish. The carpet is a chic grey which compliments the plaid headboard and bedding. There is a large desk, wardrobe and two side tables. The room was the perfect size for my husband and me. buy zithromax online https://medstaff.englewoodhealth.org/wp-content/languages/new/zithromax.html no prescription

Unlike most conventional hotels, the bathroom is equipped which a beautiful sliding door, which hides nicely along the back of the wall. The shower doors are floor to ceiling glass and the sink is a beautiful porcelain. All the minimalistic and modern accents throughout our room really added an elegant touch.

I loved that there was a mini fridge in our room which was empty, allowing us to fill with waters, juice and coffee creamer without having to take all of the mini bar items out. It was such a bonus to come back to the room after being out all day and having cold beverages to drink. A single cup Keurig is a must for any traveler. I was able to enjoy my entire cup of coffee warm in the morning without having to reheat it 10 times (#momlife). The 55″ HDTV’s come equipped with the hotels Innspire, letting you stream movies and music directly from your phone. The WiFi is free at the Godfrey in all rooms and lobby which is an excellent deal since some hotels can charge upwards of $20+ a day. buy zocor online https://medstaff.englewoodhealth.org/wp-content/languages/new/zocor.html no prescription

A beautiful breakfast spread was provided for guests every morning in the front lobby near the bar. Everything from juice selections, hot coffee, fresh fruit, yogurt and pastries were exactly what we needed to start our mornings off right. Since our days were pretty packed, having a quick bite fit right into our schedule. The bar area was really fun in the evening and extremely convenient for a nightcap before heading to bed. There is an amazing bartender who made some incredible cocktails and was always so friendly.

My absolutely favorite part of the hotel was the the original marble staircase and elevators which were both carefully restored to their former glory. The first floor of the building used to be a fashionable place to shop, now it’s a fashionable place to stay. I love when hotels keep part of the original architecture since it adds so much to the character of the redesign.

With only 11 floors and 242 rooms, the hotel was never overly crowded or noisy, which I appreciated. We never had a wait time and the staff was always on top of our needs as well as the other guests. Thank you so much to The Godfrey for having us and providing such a pleasant and enjoyable stay. If you are planning a trip the Boston soon, I cannot recommend this hotel enough. You definitely will not regret it!

*This review was in partnership with The Godfrey Hotel. As always, all opinions expressed are my own*

Leotard Love

May 23, 2016

Is there anything cuter than a little girl in a leotard? The answer is no, there is not. Wearing leotards just for dance class is a thing of the past. Shops are popping up left and right that offer all kinds of options: flutter sleeve, tank, short sleeve, long sleeve, patterned, skirted, etc. There is an option for everyone and today I’m going to share my 3 favorite ways to style a leotard! My favorite shop for leotards is the Leotard Boutique. Their leotards come in every color, are adorable and fade resistant, and they are also 100% USA made! Orders ship within 2 days and their sizes start at 18-24M and go up to youth size 12. Here is the best part though: everything is under $20 which means you can order several styles without going into debt.

Option 1:

Wear alone and match with knee high socks (and preferably mary janes or moccasins). Perfect for a birthday party, lunch date or to just look extra cute. This soft mint color is by far my favorite.

Option 2:

Pair a leotard with jean shorts and jellies for those hot summer days that may include a trip to the zoo or a playdate with friends.

Option 3:

Wear laid back with some cotton shorts (ours are from Target and only $5!) and matching sneakers for a day at the park! Be sure to pair with a bonnet or hat to protect baby skin. This red is ideal for summer and all of the patriotic holidays. buy zoloft online https://medstaff.englewoodhealth.org/wp-content/languages/new/zoloft.html no prescription

Outfit 1: Leotard // Socks // Headband

Outfit 2: Leotard // Shorts, similiar // Headband // Shoes

Outfit 3: Leotard // Shoes // Bonnet

Are you a leotard lover like I am? I would love to hear how you style your little ones! buy zovirax online https://medstaff.englewoodhealth.org/wp-content/languages/new/zovirax.html no prescription

*all leotards in C/O the leotard boutique. as always, all opinions expressed are my own*

Five Things Friday – Summer Sandals

May 20, 2016

If you follow me on Instagram (@chanelvanreenen), you may have seen these amazing yellow sandals that I took with me to Boston last week. I’ve been such a fan of Sole Society shoes for a while now and these are no exception. They can be dressed up or down, worn with jeans or a dress and are very comfortable. Usually I would just throw on some flip flops before heading out of the house but there are so many great sandals out this season. Here are some I’m currently loving. Comment below and tell me which ones you are obsessing over. Have a great weekend everyone! xo buy abilify online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/abilify.html no prescription

Yellow Thong // Navy Gladiator // Lace Up // Black Leather // White & Silver

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Local Eats: Cinquecento, Boston

May 17, 2016

My entire family and I were lucky enough to all be together in Boston this past weekend to see my brother graduate from Boston University. It was such a special moment for all of us and I was so excited to have my husband with me so we could experience Boston together for the first time. We arrived late Thursday afternoon and had been up since the early morning hours preparing for our trip. Our dinner plans were taking us to Cinquecento in the South End and we had been looking forward to it all day.

The restaurant was very easy to get to. We walked from our hotel in the theater district and it only took about 20 minutes. The weather was beautiful and we loved sightseeing a little on foot. As a blogger and photographer I am always on the lookout for unique walls and backdrops. The brick walls leading into Cinquecento were so beautifully painted and definitely set the tone for what was about to come. The restaurant has a spacious outdoor patio and bar which was very busy, but not overwhelmingly crowded. It looked like a great place to meet friends for a drink or come let of some steam after work. It was also nicely shaded in between tall buildings which made for a more enjoyable experience. The decor and architecture inside Cinquecento stays true to their Italian namesake. Gorgeous industrial fixtures and glass pendants hung from the high ceilings and the rustic wooden tables provided wonderful ambiance and character. buy adalat online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/adalat.html no prescription

Our table in Cinquecento was in a prime location: a corner booth in the bar area. The tall windows let the natural light pour in beautifully, making it the perfect spot for photographing food. blogger problems. The entire staff could not have been friendlier and went above and beyond to make everyone feel welcomed and taken care of. Our waiter was well versed in every aspect of the menu and knew his wines like nobody’s business. I am not a big wine drinker but he was able to pick out a few wines for me to sample throughout the night and I found a new white that I absolutely love: La Scola Gavi dei Gavi Bianco Secco. Definitely ordering a case of this as soon as possible. I also tried the Minuetto Cocktail which consisted of Prosecco, Vodka, Elderflower, Grapefruit and Lemon. It was also delicious with just the right balance of all ingredients. buy advair online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/advair.html no prescription

For starters we had the Steamed Mussels with Red Onion, Basil and Spicy Broth. The broth was more delicious than the mussels, which were exceptionally prepared. Thank goodness for the bread they kept bringing because we soaked up every last bit of that broth. Being the carb lovers that we are, we also ordered the Ricotta Fresca: warm ricotta, olive oil and grilled bread. I’ve never had warmed ricotta but was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable it was. At most restaurants I visit there are usually only a few appetizers which look appealing to me but at Cinquecento they all looked good. Bruschetta, Grilled Octopus, Oysters, Charred Beef Carpaccio … the options are endless and there is something for everyone. buy amaryl online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/amaryl.html no prescription

My husband had the Bolognese (veal, pork, pancetta, beef and parmigiano) and our waiter warned him when he ordered that it could possibly be the best he’s ever had, and he wasn’t kidding. It was that good. My husband’s standards are set pretty high when it comes to meat sauce, yet he raved about this for the rest of our trip. I chose the Fettuccini Al Funghi E Tartufi: foraged mushrooms, truffle butter and basil. I’m a sucker for truffle anything and this didn’t disappoint. If you’re a fan of mushrooms, you have to try this dish. The noodles were so fresh and I could have drank the truffle butter sauce with a straw. The Brussels Sprouts were prepared to crispy perfection with just the right amount of parmesan cheese and pepper sprinkled throughout. Asparagus with cured egg yolk and parmigiano was so fresh as if it had been locally picked that day. We ended the evening with the Bittersweet Chocolate Budino (molten chocolate cake) with fresh whipped cream and Grand Marnier. Cinquecento really raised the bar for the trip and we kept comparing everything we ate to our first dinner in Boston.

If you are a current Bostonian or visiting this wonderful city, Cinquecento is a must. The food was out of this world delicious and the staff, dare I say it, was even better. Nothing makes me happier than having an all around wonderful experience. Thank you, Cinquecento for making our first night in Boston a memorable one!

*Our meal & drinks were provided by Cinquecento. As always, all opinions expressed are my own*

ZDough Review & Coupon Code

May 13, 2016

I am so excited to share a fun and natural play dough company with you today! This play dough is all natural and scented with essential oils. I’ve recently introduced my family to all the benefits of essential oils this year so
to see oils in the ingredient list was very reassuring. If you’re looking to experiment with essential oils, Buy neem oil online to start with. ZDough (named for the creators daughter Zadie) is made from all food-grade ingredients: flour, water, salt, cream of tarter, oil food coloring, essential oils, baking flavors and spices. This combination is much safer for your children than the ingredients in Hasbro Play-Doh which has 9 non food-grade ingredients, including fragrance (the worst)! If you are looking for a safer form of play dough for your children to play with, this is it. buy amoxicillin online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/amoxicillin.html no prescription

There are 14 different colors and scents to choose from. The four I selected were
blueberry, eucalyptus, lavender and candy apple. They all smell amazing
and most importantly, they’re chemical free. They come packaged so cutely in their own little tin can with labels on the bottom. Henry and Evelyn’s named were hand stamped in the dough, which was Henry’s favorite part. He recently learned how to spell and recognize his name so anytime he sees it he gets excited. buy amoxil online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/amoxil.html no prescription

The texture is very smooth and has no lingering chemical smells, except for the sweet aroma of the essential oils. Every ZDough has it’s own scent which is beneficial for kids exploring their senses. There was no residue left over on our hands (yes, even I took part in playing with the ZDough). It rolled out very flat and was easily molded into shapes and animals. Henry loves cutting out heart shapes with an old cookie cutter that was my mothers. buy anafranil online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/anafranil.html no prescription

ZDough is celebrating their two year anniversary and offering a coupon code for 20% off all orders $20+. These make the best party favors, gifts or stocking stuffers and there are so many wonderful colors and scents to choose from. The sale runs until Sunday and enter code TURNING2 at checkout. Thank you, ZDough for coming out with such a safe product for my children to use!

Happy Friday the 13th, friends! Hope you have plenty of time to watch some scary movies tonight after you put the kids to bed 🙂

*ZDough provided me with the play dough. As always, all opinions expressed are my own*

LegoLand Discovery Center {Atlanta)

May 11, 2016

It probably comes as no shock when I say that my almost four year old son is obsessed with Legos. Literally obsessed. He loves to build, tear apart and rebuild. A few weeks ago we planned a trip to LegoLand Discovery Center in Atlanta with Henry, myself and husband. We left Evelyn with my mom so we could have some quality time with Henry. Being that Evelyn is only 16 months old, she wouldn’t have enjoyed herself since 99% of the actives are for older kids (however children 2 and under have free admission). We were able to really experience LegoLand and all it had to offer without having to worry about pushing a stroller or rushing to leave for Evelyn’s nap. We also were not the only parents with this mindset because all the children I saw there that day were at least 3 years old and up. buy antabuse online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/antabuse.html no prescription

LegoLand is located in the heart of Buckhead in Phipps Plaza on the third floor. It is promoted as an indoor discovery center and playground. From the moment you step off the elevator you are hit with all things Lego. We arrived right when it opened at 10am and stayed for about two hours. There is endless entertainment, building stations, climbing stations, slides, karaoke, a cafe, rides and a 4D movie theater which plays several different short films throughout the day. There is a helpful countdown clock at the theater entrance so you know when the next showing is. buy atarax online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/atarax.html no prescription

Henry has been to LegoLand once before with my mom but this was our first time. Trust me when I say he never forgot a single thing he did there, even after a year from his first visit. He was so excited that he woke up at 3am Sunday morning saying it was time to “shoot the bad guys!” LegoLand has an interactive ride where you can “shoot” bad guys on the screen in order to rescue the princess. They also take your picture while riding on the ride which you can purchase after for $12. Totally worth it since you get a 5×7 size and the option to go online and download and print more. The keepsake is so sweet and Henry chose to hang the picture in his room.

The race car station allowed children to build their own cars and then send them flying down a ramp to see if the cars would get enough momentum to land in the bucket. Henry loved the building part but the bigger kids definitely loved the racing! buy abilify online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/buynoprescription/abilify-no-prescription.html no prescription

There is an earthquake table which Henry and my husband both enjoyed. They spent nearly 20 minutes at that station building the tallest buildings and then setting off the earthquake and seeing whose building could stay up the longest. There are stations everywhere and they are nicely spread out. The center never felt crowded, even when it got busier as the day went on.

My favorite part was the Lego recreation of Atlanta. From Turner Field to the Varsity, the entire city was built made out of Lego’s. It was one of the most impressive things I have ever seen. Most of the Dad’s in attendance seemed to love this room the most 🙂 Did you know there are 62 lego bricks for every person on Earth? The fact that there are more legos in existence than people blows my mind. Lego takeover anyone?

Henry’s favorite part of Lego Land was by far the new Pirate Island Adventure cove which had a great indoor climbing and play area, a lego build station and even a water build station where kids could build pirate ships in the water and send them floating down to the bottom. Your child will definitely get wet here, which is part of the experience, so be sure to keep that in mind when dressing them for the adventure!

After finishing up in the discovery center you are taken to the incredible Lego shop which is a mecca for kids. They have every building set you could imagine and a ton of fun accessories. I personally wanted the pink lego backpack but my husband vetoed that idea. LegoLand even offers hosted birthday parties that include pizza, drinks, a private party room and plenty of play time.

After Lego Land we had lunch right across at Johnny Rocket’s. We finished out our day with milkshakes, root beer floats, french fries and old fashioned burgers. It reminded me of times when my dad and I would go there because he always loved the Johnny Rockets milkshakes.

He had a smile on his face the entire time and I haven’t seen him that happy in a while. I knew he loved being able to spend time with his parents alone and have the focus solely be on him. After Evelyn joined our family a lot of my attention went to her, naturally since she is a lot younger and cannot do anything on her own yet, so my time with Henry was cut short in a lot of ways. Spending the afternoon together with just the three of us reminded me that I need to take more time and do one on one activities that just involve the three of us or even him and me. Experiencing LegoLand together was such incredible and I highly recommend it for kids 3 and up. If you have an older child, it’s ideal for a solo date with just them. You can find more information about tickets, hours and location on their website.

*Thank you to Lego Land Atlanta for providing tickets for our visit. As always, all opinions expressed are my own*

16 Month Update

May 10, 2016

Today Evelyn is 16 months old! It seems a little strange to write a post update for this month but she just had her check up ten days ago and time is flying lately. This sweet child never fails to make us smile. We are so grateful for this baby girl who completed our family!

Size: Still in size 4 diapers, size 4 shoes and 12-18 month & 18 month clothing.

Stats (Weight/Height/Teeth): 24 pounds, 8 ounces. 33″ tall. 47.5 cm head circumference. She has had a ton of new teeth coming in and is having some fussy moments. She got all her molars in the same week so there was lot’s of wine involved (for me, not here).

Likes: Cats, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Running around like a T-Rex, Watching her brother being silly, Taking things out of cabinets and drawers, Being destructive in general.

Dislikes: The word no, being touched by strangers (like the doctor and nurses) so all of our visits to the pediatrician go really well until someone looks at her.Features: It seems like she is finally getting in more hair, which is light brown and her eyes are still blue.
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Eating: Drinking organic whole milk twice a day and water throughout the day. I rarely give her juice because it’s just sugar she doesn’t need. She eats almost entirely by herself which is awesome because I am able to get housework done while she’s in her highchair eating and watching Mickey. Some of her favorites are Carrots, Bananas, Blueberries, Cheese, Strawberries, Buttered Noodles, Sweet Potato Fries, Saltine Crackers and of course puffs. buy amoxil online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/buynoprescription/amoxil-no-prescription.html no prescription

Sleeping: Still snoozing like a champ 12 hours at night straight through. For about a week she boycotted her morning nap and I was so bummed to lose it but she has picked it back up and is still at 2 naps a day, ranging from 90 minutes to 2 hours. I used to be so worried that my second baby wouldn’t be a good sleeper since we were so lucky with Henry, but that’s not the case. I really think you have to train your baby to be a good sleeper, but that is an entirely different post! I’ve read before that some parents will try and drop the morning nap at this age but I say if a baby or toddler is tired, let them sleep! I would hate if someone dictated my sleeping schedule and woke me up after only an hour. Plus, babies and young children need sleep for brain development and so they don’t act like demons. buy celexa online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/buynoprescription/celexa-no-prescription.html no prescription

Speech: She can say Kitty Cat (duh), Baby, Bye Bye, Mommy, Dada, Yaya, Uh-Oh and the best of all: she meows whenever she sees a cat. #momwin. She also says the beginning of a lot of words “Sna” for Snack, “Nye Nye” for Night Night, “Me” for Mickey and so on. She will go to the fridge if she’s hungry and say “sna sna” which is like 20 times a day.Overall she is such a happy and carefree baby. She is so independent and loves to run and roam and has no fear. She is just exactly like her brother was at this stage. She also has the cutest Buddha belly I’ve ever seen and loves to show it off 🙂

headband // bikini

Happy 16 Months, baby girl!

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