Xfinity and Xfinity Racing: Fun for the Whole Family

This post is sponsored by Comcast.

We recently had the pleasure of attending the Pocono Green 250 at the tricky triangle (Pocono Raceway) as guests of Xfinity. For this family full of race fans, it was a dream come true, as well as a day of family fun.I wasn't really sure what to expect, we've been to a lot of sporting events, but this was my very first real race.

Racing is one of those sports that people seem to love or hate. I can remember watching Jeff Gordon (back then he was the Rainbow Warrior) with my dad and thinking how fun it would be to zip around the track going that fast. I'm not sure when my own kids began to enjoy it, but my oldest has been a die-hard Jimmie Johnson fan for years! We love to watch the races on TV each weekend, and if we are out and about during them, we listen to them on the radio.

The Way You Watch Sports Is About to Change

I live with a major sports fan . . .contrary to what you may think, it is NOT my husband. . .it's my teenager! Growing up, my dad watched a lot of ball games, and my younger brother was into watching a lot of sports on TV, but none of it prepared me for this kid that watches everything from the Indy 500 to the PGA Tour.  He's even considering a Sports Management major in college, and is toying with Broadcasting.

So when I asked him if he wanted to join me at a media event sponsored by Comcast introducing their new programming for the Big Games in Rio, he jumped at the chance. The fact that it also included a night at the Phillies Game, was just icing on the cake.

I've mentioned before that we are long-time Comcast customers and fans. For our family, there's never really been a reason to consider switching. Comcast fills all of our television and internet needs plus more.I recently went to a demo of their X1 Platform and their improved Xfinity Home program, and to say I was impressed is an understatement. I came home and promptly told John we needed to upgrade.

The Harlem Globetrotters are Coming to Philly {ticket giveaway)

The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Philly and that's no foul!  In case you didn't know, the Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater, and comedy. Over the years they have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 122 countries and territories.

This year, the Globetrotters are celebrating their 90th Anniversary with family-friendly games all over the United States, including right here in Philadelphia. The Globetrotters are coming to The Wells Fargo Center on March 6th and March 12th.

A star-studded roster will have fans on the edge of their seats to witness the ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that thrills fans of all ages. You can join Globetrotter stars after the game, where they will stay for an autograph, photograph and high five session for fans (subject to availability).

The Wells Fargo Center has provided TWO great opportunities for blog readers!

• If you're getting tickets for the game, be sure to use the code HGBLOG for a special discount. 

• Or, if you are feeling lucky, you can enter to win a Family Four Pack of tickets for the March 6th show at 5pm. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Open to local residents only. Winner must supply a local mailing address within 24 hours of contact. Tickets will be mailed on February 26th. Not responsible for tickets after mailing.)

catch you soon - 

There's A Lot to Love at Hanna Andersson

I am so fortunate to live in an area where excellent shopping is readily available. I can remember going to Paris, and seeing stores that I have right here, only about 20 minutes away. I am always surprised when there's a store that isn't here in the Philadelphia area. One such store, until now, was Hanna Andersson.

When I was pregnant for the first time, I recall my mom having a Hanna Andersson catalog that I fell in love with. The clothes just screamed "KID" to me. They looked soft and comfortable and came in all these great colors. Well this week,  I was invited to attend a Private Pre-Opening Event (FYI - I received a gift card towards my purchase, however all opinions are my very own) at the Hanna Andersson opening at King of Prussia Mall. Guess what? I was right. There is just something magical about their clothes . . .

Hanna Andersson kid clothes are super-soft, comfy,and durable. The store was bright and filled with colorful kids' clothing in a variety of styles. Hanna Andersson also secures some of the top licensing agreements so that they can create the world's softest pajamas with your favorite Star Wars, Disney and Peanuts images on them.

Something I didn't know, was that Hanna Andersson makes a line of items for your home, as well as a line of women's clothing (including some super-soft pajamas).  They had selections from both in their King of Prussia store, and they were just as great as the kids' clothes. I even had the chance to speak with the CFO, Russel Bowers. He was a charming gentleman, who took time out of his busy night to share the Hanna story with me and my friend Sherry, as well as some highlights from the store and the business. We also met and chatted with President and CEO, Adam Stone.

Did you know that Hanna Andersson also has an unconditional guarantee? If you are unhappy with an item for any reason, simply bring or send it back, and they will refund the purchase price or replace the item. How awesome is that? 

Grand Opening Weekend at King of Prussia is happening right now! Shop this weekend and enjoy Buy One Get One offers on all their pajamas (including licensed ones) and 30% off everything else in the store!

Are you a Happy Hanna fan?

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Creating Change, One Voice at a Time: A Conversation With Malala

I have always believed that somewhere in each and every one of us, is the power to change the world. I'm not sure why I have always believed this, I grew up in a typical middle-class American home. While my parents were loving, supportive and encouraging, we weren't that family that have the fire to change the status-quo. My parents never discouraged me from speaking my mind or standing up for what I believed in, but we weren't marching in any parades or attending any rallies either.

As I've gotten older, with children of my own, I see just how powerful our beliefs can be. How we truly can change the world, one person, one voice, at a time. I had the incredible honor of participating in a conference call with Malala Yousafzai. As far as blogging opportunities go, this one was pretty mind-blowing for me.

Soft Surroundings - Women's Fashion, Beauty and Home Decor

I was recently invited to attend the Grand Opening of the Soft Surroundings store that opened in The Shoppes at Brinton Lake in Glen Mills, PA. If you aren't familiar with Soft Surroundings, they carry clothing, beauty essentials and home decor, all perfect for the modern woman.

Soft Surroundings has been around since 1999 and was founded in St. Louis, MO and a majority of their fashion and bedding is designed there. I love that they say "busy women of all ages are our customers."  Everyone is busy these days right? And how fabulous to feel as if you've walked into a spa when you enter their stores.

Get Ready for Spring at The 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

Every year, when the grey skies of February are getting me down, I begin to notice signs for the annual Philadelphia Flower Show, which gets me thinking about Spring.

"If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney

The 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show invites you to Celebrate the Movies. In case you didn't know, the Philadelphia Flower Show is the oldest and largest flower show in the country! This year, the Flower Show will be rolling out the red carpet as floral and garden designers use Disney and Disney*Pixar films as inspiration for their exhibits. What Disney movie are your hoping to see?

This year's Entrance Garden features a 36-by-16-foot screen that will show the winning entries in the Flower Show short-film competition, "What is Beauty?" I love this concept so much. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society partnered with the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, asked professional and student filmmakers to submit their vision of beauty in 3 to 5 minute clips. While you enjoy the clips, you can take in the breath-taking scents of these beautiful roses. One of my favorite parts of the Flower Show, is getting that very first smell when I walk in the door.

If you are a fan of the popular Flower Show "studios", they make a return this year with real-time floral contests at the Designer's Studio; the hottest horticultural trends and techniques at the Gardener's Studio; and culinary stars on stage at the Garden to Table Studio. You also won't want to miss The Butterfly Experience (double in size since last year!) and the Make and Take Room.

At each of the exhibits, visitors can enjoy a "reel to real" experience as each of the major displays entertain and demonstrates how guests can take movie-inspired ideas form the show and use smart-gardening tips in their own homes and gardens.  How fun would this be in your backyard?

 This year, the popular PHS Pop Up Garden and other features will transform the Grand Hall of the PA Convention Center into the "Backlot," a movie-themed gathering space. Visitors can stroll a palm tree-lined red carpet to the Backlot, which will offer light fare, the new PHS Hard Cider and beer, while movies play on a large screen. Fun - right??

It is simply fascinating to me, how these designers so creatively interpret a movie into a floral display! So much imagination all in one place.

The 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show is sure to delight and entertain flower lovers of all ages.

Know Before You Go

Show Dates and Times: Sat 2/28 11a-9p, Sun 3/1 8a-9p, Mon 2/2 to Fri 2/6 10a-9p, Sat 3/7 8a-9p and Sun 3/8 8a-6p
Location: Philadelphia Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107
For Information:  www.theflowershow.com or call 215-988-8899
Ticket Costs: $32-Adult, $22 - Student, $17 - Children (2-16) (kids under 2 are FREE)

Proceeds from the Flower Show benefit the year-round programs of PHS, which is celebrating it's 187th year of gardening, greening and learning.

Drop me a note and let me know your favorite exhibit!

catch you soon -

A Truly Smart Home - Xfinity and The Philadelphia Magazine Design Home

For months, I have watched the latest Philadelphia Magazine Design Home go from an empty lot, to an 8200 square foot luxury manor home. Trees went, and trees came. The footprint was poured, the frame went up, stones, a pool and a three-car garage with a lift were all added.

All of those amazing and beautiful things were visible from the outside. What you couldn't see, and I  found out last week, was all the amazing stuff on the INSIDE. The 2014 Design Home is not just pretty to look at and luxurious to be in, it is also fully equipped with Xfinity Home.  Comcast and Real Mom Media invited me, along with some other area bloggers, to come check it all out for ourselves.

The house is simply stunning. With four floors of living space, room for three cars in the garage and luxurious outdoor living space, this house was something to see. What was so fascinating, was what you couldn't see. On my visit, I learned that Xfinity Home offers customers a way to manage your home security and "smart home" devices in a simple and secure way, from anywhere. The platform seamlessly integrates a wide range of electronics, appliances and security technology into one easy-to-use experience.

According to Comcast, one in five Americans own a home appliance that's connected to the internet, and it's estimated that there will be 25 billion (BILLION!!) devices connected to the Internet by 2015 and 50 billion by 2020.

Now, if you are anything like me, you're probably asking yourself, who needs that much connectivity?? You may be surprised. With Xfinity Home you can control your lights and your thermostat. Those are two ways that Xfinity Home may be able to help you lower your utility costs and help your home run more efficiently. In fact, EcoFactor learns your home's heating and cooling patterns and automatically makes adjustments or you can make adjustments remotely.

The security sensors can alert you to such things as leaking water in your basement, broken windows or opened doors. Multiple arming modes can help keep you safe around the clock. And again, you can monitor this remotely through the Xfinity Home App.

If home security and monitoring isn't your thing, Xfinity has a nice selection of Apps for their customers that can help you with your entertainment and on the go lifestyle. My favorite is by far Xfinity Connect. This keeps me in touch with my email and home phone and voice mail no matter where I may be. A close second is the Xfinity WiFi App. With this app, you can locate thousands of Xfinity hotspots across the country.

For you TV buffs, you may want to check out Xfinity TV Go, which lets you watch live TV on any device anywhere you go (Hello Good Wife!) or check out Xfinity TV Remote which allows you to control your TV from your smartphone. Never forget to turn on the DVR again!

So this house really is smart on both the outside AND on the inside. It's also move-in ready, and I'm ready . . .now only to come up with the money.

What home technology are you most interested in learning more about?

catch you soon -
I was invited by Comcast and Real Mom Media to tour the Philadelphia Design Home and the Comcast features of the home. I received a Samsung Tab4 from Comcast to facilitate my review of Xfinity. .All opinions, are as always my very own. 

Get Ready for Monster Jam Philadelphia 2014

Grave Digger and all his friends will be rolling into The Wells Fargo Center tomorrow, Friday, October 3, 2014 for three shows. You can catch all the action on Friday Night at 7:30pm (Gates open at 6:30p) or Saturday at 1pm and again at 7pm. 

If you've never been, here are some things to know:

• It's loud. No, really - it's LOUD. I bring ear protection for the kids.
• It's dusty. Those big tires kick up a lot of dirt.
• It's exciting. There's a lot of racing and showmanship.
• It's fun.  There's breathtaking stunts and amazing power.
• The drivers are kid-friendly. Kids make signs and ask for autographs.

For decades, Monster Jam has been one of the biggest and most successful touring family shows in the world. That's pretty amazing right?  You can get Kid Tickets for only $15 (based on availability).

It's a fun family night out that your kids won't soon forget!

Hope to see you there!

catch you soon -

Monster Jam Roars into Philadelphia {Ticket Giveaway}

This fall, the Monster Trucks of Monster Jam will be roaring into Philadelphia for a two-night show at The Wells Fargo Center. You can catch Grave Digger and all his pals live and in person. There will be car crushing, amazing jumps and scary roll-overs for sure.

If you've never been to a Monster Jam show, they are totally family-friendly, but REALLY loud!

My Scraps readers have a chance to win a 4-pack of tickets for opening night, Friday October 3rd at 7:30pm. Hope to see you there - good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note - Giveaway open to Philadelphia-Area Residents. Transportation, parking and all additional costs are the responsibility of the winner. Tickets provided by Wells-Fargo Center.

catch you soon -

I was provided a 4 pack of tickets for my own family as well as a 4 pack to give away.

Visiting the Fairmount Water Works

We were recently invited to tour the Philadelphia Water Works, located in Philadelphia's beautiful Fairmount Park.  The Fairmount Water Works is a National Historic Landmark, a Civil Engineering Landmark and a national Mechanical Engineering Landmark. Wow - right? All right here practically in our backyard.

A Little History: The Fairmount Water Works opened in 1815 to provide safe, clean drinking water to a city on the cusp of remarkable growth. It was the first in the nation. In 1909, the Water Works was decommissioned as a pumping station.

Get Your Science On at The Franklin Institute

If you visit Philadelphia, or are lucky enough to live nearby, you don't want to miss The Franklin Institute! This hands-on science museum opened in 1825 and has been a family favorite travel destination since Ryan was about four years old. We take the train into the city and visit at least once a year to check out the newest exhibits and enjoy our old favorites too. The Franklin Institute recently invited us to come visit and see what's new.

What's new is the completion of the beautiful 53,000 square foot, three story, Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion. This new pavilion is home to the museum's largest permanent exhibition, Your Brain, a climate-controlled traveling exhibition gallery, a state-of-the-art conference center and an expansive new education center. Exciting stuff for Philadelphia and the museum!

Walmart Grand Opening in Burlington, NJ #GOWalmart #2040

--> I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a shopper social amplification for Collective Bias.

If you're like me, you hate going from store to store and prefer to get as much as you can, all in one place. Especially when you're shopping for your summer grilling needs. A Walmart Supercenter can be the perfect place to do just that. And on Saturday, June 7th, the people near the Liberty Square Center in Burlington, NJ will have a newly expanded Walmart Supercenter to shop at and take advantage of those great Walmart Deals!

That's right - all that construction at the Liberty Square Center added more square footage to the existing Walmart, and will even include a new Garden Center along with their food, clothing, home goods and other amazing departments! That's pretty perfect for summer entertaining! And in case you need something for your late night party plans, they're open 24 hours.

Follow along as some other bloggers and I get a sneak-peak and share what we see. You can follow along with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag: #GOWalmart. Also, if you head to the Grand Opening on Saturday, I'd love if you would share your thoughts and experiences with me, using the hashtag, #GOWalmart!  And don't forget to wear your comfy shoes because I hear there will be face painting, free stuff, prizes and more - so you won't want to miss a thing!

catch you soon -
While this is a sponsored post, please know that as always, all opinions are my very own. 

Catch a Breath of Spring at the 2014 Philadelphia Flower Show

Here in the Philadelphia area, it's been a very long and snowy winter. The best antidote for that is to breathe in the sights, sounds and smells at the Philadelphia Flower Show.  This year's theme, ARTiculture, creates an exciting fusion of art and horticulture.

I am always a little breathless when I walk in and see the Entrance Garden for the first time. For this year's show, the inspiration is the art of Alexander Calder.

I love to roam around the big displays and imagine if my yard looked like that.  There is a great selection of "everyday" looking plants and ideas that are bound to inspire you for spring. Like this great frame full of succulents. Wouldn't this look great hanging on a patio or porch? Succulents and terrariums are so popular right now.

Every time you turn the corner, there is a surprise or something unexpected. For instance, this year the Garden to Table Studio, sponsored by Organic Gardening magazine is moving to the show floor. Experts will be presenting cooking demonstrations throughout the day. There's a Butterfly Experience, with 20 species of butterflies. The Make and Take Room and more.

The Philadelphia Flower show truly has something for everyone, including some amazing original Andy Warhol paintings.

The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation's largest flower show. the show features the world's premier landscape designers and florists, who turn 10 acres of the convention Center into an unbelievable floral fantasy come to life. But it's not all flowers and trees. The Flower show hosts world-renowned competitions in horticulture and artistic floral arranging, gardening presentations and demonstrations, special events and a mammoth indoor Marketplace.

Know Before You Go
Dates: March 1-9, 2014
Times: Monday-Friday 10a-9p, Saturday, March 8th 8a-9p and Sunday, March 9th, 8a-6p
Location: Philadelphia Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Information: www.theflowershow.com or call 215-988-8899
Ticket Price: Advanced: Adult $27 Student $20 (with valid ID) Children(2-16) $15

Proceeds from the Flower Show benefit the year-round programs of PHS, which is celebrating it's 186th year of gardening, greening and learning.

catch you soon -

Disclosure - I was invited to a press preview of the Flower Show before the set-up was completed and open to the public.

Getting CyberCHIC on Cyber Monday

How did you spend CyberMonday? I was lucky enough to spend mine with a bunch of local Blogger friends at Cyber Chic.

This fun, fashion-forward event was co-hosted by Element Associates and All Things Chic and was sponsored by Lands End.

The room was filled with great gift ideas for everyone on your list. A few of my favorites from Lands End included this retro faux fur wrap and leopard clutch, a Leopard-print twinset and a faux fur throw.

Lands End also had gloves, bags and more on display to add to your wish list.

Anyone who knows me, knows I "jingle" when I walk, as I constantly have a stack of bracelets on my wrists. I was introduced to  Joseph Nogucci jewelry and as a fan of stack bracelets, this was a super fun table filled with endless possibilities.

Photo courtesy of Sherry

Emile M. handbags had the perfect bag to go with my favorite pair of riding boots. the best part? These gorgeous bags are all under $100!

The event featured three charity partners, Champions4Kids, Goodwill and Alex's Lemonade. Whole Foods sent a cheese Monger (I DIE), and thanks too to Dave and Busters for a great location and yummy food.

All in all, a fun event and a great day with some great friends.

catch you soon -

Visiting the Jersey Shore and Making Sandcastles

We wrapped up our Summer of Fun with an overnight trip to Avalon, NJ. The kids love the Jersey shore, so spending two days on the beach and in the water, is their idea of heaven. It's been a while since I've been to Avalon, and I was happy to find it's still a gorgeous and relaxing beach destination.

Last week, we loaded up the kids and headed to the Golden Inn in Avalon, NJ for the Blogger Beach Bash, hosted by Joey Fortman from Real Mom Media. The Golden Inn sits right on the beach and is only a mile from the shops and restaurants of Stone Harbor. We arrived in the late afternoon, checked in and hit the beach. It was fun to see so many families from Philly Social Media Moms already enjoying the beach and pool.

We ate a late, delicious dinner before heading to bed to rest up for our sandcastle workshop the next morning. That's right, a sandcastle workshop . . . with Sandman Matt.

According to Sandman Matt, who has traveled the world, New Jersey beaches have the BEST sand for making sand castles. He assured our group that he could teach any of us to build a better sandcastle, all you need is tools and knowledge and he supplied us with both.

Sandman Matt was happy to share all of his tricks with us, and by lunchtime, kids all over the beach were making amazing towers. Some grown-ups were giving it a go too!

According to Sandman Matt, here's what you need to know to make a better sandcastle:

• Wet the sand
• Pack the sand
• Work from the top down
• Go slow
• Pile the sand high and wide
• Have fun

We certainly had fun, and while our tower didn't look as great as Sandman Matt's, we can't wait to hit the beach next time and try it again!

catch you soon -

disclosure - as part of my participation in the Blogger Beach Bash, we received a discounted room, breakfast, lunch and a workshop with Sandman Matt. I was not compensated for my time, nor required to write a post and as always all opinions are my very own.

What to do in Philadelphia? Check out Art Splash at The Philadelphia Museum of Art

Love art? Want to get your kids involved this summer? Then you might want to give the Art Splash family program going on at The Philadelphia Museum of Art a try. Recently, I was an invited guest of the Museum, to preview this event as part of the media.

The Art Splash Public Programs began on June 28th and run through September 2.  The focal point for all the activities is the beautiful Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building light-filled atrium.  The program will feature a different theme each week. There are also two more Pay What You Wish family festivals coming up: Neighborhood Night Out with Artist Candy Coated on Wednesday, July 17th and a picture-book party on Sunday, August 4th.

Besides the Family Program and Festivals, Art Splash presents five enchanting exhibitions of illustration, fashion, photography and design. Each exhibit was created specifically with families in mind. During my visit, I got to explore the All Dressed Up: Fashions for Children and Their Families and the CandyCoated Wonderland exhibits.  I was also privy to a special sneak-peek at the Design for Modern Child exhibit.

Each of the exhibits was enchanting and so much fun to look at. What I found most interesting was that each exhibit had a "hands-on" aspect, so that children has something to touch and do. There was also plenty of child-friendly labeling in the exhibits.

Know Before You Go

• A full schedule of daily family-friendly programs is available on the Museum's website.
• Admission to Art Splash and all programming is free for children under 12, $10 for adults.
• While there are things for small children to do, there are plenty of look-only displays as well.
• Parking at the Art Museum can get pricey, $12 for the first 4 hours for non-members.
• There is a cafe, but also spaces and the nearby azalea garden for an outdoor picnic.

Art Splash is presented by the PNC Arts Alive program. You can follow the museum on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news and updates all summer long!

catch you soon -

Disclosure - I was an invited guest of the museum. I did not receive any compensation for this post or for my time and as always all opinions are my very own.

Why You Should Plan to Attend The Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival #JerseyLove

Disclosure: Caesars Entertainment is a generous sponsor of the #JerseyLove Social Media For Social Good Trip.

Prior to my trip last weekend (Thank you to D6SurfSkimmer and Caesar's Entertainment for making it happen), I have not been to Atlantic City in well over 12 years. Probably closer to 20.  Last time I recall going, The Wild West Casino was new, the Taj was uber fancy, the buffets were long, and the Pier Shops were called Ocean 1 Mall.

Let me tell you my friends, A LOT has changed. . .and for the better. Atlantic City has really created a "destination" spot, with amazing shopping and dining experiences alongside timeless classics like the beach and the boardwalk. There is truly something for everyone.

In fact, while we were guests of Caesar's Entertainment Group, they so graciously invited us to a Taste of AC at Harrah's Resort. This event was a sampling of some of the chefs and dishes that you can find at the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival. The Festival is the leading food and wine festival in the market. The four-day festival features a star-studded roster of the world's most renowned culinary experts and TV personalities.

Our Taste of AC was a feast for the eyes AND pallet. We shuttled over to Harrah's, where Jerry, our esteemed host, escorted us up to The Loft.  The Loft overlooks The Pool (which is enclosed in a giant glass dome with a constant temperature of 82 degrees) and encompasses the deck with a double-sided bar. There is both inside and outside seating. It is simply elegant, comfortable and beautiful space.

For our event, there were tables set up along the railing overlooking The Pool, with chefs from local restaurants sharing some of their most popular dishes. Joe was behind the bar serving up his "famous" Woo Woo's and other delicious sips.

My culinary adventure began with a refreshing Woo Woo, while I perused the chef's offerings.

There were servers circling our area with trays of Gazpacho, Ceviche and Lobster Empanadas, while we had the opportunity to speak with each chef regarding their dish and the upcoming festival.

I visited each table, the presentations were beautiful. My favorite taste of the night, were the Plantain Empanadas. They had a great combination of sweet and spicy in each bite.

The Mini Crab Cakes were also delicious, served on bed of mixed greens.

I did not get a chance to sample the Mini Truffle Grissini but from the oohs and ahhs of the other bloggers, these too were very tasty.

And then there was the dessert table. Honestly, I could have just taken the platter of Sea Salt Fudge and been happy. I thought these S'More Cheesecake Bites were adorable and would be perfect for a summer picnic or party.

I also didn't get a chance to sample the Popcorn Bacon Mousse, but it was the star of the show. So eye-catching and I heard it had a great mix of flavors.

It was a wonderful night filled good friends and good food - always the perfect combination.

If you go, the festival takes place across all 4 casinos and resorts under the Caesar's Entertainment Atlantic City umbrella, including: Caesar's, Harrah's Resort, Showboat and Bally's. Tickets for  events run from $40 to $150 per person.

catch you soon -

sweetgreen and Honest Tea - A Pairing Made in Ardmore

I firmly believe that the secret to Starbuck's  success is that have sold us on an "experience".  By buying their coffee and hanging out in their shop, you are hip.  Admit it, you'd rather be seen holding one of those pretty red cups than the street vendor greek cups - right?

There is nothing wrong with selling an experience. . .especially when there is quality product behind it.

 Such is the case with a new little place I was introduced to last week, called sweetgreen.  They got their start in the DC area, but recently opened two locations here in PA - one in University City and one in Ardmore.  I was invited to the Ardmore location for a tasting of sweetgreen foods and Honest Tea beverages last week.  I had seen the sweetgreen location at Suburban Square, but I am a creature of habit and continued to eat at Corner Bakery, without paying the new place much attention.

That has all changed.

Besides the fact that the store itself is green and clean and welcoming, the menu is filled with potential and just amazingly great fresh food.  Not only that, sweetgreen sources local and organic ingredients from farmers they know.  Yes - farmers.  It's like a fast-food farm-to-table.

They also have a conscience, and strive to leave a gentle footprint to protect our planet.

During the tasting, we had the opportunity to try out four salads, paired with four Honest Teas.  On the side there was delicious Kale Chips (with a spicy kick) and fresh bread.

Our four pairings included:

• the Earth Bowl served with Lemon Tea, 
• the Kale Caesar served with Green Tea, 
• the District Cobb served with Just Black Tea 
• the Misoba salad paired with Green Dragon Tea.

We were also treated to a sample of their Butternut Squash soup, and it was delicious.  The other bloggers and I had a hard time deciding which was our favorite salad.  I enjoyed all the Teas, as well - even the Green Tea, and I am not a fan of Green Tea.

sweetgreen also hosts a music festival (the sweetlife festival) and supports educational initiatives in the Washington DC area.

So if you find yourself in Suburban Square or on the Penn Campus, I highly recommend you give sweetgreen a try.  And if you become a regular, you have to get one of their reusable salad blaster bowls.

catch you soon -

note - I was invited to attend the pairing and tastings, and received a gift bag.  I was not compensated for this post, and as always, all opinions are my very own.