by Claudine Kurp My partners in crime at the BEST hall of them all. ZAPP HALL! As a self-professed design junky I have long dreamed of a pilgrimage to the Round Top Antique Fair. While the Round Top Antique Fair has gained recent attention since being highlighted on the HGTV show Fixer Upper, the fair has been around for ages. I first started drooling over this bi-annual, 3-day event 15 years ago when shelter magazines like Country Living and Traditional Homes started highlighting the plethora of design barns and tents filled with gorgeous antiques. After my recent move to Texas, it was finally my turn to experience Round Top 2015! I recruited a few friends and told my husband he had to watch the kids. Off I went! With more than 60 barns, dance halls, and tents...there is no end to the design inspiration and shopping opportunities that await visitors. I discovered that the fair is spread over many miles of sweet, little Texas towns. It is best to research all of your options before heading out to conquer Round Top. With over 100,000 visitors, endless tents and vendors, you will want a plan especially if you are there for a day trip. Each tent, show, etc. has its own personality and offering. Some of my favorites destinations were Marburger Farm, Zapp Hall and North Gate. There was just so much to see in a day! While we ran out of time, I absolutely want to hit the Junk Gypsy store on my next trip to Round Top. Oh yes...I am headed back! As a Round Top rookie, I was elated to have one of my best buds with me. She had been to the fair a number of times and helped me navigate the endless vendor choices. We hit the Marburger Farm Antique Show first and fell head first into high-end antique pieces. Round Top promises incredibly unique items for every buyer. As we progressed down the Round Top path...we eventually hit Zapp Hall. Zapp Hall is made up of number of tents, some filled with fun kitschy clothing others offered a nice sampling of Americana antiques. This was by far the most fun we had during the day. Zapp Hall has an awesome vibe. There was live music, fun folks...throw in a little alcohol and instant party. Can you say "open container"? Well...I am happy to report, the trip was a total success. While I didn't buy a lot of goods...I had such a fun time with my girlfriends. I was also able to check off one of my "Design Bucket List" items. If you plan on making the trip, I would recommend booking a room ASAP for the upcoming Spring 2016 show. Rooms goes quickly. We stayed in nearby Brenham, Texas. While our drive was only 90 minutes from The Woodlands, Texas, we were exhausted by 8pm. It was worth getting a room. If you are feeling adventurous, head back to Zapp Hall in the evening. Expect live entertainment and even an adult prom replete with old prom dresses and bad tuxedos. Before leaving and heading home I had to make one more stop in Chappel Hill, TX. One of my favorite design bloggers, Holly Mathis Interiors, recently helped launch the insanely adorable store, True Blue Home. It didn't disappoint. I would recommend making this apart of your Round Top, Texas journey. Main Street is completely charming with little shops and cafes all dressed for the season. Well that is all...y'all! I am loving Texas. Next up...I am heading to Waco, Texas to check out the Magnolia Market @ The Silos. I promise to report back with lots of pictures. Insider Scoop 1. Rent a room months in advance.
2. Try to stay for at least two days. 3. Most vendors do accept credit cards but you will be able to bargain more effectively with cash. 4. Many of the the vendors can assist with shipping options. 5. Kids and husbands are welcome, but I would not recommend bringing either=;) 6. Fly into Bush Intercontinental or Hobby Airport and then head toward Round Top. 7. Most of the folks I saw were packs of women out for a long weekend with friends. Many of the visitors had brought coolers with wine and beer in VERY large SUVs. They certainly know how to carpe diem in Texas. 8. Most of the bigger shows/tents offer some nice options for quick or lingering meals. The main road, Rt. 237, is also littered with little cafes that open for the 3-day event.
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Discover Club Med Sandpiper - All-Inclusive, Family-Friendly Resort With Childcare In Florida!7/30/2015 By Claudine Kurp I recently took a trip to Club Med Sandpiper, which is located in Port St. Lucie, Florida. This is my 4th trip to a Club Med resort and I was really excited to be able to experience Club Med stateside. After going to the Dominican Republican on a previous trip with my family (read story here), I was ready to try something a little lighter in terms of travel. I wanted to avoid customs and I wanted a shorter flight. I also wanted the ease of an all-inclusive with childcare for my kids. I am happy to report that we had a wonderful time! Here is my “fact sheet” on our trip to Club Med Sandpiper. Enjoy the best of summer at the annual City of Falls Church Concerts in the Park series on Thursdays at 7 p.m. from June 25 through August 6. Bring a blanket and a picnic dinner and enjoy free performances by local musicians. Concerts are held at Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave.) and are open to the public. In the event of rain, concerts will be held in the Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St.). For more information, call 703-248-5077. The concerts are sponsored by the City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks and the Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS). The schedule is available at http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Concerts. 2015 Lineup: June 25: Falls Church Concert Band - concert music July 2: The Flannel Underground - 90's hits July 9: Dear Creek - jazz/blues/folk/rock July 16: Ocho de Bastos (Eight of Clubs) - Latin Pop July 23: Mama Tried with Randy Barrett and Dede Wyland - bluegrass July 30: Andrew Acosta Band - roots music August 6: Tom Principato - blues rock Image Credit: The City of Falls Church Summer Camps The Workhouse is proud to celebrate the 7th year of its Youth Arts Camp program, challenging the creativity in ages 3-17 since 2009. The Youth Arts Camp program at the Workhouse has exploded with great opportunities in Fine Arts all year round. Campers work alongside professional artists and excel in several mediums, learning various techniques and creating unique artwork with every visit. Take a second look at the tuition rates, do the math, and find most of their camps might cost less than a babysitter! With a one-week Spring, an eight-week Summer, and a series of Mini Arts Camps, no child is ever left without an avenue to explore their creativity. See offerings and register early for the camp at https://reservations.workhousearts.org/Info.aspx?EventID=5. History For those who aren't familiar with the Workhouse Arts Center, it has quite a storied past. Originally a reformatory turned medium security prison, the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA found home in brick architecture built in the early 1900’s. The Workhouse has since been revamped and repurposed to provide enjoyable entertainment experiences and serve hundreds of students in multiple visual arts media, such as: drawing, painting, mixed media, ceramics, glass and culinary arts! Discover this incredible camp for your budding artist this summer. Self-Guided Tours If your schedule or location doesn't allow for a Workhouse Art Center summer camp, definitely put this location on your staycation calendar! The best way to experience the Workhouse Arts Center is to take it at your own pace! For the adventurous types, they have provided a downloadable, printer-friendly, self-guided walking tour that takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete. This route highlights the artist studio buildings, gallery spaces, glass program, ceramics program, and the Prison Museum. The route is paved and flat, with the only set of stairs being in W-16 (there is also an elevator available) so this route is perfect for all ages and abilities. For more information about the studio and gallery policies, please click here. For more information on a Field Trip or Tour: http://www.workhousearts.org/visit/tours-field-trips. For more information on the Fine Arts Camps, visit this LINK. Image Credit: Workhouse Art Center This is a sponsored post by: http://www.workhousearts.org/visit/tours-field-trips by Claudine Kurp I always find the task of coming up with NEW gifts for Father's Day to be a bit difficult. This year I went back to basics and tried to pick items that every dad would love. Here are my favorites in no particular order. 1. Sunglasses - My poor husband has had his glasses kicked off his head by my preschooler more times than I can count. That is what you get when you give into a child that wants to ride on your shoulders all the time! I am thinking either a good pair of Nike sports glasses or classic Ray-Bans. 2. Sports Gear - This is always a fan favorite (pun intended). Hats, umbrellas, t-shirts, etc. all seem to last in my husband's closet for years. Put a twist on it and try to get a high school or college jersey that will evoke some fun memories. 3. Electronics - I selected a Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker to profile. We have had one for a year and I LOVE it! I use it both inside and out and it links seamlessly to my iPad or iPhone. The sound quality is excellent. Other options may be a camera or an iPad preloaded with his favorite eMagazines. 4. Exercise - I am getting the Fitbit Charge HR Wireless Heart Rate, Activity Sleep Band. My husband accidentally ran over his Fitbit (NOTE - maybe you should pick a bright color). This time around I am getting the updated version. Take a look at http://www.fitbit.com to see all of the cool features of each product including wireless syncing with a number of smartphones and computers. 5. Dining Out - Pick a fun restaurant and have the family take dad out. Even better, get a sitter and go out the Saturday night before Father's Day. 6. Skincare - Most men tend to overlook moisturizers and facial scrubs. Give dad a product that he will love. Kiehl's Facial Fuel has recently been all over the web as a "must-have" product. I love anything Kiehl's so this will be on my gift list. 7. Clothes - It is always nice to have a crisp new shirt and an elegant tie. Try a bit of color and shop Vineyard Vines for some great summer looks. 8. Game Night - A handsome poker set is always a fun gift. You can sweeten the gift with a promise to host a boys' poker night. 9. Artwork - This gift doesn't need to be expensive. Head over to any craft store and let the kids pick a fun craft to make. You can buy an inexpensive canvas and paints. Head to the backyard and let the kids go nuts creating their own work of art for dad. My husband still has a Garden Hand-Print Stepping-Stone in our yard from 2008. I found this one at Walmart, but Michael's and A.C. Moore also carry something similar. 10. Potluck - Are you short on time and/or funds? Breakfast in bed and a handmade card from the kids can go a long way. Enjoy! Father's Day is June 21, 2015! by Claudine Kurp Go Kid Trips recently caught up with travel expert John Golicz, Founder & CEO of the Travel & Adventure Show. During our interview John shared some amazing tips on family-friendly travel in the United States and Europe. John also gave us his top list of awesome travel destinations that are sure to please the whole family! By Claudine Kurp As I get older, I have come to realize that I no longer have the time or patience to shop with the same joie de vivre that I had before children. Taking a preschooler to the mall or to a furniture store is simply not fun! Even my tween is a bit of a nightmare to take to the mall. I always seem to get rerouted to the carousel or to a clothing store like Justice or Gap Kids. My children have taken over my shopping experience and I find myself avoiding the mall at all costs! After my recent move to Texas, I quickly realized that I needed a number of items for my home and closet. In my quest for home décor, furniture, clothing (we went from 30 degrees to 70 degrees overnight), and even pool equipment, I quickly learned that I could find any number of items online. I also discovered that I could often get a more competitive price versus a brick and mortar store. Even better, I could shop for my wares at 11pm in the comfort of my own home. Yes…I was aware that online shopping did indeed exist before my move, but I have definitely embraced it and taken my love for discounts to another level. Here are my top picks for online shopping sites: by Claudine Kurp I recently moved to The Woodlands, TX from Northern Virginia. Despite the fact that I was told about the move/company relocation in June of 2011, I still wasn’t quite ready to relocate my ENTIRE life when the time came in February. The experience was both mentally and physically taxing on my family. I think if this move just involved my husband and I, I would not have had all of the emotionally baggage that went with the journey. While moving some 1,500 miles away from everything you know is fairly brutal in the base case, doing it with children takes it to another level. For over a month prior to our move, my 9-year-old daughter would break down before bedtime and cry and tell me she didn’t want to leave her friends, her soccer team, her home and her everything. I tried to be positive, but I knew change was coming and some of her fears were warranted. Despite the great distance we were moving, in reality whether you move 15 miles or 1,500 miles, if your child has to switch schools and leave neighborhood friends it will be traumatic! Psychologically moving out-of-state is worse especially if there really isn’t an easy way to go back and visit friends and family with any type of ease. So what is a parent to do? I did my best to tackle this move with my children in mind. I tried to manage the logistics of the move and the emotions of the event. It wasn’t easy, but we are getting there day by day. Here are some of my tips to help you navigate a move with children. by: Claudine KurpWell the holidays have passed and the kids are back to school. If you are anything like me, I yearn for a fresh start each year and part of that want is ORGANIZATION! While I try to declutter and keep my house in order throughout the year, ineviably life catches up with me. The holidays are a killer for me and I feel like I need to reset and get ready for a new year. Here are my ABC's of organization to make your home and mind less cluttered! A. Tackle Storages Issues. 1. Tackle the change of seasons head on. It can be a messy and time consuming task to organize the clothes in your home, but you need face the beast. Start the process with your kids' gear. If you no longer have the need for a particular size or if an item has truly outlived its usefulness, it is time to say au revoir! Clothes should be sorted into piles including: KEEP, TOSS, DONATE or SELL. Toss the gear that is so stain ridden that is it officially a DNA experiment. Keep the clothes that you want for yourself or your family. Donate the items that might have worn out their welcome for you but a shelter would gladly take. 2. Items you KEEP for another child or for seasonal activities like snow, etc. should go in a bag or box and be tagged. I highly recommend the Space Saver Vacuum Bags that are sold at Bed, Bath and Beyond and Amazon. They squeeze every bit of air out of a bag and condense the amount of space you will need by half. Label the bag by size and season (e.g. Size 3T Fall/Winter). These bags are great for garages as they are air tight and keep water and bugs out. 3. TOSS the items that are beyond repair. Better yet, use them as kid safe smocks for painting, a cover for kids that refuse to wear a bib or...rip them into shreds and use them as rags for your house, car or garage cleaning. 4. DONATE! If you are ready to bid your STUFF a fond farewell, DONATE your goods to a local shelter, Salvation Army, Goodwill or a church clothing drive. Note, local Veterans and Lupus organizations will pick up unwanted clothes, art work, lamps, etc. All of these donations are tax deductible. Make sure to get receipts for your tax return. 5. SELL! If you have the time, inclination and wears, it might be an ideal time to have a garage sale. Misery loves company, invite a friend or neighbor to participate with you to sweeten the pot for potential customers. You can even advertise for free on http://www.craigslist.org/. You can also try your hand at selling on eBay or at a local consignment shop. Note, I recommend this only if you have the time and motivation. If you WAIT for the "Garage Sale Gods" to take you by the hand, it won't happen. Better to DONATE then wait and create further clutter. 6. Go Green - Use http://www.freecycle.org/. Freecycle is a grassroots, nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Membership is free. B. Pay bills online. Save yourself the stamps and aggravation of bill paying. Create a folder for pending bills. Keep the folder close to your computer. File and pay bills as they come into your home. For static bill payments like your mortgage, car payment, school tuition fee, etc. set up a reoccurring payment that fires off a payment at a certain time every month. Almost every bank now offers online bill pay. It is easy, fast and saves time and money. C. Buy in bulk or in multiples. Stop numerous trips to the store. If you need diapers, buy them in bulk and store the extra sleeves of diapers in the closet. If you are constantly running out of light bulbs, trash bags, toothpaste, baby lotion, moisturizer, etc. buy extra! This holds doubly true if you go to a specialty stores or buy online for certain products. Stop running out of Baby Tylenol and your favorite facial cleanser, buy two and replenish when you are getting low. It is wonderful to just go into your medicine cabinet and have a spare dye-free Baby Motrin bottle at 3am! D. Create a master grocery list. Create a master list and leave room at the bottom for nonstandard items that crop up from time to time. Save a copy and print out a few sheets. It saves you the trouble of reinventing the wheel every week. Better yet, every major supermarket now has an app that can allow you to save a master grocery list and also allows you to save virtual coupons that can be used simply clicking on the coupon in your app and then using your grocer rewards card at checkout. You can also dial into savings on gasoline. The Safeway and Giant Foods app will track your purchases and tell you your exact gas rewards. Hint, sometimes stores give triple points for gift cards. Check advertised specials and save even more at the pump. E. Beat the paper beast that invades your home! Our homes are invaded daily by intruders. They come in the form of mail and lots of it. Tackle that pile ASAP. Sort mail into bills, trash/shredder items, items to be reviewed (i.e. catalogs, magazines). 1. Pending bills should go into a folder with the highest urgency. Pay through online bill pay or standard snail mail and a checkbook. Get them done, out and filed quickly. Have stamps available and close at hand when paying bills. 2. Shred and trash solicitations. If you don't have a shredder, invest in one. With the threat of identity theft, they are worth their weight in gold. 3. Take catalogs and magazines and tackle them after dinner, on the treadmill, at the hairdresser, etc. Anywhere where downtime presents itself try to look through books, mags, catalogs, etc. Also, I keep my catalogs stacked in a special section of my closet as "Reference" material for decorating, product selection, etc. As new catalogs come in for Pottery Barn, etc I toss/recycle the old ones. F. Book ahead and plan often. "It is never too early to plan" is my mantra. I book my sitter a month or two in advance. I make sure we have a reservation and a plan. There is nothing worse than finally getting a night out, making your way out the door and determining that there is no real plan. Stop the Chipotle madness! 1. Book dinner reservations early at http://www.opentable.com/. 2. Make your next hair appointment as you leave the salon. 3. Schedule future dentist and doctor appointments with the front desk as you exit the office. 4. Buy tons of diverse birthday cards at wholesale clubs where prices are cheaper. Have them on hand when a birthday or special event rolls around. You will save yourself the trip to CVS. 5. Pack two days out for a trip. Yes, it will still take you time, but the urgency isn't as great and there are no last minute surprises like no suntan lotion. Start with the laundry for this exercise. G. Shop online. I think is it safe to say that everyone has discovered Amazon. They have the best prices and selection for everything from books to diapers and more! With a PRIME membership there isn't much I can't get to my door within 48 hours, plus free shipping! I even purchased my daughter's First Communion dress on Amazon. I also love Shoebuy.com for great prices on shoes. Some websites continue to offer tax-free alternatives. While brick and mortar stores will always be needed and appreciated, find some online love to make your life easier. H. Store and use your coupons. Put all of your many paper coupons for Bed, Bath and Beyond, food items, Babies R Us, et al. in a large envelope or folder. Put it in your car and have it on hand for your weekly shopping trips. You won't have to sift through an overburden purse anymore and you will finally have that coupon when you need it! I. Use an online calendar. I don't care if you grew up in a cult and have never used the multiple functions on your computer or smartphone. Read a book, review an online tutorial! This is a critical component to organization. Most computers come preloaded with a calendar. Every major online calendar program for Windows or Mac should give you the option of syncing with your smartphone. I live and die by my calendar. It is so nice to make an entry on my iPhone calendar and have it on my iMac and iPad at home. The cloud has gotten some bad press, but I still love it! You need to start to record upcoming events, activities, birthdays, etc. Set the alarms on your calendar to remind yourself of important events. View it often. Make sure to print out the calendar you created and hand the hardcopy to your spouse or partner. This avoids so much confusion and gets everyone on the same page. As kids get older it is even more critical. J. Get help and outsource some of your needs. If your budget allows, there are some wonderful resources out there to help overburdened parents. 1. Get a cleaning service. I am down to once a month, but I can't give it up! My cleaning crew makes me happier than 99% of the population. That is just one relationship I can't abandon! 2. Get your groceries delivered. The average price of delivery hovers around $10.00 to $15.00. The price of gas and your time are worth that and more! One working mom I knew had her grocery delivery service stock a garage freezer and fridge while the nanny was home to let them into the garage. Don't forget to tip! 3. Hire a personal shopper. Many parents simply don't have the time to buy the perfect dress for their daughters 3rd birthday. Folks with enough money but not enough time, are turning more and more to professional concierge services. The web is filled with local options. 4. Hire a mother's helper. Seek out a younger tweener in the neighborhood and hire them on as a mother's helper. They can make sure your little ones are entertained while you tackle some bigger tasks in the house. Most mother's helpers are younger and don't command the salary that the average babysitter demands. 5. Get organizational help! Some of us are at the point where help is needed. There are a number of local services that can help you organize your home. I found a few on this SITE. I also love Rachel & Company. She has a great blog, a fun newsletter and is a respected local business owner that can assist clients with hands-on organizing, closet design, events and even large moves. I hope you find this helpful. After I had my first daughter it became my roadmap to a calmer mind and a more organized abode. It isn't easy but so worth the effort! Good luck and here is to a very organization 2015! by Claudine Kurp HARD ROCK CAFE WASHINGTON, DC TO HOST BREAKFAST WITH SANTA SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 Santa Claus is making his way to Hard Rock Cafe! On Saturday, December 13, Hard Rock Cafe Washington, DC will welcome the jolly old fellow to the District for Breakfast with Santa. The event will include a delicious breakfast buffet, face painting and a photo opp with Santa. Breakfast buffet menu items include scrambled eggs, seasoned bacon, French toast sticks, assorted pastries and fresh seasonal fruit. What: Breakfast with Santa Where: Hard Rock Cafe Washington, DC 999 E St. NW Washington, DC 20008 202-737-7625 When: Saturday, December 13 9 a.m. – Event begins Admission: The breakfast buffet costs: $14.95 for adults; $10.95 for kids ages 12 and under; FREE for kids under the age of two. Those interested in attending must RSVP to Katie Wright by December 10 at Katie_Wright@hardrock.com or by calling 202-737-7625. For more information, please visit http://www.hardrock.com/cafes/washington-dc/. Image Credit Hard Rock Cafe Hard Rock Cafe Washington DC provided me with complimentary tickets to this event. We always disclose whenever a product or service is offered for compensation and all opinions are our own. |
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