My Trip To CA For The #HubHalloweenBash Day 1

**All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  I was not compensated for this post.  I was given an all expense paid trip to LA to attend the taping of the Hub Networks Halloween Bash**

I love my job!!  I have gotten to experience a lot of things that I doubt I ever would have without this job.  Including things like walking the red carpet, and getting to meet and interview celebrities.  

Last week I got to experience yet another first.  I was invited to see a taping of a TV show special focused on one of my favorite holidays, Halloween.   

Thanks to the Hub Network, I was flown out to LA and got to stay at the Marriott Marina Del Ray.  It was a beautiful hotel with a very short drive to and from the airport.  Being a rewards member, I was upgraded to a beautiful suite!!  

The first day I was in LA (travel day) I had to myself.  It was nice to get to relax, but I have to admit I really missed my family!!

With the three hour time difference, I was starving by 5 pm LA time (8 PM my time) so I ordered room service.  I am used to eating Mac and Cheese and hot dogs.  I went outside of my norm and ordered Filet Mignon!!!

This was one of the best meals I have had in a long time, and I am not just saying that because I didn't have to cook it!!

The steak was cooked and seasoned properly and the potatoes were oh so good!!  Luckily since I was in my room, I could lick the plate!! (Just kidding!!)

After resting from eating that delicious meal, I met up with some of my blogger friends to have dinner (I did not eat again!!) I could not go to LA without seeing my favorite Disney friend Marshall!!

We all had a terrific time catching up and spending time together outside of work!!!

After a couple hours or 1 am to us east coasters, it was time to hit that really nice comfy bed!!!

**All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  I was not compensated for this post.  I was given an all expense paid trip to LA to attend the taping of the Hub Networks Halloween Bash**



This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

Hub Networks Halloween Bash Premieres 10/26 8-10 PM EST

**All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  I was not compensated for this post.  I was given an all expense paid trip to LA to watch the show being taped.**

The Hub Network, a destination for kids and their families, will host the first “Hub Network’s First Annual Halloween Bash,” to be broadcast on Saturday, October 26, 2013 on the cable channel.

The special will be hosted by Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”), along with  a panel of celebrity judges (Hal Sparks, Coco Jones and Martha Stewart,) and includes music performances and a nationwide costume competition where 50 semi-finalists from each state will head to Los Angeles to be a part of the two-hour star-studded event.

One lucky winner will win $25,000 and a walk-on role on the Hub Network’s Daytime Emmy® Award-winning series, “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series.”

The “Hub Network’s First Annual Halloween Bash” costume competition is open to all ages, including individuals or a maximum of five people per group submission.

Participants are encouraged to create eye-popping, hair-raising and spooky costumes within one of the following six categories:

·         Howl-arious – Shows the lighter side of Halloween with a take on a fun, funny or otherwise hilarious costume.

·         Spook-tacular – Get ready to frighten America by showcasing the most spine-chilling costume for all the ghosts and ghouls out there.

·         Mad Genius – Unique, original, innovative and never seen before. A knight in armor fashioned from bottle caps, bat wings made from old umbrellas, or a cardboard-box jetpack, the possibilities are endless. Display a costume unlike any other — show your Mad Genius.

·         Blast from the Past – Take a stroll down memory lane with a timeless costume. Memories, nostalgia and yesteryear brought to life. Show your take on great figures from before the 20^thcentury or a retro 50’s sock hop get up, 60’s flower child or other “period” inspired costumes.

·         Animal Kingdom – Transform into a living creature from the past or present. Be a roaring lion, a school of jellyfish, a firefly, or a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

·         Everyday Stuff – We're looking for the coolest refrigerator/freezer, remote control, mailbox, block of Swiss cheese, telephone and more.  Be creative and transform the ordinary into the extra-ordinary

I got to travel to LA this past weekend and see the taping of the special.  We had a blast (stay tuned for my awesome posts) and I can not wait to see the finished show this Saturday!!

**All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  I was not compensated for this post.  I was given an all expense paid trip to LA to watch the show being taped.**


This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

Being Well Connected @Walgreens #Shop #WalgreensCambridge #CBias

"I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client. All opinions expressed are 100% my own."

When I go to Walgreens, it is usually to get a great deal on shampoo, or dish soap!!  I am also usually wearing either jeans and a t-shirt or even my flannel p.j's! 

This past Monday, Ben and I traveled to Cambridge to check out the new Walgreens there and their Well Connected section.  We both got dressed up in nice clothes for this trip!

One of the first things we saw when we entered the store was a huge movie section.  Newer releases too!  Plus our favorite part was that it is interactive.  You can click a button and see the trailer for each movie they sell.  When I go to the store and see movies I have never heard of on sale, I usually keep on walking.  Now at Walgreens I have the chance to see some of the movie before judging it!

Walgreens also has a huge electronics section.  With everything from no contract cell phones, to cell phone cases, to Monster headphones, to even Blu Ray and iPod speakers.  

The best part about the speakers is that you can test them out before you buy right in the store!  Bring your iPod and listen to your own tunes to make sure they sound great coming from the speakers.  I do not know of any other store that lets you do that!

Besides the Well Connected section, Walgreens also has a huge Beauty section called LOOK Boutique.  

Featuring brands like Pur Minerals, Pop, and Gosh Cosmetics, you have a wide variety to choose from.  Check out the tremendous section of nail polish alone!

The Look Boutique also has a higher end section of cosmetics with a variety of all natural and French made products.  

Another new feature to Walgreens is their updated pharmacy.  

Now instead of picking up your prescriptions and waiting to speak to a pharmacist, the pharmacist is the one who gives you the scripts so you can ask questions right away.  I also love the fact that most of the drugs are hidden and not visible.  To me it seems like a great safety move.  Out of sight, out of mind.

After our tour of the Walgreens we were given some tasty snacks, and drinks while we waited.  

Waited for what you may ask?  How about getting to meet Nick Cannon! 

Nick was there to help promote his and Monsters new Ncredible headphones.  With many styles and colors to choose from, I honestly can not pick my favorite!

Walgreens is really trying to modernize their stores and make them a one stop location for fresh foods, entertainment, beauty products and prescriptions.  From now on I might just be buying more then shampoo there!

"I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client. All opinions expressed are 100% my own."



This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

A&E Real Life Series #ModernDads Premiering August 21st

MODERN DADS features four stay-at-home dads who may be a little unconventional, but they get the job done. Banding together, their “guys club” is a tribe of suburban, child-rearing dudes who are just trying to do their thing… with a kid (or four) on their hip. This new series will follow their exploits as they navigate their lives; juggling the requirements and social expectations of being both a `modern man' and ‘modern dad’ while their significant others are off at work.

Don’t forget to tune in to the series premiere of MODERN DADS on August 21st at 10:30/9:30c.

Check them out on-
Facebook
Twitter
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This coming Wednesday I am excited to check out the Modern Dads Tour

Here is an amazing opportunity for families to participate in The MODERN DADS Tour coming to your area.  In honor of the series premiere, we've tricked out an RV and created a fun-filled interactive experience travelling on the East Coast!

The MODERN DADS Tour will be rolling into your city for a short time only!

Location: Six Flags New England

Address: 1623 Main St  Agawam, MA 01001

Date: Wednesday, August 14th

Time: 12:00PM- 4:00PM

Location: Pawtucket Red Sox Game at The McCoy Stadium

Address: 1 Columbus Ave  Pawtucket, RI 02860

Date: Thursday, August 15th

Truck will be on site @5:30pm and

Game Time: 7:05PM

Check out A&E for more information about the show, and some fun photos and contests!!



This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

Tanger Outlets Great Style, Good Taste! Event This Weekend

Ben Sr and I are Food Network fans.  We watch shows like Chopped, Cup Cake Wars, and The Great Food Truck Race.  

I can not wait to attend the Great Style, Good Taste event at Tanger Outlets in Westbrook CT this weekend.  Tons of food, fun, music and shopping!!!

I may even have my Husband submit one of his yummy BBQ recipes!!!

Tanger Outlets will combine our great style and savings with the great taste of gourmet dining through Great Style, Good Taste! The Taste & Style Experience will be a weekend long event that will include Cooking Demonstration, a gourmet food Truck Festival, Live Music, a Backyard Barbecue Cook Off, Chowder Cook Off Contest and much more!

Food Trucks - Saturday & Sunday, 11am - 6pm 15 to 20 Gourmet Food Trucks all weekend by "Food Trucks 2 Go" offering everything from Asian Fusion to Classic American to Fresh, Local Seafood to Exotic Mediterranean and Homemade Desserts.

     Chubby Chickpea
    Captain Marden's (Saturday only)
    Chicken and Rice Guys (Saturday only)
    Baja Taco
    The Happy Taco
    FryBorg
    Hog Wild
    Cupcake Brake
    The Sugar Bakery Cup Cake
    The Away Café
    Boston Shuckin' Truck
    Food Extrovert
    Caseus Cheese Truck (Sunday only)
    High Tide Gourmet (Sunday only)
    Munchies Food Truck
    AND MORE!

LIVE Music - Saturday & Sunday, 11am - 6pm
The Red Hill Rockers, The Sin Sisters, The Shiny Lapel Trio and more!

LIVE Demonstrations - Saturday & Sunday, 11am - 6pm CLARKE, Kitchen Aid, Soda Stream, Williams Sonoma, Chef Kashia and more!

Backyard Barbecue Contest - Saturday, 10am - 4pm
Open to the Public - first 100 entrants. Cash prizes and awards for the best Ribs and Wings. Call for details.

Chowder Cook Off  - Sunday, Noon - 3pm - Taste the best Chowder from area restaurants and vote for the best chowder. Proceeds to benefit Westbrook High School Project Graduation.

http://www.facebook.com/tangeroutletswestbrook

Tanger Taste & Style Gift and Getaway

04/01/2013 to 04/28/2013

A Taste & Style Experience Gift.  Great Style, Good Taste & Great Deals!  Free Gift with Purchase from Curtis Stone & Tanger Outlets! Beginning April 1st 'Made to Measure' Melamine Spoons.  Chef Curtis Stone has specially selected a culinary gift for you, and it's FREE with store receipts totaling $125 of Tanger Outlet purchases.  While supplies last.  Simply bring your receipts to the Tanger Shopper Services Center to claim your gift.

A Taste & Style Experience Getaway. Enter to Win our Foodies' Dream Trip & Dine with Chef Curtis Stone April 1-28, 2013!  You could win a chance to dine with Curtis Stone just for experiencing the best Tanger Outlets has to offer this spring!  Enter to win a 3-day and 2-night trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California and sit at the chef's table and dine with Curtis Stone on May 20th, 2013, PLUS a $1,000 Tanger Shopping Spree.* 

*No purchase necessary to win.  Register at any Tanger Outlet Center.  Look for registration boxes or visit Shopper Services upon arrival.  Winner must be able to travel from May 19-21, 2013.  See official rules at Shopper Services or www.tangeroutlet.com/foodies

This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

School Vacation Week- What Did You Do??

Ben Jr is in 1st Grade, so he is gone a good chunk of the day for school.  When Vacations come around, I am pulling my hair out trying to think of things to keep him and Doug amused!! 

With a limited budget, I came up with a couple of fun things to do that wouldn't break the bank!!

The first Sunday, we had some family come over, and had a mini party.

On Tuesday, we hit the mean streets of NYC.  I had been promising the kids we would take them on the train, and let them see the city. Over all I think they had a great time.  They asked to go back, just minus the walking!!

After arriving at Grand Central, we walked to our hotel (The Manhattan.)  The kids will tell you it took forever.  We only walked about 12 blocks!!

Check out the view from our room!!

We hit TGI Fridays for dinner (it was right across the street!)  The boys enjoyed their food.  Me not so much.  I ordered their new Shrimp Risotto, and it was not at all what I expected (or was pictured,) and it just did not taste good.

After dinner, we went to M&M World.  It's just an awesome store!!  Who wouldn't love a whole store dedicated to chocolate!!!

Wednesday we went to the Disney Store.  Another must go to stop. I love it!!  Even though it has NYC prices, their clearance items are awesome and reasonably priced!!  We have never made it to a store right when they open before.  I had no idea that they do a cute show for the kids.  Being the first in line to get in, Ben and Doug were picked to find the key!!

After getting our Disney fill, we hit Toys R Us.  The boys saw the huge Ferris Wheel from the window and just had to ride!!  OK so did Ben and I!!!

Shortly after, we walked back to Grand Central to make the long trek home!!

Thursday morning, I was going through my emails and I got one from Foxwood's Casino.  They really wanted me to come back and visit (it's been a long time) and were offered an awesome price to stay at one of their hotels.  I called, and booked that night at the Belissimo Grand!!  This was a really nice hotel with an indoor swimming pool!!  The boys were in heaven!!

One of the really cool benefits of staying at the Belissimo, is that you get to take a limo to the casino!!  The boys have never been in a limo, and the last time I was in one was for my wedding (almost 10 years ago!!)

We hit Fuddruckers for dinner, and then hit the arcade running!!!

We got back to the hotel later then we should have, but we had to enjoy room service.  The boys got a really good cheese and crackers plate, and Ben and I got cake and wine!!

The next morning we hit the pool, and then started for home.

We had a ton of fun this week.  It was a lot of traveling, but we really did not spend a lot of money.  The memories are well worth what we did spend!!

How was your week??



This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England.