Thursday, November 29, 2012

My stay in DC : The courtyard

I was very excited about my DC trip in the beginning of November. First trip in a long long time without the little ones. Time to spend with my girls.

The plan was to leave early Friday and get there early enough to do some much needed shopping.


That plan was quickly out the window when I got on I-95. Ten minutes into the route, we hit traffic. In an hour we moved a memorable 1/10 of a mile. I read two magazine. Needless to say, we arrived extremely late and tired.

We get to the hotel, very cute. More than I expected. That was the end of the good news.

I was given a room on the 3rd floor. As soon as I got out the elevator, I felt like I was visiting the projects. There were tons of people in the hallway. Turns out, I was placed in a room adjacent to three rooms filled with teenage girls. They were having a slumber party. The mothers were also hanging out in the hallway.

I called the concierge. I was advised that the only available room was on the 11th floor, a disabled enable room. The clerk couldn't clearly articulate what was the difference between the regular room and this one. She kept mentioning the toilet was plastic. As far as I was concerned, they wouldn't be an issue.

The 11th floor room. There was no difference in the toilet sit. The vanity space was gone. That's the difference. Now I had no space to do my make up and hair. But, I was still happy about not dealing with the noise level.

The pillows sucked. The bed was not the most comfortable. But still nothing majorly wrong.

Until 6 a.m. ...... Remember why I switched rooms??? To be able to sleep and rest. Nope. Not here. My one break of not waking up to the kids internal alarm , I woke up the SUNLIGHT.

I was beyond pissed off. I travel frequently for work and had never seen this.

I got dressed and went to the front desk. The manager sent someone up, who stated that no curtains were missing. That only added to my aggravation. The manager went up to room and agreed that curtains were missing. She informed me that she didn't know if they could replace the curtain, and offered me another room. Another annoyance. I would have to repack. I declined.

I lost a night if rest and at no point was offered any sort of discount, upgrade, or anything.

Sunday, when I was packing to go home , found some bugs on my bed. Not bedbugs, but bugs never the less.


In addition, when I first arrived I asked about parking. Didn't actually use it and was charged for it.







New York Beach List




New York Beach List
1000 Islands:
Cedar Point State Park - State Park - Clayton, 13624     
Coles Creek State Park - State Park - Waddington, 13694   
Cumberland Bay State Park - State Park - Plattsburg, 12901     
Grass Point State Park - State Park - Alexandria Bay, 13607      
Higley Flow State Park - State Park - Colton, 13625       
Jacques Cartier State Park - State Park - Morristown, 13664     
Kring Point State Park - State Park - Redwood, 13679       
Point Au Roche State Park - State Park - Plattsburgh, 12901       
Robert Moses State Park - State Park - Massena, 13662       
Southwick Beach State Park - State Park - Henderson, 13650        
Wellesley Island State Park - State Park - Fineview, 13640       
Westcott Beach State Park - State Park - Henderson, 13650       
    
Adirondacks:    
Arrowhead Beach - Municipal Beach - Inlet, 13360 
Ausable Point State Campground - DEC State - Peru, 12972       
Ballard Park Town Beach - Municipal Beach - Wesport, 12993 
Black Point Public Beach - Municipal Beach - Ticonderoga, 12883 
Brant Lake Public Beach - Municipal Beach - Brant Lake,     
Buck Pond State Campground - DEC State - Onchiota, 12989       
Caroga Lake State Campground - DEC State - Caroga Lake, 12078       
Cranberry Lake State Campground - DEC State - Cranberry Lake, 12927       
Cumberland Bay State Park - State Park - Plattsburgh, 12901     
Eagle Point NYS Campground - State Park - Pottersville, 12860        
Echo Lake - Municipal Park - Warrensburg, 12885       
Eighth Lake State Campground - DEC State - Raquette Lake, 13436  
Fish Creek Pond State Campground - DEC State - Saranac Lake, 12893       
Golden Beach State Campground - DEC State - Raquette Lake, 13436      
Hague Town Beach - Municipal Beach - Hague, 12836       
Hearthstone Point State Campground - DEC State - Lake George, 12845  
Hinkley Reservoir - DEC State - Hinkley, 13352   
Hudson Grove Beach - Municipal Beach- Lake Luzerne, 12846        
Indian Lake Town Beach - Municipal Beach - Indian Lake, 12842 
Lake Durant State Campgrounds - DEC State - Blue Mountain Lake,   12812     
Lake Eaton - DEC Park - Long Lake, 12847 
Lake George DOG Beach - Municipal Beach - Lake George, 12845   
Lake George Islands - Municipal Park - Lake George, 12845    
Lake Placid Public Beach - Municipal Beach - Lake Placid, 12946    
Lewey Lake State Campground - DEC State - Indian Lake, 12842        
Limekiln Lake State Campground - DEC State - Inlet, 13360       
Little Pond State Campground - DEC State - Livingston Manor, 12758        
Little Sand Point State Campground - DEC State - Piseco, 12139     
Long Lake Town Beach - Municipal Beach - Long Lake, 12847
Loon Lake Public Beach - Municipal Beach - Chestertown,      
Luzerne Heights Public Beach - Municipal Beach - Lake Luzerne, 12846   
Macomb Reservation State Park - State Park - Schuyler Falls, 12985
Meacham Lake State Campground - DEC State - Paul Smiths, 12970      
Million Dollar State Beach - State Park - Lake George, 12845       
Moffitt Beach State Campground - DEC State - Speculator, 12164       
Mongaup Pond State Campground - DEC State - Livingston Manor,   12758     
Moreau Sandbar Beach - Municipal Beach - So Glens Falls, 12803        
Newcomb Town Beach -Municipal Beach - Newcomb, 12852 
Nick's Lake State Campground - DEC State - Old Forge, 13420       
Northampton Beach State Campground - DEC State - Northville, 12134
Pine Lake Park Beach - Municipal Park - Pine Lake, 12032 
Plattsburgh Public Beach - Municipal Beach - Plattsburgh, 12901     
Point Au Roche State Park - State Park - Plattsburgh, 12901  
Point Comfort State Campground - DEC State - Piseco, 12139      
Poplar Point State Campground - DEC State - Piseco, 12139     
Rogers Memorial Park Beach - Municipal Beach - Bolton Landing, 12814     
Rogers Rock State Campground - DEC State - Hague, 12836    
Scaroon Manor State Campground - DEC State - Pottersville, 12860       
Schroon Lake Town Beach - Municipal Beach - Schroon Lake, 12808    
Shepard Park Beach - Municipal Beach - Lake George, 12845         
Speculator Town Beach - Municipal Beach - Speculator, 12164
Town of Mayfield Beach - Municipal Park - Mayfield, 12117 
Town of Webb Beach - Municipal Beach - Old Forge, 13420 
Usher Park - Municipal Park - Lake George, 12845       
Veteran's Park - Municipal Park - Bolton Landing, 12814       
Village of Northville - Municipal Park - Northville, 12134 
Washington County Beach - Municipal Beach - Huletts Landing, 12841        
Wayside Beach - Municipal Beach - Lake Luzerne, 12846
Wells Town Beach - Municipal Beach -  Wells, 12190 
Whetstone Gulf State Park - State Park - Lowville, 13367     
Wilmington Town Beach - Municipal Beach - Wilmington, 12997 
Capital Saratoga:
Cherry Plain State Park - State Park - Cherry Plain, 12040 
Grafton Lakes State Park - State Park - Grafton, 12082       
Moreau Lake State Park - State Park - Gansevoort, 12831  
Snyders Lake Town Beach - Municipal Beach - West Sand Lake, 12018  
Thompson's Lake State Park - State Park - East Berne, 12059   
   
Central New York:
Bakers Beach - Municipal Park - Cooperstown, 13326   
Bowman Lake State Park - State Park - Oxford, 13830 
Chenango Valley State Park - State Park - Chenango Forks, 13746     
Delta Lake State Park - State Park - Rome, 13440          
Fairy Spring Park - Municipal Park - Cooperstown, 13326       
Gilbert Lake State Park - State Park - Laurens, 13796            
Glimmerglass State Park - State Park - Cooperstown, 13326  
Green Lakes State Park - State Park - Fayetteville, 13066          
Mexico Point Park - Municipal Park - Mexico, 13114 
Northampton Beach - DEC Park - Mayfield, 12117
Oquaga Creek State Park - State Park - Bainbridge, 13733       
Sandy Island Beach State Park - State Park - Pulaski, 13142            
Sylvan Lake Beach - Municipal Park - Sylvan Beach, 13157            
Taft Bay Park - Municipal Park - Constantia, 13044 
Three Mile Point - Municipal Park - Cooperstown, 13326            
Verona Beach State Park - State Park - Verona Beach, 13162         
     
Chautauqua Allegany:
Allegany State Park - Quaker Area - State Park - Salamanca, 14779       
Allegany State Park - Red House Area - State Park - Salamanca,  14779        
Bemus Point Park - Municipal Beach - Bemus Point, 14712 
Cassadaga Beach - Municipal Beach - Cassadaga, 14718 
Lake Erie State Park - State Park - Brocton, 14716      
Long Point State Park - Lake Chautauqua - State Park - Bemus Point, 14712    
Mayfille Lakeside Park - Municipal Beach - Irving, 14801
Point Gratiot Park - Municipal Beach - Dunkirk, 14048 
Richard O. Hartley Memorial Park - Municipal Beach - Lakewood, 14750
Sunset Bay Beach - Municipal Beach - Irving, 14801 
Finger Lakes:
Bennett Beach - Municipal Park - Derby, 14047      
Butler Beach - Municipal Park - Penn Yan, 14527        
Buttermilk Falls State Park - State Park - Ithaca, 14850       
Cayuga Lake State Park - State Park - Seneca Falls, 13148        
Clute Memorial Park - Municipal Park - Watkins Glen, 14891 
Deep Run Park - Municipal Park - Gorham, 14461     
Fair Haven Beach State Park - State Park - Fair Haven, 13064     
Fillmore Glen State Park - State Park - Moravia, 13118     
Green Lakes State Park - State Park - Fayetteville, 13066        
Jamesville Beach - Municipal Park - Liverpool, 13088       
Kershaw Park - Municipal Park - Canandaigua, 14424   
Keuka Lake State Park - State Park - Bluff Point, 14478      
Long Point Park - Municipal Park - Geneseo, 14454 
Long Point State Park - State Park - Aurora, 13026      
Myer's Park - Municipal Park - Lansing, 14882     
Onanda Park - Municipal Park - Canandaigua, 14424      
Oneida Shores Park - Municipal Park - Liverpool, 13088
Robert H. Treman State Park - State Park - Ithaca, 14850     
Sampson State Park - State Park - Romulus, 14541     
Seneca Lake State Park - State Park - Geneva, 14456      
Smith Memorial Park - Municipal Park - Hector, 14841     
Sodus Point Beach Park - Municipal Park - Sodus Point, 14555 
Stony Brook State Park - State Park - Dansville, 14437       
Taughannock Falls State Park - State Park - Trumansburg, 14886       
Wendt Beach - Municipal Beach - Derby, 14047 
Greater Niagara/Western NY:
Beaver Island State Park - State Park - Grand Island, 14072 
Bennett Beach - Municipal Beach - Derby, 14047 
Darien Lakes State Park - State Park - Darien Center, 14040 
Evangola State Park - State Park- Irving, 14081  
Gallagher Beach - Municipal Beach - Buffalo-Outer Harbor, 14203 
Hamlin Beach State Park - State Park - Hamlin, 14464  
Lake Erie Beach & Evans Town Park - Municipal Beach - Evans, 14112
Wilson-Tuscarora State Park - State Park- Wilson, 14172  
Woodlawn Beach State Park - State Park - Blasdell, 14219  
  
Hudson Valley/Catskills:
Bear Spring Mountain DEC Catskills Walton, 13856 
Belleayre Mountain Pine Hill Lake - Municipal Park - Pine Hill, 12465 
Croton Point Park - State Park - Croton on Hudson, 10520      
East Sidney Lake Park - DEC Park - Sidney, 13838  
Fahnestock State Park - State Park - Carmel, 10512      
Five Islands Park - Municipal Park - New Rochelle, 10801     
George Freer Memorial Beach - Municipal Beach - Port Ewen, 12466 
Glen Island - Municipal Park - New Rochelle, 10801       
Harbor Island Park - Municipal Park - Mamaroneck, 10543   
Harriman State Park, Lake Welch, Lake Tiorati - State Park - Bear Mountain, 10911   
Kingston Point Beach - Municipal Park - Kingston 12401
Lake Superior State Park - State Park - Monticello,  12701   
Lake Taghkanic State Park - State Park - Ancram, 12502 
Lakeside at Osceola - Municipal Park - Jefferson Valley, 10535       
Little Pond - DEC Park - Andes, 13731  
Matthiessen Park - Municipal Park - Irvington, 10533        
Minnewaska State Park Preserve - State Park - Kerhonkson, 12446   
North-South Lake State Campground - DEC Park - Haines Falls, 12436
Playland Park - Municipal Park - Rye, 10580     
Rider Park - Municipal Park - Kingston, 12401 
Riverfront Green Park - Municipal Park - Peekskill, 10566
Robert E. Post Park - Municipal Park - Kingston, 12401 
Rotary Park at Kingston Point - Municipal Park - Kingston, 12401 
Saugerties Public Beach - Municipal Park - Saugerties, 12477 
Taconic State Park, Copake Falls, Rudd Pond - State Park - Copake Falls, 12517
Wilcox Park - Municipal Park - Standordville, 12581 
Long Island:
Gilgo State Park - Municipal Park - Babylon, 11702      
Heckscher State Park - State Park - East Islip, 11730     
Hither Hills State Park - State Park - Montauk, 11954 
Jones Beach State Park - State Pari - Wantagh, 11793    
Long Beach Island - Municipal Park - Long Beach, 11561 
Montauk Point Beach State - DEC Park - Montauk, 11954   
Nickerson Beach - Municipal Park - Lido Beach, 11561    
Orient Beach State Park - State Park - Orient, 11957      
Robert Moses State Park - State Park - Babylon, 11702       
Smith Pont County Park - Municipal Park - Hauppauge, 11788 
Sunken Meadow State Park - State Park - Kings Park, 11754      
Wildwood State Park - State Park - Wading River, 11792   
New York City:
Plumb Beach - Municipal Park - Brooklyn 
Brighton Beach - Municipal Park - Brooklyn         
Manhattan Beach - Municipal Park -Manhattan       
Midland Beach - Municipal Park - Staten Island         
Pelham Bay Orchard Beach & Promenade - Municipal Park -Bronx
Rockaway Beach/Jamaica Bay - Municipal Park -Queens    
South Beach - Municipal Park - Staten Island  

FREE Mrs. Dash Seasoning Sample

Go to Facebook to get your FREE Mrs. Dash Seasoning Sample


Mrs. Dash Free Sample Giveaway
Terms and Conditions
The Mrs. Dash "Free Sample" giveaway starts 10/16/2012 and ends 11/29/2012, or while supplies last, whichever is sooner (the “Giveaway Period”). Official start time each day is Noon EST/9am PST. Limit one offer per household for the entire Giveaway Period. Giveaway includes 4 Mrs. Dash sample packets of the same flavor, of either Original, Table Blend, Garlic & Herb or Extra Spicy [net weight .02oz (.6g) each] and a coupon for 75¢ off any Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blend good through 3/31/2013. Please allow approximately 6-8 weeks for delivery. Open only to legal residents of the 50 U.S. who are 18 or older, and who provide a valid U.S. mailing address. Void where prohibited. Supplies are limited: a maximum of 20,000 packets will be distributed per day, with a total maximum of 900,000 total available. Sponsor reserves the right to terminate or modify this Giveaway at any time. 

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

SUBWAY® - Text to Win



SUBWAY® - Text to Win: Enter the Subway Text to Win Sweepstakes for your chance to WIN a FREE $6 Subway Gift Card.

Daily Grand Prize (96 winners per day, 5,856 total): Daily Grand Prize Winners will each receive a SUBWAY Card with a value of USD $6.00.


Ends on December 31, 2012 at 11:59:59 P.M., ET.

FREE Mrs. Dash Seasoning Sample



Mrs. Dash Free Sample Giveaway
Terms and Conditions
The Mrs. Dash "Free Sample" giveaway starts 10/16/2012 and ends 11/29/2012, or while supplies last, whichever is sooner (the “Giveaway Period”). Official start time each day is Noon EST/9am PST. Limit one offer per household for the entire Giveaway Period. Giveaway includes 4 Mrs. Dash sample packets of the same flavor, of either Original, Table Blend, Garlic & Herb or Extra Spicy [net weight .02oz (.6g) each] and a coupon for 75¢ off any Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blend good through 3/31/2013. Please allow approximately 6-8 weeks for delivery. Open only to legal residents of the 50 U.S. who are 18 or older, and who provide a valid U.S. mailing address. Void where prohibited. Supplies are limited: a maximum of 20,000 packets will be distributed per day, with a total maximum of 900,000 total available. Sponsor reserves the right to terminate or modify this Giveaway at any time. 

Enter to win a PERDUE family night packages



Enter to win $500 from PERDUE.
After submitting your entry, you will also be able to get print a $1.00 coupon for a PERDUE product.

Go to PERDUE'S facebook page to enter. 

Details:

How do you make your weekly get-together great?PERDUE
® OVEN READY Roasts are easier than easy to prepare, so you can make any night a great family get-together. Share your weekly get-together traditions and how they bring your family closer together.


Eight contestants will win $50 for PERDUE
® OVEN READY Roasts and a $500 gift card to spend on great family night packages. All contestants will receive the PERDUE
®Recipe for a Great Get-Together e-book, featuring easy side dish recipes and top get-together traditions from the contest.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Newborn: Car Sear Guide

1. Infant car seat
2. Convertible
3. Toddler/youth booster seat
4. Booster

Safety note: always follow manufacturers' guidelines regarding age, height and weight limits.

FYI: you should not buy carseats from second hand stores, as they are tested for safety.

Newborn Shopping List

Baby Must-haves:

1. Infant and/or convertible car seat
2. Extra car seat base
3. Car seat head and body support
4. Seat protector mat
5. Waterproof seat liner
6. Car mirror
7. Car window shade
8. Car seat bunting/cover
9. Stroller or travel system
10. Umbrella stroller
11. Stroller footmuff
12. Stroller rain cover and sun shade
13. Stroller netting
14. Baby carrier
15. Playard, plus 2-4 sheets
16. Diaper bag ( 1 for mom and one for dad is easiest )
17. Changing mat


Fun Add-on's
1. Toys for car seat and stroller
2. Travel bags for car seat and stroller
3. Cup and snack holder for baby
4. Storage console for parents
5. Stroller hooks
6. Standing platform stroller attachment for older siblings
7. Shopping cart / restaurant high chair cover

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Five Beauty Five


#1) Wipe out bad hair

When oily locks creep up and the nearest bottle of dry shampoo is miles away, simply grab a wet wipe, you know the kind that you get in individual paper packets, and run the wipe over bangs as well as oily patches that frame the face. The alcohol in the wipe will dry up oil helping your hair 'do survive another few hours on the go.

#2) Powder your nose

If you find yourself shining on-the-go with no face powder in sight, step into the nearest ladies room to divert your beauty disaster. Paper toilet seat covers work nearly as effectively as the blotting papers often sold in the cosmetic aisle to eradicate shine. No toilet seat covers available? In a pinch, use a piece of toilet paper to absorb excess oil. A tip: always use the side of the paper facing down to avoid germs.

#3) Put a sock in it

There's a simple way to create an easy updo, be it at home or on the go. You probably don't travel with an extra sock, but you may want to after you read this tip. To create a chic, voluminous bun, snip the toe end off a sock that is a similar color to your locks (the thicker the sock, the larger the final bun will be). Next, put hair in a ponytail using a hair tie. Take the sock and roll it up into a donut shape and put the "sock donut" over the hair tie that is securing your ponytail. Roll the sock down the length of your ponytail towards your head, wrapping your hair around the sock as you get closer to the hair tie. Once done, tuck extra ends, secure with a bobby pin and you've created a thick, gorgeous bun. (Head over to Carolyn's blog, Glamour, Every Day to see this tip in action.)

#4) Nail new trends

Gradating manis, one glitter covered nail, reverse French manicures -- all this ingenuity can be exhausting, not to mention expensive.

Create your own cutting edge mani with a few items you probably have at home. Grab a rubber band and use it as a guide to create the two toned look of French manicures, classic or reverse. Use paper reinforcements to create half moon manicures; cut a little slit in the reinforcements to help them lay flat and be sure to let coats of polish dry completely between steps. You've probably already spotted manicures that look like nails covered in caviar; get the look at home with sprinkles. Yes, sprinkles. Apply your polish of choice and while nails are still slick, use sprinkles from the pantry to create a cool textured finish (you can do this even on just one nail on each hand for contrast.) Apply a top coat, let dry and you've mastered a delicious new mani.

#5) Back to basics

Ever found yourself out and about when your earring suddenly plunges from your lobe to certain death? While the back may be nowhere in sight, there's no need to panic. Simply grab a classic pencil with an eraser. Then, snap off the eraser and use it as an impromptu backing for your earring. Accessory disaster averted.


Source:
http://prettycity.com/beauty_fixes.cfm

Do you have Lead in your apartment?



If you have lead in your apartment, this is something that you need to get fixed right away. Do not delay.

Lead could lead to major health complications.

Want to learn more about lead, visit The USA Environmental Protection Agency

Here are additional links from EPA:

Learn about lead
Where it is found
How you can be exposed
Lower your chances of exposure to lead
Health effects
Enforcing laws and regulations
Protecting children and adults from lead poisoning
Addressing lead at Superfund sites
Contractors must be lead-safe certified
It's easy to get your child tested
You can make your home lead-safe
Landlords and property sellers must disclose information on lead-based paint hazards
Lead can enter your drinking water through your pipes
Parents and families
Hire a lead safe certified firm
Lead Free Kids Campaign
Pregnant women and nursing mothers
Do-it-yourselfers

The below pictures are actual ones from my mom's building. The inside of the apartment also had lead. 








We then had further issues with the landlord because the contractor they were using did not properly secure the premise of their tools. 








Homemade Baba Ganoush

Homemade Baba Ganoush

Homemade Baba Ganoush
5.0 from 3 reviews
Print

Recipe type: Dip / Condiment
The Endless Meal: The Endless Meal
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 40 mins
Serves: Makes about 2 cups
Ingredients
  • 2 eggplants
  • 3 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 cloves of garlic, grated with a microplane or finely minced
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: top with olive oil, pomegranate seeds, sesame seeds or minced parsley
Instructions
  1. Using a fork polk several holes over each eggplant.
  2. Place eggplants on your bbq at high heat. Alternatively you can broil them in your oven for a slightly less smokey flavour.
  3. Cook eggplants for 20-30 minutes, turning once, until they are soft but well charred on the outside.
  4. Remove eggplants from bbq and place in a bowl covered with tin foil.
  5. Once eggplants are cool enough to handle (you can place them in your fridge if you get impatient, like me) peel the skin off and place all the flesh in a bowl. Add any of the liquid left in the bowl the eggplants were cooling in to the eggplant flesh.
  6. Place all the eggplant flesh and liquid into a food processor. Add tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt and process till smooth. You can also use a fork for a chunkier texture.
  7. Place baba ganoush in a bowl and top with optional ingredients if desired.