Tag Archives: shopping

Minot, North Dakota

15 Apr

Matt and I spent Thanksgiving in Minot, North Dakota. We spent most of our time just relaxing, but we were still able to see a few attractions. Below is a list of some of the attractions in Minot, ND.

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  • State Fair grounds. There seems to be a market, fair, or some sort of expo there quite frequently. Check out the schedule here. However, if you are in Minot, ND in July, make sure to visit the North Dakota State Fair! This year the fair is scheduled for July 19-27, 2013.
  • Dakota Square Mall, which features 4 department stores, many more stores, and an indoor water park!
  • Eat at Sakura – Japanese Steak House. If it is your birthday, the restaurant has a fun song for you! If you like sake, well, get ready to drink!

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For a listing of more attractions in Minot, ND, go to TripAdvisor.com.

Enjoy Minot!

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Sample Packing List

15 Dec

Because I think this could help others who, like myself, take forever to pack, the following was my packing list for my one-week trip to Italy in November:

  • 2 pairs of jeans (1 going out jeans, 1 casual jean)
  • 1 black pants
  • 1 casual dress
  • 1 black work out pants
  • 2 workout shirts
  • 2 black shirts
  • 1 black cardigan
  • 4 sweaters (thin, not thick)
  • 2 sets of pajamas
  • Black boots
  • Nice winter boots
  • Sneakers
  • The appropriate amount of intimates

Miscellaneous items:

  • 1 book and multiple magazines
  • Pens (super helpful for customs forms)
  • Makeup (concealer, blush, mascara, lip stick, and gloss)
  • Glasses with case
  • Contacts, solution, and case
  • Travel size shampoo, conditioner and body wash (this ended up not being necessary since we had these at each of the hotels)
  • Ipod with sports armband
  • Phone and charger (although I don’t use this abroad)
  • Head phones
  • Camera with camera charger and plenty of space on the memory card
  • Passport and visa, if needed
  • Money and credit cards
  • Tooth brush and travel-sized tooth paste

Medicine bag:

  • Sleeping medicine (I like ZQuil)
  • Vitamins
  • Emergen C
  • Motion sickness medicine
  • Advil
  • Advil cold & sinus (in case you get a cold)
  • Nasal spray (this helps if you end up getting a cold – use it on the plane so you don’t get a headache)

All of these items fit into my carry on luggage so I did not need to check baggage.  Below is a picture of Matt with our luggage (we each had one  rolling carry on and a backpack/purse).

Italy luggage

What do you recommend packing?

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Ciudad del Este, Paraguay

1 Dec

After visiting Foz de Iguacu, Brazil, I crossed the border into Ciudad del Este, Paraguay.  If you like to shop, you must stop here.  There are a lot of shops with cheap clothing and other goods.   It is a popular shopping spot for Brazilians and Argentines.  I also had the opportunity to visit Itaipu Binacional Hydrodam and Museo de la Tierra Guaraní and Zoológico Regional.  Both are not far from Ciudad del Este and are recommended on WikiTravel.

Happy Travels!

 

 

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DC-Area Bridal Salons Under $2000

29 Sep

When I searched for bridal gowns, I had the hardest time finding a list of salons in the Washington DC area that sold gowns under $2000, preferably under $1500 (I just couldn’t live with myself if I paid more than this for a dress that I wear only once).   After much research I finally came up with my own list and would love to share it with you.   The following are a list of salons that have reasonably priced gowns:

  • Alfred Angelo in Springfield, VA.   I ended up buying my gown here.
  • Katherine’s Bridal in Alexandria.  This had my second choice dress.  Beware:  they won’t let you take pictures which was important to me since I wanted to see how I looked in photos with the dress on.
  • Ellie’s Bridal Boutique in Alexandria, VA
  • Moni’s Bridal Boutique in Manassas, VA.
  • Jeanette’s Bridal in Manassas, VA.
  • David’s Bridal in Rockville, MD.
  • The Bridal Boutique in Columbia, MD.  Not great for beach brides since most of their dresses are pretty heavy.  However, a large selection of gowns.
  • Bobbie’s Bridal in Fairfax, VA. – I didn’t find anything here for me, but other ladies may find dresses here.
  • Rosalin’s Bridal in Falls Church, VA.
  • Distinctive Designs Bridal in Rockville, MD.  - This one was far for me but it was my favorite of all the salons.  Absolutely great salon.  I love the layout.  Beware:  they won’t let you take pictures which was important to me since I wanted to see how I looked in photos with the dress on.
  • Pattrapon Bridal in Kensington, MD.  Cute neighborhood especially if you love antiques.

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Jamaica DOs by Claudette

9 Apr

Here are some DOs for Jamaica travelers:

  •  Take only a red plate cab.  They are licensed to drive on the road.
  • If you want to go shopping, change your US dollars for Jamaican money. Hotels will change the money for you, but you can get more for your US dollar at a place called a Cambio. You can ask to see if the hotel has a shuttle to take you to a Cambio where you would get more for your dollar (e.g., 1 US dollar in Jamaica is worth from 82.00 to 83.00 or 84.00  Jamaican dollars depending on where you go).  You can also change your cash at the airport in Jamaica when you arrive.
  • DO go to Margueritaville Sports Bar & Grill and enjoy a lovely glass of margarita
  • DO go to Half Moon Shopping Center or other duty free shops where you get can get some of the best coffee in the world, “Blue Mountain Coffee,” perfumes, souvenirs and boutique clothing.
  • DO try our jelly coconut water
  • DO try our jerk chicken or jerk pork (very tasty; finger licking good)
  • DO try our curry goat with white rice
  • DO go see Rose Hall Great House (It’s a museum that has existed since the 18th century)
  • If you rent a car, DO remember to drive on the left.
  • DO learn a little patois (a dialect that everyone speaks).
  • If you rent a car, make sure your insurance company will cover you driving in Jamaica.
  • People will come up to you to try to sell you crafts or other stuff.   If you are not interested, just say no thank you.

Jamaica is really a beautiful place.  And, as a final note, DO stay at an all inclusive resort.

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Date Night in Georgetown (DC)

14 Feb

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I would do a post about one of my favorite date areas in Washington, DC:  Georgetown.  There are so many great restaurants and activities in Georgetown.  Here is a typical Georgetown date itinerary for Matt and me:

1) Go shopping.  Georgetown has a lot of chain stores, as well as unique stores.  My personal favorite is Banana Republic on the corner of M Street & Wisconsin Avenue.

 

2) Go to dinner.  Last Friday Matt and I enjoyed Serendipity 3 (see pictures above).  The burger, sweet potato fries, tomato soup with gold fish, and, of course, the sundaes were delicious.  One thing to be mindful of is that Serendipity 3 in DC tends to attract a lot of children.  In other words, this is not a place for an intimate, classy night out.  If you want a more intimate restaurant and you like Tapas, I recommend Bodega on M Street.  If you would like a romantic splurge and you love Italian, definitely try Filomena on Wisconsin Avenue.   If it is summer and you want a celebratory night, I recommend Sequoia on the waterfront (I tend to do my birthdays there – see picture below).

3) Go to a movie at the AMC Loews Georgetown 14.  Or, if it is summer, get drinks on the waterfront.

4)  A unique, fun way to end the evening could be by getting your palms read.  There are a few palm readers/fortune tellers in Georgetown.

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