For Her

WINTER FUN GETAWAYS WORTH YOUR WHILE

by TheSpot February 20, 2023

written by TheSpot

The first couple of months of the new year are usually devoted to shoring up summer rentals and hotel bookings. The height of winter season can be found in the Pocono Mountains, Central Jersey, and Lehigh Valley. Nearby mountain resorts are ideal for skiing, snowboarding, and snow-tubing. Most offer premiere spa amenities adding to the full winter luxury experience. There is an abundance of mountain ski resorts which have their distinct features. The Spot narrowed down three that are ideal for families, friends, or couples. Many of the PA mountains entail less than two hours by car outside of Metropolitan Philadelphia which of course make them convenient and affordable.

BEAR CREEK MOUNTAIN RESORT

Located in beautiful Lehigh Valley and just a little more than an hour drive outside of Philadelphia, this resort is your best bet for day adventures. The resorts offers excellent terrain parks ranging from family friendly to expert. Adult Day Lift Tickets run about $60 and hosts a range of amenities from facials to fire pits. The inside lodge is impressive with a warm ambient. For a good meal, The Grille has the best variety from gourmet burger to hearty salads.

CAMELBACK RESORT

Camelback Resort in the Pocono Mountains is a vacation destination close to home. This double feature resort offers all your winter fun activities plus an indoor water park, Aquatopia. They do have an outdoor water park that is utilized in the summer months however the indoor park is included with your winter overnight stay at the resort. The resort boasts 39 trails and 166 acres for skiing. We enjoyed Berelli’s Italian Chophouse. Their menu offered a variety of chops and pasta dishes. The lodging is on the pricier side which can run $300 plus but the many offerings beneficial to families, balance out. Our suggestion is a weekend stay is best to fully experience Camelback.

JACK FROST BIG BOULDER

The claim to fame of Jack Frost Big Boulder is the opportunity to experiment on two mountains. There are several choices of hotel stays from Split Rock Resort to the Comfort Inn depending on your budget. There are more dining choices from café to barbeque to biergarten. The high point is the ability to sample two mountains from beginner to expert. They have 20 trails and 2 terrain parks. Another perk is winter dog sledding.

Hight season for many of the area mountain resorts is during the winter months, notably January to March. If committing to stay overnight, most do require a two-night minimum on weekends. Long holiday weekends should be booked as early as possible as they are the peak weekends of the entire year. However you will find Monday through Thursday hotel stays, there is much greater flexibility. These area mountain resorts are popular not only in the tri-state area but also residents traveling from Maryland, New York, and Massachusetts. Whether you can come back year after year or a first timer, you’ll find a little of everything.

February 20, 2023

For Family For Her Uncategorized

5 Small Ways to Embrace Winter

by TheSpot February 5, 2023

written by TheSpot

Many of us tend to rush through the winter season and fast forward to Memorial Day Weekend a.k.a the unofficial opening of summer. We may love the Jersey shore and Delaware beaches but winter can be time to hit the reset button. If we do it right, we can actually feel rejuvenated, slow down life just a little, and embrace the coziness of the
season. Of course there is that crew that can’t wait for frigid temperatures and already nestled in their happy places. Who are these people? For those of us that need a little help or a reminder, The Spot came up with some inspirational ways to embrace winter and (gasp) actually enjoy it.

Sip on Hot Chocolate with your Bestie

Spend a day with your bestie, catch up, and sip on the area’s best hot chocolate. If you’re not a hot chocolate fan, the area’s best coffee shops offer an array of warm winter beverages to your taste. It’s a perfect time and place to get together with your best friends for laughter and a good old fashioned pick me up. Rim’s Cafe in South Philadelphia and Ground Coffee Bar in Collingswood, NJ are top rated places to check out by customers and also known for some of the region’s best hot beverages.

Visit a Natural History Museum

Winter is a great time to explore nature. We love to see a fresh blanket of snow and see some of our friendly creatures right in our backyard. An indoor natural history museum explores the natural world as well provides educational benefits for children and adults alike. The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science in Wilmington, DE offers the Regional Journey about local and global ecosystems as well as the Paleo Zone for dinosaur lovers. A win win!

One Day Skiing and Sledding

The Poconos and several mountain ski resorts and just about an hour or so outside of Philly! Places like Spring Mountain, PA, Bear Creek Mountain, and Camelback are great places to just go for the day to spend with families or friends. Of course, an overnight stay is most welcome to fully enjoy a resort’s amenities. Don’t worry if the temperatures don’t dip low enough, the resorts have enough snow to make it a full winter experience.

Winter Festivals

Many local towns in the Greater Philadelphia Region host Winter Festivals or “Winterfests”. The local areas make the best shopping, brews, and bites. Winterfests are fantastic opportunities to discover new boutiques or eateries that you may not have previously known. Marvel at an ice sculpture art or two (How do they do it?). If you don’t consider yourself balance challenged, get on the rink for some ice skating fun. We recently visited Haddonfield, NJ and some upcoming Winterfests take place this month in Philadelphia and Kennett Square, PA

Maple Sugaring

Were you ever curious about making your own maple syrup? If you didn’t know you could, well we are here to share! Maple Sugaring events at places like The Howell Living History Farm in Lambertville, NJ will take you on an excursion of tapping maple trees for sap. There are several Saturday sessions this month. After all that hard work, a tasting is available in their farmhouse kitchen. Echo Hill in Flemington, NJ also hosts maple sugaring as well. You do have to sign up as space is limited. Now that sounds like a sweet deal!

February 5, 2023

For Her Uncategorized

WHY PHILLY LOVES DAVID BOWIE

by TheSpot January 12, 2023

written by TheSpot

Philadelphia locals have had a long standing love for anyone in the public eye who appreciates who and what we are. Do you know of any other city that turns out a retirement tailgate for a local news anchorman? Before our revered athletes, before our favorite newscasters, a pop culture icon visited and recorded in the City of Brotherly Love.

David Bowie: a musician, icon, father, and star. There is little doubt he is up there with the rock and pop world’s influential greats. Inspiring Madonna, The Cure, Lady Gaga, David Bowie’s distinct sound and look were works of art in itself. He was an artists’ artist.

Philly Loves Bowie Week
Discover why this icon lives on in the City of Brotherly Love — DAVID BOWIE PHILADELPHIA

Even by today’s standards, it’s a bit surreal to imagine that an iconic star such as David Bowie not only spent time here in Philadelphia, but also recorded one of his most recognized and iconic albums, Young Americans. It was in the sacred halls of Sigma Sound Studios that It is said he forged lifelong friendships. Bowie Week in Philly did originate all those years ago in 1974. However, the week-long celebrations really took form after Bowie’s death in 2016.

Now in its seventh year, Philly Loves Bowie, celebrates his life in various happenings. Kickoff parties, art exhibits at the National Liberty Museum, and even ice cream from Weckerly’s Ice Cream in West Philly and Fishtown all contribute to continuing the life and legacy of David Bowie. A recent proclamation by the City of Philadelphia ensures that we continue this tradition for years to come. This week, let’s play our favorite Bowie songs, sing out loud, visit a show or go to brunch. Let’s tune in to the art and Philly sound that inspired David Bowie himself.

January 12, 2023

For Her Health

Your Winter Guide for Best Skincare

by TheSpot January 4, 2023

written by TheSpot

The changing of the seasons can wreak havoc on your skin. Depending on the climate where you reside, weather patterns can range from bitter cold, wind, and rain. Stress of the holidays plus keeping up with our busy lives, doesn’ leave much time for a good skin and makeup routine. How do we elevate our skin game with so much going on? We spoke with Philadelphia licensed esthetician, Dianna DiMambro about some helpful guidelines.

How many of us women page through social sites and the page jumps out with images of heavy foundation, thick finger length eyelashes, and rainbow eyeshadow colors? Sure, sometimes it’s fun to play with make up but Dianna’s philosophy is about having your best features stand out; not mask them.

Dianna specializes in skincare and has a loyal client list whom she attends to on a regular basis. She also is an eyebrow and make up specialist which you can see her work on her Instagram page, The Brow Beater. Dianna’s guide to skin and make up are focused, measured, and fairly simple. Before we get to her make up enhancement tricks, we go more in depth on Dianna’s skincare routine that she uses for herself and her clients. For Dianna, it all starts with the first impression of great skin. Her first rule is to stay away from harsh cleaners. Dianna’s advice is to choose a hyaluronic acid cleanser which is lighter and foamier to the skin. Before bed, damp your face and apply. The next order of business is to apply a multi peptide serum and lock in for one minute. A multi peptide serum helps to support elasticity and smoother skin. She also recommends during the winter months, adding Aquaphor Healing Ointment as the final step in your before bed routine.

This time of year, our lives are so busy with holiday parties and all kinds of winter activities to follow specific make up trends. Dianna’s offered some true and tried advice that you can use all season long and throughout the year. Her number one beauty philosophy is to take your best feature and enhance it. Her belief is that your best feature is the first thing that people see so why not make your best first impression? She does not believe in using a full face of foundation but did share a trick that she lives by. Find an illuminating cream that matches a liquid foundation of the same shade and mix together. Add to your face where the light will reflect such as underneath the brow bone or cupid’s bow (the point right above your lips). Mature women should stay away from shimmer tones around the eyes. For lips, Dianna recommends a lip stain then gloss over it. Make up application overall should best stick to monochromatic.

Lastly, because one of Dianna’s specialties is eyebrow care, grooming of your eyebrows should be part of your beauty routine. Some tips to eyebrow upkeep is to brush up your eyebrows and apply clear mascara to keep them in place as well as giving off a nice shine.

We love Dianna DiMambro’s simple guide to beauty. The elements may be harsh outside but her tips help keep our faces soft and clean on the inside. Follow The Brow Beater/Dianna DiMambro on Instagram for more beauty regimens.

January 4, 2023

Eat For Family For Her

Five Ways of DIY Event Planning

by TheSpot December 30, 2022

written by TheSpot

As home entertainment becomes more sophisticated each year with technology, Americans are opting to create their event experiences at home or party space. Rather spend top dollar on a night out and feeling dissatisfied, there are ways to host an event that is budget friendly The advent of home and cooking channels has given us opportunities to flex our cooking skills or hosting a girls night in with flair. The New Year is coming up quick so we spoke to Senior Director of Events at BCA Philadelphia, Michelle Mazer, about some diy event planning tips.

There was a time where your friend group thought nothing of spending a $100 on a New Year’s Eve package at a bar with top shelf liquor and not much else. Today it’s not hard to imagine that coming out of a pandemic and inflation so high, the pre-packaged bar scene isn’t so appealing. So how can you host a fab party at home or party space and not bust your budget? Michelle gave us some ideas which we think are just fab.

DIY Gourmet Cheeseboard

Often times you could be dining at a restaurant and the cheeseboard can almost be the cost of an entree. Well with a little creativity on the grocery list, you can probably create something for half the price. Take out your plain ole’ wood cutting board and dress it up with about 3 types of cheeses to give some variety. Add water crackers, nuts, and fruit like grapes and strawberries… Voila! Go really gourmet with adding a couple of marmalade jars to pair with the cheese. Heck, you can even give it a holiday boost by adding cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.

Homemade Succulent Centepieces

Candles and centerpieces pull together the table and gives your party that wow factor. Who doesn’t love pretty flowers on beautiful linen? Small succulents can be anywhere from $2-$5 and you can find an array of containers in dollar and craft supply stores. Add some winter greens and solid color candles to upgrade your style. The little extra makes some great photo ops and party goers love a beautiful backdrop.

Mismatched Dinnerware

What you may think is out is actually in. There are no rules on matchey matchey styles anymore. As a matter of fact, mismatched is in! Mismatched plates and chargers, colored glasses, stretch your imagination and for a colorful dining space or buffet table. Try different colored cloth napkins. We’re talking diverse patterns and textures. It’s all about being stress free and making it a fun environment. These items can easily be picked up a thrift stores or your nearby Goodwill at deeply discounted prices

Picture Frame Table Settings

Setting a picture frame on the tables can be set up for fun games or just having fun with friends and family. Do couple photos, your pets, or include your favorite pics of a memorable vacation. Some game ideas like True or False and Charades can be fantastic ice breaker based on your picture frames.

Lottery Ticket with a Penny Attached

Who doesn’t love a game of chance? Scratch Offs are an easy fun option and serves as a little break in the party by a simple scratch off. Attach the penny with a piece of scotch tape and place it under the plate for a pleasant surprise for your guest. It’s a fun way of saying thank you for coming out and spending time with you.

Michelle Mazer is a Senior Director of Events at BCA Philadelphia. Inquiries about her work can be directed on her social media outlets.

December 30, 2022

For Family For Her Uncategorized

Talk of the Town- Why Radio Host Nicole Michalik Loves Philly

by TheSpot December 23, 2022

written by TheSpot

NICOLE MICHALIK, PHILLY'S TOP RADIO HOST

If you happen to hear Nicole over the airwaves on her afternoon show on country station, 92.5 XTU, you know about her love of all things Philly. She jumps for joy at our sports teams during a win and expresses disappointment over a loss right along with us. At times, she will grill major stars about who they root for or why they like Philly. So why does Nicole love Philly so much? We spent some time with her during the holidays to find out!

Nicole hails from Summit Hill, a small town in Northeastern, PA. It’s the kind of small town where communities gather along the sidewalk waving flags during parades and cheer on their local leaders. As a matter of fact, Nicole got to ride with the Grand Marshall in her town’s annual Memorial Day parade. It was the pride of her family and the locals. In many ways, her story is the kind of story that can easily be a story line in a Hallmark movie. By the way, Nicole is a self proclaimed Hallmark movie maven and occasionally dabbles in writing scripts.

Although proud of her town, she was always drawn to the city. Nicole attended Drexel University and fell in love with Philly. Nicole, in her own words, loves to talk. It’s not hard to imagine that she was meant to be a radio personality. After working her way up after college, Nicole became a full time radio host on Philly’s legendary Q102 as Nik the Web Chick. She also landed a morning show co-host spot on the now retired Mix106 along with Logan then Chio. It was there that Nicole cultivated her sense of pop culture and having her finger firmly on the pulse of social media trends. An active social media user, Nicole always finds ways to connect with her audience and keeps her ear to the ground on issues and discourse that permeate in our society.

Today, as host of her own show on 92.5 XTU, she interviews top country artists worldwide, often travels to Nashville for various events, and creates content on her many active social media accounts. In addition, she is energetically involved with The Parkinson Council and is on the committee for their annual walk. She became an advocate due to her own father’s challenges with Parkinson’s.

So what is it about Philly that Nicole can’t enough of? Simply put Nicole appreciates the cultural diversity, the history, the dining, and the many offerings of the Greater Philadelphia region. She is particularly inspired by Dilworth Park and Rittenhouse Square. She thrives on the scenic backgrounds of colonial institutions and park fountains. Nicole happens to prefer the cold weather and it’s easy to see she is in her happy place to be around town during the holidays. It doesn’t go unnoticed that it appears to coincide with her love of Christmas movies. So if you’re listening to her on the radio or follow her on her socials, there is little doubt that Nicole is the Philly region’s biggest cheerleader. You can listen to Nicole daily on 92.5 XTU or follow her on the socials at NicoleisNik.

Talk of the Town, Why Nicole Michalik Loves Philly — WISH UPON A STAR

December 23, 2022

Eat For Her

Spirits for the Season

by TheSpot December 21, 2022

written by TheSpot

Company parties, Friendsgiving, or Family Sit Downs call for holiday cocktails or mocktails that heighten the senses. Candy Canes and egg nog, gingersnap, fruits and herbs. Get inspired by seasonal ingredients that are good for your spirit and soul. The Spot came up with holiday cheer to brighten up the holidays!

Partridge in a Pear Tree

The Holidays are dazzling and add zing to our step. Here is a cocktail that is refreshing and with a winter crisp refreshing taste.

3oz of Rum (or Spiced Rum)
2 oz of Pear Juice
1 oz of Ginger Beer
Rosemary or thyme for garnish
Combine the liquids in an average cocktail glass about 5-6 ounces and place the rosemary or thyme into the glass as a garnish effect

Christmas Stocking Punch

Whether you have been naughty or nice, this cocktail will certainly bring the sweetness to the holidays.

3oz of vodka
2 oz of blood orange soda (or other fruit flavored soda)
1/2 oz of sparkling water
Rasberry and/or mint for garnish
Combine the liquids for sparkling consistency
Add rasberry and mint for garnish

Santa’s Egg Nog

Santa has been working all season long and definitely needs a pick me up. This egg nog will give Santa the extra boost for his big night of the year

4 oz of Egg Nog (preferably original or old fashioned)
1 1/2 oz of Sambuca (Romana Black works wonderfully)
Gingersnap or sugar Christmas cookie
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Pour egg nog and add Sambuca stirring gently to mix
Add the cookie on top and cinnamon stick for garnish

All of these can exclude the liqueurs and compensate the non alcohol ingredients for great tasting mocktails. Enjoy!

December 21, 2022

For Her

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

by TheSpot November 20, 2022

written by TheSpot

BET BIG ON FUN

Atlantic City for the better part of the century is Mecca to fortune hunters, risk takers and card savants. Most often the city is compared to its’ big sister Las Vegas or known as the “mini Vegas of the East Coast”. Atlantic City in the early part of the 1900s, was developed as a major resort. Railroads in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and elsewhere made the beach town accessible and extremely popular. After the economic boom of the 1950’s and 1960’s and travel to other destinations gained popularity, Atlantic City was on the decline. By the late 1970’s, a referendum for legalized gambling was approved. Today, popular casinos such as Tropicana, The Ocean, and of course the Borgata, has brought back new life blood to the scene.

Today Atlantic City is not only a casino town but a destination for indoor/outdoor live events, food and wine festivals, fine dining and of course a variety of gaming. One place that stands out is the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

The variety of live shows and artists is like no other. Acts like Guns N Roses, Barry Manilow, Ringo Starr, Shakira are a few examples of the broad range of artists that performed here. Their world class displays such as Gene Simmons stage boots, Keith Richards’ guitar, and Frank Sinatra’s pajamas are for all to view and admire on the grounds.

Another standout feature is their dining. From fine to casual, enjoy a memorable dinner or an after show cocktail. You can find all the classic Italian dishes at the famed Il Mulino New York. Sit at the round counter or booth at YouYu Noodle Bar and sample the diverse menu of noodles. If you’re a fan of Pho, we highly recommend it! Check out the Sugar Factory candy wall or sip on their notable bowl like cocktails.

If you do hop to other casinos, they are fairly close with just a short ride awayor within walking distance. Jitneys are convenient and ride often at various pick up points. Taxis and Ride Shares are also readily available with designated areas. For fun, live entertainment, and taking a chance on luck, you can bet on Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for an all around experience that will keep you coming back for more. Bet Big on Fun!

November 20, 2022

For Her Health

A Sweet Way to Wellness and Better Health

by TheSpot July 18, 2022

written by TheSpot

Trends in wellness and beauty are perpetually evolving and advancing. From the ancient Egyptians to the ancient Romans, thermal springs, mud baths, and ointments are as ancient as civilization.

A new method of wellness has appeared showing to be scientific as well as cerebral. Himalayan salt caves, in the last few years, have gained popularity. We recently visited one to find out why. First however, what are the health benefits of visiting a salt cave? Respiratory Health, Better Sleep, and Skin Health are the main themes here.

So where did the concept come from? According to the Salt Therapy Association website, Salt Therapy was first developed in Poland in 1839 by Dr. Feliks Boczkowski. After studying salt miners and improvements to their respiratory ailments, he went on to develop a health facility devoted to salt therapy.

What exactly is a salt cave? Today, wellness spas dedicate rooms made of Himalayan Salt and or include salt lamps. How can salt rooms actually work towards health benefits? Halogenerators release salt particles in the air at a comfortable temperature and absorb irritants and toxins allowing you to breathe better.

So to discover more about these health benefits, we visited The Salt Cave in Newtown, PA. We paid for an hour session to experience for ourselves this new phenomenon. Prior to booking the appointment, we were advised to drink lots of water as you may feel thirty even for a day or two after. We were led to a salt room with low lighting and lounge chairs. The room really added to other worldly ambiance. Think of galaxies and the universe. At the start of our session, our instructor gave a short tutorial on what the experience would entail. A box of tissues was available for nasal drainage that was expected. As an allergy sufferer, this was much appreciated. Although we went for the basic salt room session, they did offer a session plus reflexology. Being this was our first visit and not sure entirely of the experience, adding reflexology to the package would make it a much holistic experience. Nevertheless, after one of hour of breathing comfortably in a chair, listening to relaxing music, and feeling a light spray of pure minerals, we were satisfied. Breathing was much better, tense muscles melted away, and yes we felt a glow. I did not feel any type of excessive thirst however speaking to others, they were varied in that regard.

Would we do this again? The answer will be yes. We think it will be worth your while to visit various wellness spas offering salt therapies to find the best that suits your needs. This may be a fad or it may be not. Either way, the benefits of self care will always rise above once you dedicate prioritizing yourself.

July 18, 2022

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