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Coordinating in Camo With @OldNavy

Posted on September 22, 2017

Well, it’s officially fall! The weather is getting cooler and the leaves in NY are starting to change. I wasn’t ready for it, but now that it’s here, I’m excited about switching up the wardrobe for fall. Nate and I recently took a trip to Old Navy for some fall looks. Nate is really into camouflage right now, and I must say he’s right on trend! (LOL) Camo can be one of those patterns, if done correctly, can really boost your outfit and give it a unique look. It can also make you look like you’re about to go hunting, if you wear too much of it! When it comes to camouflage, I like to try and only have one piece in my outfit…keep it simple. I know I’ve said it before, but I love coordinating my looks with my son. He just makes everything look cool, including me! (haha) We took it to the streets of NYC in our coordinating Old Navy outfits. I love how cool Nate looked in his all black outfit. He wore the black Old Navy Karate Skinny Jeans (currently on sale!) and this iconic Old Navy Run DMC t-shirt. I’m not going to lie, I kind of want both of these pieces for myself. I used to have the same t-shirt back in the day. The camo Old Navy Canvas Utility Jacket, which he loved, really looked good with the all black look. He cannot wait until it gets cooler out and he can wear this to school with his camo backpack! He was definitely a little show-stopper on the streets in this outfit. I went a different route and wore the camo Old Navy Slim Khakis and kept it light with the other pieces. I went with a monochrome look with the shirt and jacket. The Old Navy Slim-Fit Flannel Shirt, in the Creme De La Creme color, is super soft and comfortable! It looked really good with the clean look of the Old Navy Twill Coach’s Jacket in a similiar color. I feel like the lighter color and the clean silhouettes of these top pieces slightly dressed up the casual vibe from the camo. I completed my look with shoes in a similar color to the tops, and of course a classic tight-roll to the pants. I can’t believe how often I tight-roll my pants now-a-days! (LOL) I really love how the outfit came together! Comment below and let me know what you think! Having camouflage pieces in both of our outfits is just another way Nate and I can match without having the exact same pieces on. It’s so cute how Nate’s now getting to that age where he has opinions about his clothes and what he’s wearing. It melts my heart that he’s eager to find something similar to wear to match his daddy. 🙂

Family Reviews Style Travel

Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Posted on September 15, 2017

This labor day I partnered with the Mandarin Oriental, Miami to take the fam on an extended weekend getaway. It was perfect timing! Nate was starting Kindergarten the Tuesday after we got back, and Sarina (my wife) and I were a little stressed, so we were in need of a little distraction from reminding us that our little man is growing up. The hotel is located on Brickell Key and is only 20 minutes from Miami airport and only a 10 minute walk from the Brickell Shopping area – which makes it super convenient. Since this was Nate’s first time in Miami we did do a little exploring, but now after looking back and spending the weekend at the hotel I honestly don’t think there was a need to leave the hotel at all! LOL We were perfectly content spending all day in their gorgeous pool. The pool had an infinity vibe and was right on the bay so you could see the ocean and city skyline directly in front of you. It was a beautiful open space, surrounded by a row of tall palms on one side, and the architecturally sleek hotel building on the other. We especially loved it because the pool was open until late! We love ending our vacay days with a family night dip! The pool area also had a Jacuzzi hot tub and the Oasis Pool Cafe. With a hit of a button you could have one of their super friendly staff come over and take your order, while you jump back in the pool. They would let you know when your food was ready or come right over and hand you your mojito or pina colada wherever you were. Talk about service! On the grounds they also had a private beach area, with cabanas, lounges and plenty of outdoor seating. Since it was the bay where boats were coming in, you couldn’t swim, but it an added perk to get right up near the water’s edge, surrounded by tons of palms overhead, with an amazing city view. Nate loved just digging in the sand and watching all of the luxury yachts coming in at night. We stayed in the Skyline View Suite and the room had everything. When you walked into the suite you entered the living room area which had a chaise couch, desk, built in cabinets with a flat screen TV, and a stocked bar with all of the necessary goodies and my favorite – the Illy espresso machine. The room also had a bedroom, master bathroom with a stand-up shower and tub, another half bathroom and a balcony that wrapped around from bedroom to living room and had gorgeous views of both the city and bay. The first day we were at the hotel we just hung out at the pool for most of the day. We honestly didn’t want to leave the pool, so we ate lunch at the poolside restaurant, where I had these delicious Asian style ribs, accompanied by a very tall pina colada. After lunch, I had some quiet time at the spa. I felt bad leaving my wife and Nate, but they continued having a blast at the pool. It was actually really nice to tune everything out and just unwind. I definitely passed out during most of it. After the spa and pool, we then got dressed and headed to their in-house restaurant, Yaku by LaMar. We had some cocktails on their outside patio, and I ordered some muscles as a pre-dinner snack! Since we were with Nate we knew we weren’t going to get to experience the real night-life so it was nice to get to hang out on the patio with a cocktail and listen to some music before dinner. I let loose a little and think I might have scared Nate with my dance moves. He has yet to appreciate my two step! LOL Once we sat down for dinner at LaMar I had one of the best culinary experiences of my life. I met with the super-talented chef, Diego Oka, who comes from an Asian and Peruvian background and has come up with some of the most delicious Peruvian dishes I have ever tasted. I’ve had Peruvian food in NY before, but nothing has ever come close to this. After chatting it up with myself and my wife, he offered to prepare a little something for us to taste each of the dishes on the menu. And since my wife mostly eats chicken, he even tailored her dishes around chicken, so she could still try the flavors. You could really feel his love for cooking. Diego had a way of talking about and romancing the food, that actually made my wife try dishes and flavors she normally would never have tried. Some of my favorite dishes were the Lomo Saltado and the Conchitas A La Parmesana. They tasted just as good as they were presented. Hands down – best dinner experience ever! On Saturday, we woke up early, enjoyed a morning dip and some pool time before heading over to the Frost Museum of Science. It’s always nice when an area we visit has something like this for Nate. He loves museums, aquariums, and any hands-on children’s center. Taking some time out to take him to something he really enjoys makes our trips a little more exciting for him and always helps make it feel like a complete vacation. The museum was excellent! It was very hands-on, with lots of interactive exhibits. We also got to see some fish, sharks, and other aquatic animals – which my family is always a fan of. Nate is all about space and the planets, so we also took him to the Earth IMAX movie, which he of course loved. After the museum we took a quick drive over to the Wynwood walls area to take a quick look at some of the artwork and check out the area. If I’m ever back in the area, and I hope I definitely am, I would like to spend a little more time in Wynwood. It looked like a very cool area! At this point, and with the Miami heat, we could not wait to get back to the Mandarin Oriental, Miami pool. The pool was so nice and relaxing that whenever we left we found ourselves all just saying to each other that we could not wait to get back. We stayed in the pool for as long as we could until it was time to get ready for dinner. We spent the night at the lobby bar and lounge, MO. Again, just what we needed! There was a Cuban Jazz band playing and we ordered food and cocktails and just melted away. If you decide to visit, make sure you go to MO’s Bar + Lounge and order the cucumber blah. It was by far the best drink on the trip. I cannot wait to make these at home! I was a little nervous it might be awkward bringing Nate to the bar/lounge area but because he was behaving so well, it was not a problem at all. He likes watching live music so he was intrigued. Nate just sat there with us adults, and his little Shirley Temple and just stared at the musicians in awe. It was such a relaxing and cozy night with the fam. Once again, before we went to bed, we went back to the pool for a night dip! On Sunday we started the morning (yep, you guessed it) back in the pool! LOL We then headed to the LaMar Sunday brunch. And by brunch, I mean BRUUUUNCH. There were two rows of food. One row had things like sushi and ceviche, and the other row had hot food like BBQ chicken and steak. Also included was a Peruvian rice – which I could literally eat every day. THEN…you also got to order something off of the brunch menu! I ate and ate and ate until I could literally burst. It was insanely good and insanely filling! LOL There were also unlimited cocktails from the brunch menu. And it wasn’t just your normal bloody mary’s and mimosas, there were custom cocktails included. I forget the name of the drink I had but it was made with cucumber and it was delicious. I love cocktails that are made with cucumber – they are just so refreshing! Now onto the dessert! They were all so elegant. It was a selection of bite size sweets that was served on a tower tray. One dessert even had a beautiful edible flower on it which I dared Nate to eat and surprisingly, he did! After brunch we rolled ourselves over to South Beach so we could show Nate the beach and the strip. We spent about an hour at the beach, took a quick dip, and then walked the strip. Nate was a huge hit down there. I think with his little shaved blonde haircut, and his beachy swagger with his Adidas slides and Raybans everyone looked at him like he was a little celebrity. LOL Every person he walked by or that passed him would turn there heads and give him a compliment. I thought it was hysterical…but he was oblivious LOL. He loved all the fancy cars and bikes that passed by on Ocean drive. Before leaving we all had to have one of those jumbo pina coladas you see spanning across the entire strip. Though South Beach might not really be for me anymore (it was a little crazier than I remember), it was nice that it was only a 25 minute drive away and that we could share another experience exploring with Nate. We just love exploring new places as a family! After a few hours we were ready to get back to that pool at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami. It was our last night there so we wanted to make it last. We stayed in the pool for as long as we could, and then ended the evening in their private beach area watching the sun go down and the yachts come in. It was a bittersweet night. It’s never fun when a vacation comes to an end, but Nate was starting to get excited about school the following day. After some city views on the balcony, we all snuggled in the king size bed before heading out the next morning. It was such an amazing weekend. The luxurious hotel, the over-the-top staff, the memorable food, and the pool we started and ended our days in, combined into the perfect experience and really made our extended weekend trip, feel full and complete. We all had a blast! Thank you Mandarin Oriental, Miami for such a warm, welcoming and memorable stay! Nate is already asking us When are we going back to Miami?!

If you’re looking to visit Miami, definitely consider staying at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami! Click here and get 15% OFF the best available rate!

This post is sponsored by the Mandarin Oriental, Miami.. All views and opinions are my own.

Family Reviews Style

Back-2-School in Old Navy

Posted on August 24, 2017

I can’t believe summer is almost over and fall is right around the corner. This time of year is always bitter sweet, because the weather and long days will soon be taking a shift, but we also look forward to the different activities each season has to offer! This September is even more memorable for us, because my little Nate is finally starting kindergarten! My wife and son are super excited, but I’m not feeling as enthusiastic about it. Knowing that Nate is growing up and starting this new chapter in his life is a reminder that he won’t always be my little boy. With that said, now that he’s heading into the first school year, that means it’s BACK-2-SCHOOL SHOPPING TIME! (and not just for Nate, but for myself too LOL) Let’s be real, I can’t go shopping and not get some new pieces for myself as well! This fall season we teamed up with Old Navy to #SayHi and show you our back to school looks. Prior to being a dad, I’ve always hated when fathers and their sons wore matching plaid shirts, and I always told myself I would not be that cheesy dad. However, fast forward to me now, and I absolutely love any chance I can get to match with Nate. Although, I just try and do it in a more subtle way – maybe we’re less matchy matchy and more about coordinating. I love color-blocking and wearing monochrome looks, so I picked these Olive Pants, with the built-in Old Navy Flex Twill, which makes it easy and comfortable to get that fitted jean look without sacrificing comfort. I paired them with a different tone of olive and went with the Old Navy Lightweight Hooded Anorak Jacket. This jacket is the perfect fall staple! I wanted to go in a different direction than I normally would and add in some color, so I broke up the shades of green with the Old Navy Garment-Dyed Fleece Sweatshirt in their Brick Yard color. The dye process gave the sweatshirt a subtle, cool vintage look. Nate is usually drawn to fun, bold prints, so he picked out the Old Navy Sneaker-Printed Fleece Sweatshirt on his own. He thought it was super comfy and loved the little sneakers. He has a fun pair of grey Old Navy slip-ons from last season, that went perfectly with this grey sweatshirt…he takes after his daddy and loves slip-on sneakers! We used the color red to coordinate our outfits, so Nate wore the red Old Navy Hooded Uniform Jacket, which looks similar to mine (and like me, he always loves when we have similar pieces). Nate lives in joggers and rarely wears jeans, but didn’t mind wearing these Old Navy Distressed Karate Skinny Jeans because of their stretchy fit. I don’t know if it’s because I rarely see him in jeans, but I just thought he looked more like a little big-boy than ever – all ready for school! And I love how his little chicken legs look in them LOL. Can’t wait to see this little school boy head off to his first day of big-boy school! 🙁

Family Reviews Style Travel

The Royal West Indies Resort @ Turks

Posted on August 23, 2017

At this point it’s no secret, my family loves the Caribbean! Almost all of our vacations consist of visiting a beautiful beach, on a beautiful island, surrounded by that beautiful blue water. I have wanted to visit Turks and Caicos for years now, but I was waiting for Nate to get a little older so he could enjoy some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. We finally decided we would plan our trip, and we’d just have to go again once Nate learned to swim. Little did we know…Nate actually learned to swim AND hold his breath under water, the week right before our trip. Perfect timing Nate! We partnered up with the Royal West Indies to share our first Turks & Caicos experience, while staying at their beautiful resort. The resort is only 15 minutes from the airport, which is perfect, since it’ a 4 hour plane ride from NY, and we didn’t want to spend any more time in a car. Although! We did stop at the island’s very popular, Sweet T’s, fried chicken spot on the way to the resort. When I tell you the chicken was good, I mean it was good! It’s one of the local’s fave spots, so make sure you stop by after you land! It’s been awhile since we stayed at a bigger resort, and the grounds at the Royal West Indies were just beautiful…they had the best landscaping and picturesque gardens. It was a great blend of green trees, cactus, palms, and colorful flowers. It was the perfect scenery for all of my photos 🙂 They had 3 pools: a huge pool, with an adorable kiddie pool attached (Nate’s fave!) and a bridge crossing over it to take you to their Pelican Bay Restaurant, and then 2 smaller sized pools in the quiet area – for those of your traveling kid-free and looking for a quieter scene. There was also a hot tub in the quiet area, and it was perfect for the wifie and I to get some mommy & daddy time, after Nate was in bed. My mother-in-law came on the trip with us, so it’s nice when my wife and I can get some adult time in. 🙂 The fact that the main pool had an attached shallow kid’s section for Nate and an underwater bench along most of the pool made Nate absolutely love it and helped him get the confidence to really expand his swimming skills. Now don’t be scared off! The resort is kid-friendly, but there was definitely not an abundance of them. During our time there I think I only saw 1 other kid in the pool. The craziest kid there was probably Nate (LOL). The pool was a stone throw away from the bar, which was perfect for us to grab our pina coladas and a bite to eat, because Nate literally never wanted to get out of the pool. The restaurant has some great choices and variety, but my favorite was the breakfast dish of grits and beef hash. I was told this dish is what the locals eat and it was soooo good. I actually ate it every morning. I’m a huge fan of grits and if it’s on the menu I’m ordering it. The pool-side bar also had happy hour from 5-7 so we always made sure we were in the pool at that time (LOL). I honestly can’t tell you how many pina coladas I drank, but they don’t get any better than how they make them here. Great, now I’m craving one right now! All of the pools are open 24hrs…which we all loved. Night life for us is pretty mellow these days, so it’s fun to be able to make a cocktail and head to the pool late at night with Nate, to extend our night and really maximize our vacay days. The room was a pretty standard size and included a bed (or 2), flat screen TV, and a small kitchenette with the basics, like a mini fridge and coffee maker. Our room had a balcony with a partial view of the ocean and pool and it was nice waking up and seeing both. The resort had bicycle’s you could use, as well as mini catamarans. The beach was of course beautiful. They had chairs and umbrellas you could use and it was only a very short and pretty walk from the pool. Though there wasn’t any reefs directly in front of the hotel beach, you can take a 15 minute walk down the beach to a small and very cool reef where we were able to snorkel from the shore. On the way, you can stop by Flamingo Cafe and grab a bite and cocktail right on Grace Bay Beach. We didn’t get to go scuba diving on this trip, but we definitely will on our next trip back – which hopefully will be soon! We did take a snorkeling excursion with Caicos Adventures. We stopped at 3 different reefs and I was blown away by the reef and variety & abundance of sea life. I never seen so many different types of coral. We saw so many different fish, lobster, and even some eels. Do however, beware of drinking too much of the complimentary rum punch like I did, because you are guaranteed to need a nap after (LOL). I think me and a fellow snorkeler must have drank a gallon! If you don’t feel like shelling out the $115 pp to take an excursion you can easily take a ride to one of the many snorkel spots off the shore. We went to the Coral Gardens Reef, which was literally 20 ft right off the beach. We went 3ft in and immediately almost stepped on a sting ray. This reef was perfect for Nate to get a first taste of snorkeling. I could not believe how good he did! He didn’t use a snorkel but he would hold on to me and swim around holding his breath underwater for about 20 seconds, and would just keep on pointing out all the fish he saw. The whole trip he kept saying he wanted to see a turtle and we finally were snorkeling around the reef and came up to 2 huge turtles lying on the ocean floor. He got to watch them swim up and take a breath above the water, and they were only about 3 feet away from us, so we all got a great close-up view! Snorkeling with Nate will truly be an unforgettable memory. I have never had so much fun and been more proud of my little man. Between the pool, the beach, snorkeling, and all of the pina coladas and rum punch, you really work up an appetite. There were so many restaurants to eat at but my favorite 2 would definitely have to be Cocovan and Mango Reef. Cocovan was a cool air-stream converted into a taco truck. They had the best tacos I have ever eaten! The Korean Beef and the Duck were my favorite. Oh and did I mention they have churros and ice cream for dessert. Sooooo amazingly yummy. Mango Reef was right by the water and was lit up with all these neon lights. They even had some neon lights in the water. The ambiance really made it feel like you were on vacation! As I’m writing this, it’s making me want to go back already. We all had an amazing time at the beautiful Royal West Indies. I know every vacation is going to be one for the books, but this one had a few firsts for Nate, so I’m always going to remember that this was the one where he really learned to swim and finally got to experience the magical sea turtles with his mommy and daddy. Thank you Royal West Indies for such an amazing trip! If anyone is looking to visit Turks & Caicos, definitely check this resort out. It was in the perfect location, had gorgeous grounds, really fun pools, is right on Grace Bay Beach, and has the best pina coladas! 🙂 We will definitely be back!

Family Reviews Style

Fit & Hydrated With Schweppes

Posted on July 17, 2017

This post has been sponsored by Schweppes, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Staying fit for the summer is not easy. I like to get out and enjoy myself as much as possible during the warmer weather, and that means having and going to BBQs, pina coladas by the pool, soft-serve ice cream, and lots of dining out by the water. To balance my intake, this means I have to put in the work and eat healthy when I’m not enjoying all of these fun summer perks. I usually go to the gym after work for about 30 minutes, and then once I’m home, later in the evening, my wife and I pick a home CrossFit WOD (workout of the day) and do it together. Owning a house, working full-time, blogging, and making sure I have plenty of time with my son Nate makes it hard to find time to stay fit, so we usually wait until after he’s in bed before my wife and I get to our workout together. We push aside our couches, get out our mattes, turn on some tunes, and make sure we have something for hydration before we get on with our workout. With these longer days of sunlight, we try to get outside as much as we can, and sometimes add in a little cardio to our routine so we’ll try to go for a jog around our beautiful neighborhood. Since my diet is pretty strict during most of my weekdays, I’m always looking for ways to add some flavor into my day without adding calories. Schweppes Black Cherry Seltzer is the perfect addition to my bland everyday drink, which is always a gallon of water infused with green tea bags. After working out, a lot of times I find myself craving some flavor, which could lead to a cheat meal or snack, but drinking my Schweppes Black Cherry Seltzer definitely gives me that something extra and just the right amount of flavor to curb my craving. My wife and I particularly love the Black Cherry flavor, and the light and bubbly freshness of it. We usually purchase both the bottle and pack of cans for at-home and on-the-go. Every Friday, during our weekly ShopRite run, we always make sure to stock up on our Schweppes for the week, and it’s nice that it’s always in stock there, which makes it convenient. I’ve always been a believer into not wasting your daily calorie intake on drinks, so even when I’m having my cheat meal or weekend snack, I still find myself grabbing a can of my Black Cherry Schweppes for that subtle burst of crisp flavor!

Family Reviews Style

Summer Style With @This.Kid.Nate

Posted on July 13, 2017

Summer is here…Thank God! We needed to get Nate some new gear since most of what he currently owns and wears is activewear. With him being at camp most of the week he usually comes home with stains, so we completely forgot about getting him some clothes for when he’s not making a mess of himself! Minnow + Mars is perfect for the summer season when he needs those fun, comfortable pieces, at an affordable price. Nate’s got a mind of his own. He usually tells us what he likes…and most of the time we agree with his picks! His first pick was the Mustache Print Short Sleeve Button Down Chambray Trim Shirt. He thought the little mustaches on the button down were so funny and cool. We paired it with the Chambray Shark Print Shorts. I love mixing patterns, especially when the graphics are so minimal, like the mustache and fins. Plus, the chambray fabric instantly ties the look together, while the graphics up the fun-factor for Nate! I love the way the shorts have that denim look without the heavy material, and the shark fins give it that beachy feel – perfect for summer. The color blocking tee is always a win for me or for Nate (LOL). A guy can never have enough basic tees! I find that most of the Minnow + Mars pieces go great together no matter which piece you choose! Nate prefers his shorts above the knee so we rolled them up and paired them with his favorite summer sandals. This kid really rocked this look! I cannot wait to pair his new little mustache button-down with a pair of skinny jeans and some high-top converse for one of his first days of kindergarten in September!

Family Home Reviews Style

A Father’s Day BBQ With Marshalls

Posted on June 15, 2017

This is going to sound horrible but the fact is my wife and I aren’t the best hosts when having a BBQ, party, or just having friends over. It’s not that we don’t want to – per say (LOL), but after a long work week, we just want to kick back and relax (or party). This year we decided it’s finally time to start stepping up our game. We figured the first step to becoming great hosts is having the right home essentials to make our porch look inviting and feel like you’re away on vacation rather than actually at home. We hit up our local Marshalls, like we do every week (or sometimes twice a week), and scored some great finds. We couldn’t wait to see how everything looked all set up, so we decided to have a test-run and throw ourselves a pre-father’s day BBQ. Of course it decided to rain that day, so we took it indoors and spent the afternoon in our screened-in porch. We just got back from the Caribbean so we wanted it to be bright and feel a little exotic. We scored a bunch of really cool flamingo pieces – like these dinner plates, a serving plate, and this fun table cloth. For cups, we went with classic BBQ mason jars (but with the handle, to make it more functional). We already had a picnic table, but wanted to add some more seating so we also picked up these really chic looking white outdoor chairs that are made of some sort of rubbery plastic – almost like the same kind of material they use for jelly shoes! We added a few plants around the table (to be honest, the more plants the better) and made some pink lemonade in our new beverage dispenser. This will probably be one of the only times you will see this used as a non-alcoholic beverage dispenser (LOL). My wife and I like to find new cocktail recipes during the summer weekends to relax & sip by the pool. One of my son Nate’s favorite pick-ups were these cute little pig corn-holders…they really are too cute. We used them with our corn trays that we actually already had from a previous Marshalls shopping trip. We’ve been searching for a larger home cooler/drink tub for awhile now and finally found one that we were happy with – love the white with the wood handle. I love the Marshalls home section, but rarely do I leave that store without an apparel piece in hand! So…onto my outfit! I wanted to be ready to jump in the pool at any moment the sun came out but I wasn’t in the mood to look and feel so casual. This summer I’m all about comfortable, flowy shirts – and this designer button down was just that. I paired it with this classic spring green bathing suit. The linen top really elevated my bathing suit and made it feel more like an outfit rather than just a bathing suit. We actually also picked up Nate’s little tie-dye tee in Marshalls as well. He loves that store – but mainly the toy section (haha). We are so happy with the way our porch turned out and can’t believe how it transformed with just some small decor additions. Now, we cannot wait to tackle the outside porch and find some new outdoor seating pieces! Our pre-father’s day BBQ dress rehearsal was a success so I think my wife and I may finally be ready to host! Since Father’s Day is right around the corner – here are some gift ideas you can pick up at any Marshalls, that I’d personally love to receive: a new wallet or money-clip card holder, new grilling utensils, cozy pajama pants (my son always picks out a fun print at Marshalls – last year he picked out these lounge pants covered in sharks for me, and I LOVE the fact that he picked them out himself…so much more special that way), new shoes (I mean, this is a no brainer for me – I might have more pairs than my wife), or just stop by any Marshalls and they always have that cool little section of the latest gadgets and unique gifts for any guy! Overall though, just getting quality time to spend with my family is honestly the best gift of all. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! Check Out My Feature In Their GET INSPIRED Section!

Family Reviews Style

BlueCollar (beach) Prep in Johnnie-O

Posted on June 14, 2017

For me, Father’s Day is about spending time with my family and planning a fun day with no chores and no distractions – whether this be with my wife and son or my stepfather. Johnnie-O is the perfect father’s day gift for guys of all styles – whether they wear a suit everyday to work or construction clothes like myself. The preppy beach-wear, as I like to categorize it as, is the perfect blend of prep and casual dress-wear. (SHOP MY LOOK HERE) I love being able to go to little towns like Cold Spring, NY (where I actually had my wedding) and spend the day browsing the small shops, looking at boats, playing on the rocks, eating ice cream, and just being outside by the water. When your around water with Nate, you just never know if you’re going to get wet! So, I wore these great Maritime Blue Topenga Swim Trunks that have coral Johnnie-O surfers on them. I love the slightly faded blue with the pop of coral color combo – so summery! The material of the shorts makes them have a waxed feel. Wearing them out and about in town, I never felt like I was wearing a bathing suit, just a good quality short! I paired them with their Sandy T-Shirt. I wanted to keep it beachy simple and I loved the bold Johnnie-O graphic on the back. I’m obsessed with baseball caps lately so this matching Greco Hat was a must. The color combo tied right back to the swim trunks to bring the look together. You can’t have that beachy west-coast vibe without a hat! I really like the fact that when wearing their clothes, I don’t actually have to be at the beach…I can be right in my backyard BBQing, but still feel the beach/waterfront vibes. Any piece you put on instantly transports you to summer days in a small beach town, and that’s exactly what this outfit did for me! (SHOP MY LOOK HERE) Aside from the pieces I picked out for myself, I also picked out some of my favorite Johnnie-O pieces I think your dad or husband would love this father’s day! If you shop from them today you’ll GET 20% OFF with code BCP20 (expires 6/19/17). For more coupons, CLICK HERE!

(this post is in collaboration with Stylinity & Johnnie-O, however, all opinions expressed are my own)

Family Style Travel

Caribbean Club 2017

Posted on June 13, 2017

The Caribbean Club at Grand Cayman will always have a special place in my heart. I have had so many special memories here. Not to mention, it is one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever stayed in. I thought I was dreaming when they said they would have my family and I back. This time, we knew we wanted to stay a little more low-key and spend more time at 7 Mile Beach at the hotel. We still explored, we just didn’t do as many excursions as our first trip. The room this time around was just as beautiful as the first time. As soon as you open the door, the big open space just make it feel amazing and luxurious. It had 3 large bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The master bedroom had a king bed, a huge master bath with a jacuzzi tub, twin sinks and a stand up shower, and then sliding glass doors leading out to the oversized balcony with amazing views of those Caribbean blues. The second bedroom had a queen bed and another huge bathroom. The third bedroom had 2 twin beds and a shared bathroom that you could access from the hallway as well. Each room also has tons of closet space. It’s so nice when there is actually room and you don’t have to live out of a suitcase the entire vacation! The kitchen and living room were so spacious. It’s an open concept area complete with a full kitchen, a breakfast bar and stools, a dining table, full couch and chair, and of course 2 large sliding glass doors leading out to the amazing balcony. There was a washer and drier off of the kitchen as well. I was pretty much ready to move in! On to the balcony…it’s just amazing. It’s such a big space for a balcony, with room for a dining table, 3 lounge chairs, and some extra cushiony outdoor seating. We were out there every morning, every evening and just about anytime we popped into the room for something. You can’t help but wander out there any chance you can get to experience the view of the pool, 7 Mile Beach and the never-ending sea of the most beautiful blue ever. Most of our days were spent on the beach under one of their cabana huts sipping on the pina-colodas from Luca, their in-house restaurant. We also spent the other part of our days taking out one of their paddle-boards and enjoying their world-class snorkeling about 100 yards out. We love that you can see things like turtles and cuttlefish literally 10 feet off-shore! This has been the only island we’ve ever experienced anything like this so close to shore! And, since Nate doesn’t know how to snorkel yet, it’s really cool when he gets to see a turtle come up to the water surface for air. He was so excited to see the little guy pop his head up – it was adorable. My wife and I also went scuba diving at Eden Rock, which is about a 15 minute drive from the hotel. It’s actually our favorite place to snorkel! We love being able to rent the gear and just jump right in the water and make our way out to the reef alone. This year, we saw our first shark! It was actually really scary even though it was a small shark (LOL). It wanted nothing to do with us, but it was just a reminder that they are out there somewhere, and it has always been my greatest fear to come across one. Well I did, and I made it (haha). We also took a venture across the island to the Cayman Crystal Caves. Despite the fact that it’s an hour drive, it was a really nice time. Nathan was soooo into it! We were surprised at how well he listened and behaved and was intrigued by all there was to see. We got to see bats, a few different caves, and an amazing underground water pool, surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites – it was a total Goonies experience! On another day, we also experienced their Carnival parade go right past the hotel. I found out the hard way, but you might not want to take your kid to see it (LOL). It was all harmless, but there was some serious grinding, with a lack of clothing, that might not be kid appropriate! (LOL) It was an experience though! With that said, if you visit and don’t have kids with you, go get some glitter and head down and join the fun because it looked like a blast. We usually spend at least 2 nights at Camana Bay. This is a little area with cute shops, great restaurants and fun water fountains for the kids to play in (I joined in with Nate this time), and it’s a perfect way to end your evening. We always end our vacation with a long day at the beach right in front of the Caribbean Club, and having dinner at our favorite restaurant, Luca. The food is absolutely amazing and the staff is always so welcoming and friendly – I can’t say it enough how friendly they were to my family and I. It’s a romantic little atmosphere at the base of the hotel where you can either dine inside or out. We always choose out, because how can you not with the crazy warm weather and gorgeous views! It’s been a few weeks since we’ve been home and we’re honestly already to go back. The Caribbean Club is amazing. The staff, the rooms, the views, the restaurant, the beach…everything is just breathtaking. My son is already asking me ‘When are we going back to Grand Cayman again?’ I don’t know what it is about this place in particular but when I think about both of my trips here with my family, I get all nostalgic and could literally just keep coming back ever year! We LOVE you Caribbean Club, and thank you again for having us! We hope to be back again next year (if not sooner), LOL. If you’re planning on vacationing in Grand Cayman, definitely consider this place. I can’t say it enough, how much we LOVE it here and all the unforgettable memories you will have!

Family Style Travel

Twinning in Old Navy

Posted on June 12, 2017

I remember my very first game at Shea Stadium. My Grandfather took myself, my sister, and the rest of my cousins and we sat in the bleachers. We were allowed one large popcorn and one large soda to share among all of us. As a father, one of the coolest things for me is to be able to take an experience I had as a child and give my son that same experience but make it even better by letting him enjoy all the extras that I didn’t get to experience. We were lucky enough to have Old Navy help me achieve this incredible night. Nathan’s first game was spent in the Porsche Suite at Citi Field. We got to meet Dave Annabel from the T.V. show Brothers and Sisters and even got to meet Mr. Met himself. We ate everything: hotdogs, hamburgers, peanuts, cotton candy and even cookie dough! We got there early enough to get close to the field and watch both teams warm up before the game. I can’t believe how nice Citi Field is! There’s so many other activities and sections that you can enjoy outside of watching the game! Nathan got some practice hitting in the batting cages and he killed it! (see video below from our Instagram story – had to share, so proud!) At the end of the game they had an amazing fireworks show. Nathan was so excited for it and he loved it. Overall, I was actually surprised at how into the game Nate was. I knew he would watch the game for a few innings but I definitely didn’t think he’d last until the end. He was so well behaved, watched the entire game, and surprisingly, was really into it! It doesn’t get much cooler than that! Oh wait, it does – we got to wear matching Old Navy Getaway Shirts (mens | toddler) to the game, that were the perfect colors to coordinate with our Mets hat and the rest of the Mets fans. To say that these shirts were a hit would be an understatement. Everywhere we ventured around the stadium, we were constantly getting compliments as to how cute we looked matching, and what bright and fun colors our shirts were. I paired my shirt with these really cool stain-resistant Old Navy Stay-White Jeans (perfect for stadium eating behavior) and Nathan paired his with Old Navy Skinny Jeans and a pair of Old Navy Printed Canvas Slip-Ons (style no longer available online) with these fun graphics all over them – including a hotdog! (perfect for the game). I seriously love when we get to match! I used to think we would look and feel cheesy (LOL) but I think when the clothes feel and look good, it just works. As you may already know, my wife is my photographer so she’s always behind the camera, but she was also rocking an Old Navy top and bottom. She went with their Relaxed Off-the-Shoulder Top and a pair of their Mid-Rise Rockstar Destructed Skinny Jeans. This was my wife’s first time wearing Old Navy jeans and she absolutely loved the fit of them! Thank you again Old Navy for such a fun night and allowing us to share it all with your amazing IG followers! (this post is sponsored by Old Navy, however, all opinions expressed are my own.)

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