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Beyond NYC: Incredible Ways to Enjoy New York State

November 8, 2023 By Anne

New York City is one of the most popular tourist destinations for travelers of all kinds. It’s a bustling city with so much to see and do, so it’s understandable that so many people flock toward it. But NYC isn’t everything that the state of New York has to offer. There’s so much more to see throughout the whole state, whether you’re looking for other cities or more of an outdoor experience. You could miss out on a lot if you only stick to NYC and, believe it or not, the city actually isn’t for everyone. So where should you go instead?

Head to the North

New York City lies in the southeastern corner of New York State, so pretty much everything else is north of NYC. So by heading north, you’re going to discover somewhere new. But if you keep going to the northern part of the state, you could find yourself especially delighted by what you find there. Next year is the perfect time to visit because the 2024 total solar eclipse in the Adirondacks is going to be an incredible sight to behold. There won’t be another for 20 years, The region is full of stunning scenery and offers beautiful towns, ski resorts and much more.

Summer in the Hamptons

When you hear “the Hamptons”, you probably think of rich people and their second homes. And it’s true that a lot of wealthy people spend their summers here, but you don’t have to be rolling in dough to plan a visit there. You can find affordable accommodation for a comfortable stay, or maybe go for something a bit more luxurious if you’re willing to stretch your budget. The beautiful beaches of the Hamptons are definitely worth checking out. In Montauk, you’ll find so much happening during the summer too, including festivals, markets and more.

Explore Towns and Cities

Outside of NYC, there are so many different towns and cities to explore across the state. Places like Rochester, Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse all offer something different to anyone who wants to explore New York. You can discover history, culture, great food and much more by expanding your horizons and stopping at some of these places. Some might only be worth a day trip, while others have plenty to offer if you want to stay for multiple days. They can make great bases for exploring different parts of the state too.

Visit Wine Country

People might think of California more when they consider US regions famous for wine. But the east coast has plenty of winemaking too, and New York is no exception. Finger Lakes Wine Country offers more than 100 wineries, distilleries and breweries, making it perfect for wine lovers or even people who prefer beer, whiskey and more. Taking a tour is a good way to get a snapshot of the region and there are even wine cruises you can take.

NYC might be amazing but it’s not the only place in New York. Look beyond the Big Apple and you can discover so much more.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Adagio Tea – Holiday Gift Guide

October 29, 2023 By Nicole Valenzuela

Hello fellow readers and tea drinkers!

As we embrace Fall and prepare for the Winter/Holiday season I thought I would start our 2023 gift guide with a product we cherish from a company that has it roots in family.

Adagio Teas embodiments all that we love in a brand; a family story of making a dream come true, sourcing quality ingredients direct from the farmers, and producing a product that is affordable as well as delightful for consumers.

I encourage you to explore their website and read how they developed their business and read the stories of the farmers.

Ever since I was introduced to Adagio Teas, it’s been my favorite loose leaf tea brand. Adagio teas are known for their gourmet, artisan, loose leaf tea which can be purchased online.

I could spend hours shopping the Adagio Teas website. They have so many options for pure tea, blends, iced teas and more.

What I’ve found to be a lovely opportunity to sample the range Adagio offers is the yearly

Tea Advent Calendar. There are so many flavors I’d never even heard of as well as blends I wanted to sample but apprehensive to commit to.

One of my favorite teas that is included again in this year’s Advent Calendar is Pomegranate Grove.

It is full of vibrant color, scent & flavor. This is a perfect evening tea being caffeine free.

The spices and fruit are blended beautifully. The pomegranate is sweeter than expected. It is mildly tart, with spicy mulled cider vibe. I can make out the individual flavors, which are very well balanced. I added a small drop of palmetto honey which really brought out the cinnamon flavor. It is a very light, fruity, tasty tea that is quite brilliant.

I enjoy this blend hot however I can see how cold brewing this blend would also be a delightful option I may try next time.

You’re guaranteed to find something to make your taste buds dance with Adagio, now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got tea to drink!

– Nikki Valenzuela

Nicole Valenzuela

How Life Insurance Can Help

October 29, 2023 By Anne

Term life insurance is a type of life insurance that provides coverage for a specific period of time, or term. If the policyholder dies during the term of the policy, the beneficiary receives a tax-free death benefit. Term life insurance is typically the most affordable type of life insurance, and it is a good option for people who need coverage for a specific period of time, such as while they are raising young children or paying off a mortgage.

Term life insurance can help in a number of ways, including:

* Providing financial support for loved ones after the policyholder’s death: The death benefit can be used to help pay for living expenses, funeral costs, debt repayment, or other expenses.

* Funding children’s education: The death benefit can be used to pay for college tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.

* Protecting businesses: Term life insurance can be used to protect a business from financial loss if the owner dies.

* Providing peace of mind: *Knowing that loved ones are financially secure in the event of the policyholder’s death can give peace of mind.

Term life insurance policies are typically available in terms of 10, 20, or 30 years. The policyholder can choose the term length that best meets their needs. Term life insurance premiums are typically lower than the premiums for other types of life insurance, such as whole life insurance.

Here are some examples of how term life insurance can help:

* A young couple with two young children may purchase a term life insurance policy to provide for their children if one of the parents dies.

* A family with a mortgage may purchase a term life insurance policy to ensure that the mortgage will be paid off if one of the parents dies.

* A business owner may purchase a term life insurance policy to protect the business from financial loss if the owner dies.

* A person who is nearing retirement may purchase a term life insurance policy to provide a financial legacy for their loved ones.

If you are considering purchasing term life insurance, it is important to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to get the best possible rate. You should also consider the length of term that best meets your needs and budget.

Anne

Meet Nikki, Our New Content Writer!

October 24, 2023 By Anne

My name is Nikki & I love traveling, DIY projects, cooking, reading, writing and exploring everything the world has to offer.

I want to see and do it all.

To thrive as an individual, parent, and as a family.

That is quite the laundry list of interests for someone who also balances a career, a home, children and my 2 cats!

My goal is to inspire you – from parenting with empathy and respect, to minimalist living and sustainable products that are both approachable AND easy.

This is a friendly place where we can learn how to raise happy, confident kids in a loving home while honoring ourselves as individuals.

Contact me via email at nval905@gmail.com to pitch an idea, I love doing sponsored programs for brands I believe in.

Anne

7 Ways to Improve Your Professional Development

October 24, 2023 By Anne

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Whether you’re looking to change your career path or move up in your company, you must improve your approach to professional development. However, many businesses are competitive, and it can feel impossible to make yourself stand out from the crowd, especially if the crowd is full of younger professionals who seem more on the ball than you.

But fear not, because they don’t deserve better roles just because. Instead, you can get ahead of them by focusing on the best ways to boost your professional development and show them who’s deserving.

Take Control

Not everyone is born with the skills to be a leader. Instead, they need to develop these skills. You will never achieve this if you don’t stand up for yourself and learn to take initiative at work or in your life.

If you always wait for someone else to answer questions, you’ll never stand out to your manager. Therefore, you need to be the one who speaks up and finds solutions to problems. You won’t get everything right, but you’re not expected to. The point is that you’re getting your voice heard and ensuring people recognize your attempts to contribute where overs shy away.

Explore Development Opportunities

There are many more development opportunities than helping out at the office or shadowing your manager, especially if these opportunities can be challenging to identify. Much like taking control and initiative, you must seek these opportunities to develop.

Instead of waiting around for something to happen, seek options or courses that can give you valuable experience you won’t get elsewhere. If you want to move up in the ranks at your hospital, travel RN jobs can provide new experiences that will be valuable once you return. For office-based examples, you can develop new plans and strategies in your spare time offering solutions for workplace issues.

Work On Your Network

Your network is one of the most important aspects of boosting professional development. It introduces you to people who may give you a job later on and allows you to work on your interpersonal skills to impress industry experts.

Your network may also be broader than you think. It consists of everyone you work with as well as people you used to work with, but what about who these people know? While cold calling or emailing doesn’t always work, it can give you the in you need to introduce yourself.

Don’t Rest On Your Laurels

You may have developed a great strategy in the past, but that doesn’t mean you’re still doing your best work. The longer you wait, the more irrelevant your accomplishments become, because you haven’t done anything of note recently. Resting on your laurels can be one of the worst things you can do, so it’s always worth pushing yourself to develop something new and beneficial. The more effort you put into proving yourself, the more skills you’ll learn, and the more you will stand out from your competition.

Review Your Progress

Tracking your progress helps you stay organized and shows you how far you’ve come, which can motivate you to keep going. This point is useful as it can sometimes feel like you are stagnating, but tracking and reviewing progress shows evidence to the contrary.

You can use this information to highlight your progress to potential employers or other important people. Show them what you’ve achieved in the six months since beginning your journey and see whether they need more or consider your accomplishments acceptable.

Broaden Your Skill Set

However, even exceptional progress and performance are rarely enough. You may need to broaden your skill set through qualifications and certifications. Often, this is just a formality, and companies simply cannot hire you if you lack suitable credentials.

Learning the best way to apply for an MBA can put you on the right track and teach you valuable skills and information that ensure success.

Seek Guidance

Mentorships are also excellent chances for you to get in with the more experienced and important people in your industry. However, these mentorships can be difficult to gain, so make sure you impress your potential mentor and learn how to stand out.

You must give them a reason to take you under their wing and understand how this program can benefit your career. Do not take it lightly because plenty of other professionals are eager to take your place.

Development

You will never get the opportunities you want without reaching for them and taking steps to achieve your goals. These tips are just the beginning of your professional development journey and should give you all the tools you need for a better chance of success.