Halloween Hits Different Now

Truth be told, I get a little depressed on Halloween. I know people usually reserve their depression for the bigger holidays like Christmas or Mother's Day. Those holidays can be really hard for many reasons. But for me, it's Halloween. As soon as I turned 50, Halloween just hit different. But it's actually been a slow build-up to Halloween depression over the years. Maybe you can relate.

PLANET SNOOPY at Dorney Park: A Mom's Review and Tips for Visiting

Wondering if Planet Snoopy is worth the money, or if it's right for your little one? We're venturing out of the Garden State again, this time to explore Planet Snoopy inside of Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Who doesn't love Snoopy? The absolute cuteness of this park will make your heart melt.

*This post has been updated for 2025!

NJ Weekend Getaways: Holiday Family Fun at Ocean Casino Resort

One question I receive often as a blogger is, 'Do you have any ideas for weekend getaways?' Maybe you've already searched Reddit for weekend getaway ideas here in New Jersey but you're still looking for a fun family trip, especially during the holidays. Well, I found a place that you NEED to check out, perfect for a little Christmas magic. Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City has an amazing line-up of holiday family activities and offerings. I was able to check them all out myself, so read on for details and see why I think Ocean should be on your MUST VISIT list.

10 Fun Fall Activities to Try at Ort Farms: New Jersey Fall Fun for Everyone!

If you're looking for fun things to do this Fall, look no further! I have the perfect Fall day trip planned for you, and it takes place at Ort Farms!

4 Of The Best Family Fun Activities All Ages Will Enjoy

The secret to a fun day out with the family is doing an activity that everyone (no matter what their age) will enjoy. You can find a range of these activities and day trips below, and they should suit almost  every age, from 9-90! Read on to find out what they are. 

A Review of TREESCAPE Aerial Adventure Park in Vernon, NJ: Tips, Suggestions and Advice for Your Visit

If you're looking for some outdoor fun in New Jersey or searching for a day trip that includes some physical activity, check out TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park in Vernon! We just returned from a fun excursion here and we can't wait to go back. Come see what you'll experience during your visit, and
be sure to scroll down for my 4 minute video of our trip. You can also grab my TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park promo code for tickets! 

Living Like A Local: Why Extended Stays Make Travel Feel Effortless

The best trips aren't always the ones that are jam-packed with plans; sometimes the real memories and true travels happen when you are there long enough to settle in. By settling in, you can wake up slowly, find your favorite places to eat, and you can feel like you actually belong where you are visiting. That is the beauty of having an extended stay; it gives you plenty of time, and it gives you the space that you need to experience a destination as more than just a visitor. Whether you are visiting somewhere for work, to create a project, or just a vacation, a longer stay means that you are able to live by your own routine and your own schedule. You can explore when and where you want without feeling like you're rushing everything.

No Crowd Day Trips: Visiting Merrill Creek Reservoir

Do you hate crowds as much as I do? Are you looking for a family day trip where you won't have to wait on lines or fight through crowds of people to enjoy your day? You don't have to be at an expensive museum or a crowded orchard festival (check out my blog on alternative things to do in the Fall).  A lot of times we forget that there are simple family things we can do together, too. This is not to say that I don't still enjoy a good day trip (I'm the Jersey Momma, after all, it's what I do, man!), but I also know that my son doesn't need to be entertained all the time. So this time, let's take a no-crowd day trip.  Let's visit Merrill Creek!

Easy Autumn Leaf Pressing: No Ironing Required!

If you're looking for an easy way to preserve Autumn leaves, I've got ya covered! This is the easiest way to collect and press Fall leaves with no ironing required! Even the littlest hands can do it. You can hang them in a window or even send them to friends who don't get to see the bright colors of autumn where they live. It's one of the best Fall projects for kids (and adults, too)!

5 Best Online Seafood Delivery Companies for Fresh, Sustainable Seafood in 2025

Craving the taste of seafood from the ocean while living far from it? You don't have to settle for the seafood in the supermarket. Thanks to a new wave of online seafood delivery companies that have been established, you can enjoy a variety of different seafood whenever you like. 

You can now enjoy Alaskan crab, wild-caught lobster and sustainably harvested fish, all shipped to your doorstep. Whether you find yourself hosting a dinner party or you simply want to treat yourself, these trusted companies are going to bring you the sea’s best. Take a look at the five best seafood delivery companies of 2025.

5 Must-Have Items for Halloween

This is Halloween, this is Halloween! Raise your hand if you're singing it! Halloween is just around the corner and I have some fun games, activities and spooktacular fun to share with you. Take a look at all of the FANGtastic items I found to help you celebrate the spookiest season of all.

SPOOKLEY THE SQUARE PUMPKIN IN THE TONIES COLLECTION OF CHARACTERS

Are you ready for a spooktacular season? Check out this fun collaboration, just in time for Halloween! Holiday Hill Farm, home of beloved holiday icon Spookley the Square Pumpkin, and tonies®, the world’s largest interactive audio platform for children, announced the first-ever Spookley Tonie! The Spookley Tonie will be available at major retailers and specialty stores across North America, as well as Amazon and tonies.com. Read on for more details!

Awesome Painted Pumpkin Ideas from Around the Web

Get those paintbrushes ready!  It's pumpkin decorating season!  I searched the web for some of the coolest painted pumpkin ideas I could find, and here's what I came up with.  I tried to give credit where it's due and link back when possible, so please know that not all of these creations are mine (but the Angry Birds below are ours!).  They certainly inspired me, so maybe they'll inspire you, too.  Happy painting!

10 Easy Halloween Cupcakes That You Can Make Yourself

We're not all cupcake artists, and sometimes it's hard to find the time to decorate a beautiful cupcake for a party or holiday. So I combed the internet for some easy Halloween cupcake decoration ideas, and I've compiled them in a little round-up below!