Month: January 2017

Spring Break on a Budget

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With spring break right around the corner now is the time to get the best deals on spring travel. Below are some reasonably priced destinations that will allow you to budget for another vacation in 2017! Pro tip: try and book on a Tuesday or Wednesday for cheaper prices.

Costa Rica

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If you love nature, hiking, and outdoor activities then this is the perfect spring break getaway! Currently, JetBlue is offering deals to Liberia, Costa Rica for as low as $1475 per person if you travel between now and May 7, 2017. (Packages include hotel and air fair ) Book your flight today!

 Cancun, Mexico

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Cancun- a college student’s spring break right of passage to let loose and soak up the Caribbean sun. But traveling to Cancun can be pricey, so if you’re worried about traveling on a strict budget, look no further to Cheap Caribbean a travel website offering cheap all-inclusive vacations to Cancun as low as $450 per person for three nights including flight. Here’s a great four-night deal at the Iberostar Cancun. This great deal allows you to spend extra on excursions or a night out on the town.

Puerto Rico

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Whether you’re looking to explore Old San Juan or just relax poolside, everyone in your crew will enjoy the beauty of Puerto Rico. With all-inclusive packages starting around $1,100 per person on Kayak. Book now and get your money worth in Puerto Rico.

Iceland

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Looking to experience a once in a lifetime spring break experience? Then try heading to Iceland to explore Reykjavik for as low as $559 per person with Icelandair’s build your own vacation package. This package allows travelers to select add-on excursions and a variety of three to five-star hotels! Flight and hotel included in the package.

Union Square Donuts Opens in Brookline

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Boston is known for some popular donut shops; Kanes, Black Bird, and Union Square Donuts. The original Union Square Donuts located at 20 Bow St, in Somerville recently opened a second location in Brookline, MA.

With Brookline being a popular location for young adults, families and college kids shopping the boutiques they couldn’t have picked a better location for the new donut shop! A nice 15-minute walk from my apartment I made the journey over today to try one of Boston staple donut shops and they did not disappoint.

Although the line was out the door, the 30-minute wait was well worth it as the donuts are made fresh, from scratch daily! The menu offers a variety of flavors including a handful of vegan options. I got the Vanilla Bean and Brown Butte Hazelnut Crunch, both were moist, sweet and delicious.

Prices range between $3-$4 depending on the donut ordered (premium, original or vegan). I would recommend sharing one as they are large and filling! Union Square also offers a selection of coffees and teas offered at a reasonable price.

Looking to cater a work breakfast or an afternoon pick me up? Union Square offers catering and delivery to locations within the Boston area (Boston, Somerville, Allston, Brighton, Cambridge).

Whether it’s the Somerville or Brookline location I would recommend stopping by to try a donut and coffee.

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Location & Hours:

 Somerville

20 Bow St.

M-F 7a.m. – 1p.m.

Sat-Sun 7a.m. -3p.m.

Brookline

409 Harvard St.

7 a.m. -6p.m. every day

Looking to Spice up Your Workout?

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New year new me right?! A common new year ‘s resolution among young and old is to spend more time at the gym getting fit or hitting a new body goal. Now, two weeks into 2017 you may have a groove going or you may have gotten bored and decided pizza and Netflix are more your style. If that’s the case, here are a few fitness classes to substitute your daily treadmill routine and have you looking forward to working out year round!

doyqi0ygPure Barre: It’s pretty safe to say Pure Barre is one of my favorite fitness classes. Looking to tone up your hips, thighs, seat, abdominals and arms? Then head to your nearest location and try a class. This 55-minute workout allows you to burn calories while building lean muscles through a variety of movements (if you have prior dance experience a lot of dance techniques are used). Looking for quick results? Try going four times a week and you will find you are gaining definition through your body. Each location offers special package deals, so check it out and get shaking!


store-logo-corepoweryogaCore Power Yoga: Looking for something relaxing or need a good stretch? Try a yoga class. With yoga growing in popularity Core Power Yoga has been popping up across the country offering a variety of classes from beginner to advanced. The studio offers a wide selection of memberships from single classes to package deals. Did I mention students get their first week free!

barrys-bootcamp-logoBarry’s Bootcamp: Voted “Best Celebrity Workout” by Allure and Los Angeles Magazine no wonder Barry’s Bootcamp locations been popping up across the U.S! This hour-long class incorporates cardio and strength training to get a well-rounded workout. Each class offers new workouts and upbeat music making each class fun as well as leaving you with noticeable results. I have not tried it yet, but it’s on my 2017-bucket list

Unknown.pngSoulCycle: No matter your skill set everyone should at some point try a spin class! I first tried my first spin class in 2013 and I was hooked! SoulCycle is a fantastic 45-minute workout that offers spin gurus with a full-body cardio workout. SoulCycle offers a variety of packages from one ride to 30 classes (note: classes do come at a steep price). Be sure to reserve your bike online as classes fill up fast!

 

 

 

 

 

How to Survive a New England Winter?

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It has arrived, bone-chilling temperatures with snow up to our knees. Yes, I’m talking about another New England winter. As we countdown and cross days off our calendars till our spring vacations, Marathon Monday, and weekends on the Cape, how will we manage to survive the three rough months upon us? No worries, I’ve rounded up some top winter must-haves to survive another cold, snowy season.

 

 

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L.L. Bean Boats – Perfect for cold, snowy days!

 

 

Bean Boots: Invest in a pair of bean boots. Every New Englander should own a pair of dependable, warm, durable boots to get through rough snowy days. The average price for bean boots range between $100-$150 and will take you through multiple seasons and in addition to a lifetime warranty.

 L.L. Bean Slippers: Okay, just buy everything at L.L. Bean! All jokes aside, do invest in a pair of L.L. Bean slippers these top of the line slippers will take you through the season with warm toes as they are lined with lamb fur. Looking to have wine next to the outdoor fire pit? These slippers are perfect to use both indoors and out with their durable traction soles. No cold or wet feet!

 Invest in a Parka: Every true New Englander should also own a parka. Trust me you won’t think they look goofy when you’re out on the town or running errands warm and toasty! Check out brands such as Canadian Goose or North Face for styles and colors!

*Note: they do come at a steep price! But if handled with care and dry cleaned at the end of each season you can get your money worth out of any parka.

 Touchscreen Gloves: Trying to capture that perfect picture of the first big snow storm for Instagram or just checking your Facebook feed? Then be sure to get a pair of touchscreen gloves. North Face offers one of my favorite touchscreen gloves to keep you warm and tech savvy even on the coldest days without exposing your skin.

 Wool Socks: Whether it’s shoveling snow, hitting the slopes, doing errands or cuddling up by the fire, wool socks will become your best friend! Although costly for socks, investing in three or four pairs each winter will keep you warm no matter the occasion.

 Heated Blanket: Honestly, getting a heated blanket was the best present I’ve ever received. Heated blankets run upwards of $100 at Bed Bath & Beyond but don’t let the price scare you, it’s worth every penny! You’ll thank me when your toasty during that extra snooze in the morning or simply watching Netflix after work.

 Have the Uber App Handy: If you commute each morning you know the ‘T’ is never reliable, now try adding a nor ‘easter and chilling temperatures to the picture. Waiting six minutes for a train turns into 15 or 20 minutes (which feels like a lifetime on freezing mornings). Skip waiting in the cold and order an Uber (use uberPOOL with a friend or coworker for a cheaper ride).

 Extra Cash for Dunks: Let’s be honest we can’t go a day without our dunkin’ here in New England and winter is no exception! Those coffee breaks mid day to keep you going and warm you up are no joke here people.