Author: teawithtinablog

Hey Blogging World, Thanks for stopping by! My name is Tina, I'm a 20 something, Boston-based travel and lifestyle blogger. I have a passion for all things travel, fashion, and food! Follow my adventures through my blog, Twitter or Instagram. Don't hesitate to reach out! I love writing restaurant and product reviews - if you have any suggestions contact me at: tnalepa92@outlook.com Tina:) Fun Facts: Favorite Color: Pink & Purple Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL Favorite Food: Baked Cod & Zucchini Favorite Sports Team: Boston Red Sox Dream Travels: London, Ireland, Iceland, Cabo, Costa Rica, Dubi, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Spain, Italy, France, California. Places Traveled: United States: Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, N.H., Vermont, Penslyvinia, Nebraska, Hawaii, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio International: Ecuador, Mexico (Cancun, Cozumel) Caribbean: Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Haiti Likes: Brunchin', Running, Cape Cod, Fashion, News, Event Planning, Traveling, Planning travel

4 Makeup Products I Swear By!!!

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Makeup has been part of my daily routine since I could remember. From a young age all the way through my high school career I was always required to wear makeup at dance performances and recitals. (Meaning I’ve tried A LOT of different brands in my almost 25 years of life.) Not to mention my mom sold Mary-Kay products as a part-time job. So, some people may ask, “with makeup consuming most of my life what are my favorites?” Keep reading to find out!

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Smashbox Cover Shot: Eye Palettes, $29, available at Sephora.

With a variety of palettes to choose from go from classy to club seek all in one eye kit. Smashbox eye palettes are great for creating different looks from natural to bold at an affordable cost!

MAC Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash, $23, available at MAC.

If Va Voom lashes are your end game – look no further than to MAC’s Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash mascara. Perfect for day or night! I first discovered this particular MAC mascara in college and I’m not going back to anything else it leaves lashes full, flattering and dark.

REVLON ColorStay Brow Pencil, $7, available at Target.

Who says being beautiful has to cost a lot of money? Head over to your nearest Target to pick up REVELON’s ColorSay Brow Pencil great for adding an extra pop to your makeup routine! With contouring brows being a popular trend in beauty, this is an affordable way to keep up with the celebrities.

NARS Blush, $30, available at Sephora.

Looking for that Kardashian glow? Stop by Sephora for the NARS blush available in over 10 colors; leaving your skin simmering and glowing all day long!

 

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Clean, Fresh, Nail Salon Experience

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When I first moved to Boston it was hard to find a clean nail studio with great customer service and a clean atmosphere. However, four years ago I stumbled upon MiniLuxe on Newbury street and instantly became obsessed with the brand.

At MiniLuxe, clean is their culture. That means clean business, clean ethics, and clean methodologies. It’s how they care for the team, the products, and their customers.

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With over 10 locations in four states no wonder MiniLuxe is taking the beauty industry by storm. I know when I want a manicure or pedicure I want a clean, relaxing experience with above and beyond customer service; and that’s just what clients will find at every MiniLuxe location.

The studios interior is very sleek with whites and accents of pink and purple making customers feel like they stepped into the nail salon of the future.

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Need your eyebrows done? Get waxed, threaded, or shaped at MiniLuxe’s signature brow bar. Waxers do a great job keeping your natural arch and cleaning up unwanted hairs.

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Personally, I love MiniLuxe signature polishes. Among their own polish line they also offer quick dry polish (performance polish), gel polish and a luxury brand line (for an additional fee).

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Massage chairs are a thing of the past. At the MiniLuxe’s Newbury street location relax in their private pedicure area. The studio offers five pedicure packages ranging anywhere from a simple color change to their signature performance pedicure.

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Looking to book an appointment? Book here to find a location near you!

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Facebook: Tea With Tina
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Brunch in the Meatpacking District – NYC

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Looking for a place to brunch on your next trip to New York City? Look no further than Bubby’s. With two locations in the Meatpacking District and Tribeca locals and tourist alike will enjoy flavors of the south in the heart of the big apple.

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Opened in 1990, Owner Ron Silver began baking pies and selling them to restaurants and neighbors out of a small kitchen in Tribeca. Today, Bubby’s restaurant and pie shop celebrate’s 26 years of homemade southern cooking. (And of course pies!)

The exterior of the restaurant perfectly blends into the neighborhoods in which they each sit; while the inside excludes a warm welcoming southern atmosphere. Making guest feel like they walked into grandmas house.

If you like pancakes this is a New York must! The pancakes are fluffy topped with fresh fruits and sauces. WIth toppings like blueberry and banana nut good luck trying to pick only one!

The rest of the menu includes a southern fare with options like fried chicken and biscuits to biscuits & gravy to a cheese grits breakfast to your more traditional breakfast items like the house omelet or the Bubby’s breakfast.

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Not only does Bubby’s offer an outstanding brunch program, but the restaurant serves up lunch and dinner as well.

Don’t forget to save room for dessert as Bubby’s makes some of the best pies in Manhattan. Whether it’s a slice or a pre-ordered pie be sure to indulge in one of their pies including apple, peach, local blueberry and more.

Safe to say if you’re in the mood for some comfort food this is the place to be!

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Located at 120 Hudson St. (Tribeca) and at 73 Gansevoort St. (Meatpacking).

 

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Escape to New Hampshire

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Situated two hours north of Boston you’ll find Alton, New Hampshire. Home to Lake Winnipesaukee and the popular mountain – Mount Major.

If you’re looking to escape the city, get in a great workout and take in the stellar views than the dive up is 100 percent worth it!

I recommend leaving as early as the lot at the mountain fills up fast! The hike up takes roughly two hours up and two down depending on your skill set. We took the blue trail, which was a moderate hike that had some large boulders to climb towards the top of the mountain.

After completing your hike stop by one of the local ice cream shops on the lake or fuel up with a fish dinner at Pop’s Clam shack.

Pro tip: If you’re new to hiking take the yellow trail. It may take you longer but there are fewer boulders to climb.

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App Review: Footprint – Where I’ve Been

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With today’s evolving technology it seems like every day a new app is rolled out, which makes it hard deciding which app to use.

According to Lonely Planet, travel apps are the largest growing category for mobile usage.  Each month, the average user spends more than two hours a month using their travel apps. (CRAZY!)

One travel app I’ve come to love is the Footprint – Where I’ve Been app which can be downloaded for free in the Apple Store. It’s user-friendly and allows users to track where they traveled! Whether it be down the road or around the world watch your map become filled with pins.

Check out my Footprints:

 

Simply click the plus sign to drop a pin on a location and watch your map fill up with all the places you’ve been! It keeps track of the date traveled, countries, cities and more.

If you’re a traveler I highly recommend downloading the app and tracking your travels.

I give this app five stars for overall user experience!

Luxury Resort Experience: Chatham Bars Inn

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The Chatham Bars Inn located in Chatham, Massachusetts was founded by Charles Hardy in 1914 as a luxury beach side resort on Cape Cod.

From the moment guest step on the property, the Chatham Bar experience begins with early 1920s New England nautical luxury vibes and warm, welcoming, wood work in the lobby. Walking into the resort guest will feel as though they stepped into a much simpler time filled with lawn games, sailing, good food & drinks, and an overall sense of relaxation.

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Today, the resort is a popular destination for Cape Cod vacationers. The resort has 217 guest rooms (some with remarkable views of the Nantucket Sound), seven restaurants, a spa, a private beach & pool, and a fitness center.

The resort offers whale watching tours, fishing, pool side cabanas, croquet, sailing and so much more to take in everything a New England summer has to offer.

Guest have the option between luxurious cottages or ocean view suites or standard guest rooms in the main inn sleeping anywhere between 2 to 4 people. On average guest can expect to pay anywhere between $485 – $1,000 per night depending on the season.

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Pro tip 1: Seeking a wedding venue? The Chatham Bars Inn is a popular destination for a Cape Cod weddings.

Pro tip 2: Looking to esCAPE for the day? Book a service at the spa. Guest have the opportunity to utilize the spa pool for up to an hour prior or after spa services. After relaxing at the spa guest can take a short walk to the main inn to enjoy sips and nibbles at one of the many restaurants on property.

Interested in planning a nautical vacation to Cape Cod? Learn more about the Chatham Bars Inn here!

 

 

 

Caffe Nero Opens Another Location in Boston

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London based Caffe Nero has opened yet another location in Boston just in time for college students to cozy up with a coffee and their laptop for the fall semester.

Gerry Ford, founder of Caffe Nero had the vision to create a place that served high-quality coffee and acted as a meeting place for the neighborhood. Since then the iconic blue coffee cup has made its way to the New England area with 10 locations in Boston.

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Their newest location at 1047 Commonwealth Ave. is located right on the Boston University campus and was carefully designed to fit the surrounding neighborhood of Allston-Brighton. With its rustic finishes, cozy atmosphere and beautiful light fixtures this coffee shop without a doubt makes for the perfect study spot. The layout is perfectly designed for large study sessions, an afternoon pick -me -up with a friend or an even spent tackling that English paper due at midnight.

From espressos to lattes to vegan to gluten free; Caffe Nero has everyone in mind with their extensive food & beverage menu. Whether you like your coffee hot or iced this Italian inspired cafe is sure to have student’s acing exams!

Not a student? No worries, stop on by for a cup of freshly brewed coffee on your way to work or enjoy a book and pot of tea during the weekend.

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After recently trying Caffe Nero, myself, I give this British owned coffee shop a 4.5/5. The coffee was fresh and the muffin was the perfect mix of filling but not too sweet! Be prepared to start seeing more blue cups around the Boston area.

Open daily Monday through Friday 6:30 am to midnight and Saturday and Sunday 7:30 am to midnight.

Guide to NYC Rooftop Bars

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Summer may be winding down, but the New York City bar scene is still in full swing! Below I’ve rounded up some of my favorite rooftop bars that are a must try before the end of the summer.

Mr. Purple: Situated on the 15th floor of the Hotel Indigo located on the Lower East Side; twenty somethings are calling Mr. Purple the “IT” spot for drinks and killer views of Manhattan! This swanky rooftop spot is blowing up Instagram with its roof top pool, drinks, lounges, and view (Don’t lie you’d go for the ‘Insta pic,’ too). Not into their extensive cocktail menu or craft beer list? Mr. Purple also serves up coffee and pressed juice. 180 Orchard St., 15th Floor, New York, NY 10002

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Le Bain: Hands down my favorite rooftop in New York City! Located in the Meatpacking District, Le Bain at The Standard, Highline does an incredible job portraying a picnic like atmosphere 13 floors above the concrete jungle. The pink decor, turf grass, and crepe stand make you feel like you entered an exclusive party in The Hamptons. Kick-back and enjoy one of their signature drinks and breath taking views of Lower Manhattan. Looking to get your groove on? The lower level serves as a night club hosting some of the worlds most popular DJs. 848 Washington St., New York, NY 10014 

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230 Fifth Rooftop Bar: Looking for drop dead views of Midtown and the rooftop bar experience all year round? Then head to 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar located on 5th Ave. At New York City’s largest rooftop garden and bar, guest will find palm trees, stellar views, tents to keep cool during hot summer days and heated igloos in the winter. Pro Tip: try the Raspberry Mojito (you’ll thank me later)! 230 Fifth Ave. (Corner of 27th) Manhattan, NY 10001

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Upstairs at the Kimberly: Whether you’re a guest at the Kimberly Hotel or looking for a lively bar atmosphere, Upstairs at the Kimberly is situated in the heart of Midtown with European like vibes open 365 days a year. Upstairs at the Kimberly makes the list for its decor, location, and remarkable views of the Chrysler Building. 145 E 50th St., New York, NY 10022

Upstairs at the Kimberly - ROOFTOP

Explore Newport Cliff Walk

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A short drive from Boston you’ll find Newport, Rhode Island, a quaint beach town filled with ice cream shops, fish joints, little buggy car rentals and the well-known Newport Cliff Walk. The Cliff Walk has been on my bucket list for awhile so I figured let’s take a mini road trip to cross it off the list!

The Newport Cliff Walk is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rhode Island and is a combination of stunning ocean views and beautiful mansions. The 3.5-mile walk is the perfect getaway young couples looking for a relaxing afternoon from the city! I would advise everyone to wear toe-closed shoes as the trail is very rocky at points and can be challenging to keep your balance if not wearing appropriate shoes. (Also, bring a camera to snap some likable Instagram pics!)

Interested in doing a mansion tour? You can tour several homes including The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff, Rough Point and more. Tickets can be purchased at the door or here!

 Check out some photos from our adventure below!

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Favorite Skincare Products

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We all want beautiful, young skin. I totally get it! I’ve been there, I’ve used that overnight mask from the drug store and all the Clean and Clear products in the book and was still left with poor results and skin looking worse than before.

When it comes to my skincare routine I take the process very seriously. Over the years I’ve found products I love and ones I hate. Now, I have oily skin, so if we’re on the same boat keep reading for some of my favorite skincare brands and products that get the job done and will leave you feeling refreshed and confident!

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Clinique (Acne Solutions): I’ve been using Clinique Acne Solution the longest. As a teen- ager I struggled with acne and as an adult living a busy lifestyle I still struggle with acne from time to time. When I have those days where I’m like, “whoa I look 16” I take the time to wash with Clinique Acne Solution. After using Clinique twice a day for two consistent days the acne usually is reduced leaving me feeling confident and acne free! (Really struggling with acne? Try the full Clinique Acne Solution Kit) Clinique is also a great option for makeup and other face washes.  – $20 at Sephora

Sephora Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes: Taking off your makeup at the end of the day is incredibly important if you want to keep your skin healthy and happy. What’s great about the Sephora brand cleansing wipes is it doesn’t leave your skin feeling oily after. You can simply wipe off all your makeup and don’t feel as though you have to wash your face again like you do with other cleansing wipe products. I highly recommend picking up a pack or two. – $7.50 at Sephora 

Origins (Clear Improvements): I love the Origins skin care line! The brand has everything from makeup to body wash to masks to cleansers to scrubs and anti-aging lotions. Origins has a solution to fight any of your toughest skin problems from acne, dry skin, oily skin, wrinkles, redness and more. I’ll let you in on a secret…Origins can truly fix anything. Not sold? Give it a try! – $17 at Sephora 

First Aid Beauty (Face Cleanser): I know I said I love all these products, but I love this product! I use it every night in the shower to take off all the grease, grime, and makeup from the day making me feel clean and refreshed. First Aid Beauty’s Face Cleanser is great for any skin type and leaves skin feeling soft. ***HIGHLY RECCOMEND*** – $20 at Sephora