On a recent business call with new colleagues, we were asked to introduce ourselves and say our favorite place to vacation.  Although I automatically said “By the ocean, on the beach” my thoughts then wandered to one of my favorites beaches to visit – Coligny Beach on Hilton Head Island.   Although I specify Coligny, I genuinely love the entire large stretch of beach that includes Forest Beach, South Beach, Seapines Beach, and of course Coligny, which collectively covers the Eastern side of the island (the bottom of the shoe!). This area is where we’ve always stayed on our visi ..read more

May 1st may be widely known as May Day, or the day to celebrate the transition of Spring into Summer, but did you know that May Day is also Lei Day? What is Lei Day? Lei Day is a statewide celebration in Hawaii lasting from the morning of May 1 and continuing through the next day. According to Honolulu.gov, the first Lei Day was celebrated nearly 100 years ago on May 1, 1927 with a few people wearing lei (colorful necklaces often made with fresh flowers) in downtown Honolulu. Over time, more and more people began to wear lei on May 1, and so began the tradition of “May Day is L ..read more

When visiting France, I often have a hard time finding food that I will eat, given I don’t like seafood, beef, and many key pieces of a French entree.  Quite often, lunch is my saving grace in France – and more specifically, the jambon buerre (ham + butter) sandwich. A ham and butter sandwich may sound ordinary and a bit boring, not French at all. But the French have this incredible way of taking something simple and ordinary, adding a little something extra to elevate the taste and whole experience. I can still picture myself sitting in the PAUL bakery and cafe in Paris, digging in ..read more

My husband recently asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday this year. Having already been to Hilton Head and Orlando this Spring, I thought a third trip was likely off the table. So instead of another trip, I opted for the next closest thing – a Europe-themed birthday outing in Chicago.  Chicago is such a cosmopolitan city that it’s easy to find a little bit of Europe no matter what neighborhood you’re in.  So, let’s take a look at how I made my Europe-themed birthday a reality: 5 Activities for a Europe-themed Birthday in Chicago 1. French Coffee and Cookies at Venteux  ..read more

Growing up in the Detroit area of Michigan, we always had Vernors Ginger Ale in the house. In fact, I still check my mom’s basement when I visit just to confirm that the stash is still intact. If you’re from Michigan, you know what I’m talking about.  Vernors is a cult classic in Michigan like Better Made Chips and Faygo cola. The gingery drink is so nostalgic that when I worked at Disney World for a summer, I met a fellow Michigander who had moved to Florida many years ago – he said Vernors was one thing he missed the most about living there.  Fast forward many years later, I move ..read more

Happy Birthday to me! As part of my month-long birthday celebration , I took a 3-day trip to Disney World.  Here are 7 ways I celebrated my special day in the happiest place on Earth: 1. Drinks Around the World – Given my trip fell right in the middle of the International Flower & Garden Festival, I couldn’t resist a stop at EPCOT. After checking out all of the festival food and drink kiosks in Canada, UK and France, I opted for my go-to celebratory beverage- a glass of Prosecco from Italy in the World Showcase and walked over to Germany to snap a pic.   2. 1/2 P ..read more

In 1994, Disney’s EPCOT kicked off a modest garden-themed event that now, 30 years later, has turned into one of the most sought after annual events at Disney.  EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival (which the event was eventually named) is hosted from late February to late May. And during this time, guests visiting EPCOT will have the opportunity to not only ride well-known attractions like Test Track and Soarin’, but they will also have the chance to see amazing topiaries, gardens and flower displays all around the park.  The festival also offers 20+ specialty ..read more

To all the pets we love and those who love us back, thank you for all the joy you bring us each and every day! The post Happy National Pet Day! appeared first on Bistro Chic ..read more

Staying healthy and maintaining my fitness level are important goals for me, even when I’m away from home. So it’s no surprise that I’m a big fan of exercising and staying active while on vacation. This doesn’t always mean HIIT workouts and hardcore runs, although my vacations somehow always seem to include these! Even small bursts of movement on your vacation can be beneficial. They will not only help you maintain your fitness goals but they can also help you stay energized throughout your trip. The key is to know how to  sneak in these mini workouts throughout your day. So if you ..read more

Several years ago, I was pining for my first trip to France. At the time, I had already been to Europe a couple of times, but never managed to make my way to France. With two small children and limited funds, my husband and I started looking at alternative locations that would give us a French feel but would be easier logistically for the kids and for our budget. A friend suggested I try the Quebec area of Canada, given its strong French heritage and European ambience, as well as the more convenient (ie. drivable) travel distance than Europe. This travel “dupe” or duplicate, ended up being on ..read more