Coast 2 Coast Mom

Underwater Photos with the Sony CyberShot TX20

I used to think that in order to take underwater photos, you had to buy expensive gear, or head to a photography shop for a special waterproof camera. This month, I was proved wrong. You can take GREAT underwater photos with the Sony Cyber-shot TX20 "Exmor," model that's - get this - certified waterproof. That's right, you can take pictures in water up to 16 feet deep with it!

It works like a normal Cyber-shot, with a touchscreen menu on the back of the camera. To take pictures, you just slide down the colored cover on the front to open the lens and take photos.The 3 inch LCD touchscreen viewer is beautiful and bright, allowing you to customize your photography settings by scene (indoor low light, oudoor twilight, underwater, anti-blur for action shots, etc.). My favorite settings so far are the flattering soft skin scene (takes years off of grown-up skin!), the beach setting which worked brilliantly for our trip to the beaches of Cape Cod, and the underwater setting that takes very clear pictures underwater.

I was giddy for the opportunity to try out the underwater photo capability last week, and just love how they turned out. We first tried it in our community pool and then again in the Atlantic Ocean off of Cape Cod. Here's the first try photo:

Here's the kiddo diving under the water -- we were amazed by the clarity, even the tiniest detail like the bubbles from the pool. These photos are unedited and untouched.



The guys all smiley sitting on the bottom of the pool...

We've had such a blast taking underwater photos of the Kiddo and his friends at the pool that I don't foresee us going to the pool or beach without it from now on. :-)

Even in "murky" wavy ocean water off the coast of Cape Cod, we still got a pretty good underwater pic of a local crab just walking about...

As with any waterproof camera, Sony advises soaking in fresh water for about five minutes after use to clear any debris, sand or salt water that could affect the seals that protect the battery and USB port.

A minor inconvenience for a small portable camera that takes great underwater shots - and just as amazing regular photos as well.

Earlier this summer, I was invited to join a group of Sony VIP Moms to learn more about Sony products and have the opportunity to try them out for myself. Woot!! This is the first product I've tried as part of the program. I'm sure we'll have just as much fun trying out the others. Stay tuned :-D

BRAVE DVD and Blu-ray Release November 13, 2012

Disney Pixar announced that the BRAVE Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and HD Digital copy will be released on November 13, 2012, just in time for the holidays. BRAVE, the story of headstrong and heroic young Merida, who defies custom and unwittingly unleashes chaos on her family, has become the #1 animated movie of the year.

We enjoyed seeing the movie in theaters, but admittedly there were two heart-pounding scenes involving a bear. . . and Merida's mother. The Kiddo's been repeating "and I'll be shooting for me own hand," all summer, and between this and him seeing commercials for The Hunger Games, he's developed an interest in archery.

The movie will be available as a 1-disc DVD, a Collector's Edition 3-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack, and an Ultimate Collector's Edition 5-disc Blu-ray combo pack that will retail for $49.99. The combo packs include hours of bonus material, both featuring a new animated short, "The Legend of Mor'du."

 

New Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies Coming Soon

New Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies are coming to a grocery store near you! While visiting Trumpeting Media's R&R Suite at the Four Seasons New York last week, I was introduced to a few new Pepperidge Farm varieties arriving on store shelves beginning at the end of August 2012. Meet the Milano Melts and Milano Slices:

I tasted the Vanilla Creme Milano Melts and Salted Pretzel Milanos (those are pretzel bits on the Milanos) which should both be available in grocery stores within mere weeks . . .

 . . .but my FAVORITE new Milano cookie is the Peppermint Milano with li'l peppermint bits. YUM!! I think we ate the entire bag over the weekend. Even the Kiddo liked them, saying they're "not too spicy" as he doesn't like super minty flavors. The sample bag of Peppermint Milanos has me itching to buy a bag as soon as I spot 'em in stores. The Peppermint Milano cookies will be available for a limited time this holiday season.

 

 

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Residence Inn Hotel Stay GIVEAWAY!

I'm excited to share that I've been invited to join the Resident Mom team of bloggers sharing our experiences as we travel with our families and visit Residence Inn hotels. As a member, I'm also practically giddy to announce that I've been given a $250 Residence Inn gift card to giveaway to a reader! 

Since Carol Cain first introduced me to the Residence Inn hotel chain last summer, we've sought them out during our travels. I was invited to stay at the Residence Inn Times Square for a night last summer, then we stayed on our own dime at a Residence Inn in Pittsburgh, and a Residence Inn in Port Canaveral and thoroughly enjoyed both stays. Here's a few of the elements that make Residence Inn hotels so family-friendly:

1. Complimentary bottled water waiting in the room. Also, microwave popcorn, which kinda makes everyone in the family feel like a kid.

2. Free Wi-Fi in all suites and lobbies. FREE, people!

3. Complimentary grocery shopping service to have items awaiting you upon check-in. Are you going to need baby food? Diapers? You can order grocery items to be picked up for your arrrival, and you're only charged for the cost of the items, there's no service fee added. Niiiiice. 

4. A kitchenette in your room - having a sink and refrigerator can sometimes be a necessity when traveling with kids. It's nice that you don't have to ask for a fridge to be brought into the room, it's already there. Full size.

5. Complimentary hot breakfast buffet - with make-your-own waffles. Enough said.

6. Many of the suites offer separate bedroom and living room areas, so you don't have to hover in the bathroom with the lights on after you've finally put the kids to sleep in the dark hotel room. You can stay up, watch TV - or better yet, enjoy free wifi and share photos or videos for your travels so far, or research and plan your next day of family fun.

7. Many nights of the week, Residence Inn offers free BBQ, dinner or drinks. Check with the Residence Inn property you're visiting to see what they're offering during your stay.

GIVEAWAY: Win a stay at a Resident Inn hotel! I have a $250 Residence Inn gift card to giveaway to one lucky reader. To enter to win, just leave me a comment below from now until midnight, August 17, 2012. I'll choose a winner using Random.org, and email the winner to get their mailing address and mail the gift card directly to him/her. Good luck!

 

 

 

 

The Children's PLACE Holiday Preview 2012

The Children's PLACE offered a sneak peek at their 2012 holiday baby and kids' clothes last night in NYC. Yes, that's right - HOLIDAY 2012! While we're just beginning back-to-school shopping now, it was nonetheless inspiring to see the winter trends for kids' outfits - and to see what we need to pick up to ensure that the Kiddo's sporting some style this next school year.

 

Overall, the Loft Suite at the Bryant Park Hotel was bustling and it was interesting to hear The Children's PLACE's own Michael Giannelli discuss some of the winter trends for kids with Nicole Feliciano, of MomTrends. The must-haves for the 2012 fall/winter are sparkles, monsters, and critter hats, and Michael even hinted at some things they're working on for next spring (hint: neon). The clothes I previewed will roll out beginning in September through November, with all of the new lines available by November 1st.

 

Here's a look at The Children's PLACE holiday outfits featured at the preview event:

Trump Kids - Trump Hotel Travel Program for the Junior Jet Set

Trump Hotel Collection has launched a travel program just for kids, combining luxury and family travel like never before. Trump Kids and Trump Baby Attaché adapt the impeccable service of a Trump Hotel to pamper even the youngest guests.

While attending a lunch with the Preferred Hotel Group recently, I had the opportunity to see first hand how the Trump International Hotel & Tower New York rolls out the proverbial red carpet for traveling families. If these amenities and ideas delighted me, I can only imagine the smiles from the Kiddo when walking into a room completely transformed with custom kid amenities and treats for his stay.

Of course, the Trump Kids family travel program goes way beyond a kid-sized robe and slippers. These are some of the ways every hotel in the Trump Hotel Collection can make a visiting child feel like royalty: 

•  Trump Kids coloring book upon check-in
•  Trump Kids no-tears baby bath amenities in-room
•  Cribs with plush linens, Bed rail, Rollaway bed
•  Board game, Children’s books, In-room children’s movie channel (rates apply)
•  Children’s in-room and special restaurant dining menus
•  Special kid and teen treatments, and discount pricing at the spas
•  Swim lessons (by appointment, rates apply)

But I was wowed by some of the other things they offer at some of the locations:

• Rocking chair
• Baby monitors when reserving a one-, two- or three-bedroom suite
• PlayStation and Xbox
• MP3 players with kid-friendly music
• Stroller, Pack-n-play, Diaper Genie, Humidifier
• Trump Kids Biz cards printed with each child’s name

Nice, right? But have you ever wished your hotel would pamper your family and kids even further? Here's how else Trump Kids and Trump Baby Attaché services can really make family travel easier for you:

• Pre-stocking the guest room and kitchen with necessary supplies so that your family can travel lighter. The Attaché will shop for everything from special infant formula and favorite baby foods to diapers and bath supplies ahead of your family’s arrival. (Purchases are charged at cost to the guest’s account.)
• Child-proofing guest accommodations, covering electrical outlets, moving breakable items out of reach, etc.
• Placing age-appropriate books and a CD of lullabies in Baby’s room.
• A signature Trump bib as a memento of the stay.
• Use of a shaded stroller for walks.
• Providing information on local baby-friendly sights and activities, from children’s museums to mommy-and-me classes.

Since we've been studying the Trump Hotel Collection and Preferred Family certification program these past two weeks, we have visions of a luxurious family getaway circling in our heads. (I'm picturing the hotel like the musical number in Annie where the household is focused on cleaning and preparing Daddy Warbucks' mansion for Annie's arrival . . .;-)) We'll be sure to share our Trump Kids experience if we visit anytime soon! 

There are currently eight Trump Hotels worldwide, with another set to open in Fall 2013, in Washington, D.C.’s iconic Old Post Office Building which looks GORGEOUS from the outside, so I can't wait to see photos of it one the inside. (FYI - the Waikiki location has a special New Mom Vacation offer for expecting and new moms . . . :-) )

 

Preferred Hotel Group Launches Family Travel Site, PreferredFamily.com

Last week I was invited to a posh lunch at Trump International Hotel and Tower in NYC to learn about Preferred Hotel Group's new family travel program, Preferred Family. From their collection of 650 independent hotels and resorts around the world, 200 properties have been Preferred Family Certified, and are searchable at their new family travel site, PreferredFamily.com. I learned a lot about the family-friendly hotels in their collection, and enjoyed meeting the Ueberroth family and playing tourist snapping photos around the Trump hotel . . .

I didn't realize that the Trump hotels were a part of the Preferred Group collection! It made me remember living downtown Chicago during the construction of the Trump Hotel Chicago, and all of those summer mornings when the Kiddo was a baby and I used to stroll around exploring the city.

How'd you like to visit NYC and stroll around with this? It's one of the amenities they offer for families.

The adorable kid-size robes are just one more thing the family collection offers for families . . .they also provide bathtime toys to make the hotel visit even more of a treat for kids.

 . . . and of course, when discussing family travel at a luxury hotel, a li'l bubbly can make everyday snacks a real treat:

(That's Lindsey Ueberroth speaking about traveling the world as a kid and how it inspired the Preferred Family Certification program.)

 A couple of things I really like about the Preferred Family website:

1. The Preferred Family Certification ratings so you know exactly what age of children the hotel's resources and amenities are geared toward.
2. The "On A Whim" search that shows last minute deals at Preferred hotels and resorts.
3. The "Three Days In . . ." city itineraries with family-friendly restaurant, museum, walking routes and activities recommendations for a perfect three-day family adventure.

After pouring over the site this past week, I'm inspired and eager to plan our next weekend getaway! I only wish they'd caption the gorgeous hotel and resort photos at the top of their website with the property name or place so I know where I'm dreaming about visiting . . .

 

Finding Nemo 3D In Theaters September 14th

Finding Nemo 3D is coming to theaters this fall - re-releasing the movie in 3D for a new generation of kids on September 14, 2012. From the adorable orange and white striped Nemo and Marlin, silly Dory, and Bruce the shark, these cute Disney Pixar characters have become household names for us, and I'm sure many families. In fact, we've pretty much called any clown fish we've come across since a "Nemo" fish or any bold blue and yellow fish a "Dory' fish. Some of the memorable lines from the movie's initial release in 2003 that are running through my mind as I type this right now:

"Hi! I'm Dori . . ."

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming . . ."

"Fish are friends, not food."

"Aww. You guys made me ink."

There's more - but I'm sure that you have your own household sayings from the movie. What are some of your favorite lines and scenes from Finding Nemo?

We're excited to take the Kiddo to the theater to see it on the big screen. Here's the trailer for a taste of what you'll see in theaters this fall:

 

 

 

Castaway Cay - Disney Cruise Lines Island Port-of-Call

Our trip to Castaway Cay - Disney Cruise Lines' private island port-of-call in the Bahamas - was a fantastic experience on our Disney Fantasy cruise! About 3 miles by 2 miles large, Castaway Cay offers island activities for everyone. With two family beaches and one adult-only beach, water slides, stingray feedings, trails for biking or running, lounge chairs, volleyball, BBQ and ice cream, photo ops with Disney characters, souvenirs, a post office with exclusive Castaway Cay postmark for mailing postcards to family and friends. . . there's lots to do!

Port Canaveral Residence Inn Hotel: Great for Pre-Cruise Stay

The Residence Inn Port Canaveral is the #1 hotel in town according to TripAdvisor, and after staying there the night before our Disney Fantasy cruise, we give it two thumbs up ourselves. It was clean, well maintained, the staff was helpful, and our stay included a complimentary hot breakfast.  While shuttle transfer to our cruise ship was only $3 per person, the Residence Inn offers packages that include free parking at the hotel during your cruise too - which is a huge cost savings over paid parking at the port!

Our stay was so convenient and comfortable the night before our cruise - but I think many people associate Cape Canaveral with NASA and space shuttle launches. We didn't have time to head to the Kennedy Space Center (we were bummed), but we did snap a pic of the Kiddo by the astronaut figure in the hotel lobby: