Halloween Antics!

Happy Halloween 

This years costume was pretty simple, you guys know for me that crazy color is the main goal for sure, and this new painted wall in Baltimore City completely did the job. Because it was fresh, the colors were bright as can be. I also love the way that the pink and red worked so well together!! I had a costume for Piper which you will see in a couple of the pictures, we had to take it off because she kept shaking at which time it would shift around to being on backwards. We were the Queen and Pup of Hearts, as I said nothing to in depth just fun, cute and colorful.

The entire costume came from Party City, it consisted of the dress, gloves, headband and stockings. All together with tax it was just over $52. I just added a pair of Guess ankle boots that I had in my closet, along with some heavy pink and red blush, eyeshadow and lipstick. I wanted to wear my OTK boots but didn't want to cover the hearts on the legs. so ankle boots it was. Also keep in mind I had to return the original costume, due to stains on the dress where you could see it was obviously wore at some point. The costume in this picture was the second one I had purchased. I think someone returned the first one and they put it right back on the shelf where your girl then bought it. I just feel had they actually looked at it, they would have seen the disgusting stains. So naturally I drove up to return it on the day of, since I didn't see the stains until last minute. Naturally they didn't have anymore my size on Halloween afternoon, so I drove to another store in Towson where I luckily found another one that was actually new. My point being check the costume before you pay for it, especially with the current virus issues. I'm sure you agree that it's gross to buy something someone else has wore, especially with intimate items like stockings. I got lucky that the Towson store had one or I may have ended up with NADA. But come on, you figure when you buy something it's not used right? Yikes was that a mess...lol!! I'm just relived I was able to get everything sorted so I could catch these colorful fun shots!! 

Oh before I forget Piper did a fun growling lion impression on her Instagram page with some yummy Krispy Kreme donuts, you guys gotta see this... it's way to cute (CLICK HERE) to check it out. Please give her a follow and comment on what you think, she's just to precious in this look. I would also love to know what you or your pups or kids dressed up as this year? I know 2020 was odd as was Halloween due to our current world situations, but we have to remember to keep the spirit of any holiday in our hearts and it can be just as amazing no matter what!! 

Love You Guys & Merry Christmas to those that celebrate!! 

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Sunday at the Farmer's Market with Tillamook!

Thank you Tillamook for sponsoring this post. Visit your local Costco today to bring Tillamook Ice Cream Sandwiches home to your family this summer!

Enjoying life's sweet and simple summer pleasures!

                                           

This past Sunday was one for the books because it was jam packed with so many of my summer faves. When late spring hits the Baltimore Farmer's Market & Bazaar starts back up, it's located underneath the Jones Falls Expressway at Holiday & Saratoga, every Sunday from April to late December. The entire underpass lines up with vendors of all kinds selling thee freshest of Maryland fruits, veggies, flowers, dairy items, meats, bread, nick knacks, handmade clothing and much much more. It opens at 7am and runs until 12 noon, and wow is it packed with tons of people from open to close. 

 It was literally elbow to elbow the majority of the time I was there, which was around 11am. The weather was perfect, it was breezy and about 70 degrees which I wish it was every day. I made sure to take some Tillamook Ice Cream Sandwiches with me, they always make any summer activity that much better. I particularly love the Chocolate Mudslide flavor, it's two yummy, baked golden brown cookies, made of butter and brown sugar, then dipped in the best chocolate. centered with rich and creamy ice cream. If you haven't tried them yet I really recommend you do, they're conveinently located in the freezer section of your local Costco. 

 They're delicious from start to end, the cookies are the perfect bite and they go splendidly with the ice-cream. I love that they come 12 to a box and are the perfect size. That way I can fit two in my mini cooler with some ice and drinks, which means I can take them with me anywhere because nothing puts a summer smile on my face like ice-cream. You guys know just how much I love it! Especially when you're shopping.....I was really enjoying strolling through the farmer's market enjoying my Mudslide Ice Cream Sandwich.  There were so many flower stands, ones where you could select the flowers and create your own bouquet. 

Then there were the flower trays and hanging basket stands, and wow were they all full of so many different beautiful colors and blooms. Then came the herbs, there were soon many different kinds and wow did they all look and smell delish. There's nothing like the taste of fresh cilantro in your salad or basil on your pasta. It's always so much better than the dried spices you buy in the store, the taste is so much more vibrant and plain fresh. 

There's nothing like using high quality ingredients, just like Tillamook ..the milk they use for their ice cream is only the best, from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones, no high fructose corn syrup along with extra cream for a rich, smooth creamy texture. You can't beat it in my opinion, it's special just like the fresh local veggies I get from the Farmer's Market. Big juicy red tomatoes and strawberry, fresh snap peas, the list goes on and on. 

For dinner that night I picked up some fresh asparagus, it's great pan seared with a little  butter, onions and a bit of fresh diced garlic. I also got some carrots, onions, fresh bread and mixed greens, potatoes, and apples . All in all I was able to put together a meal unlike any other, a house salad, and chicken breast with roasted veggies, pan seared asparagus, with a strawberry and apple cobbler, over ice-cream with a dollop of whipped cream. Sounds amazing right? Wow was it a great trip, I can't wait for next Sunday so I can do it all again. 

I'll definitely make sure I have more Tillamook Ice Cream Sandwiches, next time I'll try the mint chocolate chip flavor. I bet it's just as amazing as the Mudslide. It makes any summer activity that much sweeter to enjoy. I would love to hear what your favorite summer activities are, please sound off below by leaving a comment. I'm always looking for fun new ideas of things to try, I definitely think we will be going to the beach the end of June but that's as cliche' as it gets when it comes to summer trips, so I'm really looking forward to reading your comments. 

Here's to the start of an amazing summer with Tillamook Ice Cream Sandwiches!!

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Spring Cleaning with Adams Flea & Tick!

(This post is sponsored by Adams Flea & Tick, all experiences are mine and mine alone.) 

Time to get the house ready!!

Hello my friends, spring is here and it’s about that time to start spring cleaning. For most people this is just inside of the house, but we do things a little differently, we like to do the same to the outside as well. We start off by pressure washing all the sidewalks, driveway, patios and porch. The we wash down the siding on the outside of the house, kind of like you wash a car. This keeps the white siding looking bright and new, then we move onto the yard to get it ready for summer. We make sure to fertilize the grass, and spray all of the rose bushes for bugs. Otherwise the beetles will have all the leaves looking like swiss cheese by June…they sure are destructive little things. Then there are the fleas, another annoying summer pest we have to worry about because of Piper.

(They love to nest in the soft plushy areas which are perfect for the Carpet & Home Spray)

During the summer we are out and about doing a ton of activities and many of them include other dogs. We go to the dog park on a regular basis, we go to the dog festival, and we love to go on hikes up by Liberty Dam. All of these activities carry the risk of Piper coming home with one of these nasty little critters on her, and we want to make sure that we are protected in every way so that our home doesn’t become a flea infestation. How fleas work is they attach themselves to your dog or cat (the host) and as gross as it sounds suck their blood. Then the flea will lay eggs all over your pup, then he or she walks around your home dropping these eggs in every area of your home, kind of like a little salt shaker. All over your rugs and floors, on your favorite chair, in his or her bed, on your bed, and even in the yard and car. Then these little critters hatch and jump on a host and start the cycle all over again, until your home, car and yard are swarming with fleas. This is why flea-proofing your pup, yard and house is so important. They are thee nastiest little critters in so many ways and i just don’t want them chewing on us or the dog, so I take steps to keep them far far away from us, Piper and the house. I keep a small arsenal on hand at all times, and we ONLY use Adams Flea & Tick products which we so conveniently get from the pet section of Walmart. The products consist of both immediate and preventive measures, because let’s face it all summer we are around other dogs. Whilst we can’t control fleas on everyone else’s dogs, we can’t stay held up in the house all summer either. With these products I can calm our fears and keep us all and the house pest free, that way we can enjoy fun summer and spring events like Pawject Runway a fun little pup fashion runway show that raises money for Barcs. Every year we love to go and help support Barcs, it’s always teaming with pups of all kinds from all over. 

(Adams Flea & Tick products are very easy to find in the pet section of Walmart)

I basically use the same routine each year and it starts off with a bath using the Adams Flea & Tick Cleansing Shampoo, this gets Piper clean, smelling fantastic and flea free. Next up I put the Adams Flea & Tick Collar Plus for Dogs & Puppies on Piper as a preventive measure, to keep any future fleas from trying to catch a ride. I always find that being preventive is much better than reactive, because it keeps it from happening all together saving me a lot of stress and headaches. Then there's the Adams Flea & Tick Spray which is wonderful for spot treatments and the Carpet & Home Spray is great to keep your home flea free. The flea and tick spray is great for those days we go on hikes in the woods by the dam, Piper loves to explore all the trails with us for hours and hours. While it’s lots of fun, I never forget all of the risks that these days can offer when it comes to fleas and ticks. Due to Adams Flea & Tick products we are able to enjoy our summer of fun activities without a care in the world. They also carry great products to spray your yard with, we use them too. 

Right after we finish planting the annuals and turning the mulch in the flower boxes, we spray down the outer yard and Piper’s area as well. She loves to run in and out of her doggie door into her yard, she also loves to lay in the grass spread eagle and sun bath. It’s the cutest thing in the world to see her enjoy her little space in such a comfy manner. By the time we finish up the yard everything looks quite beautiful, and it’s just in time for our annual family cookout. It’s so much fun to relax with the family, eat delicious food, talk, and just enjoy each others company. Yes it’s a ton of work, but nothing is more satisfying then pride in your work and home. After all it’s home, our very own little part of the world, and it’s a reflection of us as people, so we have to keep it looking nice and clean, as well as pest and flea free. The only thing left to worry about is those darn deer eating all my flowers….I definitely need a cry emoji right about now…lol!!

Well here’s to a beautiful flea free summer with Adams Flea & Tick Products!!

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Baltimore - DC Spring Vibes!!

It's Spring in Baltimore!!

(Piper and I at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC)

Don't let me drown you guys with all the killer spring vibes, I just couldn't help sharing them with you. I love this time of year so I go a bit overboard with the floral shots, I even have an Instagram account that is ONLY devoted to floral photography. It's a big big love of mine, as most of you know I was a floral designer for darn near 15 years. It was the only job I have ever had that never felt like a day of work, kind of like being an influencer. It's absolutely true what they say about feeling passion for whatever you do, it's the key to success for sure. Ok I'll stop chatting your heads off, we will make this post a mostly image post and let the flower shots do the talking. After all flowers are plain just good for the soul! My favorite flower is the Stargazer Lily, hence my Instagram username @DanaStargazerTruitt, and my flower page @_StarsFlowers, check them out and tell me what you think. If you don't follow yet please do. I look forward to your input/comments on the flowers shots. I'm also running a HUGE GIVEAWAY on my flower page as well, 2 people will win $1000 cash. 

Above is Piper and I in Mt. Vernon Baltimore Maryland, just across the street from the Washington Monument, and surrounded by magnolias. Below is another Magnolia shot in Druid Hill Park by the Baltimore Zoo, just outside of the Rawlings Conservatory. Piper was definitely trying to eat a bee she saw fly bye. 

The shot above is the Patterson Park Pagoda, which is also in Baltimore. It too is completely framed by magnolias in the riches shades of pink and purple. Last but not least is one of my favorite pictures of Piper to date, I call it Piper prancing through the tulips, and this too is at the Rawlings Conservatory. They always have thee most amazing flowers on display all year round. Doesn't Piper look absolutely gorgeous? Of course I am a bit partial to Pip and those tulips are so colorful, it's especially special because they all match her harness. 

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I Answer My Most Asked Question!

This post is sponsored by Sweat Coin, and all opinions and experiences are mine and mine alone!

Staying Fit & Healthy!!

Hello everyone I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. As most of you know on Instagram I’m known as the Dessert Diva, I also have a crazy sweet tooth. Eating sweets is literally a hobby of mine, and one question I have gotten many times over is what I do to keep in shape? How do you keep yourself at the size you are now and eat so many sweets and high calorie items? Well I’ve decided to finally answer that question, but let’s not get it twisted I’m by no means a fitness blogger or health fanatic, I just stick to my daily routine to keep myself fit and healthy. Heart disease and high blood pressure also run in my family, so it’s best just to do what I can to prevent those issues. As I always say prevention is much better than reaction. There are a few tools that I keep at my disposal, these few things assure that I always get in a good workout.

#1 The right workout gear, I know you’re thinking what is she talking about? Well think about it, you definitely aren’t wearing an aerobic shoe for running. You have to have the right gear for the right activities, I also know that when I wear gear I look and feel amazing in, it always puts me in the mood to put out my best which gives me the best results. 

#2 You MUST remain consistent, because consistency is the key to good results. I definitely recommend that you make a workout schedule and stick to it NO MATTER WHAT!! It’s the constant hard work that conditions your body to get to a healthy place and remain there as long as you keep putting the work in. 

#3 A good fitness watch and (or) app, I use an both an Apple Watch, the Nike fitness app. It was the first one that I ever used and liked because it gave me very specific and detailed info about my runs. The apps make a record of each step, the route you took, how fast you walked or ran, how many calories you burned and much much more. With these apps I’m able to keep track of all my workouts and set daily goals for myself, that way I can try and beat them the following week, or take new routes to see which is the best, or to keep it from getting boring.

#4 Last but certainly not least, in fact it’s the most important tool I use….Sweat Coin!! This app is amazing because it literally tracks each step you take and pays you for it….YES you read correctly it pays you. At the end of each day the Sweat Coin app compiles all the steps you took and I'll say it again ..pays you for them. Then once you get your desired amount you can either transfer it to your bank, your PayPal or use it towards some of the amazing offers that have from day to day on the app. 

My daily routine consists of my morning run which is 3 big laps of the 5 blocks that surround my neighborhood, one lap is about a mile. I remember when I started I could barely run the one block, I had to stop and walk a few times before I could finish. (I also realized #1 that I needed the right running shoes and running gear. If you don't have the right shoes with the right support you can start to get muscle injuries and much much more). Now when the laps are done I push myself to run just a little bit more, eventually my plan is to get up to 5 miles per run and I’m not that far off. Then there's my evening workout, I do a simple cardio routine for anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes long, depending on how I feel. I always make sure to get it in well before I eat dinner, I don’t know why that is but it’s just always been my schedule so I’ve stuck with it. Remember consistancy is the key! My next cardio goal is 20 minutes, and I know if I’m determined enough that I can definitely do it as long as I stick to my guns, wear the right footwear/active gear, and let’s not forget.. "Keep my Sweat Coin active". Even if you don’t run like I do you can still use Sweat Coin because it’s counting your daily steps which you’ll be making regardless, so why not get paid for them. 

At the end of each day I love to look at the app and see how many steps i took. With each day that passes I push myself in simple ways like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking a little further away from the entrance so I have to walk a bit more. It’s amazing how this app pushes me to be the best version of me that I can. 

       

It’s super easy to use, just grab the Sweat Coin app here: https://sweatco.in

Sign up and wallah the app does the rest, all you have to do is get those feet moving.

Well I hope I didn’t bore you guys too much with my daily workout deets, I just wanted to answer one of thee most asked questions that I get. If you have any questions about me feel free to ask them below, who knows maybe I’ll answer your question next. 

Have a Fabulous Weekend Dolls and Remember to Treat Yo’Self!!

PS…Don’t forget to check out todays Dessert Diva post on Instagram, every Saturday I post an amazing ice-cream cone shot from one of the delish ice-cream spots in my area. 

Don't forget to follow and turn on my notifications because I have some HUGE giveaways running as we speak and to come...right now someone has the chance to win a 4 night/5 day vacation to Maldives. Then there are 4 other winners for stuff like an iPhone x, and lots of cash!!

http://www.instagram.com/danastargazerttruitt 

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Brunch on The Avenue

Love me a Good Sunday Brunch!

There is a great little spot in Hampden called The Food Market, all in all it's not that far from me. I would say its about 15-20 minutes from my house in Randallstown/Owings Mills. It's one of my favorite spots, not to mention is flippin' amazing, they have thee best brunch menu EVER! Now don't get me wrong they have an amazing dinner menu as well, from Mon-Fri they don't open until 5pm, then on the weekends they open at 9am. There is a full bar and mind you the drinks are relish, i got the one above which is called Bohemian Raspberry. I like my cocktails fruity and sweet, it's just better when they go down yummy, who wants to choke down a drink that tastes utterly horrible? I want to taste and enjoy it, not force it down whilst I make a cringed up face and most liquor does that in my case unless it's cut with something sweet. Are you the same way??...I'd love to know in the comments. Back to the food, Rob and I started out with the soft pretzels and beer cheese, now keep in mind tis is what they're known for...and now I know why!! the pretzels where soft and buttery and the cheese was thick rich and tasty, such a perfect match.

Then for the mains I ordered the Peruvian Cheesteak which is made up of fork pull short rib, smothered in cheese and lots of yummy fried onions and red peppers on a soft sub roll, topped with jalapeños and sided with fresh fries. It’s  an absolute master piece that I will be going back for many times over,. Rob ordered the chicken and biscuits, which he ate every bite of mind you. We never leave The Food Market hungry or unhappy, and it seems we aren't the only ones that feel this way because they're always packed no matter what time you go in. I'll give you a tip, make a reservation or you will be waiting to get a table.

After brunch we walked down to The Creamery to grab an ice cream, we decided to grab the newest flavor Baltimore In A Box...WOW was it good!! They always have amazing sweets, i love their hot chocolates as well, i like to top mine with one of their amazing homemade caramel marshmallows. 

You know I have a crazy sweet tooth and while I constantly say... "It's always a good time for ice-cream", it was a little insane today being it was six degrees. Let's just say it was more than cold shooting the ice-cream and omg super windy so it felt even colder. Sadly not long after this shot the wind blew the cherry right off the ice cream onto the ground, it was about then I decided enough ice cream pictures...lol!! Well I hope you guys enjoyed my Sunday brunch escapades, but done't go yet I have a surprise for you, just scroll down for more!!

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS!

~Yes it’s time for another out of this world giveaway!~ 

I have teamed up with a handful of amazing bloggers to give one lucky winner 
the choice of an iPhone 8 0r $600 PayPal cash!

Which one will you choose?? 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

⚠️PLEASE NOTE BEFORE YOU ENTER!⚠️
If you unsubscribe/mark the newsletters as spam you will not be eligible for future  giveaways ☺️ Please remember that when you mark a blog newsletter as spam it puts a bad mark on our delivery system, and this causes us major issues to where we can't send them out anymore to anyone. Large amounts of unsubscribes also give us a bad mark, so if you truly don’t want to enter anymore of the 2 giveaways we do a month, or receive the newsletter and will just unsubscribe ☺️ or mark it as spam please DO NOT ENTER!
With that being said, the giveaway will run for a month, from 1/22/19 12pm est to 2/27/19 at 12am est. To enter just click on the above rafflecopter form and complete the many different tasks to double and triple your chances of winning many times over.

You must be 18+ years of age and reside in the US, AUS, & CANADA to win. VOID where prohibited. The winner will be notified within 24hrs of the giveaway closing and he or she will have 48hrs to respond, or a new winner will be selected. Feel free to read the full 

Terms and Conditions for the complete rules and regulations.

Thanks so much for following and Good Luck 🍀 Everyone!!

(For any past giveaway results see my giveaway page where all winner's are listed )

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Our Weekend Getaway to Virginia!!

Virginia Here We Come!

Nothing like a relaxing weekend full of fabulousness, it's always a MUST to just get away and recharge, there's no better place to do so than Virginia. We arrived on Friday afternoon and left on Sunday evening, that way we were able to enjoy the whole weekend. We stayed at Lansdowne Resort & Spa, located on Woodbridge Parkway in Leesburg. We chose Lansdowne because of their amazing pet friendly atmosphere, obviously you know we took Piper along so it was important that they welcomed her as well. If you let them know at the front desk that you have a pup joining you they will bring you a pet bed, bowls ect, they even have a pet area called Bark Park for the pups to enjoy some time outdoors. 

The rooms are spacious, bright and clean, not to mention the beds are super comfy. I really think Piper enjoyed the decor, as you can see she made sure she checked out every single bit of it...lol! She ate up all of the attention she got from the friendly staff, they were there to help with whatever we needed. The hotel sat on a huge property with a beautiful golf course, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a huge fire pit for s'mores, a spa, a gym, restaurants, stores and much much more. We spent most of the first evening wandering around exploring everything on the property.

When our stomachs started growling we began searching for a great dinner spot. I found a local restaurant called Lightfoot, it was about 15 minutes from the hotel. As usual we had no idea where to eat so I took to google to see what was good. I'm so glad we discovered Lightfoot because the food was absolutely amazing. I ordered the short rib and Rob ordered the filet mignon. Let's just put it this way, we were both linking our fingers when we were done. Everything looked beautiful, was cooked to perfection and full of flavor, I even had the pleasure of meeting the owner/cook who was more than amazing. She makes sure each plate that comes out is just how it should be and that really says something. We enjoyed the food so much that we went back for brunch on the following Sunday which was just as spectacular. Lightfoot is located on N.King Street in Leesburg, the next time you are in the area for dinner or brunch I recommend them 200%, you are going to LOVE the food.

By the time we got back to the hotel we were more than stuffed and ready for some rest, and boy did we get it. Both Rob, Piper and I slept soundly and comfortably all night until 7am when we woke to start the day. We had a day planned out at Stone Tower Winery which is only a 15-20 minute drive from the hotel, it's located just atop of Hogback Mountain in a stunning location. The view was amazing as you can see from the pictures below, we couldn't enjoy the outdoors like we wanted due to the cold weather so we definitely plan to go back in the summer months. 

We took part in a tasting tour that was so insightful and fun, we got the 411 from Kevin Chung aka @TheWineProfessor check him out on Instagram. He can answer just about any question you have when it comes to wine, I know Rob and I asked him a ton while we were with him. He walked us through the entire facility, showed us some of their 75 acres of vines, the barrel rooms, and shared some really spectaular bottles with us. Everything was clean and well taken care, and wow was it packed with people. They have a variety of nibbles in the Harvest Barn like local and imported cheeses, fresh chibatta, crackers, and artisan chocolate. On Friday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday they have wood-fired pizza. and last but certainly not least there is the gelato, yassssss I said gelato. I got myself a mint chocolate chip gelato and a hot cup of cocoa.

I almost forgot to tell you guys, Stone Tower has a wine club that offers a ton of "members only" discounts, events, tastings and much much more. Check out their website (Stone Tower Website) for more info, the clubhouse has thee best laid back feel with a cozy ambiance. I'm a bit bummed they aren't closer because I would definitely be visiting on a regular basis, we really enjoyed our time at Stone Tower. As you can see Piper more than enjoyed it as well, she always loves exploring new places, she's the most curious soul you will ever meet. 

When it was time to leave Stone Tower we were more than exhausted, so the bed back at Lansdowne was calling our names. We stopped at DC Prime for dinner on our way back to the hotel, they have thee best french onion soup. For a main course I ordered the roasted chicken, and Rob the salmon, kinda backwards to order everything but steak at a steakhouse. That's us though, always a bit off...lol!

Before we knew it Sunday morning crept up on us and it was time to start heading home, all in all it was great weekend that I recommend 100%. It's the best way to slow down and recharge, plus Virginians are so sweet and friendly. As I told you guys we stopped back into Lightfoot for brunch before we headed back home to Baltimore. The whole trip went smoothly thanks to Mitsubishi Motors, we got a beautiful new 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. Recenetly we've been car shopping because this year we plan to get a new car, what better way to test one out than take it on a road trip for the weekend. It handled beautifully and wow was it comfortable, we are more than considering the Outlander. It has a sleek body style and plenty of room inside, so all of my camera equipment and luggage fit perfectly. it just made the whole trip that much more enjoyable, even Piper took to the idea of a new car, she was more than comfy riding shotgun..lol!! I definitely feel us becoming a Mitsubishi family very very soon.

I hope you enjoyed our little weekend road trip, I would love to hear about any great spots you have been too. We're always looking for fun new places to visit and explore, so your recommendations will be more than welcomed. I hope you guys have a wonderful holiday!!

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