Car & Caboodle: Everywhere We Go

Everywhere We Go

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Shutterfly Hit The Road Contest

Post your summer travel photos on Shutterfly's Hit the Road website and you'll also be entered to win a great selection of prizes. What I like most is seeing other people's photos from the same places we've been too. Helps to learn how to take better photos too.

link: Hit the Road at Shutterfly

August 12, 2008 in Everywhere We Go | by Robert | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: travel tips

When the Sh*t Hits the Van - Target to the Rescue!

Our family is currently planning for a road trip and gathering supplies. We'll be travelling in our brand new black Honda Odyssey van which we adore. Sadly, so do all the little birdies. It's as if they were waiting for us to get as large and as black a vehicle as possible, so they could do their thing. Usually on the way home from the carwash.

Much as I adored the 101 Dalmations series I'd rather not drive around in a vehicle that looks like it should be chasing a firetruck. Which is why I was overjoyed to find the Red Hot Shop at Target, filled with road trip supplies for the month of July.

While perusing the selection of limited time boutique items ( this months' theme has everything from cute Orla Kiely journals to retro cameras and game tins) I came across the Grumpy Girl Auto Bird Turd Emergency Removal Kit . Ahem. Hallelujah!

What a stellar find! As if I did not have enough reasons to spend time in Target stores and perusing their site, it's brilliant finds like these road trip gems that have me writing less and shopping more.

We're travelling to the Pacific Northwest on our vacation but we're sure to make a few Target pit stops along our route for whatever we've forgotten to pack. Lets start a Target tally now. How many Target stores will we drive by and how many of them will we stop in?

And how about you? How many Targets did you shop at during your last road trip?

July 28, 2008 in Everywhere We Go | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: honda, odyssey, road trip, target

Places We Love in Montreal

Since moving Zutano from New York City to Montpelier Vermont, founders Michael and Uli Belenky have gotten their big city fix by driving the quick 2-1/2 hour road trip to Montreal. Over the years, they've become major Montreal fans, and happily share their favorite places and tips for visiting the city.

Montreal Skyline

by Michael & Uli Belenky, founders of Zutano

First off, let me say that Montreal is a great choice for traveling with kids. It's relatively safe, and it's relaxed with an abundance of parks and outdoor cafes and cultural events galore. With Montreal being the second largest French-speaking city in the world, it's like having Paris in your back yard. Everyone will have a great time, and... it's never too early to expose babies to a second language.

Of course, you should go to the Montréal Biodôme Insectarium and Old Port but here are some other thoughts as well.

Where To Stay
We would recommend staying at Casa Bianca overlooking Mount Royal Park at the edge of the colorful Plateau neighborhood. It's a grand historic white stone house that used to be the city's first Jewish medical clinic. The rooms are quirky but elegant with high ceilings and a claw foot tubs in the middle of the rooms

July 6, 2008 in Everywhere We Go | by Robert | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: montreal, travel tips

Top 5 Places For Families in Queens, New York

Shopping: We love Trader Joe's on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills. We love their fresh, mostly organic products that won't break the bank. My toddler loves to grab a snack at the demo station. While I wish that they carried some mainstream brands (no Hellman's Mayo here), but we love their salad dressings, frozen foods (samosas anyone?) and fresh, mostly organic produce. Their reusable shopping bags are reasonable (we stocked up) and now use them for all of our grocery shopping.

Dining: Dani's House of Pizza right in the heart of Kew Gardens, NY, is a family-owned Italian joint that serves delicious pizza in the front part, and even more wonderful Italian classics in their small dining room. Bring your own booster seat (sorry, no highchairs) and stash your stroller in your trunk (it's really a tiny place). The prices are a steal and we've never gone home unsatisfied! The waitresses are sweet and treat you like family. My son has his first taste of red sauce here.

Play: We love going to Forest Park - the third largest park in Queens. We can hit the playground, through a ball around on the grass, walk a trail, or even go horseback riding (we're going to wait until my toddler is much older though!). The shady park makes it an ideal destination on a really sunny day (and you can find lots of parking on the street). Now that ther weather's better in NYC, the frog sprinklers are on!

Educational: We absolutely adore the NY Hall of Science. The toddler play area is a great place to let your little ones run around safely. They have new exhibits constantly, plus a fantastic new outside playground. We are members and take full advantage of this museum. On Sundays they have a Farmer's Market in the parking lot.

Entertaining Out of Towners: Since we usually entertain our friends with babies, we like to head back to Manhattan and hit either the Museum of Natural History or the fun Baby Loves Disco party.

June 25, 2008 in Editorial, Everywhere We Go, Quick Picks | by Nancy Horn | Permalink | Comments (0)
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5 Typical Family Outings in the O.C.

Shopping: We go to Target at least twice a week. There are three of them within five miles!

Dining: Does the Starbucks drive through count?

Play: With such great weather, there is no end of places to play - but in summer my kids love to cool off and splash at the Ladera Ranch Waterpark.

Educational: We love to visit the Pacific Marine Mammal rescue center in Laguna Beach. We love animals and it's a perfect place for kids to learn about how they can help care for the environment and help our flippered friends.

Entertaining Out of Towners: With Disney, Legoland and Seaworld in striking distance, it's not hard to come up with suggestions. But our favorite way to share our surroundings with visitors is to take them to Crystal Cove State Park Beach for a leisurely stroll and lunch,dinner, or drinks on the beachfront patio at the Beachcomber restaurant. They even give you a blanket to stay warm when it gets chilly.

June 9, 2008 in Editorial, Everywhere We Go | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Five Family Outings in Los Angeles

Ever wonder what a family outing looks like for other people? We asked Car and Caboodle writer Candice K. to tell us about her family's favorite places to visit in LA.

Shopping: The Farmer's Market on 3rd and Fairfax. There is something for everyone at this famous LA landmark marketplace.