FunSized Living

Prior to moving to Tampa, I was not aware of how much history there is in this city! Tampa played a major role in the development of Florida, but you’d never know this unless you visit some of these hot spots: The Henry B. Plant Museum This is really where you should start your history tour since Henry B. Plant is who built the railroad that brought people to Tampa. This is a small museum that has an enormous amount of history in it. It is located in the south wing of Plant Hall in the University of Tampa. For 40 years, this was the Tampa Bay Hotel, a 511-room resort. People would travel here mostly to spend their winters at the Hotel and would stay here for months at a time. When you visit the museum, you’ll see the original Victorian furniture from when it was a hotel and you’ll see how one of the parkour suites was laid out. Plenty of high profile names stayed and visited the Tampa Bay Hotel like Babe Ruth, but now the only big name that they’re waiting to have visit is, YOU! Check ...

If you want to visit the neighborhood in Tampa Bay that has the most charm and history, look no further than Ybor City. This part of Tampa may have the reputation of a Broadway by day and a Bourbon Street by night, but it is so much more than that! There is so much history and culture that runs through these cobble stone streets, with plenty of places to visit and learn from, so I’m here to help make it easier for you find those places. Here is my itinerary for you, for when you come to visit Historic Ybor City. First, I’d start with an Historic Walking Tour . Max Herman runs a fantastic tour where he takes you around this National Historic Landmark District of Florida. There are very few places you actually go into, so depending on the time of year you take his tour, prepare to sweat. On this Historic Walking Tour, you learn how Ybor City came to be in 1885 and was quite the melting pot with so many different cultures, religions and ethnicities choosing to settle in Ybor. This walking...

Today is the launch of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess' Celebration Vacations, a new way for The Princess to help you celebrate life's special moments, whether it be a bachelorette, a birthday or an anniversary, the Fairmont is there to help you make it even more special.  To celebrate the launch, The Princess sent out gift boxes to show a preview of how they are there to help with your celebration. My box came with a mini bottle of sparkling wine, a champagne cocktail kit, Sugarfina Champagne Gummy Bears & a chocolate bar. Just a few of my favorite things from one of my all-time favorite hotels.  When you book your next stay at the Fairmont Princess, start at ScottsdalePrincess.com/Celebrations , choose a special offer like the Sip, Savor & Celebrate Package, then select your memory-making enhancements and let the Princess take care of the rest! I had the pleasure of staying with the Princess last September and it had been awhile since I last stayed with them, but as to...

Situated in the heart of Montclair, New Jersey, you will find the only hotel in all of Montclair, The MC Hotel . This hotel brings a translocal experience to its guests, which is what I think sets it apart from other hotels, and here's why:  FOOD Let's talk food first! The MC is lucky enough to have Chef Amber Lancaster as their executive chef of their restaurant, The Allegory and their rooftop, The Alto .  Chef Amber Lancaster is currently in Season 19 of Hell's Kitchen, that airs on Fox , and they have incorporated that into The Allegory. On Thursday nights when Hell's Kitchen airs, The Allegory has a secret menu that goes along with the theme of the episode that is airing that night. So on the Thursday night I was there to dine, I did not know until I sat down that it was Burger Night on the show, so I was able to enjoy Chef Amber's Special Burger while Hell's Kitchen played on televisions throughout the restaurant. Along with the secret menu being available...

After months of indoor dining not being available in New York City, it is finally back in action and I found the perfect gem you must go to dine indoors to get the full experience, and that is Angelina Paris .   Angelina Paris has opened its first US location, right here in New York City by Bryant Park. Due to the pandemic, their opening kept getting delayed, but they finally opened in November and boy was it worth the wait.  When you visit Angelina Paris, you really want to go for the experience and pleasure of dining in their Parisian Tea Room. It is so elegant with its high ceilings, chandeliers and paintings of different parts of Southern France on the walls. You will forget you are dining in the middle of New York City. If you're on the run and don't have time to dine indoors, you can always stop in to grab a treat to take with you, as they have plenty of items to take away as well.  First things first, come with an empty stomach because there is so much to enjo...

Zoom & video calls have now become a part of our everyday life, but so much more is involved than just turning on your computer screen, which is why I'm here to help!  First, let's discuss how to be a Successful Virtual Participant! 1.  Choose the Best Device     Although smart phones can be used to conduct virtual meetings, a laptop or desktop computer is ideal. When using a smart phone, there is a higher chance of interruptions and more difficult to keep it steady on a desk or table.  2. Plan Ahead     Technology is great, but only when it works properly. Make time before your virtual meeting to make sure you have the program downloaded and it is working properly. This isn't something you want to wait to do last minute right before your meeting. Even though the meeting is virtual, you still need to show the same professionalism and promptness as if it was an in-person meeting.  3. Have Proper Lighting & Background     This...

*UPDATED NOV 2023* The food scene in the Palm Beaches has really reached new heights, so here a few of the places I really enjoyed eating in and hope that you will enjoy them too, the next time you're in the area! West Palm Beach/ Palm Beach/ Palm Beach Gardens Johan's Joe Johan's Joe is a wonderful shop for coffee, breakfast or lunch. This local coffee shop is bringing a part of Scandinavia to South Florida, with its Swedish delicacies mixed with all the bakery favorites you know and love. From the coffee, to the decor, to all of their tasty treats, everything is absolutely delicious and instagrammable too!  *NEW* Johan's is now open evernings Wednesday through Saturday, sharing some of their favorite Scandinavian dishes for dinner. Along with an extensive wine list, this is the perfect spot for your next date night! What I had & loved: Peppermint Mocha (Holiday Flavor), Swedish House Blend (Regular Coffee), Swedish Pancakes, The Lapland, dammsugare, and their ch...