Sleepy Hollow, NY

For years now, I've been wanting to go and planning a Sleepy Hollow road trip. You know how it is, things always happens or comes and we always end up pushing our trip to the following year. Not this year! With Halloween around the corner and since Halloween is my jam… Off we went to Hudson Valley in the covert of darkness (Hehe… Doesn't that sound mysterious?!).

I love road trips! Just the idea of spontaneously jumping into a car and driving to an impromptu destination is just romantic. Think about it. Experiencing new places, foods, and sites together… Romantic!

For a couple that always late to everything (it's a Latin thing), we arrived in Sleepy Hollow pretty early in the morning. See! There's actually morning dew on the leaves and we were ready. Our day of sightseeing started at Patriot's Park and ended at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

There was a cookout happening at the cemetery when we arrived. I know that might sound weird or macabre to some people, but I found this quite normal. Growing up in Brasil, this is very normal. It's just common for people to pack a picnic lunch to share a meal and stories with their departed family members. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see this here. I was also pleasantly surprised to see people decorating headstones for Halloween. As others left toys for resting children.

Our walk through the cemetery was really pleasant and peaceful. By far my favorite thing that we did all weekend. We enjoyed learning about the people who rest there. We enjoyed listening to stories of how some changed the course of our history. Whether its how they changed our business world or how they impacted our literary culture. So, we definitely paid our respects! 

 

Cruising...

As I mentioned before, I just came back from a cruise. This was actually my first time cruising and I was pretty worried. For about 5 months leading up to our vacation, I tossed and turned at night wondering about what to expect.

To be really honest, I worried about things going wrong based on all the horror stories I heard and stories on the news… i.e. being stuck on the ship for days without running water or sinking. Yes, I know this sounds silly. Believe it or not, I don't know how to swim! So being worried doesn't sound silly to me.

My husband is still amused at the fact that I can't swim. Especially since he knows that I was basically raised on the beach. My siblings can swim like guppies or whatever you call awesome swimmers, but apparently I inherited my mother's swimming talents… sinking!

I enjoy the beach and water very much, but I still worried about cruising. I wasn't so much worried about being seasick because I've been boating and jet-skiing before. Which I absolutely love since I'm an adrenaline junky. I worried about how I would react to not seeing land for miles anywhere around me for days. Remember, I can't swim! So if anything goes super wrong… I'm up *bleep* creek (without a paddle).

Honestly, I quite enjoyed it. It was calming and majestic. At times, it felt like it was just the hubby and I drifting away from all our worries and work. Provided you got up pretty early in the morning to enjoy a little peace and quiet. Because in reality, there were about a gazillion (not really, it was more like 500) screaming kids running and jumping everywhere with their parents right behind yelling at them every 2 seconds... "Richard stop that!" "Richard put that down!" "Richard don't climb that!" "Richard get over here!" "Richard!" "Richard!"

It didn't matter how hard we tried, yet we couldn't escape "Richard!" Regardless of Richard and his family, we enjoyed ourselves. Would I cruise again? Nope!

As you can see from the pictures, the weather didn't want to cooperate with us. I mean really Mother Nature?! Didn't you get the memo... I'm on vacation! But the captain did a great job going around the storm so we could enjoy some sun and turquoise waters.

I Protest!

My husband and I just returned from a cruise to Key West and Cozumel. We've been home for about 3 days now and I'm not quite ready to let go of summer yet.

Even though we awoke to a chill in the air... I protest! Its still summer! Sometimes the gravity of how fast time passes by hits me all at once.

In protest of the impending season… I refuse to touch pumpkin until I put on a sweater. I was actually tempted today, but I refuse to cover my awesome tan (not trying to rub it in or anything, but it is an awesome tan).

And yes, I know. Laying out to tan is taboo and/or bad for you. And yes, I know about harmful ultraviolet rays, but remember moderate exposure to the sun contributes to the production of vitamin D by the body. And I did use sun protection.

In the next few posts, I'll be sharing a few pictures of our trip. :)

Martha Stewart American Made

I warn you in advanced that this is a shameless self-promotion post. Do not read on if you hate them!

So... Zugar Haus is a nominee for Martha Stewart American Made contest! Martha Stewart American Made supports the local and celebrates the handmade! Check it out... discover new makers and support your favorites (like Zugar Haus)   ***wink, wink***

Voting actually started August 26th. You can actually vote 6 times every 24 hours. If you feel inclined to do so... We would love your vote! Or 6 every 24 hours! ;) 

Here's the link - http://www.marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominee/80084 

I thank you in advanced and we truly appreciate your support!

Grounds for Sculpture

So, it's been pretty hectic around here lately. I have a few things in the works that I can't really share yet, but I hope it'll all work out. [fingers crossed]

Any-who, about a month ago (on my birthday), I got to spend the whole day outside basking in the sun and enjoying beautiful art installations at Grounds for Sculpture. Have you guys been there yet? I highly recommend you go if you live in or are visiting the Princeton area.

Grounds for Sculpture is really quite a remarkable park. You feel at peace and inspired as soon as you arrive. They're dedication and appreciation for contemporary sculpture is just breathtaking. As we channeled our inner art critic, we took in the sites. Every so often, hidden behind or nestled between cherry blossom trees were hidden sculptures. By making art accessible in an informal setting, just makes it less intimidating and fun.

Not to mention that there are peacocks frolicking about the park. Okay, so this is a little off topic... but have you heard a peacock "chirp?" For a lack of a better word, I'm sticking with chirp. It's actually kind of creepy, weird, and awesome all at once. They make screechy cat-like sounds. It's so weird! I telling you... Bing it (or Google it)!

P.S. Pictures were taken on my cellphone so, they're a little blurry 

{Giveaway Update} Happy Valentine's Day!

{Giveaway Update} The winner of our Valentine's Day Gift Box is Jenn! I wanted to thank everyone who entered our giveaway. Don't worry if you didn't win (this time)... We'll be having another giveaway soon!

Happy Valentine's Day!

{Giveaway} Valentine's Day Gift Box

Roses are Red

Violets are blue

Cookies are yummy

And you'll get some too 

Have you noticed that Valentine's Day has evolved throughout the years? It used to be a day about courtly love and lovers, but now it seems to be all about the expression of love, friendships and giving.

With that said... I would love to be your "winged Cupid" if you will. I'm giving away our Valentine's Day Gift Box.

What do you get in the gift box?
Half Dozen (6) - Chocolate Cassis Sablés with Raspberry Jam
One Dozen (12) - Chocolate Dipped Lavender Orange Sablés Hearts
One Dozen (12) - Hibiscus Rose Marshmallow

Our Valentine's Day Gift Box is beautifully hand-wrapped with handmade lavender and pink paper sourced from recycled cotton fabric remnants. Then tied with a chocolate brown satin ribbon. Our gift box will make a memorable gift for your Valentine.

Okay, let's get down to business... All you have to do is leave a comment with an answer to our question. As I mentioned before, our gift box was inspired by flavors that scream romance to me. And nothing screams romance like; chocolates, berries and flowers! 

Question: What flavors scream romance to you? 

Would you like an extra chance to win?!?! Of course you do! I want everyone to have as many chances as possible. For extra chances to win.... just follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Flickr, and our LinkedIn business page. Then come back here and leave a comment telling me that you followed me. If you already follow us... just leave a comment stating that you already follow me.

P.S. Leave a separate comment for each social media network that you followed me on! That's already six chances for you to win! Don't forget to share the opportunity with your social media friends for additional chances!  

Please Read
* No purchase necessary
* This giveaway is only open to U.S.A. delivery address
* The giveaway will start today, February 5, 2013 and will end February 11, 2013 at 12:00PM EST
*  Zugar Haus' Valentine's Gift Box retails for $28.00
* The winner will be chosen at random using Random.org
* The number of eligibility determines on the number of comments
* We will contact the winner via email. So please be sure to included your email address when leaving a comment. 
* Prize must be claimed within 24 hours or I reserve the right to award Zugar Haus' Valentine's Day Gift Box to the next randomly selected person. 
* If there is a problem contacting the winner, I reserve the right to award Zugar Haus' Valentine's Day Gift Box to the next randomly selected person.
* Giveaway winner will be announced via Twitter, Facebook and Google+. 
* The gift box will arrive via USPS Priority Mail for Valentine's delivery permitting on how fast we'll receive information from the winner

Valentine's Day Gift Box

Happy Belated New Year!

Can you believe its 14 days into the New Year! And only a month away from Valentine's Day?! Doesn't it seem like Christmas was yesterday? Well, it does for me. From November to January, it is none stop for us with a tiny break in-between before Valentine's Day.

Speaking of Valentine's Day... Our Valentine's Day Gift Box is here! This year, I wanted to combine flavors that scream romance to me. And nothing screams romance like; chocolates, berries and flowers! We combined all three flavors in one cute little box.

So, the end result was Chocolate Cassis Sables with Raspberry Jam, Chocolate Dipped Lavender Orange Sables Hearts and Hibiscus Rose Marshmallow.