Two Years in NYC Flew By Quickly!

Over the past two years, I have neglected this blog but pursued an array of other activities. From journalism to marketing to attending an array of social events, it has been an absolute whirlwind!

Many of these pursuits require a certain voice and protocol. I just realized the beauty of having my own blog and using my own voice, without editing or curtailing.

I have met an array of models, business moguls, actors, writers and more. During my work, I've interviewed some and simply enjoyed the company of others.

From NYC to the Hamptons, a whole new world has opened up to me. My blog will chronicle these journeys, past and present.

My most recent experience was attending New York Fashion Week. What a rush!

What have you been up to for the past two years?

I'll be back! Really, I will.

Retro Big G Giveaway with a Free Target Gift Card

I am so pleased to be back to blogging at Venusity again! After some time off, it feels good to devote a few minutes to my own blog. I figured I would come back with a bang and a giveaway from General Mills cereals and MyBlogSpark. I received a fantastic gift package from them and want to give you a chance to win one, too, to thank my loyal supporters. It includes a $10 Target gift card and a board game to play with your family!

Did you notice the packaging for General Mills cereals  changed? It went retro with special edition class packaging from the 1950's, 1960's and 1980's. Target® stores feature these retro Big G cerieals down the cereal aisle. It's a real blast from the past! To celebrate the event, Big G has teamed up with Hasbro®, offering a $5 coupon on Clue® Vintage, Scrabble® Vintage, Parcheesi® Vintage or Risk® Vintage board games at Target!

Now for the best part. You have a chance to win a cool prize package that includes:

2 boxes of participating Big G Retro cereal

$10 Target gift card

1 Hasbro Parcheesi® Deluxe Vintage board game

All you need to do is leave a comment on this post that includes your email address. A winner will be selected on May 7, 2013 and announced on this blog. You will also receive an email requesting the mailing address where you want the prize sent. The package is perfect for family game night!

Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Remember to go online & print a coupon for $1 off 2 General Mills cereals before you head to Target!

Collect all 5 different throw-back packages that each include a $5 coupon for these vintage Hasbro® board games; available exclusively at Target® from March 15, 2013 to April 30, 2013 while supplies last. Coupon valid at Target stores from March 15, 2013 to December 31, 2013.

The yummy participating Big G cereals include: Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (16.2 oz.), Lucky Charms® (16 oz.), Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Cheerios® (18 oz.) and Cocoa Puffs® (16.5 oz.)

Participating Hasbro vintage board games: Clue® Vintage, Scrabble® Vintage, Parcheesi® Vintage or Risk® Vintage. We got Parcheesi in our package and it's so much fun!

 

 

Bebe Coupons With Just Five Hours To Score Fashion Trends

Since 1976, Bebe has been offering the hottest fashion trends for women. They feature an array of sizes including petites. Their denim, dresses, shirts and accessories stand out from the crowd.  I discovered Bebe in the 1980s when one of my cousins was a model. She would only wear Bebe apparel on her own time and I soon discovered why.  They have fabulous designs like nobody else. Also, did you know Bebe means "lady" in Persian?  I just found this out!

Anyway, you only have five short hours to score the ultimate deal on the most coveted items for the fall season including denim, shoes and accessories.  Just click the link above to get to their website and score your fantastic fashion finds. From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. PST on June 24, 2012, use the code BLINKJLY to get 20% off all regular-priced items.  This offer is only valid for a few hours so don't waste any time!  If you wait, you'll miss the chance to save big on your fave fall items. 
Get the newest, latest, hottest. Shop bebe.com.

Virginia Beach is the Perfect Place For Love

Virginia Beach - Love the Moment

Years ago, there was a popular commercial that stated, “Virginia Is For Lovers.” My husband and I were in our honeymoon phase of dating. We had discussed living together and decided a vacation to Virginia Beach would be a good way to kickoff our lives together.

We drove to Virginia Beach from New York and the scenery was amazing. I enjoyed traveling from Long Island, New York through NYC and down into the southern states. We stopped in Maryland for the heartiest brunch I ever had then continued on toward Virginia Beach. There were farms and estates with beautiful homes and vast acreage on our way to the shore.

It was an idyllic paradise when we arrived. The street was lined with resorts and shops. We had decided on the familiar comfort of a Holiday Inn. Upon arrival, we were informed there was a cancellation on a room with a Jacuzzi tub and balcony overlooking the ocean. It didn't take much to convince us to take it.

A cozy little bar and restaurant on the main level served us beer, wine and burgers to refuel after our long journey. We took a sunset walk on the boardwalk and saw a juggler entertaining the crowd. After dipping our feet in the water, we stopped at Dairy Queen for ice cream cones. When we returned, we settled into the Jacuzzi to totally unwind.

In the morning, we woke up to see dolphins diving in the ocean. It was an amazing sight from our balcony. I could not believe these amazing creatures were close enough to watch as the soared up over the water. I was eager to swim the next day and it was as amazing as I imagined it would be.

We planned to enjoy shopping, dining and antique browsing over the next couple of days. Our first stop was a local shop that sold sterling silver jewelry, turquoise and souvenirs. I could not resist the sterling silver dolphin ring and another sterling ring with red and blue turquoise. The turquoise ring is on my pinky as I write this blog, a meaningful memory of one of my favorite vacations.

At the local store, the shopkeepers were husband and wife. They smiled at us and said they saw marriage in our future. While we were not yet engaged, they were certainly right with their prediction. Virginia definitely is for lovers! The azure seas, silky sands and sensational places to go are ideal for couples and families. They also have the most mouthwatering crab cakes on the map!

I never wanted to leave but I had to return to work after our long and romantic weekend. As we drove away from Virginia Beach, we found a fantastic antique shop. My husband bought a lovely glass vase. It now holds all the flowers he buys for me and our daughter. In fact, right now it is holding three carnations from the bouquet we bought for her spring concert yesterday.

My best friend from high school now lives in Virginia. She reminded me how much I loved Virginia Beach and invited the whole family to come visit. I long to show my children Beach Street USA with its shows, shops, resorts and beauty. I know the kids would love to spend hours at the Virginia Aquarium.  I want them to taste a Dairy Queen cone and see the dolphins dive at a close distance.

We are planning a getaway right now with the help of my friend and the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau website. We can't resist sharing the love!  Why not Visit Virginia Beach yourself?!

I wrote ths blog while participating in the SocialMoms and Virginia Beach blogging program. For more information on how you can participate, click here.