Thursday, June 30, 2016

Independence Day Weekend Savings at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets

STARS, STRIPES AND SAVINGS 

AT CLINTON CROSSING PREMIUM OUTLETS

Photo Source: Clinton Crossing

Enjoy promotional offers, extended hours, live music  and more during July 4th Weekend

 In honor of July 4th Weekend, Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets, a Simon center, welcomes visitors with an assortment of exciting events, special offers and extended summer hours.

For shoppers looking for the best prices, the annual July 4th Clearance Sale will include sidewalk sales and spectacular savings, with additional discounts on top of the everyday 25 to 65 percent off found at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets.

The center will also have extended hours for the holiday weekend; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 3 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, July 4.

Patrons can also enjoy a variety of live shows and activities all weekend long from 1 to 4 p.m. in the common area, weather permitting. The live entertainment scheduled over the 4th of July Weekend includes:

  • Friday, July 1 – Complimentary Face Painting
  • Saturday, July 2 – Meet & Greet with The Little Mermaid
  • Sunday, July 3 – Train to be a Jedi with a Galactic Hero
  • Monday, July 4 – Listen to the angelic voice of folk singer, Molly Pinto Madigan

The activities and performances are part of Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets’ ongoing Summer Entertainment Series, featuring live entertainment on various dates through September 5, weather permitting. The lineup includes a variety of music, fairytale performances and more. All performances are free to the public.

“We welcome our guests to celebrate the 4th of July weekend with four days of great shopping, food and entertainment,” commented Kathleen Mones, director of marketing and business development for Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets. “We invite our beloved patrons to experience the sights, sounds and sales that make summer so special at our center.”



For additional information about the July 4th Clearance Sale or Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets visit premiumoutlets.com/clinton  or facebook.com/clintoncrossingpremiumoutlets



About Simon Premium Outlets®

The global Simon Premium Outlets portfolio offers exceptional brands at extraordinary savings through a diverse mix of luxury, designer and popular retailers representing the best in fashion, family and home. Our 87 Simon Premium Outlets in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico and South Korea are some of the most iconic and productive shopping destinations for residents and travelers including Woodbury Common (New York City), Orlando, Desert Hills (Palm Springs), Las Vegas and Wrentham Village Premium Outlets (Boston). For more information visit premiumoutlets.com or follow Premium Outlets on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Connecticut Announces ChowdaTrail!

Announcing Connecticut's Newest Trail


Connecticut has nearly 30 trails where people can find and visit such places as the state's wineries, breweries, even antiques.  There are also food trails that feature pizza, burgers and chocolate.  Joining the state's culinary trails is the new Chowda Trail.

Unlike most trails, the Chowda Trail is a living, breathing trail that changes annually to reflect where people can find the incredible chowders, soups and bisque entered in Chowdafest, the largest culinary competition in New England held annually in Connecticut.

“Only one other state has a chowder trail...” said Jim Keenan, the Chowda Trail creator.  “...and it's Oregon.  New England is renown for its chowder so it was only natural to create a unique chowder trail here in the northeast.”

Keenan worked with the Connecticut State Department of Tourism to help launch the trail on their recently redesigned website.  “The state did a remarkable job revitalizing their CT Visit.com website and making it so inviting.  It's visually enticing, loaded with great attractions, events and things to do for residents and non-residents alike.  We're thrilled to be their latest trail as 32 of the 40 stops are right here in CT”.

The Chowda Trail creation coincides with the peak summer travel season where people are vacationing, especially driving the coast of New England.  “People email and call us all the time seeking chowder recommendations” Keenan said.  “New England clam chowder and lobster bisque are the most popular requests but discernible foodies also look for something different like a spicy Bermuda conch chowder or a non-seafood  chowder like a chicken and poblano chowder.  Having the Chowda Trail online where they can look it up and try some of these great restaurants made a lot of sense.”

The Chowda Trail is supported by AAA and Yankee Magazine and can be found online at: http://www.ctvisit.com/listings/chowda-trail   The site also includes information on the New England Chowdafest presented by Stop & Shop as well as a “Stay & Chow(da)” hotel and ticket promotion.

Photo Source CT State Department of Tourism http://www.ctvisit.com/listings/chowda-trail


The 9th Annual Chowdafest competition will be held on Sunday October 2, 2016 at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport CT and will once again showcase 40 restaurants representing every New England state, 8 states in total.  Attendees receive a spoon, ballot and pencil when they arrive.  They enjoy unlimited sampling and rate each entry on a scale from 7 to 10.5 with half point intervals.  Restaurants with the highest over all average in their respective categories will be declared best in New England.

Chowdafest features four categories of competition with ten restaurants competing in each:

  1. Classic New England Clam Chowder (cream/milk based)
  2. Traditional Chowder exclusively for Rhode Island (clear broth) and 
  3. Manhattan Clam Chowders (red, tomato based), 
  4. Creative Chowders and Soup & Bisques


Chowdafest raised enough to fund over 400,000 meals for the ongoing fight against hunger last year and is shooting to provide for over a half million meals this fall.  Chowdafest is also a zero waste event and a national model for event sustainability.  

For additional information about Chowdafest, please visit www.chowdafest.org or email event director, Jim Keenan at chowdafest@gmail.com

Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, is sponsored by: AAA Northeast, Aquafina, BlumShapiro, Cabot Creamery, Chabaso Bakery, City Carting, Clover, CT Bites, Dannon, The Farmer's Cow, Frontera Foods, HamletHub,  Jersey Italian Gravy, Kids Helping Kids, Local Food Rocks, MINI of Fairfield County, New Milford Farms, Ocean Spray, Omnom, Schweppes, Sustainable America, Visa, WEBE 108, Webster Bank, Westminster Bakery, Wholly Guacamole, World Centric and Yankee Magazine.


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Sunday, June 26, 2016

Shop and Nosh at the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk - Part 2

Social Media Promotion - #ShopEW

Part 2 - Shop the stores at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor!




We took a beautiful spring ride up to South Windsor Connecticut after an invite from Kat from A Little Bird Told Me Public Relations to have a light brunch and learn a bit about the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk.

This beautiful area is an outdoor shopping mecca that features national specialty retailers and premiere restaurants. The shopping center resembles a traditional New England village with spacious walkways or a "promenade", ample seating areas and vehicular access that allows convenient parking in front of your favorite store. There's also plenty of parking behind each row of stores.


As its centerpiece, Evergreen Walk features a fountain and fire pit with seating in a park-like setting - and is pet-friendly!



Rather than make a lengthy post that might leave any of the places we visited out, I'm posting this event in two parts, Brunch (Part 1 read HERE) and Shopping (Part 2).

After brunch at NIXS we strolled over to Stonewall Kitchen where we got to sample some amazing products (like jam!) and view some beautiful kitchen and cooking items.




I just love the stoneware and the New England vibe that was evident throughout the store. I could have spent the entire day at Stonewall Kitchen!



Next we visited Sephora where we got to see some of the great new spring and summer colors!



Our next stop was Francesca's - where every store is chock full of amazing jewelry and even shoes and clothing.




Francesca's is my 'go to' store to pick up affordable statement necklaces! Don't you just love this one?



Next we visited J. Crew where I just fell in love with the nautical and plaid clothing!



For our last stop we did a little more nosh at Taste By Spellbound. This quant little shop is full of sweet little delicacies like bon bons, cakes, cookies and cupcakes. And they make an amazing iced coffee!



Just look at this Smore's Cake! YUM!!





The perfect way to end our day shopping and noshing at the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk!

Be sure you visit the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk soon!

The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk

501 Evergreen Way
South Windsor, CT 06074
 (860) 432-3398
http://www.thepromenadeshopsatevergreenwalk.com/

Disclaimer: I was invited to this promotional event by the Promenade Shops and Evergreen Walk and their marketing and management teams, however all views expressed are my own.


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Monday, June 6, 2016

Shop and Nosh at the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk - Part 1

Social Media Promotion #ShopEW

Brunch at NIXS at the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk





We took a beautiful spring ride up to South Windsor Connecticut after an invite from Kat from A Little Bird Told Me Public Relations to have a light brunch and learn a bit about the shops at Evergreen Walk.

The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk is an outdoor shopping mecca that features national specialty retailers and premiere restaurants. 

Rather than make a lengthy post that might leave out any of the places we visited, I'm posting this event in two parts, Brunch (Part 1) and Shopping (Part 2)

We started with a light brunch at NIX's where we were able to share many items from their new acoustic brunch menu.

We were greeted by some delicious Mimosa's to start the day out right! 




After checking in with Kat our group got caught up with one another and received our itinerary for the day.

And, then the NIXS Evergreen Walk Food Fest began!

We sampled a wide array of items from their menu, everything from Huevos Rancheros to French Toast. Each was delicious but favorites for the day were Braised Short Ribs & Eggs and the Nutello French Toast.


Avocado Smash

Avocado Smash
Smashed fresh avocado on multi-grain bread topped with poached eggs
and served with roasted potatoes

 NIXS Eggs Benedict

Eggs Benedict 
English Muffins with sauteed spinach and 
candied bacon with poached eggs 
(Note: You can add lobster to this beauty!)

 Nutella French Toast

Nutella French Toast
Buttery Brioche stuffed with Nutella
served with fresh berries

Huevos Rancheros

Huevos Rancheros
Smoked cheddar stuffed corn tortillas tipped with spicy salsa roja
fresh fried eggs and queso fresco

Steak & Eggs

Steak and Eggs
Chicken fried steak with salsa roja butter
scrambled eggs and roasted potatoes
Note: On the day we were there the meat was actually an AMAZING short rib
(I know it doesn't look very pretty but it was OH - SO GOOD!)

 Chicken and Waffles

Chicken and Waffles
Herb cheddar waffles, jalapeno syrup, and crispy buttermilk fried chicken


Before heading out on our shopping excursion we sipped on one last cocktail - a delicious fruity flavored sangria.


Sangria at NIXS



Time to #PlayNice at NIXS Evergreen Walk!

#PlayNice


Nixs Evergreen

At the Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk
538 Evergreen Way
South Windsor, CT 06074
http://www.nixsevergreen.com/
info@nixsevergreen.com
(860)644-1567

See their brunch menu HERE


We enjoyed the many brunch items available at NIXS Evergreen Walk location!

We know you will too!

Read Part 2 HERE - Shopping!!

Disclaimer: I was invited to this promotional event by the Promenade Shops and Evergreen Walk and their marketing and management teams, however all views expressed are my own.


© Home Place NIXS Evergreen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Milford Food Truck Festival 2016 at Eisenhower Park

Summers are all about getting outside and finding fun things to do. So when my friend Gayle spotted an event for a food truck festival in nearby Milford CT -- I was all in!



Gayle and I headed out early to Milford to take a quick foray around Eisenhower Park to sample some great food and visit with some of the local vendors that had set up shop. We arrived just before their 11am opening so we were able to get a great parking space and we beat the crowds.

I had purchased entry tickets online prior to the date (only $2.00) so we breezed on in!

However...we arrived before our appetites did (it was only 11am!) so we perused the vendors and shops that were also assembled for the Milford Food Truck Festival!

There was a bit of everything! Jewelry, local foods, art, clothing, crafts and more!


Roth Jewelry Designs



My Husband's Nuts - Flavored Nuts



Ree's Butterfly Sweets



Teeny Beanies, Bibs & More



Then we ambled on over to the Food Truck section 

Here are some of the trucks that were there!



Milford Food Truck Festival - Nosh Food Truck



Milford Food Truck Festival - Crazy Taco Mex Truck


Milford Food Truck Festival - Dave's Food Truck



Milford Food Truck Festival - Fryborg Truck



Milford Food Truck Festival - Samba's Cuisine Food Truck


Milford Food Truck Festival - Szabo's Seafood Food Truck

Milford Food Truck Festival - Snowie Food Truck


So many to choose from, but in the end we both decided to go with Nosh Hound!

Milford Truck Festival - Nosh Food Truck
Jamrock Salad




Milford Truck Festival - Nosh Food Truck
Chicken Sammie Sandwich



Milford Truck Festival - Nosh Food Truck
Cheesecake


And topped everything off with an ice cold beer 
(WHERE I GOT CARDED!!)

YAY!!




Our only regret was that we filled up - and didn't get to try any of the other trucks!

If you have the opportunity - visit a food truck festival this summer! It's a great way to sample a wide array of cuisine.

We really enjoyed our time at this particular one - and were pleasantly surprised that there were tables and chairs set up for eating. We had  brought our own chairs but quickly put them away when we saw that the organizers provided lots of seating.

But be prepared for any food truck festivals that you might attend - have a back up plan of chairs to bring with you - or tote along a large blanket to sit on.

Eat well and enjoy!

For more information on the Milford Food Truck Festival visit their facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/MilfordFoodTruckFestival/


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