Newton, Kansas + Burlington, Vermont
This is our November monthly video episode, and you're going to want to check it out. We filmed it on location in Philadelphia, and by location, we mean the basement dungeon of our Airbnb. You can check out our Philadelphia recap video to see the full view of our awesome Airbnb, that happened to have a basement perfect for filming a video episode.
Alison is obsessed with Gordon Ramsey’s Uncharted, which is a show where Gordon cooks, but instead of doing the yelling, he sometimes gets yelled at. The show follows Gordon as he "journeys to some of the most incredible and remote locations on Earth in search of culinary inspiration, epic adventures, and cultural experiences he will never forget." Lulu is obsessed with her mom's chili oil. She may have talked about this before, she can't remember. She needs some new material, but this chili oil is worth the repetitive obsession. Her mom makes it in bulk and the smell of chilies overtakes every corner of the house and every pore on your body.
Alison is wanting the quip toothbrush that was Lulu's obsession earlier this year. You now it, it’s the electric toothbrush you see as an ad on every social media outlet, and it actually lives up to the hype. Lulu wants a no-compromises vacation. What does that mean, you ask? For Lulu, that means not having any financial restrictions on what she can eat, drink, do. She wouldn't waste money, mind you. It would just be nice to not have to split meals, not spend time toggling between ride-share apps to find the lowest fare, and just ordering dessert because you want it would be luxury. One day.
Alison decided it was time for a mom-cation. Even if its imaginary, she is going to plan a day specifically for all her fellow moms, who just need a break. She is bringing three of her mom friends along. So Michele, Tara, and Tina, pack your bags because you are heading to...Newton, Kansas! Seems random, yes? Actually, Newton was on a list of best places for a mom-cation. Alison imagines its because it's inexpensive, and being in the states, if something happened and you needed to get back to your kiddos, there are no long flights or oceans to cross to get to your brood. Alison and her troupe of moms is staying at the Whatever Craft House, an incredibly unique house with plenty of space to do crafts.
There are 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and an outdoor area for campfires. The large front porch is perfect for conversations over morning coffee, or for a silent moment uninterrupted by children. This house has supplies and space for crafters to have crafting retreats, because after crafter Meg Duerksen lovingly remodeled this home as her and her family lived there, she knew the house needed to be shared with others who loved crafting. Alison selects this for her stay, thinking "hey, moms love to craft!". And while there are those about whom that is true, Lulu is sure Alison would not do any crafts. And the fact that her invited guests are also dance-teacher moms, this day is going to be a little different then a craft day. Stay tuned.
The house has a large kitchen with all the dishes, pots & pans you could possibly need to cook elaborate meals. Alison says that since her and her mom pals have to cook all the time for their families, there is no cooking allowed on their mom-cation. They get to sip (slurp) wine while their personal chef takes meal-prep off their hands.Alison found this chef through Integrity Custom Catering, which uses locally sourced ingredients, and offers catering in addition to personal chef services.
Along with the not having to cook MO, Alison says they don't have to drive, either! She got a Lincoln Navigator Stretch Limo from Big Ticket Limo for them to get around in style. Their fancy ride is taking them to a private dance class at Newton Performing Arts. She's thinking they will just pick a bunch of different styles and make up their own routine.
After they've finished their class, they are headed back to their limo for a leisurely (and somewhat long at 2.5 hours) ride to the Sunlight Day Spa in Overland Park near Kansas City. A little out of the way but worth it as these four moms will get to find their bliss and leave their cares behind them. They each get the Total Escape Package, which includes a 90 minute relaxation massage, a 90 minute facial and a Sunlighten™ Treatment. You may think that it is a controversial skin lightening solution, or that it is highlights for your hair, like Lulu thought. Or as Alison suspects, you may think it is a body scrub with sea salt and sand to make you feel like you are at the beach. It is none of those things but is in fact an infared sauna session that sounds much more holistic and healthy than the "Sunlighten" term would indicate. Sign us up!
Here is where the trip takes a spectacularly interesting turn. Alison declares that "Whatever happens in the Whatever house, stays in the Whatever house." Alison is hiring four dancers to dance for them. Four male dancers. Strippers. She's getting strippers. Herself and her mom friends being performers, Alison wanted this to be a quality experience, so she finds Omen Wichita Strippers. They are going to do a 3.5 hour Male Revue. Alison rents a fog machine, mirror ball, dance floor, and can lights from AAA Party Rental. This is going to be a full-on production, so she books rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Newton for the entertainers, as required by their extensive rider. Worth it for the wildly entertaining evening these moms have had in a long time.
Lulu is headed to Burlington, Vermont where she stays at the adorably named Made Inn Vermont. She is staying in room 904, and is excited for the opportunity to select her own bathroom. Yes, as in many B&Bs in old houses, the bathroom is not connected. It is however private, and you get to pick which one suits you best. Another point of interest is the record player and vinyl collection to be found in each room...oh and the inn is an all-inclusive stay, making it an easy choice for your time in Burlington. Lulu uses Hertz to rent a Buick Regal, and drives on over to Sneakers Bistro for a breakfast that sounds to die for. An apple cider mimosa, Kahlua French toast, a classic Eggs Benedict, and a Vermont Maple Latte give Lulu a jump start to her fall-tastic day.
She heads over to Cold Hollow Cider Mill where she tries their legendary cider donuts — they were called one of the country’s best four donuts by Gourmet magazine! They also sell a CEO (Chief Eating Officer) gift pack, that comes with apples, honey comb, cheddar, maple syrup pack, summer sausage, maple mustard, crackers, and cider jelly, and she's getting one to take home as a self-souvenir, and another to indulge in later in her day. Apparently Vermont is the place to do donuts, or Lulu was just craving them while researching her day, because she's going to pick up more donuts from Miss Weinerz, as well as seedy cookies and herbal chips. She changes flavors often "generally by the full & new moons”, so Lulu is excited to see what flavors she happens to get!
Because there haven't been enough sweets on this trip yet, Lulu heads to Waterbury for Ben and Jerry’s Flavor Fanatic Experience. In addition to the factory tour, Lulu is stoked to don a tie-dyed lab coat and visit the flavor lab, where you get to assist in making a batch of ice cream! You also get a free pint on your way out the door, so Lulu is stocked up on sweets at this point. Somehow still hungry, she heads to Al’s French Frys where she enjoys a big pile of fries covered in cheese and gravy.
In case you aren't already in a food coma just reading about this day so far, Lulu has another sugar-based stop on her itinerary. She's heading to Palmer Sugar House, where she takes an off-season tour where she may or may not be able to experience their sugar on snow. Yes, it is literally sugar on snow.
Lulu wants to watch the leaves turn colors, but true to her MO she is going to do it in style. She went to the Flynn Center in Burlington and hired their set designer, a lighting designer and a production assistant. She wants a gorgeous set up i the forest based around her new Hatteras Tufted Hammock with the deluxe cypress wood hammock stand.
She is buying some comfortable pajamas from Jijamas and this Dougherty Wool Coat from MM La Fleur, that in addition to being soft and snuggly, has pockets! She gets some cute animal socks to keep her tootsies toasty, and the Bessini blanket from SFerra to cuddle up with.
She provides her set and lighting designers with over 300 feet of battery operated string lights and $1000 worth of flickering tea lights, aiming for a "Baz Luhrmann in an autumnal forest" look. She's prepared for her lounging in the leaves excursion with her Kindle Oasis, and a leather case for it.
Now, who can join her for this cozy cuddle fest she has set up? Lulu has decided to use Citizen Shipper to bring her dogs Norah and London to her. Now she has a luxury setup, and she wants to treat her dogs to a bit of a luxury shopping spree. She gets the OFTO raised dog bowl, a tufted couch dog bed from happyHipCrafts on Etsy, and Royal Ramps for them to be able to get up on the hammock with her when they (or she) feels like it. She was able to get a lot of helpful information on dog ramps from this article by Your Dog Advisor!
After several hours of cuddling and reading and breathing in the crisp fall air, Lulu heads back into town to dine at Hen of the Wood. She is still feeling her forest vibes, and eats food that "feels forest-y" - roasted celery root, fried rabbit, grilled radicchio, to name a few. And wine, obviously.
CHECK OUT THE CHARITIES WE FOUND IN THE CITIES WE VISITED:
Good News Garage — specifically Ready to Go
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