SavvySix Archives - Travelgirl https://travelgirlinc.com/category/savvysix/ Travel and Lifestyle Magazine Tue, 22 Sep 2020 15:56:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.4 Six apps to help you cope with current times https://travelgirlinc.com/six-apps-to-help-you-cope-with-current-times/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=six-apps-to-help-you-cope-with-current-times Tue, 22 Sep 2020 15:54:37 +0000 http://travelgirlinc.com/?p=4052 1 Instacart offers a personal shopper who will select, pack and deliver orders from a variety of stores (including Target, Petco, Staples and grocery stores) within a designated time frame. Enter your zip code and a list of participating stores will pop up on the Instacart app. Select your items and place your order. The benefit…

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1 Instacart offers a personal shopper who will select, pack and deliver orders from a variety of stores (including Target, Petco, Staples and grocery stores) within a designated time frame. Enter your zip code and a list of participating stores will pop up on the Instacart app. Select your items and place your order. The benefit of the personal shopper is that if an item is out of stock or there’s a question about the order, the person will contact you for instructions. There are different payment options and tipping is strongly encouraged. www.instacart.com

2 Uber Eats is just like the regular Uber except it delivers food instead of passengers. Go onto the Uber Eats app, select a restaurant and place your order. At the check-out, you’ll see your address as well as the estimated delivery time and total cost. When your order is complete, just tap “Place order,” and it’s done. You can use your Uber account to pay. Another benefit is that you can track your order and even see the driver’s picture and name on your app.  ww.ubereats.com

3 Grubhub is the perfect app if you want food delivered but aren’t quite sure what you want to eat. Enter your address and Grubhub will offer its own delivery service or will tell you what nearby restaurants will deliver and which ones offer pick-up. Grubhub features more than 300,000 restaurants in 4,000 cities. The app will also alert you to discounts or deals and there is an option to donate leftover change to the Community Relief Fund, which supports nonprofits that help hospitality workers impacted by Corona-19.  www.grubhub.com

4 DoorDash is a popular app where you can order from local restaurants and they will deliver. There is an optional subscription fee with monthly specials and free delivery service for orders over a certain amount. A “Convenience” category was recently added, bringing 1,800 convenience stores to the platform, meaning quick access to everything from over-the-counter medicines, to paper products to ice cream (yes, sometimes that is a necessity!). www.doordash.com

5 Postmates is a top delivery company that will bring food from restaurants, retailers and grocery stores and/or household items to your door in an hour’s time. It is in 80 percent of U.S. households, offers its services in 2,400 cities, features more than 600,000 merchants and has more than 500,000 in-app searches. Postmates offers daily deals and specials and also places an emphasis on local establishments with a special shout-out to Black-owned restaurants. www.postmates.com

6 Delivery.com delivers food, alcohol or groceries to your door but will also pick up and deliver your laundry. Yes, you can put your dirty clothes into a bag for the “fold and wash” service or dry cleaning. Delivery.com does not charge for its services, so any delivery fee is from the merchant. A fun perk: consumers get 20 points for every dollar spent on the subtotal, and delivery points can be redeemed for credit, prizes or donations. www.delivery.com

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Six reasons why Oklahoma City is amazing: https://travelgirlinc.com/six-reasons-why-oklahoma-city-is-amazing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=six-reasons-why-oklahoma-city-is-amazing Thu, 03 Sep 2020 15:39:00 +0000 http://travelgirlinc.com/?p=4021 1 ALWAYS REMEMBER: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museumstands as a symbol of strength and remembrance in the wake of horrible violence and terrorism. In 1995, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which killed 168 people and injured more than 680. With more than one million documents, artifacts and photographs, the…

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1 ALWAYS REMEMBER: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museumstands as a symbol of strength and remembrance in the wake of horrible violence and terrorism. In 1995, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which killed 168 people and injured more than 680. With more than one million documents, artifacts and photographs, the touching memorial and museum tells the stories of those whose lives were changed forever. The outdoor memorial also offers a place of quiet reflection, healing and hope with 168 chairs lined up representing the dead, a survivor’s wall and tree, as well as a reflecting pool that offers a quiet setting for private thoughts.  www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org

2 WILD WEST: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is the country’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture. More than 10 million visitors a year view a renowned collection of Western art and artifacts, including works by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. The museum houses a turn-of-the-century town and interactive history galleries that focus on the American cowboy (and cowgirls), rodeos, Native American culture, Victorian firearms, frontier military and Western performers. 
  
Opening in spring 2020 will be a new exhibition, Liichokoshkomó, a Chickasaw phrase meaning “let’s play.” The outdoor exhibit will have three themes: people, places and perseverance, and will include dwellings that represent seven indigenous groups as well as a sod home, interactive wagon, trading post and a railcar and train depot. www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

3 ICONIC HOTEL: The Skirvin Hilton Hotel has been a base for influential Americans visiting Oklahoma City for more than a century. This grand landmark hotel opened in 1911 with two 10-story towers; another tower was added in 1930. The Skirvin Hotel was a choice destination and entertained luminaries and dignitaries, including Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Hoffa, Roger Staubach, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Bob Hope.
   Like many grand hotels it came upon hard times and was closed for many years. After a $50 million renovation, it was re-opened as the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in 2007. In addition to the 225 spacious guest rooms and suites and 18,500 square feet of meeting space, the hotel features The Red Piano, a classic piano lounge perfect for cocktails, as well as the Park Avenue Grill, which serves a farm-to-fork cuisine. The Grill hosts a number of brunch events, including traditional holiday brunch buffets, as well as “Brunch on Broadway.” www.skirvinhilton.com

4 MUSEUMS GALORE: Oklahoma City offers a wealth of museums, including many traditional ones, but it also has museums that you can probably only find in The Big Friendly. For instance, there is the American Banjo Museum; the Oklahoma Firefighters MuseumSkeletons: Museum of Osteology; the 45th Infantry Division Museum; the Oklahoma Railway Museum and the National Softball Hall of Fame.
   But perhaps our favorite is the American Pigeon Museum & Library that is dedicated to the glorious bird that inhibits our parks and carried life-or-death messages behind enemy lines. The museum celebrates 12 breeds of pigeons and its permanent exhibits include: Pigeons in Wartime; The History of Pigeon Racing; Project Sea Hunt: Pigeons and the Coast Guard, and A Shadow over the Earth: The Life and Death of the Passenger Pigeon. www.theamericanpigeonmuseum.org

5  COUNTRY’S BEST EATERY: Oklahoma City has a wide variety of fantastic restaurants but its best restaurant is Nonesuch. Says who? Well, for starters, Bon Apetit named Nonesuch the Best Restaurant in 2018. That’s right — the Number One restaurant in the country. Nonesuch is the brainchild of three chefs who turned dining in this Midtown eatery into an experience. It’s a 10-course tasting menu and all the innovative seasonal dishes are inspired by the fields, farmers and Oklahoma terroir. The 20-seat restaurant has wine pairings as well as non-alcoholic drinks suited to each course. Among past courses were a bison tartare wrapped in a potato crisp, bar-b-que quail, chicken liver mousse tart, mushroom cake and sweet potato bread. Although the restaurant has a fixed menu, it will adapt to personal food allergies and dietary restrictions if given enough lead time. www.nonesuchokc.com 

6 HOORAY FOR OKC BROADWAY: As our Okie Covergirl Kristin Chenoweth will attest, bringing Broadway shows and other top-notch entertainment to cities and towns across America fosters an important appreciation for the arts. In Oklahoma City, OKC Broadway, a partnership between the Civic Center Foundation and the Nederlander Organization, is doing just that. In addition, the Civic Center Foundation, along with the city, provided funds that ensures the Civic Center Music Hall will remain a premier performing arts center for generations.
   Today OKC Broadway offers the best of entertainment coming from the Great White Way with shows such as Miss Saigon, Come From Away, STOMP, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Oklahoma!.In addition, other world-class shows, such as Riverdance, Disney’s Frozen, SpongeBob Musical and Mannheim Steamroller Christmas provide memorable entertainment for all ages.
   OKC Broadway also hosts “The Jimmy Award,” a national program that celebrates outstanding student performances in high school musical productions across the U.S. www.okcbroadway.com

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savvy SIX: Roanoke, VA https://travelgirlinc.com/savvy-six-roanoke-va/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=savvy-six-roanoke-va Fri, 21 Apr 2017 14:51:07 +0000 http://travelgirlinc.com/?p=3559 The post savvy SIX: Roanoke, VA appeared first on Travelgirl.

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6 Reasons to love Roanoke, VA

FARMERS MARKETS

The Historic Roanoke City Market has been selling fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and crafts in downtown Roanoke since 1882. The market is open year-round, seven days a week and has 42 permanent tables as well as vendor tents and pop-ups. There are great boutiques and restaurants on Market Street. Two of our favorites are Eli’s Provisions that specializes in craft beer, cider, and local food products, and Chocolate Paper, which says it all. The shop has a wide selection of cards as well as chocolates. The store even holds wine and chocolate tastings.
www.chocolatepaperroanoke.com;
Eli’s Provisions;
www.downtownroanoke.org/explore/city-market

STAR POWER

If you’re flying into Roanoke, you should see the Roanoke Star, an 88.5-foot star that is visible 60 miles from the air. The star sits atop Mill Mountain and overlooks the surrounding valley and Blue Ridge Mountains. The largest, free-standing, man-made illuminated star in the world, the star was constructed in 1949 as a seasonal Christmas decoration but eventually became the region’s permanent symbol. A 15-minute drive from Roanoke, Mill Mountain is home to the Mill Mountain Zoo and Discovery Center. You can even hike and bike to the star.
visitroanokeva.com;
www.playroanoke.com

CULTURE

Roanoke has a vibrant arts community that rivals those of many bigger cities. The Mill Mountain Theatre puts on regional-themed as well as nationally known plays, often with Equity performers. The Taubman Museum of Art has 11 galleries and its permanent collection includes works by John Singer Sargent and John Page, while the O. Winston Link Museum offers stunning photos of steam engines. The city also boasts the Roanoke City Ballet and the Roanoke Symphony. You can also pedal your way around the city on the Art by Bike Route, a self-guided 
bicycle tour of public art pieces.
www.roanokeballet.org;
www.millmountain.org;
www.taubmanmuseum.org

BISCUITS

Southerners take their biscuits very seriously but there’s no arguing over how delicious the biscuits are at the Roanoker Restaurant. If you don’t believe us, USA Today and The Today Show will testify that they are among the best in the country. The Roanoker has been serving down-home comfort food since 1941 and little has changed except it keeps growing. Today it seats 300, and makes about 1,000 biscuits a day. The restaurant, which says it serves “unfussy eats,” offers Southern favorites such as sausage gravy, pies, fresh vegetables, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken and corn sticks. It’s all made from scratch, just like they did it 75 years ago.
www.theroanokerrestaurant.com

GREAT OUTDOORS

Roanoke is one of the best outdoor communities in the country with something for everyone. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the Appalachian Trail, and three state parks provide opportunities for hiking, biking, mountain climbing, camping and caving. Nearby rivers are perfect for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. USA Today named the Roanoke Valley one of the country’s “10 Best” bike-friendly destinations. It also is one of the top mountain biking spots in the country. With the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, get the family outdoors or simply enjoy the peace and quiet yourself.
www.roanokeoutside.com;
www.playroanoke.com

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW

Even if you’re not looking for a 50-year-old door knob, you’ll still enjoy wandering around Black Dog Salvage that specializes in the reclamation, repurposing and resale of architectural, commercial, and industrial elements, fixtures and “obsessive oddities.” Roam through the 40,000 square feet of warehouse space that is jam packed with – for lack of a better word – stuff. Make sure to talk to the staff, who are the stars of the DYI Network and GAC’s “Salvage Dawgs.” 
It’s the ultimate home flea market.

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savvy SIX: Amelia Island https://travelgirlinc.com/savvy-six-amelia-island/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=savvy-six-amelia-island Tue, 21 Feb 2017 15:46:04 +0000 http://travelgirlinc.com/?p=3569 The post savvy SIX: Amelia Island appeared first on Travelgirl.

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6 reasons to love Amelia Island:

BEACHES GALORE!

Located just off the coast of northeast Florida, Amelia Island boasts 13 miles of beautiful, uncrowded pristine beaches perfect for shell collecting, romantic walks and swimming. Amelia Island’s beaches are buffered by the Sea Island chain of barrier islands, which makes the ocean calm and perfect for families or taking a quick dip in the sea. There are plenty of public beaches such as Main Beach Park, Peter’s Point, Seaside Park and Amelia Island State Park.  Don’t forget that at night, the sea turtles, gopher tortoises and shorebirds rule. It’s important not to disturb them during mating season. www.exploreamelia.com

HISTORIC FERNANDINA BEACH

Historic Fernandina Beach takes you back in history. The British took possession in 1763, and then the Spanish 20 years later. Today visitors can see remnants of the Spanish, pirates, the Civil War and the Golden Age of wealthy vacationing Yankees who, in the 1920s, built glorious Victorian-style mansions. Fernandina’s 50-block historic district hosts a variety of bed and breakfast inns, restaurants and stylish boutiques. One of our favorites is Fantastic Fudge where they make hand-dipped chocolate spoons that melt while you stir your hot chocolate.
www.fantasticfudge.com;
www.visitflorida.com

YOGA

Amelia Island offers several inspired backdrops for yoga lovers or beginners. Take your mat and hop aboard for a stand-up paddle board floating yoga class.  There is also meditation paddling where you glide through the waters with the moon looking down as you achieve a blissful state of peace. The Omni Amelia Island Plantation offers treehouse yoga and a couple hotels help you work on your warrior poses on the beach. Other yoga options are the Dome Healing Center, which offers meditation and yoga classes taught by certified Amrit instructors or candlelight yoga at The Centred On Yoga in Fernandina Beach.
www.centredonyoga.com;
www.omnihotels.com

FUN WAYS TO GET AROUND

With the beach and canopy of live oaks, there is a lot to see and getting there is half the fun. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride and think about Gatsby and the beautiful mansions. Become part of the wildlife with a horseback ride along the shore. Wonder at the sunset with a tour of Cumberland Sound and the Intracoastal Waterway on an Amelia River Cruise. Or you can rent your own boat at the Amelia Boat Club. Take a bike ride, kayak or learn how to ride a Segway and experience the maritime forests, ocean views and marsh waterways up close and personal. www.ameliarivercruises.com

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

With the ocean literally steps away, the seafood can’t be any fresher and the chefs any more creative in preparation. For other local experiences go to the Palace Saloon, Florida’s oldest bar. Opened in 1903, their Pirates’ Punch and Bloody Marys are favorites of both locals and visitors alike. Marlin and Barrel distills spirits such as vodka and rum. For a 5-Diamond experience, nothing beats Salt at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Try the Chef’s Adventure Tasting Menu that showcases the finest seasonal produce, fish and meats. For something more casual, try Timoti’s Seafood Shak, which only serves wild-caught seafood.
www.timotis.com;
www.ritzcarlton.com;
www.thepalacesaloon.com

LEARN FROM THE BEST

Amelia has several professional chefs and craftsmen who want to share their expertise. The Amelia Island Culinary Academy offers fun-filled classes, taught by Bill Thompson, who is the head chef at the Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island. On Saturdays, he takes his students to the Fernandina Farmers’ Market where you will learn to literally cook from farm to table. Or take a class with Kat Kelly of Magpie Arts, where children and adults can explore their creativity through sewing, basket weaving, charcoal drawing or watercolor painting.
www.ameliacooking.com

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