Guest Contributor: Miss Cozy

Because of the cold weather, we usually bundle up more. As we go in and out
of temperature-controlled rooms or the thermometer rises and falls during
the day, we tend to be overdressed, causing moisture to be lost through
perspiration. For winter wear, we often choose irritating fabrics like wool
that can cause friction, more dryness, and accompanying itching and flaking. Or we may select materials (i.e., leather, nylon) that don’t allow the skin to breathe; this creates dampness that can trap bacteria against the skin
which, over the long run, causes irritations.

When dressing for winter, use non-irritating fabrics such as cotton, which
doesn’t trap moisture on the skin’s surface and can be worn for warmth or
coolness. Keep in mind, however, that cotton once wet, does not dry quickly. The best material for “wicking away” moisture from the skin is a synthetic material, like polyester or polypropylene. Also, it is best to dress in layers, so that you can add and remove clothing items to suit the changes in temperature.

(Check out CozyWallet.com for more swank ways to save money)

If you have the chance, try to stop by one of these great events this
weekend:

Huntsville, Alabama – While we’re celebrating culture, we’re also
celebrating history – most importantly, *Veterans, during the Veterans Day
Parade.  *The Veterans Day parade usually starts on the 11th hour of the
11th day of the 11th month. Starting at 11 AM, the flag at the corner of
Williams & Lowe Avenues will be raised to full mast, followed by taps & a
three-volley rifle salute. Groups will be line-up no later than 10 AM.
Sponsored by WAFF TV, Channel 48. For more info, call (256) 533-4848 or
click here .

San Diego, California – Another celebration of culture, will be featured this weekend while *Fiesta de Reyes hosts an Irish-Mexican Festival* on Saturday November 13th.  The celebration honors Saint Patrick’s Brigade, a legendary artillery unit led by Irish immigrants who became a one of the Mexican Army’s most highly decorated brigade during the Mexican-American War. Featuring traditional Irish music and a blend of Mexican and Irish food, the event will feature members of the world-famous Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band making a rare appearance in full dress kilts followed by traditional Irish dance and song. In the Fiesta de Reyes plaza, $2 Guinness beers, corned beef tacos and potato flautas will be offered to the celebrants. The event begins at noon and ends at 3:30 pm – click here for more info.

Washington, D.C. – This weekend you sample tastes from around the world,especially Italy at the *The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show*. This show will include appearances by Food Network stars Paula Deen, Bobby Flay and newcomer Rachael Ray, as well as cooking demonstrations by award-winning local and national chefs. This event will be held this weekend, November 13-14, 2010 – Saturday: 10 am – 7 pm and Sunday: 10 am – 5pm – Click here for more info.

Baltimore, Maryland - While we travel around celebrating culture, stop by the *Maryland Irish Festival*. The 35th annual festival kicks off Friday, November 12th at 6 pm at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. The menu features Irish favorites like corned beef and cabbage, plenty o potatoes. Don’t forget some Irish whiskey and beer to wash it all down. While you’re there, enjoy some of these events: Irish baking contest, Darts tournament, Speaker’s tent, Piping lessons, and Men in kilts competition.  There’s also traditional Irish music, book readings and signings, and Irish dance on the entertainment bill.  Click here for more info.

Long Island, New York - A great opportunity to taste culture this week will be at The Fifth Annual *Long Island Restaurant Week*. This promotion offers diners three course, prix fixe meals for $24.95 (not including tax and
gratuities) at over 200 restaurants including *City Cellar Wine Bar &
Grille, Porto Vivo, Besito, the Babylon Carriage House* and many more. For
more information, please click here.

Images Courtesy of weblogs.baltimoresun.com and city-data.com

Wow, is it Fourth of July already? (Okay, it’s the 2nd, but still.) What would the weekend be without fireworks and festivals! With the assistance of Miss Cozy (check out CozyWallet.com for more swank ways to save money), we’ve constructed a list of the best places to watch the fireworks and other festive shindigs around the country…

Miss Cozy’s Beauty Tip of the Day: Put away cakey powder. To keep oily, shiny skin at bay, adjust your skin care. Use a mattifying lotion in the morning to absorb oil. Touch up with blotting papers during the day and make sure to use toner in the evening.

Miami, Florida – It’s July 4th weekend.. Of course Festivals and Fireworks are main priority! If you’re in Florida, check out the City of Homestead Concert and Fireworks – For those in southern Miami-Dade County, the Homestead Sports Complex is also hosting an Independence Day festival and fireworks show. The festival will feature a car show, rides, entertainment, food and music with a fireworks show at 9PM. For more, call the City of Homestead Department of Parks and Recreation at (305) 224-4570.

San Diego, California - San Diego Bay is the place to be on July 4^th when the 10th Annual Port of San Diego Big Bay Boom fills the sky with a spectacular pyrotechnic light show.  Four barges will be placed strategically in San Diego Bay off the shorelines of Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the North Embarcadero area and between Seaport Village and the Coronado Ferry Landing. The fireworks will be visible from all of the Port’s parks around the northern and central San Diego Bay area. These include Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Spanish Landing, Embarcadero Marina Parks North and South, Cesar Chavez Park, Coronado Tidelands Park and the Imperial Beach Pier.

Baltimore, Maryland – This Friday kicks off Moonstruck at the Little Italy Open Air Film Festival – The city’s grandest free outdoor movie series kicks off with this classic starring Cher and Nicholas Cage. Music starts at 7, the movie begins at 9, but get there early or you won’t have a spot to park your lawn chair. This is sure to be packed. The movie and music are free. Intersection of High and Stiles streets.

Little Rock, Arkansas – Most places and parks around Arkansas have firework displays this July 4^th weekend as well as plenty of BBQ’s and picnics.  This year, the place to be is Pops on the River. Bring chairs or blankets to Riverfront Park – gates open at 5:30 p.m. There will be music starting at 6:30 and fireworks launch at 9:30 p.m. The Arkansas symphony will be playing patriotic music to go along with the display. There’s not only a fireworks display to get excited about, there are other activities planned and a marketplace with cute stuff for sale.

Kansas City, Missouri – One thing is for sure – Kansas City knows how to do it up right when it comes to fireworks. With the 4th of July holiday right around the corner, it’s time to start figuring out which fireworks display to go and see. KC Riverfest – Held at Berkley Riverfront Park, this annual event not only has one of the best Fireworks displays in the Kansas City Metro that is choreographed to live music, but great entertainment and things to do for the whole family. Berkley Park on the River between the Broadway and Paseo bridges – Ongoing events July 3rd and 4th. Fireworks at 10:05pm, 4th of July – $6 or save $1 when booking online. Visit KC Riverfest.com

Seattle, Washington – The rarest of the rarest. On July 3rd through July 5th – Come taste over 130 world-class beers from more than 15 countries. “SIB IS AN OVER THE TOP BEER FESTIVAL celebrating the world’s most legendary brewing styles and the nations that made them famous. Come taste over 150 world-class beers from more than 15 countries.” The outdoor event is hosted in the grass of the Seattle Center Mural Amphitheater about 100 yards west of the Space Needle. Visit seattlebeerfest.com

Here’s another installment of the Spa Week Road Trip Weekend Guide! Now aren’t you happy we’re here to plan the weekend for you– that’s one less thing to remember. This time around we have six Spa Week markets lined up with the most creative, tasty, and educational activities you can find this weekend. Get the troops together and brace for another weekend of fun in the sun courtesy of Cozy Wallet. Before you start on your way make sure to apply some SPF 15 (mustn’t forget about wrinkles and skin damage) and drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and give yourself a natural glow.

P.S.- You can still enter Cozy Wallet’s $100 Spa Week Gift Card “I Feel Pretty” giveaway (click here to enter!).

1. Baltimore –  Wearable Art, hand crafted items, touches of Spring.. What more could you ask for at the 11th Annual O. C. APRIL ART & CRAFT where Exhibitors (almost 80) will be displaying fun and unique hand crafted items. Stop by to pick up some creative, unique gifts and extraordinary accessories. April 2nd thought April 4th Fri., 11 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

2. Boston – A time to chip in.. Enjoy A Spoonful of Ginger, which is a fabulous evening of food tasting bringing together Boston’s finest chefs to raise money and increase awareness of the growing incidence of diabetes among Asian Americans. Participating chefs include Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger, Jasper White of Summer Shack and Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery and Myers + Chang, and others. All proceeds benefit AADI. Visit Joslin.org.

3. Las Vegas – In the mood for an all around Social Block Party?? Check out First Friday, which is an Arts and Entertainment party in the Las Vegas Arts District. Enjoy Live Music, Street Performances and cool local art. Friday, April 2, 6 pm – 10 pm – Arts District, Downtown Las Vegas.

4.  Michigan – Imagine big white things falling from the sky… lol Well you won’t have to imagine much longer.. Check out the The Original Great Marshmallow Drop where more than 15,000 marshmallows will be dropped from a helicopter at Catalpa Oaks County Park, Southfield, MI.

5.  Minneapolis/ St. Paul – Daffodils, tulips, lilies, and more.. What could make it feel more like Spring than A Spring Flower Show?? Step inside the beautiful glass confines of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s Sunken Garden, which features over 7,000 tulips, 1,000 daffodils,1100 hyacinth, along with stunning snapdragons, bearded iris, ranunculus, pansies and violas, plus hydrangea, freesias, crocuses and lilies all in a color palette of purple and orange. Marjorie McNeely Conservatory 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55103. Visit Comozooconservatory.org

6. New Jersey – What could be better than spending the first weekend on Spring on the Wayer? Enjoy a bountiful lunch buffet, live entertainment and DJ dancing and the wonderful views of the Manhattan skyline. Sunday, April 4, 2010 Spirit Cruises 866.483.3866 Sailing from Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken, NJ LUNCH CRUISE – Board: 11:30 am DINNER CRUISE – Board: 6:30 pm

It’s about that time when most of us in the working world (and stay-at-home parents, I assume) wish we had a Spring Break. If you are one of the lucky few in this mess of an economy that gets to use some vacation days in April, why not travel during Spa Week?

Across the US and Canada, many hotel spas are offering $50 treatments during Spa Week. If you travel from April 13-19, stay at one of these hotels and indulge in some pampering on the cheap at their spa:

Atlanta: Chateau Elan
Austin: The Wellness Spa at The Crossings
Baltimore: The Pearl at The Ritz Carlton Residences
Boston: SPA Intercontinental or Gretta Cole at the Westin Hotel
D.C.: Red Door Spa at The Willard InterContinental Washington D.C.
Dallas: V Spa at the Hilton Anatole Hotel or ZaSpa at Hotel ZaZa
Denver: The Ritz-Carlton Spa
Detroit: Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa
Florida: Palm Aire Spa at the Wyndham Resort
Long Island: Gurney’s Inn Sea Water Spa
Los Angeles: SPA at Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas
New Jersey: Red Door Spa at Seaview Marriott or Spa at Forrestal at the Princeton Marriott
Philly: Richel D’Ambra at the Ritz-Carlton
San Diego: Blue Marble Spa at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay
Seattle: Spaahh at Hotel 1000 or The Spa at Willow’s Lodge
Toronto: Windsor Arms Spa or Angel’s Spa and Wellness Centre at Delta Toronto East