Winter Ready with Faux Fur Teddy Bear Coats

November 7, 2018 No Comments

Winter Ready with Faux Fur Teddy Bear Coats SHOP THE LOOK:

PUMA SHOES SIMILAR HERE

GAP SWEATER (OLD)

Winter Ready with Faux Fur Teddy Bear Coats to keep you warm this coming colder months with an added chic style that everyone can see. During this cold months we tend to just keep whatever outerwear we are wearing so most of the time. Whatever fancy we are wearing inside, you don’t get to show and other people don’t get to see. In that case, It is a must to have chic and comfy outerwear like all of these Faux Fur teddy coats. You can get both benefits from them and you will always remain in style without sacrificing the comfort.

On this first look, I wore think Mink Pink coat strolling around our second day in Italy and I never felt warmer and stylish wearing this. I just put it over my simple puma leggings and shoes. And as you can see, the coat is already a style on its own.

Below are all the Fabulous and comfy picks I have for you to complete you Winter Wardrobe. These are the items you should be investing on this winter season.

Winter Ready with Faux Fur Teddy Bear Coats SHOP THE LOOK:

REVOLVE FAUX FUR COAT

H&M JEANS SIMILAR HERE

OVER THE KNEE BOOTS SIMILAR HERE

PRADA HANDBAG

MVMT SUNNIES SIMILAR HERE

Thank you for stopping by and see you again this Friday.

Simply,

Christianne

Photos: Novel (my better half)

Outfit, Travel

Fun Fall Activities in Virginia and Maryland 2025

October 22, 2018 No Comments

Fun Fall Activities in Virginia and Maryland 2025 (Family-Friendly Ideas You’ll Love)

Fall in Virginia and Maryland is such a beautiful time of year. The air turns crisp, the leaves start to glow in shades of amber and red, and every weekend seems made for cozy sweaters and family adventures. 🍂

Over the years, we’ve created a few family traditions that make the season extra special. From visiting our favorite pumpkin patches to going apple picking, these fun fall activities in Virginia and Maryland are perfect for families — especially if you’re looking for something everyone can enjoy.

Whether you’re new to the area or just need inspiration for your next weekend plan, here are our top fall activities (plus a few new 2025 ideas!) to add to your bucket list this season.

1. Visit a Pumpkin Patch (A Must Every Fall!)

This one never gets old — a pumpkin patch day is always first on our list. It’s the perfect mix of fun, fresh air, and photo ops. Our favorite part is that every year, local farms seem to add something new.

The one we usually visit recently added a kernel corn pit with toy tractors, and my youngest loved it! You can also find mini petting zoos, moon bounces, corn mazes, pumpkin bowling, and hayrides.

And of course, no trip is complete without that classic pumpkin patch family photo — the one that always makes it to our fall photo album (or Instagram grid!).

💡 Pro Tip: Wear something comfortable but stylish — like the outfit I shared in my Walmart Fall Outfits 2025 post: a striped shirt, denim shorts, and rain boots — perfect for a muddy patch day.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

SHOP THE LOOK:

ASTR CARDIGAN

similar BOOTIES

2. Go Apple Picking at a Local Orchard

Apple picking will always hold a special place in our hearts. It was one of the very first American traditions we tried when we moved here from the Philippines, and it’s something we’ve continued every year since. 🍎

Our go-to spot is Baugher’s Orchard in Westminster, Maryland. They have some of the best apples we’ve ever tasted, and I love how they take time to educate families about the different varieties before picking.

It’s such a wholesome, slow-paced day — you can walk the fields, sip cider, and even bring home fresh pies and apple butter from their farm store.

💡 Pro Tip: Early October is usually the best time to go before the crowds (and the apples!) start to thin out.

Apple Picking at a Local Orchard

3. Experience Fright Fest at Six Flags

If your family loves a bit of Halloween fun, Fright Fest at Six Flags America is a must. Since we have season passes, we try to go every year — and it never disappoints!

From spooky live shows to haunted decorations throughout the park, it’s the perfect mix of family-friendly thrills and festive Halloween vibes. Even the rides get a spooky glow-up with lights and fog machines.

💡 Pro Tip: Go during the day if you have younger kids — the evening can get a little scarier when the fog rolls in and the actors come out but since they are closing, next year should be Six flags NJ or Kings dominion.

4. Take a Scenic Picnic Trip to Shenandoah Valley

When you think of fall in Virginia, you can’t skip the Shenandoah Valley. The mountain views, the crisp air, and the scenic overlooks make it a dreamy fall destination.

Pack a picnic basket with local treats, take a drive along Skyline Drive, and stop at one of the overlooks to enjoy a peaceful lunch with a view. It’s simple, affordable, and incredibly refreshing — especially after a busy week.

💡 Pro Tip: Go mid-October for the best foliage. Bring a blanket, your favorite hot drink, and a camera — the fall colors are breathtaking.

5. Explore Local Fall Festivals

There’s no shortage of fall festivals in Virginia and Maryland — from small-town fairs to big harvest celebrations. Many include hayrides, artisan booths, live music, and pumpkin painting for kids.

Some local favorites to check out this year:

Cox Farms Fall Festival (Centreville, VA)
Maryland Renaissance Festival (Crownsville, MD)
Virginia Fall Festival (Warrenton, VA)

These are great ways to support local vendors and enjoy everything fall has to offer — especially if you love trying seasonal food like apple cider donuts or caramel corn!

💡 Pro Tip: Arrive early! These events get crowded fast on weekends.

6. Visit a Family-Friendly Winery

If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing for the grown-ups, wine tasting at a local vineyard can be such a treat. Virginia and Maryland both have several family-friendly wineries with picnic areas and open spaces where kids can run around.

A few to check out:

Bluemont Vineyard (Bluemont, VA) — gorgeous mountain views
Linganore Winecellars (Mount Airy, MD) — live music and family days
Old Westminster Winery (Westminster, MD) — beautiful outdoor setting

This is on our to-do list for 2025 — I know my husband and I will love it, especially with all the fall colors surrounding the vineyards.

💡 Pro Tip: Bring a blanket and snacks for the kids. Many wineries allow outside food for picnics.

Bonus: What’s New for Fall 2025

This year, I’m adding something new to our family traditions — styling fall outfits that match each activity.

For example:

Pumpkin Patch: striped top, denim shorts, and rain boots
Farmers Market: dark wash shirt jacket and ankle boots
Brunch Day: cozy sweater and jeans
Weekend Errands: half-zip pullover and white sneakers

You can see how I styled all six looks in my latest Walmart Fall Outfits 2025 post and Instagram reel. It’s been such a fun way to celebrate the season while sharing affordable finds that make getting dressed easy and fun.

Final Thoughts

Fall is such a magical time to make memories as a family. Whether it’s your first season here or your fifteenth, there’s always something new to explore.

From pumpkin patches and apple orchards to scenic drives and cozy weekends, Virginia and Maryland in the fall have something for everyone — and I hope this list inspires you to plan your next family outing!

If you visit any of these spots, tag me on Instagram @SimplyChristianne — I’d love to see your fall adventures!

Simply,

Christianne

Outfit, Travel

Labor Day Weekend Getaway at the Poconos

September 3, 2018 No Comments

Labor Day Weekend Getaway at the Poconos

SHOP THE LOOK:

MILLY ROMPER

Every year we always visit Eagle Rock for a family get together with our relatives from New York. So this year it happened this weekend. Labor Day Weekend Getaway at the Poconos, our way of spending the last days of summer vacation with the whole family in Pennsylvania. It was a fun filled event as we gather with family and friends and we had a summer olympics where we have different teams that played with each other for some games.

It was hard to get the kids in the picture here because they were having so much fun and playing with the other kids here. You might be wondering why most of it is just me. I really wanted them to be on the blog as much but I do not want them to be obliged to be in the pictures if they are enjoying their moments. Remember most of the happiest moments are not captured because if you really having fun, you probably do not have any gadgets or camera in your hand. Do you agree?

As for the outfit highlights here, the romper is the best! The style with chic and comfort feel it gave me while wearing it my flip flops is priceless. The sweater came in handy because it was chilly up in the mountains!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you all are enjoying your day off before sending kids to school tomorrow.

Simply,

Christianne

Photos: Novel (my better half)

Outfit, Travel

What to Do, Where to Eat and Where to Stay in Virginia Beach

August 22, 2018 No Comments

What to Do, Where to Eat, and Where to Stay in Virginia Beach: A Complete Guide

Planning a trip to Virginia Beach? Here’s a detailed guide based on our recent experience to help you make the most of your visit.

Where to Stay:
We stayed at the Courtyard By Marriott North Oceanfront, which has recently renovated its rooms. The decor exudes a beach vibe, thanks to the stylish wallpaper. The beds are extremely comfortable, and each room is equipped with complimentary coffee and tea, a microwave, and ice vending machines on every floor. The highlight of our stay was the resort-style pool area, complete with a pool bar. In case of bad weather, the indoor pool is available and stays open until 11 pm.

What to Do, Where to Eat and Where to Stay in Virginia Beach

What to Do:
There are plenty of activities and attractions to keep you entertained in Virginia Beach:

1. Live Performances
2. Try indoor skydiving at iFly, zipline adventures, and water activities like dolphin watching, ferry boat rides, jet skiing, and parasailing.
3.Visit the local zoo, rent bikes or surreys for a fun ride along the boardwalk.
4.Explore the nearby museums to soak in some local history and art.

What to Do, Where to Eat and Where to Stay in Virginia Beach

What to Wear:

Where to Eat:
We enjoyed a delightful seafood feast at Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant. For a quick bite, North End Pizza offers delicious pizza and ice cream.

Overall, if you’re looking for a fun and relaxing getaway, I highly recommend staying at the Courtyard By Marriott North Oceanfront in Virginia Beach (this recommendation is not sponsored). Thank you for reading, and if you’re curious about our family adventures, check out my highlighted stories on Instagram.

Simply,

Christianne

Photos: Novel (my better half)

Outfit, Travel

Exploring Mount Vernon, VA in a Rebecca Taylor Romper

August 10, 2018 No Comments

Exploring Mount Vernon, VA in a Rebecca Taylor Romper SHOP THE LOOK:

REBECCA TAYLOR ROMPER

KAREN WALKER SUNNIES

DSW STEVE MADDEN SLIDES

LOEFFLER RANDALL STRAW TOTE

Exploring Mount Vernon, VA in a Rebecca Taylor Romper because it was gorgeous weekend and we want to see a scenic view of the Potomac River. It was so beautiful on the other side of the Fort Washington. Driving up towards the Plantation House of George Washington was amazing! It would be perfect if we were in a convertible. OH, I just can imagine as you can see in the photo here. They have this small spot for the people to stop and take a look and picture if you’d like of this stunning view.

This was actually my first time seeing this view of the Potomac river from this side (Virginia). My husband actually suggested that this will be a perfect photo shoot location and he was right. This is were they ride with his friend on a motorcycle. They have restaurants too on this side that has the view. If you are visiting DC this is just 30 minutes away from the city and is actually opposite side of the National Harbor.

So for the romper, if you have watched my instastories last week. This is such a perfect outfit for a warm weather. It is kinda short but still looks classy and the fit is so flattering. The color and those ruffle edges at the hem was so fabulous! I even took a bathroom selfie with the whole outfit and how adorable is the bag? The color is just so gorgeous and who else is not into straw tote this Summer?

Thank you for stopping by and have a lovely weekend! What are you to this weekend?

Best,

Christianne

Photo: Novel (my better half)

Outfit, Travel

6 Reasons Why You should go on a Family Cruise

August 1, 2018 No Comments

Hello guys! I finally was able to finish this blog post about our cruise. I am here to share all the reasons why you should go on a Family Cruise. Honestly, I am scared of riding boats or even cruise ships or thinking I might get sea sick but hey. How will I know if I will never try, right? So back in February my husband and I was thinking of a family travel for this year and we were like. We should try something different (our adventurous side kicking in!) and we thought about the cruise. Talked to a friend and gave me the contact number of their travel agent. Ms. Jing (our agent) was very helpful as we are first timers and gave us all insights on what kind of room to book and where is the best location at the ship and so we booked….

And so the adventure began and ended and here are the reason why we enjoyed it as a family and why your family will have the best time….

FOOD! Nobody wants to be hungry specially when you are travelling with kids who are most of the time asking for food. It is all inclusive so no need to worry about it and just know which restaurants are open at a certain time and go there.
SWIMMING POOLS! There are different areas in the ship that the whole family can enjoy, whirlpools for the adults, water park for the kids and young at hearts.
ENTERTAINMENT. All around the ship there are places of entertainment from Stand up comedy, lives band performance, mini concerts, game shows, kids shows and many more to choose from for all ages.
BEACH EXCURSIONS. When cruising you get a chance to get of different islands depending on what destinations of your cruise will be. Sounds fun already right?
KIDS CAMP. Our kids enjoyed being in the camp, we usually leave them there when my husband and I want to go to the gym. The kids loved being there because they meet new friends and get to play with them and learn new things like arts and crafts and the likes. Also if you would want to spend an adult time for yourself, your adult friends and family.
CASINO. if you like to gamble. We are not into it but I included it here (good to know).
ACTIVITIES. on top of the ship they have different games for everyone like mini golf, table tennis, billiards, basketball and a lot more.

It was overall a wonderful experience and can’t wait to go back again. If you have any questions about the cruise let me know maybe I can make another blog post about it.

Thank you for stopping by!

Simply,

Christianne

Outfit, Travel

Reasons to stay at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel in DC

July 30, 2018 No Comments

Reasons to stay at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel in DC DETAILS: DRESS

Hi Guys! Today I am sharing Reasons to stay at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel in DC. All the things you need for a best vacation is outlined here. I have been wanting to share our family experience about our stay at Kimpton Hotel Palomar (a boutique hotel) in Washington, DC. I wanna show you how it was to have a staycation around the Nation’s Capital.

Honestly, It is our first time to stay in a Hotel in the District as I live in Maryland which is about 30 minutes away. I am glad to have stayed in DC this time as we were able to visit some of the other beautiful places around it. Most of the people who visits Washington, DC mostly wanna go to every museum and monuments around and specially the White House.

There are other places around that you should also include in your itineraries. I have outlined some of the reasons why you should stay at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar.

Reasons to stay at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel in DC 1. ACCOMODATION. They have the stylish and spacious rooms for you with super comfy beds! I fell in love with their modern style furniture and beautifully designed bathrooms. When we got tired of going around the area at least we enjoyed staying in the room for all those reasons while watching some good shows.

2. WINE HOUR. They have this complimentary wine hour where you get to taste different kinds of wine and make it your happy hour of the day. Good for people who are wine lovers like me and my husband. Don’t worry they also have something for the kids. They have popcorn and lemon waters to share so everybody and for those who does not drink wine. We were able to enjoy those moments staying in the hotel lobby chit chatting. You get to see and chit chat with other guests too if you are some kind of social butterfly.

Reasons to stay at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel in DC

3. POOL TIME. One of the reasons why we love doing staycations is the swimming pool. Isn’t it fun if you can get to swim while you are staying away from home. It already feels like you are in a resort right? The whole family get to enjoy this pool time specially the kids that loves water. They have this pool float her that we get to use for ourselves. It was a little chilly this day but we were able to manage.

4. FOOD. They have Urbana Italian Dining where you can get to eat delicious Italian food and you will surely enjoy the ambiance. We ate there for breakfast and it was the best meal if the day! They have a lot of breakfast food to offer.

5. COMPLIMENTARY BIKES. Who doesn’t want to explore the surrounding areas if you are staying in this Hotel right? The best part is you get to do cardio. DC is such a nice city to get around on a bike, it is too much of a hassle to use your car and find a parking spot, plus it is expensive too. It was just unfortunate that it was rainy during our stay so we were not really able to go farther than around the City. We would have been able to reach all the Museums…

Reasons to stay at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel in DC

6. COMPLIMENTARY UMBRELLA AND YOGA MAT. It actually came handy during our stay because it was really a rainy weekend. If you prefer to stay in the room to workout because they have a towel and yoga mat in the closet. Even though the gym is always open 24 hours. It rained so hard after we took this last photo.

In case you are looking for more hotel stays in DC. I have them here and here for you to check out.

In case you have questions just let me know. Thank you for stopping by!

Simply,

Christianne

Photos: Novel (my better half)

Thank you Kimpton Hotel Palomar for hosting our stay!

Outfit, Travel

Beach Day at Grand Turk

July 18, 2018 No Comments

Beach Day at Grand Turk Beach Day at Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos SHOP THE LOOK:

FOREVER 21 similar BIKINI

FOREVER 21 FRAYED similar HIGH WAIST SHORTS

FOREVER 21 CROP TOP (NO LONGER AVAILABLE) SIMILAR HERE

KAREN WALKER similar SUNNIES

HAVAIANAS FLIP FLOP

As promised, here is another port that we visited: Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. It was the last island we visited, and we absolutely fell in love with it. Grand Turk met all my criteria for the perfect beach, with its pretty white sand and turquoise water.

Exploring Grand Turk

We decided to rent a golf cart to explore the island on our own time, as our visit was limited to just 5 and a half hours. Although you can circle the island in about 2 hours, we chose to explore downtown first. Finding nothing of particular interest there, we ventured out to look for another beach and were fortunate enough to find one all to ourselves.

Beach Day Outfit

I wore this cute two-piece bikini, which is high-waisted, flattering, and affordable. Since the sun was intense, I always wore my hat and sunglasses. My crop top and shorts served as a cover-up while we moved around the port.

Activities at Grand Turk

At the beach next to where our ship docked, you can go horseback riding for an hour for $65. The beach by the ship also features a nice pool, fake surfing areas, and plenty of activities like shopping, bars, island hopping, snorkeling, jet skiing, and banana boating. However, the water there wasn’t great, so we were lucky to find the beautiful, isolated Governor’s Beach for ourselves.

Simply,

Christianne

Photos: Novel (my better half)

Outfit, Travel

Weekend at the Pocono Mountains

August 21, 2017 No Comments

DETAILS:

KNIT CARDIGAN c/o CHICWISH ALSO LOVE THIS AND THIS

HM WHITE TANK TOP BASICS

FOREVER 21 HIGH WAISTED SHORTS SIMILAR HERE

MARSHALLS SANDALS SIMILAR HERE

FOREVER 21 SUNNIES SIMILAR HERE

It was a fun filled weekend for Aidan’s birthday celebrated it with family and friends. We went to the Pocono Mountains at Eagle Rock Resort in Pennsylvania. We make it a point to go there at least once a year. That place is perfect for family gatherings because of the laid back feel. You will never get bored with all their activities like horse back riding, swimming, lake water fun activities, skiing in the winter, spa and fitness, golf, billiards, volleyball, basketball and so much more.

It was Aidan’s 4th birthday and I was just stunned that when I was changing him in the bathroom after swimming. He just said “thank you everyone for my birthday!”. I was so shocked an excited as well because he is becoming more mature. The silliness is getting less, exciting and at the same time I do not want him to grow so fast, both of my children.

As for the outfit, I am glad I brought this chic cardigan from chicwish which will be coming soon to their website. It was so soft and perfect for the cool breeze we had there in the morning and evenings. You know you will always feel some chill when you are in the mountains.

I hope y’all had a wonderful weekend and wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

Simply,

Christianne

Photos: Novel (my better half)

Outfit, Travel

Sunflower Fields Plus My Chicwish Dress

August 2, 2017 No Comments

DETAILS:

WHITE DRESS c/o CHICWISH (worn here)

ZARA BOW SLIDES SIMILAR HERE

F21 SUNNIES SIMILAR HERE

So I finally made it to this pictorial with the sunflowers. As a part time blogger like me, there are a very few time that I can possibly squeeze in a photo shoot specially if it is an hour away from where I live. Another thing is to be able to persuade my husband (instagram husband) to take a picture of me. Most of you fellow bloggers know what I mean. Last year, I have planned to visit a a Sunflower festival but did not get the chance to do it. As for the dress, as you can see I have worn this already on this post here. I was really planning to wear this during the Lavender Festival back in July but still did not get a chance. With that in mind, I made sure this time I make it to the sunflower field before it dies and be able to wear the dress with the picturisque backdrop. That is how Sunflower fields plus my chicwish dress post came up.

It has only been a week since it was announced that the sunflowers will be in its peak for 2 weeks but when we got there, most of the flowers died already. I was so sad but still made it work and tried to find a spot where there were still a lot of bloomed sunflowers. Have you noticed the dead sunflowers? Not really right because the whole picture together with the beautiful sunny day made it perfect. Just a thought, always stay positive and try to creative something good with everything and you will see the big difference even though it did not start well.

Thank you all for stopping by and hoping that I was able to give some inspiration to all of you who are having a rough day.

Simply,

Christianne

Photos: Novel (my better half)

with special participation of my daughter and of course Aidan (my son) doesn’t wanna be in the picture 🙂

Location: McKee Beshers Wildlife Management

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