I love living in Tampa, Florida! I moved here when I was just a child from Parsippany, New Jersey. It was so long snow and grey skies…hello sunshine and swimming pools! Although I’m always delighted to pack my bags and jet off on a vacation, I just can’t imagine calling any other place home. After reading that, I’m sure you can imagine the excitement I felt when Cheapflights.com gave me the opportunity to share my top picks for restaurants, cocktails, entertainment and gastronomical food and wine festivals in and around my hometown of Tampa, Florida. I have to admit, narrowing down my favorites to five in each category was incredibly tough. Amazing chefs abound in my neck of the woods! Ask any foodie that lives or has visited here. But, if you dream of bubbling cocktails and gastronomical cuisine…the Insider’s Guide to Tampa on Cheapflights.com delivers what you’re craving!

Eat, Drink and Enjoy,

Photo Courtesy of Fairy Cakes Bakery

It’s January 13th. Do you know what today is? Yes, you’re right, it’s Friday the 13th…but it’s also my birthday! This morning I started my day a little differently than normal. Instead of reading through the morning’s emails,  I excitedly logged onto Facebook to see all the birthday wishes that were already beginning to flood my Facebook page. Since then, I feel as if I’m glowing! Today, I feel confident, beautiful, loved and ready to take on the world. It’s all because others took a few minutes out of their busy schedules to wish me a “Happy Birthday!”

So it got me to thinking…why can’t everyday feeling like today? Not just for me, for everyone. How hard would it be for each of us to take a few minutes each day to make someone smile? Send a text to a friend you haven’t spoken to in years, just to say you are thinking of them. Compliment the person ahead of you in the checkout line. Smile at someone who looks like they need some happiness sent their way from across the room. Leave a note on your child’s bed just to tell them you love them. My list could go on and on, but if it did… I’d never get to explaining my birthday challenge!

What’s my Birthday Challenge? I’m glad you’re interested! Today, I’m challenging each and every one of you to make at least one person feel special. Then come back and share your story here on the blog or with us on Twitter by using #BirthdayChallenge in your tweet. I want everyone to glow with me today and I thank you all in advance for helping me do so!

XOXO,

If you’ve been following me on Twitter, then you know last week I traveled to Mexico to attend Inspire Smart Success Experience Mexico a/k/a ISSE Mexico at the Now Sapphire Resort in Cancun. This unforgettable, intimate, four day conference brought together talented event professionals from all over the world to network and learn from some of the best in our industry.

The speaker lineup was like a “Who’s Who” in the event world. Stacie Francombe, the petite dynamo behind Inspire Smart Success was joined by the divine Diann Valentine, host of We TV’s I Do Over, the dazzling Sasha Souza of Sasha Souza Events, Youngsong Martin, the powerhouse behind Wildflower Linen, celebrity photographers Robert Evans and Mike Colon, Sonny Ganguly marketing guru for Wedding Wire, creative entrepreneur Andy Ebon , Julie Goldman, the visionary behind The Original Runner Company, the delightful Dana LaRue, creator of The Broke-Ass Bride, the brilliant Jen Campbell, creator of Green Wedding Shoes, Ceci Johnson the genius behind Ceci New York, Ashley Baber of Ashley Baber Weddings, the multi-talented Christopher Confero of Christopher Confero Design, former CNN Producer David Francombe, the exceptional Bernadette Coveney Smith of 14 Stories, and keynote speaker, event designer extraordinaire Preston Bailey.

How would I describe my experience? PRICELESS! Why do I feel this way? Thanks to Eric Kmetz and Ryan Koral, the incredible team behind Epic Motion…I can show you!

Loved what you just saw? There’s more to come…stay tuned!

XOXO,

Do you consider yourself a foodie?  Are you a fan of the EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival? If you’ve answered yes to one of these questions and will be in the Orlando area October 7-8, 2011…I highly recommend you check out the Second Annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic located on the causeway between the Swan and Dolphin. Meet celebrity chef, Todd English, listen to sensational musical entertainment and of course, delight in the gastronomical cuisine prepared by culinary geniuses. Looking to learn the art of mixology? Perhaps become a wine or beer aficionado? Sign up to attend one of the many seminars being offered throughout the two day experience.

To learn more about the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic, visit http://www.swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com/.

          XOXOX,

Photo Courtesy of Creative Loafing

 Since 1995, the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival has masterfully brought together leaders in the culinary and wine industries to tempt a plethora of taste buds. This year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the festival. If you’ve yet to experience this gastronomic extravaganza…hurry! Sunday, November 14, 2010 is the last day to enjoy this year’s festivities.

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Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings offers couples a choice of three masterfully designed collections and over thirty-five venues with panache to host their big day. Those two accolades alone should be reason enough to recite your vows at Walt Disney World, right? Perhaps, but fabulous affairs aren’t created by themselves. Behind every stunning affair, are a team of experts that have devoted an astronomical amount of time and energy to bring a person’s dream to fruition.

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As you stare at the dazzling diamond upon your finger, sparks of excitement ignite within…you’re getting married! It’s time to embark on a journey that will kick off the next chapter of your life. Whether you are planning to say your vows in an intimate ceremony for two or in the presence of five hundred family and friends, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings offers three dazzling collections (Escape, Wishes and Couture) that can be easily customized to fit a couple’s artistic vision, as well as, their budget.

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Close your eyes and imagine the wedding of your dreams. What do you see?  Are you marrying your beloved on a gondola in Venice? Or saying your vows under the stars with an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Perhaps your surrounded by your loved ones in a castle centuries old? With help from the cast of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, your dreams can come true!

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Back in 1991, the Walt Disney World Company launched Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. It brought to life the posh French provincial bridal studio owned by Franck Eggelhoffer, the foreign, eccentric, fun-loving wedding planner from the remake of the Spencer Tracy classic, Father of the Bride. Now, almost twenty years later with over 30,000 magical weddings performed, the Disney Imagineers have transformed Franck’s studio from beautiful to breath-taking! The sun-filled, redesigned studio oozes with happy vibes and gives couples a first-class, multi-sensory experience unlike any other. Ornate furnishings, luxurious draperies, state-of-the-art technology…and more! Everything a couple needs to plan the wedding of their dreams has been incorporated into the design and functionality of the space.

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Comfy beds, designer toiletries, first-class service, soaking tubs, chenille bathrobes…the list goes on. I can’t remember the first time I stayed at a luxurious hotel, but I know once I did, I was hooked! Perhaps you’re thinking I was one of those spoiled rich kids who grew up with a silver spoon in my mouth? Well, I can assure you that wasn’t the case. So, where did my lust for the finer things in life begin? I’m fairly certain I can blame Dynasty, Dallas, Falcon Crest and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous…the TV shows I religiously watched throughout my  childhood, for my lavish taste.

With the birth of the Internet, my prayers to be able to afford opulent getaways were answered! Excursion websites are everywhere touting posh travel for less. In order to indulge my jet-setting urges without upsetting the C.P.A. chefy hubby and our family budget, I’ve spent months surfing the Internet for sites that “walk the walk and talk the talk.” If you’ve been stifling your inner travel diva…squelch it no more! I’m divulging the websites I utilize to book champagne adventures on a beer budget!

www.priceline.com – I highly recommend the “Name Your Own Price” section of this site. 90% of the time, I utilize it to reserve four star accommodations. Why? It allows the bidder the chance to select the area of town they want to stay, the star level of the hotel and the price they are willing to pay. The bidder’s credit card is charged only if their offer is accepted. For the years I have been using priceline.com, I’ve never bid higher than $110.00 a night for a resort level hotel. Most of the time, my submissions between $78 -$90 are accepted for a four star or resort hotel. The same hotel is usually listed on other websites at a nightly rate between $179.00 – $250.00. 
 

www.Expedia.com - Take a look at the vacation packages on this site. When purchasing airfare and hotel together…major savings can be found! Be sure to read the reviews left by former guests before purchasing travel. They are extremely helpful and I always make it a point to read them.  when looking for new places to stay, with or without children.

www.Bookit.com - Check out the “Mystery” hotels this site offers. “Mystery” hotels are ones Bookit.com provides the star rating, reviews from former guests, the area the hotel is located and a room rate at least 50% off the published rate. They call it a “Mystery” hotel, because the buyer only finds out the name of the hotel after they’ve booked it. I’ve purchased several times the “4.5 Star Mystery Hotel” in the Orlando area and have never been disappointed. The accommodations have always been superior.

www.Mousesavers.com - This is a phenomenal website for Disney enthusiasts and for anyone planning a trip to the parks in Florida and/or California. Sign up on Mousesavers.com to receive their monthly newsletter, which includes exclusive offers for lodgings around Walt Disney World and Disneyland. 

www.hyatt.com, www.starwoodhotels.com, www.marriott.com, www.hilton.com – Sometimes the best deals can be found on a hotel’s own website. Especially if you are a member of their frequent guest program . There’s no charge to sign up and most of the time you’re immediately eligible for discounts that can include “free night stays.” 

The next time you’re aching for an adventure, try booking through one of my favorite sites. After all,  Robin Leach shouldn’t be the only one enjoying “champagne wishes and caviar dreams.”

*Disclaimer – Diva With A Fork was not compensated by any of the companies included in this article. They are businesses Diva With A Fork has and continues to purchase travel. Rates noted above are from previous travel. For current room and vacation package rates, visit the websites suggested above or one you frequent.

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