Travel – A Sprinkle of Life

Jim Thorpe in November

November 23, 2025 No Comments

If you’ve stumbled upon Jim Thorpe content on the internet lately, you know it’s a quaint town in Pennsylvania bustling with tourists. I’m all for cute towns, but not so much for crowds. So, we decided to take a day trip during November in hopes of a less crowded experience. Let’s break it all down.

Parking is a big consideration when visiting Jim Thorpe, and another reason we decided to go in November on a Monday. We were able to find parking at the main municipal lot next to the train station. We arrived a little before noontime, and there were already lots of cars there, but if you kept driving down to the left there were eventually a good amount of open spots. Parking is not free, but significantly cheaper on a weekday, $8 a day Monday through Friday verses $25 a day for Saturday, Sunday, or holidays.

The town is sometimes referred to as “Switzerland of America.” As someone who has been to Switzerland a few times, I tend to disagree. While there’s a couple quaint little old fashioned streets, it doesn’t give the same vibe as Switzerland and some of the buildings just feel more old timey original town America centuries ago vs the neat architecture in Switzerland. However, with the combo of the mountains nearby, and being a in valley, that’s how the town gets away with the nickname.

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
One of the main attractions is the Leigh Gorge Railway. The railroad appears to be open daily, and offers a handful of different tours throughout the year. In the Fall you can take the Autumn Leaf tours, and starting at the end of November you can hop aboard their Holiday Trains. Since we were there mid November, on a Monday, we took the Autumn Leaf tour which is around 45 minutes long. While most leaves had already changed and fallen by the time we were in town, it was still a fun ride and the staff narrate stories along the way to keep you entertained.

Dining
There’s a handful of casual restaurants, pubs, and cafes available for an easy lunch in town. If you’re looking for something quick or to go for your train ride, stop by the King Coal Cafe, which is a parked train dining car steps away from the ticket booth.

We opted for the Broadway Grille + Underground for our quick lunch after our 12pm train ride. It was a bustling spot on a Monday afternoon, and we noticed many people from our train car stopping in as well.

Shopping
One of the main reasons I came to town was to check out the shops! I love a locally owned small business so it’s always a treat to stroll down streets and see what unique stores and gifts you can find. We did notice that there were a handful of stores not open on Monday. If you have your heart set on visiting everything, or particular shops, plan ahead and review their opening hours and days.

Most of the shops you’ll want to check out are on two conveniently located streets. Just steps away from the municipal parking lot and train station, you’ll find Broadway and Race Street. I recommend starting with Broadway, walking up it and then coming down back to town on Race Street. Check out this handy map of the historic downtown to see where everything is located.

A bookstore is always one place I can’t pass by. Jim Thorpe has a few, one traditional bookstore Sellers Books & Arts, a used bookstore called Trappe Alley LTD, and a new place called Smutea that’d dedicated to romance which is located next to Kelly Suites on the first floor.

What’s a cute historic town with a Christmas shop? Well, don’t worry, Jim Thorpe has got you covered. We had fun walking the various rooms of the Jingle Bells Christmas Shoppe, and it certainly got me in the mood for the holiday season just around the corner. I loved seeing all the unique ornaments and decorations that I hadn’t seen elsewhere, and even went away with a gift for my mom for Christmas, as well as a cute mouse ornament for my own tree.

Jingle Bells Christmas Shoppe in Jim Thorpe

The Silly Goose
If there’s one place that put Jim Thorpe on my radar, it is hands down The Silly Goose store owned by Nate. Nate and his creative marketing videos on TikTok quickly became a sensation and were all over my FYP. Had I known about Jim Thorpe before seeing Nate and The Silly Goose online? Nope! Did it inspire me to want to visit? Absolutely! The store is small, but packs a lot of laughs and unique gifts. From cute sweatshirts featuring a goose, to greeting cards like no other, if you have a sense of humor, you’re bound to find something unique here.

Attractions
We were only in town for an afternoon, so we didn’t hit all the attractions and sights, but there’s a number of activities you can check out while in town.

Overview
Fall is a great time to visit Jim Thorpe. You can definitely visit in just a day if you’re wanting to ride the train and get some shopping in. However, if you want to do the trolley, a ghost tour, and visit some of the museums as well, it may make sense to stay in town for the night so you can have 2 days to spread everything out. It’s also worth noting it gets pretty chilly early/mid November so bring those hats and gloves along to keep you toasty as you take in the sights.

Overall, we had a great day visiting the town. Crowds were to a minimum and the only really busy thing was the railway. Otherwise, we had some stores to ourselves and were able to wander around without crowds getting in the way. A nice peaceful fall getaway!

One final thing to note, the vast majority of the town, as in shops and restaurants, aren’t very handicapped accessible. So wheelchair users will unfortunately want to do some research ahead of time to plan out their day. Some places do have a button you can push outside if you need assistance, but not sure what kind of assistance is provided. Hopefully more places will look to add accommodations in time.

Travel, Uncategorized

Salem in November

January 28, 2023 2 Comments

Everyone wants to visit the infamous Salem in the Fall, but if you’re looking to beat the crowds and still enjoy New England in the Fall, consider visiting “off season” in November.

It’s important to note that some businesses do take time off right after Halloween for a few days or a couple of weeks to take a breather after the rush that is Halloween season, but we found the second week of November (around the 8th) to be perfect timing!

If you’re not needing to experience all the spooky Halloween specials, decor, and events, then November is the perfect time to explore the shops, streets, and main attractions that Salem has to offer.

We never had to wait in long lines to get in or to see anything. Most of the time we were able to walk right up and in. This was especially true of the Witch House. Usually, this place has hordes of people lined up to take a picture in front of the house, but when we went, there was only one other couple taking photos. Once they were done, I was able to snap a few pictures without being rushed.

Initially, because the area by the house was so empty, I figured the house itself must be closed, but the trick is that you have to enter from the back of the house, which is a little hidden off the main street so many people probably didn’t see the door at first. We were the only ones in the entrance when we arrived, no wait, and we were able to get in right away and explore the historic home.

One of our favorite attractions we visited was The Daniels House. It was one of the oldest still standing mansions in town, and is actually still lived in today by the family who owns it. You can also stay at the house, as it functions as a bed and breakfast too. Pretty cool! We enjoyed a wonderful and insightful tour here. It was just us and one other couple and our tour guide. One of the highlights of the tour was getting to have a mug of tea as you learn about the history of the home, the family, and the town. Our tour guide was absolutely fantastic, and was the best one we encountered during our trip.

If you’re a big Hocus Pocus fan like me, you’ll definitely want to check out some of the sites and buildings from the movie. The Ropes Mansion and Garden wasn’t open during this time of year, but you could walk around the outside and the gardens for free. It didn’t seem like many people knew this house was in Hocus Pocus because I was able to walk right up the front door and pose without interruption. The gardens in November aren’t looking their best due to the weather, but it was still fun to do a quick walkaround.

After checking out Alison’s house, you might be inclined to drive by the main house from Hocus Pocus, where Max and Dani lived. It’s important to note, the house is a private residence, and the people living there rightfully don’t want you coming up to the house and disturbing them. The house is also surprisingly right on the waterfront in a quiet neighborhood, something you don’t realize from the movie. If you must see it, consider just driving by or standing by the waterfront or sidewalk for a really quick picture.

If you’re looking for another tour of a historic building, or you’re a fan of classic novels, you might want to consider seeing The House of the Seven Gables. The tour takes a while, and the buildings on the grounds are not well ventilated or air conditioned, so it can get a bit stuffy. When I went, (Nov 2022) masks were still required, which I was grateful for, but it did cause you to heat up more easily. Tours are pretty packed, and not as quiet or private as some of the others we took. Also worth noting, some of the “secret” spaces you visit are not for the claustrophobic, those with mobility issues, or people who are a bit bigger (think very tight spots). Everyone on our tour got through the “secret” spots of the house ok, but I’m not sure what would happen if you opted out. You might just need to wait outside during certain parts of the tour?

The House of the Seven Gables – Salem, MA

For those who are National Parks fans, which my boyfriend and I are, you might want to consider checking off Salem Maritime National Historic Site on your list of Parks, or getting your National Parks Passport stamped at the visitor center. Apparently, Salem is the first National Historic Site in the United States. As sites and parks go, I was disappointed. By the waterfront, there’s a number of old buildings from when Salem was the busiest sea port around, but you can’t actually go into any of them. Not sure if this is a yearly thing or an off-season thing, but it was disappointing.

We wanted to check out the replica of the Friendship of Salem, an old merchant boat, but they were repainting it during our visit, so we couldn’t go on it. You can walk along the pier by the boat, which was completely empty, and get up close to a small lighthouse at the water’s edge. A cute spot for a quick photo.

The main “building” for the National Historic Site is the old armory across town, the Salem Armory Visitor Center. It’s a pretty decent visitor center, but not super exciting. We looked at a few of the displays, checked out the gift shop section, used the bathroom, and stamped our passport and called it a day.

If you’re looking for a great quality gift shop, look no further than the gift shop of the Salem Witch Museum. You can enter it from the street without going through the “museum” if you’d like. The shop had a lot of great souvenirs from traditional Salem witchy stuff, to books, Hocus Pocus items, Harry Potter gifts, clothing, jewelry, and more! This is not your traditional cheap souvenir store.

A lot of people have strong opinions on the Salem Witch Museum itself, and if it’s worth it or not. We did end up going in, and bought tickets right on our phone. It’s a popular attraction, even off season, but there was a lot of availability the day of. The displays could use some updating and the audio some level tweaking, but it’s a good storytelling spot if you want to learn a bit more while sitting down for most of the time. Do not expect a traditional museum that you walk around and see displays in.

While on the topics of museums, the Peabody Essex Museum is famous and well regarded. We stopped by, even though I’m not the biggest museum fan, and spent a couple hours exploring. They have some interesting displays of nautical artifacts, Asian art, a small section about the Witch Trials, and the Yin Yu Tang house.

If you have a sweet tooth, check out the oldest candy shop in the US, Ye Olde Pepper Companie. They’ve been open since 1806! It’s a short walk from the waterfront, Daniels House, or The House of Seven Gables. It’s a tiny shop, but worth a visit. How many people can say they’ve been to the oldest candy shop?

Finally, round out your off-season visit with a night tour around town. There’s a number to choose from, depending on interests. Expect to do a couple hours of walking, regardless of rain! We did the Bewitched After Dark tour, and had fun. I don’t know if we learned a whole lot of new things, but Sarah was a great storyteller.

Overall, if you’re looking to visit Salem, consider going during the less crowded months of the year. We were able to walk to all the main attractions without issue or crowds, and do just about everything there is to see and do. November is a great time to visit with decent weather, cheaper prices, and more availability of attractions and no lines!

Travel

Grace Hopper Conference Prep

September 30, 2019 No Comments

Tomorrow morning I head off to the airport to go to my first professional conference. I’ll be heading to Orlando, Florida to attend the Grace Hopper Conference, the largest conference for women in Tech! I’m super excited, but also nervous.

As someone who considers themselves an introvert, this is going to be quite the adventure for me.

My hopes for Grace Hopper:
1. That I have fun! That’s the most important part. As long as I’m enjoying myself, then it’s worth it!
2. Meet new people and create connections. You never know who you might meet and how that connection could change your future.
3. Learn about interesting tech. From Google Assistant programming to Netflix using technology for storytelling, I can’t wait to see what I learn.
4. Learn about other companies and education programs that lead the way in the world of tech.
5. Become inspired. There will be over 20,000 women in attendance. Working in tech you’re often the only woman in the room, so I’m pumped to be surrounded by so many intelligent, passionate, and confident women.

My goal is to make a few videos about the experience, share some tips, and help future conference goers feel confident and excited. I’ll add these to my Youtube channel in the coming weeks, so make sure to subscribe!

Reviews, Style, Travel

Travel Fix: Pockets Required!

May 6, 2018 No Comments

A few months ago I took my first trip to Asia. I was full of all sorts of emotions, from not knowing what to expect, wondering what I would eat, if I would be able to communicate with people, and what in the world should I pack! The first leg of my trip was to the Philippines, a place I never expected I would visit, but when works calls and an adventure awaits, you pack that bag and go. I knew that offices in the Philippines, particularly Manila, had some rules around dress code, and that shorts were apparently a no no. However, I looked at the weather report and I wondered how I would survive without shorts. So, I pulled up the Stitch Fix app and requested an emergency Stitch Fix travel fix with one BIG requirement, everything must have pockets!

If you’ve been reading my Fix posts, you know I love a dress with pockets, so I knew I had to request those, and I also told my stylist to throw in a skirt too, but only if it had pockets. Why was I pocked obsessed? Well, a girl has to carry her phone, clip her work badge on to something, and be able to carry other essentials of course!

Alright, enough back story, get ready for the Ultimate Pocket Fix from Stitch Fix!

#1 THML Andrea Textured Knit Dress
The first dress I pulled out was an solid black knit dress with a small black and white turtleneck. The fabric seemed pretty heavy, not super lightweight, so I was immediately concerned that I would be way too hot in this dress, especially with a high neck line. I tried it on, and found it was pretty comfortable, but the true test would be in the Philippines. I was happy to find the dress did indeed have pockets, but I felt the pockets were a little extra bulky so when I wore the dress it seemed to accentuate my hips, making them look bigger. Fast forward to the Philippines, and I pulled this little number out, and it seemed to hold up with the high humidity and 80+ degree temps. Win! It also worked well for going from day to night. After wearing the dress all day in the office, I then went out for a late dinner with a coworker/friend and I felt I looked dressy and appropriate for a nice evening out.

THML Andrea Textured Knit Dress – Stitch Fix

#2 – Daniel Rainn Estefany Lace Detail Split Neck Blouse
Next up was a super cute blouse by one of my favorites, Daniel Rainn. When I saw I received a shirt, it was a giveaway that a skirt was coming, since I asked for a matching top if a skirt was given. I absolutely love the color and pattern of this top. It screams summer, fun, and it’s perfect for traveling. Not only did this shirt not wrinkle during travel, but it kept me feeling cool and chic! The little birds make me think tropics, and I was in a pretty “tropical” area at times, so I loved how my stylist took notice of where I was going and incorporated a fun pattern to match. You’ll see this paired with the skirt in the next item below. Oh, and don’t forget to wear a nude colored bra with this top, it is a bit see through via the fabric and lace near the chest.

Daniel Rainn Estefany Lace Detail Split Neck Blouse – Stitch Fix

#3 – Liverpool Aislin Pencil Skirt
Before this Fix, I didn’t own a pencil skirt. I know, it’s practically a fashion sin, but I just never found one that I felt looked flattering. This Liverpool skirt changed my mind on the pencil skirt. Not only is the skirt cute, but it’s extremely flattering. If you’ve been thinking about trying out a pencil skirt, look no further. This skirt fits perfectly, without being too tight. Of course, it has pockets! This skirt zips and buttons up, allowing for a comfortable fit. Pair it with a fun printed top, and you’re ready to take on work or date night! The below outfit was a hit with my teammate/friend.

Daniel Rainn Estefany Lace Detail Split Neck Blouse and Liverpool Aislin Pencil Skirt – Stitch Fix

#4 – Truly Poppy Carlina Cold Shoulder Dress
A cold shoulder dress for a tropical climate? Yes! I’ve never owned a cold shoulder dress before, and in my last Fix post you saw me get my first cold shoulder top. This dress actually came first, I just decided to post this Fix in a more appropriate season (spring/summer) than when I received it (winter). I was a little nervous because there seemed to be a lot of sleeve situation going on, but I figured I’d give it a shot and see what it looked like on. I’m so glad I received this dress, not only is it a beautiful plum color, but it’s perfect for spring/summer and outings of all types. I added a sweater (occasionally) when I was in the office to help keep me warm from the AC, and although there’s a lot of sleeve action, I was able to neatly tuck everything in under a thin fitted sweater, a major plus. The back of the dress has a cut out, and is brought together by two big snaps. I didn’t have any issues with the snaps coming undone, but it can be a little tricky snapping things into place the first try, but you get used it!

I received tons of compliments on this dress while I was on my business trip, which is an added bonus!

Truly Poppy Carlina Cold Shoulder Dress – Stitch Fix

#5 – Truly Poppy Crissie Linen Dress
Now you may say to yourself, didn’t I just see this dress. Close, but nope! I thought the same thing when I pulled out this dress. When I put on the Crissie dress the fit was immediately different. Both dresses from Truly Poppy were provided in the same size, but this one was significantly tighter, especially in the chest area, making everything look very unflattering. I was a bit upset because I was hoping this was going to be another winner that I could put in my suitcase for my big trip to Asia, but it just wasn’t going to cut it. I tried to see if I could exchange it for a size larger, but the checkout page said they didn’t have the size I wanted, so I returned the dress, left feedback in the open response section at checkout and called it a day.

Surprisingly, Stitch Fix contacted me a few days later to say they were able to get this dress in the next size up and wondered if I wanted to try it out. I said “sure!” The dress came after my trip, but it fit great! This was my first time doing an exchange with Stitch Fix, and it went smoothly. I loved how proactive they were to find me a new size, it really made my day. While I didn’t have this item for my trip, I’m glad I have it now.

The back of this dress has a cute cut out, as does the previous Truly Poppy Dress. It helps keep you cool in humid weather and adds a little sass. Best part of course is the pockets! I also want to give a shout out for the scalloping at the neck line, it’s a nice added detail that makes this a fun option. If you’re going to wear a bra, make sure to pair it with a strapless bra that doesn’t have too thick of a band in the back, or it will show. Pair this dress with a light sweater and you’re ready for a Spring evening stroll. You’ll love how breezy the linen is!

Truly Poppy Crissie Linen Dress – Stitch Fix

Final Thoughts: While I may not have necessarily picked all of these items on my own if they were in store, I’m truly happy with the pieces I received. My stylist came through with my odd request of everything must have pockets. Thank you for delivering, Cassandra! If you’re a pocket in dresses kind of girl, you can’t go wrong with any of these pieces. My philosophy in life is that all dresses should have pockets, and this Fix has certainly spoiled me. Hope you enjoyed this Fix and that you found an item or two you’ll want to request too!

Don’t forget to follow my Pinterest Boards for more Stitch Fix fun!

Haven’t tried Stitch Fix yet? Sign up with my Stitch Fix code!

Travel

Crazy Cotton Candy in Asia

March 2, 2018 No Comments

When I was in Asia, there was one food related thing on my bucket list, and that was to get a crazy shaped fun cotton candy. Cotton candy in the US is simply not as exciting or shapely as it is in Asia.

I found a cute cotton candy stand in the Venice Piazza Grand Canal Mall while in the Philippines, and had to check it out!

Appearance
The cotton candy met my expectations. It was cute and fluffy, but once I walked outside to cross the street to get to the office, it deflated really quickly!

How did it taste?
Unfortunately, not as tasty as it looked! I don’t know how to explain the flavor but it wasn’t sweet or similar tasting to traditional cotton candy here in the US. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the facial features being made of seaweed, which I definitely didn’t want to eat.

Check out my video below, and feel free to subscribe on YouTube 🙂 I’ve got many more videos on their way!

I also spotted some massive volcano cloud like cotton candy treats while in Harajuku in Toyko!

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