3 Cities With The Best Parks in America

Green spaces in cities are often hard to come by, but for many they are an integral part of life, forming a place of quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city. But which cities should you go to if parks are what you want? Well, whether you’re looking for a great place for the kids or the best places to retire, there are obviously thousands of options, but we’ve found four cities whose parks stand out from the herd.

Plano, Texas

Plano is no stranger to accolades, frequently being selected as one of the best cities to live in or retire, and its parks system is a good reflection of it. For example, in recent years, their Parks and Recreation department has either won or nearly won the Gold Medal for Excellence in Parks and Recreation from the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) three times. The city also features 4321 acres of public parks, most of which are shaded by large trees, including one that is believed to be 500 years old. Its two main Open Space Preserves form an uninterrupted park larger than Central Park in New York City.

Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota

These two cities have recently tied for the Trust for Public Land’s best city parks in America, and it’s pretty clear why: Ease of access for their park systems are through the roof, with 96% of people in St. Paul and 95% of those in Minneapolis living within a 10-minute walk of a park. This is the third year in a row Minneapolis has taken the top spot, and it’s the first time St. Paul has done the same—but only because St. Paul wasn’t considered until this year. As compared to St. Paul, Minneapolis had larger average parks sizes, whereas St. Paul had better facilities like playgrounds. Both cities, however, spent the maximum amount of money per resident on park maintenance and development in that category (more than $200 per person).

Washington, D.C.

D.C.’s oldest municipal park dates back to 1791, but that doesn’t mean it’s in bad shape by any means. No, instead D.C. spends nearly $350 per resident on their 8,500 acres of parks, thereby making some of the best ones in the country. One that seems to especially stand out is Potomac Park, which weaves you through some of the most famous memorials in the country (like the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the FDR Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, for example) as you wander around the Tidal Basin. East Potomac Park is especially beautiful in the spring, when the cherry blossoms burst into bloom.

All in all, America is full of exemplary park systems—but some are better than others. Some are filled with history, others with pure natural beauty, and still others with accolades, but these four cities have most of these things in spades. You really could not go wrong with any one of them.

Make Room to Bloom

Although  the cold weather hasn't left us completely yet, I am glad that Spring has finally sprung.  I see some daffodils in my backyard and  around the neighborhood and  we were able to go for family walks once again.  The drastic change in weather however, is causing sickness to the children. My daughter got sick for two days , that's the second time she got sick this year, and I think that the change in weather has to do with it. It's hard to transition from severe cold weather to warm then back to cold or freezing temperature again. Our human body get shocked with the changes and the result is not always that pleasant especially for the kids.

My multi-layered #daffodils have finally bloom. It makes me sad that all the flowers I planted in my garden will be soon a memory. #Nostalgia is kicking in.

A photo posted by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Mar 24, 2016 at 1:54pm PDT

Had a chilly #walk with the fambam!

A photo posted by Chubskulit Rose (@chubskulitrose) on Mar 16, 2016 at 4:17pm PDT

On the lighter note, new season means new  experience.  Kind of like the big transition that my family will be going through.  In a month or two, we will be moving out of this home that I get to  live in for  ten years.  It makes me sad to leave as I'd come to love this home.  I envisioned myself growing old in this home but life is full of unexpected twist and turn and we must learn how to maneuver through it.

Anyway, I am excited to show you this month's Beauty Box 5.  Their  delivery was a bit delayed this month but everything in it  makes you want to "make a room to bloom" as it contains with Spring essentials and accessories for your skin and nails.

• I love the Sky Blue fragrance from Colour Me.  Fragrances are always  my favorite in a subscription box.  They are fun top try.  If you love  jasmine, this scent is perfect for you.
• The blush and highlighter papiers  are nice to have if you want to touch up your cheek with these pigmented  color with no brush needed.
• The 4-in-1 eye adore serum from Pur-lisse is  exactly what I need to  brighten up my face.  This  fight puffiness, wrinkles and dark circles which I have I around my eyes.
• The Spring Make up collection from glamour dolls is my least favorite on this box since I don't really wear make up.
• Since I am not doing  any gardening this year, the custom floral nail  polish wraps would be fun to play with .
• There's one bonus item this month and that's the  contemporary tattoo.  I am not into tattoos so this is also my least favorite.  However, I can use this to  design a crop top, then again, I have no time for it lol.

Lastly, this  pair of boots that I got from Santa this year is awesome.  It is so comfortable and I  like it's style. 

Disclosure: The owner of this blog was NOT financially compensated to write this review.  I was provided with the product/s mentioned  to help me  facilitate this review but  opinions are my own.

Welcoming Spring with New Fitness Apparel from Aurorae

I am  thankful that  the Winter   isn't so bad this year, however the   drastic change  of weather is causing sickness especially to the children.  Last week was  very warm, it felt like summer already and  over the weekend, it was freezing  again.  It even snowed on the first  day of Spring, my goodness!  Cold weather is the reason I want to stay active because I don't want to get sick.  So far, it is working on my favor, I haven't got sick and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it won't happen.

Since the weather is so unpredictable,  I keep going back and forth doing my  fitness  routine indoors and outdoors.  When it is warm, I do my walks  outside but when it is cold, I walk on the treadmill or I  I do some yoga.  To motivate me more in continuing my  fitness goals, I got me  a new racer back tank top and non-slip toe socks from Aurorae.  

This racer back tank top in blue is so soft, it feels so good  in my skin.  The high quality Lenzing Modal Fabric is made with an eco-friendly, carbon-neutral process from 100% rejuvenating Beech wood trees.  The  flat lock seams helps to avoid skin irritation and it is  highly breathable with wicking capabilities to keep you dry during high-energy activities.  It is available in different colors navy, green, grey, pink, black, purple and blue.

This Aurorae Yoga "The Ultimate"Non-Slip 5 Toe Sock is perfect when  working oput indoors especially when you are doing yoga or pilates as it doesn't slips at all.   The non-slip grip absolutely keeps  my feet in place no matter what surface I step on.  It is machine washable or in my case, I always   hand wash this kind of  stuff so it lasts longer.

The five toe design totally allow mytoes to move and spread naturally.  It feels so good on my feet.  It is also  perfect to walk around wearing my yoga mat flipflops.  

I will definitely get more pair of this  socks when this one wears out because it feels so good on my  feet!

I am ahuge fan of Aurrorae products.  As you can see, I have  most of their products and  I am a big supporter of them.  I highly recommend them as   they are made of  great quality materials.  

 Disclosure: The owner of this blog was NOT financially compensated to write this review.  I was provided with the product/s mentioned  to help me  facilitate this review but  opinions are my own.

Singing at the Festival of Nation

The kids are part of the SJS  choir and they are going to participate to the annual Festival of Nation at the community center tomorow.  I am glad that these two are interested in music  because it is a big part of my being.  I mi-ght not know how to play an instrument not we ever had a   portable karaoke machine but I grew up listening to usic or listen to my parents sing.  I had fun memories  of listening to old music with my father especially on Sundays.  

These photos were taken two years ago as the SJS choir participated to the above mentioned event.    I can't wait to watch them  sing again tomorrow.  

Silly Goose

 MOst of the time, our daughter is  very serious but once in a whileshe is in the mood to be a silly goose.

 I was laughing so hard when my husband is telling a joke and trying to take a picture.

Daughter  decided to  to make faces in front of the camera which made me  curled into my stomach as I was laughing so hard, tears were rolling in my face.

 Our kitchen table is our favorite hangout place at home.  We have a  big living room but somehow, the kitchen  is the magnnet for all of us no matter what we do.

So glad all the printed photos are now in albums.  I don't have to worry about being scattered  or  get lost.  In the coming months, we will be  very busy  as we are in the process of changing a home.  I am not looking forward on moving but we have to as the kids are getting older they both need each other's  spaces.  Our home is  enough  for the four of us but my husband wants a bigger home.  

How to Help Music Lovers in Your City

When schools need to make budget cuts, funding for the arts is one of the first things to go. This means that your kids can no longer join the band, take part in the school choir or even take art classes in school. You may notice that schools do not cut athletic funding because sports help funnel money back into the school during the season. If you want to foster a love for music in your children and other kids in your community, there are a few ways you can help.

Become a Fundraising Expert

Becoming a fundraising expert is an easy to way to help kids in your city who love music. Fundraising efforts can raise the thousands of dollars that those schools need to pay for teachers, rehearsal spaces and supplies. Instead of hosting a traditional bake sale or car wash, look for ways that show the community the power of the arts. You might gather the kids to put on a musical production or a concert. Charge a small amount for tickets to the event. You can even let locals pay the kids to put on shows at their local events.

Look for New Programs

If the school district won't help, look for alternative programs that let kids enjoy music outside of schools. Sing for Hope launched a project that installed street pianos in New York, and similar programs brought pianos to major cities like London and Los Angeles. The idea is that people walking by will feel inspired to sit and play a song. These programs show kids that they can enjoy and appreciate music and the arts while away from school. You can even help kids raise money to install pianos around your own city.

Volunteer Your Time and Money

One reason why arts programs in schools fail is because the school simply cannot afford to pay for the instruments and supplies needed. Giving the school instruments you find in your own closets, at yard sales and in thrift stores helps them build a library of instruments that students can play. You can even volunteer your time to teach lessons after school with individual students or a large group of students. While many schools cannot afford the cost of offering music and art classes, you can volunteer your time, raise money or work with alternative programs to bring arts back into your local schools.