Babesta blog

Rockin' the Golf Course - Only in Vegas, Baby

I am Soooo Vegas-bound. Very exited to read that KISS by Monster Mini Golf, a rock n’ roll themed 18-hole indoor golf attraction, is set to open March 15 in Las Vegas, Nev. The venerable Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer will open the course any day now!

According to reports in Licensing News, "the attraction is a glow-in-the-dark, custom designed indoor mini golf course that will also include an arcade, a KISS gift shop billed as the “largest in the world,” a KISS gallery, the “Hotter than Hell” wedding chapel, a private VIP room, FANtastic KISS theme event rooms and the Rock N’ Roll All Nite café."

This isn't your dad's mini-golf. . . 

Some must bring-alongs for the all-night baby rocker: The Rockaybe Baby Compilation CD, and a Sourpuss Snaptee 

 

 

Sweet & Shabby Chic Little Victorian found on Sharona Design

Somewhere between a playhouse and a dream house, this diminuative Victorian cottage in the Catskills was featured on Sharona Design and is simply irresistable (so much so, I needed to repost!). So so shabby chic...i can imagine it for a pint sized girly girl with an old soul. Filled with vintage stuffed animals, a place to tuck away and read and have elaborate tea parties in her best Anais and I frock.  tiny victorian cottage « Sharona Design.

Playdate to remember: Vaux-Le-Vicomte Chateau, France

 I was reading the supplement on France in this month's Gotham magazine, and was taken by the Vaux-Le-Vicomte Chateau in France. Not only does it look extraordinary for adults to visit, they take great pains to make this an enjoyable and informative expereince for children. Kids can dress up in period costumes (available for rent) and tour the chateau, learning along the way how children of the period lived. They can also go on a treasure hunt, fence and go out on the lawn for some hoop rolling. There are riddle games along the garden paths, and even sword and mirror making classes. On Easter, they also have a grand Easter egg hunt. Amidst the grandeur of the chateau, you would be hard-pressed to find a more exceptional weekend activity for your little prince and princesses. 

The costumed tours run for 90 minutes, twice a day every Sunday, and run 8 Euros plus the cost of a flight to France. 

Hot Dots: Queensland Museum of Modern Art and artist Yayoi Kusama

I had just read in Mommy Poppins about a birthday party where the host let kids test their mad art skills all over their white washed apartment. If you can't find a kids' family willing to do that, the wall sticker dot-ified room a la polka dot loving artist Yayoi Kusama might be a solution. Check out the before and after at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art. Super Cool.

photos from The Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2082582/Spot-The-artist-lets-children-cover-white-room-colourful-stickers.html

I'm not sure just how many containers of WallCandy Arts you'd need to do this, but the finished product is amazing. Try your hand with Dottilicious WallCandy at Babesta. 

Quick Winter Getaway: The Roxbury Motel in the Catskills

Checked out a great weekend getaway that had been on the list for some time – The Roxbury Motel in the Catskills. A stone’s throw from Plattekill and close to Hunter, Belleayre and Windham ski resorts, outdoor options were plentiful.

But the hotel was an event in and of itself. Every suite is themed and we chose the pied-e-terre dubbed “Genie’s Bottle.” Any little girl would love it—a study of how Barbara Eden felt on the ‘60s classic sitcom. The whole interior was gold, orange and pink, with drapery, fuzzy and textured pillows and chandeliers.

The bathroom was the piece de resistance – with a solar tube in the center letting in light and curved walls covered in mosaic tiles sloping up to the mouth of the “bottle.” The spa-like bathroom featured a 70-gallon Japanese soaking tub, which was pretty cool.

The suite, constructed by Paul Waddington, apparently took 6 months to create. The hotel & ski possibilities make it definitely worth a trip up to the area, though I’d wait for a snowfall. We got the manmade stuff, which worked for our little stay (the bunny slopes were full speed ahead, a few full runs were operating and the snow tubing course was a blast) but with a couple good blizzards under winter’s belt, it’d be even better. Check out the Roxbury Motel here.

 

Swooshing the Slopes in Stowe

So we were looking for a great place to get away for a few days from the city. We packed up the kids and took an impromptu weekend in Stowe, VT. Though the ride was stormy (there was a big blizzard as we drove), the Stowe Mountain Lodge was beautiful – newly renovated, with great, friendly service. I’m all about service when I vacation – it’s such an easy thing to give attention to, yet so many places fall so short. But the Lodge went out of it’s way to make sure that everything was relaxing and fun—the room was nice and sizeable enough, the food was perfect – there were “adult” meals for us, and a crowd pleasing kids menu as well. After the storm, the mountain was fresh powdered bliss, and the skiing was fabulous. They have group and private lessons for the kids and a nice place where they can learn their skills on the slopes. There’s a skating rink, outdoor hot tubs and heated pools. They also host kids’ activities (& dinner) every evening and even have a children’s activity center on premises, replete with video games and air hockey.

It’s a bit far to go – I’d recommend 3 nights at least – but it hits all the right notes for a stress-free long weekend outta dodge with the family. Babesta Thumbs Up! www.stowemountainlodge.com.