Forget 50 Shades of Grey, Twinings now offers 3 new steaming hot flavors of Earl Grey tea that are sure to satisfy. Sorry, couldn’t help but play with the innuendos there ;)
It’s no secret that I’m a tea fanatic, tea aficionado, tea obsessed, whatever you want to call it, which is why I was delighted to test out the three new flavors of Earl Grey tea from Twinings.
Three New Twinings Earl Grey Tea Flavors
Twinings Earl Grey teas are now available in Lavender, Extra Bold andJasmine flavors.
Jasmine Earl Grey is an exclusive blend in the market, mixing an intoxicating scent and a slightly sweet taste.
Lavender Earl Grey has a floral and fresh aroma with a very soothing taste. This blend is perfect for when you want to unwind and relax.
Extra Bold Earl Grey is an intensified bergamot blend enhanced with natural citrus flavors, which provides an uplifting and vibrant rich taste.
I love Jasmine tea to begin with, so it’s not surprising that was my favorite of the three new varieties, but Lavender was nice and relaxing too and tasted like a spa in a tea cup. The extra bold, meanwhile, was a powerful way to start off my day though since it provided a strong wake-up call and extra pep. In fact, I feel like I was more productive the mornings that I sipped it. Best of all, the three new flavors come in 20 count boxes for only $2.99!
Brewing Tip
To savor the full flavor of these teas, bring water to boil, and pour over the tea as soon as it reaches boiling. Over-boiling will cause oxygen to be reduced, making the tea taste “flat.” Remove tea bag after 3 minutes to avoid over brewing. I also like to reuse the tea bag for a second cup at a lighter steeping.
The Fascinating Backstory of Earl Grey Tea
Twinings classic Earl Grey tea was first blended by Richard Twining in 1831, when Prime Minister Charles Grey asked him to replicate a tea he once received by a Chinese Mandarin. The Prime Minister gave his royal approval, which resulted in the creation of the first Earl Grey blend. To this day Twinings Earl Grey boxes are signed by descendants of Mr. Charles Grey. Right now each pack is signed by the current 7th Earl Grey and one of Twinings’ nine Master Blenders. How cool is that?
What gives Earl Grey its unique spicy taste? It is flavored with bergamot, a Mediterranean citrus fruit.
We recently checked out Naples’s newest restaurant, Metro Diner, offering classic comfort food with flair. The new eatery opened January 31 in the shopping plaza by Off the Hook Comedy Club and considering it is only a few weeks new, I was shocked at our packed it was. However, after eating there I can see why. The prices are good and the food is even is better!
Metro Diner originates from Jacksonville, Florida and prides itself on quality ingredients and a scratch kitchen where they make their own sauces, soups and compotes. In addition, Metro Diner hand cuts their home fries and cracks fresh eggs daily.
We ordered their two signature dishes, Fried Chicken and Waffles topped with house-made strawberry butter and signature sweet and spicy sauce and there Charleston Shrimp & Grits.
Chicken and Waffles at Metro Diner in Naples, Florida
The restaurant serves all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner- designed to indulge the taste buds with new twists on traditional dishes made-from-scratch. The large portion sizes enable every guest to enjoy a delicious meal at a great value, with most dishes priced under $15. Next time, I plan on trying their pot roast or open faced Turkey.
Charleston Shrimp & Grits at Metro Diner
At the back of the restaurant is a large, colorful chalk board with their daily specials, which our waitress said you won't find in their menu, so order while you can.
They also have a children's menu with a perfectly grilled cheese and french fries, which I couldn't help snagging a bite or two of. A paper coloring placemat and crayons were also provided to entertain little ones.
Another good value is there drinks priced at only $3.99 for a glass of wine or $4.99 for Mimosas that are generously poured. It wasn't brunch any longer, but it didn't stop us from ordering two Mimosas just the same!
UPDATE: A second SWFL location has opened and it's even closer to us, yay! 3250 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34134.
Disclaimer: I received a gift certificate to use at Metro Diner in exchange for my honest review. We paid the difference and tip.
The Disney Cruise Line Navigator is a free app that helps you navigate the ship, see the ship schedule and text with your travel party while onboard. You'll be using this app often to message other passengers on board since it makes coordinating so much easier, plus the adorable Disney emojis! All of the functionalities will work once you are connected to the onboard wifi, but in the meantime, there is also a countdown clock for your trip.
Check-in Online for Earliest Boarding Time
Our first Disney cruise I had checked in online weeks in advance, but this time only several days before our trip. This was a mistake because by then the earliest available boarding time was 2 p.m. and we wanted to get on as soon as possible. So, to get the most of your time on the ship, check in online as soon as you are able to via the My Disney Cruise Line website. This site also allows you to schedule a character call with one of the characters welcoming everyone, which is really fun for the kids. BONUS TIP: Even though you may board around Noon, you still will not be able to go in your room until after 1:30 p.m., so be sure and bring a tote bag with pool gear or other items that you'll want handy before your luggage arrives.
Order a Mickey Latte on the Disney Wonder
Order a Mickey Latte
The Cove Cafe itself is a hidden gem for ordering cocktails without the lines and for getting your daily cup of coffee. Like a traditional gourmet coffee shop the options are endless, but if you want an Instagram-worthy pic, do request that the barista (Leyston) to add a Mickey shaped cinnamon sprinkle to your cappuccino or latte. Mine was definitely the envy of my friends! :)
Room Service Milk & Cookies
Room service itself is free and available 24/7. There is a menu in your room with a full list of options. This came in handy for an afternoon snack for our boys like Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. Also, a fun tradition we started was ordering cookies and milk before bed while watching whichever Disney movie was playing on the TV. (Sadly, the Wonder ship does not have the awesome On-Demand movie feature like the Disney Dream does).
BYOB
If you imbibe and would like to save some money, bring your own. Each adult is allowed to bring 2 bottles of wine or champagne or 6 bottles of beer. Since this was only a 3-night cruise, we carried on two bottles of prosecco, another perk of not flying and worrying about ounces. Make sure that liquor is in your carry-on bag as you go through the cruise terminal for inspection. Do not check it in with your bags, as it will be confiscated and returned at the end of your trip. We opened our bottle on the balcony before dinner and ordered a cheese plate to be delivered to our room. See above about free room service!
Ask for the Drink of the Day
Save a few bucks on a cocktail by ordering the Drink of the Day for just $4.75. Doesn't matter what it is, they are all great, but the Bahama Mama was my favorite.
Pack Door Decorations
The cabin doors aboard Disney cruise lines are a work of art! Guests decorate their doors with photos and decorations of all kinds, including magnets with their names and favorite characters on them. It's fun to simply walk around see what others have done. To personalize our door we ordered this cute door magnet with each of our first names listed and I also added a shameless plug to my blog URL, lol. Another great thing about decorating your door is that it makes it easy for kids to spot their room. Stickers are not allowed.
Disney Cruise Line has an innovative rotational dining, where each night you are assigned a different sit-down restaurant to dine at. While we loved them all, Tiana's Place and Animator's Palate offered more entertainment and ambiance than Triton's, so I would recommend skipping Triton's in favor of the adult only restaurant Palo. However, there is an additional fee for dining at Palo - $30 per person or if you'd like the wine pairing dinner option it's more. We simply ordered wine a la carte though. It's so worth it though as the food is amazing! It's also nice to have an adult-only evening, so feed your kids first at the upstairs food court or one of the quick-serve options by the pool and then check them in for fun at the kids club (Oceaneer's Club). You can make your reservation ahead of time Online or once on board. Oh, and this is a formal dining experience, so no flip-flops or sneakers and guys must be in dress pants. We saw a man who had to leave to switch his shoes, so fair warning.
Schedule a Whiskey Tasting
On the first day we saw a brief mention in the Navigator that read, Go to Guest Services to schedule a whiskey, vodka, margarita, tequila, wine or bourbon tastings. Since we were only on a 3-night/4-day sailing, not all the choices were available. However, the whiskey tasting was set for 10 p.m. one night for $25/per person. We purchased two tickets but later found out that it was the same time as the fireworks. Luckily, we were able to step out for five minutes and see the fireworks perfectly from the Cove Bar's deck. During the tasting, we received four generous pours of whiskey each from different brands and gained some general history of the liquor, the distilling process and other tasting tips along the way. We were even more fortunate to be the only two at the tasting, so it was like having a private course. Our instructor, Chris, was really knowledgeable and made the tasting even more enjoyable. Given that it's an hour-long class and the amount of alcohol provided, the nominal charge more than balances out. I'd highly recommend this hidden itinerary gem, so do ask guest services which night it will be offered.
Whiskey Tasting on board the Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wonder
Line up Early for Frozen
Frozen, A Musical Spectacular is the MUST SEE show at sea and only Disney's Wonder has it. My husband and I were both seriously impressed at the quality, singing and special effects of this stage show. I'm not exaggerating when I say that it's at the same caliber as a Broadway show and I'm a New Yorker who grew up seeing musicals on Broadway. Each night the stage shows are crowded, but this performance had a line starting almost an hour prior to show time (doors open a half hour before), so get in line early. We let the boys stay in the kids club while we waited in the queue, then got them once my husband claimed seats.TIP: Sit in the first 15 rows if you'd like to have the snow actually fall on you and your family at the end of the show. We missed this experience by just three rows and my boys were really disappointed. Also, as you enter the theater be sure and snag the provided booster seats for smaller children, so they can sit more comfortably in their seats. Other parents would see ours and have to circle back to get them.
Drink Juice from Sulley's Sips
Up on the pool deck, head to Sulley's Sips drink stand, which despite the Monster's Inc. name isn't just for kids. They also have some yummy frozen cocktails here, but we liked ordering the healthy Juice Tonic, which is a blend of fresh Apples, Bananas, Kale, Spinach, Chia seeds and Spirulina. We substituted coconut water in lieu of the ice cream to keep it even healthier.
Embarkation Day WiFi Special
Each passenger can get a free 50MB Internet Data Package Offer on their first day on board. Don't sign up for it though until you no longer have cell phone reception, then sign up and use the 50MB to send any last emails, post your embarkation photos, etc. 50MB goes fast. We took advantage of Grandma's too since she was in a different cabin. After that, you'll need to purchase a package or unplug for the rest of your trip.
Dance & Eat Hot Beignets at Tiana's Place
Hot beignets are the must order dessert and treat on the ship! Just as good as the French Quarter. Also, be prepared to dance while dining here as the live jazz music and performances make for a lively dinner. My boys loved parading around the tables at the end of their meal with Louis the alligator, waitstaff and fellow passengers. Fun memories!
Dance & Order Hot Beignets at Tiana's Place on Disney Wonder
Bring Cash & Lanyards
Yes, tips are already included in the daily occupancy rates, but we added an extra $5 bucks to each of our waitstaff envelopes and $10 for our Steward for our 3-night cruise. However, since cash isn't really needed on the ship since you can easily charge food and gifts to your account using your room key, we had to scramble to find change for tips. Thus, have some smaller bills on you for this purpose. Also, there is a post office on Castaway Cay that only takes cash and not room keys, so if you want to send a postcard, remember to pack a few bills in your beach tote. You may also want to pre-order Disney lanyards with a detachable coin purse to hold money and your room key. It's also great for kids, so they don't lose their key. I found it helpful too since I didn't wear or need a purse on the ship and my bathing suit and sundresses didn't have pockets.
Scuttle's Cove on Castaway Cay
Some of the other families we met on the beach didn't realize that on Disney's private island Castaway Cay (pronounced key) there is a kids club where children can also be dropped off with sand and water play areas, called Scuttle's Cove. You can use this alone time to visit the adult only beach, Serenity Bay or try out the bigger water slides and island bar. We didn't leave the family beach this time but checked the kids into the club for an hour after lunch so they could run around before going back on the ship for nap time. Be prepared to hose them off after as they were super sandy! Also, as suggested in my below packing list, pack a sand shovel or two for the family beach or be prepared to buy some.
Video Tour of Disney Wonder Stateroom #7114:
#1 Selling Cruise Essential - Cruise Approved Power Strip
During this year's Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, I received a sneak peek at the upcoming 2017 Walt Disney Studios' movie releases. Here's what's coming to theaters soon and what to look forward to, at least I know I will.
Getting a Beauty and the Beast Sneak Peek and Product Preview
My FAVORITE preview was seeing the first 8 minutes of the live action version of the classic fairy tale Beauty and The Beast. It's my favorite Disney animated film, so I was already looking forward to seeing it, however, after seeing the extended look ... it's beyond what I could have imagined. Seeing the opening sequence of Belle played by the beautiful Emma Watson and the townspeople singing "Poor Provencial Town" was amazing, colorful and just gorgeous. I didn't want it to end. I liked that they mixed it up a bit with some extra humor and dialogue mixed in from Gaston (Luke Evans) and LeFou played by Josh Gad. Meanwhile, forget the prince, Gaston is HOT! If I was in the story I think I would have been one of those simpering girls going "he's so strong and handsome" lol. Although I do always have my nose stuck in a book. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST opens in theaters everywhere on March 17, 2017.
We also saw an advanced screening of BORN IN CHINA. I'm always impressed with the beauty of Disneynature films, especially African Cats and this story did not disappoint. Narrated by John Krasinski this true life adventure takes an epic journey into the wilds of China where few people have ever ventured. From the movie poster I thought it was just going to be about panda bears, but it's more than that. It follows the stories of three animal families. A doting panda bear mother guides her growing baby as she begins to explore and seek independence. A two-year-old golden monkey who feels displaced by his new baby sister joins up with a group of free-spirited outcasts. And a mother snow leopard—an elusive animal rarely caught on camera—faces the very real drama of raising her two cubs in one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on the planet. Opening in U.S. theaters on Earth Day, April 21, 2017.
Meanwhile, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 blasts into theaters on May 5, 2017. We only saw an extended trailer, but it looked fun like the first one and baby Groot looks adorable! Can't wait!
Also, Jack Sparrow is back again with Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. The scene that we previewed was swashbuckling fun and had me cringing in my seat as the heroes narrowly escaped the royal guards again. I had really liked the last one with the mermaids and Penelope Cruz, so am looking forward to this one. This edition features a heroine too played by Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), a brilliant and beautiful astronomer. The new tale drops anchor in U.S. theaters on May 26, 2017.
My boys though are most excited for Disney/Pixar's Cars 3. We only saw some character shots and a trailer, but we did get to see in its entirety the animated short that will be playing before it - LOU. While we were asked not to go into much detail about it, I will share that it's adorable and sentimental and tackles playground bullying. I got misty watching it. LOU and Cars 3 cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.
However, if you are looking to cry for some reason, watch this inspiring runDisney video from the Disney Parks Blog. Have tissues handy, and don't say that I didn't warn you! This video was also shared with us during the conference and I lost it when the kind stranger says "every superhero needs a cape."
