Emily Exploring Maryland!

​ My family has stayed loyal and true to our all time favorite restaurant, Chiapparelli’s . This little gem is located in Little Italy, Baltimore on South High Street. Chiapparelli’s truly has the most amazing food and the environment inside of the restaurant is so cozy, warm and welcoming. I may be biased because it is a family tradition to celebrate birthdays at Chiapparelli’s, but it is one million percent worth a visit. (My family and I at Chiapparelli’s circa 2010!)   Chiapparelli’s Restaurant History  Chiapparelli’s was first opened in the early 1940’s as a pizza joint by Pasquale Chiapparelli’s and his brother. Pasquale, originally from Naples, Italy, moved to the United States in 1925 at the age of 26 years old. He moved to Baltimore to join many of his family members that had moved here prior to him. Pasquale married a woman known as Miss Nellie who worked with him in the restaurant making her speciality of daily fresh ravioli! Both Miss Nellie and Pasquale passed awa...

​ I unfortunately have not traveled out of the country, but, my uncle has had some of the most amazing travel experiences I’ve ever heard of! My uncle Mike has been traveling the world since I was a little girl. He first moved to San Diego, California, then made his way to living in Tijuana, Mexico for many years. He absolutely loves to experience new cultures and the art of solo travel. He meets new people wherever he goes, and has so many stories to tell. My uncles favorite place to go is Thailand, so today we are going to break down some of their unique traditions from his point of view! Why Thailand? Before we get into the festivals and traditions, I must tell you why uncle Mikes country of choice is Thailand. The simple answer is, it’s extremely cheap, and the scenery is stunning. My uncle is not a winter person, he despises cold weather, so warm places are where he chooses to spend most of his months out of the year.  Hotels According to a site called “ Thailand Starts H...

​ One of my favorite things about living in a small town is that there are usually always community events going on every weekend. On Saturday, November 8 th , I attended a community flea market at the Carroll County Agricultural Center. The Ag Center is a large arena that holds trade shows and entertainment in Carroll County all throughout the year! The indoor flea market took place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and showcased over 100 tables of antiques, books, collectibles, baked goods, crafts and much more! Admission and parking were completely free, and if you rented a 10 x 10 space, there was a fee of $40 with a $5 fee for each table used. My grandma and great grandma used to have a table every year at this annual flea market, and others throughout the year, so going back really filled me with a lot of emotions. Seeing the areas where they used to set up their table was extremely nostalgic for me. My sisters and I used to help out at the market, checking people out and exploring other ta...

​ This fall, I had the privilege of going to Oktoberfest at the Frederick Fairgrounds! It is a great way to  drink awesome cider or beer, listening to performances, check out handmade art, eat delicious German food, and watch German dancing routines. What is Oktoberfest? Oktoberfest is a beer celebration that brings German traditions to life! The celebration dates back to the 1800’s in Munich, Germany to celebrate the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. While the festivities were originally celebrated in October, now, Octoberfest is held September because there is more daylight in the evening, meaning longer partying! It is also warmer in September, so people can enjoy beautiful weather without being too chilly. It is a two weeklong festival in Munich where you can enjoy delicious beer (or cider if you are gluten free like me), eat authentic German cuisine, and get to know the community. Oktoberfest in Frederick Oktoberfest 2025 ...

If you are seeking a cheap museum and are a history lover, you most definitely need to check out the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. The Museum is located in Frederick, Maryland on East Patrick Street. There is a $10.50 admission fee per adult, but my boyfriend and I found a Groupon deal where we got two tickets for only $8! You can experience the National Museum of Civil War Medicine either with a guided tour group of up to 40 people, or you can do a self guided tour, which is what we chose to do!   What Will You See During Your Visit? During your visit to the NMCWM, “you will follow in the footsteps of soldiers and surgeons to discover the harsh conditions, personal sacrifices and brilliant innovations of Civil War medicine, innovations that continue to save lives today” (National Museum of Civil War Medicine). The museum showcase’s the lives and activities of the doctors, patients, and caregivers who served during the War. From the horrors of war, there emerged syst...

​ If you live in the DMV, and surrounding areas, you have most definitely heard of, or visited, the sweetest place on Earth, Hershey Park ! I had the pleasure of taking a trip to the glorious Hershey, PA this year and knew I had to share my experience! Hershey Park, for those who do not know, is a large amusement park in Hershey Pennsylvania. It is the perfect place for the entire family to enjoy. No matter your age, there is something for everyone. During your visit to Hershey, PA you can experience everything from the most thrilling roller coasters, to luxurious spa treatments, endless delicious restaurants and bars, the cutest boutiques, unforgettable outdoor concerts, and so much more. History                   We all know that the icon Hershey name is associated with the most delicious chocolate. Milton Hershey is the man who started it all in 1905 in the very town that Hershey, PA is now known as....