Somewhere between skipping down a quiet street after a rain storm on the way to back to my bed and breakfast after a night of karaoke around two in the morning paired with a carefree beach attitude, something suddenly hit me. I felt alive. In fact, I didn’t just feel alive. I felt the most…
Taste buds explode on a dairy farm
It has been quite the start of the summer here in New England! With temperatures rising into the nineties, there is no doubt that we have been in the midst of a heat wave. The funny part? It’s not even the official start of summer yet! September 21st, for those of you keeping tabs at…
A day spent at the falls, is a day spent with your soul.
A day at the falls puts the mind at ease. When you need to simply collect your thoughts, look no further than your nearest waterfall. Honest! The rush of nature offers a sense of calm that is truly the best medicine in the world. I took a visit to one of my favorite waterfalls recently…
Yoga, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is said that in order to find peace in life, you must find yourself first. The ability to find yourself in todays world is both challenging and daunting. Challenging, because we can’t find the time to even find ourselves as we have become so consumed with our jobs and technology and daunting because, well,…
The Year of You: Stop Trying to Live Up to Others Expectations
Have you seen the latest marketing campaigns lately? Odds are, you have seen every single marketing campaign that is on the planet. Wear this. Buy that. You’ll look great in that jacket, until next week when it’s out of style! Oh, marketing. Why are we, as humans, so drawn to keeping up with appearances of others,…
Brignole Vineyard Brings a Taste of Napa to Connecticut.
We all know by now that I really love vineyards. My Italian roots run deep, and as an Italian, I believe a good glass of wine is good for the soul. Don’t take my word for it, however, read some of the studies on red wine and how it may help with the longevity of our…
The Year of You: On Friendships and Your Past.
When we focus on our past, does it bring us forward into our future? This is sometimes a pondering question. We should absolutely never forget our past or where we came from, but should we rely on it to bring us through the uncertain obstacles of our future simply because we have attached a stigma…
The Year of You.
What a kickoff to the new year it has been. My New Years eve was spent at my second home base of Killington Resort Vermont, a widely popular destination for many of us in the northeast who enjoy the adrenaline of some downhill action at the beast of a ski resort that it is, spreading…
2016 Year in Review.
How was your 2016? The year itself has been a struggle for many. Apparently we had an election? Actually, I can confirm we did just by scrolling through my social media feeds. Bring back Facebook! It looks like CNN ate it. Despite the election, the year 2016 for me was one with many successes. Kicking…
Christmas Day Skiing at Jiminy Peak.
Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. The lights. The music. The seasonal drinks. It’s really a great start to a season that is otherwise known as one of the most depressing in the northeast. Luckily, many years ago I have found a way to beat the seasonal depression that affects so many of…
How to Survive a Polar Vortex.
Get ready. Remember the year that it was brutally cold in Connecticut? Okay, well it’s always cold in Connecticut, but I’m talking more so than usual. I’m talking about when the weather of the North Pole makes its way to our state and people begin to stock up on heated blankets and snuggies rather than…
Christmas in New York City.
What’s better than being in the city during the holidays? I can’t think of much. The twinkle of the lights. The store windows decked to the nines in holiday cheer. The magic of Rockefeller Center lighting up the city with the best Christmas tree in the world, while people discover the warmth of love while…
A Visit to the Torrington Christmas House is a Visit for the Soul.
Want to relive your childhood? There’s a house in Torrington, Connecticut that can help you do just that. Imagine a home filled with the joy of Christmas on the inside from ceiling to floor to every inch of wall space imaginable. The Polar Express train running throughout carrying with it gifts for the children. The…
Take a Holiday Stroll through Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
What is it about small town U.S.A? They just get everything right. The charm of the people. The perfectly lined streets decked out ever so vividly for the holidays. Visions of yesteryear floating through your head instead sugarplums. What are sugarplums? The nearby town of Stockbridge, MA is perhaps center stage for all small towns….
Warm Up with Wine in Connecticut This Weekend.
They say one way to take the chill away is with a fine glass of wine. Maybe two. Maybe three. Either way, I can’t argue with that. As winter ramps into full gear, there’s no better way to take away the winter chill other than a visit to a local Connecticut winery. Surprising, isn’t it?…
Thanksgiving is for Laughter and Love.
“Get the turkey! Shoot, I forgot the mashed potatoes. I’ve got wine! What? No vodka?! Shoot!” Ah, the holidays. We’re all scrambling to get everything just so, scratching off our shopping list item by item only to come home and realize, yes, there’s still more we need. There’s always more that we need! This year,…
Yankee Candle Captures the Imagination of the Holidays for all Ages.
Is there anything more warming to the soul then a store doing the holidays right? Many retailers go above and beyond when it comes to decorating for the holidays. They try diligently to capture the magic of the season by spreading holiday cheer to all in the form of seasonal decor and of course, the…
After the Election, it’s Time to Stimulate a Little Joy. Christmas Decorating Bonanza!
I love the holidays. If you follow me on Snapchat (TheMikeValletta), you would have seen a great preview of this column! There’s just something about a Christmas tree twinkling with white shimmering lights while dressed in a warm comfy sweater sipping on a whip cream topped hot chocolate that makes the cooler months, well, warmer….
Brand Update.
What a year it has been! Can you believe we are already talking about the holiday season? I can recall when we were all just relishing about how warm last winter was here in the northeast! Time certainly has flown by, and hopefully you have gotten to enjoy a pretty stellar summer. I wanted to…
Take a Step Back in Time at The Vermont Country Store.
Have you ever wanted to just rewind the time? You know. Relive a time that was prior to technology and a life of simplicity? There’s a place where you can do just that. A place where time itself has stood as still as the products it holds. The Vermont Country Store is a Mecca for…
Silk City Coffee Delivers an Extraordinary Experience in Manchester.
Everyone knows I really love my coffee. A day without cofeee is a day without motivation as well as half of a brain. In fact, a day without coffee in my hand is so bad, that if you try talking to me I will give you the look of death and question why you are…
Killington Resort Opens for the Season.
As the colors of Autumn fade, as does the memories of a fun festive season here in New England, so too does the warm Indian summer days as we plunge into a more traditional weather pattern of early winter. Sounds depressing, doesn’t it? Sun setting earlier. Trees reduced to sticks. Temperatures reaching a maximum of…
Litchfield County Drums Up an Autumn to Remember.
Autumn is perhaps one of the most popular seasons on the calendar here in New England. After the warm summer breezes comes the crisp air and color explosion of leaves across the region. One area of our region in particular that has always been a personal favorite, is none other than my home base of…
Let’s Talk.
There was a debate recently, and in case you haven’t heard, there’s a presidential election coming up in a few short weeks. What are we doing to ensure our future is secure? I hope something. Isis. Global warming. Race. Economy. If you think for a second that your vote does not matter, perhaps you should…
Banking Made Simple, by Simple! Get to Love Your Bank.
Don’t you wish everything in the world was simple? Well, thanks to Simple Bank, it can be! Okay, almost. At least the banking portion of your life can be simplified. Recently, I decided to switch banks. When I did, I decided to stay clear of those large banks! Haven’t you heard the word on the…
New England Has Heart All Autumn Long.
With visions of Autumn just around the bend, I’d like to introduce a few of my favorite autumn locations across New England. New England is home to the four seasons of true beauty, and no season is brighter or more festive than fall. Color explosions splash a long hillsides and rocky shorelines. Pumpkin spice is…
Stop Copying Everyone! Discover Your Happy in Life One Memory at a Time.
What in our lives makes us all tick? That was a question positioned to me recently. I didn’t exactly know how to explain it. Would you? Let me first begin by saying, there is something in each of us that gets us up and out of bed in the morning. No, it’s not your boss…
Adulting Done Right, Once You Figure Out How to Get Out of Bed.
Ah, mornings. You either love them, or you hate them. As you become a little older, you realize that, well, you just have to love them. You’re not in high school or college anymore and it’s time to adapt to a routine to wake up and get your ass to work so you could afford…
Sometimes, All You Need is a Good Vacation.
There’s something to be said about a vacation that helps put your life in perspective. As I stated in my last column, I took a week off from social media during my week long hiatus to the mountains of New England. It just felt different. I wasn’t reaching for my phone urging to post every second…
Have We Become Too Addicted to Social Media?
Raise your hand if you’ve become fixated on social media. I’m going to guess that many of you have raised your hand. Our lives have become a social media frenzy. Who’s doing what? Why is she posting pictures of him eating his Cobb salad? What did Donald Trump say now? Time for a break. For…
In the LGBTQ Community, You Have to Know Where to Draw the Line.
You know, at some point in our lives we have to ask ourselves a question. We have to keep considering, what exactly are we doing with our lives? This past summer, I have been reflecting on much of that. As I approach thirty in nearly one week, I ask myself if what I have been doing…
Statement Regarding Orlando Events.
I am very proud to be a gay man. I am very proud of our community. After celebrating Boston pride yesterday and seeing the numerous faces from all walks of life celebrating with us, it is clear to me that regardless of what happened today, there is a great amount of love for our community…
Summertime Agenda: Live.
Summer is coming. What do you have on your summer 2016 bucketlist? Many people dream of long days on the beach, weekend getaways with the family, or perhaps a few martini parties while hosting a summer BBQ. Burgers anyone? There goes that summer beach body! This year, I’ve compiled a list of just what I…
Love is a Battlefield
Don’t let love go. Why do we complicate the simple things in life? These simple things, are the ones we too often take for granted. We are compelled to keep searching for something better in the world, but is that what we really need? Recently, I did some research on the topic. To my surprise,…
Stop Swiping Left! Why Our Judgemental Society is Letting Us Down.
Prior to judging others, judge yourself first. It has been a interesting week in the single life of being Mike Valletta. It was the first week that I had not gone on one date. I guess after writing last weeks column and discussing how I needed to slow down and start focusing on my life…
Don’t Rush the Love.
Have you ever sat and reflected on what is going on in your life? You know, took a little time out for yourself to recollect your thoughts and bring yourself back to center stage? Odds are, you have not. I’m also guilty of doing the same. We live in such a fast paced world that…
Gay. Single. Weekend Warrior.
Weekends were made to set yourself free. It’s a Saturday night. Evening wear is out and ready to be steam pressed. Shower is on as a miniature facial is in process to maintain a youthful look for the long evening ahead. What’s planned? Absolutely everything. Welcome to the single gay mans weekend. A combination of…
Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
I stumbled upon a book recently. It was a book I had purchased at a Starbucks exactly five years ago, and it had been kicking around the house ever since. The title? “Where do you see yourself in five years?”. Well, perhaps it’s ironic that I would find it again five years later. As I…
Don’t Date Down!
You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with. Have you ever been on a date and sit there wondering what you’re even doing on the date in the first place? We’ve all been there. That one date that we saw so much potential in while chatting on an app and then…
Kate Hudson is Making Us Pretty Happy.
You don’t have to be perfect. Pretty happy is pretty great. Kate Hudson has absolutely nailed it in her latest book approropriatey titled, Pretty Happy. A book geared towards healthy ways to love your body. As someone who is always on the prowl for the latest self help books, my eyes lit up when I discovered…
Never Stop Reinventing You.
Practice makes perfect. At least, that’s what we are told in life. As humans, we are bound to make mistakes over the course of our lifetime. It’s in our DNA. Each day, we aim for absolute perfection, but why? Perfection is boring. Perfection also causes us not to make mistakes, and if we are not…
The Gay Dating Game.
Grindr. Scruff. Tinder. These three magical apps are perhaps the most active on my phone these days. I use the term magical loosely. As a single guy, looking for love requires more than just seeking a one time hook up at a local gay bar. Looking for love requires you to do your research. It has…
A Singles Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is on its way. I would normally be jumping out of my skin at this point since I’m naturally a very generous person, especially around a holiday aimed around generosity and appreciation. This year, not so much. As someone who is recently single, the focus has been primarily on me, and not so…
Get Massaged into a Better You.
Have you ever really been in need of a massage? I’m sure you have. After all, many of us live high demanding lives that causes an increased amount of stress on our bodies. I booked a massage this past week at my local Massage Envy, noting that I have a monthly membership. After a solid…
In a Dry New England Winter, Killington Shines.
It’s no secret that this winter has been a dud here in New England. The lack of snow has caused many local skiers and snowboarders to flock west thanks to this years El Niño. One resort, however, has found a way to make the best of a bad situation. Killington Resort, in breathtaking Killington, VT…
The Brand Returns.
It’s been a while. As I write this, I reflect back to the days I started writing. I was young. I was focused. My energy and passion for all things creative in life drove my writing business. So much so, it landed me several different gigs and multiple partnerships with media outlets. I was a…
One World Trade Center Grows as America Grows Stronger
I make a lot of trips down to New York City. Living within a close proximity to it here in Connecticut, we’re often referred to as one big suburb of the Big Apple. All it takes is a look around at how we drive to see just how true that is! When it comes to…
Discovering the “Y” in Yoga
“Stretch to downward facing dog!” snaps the instructor on my Gaiam Yoga DVD. “Bend farther down!” he continues to bark. “Now, bend even farther, and breathe.” he says so calmly when I’m in the toughest physical position in my life! There’s just something about Yoga. Most people recommend it. They say it’s most likely one…
Daffodil Hill Offers a Sea of Daffodils
Last night, I was watching one of my trusted news sources, NBC Connecticut, and as I was watching I happened to notice that they were airing a story that took place here in Litchfield County. I was all ears. Anything to do with the local area I immediately want to know about, even if I…
