Best Roof Box?

We can fit a lot of stuff into the Traverse when we need to, but I've been thinking it would be nice to have some extra space.  What if we could put sandy things like beach toys and beach chairs somewhere other than in the back of the car...especially now that it's clean again.  

As I was leaving work today, I saw the great looking Traverse that parks outside my office.  

They have a Thule roof box...hmmm that'd be a good place to put those beach toys when we go down to Rhode Island to visit Grandma and Grandad.  But, I wonder if our readers have other recommendations. 

What's the best roof box for a big family like ours?  Thule, Yakima, other brands?

Traverse Cleans Up Nice!

Whilst I was away at a blogging conference all day yesterday (yes, again!) in Cambridge, my darling husband and six-year-old daughter managed to clean and vacuum and scrub and polish my Chevy Traverse.  OH MY GOD.

Ready for me

Spotless

Will the kids ever be allowed in again?

I get to drive it tonight to the Gender Reveal Party!?  A what, you say?  You can get in on the action and win some amazing prizes over on the Twitter around 8pm.  More information can be found here!  Don't forget to guess boy or girl for your chance to win some stuff!

Oh, and I made so many new friends over at Blog Better Boston yesterday.  Much fun was had.  I made friends with the drink ticket girl, Katy Rose.  She was a love, passing out extra tickets to the old fogie blogger lush crowd in the back.  She even takes amazing bloggy notes.  See what I learned?  I love new friends.  

Now, go make your husband clean out your car!  Oh, I can't wait to drive it!

Keeping the Chevy Clean

I love how amazing our Chevy Traverse looks in this video.  Sleek and sporty, for sure.  I have such a hard time keeping the interior of my car CLEAN.  Dunkin Donuts receipts, preschool notices and artwork, goldfish crumbs, juice box straw wrappers, tissues, wipes...it's close to impossible to keep up with the mess! What do you all do? I was thinking I need to find some sort of "trash can" for the Chevy that works.  How do you keep yours clean?  What are some tricks that work?  If only our Traverse looked like it did when it was "dirty" here. Hhhhmmmmmpppppphhhh!

The Chevy Experience: Josephine's Story

Today's Chevy Experience comes from a childhood friend, Josephine Rego.  Josephine and I now live in the same town and she also owns a Chevy Traverse.  Who knew? 

On Mother’s Day last year we packed up the family into the Traverse and headed down to the beach to spend the day with my brother and his family. We had a great day planned. We were going to watch my youngest niece’s soccer game and then head back to their house for a yummy lunch. When we arrived, we were in for quite a shock. The temperature was at least 20 degrees colder than in Foxboro! And I came completely unprepared (I keep thinking at some point I’ll turn into that mom who is prepared for everything, but it just hasn’t happened yet… I’m the type that is running back into the house 5 times before we can leave, because I forgot this or that… ah, well a girl can dream, right?). So here we are, my 2 and 1 year, woefully underdressed and about to go and watch a soccer game on the edge of the ocean. Thankfully, my sister-in-law IS THAT mom and came to our rescue. She bundled us all up and off we went. The kids had a grand old time running around the field… for about 10 minutes… and then the “Momma, I’m COLD” chant/whine started fast and furious. Even my niece got in on the act (yes, the niece that was playing the game!).

Since my SIS was one of the coaches we couldn’t just up and leave, so we did the next best thing. We pulled the Traverse as close to the field as we could, opened the back hatch, got the kids all snuggled up (with the heat cranking), gave them some snacks and let them watch the rest of the game in comfort (though I do wonder if my little guy will ever forgive me for the pink hat he ended up sporting that day…). They had a blast and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend my Mother’s Day!

Once again, the Traverse saved the day!

*Do you have a Chevy experience you'd like to share?  Be our next guest blogger by contacting me at annie@stowedstuff.com

New Commercial: Queen of the Road

Queen of the Road Commercial with Peter Pan

This was so much fun.  Check it out!  Will you be going to the show?  Enter for your chance to win!

Buy tickets to Peter Pan the Show here!

Queen of the Road Meets Peter Pan the Show

Sisters with the Cap'n

We just finished up production for the next  Chevy Traverse commerical.  This time we filmed on the streets of Boston in the rain!  I got to bring my big sister along for the ride and we had a lot of fun meeting some of the cast members from Peter Pan the Show.  Have you seen the big white tent on City Hall Plaza?  Have you purchased your tickets yet?  You can win some tickets by following @ChevyQOTR on Twitter and LIKING Queen of the Road on Facebook.  And keep an eye out for our new 30 second spot on WCVB 5!  This one promises a few good laughs!  We can't wait for it!

Some friends needed a ride

Is that Nana the Dog in my third row?

Buckle up Hook!

Swashbuckling trio!

Rain

Camera man Carl with the sisters

It's a cushy job, right Dave?

Post-production meet-up with the hubs at The Whiskey Priest

Ten Things I Love About OnStar

I really love driving my Chevy Traverse every day, but I particularly love the convenience of the built-in GPS system and the magic of OnStar.  Together, they make my life SO. MUCH. SIMPLER.

1. I never have to look up or print directions.  EVER.   Instead, I push the OnStar button on my rearview mirror and I am connected to a real, live person in seconds.  I then tell this person the address of my destination and the directions are sent to my vehicle.
2. When I'm far away from home and need to get back home, I can simply press my OnStar button and tell the friendly advisor to take me "HOME."  When I speak the H word, directions are quickly sent to my vehicle.  They always know which way to go.
3. If I need to find a gas station while driving in an unknown area, I can ask an OnStar advisor to send me the route to the nearest gas station.  Handy!  Especially when your husband leaves your car on E with 3 cranky kids in the back while on the way home from Grandma's.
4. The advisors are always friendly and upbeat.  They call me Mrs. Stow and ask me how my day is going.  I can count on them.  I like them. 
5. It's fun to use when you have passengers in the car who are unfamiliar with OnStar.  I like listening to their reactions.  "How'd you do that?"  "Wow!"  "That is sooo cool!"  It really is.  OnStar is magical.  I think it's life-changing, especially for those who don't have a sense of direction, like Christopher Stow.
6. Gone are the days of manually entering an address into the GPS.  With 3 kids, who has time for that?  I just speak directly to an OnStar advisor instead!  
7. No more suction cups and dangling, messy wires!
8. You don't have to be technologically savvy to get where you're going!
9. Saves me time and sanity!
10. Hands-free calling is super convenient; especially when you forget your cell phone.    

Do you have OnStar in your vehicle?  What do you love most about it?  

Happy Birthday Stowed Stuff!

This month marks 6 years of blogging history for the Stow family.  What started out as a fun new way to document our first child's milestones has turned into quite something!  Here's a little bit about how we got started...

• It was 2005 and we were just tapping into the blogosphere.  Chris started two blogs.  One was Rebel Without A Crew and the other was Litoralis.  FIL started blogging too!
• I later became the primary blog holder and changed the name of Rebel Without A Crew to Stowed Stuff.  I began documenting photos and videos of Emily for all to see ~ in particular, all of our relatives in England, Ireland, Australia and South Africa!  It was a good excuse to not have a baby book (or 3),  right?  
•  6 years,  3 kids, a Chevy Traverse for the family, lots of fun commercials and 365 blog posts later here we are (my little hobby became something more in 2010.)

Have you started your blog yet?  It's fun and it's easy.  In fact, if you have a blog and you'd like to link up here for all to see, join the link up!

Making Strides: Boston

Team Queen of the Road

Hatch Shell

Thanks for helping us reach our goal!

Queen of the Road T-Shirts Are Here!

The T-shirts have arrived and they're C.U.T.E.!  

Don't you want one?  Join our Chevy Queen of the Road Team this Sunday on the Esplanade at 8am and walk 5 miles for a cure with us!  Thank you so much to those who have already donated!  It means the world to a lot of women!

Walk With Me: "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer"

Chevy has been a part of life’s journeys for 100 years – even the detours. And when it comes to detours in life, a breast cancer diagnosis presents a monumental challenge not only for the patient, but for friends and family members, too. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women (excluding skin cancer). Chances are it’s touched the lives of someone you know.

That is why Chevrolet and the American Cancer Society are partnering to save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays – by helping people stay well… helping people get well, by finding cures… and fighting back! Join your local Chevy dealers in support of the Making Strides Against breast cancer events throughout October.

On Sunday, October 2nd, Chevy Queen of the Road will be walking to support this amazing cause and we are looking for more members to add to the team. Now’s the time to get involved by signing up to walk or by giving a donation by clicking  here.  No donation is too small and I need some walking buddies.  I plan on walking 5 miles, but you can choose 2 or 5!  Please join us.  You'll love our T-shirts!  

Chevy Traverse: Great on Gas!

5 Reasons to Drive the Mount Mansfield Toll Road in Stowe, VT

1.  You'll see breathtaking views of Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks, the White Mountains, the Green Mountains and Mont Royal in Quebec (on a clear day).


2.  It's an exciting drive on a narrow gravel road that zigs and zags up to an altitude of 3,850 feet.


3.  Three stopping points along the way to get out and check out the view.  The second of these, Lot B (Nosedive), provides convenient rocks for tinkling if you had too much coffee.


4.  You get a "This car climbed Mount Mansfield" sticker for your car.


5.  It's a great opportunity to check out Stowe's famous ski trails without the snow.  

Queen of the Road Interview on FOX 25 Morning News

Summer day trips for the end of the summer: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton's H20 II Tour in Photos

The pictures say it all!

Premium Parking!

Spot the Traverse!

Goof!

My new boyfriend, Blake Shelton

Dimples!

Setting up!

Here he comes!!!!

Excited!

Brad!

Letter To Me

The Fishin' Song

Pretty amazing!

Thanks, Chevy.  I love you forever.  What a fantastic night.  Don't you want a chance to be Queen of the Road?  

The Mendon Twin Drive-In With the Chevy Traverse

Today we have a guest post from Cheryl from The Life of LilMisBusy.  She is another Chevy driving mom who is totally diggin' her Traverse this summer.  

The Chevy Traverse parked in reverse with liftgate open ready for the movies!

For many years now, our family has been going to the Mendon Twin Drive-In in Mendon, Massachusetts. My husband and I first found out about it when it was just the two of us, and have gone at least once a summer for the last eight years. For the cost of just $20 per vehicle, you get to see two movies. Now that our children, ages seven and three, come along with us, we usually see a kid-friendly movie first, and something more adult follows. Since they can't show the movie until it's dark out, it's a pretty late night for the kids, and in recent years we haven't stayed to watch that second movie. But when we're cozily wrapped up in our Traverse, you don't even notice how late it's getting!

We've had our Traverse for just over a year now, and this was its second trip to the drive-in. Before we left, we packed up the car with the essentials: blankets and a sleeping bag, the kids Pillow Pets, water bottles, and most importantly for me, bug spray. The kids love their captain's chairs in the second row of the car, which give them enough personal space for all their belongings. The drive-in is about a 45 minute drive from our house, but we like to leave on the early side and be sure to have a good parking spot for the movie. When we arrive, we're given a menu for the snack bar (more on that in a minute!) and a trash bag. At the end of the evening, all of your trash is left by your parking spot in that bag, so the clean-up crew isn't forced to collect litter all over the giant parking lot. Parking spots are delineated by the white poles that used to hold up speakers to hear the movie, but these days you use your car's own radio and speaker system.

The kids love their captain's chairs!

After backing into our space, so that the trunk of the car faces the screen, attendants pass out ropes to tie down the back hatches of the larger vehicles. This helps to ensure people behind you can see over the roof of your car with an unobstructed view. We usually bring a couple of folding chairs, but some families have fairly elaborate set-ups. Then we get down to the real business of analyzing the snack bar menu. "Snack bar" is really a misnomer, because this is our dinner, not just a snack. You're not going to find the healthiest of options here, but it's a fun summer treat (I recommend the jalapeno poppers!). One of us will get the food while the others spread out the blankets and fold down my seven year old daughter's seat for a little extra space, since her booster is easily removed. It's so easy to put down the seats in the Traverse, that she was able to do it all on her own!

Dinner!  

The kids love eating dinner in the rear of the Traverse, getting such a kick out of doing something we don't usually get to do. After dinner and before the movie starts, things can get a little crazy. My three year old loves climbing all over the car, and spends lots of time hanging out in the front seat pretending to drive. Many families bring balls for games of catch or soccer, sometimes joining up with the random family in the car parked next to them! We usually make one more run to the snack bar for an ice cream cone just as it's starting to get dark, and then we all stake out a position for watching the movie. This time around, my daughter and I were able to lie in the trunk together, with my son making occasional visits. That's the great thing about going to the drive-in - if your kids have a hard time sitting still or being quiet while watching a movie, they're unlikely to bother anyone else as you have lots of room in to roam in your own car!

The drive-in can't be beat for a great family evening, and even a bit of nostalgia with their 1950's theme and commercials** (move ahead to about 3:15 to see the hot dog jumping in the bun!)

The Chevy Traverse is roomy and comfortable that it's the perfect pick to take you there. We can't wait to go again soon!

Here it is, our newest Chevy commercial!



If you'd like to get your family to the Franklin Park Zoo or Stone Zoo, sign up for a Chevy Traverse test drive at your local New England Chevy Dealer today!  Queen of the Road will be picking 25 lucky winners who will receive 2 free children's tickets to the zoo!  What are you waiting for?  Sign up now!

Follow Queen of the Road on Twitter @ChevyQOTR and on Facebook to keep up with the latest summer travel information, staycation ideas, restaurant reviews, Walt Disney World tips and MORE!  The Chevy Traverse is the car that makes it all happen!  Sporty, comfortable, plenty of room, great gas mileage and NOT a minivan!  Enjoy the ride!

5 Reasons to Visit The Cottage Chestnut Hill

The Cottage Chestnut Hill ~ pretty bar!

I had the pleasure of meeting up with the Boston Parent Bloggers last night at a lovely new restaurant in town - The Cottage Chestnut Hill, located next to Bloomingdale's at the Chestnut Hill Shopping Center.

Thai Basil Sangria?  Yes, please!

1. We had the pleasure of meeting co-owner Laura Wolfe and Culinary Director, Todd Kiley. Both are super-duper down-to-earth people who know what guests are looking for in their dining experience.  Presentation was exquisite, flavors were heavenly and the wait staff went out of their way to make sure we were happy. Greeters at the front (I think I counted 4 on a Monday night!) were cheerful and attentive. No waiting around to be acknowledged.  A+ in my book.  
2. Atmosphere and ambiance.  I sort of felt like I was in Santa Monica!  Such a pretty restaurant. Chic, sophisticated, elegant, classy.  
3. The drinks.  Ummm, for some reason we got to try A LOT of cocktails!  Started out with a local Pretty Things Summer Ale, out of Cambridge - YUM!  Then it was the Barcelona Red Sangria.  It had been a LONG time since I've had sangria and this one was delicious.  However, it was soon followed by their Thai Basil Sangria.  Now, you're talking!  The basil was just an amazing, refreshing blend added to a delicious white wine, brandy and orange vodka.  Now, you'd think I'd be tanked by now, right?  It was suggested that we sip these drinks, but they were just too good to pass up!  And they kept coming fast and furiously!  Most of us were double fisted all night long! (Remember, I said they were lovely and down-to-earth people?)  Last but not least, the servers waltzed in with these beautiful, tall pink numbers - the Pomegranate Margaritas.  Killer.  Need I say more?  
4. The Fried California Avocado.  Just the perfect combination of crunch and kick.  To die for. 
5. Everything on the menu is local farm fresh!  

Sesame Ahi Tuna Nacho!  

All I can say is plan your next date night at The Cottage.  You'll be so happy you did.  Find them on Twitter @thecottagechill and on Facebook.  I can't wait to take Chris!  Thank you to the folks at The Cottage for hosting us last night.  Well done and welcome to the neighborhood! 

So, the night came to a close and I walked to my car.  Well, I thought it was my car.   Just someone else's Chevy Traverse.  Had to snap a photo.  A funny way to end the night...even funnier, I forgot my glasses.  "I wear my sunglasses at night, so I can, so I can....."

Um, yeah, that's NOT my Traverse.  LOL.

More from Our Glee LIVE Boston Adventure

Jenn, Annie, Katie, Diane

I picked up the girls from work in the Traverse and we had a super comfy ride into Boston.  It was a breeze getting my 3 car seats out of the Traverse so the girls could fit.  We relied on OnStar to get us to TD Garden, the tunes were blasting, we were singing and the A/C was blowing!   We got a prime parking spot in the garage and headed on over to the Garden.  

Team Chevy!

We met up with John Morrison and the Chevy gang, who took us to our meet and greet with some of the cast members!  Pretty incredible!  Brittany told my friend, Diane, that she looked familiar!  Hilarious.

Katie, Tina, Annie, Jenn, Diane, & Brittany

Double fisted!

We had so much fun.  It was a pretty ridiculous night!!  I've never experienced those kinds of seats before!!  Not to mention 2 stages, amazing pyrotechnics and the closing confetti falling on top of us!  Oh, and the margaritas!!

Annie and the Magic Beans Co-Founders, Eli and Sheri!

Warblers

Party Time!

Confetti!

Jenn had the time of her life!