Local mom, esthetician and entrepreneur Sylvia Brownlee is making moves and doing big things! Skin by Brownlee & Co. was founded in 2015 with the mission to enhance confidence through clear complexions. Brownlee’s products have been featured on Target’s website, in POPSUGAR, Allure, ELLE, GLAMOUR and now…in Cincinnati Family Magazine!

Skin by Brownlee & Co’s amazing products can be browsed by condition here, making treatment a breeze. Brownlee’s products are also available for purchase in-store. We had a chance to ask Sylvia some questions highlighting skincare for both, ahem…. aging.., parents and acne-prone teens.

Cincinnati Family Magazine (CFM): Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with Cincinnati Family Magazine about all things skincare! Can you tell us a little bit about how you got into the skincare industry?
Sylvia Brownlee (SB): I’ve been passionate about skincare for over 25 years. My journey started with my own personal struggles with acne, leading me to dive deep into understanding the science of skin. Through extensive training and experience, I became an esthetician and founded Skin by Brownlee & Co to help others achieve confidence through clear skin. My mission is to educate people, especially those dealing with acne and hyperpigmentation, on how to transform their skin without feeling like they have to hide behind makeup.

CFM:Raising tweens and teens is tricky. Especially when they are struggling with hormones, and self-confidence and may have a complexion that needs some TLC. As a skincare expert, where would you recommend a young person to start when it comes to beauty routines? Is a 15-step nightly routine really necessary like some influencers are promoting on social media? Or is it best to keep it simple? 
SB: The best approach is to keep it simple. For a young person just starting their skincare and beauty routine, a 15-step routine isn’t necessary. I recommend a gentle, yet effective 3-step routine, starting with a mild cleanser. Follow this with a lightweight and non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep the skin balanced. Finally, a sunscreen for UV protection. Our Sensitive Skin Starter Kit ($104) is a great option!

CFM: And follow-up question: As a mom yourself, what advice would you give fellow parents to boost their kids’ confidence?
SB: Confidence starts with feeling good in your own skin, both literally and figuratively! Encourage your child to focus on self-care, rather than comparing themselves to unrealistic beauty standards on social media. Teach them that skincare is about health, not just external looks. Compliment them on qualities beyond their appearance, and remind them that acne is a normal part of growing up and something that can be managed with the right care!

CFM: What about parents who may be nearing the switch to aging products for their skin? What types of products and skincare services should they be looking into?
SB:  As we age, our skin needs extra support to maintain hydration, elasticity, and brightness. My top recommendations are Retinol, Brightening serums, and hydrating night creams. Skin by Brownlee & Co’s Radiant Renewal A ($77) is your go-to product to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and promote collagen production! Regular professional treatments like chemical peels and microneedling can also be very useful in maintaining a healthy glow.

CFM: We love that you are chasing your passion and doing what you love! What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs who are looking to achieve big goals?
SB: Start before you feel ready! Too often we wait for the perfect time, but success comes from taking action and learning along the way. Surround yourself with mentors, stay consistent, and be willing to adapt. Most importantly, don’t be afraid of failure and view each setback that you face as a lesson that gets you closer to your goals.

CFM: As a local woman and mom doing AMAZING things, what local businesses would you like to give a
shout-out to? Word-of-mouth is so important with small businesses, and we would love to shine the light on you and also any other local establishments you would like to put a spotlight on
SB: I love supporting other small businesses in Cincinnati! A few of my favorites are Tasha Pinelo Photo, Ravishing Hair Studio, and Robins Nest Skin Spa.

CFM: Finally, we would love to know about your new Toning line of products and any other exciting events you have coming up!
SB: I’m so excited about the Toned Collection! This new line is designed to brighten, hydrate and even out skin tone with powerful ingredients that target hyperpigmentation and dullness. The collection includes: the Toned Brightening Eye cream for reducing puffiness and dark circles. The Brightening serum, which evens skin tone and enhances radiance. The Toned Brightening Night Cream to brighten, hydrate, and nourish while you sleep. And finally, the Mini Eye Cryoball, which is a cooling tool to soothe and depuff the under eye area.

CFM: If there is anything else you would like to share with Cincinnati Family Magazine, let us know
here!
SB: We have some BIG things this year! In June, we’re celebrating 10 years of Skin by Brownlee & Co with special promotions for Acne Awareness Month. Come visit us at Skin By Brownlee & Co at 4318 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45212!

Thank you so much to Sylvia Brownlee of  Skin by Brownlee & Co. for her time and thoughtful advice! We look forward to experiencing a facial at Skin by Brownlee & Co. soon— be sure to follow us on social for our coverage! CFM will also be giving one of our followers the chance to try Skin by Brownlee & Co’s new toning line themselves (Hello, WINSday!!!).

Follow Skin by Brownlee & Co. on Facebook here.
Visit the Skin by Brownlee & Co.’s website here.
Reach Skin by Brownlee & Co. on the phone at 513-351-7873
Email Skin by Brownlee & Co. at hello@skinbybronleeandco.com

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New this year is light-up cotton candy, a five-foot star for the Vine Street Village tree, and lanterns in the Under the Sea display! A favorite for my family was the Swan Lake light show. Download the new CUE Live app and the flashlight will sync to the show! It was so neat.

We found Fiona fairy statues; saw giraffes, insects, reptiles; and took in the beauty of the lights! Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to the Festival of Lights without Visiting Santa’s Village. My son was able to visit with the most magical, cheery Santa and walk a beautiful path of evergreens. He also peeked inside the windows of the gingerbread houses for a whimsical surprise. He said this was his favorite part of the trip! As a mom, it brings me an abundance of joy to see the magic of the holidays through my son’s eyes. 

The 41st PNC Festival of Lights goes on through January 7, 2024. For more information, visit cincinnatizoo.org/events/festival-of-lights. 

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Country Pumpkins is a family-run business. They are all wonderful! They keep the farm organized and their staff is kind and helpful. There was always a staff member nearby checking on families, answering questions and cleaning the area. A special shout-out to one of the owners, Shelley. She helped prevent my son from having a meltdown when he spilled his slushie and she gave him a new one. Crisis averted! 

My son’s favorite activities were chunkin’ pumpkin, the corn maze and the loft play area located in the Pumpkin Ridge area. He launched a pumpkin and hit a target, found his way through the maze and played in the corn pit in the loft (which was a great sensory activity)! I enjoyed the hayride and cow-milking demonstration that one of the owners, Matthew, presented. It was fascinating to see how modern technology can milk cows! That was a special event for the day. 

Grab a camera because there are photo opportunities galore! I was able to capture so many cute photos of my son. Country Pumpkins also has a cute, little gift shop; yummy concession food and treats; barrel train rides; a petting zoo and more! There was so much to do and my son never got bored. Woohoo! In the words of my 6-year-old, “This was the best day EVER!” We are looking forward to visiting again and definitely recommend adding this fall festival to your fall bucket list. 

Parent tip: my son has some special needs and can get easily overwhelmed. There was enough space on the farm to find a quiet spot for a “brain break”. This helped tremendously! 

Country Pumpkins is located at
1835 Sherman Mt. Zion Road, Dry Ridge, KY. For more information, visit CLICK HERE! or check out their Facebook page Country Pumpkins.

Also, check out their new tiny house vacation rentals on their website. The houses are beautiful and located on the farm!

Discover Country Pumpkins awesome seasonal events, HERE.

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A little bit about Big Bear Mountain:

• Debuted in May 2023 
• Longest coaster at Dollywood (almost 4,000 feet) 
• Lasts over a minute, around 99 – 104 seconds
• Max speed of 48 MPH

Beyond the roller coaster stats, I would love to share with you a been-there-done-that Mom’s opinion of the new Big Bear Mountain ride and of Dollywood, overall.

A little bit more about Big Bear Mountain:

Oftentimes with a brand new ride, the wait time can be… not so great. 
First, I would definitely recommend downloading the Dollywood App, which has an interactive map that includes estimated wait times. 
Second, and I know this might sound crazy… the wait time for Big Bear Mountain is part of the experience. While waiting in line, riders can read up facts about bears (including the Big Bear) and all about explorer Ned Oakley’s field research. There are audio recordings to listen to, different posters, artifacts and maps… there is just so much to look at! Another thing I will note about the line is that 1) it is almost entirely shaded and 2) there are big fans throughout. Dollywood does family rides right – every parent knows that a sweaty and hot child is not pleasant while waiting in a line, haha! 

Our wait time estimate was shorter than expected (35 minute estimate- only 25 min wait) and after doing our “research” on Big Bear while waiting in line, we were all super excited to hop aboard the coaster. My 11 year old is an adventure seeker who didn’t bat a lash at the rides boosted launch, drops and turns. Meanwhile, my 9 year old was definitely excited but also a bit apprehensive and nervous. The ride takes off quickly, blasting riders through twists and turns in the hills of Tennessee. During the ride you can hear bear growls, feel the spray of water geysers and take in the sights of the mountains! The wait time is worth it because the coaster is long. A thought that ran through my mind during the ride was “Wow! We are still going!”. When our ride was over, my husband and I plus both of our boys gave the ride an enthusiastic two-thumbs up. I think of this ride as the perfect “big kid” or tween ride- it is plenty exhilarating but not overly intimidating. 10/10 Big Bear Mountain Rating from the Ciani Family. 

A few other tips and thoughts from a BTDT Dollywood Momma: 

• Get your kiddos measured at the Ride Measuring Center. It is located immediately to the left as you enter the park. Kids will receive a color-coded wristband to let them know which rides they are tall enough to experience. No more waiting in lines your kiddo is too short for. 
• Rides. There are little rides for little ones. There are medium rides for big kids and tweens. There are behemoth rides for those seeking thrills. There is a train. Wooden coasters. Metal Coasters. Upside down…. backwards… corkscrews… etc.  Choose your adventure level and there is bound to be a ride for you!
• Each attraction has bins/lockers for you to store your goodies in while you are on the ride. I found that a fanny pack was also a GREAT option on our Dollywood day. 
• Water is free and there are tons of water-filling stations throughout the park. We opted to buy the gigantic free-refill Big Bear Mountain mug and thought it was a good purchase based on how many refills we got during the day.  
• Food. There is so much good food. Sit down meals. Grab and go meals. Snacks. YUM! There are homemade, hearty, country meals aplenty and there are lots of GF and Vegetarian options. And believe it or not, I found a good bang-for-your-buck kids meal that was only $4.99 + tax at The Dog House. The meal included either a PB&J Sandwich or a kids’ hot dog with applesauce, animal crackers and a drink (juice box/fountain drink). It kept my kids from getting hangry and on a budget, too. 
• Shows. When you look at your kids and know they need to just sit quietly for a bit (or else they are going to meltdown), there are tons of shows happening each day at Dollywood. Find some shade, sit them down and let them nod off while listening to bluegrass tunes. Or they can stay awake and actually enjoy the show, too! The shows are amazing! Seriously! So much talent! But if your kids are anything like my kids, after a few hours of theme parking, they just need to sit and zone out for a bit to recharge their batteries. 
• Stores. Of course Dollywood has the standard theme park souvenirs like keychains and t-shirts. BUT Dollywood has the most amazing craft stores as well. From candles, glassware, foods, jewelry, ornaments, carved items and so much more… you can really up your souvenir game at Dollywood and bring home something to truly treasure for years to come. 
• Buy something kinda bulky? Don’t lug it around all day! There is a package pick-up program for any neat purchase you make. Spend $25+ and your merch will be waiting for you at the Dollywood Emporium (near the exit!) for you at the end of the day. 
• There are many bathrooms and quite a few changing and nursing stations located throughout the park. 
• Dollywood has a Ride Accessibility Center, which serves guests with accessibility needs. Guests with such needs will be provided with a Boarding Pass which will include rides the individual will be able to enjoy. Note on this: my son Vinny was able to utilize this service. The RAC team was so accommodating and helpful! The Boarding Pass made it so he was able to enjoy the park and its ride in a less stressful way. Need a break? The Calming Center is an amazing option. Overall, another 10/10 from the Ciani family again! Thank you, Dollywood.  

Dollywood is a special place with exciting rides, good eats, super shopping, exquisite entertainment… all nestled in a beautiful country setting. If you have been thinking about visiting Dollywood, let this be your push. Do it! Book the trip, buy the tickets, have the best time and make memories to last a lifetime. You won’t regret it. 

Dollywood is located at

2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or CLICK HEREor more information.

Find even more fun things to do with your family this summer by CLICKING HERE!

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This puppet-centric version was stunning. The only characters played by people, instead of puppets, were Moana and Tamatoa. Tamatoa was played by Cincinnati’s own, Bob Herzog, and I have to say that he stole the show! His version of Shiny was hilarious and wonderful.

The set design is impressive, transporting the audience to the island of Motunui and beyond. They brought the show into the crowd with lit ships down the aisles. The music is fun and beautifully done.

“My first favorite part was the lit-up ships,” says my eldest granddaughter. “My second favorite was the shiny crab!”

There are a few mildly scary parts, which is why The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati recommends it for ages 4 and older. The show runs through April 24; there are still tickets available! Grab your tickets and find more information at thechildrenstheatre.com/shows/disneys-moana-jr. Enjoy the show!

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The story line gives off a great message for kids – the importance of self-discovery, friendship and standing up to bad influence. All very important lessons for young kids to hear. I loved how TCT created its very own, fresh adaptation to this classic fairy tale which allows for more laughs and lots of “froggy” surprises. ! Eva, dressed up as a princess, couldn’t take her eyes off the stage, and even my almost 2-year-old, Catherine, was up and clapping with the audience in between set changes.

TCT knows how to tell a fantastic story, from beginning to end in a matter of 60-minutes; perfect for Littles who can’t stay still for very long.

I recommend signing up for a TCT Crown Club membership for character meet-and-greets, exclusive merchandise based on each show of the 22-23 MainStage Season, a lanyard with ID card and lots more (I have heard parents talking amongst themselves on how worth it the Crown Club is!)

Learn more and grab your tickets now through Feb. 27 before this fabulous musical “croaks” thechildrenstheatre.com/shows/princess-frog.

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Every detail had my favorite “Mal” and “Evie” bestie duo in awe. It was hard not to smile as the smiles on their faces grew when Mal, Evie, Carlos and Jay took the stage. The show gave me all the feels. My favorite part was seeing the love between two friends as my daughter and her best friend sang “Space Between” just as it was being sung on stage. My daughter’s favorite part was after, “Did I Mention,” while King Ben was talking with Mal. Myla shared that her favorite part was when Fairy Godmother’s, “wand was being tossed to others using magic because I never saw the wand fly through the air!” Her dad, Nick, shared that the singing was phenomenal!

This musical is “Rotten to the Core” and will have you singing all of your favorite Descendants’ songs. If you’re up for “Chillin’ with a Villain,” bibbidi-bobbidi buy your tickets today before Maleficent gets her hands on them.

Disney’s Descendants: The Musical will be at the Taft through October 17 . Get your tickets at thechildrenstheatre.com/shows/descendants.

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This family fun resort is located in West Virginia, about a 4 and a half hour drive from Cincinnati – the perfect weekend getaway. This time we chose to get a sitter for our 16-month old and deem this a well overdue “Big Kid Trip.”

The sound of gasp from my husband and kids was absolutely priceless as we pulled into the parking lot. Immediately we saw Ace’s spring-fed mountain lake water park, with the coolest obstacle courses that would even get grown-ups excited. The kids’ eyes widened as they internally planned their adventures to come for the next three days.

Water Park

The Water Park season runs from May  – September. I’ve seen these sort of waterslides and obstacle courses on TV but never in a million years did I think I would get to try one out for myself. I quickly learned, it’s a lot harder (and exhilarating!) than it looks. Life jackets on, we weren’t sure which to do first:

• The 40-foot tall Wet Willie Waterslide
• Tower Zip Line
• Two giant waterslides
• Or one for the 50 Huge inflatable toys: 25-foot Climbing Mountain, Giant Spinning Saturn Balls, SeeSaws and Obstacle Course

In the end, we climbed and conquered just about everything. My oldest looked at me and said, “I miss my baby sis, but I’m glad she didn’t come.” I asked, slightly shocked, “Why?” He watched his dad run through the obstacle course and said, “Because you and daddy couldn’t both do this with us!”

He had a valid point. This hands-free mama loved being able to get the full experience with my big kids. I needed it and so did they. If you do bring the little ones, ACE now has new splash pad perfect for the little kids to cool off and enjoy some fun-in-the-sun entertainment!

After climbing, tumbling, sliding and sometimes falling, a tasty kids’ (and adult slushy) was on the agenda. We all took a break in the provided beach chairs and lounged on the white, sandy beach with our cold drinks. What a great way to kick off our weekend adventures! Note: Before you head out, sign your online waivers so you are ready to go! It saves a lot of time if you do it online, and the kids will get more time to play. Learn more about all-day passes, prices, hours and more at acecraft.com.

Luxury Cabins

Next up, cabin, pizza and of course, a steamy hot tub after a long day of swimming, jumping and climbing. I love that first, initial cabin arrival time; the kids twiddle their fingers, eager to explore the cabin with “ooos” and “ahhhs.” Ace offers an array of places to stay, including over 50 different New River Gorge cabin rentals amongst 1500 acres, while you explore. There is also rustic lodging, camping and more available. The deluxe cabin we stayed in was equipped with cable TV, a living room, full kitchen, a hot tub plus an upstairs and downstairs. The kids loved having their own bedroom and sink, too!

That evening, we picked up pizza at the resort, played games and penciled in plenty of hot tub time before our next day adventure (whitewater rafting!). Note: We had little to no Wi-Fi access in the cabin, so be prepared in case yours is like this, too. Learn more about their luxurious cabins and more at aceraft.com/west-virginia-cabin-rentals/new-river-gorge-cabins.

Whitewater Rafting

The kids have been rafting before, but nothing like this. I had no idea the rapids would be so challenging for my little adventurers. Surprising to all of us, the New River Gorge has an Upper New and the Lower New (most challenging and most popular with bigger rapids and gorgeous destinations). We braved the Upper New with smaller rapids (good for littler kids); and if your kids are 12 and older, they can handle the big class 5 rapids further down the river.

When we arrived bright and early, we could choose between the “Duckies” or a raft. The Duckies are basically an inflatable kayak that can fit up to two people. Although the Duckies looked more appealing to the kids, we chose a raft so we can all be in it together. I would recommend this if it’s your first time. With 12 miles of river upon us (we chose the full-day trip) I was worried the kids may get worn out or uninterested. Luckily, we had a super fun tour guide, Bailey, who quickly took all of the butterflies away and made our long trip one to remember.

Bailey had squirt guns and bubbles ready for the kids and assigned my husband and me to be in the front – let’s just say that’s the “hardest” spot to sit. The paddlers in the front guide the rest of the crew while the actual well-trained guide steers and directs from the back. It’s a great system; Eva had the luxury of being in charge of the bubbles, nicely tucked in the far back of the boat; aka “The Bubble Queen.” I loved seeing my kids laugh and play throughout our long trip! Needless to say, the kids were satisfied with our raft decision, especially once they saw what are called the “Duckie muncher” rapids take some people down the river. Luckily, the tour guides are very experienced and got everyone safely back in the boat in a jiffy! (Don’t be intimidated by this, although I was, the people in the Duckies were having the time of their lives!)

ACE Rafting trips are more than battling class 3 rapids, paddling and learning what to do if you fall out – the guides aren’t shy about repeatedly telling you what do if you go tumbling out of the boat. You also get lots of opportunities to swim when the water gets calm; splash water at the other boats; and stop for a delicious “River Lunch” mid-way. There is most definitely the perfect trip for everyone, and you choose your adventure! They offer spring, summer and fall trips suitable for beginners, experienced and advanced rafters as well as kid-friendly options. Learn more at aceraft.com/white-water-rafting.

After thanking our tour guide multiple times for the best rafting experience we could ask for, it was off to fill our bellies at one of the dining options at the resort, The Lost Paddle. This restaurant had the perfect mix of tasty American cuisine for all-day adventurers. The kids dug into Angus burgers and fries, and us adults tried some delicious fish dishes, the Appalachian Rainbow Trout and Blackened Salmon – hands down the BEST rainbow trout we’ve ever had! Learn more about resort dining and fun at aceraft.com/ace-adventure-resort.

Hiking the Gorge

Our last day at ACE, I wasn’t sure how I would gather the kids out of their comfy cabin beds for an early morning hike. Surprising, we were up and ready, grabbed tasty breakfast sandwiches at the resort and we were on our way. Our hiking guide was super knowledgeable of the trails and knew exactly where to take us – a scenic two-mile (up and back) newly named Thurmond Overlook Trail. This narrow 1-mile trail lead us to the popular Concho Overlook (a must-see!) The climb was doable for the kids and well worth every step. Once you get to the to top, you get a picturesque view of the valley and river. The kids pointed to where we rafted the day before! Honestly, hikes can be a hit or miss for the kids (depending on the weather, distance and mood, resulting in some huffing, puffing and complaining). This particular hike, our guide sure knew how to keep them entertained.

Throughout the walk, he would point to plants and insects as he educated the kids and engaged their interest. It wasn’t long until the kids were finding things on their own talking about it, and before they knew it, the hardest part of the hike was over. This made me one happy mama seeing the kids find enjoyment out of the hike. Even cooler, on the way down we saw a black rat snake and chipmunks which really gouged their interest.

Whether you choose a guided hike are venture out on your own, I recommend beginning your New River Gorge National Park and Preserve hike in the morning. That is when it’s cooler and crisp, plus you have a better chance at seeing some cool wildlife. Either way, they will help you find the best adventure for you and your family. Note: The weather around the New River Gorge area can be a bit unpredictable (we dealt with some rain off and on throughout the weekend without warning) so be prepared for rain or shine! Learn more at aceraft.com/adventures/adventures-on-land/hiking.

Plan Your Trip

As we pulled away from the cabin, we saw two baby deer galloping around. It was a beautiful sight and a nice little memento as we headed home. There are so many more adventures ACE offers that time didn’t allow us to try – zip-lining, paintball, the new Aerial Adventure Park and climbing/repelling, to name a few. Our package worked perfect for our family that weekend, and I can’t wait to choose our next weekend getaway. ACE Adventure Resort has countless packages to choose from, whether you go for a day, weekend or longer.

Head to aceraft.com to plan your families next getaway this fall!

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