Archives for January 2014

Travel In Style

January 31, 2014 by Samantha Leave a Comment

I believe that traveling is good for the soul. The chance to explore new places, to meet new people and to experience the view from another angle offers a person the chance to grow, to improve and to create memories. Travel gives a true appreciation of other cultures, and when you are away from home you learn to appreciate the place you hang your hat. I like to think that I leave a piece of myself in every city that I visit and that I take a little bit of my journey home with me.

I have been fortunate to travel often, to see the sights, to experience the thrill of the unknown and to develop an appreciation of exceptional accommodations. I enjoy seeing the personality of the decorator shine through in different hotel rooms, bed and breakfasts, and inns. Attention to detail with my comfort in mind places these amazing and stylish people that can make a hotel room seem better than home at the top of my list of things to applaud when I am on the road.

While I have spent many nights in a hotel, among the most memorable nights in my adventures I have had the privilege of staying in was a hotel that was in a building that was once a bank. The hotel was unique, cozy, and it will forever stand out in my memory of being the perfect blend of luxury accommodations with a hint of the rustic style of the Wild West. The bathroom was amazing. The vanity was made a rich dark wood, the mirrors were strategically placed and the lighting was perfect. The jacuzzi was nothing short of heavenly.
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Filed Under: lifestyle Tagged With: travel

Win Animal Planet Puppy Bowl Gift Set

January 31, 2014 by Danielle 46 Comments

Disclosure: The Puppy Bowl Items were provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

Our dog is a very big part of our family. We aren’t necessarily big football people, but we do enjoy watching the SuperBowl. But what’s even better is the Puppy Bowl, my girls love to watch the dogs and really enjoy it. Of course, we need to cherish Brutus as we watch the puppy bowl as well :). What better way to enjoy time with our lovable dog than to give him some special new items.

I know that Brutus doesn’t really watch T.V., but he sure does enjoy watching/hearing other dogs.

Puppy Bowl Items:

I’m just sure your puppy has dreamed of being a referee, cheerleader, or even the star player of the team. Your dog can take part in the festivities of the Puppy Bowl with a new line of products from Animal Planet meant to make you smile. With costumes, t-shirts, football-shaped chewy toys, and more, your doggy will be viewing the most intense pet sporting event of the year in a stylin’ way.

My Thoughts:

I am an absolute huge fan of each of the wonderful Puppy Bowl Items that we received.

PuppyBowl Football Field Dog Bandana- The Puppy Bowl themed bandana is for dogs. There is a velcro band that fits comfortably around your dog’s neck. The Bandana also features the Puppy Bowl Logo. You can get the Bandana in a wide variety of sizes.

Win a THAT AWKWARD MOMENT Prize Pack

January 31, 2014 by Samantha 29 Comments

THAT AWKWARD MOMENT starring Zac Efron, Michael B Jordan and Miles Teller, hits theatres nationwide today, January 31.

Zac Efron, Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan star in the R-rated comedy, THAT AWKWARD MOMENT, about three best friends who find themselves where we’ve all been– at that confusing “moment” in every dating relationship when you have to decide “So…where is this going?”

There will be two winners of prize packs- Each set is worth $35.00
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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: giveaway, movie

Have A Hallmark Valentines Day

January 31, 2014 by Samantha 2 Comments

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate my post. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

Need some fun ideas for Valentines Day? Look no further then your local Hallmark store, which will have all you need to make a warm and fuzzy day for those you love. Check out these sweet new items- there is something for everyone at Hallmark.

The Sarah Jessica Parker Collection — Available exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown stores, from $3.99 – $6.99

The Hallmark Sarah Jessica Parker Collection includes 12 Valentine’s Day cards, featuring rich paper stocks with unique combinations of patterns, illustrations, photography and calligraphy. Parker worked with the Hallmark creative team to pair vintage artwork from the Hallmark archives with modern touches and embellishments. The final designs feature simple, authentic and heartfelt messages.
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Filed Under: review Tagged With: Hallmark, Valentine’s Day

Free Birds Coloring Sheets

January 30, 2014 by Samantha 1 Comment

Like Free Birds? Check these out, the kids will love them (my son does).
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Filed Under: crafts Tagged With: coloring sheets, free birds

5 Ways for Moms to Prepare for Their Newborn Photography Session

January 30, 2014 by Samantha Leave a Comment

When you finally bring home baby, you’re bound to spend every waking moment marveling at the beauty

of your brand new family member…or wondering why the heck he’s crying. The part you’ll want to

remember, though, is how he looked in his infancy, which is why memorializing your newborn’s first days

of life with a professional photography session is probably a good idea. You’ll certainly take plenty of pics

on your own, but a pro can lend you the knowledge, skill, and experience that make for truly exceptional

photos that you and your family will cherish forever. But before you show up at the studio, there are

a few things you’ll want to do in preparation to ensure that your photographer has the best chance to

elicit smiles and take some fantastic photos. Here are some guidelines to follow when you’re getting your

newborn ready for his photo session.

1. Choose outfits. You don’t want to show up to the session with nothing more than the onesie your

baby happens to be wearing. You should bring several wardrobe changes including everyday

outfits, special garments (such as a Christening gown, for example), fancy clothes, and perhaps

even costumes, depending on what you’re going for. And don’t forget to bring several color

options. You’ll have to pick backgrounds when you’re at the studio, and having different outfits to

choose from can ensure that you get the effect you want, whether it’s high contrast or something
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Filed Under: baby Tagged With: babies, photography

Turks and Caicos – Get Away From It All

January 30, 2014 by Samantha 6 Comments

Feeling the chill of winter? Warm up with a trip to Turks and Caicos. Warm weather and good food await-and it’s not a long flight, either.

A great way to start our trip, The Conch Farm is both beautiful and educational. With conch being such a huge part of the island (a major food, source of many festivals, it was even on the flag) making sure that it is sustainable is vital. Located on the island’s eastern end, and first created (and still used as) a research facility, this is the only spot in the world that conch is commercially produced and grown.

According to the farm, it “exports much of the conch you eat in the Florida Keys and Miami, (and) it’s breeding techniques could help save the conch from extinction”. With many predators (man being number one) and only a small percentage of eggs surviving to adulthood, this farm and it’s research are important to the island and to the conch in general. More then 25% of conch eggs grown to maturity at the farm, and the money made from the tours help fund research that goes into better farming, sustainability, and new techniques. Soon, completely round geodesic fish pens that will further help these and other fish from being depleted from over-fishing. This “revolutionary and state-of-the-art form of environmentally conscious commercial fish farming referred to as off-shore deep water submerged cage farming” spells good news for conch and conch lovers alike. While on the tour, you can the life cycle of the conch, shells in various parts of it’s life, breeding basins where they grow, a hatchery and laboratory, and even some fish hatcheries. You can hold tiny, growing conch, as well as meet the mascots- one male, and one female (Jerry and Sally). Yes, you can tell the difference- the male has a piston, which apparently is a delicacy.
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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: island, island vacation, travel, turks and caicos