Archives for April 2017

Shopping With Groupon Online

Disclosure- This post was sponsored by Groupon. All opinions are my own. For more information, see “I Disclose”.

Shopping with Groupon is easy and can save you money. Groupon has already saved a lot of people tons of money- if you haven’t tried it, you should give it a go. Groupon has gained even more popularity as more and more establishments use the service and pass on some incredible savings to their customers. The way a Groupon works is that Groupon has offers which the customer pays for. These deals usually double the value of their money at the particular establishment, thus getting new customers in the establishment. If not double, it saves you money regardless, that’s just the average savings.  An example would be a cool new Japanese restaurant opens up and offers a $20 credit toward dinner. This saves you, who wants to get Japanese food anyway, or perhaps just like trying new places,significant savings and gets the restaurant new business. It also gives it exposure- maybe you (and thus others) had not heard of this place before, and now want to try it. When you try it, and like it, you become a regular customer. It’s a win-win.

There are tons of different types of stores with many coupons available from each. Some examples are Home Depot, Hertz(car rentals), Ebay, Lord and Taylor, Old Navy, AT&T, and Norton Antivirus- just a taste of the almost 9,000 stores with almost 80,000 coupons. There are a ton of options, you will certainly find coupons and savings that will be useful to you.

It is always nice to have a new “deals” site in your arsenal when online shopping, and Groupon should definitely be added to your favorites. You never know when that savings code to chip a little bit more off that final price could be found with just a few clicks.

GHOST TOWNS OF THE WEST

Ghost Towns of the West by Phillip Varney and Jim Hinckley blazes a trail through the dusty crossroads and mossy cemeteries of the American West, including one-time boomtowns in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The book reveals the little-known stories of soldiers, American Indians, settlers, farmers, and miners. This essential guidebook to the historic remains of centuries’ past includes maps, town histories, color and historical photographs, and detailed directions to these out-of-the-way outdoor museums of the West.

Plan your road trips by chapter–each section covers a geographic area and town entries are arranged by location to make this the most user-friendly book on ghost towns west of the Mississippi.

Ghost towns are within a short drive of major cities out West, and they make excellent day trip excursions. If you happen to be in or near Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, or El Paso, for example, you ought to veer towards the nearest ghost town. Western ghost towns can also easily be visited during jaunts to national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, Glacier, Yellowstone, and many others throughout the West.

Ghost Towns of the West is a comprehensive guide to former boomtowns of the American West, covering ghost towns in eleven states from Washington to New Mexico, and from California to Montana. This book has everything you need to learn about, visit, and explore a modern remnant of how life used to be on the western range.

Pick up your copy now on Amazon or wherever your prefer to buy your books.

How to Have a Stress-free Family Vacation in Orlando

Family vacation times can get hectic, even with the world’s best organizer at the helm. And with so much to see and do in Orlando, Florida, you might be wondering how you will manage with kids in tow and a long list of must-see places. The good news is that — since Orlando is a popular destination for families — many thousands have faced this dilemma. Here are some of the best tips and tricks from seasoned travelers on how to plan well and have a good time during your upcoming Orlando trip.
1. Use a vacation package.

Want to cut down on the hassle of booking a hotel and then making sure you have tickets for Walt Disney World? Westgate Orlando vacation packages offer this kind of convenience. Allowing you to save both on time, as their hotel is close to Disney world, as well as on money. Packages range from $59 to $199, including Disney tickets and a luxurious studio suite. Having your tickets in hand when arriving at Disney World will allow you to head for the gates right away without dealing with lines. And for those who want to see other attractions, Westgate Resorts has a package for SeaWorld as well as Universal Studios. Save yourself ticket hassle by booking package deals for these parks, too.
2. Plan for an extra night.

Can you and your crew experience the magic of Walt Disney World in one day? Yes, but only if you have arrived the night before. Flying to Orlando at the crack of dawn and hustling from the airport to the park is a recipe for tired and stressed out kids and parents. Get there the night before so you can fully relax and enjoy your day at Disney or whatever other amusement park you have booked.

3. Be reasonable.

With so much to do, it is easy to overbook your days. Vacation is supposed to be enjoyable. But if you feel like you are spending your time rushing from one attraction to the next, chances are high you are not finding this relaxing. It is okay to have a long list of nice to-do things. But also be realistic in what you can fit into each day without it exhausting you and overstimulating the kiddos. When you find yourself or your kids at the breaking point, pull back. Even if it means nixing an evening activity and replacing it with room service at your hotel. Regrouping when needed will allow you all to get a breather and recharge for round 2 or 3.

4. Pack your own drinks and snacks.

Being hungry and thirsty while at an amusement park and having to waste time standing in line for overpriced popcorn is no one’s idea of fun. Often kids will bug you about concession snacks that they will end up not eating. Or end up eating, but the sugar high will make them cranky and you crazy. The night before, hit up a supermarket and pick out carefully considered treats that your kid loves but that also aren’t too high in sugar content. Ditto for drinks. Pull out your pre-packed snacks and skip the lines for food. Spend time where it really counts–the attractions.
5. Include the family on the planning.

Heard of after-vacation blues? A common contributor to post-vacation depression is where someone complains that they were not able to do a ride or go to a location they wanted to go to. This particular complaint can be prevented by a little thoughtful planning. Have your kids come up with 2 must-do rides for each amusement park. This will relieve you of the pressure of feeling like you have to see and do everything. If you have done the things at the top of each child’s list, then you can consider your trip a success.

3 tips to choosing the best experience for your Tuscany Tour

Located in the heart of central Italy, the Tuscany region is home to some of the world’s best tourist destinations including renaissance art galleries and museums, historic castles and churches, majestic beaches and other natural landscapes, as well as the finest seafood and farmer’s markets, and lush olive groves and vineyards. With its complete package of natural and artistic wonders, Tuscany is probably one of the best places in the world where you can relax and experience the beauty of the past. There are definitely a lot of places that you can visit, festive celebrations which you can take part of, and other activities that you will surely enjoy. Make your vacation an exciting and memorable one with these 3 tips to choosing the best experience for your Tuscany tour.

1. Get the perfect accommodation.

In Tuscany, you have a wide range of choices including hotels, apartments, bed and breakfast lodges, villas, cottages, and farmhouses. If you are planning to visit the major cities including Florence, Pisa, and Siena, then staying in hotels should be a great idea. Apartments are great for tourists who prefer solitude and they are usually located in the town centers next to markets, historical monuments, and art museums. Besides the cheaper rate, bed and breakfast accommodations offers a more personalized service for guests. The locals will be more than happy to recommend you the best places to visit and restaurants to indulge in Tuscany.

In the Tuscan suburbs, you have a more diverse range of choices from countryside farmhouses, cottages, villas, to luxurious castles, and resorts. While you can find a lot of these places close to larger cities, it is still advised to consider renting a car for extra convenience.

2. Experience the best wine tours.

One thing that you definitely should not miss while visiting Tuscany is signing up for exciting wine tours. Summer is probably the best time to enjoy the experience in the vast vineyards in the rolling hills of Tuscany. Some of the best wine districts that should be on your list include the towns of Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Chianti. Whether you are an avid wine enthusiast or you just want to take a great relaxation in the surrounding vineyards, cypress woodlands, and olive groves, Tuscany should be the perfect summer getaway destination for you.

Choose the perfect Tuscany Wine Tour and enjoy a wonderful experience of visiting the finest vineyards and cellars, and enjoying a glass of exquisite red wine afterward.

3. Get to see some of the popular major events in Tuscany.

Your vacation in Tuscany wouldn’t be complete without having to participate in some of the major events in the region. Whether you are visiting during the summer or winter seasons, there are many annual celebrations which you may participate in all year round.
During the spring, the town of Florence celebrates Easter festivities and musical concerts in the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. In the summer, some of the events including Luminara, Regatta of St. Ranieri, and Battle of the Bridge take place in the town of Pisa. During autumn, people flock to witness the Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo and Display of the Virgin’s Girdle in Prato. Winter is marked by Epiphany celebrations all over Tuscany and Carnevale in Viareggio.

#DonateStuffCreateJobs to Strengthen Your Community

I travel a ton, which all of you know. When I travel, I enjoy bringing home keepsakes. Most of those keepsakes I enjoy for years. Some of them just end up collecting dust. As part of my annual spring cleaning routine, I go through my collection of keepsakes and decide which ones have value to me and which need a new home. Once I have a large enough collection of things to donate- I bring them to the Goodwill.

#DonateStuffCreateJobs

Do you do any sort of spring cleaning? If you don’t then I am here to motivate you to start. Why? Well because if you participate in Spring Cleaning, and donate the things you no longer love to Goodwill, you help create jobs in your community! #DonateStuffCreateJobs

Goodwill’s career centers, training programs, and staffing operations give people the resources, skills, and confidence that changes thousands of lives each year.

So how can you help to be a part of this growth and effort in your own community? It’s easy! Donate to Goodwill = create jobs!

Sometimes it feels hard to get rid of things, but with the right motivation, you can get rid of almost anything. Have some old books lying around? 10 of them equals 15 minutes of on the job training. What about that pair of jeans you’ve held onto since high school that doesn’t fit? Those are 9 minutes of training!

Thanks to the programs and support services made possible by donations of clothes and household items, Goodwill helped place more than 312,000 people in jobs in the United States and Canada in 2015 – that’s one person finding a job every 23 seconds of every business day.  

#DonateStuffCreateJobs

Why do I donate? Because what I may not want or have a use for may be perfect for someone else! If we have perfectly good items that can be loved by someone else, why not help our community? If you are not sure where your local Goodwill is, you can use the Goodwill Locator App available for Android and iOS devices and at http://www.goodwill.org/ (click “Explore Our Map” on the homepage). Simply input the items you’re donating to calculate the number of hours of career counseling, on-the-job training, résumé preparation, financial planning classes, and other services you’ve helped provide people facing challenges finding employment. When jobs thrive, communities thrive.

Last year, nearly 2 million people engaged in face-to-face Goodwill services to advance in their careers. More than 35 million people accessed education, training, mentoring and online learning tools offered by Goodwill virtually to strengthen their skills and gain industry-recognized credentials.

How many minutes or hours of on the job training can you unwanted things earn?

Must have Breastfeeding Products from Fair Haven Health

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

Breastfeeding can be tough at times, but very rewarding. With these great products from from the Milkies line from Fair Haven Health, providing Breastmilk should be no problem what so ever.

About Milkies (Fairhaven Health):

The mission at Fairhaven Health is to develop products designed to safely and naturally promote fertility, pregnancy wellness, and breastfeeding success. And for years now they’ve been achieving that important goal. From preconception through pregnancy and nursing, Fairhaven Health is there – every step of the way – to provide clinically-proven products to help you along your journey to parenthood. As a trusted leader in the field of reproductive health, their products are cooperatively developed and formulated by a diverse panel of medical experts – including doctors, ObGyns, nutritionists, and naturopaths. Noted fertility expert Amos Grunebaum, MD, plays a pivotal role in formulating their FertilAid, FertileCM, FertiliTea, and Pregnancy  Plus product lines.

About Nursing Blend Breastfeeding Supplement:

Nursing Blend is an all-natural dietary supplement that contains a blend of herbs that have been used for centuries by nursing mothers when a boost in breast milk supply is needed, including fenugreek and fennel seed. And, by providing a unique combination of whole fenugreek seed powder along with a concentrated fenugreek seed extract, Nursing Blend offers an equivalent dose of 2 grams of fenugreek in each daily dose. Nursing Blend also includes herbs that provide calming effects for mom and baby, including chamomile and anise.

The Nursing Blend is the only dietary supplement that combines herbal support for breast milk production with the vitamin and mineral support that nursing moms need to produce quality breast milk. Nursing Blend was scientifically-designed by doctors and nutritionists to specifically meet the nutritional needs of nursing mothers and their babies and to aid in milk production. In addition, Nursing Blend is endorsed by leading lactation specialist and MD, Dr. Kathleen Marinelli.

My Thoughts:

WOW, I absolutely love this amazing vitamin. I made it to the 7 month mark before I started noticing I wasn’t pumping near as much as I was pumping originally. I only had about 3 more months to go with pumping before I was off for the summer and wouldn’t need to pump anymore. I was very impressed with how it helped me maintain my supply as well as gave me the subtle boost that I was needing. I also liked that the vitamins truly made me feel better than the vitamins that I was taking before. I would highly recommend these amazing vitamins to anyone that is looking for a good boost and to maintain the supply that they already have.

About Fenugreek Dietary Supplement:

Fenugreek is an annual herb native to the Mediterranean region of the world. Fenugreek is used throughout the world as a culinary spice and has been used by women for centuries as a “galactagogue” – a natural product to increase production of breast milk. Fenugreek contains diosgenin, a plant-based estrogen, which has been shown to increase milk flow in lactating women to help support breast milk production.

Unlike other available Fenugreek supplements which can require taking up to 8 capsules per day, Fairhaven Health’s Fenugreek contains a unique blend of organic Fenugreek Seed Poweder, along with a concentrated Fenugreek Seed Powder, delivering a dose equivalent to 2000mg of standard fenugreek seed powder in just 2 vegetarian capsules each day.

My Thoughts: 

Since I have been taking the vitamin that already has the Fenugreek in it, I don’t take these on a daily basis, just on days that I notice that I have dipped a bit for various reasons. I am really impressed with this vitamin compared to other Fenugreek that I have taken in the past. This is a great vitamin to use and I know that it will benefit others just as it has benefited myself.

About Nursing Time Tea:

Nursing Time Tea is the all-natural herbal tonic designed to help nursing mothers increase their milk flow and soothe digestive unease of both mother and baby. Nursing can be problemeatic for many women, particularly in the beginning, and the herbal ingredients in Nursing Time Tea have been used for centuries to promote healthy lactation and bring quick relief to both mothers and colicky or “gassy” newborns.

Nursing Time Tea brings together a select array of safe and proven ingredients to aid nursing in three key ways: enhancing the quantity and quality of available milk; alleviating digestive complaints, including gas, indigestion and colic; and providing a rich spectrum of nutritive vitamins and minerals central to robust and healthy nursing.

My Thoughts:

I have really enjoyed this Tea a great deal. Through the cold months and when I was trying to get back to what I was producing I found it incredibly effective at it’s job. It tastes great, and I get to use my favorite tea mug since it is a loose tea.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing one of these amazing products or checking out all the other amazing products from Milkies (Fairhaven Health), head on over to their website and find the perfect product for your stage of production!

Great Kid Products from Educational Insights

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

I’m sure that you all know and remember by now that my girls absolutely love doing craft projects and playing with things hands on. My girls were definitely big fans of these great products from Educational Insights.

About Educational Insights

Educational Insights are play enthusiasts. They aim to create experiences filled with sheer joy and uncontrollable laughter. They are champions of curiosity and those “eureka” moments of discovery. In addition to inspiring creativity, imagination, good sportsmanship, and out-of-the-box learning, their inventive line of kid-powered toys and engaging games are packed full of fun, designed to delight, and are certain to satisfy kids’ natural curiosity.

Their Playful Promise – We want to exceed your expectations. We work hard to ensure that our products are of the highest quality, and that kids feel happy, confident, and inspired after playing with them. If the product you’ve purchased is not giving your child and exceptional experience, then you can simply return it and you will get your money back. That’s it! No short return windows, no endless rationale needed – just ship the product back within a year of purchase and you’ll get your refund. 

About IllumiCraft Light-Up! Jewelry Organizer – 

Are your jewels in a jumble? Not for long with the light-up jewelry organizer! Kids cna engineer a circuit to light up their hanging organizer, and can personalize it with stickers and paint. Holds up to 20 pairs of earrings and 10 necklaces or bracelets.

They are learning!

  • Introduces basic circuitry and engineering
  • Develops problem – solving skills
  • Encourages a love of science and experimentation
  • Promotes artistic expression and creativity.

My Thoughts– I was a big fan of this awesome product. My oldest girls are 5 and 7, and the absolutely loved putting this awesome product together. They had fun picking out their own personalized design and really loved that they were truthfully the creators of their Jewelry Organizer.

About Playfoam Go! – 

Get ready for the squishable, squashable fun ….on the go! The Playfoam Go! portable carrying case includes 8 cool Playfoam colors, each kept neat and tidy in its own compartment. There’s even a ninth bonus compartment for mixing Playfoam colors!

They’re Learning – 

  • Encourages creative play
  • Helps develop fine motor skills
  • Provides tactile and sensory stimulation

My Thoughts – My girls LOVE this foam. I love that it is truthfully a no mess activity. There are weeks that I feel like we spend all of our time in the car traveling from activity to activity. I love that I can put the Playfoam in the car, and they can have an enjoyable playtime even if we aren’t at home.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing these great products from Educational Insights, or just looking around at all the other amazing products that they have to offer, head on over to their website.

5 Districts of LA to Visit Based on Interests

Thinking of visiting Los Angeles but feeling overwhelmed by the size of the city? You aren’t alone. So how do you plan a trip to the city without feeling overwhelmed? It’s all about learning how to focus your own interests. Let’s break it down for you:

1) West Hollywood

This section of the city is well known for its shopping and nightlife. It’s the perfect match for the younger crowd, as well as the seasoned veterans of the city. There are enough music clubs to fill your nights, and enough places to shop to fill your days. Ever heard of Santa Monica Boulevard? If you want to visit this hot spot, come with an appetite. This strip of road is lined with restaurants for those who want to see and be seen, such as Sunset Beach or Katana.

West Hollywood is also well known as the home of Sunset Strip, where you can visit great music clubs like the Viper Room or stop by The Comedy Store. If you want to sit at a café and watch for celebrities, you want to stop by Sunset Plaza on the strip. Some of the best, most luxurious hotels in west hollywood are along this stretch of road.

2)Studio City

If you like walking and moving at a leisurely pace, Studio City is the place to visit. This was once the mecca of homes for the actors working for studios. Now it boasts some of the most upscale dining and shopping in all of LA. Do you love sushi? You want to take a walk down Ventura Boulevard’s famous “sushi alley” to get a wide variety of great rolls.

Studio City is the perfect section of LA for the foodie. Just stay close to Ventura Boulevard and enjoy a wide variety of high-end cuisine.

3) Universal City

Want to take a studio tour and enjoy great shopping? Visit Universal City. This section of LA became famous for its studio backlot tours, drawing in a large crowd of tourists. You can Ride the Movies, visit Universal Studios Hollywood, and shop. Heard of CityWalk? It’s a stretch of shopping that inspired the modern version of malls. It’s full of restaurants, novelty shops, street performers, and more.

Universal City is perfect for the tourist who loves Hollywood entertainment.

4) Downtown LA

Immerse yourself in a variety of cultural differences in the downtown district. Visit Chinatown for a real taste of Chinese cuisine and culture. Enjoy a number of museums. See a live show at the Walt Disney Music Hall. Take in an NFL, NBA, or MLB game. Enjoy a helicopter tour of the city.

If your tastes are more cultured and you enjoy arts, architecture, and museums, you want to stay in Downtown LA.

5) Beverly Hills

There is no place in LA for the shopaholic quite like Beverly Hills. From jewelry to clothing to baseball caps, everything in this section of the city is high end, which also comes with a high price tag. If you plan on staying in Beverly Hills and shopping, make sure you save a lot of cash before you come. Before heading out to dinner in Beverly Hills, make sure you have a reservation. Many of the more upscale restaurants won’t have a place for you if you don’t.

If you love to shop and treat yourself, Beverly Hills is the perfect match for your LA experience.

During your trip, you may want to plan for a few extra days on the side to visit Santa Barbara. You can enjoy wineries, the beach, and the mountains all in one laid-back location. And it’s only 90 minutes from LA.