Samantha, Author at Have Sippy Will Travel

Fire Emblem Fates Special Edition for the Nintendo 3DS

May 23, 2016 by Samantha 2 Comments

Disclosure- We received this game in order to review it. All opinions are our own and honest. For more, see “I Disclose”.

This is a game for adult players. While there is no outright “acts”, there are some allusions that in my opinion make this not the best game for young gamers. My husband played this game, enjoyed it, and has reviewed it below. There are interactions with other characters in the game that are a bit grown up, such as blowing on them, touching faces, flirting, and other things of that nature. Nothing major, but a little to adult for kids for my personal taste.

Fire Emblem is the long running RPG with tactical movements on a grid environment. Each environment has various obstacles and story line elements from Dragon Veins to deep canyons. The series spans over 15 games and often refers to a weapon or shield seen as the power of war and dragons. Each character has a turn in your party and then the enemy gets a turn for each of their characters. There are also ally characters who you help and defend throughout the course of the game. The most striking element of this game is the story line. It starts out as many role playing games do, with a lost main character just trying to fit in. From there, it spins out of control and an important decision must be made- stay with the family that raised you, side with you biological family, or choose neither. Depending on your pick is which game you will play each with its own unique story which weaves your player into some interesting adventures and situations.

Fire Emblem Fates : Birthright has you side with your biological family, Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest with the family which raised you and Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation has you side with neither. Each story is fun to play and is in its own right a fully developed tale, but to get the true entire story all three games should be played. This can add up to quite a bit of money if each game is purchased separately, but if purchased together in the Special Edition bundle you receive not only all three games on one cartridge on game release without having to wait for Revelations to become available but you also receive a 3DS carrying pouch and a hardcover art book featuring some of the stunning artwork from the game.

Fire Emblem Fates Birthright and Fire Emblem Fates Conquest retail for $39.99 each and the Special Edition with all three games retails for $79.99. And will be available 02/19/16. While Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation will be available for download on 03/10/16 for $19.99 or on 02/19/16 with the Special Edition.

Filed Under: entertainment, gaming, technology Tagged With: Nintendo, video games

Poise and LBL #PoiseLinerLove @walmart

May 23, 2016 by Samantha 6 Comments

Disclosure- This I received compensation and / or samples in order to provide this review. All opinions are my own and honest. For more information, please see “I Disclose”.

Light Bladder Leakage (or LBL) is a common occurrence for women of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. This occurs in one in every three women and some of the most common reasons are;

Physical changes from childbirth, pregnancy, hysterectomy, or menopause, being overweight, complications from surgery, stroke, or chronic diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson’s disease. It can also occur from a bladder or urinary tract infection, or bladder irritants (certain foods and beverages).

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As a personal sufferer of LBL, it can be daunting trying to find a way to either cover it up or work around it. Sometimes it’s just a funny joke or a silly life event occurs and I happen to leak a bit. Other times I just leak. Luckily for me, I realized the best way to go about this is by having a little protection during daily activities. This comes in the form of Poise Micro liners and liners. Micro liners are great for when you know you are going to have a ‘good day’ with little to no issues, or if you don’t leak all that much. Liners are great for those “more then just a few drops” days. With an absorbancy of 2 out of 6 these are perfect for the infrequent spurts and drips.

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In our house, we always have at least a full box in the cabinet in the bathroom. One of the best places to purchase Poise pads it Walmart, with great prices on bulk packaging, they are the clear cut winner against small packages at a local drug store. One of the difficulties with bulk packaging is, will I use said item before it expires? The beauty of Poise pads and liners, there is no expiration date and have more on hand is always a good thing. Just in case.

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Poise liners are available in many different options, including micro liners, liners and the new 3 drop thin shaped pads. All of which are available at your local Walmart. If you aren’t sure which products are right for you there is even a simple question and answer/survey available at Poise.

Filed Under: health, review Tagged With: women

@miraclegro Gro-ables #GroablesProject #ad

May 23, 2016 by Samantha 7 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro Gro-ables for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

There is a new way to grow a garden and it couldn’t be simpler or smarter at the same time. Gro-ables are a garden starter kit, in simple pod form.

Each pod is planted int he ground and watered. Then before you know it, it sprouts and you have garden full of fresh vegetables. Is this an over simplified explanation? No, it isn’t. Each pod contains growing material, plant food, and a seed. The growing material nestles the seed perfectly, and when watered, delivers the perfect amount to bring about root growth which then grows into the plant food giving the plant the boost it needs to grow big and green. It brings you the most delicious garden greens and vegetables. From herbs, to vegetables, and even lettuce- there are lots of choices to pick from.

In addition to the pod itself, there is also a Gro-ables app which helps you remember to water and cultivate your new garden and makes sure your Gro-ables do grow.

“At Miracle-Gro®, we believe that there’s a lot to learn from even the smallest plants. So we started The Gro–ables® Project: a movement to share the joy of growing herbs and veggies while giving kids truly hands-on learning experiences. Join us by planting your own Gro–ables, taking part in the activities below and sharing your story!”

Gro Ables are available everywhere plants are sold as well as online. They are available as Jalapeno peppers, basil, cherry tomato, cucumber, globe tomato, lettuce, sweet peppers, watermelon, zucchini, and broccoli.

Pardon the mint! He loves it, and won’t pull it out unless he’s using it.

These are prefect for those of us with a less then green thumb, and little kids who want to help in the garden. My son loves gardening, and these are a welcome addition to our annual vegetable garden. Every year we try to grow some new things in addition to our regular garden, and these will be fun (now that the weather has finally started to cooperate!)

Filed Under: family, home, review Tagged With: gardening

Why Won’t My Garden Grow? Gardening When You Don’t Have a “Green Thumb”

May 23, 2016 by Samantha 3 Comments

My son and I love to garden, and dad gets in on it as well- at least on the vegetable gardening portion. I’ve always wanted one of those amazing, fragrant rose gardens (of course, with other flowers in the mix as well) and my son shares this dream, perhaps oddly. He loves to run around in gardens, and now that he’s older, take photos of all of his favorite flowers. Roses top that list.

We plant seeds inside each year as well, and transplant the ones that can live outdoors outside when the weather is right. My son loves watching his little greenhouses grow. They are also fun 4H projects for the end of the year now that he’s old enough to participate in those clubs. There are all sorts of cute kits we like to try, as well as the traditional seeds and dirt.

We also grow a fruit and (mostly) vegetable garden every year. We don’t have a large yard, and neither of our gardens are huge- just rows along the fences. But we enjoy it, and that’s what matters. Some of the plants we grow from seeds, others from “starter” plants from home stores, and this year from these interesting pods from Miracle Gro. (Read about them here if you want.) I hadn’t seen them before, but he likes them, and most of them are growing pretty well so far.

We are also going to pick up some hanging baskets this year for strawberries and hulaberries- which are similar, but have a pineapple flavor. We usually grow them on the ground, but thought we’d try something new this year since we are growing both blackberries and blueberries this year as well.

Last year, I didn’t do much with the garden. It has quickly become over-run with weeds and growth. My bushes, plants, and flowers (bulbs too!) have just not been doing well, and it’s frustrating. The bulbs have been rotting in the ground, 2 out of 4 rosebushes have died over the past 4 years, 1 out of 2 azaleas have died (and the other won’t grow), and neither hydrangea is growing or doing well. I’ve been composting, tilling the soil, fertilizing, and winterizing the plants- and with no luck.

This year, as gardening season finally gets started here in NJ, I’m really making an effort to figure out what’s going on with my poor garden. Is it the soil, the sunlight, some kind of bug- or just a terrible gardener?

We started with 2 days of garden cleanup, weeding, tilling, etc, and put a few new plants in. Let us see how this season progresses.

Wish me luck, please!

Filed Under: environment, health, home, lifestyle

May is American Stroke Month #StrokeChat @American_Stroke

May 22, 2016 by Samantha Leave a Comment

Did you know that someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds? That’s someone every 40 seconds.

As you may know, May is American Stroke Month, so we’re working with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and the Ad Council to raise awareness about Stroke knowledge, prevention, and what to do in an emergency. Here’s why this work matters.

Stroke is the No. 1 preventable cause of disability – 80 percent of strokes are preventable!
Only 9% of us can identify all the letters in the F.A.S.T. acronym for stroke.
When you recognize a stroke and immediately call 9-1-1, the person has a greater chance of getting to an appropriate hospital quickly and being assessed for treatment options like a clot-busting drug or clot-removing device.

Here’s How You Can Help:
Join the #StrokeChat hosted by @American_Stroke on 5/18 at 12pm CDT. Stroke experts will join from local AHA/ASA handles coast to coast and we’ll have an engaging conversation about superpowers, the face of stroke, what’s in the news, and give away some swag from NBA All Star Paul George and ALEX AND ANI who just debuted a new bangle honoring stroke survivors Questions are available in advance upon request.

Take the #StrokeHero Quiz: You don’t need superpowers to be a Stroke Hero. You can be a Stroke Hero by knowing F.A.S.T, the warning signs of stroke, so you’re ready to take action. Share the resources (StrokeAssociation.org/StrokeHero) and the fun (and short) quiz (http://strokeheroquiz.org/) in a blog post or via social media. Be sure to share your result!

Help Prevent Strokes: 80% of Strokes are preventable. Controlling your blood pressure is a great place to start.

Facts about Strokes:

Someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds.
In the U.S. stroke is the No. 5 cause of death overall, killing nearly 130,000 people a year.
Stroke is the No. 1 preventable cause of long-term disability.
About 800,000 people have a stroke every year.

How to spot a stroke F.A.S.T. (the warning signs):

F – Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
A – Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S – Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like: “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
T- Time to call 9-1-1 – If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

www.StrokeAssociation.org/warningsigns

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit Tagged With: check in

The El Conquistador Resort- A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico

May 20, 2016 by Samantha 16 Comments

Puerto Rico is known for its beautiful landscapes and gorgeous views. When visiting, you will want to find a resort that can offer an amazing experience as well as luxury. El Conquistador is just one of those resorts. Set at the top of a 300-foot bluff on the eastern tip of Puerto Rico, El Conquistador, a AAA Four Diamond resort, spreads across 500 acres. It overlooks the waters where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet.

El Conquistador is divided into 5 villages that offer guestrooms and suites and a separate luxury resort that has villas in 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms and 24-hour butler services. On site in the resort are 23 restaurants, bars and lounges that fit all styles and desires from gourmet to casual, including some with ocean views. (The views can’t be undersold- they are amazing. You will lose time gazing at them, and when you return home they will be one of the things you miss most.) Waking up to the sounds of the ocean lapping and a gentle breeze, then opening the curtains to see the magnificent coast below you is something you will carry with you long after your return to the daily grind.

While staying at the family friendly resort, there is plenty to do. Spend time at Coqui Water Park, a 2.4 acres water park that has exhilarating slides and rapids. Everyone can splash in the mail pool, covering 8,500 sq. ft or swim in the 9,000 sq ft infinity edge pool. If you start feeling a little water logged, relax in the sun on the 25,554 sq ft bathing deck. Make sure you try the piragua (pi·ra·gua), a Puerto Rican shaved ice dessert. They have stands and push carts around the island, and also offer it at the water park. You can’t go wrong with any of the flavors- yes, we tried them all (and I’m not ashamed to admit it!)

Take one of the resort’s boats to visit the Palomino Island, a private 100-acre island that has white sand beaches with recreational activities and water sports. There is a schedule to get you to and from the island, and it’s not hard to figure out. Bring your sand toys or buy them there- there are plenty of shops on the island. It is the perfect place to explore the coral reefs or take a shallow dive or o head out further with a boat dive. You can also sign up for a snorkeling tour to get a different look. If you are looking for a different way to explore the island, try horseback riding. The expert guides can lead you through the wilderness trails and natural beauty of Palomino Island, no matter if you are a beginner or seasoned rider. You could also just relax on one of the sun chairs, play with the kids in the ocean, go shopping, or take the scavenger hunt around the island.

Spending time on this island was my son’s favorite part of the trip. He loved every second of it, and would have stayed longer. He was able to take part in the arts and crafts time, painting an island coconut that he was able to ship home as a souvenir.

If you just want to relax, you can also book a spa treatment at the The Waldorf Astoria Spa. There are 25 treatment rooms, amovement studio with a variety of classes; state-of-the-art fitness center featuring comprehensive fitness assessments and personal trainers; a dedicated children’s spa program – Ki’ Spa; treatments incorporating products indigenous to the surrounding rain forest and ocean; juice bar; and a tea room.

My son and I got a mother/son massage, and we loved it. He was nervous at first, but the lovely masseuse put him at ease almost instantly. She joked with him and made him feel comfortable, and within minutes he was in silent bliss. (The same goes for mom- the second he was fine, I was in heaven.)

For kids, there is also a really fun scavenger hunt to take part in. You get a card and check off sights and “finds”, getting a fun rubber bracelet for each one. At the end, turn it in and hang it on the wall for a prize. My son LOVED this- was obsessed with it, really, both at the resort and also on Palomino Island.

Other activities you can partake in include-

Championship Arthur Hills 18-hole, par-72 golf course with practice putting green,
driving range, pro shop and clubhouse
Four freshwater swimming pools and three additional private pools at Las Casitas
Village including the magnificent Infinity Edge Pool (for Las Casitas guests only) and a
30,000-square-foot deck in the main pool complex, with private cabanas
Seven tennis courts featuring a stadium court and resident tennis pro
Fitness Center complete with state-of-the-art exercise equipment and free-weights,
along with dramatic views of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean
35-slip private marina offering deep-sea fishing charters, sailboats, catamarans, and more

There is so much to see and do for families, no matter how long you spend you will wish you had more time. The wonderful people, amazing food, and relaxing atmosphere is just what you need to get away from the rigors of daily life.

For more information or reservations, please call 888-543-1282 or visit www.elconresort.com and www.lascasitasvillage.com.

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: family travel, islands, travel

Win a Stay at the George Washington Inn in DC!

May 20, 2016 by Samantha 6 Comments

Have you read about what a great time we had staying at the George Washington Inn in DC recently? If not, please head over and check out the review now.

One of you can win aone night stay* at the George Washington Inn in D*Certain restrictions apply. This award is not combinable with other offers and is non-transferable. The award must be consumed by June 30, 2017 and is subject to availability. Black out dates apply.

Please use the RC form below in order to enter- good luck! Ends June 23, 2016.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: giveaway, review, traveling Tagged With: giveaway, travel

George Washington University Inn, Washington DC

May 20, 2016 by Samantha 17 Comments

If you are visiting Washington DC, than you will want to stay in the center of everything at George Washington University Inn. The rooms are very spacious, so that you can enjoy a comfortable stay without feeling boxed in. You are also able to bring your pets along with you during your stay, as George Washington University Inn is pet-friendly. So whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, you will enjoy your stay that much more.

Every room also has a kitchenette so that you can prepare meals for yourself if you would like an evening in, or if the kids are making getting our difficult. The amenities in the inn include high-speed Wi-Fi so that you can stay connected with your business or family and friends. The kitchenette has a refrigerator, coffee maker, and microwave. There is also an in-room safe if there is anything you’d like to lock away.

The views from the room are lovely, and it’s quiet, making it an ideal spot for just about anyone. The classic decor will make the working space seem like you are not so far from home. There is a large desk in the room, making it easy to work from. There is also a dressing area, so that you can get ready for that meeting or going out to explore the surroundings. To unwind, there is also a flat panel TV. You can upgrade your stay by booking a studio or even a one-bedroom hotel suite in Washington, DC. All of the options that you have to choose from all offer that same country inn feel.

There is so much to enjoy while you stay at the George Washington University Inn! They are just one block from the Foggy Bottom Metro and two blocks from the George Washington University and Kennedy Center. A bike program is offered as well as wellness benefits during your stay. Their great location to all the attractions is what makes this inn one of the top choices of visitors. The theater is also close by and so you can enjoy per-theater dining in their Italian restaurant before the show at the Kennedy Center.

The Priority Bicycle Program lets you explore DC on a bicycle for no extra charge. The fitness center and wellness breakfast will have you feeling great to take in the sights. Of course, if you are going to be active checking everything out that DC has to offer you will become hungry. Notti Bianche is the Italian restaurant that you must enjoy for the relaxed atmosphere and of course the intimate atmosphere. You can also order room service through them and enjoy dinner of even dine outside on the patio. They also offer breakfast and happy hour deals.

The special pre-theater menu comes with your choice of antipasti, main course, and dessert. You will have a full stomach just in time for the show to start. You can do a lot during your stay including the mandatory tourist visits to the White House and Lincoln Memorial. Just know that you have a comfortable inn setting to come back to in order to regroup and take on your next adventure.