Log Cabin Rentals for Family Vacations

September 16, 2015 by 1 Comment

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So many mountain cabins, so little time, might be a response to searching the web. Mountain ranges across the country have vacation attractions with many cost-level choices. Desperation to get away often makes any cabin look good. Many are pet friendly, too.

PLAN AHEAD

Crazy, busy times are often predictable, and having a planned trip all tied up in a bow is good motivation for hanging on through it all. Unforeseen crazy times are not hopeless, either, since trips can be arranged quickly and as close to home as possible if time is a factor. Sometimes, moms have to “just do it.”

MID-AMERICA

The Ozarks serve midwestern and southern areas of the USA. Eureka Springs has a host of rental cabins with hot tubs on the deck and many with mountain scenes and Jacuzzi tubs in the bathroom. The rest of the family can fend for themselves, in these venues, darn-it. Shopping and dining are easily found in downtown Eureka Springs, and festivals are scheduled for every weekend in September. The farmers market in Pine Mountain Village on East Van Buren in Eureka Springs is open April-November. There is also a zipline.

WEST SIDE

Big Bear Lake, a couple of hours east of Los Angeles, has snow skiing in winter and water activities in summer. Cabins here start at about $75 per night, so don’t despair. Others are nearly $1,000 per night, and amenities vary. Views are key. The village has dining and shopping, and yes, there is a spa. Those who go for strenuous, outdoor adventure can take advantage of hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and swimming. A Jeep off-road “experience” is also available for drivers who want to use that 4 x 4. A new brewery with brick ovens for pizza is now open. What else matters?

EAST SIDE

North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains, along with the Blue Ridge, is a haven for mountain cabin escapes. The Smokies take up part of Tennessee as well, and Dolly Parton’s Pigeon Forge amusement park is not far away. There is such a wide range of cabins, it’s difficult to find a place to start in describing them. Their “Last Minute” options begin at $40 per night, a sanity-saving price. Within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are beaucoup hiking trails and camping areas. Waterfalls occur in several places. Snow skiing and snow tubing are great winter activities here, and some are near Asheville, NC, a resort town with art, culture and history. Last, but not least, there is a zip-line!

WEST-ISH: LAKE TAHOE

California and Nevada share this gigantic lake that is loaded with activity, including you guessed it, zip-lining. Hot air balloon rides are also available in South Lake Tahoe. Golf, skiing and snowboarding are also possibilities, depending on the season. Tahoe has parasailing over water and paragliding over land. It has beach vacation activities only on the lake. Boat tours, biking and horseback riding can also make up the fun docket. Views from the cabins are breath-taking in most locations, if not all. Hot tubs, fireplaces and coziness can be had, just like in the pictures. Imagine people wearing ski sweaters, holding mugs of cocoa, or snifters of brandy, smiling and schmoozing. Of course, clean air and snow-capped mountains are part of the deal, if you like that kind of thing. Kidding.

ANYWAY…

Put away the phones and don’t watch the news for a couple of days, and emerge a calm, rational person, mostly. The kids will still exist, but moms can enjoy the Zen-like feeling of peace and contentment for a few hours. Right, dads?

Bio –This guest post is courtesy of Log Home Outlet, building log cabins in Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming as well as custom log cabins in Montana.

Filed Under: traveling

Informucate’s Daily Trivia

September 16, 2015 by 2 Comments

As a mom who travels a lot, I sometimes find it hard to set aside some “extra time” (what is ‘extra time,’ anyway?!) to catch up on the current events going on around me. However, I did come across this website that is able to tell me about the current events (in multiple different categories) in under 200 words, which only takes a few minutes to read! Informucate’s tagline, all the news in just 12 views, says it all. Informucate is made for us busy people who don’t have time to sit down and watch the news or stay informed any other way that takes more than a few minutes.

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The site is updated daily so you are always up-to-date on current stories and they even have sidebars with extra information to help you understand the articles better. On top of the new articles, they also have a fun section of daily trivia!

I think the best part about this site is the travel section. The places are listed in alphabetical order so they are easy to find, and there are a ton! I could spend all day in the travel section. I also love looking at it with my child. It’s educational and sometimes we like to plan our future trips.

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If you have 5 minutes a day to spare, even if that is while you are waiting in the school pick-up line, I highly recommend you check out Informucate and get your daily dose of the news! Keep your brain busy by reading the daily trivia as well!

Filed Under: lifestyle items

Fast Play from NJ Lottery

September 16, 2015 by 4 Comments

Disclaimer:  I have partnered with Blog Meets Brand to bring you this sponsored post. All opinions are my own. You must be 18 or older to buy a lottery ticket. The New Jersey Lottery reminds players to play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1800-GAMBLER®. For more information visit New Jersey Lottery.

Some think Draw Games from the NJ Lottery is a long, drawn out way to play the lotto.  With the most recent games, they have changed from waiting until the winners are announced to instantly knowing if you have a winning ticket or not.  Each game has a low starting point of $1, $2, $3, or $5 to play.  There are a total of seven games with most of them at the $1 to $2 per game price.  The top prizes also become larger as the price per game gets larger, starting with $500 for the $1 tickets to $25,000 with the $5 tickets.

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We recently went to out local lottery retailer to play a few of these games.  They were easy to play.  Instead of picking numbers or filling out forms all we had to do was ask our lottery agent for the game we wanted to play.  We played the Fast Cash game.  The odds of winning were better then 1 in 4, and the prize of $500 would be very nice.  Alas, no big wins for us, but out of the 15 games played we ended up “winning” six dollars.  No one’s wins can be typical obviously, but it was nice to win on a few tickets.

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NJ Lottery games are available everywhere NJ lottery tickets are sold including local delis, gas stations and super markets.  You have to be in it to win it.  Good luck all.

I received compensation from Blog Meets Brand to purchase NJ Lottery tickets. This post is sponsored by the NJ Lottery. All opinions are 100% my own.

Filed Under: lifestyle items, Uncategorized

Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island

September 16, 2015 by 9 Comments

Nassau Paradise Island, Bahamas is home to sand, surf, and family-friendly accommodations (like the mega-resort Atlantis), but families on spring break will find that the destination also offers immersive and educational experiences fit for kids and adults alike.  Have you ever considered taking the kids to Atlantis in the Bahamas? There are so many things offered that will make this a vacation to remember, from Dolphin Cay (an experience on 14 acres and almost 7 million gallons of crystal clear water) to Aquaventure (the island’s water park on 141 acres) and more pools and slides then you will have time to visit in a long weekend. Then there is the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, where you can learn how they are working to conserve the reefs. Should you care to venture off the resort, Paradise Island has many activities that your children can enjoy at any age.

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Atlantis has a great habitat that supports marine life and animal rescue and rehabilitation facilities. You can see tanks and aquariums all over the resort, which is enormous.  You have to take buses all over in order to get from place to place- it’s as big as a town, for sure.  Walking would be nearly impossible.  You pick up the buses in the lobby of your hotel, and each of them has the names of the stops they make on the side and top of it.

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Aquaventure is of course the water park and has non-stop action. There are Atlantean-themed towers, water slides and a mile long river that has rolling rapids. This thrill of a place has over twenty million gallons of water, 20 swimming areas, a kids water play fort, and 11 swimming pools. Everything is connected together by a tropical environment and is sure to please everyone visiting from young to old. There is also a “Cartoon Lagoon” which looked very cool, but we were not able to try out.  Turns out you need to make an appointment to use it, and it often fills up months in advance for a time slot, so if you want to use it, book it when you book your stay, and don’t be late or forget to show up or you miss your chance.

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There is a fun cartoon character parade through Atlantis, check with the desk for times and locations.  You can also see Caribbean dancing, music, and more depending on the date and time. My son loved seeing his favorite TV toons in person!

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As I mentioned,  you can learn how scientists are conserving the coral reefs through the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation. You can ask about any of the Blue Adventures at the center that is operated by Stuart Cove. As you learn, you will also be donating to the foundation as a portion of the the proceeds of each adventure goes to help the foundation.

You can also experience activities that involve fitness, golf, shopping, pottery, rock climbing, Atlantis theater and of course a spa. The Mandara Spa brings together Balinese healing touches, traditional European therapies and natural elements that are specific to the Bahamas. The Taking of the Waters has both warm and cool pools as well as steam and sauna rooms for you to enjoy. There is even a Couple’s Spa Suite and a women’s aromatherapy area. Men can experience  time for themselves too with barber services and a plasma TV in the lounge. The Earth and Fire Pottery Studio was a big hit with my son, who loved making and taking home his own painted creation (note- you only paint it, you don’t mold it).

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Kids will fall in love with the colorful sea creatures they will get to see, the water slides, and of course searching for treasures on the beach. There are things that will surely bring a smile to their faces and they will remember always. As tweens and teens, they will also want to explore Atlantis on their own and not just with their parents. Atlantis has something to offer for them, too. Preteens can have tons of fun in the sun by going on snorkeling and scuba adventures to come face to face with marine life. Atlantis also has a kids-only nightclub along with them adventure play rooms and an “underwater” video arcade.

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Teens that vacation on Paradise Island can have non-stop fun and excitement with the Aquaventure Waterpark, up close encounters with dolphins, and rides in the shark filled lagoons. And as the sun goes down, there are multiple activities such as a nightclub where there are no parents allowed, the “underwater” video arcade, and the Atlantis Movie Theatre.  There are also movies and TV shows offered on a large screen on the lawn each night (weather permitting) for everyone to enjoy.  We were able to see “We Bare Bears” before it was on TV back home, which thrilled my boy.

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Also available (for an extra fee) is  in room babysitting- all sitters are CPR-certified. You will have to call one week prior to travel in order to book the babysitting. Something else to think about is that children must be free of diapers and pull-ups to go to the Atlantis Kids Adventure Club, and proof of their age will be required. Some of the waterslides that the children will want to get on will have the requirement that  they are at least 48 inches tall.

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Atlantis aims to please those of all ages. With all that there is to do in paradise, you can be sure that you will be wanting to come back again and again to experience the thrills that Atlantis has to offer- this will be a vacation to remember forever. As your children get older there will be different things that they can enjoy, there is something for everyone and all ages.

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Should you feel like spending time off resort, head to some of the very cool museums and see what the island is all about.  The The Heritage Museum of the Bahamas will give you a brief history of the island (complete with real and original artifacts on display) and houses a collection of items spanning more than a 1000 years . The Pirates of Nassau Interactive Museum is not to be missed, either. From 1690 to 1720, Nassau had the highest concentration of pirates ever seen in the New World. At the Pirates of Nassau Museum, which provides the perfect mix of entertainment and education, kids and parents alike will love learning about the Golden Age of Piracy. Guests can board the “Revenge,” a replica of a real-life pirate ship, and feel as if they’ve gone back in time for a truly interactive history lesson.

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For more information, and to book your stay visit www.nassauparadiseisland.com.

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: , , , ,

Save on your kids smart devices with Gazelle

September 16, 2015 by 2 Comments

Did you know that nearly 70% of parents reported that a child in their household has broken or lost at least one smartphone, according to a Gazelle survey.  Kids, even careful kids make mistakes and when you throw in a smart phone or tablet the mistakes get big.  The inevitable ‘opps’, drops, spills or stomps/crunches are in your future.  Once a device is smashed what is there to do but get a replacement one.  But I say instead of getting a brand new device, why not look into getting a certified pre-owned device instead  These devices go through a thorough inspection process and cleaned and sweeped of all data going through a 30 point inspection before being passed on to the consumer. Buinyg used is  a great way to keep your kids connected without breaking the bank to do so.  A new smart phone can cost around $649 and with the fact that your device didn’t fail because of normal wear and tear this amount is going to have to be eaten to get a replacement.  Why not instead get a used objects for a fraction of the price, up to 40% less expensive.  Buying used is also the Earth friendly.

A full catalog of Gazelle devices can be accessed at buy.gazelle.com/gazelle-certified-electronics, but please be sure to use your custom link to one of the designated product pages or use case landing pages. Example product information can be found below.

1. AT&T iPhone 6 – Starting at $469 (price varies)
A Gazelle Certified iPhone 6 goes through a rigorous 30-point quality inspection to ensure it meets your needs and satisfaction. iPhones are available in three cosmetic conditions – Excellent, Good and Fair – and are offered in all colors and size capacities. Gazelle’s devices come with easy 30-day returns, a Lightning USB Cable and AC Adapter, and without contracts or strings attached.

2. iPad Mini 3 – Starting at $289 (price varies)
At less than eight inches on the longest side and a petite 11 ounces, the iPad Mini 3 is extremely portable. There’s no better size for reading eBooks, playing games or working on the go.

Gazelle’s iPads are available in three cosmetic conditions – Excellent, Good and Fair – and are offered in all colors and size capacities. Devices also come with easy 30-day returns, a Lightning USB Cable and AC Adapter, and without contracts or strings attached. way to have a smart device while keeping an items rare metal out

Audience members will receive $10 off when they purchase a device on the Gazelle website! The $10 will automatically be applied to their cart when they click this link!

If they’re not quite ready to buy, they can also subscribe to the Gazelle email list to receive a $10 voucher when they buy within 2 weeks. PLEASE NOTE: Audiences can only subscribe to the newsletter through a pop-up that appears the first time they visit the Gazelle website. If you share this incentive, please carefully advise audiences to 1) wait on the page until the pop-up appears, and 2) enter their email address without closing out of the box.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Lego® Star Wars: The New Yoda Chronicles arrives September 15th

September 15, 2015 by Leave a Comment

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Lego® Star Wars: The New Yoda Chronicles arrives full force on DVD Today, September 15th! Unleash the lighter side of the Force with this action packed release that comes with four complete episodes, plus a bonus alternate ending.

Your favorite Star Wars heroes are back with four complete episodes (plus a bonus alternate ending!) that unleash the lighter side of the Force.

After headstrong Luke nearly delivers the good guys into Palpatine’s clutches, Master Yoda and the ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi unearth the Holocrons – last remnants of the secrets of the Jedi – to further Luke’s training. But Darth Vader also seeks the Holocrons, and he’ll stop at nothing to get to them first! Meanwhile, courageous superclone Jek-14, a Force-sensitive clone, comes out of retirement to help bolster the Rebels.  Share all the action-packed thrills of these interlocking, intergalactic adventures in LEGO® STAR WARS: The New Yoda Chronicles!

Voice Cast: Eric Bauza (Spongebob Movie, Ben 10: Omniverse, Batman: Assault on Arkham) as Luke Skywalker/Porkins Pilot; Michael Daingerfield (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Catwoman) as Han Solo/Admiral Ozzel/Biggs Pilot; Anthony Daniels (Star Wars Franchise) as C-3PO; Trevor Devall (Kid vs. Kat, Johnny Test) as Emperor Palpatine/Admiral Piett/Admiral Ackbar.    

Episodes: Escape From The Jedi Temple

Race For The Holocrons

Raid on Coruscant

Clash of the Skywalkers

Bonus Features: Alternate Ending: Clash of the Skywalkers – In this alternate version, will Luke win against the Sith Lord or will Vader be victorious?

 

Filed Under: disney, entertainment, movie

Clean First for the Best Finish with Puracyn® Plus #PuracynPlusCleanFirst

September 15, 2015 by Leave a Comment

For more clean start tips for the best finish, visit Puracyn Plus on the web at www.puracynplus.com and LIKE the brand on Facebook. This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.

When it comes to most projects around the house (or in general) there is a step which must be taken before your project even begins. I’m talking about the prep time and the cleanup of the area or what you will be working on. An example of this is when trying to fix a sink you clean out under the sink first before you even start working on the sink component. Yes, we’ve just done a project like this, ha.
This summer, we had quite a few projects, but the one that sticks out in my mind the most was the dog bowl stand. My son wanted to make something out of wood that would be useful not, and I quote, ‘a dumb bird house’. I guess I’m the worst mom ever, making a bird house with him. You know- the one he asked me to make with him? Yeah. So stupid of me.

This will be a daddy project. They want to make something useful, and dad didn’t want me buying our dog a bowl stand (he’s getting older and is beginning to have arthritis) so they decided on a dog dish holder for our pooch.

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After measuring and figuring out, (and measuring) then buying all the parts (and measuring one more time), it was time to get to work and build something. But first we had to clean up the table outside and make sure all our tools were in good shape. In this same manner of properly cleaning up before doing something, new Puracyn Plus Duo-Care Wound & Skin Cleanser is the next generation first step in first aid for cleansing, debriding and hydrating wounds, and is formulated with a pH balanced, hypochlorous solution, designed to improve the most essential part of the wound treatment process – preparation of the wound bed – a clean start for the best finish. Clean wounds first with Puracyn Plus Duo-Care Wound & Skin Cleanser and set the stage for optimal healing.

9110a832-1e7e-11e5-91b5-22000af93a2dThe easy, hands-free spray application of Puracyn Plus thoroughly cleans minor wounds, eliminating the need for running water in the critical first step of cleaning a wound. We really like how Puracyn Plus is a convenient alternative to the otherwise messy job of cleansing the wound area that can be applied on the spot and on-the-go, and is more effective than soap and water and won’t cause cell damage the way hydrogen peroxide can. Puracyn® Plus is available in a 4oz. plastic, spray bottle at Rite Aid and Walgreens for $14.99.To learn more about the brand visit www.puracynplus.com and follow the brand on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/Puracyn). Also available is Puracyn® Plus Foot Wash & Skin Cleanser which is a safe, effective, FIRST step in first aid for foot sores and irritations, blisters, dry and cracked feet, and rashes.

Puracyn® Plus Duo-Care Wound and Skin Cleanser…so she can get back into the game! Watch the new Puracyn Plus 2015 National TV Commercial here.

Save $3 on your next purchase of Puracyn® Plus Duo-Care Wound & Skin Cleanser and Puracyn® Plus Foot Wash & Skin Cleanser! Available in the first aid section at your local Rite Aid and Walgreens.

Starting on July 17, enter the Puracyn Plus Clean Start Giveaway on the Puracyn® Plus Facebook page (www.facebook.com/puracyn) for the chance to be one of four randomly selected winners to receive a $250 retailer gift card (choice of Home Depot, California Closets, Pier 1 Imports, or Staples) and Puracyn® Plus product, so you can get a clean start on a project for the best finish.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Prevent Lice Before It Can Start

September 15, 2015 by 4 Comments

With school starting, and the “super lice” that have been going around, the best treatment seems to be preventing lice from ever taking hold in your child’s hair. Enter So Cozy – a line of hair products for kids which are salon quality but meant for little heads, or in our case a little big head.  So Cozy is broken down into three general categories; Cinch, which are products that just work and work easily, Behave, which are the stylizers of the crew, and Boo which is formulated to repel lice.

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Lice happens. It can happen to anyone. Don’t let it happen to you. Use this fresh scented, lice prevention shampoo and the little buggers want nothing to do with you. Boo! Lice Prevention Shampoo is infused with tea tree oil, a natural and powerful lice repellent, to leave hair soft and silky. Safe and gentle enough for everyday use. A fright for lice, a big relief for you.  You can also pick up lice prevention spray if that’s more to your liking.

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What’s in these lice preventatives?

  • Tea Tree Oil – One of the most effective natural ingredients demonstrated to prevent lice naturally.
  • Rosemary Extract – A natural plant extract that helps with preventing lice; rich in vitamins to promote healthy hair and natural shine
  • Keratin – Protects hair, helps to increase hair strength and minimize damages caused by brushing and overuse of accessories like barrettes and elastic bands.
  • Peppermint Oil – Moisturizing and works as an astringent to prevent buildup plus aids in hair growth.
  • Lavender Flower Extract – Calms and soothes skin.
  • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract – Moisturizes and soothe hair, scalp and body.

So Safe: Non-Toxic, No Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Synthetic Color, Propylene Glycol. Free of Gluten, Wheat and Nuts. No Nasties Here!

Why bother with bugs?  No one wants to deal with the mess and real PITA that they create, not to mention some kids are really embarrassed should they get them.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, some wise mouth once said, and we agree. Pick up some lice prevention today and keep those buggies at bay.

 

Filed Under: beauty, kids, review