Samantha, Author at Have Sippy Will Travel

Swords and Soldiers 2 for Wii U

July 2, 2015 by Samantha 4 Comments

As Real Time Strategy games go, there are lots of options available today. There are quite a few of these fun games on the new Wii U system. Today we are looking at one such game that takes the familiar real time gaming style and adds a 2D art direction. This art direction also leaks out into a 2D way of playing a classic 3D game style. Is that enough Ds for you?

Swords and Soldiers 2 picks up where the first leaves off, with an army of unique characters going after another army of unique characters who move toward your opponent until either the enemy loses or you do. The game play sounds simple, but as your characters start to pile up and strategy start to rear its head in the from of different units with different abilities (such as flight) the game starts to shine.
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Filed Under: entertainment, technology Tagged With: gaming, Nintendo, video games

Banana Boat® Summer

July 1, 2015 by Samantha 2 Comments

When ever you have a Summer activity proper sun screen in necessary. This is not only the healthy way to have Summer fun but also saves your family and yourself with unwanted pain, itching and peeling. And those are some of the short term effects. We all know what is possible without proper sun screen application, so use it.

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Not only are trips to the beach or the pool places where Banana Boat ® is a must, but also when going to places like the park, zoo, carnival, really any place with a chance to be outside. My suggestion would be get a small bottle of Banana Boat® Sport Performance® Lotion Sunscreen with PowerStay Technology™. Did you know proper sun screening should be 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to you and your kids’ entire bodies 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

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Another Summer activity that should not be ignored when reaching to the sun screen is gardening in the yard. Just because it is overcast does not mean the sun is not emitting its harmful rays. Banana Boat® sun care products are tested in seven conditions–sun, pool water, ocean water,wind, sweat, sand and extreme heat–to provide safe and effective broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection for the entire family.

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So whatever your Summer activity is keep it safe and protected and of course have a great time with your family and friends. I’ll be here hoping you get no rain during your festivities.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® . The opinions and text are all mine.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: health, safety

Please and Carrots subscription for baby

July 1, 2015 by Samantha 7 Comments

In the world of shrinking personal time and increasing workloads, increasing responsibilities having a baby thrown into the mix can turn your world upside down. One of the most fun areas is toys for babies, it’s always fun to try and figure out what toys are best for your child. But which toys are actually best? Which are developmentally stimulating and help your child grow and mature?

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Please and Carrots is here to help with their new subscription service, where every quarter you receive a box of hand-picked toys and books specially selected for your baby based on their development stage (from ages 0-3). Included with the boxes, there is also an online portal which give parents insight into their child’s developmental stage as well as guidance on baby mile stones and what activities to do with baby.
Each toy and book is chosen by Dr. Susan Bartell, who is a child psychologist. She reviews, approves, and advises on every item to ensure it supports critical skill learning for each stage of your baby’s development.
It’s nice to absolutely know something is just right for your baby, and is developmentally appropriate (age wise). The online portal is a great addition. There is a panel of experts which includes a child psychologist, two pediatricians, a PhD in early childhood development, an educator specializing in teaching deaf children, a principal/educator trained in children with special needs, and a speech therapist. With more experts added on a regular basis, such as a nutritionist and a music therapist, bringing with them new wealth’s of knowledge to share, it is an excellent resource for parents. Online and printable content based on physical, emotional, and intellectual development is also available.
Please and Carrots is the perfect gift during a baby shower for first parents or grandparents. Check them out and place your order once you are hooked.

Filed Under: baby, review Tagged With: baby

Ocean Club Resorts in Turks and Caicos

July 1, 2015 by Samantha 6 Comments

Read my full review at This Girl Travels!

Ocean Club Resorts offers some of the best hospitality on the island, and was recently named one of the top 25 Travel and Leisure Top Resorts in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Bahamas. As soon as you arrive, you are greeted by friendly staff who help get your luggage to your room. There are several rooms to choose from, depending on the size of your travel party. All rooms come with a screened in balcony, perfect for spending warm nights and enjoying the views of Grace Bay.

Inside each room, no matter the size (ranging from studio to three bedroom) you will find a sitting area, and flat screen cable TV. They come equipped with a deluxe kitchenette including microwave, sink, refrigerator, coffeemaker, toaster, and cooking/dining ware so you can prepare food in your room if you would like . There are ceiling fans, air-conditioning, and in-room safe as well. Larger rooms have full range stove tops, washer and dryers, and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. You will find free WiFi in all rooms, the lobby, and Seaside Cafe.
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Filed Under: travel

Langham Place, New York

July 1, 2015 by Samantha 8 Comments

Looking to travel to New York City, but not sure where to stay? There are so many options, and if you are traveling with kids, it can be even harder to pick the right place. You want somewhere central, but quiet at night so they can sleep- someplace welcoming of your whole clan, not super snooty and off-putting for the littler ones. You can enjoy yourself and your family getaway in NYC with the right hotel.

If you are heading to New York, Langham Place, New York is an ultra-modern, luxury option that offers a Family Getaway Package including:

two night’s accommodations in a spacious guest room
free rollaway bed upon request ($120 value)
a $100 credit that can be used towards any of the food and beverage outlets in the hotel
two VIP express tickets to the top of the Empire State Building ($120 value)

The food and beverage credit can be used even at these two venues:

Measure, which offers Afternoon Tea for Kids on Saturdays and Sundays ($40 for adults, $20 for kids) Tunes with Tina kid’s cabaret brunch on Sunday mornings

The Family Getaway Package also has added cultural experiences through the Cultured Kids menu of offerings. These tours can be booked for kids as young as 3 years old. Cultured Kids also includes the option to have a VIP visit to the Empire State Building or Tunes with Tina sing-along Sunday brunch.

Starting rates for Family Getaway are $795, but with the options of so many add-ons there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

A behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchen of a Michelin-starred restaurant that is provided by Ai Fiori and hosted by the Executive Chef and the team of culinary artists. This includes an early bird dinner reservation between 5 and 7 PM. The Empire State Building is located just down the block, and can be seen from many of the rooms.

view from my room

You can also see many wonders of architecture, and a map of the most significant of buildings can be viewed from any of Langham Place’s Empire View rooms and suites. Expedited passes are also available to skip the line at the Empire State building.
Langham Place, New York is your destination to experience a 5-Star Luxury Hotel that has modern British allure and service. The hotel has made a smooth transition from it’s beginnings in Langham, London in 1865 that set the ultimate standard in hospitality in the 19th century! They were founded on luxury, innovation and of course, grandeur, so that is what you will experience when you visit today.

You will also have all the conveniences of home that you sometimes miss when you travel. The bathrooms are spacious and most have both a shower and a bathtub (which smaller kids as well as mom and dad can enjoy- they are large enough for grown-up bodies, which is very nice). Suites have kitchens with stove tops, full sized refrigerators, and my favorite- washing machines and dryers. Every parent knows that being prepared is key- having the ability to wash out your kid’s messes on the spot is priceless.

While planning your next trip to New York City, make sure the Langham is your first stop. Book by calling (212) 695 4005 or emailing lpnyc.info@langhamhotels.com

Enjoy your stay, and have fun in the city.

Filed Under: travel Tagged With: famliy travel, hotel, New York City, NYC, travel

4 Things You Might Not Know About Home Security Systems

June 29, 2015 by Samantha 1 Comment

Home security goes a long way to protect the family as well as your possessions. Whether it’s used as a shield against the criminal element or assistance during a fire, constant monitoring can greatly reduce risks. While you may be aware of the traditional alarms that may go off during an emergency, you may not know how versatile today’s technology has made these systems. Some of the best home security monitoring companies implement the most up-to-date features to protect everyone under the roof.

Email Notifications

Some monitoring services will help you set up email notifications. As your smartphone may be utilized to access your email, you can receive messages pertaining to your system regardless of where you are. As long as you have cell service, you can be apprised at what’s going on at home. This is ideal if you’re on a business trip and would like to know when the children get home from school.

Live Cameras

Networking and Internet technology allows supported cameras to be viewed from virtually anywhere. A live feed can be easily accessed from remote computers and mobile devices. Although some monitoring companies can help you set these up, a compatible camera is needed in order to view your home in real time. Not all devices support this kind of versatile functionality.

While networking and internet technologies offer new possibilities for security services, sometimes you have to use manual security systems as well. Leaving the lights on when you’re away from home and looking out for your neighbors should be built into your overall plan. Also, consider some Expandable Batons Choices for home security.

Home Automation

One of the most useful implementations of home security is that of home automation. You can control lights, locks and even the thermostat without being on the property. In fact, a good security monitoring service can help you set up advanced controls for these devices and possibly more depending on the appliances that are on the premises. From saving energy to giving the appearance someone is in the house, the possibilities are great with the right system installed.

Individual Monitoring

Monitoring systems can be set up that will advise you when a specific person has entered the premises. You can be informed every time a specific person opens or closes the system allowing you to keep tabs on who is currently at home. Your monitoring company may even be able to help you assign guest user accounts when you have in-laws visiting for extended periods of time.

Home security has never been more elaborate and affordable as it is today. From live camera feeds to home automation, you may have complete control of your property. Equipped with the right monitoring service, you can rest easy knowing that your property is well protected.

Filed Under: home, safety Tagged With: check in

See Tina deVaron and sons Live! @Tinadevaron

June 29, 2015 by Samantha 2 Comments

Children’s songstress Tina deVaron will be joined by her sons Nick and Joe, who are in town together for a brief time, and they’ll BOTH be joining her in concert at one of my favorite spots, Caffe Vivaldi, for one night only! What a great opportunity for a fun time with the kids.

They will sing some of Tina’s brand-new songs plus a standard or two, and we’ll throw in some a cappella covers as well.

The show begins at 7 PM. There is no cover, and the food and wine list are awesome. The family is excited to share music with you and hopes to see you there!

Thursday July 9
7 PM to 8 PM
Caffe Vivaldi, 32 Jones Street, New York, NY 10014
http://caffevivaldi.com/events/category/caffe-vivaldi/
They don’t take reservations, and they are an intimate room, so plan to get there early.

See all her upcoming shows at http://www.tinadevaron.com/

Filed Under: Uncategorized

WIN! Magicforest Presents Trudi – mother and child hand puppets

June 29, 2015 by Samantha 23 Comments

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

Cute plush are fun for the whole family especially at bed time, but some of the most imaginative kinds of plush are hand puppets. With some creativity, a few props, a background, and of course some cute and cuddly puppets, the world is your stage. (Or a small stage is your stage for any scenario you can dream of.) Magic Forest, the distributors of several fine toy lines, have brought straight from Italy a new line of puppets made by Trudi.

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Trudi is an Italian plush company which has been making plush since 1954. In the 1970’s they became renowned for their “Trudi Bear” which has a distinctive snout and to this day is still made in the same way as all their plush. Hand-made, double stitched, and hand combed in the Far East by local artisans in fair and safe working conditions. In Italy, instead of asking for a stuffed animal, kids ask for a ‘Trudi’. Trudi are known for their Puppets, Best Bussi, Baby Bussi, Sweet Collection, Trudi fantasy, and Trudi puzzles.

Trudi’s most recent addition to their line of wonderful plush are the mother and child hand puppets. The line includes Hen, Penguin, Owl, and Koala hand puppets with parent and child. Each puppet is incredibly soft and so much fun. The child puppet actually fits inside of the mother’s pouch, as well. Each puppet is double stitched, machine washable, and sized for little hands (but mine fit as well, so we can play together). Puppets are great fun for kids but are also useful. They help develop emerging language skills, social skills, and imagination. In babies, the list is skills puppetry improves is quite extensive and includes: gross motor skills, cognitive skills, language skills, vocabulary, curiosity, empathy and feelings expression. All of this while letting your imagination run wild makes for some fun times for kids of all ages.
Trudi Mother and Baby puppets are available in twin plush sets and retail for $25. He sure to check them out at BonjourPetit.com