Samantha, Author at Have Sippy Will Travel

Smartwool PhD Outdoor Light Crew Socks

October 23, 2011 by Samantha 10 Comments

Socks.
What better way to start your day then with a warm pair of awesome socks? The answer- nada, except maybe warm socks and a good breakfast.
A good pair of socks can change your day, well not only your day- but your health and attitude as well. I had the pleasure of giving the new Smartwool Outdoor light crew socks a try from Appalachian Outdoors. These socks are warm, supportive and a very nice way to keep your feet protected from the every wear and tear they normally receive from running, hiking, biking, or walking for that matter. Yes, and chasing kids

Some cool features of these socks include: 4-Degree Fit System for all-day performance fit, WOW™ technology in high density impact zones to reduce shock [Read more…]

Filed Under: clothes and shoes, review

BRX- My Go-To Travel Gear #travel #luggage #brxtravelgear

October 22, 2011 by Samantha 11 Comments

As you may remember from my previous BRX Travel Adventure Gear post,you know I love my new BRX gear. It has been used nearly daily since I have gotten it, and they don’t look any worse for the wear. But besides the daily use they get, they were killer for actual travel

My trip was postponed a bit (thanks Irene!) and I just got home from my trip to Ohio for Bob Evans Farm Fest and then the original trip as well, put together
The Excursion Backpack never left my…well, back, LOL. I loved it for every little thing- it was fabulous for keeping Little Man’s extra sweatshirt, clipping my keys to the side so I can then easily (this is for sure one of my favorite features) and it has two inside pouches- one for all my folders, itineraries, notebooks, the mini-flip cam and my mini-camera, and the other for Little Man’s collected “treasures” along the way, LOL. Bungee bag on the side? PERFECT for the always necessary sippy cup! Love this backpack! I wish I had bought it sooner.

I also have to tell you how convenient it was to have that front zipper pouch- 5 separate areas for you to put your items to find them easily, and I used each one on this trip. It made it so easy to never have to search for things.
The Excursion Messenger bag was fab for carrying my laptop, all the wires, etc that I drag along with me. I always keep my phone chargers, camera chargers, etc and all other electronic “necessities” in the same bag with the laptop- and this bag has plenty of room for it all.

It has a nice padded strap which means no matter how much junk I pack into it, it won’t rip my shoulder in half, LOL. There is a strap that holds the laptop in, keeping it from touching outside edges, and securing it from falling out. Can you tell I totally cleaned up for this photo? Ha! OK, no I didn’t. I was dead tired after a very long drive and I totally needed to charge my stuff up!

I hope that you all get the chance to read my original post as well, it’s got some more great info in it.
Happy Travels!

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are my own. I blog with integrity.

Filed Under: review, travel

Saving Money with Coupons

October 22, 2011 by Samantha 12 Comments

The following is a guest post by Outside the Box Mom:

In the first week of this series, we discussed goals when using coupons. Last week, we covered some common reasons why people don’t use coupons. I promised you results if you change one thing…your attitude!

Be Positive

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. -Winston Churchill

Having a positive attitude any time you try something new will take you a long way. You can beat yourself up that Betty down the street saves 90% on her grocery bill, only spends $20 a week, and gets in & out of the grocery store in 10 minutes. Believe that you can learn some new strategies and resolve to have a cheerful, positive attitude while using coupons. In the beginning, it may seem like a hassle, but with more and more experience, you will have fun and you will save money.

Be Creative

“Necessity is the mother of invention.”

Every region has different stores and receives different coupons in their Sunday papers. Some printable coupons found online are only available to certain ZIP codes. Instead of waiting on a deal to fall in your lap, check prices and coupons available in your area, and make the best of them. Get rain checks, ask the store manager to order items for you, and trade or purchase coupons from other areas.

Be Persistent

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.” -Calvin Coolidge

You may get to the store and they’re out of what you came to buy. You may get your Sunday’s paper and the latest HOT! coupon isn’t there. It’s okay. If you keep a positive, creative, persistent attitude, you will succeed. Learn more about couponing from deals blogs, use the coupons you do have available to you, and get more practice at shopping the stores in your area.

Whatever you do, don’t give up!

How’s your attitude about using coupons? This is an interactive series, which will feature answers to your questions. So, ask away!

Photo Credit

– Outside The Box Mom features quick, easy, time-saving tips and solutions to help busy, working moms find balance, easy meals, deals, and time for moms. Follow her on Twitter

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Blog Hop- Hop On by!

October 21, 2011 by Samantha 2 Comments

Let’s link up…Everyone is welcome (family friendly of course), there are no real rules except you follow your hostesses Have Sippy Will Travel and Closer to Lucy.

If you’re new…leave a comment after linking up so I can return the follow. If you aren’t new and know one of us isn’t following leave a comment (we want to follow you too), and if your not new and just want to link up…MUAH!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Seeking Recipe /Cooking Guest Posts!

October 21, 2011 by Samantha 4 Comments

Have Sippy Will Travel would love to feature your recipes, favorite cooking or baking ideas, or hit me up with your ideas!
If you’d like to be a one time guest-post, or would like to be featured regularly, let me know, I’d love to hear from you.
Have a great day
~Samantha

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Bob Evans “Friends of the Farm” Party! #BEFarmFest @DiscoverOhio #Travel

October 21, 2011 by Samantha 16 Comments

We had so much fun at the 41st annual Bob Evans Farm Festival, in Rio Grande, Ohio. From the very first day we were there, it was just such a great place to be, fun and VERY family-friendly.
Friday night was the Bob Evans “Friends of the Farm” Party, and my Little Man (who thinks he is an Amish Farmer) was just in his glory. He was driving his mother INSANE, lol, but he was just thrilled with life.

Singing a song about being a farmer, (yes, he is a songwriter, LOL) and eating mac and cheese and hot dogs. For real- what kid DOESN’T want to be here?

Set up on the other side of the fairgrounds in a large white tent, was the party.
First you were to pick up your food from the Bob Evans buffet line (serving all your favs from the restaurant!) and find a seat. There was a very close-knit feeling of this party, like as if it were a wedding or baptism or some kind of family gathering. Close friends and family only, and I honestly felt kind of “outsider-y”- but not in a bad way. Not that it was awkward at all. You can just tell that the event and the party really meant something to the people who were there, and most of them seemed to know each other.

The people of Bob Evans put a LOT of work into the Farm Festival, and they gave out awards to their co-workers, chefs, and business partners. There was a lot of laughing and good-natured teasing. My Little Man was being a bit of a beast, he kept needing to “go potty” then not “going”, and honestly that dinner was not a proud time in my mommyhood (it was one of “those” moments, I nearly cried, he was making me insane!) but everyone around us was really nice. One older lady patted me on the back and said “We’ve all been there! It’ll pass.” I know that a lot of people would have been aggravated with a jumpy kid, but everyone was super nice.

You know “those days”? Where they are not being really bad, but they are just not behaving and won’t stay still? Yeah. Coming off an 11 hour car ride (spread over 2 days) and no Daddy, he was antsy and taking full advantage of momma, haha.

The tent was right next to the farm, and there was a horse very close by. Little kept wanting to go “visit” the horse, and thought it would be great to feed him some macaroni and cheese, LOL. Don’t worry, he didn’t! The whole night was really lovely, and at the very end the Bob Evans team brought out an awesome cake- in multiple flavors paired with several different carefully chosen Velvet ice creams. For real- it was like a dessert sommelier stepped in, LOL.

My Meema (my grandma) is concentrating VERY hard on the cake, LOL

All in all, a good night for friends and food, and a wonderful opener to what would be a fun weekend “Down at the Farm” with Bob Evans! More fun to come, stay tuned!
~Samantha

Filed Under: family, travel

National Geo Kids Halloween Book of Fun @NGKidsBks

October 20, 2011 by Samantha 4 Comments

Happy Halloween!

Are you in the mood for some spooky festive fun without the terror and nightmares that the holiday is known for? Maybe more of the fun and costumes, pumpkins and all that wonderful stuff. Well, a good place to start is National Geographic Kids. I know what you are thinking. What do animals have to do with Halloween? Well “Nat Geo” does a lot more then just animals. This year they have published a wonderful book called National Geographic Kids Halloween Book of Fun. Contained in these pages are hundreds of fun activities to do with your kids, ranging from creative costume ideas to coloring pages, to Halloween themed crafts that are easy for kids, and adults.

I especially liked the Halloween fun facts which were peppered throughout the book. Much too often, kids get the wrong ideas about Halloween, thinking it is all about monsters and scaring people. Yes, that is a fun by-product, BUT Halloween is more about letting your “other” self out. Expressing yourself in the form of a costume/role play is to let that creativity that is within you shine for all to see (and the candy of course!) Another point I like about this book is that it is easy to flip to a page and have something fun to do with your kids, there isn’t a lot of planning and prep work. Daddy likes that a whole lot, too, LOL.

Make sure you follow National Geographic Kids on Twitter- they have awesome books!

Filed Under: education, holidays, kids, review

Member’s Mark 4X Probiotic- Good for Your Body! #Health #Fitness @SamsClub

October 20, 2011 by Samantha 11 Comments

So you all know how much I love probiotics. It is a necessary part of our busy lives in this modern world. Eating right unfortunately isn’t always the easiest especially with little ones and there are lots on ingredients in our foods where we aren’t quite sure what they are.

You all know I am the organic food nut, but even I need a little help digestive-ly sometimes. A bit more then a week ago I started using Member’s Mark 4X Probiotic Digestive Care Supplement. These pills are taken once daily and will help regulate your digestive system. They contain 4 strains of bacteria, the good kind that will help balance out your digestive system, not hurt you. The bacteria are Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium bifidum.

Quite the mouthful, I am thankful the pills are smaller then the ingredients’ names. When starting to take these, as with all probiotics, keep in mind it will take a few days for your body to regulate and get the a healthy state. You might be…. well more “auditory” for a day or so, but after that your ‘gut’ will thank you. This was via my husband, I have been on other probiotics for over a year now.

There are lots of recent studies out there touting the need for a healthy gut and 4X is another way to get you to that state. Some of the advantages of this brand are the dosage, once daily is very nice and also the packets by week is a nice touch, great for leaving in a desk at work and taking with lunch or breakfast also the amount of bacteria per pill is quite a bit more then other brands of probiotics. You all realize i have a favorite brand of probiotics but Member’s Mark is a good substitute if you aren’t able to find them. These are available at Sam’ s Club!

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are my own, yours may differ. I blog with integrity.

Filed Under: health, review