The Colonial Inn – the place to stay in Ogunquit, Maine

June 20, 2014 by 9 Comments

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If you love hotels with class, charm and history and you happen to be planning a visit to Ogunquit, Maine (or want to!) I have found the perfect hotel for you. The Colonial Inn has been in business, providing a lovely place to stay in a central location for over 125 years.

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In 2013 a massive 4 million dollar renovation was completed to restore The Colonial Inn to the ranks of the finest hotels in Ogunquit. While retaining the Victorian Charm of the hotel, the renovations offer guests the modern amenities such as a hosted wine/social hour, a heated outdoor pool and entertaining areas for families.

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The Colonial Inn offers a fantastic vantage point of all that Ogunquit has to offer- the hotel is close to the beautiful beaches which have made the area an ideal vacation spot. I liked that we could walk or take the trolley, which conveniently stops in front of The Colonial Inn, and explore the shops, the restaurants and the sights without the frustrations of driving.
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Olive Garden – New Menu

June 6, 2014 by 7 Comments

Where do you go for some wonderfully cooked Italian food, in an Italian-inspired environment with some very nice people serving it?  The Olive Garden, of course.  Olive Garden is a chain of Italian restaurants across the country filling plates with Italian fare while creating smiles and full stomachs.

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With promotions running all the time to enjoy.  As well as both a rotating menu of season dishes and specials as well as classic favorites like lasagna and grilled chicken Alfredo.  There is something for everyone on the menu even the pickiest of eaters.

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During a recent visit Little Man and myself had a filling meal.  The meal started as most do at Olive Garden with a wonderful salad, but to bring the salad up a notch we added and antipasto.  This adds Italian cheeses and meats of various types to the all you can eat salad.  This addition is great and makes an already good salad even better.  Up next we had some chicken meatballs from the appetizer menu which Little Man devoured as if he has been starved for days.
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Home Made Moon Sand- Great Kids Activity

June 4, 2014 by 4 Comments

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My girls absolutely love to play outside. I always love to try new things to change up our normal activities. Moon Sand was definitely a great fit for us. I have been wanting to try it out for awhile, but never really had a big enough container to put it in.

I went on a mission to buy everything that I needed for my girls to be able to play with the Moon Sand.

How To:

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  • 1 5lb Bag of Flour
  • 2 Cups of Baby Oil

Pour the Bag of flour and the cups of Baby Oil into a big container. You then just have to mix with your hands until it is a nice smooth, powdery mixture.

I chose to make a double of this batch so that we had a good decent amount to out in our big container. I then gave my girls some measuring cups and spoons, as well as some plastic cups to play with.
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Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament – Lyndhurst, NJ

June 4, 2014 by 5 Comments

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A feast for the eyes as well as the stomach, Medieval Times is a great show that the whole family can enjoy.  No worries, the little ones won’t be afraid- the show is very tame (rated G!) while still offering tons of fun and action. Make sure you arrive early to give yourself time to check out the torture exhibit should you so desire- not recommended for kids, obviously.  You can also (for an extra fee) have your child knighted for their birthday or other special occasion by the king in a special ceremony.  Launched in Spain in 1973, and in the USA  just 10 years later, it is widely regarded as the longest running and most popular dinner attraction in North America- and I have to concur.  During this 2 hour live performance, you and your family will experience a glace back in time- when knights defended the realm, and chivalry was not dead.
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Getting Crafty

June 2, 2014 by 3 Comments

 

With summer upon us, parents will be looking for fun ways to fill the days home from school.  If you have a crafty or creative kid, check out some of these jewelry making kits.

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One of our favorite companies, B. Toys, makes 2 sizes of pop on jewelry in it’s own Pop Arty storage container.  Snap it on, pop it off, create your latest fashion piece.  In either 300 or 500 piece sets, you get an assortment of beads, bracelets, rings, and more for your designs.  The beads come in a wide range of colors, textures, shapes, sizes, and with different ends- some have only holes, some have two “nubs” for connecting, some with one hole and one connector.  Build one design, wear it, and then disassemble it and to match your next outfit- or your mom’s.  No mess with this project, as it has no glue, glitter, or molding required and comes with it’s own take along storage unit.

For kids three years and up, $15-$30 at stores like Target and Amazon.com.

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This kit is great for slightly older kids who are able to use molds and more complex patterns.  Children can make their own beads in one or more colors, even accent them with glitter or included gems, and set them to dry.  When they do, they can add them to the included silver bracelet, add charms, and have a very personalized bracelet.  Two bracelets are included, as well as charms and the dough for molds, which makes a fantastic project for best friends or sisters to do on a rainy day.

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Another fun find from Alex Toys is Bling Bangles- which is good for kids ages six and up, but I think tweens will really enjoy.  The kit comes with six metal bangle bracelets (just like mom’s!), 6 floss colors, and 6 gemstone strips in different sizes. Easy to make, children can add the desired “bling” of gems to the bangle and wrap the colored floss around the bracelet, and voila!  Done.
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Filed Under: evergreen, kids, review, toys

IGIGI – Dress For Your Figure

May 23, 2014 by 4 Comments

Disclosure: The below was provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

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I am forever looking for clothing that fits my body. I know that nearly every woman has her “problem area” that makes shopping a challenge, but for me, it’s a little different. I have dangerous curves. No matter what size I am, or what stage of my life I have been in, my chest gets in the way and my hips don’t lie- this girl is not made for many of the cuts put out by clothing designers. This means that many of the things I buy hang on me like drapes, and don’t show off the curves that I’d like to.

The biggest issue for me is my chest- which is (in a word) large. Shirts and dresses are tight, don’t button or zipper, or are pulled up higher then they should (or lower, showing off more then I’d like to) making them look odd. I usually have to go up a size or two, which can make me look heavier then I am, and I’ve never met the woman who wants to look larger then she is.

That’s the thing I love most about IGIGI- they make clothing for women with curves, bodies, and the average American woman. The “average” American woman is a size 14. So why can’t we find clothes when we go to the stores and malls? Not clothes that fit or flatter, anyway. Options are often limited, and many times what is offered makes you look like a couch you’d find in your grandmother’s living room. No thanks!

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Sandgrens Environmentally Friendly Shoes

May 21, 2014 by 9 Comments

Disclosure: The below was provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

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It can be hard to find shoes that are comfortable and cute at the same time. Some of us (this chick included) can fall into a rut of tossing anything on that fits and is easy to wear, even if it’s not all that flattering. Sneakers and flip flops are the footwear of motherhood, right? Sometimes, a girl’s gotta remember that….well, she’s a girl. And she was a woman before she was a mother (with a whole separate identity). Yes, your child(ren) come first, should, and always will. But what’s wrong with taking a few minutes (and dollars) for you now and again? As far as I know, none of us are martyrs destined for Sainthood, and it would do us good to be reminded of that now and again.

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You deserve to look and feel pretty. Invest in yourself- a few items that make you feel good, and that you can wear with multiple items of clothes (so the guilt monster doesn’t come to eat you). For Spring and Summer, Sandgrens clogs and sandals are adorable, comfortable, and versatile. They are able to be dressed up for formal occasions like weddings and anniversary dinners out on the town, but easy to dress down for regular use with a pair of capri pants and a cute tank top. I have worn my Caspain sandals with my long formal IGIGI dress that I adore to formal dinners, events, and a wedding. I also took them with me on a recent cruise, and wore them dancing (they really are comfortable) and for every day touring. I wore them with a cute tank top and shorts, capris, and summer sun dresses. They really do go with everything, and they can be worn for long periods of time without hurting your feet, unlike most heels and wedges.

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Lulu Avenue – Spring Bling

May 20, 2014 by 2 Comments

Disclosure: The below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

I am always happy to see spring arrive. Sunshine, spring breezes, blooming flowers and the smell of freshly cut grass delight my senses and often give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Even better than the world around me in bloom, is the knowledge that warm weather brings special events in abundance. Weddings, parties and fundraisers fill my calendar. Shopping for the outfits to dazzle my social circle is fun, but finding the right accessories used to be a challenge. As we all know, accessories can make or break an outfit.

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Lucky for me I discovered Lulu Avenue. They have a terrific assortment of jewelry that is affordably priced, always trendy and Lulu Avenue features core pieces as well as dramatic indulgences to take any outfit from nice to head turning.
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