Categories
Events personal Travel

Summer is here! Enjoy the view, family and good times #traveltips

Anyone who has school age kids knows June is one busy month. Between sports ending, Father’s Day, final exams and vacation, getting it all done during this last month of school is challenging. I am a big fan of taking a night away if you can to relax and enjoy the view. Plus if you have older kids it provides a nice way for you to spend some family time together (the teen years tend to be the sulky, silent ones 🙁 ) We were lucky that our night away in beautiful #Ogunquit Maine was sunny and in the 90s. To make it feel like you are away for more than one night we arrive at the destination early, like by 9:00 am and leave late. If you cannot get into your hotel room that early, check out the facilities, visit the local beach or have breakfast. We were out and about all day, checked in a bit early, lounged by the pool, had dinner with friends and then got up early for breakfast. The first weekend in June is the perfect time for a get-a-way and to enjoy the beginning of the warm weather before the month’s activities pick up.  We were also able to use the pool the following day and did not head home until 5:00 pm! It truly felt like we were gone for five days.  So if you can only get a way for a night try the early in late out method if your hotel allows as that is a great way to recharge and refresh before the summer season kicks up. Take time to enjoy the view, spend time with your family without technology and the good times will follow.

 

travel tips for summer
Sit back and enjoy the view this summer #travel #traveltips

 

Categories
Holidays personal

Happy New Year #NewYear #2016Goals

Happy 2016 to all!  I love having the week off between Christmas and New Years. We took a break from sports, school and work and stayed close to home. Now this week it was back to work and school and rushing around to activities! But at least we got a chance to visit grandpy, the beach and Boston last week! It was nice to have no plans and just wing it. Plus the kids did not request that we go someplace every single day – so they had a chance to chill out. I don’t like to write out resolutions but my goals for this year would be to travel more and blog about it, head to the gym at least three times a week and maybe do another 5K! Of course eating healthier is right up there too (maybe a simple one for me would be to eat less red meat (as I do love my burgers!) and drink more water (I hate water!) On the work front I have been enjoying and I am grateful for my long term client PR work so yeah! more of that too!  What are your goals?

holidays, school vacation week
Our travels from holiday school vacation week! #travel #travelblogger
Categories
personal Uncategorized

I have started my Christmas Shopping and other things on my list

Yes, I know it’s early but I have started my Christmas shopping. Everywhere I went I heard holiday music in the stores this weekend. While some believe we need to celebrate one holiday at a time I am all for getting a head start.  Even Santa is at the mall already!

However, this year as my kids get older they are more about celebrating experiences. Of course gifts are nice too they say, but my older daughter requested a trip to Florida instead of presents! During the busy time of year we do have our favorite things to do – a trip to NYC, Festival of Trees (in my town I grew up in) and I would like to add a few things on my to do list for the kids. They would like to go back to Great Wolf Lodge and I would like to go back to a fun hotel we stayed at a year ago Cranwell Resort I would also like to venture to New Hampshire as well. Some things like spending time with family on a fun adventure cannot be wrapped up in a gift box or bag but the memories will last and that is on my list of holiday gifts to give this year.

Some gifts cannot be wrapped
Some gifts cannot be wrapped
Categories
personal

I have started my Christmas Shopping and other things on my list

Yes, I know it’s early but I have started my Christmas shopping. Everywhere I went I heard holiday music in the stores this weekend. While some believe we need to celebrate one holiday at a time I am all for getting a head start.  Even Santa is at the mall already!

However, this year as my kids get older they are more about celebrating experiences. Of course gifts are nice too they say, but my older daughter requested a trip to Florida instead of presents! During the busy time of year we do have our favorite things to do – a trip to NYC, Festival of Trees (in my town I grew up in) and I would like to add a few things on my to do list for the kids. They would like to go back to Great Wolf Lodge and I would like to go back to a fun hotel we stayed at a year ago Cranwell Resort I would also like to venture to New Hampshire as well. Some things like spending time with family on a fun adventure cannot be wrapped up in a gift box or bag but the memories will last and that is on my list of holiday gifts to give this year.

Some gifts cannot be wrapped
Some gifts cannot be wrapped
Categories
personal

I have started my Christmas Shopping and other things on my list

Yes, I know it’s early but I have started my Christmas shopping. Everywhere I went I heard holiday music in the stores this weekend. While some believe we need to celebrate one holiday at a time I am all for getting a head start.  Even Santa is at the mall already!

However, this year as my kids get older they are more about celebrating experiences. Of course gifts are nice too they say, but my older daughter requested a trip to Florida instead of presents! During the busy time of year we do have our favorite things to do – a trip to NYC, Festival of Trees (in my town I grew up in) and I would like to add a few things on my to do list for the kids. They would like to go back to Great Wolf Lodge and I would like to go back to a fun hotel we stayed at a year ago Cranwell Resort I would also like to venture to New Hampshire as well. Some things like spending time with family on a fun adventure cannot be wrapped up in a gift box or bag but the memories will last and that is on my list of holiday gifts to give this year.

Some gifts cannot be wrapped
Some gifts cannot be wrapped
Categories
makeup Nail Polish personal Products

A few items for your beach/pool bag @ILovePacifica

Memorial Day weekend was great and I even had the pool bag packed and ready to go.  All the essentials were ready: sunscreen, reading materials, towels. But I was missing a few items. But thanks to Pacifica I have these must have items for the beach/pool bag.  One of my favorite lines is Pacifica.  An eco-friendly line of fragrances, cosmetics and even candles their products are just great. They now have nail polish in really fun colors. Actually they have 25 shades to choose from on the Pacifica site.   The nail line does not contain any harsh chemicals or parabens so it’s perfect for my tween girls. They love the nail colors, especially the Amethyst Castle and Nirvana ones we tested out. Also great to toss in your beach/pool bag, especially if you are headed out for the evening after a day on the sand or in the pool are the coconut water cleansing wipes. The pre-moistened towelettes smell so nice and are really refreshing. The solid perfume is great to throw in the bag too as you won’t have to worry about a bottle breaking and their enlightened gloss and creamy lip butters come in really nice colors for the summer. Both the lip shine and the butter are really hydrating. Check them out.

Disclosure: The company sent me the above products to test out and review. All opinions are my own.

Fun must have items for the beach and pool bag from @ILovePacifica
Fun must have items for the beach and pool bag from @ILovePacifica

 

Categories
makeup Nail Polish personal Products

A few items for your beach/pool bag @ILovePacifica

Memorial Day weekend was great and I even had the pool bag packed and ready to go.  All the essentials were ready: sunscreen, reading materials, towels. But I was missing a few items. But thanks to Pacifica I have these must have items for the beach/pool bag.  One of my favorite lines is Pacifica.  An eco-friendly line of fragrances, cosmetics and even candles their products are just great. They now have nail polish in really fun colors. Actually they have 25 shades to choose from on the Pacifica site.   The nail line does not contain any harsh chemicals or parabens so it’s perfect for my tween girls. They love the nail colors, especially the Amethyst Castle and Nirvana ones we tested out. Also great to toss in your beach/pool bag, especially if you are headed out for the evening after a day on the sand or in the pool are the coconut water cleansing wipes. The pre-moistened towelettes smell so nice and are really refreshing. The solid perfume is great to throw in the bag too as you won’t have to worry about a bottle breaking and their enlightened gloss and creamy lip butters come in really nice colors for the summer. Both the lip shine and the butter are really hydrating. Check them out.

Disclosure: The company sent me the above products to test out and review. All opinions are my own.

Fun must have items for the beach and pool bag from @ILovePacifica
Fun must have items for the beach and pool bag from @ILovePacifica

 

Categories
personal Products

Back to School Supply List

As kids get older the back to school supply list gets longer. My 3rd grader has 13 items on her list. On my 6th graders supply list there are 36 items – YES – 36 items!  Now the countdown is on to actually buy the supplies. Do you shop around and compare prices at different retailers or do you just order online? I cannot imagine the cost if you have 3 or more kids and have several supply lists! Life was easier when they were in preschool!

Categories
fashions personal

Still having fun at @American_Girl

My girls still love the American Girl Doll store.  They have two dolls each and went through a time a few years ago when they played with them all the time.  Then they stopped.  A friend had her 5 year old daughter’s birthday celebration there yesterday and again my girls had a blast.  Now they are excited about playing with the dolls again.

AG puts on a nice celebration. The desert was great and the girls loved the presentation of the treats. The girls kept bugging me as they wanted to visit the salon for hair and ear piercing for their dolls – that is a bit pricy for a doll!  I would rather have my kids get their hair done!  But it is a nice way to spend the day!

The girl's dolls at American Girl
Treats at The American Girl Doll Store
Categories
fashions personal

Still having fun at @American_Girl

My girls still love the American Girl Doll store.  They have two dolls each and went through a time a few years ago when they played with them all the time.  Then they stopped.  A friend had her 5 year old daughter’s birthday celebration there yesterday and again my girls had a blast.  Now they are excited about playing with the dolls again.

AG puts on a nice celebration. The desert was great and the girls loved the presentation of the treats. The girls kept bugging me as they wanted to visit the salon for hair and ear piercing for their dolls – that is a bit pricy for a doll!  I would rather have my kids get their hair done!  But it is a nice way to spend the day!

The girl's dolls at American Girl
Treats at The American Girl Doll Store