Mackinac Island is one of my favorite places to visit in Northern Michigan. The island is extremely popular in the summer but there are some advantages to visiting in the fall.
12 Back to School Shopping Tips You Need To Know
It’s that time of year again. Back to School shopping can be stressful and expensive. Use these 12 tips to save your sanity and your budget.
How to Make Shopping With Your Teenager More Enjoyable
Back to School shopping with your teenager can be really stressful, but you can actually make it enjoyable by using these tips.
Essential Items for Travelers that Make Great Gifts
I am one of those people who LOVE to travel but LOATHE to pack for it. You would think that I would be better at it by now but I still struggle with overpacking. I have found that there are several items that are essential each time that I travel and I think that you will find useful too.
InStyler TULIP Auto Curler – Seriously, this is the one item responsible for my good hair days. It can curl my thick, long, hair in only 15 minutes. ( I know because I timed it) You can read my review here. Seriously, worth every penny!
Waterproof Camera – An underwater camera is essential for getting great pics by the water without the worry of messing up your phone.
I received my GoPro Camera as a Christmas gift and I unfortunately lost it on the beach in Daytona a few months later.
I did not want to pay the big price again so I purchased the SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi Action Camera FHD 1080P 12MP a few months later. I loved the price, viewing screen on the back, app, and picture quality.
Here is a picture that I took with the SJCAM SJ4000 underwater camera. You can’t beat the price at under $90!
Aventura Clothing Women’s Kyle Wrap in White and Aventura Women’s Wyatt Short Sleeve shirt in Black. I received both of these items as samples to check out in the colors below. They have been in my suitcase for pretty much every trip ever since.
I like that the white cardigan is lightweight and can be dressed up or dressed down. The same goes for the short sleeve shirt in black. You can’t go wrong with basics. As a chronic overpacker, these items help me have more options with less items to pack in my suitcase.
Secret Scarf by Tammi– Secret Scarf by Tammi was one of our recent Travel Workshop sponsors. The scarves are super cute and also have a secret pocket that allows you to store your passport and money without detection. A great gift at under $25.
JORD Wood Watch – This watch is a combination of art and accessory. Every time I wear this watch it gets noticed and complimented. It’s a great gift for someone who wants something more unique and appreciates a custom gift.
BANDI Wear – Large Pocketed Belt – This is perfect for when you want handsfree options but also want your phone close by. I’ve worn my BANDI when I wanted to take pictures with my phone on the beach but I didn’t have pockets, when I go hiking and also when I’ve gone ziplining. The large pocket belt fits my Iphone 6+ securely along with any credit/ID cards.
Sweatybands Athletic Headbands– I use these headbands to work out in but I also use them for everyday wear as well. The best part is that they don’t slip. I personally like the patterned headbands because they can go with a lot of clothing combinations. Use this link for a discount.
Columbia Montlake Backpack – This backpack has been a lifesaver. It has saved me fees for luggage that weighs too much because all of it’s compartments and pockets. It also has a special compartment for laptops. The zipper at the top makes it easy to store items that you need to get to often as a carryon. You can even use compress the bag to store under the seat in front of you on an airplane making it your “personal item.” This bag is with me whenever I fly.
I hope you’ve found these travel essentials useful. They are what I use often when I travel which is why I can recommend them without hesitation. They have been tried and tested and passed the test.
Disclosure: This post contain affiliate links.
A Unique Watch That Makes A Great Gift
I typically don’t wear watches but I’ve found a watch that I really enjoy wearing. I had previously gone YEARS without wearing a watch before I started wearing this one. I’ve found a watch that I not only LOVE to wear, but it always gets noticed each time that I wear it.
So what’s the big deal about my watch?
- It’s made out of wood! My JORD watch is from the Fieldcrest Series “Zebrawood and Maple. The natural zebrawood and maple is hand finished and pretreated with tung oils. It’s water resistant but not waterproof. I love that it’s really unique.
- The custom gift box sets the tone for a gift that is crafted with excellence.
- It’s custom sized. You measure your wrist before you order your watch and you get a watch that is the perfect fit.
- It’s versatile and adventure ready. I love that I can wear my watch in any type of environment. My wood watch looks great in any type of environment or adventure.
- It’s an accessory that always get’s noticed. Every time that I wear my wood watch, someone compliments it. It’s an accessory that stands out every time I wear it and looks great with a variety of outfits. I like accessories that are unique and JORD offers a great selection of unique watches to choose from that fit a variety of tastes and styles.
- It’s wearable art. That’s my favorite part about my JORD wood watch. It’s a unique bracelet that tells time.
- It makes a great gift. Whether it’s Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, an anniversary, graduation, birthday or just because. A wood watch is a unique gift that the recipient will treasure and remember each time that they look at it. My husband LOVED his as an anniversary gift.
Would you love a discount to purchase a JORD wood watch
for yourself or someone special as a gift?
Make sure that you check out this link to get a $25 discount code. (*limited number available)
You can check out more of the unique wood watches from the JORD website.
Disclosure: I received the JORD watch for review purposes. All opinions are my own. I loved the watch so much that I’m now an affiliate. That means that if you purchase a watch, I get a percentage at no cost to you.
Sky Zone Birthday Party Discount Offer
Have you visited Sky Zone yet?
Sky Zone is one of my kids’ all time FAVORITE places to visit!
My boys love the multiple trampoline court options available for endless fun.
Sky Zone’s wall-to-wall trampoline courts are designed as a fun and fit outing for all ages, shapes and sizes. The innovative trampoline park offers a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy including Open Jump, allowing guests to leap, bound and soar and Ultimate Dodgeball, a friendly and healthy dodgeball competition. In addition, fitness fiends can feel the burn at Sky Zone’s original SkyRobics class, which combines advanced calisthenics with a three-dimensional cardio and strength training program. This park is the ideal venue for groups seeking unforgettable events such as birthday parties, corporate team building, field trips and much more!
Ready to take your next birthday party to the SKY?
Sky Zone Springdale offers two birthday party packages to make your party soar, literally!
Book your Sky Zone Springdale Jump Around party 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online!
Use this discount Save off your Total Birthday Party Package! – Save 15% off the Total Birthday Party Package when you bring in this coupon.
*
Not to be combined with any other offers. May only be used at the Springdale, Ohio Sky Zone.
Sky Zone Springdale was voted Cincinnati’s Best Birthday Party Location by The Best of the North, as well as being voted Cincinnati’s Best Birthday Party Venue; Entertainment; Away from Home Party by Best of Parenting.
Find all the exciting details to schedule your party here:
Thanks to US Family Guide and SkyZone for providing a birthday party for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
13 Ways to Make Shopping with Your Family More Enjoyable
This post is sponsored by Vocalpoint and Dick’s Sporting Goods. All opinions are my own.
I tend to shop solo whenever I can because I like to run in a store and then get out quickly which is why I tend to be selective on errands that I run with my kids. I try to avoid grocery shopping with kids whenever possible because they ask for something every few minutes.
My kids either LOVE or LOATHE shopping which is why preparation is key.
So how do you make shopping with your family more enjoyable?
How to make the most of your first visit to Bargains and Buyouts
When you step into Bargains and Buyouts for the 1st time, it’s easy to feel like a kid in a candy store. The space is enormous and there is eye candy everywhere!
My 1st Uber Ride and a Free Discount Code for Yours
I was hoping that my 1st Uber ride would be tide to some kind of great adventure, instead the Uber ride became my adventure. I was scheduled to be at a conference that started in 30 minutes and I discovered that I had a flat tire on my way there.
My husband was already at work and my friends were already at the conference. Uber was my only affordable option. I quickly downloaded the app and searched for a discount code online.
So what is Uber?
Uber is evolving the way the world moves. By seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our apps, we make cities more accessible, opening up more possibilities for riders and more business for drivers. From our founding in 2009 to our launches in hundreds of cities today, Uber’s rapidly expanding global presence continues to bring people and their cities closer.
The whole process happened very quickly. I entered all of my payment information and my location for where I was and where I needed to go. I didn’t see a confirmation so I tried the process all over again but it said it already used my discount code so I assumed that someone was hopefully coming. Within a few moments I received information on my Uber driver telling me his name, how many star rating he had (4.7 out of 5), and how many minutes away he was.
My driver was only 6 minutes away from my location so I was relieved that he was so close. I also felt a little strange that a complete stranger, who was a male, was picking me up. As an extra safety precaution, I screenshoted his info and sent it to my friends at the conference and told them that they had his info just in case I didn’t show up. I also shared the same story with my driver, Dominic, when I told him it was my first time using Uber. We both laughed about it and he totally understood. He also shared that there is a background check process and gps tracking too.
I asked him a ton of questions the whole way there because I found the idea of being an Uber driver fascinating. It sounds like a great way to make money and meet people. He did say that a lot of his riders aren’t very talkative and that I was his friendliest rider yet (and definitely most talkative.)
Once we arrived at the location of the conference I had to celebrate my 1st Uber ride with a selfie together.
I arrived at my destination only a few minutes later than when the conference started for the grand total of $2.10 after my discount code.
Payment is done online so you don’t have to worry about exchanging cash. I had a great experience and you can too.
I promised Dominic that I would share his code to invite new drivers.
When I checked my email, I received a discount code to share for first time users for a free ride too.
*1st time Uber FREE DISCOUNT CODE – NEDRAM11UE
You can find out more about Uber from their website.
$5 Race Discount Code for The Color Run Shine Tour
Have you participated in The Color Run before?
Last year my friend Stephanie, from the blog A Little Moore, joined me for the race in Cincinnati.
We had a great time and I’m looking forward to participating in the race again this year. Who doesn’t love running through a rainbow of colors????
Here is a more information about the race from the event organizers.
The Color Run, also known as the Happiest 5k on the Planet, is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness and individuality.
Now the single largest event series in the world, The Color Run has exploded since our debut event. We have more than tripled our growth, hosting more than 300 events in 50+ countries in 2014.
INFO ABOUT NEW SHINE TOUR:
Everyone in 2015 will receive a limited edition Shine Tour Participant Kit, including: custom race tee, gold finisher’s medal, tricolor headband w/ silver stitching, brand-new shine packet, and shiny tattoos. Talk about “bling” with benefits!
We’re pumping up the 5k course and finish festival too! Look for a unique Sparkle Zone and killer photo ops on course. At the finish festival, get ready for confetti cannons, shimmering clouds of color, and more!
Use this $5 off discount code MLC625781 June 16-July 15th
(valid in any city with regular pricing)
*the code will not work in a newly launched cities
Don’t forget to share your Color Run adventure using the hashtag #WeShine
You can find out more information at the color run website.
*Make sure that you sign up for the VIP list if your city is not yet open. VIPs will be the first to know dates PLUS get exclusive pre-sale pricing. Join the VIP list now to be first in line!
Disclosure: I received complimentary race entry for review purposes. All opinions are my own.