EXY Trickstartr Scooter

There are many scooters on the market but few with the durability and versatility to grow along with your little riders. One such scooter is the EXY Strickstartr. This scooter is built for the little stunt men and women in your life. There are 4 ways to ride the Trickstartr. They are the easy way, the hard way, the expert way and the pro way. All of which are easy to switch in a matter of seconds with little more than a shifting of your feet. The easy way is One foot on Tilt Bar, one foot on Deck, the second both feet on the Tilt Bar, the Expert Way place only one foot on the Tilt bar, while holding your other foot slightly to the side and the pro way ride with one foot on the edge of the Tilt Bar, while holding the other leg out. Once you are comfortable with the pro way of riding tricks are fun and a bit easier one of which is jumping from tilt bar to deck to gain momentum.

[Read more…]

Bergen Fish Market, Norway

Disclosure- We visited the Bergen Fish Market while on an all-expense paid trip to Norway.  I received no financial compensation for this post.  All opinions are my own and honest.

Gal S5 06 30 14 345

Norway is an immeasurably beautiful country.  I myself was taken aback by it, with it’s fjords, waterways, and majestic views literally everywhere you turned.  With so much of the country being located on or near the water, Norwegians have long made a living from it, as well as it’s good and trades.   In that vein is the Bergen Fish Market, a must see for anyone who visits the area.

Gal S5 06 30 14 356

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, Oslo being the largest.  Located off the North Sea and flanked by islands, Bergen is a mountainous city that is also quite easy to get around. Located in the heart of it all is the fish market.  Across the street you will find many tourist attractions, such as the famed Fløibanen Funicular and also the remaining buildings from the old harbor of Bryggen, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the “only preserved business district from the Hanseatic period” (quote from VisitNorway).  After you visit the fish market, head over, it’s worth a visit (and it’s a fun shopping and dining area as well).
[Read more…]

Colorful Travel Toys

Summer is here, and we know what that means- time to get your travel on.  We also know that means many a chorus of “Are we there yet?” and “I’m BORED!” from the minions in the backseat.  So before you begin your next trip, be prepared!  Parents rejoice- you don’t just have to shove a tablet or video on for hours at a time- your kids can be creative and stimulate their fun and original ideas while on the road.  (It wont’ kill them to unplug once in a while, we promise!)

pic2The Scribble and Doodle On the Go is perfect for car or plane rides- even for keeping kids busy in restaurants while they wait for their food.  The hard cover book has 50 activity pages to color and play on and 2 pages of stickers (every kid’s delight).  The “On the Go” book pertains to travel and travel activities, but you can also get “Girly Swirly”, “My First Scribble” and other options.  They don’t come with crayons, so bring some with you. All are available for $11 each on http://www.alextoys.com/

6 20 14 and waterparks 198

Color a Cutie backpack is perfect for travel- you can not only store your kid’s toys and games in it (and it’s small enough that they can carry it about themselves) but also it will give them something to do while you get from here to there.  A fun project AND a useful travel pack- what’s not to love.  It comes with 5 permanent markers so kids can design their pack any way they like, and it stays that way.  Yes, bring a smock so they don’t ruin their clothes. Also available in Color a Backpack- Pirate.  $28 at http://www.alextoys.com
[Read more…]

Pack Light With prAna

Thanks to prAna for adding a new dimension of style to my summer wardrobe and for inspiring this post.

I tend to get a little excited about the changing seasons, not only is a change in temperatures good for my soul, but the change in my wardrobe is good for my self esteem and overall happiness levels. Admit it, there is just something borderline magical about new clothes and busting out seasonal favorites is simply fun.

Cruise and products 002

All packed up for tw0 and a half weeks out with mom!

I can always count on prAna for cute clothes that are comfortable. I had the chance to try out 3 pieces from their collection that are ideal for summer looks and that are sure to become seasonal favorites.

WP_20140516_20_03_06_Pro

First the Dahlia Womens Skirt in Boysenberry. I loved the clean lines and versatility of this A Line skirt. I can wear it shopping, out to dinner or even just around the house. It is made with 100% organic cotton and is Fair Trade Certified. I love knowing that every skirt sold helps to end poverty in the community that produced the skirt. Retailing for about $55, the Dahlia Skirt is timeless and will be a great addition to your wardrobe.
[Read more…]

Uniquely Greek Kalamata Olive Feta Spread

Uniquely Greek Summer Recipe:
Greek-Style Six- Layer Party Dip
Prep Time: 10 minutes Servings: 8

olive feta spread

Ingredients
8 oz container Uniquely Greek Kalamata Olive Feta Spread
2 plum tomatoes, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1/2 lb feta cheese, crumpled
8 Kalamata olives, pitted and roughly chopped (To save time, buy pitted olives)
Dried or fresh oregano
For a spicy experience, add 1/4 cup of roughly chopped jalapeño or pepperoncini peppers
[Read more…]

‘Brer Rabbit’ Books Provide Interactive Learning for Children

Disclosure- I received the below  in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest. Please see “Disclose” tab for more info.

My son loves Brer Rabbit, and after a visit to the Brer Rabbit Museum in Georgia recently, his love has only increased.  His enjoyment of the fuzzy scoundrel grew with each story we read, and now these new books just put him over the moon.  He’s not an independent reader yet, so the read along with me version is perfect for him.  The “see and say” pictures are fun and also helpful, and encourage him to read, which is his most difficult subject.  It’s made that much easier with one of his favorite literary characters.

pic4

The “Brer Rabbit” series illustrated by Lesly Smith, tells the exciting adventures of Brer Rabbit and his friends.  Each book contains two of Joel Chandler Harris’s classic tales about the wily Brer Rabbit; parents will recognize beloved stories from their own childhood.  Perfect for beginning readers, the books contain specific picture words for children to read out loud, building their recognition and understanding.
[Read more…]

Kamino iOS App For Travel

kam

When traveling to a new place, one of the first couple of important steps is acclimating yourself to your new setting.  The best way to do this is take a walk.  Wander around a bit, see what you can find.  Go a bit off the beaten path.  This works, sometimes, but sometimes after your little stroll you come back only to find out you just missed an incredible view or the best Chinese this side of the Mississippi.  Alternately, you get crazy lost. This isn’t the end of the world but is aggravating, and it would have been nice to know what was around during your adventure.  This is the general idea behind Kamino.  Kamino lets users share their hikes around an area with other users, leading to new adventures and great finds.

Kamino is simple to use, it works using the GPS of your phone and other users suggestions.  The various hikes can include nature walks or simply a stroll around your local suburbs, highlighting locations like restaurants, recreation areas, bars, and stores.  This service can be great fun for explorers or for those of us who are not as adventurous.  Either by striking out and finding great local hot spots or having your own walking tour, this app will be a useful tool.  An important characteristic to remember is the GPS component of the app, so the user will have the GPS with them constantly.  This makes getting lost difficult and finding new stuff very easy.
[Read more…]

Hilton for Your Summer Vacation

This is a sponsored post that contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own and honest.
Exterior

When I think of vacation, the first thing that pops into my head is “where am I going to sleep”?  Once I know where I want to go, location wise, I want to know where I am going to lay my head at night- no one wants a nasty surprise when they check in.  You just want to know there is a nice hotel room waiting for you after an awesome day of sightseeing (or lounging, whatever strikes your fancy).  Have you seen all the properties and locations that the Hilton offers?  I’ve never been disappointed by a Hilton hotel, and it’s one of the brands we tend to look for when booking.

When traveling across the country or just down the shore, Hilton Hotels can be found almost everywhere.  Stop in for a night (or a few) to catch some rest, relaxation, and stellar customer service.  At every Hilton, you are greeted as a personal guest of the concierge- as you should be- and the rooms are clean and new.  Something to remember is that Hilton is not only an American institution, but also a global brand,  and as such has a reach across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.  This brings us to their current promotion running.
[Read more…]