Frugal Novice

World of Coca-Cola

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Note: We received complimentary tickets to World of Coca-Cola to facilitate our review. We were not compensated monetarily and all opinions are honest and our own.

Brian and I both love Coke products – I like Coca-Cola Classic and he’s a big Cherry Coke fan – so we thought it would be fun to visit the World of Coca-Cola while we were in Atlanta. And our kids very rarely get to drink soda, so the idea of getting to taste a lot of sodas in the “Taste It!” room was pretty thrilling to them!

We enjoyed getting to see all sorts of behind-the-scenes things about the history of Coke and how it was made (and even got to see the vault where the top-secret recipe is stored), along with all sorts of Coca-Cola merchandise that’s been marketed over the years. We got to meet the Coca-Cola polar bear, too!

We even went to the gallery where we saw all sorts of Coca-Cola inspired art:

But of course the boys’ favorite part was getting to try Coca-Cola products from all around the world! We had planned to try every single flavor but ended up not quite making that goal. It was still a lot of fun, and we survived the ensuing sugar rush after the fact, too. :)

We spent about two hours here and that was plenty of time to see everything and spend some time in the gift shop, too. We all had a lot of fun! This is a great place to tack on to your Atlanta itinerary, and you can find all sorts of fun gift items for the Coke-lovers in your life. Visit their website for more information and to plan your visit!

Georgia Aquarium is Fun for the Whole Family

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Note: We received tickets to the aquarium to facilitate our review. All opinions are honest and are those of myself and my family.

We’ve been to aquariums before, but I had no idea what to expect before we walked into the Georgia Aquarium. This place, in a word, is awesome.

You walk into a central lobby of sorts, and everything branches off, making it easy to navigate. The lighting sets the mood and gives the whole place an aquatic, other-world feel.

We arrived just in time to attend the dolphin show, which we weren’t allowed to film at – but trust me, it was a blast! There is a theatrical element to it that I wasn’t expecting, but the kids really enjoyed it. We couldn’t get over how talented the dolphins and their trainers were.

After the dolphin show we went to one of the several areas allowing visitors to touch some of the sea life. We spent a lot of time here – the kids LOVED touching the manta rays and wanted to keep trying to touch one of the sharks in the tank, too (they weren’t ever quick enough, but Brian and I both managed)!

The interactivity of the aquarium is really what sets it apart and makes it a stellar experience. If you’re not able to touch things, you’re able to get right up close and personal, or in some cases you’re even able to feel like you’re a part of the exhibit:

The kids loved the 4D movie, complete with water spraying! And who doesn’t love the chance to wear some 3D glasses?

There are so many larger-than-life tanks, and we couldn’t get over all the many fish we were able to see up close. The tunnel was one of the boys’ favorite parts, and I can see why – we were practically surrounded by fish!

I’d highly recommend you plan a visit to the Georgia Aquarium next time you’re in Atlanta. And now, I’ll leave you with my very favorite photo from our time there:

Fall is Fabulous with Starbucks® Fall Blend

Note: The following post is sponsored by Starbucks, but all opinions are honest and are my own.

I adore the fall. Summer here in Texas is SO hot, so when fall arrives I am ready. Ready for jackets and flannel sheets and hot cocoa and coffee. Ready for cool days and warm treats. Ready for sitting out on our covered back porch and watching the kids run around playing in the cool air, and for sitting on the couch with the windows open.

We had our first glimpse of fall this past weekend while family was in town for our daughter’s birthday. Temps were in the 60’s and it felt fabulous. After the party finished, we sat out on the back porch and relaxed while the kids played a little more. Brian and his mom decided to enjoy some limited-edition Starbucks Fall Blend, which was perfect! This blend has Sumatran beans to provide the warmth of fresh spice notes, coffees from Kenya to add citrusy brightness as well as beans from Peru that offer balance and a subtle nuttiness – it’s the perfect segue into the brisk days of fall. I can just imagine it with cinnamon coffee cake or a slice of pumpkin pie!

I love Christmas and that whole time of year, but I think fall is almost better – there are all sorts of traditions we love like hay rides and pumpkin patches and trick-or-treating with the kids, and we make so many great memories.

This year the boys are both in school, and we all know back-t0-school time can be busy for families. As we adjust to our new routine, our weekend time with the kids is precious; I can’t wait to have many more Saturdays snuggled up with the kids, and I’m glad we’ve got Starbucks Fall Blend to help us enjoy these moments!

Tailgating Must-Haves

Note: Thank you to Sam’s Club for sponsoring today’s post and helping me get ready for tailgating this Football Season.

We love to entertain, and with it being football season, tailgating is the perfect opportunity to get together with friends for a little fun and food.

When I think of tailgating, there are certain elements I know I will want to have:

A TV to watch the game on, if you’re not attending it in person – my husband would say you need a 60″ screen, minimum!
An awesome grill, portable if you plan on tailgating at the game location.
Snacks – I like to use Kraft Velveeta and tomatoes with chiles to make queso, and my husband loves hot dogs with chili. The kids would say we just need candy!
Plenty of cold beverages for everyone – lemonade, water, and sweet tea would be my picks!
A camera to capture memories!

What I love to do is stop by Sam’s Club before we host any sort of get-together. I know I can find great deals on everything from food and drinks, to necessities, to a sweet TV (that my husband would approve of, even!). Be sure and check out their tailgating essentials so you can find everything you need in one easy (and wallet-friendly) spot!

What do you consider must-haves when you’re preparing for tailgating?

Style & Fine Dining – For Kids, Too – at the Westin Peachtree Plaza & Sundial Restaurant

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Note: We received a media rate and a restaurant credit to help facilitate our review. All opinions are honest and are entirely our own.

When I walked into the lobby of the Westin Peachtree Plaza, I felt as if I’d walked onto the set of a movie.

It’s sleek and has HIGH ceilings with tons of natural light pouring in through windows and skylights. The elevators are housed in a cylinder of sorts, painted with a modern black & white floral pattern. It feels like a place execs would stay and make high-powered mergers, or that celebrities would stay while shooting on location. I have to admit, my first impression of the hotel left me in awe… but wondering if this was going to be a great place for our family with three kids to stay. Would we fit in?

For those of you that haven’t seen the Westin Peachtree Plaza before, it’s a gleaming, towering cylinder that’s the fifth-highest building in the city, and is the tallest hotel in the United States. You can see it as you approach Atlanta, and it definitely stands out in the skyline.

Our hotel room was on the sixty-fifth floor. Yep, you read that right. This hotel has 73 floors and includes a rotating restaurant and bar, called the Sundial Restaurant, Bar & View. We were pretty near to the top, which meant we got amazing views of the city.

Full disclosure: I have a total phobia of elevators. So, as you can imagine, riding one up 65 flights was a little nerve-wracking for me. However, these elevators are QUICK, and we rarely had to stop on more than one other floor on our way up or down, because they’re so well-organized.

Once we got up to our room and opened the door, I could immediately see why people love staying here. The views are simply breathtaking.

The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever to stay up so high, and couldn’t get enough of looking out the windows and pointing out various things they saw (built-in entertainment, folks – can’t beat that!).

As you can see, a lot of time was spent at the windows. The lights of the city at night are spectacular, and make for a perfect nightlight as the kids go to sleep.

The rooms are slightly compact, but we still had plenty of room for the five of us. There are twenty rooms on each floor, but we felt almost like we had the floor to ourselves; we barely heard other guests. Everything is modern and sleek, down to the finishes in the bathroom – I’m kind of in love with the tile work around the mirror!

The next day before we left we decided to have lunch at the Sundial Restaurant, Bar & View. I was a little uncertain, again, if our family of casually-dressed tourists would be appropriate, but was assured it’d be just fine for a weekday lunch.

There are two glass elevators housed in a smaller cylinder on the side of the building, and these are what you take to get up to the restaurant. It takes less than 1 1/2 minutes, and I even enjoyed the ride – the views are so great! You can see part of our ride in the video above.

The Sundial is just what you’d expect to be on the top of the Westin Peachtree Plaza. It, too, is sleek and modern and beautiful. It’s Atlanta’s only tri-level dining complex featuring an upscale restaurant, a rotating cocktail lounge and an observatory View Level.

The kids quickly noticed what makes this restaurant extra-special: the dining area rotates! This meant our view changed as we ate, and we made the full rotation throughout our meal.

It’s not every day you look out your window at lunch and see the top of a skyscraper.

Or this. Gorgeous.

Elsie wasn’t too sure what she thought of it all, but the rest of us thought we had the best seat in the restaurant!

The food was absolutely wonderful. Seriously. We loved every bite and I honestly don’t have a single negative comment. The flavors are masterfully balanced and it was probably our best meal of the trip. It is pricier than your average restaurant, but still affordable, and there’s even a kids’ menu. Our waitress, Shauna, was great – attentive and friendly, which was especially great for the kids. Shauna, if you read this, thanks for exceptional service!

Here’s what we ate:

Warm corn madeleines with house-made strawberry jam and local honey butter for our appetizer

Chicken tenders with parmesan fries for the kids (surprise, surprise)

Hand cut pasta with tomato, basil, ricotta and spring squash for me

NY strip au poivre for Brian – a 10 oz. steak with horseradish whipped potatoes, carrots, and bordelaise sauce

Fried apple pies with vanilla bean ice cream, cinnamon ice cream, and candy apple sauce for dessert

This was a great special treat for our family during the day but at night I can easily see how this is a perfect date (and proposal) spot. The menu is impressive, the servers and hostesses are friendly, and did I mention there are some pretty great views?

Before we left we checked out the observatory level and pointed out the aquarium, where we’d be heading next. You can really see all of downtown Atlanta from up there!

I have to mention our bellman, Jose, before I close out this post. He was SO great with the kids. He let them ride on the cart with the luggage and asked them questions about themselves, and they thought he was awesome! We really appreciated that he made the extra effort to help the kids feel special and it ended our stay on a perfect note.

If you’re looking for a special experience, I’d highly recommend staying at the Westin Peachtree Plaza. Whether you’re on a business trip, a romantic getaway, or – yes – a family vacation, you’ll fit right in, and will love it. You can make a reservation by clicking here. Keep up with them on Facebook & Twitter, too!

Tasty Travel: A Trip to the Denny’s HQ & Test Kitchen #DennysDiners

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Note: I am participating in a compensated campaign as a Denny’s Ambassador. All opinions in my posts are entirely honest and are my own.

I’ve always loved behind-the-scenes looks at things, so when I had the opportunity to travel to the Denny’s headquarters in Spartanburg, SC I was pretty excited. I’ve been eating at Denny’s since I was a kid, and I consider myself a quasi-foodie, so this was right up my alley!

You can see our awesome ambassador group in the photo above – it was great meeting the other bloggers that are a part of the Denny’s team! We were all treated to a great day, starting with a meeting in the Denny’s board room to hear about some of their marketing – both past and future – and hear from various members of the Denny’s team. I love that they employ both traditional media and social media to really get their message out and connect with people (PS – If you’re not following them on Facebook and Twitter, you should be!).

After we finished in the board room, we got a tour of the new Denny’s test kitchen, led by Sharon Lykins, Sr. Director of Product Innovation.

She told us about all the smart details they put into the kitchen for storage and efficiency, and I was incredibly impressed at all the research and testing they put into each and every menu item. Sharon also told us about how they provide freshness in Denny’s food – from the grapes in their chicken salad to bringing in fresh fruit and cutting it in-house, they put in a lot of effort to make the food great.

Speaking of chicken salad, we got to sample their chicken salad sandwich and it is SOO good. I definitely know what I’ll be ordering next time we go!

We also got to try their Alaska salmon filet, a great option on their Fit Fare menu:

I wish I could tell you about a few of the other things we tried that will be on the menu soon… I’ll have to wait, though! There’s one item in particular that I just couldn’t stop eating at the test kitchen, and I can’t wait to take the whole family to try. Trust me when I say it is scrumptiously delicious!

Thanks to Sharon and the Denny’s test kitchen chefs for an amazing meal!

We got to provide our feedback while we were at the test kitchen, too. It meant a lot to me that Denny’s really cares what consumers and moms think, and I’m glad I got to help contribute to the process!

One other thing we talked about while at the Denny’s HQ was their No Kid Hungry campaign, a national movement aimed at ending childhood hunger by connecting kids with healthy food where they live, learn and play.

Did you know 1 in 5 kids struggle with hunger in the U.S.? Just text “Dennys” to 877877 to donate to No Kid Hungry and receive a coupon worth $5 off your next meal at Denny’s.

In addition, guests are invited to contribute to the cause via two alternative means this year, including making a monetary donation of their choice at dennys.com/nokidhungry; all who donate online will be e-mailed a coupon for $5 off their next $20 meal at Denny’s.

Customers can also pledge their support by purchasing one of three exclusive No Kid Hungry campaign t-shirts – designed by Denny’s team members in Texas, Nevada and Kentucky – for $10 each. T-shirts are produced by Booster, available at dennys.com/nokidhungry and a portion of all sales goes directly to No Kid Hungry.

Don’t forget, stay connected with Denny’s: Denny’s Site • Denny’s Facebook • Denny’s Twitter

Be Prepared for Emergencies: National Preparedness Month Tips from Energizer #PoweringSafety

Note: This post was brought to you by Energizer, in partnership with The Motherhood.

This month is National Preparedness Month, which is something I’ve thought about quite a bit over the years. Living in Texas, we get our fair share of storms and I’ve always made it a priority to think ahead and be prepared just in case. In case you haven’t thought about being prepared for a disaster, Energizer has shared some great tips for being ready for a natural disaster or other emergency:

Create a plan. Have a plan with your family for what to do before, during and after severe weather. Make sure to practice your plan so you are ready for any situation.

Keep a portable light in every room: When power goes out, you don’t want to go digging through closets or drawers looking for that flashlight. Energizer portable lights ensure you’re ready for any situation:

Weatheready®– Long lasting, practical solutions designed to keep you and your family safe during a weather emergency
Fusion Flashlights and Lanterns – Compact and versatile, Energizer® Light Fusion Technology products are compact, water resistant and provide impressively bright long lasting light
Headlights – Energizer’s powerful LED headlights are lightweight and versatile – perfect for keeping your hands free during an emergency situation

Designate a place to seek shelter. Designate a meeting place for your family to take shelter. A basement or the smallest, most-interior room on the lowest floor is safest for severe weather and tornados. In the event of a tropical storm or hurricane, evacuate the area if instructed by local authorities.

Make an emergency kit. Keep an emergency kit stocked with bottled water, canned food, copies of vital information, a first aid kit with prescriptions and an Energizer® Emergency Weather Station, which acts as a light, radio and charging station.

Check social media for updates. Oftentimes communications can be limited during severe weather. Social media can give you the most up-to-date information from local government agencies and news outlets.

Charge your devices. Make sure to charge cell phone and ensure that your radio and flashlight have fresh batteries. Energizer® MAX® with Power Seal Technology are long-lasting and are no leaks guaranteed.

Stock your vehicle. Don’t be caught unaware in your car during a severe weather situation. Make sure to have an emergency kit with the essentials in your vehicle.

Some people may think it’s pointless to prepare, because the likelihood of something going wrong is pretty slim. I’d say, though, that being prepared is easy, so why not be prepared just in case? I’d much rather be prepared and not need it than desperately need it and not be prepared.

I hope you’ll also join me and other bloggers for a one-hour Twitter party on September 23 at 12 p.m. Central – Follow with the hashtag #PoweringSafety and keep an eye out for my tweets from @FrugalNovice!

Be sure and follow Energizer on Facebook, too, so you can keep up with their latest!

Back-to-School Savings with Healthy Essentials #Moms4JNJConsumer

Note: This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

It’s crazy to think that another school year has started, but it’s definitely underway! I love getting organized and all stocked up as the school year begins, because I know as it progresses our schedules will just get busier and busier. It’s so nice to have all the essentials on hand already when we need them – not to mention the fact that I can buy things on sale or with coupons and save money while I’m at it!

For instance, HEALTHY ESSENTIALS^® is offering amazing printable coupons, tips & tools and so much more for all the products you and your family love. You can save more than $40 by visiting http://www.HealthyEssentials.com now and signing up for HEALTHY ESSENTIALS^® program coupons and offers.

While you’re there, check out some of these great savings:

Save $1.00 on JOHNSON’S^® Baby NO MORE TANGLES^® or Extra Conditioning hair care product (excludes sizes 1 oz.-4 oz., JOHNSON’S^® BUDDIES^® and JOHNSON’S^® KIDS^® products)
Save $2.00 on any (2) AVEENO^® products (excludes cleansing bars and moisturizing bars, trial sizes and 2.5 oz. lotion sizes)
Save $2.00 on any (1) RoC^® Anti-Aging product
Save $1.00 on any (1) NEUTROGENA^® Cleansing, Moisture, or Acne product
Save $1.00 on any (1) SPLENDA^® No Calorie Sweetener Product
Save $1.50 on any (1) VISINE^® product (0.5 fl. oz. or larger)
Save $1.00 on any (1) LISTERINE^® Antiseptic Mouthwash, or (1) LISTERINE^®NATURALS™ Antiseptic, or (1) LISTERINE^® ULTRACLEAN^® Antiseptic, or (1) LISTERINE^® TOTAL CARE, or (1) LISTERINE^® ZERO^®, or (1) LISTERINE^® FLUORIDE DEFENSE^®Anticavity Mouthwash product (Valid on products 1L or larger)

I love Aveeno products and their Positively Radiant skin brightening daily scrub is a great way to start my morning routine! It helps improve my skin tone, texture and clarity – and I’ve never had great skin, so I’ll take any help I can get! It combines soy extract and microbeads to gently exfoliate, leaving skin soft, smooth and even looking.

Of course, there are HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® products for our whole family – we love the Johnson’s Baby No More Tangles 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner for our kids’ hair, and Brian and I love to use Listerine Smart Rinse Anticavity Fluoride Rinse. With winter coming up, we always make sure we have plenty of lotion on hand for dry skin – Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion is perfect because it’s fragrance-free, fortified with Vitamin B5 and skin-essential moisturizers. These are just a few of the products we like to make sure we stock up on because we know we’ll use them a lot!

Are you stocked up for the school year? Go snag those great coupons and head out this weekend to get all set on the essentials for your family!

Hilton Sandestin is a Dream Destination for Families

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Note: We received our stay and a meal at the Hilton Sandestin to facilitate our review. We were not compensated monetarily. All opinions are honest and are entirely those of myself and my family.

Our next leg of our family road trip was in Destin, Florida at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. We were all pretty excited about this stop – our family loves spending time at the beach, and the boys couldn’t wait to start playing. I was thrilled because the Hilton Sandestin is right on the beach, which meant we could walk out of our hotel and straight onto the sand without having to pack up the car or walk with the kids for a long distance.

The Hilton Sandestin is breathtaking from the moment you walk inside. The lobby was updated this year; it’s modern, light, bright, and gives you an immediate view of the coast. Our room was on the 13th floor facing the beach, and the instant we walked in we were awestruck by our even better view of the beach. It was raining around us (which only lasted about 30 minutes, thankfully!) but even with the sun hidden away it’s a gorgeous vista.

From our balcony (which the kids loved), we also had a great view of the property:

There are two large pools, a hot tub, and a shallow toddler-friendly pool, too. See that dark green roof? That’s the Barefoot’s Beachside Bar & Grill, an open-air restaurant that you can eat at – you guessed it – barefoot. We really enjoyed eating here and I’ll tell you more about it later in this post. The green awning to the right of Barefoot’s houses an ice cream shop that we also enjoyed, and to the right of that is the indoor pool. There’s even more not captured in this photo, from ballrooms to other dining options, but this was the area which we frequented the most – it’s such a great setup for families!

Our room was equally impressive. It consisted of a kids’ area with BUNK BEDS (oh my word did the boys think that was cool!) and their own TV, a bathroom and separate vanity area, and then a large space with our bed, a living area and desk. And, of course, floor-to-ceiling windows with a sliding door out on to the balcony.

The rooms in our part of the hotel were renovated in 2013, and it’s very apparent in how they’re decorated – clean and crisp, beachy and airy, they’ve achieved the perfect balance for a vacation destination. We loved the colorful pillows on the kids’ beds, and the beadboard-inspired bedframes (complete with an awesome porthole on the bottom bunk that I managed to just crop out of the photo above (whoops!). And did I mention they had their own TV? They loved watching cartoons in the morning while Brian and I got ready, and they each claimed one of the shelves below to house their books and toys.

As you can see below, they really nailed the design for the rooms. The peaceful blue on the walls with some light green accents was serene and so relaxing. We loved the little beverage center – and as parents of a toddler, we used this as a place to charge our electronics out of her reach, so that ended up being pretty great too.

The living area was really nice, too – we enjoyed sitting on the couch and looking out the windows, and it really made the space feel like a home away from home, and the chest under the TV was great for storing our things.

If you’re looking to travel with your family like we did, you’ll appreciate this – there was a standard bathroom, but there’s also a separate vanity area with a sink, which allows for multiple people to get ready at the same time and was a really smart setup.

Oh, and did I mention the amazing views? :)

We spent most of our time in Destin outside, though. We checked in around 4:30 in the afternoon, and by 5:30 we were out on the beach.

The next day we reserved an umbrella and chairs ($40 for the day, and totally worth it – I’d highly recommend it!) by calling the beach shack, and we set up camp with all our beach gear so we could get started playing early in the day.

The beach for the Hilton Sandestin is great, too, because it’s not overrun like public beaches can be. It’s also serviced by staff that can bring food and drinks straight out to your umbrella – and boy did we enjoy some cold lemonade mid-afternoon! We did venture off the beach just a few yards to eat lunch at Barefoot’s. It was so easy because we could leave most of our things down at our umbrella and go as we were to eat. You can see in the photo below the green roof; that’s how close it was. Love that!

It’s a bright, airy space with views straight out to the water, and the food is delicious, too. I couldn’t get over the variety of things they offered.

The top left photo above is a salad with sesame-coated tuna; the bottom photo is the best patty melt I’ve ever had, and the photo on the right is delicious chicken quesadillas. The kids really enjoyed their food, too, which is crucial when they need plenty of energy to play on the beach some more!

After a lot more playing and dinner back at Barefoot’s, we went out to the beach at sunset to read and relax a little before playing in the pool. This is one of my favorite memories of our time here.

We spent time at the outdoor & indoor pools, too – the kids loved them!

I can’t even convey how much we adored our time at the Hilton Sandestin. It was everything you’d want a beach vacation to be. Everything was gorgeous, the staff was friendly, it was convenient and completely relaxing. We didn’t want to leave, and the kids already asked if we can go back next summer. If you’re looking for a place to travel with your family, this is it.

Be sure and keep up with the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa on Facebook & Twitter!

Beauty & History Combine at the Battle House in Mobile, Alabama

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Note: We received a reduced media rate to facilitate our review. All opinions are honest and are our own.

When we embarked on our first big road trip as a family of five, I knew I wanted to stay at hotels that would be kid-friendly, but still places that Brian and I would enjoy staying, too. I’ve been teased that I’m a “hotel snob” because I am pretty picky about where we stay. My thought is this: vacation is an escape, and I want the places we stay to serve as restful retreats, not punctuations of meh along the way.

We really set the bar high with the first place we stayed – the Battle House Renaissance Hotel & Spa in Mobile, Alabama.

When we pulled up to the hotel it was 10:00 at night and raining, but we could still see through the rain that this historic building is stunning. The uprights really highlight the architecture of the building, and it feels special from the start.

There’s parking around in the way of garages and some metered spots, but since it was late and wet we decided to splurge on valet parking. I walked up to check in and was greeted with two friendly faces, letting me know they were available to help us if we had any questions or needed anything. Atmosphere is important at hotels, but staff can make or break the experience – and the Battle House has staff that obviously care about guests and enjoy what they do.

We stayed on the 7th floor in a suite at the end of a hallway, a perfect location for our potentially loud brood. I loved our suite. Loved. The living area was roomy with a loveseat (which folds out into a bed), armchair, coffee table, and armoire topped with a TV; it also had a desk and closet – there was plenty of room to spread out!

The kids watched some cartoons the next morning while Brian and I finished packing up our things:

Love how elegant and seamless the office space is to the living area:

Our room was gorgeous: floor-to-ceiling curtains and a big, plush bed with a mirrored headboard. Luxurious and serene – perfect for the start of our vacation.

And don’t even get me started about the bathroom. HUGE. A shower and a deep soaker tub, and a pretty vanity. Our whole family could fit in there all at once (and let’s be honest – with kids, you’re never going to be in the bathroom alone anyway so having some extra space is appreciated).

Obviously the hotel was a hit for Brian and I, but the kids loved it too. They each got an activity book with stickers:

Another thing they loved? Going in and getting breakfast (free, with the level we stayed on). They drank juice out of coffee mugs “like Dad” and had fun picking out which cereal and pastries they wanted. I loved that there was fresh fruit and yogurt available, too. It was a nice variety, and it meant that there was something for everyone in our family to enjoy.

As we left the hotel, I showed the boys some of the architecture in the lobby. The ceiling is breathtakingly beautiful and the history of the building shines through all the details.

See the woman in the last photo walking toward us? She is Emilie, an awesome Battle House employee that came over and told us about a really cool part of the hotel – the whispering arch. And not only did she tell us about it, she walked up with us to show the boys. She had J stand at one side of the arch, and then C stood at the other side, many feet away. When they whispered into a channel of the arch, they could hear each other as if they were standing a foot apart. They thought this was so cool, and I was incredibly impressed that Emilie went out of her way to show us the feature. She also took us to see the Tiffany ceiling in the dining area – yet another gorgeous feature:

We would definitely stay here again. It is high-end, but you can often find deals on the rooms that make it an affordable place to stay. They even offer free wifi, which is still a rarity in many 3- and 4-star hotels. The historical element makes it unique and special, and I honestly don’t have anything negative to say about the property or our stay there.

Keep up with the Battle House on Facebook, or click here to go ahead and book your room now – you know you want to!

Music to my Ears: SOL Republic Tracks Air Wireless Headphones {Giveaway}

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Note: We received a pair of headphones to facilitate our review. We were not compensated monetarily. All opinions are honest and are our own.

Brian, my husband, listens to music a lot, like many people do. So when I heard about the SOL Republic Tracks Air Wireless Headphones, I knew they’d be something he would love. He’s wanted great headphones for a long time, and these are truly top notch. Here are a few of the features that set them above the pack:

A2 Sound Engines with clear highs and detailed deep bass
Super-Power Wireless – Control Tracks Air from up to 150 feet away
Interchangeable Power Track headbands – Swap the color of your headbands and change your style with ease
Connect to two devices simultaneously, including your phone, tablet or computer. Seamlessly answer an incoming call while watching a movie on your tablet.
Built-in microphone for phone calls enables hands-free calling

I love how innovative these headphones are – they operate via bluetooth and you can just slide the earpieces on to the band and adjust them to fit you perfectly.

The part that rests on the top of your head is cushioned, which is the same material on the earpieces – totally comfortable!

Brian says he loves how long the headphones last on a single charge; when he first turns them on, he hears a statement telling him how many hours of play time are left (i.e. “You have more than 7 hours of play time!”). You don’t have to use these wirelessly, though – you have the option to plug them in.

Brian uses them with the iPad and loves that he can adjust the volume, push play and pause all from the earpiece without having to wake up the iPad. He’s paired them with his iPhone and our iMac too, and it all works seamlessly.

He uses the headphones at work and can get up and walk around the office while still listening to his music with no disruption – the Bluetooth connection works wonderfully. He says he is impressed with how lightweight they are, and how snugly they fit. The headphones retail for $199, and we both agree that they’re well worth the price. These are high-quality headphones that anyone would love to have.

Speaking of loving to have these headphones… you just might have your own pair!! You can find the headphones at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy – but be sure and enter to WIN a pair right here!

One lucky reader will win a pair of their very own SOL Republic Tracks Air wireless headphones (ARV $199)! This contest is open worldwide to those aged 18+. Entries will be accepted until the end of the day (midnight Central) Friday, September 12. By entering this giveaway you agree to the Official Rules.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tiggly Shapes & Apps – Educational Fun for Your Littlest Ones

Note: I received a set of Tiggly shapes and a gift card to facilitate my review. All opinions in this post are honest and entirely those of myself and my family.

Our boys, who are 5 & 7, love to play games on our iPad. And of course Brian and I like to get our fair share of game-playing in, too. But baby E, who’s almost 2, has been left out of all the iPad fun – until now, thanks to Tiggly shapes & apps.

Tiggly creates hands-on educational tools that work together with free Tiggly apps on the iPad to create an exciting learning experience that combines physical play and digital fun.

When we first pulled out the Shapes and our iPad, E just sat and held the shapes while she watched the animation of the app, but then she quickly realized she could interact with the app using the shapes and she had a blast playing.

Then our boys came in to see what she was doing, and they started playing along with her. It’s nice to have something all three kids can enjoy together.

About Tiggly Shapes:

Tiggly Shapes incudes a set of four easy-to-grip colorful shapes that are inspired by the classic wooden block. They’re easy for little hands to grip – E loved holding them, and she liked the bright colors, too.

Little ones place Tiggly Shapes on the iPad to make Tiggly apps come alive. Each Shape is specially designed to be safe for kids and iPad screens.

Tiggly Shapes helps little ones learn about shapes and fundamental geometry concepts, improve their language skills, and develop their motor skills, spatial thinking, and creativity – all while having fun!

Each set of Tiggly Shapes also includes a felt carrying pouch for easy storage and fun on the go.

Tiggly Shapes is great for toddlers age 18 months to 4 years old (I can attest to the fact that our 5 & 7 year old thought the apps were fun, too!).

Tiggly Shapes is compatible with all generations of the iPad and iPad mini.

Tiggly Shapes has a retail value of $29.95 and can be purchased online at tiggly.com.

Tiggly Shapes includes three free TIggly apps designed by education experts and approved by parents. With their bright colors and fun games, little ones will have hours of fun while learning with Tiggly apps.

About Tiggly Apps:

Tiggly Stamp: Kids explore the seasons while creating their own scenes and stories. Parents and children can use the camera and voice recorder to save the fun tales they dream up.

Tiggly Safari: Children use Tiggly Shapes to create friendly animals from the jungle, farm, and sea.

Tiggly Draw: Time to use your imagination! Kids use their iPad as their canvas and Tiggly Shapes as their tools to craft their own works of art.

Stay connected:

Be sure to visit http://tiggly.com for the latest on Tiggly and to find tips and advice for parents on the Tiggly blog.
Friend Tiggly on Facebook at Facebook.com/Tiggly and follow Tiggly on Twitter @TigglyKids
Don’t forget, you can buy Tiggly online at Amazon.com!

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