Making the Most of Your Vacation

Well you've been planning for months for your vacation and now that it's finally arrived, think about these things to get the most out of your trip:

- Put your mind at ease. Compile a comprehensive packing list to be sure that you don't leave any of the necessities at home. Some websites (like http://www.packinglistonline.com/) allow you to customize your own list so everything you need is spelled out right in front of you. You can print it out or e-mail it to yourself when complete. You could also make your own list using a simple spreadsheet to be saved (and edited) for future use, saving you time and effort on your next trip.

- Have a game plan. Map out key points of interest (tourist locations, shops, restaurants, etc...) that you want to be sure you don't overlook.

- Schedule some down-time. Remember that it is a vacation. Give yourself a break with a little R & R.

- Bring some of your vacation home with you. It's inevitable that if you go anywhere involving sand that you will bring 1/2 of the beach home with you. But seriously, snag a special souvenir or frame a photo that reminds you of your trip. If you discovered something new on your vacation (like a new wine or that you appreciate hiking after all), incorporate that into your life when you get home.

Popchips

If you're looking for a tasty, crunchy (not to mention only 120 calorie) snack, look no more! Popchips are a scrumptious alternative to fried or baked snacks. A hearty serving has 20 chips, but the downside is that there are only about 3 servings per bag. You'll probably find them on the isle with the "natural foods", as opposed to traditional chips and snacks (i.e.- Doritos, Cheetos, etc...). A personal favorite is barbecue.

Makeup Remover

I saw these nifty little things advertised in Marie Claire. They are swabs that are pre-filled with makeup remover. How nice to have them on hand for a quick touch-up (after a trip to the gym... while traveling... etc...). A pack of 24 sells for $5 at www.beautybar.com. The brand name is pretty long... look for "Japonesque Beauty Fixation Makeup Remover and Touch Up Applicators".

Ben Franklin...

Did you know that teachers save an extra 10% at Ben Franklin Crafts everyday? Seniors get a special 10% off discount on Wednesdays.

Easier than Wallpaper

If you're looking for an easy fix for a room make-over, consider wall art stickers. These stickers usually apply easily and remove with little effort. They are becoming popular enough now that they can be found in a variety of styles from whimsical to sophisticated.

How much fun would these be in a child's bedroom or playroom?

They are ideal if you're wanting to transform a space and don't want to invest a lot of time, money, or effort. These type of stickers are often cheaper than wallpaper and perfect for those who are not blessed artistically enough to paint free hand.

A friend just used some letters that she found at Target to add a little pizazz to a room at her home. (Nicely done, Bocky!)

Bagel Place

Another place that we visited in Maryland was the Bagel Place. It's in College Park near the University of Maryland. You can eat in the restaurant (think sandwiches, bagel pizzas, soups/salads, etc...), but we just got some bagels to go. The interesting find here was their Old Bay bagels. You have to appreciate Old Bay seasoning to enjoy the bagel. The Everything bagel was also tasty. They have quite an assortment of bagels baked fresh daily, as well as a wide variety of cream cheese.

The Bagel Place reminds me of Bodo's Bagels in Charlottesville (if you're a Cav fan, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about).

Don't be fooled by the aged-looking exterior. It's worth stopping in!

Field Trip

We just spent some time in the D.C./Maryland area for Jamie's graduation and our tour guide (a.k.a.- Jamie) took us to several exciting places. Ted's Bulletin was one of them. If you find yourself in the D.C. area, I'd highly recommend stopping in. This quaint eatery transports you back in time. The lobby is filled with decorations salvaged from a Pennsylvania Convention Center and the main dining room includes a projection screen showing old movies. (Gone With the Wind was showing when we were there.)

The waiter brought water to our table in bottles that were similar to old milk bottles and the menu is on a black and white newspaper.

The food was delicious (and huge!) and they serve breakfast all day. Be sure to save room for dessert! They have heavenly milkshakes (and even "adult" milkshakes). Did I mention that they make their own Pop-Tarts, Twinkies, and cookies the size of your head?!A delightful time was had by all. We will definitely go back again!

As a side note- Be sure to pay attention when visiting the restrooms. Be sure to read the signage carefully and if you end up in a room with a urinal, you might be in the wrong place.

(All images were borrowed from www.tedsbulletin.com. Check it out for menus and directions.)