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.)

Take Your Dog to Work

June 24th is Take Your Dog to Work Day. Employers across the nation will embrace little Fido on this day. You'll probably want to check with your company to see what their policy is (apparently only 17% of employers participate). There's probably no coincidence that this day also happens to occur after school is out for summer.

Catch Some ZzzZzzZ's

Most people know that attaining about 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night is ideal, but sometimes falling asleep can be a task in and of itself. A recent article in Real Simple gave some suggestions about falling asleep and staying asleep. They offer three non-negotiables when it comes to catching some ZzzZzz's:

1. Keep it cool- 65 to 70 degrees.

2. Keep it dark.

3. Keep it quiet.

If you're interested in discovering more about your body's own circadian-rhythm, you can take this 19 question survey at http://www.cet.org/eng/Tools_ENG.html. The responses you provide for the survey will give you an approximate "natural bedtime". Supposedly my "natural bedtime" is 11:15 PM (HA!) You can also learn about whether you are more productive in the morning or night. Even though it's hard to alter your body's natural sleep cycle, the site can offer some suggestions to help you keep from having to count sheep.

Couponing...

If you're anything like us, if you've watched "Extreme Couponing" on TLC, you're hooked. I still think that some of the purchases the people on the show make are ridiculous (again, who needs 85 bottles of mustard?), but I do applaud those on the show who donate the purchases they make with coupons to shelters and soldiers overseas. You might have noticed that several times the people showcased on "Extreme Couponing" have mentioned that they get additional coupon inserts from their local paper (and we're not talking one or two inserts... many, many more). Apparently this is a criminal activity that can be prosecuted. An article in the Richmond-Times Dispatch yesterday stated to "leave them out of it"! (Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Mallory.)

The paper cannot provide any extra coupon inserts. Coupons cannot be bought or sold. If you see coupons for sale through places like eBay, do NOT buy them.

There is some concern over whether the tactics used on the show constitute fraud. Don't be discouraged though. You can still save money on everyday purchases using coupons (and still score things for FREE... or next to nothing). Over the weekend, we were able to get a roll or paper towels, BBQ sauce, deodorant, Propel bottled waters, and lip balm without spending a dime, thanks to careful shopping and coupons. Savings can be made without being "extreme" (or illegal).

Barnes & Noble

Shopper Loyalty Programs are often worth the yearly fees if it's a store that you visit often. Barnes & Noble is one of those stores. For an annual fee of $25, you can get up 40% off new best sellers, 10% off DVDs, free 1 to 3-day shipping, and 20% off hard cover books everyday. Not to mention that you can also get 10% off in-store Starbucks cafe' purchases. The annual fee more than pays for itself in just a few visits.

Right now Barnes & Noble has these adorable (and durable) summer totes for $12.95 when you purchase any 2 items in the store. (The totes are $24.95 without the purchase.)

(Don't forget that if you're an educator, you can get a free Educator Advantage Card and save on purchases for your classroom... or yourself.)

Button Up!

This is a snazzy idea I saw in Fresh Home. You can effortlessly add a little bling to an old or outdated ring by snapping on a spiffy button cover. You can find a cover (or maybe even a pack of covers) at a craft store (like Michael's or Ben Franklin). Pop the cover over the old ring you've got an inexpensive makeover!

old meets new...

Buyers' Remorse

Have you ever thought you made a wise purchase only to come to the realization later that the enticing lights in the store made the item all the more appealing? Sadly buyers' remorse can strike even the most savvy of shopper. Real Simple offers some suggestions so that you can be sure you're making a wise clothing purchase and that you're not just distracted by scoring a steal. So save yourself having to make a return and think about these details before you buy.

Consider...

- Looking at yourself from all angles... waist... shoulders... thighs. Take advantage of those multi-angle mirrors.

-Evaluating the material... the stretch- will the product give with time? Are there flaws?

- Imitating movements that you do in real life... reach up... lean down... pick something up off the ground. Can you move comfortably?

Flavored Yogurt Isn't So Sweet...

Flavored yogurts may appear to be a healthy, convenient snack, but in reality, these treats may not be as nutritious as you might think. Prevention Magazine gives a break-down of what a typical flavored yogurt really is packing. For example, a 4 oz. container of yogurt may only have 110 calories, but it has as much sweetener as 7 packs of sugar! The label might also boast blood pressure lowering potassium, but a small banana can offer twice as much potassium as a single container of yogurt. They recommend sticking to plain yogurt and adding fresh fruit if you want a more flavorful snack. Also, going with Greek yogurt can more than double the amount of protein you'll get in a single serving.

Happy Hour

Celebrate Happy Hour at Starbucks and enjoy any of their Frappuccino beverages 1/2 off. Starting May 6th through May 15th from 3 to 5 pm, mosey into any Starbucks to take advantage of this offer.