Archives for August 2020

6 Easy Tricks to Become an Expert at Planning Your Vacation

Planning your vacations can be a tough and stressful endeavor if you’re not a veteran. These tips will catch you up to speed in no time!

Are you already in vacation mode and ready to relax or explore on your next vacation? Hopefully, you already have an itinerary planned out for each day of your trip so you know exactly what to bring and all the fun activities you and your travel buddies will be doing each day!

If not, then you need to learn how to become an expert when planning your vacation so you won’t have to stress about the last-minute details. 

Being an expert vacation planner will help you to plan some awesome trips so that you will want to keep traveling again and again. 

Keep reading for our guide to five easy tricks for becoming an expert at planning your vacation. 

1. Make a Budget

Before you do any planning at all you should first make a budget for your next vacation. This will help you to figure out the funds and how much you have to allocate towards each aspect of your trip. 

Start with an overall budget of how much you want to spend on the entire vacation, then you can break it down into sections.

The first section will be your vacation location. A location that is farther away from home might mean buying plane tickets which can be a big chunk of your budget. 

Once you figure out your budget for location, transportation, and accommodations, then you can move on to the fun part of your budget which is for food, activities, and adventures. Planning a vacation budget might mean that you need to save money for your vacation so you will want to do this in advance. 

2. Research Hotels

Finding a hotel is something that you should be putting a lot of time and research into. If you plan a lot of fun activities, then you shouldn’t be spending a lot of time in the hotel. Yet, you still want to find a nice place to spend your evenings relaxing in. 

Make sure that the hotel you want to stay at fits all your vacation needs. Many hotels offer free wifi, free breakfast, room service, a pool, hot tub, as well as a fitness center. Browse some websites to see if the hotel you want to stay at has everything that you need!

You should also read the reviews of the hotel you’re thinking of staying at. Reviews will be the best indicator of how friendly the service is and how clean the rooms are. These two things are very important when trying to decide if you should stay at a hotel or not. 

3. Plan Out Activities

After figuring out your budget you can now find fun activities that fit into your budget. One of the best things to do is use a split view on a Mac. This way you can see the list of activities to choose from on one side and then the list of fun activities at your vacation location on the other side of your computer. 

Scheduling your activities should be done on a day to day basis. Find activities that you can do each day of your vacation that are near each other. This way you won’t have to spend a lot of time traveling to each new activity and can fit more into each day. 

4. Occupy the Children

If you’re planning to travel with any children, then you’re going to want to make sure you’re finding fun activities and things for them to do. Parents might even want to look for activities where children can be supervised so they can get some alone time. 

This is a great way for parents to enjoy their vacation instead of having to babysit their kids the entire time. Make sure you find some awesome activities for the kids to do so everyone has fun on vacation. 

5. Make a Packing List

A week before you plan to pack for your trip you should sit down and write a packing list. This way you can wash any clothes you might want to bring with you or buy any extra items that you may need for your trip. 

Writing your packing list early means that you can add anything to your list that you might forget before it comes time to start packing.

Be sure to pack a day or two early for your trip as well! This way you can double-check that you have everything. 

You should also check the weather before you leave for your trip. This way you can make sure that you’ve packed the right type of clothes. You might think that you’re going to a nice tropical place but one day it might get extra cold or even rain!

6. Research the Area

Another great way to be an expert vacation planner is to know all about your vacation location before you even get there. Researching the area is smart so that you will know exactly where to go once you’ve arrived. You should try to know as much about the area as possible. 

Try to figure out the best routes to get from place to place especially if you’re driving or renting a car once you get there. You could also figure out some alternative activities especially if the weather starts to act up while you’re there. 

Knowing as much about your vacation destination as possible will truly make you an expert when you’re planning your trip. You will know all the ins and outs of what to do and how to get there. It will take the stress out of planning your trip before, during, and afterward. 

Planning Your Vacation the Easy Way

When planning your vacation you shouldn’t be overly stressed about all the details. Instead, you should be thinking about all the fun adventures and relaxing times that you will be having. 

Use these tips to become an expert vacation planner and learn how to plan your trip the easy way!

If you’re interested in Southern California or awesome lifestyle advice, then our website is perfect for you. We’re always sharing great events in the SoCal area so be sure to bookmark our page so you can always keep up!

Book of the Day! OCEAN: WAVES FOR All by Stacy McAnulty; illustrated by David Litchfield

Looking for the perfect picture book for beach lovers this Summer? I absolutely love this book! Perfect for getting tots interested and educated on the formation and history of the ocean, this new picture book in the OUR UNIVERSE series is the quintessential summer picture book! Find this one and many more at https://us.macmillan.com/mackids/

Self Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book to feature as a featured book selection. The image was also provided.

Why it is Better to Buy Pet Items at a Local Pet Boutique

Excitement is always associated with the arrival of a new member of any household. When a family member brings home a brand-new puppy, children shriek with excitement, teenagers get eager to be the puppy’s handlers, and even adults get overly excited by buying dog food in bulk. However, the excitement usually dies down as soon as the family encounters the difficult decision to purchase the necessary equipment, treats, and other stuff needed to properly care for the puppy. Should you purchase at the pet store section of the nearest department store or buy your pet needs at a local Pet Boutique? Here are the reasons why you should choose to shop at an independent pet boutique near you. 

Committed to Your Pet’s Well-Being

Independent pet boutiques are committed to giving your fur babies the necessary diet and will not cut corners to produce human-grade pet food. A local boutique, for example, can customise the meal plan for your pets by designing pet food according to the nutritional requirements and flavour preferences of your new puppy. 

Pet boutiques require their staff to get regular training on the care and management of pets. The staff is knowledgeable about pet diet and nutrition. Most, if not all, pet boutiques have a licensed veterinarian as one of their staff or have a direct line with one for any pet concerns. 

Committed to You

A local Pet Boutique will give its customers high value and warm and personal attention every time you shop for your pet’s requirements. When you shop at a pet boutique, you do not just put pet items in a cart and check them out at a counter; instead, staff will be there to ask you for your pet’s requirements and assist you in getting the correct item that you are looking for. If an item is out of stock, a pet boutique will notify you immediately when the stock is available. The boutique pet store staff will remember names (yours and your pet’s) and recall the specific diets that your pets require. 

Committed to Quality

You may find that pet food, toys, and other items sold at pet boutiques are priced at a premium. The reason is that pet boutiques only choose the highest quality of products to sell. Large chain pet stores or department stores may showcase products with different price ranges but may not assure you of each product’s quality. Local and independent pet boutiques, on the other hand, curate only premium products. 

You may think of saving money by purchasing pet food from large chain pet stores or department stores. However, you may be buying pet food that has been commercially manufactured and packed, which means that these foods may contain preservatives. On the other hand, a local pet boutique may notify you when their next batch of customised pet food will be made to schedule your order. 

Committed to Local Communities

When you purchase from a local or independent pet boutique, you are helping your community as well. A larger percentage of the money you spend in a local pet boutique will go to community taxes and payroll for staff that are most likely to be the members of the community. A local pet boutique will also be more involved in fundraising events that will help pet adoptions and pet rescues within your community. 

Shopping at a local or independent pet boutique will give you premium products, along with a personalized experience for both you and your pet.

It’s time for the Summer Baby Round-Up!

Here are my favorite products for babies this Summer!

Babo’s 3-in-1 Face, Hands & Body Wipes gently cleanse face, hands and body without rinsing, leaving skin soothed, soft and moisturized. I love that these are non-drying and gentle enough for everyday use! They are just perfect for sensitive skin but Mom can use them too! Just great for removing makeup or for after the gym!

Find them here.

You can find Babo Botanicals on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/babobotanicals and on IG @babobotanicals.

Dani White/Grey ($49.95)

Looking for Summer shoes for your baby? Pediped has you covered! They have new styles that you will love!

Spring/Summer 2020 Collection: Motivated by complimentary colors and textures, pediped® developed its 2020 Spring/Summer collection to capture one of a kind aesthetics through unique combinations of new hues, textures and patterns in these must see (must have) designs. With a soft neutral color pallet, we were able to capture the NOW while staying true to our classic silhouettes.

For more NEW Spring/Summer 2020 styles and colors, visit https://www.pediped.com/new-arrivals!

For more information, visit www.pediped.com.  LIKE on Facebook at /pedipedfootwear and follow on Instagram @pedipedfootwear.

ergoPouch sheeting sleeping bag is a must-buy this Summer!

ergoPouch TOG rated sleeping bags are made from breathable natural fibers. Choose from stretchy organic jersey cotton with our slim-fit Jersey Bag, or luxurious 400+ thread count sheeting material with their Sheeting Sleep Bag.  The ergoPouch Sheeting Sleeping Bag has a 400+ thread count, organic cotton outer and feels luxurious on a baby’s skin. Unique stretch inserts on the side and shoulders allow baby to move more freely and stay comfortable while they sleep. This would make a great baby shower gift!

ABOUT ERGOPOUCH:

Melbourne, Australia-based ergoPouch was founded in 2009 by Alina Sack.  As a mother, Sack drew on her own personal experiences of sleep deprivation to come up with innovative products designed to help babies and kids get a better night’s sleep.  The award-winning ergoPouch collection includes premium quality baby swaddles, sleeping bags, sleep suits and pajamas available from birth to 6 years of age sizing.  All ergoPouch products are made with natural fibers including Organic Cotton and Bamboo.  ergoPouch products offer great functionality and versatility with swaddles that can easily transition to a sleeping bag and sleep suits that convert from bags to suits with legs for easy use from bassinet to stroller. 

For more information visit www.ergopouch.com.

FOLLOW ERGOPOUCH:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ergopouchusa

Instagram:  @ergopouch_usa

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ergopouch

YouTube:  ergoPouch

MAM Infant Basics gift set

MAM has been a favorite brand of mine for a long time! This next one is the perfect gift for a new Mom this Summer! MAM Infant Basics Newborn Gift Set (9-count), Includes Easy Start Anti Colic MAM Baby Bottles, Pacifier, Baby Bottle Brush, From Newborn to 2+ Months,

Babies love MAM nipples! Provide a soothing, comfortable and reassuring experience for mother and baby with the MAM Infant Basics Gift Set. I love that this set also includes a MAM Pacifier. If you have not yet tried those with your little one…you must! They are a hit with many Moms that I know. You can find this set on Amazon.com.

Follow MAM

Facebook: facebook.com/MAMbabyUSA

Pinterest: Pinterest.com/MAMUSA

Instagram: mambaby_usa

Baby Magic Calming Bath and Lotion

After a fun day playing with baby at the beach or park , end the night with an easy bedtime routine for baby. Baby Magic’s Calming Baby Bath and Lotion are infused with Lavender and Chamomile, making it the perfect way to whisk baby away into a sweet slumber. Cleanse baby’s delicate skin with the Calming Baby Bath that will help baby calm down before bed. Hydrate and nourish skin after, with the Calming Baby Lotion! This is great for summer weather.

MamaSingMySong: creates custom songs/lullabies that are professionally written and recorded for your baby!  The company offers 3 different lullaby packages to choose from.  Whether you choose an a-cappella or studio recorded package, MamaSingMySong’s hope is that 50 years from now, your child remembers YOU singing his or her song— your affirming love, sung over and over again.

For More Info: https://mamasingmysong.com

Baby Skincare Products that are So Good You’ll Want to Use Them Too! Here are a few of my favorites this Summer! This tear-free formula with a naturally gentle pH is the ultimate head-to-toe wash which doubles up as a shampoo. Thanks to green tea extract and aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Zoey Naturals Sweet Citrus head-to-toe wash is a great alternative for those who find that their grown-up shower gels irritate and dry their skin. ​​​​​​​

Babies love a gentle massage, and this Soothing Lavender Body Oil is a great way to soothe their skin and relax them ahead of a good night’s sleep. For adults, it’s a fantastic way hydrate skin while calming lavender helps to diminish stress.​​​​​​​ We all need that right now! I love how this one smells!

And a must-have for this sunny Summer weather is sunscreen! Don’t leave home without it! Zoey Naturals SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen gives UVA/UVB sun protection and is infused with nutrients to keep your baby’s skin nourished while in the sun. I love that this one doesn’t have any harsh chemicals. Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide.

Find all of these and more at https://zoey-naturals.com/

Here are a few great Underwear Solutions for Babies and Toddlers!

TrustyTrunks
TrustyTrunks are a leakproof diaper cover whose patented design keeps infant-prone accidents in, and pool water, dirt and sand out. TrustyTrunks diaper covers are the only swim diaper solution on the market designed to be leak-proof. It’s easy to use… use with any regular diaper (cloth or disposable), and then cover it with TrustyTrunks, and it is easy to clean—rinse and pat try or machine wash. They are made from elastic, non-allergenic, skin-safe silicone that is soft on your child’s skin. Currently available is size 2 (21-28 pounds) with more sizes available later this year. $34; https://trustytrunks.com/.

Tiny Undies
Dress your tiny bottomed baby or toddler in Tiny Undies’ unisex underwear. These 100% cotton undies are great for kids who are potty training early, using elimination communication or for parents looking for an alternative to single use diapers. They use eco-friendly dyes on colored styles and are free from harmful chemicals. Available in size 6 months-5T in 3-pack for $18; https://tinyundies.com/. Also available on Amazon.  

PEEjamas
These stylish, comfortable and eco-friendly nighttime training pajamas eliminate the need for nighttime diapers and also save parents money. PEEjamas’ patent-pending design absorbs moisture (10 times their weight in liquid) to help reduce messes, but still leaves a wet sensation to help kids with nighttime potty training. They can be washed more than 300 times before they lose their absorbency, which means they’re a super saver when considering the cost of disposable diapers, and they’re an extremely sustainable potty-training tool. Plus, it’s a lot less hassle to toss a pair of pajamas in the wash after an accident rather than a whole load of sheets. Plus, they’re so cute and stylish, kids will want to wear them even after potty training is over. Available in sizes 2T-6/7. Starting at $35.99; www.peejamas.com/.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Images were also provided. No other compensation was received.

Chocolate, Aug. 6th Pet of the Week!

Chocolate didn’t always look this yummy. The 4-year-old male seal-point Siamese beauty came to our shelter in horrible shape. The staff believe he was hit by a car. Our incredible medical team, staff and volunteers immediately jumped in to care for this special kitty and in return, they have never experienced so much love and appreciation from one animal! Chocolate is a special-needs cat: he’s FIV-positive, which means he has an immunodeficiency virus, and he has a slight skin condition. He’ll need extra-special attention, and with it, he’ll have every chance of living a long life, during which time you’ll experience all that sweet-Chocolate love! Because the shelter is closed to the public, adoption appointments are conducted through email, so contact AnimalRescue@longbeach.gov to meet and savor Chocolate. Ask for ID#A644578.

4 Ways to Help Children Recover from a Natural Disaster

A natural disaster, such as a hurricane or flood, can turn a family’s life upside down. For example, they might need to live in temporary accommodation until they can get back on their feet, which could disturb a child’s routine.

Plus, they might struggle with the emotional toll of a disaster, which could impact their wellbeing. There are steps that you can take to support kids during this difficult time. Read the four ways to help children recover from a natural disaster.

Involve Kids in the Clean-up Process

While you might believe it’s wise to distance a child from a disaster as much as possible, it could help to involve them in the clean-up process. According to one study on flooding, children who helped to clean a community after a natural disaster experienced less trauma. For instance, it could counteract any negative feelings they might associate with a flood and increase their community spirit.

Donate to the Red Cross

There are many ways that the general public can help both adults and children to recover from a natural disaster. To provide much-needed help following a flood, hurricane, or another natural disaster, the Red Cross is a great place to start. The humanitarian organization welcomes monetary donations and depends on volunteers to provide disaster relief and emergency assistance.

Look for Signs of Trauma

Children can suffer from trauma following a natural disaster, which can last from one month to many years. While many kids might display minor symptoms, some might struggle with serious psychological trauma. The more symptoms they have, the more likely they are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It is important to note that their symptoms will be different from trauma in adults, and they will also be determined by their age.

For example, children who are six years of younger might have the following symptoms:

  • Helplessness
  • Passivity
  • Regression – such as thumb sucking, separation anxiety from parents, or crying

Older children may display different behaviors, such as:

  • A short attention span
  • Emotional outbursts
  • Poor academic performance
  • A cautious or fearful attitude
  • A loss of interest in friends, studying, and hobbies

If you suspect a child is living with trauma following a natural disaster, it is imperative to obtain help from a doctor or therapist to help them recover psychologically from the unfortunate event.

Encourage Kids to Talk

It’s common for children to believe both their family and school didn’t want to listen to their experiences or worries following a disaster. They also might not want to express their feelings to avoid placing a more significant burden on their family.

It is, however, important to talk to kids after a natural disaster, even if they appear fine. Providing them with a chance to speak and articulate their emotions could help them to recover from a traumatic event at a faster rate. It might also help to make time for fun, such as playing games, which could distract them from their negative thoughts.