Posts Tagged ‘vacation’
Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world.
Maintaining a blog is oftentimes hard work but it is such a great and rewarding experience and some of the perks aren’t half bad either. However, you don’t always have to be a blogger to receive perks, especially if they are coming from CrowdTap.
Are you are active on other social networking platforms and have a lot to say? Perhaps you enjoy taking pictures or hosting great parties, if so, then you need to sign up with Crowdtap.
Crowdtap is a social media network where you can use your creativity to win gift cards and free products from big-name brands. These brands are looking for you to show and tell others how you use everyday items either through photos, videos, and writing. Rewards are then given to the top submissions.
I’ve been a Crowdtapper for a few months and on Monday, I along with several others “tappers” were rewarded with the ultimate Crowdtap sampling to date. A FREE overnight stay at a Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, courtesy of #DOAC. Most of these Crowdtappers were from New Jersey and the surrounding states including New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, I believe I was the only one from Delaware.
The invitation included a guest, but unfortunately, hubby was unable to attend due to the fact we have an air conditioning leak that needed constant attention. It was a beautiful day and Atlantic City is only a 2 hour drive so I didn’t mind making the trip solo.
After checking into a Premium room at Caesars Hotel I was able to relax for about an hour before changing clothes and then meeting our Atlantic City representatives in the lobby. From there we were taken to a #DOAC Pool Party Cocktail Reception at Golden Nugget – H2O Pool Bar and Grill.
A Jitney picked us up for this short ride to the reception where several Crowdtap reps greeted us with a #DOAC Swag Bag and Wrist Bracelet. We also received 2 tickets for a Jitney Ride and the bracelet was an identifier to receive special menu prices at certain Boardwalk bars and restaurants. The view from atop the Golden Nugget was awesome and for an hour we mingled and noshed on Beef and Vegan sliders, skewered BBQ Chicken, French Fries, Onion Rings, Salads and an open bar of beers, wines, sodas and water.
After eating and a few brief words from the Crowdtap reps we re-boarded the Jitney and headed back to the beach to check out some amazing sand sculptures.
These were just a few of the entries in the DO AC Sand Sculpting World Cup contest.
Afterwards we were on our own so I took advantage of getting some exercise by walking the miles long boardwalk, people watching, taking pictures, browsing the shops, just enjoying the beautiful night atmosphere then ending the day at the casino, losing $60 in the process!
BTW, I found people to take pictures of me after offering to take pictures of them, usually couples who were more than willing to oblige – thank you kind strangers!
I was able to capture this beautiful sunset at the sea in AC
I had all intentions of rising at 5:30 am the next day to capture the sunrise over the sea, but hit the snooze button too many times before finally getting out of bed at 8:00 am. It was still a great DOAC way to start the day, a cup of coffee, an ocean breeze and watching the waves lap the shore was an invitation to return with the family.
Before checking out at 11:00, I once again walked the boardwalk enjoying the last few hours of this mini vacation. Then I hit the road and was home exactly 2 hours later, a little more rested and thankful for having been a rewarded Crowdtapper for the day and a big thank you to #DOAC, see ya soon!
Now it’s your turn, what are you thankful for this week?
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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HELLO FRIENDS & HAPPY SUMMER 2014!!!
Are you ready to get this summer started?
If so, grab a cold drink, kick off your shoes, sit back and chillax!
It doesn’t matter whether you are going on vacation or having a staycation, as long as there is music everything will be alright!
Here is a list of my 6 favorite Summer Songs
Let’s Chat: What are your favorite summer songs?
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Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
We may have just turned the corner with the warmer temps on the horizon. Once the seasons change from winter to Spring and then to Summer, there are two things that are forefront in my mind – eating light and vacation.
Eating light while on vacation is great, but when that’s not possible, I try to make the best of it with foods that conjures up the places that I would rather be.
Today’s Friday Foodie Feature is Ceviche
There’s something about mixing lime juice, fish and cilantro that reminds me of either a Conch Salad from the Bahamas or Ceviche from Mexico. Conch is giant sea snail, which I can’t get in Middletown, but like ceviche it can also be made with scallops.
This cold appetizer is a great way for me to start a vacation even if it’s only a mental one, and if I add a cold beer…everything is right in the world!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh bay scallops – diced into quarters
- 6 limes or bottled lime juice
- 1 jalapeno pepper – diced
- 1/2 green pepper – diced
- 1 Avocado – diced
- 1/2 cup onions – diced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes – halved
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup cilantro – chopped
Dice the bay scallops into quarters, then place them into a bowl. Pour in enough lime juice to cover them all. Put plastic wrap around bowl, pressing down to ensure that all the scallops are covered and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
While the scallops are marinating or “cooking” in the lime juice prepare the other ingredients.
Remove scallops from refrigerator and bowl, do not rinse.
The scallops should be white and firm to the touch.
Drain scallops and add other ingredients, stirring to mix well
Ceviche can also be made with any other firm fleshed fish, ie, red snapper but use the freshest fish possible and make in the same day of purchase.
What foods reminds you of a Spring or Summer vacation? Come back at 6:00 p.m. and share it at the
Weekend Wind-Down Party!
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
26 Comments
Hello Friends and Happy Monday
I trust you all had a wonderful weekend and I know most of you are still on holiday which probably made it even better. Did you hit the stores and do a little more shopping or did you just stay home and relax?
I went back to work on Thursday but took off on Friday and it was mah-va-lous, I put on a pair of leggings, a tunic and no makeup, it was great.
Christmas 2013 was very nice, a little quieter than in previous years but never the less it was nice being together as a family. None of us got up before 10, and after opening our gifts we spent a lazy day watching “A Christmas Story“, eating and napping.
This was my husband’s first try at stocking stuffing and I had to laugh because mine looked as though it threw up a scarf! The Moscato was a gift from Pockets Discount Liquors and I will popping it open on New Year’s Eve.
A stadium chair for those hard bleachers at Malik’s wrestling matches; Philadelphia Eagles car mats for Tayair and another jewelry box to help me organize the top of my dresser.
Tayair received a US Polo Assn jacket and the Polaroid A8 Tablet that I purchased from Walgreens.
Baltimore Raven’s pajama bottoms, a US Polo Assn jacket and heavy duty car mats for al-Malik.
Socks (thrown a-la A Christmas Story), Old Spice and a Fireproof Safe
A bathrobe and a Gillette Set
Earrings, animal printer slippers and a watch from my mini-men
Warm tops and Hot Sauces
Gift Cards and Stockings full of sweets and a toothbrush!
Hubby would love for me to wear the scarf this way…but I say, “no way”!
Some things never change!
How was your Christmas?
Blog Hopping with Maria @ Monday Mingle
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Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!
Here we are again, the 1st Saturday of the month so you know where to find me – set up at Dutch Country Farmers Market in Middletown. I am still trying to purge household items, clothing, books, shoes anything I don’t need in order to make a few extra dollars and leave less to pack or donate when we decide to downsize.
As in most states you’ll find community yard sales, but did you know that the longest yard sale starts in North Addison, Michigan and goes through to Gadsen, Alabama? It is 690 miles long and people stake out their front yards along Hwy 127 for 4 days to sell new and used items!
According to the 127sale.com website, the yard sale officially starts the first Thursday in August and runs through to the following Sunday but this year it started on the 1st. People travel from the North, South, East and West some make it an annual event renting RV’s and camping out year after year. “An exchange of cultures with a common goal; to look, buy and sale!”
Can you imagine taking a week’s vacation to go to a Yard Sale? Oh well, I’ll just stick with my little space in the parking lot on the first Saturday of the month from April to November!
Flea Markets are fun because you never know what you’ll find!
Tastefully Simple Consultant Keira Miller
For the ultimate shoe lover!
This school desk is refinished, but did you ever carve your initials into yours?
Have a fantastical day – Smooches!
12 Comments
Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!
Here we are again, the 1st Saturday of the month so you know where to find me – set up at Dutch Country Farmers Market in Middletown. I am still trying to purge household items, clothing, books, shoes anything I don’t need in order to make a few extra dollars and leave less to pack or donate when we decide to downsize.
As in most states you’ll find community yard sales, but did you know that the longest yard sale starts in North Addison, Michigan and goes through to Gadsen, Alabama? It is 690 miles long and people stake out their front yards along Hwy 127 for 4 days to sell new and used items!
According to the 127sale.com website, the yard sale officially starts the first Thursday in August and runs through to the following Sunday but this year it started on the 1st. People travel from the North, South, East and West some make it an annual event renting RV’s and camping out year after year. “An exchange of cultures with a common goal; to look, buy and sale!”
Can you imagine taking a week’s vacation to go to a Yard Sale? Oh well, I’ll just stick with my little space in the parking lot on the first Saturday of the month from April to November!
Flea Markets are fun because you never know what you’ll find!
Tastefully Simple Consultant Keira Miller
For the ultimate shoe lover!
This school desk is refinished, but did you ever carve your initials into yours?
Have a fantastical day – Smooches!
13 Comments
On Friday I had the pleasure of spending the day with my girlfriend, her mother and her daughter, 3 generations on a mission to thrift 2 outfits for less than $10.00 each from The Salvation Army Family Store. Driving north in the drizzling rain to Wilmington in anticipation of thrifting was a great way to start my vacation day.
The layout of The Salvation Army Family Store made it easy to maneuver the shopping carts throughout the floor and in between the racks, making it easier to locate bargains. We started at the front racks, filled with skirts, blazers, pants and tops organized by color and then worked our way back to the dresses, finding both casual and dressier attire.
The price points for clothing at The Salvation Army Family Store is higher than that of Goodwill but there are still bargains to be had. I found a pair of new, white Liz Claiborne jeans for $4.99, a perfect wardrobe addition for the summer! The “color of the day” was pink, which meant 50% off all clothing and shoes with a pink tag, and we each found at least one pink tag item.
The shoe racks were filled with a variety including Anne Klein, Steve Madden and Nine West pumps, Merrell Ortholite, Skechers and Enzo Angioline sandals, which I purchased, a little pricey at $14.99, but still a bargain because they can originally sell for $59.00.
Thrifting with the 3 generations of ladies at The Salvation Army Family Store was enjoyable as well as satisfying knowing that our purchases would be helping the Adult Rehabilitation Program. The Salvation Army’s mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and it was refreshing to hear the overhead announcement, “Welcome to The Salvation Army Family Store…Have a Blessed Day”
Clothing is not all you’ll find!
3 Generations Saving at The Salvation Army
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Hello Friends and Happy Friday Eve!
Today is actually my Friday as I will officially be on vacation starting at 5:00 p.m. today until next Tuesday- que up the Flintstone’s theme song – YabbaDabbaDoo!!! I can’t believe it’s the Memorial Day Weekend already, seems like only yesterday it was Easter. I guess it’s true what they say, the older you get the faster time passes. Oh and before I have another senior moment – Congratulations to all the parents of the Class of 2013, you did an excellent job and should be very proud of yourself!
Today’s outfit is a floral dress thrifted from GW Boutique and sandals from Payless, which by the way is having a major sale, and don’t forget to show your AAA Card for an additional 10% off.
Joan Rivers Classic Collection Watch – QVC Outlet
What are your plans for the long weekend?
Have fun but be safe this holiday weekend!
Linking up today with Thrifters Anonymous – come on over and join the fun.
Have a fantabulous day – Smooches!
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Heading out of town on vacation and feel the need to thrift but don’t know where to go?
There’s an app for that!
Find the nearest Goodwill location on-the-go with their new mobile app for Android and iOS devices!
Enable your phone’s geolocation services to see a list of Goodwill locations near you, or search by entering your address information. You’ll also see hours for each location and the various types of services they offer.
Download the free app today and be on your way!
Happy thrifting and remember to only use hands-free devices while driving!
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Hello Friends and Happy April Fool’s Day
This was the last day of my mini vacation and I couldn’t have asked for a nicer day. I was able to turn off the heat, open the windows and enjoy warm sunshine with a light breeze.
Black and White Top – GW Boutique (Goodwill) // Pants – closet staple // Mossimo Cap Toe Pumps – Target
Hair up – Heels Down
Hanging out today with Life of Meg – join in on the fun and meet a new blogger!
Have a fantabulous afternoon – Smooches!
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I was able to capture this beautiful sunset at the sea in AC
