Snowland Returns to Great Wolf Lodge at Charlotte/Concord

If you're looking for somewhere to visit with your family this holiday season, Great Wolf Lodge at Concord is hosting its annual Snowland celebration. It runs from November 26th to January 1st. The resort is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with indoor snow showers and spectacular decorations.

Great Wolf Lodge’s month-long winter celebration, Snowland, offers festive activities from visits with Santa and Mrs. Clause to indoor snow showers to a Polar Wolf Walk. For a truly delectable experience, visitors are invited to dine inside the resort’s life-size gingerbread house. Other activities are Santa’s Letter Depot, North Pole University with holiday themed projects and the Great Clock Tower Holiday Show and Story Time.

Featuring more than 5,000 candies, 600 pounds of gingerbread dough and 1,320 pounds of sugar, the life-size gingerbread house is baked, iced and candied to absolute perfection, setting the scene for a memorable holiday feast. The appetizing walls of the lodge-baked abode have as much heart as taste, as the proceeds for each meal go to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Guests can opt to stay in festive Snowland Suites, complete with twinkling lights, glimmering garland, a fully decorated tree, oversized snowflakes and a copy of Great Wolf Lodge’s story book, “Unique as a Snowflake.” As a special treat, Wiley and Violet the Wolf hand deliver cookies and milk to each Snowland Suite nightly to help guests end the day with a super sweet surprise.

Adults can receive their own special delivery of Wine Down Service. The menu, developed by Great Wolf Lodge and The Wine Group, features both sweet and savory culinary treats with wine pairings that can be delivered to the guestrooms after children go to bed. To avoid waking up the kiddos, a “pack member” sends a text announcing the delivery is on its way rather than knocking.

Here are some of the fun activities they have in store: 

• Cookies with Mrs. Claus, where children decorate cookies in the life-size Gingerbread House with Santa’s leading lady.
• Hot Cocoa with a Great Wolf Kid for an afternoon sip. Kids can customize their cocoa by adding fun toppings, or a favorite adult libation for the parents.
• The Snow ‘n’ Glow Dance Party, the chance to prance and dance the evening away with neon glow sticks under falling snowflakes.
• Festive Family Flicks, a time to wind the night down by cozying up with the family and watching a holiday movie in the Grand Lobby.

About Great Wolf Lodge:

Great Wolf Lodge is North America’s largest family of indoor water park resorts, and through its subsidiaries and affiliates, owns and operates family resorts under the Great Wolf Lodge brand.  Great Wolf Resorts is a fully integrated resort company with Great Wolf Lodge locations in: Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; Sandusky, Ohio; Traverse City, Mich.; Kansas City, Kan.; Williamsburg, Va.; Pocono Mountains, Pa.; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada; Mason, Ohio; Grapevine, Texas; Grand Mound, Wash.; Fitchburg, Mass., Charlotte, N.C.; Garden Grove, Calif. and Colorado Springs, Colo. Additional resorts planned include Bloomington, Minn. (late 2017), LaGrange, Ga. (late spring 2018) and Gurnee, Ill. (summer 2018).

Get An Early Start On Your Holiday Shopping With Our $100 Fall Giveaway

I can't believe that we are nearing the end of October already. I always say that once November comes, you might as well kiss the year goodbye. The time goes so quickly and the holiday season gets into full swing. I am not ready! Are you ready? In the event you're ready to get some early holiday shopping out of the way, we have a great giveaway for you. I've teamed up with a group of fabulous bloggers to give you the chance to win $100.

It's so easy enter. Check out the details below. 

How to enter: There are 10 Instagram accounts. Follow one or all but the more accounts you follow the more entries you’ll receive. If you’re already a follower of an account, claim that entry! This giveaway starts October 20 at midnight EST and ends November 4 at 11:59 PM EST. Entrants must be USA residents and at least 18 years old. One winner will be randomly selected from all qualifying entries and contacted via the email they provide. The email will come from joannegreco at gmail. The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The prize is $100 in Paypal or Amazon online gift card, winner’s choice.
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Give The Gift Of Khortytsa Vodka This Holiday Season

The holiday season is quickly approaching and will be here and gone before you know it. It's time to start making those gift lists for family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. One of my favorite gifts to give to my over-21 friends is the 'gift of spirits'. Vodka is one of the most popular adult beverages that is the base of many of the cocktails we love. Whether it's a martini, mule, or in a Long Island iced tea, you have to start with the good stuff.

I was introduced to brand I have never heard of or tried recently. Ukraine’s famed Khortytsa (KHOR) Vodka is the world’s third-largest vodka brand and is now widely available in the American market. They offer a few different varieties and I received a cute gift pack with a bottle each of the Platinum and Pepper Honey Hot varieties.

The packaging makes this an excellent choice for easy gift-giving. You can simply add a bow or put it in a decorative bag, and you're done! If you want to make it a bigger gift, you can include items for mixing such as cranberry juice, tomato juice, a jar of olives, or a nice glass for serving.

My favorite way to enjoy Khortytsa Platinum vodka is shaken with either 100% cranberry or pomegranate juice, garnished with an orange slice. It is super smooth and kind of 'hits you' after the fact. Any vodka lover would enjoy the sophisticated and smooth taste. I am often surprised that a vodka at a lower price point can actually be this smooth.

Here are some details about each variety:

• This holiday season, the brand is available in a variety of gift boxes that feature a 750-mL bottle and a 100-mL sample.
• Khortytsa Platinum, which is the most popular item in the line, is available in a handsome gift box with a 100-mL sample of Khortytsa Platinum for a suggested retail price of $14.99.
• Khortytsa Honey Pepper, which offers a spicy zing to a variety of cocktails, is also available in an attractive gift set with a 100-mL on-pack of Khortytsa Platinum for the same price.
• A gift pack of Khortytsa Ice, specially formulated to be served frozen -- with the bottle turning blue when chilled -- features two branded shot glasses for $14.99.
• Finally, Khortytsa De Luxe – the line’s “super premium” vodka for connoisseurs -- has a stunning new gift box for a suggested retail of $19.99.

I am really loving these prices, especially for gift-giving. I can really stay within a reasonable budget.

For more information on Khortytsa Vodka, as well as recipes visit www.khor.com. Be sure to follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for product updates and promotions.

Why Your Child Will Love Magic Sketch!

There's no denying that we live in the digital era. Everything from ordering our groceries, asking Siri or Alexa questions for help, and scheduling our doctors appointments can be done instantly from our digital devices. There are some things that can not be replaced by technology and that is good old-fashioned play time. Kids really need to be engaged in hands-on activities that encourage using their imagination to really learn and grow. 

We recently received the Magic Sketch for review, and my son was thrilled when we opened the box. Magic Sketch is a very simply yet super cool art tablet. There is no real assembly involved, so your child can start using it right away. Magic Sketch comes with a battery already installed, and lasts for years. This means your child can doodle and erase as much as they want! 

How does Magic Sketch work?

You simply use any of the included writing instruments or art tools to write or doodle on the the liquid crystal screen. There are templates included that offer a variety of games, drawing stencils, and learning stencils to practice handwriting, math skills, and more. The stamps and roller are very fun for learning patterns and repetition for younger kids. 

When your child is done drawing or writing, they simply push the button on the top and everything is magically erased!  

My son loves Magic Sketch as a tool to use for practicing or working out math problems. It is super convenient to use during his homeschool lessons. He is not big on art, so he enjoys using the drawing templates to trace pictures and shapes as well as creating his own works of art. Magic Sketch is very helpful to encourage fine motor and writing skills in younger children. The templates are easy to take out and replace, so kids can use it independently depending on their age. Another great thing is that you can make your own stencils according to what your child is interested in or learning at the time. 

Perks of the Magic Sketch

• No messy markers or crayons involved
• Perfect as a practice tablet for homeschoolers
• Great for travel and long road trips
• Kids can entertain themselves and parents don't have to supervise
• It's waterproof, unlike traditional tablets
• No recharging ever, and long battery life (7 years!)
• Makes a great gift for birthdays or holidays 

Where can you get Magic Sketch and what do you get? 

Each Magic Sketch retails for $29.95 and includes:

• Magic Sketch
• Protector Guard
• 1 Roller
• 3 Stamps
• 20 Learning Stencils
• 20 Games Stencils
• 20 Art Stencils

You can purchase it here and this is expected to be a HOT item for the 2017 holiday gifting season. My child loves his Magic Sketch and I think yours will, too. Any child would love to find this under the tree! Just be warned: Adults LOVE Magic Sketch, too! 

Wireless In-Ear Headphones From Audio-Technica Review

Do you find yourself having to take phone calls at the most inopportune times? Although I do not drive as often as my daughters and husband, it seems like my phone always rings when I am behind the wheel. I usually will quickly answer the call and tell the person I will call them back because I refuse to drive with a phone in hand. We have those pesky in-ear corded headphones that always seem to be a tangled mess the day you need them. Those days are now long gone. Now we have the most amazing wireless in-ear headphones with noise canceling technology that are ready for you to have a safer driving experience. 

Introducing the QuietPoint® wireless in-ear headphones from Audio-Technica. They combine their proprietary active noise-cancelling technology with Bluetooth® wireless technology to give you greater freedom and listening pleasure in areas of high ambient noise. 

My husband is the lucky recipient of these headphones and he will be the first to tell you that these prevent nagging from your wife. You see, I always have to get on him about not talking while driving. His line of work requires him to be on the phone for a great portion of the day, even after hours. I feel better knowing that he is hands-free for when he has to work on the go. And let me tell you, the sound quality when he calls me using them is crystal clear! You would never know he had bluetooth headphones on. 

These high-end headphones come packaged beautifully and includes silicone eartips (XS/S/M/L), 1.0 m (3.3') USB charging cable, airplane adapter, and a protective pouch. 

Here are some specifics: 

• QuietPoint® active noise-cancelling technology reduces environmental noise by up to 90%
• Reliable Bluetooth® wireless technology with in-line mic and controls for answering/ending calls, controlling music & video playback and adjusting volume on Bluetooth wireless devices
• 13.5 mm drivers offer a premium listening experience
• Connects to two Bluetooth wireless devices simultaneously; remembers up to eight devices
• Employs aptX® sound-improvement technology, specifically created to yield the best-possible audio performance over Bluetooth transmission
• Included 1.2 m (3.9') cable with 3.5 mm stereo mini-plug allows wired use of headphones when battery has lost charge or in Bluetooth-free zones (e.g., in airplanes or hospitals)
• Lightweight, portable design is ideal for travel
• On a full charge, internal battery provides continuous use for up to 8 hours (Bluetooth wireless and noise-cancelling), 13 hours (Bluetooth wireless only), 24 hours (noise-cancelling only), or 100 hours (standby)

My husband never leaves home without his headphones now. He loves that they are super lightweight and don't look tacky like some of those clunky ones do. That's perfect since he works in a professional environment. He said that they connect with ease and the charge lasts a long time. Of course he loves using them to listen to music and podcasts. 

These wireless in-ear headphones by Audio-Technica would make the perfect gift for new drivers, college students, or for spouses who think you nag (giggle). They would make the perfect gift for the holidays. I feel confident that anyone would love them. You can purchase them here for $129.99. If you spend $49 or more, you can receive FREE* shipping! *applies to standard-priced goods only.