Get myCharge Portable Charger For Your Small Digital Devices

I am sure that most everyone is familiar with or owns a wearable fitness device that tracks your physical activity. We are a Fitbit family and we all try our best to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Okay, I lied a little. We love to compete and talk trash over who took the most steps each day. Hey, there's nothing wrong with a little family competition that contributes to better physical health! 😉

The one downside to fitness trackers is when you are running low on battery power. Now there is a convenient, portable item that will charge and store your devices and cords with ease. Introducing the PowerGear Sport by myCharge. The PowerGear Sport has a built-in USB port so that a variety of devices can be charged, including most smartphones as well as wearables. So this item is a must if you’re always on the go and find your devices are in need of extra battery life. 

This case is so great because you can keep your charging cords and extra bands organized and easy to find when you need it! This is a must-have if you travel a lot.

We have a few road trips to go on before the year is over, and I will be taking this along for the ride. It is so convenient and is rechargeable too! All you have to do is insert the included USB cord into the side of case and then into an electric power plug. It will juice it back up in no time.

I love how my charging case matches my Fitbit 

The PowerGear Sport retails for $29.99 and would make a great gift for teens, college students, fitness lovers, gadget geeks or just about anyone on your holiday list. I believe practical and useful gifts are the way to go! You can purchase one here. They come in either grey or grey/pink. I'm confident the recipient will LOVE this gift. 😍

Disclosure: I received a product sample in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 

Give the Gift of Fun With LEGOLAND® Florida Resort Deals From Black Friday - Cyber Monday

This holiday shopping season, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is giving thanks to fans with an awesome assortment of deals and discounts starting on Black Friday (Friday, Nov. 25) and continuing through Cyber Monday (Monday, Nov. 28).

Brick FridayThat’s right — instead of one can’t-miss deal on each of the traditional days for extraordinary savings, the place #BuiltForKids is launching multiple, simultaneous offers on the day we’ve dubbed Brick Friday. Give the gift of fun with savings on everything from multiple-use tickets to annual passes, and stays at the popular LEGOLAND Hotel and the eagerly awaited LEGOLAND Beach Retreat.

Here’s what’s in store:

Visit twice and the second day is free!

Purchase a theme park ticket for the low price of $71 (plus tax) to enjoy all the festive fun of our annual holiday party, Christmas Bricktacular, then come back for free to “become the ninja” when the all-new LEGO® NINJAGO® World opens Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017!

This exclusive ticket only can be purchased online and cannot be combined with other offers or transferred to existing reservations. The first theme park visit must occur Dec. 17-18, 24-31, and the second visit must occur between Jan. 1 and April 6, 2017. Admission to LEGOLAND Water Park is not included. Maximum six tickets per purchase.

Get an Awesomer Annual Pass at the Awesome Pass price!

Purchase an Awesomer Annual Pass (valued at $149 plus tax) for the Awesome Annual Pass price of $99 plus tax — a $50 savings! Benefits include a year of unlimited admission to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park, LEGOLAND Water Park, The Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando, SEA LIFE Aquarium Orlando, and Atlanta’s LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

You also get free parking, a collector’s edition welcome kit, early access to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park, a 10 percent discount on theme park dining, retail purchases, stays at LEGOLAND Hotel and the all-new LEGOLAND Beach Retreat, VIP Experiences, Premium Upgrades and Premium Play Bands, plus $15 off theme park tickets for up to six guests.

The special $99 price is only available online and is valid only for new annual pass purchases and cannot be combined with other offers. Maximum six Awesomer Annual Passes per purchase. Please note that passes must be activated in person at the theme park within 60 days of purchase.

Annual passholders save big at LEGOLAND Hotel and LEGOLAND Beach Retreat!

Current annual passholders can save 30 percent off a stay at the “Five-Gazillion-Star” LEGOLAND Hotel, including all room types and themes, and the whimsical bungalows at LEGOLAND Beach Retreat, which is set to open in mid-2017. This unbeatable deal is valid for LEGOLAND Hotel stays from Jan. 1 through April 6, 2017, and for LEGOLAND Beach Retreat stays from June 1 through Sept. 3, 2017.

These discounts cannot be combined with other offers or transferred to existing reservations. An active annual pass must be presented at check-in to receive the discounted rate.

Stay awhile and save!

Meanwhile, through the end of December, non-passholders can take 20 percent off an exclusive room-and-ticket package for stays at LEGOLAND Hotel and LEGOLAND Beach Retreat.

Each package requires a minimum two-night stay and includes a two-day ticket to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park per person, with the second day free! Admission to LEGOLAND Water Park is sold separately.

Stays at both accommodations include a buffet breakfast each morning for all guests listed on the reservation (not including check-in day) and exclusive early access to the theme park.

The 20 percent discount is available for LEGOLAND Hotel packages from Jan. 2 through May 26, 2017, and for LEGOLAND Beach Retreat packages from June 1 through Sept. 3, 2017. Be sure to check the resort’s operating calendar online before booking as the theme park is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during select seasons.

The fine print:

To be among the first to participate in these incredible deals, sign up now at www.LEGOLAND.com/brickfriday. Everyone signed up as of Thursday, Nov. 24 will receive an email with links to the eligible offers starting Friday, Nov. 25.

All offers are subject to limited availability and may sell out. Note that due to fraud protections, the same credit card cannot be used more than once within a 24-hour period, so shop wisely!

For more information about visiting LEGOLAND Florida Resort, including savings on advance purchase of admission tickets, multi-tier annual passes, special events, educational programs, services for guests with disabilities, VIP Experiences, Premium Upgrades, military discounts, on-site accommodations and much more, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/florida.

7 Hacks For The Perfect Road Trip

Going on a road trip has its pros and cons. Pros, you’re going on an awesome adventure; cons, it can be costly. Here are some hacks you can try to balance those pros and cons to reach vacation nirvana.

1. Download a gas app: One of the most costly aspects of any road trip, especially in this economy, is gas. When you’re travelling in an unfamiliar area, it’s hard to know where to stop for the most frugal fill-up. To aid in your decision, you can download GasBuddy or Gas Guru, only two of the several gas pricing apps. These apps display the location and gas prices of gas stations near you. Most apps like these are free and update pretty regularly, so you won’t be deceived when you pull up at the pump.

2. Take side stops: Have you ever gone on a trip and passed signs for museums or monuments that you think would be awesome to see in person? Allot time in your travel to make a few stops on the way to your destination. It will not only keep you entertained throughout your trip, but it will also give you a chance to stretch your legs and learn something new.

3. Gassing up a rented or borrowed car: Chances are, if you’ve never driven a car, you probably don’t remember which side the gas tank is on. If you do forget, look at the gas gauge. There is an arrow that will point to whichever side of the car the gas tank is on. This will save you a tiny bit of time and hassle when you have to stop at the pump.

4. Stay awake while night driving: If you’re feeling sleepy, it’s probably best to switch drivers or check in to a hotel. But if you’re feeling only a little drowsy, try listening to comedians on your road trip. Odds are, the comedian will keep you laughing and their jokes will keep you engaged, chuckling and most importantly, awake, all the way home.

5. Know North from South: If you’re old school and like following paper directions instead of having a little square computer yell at you to turn, you know that your passenger might end up telling you a wrong direction by mistake. Remember that interstates and highways with odd numbers run North to South, and interstates with even numbers run East to West. If you get mixed up, this will help you get back on track, or at least in the right direction, in a jiffy.

6. Cool down hot cars quickly: In the dead of summer, stopping for only five minutes for a quick bathroom break can leave your car unbearably hot. To cool down a hot car in seconds, roll down one window all the way and open and close the car door directly across from that window a few times. This will force hot air out of the car.

7. Know where to get directions: When asking for directions, some people gravitate towards gas stations. However, the best place to ask for directions is a restaurant with a delivery service. Stop in at Pizza Hut or Dominos to ask for directions. Odds are, they have a driver waiting for a delivery who can give you quick and easy directions to a destination in the area.

With these seven road trip travel hacks, you’ll be ready to hit the road for the vacay of a lifetime. For more tips on all things car related, visit Blitzify.com, check out their blog, and download the Blitzify app that is revolutionizing the way motorists search and shop for automotive services.

About Blitzify 
Blitzify is a new mobile application that connects customers and automotive service providers through a comprehensive and innovative mobile platform that is changing the way people buy and sell automotive services. The app merges data from local market research, information from service providers, special offers, testimonials and ratings and reviews from customers into a user-friendly interface giving the user out-the-door, real time price comparisons.  For more information, visit www.blitzify.com.

Become the Ninja When LEGO NINJAGO World Opens Jan. 12, 2017 at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

I wanted to pass along some exciting news to all my readers who are LEGO® NINJAGO® fans. Starting Jan. 12, 2017, kids are invited to enter a magical martial arts kingdom where you become the ninja in your very own LEGO® NINJAGO® [NIN-JAH-GO] adventure when a whole new theme park land opens at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort.

LEGO NINJAGO World will add an immersive area filled with several hands-on, outdoor activities where kids can sharpen their ninja skills before the ultimate showdown on LEGO NINJAGO The Ride, a dazzling new attraction that blends 3D computer animation, “4D” effects and groundbreaking technology never seen outside a LEGOLAND theme park.

Inspired by the popular LEGO building sets and the “LEGO NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu” TV show, LEGO NINJAGO World puts guests at the center of the action in lots of fun ways:

LEGO NINJAGO The Ride — a state-of-the-art “dark ride” where guests score points using ninja hand moves to blast animated fireballs, lightning and more at waves of 3D villains
Zane’s Temple Build — a giant LEGO building experience where kids can contribute to a model of a mountaintop NINJAGO monastery
Kai’s Spinners — master the ancient art of Spinjitzu at these twirling, whirling, single-person platforms
Cole’s Rock Climb — an outdoor climbing wall to test kids’ balance and endurance
Jay’s Lightning Drill — measure your reflexes with these “lightning fast” light-up targets

The lushly landscaped area also will feature daily meet-and-greet opportunities with sibling ninjas Kai and Nya [NEE-AH], and Wu’s Warehouse, a themed retail shop stuffed with LEGO NINJAGO building sets, toys, clothing, souvenirs and more.

LEGO NINJAGO The RideAssisted by Kai and Nya, LEGOLAND Florida Resort General Manager Adrian Jones announced the land’s grand opening date on the eve of the resort’s fifth birthday, continuing the largest period of growth and expansion in its history.

Since opening Oct. 15, 2011, the place #BuiltForKids has added LEGOLAND Water Park (May 2012), LEGO Star Wars™ Miniland Model Display (November 2012), LEGO World of Chima™ (July 2013), DUPLO® Valley (May 2014), LEGOLAND Hotel (May 2015) and Heartlake City (June 2015). In addition, the resort has unveiled several phased restorations of the historic Cypress Gardens, which celebrated its 80th anniversary earlier this year.

Along with LEGO NINJAGO World, construction continues on LEGOLAND Beach Retreat, which will more than double the resort’s on-site accommodations when its whimsically themed bungalows open in mid-2017. Guests currently can make reservations for stays from June 1-Sept. 4, 2017, with rates starting at $182 per night. A grand opening date and associated festivities will be announced at a later date, along with additional amenities.

For more information about visiting LEGOLAND Florida Resort, including savings on advance purchase of admission tickets, multi-tier annual passes, special events, VIP experiences, educational programs, services for guests with disabilities, on-site accommodations and much more, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/florida.

About LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Built for kids 2-12, this multi-day vacation destination located just 45 minutes from Orlando and Tampa includes an interactive, 150-acre theme park with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, a world-famous botanical garden and the 5-acre LEGOLAND Water Park. LEGOLAND Hotel, located just steps from the theme park entrance, features 152 rooms and suites, each with its own LEGO® theme and some with beautiful views of nearby Lake Eloise. Opening in 2017 is LEGO NINJAGO World, an immersive theme park land with a groundbreaking, interactive ride inspired by the popular LEGO building sets and TV show, and LEGOLAND Beach Retreat, a lakefront resort with 83 themed bungalows offering 166 separate accommodations. LEGOLAND Florida Resort is a part of the Merlin Entertainments Group (LONDON: MERL).

School Trips Becoming Too Expensive for Parents

School trips are part and parcel of school life. We all remember going on residential visits with school. I know I do. When I was 11, my entire Year 6 class flew to Switzerland for a week and we had a fabulous time learning about glaciers and listening to the cow bells jingle in the early mornings. I am sure my parents probably had to scrimp and scrape to be able to afford the trip, but they managed and I was lucky enough to go.

A Once in a Lifetime Experience

That was an exceptional trip, a once in a lifetime experience, and something I still remember many years later. Back then, trips like this were a rarity and were often subsidised by the school. These days it is becoming increasingly common for schools to organise prohibitively expensive field trips for students. Parents often have to borrow the money to pay for the trip (for more information about the latest loan rates, click the link), but a survey carried out two years ago has found that many parents are saying they cannot afford the cost of school trips.

Examination Course Field Trips

The older your child is, the more likely they are to be asked to go on field trips as part of their examination course. Some subjects, for example geography, expect students to conduct research out in the field. This type of educational trip is a valuable part of the course, but the problem is that many parents cannot afford to pay and are discouraging their child to take the subject, even if they are interested in doing so.

Schools are even asking parents to fund other, non-essential field trips to museums, art galleries and the theatre. Music lessons also fall into this category. To study music, students usually have to play an instrument, which means parents have to pay for lessons, instrument hire, and examinations. The cost of this can be exorbitant.

Expensive Foreign Trips

The cost of educational trips to foreign countries is also on the rise. It is not uncommon for parents to be asked to find £1,000 or more to pay for a trip abroad. For many families, this represents their budget for a family holiday, so if the child is allowed to go, nobody else gets a holiday that year.

For kids with two parents who both earn a good living, paying for school trips and educational extras is not a problem, but if a child comes from a single parent family subsisting on benefits or a low income, the cost is prohibitive. Consequently, it is not surprising that many parents say they can’t afford it and refuse to let their child participate. Expensive field trips are simply not accessible for many parents.

There is very little parents can do if the school asks them to fund an expensive field trip for their child, other than say no. Some schools have a hardship fund, which is designed to subsidise children from poorer families, but if you both work, you probably won’t qualify for assistance.

Where Do The Smart Families Go When They Visit The UK?

Little old England. It’s a place that many of us want to visit at some point if we haven’t been already. But where should we go once we reach the island’s shores? After all, there are so many places to see and things to do crammed into such as tiny space. Here’s where the smart families go when they visit the UK.

Yorkshire

Why do so many visitors flock to Yorkshire each year? Well, there really is no place like in on Earth. Yorkshire is an area renowned for its strong identity and culture. This is a place where you’ll find some of the best restaurants and attractions in the country. In fact, there are more Michelin-starred restaurants per head here than in any other part of the country.

The great thing about Yorkshire is that it is full of wide open spaces and even a couple of wildernesses. North Yorkshire is far from the hustle and bustle of life in the South East. If you visit, make sure you go to the North York Moors. Here you’ll experience what it truly means to traverse an English wilderness. The Moors themselves are all but deserted. To the south, you’ll find little market towns, like Pickering and Malton. And you can stop off her for a classic pub lunch or fish and chips. The perfect finish to a family adventure.

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If you prefer, you can swap the bleak beauty of the Moors, for the lush, sweeping valleys of the Dales. The Dales are about fifty miles to the West of the Moors. Yet this is a landscape with an utterly different feel and character. It’s also the home of Wensleydale cheese. There’s a good lad, Gromit!

Blackpool

Blackpool has been drawing in the crowds for well over a hundred years now. And the coastal seaside town is still going strong as the UK’s most famous family resort. Blackpool tourism is fuelled by a combination of the beach, the attractions, and the rides. The seafront is littered with arcades and amusements for all the family. Many Brits make a habit of going to Blackpool every year because there is nothing quite like it. It’s a must-visit on any whistlestop tour of the UK.

But Blackpool isn’t just about getting an adrenaline fix or a tan. It is also a town that knows how to put on a show. Every year thousands of people flock to see shows on everything from magic to hypnotism. There is something for everybody in your family.

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Lake District 

The Lake District is the UK’s finest exhibition of natural beauty. Here you’ll find the country’s biggest lakes and tallest mountains. But you’ll also find a charm and at atmosphere which is verging on the magical. The Lake District, a couple of hours drive north of Blackpool, covers an area about twice the size of London. Packed into this small space are thousands of hotels and pubs, waiting to meet the needs of tourists.

This is the type of place that you go if you’re a family that loves adventure. Here you’ll find some of the best walking in the whole of Britain. You can walk around any one of a dozen lakes, including Windermere and Derwentwater. Or you can climb a mountain trail, what the Brits call footpaths, for stunning views. The best views can be had from the top of Catbells near Derwentwater and the Old Man near Coniston.

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The Lake District was a place that inspired the famous eighteenth-century poet, William Wordsworth. The grandeur of the lakes inspired Wordsworth to put its majesty into words. Now there’s a museum in the small town of Cockermouth, dedicated to his legacy.

Suffolk

If you want a UK beach holiday, Suffolk is the place to go. It’s far enough from London to avoid the crowds. And it hosts some of the UK’s finest seaside towns. There are no doubt, places in the world with better weather. But if you want to go to beaches with real history and charm, you can’t beat Suffolk. Frinton is a popular destination on the Suffolk coast. At this old Quaker town, you’ll find a sandy beach with a long promenade. There is a fish and chip shop, of course. And plenty of space to park. Go further up the coast, and you’ll end up at Southwold. This has a stony beach. But it’s an area famous for its amber jewelry.

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Finally, you can visit the Broads. Here’s a place where the family can get up close with nature. It’s one of the UK’s richest areas of wildlife. Here you can get up close with hundreds of rare species.

Making Sure Your Big Family Holiday Goes Off Without a Hitch

Most people have family scattered across the country. Even when they’re scattered across the state, that can still mean they’re pretty out of reach. In these situations, people find that they only get to see all of their family at things like weddings or funerals.

But why wait for either of those things to occur? Why not consider making a family reunion happen yourself? Better yet, why not arrange a family reunion vacation? These sorts of vacations are very popular in America, given the country’s sheer size and potential for great vacations.

Here’s a quick guide to getting it all set up!

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Pick a suitable resort

If you’re having a family reunion, then I imagine you’re going to be with a lot of people! This can make finding the right accommodation a little tricky. For some families, it’s a simple as going to the same hotel. This usually splits them up across the building quite a bit, though. Many families will try going to different hotels in the same area.

But to make the whole thing easier, you should probably consider resorts that expect guests to come in large packs. Thankfully, there are several of them dotted all over the country! Many of them also contain a bunch of activities for everyone, if you don’t feel like arranging all of that yourself. From golf resorts to mountain range getaways, there are plenty of places tailored to family reunions. Of course, you could eschew a resort altogether and go on a family reunion cruise across the ocean!

Arrange transport

Family reunions can get pretty darn big. And, as I’m sure you know, using public transport with a lot of people is somewhat of a hassle. In fact, even using public transport alone is usually a massive hassle!

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For this step, it really depends how far you’re going and how familiar people are with the area. If it’s close enough for everyone to take a car, then that might work out for you. But if you’d prefer to keep things as smooth as possible, you might want to consider other options. For example, you could look into renting a charter bus from somewhere like GOGO Bus Charters. That’s pretty much all the benefits of public transport with none of the negatives! (Except, of course, for the fact that one of you has to drive it!)

Keep a loose schedule

A loose schedule? Surely the key to good planning is a strict schedule? The problem with a strict schedule with this sort of vacation is that it’s destined to fall apart. Sure, you’re going to have certain things on your itinerary that you want everyone to do. But with that many people, there’s simply too much opportunity for timing to be off.

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When people are catching up with family members who they haven’t seen in years, the conversations are going to be long. People are going to be very busy catching up and taking part in the arranged activities. You’ve also got to account for the sheer variety of interests. One activity is sure to enthrall some members of the family, but other members might want to move onto something else nearby. So keep it loose and fun!

How I Learned To Go Out And Live Freely With Impressa #TriedImpressa

Today's post is sponsored by Poise, but all opinions are my own

I don't know what has happened to me since I turned 40. I'm not the same person I was a few years ago. I feel like a new woman crept into my body and oddly enough, I feel younger in many ways. I have a lot more confidence and spunk. I really do believe that 40 is the new 20 except.... well some things have indeed changed. I have talked about it before, but didn't fully accept it until this year. My body just isn't the same. I've had 3 children. I have endless stretch marks, cellulite, and all sorts of other physical imperfections. I have accepted that those things are a part of life and heredity.

I do have one very embarrassing issue though. I love to laugh, play and live life to fullest. I just don't appreciate the little side effect of *ahem* leaking a little pee. >>insert wide-eyed emoji here<< Yep, every time I'm hanging out with my college daughters, there is a 110% chance that a lot of laughter will be had. I ALWAYS have to cross my legs and beg them to stop their shenanigans before I pee myself. They always say, "You better make sure you have your Poise". Hmmph! Well, lucky for me, I have Poise Impressa Bladder Supports.

You may recall me talking about Impressa recently. I have had the chance to test out the different sizes to find the right fit for me. Impressa bladder supports are used like you would a tampon, except they aren't designed to absorb. Instead, they help stop leaks before they happen. Check out some of the stories in the short video:


It's the season now where many of us will be spending time outdoors and you certainly don't want your LBL (light bladder leakage) to get in your way. I love walking along the beach as often as I can all summer long and Impressa is a must have! I was in Walmart recently and I found it on rollback (excluding the sizing kit).

This was a great opportunity to stock up on my size. After trying all 3 from the sizing kit, I found that size 1 is what I needed.

I carry Impressa with me in my purse, beach/pool bag, and my travel bag. It has really helped me feel like I can laugh, play, and truly live freely. Be sure to stop by your local Walmart store and look for Poise Impressa Bladder Supports on the feminine product aisle. Start with the sizing kit so you can figure out which size works best for you.

Now you can laugh, jump, sneeze, cough, and play without fear of leaks. I encourage you to give Impressa a try to see if it works for you. Hey, it's cheaper and less embarrassing than going to the doctor. I'm glad it works for me. Have questions? Go to the FAQ's section and learn more.

Have you tried Impressa?

Save Big With Groupon Coupons

Today's post is sponsored, but all opinions are my own as always.

Whether you have a small or large family, one thing we all have in common is saving money where we can. We have a rule in our house that if it's not on sale or a major necessity, you can't buy it. When it comes to trips or getaways, the same rule applies. A great tool for going away at a reasonable price has been looking for deals with Groupon Coupons. You can find everything from quick day trips in your area, to weekend getaways for couples or even the whole family at discounted rates. When you are on a tight budget and want to travel, Groupon Coupons can help save you some money.  After all, who doesn't love saving money?

Besides travel destinations, Groupon Coupons can help you save at the places you already spend money at, both in-store and online. You can score great deals at stores like Kohl's, Macy's, Foot Locker, Nordstrom, JCPenney, and more. I shop Kohl's often, so I look for extra savings anywhere I can. Another great benefit you gain from using Groupon Coupons is that it is FREE. There's no fee for joining and you only use what you need. So what are you waiting for? Start saving today with Groupon Coupons. Be sure to follow Groupon Coupons on Facebook and Twitter for promotions and updates.

Do you use Groupon Coupons? If so, what sort of deal did you score?

Avista Resort In Myrtle Beach Review

If you are planning a trip to the beach on the east coast, I have the perfect place to suggest. Avista Resort (part of the Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts family) is located in what I call the perfect area of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It is the perfect combination of slower-paced along with a splash of the touristy feel. The property is beautiful and offers ocean front living along with so many great amenities. The check-in process is super simple and they offer advance check-in online to make things even quicker. You can count on a courteous welcome from a staff that goes above and beyond to make sure you are happy. You know the old saying about first impressions being everything? Yeah, they have that down. Once you are checked in, you are handed your keys, parking pass(es) and basic information about the resort offerings. Parking is located across the street in a stand-alone parking garage. Honestly, it is no problem at all and is a quick hop, skip and a jump away.

You can stay in 1, 2 or 3 bedroom condos all fully furnished and equipped with a full kitchen, washer/dryer and more. It's like staying at home which is perfect for larger families. The units are spacious and offer magnificent views of the ocean. We stayed there during a busy time to celebrate our little guy's 8th birthday. The layout of the building actually made you feel like there was no crowd. One of the number one things that we liked was the security. It has all indoor entry and the way the units are laid out, it is very private. Also, very clean. There are 3 elevators which made it easier to get around. It was fun talking to different people on the elevator rides.

The nice thing about the Avista is that you really don't have to leave the property during your stay. With a full kitchen including microwave, stove, oven, and dishwasher, you can prepare meals there at your leisure.

If you don't want to cook, you can head down to the Just Off Main restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We had the breakfast buffet and can't stop thinking about how well the staff treated us. It felt like we were the ONLY guests there. The food exceeded our expectations and to my surprise, the coffee did as well. The staff checked on us to make sure we satisfied and never short on beverages or anything else. This was one of the best dining experiences we have ever had.

The Avista has the most gorgeous pool deck I've seen. We stayed way up on the 16th floor and overlooked the outdoor pools. You really don't appreciate the beauty of it until you walk down there. I liked the fact that there was a staff member down there at all times making sure the space was clean and inviting. We loved that there was an indoor pool, lazy river and hot tub since it did rain while we were there. They kept the pool towels well stocked and the area was large enough to make it not feel crowded. We really enjoyed it, especially the birthday boy.

We had easy access to the beach where we enjoyed exploring as well as some family shenanigans. I'm 100% sure that time at the ocean will take away all your troubles. It renews your soul. I think every person I made eye contact with had a smile on their face. Beach = Therapy.

One of our favorite amenities was the Tree Top Lounge located on the 4th floor. On our walk that way, we passed a fully equipped gym. It was far from the one treadmill, one elliptical set-up that most resorts offer. The space could easily accommodate multiple guests at once. Back to the lounge... this spot was perfect for a quick 21+ date. My husband and I snuck down there for a few cocktails and conversation. It was great! They have music, a pool table and plenty of seating available. They have a strict 21 and over policy which we saw it being enforced first hand. The drinks were everything and they were so reasonably priced at just $5 each. The bartender Louise aka "Weezie" came over to our table and made conversation with us. Again, we felt like the only guests in the room.

Let's talk about the bedrooms. Each room was tastefully decorated and offered ample space and storage. The bathrooms were well stocked with towels and basic toiletries, and were sparkling clean. As a matter of fact, everything about the Avista was clean and well maintained. Our son claimed the sofa bed and enjoys having his own space. I think he also loves having his own TV and access to free movie rentals. I think he watched 3 movies during our stay. Another great perk, especially if it's raining. One of those make-it-or-break-it things when it comes to staying at any hotel or resort is how comfortably we sleep. The beds were so comfy and the pillows were too. I usually travel with my own personal pillow and forgot it this time. Now I know not to bother bringing one next time. Part of a comfortable rest is also determined by noise. We heard none of that. No doors slamming, no elevator sounds, no loud music or talking. It was so quiet and peaceful. Our next door neighbors had 5 kids under 8 including a newborn and toddler, and you would never have known.

The Avista Resort is hands down the best place we have ever stayed in Myrtle Beach. We are already planning our next vacation there and look forward to going back. We are officially spoiled and can't imagine staying anywhere else. We all agreed that this was the most relaxing and enjoyable beach trip ever. We made great memories and look forward to many more in the future. This location is so close to many restaurants, attractions, shopping and more.

The Avista Resort is located at 300 N. Ocean Boulevard North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. Phone: (855) 710-4941. You can easily book online and if you need to make any changes, and one of their friendly staff members will get you set up with no problem. If you want an ocean view from the master suite, make sure you look at the map of each condo or call in to ask. You can follow Avista Resort on Facebook and Twitter for promotions and updates.

I received a small discount to stay at the Avista Resort and all opinions are my own as always. Even if I paid full price, my opinions would be the same.

Our Visit To SEA LIFE Aquarium Charlotte-Concord #hosted

Last week, my family had the great pleasure of visiting SEA LIFE Aquarium in Charlotte-Concord, NC. Lucky for us, we live just an hour away, so getting there was not bad at all. SEA LIFE is located inside Concord Mills Outlet Mall, at Entry 7. When I heard they were building an aquarium inside of a mall, I thought it was a joke. Well, seeing is believing in this case. SEA LIFE Aquarium was impressive in so many ways.

The ticket counter/check-in process is a breeze and the great part about this aquarium is that once you get your tickets and hand stamped, you are free to return to the facility for the entire day. This made it convenient for us to step out for a bite to eat or to visit the other shops in the mall. At check-in, we were able to get brochures about exhibits, feeding times, and featured events as well as a Dive Log Book for the little ones. Tips: You will get the better rates if you pre-purchase your tickets online. If you live in the area, it might make the most sense to purchase a season pass if you plan to visit several times a year. Additionally, you have the opportunity to have your family photo taken before entering the actual aquarium, so be prepared for that. 

Although the actual facility is not as large as most aquariums I have been to, this one made great use of every square foot! Each exhibit (known as "Dive Stations") was put together beautifully and had a touchscreen nearby so you can identify and check out facts about each animal in the tank.

We all learned so much. The SEA LIFE staff members were very friendly and eager to answer any questions we had. At the end of each Dive Station, we were able to stamp our Dive Log Book which gets your little one a prize at the end of their visit. SEA LIFE really did a great job at keeping both children and adults engaged throughout the visit. My son is a self-proclaimed 'Animal Expert', so he wanted to lead us as if he was our personal tour guide. It's amazing how much you can learn from a 7 year old kid.

There was so much to see and I really loved the instrumental music that was playing in the background. It was really soothing and made the experience even better. There was a nice variety of fish, shark, sting rays, jellies, eel and even some crustaceans. The touchpool experience was awesome. We were able to touch live crabs and starfish. This was like a major nerd moment for my son.

At the end of the aquarium sits a cute gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs and photos that are taken at the beginning of your adventure. Usually gift shops are very expensive, but SEA LIFE had so many great items at very affordable prices. We bought some cute plush sea animals for William.

On our second visit for the day, we overheard a SEA LIFE staff member telling another patron about a behind the scenes tour of the facility. We were told to join in and we are so glad we did! We got to learn how the aquarium is operated as well as seeing the different stations where animals are cared for if they get sick and how their food is prepped. We saw what the aquarium looked like from above. It was magnificent to say the least. There were locker rooms with dive equipment for the marine biologists who dive daily to clean the tanks and tend to the animals. They made about about how safety and cleanliness are an extreme priority and they work every single day to make certain the animals are fed and cared for.

I spoke with our lovely tour guide and told her how amazed I was that we are standing in a full-fledged aquarium that is in a shopping mall. It's one of those things you have to see in person to truly appreciate it. She was telling us that they have another 10,000 or so square feet that they will be expanding on and hopefully will get the papers in order to have a sea turtle tank. I sure can't wait to see all of that come together.

Before I forget-- if you have preschool aged children, SEA LIFE is featuring Disney Junior's The Octonauts from August 7-23

Participate in Octonauts Training Academy and learn what it takes to become a member of the crew. As cadets, they'll master the specialties of their favorite characters across 6 fun zones, meet Kwazii and Captain Barnacles in person and then be rewarded for completing their training with a very special Octonauts certificate! Check the website for more details.

As you can see, no matter the age, anyone is welcome to take a photo with their favorite characters. Also, they have some very cute Octonauts merchandise in the gift shop, so be sure to take a look.

We took away so much from our visit. The most important thing was the urgency to protect marine animals. SEA LIFE has provided a state of the art facility to not only showcase these animals, but also encourage better environmental practices to preserve these precious creatures. Although I have read reviews about people complaining about the cost to visit for such a small venue that doesn't take long to get through, I honestly feel like it is well worth the ticket price. You can go in as many times as you want for the full day of operating hours. I feel like we got even more the second time around by joining in the behind the scenes tour. The joy on son's face and seeing my husband and adult daughters behave like children were priceless. We fully enjoyed our time at SEA LIFE Aquarium and if you are ever visiting the Charlotte area or live in the vicinity, I highly recommend you check it out.

Be sure to visit the SEA LIFE Aquarium website for more information and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for promotions and updates.

I was offered media tickets in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own as always. Many thanks to Sea Life Aquarium for hosting us!