Escape Monthly - A Vacation in a Box

Traveling the world is definitely on my bucket list, but with four kids it's not going to happen anytime soon. In the meantime, I found a exciting way to explore the world without ever leaving the comfort of my home. Escape Monthly offers a unique subscription service that makes you feel like you're getting to go on vacation. Every month, you'll receive a new box packed full of fun products from a vacation destination. For only $49.95, you can treat yourself to delicious snacks, indulgent bath & body products, and even a few souvenirs. They also offer a deluxe box for $69.95 that is guaranteed to have at least a $130 value.

I was able to test out one of their Deluxe packages. The box arrives beautifully packaged in a really big box, and was one of the largest subscription boxes I've ever received. It's set up as nice as a gift basket with all kinds of products inside. Each month the items will be different, but mine focused on the Rocky Mountains.  There were two smaller boxes inside the big one, so here's a breakdown of what we received.

Sierra Nevada Soap Company - Luscious homemade soap made with Lavender & Rosemary. This smells heavenly and leaves your skin extra soft.

Adventure Ecopack - This is a little pouch of SPF 30 sunblock that you can attach right to your backpack or even the loop of your pants.

Montana & Wyoming Book - A guide to everything there is to see and do in the Rocky Mountain states.

Rocky Mountain Root Beer - This all natural, small batch root beer is the perfect way to wet your whistle.

Howdy Bar - A delicious dark chocolate candy bar packed with almonds.

Dirty Diana - A yummy preserve made from Montgomery Cherries, pectin, passion fruit rum, nutmeg and sea salt.

Salus Bath Bomb - This huge mint scented bath bomb is the perfect way to relax after a long day

Goat's Milk Lotion - Scented with Bear Lake Raspberries, this is a mild lotion that will leave your skin touch-ably soft.

Kate's Stash Bar - This peanut butter and dark chocolate bar is a great snack to carry along for your hike across the rocky mountains.

Rocky Mountain Key-chain - This is the perfect memento, and its made from sustainable wood.

 Columbine Cornbread Mix - A sweet version of the classic cornbread-this full size bag was more than enough to feed my family of six.

Lakewood Lemongrass Herbal - This delicious all natural herbal tea is great hot or cold and is a nice way to relax during your vacation.

Maple Almond Pecan Granola - A snack bag of chopped nuts--another great choice for an on-the-go snack.

Olive Oil Co - Spice up your meals with the Viva Italia Blend of herbs.

Coaster- A beautiful coaster with a painted scene of the Rocky Mountains.

 For one low price each month,  Escape Monthly allows you to enjoy culinary delights,  get completely pampered, and experience a taste of what its like to visit new places.  Every one of the items I received was high quality, and the box is definitely worth the purchase price.  There is  something for everyone is this package and its a fun way to experiment with new products from around the county and even the world. If you'd like to learn more about Escape Monthly, or see what vacation destination is coming up next month, be sure to visit their website or follow the on their social media.

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hello Breathspray Review

As we enter the bustling season of holiday travels, ensuring your beauty must-haves make it on board is crucial for a getaway you’ll never forget! While packing your travel-friendly favorites, don’t forget products that will keep your breath minty fresh and clean, no matter where your vacation takes you!

Small enough to pass through TSA, fit into your carry-on or slipped in a pocket, don’t be fooled by this purse-friendly breath freshener – hello Breathspray packs enough power to get the job done with just the right amount of “ahh.”  Available in three super yummy flavors, including Supermint, Mojito Mint and Pink Grapefruit Mint, these breathsprays provides 100% fresh breath, 100% of the time. Use, share and never worry about leaks or spills: its unique twist, click-and-lock function keeps things fresh, fun and tidy. 

Naturally friendly, safe and effective, hello Breathsprays are vegan, cruelty-free and don’t contain any harsh chemicals, dyes and artificial sweeteners, so you can share freely for fresh breath all vacation long!

Our Thoughts

These pack a punch! There are a lot of breath freshener items on the market from gum to other sprays but these flavors sounded intriguing so I was really excited to try! Most importantly, they're not filled with a bunch of nasty chemicals that aren't good for you and they're vegan, so up the healthy aisle for me! The spray containers they come in are small enough to fit in your pocket or purse. Each one slides (easily) back and forth to close the opening so you don't have to worry about any leaks or spills. Unique flavors depending on your mood:

Mojito Mint is refreshing and it has a bit of a kick to it. It gives you a short term flavor/scent in the mouth but it doesn't last very long. It's great if you need to use it in a pinch, such as dentist or even on a date!

Pink Grapefruit Min is definitely one of a kind. The flavor took me by surprise and isn't necessarily my favorite, but my kids are obsessed with it. I swear they would drink the stuff if it came in a bigger bottle.

Now for my favorite, Supermint! This is the strongest of them all and it gives you that classic mint taste. It's not too much so it doesn't burn the back of your throat but it is very powerful. I have found a new use for this breath freshener actually, I keep it next to my bed at night. Now that winter is coming the air is dryer and we're all waking up with stuffy noses and dry throats so I have started giving myself a spray of this as soon as I wake up and it really opens my sinuses and helps so much, it is probably my favorite thing about these breathsprays!

Buy yours here or look in your local drug store or grocery store! Don't forget to check them out on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest!

Reviewed by Jackie

Kohl's Camping Vacation Essentials @Kohls #FindYourYes

 We just got back from the shore, but we're ready for more summer fun! This weekend, we're heading to our local state forest for a family camp out. I'll admit it--we aren't totally roughing it. We rented an air-conditioned cabin complete with shower, but we'll be enjoying cookouts, hikes along the nature trail, swimming in the lake, and brilliant campfires under the stars. Even our family dog will be coming along this time.  But before we leave, I had to pick up a few camping essentials from Kohl's. They have everything you need to camp out in comfort and style. Here are a few of my favorite items.

The Picnic Time Portable Grill is a quick and easy way to grill up your favorite meats when you're on the go. It folds up to about the size of a briefcase when it's not in use, so it won't take up much room in your trunk.

This Picnic Time Reclining Camp Chair makes it easy to lounge out beside the fire. It's padded for comfort and has a cup holder for your favorite beverage. It's lightweight and easy to unfold.

Since there are only two beds in our cabin, the smaller kids are sleeping on the floor. My son loves the Disney/Pixar Cars Sleeping Bag! It's cozy, warm, and features his favorite character.

You can't go camping without a cooler! The Picnic Time Avalanche Cooler has plenty of room for all your favorite drinks and snacks. It even comes with silverware, plates, and napkins. It's great for a  picnic, and the wheels make it easy to transport.

This item may not be as much fun as the others, but a First-Aid kit is definitely an essential for any camping trip. You never know what could happen and you may be too far from civilization to get immediate assistance.  The Coleman 200-pc Expedition First Aid Kit will help you stay prepared for any emergency.

These are just a few examples of the awesome camping essentials you can find at Kohl's.  They have everything you need at the best possible prices to help you camp out with style.  To keep up with all the great products at Kohl's, check out their website or follow them on face book.

***I received a gift card to facilitate my review. Opinion are my own***

Kohl’s Beach Vacation Essentials - @Kohls #FindYourYes

It was a long winter with tons of snow. Because of all the snow days, my kids didn't get out of school until June 21st! Now that they're finally free, we've been planning a few vacations. My mom lives a few blocks from the beach and we like to take weekend trips there. We'll certainly be heading there for the Fourth of July. I love catching the fireworks from the boardwalk or even while we sit with our toes in the sand. Before we leave for our vacation, I just had to do a little shopping at Kohl's. They are my favorite stop for all my fashion needs, but they also have everything I could ever need for a weekend at the shore. Since my local Kohl's is an hour away, I did my shopping online this time around. With fast delivery and FREE shipping on all orders over $75, it was the most convenient option for me. Check out some of the great beach essentials I found to take on our vacation.

I have a tendency to lose my sunglasses at the beach, so while my Vera Wangs from Kohl's are my favorites, I wanted a less expensive pair to carry in my beach bag. The Fila Sport Wrap Sunglasses give me the UV protection I need for the low price of $10, so I won't be too upset if they get lost in the sand. 

Go green with a reusable water bottle like the Contigo Autoseal. It keeps your drinks cool and can be refilled each time you head to the beach, instead of creating more waste with plastic water bottles. This bottle is also leak proof and comes in several pretty colors.

I love to sit and read on the beach, so an awesome beach chair is must-have. The Picnic Time Monaco Beach Chair is both lightweight and sturdy. It has a cushion for your head, offers six different positions, and even has a cup holder for your favorite beverage.

I love a big cozy beach towel! Kohl's has hundreds in a variety of designs, but I decided on the Big One Chevon Beach Towel. It's extra large and fluffy and great for drying off or laying out in the sand while you work on your tan.

If you have a little girl, the Jumping Beans Eyelet Sunhat is a trendy accessory that also protects their eyes from the sun.

My teen daughter loved the HUGE selection of swimwear at Kohl's, but her favorite was the Nike Reversible Halter Bikini Top. It's like getting two great suits for one low price!

While I'm reading, the kids need to be entertained, so I made sure to grab the Franklin 5 Game Beach Combo Set. With five fun sport games to play, I know they won't get bored and will stay active at the beach and even when we get back home.

 The  Pacific Play One Touch Beach Tent is probably my favorite beach find from Kohl's. It's super easy to assemble and protects my little ones from the harmful rays of the sun. We can stay at the beach for hours with this tent. It's so cozy, they can even nap in there.

These are just a few examples of the awesome beach vacation essentials you can find at Kohl's.  They have everything you need at the best possible prices.  Be sure to stop back next week when I share my Camping Vacation Essentials.  To keep up with all the great products at Kohl's, check out their website or follow them on face book.

***I received a gift card to facilitate my review. Opinion are my own***

Book Review: Secret of Paradise, Mysteries of the Pacific Coast of Ecuador

*** Product was received for free in exchange for an honest review. ***

Secret of Paradise reveals the pathway to sustainable living and growth

When Bo Rinaldi, stepped off the airplane in Ecuador and he knew that he had landed in paradise. As he met with Patricio Tamariz and his family in 2011 he realized he was being shown the secrets of the past and the keys to our future and that we needed to share these with everyone. Together they decided to collaborate on a book with the express purpose of creating a living roadmap to help achieve harmony with nature and all the people of the world. They titled it the Secret of Paradise, Mysteries of the Pacific Coast of Ecuador.

Patricio Tamariz and his family own Casa Grande, a beautiful retreat right on the tip of Bahía and one of the original sites for the discovery of the Americas. They also own the spectacular and historically breathtaking Eco-resort known as Chirije, an amazing archaeological site, which holds many ancient secrets.  Tamariz held the official post of First Executive Director of Tourism Promotion for Ecuador and now consults and helps develop the coastal properties of the area, using sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, tourism, community and businesses of all kinds.

In 1998 the El Niño was at its peak and Bahía was hit by a 7.1 Richter scale earthquake. He and his family, with the help of hundreds of friends and dozens of key agencies, set out to rebuild their area. They rose above that devastation together, and created a movement that resulted in the creation of one of the world’s first and most incredible Bioregional cities, Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador. It is one of the most beautiful places on the planet where the water and the air is 75 degrees, there are virtually no bugs, crime or hazards and it is the key center of interest for the rewarding insights and contained within the pages of Secrets of Paradise.

Did the ancient Ecuadorians populate the Pacific?

Did the early Ecuadorians sail across the Pacific Ocean on ships made of balsa and reach Australia? One of the incredible chapters in Secrets of Paradise contains the first English translations of the accounts of these ancient mariners.

Kon-Tiki, the new Oscar nominated film accurately dramatizes the 1947 attempt by Thor Heyerdahl to recreate the journey to show that it was possible that the ancient seafarers could travel from Ecuador to Polynesia. Heyerdahl and his five companions sailed their balsa raft for 101 days over 6900 km (4,300 miles) across the Pacific Ocean. The journey ended when they smashed on a reef at Raroia in the Tuamotu Islands on August 7, 1947. The crew successful made it to land and all returned safely. 

23 years later, in 1970, Vital Alsar another European explorer achieved what Heyerdahl had failed to do, and in 161 days sailed on similarly constructed balsawood vessel from Guayaquil, Ecuador and in 161 days reached Australia, proving that the maritime cultures of Ecuador had the capacity of traveling long distances in the Pacific.  

Both Thor and Vital based their vessel designs on the Balsawood vessel used that was detailed by the first Spanish conquistadors, who had their first documented encounter with this ship off the Ecuadorian coast in 1526.

Balsa for his sailing vessel was acquired from a forest in Quevedo, Ecuador and floated them down the Guayas River to Guayaquil. Here they constructed the raft in the port of Callao, Peru using the ancient designs and evidence they had found.

Secrets of Paradise also describes additional evidence of findings provided by modern archaeologists that the cultures of the territories of thousands of years ago, built their balsa ships, and were sailing and trading the Spondylus (Red spiny oyster) shell to the peoples of pre-Columbian Mexico and Chile.  

“Who discovered paradise?” 

Another question discussed in detail “Who settled the Pacific Coast of Ecuador”?  Did Christopher Columbus discover America in 1492? The authors believe not. They explain why the first humans crossing the Bering Strait Iceland Bridge must have. There are also accounts of the Vikings being the first Europeans to land in Ecuador. In addition, there is the theory of the Chinese circumnavigating the world as early as the 15th century.  

“Where does chocolate come from?”

Few people realize that one of the most important discoveries Columbus made was on his fourth trip to the New World, where he learned of the cacoa beans (cocoa) from the fruit that live in the cacao pods of the tree with the same name. The famous Swedish Scientist Linnaeus, the father of modern Taxonomy, named this species Theobroma cacao, which means in Greek “Food of the Gods”. Cacao was cultivated by the pre-Columbian cultures of the tropical South and Central America thousands of years ago (the Mayans 1500 yrs. ago). The original native strain of Cacao, scientists declare, comes from the upper Amazon of Ecuador and Colombia. This area is considered the center of origin of Cacao. Early man involved in tropical agriculture spread it and introduced it into Central America.

What is the Secret of Paradise?  

Ecuador is one of the most exciting places on Earth right now, in terms of working towards a new development paradigm. The government is now the most stable in recent times and will soon become the longest serving in Ecuador's tumultuous history. The president's approval ratings are well over 70%. All this is due to the reorientation of the government's approach, made possible by a constitution remarkable for its recognition of human rights and the rights of nature, and its acceptance of plurality and cultural diversity.  

Perhaps, it is the commitment of their government and all their people to the creation of a biosphere. Ecuador’s government has taken the first actions required to protect the environment in their new constitution, in effect since October 20, 2008.  From the Georgetown University Political Database of the Americas here is a translated chapter titled, Ecuador Rights of Nature:  

Chapter 7:  Rights for Nature 

Art. 71. Nature or Pachamama, where life is reproduced and exists, has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution. 

Every person, people, community or nationality, will be able to demand the recognitions of rights for nature before the public organisms [organizations]. The application and interpretation of these rights will follow the related principles established in the Constitution. 

The State will motivate natural [individual] and juridical persons as well as collectives to protect nature; it will promote respect towards all the elements that form an ecosystem. 

Art. 72. Nature has the right to restoration. This integral restoration is independent of the obligation on natural and juridical persons or the State to indemnify the people and the collectives that depend on the natural systems. 

In the cases of severe or permanent environmental impact, including the ones caused by the exploitation on non-renewable natural resources, the State will establish the most efficient mechanisms for the restoration, and will adopt the adequate measures to eliminate or mitigate the harmful environmental consequences. 

Art. 73. The State will apply precaution and restriction measures in all the activities that can lead to the extinction of species, the destruction of the ecosystems or the permanent alteration of the natural cycles. 

The introduction of organisms and organic and inorganic material that can alter in a definitive way the national genetic patrimony is prohibited. 

Art. 74. The persons, people, communities and nationalities will have the right to benefit from the environment and form natural wealth that will allow wellbeing. 

The environmental services cannot be appropriated; its production, provision, use and exploitation, will be regulated by the State. 

Can we learn how to live in harmony and in peace on the planet Earth using the knowledge being offered to us from the people of Ecuador?  

The authors believe that you have now found the keys to this secret, and that by knowing these, your life will be forever changed as well.

Secrets of Paradise, Mysteries of the Pacific Coast of Ecuador

by Bo Rinaldi and Patricio Tamariz

List $18.95 softcover also available in Kindle

220 pages with color illustrations and photos

ISBN-10: 0983862303 ISBN-13: 978-0983862307

 Available wherever books are sold and on Amazon.  Visit them on Facebook!

Our Thoughts

I took Secrets of Paradise with me to read at the cabin, our own little slice of paradise.  This was a very informative, detailed read on Ecuador, its history, and all it has to offer.  You can easily feel the  enormous amount of love Patricio Tamariz has for his country in every word. 

While the entire book is interesting, I found the chapters on archeology, chocolate, and UFO's the most fascinating!  Sunken ships just fascinate me for some reason, and I'd love a chance to go diving to check underwater treasures!  The part about chocolate - I really had no idea how it was grown, and the part about how they figured out the best way to grow it - nature is, well, second nature to me and I always like to learn more about plants & trees.  But the UFO's . . . now, these sightings/encounters aren't the scary aliens with big eyes - just lights.  Unexplainable lights, witnessed by many, many people there. 

I think most of all, I was surprised how affordable it is to live there!  Where I live is pretty cheap, and Ecuador is even more affordable than that!  Appartments around $200+, houses around $66,000?  If not living there all year round, Ecuador would make a great vacation destination!  They are moving to sustainable living, an "Eco City", and more countries could certainly benefit from this type of living.

If you're looking to learn about another country, give this a read!

***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and were not influenced in any way.***

The Outlet at Sands Bethlehem: Where Fashion Meets Fabulous - Giveaway

 

Are you looking for a day shopping trip? Something close to Jersey, Philly, and NYC. The Outlets at Sands Bethlehem has all you need for your shopping desires. Check out the video below to see what they have going on this Spring. Happy Shopping!

 The Outlets at Sands Bethlehem- Spring 2013 

The Outlet at Sands Bethlehem: Where Fashion Meets Fabulous

http://outletsatsandsbethlehem.com/outlets/

The Outlets at Sands Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheOutletsAtSandsBethlehem

The Outlets at Sands Twitter

https://twitter.com/SandsOutlets

The Outlets at Sands Bethlehem Pinterest

https://pinterest.com/sandsoutlets/

Sands Bethlehem Mobile App

http://www.pasands.com/pennsylvania-casino/mobile_app_help/

 The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to win a Sands Prize Pack that includes:

1 Sands $50 Gift Card

2 Sands Eco Water Bottles

1 Sands Hat

  To enter just fill out the rafflecopter form below Open to the US only. Giveaway will end 5/15/13. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Sands for offering this fantastic prize.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.  Please note that I  am not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, is it not received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. ***

Continue The Romance With The Right Honeymoon

Once the wedding is over and the guests have gone home, it is now time to start the exciting process of building a life together.  The first step in that process is your honeymoon.  A honeymoon is the time to shut the rest of the world out and focus strictly on how you feel about each other.  Leave work at home, pack light, turn off your cell phone, and see just how close you can become before it is time to return home and for reality to set back in.  With the following honeymoon ideas, you can satisfy any personality with a romantic getaway that includes your favorite activities.

Classic Beach Adventure

A great go-to honeymoon idea is the beach vacation.  There is no place like the beach to relax and remember the important things in life.  The immense beauty of the ocean reminds you how much the little things don’t matter, and allows you to leave the pressures and expectations of life behind.  Whether your budget is big and allows you to travel to the other side of the world, or just barely enough to cover a trip to your local beach, every newly married couple can partake of the relaxing experience that is included with a beach vacation.

Road Trip For Couples

Some of the best bonding moments occur when you expect them least.  Spending time together in the car allows you to talk to each other about what’s important, and what the future holds.  Pick a favorite destination that allows you to take a road trip along with the time you spend at the location.  Pack your bags, jump in the car, and take off on your life together with a road trip to a spot you’ve always wanted to visit.  Spend hours talking about the future and where your lives will go.

Resorts Made For Relaxation

Your honeymoon may be full of new and exciting feelings and experiences, but it’s also time to relax and recharge after the stress of daily life combined with the planning of a wedding.  Destination spa resorts include activities for everyone.  You can get a massage together, or soak up the heat in the sauna while she gets a facial.  Spa vacations allow you the ultimate relaxation experience with the opportunity to enjoy it together.  Combine a spa resort with the beach and all your worries will seem small.

All-Inclusive Experience

After all the details of your wedding planning, the last thing you want to worry about is preserving hotel rooms and making restaurant reservations.  Cruises offer a fun option for those who are looking to minimize the planning time.  Cruises range from three days to two weeks, and include most food, drinks, and entertainment experiences.  The stops along the way will give you a chance to visit new cultures and try new things, and then return to the comfort of a regular bedroom every night.

Your honeymoon doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and it doesn’t have to include stress at the beginning of your new life.  Choose a honeymoon location that fits your desires and your personality, and remember that at the end of the day, the time you spend together will be valuable to the foundation of your relationship.