Spring Fling Without the Cha-Ching!

April showers bring May flowers… in your hotel room. It’s not often that you hear of hotels giving guests something for nothing, but this spring, the Hyatt Century City in Los Angeles is gifting visitors with the sweet smell of seasonal blossoms—for free. The popular L.A. lodging recently installed a flower cart beside its front desk. Upon check-in, guests are given a small vase and told they can design their own floral arrangement to bring up to their room, at no extra charge.  Blossoms range from tulips, daisies, and irises to chrysanthemums, sunflowers and carnations.  According to Hyatt staff, the … Continue reading

More Spring Themes

Now that my daughter’s spring break is over I’ve been sifting through my photos to see how to best design seasonal scrapbook layouts. Unlike some families, we didn’t jet-off to Jamaica, Florida, California or New York for Easter. However, that isn’t stopping me from crafting page designs showcasing the spring-themed activities we did partake in. When it comes to scrapbooking seasonal events, try to personalize your layouts. While it’s easy to look at someone else’s page designs and simply make a carbon copy; you are better off tailoring your layouts to show-off your personal experiences. For example, this year our … Continue reading

Spring Fling in Kentucky

College basketball survived Kentucky, but can you survive spending spring break in the “Bluegrass State”? Popular to contrary belief, Kentucky is not only for sports fans. The state is filled with natural wonders, historical landmarks and quirky travel attractions. Exploring all of Kentucky’s recreational opportunities may be a bit much if you are planning to stay for just a week; however, that shouldn’t stop you from soaking up as much of the surroundings as possible. Don’t miss: Mammoth Cave National Park: Even if you are not a nature lover, you will be duly impressed with Mammoth Cave National Park. Categorized … Continue reading

Spring Break Survival Tips

Did you watch the news tonight? All three major networks led their shows with the scary news that we’ll likely be paying $5 per gallon for gas by the time Memorial Day weekend rolls around. If you are planning to take a road trip this year, now is the time to do it. Spring break is an ideal time to load up the family and hit the road to explore our great nation; however, if you don’t plan properly the adventure could turn into vacation purgatory. To help you survive what could be a very, very long trip, consider stocking … Continue reading

Outdoor Spring Adventures

My daughter is dying to head outdoors and break in her new Razor scooter. She was fortunate to spend the month of January in Hawaii where she could scoot outside to her heart’s content (while giving my dad a heart attack in the process), but now she’s back to reality, dealing with the snow and cold that blankets the state of Wisconsin from October to June. Spring is officially here, though you’d never know it by stepping outside and feeling the chokehold Mother Nature has on our state. Still, if you are looking for ways to make the most of … Continue reading

Prepping for Spring Break Photo Shoots

Where will you be spending spring break this year? Whereas I would love to jet off to Hawaii to escape Old Man Winter’s chokehold on the Midwest, funds are tight, so we’re planning to vacation closer to home. Sniff. Sniff. Spring is a time of new beginnings and new discoveries. What better time to hit the road with the family and your camera to snap as many photo ops are possible. If you have the time and the funds, consider traveling to the following idyllic spring break hot spots. You don’t have to be a pro shooter to know they … Continue reading

Don’t Wait to Plan Your Spring Escape

Stop staring at the falling snow and plummeting mercury. Now is the time to plan your escape from the brutal winter conditions. Fortunately, a few well-known airlines are lending a helping hand to sun-seeking travelers looking to take a break from Old Man Winter without breaking the bank. Frontier, AirTran and Southwest recently launched widespread sales for flights through the end of the month. Some fares are priced as much as 50 percent off depending on location and date of departure. Travel experts say commercial carriers are looking to fill empty seats in the weeks leading up to Easter; however … Continue reading

Where To Get a Jump Start on Spring

It’s that time of the year again; time to venture out of your man or woman cave and breathe in the fresh spring air. The first signs of spring are springing up all over the country. While your favorite flowers may not have made their debut yet, you can get a jump start on the action by visiting one of the dozens of garden and flower shows taking place across the nation. Some of the most popular include: Chicago Flower & Garden Show: Runs from March 6-14 at Navy Pier. The event includes display gardens, cooking demonstrations, seminars, a marketplace … Continue reading

Spending the Holidays in New York City

I love spending the holidays in New York City. The problem is, so do millions of other people. If you don’t mind dealing with huge crowds, then soaking up the sights and sounds of the season in one of the world’s most magical cities, should be on your to-do list this month. At the top of your must-see list should be Rockefeller Center. Its world-famous tree and ice skating rink serve as amazing backdrops to family photos. In addition, Radio City Music Hall, the view from Top of the Rock, and the observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza are equally … Continue reading

Visit the Best of the Best During Spring Break

Where will you be spending spring break this year? Parents looking for fun, yet affordable ways to spend spring break with their kids should check out The 10 Best of Everything Families: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers. For about 20 bucks the handy guide provides information on the best locations for family reunions, skiing, biking, extreme adventures, factory tours, museums, zoos, gardens, historic sites, roller coasters, music festivals, wildlife-watching and much more. There are also sections on seasonal celebrations, such as Easter and Christmas. Some sample lists include: Education Vacations–10 Best Innovators’ Homes Samuel Morse, Poughkeepsie, New York Rachel Carson, … Continue reading