Logitech Circle 2 Security Camera System Review

Logitech Circle 2 Security Camera System

 

Summers are filled with carefree days and spontaneous road trips. However, it is not completely stress-free.  Burglary rates are 10% higher in June, July, and August.  Since so many Americans vacation during summer months, there are many homes left unattended. So how can you protect your home while you’re away? Here are some tips from personal safety coach, Kathleen Baty:

1.     ASSESS YOUR PARIMETER: It’s time to take a good look at your house and make some safety changes.  From the street, can you see the entrance to your house or are shrubs and plants obscuring your view? Motion sensor lights and well-lit paths may deter anyone from hanging around your home. Also, make sure your front porch lights are working.

2.    JUST SAY NO TO SOCIAL MEDIA: When you’re traveling, don’t announce it to the world on social media since that’s just asking for trouble.  Sometimes you may not even realize you’re doing it, like if you advertise for a pet sitter on a public site.  Be smart and save the news of your trip for after you return.

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Dapper Dog Subscription Box Review

 

Who deserves to be pampered more than our furry little pup friends? Your dog will love getting a subscription box of their very own and their tails will be wagging when their box comes in the mail each month! The difference between this box and others is Dapper Dog does not have a “one box fits all dogs” attitude.  It caters to each pup as an individual.  Simply fill out your dog’s profile and they will customize it to suit their size, chewing style, and allergies.  We were so happy to review The Dapper Dog Box but no one was happier than Finnegan, our golden retriever that just turned one. 

 

What comes in each box?

Each box contains at least five high quality and healthy goodies for your dog.  Typically, you’ll receive two treats, two toys, and an accessory or chew.  Each box has an average value of $60.

What did we get in our box?

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Grand Hotel, Ireland

Grand Hotel

When my best friend told me Malahide was one of her favorite towns in Ireland I knew we had to see it for ourselves.  The location cannot be beat!  This beautiful seaside town is right outside of Dublin and just 15 minutes from Dublin International Airport.  Make sure to explore Malahide Castle and Gardens during your visit.  It’s the perfect location to head into Dublin, see the sights, and return to the peace and quiet of Malahide. The Grand is a gorgeous historic hotel built in 1835 and had been modernized and upgraded throughout the years without losing any of its charm.  Since it is on the water as well as within walking distance to town, The Grand is THE place to stay in Malahide.

Click here to read all about our stay!

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

 We like to expose the girls to the history of the country we’re visiting (especially if we are taking them out of school) and we were lucky that our first day in Ireland could include a visit to Bunratty Folk Park.  Set on 26 acres, the park features over 30 buildings that depicts what life was like in Ireland over a century ago.  Traditional jobs and crafts are represented such as pottery, fishing, the forge, milling, farming, and printing. You can walk in each of these buildings and get a peek at their everyday lives since all the buildings are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared at the time.  Some of our favorite areas included:

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Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet

Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
Pulling the kids from school always includes a little guilt…until you introduce them to culture they can’t learn from reading in a book. Our first taste of Irish culture was by attending a medieval banquet in Bunratty Castle.
We chose the 5:30 banquet since we knew we’d be jet lagged and it would have to be an early night. First, we were taken into the Great Hall for an introduction to the castle. We were greeted by people dressed in beautiful medieval clothes who played their part so well you immediately felt like you were transported in time.

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Bunratty Castle Hotel

The Bunratty Castle Hotel is a wonderful place to stay after flying in to Shannon Airport since it is only fifteen minutes away.  It’s a great introduction to driving on the left side of the road without overwhelming you.  Bunratty is a quaint Irish town with colorful buildings and kind locals. Since I can’t sleep on a plane (ugh…even if it’s overnight) I was thrilled that a room was available for us so early in the morning.  We were all in beds, asleep, by 7:00 am.  A few hours of sleep were all we needed before going out to explore our first taste of Irish culture.

Click here for our full review.

Takeout Kit Review

I often talk about the connection between food and discovering new cultures.  Being Portuguese, where food dictates everyday life, I know you can learn a ton about a culture by eating their food and even more when you have the chance to prepare it yourself.  We were so thrilled to have the chance to try Takeout Kit, a meal kit service that specializes in food from around the globe.  This meal kit is perfect if you want to get out of your comfort zone and try something you never thought you would be able to cook.  My daughter and I loved cooking our dish for the family, and it would also make for a fun date night or a girls’ get-together.

What did we cook?

Takeout Kits gave us a nice selection of dishes to try out.  I let my girls choose the one they wanted and they decided on:

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Swimming with Dolphins and More: Discovery Cove, Orlando

 

Walking into Discovery Cove is like walking into a Caribbean island with tropical music playing, palm trees swaying, and dolphins jumping out of lagoons.  It is a paradise and you will never know you are in the middle of Orlando.  It is not a theme park AT ALL, but rather a tranquil oasis where you can lounge around all day.  We were there from 7:00-5:30 and time flew by. 

When we arrived, we were given a quick tour and then brought to the restaurant for breakfast.  There was so much food on our plates that none of us could finish it.  It was delicious and I love that it is included since it’s one less thing to think about planning during your day.  In fact, I was surprised at how few decisions I actually had to make. 

We were then shown our private cabana.  We could not wait to see what was behind this gate.

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10 Must-Do Activities at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

 

I admit I’m not much of a theme park person, but since I live with two Harry Potter obsessed kids, a stop at Wizard World of Harry Potter at Island of Adventure was on the top of our list during our Florida vacation.  From the second I saw Hogwarts Castle and walked around the streets of Hogsmead, I was hooked.  I’m not sure who had more fun because I was pulling them in all directions.  Here are 10 activities that you must do while you’re there:

DRINK BUTTER BEER:  Before I go any further…I’m not promoting underage drinking pals…butter beer is a frozen piece of heaven that does not have alcohol in it (but boy…that would be good too!).  It tastes like a root beer float combined with butterscotch and caramel. We actually tried to make our own once, but it turned into a Pinterest fail.  It’s a great treat at the end of a hot Florida day.

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DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld

Ironically, my family often runs around so much during vacation that it doesn’t always feel as relaxing as a vacation should be.  By the time we got to the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld we were already exhausted.  That all changed as soon as we walked into the hotel lobby.  We were suddenly transported from the commotion of the outside world into a tranquil place where the world suddenly slows down. The DoubleTree is nestled in 28 acres of gorgeous flower gardens, fountains, and tropical palm trees. Even though you are in the middle of all the action of Orlando, you will feel like you are tucked into your own private oasis.

Click here to read all about our amazing stay.