Get Organized: It's Giveaway Time!!

With summer winding down and the start of another school year on the horizon, it's time to get organized!  Even though I don't have any real reason to follow the school year timeline at this point, something about seeing all those back to school photos on Facebook always makes me want to run out and snag up ALL the school supplies!

This year, my friends at Bloom Daily Planners hooked me up with some awesome grown-up organizational supplies!  They produce everything from daily planners and notebooks to file folders and binders.  And I just love their pretty designs!!

One of my favorite items they create are planning pads!  The grocery list and meal planning pads are phenomenal for a newbie meal planner like me!  They also offer a really neat daily planning pad that allows you to keep track of exercise, meals, glasses of water, your to-do's for the day, and even something you are thankful for each day.  Even with all the modern technology of unlimited tracking devices and calorie counter apps, there is just something motivating about writing everything down on paper.

Thanks to the lovely ladies over at Bloom, I have a fun prize pack to giveaway to one of YOU!!  Good luck...you'll definitely make great use of these items!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Andrea :)

Saturday States: Illinois & Indiana

Growing up in Kentucky, meant Illinois and Indiana were our northern neighbors.  We have been on many trips to and through both states, but I'll focus on a few particular stand-out moments today.

Illinois

State Nickname: The Prairie State

Year of Family Trip: 2003

Cities Visited: Springfield, Chicago

Can't Miss Tourist Attractions:

Abe Lincoln burial grounds

Skydeck at Sears Tower (now Willis Tower)

Eating deep dish pizza in Chicago

 
Museum of Science and Industry

A Chance Encounter

Ellis Foster played the role of a conductor at the exhibit on the Pioneer Zephyr: The Silver Streak at the Museum of Science and Industry on our 2003 trip.  We struck up a conversation with him after the presentation and discovered he had been in a number of movies - most notably, Hoodlum (as an undertaker).  He was such a pleasure to talk with as we wrapped up our day at the museum.  A few years later when we returned to Chicago in the winter for a Bulls-Cavs game, we had a chance encounter of a different kind with Fast Eddie.  Needless to say, we didn't spend near as much time chatting with him.

In September 2010, our family unit convened on Chicago once more when the three Heflin kids ran our first ever half marathon there.  Through chaffing, blisters, and excruciating heat, we all made it to the finish line!  The boys only wished Mom, Dad, and Jen had been waiting there with a box of Giordano's pizza instead of bottles of water!!

Indiana

State Nickname: The Hoosier State

Year of Family Trip: 1993

Cities Visited: Reo, Evansville, Santa Claus, Indianapolis

Can't Miss Tourist Attraction:
Holiday World!!!

As a child, we spent every summer visiting Santa Claus Land (now Holiday World) to ride all the rides and play in the awesome water park.  The above photos are all of when McKinley was a wee little tot, but believe me when I say we were there a lot through the years.  There were school trips, church trips, family trips....Holiday World was the place to go!

As a teenager, we spent many a weekend at the mall in Evansville or gobbling up junk food at the drive-in in Reo.  Oh to go back to the days of crushes and homecoming dance dress shopping!!

As an adult, my work brought us all together in Indianapolis for the NFL National 7-on-7 Tournament.  When we weren't working or watching football, we tried to see bits and pieces of the city.  We even celebrated Landon's first birthday there that year!

Have you spent time in Illinois or Indiana?  

What is your favorite thing to do in either of these states?

Andrea :)

A Vegas Bachelorette to Remember!

It doesn't get any more real than a bachelorette party in Vegas!  When my friend, Amanda, announced she'd be gathering a group of ladies for a weekend of bachelorette fun in Sin City I started researching flight options!  This wasn't a party I wanted to miss!

Others had been there for a day or so when I joined in the fun on Saturday morning at Amanda's lingerie shower.  We had a lovely brunch spread with everything from bagels to fruit to bacon and eggs.  It was a great atmosphere to get to know a few of the other ladies in attendance.

After a few fun games and showering the lovely bride-to-be with gifts, I tore into my Survival Kit and got myself ready for some fun in the sun at the pool.  The Mandalay Bay boasts a lazy river and wave pool though our group found both to be a bit lacking.  The lazy river was anything but lazy...the current in there was on point.  And the wave pool managed to average one single wave every five minutes or so.  However, we enjoyed snacks at our cabana and eventually made our way to the adult pool.  The vibe here was a bit more relaxing with music and drinks.  Unfortunately, my eyes are forever branded with some images I'd rather forget...and I'll just leave it at that.

After a brief romp in the adult pool, I made my way back up to the room to chow down on some pizza and begin getting ready for a night out on the town.  While a group of ladies went with the Bachelorette to check out Brittany Spears up close and personal, the rest of us got rested up for Marquee.  My roomie for the weekend and I headed over to the nightclub around midnight to meet up with the Brittany Spears crew.  Marquee left much to be desired, but we made our own fun for awhile and got some photos before we peaced out to the casino for the rest of the night.

Brunch at Border Grill inside the massive Mandalay Bay came early the next morning, but thankfully they served some delicious juices.  I recommend Berry Good - yum!  The food was also tasty here.  I had an early afternoon flight back to NYC so I was lucky enough to be able to spend some time with the bride-to-be after brunch before making my way to the airport.

Now, I can't wait for October when the last of the "old" girlfriends crew gets hitched!!  It really has been one heck of a year for each of us!! 

Andrea :)

Breakfast Before Dreams

You know that dream.  The one that sticks with you long after the alarm rings.  The one that startled you out of sleep in the first place.  The one that is still vivid in your mind even as you sit down to begin your day at breakfast.

Well, you better eat quick because you can't speak of that dream until you are finished with breakfast.  At least that's how things went in our house growing up.  Call us superstitious if you'd like, but we didn't discuss details of a dream before we got something in our stomach.  Especially if the dream was scary or bad.  We wouldn't dare chance it coming true.

To be honest, it wasn't until a few months ago I found out this wasn't a general practice in all households across America.  My husband woke one morning and began immediately telling me about his crazy dream.  It took me a second to realize what was happening.  I quickly shushed him and forced a granola bar on him so that I could find out how this story ended...after breakfast!

Do you have any post-breakfast rituals??

Andrea :)

*Linking up with Mia and Vashelle for #WODW.  This week's prompt is the word Breakfast.  Join the fun!

The Five Best NFL Stadiums

It's Tuesday Tailgate!! Hooray!!

It is a bucket list dream of mine to attend a home game at every NFL stadium...and I'm real close to completing this goal!!  As you peruse the list below, please keep in mind that I haven't been to any of the west coast stadiums (three in California and one in Seattle) and also have yet to see Kansas City and Denver.  It's possible a couple of these could bump up into the top five, but today I'm sticking with my picks below!

NUMBER FIVE - BUFFALO BILLS

Between the buffalo wings and the awesome tailgating atmosphere, the Ralph Wilson Stadium experience is a keeper!  I was there for a game before the temperature dropped below zero so that also helped.  Being in Buffalo for an early season game is clutch!

NUMBER FOUR - NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Since New Orleans (as a city) ranks in my top three all-time faves, you know the Saints are making this list!  It's hard to beat beignets before a game, right?  Seriously though, the Superdome is rocking!!  The volume level in that stadium is off the charts!  SOOO loud!!  And I loved every minute of it!!

NUMBER THREE - CAROLINA PANTHERS

Bank of America Stadium is located right in the heart of downtown Charlotte making the game day experience lots of fun!  We walked there from our hotel and stopped along the way for $1 hot dogs.  Once inside, the seats gleam that beautiful Panthers teal.  Aesthetically, this place is top of the list.  I really felt like I was a part of the game here.  And you can't beat the price of concessions either!

NUMBER TWO - GREEN BAY PACKERS

Iconic Lambeau Field had to make the list, right?  This place is the absolute epitome of football.  From the lower level bleachers to the tailgaters surrounding the stadium for miles, it is truly a one of a kind football experience.  My first game here was for Monday Night Football in December.  It truly doesn't get any better than that my friends!

NUMBER ONE - CINCINNATI BENGALS

WHO DEY!!  Of course, my Bengals are coming in number one on this list!  In all reality though, Paul Brown Stadium is pretty spectacular!  I love that it sits right on the Ohio river.  I've sat in the endzone with an open view and it really can't be beat!  I've also had my fair share of views in the upper level and enjoyed my experience just as much.  Whether my boys in black and orange are winning or losing, this stadium truly holds its own.

Have you ever been to an NFL game?

Did you have a favorite stadium?

Andrea :)

*If you would like to check out any of my previous stadium reviews, click here.

Date Night: Paint Along

One of the fun date night gifts we received at my bachelorette shower was a session at Paint Along NYC.  We finally put it to use...and had SUCH a blast!

An instructor welcomed us to the group and we got settled into our area feeling a little intimidated by the painting we were going to create.  We started with a plate full of various paints and three brushes.  The instructor walked us through every single step being sure to answer questions and help direct when you were getting a little off track.  At more than one point, neither of us were sure how these painting would turn out!

We had fun trying to follow the directions as closely as possible and just chatting in between.  For two first-time artists, it was challenging at times.  It didn't seem like two hours had passed when we came to the end of the session though.  The time went so quickly as we laughed and painted.  We had a great night and came home with a couple of great pieces of art, too!

Have you ever participated in a Paint Along class?

Andrea :)

Saturday States: Michigan & Wisconsin

Michigan

State Nickname: The Great Lakes State

Year of Family Trip: 2009

City Visited: Detroit

Can't Miss Tourist Attraction: Motown Museum

We spent some time in Detroit checking out the Motown Museum and driving all over creation trying to figure out EXACTLY where 8 mile was located...I'm not sure we ever totally figured it out!  And we even jumped across the border into Windsor, Canada briefly.

Wisconsin

State Nickname: The Badger State

Year of Family Trip: 2003

Cities Visited: Madison, Wisconsin Dells

Can't Miss Tourist Attraction: Farmer's Market at the State Capitol Building 

On our trip through Wisconsin, we spent the bulk of our time in Madison and Wisconsin Dells though we did spend the night in Racine (home of the Belles from A League of Their Own).  We drove by Marquette University and stopped for a photo at McKinley Marina...and *almost* convinced Mom and Dad to detour 100 miles out of the way for a stop in Green Bay.  Since we were unsuccessful on this trip, Jordan and I had to go on our own six years later - read more here!

A Round of Golf with a Side of Cheese Curds

In Wisconsin Dells, we tried a unique lumberjack restaurant where the meals were served on metal plates.  By the time we finished, we were convinced all we needed was an ax and we would fit right in.  We played some competitive mini-golf before heading toward the state's capital - Madison!  There, we roamed around the farmer's market checking out every possible type of cheese imaginable.  We settled on trying cheese curds...surprisingly, much tastier than they sound!

Have you visited Michigan or Wisconsin?

What would you suggest checking out in these two states?

Andrea :)