A Brief History of College Graduation Tassels & Laudes

Disclosure: This is a guest post.

 

Enjoy Your Stay in Miami

Disclosure: This is a guest post.

There is much more to Miami than weather that is beautiful the entire year. Over the years, the city of Miami has poured a lot of money into developing many different resorts, parks and golf courses. These have succeeded in making the city on the southern tip of Florida even more appealing to tourists than it already was. There is no doubt that Miami is one of the biggest tourist cities in the United States. It also attracts its fair share of college students who are looking to blow off some steam during spring break. In order to find the cheapest hotels in Miami, read some travel blogs. You can also compare hotel prices online. Here are some attractions that will help you to enjoy your stay in Miami.

Miami Seaquarium
When many people think of Miami, they think of the nearby ocean and all of the amazing creatures that live within it. If you get on a boat and travel around Miami, you can see a wide variety of marine life. At the Miami Seaquarium, you can get up close and personal with these animals. There are live shows that are performed daily. This is an ideal place to bring children. It first opened its doors all the way back in 1955.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
The warm climate of Miami makes this the perfect location for a botanic garden. This particular one has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful in the country. The area is massive, covering a total of 82 acres. Visitors will find a wide variety of vines, flowering trees, cycads and palms. The beauty contained within this botanic garden is truly amazing, so be sure to take some pictures.

Coral Castle
The Coral Castle is a large collection of objects that were carved from limestone formed from coral. All of he objects in the collection were carved by a single man named Edward Leedskalnin. It was a massive undertaking that he performed in secret. He did not want anyone to find out how he was able to successfully carve the limestone without it shattering. He wound up taking his secret with him to his grave, as it was never discovered. Another mystery is how he was able to move the extremely heavy stones by himself. He employed no other people to help him during the course of this project.

 

Welcome Baby Girl!

Our baby girl is finally here! The child we have longed for, prayed for, and dreamed of for years. This last month has filled my heart with so much joy and love.

Her birth was beautiful and healing - the grand finale and triumphant victory over infertility and loss. My actual labor was difficult and everything did not go as I had hoped, but I was able to have my VBAC and hours of uninterrupted skin to skin right away in the end. It was amazing and unforgettable! Recovery has not been easy and a couple hiccups have lengthened my recovery, but I'm looking forward to feeling somewhat back to normal soon. 

When you have these beautiful little people to look at every morning, life just can't get any better. Having TWO kids is just unreal!

 

Enjoy the Sun Safely with Snapper Rock UV50+ Children's Swimwear {Giveaway - Ends 5/3}

California summers are brutally hot, but you'll still find Buddy in the backyard digging in the garden or watering plants with his squirt gun for hours at a time. He won't be cooling off with the hose as much this summer due to drought conditions, but he'll definitely be exposed to the sun at midday enough that proper sun protection is warranted. With Buddy's fair skin and my own skin problems triggered by sun damage, I don't take sun exposure lightly. Some sun is important to soak up some Vitamin D, but hours is simply irresponsible. Moderation is key!
 
Childhood sunburns are the leading cause of skin cancer later in life. Guys, it takes just one bad burn! I was not a sun baby, but I do remember getting a a little red on occasion as a kid. A really bad burn from ten years ago on my upper back continues to be a problem and many skin biopsies have come back abnormal. My dermatologist has become a great friend.

I received complimentary product for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own.

Like last summer, I'm protecting Buddy's skin with stylish Snapper Rock swimwear. Snapper Rock swimwear has a UPF rating of 50+, blocking 98% of all harmful rays due to the density of the material used. There are no chemicals or treatments used to achieve this rating at all. With my own skin's history, and with skin cancer appearing on both sides of my family, I just can't risk Buddy's skin.

This is the Rash Top and pair of Pool Boy Boardies we received for this summer from Snapper Rock. I love this adorable whale print! It's easy to mix and match the top and bottom from Snapper Rock's coordinating colors.

Boardies are made from 100% Polyester, so they are quick drying and lightweight. They feature a mesh lining, soft elastic waistband, drawstring, and a velcro back pocket. I really like the Pool Boy board shorts! The fit just feels a bit younger and more appropriate for Buddy's age than the classic Regular style.

The short sleeve Rash Tops are nearly a half sleeve, with a high collar for great skin coverage. It's moderately stretchy, comprised of 80% Nylon, 20% Elastane, and features a flat lock stitching to prevent rubbing against skin. Buddy is picky about tags and such, so we cut it the size tag from the neck, but otherwise he had no complaints about the stitching. It's a comfortable top and doesn't restrict movement and play. Add a hat and natural sunscreen for any skin exposed, and you can rest easy knowing your kiddo is safe to enjoy the afternoon sun.

Boys Rash Tops come in short sleeve and long sleeve and there are three styles to choose from for boys board shorts. In addition to the Pool Boy style we reviewed here, you can choose the Regular or True Boardies also. The Pool Boy style is shorter in length than the Regular (which we reviewed last year), with a wider leg and more relaxed fit. The True Boardies have a lower rise and a non elastic waistband.

Boys Board Shorts - $40, Boys Swim Shirts - $38 and up. Shop now at SnapperRock.com.

Enter To Win:
One of my readers will receive a full Snapper Rock swim outfit! 

{A Rash Top and Boardies for boys, a Short Sleeve Three Piece set for girls, or a Sunsuit and Bucket Hat for babies}

Easy Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Disclosure: This is a guest post.

Mother's Day will be here before you know it. Are you well prepared for this very special day? If not, you need to get your act together and start looking for the perfect gift for that special lady in your life. Needless to say, there are many different gifts to choose from. The choices are almost limitless. This means you will need to do your fair share of research in order to get your mom's eyes to light up with joy. Here are just a few wonderful gift ideas for your mom on her special day.

Flowers
The stunning beauty of flowers has been delighting people for countless generations. You can visit Fresh Flowers online for Mothers Day flowers at reasonable prices. If you have some idea what type of flowers your mom likes, this will help you to put together a gorgeous bouquet that will take her breath away. Do a little research before you buy her flowers. Make sure you are buying a variety of flowers that your mother fancies.

A Trip to a Spa
Every woman likes to look beautiful. This is why a trip to a spa is a no-brainer when you are looking for a great gift to give to your mother. When your mother is at a spa, she will be treated like a queen. She will be pampered and made to look her absolute best. You can start off with a facial treatment, or possibly a mud bath. These will help to eliminate the wrinkles on her skim. You can also sign your mother up for a professional massage treatment. This will soothe her sore muscles and make her feel totally relaxed. Many spas also offer manicure and pedicure treatments for their clients. If a woman is going to look her best, she will need to have her fingernails and toenails professionally done. A professional spa treatment is a gift that women of all ages will appreciate.

A Fancy Dinner
Your mother has no doubt spent many hours of her life cooking meals for you. Therefore, you should show her how much you appreciate her efforts by taking her out to a fancy restaurant on her special day. You most likely know the types of food your mother likes, so find the best restaurant in your area that serves this type of food. Give your mother an evening she will never forget.

 

Groupon Coupons :: A NEW Way to Save From Groupon

This post is brought to you by Groupon. All opinions are 100% my own.

Groupon, the web's most popular deal-of-the-day site, recently launched Groupon Coupons. Having plenty of personal experience with purchasing and using Groupon deals, I've gotta say I'm really excited about this new way to save from Groupon.

With Groupon Coupons, you have access to 55,000 store coupons and online promo codes from 7,500 national retailers. There is no registration or purchase required! Check out the current coupons from top retailers like Sports Authority, Walgreens, Forever 21, Sears, Home Depot and Shutterfly.

With a brand new baby, we're quickly figuring out what we do (and don't) want as far as infant clothing. Since I'm not going out much yet, I'm doing lots of online shopping, particularly during night feedings to help me stay awake! Carter's has deals constantly, but finding the best coupon code available at the time is the key to maximizing your savings online. I was happy to see Groupon Coupons has a 25% off $30+ order coupon code right now, which is better than the current coupon on Carter's own website.

Maximizing my family's budget is important, especially with a new baby and the extra expenses we now have, so I'm always on the look out for ways to save. Next time you head out to run errands or shop online, be sure to do a quick search on Groupon Coupons before you go. You might be surprised to find a coupon or two that will stretch your budget. Those savings add up!

 

Limeapple :: Activewear for Tweens available NOW at Costco through early May {Giveaway - Ends 4/23}

This post is brought to you by Limeapple. All opinions are 100% my own.

Let's face it. Shopping for tween girls can be a bit of a nightmare. Finding age-appropriate apparel is just a huge challenge with the limited apparel options aimed towards tweens. Limeapple is a lifestyle clothing brand designed to style young girls at school, after class activities, the beach and weekend lounging. They are all about empowering girls to lead positive, healthy lifesyles, and through their line of fun activewear they are doing just that. 

Limeapple uses high quality performance fabrics that are breathable, fast drying and moisture wicking, and pill resistant for their bright, colorful activewear. Their designs are made to last, and feature fun little details like flat seams, 4-way stretch, built-in lining, and even iPod pockets!

Aren't these sets just awesome? I would totally wear the one with aqua if it came in women sizes.

Right now you can score Limeapple activewear sets at Costco at an amazing value of just $18.99. These sets include an activewear top and capri legging and can be found at Costco locations in the western United States, or at Costco.com (price includes shipping and handling).

HURRY, these Costco sets will only be available until early May, so don't delay!

Enter To Win:
One of my readers will receive a Limeapple activewear set!

$300 Target Gift Card GIVEAWAY! {Ends 5/12 - Open WW}

 
Okay! Here's another chance at a nice gift card to my favorite shopping destination. Sometimes I feel like I live at Target...anyone else?? :)

Prize: $300 Target Gift Card

Giveaway organized by: Oh My Gosh Beck!

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter daily. Check the Rafflecopter for the link to our other Target gift card to double your chances of winning! Giveaway ends 5/12 and is open worldwide. Winner will be notified via email.

Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog? Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

Enter To Win:
$300 Target Gift Card!

Things a Treatment Facility Can Prevent

Disclosure: This is a guest post.

There are many benefits to entering a treatment facility like the New River Wellness Center. It is common for people who are struggling with drug and alcohol addiction to be a little nervous about the idea of checking into a rehab clinic. People who are substance abusers are not used to being told what to do. They have authority issues and they do not like to be told no. Needless to say, it is necessary for an addict to get over these issues if their treatment is going to be successful. If addicts only knew all of the many benefits that rehab can offer them, many more would surely sign up for treatment. Here are some of the things a treatment facility can prevent.

OshKosh B'Gosh :: Spring Styles for Babies & Kids #ImagineSpring

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for OshKosh B’Gosh. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Despite the lovely spring allergies that never fail to plague me this time of year, I enjoy the sunny days and the need for warm-weather wardrobe shopping as we store away winter sweaters and jackets. For myself that means just a few new pieces to refresh my wardrobe, but for Buddy that means an entire wardrobe overhaul since kids never stop growing. And now I have baby girl to shop for too!

 

I have several go-to places when i need to buy kids clothes, but OshKosh B'Gosh is my favorite for finding classic, timeless pieces like denim and their World's Best Overalls. Their fashionable styles for baby and kid may change with the seasons, but the OshKosh B'Gosh look is unmistakable and still grounded in authentic American heritage.

Several weeks ago Buddy and I went to our OshKosh B'Gosh to shop for spring.  We were greeted with cheerful colors, fun patterns, prints and classic OshKosh style. It's time for spring outdoor adventures and park playdates! With OshKosh, you get effortless style that can go from school, to the playground, to a nice dinner out with the family without much fuss. The staff at our local store was super helpful, and Buddy and I really had lots of fun leisurely shopping together for spring.

There are some darling styles for baby too. It was definitely hard to narrow down my favorites for baby girl. Even when I finally did, choosing sizes was even more difficult knowing I have big babies, but not knowing just how fast this girly will go through sizes. I stuck with 6 and 9 months mostly (to fit in early summer), factoring in a cloth diaper bottom.

My little boy isn't so little anymore and pretty much picked out everything we got for him. Although he found a few new spring items, he also ended up with several clearance tees, which stretched our budget nicely. There were plenty of cute brighter colored tees in the new spring collection for big boys, but he preferred these.

Buddy loved helping me choose several things for sister too. I couldn't resist the ease of these rompers and this adorable denim bib dress! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Easy to wear and yet so stylish and FUN for a little girl. I figure the dress can be paired with leggings in the fall too.

 

I found several of these tops on clearance, but all are great for warm weather. I've been collecting cute shorts lately to be easily paired with tees on warm days, and I'm so happy with these! This is a pinstripe short and a pair of denim polka dot bubble shorts. Everything at OshKosh has extra pizazz and personality.

OshKosh B’Gosh has everything you'll need to get a jump on spring shopping for the kids. They carry clothing, but also accessories, shoes and activewear that your kids will love. 

STRETCH your spring wardrobe budget with this awesome coupon for 25% off your $30+ purchase at OshKosh B'Gosh. Expires April 30th! Check the store locator for the store nearest you.

Stay connected with OshKosh B’Gosh on Facebook and Twitter for news on the latest sales and fashion trends.

 

Digital Media Academy Soccer & Tech Summer Camps in Northern CA {Exclusive Savings Offer}

 

Starting to make summer plans? Summer camps are where treasured memories are made! Founded at Stanford University, Digital Media Academy is ranked as one of the ten best summer camps in the world.

Choose from two summer programs at Santa Clara University: Adventures in Soccer & Game Design for Boys or Adventures in Soccer, Photography & Graphic Design for Girls.

I received compensation for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Give your child a pre-collegiate experience and build their confidence through project-based learning. Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more.  

Students develop real-world tech skills while sharpening their soccer skills as they train with Santa Clara University's Division I soccer program. Students must bring their own soccer gear, including a soccer ball and all required soccer equipment (shin guards, athletic clothing with no pockets, socks, cleats, and water bottle). 

 

Digital Media Academy's Soccer & Technology summer camps combine athletics and tech learning in one dynamic camp. Students spend the mornings on the field and receive training from some of the best college soccer players in the world. In the afternoon, students head to the studio classroom, where they discover the fundamentals concepts of photography or game design. 

Register now to save $365! Call 866-656-3342 and mention "USFG Soccer Discount" by April 30, 2015 to receive this exclusive offer when you register. With only 10 seats available for each camp, this savings will not last long. Camps are filling fast, so register early Digital Media Academy's Soccer & Technology summer camps and stay off the wait list.

Questions? Email a Guest Service Representative at info@digitalmediaacademy.org and mention "USFG Soccer Discount."

 

3D Printers Harness Clay to Create Gorgeous Ceramics

Disclosure: This is a guest post.

Recently, clay 3D printing has been a point of fascination for Dutch designers Marlieke Wijnakker and Yao van den Heerik. They’ve figured out a way to create a special filament from clay, adapt a 3D printer to handle the material, and print out gorgeous pottery as a result. In addition, their approach has led to a much quicker production time, with fully realized objects printing out in as little as 15 minutes. It leaves sculptors plenty of time to add idiosyncrasies and nuance to their work, while outsourcing the less interesting labor to a trusted machine. The clay is natural, recyclable, and incredibly strong, so it’s great for the environment and built to last 5000 years without serious degradation. Although it’s not the perfect material in every situation, clay is sustainable in a way that plastic isn’t, and clay’s properties are far better suited for things like bust portraiture. Below, you’ll find out more about the newest printing materials and trends.

 

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