Category Archives: Fun

Planning Our Summer Vacation 2018 – South Lake Tahoe (Part 1 of 5)

12 Thursday Apr 2018

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I am a planner by nature so planning vacations comes pretty natural to me. Some folks are not planners and have to work harder at it or they do not do it at all. I’m a bit biased towards planning and being prepared. Flying by the seat of my pants is not my style and tends to produce anxiety in me.

I decided to share my travel planning tips and suggestions with you, in hopes to make your next trip smooth and anxiety free.

Our last and first vacation was in the summer 2014 for our honeymoon. We went to Park City, UT. It was a great town; I highly recommend it. We decided early in the calendar year that we were going to make a vacation happen for us this year.

Step 1: Determine where you want to go

We want to stay in the states with easy and fast travel, to maximize our time away on the vacation part not the traveling part.

  • We live in south-east Texas so escaping to some place cooler during the summer is ideal for us.
  • We tend to travel during and around the 4th of July holiday week because I already get a day off work, my boss goes on vacation at this time too, it is close to my husband’s birthday, it’s not far from our wedding anniversary, and it is a good time to get out of the Texas heat.
  • We lean towards going to the mountains for vacation for all the aforementioned reasons.

When figuring out where to go, I make a list of activities I’d like to do or see. For this trip the draw is variety….which, as you know, is the spice of life!

  • Good Food – I don’t think I need to explain this one…..cause GOOD FOOD!
  • Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries – Local brews, wines, and spirits are a fun way to meet people and experience the local culture.
  • Water Activities – Fishing (husband), Kayaking (me), Boating, Jet Skis, Parasailing, Swimming, Floating
  • Mountain Activities – Nearby hiking trails and natural wonders to experience.
  • Nice Spas – Relaxation

Initially we were looking to go to Washington state or Oregon and explore the beautiful mountains up there. After GoogleMapping (I don’t think this is a real word/verb), I realized that we’d fly into one of the major airports in the area and the have to drive 4-6 hours away to get to the beautiful mountains that were interested in seeing. Once we’d get there it is pretty desolate with not a ton of activities nor people around. I personally didn’t want to drive 4-6 hours somewhere…..seems like a bit of a waste of time. One day I will do that trip, but it didn’t sound very appealing to me for this year.

I then looked around the Yellow Stone area and Wyoming….same sorta thing, but a whole lot more expensive! So, that was a no (for now).

I thought about Colorado, but I spent many summers in Colorado growing up and really wanted to go somewhere I’ve not been before as an adult.

As I was drifting around the map I landed on Lake Tahoe. “YES!”, I thought….it has all the things we are looking for in a summer vacation location.

Step 2: Determine if you can afford to go there

This is where I’m really not the best. I’m not a travel bargain shopper. I’m sure this is my misfortune. I think that if I were trying to go to Europe, Hawaii, or Alaska or somewhere far, I’d be more apt to find deals, even at the expense of my convenience. Since I’m traveling close and I can cater to my convenience.

Keep in mind that things typically are more expensive when it is a holiday week.

Step 2.5: Settle on what days you will be traveling/stay for

The flights and lodging are typically the most costly part of any vacation.

United Airlines has a hub in the Houston, TX area and I determined that we could get a direct flight into Reno, NV. There is only 1 direct flight per day in to RNO from IAH and only 1 direct flight per day from RNO to IAH. Soooo that didn’t leave very much wiggle room; we’d need to book the flights right away to ensure that we can get back and forth on the days we want.

I checked our credit card points to see how much we could apply towards our flights. It wasn’t a lot this time because I kept using my points on Amazon for my dog, but every little bit helps. My Mom also hooked me up for my birthday….chipping in towards the costs of our flights (thanks Mom!).

I then started looking on VRBO.com and AirBNB for places to stay. I originally was looking at North Lake Tahoe, it was not super expensive, really close to Reno, BUT it was far from the mountains. Then I started checking South Lake Tahoe, which apparently is “the place to be”. I found a condo for rent that was within a reasonable price range per night.

Next was checking the rental car prices. Thankfully, I get a corporate discount through my company and it is going to be around $300 for 8 days.

The financial part was looking doable…..sooooo let’s do this!

Step 3: Picking & Securing Lodging

Do not drive yourself nuts with all of the millions of options. I made a board on both VRBO and AirBNB webpages and saved the most appealing ones to the boards. Once I felt like I had seen most of what was available in the area, I started narrowing them down based on the location and amenities that are important to me.

  • Location – Can I walk to things? How close to the water or mountains am I?
  • Kitchenette – Coffee, Snacks, Perhaps cook breakfast.
  • Laundry Facility Access – For an 8 day trip, this is important.
  • On-Site Pool and or Hot Tub (other/more amenities a plus)
  • Patio or Balcony
  • Size and Luxury

Once you have a list of what is important to you in lodging you can easily and quickly narrow down the options in each board. After I narrowed it down to 2 or 3 options, I provided them to my husband to obtain his preference. He chose the same one that I did, so just like that….bam! We had a place to stay.

I booked the room for the dates I had picked and immediately went online and booked our flights. Then immediately reserved a rental car, which will be a small SUV. All the big things are booked and paid for……..

Now the fun part of planning a trip really begins!

Part 2 on Food and Activities – Coming Soon!

I will re-cap our trip and experiences and I will review our lodging location.

I will do restaurant reviews and post them on my other site called: Restaurant Reviews – ByCandace

Fashion: Looking Good & Feeling Good (Part 2)

05 Thursday Apr 2018

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It has been since 2015 since I’ve written about fashion (see Part 1 by clicking on this link), but now is a good time to bring it up again.

I take walks around my office campus a couple of times a day, as part of my daily movement commitment to myself. On these walks I see people, different types of people (gender, race, cultural background, etc.) with all different body types.

What I notice is that a lot of people are, in my opinion, not dressing correctly for their body type to look the best their body can look, regardless of height, weight or body-fat levels.

Here are some of my thoughts and guidelines to consider when shopping for clothes and getting dressed.

#1 – Not everyone is built to look their best in low-rise pants.

I actually want to say that most people are not built to look their best in low-rise pants. The fashion powers-that-be made a mistake in popularizing this trend to main-stream shoppers.

This trend often will make people’s (they have low-rise pants for men! WHAT?!?!) proportions between the legs and torso look out-of-whak. The same goes for high-waist pants; they aren’t for everyone….but generally a better option than low-rise.

My Suggestion: Buy and wear mid-rise pants. A mid-rise pant will hit just under or at the bellybutton. Mid-rise pants tend to be most flattering on the majority of body shapes. I personally think they are the most comfortable rise option.

#2 – Ill-fitting shirts.

I see men and women alike wearing shirts that are too small. They stretch, crease, and wrinkle across the chest and back looking uncomfortable and unattractive. Buttons pulled apart etc.  Let’s also touch on shirts that are too short (not on purpose, not talking crop-tops here) that allow your goodies to show. Typically the shirt is old and has shrunk over time through the washing and drying process.

My Suggestion: Please throw these shirts out and get new ones. They don’t have to be expensive, go to Wal-Mart or Target. Then make sure you don’t wash them in super-hot water and either hang them up to dry or dry them on low heat.

#3 – Length of pants.

Folks I’m a short girl. I’m 5’2”. A ‘Regular’ length is too long for me. I either buy ‘Short’ lengths or I take my pants to get hemmed. Almost nothing will make you look sloppier than pants that are too long.

My Suggestion: Buy the correct length or hem pants to the correct length for your legs.

Two Lessons:

  • Just because a style is sold in stores doesn’t mean you should buy it.
  • Just because something is a trend doesn’t mean you should wear it.

Generally speaking, if you are squeezed into clothing with body parts squishing out, you aren’t dressing in such a way that makes your body look its best. It even looks uncomfortable, not to mention unattractive. To my point in Part 1; wear clothes that fit your body.

For the people reading this that know me personally, know that I’m no fashionista! BUT, regardless of my size I do buy and wear clothes that fit my body well. Garments that make my body at that time look the best it can. Mostly I wear them so that I’m comfortable and can move around without my parts popping out.

 

It’s Been About 2 Months

12 Thursday Oct 2017

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I can’t believe it has been about 2 months since I’ve posted anything. Time flies. So much life has been going on that I just haven’t….

The weekend of 08/11 – 08/13 me, my husband, my sister, and her boyfriend went to a place called The Retreat at Artesian Lakes.

The incident(s) in Charlottesville happened…..sooooo that was time consuming, distracting, and infuriating to say the least. I could write a dissertation on this subject, but let me leave it at “People-Be-Crazy!”.

Then Hurricane Harvey hit Houston! We were one of the few super fortunate that did not get water into our house.

I worked for a month from home because my office building flooded again this year; it also flooded in the 2016 Memorial Day flood.

My little dog loooooved having me home all day.

Then I found out that Don Williams died 09/08! WHAT?!?!? His voice is like butter!

My husband and I crashed my Aunt’s house party on 09/10 cause…..chicken fried steak and black berry cobbler.

Then….Hurricane Irma hit!

Aaaaand there was all this….too….fires….

My friend Meagan and I went to the 50th Annual Fall Antique Fair in Round Top, TX the weekend of 09/29 – 10/01.

Then mix in a full-time job, birthdays, and brunches….aaaand we basically arrive at today. As you can see….LIFE….good stuff, scary stuff, bad stuff, more good stuff…..LIFE.

I hope to have more to share soon….

 

 

I officially have a hobby!

18 Tuesday Jul 2017

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I now have a real hobby for the first time in my whole life! I’m so happy and excited about it!

I’ve been wanting to include this hobby in my life for several years and decided this year I was going to pull the trigger and do it!

Here I am – my first time in my kayak.

Kayaks

The fun and benefits of kayaking for me is:

  • Being in nature                         (aka: Forest Bathing – sorta…)
  • Being on the water                    (aka: Lowers Stress – very calming to me)
  • Getting some sun                      (aka: Vitamin D)
  • Great upper body workout         (aka: Strong arms)

I hope that all of you are making time to have some fun too!

Fashion: Looking Good & Feeling Good

12 Monday Jan 2015

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I think there is a direct link between what we put on our bodies and how those clothes make us feel. We present ourselves to the world each day and the clothes we do that in says something about us to ourselves and to others.

I am by no means a fashionista. I have even been told that I dress too plainly. I do like clothes and shoes. I like that the clothing I put on can express who I am and how I am feeling each day. I do not typically think of this when I am getting dressed each day, but it is true just the same.

Perhaps is it good to think….”what does this outfit say about me?” when getting dressed. Sometimes it is best to dress how you want to feel instead of how you do feel. Have you ever heard the expression – “dress for the job you want”? Well…it is sorta like that….sometimes when you get dressed in a certain way, even when you ‘arn’t feelin it’ it can change your mood and attitude.

My Fashion Tips:

#1 – Always wear clothes that fit your body. If they are too tight get something bigger so you do not look like an uncomfortable stuffed sausage. If they are too big buy smaller size or get them tailored to fit you.

#2 – Use a tailor! The average tailor is not expensive. Ill fitting clothes look weird on and seems people are always pulling on them somewhere. You can buy a cheap item have it tailored to ft your body and it will look expensive because it fits so well.

#3 – Feel good in your clothes.  – Dress to feel good. To present the best of yourself. Even if you are not comfortable at the weight you are at, you can dress well, feel better, and look good.