All posts by Alicia

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, Georgia: Perfect Winter Vacation Destination

November 24, 2014Travelgeorgia, resort, road trip, St. Simons Island, The King and Prince, Travel, vacationAlicia

As I turned onto Torras Causeway which connects the city of Brunswick, GA to St. Simons Island, GA, I felt a rush in my heart, then pure relaxation. I didn’t have a heart attack, I was home. Quite a reaction to home, right? My actual ‘home-base’ is in the northern suburbs of Atlanta but my home-away-from-home is The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, just a 5 hour drive from Atlanta.

GETTING THERE:
201 Arnold Road
St. Simons Island
Georgia, 31522

CONTACT
800-342-0212

CONNECT

Crossing the causeway I saw beautiful White Herons near the shoreline and in the marsh, stalking their soon-to-be lunch and possibly a Bald Eagle soaring above the trees which took my breath away. If it wasn’t unsafe to stop in the middle of the causeway, I would have pulled over to stare at and document the incredibly beautiful animals gracing me with their presence. Finishing my drive on the causeway I exited onto Kings Way, officially on St. Simons Island now, rolled the windows down and took in the sights, scents, and sounds of the island. Driving on Kings Way is like driving through a tropical rain forest with residential communities filling in the spaces. After about a mile I stopped at one of the few stoplights on the island, enjoyed a view of Pier Village, St. Simons Island’s place-to-be for residents and tourists alike. Knowing I had to get to my destination and that I’d make my way back to the eclectic yet quaint shopping and dining district later, I gently pressed the gas pedal when the light turned green and went on my way down Kings Way until it turned into Ocean Boulevard. Then, I felt it in my soul; I was almost home. Less than five minutes later, and no more than 7 minutes after crossing onto St. Simons Island from Torres Causeway, I stopped the car, opened my door, and took a deep breathe while looking up at the beautiful King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort that I and my family have become so fond of over the last four years.

Visiting The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort has become at least an annual occasion for my family so as I embarked on my most recent trip to the island, I wondered what I could possibly learn or experience at the resort and on the island that I haven’t already? I was in for a surprise! During this trip I received educational insight from local residents, historians, entrepreneurs, and artists including Curt Smith, Lighthouse Historian, Cap Fendig, life long resident of St. Simons and island host via way of trolley and boat, Cap’n Larry Credle, who runs educational shrimp boat excursions on the Lady Jane, a family MUST-DO! I listened in awe as Mr. Smith shared details of when, in 1941, Germans sank five Allied merchant ships off Georgia shores, Georgia’s closest brush with actual combat operations in World War II. The Naval Air Station Glynco in nearby Brunswick, GA was home to blimps that flew thousands of hours on coastal and maritime patrol. A visit to the St. Simons Lighthouse and Maritime Center are a must for families with children who want or need to learn about the Georgia’s rich coastal history. If your child, or yourself, is interested in history, a stop at the Lighthouse is a must-do!

The lavish accommodations make guests feel like royalty, even the young one’s receive a crown upon checking in. Mom can sneak away for a relaxing massage in the Royal Cottage with treatments starting at just $50 for a 30-minute massage. Dad can get away for a round of golf before setting out on a kayak tour of the marshes later in the day. After being treated like a King or Queen, the family can relax by the pool and enjoy light snack by the pool served by The Sea Shack Bar and Bites. ECHO, the resort’s restaurant, also offers patio seating near the pool area, weather permitting. The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort is the only beachfront hotel on St. Simons Island giving guests an exceptional view from any angle. Most rooms, villas, and rental homes on the property have at least an ocean view. For large families, the available rental homes provide everything your family needs for a week-long, or longer, stay including a fully supplied kitchen, plenty of seating, ample closet and bathroom space, and easy access to all of the resort’s amenities.

St. Simons Island offers endless opportunities to dine in local hotspots that combine fresh seafood with traditional southern cuisine such as the Shrimp and Grits dish complete with Andoyille etouffee and Sapelo Farms greens served at The King and Prince or Homemade Empanadas served at Del Sur, a new restaurant on St. Simons Island. The second morning of our visit, we enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast at the Sandcastle Café, where owners, Tim and Melissa, have operated for 26 years.

The King and Prince Resort, on St. Simon’s Island is the perfect secluded escape for busy parents in need of a relaxing vacation. Bringing the kids is optional but never have I taken the kids to The King and Prince and regretted that my husband and I didn’t have enough relaxing time. The beautiful view, resort ambiance, amenities, dining, and accommodations more than make up for the fact that the kids are with us the entire time. The kids are happy because there is so much to do at the resort and you know that happy kids = happy parents!

The King and Prince hosts fun events during the year, including culinary classes, taste of Thanksgiving, holiday cookie parties, and a New Years Eve party. You can follow along on their Facebook page for up to date event and activity information.

Do you see why The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort is my home-away-from-home?

Getting to The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

201 Arnold Road
St. Simons Island
Georgia, 31522
(800) 342-0212

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort is located on historic St. Simons Island in Georgia and is easily accessible by either car or air. Island exits from I-95 are just 15 minutes from St. Simons. The Jacksonville International Airport is just 60 miles away and the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is less than 70 miles away. Brunswick Golden Isles Airport is a quick 20-minute drive, with three incoming Delta Connection flights daily.

Connect with The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort Online

#GIVEHAPPY With OshKosh B’gosh + 25% Off Coupon

November 21, 2014Fashion & Style, Holidaykids clothes, Oshkosh B'goshAlicia

The holidays are quickly approaching. What does that mean for me? It means chaos. Thankfully, that chaos culminates in fun times and happiness. The process of getting to the joy of the holidays can be daunting but it’s worth it every year. I don’t go through chaos just because it’s a holiday and I feel like I have to. I do it because it’s one time of the year that I know when certain things are happening and can have some kind of plan and strategy. Otherwise it’s life as usual which is – buy clothes as the kids need them, – go to the grocery as we need groceries, – work, – clean the house when we can, etc. You get it.

This time of year is when I make plans. I plan what the kids, or my 8-year-old daughter at least, is going to wear to family get together’s and school parties. I make an official grocery list with things like brown sugar, chocolate chips, and turkey, on it. Organization is what I appreciate about the holidays, besides spending time with my family.

What Madelyn appreciates about the holidays might be a little different but OshKosh B’gosh’s #GIVEHAPPY campaign has helped us appreciate the little things more, this holiday season. You can read more on that below.

Madelyn has been growing faster than a weed this year. It’s like her body is mocking me. I bought her a new wardrobe in the Spring and she’s already outgrown most of the pieces. OshKosh B’gosh is one of my favorite places to shop for clothes for her. The classic styles, bright colors, and comfortable materials are the perfect combination for her.. and I! I love that almost every piece at OshKosh B’gosh can be machine washed and dried but they are super comfortable and wonderfully fitting pieces that you’d think were only available at high-end stores where a sweater for a child runs upward of $100. The cute little ensemble Madelyn’s wearing in the photo above cost less than $25! She’s wearing coral Stretch Twill pants paired with their Ski Lodge sweater which reminds me of the fox from the annoyingly famous song kids love.. you know the one. 😉

Her second favorite piece, after the fox sweater, is this red striped french terry pullover. Oh my gosh.. if they made one for adults I’d have grabbed one for myself. Too cute.. and comfy! As you can see, Madelyn prefers casual clothes. OshKosh B’gosh is our go-to store for casual, cute, comfy items that aren’t too expensive but have that classic look.. not so ‘grown-up girl’ as many of the department stores have these days. OshKosh B’gosh is great at keeping up with current trends without the short-cut, odd-fabrics that parents tend to find in other kids clothing stores. I appreciate that they offer cute, stylish clothes that keep Madelyn covered and let her personality shine!

OshKosh B’gosh is known for their classic denim and World’s Best Overalls but they’ve also got a whole assortment of fashionable looks for holidays and year-round that your kids are sure to love! OshKosh offers quality products for boys and girls size 0-12 at an outstanding value.

OshKosh B’gosh’s #GIVEHAPPY campaign is helping shoppers remember the importance of celebrating the holidays and delighting in the simple joys of childhood.

OshKosh B’gosh wants shoppers to #GIVEHAPPY this holiday season and I’m doing that just by celebrating the little moments with my kids like encouraging Madelyn to hang from trees, skip stones in the stream near our house, read books about Thanksgiving and Christmas together and decorate the house together. Some ways you can #GIVEHAPPY this season are by giving praise, giving hugs, giving time, and giving laughs!

Shop at OshKosh B’gosh at OshKosh.com and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter!

Print this 25% off coupon to bring with you when you shop at your local OshKosh B’gosh store or redeem it online! Find the nearest OshKosh B’gosh store here.

Holiday dressing just got easier! Get into the Christmas spirit and visit OshKosh B’gosh and #GIVEHAPPY!

How A 15-Year-Old Uses The Asus MeMO Pad™ 7 Intel Tablet For High School

November 14, 2014Gadgets, TechnologyIntel Tablets, technologyAlicia

The post below was, in most part, written by my 15 year old son Sebastian. He is a Freshman in high school and relies on gadgets to get his through the day starting with his iPhone alarm waking him at 6am, to taking notes in class on his Asus MeMO Pad™ 7 Intel Tablet, to checking and updating his Google calendar throughout the day, on the same tablet and his iPhone. Why don’t I let you read how he uses the Asus MeMO Pad™ 7 Intel Tablet to get him through his school day? Meanwhile, stay tuned for a post, from me, about how I am using this Intel Tablet to prepare for Thanksgiving just like I did for Halloween!

I have had the ASUS MeMO Pad 7 ME176CX-A1-BK 7-Inch Tablet (Black)
for a month and I couldn’t be happier with it. I’m a freshman in high school and am in the Magnet program so I constantly have to write anything from a short essay to even 20 page research papers. Most of the time I can’t just sit down at a computer and type for more than a hour at most which can pose a issue when I need to write a research paper. Now that I have the Asus MeMO Pad 7 I am able to write any kind of paper whenever and wherever I am. My school issues every Magnet student a Gmail account to use for communicating with the teachers and other students so I take advantage of that on my MeMO Pad. One of the first apps I opened on the tablet is the Google Drive application which allows me to write anywhere on WiFi or not then share it with a friend or teacher later, when I have wifi access. I have written a 6-7 page paper on the tablet and I am writing this review on it. 😉

Along with using Google Drive I also use Google Hangouts when I need to ask a friend for help, help a friend, or work on a group project. Video calling a classmate from the Asus MeMO Pad 7 is easy since the tablet has a forward and rear facing camera. The almost nonexistent weight makes the MeMo pad easy to hold during our long calls. The tablet weighs only 10 ounces it is no problem to carry it with you anywhere. It will even fit in the pocket of cargo pants!

Since I have some problems with staying organized I have a page on my Asus MeMo Pad™ 7 devoted to school and organization. On that page I have a few applications including SuperNote, SuperNote memos, Google calendar, Edmodo, EasyBib, Quizlet, and Google Hangouts. These apps have helped me stay organized, study, and write papers. On this page I am also able to put bookmark icons for specific websites that I need quick access to such as my school’s website. So, icons on a page on your Asus MeMO Pad 7, are not limited to app icons!

The Asus MeMO Pad 7 comes in a variety of colors including red, yellow, and black. You can also buy a variety of cases as well as Bluetooth keyboards, the latter of which helps tremendously when you have to write a 5-page essay; speaking from experience. 🙂

The Asus MeMO Pad 7 is 7 inches and weighs 10.4 ounces. This can eliminate the need for big computers and having to sit at a desk for hours to write a paper or do homework. I recommend this tablet to anyone from 8th grade all the way to the present of a huge company.

– Sebastian Hagan

I hope you enjoyed this review written by my son. He is a gadget geek, like myself, and wanted to share with my readers how he, a high school student, actually uses the Asus MeMO Pad 7 every day!

YOUR Cutest-Baby-In-The-Universe Could Win $50,000 With The Gerber “Be Our Baby” Photo Search!

November 5, 2014Age 0-1 yearbaby, Gerber Photo Search, photographyAlicia

If you’re a new parent, or even an experienced parents with older kids, you’ve worn the shutter button out on at least one camera. Or perhaps the home button on your smartphone is showing sings of wear due to the pressure of your finger tap, tap, tapping it in order to take a mad amount of photos of your baby or child to share with the world on social media. If you’re old-school, you have scrapbooks full of printed photos of your kids in which case I hope you keep that book on your coffee table for friends and family to see because goodness knows they are a rarity these days.

Why do we snap so many photos of our kids when they are baby’s, I wonder? I am sure of a couple of reasons. First, your baby is the cutest baby in the world and you want to document her cuteness for the world to see. Second, deep down inside, we all want our baby to be a model. I wished this for my son when he was an infant and worked for it. Sebastian made it into a newspaper ad for a major department store and I couldn’t have been a prouder mom. The work involved in coordinating modeling jobs and actually following through with them, with a baby for pete’s sake, is insane though, so that didn’t last long. Back in the day when my son was an infant, Facebook wasn’t around so I took to online ‘cutest baby photo searches’, to share photos of my son.

I majored in photography in college, believe it or not, and had a few tips and tricks up my sleeve when entering Sebastian into photo searches when he was a baby. While I don’t have quick access to those photos to share with you in this post, because they are 14 years old and not on this computer, I do have a few of Madelyn that I think are super adorable and might have entered into a photo search if I had thought of it. I wouldn’t have entered the photo in the bottom right corner because I think the reflection is an unnecessary addition but I think the photos is so darn cute – I had to include it.

Here are a few of my favorite baby photo tips:

Go for great lighting!
Make sure the background is not distracting. No crazy wallpaper and despite how cute you think a background of a bed of colorful flowers is, that may not be the best choice for a photo search photo.
Your baby should be the clear focus on the photo. Try to leave pets and siblings out of the photo.
You can never take enough photos. The more to choose from the better!
Submit a photo of your baby that shows emotion. Almost all winners of baby photo searches are smiling.

Enter your baby and they could win!

Through November 12, 2014, you can enter your baby to win the Gerber.com/Photosearch! Simply upload your favorite recent photo (no more than 30 days old) of your Gerber baby, up to 48 months of age. Your baby will have the chance of winning the Grand Prize of $50,000, one year of Gerber food and the possibility for your child to star in a future advertisement for Gerber as the 2014 spokesbaby! While you’re on the site, check out the previous entrants and winners. You’ll drool over them.. or maybe that’s just me. 🙂 You can be a part of the voting process as well! Anyone can cast a vote for the six milestone categories and the Gerber panel of judges will select the Grand Prize winner from all eligible photo entries in January 2015.

Milestone Categories in which you can enter your baby’s photo include Birth+, Supported Sitter, Sitter, Crawler, Toddler, Toddler 2+.

The photo you enter for one of the 6 Milestone prizes can be any photo of your child taken within the last 30 days. Pictures will be judged on (1) visual appeal of the child in the photo; (2) expressiveness of the child in the photo; and (3) consistency with Gerber’s heritage and mission.

Learn more and follow Gerber on Facebook and Instagram.

A Surprise Party With Littlest Pet Shop Toys!

November 4, 2014ToysLittlest Pet ShopAlicia

Littlest Pet Shop Playsets

Spout off a list of toys your child plays with and chances are, Littlest Pet Shop is on that list. The pet’s wobbly, oversized heads, bright colors, and fun names give kids a starting point for creative play unlike many. Madelyn needs a starting point to get her on the road to creative play and while many toys are colorful and have fun names, they don’t necessarily provide such a thorough platform for creative play such as Littlest Pet Shop toys do. Not only does Littlest Pet Shop offer lots of characters and pets but the playsets like the Littlest Pet Shop Style Set and Blythe Bedroom Style Set that Madelyn loves, give the characters a place to play, sleep, eat, and even shop.. meaning Madelyn has to come up with what for her characters and pets to do in each of those situations, jump starting her creative juices!

Littlest Pet Shop Party

I recently had a little surprise party for Madelyn because I didn’t have an official birthday party for her this year and felt bad. The party was meant to be a time when she and her friends could hang out, have snacks, and build and play with her new Littlest Pet Shop playsets. What a hit! It was better than I expected! The girls had tons of fun building the playsets!

Littlest Pet Shop - building playset

This fall, LITTLEST PET SHOP empowers fans to “Be who they wanna be!” with a new way to play that offers the freedom to design their own PET SHOP world, their way. Fans can create their own Downtown City, with customizable style sets and figures inspired by the “Littlest Pet Shop” animated series. Fans can collect and stack the style sets vertically or horizontally to create a unique ‘city skyline,’ then decorate and style the sets with Deco Bits — unique, small accessories that plug into the environments for a little added glamour – as well as stickers and other decorative pieces. Fans can also collect and customize 100+ new pets, straight from the entertainment!

If you need a reason to have a playdate or a party for your child, other than a birthday party, grab a few toys from the toy store and have a little surprise party like we did! Not only will the kids have to use their team building skills to build the playsets you present at the party/playdate, that time will allow you to chat with other moms and dads, something I know I desperately need every once in a while.

Littlest Pet Shop Sweetest Pets DVD

Madelyn and her friends watched Littlest Pet Shop Sweetest Pets DVD after they put together Blythe’s Bedroom Style Set. The DVD contains five episodes from the Littlest Pet Shop cartoon; Topped With Buttercream, Trading Places, Sweet (Truck) Ride, What’s In The Batter?, and Madelyn’s favorite episode, Bakers and Fakers during which a recipe gets stolen by the Biscuit twins during a cupcake baking competition. After watching the DVD the girls had even more fun playing with Blythe Bedroom Style Set and Littlest Pet Shop Style Set as they acted out and expanded on scenes from the episodes.

The girls set up an elaborate Littlest Pet Shop ‘town’, as they called it; even though it consisted of three playsets. The sets come with the cutest little things called Deco Bits which are tiny little decorations kids can place almost anywhere on and in the Littlest Pet Shop playsets. Madelyn said she “loves Littlest Pet Shop so much because of the Deco Bits”. That’s a direct quote. 🙂 She likes that she can change the look of the Pet Shop or Blythe’s room just by rearranging the Deco Bits. Many of the pieces that make up the playsets have tiny holes on them which is where the girls very thoughtfully placed Deco Bits including flowers, butterflies, and hearts.

Littlest Pet Shop Deco Bits

Littlest Pet Shop app

One more way Littlest Pet Shop brings a world of creativity to your child’s life is through the Littlest Pet Shop Your World app. We downloaded the app to our Android and iOS devices, free, so Madelyn could bring her Littlest Pet Shop world to life digitally, and design it her way! She simply scanned her favorite pets with the app then watched as the pets came to life. The more pets she collected and played with; the more rooms, activities and cute accessories she unlocked for her Pet Shop! The LPS Your World game is free to download and play, but some game items can also be purchased for real money. It is important that you talk to your child about asking for permission before purchasing items through the app.

Littlest Pet Shop app

With over 60 virtual pets to collect, you can fill your Pet Shop with all your favorites; including Penny, Zoe, Minka, Pepper, Russell, Sunil and Vinnie from the Littlest Pet Shop TV Show. Get new rooms, accessories and decorations to make your world as unique as you are! Blythe is always available for advice in the app. If Madelyn got stuck wondering what to do in the app, she just tapped her help button.

Littlest Pet Shop show on Discovery Channel

If your child can’t get enough of Littlest Pet Shop tune in to Discovery Channel to watch the 30-minute animated Littlest Pet Shop show on Discovery Channel at 2:30pm on weekdays! The half-hour animated comedy series follows young Blythe and her father as they move into a big city apartment above the Littlest Pet Shop – an amazing day camp for pets of all kinds including a panda, gecko, and even a mongoose. But the real adventure begins when Blythe discovers she can miraculously talk with the animals! The pets may be small, but their big personalities often lead to uproarious pop music-inspired song and dance sequences. Madelyn LOVES the show!

Littlest Pet Shop has so much to offer kids between the characters, pets, playsets, and the app, the Littlest Pet Shop line of toys is one that you can build on and your child will enjoy for years!

– Alicia

Littlest Pet Shop Playsets

The Mommy Insider

Parenting | Atlanta Mom Blogger | Mom Style | Brand Ambassador | Product Reviews

All posts by Alicia

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, Georgia: Perfect Winter Vacation Destination

More articles to come in this series:

Getting to The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

Connect with The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort Online

More articles about The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

#GIVEHAPPY With OshKosh B’gosh + 25% Off Coupon

How A 15-Year-Old Uses The Asus MeMO Pad™ 7 Intel Tablet For High School

YOUR Cutest-Baby-In-The-Universe Could Win $50,000 With The Gerber “Be Our Baby” Photo Search!

Here are a few of my favorite baby photo tips:

Enter your baby and they could win!

A Surprise Party With Littlest Pet Shop Toys!

Littlest Pet Shop Sweetest Pets DVD

Littlest Pet Shop app

Littlest Pet Shop show on Discovery Channel