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Tieks and Walt Disney World? I share my real-life experience of wearing Tieks at Walt Disney World for a few hours.


I LOVE TIEKS, no ifs, ands or buts about that. If you haven't joined in on the Tieks bandwagon, what are you waiting for? Tieks generally start at $175 and up, and the prints are adorable. I think the hardest decision you may make might be actually finding the pair you want to buy first. When I purchased my very first pair, it took me almost 2 weeks to decide on the color. I'm now the proud owner of over 20 pairs, with quite a few more on my wish list. Deciding which one to take out of my wishlist and add to my cart almost gave me a migraine, so they're going to stay there for a while.


We recently returned from Walt Disney World, where I decided that I was going to walk with a few pairs of Tieks because I just loved how comfortable they were. Granted, I've only worn them to the store and back, so technically, I've really only worn them for about an hour or two, never really longer than that. It's generally into the car, into the store, and back to the car. Out to dinner, into the car, and you get the picture. I wanted to wear my Poppy Tieks at Disney's Magic Kingdom to make my ordinary white tee and denim pop. I wanted a bit of color. Now what I'm going to tell you might come as a big shock. After all, I just said how much I love Tieks.


The day started off as any regular day at Walt Disney World. We left around 2pm so we could get to our fast pass rides, and we intended to stay until the fireworks. I do Disney at least twice a year, so I knew where to sit in the shade, when I needed to cool down, etc. Our plan was simple, get to our fast pass rides, since we knew the park layout, then maybe hit up a ride or two to pass the time since we're only allowed 3 Fast Pass+ rides until late afternoon, and then relax until the fireworks.

However, Tieks and Walt Disney World are a NO-NO! Whoever told me that wearing Tieks at Walt Disney World was a good idea, LIED to me. I should have known better, but I fell for the lie. I have been to Walt Disney World numerous times, and my one advice to everyone has always been, wear comfortable shoes, preferably sneakers. Now, don't get me wrong, Tieks are comfortable, but not Walt Disney World comfortable.


After walking and standing in line, which is what you generally do at Disney World, even if you have a Fast Pass+ reservation, I regretted my decision of actually wearing them. You know that quote:

Beauty is Pain

I mean, it totally made my bland outfit pop, don't get me wrong, but no-one should be in pain to look cute. My feet were hurting, hurting so badly that I couldn't enjoy myself. I actually wanted to take my Tieks off while waiting in line to see Mickey and throw them at him. I could feel every step I took, it felt like my feet were on fire. (Ugly feet photo ahead, you've been warned.)

This girl is on fire

By mid-afternoon, I finally ended up taking them off right before we went into Tomorrowland. While there were no blisters, thank goodness, my feet were hurting badly, and it was red and sore. The redness you see above, though, is from the color of my Poppy. I'm sure I was a sight. The little black girl standing on the side with her family, changing her shoes. After all, who brings an extra pair of shoes into the park? I did! Since this was my test run of wearing Tieks for many hours at a Disney Park, I was smart enough to make the decision to walk with an extra pair. Lucky me!


OK, so bottom line!

Tieks are fantastic and are perfect for that dinner date or a stroll in Disney Springs. However, if you're planning on going to a theme park where you know you will be taking a million steps, DON'T DO IT!!! You might as well decide to walk barefoot. Walk with comfortable walking shoes that have been broken in and has support for your feet.

Do I still recommend that you own a pair of Tieks? I sure do, and always will! I'm currently debating on Leopard or Nude Lace. Maybe you can help me decide.

Easy Iced Coffee

Madison recently graduated from preschool and is on her way to kindergarten. With the help of a letter felt board from Hobby Lobby, I was able to show her how proud I was of her. However, with back to school looming on the horizon, I want to share how to create a back to school routine that will keep your kids on track and how a letter board can help.


There’s something about back-to-school time that seems to throw everyone off. To keep the peace, establish a routine and stick to it. Kids crave seemingly monotonous schedules, whether they admit it or not. Knowing what will happen and at what time gives them a sense of security and helps establish trust. This doesn’t mean we can’t be flexible, but studies have shown that if we stick to a basic schedule, our kids will thrive. Development and behavior are both impacted by this stability. Here are a few tips for creating a back-to-school routine.


Wake the kids up at the same time every school day. You can even begin teaching them how to use an alarm clock. Allow time for some resistance, in case they struggle with actually rising and shining.

Stick to some semblance of a morning routine. For a lot of people, weekday mornings are a mad rush. It will be a lot easier if you do things in a certain order from the time your kids enter Kindergarten, but it’s never too late to begin. You can even make a poster to hang so your children can follow along with what needs to happen next. This is as simple as, “First, we get dressed. Then, we make the bed. Next, we eat breakfast. Then, we clean up the table. Now, we brush our teeth and grab our backpack…” Save yourself some frustration by being able to send them over to the poster to find out what they need to do next. (They likely have a similar system at school.) Our letter board from Hobby Lobby came with enough letters to make that happen.


Make a smooth after-school transition. When the school day is done, your kids may be stressed, excited or tired. Give them some time to decompress by scheduling absolutely nothing (and instituting no screen time) for the first 15 to 45 minutes to that they are home. Let this include snack time, and when your child is ready, he can go through his bookbag with you. This is an important element in the daily routine so that important papers and assignments don’t get lost. Create a specific schedule for when homework is to be done. If she doesn’t have any, make it reading time.

Avoid overloading kids’ schedules with activities. It’s critical to kids’ development that they get time for unstructured play, so you’re not doing your child any favors by over-committing her to classes, sports, activities, and commitments after school. Try to limit these or save them for school breaks. If you just can’t help yourself, at least try to wait until a month after the school year begins, when your kid has had time to adjust to a new grade level, new teacher, new friends, and other firsts.

Establish a dinner routine. Whether you make dinner at home, order in, or eat out, attempt to have dinner at the same time every night. Sit down as a family and enjoy each other’s company. Talk about the day or what’s on the agenda for the next day. Include your kids in the process of making dinner and cleaning up afterward to teach them skills for life (including gratitude).

Nighttime is the right time. Bathing, teeth brushing, storytime and bedtime should all be pretty standard by now but the key is to do this at the same time every night and to keep it at a decent hour. They likely won’t fall asleep right away, so start the bedtime routine earlier. Kids need about 8-10 hours of sleep a night and we can’t expect them to follow through with the rest of the routine if they’re sleep deprived.


Most of all show them that they're appreciated and loved. I kept mentioning our felt letter board that I purchased at Hobby Lobby. Whether it's their first or last day of school, create a photo moment that will create memories for years to come! These trendy felt letter board helps create a perfect photoshoot sign with details about your little that doubles as home decor with a changeable message that is social media-worthy every time! This cute and colorful felt letter board will help get the entire family excited for back to school and the year ahead. Don't forget to fill them with inspiring messages of love.

Use our Hobby Lobby coupon below to get yours off at 40% off!




This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hobby Lobby. The opinions and text are all mine.

Ever wondered what it would be like to sleep in a LEGO house? Wonder no more! My family and I were hosted by LEGOLAND® Beach Retreat, along with the LEGOLAND Theme and Water Park, while on vacation in Florida for two amazing days. So how does it all stack up?


If your family consists of children, more than likely, you've played with LEGO sets. Even if you don't have children of your own, you may have played with LEGO's while you were younger yourself. However, staying in a LEGO inspired bungalow is something that dreams are made of. The new LEGOLAND Beach Retreat is just that and so much more. During our two week vacation in Orlando, it rained consistently, but that didn't put a damper on our fun. So what can you expect when you visit the brand new LEGOLAND Beach Retreat?


Drive Through Check-In
Checking in at the LEGOLAND Beach Retreat was one of the most effortless check-ins I have ever done. Usually, you would park your vehicle, or if you came in a taxi, grab all your gear and go to the front desk. At the LEGOLAND Beach Retreat, you don't even have to leave the comfort of your car. You check-in right there at the window where you give your info and your credit card for incidentals, receive your key and a map of the resort, and voila, you're all checked in. No need to drag your tired kids to the hotel lobby and wait in line. Best check-in EVER!!!



LEGO Bungalows
This was the highlight of the trip. There are currently 83 beach-themed bungalows, with each bungalow being able to accommodate a family of 5. The bungalows are grouped together in a horseshoe shape with a playground in the middle and views of Lake Dexter. Each bungalow also comes with your very own patio area, where you can sit back and relax while you watch your children playing on the playground, or reading your LEGOLAND TIMES newspaper which is delivered early in the morning. There is also free wi-fi access throughout the Beach Retreat.


Inside Your Bungalow
Each bungalow consists of a King Size bed and a cozy area for kids, which includes a bunk bed, trundle bed, and privacy curtain. The rooms are also LEGO-themed, as you can see from the mural on the wall. The kids' room also contained a mural, and I'm not sure why I didn't think to take a photo, I guess I was just blindsided by the awesomeness. There is also a full-size bathroom, once again, LEGO decorated for all your LEGO needs. You can also find the usual amenities such as a mini-refrigerator, Keurig, and a safe. The kids were also treated to complimentary water and Honest Kids drinks. There is also a LEGO container filled with LEGO bricks to keep your little ones entertained.



If you think the LEGO Bungalows were awesome, the pool and play area will leave you awestruck! Madison did NOT want to get out of the pool, and I don't blame her. The pool was filled with life-size LEGO pieces that you can put together. You get to swim amongst the LEGO's. There is also a play structure and a sandy area where you can build sandcastles. The pool is open from 7 a.m. in the morning until 9 p.m. at night and is always staffed by lifeguards. However, there are Lifejackets available for the kids giving parents that extra feeling of security. Parents can relax on the lounge chairs while watching their children play.



Fun for the Entire Family
The fun isn't only for the kids, there are also family activities. At 7 p.m. around the pool area, the fun continues. There are dance parties, hula hoop contests, and you can even make your own S' mores at the S' mores Pit. The highlight is the lighting of the lighthouse that shines a real working beacon all around the resort.



Fun for the Adults
While you may think this is all about family and kids, you may be right, but LEGOLAND Beach Retreat didn't forget about the grownups. I know that after a few hours of being alone with the kids, I need a bit of alone time, and sometimes a drink. Spend some time at the Bricks Beach Bar and order yourself a specialized cocktail. You can have your drinks served either at the bar or at the pool.


Dining
Breakfast the most important meal of the day, and it's complimentary at the LEGOLAND Beach Retreat at Sandy's Castle Restaurant. A buffet breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. - 10 a.m., and the selection is impressive. The dining menu truly impressed me as well as there was quite a variety for both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. My oldest daughter, who is a vegetarian indeed approved.



Play While You Dine or Shop
There is fun for everyone, everywhere you turn at the LEGOLAND Beach Retreat. At the lighthouse where you'll find Sandy's Castle Restaurant, Bricks Beach Bar and Palm Tree Traders, you'll also find a LEGO building station in the shape of a giant sandcastle, along with thousands of LEGO bricks, there both kids and adults alike can get creative and make their own LEGO creation.


Shopping
You don't have to leave the LEGOLAND Beach Retreat to get your shopping on. The Palm Tree Traders retail shop, located in the lighthouse, is stocked with LEGO building sets and Minifigures, apparel, toys, swimwear, snacks, and much more.


Complimentary Shuttle or Free Parking
While the LEGOLAND Beach Retreat is not quite far away from the Theme and Water Park, you will have to cross a busy street to get there. However, there is a complimentary shuttle that takes guests to the theme park entrance. Guests of LEGOLAND Beach Retreat also receive free parking in the main parking lot for those who do choose to drive to the park. Guests also receive early access to the parks.


Rates and Reservations
Nightly room rates start at $135 (plus tax and resort fee) and vary by season, date, and availability. Packages, including theme park tickets, also are available, and Awesomer and Awesomest Annual Pass Members receive a 10 percent discount year-round. For more information about visiting the LEGOLAND Beach Retreat, including savings on advance purchase of admission tickets, multi-tier annual passes, special events, educational programs, services for guests with disabilities, VIP experiences, military discounts and much more, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/florida, or call 877-350-5346 daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


At the LEGOLAND Beach Retreat, EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!!

Ever wondered how painters got those straight lines? Wonder no more, because we're going to show you how you can too, with FrogTape, as well as spruce up a wall in your home with your very own custom designed geometric canvas art.


This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of FrogTape®. All opinions are 100% mine.
One thing I love doing is decorating my home. I have quite a few paintings in every room in my home. However, none of those paintings were done by me. They were all purchased at home decor stores. One of my favorites was purchased for my birthday last year for my 40th, and I spent a few hundred dollars getting it. Decorating your home, however doesn't have to cost you hundreds of dollars, and for those who think that they can't have a beautifully decorated home, with one of a kind paintings, I'm going to show you how you can with the help of FrogTape.


While I love my home, my entry way left a lot to be desired. Sure, I have an entryway table that I decorate for the seasons, I have a wall mirror that I always have to glance at when leaving the house, but besides that, there was nothing else on the walls. I have always wanted wall art, but because of the changing seasons, I needed to find something that would fit in, or maybe even do my own for the changing seasons. I decided to do my own. I took a look at the 2017 FrogTape® Design Trends and the Haute Homemade really stood out to me. Instead of purchasing another piece for my wall, how about making something instead? I knew exactly what I had to do and to be honest, it worked out to be even less expensive that me purchasing it. With the money I saved, I can do a few more for the Fall and Christmas season that's coming up.

Supplies Needed:

Canvas
Paints of Choice (You can use acrylic paints and a brush or spray paints)
FrogTape


Directions:

(This is going to be your art, so however you do the design is up to you, but you're going to need FrogTape to help you.)

Step 1: Start by getting your canvas and FrogTape. Use your FrogTape to get the shapes you desire. There is no perfect way to do this, but remember this is your masterpiece.


Step 2: Once you have your shapes the way you want, go ahead and start painting in the open spaces. Don't worry about it getting on the tape, it will be ok. You're going to get those sharp lines that I was talking about, because FrogTape® brand painter’s tapes are treated with patented PaintBlock® Technology, a super-absorbent polymer that reacts with the water in latex paint and instantly gels to form a micro-barrier that seals the edges of the tape, preventing paint bleed and the need for touch-ups. The results are crisp, clean paint lines the first time.


Step 3: Once you've painted in between the lines, go ahead and pull that tape off. What you'll be left with will be nice clean lines and a geometric design that you designed. It will be your work of art. Just look at how clean my lines are!!


I would never have been able to do this if I didn't have FrogTape! Now you too can make your own geometric one of a kind art, in the color of your choosing to complement your decor. You no longer have to spend hundreds of dollars and these will all be originally yours. So grab some canvas, some paint and don't forget your FrogTape.