Your Guide to My Ethnic Braided Styles and How to Get the LOOK!

Posted on July 18, 2018

A few years ago, I started a beauty blog named for myself dedicated to ethnic braided hair called JJBraids.com.

I’ve worn my hair in variety of braided styles for over a decade and usually get stopped in the streets or inboxed by friends, and strangers asking me what type of style was my hair, what particular extensions, if any, were added, and which size, color, length they were; and finally, who did it.

The answer to the last question is easy: my hair braider Dorcas N’Ja who also used to be the personal hair stylist to Venus and Serena Williams and their mom and other sisters. She used to travel down to Florida to do the women’s hair and all, though she has since retired from travel styling.

My blog has taken off and has become one of few resources on the web dedicated to ethnic braided hair styles only.

While a lot of people cannot travel to DC, where Ms. N’Da is located, they can purchase the same extensions and take them to their nearest stylist. My blog has a stylist finder you can access HERE!.

Below are my most popular styles – based on viewer and friends’ preference and where on Amazon or online you can purchase similar hair extensions.

Crochet Braids are all the rage these days. In this article’s header is my hair in crochet braids, a technique that involves cornrowing the natural hair flat and down or around, then adding extensions the same way one would crochet a scarf or sweater. Really! I posted a tutorial on my blog HERE.

The reason why this technique of wearing braided styles is so popular these days is because they take a fraction of the time to install compared to individual braids which can take anywhere from 8-16 hours to install, depending on the length and width. Ms. N’Da usually takes a little over an hour to do my entire head of hair using the crochet method! Imagine!

The grade, texture, length, color of the hair above and where to get it can be found HERE!

Crochet styles are usually curly so a lot of people were surprised to learn that this straight pressed hair I wore to my sister’s wedding last year is actually crochet braids!

The grade, texture, length, color of the hair and where to get it can be found HERE!

Also above is crochet but smaller curls.

The grade, texture, length, color of the hair and where to get it can be found HERE!

When bright colored hair came into fashion, I couldn’t help but experiment with it also. It is also a crochet style.

The grade, texture, length, color of the hair and where to get it can be found HERE!

Yes, these look like real dread locks, sister locs, Goddess locs, water locs (they have so many different names depending on their width, softness, loosness, wavy-ness) but they are actually faux locs installed in my hair…yes, crochet style again!

I purchased about 4-5 packs of this hair length, color of the hair and where to get it can be found HERE!

Before crochet braided styling of braids were hot, people used to do half individual braids and half weave. The braider would install the edges and front of the hair in traditional micro, micro mini or medium sized indivual braids, then use the hair weaving method on the middle.

It saved time as well, but unlike crochet braids, weaved hair grows out much faster and needs to be redone more frequently. Well that was my experience anyway.

If you like this style above, you can get my brownish auburn weave here and a matching wavy braided hair HERE!

Waist and bottom-length individual braids, installed in tiny squares across the entire head and braided all the way down can last a long time, but they take a good 14 hours to install if you get one person to do it. If you go to a hair braiding salon or gallery where a bunch of women work, you may have 2-3 working at the same time on your hair which will cut down the time tremendously. You can use the cheapest extensions, Kanekelon on this style which is great because it usually costs a lot of labor time to put in and stylists charge a lot more too.

I purchased about 4-5 packs of this hair length, color of the hair and where to get it can be found HERE!

Here is a shorter version of the same style with a little thicker width above and a bob style below.

The following three photos are also achieved using deep wave Kanekelon synthetic hair in Ombre below that you can get HERE!

For a long while, a lot of people who wore their hair in kinky, puffy, or Nubian twists achieved this look infusing with coarse 100% kanekalon or toyokalon fibers. Make sure to get the ones that are shorter and puffy packed. You can purchase a similar style HERE!

The following four styles were achieved using this hair.

Finally, in between styles, I wear my natural hair out like above or wear wigs like the ones below you can get from any hair and beauty supply store. Good luck achieving one or more of these looks this year!

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12 Ways to Get Your Family To Eat Healthier

Posted on July 17, 2018

Being a parent can be difficult, especially at mealtimes.

Children can be very fussy when it comes to trying new foods, especially those of a healthy, nutritional value. If it’s green, it must be mean! However, there are ways we can still encourage our children to eat healthily, and here some ideas in how to do it.

1. Give informed advice

If it isn’t made from chocolate, your children may turn their noses up at what you put in front of them. However, a little education goes a long way. Explain to your child in fun and creative ways why choosing foods of nutritional value are better than eating junk food. Let them know what foods will make them better at sports. Tell them how a healthy breakfast is ideal for boosting their brain cells. We often tell our children to do something without explanation, so start as early as you can with good parental advice.

2. Place healthy food in reach

Whenever you bake cookies, you can guarantee your child will not be too far away, eager for a tasty snack. Instead, have healthy foods placed around the house, such as a fruit bowl on the table, so when they are hungry, they will be tempted by the more healthy choice on offer.

3. Grow your food

Most children hate vegetables. However, if they have been given the opportunity to grow their own, they might take ownership of the food and begin to eat it.

4. Don’t be bossy

The more you order your child to eat that plate of broccoli, the less likely they are going to do it. Instead, consider the foods your child enjoys and add to them to make a healthier option. For example, have a chocolate dip with the strawberries, or have a look at Healthy But Smart’s list of food processors, for those delicious fruit smoothies.

5. Prepare a buffet

Children enjoy choice, so have a range of foods on offer. From pasta shapes to cheese rolls, choose food that looks and tastes good, with that all important nutritional value.

6. Take it slow

Don’t introduce too many new foods quickly. Perhaps try something different each week. If they don’t eat it, tell them that sometimes taste buds take a while to get used to something. That gives you the opportunity to return to that food down the line, giving your child a fun reason to see if they like it better.

7. A spoonful of sugar

We all know too much sugar can be bad for us. However, to misquote Mary Poppins, a spoonful of sugar can help the broccoli go down. Sprinkle a little bit of sugar on the food your child finds disagreeable, and it may be easier for them to eat.

8. Make eating fun

Be creative with your children’s foods. Give the peas silly names, and make fun patterns on the plate. Use cookie cutters to make funny food shapes. Make a pizza together, letting your child design the food on the base, such as a smiley face or a rocket ship. The more fun they have in cooking with you, the more likely they are to eat what they have created.

9. Allow for treats

Don’t be so health conscious that your child never gets to eat what their friends are. The occasional ice cream, chocolate, and popcorn are fine. Everything needs to be done in moderation, but a world without candy floss is a very boring one.

10. Be a good role model

Practice what you preach. Don’t give your child a plate of broccoli while you tuck into a burger. Your child looks at you for a good example, so be mindful of your own eating habits.

11. Let your kids plan dinner

As dodgy as this sounds, giving your children control over planning one mealtime a week may provide surprising results. Ask them to think about a healthy menu and put options in front of them. As you go shopping, as stressful as it can be, let them pick the foods they want for their chosen mealtime. If all goes wrong and they insist on french fries with chocolate, go for it, with the rule that they must eat your food choices on the other days of the week

12. Talk to your doctor

If you have concerns about your child’s eating habits, or you are considering putting them on a diet, talk to a doctor first. Whether you think your child is too fat or thin, it is always better to seek expert advice.

Good luck parents!

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Tips

Amazon #PrimeDay: 50”TVs, $17 Curtains and Our Other Best Picks

Posted on July 17, 2018

We are smack dab in the middle of Amazon.com’s annual PrimeDay, a 36 hour sale that began Monday at noon featuring many of Amazon branded products like Firesticks, Kindles, and Fire TV. There are other deals and steep discounts off of streaming television, mobile phones and even basic household items on sale.

We went through several tech sites summary of the top picks and selected a few of our faves from their list:

Because in a home with children, any existing Fire sticks already in the home may have been broken or lost, so now is a great time to get Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote for $19.99 ($20 off) This, according to CNet, is the best price yet for Amazon’s basic streamer and a solid alternative to Roku, especially for Alexa fans.

Another best-ever price exclusively for Prime members, this normally $70 Fire TV is the “pendant” design — a bit bigger than a stick but still easily hidden behind your TV — that adds 4K HDR capability, perfect for your compatible TV. Get the Fire TV with 4K Ultra HD and Alexa Voice Remote ($34.99, $35 off)

For homes that love television and enjoy big screens, you can get this Toshiba 50-inch Amazon Fire TV Edition TV for $289.99, $110 off the regular price. The top tier picture quality may not be supreme but this price for a normally $500 TV is a steal!

If you’re in the market for a laptop that can handle the bare minimum — visiting websites, checking email, storing a few files — the Acer Aspire 1 14-inch laptop for $160 ($45 off) wiill do the trick at an absolute bargain-bin price.

Also, the Acer Chromebook 11 for $139 ($64 off) is a basic, highly portable Chromebook that’s more than good enough for basic social media and websurfing.

Another Smart TV option, maybe for a guest room or the kids’ playroom is this TCL 32-Inch Roku Smart LED TV which sells for just $129 ($70 Off)

Finally, there are lots of everyday household, home office and home electronics items on sale over on the Amazon Basics store.

For homes with new babies who nap during the day, the AmazonBasics Room Darkening Blackout Curtain Set is a steal at $17.25) (saving $17.24)

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6 Things To Know About Your Baby’s Napping Habits

Posted on July 15, 2018

Napping seems like such an ordinary thing, but to parents of young children it is a constant concern and often a source of anxiety.

We know that getting the maximum amount of sleep possible is good for a child, yet the child is obviously not aware of this, and many seem to naturally resist being put down for naps. Some babies fuss, wake up frequently, and are unpredictable in when and how they like to nap. These are all simple facts of being a parent. And while you cannot stop nap troubles entirely, what you can do is minimize the difficulties.

1. Babies cannot nap too much. Many parents, especially those on their first child, worry that their babies are napping too much, and they make an effort not to overdo it. But there are a few points to keep in mind here. First, it is perfectly acceptable for babies to sleep anywhere from 14 to 20 hours a day, and it is normal for them to get tired one to two hours after waking up, even if the previous nap was a good one. And do not worry about daytime naps ruining nighttime sleep. It does not work that way with babies. In fact, good napping during the day often leads to less fussiness at night, which makes a good night’s sleep easier.

Also keep in mind that, again, the more sleep your baby gets, the better. Crucial development happens during those naps. So do not feel bad about encouraging your baby to sleep as much as possible. It does not mean you are selfish or that you do not enjoy your baby’s company. It is just good parenting. And yes, there is nothing wrong with enjoying the break while your baby sleeps.

2. Monitor your baby’s sleep. Babies’ sleep patterns can fluctuate wildly from day to day, but if you keep track of how often and how long your baby naps, you may begin to notice a pattern emerging. For instance, one common pattern for babies aged three to six months is to nap for an hour or two, eat, play for an hour and go back to sleep. In this pattern, the day is roughly divided into three-hour chunks. If you keep track of these patterns, then you will get a better sense of when your baby will be getting sleepy, which helps you be prepared.

3. Control the conditions. Whether your baby naps in a separate room or simply on a sofa or other piece of furniture wherever you are, control the conditions to optimize the quality of sleep and the length of the nap. Make the room bright whenever the baby is awake and feeding or playing, and dim the lights when she shows signs of being ready to nap. In the dimmer light, she will be put down to sleep more easily.

4. Keep noise soft. Parents of newborns typically get used to their babies being able to sleep through practically anything, but after a month or two the pendulum swings the other way. By around three months of age, many babies are liable to wake up at the slightest sound. Obviously, the household should be quiet during nap time. But if you want to be able to go about your business without worrying that every squeak of the floor will wake your child, run some white noise in the background. This will help make other sounds less jarring.

5. Take preemptive action. When a baby moves past sleep and gets into a state of fussy irritability, initiating sleep becomes most difficult. Try to learn to recognize the signs your baby will be ready for a nap, and begin going through the motions before the irritability kicks in. Of course, some babies do not respond well to having a nap time routine (even at so young an age they resist sleep), so you may have to change things up regularly.

6. Be flexible. During the first couple years of your child’s life, you can expect things to change continuously, and the pace of change is extra fast during the early months. So be aware that any nap time strategies that work well today may not work in a couple of days. This can be frustrating for parents, but the key is to experiment with different things as much as possible. You cannot force your baby to sleep, but you can always find ways to make it happen more easily.

7. Take wake-ups in stride. Babies tend to wake up before their naps are over. Sometimes they do it multiple times. For a parent, it is best to have a sense of how much sleep the baby needs, and if she obviously has not finished her full nap, try to help her finish her sleep. Older babies can sometimes get themselves back to sleep, but younger ones often need to be held, rocked, snuggled, or whatever works for your child.

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5 Tips for Picking a Baby Stroller

Posted on July 14, 2018

Here are five great tips for picking out the perfect stroller for your needs:

Determine your stroller needs. Consider where you live and how you will be using your stroller. If you plan to exercise or jog with your baby, you may want to consider a jogging stroller. Its big wheels will help smooth out the ride over any rough terrain. Wait until your baby is a few months old before using a jogging stroller because they aren’t recommended for newborns. Jogging strollers are large and don’t fold down compactly for fitting in the trunk, which is problematic for parents who opt to use a jogging stroller as their primary stroller.They also don’t steer well in tight spaces so they may be better suited as a specialized second stroller. If you live in the city and you plan to mostly run errands with the stroller you will be looking for one that folds easily and doesn’t take up a lot of space in the car. Modular or Multi-component systems (think Britax B-Ready or UppaBaby Vista) are the most expensive, but also the most versatile. They can contain a bassinet, single seat, or second seat, and these options snap on to a base frame so that you can customize your stroller and add to it as your child and needs grow. They also accommodate most infant car seats. The Britax B-Ready also accommodates two seats. Twin or double strollers are a must if you have two young children. Seats can be side-by-side, stadium style, or tandem. Travel systems are often bulky and heavy, but allow you to keep your baby in the car seat when strolling. When your baby outgrows the car seat, he can use the stroller seat.
Decide on a budget. Umbrella strollers range in price from $15.89 to $199.95 or more. The cheapest umbrella stroller is very basic with a simple 3-point strap to hold the baby onto the fabric seat. The top priced umbrella strollers boasts solid construction, are lightweight (14lbs.), have an infinite-position reclining seat, are easy to fold, have a one-step brake, carrying strap, and a parent cup holder. Jogging strollers can range from low $100’s up to $500 or more. Modular systems are purchased in pieces so prices will vary, but the frames typically cost around $400. Regular single strollers range in price from the low $100’s to $400 or more depending on the features that you are looking for. Twin strollers are priced in the mid $100’s and go up to $450 or more, again depending on what options the strollers have.
Create a checklist of features you want/need. Essential features for strollers include a five-point harness, a multi-position reclining seat, sun canopy, swivel wheels for mobility, easy folding system, stroller basket, easy to clean fabric, and a lightweight frame. Additional luxury features include: adjustable handles, one-touch brakes, snack or play tray, parent cup holder, and an adjustable footrest to customize as the child grows.
Assess what size will work for you. Determine if you are looking for a stroller for one, two, or more children to help narrow your stroller search. Strollers vary in weight from 6lbs to around 25lbs. or more. Jogging strollers are large and bulky, but can also be very light. Full-sized strollers fold down easily, offering many options for taking the baby along on errands. If you live in the city and don’t have a lot of room to store the stroller you may want to look at models that fold down very compactly.
Check for consumer reviews on the model you’re looking at before you buy. Consumer reviews on strollers will be grouped by price, expert recommendations, and what the public thinks of the stroller. Once you’ve narrowed down what you will be doing with the stroller, how many children the stroller needs to hold, what bells and whistles you need, and what price you’re willing to spend on it, it’s time to select your top choices of strollers. Read how others rate the strollers that you are interested in to further narrow your search.

Final tip: If buying a used stroller make sure to check the recall list to make sure the stroller is hasn’t been recalled.

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The 10 Things Every Well-Stocked Diaper Bag Must Have

Posted on July 13, 2018

Today’s diaper bags are fashionable and trendy, a far cry from diaper bags in past decades. However trendy doesn’t always translate to functional, and for a diaper bag to fulfill this role it has to be loaded with the appropriate supplies.

A fully stocked diaper bag ensures that you are always prepared for anything that may come your way. As you contemplate stocking your diaper bag, consider these 10 diaper bag must haves:

1. Wipes. Wipes are probably the most useful supply you can have on you at all times. Wipes are not only an essential tool for cleaning up a dirty bottom, but for many other messes as well. Use wipes for cleaning sticky fingers before getting back into the car to head home, or for wiping up a spill or spit-up. You can also use them for cleaning up the seat when you forget to clean up sticky fingers.

2. Changing pads. Changing pads provide a necessary and sanitary place to change the baby. No matter where you go you will need to have a surface underneath the baby to change him. Even when you use changing tables in a public restroom, you’ll want to have a clean and sanitary place to change the baby.

3. quiet toys. Small quiet toys help during changing times and while you’re out. Distracting the baby while changing helps to ensure a quicker diaper change. You may also find yourself in a store or restaurant in dire need of something that will keep the baby busy. Small quiet toys can come in handy then.

4. Diapers. Diapers are pretty important to keep on hand, and it’s probably a good idea to remember to keep several extra diapers in the diaper bag. If you end up being out longer than you thought, you will need to have plenty of diapers with you to change the baby at a moment’s notice. Figure that you will probably need to change her every few hours at a minimum. Figure out how many diapers you may need and then add a couple more for good measure.

5. Baby food. Baby food is important to bring along, even if you don’t think you will be gone for long. Once she reaches the age when she’s old enough to eat baby food, it’s pretty easy to put some in the diaper bag when you are heading out for the day. Don’t forget to bring a spoon and a bottle as well, unless you are nursing. Sometimes it’s nice to have a bottle of water for her if it’s warm out, just in case she gets thirsty.

6. Bibs. While out, you’ll need a bib. Bibs work great for feeding as well as for catching excess drool when babies are teething. Definitely bring one along if you plan to feed her on the run. The bigger the bib the more it will protect her clothing.

7. Diaper rash cream. Diaper rash cream is essential for the diaper bag. It seems that a diaper rash can spring up at any time, and this usually means it will appear when it’s the most inconvenient. Keep an extra tube in the diaper bag so that you will be covered no matter where you are.

8. A change of clothes. Bringing along a change of clothes can save a trip to the store. Things happen and you never can tell when you will need to change her clothes. If the diaper leaks or if she spits up on her onesie, then having a spare change of clothes with you will come in quite handy. It could even be because her big brother spilled his glass of juice all over her. There’s really no way to foresee what will happen, just that something will, and it’s better to be prepared just in case an accident strikes.

9. Pacifiers. Several pacifiers in a sealed bag can save you a headache later. Babies are great about throwing their pacifiers on the floor, and you won’t always be near a sink where you can clean it off nor will you be able to sanitize it while you are out and about. Bringing several clean pacifiers along can be an essential tool to help quiet her down while you are running your errands.

10. Snacks. Bring along some snacks for another way to entertain her in the stroller. Not only do kids get hungry between meals, it’s not always easy to sit down and feed them the second that they start fussing. If you want to make it until a convenient feeding time, you’ll want to be sure to have some snacks.

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Why You Should Move In the Summer

Posted on July 13, 2018

There is no doubt that summer is the busiest moving season especially for families because school is out. There is a lot to be done before the next school year starts. It’s a less disruptive to the kids in the family if the move takes place before the next school year.

Summer is also a good time to sell because many vacation and put it off during this time of the year. Home prices may be better for sellers. Of course, it all depends on the market.

The weather in the Summer is usually better for moving as well. No icy walkway and slips, falls and spills are less likely to happen in the Summer. The weather is usually dry and a lot more enjoyable. Cold weather could lead to your items getting wet or moldy. Not good for delicate items and antiques your moving.

Also, if you have stuff to unload, it’s better to do have a garage or yard sale in the Summer. What ever you don’t unload, you can pack up yourself or hire a good moving company to pack your stuff for you, which would be a God-send especially if you are preggers at the time or have small children that keep your busy during the day.

But Summer is also a busy moving season so factor in the time to find a good quality moving company. Self-moving trucks are also in high demand in the Summer so plan accordingly.

Finally, Summer is a good time to find seasonal work so you could pick up some extra income to finance a move because it can be expensive.

Plan well and you’ll be good to go!

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Where To Go This Summer in North, West, East and South USA

Posted on July 9, 2018

We get press releases and other insights on venues, events, and other destinations and are asked to pass them along to our readers. In this installment of ‘pay it foward’, we’re sharing an eatery, an amusement park, a writer’s workshop and a waterpark in the North, South, East and West coast of the United States

EAST

In New York City, everyone is feeling the heat. On the plus side, the hot weather means its time to enjoy the outdoor patio space at Hibernia Bar in Hell’s Kitchen. The private, shaded outdoor patio space located in the back of Hibernia Bar and Grill is good news for those of us who like to enjoy the outdoors with a cocktail and the company of friends and family during the summer.

This outdoor space is a great option for those who want to check out an outdoor bar and entertainment in New York City. If you’re itching to get out of your house with your family and onto a relaxing patio, check out Hibernia and the large outdoor space just on the backside of the bar.

A popular, authentic Irish pub which also serves as a restaurant where patrons often watch live sports, Hibernia Bar Hell’s Kitchen also offers an outdoor patio section great for enjoying the warm weather and spending time with friends and family. On its patio — or indoors, if the weather isn’t cooperating — enjoy a Guinness alongside Irish favorites and classic American dishes such as wings and calamari.

The outdoor patio space, consistently earns high praise from locals and out-of-towners for its unparalleled casual atmosphere and close proximity to Time’s Square and Rockefeller Center. It’s an ideal place to take your family, shoot hoops, and enjoy cold beverages throughout the day. Order one of Hibernia’s signature perfectly poured Guinness beers and set the tone for a down-to-earth day of fun.

Now that it is outdoor-dining weather in New York City, it is time to take advantage of the covered outdoor space at Hibernia and feel like you are escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. This patio is more of an enclosed courtyard, but that just adds to its unique appeal. When stepping onto the patio, you will immediately notice the vibrant and lush plant life dripping along the brick walls that enclose the space. If you take a look up, you will feel a sense of tranquility as you see the burnt orange cloth draped across the sky shielding you from the blazing sun. Throughout the patio the large wooden tables are the perfect setting for a lunch or dinner party to enjoy the company of close friends and family. No need to hide in your apartment waiting for the summer heat to subside or battle the crowds and take the 2 hour trek to the beaches. Instead, enjoy the summer season outdoor with your family and take advantage of our relaxing wood and brick-adorned patio space.

WEST

The Little Tokyo Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library will host Never Forgotten: A Nisei Writing Workshop, to help new writers shape their life experiences into compelling narratives. The workshop will take place on four Saturdays from July 14 – September 22 at the Little Tokyo Branch, 203 S. Los Angeles St.

“Everyone has a story to tell, about themselves or their loved ones, but might have a hard time penning their memories on paper,” said James Sherod, the Branch’s Senior Librarian. “This workshop helps give them the confidence to craft their memoirs.”

Naomi Shibata, author of Bend with the Wind: The Life, Family and Writings of Grace Eto Shibata, will lead the workshop. The event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Little Tokyo Branch Library and Poets & Writers, Inc.

The workshop is free, but registration is required at the reference desk or by calling the library at (213) 612-0525. Participants should attend all sessions:

Workshop 1: Saturday, July 14, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Workshop 2: Saturday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Workshop 3: Saturday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Nisei Workshop Reading and Reception: Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Free Valet Parking: Available with library validation on Los Angeles Street.

The workshop is cumulative and concludes with a reading to celebrate the new works and the program’s mission of ensuring the legacy of the Nisei, American-born children of Japanese immigrants, carries through storytelling to future generations.

SOUTH

Summers were made to be enjoyed and explored, especially on the island of Key West, FL and nothing celebrates sun and fun more emphatically than the experiences awaiting the visitors at Fury Water Adventures! For a limited time using promo code: FURY, you can enjoy great savings on their many exciting trips this summer, including $20 off their most popular excursion, the Ultimate Adventure, which gives you a taste of virtually everything that can be done on the water like snorkeling, parasailing, a state certified water park and jet-skiing as well as breakfast, lunch, and unlimited refreshments! Enjoy 15% off all of their other great trips, including the crowd-pleasing Commotion on the Ocean live music sunset sail and a local favorite, Island Adventure. After you book your trip, check-in with them on their official Facebook or Instagram pages when you arrive in Key West and you’ll also have a chance to WIN the ultimate Fury Swag Bag! A drawstring backpack, a beach towel, a pair of sunglasses, a koozie and other must-have items on your Key West vacation! The time is NOW to get down to the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. and experience Key West before these deals – and the summer – ride off into the sunset.

About Fury Water Adventures

Key West’s most popular attraction is the crystal blue waters surrounding our island paradise. For almost three decades, visitors and locals alike have been choosing Fury Water Adventures as their number one excursion in and on the waters of Key West. Offering more than 20 adventure itineraries from snorkeling to parasailing and a fleet of expertly maintained, state-of-the-art catamarans, Fury is the premier watersports experience in South Florida.

Website: www.furykeywest.com

NORTH

The summer season at Sesame Place® kicks-off with sizzling savings and plenty of furry fun for the whole family! Now through 7/22, guests can save $20 on the Cookie Monster Season Pass, now only $99. All tiers of Season Passes allow guests to visit unlimited times now through 1/1/19 including The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular® and A Very Furry Christmas™!

2018 Season Pass Member Benefits
	Price	25% off In-park food and merchandise	VIP Character Meet & greets	Free General Parking	Free Preferred Parking	50% off single-day guest admission
Cookie Monster	~~$119~~ $99 Thru 7/22	X				X
Big Bird	$160	X	X	X		X
Super Grover	$238	X	X	X	X	X
Transferable	$180	X	X	X		X

Guests can take a ride on the park’s BRAND-NEW wooden-steel hybrid roller coaster, Oscar’s Wacky Taxi™! The new coaster will send thrill-seekers of all sizes soaring down an exhilarating first drop of 40 feet, traveling over 1,200 feet of track with exciting twists, turns, and plenty of airtime hills. Oscar’s Wacky Taxi joins Super Grover’s Vapor Trail® as the second roller coaster at the park. Super Grover’s Vapor Trail, which opened in 1998 as the park’s first mechanical ride, is celebrating its 20^th birthday in 2018.

Celebrate America’s birthday with everyone’s favorite furry friends from July 2 through July 6. Be sure to visit 1-2-3 Smile with Me™ to take a patriotic photo with Elmo in his red, white & blue attire! On July 3 & 4 be sure to stick around for an impressive display of fireworks presented by DASANI®!

Celebrate Christmas in July with a character dine! Enjoy some holiday menu favorites and get exclusive photo opportunities with some Sesame Street friends and of course – Santa Claus! The celebration continues with a festive birthday bash dine for Sesame Place’s 38^th birthday! Paid park admission is required in addition to dine reservation.

The 14-acre park also features two popular themed lands – Elmo’s World which opened in 2006 and Cookie’s Monster Land which opened in 2014. A total of eleven dry rides, nine water attractions, five interactive play elements, the Sesame Street Neighborhood, three live daily character shows and The Neighborhood Street Party Parade bring the joy of everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends to families.

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New Moms Can Sleep Better After Reading This

Posted on July 5, 2018

So, you’ve just had a baby – congratulations! Do you think that it means you now have to wave goodbye to sleep for good? Well, that is what some people would have you believe, but it really isn’t the case. Yes, you did read that right – you really can get plenty of sleep when you have a newborn baby in the house! You just need to use these really simple tips!

Improve Your Own Bedroom

If your bedroom isn’t an optimum environment for sleep, then it could take you a long time to fall asleep. That’s no good when you have limited time to sleep and need to fall asleep as quickly as possible! So, it’s a good idea to consider changing your mattress and bedding. You can always go online for detailed reviews to help you decide which one to purchase. It’s also a good idea to hang some blackout blinds so that you aren’t disturbed by early morning light or the glare from streetlights.

For more bedroom and sleep tips, check out wellworthliving.com.

Sleep During The Baby’s Naps

Your baby will need quite a few naps throughout the day. This is the perfect chance to grab some sleep yourself! Most babies will nap for between twenty and sixty minutes, so it’s plenty of time for you to get some shuteye as well. It’s wise to nap in the same room as your baby so that you can hear when they wake up and need you. If that isn’t possible, you should buy a baby monitor so that you will still be able to hear them.

Pump Breast Milk

Is it always you who has to get up in the middle of the night to feed your baby? There is a way to change that and make it possible for your partner to take on some of the responsibility as well. You just need to start pumping your breast milk. This can then be kept in the refrigerator until it is needed. When the baby cries for its feed during the night, your partner can be the one who gets up and sees to the baby, so you can enjoy a little more sleep.

Cut Out Caffeine

If you are struggling to get to sleep at night, you might want to try giving up caffeine. You won’t have been able to drink much caffeine while pregnant so going back to your pre-pregnancy levels could be a big change for your body, and it might have more of an effect on you as you will have lost your tolerance. So, there’s a good chance that it might end up keeping you awake at night. Try cutting it out for a few days and see if it makes a difference.

Ask For Help

If you get really exhausted, you should always ask for help looking after the baby. I’m sure your friends and family will be happy to take care of the little one for a morning or afternoon so that you can catch up on your sleep.

Sleep is possible for new moms!

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Tips

15+ Movies to Watch Over the 4th of July Holiday

Posted on July 4, 2018

Bellyitch Rewind

Happy Independence Day America.

It’s hot so if your plans to celebrate does not include a backyard barbecue, a trip to a splash park or a picnic and parade and you plan to spend it indoors, why not celebrate the holiday by revisiting old classics with an Independence Day or patriotic themes?

Netflix has a listing of 15 July 4th Day themed movies on Variety.com you can check out here!

Here is a list compiled by Forbes.com. The movies on that list overlaps a bit with a list ABC news did a few years ago, you can see here!

You can get a movie on demand or head to your local Redbox kiosk and pick up one of these classical movies: