Posts Tagged: "travel"

Which Way USA Travel Adventure Kits

Princess Diana - June 17, 2019 - Kids

I remember growing up reading Highlights–a magazine specifically for kids. It was really cool getting it in the mail once a month!

Now, Highlights offers all kinds of fun kids products besides magazines.

Have you heard of their Which Way USA Travel Adventure Kits?

Every kit includes a map and a puzzle book that teaches children about the geography, history, and culture of a different state in the United States.

In the puzzle book, kids help Tripp and Scout race to the finish line by earning them points every time they complete the puzzles and activities.

Lightweight & Portable Nylon Hammock

Princess Diana - November 6, 2018 - Birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Graduation, Mother's Day, Retirement, Valentine's Day

When I think of a hammock, three things come to mind–rest, relaxation and sleep. With a portable hammock, you can enjoy those three things wherever you go!

Did you know the best hammocks are no longer made of rope?

They’re made of parachute nylon which makes them extremely soft and comfortable. It’s like sleeping in a cloud because the hammock stretches and conforms to your body.

The nylon material is also what makes them lightweight and portable, allowing them to pack down to a very compact size. A person doesn’t even have to roll or fold–simply shove the hammock back into the attached, small stuff sack.

In the stuff sack, a two-person hammock packs down to 6 inches X 9 inches. So small!

Personalized Luggage Tag & Handle Cover

Princess Diana - May 2, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Going Away, Graduation, Retirement

Every time I hear of someone graduating school, I think how exciting it is they have their whole life ahead of them.

I’m also reminded of Dr. Seuss’s book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” Such as classic and accurate description of this journey we call life.

I have a family member, Sidney, who is graduating from high school. With her graduation gift, I wanted to encourage her to take the opportunity to travel and collect experiences while she is in college.

The college years are well suited for traveling since the school year has built in Spring Break, Summer Break, Fall Break and Christmas Break. Once you’re in the workforce, you only have one or two day holidays and limited vacation days to fit in all your travel plans. Boo.

When I think back to my college years, the highlights include spring break trips to Florida and South Padre and summer trips to China and Costa Rica. I’m so glad I experienced them all!

Personalized Luggage Tag & Luggage Handle Cover

For her graduation gift, I gave Sidney a personalized luggage tag and luggage handle cover for her future travels.

Houseguest Welcome Basket

Princess Diana - April 14, 2017 - Food & Drinks, Gift Baskets

I remember being someone’s houseguest and getting a late night snack attack. I’m dying for something to eat but I’m too embarrassed to look through their kitchen cabinets and refrigerator. Not good.

You may have been in a similar situation yourself.

Although someone tells you, “Make yourself at home!” you still feel hesitant to rummage through their food cabinets.

There’s a way to stop the embarrassment of hungry houseguests.

Provide visitors to your home with a Houseguest Welcome Basket containing drinks, snacks and treats!

Even if you tell your houseguests to help themselves to anything in your kitchen, they’ll still appreciate receiving a basket of goodies specifically for them. If you know their favorite snacks and drinks, try to to include them in the gift basket.

One Night Stay Destination | Experience Gift

Queen Darlene - February 17, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Experiences

My sister-in-law and her husband enjoy going out-of-town. With that in mind, I gave them a destination experience as a gift!

My husband and I gave David and Lesa a gift certificate for a one-night-stay at a historical hotel. Inside the envelope, I included a picture of the hotel’s breathtaking lobby.

When they opened their gift, they were completely surprised! They had never heard of The Mayo Hotel and were excited about their upcoming adventure.

The Mayo Hotel in Tulsa

The Mayo Hotel located in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a beautiful hotel that has been renovated to its previous historic grandeur.

Opened in 1925, The Mayo instantly became synonymous with high society. Famous guests included President John F. Kennedy, Bob Hope, Charles Lindbergh, Babe Ruth, Lucille Ball, Charlie Chaplin and Elvis Presley. Continue Reading

Monogrammed Duffle Travel Bag

Queen Darlene - October 13, 2016 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Going Away, Graduation, Kids, Mother's Day, Retirement, Teacher Gifts

Over the years, I have received two duffle bags as gifts. A beautiful girly duffle bag monogrammed with my initials and the other is an animal print personalized with Queen Darlene in rhinestones. I love them both!

A monogrammed duffle travel bag is a perfect gift for overnight trips or a week long vacation.

They are so roomy and hold a ton of stuff! I use them as my go-to bag for quick trips and as a perfect carry-on bag for longer trips.

You can personalize the bags with a person’s name or the name of a college, fraternity, sorority, sports team, cheerleading or dance group, bride or bridemaids.

Hop In The Car One Day Road Trips

Queen Darlene - August 11, 2016 - Experiences, Food & Drinks

Our lifelong friends, Curtis and Susan, my husband, and I have come up with a fun experience to spend time together – Hop in the Car One Day Road Trips.

In the early years, we spent a lot of time together. We doubled dated and later were in each other’s wedding parties. We even shared holidays.

Our lives got much busier when we were raising our children, and we spent less and less time together. But now that our kids are grown, you would think we would have more time on our hands but our lives are as busy as ever.

We may have dinner together for a few short hours in a noise-filled chain restaurant once a year. This was pitiful and had to change!

I came across the best restaurants for home cooked meals across the state of Oklahoma on TravelOK.com. We decided to plan Saturday trips every four to six weeks to visit Mom and Pop type places to eat and our travels included siteseeing along the way. Continue Reading

An Aloha Christmas | A Surprise Family Vacation

Queen Darlene - November 29, 2013 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Experiences, Kids

Our family tradition is to open presents on Christmas Eve. But in 1998, we opened gifts a few days earlier. We told our children there were family members going out of town, and they would not be here for Christmas. Luckily, they did not ask which family members because it was US!

For weeks, I had shopped for summer clothes in the winter. Not an easy feat trying to find bathing suits because Internet shopping wasn’t really a thing yet back then.

My sons parasailing over the ocean.

I purchased brand new suitcases for my two boys and packed shorts, t-shirts, snorkel gear, beach towels and sunscreen. On top of that, I placed what I wanted my children to first see – brochures and airline tickets of where we were going to be on Christmas Day!

That evening at my in-laws, we did the usual holiday ritual of eating, visiting and opening gifts. We had our children open their gifts from us last. When they opened their presents and found suitcases containing clothes, they were puzzled. The look in their eyes said, “Uh, what’s this? Clothes? Really?”

We all know 17 and 13 year old boys hate getting clothes of any kind. For any occasion.

I couldn’t believe they missed the brochures of beaches and surfers!