/ , ,

Spring Give-Away! Thirty-One Gifts Thermal Tote

I am very delighted to announce that I'm hosting a spring give-away for you this month.  I appreciate your support for my blog, and I wanted to give you a little something to thank you for the time you give me each week whether it is here, the blog's Facebook page, or my Twitter account.   When thinking about what to give you, I turned to a product that I already own for inspiration.   I love this product so much that I want you to have one as well.   We don't leave home without it.  We take it EVERYWHERE, and it was with us all weekend in Beaufort.   Just check out this photo!  That's us at Fort Macon.



I own several Thirty-One Thermal Totes.  They are so practical and when I bought them, I had no idea that I would use them so much. The one photographed above is personalized with my daughter's name.   These totes are great for taking food to the park, to work, or storing cold items on a long car ride or a short car ride across town.  They can hold two milk cups, an ice pack, three yogurts, and a whole packet of cheese sticks.  It's amazing what I can get in them.  They are a must for MOMS!  And yes, they will also hold four to five long neck beer bottles, too.  They are for everyone!

Children can even carry them around with ease.


My friend, Tricia Edmundson, who also happens to be a Thirty-One Sales Director, agreed to sponsor my blog so that I can give you one of my favorite items this month.   New patterns are always coming out each season.





Tricia is great to work with on Thirty-One events.  She's a mom first, but has enjoyed the flexibility and opportunities that her new sales career have brought her since she joined this Christian-based gift company.  Thirty-One gifts stands behind its products so I think you will be pleased with the quality.  Thanks Tricia, for allowing me to showcase and give-away one of your great products!

A Thermal Tote can now be yours if you choose to enter my give-away.  You can pick your own pattern, and personalize the tote any way you wish.   You can use your initials, name, or a funny saying.  I even have a brown thermal tote with "Brown Baggin" on it.   A winner will be announced on Thursday May 26, 2011.

How to Enter
Follow my Blog in Google Friends, Twitter (Hinessightblog)  or on Facebook (One Entry for Each)
Leave a comment here on the blog and tell me you are a follower on Facebook, Twitter,  Google Friends,  and want to be included in the give-away.

Bonus Entries

Tweet about the give-away (one entry)
Be sure to include @Hinessightblog in the tweet
Refer a friend to the blog's Facebook page (5 bonus entries)
Just have your friend write on my wall and tell me who referred them.  It's that simple.

Blog about the Give-Away (5 entries)
(Just send me the link to the post)

Visit Tricia's website, e-mail her,  tell her you are hopping over the Hines-Sight Blog, and detail what you would like to put on your personalized tote (10 entries)

Thanks for being here and Good Luck!!
read article
0 notes

/ , , , , ,

Buckle Up: You're Road Trippin with the Hines

This past weekend was my husband's 45th birthday so being the good wife that I am, I made him pack the car and get behind the wheel for our first spring road trip of the year.  Who wouldn't want to drive three hours in order to look at a view like this on your birthday even if the kids were unhappy for a third of the journey?


Mr. Piggybank usually protests trips on his birthday because you've heard me say before that he prefers saving money over spending money so he kindly requests that we don't splurge on luxury hotel accommodations anywhere near his birthday.   In other words, he doesn't want his birthday to cost him a dime and that usually translates to "he wants to keep his fanny at home!"

But this year, we had some family obligations that took us in a different direction.  Three hours east to be exact.  Our destination was to North Carolina's third oldest town.  The lovely and historic Beaufort, NC, established in 1709. 

Beaufort is a quaint rocking chair type town.


 It's a place where you want to stroll on the docks.


And see who exactly boards this yacht.


Beaufort has so much charm.  I can't even begin to capture it in my amateur photographs.


The homes!  I could walk for hours looking at the homes in this picturesque town.  




If you like to tour homes then you should plan a trip for this year's 51st annual Old Homes and Garden Tour held every June.   This year, the event will be June 24-26.   I used to go every summer before having children, but touring homes with them just doesn't have the same appeal that it once did.   Eventually, I'll get back on the circuit. 

NC Maritime Museum

Beaufort is also home to the NC Maritime Museum.   For 270 years, Blackbeard's ship was hidden off the coast of NC by sand and water.  In 1996, the pirate's ship was found and the museum has had a small exhibit with some artifacts.   But this June, exciting things are sailing ashore.  Blackbeard's flagship will sail in Beaufort again.  June 11, 2011 will be family day at the museum.





What's our connection to Beaufort, you ask?  Why it's Tractor Hines, of course.   Mr. Piggybank's dad.


Granddaddy Tractor lives in Beaufort and Pine Knoll Shores, NC.  We get to stay in his guest house in Beaufort.   For the record, he no longer has a tractor, but he did ten years ago when my nephew christened him with that name.  It's funny how names stick!

My computer time is over,  the kids need attention, but our road trip is far from over.   There's more to come this week.  Stay tuned for my next post, "One Wedding and a Fort".  We'll also finish the week with a wonderful Beaufort recipe that will cure any sweet tooth you may have.

Until next time, I'm off to compile a list of hotels for your own road trip to Carteret County, and the beaches near Beaufort.



Ourfamilyworld


read article
0 notes

/

The Greatest Gift

Becoming a mother was the greatest gift that I have been given in my life.  If you are a mother, then you understand when I say to you that the love you have for your child is like none other.  I got my precious gifts a little late in life, but it was certainly worth the wait. There are days that I want to laugh, cry, smile, pull my hair out, giggle, and hide in the closet just to get some peace in the house — and that may be in just the first twenty minutes of the day.   It is a true honor to be on this great roller coaster of life better known as mommyhood.  Here are a few things I’ve learned or have thought along the way. 

Hearing “I love you, mommy!” will melt your heart every time you hear it.  Seeing your baby sign “I love you” will cause you to shed a tear of joy.

Hearing “mom” in public will make you turn your head even if your own children are firmly by your side.

Will I ever get to use the bathroom or shower again without someone saying “Mom”?

Naptime or “quiet time” is my new happy hour. 

The nicer your outfit, the more likely that you’ll get some type of stain on it.

Just mentioning the words, “preschool graduation” will make a mom tear up.  That’s been me lately.   Let’s not even talk about that first day of kindergarten.  Better stock up on those tissues now.

Shouldn’t I have an honorary medical degree since I’ve looked up so many child illnesses on the Internet and have called my pediatrician’s nursing line at the first sign of an ailment?

I can easily find a common bond with another mom.  Whether rich or poor, liberal or conservative, we all are mothers and can relate to the love we have for our children.  So go ahead, strike up that conversation with another mom at the park or in the checkout line.  You have more in common than you may think.

It never ceases to amaze me how much stuff we can fit in our car for a road trip.

Hearing “I don’t know what to do” sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

Who knew that so much pooh could come out of a little baby?

Since becoming a mom, I feel other parents’ pain more than ever before.

I love being a mom because it gives me a free pass to do fun things like “dancing in public” at children’s concerts, and experiencing the magic of Walt Disney World through my child’s eyes.   I’m not sure who was more excited to see the Wiggles: me or my son?

Try to remember that when your child is kicking, screaming, yelling, or picking his nose in Target, you’re not alone!  There was probably another mom who had a child do the same thing an hour earlier on aisle three.

Being a mom has strengthened my own relationship with my mom, and I appreciate her even more for all that she had to endure to put up with me.

Don’t blink! It’s amazing how fast these children grow.  Has it already been 5 1/2 years since my first child was placed in my arms?  And 18 months ago since my little pink bundle of joy arrived?

Being a mom is the hardest job you will ever do in your life.  Being a mom is the GREATEST job you will ever do in your lifetime.

Being a mom is a true gift of joy.

Happy Mother’s Day, Moms!
This post was written for the News and Observer's Triangle Mom2Mom website.





read article
0 notes

/ , ,

Hats Off to the Mint Julep!


Image from the Kentucky Derby website
On Saturday, thousands will parade around Churchill Downs in stylish hats and sip on the very southern drink called, "Mint Julep" for the 137th Kentucky Derby.  Each year, 120,000 thousand of these drinks are served. 

I've always wanted to make mint juleps and have my own Derby party, but this year, I'll be attending a wedding and won't even get a chance to glance at the horses.  


However, I'm not going to leave you empty-handed.   I figured a Kentucky girl would know the best mint julep recipe so I asked a friend of mine to share her recipe with all of us just in case you wanted to make your own drink this year.

Kentucky's Finest Mom's Mint Julep
By Christa
Image Credit

First, make a simple syrup: Boil equal parts sugar and water (I usually do a cup of each) until the sugar is dissolved, then cool. Add a bunch of chopped mint leaves to the syrup, and let it sit for at least an hour. Strain the leaves out.

Pour 4 oz or so of good bourbon over ice. Mix in a few tablespoons of the mint syrup (to taste). Garnish with a sprig of mint. Enjoy!

The drink sounds easy enough, doesn't it? I may just ask for one at the wedding reception.

And to have even more fun with all of you.  I'm going to do something I never do!   I'm going to show you what I would wear if I were at the Derby this year.  I'm not a fashionista at all, and really need a stylist, but I went out on a limb and went inspiration shopping.   The best part of all is that it did not cost my bank account a thing!

I looked at tons of hats online, and this is what I would pick.


But, the hat is sold-out in black, and there is a good reason why which I'm about to share, but it is still available in white.



The hat company now calls this, "Kate's hat".   The Duchess of Cambridge wore it to a wedding in October 2010 a few weeks before her wedding engagement was announced to Prince William.



And I would pair my new hat with this silk jersey dress by Lilly Pulitzer if it looked good on me.  I'm the type that never knows until I try something on my body.  I think the dress would look great with my favorite Derby hat!


Image Credit


As for the horses, I like the name, "Pants on Fire", but since our topic today is mint juleps, I think I will pull for "Stay Thirsty."

Until next time, have a great mother's day weekend!


read article
0 notes

/ , , ,

Wednesday's Wish We Were Here!

I don't know about you all, but it's been a busy week in my house and I still have lots to do.
We have kindergarten orientation today for my son.  I need to pack our suitcases for an out of town wedding,  and also find some alone time to write a mother's day column for the newspaper before I sneak away with my family to visit my husband's family.
I bet you are busy, too. I think we all need to escape today and take a five minute vacation. 

Let's Go Here!

Can you imagine yourself waking up to this view?


Look at the lovely details in this room.


A Room like that is why I am obsessed with Luxury Hotels
 Check out this wonderful bathroom!
I have a girlfriend that would be very happy with tub, right M?
Look at the great architecture in the spa.


I could so have my lunch right here in this spot.


I bet a Margarita here would be heavenly!

Image Credit for All Photos

Where are we?
We're where every day is Cinco de Mayo.
The One & Only Palmilla Resort, Los Cabos, Mexico


This beautiful hotel is like stepping into paradise, isn't it?  And get this, the hotel will even unpack and pack your suitcase complimentary so you can enjoy more time in the sun or on the golf course.  Let's face it!  If you are a parent, it is sometimes hard to get someone to keep those precious angels for you to go out of town, but this hotel has you covered.  The One and Only Palmilla, Los Cabos has a KidsOnly club for children aged four to eleven. Your kids will be so entertained that you may not even see them except when they are asleep.  For babies and toddlers, the hotel offers professional babysitting and nanny services (24-hour notice).  

Get your passports ready because the hotel is offering lots of booking incentives for May and Summer.  You can view their packages here.

Los Cabos is certainly on my list!  What about you? But, I guess for Cinco de Mayo this year, I'll be making my own margarita.

Until next time, I'm off to get the margarita salt.

read article
0 notes
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Latest Instagrams

© Hines-Sight Blog. Design by FCD.