Tips for "Unplugging" during the Holiday Season

Hello December! This is my favorite time of year! Christmas is my favorite holiday and my birthday is on New Year's Eve! :) So during December I try to unplug and really focus on reconnecting with friends and family. Technology can have a way of taking over your life and becoming a major distraction. Some of us can get so caught up in the "online" world that we aren't present and fully enjoying the REAL life we are in. The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to spend some time away from the constant barrage of email notifications and text messages and enjoy the joy, peace and magical moments that December brings! Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you are traveling during this holiday season:   Catch up some reading - Grab your favorite magazines and the latest bestseller (like my #ExtraordinaryPurpose) book to make the best use of your free time.  Set your tweets and posts to autopilot - Try to step away from social media and be present in the moment. Use tools like Hootsuite and Facebook Scheduler to plan ahead and schedule posts for your business pages.   Enjoy the moment - As you are sharing special moments with friends and family this season, be present and don't focus on the need to instantly share every move on social media. Snap a few photos and share updates on social media at the end of the day.

Thinking of extending your social media break? Worried about the impact a break could have on your business/brand? Check out this video for some more tips. Share with me! What are your holiday travel plans?  *comment below*

Travel Smart With Style: 2015 Kia Soul Car Review

I was provided the 2015 Kia Soul for four days in exchange for my review. 

All opinions expressed here are my own.

Two weeks ago I took a trip back to my home state of Texas to attend T.D. Jakes Megafest conference in Dallas Aug 19 - 23. While visiting with family and friends, networking and feeding my soul with inspirational messages (video recap here) I was able to be a part of the #DriveKia experience navigating through the "Big D" rolling in the 2015 Kia Soul. The Kia Soul is a sleek, stylish and affordable (only $15K base) crossover vehicle that I was looking forward to testing out during my four day trip around the city. Known for it's unique exterior, advanced technology and fun driving experience it's no wonder the 2015 Kia Soul was ranked highest in class  by J.D. Power. So if you are in the market for a new car this fall, check out my favorite Kia Soul features:

Steering Wheel Technology

Technology - My #1 favorite feature I loved about the Kia Soul was how simple and sleek the interior technology was. I was seriously so caught up in playing with all the features that it took me a minute to pull out the lot and start driving:) Having rented dozens of cars before when I was in corporate sales, it usually takes me forever to figure out how to work stuff in cars, however the Kia Soul technology was very simple to use. I plugged my phone in the USB port, synced my phone with the Bluetooth, programmed my satellite radio stations and plugged my destination into navigation in less than 3 minutes. So quick and easy! 

4.3" LCD display for Satellite Rear-Camera Display, Navigation and Sirius XM

Comfort - Riding in the Kia Soul felt so good! The seats were comfy and cozy. I was originally concerned driving around on leather seats in the triple digit heat of a Texas summer but I quickly discovered the Kia Soul had a fix for that..ventilated seats circulating cool or warm air..HALLELUJAH.

Sleek Leather Interior and Sub Woofers

Style - The "Alien" green exterior, bright Xenon headlights, and sleek panoramic sunroof were stylish features that made feel like one of the "cool kids" rolling in the Kia Soul. 

Kia Soul glows at night!

Panoramic Sunroof (Source: Kia.com)

Space - As a crossover and multi purpose vehicle the Soul was very spacious. I had a chance to catch up with my bestie, her hubby and my 5 year old goddaughter for breakfast while in Dallas. My goddaughter immediately jumped in the large truck space and made herself comfy. The seats let down so it would be perfect for a road trip, camping trip or drive in movie! There was plenty of leg room to make for a comfortable ride for my besties 6 foot husband and to fit their entire family and some extra luggage.

Plenty of leg room and space

To check out more on the Kia Soul and take advantage of their summer deals visit Kia.com

What's your favorite car feature?

What I'm Loving This Summer

It’s official..SUMMER is here! I never really appreciated this season while living in Texas (triple digits anyone?) until I moved to Chicago. When you are buried under snow with a polar vortex hovering over you for 6 months of the year, you savor every day of those three short but sweet summer months. So as you prepare for vacation, warmer weather and longer days check out what I’m loving this summer plus some great travel, style and entertainment tips.

Travel Smart: 10 Must Have Travel Apps for Women

With the power of a smartphone in your hand you can make your next trip better, safer and more adventurous. 

Check out the 10 must have apps that every smart, savvy traveler should download:

1. HotelTonight - Basic to Luxe  accommodations. Hotel Tonight offers same day and last minute hotel bookings at reduced rates. Book a hand picked hotel room with just 3 taps and a swipe in 10 seconds.

2. HipMunk - Planning your next trip and on a budget? Hipmunk compiles the best flight and hotel deals on a single page for quick and easy comparison. Airbnb and Homeaway rentals are now included in their hotel search results.

3. Pocket Earth -  Never worry about getting lost as long as your device is charged and you have the Pocket Earth app. Offline maps and travel guides are accessible without a wifi connection. The perfect companion for your next international trip.

Source: PocketEarth.com

Travel Smart: Solo Travel Tips for Women

Travel is ingrained in my DNA. My mother was a woman who traveled across the world with ease. Whether she was exploring France on a European vacation, hanging with the locals in Guadalajara, Mexico, cruising through the Caribbean or sneaking off to Vegas. I still have the postcard she sent me from her Hawaiian vacation when I was a kid. Even as a divorced, single mother she still set aside time and money to prioritize travel.  Sometimes she had kids in tow or her girlfriends, but she was also not afraid to travel alone. My mothers ability to globetrott with confidence is one of the many reasons she was and will always be my shero.

Me and Mom - San Antonio, TX in the early 1980's

I believe every woman should experience taking a solo trip. You don’t necessarily need to embark upon an “Eat, Pray, Love” adventure or go “Wild” like Cheryl Strayed but taking the opportunity to explore and discover on your own is a brave and bold move that could lead to an empowering experience of a lifetime.

Traveling alone can be a scary thought for many, here are four travel tips that will ease any fears and help make your solo travel experience safe, enjoyable and fulfilling.

1.   Identify Your Ideal Destination

Decide if you want to lay around a beach, relax at a spa, shop all day, or tap into some history and culture.  If you’ve been stressed lately a relaxing beach vacation may be what you need to unwind.  Foreign destinations are always ideal if you are looking to explore history and discover a new culture. Don’t mull over the destination too long, just choose!

4 Tips for a Better Beach Vacation

Happy March!

We are having a tough winter here in Chicago with blizzards and sub zero temps just about every week so I am officially on a countdown to Spring (17 days!). Even though I’m not hopeful we will see warm temps and sunshine here in Chicago by next month, I have made sure that I will be having a few days in the sun elsewhere. I’m headed back to my favorite vacation spot, Cabo San Lucas in April for a well deserved vacation and getaway with a few of my girlfriends from Texas. I’ve blogged about Cabo here before and my decision to purchase a timeshare, so I’m excited to go back “home” for a few days.

If you are planning to head to the beach this year, here are some #travelsmart tips to make sure it’s your next beach trip is the best ever:

Take Date Night to the Next Level: Valentines Day Couple Travel Tips

Happy February! It's Black History Month and the month of LOVE! 

With Valentine’s Day coming up and love in the air, getting away with your partner for the weekend just may be the sweet retreat that you need!

Traveling together is a great way to relax and re-connect with your partner. Leaving the comforts of your home and the grind of your daily routine for just a few days can be a gamechanger in your relationship. Most couples would unanimously agree they are just too busy to make vacation a reality. However it doesn't have to be as complicated as you think!

Running short on ideas to celebrate Valentine's Day with your sweetie? 

Here are three easy to plan couple vacation ideas:

         Staycation

     Be a tourist in your own city. Book a weekend stay at the best hotel in town, order room service, book a spa appointment and dine at a new restaurant. You can even check out a local attraction or special event and no need for a plane ticket or gas money!