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: 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:

Savvy Traveler Insider Secrets - #ChicagoTravelShow Recap

Last week I attended the 11th Annual Chicago and Travel Adventure Show, the largest travel show in the Midwest. When I attended the event for the first time in 2014 with friends, I had such a wonderful time that I knew I would make this a “go to” event every year! (Check out last years recap here) My good friend, travel blogger and Paris tour expert Paige of Paris by Paige traveled from Milwaukee to attend the expo and we made it a fun Girls Weekend!

Holiday Movie Time with #AMCCocaColaFreestyle

*This post was sponsored by Coca-Cola and AMC Theatres. Views are my own.

Happy Holidays!

We are officially in the holiday season, my FAVORITE time of the year! I had a very low key and relaxing Thanksgiving, avoided the Black Friday madness and spent the rest of the weekend putting up my Christmas Tree!

Pretty right? :-)

Between Christmas and my birthday, New Year’s Eve (yep I am a NYE baby) I simply love the holiday season! One of my favorite traditions is going to the movies! I can remember when I was a teenager every Christmas, after all the presents were open and we were done “throwing down” on comfort food we would all head to the theater to check out the latest movie as a family. Even as an adult and after my mom passed we still try to keep the tradition going.

So before I travel to Texas for my Christmas vacation I got together with a few of my Chicago girls for a movie night at AMC Theatres on the Magnificent Mile.

GIVEAWAY: Need some new specs? Win a new pair of Firmoo Frames!

Who loves a giveaway?! EVERYBODY! :)

As a member of the Firmoo blogger program I've been lucky enough to try out a few of their amazing frames! I just got these new blue and brown stylish frames last week and I am in LOVE!  

My new specs from Firmoo.com 

This past summer I also picked out my first pair of prescription sunglasses from their website.

Firmoo is the worlds most popular online eyeglass store with frames for women, men and a great portfolio of sunglasses! Ordering on their site is a breeze, the only hard part is deciding which frames to choose from:) 

All glasses arrive with a hard case, spectacle pouch, cloth and a screwdriver for repairs. With competitive pricing, versatile styles, great user reviews and photos plus a "virtual try on view" Firmoo is a great site to update your frames and grab some new sunglasses! 

Ready to win your FREE pair of frames? Giveaway will run from 11/18 to 11/24. Winner will be contacted via email with the code to redeem your free frames! Enter below!

GOOD LUCK :-)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Disney Experience: #NicheParent14 Recap

Last week I returned from “the most magical place on earth” Disneyworld! It was five days of fun, adventure, inspiration, networking and professional development in sunny South Florida all thanks to the Niche Parent Network. As I mentioned in my last blog  I was a speaker for the 3rd Annual Niche Parent 2014 conference, an opportunity for digital influencers and brands to come together to learn, network and grow while experiencing some family fun!

Just last year I was attending my first blogging & social media conference and now to have the opportunity to speak plus take another trip to Disney World was truly a blessing and made the trip all the more meaningful!  

I want to share some of the major takeaways from the #NicheParent14 conference and some travel tips and information for those interested in exploring the magic of DisneyWorld in the near future.

#NicheParent14 Highlights

Social Media Expert and Influencer Kim Garst kicked off the conference and shared tips on “How To Build and Award Winning Blog” :

• Know Your Unique Value   
• Know Who You Serve
• Know Your Competition
• Create awesome and useful content
• Promote Your Content
• Consistency is Key
• Build Profitable Relationships

“Our blog is how we showcase how we serve our customers” ~ Kim Garst

Our #NicheParent14 presentation went great! We had an awesome discussion on collaborating, networking, branding and engaging your community! My co panelists rocked it! It was a great opportunity to share some of the same information I share with my clients that sometimes connecting with others can help you achieve goals and “Real Women Don’t Compete, They Collaborate”

Nadia Jones and her team had a fun filled weekend planned for us in the midst of power packed sessions and keynotes. Safari ride and dinner at Animal Kingdom was perfect thanks to a visit and photo op from Mickey and Minnie!

What's in my Bag? Travel Chic Essentials: Conference Edition

Happy October

Hope you had an amazing summer! I’m excited because my favorite season, FALL IS HERE!  

October is a busy month for me! I just returned from Atlanta for Bishop T.D. Jakes Woman Thou Art Loosed Conference #WTAL where my spirit was revived and I was encouraged to dream bigger than I have ever have before. Next week I am looking forward to traveling to Walt Disney World for the #NicheParent14 conference Oct. 16 - 18. There will be empowering keynote sessions and hands-on workshops on entrepreneurship, social media, branding, blogging and more. I will be speaking at the #NicheParent14 conference on the topic of : “Collaborating within your network to create a signature brand” on a panel with my Boardroom Beauties co founder Renee B and Sonia Kang of Mixed Up Clothing.

In this post I will be putting a twist on my  "What's in my Bag?" series and sharing the MUST HAVE travel essentials you need when attending conferences, whether for business or personal.

Portable Chargers

There is nothing worse than running out of juice on your cell phone while you are busy tweeting and instagramming moments from the conference. Since most conferences have limited breaks throughout the day you need to have a charger with you. Wall outlets aren't always plentiful and you don’t want to be that person sitting against the wall waiting on her phone to charge, so portable is the way to go. For my iPhone I have a Mophie Juice Pack, an extended battery and case all in one! LOVE IT! 

Photo courtesy Verizon Wireless

You charge the Mophie Juice Pack and slide it on your phone as a case. When your battery starts running low, you just flip a switch on the Mophie case and the charge kicks in. It is a very bulky case but it beats having to tote your charger around searching for plug outlets! If you have an android device there are other portable chargers that work on the go,

I have a tablet that runs on the Android system, so when I know I will be using my iPhone and tablet I bring my other portable charger that has USB hookups for over 5 different devices, including my bluetooth!

Check out these 5 Best Portable Battery Chargers

What's in my Bag? Summer Travel Chic Essentials

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Summer Fashion Travel Tips: How to look your best from the Beach to the Boardroom

Photo Credit: MikeyLovesWomen

Curvy Chicks! Summer is here and that means it’s time for vacations, concerts, retreats and beautiful summer nights that call for a new wardrobe! This summer I have a wedding in Texas, vacation to Cabo and a business conference in Miami on my agenda. As a “curvy chick” I take closer notice to how well my clothes fit, flow and flatter my body, while I keep up with the latest fashion trends.

Here are some tips to help you stay chic, trendy and fabulous from the beach to the boardroom:

• Beach Styling
• Maxi dresses are comfortable and flatters every body type!  If you are uncomfortable showing your shoulders and arms, pair your dress with a colorful cardigan or denim jacket.
• Whether you choose to rock a bikini or a one piece swimsuit, a loose fitting sundress or sarong makes for the perfect cover-up.
• Not into the “short shorts”? Bermuda shorts are a great alternative if you don’t want your thighs exposed but still want to give your legs room to breathe and get some sun!
• Summer Nights
• The perfect pair of jeans paired with a cropped blazer is my favorite go to outfit for a date or night on the town with the girls. Every girl should have a black blazer and dark colored jeans in her closet.
• Never leave home without your shapewear! Shapewear is a must to smooth out any rolls and help create the perfect hourglass shape...

Continue reading here

Back Down Memory Lane : Throwback #Travel Photos and Memories

Last week I started to feel a bit nostalgic flipping through an old photo album, and by" flipping" I mean scrolling through my Facebook photos..oh technology! :) While reminiscing and thinking about how my travel journey started and all the amazing experiences and memories I've made over the years I became grateful for having the courage, adventurous spirit and resources to have explored so many great villages, towns and countries over the last 20+ years.

“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” - Pat Conroy

My journey began as little girl. My mother, who passed away 12 years ago 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, she lived it up!   (I still have the postcard she sent me from her Hawaiian vacation when I was a kid)  

Mommy and Me at "The Alamo" - San Antonio, TX 

She also made sure at an early age I embraced different cultures and experiences when at the young age of 12 she signed me up for a 8 day educational trip that took us all through Mexico, while she stayed back home in Texas. Before I was 18 I had already gone to Vegas 3 times with her and family friends, no slot machines for me of course! I'm blessed to have had a mother who was such an inspiration and I can't wait to share some of the same travel memories with my own children one day soon:)

Join me as I stroll down memory lane with some of my favorite #throwback photos from my  travels as a young adult......

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

What are some of your fondest travel memories?

Top 10 things to do while visiting New Orleans

I spent this past New Year’s Eve holiday in one of my favorite cities, New Orleans! 

This was my third time in the “Big Easy” and it was a fabulous time as always! 

From the food, the music, atmosphere and rich culture all around you are always guaranteed a great time in the “most unique” city in America!

 

If you plan on traveling to New Orleans, check out my list of things to do on your trip:

1.  Hang out in the French Quarter - The bars around Bourbon St., boutique      shopping, specialty shops and all the fine New Orleans cuisine can be found in and around this historic area.
2. Have a “Hand Grenade” - One of New Orleans most famous STRONG drinks can be found at any of the Tropical Isle locations on Bourbon St. Be careful it only takes one! 
   
3. Stroll down St Charles Ave. and the Garden District - This beautiful and historic district is located in Central New Orleans. Boasting antebellum mansions and manicured gardens this popular neighborhood is full of southern charm. 
4. Revisit History - Take advantage of the many museums, walking tours, riverboat cruises and unique experiences to learn more about the rich culture and history. 

Hit The Slopes! : Winter Soul Fest 2014

So I recently realized that in all of my travels to beaches, historic landmarks, sprawling countrysides and urban cities I still have yet to go skiing! Considering I live next door to Wisconsin which has plenty of ski resorts and the fact that I have friends in the Denver area this is pretty pathetic lol. 

Last year I came close to planning a ski trip with one of my male BFF's but we waited until the last minute and didn't have our stuff together! So when I got the details about the upcoming Winter Soul Fest I got excited all over again!

3 Travel Tips for a Chic Spa Getaway

JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort

Last month I headed to Scottsdale, Arizona for a spa getaway weekend with one of my longtime girlfriends. It was my first time in Arizona since I was a kid (road trip from Texas to Vegas included a stop in Flagstaff) and I was looking forward to visiting one Scottsdale’s many world renowned spas. The weekend was full of relaxation, indulgence, good food and great wine!

Here are three tips to help you plan a chic spa getaway:

Make it an all-day affair

We did our spa day at the JW Marriot Camelback Inn Resort, one of the top rated spas in Scottsdale! I had a full body massage and a body scrub; spent some time in the hot tub and sauna. We wanted to have some privacy as well so we rented one of the private cabanas poolside to relax in between treatments. We were served food & drinks and enjoyed the shade of the cabana on what ended up being a steamy Arizona day! We literally stayed until the spa closed at 7:30 p.m. :-) 

You need to put in some major hours at the spa to take full advantage of all the offerings!     

#Blogalicious5 Conference Recap: Lessons on living out your dreams

Over the weekend I attended the 5^th Annual “Be Blogalicious” conference Oct 3-5 at Hyatt Regency in Downtown Atlanta, GA. Since 2009 the weekend event has brought women on color in the blogging, social media and entrepreneurial field together to “collaborate, connect and uplift one another”..and it did just that! 

As a still fairly new blogger this year I have been all about seeking all the knowledge, resources and connections I can to keep my blog growing.

I was blessed enough to enjoy this experience thanks to an amazing organization I am involved in, Color Comm (Women of Color in Communications). Color Comm raffled off a FREE registration and I WON! So I knew it was meant for me to be there! I booked a Delta flight ASAP, found a roommate share and of course went shopping so I could be chic and fashionable at the conference:)