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?

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:

Know Before You Go: Travel Tips for Exploring a New City

Happy New Year! Hope everyone is off to a fantastic and powerful 2015!

This time of year is always special for me! I celebrated my 34th birthday on New Years Eve (yes I am a #NYE Baby) at home with friends, food and lots of fun. 2014 was a phenomenal year for me: I lost 60 lbs, quit my corporate job to freelance, consult and coach full time , moved to a new apartment and of course traveled:)

On New Years Day I also celebrate my “Chicago-versary”. Seven years ago on January 1st I took a one way flight from Dallas/Ft Worth to Chicago to begin a new chapter in my life. I left behind friends, family, a beautiful home and opened myself to new opportunities the "big city" had to offer. For all the ups and downs it's still one of the best decisions I've made in my life thus far.

As I settled into Chicago back in 2008 I had to quickly learn how to adapt, navigate and explore my new city. Luckily I had a coworker and friend to help me but I still had to take it upon myself to explore Chicago on my own.

Top 3 Perks of Business Travel

In my career as a Midwest territory sales manager, I spent 70% of my time traveling for conferences and client meetings. Business travel can be exciting, when you have a four day conference in Vegas but can be exhausting when you end up on a plant tour in the “middle of nowhere” South Dakota. After six years in the sales world along the way I discovered there are personal perks to be gained that can work to your advantage.

Here are three tips to help you turn business travel into a “company paid” getaway:

1.     Loyalty Points

Make sure you are signed up for every loyalty program available via airlines, hotels and rental cars.

The best way to make this work for you is to consistently book with a preferred partner.  When I travel for work 90% of the time I fly American, rent from National Rental Car and stay at Hilton branded hotels. This is to ensure I maximize my earning potential on points, credits and miles. While these expenses are charged to your corporate account your loyalty points belong to YOU! Unless stipulated in your company travel policy they do NOT have to be used for business travel. 

Source:Travelsort.com

If you use your own personal card for expenses reimbursed at a later date, make sure that card is earning you some points too! Switch to a credit card associated with your preferred airline or hotel partner so all charges will be converted to points/miles!

My current loyalty perks annually earn me: 2 FREE checked bags, priority boarding, automatic first class upgrades, average of 3 free rental car days, two free hotel stays and enough miles for at least 1 roundtrip ticket.

2.     Weekend Stays

Extend your business trip over the weekend

Travel Smart Tips: Staying productive while you #travel

Delayed flight and stuck at an airport for 5 hours?
Bored in a hotel room alone?
Can't sleep on an airplane?     

                                 


The delays and downtime of traveling can be annoying but can also be an advantage. 

Check out these three quick tips to remain productive while you travel:

1. Catch up on reading - When you are delayed at an airport for hours or sitting in a hotel room you have to find something to do to avoid boredom! Getting a chance to catch up on reading is becoming my favorite part of traveling. When you are home and caught up in the daily tasks of work, family and managing life, the simple pleasures such as the joy of reading can take a backseat. Instead of playing on social media while you sit at the airport you can use this time to read the latest edition of your favorite magazine or book your friend keeps recommending. 

Here are two books that I read on my most recent trip to Florida. Both are great personal and professional development books that I recommend:)

 31 Amazing Life Lessons by Mel Roberson and You Lost Me at Hello by Donna Smith Bellinger      
     
                       


*Smarter Tip: Be even more productive by listening to an audiobook. The Audible  app is my new best friend! My latest download? The Love Playbook: Rules for Love, Sex, and Happiness by LaLa Anthony


2. Clean up email - Like most people my email inbox is always insane! Between personal, work, blogging and event planning I have 6 email accounts that I am trying to manage on a daily basis. I'm always overwhelmed trying to sift through unwanted newsletters, coupons and invites. So when I'm sitting at an airport gate or in-flight I use this time to clean out my emails. Make the most use of this down time by getting organized. Trust me you will feel accomplished when the unread items in your email read: ZERO :-)

*Smarter Tip: Don't connect to Wi-Fi. Delete emails from your tablet or Outlook mailbox in the offline mode to avoid the distraction of incoming mail.

3. Clear out clutter - Similar to my email I also find my purse, wallet, work/travel bag, notebook also cluttered and unorganized. During the downtime you have during travel it's a good time to start cleaning this stuff out. Sometimes I will sit in the hotel and go through all my receipts and random papers in my purse and clear them out. 
Just dump everything out on the bed and go for it! 

How do you stay productive while you travel?