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rachelteodoro
Whether you're a local looking for a coastal staycation or a visitor coming to San Diego, Coronado offers that perfect blend of laid-back charm and upscale relaxation. Nestled just across the bay from downtown, this sun-soaked area is full of walkable streets, great food, gorgeous sunsets, and just the right amount of luxury.
One of the best ways to experience Coronado is by staying at Loews Coronado Bay Resort, a serene property tucked away on its own private peninsula. It offers everything you need to park your car and forget it while still being just minutes away from all the action in downtown Coronado! I recently visited my daughter who has lived in the San Diego area for the past year, and I got a few tips from her on things to do in the area and I'm passing them on to you! So take notes and get ready for an incredible trip!
rachelteodoro
We became parents while we were still in college ourselves. Both of our parents had committed to paying for our college tuition and despite the little bump in the road with an unplanned pregnancy, continued to pay for our college so that we could graduate debt free. After graduation, we quickly saw how very beneficial it was for us to not be burdened with debt and we were able to start our life on a firm financial foundation. I chose to stay at home with our children {three of them all by the time I was 26!} and despite only having one income, we lived below our means, so that we could hopefully provide the same gift of higher learning for our own kids. This is a bit of the story on how we did that. We were able to turn financial limitations into financial freedom, not only for ourselves, but for our children as well. There wasn't any magic involved, just mindset, strategy, and steady action and sacrifice. I'm not sharing any magic formula, but instead, hoping you are inspired to plan intentionally not only for yourself but for the next generation.
rachelteodoro
Tucked away just 25 miles southwest of Charleston, Kiawah Island is one of South Carolina's best-kept secrets. With ten miles of pristine beach, winding Spanish moss lined forests, and abundant wildlife, including beloved loggerhead sea turtles, this barrier island feels like a world away from the everyday bustle.
In the early 90's a neighbor told my parents about Kiawah Island and we booked our first trip. We returned every year, enjoying the seclusion and the beauty of this hidden gem, even spending our honeymoon on the island! After nearly thirty years since our last visit, we found ourselves on the east coast, and I had a desire to see how Kiawah Island had changed through the years, and if it still remained a hidden gem.
I'm happy to report that it still very much has its coastal charm and I'm sad that I waited that long to return! If you're planning your first Kiawah getaway or you're simply craving a new kind of coastal vacation, here's your complete guide to visiting, exploring, and soaking up the best of this hidden paradise. From bike rides under Spanish moss to sunrise turtle patrols, Kiawah has something for everyone!
rachelteodoro
When I think about some of the unexpected adventures my work has brought me, filming my very first commercial easily makes the top of the list. If you'd told me even a year ago that I'd be on set, sharing a "stage" with a famous actor, working with a director, learning phrases like "call time" and "craft services", I probably would have laughed. But I've learned time and time again, saying "yes" to new things has a way of opening doors you didn't even know were there.
I have gotten so many questions about my experience, so I thought I'd share what it was really like to be cast in and film my first commercial, from the casting process, to the filming, and even some of the unexpected after when the commercial was airing. I hope you'll come along on the ride!
rachelteodoro
Anytime I would mention that I had a multi-day kayaking trip through the San Juan Islands scheduled, people's eyes would light up. If I had a quarter every time someone said that that sounded like a dream, I'd be a rich girl! Here's the thing, the San Juan Islands is kind of a PNW hidden gem. Heck, it took me more than two decades of living here before I ever got up to the islands to experience them myself. Sometimes even the locals even forget about the magic of the islands.
You see, a kayaking adventure like this through the San Juan Islands isn't just a trip, it's a whole sensory immersion. From the moment your paddle dips into the San Juan Channel, the wind in your face, water lapping against the kayak hull, endless island vistas, and sightings of harbor seals and bald eagles, you know you've stepped into something extraordinary. Outdoor Odysseys elevates this experiences with expertly guided sea kayak tours giving you a taste of gourmet multi-course meals and overnight camping on islands like Stuart and Jones Island. It's honestly one of those things you have to experience for yourself! Here's why!
