How to Visit and Explore Kiawah Island, South Carolina: A Complete Guide to South Carolina’s Coastal Gem

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!

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Creating a Meaningful Slideshow for a Funeral or Memorial Service

I hate that I even have any expertise in this. It was truly the most horrendous task. But if you are like me, and you were tasked with creating a memorial slideshow for a funeral or memorial service, I hope I can offer a little comfort and let this be your guide. Creating a memorial slideshow can be one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate the life of a loved one. Photos have the power to tell stories that words often cannot. And at a time when words may be hard to come by, they offer a great way to express the fullness of someone's life. Even a life that might have been gone too soon. 
After my younger brother suddenly passed away, I was set with the difficult task of creating a memorial slideshow. It was a task I dreaded. You'd think that after a 15-year long career in content creation, often making reels and videos with photos and snapshots of life, that this would have been second nature. I thought that too. It was not. And after quick google searches on how to make a memorial slideshow, I came up empty.
Here's the good news. You don't need to be a tech expert or hire a professional to create a beautiful slideshow. I want to walk you through the steps on how you can design a heartfelt tribute with ease because this shouldn't be something that needs to consume you when you are grieving.

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An Aviation Journey: From High School to Commercial Pilot

"So what was your path to aviation?" I've embarrassingly {just ask my son!} asked to many a pilot while waiting for flights. If you are wearing a uniform in an airport, I have probably approached you. Mostly because, like all things in parenting, just when you think you have it all figured out, one of your kids throws you a curve ball! Our youngest son Owen has always loved airplanes and aviation. I think his love for flying escalated when his Boy Scout troop had a free discovery flight through the Young Eagles program with an eager pilot when he was nine. The pilot flew over our house and let Owen take the controls. If there's one thing I've learned about flying and aviation, it's that pilots LOVE to talk about airplanes! So asking that question, I often know I'll be able to engage in a pretty interesting conversation! Now as a mom of a pilot, I typically have several conversations weekly {no joke!} about the path to take to aviation and how as a parent you can support your child. This is mostly a way for me to write everything down in one place as we get further removed from the process in an attempt to share our experience. It won't all apply to you or your situation, but it's a good jumping off point. If there's one thing I've learned in the world aviation it's that every path is different! This has been ours...so far!

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What Really Helped After Losing a Loved One: Practical Tips for Support During Grief

There is  no way to fully prepare for the loss of someone that you love. When my 42-year-old brother died suddenly after a very brief illness, I found myself thrown into a new and heartbreaking reality. People often say, "Let me know what I can do," but the truth is, when you're grieving, you don't know what you need. Decision overload becomes all too real. During that first week, I did notice that there were some practical tangible and thoughtful gestures that made my family feel seen and loved by those around us and that made all the difference. If you've never experienced loss before, these things might help you relate to someone you love that's walking through it.

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Holiday Gift Giving Ideas for Young Adults

The holiday season is here, and finding the perfect gift for young adults can sometimes feel like a challenge. With new trends {the power of TikTok shop!}, changing lifestyles, and unique interests, it's important to choose gifts that resonate and offer something meaningful or useful. Whether you're looking to surprise a college student, a new grad, or a young professional, I've got a curated list of the best gifts to inspire, entertain, and support the young adults in your life. There's something here for every personality and budget!

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The Magic of Returning to the Same Vacation Spot: Why Seabrook, WA is Our Family's Home Away from Home

In a world where the allure of new destinations and experiences is ever-present, there is something profoundly special about returning to the same vacation spot year after year. For our family, that place is Seabrook, Washington-a charming beach town that has grown with us as we've created memories, shared laughter, and watched our children grow up against the backdrop of its picturesque landscapes. Seabrook has become more than just a vacation spot; it's a place that feels like home, filled with memories that span the years and generations. And while Seabrook might not be "your spot", I want to dig into why it's important to return to a vacation destination, wherever that may be, for your family! 

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The Complete Guide to Booking a Cruise From Port Canaveral: Tips, Transfers and Top Picks

Are you ready to set sail on an unforgettable adventure from Port Canaveral? Recently, when looking for a trip with our family, we started considering a cruise out of Port Canaveral, Florida. While I've been on several cruises, I've never set sail out of Port Canaveral and ran into a few unknowns. Port Canaveral, is located on Florida's Space Coast, and it's one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. It serves as a gateway to popular destinations in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. There are a few important things to know to help you have the best cruise yet if you are planning on leaving Port Canaveral, and I'm going to share everything that I learned during our planning and through our travel with you so that everything can be smooth sailing!

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10 of the Hardest Things About Becoming an Empty Nester

When you have a house full of young kids constantly vying for your attention, it feels like you'll never have a moment to yourself ever again. You are never alone in your own home. You're always keeping track of multiple schedules and don't get me started on the never-ending grocery runs and last-minute errands you are making because someone just has to have something {poster board at 10 pm anyone?}. But then it all sneaks up on you. The house is empty. The kids are gone, and you are sitting in that empty nest you never thought would clear out. We had kids young, so many of our peers still have kids at home and look at our empty nest with longing. I'm not sure I could tell you how many times I've been asked what it's like or how we are doing as empty nesters. I often can't put it into words if I'm honest. Usually, I just say it's quiet. Sometimes I say that the house stays clean a lot longer. But really, if I had a captive audience that really wanted to know, these are the 10 hardest things I've found about becoming an empty nester.

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A Month-to-Month Guide to Making Family Memories

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to get caught up in routines and forget to prioritize quality time with our loved ones. However, building lasting memories as a family is essential for fostering strong connections and creating a sense of unity. This month-to-month guide is designed to inspire families to embark on a journey of intentional togetherness throughout the year, with each month offering unique opportunities for creating cherished moments. Feel free to change things up and add your own personal family flare to it!

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Fall Finds for a Cozy Home: Transition Between Summer and Fall

Fall is a great time to really start to focus on home. There's a cozy factor I think people fall in love with as the weather starts to turn and there is a real desire to take advantage of the cooler weather to feather your nest so to speak and get ready to enjoy being inside those four walls you've created. I know I always put off a lot of home projects during the spring and summer because I would rather opt to be outside, but this time of year always has me turning my focus back on home inside my walls. Here are some of my favorite fall finds.

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Preparing Your Home for Vacation

Preparing for a vacation can be a lot of work. Whether packing up the car, hitting the road, or dusting off your passport for a long flight, taking a vacation requires more than just preparing an itinerary. Your home will be left vacant while you’re gone, and you want to ensure your home is ready for it! Here are my best tips to help you prepare your home for vacation.

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10 National Parks to Visit During Wildflower Season

One of the best parts about America’s national parks is that they have so many unique things to offer anyone who visits. No matter what season, there is something to see or a new park waiting for you to explore. As the ice starts to thaw and the snow finally melts, spring is the perfect time to see wildflowers! Here are 10 national parks to visit during wildflower season.

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Cheap Date Ideas for Couples Who Don't Need a Babysitter Anymore!

The moment you’ve been long waiting for as parents have finally arrived. Your kids are old enough that they don’t need a sitter! But after ten or so years of having to work around a babysitter, you might be a little short on ideas for what you should do with your newly found freedom as parents. If you are looking for some fabulous budget-friendly date ideas that you can do when you don’t have to worry about a sitter, here are some of my favorite ideas.

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5 Ways to Connect with Your High School Graduate Before They Leave the Nest

Can you believe that your little baby is about to graduate from high school? It might feel like just yesterday you were changing their diapers for the first time, but they’re about to become a full-fledged adult. Before they start college or leave the nest for the first time, you still have a summer to make memories before they go. Here are some great ways to connect with your high school graduate before leaving the nest.

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Visiting Antelope Canyon: Is it Really Worth the Hype?

We recently returned from a trip I'm calling the Ultimate Southwest Road Trip™. We hit parks in Nevada, Utah, and Arizona for a pretty memorable spring break with our teenage son. One of our stops was in Page, Arizona where we spent time visiting Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell. I had heard glowing reviews about Antelope Canyon but went back and forth trying to decide if it was worth the expensive tour fee and if it really would live up to the hype. We actually were blown away by our visit and wanted to share the experience so you can make the best plan for your upcoming visit. 

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The Best 7 Day Grand Circle Road Trip Itinerary! The Ultimate Southwest Road Trip!

What started as a {potential} college visit to Prescott, Arizona, with a side trip to the Grand Canyon, turned into a road trip through Nevada, Utah, and Arizona making stops at Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, Glen Canyon, and the Grand Canyon {to name a few} in what is often referred to as {a portion of} The Grand Circle. We actually deemed it "The Ultimate Southwest Road Trip" and it will forever be known as that from here on out. {We never made it to visit the college.} 
It's easy to look at a map and see how close some of the most spectacular parts of the southwest are to one another and get carried away planning a road trip. We planned the Ultimate Southwest Road Trip­­™ and think that this was the best way to spend seven days around some of the United State's most beautiful vistas. We fit a lot in, allowing for some downtime, and felt like we saw all the things {and a few things you could skip}. Read on for tips on how you can plan your own Ultimate Southwest Road Trip.

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Making Mealtime Easy for a Family in a Vacation Rental

When you’re vacationing, it can sometimes feel like you are just trading one kitchen for another and still have to eat. If you are traveling for spring break or just vacationing to a rental home with your family this year, there are so many different ways you can make cooking there a stress-free experience. You already know that not eating every meal out can save you money, but these tips will make eating in your vacation home just as easy.

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Visiting Whistler, Canada in the Winter as a Family

Some of the best winter memories our family has created have been at Whistler ski resorts. Skiing and snowboarding are the main reasons we come to spend time in Whistler. We like to make sure we have accommodations that are convenient so that we can get on the mountain quickly. This is especially important when you have a gaggle of little ones following behind. So how can you make the most of a visit to Whistler, Canada? I've got some tips for making wonderful winter family memories in one of our favorite locations.

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22 Ways That You Can Support My Small Business

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission from any purchases you make from those links, but your price stays the same. You are supporting my small business.
I've been blogging for a LONG time. I actually started a blog way back in 2005 when I was pregnant with our third child so that we could stay connected to family and friends who weren't nearby. All that to say, blogging is a long game for me. I've been at it for a while. Unlike my oldest son, who could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves, I am not a natural-born salesperson. It's just not at the root of why I started this blog. However, I do continue to write and chug along providing free content for my readers {you!}, and I'm so glad you are here. 
Want to know how you can support me? Bookmark this post. Then, when you shop any of the links in this post, you get good juju and I get a little kickback to help support me and my little blog habit. I'm only sharing sites I shop often myself. The things I'd tell my friends about if they asked. So know that this is the best of the best! Thank you for your support! I appreciate you!

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Where to Shop for Mother of the Bride or Groom Dresses

My oldest son just got married. I'm no fashion blogger, but the question keeps coming up on where the best place is to shop for a mother of the bride or mother of the groom dress is. I had about a year to find the perfect dress for the occasion, and I'll tell you, I had my eyeballs peeled at a lot of different places from department store, to thrift shop to clothing rental. Finding the perfect dress for such a special day can be tricky, so I'm going to share my experience with you on where to shop for the perfect mother of the bride or groom dress.

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