#also their complimentary sample books are awesome

[ardent-fox]

Galladads Headcanon

This was written as the result of the wonderful and talented Jessie (@metalheadmickey) leaving their complimentary tags on my last Galladrabble. Thanks for all the support, love! 🖤

Let me preface this by saying I've never posted one of these before, so I hope I possess the logical skills required to write a sensical one. Also, warning: major OC dabbling and sappiness ahead.

I've got many different headcanons regarding Ian and Mickey possibly having children, ranging from them never having them cause Mickey decides he really doesn't want them (which I think is a perfectly valid option), to them somehow managing to foster/adopt kids, to them finding a way of having biological children. Since the idea of their DNA being passed on is the most interesting option in my opinion, I started thinking about what that would entail and quickly got swept up in it, as it so often happens to me.

So, once they decide they are ready to have kids and that they'd like to ideally have two half-siblings, they set out on a search for a surrogate with the idea of each of them providing a sample when their time comes. Mickey thinks Ian should do it the first time around, still a bit apprehensive and wanting to see how the whole thing pans out before he does the same, and Ian is more than eager to do so. They end up having a gorgeous red-headed baby girl, and after they find out they can rock the parenting thing, she's joined by her dark-haired, blue-eyed sister three years later.

They give them gender-neutral names (haven't spent a lot of time on this particular detail but let's call the older one Laurie and the younger one Sasha, since both names relate to Mickey) and raise them in a completely open and honest way, lots of affection and encouraging them to be their own people, express themselves any and every way they like. Little did they know that their daughters would grow up to be two completely different, yet equally awesome people.

Laurie proves to be very gentle-mannered from day one, a sensitive soul that likes books and lives more inside her head than in the real world. Like Ian, she has a great desire to take care of people and is a very passionate person underneath it all, which pushes her past her own insecurities and has her joining things like the debate team when she gets older, as well as sports teams to release any pent-up frustrations she might not have dealt with, exploring herself further through her interests. She's often unaware of how capable she is and can be very self-critical, which is something her dads pick up on very early and try to give her extra support in that area. Besides them, she is the closest to her uncle Liam, which she sees more as a cousin since he is 12 years older than her, and often goes to him for advice. Like Liam, she ends up being the first in her family to graduate high school and finish college, making them the only two Gallaghers who have accomplished this. She's also the only heterosexual member of her family and ends up meeting a guy that Ian and Mickey are skeptical about at first, knowing how loving and eager to please she is and hoping this dude respects her. They give the guy a hard time at first, but he turns out to be a good person, and Laurie ultimately ends up in a happy marriage, working in the education system and having kids of her own, making Ian and Mickey grandparents.

Sasha is the complete opposite, a wild-card with a heart of gold. She doesn't care about school that much and is incredibly creative and outspoken with no middle ground, either drawing and creating things or running around like the hyper kid she is. Even though she is incredibly bright, her high IQ makes her bored with things quite easily, and her dads have to actively work with her to make sure she finishes her tasks and keeps certain goals in mind. Throughout her life, she has never fully seen herself as a girl and ends up connecting with cousin Franny the most because of this, who is 10 years her senior and ultimately comes out as trans. As Sasha grows older, she starts exploring androgyny and ultimately figures out that she is gender-fluid, adopting they/them pronouns and also coming out as pansexual, happy to come from a family that supports all that they are. Like Mickey, they also have a passion for tattoos as well as piercings and end up getting a job at one of the shops fresh out of high school, eventually moving out of the family home and happily living their life however the fuck they want. Despite their different demeanor, Laurie and Sasha remain close well into adulthood, balancing each other's strengths and weaknesses quite well, their conflicts not ranging further than the typical teenage drama.

Throughout their lives, the kids share some interests with their dads as well. They all like rock/punk/heavy metal music, along with some evergreens that Ian likes to play and the occasional kids' pop bop. As a result, they frequently go to concerts together as a family, and are constantly walking around the house in matching band shirts due to this, Lip often joking that they're in a cult when he comes over. Speaking of Lip and matching outfits, when the kids were little, Ian and Tami always made sure to color coordinate their outfits and snap a few photos of Laurie and Sasha with their cousins in early December, then send it to Fiona as a Christmas card when they knew she wouldn't be able to make it to them from Florida for the holidays. Even though Laurie and Sasha grow up with a lot of aunts and uncles who love them dearly, their favorite by far is aunt Mandy, who absolutely adores them and either spoils them with the best gifts when she visits, or takes them on lavish week-long trips whenever their schedules coordinate, giving Ian and Mickey some much needed alone time.

Despite all the challenges that parenting brings, having children turns out to be the right decision for Ian and Mickey, and they inevitably learn a lot about themselves and grow as people in the process. They vow to give their kids everything they lacked in their own childhood from the very start, often wondering how they themselves would have turned out if they had parents who brought out their full potential, but figuring they're both doing okay in spite of that. Mickey ends up especially surprised at how well he handles the role of a dad, finding a sense of safety in the familial dynamic he never had, enveloped in the love he now gets to revel in from not one, but three people. As their kids grow and begin to better understand their parents, they return the care right back to them, Laurie encouraging both Ian and Mickey to get their GEDs and Sasha giving Mickey that extra shove to get the piercings he always wanted, reminding them that self-improvement and self-expression never ends, much like their love for one another.

That's all I got for now, I hope you enjoyed this little sap-fest! 😅💙

[tonyglowheart]

these fabrics are gorgeouusss, it makes me want to order more to hoard lmao

[thebestintoronto]

15 Best Day Trips from Toronto

Looking for the very best day trips from Toronto to go on?

Whether you enjoy impromptu trip or planned experiences, there are plenty of awesome outing you can take place from Toronto

Whatever the season is, there's constantly something fun to do despite where you do an excursion in Ontario!

If you do not have an auto, rent out one for your adventure!

You can get a day long rental (grabbing as well as leaving in midtown Toronto) from Expedia for as reduced as $91, that includes limitless mileage and complimentary cancellation as much as 6 hours prior to pick-up.

If you're not originating from midtown, you can get cars and truck services as low as $58 from areas in the GTA, such as Richmond Hillside, Markham, or Pickering!

Whether you enjoy roaming around charming communities, sipping glasses at wineries, or hiking through nature, there are all kinds of amazing local areas to road trip to in Ontario.

Right here are some enjoyable day trips from Toronto to journey to, regardless of what the period!

The most effective excursion from Toronto.

1. Twist via Royal Prince Edward Area

Prince Edward Region has ended up being a prominent spot for excursion from Toronto, full of Instagrammable areas and also cool places.

Drop in one of their dozens of wineries and also breweries for an afternoon of tasting, or hit up the Royal prince Edward Area Lavender Farm for some adorable images.

There are also beautiful coastlines and nature spots to go treking in, if that's what you're into!

Here are some suggestions for things to do throughout your Royal prince Edward County excursion:

Visit the white dune at Sandbanks Provincial Park Take a look at the sedimentary rock bluffs at Little Bluff Conservation Area

Best time to go to: summer through loss

2. Discover the historic community of Port Hope

Port Hope is an enchanting little heritage town in Ontario, and also there are lots of fun things to do midtown throughout the year.

If you go to during the autumn, you can even do some salmon angling right in the heart of downtown Port Hope.

It's additionally the town they filmed the It motion pictures in, so you can walk around and also discover all the shooting places!

We checked out while they were shooting, which is why you see American flags in the photo above.

It: Chapter 2 is available on Crave Canada if you intend to see before searching places in Port Hope!

Best time to go to: spring via fall

3. Get a preference of neighborhood in Kawartha Lakes

South Pond Farms is widely known for their program on Netflix, Preference of the Country.

Their home is absolutely stunning (you can remain there on Airbnb), as well as they provide delicious dishes using ingredients from their very own yard.

Discover lunch and dinner events on their web site.

Finest time to visit: springtime with loss

4. Lay out in the sun at Sauble Beach

Sauble Beach is more than simply an Instagram-worthy sign.

Read a book with your toes in the sand, play some coastline volley ball, or endeavor out into the clear blue water!

It's the perfect area to take a day trip from Toronto.

If you want to clear out a little bit further, you can head a hr up north to Tobermory as well.

Ideal time to go to: summer with fall

5. Study the Grotto in Tobermory

Tobermory is most significantly recognized for their Grotto, an extraordinary swimming hole you would not believe remained in Ontario.

Paid vehicle parking is restricted as well as you need to get online in advance, even if there are vacant places when you show up.

Additionally, make sure to examine the weather ahead of time-- we scheduled our car parking and also really did not end up going since there was an awful thunderstorm en route!

This is the farthest eliminate of all nowadays trips from Toronto, however it's definitely achievable if you agree to head there very early and leave late!

Finest time to see: summer season

6. Walking at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

If you wish to see cliffs, holes, as well as caverns, Mono Cliffs is the area to go.

The park itself will certainly take a couple of hrs to hike, yet you'll wish to explore outside the park too!

I have a different article all about just how to invest a day hiking at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park.

Finest time to see: year-round

7. Prance via lavender areas in Milton

Lavender areas for life ...

Take the eliminate to the spectacular Terre Bleu Lavender Farm in Milton and also get some charming Instagram photos.

Check out right when it opens up in the early morning, due to the fact that it gets active extremely promptly!

Terre Bleu is the largest lavender ranch in Ontario, with over 40,000 lavender plants that bloom at different times during the year!

Oh, and you're mosting likely to want to try the lavender ice cream-- it's amazing.

Best time to visit: summertime

8. Store vintage in Guelph

The Aberfoyle Vintage Market is paradise for vintage purchasing.

You'll find all type of trendy gems like license plates from the 70's and also vintage coke indications from old diners.

There's a heap to see around the marketplace, and also you'll certainly be able to spend an entire day below.

One day might not even suffice to check out the whole thing!

The Aberfoyle Antique Market is open every Sunday throughout the summer season and loss, so you can definitely make several journeys.

Don't fail to remember to bring reusable carryall for your rewards!

If you're looking for much more adorable vintage shops in Guelph, take a look at Outpost Vintage and also Wild Rose Consignment.

Finest time to go to: year-round

9. Go hiking in Cambridge

Cambridge is just one of the prettiest cities in Ontario, with its mix of historical buildings as well as vibrant street art.

There's a charming coffee shop called Monigram Coffee Roasters that makes great sandwiches, as well as lots of treking trails within the city!

Ideal time to see: year-round

10. Go tubing in Elora

Laze around down the Elora Canyon and let the river bring you!

It lies in the Elora Canyon Conservation Area, so you can do a little hiking on the path later on if you're in the state of mind for it.

Don't forget to bring water footwear, as well as don't do this if you dislike bugs.

If you can't swim (like me lol), see to it you're with somebody that understands exactly how-- the ending requires you to swim to coast.

If you remain in the state of mind to do some actual swimming, drop in the gorgeous Elora Quarry afterwards!

Ideal time to visit: summer

11. See a theater show in Stratford

Fancy seeing a live theatre program?

Stratford is everything about arts as well as culture, as well as you most likely currently recognize them for the Stratford Event.

I attended Eliminate a Mockingbird in 2014, and it was remarkable!

This Shakespeare-loving town is filled with unusual boutiques, awesome neighborhood consumes (the Stratford Cook Institution is found here), and also lots of fun points to do.

Finest time to check out: year-round

12. Go through falls in Hamilton

Hamilton is referred to as the waterfall funding of the world, with over 100 waterfalls to explore.

Spend a road trip in Ontario discovering Hamilton's stunning falls and eating at some of the best Hamilton restaurants on King William Street!

If you enjoy hiking, you need to definitely do the Dundas Height trek for the unbelievable views.

There are likewise a lot of charming and Instagrammable areas in Hamilton, consisting of Motel Dining establishment and also Hi Baked Sugar Shop.

I've got a post everything about just how to invest a day in Hamilton!

Finest time to see: summertime through fall

13. Go white wine sampling in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake is the ideal place for white wine lovers, with practically 100 wineries found here.

Visit 1 or 2 and also check out Niagara Falls, or simply invest an entire day seeing as lots of wineries as you can!

Definitely stop by Stratus Vineyards-- they make possibly my preferred icewine.

Likewise an enjoyable reality: icewine is spelt as one word here in Canada!

Finest time to go to: summer season through loss

14. Obtain touristy at Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is simply among those outing from Toronto that never ever gets old despite the number of times you visit.

Take in the sights of Horseshoe Falls, do some touristy tasks along Clifton Hill, and ride the Niagara SkyWheel while viewing the sundown!

It's the ideal place for an outing, yet you can also invest a weekend break in Niagara Falls.

Best time to go to: year-round

15. Walk the Toronto Islands

If you prefer to remain as close to the city as possible, the Toronto Islands is the perfect field trip within the city.

All you require to do is take a ferryboat over to the islands, and also you can invest a day strolling or cycling around!

I have a different article all about points to do at the Toronto Islands.

Best time to see: springtime through autumn

Ideal day trips from Toronto:

Prince Edward Area

Port Hope

South Fish Pond Farms near Kawartha Lakes

Sauble Beach

Tobermory

Mono Cliffs Provincial Park

Terre Bleu Lavender Ranch in Milton

Aberfoyle Vintage Market in Guelph

Cambridge

Elora Canyon

Stratford

Hamilton

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara Falls

Toronto Islands

Toronto is near a great deal of great communities and also areas for field trip, whatever activities you're interested in doing!

I've also got a post all about road trip tips that you might find useful.

Will you be doing any kind of one day trip in Ontario this summertime? What are several of your favourite outing from Toronto? I 'd like to know in the remarks!

P.S. if you liked this article, you could like this blog post on exactly how to do an outing to Niagara Falls, or any other articles on taking a trip in Ontario.

The post “ 15 Best Day Trips from Toronto “ was originally seen on Diary of a Toronto Girl

Looking for IV therapy services in Toronto? Contact The IV Lounge.

[bookgeekconfessions]

How I Got My Agent! pt 2.

I am officially being repped by Quressa Robinson at NLA. I have a book agent!!! It’s thrilling and nerve-wracking and amazing and terrifying. 

I can’t share the actual query letter yet, but I can share how it all came about.  It’s a long insane story that is so crazy it will seem like fiction, but as this post proves…it’s not!

 For Part 1 and Part 3.  Now for Part 2! (Stay tuned for a word of warning about querying at the end of this post.)

6. The Query test. First, I did a test. And this is where my story gets a little crazy and I am still struggling to comprehend how this all came to be.

My test - I sent the query to 4 agents who I would have loved to work with but were not at the top of my list. I had a top ten list of agents I really believed I belonged with. I sent the query to these four agents because there was a huge chance that while I loved my Query it might not have worked. I cursed in the opening line! Agents could have hated that. Could have found it to be too gimmicky and too over the top.  There was a HUGE chance it wouldn’t work.   I have a google spreadsheet of 100 or so agents. Four didn’t seem like too big of a sacrifice in order to test my queries strength.

 Within an hour I had two requests to read my full manuscript.

Here is why this is insane and if you are currently querying you SHOULD NOT compare yourself to my experience. Getting a request for a full that quickly doesn’t happen. Usually, after a week to six weeks, the agents will pass or they’ll request a partial.  If they like the section they read then they will request a full. Or they will take the full six weeks, read the fifty pages you submitted and then pass or request a full. 

So those immediate requests for fulls floored me. I will admit to you guys that the book wasn’t really ready. I sent out my requests knowing it would take weeks for the agents to contact me. I had two friends with my latest draft and the mission of confirming whether or not I was ready to query. I had a friend offer to proofread my first fifty pages.  But I no longer had time for that. I had to trust my instincts that the book was done.

7. The Mass Query of 2017 With two requests for the full manuscript, I realized that my query was probably ok and that I had to query other agents in case my test four made an offer. Again, they were awesome and would have absolutely been able to steer my career, but I had 100 other agents I also wanted to consider me and my book. 

I sent it to 1/3 of my list. I was still very very nervous. I thought the two who requested could be a fluke. I worried that if I queried everyone they would all hate my book and then I would be nowhere. 

Within twenty-four hours half of the agents requested fulls. I was stressing now. Overwhelmed. Terrified. Floored. Excited.  

Then it happened. Five days after I sent my first four query emails an agent wanted to schedule a call.  I knew what it must mean. My heart stopped and everything in my world changed...suddenly my book went from this crazy dream to a real possibility.

I queried another 1/3 of my list. Ultimately I queried 2/3s of my list. I will never know what the other third would have done.

8. The Awkward Notifications I spoke to that first agent on the phone and she gushed about my book, told me it has been a long time she’d been excited about a submission and named a dozen editors at a dozen imprints who may want to publish my book. Ultimately this person was not Quressa,  but she changed my life. In the moment she said “I would love to represent you,” I knew that I was no longer alone and even if not this book, eventually I would be published. I will always appreciate that agent for that moment. For that peace and validation that what I have spent my life focused on was not in vain. Someone liked my writing!

When you get an offer but a bunch of other agents has your manuscript or just a query you have to let them know about the offer. It’s very very strange. You want to jump up to that first offer and say YES YES YES GET ME PUBLISHED. But it’s rude.  You have to tell that agent to wait. There could be other agents reading it and wanting it and also those other agents may be better for you.

I had to email agents and tell them I had an offer and give them a five-day deadline to read my book and decide if they wanted me.  It felt like bragging. It felt like being pushy and I was nervous, but it had to be done.

Agents who hadn’t even read my query yet rushed to read the query then requested fulls. Agents read my book in a matter of hours and requested a phone call or meeting. One agent saw that we were in the same city and asked that we meet in person! It was wild.

9. The Mass Rejection of 2017 Here is the DIRTY, Dirty truth about querying. You are going to get more rejections than offers. There are dozens of reasons, but every single rejection feels personal. It feels like they’re spitting on your hard work and stomping on your self-esteem. Rejections make you feel like the agents who offered are liars, or not good at their jobs. Rejections make you feel that you are an imposter, that no one will ever like your work. 

Every single rejection felt like a twist of a knife in my heart. Even though I have an agent and have signed an agreement and have begun the work toward publishing, I still get some trickle in rejection and it hurts. It’s unreasonable. I had the dream when it comes to querying and I still remember the rejection emails more vividly than I do the offers.

And when you get an offer the rejections POUR IN.  Some of the rejections were just form emails that make you wonder if they even opened the document. Some of the rejections I got were extremely helpful. Agents who are huge and busy and have NYTimes Bestselling Authors took the time to write me detailed notes and explain why they were rejecting me. Many of my rejections were extremely personal and encouraging and even complimentary. I was told that I had an amazing voice, favorite quotes that I had written were embedded into the email with gushing platitudes and yet all I got from it was that they didn’t want me. Many agents just don’t want to be rushed.  They want to request a revision because as a first-time author there were issues with the manuscript I submitted.  How are they to trust that I can revise to their liking if they don’t have time to request revisions? There’s also the “I like it, but if there’s an agent that wanted you in a matter of days, that means they LOVE it and will give it the attention it needs.” There are a dozen reasons, my friends but rejection still hurts.

Something to always remember. 

Agents try to write things like “reluctantly I step aside,” but the reluctance didn’t stop them from stepping aside and so they rejected me. And even over a month later the fact that they liked it and gushed and were lovely doesn’t stop that pang in my heart that the majority of the agents just didn’t want my book. 

10. Getting Wooed. I had four offers within two weeks of Querying. I scheduled three phone conversations and one in-person meeting. I locked myself in a room at work where I wouldn’t be disturbed and conducted my first professional conversations about my writing. 

My book was compared to bestselling books and movies. They detailed what they liked about it, presented themselves as the best possible agent for me. They listed their histories and their past clients. I asked questions about their sales history, asked to review the client agreement, asked how they liked to communicate and much more that made me uncomfortable but was very important to my decision.  They gave me notes on what would they thought needed to change in the book and told me their submission strategy.

I would sit on these phone calls and my heart would hurt. How was I supposed to know who was best? Did I pick the big agency with some of the best in the business with an agent who had dozens of best sellers but wanted my book to be something I didn’t agree with? Did I take the agent from the small but respected agency who loved my book so much she didn’t think it needed extensive rewrites before submission even though I disagreed? Did I pick the agent with little experience, but was being trained by one of the best in the business who promised the lure of having two agents for the price of one but wanted me to change the most important thing about my main character's identity? 

When you have multiple agent requests, they will all know that other agents want you and it makes them want you more. They are human after all. But ultimately you have to pick who is right for YOU and your work. 

Side Note: A Word of Warning about Querying.

From my one time experience, I have a word of warning. Agents who do not require a lot of materials in the first stage of the query process are more likely to reject you. When they just have a query but no sample pages they have no real idea what your book is about, what your writing style is, etc and so when they get the book they are going in completely blind. I don’t know if it’s because they thought my book was something else entirely or they didn’t connect with my writing style or what, but every agent who requested a full based on only a query rejected me. 

Tune in tomorrow for the third and final entry in the “How I Got My Agent” series. 

[stuber45188020]

A "Fin-tastic" Grand Prize Pack Giveaway from National Geographic Kids Books (Valued at $60!)

As a Florida resident for over thirty years, I have always been fascinated by the ocean and its creatures. Sharks are among the most mysterious and compelling animals. Although I don’t exactly desire a close encounter with them, I’m more than happy to read about these majestic beasts and share them with my family. National Geographic Kids Books has an amazing selection of family-friendly books that celebrate sharks and their habitat. Chock-full of gorgeous photos, exciting firsthand accounts of shark encounters, and weird, wild and fascinating facts, these books are perfect for STEM-related learning, fun summer reading, backseat boredom busting and any shark “fin-atic"! Read on to learn more about these terrific books and then enter my giveaway for the chance to win all 5 of them!

The Ultimate Book of Sharks (ages 9-12, hardcover, $19.99)

Written by internationally acclaimed marine photographer and National Geographic Explorer Brian Skerry, this book is an underwater adventure like no other. With exclusive photographs and personal insight from Skerry, this book takes the reader below the surface and into the minds of these spectacular predators. Beyond the feared fins and terrifying teeth, readers will learn what it’s like to swim with these amazing fish, how they live, what they eat, their superhero-like senses and better understand why these graceful, confident, perfectly sculpted predators are also vulnerable animals that we need to protect.

National Geographic Readers: Sharks! (ages 5-8, paperback, $4.99)

He’s quick. He’s silent. He has five rows of deadly teeth. Chomp! Meet the shark -- the fish who ruled the deep before dinosaurs roamed the Earth! This leveled reader is for kids who are starting to read independently, are ready for more complex vocabulary and love sharks! Like all books in National Geographic Kids reader series, this title was developed in consultation with early education experts and written to maximize interest and achieve reading success.

Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean (ages 4-8, hardcover, $14.95)

An adorable animal reference that includes the sea's high-interest animals, such as dolphins, sharks, sea otters, and penguins, and introduces kids to some of its lesser-known creatures. More than 100 charming animal photos illustrate the profiles, with facts about the creatures' sizes, diets, homes, and more. This book will quickly become a favorite at storytime, bedtime, and any other time.

Extreme Ocean: Amazing Animals, High-Tech Gear, Record-Breaking Depths and Much More

by National Geographic Explorer Sylvia A. Earle (ages 8-12, paperback, $12.99)

An action-packed combination of science and adventure, famed National Geographic Explorer Sylvia Earle leads readers on an in-depth tour of life beneath the waves. Come face-to-face with whales and sharks, learn about the newest and most hi-tech ocean gear and gadgets, experiment with hands-on activities, and join Earle as she recounts her most daring dives. Packed with fascinating tidbits, animal profiles, and up-to-date science, each chapter combines stunning photography with fun, accessible text. Perfect for curious kids, ocean lovers, young explorers, and the classroom. Extreme Ocean reveals the mystery, majesty, danger, and, above all, the importance of our ocean.

So Cool! Sharks (ages 3-7, hardcover, $6.99)

Sharks are among the world's top predators, but that's just ONE reason why they are SO COOL. Who wouldn't want to hang out with them to learn more? These books blend awesome animal photos with silly quips and info that will delight young readers and animal enthusiasts. For example, kids can catch the hunting habits of a great white shark while learning that its true nature is as chill as a frozen fish stick. This is the perfect little reader to get their brain buzzing and keep them laughing during their downtime. Check out this must-watch video featuring National Geographic Explorer Brian Skerry photographing tiger sharks! https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/books/ultimate-book-of-sharks/ Follow National Geographic Kids Books online: Twitter | Facebook | Website

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to National Geographic Kids Books, one lucky winner will receive a "Fin-tastic Grand Prize Pack," which consists of all 5 titles listed above (total ARV $60). This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends at 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, August 2, 2020.

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I received complimentary product samples to facilitate my honest review.

[kindleebookpublishingorsb88-blog]

8 Simple Techniques For Sell My Books On Amazon

Kindle Self Publishing for Beginners

Smashwords is a prominent book aggregator as well as distributes ebooks to nearly all the leading retailers, including Kobo, i Book Shop, and also Barnes & Noble. They have extensive ebook format guidelines that make it possible for easy conversion right into the styles needed by their numerous retail partners. On the other side, Smashwords does not distribute to Amazon, and also supplies no support with e-book formatting.

Smashwords takes a 10% cut on publications sold through their own retail channel, as well as 15% on publications sold through other sellers-- this is in addition to the retailer's own costs. Although Draft 2Digital has fewer retail partners than Smashwords, it disperses to Amazon.com and covers all the major digital book merchants. They have one more significant benefit-- they will format your e-book, as well as for complimentary.

Lulu is one of the earliest on-line self-publishing companies and also a prominent supplier of digital and print books. They retail books with their very own book shop in addition to disperse to other on the internet shops (Amazon.com, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc.) and also book distributors (Barnes & Noble http://www.thefreedictionary.com/amazon ebook marketing and Ingram). Lulu supplies both hardbound and paperback layouts for print books.

The Single Strategy To Use For Ebook Publishing

For publications offered through their industry, Lulu charges a 20% payment after deducting any kind of book manufacturing costs appropriate to print copies. Sales produced through partner sellers would in addition attract their very own commission. Bookbaby retails books via their very own Bookshop as well as disperses to other merchants as well. Besides publishing and also distribution, they likewise sell solutions such as modifying, cover and indoor style, and also marketing.

Not known Incorrect Statements About Amazon Kindle Ebooks

All services are paid. Ebooks earn 100% nobilities after subtracting the seller's payment. Sales made through Bookshop, however, gain 85% nobilities. Bookbaby likewise has a print-on-demand solution. Printed books generate nobilities between 10% as well as 30%. There are other ways to publish as well as market, as well. For instance, you can publish and also market straight to your clients from your own Website by utilizing Gumroad.

If the objective is fulfilled, the firm will edit, layout, publish, distribute, and also also market your publication like a typical author would certainly. Right here are a couple of believing factors: As Amazon controls 80% of the digital book market, you should publish directly with KDP rather than undergo an aggregator. You might choose an aggregator/distributor for the remainder, and even neglect them momentarily if you're a new author learning the ropes.

Remember, though, that if the other sellers are excluded forever, your publication may never ever reach its sales possibility. Besides, Kobo make up 25% of the Canadian market, and also i Books for 30% of the Australian as well as 10% of the overall market . It is best to try all the significant merchants at some point in time, or for a few of your publications.

Additionally, you can go with Ingram Glow, Lulu, or Bookbaby since they offer print-on-demand copies as well as distribute to all the major ebook merchants. If you select the latter, remember to leave out Amazon when you choose sellers from your representative's list. Publish copies can not be marketed without an ISBN , and also it is much better to obtain one by yourself instead of make use of the one appointed by your publishing service company.

Unknown Facts About Amazon Self Publishing

Nobility repayment processes and payment frequency may also vary throughout business. Search for the Frequently asked questions on the company internet sites or call assistance for certain inquiries. Discover Editage's book modifying as well as layout services! .

Specialist translation solutions are readily available to authors interested in converting their KDP infiltrate various other languages, better widening their worldwide audience. Keep in mind: All equated publications need to be published as new ASINs. Right here are a few inquiries you may intend to ask: Exactly how long will the translation take? Exactly how a lot will the translation expense? Are they an indigenous speaker of the wanted language? (Bear in mind, translators usually translate into their indigenous language.) Will certainly they require specialized knowledge to translate my book, i.e.

Not so long earlier, the very first hurdle for a hopeful publication author was to surpass the gatekeepers. First you would certainly have to invest weeks or months creating a publication proposition as well as sample phases. Then you might speak to a lot of representatives to see if they would have an interest in pitching your publication to major authors.

If they really did not deliver the plan back to you unopened, they would certainly either send you a form being rejected letter or make you a lowball offer. Different tools for self-publishing have actually taken תרגום מעברית לאנגלית down these barriers for authors that favor to go it alone. I'm one of them (see my message, "Twitter .

Some Known Incorrect Statements About Amazon Ebook Format

[+] variations it marketed a total amount of 4,000 copies in simply a few months. Most individually released writers fall under one of 2 camps: Those selling publications by themselves internet site using an ecommerce device; and those selling just via Amazon. I began out in the very first camp two years back when I made use of Consume Awesome .

[topfygad]

10 Awesome Things to do in Ubud, Bali

This blog post was written in collaboration with Orbitz. All opinions are my own.

Every year about 6 Million travelers are taking a flight to Bali, and half of them spending some time in Ubud. It’s no surprise that the beautiful village became such a popular hotspot over the past decade. Ubud is a true treasure of Indonesia and it’s not hard to fall in love with this magical place…

  3 month ago I made the decision to come back to Ubud for an extended period of time. I have gotten so much into yoga over the past year that moving there for a few months in order to deepen my yoga practice seemed one of the best things to do in Ubud.

  I visited Ubud on many occasions over the past 10 years, and every time I wondered, what would happen if I just stay longer? Well, it was about time to find out. Here’s some inspiration for your visit – 10 things to do in Ubud, Bali. 

    Ubud is an absolute food heaven! I’m not exaggerating! From all the places in the world, this is my personal favorite when it comes to food, and I’ll tell you why: Vegan food everywhere, it is unbelievable!! And not only vegan, you can also find vegan raw (at Alchemy), vegan macro (at Clear Cafe), and vegan gluten free (at Sawobali)… just to name a few of these wonderful places to eat. And the best of all, it’s extremely affordable. I have never paid more than $10 for a meal in Ubud.

  Cooking is at the heart of Balinese culture, and there is no better place than Ubud to take a cooking class. One of the most acclaimed cooking schools in Bali is Ketut’s Balinese Cooking Class. The Cooking School runs programs that are perfect for anyone that wants to understand Balinese flavors, culture and food.

  Too lazy to cook, but you would love to try different kinds of traditional foods? Take it easy, and go on a foodie tour in Ubud to enjoy a delicious culinary feast!

    Tegallalang Rice Terrace is one of those surreal places you won’t forget. It’s even more magical during sunrise and sunset,however If you’re exploring the area without a guide, make sure to head to Tegallalang as early as possible (6AM) to escape the crowds. You can park your scooter on the main road on top.

  The place is heaven for photographers and drone pilots, the rice fields stretch out for miles while the terraces sit at an elevation overlooking the countryside. If you get tired from hiking through the paddies there are plenty of cafes and warungs along the main road with million dollar views. 

    Goa Gajah stands since the eleventh century. It was initially constructed as a spiritual retreat to practice meditation away from the interference of society. A trip here rewards you with an area carrying sprawling vendors selling art, souvenirs, and refreshments.

  Entry is free and you are offered the assistance of a guide when you enter through the ominous mouth of a demon – the doorway to this temple. A pool lies waiting with seven Hindu deities immortalized on seven vases acting as waterspouts.

  Take your time to admire the animal carvings and ancient inscriptions along those ancient walls. The entire area carries an ornate, time swept feeling which does a great job of bringing one to realize just how magical this landmark actually is. 

    After Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling book “Eat Pray Love“, Ubud became the mecca for all those searching for enlightenment. Ubud is one of the most incredible places in the world, if you want to connect with yourself, deepen your yoga practice and learn about meditation. There are numerous yoga studios in Ubud, the most popular ones in the center are Yoga Barn, Radiantly Alive and Ubud Yoga Centre.

  All of these studious above have a delicious restaurant onsite, and with plenty of yoga and meditation classes every day, it’s easy to keep yourself busy all day long without doing much. Try Healing Yoga at Yogabarn, it’s an amazing experience.

  Yoga classes cost on average about $10 per class. If you’re on a budget, try one of the local studios, Saraswati is a smaller, but comfy studio, located in the center and classes are as cheap as $5.

    Ubud Art Market and the Royal Palace are located in the heart of Ubud, and right next to each other. Between these two, you can easily get lost exploring and shopping for hours, buying souvenirs and taking in the awe-inspiring culture & history of Bali. The Royal Palace in Ubud is a structure that has stood since the start of the 8th century. The detail and level of preservation are remarkable and making this place a must see.

  While in the area, you can’t miss the chance to sample some of the best Indonesian food in Bali. Puspa’s Warung is a popular and cheap eatery with some vegan choices. If you feel like having a healthy dessert, head to Acai Queen around the corner, they have the best vegan Acai Bowls in town!

    There are approximately 750 monkeys living within the grounds of the Monkey Forest, visiting the sanctuary is one of the most popular things to do in Ubud. It’s a fascinating place to explore, with Hindu temples scattered across the complex.

  Watch your stuff when you’re around the monkeys, they love to snatch things such as sun glasses, water bottles and obviously if you carry around food, they will grab it from you in no time! Don’t put your phone or camera beside you if you decide to take a rest on a bench. Basically attach anything tight onto you! I’m not kidding.

  It’s 100k IDR to enter the Monkey Forest, that’s roughly USD7. If you’re on a tight budget, just walk the trail around the Monkey Forest. It’s free to pass, you’ll see many monkeys there as well, but motorbikes using this path as a shortcut, so the walk can get a bit stressful during rush hours.

    Balinese music and dance is among the most vibrant displays of culture you’ll ever see. You can witness this spectacle at many places around town, one of them is at Pura Dalem Taman Kaja, where you can enjoy a hypnotic performance at the temple, featuring a Balinese Hindu drama & dance act, also known as Kecak dancing. The entrance fee is 100k IDR (US$7).

  Another great way to a grand show of Balinese Culture is to head to Laka Leke Garden Restaurant. The buffet has a broad selection of vegetarian and Indonesian dishes. Enjoy your tasty traditional meals as you watch Kecak fire dances, Kris and Barong dances, and many other cultural displays. Every night a different show is on offer.

    Ubud’s beautiful spas give a full-service treatment including ayurvedic massages, body scrubs, and local healing therapies like flower bath treatments. You can look forward to ancient Balinese remedies granting you the highest level of relaxation and therapeutics.

  Where to go? You can’t go wrong with the world-class service of Botanica Bali Day Spa for luxury and true local tradition. Another leading option seated in the middle of the rice fields is Karsa Spa. Their full day treatments aside jungle trail scenery will have you calm and rejuvenated. Definitely make an appointment in advance! 

    Ubud is wonderful to explore on a scooter or bike. Once you hire a scooter and explore the city and its surrounding villages, you’ll soon understand why this is the favorite form of travel for locals. Stick to smaller rads and off-route streets to avoid traffic.

  A trip through the city with multiple busy intersections can be quite daunting for a tourist, but the adventure is a unique experience if you dare to try. Please don’t ride a bike without helmet, International Driver Licence and insurance! If you’re not feeling confident, skip this! There are plenty of drivers available to bring you around. Unfortunately Grab, Uber and Gojek aren’t working in Ubud. 

  I’m renting my scooter from Darma Putra Bali Bike Rental and I’m pretty happy with their services and the conditions of the bikes. Give them a try if you’re looking for any scooter rental.

    Photo © Jorge Láscar under CC BY 2.0

  Puri Lukisan is the oldest art museum in Bali, with a focus on wood carvings, modern and traditional Balinese paintings. It’s a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours. If you have kids, you could easily end up spending the day. You can look forward to gracious displays of Balinese art at its best. Each painting gives you a wonderful depiction through a vivid story, and the entire visit can be quite calming. There are tons of exciting workshops for kids but be sure to reserve your booking at least one day in advance.

  The museum operates between 09:00 and 17:00. The entry ticket cost 75k IDR ($5) and gives access to all four different galleries, plus a free drink at the garden cafe.

    You only have 24 hours to explore Ubud?

  If you’re in Ubud only for one day, I suggest doing the Best of Ubud Tour, which covers the highlights of the city and its surroundings. It makes sense to plan ahead for shorter stays, so you can relax more while you’re there and don’t need to waste time with travel planning. Also, you can earn more when you travel by booking your activities through Orbitz.

  If you’re lucky enough to stay more than a day, make sure to book your hotel in Ubud in advance, especially during peak season in July and August, as well as Christmas and NYE it’s getting busy and rooms are filled up in no time.

    Whether you’re looking for peace and relaxation, amazing food, or just hauling your scooter along to explore the green jungles, Ubud is a place that you’ll probably never forget. It’s especially fun for those who enjoy exploring the lesser seen trails and villages surrounding this area. 

  I hope you enjoyed this guide to Ubud and you’ll love this place as much as I do! Needless to say, there are far more than 10 things to do in Ubud, I’m here just a few weeks, maybe in a few months I’ll come up with even more places to visit in Ubud! Until then, I’m enjoying this magical town as much as I can…

Happy travels!

     This post was written in collaboration with Orbitz.com.

Enjoy exclusive deals and get plenty of benefits, such as complimentary hotel upgrades by becoming an Orbitz Rewards member! Join here to become a member now!

  If you like this article, please share.

                  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Sabrina Iovino is the founder of JustOneWayTicket.com. She’s half German, half Italian and has traveled to more than 50 countries around the globe.

She feels weird to write about herself in the third person, so she’ll switch now. Phew…much better! Let’s restart:

Hi, I’m Sab! This is my blog and I write about the things I love. Mostly.

  Follow me on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Google+ | Youtube

              source http://cheaprtravels.com/10-awesome-things-to-do-in-ubud-bali/

[hoponhopoffbustoursblog]

Have the Right to Visit All Places in Oxford – Highlights to Hop on Hop off Oxford Bus Tours

Oxford was previously known as “Oxenaforda” which means “ford of the Oxen”. Today this is considered as the hub for worldwide tourists. Being the city of dreaming spires, Oxford is widely known for stunning architecture, historical places, and prestigious university. It consists of 6 permanent private halls and 38 colleges well-known worldwide and is so sightseeing place. Here, each has its own history behind the renovation or construction that has be discovered with Hop on Hop off Oxford. You can find lot many colleges opened for public while some require the right to entry that is approved to very few touring agents.

Highlighting the origin & rituals of Oxford

Expert professional and dedicated operators show visitors around the magical and astonishing city within two to three hours of bus tour. Oxford has been house to so many famous personalities, great writers, and legendary characters. Further, the guides tell the in-depth stories that surround famous students of universities along with highlighting the origin and rituals of medieval period.

If you’re seeking to visit the inside place and behind every closed door or university and college building, we advise you to hire leading tour operators who have the right to visit the entire place. You can find so many ways to explore the magnificence & beauty of the city and Hop on Hop off Oxford bus tour is one of them.

Details to make you’re touring safe and easy

So, where you visit the Oxford tour, none of your time passes with displeasure because you can find lot many things to do and see that will surely leave a long-lasting memory. This city has many 5 start hotels that have best blend of modern lifestyle, comfort and opulence. Even there are luxury accommodations offered in spacious rooms with good décor availed within your budget friendly prices. Apart from hotels, there are number of world famous restaurants where finger licking dishes are served to visitors that are cooked through fresh ingredient by most popular master chefs. Therefore, if you get tired or hassle from nerve racking life and do plan to go on a thrilling cum exciting tour with friends, colleagues or family, then bus tour is the perfect option for you.

Leading bus tour with guide & professionals

Now, you can find a number of Hop on Hop off Oxford bus tour options and choose one that meets your budget and desire. As so many tour operators commit to render memorable and amazing Oxford experience to all who want to wander around here over sightseeing and university buildings and colleges, so you must carefully select them. You can select the leading bus tour agency that fulfills the commitment by rendering awesome touring with experienced guides and professionals.

Discovering the unknown

Also, if you think of visiting inside and discover unknown stories of popular Oxonians then it is advisable that you join the tour of agency assessed by Hop on Hop off bus tours. Guides who are members here have to have full knowledge about the renowned Oxford city, university and colleges. They will tell you numerous topics during tour like in detail history of city, experience of famous graduates in university, tradition of city, graduation ceremonies, and also college select process followed by students. If you don’t have that knowledge about where to start the tour or how to visit famous sightseeing, it will make the city visit memorable with experience guide that render depth info by adding spice of enjoyment and fun.

Histories never die

Oxford has many fantastic histories and you can learn about it by going through the tour commentary. If you have planned for the sightseeing journey, you will pass by the Eagle and Child Pub. It is better to go for Hop on Hop off Oxford bus at any given time to wander the pretty streets, sampling the city’s food and drink scene, and just marvel at the stunning landscape and architecture.

There are different route stops for you to start

Brasenose College, The Queen’s College, Christ Church, Speedwell Street, Westgate Shopping Centre, New Road, Gloucester Green Bus Station, Part End St, Railway Station, The Plain, St. Cross Road, Banbury Road, Parks Road, Trinity College, Sheldonian Theatre, South Parks Road, Randolph Hotel, Magdalen Street Hotel, Brown’s Restaurant, Woodstock Road.

After you have started your journey taking one of these routes, the inclusions you can avail if the 24 or 48 hours hop on hop off bus pass. Here, you can look for discounts at local attractions. It is recommended that you know before you book. Some bus tour charge children above 5 and younger as complimentary.

Some wonderful attractions #Westgate Oxford

At Oxford, there is always something great for everyone with big name brands including Junkyard Gold and John Lewis. This is a big bar and restaurant and other eateries for an unforgettable experience. And so you will be enhanced by this exclusive city sightseeing with an overall discount of 20% at the Alchemist.

#Oxford Castle

Oxford Castle is a 900 year old Oxford Mound and is glorious just by seeing at its beauty. The Hop on Hop off can let you descent, explore and scale this 11th century motte and bailey with pleasure.

#Sheldonian Theatre

Hop on Hop off can let you see some of the most iconic sights in Oxford. The Sheldonian Theatre of neo-classic and sighs can all be seen from this beautiful mounting.

The final thought!

Finally, we leave it all to your decision. You can explore this beautiful and most prevailing University City in England on a fun and informative hop on hop off bus tour. You can bring your kids as there are kids’ commentaries now available and suitable for kids of all ages. So, buy your tickets online or just pay the drive on that day. These tickets are only valid for 24 hours or 48 hours on the red or green bus. So, keep a hold of it for re-boarding.

Author info:

For more information about our Hop on Hop off Oxford bus tour kindly visit our website or contact us via email. Book our Hop on Hop off bus ticket and get 10% instant discount.

[meraenthusiast]

Presidential Suite Upgrade – The Ritz Carlton Orlando Golf Club

Presidential Suite Upgrade – The Ritz Carlton Orlando Golf Club

During a recent phone conversation with my good friend John over as ESI Money, we discussed some of the different topics that would be of interest to our respective blog audience.

We like to keep you guys entertained and sometimes coming up with original ideas are easier if we connect with other bloggers.

One of the things he mentioned that his audience loves is reading about all the different places they travel to. Last year he wrote about their trip to Grand Cayman.

As a matter of fact, his readers loved it so much that he wrote about it again when they traveled there this year too. It must be nice to be retired and island hopping!

Maybe we’ll get there someday….

Now because his readers like to check out his vacation destinations so much, he mentioned that I should also share some of our interesting places that we travel to as well.

John knows that one of the few money categories we personally “splurge” on is traveling with our kids. My wife and I don’t have too much longer with them living under our roof 🙂 and want to make the most of it by creating memorable experiences.

So I decided to share a family trip we went on last Summer and also a business trip I went solo on a few years ago in which I was treated to an unexpected “surprise” upon check in.

Too bad I spoiled the “surprise” with the title of this article, sorry.

Let’s start off with the family trip we took last year….

Adventures By Disney

People that personally know me know that I love Montana. During my residency at LSU, I connected with another periodontist that practiced there. He flew both my wife (pregnant at the time) and I out to visit.

I had previously been to Montana once before but my wife hadn’t. Let me let you in on a little secret….if you haven’t visited Montana then you don’t know what you’re missing.

The scenery is absolutely breathtaking!

After training in New Orleans for seven years, both the Montana landscape and meeting the pleasant people that live there was an awesome experience to enjoy together.

Unfortunately, the job offer didn’t work out but we did make some really good friends who we still keep up with. So when I heard that two of my favorite things had come together (Disney + Montana), I decided to find out more.

Why Disney?

If you know anything about Disney, then you KNOW that they treat their customers (they call Guests) like gold.

The Adventures by Disney experiences allow families to travel with Disney employees to destinations all over the world….but you get to experience it in “Disney” fashion.

For instance, during our Yellowstone/Montana trip, almost every meal was provided each day, but all were over the top.

When they didn’t host them themselves, they had a private area for us at each restaurant.

Everything, I mean EVERYTHING was planned out so you didn’t have to worry about trying to figure out what activities to do or where to eat.

Here’s a sample itinerary of Day 4 while we were in Big Sky:

As you can see, there was always something going on which I loved being the detailed- oriented person that I am.

Our first stop was The Yellowstone Inn as we spent the first few days touring the beautiful sites at Yellowstone. There was no shortage of animals, even right out the front door!

One of the many great things that I loved about this trip was getting to spend good, quality time with my family but also learning about different areas of the country during the process.

It was cool both learning about and taking pictures at places such as the Roosevelt Arch, Old Faithful Geyser and the different parts of Yellowstone.

Old Faithful showing off

Eagle’s Fountain Store

My youngest son fly fishing the Gallatin River

Adventures by Disney farewell dinner

  Mountain bike adventure

      Living the dream…

Now let’s move on to a business trip in Florida I took a while back.

The Ritz Carlton Orlando Golf Club

A few years ago, I took a trip to Orlando to attend a marketing conference. My wife decided to stay at home with our boys so I was left to fly solo.

The meeting was held at The Ritz Carlton Orlando Golf Club Resort. The first time I stayed at a Ritz Carlton was the year prior during another meeting held in Dallas.

Growing up, our family vacations included an annual beach trip at a lower end hotel or condo. As kids, we didn’t care where we stayed.

So to be honest with you, staying at a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons intimidated me even though I could afford to stay at one (as I was used to living the stealth wealth life).

During the check in process in Orlando, I was told that I had been selected to receive a complimentary upgrade. I jokingly asked, “What am I going to get, The Presidential Suite?”

The attendant answered, “Actually, yes, you’re right. You DO get the Presidential Suite.”

I didn’t believe her even though she went on to explain that occasionally if it’s not booked, they’ll randomly select a guest to upgrade.

It wasn’t until I arrived at Room #1540 and unlocked the door (yes, the key actually worked), did I finally accept the fact that I was allowed to stay in a room that costs over $5,000 a night!

  The first thing I did was call my wife and offered to fly her out to join me but unfortunately she couldn’t find anyone to watch the kids.

I was bummed out but did try to make her feel at home and sent her this walk-through video of the suite:

The Ritz Carlton Orlando Golf Club Presidential Suite

Room Highlights

The room was massive coming in at over 2,400 square feet. It had a full kitchen, dining room, large living room, with 5 balconies. I felt like I needed to be on Robin Leach’s Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

Club Lounge – Desserts anyone??

Club Lounge Kid’s Area

Dr. and Mrs. Ron Achong enjoying the Ritz with the “President”

Yes, being treated like royalty was nice but I’m content without all of the glamour and ritz that comes along living the life of luxury.

Who knows, maybe some day I’ll become the next Mexican Fisherman?

The post Presidential Suite Upgrade – The Ritz Carlton Orlando Golf Club appeared first on Debt Free Dr..

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[justplainkimmi]

Amazon Could Start Sending Free Samples From Advertisers

I recently came across an article that discussed a new Amazon program. In short, it allows brands to send free samples to customers based on previous purchase behavior.

On the surface, it seems a little old school to give out free samples. Peddlers and salespeople have been doing that for a very, very long time. It’s not a new idea at all. Visit any farmers’ market and you’ll see vendors doing it. Go to Costco and you’ll get samples. So why would a company the size of Amazon get into this?

Amazon Has The Data

Amazon is the undisputed king of ecommerce. They go into industries and dominate. Even companies like Walmart respect a competitor like Amazon. And that is why this is an interesting combination.

At the farmers’ market or Costco, they’re giving out samples to basically everyone. You could argue that simply by shopping at one of these places you’re telling them a little about yourself. But imagine if the person handing out the samples knew your entire online purchasing history. They could reserve samples for customers who had bought a competing brand or someone who had bought a complimentary product.

For example, if I know that someone has recently bought girls clothing in size 5T, what might they also need in the near future? How about school supplies come July/August?

What if I knew someone recently bought a Traeger grill? A sample of marinade or meat seasoning would be pretty relevant right? How about grilling accessories? Maybe some grass-fed steaks?

And these examples only look at a single product purchase. Now imagine that you have 95 million Prime customers (that’s the numbers for 2018, which was up from 85 million in 2017) who spend an average of $1500/year. You can start piecing together an amazingly powerful profile.

Think of what you might see:

Luxury brand purchasers vs. low-cost brand purchasers

Purchase of exercise clothing, equipment, books in conjunction with products like an Instant Pot or air fryer

Buying pregnancy tests, maternity clothing, etc. (this opens up a huge privacy issue because online purchasing is supposed to be “anonymous” yet pregnancy is a life-changing event that sets off numerous product purchasing cycles)

Conclusion

For advertisers, especially in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) realm, this could be an awesome opportunity. We don’t have pricing information, but it well could be more cost effective to send your sample to a highly qualified potential customer than advertising. So I would anticipate seeing this more and more with expansion if early beta users have positive results.

from http://bit.ly/2TkIV4h

[lindyhunt]

These Toronto Pop-Ups are Perfect for Picking Up Holiday Beauty Gifts

Despite the fact that online shopping has become the go-to for many, discerning shoppers still appreciate a good old-fashioned brick and mortar space. And that’s why you’ll see a proliferation of pop-ups lately, which are well-edited places to pick up gifts that you might not find otherwise. Two that recently opened in Toronto and will remain throughout the month of December are Hammam Spa who set one up at Bayview Village, and Earth Luxe, which has so far been only available on-line. There’s also the MNDFL Green Beauty pop-up but it’s only open for one day this Thursday. It’s massive and worth it, though, trust.

View this post on Instagram

Still not over the launch of our #HolidayPopUp at @bvshops – come visit us and book your treatments with our experts! | #HammamSpaBayview

A post shared by HammamSpa (@hammamspa) on Nov 5, 2018 at 5:20am PST

Hammam Spa Pop-Up (Bayview Village)

Pop-ups can sometimes fall victim to looking a little unfinished around the edges, but when it comes this one, that statement couldn’t be farther from the truth. Featuring marbled walls and an artistic gold overhanging, the design elements here are actually pretty spectacular. It’s no surprise given that Hammam’s owner, Celine Tadrissi is married to renowned architect Antonio Tadrissi–some of his other projects include Drake’s Toronto and Miami condos.

On offer is a selection of products that can be found at the original Hammam Spa in downtown Toronto including brands like Dermalogica, SkinCeuticals and Tadrissi’s own recently launched line, Céla. There are also two mini changing rooms-turned-treatment rooms that offer a variety of peels and facials.

As for the location, the pop-up is an introduction of sorts as Hammam Spa is set to open a second full-size location at Bayview Village in April 2019. The new addition will be even larger than the King Street one and feature an extended list of services. In the mean time though, the pop-up acts as a primer to try out a few treatments and do some holiday shopping. Here are our top picks:

1/5

Hammam Spa Pop-Up

Céla Crème de la Crème Light

($59, Hammam Spa Pop-Up)

2/5

Hammam Spa Pop-Up

Serene House - Aromatherapy Diffuser: Supernova

($88, Hammam Spa Pop-Up)

3/5

Hammam Spa Pop-Up

Amika - Bust Your Brass Violet Leave-In Treatment Foam

($36, Hammam Spa Pop-Up)

4/5

Hammam Spa Pop-Up

BKR - Tutu 1L

($55, Hammam Spa Pop-Up)

5/5

Hammam Spa Pop-Up

SkinCeuticals - Serum 10 AOX+

($100, Hammam Spa Pop-Up)

  View this post on Instagram

💫GIVEAWAY! Our very first Pop Up Shop is open for the holidays @yorkvillevillage & we're hosting a giveaway to celebrate! Win a $30 gift card to shop with us in-store. Tag a fellow wellness enthusiast below and tell us what self-care means to you. Every friend tagged is an extra entry. Winner will be randomly selected on Tuesday, November 27th!

A post shared by EARTH LUXE (@_earthluxe) on Nov 23, 2018 at 11:28am PST

Earth Luxe Pop-Up (Yorkville Village)

Ok, so it doesn’t have the star power of a Goop pop up, but with everything from essential oils to Himalayan salt lamps, Earth Luxe has the wellness enthusiast on your list covered.  It’s also where you can discover the brand’s newest line of self-care products which includes a loofah body scrubber   and even a portable USB ultrasonic diffuser. In preparation for their first physical space, Earth Luxe also made sure to provide a ton of testers and samples (including ones of their best sellers like 100% Pure Virgin Coconut Oil and Serenity Nourishing Body Butter), a perk that online shoppers rarely get. Check out some of our favourites below:

  1/5

Earth Luxe Pop-Up

Earth Luxe - Roll-On Essential Oil, Energize

($15, Earth Luxe Pop-Up )

2/5

Earth Luxe Pop-Up

Earth Luxe - Portable USB Ultrasonic Diffuser

($70, Earth Luxe Pop-Up )

3/5

Earth Luxe Pop-Up

Earth Luxe - Negev Handmade Soap, Hadar

($15, Earth Luxe Pop-Up )

4/5

Earth Luxe Pop-Up

(, Earth Luxe Pop-Up )

5/5

Earth Luxe Pop-Up

Earth Luxe - Virgin Coconut Oil

($10, Earth Luxe Pop-Up )

View this post on Instagram

Love when great events, awesome people and beautiful green beauty brands work together ❤️. Only a few more days until 30+ green brands come together for #mndflbeauty details at www.mndflbeauty.com. Hope to see you there for some shopping, pampering and green beauty love 😘 . . #basdbodycare #basdbabe #greenbeauty #naturalbeauty

A post shared by basdbodycare (@basdbodycare) on Nov 30, 2018 at 9:59am PST

MNDFL Beauty (The Jam Factory)

Canada is home to a growing number of clean beauty brands from Kaia Naturals to Province Apothecary. So Graydon Moffat, founder of Graydon Skincare, decided to gather as many of them as possible at MNDFL Beauty —now its third year—as a way to showcase them all in one space.

Though preferably pop-ups last a little longer than 24 hours, this annual event is unfortunately a one-day affair. Over thirty vendors will set up shop at The Jam Factory in downtown Toronto and shoppers can descend from 3:30 pm to 7 pm. You’ll have to grab a ticket to gain access, but they actually won’t cost you anything unless you buy the VIP option. It’s only $10 and gets you a complimentary cocktail, snacks and a swag bag worth over $100.

If you’ve always wanted to meet the faces behind your favourite Canadian green beauty brands as well as discover some new ones, secure your spot now. Here are some of our favourites from this year’s vendors:

1/5

MNDFL Green Beauty Pop-Up

Cardea AuSet - SEA Mineral Soak

($40, MNDFL Green Beauty Pop-Up)

2/5

MNDFL Green Beauty Pop-Up

Pura Botanicals - Tumeric Night Cocoon

($62, MNDFL Green Beauty Pop-Up)

3/5

MNDFL Green Beauty Pop-Up

Helena Lane Skincare - Spa in a Box (Nourishing)

($49, MNDFL Green Beauty Pop-Up)

4/5

MNDFL Green Beauty Pop-Up

Graydon Skincare - Fullmoon Serum

($87, MNDFL Green Beauty Pop-Up)

5/5

MNDFL Green Beauty Pop-Up

Clean Kiss Organics - Deodorant (Lemongrass Bergamot)

($14, MNDFL Green Beauty Pop-Up)

[puriholidayresort-blog]

Best and Cheap Beach Resort - Hotel Holiday Resort Puri

The popularity of Puri as a tourist hub is ever increasing and it is primarily because of the beautiful beach and a totally safe sea that is ideal for swimming. Everyday thousands of people head for this lovely little city in Odisha wanting to stay close to the sea. On top of it the people here are friendly, there is a pro tourists approach and the general ambience is both peaceful and laid back. One can easily come here by train or catch a flight to Bhubaneswar which is just 60 kilometres away and as the road conditions are good you can be in Puri in an hour. Puri is also an important pilgrimage for the Hindus and the 12th century temple of Lord Jagannath stands tall as a symbol of people’s faith and belief. Every day thousands of devotees visit the temple to pray but during the Rath Yatra more than a million people from across the world gather here to celebrate the coming out of the deities from the temple. This is the only occasion when people irrespective of their religion get the opportunity to see and pray before lord Jagannath. As this is an annual event people plan their vacation to coincide with the occasion.

As the city receives people all throughout the year tourism is a flourishing business and you will come across plenty of choices when it comes to accommodation. There are some cheap and affordable hotels, beach resorts and a few luxury hotels with all modern amenities. As the demand for hotels near the beach is naturally more they show a high occupancy rate. Holiday Resorts in the Chakratirtha Road is one of the most popular luxury hotels in the city which is highly recommended by trip advisor. This sea facing hotel moreover has its private beach space which is an added attraction for most. You can check out their user friendly site and take a virtual tour to see all the accommodation options they have and choose the one that would be ideal for you and your family. One can also check out the packages offered by other Luxury Hotels Puri, compare the rates and settle for the best. Those planning to stay here can do the bookings well in advance as this happens to be a favourite with most. Online booking is easy and it saves you from the last minute glitches. While you are at it don’t forget to opt for their privilege membership card to avail some excellent discounts.

The resort has some standard, deluxe and family rooms along with a number of beach cottages and two awesome presidential suites which are popularly referred to as the Honeymoon suites. All the rooms are kept immaculately clean, are tastefully decorated in soothing shades and apart from all amenities like AC, TV, mini fridge and a digital locker the guests are given packaged drinking water, English newspaper and some freshly baked cookies on their arrival as a complimentary gesture. The guests have access to a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, gym and a wellness spa but most of the people enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea first thing in the morning. Just sitting in the soft sands and watching the sunrise can be a therapeutic experience and in fact if you have one of the rooms with a view you can see it from there if you are not in a mood to step out. There are two wonderful restaurants along with a bar and a well-stocked bakery shop to take you on a delightful journey and you will enjoy sampling a great many Indian, Chinese and Continental dishes. Those who prefer seafood can have some really good stuff as the expert chefs here make it a point to send nothing but the best to the table.

Holiday Resorts offer some other facilities which are pretty helpful and these include a travel desk, gift shops and an exclusive playing area to keep the young ones busy. Not just a great hotel to stay it is also the best party hotel in the city. One can easily book one of their Banquet Halls, Conference Room or the huge garden area to organise events. Puri Resorts for Marriage people regularly host weddings, reception, birthdays and anniversaries here and apart from that this place is a sought after venue for seminars and high level meetings. Holiday Resorts is a multi-faceted place with many possibilities and so go ahead and book your tickets to Puri and stay here to have a totally relaxed and fun filled time.

For more details about Hotels in Puri Beach just move on www.puriholidayresort.com

[stuber45188020]

A Summer Fun, Facts and Fantastic Adventures Giveaway from National Geographic Kids Books! (Retail Value: $98)

I have always been a huge fan of National Geographic Kids Books. They're beautiful to look at and exciting to read. Kids learn a lot, but they enjoy these books so much that they don't even realize they're learning. They're perfect for summer reading, especially for reluctant readers, and available for all ages. To help your family get their summer reading adventures off to a great start, National Geographic Kids Books is offering a fantastic giveaway for readers of this blog. Check out these boredom-busting, brain-boosting titles and enter for the chance to win ALL of them! (Or just pick up these books at your favorite booksellers!)

National Geographic Little Kids Big Book of Why (ages 3-7, $15)

What makes a car go? How does mushy dough become a crispy cookie? What does the doctor see in my throat? The Big Book of Why invites children to ask big questions, think big thoughts, and get answers that are accurate, engaging, level-appropriate, and based on sound educational findings. This book helps parents share fascinating, accurate answers, and inspires kids to be curious, ask questions, and explore the world around them. Games and parent tips encourage interactivity and extend the experience of the book beyond its pages. Highly photographic and playful, this big, sturdy book is an adventure in exploration.

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2021 (ages 8-12, $15)

The latest installment of the New York Times bestselling almanac features amazing animal stories, explorer profiles, and outrageous attractions, plus more of the incredible inventions, awesome games, and fresh challenges for curious kids who want to learn all about the world and everything that's in it! Tons of fun facts, crafts, activities, and fascinating features about animals, science, nature, technology, conservation, and more is why this is the number-one-selling kids almanac on the planet. There's a whole chapter full of fun and games, including activities, jokes, and comics and the colorful compilation also includes an Almanac Challenge 2021, which inspires kids to reduce their plastic waste and encourage others to do the same, and also highlights the winner of the 2020 Almanac Challenge.

The Explorer Academy series by Trudi Trueit (ages 8-12, $17 each)

Adventure, danger, and a thrilling global mission await Cruz Coronado at the elite Explorer Academy, where he and 23 other kids from around the globe train with the world's leading scientists to become the next generation of great explorers. But for Cruz, there's more at stake. No sooner has he arrived at the Academy than he discovers that his family has a mysterious past with the organization that could jeopardize his future. In the midst of codebreaking and cool classes, new friends and augmented reality expeditions, Cruz must tackle the biggest question of all: Who is out to get him, and why? This series is filled with thrilling adventures, high-tech cadets, cool science, faraway lands, and codes to crack. With four critically acclaimed titles in this series now available, two companion nonfiction activity books and hours and hours of videos, games, and info on real-life explorers at ExplorerAcademy.com, Explorer Academy is the perfect way to keep kids learning, reading and engaged this summer. * Check out all the books in the Explorer Academy series here. * Visit the Explorer Academy website for videos, games, “truth behind the fiction” features and more. * The first chapter from the fourth book in the Explorer Academy series, The Star Dunes, can be read here. Follow National Geographic Kids Books online: Twitter | Facebook | Website

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to National Geographic Kids Books, one lucky winner will receive a "Summer Fun, Facts and Fantastic Adventures Grand Prize Pack," which consists of the National Geographic Little Kids Big Book of Why, the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2021 and all FOUR titles in the Explorer Academy series (total ARV $98). This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends at 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, June 28, 2020.

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I received complimentary product samples to facilitate my honest review.

[thechocolategarage]

Blood Orange, Fresh Coast, Hispaniola...

December 22, 2017

Good news: We will stay open into 2018, Saturdays only, after closing from December 24-January 7th. 

Happy Friday Everyone! NEWS FLASH: We will be remaining open into the first quarter of 2018. Saturdays only, switching back to our winter schedule of 9 am - 1 pm. We will also have Full Belly Farm, Nut'n'Bean and a meat vendor making appearances on Saturdays, so drop in to our mini-market that runs through the winter! WE ARE ALSO OPEN TONIGHT FRIDAY 22nd DECEMBER 5:30-8:30 for any last minute shopping. (back to our regular programming.... :) I love the above picture, with our whole Nicaragua crew piled into a truck. The April 2018 (3/31- 4/7) trip is coming together nicely, but our additional detailed travel brochure has not come together yet! The holidays have somewhat gotten the better of us, keeping us on our toes juggling orders, gift boxes and shipments. Our itinerary is looking great, landing in Managua, heading to Matagalpa for a couple of days of farm visits, to then head for an over night in Granada, to then boat over to Isla Zapatera where we will visit petroglyphs, see lots of roaming animals, birds, caiman, river turtles. Ending up back in Managua for a celebration of chocolate made bean to bar, and seeing all the delicious items Momotombo makes. If you would like more info, please email us to let us know. It will be the first full week of April, and we will keep it intimate, maxing out at 12 guests. Kids are welcome, Nicaragua is very accessible and safe. I plan to bring my kids again, now they are 8 and 10, so maybe I can get them to lead parts of it. Kidding. If you already expressed your interest via email, we have you on file, and will send out more details shortly. The price for adults will be $2950, 7 days of everything included, chocolate and rum tastings, food, transport, and transfer to and from the airport. Airfare is not included, but everything else is! We will have a few discounted spots for kids, but will limit the number of kids. As for our next trip in February 2018, India is set. Hotels booked and paid for, itinerary all organized, our cultural exploration of food, culture, coconut and cacao in southern India is set, and I can't wait to bring our group of adventuresome explorers there. We do have two last minute extra spots that have opened, so please ping me if you are interested! Saturday Tasting Menu Fresh Coast Brazil 70% Felchlin Cru Sauvage Bolivia drops Hispaniola 68% Patric Chocolate Red Coconut Curry Patric Chocolate Blood Orange 66 So, c'mon by tomorrow, we'll be open from 8 am until 1pm. It will almost certainly be very busy, so please extend your patience. Katie, Alice and I will be there to help, so hopefully we will manage to keep the sample trays full, the shelves a plenty too, and a smile on our faces. We are going to taste five bars, because I couldn't whittle it down further than the above bars. We also will be offering a complimentary Red Coconut for each Red Coconut you buy... in greed mongering terms I believe that is called: BOGO. I figure it is a way for those of you who love this bar (like me!) to be able to share it with others who might be adventurous, spice and flavor loving friends. My gift. But you get to pass it on. Other than that, we have plenty of fun bars, here is an incomplete, but juicy list: Fruition 100%, Camino Verde Crunch, Hispaniola, a few Wild Bolivia bars, a few Marañon that were gifted to us by Fruition, we also got in some more Francois Pralus; Cuba, Fortissima, Venezuela, as well as some Bonnat refills: Haiti, Kaori, Los Colorados, El Rosario, Cote d'Ivoire. Fresh Coast is available as Belize, Brazil or Tanzania 70 percent bars. We also have a few of The Smooth Chocolator available, a few Caffe Latte, Haiti and Belize. Some delicious Felchlin based bars by the talented Michael Mischer, with roasted almonds or toffee and Murray River Salt. A few new Patric bars, a bunch of Areté bars that will appear and disappear very quickly on Saturday morning, once David and Leslie have made their weekly delivery. We also had Taylor of Sirene send us one last shipment before the holidays, to get more Tingo Maria, his dark milk duo, and a couple others. There are still some Ritual bars, Fleur de Sel (very trendy, throw salt on the back of something and yumm yumm, people snap it up!) as well as their Camino Verde and Madagascar. Ok, finally, before I close out, great stocking stuffers, with Lillie Belle Farms "The Most Awesome Bar Ever" and you can't really argue with Jeff, this bar is insane! As well as some of the small Francois Pralus pyramides that y'all refer to as towers... :) You are right, they are not pyramid shaped, but, Mr. Pralus calls them "pyramides", so I am not crazy to call them by their name, even if the name is faulty. Last chance to get some Happy Chocolate! Reminder again, we will be closed from December 24th through January 8th, all of us taking European style vacations, because there are some things Europeans do better than Americans. Sensible vacation and time off is one of those things. They kind of do food pretty well too... at least some European countries. Seriously, signing off, see you tomorrow! Sunita 

A really memorable tasting we did recently, for a team saying goodbye to one of their members with a Happy Chocolate pairing. Scotch, tequila, dessert wines and sake. Yes. Book your 2018 tastings now! 

We are getting closer and closer with our Switzerland choco-doc! I am recording voice over standing in my clothes closet with the door closed (hah!), and Juliette then patches it together... stay tuned! 

[topfygad]

10 Awesome Things to do in Ubud, Bali

This blog post was written in collaboration with Orbitz. All opinions are my own.

Every year about 6 Million travelers are taking a flight to Bali, and half of them spending some time in Ubud. It’s no surprise that the beautiful village became such a popular hotspot over the past decade. Ubud is a true treasure of Indonesia and it’s not hard to fall in love with this magical place…

  3 month ago I made the decision to come back to Ubud for an extended period of time. I have gotten so much into yoga over the past year that moving there for a few months in order to deepen my yoga practice seemed one of the best things to do in Ubud.

  I visited Ubud on many occasions over the past 10 years, and every time I wondered, what would happen if I just stay longer? Well, it was about time to find out. Here’s some inspiration for your visit – 10 things to do in Ubud, Bali. 

    Ubud is an absolute food heaven! I’m not exaggerating! From all the places in the world, this is my personal favorite when it comes to food, and I’ll tell you why: Vegan food everywhere, it is unbelievable!! And not only vegan, you can also find vegan raw (at Alchemy), vegan macro (at Clear Cafe), and vegan gluten free (at Sawobali)… just to name a few of these wonderful places to eat. And the best of all, it’s extremely affordable. I have never paid more than $10 for a meal in Ubud.

  Cooking is at the heart of Balinese culture, and there is no better place than Ubud to take a cooking class. One of the most acclaimed cooking schools in Bali is Ketut’s Balinese Cooking Class. The Cooking School runs programs that are perfect for anyone that wants to understand Balinese flavors, culture and food.

  Too lazy to cook, but you would love to try different kinds of traditional foods? Take it easy, and go on a foodie tour in Ubud to enjoy a delicious culinary feast!

    Tegallalang Rice Terrace is one of those surreal places you won’t forget. It’s even more magical during sunrise and sunset,however If you’re exploring the area without a guide, make sure to head to Tegallalang as early as possible (6AM) to escape the crowds. You can park your scooter on the main road on top.

  The place is heaven for photographers and drone pilots, the rice fields stretch out for miles while the terraces sit at an elevation overlooking the countryside. If you get tired from hiking through the paddies there are plenty of cafes and warungs along the main road with million dollar views. 

    Goa Gajah stands since the eleventh century. It was initially constructed as a spiritual retreat to practice meditation away from the interference of society. A trip here rewards you with an area carrying sprawling vendors selling art, souvenirs, and refreshments.

  Entry is free and you are offered the assistance of a guide when you enter through the ominous mouth of a demon – the doorway to this temple. A pool lies waiting with seven Hindu deities immortalized on seven vases acting as waterspouts.

  Take your time to admire the animal carvings and ancient inscriptions along those ancient walls. The entire area carries an ornate, time swept feeling which does a great job of bringing one to realize just how magical this landmark actually is. 

    After Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling book “Eat Pray Love“, Ubud became the mecca for all those searching for enlightenment. Ubud is one of the most incredible places in the world, if you want to connect with yourself, deepen your yoga practice and learn about meditation. There are numerous yoga studios in Ubud, the most popular ones in the center are Yoga Barn, Radiantly Alive and Ubud Yoga Centre.

  All of these studious above have a delicious restaurant onsite, and with plenty of yoga and meditation classes every day, it’s easy to keep yourself busy all day long without doing much. Try Healing Yoga at Yogabarn, it’s an amazing experience.

  Yoga classes cost on average about $10 per class. If you’re on a budget, try one of the local studios, Saraswati is a smaller, but comfy studio, located in the center and classes are as cheap as $5.

    Ubud Art Market and the Royal Palace are located in the heart of Ubud, and right next to each other. Between these two, you can easily get lost exploring and shopping for hours, buying souvenirs and taking in the awe-inspiring culture & history of Bali. The Royal Palace in Ubud is a structure that has stood since the start of the 8th century. The detail and level of preservation are remarkable and making this place a must see.

  While in the area, you can’t miss the chance to sample some of the best Indonesian food in Bali. Puspa’s Warung is a popular and cheap eatery with some vegan choices. If you feel like having a healthy dessert, head to Acai Queen around the corner, they have the best vegan Acai Bowls in town!

    There are approximately 750 monkeys living within the grounds of the Monkey Forest, visiting the sanctuary is one of the most popular things to do in Ubud. It’s a fascinating place to explore, with Hindu temples scattered across the complex.

  Watch your stuff when you’re around the monkeys, they love to snatch things such as sun glasses, water bottles and obviously if you carry around food, they will grab it from you in no time! Don’t put your phone or camera beside you if you decide to take a rest on a bench. Basically attach anything tight onto you! I’m not kidding.

  It’s 100k IDR to enter the Monkey Forest, that’s roughly USD7. If you’re on a tight budget, just walk the trail around the Monkey Forest. It’s free to pass, you’ll see many monkeys there as well, but motorbikes using this path as a shortcut, so the walk can get a bit stressful during rush hours.

    Balinese music and dance is among the most vibrant displays of culture you’ll ever see. You can witness this spectacle at many places around town, one of them is at Pura Dalem Taman Kaja, where you can enjoy a hypnotic performance at the temple, featuring a Balinese Hindu drama & dance act, also known as Kecak dancing. The entrance fee is 100k IDR (US$7).

  Another great way to a grand show of Balinese Culture is to head to Laka Leke Garden Restaurant. The buffet has a broad selection of vegetarian and Indonesian dishes. Enjoy your tasty traditional meals as you watch Kecak fire dances, Kris and Barong dances, and many other cultural displays. Every night a different show is on offer.

    Ubud’s beautiful spas give a full-service treatment including ayurvedic massages, body scrubs, and local healing therapies like flower bath treatments. You can look forward to ancient Balinese remedies granting you the highest level of relaxation and therapeutics.

  Where to go? You can’t go wrong with the world-class service of Botanica Bali Day Spa for luxury and true local tradition. Another leading option seated in the middle of the rice fields is Karsa Spa. Their full day treatments aside jungle trail scenery will have you calm and rejuvenated. Definitely make an appointment in advance! 

    Ubud is wonderful to explore on a scooter or bike. Once you hire a scooter and explore the city and its surrounding villages, you’ll soon understand why this is the favorite form of travel for locals. Stick to smaller rads and off-route streets to avoid traffic.

  A trip through the city with multiple busy intersections can be quite daunting for a tourist, but the adventure is a unique experience if you dare to try. Please don’t ride a bike without helmet, International Driver Licence and insurance! If you’re not feeling confident, skip this! There are plenty of drivers available to bring you around. Unfortunately Grab, Uber and Gojek aren’t working in Ubud. 

  I’m renting my scooter from Darma Putra Bali Bike Rental and I’m pretty happy with their services and the conditions of the bikes. Give them a try if you’re looking for any scooter rental.

    Photo © Jorge Láscar under CC BY 2.0

  Puri Lukisan is the oldest art museum in Bali, with a focus on wood carvings, modern and traditional Balinese paintings. It’s a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours. If you have kids, you could easily end up spending the day. You can look forward to gracious displays of Balinese art at its best. Each painting gives you a wonderful depiction through a vivid story, and the entire visit can be quite calming. There are tons of exciting workshops for kids but be sure to reserve your booking at least one day in advance.

  The museum operates between 09:00 and 17:00. The entry ticket cost 75k IDR ($5) and gives access to all four different galleries, plus a free drink at the garden cafe.

    You only have 24 hours to explore Ubud?

  If you’re in Ubud only for one day, I suggest doing the Best of Ubud Tour, which covers the highlights of the city and its surroundings. It makes sense to plan ahead for shorter stays, so you can relax more while you’re there and don’t need to waste time with travel planning. Also, you can earn more when you travel by booking your activities through Orbitz.

  If you’re lucky enough to stay more than a day, make sure to book your hotel in Ubud in advance, especially during peak season in July and August, as well as Christmas and NYE it’s getting busy and rooms are filled up in no time.

    Whether you’re looking for peace and relaxation, amazing food, or just hauling your scooter along to explore the green jungles, Ubud is a place that you’ll probably never forget. It’s especially fun for those who enjoy exploring the lesser seen trails and villages surrounding this area. 

  I hope you enjoyed this guide to Ubud and you’ll love this place as much as I do! Needless to say, there are far more than 10 things to do in Ubud, I’m here just a few weeks, maybe in a few months I’ll come up with even more places to visit in Ubud! Until then, I’m enjoying this magical town as much as I can…

Happy travels!

     This post was written in collaboration with Orbitz.com.

Enjoy exclusive deals and get plenty of benefits, such as complimentary hotel upgrades by becoming an Orbitz Rewards member! Join here to become a member now!

  If you like this article, please share.

                  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Sabrina Iovino is the founder of JustOneWayTicket.com. She’s half German, half Italian and has traveled to more than 50 countries around the globe.

She feels weird to write about herself in the third person, so she’ll switch now. Phew…much better! Let’s restart:

Hi, I’m Sab! This is my blog and I write about the things I love. Mostly.

  Follow me on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Google+ | Youtube

              from Cheapr Travels https://ift.tt/32doJpo via IFTTT

[toongirlintherealworld]

Pit Stop: Chicago

Hey, Virginia the Toon Girl here. Been away for awhile, but now is the time to continue the story of the summer of awesome.

July 9th-10th

Okay, so we got to Chicago pretty late on the 9th. Since the train was behind schedule, we were told that we could get put up in a hotel for free by Amtrak, but since we were tired and didn’t want to wait in a long line, we decided to look for a hotel on our own. We settled at a Marriott hotel, and since my mom is a Platinum member with them, they hooked us up with the biggest room they have (hey kill ’em)! However, they did tell us that the water was going to cut off as soon as we got to our room........okay.......No big deal (learn to a bath with water bottles). Since we had some extra time in Chicago, we decided to order one of their famous pizzas. Okay guys, this is shameful on my part, but I didn’t know that Chicago’s specialty was deep dish. So when we ordered the pizza, I was expecting almost like a New York styled/Dominos/Papa John’s pizza. When it came, I opened the box, I was surprised to find a style that I had never really scene before. It was a different taste, but I liked it!

The next morning after that late night pizza, the water was back on! We could take proper showers! Then we ate the complimentary breakfast at the hotel, dropped our luggage off in the lobby, headed out on the town. My goal for the day was to seek out Millennial Park and it’s famous Cloud Gate, or “The Bean”, art piece. However, we did stop in a candy store first: Dylan’s Candy Bar. I knew they had one in New York, but I had never been in, so this was my chance. Upon going in the store, they gave us a sample of their candy, and then we walked around seeing current and older candies we haven’t seen in ages. They have old retro candies at that store that my mother recognized from her youth. Here’s a picture of her hugging her favorite, a Chunky bar:

Oh how she loves it, but she doesn’t eat it anymore. She only request to have a Chunky bar on her death bed.

Here are some other pictures from the candy store:

Me with this masterpiece of a candy: “Red Vines: What the hell can’t they do.” - Ron Weasley, A Very Potter Sequel. 

And so, we said goodbye to the store and continued our short Chicago journey, and I must say, this city is so nice!

We saw this statue called the “Return Visit” of Abraham Lincoln and some dude who we thought looked like Mr. Rogers.

And then I saw this canal and it reminded me of one of my favorite movies, My Best Friend’s Wedding with Julia Roberts. And duh, the movie was filmed here! I forgot yo!

We also found this Nutella themed restaurant...don’t go in Virginia, don’t go in. Just keeeeeep walking

And so we did keep walking right towards Millennial Park. My heard was pounding really hard because I had only seen The Bean in Youtube videos or read about them in John Green books, and now I was seeing it in reality.

And just like that...BAM! We made it! And it was glorious.

After marveling at the art piece for about 20 minutes, we headed back toward the hotel to pick up our things. On the way, my mother suggested we get some famous Chicago popcorn. We settled at a place called Garrett Popcorn Shops, and it was pretty delicious. You already know I got that Cheddar and Carmel popcorn mix.

As our time in the Windy City was ending, I said we had to go visit the Disney store they had there...I’m a Disney nerd, what can I say...Although the decor in the place was super cool, alas, in mall-like Disney Stores, there are no items for adults like there are in the Disney parks. Oh well, this was not the last stop on my journey with Disney...

...In fact, we were not only going to California for the train ride, we were going for the D23 EXPO IN ANAHEIM, CA!! WOOO! But more on that later.

After this, we went back to the hotel and went to Chicago’s Union Station to go on our three day journey across the county to California.

To be continued...